Eyes on the Greater Golden Horseshoe & GTA @torontopoli - Tumblr Blog

Even though some lockdown restrictions are being eased, physical-distancing rules and guidelines still apply.

Several provinces began to slowly loosen lockdown restrictions on Monday as Ottawa pledged $850 million for the international fight against COVID-19.

Quebec, which accounts for more than half of Canada’s coronavirus cases, including deaths from the illness, was reopening retail stores outside Montreal while those in the greater Montreal area are to reopen next Monday.

Ontario, the other virus epicentre, was allowing a few mostly seasonal businesses to reopen, including garden centres with curbside pickups, lawn care and landscaping companies, and automatic car washes.

Manitoba’s museums, libraries and retail businesses – including restaurant patios – were also to reopen, although at half capacity. The province, along with Saskatchewan and Alberta, was also allowing non-essential medical activities such as dentistry and physiotherapy to resume.

The Cargill beef-processing plant south of Calgary resumed its business after it was shut down for two weeks because of a extensive COVID-19 outbreak. Nearly half the plant’s 2,000 workers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli @torontopoli @onpoli

#cdnpoli #coronavirus

allthecanadianpolitics

'What's next? Separate lanes for camel & goat riders,' school council chair tweeted before apologizing

A “disturbing, Islamphobic tweet” on the city of Brampton’s decision to allow mosques to broadcast the call to prayer has prompted the Peel District School Board to remove one of its school council chairs and launch an investigation into comments it says are “never acceptable.”

Last week, several Toronto-area municipalities granted local mosques permission to broadcast the azan or call to prayer over speakers at sunset every day during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. The move was a welcome one to many in light of a pandemic that’s made gathering for prayer impossible and left places of worship empty.

“Our noise by-law originally passed in 1984 and only included an exemption for Church bells,” Brampton mayor Patrick Brown said in a tweet. “It will now include all faiths within the permitted hours and decibel levels. The Muslim community can proceed with the sunset azan because it’s 2020 [and] we treat all faiths equally.”

“What’s next? Separate lanes for camel & goat riders, allowing slaughter of animals at home in the name of sacrifice, bylaw requiring all women to cover themselves from head to toe in tents to appease the piece fools for votes,” replied a user by the name of Ravi Hooda.

The user’s Twitter account has since been made private.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli @torontopoli @onpoli

#islamophobia #Brampton #racism tw #onpoli #crime

allthecanadianpolitics

As the media remains silent on the New Democrats’ work on behalf of Canadians, whether that work translates into a bump in the polls remains to be seen, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues through its second month.

While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has received most of the press from the economic response to the COVID-19 lockdown, another federal actor has received far less credit from the country’s right-wing media for the major role played in shaping those measures: Jagmeet Singh, leading the charge for COVID-19 economic support with his New Democratic caucus.

The tepid initial measures announced by the Liberal Party immediately came under criticism by the New Democrats – particularly surrounding direct financial support to working-class Canadians. While the Liberals were prepared to make major payments to the tar-sands industry and to big business, pressure was required to ensure Canadian workers and working class families had needed support. That pressure was effectively applied by the New Democratic caucus – leading to the major suite of government intervention actions taken by the Liberal minority government.

Jagmeet Singh’s New Democrats were crucial in establishing the $2,000 monthly Canada emergency response benefit, which has permitted Canadians left jobless by COVID-19 to maintain some degree of financial stability in the face of record unemployment. The NDP has also been responsible for pressing the expansion of that benefit to more Canadians, along with a smaller benefit for Canadian students. Singh has even pressed the Liberals to go further, and turn the CERB into a universal basic income for Canadians – an idea with wide support among the Canadian public.

For small businesses and those employed in the face of the pandemic, the NDP was instrumental in pressing for the 75% wage subsidy that has permitted scores of employers to keep workers on staff, and off of the employment insurance rolls. Initially set at 10%, it was pressure from the New Democratic Party that saw the meaningful expansion of the program to a 75% subsidy. However, while the NDP has pressed to support Canadian workers and small business, the NDP has also aggressively fought against unfettered corporate welfare, and sought to pull bailout money from companies that stock away slush funds in foreign tax havens, to avoid paying Canadian taxes – while the Liberal government has refused to pull taxpayer dollars away from those companies.

