The CEP National must be pulling their hair out on this one. CEP only represents 30,000 forestry workers? CATALYST WALKSFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 28, 2010VANCOUVER – Catalyst representatives walked away from talks with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union representatives yesterday. The union had asked for 3 days of meetings with the employer due to the ever-deepening crisis in the forest industry in British Columbia.“I am very surprised that this employer would walk away from a meeting where workers from 4 different mills had offered more than 15 ½ percent reduction in wages …
[Read more...]

Catalyst Paper, CEP meet today to discuss concession proposal By Dan MacLennan, Courier-Islander March 26, 2010Today could mark another red-letter day in the history of Catalyst Paper's troubled Elk Falls mill.Catalyst and its Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) Union locals were meeting today to discuss the company's latest concession proposal to Elk Falls workers and other ways to reduce operating costs."The meeting on Friday is with all union locals, so it's not a discussion specific to Elk Falls," Catalyst spokesperson Lyn Brown said Wednesday. "As we do from time to time, we …
[Read more...]

Remodeling of forest regime: the FTQ and the CEP claim a sham consultation"The redesign of the Québec forestry regime ignores the rights of workers " - René Roy, Secretary General of the QFL Montreal, Tuesday, March 23, 2010 -"Since the summit on the future of Quebec forests held in 2007, there is a consensus that the rights of workers and workers must be protected and reformed and made the Charest government? Renaud Gagné. He does not listen and does not reflect consensus, however, are historical in the history of labor relations in Quebec, "lamented Secretary General of the QFL, René …
[Read more...]

Would you like to see an example of how officials in the Bush administration decided what constituted legal interrogation and what would be classified as torture? Here's one: For example, one current and three former CIA officials said some videotapes showed Zubaydah being sleep deprived for more than two weeks. Contractors hired by the CIA studied how he responded psychologically and physically to being kept awake for that amount of time. By looking at videotapes, they concluded that after the 11th consecutive day of being kept awake Zubaydah started to "severely break down." So, the torture …
[Read more...]

MOUVEMENT ANARCHISTE DU CANADA/CANADIAN ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:DATE LIMITE/DEADLINE SALON DU LIVRE ANARCHISTE DE MONTRÉAL-MONTRÉAL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR:1er Avril est la date limite pour les propositions du Salon du livre anarchiste de Montréal/April 1 is the deadline for proposals for the Montréal Anarchist Bookfair.@@@@@@@@@@@@April 1st (deadline): CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS (tables, art exhibits, films, Festival of Anarchy)[NOTE: The deadline for tables, art exhibit proposals, film proposals and Festival of Anarchy events is APRIL 1.]----------Mark your calendars …MONTREAL ANARCHIST BOOKFAIR …
[Read more...]

More violent acts planned against innocent citizens.Why is the Christian community not speaking out? Where are their leaders? Are there any moderate Christians?Are any of us safe from these people?Sure, they preach peace and love.But this is what they really stand for.And by the way, you'll have to remove that hood if you want a Quebec driver's licence. Just so you know. …
[Read more...]

Let's count.AFTERSNARK: Did anyone else notice this curious choice of words from Cannon?"Canada does respect the Arctic Council," said Cannon, the sole participant in the closing news conference. "Canada was one of the co-founders of the Arctic Council.""Canada?" What an odd word selection since, whenever the current government is bragging about something or other, it's always "the Harper government" this and "the Harper government" that. But when they want to frantically claim credit for an initiative of the Chretien government, suddenly, it's "Canada's" conveniently generic …
[Read more...]

Can anyone make sense of this idiocy? …
[Read more...]

Oh, look ... a deranged nutbar who threatened to kill a Republican. This proves, beyond any doubt, that all Lefties are hateful, homicidal maniacs. Seriously, which of Canada's Blogging Tories is going to go down that road first?Let's watch. …
[Read more...]

Ari Ne'eman, and all of those persons who oppose research aimed at finding treatments and cures for autism  disorders,  oppose the right of choice of autistic persons and their families.  Mr. Ne'eman and his supporters oppose the right of other autistic persons to seek to be cured of their autism disorders.    In Mr. Ne'eman's case he has clearly stated that HE does not want to be cured of his Aspergers Disorder and I respect that right as I am sure everyone does who is involved in debates about his disability council appointment.  Unfortunately Mr. Ne'eman takes …
[Read more...]

Blogging Tory "Iceman" gifts us with the setup:Ignatieff can't come out and say that he is going to raise taxes, because then nobody will vote for him. Running an election platform on raising taxes is not a winning strategy. He won't come out and lie like Dalton McGuinty and tell us that he won't raise taxes when clearly that's the only way to pay for overly ambitious spending packages; then immediately after winning an election do a complete reversal and announce massive new taxation.Yeah ... winning an election, then doing a complete reversal regarding taxation. I wonder what that looks …
[Read more...]

