Speaking tour in 8 Ontarian cities to engage protection of Great Lakes

The tour, Great Lakes Need Great Friends: Protecting The Great Lakes Forever, will visit Toronto (May 15), Hamilton (May 16), Thunder Bay (May 17), Kingston (May 22), Sarnia (May 24), Township of Tiny (May 28), Owen Sound (May 29), and London (May 30).

“The Great Lakes of North America are in serious trouble,” says Barlow. “Industrial pollution, climate change, over-extraction, invasive species, and wetland loss are all taking their toll on the watershed that provides life and livelihood to more than 40 million people and thousands of species that live around it.”

“On this tour to Great Lakes Basin communities, we’ll be discussing an exciting new proposal to designate the lakes and their tributary waters as a lived Commons, to be shared, protected, carefully managed and enjoyed by all who live around them,” adds Barlow. “A Great Lakes Basin Commons would recognize that water is a human right. It would recognize the ecological rights of the watershed, that private interests are subordinate to community rights, that governments have an affirmative obligation to manage and protect the Great Lakes, and that First Nations/American Indian tribes should be involved in the decision-making process. Public participation is key to the Great Lakes Basin Commons.”

The Council of Canadians is demanding that these commons and public trust principles be included in the Ontario government’s upcoming Great Lakes Protection Act.

Emma Lui, Water Campaigner for the Council of Canadians, says the tour will help:

• “Foster connections along the Great Lakes by making the links between current fights against threats such as fracking, bottled water withdrawals, invasive species, and nuclear waste storage and shipments.
• “Cultivate a Great Lakes stewardship by encouraging people to recognize they not only have a right, but a responsibility to protect the Great Lakes’ waters.
• “Invite community involvement and encourage inspiring actions that will help shift the current market economy priorities that govern the Great Lakes to priorities based on commons and public trust principles.”

Full details about the speaking tour and local speakers are available at: www.canadians.org/greatlakes.

PDF tour poster

His son played volleyball on Friday morning at the local public high school. It was a normal weekday for the students, except their gymnasiums were being used by the Ontario Winter Games, with security in suits preventing student interaction. It would have been a perfect opportunity to have a school assembly for the Prime Minister to address the students with his son at his side and some of the 2000+ athletes standing behind them.

The story of Stephen Harper leaving was true, however it would have been around seven in the morning on Friday for a three hour commute, on some of Ontario’s worst roads for winter driving, venturing through a wickedly-wild winter spell that hit the Collingwood region Friday through to the afternoon. While investigating Stephen Harper’s departure to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, information was received about how he is keeping his visit discreet at the Westin from even the hotel staff, and that his security agents in suits were still roaming the Westin. Later information trickled in that he was back having dinner at Boston Pizza in Collingwood that night.

Saturday morning a group of people with some from as far as Caledon, Ontario, gathered in the Village at Blue Mountain to protest Stephen Harper’s extravagant vacation and other issues the PM is under fire for such as the robocalls. Morgan Ian Adams, managing editor of Collingwood newspaper The Enterprise-Bulletin, was also there to note and follow the quickly assembled protest. Under the assumption that there would be no interaction with the Prime Minister himself at the Westin or Village, and with wind of him attending his son’s games hosted at the local Catholic high school, the majority of the group wanted to seek interaction with the Prime Minister.

Following the group into the doors leading to the gymnasium we were stopped when the head of security for the Winter Games requested to see the signs before entering the venue. Jim Bertram, an independent security and investigations professional hired to head security, explained it is for the integrity of the players to not allow the protest inside. Ian Adams immediately briefly rejoined the group outside to take a photograph. At that time the Prime Minister wasn’t there, however his wife was seen exiting the venue, and his security agents were on us outside.

An audio clip of protesters:

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At first the agents just came out and stood there in their suits with their ear pieces. After one of the protesters asked if they are the Prime Minister’s security, they disbursed staying within sight with more arriving. After a short while Sgt. Rob Graham of the Collingwood OPP paid a short friendly welcome indicating the condition of staying out of the way. The Sargent returned to record the signs on a hunch everyone at the detachment will want to know what they said; small town excitement. Upon a joke of a protester’s previous comment of placing the Prime Minister under citizen’s arrest, the local Sargent had a chuckle while begging the group not to because he is “off the road” in a couple of weeks and retiring in a few months.

At one point the security in the suits changed into civilian clothing, but they all had their lapel pins on.

The protest group stayed at the Catholic high school Winter Games venue until the winter wind blew them for a coffee warm-up, followed with a short protest at the intersection of Highway 26 and Hume Street outside Simcoe–Grey Conservative Member of Parliament Dr. Kellie Leitch’s office before calling it a day.

Ian Adams reported on his twitter of Stephen Harper’s post-protester arrival for the early afternoon game.

Aside from the protesters, reports kept coming in and people were becoming more annoyed with Harper’s presence.

Simcoe–Grey is an interesting riding to itself. Helena Guergis, the last Member of Parliament was kicked out of the Conservative Party of Canada by Stephen Harper for very harsh allegations. From the Mega Quarry to healthcare, almost everyone has some bone to pick with Stephen Harper over something.