Tagging: @abpoli @politicsofcanada @torontopoli

crowfoot

What a great article. Unsurprising that it’s from the same province as Tommy Douglas? This bit:

However, economic experts have suggested that the way to pay for the unprecedented government intervention in the economy should resemble measures taken in the post-war “golden age of capitalism”, when government nationalized major utilities and resources and kept the profits for the use of public programming, and top marginal tax rates were set for the ultra wealthy at ninety percent. Working to eliminate hoarding and keep public services and infrastructure funded led to massive prosperity in the western world – although years of tax cuts and bailout dollars for the wealthy have had precisely the opposite effect over the past four decades, permitting western infrastructure and services to crumble, and government debt to spike, since the dawn of Reaganism in the United States and Thatcherism in Britain in the 1980s.

Repeat, repeat, repeat. Especially that bit about all that prosperity being ruined by Reaganism and Thatcherism.

#ndp #cdnpoli #jagmeet singh #workers rights

allthecanadianpolitics

Report the City on their snitch line!

via Zoë Dodd

“I’d like to report the City for its non compliance, leaving people in overcrowded shelters and not providing accommodations for people to physically distance.”

The City has set up a snitch line. (Which is gross) May I suggest reporting the City for its non compliance in protecting homeless people and forcing them to live in over crowded shelters without the ability to physically distance.

Also suggest reporting groups of cops not wearing ppe interacting with people on the streets and not physically distancing.

Or perhaps snitch on the Toronto South Detention Centre for being overcrowded and putting people on 24 hour lock down, risking people’s lives and health.

The list goes on. Don’t snitch on each other. Snitch on those who deem populations of people as disposable.

Takes a minute to make a report. Demand housing, hotels and other accommodations. ❤️

SNITCH

–

Submitted by @master7mindd

#Toronto #onpoli #coronavirus

allthecanadianpolitics

This is important so that homeless ODSP and OW clients have a shot at renting somewhere to live at average market rent since affordable, subsidized, rent geared to income housing is unavailable at this time and may be unavailable for the next 10 to 20 years due to a huge waiting list and zero vacancies.

Someone has made a petition for the Ontario government to grant an immediate 100% increase to ODSP/OW for both shelter and basic needs.

–

Submitted by @feylesbian

#onpoli #petitions #coronavirus

allthecanadianpolitics

Booksellers amplify online presence to reach customers during pandemic

A Canadian publisher is drawing attention to the hundreds of independent booksellers embracing online sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Don Gorman, the Victoria-based publisher of Rocky Mountain Books, created a Google Map of independent booksellers operating online and offering delivery or curbside pickup.

The map now includes more than 250 bookstores and has been viewed more than 35,000 times.

Gorman, a former bookseller, said he created the map after noticing how many bookstores were moving online and delivering goods to customers’ homes for the first time.

“A lot of independent booksellers and publishers have realized that they need to have a stronger online presence,” he said.

Thank-you notes and requests to be added to the list have flooded the publisher’s inbox over the past few weeks.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli

#not news #learning resources #books #cdnpoli

allthecanadianpolitics

The province is now expected to have fewer than 20,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, substantially lower than previous projections of 80,000

Premier Doug Ford says Ontario is preparing for the “gradual” reopening of the economy as new modelling shows the province has likely reached its peak in the COVID-19 pandemic, even as the situation in long-term care homes continues to worsen.

Mr. Ford said Monday that his jobs and recovery committee, made up of key cabinet ministers, has begun to develop a framework for a “gradual, measured and safe” reopening of the province, while cautioning that physical distancing and self-isolation measures must remain in place for weeks if not longer.

“Absolutely in no way is this fight over,” the Premier said at Queen’s Park. “We aren’t there yet. … But we want to make sure we give people hope.”

New projections, released by provincial health officials on Monday, say Ontario is now expected to have fewer than 20,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, substantially lower than the 80,000 projected by previous models.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli @torontopoli @onpoli

somethingaboutsomethingelse

Oh good, the bourgeoisie are ready to sacrifice the rest of the working class into the maw of their dying economy.

#coronavirus #onpoli #capitalism #doug ford

allthecanadianpolitics

Sex workers in Canada are in desperate situations due to the pandemic, in need of food, rent, basic necessities. Some are homeless and without any income.

Sex workers saw their incomes disappear overnight when the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread in Canada. Now many are in desperate situations: in need of food, rent, basic necessities. Some are now homeless and without any income.

Some facing especially stark realities are continuing to work — even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Susan Davis, a sex worker and advocate with the B.C. Coalition of Experiential Communities, says she’s aware of many who are still working, including a friend with three children who does sex work to top up her disability support payments.

“She has no choice but to go back to work to feed her kids, and put herself and all of her entire family at risk because of this unreasonable assumption that people who are on welfare or disability know how to live on that so they can make it by, while newly unemployed people are acknowledged by government as needing $2,000 a month,” Davis said.

