*long sigh*

Canadian Politics, Left-leaning

[the-quotable-alberta-hansard]

June 1, 2020

Mr. Getson: When we’re talking about that our education is the absolute best in the world or number three in the rankings of the world, I’m not sure where the data is coming from. All I know are the stories that I get from my constituents.

[aliensforplanetearth]

I just- he could look it up

[alkaloid]

[ecology-of-the-inhuman]

"Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:

Tear gas (CN, CR or CS gas) is a chemical weapon used by police for crowd control;

Tear gas was banned in the use of warfare generally by the 1925 Geneva Protocol, and specifically by the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention;

Tear gas can and has caused death, miscarriage, and significant long term health effects to those exposed to it;

Tear gas is an indiscriminate weapon which can affect both targeted individuals and bystanders alike;

Tear gas in certain forms can contaminate a surface and continue to be harmful for up to two months;

Tear gas has been used numerous times in densely populated major cities in Canada;

Tear gas was used in Montreal against protestors on May 31, and only served to increase tensions and provoke violence; and

Tear gas used during a global pandemic greatly increases the risk of COVID-19 spread, and is made much more dangerous by those conditions.

We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to ban the use of tear gas in all its forms in Canada, destroy the stocks of tear gas currently owned by the police and armed forces in Canada, investigate the use of tear gas by the police in Montreal on May 31, and encourage the police to prioritize de-escalation tactics over dispersal and arrest tactics in crowd control actions."

IF YOU LIVE IN CANADA SIGN THIS. It has already been sponsored by NDP MP for Hamilton Centre Matthew Green and it will be read to the House of Commons

[subheading]

even if youre not Canadian, reblog this so we can reach more Canadians please

[united-federation-of-trek]

To all the Canadians around posting stuff about Black Lives Matter and supporting the protests in the US:

If you didn’t support the Wet’suwet’en protests, but you’re now being an activist for people of colour who are fighting against oppressive authorities- reconsider your perspective on people of colour and marginalized groups as a whole.

I’ve seen people who said things about the Wet’suwet’en blockades along the lines of “I would run protesters off the street with my car” and are now saying things like “Black lives matter, fuck the police!!!”

Like, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you think Black Lives Matter and I also support the movement and the protests in the US. The difference is that Canadians don’t appear to care when bad things happen in Canada because “we’re not as bad as the US”- which A) should not be the standard and B) Is an outright lie. I’m tired of seeing Canadians ignore the way the government treats indigenous people in their own country but will turn around and protest the American government for doing the same thing.

These people will ignore the fact that Canada also has a bad track record with police brutality against minorities. Between 2007 and 2017 more than a third of people killed by RCMP were indigenous. Not to mention the way RCMP overextended their power during the Wet’suwet’en Protests. 

I’m not even touching on Canadian police brutality towards black people, which is also prevalent. Just last week, police supposedly pushed a black woman off her balcony to her death. And in Toronto black people make up 8% of the population but 37% of fatal police encounters.

So if you didn’t support the Wet’suwet’en protests, but now you’re talking about how important racial inequality in the US is, maybe you should re-examine why you think that way. Have you considered that you’re just a white liberal who is doing the bare minimum to support people of colour, just so you can feel better about yourself without actually addressing prevalent racial issues in your own country?

[united-federation-of-trek]

I feel the need to add to this now, it’s been a day since I posted it.

I am white, I am speaking about this from a position of privilege. The reason I say this is because if you’re one of the people I was speaking about above- I used to be like that!! I used to continually defend Canada and my mindset was “I’m so glad I live in utopian Canada” I learned to re-examine the way I learned about issues surrounding race and social justice, but I’m still not perfectly not racist. 

Part of not acknowledging Canada’s faults, is thinking that you are woke and not racist, you can look down at all those bigoted, backwards Americans because you (and Canada) are better than that. It stems from not being able to accept that you are still part of the problem, and guess what: You’re still racist too.

I will never be the perfect ally to people of colour, I will never not be a part of problem. And neither will you, a white person. But, we can also be part of the solution. The important thing is that we continue to listen to people of colour when they speak and we continue to consider what our role in all of this is, and try to be better, focus on amplifying the voices of people of colour. Every single white person is born into race privilege (maybe you’re poor, lgbt, a woman, neurodivergent, but you’re also white) and you benefit from the oppression of people of colour. 

So if you’re sitting on your Canadian high horse condemning racism in the US while ignoring it here: You’ve made a start with your allyship, but it’s time to grow beyond that are recognizing that you are still benefiting from the oppression of people of colour. As a person with white privilege, you can’t be part of the solution if you can’t recognize your part in the problem. It’s that simple.

(Please reblog this version because I think my addition is important to understanding the issue)

[aliensforplanetearth]

I just think it’s pretty whack that it was completely fine for people with guns to march into government buildings when they wanted a haircut, but the police immediately broke out the riot gear, the tear gas, and the rubber bullets when people were still peacefully protesting for justice for a murdered black man.

