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 • August 2007 • Issue #47

Day of Action? Anti-Canada Day? Direct Action? Four articles discuss problems, solutions and alternatives. » coverage starts on page 6

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41375022 The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 Month in Review: July 2 Organizers in Vancouver and alone is likely to surpass $6 said “[The Canadian govern- demning the President, Vice Montreal held Anti-Canada billion, and that does not ment] doesn’t consult with the President and other adminis- Day demonstrations on the first include health and personal communities, it doesn’t comply tration officials for misconduct of the month. In Vancouver, damages for tens of thousands with its legal duties, and the relating to the war in Iraq and over 200 people took to the of people who live in the area,” regrettable result is the com- for their repeated assaults on the streets and blockaded train said Pablo Fajardo, a lawyer munities are forced to take their rule of law.” Critics have called tracks. Several Canadian flags, for the plaintiffs. “This could resources, hire lawyers, [and] go the censure ineffectual; the painted with the words “No dwarf any other damages claim to court in order to force Canada resolutions are symbolic, and Justice on Stolen Native Land,” in environmental law, as well as to comply with the law.” bring no legal consequences. were burned. In Montreal, in any civil case that resulted in demonstrators highlighted an actual judgment.” Chevron’s Five thousand agricultural Anti-war leader Cindy their opposition to CN’s current vice president for Latin America workers from Nicaragua, Costa Sheehan and several activists lawsuit against three Mohawk criticized the “unfair trial and Rica, Guatemala, Honduras were arrested outside the office activists at Tyendinaga Mohawk lack of due process” in Ecuador, and Panama have filed a lawsuit of Rep. John Conyers. The con- Territory, and expressed their tingent refused to leave after support for Indigenous sover- Conyers said he would not eignty and self-determination. pursue impeachment of George A banner read, “When Justice Bush and Dick Cheney. Polls Fails, Block the Rails!” show that a slight majority of Americans currently support Aboriginal women from across pursuing impeachment. North and South America Sheehan has said that she will marched through the Mohawk run against Nancy Pelosi, the community of Kahnawake Democratic House Speaker, in near Montreal to protest the next election, due to Pelosi’s against Ottawa’s refusal to refusal to support impeach- adopt the United Nations Dec- ment. “I am committed to chal- laration on the Rights of Indig- lenging a two party system that enous Peoples. The declaration has kept us in a state of constant upholds aboriginal people’s warfare for the last 60 years,” land rights and ways of life. said Sheehan. Only one other country, Russia, has refused to support it at the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Human Rights Council. Olmert confirmed that the Anti-Canada Day events were held across the country on July 1, United States is planning a expressing support for indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. A National Day of Action was significant increase in military Ange Sterritt held in Australia protest- and defense aid to Israel, to ing the government’s plan to but critics point out that the against Dole Fresh Fruit Co. the tune of $30 billion over the impose police-military control case was originally filed in New and Standard Fruit Co., now a next ten years. The new package over about 70 Indigenous com- York federal court in 1993, and part of Dole, claiming they were amounts to a 25% increase in munities across the Northern the company fought for years left sterile after being exposed military aid. Washington is Territory. The takeover, which to move it to Ecuador, finally in the 1970s to the pesticide also reportedly preparing a $20 the government says is a getting its wish in 2002. “Since known as DBCP. The lawsuit billion arms deal with Saudi response to widespread sexual it is losing on all the facts, it is claims Dow and Amvac knew Arabia because of its concerns abuse, is being seen by many as fighting back in the only way it about DBCP’s toxicity as early over Iran’s nuclear program. a land grab that will exacerbate can, by attacking the process as the 1950s but continued to the shocking social conditions itself,” said another lawyer for use the pesticide outside the Alberta’s Premier Ed Stelmach facing the Northern Territory’s the plaintiffs, Alegandro Ponce. United States. The Los Angeles narrowly missed getting pied Aboriginal population. “Chevron should stop its misin- County Superior Court will hear in the face while serving up formation campaign and pay up the case, which legal experts say pancakes at Calgary’s Annual Chevron called the $6 billion for the damage it has caused.” raises the issue of whether mul- Stampede Breakfast. The lawsuit the US firm is battling tinational companies should be protester cried out, “I think it’s in the Ecuadorian courts a The Ka’agee Tu First Nation in held accountable in the country pretty cozy for the Premier to be “legal farce” and said it would the Northwest Territories where they are based or where eating breakfast when people challenge any ruling against won a court case against the they employ workers. A verdict are homeless on the streets,” the company. The class-action federal government for violating in favor of the workers could while being dragged away by suit filed by 30,000 Indigenous the Ka’agee Tu’s right to mean- open the door for others to file police after missing her target people is for cleanup costs for ingful consultation when in similar claims in the U.S., where and hitting a security guard with the jungle region where Texaco 2005 it approved Paramount juries are known for judgments the chocolate cream pie instead. Petroleum Co. spent three Resources’ application to drill more favourable to labourers. The breakfast was attended by decades extracting oil before it several new oil wells in the a number of advocates for the merged with Chevron in 2001. Cameron Hills area. A lawyer US Congressional Democrats homeless as well as an indi- “The environmental clean-up representing the First Nation introduced resolutions “con- vidual dressed in a Batman 3 Month in Review: July The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 costume who called himself “No South African police fired 44 per cent of Peruvians live company says the protests have Tar Man” and demanded an end rubber bullets to break up poverty. Under pressure from been “threatening” and “intimi- to the development of northern crowds protesting against a demonstrations, the President dating.” Those occupying the Alberta’s oil sands. Four years lack of municipal services in the apologized for not doing enough site say the protest has been ago at the same event, then- country’s biggest black township for the country’s poor. “I would peaceful and “completely non- premier Ralph Klein was hit in Soweto. The protest was the have loved to do a lot more,” he violent and non-threatening” the face with a pie. latest in a string of often violent said, and promised to do more from the beginning. clashes between residents in the future. Alberta Premier Stelmach and police in black townships narrowly missed getting pied around Johannesburg and in At least 12 people were a second time, this time with a the central Free State province. injured and 59 arrested when banana cream pie in Calgary. Residents are demanding better Honduran police violently For links to sources and The pie thrower, Donna housing, faster access to elec- cleared several roadblocks set more reading, visit McPhee who also wished to tricity, clean drinking water up by protesters demanding a www.dominionpaper.ca draw attention to homeless- and sewage facilities. Despite new mining law. The demon- ness, was waiting outside a tele- faster economic growth, wealth strators are demanding a law vision station where Stelmach is still not trickling down to the that forbids open pit mining, ~ ISSN 1710-0283 ~ was being interviewed, but poor, prompting action to uplift including the use of cyanide, www.dominionpaper.ca he left using another door. a “second economy” character- mercury and other toxic sub- [email protected] McPhee was left standing with ized by sprawling city slums and stances. Among other demands, PO Box 741 Station H a pie without a politician - until poverty that is fuelling some of they are calling for community Montréal, QC H3G 2M7 Calgary mayor walked out the the highest rates of crime in the involvement in any decision to The Dominion is a pan-Canadian media network that seeks to door. “He was going to be on world. open a mine, and for companies provide a counterpoint to the the list anyway, so why ruin the to carry out measures that corporate media and direct pie?” said McPhee. Eight protesters were shot mitigate the impact of mining attention to independent critics dead in the southern state of on the environment. and the work of social movements. Royal Dutch Shell announced Andhra Pradesh in India by The Dominion is published it would pump $27 billion into police. The demonstration was Opponents of Canadian mining monthly in print and on the web. the Alberta tarsands. The plan is part of a three-month campaign operations in Ecuador are Publisher consistent with Shell’s vision for demanding land for the poor. “facing death threats and The Dominion Canada, announced in January, Protesters were reportedly attacks” according to a report Newspaper Society to expand its oilsands business throwing stones at police as released by Amnesty Interna- with its partners fivefold, to they approached the tent where tional. The report comes at a Editor 770,000 barrels a day. the protesters were gathered. time when Canadian mining Dru Oja Jay company Ascendant Copper Managing Editor Chief of the State Environ- The group “Saving Iceland” Corp is facing controversy and Hillary Lindsay mental Protection Administra- has stepped up its campaign resistance to a copper-molyb- Volunteer Coordinator tion in China (SEPA), Zhou against heavy industry, and denum mine in an ecologically Shengxian, said that public the aluminum industry in par- sensitive region of northwest- Moira Peters discontent with pollution “has ticular, with road blockades, ern Ecuador. Earlier this week, Arts Editor resulted in a rising number of banner drops and a protest Ecuador’s Ministry of Energy Michelle Tarnopolsky ‘mass incidents’” -- an official camp. Several arrests have been and Mines ordered Ascendant Max Liboiron euphemism for riots, protests made but the group warns that to stop its community-relations Original Peoples Editor and collective petitions. This they are “not through with this work, saying it was “intended month, 200,000 people in the summer’s actions.” According to divide