For the last year, the war in Ukraine has been reflected daily in mainstream news, but remains an issue clouded by confusion. While events of the last year are front page news, there is little talk about the many years of NATO provocations, aggression and military buildup against Russia. More and more each day, NATO countries including Canada, the US, and England are fueling the war, funneling even more weapons into Ukraine. Join the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network for a webinar featuring speakers from Canada, the US, and Ukraine. Register HERE.
Join the conversation with:
Glenn Michalchuk: President of the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians and Chair of Peace Alliance Winnipeg.
Margaret Kimberly: Executive Editor of Black Agenda Report and author of the book Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents. In addition to being a Coordinating Committee member of Black Alliance for Peace, she is an Administrative Committee member of the United National Antiwar Coalition, and the Board of Directors of the U.S. Peace Memorial Foundation. She is also a board member of Consortium News and the editorial board of the International Manifesto Group.
Kevin MacKay: Kevin is a professor at Mohawk College in Hamilton. He researches, writes, and teaches on the subjects of civilization collapse, political transformation, and global systemic risk. In 2017 he published Radical Transformation: Oligarchy, Collapse, and the Crisis of Civilization with Between the Lines Books. He is currently working on a book entitled A New Ecological Politics, with Oregon State University Press. Kevin also serves as Vice President of the Mohawk faculty union, OPSEU Local 240.
Co-moderated by Janine Solanki and Brendan Stone: Janine is a Vancouver-based activist and organizer with Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO), a member group of the Canada-Wide Peace & Justice Network. Brendan is the co-chair of the Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War, and the co-host of the Unusual Sources radio program. As digital manager for the Taylor Report radio program, Brendan has been distributing interviews warning about the danger of NATO’s role in Ukraine since 2014, and has written on the subject. Brendan is involved with the series of anti-war events happening in February and March, and you can find out more at hcsw.ca
The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network organized a weekend of action to “Stop the War, Stop NATO” from February 23-26, 2023 in solidarity with other pro-peace, anti-war actions occurring around the world at the same time. Actions took place in Montreal, Ottawa, Hamilton, Waterloo, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria.
Statement on the Stop the War, Stop NATO Weekend of Action February 23 – 26, 2023
Peace Now!
The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network (CWPJN) urges people across Canada to join us in calling for an end to the war in Ukraine. This conflict has caused immense suffering for the Ukrainian people and their civilian infrastructure, going back to 2014 when the conflict began in Ukraine’s Donbas region. We condemn the Trudeau government for flatly refusing to talk to its Russian counterpart and for continuously refuelling the rapidly escalating conflict in Ukraine, which has the potential to expand into a wider European war or even a nuclear confrontation. The CWPJN calls for immediate negotiations with all parties for a political solution to the conflict and a return to peace and neutrality in Ukraine. On the weekend of Feb 23th to 26th, our members will be holding actions across Canada, uniting with other pro-peace and anti-war actions occurring around the world at the same time.
Stop the War, Stop NATO!
For years, NATO has been provoking conflict with Russia. NATO’s expansion to Russia’s borders, its training and arming of Ukrainian military, and support for Ukraine’s war against its eastern Donbas region since 2014 have been the principal causes for the hostilities and the devastating war in Ukraine. The CWPJN is opposed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) because it is an aggressive, US-led, military alliance of 30 Euro-Atlantic countries that has launched deadly and destructive military interventions in the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Libya. These NATO wars have caused profound misery and a massive refugee crisis.
We are opposed to NATO’s demand that allies increase military spending to meet the 2% GDP target. In 2021, NATO members spent $1.1 trillion on military spending, accounting for 60% of global military spending. Since 2014, Canadian military spending has increased by 70%. In 2021, Canada spent $33 billion on the military, which is 15 times more than on environment and climate change. In 2022, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced military spending will increase by another 70% over the next 5 years. NATO’s demand that members buy new inter-operable weapons is leading to a costly arms race. Carbon-intensive weapons systems like fighter jets, tanks, and warships are exacerbating the climate crisis. In Canada, this includes the recently announced purchase of 16 F-35 fighter jets, part of the planned 88 F-35 fighter jets deal which will cost taxpayers at least $77 billion over the lifecycle of the jets. The government of Canada is also planning to purchase warships at a sticker price of $84 billion and $5 billion for armed drones.
This explosion in military spending will prevent Canada from investing adequately in public healthcare, education, housing, jobs and climate solutions. NATO’s reliance on a dangerous nuclear deterrence and first strike policy puts us all at risk. The deadly, expensive and environmentally harmful F-35 fighter jets purchased by Canada are designed for offensive strike first attacks and to carry B61-12 tactical nuclear weapons. Is this purchase the reason why Canada has refused to sign the United Nations Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)? The TPNW requires that signatories “never under any circumstances… develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.” The CWPJN demands that the government of Canada sign the TPNW now!
Canada out of NATO!
