dominion, n. 1. Control or the exercise of control. 2. A territory or sphere of influence; a realm. 3. A self-governing nation in the British Commonwealth

Thenews from Dominion the grassroots www.dominionpaper.ca • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0 • I s s u e # 7 3

member supported cooperative media www.mediacoop.ca/join $3 2 In Review The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 In This Issue:

FOREIGN POLICY Mining bill defeated, prison costs Resistance Floats by Meagan Wohlberg • 4 rise, Air Force office blockaded

Greenwashing Hate site outside the Quebec Associa- by Cameron Fenton • 6 tion of Oil and Gas Producers annual conference in Montreal, in protest of the extraction method. Ecuador’s Fickle Friend Fracking uses over 596 chemi- by Jennifer Moore • 10 cals—many of which are known carcinogens and poisons—mixed original peoples with hundreds of litres of water World Bank Darling Promotes and sand, the majority of which Privatization of Reserves ends up in groundwater, soil and by Emma Feltes the air. A group of public person- & Neskie Manuel • 7 alities in Quebec demanded an immediate moratorium on frack- JUSTICE ing in the province. Riding Out the G20 Judicial Roller-Coaster Cape Bretoners opposed fracking by Natalie Gray • 9 in meetings about a proposed Climate Justice Montreal "fracks" Quebec Oil and Gas Producers conference mine site in Lake Ainslie. SPORTS in Montreal. CJM and other groups are calling for a complete moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," in Quebec. Climate Justice Montreal Outside Edge New Brunswick's Department of by Meg Hewings • 12 Legislation that would revoke Hector Berrios became the the Environment recommended public funding from Canadian fourth anti-mining activist to be new regulations for companies HALIFAX MEDIA CO-OP mining companies that abuse denied a travel visa to the United engaged in fracking in the prov- Dressing Up human rights and the environ- States this month. Berrios was to ince. by Charlene Davis • 14 ment in their overseas operations testify before the Inter-American was narrowly defeated in its third Human Rights Commission about Access-to-information requests VANCOUVER MEDIA CO-OP reading, with 13 Liberals, includ- mining-related violence in El revealed that a 2009 internal Justice for First Nations Deaths ing Michael Ignatieff, four Bloc Salvador. memo to CIDA minister Bev Oda in Police Custody and four NDP parliamentarians was tampered with. While the by Sandra Cuffe • 16 skipping the vote. Bill C-300, The Wixarika Indigenous people memo endorsed Canadian human a Liberal private member's bill, of Mexico demanded the cancel- rights organization KAIROS and Left to Fight Alone built unprecedented support lation of 22 mining concessions cited numerous Canadian officials by Isaac Oommen • 17 among social justice advocates and granted to Canadian mining recommending the reinstate- mining watch-dog groups around company Majestic Silver. The ment of its $7.1 million CIDA amulet the world. concessions cover a semi-arid funding, a hand-written note at by Cynthia Dewi Oka • 17 desert region known as Real de the memo's end inserted the word A military jury at Guantanamo Catorce, considered by many to be "NOT," turning the concluding TORONTO MEDIA CO-OP Bay sentenced Canadian citizen one of the most important sites of statement into a negative: "That Ford Takes Toronto Omar Khadr to 40 years in prison Indigenous prayer in Mexico. you [Minister Oda] sign below by Geordie Gwalgen Dent for the killing of a US soldier in to indicate you NOT approve & Tim Groves • 18 Afghanistan, though prosecutors The Union of BC Chiefs called the contribution of $7,098,758." had only asked for a maximum 25 for the resignation of Junior CIDA's funding to KAIROS was literature & ideas year sentence. Before the sentence Minister of State for Mining eliminated in November 2009. by Robert Kotyk was delivered, Khadr had already Randy Hawes, who rejected a & Shane Patrick Murphy • 20 agreed to a plea-deal whereby recent study of mining impacts on Protests in France kept up against he would receive a sentence of Indigenous people as "hogwash" pension reform, including a bill to business eight years for a guilty plea. New and "completely flawed," adding raise the retirement age from 60 Sharing Wheels memos also revealed that the that "some First Nations reject to 62, while police unleashed tear by Erin Empey • 21 Canadian government has been in mining for a more traditional gas and rubber bullets and arrested talks with US officials about the lifestyle—those ways are linked hundreds. Strikes at petrol refiner- BABY ANIMAL possibility of Khadr serving his to lower birth weights, higher ies caused country-wide petrol Squirreling the Days Away sentence in Canada. Khadr, 24, birth rate deaths and lower life shortages. France's parliament was 15 when arrested in Afghani- spans. Improving these outcomes by Maya Rolbin-Ghanie • 22 eventually approved the bill after stan, and his detainment and trial requires sharing the wealth and weeks of protest, but electoral has been widely criticized for jobs that come from mining." comic support for President Sarkozy has violating rules on the treatment of Who’s an Artist? steeply declined. child soldiers. Climate Justice Montreal set up a by Heather Meek • 23 hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") First Nations leadership in central The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 In Review 3 and eastern Canada criticized a ~ ISSN 1710-0283 ~ meeting to discuss the implemen- www.dominionpaper.ca tation of the Canadian Boreal [email protected] Forest Agreement (CBFA). The PO Box 741 Station H environmental organizations and Montreal, QC H3G 2M7 forestry companies who signed the CBFA are courting Indigenous The Dominion is a pan-Canadian media network that seeks to provide approval for the agreement. a counterpoint to the corporate media and to direct attention to Palestine solidarity activists independent critics and the work crossed from Egypt into Israeli- of social movements. The Dominion blockaded Gaza, bringing $5 mil- is published eight times per year in lion in humanitarian aid in more print and on the web. than 100 vehicles. Publisher The Dominion Canadians organizing the coun- Newspaper Co-operative try's first Boat to Gaza raised a Protesters march in the streets of Marseille, France, as part of national Board of Directors third of their $300,000 budget, Marcovdz and plan to set sail in the spring demonstrations against government pension reform legislation. Tracy Glynn (writer) Harjap Grewal (reader) of 2011. of the Deepwater Horizon oil tive government's pledge to exert Dru Oja Jay (editor) spill in the Gulf of Mexico for Canadian sovereignty over Arctic Hillary Lindsay (editor) The Canadian government said increases in illnesses among the regions. Moira Peters (editor) the fake lake built for interna- region's residents, including severe Editorial Collective tional media at the G20 summit respiratory and sinus infections, A crowd of 450 people, many of Dru Oja Jay in Toronto "was a wild success." vomiting and fevers. them homeless or poorly housed, Maya Rolbin-Ghanie blockaded the entrance to a Hillary Lindsay About 80 people completed a A study by the Climate Action Canadian Air Force building in four-day paddle down the Fraser Network Europe revealed major Ottawa. The demonstrators were Martin Lukacs River to raise awareness about European polluters (including protesting the government's deci- Tim McSorley the impact of fish farms in the BP) have donated over $240,000 sion to cut $1 billion from social Moira Peters Fraser River, ending on the day to candidates running in the US housing programs while spending Original Peoples Editor the Cohen Commission began midterm elections, 80 per cent of more than $15 billion on new Kim Petersen to investigate and report on the which has gone to candidates who F-35 fighter jets and their upkeep. Literature Editors decline of sockeye salmon. deny climate change and oppose Shane Patrick Murphy energy policy reform. The federal Environment Minister Megan Stewart A new report found that BC has pledged to ensure that companies Copy Editors twice as many jail and police- The National Oceanic and Atmo- working in the Albertan tar sands Joel Butler involved deaths than Ontario, spheric Administration warned meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) Aethne Hinchliffe despite the fact that Ontario's Arctic warming is continuing, emission reduction targets, but did Kate Kennedy population is three times as large. with a four-degree upward trend not specify how. Tar sands produc- Meg Leitold in northern Canada’s air tempera- tion is slated to triple by 2025, and Kendra Martin A study revealed the costs to ture in the first half of 2010. The estimates are that it will produce Sean Mc Millen maintain the federal prison warming is causing irreversible nearly as much GHG emissions as Patrick Murphy system increased three times changes to northern regions and New York City by 2020. Tim McSorley faster than inflation between causing severe changes in weather David Parkinson 2008 and 2009. The daily cost per systems further south, the report Oil company Syncrude was Moira Peters federal inmate rose to $323 per found. ordered to pay $3 million in Ryan Peterson day, double the amount in provin- damages for the death of 1,600 Aurora Prelevic cial prisons. Earlier this year, the The Canadian Armed Forces birds that landed on its toxic tail- Julia Vanderham federal government announced an announced that 600 soldiers who ings ponds in northern Alberta. Claire Williams additional $9 billion in funding served in Afghanistan will partici- Less than a week later, 230 birds Zander Winther for the federal prison system to pate in the country's first major were euthanized after landing on Comic Artist handle an increase in the inmate Arctic military exercise this winter another Syncrude tailings pond. Heather Meek population once new "tough on after returning from the Central While Syncrude officials said Interns crime" legislation is enacted. Asian country. An official said freezing rain caused the birds to Lex Gill the exercise was meant to boost land, others pointed out the tail- Natalie Gray US scientists blamed the disper- morale and provide training, and ings ponds lie directly in the birds' sants used by BP in the clean-up that it is not tied to the Conserva- migratory paths. Cover illustration by Sylvia Nickerson Back Talk compiled by Moira Peters We acknowledge the To find new subscribers, we occasionally exchange mailing lists with like-minded organizations for one-time mailings. financial support of If you prefer not to receive such mailings, please email [email protected], or write to the address in the masthead. the Government of Canada through the The Dominion is printed on Enviro100 100 per cent post-consumer paper. Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our Printed by Kata Soho Design & Printing, www.katasoho.com, in Montreal. publishing activities. 4 Foreign Policy The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Resistance Floats Canadian boat to break the blockade on Gaza

