The White Whale swam before him as the monomaniac incarnation of all those malicious agencies which some deep men feel eating in them, till they are left living on with half a heart and half a lung. – Herman Melville, Moby Dick Perhaps if the revenge-obsessed Captain Ahab had access
Continue readingTag: Policy
The Canadian Progressive: Canada’s tax system is in dire need of “fairness” reform: Report
By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive | Jan. 26, 2013: A new study by two economists from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), an independent left-leaning policy research institute, says Canada’s tax system is in dire need of “fairness” reform. Marc Lee and Iglika Ivanova argue that “ad-hoc tax changes over the last two decades have
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: New report shows path to better oilsands, climate accountability for Alberta and Canada
By Pembina Institute (Press Release) | Feb. 25, 2013: EDMONTON — As Canada faces increasing scrutiny of its weak climate change policy for oilsands development, a new report illustrates how both Alberta and the federal government can better manage emissions and improve the country’s international reputation. The new Pembina Institute report, Carbon
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Harper Government must heed environment commissioner’s warnings: David Suzuki
By Dr. David Suzuki | Published by Troy Media on Feb. 13, 2013: When the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform exploded in 2010, killing 11 people and spewing massive amounts of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, it cost more than $40 billion to mop up the mess. In Canada, an oil company would be
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: At Last, Marc Garneau Challenges Justin Trudeau To Talk Policy
By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 15, 2013: Finally, Montreal MP and former astronaut Marc Garneau has done the three things he should have done at the beginning of the federal Liberal leadership contest. He’s pushed Justin Trudeau to start talking about policy over platitudes. He’s challenged the perceived front-runner to
Continue readingArt Threat: Digital media challenge offers $100,000 for critical work on democracy
A new digital media challenge is looking for creative work that addresses the need to improve democracy in the United States. And as it is with American democracy in practice, large sums of money are at stake — $100,000 in cash prizes will go to “the most fresh and creative submissions.”
Continue readingArt Threat: NSCAD students disrupt university board meeting to announce manifesto
Last week over 100 students from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, concerned about how government funding cuts will impact the future of the university, disrupted a Board of Governors’ meeting to announce a political manifesto. The Manifesto for a Vibrant, Strong, and Independent NSCAD, which can be
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Sierra Club Canada statement on civil disobedience
by Sierra Club Canada | Feb 1, 2013: The follow statement originated from the January 31, 2013 meeting of the Board of Directors of Sierra Club Canada: “Sierra Club Canada is an independent body that sets its own priorities and policies. Sierra Club Canada recognizes that the climate is rapidly approaching a
Continue readingArt Threat: Brazil to give $25 monthly culture stipend to workers
While many governments are cutting funding to the arts and disingenuously downplaying the economic importance of culture, Brazil may be headed in the opposite direction. The South American country has announced that it planned to give workers a 50 real ($25) monthly stipend to be used on cultural expenses. Recipients
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Ontario Phases Out Coal, First in North America to Do So
A decade ago, Ontario fired 25 percent of its grid from coal. Now Canada’s most populous province will phase out its entire coal fleet by the end of the year to become the first jurisdiction in North America to do so. RELATED: Ontario’s Next Premier: Andrea Horwath Ontario New Democrats
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Métis Nation Welcomes Plans to Reform Aboriginal Child Welfare System
by Métis Nation of Ontario | Jan 18, 2013: Métis Nation of Ontario Encouraged by Plans to Reform Aboriginal Child Welfare System Today Laurel Broten, Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services announced the Government of Ontario’s intention to work with Aboriginal partners to develop a multi-year Children and Youth Strategy.
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: A Not-So-Public Hearing
Yesterday I gave my testimony to the Joint Review Panel for the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project. Protesters in Vancouver January 2013 Some might argue it was an exercise in futility because ultimately Bill C-38 gives decision-making power for these projects to Cabinet. Perhaps. Yet yesterday on the fourth floor of
Continue readingArt Threat: Sony hatches ploy to keep Bob Dylan out of the public domain
Bob Dylan has a new album out, but you’re not supposed to listen to it. Sony Music has released a box set of demos by the artist, entitled The 50th Anniversary Collection: The Copyright Extension Collection, Vol 1. With only 100 units available, the ultra exclusive release isn’t intended to
Continue readingCanada II: Republican Party of Canada?
Should they really be thought of as the Conservative Party of Canada? I don’t think so. Let’s inject a little bit of honesty into the political arena because it is otherwise so strikingly absent. What we have here is the Republican Party of Canada. A few things that make this
Continue readingCanada II: Republican Party of Canada?
Should they really be thought of as the Conservative Party of Canada? I don’t think so. Let’s inject a little bit of honesty into the political arena because it is otherwise so strikingly absent.
What we have here is the Republican Party of Canada.
…
Continue readingCanada II: Republican Party of Canada?
Should they really be thought of as the Conservative Party of Canada? I don’t think so. Let’s inject a little bit of honesty into the political arena because it is otherwise so strikingly absent. What we have here is the Republican Party of Canada. A few things that make this
Continue readingArt Threat: Carrot loophole saves theatre from tax hike
Austerity measures in Spain have increased taxes on nearly everything. Tax on theatre tickets was bumped from 8 to 21 percent, and in an already challenging economy, theatre companies were naturally worried about whether higher costs would keep the public away. In the town of Bescanó, two hours north of
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: Stephen Harper Flip-Flopped On Gun Registry Too
Conservatives are calling Justin Trudeau a flip-flopper for first voting for the long gun registry and then recently admitting it was a failed policy. That’s fine, but lest Conservatives forget, Stephen Harper did the exact same thing. This Conservativ…
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: And Today Conservatives Respect Police Chiefs
Conservatives only respect police when police agree with Conservatives. In 2010 Conservative MP Candice Bergen, then Candice Hoeppner, dismissed the opinion of the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs (CAPC) when they supported maintaining the long gu…
Continue readingArt Threat: Pussy Riot videos banned by Russian court
A Moscow court has ordered Russian internet providers to block videos by Pussy Riot, calling them “extremist” and seeking to incite “mass disorder”.
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