March 26th, survey results

https://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=MbIA1qFbkOL2SGQldJnkGFMBpVC3qX48GRX1cVCoQr4_3d

Click the link above to view the results of my survey on conflict minerals and whether students at McMaster University would pay more for items produced conflict mineral free.
Unsurprisingly, most say they would, but cite price as their biggest consideration when purchasing electronics. These two factors are at odds with each other.

Consider writing your representative on a regular basis

Mr. Harper,

I ask that you and Canada would take a firmer stance on the issue of
Darfur. Violence continues to be perpetuated while the world watches.
The Enough Project, an advocacy group in the US, has confirmed that
satellites have taken images of villages which have been burned to the
ground. It is unacceptable for Canada to maintain a passive stance on
the issues in that region, in the DRC and in the Ivory Coast.
Please consider renewing Canada's image as an international peace
keeper, and add legitimacy to ideas like Responsibility to Protect.
images of villages in Darfur:
http://satsentinel.org/sites/default/files/SSP2-Final.pdf

Respectfully,

Natasha Hovey

For Canada:
pm@pm.gc.ca

March 8th - the situation becomes more alarming

"Ivory Coast rebels have seized a third town in the country's west, forces loyal to incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo said, while at least six people have died in violence around the main city Abidjan. U.S. President Barack Obama said he has authorized up to $12.6 million in aid to assist refugees from unrest in the Ivory Coast. An 8,000-strong United Nations force is trying to keep a stand-off between Ivory Coast's rival presidential claimants, Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, from tipping into a civil war". The Human Rights Commission has formally opposed the extreme violence in the Ivory Coast.

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/pro-gbagbo-forces-say-rebels-take-ivory-coast-town/
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/us-sets-126-mln-in-aid-for-ivory-coast-refugees/
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=92130

March 3rd

Seven women have been killed in peaceful protests against Gbagbo, incumbent leader of the Ivory Coast. This brings the total to 365 dead since the elections in November, which were meant to unify the country. Some believe this number is much higher. 70,000 have crossed into Liberia, with approximately 200,000 displaced. Although Gbagbo has retained the loyalty of much of the security forces, Ouattara has the support of the international community and is protected by U.N. troops. Thus both sides are at an impasse, with neither willing to relent.

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/ivorian-forces-kill-six-women-at-pro-ouattara-rally/