Shira Ron

by Meagan Wohlberg aid while broadly critiquing their government's actions. MONTREAL—Just months after “I think the boat to Gaza is the Israeli Defense Forces raided estinian people, similar to that,” he said. a humanitarian flotilla headed to and in most cases, even supports While the mission aims Gaza and killed nine international Israel in doing that.” to deliver humanitarian aid, it activists on the Mavi Marmara, Sending a boat of humani- refuse doubles as an attempt to attract a team of Canadians is gathering tarian aid to Gaza requires a in principle to get international attention in order funds and passengers for their minimum of $300,000, mainly for towed to Ashdod or redirected to to pressure Israel into lifting the own Gaza-bound boat, departing the purchase of a boat and medi- Egypt.” blockade. from the Mediterranean as soon as cines. Organizers say they have The boat project is virtu- “I would be surprised if they December. reached a third of this goal and ally unprecedented in Canadian managed to reach Gaza, that’s Composed of 40 activists have received the endorsement of history, says Yves Engler, author one thing for sure,” said Michel from across the country, this approximately 100 organizations. of Canada and Israel: Building Lambert, executive director and would be the first Canadian group The Canadian boat is a part- Apartheid and The Black Book of co-founder of Alternatives, the to participate in the international ner of the Free Gaza Movement, Canadian Foreign Policy. key sponsor and financial manager effort. which has sailed ten humanitarian “There aren’t many examples of the Canadian boat. “Over the past two years, flotillas to Gaza since 2008. Two in the history of Canadian inter- “But I think that politically many boats tried to break the of their ships successfully reached national solidarity that are being speaking, the fact that there will Israeli siege over Gaza,” said Ehab Gaza that year, but all others since taken on the same scale as the be Canadian citizens on that boat Lotayef, part of the Canadian boat have been interrupted by Israel. Canadian boat to Gaza...as mass will of course put the state of organizing group. “The Canadian Lotayef insists the team is opposition to a policy that the Israel in a difficult position.” presence in these efforts was not perturbed by this reality. Canadian government is support- The Harper government has nearly non-existent. Canada at “We are there to challenge ing abroad,” he said. made the Canadian government the same time is, as a government, the Israeli blockade in a passive- He cited the 1981 cam- one of Israel’s strongest allies in one of the strongest support- resistance manner,” he said. “We paign “Tools for Peace,” which the international community. ers of Israel. It stays silent when don’t want anybody to get harmed, brought “people-to-people” aid Canada was the first country to Israel violates international law or we are not an army to go stand to Nicaragua, as another example cut funding to the Palestinian commits atrocities against the Pal- against the Israeli army, but we of Canadians providing concrete Authority in 2006 and the only The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Foreign Policy 5 country to vote against the 2008 he said. “We’ve seen people in par- barely making a dent in alleviat- money should be used for aid United Nations Human Rights liament discussing the possibility ing the housing shortage caused rather than “controversy.” Council resolution to call for an of making this a crime...to say by Operation Cast Lead almost Lotayef has a difference of end to the siege of Gaza. In addi- 'Israel' and 'apartheid' in the same two years ago. According to Israeli opinion. tion, Minister of Foreign Affairs sentence.” human rights group Gisha, only “Breaking of the siege is Lawrence Cannon defended The fatal attack on the about 60 trucks of cement, steel more important in the long run Israel’s 22-day campaign “Opera- Mavi Marmara in May proved and gravel have come in each than just giving people food,” tion Cast Lead,” which left over to be successful in forcing Israel month for the past three months, he said. “The long-term interest compared to 5,000 a month before should be above short term need.” the blockade. Both Lotayef and Lambert Access to medicine and agree that the flotilla is not the “There aren’t many examples in the history outside medical treatment has also only way to help Palestinians in remained a serious problem, with Gaza and influence Israeli policy, of Canadian international solidarity that 70 per cent of medicines donated citing it as one tactic among to Gaza expiring before they make others—like the Boycott, Divest- are being taken on the same scale as the it across the border, according to ment and Sanctions campaign and the Gaza health ministry. the World Education Forum in Canadian boat to Gaza.” The United Nations Relief Palestine—to effectively oppose and Work Agency for Pales- the Israeli occupation. tine Refugees in the Near East “I think that all together— (UNRWA)—an agency respon- this and other initiatives—is the 1,200 Palestinians dead in January to weaken the embargo it has sible for helping 4.7 million Pales- best way to confront the state of 2009, taking the position that been imposing on Gaza since tinian refugees access health care Israel and its policies,” said Lam- Israel acted in self-defense. June 2007. After international and education—is experiencing a bert. “It needs to be as diversified Pierre Florea, spokesperson condemnation of the raid, Israel $90-million shortfall this year. as they are because the state of for the Department of Foreign announced on June 17 that it Canada had been supplying Israel is quite diversified in its own Affairs and International Trade would “liberalize” the blockade for aid to UNRWA since 1950, but ways of implementing the occupa- (DFAIT), refused to comment civilian goods. announced this January that it tion. So you need to be in every on the specifics of a governmen- According to the Fourth would stop giving core monetary sphere to eventually be capable to tal response to the launch of the Geneva Convention, food, support to the agency because of have an impact on their policies.” Canadian boat or any potential medicine and other aid cannot be concerns about its “values.” Just as combating South attacks by Israel. restricted as a result of a blockade, A CIDA report in 2009 African apartheid took a variety of “We will not speculate on nor can civilians be prevented stated that UNRWA represented social and political movements, so hypothetical scenarios,” he said. from leaving the war zone. The a “low risk” for funding terrorist too will the Palestinian liberation He added that DFAIT calls on United Nations fact-finding mis- groups. movement, said Lotayef. all parties to deliver aid by official sion led by Richard Goldstone channels and that “Canada recog- concluded that Israel's blockade nizes Israel's legitimate security violated international law, calling concerns and its right to protect it “collective punishment of the “At the end of the day we have to voice our itself and its residents from Hamas civilian population of the Gaza and other terrorist attacks.” Strip.” objection to the siege of Gaza, the blockade, Despite holding back on Israel's announcement of a public comments to the media, the “loosened” blockade has caused and we also have to challenge our own government is closely monitoring some, like Rabbi Reuben Poupko Canada Boat to Gaza organizers. of the Quebec-Israel Commit- government [and say] that this compliance Canadian Security and Intel- tee, to see future flotillas aimed at ligence Service (CSIS) agents breaking the siege as “misguided.” and this silence is not acceptable.” visited Lotayef ’s home twice in “It’s a little after the fact,” August in an attempt to talk about said Poupko. “I don’t really under- the project and his “safety,” but stand why anyone feels it’s neces- have not contacted him since. sary. The crisis according to all According to Engler, loosen- “The important thing is at “I told them that if I feel objective observers is pretty much ing the blockade has not changed the end of the day we have to that the work I’m doing is being over, if there was a crisis before- daily life for those in Gaza. voice our objection to the siege infiltrated or that I’m in danger hand. The border crossing is now “Israel still controls the of Gaza, the blockade, and we from any group, I will contact the letting in a lot more stuff and the waterways, the airspace, and just also have to challenge our own police,” said Lotayef, who knows alleged siege—the inspection pro- the fact that they can decide to government [and say] that this each of the 40 working group tocol which Egypt and Israel had lessen or strengthen their blockade compliance and this silence is not members individually. imposed upon Gaza—has been is indicative that they have over- acceptable.” Lambert is not surprised at loosened dramatically. I’m not sure whelming control over Palestinian the reaction of the government. why it would be necessary.” lives in Gaza,” he said. Meagan Wohlberg is a journalism “We’ve seen attempts last But recent news reports say The Canadian boat project student and community organizer year to criminalize even informal that Israel’s continued restric- has also been criticized by Mon- living in Montreal. For more informational activities in Canada, tion on allowing construction treal Muslim Council president information about the Canadian like the Israeli Apartheid Week,” materials into the Gaza strip is Salam Elmenyawi, who said the boat: canadaboatgaza.org. 6 Foreign Policy The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Greenwashing Hate Immigrants scapegoated for environmental degradation by Cameron Fenton country," says Martin Collacott, Secretary of the Board of Directors MONTREAL—The Centre for and a spokesperson for the CIPR. Immigration Policy Reform He argues that limiting immigra- (CIPR), a recently launched immi- tion would thus decrease global gration reform lobby group based greenhouse gas emissions and help in Ottawa, is using environmental Canada cap its own emissions. arguments and “green” rhetoric to “[The argument] that, because push for more restrictive immigra- Canada has such a rotten record tion policies in Canada. on greenhouse gas emissions, we “High immigration levels should prevent people from Third make it more difficult to achieve World countries from coming here Canada’s environmental objectives is outrageous” says Angus. In his and inhibit efforts to reduce the eyes, Collacott's argument scape- extraordinary size of our ecological goats immigrants for problems footprint,” according to the front they have little or nothing to do page of the CIPR website. Critics with. Canada's carbon footprint is say this is painting a green veneer a result of unsustainable produc- on an old picture. tion, consumption and trade driven The “greening of hate” is a by corporate-led globalization— phrase coined by Betsy Hartmann, and not immigration, according to director of the US-based Popula- many climate experts. tion and Development Program. Angus adds that the CIPR's In her 2010 essay, "The Greening argument is deeply hypocritical, of Hate: An Environmental- "given that so much of [Canada's] ist's Essay," she writes about the affluence is the result of ripping off anti-immigration lobby's growing those countries [where immigrants tendency toward “the scapegoating often come from].” Historically, Can anti-immigration activists cover their intentions in green? of immigrants for environmental Canada’s support for and direct Caitlin Crawshaw degradation.” involvement in trade programs, Environmental arguments military operations and political world to 'developing' nations while concept that historically pol- can lend respectability to argu- manoeuvring in the Global South allowing the rich to live together luting nations bear a financial ments in favour of restrictive have been of great financial benefit with their greenhouse-gas- responsibility to those nations immigration policies, says Ian to the North and of great detri- intensive life styles,” says Harjap with the least culpability for Angus, editor of the website Cli- ment to people in the South. Grewal, an organizer with No One climate change—needs to extend mate & Capitalism and the Collacott's argument is Is Illegal Vancouver. beyond simple financial repara- book The Global Fight for Climate flawed in a number of other ways, “Forward-thinking climate tions to include political and social Justice. "It is harder today than it continues Angus. He points out activists know that now is a critical obligations. The final text from the was forty years ago for someone to that Collacott's claim that immi- time to ensure that the precedent Cochabamba People's Summit stand up and say, ‘Canada should grants generate huge quantities for immigration policy protects includes a call for a global human be a haven for white people who of greenhouse gas emissions upon human rights because immigra- rights treaty to ensure the freedom speak English,' but you can say, arriving in Canada is based on per tion is going to get a lot more of movement of climate-displaced ‘We want to protect Canada’s capita emissions. Per capita emis- common,” says Joshua Kahn people. It also proposes structures environment, so let's keep our sions, which average 16 tonnes Russell, a trainer with the Ruckus to hold major polluting nations population down.’” per person per year in Canada, Society, a network of environmen- accountable for the physical, emo- Canada is both a major include industrial and transport tal and social-justice organizers. tional and cultural trauma caused greenhouse gas emitter and and a emissions—the largest emitters in Fifty million people will have by mass internal and external dis- major recipient nation of immi- Canada—yet fail to attribute them been displaced by the end of 2010 placement, both within and from grants, facts that—until recently— to their source. In fact, the average due to climate change and related nations in the Global South. were rarely discussed in the same person living in Canada emits impacts, rising to between 200 Currently, Citizenship and sentence. roughly five tonnes of greenhouse million and one billion displaced Immigration Canada “does not “Most immigrants [to gas emissions per year; the Alberta people by mid-century, according recognize persons displaced by Canada] come from develop- tar sands emit 27,000,000 tonnes to Mesa 6, the migration working environmental change or disaster ing countries, and their eco- in the same period. group of the Cochabamba People's as refugees.” Immigration policy logical footprint is somewhere “This twisted logic would Summit on Climate Change. has strict definitions for people between four and ten times larger suggest that we should deport all This has led many people allowed access to Canada—defini- in Canada than in their own the poor people from around the to argue that climate debt—the tions that limit access to Canada The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Foreign Policy 7 to persons facing danger imposed anti-immigration precedents being servative party, working as chief decision. Australia renamed the by state, military and other exter- set around the world, has Angus of staff to Brian Mulroney and as position of Minister of Popula- nal human forces. worried. head of the Conservative Transi- tion to Minister for Sustainable Karen Shadd, a spokesperson "[The CIPR] are people with tion Team following the 2006 Population, appointing Tony for Citizenship and Immigration a substantial amount of influ- federal election. He was recently Burke to oversee potential immi- Canada, told The Dominion, “There ence in the Conservative party in appointed as Chair of the Selec- gration policy reforms to protect are no plans to amend these particular,” says Angus. tion Committee for the current the Australian environment. The definitions.” The board and advisory government’s Canada Excellence emergence of a powerful group “It makes no sense to say that council of the CIPR are made up Research Chairs program. like the CIPR in Canada has we should fill up Canada with of a number of prominent figures Citizenship and Immigration organizers worried that the type people from poorer countries," says of the Canadian right, includ- Canada has identified the CIPR as of anti-immigration sentiment Callicott. "I think we can do more ing James Bissett, the former “among the range of stakeholder and legislation appearing in other by keeping our country in good director general of the Canadian groups that [they] deal with.” Citi- nations is coming to Canada. shape and helping those countries Immigration Service, and Peter zenship and Immigration Canada “[Anti-immigrant think in other ways, through aid and White, former executive of Conrad has never considered community tanks] are very dangerous,” says trade arrangements.” Black’s Hollinger newspaper organizations and immigrant jus- Hussan. "They produce ideas of Syed Hussan, an organizer hatred couched in reason which with No One Is Illegal Toronto, they push into university research points out that “aid and develop- “[The argument] that because Canada has programs and into government ment projects that follow [climate such a rotten record on greenhouse gas policy.” disasters] result in further disloca- “The fight for free and just tion and economic disadvantages.” emissions we should prevent people from movement of people is the fight The scope and distribution of to end war and occupation, the aid projects often leave frontline Third World countries from coming here is fight to end ecological destruc- communities confronting more outrageous” tion,” Hussan explains. “Environ- obstacles. Examples of this include mental justice movements need the challenges faced by some to challenge the racist rhetoric of residents of New Orleans attempt- group. Derek Burney is a member tice groups as “stakeholders.” organizations like the CIPR with ing to return to their homes after of the CIPR's advisory board. Governments around the facts, with stories, with creative Hurricane Katrina, or the current He played a key role in brokering world have already begun to take and direct actions—as organizers, struggles for community recon- the 1988 Canada-US Free Trade steps to limit immigration based it is critical that we anticipate and struction efforts in Haiti. Agreement and currently sits on on “green” arguments. win the battle of hearts and ideas.” Groups working to further the board of media conglomerates This summer, Britain limit and control immigration CanWest and Quebecor as well as announced it would be imple- Cameron Fenton is a former intern to Canada are nothing new, but energy giants Shell Canada and menting an “Immigration Cap,” and Membership Coordinator with the political clout of an organiza- TransCanada Inc. He is also a citing environmental reasons The Dominion and a community tion like the CIPR, along with long-standing advisor to the Con- as a major influence behind the organizer in Montreal. World Bank Darling Promotes Privatization of Reserves Critics say fee-simple title on reserves could further erode Indigenous land base by Emma Feltes Instead of collective title to and lands reserved for the Indians,” The proposal is championed & Neskie Manuel reserve land held by bands, the constitutionally protecting existing by conference organizer C.T. proposal aims to give individuals Indigenous title. (Manny) Jules, Chief Commis- VANCOUVER—Peruvian econo- living on reserve access to the same “What [the proposal is] doing sioner of the First Nation Tax mist and World Bank poster child legal private property rights that is putting a damper on 91(24) Commission, former chief of the Hernando de Soto visited Van- Kamloops Indian Band and one couver earlier this month to speak of Canada’s foremost proponents in favour of the establishment of “The [privatization of Indigenous land] of private property ownership on individual property ownership would undermine signed treaties across reserves. (“fee simple”) on First Nations The conference came at the reserves in Canada. Canada, undermine our political autonomy crest of an increasingly aggressive The First Nations Property and place us in a dangerous position.” effort throughout recent months to Ownership (FNPO) conference— generate support for the controver- hosted by the First Nations Tax sial proposal—a charge led by Jules Commission—paired de Soto with exists in the rest of the country. lands,” said Harley Chingee of alongside conservative political sci- a select roster of Indigenous lead- Currently, collective title is bound the First Nations Lands Advisory entist Tom Flanagan. Flanagan—a ers, lawyers, economists and schol- by section 91(24) of the Constitu- Board. “There’s no internal controls former campaign manager for ars from across British Columbia tion Act, 1867 (a guiding provision once you take 91(24) out of it. Stephen Harper—has published and Canada to promote a proposal of the Indian Act), which allocates Because then the provinces—and a number of contentious books and that would allow fee simple title legislative jurisdiction to the Canada, for that matter—can have continued on next page on reserves. federal government over “Indians control.” 