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Humber: Don't expel students for needing a payment planHumber College rejected my proposal to use a payment plan to allow me to pay for my tuition in monthly installments, instead of in a one lump sum. This is because of a rule they have just put in place which allows them to expel anyone who can’t pay outright. In 2017, Humber posted a net revenue of $23 million. [1] They can afford to allow students struggling financially, in an economy set up for them to fail, to use a payment plan to finish their accreditation. The semester ends this month. We need to seize this moment while students are still in school to add pressure to the college to reverse this unfair rule. Will you add your name to demand Humber reverse unfair rules allowing them to expel students who need payment extensions? College is a place where people go to make their lives better, so they can compete in an ever-more demanding workforce. But rising costs of living and tuition are squeezing students out. Humber is a leading Canadian college, and they should be setting an example by helping to solve these problems, not making them worse. They have more than enough money to support students who need it. Will you add your name now so we can turn up the heat to reverse these unfair rules before the semester ends this month? Source: [1] https://humber.ca/about-humber/corporate-info/publications/files/humber-annual-report-16-17.pdf251 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Madalene Arias
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Save the CobaltIt is a cultural icon of this city that is being destroyed by rampant gentrification and the lack of any will by the city to stop it.6 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Alex Jastrzembska
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Canadians Call for Official Recognition of the Roma GenocideCanada has still not officially recognized the Genocide of Roma and Sinti (‘Porrajmos’) which occurred during Nazi occupation of Europe in World War II. In addition to committing genocide against the Jews, the Nazis committed genocide against the Roma and Sinti. On August 2nd 1944, the remaining 2897 Roma and Sinti men, women, elderly and children imprisoned in the Zigeunerlager (“Gypsy Camp”) were murdered in the gas chambers at Auschwitz-Birkenau. According to the most recent estimates, between 500,000 and 1,000,000 Roma and Sinti were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. For this reason, the international Roma community has designated August 2 as the day to commemorate the Roma and Sinti Porrajmos. Despite this history, the Porrajmos, which is often referred to as the “Forgotten Holocaust”, remains widely unrecognized by governments around the world. After the war, scant political and academic attention was paid to the fate suffered by the Roma and Sinti. During the Nuremberg trials, there was seldom mention of the mass murders of Roma and Sinti, and Roma witnesses were not invited to testify. Only in April 2015 did the European Parliament finally adopt a resolution recognizing the historical fact of the Porrajmos. The resolution declared “that a European day should be dedicated to commemorating the victims of the genocide of the Roma during World War II”. It states, furthermore, “the need to combat Antigypsyism at every level and by every means, and stresses that this phenomenon is an especially persistent, violent, recurrent and commonplace form of racism”. Romanipe invites the Canadian government to follow the example of the European Parliament and to formally recognise the Porrajmos. This recognition would grant legal and moral legitimacy to the Roma and Sinti, allowing them to be rightfully integrated into the history of the Holocaust and included in all official ceremonies, commemorations and events that honour the victims of World War II. Our inability to recognise the Roma Genocide continues to normalize hate and discrimination against these peoples today. In 2016, a monument dedicated to the Roma and Sinti victims was tragically vandalized in Berlin. Events like these signal the need to change perceptions and attitudes toward Roma and Sinti, in order to build a culture of understanding and acceptance rather than one of hate. In his note left in the book of remembrance at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in 2017, Justin Trudeau mentioned the importance of remembering this painful part of our history, and our commitment to never again allow such darkness to prevail. The lack of indignation at the recent killings of Roma by far-right extremists speaks to the very real dangers and consequences of forgetting the past. This is why we ask the Canadian government to respect its commitment to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and its aim of recognizing the Genocide of the Roma. . Officially recognising August 2 as the day of memory dedicated to the Porrajmos ensures that the right to remembrance of Roma communities is respected and that the untold stories of Roma and Sinti victims and survivors are honoured. Such recognition also serves to delegitimize current hate and violence, and acknowledges the fact that Roma and Sinti communities still suffer from discrimination and persecution. Will you write to the Prime Minister to support this initiative?206 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Quintin Bart
