Seeking New Action Groups!

Posted: July 19, 2010

**OPIRG - Toronto is accepting Applications for 2010-2011 Action Groups!**

Applications due Monday August 2, 2010.

The Ontario Public Interest Research Group – Toronto is a volunteer-based
group at the University of Toronto, with a mandate for action, education and research on environmental and social justice issues. We seek to empower and educate students and other members of the community, provide a forum for learning and sharing skills, and give people the tools and opportunity to work cooperatively for social change.

Much of our work is done through our action groups. Action groups are
collectives that organize democratically to do research, education and action on particular issues. In the past, action groups have organized teach-ins, protests, conferences, boycotts, speaking events, tabling, film nights, and
more! Examples of past and current action groups include: Students Against
Israeli Apartheid (SAIA), No One Is Illegal (NOII) – Education Not
Deportation, Reparations Committee, Committee for Just Education (CJE), Circle of Support, DAMN 2025, Moyo Wa Africa, Critical Areas Studies Collective (CASC), and the Environmental Committee.

If you are interested in working together with motivated individuals on
important social or environmental justice issues, please pick up an action
group application package. Application packages are available at our office,
located at 563 Spadina Ave, Room 101 North Borden Building, or online at:
www.opirguoft.org (under Action Groups and subheading "how to start a new group").

*The deadline for action group application submissions is 6:30 PM on Monday August 2, 2010. Applications will be reviewed by the OPIRG Board of Directors.

OPIRG Toronto is committed to working on a wide range of issues from an integrated anti-oppression framework. We work towards providing a safe and accessible space for people coming from marginalized communities.


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Why be an OPIRG Action Group?

Action Groups receive the support of the organization - including staff, office
space (including internet, computers, printer, button-maker, fax machine, etc), space booking privileges at the University of Toronto, access to the OPIRG Provincial Network, and a (limited) working budget for the year. Staff members are available to help with strategizing and logistics with campaign work or research for each of the Action Groups. Action Groups are also involved in shaping the work and direction of this important organization.

How does the structure work?

Action Groups are collectives that fall under the umbrella of OPIRG - Toronto.
Each year, Action Groups are selected by the Board of Directors. Action Groups are then asked to keep in regular communication with the Board and Staff about their ongoing work, training and skills sharing needs, budgeting, and any other
forms of support. We also ask that Action Groups commit to a) the principles of Anti-Oppression, b) to mutual support of other OPIRG Action groups, and c) participation within the OPIRG structure.


Feel free to contact us at 416 978 7770 or opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca if you have any questions.

In solidarity,

OPIRG – UofT Board of Directors

University of Toronto community opposes campus closure during the G20

Posted: May 27, 2010

University of Toronto community opposes campus closure during the G20: Decision to "restrict access" heavy-handed and repressive

The decision to close the University of Toronto St. George campus during the G20 summit - the week of June 21-27 - contradicts the purpose of the university, reinforces harmful stereotypes of protesters, legitimizes police repression and violence, and does not reflect the wishes of students, staff and faculty.

Universities are sites for critical engagement and debate. The University of Toronto, as a place of higher learning, should be encouraging dialogue and engagement on the role of the G8/G20 and the future of our planet. Instead, administrators are prohibiting access to the campus, stifling dialogue and fostering a climate of fear.

According to a May 21st memo, the campus closure is necessary because of the "designated protest zone" at Queen's Park. Playing into media hype, University administrators have chosen to focus on a crude "protesters vs. police" characterization of anti-G20 efforts, and entirely sidestep the issues that compel people to oppose the G20 and its policies. In so doing, they reinforce cynical stereotypes of protesters and legitimize police violence.

The University did not consult students, staff, or faculty in making this decision. This decision places an unacceptable and unnecessary burden on students, instructors and researchers, forcing them to postpone their research, alter their course and exam schedules, and even abandon their homes.

For these reasons, we call on Provost Cheryl Misak and President David Naylor to immediately rescind their decision to close the campus during the G20 summit. We invite campus community members and organizations to join us. To endorse this statement, please send an email to open.uoft.campus@gmail.com.


Signatories

University of Toronto Students' Union

Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3902

United Steelworkers, Local 1998

U of T Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students

Ontario Public Interest Research Group - U of T

The Centre for Women and Trans People - U of T

Graduate Geography and Planning Student Society - U of T

Les Étudiants Francophones de l’Université de Toronto (French Club – EFUT)



Faculty Signatories

Kari Dehli, Chair, Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE

Scott Prudham, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Vice-President, University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA)

Bahar Biazar, Department of Adult Education and Counselling Psychology, University of Toronto

Deborah Cowen, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto

Ken MacDonald, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto

Emily Gilbert, Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Canadian Studies Program, University of Toronto

Katharine N. Rankin, Associate Professor & Director of Planning, Department of Geography, University of Toronto

Rachel Gorman, PhD. Undergraduate Coordinator, Women and Gender Studies Institute, University of Toronto

Kanishka Goonewardena. Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto

Sarah Wakefield. Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto

Matthew Farish, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Programme in Planning, University of Toronto

Ernie Lightman, Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto

Rinaldo Walcott, SESE OISE, University of Toronto

Andre Schmid, Associate Professor, Dept. of East Asian Studies, University of Toronto

Robert Lewis, Professor, Department of Geography and Progamme in Planning, University of Toronto

Paul Downes, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Toronto

Nicholas Sammond, Associate Professor, Cinema Studies Institute/Department of English, University of Toronto

Emily Eaton, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Regina

Reecia Orzeck, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Vermont

David McNally, Professor, Political Science, York University

Helen Colley, Professor of Lifelong Learning, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Irma Molina, Post Doctoral Fellow, Social Anthropology, York University

Marie-Josée Massicotte, Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa

Mark J. Goodman, Department of Sociology and Department of Equity Studies, York University

> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=103359936378415&v=info#!/group.php?gid=103359936378415&v=info&ref=mf

OPIRG-Toronto Annual General Meeting

Posted: April 19, 2010

OPIRG-Toronto Annual General Meeting

THURSDAY, MAY 6th
Bahen Centre, Room 1130
6pm-9pm

Celebrating an inspiring year of student & community activism,
OPIRG-Toronto invites you to participate in our Annual General
Meeting. Join us for an evening featuring reports from staff,
volunteers & board members, elections for the 2009-2010 Board of
Directors & a review of our audit.

**Voting is open only to OPIRG Members.

**To run for the 2010-2011 Board of Directors, hand deliver a Board
Nomination Package to the OPIRG-Toronto office - located at 563
Spadina Crescent, Room 101 between 11am-6pm during the Monday
April 19 to Monday April 26 nomination period. The 2010-2011 Nomination
packages can be obtained by emailing opirgcro2010@gmail.com.

**Food and Refreshments will be provided

For more info, please email opirg.toronto@gmail.com OR call 416-978-7770

Videos online! Poverty and the Provincial Budget: Health, Jobs and Resistance

Posted: April 19, 2010

Hear John Clarke (Ontario Coalition Against Poverty), Michael Hurley (Council of Ontario Hospital Unions, CUPE-Ontario) and Dr. Roland Wong (Community Physician) speak about poverty and the Ontario 2010 budget.

OPIRG-Toronto on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/user3561649/videos

OPIRG Toronto Endorses 'Stronger Together' for UTSU Elections

Posted: March 14, 2010

Dear OPIRG volunteers and allies,

We would like to let everyone know that OPIRG-Toronto has endorsed the STRONGER TOGETHER slate for the University of Toronto Students' Union elections. Voting takes place from Tuesday March 16 to Thursday March 18.

We feel that Stronger Together is the only slate with a commitment to and experience in fighting tuition fees and supporting issues of access and equity. While we may not always agree with positions taken by candidates from Stronger Together, the so-called Change slate is not the 'change' marginalized students can afford.


This year, the Change slate appears to have a greater focus on issues of equity within their platform. However, upon closer inspection, Change's position on such matters prove superficial. Members of the Change slate have been absent from this year's speak outs against racism, sexism, queerophobia and islamophobia. They have not been involved in the upcoming Academic Review that will leave many critical programs in a precarious state - including Equity Studies and Women and Gender Studies. These candidates have not condemned the massive funding cuts - upwards 50% - that these programs have already faced in the past year.

OPIRG volunteers have worked closely with members of STRONGER TOGETHER this past year, having organized programming and mobilization around issues of equity. Dis/Orientation week represents one such collaboration -- with the help of members of Stronger Together, hundreds of students attended various workshops on anti-war, Tamil and Palestine solidarity; global and local poverty; justice for migrants; queer radicalism; Indigenous solidarity; a campus tour; and a free commuter meal.

If you would like to help out with the campaign, come by the STRONGER TOGETHER table at Sidney Smith or email uoft.stronger.together@gmail.com.

Be sure to vote on Tuesday March 16, Wednesday March 17, and Thursday March 18

Polls open from 10am to 7pm

St. George: Sid Smith, Gerstein, Bahen, OISE, Bader Theatre, Larkin, Alumni Hall and Pharmacy.

UTM: CCIT, North Bldg. and South Bldg

> http://www.votestrongertogether.ca

Action Against G8/G20 Summit!

Posted: February 26, 2010

The Community Mobilization Network is organizing the community based
outreach, independent media, convergence and days of action leading up
to and during the G8/20 Summits in Ontario (June 25-27,2010)
To join the announcements list, visit:
https://masses.tao.ca/lists/listinfo/community.mobilize

> http://www.attacktheroots.net/

Equity Studies Students' Union

Posted: October 14, 2009

EQUITY STUDIES STUDENTS’ UNION - Upcoming actions/meetings



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LAUNCH OF EROTIC INTERVENTIONS (ERIN) – an ESSU spiritual arts coalition - Thursday, Oct. 15th at 6:30pm. Wilson Hall, rm. 2053. Find ERIN on FACEBOOK. Members can join Isabel at her house for FREE FOOD/DRINKS/DEBRIEF OFF CAMPUS after meeting (see below for brief description of ERIN).



GENERAL MEETING - Friday, October 16th at12-2pm. Wilson Hall, rm. 2053 Come and find out how to get involved in anti-oppression work within the community. If you can’t make the meeting ESSU can forward you the minutes/upcoming agenda/related events (see below for ESSU contact/email)



XPRESSION AGAINST OPPRESSION – OCT. 19-24 - A collaborative week of events between the UTSU, action groups, student unions, activists, artists and friends to build anti-oppression work and spread awareness about necessary and multivalent forms of dissent (see UTSU website for details or email ESSU)



ESSU SOCIAL at MOLLY BLOOMS– Thursday, October 22nd from 7:30pm. All ES students, professors, allies and friends are invited! FREE FOOD/CHEAP DRINKS.



CLASS REPRESENTATIVES– ESSU is looking for class representatives to relay ESSU information to classes at New College. Send ESSU contact (below) a message if interested.



ELECTION OF NEW ESSU EXEC MEMBER - ARTS AND PROMOTIONS - Friday October 23rd at 1:30PM. Wilson Hall, rm. 2053.Send ESSU contact a message if interested. Details regarding other ESSU actions at General meeting. Sign up and get involved with ESSU actions at uoft.essu@gmail.com

EROTIC INTERVENTIONS (ERIN) - an ESSU coalition and weekly forum that engages in poetry writing, storytelling, song, dance and discussions surrounding the need to embrace the arts and empower ourselves through the expression of the deep and raging emotions that are silenced through the neocolonialist pedagogies entrenched in the ableist, racist, sexist, classist, nationalist, and transnational political, economic and academic discourses of today. In an effort to resist the surveillance and violent oppression of marginalized identities, expressions, sexualities and ways of being, ERIN is calling on the ES students, friends and allies to create this new disruptive space. The formation of ERIN will occur tomorrow and decisions will be made about weekly meetings, off-campus potluck/debrief hosted by Isabel following weekly meetings (FREE FOOD/DRINKS), the upcoming ERIN agenda, and participation in XAO.

ERIN LAUNCH: Thursday, October 15th at New College, Wilson Hall, Room***

uoft.essu@gmail.com

Indigenous Sovereignty Week: October 26th - November 1st

Posted: October 07, 2009

You are warmly invited to attend and participate in:

Indigenous Sovereignty Week - Toronto

Forums, art, performances and discussions supporting and celebrating
the Indigenous struggle for land and sovereignty on Turtle Island

http://www.defendersoftheland.org/toronto

OCTOBER 26 -
NOVEMBER 1, 2009

Invited speakers include:
* Arthur Manuel, Secwepemc Nation
* Algonquins of Barriere Lake
* Shawn Brant, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
* Pauline Shirt, Plains Cree
* Russell Diabo, Mohawk Nation, Kahnawake.
* Grafton Antone, Oneida
* Vicki Monague, Beausoleil FN

Featured events:
* Opening Ceremonies with Men’s and Women’s Drum Circle, Youth slam
poetry and speaker
* Dear Harper: A Canadian Colonial History
* Justice Redone.
* Struggles for Land.
* Haudenosaunee
Storytelling
* The Great Indian Bus Tour. Exploring the Indigenous history of
Toronto.
* Building the Circle Stronger: Traditional feast, Sharing
Circle and Next Steps meeting
* and more …


Full schedule will
be updated shortly. Please visit our website often.
http://www.defendersoftheland.org/toronto
Email iswtoronto@gmail.com for
more.

> http://www.defendersoftheland.org/toronto

Rochdale College: An Exhibition and Free School

Posted: October 06, 2009

Rochdale College


An Exhibition and Free School Happening


At the University of Toronto Art Centre art lounge September 30 - October 31

Toronto - The University of Toronto Art Centre’s art lounge will host an exhibition on Rochdale College from September 30 - October 31. The exhibition does not claim to present a complete historical portrait of Rochdale, but instead prepares a historical collision in which Rochdale never stopped. The fragments of the wreckage will allow us to recontextualize Rochdale in many of its forms.

Rochdale was an experiment in education, cooperative living, and juvenocracy. In 1968, an 18-story high rise at Huron and Bloor opened its doors to Toronto’s young new radicals, ready to rethink pedagogy and redesign the institution. Rochdale was as buoyed by late sixties counterculture revolution as it was burdened by its free spirits and drug culture. By 1969, Rochdale’s population more than doubled with squatters and crashers, blurring the line between educational cooperative and flophouse.

Looking inward and looking beyond, the exhibition does not seek to judge Rochdale as a failure or a success but rather to present Rochdale as a kaleidoscope of people, activities, ambitions, distractions, ideas, and details multiplied over a course of approximately 8 years - it was communal as much as it was individualistic.

The exhibition is comprised of three main components: Artifacts, Student Art, and a series of free classes. The artifacts are borrowed from Coach House Press, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, OISE, and the basements of former residents, following the paper trail of Rochdale’s stream of consciousness. Student art, in a variety of media, draws from the spirit of Rochdale. Work is by Myra-Anne Boyle, Paul J. Kneale, Jol Thomson, Brendon O’Neill, and SPAY. Included in the student work is a bulletin board used to encourage a dialogue among participants, a nod to Rochdale’s Living Laboratory on “Bulletin Board Theory and Practice.” The classes retain Rochdale’s initial emphasis on participatory and experiential education. The classes will address a wide range of topics and will be approached through a wide range of styles, from the most activist and urgent to the most irreverent. See the schedule below.

Other events include: a DVD screening of Ron Mann’s documentary on Rochdale, /DREAM// TOWER/, co-presented by the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students. Thursday October 8 2009, 6:30 pm. FREE.

Also: Artist’s Talk with Reena Katz: /Culture of Power and the power of Culture/. Starting with a case study from her recent art practice, Katz will lead a discussion of Edward Said’s text, and discuss the intersections and divergences of power structures between artists, publics, and cultural institutions. Thursday October 15 2009 6:30pm. FREE.

The University of Toronto Art Centre Art Lounge is located at the University of Toronto, St. George Campus, at 15 King’s College Circle. The art lounge student exhibition program aims both to encourage rigorous aesthetic exploration and to reflect the diverse practices in student visual art.

Curated by Rebecca Noone, Master of Museum Studies student at UofT, in conjuction with Sunny Kerr, Student and Education Programs Coordinator for UTAC.

Contact:

Sunny Kerr at sunny.kerr@utoronto.ca or by phone at 416-946-3029

http://www.utac.utoronto.ca/student-programs

Join our Facebook page entitled “Rochdale College”

*Free Classes Schedule*
All classes will take place in the UTAC art lounge. Please rsvp to sunny.kerr@utoronto.ca.


Tuesday October 6 1:00 p.m.

/Faux-netics & the Academic Demeanor: Practical Lessons in Name-Dropping, Hob-knobbing, & the Image of Education/

SPAY will be hosting 4 different seminars to teach you absolutely everything you will need to know in order to maintain a healthy appearance of Academia.

Why spend FOUR to FIVE LONG YEARS to get yourself a BA, or a BS?

SPAY will teach you how to teach yourself to teach people that you are, in fact, much more intelligent than everyone else in the room. After this, you'll be so cultured, yoghurt moms won't know what to do with you.
Students for the Practical Application of Youth



Wednesday October 7 1:00 p.m.

/Chance Jewelry Workshop/
Michelle Wang

This workshop combines material and the idea of chance. Chance is around us everyday touching our fate soundlessly, just like a necklace: it’s wrapped around us but with different reasons. Necklaces are round without starting point and ending point; they have personalities; they represent certain moods without the need to explain through words. Chance makes beautiful yet natural results through painting or collage, but it rarely relates to making jewelry. The class will experiment on the idea of chance and allow them to make necklaces/bracelets out of their own 'chance'.



Thursday October 8 1:00 p.m.

/THE ESOTERIC SEEKRETS OF SPAY: Advice in Creative Reading, Practical Magic, and Authoring Reality/

Students for the Practical Application of Youth
SPAY


Thursday October 8 4:30 p.m.

/Revolution/Revolution/
Denise Ryner and Ulysses Castellanos

Non-conformity and revolution are what students have brought to the classroom since the beginning of formal pedagogical systems. Old regimes and authority have always been challenged by the student. These revolutions ignited and diffused themselves in a cycle predicted by Wagner in Der Ring des Nibelungen (1874) and about a hundred years later in Michelangelo Antonioni’s film Zabriskie Point (1970). Wagner himself took part in a failed attempt at revolution with the anarchist Bakunin in Dresden in 1849 that led to his exile in Switzerland and then France where he published his revolutionary ideals in a series of treatises, the most well-known of which is Art and Revolution (1849).
Are revolutions always compromised by their ideals and how are these ideals transferred from generation to generation? Do students naturally disperse and re-absorb these revolutionary ideals through everything they do taste, smell, hear, see and touch? School’s in. How are you gonna keep it real?


Friday October 9 2:00 p.m.

/Healing the Past : Subverting History/
Maria Campos

Deconstruction Methodology collage sessions.
Bring an image that evokes a significant memory.



Tuesday October 13 1:00 p.m.

/Let The Buyer Beware: Rochdale College's Degrees (and Non-Degrees/)
Robin Simpson


Throughout its seven-year existence Rochdale College residents produced an impressive array of printed matter including posters, course calendars, weekly newsletters, and one-off novelties. Amongst this variegated output, one type of document -- the degrees (and non-degrees) -- remained steadfast right to the college's closure. This presentation re-reads the material surrounding the degrees, revealing contradictory and conflicting accounts of their usage, in turn complicating their initial satirical position.

Robin Simpson is currently pursuing graduate studies in Art History at Concordia University, Montreal. He is co-founder of Pavilion Projects, a nomadic and often symbiotic curatorial and arts service initiative (www.pavilionprojects.com).


Wednesday October 14 1:00 p.m.

UTTalk Discussion Session

/Find Your Relationship Deal-breaker/
The class will provide students with a comfortable environment to discuss matters relating to relationships and learn from each others’ opinions and experiences.

www.uttalk.com



Thursday October 15 1:00 p.m.

/from protogentic schizophrenia to contemporary subjective consciousness: the loss of god, the power of metaphor, and the feedback /loop with JoL Thomson.

Inspired by Julian Jaynes’ seminal “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of The Bicameral Mind”, along with ideas on metaphor from Jorge Luis Borges’ lectures at Harvard in 1967, this performative-lecture is an alternative-experimental form of discussing complex interrelated topics of Language, Consciousness, Communication and Time.

Participants are asked to come with an open mind, an interest in discussion, and an excerpt from their favourite poem.



Thursday October 15 6:30 p.m.
Artist’s Talk with Reena Katz


/Cultures of Power and the power of Culture/.

Edward Said proposed a reorganization of social power through the power of visual and oral cultures. What opportunities does this open up in diverse art practices? How do global digital communication and social networking technologies impact cultural work? Starting with a case study from her recent art practice, Katz will lead a discussion of Said’s text, and discuss the intersections and divergences of power structures between artists, publics and cultural institutions.



Friday October 16 2:00 p.m.

/Healing the Pas t: Subverting History II/
Maria Campos
Deconstruction Methodology collage sessions.
Bring an image that evokes a significant memory.



Tuesday October 20 1:00 p.m.

/Post-Pataphysics: Advanced Science of Imaginary Solutions and the Proliferation of Hybrid Contexts/

Students for the Practical Application of Youth
SPAY


Wednesday October 21 1:00 p.m.

/Life in the City: Moving Towards Self Sufficient Living/
Wes Allen

Ways to move towards self-sufficient living in an urban environment. Food and gardening, cooking and preserving, eating and shopping locally and ways to reduce the amount of water you use and or waste in the home.



Thursday October 22 1:00 p.m.

/It’s Why I Became a Shaman/
Brendon O’Neill

A lecture on film and drawing that includes a decent measure of self-reflexivity. Among other things, learn how to tap maple trees for syrup, build geodesic domes as well as magic boxes. Come see me.


Friday October 23 1:00 p.m.

How To Start Your Own Religion
Moonglow Lovefont


A look at the effective and ineffective methods employed by NRMs (New Religious Movements) since the 1960s, with special emphasis on several very successful and extremely unsuccessful movements (Jonestown, Moonies, Heaven's Gate, Aum Shinrikyo, ISKCON (Hare Krishnas) et al.)


Tuesday October 27 1:00 p.m.

/Questioning Answers/
Danielle Fallone

Examining the Politics that live in the Classroom and the Transformative Potential of Collaborative Anti-Hierarchical Pedagogy


Wednesday October 28 1:00 p.m.

/Art for Social Change/
Sarah Switzer

An entry point into various ways that educators facilitators and activists can use the arts as a tool for discussion and facilitation



Thursday October 29 1:00 p.m.

/Art of Conversation or: How I Learned to Love the F-Bomb/

Students for the Practical Application of Youth
SPAY

Sunny Kerr

Student and Education Program Coordinator

University of Toronto Art Centre

15 King's College Circle

Toronto, ON M5S 3H7

Telephone: 416-946-3029

http://www.utac.utoronto.ca/student-programs

/Gord Peteran: Furniture Meets Its Maker /

Organized and Circulated by the Milwaukee Art Museum

8 September - 5 December 2009

/Gord Peteran: Recent Works/

Originated by UTAC

8 September - 5 December

Work-Study Position @ the Centre for Women and Trans People

Posted: October 01, 2009

Work-Study Position: Spice Program Facilitator

Application Deadline EXTENDED: 5pm Thursday, October 8, 2009

Start Date: Immediately

Skills:

Analytical

Communication

Creative

Interpersonal

Organizational

Food Preparation

Number of Vacancies: 1

Position Description: Spice Program Facilitator

This position will require an individual who has a love for food, community building and interest in health for the coordination of "the Spice", and ongoing weekly outreach cooking program at the Centre for Women and Trans people at U. of T.'s. The Spice is a participatory cooking program promoting community building. The Spice brings people on campus together to contribute their culinary ideas and learn new skills while building bridges among communities. The program was developed out of the awareness of the growing poverty on campus and the need to promote healthy lifestyles. The objectives of the project are to outreach to the campus and larger communities, build networks around addressing poverty and food issues, promote healthy, nutritious and affordable food as well as preparation skills and knowledge to participants. The tasks of the Spice Program Facilitator include but are not limited to:

• Plan a weekly lunch cooking program, including finding nutritional and diverse recipes, and facilitating meal preparation



• Purchase supplies for the program

• Foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere

• Facilitate discussions around issues of food security within an anti-oppression framework with volunteers and participants

• Network with other groups on campus and in the community who are doing work around poverty, food and nutrition

• Publicizing the Spice to the University of Toronto and the wider community by using mainstream and alternative media, and making and distributing flyers and posters

• maintain an online recipe blog

• develop a recipe book of the recipes used in the program



• Ensuring the Community Cupboard is well-stocked

The individual will have the opportunity to work independently in a collective environment with the support and supervision of staff and collective members. They will gain experience and program coordination including building leadership, organizational, interpersonal, communication and community development skills. They will also acquire a deeper understanding of issues of poverty and food issues as it relates to health, as well as new cooking skills.

Degree:

• Bachelors Level

• Masters Level

• Ph.D. Level

• Other

Industry: Social Services

Discipline:

• ANY Discipline

• OTHER-Arts

• Arts

• Education

• Environmental Studies

• Health Sciences

• Social Work

• Social Sciences

Hours of work available/week: 12

Special features about the hours of work: Fridays required, occasional evening and weekends

How to apply:

Please mail, e-mail, fax or drop off your resume directly to the Centre c/o Hiring Committee. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

All resumes must be accompanied by a one-page personal statement on “Community organizing and working through oppression and privilege.” This statement is intended to give the Hiring Committee a bit of an idea of your understanding of community organizing, the work you’ve done and how you understand yourself in that work.

The Centre believes that those who are on the margins are often in better positions to understand how systems of oppression, power and privilege work and are maintained. We especially encourage people who are surviving racism, colonization, poverty, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, and sexism to apply for paid positions, as well as to volunteer in action groups and to join the Centre’s Collective.

• Mail

• Fax:( 416 ) 978-1078

• Email: womens.centre@utoronto.ca

• In person

• Resume, 1 page personal statement and covering letter

Employer/Contact Information

Organization: U OF T - THE CENTRE FOR WOMEN & TRANS PEOPLE

Contact: Margaret Lam, Co-Coordinator

Address:

The Centre for Women & Trans People

563 Spadina Ave., Room 100

North Borden Building

Toronto ON

M5S 2J7

Join the Voices Reading Circle!

Posted: October 01, 2009

Join the Voices Reading Circle

BREAKING BOUNDARIES & BINDINGS BOOK CLUB LAUNCH
Thursday, October 29
7pm
563 Spadina Avenue, Room 100 (North Borden Building)

Featuring Reading & Discussion
Shyam Selvadurai (Author of Funny Boy)

This month the reading circle will be featuring the novel Funny Boy. Please bring along your thoughts and ideas to share and engage in this discussion with Shyam about his novel. Themes of the novel include: queer migrant issues, the experience of Diaspora, and struggles of class, ethnicity, and sexuality.

Get a 10% DISCOUNT on the book, as part of your membership to the reading circle at the Toronto Women’s Book Store.

OR

Borrow Funny Boy from the Dr. Chun Resource Library; other U of T libraries, including Robarts, Thomas Fisher Rare Book, Victoria College library, University College library, Trinity College library & the St. Michael’s College library or from the Toronto Public Libraries

For more information contact: Sumaya Ahmed sumaya.a.ahmed@gmail.com

About Funny Boy

In this remarkable debut novel, a boy's bittersweet passage to maturity and sexual awakening is set against the escalating politcal tensions in Sri Lanka, during the seven years leading up to the 1983 riots. arjie Chelvaratnam is a Tamil boy growing up in an extended family in Colombo. It is through his eyes that the story unfolds and we meet a delightful, sometimes eccentric cast of characters. Arjie's journey from the luminous simplicity of childhood days into the more intricately shaded world of adults - with its secrets, its injustices, and its capacity from violence - is a memorable one, as time and time again the true longings of the human heart are held against the way things are.

Toronto Palestine Film Festival: September 26th - October 2nd

Posted: September 21, 2009

Toronto Palestine Film Festival
Non-Stereotypical Cinema from Palestine
September 26-October 2, 2009
www.tpff.ca

Join us at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival!

The 2nd annual Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF) is pleased to
present a wide selection of award-winning short, feature, documentary,
experimental and animation films to Toronto audiences.

From September 26 to October 2, TPFF will showcase 34 films, including
Canadian and North American premieres, and will host a contemporary
art exhibit, a film & food brunch and several forums. Check out our
programme to learn more about TPFF (www.tpff.ca).

TPFF opens the festival with the internationally acclaimed film
Amreeka, on Saturday September 26, 2009, 6:30 at the Bloor Cinema (560
Bloor St. W & Bathurst).

Amreeka is a comedy-drama about Muna, a single mother who leaves
Ramallah with her teenage son, Fadi, to provide him with a better
future in small-town Illinois. As Fadi learns to navigate high school
hallways, Muna, a former bank employee, scrambles together a new life
cooking up hamburgers at the local White Castle.

Award-winning independent filmmaker and television writer Cherien
Dabis has been named one of Variety’s “Ten Directors to Watch” in
2009. Amreeka is her feature writing and directorial debut, which won
the Director’s Fortnight, FIPRESCI Prize (Critic’s Prize) Cannes Film
Festival 2009.

TPFF closes on October 2 at the Bloor Cinema, with two excellent films
that can’t be missed.

Laila’s Birthday, directed by celebrated Palestinian filmmaker Rashid
Masharawi, tells the story of Abu Laila, a judge turned taxi driver,
who must purchase a cake for his daughter’s birthday. This becomes an
epic task as Abu Laila navigates the chaos of daily life in Ramallah.
The film is a revealing and humorous portrait of a city and a decent
man at their breaking point.

Checkpoint Rock shines a spotlight on music in Palestine. Beginning
with renowned musician Marcel Khalife at Mahmoud Darwish’s funeral,
the film traverses Palestine/Israel and presents a diverse range of
musical performances along the way. Rappers, a wedding singer and
classical musicians express their personal struggles through their
music.

Advance tickets, TPFF 10 Pass or Memberships can be purchased online
or at the Toronto Women’s Bookstore (73 Harbord St.). Buy early and
avoid disappointment at the door!

We look forward to seeing you at the Toronto Palestine Film Festival.

> www.tpff.ca

CAMPUS ACTIVIST’ CHARTER RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED, JUDGE RULES

Posted: September 10, 2009

Charges Against ‘Fight Fees 2’ Are Stayed!

Toronto - In a significant victory for University of Toronto students, all criminal charges have been stayed against campus advocates Chris Ramsaroop and Oriel Varga in relation to a peaceful sit-in on March 2008. Thursday’s decision, by Ontario Court of Justice Judge Paul Reinhardt, is the outcome of a Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge based on the right to be tried within a reasonable time (section 11 b).

Varga and Ramsaroop, known as the Fight Fees 2 were the remaining of the 14 students and their allies criminally charged after a peaceful sit-in against fee increases on March 20, 2008. Broad based community support by unions, students and over a hundred professors had decried the U of T's blatant attempt to criminalize dissent on campus.

Joeita Gupta, U of T Governor and VP External of the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students, observes,

“This is a precedent-setting decision. It affirms our Charter Rights, making it clear that trumped-up charges can't be handed out to student leaders as a strategy to silence dissenting opinions and tie-up our advocates in lengthy and expensive legal battles. I hope this will be a strong statement to the University that such violations of academic freedom and our Charter Rights will not be tolerated on campus.”

Twelve of the original "Fight Fees 14" have also had their charges withdrawn or stayed, or have signed peace bonds limiting their right to protest on campus. But the two remaining accused, both of whom are community advocates at U of T and former University governors, refused to sign away their Charter Rights to make the charges and Code of Student Conduct investigation go away.

Justice Paul Reinhardt's decision states,

“The total delay in this case from the date of arrest 25 April 2008, until the proposed trial date of 28 September 2009, is over seventeen months, well beyond the constitutionally permitted standard for a case of this kind and with these facts.” (Pg 8, Section [47])

The charges were laid after the University of Toronto threatened the students with Code of Student Conduct investigations. From today’s success, the Fight Fees Coalition is looking forward to continuing the fight against the Code of Student Conduct proceedings. The Code is largely viewed as a means of criminalizing outspoken students. The Coalition will also continue its work towards the elimination of tuition fees. With the overwhelming support received, the University has only emboldened the movement against their unilateral tuition and ancillary fee increases. Today’s victory proves that not only will trumped-up charges not stop student resistance, but make student resistance stronger.


More information at
Contact: Joeita Gupta 416∙918∙1935

Background:

Oriel Varga, is currently Executive Director of the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS) and was a U of T Governor (2003-04). She has advocated for student rights at U of T for a decade, taking part in the Justice for Dr. Chun campaign and organizing the Free University of Toronto.

Chris Ramsaroop is Outreach Organizer at APUS and volunteers for Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW) where he advocates on behalf of migrant and undocumented workers. He is past President of numerous student unions at U of T (APUS, SAC, and Board member of ASSU), and served on the University Governing Council (2002-2004).

> http://FightFeesCoalition.blogspo t.com

disOrientation 2009 Schedule!

Posted: September 08, 2009

<><><><><><><><><><><><>
disOrientation 2009 – Shoot Me! I’m Political
September 14th - 18th
University of Toronto - St. George Campus
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
disOrientation is a week of events being organized by the University
of Toronto Students’ Union (U.T.S.U) and the Ontario Public Interest
Research Group (OPIRG) Toronto. This week will focus on engaging the
student body in political activism through an introduction to
anti-oppression and social justice work being done on and off campus.

All events are free and open to both students and community members.
All locations are wheelchair accessible.

Workshops we will be hosting during the week:
*Anti-War and Tamil Solidarity
*Palestine Solidarity
*World Poverty
*Local Poverty
*Justice for Migrants
*Queer Radicalism
*Colonialism 101
*Justice for Indigenous Communities

Events we will be hosting during the week:
*Radical Campus Tour
*Free Commuter Meal
*Film Screening of “Walk-out”
*The really, really, Free Market: Block party!
*Free Iftar meal at sundown for those observing Ramadan
*Words of Resistance – Performance Night
*Keynote address with Robert Lovelace
*Film Screening of “Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance” at Philosopher’s Walk
*Community BBQ

Please see the attached schedule for the exact times and locations of
the workshops and events.

Join DisO on facebook :
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=123742574146

disOrientation 2009:
Brought to you by your Students’ Union(U.T.S.U) and OPIRG - Toronto
Visit: www.opirguoft.org / www.utsu.ca

Contact for more information: opirg.toronto@gmail.com/ vpexternal@utsu.ca
________________________________

Schedule of Workshops and Events

*******************************

Monday, September 14th: EDUCATION

Radical Campus Tour
12 Noon - 4pm
Location: Meeting @ the OPIRG Toronto Office (563 Spadina Ave - North
Borden Building, on the east side of Spadina Circle)

Get to know your campus from a whole new light: radical history,
important services and organizations to visit, buildings you will want
to protest - its all here in a guided tour!

-----------------

Community BBQ
5pm
Location: on the lawn of U.T.S.U (Hart House Circle)

At the end of the Campus Tour, join us for a free BBQ and discussion.
------------------------

Outdoor Film Screening: 'Walk Out"!
8pm
Location: on the lawn of U.T.S.U ( 12 Hart House Circle), or rain location TBD

A film about Student activists tired of being treated unequally,
decide to take action and stage a walkout at five East Los Angeles
high schools in 1968 to protest educational conditions anti-Mexican
educational bias along with some 10,000 students.

An inspirational film, not to be missed!

______________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, September 15th: INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

Commuter Brunch with Hot YAM
11am
Location: U.T.S.U Lawn @ 12 Hart House Circle

For those who have to travel to get to campus, and for those who are
not inspired by campus food and can't afford anymore crappy
starbucks...Commuter Brunch with the Hot Yam! The Hot Yam! is the
University of Toronto's all-volunteer lunch party - once a week they
cook up a delicious, mostly local, mostly organic and entirely vegan
lunch all for affordable prices.
-------------------------

Workshop: Anti-War from Afghanistan to Sri Lanka
3pm
Location: BA 1210 Bahen Centre (19 Russell St)

An introductory workshop to understanding Canada's involvement in
Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka's war against the Tamil people. Saying NO
to racism and war!

Featuring:
*James Clarke: Toronto Coalition to Stop the War
*Tamil Students in solidarity
-------------------
Workshop: Apartheid 101 and Palestine Solidarity

Tuesday, September 15th - 6 p.m.
Bahen Centre (19 Russel Street) - BA2175

An Introductory workshop on the issues of Israel-Palestine, and on the
situation facing Palestinian students under occupation and apartheid.
Join us as we talk about ways of how we can stand in solidarity with
Palestinian students.

Featuring:

*Alan Sears: professor at Ryerson University. He is a member of
Faculty for Palestine, a coalition of university professors raising
awareness about Israeli Apartheid and Palestinian human rights. He
will be talking about the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

*Ilaria Giglioli: graduate student at the University of Toronto. She
is a member of Students Against Israeli Apartheid, has recently
returned from a month-long trip to Palestine, and will be talking
about the Right to Education Campaign.
______________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, September 16th: POVERTY and THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

Workshop: Global Poverty and the Crisis
12 Noon
Location: University of Toronto Art Centre (UTAC) @ 15 King’s College
Circle (University College)

Understanding global economic structures like the WTO, G8, and Free
Trade. Looking at the current economic crisis and the affects of
poverty on the Global south.

Featuring:
*David McNally: Professor of Political Science at York University,
social justice activist, and Author of ‘Another World is Possible’.

*S.K Hussan: organizer with No One is Illegal and part of the ad-hoc
G8 organizing committee.
-----------------------

Workshop: Local Poverty and the Crisis
3pm
Location: University of Toronto Art Centre (UTAC) @ 15 King’s College
Circle (University College)

From local struggles for income security, access to education, and
housing, this workshop will look at issues facing poor communities in
Ontario.
Featuring:

*Gaetan Heroux: Streethealth and the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)

*AJ Whithers: OCAP and Disability Action Movement Now (DAMN 2025)

*Campaign for a Poverty Free Ontario – Canadian Federation of Students

*Kelly O'Sullivan - CUPE 4308 and community activist

------------------------------

EVENT: The Really, Really, Free Market: BLOCK PARTY!
6pm
Location: U.T.S.U Lawn (12Hart House Circle)

MUSIC, ART, PERFORMANCES, COMMUNITY GROUPS and MORE!
An Outdoor party in the heart of Campus – and its really really FREE!
______________________________________________________________________

Thursday, September 17th: RESISTANCE to OPPRESSION
-----------
Workshop: Justice for Migrant Communities
12 Noon
Location: ES B149 Earth Sciences Building (5 Bancroft Ave)

An introductory workshop on the issues facing migrant and non-status
communities; from immigration raids to racist immigration policy more
broadly. Come hear about how local organizations are fighting back!

Featuring:

*Chris Ramsaroop from Justicia for Migrant Workers: a volunteer run
political non-profit collective comprised of activists from diverse
walks of life. Justicia strives to promote the rights of migrant
farmworkers (participating in the Canadian Seasonal Agricultural
Workers Program and the Low Skilled Workers Program) and farmworkers
without status.

* Joy Sioson from Philippine Women Centre of Ontario: a non-profit
community based organization that advances the rights and welfare of
Filipino women. Joy will talk about the plight of Filipino women and
migrant workers and the community's struggle for genuine settlement
and integration.

* Yogi Acharya from No One is Illegal Toronto: a group of immigrants,
refugees and allies who fight for the rights of all migrants to live
with dignity and respect.
------------------------------------
Workshop: Building On A Radical Queer Politic
Thursday, September 17th - 2 p.m.
University of Toronto Arts Centre (UTAC): 15 King’s College Cirlce

This facilitated discussion will examine the struggles that have
shaped queer radicalism. We will explore the histories of queer
movements, strategies queer communities have employed in the past, and
new directions that queer radicalisms are taking today.

Featuring:
*Mujeres al Frente is a Support Group for Lesbian, Bisexual, Intersex,
Queer Women and Trans People of Latin-America.

*Tim McCaskell is a co-founder of AIDS Action Now and former member of
the Body Politic Collective, the ground-breaking Toronto radical queer
newspaper.

*Natalie Kouri-Towe is a former organizer with the Quebec Public
Interest Research Group (QPIRG) and is currently organizing with
Queers Against Israeli Apartheid.
---------------------------

EVENT: Free Iftar meal for those observing Ramadan sponsored by the
Graduate Students’ Union (GSU)
Sundown
Location: U.T.S.U Lawn (12 Hart House Circle)
----------------------------

EVENT: Words of Resistance
Spoken Word against Oppression

6pm
Location: Arbor Room @ Hart House (7 Hart House Circle)

Had lips tied? Rights denied?
Seen silence amplified?
They may draw boundaries on my home, my neighborhood, my people and me
But they will never, ever stop me from speaking out.
They will never take away my
WORDS OF RESISTANCE

Come to listen, to speak and to share. Open mike, short plays, spoken
word and performances.

Featured Artists include:

Nomanzland
Unknown Mizery
Anu Radha Verma
Gitanjali Lena
Kenji
Amai Kuda
Jorge Vallejos
Jean-Marc Daga

______________________________________________________________________

Friday, September 18th: INDIGENOUS SOLIDARITY

Workshop: Colonialism 101 and Solidarity
12 Noon
Location: University of Toronto Art Centre (UTAC) @ 15 King’s College
Circle (University College)

An introductory workshop to the history of colonialism within North
America and the movements for solidarity with First Nations
communities demanding justice.

Featuring: Tyendinaga Support Committee and Barriere Lake Solidarity Committee

---------------------------
Event: Justice for Indigenous Communities
Featuring: Robert Lovelace
2pm
Location: International Students Centre – Cumberland Room (33 St. George St.)

Robert Lovelace is a retired Chief of the Ardoch Algonquin First
Nation. He is an Adjunct Lecturer in Global Development Studies at
Queen's University and a professor in Ecosystems Management at Sir
Sandford Fleming College. He has written about community development
and social reform as a de-colonizing strategy. On February 15, 2008,
Robert Lovelace was sentenced to 6 months in prison for contempt of
court. His crime was taking a leadership role in securing Algonquin
land and refusing to permit exploration for uranium near Ardoch,
Ontario. Lovelace will be speaking on Colonialism vs. The Future -
adapting to the finite world means the end of colonialism. He will
speak to the need for education to take on a very strong anti-colonial
character in preparing the next generation for the environmental and
economic changes and challenges ahead.
----------------------------

Outdoor Film Screening: 'Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance'
8pm
Location: Philosophers Walk @ 80 Queens Park
Rain Location: Arbor Room at Hart House

Alanis Obomsawin, 1993, 119 min 15 s
On a July day in 1990, a confrontation propelled Native issues in
Kanehsatake and the village of Oka, Quebec, into the international
spotlight. Director Alanis Obomsawin spent 78 nerve-wracking days and
nights filming the armed stand-off between the Mohawks, the Quebec
police and the Canadian army. This powerful documentary takes you
right into the action of an age-old Aboriginal struggle. The result is
a portrait of the people behind the barricades.
________________________________________________________________________

GET INVOLVED!