NATO is not a defensive alliance. It undermines global peace and human security and exacerbates the climate crisis. Because of Canada’s NATO membership, we are dragged into every war of the US empire. It’s time to for Canada to withdraw from NATO and develop a non-nuclear, independent, foreign policy, free from arms exports to fuel wars and occupations, and without massive expenditures on weapons for future wars. With humanity facing global environmental and health crises, we need international cooperation, nonviolence and common security for all countries. Peace in Ukraine, and peace with Russia and China begins with negotiations, diplomacy, and an end to NATO.
Join us in sending a message to the Trudeau government from February 23 to 26
Take Action In Person
Actions will be added to this directory as details are finalized. Please email maya@worldbeyondwar.org if you have information you’d like to be added.
Location: 13450 102nd Ave (Between University Dr. & City Pkwy.) Outside SFU Surrey Campus across from the Surrey Central Skytrain Station. Surrey, BC
Rally and leafleting action organized by: local members of the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network and friends including Just Peace Committee BC, Global Alliance for Peace-BC, Mobilization against War and Occupation (MAWO), Fire this Time Movement for Social Justice, plus the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist).
Victoria
Saturday, February 25, 12PM
Location: Centennial Square; 1:30PM BC Legislature
In Victoria, Lekwungen territory, peace groups will join the Save Old-Growth Forests march and rally.
Sponsored by Victoria Peace Coalition, Vancouver Island Peace Council, Elders for Ancient Trees, Wilderness Committee.
Check Sierra Club BC (@sierraclubbc) on social media for updates.
Montreal
25 février 2023, à 14 h
RASSEMBLEMENT au Complexe Guy-Favreau à Montréal 200 boulevard René-Lévesque ouest (métros Place-des-Arts ou Place d’Armes).
NON à l’invasion de la Russie en UKRAINE ! NON à l’encerclement de la Russie par l’OTAN !
Location: Calgary City Hall, 800 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5E6, Canada
Hamilton
Saturday, February 25, 1PM ET
Virtual panel discussion connecting the dots between the war in Ukraine and events in West Asia such as the US regime change war in Syria, the sanctions against Iran and Lebanon, the war in Yemen, and tightening noose of occupation in Palestine.
Ottawa
Thursday, February 23, 3PM ET
Location: Sussex and York below the long staircase next to the US Embassy
Negotiation NOT Escalation
NO MILITARY SOLUTION in Ukraine
Waterloo
Sunday, February 26, 1PM ET
Location: Waterloo Public Square, 75 King St S, Waterloo, ON N2J 1P2
Location: Intersection of River Avenue and Osborne Street in Winnipeg.
Host: Peace Alliance Winnipeg
We will be handing out leaflets urging Winnipeggers to get behind the demand for negotiating a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine. All are welcome.
Toronto
Sunday, February 26, 1PM
Location: 393 Bloor St. W, Matt Cohen Park
Host: GTA for a World BEYOND War, No Fighter Jets Coalition.
Windsor
Saturday, February 25, 11AM
Location: Corner of Ouellette and Tecumseh
Halifax
Sunday, February 26, 12PM
Parade Square Kjipuktuk/Halifax
Nova Scotia Voice of Women for Peace will be dropping a banner in Parade Square Kjipuktuk/Halifax at high noon on Sunday, February 26th. The banner reads “Say NO to NATO” and we call on all Canadians to dust off their peacekeeping and peacemaking identity demanding an immediate end to fueling this war with weapons rather than peace talks.
Sunday, February 26th 11AM ET – Webinar: “Reporting from the War in Ukraine” with Canadian journalist Eva Bartlett. Register HERE. The event will also be livestreamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VOWPeace
Across Canada, many Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network members action to reject Canada’s imperialist wars, occupations, sanctions and military interventions.
ARCHIVE: Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network Statement
Across Canada, the U.S. and around the world, peace activists are taking action January 13 – 22 to demand an end to imperialist wars, occupations, sanctions and military interventions. This call to action was initiated by the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) in the U.S., marking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and remembering his words from April 4, 1967 which still ring true today, “The greatest purveyor of violence in the world: My own Government, I can not be Silent.” This week of action is supported by the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network, a network of 45 peace groups across Canada.
No New Fighter Jets!
An urgent demand for antiwar activists in Canada is No New Fighter Jets! On January 9, 2023 Canada’s Defense Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada will buy 88 F-35 fighter jets costing Canadian taxpayers $19 billion, with $7 billion approved for the first 16. Even these exorbitant prices are not the full story – the lifecycle cost of the 88 fighter jets is estimated to be at least $76.8 billion over 30 years, according to the No Fighter Jets coalition 2020 report, From Acquisition to Disposal: Uncovering the true cost of 88 new fighter jets. This fighter jets purchase is part of a massively expanding military budget. Military spending increased by 70% since 2014, and in 2022 Minister Anand announced that military spending will increase again by 70% in the next five years. Just in 2021, the government of Canada spent $33 billion on the military. This is money that is desperately needed for affordable healthcare, education, jobs and climate solutions. Furthermore, these fighter jets are fossil fuel intensive, using 1,340 gallons of fuel per hour, more than twice the average of what a standard car uses in one year!
