**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.

Police revealed today that they are now in possession of the missing video of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford apparently smoking crack cocaine, as well as photos of Mr Ford meeting with alleged drug dealers. Mr Ford has lied repeatedly to Torontonians about these incidents, over many months, claiming the video did not exist. His credibility is now shattered, he has betrayed the public trust, and he must now accept full responsibility for his actions. The only acceptable thing for Mr Ford to do is to immediately resign as Mayor of Toronto. Sources: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/31/rob_ford_crack_cocaine_scandal_police_photographed_mayor_in_multiple_meetings_with_alleged_drug_dealer.html http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/10/31/rob_ford_crack_cocaine_scandal_police_photographed_mayor_in_multiple_meetings_with_alleged_drug_dealer.html http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2013/10/31/fragile_toronto_city_hall_calm_in_jeopardy_with_release_of_document.html http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/10/31/mayor_rob_ford_has_nowhere_left_to_hide_editorial.html http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/doug-ford-denies-drug-dealing-rob-ford-says-crack-video-doesnt-exist/article12158667/ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/26/rob-ford-crack-video_n_3340305.html

You, and your friends and family could unknowingly be buying genetically modified sweet corn! Please sign our petition by February 16 2014, to the major grocery chains in Canada, to get genetically modified (GM, also called genetically engineered) sweet corn (corn on the cob) out of the food supply. In October 2013, the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) tested conventional sweet corn samples from across Canada and found unlabelled genetically modified fresh sweet corn in grocery stores, roadside stands and farmers markets. There has been a small, undetermined, amount of GM sweet corn, from the company Syngenta, on the market for over 10 years. However, in late 2011 Monsanto launched a line of GM sweet corn varieties as well. GM sweet corn is the only whole GM food grown in Canada - as opposed to GM field corn, which is processed into food ingredients, animal feed and biofuels. GM sweet corn is the third possible GM fruit or vegetable in the produce section of Canadian grocery stores. There could be some GM papaya (from the U.S. and China only) and some varieties of GM squash (from the U.S. only) that end up on our grocery shelves in Canada. (You can check www.cban.ca/gmfoods for more info.) GM sweet corn is genetically modified to be toxic to particular insects. The GM technology transforms the corn plant into a pesticide. In fact, the toxin, from the soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). is usually expressed in every cell of the plant including the corn kernels. If certain insects try to eat the corn, they will die. The Bt toxin attaches to receptors in the gut of some insects, rupturing the gut and killing the insect. Health Canada approved GM corn without conducting any of its own safety tests. GM foods are not labelled in Canada and our government does not track GM foods and crops. Certified organic sweet corn is definitely not GM because organic farming prohibits the use of GM seeds, however certified organic sweet corn is not always available. Thank you for taking action to get GM sweet corn out of Canada! You can take more action! Please also write a personal letter to the head office of the grocery store where you shop! This action is very important. For more information and action please visit www.cban.ca/corn

Today, large numbers of heavily armed RCMP officers used pepper spray, tear gas, dogs and rubber bullets on a peaceful Mi’kmaq blockade in New Brunswick. [1][2] The blockade was set up to protest an unpopular shale gas fracking plan that threatens the region’s water supply.[3] The RCMP’s intervention tipped the protest into chaos with dozens arrested and several RCMP vehicles burnt. Elsipogtog Chief Arren Sock was in talks with New Brunswick Premier David Alward to find a resolution before the RCMP intervened this morning. People across Canada are losing faith in our democratic process, and deeply concerned about the way our governments are refusing to negotiate in good faith and on a nation-to-nation basis with First Nations. At this crucial moment in our country’s history, violent RCMP interventions in peaceful First Nations protests could set us back by decades. Please sign this petition calling on RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson to commit that the RCMP will not use violence and excessive force against peaceful First Nations protests. P.S. Solidarity actions are taking place in 45 communities across Canada - see here for details: http://www.wearepowershift.ca/stand_with_elsipogtog_actions or http://www.idlenomore.ca/45_elsipogotg_anti_fracking_solidarity_actions Sources: [1] APTN report http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2013/10/17/crown-land-belongs-to-the-government-not-to-fcking-natives/ [2] RCMP clash with Mi’kmaq fracking protestors: Who provoked whom? http://commonsensecanadian.ca/rcmp-clash-mikmaq-fracking-protestors-provoked/ [3] Elsipogtog First Nation announces major land reclamation in ongoing anti-fracking struggle http://tworowtimes.com/news/national/frack-elsipogtog-first-nation-announces-major-land-reclamation-ongoing-anti-fracking-struggle/ [4] Photo credit: Ossie Michelin, APTN