8 Original Peoples The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 continued from previous page has a lot of development,” says Dave Nordquist from Adams articles prescribing solutions to Lake, refuting the FNPO’s claims First Nations economic develop- about Switsemalph 7. The envi- ment and land management. He ronmentally sensitive area is part most recently co-authored Beyond of the Salmon River Delta, an area the Indian Act, which argues for unsuitable for any land develop- federal legislation that would make ment. way for fee simple on reserves. Though Tom Flanagan is not In response to this effort, a listed speaker at the conference, a growing group of Indigenous and is rarely named on the FNPO people and chiefs have been speak- website, his presence is discernable. ing out against the Jules/Flanagan The cover image from Beyond the proposal, arguing that fee simple Indian Act graces the front page of property ownership will leave the site, and his co-author, Andre collective Indigenous title and Le Dressay, was a speaker during rights and reserve lands—which the Vancouver conference. are affirmed in section 35 of the Beyond the Indian Act bears Constitution Act, 1982—vulner- the subtitle “Restoring Aborigi- able to encroachment by develop- Harley Chingee, of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board, says fee simple nal Property Rights,” implying ers, corporate interests, and federal would undermine First Nations title and land rights across Canada. Harley Chingee that fee simple property owner- and provincial control. Chingee ship is a traditional right among has been open in his rejection of the First Nations Strategic Bul- leasing and “certificates of posses- Indigenous people in Canada. the fee simple proposal, as has letin, Manuel asserts the power sion,” which are enough to provide This message is reiterated in the Arthur Manuel, spokesperson and protection of collective title. sufficient collateral to qualify for forward and in a recent Globe and for the Indigenous Network on “No single individual can give up business loans. Mail editorial—both written by Economies and Trade. or extinguish our Aboriginal title “Certainly you don’t need Jules, who evokes early Indigenous De Soto, president of the and Indigenous rights. It would be fee simple standards to prosper. civilizations across the Americas Institute for Liberty and Democ- suicide or extinguishment for our People have an illusion that’s to make the case that individual racy (ILD), is notorious for future generations to accept fee totally false,” says Chingee, citing property rights and free market advocating fee simple property simple in exchange for our collec- examples of First Nations that trade are fundamental to Indig- ownership and market-led agrar- tive title,” he wrote. have achieved economic success enous peoples, and have been ian reform among Latin America’s Chingee’s response to the without fee simple ownership. obscured and impeded upon by campesinos. His ideas are pro- proposal warns of the damaging “You just have to look at West- colonial legislation. moted by international financial impact of privatizing reserve land. bank First Nation out in Kelowna. Nevertheless, the fee simple institutions like the World Bank, “The change would undermine And there’s countless others, like proposal also names the Tor- as well as the US international signed treaties across Canada, Squamish Nation in Vancouver, rens title system as a source of development organization undermine our political autonomy, for example, Macleod Lake Indian inspiration—a colonial model USAID, which uses his theory restrict our creativity and innova- Band, up north of Prince George, which hinges on the creation of an to back their own market-driven tion and place us in a dangerous that are prosperous 91(24) lands." individual title registry. Its name development projects throughout position where any short-term Ironically, the fee simple pays tribute to Sir Robert Torrens, Latin America. financial difficulty may result in advocates tried to use West- a colonial premier who introduced He’s also been assailed the wholesale liquidation of our bank’s economic success to their the title system to South Australia with criticism from popular and reserve lands, or the creation of a advantage, adding former chief in the mid-19th century. grassroots organizations such as patchwork quilt of reserve lands, Ron Derrickson’s name to the Though proponents claim Via Campesina—a global peasant like Oka,” he wrote. conference’s list of speakers and that the right to fee simple title is movement—which maintains The fee simple proposal promotional material without his inherent, the proposal is curiously that the ramifications of de Soto’s has come under further fire for consent or support. lacking in popular Indigenous economic agenda are the global implying that individual property Derrickson—known as one endorsement. Whether or not phenomena of dispossession of ownership is the sole recourse for of the most successful Indigenous de Soto will be able to drum up Indigenous people and intensified economic prosperity on reserves. developers in the country—was support for the proposal remains economic stratification. De Soto’s frequent reference to alerted by Manuel to this name- to be seen. Like de Soto’s proposal for reserve lands as “dead capital” was borrowing. Once alerted, Derrick- Latin America, which aims to wholeheartedly adopted by the son voiced his disproval of the fee Emma Feltes is a writer, researcher convert latent or “dead” assets into conference organizers, who littered simple proposal and his name was and activist based in Halifax and market capital, Jules and Flanagan promotional material with the removed from the list. south interior BC. Her work centres aim to transform collective rights promise to unleash this untapped The FNPO website uses on First Nations-State relations, into individual titles, which can asset. the Switsemalph 7 reserve near cultural heritage and intellectual be openly traded on the market. A recent article by Dan Cayo Salmon Arm as an example of a property, and urban issues. Neskie In Canada, collective land title in The Vancouver Sun explains that community with untapped devel- Manuel is Secwepemc from the is understood to be the inherent a common approach taken by opment potential. interior of BC. He likes cycling and right of Indigenous peoples. individuals on reserve is to find “Actually if you cut out the speaking Secwepemctsin. This article In a letter against the fee substitutes for individual property environmentally sensitive areas was originally published by the simple proposal published in ownership, such as long-term you come up with a picture that Vancouver Media Co-op. The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Justice 9 Riding Out the G20 Judicial Roller-Coaster Hundert threatened with solitary, Rainville released, Ichim's charges dropped by Natalie Gray violent 9am raid of a gymnasium at the University of Toronto (U MONTREAL—The fence has come of T) were dropped due to lack of down, the police have returned evidence. Charges against three to their respective cities and the members of Montreal’s Anti- G20 leaders have gone home, but Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) the saga of arrestees continues. who were “preventatively” arrested While charges in some of the most on the morning of June 26, 2010, spectacular arrests have now been were also dropped. dropped, others are just beginning “A lot of [the U of T arrest- to face the repercussions of the ees] are more radical now [that G20 convergence in Toronto. they’ve] seen you can be arrested In the latest arrest on Octo- for your political beliefs,” said ber 14, Montrealer Youri Couture Blandine Juchs, a member of the turned himself in to Toronto CLAC. police. He faces several charges, A press scrum in Montreal when it was announced that the charges against nearly Leah Henderson, another 100 protesters arrested at the University of Toronto had been dropped. including mischief over $5,000 CLAC 2010 accused of conspiracy successfully and disguise with intent. challenged her non-association bail Ryan Rainville, a young ing to it. Byron Sonne, a computer conditions on October 20, 2010. Indigenous rights advocate from “They said that they would security expert who had created a "[Superior Court Justice the Sakimay Nation, was released keep him [in solitary confinement] G20 counter-surveillance “how-to” Todd] Ducharme said it was a from prison yesterday after spend- until he was eventually released guide, was arrested on June 22, nebulous condition, it was setting ing nearly three months in jail. from prison if he didn’t sign his 2010, on a slew of charges, includ- someone up to breach, essentially, In early August, while out on bail bail conditions right away. He was ing possession of an explosive. because it just wasn’t defined,” for other G20-related charges for not allowed to make a phone call,” There is a publication ban on his Henderson told the Vancouver which he had spent six days in said Jonah Hundert, Alex’s brother, case, and it is unknown why he Media Co-op in a phone inter- jail in June, he was re-arrested for in an interview with CBC. was denied bail on July 20, 2010. view. allegedly causing mischief over Anti-poverty activist Julian $5,000, assaulting a police officer, “I think it’s rare for this much energy to be Ichim had his charge of counseling intimidating a justice system par- put into so vehemently going after people to commit mischief dropped by ticipant by violence and breaching the crown on November 1, 2010. his bail conditions. who are allegedly guilty of nothing more He appeared in court with eight of Rainville was released on the 19 alleged co-conspirators, all non-association bail conditions than vandalism.” of whom still face charges. which block him from contacting Following the same hear- some other G20 defendants and Alex Hundert had been Sonne remains behind bars. ing, Peter Rosenthal, lawyer for community organizers. He will found by a Scarborough Justice Toronto-based organizer Montreal-based organizer Jaggi go to trial in early 2011. A week of the Peace to have breached his Syed Hussan, an alleged co- Singh, argued for more disclo- prior to his release, Rainville was "no-demonstration" bail condition conspirator, has been unable to sure regarding the case against offered release and a reduced sen- on October 8, 2010, by speaking as get his work permit to Canada his client. He told reporters after tence if he co-operated with G20 an invited panelist at two univer- renewed and is facing inadmis- Singh's hearing that many of the Integrated Security Unit officers in sity events. sibility proceedings, which may accused still have not received full identifying individuals in photo- Gary McCullough was lead to his deportation. Hussan disclosure of the evidence being graphs. He refused. arrested June 24, 2010, after police was arrested after being swarmed used against them. G20 defendant Alex Hundert pulled him over and found a cross- by plainclothes officers and thrown Such judicial harassment is was arrested for a third time, this bow, a chainsaw and other outdoor into an unmarked van the morning only strengthening the conviction time for allegedly attempting to equipment in his vehicle. of June 26, 2010. of those resisting G20 policies. intimidate a member of the judi- McCullough’s home in “I think it’s rare for this much Before Alex Hundert was banned cial system. Hundert was arrested Haliburton County, Ontario, had resources and energy to be put into from speaking to the media, he four days after he filed an applica- burnt down, and his remaining so vehemently going after people urged people to continue organiz- tion for a review of his most recent possessions were in his car when who are allegedly guilty of nothing ing. "The way to assert our right to bail conditions, which included “no he drove to Toronto to get his car more than vandalism,” said Jonah resist is to resist." expressing of views on a political window fixed. McCullough has Hundert. “If they’re trying to break issue.” spent most of the last three and a In addition, it seems that [Alex] down with these sorts of After initially refusing these half months in solitary confine- many of the charges are not things, it’s certainly not working,” “no expressing of views” bail condi- ment before being assessed as holding up in court. Conspiracy affirms Jonah Hundert. tions, Hundert was coerced by the unfit to stand trial, and now awaits charges against nearly 100 protest- security manager of the Toronto transfer from prison to a psychiat- ers of the G20 who were arrested Natalie Gray is a poet, an activist East Detention Centre into agree- ric hospital. in the widely publicized and and an intern at The Dominion. 10 Foreign Policy The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Ecuador's Fickle Friend Canada waffles in its support for Latin American democracies by Jennifer Moore the Organization of American States (OAS). But it was only VANCOUVER—Ecuador awoke after the Ecuadorian military joint on September 30, 2010 to police command declared its loyalty to protests. Across several highland Correa, the US State Depart- and coastal cities, police burned ment issued its own statement of tires, shut down access routes and support for the President, and just neglected their posts. They said over an hour before a special mili- they were protesting the Public tary and police operation rescued Service Law passed the night Correa, that Canadian Minister before, which would affect eco- of State of Foreign Affairs for the nomic bonuses based on promo- Americas Peter Kent circulated an tion. independent statement. By midday, however, efforts “Canada is concerned about to destabilize the Ecuadorian the growing unrest in Ecuador administration became evident. and is monitoring the situation The security detail at the National closely,” the statement read. “We Assembly closed various entries call on all parties to refrain from to the legislature, while a small violence and any other actions that contingent from the air force shut could imperil the rule of law and down the Quito airport. the country’s democratic institu- Better times behind them? Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and The focal point of interna- tions.” Ecuador President Rafael Correa in 2009. Critics of Canadian foreign policy see Canada's delayed response to the recent police uprising as a sign of uneasy tional attention, however, was on Critics of Canadian for- Presidencia de la República del Ecuador President Rafael Correa, holed eign policy see Canada's delayed relations. up for more than twelve hours in response as a sign of uneasy a police hospital after personally relations. Despite Correa's public after other countries and bodies the Caribbean (ALBA), unsettles confronting police in the capital support for Canadian economic had responded, he notes. Despite Canada. city of Quito. Police roughed up interests in recent years, they largely peaceful protests by the Department of Foreign and shot tear gas at the President suggest Canada's backing is by coup opposition, Canada in effect Affairs spokesperson Priya Sinha, who, recovering from recent knee no means guaranteed. The same laid some blame on Zelaya and his however, says Canada's statement surgery, was escorted to the nearby critics pinpoint geopolitical and supporters. should be interpreted as unequivo- hospital. Rebel police surrounded economic concerns as potential “From the time that [then cal support for Correa and says its the building, at which point the culprits. Honduran President] Zelaya [was] position at the OAS backs this up. president reported that he was As Latin America has deposed until Lobo [was] elected, “Canada reacted swiftly and under threat and sounded the become a foreign policy priority, Canada consistently [called] on all strongly in support of the legiti- alarm on an attempted coup. Canada has shown conditional parties, not just the government mate government of the Republic With memories of the 2009 support for constitutional democ- and the coup plotters [that were of Ecuador when it co-sponsored Honduran coup fresh in collective racy and national sovereignty in the principle source of aggression a resolution at the OAS on the memory, Spain, France, more than left-leaning countries aspiring and human rights violations], to afternoon of September 30th,” 10 Latin American countries and to even moderate change. The avoid violence and remain peace- stated Sinha by email to The several regional organizations were Canadian government's hand in ful,” Gordon said. Dominion. quick to issue declarations of sup- facilitating a coup against the Gordon points to similar The OAS resolution “repudi- port for the small Andean nation's popularly elected government of language in Canada's statement ated” any attempt to oust the democratically-elected president, President Jean Bertrand Aristide on Ecuador when it called “on Correa administration and called and its constitutional order. Spain, in Haiti in 2004, and its failure to all parties” to show restraint, not on governments and multilateral a key investor in Ecuador and push for the return of President specifying that police were the institutions in the region to "stop home to hundreds of thousands Manuel Zelaya to Honduras in main aggressors. the coup d'etat from becoming a of Ecuadorian immigrants, gave 2009, are notable examples. “They don't want to come out reality.” further assurance through its for- Todd Gordon, Associate and say we're pro-coup, but Can- On the national front in eign affairs minister that it “would Professor in Political Science at ada's response is a diplomatic way, Ecuador, Canada wields economic mobilize all of its diplomatic York University and author of I think, to say they're not actually clout. But despite the headway arsenal...so that this revolt stops.” the forthcoming book Imperial that excited about the government that Canada's corporate and Canada—another top inves- Canada, sees parallels between that's being threatened,” he said. diplomatic lobby appeared to be tor in Ecuador, frequently having Canada's response to the coup Gordon questions if Ecua- making to secure investments high level meetings with the d'etat in Honduras and the state- dor's participation in efforts in mining, oil and infrastructure Correa government—responded ment regarding Ecuador. Canada's for more independent regional during Correa's administration, differently. Canada co-sponsored statement on the Honduran coup integration, such as the Bolivarian Jeffrey Webber, a researcher and a mid-afternoon resolution at came fairly late the same day, Alternative for Latin America and lecturer at Queen Mary University The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Foreign Policy 11 of London, believes Correa has the Canadian Embassy to arrange seventy percent on profits made never been Canada's ideal option. high-level meetings and influence above a base price. “Correa was not the preferred the new mining law. As large scale Canadian diplomats have also