Greyhound bus services cancel all services west of Sudbury, starting October, 2018.
“When I saw the news that Greyhound had decided to cut its bus services in Canada west of Sudbury, I was shocked and disappointed, not just because I’m another millennial without a driver’s licence, who has often utilized Greyhound buses – but because I am a Cree woman who knows that this loss of a vital service puts the safety of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people at risk. We deserve to travel our homelands free from violence, and while transportation is only a small component of the changes needed for that to happen, it is an important one.
[ image description is photograph of Greyhound bus parkerd. ]
We have long known that lack of access to transportation in rural and remote areas in this country is a factor in the murder and disappearance of thousands of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people in Canada.
The Interim Report of the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls identified “the need for more frequent and accessible transportation services to be made available to Indigenous women.”
I have travelled the Highway of Tears in my work with First Nations communities in British Columbia, past the billboards that read “Girls, Don’t hitchhike on the Highway of Tears: Killer on the Loose!” Of course, those who hitchhike on the Highway of Tears or anywhere else are not to blame for the violence enacted on them, but accessible transportation is an important means of harm reduction.
This has long been recognized by First Nations leaders in northern B.C., who called for the province to fund transit options after the 2006 Highway of Tears Symposium and the 2012 B.C. Missing Women Commission Inquiry. In 2017, the province launched a subsidized Highway 16 transit service, which 5,000 people used within the first year of service.
In contrast to the development of services along Highway 16 in B.C., the government of Saskatchewan announced, in 2017, that it planned to shut down the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) as part of continuing spending cutbacks. A Crown corporation, the STC had served the province since 1946.
Connie Deiter, a Cree woman from Regina, has since filed a human-rights complaint, alleging that the Saskatchewan government’s decision discriminates against Indigenous women. While the results of this complaint are not yet known, Ms. Deiter claims that she has personally witnessed an increase in hitchhiking since the shutdown of the STC.
Of course, Greyhound’s decision to end operations in Western Canada is a business decision, with ridership down 41 per cent since 2010, a drop that is largely attributable to increased car ownership and the reduced cost of flights in Canada. A business isn’t responsible for the safety of Indigenous people or for the safety of those who must now hitchhike to their jobs; neither is it responsible for assuring access to medical appointments for people in Northern communities.
This is where government needs to step in. Following the announcement of Greyhound’s reduced Canadian routes, Alberta Minister of Transportation Brian Mason called on the federal government to “come up with a national solution that keeps Canadians connected across the country.”
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In a typical federalist script, Transport Canada stated there are no applicable funding programs that could “provide an operational subsidy for private intercity carriers,” and suggested it was up to the provinces to respond. Meanwhile, those who rely on Greyhound’s services in Western Canada are stuck in a familiar federalist conundrum that First Nations people have become accustomed to: The provincial and federal governments are refusing to claim responsibility for service delivery to our communities.
The discontinuation of Greyhound services has made it abundantly clear that we should not rely on private companies to deliver vital, sometimes life-saving services. Canadians are familiar with subsidized and nationalized transportation, from the provincially subsidized GO transit system in Southern Ontario to the Crown corporation VIA Rail. As an Albertan living in British Columbia, I’m left wondering: Why can’t Canada nationalize intercity bus service when they have agreed to nationalize a failing pipeline project?
As the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls continues, I hope we can have conversations about necessary harm-reduction projects that will enable us to move safely throughout our homelands.
The cut comes as a result of the cancellation of the province's cap-and-trade program which paid for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for the schools.
[ image description is photograph of empty school hallway. ]
“TORONTO – Ontario’s new Tory government has cancelled a $100-million fund earmarked for school repairs this year, a cut that comes as a result of Doug Ford’s campaign promise to scrap the province’s cap-and-trade system.
School boards were notified on July 3 that the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund would be eliminated and that only work contracted on or before that date would be covered.
The memo, obtained by The Canadian Press, advises school boards to stop spending the cash that was allocated in April immediately.
“Please maintain detailed records of the contracts that have been signed as ministry staff will contact boards to collect information on the scope of the work underway,” the memo said.
Toronto District School Board chair Robin Pilkey said the move is disappointing because that board has a $4 billion repair backlog.
The TDSB had budgeted $300 million for upkeep this fiscal year, including the $25 million it was awarded specifically from this fund, and now faces difficult choices, Pilkey said.
“Losing $25 million is a big deal to us,” she said. “Our repair backlog is so large that every piece counts. We’ll have to make decisions in the next few weeks whether we don’t do those projects or we take the money out of … other funds and scrap something else.”
The board had planned to use the funding to repair windows, lighting and complete other mechanical work in its schools, she said.
It’s unlikely much of the money has been spent, however, because the board must hire contractors through the proper procurement process, which takes time, she said.
“It’s not like you get the money on May 1 and can spent it on May 15,” she said. “It takes awhile to get the money flowing.”