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Ban plastic bags in VancouverRight now, Canadians are using over 9 BILLION plastic bags every year - that's enough bags to circle the Earth more than 55 times. [1] We need to ban plastic bags now! Plastic in our oceans is having devastating effects on marine life, and plastic bags that break down into microplastics are making their way into the fish and shellfish that we eat, and the water that we drink. [2][3][4] Canadian cities like Montreal and Victoria have already passed bylaws to prevent stores from selling single-use plastic bags -- it's time for cities and towns across Canada to do the same. [5] [6] If we don't take action to cut down our plastic waste, by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish.[7] Sign the petition now, and demand that plastic bags be banned. _____________________________________________________________________ [1]https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/victoria-ban-on-single-use-plastic-shopping-bags-to-begin-in-july-1.3726946 [2]http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/microplastics-fish-shellfish-1.3954947 [3] http://nationalpost.com/health/global-study-finds-microplastics-in-93-of-bottled-water-but-little-known-about-effect-on-humans [4]http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/09/06/world-tap-water-plastic_a_23199390/ [5] https://globalnews.ca/news/3940536/no-more-plastic-bags-in-montreal-first-major-canadian-city-to-implement-ban/ [6] http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/residents/climate-change/single-use-plastic-bags.html [7] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_New_Plastics_Economy.pdf521 of 600 Signatures
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Ban plastic bags in TorontoRight now, Canadians are using over 9 BILLION plastic bags every year - that's enough bags to circle the Earth more than 55 times. [1] We need to ban plastic bags now! Plastic in our oceans is having devastating effects on marine life, and plastic bags that break down into microplastics are making their way into the fish and shellfish that we eat, and the water that we drink. [2][3][4] Canadian cities like Montreal and Victoria have already passed bylaws to prevent stores from selling single-use plastic bags -- it's time for Toronto to do the same. [5] [6] If we don't take action to cut down our plastic waste, by 2050 there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish.[7] Sign the petition now, and demand that plastic bags be banned. _____________________________________________________________________ [1]https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/victoria-ban-on-single-use-plastic-shopping-bags-to-begin-in-july-1.3726946 [2]http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/microplastics-fish-shellfish-1.3954947 [3] http://nationalpost.com/health/global-study-finds-microplastics-in-93-of-bottled-water-but-little-known-about-effect-on-humans [4]http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/09/06/world-tap-water-plastic_a_23199390/ [5] https://globalnews.ca/news/3940536/no-more-plastic-bags-in-montreal-first-major-canadian-city-to-implement-ban/ [6] http://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/residents/climate-change/single-use-plastic-bags.html [7] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_New_Plastics_Economy.pdf1,464 of 2,000 Signatures
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I will never vote for Doug FordDoug Ford is a multi-millionaire heir to a family fortune who pretends to care about working class people while echoing the far-right talking points of his extreme social conservative base. He is an imposter who cares only about his own wealth and power. He has vowed to suppress wages for minimum wage workers and shovel more money into the pockets of his rich corporate shareholder friends. He wants to restrict access to abortion at the request of friends like his endorser Charles McVety - a man so openly homophobic that his show was kicked off of Christian television. And Doug Ford is keen to ignore climate change in favour of extracting still more profits for the wealthy elites that support him, all at the expense of our children's future. We must come together to reject Doug Ford's PCs. Sign the pledge!374 of 400 SignaturesCreated by Tim Ellis
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Canadian Tire: Stop selling products made by guns manufacturer Vista OutdoorVista Outdoor is a United States based corporation that owns Savage Arms - one of the largest producers of semi-automatic weapons in the country. [1] They're heavily involved in the gun lobby, and have ties to the National Rifle Association (NRA). [2] Canadian Tire is currently supporting Vista Outdoors by stocking products from their other brands like -- Raskullz, Bushnell, Weaver, Simmons, Tasco, Butler Creek. [3] In light of the ongoing mass shootings south of the border, many companies are withdrawing their support from manufacturers of assault type weapons. Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) has just stopped orders for all products from Vista. [4] We call on Canadian Tire to follow suit. Sources: [1] https://www.outsideonline.com/2282941/should-our-morals-determine-our-gear-purchases [2] https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/fully-loaded-ten-biggest-gun-manufacturers-america/ [3] https://vistaoutdoor.com/brands/ [4] http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/mec-vista-outdoor-1.45570712,038 of 3,000 SignaturesCreated by Jim Mason
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Reform Canadian Peremptory Challenges in Jury SelectionOn February 9, 2018, an all-white jury found Gerald Stanley, a white man, not guilty of murder in the shooting of Colten Boushie, a 22 year old Indigenous man. In Canada, lawyers are able to challenge potential jury members without having to explain their reasoning (aka peremptory challenges). As we have just seen in the trail of Gerald Stanley for the murder of Colten Bousie. The jury was entirely white, after the defense challenged every person who appeared to be Indigenous. The under-representation of Indigenous people in Canada is yet another example of system racism. We need to urge for a reform of the system that allows lawyers to racially profile during jury selection. If Canadians are hopeful for reconciliation, this is an important step that must be taken.26 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Melissa Lepp
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Stop the sale Of AECON to the Chinese governmentWith the huge trade, we already do with the Chinese government we simply back their repressive regime, provide funds for them to become a world leader and create even more environmental damage.4 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Alex Jackson
