The federal government approved Equinor’s Bay Du Nord, a billion-barrel oil drilling megaproject off of Newfoundland. [1] It’s a slap in the face to climate science and a real threat to a climate and economy that is safe and sustainable. But the fight is far from over. Equinor still needs to decide whether to move forward with the project. [2] We have intel that Equinor is particularly sensitive to public pressure — and their AGM is on May 11th. It’s where they show off their achievements to shareholders so you can bet they’ll be wary about any negative attention. [3] If we unleash a flood of public pressure right before their AGM, we could force Equinor to reconsider Bay du Nord, or reckon with global public backlash. Add your name to the open letter now: Dear Equinor and Norwegian Leaders, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) was clear: no more fossil fuel projects can go ahead if we are to meet climate targets. Not only will your proposed Bay du Nord oil drilling project make it impossible for Canada to reach our climate targets, oil drilling puts local land and water ecosystems at risk and could end up as an economic dead end as the world moves away from fossil fuels. People in Canada urge you to do the right thing. Abandon Bay du Nord and invest in wind and solar energy to provide good, sustainable jobs to our communities instead. Sources: [1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/bay-du-nord-approval-1.6410509 [2] https://thenarwhal.ca/bay-du-nord-newfoundland-approved/ [3] https://www.equinor.com/where-we-are/canada-bay-du-nord

Cuz everyone needs dental care ...

The ongoing pandemic and skyrocketing cost of living — coupled with high inflation rates — all mean that more people than ever are relying on support from the government to help us pay rent and keep food on the table. Many single Disabled ODSP (disability benefits) clients only receive $497 a month for rent and $672 a month for their basic needs, and single OW clients currently only receive $390 a month for their rent and $343 a month for their basic needs. This is important so that homeless ODSP and OW clients have a shot at renting somewhere to live at average market rent since affordable, subsidized, rent geared to income housing is unavailable at this time and may be unavailable for the next 10 to 20 years due to a huge waiting list and zero vacancies. Clients need to eat as well as pay rent and since clients would still have to dip into their Basic Needs Allowances to cover rent because even doubling the Shelter Allowance still won't cover all of the rent at today's prices. Much needed medication and other things not covered by the MSN forms have to be paid for out of Basic Needs and some of these items are very expensive. Along with needing healthy food a huge increase in support is called for here as well.

While the rest of us struggled to get by through these last two years of pandemic and inflation, the rich have only gotten richer. It’s ridiculous that Elon Musk — who paid $0 in income tax in 2007 despite his astronomical wealth — can pay $43 billion on a whim to take over a platform that should belong to all of us. [2] Twitter is one of the largest social media platforms in the world. It’s where many of us learn about social issues that have been overlooked by major news outlets, and where activists connect and organize against injustice. With Musk at the helm, the Donald Trumps and Maxime Berniers of the world will be given the ultimate soapbox to spread disinformation and hate — but you can bet that activists, journalists, and anyone daring to challenge Musk and his ilk won’t receive the same treatment. Musk says he’s buying Twitter in the name of free speech, but the proof is in the pudding: when Black Tesla employees lodged a complaint for the racism and discrimination they experienced at work, he fired them for speaking out. [3] Musk’s takeover is nothing new — it’s just the latest in a decades-long crusade by the ultra-rich to take control of our media, institutions, and social services. The billionaire class becomes more powerful with each passing day — and the rest of us are paying the price. Sign the petition if you think public information services like Twitter should belong to regular people like us — not a billionaire like Elon Musk. Sources [1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/musk-twitter-monday-1.6429802 [2] https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/06/bezos-musk-didnt-pay-federal-income-tax-some-years-report.html [3] https://theconversation.com/if-elon-musk-succeeds-in-his-twitter-takeover-it-would-restrict-rather-than-promote-free-speech-181576

History shows that most systematic sexual violence in war goes unpunished. It’s the women and children who must suffer this violence, without justice or support in the after math of war. If we allocate money to support these victims it will show that Canadians abhor these atrocities and won’t stand silent while yet more women and children become rape victims as part of political war games.

Legal professionals need clearly and easily accessible (edited and error free) bylaws, regulations and acts. They need to communicate with their governing body (CICC) easily and clearly, being able to contact anyone during hours for questions. Immigration law in particular is a specialty, and it’s personal and difficult and a process that we train in to help people. To our clients it is their attempt at starting a new life, that is courageous, the should have educated people to help them, and they should be told this in a positive way while the CICC uses its government budget to stop illegal ghost consultants. People should be told they must when they hire a representative to check and must be on the CICC registry by Registration number of the representative and see if it matches the name search can search but the R number protected. This allows legal consultants to avoid being copied or linked unknowingly, helping the CICC and the client and the case refusal rate. People who can benefit Canadian economy, contribute to job shortages and birth rates should be given a fair chance. We as professional need timely action from who governs us, who governs our clients and the Immigration Minister Sean Frazer yo ensure the system supports the plan and the plan supports the professional who are trained to know it. And know how to do it by following the appropriate Regulations, Acts and Bylaws o do so, as well as working and accessible government online platforms we can rely on and how to iron out the kinks like no in application received asking client to choose payment option automatically linking to the platform. As of now the client pays and needs to upload another document. Which causes problems if the system didn’t flag it for review. The list goes on and we hope you will want to listen to more of how we can help and work together.

