Here we are about to celebrate Labour day, which signals the end of summer and the beginning of the beautiful season of Fall or Autumn as I know it. As children prepare to go back to school we too plan and prepare for our CWL meetings. I hope you were able to attend a convention and are feeling refreshed, re-energized and full of enthusiasm.

Welcome to second term Legislation Chairpersons from Kamloops, Prince George and Vancouver, and like myself, first term chairperson from Victoria. I notice several familiar names and look forward to receiving your communiques updating me on legislation news in your diocese.  Have you thought of sharing with the other diocesan chairpersons?   If I can be of any assistance at all please contact me.

Legislation – social justice in action.

In the executive handbook the guidelines given under this standing committee are:

• to monitor and study legislation (laws made) at all levels of government.
• the preparation of briefs and position papers on proposed legislation

How do we do this?

By monitoring both current and past resolutions when they become bills and are presented to Federal Parliament through reading the newspapers and accessing both the Federal Parliament web site and also the Legislative Assembly at  and by following Hansard at which is where the official record of motions debated and passed since 1972 in BC are listed. You can also find out what MLA’s said and how they voted.

Do you know who your Federal/Provincial Members of Parliament are?  Contact them requesting to be put on their mailing list, keeps you informed and updated.While anxiously waiting to hear the fate of Bill C-484 An Act to Amend the criminal Code of Canada (injuring or causing the death of an unborn child while committing an offence) encourage writing letters to Justice and Human Rights Standing Committee members asking them to support this bill.

Mary Nordic, outgoing legislation chair in her last communique mentions that there are currently 40 government bills and 354 private members’ bills before the House of Commons, not to mention bills before the Senate.  Reading is obviously an important factor of this committee.

Dates to note:  the House of Commons resumes on September 16th, the Senate on September 15th and BC Legislature on October 6th.

Resolutions news – five in all were adopted at the 88th national convention in Winnipeg and are posted on the national web site and will be published in the Fall issue of the League magazine, review them and follow the suggested action plans. Under the heading of  legislation standing committee is -
2008.05 Transportation Tax Credits for Rural Post-Secondary Students falls under the Legislation heading.   Education is an important element, especially in our society of today. In reading the brief it made me aware that many of us in towns and cities are not faced with this problem.

2008.01 – Preventing Human Trafficking at the 2010 Olympics was from BC & Yukon Province.   Follow the action plan even more so in regard to this resolution with the approaching Olympics being held on our doorstep.

Exciting news – Barb Dowding our past Provincial President was elected to National Council as resolutions chairperson which means we will have two voices from our Province on the National level. Congratulations Barb!

Judy Lewis from Prince Edward Island is the new national legislation chairperson.  I look forward to receiving her communique in the near future.

As a League member concerned about social justice, has your voice been heard?  We can make our voices heard, loud and clear by stepping forward ‘in faith and action’.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel bless and guide us as we continue our work for God and Canada.

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

As Fall approaches, I hope that you all found your own “quiet place” during the summer – to rest and refresh – and are now ready to work for God and Canada. Welcome to the newly elected chairpersons and hello again to those in their second year – remember to share your communiques with each other and with me.

Arch/Diocese Communications Chairpersons
Kamloops (2007-2009) Marguerite L…..
Nelson (2006-2008) Betty H…..
Prince George (2007-2009) Therese S…..
Vancouver (2007-2009) Sandra B…..
Victoria Daisy M…
Whitehorse – send to Sacred Heart CWL Pres, send to Our Lady of Sorrows Pres.

CALL TO URGENT ACTION
As you are aware, after passing Third Reading in the House of Commons on May 4th, Bill C-22, The Age of Protection legislation was sent to the Senate. As of June 21st it was with the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, having passed Second Reading in the Senate June 20th. The Senate’s last Day to sit was June 29th, and there was no action on the bill until September after that. NOW THERE IS THE CHANCE THAT THIS BILL MAY DIE. PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW (from our National website) and ACT!

“Pending legislation to be aware of:

ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has decided to reconvene Parliament on October 16th, when he presents a new Speech from the Throne. This will delay the opening of Parliament and allows the opposition parties to vote on the government agenda. There is a possibility the government could be defeated resulting in Bill C-22 dying on the order paper. To express concern about this potential event, members are urged to contact the senators immediately at LEG-JUR@sen.parl.gc.ca and express their concern about the potential death of this bill.

