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National Union supports campaign focusing on upcoming G8 and G20 meetings in France.
Ottawa (16 Feb. 2011) - A coalition of Canadian civil society organizations and unions are using the February 17 international day of action for the Robin Hood Tax (a Financial Transaction Tax) to kick their campaign in support of the initiative into high gear.
According to Dennis Howlett, with Make Poverty History, the Canadian Robin Hood Tax website will be re-launched and a new online campaign tool available.
Howlett goes on to say that "public events and meetings with Embassy's are currently being organized. The campaign is focusing on the upcoming G8 and G20 meetings in France."
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is an active member of the coalition and strong supporter of the Robin Hood Tax. Over the next few weeks pamphlets, buttons and other campaign materials will be made available. To order copies of pamphlets and buttons send an email here.
NUPGE's national president James Clancy, in a letter to French President Sarkozy, said that the tax "offers an elegant and effective measure to address a wide range of global problems - most notably poverty and climate change." Sarkozy has taken over the Presidency of the G8 and G20.
The proposal is on the agenda to be discussed at the upcoming G8 and G20 meetings. The issues being discussed is a small, 0.05% tax on financial transactions, estimated to generate approximately $400 billion (Cdn) per year.
The tax would not apply to the overwhelming majority of people. But it would apply to a sector of the economy that pays virtually no tax.
Clancy thinks that these "funds could be used to pay for the social costs of the economic crisis, to fight global poverty, to meet global public needs such as health care and to mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change." He adds that the funds "would also contribute to greater stability within the financial system by reducing speculation and excessive liquidity."
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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