Canada gone Rogue

Note: This article was written Dec 9th, before there had been a single #IdleNoMore protest or dance. I believe the ferocity with which the #IdleNoMore movement has taken off strongly supports my thesis.

Canadians need help to wake up and see what is happening to their country.

Canada has long been respected around the world for it's tolerance, democracy, open borders, and friendliness. However, in the year-and-a-half since our last Federal election, Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, has transformed the country into a rogue petro-state, reviled around the world, and exercising dictatorial control over Canada's people and laws.

This is now recognized by countries around the globe. On November 29th, 2012 at the United Nations General Assembly MP John Baird, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, was introduced to take the stage. No welcoming applause was given:

What follows is a reminder of some of the damage Harper has inflicted on Canada, bringing us up to date (to the beginnings of #IdleNoMore).

Harper first became Prime Minister in February 2006, although he was not content with his minority government. He called another election in October 2008 to try to get a majority, and again failed to do so winning 37% of the vote. However, just six weeks later, Harper prorogued parliament (cut short the parliamentary session) to stop the opposition parties conducting a vote of no confidence. Proroguing is meant to be used to allow the government to refocus, but it was used in this case to stop a majority coalition (representing the majority of Canadians) from bringing down the minority government. Harper again prorogued parliament in 2009, this time to avoid ongoing investigations into the Afghan detainees affair. Dr. Nelson Wiseman, Professor at the University of Toronto said at the time, "no Prime Minister has so abused the power to prorogue."

Abuse of power. That is something the Canadian people are now becoming used to.

In March 2011, Stephen Harper's government was found in contempt of parliament, which is without precedent in Canada or any other Commonwealth country. It clearly demonstrated "the Conservatives’ profound disdain toward the only democratic national institution we have" (Thomas Walkom).

In May 2011, Canada voted again and gave the Harper government a majority in parliament. What happens in Canada when a wannabe dictator shows disdain for democracy? We make him into an actual dictator!

Except that we didn't. Some of us did. A minority. In fact, only around 38% of the popular vote went to Harper, although that somehow gave Harper 54% of the seats in parliament–a majority. That's a 16% difference. And 16% is over 5,000,000 people. The Conservative party has managed to rig the elections in such as way as to steal the votes of five million people. It's also worth stating that the 38% is of those who voted–only about 25% of the population who legally can vote, voted for Harper (roughly 8.5 million people).

But that wasn't enough for Harper. On election day, illegal robocalls were orchestrated by members of the Conservative party (of which Harper is the leader) as a voter suppression tactic to try to stop supporters of other parties from voting. The investigation continues, but there are currently around 200 ridings–two-thirds of the total–alleging that robocalls were made within their boundaries. Many of the ridings were won by tiny margins–as little as 18 votes. The closest 11 ridings all report voting irregularities of this nature, and in these ridings as little as 0.05% of the vote made the difference. Stephen Harper is not the legitimate Prime Minister of Canada, and should not control a majority parliament.

In June 2010, the G20 were to be held in Canada. Harper decided that the meeting should take place in downtown Toronto (Harper hates Toronto), and proceeded to militarise the downtown core, spending over $1.1 billion–the most expensive weekend in Canadian history. Pittsburgh G20 a few years before had a budget of $18 million.

Fortress walls were built, and police were brought in from other provinces. Peaceful protestors and passers-by were kettled–surrounded by police, beaten, and then arrested without cause. Over 1000 people were arrested–the largest mass-arrests in Canadian history–and peaceful protests were repeatedly dispersed using violent force. Ombudsman André Marin called it “the most massive compromise of civil liberties in Canadian history.” Canada was left reeling from the violent blow done to its citizens.

In December 2011, Peter Kent, the Minister of the Environment in Canada, announced Canada's withdrawal from the Kyoto Accord. Canada remains the only country to do so. Canada would have been fined $14 billion for failing to meet its emission cuts targets. To add to the insult, the announcement was made one day after countries around the world agreed to a treaty to limit carbon emissions in COP17 in Durban. The following year in COP18 (Doha), Canada was called a "pariah" and there were questions raised as to whether Canada should have any stand at the table while negotiating a second Kyoto protocol.

