To help auger political change in Canada, Jamie Biggar and Adam Shedletzky are spearheading a new organization called Leadnow. The duo was inspired by Canadian national elections scheduled for May 2, 2011. They are seeking greater political involvment from Canadians. With the ruling Conservative government failing to heed the views of Canadians on issues like climate change, the need for change in Ottawa is urgent.
Leadnow is a grassroots movement that seeks to bring Canadians together to hold politicians accountable and take action for a cleaner future. Leadnow is Canada’s embryonic answer to Moveon.org, the US site that helped put Barack Obama in the White House in 2008.
In Leadnow’s online surveys, thousands of Canadians are ranking the environment as the issue they most care about. According to these surveys the environmental issues that are most pressing to Canadians include:
-Establishing climate legislation to meet international and science-based targets
-Putting a price on global warming pollution
-Ending subsidies to fossil fuel companies
-Investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and home retrofits
-Investing in creating sustainable economies in resource dependent communities
-Investing in public transportation and rail networks
-Protecting half of Canada’s wild land and ocean areas
Using the revolutionary power of social media, the non-partisan site leadnow fights against voter apathy and generates debate about national values. At their site, users can rank policy issues, then pledge support to the party leader who conforms to the values of Canadians.
According to Leadnow, it’s time to work together for change to combat toxic politics and divisions that are holding Canada back and hurting Canadians and the planet.
According to former Clerk of the Privy Council Alex Himelfarb, Leadnow.ca is exactly what Canada needs. “Leadnow addresses what has arguably been an infrastructure deficit: they provide the much needed opportunity to work with others from every region and sector of the country, to influence the political agenda by defining the Canada we want based on environmental stewardship, equality and justice,” Himelfarb said.
“Our federal government is dividing us, damaging our democracy and failing to address the major challenges that face our country,” said Jamie Biggar, co-founder and Executive Director of Leadnow.ca. “Whether we’re talking about the lack of action for our environment, the unequal economic recovery, or the erosion of democratic values – this government is failing to take action on the issues that matter to Canadians. It’s time we work together for change.”
Canadians are coming together in support of political cooperation. Canadians are creating the Declaration for Change—a call for politicians to work together for progress on the major challenges facing our country.
A nationwide event took place from March 6-12, 2011, it was titled (Re)Generation: Voices for Canada. Canadians from across the country participated in face-to-face gatherings to discuss their hopes and ideas for their country and their future. Dozens of Canadian cities hosted events from coast to coast.
Through Leadnow, thousands of Canadians are sharing their values and ideas for Canada and politicians should take notice. The Declaration for Change has identified four major areas: reforming our democracy, protecting our environment, promoting equality and economic opportunity, and improving our systems of care. See the Declaration for Change online values survey.
Many of the people working with Leadnow.ca started organizing in the youth climate movement, and they have participated in many 350 events. They are excited because they know that if Canadians work together, they can change Canadian politics.
Leadnow is enriching Canada’s democracy encouraging people to participate in a new kind of politics that asks people to lead. Click here to join the process online, share your views with politicians and see what Canadians want for Canada.
As explained by Jamie Biggar, “Our goal is to create a new way for Canadians to come together online to talk about their hopes and priorities for the country and create a really strong voice that’s going to be heard in Ottawa. Today is the beginning of a new type of politics in Canada. We will no longer wait to be told who and what we should vote for. Leadnow.ca will enable people to take politics into their own hands – by coming together around shared values, and telling our politicians what they can do to earn our vote…We will be a united force in the next election, strengthening the voices of thousands of Canadians who want a different type of politics in Ottawa.”
See Leadnow on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. For more information, contact: Jamie Biggar, Co-Founder & Executive Director (jamie@leadnow.ca, 778-847-8205 – Vancouver) or Adam Shedletzky, Co-Founder (adam@leadnow.ca, 647-213-6591 – Toronto).
© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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