Michael Orsini
Associate Professor
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada

Hamersly Library 107
Thursday April 30
1200 noon - 1:30 pm

This presentation sketches the contours of the contested terrain of autism/autistic activism, asking questions about how to conceptualize autism activism in the field of "health social movements", and about whether these forms of activism represent a form of continuity or rupture with other social movements organized around combating injustice. Drawing on Nikolas Rose and Carlos Novas's notion of 'biological citizenship', I explore three branches of the autism/autistic movement, each of which is linked in distinctive ways to a "political economy of hope". The first is parent-led advocacy efforts centered primarily on "curing" or "treating" autism, mainly but not exclusively focused on children. Many of these organizations cling to the notion of an "autism epidemic". A second branch is often associated with the notion of neurodiversity, and advances a disability rights-based model of autistic self advocacy and vehemently opposes those in the autism research community who are interested in 'curing' autistics or finding genetic explanations for autism. The third branch, while only loosely associated with autism, has been especially influential in the US, where there has been a wave of litigation related to the harms associated with vaccines.

Michael Orsini is currently the 2008-2009 Canada-US Fulbright Visiting Research Chair at the Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington. Autism is one aspect of his current research, which examines the policy influence of civil society actors in three areas: asthma, autism, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. He has previously explored a variety of issues including the consequences of a tainted blood supply, biological citizenship, First Nations governance, violence against women, and patient involvement in health policy.

This visit is funded by a Canadian Studies Program Enhancement grant from the Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada.

Sponsored by the Canadian Studies Interest Group at WOU
For more information, or if you have a disability that may require some accommodation in order to participate in this event, please contact Dr. Robin Smith, Anthropology Department at (503) 838-8357, smithr@wou.edu.

Aftermath: The Remnants of War directed by Daniel Sekulich
Champions of the Wild: Polar Bears directed by Ian Herring
Dead in the Water directed by Neil Docherty
Earth to Mouth directed by Yung Chang
Escape to Canada directed by Albert Nerenberg
Growing Up Canadian produced by Hoda Elatawi
Kainayssini Imanistaisiwa: The People Go On directed by Loretta Todd
My Doukhobor Cousins directed by Ole Gjerstad
Our Nationhood directed by Alanis Obomsawin
The Other Side of the Picture directed by Teresa MacInnes
Project Canada executive producer Johnathan McFarlane
Redskins, Tricksters and Puppy Stew directed by Drew Hayden Taylor
Souvenir of Canada directed by Robin Neinstein

Aftermath: The Remnants of War directed by Daniel Sekulich
War has a dirty secret: it never really ends. Aftermath: The Remnants of War weaves archival images and personal stories into a powerful portrait of the lingering devastation of war. Based on the Gelber Prize winning book by Donovan Webster, this insightful film reveals the twentieth century as the most violent in all of human history, with a death toll of more than one hundred million. Filmed on location in Russia, France, Bosnia and Vietnam, the film features personal accounts of individuals involved in the cleanup of war: from de-miners who risk their lives on a daily basis, psychologists working with distraught soldiers in Bosnia, a treasure hunter turned archeologist in Stalingrad, and scientists and doctors struggling with the contamination of dioxin used during the Vietnamese war. The poignant stories convey a sobering message as we face the realization that war doesn't end when the fighting stops. From Asia to Europe and the Americas, Aftermath: The Remnants of War has been playing to international film festival audiences since its release in November, garnering multiple awards; among them the Gold Medal for Best International Affairs Documentary at the New York Festivals Television Competition, and the First Prize, Gold Camera Award at the US International Film and Video Festival in Los Angeles. The film recently received the UNESCO Prize for Best Humanitarian Film & a Special Jury Award at the 4th International Festival of Environmental Cinema and Video (Fica) in Goias, Brazil.
2001, 73 min 37 s

Champions of the Wild: Polar Bears directed by Ian Herring
Weighing 1,400 pounds, polar bears are lords of the ice--creatures perfectly adapted to the harshest and most unforgiving climate in the world. Biologist and photographer Dr. Dan Guravich has dedicated himself to capturing this creature's magnificence on film. The Canadian-born photographer, who makes his home in Mississipi, has made over 50 trips to the Arctic to practice his art. Through his dramatic photos, Guravich has profoundly influenced our understanding of these mysterious animals.
1998, 25 min 22 s

Dead in the Water directed by Neil Docherty
There's a problem with the world's water supply. One person in four doesn't have access to clean drinking water. Many governments lack either the resources or the will to provide this essential commodity to their citizens. In recent years, a number of powerful companies have spotted this crisis and seen a business opportunity. From the deserts of California to the streets of Soweto, and in several thousand other cities and towns throughout the world, often with the involvement of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, these corporations have attempted to privatize what many consider a public trust. Dead in the Water investigates the results of these efforts at privatization in several key locations, and chronicles what many see as the first in a wave of battles in the years to come.
2006, 51 min 57 s

Earth to Mouth directed by Yung Chang
An hour and a half east of Toronto lies a farm like few others in Canada. The 80 acres at Wing Fong Farm (the name means Forever Bountiful) are planted with crops like gai lan, go lai choy and gau choy - succulent Asian vegetables destined for Chinese markets and restaurants. It is here, near the small town of Newcastle, that Lau King-Fai (known simply as Ma) has come to join her son and spend the rest of her days. It's a long way from her native Hunan Province, but after a tumultuous life in China, she has made this place her home: caring for the young shoots, working side by side with migrant Mexican workers and preparing meals in the farmhouse. Born in 1929, Ma survived the Japanese occupation (during which her father and two siblings died) and the death of her husband during the Cultural Revolution - leaving her alone to support her family. It's little wonder that Ma believes in accepting fate. As she puts it, "Empty thoughts and wishful thinking are useless." Shot over the course of an entire season - from tilling, to planting, to harvest - Earth to Mouth is an exquisitely filmed, meditative look at life on Wing Fong Farm. For Yeung Kwan, Ma's son, the farm represents personal and financial independence. For Ma, it is an oasis of peace. For the half-dozen Mexican workers, it provides jobs that may be tough, but help support their children back home. Each in their own way, they endure the rigours of farming and savour their moments of peace.
2002, 41 min 33 s

