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Open letter regarding hearings into proposed Endbridge pipeline

by Contributor on 17 Jan 2012
in
Open letter regarding hearings into proposed Endbridge pipeline

Dear Prime Minister:

 

We are deeply concerned that your government has already determined the outcome of the controversial Enbridge pipelines proposal even before the panel responsible for assessing its impacts has commenced its hearings. This, in our opinion, has the real potential to completely undermine the independence and impartiality of the Panel, its report and recommendations.

EthicalOil.org and the Harper Government

by Damien Gillis on 13 Jan 2012
in
See video

The various spokespeople for supposed "grassroots" pro-Tar Sands and pipeline organization EthicalOil.org have steadfastly maintained their campaign has no connection to the oil and gas industry or the Harper Government. But as the links between these groups continue to pile up, that contention becomes harder and harder to swallow.

This year, put the country ahead of party affiliations

by Murray Dobbin on 10 Jan 2012
in
This year, put the country ahead of party affiliations

As we enter the new year, the prospects for defeating the Harper government in 2015 seem uncertain at best. And yet if those who care about the country were musing over a new year’s resolution, that would be it, a dedication to this single overarching purpose. Even if Harper is soundly defeated in the next election, it will take a decade to reverse the damage he has already done. If he wins a second majority, it will take a generation or more.

 

Your car may be hotter than you think: annual list of top 10 stolen vehicles

by Contributor on 14 Dec 2011
in
2009 Toyota Venza 4-door

Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) released its annual list of the top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada today, many of which are showing up in the local market and not necessarily being exported out of Canada.

In these cases, the vehicles are often re-sold to unsuspecting consumers.

This year there is a new hot target for thieves — the 2009 Toyota Venza. It replaces the 2000 Honda Civic SiR, which was last year's number one stolen vehicle.

The top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada are:

Government introducing new passports in 2012

by Contributor on 12 Dec 2011
in
Government introducing new passports in 2012

Passport Canada will start issuing higher-security electronic passports, or ePassports, to Canadians next year. With the ePassport, Canadians will have the option of getting a new, security-enhanced passport that is valid for five years, starting next year, or a 10-year passport, starting in early 2013.

Today, in accordance with the User Fees Act, Passport Canada is unveiling its new fee-for-service proposal to accompany the new 10-year ePassport. Canadians are invited to have their say on this proposal.

It’s the economy, dippers

by Murray Dobbin on 09 Dec 2011
in
It’s the economy, dippers

The NDP leadership race suddenly seems like a very long, drawn out affair. Initially, there was much outrage – especially from Thomas Mulcair – at the suggestion that the party go along with what Jack Layton seemed to want: an earlier leadership convention in January. But now many in the party, lead by Winnipeg MP Pat Martin worry that the party’s performance in the Commons is suffering because many of its strongest MPs are out of their critic roles and pre-occupied with the race.

MORTGAGE TRENDS: Short-term rates stay put

by Contributor on 08 Dec 2011
in
MORTGAGE TRENDS: Short-term rates stay put

Canada’s key interest rate will end 2011 unchanged.

 

The Bank of Canada (BoC) left its policy rate at 1.00 percent this week, as anticipated.

 

In a statement, the Bank said European economic performance will be worse than expected, Canadian and United States growth are “slightly” better than expected, and inflation will “ease.”

It added: “With the target interest rate near historic lows and the financial system functioning well, there is considerable monetary policy stimulus in Canada.”

First Nations network condemns newly revealed RCMP surveillance of Indigenous communities, activists

by Contributor on 07 Dec 2011
in
First Nations network condemns newly revealed RCMP surveillance of Indigenous communities, activists

The Defenders of the Land (DotL), a network of Indigenous Communities, today condemned reports that in 2007, the Harper government established a national and international police surveillance network to spy on Indigenous Peoples and their supporters for defending Indigenous Peoples' self-determination and land rights. The RCMP surveillance operation shared its findings with private industry.

Fox News North: Your national, pro-war TV network

by Murray Dobbin on 05 Dec 2011
in
Fox News North: Your national, pro-war TV network

You will no doubt recall the controversy surrounding the efforts of Quebec billionaire Pierre Peladeau to get a prized licence for his Sun News TV network. If he had succeeded, the cable companies would have been obliged to carry his extremist right wing news channel, dubbed by many as “Fox News North.” In the end, the CRTC stood up to the bullying of this aggressive supporter of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives and everything Republican. They received a license – but cable companies can take it or leave it in regarding offering it to customers.

 

Atamanenko seeks to give Conscientious Objectors the right to stop paying for war

by Contributor on 28 Nov 2011
in
Atamanenko seeks to give Conscientious Objectors the right to stop paying for war

Alex Atamanenko, MP (BC Southern Interior), introduced a Private Members Bill in the House of Commons today that would give conscientious objectors an official sanction to spend their taxes on nonviolent alternatives to war.

Bill C-363, would allow Canadians, who object to paying taxes for military purposes on conscientious or religious grounds, to divert an amount equal to the military portion of their income tax to a special account that could only be allocated to non-military peace-building purposes. 

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