There are nearly 3 million Canadians who live abroad, proudly representing Canada and its values. The Canadian Diaspora are informal ambassadors for our great country and are often called on both formally and informally to represent Canada within their communities. In recent years however, Canadians abroad have had our rights as Canadians eroded and more recently our right to vote taken away by the current government. In early 2014 the courts restored those rights on the basis that Section Three of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms assures that All Canadians, regardless of where they live, have the right to vote. This petition will be forwarded to the Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration and Citizenship once we have achieved 1,000 Signatures.

Psych-eds cost $1,500 on average, and in some cases as much as $3,000. While students can access the Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities to reimburse up to 75% of assessment costs, this funding is only provided after the fact, only if the psych-ed is positive, and only to a maximum of $1,200. Many students and their families cannot afford the total cost or up-front expense, even if they are reimbursed. Many may also be reluctant to seek an assessment in the event that they do not receive a positive result and therefore must pay the full cost for a service that does not do them any good. Low-income students and families are the most affected. Students with learning disabilities require psych-eds to register for disability supports, including funding and academic accommodations. Psych-eds provide extensive information about the learning strengths and weaknesses of students with learning disabilities, which help disability services to address each student's individual needs. Disability services and supports have been created not to provide privileges to certain students, but in an effort to uphold the rights to inclusion of students with disabilities. Unaffordable psych-ed assessments are obstructing these students' enjoyment of their full rights. To learn more about the challenges facing students with disabilities in Nova Scotia's post-secondary education system, check out: http://www.studentsns.ca/disable-the-label/ ‎

After a two-year investigation, on October 31, 2014, the Ontario Court of Justice found former Conservative MP for Peterborough, Dean Del Mastro, guilty of violating the Canada Elections Act in 2008. He overspent his election limit and then falsified documentation to cover up his fraud.[1] But it doesn’t end there. In order to pay his legal fees, the Peterborough Conservative riding association hosted a $600/plate event on May 2, 2013, which raised close to $40,000. The 53 donors who gave money then walked away with almost $24,000 in tax credits.[2,3] That’s right -- Canadians subsidized Del Mastro’s legal defense. And even though he has officially stepped down in disgrace as MP for Peterborough, he still stands to collect his full parliamentary pension benefits. Once again, propped up by taxpayer dollars.[4] Del Mastro walks away with a salary for life. The least the party can do is repay taxpayers for his legal defence. Time and again, this Conservative government has tried to convince Canadians that Del Mastro is just one bad apple with poor judgement. But the bad apple never falls far from the rotting tree. From the in-and-out electoral fraud scandal to the still-unanswered questions about "Pierre Poutine" and the robocall election fraud scandal, we've seen a pattern of shady behaviour from Conservative operatives. No Canadian wants their elected officials to abuse the system and use their hard-earned tax dollars for personal gain. We want accountability and transparency. Please sign this petition calling on John Walsh, the President of the Conservative Party of Canada, to commit to paying back the $24,000 in taxpayer money the Conservatives used to fundraise for Dean Del Mastro’s legal defence. [1] Dean Del Mastro found guilty in election spending case (CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dean-del-mastro-found-guilty-in-election-spending-case-1.2818920 [2] Dean Del Mastro legal fees subsidized by taxpayers (CBC News) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dean-del-mastro-legal-fees-subsidized-by-taxpayers-1.2835381 [3] Tax deductions for supporting Del Mastro’s legal defence (The Peterborough Examiner) http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2014/11/18/tax-deductions-for-supporting-mps-legal-defence [4] Do the crime, keep your pension. Sweet deal there, DDM (National Post) http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/11/07/matt-gurney-do-the-crime-keep-your-pension-sweet-deal-there-ddm/

Vancouver is drowning in an ocean of copy-and-paste corporate chain bars. The Brickhouse is a great independent bar, but now it could be demolished to make way for a new condo development in Chinatown. The Creekside Student Residence and Jimi Hendrix shrine could be taken out with it. Please sign now to call for Vancouver's mayor and council to stop the demolition of the Brickhouse and start a real consultation a real consultation with the Chinatown community to ensure that new developments don't threaten to strip the character of the community and drive more people out of the market. Sources: 1. The heritage battle for Chinatown http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=10384991 2. The Brickhouse might be demolished http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/story.html?id=10384999 Photo by Edward L.

