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Founded in 1986 in Toronto, the Mackenzie Institute is an independent non-profit organization concerned with issues related to political instability and organized violence. This includes such matters as terrorism, political extremism, warfare and organized crime.
The aim of the Institute is to provide research and commentary on its subject matter, to promote informed public debate, and to hold to the proposition that our liberal democratic tradition must be safeguarded and fostered.
The Institute is also concerned with the social and political stability of Canada, and works to enhance it when it can.
The Institute is named for the voyageur Alexander Mackenzie, the first European (and likely the first man) to reach the Pacific Ocean from Upper Canada, and the first to trace the Mackenzie River to the Arctic Ocean. Mackenzie had the courage to explore routes that everyone knew existed, but feared to try. In our own way, we try to emulate his courage and forthrightness.
Recent Newsletters
It has long been the practice of the Mackenzie Institute to avoid publically identifying our sponsors and supporters; we temporarily set this tradition aside for one notable exception.
On March 12th, 2008, Mrs. Miriam Weston Burnett passed away after a short illness. The eldest of the nine children of W.Garfield Weston, Miriam was one of the magnets that hold that clan together and an exemplar of the civic spirit of her father and grandfather. Miriam has one son, and was pre-deceased by her husband, Charles Ryland Burnett; once an American naval officer.
Mackenzie Briefing Notes
Trouble always slides in on a logarithmic curve – first gently sloping and seemingly nothing to be concerned about; then gradually steepening, but something that one believes they can cope with. Finally, one is left clinging to the cliff face with the abyss far below, and no hand-holds in sight.
It is equally true that hardly any crises have single causes. Between the food crisis and the risk of even more dramatically increased fuel prices, we are sliding into trouble… and there are other factors that may worsen it.
The following is a piece of hate mail sent by an unknown correspondent to the Institute. This is not unheard of as we’ve received similar communications before over the years. This one, however, provides some insights into the minds of a prospective recruit or existing supporter of the ‘Homegrown’ Jihadists. This is why we have decided to republish it.
Point of Information
In Robert’s Rules of Order a Point of Information is used to ask a question of a speaker during debate. It is, ideally, neutral in tone, but asks practical questions about the basis of an argument or the consequences if it is accepted.
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