Canadians and Occupy Wallstreet

I haven't seen the support for OccupyWallstreet here in Canada that I would have hoped to see. I believe it's because Canadians sincerely believe that what's happening on OccupyWallstreet doesn't apply to us. But they're wrong. Here's a short list of reasons why Canadians should be occupying as well.

1. The telecommunications monopoly:

Companies like Bell and Rogers own everything related to the way we receive and send media. They own our cable lines, they own our television stations, and they own our politicians. We are paying far too much for our internet, phone and cable because Bell and Rogers have no competition, and very little regulation. Check out openmedia.ca to learn more about this.

2. Bill C-52 (and other internet privacy bills)

The government has been quietly pushing through bills that are scarily similar to the privacy acts that the Bush administration pushed through following September 11th.

http://www2.macleans.ca/tag/bill-c-52/

3. The Alberta Oil Sands

The Alberta Oil Sands are one of the most destructive pollution sources in our world. And the Canadian Government won't do anything about it.

4. The CPC's lack of consideration for Canadian ideologies

Canadians have said time and time again that the environment is an issue we care about. "An overwhelming 85% of Canadians are concerned about “climate change.” " . Yet the federal Conservative Government has been passing, or attempting to pass legislation that's harmful for our environment.

5. Harper's Mega-Jails

Crime is down, yet Stephen Harper and his Conservatives want to build multi-million dollar mega jails, much like those in the US that have been proven incredibly INEFFECTIVE! It's another manipulation by the Harper Government to convince Canadians that we need a tough on crime government (ahem, Conservative). Because a lot of Canadians refuse to do any research for themselves, the simple act of building these jails sends them the message that Crime is a massive issue, and we should be afraid. This unfounded fear helps Conservatives get elected.

6. The Toronto G20

In 2010, Canada hosted the G8 and the G20. The G20 (with much anger) was hosted in downtown Toronto, against the advice of numerous officials.

The police went above and beyond their duties, and carried out the largest mass arrest in Canadian History, violently. We're still waiting for apologies, and a proper investigation into what happened. Canadians were denied their right to peacefully assemble, and demonstrate, we need to take that right back.

7. Stephen Harper wants to take public financing out of campaigns. Being that the CPC is great for corporations and not for people, private only financing gives them a HUGE advantage! Just another way that Stephen Harper and the CPC are manipulating laws to benefit them, not Canadians.

Canada is not a perfect country, and with the current Conservative government, things are only going to get worse. We need to stand up now, and take our country back.

Join OccupyCanada on October 15th, and be counted.