Dear Joe Oliver,
Once again I write in support of a legal peace tax fund. It could be so easily implemented by your majority government. It could allow for the development of a desperately needed new vision for peace in our country and our world. For thousands of years governments and militaries have pursued the erroneous belief that one more war, one more bombing mission, one more act of violence and destruction will make their country and our world a safer place. And every time we go down this path of violence we become more fearful, we feel less safe, and we are detested and hated by those we choose to define as the enemy. And so the cycle continues……..
Imagine, just imagine, if Canada’s $20 Billion military budget, or even a portion thereof, would be diverted for life giving relief, development, education and peace building purposes. Imagine, if instead of devoting Canadian human and material resources for the promotion, manufacture and sale of armaments, Canada would refuse to make and sell military equipment. Can we imagine the friendship and respect we would gain in the international community if we would use our collective imagination and creativity in order to direct human and material resources towards life giving rather than death dealing enterprises?
Yes, this requires a major shift in our thinking in our domestic and foreign policy. It may seem impossible, but if the current path is not accomplishing real security and peace, we should be bold enough to take an alternative approach.
Why not begin by allowing for Conscientious Objection to Military Taxation, a legal Peace Tax Fund and a Department of Peace comprising individuals, agencies and groups with an alternative vision? Does this government or a future government have the boldness and wisdom to allow, support and legalize an alternative path to peace? What have we got to lose? More importantly, how much might we gain?
My prayers continue for you, the people we have entrusted to lead our nation to implement an alternative vision for peace in our nation and for the global village in which we all coexist.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Wiens
Manitoba