Common Causes to hold solidarity actions across the country

by Council of Canadians | Jan 24, 2013:

On January 28, when Parliament resumes, the Harper agenda will face an unprecedented assembly of social movements uniting in Common Causes. The new people’s network is working with progressive partners, including Idle No More, to achieve a common goal: to unite people and communities to provide alternatives to the current Conservative government’s agenda. The launch of Common Causes will take place following a weekend convergence in Ottawa of groups planning a Canada, Quebec, Indigenous Peoples’ Social Forum.

by Guest Blogger | Jan. 28, 2013

In the era of dictatorial Prime Minister  Stephen Harper and his right-wing Conservatives, global mining and tar sands oil drive Canadian foreign policy. Canadian author, activist and political commentator, Yves Engler, argues that Harper’s right wing foreign policy protects interests of big oil and mining at home and abroad. He speaks with Paul Jay, The Real News Network‘s senior editor.

WATCH:

New Pembina Institute analysis includes detailed interviews with more than 20 leading clean energy entrepreneurs, corporate executives, investors and academics.

By Pembina Institute | Jan. 22, 2013

TORONTO — Canada’s clean technology sector is a major driver of job growth and innovation, and could be worth $60 billion by 2020 barring current federal policy and financing barriers, says a new report by the Pembina Institute.

Competing in Clean Energy: Capitalizing on Canadian innovation in a $3 trillion economy details the opportunities and challenges facing Canada in the global transition to clean energy — a market set to grow to $3 trillion by 2020.

Under Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives, Ottawa has been openly hostile to Venezuela and leftward swing in Latin America – except in Cuba where Canada has large commercial interests. So argues Canadian author, activist and commentator, Yves Engler.

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by Tsilhqot’in National Government (Press Release) | Jan. 24, 2013:

Supreme Court of Canada Building, Ottawa.Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

TŜILHQOT’IN TERRITORY, BC – The Supreme Court of Canada announced today that it will hear the Tsilhqot’in Nation’s landmark Aboriginal title claim, a decision welcomed by the Tsilhqot’in Nation and its members.

“We are truly grateful for the many Tsilhqot’in Elders that showed the courage to share their knowledge at trial, in our Tsilhqot’in language,” said Councillor Roger William, the plaintiff in the case, “Many of them are no longer with us today. They would be proud and honoured to know that their case will be heard by the highest court in Canada.”

by Ontario Public Service Employees Union | Jan. 24, 2013

TORONTO – Unionized provincial government employees have ratified a new two-year collective agreement with their employer, the Government of Ontario.

The two-year collective agreement covers 36,000 direct provincial government employees. Under the agreement, employees are subjected to a two-year wage freeze, but significant improvements were made to job security provisions, better access to benefits for part-time workers and the inclusion of anti-bullying language.

by Guest Blogger | The Canadian Progressive, Jan 25, 2013

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence (Centre) on Parliament Hill, Day 1 of her 43-day hunger strike

Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence signed the First Nations declaration that ended her 43-day hunger strike at Ottawa’s Victoria Island . The 13-point declaration, entitled “First Nations: Working Towards Fundamental Change”, was signed jointly with First Nations leaders and Canada’s federal opposition parties. As The Canadian Progressive publisher, Obert Madondo, declared earlier, Chief Theresa Spence’s heroism already eclipses Nelson Mandela’s.

Tamara Lorincz protesting at the Halifax Shipyward. Photo by Chelsea Gutzman.

by Guest Blogger | Jan 25, 2013:

Halifax – A local peace activist is denouncing the deployment of the HMCS Toronto on Monday. The Canadian frigate left the Halifax port for a 6-month deployment to the Persian Gulf.

“There should be no Canadian warships in the Middle East,” says Tamara Lorincz, a member of the Halifax Peace Coalition and the Canadian Voice of Women for Peace.

A decade ago, Ontario fired 25 percent of its grid from coal. Now Canada’s most populous province will phase out its entire coal fleet by the end of the year to become the first jurisdiction in North America to do so.

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by Council of Canadians | Jan 22, 2013:

Ottawa – The Council of Canadians supports the Hupacasath First Nation’s legal challenge to the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), a notice of which was filed in B.C. court on January 18.