This deadly, expensive and environmentally harmful fighter jet is designed for offensive strike first attacks and to carry B61-12 tactical nuclear weapons. This highlights the fact that the government of Canada has refused to sign the United Nations Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) despite demands from antiwar and peace activists. The TPNW requires that signatories “never under any circumstances… develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.”
The fighter jets purchase is being protested across Canada, during the January 13-22 week of action and also recently with the No Fighter Jets Coalition weekend of action from January 6-8 which had 13 actions across Canada demanding “No New Fighter Jets” and “Drop the F35 Deal!” The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network also encourages people in Canada to sign the parliamentary petition against the fighter jets purchase at https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-4217
Stop arming Saudi Arabia!
Besides buying weapons of war, Canada is also producing and selling them. Today, the United Nations deems Yemen the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, after almost eight years of Saudi-led, U.S. backed and Canadian-armed war. This war has killed over a quarter of a million people, and has displaced an additional four million people. The Saudi-led coalition has bombed Yemeni markets, hospitals, and civilians, and yet Canada has exported over $8 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia since 2015, the year the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen began. The Trudeau Government continues to profit from its controversial $15 billion arms deal for armoured vehicles–killing machines which have been used against people in Yemen and in Saudi Arabia.
The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network calls for an end to the Saudi-led war on Yemen and demands that Canada Stop Arming Saudi Arabia!
Canada, US and UN Hands off Haiti!
Canada’s military exports have also reached Haiti. In October 2022 Canadian and U.S. warplanes delivered armoured vehicles and weapons to Haiti, in the midst of widespread protests for access to food, fuel, and basic necessities and against the country’s imperialist backed government. More recently on January 11, 2023 Canada made a second delivery of armoured vehicles to Haiti’s police. While the government of Canada is arming the illegitimate and unelected Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, they are also keeping the option to occupy Haiti on the table. In October 2022 the U.S. drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution for the “deployment of a rapid action force to Haiti immediately”. This is a very dangerous move by Canada, the U.S., and their allies and will have devastating results for the people of Haiti.
The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network stands against Canada sending weapons to Haiti and demands No New Occupation of Haiti!
Canada Out of NATO!
The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network opposes the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a U.S.- led military alliance of 30 countries, which undermines global peace and human security and is responsible for the deadly and destructive interventions in the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Libya. For years, NATO has been provoking conflict with Russia. NATO’s expansion to Russia’s border and its training and arming of Ukrainian security forces have contributed to growing tensions and war in the region. NATO’s demand that allies buy new interoperable weapons is leading to a costly arms race. Carbon-intensive weapons systems like fighter jets, tanks, drones, and warships are exacerbating the climate crisis. Canada is complicit in U.S. wars and is pursuing an imperialist agenda.
The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network demands that Canada adopt an independent foreign policy free of all military alliances, including NATO.
No to imperialist wars
For over 30 years, we have witnessed the acceleration of brutal imperial wars by the U.S. and their allies, including Canada, against the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Haiti, and other countries. These wars have killed millions, turned tens of millions into refugees, laid waste to infrastructure, impoverished citizens through sanctions, and overthrown governments. With the full support of the governments of the U.S. and Canada, the Zionist Israeli regime has continued to occupy Palestine, brutally kill and imprison Palestinian people, including children and journalists, demolish Palestinian homes and routinely bomb Gaza. When fleeing homelands that have become war zones, refugees are subjected to harrowing and dangerous journeys and met with racism and discrimination in the very countries responsible for the destruction of the refugees’ original homes.
The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network says NO to imperialist wars, occupations, economic sanctions, and military interventions, and YES to self-determination!
Take Action!
The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network supports the United National Antiwar Coalition’s week of action, and encourages peace loving people across Canada to join demonstrations and activities for the Week of Action January 13 – 22.
Au Canada, aux États-Unis et dans le monde entier, les militants pour la paix seront dans la rue du 15 au 23 octobre pour exiger la fin des guerres impérialistes, des occupations, des sanctions et des interventions militaires. Cet appel à l’action a été lancé par la United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) aux États-Unis et a été repris par le Réseau canadien pour la paix et la justice, une coalition de 45 groupes qui luttent pour la paix au Canada.
Non aux guerres impérialistes
Depuis plus de 30 ans, nous avons assisté à l’accélération des guerres impériales brutales menées par les États-Unis et leurs alliés, dont le Canada, contre l’ex-Yougoslavie, l’Afghanistan, l’Irak, la Libye, la Syrie, Haïti et d’autres pays. Ces guerres ont tué des millions de personnes, transformé des dizaines de millions de personnes en réfugiés, détruit des infrastructures, appauvri les citoyens par des sanctions et renversé des gouvernements. Avec le soutien total des gouvernements des États-Unis et du Canada, le régime sioniste israélien a continué à occuper la Palestine, à tuer et à emprisonner brutalement des Palestiniens, y compris des enfants et des journalistes, à démolir des maisons palestiniennes et à bombarder régulièrement Gaza.