They’re really wondering why it’s turned into riots and why people are being violent. Almost like if you treat people with violence they might respond with violence but idk.

[aliensforplanetearth]

Lynching hasn’t stopped, it’s just being done by police.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

This is some pretty gross condescension and mocking from Justin Trudeau in response to Jagmeet Singh demanding the Federal Government do something about people dying in longterm care homes.

https://twitter.com/PnPCBC/status/1260621611822198784

Tagging: @abpoli @politicsofcanada

[aliensforplanetearth]

I hate it when people say that Elon Musk is just a real life Tony Stark, because

A) no he isn’t.

B) If Tony Stark was a real person I wouldn’t like him either. The reason I’ll say that I like Tony Stark is because the concept of the Avengers doesn’t work without a character who can spend money like water. Not only that, but Tony Stark’s character went through remarkable amounts of character development and showed he was willing to sacrifice the profits of his company to protect innocent lives. That being said he’s still a billionaire who hoards wealth. If Tony Stark were a real person I would be demanding just as much from him that I do from the rest of the billionaires in this world.

C) stop finding excuses to defend billionaires and start demanding better from them.

D) Tony Stark is a fictional character

Dismantle capitalism.

[guerrillatech]

"Hey so it turns out that the people of earth accidentally did a global experiment to see if every individual could course correct climate change through mass personal change of habits, and it turns out, no! We can't! It was massive corporate activity all along!"

[nowthisnews]

Trump can’t stop congratulating himself.

50,000 Americans are dead.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Alberta Health declares COVID-19 outbreak at Amazon warehouse north of Calgary

Two cases have also been discovered at Alpha House in Calgary, a facility that provides a safe living environment for those with substance abuse issues.

Health officials say five workers tested positive for COVID-19 at a warehouse facility north of Calgary that handles orders for the online marketplace Amazon.

Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, announced details of the outbreak during her daily update Friday.

“It is not yet clear if all five are linked with a common exposure. We have just received this outbreak confirmation, so it will not be reflected on our website today.”

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli

[aliensforplanetearth]

I don’t know which Canadians need to hear this right now but in Canada you don’t actually have “second amendment rights”

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Trudeau announces ban on 1,500 types of 'assault-style' firearms — effective immediately

"These weapons were designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to kill the largest number of people in the shortest amount of time," Trudeau said. "There is no use and no place for such weapons in Canada."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today announced a ban on some 1,500 makes and models of military-grade “assault-style” weapons in Canada, effective immediately.

Starting today, licensed gun owners will no longer be allowed to sell, transport, import or use these sorts of weapons in this country.

“As of today, the market for assault weapons in Canada is closed,” Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said. “Enough is enough. Banning these firearms will save Canadian lives.”

Trudeau said there will be a two-year amnesty period to allow people who already own these firearms to comply with the ban. Trudeau promised to pass legislation in the coming months to provide “fair compensation” to people who own these firearms.

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @abpoli @politicsofcanada @torontopoli @pnwpol @onpoli

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Won’t this AR ban push more illegal guns into the black market, because it will push more people to go there to obtain them? Not regular everyday people ofc, but, ya know. Because that’s exactly what having weed legal did, and that’s why we *legalized* it. Isn’t that hypocritical? Doesn’t marijuana legalization prove ARs should be legal to keep them from getting illegally smuggled in the first place? Then just up registration/permit requirements super high.

Not if the government bans imports of these weapons and buys back all the current ones that exist.

All of which the government is doing.

Here’s what happens after a weapons buy-back program:

[femonologue]

“Won’t decreasing the number of guns in circulation cause an increase in the number of guns in circulation?” Hmm I dunno buddy. That’s a good question. I’m gonna have to give this one some thought

[latining]

You can’t grow guns in your backyard, anon.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Trudeau backtracks, will allow companies who use tax havens to get bailout money

Denmark, France, and Poland have already committed to denying bailouts to companies using tax havens

During the first virtual sitting of the House of Commons on Tuesday, Prime Minister Trudeau told legislators that tax-avoiding companies would not be receiving bailout money.

When asked on Wednesday to reiterate his support for this policy, the Prime Minister skirted questions and refused to repeat his pledge.

During this morning’s press conference, he was again asked to confirm his previous comments. The Prime Minister refused.

The idea of blocking access to financial aid for tax-evading companies has been gaining traction around the world. Denmark, France, and Poland have all announced plans to refuse aid to companies registered in offshore tax havens.

The Bloc Québécois and the New Democratic Party have been pressuring the federal government to commit to a similar policy in Canada. According to a 2017 report, Canadian corporations hide nearly $300 billion in tax havens.

Tagging: @abpoli @politicsofcanada

[mallomartt]

A little late but Happy Earth Day 2020!!!  This year, I wanted to highlight just a few of the amazing young activists working to defend our planet who inspire me every day. Thank you to these amazing humans, and everyone else who is doing their part to improve our world!

