The #EnemyGate scandal
This week in the ongoing public relations battle over the tar sands, leaked government documents revealed that the Canadian government has declared First Nations, environmentalists and their allies "enemies of the state." In so doing, the PMO is:
What's next on Harper's chopping block?
After eliminating the Long Gun Registry and reversing Same-Sex Marriage rights for non-Canadians, what will be the next piece of progressive legislation on the chopping block?
What was the biggest story of 2011?
So much has happened this year, both in Canada and around the world, and we at rabble would like to know what you think was the most important story of 2011. We agree, it's tough choice.
rabble's news editor picked 29 stories that stood out for her. They can be linked to here.
All the best of the holiday season to all of rabble.ca's readers, writers, and babblers! See you next year!
Ethics, Ottawa and swearing
Golden Liberal and Three Musketeers wannabe Justin Trudeau let fly with the s-bomb in Parliament earlier this week after environment minister Peter Kent gave a condescending and misleading response to a question from NDP MP Megan Leslie about the Kyoto Accord pullout. All Opposition MPs had been prevented by Kent from attending the UN climate change conference in South Africa, but the minister ignored this, suggesting Leslie should have been there if she had questions.
What do you think of Peter Kent being called a "piece of shit" in the House?
The Harper government lets down the world at COP17. How should we respond?
The Canadian government is letting the world down at the United Nations climate change talks (COP17) now taking place in Durban, South Africa.
According to the Climate Action Network Canada, 100 per cent of Canada's increases in fossil fuel emissions by 2020 will come from Alberta's tar sands, and Canada has said it will not meet its Kyoto targets. And insult was added to injury with rumours on the first day of COP17 that Canada will pull out of Kyoto before Christmas. Environment minister Peter Kent is neither confirming or denying this.
How should Canadians respond to their government's failed response to climate change?
What's next for Occupy?
The Occupy Wall Street camp in New York has been under attack all week, other Occupy camps in Halifax, London, ON, and elsewhere have also faced violent eviction -- and Occupy Vancouver and Occupy Toronto are in court to fight a similar fate. What do you think should happen next?
What do you think of the Bill C-10, the omnibus crime bill?
The omnibus crime bill, Bill C-10, is now being pushed through by the Harper Conservatives, composed of legislation it couldn't pass with a minority government, and covers issues ranging from drug use to migrants. It also brings in mandatory sentences for a wide variety of offenses, leading to greater criminalization in Canadian society.
Leadnow.ca has put together an online to petition to fight this bill and apply pressure to the government. Check it out here.
The Occupy movement comes to Canada. What does it mean to you?
Next week, the Occupy Wall Street movement is due to break into flower across Canada, with similar protests planned across the country. Find out where and more information here.
The movement means different things to different people. What does it mean to you?
What does the Supreme Court ruling on Insite mean for Canada?
Insite, the supervised drug injection site in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, won a groundbreaking Supreme Court of Canada decision on Friday, Sept. 30. In a unanimous 9-0 rulling, the federal government was ordered to stop interfering with the clinic.
What does this mean for Canada?
