This past July, the United Nations finally sanctioned a resolution that calls for 26,000 troops to protect the people of Darfur and facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid. However, eight months later only 9,500 troops are on the ground in Darfur. A number of countries have indicated willingness to contribute troops to the mission; however they all require financial and military backing from more affluent nations. These are two areas where Canada unarguably has the necessary means to take a leadership role. 

Since 2003, many organizations have sprung up in Canada to raise awareness and lobby the Canadian government. Save Darfur Canada, STAND (Students Taking Action Now Darfur), Walk for Darfur (Alberta), and the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity are prominent examples of these impassioned initiatives. These movements have made great progress in raising awareness in the Canadian public. In spite of this, the Canadian government has failed to assume the leadership role in the Darfur crisis that the Canadian population demands it embrace. In response to this inaction, we propose to unite all concerned Canadians around a common initiative.

After five years of inaction, we cannot afford to wait any longer. All concerned Canadians must unite. Despite the difference of opinions in our political parties and our various organizations, we all believe that the devastation in Darfur is unacceptable and that Canada has a responsibility to take affirmative action. In support of this common belief, we aim to unite academic and political institutions as well as the Canadian public at large around a common set of demands, and to make a concerted effort to engage the government and convince them that action is imperative. 

The set of demands will be established through talks with all four political parties and Canadian NGOs. As we see with the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity, where you lie on the political spectrum is irrelevant on this vital issue. We believe that our demands will be endorsed by members of all the four parties. By creating an active campaign across the country, we will obtain much media coverage, clearly demonstrating the commitment and the will of Canadians. It is essential that the government know that Darfur is an issue that its citizens are truly concerned about. Darfur must become an electoral issue.  With a concerted effort by the Canadian public and our members of parliament, the government will have to act. 

We intend to approach the government with a petition, calling them to action. The goal of our petition is to obtain 4,000 signatures, one signature for every 100 people who have been killed in the region. Politically, this will be a clear indication of our, the people’s, will.  Presentation of the petition will be followed by our detailed set of demands for action. Our objective is for the government to make Darfur a priority.  With our demands previously endorsed by members of all four parties, and the public crying out for action, it will be very difficult for the government to turn a blind eye. 

This is an ambitious goal but, as we have seen from the many impassioned efforts by people across the country, it is possible. What it will take is a mass publicity effort at our universities, CEGEPs, and high schools. We will have to bring this campaign to our religious and community organizations, and to our local newspapers and radio stations.  When people hear about Darfur and see the devastating images of the situation there, it is impossible to remain unmoved. As more and more people become aware of this issue, our politicians will become more actively concerned. Through uniting our campaigns with this petition and a common set of demands, we will have a stirring effect. 

For the next two months, we will work to increase awareness and to generate publicity for our movement. We aim to have a Darfur Day, marked by a rally in downtown Montreal.  After this, we intend to load onto buses, and take our rally to capital hill where we will meet up with other activists.  Continuing the rally in Ottawa, we will present the petition to the government the same day. This part of the plan is very tentative at this point. However, it is an idea of how we could cap off the campaign. 

As Canadians we are responsible for the actions, and for the inaction, of our government. It is easy to get discouraged by politics and to feel disenfranchised and powerless. What is difficult is to recognize the unique power that we do have, and the responsibility we have to exercise it. Living in a democratic country, the government is forced to respect the will of the people when, together, the people demand something. If we come together with a single voice and demand action in Darfur, the government will have no choice but to respond. 

If we work together to develop a set of concrete and realistic demands for the government as well as circulating the petition to as many people as possible, we will make a difference. The impact of this movement is going to be the direct result of our commitment and involvement. I encourage you to engage your local politicians and inform them of our campaign. Contact your past high schools and arrange to give a presentation to the students. To organize this movement, we will need to divide up our efforts. We need to have a team to lobby each one of the four federal political parties. We are also going to need a team to coordinate between each one of the major organizations concerned about Darfur, including STAND and Save Darfur Canada. And, we need a team to coordinate the existing Darfur initiatives at high schools, CEGEPs and universities across the country. I have attached a list of possible roles that you can take if you want to get involved. The magnitude of your role is completely up to you, and any support whatsoever will make a difference. 

Canadians for Action in Darfur will:

1. Prepare a petition with 4,000 signatures which will be presented to the Canadian government to demand immediate action in Darfur.
2. Present at CEGEPS, universities, high schools, churches and community centers about the current situation in Darfur and encourage them to sign the petition and attend the Darfur Day event.
3. Encourage local and national media to report on and televise the Darfur Day event and all actions of “Canadians for Action in Darfur”
4. Organize “Darfur Day”, where awareness will be raised and Canadians will demonstrate their concern for the people of Darfur. 

This is our chance to show the government what we as Canadians care about. If the Canadian government steps forward and takes a leadership role on the issue, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands ... even millions ... of people in Darfur. This is our opportunity. We can make a difference. As Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Dan LeRoy
Canadians for Action in Darfur