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Another week has passed with plenty of interesting Canadian news. From criminal justice to Canada Post here are some of rabble.ca‘s top blog posts this week.
Last week, Canada celebrated National Aboriginal Day. Ryan Moore writes that while the Liberal government has made strides towards reconciliation, they have failed to address structural problems in criminal justice legislation. He discusses how Canada’s First Nations are adversely affected as they are overrepresented in the country’s prisons and detention centres. Although the government has promised to reverse the laws in the omnibus crime bill C-10, Moore says these promises have yet to appear on the Liberal agenda in a meaningful way.
Today is Canada Day and rabble.ca‘s staff provide an alternative to unquestioning patriotism. In response to CBC Montreal’s Tuques Up Challenge, rabble has created our own version, which you can download for free. They also discuss the role that Canada’s alternative media plays in undermining the status quo and putting pressure on the powerful.
This week’s news is still aflutter after the U.K.’s unprecedented Brexit vote. David J. Climenhaga writes about Jason Kenney’s strange tweet celebrating the vote given his pro-international trade views. However, Climenhaga argues this is an example of silent dog-whistling where politicians appear to say one thing, but are secretly stoking the ire of their supporters. In this case Climenhaga guesses that Kenney is signalling his anti-immigration sentiments. He also gives examples of other times Kenney has employed this tactic.
In Canada, health is supposed to be a right, not a privilege. But Michael Butler says that in Canada an estimated 500,000 people, half of whom live in Ontario, are denied health coverage due to their immigration status. This is why the Council of Canadians has launched the “OHIP for All” campaign, to demand that the Ontario government provide equitable health care to everyone. Butler details rallies across the province along with photos and stories of those who weren’t able to access necessary healthcare due to their status.
Finally, Michael Laxer argues that Canada Post is struggling because the right wing has sought to reframe the public service as a private business. He talks about how rates have gone up despite a continued profit and they have not stayed competitive.
That’s it for this week’s blog roundup! Make sure to check out more rabble.ca blogs to find out what’s happening in your world.
Image: Reza Dahya
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