The province has an approximate $15 billion repair backlog at its 4,900 publicly funded schools.
Stephen Seaborn, spokesman for the education advocacy group Campaign for Public Education, said the cut will hurt schools across Ontario.
“It’s bad,” he said. “It was done just like as if it was nothing. There was no discussion about what would be done about the budgets of the schools.”
Seaborn said the cancellation of cap and trade has clearly had unintended consequences and cutting funds for the renovation program is a prime example.
“My message for the premier is watch what you do,” he said. “It has huge implications for 2 million school kids across the province.”
Ford campaigned on a promised eliminate cap and trade and revoked the regulation laying out the program as one of his first acts after he was officially sworn in on June 29.
Ford’s spokesman Simon Jefferies said the Tories received a strong mandate from voters to end cap and trade.
“To ensure an orderly wind-down of programs funded through the cap-and-trade carbon tax, the government will honour arrangements where contracts have already been signed and orders have already been made,” he said in a statement.
“Decisions to continue any specific initiatives will be made on a case-by-case basis.”
NDP legislator Peggy Sattler said the Ford government’s decision to cut the fund will hurt Ontario’s children.
“Kids finished the school year in sweltering classrooms, and by winter, they’ll be wearing their coats and mittens at their desks,” Sattler said in a statement. “There are water fountains that aren’t safe to drink from and roofs that need to be replaced.”
Sattler said with a multi-billion repair backlog, Ontario’s schools need investment, not cuts.
“It’s sad that there is no hope coming for kids and educators, and absolutely disgusting that our children’s classrooms is one of the first places Doug Ford’s axe is falling,” she said.
Defend J20 Resistance is a group of felony defendants arrested at the Inauguration Day protest and their supporters who are working together to collectively defend themselves.
[ image description is a yellow background with text in capitals and two hearts on either side of the text with the left side of the heart being a lighter shade of pink, and the right side, being a darker shade of pink. The text in between says in black, “No charges for activists. Celebrate Resistance. #DefendJ20 / #DropJ20.” There is more text in finer print below that says, “no more time for Inauguration Day protestors. | defendj20resistance.org.” ]
“Cedar Hopperton is an anarchist living on occupied Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabe land in so-called Hamilton, Ontario. In March, there was a small disruptive anti-capitalist march in a gentrifying neighborhood the weekend of the Hamiliton anarchist bookfair.
Afterwards, far right and white nationalist groups began attacking Hamilton's anarchist community space, who took the opportunity to advance their own agenda.
The police responded by targeting Cedar, raiding their home, and arresting them on April 5th and charging them with conspiracy charges. Cedar was denied bail at their last hearing and is currently being held in segregation.
As of now, they may be held for a year or longer awaiting trial. The charges against Cedar as well as the recent attack on The Tower, an anarchist space in Hamilton, can be understood as yet another example of the use of conspiracy and rioting charges to criminalize dissent and scare us out of the streets.”
[ image description is yellow and black background with white and yellow text on the left side, and photos of Doug Ford and Weston Family on the right side. The text on the left and underneath says, “Doug Ford loves Loblaws and the Weston Family because they ‘create jobs’ and ‘pay taxes.’
Loblaws stashed money in offshore bank accounts, and could owe up to 400 million in taxes. Loblaws refuses to pay workers a living wage, even though the Westons are worth 13$ billion.
Loblaws says it plans to replace workers with machines. Doug Ford says we need ‘more people like the Weston family.’ Pass this on if you disagree.
CTV Question Period - February 26, 2017 | NORTH99 | Help defeat Doug Ford at StopDougFord.com” ]
In a $16.5-million lawsuit, filed Friday in Superior Court, Renata Ford also alleges that Doug Ford is a “negligent” business manager whose decisions have led to a steady decrease in the value of the Ford company, Deco Labels.
[ image above is Reneta Ford with Doug Ford at podium with microphone and fordnation signs behind them. ]
Click the link to read the statement of claim in the Ford lawsuit.
The widow and children of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford are suing his brother Doug Ford, alleging he has deprived them of millions of dollars, including shares in the family business and a life insurance policy left behind to support his family.
In a $16.5-million lawsuit filed Friday in Superior Court, Renata Ford also alleges that former brother-in-law Doug Ford is a “negligent” business manager whose decisions have led to a steady decrease in the value of the Ford company, Deco Labels. Despite setting his sights on a political career, Doug has continued to receive “extravagant compensation,” even though Deco is losing money, Renata claims in her court filings.
Doug Ford has “knowingly and deliberately put (Renata and her two children) in a highly stressful and unfair financial position during their period of grief after Rob Ford’s death, and continued to do so for more than two years after Rob Ford’s death,” the statement of claim alleges.
The lawsuit was filed by lawyers from Aird & Berlis LLP in Superior Court against Doug, his brother Randy (who is a top executive at Deco), and the Deco company itself. The allegations have not been proven in court.