Bill C-22 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (age of protection) and to make consequential amendments to the Criminal Records Act had first reading in the House of Commons on June 22, 2006. This bill would raise the age from 14 to 16 years at which a person can consent to non-exploitative sexual activity. (The government uses the term “age of protection” rather than “age of consent.”) This bill had second reading in the House of Commons on October 30, 2006, and was referred to the justice and human rights committee. “

Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Senate of Canada
Ottawa , ON K1A 0A4
Clerk: Shaila Anwar Phone: 613-993-4874
Administrative Assistant: Natalie Lemay-Paquette Phone: 613-943-7865
Email: LEG-JUR@sen.parl.gc.ca

You can track the progress of the bill if you go to www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo
Let’s not lose all the hard work so many have put into this cause.

RIBBON OF SIGNATURES ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
Sunday, October 21 to Sunday, October 28, 2007
From www.c-a-s-e.net

“We continue to observe the proliferation of pornography and specifically its very alarming growth on the internet. We therefore plan to focus our ribbon campaign on Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The Ribbon kit is available and includes a DVD that I am sure you will find useful in making presentations to community groups. It was created by Melanie and Todd Toews, of Dauphin, Manitoba . They are committed to the protection of our children and the DVD titled “The Children Need Someone Like You” contains the title song “Someone like You”. I have no doubt it will give you pause for thought and incentive to continue the battle against this insidious plague that endangers so many innocent and vulnerable children around the world. The DVD alone can be purchased for $10 from C.A.SE. The kit including written materials, the white ribbon and the DVD will be $25. Donations are always appreciated as they are our only means of keeping C.A.S.E. vibrant and involved in this struggle to keep our children safe. Donations can be sent to C.A.S.E. at P.O. Box 62569 , Toronto , ON M1R 5G8 .”

BCYK CWL Website
Please check out our provincial website – www.cwl.bc.ca

I have assumed the duty of webmaster, and my goal is to keep it up to date. We will be getting some help to give it a more professional look, and welcome feedback.

Future plans include setting up separate pages for each diocese – are you interested? Would this be of value to you?

What else would you like to see on the website?

BCYK Newsletter
The Fall 2007 issue will be out shortly. News from each diocese and parish is welcome – share your stories with your sisters in the League throughout the province and Yukon. The newsletter is not intended to replace communiques – but to help us get to know each other, share information that is not time sensitive, and to learn from each other’s stories.

Each parish council is given one newsletter to share – a copy can be e-mailed to you upon request. An edited version is also available on the website after printed copies are distributed.

From “A Quiet Place”  by Mary Elizabeth Matthews

I need a place to sit and think,
I’ve rushed around all day;
I need a place where I can rest,
And talk to God, and pray.

May we all find a place where we can talk to God ~ to ‘communicate’ our cares and concerns. Please add to your prayers Bill C-22, and all of our young people who need this protection.

Love and prayers to all.

God bless,
Sandra

Madame President, Reverend Fathers and League members

Communication – what is it? Cave paintings, smoke signals, carrier pigeons; telegraph, telephone, television; e-mail, text message, chat room, blog. Communication has changed and grown, but still remains the exchange of thoughts, ideas, information and feelings by a system of signs, sounds or behaviour. It is used in order to accomplish tasks and achieve goals, in our personal and business lives.

In the past year, we have two major examples of communication being used to create change in our country.

Telus: we heard or read that Telus was offering a new service to its mobility customers. They were able to download pornography to their cell phones, and take it with them wherever they went. So we phoned and we wrote and we prayed. And Telus listened, and withdrew the service, and I hope that we all acknowledged and thanked them for this. We must continue to monitor Telus and other service providers.

Bill C-22: to raise the age of protection to 16. This bill passed third reading in the House of Commons on May 4th, and will now go before the Senate for final consideration and hopefully passage before summer. This is a rewarding conclusion to many years of hard work by child protection groups, police officers, politicians and concerned citizens.

To jump start my mind in preparing this report, I typed “communications” in my search engine and received 297 million results in .17 seconds. This is just one example of the power of the internet. We can access sites around the world and we can communicate with each other in seconds. This amazing information highway also brings us the responsibility to use it wisely, and to me this is a three fold responsibility:We must monitor its content and its use, especially by children – there are means in place and it is up to us to educate ourselves and our children on the safety and good content issues;

We must not let it replace actual contact with “real” people;

And, we must USE it. The information is there – sites from our Bishops, from Rome, from WUCWO, C.A.S.E., and from our own National CWL. We can learn so much and be called to action in so many ways. Although some members would have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to a computer, each council should have at least one person who is willing and able to be the internet/e-mail contact, and this person needs to communicate with her council members.

