Winter has arrived, and it's nothing new to the average Canadian - in fact, we've grown to embrace the frigid temperatures and shorter days.

Winter has also arrived on Parliament Hill, which has been transformed, like every year, into a resplendent wintery example of Victorian majesty.

But this winter there is a political storm brewing over the Hill --- And it is threatening to compromise one of our most cherished rights --- our democracy.

WHAT?! How can this be?!

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has the intention of shutting down parliament, or proroguing it, until March 2010. In all fairness, he argues that this three month break for our MPs will give the government time to work on the next phase of its economic action plan and to celebrate the Olympics.

There are a good number of things that are questionable with this policy.

---> Muzzling the Opposition.
For the last few months, the government has come under attack for knowingly transferring detainees in Afghanistan to Afghan forces that tortured them. Shutting down parliament will halt the committees that are looking into this and will "muzzle" the opposition.

--->Impeding Legislation
The Harper government says that it needs this time to consider the country's budget. The budget and the economy are without a doubt important issues in these economic times, but for the next three months we won't be able to make ANY progress on other essential issues like the environment, Afghanistan, crime reduction, to name a few. Like you and I, the government should be able to multi-task!

--->Hypocrisy
With the government preaching that Canadians have to pull together to get out of this recession, that with hard work we will overcome, it doesn't make any sense that they are going to take a three-month PAID vacation to ... enjoy the Olympics? I'd bet a lot of Canadians would like a paid vacation to celebrate the Olympics ...

--->A Hit to Democracy
All and all, this amounts to a compromise of our democracy. Our Members of Parliament are paid, by us, to represent our interests and to pass legislation on our behalf. Anything less impedes true democracy.

So STAND up for your right to democracy, CONTACT your Member or Parliament, and EXPRESS your disdain for power politics by sending an email to us at 2009saundersj8@gmail.com.

If the Prime Minister does indeed go ahead with his plans, it'll be a lot quieter up on Parliament Hill. A lot colder, and darker too.

Happy New Year to everyone! We hope everyone had a great year 2009 and will have even greater year 2010!

Youth delegates from 44 different countries have gathered to draft a declaration for the adults who are to convene in Copenhagen starting from tomorrow. It is our pleasure to introduce the text of CCF Declaration, 2009.

Climate change threatens our lives, our families and our future. We, the youth delegates from 44 countries attending the Children’s Climate Forum 2009, will not sit back and watch. We already face the effects of climate change. Our communities are deprived of clean drinking water, denied access to education and vulnerable to disease every time it floods. Our plates are empty due to drought. Our future is at risk, and we demand that something be done. The youth in the world are ready to take action, and we request the same of governments worldwide. The time for talk is over. Now, we hold you accountable for your commitments.

The challenges may appear insurmountable, yet as stakeholders, our generation is ready to collaborate in this cause.

We commit to personal lifestyle changes that place the common good above our individual desires and current way of life.

We commit to educate and empower ourselves and our communities to adapt to and mitigate the changing climate.

We commit to engage and actively cooperate with all generations and governments in combating climate change.

As our efforts alone will not be enough, we expect our leaders and fellow citizens to cooperate. The following actions need to be taken:

Recommendations for Adaptation

• Governments of industrialized countries should contribute more, through financial and technological support, to the adaptation of developing countries to climate change.

• We want cities to be well-planned and sustainable, with clean drinking water, many green spaces and efficient transport networks. Governments should take more proactive efforts to prevent uncontrolled urban growth and strengthen rural communities by creating sustainable employment, quality education and entertainment.

• Regulations, safety standards and standard emergency protocol, consistently centered on and informed by children, need to be established to prepare for climate induced disasters.

• As lack of water is already causing drought and desertification in many areas, governments must work towards water conservation and provide clean water sources for areas in need.

• Education on sea level rise and flooding, along with policies that allow communities to adjust to changes, must be implemented. When communities’ water supplies are threatened by rising sea levels, alternative sources should be provided to aid their adaptation.

• Biodiversity-related projects that promote the conservation of threatened species must be widely implemented.

Recommendations for Mitigation

• Research, development and sharing of green and energy-efficient technologies, especially renewable energy production, must occur between industrialized and developing countries to ensure sustainable development globally.

• Investments should be made in sustainable transport infrastructure, such as train and bus networks, cycling lanes and environmentally friendly fuel.

• An international carbon trading system should be introduced. All transactions within the market should be taxed and the revenue generated should be used for an adaptation fund.

• We propose a new classification where countries are divided into three annexes—the industrialized countries, the developing countries which pollute heavily and the less polluting developing countries—to distribute responsibilities fairly among nations.

• Governments should establish and develop recycling systems on a national level. We demand that our authorities provide accessible recycling facilities in all communities.

• Climate change education should be a mandatory and substantial area of the school curriculum. Governments should also support organizations which already educate youth on climate issues.

The battle against climate change is upon all of us. We are ready to act and we invite you to join us. Climate change is affecting our lives, our families and our future. We must act immediately and we are ready to fulfill our commitments. We are prepared to give all we have as long as there is the possibility of saving our planet.

We expect the same courage from you.