Since coming to power in 2006, the Canadian prime minister “has acquired a reputation for playing fast and loose with the rules.” Harper plays to his social conservative base. He and his Conservative majority government tolerate neither criticism nor dissent. But these “bullying” ways are set to boost the opposition’s
Continue readingTag: Canada
CANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Enbridge executive’s company awarded first crime Bill C-10 $38.5-million prison project
Executive and company have strong and lucrative ties with the Canadian military and Harper government. Opponents of the Conservative government’s crime Bill C-10 were justified to argue that private companies would profiteer from the new jail system the legislation proposed for Canada. On Tuesday, the Canadian Press reported that a
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: What Republican Texas Said About Harper’s Crime Bill C-10
In this video, the CBC News reported from Texas where even tough-on-crime Republicans told Canada not to follow America’s failed path of mandatory sentences and massive prison expansion, which cost them billions and drove crime rates up. The report warned about the consequences of this un-Canadian and vindictive criminal justice
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Harper’s Crime Bill C-10: Breaking Down The Cost
The Harper government’s flagship tough on crime omnibus legislation will cost Canadian taxpayers at least $15-billion to implement. Bill C-10 is a suite of crime legislation that will radically stir the Canadian justice system away from the preventive and restorative measures which have proven to be more humane, effective and
Continue readingTrashy's World: From one national embarrassment…
…to another… Steve’s talent pool is pretty thin, isn’t it? I mean, Fantino is the BEST he can offer? There MUST be an eager backbencher who would fill this post admirably! Oh. Yeah. (6) Trashy, Ottawa, Ontario
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Private prison companies look to Canada as industry faces lawsuits in US
US states are beginning to rely less on privately run prisons, but Canada may be a land of opportunity for the two biggest firms By: BILBO POYNTER | The Guardian US private prison firms are targeting Canada for fresh opportunities as pressure builds at home on the troubled multi-billion dollar
Continue readingThings Are Good: Declaration of Internet Freedom
Around the world governments are trying to restrain the ability of people to freely share information across the internet. Bills like SOPA in the USA and Bill C-30 in Canada to the more recent TPP all focus on propping up old media monopolies and curtailing people’s privacy and communication rights.
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Wanted: “Radicals” Against Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline
Are you a Canadian radical? Are you ready to Harper and Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway pipeline? If your answer to both questions is YES, this call to action from radicals4ourcoast.ca is yours to answer: “Does fighting to keep our Pacific coast oil-spill-free make you a “radical”? That’s what Stephen Harper’s
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Guest Post – East Hastings: A Love Story
This guest post comes to us from Natalie Reed, who blogs at Freethought Blogs’ Sincerely, Natalie Reed. A Vancouverite and ex-pat from Nova Scotia, she writes on several subjects, including but not limited to trans, queer and feminist issues… with deep insights, like this article on urban gentrification, and support
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Bev Oda’s Sweet Double Resignation
GOOD RIDDANCE! The minister responsible for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has resigned from both Stephen Harper’s cabinet and her elected position as Conservative MP for the Ontario riding of Durham. The controversy-plagued Oda announced her resignation this morning without giving a clear explanation. No doubt, the resignation is a
Continue readingTrashy's World: Bev Oda
is quitting her job… And the blogosphere and pundit-class lose an easy target. She and her pricey OJ and smokes behind centre block will be missed. Well, not really. So combined with Lee Richardson retiring, there are two CPC seats up for grabs in upcoming by-elections. The Grits had better
Continue readingPaul S. Graham: Videos: National Stop Harper Day in Winnipeg
July 1, 2012: National Stop Harper Day in Winnipeg. Photo: Paul S. Graham Traditionally a day of celebration, Canada Day 2012 became National Stop Harper Day for Canadians in 12 cities because of the regressive policies of the Harper government, most notably Bill C-38. In Winnipeg, citizens held a Funeral
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: China’s 21st Century Pollution With The West’s 20th Century Ignorance
China has a right to pollute like the West did when it industrialized, but China must become just as ignorant. In defending China’s emisssions, the highest in the world and only growing, the country often claims it has a right to pollute just as America and Europe did when those
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: In Quebec City, A Protester Confronts Stephen Harper
The CBC News reports that a lone protester interrupted a speech by Prime Minister Stephen Harper as he addressed an international conference on the French language in Quebec City today. The protester “began shouting and approaching the stage” before he was “grabbed by two security guards and hustled out of
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Anderson Cooper: “The Fact Is, I’m Gay”
A couple of years ago, a friend swore to me that the CNN’s Anderson Cooper was gay. And that it was a matter of time before he came out. I argued that Cooper would be gay only after he’d publicly confirmed that he was gay. The essence of the conversation
Continue readingTrashy's World: This is one instance…
… where I support the stance of the NDP – abolish the Senate. Or at least gut it and start over. I say this not only in the context of the Senator Brazeau attendance controversy, but does anyone seriously believe that the Senate has become anything more than a soft
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: We Need To Resist the Lure of American Exceptionalism
American exceptionalism is an intriguing, occasionally lethal, notion. Americans, it seems, are brought up to believe the United States is exceptional, the best, “number one.” From Main Street to Pennsylvania Avenue there’s this rich messianic broth that sets Americans apart, above all others. But what is American exceptionalism absent a
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: The Moose Jaw Tornado
Last week there was an impressive tornado south west of Moose Jaw. Here’s one of the more popular videos of it, brought to you by Saskatoon Scanner who I know going back to the early YouTube days. – A little bolt lightning, but mostly sheet lightning illuminating the clouds sweeping
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: On Canada’s Independence Day, #DenounceHarper & #HappyCanadaDay
This is Canadian political dissent like never seen before. For two reasons. First and especially, the dissent is taking place on Canada’s Independence Day. Second, it’s directed against a prime minister supposedly elected with a majority just over a year ago, on May 2. Once again, Canadians are using the
Continue readingCANADIAN PROGRESSIVE WORLD: Council of Canadians: Today We Celebrate Canada
Below is a brief message to Canadians and other progressives around the world from Canada’s biggest progressive citizen’s organization. Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians has members and chapters across Canada. It works “to protect Canadian independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public
Continue reading