Peace motion to be introduced at federal table
By Contributor
Motions to the establishment of a federal Department of Peace as well as developing a concept of a Civilian Peace Service in Canada will be introduced in the House of Commons by the region’s MP.
BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko is planning on re-introducing a private member’s bill, first introduced by former MP Bill Siksay, this fall calling for the establishment of a Department of Peace.
“As we strive to regain our stature in the world as a broker for peace, it is important for our government to have a mandate to advocate for the non-violent resolution of conflict at home and abroad. I am very grateful to my former colleague Bill Siksay for taking this initiative which I am following up on”, stated Atamanenko.
His plan is to work closely with those of the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI) and other advocates for peace to bring this issue forward.
According to J. J. Verigin, executive director of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC), an umbrella organization representing many Doukhobor people in Canada, the establishment of a Department of Peace would have the support of a great many Canadians.
“This could serve as an inspiration and even challenge to people and governments around the world to demonstrate their determination to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” he said.
“It would demonstrate our nations commitment to peace and resurrect our international reputation as a peacekeeper, and just as peacekeeping was a Canadian initiative born out of the necessity of that time, this too can be a Canadian initiative whose time has indeed come.”
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