Police violence changes the lives of every parent who loses a child, child who loses a parent, family who loses kin, and community members who lose friends and comrades. They all deserve justice. Every level of government must assume responsibility for making changes, in recognition of the Indigenous and Black people whose lives have been lost due to police murder or whose lives are permanently changed due to police violence. We honour the names of those we have lost, and fight to end this violence. We call for a future where no one has to worry about their child being lost or harmed by police violence. Ending police violence protects Black & Indigenous youth and creates a future where they don’t fear for their lives. Endorse these demands and support all families grieving their loved ones, all of those killed by police! ABOUT CHANTEL MOORE On June 4, 2020, Chantel Moore a Nuu-chah-nulth woman and member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation was killed during a police wellness check. Chantel was living in Edmunston, New Brunswick, where she had moved to be closer to her daughter, Gracie, and mother, Martha Martin. Shortly after making this move, Chantel lost her life during a police wellness check. The officer who shot and killed Chantel, Jeremy Son of the Edmundston Police Force, was not charged. In response to this injustice, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council condemned this failure: "This reality is reflective of Canada’s persisting colonization and genocidal practices. No one deserves to be gunned down on a wellness check. We demand Canada to do more to end the violence and killing of our people, particularly our women and girls, who are grossly overrepresented as victims of violence. Canada states time and time again that reconciliation with First Nations and Indigenous peoples is a top priority and mandate yet when one of our own is gunned down and killed on a 'wellness check,' there is no accountability and Justice." ABOUT JARED LOWNDES On July 8, 2021 Jared Lowndes, Laksilyu of the Wit’suwit’en Nation, was shot & killed by the Campbell River RCMP. His family continues to fight for justice. In March 2022, Laura Holland, Laksilyu of the Wit’suwit’en Nation, mother to Jared Lowndes, organized the art show Honour Their Names, commemorating the lives of over 80 Indigenous people shot and killed by the police. Each month, more names are added, more beloved kin are killed.

Omicron subvariant BA.2 is as contagious as measles. Even if its effects are mild most vaccinated children, this is not the case for every child – and indeed, we are already seeing a rise in pediatric hospitalizations. There are children, teachers, and school workers and in the community who are immunocompromised. There are also many children who are unvaccinated, whether because they are under 5 or for other reasons. Some children will go on to develop long Covid, regardless of pre-existing health conditions or vaccination status. And despite the fact that the pandemic has raged on for two years, we still don’t know what the long-term effects of the virus are. This is a time for courage and compassion – not for taking unnecessary risks. Universal masking is an effective and accessible safety measure for slowing the spread of BA.2.

Lowering the voting age could change everything. It would result in an electoral system change, while also supporting young people having a voice, increasing political engagement and advancing fairness in Canada's democratic system. [2] With a worsening climate crisis, growing economic inequality and the ongoing global pandemic, young people’s futures are at stake. They deserve to be at the table. The Bill already has the Bloc's support — as well as some Liberal MPs — but unless we show a lot of public support so that a critical mass of MPs vote for it, it won't get anywhere. If we can build public momentum in support of The Right to Vote at 16 Act, we can show the Liberals that people want a fairer, stronger democracy. Add your name to show your support. Sign now. [1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/voting-age-canada-taylor-bachrach-1.6284418 [2] https://theconversation.com/why-lowering-the-voting-age-in-canada-is-such-a-good-idea-180108

We are in a crisis moment. Doctors, teachers, and opposition MPPs are urging the province to reinstate essential COVID safety measures to keep us and our loved ones safe. [1-3] But just a few weeks ago, Doug Ford backtracked on scrapping free rapid COVID testing after public blowback. While doctors and scientists are speaking out, a flood of public pressure calling out Ford’s inaction could force Ford to backtrack again and reinstate safety measures before more of us get sick. If we can get to 15,000 signatures by next week, we’ll deliver this petition right to Doug Ford. Sign the petition now calling for Premier Ford to reinstate COVID safety measures. [1] https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/04/06/toronto-covid19-symptoms-hospital-admissions/ [2] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-masks-parents-1.6383229 [3] https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-opposition-calls-for-masking-testing-access-to-be-reinstated-amid-sixth-wave-1.5852279

This is an affront to the beliefs of many who work to prevent the unnecessary suicide deaths of those suffering from such conditions as PTSD. I myself am recovering from PTSD and would not have the life I have now with my family if I had allowed myself to succumb to the temptation of suicide as a resolution. I understand that MAID will make it that those considering suicide may be more open to speaking with their doctor about these issues but without the proper tools and resources to refer patients to affordable mental health care ... suicide will look like the only option beyond more and more medications.

While we welcome the news of free dental care for low-income communities, we wish the Liberals and NDP had more ambition — to make dental care universal and accessible to everyone who needs it. Imagine you've had tooth pain for months now but you don't have private insurance or thousands of dollars to spare for treatment. The same bacteria that causes the toothache can travel through your body and lead to serious health conditions — like heart attacks. [3,4] If you agree everyone deserves to have access to good quality dental care regardless of how much they make, add your name to the petition now. Sources: [1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeu-jagmeet-singh-deal-government-1.6393021 [2] https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/dental-care-life-threatening-conditions-1.6397395 [3] see [2] [4] https://bc.ctvnews.ca/this-is-amazing-vancouver-dentist-likes-new-federal-program-but-questions-remain-1.5830465