University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) is YOUR students' union.
Representing over 41,000, we are governed by a Board of Directors
elected from every college, campus, professional faculty and
second-entry program. Our aim is to provide money-saving services and
events to educate and enhance your university experience. www.utsu.ca

Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) is a volunteer
campus-based group with a mandate for Action, Education, and Research
on issues of social and environmental justice. We have over 25 years
of commitment to social justice and organizing at the University of
Toronto. www.opirgufot.org

95 killed in NATO air strike on Afghan oil trucks

Posted: September 05, 2009

By Kim Sengupta in Kabul

WESTERN forces were engulfed in controversy yesterday after NATO air strikes on two oil tankers hijacked by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan led to carnage with a fireball killing 95 people, dozens of them civilians.
Most of those who perished were burned to death. NATO initially insisted that all the dead were Taliban insurgents. Later, after angry protests from local residents and officials, they acknowledged there had been civilian deaths. The injured were ferried by ambulances, taxis, tractors and carts to the central hospital in Kunduz.

The attack at the village of Haji Aman, around 11km from Kunduz, could not have come at a more volatile time in Afghanistan, with intense anger over civilian casualties and an intensifying clash between President Hamid Karzai and Washington over the disputed national election. The incumbent president has repeatedly complained about civilian deaths from NATO air strikes.

On Thursday night, Taliban fighters hijacked two fuel trucks near a NATO base and beheaded the drivers.
An unmanned drone aircraft was dispatched to track them.
Locals said the hijackers ran into difficulty when they reached a river crossing and let villagers take some diesel. This is when the bombing happened. According to German officials, the plane's cameras showed no presence of civilians.

The commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, last night contacted Mr Karzai to say that he was committed to investigating the incident. Questions were being raised specifically over how what happened at Kunduz sits with orders issued by Gen McChrystal that air strikes should not be authorised unless it is first confirmed that there is no prospect of civilian casualties, or allied forces are in imminent danger.

The killings and the subsequent row also take place against the backdrop of dwindling support for the Afghan war in Europe and America, with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown forced yesterday to defend the continuing presence of British troops.

The deaths also came just 24 hours after the US defence secretary Robert Gates denied that the war was "slipping through the administration's fingers".
He moreover dismissed suggestions that it was time to pull all US troops out of Afghanistan and fight the war only with air strikes and drones.
It "does not accord with reality" to fight that way, he said.

As President Barack Obama reviews a report from Gen McChrystal on recalibrating the war, he also knows that public support for it is diminishing rapidly -- a new poll released this week shows that 57pc of Americans are opposed to it.

The United Nations has expressed its "deep concern" about what had happened.

Peter Galbraith, the deputy head of the organisation's mission to Afghanistan, said: "Steps must also be taken to examine what happened and why an air strike was employed in circumstances where it was hard to determine with certainty that civilians were not present."

Two local MPs said feelings against foreign forces were running high in the area in the wake of the carnage.
Mohammed Amin Qaneh said: "We are very upset; a lot of ordinary people have been killed. Why did they have to bomb the tankers?
"Does NATO put the price of oil higher than the price of blood? We want justice; we want those responsible punished."

Fellow parliamentarian Qaari Niamtullah continued: "Everyone is very angry and the Taliban will just exploit this to get support." (© Independent News Services)
- Kim Sengupta in Kabul

> http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2009/sep/04/nato-airstrike-afghanistan VIDEO

Tamil Canadians Protest China's Support to Sri Lanka

Posted: August 25, 2009

JOIN US!

Wednesday August 26 2009
3 pm to 8 pm
240 George Street (Chinese Consulate in Toronto)

On Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Tamil Canadians will gather in front of the Chinese Consulate in to denounce the country’s military and financial support of the Sri Lankan government.

China’s support is the single greatest cause for the Government of Sri Lanka to be so dismissive of international criticism, to disregard for human life during the conflict, and its continued detention of 300,000 innocent civilians.

Did You Know:

-China is Sri Lanka largest foreign donor has provided the government of Sri Lanka of $1billion in 2008.

-China is a largest supplier of Arms for the Sri Lankan Military.

-In April 2007 Sri Lanka signed a $37.6$ million dollar deal to buy ammunition and ordinances for its army and navy.

-Many of the Chinese Arms have been bought through Lanka Logistics & Technologies, co-headed by Gotabhaya Rajapaska, the defense secretary and President’s brother.

-China’s involvement in Sri Lanka is linked to the building of a $1 Billion dollar Hambantota port.

-China encouraged Pakistan to sell weapons to Sri Lanka and to train Sri Lankan pilots.

-China repeatedly provided diplomatic support for Sri Lanka in the UN, and repeatedly blocked Sri Lanka from being put on the UN Security Council Agenda.

You are being asked to consider these facts and to take a stand against China’s support of the Sri Lankan Government.

JOIN US!
For more information contact CTC@ (416)240-0078

www.canadiantamilcongress.ca

http://www.canadiantamilcongress.ca/Press_Releases/CTC_Release1_August_24.pdf

> http://notosrilanka.com

RALLY & PRESS CONFERENCE RIDE FOR WATER AND FOR LIFE:

Posted: August 24, 2009

Cyclists ride to Toronto to halt construction on Dump site 41!

Monday August 24th
3pm
135 St. Clair Avenue West

Toronto - Two Simcoe County cyclists will arrive in Toronto at the
Ministry of the Environment (135 St. Clair Avenue West) at 3:00pm on
Monday August 24, having biked over 100kms from Site 41 to protest the
construction of a garbage dump on land that contains one of Canada’s
purest water sources as well as being traditional indigenous territory.
Concerned Toronto and Simcoe County residents will be there to welcome
them.

Simcoe County Council will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday (August 25-26) to vote on a moratorium on development of a dump site along with other Dump Site 41-related matters.

“Under the present Clean Water Act, the construction of this dump site would never be approved” says 23-year old Shaun Hodgson, one of the cyclists. “It is time for the Ministry of Environment to intervene
and stop a historical mistake.”

“Simcoe County and the Federal Government has a duty to consult and a
duty to get consent from all matters that effect indigenous communities”
adds Vicki Monague, Communications, who has been part of the Anishinabe
Kweag protest camp since it started on May 8th. The camp, which is set up
across from the dump site, includes First Nations people,
environmentalists and church groups.

Simcoe County politicians, the Ministry of the Environment, and consultant
Jagger Hims Ltd. (now Genivar) have not produced verifiable test results,
including Modflow data, to prove that the water will not be contaminated
even after repeated requests by the Community Monitoring Committee.

“The call is for a one year moratorium on construction at the site to allow time for public hearings and for an independent scientific assessment of the model used to grant the permit, which has never been made public” adds Rob Weller, the second cyclist.

There have been 16 arrests since the start of the protest camp.

For more information:

Shaun Hodgson - 705-794-1191
Vicki Monague - 705-305-8425
Web: http://stopdumpsite41.ca/

> http://stopdumpsite41.ca/

Torture, a Canadian Value?

Posted: August 18, 2009

AUGUST 8, 2009

by STEFAN CHRISTOFF

The Dominion -

MONTREAL—Each year in June the UN marks the International Day in Support of Torture Victims. However, numerous UN member states continue to practice torture—in many cases, openly. Political contradictions here abound, nuzzled between the horror of torture as a politically administered reality and the apparent international consensus in opposition to torture.

Canada is one country where political links to torture in recent years are unmistakable.

From the haunting testimonials from Canadian Omar Khadr who remains at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, to the widely documented torture of Canadian Maher Arar in a Syrian prison, torture is key in Canada’s political relationship to the world since 9/11.

"Today, a very specific narrative on torture is circulating in Canada," outlined Sherene Razack, professor at University of Toronto and celebrated author of multiple books on race issues in the law.

"The narrative that torture works and that it is necessary is gaining prominence more than it ever has before—claims that have really gone unchallenged in the popular media, which is really very dangerous for our society," she told The Dominion by phone.

Abousfian Abdelrazik is a Canadian who can speak directly to Canada’s take on torture.

Abdelrazik was imprisoned in Sudan, where he was tortured. He is now at the epicentre of a grassroots campaign that recently pressed the government to repatriate Abdelrazik from Sudan, a citizenship right denied by successive Canadian governments.

According to Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, "every citizen of Canada has the right to enter, remain in and leave Canada." These rights were denied to Abdelrazik. In June, after six years in exile, he returned to Montreal when a key ruling from a federal court judge forced the government to respect Abdelrazik’s right of return to Canada.

"I traveled to Sudan to visit my sick mother; without telling me, agents from CSIS recommended to Sudan that I should be arrested," explained Abdelrazik. "I was thrown in prison because Canada asked, imprisoned [and] beaten. I was tortured."

Beyond the false intelligence from Canada leading to Abdelrazik’s imprisonment and torture in Sudan, the direct role that the Canadian government played in Abdelrazik’s torture is the most arresting factor in his case.

"The Canadian government knows that Sudan tortures prisoners but it did not help me," outlined Abdelrazik. "Instead, the Canadian government sent CSIS agents to interrogate me in the prison."

Today, Abdelrazik is demanding redress from the Canadian government.

"I want those people who play a role in this matter to face justice, not because I seek revenge," Abdelrazik explained to the press shortly after returning to Montreal. "I want this not to happen to any Canadian."

Abdelrazik is now struggling for a full restoration of his citizenship rights in Canada. Due to claims that Abdelrazik maintains associations to Al-Quada, radical allegations which have never been proven in court, Abdelrazik remains on the United Nations' terrorist watch-list. This prohibits him from holding a bank account or accepting any kind of financial assistance, including employment wages in Canada.

Denying Abdelrazik a passport was a clear breach of Canada’s Citizenship Act, and serious criticism has been leveled against successive Canadian governments for it.

Abdelrazik's case is one example of how the Canadian state is turning its security arsenal against citizens. Another is the government's "security certificate" program, currently directed towards five permanent residents of Ontario and Quebec.

In 2003 Canadian security forces seized Adil Charkaoui in a highly publicized arrest, issuing a security certificate against him. This sparked a popular campaign across Canada to abolish the legislation, which allows the indefinite detention and eventual deportation of terror suspects without a public presentation of any evidence.

After more than four years in prison, without ever knowing the charges against him, Charkaoui was released on severe conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet.

In 2006 Charkaoui launched a successful challenge to the security certificate, condemned by the UN Committee against Torture and in the Supreme Court of Canada, which deemed the legislation unconstitutional. In response, the Conservative government revamped the legislation in 2007, introducing a "special advocate" into the certificate process, maintaining the fundamental structure of the legislation, which was reinstated in 2008.

Today, Charkaoui remains under threat of deportation to Morocco, a country where he could face torture. Canada’s attempts to deport Charkaoui to Morocco are in violation of Canada’s commitments under the UN Convention against Torture.

Canada’s security certificate legislation is another key to understanding Canada’s relationship to torture in recent years.

"In Canada, when the security label is applied to people, their humanity is automatically degraded and torture becomes a possibility," explained Mary Foster, an activist with the Peoples Commission Network, a community coalition opposing Canadian immigration and security policies which undermine human rights. "The trends towards normalizing torture works towards dehumanizing our society, pushing people to think more about their own individual security and not about our collective security."

Canada has also come under harsh criticism for its treatment of Afghan detainees, many of whom were tortured.

In 2008, after torture testimonials were collected from multiple prisoners, Amnesty International launched a lawsuit against the Canadian government which would permanently halt the transfer of Afghan detainees to Afghan prisons.

"In Afghan prisons torture is rampant and systematic, [and] in our view it's very likely that a good number of those who are transferred from Canadian custody into the Afghan prison system will end up being tortured," explained Alex Neve, the secretary general of Amnesty International's section in Canada, in 2008. "If the risk of torture is a real one, which Amnesty believes it is, it's incumbent upon Canada and it's actually a matter of international legal obligation not to hand the prisoners over."

Amnesty’s case on Afghan torture is now pending at the Military Police Complaints Commission, which launched a series of public hearings on the issue last month.

The hearings are centered on whether Canada knowingly transferred prisoners to torturers in Afghanistan.

In Ottawa, the Conservative government is attempting to secure a court injunction to halt public hearings scheduled to continue this fall.

Other tales of torture, told by Canadians Maher Arar and Abdullah Almalki, who were tortured in Syrian prisons, are accompanied by silence from Canadian officials.

"As a nation we need to face up to the reality of our complicity in torture," stated Alex Neve of Amnesty International, whom The Dominion reached by telephone.

Canada is a signatory to the 1984 UN Convention against Torture. Even so, the actions of Canadian governments contradict the anti-torture convention.

"Torture itself, as well as stories about torture, are actually meant to teach us something," said Razack. "Stories meant to teach us who belongs to the national community and who doesn’t, so you get massive numbers of people who think that Muslims do not belong to the national community and are not deserving of their fundamental rights—and that really is the damage of torture."

Stefan Christoff is a journalist and community organiser

> http://www.dominionpaper.ca

Manitoba migrant farm workers vote to leave union

Posted: August 18, 2009

By Aldo Santin, Canwest News Service
August 7, 2009
Winnipeg Free Press

WINNIPEG - Two years after a group of migrant farmers set a national precedent by joining a union, they've voted to de-certify.

The Manitoba Labour Board recently revoked Local 832 United Food and Commercial Workers union's right to be the bargaining representative for Mexican workers at Mayfair Farm in Portage la Prairie, Man.

The labour board ruling followed a unanimous vote against union membership by 26 migrant Mexican workers in June.

``We're very happy about this,'' Heladio Martinez Perez, a migrant worker, said about the decertification.

It was June 2007 when the labour board upheld a vote to join the union, taken the previous fall, by most of the workers at the vegetable and fruit farm in Portage, which is about 80 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

The ruling was applauded by the labour movement, but it shocked the farming community. Mayfair Farm had opposed the certification on the grounds that the workers were not Canadian citizens and not entitled to union membership. Later, the Quebec Labour Board certified migrant workers at three farms in that province.

More than 18,000 workers from Mexico and Caribbean countries are brought to Canada annually to help plant and harvest crops. About 1,000 migrants work in Manitoba. Working conditions have traditionally been set by the Mexican and Canadian governments.

The Mayfair Farm decertification vote wasn't unexpected. Shortly after the historic labour board ruling, most of the workers signed a petition asking for the certification to be overturned on the grounds they didn't understand what they had signed. The board ruled that any decertification vote could only take place one year after a contract had been in place.

A year ago, the union and Mayfair Farm signed a three-year collective agreement, giving the migrant workers annual wage increases tied to the provincial minimum wage, overtime rates, seniority rights and a grievance procedure.

Perez, 42, said despite the benefits from the collective agreement, the workers still wanted to decertify.

The new contract gave the workers 15 cents more an hour over the minimum wage and called for a 25-cent top-up in 2010.

``We were making only 15 cents more an hour, and we had to pay the union $4 a week in union dues,'' Perez said.

Perez has been coming to Canada as a migrant farm worker for 18 years, the last 16 at the vegetable and fruit farm in Portage la Prairie.

He said the workers were disenchanted with the overtime provisions. It meant they earned an additional $1 hour for working more than the regular 70-hour work week, Perez said, but no one earned overtime because the employer capped their work week at 70 hours to avoid the overtime payments.

``The overtime was very important to us,'' Perez said. ``Now, without the union, we can work longer hours, and we even get a bonus sometimes.''

> http://www.canada.com/Manitoba+migrant+farm+workers+vote+leave+union/1873804/story.html

The End of Retirement?

Posted: August 17, 2009

Sam Gindin

The attack on private sector pensions is not new; while the process has been uneven across time and sectors, private pensions in the U.S. and Canada have been eroding for over a quarter of a century. In 1980, some 40% of U.S. private sector workers and 35% in Canada had pension plans; today the number is under 20% in the U.S. and about 25% in Canada. At the same time, these pensions have steadily shifted from defined benefit plans (guaranteed pension levels) to defined contribution plans (essentially savings plans that provide indeterminate benefits, shifting the risk to workers). What is new is the self-assured aggressiveness of the corporate elite as they move to accelerate that erosion. The financial crisis – reinforced by the labour movement’s disappointingly weak response – has opened the door to the more assertive corporate attack on the pensions of their employees.

Speaking to a recent gathering of the U.S. corporate elite to address “transformational change at a critical time in our nation’s history” and “define America’s future” (the heads of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives were also present) a prominent U.S. leader offered a straightforward piece of advice: “Eliminate the entitlement mentality that is so pervasive in today’s American culture” (Ward’s Automotive, June 22, 2009; see also National Summit).

At the same time, but narrowing its focus to pensions, The Economist, and one of global capital’s most prominent and influential magazines, provocatively lead with an editorial entitled ‘The End of Retirement.’ Referring back to Bismarck, the German Chancellor credited with introducing the first pension system in 1889, the London-based editors proclaimed that “Whether we like it or not we are going back to the pre-Bismarckian world where work had no formal stopping point.” (print edition June 25, 2009).

For Bismarck, as for U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression, pensions had been a concession to workers, reluctantly made under pressures from below that were seen to threaten the legitimacy of capitalism (pensions in Canada only came later, after World War Two). The promise of pensions was that, at least in the last years of their lives, workers might receive an income that allowed a degree of dignity that compensated for the dignity denied them during their working years. This is, apparently, another promise that capitalism can ‘no longer afford.’
Beyond Private Pensions

It is hardly surprising that business recognized the current crisis as an opportunity to marginalize or end a benefit they’d come to view as a barrier to future success. With growth expected to remain sluggish even after the economic crisis ends, and with returns on the monies put into pension funds expected to be low and uncertain – and so requiring more current funding to meet future obligations – worker pensions were all the more identified as an expensive ‘diversion’ from future investment and stockholder returns. But more than corporate tactics were involved. As the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies so dramatically highlighted – and business itself now readily admits – private sector pension plans suffer from a definitive contradiction: as an insurance plan, they depend on the survival of specific corporations while the world has changed so that even the viability of the largest corporations can no longer be taken for granted.

Yet crises represent opportunities for labour as well as business. The difference lies in the extent to which the labour movement, unlike business, has (at least so far) failed to seize the opportunities raised by this crisis. Rather than building on the discrediting of the private sector’s ability to meet social needs and moving the arguement for a universal public pension, unions and workers have themselves absorbed the erosion of private pensions, accepting dramatic cutbacks including the exclusion of future workers. And faced with inferior pensions or no pensions at all, workers are increasingly themselves ‘choosing’ to solve the problem individually through, in the U.S., cashing in their 401(k) plans (their equivalent to Canadian Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP)) in order to pay for health insurance when unemployment took that away or, in both the U.S. and Canada, working past 65. By letting business off the hook in this way, this has essentially eased the pressures for reform, made business all the more confident in its demands, and left public sector workers increasingly isolated and vulnerable to seeing their pensions cut as well.

In this regard, it is crucial to emphasize that the prospect of a revised universal pension plan set at adequate levels is not a second-best option but the superior alternative. Unlike the private option, it offers universal coverage and thereby provides a foundation for the larger solidarity we need for all our struggles. The structure and levels of the benefits would depend on the vigour and priorities of the working class as a whole, not the strength or weakness of our separate employers. With pensions not dependent on particular employers, the threat of competiveness and unemployment would not be a vehicle for other concessions to save our pensions (or concessions in pensions themselves so as to not lose them entirely). And the social use of the substantive accumulated pensions funds, being in public hands, would be more open – though not automatically so – to democratic pressures.

Among the questions this raises is that of the transition to a public plan. What happens to private plans in the interim? Do the workers covered by such plans just give up on the possibility of keeping their benefits? Or do they soldier on trying to hang on to what they can?

Neither of these options gets to the heart of the problem – an appropriate economic and political transition to public pensions. This would have to include private sector workers joining – if not leading – the struggle for public pensions while fighting to hold employers to as much account as possible for their pension obligations so that corporations will themselves have some self-interest in socializing pension costs. (Another direction that takes us to a new integration of private and public plans, but may limit the goal of equality, would move corporate contributions into the more reliable existing public pension plan, the Canada Pension Plan. For an elaboration of this idea see Jim Reid, ‘Complicit, Complacent or Committed? Proposals to Build Pension Security for All Workers’, Bullet #203, April 16, 2009).
Choices

One critical point raised by The Economist directly challenges public as well as private plans – the demographic implications of living longer. When the U.S. Social Security Act, providing for retirement at age 65 was passed almost three quarters of a century ago, life expectancy was 62. A good many workers would therefore never see retirement, and of those that did, they would likely get a pension for only a few years. So a public commitment to pensions seemed ‘practical.’ Today, however, with life expectancy in the early 80s, a person retiring at age 60 (after 40 years of work) would draw a pension for a period (20+ years) equal to almost half their working life. Is this still practical? Or is it now necessary to move to both increasing the retirement age substantially and reducing the annual pension income.

This is a real dilemma and it requires choices to be made. But we should not be overwhelmed by the demographics. Alongside the increase in life expectancy since the 1930s has come a remarkable increase in productivity – real output per hour has increased some six-fold. The choices to be made do therefore not revolve around whether we’re rich enough to afford retirement, but the extent to which we value freedom from work over consumption, the form that freedom from work might take, and – above all – how society’s wealth is distributed (i.e. these issues can’t be abstracted from questions of power). In regards to the last point, whatever choices are made, a central principle must be that they do not become another vehicle for reinforcing inequality. A measure of equity should be introduced at least during the last years of people’s lives and this means structuring pensions so that pension levels would be heavily weighted toward a universal guarantee rather than being linked to income.

An example of such an alternative structure – and we stress this is just an example – might build on the current public pension system. Canadian public pensions now consist of two parts: the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) which is based on earnings (25% up to the current national average) and Old Age Security (OAS) which provides an amount independent of income (about 15% of the average income). If the CPP were left as is and the OAS set at ľ the average income, then:

* Someone who lived their life in poverty with no income would get a pension of ľ the average income rather than 15% of that average.
* Someone who toiled at half the average income would get a pension of some 87% of the average income,
* Someone who had earned an average income would get a retirement income equal to their pre-retirement income. This would represent the maximum public pension (for a unionized worker who earned 50% above the average, this would mean a pension of two-thirds their former income).

The funding of such a plan would be generated through progressive taxes – including wealth taxes to limit the reproduction of inequalities into future generations but also including taxes on all of us (this could not be financed by only taxing the rich).

It may also be that we might prefer to move toward phased retirement rather than the abrupt change retirement has come to mean. For example, rather than retiring at 65, workers might go on shorter work time at age 60 – a 4 day week for three years then a three day week for two years, the time off partially supplemented by the pension fund – and thereby more gradually adjust themselves to a new life.

A more fundamental question remains: if we are going to take time off equivalent to half our working life, should this be entirely concentrated at the end of our lives or should we take a significant portion of that paid time off during our working years? The case against putting it all into retirement – over and above the possibility of dying and losing the banked time – begins with the fact that to postpone all benefits until retirement is to essentially give up the struggle to change the everyday and greater part of our lives. There is something deeply disconcerting, if not tragic, about not sharing in the productivity of society during our youth and middle age in the hope of compensating for those lost years in old age (a version of suffering on earth for a reward in heaven). Moreover, that very trade-off weakens us collectively and so makes the possibility of decent future pensions less, not more likely. With workers accepting current degradations and families working such long hours, where will the self-respect and collective will – and the time – come from to generate the struggle for better pensions? And doesn’t the present moment warn that decent pensions, even where achieved, can’t be sustained absent struggles around a broad range of immediate issues?
Next Steps

In a recent interview (June, 2009, McKinsey Quarterly), Göran Persson, a former Prime Minister of Sweden, discusses the response of business to his government’s attempts to solve the country’s 1992 financial crisis. He observes how clearly global finance understood that the issue was not primarily that of correcting government deficits or trade imbalances or introducing appropriate financial regulations, but rather confirming power relations. “It wasn’t until we cut unemployment benefits and got into open conflict with the trade unions,” Persson notes, “that market interest rates started coming down.”

The labour movement needs to be as clear about what it is up against as business has been in launching its assault on worker rights and benefits. To that end, it must combine fights for immediate needs with building the collective capacities – the class power – to expand future possibilities. To that end, we might begin by:

1. Moving toward some internal consensus that the redistribution of work-time is a top priority for the labour movement – the next great arena for struggle and gains, and the kind of priority around which our movement can be rebuilt as a social movement.

2. Within that focus, we need to initiate the widest discussions around the relative merits of gaining greater access and flexibility over our work time during our working lives versus at the end of our lives (for many workers – such as part-timers – the problem may, however, be not enough work time and this adds to the importance of thinking in terms of the ‘redistribution’ of work time rather than just ‘fewer hours’).

3. Rather than waiting for the government to come up with some modifications in pensions, the labour movement – in consultation with its base and with other movements – should confidently frame and develop its own detailed alternative pension plan, including the age of retirement, early retirement options, pension levels, flexible options and funding (there is no shortage of progressive people with the skills to help with the technical aspects of such a proposal).

4. On this basis labour and its allies can initiate an educational and mobilizing campaign to ensure that no politician, nor business as a class, can ignore our issues.

The above, we emphasize, would only be a beginning; the issue of pensions is too large to be separated from broader issues of power that will sooner or later emerge. This is particularly the case in regards to the social role of private finance, the issue underlying the current economic crisis. Though moving to a public plan will not eliminate private finance – governments, barring a much more radical socialization of finance, will still continue to operate through financial markets – public pensions will limit the dominance of private finance and its scope for profits (and in the process, leave finance very wary about where this might go next). And so we will ultimately have to confront the question so far avoided in this crisis: How to eliminate the power private finance has over our lives and replace it with finance as a democratic public utility – rather than just trying to technically ‘fix’ it so ‘normal’ life can continue. •

Sam Gindin is the Visiting Packer Chair in Social Justice at York University, Toronto.

(((( The B u l l e t ))))

> http://http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/248.php#continue

No Water to Waste! Stop Dumpsite 41!

Posted: August 13, 2009

August 13th
7pm
University of Toronto Medical Sciences Building
Macleod Auditorium Room 2158.

Why is Simcoe County building a dump site on pristine water? Find out how you can stop this environmental destruction.

Speakers include:
Dale Goldhawk, Emcee

Vicki Monague, spokesperson for the Anishinabe Women, Keepers of the
Water from Christian Island

Mary Muter, Georgian Baykeeper for Georgian Bay Forever

David Crombie, former Toronto mayor, former federal cabinet minister

Sandy Hudson, University of Toronto Student Union President
Meera Karunananthan, Council of Canadians Water campaigner

Stephen Ogden, resident of Simcoe County & member of the Community Monitoring Committee

Call (416) 979-5554 for more information

> http://www.canadians.org/water/issues/Site41/index.html

Senchcholai Massacre Third Year Anniversary Canadian HART to Hold Silent Vigil and Walk to Commemorate 53 School Girls Killed by Sri Lankan Ariel Bombing on Orphanage

Posted: August 11, 2009

(Toronto, ON)- Canadian Humanitarian Appeal for the Relief of Tamils (Canadian HART) will be holding a silent candlelight vigil and walk Friday August 14th, 2009. The vigil will begin at Dundas Square and participants will walk to Nathan Philips square.

The vigil is being held on the third anniversary of the Senchcholai massacre of 53 Tamil children.

On August 14, 2006 Sri Lankan air forces bombed an all-girls orphanage, killing 53 girls between the ages of 15-18 and wounding over 130. Kfir jet bombers flew over the school early in the morning and carried out a heavy aerial bombardment. The Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission counted 10 craters caused by the bombing and one undetonated bomb. The Sri Lankan government air offensive targeted the young girls’ residences.

The Senchcholai orphanage, located in Mullaitivu district, was a part of a “peace village” comprised of five orphanages within a 1 km radius of each other. The orphanages provide shelter and education to tsunami and war effected children. The coordinates of the orphanages were known to the Sri Lankan government and were in a recognized “safe zone” within the Tamil populated area of the North.

Sri Lankan government officials claimed they targeted an LTTE training camp. However, Ulf Henricsson, an official from the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission stated, “we couldn’t find any sign of military installations or weapons. This was not a military installation.”

UNICEF, who had an office near the orphanage, released the following statement. “These children are innocent victims of violence,” said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. “We call on all parties to respect international law and ensure children and the places they live, study and play are protected from harm.”

The Canadian HART vigil comes at a time when nearly 300 000 Tamils, including over 50 000 children, continue to be held illegally in concentration camps. Amnesty International released a comprehensive report on August 10th, 2009 condemning the camps and demanding the release of the Tamil civilians. When asked about the camps, Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen stated, “These are innocent people being treated in the most inhumane way.”

Through community outreach and media campaigns, Canadian HART seeks to raise awareness about the human rights abuses against the Tamil minority population in Sri Lanka. Working in collaboration with Canadian unions, student groups, faith-based organizations and community organizations, Canadian HART aims to draw Canadian and international attention to the situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka and to push for an international presence and monitoring of the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka.

Torture Canada special broadcast on Canada's contemporary relationship to torture featuring Abousfian Abdelrazik

Posted: August 11, 2009

TUESDAY AUGUST 11th 17h00 - 18h00
live broadcast on CKUT Radio, 90.3fm
tune-in globally via live stream at www.ckut.ca
-------------------------------

A special edition of CKUT radio's community news program Off the Hour, examining Canada's contemporary ties to torture. Torture has occupied an important place in Canada's political relationship to the world since 9/11.

From the battlefields in Afghanistan, to the multiple Canadians tortured abroad with complicity from successive Canadian governments, a real national discussion on Canada's position on torture is necessary. As a signatory to the UN Convention against Torture, actions undertaken by successive Canadian governments contradict the anti-torture convention.

A focus for the special broadcast will be Abousfian Abdelrazik's ongoing struggle, Abdelrazik is a Canadian who can speak directly to Canada's relationship to torture and will speak live in CKUT radio studios, the first live radio interview given since Abdelrazik returned to Canada from Sudan last month after a major cross-Canada campaign organized by Project Fly Home.

Today, Abdelrazik is now struggling for a full restoration of his citizenship rights in Canada. Abdelrazik remains on the United Nations' terrorist watch-list, prohibiting him from holding a bank account or accepting any kind of financial assistance, including employment wages in Canada.

Featuring live interviews:

* Abousfian Abdelrazik

Abousfian Abdelrazik is a Sudanese-born Canadian dual citizen who is now at the epicenter of a grassroots campaign that recently pressed the government to repatriate Abdelrazik from Sudan, a citizenship right denied by successive Canadian governments. In June, after six years in exile, Abdelrazik returned to Montreal after a key ruling from a federal court judge forced the government to respect Abdelrazik's right of return to Canada. Abousfian Abdelrazik is a Canadian who can speak directly to Canada.s take on torture.

* Paul Koring

Paul Koring is a foreign correspondent for The Globe and Mail newspaper currently posted in Washington D.C. as the paper's foreign affairs and international security correspondent. Koring's groundbreaking reporting on Abousfian Abdelrazik played an important role in educating people across Canada on Abdelrazik's imprisonment and torture in Sudan and campaign for Abdelrazik to return to Canada.

* Graeme Smith

Graeme Smith is a foreign correspondent for The Globe and Mail, Canada's national newspaper. Smith was stationed in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2009 and previously was based in Moscow. Smith's reporting from Afghanistan that sparked a national discussion on Canada's role in torture in Afghanistan and detailed experiences of torture by multiple Afghan prisoners captured by the Canadian military and transferred to Afghan authorities. Graeme Smith has been awarded three National Newspaper Awards, Canada's highest prize for print journalism.

for information on Project Fly Home and Abdelrazik visit:
http://www.peoplescommission.org

---

CKUT Radio: Community News Department
email: news(at)ckut.ca
phone: 514-448-4041 x. 6788
web: http://www.ckut.ca

OPIRG - TORONTO: Accepting Applications for new ACTION GROUPS!: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 13th

Posted: July 06, 2009

OPIRG - Toronto is accepting Applications for 2009-2010 Action Groups!

The Ontario Public Interest Research Group – Toronto is a volunteer-based group at the University of Toronto, with a mandate for action, education and research on environmental and social justice issues. We seek to empower and educate students and other members of the community, provide a forum for learning and sharing skills, and give people the tools and opportunity to work co-operatively for social change.

A large proportion of our work is done through our action groups. Action groups are collectives that organize democratically to do research, education and action on a particular issue. In the past, action groups have organized teach-ins, protests, conferences, boycotts, speaking events, tabling, film nights, and more! Examples of past and current action groups include: Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA), No One Is Illegal (NOII) – Student Network,
Reparations Committee, Committee for Just Education (CJE), Always
Question (AQ), Critical Areas Studies Collective (CASC), and the Environmental Committee.

With the new school year coming up in September, we have begun recruiting new actions groups for OPIRG for the 2009-2010 cycle. If you are interested in working together with motivated individuals on important social or environmental justice issues, please pick up an action group application package. Application packages are available at our office, located at 563 Spadina Ave, Room 101 North Borden
Building. Alternatively you may request for an application by sending an email to opirg.toronto@gmail.com

EXTENDED DEADLINE for action group application submissions is 6:30 PM on July 13, 2009. Applications will be reviewed by the Opirg Board of Directors.

OPIRG Toronto is committed to working on a wide range of issues from
an integrated anti-oppression framework in order to work towards
providing a safe and accessible space for people coming from various marginalized communities. Although our organization has more work to
do towards becoming more inclusive and proactively supportive of the
struggles of all oppressed people, we believe that encouraging new action groups to research, educate, and take action on these issues is a step in the right direction.

******************************
******************************************

Why be an Opirg Action Group?
Action Groups for Opirg receive the support of the organization - including staff, office space (including wireless, computers, printer, button-maker, fax machine, etc), space booking privileges at the University of Toronto, access to the Opirg Provincial Network, and a (limited) working budget for the year. Staff members are available to help with strategizing and logistics with campaign work or research for each of the Action Groups. Action Groups are also part of the structure of Opirg and of building and shaping the work and direction
of this important organization.

How does the structure work?
Action Groups are collectives that fall under the umbrella of Opirg - Toronto. Each year, Action Groups are decided on by the Board of Directors who take in to consideration where there is a need for support on certain issues and how Action Groups are part of our
broader Anti-Oppression framework. Action Groups are then asked to
keep in regular communication with the Board and Staff on ongoing
work, requests for training and skills sharing, budgeting, and any
support that is needed. We also ask that Action Groups commit to a)
the principles of Anti-Oppression, b) to mutual support of other Opirg
Action groups, and c) participation within Opirg structure.


Feel free to contact us at 416 978 7770 or opirg.toronto@gmail.com
if you have any further questions.

In solidarity,

OPIRG – UofT Board

OPIRG-Toronto is Hiring for 2 Summer Job Positions!

Posted: July 03, 2009

Interested in working for Social Justice?
************************************
OPIRG- Toronto is Hiring for 2 Summer Job Positions!
Summer Programs Coordinator AND Literacy Promoter
See below for job descriptions
Please specify which position you are applying for
If you are applying for both positions, separate applications are required
************************************
Deadline for Applications: Tuesday, July 7th by 6pm sharp.
Interviews to take place: July 8th-10th

How to Apply:
Applicants must provide a resume and a one-page cover letter.
The cover letter is intended to give the hiring committee an idea
of why you are interested in working with OPIRG. OPIRG
encourages individuals from marginalized communities
such as Aboriginal people, people of colour, women, gays,
lesbians, bisexuals, queer-oriented people, transgendered people,
transsexual people, intersexed people, working class people, single
parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants and people
with disabilities to apply.

Deadline for Applications: Tuesday, July 7th by 6pm sharp.
Interviews to take place: July 8th-10th

Position Start Date: Monday, July 13th, 2009

Send applications to:

*By Email: opirg.toronto@gmail.com
**Please put ‘CANADA SUMMER JOBS’ in the subject line of your email

For more information about OPIRG-Toronto, see our website: www.opirguoft.org


JOB DESCRIPTIONS

1. SUMMER PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
>>
>> -Organise Celebrate Our People's History: a workshop series
>> -Organise participation in community festivals including Masala Mehndi
>> Masti, People in Motion, Festival of South Asia, Festival of the Sun and
>> Car-Free Kensington
>> -Build and facilitate partnerships with local community organisations
>> -Develop monthly work plan and compile monthly reports
>> -Collaborate with local partners to host joint events
>> -Oversee implementation of special summer programs
>> -Assist in coordination of logistics for Fall Volunteer Recruitment Drive
>>
>> Summer Contract: July 13th-August 28th
>> Salary: $16/hour
>> Hours: 30/week
>>
>>
2. LITERACY PROMOTER
>>
>> -Organise Words of Resistance and other events to promote library
>> -Build and facilitate partnerships with local libraries, bookstores and
>> community organisations
>> -Develop monthly work plan and compile monthly reports
>> -Catalogue new resources
>> -Attend monthly meetings with Centre for Women and Trans-People (U of T)
>> -Collaborate with local partners to host joint events
>> -Conduct outreach at summer festivals including Word on the Street
>>
>> Summer Contract: July 13th-August 28th
>> Salary: $16/hour
>> Hours: 30/week

Demanding the Impossible: Struggles for the Future of Post-Secondary Education

Posted: May 11, 2009

The Bullet
e bulletin #215

There is growing acknowledgement emerging from student and faculty associations across Canada that there is a crisis in post-secondary education and a need for real change in the structure of university funding. This has manifested as a proliferation of student and worker unrest across the country and, indeed, the world; in 2008 and early 2009, there were dozens of university strikes and occupations across the world marked both by broader ideological challenges to the prevailing social order as well as increased repression from campus and state authorities. In Montreal, a protracted faculty strike was supported by an active student movement at UQAM and ended in an impressive victory. Meanwhile, student movements like “Opiskelijatoiminta” in Helsinki, and occupations of university space at NYU and the New School in New York have drawn inspiration from the sometimes violent demonstrations in universities across France and countless other actions in Italy, Greece, India and elsewhere.

Nonetheless, it cannot be denied that there has been a simultaneous divergence of goals and strategies that has translated into fewer decisive victories in the long-term struggle for high-quality, accessible education.[2] The recent strike of graduate students and part-time faculty at York University in Toronto over the winter of 2008-09 confronted these questions directly. Many competing narratives will emerge from the CUPE 3903 strike, given its untimely end at the hands of back-to-work legislation, but it seems clear that most of its participants agree on one thing: the state of post-secondary education is in a bad way and it is quickly reaching its breaking point. This breakdown, especially as it has played out at York, is well documented in Eric Newstadt’s The Neoliberal University: Looking At The York Strike, published during the first weeks of the strike. Given his thorough exposition of the extent to which York has embodied the troubling neoliberal shift, he can perhaps be forgiven for the pessimistic tone of his analysis.[3]

Building on Newstadt’s framework, this piece will sketch a brief history of the funding crisis in post-secondary education in the hopes of highlighting what I think are the crucial pressure-points in fighting back the trends toward inaccessible and watered-down educational experiences for students and low-reward, exploitative working conditions for teachers. Unlike Newstadt, I believe that there are significant openings for radical transformations emerging in the current moment, provided we build the necessary political groundwork to sustain larger, broader and more militant student and faculty coalitions that can challenge the neoliberal status quo. But, as Newstadt convincingly illustrates, this struggle requires a nuanced and critical understanding of how the neoliberal university replicates itself in ever more nefarious forms.

The problems facing post-secondary education today cannot be addressed by working within the constraints of current university budgets; mismanagement of resources is certainly a time-honoured tradition at places of higher learning, but it is not the source of the problem. Further, it is not sufficient to locate the source of our troubles at, for example, the provincial level and commit ourselves to lobbying campaigns at Queen’s Park. Such efforts have proven themselves unable to bring the leverage necessary to alter the austere climate of neoliberal legislatures.

In contexts where collective bargaining and normal progressive strategies no longer make inroads against the underlying distribution of power and resources, political advance seems to run up against unmovable obstacles and defeat sets in even when only advancing minor reforms or attempting to hold onto the status quo. Being politically ‘realistic’ either continues the spiral of decline or begins to confront the limits. Hence the slogan of the CUPE 3903 strike, taken over from the Situationists during the May 1968 social movements, “be realistic: demand the impossible.”
Chronic Underfunding and the Neoliberal University

The strike by CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) 3903 set a record for university strikes in English-speaking Canada at 85 days. It is clear that the mobilization around the 2008 round of bargaining, and eventually the strike itself, was built around a growing recognition among academic professionals that the entire system of post-secondary education is eroding from the inside. Despite the fact that students are paying ever higher user fees in order to gain access to the intellectual establishment, their experiences once inside are increasingly mediated by an army of underpaid and overworked teaching assistants and contract professors who – far from being given the resources to adequately teach their students – are forced to take on hundreds of students each semester just to pay their bills from month to month. Graduate students, for their part, survive almost exclusively on student loans, amassing tens of thousands of dollars in debt on the promise of a sustainable tenured teaching career in their future. Only now are they beginning to discover that those careers are being eliminated in favour of contract work, and the skyrocketing attrition rates in graduate schools are a most immediate visible effect.[4]

Hardly cause for celebration, but you wouldn’t know it at York University. The institution was established in 1959: 50 years ago, as its media machine constantly reminds us with triumphant parties and ad campaigns.[5] And, indeed, during the first two to three decades of its existence, York operated in a political context where government commitment to providing substantial funding for universities was rarely questioned – it was taken for granted in the golden age of Keynesian expansion that the best way for an economy to grow was for the market to operate under relatively tight control and for the state to use revenues from corporate taxes to support popular and important services like education, health care, employment insurance, community centers and other social programs.

With the crisis of corporate profitability in the mid-1970s, state policy in the advanced capitalist world came under hot contestation from the so-called neoliberals. Typified by characters like Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Brian Mulroney, they preached an approach to politics that demanded tax cuts for the rich; de-regulation, freedom and flexibility for capital markets; and major cutbacks in government spending on social services. This shift took hold in earnest in the early 1980s and, not surprisingly, it meant that the funds that public institutions had come to rely on would no longer be available the way they were during the 60s and 70s. As governments strove to ‘balance their budgets’ in a context of significantly lower tax revenues – a product of the new climate where business was to be enticed by lower taxes and less regulation – public services were subjected to a new kind of operational logic.

Publicly owned enterprises like airlines and telephone companies were sold off to private bidders. Meanwhile, those institutions that could not be privatized without major public outcries, like hospitals and universities, were forced to survive in a climate that demanded austerity and profitability. With self-imposed limits on their resources, governments demanded that universities find ways of supporting themselves. Public institutions such as universities increasingly ‘marketized’ their internal administration and operational structures. This shift set the tone for the problems we are facing today and it is here that I would like to turn back to the current situation.

Increasingly since the late-80s, universities have operated along the basic principles of capitalist enterprise – keeping production costs down and maximizing surpluses – despite still being partially funded by the state. The result, predictably, has been a major shift in the lived experiences – educational and cultural – of those people most directly connected to the academic institution, ie., its teachers and the students. With decreased funding from the state, universities have come to rely more and more heavily on user fees – student tuition – for their basic operating budgets. At York, for instance, tuition fees accounted for over 37% of the university’s operating budget in the 2007/08 academic session.

