Canadians have a proud history of solidarity with the anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa and its leader Nelson Mandela.  As early as 1960, Canada expressed its opposition to Apartheid. Our civil society advocated for action and our government enacted economic sanctions which helped end the racist regime.

Read more: Ottawa’s tribute to Nelson Mandela

The Ottawa Citizen
Paul Dewar, MP

Amongst all the controversy at Rights and Democracy, the point that has been thrown around with little challenge is the notion that by the virtue of being in government Conservatives are entitled to appoint whomever they wish to the organization’s board.

Read more: Rights promotion must be independent

A collaborative report on the arts in Ottawa, based on Paul Dewar's community consultations.

Read more: Arts and Minds

Canadians are justifiably disappointed by Stephen Harper’s anti-democratic decision to prorogue parliament. At a time when our troops are fighting in Afghanistan, our community is still hurting from the recession, and we have an emerging climate crisis before us, Stephen Harper has placed his own narrow partisan issues ahead of the wellbeing of the nation.

Read more: Stephen Harper’s Undemocratic Act

Members of Parliament have a choice today: we could either support an unfair and regressive new tax in Ontario and British Columbia, or say no to it.

I will vote no. 

Read more: Saying no to a poor tax

We are fortunate to have, at the heart of our city, a remarkable common space in the form of Lansdowne Park. Lansdowne has played a significant role in the history and culture of our city for more than a hundred years and it is important that we continue to invest in its future development. People in our community want to see Lansdowne Park redevelopment and they have the best ideas for it.  The current process, however, is deeply flawed.

Read more: The Importance of Getting Lansdowne Redevelopment Right

The Embassy Magazine
By: Paul Dewar, Tanja Bergen and Annabel Wong

On September 21st, people around the world gathered to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. This day has historically given Canadians a chance to celebrate our hard-earned reputation as peace promoters in some of the world’s worst conflicts. This year, the International Day of Peace offered Canadian decision makers an opportunity to reflect on our record to see how our reputation stands today with Canadians and the global community.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the people whose natural resources sustain our high-tech way of life face persistent, deep violence wrought by a decades-long civil war. As global citizens, we must ask: do our engagements there promote peace, human rights and better quality of life – or do they sustain the violence?

Read more: Congo is Calling - Will Canada answer?

New Democrat MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) released the report of his consultations with community groups and residents about the future of cycling in Ottawa.

Read more: Better Cycling in Ottawa