I don't really share the point of view that health promoters are not
speaking out.  I think it just depends on what exactly we are counting when
we say this.  I could list lots of things that I know health promoters in my
community are doing - ranging from capacity building in vulnerable
neighbourhoods to writing formal reports on determinants of health for
politicians to making coherent information accessible on the internet....

But anyway, I'm not sure thats exactly the issue.

True, there is not an organized  response obviously attributed to health
promoters in Ontario to the current government agenda. I'm wondering if we
can advance this discussion (because its a fun one to follow) by framing the
issue beyond the Ontario context.  Politically elected governments all over
the world are becoming irrelevant and marginalized.    We are now in an era
of corporate colonialism and  "business democracy" (a phrased borrowed from
Nettie Wiebe, President of the National Farmers Union here in Canada).  Yet
most of our "tools" for advocacy assume democratically elected governments
have the power.  Truly, they are quickly becoming puppets unable to
intervene in the corporate agenda and protect people.

Those of us living and working in rural and semi-rural communities see this
new colonialism very clearly because its obviously happening daily before
our eyes.  We see the outflow of capital and young people from rural
communities, in the name of "development".  Where is the wealth from these
communities going? - obviously to further economic inequality globally.
(Despite the presence of political equality in a growing number of countries.)

I'm not sure the advocacy approaches framed withing democratic liberalism
are relevant anymore.  Most days, I don't think I live in a democracy - not
just since Harris - but I felt that way under the socialist government in
Ontario also.  I live in a colony dominated by the corporate elite agenda,
which is hiding  behind elected governments.   So, I'm interested in hearing
from communities of people who have resisted colonialism in the past
(aboriginal peoples around the globe being good examples I'd say) I think
you might have some helpful advice to those of us trying to build
conversations of resistance to this new agenda.

Lets hear from you please.

Theresa Schumilas
Director
Family and Community Resources
Community Health Department
Region of Waterloo

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