Paying Attention
as We
Move into the Future
This is a story about taking concerned citizens and their organizations
seriously.
When we talk about progress, we should ask:
- What are we progressing toward?
- What do Canadians feel is important?
- What should our tax money and the legitimacy we give government be
used to accomplish or preserve?
The Canada Well-Being Measurement
Act proposes an institution which would ask Canadians what is of concern
to them. Where a substantial number of people consider a particular issue
to be important, indicators would be identified and regularly reported to
enable anyone to keep an eye on whether those situations are improving or
deteriorating.
There are no specific issues presented in the Act. It states only that
we should look out for the things that people in Canada are concerned about.
Concerns would be considered from the weak and from the powerful alike;
from individuals and from institutional decision makers. We are well
advised to pay attention to anything that may cause problems.
To make effective decisions social and environmental factors need
to be considered along with economic ones. The well-being indicators established
by the Act would provide this information.
The measures would also help show the social and environmental impacts
of policies and actions.
The Act is Non-Partisan:
This initiative started at a series of All Candidates Meetings in
the Eastern Ontario riding of Leeds-Grenville during the 1997 Federal Election.
Joe Jordan, the Liberal Candidate and Dr. Peter Bevan-Baker the Green Party
Candidate exchanged views about the future and how to get there safely.
After becoming MP, Mr. Jordan invited Dr. Bevan-Baker to cooperate in drafting
this legislation.
The "Canada Well-Being Measurement Act" was introduced in
the House of Commons on Valentines Day, 2001 as a private member's bill.
It was presented by Marlene Jennings, a Liberal, and seconded by Scott
Reid from the Canadian Alliance. It is our intent to seek Second Reading
for the Act through all party support and to move it forward in the interest
of all Canadians.
The Act is Non-threatening:
The "Canada Well-Being Measurement Act" is non-confrontational.
By agreeing to pay attention to things that may cause us problems and by
keeping an eye on whether those situations are getting better or worse,
we can establish a way to identify problems without accusing anyone. Once
measures are identified, they can be watched independent of special interests.
If trouble is indicated, it would be clear that the issue needs attention.
Constructive discussion could then follow about how to respond.
For more detail, see Key Points in the Program.
Mike Nickerson
Coordinator
7th Generation Initiative
P.O. Box 374, Merrickville
Ontario, Canada, K0G 1N0
e-mail: sustain@web.ca
http://www.cyberus.ca/choose.sustain/index3.html
- 30 -
Toll Free: 1 (877) 455-9552
Questions and comments are welcome.
Media Kit Index
Articles
Measuring Well-Being Index
Why We Will Succeed.
Last Update: January 29, 2001
Filename: http://www.SustainWellBeing.net/7GI/media/thescoop.shtml