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B.C. Election brings frustration to labour, indigenous and environmental activists | May 24 2013 | Roger Annis |

It's rabble.ca's annual membership drive! If you like this article, please consider becoming a member or increasing your level of support. The May 14 general election in British Columbia was a setback to progressive political forces in the province and throughout Canada. The incumbent B.C. Liberals won a fourth straight term, winning 50 seats with 44 per cent of the vote, compared to 33 seats and 40 per cent for the opposition New Democratic Party.

The NDP and the left in Nova Scotia | May 24 2013 | David Bush |

It's rabble.ca's annual membership drive! If you like this article, please consider becoming a member or increasing your level of support. A recent rabble.ca opinion piece by Chris Brisbane entitled, "Nova Scotia: Why a Dexter NDP government defeat would be a progressive victory" got me thinking about how the left in Nova Scotia should debate and orient towards the NSNDP.

Harper spins Canadian mining in Peru | May 23 2013 | Brent Patterson |

There are numerous controversial gold, silver and copper mining projects driven by Canadian companies in Peru. These mines include Barrick Gold's Pierina gold mine near Mareniyoc, Candente Copper Corp's proposed Cañariaco Norte copper mine in the Lambayeque region, the proposed Conga gold and copper mine in northern Peru, and the proposed open-pit Laguna Sur mine.

Activist Communique: Power in the name -- the reclaiming of PKOLS (Mount Douglas) | May 22 2013 | Krystalline Kraus |

On May 22 at 5 p.m., a powerful renaming ceremony will take place in British Columbia. Name and Blood both hold important power of identity for First Nations communities, as many seek to take back both language and landscape. Indigenous activists and their allies have been working hard on a campaign to reclaim and reinstate the traditional name of the mountain known now as Mount Douglas, and along with it, reclaim the area where the Douglas Treaties were first signed in British Columbia, Canada. May 22, 2013, at 5 p.m., Mount Douglas will be known as PKOLS. PKOLS Mountain -- pronounced p'cawls -- according to Indigenous tongue -- is translated into "White Rock" or "White Head".

Elle Canada makes strides towards diversity: A look at the June issue | May 21 2013 | Emily Yakashiro |

The Closet Feminist is the newest addition to rabble.ca's blogging network. TCF focuses on the intersections (or lack thereof) between fashion, style, dressing-up and feminism. We hope you like this smartly dressed and smartly written blog that examines the connections between what we wear and what we mean.

New Babble Book Club selection: 'Godless but Loyal to Heaven' by Richard Van Camp | May 21 2013 | Kaitlin McNabb |

Babble Book Club's next selection is Godless But Loyal to Heaven by Canadian author Richard Van Camp. Godless But Loyal to Heaven is a story collection that captures the contemporary realities of a fictionalized north and is deeply rooted in traditional Native life. The interwoven stories blend lyrical prose with brutal sharpness and create vibrant characters, vast landscapes and unforgettable moments. Published by Great Plains Publication imprint, Enfield & Wizenty, based in Manitoba, Godless But Loyal to Heaven continues Van Camp's remarkable reputation as a talented storyteller and author. Praise for Godless but Loyal to Heaven:

Stephen Harper needs to answer for Mike Duffy | May 19 2013 | Elizabeth May |

There are so many questions raised by the disclosure, by the Prime Minister's Office no less, that the Chief of Staff cut a personal cheque to cover Mike Duffy's illegitimate claims for a housing allowance in the place where he has been ordinarily resident for decades, that even to list them is a challenge. The problem with most of the questions is that they start a bit later in the scenario than they should. First up, was Mike Duffy promised a Senate seat if he worked really hard to sabotage the Liberals in the 2008 election?

Dangerous addictions: Toronto, right-wing hypocrisies and Rob Ford | May 18 2013 | Michael Laxer |

Another week in Toronto, and another scandal involving our sideshow of a mayor, Rob Ford. This latest one, in case somehow you have not heard, involves an apparent video of the mayor allegedly not only smoking crack cocaine but also using homophobic language to disparage Justin Trudeau and describing the players of the high school football team he coaches as "just fucking minorities".