What everyone's talking about:Well, OK, almost everyone:Canada's Blogging Tories: Frantically averting their eyes from, you know, stuff they don't want to know. Because it's awkward. …
[Read more...]

Ari Ne'eman, and all of those persons who oppose research aimed at finding treatments and cures for autism  disorders,  oppose the right of choice of autistic persons and their families.  Mr. Ne'eman and his supporters oppose the right of other autistic persons to seek to be cured of their autism disorders.    In Mr. Ne'eman's case he has clearly stated that HE does not want to be cured of his Aspergers Disorder and I respect that right as I am sure everyone does who is involved in debates about his disability council appointment.  Unfortunately Mr. Ne'eman takes …
[Read more...]

If Not Now, When? – a report from the Boston Study Group on Middle East Peace. …
[Read more...]

From The Alternative Information Center: In less than three weeks, 2000 people have signed a BDS manifesto [...] with their names, addresses and occupations, asking the French Minister of Justice (who has publicly asked French judges to repress anyone active in the boycott of Israel) to sue them. And the 19 first signatories of this manifesto are further calling for big demonstrations in Paris and other towns in France where we’ll show our solidarity with all those who are presently threatened with trials and fines. – MORE …
[Read more...]

The Autism Action Network has called for its American readers to contact their Senators to voice their opposition to US President Obama's disability council nominee Ari Ne'eman. I wish them success although from what I understand the nomination is unlikely to be disturbed.  This Canadian father of a severely autistic son  is very disappointed that Mr. Ne'eman will ultimately be approved and will be in a position to influence autism policies in the US and consequently around the world.   I have followed with great interest the US Health Care debate and President Obama's …
[Read more...]

Jesus, what an asshole. …
[Read more...]

SHRIIEEEKKKKKK!!!Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff stunned business leaders when he announced on Sunday that the Liberal Party would not carry out the planned cuts to corporate tax rates.Yes, stunned they must be. Stunned, I say. Hang on (emphasis tail-waggingly added for the hard of sentience):Executives say it's time to raise taxesCanada's business executives, not usually a tax-friendly bunch, have acknowledged that it may be necessary for Ottawa to boost taxes in order to get rid of the deficit.Almost three out of five of the senior executives who responded to the latest C-Suite survey …
[Read more...]

You all remember commenter Mary T?  You  know, that same Mary T who was whining and screeching about how the opposition should be eliminated so her hero Stevie can have a clear reign to that totalitarian regime he so salivates for? Well, she strikes back with yet another doozy over at Hunter’s page, this time. I wonder how many of those students are there on their own dime, without any loans or parent’s help. Bet not many, so, until they pay their own bills, and go to a university funded without taxpayers help, they have no rights to decide who can or can’t speak. What …
[Read more...]

Peace Now and the American administration are applying pressure and the Netanyahu government is “maneuvering.” – MORE …
[Read more...]

Just over a year ago, I wrote of the passing of Estelle Bennett, one of the great Ronettes, and how much I love the Girl Group sound of the 50s and 60s -- and I'm not talking just Motown. As I noted, most of those ladies never really did get the rock'n'roll respect they deserved. Today, via Buzzfeed, I stumbled on this video: Now I understand why it all seemed so familiar. …
[Read more...]

Just read JHK's Monday morning rant:Republican leaders' avidity to ally themselves with the followers of hate-monger entertainers like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and the Fox News gang is only the beginning of the process that will lead to a political convulsion possibly worse than the one that started at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, 1861. If it comes, it will certainly be a far more incoherent conflict. The guerilla forces of the radical right will not know whether they are fighting for WalMart, or the Financial Services arm of General Electric, or against abortions, or for …
[Read more...]

Here's some video of terrorists in training, set to the ominous plonky throb of 80s goth band the Sisters of Mercy. Teh awesome! Apparently, nine of these Chritians terrorists were arrested and have now been charged with a laundry list of crimes including plans to attack police, seditious conspiracy and the attempted use of weapons of mass destruction.In court filings unsealed Monday, the Justice Department accused the nine people of planning to kill an unidentified law enforcement officer, then plant improvised explosive devices of a type used by insurgents in Iraq to attack the funeral …
[Read more...]

…could think that an online “virtual march” makes any other statement than “I’m a lazy-ass moran who can’t pull myself away from the deep-fried twinkies long enough to exert myself to actually, um, march”. Go Team Wheezing Manatees!  Take “your” country “back”, one outraged mouse-click at a time!  Click! Clickclickclick!!! …
[Read more...]

“Hear No Evil” Edition: Top Vatican officials — including the future Pope Benedict XVI — did not defrock a priest who molested as many as 200 deaf boys, even though several American bishops repeatedly warned them that failure to act on the matter could embarrass the church, according to church files newly unearthed as part of a lawsuit.  [...] The Wisconsin case involved an American priest, the Rev. Lawrence C. Murphy, who worked at a renowned school for deaf children from 1950 to 1974. But it is only one of thousands of cases forwarded over decades by bishops to the …
[Read more...]