The rhetoric and language used by the Harper government has also become extremist. In February 2012 the government introduced Bill C-30, a bill that contained draconian internet spying and anti-privacy laws. It was widely condemned, in much the same way SOPA was condemned in the US. However, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews claimed the opposition “either [had to] stand with us, or with the child pornographers.” Really. That's what he said.

In line with Harper's narrow-sighted vision for an oily Canadian future, the Harper government also introduced an 'anti-terrorism' bill that labelled environmentalists as terrorists. John Bennett, executive director of Sierra Club Canada condemned the bill, saying "It’s an indirect suggestion that somehow environmentalism is attached to terrorism and that’s just wrong." Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, along with Harper himself, made the claim that foreign-funded, radical environmentalists were threatening Canada's economy–and by extension, Canada itself–by trying to stop oil pipelines from being built. NDP MP Megan Leslie stated, "I find it offensive that there is a list that puts people trying to protect the environment on the same list as white supremacists."

While Harper was the leader of the opposition he supported dissent, stating, "When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is frankly when it’s rapidly losing its moral authority to govern." Now, it seems, he’s trying as hard as he can eliminate dissent completely, silencing scientists and most recently bringing down vital firewalls required for the country to remain democratic. There goes his moral authority.

Another tactic the Harper government has used, which both damages Canadian democracy and highlights the governments extremist agenda, is to push through omnibus budget bills. A budget bill is effectively a vote of confidence, and so any Conservative MP that votes against it is effectively voting themselves out of office. In June 2012, Bill C-38, the laughably-named "Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act," was pushed through the House of Parliament unmodified after Tory MPs rejected thousands of proposed amendments. The bill was 425 pages, and, amongst other things, removed nearly all environmental protection from Canadian water, soil and air–none of which had anything to do with implementing the budget. The environmental regulation was stripped to stop opposition to oil pipelines and expansion of the destructive Albertan tar sands. The bill also removed the need for Canada to protect its species that are threatened with extinction. Harper is willing to wipe out millions of years of evolutionary history in order to pursue his extremist, oil-based agenda.

However, there is still a major legal force that can stop oil pipelines being built in Canada–the First Nations. In Canada, the First Nations are sovereign nations that hold control of their land, and the Federal government must seek their approval for projects like pipelines. Harper's second omnibus budget bill in 2012, Bill C-45, is designed to strip as much power from the First Nations as possible. The bill has been described as unconstitutional and an abuse of power. Again, Harper's government rejected all the proposed amendments and used its house majority to push it through. Many First Nations chiefs went to parliament to protest the bill's illegality, but were rebuffed by security.

Harper is also tabling many other bills that are designed to strip the First Nations of power: Bills C-27, C-428, S-2, S-6, S-8, S-207 and S212. This includes the wonderfully-named bill, "Safe Drinking Water for First Nations," which would actually remove funding and responsibility for providing safe drinking water. Onion Lake Cree Nation Chief Wallace Fox recently described the Harper government as 'enemies'. On December 10th 2012, thousands of Canadians across the country came together for the #IdleNoMore day of action. You should have been there.

It needs stating that this is not just a criticism of the Left towards the Right. The ~193 nations of the United Nations are politically very mixed, including extremes on both sides, as well as everything in-between. The silence that John Baird received at the UN last week is now echoing across the planet. John Baird was unique in receiving no welcome–both Israel and Palestine, as well as every other speaker from every other nation received a welcoming applause. Canada is the odd one out.

It's also needs stating that Stephen Harper does not necessarily represent the Conservative party. Stephen Harper and his cabinet are extremists seeking a narrow future for Canada based on oil. They have hijacked the Conservative party and are enforcing their will on them, but there are many Tory MPs who resent the bullying, as well as many loyal members of the party who are disgusted by the tactics being used and the direction the country is going. Those Conservatives need to stand up and speak out for their country, just as much as members of every other party.