Why did the NDP lose? | May 15 2013 | Nathan Crompton |

Adrian Dix and the NDP have been defeated in an election that was widely expected to yield a comfortable win for the centre-left party. Over the course of the month-long race, B.C. politics threw off the political intensity often associated with battles of left and right. Instead of attacking the B.C. Liberal record, Dix and the NDP chose a strategy of passive precaution, waiting for the other side to falter.

No fun? No point: Vancouver's political boredom | May 13 2013 | Michael Stewart |

It began with mild embarrassment. The developer-friendly Waldorf hotel, which maintained its vaguely artistic credentials despite hosting a chain Lebanese restaurant and a hair salon, was sold to a condominium company in spite of itself. Even Mayor Gregor Robertson seemed bemused, even sheepish. "To lose such a historic building would be a big blow," he muttered, eyes lowered, shuffling his John Fluevogs hither and thither. "We need to do what we can to protect it."

Photo: by Kim Elliott, flickr.com/rabbleca

First Nations don't count in Harper's Canada | May 12 2013 | Daniel Wilson |

One way to make a problem go away -- at least temporarily -- is to ignore it. It's also the way to make problems grow over time. For most governments, ignoring problems away isn't easy. It requires a thick skin in the face of criticism, a disengaged electorate, a compliant media, and a lack of immediate consequences. Sadly, those four conditions exist in Canada. In Stephen Harper's Canada, the art of wilful ignorance has reached new heights, muzzling independent voices where they can, while attacking those who dare challenge the PMO’s control. But to dumb down the dialogue and maintain policy based solely on populist ideology, you have to go after the information sources.

Rob Ford's confederacy of dunces: Doubling down on dumb on transit in the GTA | May 11 2013 | Michael Laxer |

If it were not so terribly serious, one could almost be amused by the latest sad battle cry of Toronto's deeply confused politicians, calling on the province to give them subways that they ultimately want no one, at all, to pay for. To paraphrase Dire Straits, they seem to want to get their money from nothing and their transit for free.

Activist Communique: Seeking Justice for Cheyenne Fox | May 11 2013 | Krystalline Kraus |

Members of Cheyenne Fox's family are demanding that Toronto police fairly look into her sudden, tragic death at twenty years of age and treat it like a homicide -- challenging the all- too-familiar neglect by police departments to investigate any suspicious First Nations woman death or disappearance -- as asserted by Operation Thunderbird. Cheyenne Fox was a member of the loon dodem from Sheguiandah First Nation in Ontario (Manitoulin Island) and is from a very politically active family. She is survived by a young son.

Why vote Green? | May 10 2013 | David Taub Bancroft |

In the fight against global climate change, we are currently approaching the endgame. The time for compromise has come and gone. A certain temperature increase is inevitable -- already "locked in" -- but if we are to have any chance of preventing runaway global warming and the destruction this would entail, then we need to start saying no right now to the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. Either we stay below the two-degree warming threshold or we don't. Politicians who only get us partway there are no better than those who don't even try.

Dear Enbridge: 'I will never allow you to make me your token native poster boy again' | May 9 2013 | Maryam Adrangi |

This is what Trevor Jang, a Wet'suwet'en youth said to Enbridge CEO Al Monaco yesterday at the Enbridge AGM in Calgary. When Trevor was 16, he won the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge which Enbridge sponsors. At the time, he didn’t realize who Enbridge was. After a photo shoot with company representatives, his photo was used in an Enbridge print ad displayed across Canada. He came to the Enbridge AGM yesterday as part of a delegation which included his chief, Chief Na’Moks of the Tsayu Clan of the Wet'suwet'en.

Most Recent Posts

Activist Communique: March Against Monstano - Toronto at 2:00 pm | May 25 2013 | Krystalline Kraus | On May 25, 2013, Torontonians and activists in more than 250 locations around the world will unite to MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO..

Film Review: The most fun I've ever had with my pants on | May 24 2013 | Christin Hoene | Drew Denny's semi-autobiographical road movie, showing at Inside Out this month, is a thoroughly enjoyable look at grief, friendship and loss.

Election fraud finding by Federal Court points directly at Conservative Party | May 24 2013 | Council of Canadians | The Federal Court has found in no uncertain terms that widespread election fraud took place during the 2011 federal election.

