Alert! Radio #202: Canada's surveillance society and the campaign against unions

| February 10, 2012

Show Notes:

On this episode of ALERT! we present a look at new legislation that increases the powers of law enforcement agencies to undermine citizens' privacy. We examine the aftermath of the closure of Caterpillar's Electro-Motive Diesel plant in London and its implications for labour, and we will hear concerns regarding the Conference of Defence Associations and the advice they are giving to the Canadian government.

(1:44-5:41) ALERT HEADLINES
(5:42-10:20) Around the Left-Events and activities of interest across Canada
(10:29-20:44) Michael Vonn - Micheal Vonn, Policy Director of the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association discusses soon-to-be introduced "lawful access" bills to expand police surveillance powers. The federal government has announced that it will soon be introducing legislation to increase the ability of police to intercept private communications and access more personal information stored electronically.
(21:26-31:56) Herman Rosenfeld - Canadian Dimension labour columnist Herman Rosenfeld analyses the anti-union campaign shaping up in Canada and laments about the weak state of the labour movement's opposition.
(32:03-43:55) Stephen Staples - Steven Staples, President of the Rideau Institute takes on pro-war lobbyists at the Conference of Defence Associations, part of an increasingly powerful national security establishment in Ottawa.
(44:27-58:39) Music is the Weapon - Mitch Podoluk plays his repertoire of four great cowboy songs.