Escape to Canada directed by Albert Nerenberg
«Canada is hip.» TV host Bill Maher
Around the world, Canada is known for its beavers, Mounties and winter climate, but a new image of the country is emerging. Director Albert Nerenberg, the man behind the indie-doc hit Stupidity, explores Canada's new personality in this high-energy feature film, Escape to Canada. The story begins in 2003 when by apparent coincidence, gay marriage is legalized and the prohibition of marijuana is removed on the same day. Soon Canadians are not the only ones enjoying their newly forged liberties. Citizens from «The Land of the Free» flock across the border to marry their same-sex partners. Others come to smoke marijuana. AWOL U.S. army soldiers arrive seeking refugee status. To many, Canada has become a red-and-white beacon of freedom around the world. In other words, cold Canada could suddenly be cool. Escape to Canada examines the nation's unlikely 'freedom fighters' who challenge laws and old customs, then must confront the consequences. A couple, known as the Michaels, unleashes the gay marriage trend with their own impromptu wedding. Marc Emery, 'The Prince of Pot,' travels the country smoking monster joints in front of police stations, daring the police to arrest him. Brandon Hughey, an ex-U.S. soldier, escapes to Canada to avoid America's war for 'freedom' in the Middle East. But within months, Canada re-criminalizes marijuana and suddenly there's a new campaign to turn back gay marriage. In his signature no-holds-barred style, Nerenberg weaves these compelling stories into a tongue-in-cheek argument for Canada's place in the world.
2005, 81 min 02 s

Growing Up Canadian produced by Hoda Elatawi
Growing Up Canadian is a social history of 20th-century Canada. Six one-hour documentaries explore the myths and realities of Canadian childhood through family life, schooling, introduction to the workplace, play, health and the media. The series marks the contribution of childhood and youth experience in defining Canada as it grew into full nationhood in the 20th century.
2003, 280 min
Growing Up Canadian: Family Directed by Susan Terrill
Canadians of all ages tell stories of growing up with mom, dad, siblings and even the family pet. From making underwear out of flour sacks to scrounging for coal, most Canadian families were poor for the first half of the 20th century. Set against the backdrop of a country moving from rural dominion to urban nation, this episode follows changes in family homes, cars and neighbourhoods. Throughout the episode, stories of family rituals, rules and discipline highlight dramatic cultural changes in the century
2003, 46 min 47 s
Growing Up Canadian: Health Directed by Susan Terrill
Early campaigns to fight poverty and disease and help children grow up healthy led to the introduction of the school nurse, nose blowing drills and lice inspections. From open-air schools to confusing sex education classes, Health was a part of the curriculum throughout the last century. This episode traces the rise of dental care, from early century programs in schools to dentists traveling to remote areas by boat or train. Canadians recall terrifying epidemics and lengthy periods of quarantine. Home remedies were frightening enough to keep children from complaining about being ill. Over the course of the century we see the impact of public health care on children's lives.
45 min 52 s
Growing Up Canadian: Media Directed by Susan Terrill
Canadian children in the 20th century witnessed an explosion of innovations in communication and entertainment . Witnesses recall the first time that they saw the telephone, a movie, the television, the computer. Media intrigued children and often made parents suspicious. Canadians of all ages talk about the books, radio shows, TV programs, music and movies they loved as children. From listening in on the party line to watching newsreels, children became connected to an ever-expanding world. Media changed the definition of growing up Canadian
2003, 46 min 48 s
Growing Up Canadian: Play Directed by Susan Terrill
Canada's biggest playground, winter, leads the way as we look at a century of play for Canadian kids. In the beginning you made your own gear and toys, but some store-bought things were irresistible. What Canadian girl, in her time, wouldn't want an Eaton's Beauty doll or a Barbara Ann Scott doll? And what boy, swept up in a cowboy craze, wouldn't die to have a Gene Autry gun or a Lash LaRue whip?
Throughout the century, adults helped to organize clubs, camps and playgrounds--often with the intent of steering children away from trouble. In the end, getting away from adults and crossing forbidden borders have always been a part of the fun.
2003, 46 min 52 s
Growing Up Canadian: School Directed by Susan Terrill
Growing up has become marked in school years but at the beginning of the 20th century most children attended primary school only. This bygone era is wonderfully evoked by still photos and archival film showing what children studied and where, from the one-room schoolhouse to a railway car. School in the 1940s and '50s is brought to life through interviews with adults who remember the first day at kindergarten, feared and loved teachers and encounters with the strap. The '60s and '70s brought television into the classroom and the concept of the open school, which changed the actual building.
2003, 46 min 46 s
Growing Up Canadian: Work Directed by Susan Terrill
From working six days a week in a factory to serving up sundaes at the Dairy Queen on weekends, Canadian children have done it all. In the first half of the century many families couldn't get by without financial help from their kids. The nation counted on its young when it came to wartime; from joining up to fight to tucking a love note in a scarf knit for an unknown soldier, witnesses recall their contributions. Recollections of work include cheapskate bosses, the decision to quit and the experience of getting fired. It was tough working in the coal mines and out in the fishing dories, but even babysitters join in the complaints about lousy conditions and low pay!
2003, 46 min 52 s

Kainayssini Imanistaisiwa: The People Go On directed by Loretta Todd
Windswept prairies, sloping coulees and stretches of open sky - this is the home of the Kainai Blood Indians, in the heart of southern Alberta. Filmmaker Loretta Sarah Todd takes viewers on a visually lush journey, exploring the significance of land, memory and knowledge in Kainai life. The catalyst for this expressionistic journey is the return of belongings of the Kainai, collected by Europeans during colonial times and kept in distant museums. As the community's elders examine the objects and share stories first-hand, they reveal how the rich threads of Kainai life thrive from one generation to the next. From their traditions and language to their sacred beliefs, this is a powerful continuum of culture that cannot be contained in a glass exhibit case. Stylistically blending sound, colour, light and words, this film explores the collective memory of the Kainai that resonates so deeply in their land and their storytelling traditions. Intertwining past, present and future, The People Go On is an eloquent testament to Kainai history, governance and existence.
2003, 69 min 36 s

My Doukhobor Cousins directed by Ole Gjerstad
When Janice Benthin vacationed with her mother's Doukhobor relatives in the Kootenays, she sensed that the community held many secrets: the adults spoke Russian in hushed tones, people kept disappearing, and RCMP officers kept constant watch over the community. My Doukhobor Cousins is Benthin's quest for answers to her childhood questions. The film provides a rare, personal look inside this mysterious spiritual community. Brushing over the differences between competing Doukhobor sects, the Canadian public has tended to see all Doukhobors as dangerous lawbreakers. Bitterness and anger across the lines persist as Benthin and her cousins Lance and Marilyn meet their families, who were torn apart when the government imprisoned hundreds of Doukhobors and forcefully took their children away from them. In this moving portrait of a family in search of its past, we watch as Benthin and her cousins try to reconcile the turbulent history of the Doukhobors with the gentle, troubled people they encounter.
2002, 71 min 18 s