Lorsqu’ils fuient leurs pays qui sont devenus des zones de guerre, les réfugiés sont soumis à des voyages pénibles et dangereux et sont confrontés au racisme et à la discrimination dans les pays mêmes qui sont responsables de la destruction de leur pays d’origine.
Du 15 au 23 octobre, les militants diront NON aux guerres impérialistes, aux occupations, aux sanctions économiques et aux interventions militaires, et OUI à l’autodétermination !
Arrêtez d’armer l’Arabie Saoudite
Aujourd’hui, les Nations unies considèrent le Yémen comme la pire crise humanitaire au monde, après sept ans de guerre menée par l’Arabie saoudite, soutenue par les États-Unis et armée par le Canada. Cette guerre a tué plus d’un quart de million de personnes et en a déplacé quatre autres millions. La coalition dirigée par l’Arabie saoudite a bombardé les marchés, les hôpitaux et les civils, et pourtant le Canada a exporté plus de 8 milliards de dollars d’armes à l’Arabie saoudite depuis 2015, année du début de l’intervention militaire dirigée par l’Arabie saoudite au Yémen. Le gouvernement de Trudeau continue de profiter de son contrat d’armement controversé de 15 milliards de dollars pour des véhicules blindés – des machines à tuer qui ont été utilisées contre des civils au Yémen et en Arabie saoudite.
Du 15 au 23 octobre, les militants demanderont la fin de la guerre menée par l’Arabie saoudite au Yémen et exigeront que le Canada cesse d’armer l’Arabie saoudite !
Financer les besoins humains, pas la destruction
Alors que le Canada acquiert une mauvaise réputation en tant que vendeur d’armes aux gouvernements belliqueux les plus méprisables du monde, le gouvernement de Trudeau renforce également son propre arsenal. Depuis 2014, les dépenses militaires canadiennes ont augmenté de 70 %. L’année dernière, le gouvernement canadien a dépensé 33 milliards de dollars pour l’armée, soit 15 fois plus que ce qu’il a dépensé pour l’environnement et le changement climatique. Le ministre de la Défense, M. Anand, a annoncé que les dépenses militaires augmenteront encore de 70 % au cours des cinq prochaines années pour des articles couteux comme les avions de chasse F-35 (cout à vie : 77 milliards de dollars), les navires de guerre (cout à vie : 350 milliards de dollars) et les drones armés (cout à vie : 5 milliards de dollars).
Du 15 au 23 octobre, les militants exigeront NON aux nouveaux avions de chasse, aux navires de guerre et aux drones ! Nous avons besoin de milliards pour le logement, les soins de santé, l’emploi et le climat, PAS pour les profiteurs de guerre !
Le Canada hors de l’OTAN
Le Réseau canadien pour la paix et la justice s’oppose à l’Organisation du traité de l’Atlantique Nord (OTAN), une alliance militaire de 30 pays dirigée par les États-Unis, qui amoindrit la paix mondiale et la sécurité humaine et qui est responsable des interventions meurtrières et destructrices en ex-Yougoslavie, en Afghanistan et en Libye. Depuis des années, l’OTAN provoque un conflit avec la Russie. L’extension de l’OTAN jusqu’à la frontière russe, ainsi que la formation et l’armement des forces de sécurité ukrainiennes, ont contribué à accroitre les tensions dans la région. L’exigence de l’OTAN pour que les alliés achètent de nouvelles armes interopérables conduit à une course aux armements couteuse. Les systèmes d’armes à forte intensité en carbone, comme les avions de chasse, les chars d’assaut, les drones et les navires de guerre, exacerbent la crise climatique. Le Canada est complice des guerres menées par les États-Unis et poursuit un programme impérialiste.
Du 15 au 23 octobre, les militants exigeront que le Canada adopte une politique étrangère indépendante, libre de toute alliance militaire, y compris l’OTAN.
Arrêtez de provoquer la Chine
Les exercices de guerre provocateurs de l’OTAN et son extension à la région Asie-Pacifique font monter les tensions avec la Chine et déstabilisent la région. Comme si cela ne suffisait pas, les gouvernements des États-Unis et du Canada ne font qu’envenimer les relations diplomatiques avec la Chine. Par exemple, Nancy Pelosi, la présidente de la Chambre des représentants des États-Unis, s’est récemment rendue à Taïwan, bientôt suivie par une délégation canadienne dirigée par la députée Judy Sgro. Ces gestes belligérants contredisent la position respectueuse et neutre adoptée par les États-Unis et le Canada à l’égard de la position chinoise selon laquelle Taïwan fait partie intégrante de la Chine.
Du 15 au 23 octobre, les militants exigeront que Washington et Ottawa cessent de provoquer une guerre avec la Russie et la Chine, et demanderont que la députée Judy Sgro annule son voyage prévu à Taïwan !
Agissez !
