By Fiona McMurran
The South Niagara Chapter of the Council of Canadians – a nationwide group dedicated to preserving Canada’s independence – marked its first birthday in the region this December with the opening of an office in Welland.
Council of Canadians national chairperson Maude Barlow flanked by South Niagara Chapter members Shari Sacco (back left), Fiona McMurran (back right), and Jen Coorsh (seated right at the Unbottle It! January 2009 event at Brock University. Photo by Terry Nicholls
The Council of Canadians is this country’s largest citizen watchdog group with its well-known chairperson, Maude Barlow, along with a staff and a volunteer board at the helm, researching and consulting on issues such as water and climate justice, food security and sovereignty, trade deals being made at the provincial and federal levels, and the battle to preserve Medicare, as well as other pressing issues related to Canadian sovereignty.
The various chapters of the Council of Canadians work at the local level, urging friends and neighbors to take action to keep governments accountable, and to work for the changes that they believe serve the common good.
Members of the Southern Niagara Chapter are excited about the possibilities the new office space opening up—so excited, in fact, that they are holding an open house to celebrate. The group held a special drop-in party for the public at new office at 30 East Main Street, in Welland on Dec. 16.
Dr. Thoppil Abraham, an active member of the South Niagara Chapter, found the office space for the group and an official opening is being planned for early in the new year.
Adds Fiona McCurran, chairwoman of the South Niagara Chapter of the Council of Canadians and contributor of this article:
“Throughout the region, we’ve been raising awareness of the Council of Canadians and what it does. We’ve staffed tables with our literature from Brock University’s Social Justice Forum to Fort Erie’s Earth Day to the Wainfleet Agricultural Fair; we’ve marched, rallied, and made presentations—along with our colleagues from Fort Erie, Port Colborne and St. Catharines, as well as with Ontario Health Coalition members from across the province—to fight back against hospital closures and cuts to services. I think that local residents are beginning to accept that we are here.”
“Since South Niagara encompasses several municipalities, it’s not been easy to find a central location to hold meetings. Now that we have a space of our own, it’s our aim to make it a place for people who want to learn more about the Council of Canadians’ major campaigns, and to work on local and regional issues of concern to Niagara residents. We hope people will drop by to pick up literature, and stop to chat and share ideas. Having a space means being able to program documentary film screenings, discussion groups and planning sessions on an on-going basis.
At last – somewhere to make placards and banners that isn’t my dining-room table!”
“We’re a citizen watch-dog organization, and all indications are that there is a greater need than ever for Canadians to become informed and to call their elected representatives, and government departments and agencies, to account. Canadians are beginning to recognize that that so much is being done in our name, and much of the decision-making is happening behind our backs.”
Niagara At Large 