Our Nationhood directed by Alanis Obomsawin
In Our Nationhood, Aboriginal filmmaker and artist Alanis Obomsawin chronicles the determination and tenacity of the Listuguj Mi'gmaq people to use and manage the natural resources of their traditional lands. Our Nationhood provides a contemporary perspective on the Mi'gmaq people's ongoing struggle and ultimate success, culminating in the community receiving an award for Best Managed River from the same government that had denied their traditional rights.
2003, 96 min 40 s

The Other Side of the Picture directed by Teresa MacInnes
Canadian artist Doris McCarthy surveys the landscape of Lake Huron, made famous by her teacher, Arthur Lismer, and other Group of Seven painters. "When I was growing up, I heard, and I actually believed, that there had never been any great women artists. This was the wisdom of the day." At the remounting of The Dinner Party, artist Judy Chicago remarks on her success as a woman artist. "You don't get preserved, you get buried." Two different artists from two generations, but how much have things changed? Filmmaker Teresa MacInnes tackles the debate: Are there no great women artists? The statistics are revealing. At Washington's National Gallery only 1 in every 30 paintings is by a woman. In Canada, women account for a mere 8 percent of the National Gallery's collection. The Other Side of the Picture takes us into the homes and studios of artists such as Mary Pratt, Joyce Weiland, Jane Ash Poitras and Landon Mackenzie, who address the question of inequality in the art world. Traversing the last two centuries of women's art history, this film offers provocative comment on why we are still missing the "other side of the picture".
1998, 52 min 58 s

Project Canada executive producer Johnathan McFarlane
Project Canada tells the story of four Americans that decide to leave everything behind for an epic road trip across the second biggest country in the world. For three months they travel from the East coast to the West coast in an attempt to discover the heart and soul of Canada. Why don't we ever hear anything about Canada? What does it mean to be a Canadian? How do Canadians survive the winter? Through their comical misadventures and experiences the Project Canada team paints a picture of the greatest country you probably know nothing about. 17,000 miles, 60 interviews, 4 Americans, 1 incredible country. Project Canada. http://www.projectcanada.org/

Redskins, Tricksters and Puppy Stew directed by Drew Hayden Taylor
Take an in-depth laugh-a-minute tour of complex issues like Native identity, politics and racism, wrap them neatly inside one-liners, guffaws and comedic performances, and you have Redskins, Tricksters and Puppy Stew. This film hilariously overturns the conventional notion of the stoic Indian and shines a light on an overlooked element of Native culture - humour and its healing powers.
Meet an engaging cast of characters including Don Kelly, one of Canada's hottest young stand-up comics, whose Indian name means Runs Like a Girl. He uses comedy to skewer stereotypes of the apathetic Indian. Sharon Shorty and Jackie Bear from Whitehorse, Yukon, portray Sarah and Susie, two elderly Native ladies discussing their daily activities and their love of Bingo and Kentucky Fried Chicken. And while they've been making people laugh across the country with their portrayal of two quirky elders, they also play a role as community healers.
2000, 54 min 30 s

Souvenir of Canada directed by Robin Neinstein
Souvenir of Canada is a spectacular documentary special about who we are as Canadians at the dawn of the 21st Century. One of our greatest national voices, Douglas Coupland, acts as our tour guide on a humorous journey that "makes us stop, look and marvel at who we are, what we have, and where we might be going." Souvenir of Canada tells a story about a nation searching for itself, and all that is unique about itself, in the darnedest of places, objects and ideas.
2006, 155 min 46 s

1) Killiam Fellowship. $10,000 for a full year study at a Canadian university. More information here. Deadline 31 Jan 08

2) National Student Exchange. Nine Canadian universities are partners in this program which facilitates your study abroad through tuition reciprocity and federal financial aid portability. More information here. Application process begins 1 Feb 08

3) CAS Scholarships. Every year the Canada America Society of Washington fundraises to provide several $4000 scholarships for US students who wish to study at Canadian universities. More information here. Deadline 1 June 08

What are you waiting for?

Canada's universities are drawing more Pacific Northwest college students for study abroad semesters. Promoting studies in Canada, the Seattle based Canada America Society has given, so far, $74,000 to help Americans take some of their college work at French and English language universities in Canada.

“For a long time, Canada to me was more of the backyard of the US, or as some people joke, 'the 51st state'. Several years ago the idea of studying abroad in Canada would have seemed an oxymoron. In my future career I want to be on the forefront of the international arena, and to do that I am now convinced that I must have a solid grasp of how Canada fits into it", says Lucas Olson, 20, of the University of Washington, who was awarded $4,000 to study International Studies at the University of Alberta this summer.

Elizabeth Diana St Clair, 22, of Kirkland will attend the University of Laval in Quebec to study Political Science. As a student at the University of Washington in Seattle, St Clair states, "I am interested in Canada because I feel like Canada is an upstairs neighbor that has always been a good friend but deserves more attention. There is need for individuals who are educated and interested in Canadian - US relations. As both countries continue to grow economically, demographically and socially, the demand rises for those individuals who have an interest and have been educated about both Canada and the US."

Olson and St Clair were awarded 'Study in Canada' scholarships for the 2007-08 academic year by the Canada America Society of Washington in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest Canadian Studies Consortium and Consulate General of Canada Seattle.

Created and first awarded in 2002, $74,000 has been awarded to 32 American undergraduate university students in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska who choose a Canadian university for their study abroad experience.

"Despite sharing a 5,500 mile border, having the largest trading relationship in the world and two different democratic systems of government, American students rarely think of Canada as a destination for studying abroad" says Michael Treleaven, Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Canadian Studies Consortium and professor of political science at Gonzaga University in Spokane. “We are indebted to the Canadian Consulate and CAS for their efforts and we look forward to the Canada Gala each October in Seattle at which these scholarship monies are raised."

The Consortium numbers over 40 American and Canadian institutions of higher learning in the Pacific Northwest that creates opportunities for students, staff and faculty to engage in cross-border research, forums and field trips to learn about each other.

"I find it odd that there is a lack of education about Canada, considering that the US shares such an expansive border with them" says Justin Brock, 19, of Eugene, Oregon who attends Willamette University in Salem. Brock will attend Brock University in Ontario where he will study history and international relations.

Laura Uva, 22, of Portland will attend the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec to study french, social services and history. As a student at Portland State University, Uva says "As Canadian Studies are often ignored at universities in the United States, studying abroad in Canada provides the opportunity to delve into women's issues and the Canadian social services in more depth. I am interested in observing the differences in Canadian culture as compared to that of the United States".

Each of the four students receives a scholarship of $4,000 upon completion of their studies in Canada.