Le Réseau canadien pour la paix et la justice encourage les gens épris de paix à travers le Canada à se joindre aux manifestations et activités organisées dans tout le pays à l’occasion de la semaine d’action, du 15 au 23 octobre, ou à organiser vos propres actions.
Pour voir les actions menées aux États-Unis et dans le monde entier, consultez le site www.unacpeace.org.
Ensemble, mettons fin aux guerres impérialistes et construisons un monde d’amour et paix !
Across Canada, the U.S. and around the world, peace activists will be on the streets from October 15th to 23rd, demanding an end to imperialist wars, occupations, sanctions and military interventions. This call to action was initiated by the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) in the U.S. and has been taken up by the Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network, a coalition of 45 peace groups across Canada.
No to imperialist wars
For over 30 years, we have witnessed the acceleration of brutal imperial wars by the U.S. and their allies, including Canada, against the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Haiti, and other countries. These wars have killed millions, turned tens of millions into refugees, laid waste to infrastructure, impoverished citizens through sanctions, and overthrown governments. With the full support of the governments of the U.S. and Canada, the Zionist Israeli regime has continued to occupy Palestine, brutally kill and imprison Palestinian people, including children and journalists, demolish Palestinian homes and routinely bomb Gaza.
When fleeing homelands that have become war zones, refugees are subjected to harrowing and dangerous journeys and met with racism and discrimination in the very countries responsible for the destruction of the refugees’ original homes.
From October 15th-23rd, activists will be saying NO to imperialist wars, occupations, economic sanctions, and military interventions, and YES to self-determination!
Stop arming Saudi Arabia.
Today, the United Nations deems Yemen the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, after seven years of Saudi-led, U.S.-backed and Canadian-armed war. This war has killed over a quarter of a million people, and has displaced an additional four million people. The Saudi-led coalition has bombed Yemeni markets, hospitals, and civilians, and yet Canada has exported over $8 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia since 2015, the year the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen began. The Trudeau Government continues to profit from its controversial $15 billion arms deal for armoured vehicles–killing machines which have been used against people in Yemen and in Saudi Arabia.
From October 15 to 23rd, activists will be calling for an end to the Saudi-led war on Yemen and demanding that Canada Stop Arming Saudi Arabia!
Fund human needs, not destruction
While Canada is gaining ill-repute as an arms dealer to the world’s most despicable war-mongering governments, the Trudeau Government is also bolstering its own arsenal. Since 2014, Canadian military spending has increased by 70%. Last year, the Canadian government spent $33 billion on the military, which is 15 times more than it spent on environment and climate change. Defence Minister Anand announced military spending will increase by another 70% over the next five years on big-ticket items such as F-35 fighter jets, (lifetime cost: $77 billion), warships (lifetime cost: $350 billion), and armed drones (lifetime cost: $5 billion).
From October 15 to 23rd, activists will be demanding NO new fighter jets, warships, or drones! We need billions for housing, health care, jobs and climate, NOT for war profiteering!
Canada out of NATO
The Canada-wide Peace and Justice Network opposes the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a U.S.- led military alliance of 30 countries, which undermines global peace and human security and is responsible for the deadly and destructive interventions in the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Libya. For years, NATO has been provoking conflict with Russia. NATO’s expansion to Russia’s border and its training and arming of Ukrainian security forces have contributed to growing tensions in the region. NATO’s demand that allies buy new interoperable weapons is leading to a costly arms race. Carbon-intensive weapons systems like fighter jets, tanks, drones, and warships are exacerbating the climate crisis. Canada is complicit in U.S. wars and is pursuing an imperialist agenda.
From October 15 to 23rd, activists will be demanding that Canada adopt an independent foreign policy free of all military alliances, including NATO.
Stop Provoking China
NATO’s provocative war exercises and extension into the Asia-Pacific region are raising tensions with China and destabilizing the region. As if that weren’t bad enough, the governments of the U.S. and Canada are further inflaming diplomatic relations with China. For example, Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, recently visited Taiwan, soon to be followed by a Canadian delegation led by MP Judy Sgro. These belligerent moves contradict the U.S. and Canada’s previous respectful and neutral stance regarding the Chinese position that Taiwan is an integral part of China.
From October 15 to 23rd, activists will be demanding that Washington and Ottawa stop provoking war with Russia and China, and asking that MP Judy Sgro cancel her planned trip to Taiwan!
Canada, US and UN Hands off Haiti!
Canadian and U.S. warplanes have landed in Haiti in the midst of widespread protests for access to food, fuel, and basic necessities and against the country’s imperialist-backed government. Imperialists are planning to occupy Haiti under the auspice of the United Nations. The U.S. has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution for the “deployment of a rapid action force to Haiti immediately”. This is a very dangerous move by Canada, the U.S., and their allies and will have devastating results for the people of Haiti. As anti-war and peace activists in Canada, we must strongly stand against military intervention in Haiti.
As we take the streets across the country this week for our #FundPeaceNotWar actions, we must stand up against military intervention in Haiti and Canada’s complicity against the people of Haiti. Canada, US and UN out of Haiti! No to New Occupation of Haiti!
