Dear Friends,
The whole country is watching as we prepare to select a new leader at this pivotal point in our history. To millions of progressive-minded Canadians, the NDP now represents the real alternative for change, thanks to the hard work of the late Jack Layton.
When I re-entered politics last year, I did so because I didn't like the way things were going in Ottawa. I didn't like the divisive nature of our politics and I felt compelled to do whatever I could to make a positive difference.
Press Release - For Immediate Release
Ottawa, ON (December 13, 2011) - UN will conduct inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada
(Ottawa) The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has decided to conduct an inquiry into the murders and disappearances of Aboriginal women and girls across Canada. The Committee, composed of 23 independent experts from around the world, is the UN's main authority on women's human rights. The Committee's decision was announced Tuesday by Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, President of the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), and Sharon McIvor of the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA).
Unceded Algonquin Territory/Ottawa, December 6, 2011 -- The Defenders of the Land (DotL), a network of Indigenous Communities, on Tuesday condemned reports that in 2007, the Harper government established a national and international police surveillance network to spy on Indigenous Peoples and their supporters for defending Indigenous Peoples' self-determination and land rights. The RCMP surveillance operation shared its findings with private industry.
November 30th, 2011
Calgary -- On the eve of the 17th UNFCCC, the world's climate summit, Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) and allies rallied outside of Shell Canada corporate headquarters in downtown Calgary. The chief and council served Shell executives papers with intent to sue for failure to meet contractual agreements made between Shell and the First Nation regarding existing tar sands projects within ACFN traditional territory and Canada's pristine Athabasca, A UNESCO heritage site. This event was followed by a press conference at the Kahanoff Center is Calgary, Alberta.
Group statement by 17 people charged with conspiracy during the G20 regarding a plea deal.
November 22, 2011 -- As people across Turtle Island look towards the global wave of protests against the austerity agenda, the memory of the 2010 G20 protests in Toronto looms large as both inspiration and caution.
We are 17 people accused by the state of planning to disrupt the leaders' summit -- the prosecutors call us the G20 Main Conspiracy Group.
For Immediate Release
2 Nov. 2011
Canadian and Irish ships set to challenge Israel's illegal blockade with
Freedom Waves to Gaza
The Canadian ship Tahrir and the Irish ship Saoirse have successfully reached international waters, marking the start of the Freedom Waves to Gaza campaign. The boats are currently in the Mediterranean Sea, preparing to sail for Gaza within a matter of hours.
For Immediate Release
Montreal, Nov. 1, 2011 - On Oct. 31, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted full membership to Palestine, despite the certainty that the U.S. would cut its funding -- 22 per cent of the agency's budget. The UNESCO membership bid, which required approval by two-thirds of the agency's general conference, passed by a vote of 107 to 14, with 52 abstentions. The U.S., Canada, Israel, Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany were among those who voted against, while China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa and India voted in favour. Huge cheers erupted in the UNESCO meeting hall when the Palestinian membership passed.
For Immediate Release
26 October 2011 (Markham) -- Greenpeace activists visited Clover Leaf Seafoods' Canadian headquarters this morning to return cases of the company's canned tuna products and deliver a platter of simulated marine life remains, representing the wasteful fisheries the company sources from.
"Canadian consumers deserve better than Clover Leaf's canned ocean destruction. As Canada's largest brand of unsustainably caught tuna, Clover Leaf can and should become a leader in responsible sourcing policies, as major European brands have already done," said Sarah King, Greenpeace oceans campaign coordinator. "Clover Leaf knows the tuna fisheries it sources from kill far more than just tuna and that there are greener options," added King.
October 24, 2011, Surrey, BC and New York, NY - After successfully lodging a private torture prosecution with a British Columbia court against former U.S. president George W. Bush as he visited Surrey for a paid speaking engagement, four torture victims have had their pursuit of justice blocked by the attorney general of B.C.