Information on the next round of scholarships, for study in Canada during the Summer 08 - Spring 09 year will be available shortly. Contact Robin Smith in the Anthropology Department if you are a WOU student interested in this scholarship: smithr(at)wou.edu

The purpose of the ICSI is to provide US academics with a broad, multi-disciplinary introduction to Canada and its provinces and territories and to assist their schools in developing or strengthening International Studies programs. The Institute will reveal the magnitude and importance of US-Canada relationships, explore the similarities and differences between the two countries, and provide relevant and timely information and materials for potential research projects and course development.

Here is an account by Mary Pettenger, Political Science, of her experience during the 2007 ICSI in Alberta.

SUMMER 2006 AT THE CANADIAN CONSULATE GENERAL OF SEATTLE
Becky Myrold

In the summer of 2006 I had the opportunity to be an intern at the Canadian Consulate General in Seattle, WA. This experience provided insight into the inner workings of a consulate and showed me how Canadians work with Americans in social and professional settings. I worked in the political, economic and academic division. This division of the Consulate is primarily used to promote Canada to the American public. A few of the ways in which this occurred while I was there was through hosting a “Meet Me at the Border� event with the Canada-American Society in celebration of Canada Day and with the grand opening of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, a visitor center and museum. Along with hosting events such as these the Consulate also donates money to different events and over this past year they donated funds to Western Oregon University’s Model United Nations Club for playing Canada at conferences. The largest event that the Consulate puts on every year is the Canada Gala which is a dinner party for Canadian alumni—alumni from Canadian Universities. Included in the promotion of Canada to Americans is the opportunity for college students to receive funds, or scholarships, to attend Canadian universities and provide material on Canada to local schools; one elementary school requested information during my time at the Consulate and I created packets to send them. Overall this internship allowed me to see how a foreign government operates, what it is like to work in an international service position, and how important it is to make the public understand the interests of your individual country in order to be recognized by other international actors and the people.

If you are a WOU student interested in an internship at the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle, email Kevin Cook, Political, Economic and Academic Officer.

Dr. Jessica Ball, University of Victoria

April 25th, 2007
7:00-9:00 PM
Hamersly Library 107 Crawford Classroom
Western Oregon University, Monmouth

Partnership has become a buzzword in Canadian university research and community development. How do we journey from where we are situated, historically, culturally, politically, and in terms of reward structures, to be open to what a partner might want or need? How do we set up a partnership? How do we know when we have achieved an authentic partnership? And once we’ve achieved a partnership, can we ever leave?

In this lecture, Jessica Ball will map this exciting and challenging terrain with reference to community-university partnerships in Canada to support Indigenous community development. She will describe a post-secondary diploma program delivered in First Nations communities and involving tribal Elders co-constructing the curriculum. Called the First Nations Partnerships Program, this successful innovation has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the world’s ‘best practices’ in incorporating Indigenous Knowledge into professional training.

Dr. Ball will also describe a program of community-university research focused on Indigenous children and family development in Canada. Called the Early Childhood Development Intercultural Partnerships Program, this research has been internationally recognized for completing the first studies in Canada of First Nations English dialects and First Nations fatherhood. Dr. Ball will highlight some lessons learned about forging mutually beneficial partnerships. She will cast this work within an agenda for social justice and equity for all young children and their families.

Dr. Jessica Ball has been working on training, research, and community projects on Aboriginal early childhood development for the past 10 years. She coordinates the ‘First Nations Partnership Programs’, which is a community-based, culturally focused Early Childhood Education certificate program in the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria (www.fnpp.org).

Jessica is currently the principal investigator of a program of research involving partnerships with Aboriginal communities to build understandings of Aboriginal peoples’ goals for children’s development and to create resources for Aboriginal children’s programs (www.ecdip.org). Jessica lived for many years in Southeast Asia, where she worked in training, research and policy about children, youth and community development.

Jessica is a developmental-clinical psychologist by training, as well as a specialist in public health education and research. She completed a BA in Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She earned three post-graduate degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, including an M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology and a Master of Public Health degree focusing on maternal and child health. She has published extensively in journals, books, and popular resources for parents and practitioners. She is a frequently invited speaker on Indigenous research, family development, early childhood, and fatherhood.

Jessica now lives in Victoria, where she is a Professor at the University of Victoria, an avid grower of non-GMO edible plants in her garden by the sea, and a proud mother of two teenagers. She is passionate about social justice and equity for children, and about increasing understandings of how our histories and our futures are intertwined and could be diamond if we had the political will and personal commitment to make it so.

This project was undertaken with the assistance of the Government of Canada / avec l'aide du gouvernement du Canada. We are grateful for the Program Enhancement Grant which made this and other Canadian Studies activities during 2005-2006 possible. Thank you!

Laura Maddox
Western Oregon University

This last spring I was given one of the most amazing opportunities of my life thus far. For one week, I spent 15 hours a day with the same 19 people, in one of the most beautiful and historically-rich cities I’ve ever seen, learning more in that one week than I would have in a year of classes dedicated to the topics we covered. I had been selected to represent Western Oregon University at the 2006 Canada-U.S. Youth Summit in Ottawa, Canada.

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, located in the province of Ontario. In the heart of the city is the beautiful campus of the University of Ottawa, which hosts the Youth Summit every year, houses the students in attendance and gives us access to classrooms and lecture halls. This year, 11 students and 7 adult and student advisors from across the United States and Canada took part in the Youth Summit, from all sorts of backgrounds and for all sorts of reasons. Some students had friends who attended in the past, others, like myself, simply heard of it from their university and were very interested in what the course had to offer. There were, (unfortunately,) only three of us from the U.S., and the other two students were from the east coast, while I did my best to represent the west. The 9 Canadian students came all the way from Alberta (western Canada,) to Quebec (far eastern Canada.) Some had been born and raised in Canada, many others were first or second generation immigrants. One was even a Canadian hockey player who has just been drafted into the U.S. National Hockey League. Another woman was one of the smartest, most enjoyable people I have ever been around. She had been a page in the House of Commons for a year, and filled us in on all of the (many) details which our Parliament Hill tour guide either left out or didn’t know of. All of the students had very different political, religious, and family backgrounds, which made them unique and intriguing to everyone else. I can’t even count the number of diverse, enlightening, and enjoyable conversations we had.