... and why should I give a rat's nads what they think? …
[Read more...]

INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT-PORTUGAL:SOLIDARITY WITH THE 'LISBON 11': The following appeal for solidarity with Portuguese anarchists facing charges from a demonstration three years ago (and you thought the Canadian courts moved slowly ) came to Molly's attention via the Winnipeg Wobbly Blog. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@International Call for Solidarity: Support the 11 of Lisbon!On the 25th of April of 2007, an anti-authoritarian demonstration against fascism and capitalism took place in downtown Lisbon, protesting against the growing influence of fascist groups in Portugal and the attempt to …
[Read more...]

THE SACRAMENTO BEE has a report by Peter Hecht, "California will vote on legalization of marijuana in November".California's raucous argument over legalizing marijuana is headed to the ballot.Secretary of State Debra Bowen confirmed Wednesday that voters will decide in November whether to legalize and tax marijuana use for Californians 21 and over.California's annual pot crop is worth about $14 billion, according to the State Board of Equalization. It estimates that legalization and taxation could bring in up to $1.4 billion in revenue.Should be a hell of a show to watch. The U.S. Department …
[Read more...]

COMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY & PAPERWORKERS UNION OF CANADACEP Local 777 is looking for experienced Journeyperson Scaffolders for long-term work with JVD Mill Services Inc. at the Horizon Oil Sands Project, 80 kms west of Fort McMurray, Alberta.The schedule for BC workers at the site is 20 days straight, eight days home. The employer provides free charter flights from Vancouver directly to the site and camp.The hours of work are 10 hours per day, with all hours after the seventh paid at the overtime rate of time and a half. In the first and last two days of the cycle (four days in total), the …
[Read more...]

Canada Got Raw Deal on Buy American Deal, MPs ToldBy Matthew LittleEpoch Times StaffOTTAWA—Canada got whipped in its last trade deal with the United States according to some of the witnesses that testified before the parliamentary Standing Committee on International Trade earlier this week.The committee was taking a closer look at the deal Canada negotiated with the United States to alleviate the worst effects of the Buy American policy.The 2009 Act seeks to use preferential pricing to favor American made “domestic end products” including construction materials for infrastructure …
[Read more...]

So I was partly right when I asked why Stephen Harper raised the per-vote subsidy issue in Question Period a couple of weeks ago. According to the Hill Times, "Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives will campaign on killing the $30-million per-vote-subsidy to political parties in the next election, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed." In an analysis of Canada's democratic deficit, …
[Read more...]

Negotiations Underway for Sale of Worthington Mill in MackenzieBy 250 NewsThursday, March 18, 2010 09:15 PMMackenzie, B.C. - The Western Region Vice President of CEP says his union will meet with officials from Asia Pacific early next week in an effort to put a deal together that would see the former Pope and Talbot/Worthington pulp mill resume operations in Mackenzie. Jim Britton says, “This would be a hell of a deal for Mackenzie who have had to suffer through the recession”. Britton says if the company and Union can come to agreement , it could pave the way for the return of 250 jobs …
[Read more...]

Five nations' representatives meet in Chelsea, Quebec, to divvy up the Arctic. Missing from the table: Iceland, Finland and Sweden.Oh--and the aboriginal populations of the region in question.Nunavut means "Our Land" in English. Whose land? No invitation for Inuit:"It is inconceivable that the Government of Canada would contemplate holding a conference to discuss economic development and environmental protection in the Arctic without the active participation of Inuit, who will have to live with the consequences of any new government policies. This reeks of paternalism," said acting …
[Read more...]

These are the challenges. Here’s a few ways to fix em’. But wait.. Who’ll do the fixing? How? Where? When? This trailing of questions only leaves a guy to be pretty depressed pretty quickly. Can150 was depressing. (By the way–sorry for the long post. It’s a big issue and it needs all the verbosity I have [...] …
[Read more...]

Updated on the flip. Here's one bit of fallout from the Canada 150 conference that the Liberals hosted on the weekend that I think deserves to be noted: Mr. Ignatieff made it clear that the next election, when it comes, will be between two clear alternatives: A Conservative government that emphasizes deficit and tax reduction, and a Liberal government that is willing to defer tax cuts and perhaps extend the deficit to target social programs. "Do we rush ahead with further reductions to corporate tax[es] we can't afford?" he asked the 300 participants at a Montreal, "or do we use these …
[Read more...]

Seriously, just awesome. No word on whether bathroom stalls were involved. …
[Read more...]

Shorter "East of Eden": "For the sake of polite, civil and open, unfettered discourse, you should reject all commentary you don't agree with."You truly cannot make this shit up. …
[Read more...]

Bravo to the CBC for posting federal government documents, grudgingly provided to Parliament, that pertain to the handling of Afghan detainees. Better yet, they are inviting readers to sift through them and share their finds with the world – or at least that part of the world with an Internet connection. …
[Read more...]