Wildrose deftly defuses robo-call crisis while federal Cons suffer Scotch verdict | May 24 2013 | David J. Climenhaga | The way they dealt with these superficially similar cases, you'd almost think the Harper Conservatives in Ottawa were the farm team, and the Wildrose Party in Alberta were the pros!

Who will tell the stories of democratic struggles across Canada and beyond? | May 24 2013 | rabble staff | At rabble we devote special attention to covering democracy movements in Canada and beyond, sharing the stories and struggles of people fighting for change. Supporting members help make this happen.

Who profits from blasting away water resources and valuable ecosystems? | May 24 2013 | Mary Galvin | Another true horror story for water and the environment: open cast mineral sand mining. This form of mining uses huge water cannons to send highly pressurized water to convert the soil to a slurry.

Viva Con! Hasta la Victoria Siempre con Conrad – putting the 'cross' back in Crossharbour! | May 23 2013 | David J. Climenhaga | So irascible has become Lord Black's incessant columnizing that one keeps expecting him to heap vitriol on restaurants too dimly lit to read the menu.

'Follow Sweden' on health care: Did the Fraser Institute finally get it right? | May 23 2013 | Adrienne Silnicki | The Fraser Institute claims to examine the Swedish health-care system and in the end concludes that Canada should scrap the Canada Health Act and privatize, privatize, privatize.

Rent: It's a racket | May 23 2013 | Michael Stewart | The Vancouver Rent Assembly, "A gathering of renters in a time of siege," examines and analyzes the concept and legitimacy of rent.

Lessons from the 2013 B.C. Election: What's a progressive research institute to do? | May 23 2013 | Seth Klein | Here are a few of the initial lessons I draw from the election, and what it means for a progressive research institute like the CCPA -- because I do think our work matters, more than ever.

Briefing from the frontlines of resistance to the TPP negotiations in Lima, Peru | May 23 2013 | Stuart Trew | On May 17, the Council of Canadians hosted a live broadcast from Lima where trade justice activists were attending a 17th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations that continue in the Peru.

Six key points for understanding Harper's Senate scandal | May 23 2013 | Karl Nerenberg | What did Harper know and when did he know it? Our parliamentary reporter looks at this and five other key points in the growing Senate expense scandal.

Tim Hudak looks to import anti-union politics from south of the border | May 22 2013 | Dave Coles | While Hudak claims to be promoting "worker choice,” attacking unions' financial security is designed to weaken a civil society critic and empower big business.

Pack the Senate with cheats, then call for reform, then take off for Peru? Good plan! | May 22 2013 | David J. Climenhaga | Unfortunately for the PM's "reform" talk, the only way to fix the Senate that will actually work is to abolish it.

Biased, lapdog investigations mean cover-up of Senate scandal likely, public inquiry needed | May 22 2013 | Democracy Watch | Biased, lapdog investigations mean cover-up of Senate scandal most likely outcome and public inquiry will be needed – Wright, Duffy should be found guilty of violating ethics rules

We already have enough facts to know Harper is the true author of Senate scandal | May 22 2013 | Karl Nerenberg | There is lots of talk about what Prime Minister Harper may or may not have known about the $90,000 his chief of staff gave Mike Duffy.

Peruvian campaign against TPP: 'Our Rights are Not Negotiable' | May 22 2013 | Stuart Trew | A broad-based coalition of Peruvian civil society launched a campaign and petition against the Trans-Pacific Partnership as a 17th round of TPP negotiations began in the capital city of Lima.

Trickle-down affordability and the city's 'Rental 100' program | May 22 2013 | Maria Wallstam, Tristan Markle | This week the city approved a subsidy exceeding 1 million dollars to a real estate corporation for a market housing development.

Don't let trade shut down the Internet: Weekly news update from OpenMedia.ca | May 22 2013 | Arielle dela Cruz Yip | Here is Arielle with the Weekly News Update from OpenMedia.ca, introducing Our Fair Deal Coalition.

Action needed to stop 'climate deniers' from winning the information war | May 21 2013 | Nick Fillmore | The global warming deniers are at it again, and it is high time that the environmental movement launched an organized campaign to expose these scientific community charlatans.

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