The class was divided first into four focus groups: Immigration, Corporate Governance, Trade, and Defense. Then, each of these groups was divided in two: a Canadian delegation and a U.S. delegation. (Due to the larger number of Canadian students in attendance, some Canadians were lucky enough to be designated as honorary U.S. citizens for the week.) We were able to give the professor our choices in order of preference, and I was given my first choice to be placed in the Immigration group. In my group alone, four distinct areas and languages of the world were represented. First, we had a woman who was Swiss-Canadian. She was born in Switzerland, married a Canadian, and now lives in Ottawa. She spoke German, French, Italian, and English. Another woman was from Quebec City, and had lived there all her life. She spoke French, English, and Spanish. The third woman in our group was Jordanian; her family moved to Toronto several years ago but still has a home in Amman, Jordan. Incidentally, I had traveled to Amman just the year before, and it was instant connection between us. (She had initially assumed that I didn’t even know where Jordan was, as she had obviously experienced with other people in the past.) We also shared our religious backgrounds; myself being a Christian and she a Muslim. In a world where these two religions, in particular, are struggling to figure out how to live and work together peacefully, we found it joyfully ironic that we developed the strongest bond out of everyone in the entire group.

Not all of the relationships developed in this group came easily, though. The schedule was rigorous, and the time and dedication that was required of us sometimes seemed impossible. In such a small group, living and working closely with complete strangers on a difficult joint project in a short time frame, it was only natural for tensions to run high at times, but the friendships that were made and what was accomplished in the end made it all worth it. We spent most of our days at Parliament Hill (basically the equivalent of the U.S. Capitol Hill) listening to experts on each of our four areas of research, were given a short amount of time at the end of each lecture to ask questions, and during breaks we were able to discuss the quality of the speakers and the information given which we were expected to utilize in our final policy papers. It was just so incredible to be asking experts on the front lines of all of these issues the burning questions that we couldn’t find answers to in the library or on the internet. We spoke with immigration lawyers and consultants, top corporate executives, Foreign Service officers, and former parliamentarians. We were able to not only go backstage in Parliament Hill, the Senate, and the House of Commons, but we were also given a private audience at the U.S. Embassy, a private bus tour of the city, a formal dinner at the National Library of Archives, (and even shown some of the fabulous nightlife by students from the area.) Over the course of the week, it was our responsibility to work together with the rest of the members in our group to write a 20-25 page paper proposing a policy solution to a problem discovered in our area of research relevant to Canadian-U.S. relations. We were also responsible for creating a power point presentation in conjunction with our policy proposal, which we presented on our last day, in an incredibly stunning ballroom reserved for us at Parliament Hill. We were then critiqued by some of the experts who had presented to us earlier in the week, and lastly, the students voted with their delegations to pass or fail each policy proposal. Only one of the four proposals failed, (and was, fortunately, not the Immigration group’s proposal.)

One of the neatest things to come out my experience happened months after the class was actually over. Through a conversation I had at our dinner at the National Library of Archives with Warren Creates, one of the immigration lawyers who had presented to us earlier in the week, I found out that he was actually traveling to Portland, Oregon this summer with his family. His wife was running the Hood to Coast race, and his son signed up to attend a summer snowboarding camp on Mt. Hood. Warren asked if I had any suggestions for things to see while they were in Oregon, and I mentioned that it would be fun for him and his family to join my family for dinner some night during their stay. We exchanged email addresses, and true to his word, I received an email from him a couple of months later asking about campgrounds to make reservations for their upcoming stay. His family ended up coming to have dinner at my house one night and then we were able to take them for a nice hike in the Columbia Gorge to see several waterfalls. It was especially fun to give Warren a deeper explanation of what the Canadian-U.S. Youth Summit really was all about, since he had simply been asked to speak on a panel of immigration experts for a college course focused on Canadian-U.S. relations. I was also much honored when he talked about how impressed he had been with all of the students, their interest in all of the topics being discussed, and the quality of questions being asked of the presenters. I told him I had been very impressed with the quality of the program as a whole, I am confident that I made some unexpected, lifelong friendships out of it, and through that, I took away much more than just three college credits. I can only hope that more students are able to take advantage of this incredible, truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Sincerely,
Ambassador Wilson

"Good evening. Today is the fifth anniversary of the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001.

I am speaking to you from the Hall of Honour in the Centre Block of Parliament.

With me are some Canadians whose lives have been touched by 9-11 in ways that most of us can't even begin to imagine.

Men and women who lost loved ones in the attacks on the World Trade Centre. Tanja Tomasevic, who lost her husband, Vladimir; Danny Eisen who lost his cousin, Danny; and Maureen and Erica Basnicki, who lost their husband and father, Ken.

I asked them to join me because words alone are not enough to express what needs to be said today.

As we pay tribute to the 24 Canadians who lost their lives on that infamous day five years ago, their family members remind us that they were real people with real lives.

Lives that were cut short - deliberately so - by a murderous act of terrorism.

Like most Canadians, I have a vivid memory of that morning.

As my wife, Laureen, and I watched the second tower collapse on television, as the enormity of the events began to sink in, I turned to her and said: "This will change the course of history."

And so it has.

In the years that followed, terror struck Bali in Indonesia, Madrid in Spain, London in Great Britain. And security forces in many countries - including Canada - have foiled alleged terrorist plots before they could be executed.

The targets and tactics were different in every case, but the objective is always the same. To kill, maim and terrify as many people as possible. Not in the name of any idealistic cause, but because of an ideology of hatred.

And while this war of terror has displayed some of the worst of which humanity is capable, so too has it revealed the greatness and generosity that lie at the core of so many ordinary people.

Something which was on display for all to see when Canadians opened their arms and homes to thousands of travellers whose flights were diverted on 9-11.

And because of this war of terror, people around the world have come together to offer a better vision of the future for all humanity.

For this vision to take hold, the menace of terror must be confronted.

And that is why the countries of the United Nations, with unprecedented unity and determination, launched their mission to Afghanistan to deal with the source of the 9-11 terror and to end, once and for all, the brutal regime that horribly mistreated its own people while coddling terrorists.

And that is why I invited the families of some of the Canadian soldiers who are currently serving in Afghanistan to join us here today.

I want to thank Raquel Hounsell, Janice Shaw and Jane Hill for being here. Their husbands are currently serving in Afghanistan. And Captain Edward and Judy Kosierb, whose son is serving in Afghanistan.

Their presence here reminds us that real people - Canadian men and women with families and children - are courageously putting themselves forward to make that part of the world a better place.

It is the desire to make a better and safer world which compels our soldiers to put their lives on the line.

There are Canadian heroes being made every day in the desert and the mountains of southern Afghanistan.

These are the stories we don't hear - the countless acts of courage and sacrifice that occur every day on the battlefield.

And in the towns and villages where Canadians are reconstructing the basic infrastructure of a shattered nation.