After the Star sent a list of questions to Doug Ford, a spokesperson responded with two statements, one from Doug and one from Diane Ford, his mother.
“These claims relating to Deco are completely false and we will strongly refute them in court,” said Doug Ford’s statement.
“I have also stood by my brother and his family through so many of their challenging times, and will always be there for (Rob and Renata’s children). Renata’s lawyers have been clear to us throughout this campaign, that either we hand over money, or they would go public with these false claims, and that is exactly what they have done, with three days to go until the election.”
Diane Ford sent the following statement through Doug’s spokesperson.
“It is heartbreaking that Renata has chosen to bring forward these false and baseless allegations against our family, right in the middle of the provincial election campaign. As a family, our one goal is to ensure Rob’s children are cared for and their financial futures are secure. Renata has serious struggles with addiction, and our hope is that she will accept help for the sake of herself and my grandchildren,” Diane said in her statement.
Randy Ford did not respond to a request for comment.
Rob Ford was mayor of Toronto from 2010-2014. He died of cancer March 22, 2016. Although highly popular with segments of the Toronto electorate, Ford was also wracked by substance abuse issues and was once videotaped smoking crack cocaine with people involved in the gun and drug trades.
Through it all, his wife, Renata, stood by his side. They have two children, a boy and a girl.
The lawsuit details numerous allegations against both Doug and Randy, who are the trustees for their late brother’s estate. Doug and Randy are also trustees of the estate of the late Doug Sr., father of Rob, Doug, Randy and Kathy. Kathy is not mentioned in the lawsuit.
The root of Renata’s issues lies with the assets of the family company, Deco Labels. Deco Labels was started in the 1960s by Doug Sr. Doug Sr. also, at one point, was a Progressive Conservative MPP and Doug Jr. is running to become premier of Ontario under the Progressive Conservative banner. Doug Sr. died in 2006.
Renata alleges that, when Rob died, she was left with Rob’s shares in Deco. Renata said soon after, brother Doug approached her and suggested they settle the estate without involving lawyers.
“Let’s get rid of the lawyers and settle this on our own,” Renata quotes Doug in her statement of claim. “They will only steal your money. You’re going to lose everything in your savings.”
Renata states in her court filing that she did not follow Doug’s suggestions, nor did she agree to his suggestion that she sell her late husband’s shares to Doug. She says she tried many times to get an accounting of Rob’s estate, but she remains in the dark.
Renata states that she recently learned that Doug sold Randy Rob’s shares in Deco for a nominal cost of $1. She said she was then provided (the suit does not say who provided it) with a “third party valuation” of the shares and was told they had a “fair market value of zero.”
The Deco company makes labels and does business out of an Etobicoke factory, and also in Chicago. Renata states that when their father ran it, the company was extremely successful, with a market value of $10 million and an “investment portfolio” between $15 million and $20 million.
She alleges that the company has steadily lost value under Doug and Randy, who have been the top officers and directors of Deco since their father died.
“They have so negligently and improperly mismanaged (the business affairs of Deco) as to destroy their value,” she alleges.
According to the statement of claim, financial statements of Deco show Deco Toronto has experienced total losses of about $5 million between 2010 and 2017. Prior to Doug and Randy taking over it was profitable, she said.
During this time, Doug and Randy “arranged for and received very significant compensation from the Deco Companies. That compensation included extravagant salary, bonus, travel and automobile allowances and other benefits, which was paid regardless of the financial performance of those businesses.” No details were provided in the claim.
She also alleges that Doug and Randy “never took reasonable steps” to implement a business plan, and that he improperly hired friends and family to work at Deco, though they were “not qualified.” Although she provides no details, Renata also alleges in her suit that Doug and Randy have “negligently mistreated and unreasonably dismissed employees” who suggested ways to make Deco profitable again.
“Neither Doug Ford nor Randy Ford have the education and business ability to justify their employment as senior officers of Deco,” she alleges, adding that they carried out numerous “ill-advised acquisitions” of businesses and assets in New Jersey, Chicago and Ohio.
The lawsuit refers to Doug Ford’s political ambitions.
“After deciding to devote himself primarily to politics and other interests, Doug Ford nevertheless maintained his position as an officer and director of the Deco Companies, and arranged to continue to receive very extravagant compensation, notwithstanding that the businesses were losing money.”
The statement of claim estimates that through Doug and Randy’s use of their late father’s estate funds to prop up the Deco business, Rob Ford’s estate has been deprived of about $5 million.
She also alleges that Doug has “failed to administer and improperly administered Rob’s estate,” and deprived Renata and the children of the proceeds of a $220,000 insurance policy that the two brothers “improperly retained and withheld.” She said they did the same thing with Rob’s bank accounts, GICs, RRSPs and other investments.
Renata also alleges that Doug “charged unreasonable and unjustified expenses and fees against the Estate of Rob Ford.”
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