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By Richard Hughes, on May 15, 2013, at 11:28 am Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
Christy’ the ‘Campaigner’ Cleaned Our Clocks!
Status quo politics have little resonance with the majority and they stayed home in droves.
The disconnect on the centre-left side of the political spectrum cannot be ignored any longer.
Now the NDP must get back to where they once belonged. It is time to reinvent themselves and get back to a more engaging style of politics.
They have not offered a relevant option to the voters. There was no emotion, no hope, no vision.
Adrian Dix was honourable, cautious and chose the intellectual high road. That approach while (Read more…)
By Guest Blog, on May 6, 2013, at 4:34 pm Note: CETA negotiations continue in Brussels today (May 6) through at least Wednesday. By: Council of Canadians | Press Release: Amsterdam/Brussels/Ottawa – The proposed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union (EU) and Canada would grant energy companies far-reaching rights to challenge bans and regulations of environmentally damaging shale gas [...]
The post CETA: EU-Canada trade agreement threatens fracking bans appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
By Greg Fingas, on May 6, 2013, at 9:51 am Miscellaneous material to start your week.
- As would-be frackers show us exactly why it’s dangerous to give the corporate sector a veto over government action, Steven Shrybman suggests that corporations are mostly doing only what we’d expect in exploiting agreements designed to prioritize profits over people: Canadian businesses are simply playing by the rules of free trade which encourages the outsourcing of everthing that isn’t glued to the local Tim Hortons or the tar sands (to cite two prominent examples): that means value-added processing (where the jobs are) of natural resources that are simply ripped and shipped to the (Read more…)
By Christine, on May 3, 2013, at 10:39 am * Dr. Sandra Steingraber is a biologist, a mother, and a cancer survivor. She recently went to jail for 15 days after being sentenced for trespassing on a gas compression rig last month owned by the Inergy gas company, near her home in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. As a fellow mother, [...]
By Nick Fillmore, on April 10, 2013, at 6:57 pm I have written this piece in an attempt to evaluate the actual contribution to society of a prominent Canadian who espouses extreme right-wing views. I feel it is important, from time to time, to compare actual performance to stated principles. If you find this critique of interest, please send the link to others. Nick One of the champions of Canada’s right-wing corporate elite is finally calling it quits.
Gwyn Morgan, 66, is stepping down in May as Board Chairman of SNC-Lavalin, the troubled, giant engineering and construction firm trying to survive a series of scandals, a lack of public confidence, and fluctuating share values.
(Read more…)
By Obert Madondo, on April 4, 2013, at 5:37 pm With Great Lakes at record low levels, Council of Canadians national chairperson Maude Barlow intensifies call for bold new vision to protect them By: Council of Canadians | Press Release: Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians and chair of Food and Water Watch’s board, is embarking on an seven-city [...]
The post Maude Barlow’s bold new vision to protect the Great Lakes appeared first on The Canadian Progressive | News & Analysis.
By Greg Fingas, on March 31, 2013, at 12:04 pm This and that for your Sunday reading.
- Sunny Freeman reports on the Canadian Foundation for Labour Rights’ study into the effects of anti-labour legislation: The CFLR argues that [right-to-free-ride] laws would contribute to greater income disparity by undermining union strength and rights to collective bargaining, which they say leads to improved wages and benefits for employees.
The authors cited statistics suggesting that the wage premium for Canadian unionized workers over non-unionized employees in comparable jobs is between seven and 14 per cent. Workers in U.S. states that have adopted the laws earn an average of $1,500 less annually
. . . → Read More: Accidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
By Guest Blog, on March 22, 2013, at 6:59 am By: Council of Canadians | Press Release: In response to the federal budget, representatives of the Council of Canadians made the following comments: “This budget fails Canadians. It continues a privatization agenda for water, a trade agenda that doesn’t equate to job growth, a health care agenda that will cut billions [...]
The post Federal Budget 2013 fails Canadians, says Council of Canadians appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
By Guest Blog, on March 14, 2013, at 3:56 pm By: Council of Canadians (Press Release) With the next federal budget fast approaching, the 2013 Alternative Federal Budget (AFB), Doing Better Together, released today, warns that the “Harper government’s cuts to the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) and other critical environmental programs will hinder the ability to develop freshwater policies and respond to threats to [...]
