No time to let parliamentarians stand by

Re: Ottawa Centre candidates on election standby

You may be finding a child’s drawing of a windmill on your front door with a postcard addressed to our member of Parliament, Paul Dewar.

This door-hanger is making it simple to take action on the issue of global climate change.

Unfortunately, Canada is shying away from positive steps towards supporting healthy communities that rely on a green economy fuelled by renewable energy.

Instead, Canada is continuing to promote the extraction of dirty oil from Alberta’s tar sands.

The reality is that tar sands are now poised to become one of the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, as well as a significant drain on our water and natural gas reserves.

But this isn’t just concerning for communities in northern Alberta.

Tar sands oil is coming to refineries in the Great Lakes Region, resulting in increased air, soil and water pollution, and corresponding increases in cancers, respiratory problems and learning disabilities among kids.

This December, representatives from around the world will gather in Copenhagen to establish a new plan to address the global climate. At the meeting, Canada has a choice to make: We can continue to create more tar sands pollution, or we can transition towards a cleaner and greener economy that will be healthier for all of us, including future generations.

The postcard at your door is asking you to help send a wake-up call to the government. Those of us living in Ottawa Centre are in a unique position.

Due to voting patterns, this riding is one of many across the country that political parties care about most. When Ottawa Centre residents raise their voices – politicians listen.

Now, we have the opportunity to stand up for healthy communities and tell the Government of Canada to make the right choice. Making our voices heard on this issue can contribute to an important change.

Now is the time for Ottawa Centre residents to join with fellow citizens across Canada to call for an end to toxic tar sands developments.

Tanya Roberts-Davis
Ottawa