Not a Monty Python sketch
The editor of a Canadian faith magazine to MP John McKay, “I have just received an official “reminder” from Canada Revenue that our charitable status may be in jeopardy because…
Freedom of Expression
Harper’s deputy attacks free speech
The following is the official opinion of the Conservative government, as stated by Stephen Harper’s Parliamentary Secretary Dean Del Mastro, who by all indications is a man with a deep…
Sun News Network apologizes … sort of … while the CRTC runs and the CBSC surrenders
Intrepid CRTC investigator looks into Sun News Network’s on-air obscenities. Agents of the Canadian broadcast regulator may not be exactly as illustrated. Below: Sun News commentator Ezra Levant; Bernie M.…
Our American Cousins?
One can’t help but wonder if Harper’s police force has been giving lessons to their American cousins in stifling free speech at right-wing political rallies. Recommend this Post
URGENT PETITION: Free Members of Feminist Punk Group Pussy Riot Now!
Recently, the Putin regime in Russia extended the pre-trial detention of 3 members of the feminist punk group “Pussy Riot” until January 2013. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Ekaterina Samutsevich…
Unsuccessful at the polls, Alberta market fundamentalists want the courts to impose two-tier health care
What heath care for the rest of us will look like if the market fundamentalist right’s battle for insurance companies’ “rights” ever succeeds. Below: Private health-care advocate John Carpay; Alberta…
Question for regulators: Can Sun News Network be trusted to keep inconvenient agreements?
Promises, promises: It’s not a musical, and it’s not funny. What confidence can Canadian broadcast regulators have that Sun News Network will abide by the agreements it makes? Below: Broadcaster…
Can one old man with a typewriter really have Fox News North on the ropes?
The Source, With David Climenhaga: Here I am on the set of my new Fox News North TV show with two polite young people from the Progressive Conservative and Wildrose…
New shoes make everything seem right
Two stories that will leave you wondering about the direction Canada is taking under Stephen Harper. This is not the Canada we once knew… nor the one we voted for.…
Obama now leader of the not-free world
Chris Hedges writes: “The NDAA implodes our most cherished constitutional protections. It permits the military to function on U.S. soil as a civilian law enforcement agency. It authorizes the executive…
The Consequences of Expressing An Opinion In HarperWorld
Just a brief post here. Apparently airport groundworkers in Toronto and Montreal are out on a wildcat strike as a result of three members expressing an opinion of Labour Minister…
A Whistleblower’s Open Letter to the Citizens of Canada
Prime Minister’s Office Tries to Silence Pipeline Critics; Labels Environmental Group “Enemy of the Government of Canada” and “Enemy of the people of Canada.” My name is Andrew Frank. I…
"The corporate coup is over – they won"
In politics today, trolls live in the sewers of think-tanks, communications firms, corporate media, old-line political parties and government ministry offices. They provide material to fill the airwaves and pages…
News of the World, Kai Nagata & the Omnibus Crime Bill
No, this isn’t a game of “One of These Things Is Not Like the Others”, ‘though I’m sure to suffer from the catchy tune playing in a loop in my…
Bring back the Duel…
Many people would agree that one’s right to freedom of expression also implies responsibility. That is one must also accept the fact that there are possible consequences ,e.g one’s words…
Nadia Plesner win: EU court rules against Louis Vuitton
In a win for art, an EU court has ruled in favor of Nadia Plesner in the case brought against her by Louis Vuitton for including a look-a-alike Audra style…
First Take on the Public Domain Manifesto
Communia published its Public Domain Manifesto. The manifesto identifies the public domain concept with respect to historical development and more urgently, its relevance to culture today. I think it makes…
Motivating Anti-IP Activism in Canada
In the scheme of things, few people have the interest (or is it patience?) to delve deeply into the concept of “intellectual property” (IP). I think that is why IP…