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Objecting to paying for warCanadian war resisters may not currently face the militarydraft, but most are faced with taxes. Some have chosen to withholdthe portion of their income tax allotted to military spending—about 9 percent of total federal spending. This is a very relevantway that we as Canadians can be involved in this issue.“As a follower of Jesus, I try to live by His commandment to ‘LoveOur Enemies.’ ... I find it highly inconsistent to pray for peace andpay for war. I would gladly pay for actions and activities that leadto peace and encourage the government to provide an alternativefor conscientious objectors to war.” —Benno Barg“...I strongly protest use of any portion of it [my taxes] for militarypurposes. Such use, in effect, conscripts my funds. During the 1939- 1945 war I was granted status as a conscientious objector andallowed to go to China to engage in relief work. In years past Iwithheld the military portion of tax and deposited it withConscience Canada in the confidence that the government wouldrespect my right not to participate in military operations in thisway. Since no provision has yet been made and the withheld portionwas collected with interest, I am simply withholding ten dollars(a token amount) to make you aware that I still object to supportof the military on grounds of conscience.”—Edwin V. AbbottFor more information, including direction on how to write to yourMember of Parliament see www.consciencecanada.caIn July 2006, a new resolution was passed at the MennoniteChurch Canada’s Assembly in Edmonton. The resolution statedthat as Canada’s military was moving from away from peacekeepingtowards direct military interventions, as military spending wasincreasing significantly and as this is paid for by Canadian taxpayers,the General Board should communicate with the federalgovernment to advocate for a way to redirect the military portionof taxes to peaceful purposes.Poppies andpeace buttonsI did not put on my MCC“To Remember is to Workfor Peace” button lastNovember as I usually do instead ofthe Remembrance Day poppy. Why? Ifeared others would misunderstand myreplacing the poppy as a rejection ofthe sacrifice of the soldiers. It could bea barrier rather than an invitation tocommunication. Of course I still rejectviolence and war as means of resolvingconflict or of stopping a raging dictator.I fervently disagree that war was “theonly way,” or “necessary for our freedom,”and also with Christian just-warconstructs. At the same time I don’twant to minimize the sacrifice of thesoldiers nor the pain of their permanentabsence. I don’t want to reject the genuineintentions of society to honourthose who ostensibly gave their lives forothers.I realize that not all who wear thepoppy are warmongers. Wearing it hasdifferent meanings, some of which Ihave little problem with. For example,for over 80 years, The Royal CanadianLegion has been selling the paperflowers to help needy ex-servicemenand their families. Providing for folksin need, it seems to me, is a worthyproject.I have come to see that most of usshare the same goals—a peace-filledlife, society, and world. Dialoguingabout how to move toward that, ismore useful than sloganizing or tryingto shout louder than the other side.This year I may wear both the buttonand the poppy.—Tim Schmucker, MCC OntarioStories and reflections16