A chance to "walk the talk:" Peace Trainers reflect on why they are riding the Peace Train









For Lynn Malinsky of Kelowna, B.C., this is her first on the Peace Train. She will be boarding it in Kamloops. 

She’s making the trip because “I want to join a group that believes promoting peace is a worthy cause, given the political disruption in Alberta, the current American politics, and the state of the world in general. I want to walk the talk and increase awareness of the necessity to promote peace,” she says. 

Her message to the Prime Minister is that the creation of a peace centre “will demonstrate the government’s commitment to promoting peace and provide the opportunity for engaging Canadian citizens in increasing awareness across the country.” 

Michael Elliott of Vancouver is a member of Canadian Memorial Church United Church and a member of the Vancouver Buddhist Temple. As he prepares to go on the Peace Train, he recalls a story shared by a priest at the Temple. 

The priest had visited a temple that had a sign in front a sign which read: “May Peace prevail in the world.” He asked members what they were doing to help create world peace. They replied that they had put up a sign. 

“I am like the good-hearted members of that temple,” says Michael. “I think about world peace, I talk about world peace, but I do nothing. Joining the Peace Train initiative is my first action. I thank you for giving me the opportunity.” 

George Maddison and Jane A. Slinger of Galiano Island, B.C., are going on the Peace Train for the first time. 

They are going on the Peace Train because “we are desperate to do whatever we can to promote peace in the world at this very troubled time. In joining the Peace Train, we are seeking community and collaboration in this initiative with the direct and achievable goal of creating a peace centre.” 

And what’s their message for the Prime Minister about why the creation of a peace centre is important? 

“Mark, please spend a small fraction of the money you have allotted for the military on peacekeeping. We would like you to build a permanent and independent centre dedicated to the promotion of peace in Ottawa. This would be a shining example to the world of what Canadians really believe in. And a lasting legacy of your ‘Carney’ government. The insignificant expenditure to finance a peace centre could be easily justified as the most effective spending on the military.” 

Canada, they go on to say, “has been bullied by our former allies to spend big on the military in contrast to our former role as peace keepers in the international community. We need to rebuild our reputation as peace keepers. This is very important to us!”

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