Saturday, August 9, 2008

Dear Statistics Canada, and the Government of Canada:

(This letter is an example of what you could write to Stats Can and your elected officials! Feel free to copy and paste it, or change it, or use it as a basis to write your own letter! Emails are great too! See below for addresses)

Dear: (See below for Names of people to write to).

As a citizen of Canada, I was shocked to discover the connection between Lockheed Martin (one of the world's largest weapons contractors) and the 2006 Census in Canada. Part of the multi-million dollar budget for the Census was awarded in contracts to Lockheed Martin for census data collection software and services. While some Canadians protested the American company's involvement in the 2006 Census, most Canadians were unaware of how their tax dollars were being spent. I find it unethical and unacceptable for Lockheed Martin to have any involvement in the Canadian Census. This corporation directly profits financially from the misery, death and destruction currently ongoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. By building and selling weapons of war (such as cluster bombs and depleted uranium shells) that maim, poison, and kill human beings, Lockheed Martin contributes to the escalating international violence in our world, and does so while making billions of dollars.

The bidding for the 2011 Census contract is now open, and Lockheed Martin will certainly be a contender.

I am personally greatly concerned about this issue. Therefore, if Lockheed Martin is involved in the 2011 Census, my conscience will not allow me to participate in the Census. If this American weapons manufacturer is awarded any contracts for the Census, I will protest by minimal cooperation methods or by refusing to submit my census form.

As a Canadian citizen who is dedicated to peace, I request that you do everything in your power to ensure that Lockheed Martin receives absolutely no part of the 2011 Census contract. I ask that the contract for this census be awarded to companies that have no connection to munitions, bombs, guns, missiles or any other weapons of war. Please use your position and influence to ensure that our 2011 Census is not tainted with Lockheed Martin's technology of violence and destruction.

In the past Canada has been known for Peacekeeping; let's continue to strive for peace and non-violence in a world that needs it so desperately, on all levels of business and government.

Sincerely
(your name and address)

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