As a result of the decrease in state funding, there has been consistent upward pressure on the fees themselves and a relentless effort to boost the numbers of undergraduate students pumped through the system. Classes that once held 50 students now hold 150; those that once held 150 now hold 500. In the meantime, federal and provincial policies engaged in a massive push to expand graduate programs in anticipation of the need to train new professors to accommodate for the growth in undergraduate enrollment. But, in a classic display of the idiocy of neoliberal governance, the same governments then turned around and started cutting the funds necessary to hire those new professors, so that more and more individuals are sinking tens of thousands of dollars into debt in order to complete graduate degrees with ever slimmer odds of ever breaking out of the cycle of precarious contract work that barely covers their basic needs.

In this context, it is no surprise that students increasingly view themselves not as participants in an intellectual pursuit, but as consumers who have paid for a service and expect adequate return on their investment; this mentality shaped the responses of many undergrads to the strike at York who felt that their ‘contract’ with the university had been breached. Universities simultaneously present themselves less as places of learning and more as places where job requirements are fulfilled; the universities’ job then is simply to find the most efficient way possible to help their customers complete the necessary steps for their later employment. Indeed, York’s administrators said it best themselves at a townhall discussion shortly after the strike was ended, when they claimed that students would not get a refund for lost class time because their tuition was “paying for credits” and the credits themselves would be delivered.
The CUPE 3903 Strike at York

With so many students passing through the university degree factory, the demand for teachers is increasing: after all, there is only so large that classes can get and someone, at some point, is going to have to mark all of those essays and exams. In a climate where funding is scarce, hiring full time professors to do all of this work just isn’t efficient – and thus we see the enormous expansion in the proportion of teaching done by teaching assistants (TA) and contract professors. These cheaper versions of professors do much the same teaching work and are often as qualified than individuals in the tenure stream to teach the courses they do. But as long as they are hired on a ‘part-time’ basis, they can be made to do the work for significantly less pay.

With the factory-model of education becoming increasingly institutionalized and accepted, successive administrations at York and elsewhere respond to chronic underfunding by raising tuition (and their own salaries) instead of demanding that the province provide the necessary support and it was this context that led to the CUPE 3903 strike in 2008-09. York University, like so many others, pumps as many ‘units’ through the degree machine as possible while making every effort to undermine the tenure system by replacing full-time professors with flexible ‘part-timers.’ And with the language of ‘hard economic times’ in tow, the new York University President Mamdouh Shoukri continued on with the relentlessly neoliberal administration of his predecessors, and avoided addressing the educational crisis they helped create (hoping to be rescued by the back-to-work legislation that eventually ended the strike).

The Union's demands were centered around four key areas: 1) the creation of new 5-year teaching positions for long service contract faculty and the protection of rates of conversions from contract teaching into the tenure stream; 2) improvements to the overall funding packages offered to teaching and graduate assistants; 3) indexation of benefits to their 2005 levels to reflect growth in the Union's membership; and 4) a two-year contract in order to join an effort by CUPE Ontario to coordinate bargaining for all locals in the sector. The demands around job security for contract faculty and conversions into tenure were at the heart of the strike and reflected a growing recognition that Canada’s third largest university is also one of its worst offenders when it comes to the casualization of teaching.

While there is much to be said about the specific tactical successes and failures of the CUPE 3903 strike, it is clear that the Union was united by its members’ commitment to the principles at stake in the strike. That is, while internal fissures were palpable and sometimes divisive (and often stoked by the troubled/troubling relationship between the local and CUPE’s national wing) there was little disagreement around the core issues. Even after two long, hard months on the picket lines, CUPE 3903 defeated a forced ratification vote by over 60%.[6] Whatever the state of internal frictions, 3903 members remained stalwart in their insistence on working conditions that would improve the state of higher education.

Furthermore, it has become clear since the end of the strike that undergraduate support was likely much higher than was reported: witness the numbers of undergrads organizing and attending post-strike forums and the victory of a pro-strike student government despite vocal contestation from anti-strike students. The prospects, then, for collaborative work between students and teachers around questions of quality and accessibility of education are alive and well, making broader movements against the neoliberal university a distinct possibility.
Manage This, Mamdouh!

Which brings us to that perennial question: what is to be done? First, I think it is imperative to note that there are individual administrators and bureaucrats, like Presidents Shoukri and Marsden at York, who occupy their institutional roles in profoundly arrogant and self-serving ways. They have, and will always, manage the little funding that the university does have in whatever ways most immediately benefit themselves and their legacies.[7] This should come as no surprise – the striking workers of CUPE 3903 regularly pointed to the injustice and hypocrisy of an individual making over $450,000 per year telling low-paid part-timers that they need to ‘tighten their belts.’[8] Like any institution driven by the business model, there are always those who are well positioned to skim off the top and we should expect nothing less. Indeed, Eric Newstadt does well to draw out the way in which neoliberal administration consistently begets more administration; “an expansive administrative bulwark with a large and growing cadre of career bureaucrats and administrators” is cultivated and these administrators earn generous salary increases while students and part-time faculty have to struggle for every penny.[9] But, while infuriating and unjust, that is not the fundamental problem, only a superficial element of it. Ultimately, even if senior administrators like Shoukri were to lower their salaries to match the average tenured professor, York University could not afford to eliminate tuition fees or properly support graduate students given current funding levels.

To this end, the goals are twofold – one significantly more important than the other. On the one hand, we need to get more funding allocated to the post-secondary sector. But this cannot be the exclusive focus: after all, there are other equally important sectors like health and social assistance that require adequate support too. In the absence of a revolutionary shift in the social order, we need to build broader projects for structural reforms that work to increase the overall extent to which public services are funded – ie. raising taxes on the most profitable businesses and wealthy individuals and using that money to support a wide range of social programs including education.

How should we go about doing that? It is here that I break from many of the student advocacy groups and large labour organizations. With absolutely no disrespect to the CFS (Canadian Federation of Students), the NDP, CUPE Ontario and others, which are filled with hard-working people engaged in important struggles, the project of lobbying governments to give more money to post-secondary education is woefully inadequate and bears little hope for carving out any real and lasting change to our situation. As the last decade has shown, perhaps most eloquently in the back-to-work legislation that ended this recent strike, no amount of lobbying focused almost exclusively at the parliamentary level is going to convince provincial leaders to spend more on education. Even the modest successes of the 2000s, including temporary tuition freezes in some provinces, have not produced long term results. Freezes have been lifted (as in Manitoba) and even where tuition itself was held in check, universities raised ancillary fees in order to make up the difference. Statistics Canada numbers consistently show that students’ overall fees are going up (with the notable exception of Quebec) while provincial funding for universities gradually sinks.[10] The provinces themselves are caught up in a political climate that articulates for them a need to focus on the short-term goal of keeping spending down even if there are convincing arguments for the long-term benefits of funding education.

No, trying to influence the state with the strength of our logic and the picture of our poverty will not bear fruit. Instead, I believe we need to redouble our efforts to use our collective strength to force the universities themselves to address this crisis. If every worker at York University demanded a fair wage and refused to work unless they got it, and if every student demanded the elimination of tuition fees and refused to attend until that end was achieved, the administrators of the university would eventually have no alternative but to agree; the challenge now is to build up this understanding and motivate people to engage in this struggle. Elimination of tuition fees, for instance, is by no means unprecedented, despite the fact that it is viewed as an anathema in Canadian universities.[11] If students and faculty could be convinced to take such relatively radical steps, their respective university administrators would be forced to ask for the same kinds of ‘bailouts’ that banks and financial institutions are getting; the provinces would have to choose between handing it over or seeing universities that support tens of thousands of students collapsing into bankruptcy.

As students and workers in the educational apparatus, we must be prepared to withdraw our participation entirely and let the pressure fall squarely on the university, because the province will not be motivated to fund post-secondary education when its willing technocrats like President Shoukri are finding other ways to balance the budget. Indeed, this is the central point here – Shoukri is a valuable asset not to the students and workers at York but to the state itself, because he and his staff are the ones who keep the pressure off Queen’s Park. Like a McDonalds “Manager of the Year” who is able to save money for the company by rescuing unopened ketchup packets from the floor and reusing them,[12] Shoukri takes the scraps that the province sends to York and spins it into a functioning university by pumping students for tuition, by exploiting workers to the max and by soliciting support from the private sector.[13] When all is said and done, York runs a budget surplus, and the province has all the evidence it needs to claim that their funding levels are fine and that increases are not needed; sure enough, when the Ontario budget came down after the strike was ended, it added nothing to post-secondary funding and actually encouraged tuition hikes of up to 36% over the next four years. And so, in his own way, Shoukri is indeed worth his $450,000 salary, because he is saving far more than that by ensuring that the government does not need to send York any more than the bare minimum in funding.
Realism and ‘The Impossible’

It is for this reason that I submit that the only way – short of a major Left turn in the prevailing social order – to address diminishing funding for universities is to ‘demand the impossible’ and leave university administrators no choice but to demand, in turn, adequate funding from the province. After all, that which is ‘possible’ for students and workers is determined by the extent to which a given university is supported by the state. Demanding more than what is currently ‘possible’ is simply insisting that the state alter the circumstances that define that ‘possibility’ until the people who use these institutions are satisfied by their experiences within them.

In order to force the hand of the province, we need to force the hand of the managers. Our responsibility is to make it impossible for Shoukri or anyone else to run a budget surplus at an underfunded institution by squeezing the very people it is meant to serve. We have to force York’s administration to pay its workers fairly and to reduce and eliminate the user fees it forces upon its students. It is incumbent on us as students and teachers to demand that which may be impossible in the current climate, leaving the universities no choice but to demand adequate support from the province. This is where our strength lies. All the lobbying in the world has not stemmed the tide of the neoliberal university.

Our only power is in the role we play in the actual functioning of these institutions – our labour as workers and our participation as students. Demanding the impossible is not some radical pipe dream designed by irresponsible troublemakers who want to be on strike forever. It represents a recognition that the only realistic means to improving the condition of post-secondary education is to give university administrators no choice but to demand adequate funding from the state or watch their institutions go bankrupt.

This represents the key pressure point where students and workers can have a real effect in forcing universities to operate in the way they are intended – that is, as institutions of real learning where anyone inclined can pursue the quest for knowledge and critical thinking. Neoliberal capitalism necessarily makes education a sideplot in the business of education, just as it makes caring for peoples’ health a sideplot in the business of health care. For those of us placed in these institutions – ostensibly public services that are partially privatized and subject to capitalist logic – it is our job to insist upon what may seem today to be impossible. That which will be possible tomorrow depends on what we do today and in a moment of capitalist crisis it behoves us to take full advantage of the radical possibilities opened up by the suddenly-visible failures that capitalism has created.

CUPE 3903 demanded a small slice of the impossible and, in the end, the only thing that could defeat the strike was back-to-work legislation. Next time, we must be more than one union – we must be a campus-wide movement. The province can legislate striking employees back to work, but they cannot legislate 50,000 striking students back to class. Student strikes in Quebec and, indeed, across the world, have shown that demanding the impossible can work[14] – it’s time for the rest of us to get on board to ensure that the institutions and ideas we have committed our lives to, and that we believe so fervently in, are not destroyed by the vicious imperatives of a capitalist social order that would sacrifice its most valuable assets in the quest for immediate profits.

Naturally, this requires thinking beyond the usual trade union mentality where one single bargaining unit withholds its labour in the hope of accomplishing incremental improvements to its collective agreement. It requires a commitment to building linkages between student, graduate student and faculty associations that are prepared to push for radical solutions to problems that are sector-wide. The CUPE Ontario proposal for coordinated bargaining in 2010 is certainly a step in this direction, but it will require activists across the sector working together to build the political will to sustain struggles as long and bitter as the CUPE 3903 strike. Building that political consciousness will not be quick or easy but, as the Quebec example again illustrates, it is not unattainable. Furthermore, it is precisely by building that consciousness that these movements will be able to avail themselves of new, creative and perhaps more-effective tactics; where CUPE 3903 staged sit-ins and roving pickets, broader movements anchored in multiple universities could organize staggered full walkouts of classes and cross-campus information pickets, public campaigns and solidarity marches.

As for the workers in CUPE 3903, they may be down but they are not out. Eighty-five days on the picket lines did more to build political awareness than all the pamphlets in the world could have ever done. A new generation of activists in the storied local cut its political teeth in their confrontation with the neoliberal university and a repressive anti-labour state and media apparatus; there is no question that, as broader movements for radical change develop, the experience gained on the picket lines in 08-09 will be brought to bear and the lessons learned will inform the next round of struggle.

> http://http://www.socialistproject.ca

As the violence continues, the Live-in Caregiver Program still remains unquestioned

Posted: May 09, 2009

Toronto, ON – Filipino advocacy groups strengthen their call to abolish the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) as the experiences of Filipina domestic workers once again make it onto the front page of the Toronto Star. The groups identify the abuses suffered by the live-in caregivers in the home of Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla as a testament to the state-sanctioned modern-day slavery in Canada.

While the general public is busy condemning our provincial and federal parliamentarians in their complicity to this ongoing violence, SIKLAB-Ontario, a local migrant workers' organization, and the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC) remind Canadians that the “Dhalla case” is beyond the isolated incidences of abusive high-profile employers. Rather, they encourage media and the public to interrogate the federal program itself, and investigate why the stories of Magdalene Gordo and Richelyn Tongson are common to all domestic workers employed through the LCP.

While both Gordo and Tongson were originally hired to care for the MP's mother, the Dhalla family had allegedly “seized their passports” and “forced them to do non-nanny jobs such as washing cars, shining shoes and cleaning family-owned chiropractic clinics.” As more and more stories of "nanny abuse" cross the pages of mainstream print media, the Canadian public should examine the broader issues inherent within an anti-woman and racist program that is the LCP.

Kelly Botengan, spokesperson for SIKLAB and a former live-in caregiver, comments on the emerging uproar on the mistreatment of domestic workers in their employers' homes. She states that narrowing the blame on particular individuals leaves the LCP unquestioned. “Working with precarious status, being a live-in caregiver is literally like holding onto a knife's edge,” says Botengan. “The mechanisms within the program leaves us women so vulnerable to abuse.”

The LCP is one stream within the Temporary Foreign Workers Program that imports foreign labour in order to provide cheap private childcare, eldercare and care for people with disabilities. SIKLAB and NAPWC maintain the position in denouncing the LCP as Canada's 'de facto' national childcare program, which, as a labour indentureship policy is also essential to the further privatization of healthcare in Canada.

“The hiring of two caregivers to attend to Dhalla's elderly mother speaks of the inadequacy of the current health care system, as these women perform unregulated nursing duties with reduced wages,” states Botengan. “Worse, the program has allowed employers like Dhalla to fully take advantage of these women, violating their most basic human rights.”

From being trafficked through unscrupulous agencies, being forced to work outside the contract, to the sexual, physical and emotional abuses – the groups hold the Canadian government accountable to the documented human rights violations maintained and perpetuated through state policies.

“The story of Magdalene Gordo and Richelyn Tongson is the story of our community,” says Qara Clemente, a member of the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance. “Not only are our women struggling from systemic violence and stalled economic mobility, but the marginalization of these women are also being passed on – one generation after the other.”

According to Statistics Canada, Filipinos are twice as more likely to have a university degree than the rest of the Canadian population, but generally have lower incomes than the national average. "It is of no surprise that the Filipino community as a whole is becoming increasingly marginalized in the face of barriers such as the lack of a foreign education accreditation process," says Botengan, "which in turn forces many educated migrants to work in low-skill and low-paying jobs."

Clemente also expresses how entire families going through such an experience unfortunately pass on these burdens even to the youth. "Majority of the children of former domestic workers are expected to supplement the family income instead of pursuing an education. While exploitative programs like the LCP continue to exist, the cycle of poverty and violence persist largely unexamined."

As the controversy surrounding the "Dhalla case" escalates, SIKLAB and NAPWC reinforces their position to scrap the Live-in Caregiver Program, demanding an end to the violence and exploitation of women and migrant workers in Canada.

-30-

For more information, contact Joy C. Sioson at 416-519-2553

> http://siklab-on@magkaisacentre.org

No One is Illegal May 2nd!

Posted: April 30, 2009

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No One Is Illegal!
May Day of Action
2 May 2009
Bring friends, signs and noisemakers!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


On April 2nd and 3rd, over 100 temporary and undocumented workers were attacked by armed border guards, dragged in to detention and are now being forcibly deported. On May 2nd, thousands of us will say Enough!

Migrants, poor and working people; undocumented people and people of colour live in constant crisis in Canada, attacked daily. A crisis has always existed in Teesdale, in Regent Park, in farm fields, in Jane Finch, on factory floors and in hotel service areas.

Corporate and political elites are using the current 'Economic Crisis' as an excuse to attack poor, working-class and racialized communities by
increasing immigration enforcement; stealing public funds; wrecking social
services; taking away people's jobs rather than cutting profits and
targeting those they perceive as the weakest - indigenous people, the
homeless, refugee claimants, women in shelters, queer and trans migrants,
caregivers, factory workers and temporary workers.

We say there are no illegal human beings, only unjust laws and
governments. No one, poor or undocumented, is illegal.

The struggle of workers - waged and unwaged, with or without immigration
status - is against powerful elites and systems of oppression.
Citizenship, jobs and houses - granted to some and denied to others – are
tools to divide us.

We will not be divided.

On May 2, join thousands of us as we take to the streets and demand an end
to corporate and state attacks on our communities. We demand an end to
detentions and deportations. We demand access without fear to essential
services. We demand an end to security certificates and secret trials. We
demand an end to war and occupation. We demand a full and inclusive
regularization program. We demand justice, dignity, and status for all!

On May 2nd, create power. Resist.

The May 2nd rally and march will be preceded by a May Day Festival, on May
1st at 6pm, at 25 Cecil Street.

For more, visit http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/

coorganized by: No One Is Illegal-Toronto | Mujeres al Frente | SAWRO |
Migrante Ontario | TYO | Casa Salvador Allende | Basics Newsletter | OCAP
| Jane and Finch Action Against Poverty | Sikh Activist Network | Toronto
New Socialists |Barrio Nuevo | the Stop Community Food Centre | BAYAN
Toronto | PCLS | OPIRG Toronto | CAIA |

Endorsements as of 29 April:
Anarchist Black Cross - Calgary
Association of Part Time Undergraduate Students
Barrio Nuevo
Basics Community Newsletter
Canadian Arab Federation
Caribbean Studies Students Union (CARSSU)
CAW-Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice Research
Central Neighbourhood House
Centre for Social Justice
Chilean Canadian Cultural Society - Casa Salvador Allende
Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid
Common Cause - Toronto Branch
Community Action Resource Centre
Continuing Education Students Association of Ryerson
Council of Agencies Serving South Asians
CUPE 3902
CUPE 3907
CUPE 3908
Decolonization and Anti-Racism Committee
Drishtipat Canada
Drop the Fee Campaign
Education Not Deportation
Educators for Peace and Justice
Elementary Teachers of Toronto
FMLN-Toronto
Graduate Geography & Planning Student Society
Health Providers Against Poverty
Health Studies Students Union at UofT
Interim Place
International Federation of Iranian Refugees
International Workers of The World - Toronto Branch
Jane Finch Action Against Poverty
Lal
Lost Lyrics
Mata Danze
Migrante Ontario
Mujeres el Frente
Nellie's
New Socialist Group - Toronto
No One Is Illegal - York University
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
OPRIG - York
OSSTF-District 12 Human Rights Committee
Parkdale Community Legal Services
Peter Nyers - McMaster University
Peterborough Coalition Against Poverty
Regent Park Community Health Cenre
Ryerson Department of Policy and Political Sciences
Sikh Activist Network
Sistering
South Asian Women's Rights Organization
Stolen From Africa
Students Against Israeli Aparthied - University of Toronto
Students for Medicare
Students Support for Migrant Workers - Guelph
Tamil Hart
The Marxist Leninist Party of Canada
The People's Front
The Stop
Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office of Toronto For Social & Multicultural
Development
Toronto Coalition to Stop the War
Toronto Committee in Support of Workers in Iran
Toronto Haiti Action Committee
Toronto Immigration Legal Committee
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
Toronto Women's Bookstore
University of Toronto Student Union
Venezuela We are With You Coalition
Women's Coordianating Committee Chile-Canada
York Federation of Students
York University Graduate Students Association

> http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org

ALL OUT ATTACK ON ‘SAFE ZONE’ - HEAVY WEAPON USAGE CONTINUES

Posted: April 27, 2009

At 3:45 am, 27 April 2009 the Sri Lanka Armed Forces commenced their attack on the so called ‘safe zone’ with heavy land based artillery shelling followed by ariel bombardment and shelling from off-shore ships.

The SL Armed Forces continue to shell and bomb the civilians in the so-called ‘safe zone’ / ‘no fire zone’ in contradiction of statements to the international media by the Government of Sri Lanka on 27 April 2009 (today) that they would no longer use ariel bombardment or heavy artillery.

The fact of the matter is that government spokespersons have been denying that they were using these weapons for the past one month. How is it that they are stopping the usage of weapons that they had previously stated there were not using anyway?
So far today there are reports of 500 civilian casualties with approximately 100 of those having died or are dying due to a lack of treatment.

The true numbers are likely to be higher, but due to the continuous shelling from the direction of Puthukudiyiruppu, Ianaipalai and Oddusuddan and aerial bombardment by the K-FIR jets, which re-started at 15.00 - 16.00, on two of the sorties “delay bombs” were dropped in the Rattai Vaikal area, it is difficult for TRO volunteers and medical staff to collect the injured and dying.

The shells are still raining down on us as these words are being written in a bunker in the so called ‘safe zone’. The government is keeping the eyes of the world off of the genocide they are committing here. Will it be too late for the Tamil civilians when the world finally awakes to the atrocity that they allowed the Government of Sri Lanka to commit in their “war on terror” while they international community willfully looked the other way. Is this President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton’s Rwanda or Srebrenica?

We, the civilians in the ‘safe zone, implore the international community and the Tamil Diaspora to push the government of Sri Lanka to enter into a cease fire. The government has silenced our voice, we have no voice, you must be our voice.

Laurence Christy
Head of Field Office
‘Safe zone’ / ‘no fire zone’
Mullivaikal, Mullaitivu

Join the Student Contingent in the No One is Illegal MAY DAY OF ACTION!

Posted: April 23, 2009

Join the Student Contingent in the No One is Illegal MAY DAY OF ACTION

In the wake of the flat fees proposal, domestic and international tuition fee hikes and proposed cuts to access programs such as the Transitional Year Programme, the prospect of an accessible tertiary level education is becoming an increasingly distant reality for many, particularly the most marginalized of students.

Non-status students are effectively barred from university because the university insists on charging them exorbitant “international” tuition fees nearing $20,000 per year. When the constant fear of detention and deportation is added to the slew of worries of non-status students, we can begin to understand how a university education seems more and more off-limits to many non-status students.

The reality of the lives of non-status students hits close to home when we consider the case of Saad Alam this year, a student of the University of Toronto who worked many jobs often below minimum wage and whose parents each worked two jobs just to be able to afford Saad's tuition fees. Saad was unable to complete his final years of his undergraduate degree and forced to leave behind the student community, in which he played a crucial role. In the face of mass student resistance, the Minister of Immigration chose to ignore blatant opposition on the part of the student body and university community towards the deportation of Saad Alam.

We, as students, refuse to remain compliant and silenced! We demand access to education for all! Come join No One is Illegal as part of a student contingent in the MAY DAY OF ACTION on May 2nd to send the message to all universities and colleges and all other oppressive institutions that EDUCATION IS A RIGHT AND NO ONE IS ILLEGAL!

Contact: 416-978-7770
Email: noiistudent@gmail.com

> http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/

Michael Parenti: Capitalism's Prosperity and Poverty: May 7th

Posted: April 23, 2009

The Ontario Public Interest Research Group presents...

Capitalism's Prosperity and Poverty

with Michael Parenti

Thursday, May 7th
7pm
OISE Auditorium: 252 Bloor St. W
University of Toronto
Suggested Donation $5

Michael Parenti is an internationally known award-winning author and lecturer. He is a leading progressive political analyst. His highly informative and entertaining books and talks have reached a wide range
of audiences in North America and abroad.

Parenti will deal with the crisis of the corporate global system of investment, how it undermines democracy and prosperity and fosters poverty and instability, and how only strong popularly supported
government ownership can treat the ongoing crisis.

=============

...also PANEL DISCUSSION: How will the current economic crisis impact workers rights?
with Michael Parenti, David McNally & Marco Luciano

6pm - Wednesday, May 6th
Vanier College Lecture Hall: Rm 135
York University

David McNally is a professor of Political Science at York University and a founding member of the New Socialist Group. He is the author of a number of books, including Another World is Possible: Globalization and Anti-Capitalism.

Marco Luciano is the coordinator for Migrante Ontario, an alliance of Filipino migrant organization in Ontario. The organization advocates for the rights of migrants and their families. Marco is also a community and labour activist and currently a staff of CUPE Local 1281.

--
Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG)
Research - Education - Action for Social and Environmental Justice
www.opirgyork.ca
www.opirguoft.org

For more info contact:
opirg@yorku.ca
opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca
Special thanks to our co-sponsors: CUPE 3903, York University Political Science Department, Rabble.ca, CHRY 105.5FM, and many more.

SRI LANKA = Emergency Teach-in and Meeting

Posted: April 19, 2009

Please join us on April 21st for an EMERGENCY Teach-in and meeting on how you can get involved!
Location: 2198 OISE, 252 Bloor Street West (St George Subway)
Date and Time: April 21st, 6:30pm


Time is running out for Tamils in Sri Lanka as the Genocide intensifies and no sincere action has been taken by the International community or the U.N to stop it. The racist war being waged under the context of “war on terror” is being silently watched by the whole world as an entire race is being wiped off a whole Island!

Women and children are those who are most affected. Women in Nazi like concentration camps are raped, harassed and forced into abortion. Children are suffering from severe psychological trauma, orphaned, separated from their families and dying from starvation. Newborn babies are injured from shell attacks and unborn babies have died inside the womb from injuries caused by shells. U.N local workers are forcefully held in concentration camps with no freedom of movement. These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg.
Recent reports and pictures shed light on the Sri Lankan government having used Chemical weapons on people claiming thousands of lives. Other reports are released about Sri Lankan Army men wearing masks, chemical war suits and digging massive holes near the conflict zones! What comes after this is all one can imagine!

The Tamil Diaspora has been engaged in Extreme non-stop protests, since April 6th, now in attempts to put an end to this racist war that has between January 1st and April 11th, 2009:


Killed – 4,795 (out of which over 700 are children)
Critically wounded – 9,869
Enforced disappearances of Tamils under Sri Lankan occupation: 290
Arrested – 1,659


But the only reaction we have been getting from the public are comments asking us to keep our issues “at home” and the media stressing out about the costs the City of Ottawa has to incur because of the protests instead of reporting on the genocide!
This is a direct call out from the Tamil community to all sisters and brothers in Canada to take action along our side in solidarity to end the attacks on Tamils! We need your active support to help our people who are dying every day!

Haiti Needs Free & Fair Elections

Posted: April 16, 2009

April 16, 2009 – On Sunday April 19th, Haitians will vote in a partial Senate election to fill 12 of Haiti’s 30 Senate seats. The election is the subject of controversy for its exclusion of Fanmi Lavalas, the most popular political party in Haiti.

Haiti’s Provisional Election Council (CEP)’s initially barred Lavalas candidates citing a split in the party that led to the submission of two slates of candidates. The exclusion of Lavalas initially prompted the UN, the US, and Canada to call for compromise. Canadian ambassador Gilles Rivard issued a statement saying that elections “must unite, not divide, the population” and the US and the UN issued similar calls for political reconciliation.

This international pressure pushed the CEP to extend the deadline for registering candidates, and Lavalas issued a single compromise list of candidates. However, the CEP then excluded Lavalas on procedural grounds, claiming that the signature of the head of the party, Jean Bertrand Aristide, was needed on paperwork finalising the list. Aristide remains in exile in South Africa after a Canada, France, and United States supported coup overthrew his elected government on February 29th, 2004.

On March 9, 2009 a tribunal led by judge Jean-Claude Douyon ruled to overturn the CEP decision. The CEP stated that it would ignore the judge’s ruling, and on April 3rd, President Rene Preval's Minister of Justice fired Douyon. Many in Haiti now see the CEP’s decision as a manipulation by Preval’s Lespwa party to exclude Lavalas. Preval won the 2006 Presidential elections with the support of Lavalas, whose own Presidential candidate was held as a political prisoner by the unelected 2004-2006 interim regime.

The UN, the US, and Canada have stayed silent on the CEP’s second ruling and the UN military force MINUSTAH, whose 9000 troops have occupied Haiti since June 2004, is cooperating with the CEP in distributing election material.

The Canada Haiti Action Network calls on the UN and the governments of Canada, the US, and Haiti to renounce the undemocratic exclusion of Fanmi Lavalas and the continued exile of former President Aristide. Support for these policies does nothing to contribute to inter-Haitian reconciliation, and only exacerbates political tensions among a people that have heroically struggled for peace.

For more information from the Canada Haiti Action Network, please contact:
Regan Boychuk 403-479-8637 // Stuart Hammond 604-338-2558 (French inquiries)

For information on Canada and Haiti see the Canada Haiti Action Network website at:
http://canadahaitiaction.ca/

For more background on the elections, see:
http://www.haitiaction.net/News/HIP/4_6_9/4_6_9.html

ACT NOW! RAIDED WORKERS FACING DEPORTATION

Posted: April 14, 2009

ACT! CALL! WRITE!

This Sunday, 41 workers will be handcuffed, dragged to an airport and
placed on a plane to Thailand. Many of them will never have the chance to
return to Canada. They were arrested with dozens of others on their way to
work or while packing food at Cericola Farms, in southwestern Ontario last
week. CBSA then lied to them and tricked them into waiving their legal
rights. This is a targeted attack by the Tory government against migrants.
Minister Van Loan can stop these deportations; Minister Kenney can grant
them status.

YOU can insist that they do so.

1. Take public action against your MP, Immigration or Enforcement Office.
(See list of cities below)

2. Spread the word!
(http://rabble.ca/news/2009/04/protests-respond-ontario-immigration-raids)

3. Call Kenney and Van Loan. And call your local MP to pressure the
Ministers.

4. Send a letter to Ministers Van Loan and Kenney (sample below). Ask your
MP to do the same. Write to your local media outlet.

5. Spread the word. Stop the raids. Stop the deportations. Demand status
for all. On 2 May, take to the streets
(http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/node/275)

Further details in sample letter below.

Peter Van Loan, Minister
Constituency Office
T 1-877-738-3748; T: 613-996-7752
F 905-898-4600; F 613-992-8351
E vanlop1@parl.gc.ca
45 Grist Mill Road, Unit 10, Holland Landing, ON L9N1M7
Room 209-S, Centre Block, Ottawa, ON K1A0A6

Jason Kenney, Minister
P. 613-992-2235; F. 613-992-1920
P. 403-225-3480. F. 403-225-3504
E Minister@cic.gc.ca. AND kennej@parl.gc.ca
325 East Block, House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
1168 137 Ave SE. Calgary, AB T2J 6T6

Ministers Van Loan and Kenney,

On April 2nd and 3rd, CBSA raided three food processing factories where
they held all workers at gun point. These workers were herded into a
cafeteria where citizens and permanent residents were separated from other
workers.

These other workers, many of whom possess temporary work permits, were
handcuffed and held on a bus for over eight hours. In unprecedented
weekend hearings, most of the detained workers were tricked into waiving
legal advice or the right to dispute their removal.

These illegal and egregious actions were followed by speedy requests for
travel documents, as their original passports are held by unscrupulous,
corrupt agents at TNT Recruitment. The Thai consulate has provided these
papers and 41 of the arrested are being put on a plane on Sunday April
19th.

Removing workers from Canada in this way is arbitrary and illegal. The
recruitment agency and the company which paid these workers $9.00 an hour
for 12 hours of back-breaking and brutal work have not been charged.

Minister Van Loan, sign a notice to stop the deportations. Minister
Kenney, grant all workers arrested full status. Stop using the economic
crisis as an excuse to target migrant workers and their families!

++++++++++++++++++++++
Endorsed by
No One Is Illegal-Toronto
Justicia for Migrant Workers
Migrante Ontario
No One Is Illegal Vancouver
Solidarity Across Borders (Montreal)
Immigrant Workers Center (Montreal)
++++++++++++++++++++++

ACTIONS:

18 April
Toronto
Details to be announced

17 April
Montreal
Meet at downtown CBSA Offices

14 April
Calgary
1130, Calgary Chamber of Commerce
100 - 6 Avenue S.W

9 April
Vancouver
http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=1048

7 April
Edmonton
http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/local/article/210247

5 April
Toronto
http://rabble.ca/news/2009/04/protests-respond-ontario-immigration-raids

(Please email nooneisillegal@riseup.net if you're organizing an action)

> http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org

Minister's Memo Exposes motives for Removing Barriere Lake Algonquin Chief

Posted: March 31, 2009

Minister's Memo Exposes Motives for Removing Algonquin Chief
INAC expected collaboration with new Chief but feared legal repercussions and perception of government sponsorship

by Martin Lukacs

The Dominion - http://www.dominionpaper.ca

A secret memo reveals the motivations behind Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl's decision to remove the chief and council from power in the small Algonquin community of Barriere Lake.

MONTREAL–A secret document obtained by The Dominion reveals Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) decided to replace the leadership of Barriere Lake First Nation, which officials considered "dogmatized," with a chief and council offering “improved collaboration."

The memo sent to Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl recommends recognizing leadership claimant Casey Ratt in place of Chief Benjamin Nottaway, but predicts such a move will lead to community violence, erection of barricades, legal challenges and "media pressure" based on the "perception of a council sponsored by INAC.”

Strahl signed off on the memo on March 3, 2008. In an April letter to the Ottawa Citizen he maintains that INAC was following the wishes of the community and was not "backing one group over another."

Ratt's ascent to power in the northern Quebec Algonquin community of 450 has been fiercely contested by Nottaway's supporters, who allege INAC ousted an assertive leadership and empowered a group that violated customary leadership protocols.

The Barriere Lake Algonquins select their leadership not by ballot, but by a strict Customary Governance Code that involves the nomination of candidates by elders and their approval in community assemblies. As Strahl states in his public letter, INAC's "role is to simply acknowledge the outcome and register the results."

But the Elder's Council in Barriere Lake quickly launched a judicial review of Strahl's move, arguing INAC went beyond their legal bounds in deciding who should be in power. In April, INAC motioned to dismiss the Elder's case, maintaining INAC did not make a “decision” reviewable by the courts.
A minor is arrested in early March 2008, for refusing to allow INAC-recognized Chief Casey Ratt into the reserve. Photo: Marylynn Poucachiche

The February 18 memo demonstrates that decisions were in fact made. Instead of carefully assessing whether a leadership selection conducted by Ratt's supporters in late January 2008 accorded with the Customary Governance Code, it focuses on the benefits and drawbacks of three possible INAC responses: recognizing Ratt, maintaining relations with Nottaway, or withdrawing recognition for Nottaway and mediating or imposing an electoral system on the community.

According to the memo, keeping ties with Nottaway would entail "continuity of tensed [sic] relations between INAC and the Band Council, considering its claims." For nearly two decades, Nottaway's supporters have been locked in a battle with INAC and Quebec over the implementation of a landmark Trilateral agreement that would give the First Nation say over resource use on 10,000 square kilometres of their traditional territory.

Despite Nottaway's council's "claim to its legitimacy," the memo expresses preference for a band council headed by Casey Ratt, detailing "positive impacts" that include “improved collaboration of the new council with INAC,” a “new council less dogmatized," and a "new environment more favourable to the development of the community" and a "healing process."

A 2006 attempt by Ratt’s supporters to select a chief and council was dismissed after mediation in 2007 by Quebec Superior Court Judge Réjean Paul, who called the group a “small minority” whose selection process “did not follow the Customary Governance Code." Over that year INAC withdrew recognition from Nottaway's customary predecessor, Chief Jean-Maurice Matchewan, until Judge Paul issued the report affirming his legitimacy.

The secret memo acknowledges Judge Paul’s "approach" and admits INAC "does not have all the information" regarding Ratt's recent selection, but states an independent observer "partly related the process' compliance with custom requirements."

When INAC cited this local court worker's report in a March 10 letter notifying Nottaway he was no longer Chief, officials refused to release it to the community. The Elder Council's lawyers obtained it through court months later and discovered that the observer had in fact stated he "couldn’t guarantee” Ratt had followed the Customary Governance Code.

The memo also dismisses taking advantage of the "shaky situation" in the community to impose an Indian Act election system, because its "major impacts" would require further analysis. Inside observers say such a move, which would unilaterally discard the community's customary selection by a Minister's order, could risk being deemed unconstitutional.

Strahl has come under fire recently after documents leaked to the Globe & Mail revealed that INAC secretly plans to revive the Liberals' First Nations Governance Act, which includes challenging "flawed" or "outdated" customary selections of First Nation leaders.

The memo mentions the possibility of “barricades” and suggests informing the Quebec police to "ensure the supervision of the community in the days following the announcement of the new Council." Community members tried to bar Ratt from returning to the reserve in March, dragging trees along the reserve's access road. Ratt required escort by police, who arrested a dozen people and maintained a heavy presence in the community for two weeks, preventing Nottaway's council from accessing any administrative buildings.

While these earlier incidents received little attention, Barriere Lake acquired a higher profile after Nottaway's supporters blockaded a major Quebec highway in October and November 2008, rallying to the demand that INAC implement the Trilateral Agreement and appoint an observer to witness and respect the outcome of a new leadership selection. Nottaway was arrested and jailed for two months in the winter for his participation, arousing condemnation of the Conservative government from Green Party leader Elizabeth May, the NDP, and major unions.

Ratt issued a press release after the blockades stating the former council "focused too much of their attention on the trilateral agreement" and that it was time the "First Nation moves forward." INAC pulled out of the agreement in 2001.

The secret memo was released by the Ministry of Justice on March 13, almost a year after a request filed by lawyers for the Elder's Council was initially denied because INAC maintained they had not made a “decision” about leadership.

Withholding the document, INAC won a dismissal of the Elder's Council judicial review in August but then lost an appeal before a federal court in January. The Judge concluded that a reviewable "decision" had been made and emphasized that the legal status of the Ratt Council remained uncertain, despite recognition from Strahl. After another request for documents, a privacy commissioner green-lighted the memo's release. The court case over leadership will proceed this summer.

Martin Lukacs is a writer and activist, and a member of the Barriere Lake solidarity collective in Montreal.

> http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/2560

OPIRG-Toronto Annual General Meeting

Posted: March 30, 2009

MONDAY, APRIL 20th
Bahen Centre Room 2155
6pm-9pm

Celebrating an inspiring year of student & community activism,
OPIRG-Toronto invites you to participate in our Annual General
Meeting. Join us for an evening featuring report backs from staff,
volunteers & board members, elections for the 2009-2010 Board of
Directors & a review of our audit.

**Voting is open only to OPIRG Members.

**To run for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors, hand deliver a Board
Nomination Package to the OPIRG-Toronto office - located at 563
Spadina Crescent, Room 101 between 11am-6pm during the Monday April 6
to Friday, April 10th nomination period. The 2009-2010 Nomination
packages can be obtained by emailing cro.opirgtoronto@gmail.com, or
will soon be available on the Opirg-Website at: www.opirguoft.org
(under printed publications).

**Food and Refreshments will be provided

For more info, please email opirg.toronto@gmail.com OR call 416-978-7770

*What is a Board of Directors at OPIRG-Toronto?

With over 25 years of commitment to social and environmental justice,
OPIRG-Toronto is a campus-based group with a mandate for research,
education and action on issues of social and environmental justice.
OPIRG – Toronto is an entirely student-community funded and volunteer
driven organization that works to empower students and community
members, to give people the tools and the opportunity to work
cooperatively for a more just and healthy society.

The Board of Directors is a formal, policy setting and decision-making
group whose purpose is to meet the needs, goals, and objectives of
OPIRG-Toronto. It sets and maintains policy, approves programming,
manages the budget, makes funding decisions and acts as an employer
for two fulltime, unionized staff members. The Board is also the body
that takes responsibility for the organization. Board members are
responsible for decisions made at Board meetings.

OPIRG-Toronto Board members work collectively with staff and volunteers.

OPIRG-Toronto knows and believes that those who are on the margins are
often in better positions to understand how systems of oppression,
power, and privilege work and are maintained. We especially encourage
people who are surviving racism, colonization, poverty, transphobia,
homophobia, ableism, and sexism to apply for the Board of Directors
and volunteer in action groups and be involved.

*Reasons You Should Join the OPIRG-Toronto Board

• Learn new/more skills and receive training
• Meet and get to know new friends on campus, allies and collaborators
• Experience/gain decision making skills on an organizational level,
and as an employer to staff
• An amazing way to enhance your school experience by layering it with
aspects of organizing in issues of social and environmental
justice


*How does the OPIRG Board work?

Board changeover takes place in April of every year at the Annual
General Meeting (AGM). Training for the new Board will take place
through a Board Retreat, and also at the OPIRG Provincial Board
Training School in October (a great time to network with Board members
of PIRGs from Ontario). We ask that all individuals who are running
for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors make a one-year commitment to
OPIRG-Toronto. The level of participation and involvement of Board
members may vary depending on financial constraints, office hours,
outreach, holidays, and the going-ons of life- we understand all of
this.

Throughout the year the OPIRG Toronto Board meets 2 times a month. All
incoming Board members need to commit to attending these meetings, as
well as joining a Board committee and volunteering for office hours.

*What do I need/ How do I join the Board?

1. A strong commitment to social and environmental justice
2. An integrated analysis of the intersections of oppression
3. A completed nomination form
4. Complete a short questionnaire and submit this as part of your
nomination package
5. Write a brief statement (one paragraph) about “who you are”- this
statement must be included with the nomination form and will be
circulated to all voters at the AGM.

* If you have any confusion, please contact the Chief Returning
Officer of the 2009-2010 elections by emailing:
cro.opirgtoronto@gmail.com

George Galloway BANNED from Canada! Act Now to Defend Free Speech!

Posted: March 21, 2009

Please forward widely!

Defend free speech.

Let George Galloway into Canada.

Stop Jason Kenney's attacks on civil liberties.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ITEMS IN THIS EMAIL:
1) Call to action to defend free speech
2) Statement by George Galloway MP on Jason Kenney's ban
3) TCSW media release
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1) Call to action to defend free speech

Defend free speech. Let George Galloway into Canada.
Stop Jason Kenneyąs attack on civil liberties.