Some people are so disgusted by Stephen Harper that they became upset. People expressed they don’t think very highly of him. A local chef said he wouldn’t want to cook dinner for him. One of Stephen Harper’s voters via Leitch expressed his disappointment in Harper’s handling of internal governmental affairs.

One person reported that upon casually entering Boston Pizza he was ordered to remove his hands from his pockets by security in suits. He had no knowledge the Prime Minister was present at the time.

Instead of a Prime Ministerial visit positively boosting Stephen Harper’s image, it is doing the opposite for the constituents in a Conservative riding. Maybe he expects protest wherever he goes, which could explain the secrecy of his visit and keeping inside his shell. More and more rallies for causes turn into protests against Stephen Harper, at home and abroad. However, where is the grandeur of being Prime Minister? Should he not be the one hitting the streets? He had a chance to win over students at the public high school, and other area schools and colleges. He could have won some support from businesses, just by visiting. Not everyone will agree with him on everything, but he could at least try to salvage his image instead of letting it run stale.

This vacation has been expensive, and damaged the Prime Minister’s public relations. If he were to reduce the amount of vehicles in their fleet by carpooling in their large SUVs and vans, and bring only a few guards to reduce on boarding, not only could they cut on cost, but also emissions. Then the PMO can spin it to make him the next lowercase letter “g” green Prime Minister.

As for Ben, his Region 6 team is doing well and has only lost once as of yet; the early afternoon game, but it was close: 25-23, 25-23.

Jack Layton

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.

Unfortunately my treatment has not worked out as I hoped. So I am giving this letter to my partner Olivia to share with you in the circumstance in which I cannot continue.

I recommend that Hull-Aylmer MP Nycole Turmel continue her work as our interim leader until a permanent successor is elected.

I recommend the party hold a leadership vote as early as possible in the New Year, on approximately the same timelines as in 2003, so that our new leader has ample time to reconsolidate our team, renew our party and our program, and move forward towards the next election.

A few additional thoughts:

To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined, and focused on the future. My only other advice is to cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey, as I have done this summer.

To the members of my party: we’ve done remarkable things together in the past eight years. It has been a privilege to lead the New Democratic Party and I am most grateful for your confidence, your support, and the endless hours of volunteer commitment you have devoted to our cause. There will be those who will try to persuade you to give up our cause. But that cause is much bigger than any one leader. Answer them by recommitting with energy and determination to our work. Remember our proud history of social justice, universal health care, public pensions and making sure no one is left behind. Let’s continue to move forward. Let’s demonstrate in everything we do in the four years before us that we are ready to serve our beloved Canada as its next government.

To the members of our parliamentary caucus: I have been privileged to work with each and every one of you. Our caucus meetings were always the highlight of my week. It has been my role to ask a great deal from you. And now I am going to do so again. Canadians will be closely watching you in the months to come. Colleagues, I know you will make the tens of thousands of members of our party proud of you by demonstrating the same seamless teamwork and solidarity that has earned us the confidence of millions of Canadians in the recent election.

To my fellow Quebecers: On May 2nd, you made an historic decision. You decided that the way to replace Canada’s Conservative federal government with something better was by working together in partnership with progressive-minded Canadians across the country. You made the right decision then; it is still the right decision today; and it will be the right decision right through to the next election, when we will succeed, together. You have elected a superb team of New Democrats to Parliament. They are going to be doing remarkable things in the years to come to make this country better for us all.

To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better. Hope and optimism have defined my political career, and I continue to be hopeful and optimistic about Canada. Young people have been a great source of inspiration for me. I have met and talked with so many of you about your dreams, your frustrations, and your ideas for change. More and more, you are engaging in politics because you want to change things for the better. Many of you have placed your trust in our party. As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world. We can do all of these things because we finally have a party system at the national level where there are real choices; where your vote matters; where working for change can actually bring about change. In the months and years to come, New Democrats will put a compelling new alternative to you. My colleagues in our party are an impressive, committed team. Give them a careful hearing; consider the alternatives; and consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

We, the undersigned, call on the Government of Canada to cease official reference to itself as the “Harper Government”.

This is not just Stephen Harper’s government. It is the government of the Canadian people.

Our country is not Stephen Harper’s Canada. It is a democratic Canada.

I am not Stephen Harper’s Canadian. I am Canadian.

We demand that all official references to the Canadian government continue to use “Government of Canada”. Any official reference to “Harper Government” should be immediately ceased.

Sign the petition here: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43549.html

This page is updated regularly during the campaigns.

CELA Challenges Licenses

CELA (Canadian Environmental Law Association) and Sierra Club Canada through CELA counsel filed in Federal Court two Applications for Judicial Review of the licenses issued by CNSC (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) to ship 16 radioactive steam generators.

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From statement on CELA website:

These Judicial Review Applications challenge the legality of the Licences, on the basis of non-compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, which the CNSC stated it did not have to apply, as well as on the basis of failure to follow the rules of natural justice in the case of the export licence, and the inadequacy or absence of the CNSC’s reasons for its decisions.