The politics of this country should no longer be measured on the Left-Right spectrum–our politics today needs to be measured on the Tyranny-Freedom scale. The longer Harper is allowed to retain power, the further Canada will devolve towards tyranny. How long will we–the majority–allow this to happen?

Public Letter to Richard Ubbens

Dear Mr Rubbens,

I am writing today as a concerned citizen, having seen the damage that was done in your name to the city, people and community of Toronto. The destructions of the People's Peas Gardens is a shameful thing that cannot be undone, but its crime can be acknowledged and publicly apologized for.

I am not a member of Occupy, but as a thinking human being who values democracy, community and life, I certainly share many of its concerns. I am also not a member of Occupy Gardens, although I do recognize that we have an abundance of problems with our current food-production model of agribusiness. I am a full-time employed web developer, who deeply cares about Toronto, and tries to encourage healthy community projects wherever I see them.

The People's Peas Garden in Queens Park was one such project. It increased ten-fold in size over the summer, due to the excitement of the community to get involved and contribute to it. Although I was not a member of the community, and only enjoyed the garden as a passerby, I recognize that the community involved in it was strong and vibrant, giving people a fantastic reason to enjoy, and love, one of Toronto's great parks. This love is certainly something that you, as the Toronto Parks Director, should be excited about, and try to encourage at every opportunity. As a public servant, your job is to serve the community.

The People's Peas Garden was, admittedly, illegal. However, things that are illegal are not necessarily wrong (and vice versa) - sometimes the law needs to catch up to reality. The People's Peas Garden was a grassroots project by people who saw problems with the City as it is, and wished to be allowed to enact a dream of a better Toronto. The people of Toronto encounter many problems when they wish to do similar things: community garden waiting lists are long, Toronto schools are failing to teach food-growing to our children, and there are very few places that people are able to grow their own food. As the city (sadly) increasingly build more and more condos, this demand for public space will only increase. It is on you, as the Parks Director, to make sure that this need is met. To fail to do so will be a massive failing in your role.

However, the gravest shame in all of this was not the destruction of the garden - it was the manner in which the garden was destroyed. The Peas Garden was planted while police watched, back in May. The authorities were well aware of its existence all summer, yet did nothing about it. The Peas Garden had also been careful to erect a sign with contact information, so that the city could contact them - a sign which you publicly denied the existence of, even though there is footage of a Parks worker taking down that very sign. This can only be considered to be a brazen lie, which again, brings shame to your position. And finally, the garden was destroyed just two days before the scheduled harvest and Thanksgiving feast. It is clear to any outside observer, as I am sure it was clear in your mind, that this was an intentional, pre-meditated move to cause as much pain as possible to the community members who were involved in the garden, as well as to harm the City of Toronto as a whole in an attempt to crush its creative spirit and desire for a better city.

After knowingly waiting for five months to remove the so-called 'illegal' garden, you waited until it would cause the most damage, and inflict the most pain. It is for this cruelty that a public apology is demanded. I expect both this apology, and a direct response.

Yours sincerely,
Stuart Basden

More info:
http://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/toronto-destroys-occupygardens-free-food-garden.html
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/johnbon/2012/09/free-community-food-garden-removed-city-toronto-workers

Common Space?

The Commons are publicly owned 'space', set apart for the betterment of all. Village greens are a historical symbol of the Commons - a central place in rural communities where anyone could graze their livestock, as well a a place for community festivals and celebrations. While village greens used to be the centre of many communities, they are now a rare anachronistic occurrence, the prime real estate (as it is now seen) having been sold off by local councils to developers. Only a few remain as public parks.

The village green isn't the only loss to the commons, but it was one of the earliest losses. In the past century, and particularly in the past few decades, we've seen the Commons shrink is almost every way conceivable - indeed, the Commons have become such an easy target for public service cuts that "every way conceivable" may well be the extent of it. To take something out of the Commons, all that needs to happen is for it to become commodified. And the Commons are often lost through ideology, not necessity. Austerity is one such ideology.

