“The Bank of Canada considered celebrating gay marriages, black hockey players, and turban-wearing RCMP officers on its new plastic bank notes”

By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 11, 2013:

Whitewashed Bank of Canada $100 Bill

And so the Harper Conservative-inspired whitewashing of Canada continues.

Last summer, we learned that the Bank of Canada had nixed the image of an Asian-looking female scientist from its new $100 polymer banknote “after focus groups raised questions about her ethnicity.” Apparently, members of the “focus groups” had objected because they felt that her ethnicity wasn’t representative of Canada. Now The Canadian Press is reporting that the bank has nixed the images of non-whites and gays from it’s new series of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 polymer bills as well.

A very ugly racist game is on here. It’s taxpayer-funded.

by Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Aug. 29, 2012:

A few weeks ago, The Canadian Progressive polled its readers about Canada Day, July 1. We popped the question: What Exactly Did You Celebrate on Canada Day? 204 responded and here are the reults:

• Boycotted: 152 votes (75%)
• Canadian diversity and progressive values: 50 votes(25%)
• Harper’s leadership and hard turn right: 7 votes(3%)
• War of 1812 and Canada’s new militarism: 1 vote(0%)

Opinion polls are a great and simple way for you to express your big opinion on the issues of the day. A few clicks, you’ve spoken! Our current poll on the question “What did you celebrate on Canada Day?” closes at midnight on Tuesday, July 17. Join hundreds of Canadians who are shaming the biased mainstream media reports to tell us exactly what they celebrated on the big day. And if you’d like us to publish your own poll, just send it using the form below the poll. Just a question or statement on any of the hot issues in Canada today, and three or four possible answers.

Vote now.

[poll id="2"]

Use this form to submit your opinion poll. If chosen your poll will be published on Wednesday, July 18.

Below is a brief message to Canadians and other progressives around the world from Canada’s biggest progressive citizen’s organization. Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians has members and chapters across Canada. It works “to protect Canadian independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public health care, and other issues of social and economic concern to Canadians. The Council does not accept money from corporations or governments, and is sustained entirely by the volunteer energy and financial assistance of its members.

The message:

In this Canada Day Special, Co-hosts Obert and Anita dramatize a recent secret conversation between Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US President Barack Obama. Harper and his Conservative majority government are militarizing Canadian society. They’re re-writing the country’s history to fit their fledgling right-wing worldview. Canada‘s Independence Day is around the corner and Harper has placed the War of 1812 at the centre of all official celebrations. In that war, British loyalist forces and their First Nations allies repulsed numerous American attempts to invade and annex Canada. Harper’s ingenious plan is to trick Obama into publicly confirming America’s first real bitter defeat on Sun News Network, Canada’s Fox News Network.

RELATED: Canadian Political Satire: Obert Report Episode 1: Harper’s NDP Hitler Comment

Shawnee chief Tecumseh was not part of the official 2011 Canada Day celebrations yesterday. Did ordinary Canadians even miss him, like they should?

Canada Day mostly commemorates the War of 1812. Americans invaded Canada to conquer the country and kick the British out of North America.

Tecumseh led aboriginal soldiers – alongside soldiers of the British army – and defeated the Americans. He was killed in action fighting the Americans in October, 1813, at the Battle of the Thames.  

Tecumseh died defending Canada. So why not commemorate him properly?

Granted, we have public schools bearing the great man’s name. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship HMCS Tecumseh too. But, considering Tecumseh’s pivotal role in the creation of Canada, all the current – are not enough. They’re too invisible to the public. Until the day they are featured in the press, of course. 

As a new immigrant, I’m completely sold on Canada’s values. If strengthened at home and extended beyond our borders, these values would make this world a better place. But I’ve had very little of Canada’s history.

Changing Canada Day to Tecumseh Day would be a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to one of Canada’s proudest moments. It would teach us all about the ernomous contributions and sacrifices aboriginal peoples made to make Canada the greatest country it is.

Mostly importantly, changing Canada Day to Tecumseh Day would guarantee that I or another person of color would be properly acknowledged if we gave our all for Canada.