The Green party of Canada is founded upon six fundamental principles;
Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Non Violence, Sustainability,
Respect for Diversity and Participatory Democracy. All of these
values are extremely important however, the one I believe is essential
to the growth of Government is the latter of the 6. The Green Party
strives for a democracy in which all citizens have the right to
express their views, and are able to directly participate in the
environmental, economic, social and political decisions which affect
their lives. One of the ways they've already started to implement
this is by way of the Living Platform; an online discussion of all the
Green party's values whereby anyone of any age, gender, race or
political affiliation can have their say on how they think a Green
Party government should be ran. Their wish is to open up debate to
more people than ever ensuring that everyone has their say on their
future.
This brings me to my point. Recently, Jim Harris (Leader of the Green
Party) visited Newfoundland and Labrador and expressed his views on
the annual Seal Hunt. Many were angered when Mr. Harris said that
"It's time to end federal support for the seal hunt and instead use
federal programs to develop sustainable jobs that will bring
Newfoundland and Labrador international praise". I was one of those
many.
As a supporter of the Green Party I can understand Mr. Harris' view
however, the leader truly doesn't understand how important this
industry is to Newfoundland and Labrador. In fact, it seems only those
who are native to the Province can understand the importance and it's
truly sad that so many "upalongs", "mainlanders", non-Newfoundland a
Labradorians are mislead about the seal hunt. It's not an industry of
brutality and 'baby seal whacking' (on a side not, I agree with Cathy
Jones, Bill Lankhof IS an asshole) that everybody believes it is.
It's astonishing that so many people assume that baby white coat seals
are clobbered just because organizations like Green Peace use it as
their poster child when in fact, these seals aren't even harmed.
I do agree that it's time for our province to start pursuing
sustainable industries If the seal hunt is managed property to ensure
only what's needed is taken and all that is taken is used, then the
industry would indeed continue to be sustainable. I'm a strong
supporter of the ways of old where thousands of people existed by way
of hunter/gatherer. These people would scour the land gathering food
and killing animals to feed upon... however, they would only take or
kill what they need. There was no stockpiling of meat or sport
hunting thus ensuring that there would always be plant and animal life
to live off for generations to come.
This is my participation to the democracy. I want Mr. Harris and the
rest of the country to hear my voice on this issue and will do
whatever possible to make sure all of the voices of Newfoundland and
Labrador are heard. A well managed, publicly informed hunt is a
sustainable way of life and should never be banned completely. The
effects to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are too severe to
do so.