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I demand justice for Colten Boushie NOWColten Boushie was a 22-year-old from Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. In August 2016, Colten was shot in the back of the head and killed by Gerald Stanley. On Friday, an all-white jury found that the accused -- Gerald Stanley -- was acquitted of all charges. The administration of justice in this case, from beginning to end, reeks of racism. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs are calling for an immediate appeal of the verdict and an inquiry into this "gross miscarriage of justice”. A massive petition will show federal and provincial Justice Ministers that there is cross-country support for these demands. Sign the petition calling for an immediate appeal and inquiry.. Please also consider donating to the Boushie/Baptiste family, to support them in their time of morning and healing and on their journey for justice: https://www.gofundme.com/justice4colten Here’s a recap of what happened: Gerald Stanley, a white man from North Battleford SK, shot Colten Boushie, a young Indigenous man, in the head. The RCMP responded to Boushie’s death by storming his family’s home with guns drawn, searching Boushie’s house without a warrant and accused his mom of drinking. When the case went to court, Indigenous people were systematically excluded from the jury. Those left with the power to decide Stanley’s fate would be all white. Despite expert evidence and testimony that the gun didn’t fire accidently, Stanley was fully acquitted of any responsibility — even manslaughter — for Boushie’s death. This verdict is a striking example of how racism still persists in Canada’s justice system. There needs to be an immediate appeal and special inquiry into the administration of justice in this case immediately. The Minister of Justice in Saskatchewan has power to launch an inquiry and call for an immediate appeal of the verdict. Justice Minister Jody-Wilson Raybould, who has spoken out about the verdict, has the political weight to make it happen. Sources: Stanley says he shot Boushie in head: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/colten-boushie/article32451940/ Federal Minister speaks out: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/we-have-to-do-better-trudeau-reacts-to-gerald-stanley-verdict-1.3798036 All-white jury: http://www.macleans.ca/news/the-gerald-stanley-verdict-is-a-blow-to-reconciliation-and-a-terrifying-one-at-that/ Indigenous leaders call for inquiry: http://www.ckom.com/2018/02/09/238156/ To support Colten's family in their time of mourning and healing, and on their journey for justice, please donate: https://www.gofundme.com/justice4colten18,958 of 20,000 Signatures
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100% Social Housing at 58 West Hastings Now!Downtown Eastside residents have struggled for over a decade to get the site at 58 W. Hastings for social housing for low-income community members. Led by Indigenous women community organizers, residents and supporters have marched through the streets, organized two tent cities including the 2010 Olympic tent city and 2016 tent city, guided tours with BC's new NDP Minister of Housing and Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, held countless public meetings, demonstrations, and more. About 1,200 homeless people and 3,000 SRO residents live in the Downtown Eastside with no decent housing available for them at rents they can afford. Homeless people have about half the life expectancy of other people in society. Indigenous people, women and children fleeing violence, and other marginalized communities are more likely to experience homelessness. SRO living, where residents share washrooms with everyone on their floor, is not adequate: residents do not have private kitchens, have numerous rodents and bugs, and are often subject to abusive management. SRO residents and homeless people need decent, dignified social housing they can afford. Yet the Mayor and City of Vancouver are planning to reduce the amount of social housing from the promise 100% down to 30%. The plan to build over 200 units of housing in the DTES, with only 70 of them planned to be at welfare/pension rate, is a waste of good housing and further contributes to the gentrification of the DTES. A “social mix” building which includes expensive rentals will exacerbate market pressures on the neighbourhood, create higher rents for SRO residents, and generate the displacement of even more low income people from the DTES. On August 2, 2016, Mayor Gregor Robertson signed a commitment to build 100% welfare and pension rate, community-controlled social housing at 58 W Hastings. Since then, the city has reneged on its promise. Instead of a project that would provide over 300 units to low-income people, the city is moving along with a project that could provide as few as 70 units at a time with record high homelessness. Read more about the Our Homes Can’t Wait Coalition and our community vision for housing on 58 W Hastings here: www.carnegieaction.org/ourhomescantwait/278 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Our Homes Can't Wait
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Ensure Fair Travel Advisories for Egypt and the rest of the Middle EastMany countries in the Middle East, particularly Egypt, rely heavily on tourism for employment - providing direct and indirect income to countless people. When Western countries put up travel advisories, many people are discouraged from visiting. As a result, local incomes are reduced, unemployment is increased, poverty is worsened, and countless families suffer unnecessarily. This is an avoidable tragedy, and directly contradicts the aims of our international aid, and the great work of countless NGOs and others who are working on development in the region. At the same time, many Western countries have had significant security events happen in major urban areas, and have not had similar advisories placed on them by the Canadian government. Canadians (including myself) and other expats have lived, worked and traveled in and out of Egypt happily and safely over the last several decades, even when travel advisories have been present, including staff at the Canadian embassy in Cairo. This petition is not suggesting that there are no safety risks - simply asking that the region get treated fairly, and endorsed equally compared to Western countries.39 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Stephanie Janzen-Martin