By The Arbourist, on March 4, 2013, at 8:06 am Horizontal hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is fighting with coal mining for the title of worst possible method of resource extraction. Fracking ruins the environment and kills people. It is profitable at the moment though, so you can guess why it is so darned popular. Plus, in the US, people are desperate to feed their families and will take the dangerous jobs to make ends meet. Walter Brasch from Counterpunch writes about the consequences of fracking in his article titled “Life and Death in the Frack Zone”.
“José Lara just wanted a job.
A company working in the natural
. . . → Read More: Dead Wild Roses: Getting Fracked – The Latest Rage in Moonscaping the Earth
By EclecticLip, on February 26, 2013, at 1:17 pm Former US Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s recent resignation — his farewell letter is here — is no doubt celebrated in the fuel cell quarters as passionately (or more so) than it is mourned in the rest of cleantech. Early in his term, Chu infamously argued (infamously, at least, to fuel cell enthusiasts) that fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV’s) needed four miracles for commercial success, namely:
most hydrogen comes from natural gas (so why not just use that as a fuel?) improvements in hydrogen storage were needed fuel cells needed to improve there was no distribution system in . . . → Read More: Eclectic Lip: Steven Chu’s “Time to Fix the Wiring” at four years
By Richard Hughes, on February 24, 2013, at 6:11 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
The Tyee series on energy continues, several from the series appear ‘On the Left Side.’ This episode features highly respected geologist David Hughes analysis. It is markedly different than the spin that we are getting from politicians of all flavours.
Our politicians behaviour reminds of the classic trap that gamblers fall into. They would rather be in the game and lose than not play at all.
Only Wall Street will win in this ponzi scheme.
Here is Andrew Nikiforuk’s latest.
By Richard Hughes, on February 20, 2013, at 5:57 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
The more the politicians of all stripes and flavours proclaim the harmless benefits of fracking, producing and shipping bitumen to wherever there is a market the more that you know they are full of it. Bullshit slides smoother than bitumen!
Check this out!
CBC coverage (video) and an audio follow up by reporter Briar Stewart.
By Guest Blog, on February 19, 2013, at 9:24 am By Dr. David Suzuki | Published by Troy Media on Feb. 13, 2013: When the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform exploded in 2010, killing 11 people and spewing massive amounts of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, it cost more than $40 billion to mop up the mess. In Canada, an oil company would be liable for only $30 million, READ MORE
By Richard Hughes, on February 19, 2013, at 1:28 am Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
You know we really do live in Lotus land, or is it Bananaland? We have a Premier so out of control she can’t even manage her caucus, leaks everywhere in the pointy buildings, rumours of staff being instructed to prepare for a surprise election call on February 28th and well an Oil and Gas Commission with the transparency of a brick wall.
The Vancouver Sun’s Gordon Hoekstra tells that all is not well, actually fracking God Awful over at Oil & Gas.
The BC Libs and BC NDP are both slavering over the imaginary wealth coming our
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: B.C. Oil and Gas Commission Lacks ‘transparency’ on Fracking Violations
By Richard Hughes, on February 18, 2013, at 6:41 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
Lately it seems that the politics of ‘Climate Change’ is like the classic children’s story ‘Alice in Wonderland. The roles have changed as if we are guests at the ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.’
Instead of the Americans dragging their feet it is in fact right here in Canada where our governments have rolled over for the Oil and Gas Industry Lobbyists!
In BC and Alberta we have divorced any notion of reducing our ecological footprint and shouldering our share of the responsibilities to the planet and future generations.
Our Prime Minister Stephen Harper is happily gutting
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: Tens of Thousands Rally to Urge Obama to Move “Forward on Climate”
By LeDaro, on February 14, 2013, at 2:19 pm CBC “The Nature of Things” David Suzuki describes the dangers of fracking- environmental pollution, water pollution and even earthquakes result from fracking. Below is an excerpt from the program.
By Richard Hughes, on February 11, 2013, at 7:42 pm Richard Hub Hughes-Political Blogger
Let’s face it folks politics and governance in BC has become soiled by the top down control mechanisms and practices of all of BC’s political parties.
