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Canada Not Poised for Leadership at G8 and 20 Summits Says The Canada Expedition

May 26, 2010. Ottawa. —  As Canada makes preparations to host the upcoming G8 and G20 Summits, Canadian though-leaders challenge political forces to take a look at the lack of leadership concerning climate change and poverty reduction.  In a bold attempt to regain their nation’s footing, citizens have begun to take these issues into their own hands through new grassroots movements using social media, community networks and online campaigns.  The Canada Expedition is one such movement, prepared to make a real difference in our country.

“There is a lack of leadership to go beyond the apparent.” says Dr. Ben Hoffman, founder of The Canada Expedition. “This always happens in crises, to retreat to the known. The Government of Canada is deluding itself that Canada is immune to the worst of the crises ahead, but this smugness will not protect us as citizens.”

In response to media coverage of suicide bombings, global warming, economic uncertainty, wars and rumours of war, twenty volunteers joined The Canada Expedition on January 1, 2010. They began a search for answers to the sustainability of humanity. The group believes that Canada already has the knowledge and expertise to lead our world forward and so the Expedition team decided to harness that knowledge and bring the voices together, to help them be heard.

The Expedition found that the answers are out there. They are not simply to improve the financial sector, or to restart a stalled economy through stimulus spending, as the G8 and G20 seem to be focused on. Instead, TCE proposes reworking the economy so that it is a sustainable eco-economy, focused on practical solutions that ordinary Canadians can implement – such as energy and water conservation, pushing for a carbon tariff on goods from China, and leading the world in developing a culture of win-win dialogue.

“We need to be asking why the government doesn’t do what we’re doing and bring leading Canadian minds together to review the G8 agenda and come up with proposals that are more comprehensive and less of a knee jerk reaction to the immediate crisis of the moment,” suggests Expedition Navigator, Carol Linnitt.

The list of Canadian experts to be tapped for their knowledge and practical guidance include her Honour Louise Arbour, John Ralston Saul, Maude Barlow, Elder Betty McKenna, and Guy Dauncey.  A full list of these experts is posted on The Canada Expedition website.

Hoffman goes on to say, “With the momentum of the G8 and G20 Summits, now is the time for Canada to demonstrate that we can be the intellectual leaders to guide the world into a sustainable future. Sadly, the Canadian Government isn’t doing this.  Canada needs a deeper probing into the factors that threaten our country, our way of life, our world. This is a mission of hope, a search for answers, and something everyone can join.”

Some of the interviews have already been conducted. Videos of the interviews will be posted online, and a blog of the interviews is available at http://thecanadaexpedition.ca/blog/ .

The Canada Expedition is starting in Canada, and reaching out to the world.  TCE Guides are asking volunteers to come on board and work together to find the route to sustainable humanity, despite the Canadian Government’s lack of movement in this area.

For more information or for media inquiries:
Carol Linnitt, Expedition Navigator
carollinnitt@gmail.com