Turn the Page: Share This New Liberal Ad With Others

I think this brand new Liberal Party ad has such a powerful message to convey to Canadians that I just posted it to my Facebook page.

I've never done anything like that in my life.

I did it because there's so much at stake in this election. I think some of us have to move beyond our traditional comfort zones and take bold steps in order to ensure that points of view other than that of Stephen Harper are being heard during this election.

• If you would like to share this video with others, you can double-chick on the video. That will take you through to YouTube, where you will be presented with a number of options as to how you can share the video. You can also find out how to embed the video in your web page or blog.
• If you'd like to send a friend to the YouTube page where they can watch the video, just email or text your friend this code: 
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TRpNo75qPU

Comments

[Graham Johnston]

Stephen Harper’s Conservative government proposes reducing Canada's greenhouse gases and air pollution by 20 percent of 2006 levels by 2020. By 2015 he claims the anticipated benefit to Canadian citizens will be that 1,200 fewer citizens will die from air pollution and there will be 1,260 fewer hospital admissions and emergency room visits. Sounds impressive.

But in light comprehensive data released in August, 2008 by the Canadian Medical Association, Harper’s plan is nothing if not a stinging back-hand across the face of every Canadian.

The CMA’s report on air quality in Canada finds that more than 21,000 people will die prematurely in Canada this year from the effects of air pollution. Some 2,500 of them (us!) will die because of "acute, short-term exposure" and of that number, 25 will be under the age of 19 years. Further, in 2008 there will be over 9,000 hospital visits, 30,000 emergency department visits and 620,000 doctor's office visits due to air pollution.

The CMA estimates that by 2031, almost 90,000 Canadians will have died from the acute short-term effects of air pollution. The number of deaths, due to long-term exposure, will be over 700,000 - the population of Quebec City. The economic costs of air pollution in 2008 alone will top $8 billion. By 2031, they will have accumulated to over $250 billion.

Any politician who would turn a blind eye to such a public health crisis while allocating billions of dollars to military spending to protect the health and security of citizens of another country deserves our contempt. Either Harper is out of touch with the reality of the air pollution crisis in Canada, or he just doesn’t give a damn about the health and welfare of Canadians. Either way, he should be sent packing on Election Day. Newfoundland’s ABC mantra of “Anything But Conservative” is beginning to resonate.

Sincerely,

Graham Johnston
RR 4 Tatamagouche
Nova Scotia, B0K 1V0
1-902-657-2139

http://www.cma.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/86830/la_id/1.htm
http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca/news-nouvelles/20070426-13-eng.cfm