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This week Canadians celebrated Canada Day. Canadian flag lick-n-stick tattoos and fireworks are fun and all, but rabble.ca Publisher Kim Elliot says Canada Day is also a time to “seriously reflect on the state of democracy across the country.” Wondering how you can help build a Harper-free Canada? Read Elliot’s piece here.

What is there to celebrate on Canada Day in Stephen Harper’s Canada? Lizanne Foster says, not much. Foster outlines a few reasons why, under Conservative government, celebrating Canada Day is not the same as it use to be. 

Jennifer Henry says she places her pride in what Canadians can become. The Truth and Reconcilation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action summary report was released this year sparking a national conversation surrounding Canada’s history of colonial genocide against First Nations. Henry says healing, change, action, and transformation is possible for Canadians.

From the fight against Bill C-51 to the fight for environmental protection, Canadians have put up a solid battle against Conservative government. Maya Bhullar urges Canadians to “keep on fighting for the Canada we want.” Bhullar encourages Canadians to continue to fight and join in on a call for action on Jobs, Justice, and Climate across Canada on July 4 and in Toronto on July 5. Also, Judy Rebick says Jobs, Justice, and Climate is the first action in Canada that links jobs with climate change and social justice. Read Rebick’s reflections on the movement here.  

Also this week on rabble.ca blogs, Michael Stewart reflects on vocabulary shaming against women. Stewart discusses why women are often subjected to constant grammatical policing, whereas, men are unlikely to be questioned. Read Stewart’s thoughts and reviews here.

It has been eight years that the Gaza Strip has been held in an illegal and total military blockade by Israel. Tyler Levitan, Judith Deutsch, and Rabbi David Mivasair of Jewish Voices Canada say the inhumanity of the Gaza blockade needs to end now.  The third international Freedom Flotilla set sail towards Gaza to break Israel’s illegal military blockade. On June 29, however, the Gaza bound Freedom Flotilla II was seized by the Israel navy. All of the passengers have been detained including two Canadians, Bob Lovelace and Kevin Neish.

Greece has made history as the first developed nation to default on its IMF imposed debt payments. Raluca Bejan travelled to Greece during this historical moment. Read about Bejan’s experience of landing in Athens on the Greek default day here.

 

Lenée Son is a freelance multimedia journalist living in Metro Vancouver and the rabble.ca Blogs intern.

Image: Flickr/JasonParis

Lenée Son

Lenée Son

I am a freelance writer and photojournalist based in the Vancouver area. I have a strong interest in social issues pertaining to race, gender, and human rights. Especially as a woman of colour and...