candidate of the Canadian state,” mining was suspended, President indicated concern regarding the Webber said. “Canada has been Correa granted Canadian busi- future of Canada's bilateral invest- happy to see Correa's trajectory to nessmen a privileged seat during ment agreement with Ecuador. the right, but is nonetheless con- mining law negotiations. The Reforms passed in Ecuador's cerned about his vulnerability to mining mandate was not applied 2008 constitution mandate that the bases that put him into office.” to key holdings of many Canadian the government will not enter into Correa was elected on his companies. agreements that defer to interna- CP Sutcliffe promise to bring an end to Ecua- Correa, who has made it tional arbitration, unless the arbi- dor's “long neoliberal night.” With clear that he intends to make tration body is in Latin America. regard to mining, a key sector for metal mining a source of future In 2009, Canada's bilateral agree- We Want Your Canadian investment, pre-existing state revenue through bolstered ment came up for review. disputes with affected com- state participation, also abruptly Canada's Ambassador to Stories! munities gave rise to a national distanced himself from Indig- Ecuador, Andrew Shisko, indi- The Dominion / Media Co-op movement urging Correa's admin- enous, campesino (peasant) and cated that this did not sit well has a budget to pay two istration to look at alternatives to environmental groups critical of with Ottawa. Revision of Canada's contributors each month. gold and copper extraction. At the such policies. He called them bilateral investment agreement time, no large-scale project had infantile, foolish and the greatest “is causing profound concern in Priority goes to: reached production. threat to his political project, and Canada. A stable and transparent • Those who have previously After 40 years of oil helped foment rumours about investment environment is funda- contributed production that left in its wake links between such organizations mental for the success of Cana- • News pieces environmental destruction and and imperial interests. dian investment in Ecuador,” he • Stories with a Canadian angle social upheaval, Indigenous and This delegitimization cam- stated in a written message to the non-Indigenous organizations paign, however, did not quash Ecuadorian-Canadian Chamber We are looking for stories about: demanded their country be off- local resistance. Important mobili- of Commerce in Guayaquil. • Climate debt limits to the mostly Canadian zations against mining have taken This could still be a concern. • Education companies dominating the nascent place over the last year in areas During an in-person meeting • G8/G20 sector—companies that arrived in where companies such as Toronto- in Quito in August, Ecuadorian • Co-operatives and economic Ecuador under favourable condi- based Iamgold and Kinross Gold Foreign Affairs Minister Ricardo alternatives tions created by earlier World are exploring. Patino told Foreign Affairs Min- • The economic crisis and the ister for the Americas Peter Kent working class that “Ecuador will not maintain “Correa has aligned himself with very fickle • Gender and queer issues bilateral investment treaties.” • Indigenous peoples issues friends, who are going to abandon him at The National Assembly voted • NGOs in September to denounce similar the first turn because he's not the preferred • Tar sands pacts with the UK and Germany • Culture and the arts candidate of transnational capital.” for not being in line with the new • Radical disability politics constitution. • Humour Challenges for Canadian • Underreported stories Bank-sponsored reforms. But Priya Sinha says Canada interests on the domestic front, • Technology In April 2008, Ecuador's looks favourably upon recent together with Ecuador's com- National Constituent Assembly, mining reforms and makes no mitment to more independent To pitch an article, video or which was rewriting the coun- mention of social tensions. regional integration efforts, lead photo essay, create a Media try's constitution, decreed that all “Canada is encouraged by Webber to believe that Canada Co-op account (it’s free) and fill large-scale mining be suspended improvements in the environment would not be upset to see different out the form here: and that most mineral concessions for mining investments in Ecua- leadership in Ecuador. www.mediacoop.ca/node/add/ be revoked without compensa- dor,” the Foreign Affairs represen- “Correa has aligned himself pitch tion, because they overlapped with tative stated. with very fickle friends, who are water supplies and protected areas, Sinha did add that companies going to abandon him at the first For information on how to and because companies failed to want to know how the govern- turn because he's not the preferred pitch: consult with affected communities. ment will apply new tax rules. candidate of transnational capital,” www.dominionpaper.ca/write The decision represented an “Clarity in the tax regime said Webber. important—albeit short-lived— with regard to future investments Any potential destabiliza- For more info, contact victory for the anti-mining social would allow companies to assess tion on September 30 was averted. [email protected] movement. the tax implications for their But as political tensions persist [email protected] Canadian companies fought projects and determine whether in Ecuador, it remains to be seen back with a well-financed public they remain economically viable,” how the uncertain relations will The Dominion currently pays a relations campaign in which they he stated. unfold. promised Ecuadorians “a fair deal.” The new mining law restored flat rate of $100 for accepted articles. Stories are 800 or 1,600 According to one com- royalty payments on mining to From 2007 to 2010, Jennifer Moore words. Deadline for pitches are pany executive, companies also a minimum of five percent and reported from Ecuador as a freelance the 1st of each month. received “tireless” support from established a windfall tax of print and broadcast journalist. 12 Sports The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Outside Edge Angela James carves her own path into the Hockey Hall of Fame by Meg Hewings '60s, playing ball hockey and doesn’t have a local grocery store perceptions. “James was fearless, shinny on the outdoor public rink or bank. and she engendered fear in other MONTREAL—Angela James with the boys in Flemingdon “I would probably be in jail people,” says writer and producer walks through the side door of Park, one of Toronto’s poorest right now without hockey,” says Elizabeth Etue, describing James’ the Brampton arena before an neighbourhoods. Girls didn’t play James, for whom academics was physical prowess and self-assured- afternoon hockey game begins, hockey at the time, which meant never encouraged as a priority. ness both on and off the ice. strolling at an easy pace, salut- she had everything to prove and “I’m not sure what my life would At 160 pounds, she was a ing players and hangers-on in the nothing to lose. be like without sport. I’m sure I powerful skater, physically strong, lobby with a friendly nod. Within with an incredibly focused drive. minutes she’s approached by a “She played with the best women shy, wide-eyed boy who wants her “Throughout my whole career, I had to players, and even though these autograph. players were older, she could Being female, mixed race justify why girls need to play hockey. All control a game with this incredible and gay don’t often combine into along it was about selling the game, rather power, energy and tenacity. And a winning formula in sport, but she had a hard slapshot,” recounts today, 46-year-old Angela James than just playing it.” Etue. will become the first woman In 1990, James was selected inducted to the Hockey Hall of for the first ever Team Canada, Fame in its 65-year history. Out on the open ice, James wouldn’t have played hockey with- which was to play at the inaugural It’s hard to overstate the exorcised frustrations, set free out the municipal rink.” women’s championship in Ottawa. importance of the event, in which (and later focused) her boundless By age 15, James was playing The team was outfitted in hot pink former team USA captain Cammi energy, and forged her toughness. in the top senior women’s leagues and white jerseys instead of the Granato will also be inducted in Excelling early, she picked up all under the umbrella of the Central traditional red, as a way to “sell” a highly anticipated weekend of the best moves from the guys, Ontario Women’s Hockey League the “novelty factor” of the female Canuck pomp and circumstance learning to skate, deke, throw a hit where, despite her youth, she game. This marketing ploy stole that will include celebratory rings, and deliver a deadly slapshot. quickly became a force, leading the focus from the talent on dis- speeches, jackets, box seats to an Raised by a single mom, her team to numerous league and play, and was roundly criticized by NHL game, parties—all capped James was by all accounts the provincial championships, and both hockey observers and players. off by a ceremony broadcast live spoiled baby of five loving siblings. earning the title of leading scorer “I remember her performance on TSN. Her father ran a nightclub in Mis- in eight seasons and most valuable in the 1994 World Champion- Although James' advocates sissauga and sired other offspring player in six. ships in particular,” adds Etue of have lobbied for years to allow as well (including Edmonton “No player wanted to go the scoring ace. “I was watching non-NHL players (namely Oilers defenseman Theo Peck- into the corners with her, because James take the puck up the ice and women) to enter the Hall, it ham). they knew they weren’t coming she just got around everyone. She wasn’t until 2009 that the Hockey Even though money was out with the puck,” laughs Maria was like a freight train going up Hall of Fame opened its doors tight, James credits the fierce loy- Quinto, James’ general manager the ice, and in some ways, it was to women. While a few pundits alty and support of her immediate and long-time friend. an old style of playing because she had their hockey garters in a twist family, especially her tenacious Early in James’ career, the was so used to not having a sup- about the change, most saw it as mother, for her success. When national women’s team program port group—she was always the an important stride forward for James turned eight, her mother didn’t exist, nor was there a world best on her team.” the sport. registered her in minor boys’ championship or plum scholar- James led the national team “I’m not at all ready, and hockey at the local municipal rink ships to play US college hockey. to the gold medal in 1994 with 11 I haven’t even thought [of my (now named the Angela James Grassroots girls’ development and goals in five games. She would win speech],” laughs James, adding Flemingdon Park Arena). That female championship showcases gold medals in three other world that her close-knit family will same year, 1973, James was the weren’t priorities for federal championships. attend the inauguration. As if it league's highest scorer and won sporting bodies like the Cana- Women’s ice hockey was weren’t enough to break hockey’s the MVP award. “They kicked dian Amateur Hockey Associa- finally added to the 1998 Winter gender barrier, James will also be me out because I was a girl,” says tion (CAHA). Although women Olympics in Nagano, but James the first lesbian mom among the James flatly. “They didn’t like that I played hockey all over the world, was cut from the team. It proved NHL legends. won all the awards!” the mere idea of an Olympic to be a major controversy. After “[People] know what I am, There wasn’t much to do in showcase was pie in the sky. Even all, from 1987 on, James had been who I’m with and about my the newly built Flemingdon Park in Canada, where hockey was sup- Canada’s most consistent scoring family—I’m open,” she says. “But development where James grew up posedly “our” sport, elite women threat no matter where she played. I don’t discuss my personal life. in the early '70s—its reputation as players had to fight for respect and James appealed the decision to I’d rather know the score of last a low-income neighbourhood with the right to play. not include her on that team, but night’s game.” crime problems pervades even Wherever she played, James during the appeal process, both James grew up in the mid- today, and the community still turned heads and challenged Hockey Canada and the media The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Sports 13 program introduces the neigh- bourhood's kids—today, largely Muslim immigrants—to the sport. She’s also outspoken about the increasing cost of ice rentals, and the expensive—often exclusive— nature of the game. She strongly believes that to grow, Canadian hockey needs to get back to the basics: participation, fun and skill development. Like most former hockey players, James isn’t an activist or political, and hates to talk about herself. She’s unlikely to become the poster girl for gay rights, or a spokesperson for any particular cause, though she does have some- thing to say about homosexuality in hockey. “I am who I am. I’m proud of my partner and family and the more people that can say that, the better. If people have an issue with this, then too bad. Today, male Angela James at the ice rink in Brampton, ON, where she is coaching a team in the new Canadian Women's Hockey coaches and [general managers] League. James, the first woman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, is the "face of women’s hockey," says friend and GM Meg Hewings have gay sons and daughters and Maria Quinto. when they are very open and sup- portive, it helps. [But] it doesn’t latched on to salacious rumours James also suffered from what doc- Women’s Hockey League to coach matter if I’m gay, straight, black, about a lesbian relationship tors later diagnosed as a thyroid Brampton this season is a boon for yellow, pink, polka-dot or blue, I’m between the captain and coach. problem, at the time manifesting elite women’s hockey in Canada. still the same person every day. I “Homophobia ruined my appeal itself as fatigue and low energy, It also means she’s now coaching respect people for who they are.” because something got all blown though, in hard-nosed fashion true current Olympians who, as kids, Ever the sharp shooter and up and the direction went there, to character, she’s never men- looked up to her as an idol. straight talker, James found suc- instead of towards my appeal," tioned those health challenges to Her team’s roster is also cess in hockey by expressing her says James. "They were all freaking the press, preferring to focus on stacked with some of the finest own special swagger. She’s earned out. You know, every female sport the positive. “I had a great era of players in today’s international the respect of teammates, family, goes through it.” wearing the Team Canada jersey game, including Team Canada leg- friends and fans because of it. At the heart of the matter and playing the game I loved,” ends Jayna Hefford, Lori Dupuis, “James is both energetic and as was how Hockey Canada viewed she says. “I concentrate on what Gillian Apps and US Olympian informal as her nickname, ‘AJ,’ but the women’s game on the global good I got out of hockey and do Molly Engstrom. there's a relentless drive in there,” scene, where business stakes the same with my kids now. I say “James is the face of women’s says Etue, explaining James’ noto- were high. Before the Olympic ‘You’ve told me all the reasons why hockey. She brings a new level of rious appeal. “She’s a force, with exposure, hockey’s power brokers you can’t do something, now tell professionalism to our league,” energy for all sorts of people.” had only ever cared about boys me why you can.’ I have to practice insists Quinto. “She’s also a dif- More than one hundred years and men in the game, but in what I preach!” ferent person now as a coach. after women first took to the ice, 1998 the national women's team After James was cut, Quinto She’s direct, laid-back and open Angela James’ entry into Canada’s program became serious business, welcomed her back to the Toronto to new ideas. As a player she Hockey Hall of Fame stands as with corporate sponsorships and a Aeros in the senior women’s was very focused, and could even more than simple ceremony. It’s leadership role (and reputation) to league, where she continued to have blinders on. Now she’s more a public validation that everyone safeguard in international circles. set scoring records. “In that era, mature and diplomatic.” should have a fair shot at making With more eyes on the wom- players expected nothing and gave “I gained leadership skills it in the game. en’s game, the team’s coaching staff everything, they paid to play at through sport, which helped with started to develop the program the elite level,” says Quinto. “I my work,” says James, who has Meg Hewings is an editor at more than ever before, introduc- remember one game I went into spent much of the past decade Montreal's alternative weekly Hour, ing new systems and set plays and the dressing room and noticed as the Director of Athletics for a blogger/videographer and hockey seeking out complete, team- Angela’s hockey garter-belt was Seneca College and has served as organizer who does outreach for the oriented players among a growing so old it was in tatters. I told her a referee, coach and advocate for Montreal Stars in the Canadian legion of top-level athletes. James we would supply her with one. youth hockey. Women's Hockey League, founded was an independent spirit, and a You know what she replied? ‘No James has returned to Flem- The Lovely Hockey League and plays veteran, who had rarely had to tow thanks, I want to keep this one so ingdon Park to help out with a for the Ninja Tune Wicked Deadly any line. I remember where I came from.’” free hockey program sponsored by Karate Chop in the Good Times At the Olympics tryout camp, James' return to the Canadian the local police department. The Hockey League of the Arts. 14 Halifax Media Co-op The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Dressing Up Kids shake it up in Halifax's North End by Charlene Davis to pay attention to how many veg- etables they grow, and that relates HALIFAX—Eleven-year-old to how much salad dressing they Craig Cain eagerly shakes bottles can make and sell. Each bottle of of Hope Blooms salad dressing salad dressing contains a half-cup and pours them into dishes for a of herbs. “It’s a lot. We need a potential customer to taste. He lot each time,” says Chen. “Some tells the customer his favourite people just come to our garden flavour is Creamy Dill and Garlic, and take our stuff and smash it. and smiles widely when a purchase It’s bad. I think that each plant has is made. It is 7:45 on a Saturday its own life,” says Chen. “It makes morning. At one point, when us really, really angry.” offered a $20 bill for a $6 bottle Vandalism of the garden is of salad dressing, he pauses and only one of the challenges the asks, without guile, “Do you need kids in the area are facing. “The change for that?” He is eager. So community has its challenges, as eager, he happily got up two hours do all marginalized communities, earlier that morning to volunteer as it relates to crime and poverty,” to sell salad dressing. says Cheyanne Gorman-Tolliver. Cain is one of almost 40 Gorman-Tolliver works with the kids who work on a youth project Black Business Institute (BBI), at the North End Community which is working closely with Garden in Halifax, and who, Hope Blooms. “But the people are with the help of sponsors and the strong and they make a way.” program’s organizers, have started “Sometimes we have to start a registered charity and a business: over again [after the garden is Hope Blooms. The majority of the vandalized],” says eight-year-old money from the business goes into Folayemi Boboye. “We may have a scholarship fund for the young to make more compost and start people; the rest goes to a commu- growing again.” Boboye has a nity charity. unique view on the garden: she “First we pick the stuff from says it is patient.