The internet is not the only media for communications, and our mandate to evaluate and promote good content could also include “provide good content”. In the BC Catholic, May 14th, veteran CBC television journalist Brian Stewart is quoted: “The success of churches and faith-based organizations in providing disaster relief and fighting world poverty is one of “the greatest overlooked stories of our time”. Why is this story overlooked?

In September 2006, Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, addressed new bishops in Media: Well Worth the Church’s Effort. Although he was addressing bishops, his comments also apply to our CWL councils.

Quote: “Basically, the attitude in public relations on the diocesan or even the parish level should be: Never overlook an opportunity to proclaim Christ’s message through activities in which the general public may be interested.”

There are many “good news” stories waiting to be told – and when the five “w’s” – (the who, what, when, where and why) – are covered, an explanation can be added, providing evangelization, education or promotion of the League. Did you have a fundraiser for Matercare? Did you have a speaker on autism? Did you celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel or sponsor a day of reflection? Tell your community. Even if all of a submitted article, or any of it, is not printed – someone read it. When you are aware of good, informative articles, comment on them and share them.

World Communications Day was celebrated this year on May 20th. The theme was “Children and the Media: a Challenge for Education.” Parents, teachers, and the ecclesiastic community are called to work together to educate children and young people to be selective and to develop a critical attitude. The media too must make its contribution to this educational task, promoting the dignity of the human person, marriage and the family, and the accomplishments and aims of civilization. May we all be guided to use the media wisely to communicate God’s great love to the world.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra S……..

Greetings and Happy Valentine’s Day,

As we “Walk Humbly With our God” let us “Love One Another” by continuing to take action on resolutions such as those related to on-going major concerns such as trafficking of women and children, poverty, homelessness to name a few. Many other important issues are stated in previous resolutions and can be found on the League website – click on resolutions and follow the suggested action plan. Encourage parish councils to study one resolution at each meeting, then write letters or arrange another day for coffee and letter writing. What makes a resolution worthwhile? The action – one phone call, one letter!!!

In a recent communique from Betty Anne B. she mentions that the new Criteria for Acceptance of Resolutions will be distributed to parish councils in the spring of 2007 as part of the National Manual Policy & Procedure update. Another suggestion to follow as you work on resolutions is – be focussed, use simple language, define the key message and communicate in a clear, concise and compelling manner.

The current issue of The Canadian League magazine has a report on the meeting with the federal government officials and I am sure you will agree our voices are being heard! Education/action on Sleep Apnea is also featured, Banning the use of Styrofoam was in a previous issue, both were submitted from our Province. This is a great way of reaching all League members inviting them to take action.

The environment issue dominates Parliament these days and continues to be a major concern to all Canadians. The recent announcement of $1.5 million being designated for renewable energy is one step forward, this is an opportunity for League members to commend the federal government either by e-mail or snail mail.

In yesterdays throne speech the primary topic was climate change and, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, while health care issues took a back seat. Prime Minister Campbell said that they, the government, are depending on citizens to reach their goal – the green plan. Together let us make a huge effort towards making this plan a reality and to diligently follow the progress made by the government. He also mentioned that homelessness and poverty are unacceptable to the government and according to several previous resolutions presented by the League we affirm these priorities and hopefully we will see positive action soon, not just talk!

“An Inconvenient Truth” documentary by Al Gore on global warning originally aired in May 2006 is well worth watching. It is available on DVD and one church in my area is having a showing and a guest speaker who will address any questions.

Bill C-22 Sexual Consent recently received a second reading and has been referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Should an election be called this bill will not proceed any further.

It is important that you share your communiques with me to keep me “in the loop”, thank you to the chairpersons who have already shared.

As our delegation prepares to meet with the government on Wednesday, 28th March please pray for us and the success of our meeting.

Lent – more fervent in prayer, more generous in works of charity, more eager in celebrating the mysteries by which we are reborn. A powerful message taken from the cover of a retreat book.

Your Sister in the League,
Sheila

Our new National Theme “Love One Another” calls us to take action for the poor and homeless people in our cities, province and country. We can show our love by taking action on Resolution 2003.1 Affordable Housing for Low-Income Canadians and Resolution 2004.02 Children Living in Poverty.

Write letters to provincial/territorial/federal governments urging assistance to families in abject poverty. Let our MLAs and MPs know that we expect them, our elected representatives, to do more to help homeless people and those living in poverty. There are many issues to address: the environment, welfare rates, minimum wage rates and health care.

National Legislation Chair Mary N., in her second communique, states that there are 44 government bills before the House, bills C-2 through C-45. All bills, their text, supporting speeches, and status may be reviewed on the government website.