Dear friends:

By now you will have heard that Jason Kenney, Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, has banned British MP George Galloway from entering Canada.

Galloway is scheduled to speak in four cities during a pan-Canadian speaking
tour from March 30 to April 2.

Kenney's decision to ban Galloway is an unprecedented attack on free speech and on the right to criticize our own government's foreign policy. Kenney's office has publicly stated that Galloway will be banned because of his views on the war in Afghanistan and because he represents a "threat to national security".

The ban follows Kenney's recent attacks on Canadian Arab and Muslim
organizations and on Palestine solidarity campaigners for their criticism of Israel's war on Gaza and its treatment of Palestinians. In the last few days, Kenney unilaterally cut funding to the Canadian Arab Federation for its immigrant settlement program. Kenney also recently attacked students organizing
Israeli Apartheid Week on campuses across Canada.

Kenney has attempted to silence their voices by accusing them of anti-Semitism, despite the wide range of support and participation of Jewish organizations and individuals in these Palestine solidarity events.

The organizers of Galloway's speaking tour ­ the Toronto Coalition to Stop the
War, the Ottawa Peace Assembly, and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights ­
condemn in the strongest terms Kenney's attack on free speech and our right to criticize our government's foreign policy. We call on all supporters of civil liberties to join us in challenging these attacks and in reversing Kenney's ban.

In the next few days, we will launch a pan-Canadian campaign to defend free
speech in Canada and to reverse Kenney's ban. We call on you to join in this campaign to ensure Galloway's entry into Canada. We must organize now to ensure that all events where Galloway is scheduled to speak will proceed as planned.

Supporters should continue to buy tickets for these events and to promote them widely.

To that end, we urge you to take the following steps:

1) Contact Jason Kenney's office to condemn the ban and to demand its immediate
reversal:

E-mail: minister@cic.gc.ca; kennej@parl.gc.ca
Phone: 613-992-2235 (Ottawa office); 403-225-3480 (Calgary office)
Fax: 613-992-1920 (Ottawa office); 403-225-3504 (Calgary office)

2) Join an emergency city-wide organizing meeting in Toronto to defend free speech and to reverse the ban:

Sunday, March 22
3:00pm to 5:00pm
Ryerson Student Centre
55 Gould Street
Ryerson University

This organizing meeting will take place during the closing session of the
Student Assembly against War and Racism, scheduled to take place from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22 in the same location (www.unitedagainstwar.ca).
Anti-war delegates from across the country will be present to participate in
developing a pan-Canadian campaign to defend free speech and to reverse the ban on Galloway.

3) Are you on facebook? Join the facebook group: Let Him Speak: Allow George
Galloway to Speak in Canada:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=62965075809

4) Buy tickets for the Galloway events in Toronto, Mississauga, Montreal and
Ottawa.

Help us promote these events. Spread the word widely. Ticket information for
each city is available at www.nowar.ca and www.acp-cpa.ca.

5) Forward this e-mail across all your lists to build the biggest response
possible.

If Kenney does not reverse his ban, a delegation of Canadian MPs, lawyers,
peace campaigners, and civil liberties advocates will travel to the US to
escort Galloway across the border on the day of his scheduled arrival to
Canada.

We will join with Galloway in publicly defying Kenney's attack on free speech,
civil liberties and the peace movement.

Please spread the word about Sunday's meeting. If you are outside Toronto and would like to get involved, please contact us:

Email: stopthewar@sympatico.ca
Web: www.nowar.ca or www.acp-cpa.ca

Campaign materials will be ready following Sunday's organizing meeting in Toronto for local organizers to distribute across the country.

Together, we will defend free speech and civil liberties.

And one way or another, we will bring George Galloway to Canada!

Thank you for your ongoing support.

In peace,
Toronto Coalition to Stop the War
Ottawa Peace Coalition
Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2) Statement by George Galloway MP on Jason Kenney's ban

March 20, 2009

The Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney gazetted in Rupert Murdoch's Sun yesterday morning that I was to be excluded from his country because of my views on Afghanistan. That's the way the right-wing last-ditch dead-enders of Bushism in Ottawa conduct their business. At least for now. The upcoming elections in the country look set to follow the trend set by their neighbour to the south.

Kenney is quite a card ­ almost a joker in fact. A quick trawl establishes
he's a gay-baiter, gung-ho armchair warrior, with an odd habit of exceeding his immigration brief. Three years ago he attacked the pro-Western prime minister
of Lebanon Fuad Saniora for being ungrateful to Canada for its support of
Israeli bombardment of his country. Most curiously of all in 2006 he addressed a rally of the so called People's Mujahideen of Iran, a Waco-style cult, banned in the European Union as a terrorist organization with a penchant for
encouraging impressionable young members to self-immolate in public places.

While on one level being banned by such a man is like being told to sit up
straight by the hunchback of Notre Dame or being lectured on due diligence by Lord Conrad Black ­ a Kenney ally, now breaking stones in the hot sun. On another, and personal, note for a Scotsman to be excluded from Canada is like being turned away from the family home.

But what are my views on Afghanistan which the Canadian government (for we must assume cabinet responsibility) does not want its people to hear?

I've never been to Afghanistan, nor have I ever met a Taliban, but my first
impression into the parliamentary vellum on the subject was more than two decades ago. At the time the fathers of the Taliban were "freedom fighters" paraded at US Republican and British Tory party conferences. Who knows, maybe even the Canadian right extolled these god-fearing opponents of Communism. I did not however.

On the eve of their storming of Kabul I told Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
that she "had opened the gates to the barbarians" and that "a long, dark night
would now descend upon the people of Afghanistan". How long and how dark, as George Bush might have put it, I misunderestimated.

But with the same conviction I say to the Canadian and other NATO governments today that your current policy is equally a profound mistake. From time to time and with increased regularity it is a crime. Like the bombardment of wedding
parties and even funerals or the presiding over a record opium crop which under our noses finds its way coursing through the veins of young people from Nova Scotia to Newcastle upon Tyne. But it is worse than a crime, as Tallyrand said, it's a blunder.

The Afghans have never succumbed to foreign occupation, heaven knows the
British Empire tried, tried and failed again. Not even Alexander the Great
succeeded, and whoever else he is, minister Kenney is no Alexander the Great. Young Canadian soldiers are dying in significant numbers on Afghanistanąs plains. Their families are entitled to know how many of us believe this adventure to be similarly doomed and that genuine support for the troops ­ British, Canadian and other ­ means bringing them home, changing course and that an alternative policy exists, the debate around which they above all deserve to hear and judge for themselves.

For a G7 government to ban a five times elected British parliamentarian from addressing public events or keeping my appointment with some of their flagship television and radio programmes is quite a serious matter. Few would have guessed that the kinder, gentler Canada of Jonie Mitchell's lyricism would have
been the villain of such a piece. Canada's conservatives have certainly paved free speech and put up a parody of liberty.

Minister Kenney's "spokesman" says in his gazette, otherwise known as the Sun, "Galloway's not coming inŠ end of story."

Alas for him, it's not. Canada remains a free country governed by law and my
friends are even now seeking a judicial review of his decision. The Canadian people will speak soon about the whole conduct of the war and the economy by the neo-con administration he graces. And above all there are other ways I can
address those Canadians who wish to hear me ­ greater in number now and
including those who positively disagree with what I have to say.

More than half a century ago Paul Robeson, one of the greatest men who ever lived, was forbidden to enter Canada not by Ottawa but by Washington, which had
taken away his passport. But he was still able to transfix a vast crowd of
Vancouver's mill hands and miners with a 17 minute telephone concert
culminating in a rendition of the Ballad of Joe Hill.

Technology has moved on since then. And so from coast to coast, minister Kenney notwithstanding, I will be heard ­ one way or another.

George Galloway MP

Harper Government Cuts Funding to CAF

Posted: March 20, 2009

March 20, 2009

Harper Government Cuts Funding to CAF

The Harper government has cut funding to the Settlement Service of the
Canadian Arab Federation alleging CAF promotes terror. In doing so,
immigrants and newcomers will lose the opportunity to gain the
necessary skills to successfully integrate into Canadian society. This
arbitrary decision made by the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration
and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, under the Harper leadership is an
attempt to silence any dissenting voice and is being used as
disciplinary action for CAF’s political stand which is contrary to
their own. Furthermore, this is a warning to other non-profit,
anti-racist organizations not to criticize members of the Canadian
government or they may face a similar fate. This decision sets a
dangerous precedence for a minister’s political posturing and attacks
on a community, and its organizations, already subjected to
Islamophobia and other negative stereotypes.

CAF urges you to call, fax and e-mail Minister Kenney in addition to
e-mailing your local MP to express outrage of this unprecedented
decision to cut funding to the Canadian Arab Federation.


Contact Jason Kenney:

Constituency Office:
1168 137 Ave SE
Calgary, AB
T2J 6T6
P. 403-225-3480
F. 403-225-3504

Ottawa Office:
325 East Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
P. 613-992-2235
F. 613-992-1920

Email:
kennej@parl.gc.ca

Contact your MP:

You can find your local MP and their contact information by entering
your Postal Code in the link provided below:

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC



www.caf.ca

Established in 1967, the Canadian Arab Federation is a national,
non-partisan, non profit and membership-based organization. CAF
represents Canadian Arabs on issues relating to public policy.

The Path of Destruction: Canadian Mining Companies Around the World

Posted: March 17, 2009

Opirg - Toronto Presents...

The CD Launch event for:

PATH OF DESTRUCTION:
CANADIAN MINING COMPANIES AROUND THE WORLD

Written by Asad Ismi
Produced by Kristin Schwartz

A three-part audio documentary about the global devastation spread by Canadian mining corporations. Featuring the voices of the communities affected by Canadian mining in Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Canada. (See full description below).

The series has been played on 12 radio stations in 12 cities from coast to coast in Canada and in the U.S. (see airplay list, reviews and funders below). The documentary has garnered enthusiastic praise from Canadian and international commentators. The series was funded by six progressive Canadian unions and five non-governmental
organizations amongst others.

Join us for an evening to launch this amazing project and to hear from communities facing the damage of Canadian mining corporations....
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wednesday, March 25, 7 pm
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)
Room 2214
252 Bloor Street West (St. George subway)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Moderator:

Zainab Amadahy, Indigenous Writer and activist. She is a founding
member of the Coalition in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty.

Speakers:

1. Arthur Petahtegoose, Former Chief of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek
or the Whitefish Lake First Nation located near Sudbury, site of the
biggest mines in Canada.
His interview is prominently featured in the documentary. Under his
leadership, the Nation recently launched a $550 billion lawsuit
against the Canadian federal government and the Ontario government, on the basis that the area of the Sudbury mines belongs to the Nation, as does the revenue generated by their operations for the last century. The Nation is also suing the two governments for health and
environmental damage.

2. Edgar Godoy, Expert on Canadian mining companies in Guatemala and
President of CUPE Local 2191.
He is part indigenous Maya from Guatemala and is also featured in the
documentary.

3. Ramon Grajo
He is from the Philippines and will speak about the impact of Canadian
mining companies on that country. Grajo is the spokesperson for Bayan
Canada, a chapter of Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) or New
Patriotic Alliance, a prominent progressive organization in the
Philippines.

4 & 5. Kristin Schwartz and Asad Ismi.

Organized by: The Ontario Public Interest Research Group - Toronto
Research - Education - Action for Social and Environmental Justice
www.opirguoft.org
Contact: opirg.toronto@gmail.com / 416-978-7770

Co-sponsored by: Dr.Chun Resource Library
---------------------

Path of Destruction: Airplay and Reviews

The documentary has been an instant hit. The series was posted on the
internet on November 18, 2008. Twelve community radio stations from
coast to coast in Canada and in the U.S. have aired or committed to
air the documentary so far. Seven of these stations played or agreed
to play the series within one week of its release. The series has been
aired, published and praised by indigenous activists, editors and
producers in Canada and internationally (see reviews below). Stations that have aired the documentary include Secwepemc Radio 91.1 FM on the
Neskonlith native reserve in British Columbia. The series is featured
on Isuma TV, an indigenous video/multi-media portal started by Isuma, the Inuit film house. Isuma has been working for 20 years out of
Igloolik, Nunavut, and has a northern Inuit TV network. The series is
also being translated into Hindi for print publication in "Adhikar",
India's indigenous newspaper. India has the largest indigenous
population in the world at 65 million.

Stations in Canada and the U.S. that have aired (h/a) or committed to
air "Path of Destruction" so far:

Secwepemc Radio 91.1 FM--Neskonlith Reserve, BC (h/a)
KRFP 92.5 fm--Radio Free Moscow, Moscow, Idaho, U.S.
CKDU 97.5 fm--Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS (h/a)
CKUT 90.3 fm--McGill University, Montreal, QC (h/a)
CHRY 105.5 fm--York University, Toronto, ON (h/a)
CFRU 93.3 fm--University of Guelph, Guelph, ON (h/a)
CFRC 101.9 fm--Queen's University, Kingston, ON (c/a)
CILU 102.7 fm--Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON (h/a)
CJAM 91.5 fm--University of Windsor, Windsor, ON (h/a)
CHCR 102.9 fm--Killaloe, ON;104.5 FM in the Ottawa Valley, ON (c/a)
CKUW 95.9 fm--University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB (c/a)
CJSF 90.1 fm--Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC (c/a)

REVIEWS

1. "This audio documentary successfully manages to bridge many
little-heard perspectives on the Canadian mining industry. First, we
hear from indigenous peoples in Canada and beyond as to how mining
companies threaten their very existence as peoples; in other words,
how the industry is complicit in an ongoing global genocide. We hear
from working people around the world on how the industry has
devastated their health, livelihoods and environment. Finally, we look
at how Canadian mining is intricately connected to, complicit in and
profiting off of wars being waged around the world. Ismi and Schwartz
provide us with a horrific but solid introduction on how Canadian and
international laws, trade agreements and the power of wealth protect
mining corporations from answering to any justice system for their
crimes. At the same time, the program provides us with hope as it
questions the very need for mining and takes an introductory look at
alternatives to this devastating resource extraction industry. 'Path
of Destruction' is an outstanding educational tool addressing the
issues of colonialism, resource extraction economies, corporate power,
free trade agreements, the military industrial complex and many other
issues."
---Zainab Amadahy, indigenous writer, community worker and activist
based in Toronto. She is a founding member of the Coalition in Support
of Indigenous Sovereignty, member of the Board of the Association of
Native Development in the Performing and Visual Arts, and the
Executive Director of Community Arts Ontario.

2. "Ismi and Schwartz's radio documentary, "Path of Destruction:
Canadian Mining Companies Around the World" is a thorough and
remarkable exposé of Canadian imperialism and its global economic web
of ecocide and misery. Eloquent testimonies from indigenous community
members from all continents are woven together to give us an intimate
view of the mining industry's devastating impacts. Everyone must hear
it."
---Sarita Ahooja, Isuma TV, an indigenous video/multi-media portal
started by Isuma, the Inuit film house. Isuma has been working for 20
years out of Igloolik, Nunavut, and has a northern Inuit TV network.

3. "Canadian imperialism's best-kept secret is undoubtedly the
inconvenient truth about Canadian mining capital's genocidal path of
destruction. Ismi and Schwartz's audio documentary illustrates how at
home and abroad Canadian mining companies are poisoning the
environment, propping up brutal dictatorships, and violently
repressing any dissent to their exploits. 'Path of Destruction' is a
bold exposé of Canadian imperialism, thoroughly dispelling any
illusions that Canadians may have about the Canadian state as a
positive force in the world."
---Steve da Silva, Co-producer of 'Radio BASICS' on CHRY 105.5
FM--York University, Toronto; Editor, BASICS Community Newsletter.

4. "'Path of Destruction' is the best radio documentary I’ve come
across in a long time. It combines an
oft-neglected analysis of colonialism in Canada with a radical
critique of the mining industry and the other institutions and
processes that support it. A very important series which has a
powerful impact."
----Matt Soltys, Producer of 'Healing the Earth Radio' on CFRU Radio
93.3 FM--University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, www.resistanceisfertile.ca.

5. "Ismi and Schwartz have the fearlessness and integrity to report
the truth and hold Canadian mining companies accountable. Canadians
need to know what's happening in Africa, for example in the Democratic
Republic of Congo where the slaughter of 4 to 5 million people has
occurred for the sake of Canadian (and foreign) profits. We can no
longer claim ignorance after listening to this documentary. Essential
for all Canadians."
---David Parker, Spoken Word Coordinator, CKDU 88.1 FM--Dalhousie
University, Halifax, NS

6. "I have just heard your excellent radio programme 'Path of
Destruction'. Great job and thank you for it. I think it is a daring
programme to take on the Industry with facts of history and it is
damaging to them and their high moral claims."
---Xavier Dias, Spokesperson for Jharkhand Mines Area Coordination
Committee[JMACC], [An indigenous organization resisting mining and
displacement in Jharkand State, India]; Editor of the Hindi monthly
'Khan Kanij aur ADHIKAR'[Mines,Minerals & Rights],"India's only
mining-affected community newspaper". http://www.adhikar.in/

7. "Thank you for 'Path of Destruction'. The concept of a radio
project for a wider information and education campaign is brilliant.
This is very helpful information to us in the Cordillera, Philippines,
where Canadian mining companies are beefing up their applications
(Olympus,Terra Nova, Ivanhoe,Golden Valley)."
---Abigail T. Bengwayan, Public Information Commission, Cordillera
Peoples Alliance, The Philippines.

8. "The new audio documentary, ‘Path of Destruction’ is an important
contribution to the growing chorus of resistance to Canadian mining.
Through careful analysis of Canadian corporate and government polices,
the documentary's producers expose how mining has devastated
communities around the globe and who has benefited from that
devastation. Mining policies are carefully situated within the broader
context of Canadian colonialism. Most compellingly, the documentary
features the voices of those directly affected by those policies.
Their urgent stories are a call to action for change that will restore
and protect the health of their communities and the rights of its
peoples. This documentary can and should be used as a tool to create
that change."
---Alison Brown, Producer of 'Redeye' on Vancouver Cooperative Radio,
CFRO 102.7 FM,

Path of Destruction: Canadian Mining Companies Around the World

A three-part radio documentary series

Written by Asad Ismi
Produced by Kristin Schwartz

Canada is the world's leading mining nation. Sixty percent of all
public mining companies are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
About half of all mining capital is raised in Canada. Many Canadian
mining companies have become notorious for damaging communities and
the environment and fueling wars and repression all over the world.
The Canadian government has refused to hold these corporations
accountable leading to international criticism of Canada.

Just as European settlers created Canada by stealing and plundering
native land, its mining companies today continue these practices at
home and abroad. This colonialism and neocolonialism is what Canada is
all about.

Episodes (30 minutes each):

1. “Damaging Communities and the Environment” focuses on the drastic
effect Canadian mining companies have had on indigenous peoples in
Canada and Papua New Guinea. With Chief Arthur Petahtegoose, Kathleen
Naponse, Jethro Tulli and Mark Ekepa.

2. “Fueling Wars and Repression” describes how Canadian mining
companies have been stoking conflict in the Congo, Guatemala, Canada
and on an international scale. With Prince Kumwumba, Fausto Valiente,
Edgar Godoy, Jim Harding, Chief Paula Sherman and Bob Lovelace.

3. “Who Benefits?” details the enormous benefits that Canadian mining
companies get from their operations and from government support. With
Joan Kuyek, Jamie Kneen, Karyn Keenan, William Sacher and Edgar Godoy.

"Path of Destruction" was funded by:

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (National)
CUPW Local 576 North Bay
Canadian Union of Public Employees--Local 3903
CUPE National
CUPE Local 1281
Public Service Alliance of Canada
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation
Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association
Ken Luckhardt
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Canadian Federation of Students
Ontario Public Interest Research Group-Toronto
Continuing Education Students Association of Ryerson
Fair Trade Clothing Co-op

HIT BANG CRASh CLASH: Drumming Workshop

Posted: March 16, 2009

MONDAY, MARCH 16th
Centre for Women and Trans-People (U of T)
6-8pm

Sounds of Resistance: Drumming Workshop

Everyone is welcome to "HIT", "BANG", "CRASH", "CLASH" the sound of resistance.

Alejandra Higuera and guest musicians will lead an energetic workshop about how to be loud, expressive and revolutionized with the art of drumming. This is NOT your contemporary
drumming class...you will learn to create language of sounds through and with ANYTHING that makes a noise. Getting ready for your next rally or demonstration, come and learn how you can be louder!

This workshop is created in collaborations with Identidad Series hosted by the Hispanic Development Council
for more information email identidadseries@gmail.com or opirg.toronto@gmail.com

Organised by OPIRG-Toronto, Dr. Chun Resource Library and Centre for Women and Trans-People

Demand Access

Posted: March 11, 2009

Hi OPIRG Members,

We're notifying everyone that we have endorsed the ACCESS slate for the University of Toronto Student Union elections. While the Demand Access slate is not without criticism, it is the only slate with a commitment and experience in fighting tuition fee increases and supporting access and equity issues. Although we welcome the debate that has emerged with competition in this year's election, the Change slate is not the change marginalized students can afford.

This is apparent even upon brief examination of Change's election material. There is a clear lack of focus on issues faced by marginalized students on campus. Issues like student housing, tuition fees, and racism on campus, are not even mentioned on Change's posters and flyers. Indeed, given the obfuscation of these issues, it is no surprise that Jason Marin, the presidential candidate for Change, sees David Naylor, a man who continues to advocate for tuition fee deregulation, as an 'unequivocal ally', which he stated during the debates.

Just as alarming is Jason Marin's stance on various social justice issues OPIRG members are concerned about. Asked whether he supported UTSU taking positions on issues pertaining to the occupation of Afghanistan, the occupation of Palestine, the plight of precarious food workers on campus, he responded, "no".

The OPIRG board urges its members to vote for candidates from the Demand Access slate.

For more information:

http://thevarsity.ca/article/18416 - An editorial criticizing the Change slate from the perspective of marginalized students
http://www.utsu.ca/index.php?section_id=1104 - UTSU Elections website
http://www.demandaccess.ca/ - Demand Access slate website
http://www.changeuoft.com - Change slate website

‘DEMAND ACCESS’ includes:
President: Sandy HUDSON
VP Internal: Adnan NAJMI
VP External: Hadia AKHTAR
VP University Affairs: Adam AWAD
VP Equity: Daniella KYEI

Arts & Science: Andrew Agnew-Iler, Dimitris Apostolopoulos
Professional-faculty At-Large: Mueen Farouq Hakak, Yali Gao
Engineering: Sheema Khan, Arsalan Samdani
St. Michael's College: Zainab Khan, Chinehya Nwoke
Innis College : Casey Scott-Songin
University College: Alex Wu
New College: Anita Pabani, Dawn Samuel, Yvonne Uyanwune
Woodsworth College: Amanda Pereira, Carole Rodrigues, Corey Scott
Physical Education & Health: Anas Ingar
Pharmacy: Rachel Whitty

Voting Dates

March 10th, 11th, 12th from 9:00am to 7:00pm


Voting Locations - St. George Campus
Sid Smith
Bahen
Gerstein
Pharmacy
Woodsworth Residency
Larkin
Wymilwood
Faculty of Law
Voting Locations - UTM Campus
South Building
North Building
CCIT


In Solidarity,

OPIRG Board

> http://www.demandaccess.ca/

City is a Sweatshop Conference

Posted: February 05, 2009

CITY IS A SWEATSHOP

19 - 22 FEBRUARY 2009


Featuring:

Leila Shah, Audre Lorde Project, New York;

Beatriz Herrera, People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER), San

Francisco;

Doreen Silversmith, Six Nations;

Harsha Walia, Vancouver based organizer and writer;

Domestic Workers United, New York;

Shyam Selvadurai, Author of Funny Boy...

and many more. Visit website for full list.

For people without full immigration status, Toronto is a not a welcoming city. It is the centre of Canadian business and home to it war machine. It's a city where undocumented people live and work under brutally exploitative conditions. It's a city where non-status people are forced out of schools and hospitals, unable to access housing and terrorized by border guards. For those without status, Toronto is a sweatshop.

We refuse to stay silent! Join with grassroots community organizers from across North America as we dismantle the sweatshop city and build a community that is safe for all!

_________________________________________________

Thursday February 19, 2009

SERVICES|SANCTUARY|STATUS:

ACCESS WITHOUT FEAR

1pm

Lib 72, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto

Forum for service providers and social work students focused on sharing strategies and best practices for increasing access to essential services for residents without full immigration status.

__________________________________________________



WITHout BORDERS: QUEERING our CITY

7pm

Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue

LGBTT2IQQ* migrants fight against poverty and racism while struggling against violence and discrimination based on sexuality. This event brings queer communities together in evening of multi-media performances and speakers to challenge homophobia and to strengthen queer and migrant struggles.

__________________________________________________

Friday February 20, 2009

THE CITY IS A SWEATSHOP

7pm

Steelworkers Hall 25 Cecil Street, Toronto

Hear non-status people and grassroots community organisers from across North America speaking about the underbelly of the economy of cities like Toronto laying bare the sweatshop like conditions many migrants face.

__________________________________________________

Saturday February 21, 2009

STOLEN LABOUR ON STOLEN LAND

1:00pm

Lib 72, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto

A powerhouse panel by the leading actors and thinkers struggling against the ongoing occupation of this land and the ongoing displacement of people the world over forging links between struggles of indigenous peoples and migrants.

________________________________________________

Building a Sanctuary City

4:00pm

Lib 72, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto

3 simultaneous Forum/Workshops for community, labor and student activists to strategize the way forward. Student Unions, Organized Labor and Grassroots Organizers specially invited.

_________________________________________________

> http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/thecityisasweatshop

Announcing: Fifth Annual Israeli Apartheid Week

Posted: February 03, 2009

---------------------------------------------------
The Fifth Annual Israeli Apartheid Week
March 1 - 8, 2009
www.apartheidweek.org
----------------------------------------------------

Mark your calendars - the 5th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week will take
place across the globe from March 1-8, 2009!

First launched in Toronto in 2005, IAW has grown to become one of the most
important global events in the Palestine solidarity calendar. Last year,
more than 25 cities around the world participated in the week's
activities, which also commemorated 60 years since the expulsion of the
Palestinian people from their homes and land in 1947-1948. IAW 2008 was
launched with a live broadcast from the South African township of Soweto
by Palestinian leader and former member of the Israeli Knesset, Azmi
Bishara.

This year, IAW occurs in the wake of Israel's barbaric assault against the
people of Gaza. Lectures, films, and actions will make the point that
these latest massacres further confirm the true nature of Israeli
Apartheid. IAW 2009 will continue to build and strengthen the growing
Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement at a global level.

Speakers and full programme available soon at www.apartheidweek.org

> www.apartheidweek.org

Defend Workers Rights and CUPE 3903

Posted: January 26, 2009

Attention: educators, students, parents, workers, unions, community groups and activists, progressive allies and all members of the public

WE NEED YOU! COME OUT TO OPPOSE REGRESSIVE BACK-TO-WORK LEGISLATION

JOIN US TO CHALLENGE THE ATTACK ON OUR RIGHTS
Tuesday January 27th
10am Ministry of Labour, 400 University Avenue (at Dundas - St. Patrick Subway station)
11:30am Queens Park - in front of the Legislature

Support CUPE 3903 members at York University in their epic battle to defend the rights, unions and precarious workers and the quality and accessibility of post secondary education across Canada. Let the Liberal McGuinty Government and Governments across Country know that we will allow them to put the weight of the economic recession onto the backs of those who can least afford it - working people.

We call for reinvestment in social infrastructure - education, health and public services and job creation - NOT billion dollar bailouts of the banks and private sector who caused the collapse!

After months of fruitless negotiations where York University refused to bargain with striking CUPE 3903 education workers, the Liberal Government of Dalton McGuinty has rewarded York's intransigence by imposing back-to-work legislation instead of pressuring York to negotiate. We will rally outside the Ministry of Labour to protest against this unconscionable and reprehensible attack on the rights of workers to collectively bargain. We will march along Bay Street to protest against the grip of corporations on the government and university. We will rally at Queen's Park to show our opposition to the Liberal Government's collusion with the administration of York and to show our support for the New Democratic Party's courageous stand to defend workers rights.

Now is the time to mobilize and defend the rights of workers. Now is the time to express loudly and clearly that the economic recession will not be paid for off of the backs of workers while CEOs and administrators make hundreds of thousands and millions. Now is the time to fight back.

Come out one and all - and make your voices heard.

For more information: 3903strike.ca

Xpression Against Oppression Week: January 26 - 30th

Posted: January 20, 2009

Xppression Against Oppression Week 2009 is an annual week long series of social justice programming coordinated by the University of Toronto Students’ Union and various campus organizations. It is going to be held from January 26th to the 30th and all events are on campus and best part, FREE!!

We hope to combine seminars, screenings, panel-discussions, and workshops, the lineup of events has issues of social injustice-and the ways they can be combated-at its core following the theme, Get Up, Stand Up!!

Join us at the following events:

Monday 26th

What: Social Justice Fair

When:10-3pm

Where: Debates Room

Who:UTSU

Showcase of social justice groups on campus


What: Panel Discussion of Darfur

When:7-9

Where: tba

Who: STAND


What: Underwear Trivia

When: 8-10pm

Where: Arbor Room

Who: Social Justice Committee @ Hart House

Tueday 27th


What: Critical Pedagogy: Activism inside the Classroom

When: 5-8pm

Where: Debates Room, Hart House

Who: External Commission

Professor Daniel Rancourt (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.) has been banned from teaching at the University of Ottawa and booking rooms on campus. Why has his employer, where he is a tenured professor, taken such extreme measures to cut him off from students?

It might be because this Physics professor has made it one of his goals to question some of the central points of the modern Canadian university: marking schemes and credentialism and has instead pushed for great student activism in his courses and critical analysis of the whole system. Come hear him speak about his experience and how students at Ottawa and here at U of T can participate in their education.



What: Queers against Apartheid: Coming Out Against the Occupation and Reclaiming Our Voices

When: 7-9pm

Where: tbd

Who: Queers against apartheid, OPIRG

Roundtable discussion:

Speakers include:

-Jenny Peto (Toronto anti-Zionist Jewish organizer with CAIA and other Palestine Solidarity Groups),

-Nayrouz (a queer Palestinian currently undergoing graduate studies at York University, as well as an organizer with ASWAT - a Palestinian Gay Woman's Group)

-John Greyson (a professor at York University and a well known film maker. Having spent much of his life documenting and exploring queer organizing, including that of the Simon-Nkoli Anti-Apartheid Committee, Professor Greyson could provide us with an original perspective on the history of queer organizing and its relevance today, specifically relating to anti-apartheid struggles)

Wednesday 28th

What: Don’t Distance Yourself

When:11-5

Where: tabling on campus

Who: Thaqalayn Muslim Association

This is a tabling session to spread awareness on the clear implications that Ashura has; Ashura is a historical event that marks the martyrdom of Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, amongst other family members and followers. This event is commemorated worldwide, and acknowledged as a momentous event signifying the ultimate sacrifice. In particular, the message of Ashura is one of unwavering justice, truth, and resoluteness in the face of persecution, corruption, and oppression.


What: Panel Discussion

When:1-2:30pm

Where: First Nation House, 563 Spadina Avenue, 3rd floor

Who: Native Students Association

A seminar/panel presentation about some of the many injustices on the Indigenous peoples of Canada.


What: Supporting the Algonqiuns of Barriere Lake

When:12-3pm

Where: Sid Smith, Robarts, etc

Who:OPIRG

Handing out materials on campus about the situation facing the Algonquins of Barriere Lame, having people sign letters to the Federal and Quebec Government, Faxing off letters together from OPIRG Office


What: Night of Xpression

When: 5-12am

Where: Arbour Room, Hart House

Who:UTSU

A show case by a variety of groups that express through music, spoken word, and dance oppression faced by different communities.

Thursday 29th

What: International Students Forum

When: 3-5pm

Where: Trans and Women Centre, 563 Spadina Avenue

Who: Women Centre

This forum is open to all interested students and will work to create programming. They will discuss a significant lack of anti-oppression resources and services for international students at the University of Toronto. Recognizing that international students face sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, classim, ableism, and so on.


What: Hands off Haiti

When: 3-5pm

Where: Music Room, Hart House

Who: Students in solidarity with Haiti

A panel discussion about the illegitimate and illegal ongoing UN occupation of Haiti and how students can work to make a difference on the ground in Haiti by materially supporting Haitian youth and students as well as bring awareness to the malicious role of the Canadian Government in the destabilization of the Caribbean nation. The event will feature spoken work performance by local artists and students.

What: OPIRG Open House

When:4-6pm

Where: OPIRG, 563 Spadina Avenue

Who:OPIRG

Tour OPIRG office and Dr. Chun Resource library; meet the staff and board members. Hear more about upcoming events in the city; learn about Action groups, table about easy to work together for social justice

What: Fight 14 Victory Social

When:7pm

Where: New College Student Lounge

Who: Committee for Just Education, OPIRG

Join students, staff, faculty and community members to celebrate a victory for Fight Fees 14, a group of UofT students, staff and alumni who were criminally charged for allegedly taking part in a peaceful sit-in on March 20th 2008


Friday 30th

What: Standing up for Gaza: Building solidarity in Toronto

When:7pm

Where:tbd

Who: Students against Israeli Apartheid

Film Screening and Forum on the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza – the ongoing Siege of Gaza, the life of Palestinians under Occupation and what we in Toronto can do to stand up in support of the people of Palestine.



What: Copy right Forum

When:4-7pm

Where: Bahen 1200

Speaker is U of T whistleblower Chris Radziminski who will talk about corporatization of campuses and academic freedom and its oppressive nature.

For more information and regular updates, check www.utsu.ca

In Solidarity,


Koat Aleer
VP Equity
University of Toronto Students' Union
Local 98, Canadian Federation of Students

WWW.UTSU.CA
12 Hart House Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 3J9

TOOLS for CHANGE January Schedule:: OPIRG Skills Sharing

Posted: January 08, 2009

+++++++++++++++++
TOOLS for CHANGE:
A series of skills sharing and skills building workshops hosted by
OPIRG-Toronto to help you gain the tools for doing research,
education, and action for Social Justice.
+++++++++++++++++
Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) - Toronto
Active @ the University of Toronto and Downtown Toronto since 1982
www.opirguoft.org

January 2009 Schedule!

1) Facilitation 101 (how to facilitate/chair meetings): January 14th
2) Get on the Mic! Public Speaking Workshop: January 15th
3) Collective Creative Improvisation for Activists: January 19th
4) Design 101 (posters/flyers): January 20th and January 27th
5) OPIRG Open House and Volunteer Training: January 29th
_______________________________________________________

Facilitation 101:
how to facilitate/chair meetings

By: Reena Katz

Wednesday, January 14th
7pm
International Students' Centre
33 St.George St, University of Toronto

A major part of movement building is lots and lots of MEETINGS.
Meetings can be inspiring, sometimes hellish, or sometimes somewhere
in between - but most certainly what can help a meeting be FRUITFUL is
GOOD FACILITATION. Being a meeting facilitator is NOT running the show
and it is MORE than keeping track of the people who want to speak
next. So what is it?

Come learn and share strategies on how to maintain good communication,
equity, active listening and effective decision making for meetings of
all shapes and sizes..

Reena Katz is an audio artist, educator and organizer. Her work
focuses on developing listening strategies in a silencing world. Reena
was politicized by feminist anti-racist and anti-colonial struggles in
the early 90s as a result of a rise in white supremacy in Toronto's
streets. Since then, she has had the honour and opportunity to work in
a variety of grassroots organizing formats including community radio,
feminist bookselling, group
consensus building, direct action projects and the fine art of queer
feminist processing. Reena is currently active with the Coalition
Against Israeli Apartheid, Women in Solidarity with Palestine
(formerly the Jewish Women's Committee to End the Occupation) and
Zatoun: Fair Trade Olive Oil from Palestine.

Part of the OPIRG - Toronto Tools 4 Change skills sharing and building
series. For the schedule of workshops, visit: www.opirguoft.org
________________________________________________________

Get on the Mic! Public Speaking 101 Workshop
Thursday, January 15th
7pm
International Students Centre
33 St.George St, University of Toronto

By: John Clarke

Getting up in front of people and speaking can be intimidating and hard, especially when you are speaking about radical social change and inspiring people to action. But there are people with experience and skills to teach us some tips and help build some confidence to get on that Mic or Megaphone...

John Clarke came to Canada in 1976 from London England where he had been active in trade union struggles. He took a job in the Westinghouse Plant in London, Ontario and was involved in the work of United Electrical Workers, Local 546 as a shop steward. In 1982, he was laid off and helped to found the London Union of Unemployed Workers, one of the organizations that laid the groundwork for the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP). When this organization was formed in 1990, he moved to Toronto to work as one of its organizers and has remained with OCAP ever since.

The workshop will look at the role of public speaking within social struggles and explore some issues that must be considered if you are to perform this function effectively. These will include:

* Assessing what a speech should and can achieve
* Forms of public speaking and contexts in with then can take place
* Reading your audience and adapting to what they tell you during a speech
* Preparing an outline of a speech and using notes will delivering it
* Overcoming nervousness and the fear of 'drying up' in a speech

Part of the OPIRG - Toronto Tools 4 Change skills sharing and building series. For the schedule of workshops, visit: www.opirguoft.org

TOOLS for CHANGE will be continuing throughout the Winter term. February Schedule to be released soon! If you have ideas or suggestions for workshops please contact: opirg.toronto@gmail.com
_______________________________________________________

Collective, Creative, Improvisation for Activists
Monday, January 19th
7 - 9pm
International Students Centre
33 St. George St, University of Toronto

By: Victoria Mata and MataDanZe

*street improv through collective creation
*theatre and activism
*popular education and more!

Collective, Creative, Improvisation for Activists: Explore your body memory and create transformative performance, corporal, expressive art.
Victoria Mata, choreographer and co-founder of MataDanZe "Empowering Womyn Through Movement- Toronto based interpretative dance/performance collective, will lead a workshop of exploration through the memories that we carry. This workshop is ideal for activists and performance artists, no experience is needed, just the guts to create improvisations that explore our own oppressions and suppressed or challenging stories through a collective, creative and empowering process. This is a super inclusive workshop!

for more information please email Victoria Mata at: victoriamata28@gmail.com

Part of the OPIRG - Toronto Tools 4 Change skills sharing and building
series. For the schedule of workshops, visit: www.opirguoft.org
____________________________________________________

Design 101: How to use programs and design materials
Tuesday, January 20th and Tuesday, January 27th
6 - 9pm
By: Pedram Mossallanejad

-Learning the basics of Photoshop and In-Design Programs
-Learning the basic concepts of making and creating posters, flyers
and other outreach materials
-Tips for getting your message out in a well designed way

**Please RSVP to: opirg.toronto@gmail.com BY January 16th and also let
us know if you have a Laptop that you can bring with you (we have
limited computer space, but will try to accommodate as many people as
possible)

Part of the OPIRG - Toronto Tools 4 Change skills sharing and building
series. For the schedule of workshops, visit: www.opirguoft.org
___________________________________________________

OPIRG Open House and Volunteer Orientation

Thursday, January 29th
(During Xpressions Against Oppression Week at U of T)
4 - 6pm
@ the OPIRG Office (563 Spadina Ave in the North Borden Building)

Wanting to get involved in OPIRG?
OPIRG is always looking for new volunteers - join an action group,
volunteer at the office, start a new initiative! We provide the space
and share the skills to do Research, Education, and Action for Social
and Environmental Justice. Our current action groups and supported
campaigns are: Critical Area Studies Collective, Committee for Just
Education, Students Against Israeli Apartheid, No One is Illegal
Student Network, Reparations Committee, Always Question, and Barriere Lake Solidarity.

Hear about how to get involved, about our office and resources, staff,
action groups, campaigns, or any ideas you might have - Please join us
Thursday, January 29th from 4-6pm:

Tour the office and resource library, meet the staff and board members, hear about upcoming events in the city, join an action group, get involved...

Everyone is Welcome!

Contact:
OPIRG - Toronto
www.opirguoft.org
416-978-7770
opirg.toronto@gmail.com

U of T's Case Against the Fight Fees 14 Crumbles

Posted: January 06, 2009

UofT's Case Against the Fight Fees 14 Crumbles

Charges and restrictive bail conditions imposed on the Fight Fees 14 (FF14) are finally starting to be withdrawn after months upon months of delayed court processes. Nine of the fourteen activists have had their charges completely rescinded, while the remaining five expect complete vindication in due course.

The FF14 are a group of University of Toronto (UofT) students and community members who were criminally charged for allegedly taking part in a peaceful sit-in against fee increases and unaffordable student housing on March 20, 2008. The sit-in ended after police
exercised aggression against the demonstrators on the orders of the UofT administration. In addition to criminal charges, 12 students were threatened with university investigations that could lead to suspension or expulsion under the Student Code of Conduct. A number of students still face possible Code of Conduct Investigations at this time.

The Crown's failure to provide timely and complete disclosure in court over the last eight months, and the lack of compelling evidence as well as the immense pressure of public scrutiny are likely both responsible for the withdrawal of the charges. The withdrawals have exposed the bogus charges for what they were - a disturbing politically-motivated crackdown on student dissent stoked by David Naylor and his administration.

While strict bail conditions of the accused served to restrict and
discourage political activity against inaccessibility on campus, mobilization was galvanized. An organization called the Committee for Just Education (CJE) was formed in response to student repression and an open forum was planned on April 7th where the CJE approved three demands: the elimination of tuition fees, student, worker, faculty parity on university decision-making bodies, and an end to the repression of dissent on campus. Two demonstrations took place outside
Simcoe Hall on March 25 and April 10 to protest for the three demands.

Following the arrests in April, CJE mobilized supporters and organized an emergency meeting that was attended by over 120 supporters at Steelworkers Hall. On May 21, students made their
presence felt once more at Simcoe Hall, where a meeting of the University Affairs Board was finalizing the details of tuition hikes.

On June 3rd a rally was held in support of the 14 and to demand that all charges be dropped and over 300 supporters marched from Simcoe Hall to Old City Hall courthouse for the first of many court dates.

The successful legal defense campaign thus far comes at a time when we
see the university falling further out of reach for the vast majority of students, especially those from racialized and other marginalized communities. In the face of chronic government under-funding, students have been burdened with skyrocketing tuition fees and debt loads.

Rather than pressure the provincial and federal governments to increase funding for accessible, high quality public education, the UofT administration is lobbying for full deregulation of fees and has embraced a corporate model of education that caters to private interests.

The CJE would like to thank the many supporters who came out to meetings, demonstrations, and court dates in support of the FF14. The political pressure that was placed on the university had significant effects on the development of the case, and has ultimately played a large part in the revocation of charges. With your continued support, we are hopeful that full exoneration will be achieved for all of the FF14 and that we can continue in our fight for accessible education.
Please continue to sign the petition and send letters of support condemning the actions of the University of Toronto and calling for a public statement that all criminal charges and Code of Conduct
Investigations are to be dropped.

