Don't let MPs gloat about Canada finally calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, this is not enough. More than 20 000 Palestinian lives have now been lost due to Israeli bombing. We must hold our elected officials accountable for making us complicit in the genocide of Palestinians.

When I go to bed at night, I don't have to worry about being blown to bits or whether I can have food, water, medical treatment or even be able to turn on the lights. These things we all take for granted but people in other places in the world such as Gaza and Ukraine(and too many more) can't and that is a tragedy. Calling for a permanent ceasefire means both sides must lay down their weapons. Israel believes that it can militarily destroy Hamas and they have clearly stated that belief. This conflict ,in my opinion will never be solved with guns and bombs because it is like adding gasoline to a fire.

We need to put pressure on those in power to demand a permanent ceasefire so that this humanitarian crisis will end. I want those affected by this conflict to know that people in Canada are supporting them. We are devastated by what happened on October 7th, and continue to be devastated with the civilians lives being sacrificed in order to remove Hamas permanently.

Since October 7, the loss of innocent lives has reached alarming numbers. We continue to watch with profound grief as the death toll steadily climbs: over 18,000 lives have been claimed to date in Gaza, over 1,200 lives have been claimed to date in Israel, and over 260 lives have been claimed to date in the West Bank. Within our own country, we have witnessed an upsurge in hate crimes and violent attacks targeting Jewish and Muslim individuals. Neither a humanitarian pause nor a 4-day truce is enough to stop more innocent loss of life. It is unequivocally clear that an immediate and permanent ceasefire is needed. Canada has demonstrated efforts towards acknowledging past injustices, seeking truth, and fostering reconciliation through its recognition of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In a similar vein, our advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza exemplifies our commitment to justice, peace, and the protection of innocent lives, irrespective of geopolitical boundaries. The Canadian federal government has not supported the international call for a ceasefire. It falls upon Canadian municipalities, both large and small, to add their voices to this critical matter. Already, some municipalities have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the greater the pressure on the federal government. Tofino is a renowned tourist destination that attracts over 600,000 visitors annually from across Canada and the world. As such, Tofino holds significant recognition both domestically and internationally. Our voice as a municipality carries weight in shaping public opinion and can encourage other municipalities and representatives to follow suit in urging the federal government to take decisive action.

We must uphold the lasting values and traditions of Canada being a peace keeping country. Palestinians face daily human rights abuses such as apartheid systems, poverty, food and water shortages, arrests and detention of children who are brought before military courts. Gaza is currently the most dangerous place in the world to be a child, with bombardments increasing daily on civilian homes and infrastructures. We must stop this increasing humanitarian crisis and protect the lives of innocent civilians, namely children.

These restrictions limit the capacity of organisations that are focused on using sport for development from accessing needed funds to operate and deliver programming for communities in Canada. By making the funding framework and definition of sport more open to allowing other sport organisations access to funds, we can refocus the sport system in Canada away from it's sole focus on medals to one focused on social, economic and environmental benefits in communities across Canada.

Given the need to raise more awareness of the importance of sport for development and how it interacts with Canada's sporting goals, it is essential that we raise this topic more and more. By instituting this day as an officially observed day in Canada, we can help push the needle towards a more purposeful sport system. One that values sustainability, social progress, community involvement over medals and performance.

Stand up for freedom, democracy, and human rights now and urge Justin Trudeau and Melonie Joly to declare the Iranian regime a terrorist organization immediately. Please see the recent Global news special on this issue at https://www.google.com/amp/s/globalnews.ca/news/10076891/iran-dissidents-threats-canada/amp/.

As Squamish grows, noise levels experienced by citizens of all ages increase.

Oakville Council has delayed climate action for too long. Although they declared a climate emergency in 2019 council has yet to implement any true actions to help reduce emissions for our Town and its citizens. Our Town has a responsibility to put in place programs to help support its residents to reduce emissions and adapt to our changing climate. This summer’s wildfires were a wake-up call to all residents that we must act now. Please use our letter-writing tool to demand climate action from Mayor Rob Burton and our Oakville Council in the 2024 Oakville Budget.

The Federal Government needs to act now by declaring a State of Emergency and transferring adequate funding to Indigenous communities and Indigenous housing and service providers to address the housing crisis.

The Sask Party has eroded public education for years and now they are attacking the rights of some of our most vulnerable students. Collectively, as members of the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, we need to stand together in solidarity to protect the fundamental rights and protections of the 2SLGBTQ+ community