Preventing the Construction of Unwanted Activities in Your Community

1. Preventing the Construction of Unwanted Activities in Your Community Amanda Micallef CHV2O July 6th, 2011

2. Leadership Styles Form of Leadership: Authoritarian • http://dictionary.reference.com definition: Authoritarian isa governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people. • I chose this form of leadership because it is best effective when time is limited, individuals/group lack skill and knowledge, and when group does not know each other . In this unwanted activity in my community, I, Sponge Bob, have just been informed construction will begin immediately. Also, because of the short notice a group will have to be formed as quick as possible resulting in members not knowing about how to fix the situation, and also not knowing who the other members are. • Personal Characteristics: • 1. Commanding. Able to tell group members what to do when we are dealing with political issues. (Create group, organize group, etc.) • 2. Knowledgeable. Very familiar with politics and the issue needed to be dealt with. (Will be able to find solution with background knowledge.) • 3. Stubborn. Fight for what they believe in and does not give up until they achieve their goal. (Petition as much as possible never giving up.)

3. Evolution of Democracy King John I: Magna Carta • “No bailiff (policy officer) for the future shall, upon his own unsupported complaint, put anyone to his “law,” without credible witnesses brought for this purpose. No freemen shall be taken or imprisoned or diseased (injured) or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land. To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice.” • I chose this historical document because it states “No freemen shall be taken or imprisoned or diseased (injured) or exiled or in any way destroyed…” This quote talks about in a democracy, everyone has their right to a safe, free, healthy life, and should not be harmed in anyway. In Bikini Bottom, if the construction of the toxic waste dump proceeds, many citizens will be harmed and injured as the petro-chemicals in the lake water will cause them many diseases, pains, and even death.

4. Applying Democratic Ideals to Government

5. Broadening the Definition of Democracy Three Characteristics of Democracy • Freedom of Speech With freedom of speech any or all citizens wanting to fight to stop the construction of the toxic waste dump will be able to stand up for what they believe in. Everyone has a right to state their opinion in the matter as a citizen in a democratic community. By doing this, the citizens of Bikini Bottom may be able to stop the construction of the toxic waste dump, and keep their clean, healthy and safe city in which they live in. • Health Care All citizens have the right to healthy lifestyle. Hospitals, clinics, etc., all provide healthcare, but if the city of Bikini Bottom is being polluted this goes against everything a Democratic society follows. Harming a city is not keeping all citizens healthy which is what they deserve. • Decision Making As a citizen of a democratic society you have the ability to participate in decision making. In this case, any or all citizens of Bikini Bottom have the right to take part in the decision of the toxic waste dump construction. This may include a vote, poll, etc. Either way, it would be against democracy for the city to make the decision alone without the citizens input.

6. Canada's Political Structure and Levels of Government Municipal Government • The municipal government would most likely be the best to target in our attempts to end the toxic waste plant construction because municipal governments normally deal with water services, sewage, and garbage and waste disposal. This is why it is the most appropriate choice of government to confront about the issue. • If the citizens of Bikini Bottom decided to confront a different level of government such as provincial or municipal, chances are the issue would be dealt with and the problem would not be solved. Also, considering the construction of the toxic waste plant is quite immediate, it would take a longer amount of time to confront a different level of government considering it wont be local.

7. Branches of Government and the Passage of Laws Release of Toxic Substances • (1) Where there occurs or is a likelihood of a release into the environment of a substance specified on the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 in contravention of a regulation made under section 92.1 or 93 or an order made under section 94, any person described in subsection (2) shall, as soon as possible in the circumstances, • (a) subject to subsection (4) and any regulations made under paragraph 97(b), notify an enforcement officer or any other person designated pursuant to the regulations and provide a written report on the matter to the enforcement officer or other person; • (b) take all reasonable measures consistent with the protection of the environment and public safety to prevent the release or, if it cannot be prevented, to remedy any dangerous condition or reduce or mitigate any danger to the environment or to human life or health that results from the release of the substance or may reasonably be expected to result if the substance is released; and • (c) make a reasonable effort to notify any member of the public who may be adversely affected by the release or likely release. • In this law, it states that citizens involved in the release of a toxic substance, have the right to do as much as possible to prevent it from happening. In this case, I, Sponge Bob, have every right to fight and petition, to stop the construction of the toxic waste dump from taking place.

8. Political Parties Susan Truppe: MP • Parliamentary Mailing Address House of CommonsOttawa, OntarioK1A 0A6 • Politician Party Conservative Party of Canada • Telephone 613-992-0805 • Fax 613-992-9613 • E-mail susan.truppe@parl.gc.ca • Language Preference English

9. Political Parties • Liberal Party of Canada I believe the Liberal Party of Canada has the best platform and policies that will help citizens of Bikini Bottom sort through and resolve their issues. Unlike the other major political parties of Canada, (Conservative Party of Canada and New Democratic Party), the Liberal Party of Canada’s platform had a large section focusing on a fighting for a clean environment. Also, in this clean environment section the party focuses on pollution free waters. They plan on cleaning out oil spills, protecting freshwater areas, and more. The Liberal Party of Canada will truly help the citizens of Bikini Bottom face the construction of the toxic waste dump because their platform clearly implies that they would disagree with the idea. If this party were elected, it would overtime help save the lives of many Bikini Bottom residents.

10. The Electoral Process VOTE THE LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA • Who has the right to vote? Any Canadian citizen who will be 18 years of age or older on polling day. • Why is it important to vote? It is your only voice in the political process. If you don't vote you have no say in how the country is being run. • How to vote? On election day, by email, or in advance. Must register before hand to vote on election day. • Find out about our party? Visit speeches, watch advertising and speeches, order and receive pamphlets, etc. • Links? http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=vot&dir=vote&document=index&lang=e#election

11. Political Lobbying Ontario Toxic Waste Research Coalition • OTWRC is a group of citizens' and agricultural groups who have succeeded in stopping the Ontario Waste Management Corporation's plans to build a hazardous waste plant in West Lincoln in the Niagara Peninsula. The group now comments on hazardous waste issues in Ontario and pushes for waste elimination. This group strives to stop toxic waste polluting all throughout Ontario. • This group can assist with resolving the issue of the toxic waste dump construction. They will be able to fight and petition to stop this horrible danger from occurring which in turn will save the lives of many citizens of Bikini Bottom. The group also organizes research on the topic which will also help find ways to reduce the amount of toxic waste so that no more conflicts will occur.