Take action!
The Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network encourages peace-loving people across Canada to join demonstrations and activities across Canada for the Week of Action from October 15-23 or to organize your own actions.
To view actions in the U.S. and around the world visit www.unacpeace.org.
Together, let’s end imperialist wars and build a loving and peaceful world!
Take Action In Person
Thank you to everyone who came out to an action on from October 15-23 in 9 cities across Canada to demand that Canada #FundPeaceNotWar. From October 15th to 23rd, at least 11 actions took place in 9 cities including Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Waterloo, Ottawa, Hamilton, South Georgian Bay, Winnipeg, and Montreal. More photos, videos, and news coverage HERE.
Protestor in Toronto with sign that reads “NO to War, No to Violence, YES to Dialogue and Negotiation”
TORONTO
MONTREAL
VANCOUVER
HAMILTON
CALGARY
SOUTH GEORGIAN BAY
WINNIPEG
WATERLOO
OTTAWA
TORONTO
Wednesday, October 19th, 5PM Enercare Centre, Toronto
(Updated date as of October 11th)
100 Princes’ Blvd Unit 1, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, Canada
The Canadian Armed Forces are holding a recruiting event through the Ontario College Information Fair 2022. Socialist Action is committed to non-violent direct action. We plan to disrupt military recruitment by exposing the reality of war. We will protest the event by standing outside the entrance with various signs that inform students of the coercive actions behind the Canadian military’s recruitment. We welcome any anti-war and peace movement organizations to join us in this event.
Our demands are:
End Student Military Recruitment
Canada Out of NATO
Defund Military Fund Communities
No War, Abolish Nato
Fight Climate Change, Not War
Please get in touch with us if you are interested in collaborating.
Sunday, October 23rd, 1PM at Parkette on the Southeast corner of Spadina Road and Bloor Street, Toronto
The Toronto Association for Peace and Solidarity and the Canadian Peace Congress are planning to hold a demonstration on Sunday, October 23rd, starting at 1:00 p.m. The venue will be the parkette on the Southeast corner of Spadina Road and Bloor Street in Toronto.
MONTREAL
Sunday, October 16th, 4:30PM Place du 6e décembre, Chemin Queen Mary, Côte-des-Neiges, Ville de Montréal
THE PEOPLE SAY, “NO TO US WAR!”
Demonstrate for just peace against US-led aggression
Join International Women’s Alliance (IWA) in Canada and friends at the at 16:30, Sunday, October 16th at Chemin Queen Mary in Côte-des-Neiges.
Thursday, October 20th, 9AM, Parc Saint-Simon-Apôtre, 200 Rue Legendre O, Ville de Montréal
Canada must sign the nuclear ban treaty (TPNW)!
World BEYOND War Montreal and partners will gather to march to the office of Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The march is about 10 minutes long on city sidewalks. We will have flyers, banners, and a letter demanding that Canada sign the sign the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear weapons.
Organizational and individual signers welcome! To sign the letter, click here.
VANCOUVER
Saturday, October 22nd, 2-3:30PM Westminster Quay, 8th and Colombia, New Westminster, BC
Vancouver area network groups and their friends will again demonstrate for just peace: Mobilization against Wars and Occupation, Fire this Time Social Justice Movement, Just Peace Committee and other affiliates of the International League of Peoples’ Struggles, World Beyond War, Global Peace Alliance-BC Society.
While the U.S. pours more weapons into the proxy war in Ukraine–holding open the possibility of direct confrontation with nuclear-armed Russia, the war fanatics in Washington seem determined to start even more fires around the world. Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan; hints that the U.S. may be moving towards confrontation with China as well as strikes against Iran; and reports that new U.S./south Korea war games will practice a “decapitation” strike against the north (DPRK): all show the urgent need to speak out.
Today working people face escalating costs of food and energy, recession, growing insecurity and attacks on efforts to unionize. Sanctions on developing nations hurt impoverished workers there, while U.S. sanctions on Russia and China are at least partially responsible for rising energy prices and the current wave of inflation in many European and N. American countries.
Saturday, October 22nd, 10AM – 3:30PM Arnold Centre 135 Fennell Avenue West Hamilton, ON L9C 7V7
Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War
Register HERE: From Hegemony to Global Democracy: A Teach-In on Geopolitical Conflict
We are very pleased to present a special Teach-In event this month!
On Saturday, October 22, join us for a full two-session Teach-In about the weighty global conflicts that demand the world’s attention.
Our talented panelists will address NATO’s present conflicts with Russia and China, the changes that are happening in the world, and what Canada’s role should be.
Saturday, October 22nd 5:30-PM, Chilean community association, 519 4774 Westwind Drive NE Calgary
Join us for “Peace Potluck and Fun”
SOUTH GEORGIAN BAY
Friday, October 21st, 2PM outside the Federal Building on Hurontario Street, Collingwood
South Georgian Bay chapter of WBW (Pivot2Peace) will hold an action on Friday, October 21 outside the Federal Building on Hurontario Street, Collingwood, at 2:00 p.m.