For further information: fightfees@gmail.com
www.fightfees.ca

> http://www.thevarsity.ca/article/6350-ff14-off-the-hook-and

CUPE 3903 and undergrand allies occupy York U president's office

Posted: December 16, 2008

Attention News/Education/Labour Editors:

CUPE 3903 and undergrad allies occupy York U president's office

TORONTO, Dec. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - Starting in the early afternoon, Mon.,
Dec. 15, more than 120 members of striking CUPE 3903 and undergraduate student allies have occupied the hallway outside the office of York University

President Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, on the 9th floor of the South Ross building.
The protesters are asking that Dr. Shoukri join them in order to answer a
list of 12 questions. They are also calling on Shoukri to sign a written
commitment to hold a public forum in the first week of January so the York
community can ask questions and discuss the strike, as well as the issue of quality and accessible education, with the university's administration and
CUPE 3903 representatives.


The sit-in protest launches CUPE 3903's week of action, which aims to increase pressure on the York administration. As Amrit Heer, CUPE 3903 member and sit-in participant explained, "We want the university to bargain in earnest in order to reach a fair agreement as soon as possible. We are asking
President Shoukri to reaffirm his commitment to York University by addressing the community in a public forum."

The protesters are determined to continue the occupation of the 9th floor of the Ross building until President Shoukri arrives.


CUPE 3903 represents over 3400 contract faculty, teaching assistants and
research assistants who perform more than 50 % of all teaching at York
University. They have been on strike since November 6.

For further information: Gabrielle Gerin, CUPE 3903 Strike Coordinator,
Unit 1, (647) 637-1736

> http://www.3903strike.ca/

Article: Precarious Employment and the Struggle for Good Jobs in the University Sector

Posted: December 01, 2008

Precarious Employment and
the Struggle for Good Jobs
in the University Sector

Dan Crow

Precarious employment is one of the hallmarks of what is euphemistically called “the new economy.” It has deep roots in the university sector. Recent decades have seen a move away from full-time secure jobs for academic workers, toward reliance on part-time, contingent, relatively low wage jobs. As a cost-savings measure, and as a way to provide flexibility in operations, universities rely on part-time teaching staff to increasing degrees. In some instances, more than half of all undergraduate teaching in Canada (but also in university systems across Europe) is done by part-timers.

Contingent academic workers, numbering in the tens of thousands in Ontario alone, find themselves in a situation where they have to apply for their jobs as often as every four months, with no guarantee that the work they rely on will be offered. Many have found themselves in this situation for more than 20 years, with an increasingly large cohort joining them each year, proving that there is indeed company in misery. Furthermore, despite the fact that many contingent academic workers have nominally high hourly wages, many live in poverty because of limits on the ability to work. For example, academic work is primarily seasonal work, with very little offered in the spring and summer months.

This has meant increasing income insecurity and employment insecurity. This is just as true for long service employees as newer hires. Precarious employment has also meant that it has been difficult to secure pensions and benefits, which are primarily available to full-time employees of a single university. An unfortunate reality, however, is that a sizable number of academic workers (primarily sessional instructors) do actually work full-time within the university system, but they are forced to work contracts at multiple institutions (often located in two or more cities).

The current strike by CUPE 3903 at York University in Toronto, Ontario, should be examined in light of the extent of precarious employment in post-secondary education. CUPE 3903 represents approximately 3340 contingent academic workers, including teaching assistants, graduate assistants and part-time instructors (sometimes referred to as sessional lecturers). The strike by CUPE 3903 is, however, but one case in the broader struggle for good jobs for university workers. CUPE's Ontario University Workers Coordinating Committee (OUWCC) has been working for years to coordinate the bargaining efforts of university locals, in order to make gains for academic and support workers on campuses, and to fight to increase government funding of post-secondary education to benefit workers and students alike.
The Neoliberal University

In the current context, universities are both enmeshed in, and reproduce neoliberal social relations. As an aspect of neoliberalism, universities have taken on many of the worst elements of the flexible labour market. Work is increasingly offered as part-time, temporary and contingent. Gone are the days when universities relied on tenured faculty for the delivery of undergraduate education. It has been found to be much cheaper instead to hire sessionals at as low as 1/3 the wage cost (not even including the dramatic reduction in benefit, pension and professional development costs).

An expanding cohort of undergraduates is rarely being taught by a tenured professor. There is, of course, no evidence sessionals are less qualified educators. However, this does lead to a negative impact on students in need of reference letters. Since many sessionals teach at multiple universities, and at other jobs, it is also more difficult for students to get face-time with their instructors in order to get assistance with assignments and course material.

Universities have also internalized the competitive model of the market. Funding for graduate work and for research can be substantial for those who receive it. However, competition for scarce resources is stiff. Only a small minority actually get enough funding to not have to work for a wage, or to keep paid-employment to a minimum. Those without access to such funding, not because of poor quality of work, but because of too few opportunities for funding, find themselves having to earn a wage to make ends meet. More paid employment means there is less time to work on the degree, leading to later completion. A divide emerges. On the one hand are the few privileged ones who are funded, finish on time, and have a competitive advantage when seeking those tenure track jobs that do, on occasion, arise. On the other hand is a group of workers who get stuck in the trap of perpetual contingent academic work.

The neoliberal university is affected by privatization and underfunding in the same way that all public services are. Government underfunding reinforces the drive for cost savings, and it also guides university administrators toward forms of privatization – all of which are further encouraged by governments. Privatization comes in many forms, including private financing of research, commercialization of campuses, and increasing user fees in the form of tuition fees. The increasing cost of education itself reinforces the need to work through school, thus pushing workers/students into the trap of life-long precarious employment.
Struggles in the University Sector

CUPE 3903 walked off the job on November 6 in response to these pressures, and to try to make important gains for its members. In this round of bargaining, several demands have been presented as strike issues: wages that bring members up to the poverty line; job security for sessional instructors; protection against the erosion of benefits; and a 2010 expiry date for the new collective agreement. Protection of benefits in this struggle is particularly important for all university workers, since CUPE 3903 has one of the best benefit plans for contingent workers. A defeat on this issue here will hinder the ability of others to finally win benefits. The 2010 expiry date is important to the broader struggle because it is the year in which CUPE, through OUWCC, has targeted as the year for coordinated bargaining in the sector.

Unions of academic workers are currently at the bargaining table at universities across the province – at the University of Toronto, OISE, Guelph and Carleton. Although the specific language being tabled may differ across the sector, the principles on the table are the same: job security, a living wage that is not eroded by inflation or loss of hours, maintenance of (or access to) pensions and benefits. Perhaps more importantly, university locals (including academics, maintenance, trades, custodial, food service and administrative support workers) are fighting to win 2010 expiry dates for their collective agreements. That year has the potential to be of utmost importance for all university workers.
OUWCC and the Struggle to Coordinate Bargaining

The OUWCC is a one of five jurisdictional committees of CUPE Ontario. It has been working toward a strategy of coordinated bargaining to mediate against the fragmented bargaining imposed by the Canadian labour relations regime. Coordination will not only help strengthen locals in negotiations, but has the potential to make bargaining political, to force the provincial government to address underfunding and the lack of pensions and benefits for large numbers of university workers. The year 2010 was chosen because it is the year that had the potential to have the largest number of university locals in Ontario at the bargaining table, but also because all of the collective agreements for university workers in BC come up in that year. University workers' issues could be on the table for both provincial and federal governments.

For its part, the Ontario government has dismissed the principle of coordinated bargaining. John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, recently stated that there will be no central table for bargaining issues because he wanted to respect the autonomy of universities. Such a statement is, however, a red herring. The government would not be interfering with the core functions of universities – i.e. course content, course delivery, and research. Instead, the government will be called upon to help standardize widely divergent working conditions, and provide common benefit and pension plans so that all university workers will have access. Currently, many workers have jobs at multiple universities, and work full-time in the system. But because each university considers the worker to be part-time, they deny access to benefits and pensions (that only full-timers deserve, apparently).

Employers across the sector have been attempting to block the move toward coordinated bargaining. In fact, in the current negotiations between CUPE 3913 and Guelph University, the employer's bargaining team was given explicit direction from the University president to not sign a deal that ended in 2010. In other cases, where there are multiple locals in bargaining at a single university, the employer agrees to 2010 for some locals, but fights tooth and nail to deny it to others. As employers who want to minimize the strength of unions, their position is equally understandable and reprehensible.

Right wing pundits have begun their “CUPE Watch” claiming that the union wants only to disrupt the system in 2010. While it is true that improving bargaining strength is a main goal of coordination, and the threat of a provincial (or perhaps national) strike of university workers would strengthen CUPE's position, the other option (fragmented bargaining) means that the real concerns of university workers will continue to be ignored. The status quo is stacked heavily in favour of employers, a fact that none of us can let stand.
Striking Against Neoliberalism

Because CUPE 3903 has been pushed to the picket lines, its local struggle has understandably captured the attention of the media and the provincial government. In essence, the struggle at York University is against precariousness in employment and income for academic workers. A successful strike for CUPE 3903 is of utmost importance for all university workers, for a defeat would make the terrain of struggle for the rest much more hostile.

The struggle is also a much broader one, which includes more than 24,000 CUPE members in Ontario universities (not to mention the other unions that have made overtures to join the 2010 coordination date). There is the potential to create good jobs out of what is now precarious work, and to infuse more funding into a system that should be geared toward the public good, not private profit. This is a struggle the broadest Left should support as one more element in the growing struggles to overturn neoliberalism, and to begin to imagine again what a university might be in a post-neoliberal social order. •

Dan Crow teaches at Brock University in St. Catharines and is an activist in CUPE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(((( T h e B u l l e t))))~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Bullet is produced by the Socialist Project. Readers are
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6th International Week Against the Apartheid Wall

Posted: November 10, 2008

November 9 - 16: Join the Mobilization Against the Apartheid Wall in Palestine

The Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA) and Students Against
Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) in Toronto invite you to take part in the 6th International Week
Against the Apartheid Wall. (http://stopthewall.org/activistresources/1633.shtml)

The Toronto calendar of events is available @ www.caiaweb.org.

PLANNED EVENTS SO FAR (listed in full below)
1) Bil'in Photo Exhibit and Event
2) Public Education on Campuses
3) No to the 'Re-branding' of Apartheid: PUBLIC FORUM @ U of T
4) Boycott Chapters-Indigo: Picket

MOBILIZE AND RAISE YOUR VOICE Against the Apartheid Wall
NOVEMBER 9 – 16 2008.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////

1) Tinto Coffee House and the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid Present:

Bil'in Village Against the Wall
Photo Exhibit

November 12 - 25th, 2008
Tinto's Cafe: 89 Roncesvalles Ave

**Full Opening Night: Wednesday, November 19th @ 7pm**
Featuring: Video and Speakers about the struggle in the West Bank
Village of Bil'in against the Apartheid Wall and the recent launch of
legal action against Canadian corporations involved in building
settlements on Bil'in village land.

As Part of the International Week of Action Against the Apartheid Wall

Bil'in is a Palestinian village that is struggling to exist. It is
fighting to safeguard its land, its olive trees, its resources… its
liberty. By annexing close to 60% of Bil'in land for Israeli
settlements and the construction of Israel's 'separation' wall, the
state of Israel is strangling the village. Every day it destroys a bit
more, creating an open air prison for Bil'in's inhabitants.

Since 2005, Bil'in residents have been peacefully demonstrating every
Friday in front of the "work-site of shame" supported by Israeli and
International activists. And every Friday the Israeli army responds
with violence, both physically and psychologically. Bil'in residents
have continued to withstand these injustices despite the frequent
night raids of Israeli soldiers in the town followed by an increasing
number of arrests of inhabitants and of activists.

Recently, the village of Bil'in announced the launch of legal action
against two Canadian companies: Green Park International Inc. and
Green Mount International Inc. This lawsuit is being brought to
Canadian courts in an effort to hold these Montreal based companies
responsible for their part in the expansion of the illegal settlements
of Modi'n Ilit and Mattiyahu on to Bil'in village land.
(www.bilin-village.org)

This exhibit will feature photos from the recent struggles in the West
Bank village of Bil'in and runs from November 12 - 25th. Tinto Coffee
House is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm, and Sunday from
10am to 5pm. Join us also for the opening night event taking place on
Wednesday, November 19th featuring video footage and speakers.

Visit:
www.tinto.ca
www.caiaweb.org

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

2) On Campuses:

TEAR DOWN THE APARTHEID WALL: END ISRAELI APARTHEID NOVEMBER 10-14th, 2008

Presented by: Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA)
SAIA will be holding a week of educationals, public forums, and events
across U of T from November 10-14th in coordination with the Week of
Action Against the Wall. We will have a visible presence on campus
for the full week to raise awareness about the Apartheid Wall and
encourage students to get involved.

The major public forum will be on Thursday November 13th 7pm (see
below for details) to discuss some of the ways the Apartheid Wall has
impeded Palestinian human rights and how the Israel 'branding
campaign' is a propaganda tool used to hide the racist policies and
practices of the Israeli state.

** for more information contact saia@riseup.net
(student action group of OPIRG - Toronto: www.opirguoft.org)

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

3) APARTHEID BY ANY OTHER NAME: MARKETING THE 'ISRAEL BRAND' IN TORONTO
Public Forum @ University of Toronto
Thursday, November 13th @ 7pm
Location: Sidney Smith Building, Room #2101 (100 St. George St)
University of Toronto

Framing the Apartheid Wall as a "security fence" is just one of the
ways in which the Israeli PR machine has tried to deflect negative
publicity for its product: Israeli Apartheid.

In reality, the Apartheid Wall reaches up to 8 meters high in some
areas, and snakes through 10 of the 11 West Bank districts, annexing
vast amounts of land to the Israeli state. It separates Palestinians
from their lands, their work, their schools, and their loved ones. The
Wall was deemed illegal by the International Court of Justice in 2004,
and it represents just one of the many devices through which Israel
practices apartheid against the Palestinian population.

A few months ago, the Israeli Foreign Ministry launched a campaign
called "Re-branding Israel", and picked Toronto as the city to test
their marketing strategy. The goal of the campaign is to present
Israel in a "positive light" and shift the focus away from the
"conflict" or the discriminatory policies of the Israeli state. This
branding campaign is reminiscent of the propaganda that Apartheid
South Africa used when trying to cover up the apartheid policies that
the white minority government imposed on the black majority, and it
can't be left unchallenged.

Join the Students Against Israeli Apartheid at the University of
Toronto, for a panel discussion about Israel's re-branding efforts,
and help us to say NO TO RE-BRANDING APARTHEID!

saia@riseup.net

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

4) In the Community:

Boycott Chapters Indigo!
Rally and Picket

Saturday, November 15th
11am - 1 pm
Runnymede Chapters: 2225 Bloor Street West

As part of the Week of Action Against the Apartheid Wall, The
Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA) invites supporters and
allies to join us in protest to send a clear message to majority
shareholders of Chapters-Indigo, Heather Reisman and Gerry Schwartz,
that they must CUT all financial ties to the HESEG Foundation for Lone
Soldiers. HESEG Foundation for Lone Soldiers provides scholarships and
other support to recruits from abroad who choose to serve in Israel's
Apartheid military.

Since December 2006, CAIA has been calling for a pan-Canadian boycott
campaign of Chapters-Indigo until their majority shareholders publicly
announce that they are cutting all financial ties to HESEG. Join us
from November 9 - 16th as we mobilize against the Apartheid Wall. Join
us on November 15th as we protest and boycott Canadian support for
Israeli Apartheid.

For more information please see www.caiaweb.org or email us at
endapartheid@riseup.net

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The APARTHEID WALL....

Snaking through West Bank, the Wall has isolated 78 Palestinian
villages, separating communities and wrecking livelihoods. Some are
trapped between the Wall and the Green Line, where access is only
allowed with permits through gates with restricted opening hours. Most
are imprisoned from three sides by the Wall, settlers' roads or
settlements, with the only exit controlled by the Occupation. 14 of
these villages face imminent demolition and are in serious danger of
being wiped off the map.

The Wall is also sealing the fate of thousands of Palestinian Bedouin.
Having faced expulsions since 1948, the Occupation is renewing the
attack on them in order to clear the land in the Jordan Valley and
around Jerusalem for annexation. Occupation authorities are pushing
more than 6,000 members of the Jahalin Bedouin, residing east of
Jerusalem camps in order to make space for Jewish-only settlements.

The fight for Jerusalem has reached a critical stage, with the
Occupation consolidating and expanding the settlement ring around the
city. Construction on the light rail, which will link Jewish
settlements with the city center, is near completion. Home demolitions
have increased sharply, settlement construction is booming and
Occupation forces regularly raid and close Palestinian institutions,
events and religious sites.

As the Occupation tightens its grip on the West Bank, we must not
forget the people of Gaza who are subjected to medieval siege and
forgotten by the international community, yet continue to remain
steadfast. Their actions exemplify the resistance and determination of
the Palestinian people.

The International Court of Justice has ruled that the Wall is illegal
and has required that it be torn down and all laws and orders related
to it be reversed. The Court has reminded the international community
of their obligation not to render any aid or assistance to the Wall
and instead to ensure the implementation of international law,
including the ICJ decision itself. To date, the international
community has not promoted any concrete move towards ruling's
implementation.

Instead, the United Nations and the international community have
turned a blind eye to or even abetted Israeli apartheid and ethnic
cleansing. The US sponsored and internationally endorsed Annapolis
process is to result in a "shelf agreement," meaning that while the
Occupation will have no duty to change its policies, it will have
gained the signature of Palestinian negotiators compromising our
rights.

The only effective means to promote justice in Palestine to date is
the united Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions
issued in July 2005. The global adoption of the call has so far
provided much needed support for the Palestinian struggle.

For more information please see:
http://stopthewall.org/activistresources/1633.shtml
Or email us at endapartheid@riseup.net to get in

Critical Race and AntiColonial Studies Conference

Posted: October 27, 2008

THE 8TH ANNUAL CRITICAL RACE and ANTICOLONIAL STUDIES CONFERENCE OF RESEARCHERS AND ACADEMICS OF COLOUR FOR EQUALITY (R.A.C.E.)

NOVEMBER 14-16, 2008 || Ryerson University, Toronto || www.arts.ryerson.ca/raceconf || raceconf@oise.utoronto.ca

RACE-ING HEGEMONIES, RESURGING IMPERIALISMS:
Building Anti-Racist and Anti-Colonial Theory and Practice for Our Times

We are subject daily to revelations about the violence and hypocrisy behind the claims to democracy and human rights in the discourses of the new imperialism. Likewise, there is mounting evidence of the ravages wreaked by globalized capitalism on most of humanity. Despite this, imperialist wars and neoliberal globalized capitalism continue to enjoy hegemonic status in economic, political, social and cultural realms. Underpinning these hegemonies, and central to the very possibility and acceptability of the forms of violence, destruction, injustices and inequalities are race and colonial logics whose force of destruction is borne by colonized and racialized groups, especially those who also face class and gender subordination. The conference aims to bring academics and activists together to critically explore the nature of these hegemonies and to build anti-racist and anti-colonial alliances.

This conference has three goals:

1. To build knowledge of the raced, classed and gendered nature of the hegemonies of imperialism and neoliberal globalization.
2. To provide a more specific focus on how Canada and Canadians are implicated in these processes within their country and abroad.
3. To help build communities and practices of resistance against racism, colonialism, imperialism and neoliberal globalized capitalism.

Please confirm your attendance by sending in your registration as soon as possible. Registration forms can be downloaded at http://www.arts.ryerson.ca/raceconf/downloads/registration.pdf.

For more information, including information on accommodations for anyone coming from out of town, please see the conference website at http://www.arts.ryerson.ca/raceconf/. Information about the program of the conference will be available on the website in the near future.

> http://www.arts.ryerson.ca/raceconf

Vote NO to Naylor's Agenda Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday

Posted: October 20, 2008

On Thursday, October 23rd, the U of T Governing Council will be voting on a document called "Towards 2030" that recommends institutional "self-regulation". While thousands of students at U of T have demanded greater funding and lower fees, the U of T administration has taken it upon itself to push for the opposite: government deregulation of fees.

Currently in Ontario tuition fee increases are regulated for domestic students. While Ontario does allow for the highest tuition fee hikes in Canada and allows for differential fees across programs it still ensures that government has a strong and central role education. What would fee deregulation mean to you?

- Rapid and unpredictable fees increases. International students, currently deregulation, often face 10% increases per year and sometimes face hikes of over 23.5% in a year! Law and Dentistry, two programs deregulated by the Mike Harris Conservatives, cost over $20,000 a year now!

- Loss of student oversight of ancillary fee increases. Currently students need to approve of new fees for non-academic purposes (student centers, athletics, etc) and these may be lifted.

- Increasingly reliance on loans and education paid for by debt repayment. This leaves students paying for their education decades after graduation, especially effects racialized communities and women and discourages entrance into the system.

- Severely underminds the University's mandate as Ontario first public university to provide education for all Ontarians.

Not surprisingly the University didn't want to get much student input into this program. In response the students' unions, labour unions and faculty association are helping to coordinate a vote of the U of T community.

On October 20, 21 and 22 come out and vote "NO" to Naylor's agenda to deregulate student fees. We need to send a strong message to the University and to the provincial government that this is not supported.

Polling locations will be at Sid Smith, Bahen Centre, Woodsworth lobby, Gerstein, Old Vic, Larkin, UTM South Building, UTM CCIT, and the UTSC Student Centre.

If you have any questions, please e-mail UofT@dropfees.ca and we'll try to get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks,

the Say NO team

Advisory: Media Democracy Day hits Toronto on October 23rd

Posted: October 15, 2008

MEDIA ADVISORY
October 10, 2008

Missing in the Media: Media Democracy Day hits Toronto on October 23

What is missing in the media? Who is left out from mainstream news coverage in Canada today? A large coalition of independent media organizations, advocacy groups and media activists will ask these questions and more at "Missing in the Media: Media Democracy Day Toronto 2008," taking place all day on October 23.

What: A series of thematic and skills-building panels and workshops on media democracy followed by a rabble.ca relaunch party with guest speakers Maude Barlow and Linda McQuaig, and musical guests LAL, KoboTown and Maryam Tollar.



When: Thursday, October 23, 2008, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (workshops and panels); 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (rabble.ca relaunch party).



Where: Free workshops and panels at International Student Centre (33 St. George Street), University of Toronto; Pay-what-you-can rabble.ca relaunch party (suggested $10 to $25 donation to rabble.ca) at the Steam Whistle Roundhouse (255 Bremner Blvd.)



For program details and a list of participating organizations please visit: www.missinginthemedia.ca.



Media contacts:



Kim Elliott, rabble.ca: 647-477-8534

OPIRG Toronto: 416-978-7770

Stuart Trew, Council of Canadians: 647-222-9782

> http://missinginthemedia.ca

UPDATE: Police brutality breaks up Algonquin blockade

Posted: October 07, 2008

*UPDATE*:

An Algonquin man is hospitalized the morning after Quebec police shot him
in the chest with a tear-gas cannister. A disabled teenage girl was
also treated with oxygen in the local Health Clinic. Twenty two children
under eight and two babies were caught in the tear gas shot by the police.

Contact information:
Marylynn Poucachiche, Barriere Lake spokesperson : 819 - 435 - 2171

To view photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31135244@N07/sets/72157607795831835

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, October, 7, 2008

*Canada and Quebec use riot police, tear gas, and "pain compliance" on
peaceful Algonquin families to avoid negotiations: 'pain compliance'
perfect description of Conservative's aboriginal policy, say community
spokespeople
*
Kitiganik/Rapid Lake, Algonquin Territory / - Yesterday afternoon, the
Conservative government and Quebec used riot police, tear gas, and "pain
compliance" techniques to end a peaceful blockade erected by Algonquin
families from Barriere Lake, rather than negotiate, as requested by the
community. The blockade on Highway 117 in Northern Quebec began at 6:00am
Monday, with nearly a hundred community members of all ages and their
supporters promising to remain until Canada's Conservative government and
Quebec honoured signed agreements and Barriere Lake's leadership customs.
Around 4pm, nearly sixty Quebec officers and riot police encircled families
after a meal and without warning launched tear gas canisters, one of which
hit a child in the chest.

"Our demands are reasonable," said Norman Matchewan, a spokesperson who was
racially slurred by Minister Lawrence Cannon's assistant earlier in the
election. "We're only asking for the government to uphold the agreements
they've signed and to stop illegally interfering in our customary
governance. The message we've received today is that Stephen Harper and
Jean Charest are unwilling to even play by their rules."

"We will not tolerate these brutal violations of our rights," added
Matchewan. "Forestry operations will not be allowed on our Trilateral
agreement territory, and we will be doing more non-violent direct action."

Nine people, including an elderly women, a pregnant woman, and two minors,
were roughly arrested. While a line of police obscured the view of human
rights observers from Christian Peacemaker Teams, officers used severe
"pain compliance" techniques on protestors who had secured themselves to
concrete-filled barrels, twisting arms, dislocating jaws, leaving them
with bruised faces and trouble swallowing.

"In this election alone, the Conservatives have labelled us alcoholics and
vilified our community's majority as "dissidents," said Michel Thusky,
another community spokesperson, referring to an op-ed published by Minister
Lawrence Cannon in regional newspapers. "Now they and Quebec have chosen
violence over meeting their most basic obligations to our community. 'Pain
compliance' is the perfect description of the Conservative government's
aboriginal policies."

Barriere Lake community members had promised to maintain the blockade until
the Government of Canada honoured the 1991 Trilateral agreement, a landmark
sustainable development and resource co-management agreement praised by the
United Nations and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. To end
federal interference in their leadership customs, they wanted the
Government of Canada to appoint observers to witness a leadership
reselection according to their codified customary selection code, respect
its outcome, and then cease interfering in their internal governance.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++


*** What you can do right now to help: ***

We need people to let the government know that they support the demands
Barriere Lake has been fighting for for decades.

Please take 15 minutes to phone or fax a letter to some of the following:

* *Stephen Harper*, Prime Minister of Canada ( fax: 613-941-6900 )
* *Lawrence Cannon*, Transportation Minister and MP for Pontiac ( 613
992-2940 Fax: 613 944-9376 )
* *Chuck Strahl*, Minister of Indian Affairs ( 819 997-0002 Fax: 819
953-4941 )

*Use some of the following points (along with your own):*

* The government should immediately cease its intimidation tactics and
threats of violence

* The Federal government should honor the trilateral agreement it signed
with Barriere Lake

* Express support for the Barriere Lake community's struggle for the right
to choose its own leadership

* The federal government should immediately stop interfering in Barriere
Lake's internal affairs

*** More information: ***

Demands, and a list of groups that have endorsed them:
http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/2008/03/mission.html

Photos of the current blockade:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31135244@N07/sets/72157607795831835/

A quick visual introduction to the community:
http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/1947

More information on how to support the Barriere Lake Algonquins:
http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/2008/03/donations.html

> http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.ca

Crown buys Fantino's Silence with Brant's Freedom

Posted: September 29, 2008

CROWN BUYS FANTINO'S SILENCE WITH BRANT'S FREEDOM
- Statement from the Tyendinaga Support Committee

(Monday, September 29th, 2008) Today, in a Belleville court, a conviction
for three counts of mischief was entered against Mohawk spokesperson Shawn
Brant for his role in the CN rail line and Highway 401 blockades which took
place in April and June, 2007.

Brant has been ordered to stay on the Tyendinaga reserve for three months
and to be on probation for one year. Originally, the Crown had been asking
for 12 years in jail for Brant. While Shawn Brant will face no more jail
time for the blockades and will not go to trial, there are still 16 people
from the Tyendinaga facing criminal charges for defending their community.

The critical issues which prompted the Mohawks to take action have yet to be
addressed. Most of the community does not have drinkable water. Most
households have been unable to drink the water from their own taps for at
least the last decade. The reserve school, with 300+ students, ranging in
age from 2 to 13, who attend daily, has had its water deemed unfit for human
consumption for the past eighteen months. In addition, the lands
which comprise the Culbertson Tract and Simcoe Deed have yet to be returned.
This despite all levels of governments' admission that the lands do
legitimately belong to the Mohawks of Tyendinaga.

In Shawn Brant's case, the dramatic turn-around by government lawyers came
after disturbing details of OPP impropriety, abuse of practice and the
flaunting of policing guidelines created after the Ipperwash Inquiry were
made public in July of this year, following the lifting of a publication ban
on Brant's preliminary hearing.

Abuses revealed included OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino's threats to Shawn
Brant that "your whole world's going to come crashing down", the orders to
have snipers and armored personnel carriers on standby, and the presence of
an undercover police officer posing as a media cameraman. The preliminary
hearing also revealed that the OPP used an obscure section of the Criminal
Code to implement an emergency wiretap of Brant and other Mohawks' telephone
conversations, on June 28th, 2007, even though the National Day of Action
had been publicly planned for months.

The Crown went to great lengths to try to keep this critical information
from becoming known and was successful in keeping the material under a
publication ban for about a year. The release of these damning details
prompted calls for the firing of OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino. Pretrial
motions, originally set to begin today, would have seen Commissioner Fantino
*subpoenaed* to answer for his conduct leading up to and during the 2007
Aboriginal Day of Action.

Since the blockades of 2007, CUPE Ontario has passed a resolution in support
of the Mohawks of Tyendinaga, NDP MPP Peter Kormos has called for the firing
of OPP Chief Fantino and thousands of people have attended events, made
donations and signed petitions in support of the Mohawks and their demands.

Shawn Brant's arrest and the excessive prison sentence that the crown sought
against him were part of an attempt to destabilize the community of
Tyendinaga. However, the Mohawks of Tyendinaga remain united and continue
to fight for what should already be theirs: land and clean water.

The Tyendinaga Support Committee is a Toronto-based organization working to
support the Mohawks of Tyendinaga.

For more information, visit: www.ocap.ca/supporttmt or email us at
support.tmt@gmail.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information, please read the following article:

*IPPERWASH INQUIRY: LESSONS UNLEARNED:*

*THE OPP AND TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY*

- Tyendinaga Support Committee

In April 2008, the Mohawk community of Tyendinaga was subjected to an
unacceptable escalation of police tactics, including the drawing of guns by
OPP officers on unarmed Mohawks. At the time, the OPP laid unfounded,
fear-mongering claims, saying they saw 'one long gun' at the quarry
reclamation site, a land reclamation that the Mohawks have been holding for
more than a year, as part of their struggle for the return of the Culbertson
Tract. The language of the alleged threat is not unfamiliar to Native
people in Ontario. In 1995 Stoney Point protester Dudley Charge was shot
and killed by the OPP during a land reclamation at Ipperwash provincial park
after an officer thought he saw him holding a "long gun," though the
protesters were in fact unarmed.

In 2006, the Ipperwash Inquiry found that the 1995 murder of Dudley George
was contributed to by centuries of discrimination and dispossession rooted
in racism. Justice Sidney Linden concluded that Ipperwash revealed a deep
schism in Canada's relationship with First Nations peoples and was symbolic
of a grievous history of destructive government policies. The Inquiry made
constructive findings and recommendations regarding policing, appalling
decision-making, the wrongful use of force against indigenous people, and
the racist demeanor of Ontario's then-Premier Mike Harris and the police.

Despite these findings, it appears that Ontario has opted for the
criminalization of First Nations people over the resolution of outstanding
land issues. Justice Linden's Ipperwash Inquiry policing recommendations
are being flaunted by the OPP, and in particular, by Chief Julian Fantino.

What lessons have really been learned in the 13 years since Dudley George
was killed? To what lengths are the authorities prepared to go in order to
quash indigenous resistance and sovereignty?

*Publication Ban lifted on the Preliminary Inquiry:*

On Juy 18th, 2008, the publication ban on Shawn Brant's preliminary hearing,
which took place in August 2007, was lifted in a Napanee Court, making
crucial evidence available to public scrutiny for the first time. That
afternoon, Crown prosecutors appeared before a judge of the Court of Appeal
in Toronto. No defence lawyers were present, as they had received only 6
minutes notice of this second, frantic court appearance. The Crown
successfully convinced the judge to issue a stay, on the grounds that the
ban was in the accused, Shawn Brant's, best interests. The media was ordered
to "immediately cease reporting on evidence heard at the preliminary inquiry
and remove all related reports from websites".

Then, at shortly after 5pm the same day, lawyers for the CBC and Mr. Brant
appeared before the same Appeals judge, along with Crown counsel. After
substantial submissions, the judge lifted her earlier stay and dismissed the
stay application altogether, ordering the publication ban lifted once more.


It is fairly rare for the prosecution to fight for a publication ban on
court proceedingswhen the defence is opposed to it. In Shawn's case, the
media coverage of the 2007 blockades and Shawn's role as spokesperson is
vast. The public record of Shawn's very public actions stands, and the
defence has no interest in suppressing evidence relating to the case. This
begs the question: why has the Crown been so persistent in fighting to keep
the preliminary hearing quiet? The evidence released after the publication
ban was lifted gives some insight into possible answers.

*Julian Fantino's Testimony: *

With the publication ban lifted, disturbing information emerged. The
evidence released included the testimony of Chief Fantino at Mr. Brant's
preliminary hearing. The public learned about the conduct of Commissioner
Fantino in relation to members of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, including
his knowledge of wiretaps placed without the approval or oversight of a
judge, his apparent dismissal of the authority and importance of Aboriginal
OPP officers, the direct threats made to Mohawk spokesperson Shawn Brant,
and Mr. Fantino's utter disregard of the recommendations of Justice Linden's
Ipperwash Report.

Highlights of the evidence released include the following:

- In June 2007, the OPP imposed wiretaps on members of the Tyendinaga
Mohawk community without judicial authorization, using an emergency
section of the *Criminal Code*. The lead investigator in Mr. Brant's case
has acknowledged that the OPP was not necessarily going to disclose that
these taps had occurred. Mr. Brant's lawyers were informed of the
existence of the wiretap on his phone only on the Friday afternoon before
his preliminary hearing was to begin on the following Monday.



- Besides tapping the cell and home phone lines of Shawn Brant, the OPP
also tapped three other phones: two of Shawn's friends, Mario Baptiste Sr.
and Mario Baptiste Jr., and Shawn's brother, Gregory Brant, a prominent
local lawyer. The latter is particularly shocking, given Gregory Brant
has opposing political views from those of his brother and had no
association to or involvement in the blockades of June 29th, 2007. It is
not known whether the tap on his phone includes privileged
solicitor-client
conversations, which cannot be listened to by other parties.



- At Mr. Brant's preliminary hearing, Fantino said he'd never heard of
such a tap being used by the OPP and denied any knowledge of who had
decided to implement the tap. Furthermore, Fantino refused to look into
this question or provide defence counsel with further information about
the wire tap or policy related to its use.



- Fantino's wiretapped conversations with Shawn Brant on June 29, 2007
reveal him making numerous threats against Mr. Brant. Fantino said to Mr.
Brant, "your whole world's going to come crashing down" and threatened to
"do everything I can within your community and everywhere to destroy your
reputation". Police Chief Fantino is also quoted as saying, " I'm now
telling you pull the plug or you will suffer grave consequences."



- During his testimony at the preliminary inquiry, Fantino appears to
have perjured himself by admitting he knew of the existence of the wiretap
on Mr. Brant's phone, on or before June 29th, and then contradicted
himself, claiming he had no such knowledge until some time after June 29th.


- Fantino laid the groundwork to come down on the National Day of Action
blockade in Tyendinaga on June 29th with full force - a message sent to
the Mohawks through intermediaries indicated that tanks, the military,
snipers and SWAT teams were on standby to open Highway 401, despite
knowledge that the blockade was already scheduled to be taken down at the
end of June 29th.
"There were in fact plans underway at that time for a forced removal of
the blockade, weren't there?" Rosenthal asked him during his testimony.
"Yes, there was," Fantino replied.



- In his exchange with Mr. Brant, Fantino contradicted the OPP's
guidelines for dealing with aboriginal groups, which were developed in the
wake of the police killing of Dudley George. Disrespecting First Nations
OPP officers and disrespecting their role as negotiators, Fantino refers
to them at one point as "your (ie Shawn's) officers".



- Contrary to the recommendations of the Ipperwash report, and OPP
guidelines on policing aboriginal blockades, Fantino repeatedly showed no
cultural respect for Mohawk processes of decision-making, asserting that
Mr. Brant is "the man in charge" and can "pull the plug any time he wants
to".
Fantino refused to acknowledge or respect any process for reaching
consensus within the community, despite repeated attempts by Shawn to make
this clear during the taped conversations. In his testimony at the
preliminary inquiry, Fantino dismissed this process as a "stalling
tactic".



- Evidence also included that of an undercover officer who stated that he
posed as a media cameraman when he investigated the blockades of June 29,
2007, held as part of the First Nations National Day of Action. In its
application to lift the ban, counsel for the CBC asserted that he had
grave concerns about such activity by police officers.



*Ipperwash Recommendations Ignored:*

According to an OPP document drafted in the wake of the Ipperwash Inquiry
entitled *A Framework for Police Preparedness for Aboriginal Critical
Incidents*, local First Nations police must play a lead role in any police
response to First Nations protest. The document calls for building a
"trusting relationship" with "mutual respect" between the culture of First
Nations people and police, as well as a need for "special concerns" with
respect to aboriginal protests and blockades, given their historical
rights.

It also calls for "fostering trusting relationships between the OPP and
aboriginal communities" and for a "critical incident mediator" who, during
an incident, meets with aboriginal leaders to identify key issues and
interests and communicates those to the police commander at the incident.
It is also the mediator's responsibility to "develop in concert with the
incident commander, a mutually acceptable and lasting resolution strategy."

The evidence at the preliminary inquiry shows that this was indeed taking
place on June 29, in Tyendinaga. The Mohawks were communicating and
negotiating with members of the Aboriginal Liason Team.

However, the evidence also shows that Fantino repeatedly undercut such
involvement by interrupting negotiations between the people blockading the
401 and First Nations constables with threatening calls to Brant's
cellphone.

According to Shawn's lawyer, Peter Rosenthal, "The point is not simply that
a commissioner of the OPP should speak more appropriately. The concern is
that an OPP officer speaking like that in such a context could have derailed
negotiations entirely, leading to a horrible outcome. Luckily, Brant and
his colleagues continued negotiations with the First Nations officers to a
successful conclusion, in spite of Fantino's provocations."

At the preliminary inquiry, Fantino was confronted with several points from
the *Framework*. He was then asked by defence counsel: "I put it to you that
the document that we looked at and the concerns of the Ipperwash inquiry,
and many other concerns that you're aware of, have indicated that, in
situations like this, for the public good as well as for the respect of the
protestors involved, it's important to understand where they're coming from
and deal with their cultural values and so on."

Fantino responded: "There's nothing in the spirit, the intent, or the
written word in this document that justifies criminal conduct, or that
exonerates people from accountability from criminal conduct, or that it
[sic] absents me as a law enforcement officer from exercising discretion, or
using the authority bestowed upon me to effect a lawful purpose."

Fantino was then asked: "And doesn't, though, that document and many other
documents speak to the way you should do that in situations involving
aboriginal protestors?"

He replied: "These are guidelines and they're principles; they're not a firm
and fixed mandated way of doing business."

The Ipperwash recommendations were designed to avoid violence, regardless of
whether criminal charges will subsequently be laid. For Fantino to dismiss
the recommendations as mere "guidelines," given the grave consequences of
racist policing which prompted them in the first place, should be cause for
great alarm.

*Fantino and McGuinty Respond:*

A media storm followed the lifting of the publication ban. After
allegations that Fantino had violated the Ipperwash recommendations were
printed and broadcast in national newspapers and on national television and
radio, Fantino issued two statements In one, he stated, regarding lesson he
had learned from the controversy surrounding the OPP's handling of the
National Day of Action at Tyendinaga, that "as a law enforcement officer, I
happen to have all the right enemies". In another statement, Fantino said,
in part, "Consistent with the recommendations from the Ipperwash inquiry,
the OPP continues to work collectively with legitimate First Nations
leadership and communities to ensure that both the interests of participants
during lawful protests and public safety can be served in the best way
possible."

The Ipperwash recommendations were not about what the police would consider
to be "lawful protests," nor about working with what the police would
consider to be "legitimate First Nations leadership." The entire Ipperwash
report was designed to apply to incidents such as the reclamation of
Ipperwash Park and the blockades of June 29, 2007. It was designed to avoid
violence and the death of Native people standing up for their land. If
Fantino remains Chief of the OPP, how can we be certain that future
bloodshed will be avoided?

Fantino's conduct during these blockades was in contravention of both OPP
guidelines and the recommendations of the Ipperwash report. Above and beyond
this, his actions were threatening, unprofessional and discriminatory.

Following the public furor, which included NDP Justice Critic Peter Kormos'
call for Fantino to resign or be fired, Premier McGunity was quoted as
stating that Commissioner Fantino had "demonstrated tremendous discipline",
and that his position is "a tough job when people get really hot".

An OPP Commissioner must have the ability to conduct himself appropriately
in complex situations, an essential skill Fantino clearly lacked on June 29
th, 2007. But even two months later at Shawn Brant's preliminary
inquiry—not in a 'heated' situation—Fantino continued to demonstrate his
lack of commitment to implementing recommendations of the Ipperwash inquiry.
Fantino's public statements with respect to his conduct are an attempt to
obfuscate and distract from the issues at hand – namely, how First Nations
people are policed in this province.

It is important to note that in Justice Linden's 1,433-page report, the OPP
received the bulk of the criticism for actions leading up to the shooting,
including "the use of excessive force" and being "culturally insensitive''.
Fantino's conduct on June 29th, 2007 directly contravenes the
recommendations of Justice Linden, and sets an unacceptably dangerous and
disrespectful precedent for government and police response to First Nations
grievances.

The Premier's job should instead be to ensure that the Commissioner, a
political appointee whom the Liberal government quietly handed an extension
of term in early 2008, is thoroughly investigated, with a view to
resignation.

*What's Next:*

The current situation in Tyendinaga has begun to look like a sweeping
crack-down on community members and the stifling of resistance to increased
policing and further development of the Culbertson Tract. At the time of
writing, 16 men and women from Tyendinaga are facing charges stemming from
the OPP stand-off in April 2008, all saddled at minimum with conditions of
'no protests' and 'not to be present at the quarry site'.

At the same time, federal monies are being poured into the Territory for
policing matters, and an RCMP report has been released, citing federal
government intentions to dedicate police "to fighting contraband, which he
[Stockwell Day] said is funding organized crime and possibly even
terrorists" in three Mohawk communities, including Tyendinaga. It is
important to remember that the feds' concern with Native-made smokes and
sales go much deeper than their own pocket book. It is not simply the lost
tax revenue that they suffer, but the fact that the lost dollars go to
sustain Mohawk families and other services and allows for the Mohawk Nation
to stand, as it always has, as a clear and organized force of resistance
against the Canadian government's practices of assimilation and control of
First Nations peoples.