Because of their efforts, the Taliban is on the run, not the charge.

Women now have basic rights as human beings. Youngsters are getting a chance to go to school. And many - but not yet all Afghan families - are beginning to rebuild their lives with our help.

Because we are a country that has always accepted its responsibilities in the world, from two great wars in Europe, from Korea to the Balkans, Canada has acted when the United Nations has asked.

And as the events of September 11 so clearly illustrate, the horrors of the world will not go away if we turn a blind eye to them, no matter how far off they may be.

And these horrors cannot be stopped unless some among us are willing to accept enormous sacrifice and risk to themselves.

I would ask that, tonight, you keep in your thoughts and prayers the victims and families of 9-11 and all those ordinary people who have died or lost loved ones in related acts of terror.

I would ask as well, that you keep in your thoughts and prayers the personnel and families of the extraordinary people in Afghanistan and elsewhere who have put themselves on the line so that the world is a better and safer place for all of us.

Good night."

— Prime Minister Stephen Harper
September 11, 2006

For the past six years, Ecotrust recognized Native Americans across what it calls "Salmon Nation" -- which extends from western North America, from Canada through California -- with the Buffett Indigenous Leadership Awards.

Aside from honoring a winner and four finalists every year, the awards provide an opportunity to highlight important issues facing indigenous communities, from global warming to habitat loss to domestic violence, says Elizabeth Woody, director of indigenous leadership for Ecotrust.

"We have 30 people (who have been winners or finalists) now, and they represent several lifetimes' worth of knowledge," Woody says. "We are developing a significant network of leaders and a braintrust."
The awards will be given tonight, amid a week of workshops that includes a lecture by Winona LaDuke, Native American environmental activist and former vice presidential candidate.

The award program is supported by the families of Howard and Peter Buffett and gives $25,000 to the winner and $2,500 to the finalists each years.

This year's winner is Guujaaw, a carver, traditional medicine practitioner, singer and negotiator. He is president of the Haida Nation, located on the Haida Gwaii archipelago off the coast of British Columbia.

The finalists are: Harold Gatensby; A Dahka T'lingit from Carcross, Yukon Territory, Canada; Ilarion "Larry" Merculieff, an Aleut from Anchorage; Tawna Sanchez, a Shoshone-Bannock/Ute from Portland; and Chief Judith Sayers, a Nuu-chah-nulth from Port Alberni, B.C., Canada.

-- Angie Chuang

Masala
A black comedy about the god Krishna, summoned to earth by an old woman, a young ex-junkie named Krishna who is coping with the death of his family in a plane crash, and what happens when their paths cross.

Les invasions barbares
It's not easy for a narrow-minded professor to reconcile with his equally stubborn son. Father and son find themselves gathering with their wide and colorful circle of family and friends to confront their differences, confess their secrets, and celebrate life.

The red violin
Upon unearthing a one-of-a-kind, blood red violin, appraiser Charles Morritz uncovers the spectacular journey of the long-lost masterpiece - how it changed hands and the lives of all who touched it.

Mon oncle Antoine
A story set in a Quebec asbestos town in the early 1940s before the days of miners' unions. Uncle Antoine owns the general store and is the local undertaker, with his nephew Benoit as an occasional helper. On Christmas Eve a combination of events forces Benoit to face the harsher realities of life.

Battling Butler
Alfred Butler, a fragile young man whose father sends him into the country where he hopes masculinity will blossom, is there mistaken for "Battling" Butler, a renowned prizefighter. Alfred carries on the ruse to impress a young lady, but his charade is soon complicated by the arrival of a true contender. [The haunted house] Buster takes refuge in a mansion rigged with a series of frightening booby traps. [The frozen North] Keaton experiences a variety of adventures in the Canadian Northwest including an attempt to rob a saloon and impersonating a Canadian Mountie.

Double happiness
East clashes with West and generations collide in this comedy about a young Chinese woman struggling to appease her old-fashioned father and at the same time pursue her modern dreams.

In the land of the war canoes : Kwakiutl Indian life on the Northwest coast
Presents an epic saga of Kwakiutl Indian life on the northwest coast of America as filmed in the summer of 1914 at Kwakiutl villages on Vancouver Island, Canada, by Edward S. Curtis. Edited and restored with the addition of an authentic sound track.

The Grey fox
Bill Miner is a sixty-year-old man who is attempting to pick up the pieces of his life after serving 30 years in San Quentin for stagecoach robbery. Times has changed but his joy for life have not abandoned him. With the vigor of a sixteen year old, Miner begins a new profession -- train robbery.
Drylanders
Presents the epic story of the opening of the Canadian west and describes the drought that brought depression in the thirties.

Thirty two short films about Glenn Gould
Thirty-two vignettes, spanning pianist Glenn Gould's life from age four until his death at fifty, give an impressionistic depiction of his life.

DOCUMENTARIES

The Holy Body Tattoo
Robert Desrosiers interviews The Holy Body Tattoo dance company's directors, Noam Gagnon and Dana Gingras who discuss the themes in their choreography and explain the effects of their integration of traditional dance with video, music, and film

Extreme oil
Portrays the challenges that face the oil industries and the consumers of the infinite products of oil. "The pipeline" follows the route of a pipeline linking the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and thus the global market. "The oil curse" contrasts the cases of Ecuador and western Africa, and looks at how the discovery of oil has affected the local population. "The wilderness" explores the tension between the world's desire for oil and existing and proposed environmental restraints in Alaska and Canada.

I'tusto
On August 29, 1997, the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation was rocked to the core as their ceremonial Bighouse became engulfed in an arsonist's fire. The Bighouse stands at the centre of their history, where traditional ceremonies make them a distinctive people. This film tells the powerful story of the Kwakiutl Indian Nation as they came together to re-build the Bighouse, concluding with the ceremonial dedication of the new building.

Us vs. them
A lecture discussing the history and development of the Sikh community in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Hitman Hart
Goes behind the tightly guarded walls of wrestling's world of grand spectacle and theatre. This film explores the meaning of today's wrestling morality plays, and then, as fantasy crosses into real life, reveals the true story of Bret Hart's struggle with Vince McMahon, the legendary owner of the WWF.

Circles
Presents an inside look at sentencing circles which focus on healing the offender, the victim, and the community. Many societies worldwide have used sentencing circles to resolve conflicts.

New suits
Presents a close look at the development of advertising campaigns by focussing on Canada's Harry Rosen men's clothing stores.

Picturing a people
George Johnston at the age of 16, left the Yukon community of Teslin and trekked hundreds of miles overland to coastal Alaska in search of the history of his people, the Tlingit Indians. On his return to Teslin, Johnston took many photographs about Tlingit culture, religion and the songs and dances of his people, and the changes happening to the Yukon territory. The film uses Johnston's photographs, interviews, archival footage and re-enactments to tell his story.

