Doug Ford is trying to privatize the LCBO – destroying good jobs and starving our public services of funding.  Just last year, profits from the LCBO – an Ontario Crown Corporation – provided $2.58 billion dollars of funding for education, healthcare and other public services.  But if Ford’s plan for privatizing alcohol sales goes through – those profits will go straight to the pockets of billionaires of big box stores like Galen Weston.  Striking LCBO workers are hitting the picket lines to fight back against Doug Ford’s plan – which would erode the good union jobs LCBO provides and deals a hefty blow to public services funding.  We can’t let Doug Ford get away with this. Together, let’s keep the LCBO public. Add your name to show support for the striking LCBO workers and demand Ford back off his plan for privatization. One of the best ways to support striking workers is to visit a picket line: ​​https://opseu.org/news/support-striking-lcbo-workers-find-a-picket-location-near-you/237391/

Tech operations like crypto currency centers in Canada are guzzling millions of liters water. Digital operations like cryptocurrency and AI rely heavily on large data centers – which use large amounts of electricity, and also water to cool down computers (also known as “servers”).  The latest estimate, from three years ago, is that 127 billion liters of water is used for cryptocurrency operations per year– enough to supply a million Canadian homes. But assessing the true impact is almost impossible because cryptocurrency and data centers in Canada aren’t required to register or restrict how much water or electricity they use.  Already this summer we’ve seen effects of water shortages – like in Alberta – which could regularly become a new normal as the effects of runaway climate change intensify. It’s high time we reckon with the environmental and resource-intensive impact of Big Tech.

As a wildland firefighter, I work at the frontlines of the climate crisis to help protect people and homes from ever-intensifying wildfires that devastate our communities. We risk our lives to fight these deadly fires. But it’s a hard job. Low wages and benefits, and extreme working conditions have created a staffing crisis amongst our ranks, putting a heavy burden on wildland firefighters right as climate change is making wildfires more extreme. A simple change to how the federal government classifies our jobs from ‘forestry’ to ‘public safety’ – like our colleagues who work in municipal fire departments — could help improve our working conditions and benefits and ensure our ranks don’t dwindle right as our communities need us most.  A cross-party group of MPs are already calling for this change, we just need to get the federal government on board too. As the climate crisis deepens, we need to invest in good jobs that help protect our communities in the face of wildfires, heatwaves, and flooding. Will you support better working conditions for wildland firefighters like me and add your name to my petition now?

Did you know that flight attendants are only paid for the work they do while in the air? That means all the work they do preparing the plane, boarding and making passengers feel comfortable and offboarding the plane is on the clock, but off the paycheck. On average, flight attendants are doing up to 35 hours of unpaid work per week. That’s a week of full-time work for an average person — without any pay. It’s not right. Unions and MPs from multiple parties are now calling for the government to make changes to the labour code and crack down on unpaid work in the airline industry. A big showing of public support could help change the winds on flight attendants’ workplace rights — and get the government to ensure flight attendants are paid for all their work, not just their time in the sky. Sign the petition now calling for fair pay for fair work for flight attendants.

There are many reasons to support adding the right to solar light to the Charter of Rights in Canada.  First, solar access is extremely valuable to the individuals who have it. The quality and amount of sunlight which reaches a structure’s interior, for example, affects three economic measures: the resale price of the structure, as buyers will pay premiums for naturally lit space; the productivity of the structure’s occupants, who work better with sunlight than artificial light; and the operating costs of heating, cooling, and lighting systems. Similarly, the use of sunlight in outdoor areas can have financial consequences: a property owner can grow garden vegetables, produce commercial crops for resale, or use sunlight instead of electricity to dry laundry − all of which save or generate income. Perhaps most importantly, solar collectors, for which sunlight is the primary and essential ingredient, almost always save owners more in energy costs than the purchase price, and rapid technological developments have rendered them increasingly more valuable and will continue to do so in years to come. The recognition that solar access has value to individuals must serve as the basis for any solar rights regime.  A chorus of commentators writing thirty years ago praised solar energy and solar collectors and called our failure to recognize solar rights “an impediment to widespread conversion to solar energy, “The single most important legal issue concerning solar energy, and “the major legal issue associated with solar energy.” Although the need for guaranteed property rights in solar access has grown more acute, we have failed to modify the law to provide them. It is a fundamental need for all humans, either directly or indirectly, no different than food and water.

There always have, and there always will be, people who will "work the system" to get as much money as they can; particularly during a crisis. When the Pandemic hit in 2020, it put the whole world into a state of emergency as everything shut down in response. CERB was put into place to help those who all of a sudden had to stay home, or who had to suffer cut, or even lost wages.  At first the eligibility requirements were reasonable: It was available to workers who [were]: • residing in Canada, who were at least 15 years old • who stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19 or were eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or Employment Insurance fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 • who had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application, and • who did not quit their job voluntarily However, after the first period, another eligibility requirement was instated that made it virtually impossible for anyone to qualify: "When submitting a first claim, you could not have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the four-week benefit period of your claim. When submitting subsequent claims, you could not have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for the entire four-week benefit period of your new claim." This ruling on the part of the CRA effectively changed the rules on every citizen in Canada after benefits were already approved for disbursement.  How can anyone, in 2020 or now, live on $1000.00 per 4 week period, when the costs of mortgages, rents, food, gas, electricity, and food have gone up to over $1000.00 per month?  The $1,000 per month eligibility requirement is unreasonable to the working poor, retirees, and disabled adults across the country who may have received COVID benefits. By setting that income limit to $1000.00, it ensures that nobody qualified for any COVID benefits despite the fact that millions of Canadians received them; some after calling CRA every week during the Pandemic and being assured that they were eligible. Even people on social benefits get more than $1000.00 per month, which is not enough to live on. Spending time and resources pursuing individuals with no money to repay their debts is fruitless. Clawing back the money through carbon rebates, GST rebates, and tax returns, EIA, wage reductions, or fines will only ensure that those who are already struggling will struggle more.  It is in the best interest of all Canadians to provide a low income CERB repayment amnesty. After all, the reduction of poverty has been a top goal of the Federal Government since 2015. 