Since 1981, annual marches have been hosted across Canada to bring awareness to violence against women and engage communities in being part of prevention efforts. Take Back the Night in Calgary and other major cities continues to be an important fiber in the fabric of violence prevention efforts. While the purpose of the march is to enhance the visibility of violence as a social problem and also demonstrate the roles of women and men as partners to end violence, a critical aspect of this event is a collective presence in areas of the city where the prevention message can reach a greater number of Calgarians. Take Back the Night has its origins as an event that would include a walk down populated areas, which would entail hubs of nightlife activity where the message of awareness and preventative action can be best disseminated. It has come to our attention, and has been evident in the last couple of years of this event that the presence of women and men supporters on 17th Ave SW with a violence prevention message may not be welcomed. This apparent shift in support from our municipal leaders is of great concern to us, as we know that you also value efforts to reduce violence in our communities.

The construction of a private residence at Grace Islet in Ganges Harbour off Salt Spring Island is resulting in the desecration of a First Nations burial ground; archaeological evidence confirms the presence of rock cairns and human remains at the site, consistent with the oral testimony of elders of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Hul'qumi'num Nations, and; the Government of British Columbia through its Minister has the authority under the Heritage Conservation Act, Section 20 (1) (a) to acquire property to protect First Nations heritage sites;

**Update*** Wow! Thanks to your pressure, we just learned that the AER was going to reject CNRL's application, so CNRL withdrew it. But the battle isn't over yet: CNRL filed another application as close as 500 metres away from one spill site for high-pressure injection. The AER is currently considering this application but pressure from us could stop this project for good. ---------- Did you know that for nearly a year, and potentially longer, there have been four unstoppable underground oil leaks at tar sands operation near Cold Lake, Alberta? The only reason the public knows that nearly 2 million litres of oil have spilled -- one of the biggest spills in Alberta’s history -- is because a government scientist risked their job to speak out and raise the alarm.[1] Now Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL), the massive company that owns the project, is quietly applying to the Alberta Energy Regulator for permission to start highly pressurizing the ground for more tar sands again even though the spills haven’t even stopped – they are still spilling![2] We need your help to stop CNRL. The Alberta Energy Regulator is extremely sensitive to public opinion right now because of how it is handling this spill. 80% of Alberta’s oil can only be mined using in situ methods -- this means that to keep expanding the tar sands, they need to prove to the public that in situ is safe and clean. In reality, the process is like fracking: the ground is blasted for weeks or months with super-high pressure steam, and the whole process is powered by burning massive amounts of natural gas and drains water from the whole region. A massive public outcry could stop this project in its tracks and stop industry’s plans to massively expand this type of oil extraction. Period. Together, we can ensure that this oil remains underground for good, and stop millions of tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. Sources: 1. 'Nobody Understands' Spills at Alberta Oilsands Operation. Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/07/19/nobody_understands_ongoing_spills_at_alberta_oilsands_operation.bb.html 2. Integrated Application Registry, Alberta Energy Regulator. https://www3.eub.gov.ab.ca/eub/dds/iar_query/ApplicationAttachments.aspx?AppNumber=1787672 Further Reading: 1. Why An Accidental Leak Should Send Shivers Up Big Oil's Spine. The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/why-an-accidental-leak-should-send-shivers-up-big-oils-spine/article16929877/

