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It was an eventful year in rabble columns, with insights and analysis from some of the leading progressive voices in Canada. In 2013 our columnists spoke out about a range issues affecting Canadians, including Indigenous rights, austerity, abortion rights, climate change, Islamophobia, politics and much, much more. Here, we look back at the year in columns and highlight some of the top picks each month. For a complete selection of our columns year-round, check out our columns section!
January
Indigenous rights and the duty to consult
In January, Frog Lake First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation launched judicial review cases in the Federal Court to challenge the passage of the now infamous federal government omnibus budget bills. In the Pro Bono legal column, Paula Boutis examines the concept of “duty to consult” as a powerful tool for First Nations and considers what it means for these cases and for Indigenous rights as a whole.
Time for a paradigm revolution: Seeking an alternative to neoliberalism
What is a persuasive, sustainable, socially just, employment-producing alternative to the neoliberal economic model? Thomas Ponniah says this is the key question of our generation and it’s time to seriously contemplate it.
February
This year, Canada celebrated 25 years of no abortion law. To mark the occasion, Joyce Arthur put together a selection of key works describing the history of the pro-choice campaign, the role of Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the Supreme Court decision, the benefits of having no abortion law, and some personal stories.
March
Freedom of expression for federal librarians and archivists under attack
Although federal public servants have always had a limited right to freedom of expression, certain employees have been subjected to increasingly strict policies which govern their behaviour. Priya Sarin looks at the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression for federal librarians and archivists under the Harper government.
Embodying the transformation of Idle No More: In conversation with Leanne Simpson
Naomi Klein speaks with writer, spoken-word artist and indigenous academic Leanne Betasamosake Simpson about “extractivism,” climate change and what’s next for Idle No More.
The ecstasy and the agony of Canadian pensions
David Agnew puts Canadian pensions and pension systems under the microscope, and asks: when will Canada catch up with the world by taking steps to bring the pension security of retired Canadians up to date?
The cluster bombs of Boston and drone strikes of Yemen
In his analysis following the Boston Marathon bombing, Matthew Behrens argues that the suspects in the bombing were acting no differently than a general in the Pentagon when they detonated a crude version of weapons that are a regular part of many a military arsenal.
May
A number is never just a number: What price, austerity?
Trish Hennessy looks at the high price of austerity in Canada, noting that there will be an estimated $11.8 billion in government spending cuts by 2014-15 due to the last three austerity budgets.
Design for Democracy: Parks over planes, planes over people
Elizabeth Littlejohn asks why Porter, or any airline, is allowed to expand its operations over treasured public assets — our parks and lakes — when it is duplicating international flights already provided by Pearson Airport.
Reinventing progressive politics
The political “game” has been designed not to represent the needs of people or communities but to manage capitalism in the interests of the elites, writes Murray Dobbin, which is why it’s time to change the system.
July
Alberta’s floods and corporate power in an age of climate disaster
Linda McQuaig connects the extensive flooding in Alberta this past summer to a dramatic rise in corporate power in recent decades, and suggests that perhaps the only thing more stunning than Alberta’s flooding has been the realization that not even a disaster of this magnitude seems sufficient to break the torpor surrounding climate change.
August
Artist probes surveillance and limits of privacy
June Chua looks at artist Kate McQuillen’s work “Backscatter,” which was triggered by stories she read in 2012 about the extent of the U.S. government’s wiretapping program.
Examining Harper’s record and spotting a fake economic recovery
The numbers in Stephen Harper’s economic record don’t add up, says Duncan Cameron, but Harper does not expect Canadians to discover that job performance has been poor and that the economy is not improving, while the standard of living for most Canadians is declining.
September
Funny things keep happening on the way to the war on Syria
Jooneed Khan reflects on the war in Syria, noting that in the two-and-a-half years since the war began, funny things kept happening in global military unilateralism — and they just keep on accumulating.
October
Theatre of the Fiscally Absurd: Auditions now open to run government finances
For Ellen Russell, the throne speech was just one more glamorous soliloquy to remind us who to credit when the hero triumphs just in time to enhance the Conservatives’ fortunes in the next election.
Islamophobia or anti-Muslim sentiment? Uncovering the roots of anti-Muslim discourse
Monia Mazigh writes that the debate around the veil or the burqa is not the real culprit behind the sharp rise in anti-Muslim sentiment; it is just the symptom of a tense climate poisoned by an industry that’s not easily identifiable.
November
Free trade with Europe in GM crops: A CETA deal-breaker?
Ole Hendrickson looks at a potentially serious obstacle to completing the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union that has received limited attention: genetically modified (GM) crops.
Seen from the hinterlands: Left could grasp defeat from jaws of victory in Ford debacle
The Rob Ford debacle may be humiliating for most Canadians and Torontonians, writes Ish Theilheimer, but it also shows clearly how the Right manages to triumph frequently in the face of reason.
December
Why the wealthy are not like us: Capital gains, wealth and income distribution
Jim Stanford looks at wealth distribution and observes that if there was ever a reason for revolution in the streets, it should be the fact that wealthy Canadians pay tax on only half of the income they derive from flipping stocks, bonds and real estate.
Image: amy dame/flickr
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Nick Seebruch, editor