the community.” Kim Petersen province of Jiangsu were cut off to the group’s website, 30 per Ecuador’s anti-corruption Agriculture Editor from tap water for 40 hours due cent of aluminum is produced watchdog also urged the gov- Hillary Lindsay to an industrial chemical spill for military use. Saving Iceland ernment to investigate alleged Environment Editor and hundreds of farmers blocked is accusing the state broadcaster irregularities in the Ascendant Yuill Herbert a highway in Sichuan province of slander for allegations that land deals, saying specula- demanding $1.1. million in activists from the group receive tors snapped up 18 properties Review Editor compensation, accusing an payment for being arrested. earmarked for use as farmland, Linda Besner aluminum company of leaking and sold them within weeks to Gender Editor chemicals that contaminated A nationwide protest that the mine at prices 40 to 50 times Anna Carastathis grapes and other crops. Twen- that has drawn the support of higher than they had paid. Rédacteur français ty-six percent of the length of education workers, construction the China’s seven main river workers, farmers and miners in The Algonquin First Nations, Vivien Jaboeuf systems had pollution of grade Peru has resulted in the death of occupying a proposed uranium Chief Copy Editor 5 or worse, making it unfit for three people and the detention mine site in eastern Ontario, Ross Lockhart human contact. About 460,000 of over 100 union leaders. Dem- are being sued by the mining Copy Editors Chinese die prematurely each onstrators are calling for a fairer company, Frontenac Ventures Moira Peters year from breathing polluted air distribution of wealth and have Corporation, for $77 million and drinking dirty water. held protests blocking roads dollars in damages. In their Contributing Illustrator and closing airports. Currently Statement of Claim the Sylvia Nickerson The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 Arts 4 Outperforming Gentrification A profile of Jessica Rose by Michelle Tarnopolsky are other cities where planners or councils will hire an artist On November 11, 2006, to be on their board,” she says. artist and curator Jessica “What needs to happen [in Rose orchestrated A Funeral Toronto] is more artists working for a Building, a performance closer with the city and guiding piece/memorial service to the people who have the ability mark the end of an era for her to invest.” Queen West arts community. While Rose has devoted Rose invited residents and a lot of time to working with community members to express Active 18, the community group their grief over plans to tear formed to fight irresponsible down her home at 48 Abell development in the Ward 18 Street in order to make way for gallery district, she does not two condominium towers. For identify herself as an activist. the last quarter-century, the When it comes to raising 80,000-square-foot, industrial, awareness about the impor- loft-style building has provided Run The ROM, The Movement Movement, 2007. Image courtesy of tance of preserving a space Trevor Haldenby 80 live/work studios for artists The Movement Movement, copyright 2007. like 48 Abell, she says she’s in the heart of what was recently Rose moved into 48 Abell the University of Toronto, she “a lot more comfortable with renamed Toronto’s “Art and with her mother 15 years secured a job as the associate the artist strategy.” Sparked Design District.” ago, when it was far from the art director of the Drake Hotel by her research on public art Less than two months sightline of circling condo and was curating shows within for Nuit Blanche, Rose joined before the funeral, on September vultures. “There were 14-year- six months. forces with choreographer 28, Toronto city council voted old prostitutes on the corner,” While there’s no question Jenn Goodwin in May 2006 against designating the 120- she recalls. “Everyone thought that the area around the Drake to launch the “Movement year-old former lamp factory [my mom] was crazy for having has gotten a lot trendier since Movement” in which they “run as a heritage building, which a kid in this neighbourhood.” the boutique hotel opened on with art” through public spaces, would have protected it from Her long bangs mostly obscure Queen West in February 2004, like galleries and city squares, demolition. The timing was as her eyes and she has a serious, Rose thinks that blaming it for along with whoever wants to harsh as the news; it came on almost brooding appearance the gentrification of the area join them. The purpose is less the eve of Nuit Blanche, the that belies her moxie. “This was is a simplistic way to look at about creating a spectacle, Rose inaugural all-night, Paris-in- such an amazing building, even community growth. “I really says, and “more about bringing spired, city-wide contemporary then,” she says. “John Scott [a believe that if you have a good together the janitor who works art fest that artists from the major Canadian painter] lived thing, you beam that out to at York University with the Queen West gallery district had here…all the senior faculty at the world. You don’t have executive who’s obsessed with been helping the city plan for OCAD [Ontario College of Art something that’s really great running, with kids from some months. and Design]—they all lived and only show 10 people just high school in Scarborough Rose, a key organizer for here.” so you don’t lose it,” she says. and... creating a circumstance the overwhelmingly success- Spurred on by her Yet a disheartening pattern for them to make relationships ful Nuit Blanche, is diplomatic community, Rose got her first emerges whenever artists move with each other and with the about what many in the arts film grant at 19 and left to into low-rent neighbourhoods: space.” The concept behind the community consider outright study filmmaking at Emily Carr they act as catalysts for urban project–bringing attention to betrayal on the part of the city: shortly thereafter. By the time renewal by beautifying live/ shared public space by activat- “I’m in a complicated position,” she came back and moved into work spaces and producing ing it in a unique way–outlives she says. “But what’s the alter- her own loft space at 48 Abell amenities (as Richard Florida, the temporary act. Is it con- native? Not getting involved and in 2001, the neighbourhood author of Rise of the Creative ceptual art? Performance art? not being able to impact things was well on its way to becoming Class, would say), which in turn Interventionist art? Social art? and saying, ‘Oh, you’re an agent the contemporary art mecca ups the hip-quotient of the area, Rose uses all of these terms to of gentrification–I hate you’? it is today. New galleries had thereby increasing rent and describe it. That’s a really dumb position.” sprouted up everywhere. “To forcing artists out. And they On May 12, 2007, Rose and Rather than just complain- come back in to this amazing, are not alone: all low-income Goodwin accomplished their ing about it over cocktails, the active community—it was community members who most ambitious project to date: 28-year-old is using her perfor- sort of like my introduction to have made the neighbourhood running through the Royal mance art to get Torontonians the world,” says Rose. After a home suffer the same conse- Ontario Museum with some 250 thinking and talking about the assisting sculptor John Jackson quences. people. It was the first stop in a value of preserving affordable in his studio for a year and com- Rose, however, refuses to » continued on page 16 live/work spaces for artists. pleting courses at OCAD and accept this as inevitable. “There Arts Editors: Max Liboiron, [email protected] and Michelle Tarnopolsky, [email protected] 5 Review The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 This third collection by sive deceit, to the prose poems found items (overheard snippets Shane Rhodes is a declaration, a chronicling travels in Mexico, of conversation, literary quota- questioning, a conversation, and which celebrate foreign culture tions, signage, photographs) to a language lesson, all rendered as seen through the eyes of create a constellation of images in the strong and unrelent- the traveller. Compare again and moments. It’s the poet who ing voice he established in his to the list poems “On Travel” ‘binds’ all the pieces together– previous two books. The range of and “To Elizabeth Bishop.” In both in “The Bindery” as a poem form is impressive: compare the each case, Rhodes marries form and The Bindery as a collec- contemplative open field style and content seamlessly. The tion–thus allowing for dialogue of “Portrait,” which examines eponymous “The Bindery”– between the individual elements, memory and myth through the alternately funny, moving, and the infusion of meaning, and a The Bindery recollection of family figures and smart, this is Rhodes at his powerful overall effect. Shane Rhodes the national history of oppres- best–uses original verse and —Matthew J. Trafford NeWest Press

Lebowitz’s first book is a tions, Finnish literature, and The poem exemplifies Lebowitz’ creative biography of her great- government documents, into commitment to incorporating grandmother, suffragist Ida which Lebowitz inserts poetic external sources, taking its first Hannus, who moved to a Finnish and prose commentary. The verse from a Finnish folk poem. socialist commune on the BC resulting collage is question- Also, its eloquent placement coast in 1901. The questions ing, tender, and surprisingly after a section on suffering in the “what happened?” and “what reluctant to present or imagine commune allows its unnamed was it like?” are answered from its characters’ personalities. One characters both to represent the a range of documented and of the most effective poems is community, and to imply the imagined perspectives. These the simple “Grocery Shopping.” developing relationship between voices blur, sometimes to the It describes how “he launched Hannus and her partner. It’s these point of confusion. Hannus’ the craft / pushed the boat into compelling personal tensions Hannus mixed form includes photos, the waves . . . / We waited. / He which seem to be lacking in the Rachel Lebowitz newspaper clippings, diary returned with a lap organ. / ‘But work as a whole. Pedlar Press excerpts, interview quota- music,’ he said, ‘feeds our souls.’” —Jane Henderson

In yesno, Dennis Lee returns mind to the / grindstone, ear to burden”. In “DNA”, Lee writes, to the theme he considered in the plough. / Hi- / hoein along “No DNA for the crunch, we got Un: the future of planet earth. with a song: / What home but / neural nothing. / No yesno These poems examine how the here? Whose grubby hands but receptors; no template for cos- simultaneous forces of hope and ours?” These poems, however mochaos.” In yesno, Lee seems pessimism interact to create an serious in intent, are playful. Lee intent on creating just that—a ethic that Lee sums up as “yesno.” pairs words in nonsensical ways. template. A means, as he writes This is a new kind of eco-poetry. He pays strange and wonderful in the title poem, to “habitate It rebukes and encourages in the attention to rhythm. In “forgi-”, crossbeing. / To ride both reals same breath. In “dopey,” Lee a poem about unforgivable acts, at once.” even issues a call to arms: “Dopey Lee scats, “blindblabbing our / —Ben Hart yesno & grumpy & doc, just / truckin gobshut, our / gutted-by-green- Dennis Lee along–/ here come chorale; / slag, our undisad- / missable Anansi