Common Defence

In the past year the Mayor of Toronto (a right-wing businessman who inherited his wealth) attempted to close a third of Toronto libraries, claiming it was necessary to balance the budget. Libraries are one of the oldest institutions of the Commons, and the public outcry was fortunately strong enough to stop Mayor Rob Ford's plan. A few months later, the city actually discovered it had a $300 million surplus, revealing Ford's flawed ideology as being out-of-touch with reality.

Another failed attempt to sell off the Commons occurred last year in the UK, when the Austerity-driven Tory party attempted to sell off woodlands to international developers and power companies. It would have been the largest change of land ownership since the Second World War, and would have resulted in the loss of over 250,000 hectares (an area the size of Luxembourg). Again, the public outcry was enough to stop it.

Common Sales

However, not all the Commons have been successfully defended. In many countries, the water infrastructure is still part of the Commons, water being a necessity for (human) life. Privatization of water is often met with mass protests, as people (rightly) fear for their very survival. Until 1989, only 4 countries in the world had privatized their water, but after Margaret Thatcher (another right-winger) privatized water in the UK, 27 more countries have have also seen their water privatized. Against this, Bolivia saw historic protests in 2000 as water prices seared to 30% of income. Greece and Italy also saw anti-water-privatization protests in 2011, and much of the Americas are in long-term battles against it, often deadly.

The Internet is another area of the Commons, which is now under continuous attacks from bills such as SOPA, CISPA and Canada's Bill C-11. Health-care (particularly elder-care) has also seen massive moves into the private sector, often resulting in elder abuse and 'flying visits', where care staff hours are so stretched they only have time for the bare minimum of 'care'. Art has also seen the attack, as public funding is cut and art projects are increasingly forced to look for private money (often resulting in certain 'restrictions').

Common Losses

Another major concession of the Commons has been research. Research used to be done primarily by publicly-funded universities, and the discoveries would be kept in the Commons, available for all. This allowed for a diverse and creative era of progress, resulting in many useful inventions. It also allowed researchers to take chances, combining fields of study, and making leaps in human thought. However, as public funding for universities has been continually reduced, researchers have been forced to look for private grants to continue their research.

For example, Monsanto and other private interests now contribute more towards agricultural research than public funds in the US (which includes the USDA's notoriously pro-corporate public money). This has resulted in biased research, leaving policy makers unable to make unbiased policies. It has also captured the imagination of scientists and researchers, forcing research to continue in an areas like GMOs that have been shown to reduce yields and contribute to food scarcity and environmental decline. Finally, the research done (even in public universities) are kept out of the Commons by privately-constructed, draconian intellectual property laws and patents, which are enforced by heavily funded teams of lawyers, as well as legal threats and private security companies. Once something leaves the Commons, it not given back.

Un-Common Extremes

Lawmakers have allowed human DNA to be privatized, which is surely about as 'common' as anything we share.

The atmosphere too, is being negotiated away through international cap-and-trade schemes - the commodification of the air we breathe.

As these attempts to commodify (and thus eradicate) the Commons continue, we are finding that nothing is to be spared. Indeed, while we used to fund ventures into space from the Commons, asteroid mining is now being contemplated, bankrolled by billionaires. And although we'll probably never make much of our time in space, how long will it be before even space is commodified, divided, and sold off?

But this loss of the Commons needn't be the case. This is not the only possible future for humanity. It can be reversed, and it should be.

Common Revival

Although touted as such, Austerity is not a way to balance the budget. Not only are we finding austerity is ineffective at what it claims to do, Austerity is actually an attempt to sell off the Commons as quickly as possible. It is driven by the interests of private finance, and associated with a domineering mindset of oligarchical control. It is, quite simply, elitism, paid for by us all.

Fortunately, people are beginning to fight back. Greece is currently working out how to scrap austerity, France voted in Hollande for his anti-austerity promises, and Germany's largest state just rejected Merkel's austerity. Popular grass-roots movements like Occupy and Blockupy continue to grow, exposing austerity's Commons-crippling agenda. And as awareness grows, anger grows, meaning action grows.

The tide is turning - the Commons will grow again!