Right now, Calgary-based Infinito Gold is suing the Costa Rican government for over $1 billion because Costa Rica rejected Infinito’s plan to build an open-pit gold mine in a pristine tropical forest. Over 75 per cent of Costa Ricans are against the proposed mine, and in 2011, Costa Rica banned all open-pit metal mining in the country.[1,2] Instead of respecting Costa Rica's democratic decision to reject this project, Infinito is using lawsuits and intimidation to get its way. It already tried to get a judge dismissed who might not be favourable to the project, and sued two Costa Rican university professors for critical comments about the project.[5] Now Infinito is trying to sue Costa Rica in secret courts.[3] Infinito Gold doesn’t care what Costa Ricans think, but with its shareholder meeting just weeks away, we have a key opportunity now to force management to come clean about its shameful bullying to the company’s shareholders - a massive dose of public pressure will force Infinito to drop its lawsuit for good. Sign our petition now to Infinito Gold: Drop your billion dollar suit against Costa Rica! CEO John Morgan expected the mine would be fully operational by 2009, but on three separate occasions, the Supreme Court of Costa Rica has firmly said “no” to Infinito, denying permission to proceed with its project.[3,6] But instead of accepting the law and respecting the popular will of Costa Ricans, Infinito’s lawyers are seeking over $1-billion from Costa Rica through investor-state arbitration under the Canada-Costa Rica Bilateral Investment Treaty. Infinito has caused $10 million in damages to 300 hectares of pristine rainforest because it proceeded to clear-cut forests to build its mine without proper authorization. Costa Ricans want reparations from Infinito for unlawful environmental damages.[4] Infinito is a bully, plain and simple. And the behavior of Canadian companies abroad reflects on us. Costa Ricans are protesting a Canadian company for failing to respect them, their efforts at environmental protection and their courts. That’s why we are calling on Canadians to come together, ahead of Infinito’s shareholder meeting, to tell this Canadian company to do the right thing and back down. Sign our petition now demanding Infinito Gold respect the will of the vast majority of Costa Ricans, stop its legal intimidation of the people and government of Costa Rica, abide by consecutive Supreme Court rulings against the Crucitas mine and immediately drop its lawsuit. Over 100,000 members of the Leadnow.ca community have already come together to oppose the Canada-China FIPPA deal, which would allow China's companies to sue our government, just like Infinito is now suing Costa Rica. We are capable of amazing things when we come together. Join us in telling Infinito to drop its outrageous suit now. Sources: 1. Canadian mining company Infinito seeks to extort $1 billion from Costa Rica. Mining Watch. October 10, 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, October 4, 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. October 10, 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. April 16, 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. April 16, 2013. http://www.miningwatch.ca/sites/www.miningwatch.ca/files/letter_to_infinito_re_arbitration_threat_against_cr_2013-04-16.pdf 5. All that Glitters. Corporate Knights. October 3, 2013. http://www.corporateknights.com/article/all-glitters?page=5 6. Infinite Possibilities in Costa Rica. Metals News. October 16, 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

The Conservative government is refusing to let development funding go to projects that provide abortions for the victims of war rape and child brides . International Development Minister Christian Paradis says that the Conservative government’s policy will follow the same logic of its $3-billion allocated to maternal and child health at the 2010 G8 summit in Muskoka. At the time, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said none of the those dollars would go toward abortion services because ‘there were enough other worthy initiatives to support’.[1] War rapes are rapes committed by soldiers, combatants, or civilians during armed conflict or war, or during a military occupation. It also includes girls and women who are forced into prostitution or sexual slavery by an occupying power. Rape is frequently used as a means of psychological warfare. Today, rape and sexual slavery are recognized under the Geneva Convention as crimes against humanity and war crimes.[2] Other countries in the world use development budgets to care for these most vulnerable women, but our Conservative government is refusing to prioritize the reproductive rights of women. Women, regardless of where they live, deserve access to these services. We want our government to follow science, not ideology, in developing policy. Please join me in signing this petition to the Canadian government to ensure that Canada’s taxpayer-funded development budget funds abortions for war rape and child brides. Further reading: Just last year, a Conservative motion was put forward to criminalize abortion in Canada. Essentially, it was intended to reopen the debate on the legal definition of a human being under the Criminal Code - a Supreme Court decision decided 25 years ago. But tens of thousands of Canadians from coast to coast to coast came together to stand up for the rights that women and our allies have been fighting to protect for decades and the motion didn’t pass. Sources 1. No development dollars for abortions after child marriage or war rape, Christian Paradis says. National Post. October 4, 2013. http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/10/04/no-development-dollars-for-abortions-after-child-marriage-or-war-rape-christian-paradis-says/ 2. Rape and Other forms of Sexual Violence. International Committee of the Red Cross. http://www.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_cha_chapter32_rule93 3. Stop the covert attempt to criminalize abortion. Leadnow.ca. http://www.leadnow.ca/defend-our-reproductive-rights