Nickel has the ear of a last line of the previous section’s snow spun high off a drift/ by the violinist as well as a poet, and initial poem. These linked verses wind, woman on a white horse/ there is a trained lightness to her feel like generations of a family, on my way to school—there!–/ sense of the line and the phrase. each borrowing a starting point see her hair, sabre, a glitter in Nickel uses parts of a house– and then veering off somewhere the air/cast orange by the lights “Master Bedroom,” “Girls’ new. The section on Catherine of the arena.” The warlike figure Room,” “Living Room,” etc—as the Great contains the fierce of Catherine saves the collection her section headings, and the and dreamy poem, “Woman on from running too close to senti- most surprising and satisfying a White Horse,” in which the mentality in its domestic scope, of her formal tricks is to begin empress is a presence in a small and Nickel’s precision does the Domain each of these sections with a Saskatchewan town: “She came rest. poem whose first line repeats the from a blue half-light./ She was —Linda Besner Barbara Nickel Anansi Review Editor: Linda Besner, [email protected] The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 Original Peoples 6 Reaching the Breaking Point Mixed results on First Nations Day of Action by Zoe Blunt community, days after members of that First Nation set up camp By any measure, highway on Parliament Hill. blockades upstaged the marches Astute observers will and rallies on Canada’s Aborigi- note the new initiatives do not nal Day of Action in June. address widespread poverty Weeks of high-profile contro- on reserves, and they don’t versy climaxed on June 29, provide help for employment, when small groups of protestors health services, drinking water, took over roads, rail lines and or education. The announce- the country’s news headlines. ments also fail to address a In the media, open key demand of First Nations: conflict between “radical” and implementation of the Kelowna “moderate” indigenous leaders Accord to address living condi- got plenty of airtime, although tions on reserves. the underlying political issues First Nations leaders warn received little attention. The if the status quo doesn’t change, issue of “violent” and “illegal” A Canadian flag is burned during an Anti-Canada Day many more protests are on the protest was the top story. demonstration in Vancouver, Coast Salish Territory. Aaron Vidaver way. As early as May 15, Prime “What Shawn Brant did is Minister Stephen Harper was opment, health, housing and are counter-productive because nothing compared to what is warning that “violence —- or more. But the AFN doesn’t they don’t win support from the going to happen in the future the threat of violence —- will kill represent all indigenous people: public. There is much more than if we can’t give our people hope any public sympathy for getting non-status natives are left out, public image at stake, however. for the future,” Nelson told on and fixing this problem.” On for example. Fontaine and other AFN leaders delegates at the Alliance of First June 28, Phil Fontaine made The AFN initiated the Day may have been aiming to win the Nations annual general meeting a last-ditch appeal to aborigi- of Action last December when hearts and minds of Canadians, in July. nal people and non-aboriginal the Special Chiefs Assembly but for the blockaders, the day In fact, a second wave of people not to use the national passed a proposal calling on of action had a different goal: protests started only days after day of action as an opportunity Canada to “respect the funda- to squeeze the government the National Day of Action. for “violent confrontation and mental human rights of indig- and corporations until they are Writers for Warrior Publica- illegal road blockades.” But enous peoples to ownership and willing to make real change. tions, a West Coast-based group, despite all the warnings, at the legal recognition of a rightful Blockades are economic slammed the AFN as colonialist end of the day, no incidents of share of all natural resource actions, not media stunts, but collaborators and called for a violence were reported. wealth in Canada.” Chief they still got the lion’s share of boycott of the Day of Action. Nonetheless, newspapers Terrance Nelson of the Roseau the camera time. They organized Anti-Canada across the country tagged River First Nation in Manitoba They also got the govern- Day protests against a system Shawn Brant, the leader of the sponsored the resolution. By ment’s attention. Threats of they describe as corrupt–a Tyendinaga Mohawk blockade May, Nelson and the band were action spurred the government system that includes treaty in Ontario, as a “hothead” promising to block the CN Rail into moving to resolve outstand- negotiations, the band councils (National Post), “rogue” (CBC) lines through the Roseau River ing issues that have festered for and the AFN itself. and “militant” (Canadian Reserve. generations. Activists in Montreal, Press). CP went further, calling In the weeks leading up to On June 12, Harper, Guelph, Vancouver and Saanich, Brant a “lone voice advocat- the protest, Phil Fontaine, the Fontaine and Indian Affairs B.C., organized more blockades ing militancy” —- ignoring the Grand Chief of the Assembly Minister Jim Prentice and protests on July 1, although dozens of Mohawks standing of First Nations, tried to rein announced a proposal to on a smaller scale than those with him and hundreds more in the blockaders. But Fontaine overhaul the native land claims seen two days earlier. The Anti- behind barricades across the himself had to admit he system. One week later, the Con- Canada Day protests, however, country. couldn’t control what individual servatives settled the Roseau lacked the media punch of the Against this backdrop, chiefs and bands choose to do. River land claim, prompting Day of Action protests, coming the Assembly of First Nations “Many of our communities have the AFN’s action leader to as they did after editors had (AFN) were positioned in reached the breaking point. cancel the CN Rail blockade in moved on to other news priori- the media as moderates. The The anger and frustration are Manitoba. And on June 30, the ties. national organization formed palpable,” he told reporters in government designated former As summer temperatures in 1982 as a way for chiefs and May. diplomat Janet Zukowsky as climb, First Nations unrest bands to advocate for treaties, Fontaine, along with a special representative to continues. In B.C. alone, three land rights, education, devel- Harper, argued that blockades the Barriere lake Algonquin » continued on page 16

Original Peoples Editor: Kim Petersen, [email protected] 7 Accounts The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 AFN Supports Direct Action? Day of Action discussed, criticized at AFN General Assembly by Diane Simon increased grassroots pressure on the AFN to take action. HALIFAX--At the annual The AFN, however, receives general Assembly of First its funding from the Canadian Nations (AFN), July 10-12, First federal government, putting it Nations leaders from across in a tricky position. In the past, Canada resolved to continue to AFN funding has been severely hold “Days of Action” to uphold cut when a leader was seen as native rights. The assembled too confrontational. chiefs also passed a resolution Normally, time is alloted mandating the AFN to uphold to the AFN’s National Chief the rights of Day of Action to address comments made participants against “politically in discussion at an assembly. motivated reprisals” and to However, current National ensure they are “treated with Chief Phil Fontaine opted to due process, consideration and remain silent, saying that he fairness.” would respond in a few weeks. Underlying the resolutions, Instead, he gave over his alloted however, was a fundamental speaking time to Nelson. tension between the AFN’s lead- Many First Nations, ership and grassroots people. including Roseau River, have The last resolution is seen called for direct action to assert as providing implicit support native rights, but the AFN as for Shawn Brant, a member a whole has been limited to of the Bay of Quinte Mohawk “raising awareness.” Fontaine community in Ontario, who was cited a poll showing 70 per cent arrested for breach of bail con- of Canadians supporting the Day ditions after participating in a of Action and said he wanted to blockade of CN Rail lines. Brant continue to build support. was repeatedly portrayed in However, others say media reports as a “militant” in little has changed, despite the opposition to “peaceful” AFN- apparent support of the majority mandated protesters. of non-native Canadians. Some The resolution followed a critics question the legitimacy long discussion, in which several of the AFN as a representative chiefs passionately voiced what body. they saw as the necessity for “The 1876 Indian Act was Demonstrators at a Calgary rally during the AFN’s Day of Action on direct action to defend the how the Canadian state imposed June 29. Grant Neufeld/Creative Commons future of native peoples in these band councils over our Canada. Many specifically spoke traditional forms of governance nization whose main purpose is rights. in support of Brant and the Bay and social organization,” said to assimilate our peoples.” Nelson ignited controversy of Quinte Mohawks. Gord Hill, a Kwakwaka’wakw “The Day of Action is a way in 2006 when he told reporters, Terrence Nelson from artist and organizer, in an to make itself relevant,” said “There’s only two ways to deal the Roseau River First Nation interview with No One Is Illegal Hill, “And to portray itself as a with white people to have in Manitoba said that native Radio. pseudo-militant organization an effective resolution of the people have to look beyond the “When the AFN calls for a that stands up and fights for issues.” government to solve issues of national Day of Action, we’re the rights of the people, when “You either pick up the gun poverty and human rights. opposed to it. A big part of that in actuality, they represent the and deal with the issue, or you Nelson said that Canada is that the AFN’s objective is to interests of government and big stand between the white man is thriving on resources that gain more support and more business.” and his money.” belong to First Nations, and funding from the Canadian