Craig Cain sells Hope Blooms salad dressing he helped make at the Halifax “I think that each plant has its own life.” Farmers Market. The majority of the money from the business goes to a scholarship fund for the youth who volunteer their time. Charlene Davis the garden, then we take it in, then “I think it’s the kids who their garden and their business. and on track. With help from the we clean it, then we spin it, then are patient,” counters Chen. “We Each year, their willingness to BBI, they came up with a business we cut it, then we put it in the have to have patience and help the show up and work hard improves. plan and learned about things such blender with the other ingredi- garden.” They agree, however, that, “Now that they know what it’s as a financial forecast—“terms ents and then we pour it into the like all of us, the garden needs to all about...as soon as they get we’d never heard of,” says Martin. bottles.” Cain has been working in take time to grow. It needs some- there, they’re ready to work,” says The Centre for Women and Busi- the garden for two years. He has one to take good care of it. Martin, who describes her role ness at Mount Saint Vincent also learned how to grow plants and Jillian Martin, who works with the garden as a manager of provided a lot of assistance. “We’re how to make salad dressing. He at the North End Community operations. good at using our resources and says it’s a lot of fun. Health Centre, has noticed a She says it was a real learning asking for help because we rec- Eleven-year-old Karen Chen difference in the young people’s process and that it took a long ognize that we don’t really know says she and her colleagues have commitment to taking care of time to get the business started what we’re doing when it comes to