___________________

Autumn Peltier: The “Water Warrior”. An indigenous clean water advocate from the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, a First Nation reserve on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada. In 2019 she was named the chief water commissioner by the Anishinabek Nation. She has been invited to the Children’s Climate Conference in Sweden, has spoken at the U.N. twice, and has met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss clean water concerns. She grew up understanding the importance of water and the need to protect it. She advocates for the universal right to clean drinking water.

Deepika Kurup: Activist and scientist who is passionate about finding a solution to the world’s clean water crisis. She improved a method for cleaning water known as solar disinfection, where UV rays destroy pathogens in order to purify it. She found a novel way to speed up the process, which can take anywhere from six hours to 2 days, using a photocatalyst. Due to her outstanding work she was recognized as “America’s Top Young Scientist” in 2012 and honored with the “United States President’s Environmental Youth Award” in 2014. She’s currently attending Harvard University and has two patents pending.

Jasilyn Charger: Founder of the International Indigenous Youth Council along with a few friends with the goal of defending her people’s water, and empowering and uniting indigenous youth. The group played a huge role in stopping the Dakota Access Pipeline, and Jasilyn was among the very first to set up camp at Sacred Stone. “I wish (older people) understood the voice of the future—which means to really listen to what we, the youth, have to say and honor our vision. The future is saying different things to us, there are many voices to be heard and our voices are strong for a reason. Our futures are not a commodity and neither are those of the ones who will follow us.”

Makasa Looking Horse: Water activist of the Mohawk Wolf Clan and Lakota, in Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. After learning the Nestlé corporation was removing 4.7 million liters of water a day from her community’s aquifers without their knowledge, she began to fight back and personally handed Nestlé’s CEO a cease and desist letter in June 2019. Her actions led to national attention, and she was invited to open for the United Nations Youth Climate Summit. As part of her Indigenous Studies program at McMaster University, Looking Horse is researching the poisonous water conditions on First Nations land. “We are in the middle of and we are surrounded by these cities, but we are still in this water crisis. And I think that’s all part of environmental racism.”

Vic Barrett: One of the 21 young plaintiffs suing the executive branch of the US government for failing to respond to the global climate crisis. "Barrett says he can’t recall a world before climate change, which he sees as interconnected with police violence, inhumane migrant treatment, and indigenous land dispossession. "We’re here to write a new story, a story in which our country is doing everything in its power to not only address the climate crisis, but the systemic injustices at its roots, a story in which our constitutional right to a safe climate is recognized by the highest courts.”

Helena Gualinga: Ecuadorian activist who has been fighting climate change her whole life, including fighting big oil alongside family members since she was a kid. She is an advocate for reducing individual waste, combating the fossil fuel industry, and protecting indigenous people in the Amazon, who have long been the defenders of the major rainforest. “I know that this is what I have to do, give a voice to the people that have been silenced and the people that don’t have a voice.”

Melati & Isabel Wijsen: Sisters who founded the organization ‘Bye Bye Plastic Bags’ in Bali at the ages of 10 and 12. They sought to raise awareness and education about the harmful impact of plastic on our environment, animals, and health while also sharing how to be part of the solution. They envision a world free of plastic bags and where the young generation are empowered to take action, and to do what is right through education, campaigns, and political meetings. Since its inception in 2013, Bye Bye Plastic Bags has now grown into a well known international movement in 25 countries, and Bali has officially banned all single-use plastics.

Tekanang: An activist from the reef-lined island nation of Tuvalu, which sits on average about 6 feet above sea level. The atolls are constantly affected by rising sea levels and storm surges and Tekanang is passionate about combating climate change to preserve Tuvalu’s way of life and culture. He works to help the community youth be more vocal about how climate change affects them and their futures. 

Greta Thunberg: Swedish environmental activist who has gained international recognition for promoting the view that humanity is facing an existential crisis arising from climate change. At age 15, she started spending her school days outside the Swedish parliament to call for stronger action on climate change and soon organized a school climate strike movement under the name 'Fridays for Future’ with her classmates. After she addressed the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference, student strikes took place every week somewhere in the world. She has received numerous honors and awards including an honorary Fellowship of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society; Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and the youngest Time Person of the Year; inclusion in the Forbes list of 'The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’, and two consecutive nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Boyan Slat: Dutch inventor/ Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup; which develops advanced systems to rid world’s oceans of plastic. At age 18, Boyan devised a concept which utilizes the natural oceanic forces to passively catch and concentrate ocean plastic, through which the theoretical cleanup time could be reduced from millennia to mere years. On September 8, 2018 the world’s first ocean cleanup system was launched from San Francisco, soon after followed by deployment inside the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

[aliensforplanetearth]

I just think it’s funny that conservatives called us entitled for wanting an education without lifelong debt, the ability to go to school without being shot, and for them to do something about the failing housing and job market as well as preventing a global climate catastrophe-

When they are now the ones protesting social distancing and quarantine because of a global pandemic that has killed over 150 000 people and infected 2.5 million. Despite the fact that if they go outside they’re risking not only themselves but other people.

But we’re entitled right?