gov- Participating in the Day Nelson explained the that First Nations need to ernment.” of Action was about solidar- comments to the assembly, assert their legal rights to those “A lot of people just assume ity, Susan Levi-Peters, chief emphasizing that Canada’s resources and move towards that the AFN is a legitimate of Elsipogtog (Big Cove) First economic structure is based self-determination. “The organization that actually does Nation in New Brunswick told on natural resources, and that resource wealth of our land... represent our people. We’re the assembly. Levi-Peters called those same natural resources supports every Canadian,” said trying to say no, it’s not a for more solidarity between the are being stolen from native Nelson. legitimate organization; it’s a AFN leadership and all those people on an ongoing basis. Nelson’s comments reflect state-funded and -founded orga- organizing in support of native The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 Accounts 8 Of Corruption and Regeneration The Indian Act and Canada’s unfulfilled contractual obligations [The following is an unedited Of major significance must ciated with poorly governed policy. Any legitimate solution excerpt of a response to an be the understanding that there bureaucracies, while given the must resolve the inconsistency article that appeared in the does not exist in Canada an public appearance that they are between avoidance policy and Ottawa Citizen. It was sent Aboriginal “First Nation” but a challenging the government for the still existing law. by Paula Lapierre of the complex and diverse mosaic of more monies on behalf of their Through the first tactic Kichesipirini Algonquin First Aboriginal cultures and political community members. Canada has attempted to lessen Nation.] entities that have become Essentially such a system or even get rid of the number clumped together through the ensures that mainstream of beneficiaries of the contract. In Response to “Our natives application–or more correctly, Canada, while making the Canada used racial qualifiers to must evolve into an economic the imposition–of Canada’s rules, continues to oppress the lessen the numbers. Carefully force in Canada”, The Ottawa Indian Act and other Aborigi- Aboriginal people. Even where designed ethnogenesis, or Citizen, published: Friday, July nal policy. Nor were Aborigi- there might be the illusion that community identity concepts, 06, 2007, by Fred Maroun of nal societies solely made up of Aboriginal leaders are prying orchestrated through Canada’s Ottawa, Re: “Turning guilt into wandering bands of hunters, away dollars for programs and control of the purse strings, billions of dollars”, July 1, and fishers or gatherers. The services in the best interests have profoundly changed the “We can’t keep native commu- Algonquin Nation and other of their community members, Native peoples concept of them- nities on life-support forever”, Anishnabek nations had highly it must be constantly remem- selves, and the mainstream June 29. sophisticated central govern- bered that Canada holds the Canadian understanding of the In Mr. Maroun’s article he ments that had excelled during purse strings, that Aboriginal native Canadian population. correctly observes that there the French trade regime. British leaders are therefore financially Most of Canada, Aboriginal and exists within Canada an Aborig- policy, and then later Canadian dependent on the Canadian not, now erroneously accept inal bureaucratic system that policy, set out to destroy the most governments, are in no way the Indian Act as the “ultimate” extracts billions of dollars in powerful aspects of Aboriginal directly accountable to their definition of legitimate aborigi- revenue with few mechanisms in society. These policies altered own people, and that they are nality in Canada. If you have place concerning what would be the existing political and social financially reliant on maintain- “status” you are considered considered standard practices of organization of Aboriginal ing a deficit social system. A as having superior right to good governance and account- societies that were profoundly social deficit system requires benefits despite the fact that the ability. In any system lacking more sophisticated than what a population of needy victims Indian Act and its racial preoc- strong anti-corruption mecha- we have been led to believe, and whose only hope lies in the cupations have been the most nisms the inevitable will occur: forced their dependency on the provision of more programs destructive and oppressive blatant corruption. More money dictates of externally oppressive and services. Maintaining a policy inflicted on the genuine from the government will not policy. victim society works for both Aboriginal cultures and commu- solve the natives’ problems in One of the most negative the Canadian bureaucracy and nities. Indian Act registration, Canada, because the source of aspects of this forced restructur- the Aboriginal elites. or status, does not adequately the problems is not monetary, ing of Native societies was the The solution? Canada must represent all potential benefi- they are problems of gover- establishment of fragmented realize that there are contrac- ciaries of original First Nations. nance and law. The Algonquins and dispersed Indian Act bands tual obligations to the original Any solution must first identify were once a major economic and the promotion of Indian inhabitants of this land for beneficiaries according to law force in Canada. So it must be Act band “elites”. “benefits”, or rent in effect, in rather than flawed policy. asked what has happened? Existing within every exchange for the shared use of The imposition of the And it must be remembered Aboriginal community are their land and resources, and Indian Act managed to reduce that these faulty systems of poor the haves and have-nots. that these benefits need not be the numbers of individuals governance are designed and Chiefs, councillors and band provided through programs entitled to benefits within the funded by the Canadian federal employees enjoy positions of and services. The essence of Algonquin community by an and provincial governments. By power not limited by the same these contracts is the assurance estimated 2/3s and made the maintaining systems destined degree of accountability or that the original inhabitants of receipt of benefits contingent to fail and attract distrust, any transparency as is normally the land and their descendents on relocation away from tradi- actual attempts by Canada’s expected. Individuals in these would not be left destitute tional resources and economy. Aboriginal people to gain inde- positions are caught in a series because of the decision to share The Algonquins in Ontario are pendence and sustainability of conflicts of interests. There their natural resources. That is currently grappling to reconcile are simultaneously severely is ample opportunity for them the legal foundation of Canada. those injustices. Can it be done sabotaged from within the to exploit the members of their But the legal obligations have in a matter that will bring legal Aboriginal community through communities while appearing been avoided or minimized certainty to the issues solely corruption and internalized to be opposition facsimiles to through the development through a negotiations process? oppression, and considered the rest of Canada. Indian Act of sophisticated avoidance Only if the negotiations process suspicious and threatening by Band executive and employees policies. Canada has attempted and policy can be clearly seen mainstream Canadians. Few are financially dependent of the to avoid its obligations through as reflective of good governance Canadians understand the vast governments for their salaries a number of tactics. The intent practices, Canadian and Aborig- complexity of the issues. and the many other perks asso- of the law has been obscured by » continued on page 16 9 Gender The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 Women Ask Politicians for Housing Swap Living conditions deteriorating from cuts, Olympic preparations, says group by Maya Rolbin-Ghanie advocacy for women’s rights. The word “equality” has also Shelters, transition houses been removed from the agency’s and safe houses in Vancouver’s mandate. Downtown Eastside (DTES) At the press confer- turn away about 200 people ence, many members of POW each night, leaving many on the described the physical condi- streets without access to basic tions of the “way of life” that amenities. they experience: hotel rooms A press conference held are rarely, if ever, cleaned; on July 4 by Power of Women faeces, condoms and clothes (POW) at the DTES Women’s from previous tenants are Centre revealed a group of often left strewn about; most women who have experienced– often, rooms are infested by and continue to experience– bugs or rodents; bathrooms are poverty first-hand in a myriad generally shared and sometimes of unsettling circumstances. lack a shower; people that have Some young, some old, and paid rent for years, sometimes all looking a little weary, the decades, are evicted without women who assembled to share “Where is everybody’s social conscience? These people are not notice or justification; and the their stories and their demands animals. It’s social cleansing, what they’re doing,” said Anita expulsion of their belongings, were exasperated, but not Chubb-Kennedy. Dru Oja Jay and themselves, is often police- lacking in focus or energy. They bourhood, the DTES has long Cuts to legal aid and to enforced. Ex-sex worker and seemed to relish the opportu- been dubbed a nucleus of income assistance, the closure POW member Susanna Kilroy nity to speak out and possibly deplorable living conditions. of women’s centres, political spoke of hoping to “survive the be heard by as many people as People are forced to live in hotel assaults on women’s advocacy Olympics.” Another woman, watch the evening news. The rooms and boarding houses and support services, the lack Beatrice Star, said she hopes room was charged with a feeling due to an affordable housing of childcare support, cuts to and prays “not to get evicted of legitimacy that can only crisis of massive proportions. welfare and changes to eligibil- before 2010.” POW Member come from the recounting of Many such hotels are notorious ity for welfare, the rising cost of and indigenous rights activist lived struggle. They took turns for sudden and unexplained living, and low-income work: Anita Chubb-Kennedy said: speaking and acknowledging evictions. For women, indig- these have all had devastat- “where is everybody’s social one another. Some had a lot enous people and people with ing, gendered effects. While conscience? These people to say, and said it loud, while disabilities, obstacles quickly women have historically been are not animals. It’s social others were only there to share accumulate. For those able to marginalized in politics