for more grassroots reportage straight out of Halifax, check out: halifax.mediacoop.ca The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Halifax Media Co-op 15 business, but the spirit is there and dreams.” giving it back to the community.” the dream is there so we just have Chen wants to be a chef This year, they will choose another Looking for to kind of go with the flow. It’s not when she grows up. “Getting organization with whom to share hard to keep going because there’s people to eat nutritious food is their proceeds. The Dominion just so much inspiration and the the biggest challenge,” she says. Chen says, “We’re helping a in your city? kids love it.” “Some people don’t like vegetables lot of people by selling what we The Dominion is carried in nearly The kids also love the busi- and eat unhealthy things.” After make.” 100 locations across the country, ness camp BBI hosts each year. displaying her knowledge of the “It means a lot to me to see including: positivity coming into the neigh- NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR: bourhood...the community gets a The Sprout Restaurant, St. John's Eight-year-old Boboye has a unique view on really negative rap sometimes from NOVA SCOTIA: the garden: she says it is patient. the media,” says Martin. The Tall & Small, Antigonish Jollymore says that the whole Anchor Archive Zine Library, Halifax project is about the kids having NEW BRUNSWICK: a sense of empowerment regard- At the camp, the children learn various nutrients and vitamins CHMA-FM, Sackville ing their futures. It’s also about Reid's Newsstand, Moncton important points of running a found in fruits and vegetables, she spreading that sense of empower- Reid's Newsstand - United Book- business. They learn “entrepreneur- continues, “I never really liked ment throughout the community. store, Fredericton ship...and the value of making cucumbers, but after I started Cain wants to see more people a product, selling it, and feeling working in the garden I took a QUEBEC from his school come to the The Word Bookstore, Montreal proud of yourself for doing your bite of cucumber and felt like I garden and help out. “They don’t Co-op la Maison Verte, Montreal own thing,” says Martin. Cain Concordia Co-op Bookstore, says he is learning how to count Montreal, change, how to sell, and that ONTARIO sometimes it’s important to get up This Ain't the Rosedale Library, really early. Toronto Cain wants to start his own Toronto Women's Books, Toronto line of salad dressing when he Global Aware, Toronto grows up. He wants to be a busi- Exile Infoshop, Ottawa ness man. Empowerment Infoshop, London The program has the kids AKA Autonomous Social Centre, seriously considering their futures. Kingston Organic Underground, Belleville “They actually take the time Sky Dragon Centre, Hamilton to think, ‘what do I want to be The Bookshelf, Guelph when I grow up, and how do I get University of Windsor Bookstore, there?’” says Martin. A few weeks Windsor ago, one young girl asked Martin MANITOBA what community college was Mondragon Cafe, Winnipeg about and whether she could use SASKATCHEWAN the money from the scholarships Turning the Tide, Saskatoon for college rather than university. ALBERTA Martin says, “They’ve been starting Hope Blooms is a charity and business that brings together 40 kids. Proceeds from to ask [these kinds of] questions, Good Life Community Bike Shop, sales goes into a scholarship fund and a community charity. Calgary realizing, 'I do have a prospect of Charlene Davis Hub Cigar & Newsstand, Edmonton education, I do have this money coming when I graduate, what wanted to go outside and yell, get paid to come here, they don’t BRITISH COLUMBIA should I do with it?'” ‘Delicious!’” get paid to make [the salad dress- Camas Books & Infoshop, Victoria Dark Horse Books, Victoria Jessie Jollymore, Martin’s Boboye eats a lot of vegeta- ing],” says Martin, but they come Spartacus Books, Vancouver colleague at the Health Centre, bles now too. She takes what she anyway. Does Your Mother Know?, is the woman whose vision it was grows home to her mother. “My A greenhouse is in the Vancouver to develop the garden. She says mom always makes some salads process of being built so herbs for People's Co-op Bookstore, that when she has taken the young and they’re really good.” She says the salad dressing can be grown Vancouver people to various events and she has learned that it’s important all winter long. It looks like the Lotus Books, Cranbrook presentations, she has them speak to eat good, healthy food. business will keep flourishing. So Bookland, Kamloops about their dreams for the future. “The moms have really taken far, Hope Blooms has sold out Otter Books, Nelson Salt Spring Books, Spring Island The children talk about wanting an interest,” says Martin. “I think every week they've set up shop at Tanners Bookstore, Sidney to be teachers, doctors, marine they really enjoy coming to a place the market. biologists: at this point, says Jol- where they can see their kids YUKON TERRITORY lymore, the room goes silent. She flourishing.” Charlene Davis is a freelancer and Mac's Fireweed Books, Whitehorse says people are surprised to hear Last year, the youth shared a recent graduate of Journalism at NUNAVUT that these kids from low-income, their proceeds with ARK, a shelter King's. She holds a BA and MA in Arctic Ventures 2000, Iqaluit disadvantaged communities have for street-involved and homeless English literature. She works as a Full list online at dreams. “They shouldn’t be [sur- youths. “They’ve been develop- Junior Program Officer at Imhotep dominionpaper.ca prised],” she says. “Everyone has ing a sense of making money, and Legacy Academy. 16 Vancouver Media Co-op The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Justice for First Nations Deaths in Police Custody Vancouver rally in support of public inquiry into death of Frank Paul by Sandra Cuffe total to be in the hundreds. "To my knowledge, no police VANCOUVER—Two days before officer in our entire history [of the continuation of a public BC] has ever been prosecuted inquiry into the death of an Indig- [for the death of a First Nations enous man while in police custody, person in custody]," denounced two dozen people attended a lively Cameron Ward, one of the lawyers demonstration organized by the involved in the Davies Commis- Indigenous Action Movement on sion Inquiry into the Death of November 1. With drums in hand, Frank Paul. the rally to honour Frank Paul, a "It's still happening," Mi'kmaq First Nations man, and explained Cutis Ahenakew at all Indigenous men and women the rally. "That's why we're here who have died in police custody in today." British Columbia, was held at the Speaker after speaker spoke intersection of Granville and West of family and friends who died in Georgia in downtown Vancouver. police custody in the lower main- Frank Paul was arrested for land and around the province, par- public intoxication on the evening ticularly in central and northern of December 5, 1998, and taken to British Columbia. Vancouver residents rally to honour Indigenous people who have died in police Sandra Cuffe the Vancouver Police Department "I for myself was in custody custody in British Columbia. (VPD) detention facility on Main and was beaten to a pulp in a clothing. commuters scurrying out of the Street. He was later dragged out Prince Albert jail by two police As the rally crossed West downtown core after 5:00 pm. of the cell and left in an alley in officers," said Ahenakew. Georgia Street to the court facil- "We have to change this soci- East Vancouver, where his body He explained that two of ity where the public inquiry will ety's attitude about who we are was found hours later. An autopsy his cousins died in police custody reconvene, the participants formed as First Nations people," added determined hypothermia to be the in Saskatoon, where the prac- a circle, blocking traffic for three Martin, referring to the apparent cause of death. tice of detaining First Nations minutes. While many bystanders, apathy of the general population The two VPD officers people and dropping them off pedestrians and commuters were and the underlying racism sur- involved in Frank Paul's detention on the outskirts of the city in the curious or supportive, the action rounding the Frank Paul case. and death were suspended for one Almost twelve years after and two days, for neglect of duty Frank Paul's death, the small and discreditable conduct. After Speaker after speaker spoke of family and group of people committed to years of opposition to a public justice for all First Nations people hearing under the Police Act by friends who died in police custody in the who have died in police custody the Police Complaints Commis- lower mainland and in central and continues to take to the streets sioner, the Minister of Public to raise awareness and support. Safety and Solicitor General northern BC. Walk4Justice co-founder Gladys announced a public inquiry into Raddick explained that the long Frank Paul's death on February struggle for the public inquiry into 22, 2007. dead of winter did garner some impeding traffic also provoked Paul's death has also strengthened The exact numbers of First media attention several years ago. anger. the struggle for an inquiry into Nations men and women who Ahenakew also told of similar "All of these people around the missing and murdered First have died during their arrest or accounts within Greater Vancou- here, you have to stop. You have Nations women in British Colum- while in police custody in British ver, where young Aboriginal men to listen. You have to speak up," bia and across Canada. Columbia are unclear. Conserva- and women have been stranded exclaimed First Nations activ- tive lists include more than 100 in Richmond and other outly- ist Carol Martin, addressing the Sandra Cuffe is a writer and activist names, while others estimate the ing areas, often stripped of their hundreds of seemingly indifferent in Vancouver.

