Reallocate Canadian Military Spending

Recently, the Canadian federal government outlined a plan to purchase new fighter jets (i.e. 65 F-35 Lightning II) for the Canadian military, a purchase that could reach anywhere between $16 $29.3 billion dollars over 20-years. Considering the fact that Canada has an estimated 3.1 million people living in poverty, no national child-care program, between 35,000 40,000 homeless people and no long-term national housing and homeless strategy, it is astonishing to acknowledge the reality that our government places a higher priority on military developments, in comparison to social reforms designed to increase the quality of life for all Canadians. As mentioned in Article 25(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his/her control. In addition, Article 25(2) states, Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance.

As concerned citizens, we demand that the Canadian federal government respect universal rights and immediately revise their spending practices by: (i) discontinuing the $16 $29.3 billion dollar military development contract, (ii) draft and implement an effective long-term strategy to abolish poverty and homelessness in Canada and (iii) create a national child-care program.

Just as wars begin in the minds of men, peace also begins in our minds. The same species who invented war is capable of inventing peace. The responsibility lies with each of us
(UNESCO, 1986, p.01).