Between December 1998 and March 1999, in a campaign led by the Halifax Initiative Coalition and that led to a number of Committee and Parliamentary debates (Oct. 16, 1997; Oct 28, 1998; Feb 3, 1999 Part 1 and Part 2), Canadians rallied in support of a Private Member's Motion in the House of Commons, which stated, "that in the opinion of the House, the government should enact a tax on financial transactions in concert with the international community."

Individuals and groups across the country wrote letters and opinion pieces for local and national newspapers and appeared on the CBC and local radio stations. Citizens wrote, called and met with their Member of Parliament(MP) and urged him/her to vote for the motion. They signed our Citizen's Declaration on the Tobin Tax, which were presented to the Minister of Finance.

Halifax Initiative held briefing sessions for MPs and circulated a letter of support signed by prominent individuals and faculty from 19 universities as well as leading non-governmental organizations representing over 2,750,00 Canadians. As a result of widespread public support, the motion passed by a resounding margin of 164-83 on March 23, 1999. Canada became the first country in the world to declare its intention to work towards the adoption of a tax to control international currency speculation. Others have since passed motions and legislation.

HOUSE OF COMMONS VOTE RESULTS - MARCH 23, 1999

MOTION M-239

That, in the opinion of this House, the government should enact a tax on financial transactions in concert with the international community.

YEAS

- 164