for more independent news from Vancouver, including video, photo & blogs: vancouver.mediacoop.ca The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Vancouver Media Co-op 17 Left to Fight Alone City of Vancouver of little help to renters battling evictions by Isaac Oommen suspect that the plan is to subdi- vide the two lots into three. All VANCOUVER—In a situation the renters are either working or typical of the gentrification trend graduate students, and have little in East Vancouver, a house and time to fight the eviction. a two-unit apartment build- “The number one thing that ing located in the Grandview- bothers me is that this particular Woodlands are being turned into developer can give eviction notice duplexes for buyers. without getting permits because Both buildings were sold to there are no checks and balances a large development corporation by the City to stop him,” said called the DeCotiis Group. The renter Dave Wodchis, “and it's up new landlord, Don DeCotiis, is to the renter to fight it.” evicting the eleven tenants, giving Wodchis further noted that Tenants are being evicted from this Vancouver home despite the fact the owner them two months to move out. the current owner/developer is does not have permits to demolish the house. Isaac Oommen “The problem is that the not returning a damage deposit to eviction notice claims that the one of the renters for not having company and we're a small group said Wodchis. “With the price of developer has all the necessary completely emptied the room, of renters.” housing and renting going up in permits to demolish the houses,” even though the house is going to Edwards and Wodchis are Vancouver, where does it stop?” said Scott Edwards, one of the be torn down. both fighting the eviction on the renters. “A simple call to the City “I work a full day five days a grounds that the developer has not Isaac K. Oommen is an editor [of Vancouver] dismisses these week, and on top of that need to yet applied for any permits. member of the Vancouver Media claims; the developer doesn't have find time to make all these calls “Much of the rental housing Co-op, and a graduate student a single permit.” and get through all the legal- in this neighbourhood is sched- specializing in media and marginal- Edwards and his neighbours ity,” said Edwards. “They're a big uled to be changed to strata,” ized narratives.

amulet by Cynthia Dewi Oka washing blood seeping stubborn intimacies i write to learn with you when time is army marshalled outside the neat confines of skin. cannot trust your own judgment how to accept love on your own against you starved and alone when you are asked to relive your of safety terms and in your own time. i write in celebration your survival war i write to push and run and hide when your body conceals herself each molecule of courage you so the privileged can get a concept with you in the anonymity of beneath rotting leaves and gasoline libraries collect i write to be silent with you i write in stillness watching the smell of a child’s hair. sunrise and sundown. reordering rooms in your heart with you migration of birds when memory burns a hole in your when you cannot move with the leaving the key in a moth’s nest. across uninterrupted ocean. music head when others brush your bones there are no promises laughter blade in your belly road to retribution is unfinished feathers of good intentions after rape we choose i write in celebration your strength i write to paint with you banners i write to build a wall with you the distance and measure mourning self and body in our blood, match the beat scratch poems in the dark of our lives no longer answering you. of your footsteps in march. without ever seeing your hand. so i write to find when nobody holds you through when language closes herself when you are labelled self-destruc- with you in the aching vastness a thousand sleepless nights tive to eloquence of your grief between our bones i write to share my parts with you instructed to get your shit together i write to author with you holy things. take what you need to continue i write to breathe chaos with body hammer for severing her bondage to cruel pleasantries. Cynthia Dewi Oka is a poet, popular let me kiss you where it hurts. you hurl hurricane speed at any- educator and revolutionary mama when you hate yourself for being thing when the thought of being of Chinese-Javanese descent residing touched made of things softer than conrete solid, sharp and terrible. in Vancouver, unceded Coast Salish gently makes you weep Territories. i write to witness your rain when you encounter new 18 Toronto Media Co-op The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Ford Takes Toronto But who—and how many—backed him? by Geordie Gwalgen Dent per cent of the population. Of Population of Toronto: 2.6 million & Tim Groves those, 383,501 people voted for Ford. TORONTO—On October 25, There have been calls to Rob Ford was elected mayor of reform Toronto's election regula- Toronto with 47 per cent of the tions to be more inclusive. Like vote. Although that number is many jurisdictions, residents under uncontested, questions remain the age of 18 are not allowed to around who was able to vote and vote. Also blocked from voting what influence large contributors are residents who are not Cana- to his campaign may have on his dian citizens. With over 380,000 administration. non-citizen residents, a wide range While Ford won the mayoral of groups are calling for voting election with 47.12 per cent of the rights for these Torontonians. vote (equaling the highest number Countries like the UK, Ireland and of individual votes of any Cana- the Netherlands have all granted dian politician in history), only 15 non-citizen residents the right to per cent of the city's population vote at the municipal level. voted for him. Some of those who While the number of reg- did not vote chose not to, but istered voters is easily recorded, others were not eligible to vote or the number of Torontonians who did not have sufficient ID. are eligible to vote is much less Beyond who can vote, there paign, while Smitherman refused “Toronto is home to a diverse clear. This means that while it is are also questions of who finan- to release his before the vote. population of about 2.6 million possible to say what percentage of cially supports candidates. Donor lists are not required to be people,” read a press release sent registered voters turned out, it is On October 22, three days released until five months after an out on election day by the City. impossible to know what percent- before the election, Ford released election. However, only 813,984 people age of eligible voters took part in his donor list. Pantalone had During this election, lob- voted in the election; that's 32.46 the polls. released his list earlier in the cam- byists from billboard companies, Donors of $2,500 to the Rob Ford campaign Vern Gazzola Officer, Gib-San Pools Ltd. Chairman, Tridel Group of Harry Rosenbaum Vice President, Gazzola Company profile: Companies Co-founder, Great Gulf Paving Limited Revenue: $5-$10 million Company profile: Group of Companies, Company profile: Employees: 50-100 Revenue: $50-$100 million Company profile: Revenue: $10-$25 milllion Industry: commercial & Employees: 100-250 Revenue: $10-$25 million Employees: 50 - 100 residential construction Industry: real estate, condo- Employees: 50-100 minium communities Industry: real estate Sam Zuk Mario Romano Partner, Soberman LLP, President, Castlepoint Devel- Norman Reisman Ian Delaney Company profile: opment Corp. Co-founder, Great Gulf Chairman and Chief Execu- Revenue: unknown Company profile: Group of Companies tive Officer of Sherritt Inter- Employees: unknown Revenue: unknown Company profile: national Corporation Industry: accounting & Employees: unknown Revenue: $10-$25 million Company profile: business services Industry: real estate Employees: 50-100 Revenue: $1-$5 billion Industry: real estate Employees: 1,000-5,000 Edward Gibbs Angelo Delzotto Industry: mining & metals, President and Chief Executive Chief Executive Officer and oil, nickel, thermal coal, etc.

for more news driven by readers and not advertisers go to: toronto.mediacoop.ca The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Toronto Media Co-op 19 landlord groups, fast-food chains before going to print. and construction companies The TMC is looking for all donated money to multiple volunteers to go through this councilors. document and help us to clean Ford Family Dynasty As it happens, zoning for new the data by putting in the correct condominiums and development names. In addition we are hoping ob Ford, a reported mil- projects, a billboard tax, landlord that volunteers can help us to do lionaire, is part of a family licensing and a drive-through quick profiles on some of the big- Rdynasty, thanks to his father bylaw were all major flashpoints gest donors on the list. Douglas Sr. and their successful in the last Toronto administration. If you are interested in help- printing business. According Many of these same issues may ing with this project and you have to the Toronto Star, Ford is the come back onto the table in the one or more hours you can con- chief financial officer at Deco next administration tribute please go to: http://toronto. Labels & Tags, an Etobicoke The Toronto Media Co-op mediacoop.ca/story/help-reveal- company co-founded by his conducted an initial investigation rob-fords-backers/5013 to be part late father, Douglas Ford. The into some of the names appearing of the team that will be working company employs 250 people Rob Ford was elected mayor of on Ford's campaign contribu- on this. For one person it would be in Toronto, Chicago and New Toronto with the highest number tions list. It included thousands a mammoth task, but if 20 people Jersey and does close to $100 of votes in Canadian history, but million in annual sales. hundreds of thousands in Toronto of names, but the initial research each gave an hour or two, it will be still cannot vote Shaun Merritt focuses upon the donors who done before we know it. Politics has also been a family donated the maximum amount of affair for the Ford's: Douglas 2006. Rob Ford's brother, Doug $2,500. Tim Groves is an investigative Ford Sr. was an MPP in the Jr., was elected to replace Rob in The profession of the donors researcher and journalist based in Mike Harris Conservative his old riding, with sister Kathy was not released, however the Toronto. Geordie Gwalgen Dent is a government and passed away in running Doug Jr.’s campaign. names on the list matched those contributing and sustaining member of the people listed below. It was of the Media Co-op. He lives in not possible to research all donors Toronto.