Mary also states: “There are also 194 private members bills before the House, bills C-201 through C-395.” Once again check out the website for information. Some bills of interest because of past resolutions or closely related concerns of the League are:

• C-206 An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (extension of benefit period for parental leave): concerns child and family welfare
• C-209 An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (expenses incurred by caregivers)
• C-229 An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act ( no GST on books or pamphlets): related to Resolution 2003.10 Tax Deduction for Post-Secondary School Textbooks
• C-276 An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (literacy materials): related to Resolution 1990.09 Literacy
• C-394 An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (sponsorship of relative): Note: this bill refers to non-family class relatives, which is important in cultures where extended family is significant. The League has a long history of concern for immigrants and refugees.
• C-382 An Act to provide for secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians: related to Resolution 2003.01 Affordable Housing for Low-Income Canadians
• C-377 An Act to ensure Canada assumes its responsibilities in preventing dangerous climate change: Once again, the League has a longstanding concern with environmental issues.
• C-355 An Act to establish National Ovarian Cancer Month: related to Resolution 2004.09 Ovarian Cancer”

The prime minister has made changes to his cabinet and a current list of cabinet ministers can be found by an internet search of Canadian Ministry (Cabinet) or via http://www.parl.gc.ca/.

The Liberal Party elected The Hon. Stephane Dion as leader of the party and the official opposition leader for the federal government.

The definition of marriage vote was held in December and defeated. Mary N. suggests that you check out the response by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on its website http://www.cccb.ca/.

Provincially
Health care delivery is a concern from the issue of private clinics charging for services to long waits for emergency room treatment and surgery.

Welfare rates for an individual in the province are approximately $5l0.00 per month. This amount is to provide for all living expenses, a pretty impossible task with the high cost of housing and food.

As we Walk Humbly With Our God, I believe we are called to help the helpless. Please let your elected representatives know that more needs to be done to eliminate poverty.

In closing I hope to have more time to read material relating to this committee and prepare a short and long range goal, become more familiar with using the government web site and appoint a sub-committee chair and to prepare a more meaningful communique. Please be patient with me.

Your sister in the League,
Gloria G., Provincial Chairperson of Legislation

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

In my first communique, I stated that my goal was to encourage communication between all chairpersons in order to help each other.

I would like to add that our goal as communications chairpersons could be to equip our members with the tools to communicate effectively. There is a Personal Letter Writing Guide on the National website – free to download. There are also some excellent letters written by our national president, Lorette Noble, on our behalf on a number of concerns. Encourage our parish councils to check them out, and be inspired to write their own letters. Offer to get paper copies for them if they have no one in their council to do so.

C.A.S.E. – from an e-mail from Velma Harasen with quote from C.A.S.E.

“In June 2006 Justice Minister Vic Toews introduced Bill C-22 to raise the age of consent to protect teenagers from adult sexual predators. This bill passed first reading and has been well received by the majority of Canadian citizens, politicians and the media. With this positive response we expect the bill to pass into law. But at this point in time nothing seems to be happening with this bill. It has not been tabled for second reading. After passing second reading it must be debated in committee and brought back to the House for third and final reading. This is a good bill focusing only on one issue: the raising of the age of consent for sexual activity from 14 years of age to 16 years of age.”

Do not let this wonderful opportunity pass by to encourage your MP to support Bill C-22. We must speak now when the age of consent issue is a focus of the government. When the age of consent is changed, it will send a very clear and powerful message that the Canadian government and the Canadian laws will now protect children from adult sexual predators.

Collect signatures on your white ribbons and send the ribbon to you MP. You might want to write a letter or phone your MP and discuss this issue with her or him. If you have a picture or unique story related to the presentation of the white ribbons to your MP that we might be able to use in our League magazine, please send it along to national office. The deadline for the next magazine is November 30th.

Bill C-22 has reached Second Reading in the House of Commons and Referred to Committee (October 30, 2006). Please write your letters and follow the progress of the bill and your own MP’s position.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
Growing up, I always loved reading the Christmas cards and letters that came – many from people that we children didn’t know. The bright cards decorated the house, and helped build the excitement and anticipation. The exchange of cards and letters has dwindled over the years – e-mail is fun, but I think we have lost something. But – whatever way you communicate at Christmas, please make sure that CHRIST is present and prominent. Send cards with a spiritual message and please ask for the Madonna and Child postage stamp.

I extend my wish that you experience a prayerful Advent and receive many blessings as you share Christmas with family and friends.

May we Communicate, Co-operate and grow in Love for One Another in 2007.

Sandra S.