The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Democracy isnt broke, but panel says it needs fixingBy Dominik KurekShe said people use excuses forstopped in 2009. The group wastatives in power.OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFnot voting such as, it doesnt mat-informed KAIROS proposal didThe third group is women.ter if I vote because nothingnot coincide with the govern-I am more hopeful about usIs Canadian democracy bro-changes, my vote doesnt count,ments international developmentbecause we do have both eyesken?all politicians are dishonest orpriorities.open. We need to wake up ourThis was topic of discussion atIm afraid to vote.Through freedom to informa-three sleeping giants, she said.the inaugural Democracy Cafe said the latter commenttion, it was determined that theWith the active participation ofpanel discussion hosted by theusually is uttered by newcomerschief of staff and the deputy chiefthose three groups I sincerelyOakville chapter of Canadianswho come from places where vot-of staff of (Canadian Internationalbelieve we could restore ourAdvocating Political Participationing could get someone shot.Development Agency) had bothCanadian democracy.(CAPP) on Tuesday night.However, she said most peoplerecommended acceptance of theEde said Harper is one reasonThough the panelists at thedont vote because they no longerproposal with high praise forto worry about Canadian democra-event and those in the audiencetrust politicians and have lost faithKAIROS record and achievementcy, but is not the only reason.pointed out the many faults in thein their leaders.in the past.He gets a lot of blame for thesystem, some still expressed hopesAs an example, she gave anDespite this, funding was stillperceived lack of democracy inJames Edethat it can be fixed.anecdote of when she ran in therejected.Canada right now. But I wouldHarpers proroguing.The speakers were Marionfederal election in 2008 inRussell added there were 24argue that there is only so muchI think people showed howSchaffer, former Green Party can-Etobicoke.other organizations that have beendamage one person can do, hemuch they care about democracydidate and environmental activist,One of my dearest and oldesttreated in a similar way.said.simply by standing out there andMervyn Russell, chair of thefriends said this to me: Are youSchaffer noted, however thatHe said there has been a steadyfreezing.Oakville Centre for Peace, Ecologyreally becoming a politician?democracy could still be restoredaccumulation of power in theRussell spoke about the currentand Human Rights, and James EdeBecause if you are, I cant be yourin Canada, but it requires a wakehands of prime ministers and theirgovernment hindering people toOakville federal NDP candidatefriend anymore.up from three groups of people.executives for at least the pastspeak to its government, which heand CAPP member.However, Ede said there areThe first group is people whothree decades.experienced first hand. He said theDemocracy means the rule ofproblems, but the enthusiasm fornever vote.Things werent great whenHarper government is unwilling tothe people, in other words: people-democracy is alive in Canada. AsThe second is the people whoStephen Harper took power, butfund organizations that have pro-powered, Schaffer, as first speak-an example, he mentioned thewant a mixed member proportion-they certainly havent got any bet-grams and positions that differer, said to a full Trafalgar Room atCAPP protests from one year ago,al (MMP) electoral system. Sheter.from the government.the Oakville Town Hall.in its previous incarnation calledsaid the Green Party got 10 perThe CAPP Democracy CafillHe is a member of the ChristianHow can we say that theCanadians Against Proroguingcent of the votes in the last federalbecome a bi-monthly event with aOakville/Mississauga KAIROS,majority rules when 40 per cent ofParliament, where more than 100election and no seats, but deserveddifferent democracy-related topicwhich had received governmentCanadians dont even come out topeople turned up in Oakville to30. With an MMP system theeach time. For more informationfunding for 35 years. The fundingvote?protest Prime Minster StephenGreen Party would have represen-visit www.quipdujour.com/capp.YoudFeelOldLivingAnywhereElseLearn To Dive !Eventhoughyou'reactive,winterisn'tyourbesttimeoftheyear.or Upgrade Your Skills !Thisyearyoucanactuallyenjoywinterbydoingmorethanjustputtingintime.TheDelmanorexperienceisaboutdailyactivities, Snorkeling & Scubaplannedexcursionsandafocusonindividualempowermentallinacommunityofpeopletoobusytoactretired.AsamemberofTSpecialists!yhemDeiveAcadtheTridelGroupOfCompanieswecomebythatattitudehonestly.Joinus.Callusordropby,stayforcoffeeandtea.WellputspringCourses running monthlyinyourstep. CALL US TODAY !Joinus...RSVP(905)469-3232toavoiddisappointment* Equipment Sales1459NottinghillGateTues.Feb.8-7:30p.m.(westofDorval,southofUpperMiddle)* Gear RentalsBenefitsofRedWine&Chocolate* Service & MaintenancetheAlzheimerSociety* Education & TrainingThurs.Feb.10-2:15p.m.* Underwater ImagingProstateCancerasurvivorsstory* Dive Travel The Dive Academy1380 Speers Road, Unit 10, Oakville, Ontario, L6L 5V3Call (905) 847.9595 or Email info@thediveacademy.cawww.thediveacademy.caOver 70% of YOUR world is Underwater too much to miss!Visitdelmanor.comforallourGTAlocations.www.oakvillebeaver.com OAKVILLE BEAVERThursday, January 27, 2011 8