February 14/01

The Editor Orillia Packet and Times

Colborne Street Orillia

The Canada Well-Being Measurement Act (Bill C-268)

This very significant bill is being introduced in Canadian Parliament this week Up until now our government has been proclaiming that since the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is high and rising, the well-being of the country is assured. However the GDP measures only the money spent and makes no distinction on how it was expended. Thus increase in crime and its detection or treating pollution caused illness raise the GDP just as does expenditure for food or education. The millions spent recently at Walkerton gave a great boost to the GDP so, as reflected in the GDP, the Walkerton tragedy was good for the country

Joe Jordan M.P. has been seeking the co-operation of members of the House of Commons to recognize the inadequacy of the GDP as a measure of the well-being of the citizenry, and to promote a different way of assessing the health of society that is based not just on the economic status but takes into account also social and environmental considerations. The Canada Well-Being Measurement Act seeks to give expression to this progressive movement. It would recognize the positive value of much voluntary work and the negative effects of resource depletion, and pollution of air land and water.

It is our hope that Paul Devillers, our representative in Parliament, recognizing the importance of this bill will give it his unqualified support

Edwin V. Abbott

Copies : Paul Devillers M.P.