Forestry and mining
A discussion of the often interrelated aspects of the forestry and mining industries, how these industries are regulated and carried out, and what the future prospects are for them. Conservation issues are discussed.

Promise in the land: sustaining our agriculture
A look at agriculture in Canada with a focus on sustainable agriculture as the best hope for the future.

Native art of North America
A lively introduction of the rich and varied artwork produced by tribal peoples native to the United States and Canada.

Québec Canada
Describes the province of Quebec, Canada, including Quebec City, Montreal, the coastline and other natural areas.

Kanehsatake: 270 years of resistance
"On a hot July day in 1990, an historic confrontation propelled Native issues in Kanehsatake and the village of Oka, Quebec into the international spotlight and into the Canadian conscience. Behind Mohawk lines that gruelling summer, producer and director Alanis Obomsawin, herself an Abenaki Indian, enrured 78 nerve-wracking days and nights filming an armed standoff between the Kanehsatake Mohawk people of First Nations, the Quebec police and the Canadian army."

Where the bay becomes the sea
Examines the marine ecosystem of the Bay of Fundy in Canada where a complex plant and animal world form a diverse food web.

Estuary
Examines the plant and animal life found in an estuary along the coast of British Columbia.

More about Becky:

My name is Becky Myrold and I live in Corvallis, OR. Until five years of age that was the only home I had ever known. At age five my family went on a sabbatical to Umeå, Sweden. After one year we returned from Sweden. During the time between ages five and seventeen I spent most of my waking hours playing soccer, reading books and doing school work. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I was introduced to government. In my AP Government class I began down a path that has led me to being a Political Science major at Western Oregon University (WOU). I am now in my second year at WOU where I have played for the women’s varsity soccer team and joined the Model United Nations (MUN) team. MUN introduced me to the world of international relations, and because of this introduction and my experiences in Sweden (having been there three times) I knew that I wanted to take part in the global community. Politics sparked a journeyman’s interest in me to step up and help out others in our world. As a part of this interest I applied for the internship at the Canadian Consulate General in Seattle. This internship will take place this summer, 2006, where I will have the opportunity to work on projects to promote Canadian interests. I feel that this internship will help me to better understand the inner workings of the global community. Hopefully I will be able to take any knowledge gleaned from this internship into my everyday life and to MUN conferences where I will be able to make a difference in the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As the representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I am honoured to welcome the newly elected members of the House of Commons on the occasion of the opening of the First Session of the Thirty-Ninth Parliament of Canada. Canadians rejoice in the coming eightieth birthday of Her Majesty later this month, and in her more than fifty years of service as Queen of Canada.

Since my appointment as Governor General of Canada, I have had the privilege of meeting women and men who each and every day, and each in their own way, reaffirm their attachment to this vast land that we share and where people from around the world have found a home. Women and men of ideas, conviction and action who have an abiding sense of responsibility, solidarity and commitment to their neighbourhoods, to their communities and to their country. And I am moved to see just how strong and vibrant a country we are.

I have been particularly struck by the words of our young people and by their wealth of ideas. Young people who are looking to carve out their place and be heard. The new generation of Aboriginal entrepreneurs who are creating new opportunities. Young people in our Canadian Forces who, through their extraordinary efforts, offer a promise of hope for the oppressed. More than ever, our young people represent not only the promise of a brighter future, but also the vitality of our present.

I have met with people from our two great linguistic communities and I can attest that our linguistic duality is a tremendous asset for the country. Similarly, Canadian artists from all disciplines have confirmed to me just how important creative expression is to the health of a democratic society.

And I have heard from Canadians who feel they often lack a voice. Women who are victims of violence. Families newly arrived in Canada who seek to contribute to our society and our country's collective well-being.

Listening to citizens from all walks of life has strengthened my already deep conviction that we are living in a country where everything is possible, where each of us is free to follow his or her dreams but also has a duty to help build our country and prepare it for the challenges that lie ahead.

Building a Stronger Canada

On January 23, the Canadian people elected a new government. The Government is honoured by the responsibility it has been given for managing the affairs of our great country.

Canada is uniquely blessed in the strength and diversity of its people and regions. Through hard work, foresight and good fortune, we have come together to make our vast country one of the most successful the world has ever seen.

The distance we have travelled is remarkable. A country once perceived to be at the edge of the world is now at the leading edge of science, business, the arts and sport. Whether it is on the podium in Turin, on the rugged hills of Afghanistan, or in the bustling markets of Asia, Canadians demonstrate time and time again that they are leaders.

The Government is proud of what Canadians have accomplished so far, and is inspired by the country's bright prospects. It believes in the capacity of Canadians to seize the enormous opportunities before them and build an even stronger Canada, striving for excellence, anchored by enduring values, and infused with growing confidence that they can make a difference at home and in the world.

In support of building a stronger Canada, the Government's agenda will be clear and focused. It will clean up government, provide real support to ordinary working families and strengthen our federation as well as our role in the world.

Turning a New Leaf

Canadians have chosen change. They want a government that treats their tax dollars with respect. A government that puts ordinary working people and their families first. A government that is accountable.

This Government has been given a mandate to lead the change demanded by the Canadian people.

Leading change in a minority Parliament means working together. To this end, the Government will look for shared goals and common ideas that will help Canadians build a stronger Canada.

It is time to turn a new leaf.

Bringing Accountability Back to Government

No aspect of responsible government is more fundamental than having the trust of citizens. Canadians' faith in the institutions and practices of government has been eroded. This new government trusts in the Canadian people, and its goal is that Canadians will once again trust in their government. It is time for accountability.

To restore this trust, the first piece of legislation the Government will bring forward will be the Federal Accountability Act.

This omnibus legislation and the associated Accountability Action Plan will change the current system of oversight and management by strengthening the rules and institutions that ensure transparency and accountability to Canadians. The legislation will ban institutional and large personal donations to political parties; it will ensure that positions of public trust cannot be used as stepping stones to private lobbying; and it will provide real protection for whistle-blowers who show great courage in coming forward to do what is right.

The Government will strengthen the capacity and independence of officers of Parliament, including the Auditor General, to hold the Government to account. It will increase the transparency of appointments, contracts and auditing within government departments and Crown corporations.

Effective checks and balances are important, but they are not enough. The trust of citizens must be earned every day. The Government will work to earn that trust.

Helping Ordinary Working Canadians and Their Families

This Government believes that Canadians pay too much in tax. The Government's tax plan will, over time, reduce the tax burden on all Canadians.