WINNIPEG
Saturday, October 22nd, 12-1PM – River and Osborne, Winnipeg MB, R3L 0C9
WATERLOO
Sunday, October 16 1-2PM, Waterloo Public Square, 75 Erb St. Waterloo
Ceasefire Now: Stop the War & the Weapons
Our peace rally at the Waterloo Public Square this Sunday is in solidarity with the #FundPeaceNotWar Week of Action.
From October 15th to 23rd, join Canadians across the country in demanding NO new fighter jets, warships, or drones! We need billions for housing, health care, jobs and climate, NOT for war profiteering!
We are also calling for a ceasefire and an end to the war in Ukraine. Shamefully, Canada continues to export weapons and military aid instead of supporting negotiations. We are risking dangerous nuclear escalation. We are also derailing global cooperation for climate action and worsening poverty. Canada is also exporting weapons to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt and many other countries that foment violence. All wars must stop including in Yemen, Palestine etc. We need peace for people and the planet! Local event organized by the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (VOW).
Afterward, we will go to Cafe 22 for coffee. Come & join us!
Waterloo rally on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/2VfeG3FjV
OTTAWA
Sunday, October 16 2PM, US Embassy (meet on the long stairway) 490 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 1G8, Canada
Just Voices choir will sing three peace songs. We will bring signs calling for negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine and defuse nuclear war.
Sign The Parliamentary Petition: Call on Canada to stop fueling the 7-year-long war in Yemen. When submitted, this petition will obligate the Trudeau Government to submit an official response.
Stop the Weapons, Stop the War, Stop NATO Days of Action June 24-30, 2022
We urge people across Canada to join us to protest the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and demand an end to the war in Ukraine between June 24 to June 30. We will be holding “Stop the Weapons, Stop the War, Stop NATO” rallies across Canada to coincide with NATO’s Summit in Madrid, Spain.
We will be standing in solidarity with the European activists who are organizing a major demonstration against NATO outside the summit and dock workers who are blocking weapons shipments to Ukraine.
We are opposed to NATO because it is an aggressive, US-led, military alliance of 30 Euro-Atlantic countries that has launched deadly and destructive interventions in the former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan and Libya. These NATO wars have caused profound misery and a massive refugee crisis.
For years, NATO has been provoking conflict with Russia and China. NATO’s expansion to Russia’s border and its training and arming of Ukrainian security forces have instigated the devastating war in Ukraine. We call for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations with all parties for a democratic peace and neutrality in Ukraine.
We are opposed to NATO’s demand that allies increase military spending to meet the 2% GDP target. At $1.1 trillion, NATO accounts for 60% of global military spending. Since 2014, Canadian military spending has increased by 70%. Last year, Canada spent $33 billion on the military, which is 15 times more than on environment and climate change. Defence Minister Anand announced it will increase by another 70% over the next 5 years.
NATO’s demand that allies buy new interoperable weapons is leading to a costly arms race. Carbon-intensive weapons systems like fighter jets, tanks and warships are exacerbating the climate crisis.
This military spending prevents Canada from investing adequately in public health care, education, housing and climate action.
NATO’s reliance on a dangerous nuclear deterrence and first strike policy puts us all at risk and is the reason that Canada is refusing to join the United Nations’ Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
NATO’s provocative war exercises and extension into the Asia Pacific are raising tensions with China and destabilizing the region.
The NATO military alliance is undermining global peace and human security. It is time to for Canada to withdraw from NATO and develop an independent foreign policy. Canada must end arms exports and economic sanctions. Canada needs to show leadership for diplomacy and disarmament.
We need international cooperation, nonviolence and common security for all countries. It begins with ending the sanctions, peace in Ukraine and peace with Russia and China.
Stop the weapons. Stop the war. Stop NATO.
Regina
Join a Stop the War, Stop NATO Action Near You
Are we missing an event? Can we help you organize one near you? Get in touch with us at canadapeaceandjustice@gmail.com
BC
ALBERTA
SASKATCHEWAN
MANITOBA
ONTARIO
QUEBEC
BC
VANCOUVER
◉ Saturday, June 25 at 11:00, CBC Vancouver, 740 Hamilton St @ Georgia St.
◉ Organized by: Vancouver area members of the Canada Peace & Justice Network: Just Peace Committee, Global Alliance for Peace, World Beyond War, Mobilization Against War and Occupation, Fire This Time Movement for Social Justice. Supported by the Victoria Peace Coalition, East Indian Defence Committee and Canadian Voices of Women for Peace & Justice.
◉ Sunday, June 26, 1PM, at the BC Legislature, corner of Belleville & Government to say No to NATO!
◉ Organized by the Victoria Peace Coalition and the Vancouver Island Peace Council
NANAIMO
◉ Wednesday June 29th at noon at Diana Krall Plaza in Nanaimo
◉ Come out to participate in “No to NATO”, a national campaign from June 24th to 30th to raise consciousness about the dangers of belonging to an aggressive nuclear-armed alliance with first-strike capacity. We will likely walk briefly to the corner of Commercial street and the highway near Port Place Mall.
