Here, on the tendency of both the Saskatchewan Party and the federal Cons to pretend a problem doesn’t exist for years on end, then suddenly proclaim there’s no time to do anything other than force through the most regressive “solution” possible. In shorter terms, the Shock Doctrine has evolved into
Continue readingTag: Supreme Court
Accidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week. – Josh Eidelson and John Schmitt take a look at the guaranteed annual income which will be voted on in Switzerland – and the sole barrier to a similar discussion in the U.S. (and likely in Canada): What is a universal basic income, and
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Indigenous rights: Alberta Métis to appeal to Supreme Court on harvesting rights case
by: Métis Nation of Alberta | Press Release: EDMONTON, July 4, 2013 – Today, the Alberta Court of Appeal refused to overturn the conviction of Métis harvester Garry Hirsekorn for hunting in the Cypress Hills in 2007. The case―R. v. Hirsekorn―is a harvesting rights “test case” for Alberta Métis as a part of the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Robocalls: Federal Court finds fraud, Supreme Court appeal considered
By: Council of Canadians | Press Release: The Federal Court has released its decision in the robocalls case. The decision vindicates the applicants’ concerns, as the judge concludes that “fraud occurred in the 2011 Federal Election” though he did not annul the results. This finding about fraud being widespread raises the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive | News & Analysis: In Canada, a ‘Proud to Protect Refugees’ campaign is launched on Refugee Rights Day
By: Canadian Council for Refugees | Press Release: Today the Canadian Council for Refugees and other organizations announced the launch of a campaign designed to transform the conversation about refugees in Canada. Under the banner ‘Proud to Protect Refugees’, 4 April (Refugee Rights Day) will see the launch of new efforts to
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive | News & Analysis: Conservative MP’s Bill C-461 threatens CBC journalistic integrity, protection of sources
By: Canadian Journalists for Free Expression | Press Release: TORONTO – One of Canada’s leading free speech groups is warning that a low-profile bill – coming up for second reading debate in the House of Commons today – could severely weaken the journalistic integrity of the CBC and cripple its ability to
Continue readingBigCityLib Strikes Back: The Metis Win In Court–May Get Winnipeg!
APTN seems to be the only ones covering this SCC decision, though it sounds pretty significant. At the very least the MMF (Manitoba Metis Federation) gets costs for 30 years of legal wrangling, and it will most likely trigger land claim negotiations. There’s even an outside chance the MMF is awarded Winnipeg.
Continue readingBigCityLib Strikes Back: Whatcott At It Again
Despite a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling against him, social conservative activist Bill Whatcott took his controversial anti-gay and anti-abortion stand on Wednesday to the University of Regina. Bill will soon find out that defying the Supreme Court is a bit different from defying the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. He will find
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Aboriginal status ruling challenges policymakers
by John D. Whyte | The Leader Post, Jan 17 2013 Recent developments in relations with aboriginal peoples – the prime minister’s meeting with First Nations leaders, the protest by Chief Theresa Spence, who is on a liquid fast, and especially the Idle No more demonstrations – are likely to
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Indigenous and Human Rights Groups Issue Joint Statement Supporting Chief Spence and #IdleNoMore
Twenty-four indigenous and human rights groups have issued the following joint statement supporting the #IdleNoMore grassroots movement and Chief Theresa Spence, who is in the fourth week of her indefinite hunger strike on Ottawa’s Victoria Island, just across from the Canadian Parliament. Chief Spence, the leader of the northern Ontario Attawapiskat First
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Emerging Consensus on Gay Marriage
Assuming that the world survives this coming December 21, the United States Supreme Court is expected to rule on two cases in June which could result in the nation-wide legalization of gay marriage. I cannot forecast with certainty how the court will decide, but supposing for a moment that it
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: An Open Letter to Stephen Harper Regarding Senate Reform
Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper: I am writing today in response to reports that you will seek a Supreme Court reference on the constitutionality of your proposals for Senate reform. In a way, I can understand this. You would like clarity on a politically tricky issue, one that would otherwise
Continue readingCanadian Progressive: PETITION: Mayor of Kelowna Must Rescind Anti-abortion Proclamation
This petition is sponsored by the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada / Coalition pour le droit à l’avortement au Canada. It calls on Walter Gray, the Mayor of Kelowna, B.C., to rescind his recent proclamation of September 23-30, 2012, as the “Protect Human Life Week”. Dear Mayor Walter Gray, The signatories to
Continue readingDeSmogBlog: Wisconsin v. Yoder Redux? MN Amish Citizens Revolt Against Frac Sand Mining
shutterstock_83010019.jpg "History," the old adage goes, "repeats itself." And this is precisely the reason why we learn it. read more
Continue readingFalse positive: private profit in Canada's health care: Happy Birthday Saskatchewan Medicare from the U.S. Supreme Court
Fifty years ago, on July 1, 1962, Saskatchewan introduced the first universal health insurance program in North America. The United States Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a fitting birthday present. Even though the Act was passed two years ago it now has legs.
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Assisted Suicide, Discrimination, and the Constitution
Suicide is a difficult case. I do not believe that people, under most circumstances, have a moral right to unilaterally kill themselves. An individual’s life is not the sole property of the individual; it belongs also to her or his loved ones, to all who are deeply affected by such
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: What Obama Should Say If His Health Bill Loses in Court
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s signature health care reform bill, had its three days in the Supreme Court last week, and by most accounts it did not go very well. Nothing is certain until the Court delivers its ruling in June. But if it does
Continue readingDeSmogBlog: Here We Go Again – Republican Attacks On EPA Kick Off 2012 Agenda
business-anti-environment.jpg With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set to finally enact stricter air pollution standards in accordance with the Clean Air Act and two subsequent U.S. Supreme Court decisions requiring them to do so, powerful Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are working to make sure that the
Continue readingPample the Moose: Official Bilingualism, Officers of Parliament and Supreme Court Justices
Much ink has been spilled of late about the decision of Stephen Harper to appoint a unilingual Supreme Court Justice (Michael Moldaver) and a unilingual Auditor-General (Michael Ferguson) in recent weeks. We’ve seen the usual range of commentary, whic…
Continue readingWelcome to the new Supremes
Finally, the Prime Minister has filled the gaps in the Supreme Court and seemingly with good choices: Justice Andromache Karakatsanis and Justice Michael Moldaver, both from the Ontario Court of Appeal. Politically, the two justices are considered smal…
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