Many sex workers in Canada either do not qualify for the federal government’s Canadian Emergency Response Benefit or they are afraid to apply.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli

#cdnpoli #sex work #coronavirus

allthecanadianpolitics

The Broadbent Institute is an independent, non-partisan organization championing progressive change through the promotion of democracy, equality, and sustainability and the training of a new generation of leaders.

The Broadbent Institute is an independent, non-partisan organization championing progressive change through the promotion of democracy, equality, and sustainability and the training of a new generation of leaders. National petition to Freeze Rents, Offer Subsidies, and Prevent Evictions in every province.

–

Submitted by @untouchable-face

#cdnpoli #petitions #coronavirus

allthecanadianpolitics

A gunman dressed as a policeman killed at least 10 people including a police officer in Nova Scotia.

A suspected gunman who dressed as a policeman killed at least 10 people, including a police officer, in Nova Scotia, Canadian police say.

The 12-hour rampage ended in a car chase and the attacker is also dead.

Residents in the rural town of Portapique had been advised to lock themselves indoors after the attack began on Saturday.

Police earlier said the suspect drove what appeared to be a police car.

The gunman shot people in several locations across Nova Scotia which means authorities are still trying to establish the final death toll, police said on Sunday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described it as “a terrible situation” and Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil told reporters “this is one of the most senseless acts of violence in our province’s history.”

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli @nspoli @torontopoli @onpoli

tainted-petals

It’s up to 13 dead now and counting

seliphra

It’s 16 now according to the CBC…

silvercanuck

It’s up to 17. I’m devastated. This never should have happened. That murderer should have been on a watch list and never allowed access to a firearm. The news says he admired the last Canadian antifeminist shooter, the anniversary of which was yesterday, 25 years ago, when 13 women were shot and killed in Montréal. These monsters do NOT deserve a platform, do NOT deserve to have their side of the story told, do NOT deserve respect. These are the same people on Reddit who refer to women as “foids” and “holes”. These bastards are also often white nationalists. And I say there’s no room for that bullshit in Canada, especially in a place as nice and diverse as Nova Scotia. The guy was a denturist.

#guns #crime #gun violence #portapique #cdnpoli #death tw #mass shooting

allthecanadianpolitics

This is the Conservative Party of Canada repeating Donald Trump’s talking points and conspiracy theories.

Just a normal day in Canada. 🙃

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli @torontopoli

#Andrew Scheer #cdnpoli #conservative party

allthecanadianpolitics

Saddleback said it has been "a real team effort" to keep the novel coronavirus at bay.

COVID-19 has been spreading across Alberta since the start of March, but the province’s 46 First Nations reserves have managed to keep the virus out so far.

The Samson Cree Nation credits measures the community has put in place since the pandemic was declared.

“We got organizing and got busy right away,” said Chief Vernon Saddleback. “We sent home all non-essential staff and sent home all our elder staff and any staff with pre-existing physical illnesses or disabilities.”

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli @torontopoli

#indigenous #cdnpoli #coronavirus #indigenous rights #uplifting news

allthecanadianpolitics

"We don’t need appreciation from you for working during these times. We don’t want to be labelled as “heroes”. All we need is a better pay – during all times. We need some protection from getting exposed at work and essential workers deserve a better life too."

Ever since it broke out, the COVID-19 pandemic took over the world. It disrupted and pushed lives of many into a state of uncertainty. But for essential workers, the show must go on.

I work at one of the grocery stores in Kingston, Ontario, owned by a big corporate chain. We have been working hard to keep the store well stocked amidst all the panic. We kept ordering stocks in large quantities which we usually only do during Christmas. The only protective equipment we get are disposable gloves. We have a safety tutorial pasted on the wall showing how to properly wear a mask, but we don’t have any masks. Customers keep running into us and we are exposed all the time.

Apart from the risky environment where workers keep getting exposed, the workload itself has been overwhelming. We got a $2 raise for a month for all the increased workload and risk, but the pay still falls short of Kingston’s living wage. At the time of this crisis where most of you are worried about your own safety, many of my co-workers are grateful that they are making a little extra money.

So much for getting labelled as essential workers, right?

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli @onpoli @torontopoli

#onpoli #kingston #coronavirus #workers rights

westformiles

Police murder two Indigenous Winnipeggers in less than twelve hours

I’m completely heartbroken for the family and friends of 16-year-old Eishia Hudson and the as-yet-unnamed 36-year-old man who were both shot dead in the space of twelve hours by Winnipeg police this week. Police did not inform Eishia’s family of their daughter’s death. Instead, they were left to call every hospital in the city to try to find out what had happened to their daughter. The IIU informed them that Eishia was dead when they showed up at the home to begin investigating. To make the whole situation even worse, Eishia’s father, William Hudson, was also a good friend of the murdered man.

