Canadian Teachers Launch National Pro-Democracy Campaign

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"190","attributes":{"title":"Hear My Voice - Logo (EN) - web","height":"58","width":"137","class":"media-image alignleft wp-image-1007 media-element file-media-large"}}]]Teachers are passionate advocates for social justice who strive to prepare their students to become responsible members of society. But when teachers witness voices of dissent being silenced, the dismantling of social programs and public services, the demonizing of charities and labour organizations and the diminishing of Canada’s reputation on the world stage, they become very concerned that these measures are sending the wrong message about democracy to their students. The numerous government initiatives that have shown willful disrespect for democracy have sparked a massive swell of pro-democracy demonstrations and movements across the country, reminiscent of the 60s. People from all walks of life are calling for the government to adhere to democratic values, for inclusion and for social and economic justice in Canada. Good government means listening to all voices. In a healthy democracy, decisions should be accompanied by respectful consultation and ongoing dialogue with all sectors of the population -- not just with those that share the same ideology. Teachers and their organizations are among the many groups targeted by the Harper government’s initiatives. A recent example is Bill C-377, which was pushed quickly through the House of Commons with little debate and no consultation despite the many attempts by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) to meet with federal Conservative MPs. Next week, the CTF will be launching a national campaign called “Hear my voice” to mobilize the growing number of teachers concerned about the state of democracy in Canada. The “Hear My Voice” campaign invites all teachers to contact their federal MPs, regardless of their political stripes, via postcards, in person and/or with social media and urge them to put an end to “excessive government secrecy; corruption and waste; attacks on unions; the exclusion of voices and decline of democracy.” The national campaign was adopted at the CTF Board of Directors meeting in November 2012. Follow the campaign on Twitter - #HearMyVoice #EcoutezMaVoix  and visit the CTF Web site at www.ctf-fce.ca for more information. The Canadian Teachers’ Federation, an alliance of 15 Member organizations and one Affiliate Member representing nearly 200,000 teachers across the country, is a member of the international body of teachers Education International (EI). Follow CTF on Twitter @CanTeachersFed,@EnseigneCanada.