In case you were wondering, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers does plan to challenge the back-to-work legislation in the courts and the Human Rights Commission (for discrimination where newer employees are paid less with fewer benefits than older ones). Also, there are concerns about the backlog of mail, and apparently no authorisation for overtime to help process it faster.
Not unexpectedly, the government has started cutting arts grants. Because you all knew it was going to be first up on the chopping block.
It looks as though the government is planning to sell AECL to Montreal-based engineering firm SNC-Lavalin. No word on a commitment to keep developing Candu-based technology, or if they plan to keep it intact, of just what the future of the nuclear industry in Canada will actually be, seeing as this government has also committed to getting us out of the medical isotopes business as well. But hey, Canada’s back™ everyone!
Not entirely unrelated, but our ability to capitalise on science, technology and innovation as a country continues to decline – especially since this government came to power. Given the way they’re treating our homegrown science and technology industries (like AECL), is that any surprise? And look at the numbers, and you can see that this move toward encouraging private sector investment through tax incentives is failing our research and innovation sectors – not that it’ll change this government’s particular ideological leanings in this regard. But hey, Canada’s back™ everyone!
Elizabeth May reflects on the third week of parliament, plus the filibuster.
And on the eve of her retirement, Liberal Senator Lucie Pépin reflects on how her career started out as a nurse in Quebec in an era where women did not have control over their own bodies, and how that turned her into an advocate for reproductive rights. I wonder if the NDP, who derided her during the last election as part of their little war on the Senate, have any idea about her contribution to causes they hold dear?