To this end, the Government will reduce the Goods and Services Tax by one percent. Cutting the GST will help all Canadians deal with the rising cost of living, put money back in people's pockets and help stimulate the economy.

Cutting the GST is the best way to lower taxes for all Canadians, including low-income Canadians who need it most.

The Government will continue with a responsible approach to lowering taxes for the benefit of Canadians and the Canadian economy, including a further reduction of the GST to five percent.

Tackling Crime

Canadians have always taken pride in our low crime rates. Safe streets have long characterized Canada's communities -- from villages to towns to cities. Safe communities allow families and businesses to prosper.

Unfortunately, our safe streets and healthy communities are increasingly under threat of gun, gang and drug violence.

This Government will tackle crime. It will propose changes to the Criminal Code to provide tougher sentences for violent and repeat offenders, particularly those involved in weapons-related crimes. It will help prevent crime by putting more police on the street and improving the security of our borders.

It is equally important that we prevent criminal behaviour before it has a chance to take root. To this end, the Government will work with the provinces and territories to help communities provide hope and opportunity for our youth, and end the cycle of violence that can lead to broken communities and broken lives.

Providing Child Care Choice and Support

Strong families ensure a bright future for Canada. The most important investment we can make as a country is to help families raise their children.

This Government understands that no two Canadian families are exactly alike. Each has its own circumstances and needs. Parents must be able to choose the child care that is best for them. The Government will help Canadian parents, as they seek to balance work and family life, by supporting their child care choices through direct financial support.

In collaboration with the provinces and territories, employers and community non-profit organizations, it will also encourage the creation of new child care spaces.

Ensuring Canadians Get the Health Care They Have Paid For

Canadians have paid their taxes to support our system of public health insurance. But all too often, they find themselves waiting too long for critical procedures. That is not good enough. It is time Canadians received the health care they have paid for.

The Government will engage the provinces and territories on a patient wait times guarantee for medically necessary services. This guarantee will make sure that all Canadians receive essential medical treatment within clinically acceptable waiting times.

A health system that is timely and sustainable will require innovation. The Government will support and enable innovative approaches to health care delivery consistent with the principles of a universally accessible and equitable public health care system embodied in the Canada Health Act.

A Canada That Works for All of Us

One of Canada's greatest strengths is our federal system of government. The founders of our country had the foresight to build a flexible federal system that would accommodate our diversity and build upon the unique strengths of the different parts of our federation.

To remain strong and effective, our federation must keep pace with the evolving needs of Canadian society. Building on the work begun in the last Parliament, this Government will seek to involve parliamentarians and citizens in examining the challenges facing Canada's electoral system and democratic institutions. At the same time, it will explore means to ensure that the Senate better reflects both the democratic values of Canadians and the needs of Canada's regions.

All too often, the strength of our federation is compromised by jurisdictional squabbles that obscure accountabilities and prevent governments from working together in the best interests of Canadians.

This new government will take a new approach. It is committed to building a better federation in which governments come together to help Canadians realize their potential. To this end, the Government will respond to concerns about the fiscal imbalance and will work to ensure fiscal arrangements in which all governments have access to the resources they need to meet their responsibilities.

The Government is committed to an open federalism that recognizes the unique place of a strong, vibrant Quebec in a united Canada. It will work with the government and legislature of Quebec in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration to advance the aspirations of Quebecers. In the international community, Canada is stronger when we speak with one voice, but that voice must belong to all of us. In a more interdependent world, decisions on international issues increasingly affect not only countries, but also individuals, communities and regions.

This is why the Government will facilitate provincial participation in the development of Canadian positions that affect areas of provincial responsibility. The Government recognizes the special cultural responsibilities of the Government of Quebec and will therefore invite Quebec to play a role in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. By harnessing the diversity of experience and expertise found within our federation, we can present a strong, united and confident voice to the world.

Canada - Strong, United, Independent and Free

Canada's voice in the world must be supported by action, both at home and abroad. Advancing our interests in a complex and sometimes dangerous world requires confidence and the independent capacity to defend our country's sovereignty and the security of our citizens.

The Government will work cooperatively with our friends and allies and constructively with the international community to advance common values and interests. In support of this goal, it will build stronger multilateral and bilateral relationships, starting with Canada's relationship with the United States, our best friend and largest trading partner.

More broadly, this Government is committed to supporting Canada's core values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights around the world. In this regard, the Government will support a more robust diplomatic role for Canada, a stronger military and a more effective use of Canadian aid dollars.

Just as it honours the past efforts of our veterans, the Government stands firmly behind the vital role being played by our troops in Afghanistan today. The dedicated Canadians in Afghanistan deserve all of our support as they risk their lives to defend our national interests, combat global terrorism and help the Afghan people make a new start as a free, democratic and peaceful country.

Conclusion

The Government's clear and focused agenda reflects its commitment to Canadians. It will not try to do all things at once. Instead, the Government will work diligently to make tangible improvements that contribute to stronger families and safer communities, and a stronger country.

During this Thirty-Ninth Parliament, the Government will be bringing forward fiscally responsible budgets and a legislative program that will achieve the results that Canadians expect from their elected representatives. In this work, it will rely on the support and counsel of a dedicated and professional Public Service. In turn, it will give the Public Service the leadership and tools it needs to excel in the service of Canadians. Recognizing the important role of parliamentarians, members of Parliament will be asked to conduct comprehensive reviews of key federal legislation, including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Bank Act. The Government will act in Parliament to offer an apology for the Chinese Head Tax. Significant international treaties will be submitted for votes in Parliament.

Over the course of its mandate, and starting with the clear priorities set out today, the Government will work diligently to build a record of results. It will promote a more competitive, more productive Canadian economy. It will seek to improve opportunity for all Canadians, including Aboriginal peoples and new immigrants. It will work to improve the security of seniors. It will take measures to achieve tangible improvements in our environment, including reductions in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

This Government recognizes the unique challenges faced by those who make their livelihood from our land and oceans in our vital natural resource and agriculture industries. It will take action to secure a prosperous future for Canadian agriculture, following years of neglect. It will respond to short-term needs, create separate and more effective farm income stabilization and disaster relief programs and work with producers and partners to achieve long-term competitiveness and sustainability.

Together, the Government's actions will ensure Canada's future success.

With the efforts and contributions of members from both chambers, the Government looks forward to making this Parliament work for the benefit of the Canadian people.

Members of the House of Commons:

You will be asked to appropriate the funds required to carry out the services and expenditures authorized by Parliament.

Honourable Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Commons:

May Divine Providence guide your deliberations.