Les conservateurs de Harper essaient de forcer leur loi électorale de 242 pages au Parlement en minimisant les débats et sans témoignage d’experts, malgré des failles majeures qui auraient des conséquences de longue haleine sur notre démocracie. [1] Ça se ramène à ceci : au lieu de donner aux gens qui enquêtent la fraude électorale les pouvoirs de contraindre au témoignange - la capacité clef dont Élection Canada a besoin pour mener le scandale d’appels automatisés - cette nouvelle loi électorale rendrait le vote plus difficile pour les jeunes, les gens des premières nations et les gens à faible revenu. [2] Incroyablement, la malnommée « Loi sur l’intégrité des élections » rendrait même illégale la promotion du vote par Élections Canada. [3] La loi contient de bonnes mesures pour pallier à des appels automatisés frauduleux. Pourtant, elle impose de nouvelles lois d’identification de l’électeur qui rendraient illégal le vote en utilisant une carte d’identification d’électeur ou en demandant à un autre électeur de répondre de leur identité. [4] Des rapports indépendants ont confirmé que la fraude par des électeurs individuels est si rare qu’elle n’arrive pratiquement jamais. Pourtant, 120 000 canadiens ont voté par serment durant la dernière élection, et ce changement affecterait surtout les jeunes électeurs, les électeurs des premières nations et les électeurs à faible revenu. [5] Nous avons vu de stratégies semblables utilisés par les républicains aux États-Unis afin de priver les électeurs de voter qui sont les moins susceptibles de voter pour eux. 37 états ont mis en place des lois d’identification d’électeurs qui briment principalement les pauvres, les gens de couleur, ainsi que les femmes. [6] Veuillez signer cette pétition urgente pour empêcher les tactiques de suppression d’électeurs « à l’américaine » de devenir la loi du pays, et demander à ce que nos défenseurs électoraux aient les pouvoirs de contraindre les agents politiques à témoigner. Plus de 45 000 gens ont déjà signé nos pétitions (anglais+français) et nous organisons bientôt une remise majeure à la réunion du comité. Si les signatures atteint 50 000 nous organiserons une remise encore plus créative ciblant Pierre Poilièvre, le ministre conservateur responsable de ce projet de loi. --- Sources --- Lien direct au Projet de loi : http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Mode=1&DocId=6404810&Language=F Intégrité, vous dites? http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/opinions/editoriaux/pierre-bergeron/201402/06/01-4736491-integrite-vous-dites.php [1]Refonte de la loi électorale: Du pire et du meilleur http://www.lactualite.com/actualites/politique/refonte-de-la-loi-electorale-du-pire-et-du-meilleur/ [2]Des pouvoirs réduits pour le DGE du Canada http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2014/02/04/004-gouvernement-harper-depot-projet-loi-reforme-electorale.shtml [3] Partialité électorale http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/399416/partialite-electorale [4] La réforme de la loi électorale inclut un registre des appels automatisés http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-canadienne/201402/04/01-4735576-la-reforme-de-la-loi-electorale-inclut-un-registre-des-appels-automatises.php [5] Examen de la conformité: Rapport final et recommendations - Examen de la conformité aux procédures d’inscription et de vote le jour du scrutin http://www.elections.ca/res/cons/comp/crfr/pdf/crfr_f.pdf [6] (Disponible en anglais seulement) Voter IDs Are Not the Problem: A Survey of Three State, American University Center for Democracy and Election Management http://www.american.edu/spa/cdem/upload/csae080109.pdf

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) is the largest and loudest pro tar sands lobby group in Canada, and Canadian Geographic is giving them a free pass into classrooms from coast to coast. The Energy IQ project, funded by CAPP, presents a tar sands industry-spun vision of Canada's energy future without critical information on the environmental, human rights and climate change risks and impacts of planned tar sands expansion in Canada. CAPP has lobbied to reduce and restrict Canadian environmental review processes and regulation. Recently they were shown to be working against climate action by the government of Alberta. Our schools are no place for Big Oil, and Canadian Geographic is abandoning its responsibility as an educator and publisher by giving CAPP access.

