Blogs

rabble blogs are the personal pages of some of Canada's most insightful progressive activists and commentators. All opinions belong to the writer; however, writers are expected to adhere to our guidelines. We welcome new bloggers -- contact us for details.
Blog - The Gaza solidarity blog October 19
Illustration created using a wiki image by Howard the Duck with other open-source and public domain elements.
No UN Security Council seat for Canada without foreign policy change
David Heap | The Liberals' ongoing bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council provides an opportunity to send a message to whoever forms the next federal government.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 19
Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist, at the start of a large march through Edmonton yesterday. Image: David J. Climenhaga
Massive Edmonton rally greets eco-activist Greta Thunberg
David J. Climenhaga | It would have been a remarkable accomplishment for any group to summon a throng of the size that enthusiastically greeted 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg in Edmonton.
Blog - rabble.ca's staff blog October 19
A journalist to cut through the crisis in media democracy
Kim Elliott | Week in and week out, Karl Nerenberg delivers exclusive reporting from the Hill, and it's readers just like you who keep him there.
Blog - A change is gonna come October 18
Antonio Banderas as Salvador. Image: Manolo Pavón/El Deseo/Mongrel Media. Courtesy Sony Pictures Classics.
'Pain and Glory' sets inclusive tone for Art Gallery of Hamilton Film Festival
Doreen Nicoll | "Pain and Glory" is a beautiful tribute to celebrating the reaffirmation of one's sexual identity.
Blog - Taking Sides October 18
Image: Marcus Spiske/Unsplash
Unlocking encryption: who watches the watchers?
Philip Lee | Encryption is supposed to ensure that information stays private by scrambling data. In practice, security forces and corporate interests are keen to be able to crack any code.
Blog - The Views Expressed October 18
Paul Taylor. Image: Sandro Pehar. Used wth permission.
New food insecurity research says it's black and white and not pretty
Paul Taylor | The research identifies that the higher prevalence of food insecurity among households with Black respondents is simply because they are Black. It's not caused by anything else.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 18
Heather McPherson, the federal NDP's candidate in Edmonton Strathcona, and former Alberta NDP leader Brian Mason. Image: Heather McPherson for Edmonton Strathcona/Facebook
Edmonton Strathcona voters should support NDP, says former Alberta NDP leader Brian Mason
David J. Climenhaga | Former Alberta NDP leader Brian Mason didn't mention Notley by name, but her recent suggestion she might not vote NDP because of the federal party's pipeline policy obviously didn't impress him.
Blog - Indigenous Nationhood October 18
Still from debate livestream. Image: Global News/YouTube
Indigenous issues largely absent from 2019 election
Pamela Palmater | Reconciliation cannot be achieved if its lifespan is dictated by what carries political currency in each election. The party leaders all have a legal and moral obligation to do better.
Blog - The Views Expressed October 17
Image: Jyrki Huusko/Flickr
From climate to health, spread of 5G networks poses multiple risks
Andrea Loken | The energy consumption of data transmitted wirelessly is immense and growing rapidly with the increased use of expanding wireless networks.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 17
Sixteen-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg in Calgary yesterday. Image: Druh Farrell/Twitter
Gretamania strikes Alberta as activist Greta Thunberg arrives in Calgary
David J. Climenhaga | Sixteen-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg will lead a lunch-hour march tomorrow from a downtown Edmonton park to the nearby Alberta legislature.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 17
Michael Kalmanovitch back in the day, campaigning for the Green Party of Canada. Image: Michael Kalmanovitch for Edmonton Strathcona/Facebook
Green party candidate drops out in Edmonton Strathcona, urges supporters to switch to NDP
David J. Climenhaga | Within hours of Michael Kalmanovitch's announcement he was dropping out, the Greens issued a statement saying he was is no longer a member of the party.
Blog - Viewpoint: Reproductive Justice October 17
Green party canvasser in B.C. Image: Vancouver Ghost/Wikimedia Commons
Election woes: balancing reproductive justice with combating climate change
Tina S. Beier | How one voter's worries over climate change and reproductive justice are complicating her decision about who she will vote for in the federal election on October 21.
Blog - The Views Expressed October 16
Image: Jim McIntyre from Citizens for Public Justice via United Church/Flickr
Ending poverty is more than an election talking point
Alexandra Zannis | What does it mean to say we want to end poverty in Canada? More than an act of charity, this is a question of basic rights.