and cleansing, what they’re doing.” a few succinct words. The press find work, the province has not public planning, they carry the Chubb-Kennedy invited Phil conference came days after the made things much easier. B.C.’s burden of care-work and are Fontaine, chief of the Assembly group presented an open letter privatization of public services therefore the most directly- of First Nations, to comment on to Mayor Sam Sullivan and City has cost over 20,000 unionized affected by those policies. Prime the situation facing indigenous Council. The letter challenges workers their jobs, three-quar- Minister Stephen Harper’s cuts people in the DTES: “every the 11-member council to swap ters of whom are women. The to Status of Women Canada native is supposed to have a homes with POW members for B.C. Human Rights Commis- (SWC) centres and his cancelled house, but the actual situation eight weeks. The demand was sion and Ministry of Women’s agreement with the provinces is comparable to the third spurred by the upcoming 2010 Equality, both considered for more daycare spaces has world...we [aboriginal peoples] Olympic Games; the number of tools to fight discrimination, many feeling that women’s are still the first owners of the homeless in Vancouver doubled have been eliminated and pay rights are being trampled upon country,” she said. “It’s not up in 2005 to approximately 2174 equity provisions in B.C. have by the government, which is to Stephen Harper to ‘give’ land and is predicted to triple due to been repealed. This means that systematically eliminating insti- that’s not his. The treaties aren’t the Olympics. These figures do there is no longer a require- tutions intended to secure them. done being worked through.” not account for a much larger ment that women receive equal The budget allotted to SWC has ‘No Olympics on stolen Native population that pays for sub- pay for work of comparable been cut from $13 million to $5 land’ has become a rallying cry standard housing in Vancouver’s value to that performed by men. million, leaving 12 of their 19 for indigenous resistance to the DTES; their situations rendered Women working low-income offices facing closure, and indi- games. “One question I think increasingly more precarious by jobs, whether or not they have cating an end to core funding deserves a bit of focus is the rising housing prices and urban dependants, often live below the for all 37 Women’s Centres in athletes,” said Kilroy. “Do they development, the impoverished poverty line and seldom have B.C. In an effort to depoliti- know? That people are dying?” are finding that there are fewer the time or energy to investigate cize SWC, the government has A June 2007 report by and fewer places to go. the reasons behind the scarcity prohibited the agency from the Geneva-based Centre on Canada’s poorest neigh- they encounter on a daily basis. funding groups that undertake » continued on page 17 The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 Foreign Policy 10 A Mined Democracy Canadian mining companies don’t seem to mind political violence in the Phillipines by Dylan Fraser greater representation through the electoral process. However, Ranked second in the world the growth of these type of for political killings–over 800 reform oriented and tradition- since 2001–it may seem obvious ally marginalized groups has that the Philippines is not a led to their increased targeting. shining light of democracy. Yet being targeted. many Western nations hold it There is a lot of enthusiasm in high esteem as exactly this, as in the Philippines for initiatives well as a major trading partner such as the party list legislation and an ally in the war on terror. and the potential for change A group of people from they represent, says Tess Montreal who travelled to the Tesalona, former resident of the Philippines for the country’s Philippines, and also with the mid-term May elections noticed Montreal CPC. But the social this contradiction. elite are feeling their dominance Speaking in front of the St. increasingly threatened and are James church on June 3, delega- responding accordingly, she tion participant Stefan Christoff says. summed up this contradiction: Given the political violence In contrast to the “vibrant, and high levels of poverty in thriving democracy” that the the Philippines, bribery and United States and Canada the threat of violence signifi- purport the Philippines to be, People gathered outside St. James Church in Montreal. Dylan Fraser cantly hinder the possibility said Christoff, the mid-term of legitimate elections. With elections were surrounded by organization at polling stations. ticularly, a 2005 impeachment 80 per cent of the population an atmosphere of “coercion, She said that buildings were effort sponsored by some of the living on two dollars per day corruption and violence.” He plagued by periodic blackouts, opposition parties could be suc- or less, and the richest 10 per also stated that in the capital, during which time voting was cessfully reinitiated if the ruling cent of the population earning Manila, the group he was with suspended, and that many government of Gloria Macapagal 21 times more than the poorest witnessed vote-buying and names were missing from voter Arroyo loses its control of the 10 per cent, it is no surprise interviewed residents who were lists. During the counting of the senate and congress. that bribery has proven to be visited by the military and told votes, Guttman also told of a The precarious nature of an effective political tool for the how to vote. surprise visit from a prominent the government’s position on wealthy to maintain their power The four-person delegation businessman with close ties to the eve of the elections led to an in the Philippines. from Montreal was part of the the president. She stated that he increased level of persecution of Although often character- larger Peoples’ International “strode into the arena looking perceived political threats, with ized by the military and govern- Observers Mission, which was like Mussolini, with armed over 20 killings reported in the ment as the result of political comprised of participants from bodyguards” and “asked people lead-up to voting day. Among infighting between rebel 12 countries. The effort was counting which party they were such incidents, Malcolm Guy, forces, widespread violence initiated in response to calls from.” spokesperson for the Montreal is another important tool of from Philippino human rights Despite the fact that it is Centre for Philippine Concerns political influence, according and church groups calling for difficult for foreign observers to (CPC), noted the disappearance to organizations such as the witnesses for the lead-up to the witness blatant electoral viola- of Luing Posa-Dominado, a Philippine human rights group elections for positions in the tions, observations like those friend whom he first met in the Karapatan. Most of the 858 senate, congress and munici- of Guttman were common 1980s. Posa-Domingo, a human politically-related killings since palities. Observers were posi- throughout the delegation. rights activist imprisoned 2001, when the Arroyo govern- tioned throughout the country Their findings were also - con during the Marcos dictatorship ment took office, were church and accompanied by local coun- sistently corroborated by locals went missing with her partner activists, lawyers, union leaders terparts. they spoke to, who deal with Nilo Arado on April 12, 2007, and others working for political Freda Guttman, another the forces of political pressure and neither has been heard of change through non-violent member of the Montreal del- on a day-to-day basis, usually since. Also, two members of means. Karapatan says that egation, reviewed some of the without the mitigating influence the Kabataan youth party were culpability for these acts lies hindrances to the democratic of international monitors. abducted and killed during the directly with the state security process discovered by her group The mid-term elections of election process. forces and associated paramili- operating in the city of Makati, the Philippines were of critical Due to the introduction of taries. Circumstances of death a suburb of the capital. These importance for the ruling party list proportional represen- documented show that most included attempts at vote-buy- regime’s effort to hold onto tation in 1995, political parties were killed through methods ing through offers of money or power amidst growing dissatis- such as Kabataan and Bayan of professional assassination or free electricity and massive dis- faction with its leadership. Par- Muna have been able to gain » continued on page 18 11 Canadian News The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 Welcome to Ambiguica Round two of the Atlantica debate by Stuart Neatby includes a number of proposals focused upon further facilitating With the exception of the the export of oil and natural gas Provincial-Federal row over the resources from Atlantic Canada Atlantic Accord, the biggest news exclusively to the United States, story, in terms of sheer column creating a combined energy space, to hit Atlantic Canada grid between Atlantic Canada over the past month centred on and New England and generally Halifax street demonstrations harmonizing regulations and campaigning against a proposed immigration policies between ‘Atlantica’ trade zone. On June the two regions. The website 15, a demonstration of about is also remarkably frank in its 400, organized to coincide with dislike for social policies and an “Atlantica: Charting the refers to minimum wages, Course” conference of corporate union density, government and government leaders from spending and the size of the throughout the Northeastern public sector as “public policy region, ended with scenes of distress factors.” brief confrontations between The split of the ‘black bloc’ demonstrators from the main march in black-clad demonstrators and Halifax resulted in an overwhelming use of force by police. Adam MacIsaac Of Highways, Truck-Trains police. Photos of the ‘black an “Atlantica Council,” whose Daniels’ appointment, which and Prosperity bloc’ would be splashed across main objective will be to had been expected for more the front pages of local and lobby for and “champion” the than a year, signals the central- The Atlantica proposal has regional newspapers for days, Atlantica notion, passed almost ity of the Atlantica proposal generated protests from labour, almost entirely supplanting any unnoticed. Similarly, the bizarre within the agenda of Atlantic environmental, trade justice, discussion or coverage within appointment of American busi- Canada’s business elite. and anti-imperialist organiza- the mainstream media of the nessman Jonathan Daniels, The Atlantica trade zone tions in Atlantic Canada. Scott Atlantica trade corridor itself. head of the Eastern Maine would link Canada’s Atlantic Sinclair, researcher with the In the midst of this