By now you have likely seen the photos of the devastation currently unfolding in the Philippines. I was born in Bato, Leyte, the island featured in most of these photos. Although it was a kakha tukȃ (scratch-and-eat) existence, my childhood years were absolutely carefree. Nanay (grandmother) made sure of it. Many times she could not earn enough to prepare a meal, she would simply add water and salt to gabi (taro) uprooted in the backyard, boil it and we had soup! Or my sister and I would meet her at the beach after school where we’d pluck oysters off the rocks and eat them with boiled corn grits. It was actually fun and yes, raw seafood was still safe. Nanay also made sure we were safe during disasters. The last typhoon I remember with her was taking shelter under a table singing out `Santa Maria, Inahan ka sa Dios...` at the top of our lungs. A coconut tree had fallen, splitting the house into two and there was water everywhere. The flood waters kept on rising so I was put on my tiyo’s back and he swam us to safety in a neighbour’s two-story house. As I see the images on television I imagine how many nanays, mamas, tatays and tiyos there must have been trying and failing, to save their children and grandchildren. My heart breaks trying to imagine their pain. Estimates are that over 10,000 people have been killed and millions have been left homeless by what is being called the strongest storm ever recorded. [1] 48 hours ago, Filipino diplomat and scientist Yeb Sano was in tears as he announced he would go on a hunger strike at the UN Negotiations on climate change. "We must stop calling events like these natural disasters," he told the UN. "It is not natural when science already tells us that global warming will induce more intense storms. It is not natural when the human species has already profoundly changed the climate." Sano is refusing to eat until world leaders at these negotiations make meaningful progress towards an agreement. [2] Unfortunately, Canada’s government is an obstacle to this demand. Canada's per capita greenhouse gas emissions are among the world's highest. At the last climate negotiations, Canada was pinpointed as the “worst country at the negotiations, showing no shame or regret for undermining the Kyoto Agreement," the one pact between the world’s nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. [3] In recent years the Philippines has become the largest source of new migrants to Canada (many on various temporary visas). [4] The voices of Filipino Canadians have never been as powerful or important as they are in this very moment. If enough of us pressure the Canadian Government to do what is morally responsible, this country could become a world leader in forging global climate solutions. SOURCES: [1] "Is climate change to blame for Typhoon Haiyan?" The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/12/typhoon-haiyan-climate-change-blame-philippines [2] “It’s time to stop this madness” – Philippines plea at UN climate talks http://www.rtcc.org/2013/11/11/its-time-to-stop-this-madness-philippines-plea-at-un-climate-talks/ [3] The Daily Deconstructor, Canada wins its sixth “Colossal Fossil” award at UN Climate Conference, http://kloshemowich.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/canada-wins-its-sixth-colossal-fossil-award-at-un-climate-conference/ [4] Philippines was Canada’s greatest source of immigrants in 2012 http://o.canada.com/news/philippines-was-canadas-greatest-source-of-immigrants-in-2012/

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) is the largest and loudest pro tar sands lobby group in Canada, and Canadian Geographic is giving them a free pass into classrooms from coast to coast. The Energy IQ project, funded by CAPP, presents a tar sands industry-spun vision of Canada's energy future without critical information on the environmental, human rights and climate change risks and impacts of planned tar sands expansion in Canada. CAPP has lobbied to reduce and restrict Canadian environmental review processes and regulation. Recently they were shown to be working against climate action by the government of Alberta. Our schools are no place for Big Oil, and Canadian Geographic is abandoning its responsibility as an educator and publisher by giving CAPP access.