It is the efforts to strengthen Mohawk Nations' economies and sovereignty
that threatens the implementation of Canada's colonial agenda. The policing
agendas of the Canadian government aim to crack down on this assertion of
self-sufficiency and strength, not, as they claim, "organized crime".

In late July, Larry Hay, the former police chief of the Mohawk Tyendinaga
First Nation made public his efforts to take the Ontario Provincial Police
to court after being fired by OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino for speaking
out against racism in policing. "They've learned nothing from Ipperwash,"
said Hay, who is seeking a judicial review hoping a court will reinstate him
in the job. He is considering a wrongful dismissal suit if a judicial review
fails.

The community of Tyendinaga has, through working to re-establish a
longhouse, self-governance, and economic self-sufficiency, long been a thorn
in the side of the Canadian state, and its project of oppression and
genocide of First Nations peoples.

That the government lawyers looked to ask for twelve years prison time for
Shawn Brant is not about the blockades of last summer. It is about sending a
loud message to First Nations people who are not interested in submitting to
the exploitation of their lands and resources, nor the continued denigration
and suffering of their communities. This was a state response of fear and
concern that First Nations resistance will continue, and will succeed in
forcing the rest of this country's population to realize that long-standing
crimes against the Mohawk community of Tyendinaga, and all other First
Nations communities, must be righted.

support.tmt@gmail.com
http://www.ocap.ca/supporttmt/index.html

> http://www.ocap.ca/supporttmt

GET YOUR TICKET TODAY: Naomi Klein to speak in Toronto: Shock Doctrine - the rise of disaster capitalism

Posted: August 26, 2008

<><><><><><><><><><><><>
OPIRG – Toronto Presents:
Naomi Klein
on the SHOCK DOCTRINE: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Monday, September 29th, 2008
Bloor Cinema: 506 Bloor St. W, Toronto
6:30 pm
Tickets are $8.00 in advance, $10 at the door

<><><><><><><><><><><><>
OPIRG – Toronto Presents:
Naomi Klein
on the SHOCK DOCTRINE: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Monday, September 29th, 2008
Bloor Cinema: 506 Bloor St. W, Toronto
6:30 pm
Tickets are $8.00 in advance, $10 at the door

Tickets Available at:
Toronto Women's Bookstore: 73 Harbord St.
OPIRG – Toronto Office: 563 Spadina Ave.
University of Toronto Students' Union Office: 12 Hart House Circle
University of Toronto Mississauga Students' Union Office: 3359 Mississauga Rd. N.
**All proceeds going to support the communities of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and the Algonquins of Barriere Lake

Bestselling Writer, award winning Journalist and Filmmaker Naomi Klein is speaking in Toronto on Monday, September 29th on the release of her new book: "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism".

In THE SHOCK DOCTRINE, Naomi Klein explodes the myth that the global free market triumphed democratically. Exposing the thinking, the money trail and the puppet strings behind the world-changing crises and wars of the last four decades, The Shock Doctrine is the gripping story of how America's "free market" policies have come to dominate the world-- through the exploitation of disaster-shocked people and countries.

Contact: OPIRG – Toronto: www.opirguoft.org / opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca / 416-978-7770


For information on
Tyendinaga Support Committee: http://www.ocap.ca/supporttmt
Barriere Lake Solidarity: http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/


Co-Sponsored By: Toronto Women's Bookstore, University of Toronto Students Union (UTSU), UTMSU, CUPE 1281, Arts and Science Students' Union (ASSU), Rabble.ca, Global Aware, The Varsity, University of Toronto's Environmental Resource Network (UTERN)

Naomi Klein Speaks: is part of Environment Week at the University of Toronto

> www.naomiklein.org

Justice for Migrant Workers

Posted: August 19, 2008

Migrant and Canadian workers work together to fight employer driven decertification vote against union: J4MW congratulates Presteve Workers in their successful, historic fight

Tuesday August 19, 2008

(Toronto) Justicia for Migrant Workers (J4MW) a grassroots collective of community, labour, academic and faith based activists are joining the chorus of supporters celebrating the victorious campaign against the decertification of a local union in Southwestern, Ontario. On Friday August 15, 2008 Presteve Foods, a fish processing plant located in Wheatley, Ontario became the first plant in Canadian history to successfully stave off a decertification vote by a workplace that's labour force is comprise of a majority of migrant workers from Thailand and Mexico. The Vote was held under the supervision of Jim Bowman former Senior Labour Relations officer for the OLRB. Both migrant workers and Canadian workers voted overwhelmingly to continue to be represented by the Canadian Autoworkers Union local 444. Despite a wide range of threats and intimidations initiated by the employer including threats of deportation, mass firings and plant closures workers across racial, ethnic and linguistic differences worked together to support retaining the union

Chris Ramsaroop national organizer for J4MW states that "this is a historic day in the struggle for migrant workers. Despite employer attempts to divide and rule workers, workers came together, fought together and will continue to strive to ensure that the rights of migrant and non migrant workers will be enshrined in their collective agreement. Ramsaroop hopes that this will lead to a greater understanding amongst Canadians about the plight of migrant workers and how Canadian laws are responsible for migrant workers to work and live under precarious conditions. "While there has been a common myth that migrant workers are strike breakers or are responsible for brining down the wages of Canadian workers, the reality is that migrant workers are demanding their rights to fair and equitable treatment under the law. Our collective struggle is to challenge immigration and labour laws that work in conjunction in creating exploitative conditions that migrant workers face," continues Ramsaroop.

Besides the significance that this vote symbolizes, it also sends a strong message to Government representatives, employers and the greater community that migrant workers are asserting their rights against exploitation, vulnerability and the expansion of employer driven immigration programs such as the temporary foreign worker program, seasonal agricultural worker program, and the live in care giver that the government is attempting to implement.

Justicia for migrant workers will continue to work with labour unions, community and religious groups to raise awareness and to advocate with migrant workers to organize to improve working and living conditions across Canada.

For More information please contact Justin Goldenthal at 416 731-5528; Justin@ckln.fm or Chris Ramsaroop at 647 834 4932; chrisramsaroop@gmail.com.
-30-

Barriere Lake Algonquins to publicly target Indian Affairs bureaucrats in Ottawa

Posted: August 07, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 6, 2008

Barriere Lake Algonquins Return to Ottawa on Friday, August 8, 2008
Algonquins to publicly target Department of Indian Affairs' bureaucrats responsible for illegally interfering in their internal governance and refusing to honour signed agreements

Ottawa, ON / – On Friday, August 8, 2008, Algonquins from the Barriere Lake First Nation will be in Ottawa to demand the Government of Canada support the outcome of a new leadership selection process to be held in accordance with Barriere Lake's Customary Governance Code, and to revoke their illegal decision to recognize a minority faction as Chief and Council, who were not selected according to Barriere Lake's customs and not supported by a majority of the community.
The Barriere Lake Algonquins also want the Government to uphold signed agreements with the community.
Rather than meet Barriere Lake's demands, Pierre Nepton, the Associate Director of the Quebec Regional Office of Indian Affairs, has suggested further violating their leadership customs by imposing an Indian Act electoral governance system on the community, which would be a direct violation of Barriere Lake's constitutionally protected Aboriginal Rights.
"The Canadian government needs to reign in their Indian Affairs bureaucrats, who are out of control, threatening to flagrantly violate our constitutionally-protected rights to customary governance," says Marylynn Poucachiche, a spokesperson for Barriere Lake.
In 1991, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, located three hours north of Ottawa, signed a Trilateral Agreement with the governments of Canada and Quebec, establishing a landmark sustainable development, conservation, and resource co-management process praised by the United Nations and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.
Since that time, the Government of Canada has repeatedly evaded its obligations under the agreement. On March 10th, 2008, for the third time in 12 years, the Government of Canada interfered in the internal governance of Barriere Lake, ousting the Customary Chief Benjamin Nottaway and his Council and recognizing a Chief and Council whom the Barriere Lake Elder's Council say were not selected in accordance with the community's customs and whom the majority of the community does not support.

"I don't think it's right for any government to interfere this way," says Poucachiche. "The government should respect our traditions and customs and continue with the negotiation and implementation of the signed agreements."
Last month, members of the community gathered for multi-day protests outside the office of Minister Lawrence Cannon and the Department of Indian Affairs in Gatineau.

Further details, including the location and time of the demonstration, will be released on Friday, August 8, 2008.


Collectif de Solidarité Lac Barričre
*******************************************
www.solidaritelacbarriere.blogspot.com
barrierelakesolidarity@gmail.com
514.398.7432

> www.solidaritelacbarriere.blogspot.com

U of T Presses Criminal Charges against 14 Students and Organizers!

Posted: April 29, 2008

*URGENT CALL FOR SUPPORT – PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY**

UofT PRESSES CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST 14 STUDENTS AND ORGANIZERS
MOBILIZING TO FIGHT FEE HIKES
University's level of hostility and repression against students
unprecedented in the last decade

Community Release: Toronto; April 25 2008

Over the past several weeks, a wide coalition of students, alumni and workers at University of Toronto have come together to protest and organize against proposed fee hikes and to demand accessible education. This coalition has organized public meetings, a sit-in and
demonstrations which have received wide community support. Students
have also conducted extensive research on the effects of fees and the fiscal policies of the university administration (see www.fightfees.ca).

Due to a peaceful sit-in, organized to protest against tuition fees on March 20, students are being subjected to an intense campaign of intimidation by the UofT administration and Toronto Police. Students have been followed by campus police, both on and off campus, as well
as being monitored and photographed during meetings. UofT has pressed charges against 14 students and organizers, who have now had to turn
themselves over to Toronto Police. They have been released on strict bail conditions, which ban them from associating with one another outside of courts and classes, as well as being barred from protesting anywhere on UofT property. In addition, several UofT students, staff and alumni have been completely banned from UofT property. One organizer, Oriel Varga, was held in custody overnight. Additionally, UofT is investigating 12 students under the Code of Student Conduct.

This crusade of intimidation comes at a time when the administration is publically lobbying for the deregulation of fees, and is thus undertaken to prevent students from continuing to
organize around university fees.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SHOW SUPPORT:

We are calling on all community allies and support groups to show their solidarity with the 14 accused in any way they can. Community members are expressing their outrage at the growing cost of education, and at the use of intimidation and force against students who organize for accessible education at the University of Toronto.

It is critical for the university community and supporters across the country to publicly condemn and reverse attacks on students' right to organize. We are calling on all community members, community groups, unions, and student organizations to:

a) Send a message of support to the Committee for Just Education at
fightfees@gmail.com

b) Send letters of condemnation to the President of the University of
Toronto, David Naylor, at david.naylor@utoronto.ca (please CC all
emails to fightfees@gmail.com) or phone David Naylor at 416-978-2121
with an emphasis the following:

(i) Drop all charges against UofT student, staff and alumni.
(ii) Remove all bail restrictions and conditions for all 14 accused
(iii) End the policing of dissent and protest on campus. In the wake
of the March 20 sit-in, 12 students are also being investigated under
the Code of Student Conduct and student organizers have faced
intimidation and surveillance from the campus police. More recently,
the University has pressed charges against 14 students and organizers.

**For more information and to get involved with the Allies for Just
Education, visit www.fightfees.ca or email us at:
fightfees@gmail.com**

> http://www.fightfees.ca

U of T Meeting on Tuition Fee Increases Recesses to Private Location to Avoid Student Voices

Posted: April 15, 2008

Please show your support and forward widely!

PUBLIC RELEASE:
UofT Meeting on Tuition Fee Increases Recesses to Private Location to Avoid Student Voices

(1) Summary of Events
(2) Summary of Demands and Goals
(3) Action Items for Allies and Supporters

1. Summary of Events

On April 10, while University of Toronto students wrote in-class exams and finished term papers, the UofT Governing Council relocated its meeting to a secret location away from students. Behind guarded doors and with no students or other members of the university community allowed to observe, the Governing Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of increasing tuition fees as high as 23%.

Students collected over 3,000 petition signatures in the last week of classes against the fee increases ranging from 2-23%, and student representatives presented the petition to the Governing Council. At the same time, over one hundred students, staff, faculty and community members gathered outside Simcoe Hall to listen to a live feed of the proceedings. Since only a few students were allowed inside, the demonstrators made their voices heard through powerful chants of Education is a right; we will not give up the fight and The people, united, will never be defeated!

Meanwhile, students with speaking rights inside the meeting were repeatedly interrupted by the Chair of the Governing Council, and were reminded that they should be "logical" and demonstrate that they had been "well-trained". After making their arguments, they attempted to have student voices heard by reading aloud the names, debts and comments from the petition in protest against the yearly act of increasing fees.

In response, the Chair called for a recess and the meeting was relocated in secret to the adjacent Galbraith Building. Some elected student governors were not informed of the new location. Guarded by dozens of city and campus police officers, the Governing Council voted overwhelmingly to approve all of the fee increases. Even as students protested in the halls of the Galbraith Building, the Governing Council decided to continue UofT's complicity in perpetuating a cycle of poverty where low and middle-income families are denied access to post-secondary education.

2. Summary of Demands and Goals

The three demands for April 10, as outlined in the petition (online version available here), were (i) that the UofT administration stop lobbying the province for deregulation of fees; (ii) that the UofT administration join students, staff, faculty and community members in demanding that government funding be restored to appropriate levels; and (iii) that the Governing Council vote against the tuition increases to send a clear message to the provincial and federal governments that it is unacceptable to offload the financial burden of education onto students and their families.

Over the past month, UofT students and their allies have mobilized in growing numbers against skyrocketing fees. On March 20, over 40 students held a sit-in inside Simcoe Hall against a 20% residence fee increase at New College. The peaceful sit-in ended with the police forcefully removing students on the orders of senior administrators. Ceasing to falter, students organized an emergency rally against the 20% fee increase on March 25. Over 100 people attended the rally outside the Governing Council's University Affairs Board (UAB) meeting and participated in a mock general assembly to vote on fee increases while the UAB passed the 20% residence fee increase against the will of student representatives inside the meeting.

In subsequent weeks, the policing of dissent continued. Campus police in their vehicles followed students on at least four separate occasions, while plainclothes campus police have attempted to photograph meetings and events. In an effort to deter student dissent, the University has begun threatening students with investigation under the Code of Student Conduct

To continue organizing around these issues, the Ad Hoc Committee for Just Education was formed, adopting the following three goals at a general assembly held on April 7:

1. Equal access to education through the elimination of all fees
2. Parity between students, workers, and faculty on University decision-making bodies all the way up to the Governing Council
3. No policing of dissent on campus: a discussion on the role of the Code of Student Conduct and a discussion on the role of police on campus

Moving forward, the Ad Hoc Committee for Just Education is committed to building a united movement for equal access to education, and ensuring that alongside students and university workers, community members and high school students are also able to play a central role in the reclamation of the University.

3. Action Items for Allies and Supporters

The Ad Hoc Committee for Just Education is asking allies and supporters to:

1. Send letters of support and solidarity to students organizing toward the three goals listed above to fightfees [at] gmail.com.

2. Send letters of condemnation to the President of the University of Toronto, David Naylor, at president@utoronto.ca and david.naylor@utoronto.ca, with an emphasis on the following:

(i) The constant marginalization of student voices, from ordering campus police to aggressively remove peaceful protesters on March 20, to walking away from the voices of students speaking against fee increases on April 10.
(ii) The public lobbying Naylor and his administration have engaged in to encourage the provincial government to deregulate fees.
(iii) The intimidation and surveillance faced by student organizers on campus from the campus police in the wake of the March 20 sit-in.
(iv) The threat of investigation of students under the Code of Student Conduct in order to silence dissent and protest on campus.

Please send copies of letters to fightfees [at] gmail.com. We thank you for your support and encouragement.
For more information and a personal account from April 10th, please see http://fightfees.ca/april10

> http://www.fightfees.ca

Call for new OPIRG Board Members and Invite to AGM

Posted: April 03, 2008

CALL FOR NEW OPIRG BOARD MEMBERS and INVITE TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1. Deadline for Board Applications
THURSDAY APRIL 10
6pm

OPIRG-Toronto invites students and community members interested in
running for our 2008-2009 Board of Directors to submit nomination
packages by Thursday, April 10th at 6pm to our office, located at 563
Spadina Avenue, Room 101. Our office hours are Monday to Thursday
11am-6pm.

The Board is a formal, policy setting and decision-making group whose
purpose is to meet the needs, goals, and objectives of OPIRG-Toronto. It sets and maintains policy, approves
programming, manages the budget, makes funding decisions and acts as
an employer for two full-time, unionized staff members. The Board is also the legal body that takes responsibility for the organisation. Board members are
responsible for decisions made at Board meetings (staff and volunteers
are not). While this is the legal position of the Board, Directors work collectively with staff and volunteers.

OPIRG-Toronto knows and believes that people who live on the margins are often in better positions to understand how systems of oppression, power and privilege work and are maintained. We especially encourage people who are surviving racism, colonization, poverty, transphobia, homophobia, sexism and ableism to apply for the Board of Directors and volunteer in action groups and be involved.

TO APPLY:
a) Complete a Board Nomination Package Available in either of the following ways:
*Download www.opirguoft.org/index.php?cmd=ShowData§ion=6&subsection=16&type=6
*Email opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca
*Pick up from our office located at 563 Spadina Avenue, Room 101, Toronto

b) Submit a hard copy of the application to the OPIRG-Toronto c/o
Farrah Miranda or Lisa Schofield by Thursday, April 24 at 6pm.

2. Annual General Meeting
THURSDAY APRIL 24th
Sidney Smith Room 1084
6pm

Celebrating an inspiring year of student activism and community mobilizing, OPIRG-Toronto invites you to participate in our 2007-2008 Annual General Meeting.

Join us for an evening featuring report backs from staff, volunteers and board members, elections for the 2008-2009 Board of Directors, and a review of our audit. Share your thoughts on the year and let us know what you'd like to see for the year ahead.

**This meeting (and voting) is open only to OPIRG Members (Undergraduate and Graduate students at the University of Toronto who did not opt-out of OPIRG, as well as community members who have paid their membership fee).

**Food and Refreshments will be provided

For more info email: opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca

University of Toronto Students Occupy President's Office: Police aggression used to force students out

Posted: March 21, 2008

Press Release

University of Toronto Students Occupy President's Office

Police violence used to force students out

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2008 – Toronto

March 20, 2008 thirty-five University of Toronto students occupied Simcoe Hall, the home of the President's Office, to protest a 20% fee increase. The nonviolent sit-in was accompanied with a peaceful rally outside the building—until the police began brutalizing those inside. This was captured by multiple video cameras.



The students had three simple demands.

1) To be granted a meeting with President David Naylor;

2) To have the proposed fee increase removed from the University Affairs Board meeting, scheduled to take place on March 25; and

3) To be given 15 minutes at the University Affairs Board meeting for a presentation and discussion on broader issues of access to education and the impacts of high tuition upon students, families and communities.

Students attempted to deliver their letter to the University of Toronto President, David Naylor, and to speak to other members of the administration in Simcoe Hall about the rising costs of education in Ontario. The administration refused to meet with the students. The response of the University of Toronto was to violently remove students from their peaceful sit-in. Police aggressively grabbed students and dragged them away from the entrance of the office. The students feared for their safety and after four hours in the building, the police violence forced the students to leave.

Video of these events has been posted on YouTube and it can be viewed here:





Images can be viewed here:

http://www.edwardfwong.com/uoftact/9.jpg

http://www.edwardfwong.com/uoftact/10.jpg



Students are continuing to demand a meeting with President Naylor, and the right to accessible and affordable education.

> http://www.fightfees.ca

Students OCCUPY Simcoe Hall!

Posted: March 20, 2008

Hello Everyone,

Exciting News! At 2pm today, after a powerful demonstration and march on campus, University of Toronto students marched on to Simcoe Hall chanting "Education is a Right, To protect this we will Fight!". They walked past a police line and proceeded to enter in to the builidng. Currently, around 30 students are occupying the space of Simcoe Hall (where the U of T Governing Council and Presidents' offices are) and are demanding to meet with President Naylor. They are supported by a crowd of students and allies outside of the building. They are doing so in opposition to rising Tuition Fees, Ancillary Fees, and Residence Fees. Students will remain in Simcoe Hall until their demands are addressed and are prepared to stay the night if necessary!

SUPPORT is NEEDED:

1) Go by Simcoe Hall ASAP to show your support in the OUTSIDE rally:
27 King's College Circle (next to Con Hall) : BRING water, juice, hot drinks, snacks, food to share!

2) Send messages of support to the organizers (info below)

3) Send emails to, or phone, President Naylor and U of T Administration calling on them to actually meet with the students and hear their demands:

president@utoronto.ca / 416-978-4163

university.relations@utoronto.ca
bryn.macpherson.white@utoronto.ca

4) Contact Media and especially Campus Media to have them cover this story!
OPIRG - Toronto
Research * Action * Education
for Social and Environmental Justice
www.opirguoft.org

ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION NOW!
------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 20th 2008, 2pm

*** For Immediate Release***

Attention: Currently there is a sit-in underway at Simcoe Hall in the President's office and the chambers of the Governing Council at the University of Toronto. The sit-in is being attended by several University of Toronto students who are protesting a Proposal to increase New College residence fees by 20%. This is a non-violent sit-in and we will continue to occupy this space until our Demands are met.

AlwaysQuestion, a student-run political organization determined to bring an end to tuition fees, has organized this event in coordination with members of the University of Toronto Students Union, the Arts and Sciences Students Union and the New College Residence Council. We are calling on all students and activists locally and internationally to join us in our cause to eliminate user fees and engage in the broader struggle for social justice.

Our demands are the following: Firstly, we demand a meeting with David Naylor, the President of University of Toronto. Our second and third demands concern the University Affairs Board (UAB) Meeting which will take place on March 25th 2008 at Simcoe Hall. We demand that the Proposal be immediately removed from this meeting's Agenda, thus completely and unequivocally revoking the proposed 20% increase. This demand is being called considering the fact that the increase served as a measure pay off a debt incurred at no fault of the students of New College. Thus, any responsibility for paying it off lays on the parties who caused it; namely, the University and the College. Thirdly, we are demanding 15 minutes of speaking-time at this Meeting to discuss the broader issue of access to education and the impacts of high tuition upon students, families and their communities.

We, the students, believe that education is a question of merit and ability rather than wealth and class. Tuition fees make education inaccessible to many who cannot afford them, thus putting individuals at a large disadvantage where they have to take loans and jobs while studying. This is a fundamental social injustice. Education, at no disadvantage, is a right, and we will not leave until our demands are met.

Help this cause by supporting us immediately. Visit www.alwaysquestion.info/, email alwaysquestion.info@gmail.com, and finally send letters to David Naylor, President of University of Toronto (Simcoe Hall, 27 King's College Circle, Room 206; Toronto, ON: M5S 1A1. Phone: 416-978-2121, Fax: 416-971-1360)

Thank you for your support!

The Students of University of Toronto in conjunction with AlwaysQuestion, University of Toronto Student's Union, Arts and Sciences Student's Union, and New College Residence Council.

Call for Support: Algonquins of Barriere Lake

Posted: March 18, 2008

Donations Can be Dropped off at:

OPIRG Toronto
563 Spadina Ave, Room 101
North Borden Building @ U of T
(north of College, South of Harbord)
Front Doors of the Building are Open: 9am - 8pm


NOTICE: CANADA AND QUEBEC ARE ORCHESTRATING A COUP USING THE SQ TO REPLACE OUR CUSTOMARY CHIEF AND COUNCIL WITH A DISSIDENT GROUP IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF SIGNED AGREEMENTS WITH OUR FIRST NATIONUrgent Request-March 13, 2008

CALL FOR SUPPORT

We are known as the Algonquins of Barriere Lake (also known by our Algonquin name, “Mitchikanibikok Inik”) we are a First Nation community of approximately 500 people, situated in the province of Quebec, 3 hours drive north of Ottawa, Canada.

We, the Barriere Lake traditional people have always lived under our customary laws, which we have codified as our Mitchikanibikok Anishinabe Onakinakewin.(Barriere Lake Customary Governance Code). This is what our great grandparents left for us, for our children, grandchildren and the coming generations. Our responsibility is to make sure that our customary laws will always be respected and protected.

Our Feast is where we give thanks for what we feed our families, the foods that come from our lands and waters. The Three String Wampum, this is where we shake hands to our Brothers and Sisters and their children and to all living things. This is where our teachings come from.

We have a big responsibility; To Protect Our Land, To Protect Our Animals, Fish and Birds.

To defend our hunting way of life so our teachings and our feast, will continue to exist for our children, grandchildren and the coming generations, along with our Language and Beliefs.

Today as the traditional people of our community, we are fighting back to defend our customary laws from being violated and disrespected by individuals who no longer respect our customs, including how we govern ourselves. We will honor what our great grandparents left us, nobody is going to take our customary laws and side with the federal government to gain money from our rights and interests.

To All People Who Support Traditional Indigenous Peoples & Customary Governments: This is a Call for Support and an Update on Our Situation

Our customary laws are meant so we live in harmony on our Lands and with each other. It is only when individuals living in our community, violate and disrespect our customs, that harmony is broken.

Despite repeated warnings to stop, a dissident faction has continued to violate and disrespect our customs and have broken our community’s harmony. Therefore, on March 4, 2008, the majority of our eligible community members of Mitchikanibikok confirmed that we will not accept these dissidents living in our community. Now the federal government is trying to impose them on us by using the Surete du Quebec dressed in riot gear to force us to allow the dissident group into our community. The Government of Canada wants to replace our Customary Chief and Council because our leaders are demanding that the federal government honour the agreements they entered into with our First Nation, which are:

* The 1991 Trilateral Agreement.

* The 1997 Memorandum of Mutual Intent & Global Proposal to Rebuild our Community.

* The Special Provisions inserted into our Contribution Agreements until the Third Party Manager took over our administrative affairs.

The Government of Quebec wants to replace our Customary Chief and Council because our leaders are demanding that the Quebec government honour the 1998 Bilateral Agreement and negotiate the implementation of the Joint Recommendations adopted by the Quebec negotiator, John Ciaccia, and our negotiator, Clifford Lincoln, particularly paying our First Nation $1.5 million annually in Revenue Sharing.

The federal government is trying to impose a minority dissident group over our First Nation in order to try and get out of their obligations under the signed agreements with our First Nation. This is a repeat of what they tried to do to us in 1996-97.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

We Need Monitors/Witnesses:

We need outside supporters with video cameras to monitor and witness how the Surete du Quebec (SQ) are conducting themselves in our community.The SQ have arrested ten of our people so far for defending our community from the dissident group who is collaborating with the governments to take over our community.

The SQ have pepper sprayed children, pregnant mothers, and other vulnerable members without regard to their health or safety.

The SQ have refused to take our complaints against their behavior and tactics.

If you can bring a video camera and be a monitor to witness please contact, Marylynn Poucachiche at (819) 435-2113. We will have to arrange accommodations for monitors/witnesses.

We Need Donations and Supplies:

The federal Department of Indian Affairs has placed our community into what is called “Third Party Management” (TPM). This means our Customary Chief and Council have no say in how our First Nations’ administrative affairs are managed. The Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) decides how our band funds are spent.

We are trying to keep our Elementary School open on a volunteer basis, the Third Party Manager removed the certified teachers from our community on February 20, 2008, while we were trying to get negotiations started with DIA to get Algonquin language and culture into the curriculum and to have a role for our Education Committee in running the school.

We need food for breakfast and lunch program we offer to the children who attend the school.

For SUPPLIES we need the following:

* Potatoes
* White Flour
* Rice
* Oatmeal
* Baking Powder
* Lard
* Cooking Oil
* Dry Cereals
* Margarine
* Crackers
* Macaroni
* Spaghetti
* Tomato Sauce
* Tomato Paste
* Canned Tomatoes
* White Peas
* White Beans
* White/Brown Suger
* Salt
* Pepper
* Soup Base
* Mustard
* Ketchup
* Coffee
* Tea Bags
* Canned Milk 2%
* Canned Goods
* Powdered Juice
* Bread
* Cookies/Snacks
* Coffee Whitener

Other items: Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Batteries ‘AA’ Copying Paper, Pencils, Erasers, Note Books, Colored Construction Paper, HP Printer Cartridge # 21 and HP Printer Cartridge #56. If you can provide a cash donation towards milk, eggs, meat, etc. please contact Marylynn Poucachiche at (819) 423-2113.

Communicate Your Support:

You can write to the following federal Ministers calling on them to stop trying to illegally replace our leadership and honour the signed agreements they entered into with our First Nation:

* Prime Minister Stephan Harper
* Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian & Northern Affairs Canada
* Lawrence Cannon, Local Member of Parliament responsible for our Reserve and Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

You can write to the following Quebec Ministers calling on them to stop the federal government’s attempt to try to illegally replace our leadership and honour the signed agreements they entered into with our First Nation:

* Premier Jean Charest, Government of Quebec
* Benoit Pelletier, Quebec Minister Responsible for Native Affairs
* Claude Bechard, Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife
* Line Beauchamp, Quebec Minister for Sustainable Development, Environment & Parks

To contact us please use the following:

Marylynn Poucachiche, Spokesperson Home: (819) 435-2113, marylynnpoucachiche@hotmail.com

Letter to Minister Chuck Strahl From A/Chief Benjamin Nottaway

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

March 10, 2008

Honourable Chuck Strahl

Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

10 Wellington Street

Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H4

Re: Andre Cote Letter of March 10, 2008

Dear Minister Strahl:

This is to acknowledge receipt of the above noted letter from your Quebec Regional Director General, Mr. Andre Cote.

As our Elder, Harry Wawatie informed you on February 4, 2008, there has been no leadership change in our community. Our Elder and former

Chief, Harry Wawatie, also confirmed to you that under our customs, Mitchikanibikok Anishinabe Onakinagewin, our current Customary

Council remains as follows:

* A/Chief Benjamin Nottaway
* Moise Papatie
* David Wawatie
* Jean Paul Ratt
* Jean Maurice Matchewan

As Mr. Cote’s letter acknowledges, we are governed by our own customs and not by the Indian Act. Our Mitchikanibikok Anishinabe Onakinakewin sets-out the procedures and process for our First Nation to select its leadership. Our customs do not give a role for the Department of Indian Affairs (DIAND) to decide on the composition of our Customary Chief and Council. In fact, Mr. Cote’s letter also acknowledges that DIAND’s role is simply to register the results of what our First Nation has decided in regard to leadership selection.

Nevertheless and given the impact of your actions, before you take such steps you need to act carefully. We wish to advise you that Mr. Cote is mistaken in his belief that there has been a leadership change in our First Nation. As Elder Wawatie’s letter of February 4, 2008, informed you, please review the Report of Mr. Justice Rejean Paul of May 15, 2007, which was the basis upon which Mr. Cote issued his earlier letter of May 29, 2007, recognizing our Council. There have been no changes in circumstances since the issuance of his Report to warrant any changes in DIAND’s previous decision.

Accordingly, we urge you to reconsider your decision. We further submit that you ought to consider having a judicial inquiry into this matter including the conduct of your officials within the Quebec Regional Office, which appears to be directed at impeding our First Nation’s efforts to get DIAND to abide by its agreements and obligations, which are the subject of current proceedings in Federal Court. Therefore, we do not accept Andre Cote’s decision to work with the minority dissident faction within our First Nation, made up of supporters and employees of DIAND’s third party manager. We consider it a violation of our customs as codified in our Mitchikanikbikok Anishinabe Onakinakewin.

As was the case in 1996 when the Quebec Regional Director General made the same mistake, be advised we will not recognize those individuals named in Andre Cote’s letter as having any authority for our First Nation, nor will we cooperate with them. They are not welcome in our community.Should you decide to uphold your government’s responsibilities and obligations under the 1991 Trilateral Agreement, the 1997 Memorandum of Mutual Intent and the Special Provisions of our previous

Contribution Agreements, we are prepared to meet with you.

We await your timely response.

Sincerely,

Acting Chief Benjamin Nottaway



A/Chief Benjamin Nottaway

Algonquins of Barriere Lake

Rapid Lake, Quebec J0W 2C0

Contact: Marylynn Poucachiche

Phone: (819) 435-2113

E-mail:

marylynnpoucachiche@hotmail.com



We are known as the Algonquins of Barriere Lake (also known by our Algonquin name,”Mitchikanibikok Inik”) we are a First Nation community of approximately 450 people, situated in the province of Quebec, 3 hours drive north of Ottawa, Canada. The socioeconomic conditions of our community are extremely poor:

* We have been marginalized onto a tiny 59-acre reserve at Rapid Lake, which is overcrowded, dusty and badly eroding.
* Our unemployment rates are in the range of 80-90%.
* There is a housing crisis in our community - on the average, there are 7 persons per home, but the actual numbers go as high as 18 per house.
* Our formal education levels are low and the incidence of diabetes is high.

On the positive side, our community has managed to maintain our language, customs and traditional way of life.

PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION!

Algonquins of Barriere Lake Customary Chief and Council

> http://briarpatchmagazine.com/2008/03/17/call-for-support-from-the-algonquins-of-barriere-lake/

IRAQ: Days of Action: march 20 - 28

Posted: March 18, 2008

It has been five years since the US-led attack on Iraq, a war and occupation that was meant to 'liberate' a people. Instead, more than 1.2 million people have died and more than 5 million people have fled their homes and forced to live as refugees in desperate conditions. Under the guise of reconstruction, billions of dollars have been stolen from the much needed hands of Iraqis and put in the pockets of war profiteers. This year, the fifth anniversary will not pass quietly. Join Iraqis and activists throughout the city for Days of Action against the War on Iraq. Here are the details...

Thursday, March 20: BAGHDAD CALLING
Massive Campus Outreach and City Wide Educational Initiatives

Sunday, March 23: RECLAIMING IRAQ
Featuring: Dr. Dahlia Wasfi and Prof. Sabah Al Nasseri
3pm-9pm (all day event with bazaar and performances)
Palestine House, 3195 Erindale Station Road, Mississauga, ON

Tuesday, March 25: IRAQ TO PALESTINE
Featuring: Dr. Dahlia Wasfi and Prof. Sabah Al Nasseri
2pm York University, Student Center, Room 430

Wednesday, March 26: RECLAIMING IRAQ: CREATIVE RESISTANCE
Featuring: Dr. Wasfi, The Narcicyst of Euphrates, and bigHead
3pm Ryerson University, Oakham House, 63 Gould Ave.

Thursday, March 27: IRAQ: 5 years of war, destruction, and occupation
Featuring: Dr. Wasfi and Prof. Sabah Al Nasseri
7pm U of T, Medical Sciences Building, Room #3153,
1 King's College Circle

Friday, March 28: CONFRONT CANADIAN WAR PROFITEERS!
Picket @ the Canada Commercial Corporation 151 Yonge Street
1pm

Wednesday, April 2: Iraqi Frequencies
5pm-10pm Special Programming | CHRY 105.5FM http://chry.fm

VISIT:
iammedia.org
www.opirguoft.org

CONTACT: ahmed@iammedia.org

Tar Sands: Environmental justice, treaty rights and Indigenous Peoples

Posted: March 12, 2008

Tar Sands: Environmental justice, treaty rights and Indigenous Peoples

Clayton Thomas-Müller

Canadian Dimension magazine, March/April 2008

The application of treaty rights as a legal strategy implemented by the First Nations themselves must be the key focus in efforts to challenge Big Oil in Alberta. Resources and effort must be placed into building the knowledge and capacity amongst First Nations and Métis leadership, including grassroots, elders and youth, to engage in both an indigenous-led corporate-finance campaign and in decision-making processes on environment, energy, climate and economic policies related to halting the tar-sands expansion. Canadian policy makers need to understand that there is an inextricable link between indigenous rights and energy and climate impacts.
The Tar Sands: What, How, For Whom?

The tar sands lie beneath more than 141,000 square kilometres (54,000 square miles) of northern Alberta forest. In 2003, thirty square kilometres (160 square miles) of land had been disturbed by tar-sands development. By the summer of 2006, that number had grown to 2,000 square kilometres (772 square miles) — almost five-fold within three years. These tar sands are the second-largest oil deposit in the world, bigger then Iraq, Iran, or Russia, and exceeded only by Saudi Arabia. If current, approved projects go forward, 3,400 square kilometres (1,312 square miles) will be strip-mined, destroying a total area as large as the state of Florida. The current process limit of 2.7 million barrels of oil per day is estimated to increase to six million barrels per day by 2030. Current and future high oil prices make the extraction and processing of bitumen very profitable.

Tar sands are a mixture of sand, clay and a heavy crude oil or tarry substance called bitumen. To get the oil out of the ground, the tar has to be superheated with steam in “cookers” to make the oil flow. For each barrel of tar-sands oil produced, between two and 4.5 barrels of water is required. In 2007, Alberta approved the withdrawal of 119.5 billion gallons of water for tar-sands extraction, with an estimated 82 per cent of this water coming from the Athabasca River, a major tributary in northern Alberta.

The extracted bitumen is later processed in industrial facilities called “upgraders” into synthetic crude oil to be piped to the U.S. for refining. These upgrader facilities look like “refinery cities,” with smokestacks bellowing polluting emissions and wastewater emptied into toxic tailings ponds. Recently, in sutu technology is being used to pump steam under the earth in order to make the bitumen flow through wells. By 2010, the industry is projected to generate eight billion tons of waste sand and one billion cubic metres of wastewater — enough to fill 400,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Some of these toxic tailings ponds are located next to the Athabasca. The tar sands are also a major source of greenhouse-gas emissions and a major contributor to climate change and global warming.

The oil from the tar sands is going south in order to satisfy U.S. energy needs. The U.S. has reorganized its long-term plans for petroleum energy: It has set a new goal that requires satisfying up to 25 per cent of its daily oil needs from tar-sands operations. This involves massive pipeline construction and expansions running from northern Alberta down through Minnesota to refineries in Wisconsin and Chicago, through North Dakota, South Dakota, down to Oklahoma and Texas. Pipelines will also go through British Columbia to ship the oil overseas.
Blue River, Brown River

The exploitation of the tar sands is a human-rights issue, an environmental-justice issue and an indigenous treaty-rights issue. For the most part, however, the public in Canada and the U.S. has not been made sufficiently aware of what is going on in northern Alberta. The public still does not understand that the indigenous First Nations communities are the populations most negatively affected. Dene and Cree First Nations and Métis live close to or actually in the midst of these tar-sand deposits, mostly along the Athabasca River basin area. These are the indigenous communities of Fort McMurray, Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan.

The tar-sands development around Fort McMurray and Fort McKay is located upstream along the Athabasca River basin. Current tar-sands development has completely altered the Athabasca delta and watershed landscape. This has caused de-forestation of the boreal forests, open-pit mining, de-watering of water systems and watersheds, toxic contamination, disruption of habitat and biodiversity, and disruption of the indigenous Dene, Cree and Métis trap-line cultures.

“The river used to be blue. Now it’s brown. Nobody can fish or drink from it. The air is bad. This has all happened so fast,” says Elsie Fabian, 63, an elder in a Native Indian community along the Athabasca River.

From the perspective of many concerned First Nations and citizens of northern Alberta, the government has given over the responsibility of environmental monitoring and enforcement to the corporations. But the tar-sands development has completely outstripped the ability of the corporations and the provincial and federal governments to provide either management or protection.

A recent health study commissioned by the Nunee Health Authority of Fort Chipewyan provides evidence that the governments of Alberta and Canada have been ignoring the evidence of toxic contamination on downstream indigenous communities. The people most at risk of health effects are those who eat food from the land and water. The Dene, Cree and Métis communities continue to subsist on a diet of fish and wild game. The remote Fort Chipewyan community, for example, has an eighty-per-cent subsistence diet. According to many Fort Chipewyan residents, the tar-sands mining is the principle cause of both the toxins in the water and the recent dramatic increases in the number of cancers and other diseases.

The Mikisew Cree First Nation is located within Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan. Chief Rozanne Marcel of the Mikisew Cree has declared, “Our message to both levels of government, to Albertans, to Canadians and to the world who may depend on oil sands for their energy solutions, is that we can no longer be sacrificed.” But the governments of Alberta and Canada have so far refused to listen.

The areas of concern fall under Aboriginal Treaties 8 and 11. These are treaties that ensure that lands of First Nations should not be taken away from them by massive, uncontrolled development, threatening their culture and traditional way of life. But the de-watering of rivers and streams to support the tar-sands operations now poses a major threat to the cultural survival of these indigenous peoples. The battle over the tar-sands mining comes down to the fundamental right to exist as indigenous peoples.

“If we don’t have land and we don’t have anywhere to carry out our traditional lifestyles, we lose who we are as a people. So, if there’s no land, then it’s equivalent in our estimation to genocide of a people,” says George Poitras of the Mikisew Cree First Nation.
Big Oil vs. Indigenous Rights

The first tier of tar-sands development came into a region mostly inhabited by Indigenous peoples. As with many historical instances of the colonization of indigenous peoples and their lands, the Alberta and Canadian governments enticed First Nations governmental leadership to lease their treaty reserve lands to the tar-sands industry as a means for economic development.

Now, however, the oil industry and the Alberta government want to expand even further. With an anticipated $25-billion expansion of the Athabasca tar-sands underway, First Nations leadership and community members are being pressured by Canada, Alberta and the oil industry to partner with the world’s largest tar-sands corporations. These giant developers include Mobil Oil, Shell, Syncrude Canada, Petro-Canada and Suncor Energy.

Many grassroots First Nation members have not been part of these negotiations, however, and most silently oppose tar-sands expansion. The problem is that most of these members feel disenfranchised. They lack knowledge and skills in organizing on energy- and climate-related issues. Many of the elected First Nations leaders are also feeling torn between the need to bring economic prosperity to their people and the need to protect the health and environment of their communities. The stakes have been set high by petro-politics and the money that flows from it.

The ability of First Nations to retain their inherent sovereignty rights to protect their lands and culture, and to maintain economically sustainable and healthy communities has been hampered by the Canadian and Alberta governments. According to many elders and land-based community members in the tar-sands area, concerns for jobs, housing, income and economic development are being prioritized over the traditional indigenous values of respect for the sacredness of Mother Earth and the protection of the environment.

A moratorium on further tar-sands expansion must be implemented in northern Alberta. Since the tar-sands expansion is within First Nations’ territories, any effective strategy must acknowledge Aboriginal title and treaty rights. This will require an urgent, coordinated, collective response, led by First Nations and Métis.

A moratorium on development is required until the concerns of First Nations and Métis regarding the many serious issues that have been raised by this breakneck industrial development are addressed. These include the human-rights abuses; the human and ecological health crisis; the climate-change implications; the water- and air-quality implications; the treaty-rights implications; the tribal sovereignty and self-determination implications; as well as the cumulative socioeconomic impacts on the health and way of life of indigenous peoples. Each of these serious issues must be responded to, respected and protected in a permanent, traditional, Indigenous framework, in compliance with the spiritual and natural laws, treaties and inherent rights of indigenous peoples.

