The Canadian International Council (Toronto), with the generous support of Cisco Systems, are pleased to bring you a special Munk-Gordon Speaker Series Event: the official launch of Canada and the Changing Arctic: Sovereignty, Security, and Stewardship.

Canada and the Changing Arctic brings together three of the leading scholars on international Arctic affairs to grapple with fundamental questions about how Canada should craft a responsible and effective Northern strategy. Franklyn Griffiths, Rob Huebert and Whitney Lackenbauer outline diverse paths to achieving sovereignty, security, and stewardship in Canada’s Arctic and in the broader circumpolar world.

Attendees are invited to engage three of Canada’s leading Arctic scholars as they debate issues facing Canada and the international community in the region. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served following the panel discussion. Admission is free, though we ask that you reserve a space for capacity reasons.

For more information, visit the event page : http://cictoronto.ca/programming/canada-and-the-changing-arctic/

Hosted by the Canadian International Council Toronto, the debate was about the decline of Canada’s influencing role in the world.

To view the entire article, please visit :  http://thevarsity.ca/2012/03/12/u-of-t-loses-foreign-policy-face-off/?

• Karen Everett and Matthew Mahoney take a critical look at the procurement of the F-35 fighter jet.To download the paper, please use the following link :Everett and Mahoney Canada and the F35

• Dan Gauthier argues for deeper engagement between Canada and Brazil. To download the paper, please use the following link: Gauthier Growing Canada’s Relations with Brazil

• Elizabeth Ecker critically explores the financial underpinnings of global power.  To download the paper, please use the following link: Ecker Global Power Structure

•  Sergy Kasyanov looks at the impact of changes in Russia.  To download the paper, please use the following link: Kasyanov Russia 20 Years After

Happy new year!

Following up on a discussion that took place at our Annual General Meeting last September, I am very pleased to announce on behalf of the branch executive that David Crane (award-winning syndicated journalist) has been appointed Chair of an Adhoc Branch Membership Working Committee.  The Committee will be reporting back to the branch executive by the end of April, 2012, on recommendations related to ways in which to:

Should you be interested in joining this working committee you are asked to e-mail David directly at crane@interlog.com by Friday, 20 January.

Best,

Jo-Ann

Jo-Ann Davis

President, CIC-Toronto branch

jdavis@onlinecic.org

On May 24th, 2011, the CIC – Toronto Branch held an event entitled ‘Water: Public Right or Private Commodity?’ where Kerry Freek, Editor of Water Canada Magazine, moderated a panel of three leading public officials and intellectuals in the Music Room of prestigious Hart House on campus at the University of Toronto.

The panel consisted of Dr. Stephen Renzetti, Professor of Economics at Brock University, Anil Naidoo, Blue Planet Project Organizer and John Challinor, Director of Corporate Affairs at Nestlé Waters Canada.

The speakers were allotted 5-8 minutes each to give an introductory statement regarding their particular stance on the status of water as a commodity and/or a human right. During these introductions it became apparent that the panel represented a wide range of opinions. Dr. Renzetti focussed on the need for an innovative system that is corporately conscious, while still ensuring that all are given access to water. Mr. Naidoo expressed an opinion in opposition to the privatization of water, arguing that it leads to conflict, human rights violations and an unsustainable future. Mr. Challinor defended his position on the privatization of water by stating that while the public has a right to the access of water, the privatization and sale of water, in moderation, does not cause harm to the public or the environment. He further explained that both systems have challenges; one being the need for investment in public infrastructure, which he claimed could be funded by the profits made from the sale of water.

After the introductory speeches, Ms. Freek presented a series of prepared questions relating to both international and local aspects of the privatization and export of water. Following these questions, the floor was opened to questions from the audience which were expertly chosen and read by moderator Kerry Freek. Some of the recurrent themes throughout the Q and A period included water as threatened resource and as “the next oil,” if continued to be treated as a commodity. After friendly and informative but none the less competitive discourse and debate, the event came to a conclusion. The discussion continued over refreshments at the rear of the room, and speakers were approached with several more questions.

Test summary

https://www.facebook.com/CanadianInternationalCouncil

For those who have not yet done so, I would like to encourage you to explore and become a part of the Canadian International Council National Office Open Canada community.  The National Office has developed an excellent interactive website which both informs and encourages engagement.  One way in which members of the CIC may engage is to participate in the WEEKLY RAPID RESPONSE CONTEST.

To enter the contest input your ‘Rapid Response’ as a ‘comment’ on the site – http://www.opencanada.org/features/rapid-response/ – and at the bottom of your comment (or in the “Name” field when you click “Post As”) identify yourself as “Name, Member of x Branch”.   Those reading the branch-submitted responses may mark their favourite by clicking “Like” beside the comment.   Encourage your networks, colleagues and friends to “Like” your response!

Every Wednesday, the OPENCANADA.ORG editors will select the response from the branch member that has been “Liked” the most times.  The winning response from a branch member will be posted as a Rapid Response on the CIC homepage and included in the feed with the expert responses.    The branch member with the winning response will be notified by the OPENCANADA.ORG editors and invited to add their photo and biography to their response post.

Please note that all responses must conform to the Submissions and Commenting standards in the OPENCANADA.ORG Terms of Use (www.opencanada.org/terms-of-use).
Engage and enjoy!

We would like to welcome you to the new website of the CIC – Toronto Branch. While the initial changes may seem minor, it will not only permit us to provide you with more timely content  and user friendly navigation, it will also enable relevant features such as event podcasts and more photo albums permitting visitors to get a greater feel for what the CIC is about, promote a deeper understanding of international issues amongst all Canadians through our keynote lectures, panel discussions and debates.

We sincerely hope you enjoy the new features and functionality, and invite you provide your feedback and recommendations as we begin our new year!