Canada's relationship with Brazil is in tatters after allegations that one of Canada's spy agencies, Communications Security Establishment Canada, spied on the Brazilian Mines and Energy Ministry.[1] The President of Brazil has demanded an explanation for the apparent industrial espionage. Our international standing has just taken another big hit that could threaten our trade relationships with one of the most important economies in the world. At the same time, the Harper Conservatives still can't account for $3.1 billion that was supposed to go to "anti-terror" initiatives. Last spring, Canada's Auditor General, Michael Ferguson, reported that the government can't explain what happened to a whopping $3.1 billion - and six months later we still have no idea where all of our public money went.[2] The solution seems simple - call on PM Harper to tell the Communications Security Establishment to stop spying on Brazil and start working to find the missing $3.1 billion. Sources: [1]Canada-Brazil spying allegations could be a "major setback" for business, professor says (Canadian Press) [2]Canada can't account $3.1 billion in anti-terror funding, AG finds (CBC) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-can-t-account-for-3-1b-in-anti-terror-funding-ag-finds-1.1303999

BC is at a crossroads. In less than three weeks, British Columbians will vote to set the province’s direction for the next 4 years. Oil industry lobbyists know what’s at stake in this election, and they are spending big money to undermine BC’s growing opposition to tankers, pipelines and dirty energy exports. Elections are the time when people have the most power, but only if we make our voices heard. We can stand up to oil industry lobbyists and create a clear mandate for a clean energy economy by working together to build a powerful voting block that’s committed to lasting change. Sign the Power Vote BC pledge to tell your candidates: I pledge to vote on May 14th for a clean energy economy that’s fair for all British Columbians. Together, we can create good jobs, safeguard our land, water and climate, and support healthy communities. How this campaign works 1. Pledge to vote for a clean energy economy along with thousands of British Columbians. 2. Challenge the parties to deliver strong platforms on these issues. We’ll send you a report of their positions so you can make an informed choice. 3. Vote to elect candidates who will begin the shift to a clean energy economy that’s fair for all British Columbians. We can make a huge difference, but only if enough of us sign the Power Vote BC pledge, spread the word and vote on May 14. After the election, we’ll keep working together to hold government accountable and support real solutions. Background Our federal government and the oil and gas industry have made their agenda clear: they want to use our province as an energy export corridor to move tar sands bitumen and fracked gas through our province to overseas markets. This irresponsible path is threatening the quality of our air, land, and water, while creating few permanent jobs and destabilizing our climate.[1] More and more British Columbians are saying that this is a step backwards that will leave our environment vulnerable to tanker spills and ground water contamination, while betting our economy on volatile global energy prices.[2] So, what’s a clean energy economy that’s fair to all British Columbians? We’re asking the parties to deliver strong platforms to build clean energy economies that will meet the following six goals. We’ll report their positions to you so you can make an informed decision. Six goals for building a clean energy economy that’s fair to all British Columbians: 1. Meet or exceed BC’s legislated targets to cut global warming pollution. 2. Create good jobs that will ensure lasting prosperity. 3. Respect Aboriginal rights and title. 4. Protect BC’s land, air and water while supporting healthy communities. 5. Include British Columbians in decisions that affect their communities. 6. Ensure a just transition that does not place unfair burdens on British Columbians. [1] BC’s Legislated Greenhouse Gas Targets vs. Natural Gas Development (CCPA, pdf) http://www.policyalternatives.ca/natural-gas-ghgs [2] The Making of a Natural Gas Glut (The Tyee) http://thetyee.ca/News/2013/02/20/Natural-Gas-Gluts Authorized by Leadnow, registered sponsor under the Election Act. 134 Abbott Street, Suite 601. Vancouver, BC V6B 2K4