> http://canadiandimension.com/articles/2008/03/04/1646/#comment-249665

NO SWEATSHOPS POLICY to be adopted at York University!! Sustainable Purchasing Coalition Success!

Posted: March 12, 2008

Following a 45 hour sit-in by members of the Sustainable Purchasing Coalition (SPC) and their supporters, on Saturday March 8th, York University President Mamdouh Shoukri made a commitment to introduce a No Sweat policy at the university by April.

The SPC is a student group that has been lobbying for such a policy for the past 3 years. “We are exhausted but overjoyed, this is the commitment we were looking for and it’s great to hear it after all the work that we’ve put into it, not only over the last few days but over the past three years,” said Besmira Alikaj, one of the students participating in the sit-in.

“The policy will be at least as progressive as U of T and other universities, if not more,”
said president Shoukri, “If other universities have had this policy and withstood the test of time, I don’t see why we can’t do it too.”

The Sustainable Purchasing Coalition held a rally Thursday asking the university to adopt their proposed No Sweat policy. Prior to the rally, the SPC had circulated a petition asking for student support for the proposed policy. By the end of the rally, over a thousand signatures had been collected. Immediately following the rally, the SPC attempted to deliver the petitions to President Shoukri.

Dozens of students from the rally marched over to the President’s office at 2pm on Thursday. When they were told the President was unavailable to see them, the students decided to stay. On 24-hour security watch, the students camped outside the president’s office for 45 hours.

At 10am Saturday morning Shoukri finally showed up and asked the students to sit down and talk about their demands. It was at this point that Shoukri made his commitments to the students.

“We hope this meeting will set a precedent for future interactions between students and York administration”, said Alikaj.

A second meeting between the SPC and President Shoukri is scheduled to take place today.
Comment by Maquila Solidarity Network March 10, 2008 @ 9:59 am

> http://www.yorku.ca/spc_ft/

Statement by McMaster Students

Posted: February 17, 2008

STATEMENT BY McMASTER STUDENTS
17 February 2008

United for Student Rights (U4SR) is holding a Public Forum to discuss the
recent shocking decision by McMaster Student Union (MSU) and administration to unequivocally ban on campus the usage of the phrase "Israeli Apartheid". This decision was first passed by the McMaster Provost office, which is second in authority only to that of the President's office. It has been accepted by McMaster Human Rights & Equity Services (HRES) and, in turn, the MSU. This information was communicated to Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) and McMaster Muslims for Peace & Justice (MMPJ) early in February 2008 by the MSU and HRES.

Due to this decision, these MSU approved clubs have not been able to get approval for various initiatives related to Israeli Apartheid. It is the MSU that is directly enforcing this decision, as it is the only campus body with jurisdiction over student clubs. MSU President, Ryan Moran, explained that
though the MSU is not bound by this decision, it has chosen to implement it
none the less. U4SR is calling on the MSU to rescind this decision immediately
as part of opening up the discussion for all to decide.

Statement of Human Rights & Equity Services: "The university has taken the
position that literature which refers to "Israeli apartheid" and activities
promoted under the banner, "Israeli Apartheid Week" are unacceptable. The
university takes the position that this phrase is in violation of the university's efforts to ensure that all people will be treated with dignity and tolerance."

According to the statement of HRES, banning Israeli Apartheid organizing is a
matter of dignity and tolerance. In the view of those who use the term,
opposing Israeli Apartheid is a matter of dignity and tolerance for the peoples
of the Middle East and world over who are fighting for justice and for human
rights. Clearly, there is a contradiction of a political nature between these
two views.

U4SR considers this decision unacceptable especially given that the recent decision of the Provost is in keeping with consistent efforts by the McMaster administration, MSU and even Hamilton Police to repress Palestinian solidarity work over the last six years. At every point, Palestinian solidarity views have been presented as anti-Semitic and a matter of hate crimes. The most recent decision by the Provost is a ramping up of longstanding attempts to criminalize the views of students who oppose Zionist violations of the human and national rights of Palestinians.

Such efforts overlook the importance of political engagement and discussion on
university campuses, while making political issues a matter of policy and
decisions taken behind closed doors by various offices of the university. This
history provides an important context for understanding that the banning of
terms diverts from the violation of the political and human rights of students
attempting to defend a just peace for Palestine.

These are not simple matters to be decided arbitrarily and in private. They are related to profound questions of rights and responsibilities on campus and in society at large. It is unjust to require that the students most affected
should submit to this decision or simply engage in an unequal private dialogue
with the administration.

A Matter for All to Decide

It is important to note that the administration has an obligation to society to respect the basic legal and moral rights of the university community. Despite all its efforts to claim that the university can act like a private corporation, McMaster is a public institution that plays a central role in the
development of youth and intellectual thought. In turn, Human Rights & Equity
Services is mandated to defend and elaborate issues of human rights on campus, and this function has ramifications for all of society. Similarly, the MSU plays an important role in supporting and intervening in society, as the organized front of students. In sum, the functioning of all these parts of the
McMaster University and their recent decision are a matter that concerns all
students, faculty, and the general Hamilton and Canadian society.

For this reason, U4SR is holding a public forum so that everyone's views can be
heard. We are inviting the administration and MSU to be part of this discussion and no longer use their positions of power to impose their views on the conscience of students. We are also calling on all students, faculty, staff and members of the Hamilton community to join the discussion. Organisers will ensure that everyone's participation and comments are respected.

We, as Canadian students, are taking up our responsibility to society. We are
working to end the marginalization of the McMaster community and Canadian
polity at large from the decision-making processes that affect their lives and
the political orientation of our society. This struggle at one university
campus is a converging point for all those who believe that Canadian society
should decide political matters in a public and transparent way.

Join us!

United for Student Rights is an ad-hoc committee of McMaster University and
Hamilton community members that was formed to facilitate public involvement in
this issue. For information please contact: unitedforstudentrights@gmail.com

Why Green Isn't Enough: An Anti-Racist, Anti-Colonial Environmentalism Conference

Posted: February 15, 2008

WHY GREEN ISN'T ENOUGH

An Anti-Racist Anti-Colonial Environmentalism Conference
Conference Schedule ~ March 14 & 15, 2008

FRIDAY, MARCH 14

7:00-9:00 pm
Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer Street North)
Keynote Address: “Stories Less Told: Environmental Justice and Racism in Canada”
A panel discussion with:
*Andil Gosine (York University), author of Environmental Justice and Racism in Canada: An Introduction
*Karen Okamoto, Environmental Justice and Racism in Canada contributor

9:00 pm-1:00 am
The Red Dog (189 Hunter Street West)
Beats 4 Justice! Fundraiser for the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation
A night of spoken word, Afro-soul, down-tempo electronica, and beats ~ featuring:
*Dave Hudson
*Hesper Philip-Chamberlain
*LAL

$10 waged/$5 unwaged, or pay-as-much-as-you-can.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15
Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer Street North)

12:00-12:15
Welcoming remarks

12:15-2:15
“Environmental Racism and the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program”
A panel discussion with:
*Chris Ramsaroop (Justicia for Migrant Workers)
*Janet McLaughlin (PhD Candidate, Anthropology, University of Toronto)
*Allan, participant in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program

2:15-2:30
Refreshment break

2:30-4:30
“Impacts of Energy Extraction and Climate Change on Indigenous Peoples”
A panel discussion with:
*Paula Sherman (Co-Chief, Ardoch Algonquin First Nation)
*Leanne Simpson (Indigenous Studies PhD Program, Trent University)
*Clayton Thomas-Muller (Indigenous Environmental Network)

4:30-4:45
Refreshment break

4:45-6:00
“Where Do We Go From Here? Organizing for Structural Change”
A workshop with:
*Clayton Thomas-Muller (Indigenous Environmental Network)


The conference is free and open to all members of the public. No registration is required. Resource booklets on anti-oppressive environmental activism will be available to conference participants (suggested donation: $5). Everyone is welcome to attend!

For more information, email whygreenisntenough@gmail.com, or contact the Kawartha World Issues Centre: 748-1680.

> http://whygreenisntenough.blogspot.com/

Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Dissent on Campus

Posted: December 17, 2007

To: University of Toronto Administration

November 28, 2007

From: The Ontario Public Interest Research Group – Toronto and Supporters

Re: Our Right to Organize - Our Right to Space
Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Dissent on Campus

We are writing as concerned members of the University of Toronto community to express our dismay at the increasingly hostile environment towards freedom of speech on campus. Universities are meant to be spaces where freedom of speech and open debate are not only permitted, but encouraged as core values of academia. The University of Toronto claims to uphold and promote these values.

On November 15, 2007, OPIRG-Toronto held an event featuring Prof. Salim Vally speaking on Apartheid: From South Africa to Palestine. Without prior consultation, the Campus Police and Office of Space Management issued two undercover Campus Police officers to "monitor" the lecture. One week later, OPIRG was sent an invoice for $440 to
cover the costs of two police officers for four hours. OPIRG did not request police and were not informed ahead of time that police would be present at their event. The officers never identified
themselves—even when given the chance to do so.

This is not the first time that OPIRG has been charged for the unwanted attendance of campus police officers. On the afternoon of Sunday, October 15, 2006, OPIRG hosted a lecture with Tariq Ali. On the Friday before the event, less than one business day in advance,
Campus Police informed the staff at OPIRG that they had done an "assessment" on the event and that they would be sending two officers. When asked about the process of deciding when to dispatch police, access to that information was denied. When asked why the Tariq Ali lecture was being targeted by Campus Police, the response was said to be in consideration of "the issues at hand." OPIRG was then sent an invoice of $424.

Since 2006, OPIRG has attempted to engage directly in dialogue with the Office of Space Management, Campus Police and Student Affairs as to how and why the decision was made to target that event. In lieu of concerns raised by the campus community, Student Affairs committed to facilitate a meeting between OPIRG and Campus Police. Over a year has passed, and OPIRG has yet to see any action on this commitment, despite a great deal of reminders and good faith on OPIRG's part. As this refusal to communicate with OPIRG in a transparent and democratic manner persists, U of T Administration and Campus Police continue to make arbitrary decisions about the necessity of their brand of
security at "controversial" events—such as the recent Salim Vally event. And this time, there was not even a cursory prior notification.

Members of the campus community view this type of behaviour from the
University Administration as a way of constricting freedom of speech and thus discouraging such "controversial" events from being held by charging exorbitant sums for supposed "security" measures. As a student funded group, OPRIG has limited resources, including funding.
Charging OPIRG with excessive fees is clearly an administrative tactic
to discourage the exercise of the right to freedom of speech.

These actions are in direct contradiction of U of T's own Statement on Freedom of Speech, which states that the mission of the university is to afford "full freedom of speech and expression, and freedom of assembly" to all members of the University community. The Statement also commits to the "pursuit of truth, the advancement of learning and the dissemination of knowledge" as well as to "criticize the University and society at large". Given OPIRG's mandate for social and environmental justice, the campus community is left bewildered at the measures taken by the university to discourage their events.

The fact that the two major events where the services of the campus police were deemed to be necessary were lectures by Tariq Ali, and Salim Vally is problematic and inequitable. Student Affairs, Campus Police and the Presidents Office should ensure that profiling does NOT occur on campus; OPIRG's experience over the last year has clearly proven otherwise.

The presence of police creates and justifies the atmosphere of surveillance and monitoring at targeted events. The unwanted presence of police is discriminatory, a means to restrict and control debates that should be open, especially when it is used to target racialized students.

We have seen an increasing encroachment on our freedom to organize on campus in terms of access to real student spaces, access to resources, and now the targeting of particular issues or organizations.

Therefore, WE the undersigned DEMAND:

That the University administration immediately drop the invoice fees
for the unwanted presence of campus police at student organization events, and issue an apology.

That a formal meeting be organized with the heads of Student Affairs, Campus Police, and the President's Office with OPIRG and supporting organizations to discuss the lack of transparency and accountability in the universities undemocratic processes of handling "controversial" events.

Sincerely,

The Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) – Toronto
Arts and Science Students' Union (ASSU)
Near and Middle East Civilizations Students' Union (NMCSU)
Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students (APUS)
University of Toronto Students' Union (UTSU)
Graduate Students Union (GSU – University of Toronto)
The Centre for Women and Trans People @ U of T

Action at Vancouver International Aiport Halts Laibar Singh's Deportation

Posted: December 11, 2007

Organizations and individuals who stand in support of the action and
community mobilizing efforts to stop the deportation of Laibar Singh,
please send a statement or short note to noii-van@resist.ca.

Crowd prevents Vancouver deportation
ERIK MJANES

Canadian Press

December 10, 2007 at 8:16 PM EST

RICHMOND, B.C. — The Canada Border Services Agency has stayed the
deportation of a paralyzed Indian man after a standoff at Vancouver
International Airport.

“For safety and security reasons, Mr. Singh's deportation has been
delayed,” Derek Mellon, a spokesman for the agency, said Monday.

He would not provide any information about when the removal order would be
enforced.

About 500 people gathered Monday morning outside the departures level of
the airport surrounding a van carrying Laibar Singh.

By noon, the crowd had grown to over a thousand, many holding signs and
chanting slogans.

Supporters stood atop cars with a megaphone leading chants in English and
Punjabi against the Conservative government and immigration officials.

The agency was forced to delay Mr. Singh's deportation once it became
clear officials would have to transport him through the crowd of
supporters.

Border services officials said they were not willing to wade into the
crowd to escort Mr. Singh to his flight.

For more than three hours, a standoff between supporters and security
officials filled the street in front of the international departures area.

In front of the Cathay Pacific reservation desk, RCMP officers consulted
with airport staff as Mr. Singh's 2:30 p.m. PST flight time neared.

Harsha Walia of the human rights group No One is Illegal broke the news
Mr. Singh's deportation had been stayed around 2 p.m.

“He's going back to the community,” she said. “His health is not
necessarily that great so he may have a stop at the hospital first.”

Mr. Singh was in the hospital for eight hours Sunday night and supporters
said they have letters from doctors at Surrey Memorial that say he's unfit
for travel.

Earlier, Ms. Walia disputed the border services agency's suggestion that
the crowd was a safety hazard, calling it a smear tactic.

“We are here as peaceful protesters. CBSA is welcome to go through the
crowd. But they will have to answer to people's questions,” she said.

“They haven't been able to answer me or anyone else whether they believe
this deportation is just. Their fear is not of violence, their fear is
dealing with the legitimate concerns of people.”

She said the agency gave no timeline for further action.

“It's up to the government. The government has the ability to stop this
deportation on a permanent basis if they don't want to keep playing this
cat and mouse game.”

Within an hour of the announcement, the crowd was almost completely
dispersed.

Swara Gill, head of the Kalgidhar Khalsa Darbar temple in Abbotsford where
Mr. Singh had been staying, said the Khalsa Diwan Society in New
Westminster, B.C., would be taking over Mr. Singh's care.

Mr. Singh came to Canada on a forged passport in 2003 but suffered a
massive stroke three years later that left him a quadriplegic.

Last week the border services agency served Mr. Singh with papers ordering
him to leave the country on Monday.

The exclusion order, which enforces an earlier deportation order, required
the 48-year-old Punjabi man to report to the airport for a flight to
India.

He is fighting to stay in Canada on humanitarian grounds because he fears
he will not receive necessary medical care if he is returned to India,
where he says that government has falsely accused him of having links to
terrorism.

NDP MLA Raj Chouhan said deporting Mr. Singh would be inhuman.

“People are very angry,” Mr. Chouhan said. “They are very concerned about it.

“I caution this government if they don't resolve this issue to the
satisfaction of the community, this government will pay a big price in the
next election.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

B.C. protesters delay deportation of paralyzed man
Updated Mon. Dec. 10 2007 11:15 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

A massive crowd of protesters halted the deportation of a paralyzed Indian
man when they overwhelmed the Vancouver International Airport for more
than three hours Monday.

Laibar Singh, 48, entered Canada on a forged passport in 2003 and suffered
a massive stroke that left him a quadriplegic three years later.

He was served with an exclusion order last week, ordering him to leave the
country on Monday.

The Punjabi man has said the Indian government has wrongly accused him of
having links to terrorism.

He has been fighting a deportation order based on humanitarian grounds,
saying he will not receive the necessary medical care if he returns to
India.

"He'll be going through this ordeal again and again," said Harsha Walia, a
supporter with the human rights group No One is Illegal. "And he's been
going through this since July. And every time this happens to him his
health deteriorates, his mental health deteriorates, his physical health
deteriorates."

An estimated crowd of 500 met his van at the airport Monday morning,
surrounding it and insisting officers would have to wade through them and
answer questions if they wanted to deport Singh.

By noon, the chanting crowd had swelled to over 1,000 people, waving signs
critical of the Conservative government.

"This Canadian government, if they at all cared about human rights, they
would not be deporting this man," one protester shouted into a megaphone.

The agency decided against attempting to transport Singh through the
crowd, and rescheduled his deportation at around 2 p.m.

Derek Mellon, a Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson said the
deportation had been delayed for security reasons.

Mellon would not discuss the future of the removal order with members of
the crowd.

Walia said the agency has refused to answer any questions about Singh.

"They haven't been able to answer me or anyone else on whether they
believe this deportation is just," Walia said.

"It's up to the government. The government has the ability to stop this
deportation on a permanent basis if they don't want to keep playing this
cat and mouse game."

Why free speech ain't free (Varsity article about OPIRG)

Posted: December 06, 2007

Why free speech ain’t free
Hot talks slapped with stiff security tab

http://www.thevarsity.ca/

When Liisa Schofield heard from the Campus Community Police about a public lecture her humanitarian organization was planning, she knew a steep bill was coming. The hundreds of dollars in charges stemmed from the simple fact that the university considered the lecture controversial and demanded police monitoring, at a high cost.

Images A police officer on event security duty stands in the OISE lobby during Norman Finkelstein’s Nov. 9 lecture. Protestors briefl y gathered out front, and then it was business as usual for four hours. DAN EPSTEIN For Schofield’s organization, the Ontario Public Interest Research Group, bills for such mandatory security have significantly outstripped all other event costs combined. The incident has raised the question of exactly who, on a campus of 70,000, decides which issues are controversial.

The lecture in question happened on Nov. 15. Salim Vally, a former South African anti-Apartheid activist now teaching at York University, gave a talk entitled “Apartheid: From South Africa to Palestine” in the Sanford Fleming building near Convocation Hall.

Campus police assessed the need for two officers to police the event. The duo showed up in plainclothes, according to Schofield. “I didn’t actually know that they were officers until we got the invoice,” she said.

That invoice came four days later, billing OPIRG $440 for the service of two officers, at $55 per hour each, for four hours. By contrast, OPIRG paid about $100 for all other costs of the event, mostly for A/V equipment. They do not normally pay booking fees on campus. U of T’s Office of Space Management notified OPIRG that, unless they pay the bill, they will be barred from booking campus space in the future.

“That’s the entire annual budget for an action group,” Schofield said of the bill.

Last October, OPIRG hosted activist Tariq Ali for a talk called “Imperial Blues: Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine.” According to Schofield, police called to notify her of the security presence at the last minute, at a time when OPIRG’s offices are normally closed. OPIRG was billed for security, refused to pay, and contacted Student Affairs. Jim Delaney, the assistant director of Student Affairs, took some of the pressure off OPIRG’s payment and assured Schofield he would arrange a meeting between OPIRG and the campus police to discuss fees and the risk assessment process for events. That meeting has not yet happened.

Schofield was highly critical of the decision that Vally’s talk posed a security risk.

“The only two events we’ve had police are Tariq Ali and Salim Vally, two Arab-Muslim-sounding names speaking about Middle-Eastern politics.” She remarked that more politically radical guests, such as those who spoke at the Latin Solidarity Collective’s “Mayan Struggle in Guatemala” event, drew no security attention.

When The Varsity called to ask about event security procedures, Campus Community Police operations manager Sam D’Angelo declined to comment and immediately hung up. At press time, staff sergeant Mike Munroe, the top-ranking officer in the unit tasked with event security, had not returned phone calls and could not be reached by email.

Andy Allen, the manager of the OSM, said the police scan his office’s records of upcoming events and choose some for risk assessment. Neither Delaney, Allen, nor the university communications office to which campus police refer media inquiries knew how assessments were conducted.

According to Allen, if police determine the event requires security, they tell the OSM how many officers should police the event. The OSM then informs the event holders, who, according to Allen, are always expected to pay the associated cost. If they do not, the event is canceled.

University policy documents available online at the OSM website and through Governing Council, however, say recognized campus groups do not it requires opening a normally closed building. Allen said the policy on the OSM website, dated 1995, was obsolete.

Delaney confirmed that a version of that same policy, put into effect in 1988 and available on Governing Council’s website, was still in effect with the nopay clause for recognized groups. He stressed that the 19-year-old policy was dated by U of T standards and that under to normal expectations, practices would not always conform to policy guidelines.

Delaney added that OPIRG does not have status as a recognized campus group this year. Student Affairs grants such status to eligible student groups on an annual basis, and while OPIRG was recognized last year, Delaney was unaware of them reapplying this year.

OPIRG has nine action groups, semiindependent teams of students promoting specific social justice agendas. The Nov. 15 event was organized by Students Against Israeli Apartheid. Other action groups include the Critical Area Studies Collective, a No One Is Illegal immigrantrights group, and the equity gardeners who maintain a public food garden on St. George campus.

OPIRG staffers like Schofield, who volunteered for OPIRG at York before he was hired full-time downtown, give guidance and coordination, and fund each group with $400 to $550 per year.

“We don’t have that kind of operating budget [to pay] for every event we do that is termed ‘controversial.’ These costs will be prohibitive for organizations that want to hold political events, and that’s essentially shutting down those events,” said Schofield.

At an unrelated event last Thursday, CEPAL, the Canadian-Palestinian Educational Exchange, hosted a lecture by Norman Finkelstein at OISE. Four campus cops and two city police officers for 53 division, OISE’s district, patrolled the talk.

Shannon Dow, CEPAL’s president, declined to give exact figures, but if CEPAL was charged the same rates as OPIRG for policing, the bill for their five-hour event would come to about $1,650. Booking fees for the event space would not have exceeded $400 under the OSM’s highest hourly rate.

“The [security] costs are high, you could put it that way. And it’s not very fair to humanitarian organizations like CEPAL, and I’ve expressed this to security here,” said Dow after the lecture. “It’s a bit outrageous that it should cost so much for security on an event like this,” she added.

Staff Sgt. Al Hastings was among the campus police at the event. He was not in uniform, though the other officers were.

According to Hastings, the scale of police presence depends on such factors as whether the event was sanctioned by U of T, the features of the venue, whether it concerns a controversial issue, and whether the group holding the event has what Hastings called “a history.”

“We’ve got to create an environment that’s safe and that allows for free speech,” Hastings said.

He noted that around 15 protesters showed up. They were allowed inside but had to leave placards behind because they could be used as weapons.

Delaney said he was concerned about the issue raised by OPIRG, and that he did not know why it has not yet been resolved. Schofield and others have called the mandatory charges a selective barrier to freedom of expression.

“It can become a part of censoring students [...] if they are then given a bill running into hundreds of dollars, which would obviously make people think twice before having an event,” said Vally.

Arts and Science Students’ Union president Ryan Hayes voiced expressed similar views. “No one has money on campus to organize events and pay $500 for security, so effectively that’s just saying ‘don’t hold those events, don’t question these topics.’”

OPIRG has demanded to meet with Student Affairs and campus police, and that the university foot their bill. The University of Toronto Students’ Union, ASSU, and the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students have signed a letter of support.

With files from Naushad Ali Husein

> www.thevarsity.ca

ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER: Call for submissions and volunteers

Posted: November 06, 2007

Call for submissions and new members for our

ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER Collective!
Media Activism for Social Change

* Are you bored or angered by the mainstream media?

* Are you missing an outlet for creative activism, a voice for social change?

* Are you an artist, a writer, a student, a worker?

*Do you want to comment on the world around you?

Because...
Action Speaks Louder, the magazine of OPIRG Toronto, is looking for members for our ASL collective to start ideas rolling for our winter edition. Action Speaks Louder is a forum for creative expression with a goal of building social change. We welcome anyone and everyone to share their ideas about war, colonialism, globalization, racism, anti-oppression, community organizing, or anything else they feel should be a part of OPIRG's radical and ever-changing newsletter. We need your ideas on how to make Action Speaks Louder a radical tool for change:

Join the collective!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER is seeking submissions!!

Action Speaks Louder (ASL), an OPIRG (Ontario Public Interest Research Group) Toronto newsletter, is looking for submissions for the winter 07 issue. ASL is an initiative to give students and community members a creative and politically progressive writing outlet to highlight Social Justice issues concerning the U of T community and communities
in greater Toronto.

The next issue of ASL is scheduled to be published in the first week of January/08.

To make ASL a success, OPIRG is asking that all student groups, activist groups and progressive folk like you participate in this initiative by submitting an article, artwork, poetry, recipes, or a list of events that can be added to our community calendar.

You can be as creative as you want in terms of your submission!

We are asking that submissions be received by December 15/07.

Submissions received after the deadline cannot be guaranteed publication.



Feel free to submit on any (relative) subject as there is no one

specific topic for this issue. Be sure to showcase your political eye though!

If you or your group are interested in getting involved or finding out
more information, please let us know by emailing or calling us.

Contact:
The OPIRG office: 416-978-7770
Or Email: opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca

Subject Line: ASL Submission

Support for Tyendinaga

Posted: October 12, 2007

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROSECUTION SEEKS MINIMUM 12 YEARS OF FEDERAL PENITENTIARY TIME:
If Convicted, Mohawk Shawn Brant Faces Serious Jail Time
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(October 16, 2007) On Friday, October 12th, Mohawk spokesperson Shawn
Brant of Tyendinaga appeared in court to finalize the details of his
impending trial.

Released on bail after spending two months in pre-trial custody, Shawn
is currently facing a total of 9 charges in relation to two blockades, one in April 2007, and the other as part of the Aboriginal National Day of Action on June 29, 2007. Included in these charges are 6 "mischief" charges, which the Crown has elected to proceed on by
indictment.

The Ottawa-based Crown, Robert Morrison, has indicated that he intends
to seek a minimum of 2 years imprisonment per charge, for a minimum sentence of 12 years in a federal penitentiary.

Shawn's trial has been set for January 2009. He will continue to live under bail conditions that include a curfew, inability to leave the Province of Ontario, and a ban from attending any protest of any kind.

In the meantime, the reclamation of the quarry and the fight for the return of the Culbertson Tract to Mohawks of Tyendinaga – the land that lies at the heart of the recent blockades and actions – continues to hold strong. Tyendinaga Mohawks have long established a permanent presence on the former quarry site, with dozens of trailers and families living on the land on a fulltime basis. People are currently
making preparations for the winter.

The severity of the prison time openly being sought by the Crown indicates the punishment the Canadian state is prepared to inflict on First Nations people who struggle for their land and their communities.

Clearly, the gravity of this possible sentence is proof that Shawn is
being singled out, in an effort by the colonial authorities to crush First Nations' resistance. The community of Tyendinaga has, through working to re-establish a longhouse, self-governance, and economic
self-sufficiency, long been a thorn in the side of the Canadian state,
and its project of oppression and genocide of First Nations peoples.

Asking for twelve years prison time is not about the blockades of this
summer. It is about sending a loud message to First Nations people who
are not interested in submitting to the exploitation of their lands and resources, nor the continued denigration and suffering of their communities.

Shawn is being made an example of, in a state response of fear and concern that First Nations resistance will continue, and will succeed in forcing the rest of this country's population to realize that long-standing crimes against the Mohawk community of Tyendinaga, and all other First Nations communities, must be righted.

-------------------------------
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
-------------------------------

1. CALL/FAX/EMAIL:

In September of this year, the international community adopted the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, despite high-profile opposition from Canada and three other settler states - New Zealand, the United States and Australia. Article 26 of the UN declaration states: "Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned,
occupied or otherwise used or acquired."

By voting against the Declaration, Canada clearly belies its on-going
contempt, racism, and lack of will to negotiate in good faith with or
atone for the genocidal crimes committed against the First Nations
peoples of this land. Colonialism continues.

The criminalization and persecution of Shawn Brant, a Mohawk who has made great sacrifices to stand up for his community, his people, and his land, serves as a sharp and unacceptable example of this very colonial agenda.

Seeking to send Shawn to jail for the acts of resistance taken by his
community is unacceptable. In turn, return of the Culberston Tract to
the Mohawks of Tyendinaga is a crucial step in building a new relationship between First Nations peoples and the rest of Canada.

Write or call the Attorney General of Ontario, the Minister of Indian
Affairs, and the Head Office of CN Rail, to call for the following:

We demand that:

1. Michael Bryant, Attorney General of Ontario drop the charges
against Shawn Brant, who, if convicted, could face serious time in a
federal penitentiary.
2. CN Rail abandon its multi-million dollar lawsuits against Shawn
Brant, Jason Maracle, and Tara Green.
3. The Provincial and Federal governments return all lands that
rightfully belong to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and immediately
cease exploitation of resources on those lands, thereby committing to
negotiating land claims issues in good faith, and to honest governance
for all Ontarians.
4. The Provincial and Federal Governments engage in meaningful
dialogue to end the exploitation of First Nation lands and resources.

ADRESS YOUR DEMANDS TO THE FOLLOWING:

Michael Bryant,
Attorney General of Ontario
Ministry of the Attorney General
720 Bay St, 11th Flr
Toronto ON M5G 2K1
Tel : 416-326-4000
Fax : 416-326-4016
mbryant.mpp@liberal.ola.org

Chuck Strahl,
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal
Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: (613) 992-2940
Fax: (613) 944-9376
ottawa@chuckstrahl.com

Canadian National Railway Company
935 de La Gauchetičre Street West
Montreal, Quebec
H3B 2M9
Phone: 1-888-888-5909
contact@cn.ca

-------------------------------------------

2. MAKE A DONATION:

Shawn Brant faces a jury trial that will likely last 3-4 weeks.
Although the two defence lawyers have generously donated their time
free of charge, there are still significant costs associated with the
defence. Travel and accommodation expenses will be incurred as the
trial is being held in Napanee, over 200 km from Toronto. Expert
witnesses need to be paid, transcripts and other documents must be
obtained, and there are significant other expenses generated in
mounting the defense for a lengthy and complex jury trial.

In addition to defending Shawn Brant, the campaign to have the quarry
license revoked and the Culbertson Tract returned to the Mohawk
community requires the maintenance of an effective presence over the
winter at the reclaimed quarry site on the Tyendinaga Mohawk
Territory. Doing this will put a substantial financial burden on the
community. They will have to pay for winterization and equipping of
the housing units, purchase of a diesel generator, fuel for heating,
electricity and transport, additional clothing and food.

To cover the legal costs and to contribute to the winterization of the
quarry site the Tyendinaga Support Committee has set a target of
$40,000 for the Tyendinaga Legal Defence Fund. The money collected
will be divided between legal costs incurred by Shawn Brant's counsel,
and funds needed to winterize the quarry site in Tyendinaga Mohawk
Territory.

Shawn Brant must have adequately funded legal representation if he is
to successfully defend himself against a very determined Crown
Attorney who is set on making an example of him. To adequately prepare
the case, defense counsel needs funds sooner rather than later. For
example, expert witness reports cannot simply be secured at the last
minute if the money happens to come in. Defence strategy is seriously
impaired if we don't know what we're looking at in terms of incoming
funds and tailoring strategy. Thus far this embattled community, in
the forefront of indigenous struggle, has received little financial
support for their legal battle. So it is with a sense of urgency that
we request you to act on this appeal as soon as possible.

All donations are valued and appreciated.

CHEQUES PAYABLE TO:
Tyendinaga Legal Defence Fund
c/o 10 Britain Street
Toronto, ON
M5A 1R6

---------------------------------------------------------

3. READ MORE:

RECENT BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Shawn Brant: Another case of Canada's political persecution of
indigenous people (Justin Podur, September 19/07)
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=30&ItemID=13830

Free Shawn Brant: Toronto Event: August 29/07

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwQdz7dHeaQ
AUDIO: http://storywordspics.blogspot.com/2007/08/free-shawn-brant-meeting.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. GET INVOLVED:

If you are interested in finding out about organizing efforts to
support the Mohawks of Tyendinaga, if you would like to work with the
Tyendinaga Support Committee here in Toronto or people in other
cities, or if you think your progressive union local, organization,
school, or faith group would like to learn more about this struggle,
please visit our website or contact:

Tyendinaga Support Committee:
http://www.ocap.ca/supporttmt.html
support.tmt@gmail.com

Opirg - Toronto is Hiring 3 Workstudy positions!

Posted: October 03, 2007

Interested in working for Social Justice?
***************************************************************
OPIRG- Toronto is hiring 3 Workstudy Positions!
Website Development Coordinator AND Campus/Community Outreach Coordinator AND Dr. Chun Resource Centre Coordinator
***************************************************************
Extended Deadline: October 29th by 5pm
Interviews to take place: October 30th

How to apply:

How to Apply:
Applicants must provide a resume, cover letter and one-page statement
on "Community organizing and working through oppression and privilege". This page is intended to give the hiring committee an idea of what community or campus organizing interest you have and how you locate/understand yourself within that work.

Deadline for Submissions: Monday, October 29th, 2007

Position Start Date: Monday, November 5th, 2007

Send applications to:

*By Email: opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca

*In person or by mail:
OPIRG - Toronto (Ontario Public Interest Research Group)
563 Spadina Ave, Suite 101
Toronto, ON
M5S 2J7

www.opirguoft.org

****************************************************************************
Workstudy Positions
1) Website Development Coordinator

Position Description:
The Ontario Public Interest Research Group at the University of Toronto
(OPIRG-Toronto) is a student-funded, volunteer-driven, non-profit, community/campus organization mandated to facilitate action, education and research around issues of social and environmental justice.

OPIRG-Toronto strives to provide an anti-racist, trans & queer positive, accessible, harassment-free space for students and community members to utilize and further develop their skills as community organizers while making links with larger movements in working for social change.

OPIRG-Toronto also provides information and resources to its members and the broader community

OPIRG-Toronto is seeking a creative, well-organized, and focused person
with an interest in research and education to update and further develop
systems to improve accessibility to the information on our website.


OPIRG-Toronto's website strives towards creating a space where people can access factual, critical, and alternative materials that resist oppression among and between diverse communities.

Communication and information about our events, meetings, projects and resource centre is posted on the website.

Experience with web design and development is ideal.

The Website Development Coordinator will be responsible for:

-Assisting OPIRG members/staff in improving website design and layout

-Helping to improve OPIRG's on-line presence

-Providing input and facilitating the development of the site and
establishing a procedure for maintenance of the site

-Coordinating and establishing a means of communication through the website either by creating an online forum or making links with existing online communities

-Developing, expanding and maintaining our website to include links to
current projects and publications

-Training the volunteers and other staff to use and maintain the system

-Posting information about our resource centre on the website

-Networking with volunteers, board members and staff to gather information
on current projects and keep this information flowing via the website

-Reporting to the Board of Directors


Hours of work available/week: 12
Special features about the hours of work: Monday - Thursday

_____________________________________________________________________

2) Campus/Community Outreach Coordinator

Position Description:
The Ontario Public Interest Research Group at the University of Toronto


(OPIRG-Toronto) is a student-funded, volunteer-driven, non-profit,
community/campus organization mandated to facilitate action, education and research around issues of social and environmental justice.

OPIRG-Toronto strives to provide an anti-racist, trans & queer positive,
accessible, harassment-free space for students and community members to
utilize and further develop their skills as community organizers while making links with larger movements in working for social change.

OPIRG-Toronto also providesinformation and resources to its members and
the broader community.

OPIRG Toronto is seeking an individual to fill the position of Campus/Community Outreach Coordinator. The successful candidate will work to increase OPIRG-Toronto's profile on campus and in the wider community through various outreach methods. This will provide our volunteers, staff and community-members access to information with the intent of building networks and sharing resources. OPIRG-Toronto is mandated to promote and make links with members and like-mandated organizations on campus and within the Toronto-GTA to ensure the interest of its members and the
public. The specific focus will be determined with consideration of the
interests and focus of the individual hired.

The Campus/Community Outreach Coordinator is responsible for:
? Coalition building: researching, outreaching and making links with other
like-mandated groups and organizations on campus and in the community.
? Outreach to and participate in ad-hoc campus/community organizing as a
representative of OPIRG-Toronto, thereby increasing the organization's
profile.
? Work with staff, volunteers and Board to develop, edit and produce the
OPIRG ? Toronto newsletter, Action Speaks Louder, to be distributed on
campus and in the community.
? Along with staff, volunteers and Board members examining and creating
specific outreach strategies to communities that are under-represented in OPIRG-Toronto.
? In conjunction with staff and Board members, creating and developing
strategies for outreach through event planning.


? Researching, developing and producing outreach materials i.e.
Information brochures, leaflets, posters, flyers about OPIRG-Toronto and
our programming.
? Liaising with campus and community media to publicize the organization and current initiatives.
? Reporting to OPIRG-Toronto's Board of Directors.


Hours of work available/week: 12
Special features about the hours of work: Our open hours are: Monday -Thursday; 11am-6pm
______________________________

3) Dr. Chun Resource Centre Coordinator

Position Description:
OPIRG-Toronto is seeking a creative, well-organized, and focused person with an interest in research and education to maintain and further develop systems to improve accessibility to the information in our resource library and website. The "Dr. Chun Resource Centre" is a place where people can access factual, critical and alternative materials that resist oppression among and between diverse communities.

OPIRG-Toronto is committed to integrating a strong anti-racist/anti-oppression analysis into all of the work that we do. This commitment means that all applicants should understand the interconnected nature of systemic oppressions. The position requires that the coordinator be able to work independently in a busy, non-linear environment, and work with co-staff and volunteers in a non-hierarchal manner. Experience with library cataloguing systems, consensus decision making is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities include:

· Staff the library during open hours; welcome visitors; shelve library material; maintain the library space.

· Maintain a computerized cataloguing database; catalogue new material.

· Train volunteers and staff to use and maintain the library and catalogue.

· Sign-out and check-in material including collecting library fines and tracking down overdue material.

· Order and purchase new library materials based on the library collection development strategy.

· Update the library website.

· Research and compile annotated subject guides on social justice topics.

· Liaise with other resource centres and alternative libraries in Toronto with the goal of creating a citywide network.

· Work with staff and volunteers to organize library events and programming.

· Publicize the Resource Centre to the University of Toronto and the wider community by using mainstream and alternative media, as well making and distributing brochures, posters and other information

Hours of work available/week: 12
Special features about the hours of work: Our open hours are: Monday-Thursday; 11am-6pm

OPIRG Open House and BBQ

Posted: September 12, 2007

*********************************
Thursday, September 20th
OPEN HOUSE and BBQ
4 - 7 pm
@ Our office and porch: 563 Spadina Ave (north of College on the East
side of the circle)

Join OPIRG for some good food, great company, and even better
conversation. Tour the office and resource library, meet the staff and
board members, here about upcoming events in the city, join an action
group.
Bring you friends - Everyone is Welcome!

FOOD! MUSIC! FUN!
**********************************

Housing and Employment List

Posted: September 12, 2007

HOUSING LIST AND EMPLOYMENT LIST
Are you looking for affordable housing and social justice related employment in Toronto? Every week OPIRG posts the OCAP Housing List and any Social Justice related jobs in our office.

COME BY AND VISIT OUR OFFICE
We are located @ 563 Spadina Ave.
Just north of College on the East side of the circle

Get on the Bus! STOP THE SPP:: August 19 and 20

Posted: July 24, 2007

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE from Toronto Stop the SPP Committee: Organizing to
get people to the protests against George Bush, Stephen Harper, Felipe
Calderon and the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) from August
19-21:

FINAL REMINDER: Please RESERVE your spot on buses going to Ottawa and
Montebello BEFORE 12 noon this August 15, 2007!

========================================
BUSH IS COMING to Montebello, Quebec
to talk FEAR, MONEY and FORTRESSES
with HARPER and Mexican President CALDERON

GIVE THEM THE WELCOME THEY DESERVE!
August 19 – 21st, 2007
Ottawa, Montebello, Locally
=========================================

=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::
Take Action to Oppose the SPP!
=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::

Demonstration in Ottawa:
Sunday, August 19 @ 12:30PM

Demonstrations in Montebello, Quebec:

Sunday, August 19 @ 6PM
Monday, August 20 @ 12PM
Gather at the Chateau Montebello (or as close as possible)

In order for us to plan properly, we need to have an accurate idea of how
many people are actually going to be getting on buses and cars to protest
in Ottawa on Sunday, August 19th and in Montebello on Monday August
20-21st . We strongly ENCOURAGE you and your groups to get in touch with
us BEFORE August 15 to let us know how many people are attending the
protest, reserve a seat on the buses, or if you are taking a vehicle.

We also encourage you and your group to ADOPT A BUS, meaning you mobilize
to fill one bus (up to 48 people) and, if possible, raise money towards a
bus. Please get in touch if you're able to help fill one bus, or more.

If you and your group are arranging your own transportation, let us know
as well, so we can have an idea of how many people might be attending the
protests from the Toronto area.

How do you reserve a seat on the Bus??
Please see the information below – PLEASE NOTE – there are two
transportation options 1) ONE DAY: Sunday August 19th to Ottawa, 2)THREE
DAY: August 19th -21st to Ottawa and then to Montebello, Quebec.
DETAILS BELOW FROM THE TORONTO COALITION TO STOP THE WAR.

Thanks for your cooperation!
-- Toronto Stop the SPP Committee

Toronto Stop the SPP Committee: a coalition of groups and individuals
working together to raise awareness and to oppose the SPP summit in August
2007.
----------------------------->
Info: torontostopthespp@riseup.net
----------------------------->

GET ON THE BUS!

To get on a bus from Toronto to Ottawa (August 19) OR To get on a bus from
Toronto to Ottawa and then travel on to Montebello (August 19-21).

E-mail your name, phone number and e-mail address to
bushbus2007@gmail.com. Please specify which option you are interested in.

There are currently two options for buses:

1) Same-day trip: Sunday, August 19
Buses depart Toronto at 7:00AM on Sunday, August 19.
August 19:

- Buses arrive in Ottawa at 12:00PM (drop-off location is the rally site,
TBA).
- Rally and march begins at 1:00PM.
- Teach-in begins at 4:00PM.
- Buses depart Ottawa at 6:00PM (departure location is the teach-in site,
TBA).

Buses arrive in Toronto at 11:00PM on Sunday, August 19.

We will be travelling on full-size highway touring coaches provided by
Coach Canada (air conditioned, reclining seats, union labour).

Each ticket costs: $60 to $90 sliding scale (pay whatever you can afford
within this range)

**SUBSIDY: please email and specifiy how much you are able to pay, we are
also encouraging people to do fundraising through ‘pledge sheets’ – please
let us know if you would like a copy.