Bruce Power heard by federal Commons Committee

March 8th -Standing Committee on Natural Resources, RNNR, will hear today from Bruce Power and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and will meet with other invitees Thursday regarding the shipment of 16 steam generators to Sweden for recycling, and the return of radioactive waste. Ross Lamont, Bruce Power Community and Government Relations Manager, provided a short list of the others, which contains little opposition. Mike Smith, Warden of Bruce County, is attending and maintains Bruce Power is a valued employer and emphasises on their safety record. Huron-Kinloss Mayor Mitch Twolan, a member of shipment-opposed Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, will attend in favour of the shipment. Dr. Hazel Lynn, Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health, is also expected to be heard from the Committee.

Mike Smith, Bruce County Warden
Mayor Saugeen Shores
mayor@saugeenshores.ca
519-832-2008

Mitch Twolan
Mayor Huron-Kinloss
mitch.twolan@remax-lx.ca
519-395-0717

Dr. Hazel Lynn
Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health
h.lynn@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
519 376-9420 Ext 1224

Lamont only mentioned a few fellow supporters, however the committee will hear Thursday from Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) of Akwesasne, Kahnawake, and Tyendinaga; the Union of Ontario Indians, and other opposing groups.

RNNR Committee:
Leon Benoit, Chair
Conservative, Alberta
Benoit.L@parl.gc.ca
(613) 992-4171

Nathan Cullen, Vice-Chair
NDP, British Columbia
Cullen.N@parl.gc.ca
(613) 993-6654

Alan Tonks, Vice-Chair
Liberal, Ontario
Tonks.A@parl.gc.ca
(613) 995-0777

Audio interview with Peter Tabuns, MPP

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Peter Tabuns & Ernie Hilts

Ontario Minister of Energy
Brad Duguid, Scarborough Centre
bduguid.mpp@liberal.ola.org
416-327-6758

Ontario Minster of Environment
Helena Jaczek, Oak Ridges–Markham
hjaczek.mpp@liberal.ola.org
416-325-0737

Ontario Minister of Transportation
Amrit Mangat, Mississauga–Brampton South
amangat.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
416-325-1050

Council of Canadians Campaign

March 2nd, Council of Canadians sent out this “action allert” to “demand that Ontario refuse permission for radioactive shipments on the Great Lakes.” Sign and send a letter with the click of a button to the Ontario Government.

An excerpt from the call to action:

On arrival in Sweden, the steam generators will be melted down into scrap metal and sold in consumer markets to be made into household and other items.

There has been widespread opposition to this shipment from First Nation communities, city mayors, US senators, environmental groups, social justice organizations. Organizations in Europe have also expressed opposition including the Swedish Environmental Movement’s Nuclear Waste Secretariat, Nuclear Free Local Authorities (UK and Ireland), Friends of the Earth Norway and Sortie du nucléaire (France).

Bruce Power must still obtain permits from municipalities along the travel route, as well as the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Transport Canada and the US Department of Transport. Bruce Power must also obtain approval from the UK, Denmark and Norway to pass through their waters.

Nov. 8, 2010 Roots Broadcast

This broadcast includes an interview with Maude Barlow on the shipment.

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CETA Rally speakers list: Peggy Nash, CAW; Terry Boehm, National Farmers Union; Maude Barlow, Council of Canadians; Dave Coles, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union; Roxanne Dubois, Canadian Federation of Students; Clayton Thomas-Muller, Indigenous Environmental Network; Daniel Légère, Canadian Union of Public Employees; Denis Lemelin, Canadian Union of Postal Workers; Claude Vaillancourt, ATTAC-Quebec; and Hassan Yussuff, Canadian Labour Congress.

Peggy Nash, CAW

Full Version – High Quality:

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Terry Boehm, National Farmers Union

Recordings of Speakers:

1. Peggy Nash – CAW
   
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2. Terry Boehm – National Farmers Union
   
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3. Maude Barlow – Council of Canadians
   
   

   Maude Barlow, Council of Canadians

   
   
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4. Dave Coles – CEP
   
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5. Roxanne Dubois – Canadian Federation of Students
   
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6. Clayton Thomas-Muller – Indigenous Environmental Network
   

   Dave Coles, CEP

   
   
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7. Daniel Légère – CUPE
   
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8. Denis Lemelin – Canadian Union of Postal Workers
   
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Clayton Thomas-Muller, Indigenous Environmental Network

9. Claude Vaillancourt – ATTAC-Quebec
   
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10. Hassan Yussuff – Canadian Labour Congress
    
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Where CETA is being negotiated.

Gilles Bisson

Ontario NDP Gilles Bisson, MPP Timmins–James Bay, speaks of the ONDP and NDP sharring the fight with the First Nations against the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax); and talks about honouring treaties.

Mzhakdo Kwe

Mzhakdo Kwe, Vicki Monague, shares her thoughts on: how the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) is an illegal tax; representation of the people; and how the HST will affect everyone.