General information

SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) What they are and how to respond Effective public participation can result in opponents trying to silence participation and free speech by bringing forward strategic lawsuits designed to both silence and economically harm persons or groups making fair comment about issues of public interest. These types of lawsuits are harmful to the public interest, and waste limited judicial system resources. Here are some sites containing more information about SLAPP: Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Handbook Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation:The British Columbia Experience Democracy suffers under barrage of strategic lawsuits Breaking the Silence: The urgent need for anti-SLAPP legislation in Ontario SLAPPing the citizenry

How to use the "Freedom of Information" system:

• How to get information using the Freedom of Information Act
• Request for Access to Government Records under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (template)
• Understanding how the system works: Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner Freedom of Information Policies and Procedures
• City of Vancouver FOI Guide

Petitions:

• Council of Canadians guide to organizing a petition
• Government of Canada Guide to petition requirements
• Recommended forms of Petition

Becoming Active:

• Ten Commandments for saving the world
• Citizen's handbook
• Preparing a campaign
• Sierra Club - Activist

Act locally

"Democracies are not always right. When majority decisions are unjust, dissenting minorities must have the capacity to appeal to a higher law."