near- Development Corporation, to provinces with Eastern Quebec Canadian Centre for Policy blackout of media scrutiny, the head the Atlantic Provinces and the New England states Alternatives and author of the announcement of $558,000 in Chamber of Commerce, also of Maine, Vermont, New critical report Atlantica: Myths funding by the federal govern- received little media focus. Hampshire and Upstate New and Reality¸ notes that the ment for the development of York. According to Charles Atlantica proposal, although Cirtwell, president of the right- guided by the free market fun- wing Atlantic Institute for damentalism of global trade Market Studies (AIMS), which initiatives like NAFTA, places has been a leading proponent of remarkably little emphasis on Atlantica, the scheme is simply trade between New England Do you read the Dominion? “about people with common and Atlantic Canada. needs–in a common neighbour- “There’s something wrong (It looks that way...) hood–coming up with common with an economic develop- solutions.” ment strategy that’s based Lost in this neighbourly on turning the region into We want to know what you think of it, what rhetoric are the concrete a conduit for goods that are realities of the Atlantica produced outside the region you like, what you despise. proposal. The Atlantica website in Asia and are intended to be outlines a proposal whose main consumed outside the region,” thrust is the re-orientation of said Sinclair. Fill out our readers’ survey online and win: the port of Halifax and the rest Atlantica could also carry of the northeastern region to a with it devastating environ- • Two boxes of fair trade chocolate transportation entry point and mental costs due to increased highway corridor for cheaply greenhouse gas emissions from • Books from Gaspereau Press produced goods from China giant “truck-trains,” multi-cargo and India. Such goods would transfer trucks. Environmental be trucked from Canada’s East journalist Tim Bousquet, in a Coast and through New England recent article for the Halifax www.dominionpaper.ca/the_readers_survey to the ‘heartland’ urban markets weekly The Coast, estimates of Montreal, New York and that the tripling of truck traffic Boston. In addition, the website » continued on page 19 The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 Canadian News 12 Uranium rising Plan to mine radioactive ore generates controversy in Moncton, New Brunwick by Chris Arsenault minister of natural resources, rather than the minister of the One of the largest and most environment. profitable mining companies “The Department of Natural in the world–a company that Resources is not in the business received a failing grade on the of protecting the environment; Globe and Mail’s corporate they’re in the business of devel- social responsibility survey–is opment,” said Councillor Boyce. prospecting for the radioac- Thus, if the AECB is making tive ore near Moncton, New a tough decision between a Brunswick. potentially dangerous mine CVRD-Inco spent roughly and economic development, the $4 million to buy exclusive board has political interest in uranium prospecting rights for siding with development, due to the next year on a 136,000- the mandate of the department hectare area between Sussex it reports to. and Moncton. The area includes Nova Scotia enacted a land bordering the city of formal moratorium on uranium Moncton’s watershed, which mining in 1982. supplies drinking water for Polluting mine runoff is a key concern of many, as pictured here, at “Politicians were respond- 100,000 residents. the Inco plant in Sudbury, Ontario. Ja y Mo r r i s o n /w w w .j a y m o r r i s o n .c o m ing to public outcry,” said Rick New Brunswick Health Ratcliffe, spokesman for the Minister and Moncton MLA with conventional pollutants,” mining plans, and govern- Nova Scotia Department of the Mike Murphy has stated said Winfield. In 2004, Health ment support for them, dig at Environment. Notice, it’s the unequivocally that there will Canada concluded that effluent something a little deeper in New Department of the Environ- be no mine in the watershed, from uranium mines meets the Brunswick provincial politics. ment, rather than the Ministry but according to Department of definition of a toxic substance In early June, Premier of Natural Resources that now Natural Resources spokesman under the Canadian Environ- Shawn Graham received a administers uranium mining Brent Roy, Minister Murphy mental Protection Act. standing ovation during an policy in Nova Scotia. doesn’t have the legislative “There’s no such thing address to the Canadian Nuclear “CVRD-Inco didn’t put authority to make that call. as 100 per cent safe,” said Society when he stated that the the uranium there,” said Corey “Prospecting just happens Moncton City Councillor Steve “possibility of a second nuclear McPhee, who has worked at Inco to intersect with the northern Boyce. “We’ve been assured unit at Point Lepreau is very for the last 17 years. “We have a tip of the watershed and this is [of environmental safety] by interesting to us and will be 100-year history of mining and a legal legislative activity,” said CVRD-Inco, the same company closely examined.” mining responsibly.” Roy in an interview. “In order that has been charged with It seems as though power ‘Responsible’ is the last to say ‘no’ [to mining in the dumping mine tailings into a and the desire for it, specifi- word Tracy Glynn, a staffer at watershed], we would have to brook in Ontario.” cally nuclear power, runs in the the New Brunswick Conser- change the law.” In an interview, CVRD-Inco Graham family. Alan R. Graham, vation Council, would use to “The mining industry isn’t spokesman Cory McPhee stated father of Premier Shawn describe Inco. in the business of taking ‘no’ the obvious: “The ultimate goal Graham, sits on the Atomic Glynn wrote her masters for an answer,” said Dr. Mark is to explore for resources and Energy Control Board (AECB), thesis in Indonesia, where Winfield, a nuclear analyst with open a mine.” the federal agency responsible Inco operates a major mining the Pembina Institute. So, it looks like two camps for enforcing health, safety, complex. But they’re hardly alone. are digging in for a good old- security and environmental In 2005, Glynn found that Despite Health Minister fashioned showdown. Elements standards related to nuclear Inco was providing local com- Murphy’s assurances that within the provincial govern- energy. munities with bacteria-con- CVRD-Inco will not open a ment, and of course the mining As a member of the AECB, taminated water. Inco’s senior mine, Roy feels otherwise. company, are on one side Alan Graham, a Liberal party employees, mostly from Canada “The price of uranium is pushing for the project, while stalwart appointed to the and Australia, were given clean, really high right now and we Moncton City Council and envi- board in 1998, is responsible filtered water. should be looking for it if we ronmental groups are hoping to for issuing licenses for nuclear “No local people were want to be in business,” Roy bury it. activities, one of which may employed as managers at the said. On the surface, it looks come from the N.B. govern- company’s Indonesian opera- “Existing mines in northern like the impending showdown ment, led by his son. tions,” said Glynn, who spent Saskatchewan have caused could be characterized by what Unearthing a little more time with affected communi- severe contamination through some corporate consultants call toxic bureaucracy, the Atomic ties. “The young people would heavy metals like arsenic, and a NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) Energy Control Board reports have frequent protests calling long-lived radionuclides, along campaign. But CVRD-Inco’s to Parliament through the » continued on page 16 13 The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 UN Arrested 40 Ahead of Harper’s Haiti Visit 30 demonstrators remain in jail by Stuart Neatby

Forty Haitian demon- strators were arrested by UN soldiers hours before the arrival of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the Haitian slum neighbourhood of Cite Soleil on July 20. Haiti was the last stop for the Prime Min- ister’s Latin American tour, which also included stops in Colombia, Chile, and Barbados. The protest had been organized by residents of Cite Soleil in response to the visit of the Canadian Prime Minister, according to Lovinsky Pierre- Antoine, a protest organizer and director of the Haiti-based Jon Dimond-Gibson September 30th Foundation. UN soldiers stop residents at a checkpoint in Pele, across from Cite Soleil, March 2006. “On the morning of the tion in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has since 2004, waged a campaign A Parliamentary report penned 20th, our comrades went out committed numerous docu- of terror against some of the by Foreign Affairs Minister into the streets with placards, mented human rights abuses poorest neighbourhoods in Peter Mackay also applauded banners, and megaphones,” within the seaside neighbour- Haiti’s capital. Cite Soleil was the December 22 killings, stating said Pierre-Antoine in a phone hood. According to reports by the hardest hit of these neigh- that “more robust operations led interview with the Dominion. Democracy Now! and the Haiti bourhoods. The Lancet, a pres- by MINUSTAH and the Haitian “At that moment, it was Information Project, UN forces tigious medical journal based National Police from December around six in the morning, conducted a raid in Cite Soleil in the UK, estimated 8000 22, 2006, further improved the MINUSTAH soldiers began on December 22, ostensibly murders in Haiti’s capital alone security situation.” to make arrests for no reason. aimed at rooting out “armed between 2004 and 2006, as well In the months following Many of our friends were gangs,” which resulted in the as 35,000 incidents of rape. December 2006, the UN staged arrested that morning.” deaths of at least 30 civilians, “Their plan was clear,”says a number of brutal raids in According to Pierre-An- including several children. Pierre-Antoine of the Canadian- Cite Soleil. Seven year-old toine, 10 demonstrators were As survivors of this raid lay backed Latortue regime which Stephanie Lubin and four released on the afternoon of July bleeding in the streets, UN ruled until 2006. “Their plan year-old Alexandra Lubin, 20, after Harper’s departure soldiers prevented Red Cross was to eliminate the party of killed as they lay sleeping on the from the country. Thirty dem- ambulances from reaching the President Aristide, the Fanmi morning of February 2, were onstrators remain imprisoned dead and wounded. Lavalas party, the majority two among many other civilians in the National Penitentiary in Cite Soleil has been a centre party. But they did not succeed killed during these attacks. In downtown Port-au-Prince. They of political support for the in their objective.” its press statements, the UN have no access to legal counsel Fanmi