2) Three-day trip: Sunday, August 19 to Tuesday, August 21 - pending
sufficient demand*
Buses depart Toronto at 7:00AM on Sunday, August 19.
August 19:

- Buses arrive in Ottawa at 12:00PM (drop-off location is the rally site,
TBA).
- Rally and march begins at 1:00PM.
- Teach-in begins at 4:00PM.
- Evening events (TBA).
August 20:
- Buses depart Ottawa at 9:30am (location TBA).
- Buses arrive in Montebello at 11:00AM (drop-off location is the rally
site, TBA).
- Day of Action (all-day) begins at 12:00PM (location TBA).
August 21:
- Actions end at 12:00PM.
- Buses depart Montebello at 1:00PM on Tuesday, August 21 (departure
location, TBA).

Buses arrive in Toronto at 8:00PM on Tuesday, August 21.

Each ticket costs: $50 to $80 sliding scale (pay whatever you can afford
within this range)
**SUBSIDY: same as above

Free accommodations will be provided in Ottawa (Sunday night) at a local
community centre (details TBA) and in Montebello (Tuesday night) at an
outdoor campsite (details TBA). Please bring a sleeping bag and camping
equipment (tent, warm clothes, etc.).

We will be travelling on standard, yellow school buses provided by Coach
Canada (union labour).

*Option 2 will only be available if enough people buy tickets to fill a
bus. If you buy a ticket for option 2 but there's not enough interest to
fill a bus, we'll offer you a ticket for option 1 or refund.


Once again, thank you for your interest. For more information about events
in Ottawa - Montebello and the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP)
Summit, please visit the following sites:

OPPOSITION TO THE SPP:

www.nowar-paix.ca
www.nowar.ca
www.acp-cpa.ca
www.psp-spp.com
www.canadians.org/integratethis
http://noii-van.resist.ca

----------------------------->
Info: torontostopthespp@riseup.net
----------------------------->
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::
What is the Security and Prosperity Partnership?
=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::

The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) was
established in March 2005, at a summit of the Heads of State of Canada,
the US, and Mexico held in Cancun.

The SPP is not an official treaty; it is not a law that will be debated in
the House of Commons. As such, it has been able to escape public scrutiny,
and has been negotiated by business and government representatives at
meetings from which the press are excluded.

The founding premise of the SPP is that an agenda of economic free trade
and national security will result in prosperity.

But prosperity for who?

Since the North American Free Trade Agreement has implemented in 1994, it
has brought wealth only to corporations and to a slim business class,
while increasing poverty and displacement for the vast majority of people.
In Mexico, NAFTA has created a 6 million job deficit, and is responsible
for the displacement of millions of farmers who have left their homes to
find work elsewhere – in the borderland maquilas, and in the US and
Canada.

Meanwhile, the “War on Terror” and the beefed-up national security
apparatus has exacerbated insecurity and brought terror on the lives of
millions of people locally and globally through immigrant raids, border
militarization, foreign troop occupations, and repression of civil
liberties and resistance movements.

The SPP is backed by a number of large US and Canadian corporations that
profit massively from the occupations of Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine,
as well as the war being fought against migrants on increasingly
fortified, armed and surveilled borders.

The North American Competitiveness Council (NACC) was created in June
2006, one year after the SPP was launched so that corporate business
leaders could advise government leaders of the three states and
effectively direct the SPP process. The NACC ensures that the SPP process
will carry on regardless of which political parties take power in Canada,
Mexico or the US. Harper appointed the Canadian members of the NACC in
June 2006. They include the CEOs and Presidents of Home Depot; Scotiabank;
Bell Canada Enterprises; Manulife Financial; Power Corporation of Canada;
Ganong Bros. Limited; Suncor Energy Inc.; CN; Linamar
Corporation; and Canfor Corporation.

US membership in the NACC includes the following corporations: Chevron;
General Electric; Ford; General Motors; Lockheed Martin; Campbell Soup;
Wal-Mart; FedEx; UPS; Merck and Co.; and Proctor & Gamble.

What does the SPP do?

The SPP uses the language of fear and terror to promote border
militarization, the criminalization of migration, privatization and theft
of indigenous land and resources, repression, impoverishment and
displacement, and cooperation in wars and occupations that will further
enrich these corporations.

Some of the initiatives being undertaken within the framework of the SPP
include:

* The expansion of temporary worker programs to facilitate the
exploitation of immigrant workers and drive down wages across the board.

* Adopting coordinated border surveillance technologies. Major
contracts are given to military suppliers;

* Coordinating no-fly lists between the three countries;

* Increasing the use of biometric data, including digital fingerprinting
to track refugee claimants across the three countries.

* Further integrating refugee policies. The Safe Third Country Agreement,
implemented in December 2004 between the US and Canada, has resulted in at
least a 40% decrease in refugee applications in Canada. Under the United
States-Mexico “Voluntary Repatriation Program” more than 35,000
persons
have already been deported.

* Integrating US and Canadian military and police training exercises, and
the expansion of The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) into
a multiservice joint naval and land Defense Command.

* Harmonizing health and environmental regulations to lower standards and
developing of a North American alternative to the Kyoto Protocol.

* Privatizing Mexico’s nationalized oil sector;

* Increasing production in Alberta’s oil sands five times over;

* Pushing for full exploitation of Canadian energy resources in areas
where it is already being actively opposed by the Lubicon, Dene, and
other indigenous communities.

=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::
Take Action to Oppose the SPP!
=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::=::

Demonstration in Ottawa
Sunday, August 19 @ 12:30PM

Demonstrations in Montebello

Sunday, August 19 @ 6PM
Monday, August 20 @ 12PM
Gather at the Chateau Montebello (or as close as possible)

And be on the look out for local actions
On the the National Day of Action against the SPP
Monday, August 20

United Students Against Sweatshops Canada is Hiring Regional Organizers!!

Posted: April 19, 2007

United Students Against Sweatshops Canada is Hiring Regional Organizers!!

United Students Against Sweatshops is an international student movement of campuses and individual students fighting for sweatshop free labor conditions and workers' rights. We define 'sweatshop' broadly and recognize that it is not limited to the apparel industry, but everywhere among us. USAS' three major areas of campiagn work are the Sweat Free Campus Campaign, Ethical Contracting campaigns which includes the fight against killer Coke and Nestle and Camus-Community Solidarity Campaigns, whic include Living Wage and the Right to Organize.

Regional organizers play a key role within USAS keeping the grassroots campus affiliates informed and in touch with the work of national USAS. This is a position for students to develop as leaders and as more effective organizers.

Regional Organizers are being hired for Western Canada, Ontario and Quebec.

Applications are due April 27th to organize@usasnet.org
Applications are available online at www.studentsagainstsweatshops.org or
in the OPIRG - Toronto Office: 563 Spadina Ave, Suite 101

OPIRG - Toronto Celebrating 25 Years of social and environmental change

Posted: April 18, 2007

The Ontario Public Interest Research Group - Toronto began in 1982 at the
University of Toronto - since that time we have seen many changes in this
city and province. OPIRG has been a part of building that change - of
training new social activists, doing research, providing spaces, and being
a constant resource to both campus and community groups.

Help OPIRG to celebrate our Birthday and 25 years of change!

On Saturday, June 2nd we will be hosting a party. We need your help,
suggestions, and contributions to make this evening a HUGE success and
LOTS of fun! What are we looking for?

-OPIRG History tellers (have you been staff, board, or volunteer @ OPIRG
in the past? Tell us your stories!)
-Performers and activities for the night
-Nominations for Community and Campus Awards
-Help with OUTREACH OUTREACH OUTREACH!

Please contact:
opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca OR 416-978-7770

Visit:
www.opirguoft.org

May Day of Action for Status for All

Posted: April 05, 2007

OPIRG - Toronto SUPPORTS:

May Day of Action for Status for All
Saturday, May 5
12pm
Bloor and Christie (Christie Pitts Park)
*********************************************
No One Is Illegal-Toronto calls on all allies and supporters to endorse and help organise towards the next May Day of Action for Status for All on Saturday, May 5th.

Last May, millions of immigrants and allies across North America took to the streets to demand justice for immigrants and refugees and status for all. In Toronto, workers, students, trade unionists, activists and members of faith communities among others participated in a series of strong and vibrant immigrant rights demonstrations including the May 27th National Day of Action for Status for All.

With the emergence of the new Conservative immigration ministry, we saw escalated attacks against immigrant communities: an increased number of detentions and deportations, arrests of students in schools, and new US-style enforcement tactics, including random identification-checks in malls, at subway stations, and on the streets.

We organised and fought these attacks. We organised in our work places, community centres, apartment buildings, schools and unions to show the Immigration Ministry that we would not accept these attacks. Together we were able to stop the random identification checks in a community viciously targeted by immigration officials, force immigration enforcement out of schools, slow down the deportation machinery of Immigration Canada, and win greater access to essential services for people without status such as school, health and police services amongst many others.

> http://toronto.nooneisillegal.org/

Student Reaction to Provinical Budget: Higher Tuition Fees and More Debt

Posted: March 27, 2007

Ontario Budget Forecast for Students: Higher Tuition Fees and More Debt

Toronto—The 2007 Ontario Budget released today offered no new funding for students, despite the McGuinty government’s plans to continue dramatic tuition fees increases.

“This year the government heard overwhelmingly from students and their families that McGuinty’s tuition fee increases were clawing back financial aid and closing the doors on many students from low and middle income families,” said Jesse Greener, Ontario Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. “We are really surprised that McGuinty has ignored those voters and held so firmly to a conservative policy on access to Ontario’s colleges and universities.”

Since Premier Dalton McGuinty cancelled the tuition fee freeze in 2005 and announced tuition fee increases as high as 36% over the following four years, he has received more than 50,000 petition signatures from Ontario students and their families calling for a reduction of tuition fees. This week, polling data collected by Feedback Research Corporation, on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Students, demonstrated that 82% of Ontario voters were concerned about the accessibility of college and university education and 75% supported tuition fee reductions.

“With such a strong reaction from Ontario voters against the McGuinty plan for tuition fee increases, we really expected this budget to address these concerns through tuition protection and enhanced student grants,” said Greener. “In this budget, all we see is the Ontario government finally releasing some of the Federal money that was promised over a year ago.”


The Budget largely restated promises made in 2005, including modest infrastructure funding and an expansion of graduate student enrolment. “While students are happy to see more spaces for graduate students, this budget will barely accommodate the double cohort as it moves through the system,” said Greener. “Without an expansion of student grants, this budget leaves more graduate students scrambling to compete for limited scholarships.”

“McGuinty has tried to define himself as the ‘Education Premier’ but all voters have seen is a trail of broken promises”, said Greener. “High tuition fees and the prospect of larger debt-loads remain this budget’s forecast for Ontario’s students and their families.”

Press Release from the: Canadian Federation of Students (CFS)

Canadian Student Fair Trade Network, 2007 Symposium

Posted: March 27, 2007

The preliminary agenda of the CSFTN's 2007 Symposium is available for download at: http://www.csftn-recce.org/english/2007%20CSFTN%20Symposium%20Preliminary%20Agenda.pdf

Find out more details about the Symposium, including how to register, at: http://www.csftn-recce.org/english/Symposium%202007.html . Early registration ends March 31.

The preliminary agenda outlines the 2007 Symposium of the Canadian Student Fair Trade Network (CSFTN), Fair Trade: Bridging Communities, Building Understanding. This exciting, weekend long, multi-faceted event will further the CSFTN’s mission of facilitating the growth of local, regional, national and international Fair Trade education and advocacy initiatives through supporting collective communication and resource sharing. The 2007 Symposium will bring together activists, businesses, co-operatives, producers, non-governmental organizations, faith groups, unions, academics, and community members to attend and participate in multimedia presentations, research paper sessions, roundtables, and semi-structured, open discussion periods.

As this is a preliminary agenda, it is subject to slight changes.

Send questions and comments to Ian Hussey: csftn-recce@care2.com

The struggle for liberation in Iran: Between Ahmadinejad and US Invasion

Posted: March 22, 2007

Audio Link->> http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=22310


A 2 part interview on the struggle for justice and dignity in Iran
with Merhdad Jamshidi

Iran for over the past two years has undergone a continued threat from US
military invasion, and Israeli Aggression. Internally the policies of the
Iranian regime are being challenged by a rebirth of a reformist movement
made up of transit workers, students, womens organizations all demaning
basic rights, and dignity.

Since 1979 Iran has become key in US foreign policy, with the US backing
Sadam Hussein's military in a bloody war that lasted over 8 years leaving 2
million dead. To claiming Iran as key to the Axis of evil after september
11th, and now Iran's Atomic program has been key in targetting
Iran for sanctions and possible military intervention.

Yet Ahmadinejad has also been persuing a stronger Anti-American sentiment in
order to supress the growing movements in Iran.

Merhdad Jamshidi the canadian representative of the Tute Party (Communist
Party) of Iran speaks in a two part interview about the history of
resistance in Iran leading to the revolution in 1979, where the US backed
Shaw was overthrown by popular resistance yet becoming co-opted by the
Khomeni to put down these movements after the revolution. Merhdad speaks
to the present day threat of US Invasion, and the need for solidarity


Produced by mostafa henaway for CKUT 90.3FM

For more information you can contact
mostafah(at)unpublishables.org, www.ckut.ca

For more information about Iran
www.zmag.org,

> http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=22310

The CENTRE @ York is Hiring

Posted: March 22, 2007

The Centre for Women & Trans People at York University is seeking a Co-Coordinator.

See full posting here:
http://www.charityvillage.com/applicant/jobs.asp?fn=view&g_varID=81613

International Statement: Secwepemc Native Youth Movement

Posted: March 22, 2007

International Statement
Secwepemc Native Youth Movement

NYM Warrior Society, Skwelkekwelt Protection Center, Secwepmec Nation,
Annishinabe from Grassy Narrows, Native Elders Council, No-One is
Illegal, Anti-Poverty Committee, & Anti-Olympic Coalition, Unite
Voices against Sun Peaks Expansion, New road & the 2010 Olympics.


On Sunday March 18th Skwelkewkwelt Protection Center, Secwepemc Native
Youth Movement Warrior Society, Supporters, Allies from many Native
Nations, and International Observers Smashed on Sun Peaks Ski-Resort. The Protest and Press Conference was held to let the world know that Secwepemc People will continue to Fight against the illegal development on
Un-Surrendered/Un-Ceded Secwepemc Territory. Sun Peaks is presently in
the midst of a 294 million dollar destruction (expansion), & is
planning new paved highways to go through our hunting grounds, and
continue the Genocide of Native Lands & Way of Life. Sun Peaks is also
attempting to become a municipality and take all of our Land, as well as
making sewage water into snow and dumping shit on our Sacred mountains.
Skwelkwelk’welt is the name for our mountains, that Sun Peaks is now
destroying. Skwelkwek’welt is our home, It is home to all the animals and
plants that we depend on as a Nation of distinct Peoples. This is our
Survival.

As the Native Youth Movement of the Secwepemc Nation, we are asking the
world, including athletes and tourists, not to come to Canada for the 2010
Olympics. KKKanada has, & continues to commit Genocide on Native
People, but our Warriorz will Fight back. We will not sit back, give up,
and assimilate. We are not reformist; we cannot be bought off, or fooled
into believing the evil Invaders that they care about us or our Land. An
NYM Spokesperson Stated: “We will honor the our Ancestors, and the Warrior codes of Geronimo and Crazy Horse that NO One Has A Right to Sell the Land, Water, or Air. We are Secwepemc, we still exist, and continue to survive from the land and our traditional territory, the Western
Hemisphere is all Indian Land!

We need the help and support of the world to help stop the destruction of
the Land and our way of Life. Nippon Cable Owned by Masayoshi Ohkubu,
Nancy Green, Al Raine, Intrewest, Eco-Sign, Re-Max, Century 21, D.I.A
“chief” Felix Arnouse, the KKKanadian government & all those who
continue to ski & play on our Land are all Collaberators in the
Genocide continuing against Native People. We must all Unite our Voices
and Actions to Defend Our Land, People, and Way of Life. We Stand in
Solidarity with all those Fighting Destruction and Terrorism from these
evil devils Worldwide. The Zapatistas, & the newly established camps
in Cocapah & and Mayan Territory, the 13 Native Nations fighting
against sewage being made into snow and put on San Francisco Peaks(‘Arizona’), Dineh Elders fighting a power Plant(‘New Mexico’), the
Sta’timc fighting so Sutikalh will not be turned into a 550 million dollar
ski-resort, Lakota and Ponca NYM Warriorz and the many Nations who are
Uniting to Protect Bear Butte(‘South Dakota’), the Annicinabe
fighting logging in Grassy Narrows (‘Ontario’)the Pitt River People
Fighting for Medicine Lake(California), the Thaltan(‘British Columbia’)
& the Mayan (‘Guatemala’, ‘Mexico’) fighting mining, the People of
Oaxaca, and Atenco(‘Mexico’) and their Warriorz sitting in jail, the
People of Six Nations(‘Ontario’) Fighting a rich housing devolpment, the
Mapuche(‘Argentina’), the Kuna(‘Panama’), and all those fighting for their very existence. It is one Struggle, we must Unite. Cancel the 2010 Olympics! Boycott Sun Peaks and Whistler! Free Leonard Peltier! Long Live
the Zapatistas & all Warrior Societies!

NYM Communications: nymcommunications@hotmail.com


NYM Communications

NATIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT

FIGHT FOR LIFE

WARRIORS UNITE FROM ALASKA TO ARGINTINA

OPIRG - Toronto joins the Coalition to Stop the Tuition Fee Hikes...

Posted: January 22, 2007

OPIRG - Toronto joins the Coalition to Stop the Tuition Fee Hikes...
All-Out for February 7th Day of Action!

OPIRG has joined in the organizing for the Feb.7th day of action and
in the campaign to stop tuition fee hikes. As a social justice
organization, we are particularly concerned with highlighting issues
of access to affordable and decent education and broader social
justice issues. We would like to encourage students and community
members to gear-up for February 7th and to join the OPIRG committee
for Feb. 7th.

To Get Involved Contact OPIRG:
416-978-7770 / opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca

ALSO Visit the Coalition Website:
< http://www.feb7.ca/>www.Feb7.ca

> http://www.feb7.ca

3rd Annual Prisonerís Justice Film Festival

Posted: January 22, 2007

3rd Annual Prisoners Justice Film Festival

Thursday February 8th to Sunday February 11th, 2007
William Doo Auditorium, University of Toronto
45 Wilcocks Street, New College

(wheelchair accessible)
www.pjac.org
All screenings are Pay-What-You-Can

(donations of dictionaries for prisoners are welcome – paperback only,
please)


prisonersjusticefilmfest@yahoo.ca


Come and join what has quickly become a central space in Toronto to
discuss
and learn more about issues relevant to prisons and their effects on all
of
us.

As always the festival will include panels made up of people affected by
the
prison industry and opportunities to meet other people working for real
justice and prison abolition.

On Friday night, there will also be a networking and strategy session
over a
potluck dinner, to talk about how to respond to the Tory overhaul of the
"justice" system.

***This year, featuring performance and a prisoners' rights art workshop
with CLIMBING POETREE

www.climbingpoetree.com

SPONSORS:

Women & Gender Studies Institute, U of T
OPIRG Toronto
PASAN – Prisoners HIV / AIDS Support Action Network
Social Justice Cluster, U of T
Centre of Criminology, U of T
Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, U of T
CUPE 3903
Equity Studies, U of T
New College, U of T
Prisoners' Committee at Bath
Shahrvand (with logo)
CKLN 88.1fm
CIUT89.5
Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies
Buried Alive Illustrations
Xtra Magazine

> http://www.pjac.org

CERTAIN DAYS: Freedom for Political Prisoners Calender

Posted: December 13, 2006

Looking for a Gift??
Buy a Calender to support political prisoners!

**ONLY $10**

CERTAIN DAYS: Freedom for Political Prisoners Calender

On Sale Now @ OPIRG - Toronto
563 Spadina Ave., Suite 101
Or Order by emailing:
opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca
Or Calling:
416-978-7770

Visit: www.certaindays.org

Certain Days: Freedom for Political Prisoners Calendar:
The calendar is a joint fundraising and educational project between outside organisers in Montreal, and three Political Prisoners being held in maximum-security prisons in New York state: Herman Bell, David Gilbert and Robert Seth Hayes. We work from an anti-imperialist, anti-racist, anti-capitalist, feminist, queer and trans positive position.

Proceeds:

- THE NEW YORK STATE TASK FORCE ON POLITICAL PRISONERS
- NO ONE IS ILLEGAL
- ADDAMEER: Prisoners Support and Human Rights in Palestine

The context:
Today’s anti-war, anti-globalisation, and anti-colonial movements are rooted in the history of earlier struggles for justice, including the mass movements of the 60s and 70s. Many of the Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War featured in this calendar were organisers during that period: members of the Black Panther Party, or the American Indian Movement; Puerto Ricans fighting for their homeland, or white anti-racist allies working in solidarity with oppressed peoples. Some of them have been in prison SINCE THAT TIME – 30 years or more. Yet these prisoners are not relics of past movements; they are still active in their political work, and despite the hardships of organising in prison, they continue to organise for justice in the present day, justice behind bars and justice on the streets. This calendar is our tribute to them.

Free all Political Prisoners!
Free all Prisoners of War!

> http://www.certaindays.org

SUPPORT SIX NATIONS

Posted: December 06, 2006

Two ways you can support Six Nations through the winter. See below.
_____

DRUMS OF THE WORLD SUPPORT SIX NATIONS

Water drum, Djembe, Taiko, Tabla & more

A Fundraiser for Kanenhstaton (The Protected Place)

6pm, Thursday December14

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY

10 Trinity Square (Behind the Eaton's Centre)
Suggested Donation $25

No one turned away

Food & Refreshments will be sold.

Silent Auction featuring:

Aboriginal CD/DVD package
Aboriginal Authors Book Package
Spirit Magazine Subscription + 10 back issues
Aboriginal Crafts
New television set
Raise the Rates DVD
Drumming Lessons
Fair trade coffee

... and more!!!

Bring your drums for a jam after the performances.

EVERY CENT RAISED GOES DIRECTLY TO THE LAND RECLAMATION.

Organized by:

Coalition in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty

For info: the.i.c@hotmail.com

----------------------------------

Dear Friend(s):


As you know, the members of the Six Nations of the Grand River community
have been engaged in a land reclamation near Caledonia, Ontario since February 28, 2006. This historic action impacts all First Nations on Turtle
Island (North America) and beyond; it has advanced indigenous struggles to a
level not seen since the start of colonization.


HOWEVER, IT CANNOT SUCCEED WITHOUT YOUR HELP.

The monthly cost of maintaining the camp over the winter months totals
$19,000. This is for fuel to keep the generators going, a snow blower,
food, clothing, supplies, etc.

A further $10,000 is needed to retain a team of lawyers to defend Onkwehonwe
people (indigenous people) who are facing criminal charges for participating
in this action.

The Coalition in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty is comprised of diverse
solidarity and community groups led by an Indigenous Caucus that has come
together to support First Nations Sovereignty on Turtle Island. WE ARE
SPEARHEADING A CAMPAIGN TO RAISE $29,000 FOR THE SIX NATIONS RECLAMATION BY
DECEMBER 31, 2006.



Please consider supporting this important action. Cheques can be made payable to JANIE JAMIESON and mailed to 10 Britain Street, Toronto, ON, M5A 1R6.

For more information and the latest update, please see the attached /
enclosed information.

Skennon (Peace)

Coalition in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty.

PS: EVERY CENT COLLECTED GOES DIRECTLY TO THE RECLAMATION PROJECT.

For more info: http://www.killingtrain.com/archives/csis.htm

> http:////www.killingtrain.com/archives/csis.htm

ACTion SPeAKS LOUDer: Media Activism for Social Change

Posted: November 30, 2006

ACTion SPeAKS LOUDer
Media Activism for Social Change

Are you bored or angered by the mainstream media?
Are you missing an outlet for creative activism, a voice for social change?
Are you an artist, a writer, a student, a worker?
Do you want to comment on the world around you?

Because...
Action Speaks Louder, the magazine of OPIRG Toronto, is looking for members for our ASL collective to start ideas rolling for our winter edition. Action Speaks Louder is a forum for creative expression with a goal of building social change. Action Speaks Louder welcomes anyone and everyone to share their ideas about war, colonialism, globalization, racism, anti-oppression, community organizing, or anything else they feel should be a part of OPIRG's radical and ever-changing newsletter. We need your ideas on how to make Action Speaks Louder a radical tool for change,

Join the collective!

Contact:
The OPIRG office: 416-978-7770
Or Email: opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca

5th Annual Toronto Arab Film Festival (TAFF)

Posted: November 22, 2006

Nov 29 – Dec 3, 2006

Tickets are $10 or $5 for students/seniors.
All-access festival pass $50 or $30 for students/seniors.
Tickets at the festival venues 30 minutes before each film.
All films have English subtitles.
For complete box office, programme, schedule and party details
please visit www.taff.ca


Tribute to Michel Khleifi.
He will be in attendance on Sunday!

************************************************************

Programme:
Wednesday November 29: Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor St)
Opening Night Gala!
7 pm LEILA KHALED: HIJACKER.
Opening night party immediately after screening.

Thursday November 30: NFB (150 John St)
7:30pm Archival Catastrophes in Iraq & Palestine
(Co-presenter: A Space Gallery)
9 pm Oral History as Archival Recovery, Shorts by Michel Khleifi and others.

Friday December 1: Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Ave)
9:30 pm IN CAIRO by R.M. Vaughan with BEDWIN HACKER by Nadia el-Fani (Warning: Nudity & sexual content), Nadia el-Fani in Attendance! (Co-presenter: Inside Out)

Saturday December 2: OCAD (100 McCaul St)
1:00 pm Exploring Arab Feminisms (Co-presenter: Alucine)
2:30 pm Absence in Lebanon (Co-presenters: V Tape & TSV)
4:30 pm Works by Jayce Salloum and The Balata Film Collective (Co-presenter: imagineNATIVE)
7:30 pm CANTICLE OF THE STONES, Michel Khleifi in Attendance!
10:00 pm MOHAMMED AND JANE (Co-presenter: Images Festival)

Sunday December 3: Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Ave)
1:00 pm Love, War, Snow, Water Curated and presented by Dr Laura Marks
3:30 pm TALE OF THE 3 JEWELS Michel Khleifi in Attendance!
7:00 pm ROUTE 181: PART 3 Michel Khleifi in Attendance!


*********************************************************


PRESS RELEASE

Welcome to the 5th Annual Toronto Arab Film Festival!

The Toronto Arab Film Festival (TAFF) celebrates its 5th anniversary this year. Running from Nov 29 – Dec 3, 2006. In the past few years, TAFF has grown from humble community beginnings to an internationally recognized dynamic festival. For five days the Arab film and video community invites everyone to join us for an eclectic mix of features, shorts, dramas, documentaries, comedies and experimental pieces.

We have a medley of works from the Arabic speaking world as well as from the Arab Diaspora. Alongside our 13 independent Canadian creations we have films and videos from Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Egypt, Colombia, Brazil, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Belgium, France, USA and Australia.

We take pride in presenting new work from a very promising group of students at the School of Cinema in the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts. Their productions have engaged with and transcended the norms of Arab cinema.

This year we welcome two internationally renowned and award winning Arab filmmakers. Tunisian director Nadia El-Fani will join us for the Toronto premiere of BEDWIN HACKER; an adventure of a woman computer genius who hacks the frequencies of foreign television channels to broadcast messages in Arabic.

Palestinian director Michel Khleifi will be in attendance for a tribute to his 30 years of filmmaking! Khleifi is the winner of over 10 film awards, including the International Critics Prize at the Cannes in 1987 for WEDDING IN GALILEE. Most recently he directed ROUTE 181: FRAGMENTS OF A JOURNEY. A pioneer best known for lyrically blending documentary and narrative elements, Khleifi is the foremost visual chronicler of the Palestinian experience.

We are excited to present a controversial opening night film: LEILA KHALED HIJACKER. In 1969 a 24-year old Palestinian refugee, Leila Khaled, became the first person ever to hijack an airplane. This bold action caught the world's attention and for the first time put the Palestinian struggle on the international agenda. Leila became the eloquent spokesperson for the PFLP and for her exiled generation. This documentary combines rarely seen archival footage and recent interviews with Leila Khaled in her home in Jordan to ask the question: who is a terrorist and who is a freedom fighter – and who distinguishes between the two?

Lastly, we are thrilled to be co-presenting programmes with several artist-run centres in the city including: V Tape, the Images Festival, Trinity Square Video, Inside Out, imagineNATIVE, Alucine, the department of Integrated Media at OCAD and A Space Gallery.

The Toronto Arab Film Festival is a non-profit collective of Arab Canadian independent media artists. TAFF gratefully acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council.

Tickets to all screenings are $10, and $5 for students and seniors. An all-access festival pass is $50 and $30 for students and seniors. All films have English subtitles. For complete box office, programme, schedule and party details please visit www.taff.ca.

Media Contact: Hani Jawad at taff.media@yahoo.ca

> www.taff.ca

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

Posted: November 20, 2006

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE
at The Centre for Women & Trans People @ U of T


ALL WELCOME!


All events are FREE, wheelchair accessible, and take place at 563 Spadina Ave., Room 100 (just north of College, on the east side of Spadina).


Check out our website for more details! http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca

===

Mon. Nov. 20 - TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Stop by all day for more information on the Day of Remembrance, pick
up resources for trans people, and catch a screening at 3:00pm of
'Boys Don’t Cry' (Dir: Kimberly Pierce, 1999, 118 min), an
award-winning film based on the real-life story of Brandon Teena.


===
Thu. Nov. 23 / 6:30pm - 8:30pm - READING: LEE MARACLE (part of our
'20th Anniversary Writer Series')


"Lee Maracle, of Salish and Cree ancestry, a member of the Sto:loh
Nation, is an award winning and critically acclaimed author. Her works
include Ravensong, Will's Garden, Sundogs, Daughters are Forever, I am
Woman, My Home As I Remember, and Bobbi Lee, Indian Rebel. She
continues to contribute to anthologies and journals globally."


Co-sponsored by Toronto Women’s Bookstore


The next few months will feature more exciting local & international
writers... stay tuned!


===


Mon. Nov. 27 / 6:30-8:30pm - GENDER VIOLENCE AND THE PRISON SYSTEM
Prisoner’s Justice Action Committee presents a workshop on violence
experienced by women and trans people (focusing especially on youth) in the
prison system.


===


Thu. Nov. 30 - FILM SCREENINGS: RESISTANCE IN THE FACE OF COLONIALISM


4:00pm - 'The Original Summit: Journey to the Sacred Uprising'
(Dir: Rebeka Tabobondung & Adrian Kahgee, 2002, 45 min)


"Filmed during the FTAA Summit in Quebec City in 2001, this resistance
documentary examines the roots of globalization from an Indigenous
perspective, uncovering a legacy of sacred uprising. Includes
interviews with Native writer and activist Ward Churchill, respected
Elder Dr. Lillian McGregor and the late visionary and activist Rodney
Bobiwash."


Followed by:


5:00pm - 'Keepers of the Fire'
(Dir: Christine Welsh, 1994, 55 min)


"For half of a millennium, First Nations women have been at the
forefront of aboriginal peoples' resistance to cultural assimilation.
Today, Native women are still fighting for the survival of their
cultures and their peoples--in the rain forest and the city, in the
courts and the legislatures, in the Longhouse and the media. Keepers
of the Fire profiles Canada's Native "warrior women" who are
protecting and defending their land, their culture and their people in
the time-honored tradition of their foremothers."


===


Tue. Dec. 5 / 6:30pm - 8:30pm - PANEL & READING: 'VOICES OF RESISTANCE:
MUSLIM WOMEN ON WAR, FAITH AND SEXUALITY' (ed. Sarah Husain, Seal
Press) w/ Shadi Eskandani and Nuzhat Abbas (part of our 20th
Anniversary Writer Series)


"In 'Voices of Resistance', writers, poets, and visual artists work to
redefine the stereotypical depiction of Muslim women that inundate
current Western discourse on the Islamic “other”. A beautifully
crafted testament to the courage, reflexivity, and spirit of Muslim
women’s resistance to the injustices and violence of wars from
Palestine to the U.S."


Co-sponsored by Toronto Women’s Bookstore


The next few months will feature more exciting local & international
writers... stay tuned!

Dr.Chun Display: Systemic Racism @ UofT

Posted: November 14, 2006

The Dr. Chun Resource Library was named in recognition of Dr. Kin Yip Chun, a U of T researcher who was wrongfully denied a tenure track position at the University of Toronto, after serving for ten years in the Department of Physics. This November, check out our display and resource collection on Dr. Chun's struggle with systemic racism in the academy.

The display includes a chronology of events, old campaign materials, newspaper clippings,a bibliography of print resources an online tools about racism in higher education, and more.

Parts of the display have been placed online at http://library.opirguoft.org including some BACKGROUND info, and a BIBLIOGRAPHY and WEBLIOGRAPHY on racism in higher education.

About Dr. Chun:

While his initial appointment in 1985 was that of Research Associate, from the outset he carried out all the research, teaching and administrative duties of a professor, was the acknowledged leader of the research program in nuclear test ban verification, and the sole academic staff member responsible for leading teaching and research programs in earthquake seismology. Despite his record of achievements, Dr. Chun was passed over four times in tenure-stream competitions. In 1992 the Physics Department refused routine approval for Dr. Chun's grant applications, effectively halting his career. In 1994, Dr. Chun's labs were shut down and he was evicted by campus police with only three hours notice.

After a difficult and protracted struggle, Dr. Chun has been recognized by the University with an appointment to Associate Professor and Full Member of the Graduate Faculty.

> http://library.opiruoft.org

Solidarity with the people of Oaxaca

Posted: November 01, 2006

OAXACA SOLIDARITY

!!Emergency Picket in front of Consulate of Mexico in Toronto!!!
Solidarity with the people of Oaxaca in resistance
Friday November 3rd
12:00pm -2pm
199 Bay Street, suite 4440

1) A Call from the Zapatistas: Oaxaca Is Not Alone
2) Call from member of the Counsel of Indigenous People of Oaxaca- Ricardo
Flores Magon (CIPO-RFM)
3) Proposed Sample Letter to President Vincente Fox and Your Local Mexican
Consulate
4) For More Information


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A Call from the Zapatistas: Oaxaca Is Not Alone


Shut-Down of Roads, Highways and the Media on November 1; General Strike
Called for November 20


By the Sixth Commission of the EZLN
The Other Mexico


October 30, 2006


Message from the
CLANDESTINE REVOLUTIONARY INDIGENOUS COMMITTEE-GENERAL COMMAND of the
ZAPATISTA ARMY OF NATIONAL LIBERATION
MEXICO.


October 30, 2006.


To the people of Mexico:
To the people of the world:
To the Other Campaign in Mexico and the other side of the Rio Grande:


To the entire Sixth International:


Compańeros and compańeras:
Brothers and sisters:


It is now known publicly that yesterday, 29th of October 2006, Vicente
Fox?s federal forces attacked the people of Oaxaca and its most legitimate representative, the Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca (APPO).


Today, the federal troops have assassinated at least 3 people, among them a minor, leaving dozens of wounded, including many women from Oaxaca. Dozens of detainees were illegally transported to military prisons. All this comes in addition to the existing total of deaths, detainees and missing persons since the beginning of the mobilization demanding that Ulises Ruiz step down as Oaxaca?s governor.

The sole objective of the federal attack is to maintain Ulises Ruiz in power and to destroy the popular grassroots organization of the people of
Oaxaca.

Oaxaca?s people are resisting. Not one single honest person can remain quiet and unmoved while the entire society, of which the majority are indigenous, is murdered, beaten and jailed.

We, the Zapatistas, will not be silent; we will mobilize to support our
brothers, sisters and comrades in Oaxaca.

The EZLN?s Sixth Commission has already consulted the Zapatista leadership and the following has been decided:

First: During whole day of November 1, 2006, the major and minor roads
that cross Zapatistas territories in the southwestern state of Chiapas
will be closed.

Consequently, we ask that everyone avoid traveling by these roads in
Chiapas on this day and that one make the necessary arrangements in order
to do so.

Second: through the Sixth Commission, the EZLN has begun making contact
and consulting other political and social organizations, groups, collectives and individuals in the Other Campaign, in order to coordinate joint solidarity actions across Mexico, leading to a nationwide shut-down on the 20th of November, 2006.

Third: the EZLN calls out to the Other Campaign in Mexico and north of the
Rio Grande, so that these November 1st mobilizations happen wherever
possible, completely, partially, at intervals or symbolically shutting
down the major artery roads, streets, toll booths, stations, airports and
commercial media.

Fourth: The central message that the Zapatistas send and will continue
sending is that the people of Oaxaca are not alone: They are not alone!

Ulises Ruiz out of Oaxaca!

Immediate withdrawal of the occupying federal forces from Oaxaca!

Immediate and unconditional freedom for all detainees!

Cancel all arrest warrants!

Punish the murderers!

Justice!
Freedom!
Democracy!

>From the North of Mexico.
For the Clandestine Revolutionary Indigenous Committee-General Command of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation. For the EZLN Sixth Commission.

Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos
Mexico, October, 2006.

Translation: Radio Pacheco

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2) Call from member of the Counsel of Indigenous People of Oaxaca- Ricardo
Flores Magon (CIPO-RFM)


We must get outraged because that's what these things call for. What we must do:
1) Have all your contacts call Oaxaca and call the CIPO house to give them
encouragement and to tell them what you're going to do. CIPO house:
011 52 (951) 51-78183 [THIS MAY NOT BE THE PROPER FORMAT TO CALL FROM THE US]
2) Call Oaxaca every day to find out what should be done and to find out
what's happening there with the compas because the CIPO house is surrounded by police.
3) I send you the proposed letter for folks in the US to sign and send to
Mexico and to the consulates and also to the US embassy, because a fellow
countryman was killed.

Consulate of Mexico
20 Park plz
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 426-4181

President Vicente Fox Quesada
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos
Puerta 1, Primer Piso
Colonia San Miguel
Chapultepec
11850 Mexico DF
Mexico


Telephone: 011 52 (55) 2789 1100 or 011 52 (55) 18 7501
Fax: 011 52 (55) 52 77 23 76
Email: vicente.fox.quesada@presidencia.gob.mx

U.S. Embassy in Mexico
Paseo de la Reforma 305
Col. Cuauhtemoc
06500 Mexico, D.F.

Phone: 011-52-55-5080-2000
Fax: 011-52-55-5511-9980
Email: embeuamx@state.gov

4) We must always mention that the death should oblige the government to
dismiss Ulises Ruiz Ortiz and that they not send the police against the people.

We must also send the letter which is already in english to the other comrades.

Sincerely,
A. (CIPO-RFM in US City)
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3) Proposed Sample Letter to President Vincente Fox and Your Local Mexican
Consulate

Friday, October 27, 2006

ATT: Vicente Fox Quesada
Constitutional President of the United States of Mexico
Tel: (55) 59992800
Fax: (55) 52772376

RE: Repression of the People of Oaxaca

President Fox,

As someone concerned with the respect of human rights everywhere, I am
writing to you to express my great concern over the violence being
perpetrated by your government against the people of Oaxaca, including
representatives of the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca (APPO) and Section 22 of the National Teacher?s Union. I urge you to call for an immediate cessation of all acts of repression against the Oaxacan people
and to heed their long standing demand for the removal and political trial
of Governor Ulises Ruiz.

It has come to my attention that despite the maintenance of peaceful
opposition to the state?s governor for months now, the Oaxacan people have
been subjected to forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, routine threats and armed attacks. In the last weeks, we have received news in Canada of the deployment of thousands of troops surrounding Oaxaca City by your government as well as the murders of several teachers and members of APPO. Furthermore, we have just received the distressing notice of the murder of U.S. filmmaker Will Bradley at the hands of paramilitaries with support of the state police.

I support the demands of the people of Oaxaca for the removal of Ulises
Ruiz Ortiz, who has been implicated in multiple human rights violations
and murders since his assumption of power two years ago and their right to
participate in a peaceful movement of resistance for the respect of their
basic dignities as human beings. For this reason, I and many other
Canadians will continue to pay close attention to the situation in Oaxaca
and all acts of aggression that are carried out against its people.

Therefore, I urge you to ensure that all acts of violence against the
Oaxacan people at the hands of the Mexican army, the federal and state
police and paramilitary troops are halted and that the safety of all
representatives of the APPO and Section 22 of the National Teachers? Union and all Oaxacan people be guaranteed. I further urge you to respect truly democratic dialogue with the people of Oaxaca in regards to their
political and social demands.

Sincerely,
NAME:__________________________________________________
ADDRESS:_______________________________________________
Cc: Consulte of all the places where you send the card.

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4) For More Information


Narco News: http://narconews.com/
Official Page of the Popular Assembly of the People of Oaxaca/ Asamblea
Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca (APPO):
http://www.asambleapopulardeoaxaca.com/#
Global Indymedia Minute-by-Minute Report:
http://www.indymedia.org/en/index.shtml
Radio APPO: http://www.vientos.info/cml/
EZLN: http://ezln.org.mx/
CIPO-RFM: http://www.nodo50.org/cipo/
CIPO-RFM in Vancouver (in English): http://www.nodo50.org/cipo-van/

NEW DATE: OPIRG - Toronto Special Members Meeting

Posted: October 30, 2006

At our members meeting you can learn more about OPIRG and get involved! All of our action groups will be having their first meeting and discussing campaigns and actions for the year.

Elections for new Board Members will also take place. To run for election, you MUST complete and return a Nomination Package to the OPIRG office not later than 5pm on Monday, October 16, 2006.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2006
WHERE:AMNI Centre, room 100 246 Bloor St. W, Toronto ON (at Bloor and St.George)
FREE
6:00 pm-8:00pm

> Download Nomination Package Here!!

Dr. Chun Resource Library: WEBSITE LAUNCH

Posted: October 11, 2006

Thursday, October 19th, 6-8pm - Come help us celebrate the launch of our new website! Check out the library and what we offer, find out about the Clit-erature Book Club, sign up for November's book self-publishing workshop, and snack on some delicious food. We will also be screening Arundhati Roy's Instant Mix - Imperial Democracy!
For more information, call Danielle at 416-978-8201 or email
resourcelibrary@opirguoft.org

> Dr. Chun Resource Library

New Volunteers Orientation

Posted: September 26, 2006

New Volunteer Info Session

The next information session / orientation for new volunteers will be:

Tuesday, September 26th
5:00 PM
OPIRG - Toronto Office
563 Spadina Ave (just north

Pass it along to friends you know!

Contact: (416)-978-7770 if you have any questions or opirg.toronto@utoronto.ca

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION SESSIONS HAPPEN THE LAST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH!!