http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/ Our publications, events and activities seek to nurture public demand for ethical leadership. en-us Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:22:52 MDT webmaster@chumirethicsfoundation.ca http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=295 To come face-to-face with the outcome of unfettered cruelty stops us from skirting around the penetrating pain, physical and emotional, that comes from the ruthless pursuit of violent repression and from outsiders' apathy. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:22:52 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=293 Recent controversies over whether or not to ban the burka and what to do about honour killings in Canada raise questions about how we should deal with diversity. Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:37:13 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=292 Although the widely criticized “parental opt-out” provision in Alberta’s Human Rights Act does not come into effect until September 1, it is already tying the education system in knots. Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:59:59 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=290 Reflecting upon what ethics demand in a variety of scenarios could be of considerable help in public life. Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:18:45 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=287 Even if it’s true that development of the oil sands wouldn’t do as much harm as the current fiasco in the Gulf, it doesn’t follow that oil sands projects are ethically acceptable. Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:15:30 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=285 We must protect fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, from violent threats, but it doesn’t follow that we are acting ethically when we exercise our maximum freedom to offend. Tue, 18 May 2010 11:42:12 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=284 Senator Hugh Segal and Dr. Lynn McIntyre spoke at "Guaranteed Annual Income? Ethical leadership on ending poverty" on March 29, 2010. Thu, 06 May 2010 15:27:44 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=283 We tolerate erosion of the rule of law at our collective peril. Sun, 02 May 2010 20:03:13 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=282 Civil libertarians, human rights experts, journalists and philosophers from across the country discuss the recent controversies surrounding freedom of speech and Canadian human rights commissions. Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:44:59 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=281 "Dialogue on Democracy: Should voting be compulsory?" will explore different models of mandatory voting and associated penalties, incentives and alternatives, as well as experiences of other countries such as Australia. Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:22:01 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=280 Dismal electoral participation makes it time to consider mandatory voting in Alberta. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:44:50 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=279 Civil libertarians, human rights experts, journalists and philosophers from across the country will discuss the recent controversies surrounding freedom of speech and Canadian human rights commissions at a Toronto conference on April 17. Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:49:23 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=278 Attack-dog punditry may be amusing, but we must find better ways to communicate if our democracy is to survive and hopefully flourish. Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:37:09 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=277 Senator Hugh Segal will speak about his proposal for a guaranteed annual income in Canada at a public lecture in Calgary on March 29, 2010. Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:30:31 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=275 How far, ethically, do institutions have to go before they can justifiably say “enough is enough”? Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:24:19 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=274 Questions about Religion and the Public Square, including how to live out one’s religious commitments in public life, will be debated at a March 23 event sponsored by the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:10:58 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=273 It’s time we amend the words of “O Canada” and recognize the “true patriot love” of Canadian women for their country. Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:21:14 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=272 In a highly diverse liberal democracy, the line between religion and the state must be fairly clearly drawn. Speakers explore recent cases where this line is contested. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:44:48 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=271 We shouldn’t attempt to deter religion and religious expression in secular space, lest freedom of religion lose all meaning. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:47:29 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=270 Freedom of conscience and religion must sometimes be limited by society as a whole, precisely because ethics aren’t relative, but instead a set of shared standards embodying a societal commitment to humane and effective governance. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:56:13 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=269 In a highly diverse liberal democracy, the line between religion and the state must be fairly clearly drawn. “Freedom of religion in Canada today: Three Issues” will explore recent cases where this line is contested, Jan. 28, Calgary. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:49:39 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=268 Eradication of oppression of women by religious groups may be a worthy goal, but government should stay out of it. Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:31:25 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=267 With careful thought we can sort the real threats to our peaceful, democratic way of life from what is harmless, that is, “different.” Without such careful thought, we will get more irrational mistrust of everything Muslim. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:03:30 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=266 Canadians don’t have and don’t need a unifying identity. Instead, our shared civic values will see us through diversity-engendered conflict. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:42:00 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=263 “The child’s right to an education: Bill 44 re-visited from a broader perspective” was the subject of a panel discussion at the University of Calgary on November 26, 2009. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:48:56 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=262 Albertans must demand better of their government: politicians’ salaries cannot be set by the politicians themselves. Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:57:03 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=261 Political correctness must not be allowed to obstruct the truth-telling essential to ensuring that every woman has the right to a life with dignity. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:13:49 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=260 “The child’s right to an education: Bill 44 re-visited from a broader perspective” will be the subject of a panel discussion at the University of Calgary on November 26, 2009. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:13:01 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=259 Does Bill 205 strengthen the foundations of democracy in Alberta by encouraging fairer elections? Or is the bill itself undemocratic in some important ways? Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:47:05 MST http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=255 A panel of legal experts will discuss the tension found in Alberta’s human rights law between protecting freedom of expression and preventing discrimination on October 29 at the University of Calgary. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:35:48 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=254 It is up to each of us, not the government, to choose the set of beliefs – secular or religious – that will guide our pursuit of a life worth living. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:49:15 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=252 How can we hope to eradicate the practice of "honour" killing and help prevent the violence if we can’t even talk about what’s happening? Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:51:22 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=251 The Oil Sands: What Future? will take a unique approach to this controversial issue through live theatre, a panel discussion, and a talk by journalist and best-selling author Andrew Nikiforuk on October 15 in Ottawa. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:36 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=250 The importance of citizen access to government information will be the focus of "Knowledge is Power: Access to Information in Alberta" events in Calgary and Edmonton on October 6 and 7, 2009. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:04:30 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=221 If we are to find ethical ways out of the current economic mess, we cannot go on ignoring the human suffering caused by it and the people who are enduring that suffering. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:59:39 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=220 The recession has impacted Calgarians much more deeply than is portrayed by the media and government leaders, according to a new report released today by a group of Calgary organizations. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:28:58 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=216 Bill 44 implementation delayed: The parental opt-out should be chucked into the dustbin of history where really bad ideas belong. Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:34:39 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=215 Even if you are legally entitled to be offensive, you are still doing a bad thing – acting unethically – if you deliberately set out to harm people by your words or if you just don’t care about the “collateral damage” your offensiveness causes. Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:09:06 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=206 Governments, organizations and individuals must adopt a vigilant ethic of responsibility to protect personal information in the wired world. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:51:42 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=205 We shouldn't be too eager to use the law to prohibit this kind of dress because it is important to recognize that our choices in clothing are a form of expression. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:13:28 MDT http://www.chumirethicsfoundation.ca/main/page.php?page_id=203 A recent speech by Jennifer Lynch, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, should worry everyone for it reveals a serious misunderstanding of free expression. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:41:25 MDT