Lavalas political party Although such political has claimed it has subsequently due to financial inability to hire of deposed president Jean- repression has diminished since been successful in dislodging a lawyer, and will wait for an Bertrand Aristide. The July 20 the election of current President gang leaders from Cite Soleil. indefinite amount of time before protest was organized to oppose Rene Preval, the Canadian “What MINUSTAH is doing seeing a judge. Although Haiti’s Canada’s involvement in the government continues to is not a mission of stabilization; constitution requires prisoners February 29, 2004 coup d’etat play an influential role within it is not engaging in peacekeep- to see a judge within 48 hours of elected President Aristide, Haiti. Canada’s Department ing,” said Pierre-Antoine. “It is of their arrest, they will often as well as Canada’s continued of Foreign Affairs has been a a mission that engages in opera- remain in jail for months before interference in Haitian politics. strong advocate for aggressive tions of massacres, of assassi- this happens. After Aristide’s removal, “anti-gang” attacks and raids nations, [and] of destabilization When contacted by the Haiti descended into a by MINUSTAH against poor more so than activities of recon- Dominion, UN spokesperson nightmare of political violence. neighbourhoods like Cite Soleil. struction and peacekeeping.” Sophie Boutaud de Lacombe Community activists were In a January 15 radio interview, During a visit to Haiti this would not confirm that UN murdered, former Lavalas par- Canadian Ambassador Claude week, UN Secretary-General soldiers had made arrests in liamentarians were jailed, and Boucher applauded the deadly Ban Ki-Moon announced plans Cite Soleil on July 20. the Haitian National Police, December 22 raid, calling upon to extend the UN’s mission in Several sources report that which has received training the UN to “increase their opera- Haiti by one year. the UN mission for stabiliza- by Canadian RCMP officers tions as they did last December.” The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 14 Defending “Life and Sovereignty” Ecuador’s mining prospects, Canadian companies, and affected communities by Jennifer Moore

“…what has happened to all of the oil extracted since March 22, 1967? Ecuador has produced 4.035 million barrels of oil since that time which valued at nominal historic international prices represents a sum total of $82 billion. Where is this money? And I’m not speaking about riches, because the true riches are what have been destroyed, that weren’t in the ground, but rather in the bio- diversity, in the life and in the cultures that have been lost.” —Former Minister of Energy & Mines, Alberto Acosta

Following attempts in recent months to obtain concrete responses from the government of President Rafael Correa regarding its plans for large-scale mining in Ecuador, the National Co-ordinating Committee in Defence of Life and Sovereignty–an inter- The National Coordinating Committee for the Defense of Life and Sovereignty wants Ecuador to declare provincial coalition of organiza- itself “a country free of large-scale mining.” Ecuador IndyMedia tions and communities–called for a national uprising, which and the southern Amazonian are better alternatives for the communities in resistance from is ongoing. Highway blockades region of Ecuador are making future of their communities and more than eight provinces across taking place across South and the country’s mining sector the country. Considering that Ecuador together and includes Central Ecuador between June attractive to foreign investors. communities are already expe- numerous environmental and 26 and 29 faced stern repres- A recent industry report by riencing tremendous “social human rights organizations, sion from police and armed Madison Avenue Research contamination,” even before urban associations and student forces under direct orders from entitled “Ecuador, Number One mining begins in Ecuador, and groups. Lina Solano from the government. Recent state- in Potential for Pipeline Ounces considering the health and the National Co-ordinating ments by the government are of Gold,” highlights Ecuador’s environmental deterioration Committee says that the “social also worrying to those involved. appeal to Canadian corpora- faced in other countries where and environmental impacts of While 2007 marks 40 years tions in particular. To date, the large-scale mineral mining is large-scale mining are too great for Ecuador as an oil producing Ministry of Energy and Mines already happening, the National to justify this as a major source nation, it has never been a major has granted licenses for over Co-ordinating Committee wants of income for the country.” mineral producer and current 4,000 mining concessions that Ecuador to cut its losses before From Ecuador’s experience large-scale mining projects have cover roughly 20 per cent of the production gets underway and as an oil producer, “we already yet to enter into production. In surface of Ecuador, including for Ecuador to declare itself know where the profits will be some situations, this is largely many ecologically and cultur- “a country free of large-scale spent,” she says. “A large per- due to tenacious community ally diverse areas, according to mining.” centage will be used to pay off resistance, such as in the Acción Ecológica, an environ- the external debt, that is to say case of Intag in the northern mental organization based in The National it will also leave the country, province of Imbabura, where Quito. Co-ordinating Committee while another large percentage struggles have been ongoing In opposition to efforts to in Defence of Life and will go toward the bureaucracy for 10 years. Legal reforms by make Ecuador a major mineral Sovereignty and the armed forces, with a past governments favouring producer, the National Co-or- minimum percentage remaining private investment and inter- dinating Committee in Defence The National Co-ordinating for education and healthcare, nationally funded studies of Life and Sovereignty and Committee in Defence of Life likely not even fulfilling the revealing rich mineral deposits the thousands mobilized by its and Sovereignty was established 30 per cent established in our throughout the central Andes call are convinced that there on January 26, 2007. It brings constitution,” she adds. Even 15 The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 such minor gains are unlikely Detentions Target National movement, to say that there unless the government amends Police Repression Co-ordinating Committee are only a few hundred people the Mining Law, which requires Leadership in opposition and that in reality foreign investors to pay a Blockades that began on the rest of the population is in minimum per-hectare conser- June 26 shut down three major Roughly 30 people were favour of these mining projects.” vation patent and zero per cent arteries around Cuenca, the taken into detention between However, says Solano, the in royalties. third largest city in the country June 27 and 28, many even reality is otherwise. “In all this Subsecretary of Mining, and capital of the province of after road blocks had been time that [the Co-ordinating Jorge Jurado, indicated in an Azuay. Other main routes were cleared. Solano and two other Committee] has been organiz- interview with Reuters on June also closed in the Southern organizers from the National ing since the 26th of January of 22 that the government plans Amazonian provinces of Co-ordinating Committee were this year, there are thousands to present reforms to Ecuador’s Morona Santiago and Zamora amongst those held overnight of people mobilizing, as much Mining Law to congress this Chinchipe, with additional on June 27. women, men, elderly, children month. These would reintro- demonstrations taking place in Solano says that five police and youth–whole families in duce royalties, limit exploration the central province of Chimbo- officers aggressively detained fact–that are demonstrating concessions currently good for razo. her and Nidia Soliz, also from in defence of our water more 30 years, and strengthen envi- On June 27, the president the Committee, late in the than anything, since this is the ronmental regulations, amongst ordered the police to bring an afternoon. For roughly three resource that is most put at risk other things. The government end to the blockades and stated hours, they were held together by large-scale metal extrac- has also said it will create an to the press that the “elimina- in a locked car without windows tion.” independent Ministry of Mines tion of mining concessions is and driven around the coun- Communities from and a state-owned mining inconceivable” given the costs tryside before being taken to the provinces of Imbabura, company. that the state would incur. He provincial police headquarters. Pichincha, Bolivar and Cotopaxi In contrast, the National refused to speak with protest- Solano says the officers were have participated in previous Co-ordinating Committee ers and police enforcement of driving “at top speed, braking demonstrations and the two would like the government to his orders resulted in brutal abruptly, presumably so that we largest indigenous organiza- suspend current projects and repression against demonstra- would bang ourselves against tions in Ecuador, the CONAIE place a moratorium on new tors, particularly in the vicinity the inside walls of the car.” and ECUARUNARI, have also concessions. Following investi- of Cuenca. Earlier in the day, Fernando released public statements gations, they ultimately demand Lina Solano describes how, Mejia of the National Co- expressing solidarity with the that current concessions be blockade by blockade, hundreds ordinating Committee was also struggle. annulled. Their demands are of police used overwhelming detained. premised on Ecuador’s consti- amounts of tear gas and anti-riot Solano believes that their Government Priorities tution which guarantees com- vehicles to dislodge protesters leadership was clearly targeted. Conflict with Community munities the right to fair and of all ages from the highways Other demonstrators also Interests informed consultation with violently. Dozens of people reported being interrogated regard to state decisions that were taken into detention and by police about the homes and President Correa’s state- might affect the environment. injuries were sustained by a whereabouts of leaders from ments last week are also “incred- Both the President and the number of demonstrators, as the National Co-ordinating ibly worrying,” says Solano. former minister of energy and well as several police officers. In Committee. Early on June 28, “To give a completely negative mines–who stepped down on the area of Tarqui, southwest of student supporters, in particular response and to say that the gov- June 14 in order to announce Cuenca, police exhausted their from the University of Cuenca, ernment is not going