The IIU’s statements do not mention the fact that either of the victims were Indigenous; however, they refer to Eishia as a woman despite the fact that she was only sixteen. CBC’s description of the killing was that “(o)fficers approached the stopped SUV and the girl was shot”. (Presumably the gun was one of those ones that fires itself with no involvement from the individual holding it…)

@allthecanadianpolitics

master7mindd

Winnipeg police chief Danny Smyth said Saturday one of two suspects was shot and killed following reports of armed robbery early Saturday.

Yeah so they’re not stopping any time soon…

#police #indigenous rights #indigenous #Murder cw #crime #cdnpoli

master7mindd

The Ottawa Citizen has a very good editorial on the practice of police intimidation of citizens who use their cellphone cameras and other de

Here's a summary of what Canadians should know about this:

There is no law in Canada that prevents a member of the public from taking photographs or video in a public place (other than some limitations related to sensitive defense installations);

There is no law in Canada that prevents a member of the public from taking photographs or video of a police officer executing his or her duties in public or in a location lawfully controlled by the photographer (in fact, police officers have no privacy rights in public when executing their duties);

Preventing a person from taking photos or video is a prima facie infringement of a person's Charter rights;

You cannot interfere with a police officer's lawful execution of his or her duties, but taking photos or videos does not, in and of itself, constitute interference;

A police officer cannot take your phone or camera simply for recording him or her, as long as you were not obstructing;

These privileges are not reserved to media -- everyone has these rights;

A police officer cannot make you unlock your phone to show him or her your images; and

A police officer cannot make you delete any photos.

master7mindd

@allthecanadianpolitics @torontopoli @abpoli

newsfromstolenland

know your rights, but prepare for them not to be respected

like I really hate to say this 'cause I wish it wasn't true, but these rights might not necessarily be respected

I'm not saying not to excercise these rights, just that it doesn't mean you are safe. Especially when you're a person of colour or otherwise marginalized.

Taping and photographing officers is a really important way to hold them accountable, but be mindful of your safety as well

mathbalnase

Know your rights. And know that police will not hesitate to violate them.

Know that they CAN violate them. Know that they have been, will be, and ARE ALLOWED to violate them. Know that they will not be meaningfully reprimanded or penalized for violating them.

Know that the illegality of such violations changes none of this.

master7mindd

canadian civil liberties association is asking people stopped by police for reasons related to COVID-19 to fill out this form for them

@allthecanadianpolitics

@politicsofcanada

#police #coronavirus

westformiles

Police murder two Indigenous Winnipeggers in less than twelve hours

I’m completely heartbroken for the family and friends of 16-year-old Eishia Hudson and the as-yet-unnamed 36-year-old man who were both shot dead in the space of twelve hours by Winnipeg police this week. Police did not inform Eishia’s family of their daughter’s death. Instead, they were left to call every hospital in the city to try to find out what had happened to their daughter. The IIU informed them that Eishia was dead when they showed up at the home to begin investigating. To make the whole situation even worse, Eishia’s father, William Hudson, was also a good friend of the murdered man.

The IIU’s statements do not mention the fact that either of the victims were Indigenous; however, they refer to Eishia as a woman despite the fact that she was only sixteen. CBC’s description of the killing was that “(o)fficers approached the stopped SUV and the girl was shot”. (Presumably the gun was one of those ones that fires itself with no involvement from the individual holding it…)

@allthecanadianpolitics

#tw murder #crime #racism #cdnpoli #indigenous rights #indigenous #police

allthecanadianpolitics

He crushed a fellowship in our newsroom. Now, he’s receiving national recognition for his Tyee work.

The Canadian Association of Journalists has nominated Jamin Mike for a national award.

Mike has been selected as a finalist for the JHR/CAJ Emerging Indigenous Journalist Award, for outstanding reporting done during his three-month reporting fellowship at The Tyee last year.

Our newsroom has hosted two other such reporters through a partnership with Journalists for Human Rights that includes additional funding support provided by an anonymous donor from a first-generation Chinese-Canadian family in Vancouver.

Mike said he is shocked by the nomination, considering how new he is to journalism writing.

“Being nominated for an emerging Indigenous reporter award is something that I will carry for the rest of my life,” he said. “I definitely feel inspired to continue writing and honing the best of my storytelling abilities. I sometimes feel undeserving of such a nomination, but I do feel that my years studying and practicing to do this are beginning to work out for the better.”

Tagging: @politicsofcanada @abpoli @torontopoli

#Indigenous #Jamin Mike #cdnpoli #indigenous rights #uplifting news

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