La minera Infinito Gold de Calgary, Canadá le está planteando una demanda por más de mil millones de dólares al gobierno de Costa Rica debido a que este país rechazó el plan de Infinito de construir una mina de oro a cielo abierto en una selva tropical. A Infinito Gold (hasta la fecha) no le ha importado lo que piense la población costarricense. Sin embargo, visto que la empresa celebrará su junta general de accionistas el 21 de noviembre, se presenta una oportunidad para presionar a la gerencia a que admita ante sus accionistas el vergonzoso acoso en que se ha involucrado – una dosis masiva de presión pública obligará a la empresa a abandonar la demanda de una vez por todas. Más del 75 por ciento de la población costarricense se opone a la mina propuesta y, en 2011, Costa Rica prohibió toda actividad de minería de metales a cielo abierto en el país. [1,2] En vez de respetar la decisión democrática de Costa Rica de rechazar el proyecto, Infinito está sirviéndose de demandas e intimidaciones para salirse con la suya. Ya intentó recusar a uno de los magistrados que puede no estar a favor del proyecto, y demandó a dos profesores universitarios costarricenses por sus críticas del proyecto. [5] Ahora Infinito intenta demandar a Costa Rica en cortes secretas. [3] John Morgan, presidente de la empresa, esperaba que la mina estuviera en pleno funcionamiento para el 2009. Sin embargo, en tres oportunidades distintas, la Corte Suprema de Costa Rica le indicó claramente “no” a Infinito, negándole el permiso para avanzar con su proyecto. [3,6] Pero, en vez de aceptar la ley y respetar la voluntad del pueblo de Costa Rica, los abogados de Infinito buscan que Costa Rica les otorgue más de mil millones de dólares mediante el arbitraje entre inversionista-estado bajo el Tratado de Inversión Bilateral Canadá-Costa Rica. La población costarricense quiere que Infinito haga las reparaciones por daños ambientales ilícitos [4]. Las y los costarricenses se manifiestan en contra de una empresa canadiense porque no los/as respeta, ni respeta sus esfuerzos en la protección del medioambiente, ni sus tribunales. Firma ya mismo la petición exigiendo que Infinito Gold respete la voluntad de la gran mayoría de costarricenses, que ponga alto a la intimidación ilícita de la gente y del gobierno de Costa Rica, que respete los consecutivos fallos de la Corte Suprema en contra de la mina Crucitas y que inmediatamente abandone la demanda. Y esta vez las firmas de costarricenses [y de ciudadanos(as) de otros países] se sumaran a las más de 1250 firmas ya recolectadas en la versión de esta campaña ya existente en ingles. Al unir nuestras fuerzas, podemos lograr metas admirables. Suma tu voz al decirle a Infinito que abandone su descabellada demanda de inmediato. Materiales de referencia: 1. Canadian mining company Infinito seeks to extort $1 billion from Costa Rica. Mining Watch. 10 de octubre de 2013. http://www.miningwatch.ca/news/canadian-mining-company-infinito-gold-seeks-extort-1-billion-costa-rica Calgary-based mining company suing Costa Rica for more than $1 billion.Global News, 4 de octubre de 2013. http://globalnews.ca/news/883756/calgary-based-mining-company-suing-costa-rica-for-more-than-1-billion/ 2. Canadian mining company Infinito seeks to extort $1 billion from Costa Rica. Mining Watch. 10 de octubre de 2013. http://www.miningwatch.ca/news/canadian-mining-company-infinito-gold-seeks-extort-1-billion-costa-rica 3. Groups warn Infinito Gold re: continued threats against Costa Rica over Crucitas gold project. Mining Watch. 16 de abril de 2013. http://www.miningwatch.ca/news/groups-warn-infinito-gold-re-continued-threats-against-costa-rica-over-crucitas-gold-project 4. Letter to Infinito re: arbitration against Costa Rica. 16 de abril de 2013. 5. All that Glitters. Corporate Knights. 3 de octubre de 2013. http://www.corporateknights.com/article/all-glitters?page=5 6. Infinite Possibilities in Costa Rica. Metals News. 16 de octubre de 2008. http://www.metalsnews.com/Metals+News/MetalsNews/Dr.+Allen+Alper+and+Jill+Cueni-Cohen/FEATURED48296/John+R+Morgan+President+CEO++Director+Infinito+Gold.htm