◉ Organized by WILPF, Womens’ International League for Peace and Freedom, Nanaimo chapter
ALBERTA
EDMONTON
◉ Picket to Oppose NATO Madrid Summit and RIMPAC 2022 ◉ Thursday June 30, 4:00- 5:30 p.m. At the Constituency Office of Randy Boissonnault, 202-10235 124 St NW Edmonton ◉ Organized by the Edmonton Committee Against War and Racism (ECAWAR)
SASKATCHEWAN
REGINA
A WALK and Rally to protest NATO’s war-making and to call for Canada to leave NATO. Beginning Saturday June 25, at 2 p.m. at Regina City Hall. We will then parade to the Cenotaph in Victoria Park where we will be addressed by community activists/leaders. The sponsors for the walk/rally is the Regina Peace Council. For more information call Ed at 306 718 8010.
◉ Wednesday June 29, 4:00-6:00 pm. At the Constituency Office of Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. 344 Bloor St. W., near Spadina subway. ◉ Picket to Oppose NATO Madrid Summit and RIMPAC 2022. Bring your banners and placards! ◉ Sponsored by: Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist), Socialist Action, and Canadian Voice of Women for Peace.
WATERLOO
◉ Tuesday, June 28 (first day of NATO summit), 4:30-5:30 Waterloo Public Square ◉ Organized by the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace. For more information, please email Tamara: tlorincz@dal.ca
HAMILTON
◉ Saturday, June 25 from 1 to 2 pm. Facebook event here. ◉ The rally will take place on Saturday, June 25, at the entrance to Jackson Square, at King and James Streets, Hamilton. Bring a sign! #CanadaOutOfNATO ◉ Organized by the Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War
OAKVILLE
◉ Tuesday, June 28 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Minister of Defence Anita Anand’s Constituency Office, 301 Robinson Street, Oakville ◉ Organized by the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace. For more information, please email Tamara: tlorincz@dal.ca
COLLINGWOOD
◉ Friday June 24 at 2PM at the Federal Building in Collingwood (next to Loblaws) ◉ Organized by Pivot2Peace (South Georgian Bay Chapter of World BEYOND War).
OTTAWA
◉ Wednesday, June 29th at 5PM at the Human Rights Monument, 220 Elgin Street. Marching to Prime Minister Office and the US Embassy. ◉ Organized by the Ottawa Peace Council
QUEBEC
MONTRÉAL
Rassemblement contre OTAN – Mardi 28 Juin, 17h30, Complexe Guy-Favreau.Info.
Le Mouvement Québécois pour la Paix vous appelle à rejoindre sa campagne contre l’OTAN et pour la paix mondiale dans les prochains mois, en commençant avec un rassemblement contre l’OTAN le Mardi 28 Juin, 17h30, Complexe Guy-Favreau.
Canada hors de l’OTAN !
+ Lundi le 27 juin (organisé par Les Artistes pour la Paix). Plus de détails à venir.
Webinaire/discussion : Pourquoi continuer à dénoncer l’OTAN? En ligne mercredi le 29 juin, de 19 h à 21 h. Veuillez vous inscrireici.
Send a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and Ministers Joly and Anand
Write to Prime Minister Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Joly, and Defense Minister Anand to express your opposition to Canada’s actions that are serving to prolong the tragic war in Ukraine and to Canada’s membership in NATO.
The NATO military alliance is undermining global peace and human security. It is time to for Canada to withdraw from NATO and develop an independent foreign policy while showing leadership for diplomacy and disarmament.
Once you click START WRITING you will have the opportunity to edit the letter that is sent on your behalf.
Shareable graphics
Join the webinar – June 30, 7:30PM
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is seeking a massive expansion. Yesterday it announced a plan to bolster its “high readiness” force from 40,000 troops to 300,000.
Canada is increasingly bound to NATO. The New York Times reported that Canadian special forces are part of a NATO mission in Ukraine.
Join Djibo Sobukwe, Janine Solanki, Danny Haiphong and Tamara Lorincz for a discussion on resisting global NATO.
Find out about NATO’s role across the globe from North America and Europe to Africa to China and its relationship to wars, colonial violence and structural white supremacy.
Speakers will also share information about protests happening across Canada.
We’re a global movement and a global community with brilliant voices at every longitude and latitude of the Earth. Let’s show it!
The G7 will be meeting near Munich June 26-28. NATO will be meeting in Madrid on June 28-30.
Our goal is to speak up for peace and cooperation, the scaling back and dismantling of military alliances, the disarmament of governments, and the democratization and strengthening of international institutions of nonviolent cooperation and the rule of law.
Our plan is to hold a non-stop 24-hour rolling rally live streaming on a Zoom channel moving west around the Earth from 2 p.m. in Ireland on June 25 to 4 p.m. in Ukraine on June 26. There will be video from protests, demonstrations, vigils, teach-ins, and speakers at their desks. There will be music and art.
