We now have evidence that rapid and extensive action is possible. The pandemic proved that we can cease business as usual and channel our efforts toward collective well-being. Photo by Sam Jotham Sutharson/Unsplash. By all accounts, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed long-standing inequities throughout society. Yet this once-in-a-century global health crisis
Continue readingAuthor: Elizabeth Leier
Canadian Dimension: Time to end the pervasiveness of gendered violence
A woman walks past a Metropolitan Police officer during a Black Lives Matter protest in London, United Kingdom, June 6, 2020. Photo by James Eades/Unsplash. The tragic and senseless murder of a woman in south London has sparked a new wave of anger against gender-based violence. Sarah Everard, 33, was
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: Crisis policing in Québec is shifting blame to vulnerable people
With its latest lockdown, the Québec government has introduced authoritarian measures that are disproportionately affecting vulnerable people. Photo courtesy the Montréal Gazette/YouTube. On January 8, Québec entered a strict second lockdown, becoming the first province in Canada to enact a nighttime curfew to stem community transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: Introducing Progressive International—a global left wing solidarity movement
The Progressive International is an international organization uniting and mobilizing progressive left-wing activists and organizations. The International labels itself as aiming for a post-capitalist society. Image courtesy of Progressive International. The presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders signaled a shift in contemporary politics. It came as a surprise to many
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: A frustrated cry for justice: Québec’s MeToo movement
In Québec, a wave of denunciations of sexual assault and harassment has swept through social networks in recent weeks. Photo by Jung Yeon-je. Québec is currently experiencing a wave of denunciations of sexual assault and harassment, exposing the misogyny, sexism and routine sexual violence experienced by most women. What started
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: Bill 61 is a troubling sign of rising authoritarianism in Québec
Quebec Premier François Legault speaks at a press conference on June 22, 2020. Photo from Twitter. As Québec’s COVID-19 crisis wanes, the government of François Legault pushed forward with its latest legislative project: Bill 61, An Act to restart Québec’s economy. When read closely, the bill presents several troubling provisions,
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: COVID-19’s Impact on Montréal’s Poorest Residents Lays Bare Striking Inequalities
Panorama of Montréal, taken from the top of Mount Royal. Photo by David Iliff/Flickr. Québec premier François Legault often speaks of “two Québecs” in his near-daily press briefings on the COVID-19 crisis. The first Québec refers to the regions which, overall, have seen relatively few cases of the virus. The
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: Is Canada Driving “Surveillance Capitalism”?
The use of facial recognition is problematic for several reasons, including its infringement on privacy and civil rights. Photo from Flickr. Unethical industries run much of Canada’s economy. From the extractive sector’s egregious disregard for both environment and human rights, to the manufacturing of weapons systems and components used for
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: The assassination of Qassim Suleimani and the march to war
Thousands of worshippers march after Friday prayers in Tehran following the assassination of General Qassim Suleimani who headed up the elite Quds Force in a US drone strike. Still image from YouTube. It is no stretch to imagine that the assassination of one of Iran’s top military officials may lead
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: Leaked OPCW document sheds light on disinformation surrounding Syrian civil war
A Syrian government soldier holds up a portrait of President Bashar al-Assad while another stands by a Kurdish YPG flag. The recent leak of a sensitive email, written by an investigative team member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW), has shed new light on disinformation surrounding
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: UK election: Media elitism and its threat to progressive change
Jeremy Corbyn is arguably the most smeared politician in the history of Western democracy. 75 percent of Corbyn media coverage factually misrepresents him. Still image from the BBC. On December 13, British progressives awoke to the grim reality of having to face yet another five years of Conservative Party leadership
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: The Persecution of Julian Assange and its Implications for Canadian Press Freedom
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange leaving Royal Court of Justice in London, England on July 13, 2011. Photo from Flickr. The case to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to the United States seems to have little to do with Canadians at first glance, however, the truth is that this unprecedented challenge
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