The attack on public sector workers in Ontario, Canada's most populous province, is in full swing. On July 14, 274 Ontario Public Service Employees' Union (OPSEU) members received notice that they will be 'surplused'. This is the largest wave of layoffs since the dark days of former Tory Premier Mike Harris. The Ontario Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty declared that 1,900 full time jobs will be cut from the Ontario Public Service (OPS) by March 31, 2012.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Get with the Program, Andrea
When voters in Ontario, Canada's most populous province, go to the polls on October 6, will they reward the party with the 'coolest' leader, or the one with the best policies?
Andrea Horwath, Leader of the labour-based New Democratic Party of Ontario, seems to be aiming at 'cool', sadly at the expense of feminism. To deflect media criticism that she is keeping much of the NDP election platform under wraps, Horwath quipped “I'm a woman – I know you don't give it up all at once.” Later, she pledged to “balance the budget on high heels”.
Andrea Horwath, Leader of the labour-based New Democratic Party of Ontario, seems to be aiming at 'cool', sadly at the expense of feminism. To deflect media criticism that she is keeping much of the NDP election platform under wraps, Horwath quipped “I'm a woman – I know you don't give it up all at once.” Later, she pledged to “balance the budget on high heels”.
Gay Left Resurgence
Events in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) queer communities over the last year strongly suggest a resurgence in grassroots struggles and campaigns. Taking inspiration from the history of the earlier gay liberation movement, there is increasing resistance to the assimilationist and opportunist direction of the (largely self-appointed) LGBT 'leadership'.
Ontario Mega-Quarry arouses opposition
An application to dig the largest quarry in Canadian history (and the second largest in North America) in prime agricultural land near Toronto has aroused widespread opposition.
According to rabble.ca, the quarry would stretch over 2,300 acres and dip 200 feet below the water table – making it deeper than Niagara Falls. Located at the headwaters of important river systems in Melancthon, Ontario, the proposed gravel “mega-quarry” would pump out 600 million litres of water every day, raising important concerns about its effects on the local water supply.
According to rabble.ca, the quarry would stretch over 2,300 acres and dip 200 feet below the water table – making it deeper than Niagara Falls. Located at the headwaters of important river systems in Melancthon, Ontario, the proposed gravel “mega-quarry” would pump out 600 million litres of water every day, raising important concerns about its effects on the local water supply.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
NDP ranks reject turn to right
What began as a tightly orchestrated tribute to Leader Jack Layton and his electoral machine turned into a battleground over socialist policies and principles. In the end, officials of the labour-based New Democratic Party failed to convince a majority of the 1572 delegates to the June 17-19 NDP Federal Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia to approve a shift to the right.
Toronto: Stonewall is reborn
At least 1000 people gathered in Queen’s Park June 26 to participate in the first Stonewall march to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots in New York City, which were a jump-off point for the gay liberation movement. This date had been opportunistically vacated by Pride Toronto, which moved Pride Day to the first weekend in July in search of greater numbers and (you guessed it) more money. The mood was festive and celebratory. There was lots of glitter, no corporate sponsorship, no permit, and no cops were requested although there were a few around. And, since everybody knew why we were there, there were no speeches.
At the beginning of the march to the 519 Church St. Community Centre, Van Bon Bon led with the chant, “An Army of Lovers Will Never be Defeated.” There were many hand-made signs echoing this.
Le socialisme est une fusée!
Lors du débat majeur à Vancouver sur les «principes socialistes démocratiques», auxquels il est fait référence dans la Constitution du Nouveau Parti Démocratique fédéral, le député Pat Martin (Winnipeg-Centre) a dénoncé le socialisme comme une «ancre» ralentissant le parti. Il a demandé que le lien soit rompu avec «une grande hache».
La base du NPD rejette le tournant à droite
par Barry Weisleder
Ce qui avait commencé comme un hommage bien orchestré au chef Jack Layton et sa machine électorale, s’est transformé en un champ de bataille au sujet des politiques et des principes socialistes.
Ce qui avait commencé comme un hommage bien orchestré au chef Jack Layton et sa machine électorale, s’est transformé en un champ de bataille au sujet des politiques et des principes socialistes.
Socialism is a Rocket!
In the major debate at Vancouver on 'democratic socialist principles', referenced in the Federal New Democratic Party Constitution, MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre) denounced socialism as an “anchor” holding the party back. He demanded that the link to it be severed with “a broad ax”.
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