FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Youth-driven Société Macdonald-Cartier Society now incorporated as federal non-profit organization.
New Organization To Focus On Educating Youth About Important Leaders And Events In Canadian History
May 19, 2010
Montreal, QC: The Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Société Macdonald-Cartier Society (SMCS) has officially received its Letters Patent. SMCS is a youth-driven, youth-focused organization with the objective to: Increase the awareness of young Canadians about the roles and influence of Sir John Alexander Macdonald and Sir George-Étienne Cartier during the Confederation period; increase their understanding of the central institutions of the Canadian state; and encourage civic engagement and discussions about public policy and other issues related to Canadian democracy and society.
The main roles that SMCS will perform are:
1) Teaching young Canadians about Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Etienne Cartier, their roles, influence and legacy before, during and after Confederation
2) Hosting speaking events to address issues concerned with public policy, civic engagement, the central institutions of the Canadian state and other issues related to Canadian democracy and society
3) Advocating for the protection of historic sites and the celebration of important dates in Canadian history
Over the coming months, SMCS will seek to start a national dialogue on several critical issues in Canada by hosting a series of speaking events in cities across the country that will address the following topics:
• Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations: equalization program; the role of provincial and local governments in the Canadian federation, etc.
• The period of Confederation, 1837-1896: The 1837 rebellions; the Union of the Canadas in 1840; responsible government in 1848; the co-Premiership of Macdonald and Cartier; the Confederation Debates and process; Macdonald’s National Policy; the CPR as a strategy for nation-building; the role of aboriginals in Confederation, etc.
• Government and Institutions: Parliamentary and Senate reform; the Monarchy and the role of the Governor-General, etc.
• Judicial System and Legal Issues: The role, history, operation and appointment process of the Supreme Court of Canada; the legacy of bijurialism with civil law in Quebec and common law in the rest of Canada, etc.
• Canada’s Constitution: The 1867 Constitution; the 1982 Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms particularly sections 3, 25, 33 and 35, charter rights, etc.
• Human Rights: The Canadian Human Rights Commission and Tribunal; and Canada’s Federal Human Rights Legislation
• Canadian Society: Official Bilingualism; immigration; diversity; multiculturalism and the multinational character of the federation, etc.
• Social Policy: The role of the federal government in social policy in Canada, including but not limited to the Canada Health Act; Post-Secondary Education transfers; social transfers; the prospects of federal poverty reduction and housing strategies; Employment Insurance, etc.
• Canada’s Economy: The economy; monetary policy and economic and financial institutions such as the Bank of Canada, etc.
SMCS will also launch a public campaign to recognize the important contribution of George-Étienne Cartier in the development of Canada’s national railways. In the near future, SMCS will be nominating Mr. Cartier as a candidate to be inducted into the Railways Hall of Fame where he will receive due recognition as a leader in the construction, development and promotion of Canada’s railway industry.
The organization will continue to operate under the legal name “Société Macdonald-Cartier Society” and may also be referred to in English as Macdonald-Cartier Society and in French as Société Macdonald-Cartier.
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Contact Information:
Immanuel Giulea, Founder and Executive Director
(514) 577-2669
[email protected]
http://www.macdonaldcartier.org