Many of those who have really been involved see that quickly, well not all, many choose to turn a blind eye if the cards are turning up in their favour.
When I say any I am including the BC Conservatives and BC Greens. We always are more tuned into the sins of the BC Liberals and BC NDP but they do not have a lock on undemocratic methods and practices
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: All BC Political Parties Need A Democratic Shakeup!
By Richard Hughes, on February 6, 2013, at 11:26 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
As the Fracking Fever continues across Canada and the US it seems that our Federal Commissioner Scott Vaughn is taking a look into it.
This should be fascinating considering who signs his paycheque, but we will see. (Videos)
Chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process — commonly called fracking — were of particular concern to Environment Commissioner Scott Vaughan in his last report as auditor of Canadian environmental regulations that was tabled today in the House of Commons.
Take a look at these videos and reports from the CBC
By Richard Hughes, on January 26, 2013, at 1:17 pm Richard Hughes PoliticalBlogger
Energy Giant Encana met a woman who was not about to be pushed around by industry or compliant government regulators. Landowner Jessica Ernst has launched a Multi-million dollar lawsuit against the EnCana and Alberta government regulators over water contamination.
Jessica Ernst is also telling her story to the United Nations in New York.
The outcome of this case could have far reaching ramifications for the residents and natural gas industry.
We have been lied to by Natural Gas Frackers from the get-go and residents have suffered the results of this dubious practice. Information 0f legal actions
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: Encana and Alberta Facing A Multi Million Dollar Lawsuit Over Fracking Damages
By Janice Plante, on January 22, 2013, at 5:07 pm Does everyone realize that a reply to a comment can only be 4,096 characters total? Well I didn’t know that since I’m still figuring out how all this blog stuff works, but I am learning all the time and will get there. Here is the link to the posting in reference in case you missed it the other day.
Some Thoughts on Idle No More Occupy The Parliament Buildings‘s photo. – I really like this photo.
Last night I started off writing a very long reply to a comment, but then it wouldn’t let me post it as . . . → Read More: Stop the Insanity: More Thoughts on Idle No More
By Christine, on January 22, 2013, at 6:58 am “No healthy community on this planet would allow hydraulic fracturing.” – Jessica Ernst Jessica Ernst is a scientist who has worked in the oil and gas industry. She discovered first hand the consequences of hydraulic fracturing in her town of Rosebud, Alberta, Canada. This interview was conducted while Ms. Ernst was visiting Michigan to warn [...]
By Richard Hughes, on January 16, 2013, at 11:14 pm Richard Hughes PoliticalBlogger
Fracking is a ‘Mugs Game’ and it is risky, no foolhardy, to gamble with our groundwater and yet industry has managed easily enough to pressure EPA officials in the US to back off from a study showing pollution resulted directly to fracking operations.
Check out this excellent report ftom Des Smog Blog.
By Richard Hughes, on January 11, 2013, at 3:48 pm Idle No More
The Common Sense Canadian, an excellent online blog, is shepherded along by Damien Gillis and Rafe Mair. Along with an impressive stable of contributing writers they have become one of the leading forces speaking up for the environmental destruction realized from run of the river power projects, open net fish farms, numerous pipeline projects, fracking, the threat to farmland over the threat of actually completing the controversial Site ‘C’ Dam.
Politicians are fair game and holding their feet to the fire generally falls to Rafe an old hand in the political arena who was himself an Environment Minister in the
. . . → Read More: Cowichan Conversations: For Frack Sakes!
By Richard Hughes, on January 8, 2013, at 9:52 pm Richard Hughes-Political Blogger
BC’s ever growing independent documentary film efforts are filling a void that screams for credible alternate assessments of our approach to the threats faced by the largely man made actions.
Damien Gillis of the Commonsense Canadian has been at the forefront and is a promoter of native film maker Caleb Behn’s upcoming look at the threats and impacts faced today.
Check it out and consider contributing towards the costs of bringing the ‘Fractured Land’ documentary to completion. (VIDEO)
This is a most worthwhile undertaking and well worth a few minutes of your time.
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