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or, sign up online: mediacoop.ca/join Subscribe 20 Litterature & Ideas The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 he actors reveal, for a small them. What they once were bleeds All possibilities are exhausted, put audience, the significant out.”), and reads with a pleasingly to bed. worldT events of the next fifty antiquated tone, like a collection Like the film Synecdoche, New years. The audience listens, absorbs of literary feuilletons by Robert York, in which a theatre project everything. When the play ends, Walser or Peter Altenberg. The grows so large that its rehearsal all return home, silent. Now it is pieces are organized one per page, period threatens to exceed the the audience's turn to act. and the quickly shifting focal lifespan of its author, the poems in An exercise in formal point of each poem—the audience Clockfire find meaning in the gap cross-pollination, Jonathan Ball’s itself, the strange happenings between the practical realities of excellent new book of prose on stage, the effect produced stagecraft and the infinite scope poetry describes a series of plays, afterward—is as stimulating as it of what can be dreamed up on the theatrical experiences, and surreal is unsettling. If art is the result of page. Ball’s voice—peculiar, dark, art happenings that never (and in the imagination’s confrontation and cultivated—is a welcome one. many cases, could never) occur in with a series of material restric- —Robert Kotyk reality. tions, what happens when those Written in weighty but never restrictions are lifted? Robert Kotyk reads and writes in overly serious free verse, the book The actors improvise a scene. Montreal. often induces a feeling of darkness Then they improvise another. Clockfire and horror (“The play hollows Until nothing is left to improvise. Jonathan Ball Coach House, 2010

he minute you tell someone reflective traveler lost in her own woven Krishna Punks, Rockabil- you’re reading a novel about thoughts, in her own flesh. Then, lies, and riot grrrls. The vampire teenageT vampires these days, every few pages, she is almost punks are just another clan of kids you’ve got a lot of assumptions irrevocably lost in someone else’s heading to Oregon to find death to recover from. Tell them it’s a flesh: either devouring or being or life or whatever they can find. teenage punk-rock vampire novel devoured, and finding affirmations Krilanovich draws from these full of “narcissistic gypsy-slut shit- of life somewhere below the skin. scenes to build characters that heads” and “slutty teenage hobo The vampire motif is a perfectly most other first-time novelists vampire junkies,” and then they morbid metaphor. wouldn’t dare attempt, and she might get an idea of what The Although it sounds like an writes it all in unrestrained pro- Orange Eats Creeps reads like. elaborate teen-angst allegory, the fane language that you wouldn’t This novel is like notorious punk- endless creepy details of bodily expect from someone garnering rocker GG Allin showing up at a destruction in The Orange Eats serious mainstream praise. This Green Day concert. And that’s not Creeps act as a warning against nervy novel is emblematic of the to say Grace Krilanovich is simply literary deconstruction. This is a work coming from the excellent out to shock, although she shocks vampire novel: an unapologetic, Ohio-based publisher Two Dollar in almost every paragraph she bloody and brutal vampire novel. Radio. This is fiction defined by its The Orange Eats Creeps writes. The shock comes in equal But somehow it doesn’t matter if distaste for moderation. It is also Grace Krilanovich doses of blood, sadness and Robi- these kids are supposed to be real fiction that’s guaranteed to offend tussin, as she chronicles a crew of vampires, or if their death-obses- and alienate many readers, but I’m Two Dollar Radio, vagrant vampire punks that kill, sion is a nightmarish reflection of sure Krilanovich would be happy 2010 steal and fuck their way around their crumbling insides. The novel to lose those readers to an entirely the northwestern United States. is also a well-crafted memoir of different kind of popular vampire All this overlapping blood, a punk scene that has never quite novel. sex and death becomes both found a literary voice. Anyone —Shane Patrick Murphy unsettling and normal as you get who even vaguely encountered the fired through this short novel. punk scene rooted in Washington Shane Patrick Murphy co-edits The The evocative prose keeps the and Oregon in the 1990s will Dominion's Literature & Ideas gore constantly in focus, yet the chuckle as Krilanovich recounts section. teenage narrator emerges as a the unintentional hilarity of inter-

attention designers: Can you design a better ad than this? value-added procrastination opportunity with The Dominion: Help us with design! contact [email protected] if interested The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Business 21 Sharing Wheels Vancouver car sharing co-op’s success spurs private competition by Erin Empey

VANCOUVER—I fired up my 1994 Volkswagen Golf. After two weeks of sitting idle, the decrepit car filled my East Vancouver cul-de-sac with thick blue exhaust. At the time—last year—I lived on East 10th Avenue, which is practically a highway for cyclists. I hung my head in shame as I pulled away and some poor biker there is a combina- disappeared, hacking in the toxic tion of easy, pleasant plume. walking, safe cycling and It was time for that horrible frequent transit. The costs car to go. are worthwhile if some- In British Columbia you body doesn’t need to drive can trade in your crappy car for every day and only takes bus passes, bike discounts or a car short trips. For out-of-town sharing membership. This is how trips, the per-kilometre rate I discovered the Co-operative charged by the co-op is often more Auto Network (CAN). Formed expensive than renting. in Vancouver in 1996 as part of a “The car co-op program has here,” said Emily Davidson university project, the network has taught me that I probably need Paz. “But I would say since expanded from a two-car, a car in the future,” said Brandy that they made us grow doing all the things I want to do. 16-member operation to one with Trudeau, a former Zipcar member smarter, and the amount of money I find that I’m spending a little bit 240 cars and more than 7,000 and current CAN member, that they spend on advertising has more money.” members. The network has also “because of my mobility issues really brought a lot of members Running a co-operative can seen the rise of Zipcar, a compet- and the fact that there isn’t a car to us.” be a challenge because it is subject ing car sharing organization that right outside my door.” Trudeau CAN was already established to the whims of its ever-changing operates under a traditional busi- has arthritis and found Zipcars in Vancouver when Zipcar arrived, democratically elected board of ness model. were not easily accessible in her so Zipcar employed a different volunteers, said Paz. Members do Tanya Paz, client relations neighborhood. She is content with growth strategy in the West Coast not necessarily have business expe- and development director of her CAN membership for now. “I city. Paz is critical. “They don’t rience. The board might request CAN, sees a couple of advantages actually like being able to try dif- grow in a very sustainable manner that staff use cheques instead of of running car sharing as a co-op ferent cars,” she said. “The variety and some of their business deci- credit cards for business expenses, instead of as a for-profit enterprise. of vehicles is kind of fun.” sions don’t make much sense to for example. “The reality of doing Besides the availability of seed Currently, CAN’s roaming me,” she said. Zipcar launched its business today is that [using funding from local credit unions, agreements with other car sharing Vancouver operation in 2007 with cheques] is quite a delay,” said Paz. “people feel like they have more organizations allow members 100 cars and the expectation of “There are times that I’m sure the of a sense of ownership,” which access to cars in Victoria, San expansion, but wound up culling founder thinks, ‘Why didn’t I just motivates members to respect the Francisco and Halifax, and Paz the fleet to 80. own this myself?'” cars, according to Paz. says CAN is working on expand- Whether co-operative or Paz is passionate about the In the beginning, 28-year-old ing to other cities. private, car sharing networks can co-operative business model Tracey Axelson, CAN’s founder, CAN has consulted for other boast that they help reduce carbon because it fosters a co-operative struggled to have her vision taken car sharing start-ups around the emissions—over three quarters of a economy as a whole. seriously—by insurance compa- world, but staff did not expect a ton per household per year, accord- “It’s basically a different way nies, the city and financiers—as private car sharing organization ing to a June, 2010 study by the of doing business, of thinking she lacked business experience they consulted for to become Mineta Institute at the San Jose about things,” said Paz. “[Co-ops] Car sharing organizations already competition. Zipcar launched State University. have the heart of an NGO and existed in Germany, Switzerland about 10 years ago in Cambridge, The study acknowledges that the mind of a business. So you’re and Montreal, but Paz recalls Massachusetts and has spread to at an individual level, emissions working for the best interests of critics telling the organizers of 94 American cities as well as to can increase. “There are times the members, but also for the the fledgling network that on “the London, Toronto and Vancouver. when it’s really nice to have a car benefit of your society around you West Coast, people will never give Zipcar now has more than 400,000 and previously I would just suck as a whole.” up their cars.” members. it up or take a cab,” said Trudeau. Car sharing works best, “Of course we never expected “Now I find that instead I’m book- Erin Empey is a Vancouver-based according to Paz, in areas where them to go to Toronto or come ing a car for a day and going and writer. 22 Baby Animal / Letters The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Squirreling the Days Away The life of the eastern gray squirrel esilient, sturdy and fast, their most active in late winter at the first-ever squirrels date the start of their mating games. Rback about forty million years The males chase both the females and continue to evade the threat and their suitors through the of extinction today. This tiny, trees at unfathomable speeds, all twitching critter got its name from the while performing stunts that the Greek "skiouros," meaning even the most fearless of stunt- shadow-tailed. men would dare not attempt. The Apart from having large inci- female will usually choose the sors that never stop growing and strongest male available to her, but which they continually sharpen this is a one-off; the next time she on branches and even power lines mates it will be with a different (causing many a power outage), partner. Some say this is nature's squirrels also possess the unique way of preserving the genetic The squirrel dates back about forty million years and continues to evade superpower of being one of very strength of the species, and may be Andrew Dawley few mammals that are capable of why squirrels continue to survive extinction. climbing down a tree head-first, and thrive. dent on her for guidance for many but they are also sexually mature due to their strong and limber A mother squirrel usually weeks. But they grow up strong and ready to carry on a legacy claws that lend them incompa- gives birth to one or two litters of and they grow up fast—these well- that would make Darwin proud rable skill in the world of grasping about four baby squirrels each year, adapted creatures not only live to only one year into their scuttling, woody surfaces. all of which are born completely enjoy excellent vision with their scrambling lives. These little mammals are at bald, toothless, blind, and depen- large, incessantly searching eyes, -Maya Rolbin Ghanie BACK TALK Pew, fishy! does not come as cheap as two person, she has not denounced (or not). There are serious class mill. the occupation or participated in implications when we talk about s guarantor of NGO com- -Macdonald Stainsby the numerous anti-occupation access to surgeries, or access to pliance in greenwashing rallies (many organized by coali- information about gender and Athe process, the Pew Charitable Cover Haitians when tions working out of our office) sex. Trust, itself the creation of Sun covering Haiti as far as I know (and I have been The article also focuses on Oil Company, has proven itself watching for that). trans- men and tokenizes trans- a useful partner to industry his piece reads like a Haiti -Kim Ives women, who seem to be lumped ("Showdown in the Far North" Liberte/ Kim Ives public into experiencing many of the by Jon Thompson, Issue 72: serviceT announcement window Trans- Politics same things as trans- men. This November 2010). dressed with a few other voices t is assumed that all trans- too is an ongoing issue in trans- -Jay Taber to make it seem broader ("Silent people are transsexual—that organizing and academia as Coup in Haiti" by Darren Ell, Iis, that all trans- people wish trans- men are much more likely ew funding is far over $2 Issue 72: November 2010). to change our gender as well than trans- women to attend million annually for "con- Where's Narcisse? Where's Rene as our sex ("Universal Access?" (and graduate from) a post-sec- Pservation" groups. The annual Civil, Paul Ramon, Paulette by Kaley Kennedy, Issue 71: ondary institution, as well as to budget of the Canadian Boreal Joseph and a plethora of other October 2010). It is inappropri- have access to male privilege, be Initiative, a Pew front group that voices on the ground beyond ate (and seriously offensive) to welcomed into queer communi- has no board, no legal status and Ives' so-called "constellation of talk about, disclose or assume ties, and not be pressured into is technically nothing more than progressive groups orbiting the how we "cover up or enhance" tokenizing sex work. a project of Ducks Unlimited, offices of the Bureau des avocats our bodies in order to appear as It is awesome that you want has a budget larger than that internationaux (BAI) and Haiti our chosen sex or gender. The to publish articles on trans- alone and they only operate in Liberte?" "politics of passing" is far too issues, but it should be done Canada. The Pew works hard to -Anonymous complex for me to outline here; carefully and critically. obscure what they give to whom, however I will mention that this -jesse grass but suffice to say buying off and did not say that Dr. Narcisse is a point of contention within owning a weak, ineffective and “supports” the UN occupation trans- communities, as some ("Trans-" is left with the hyphen wholly backroom, anti-demo- Iin Haiti. I said that she has not people are assumed to be "less to acknowledge both transsexual cratic environmental movement spoken out against it. Since Nar- trans-" than others based on how and transgendered peoples.) on both sides of the 49th parallel cisse became the party’s spokes- we chose to modify our bodies The Dominion, December 2010 — Issue #73 Comic 23