1. Protecting Free Speech: The right to free speech is a cornerstone of democratic societies. When universities, which should be bastions of open discourse and critical thinking, suppress lawful protest, it threatens everyone's freedom to express their views. 2. Upholding Human Rights: The situation at York University highlights broader issues of human rights and justice. Supporting the protestors means standing up against the oppression and silencing of marginalized voices, particularly those advocating for the rights of Palestinians. 3. Academic Freedom: Universities should be places where ideas can be freely discussed and debated. Actions that punish students for their political views undermine academic freedom and the integrity of educational institutions. 4. Solidarity with Students: The students at York University are exercising their rights to peaceful protest and free expression. Showing solidarity with them reinforces the importance of these rights for all students and supports the next generation of activists and leaders. 5. Preventing Precedent: If York University's actions go unchallenged, it sets a dangerous precedent for other institutions to follow. It's crucial to push back against such measures to prevent a wider erosion of rights on campuses and beyond. 6. Moral Responsibility: Witnessing injustice and remaining silent contributes to the perpetuation of that injustice. By taking action, you help to create a more just and equitable society. 7. Global Impact: The issues raised by the protestors at York University resonate beyond Canada. They are part of a larger global struggle for human rights and against systemic oppression. Your support contributes to a worldwide movement for justice. 8. Empowering Change: Every voice and action counts in the fight for justice. By caring and taking a stand, you join a collective effort that can bring about meaningful change and hold those in power accountable. Caring about this issue means standing up for fundamental rights, supporting those who are fighting for justice, and contributing to a society where freedom of expression and human rights are respected and upheld.

For residents of the Upper Sunshine Coast (from Saltry Bay to Lund including Powell River) this will mean a one way trip of a minimum of 6 hours with no guarantee that the ferries will run on schedule and have adequate space for medical travellers. There is very limited public transit (2-3 days per week, 1 trip per day) between the Saltry Bay ferry and the Langdale ferry so medical travellers without a private vehicle would need to stay overnight or longer to catch the one bus that connects the 2 ferries.  It is unclear if Vancouver Coastal Health will cover accommodations for those without a private vehicle.  Tell the BC Ministry of Health to move the health services of the Upper Sunshine Coast to Vancouver Island Health to ensure timely access to basic health services, responsible use of tax payer dollars and reduced demand on the understaffed BC Ambulance Service.

Youth are the leaders of today and tomorrow. They are eager to make a difference and are more than capable to adopt the right of voting - now. Youth can often feel discouraged by news in the world and helpless. Giving 16-year-olds the right to vote will help youth realize the potential they have and give them the ability to make that small difference. I learned about the importance of youth in democracy from my grade 8 teacher. The knowledge I gained helped me grow into a more confident student who could make a difference by following their passions. Lowering the voting age will open up the possibilities for youth. They will feel valued in our society and eager to be involved. Give youth this opportunity - and they can give back.

First Nations have deliberately been excluded from commerce and development and cannot create wealth under current regime! The current system encourages regression, decay and non value on lands tgat otherwise could be used to lever funds for development and business! 

The Nahmint watershed, an area on Vancouver Island between the road to Uclulet-Tofino and Alberni Inlet, is home to old-growth forests and vast plant, fish, bird and mammal biodiversity.  However, BC Timber Sales has 4 cutblocks full of old-growth in the area on its auction list for 2024. There is currently no engagement plan to consult with local first nations, scientists or stakeholders to protect these areas.  Since the Nahmint is a sensitive fisheries watershed it must be managed with the health and integrity of the salmon habitat as a priority. Any planned logging must demonstrate that it will not result in any further negative effect to this sensitive watershed.  Anything less is read as wilful disregard of standard professional planning processes. We are poised to make a formal complaint to the Forest Professionals BC body that abides by the FPBC's Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct: Sections 22 and 57, " all registrants are responsible to hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and the protection of the environment. In this time of climate disruption and loss of biodiversity, we need to protect BC's 2% remaining old-growth forest ecosystems that help stabilize air humidity, air temperatures, mountain terrains, produce rain clouds and oxygen, habitat for many species at risk and absorb carbon dioxide. These forests perform many interrelated environmental services that are worth more standing and are under relentless attack from a faceless corporate logging industry.

Development in close proximity can put our drinking water at risk. The Grow Norfolk Study identified that any proposed development must be evaluated for "... the protection, conservation and careful management of the surface and groundwater resources to ensure safe drinking water supplies are maintained for however long they are needed.” Reference: https://engagenorfolk.ca/growth-management-study Simcoe Residents have a voice. Call your councillors. Attend the council meeting on May 22nd at 5pm.