Blog - David Suzuki October 16
Greta Thunberg speaks at Fridays for Future protest in Berlin in July 2019. Image: Leonhard Lenz/Wikimedia Commons
We owe Greta and the youth more than a Nobel Prize
David Suzuki | Greta and the young people worldwide urging adults to care about their future don't need awards. They need grown-ups to take them seriously and heed the scientific evidence about global warming.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 15
Doug O'Halloran, 1952-2019. Image: Dave Cournoyer
Alberta union leader Doug O'Halloran never shied from tough fights for his members
David J. Climenhaga | A statement from UFCW 401 president Thomas Hesse and secretary treasurer Richelle Stewart said, "it is hard to express how saddened we are by the loss of our great brother, Douglas."
Blog - The Views Expressed October 15
Still from debate livestream. Image: YouTube
Party leaders ignore crucial facts and figures in election debates
Ed Finn | The depletion of tax revenue through profligate business bounties is a cunningly devised strategy, giving political leaders the excuse that they simply don't have the means to improve social services.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 15
Heather McPherson, the federal NDP candidate in Edmonton Strathcona. Image: David J. Climenhaga
Where did pollsters find the elusive Liberals of Edmonton Strathcona?
David J. Climenhaga | Does the Mainstreet poll of voter intentions in the Edmonton Strathcona federal riding indicate a real trend, or is it an outlier for whatever reasons?
Blog - A change is gonna come October 15
Colten Boushie's family at press conference. Image: National Film Board
Journeys of healing and justice featured at Hamilton film festival
Doreen Nicoll | Fall has descended and it's time to cocoon with a good movie. Luckily, the 11th annual Art Gallery of Hamilton Film Festival gets underway this week.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 14
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. Image: Anders Hellberg/Wikimedia Commons
Kenney government opts for sophomoric tweets to counter visit by Greta Thunberg
David J. Climenhaga | Environmental activist Greta Thunberg appears content to give the Kenney government a few days to work itself into a full-blown swivet before she announces her Alberta itinerary.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 13
Greta Thunberg. Image: European Parliament/Flickr
Greta Thunberg heads for Wild Rose Country
David J. Climenhaga | At the time this was written, no one in Alberta seems to know when or where Thunberg will arrive.
Blog - Linda Leon's Blog October 13
A natural gas well in Louisiana. Image: Daniel Foster/Flickr
Deconstructing CAPP's energy platform
Linda Leon | Of all of the political parties running in this election, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) was the first to release its election platform.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 12
Alberta Labour Minister Jason Copping. Image: Government of Alberta/Flickr
Want to bust your Alberta union? Your government will give you one hour's free legal advice!
David J. Climenhaga | It's unclear whether the client in these circumstances would be the union member on the line or the Government of Alberta.
Blog - rabble.ca's staff blog October 11
Image: Pxhere
We are seeking an Opinions Editor!
rabble staff | rabble is currently hiring for an Opinions Editor. The deadline for applications is November 1. Read on for more details.
Blog - Brent Patterson October 11
Image: Ficamazonia/Facebook
Protecting the Amazon rainforest from fracking
Brent Patterson | Indigenous communities in Colombia want to protect the Amazon rainforest from fracking.
Blog - Taking Sides October 11
People on the streets of Tokyo. Image: Jason Ortego/Unsplash
Facial recognition technology requires better oversight
Philip Lee | As facial recognition becomes more and more common, there are also growing concerns about the gender and racial bias embedded in many systems.
Blog - Alberta Diary October 11
Alberta Energy Minister and Canadian Energy Centre Ltd. Director Sonya Savage, at left. Image: David J. Climenhaga
Kenney government sets up war room as private corporation to dodge FOIP requests
David J. Climenhaga | Structuring Alberta's "energy war room" as a private corporation to avoid FOIP requests sounds like a shady dodge; Kenney government says "foreign-funded special interests" made them do it.
Blog - Pulpit and Politics October 11
Climate strikers on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Image: Dennis Gruending
Accusations of hypocrisy aim to disable climate activists
Dennis Gruending | Some critics say anyone who uses fossil fuels is a hypocrite if they engage in climate activism. Such accusations are disingenuous and meant to shame and disable people.
Blog - The Views Expressed October 10
National Assembly of Quebec. Image: Paul VanDerWerf/Flickr
Failure of our political parties to take action against Quebec's Bill 21 shameful
Ed Finn | The furor over Bill 21 caused a brief stir during the opening weeks of the election. But the issue has since faded and is not likely to affect the voting outcome for any of the parties.
Blog - Brent Patterson October 10
Image: Talia Woodin/Extinction Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion honours land defenders killed for protecting the environment
Brent Patterson | Extinction Rebellion makes an important link with the deadly struggle for climate justice in the Global South.
Blog - The Views Expressed October 10
Former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Image: Chiloa/Wikimedia Commons
Bill 21 -- new battles, old wars
Abdul Nakua | Reflecting on the divisive debate in Quebec about religious symbols and the passing of Bill 21, I remember an epiphany which reveals how old battles are influencing new ones.

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