CPC Conference supports PPCC

Gordon Flowers — May 1984

The Biennial Conference of the Canadian Peace Congress was held In Toronto February 24-26. The conference was attended by members of its National Board, representatives from thirty Peace Councils across Canada and from eighteen affiliated organisations, as well as by a delegation from its sister organisation, the Conseil Quebecois de la Paix. Also present on this, the 35th anniversary of the Congress, were Romesh Chandra, President of the World Peace Council, and Karen Talbot, who represents North America on the Secretariat of the WPC in Helsinki, Finland.

Focal points of discussion at the Biennial Conference were the increasingly dangerous escalation of the global arms race and the campaign to annul the testing of the cruise missile in this country and to declare Canada a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone. Delegates spoke overwhelmingly in support of the Peace Petition Caravan Campaign, and pledged the Congress to make this effort a priority over the next period of time.

The Conference heard and accepted reports from its provincial councils and affiliates, as well as political, organisational and financial reports. A proposal to establish an award in recognition of activities for peace was also approved.

Resolutions were adopted dealing with the US threat to self-determination of nations, and with security and world peace. Other adopted resolutions supported the United Auto Workers position on peaceful production; called for the withdrawal of the current US ambassador to Canada for overstepping diplomatic privilege in his public falsification of the balance of arms; and gave full support for the PPCC. Additional resolutions dealt with the cruise missile testing in Canada and deployment of US missiles in western Europe.

The last item of business was the election of a new Congress executive. Elected were: President John Morgan; Vice-President Michael Choral; Executive Director Gordon Flowers; Treasurer Marjory Mitchell; Members Jeanette Morgan, Jaycee Cowl, Mel Doig, Barry Fraser, Art Jenkyn, Veli Kentala, Lari Prokop, Nickolas Prychodko. and Bill Thompson.

The Peace Calendar

Canadian Disarmament Information Service, 1983-1984

CPC Conference supports PPCC