to support his candidacy for upcoming supply of tear gas while taking along with many others, held the communities’ petitions is a elections of a new National control of the demonstration demonstrations in front of gov- marked change.” Constituent Assembly–have and reportedly sprayed tear gas ernment and judicial offices and “In the beginning,” she previously agreed that these inside of several homes, nearly the three were granted Habeas recalls, “the government demands are just and that asphyxiating several children. Corpus by midday. Others held maintained that communities’ the overwhelming majority of Others on site were also in detention were also freed, interests would be put first, current concessions are uncon- threatened by police, including although at least 11 still have before those of private cor- stitutional. attempts to confiscate the charges filed against them. porations, and that what the As several mining projects camera of one Indymedia jour- “We are incredibly communities are asking for is near production, the National nalist. surprised,” says Solano, “because just and that the government Co-ordinating Committee has Late on June 29, in the area we didn’t think that a govern- would see how to deal with the been urgently seeking govern- of Molleturo where campesi- ment based upon the defence of issues. But now the government ment support. However, after nos were maintaining the last our country and our sovereignty seems to be planning to make numerous delays following remaining blockage of the main [would allow such repression to mining a main source of suste- four months of marches, highway connecting Cuenca take place.]” She quotes former nance for the country, following meetings and correspondence, with the port city of Guayaquil, Minister of Energy and Mines the depletion of oil, and to be the Committee declared an protesters reported the arrival Alberto Acosta as having said arranging for the state to earn indefinite national uprising on of over 400 soldiers and 150 that “not one drop of blood will a percentage of mining profits June 5. Demonstrations at the police officers, at which point be shed, no matter how profit- to put toward areas such as end of June elicited a definitive they decided to retreat from the able a project might be.” education and health.” response, but not one that pro- roadway. “There’s an effort to “This is horrible from our testers had been hoping for. minimize participation in our » continued on page 18 The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 16 » “Gentrification” from p. 4 cross-country tour of major art residents will present another work that’s going on behind torn down is ridiculous in any institutions that will continue large-scale public project at 48 the scenes to save as much as city,” she says. “It’s not just an into 2008. At Nuit Blanche Abell. possible,” says Rose. artist issue; it’s a much greater numero deux on September 30, Efforts to appeal the city’s “What we learned from issue about Toronto. There 2007, Rose will participate by decision, and even the backing of Nuit Blanche is that people are so many people who love bringing the Movement back Toronto’s mayor, David Miller, really do give a shit and the this city so much who are just to the seat of its inception. In have only helped to delay, not thought of a live/work space saying, ‘No, this should not be “an extension of A Funeral for a stop, the condo plans. In the that houses 80 units for artists happening.’” Building,” she and fellow artist meantime, “there’s a bunch of and dancers and writers getting

» “Breaking Point” from page 6 more civil disobedience actions per-sprayed a crowd of soccer erupted again when protestors learned, once people are galva- began in the first week of July. fans. In Lytton, band members blocked an old-growth logging nized into action, they may not Members of the Sechelt Band blocked the highway to protest operation in Blackwater. be willing to fall into line behind occupied their band office, the loss of a ferry service, which What the National Day their leaders. demanding the chief resign left a community isolated. And a of Action achieved was a flash after he accepted an apology long-simmering dispute within point —- a focus and an impetus from RCMP officers who pep- the N’quatqua First Nation for activists. But as Fontaine

» “Corruption” from page 8 inal law, which upon close hampering actual reconcilia- groups, as “splinter groups”, propriately criminalized, and examination, the negotiations tion. Within most Indian Act and are, expectedly, rejected some, such as Dudley George, process is not. A solution must bands there do exist, however, by the Band leaders. Recent pay with their lives. Mutually include the re-vitalization of individuals still committed to Aboriginal protests can be agreed upon systems must be empowering Aboriginal institu- the traditional definitions of attributed to Aboriginal social developed that can assist in tions and individuals consistent culture, identity and nationhood, justice activists attempting to the culling of corruption of all with law, free of constricting and wanting to confront the draw attention to legitimate types from Canadian Aborigi- policy. layers upon layers of oppression issues that arise from the failure nal relations, recognizing that After more than a hundred and corruption. Unfortunately of Canadian Aboriginal policy, such corruption is a shared years of dependence on these though, throughout Canada’s administered by both Canadian responsibility and liability, if systems adherents of these poorly informed media and and Aboriginal bureaucrats, to left unchecked. systems are very reluctant to political circles many of these meet the legal requirements of explore a more honest recon- legitimately concerned indi- the Canadian Aboriginal legal Read the full response at www. ciliation of legal fact away from viduals are branded as radicals, contract. These social activists dominionpaper.ca the “funded” identity, severely rebels, or when organized in are often unfortunately inap-

» “Uranium” from page 12 for employment at the mine.” said Inco has been more or less Coumans. Canada, who discussed their When giving Inco a failing ignoring the order. Many of New “We think we are improving, struggles against Inco. Those grade in its 2005 Corporate Caledonia’s residents are indig- in terms of corporate social fighting against the mine worry Social Responsibility Survey, enous people who have been responsibility,” said CVRD-Inco that New Brunswick may have the Globe and Mail noted that “fighting Inco tooth and nail; spokesman Cory McPhee. “An a delegate at events like this in company policies had led to taking them to court, blocking example of that might be seen the future. “strained community relations roads and burning equipment,” in our New Caledonia project And according to Dr. at nickel projects in New where we have begun sitting Winfield, the potential health Caledonia [an island in the “We think we are down and talking with the and environmental impacts of South Pacific] and Guatemala.” community.” Coumans agreed the mine are not balanced out “Inco has been trying improving, in terms that community relations have by any positive ones. for about 10 years to get the of corporate social improved in New Caledonia “The inter-governmental huge Goro Nickle mine up and responsibility,” since Inco was bought out by panel on climate change was running in New Caledonia,” CVRD of Brazil in 2006. very clear that nuclear [energy] said Catherine Coumans, a said Coumans. However, New Caledonia can’t compete economically,” policy expert with Mining New Caledonia has some is but one of the company’s he said. “New Brunswick has Watch Canada, a union-funded, of the highest biodiversity on trouble-spots. In Montreal, on better options for energy: a lot non-governmental organization Earth. Inco’s operations there November 13, 2006, Mining of coast line, a lot of wind, tidal based in Ottawa. have already destroyed eco- Watch Canada brought together power. “The mining permit they systems that may have included a panel made up of community “They should be pursuing were granted in 2004 was previously undiscovered leaders from Indonesia, these options before going down yanked,” said Coumans, who plant and animal species, said Guatemala, New Caledonia and this [nuclear] path.” 17 The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 » “Housing Swap” from page 9

Housing Rights and Evictions politicians don’t understand. (COHRE) found that 2 million That’s why we’re challenging people have been forcibly them. There is no understand- displaced in the last 20 years ing without experience.” The to clear space for the Olympic swap is also focused on issues Games. Jean du Plessis, of respect: “if Sullivan wants a executive director of COHRE, civil city, let politicians show said, “Our research shows that some courtesy,” said Morelli. little has changed since 1988 Council members would live on when 720,000 people were the same amount as an average forcibly displaced in Seoul, single person on social assis- South Korea, in preparation for tance: $610 per month. After the Summer Olympic Games. It the cost of shelter, this averages is shocking and entirely unac- to less than $8 a day. As it is ceptable that 1.25 million people believed that it would be much have already been displaced easier for Council members to in Beijing, in preparation for rent hotel rooms due to the fact the 2008 Games, in flagrant that many wear their privileged violation of their right to lifestyles on their sleeves, and adequate housing.” The hosting “Even the well-meaning politicians don’t understand. That’s that many are, in fact, white, or of the Olympics in Atlanta in why we’re challenging them. There is no understanding without male, at least two of the eight 1996 as well as those in Sydney experience,” Joan Morelli told reporters at the PoW press weeks must be spent homeless. in 2000 led to immense difficul- conference. Dru Oja Jay Meanwhile, the women who ties faced by tenants, boarders offered the challenge would live and lodgers, ranging from sub- affordable housing for women boycott Canada and the 2010 as the Councillors do. To date, stantial rent increases, no-fault and their children. The group Olympic Games. Tourism is not not a single member of Council evictions and the closure of said this action is necessary welcome here.” has accepted the terms of the cheap rooms. Much like Mayor because the government hasn’t Unlike members of POW, swap. A few have expressed Sullivan’s “Project Civil City,” followed through on promises or NYM, who are fighting for reasons they do not wish to par- which many contend is aimed to for housing and childcare. their homes and their land ticipate, such as bedbugs and police and criminalize Vancou- The police ended the standoff, and who would rather see the concern for the safety of their ver’s poor, Atlanta and Sydney arresting two people in the Olympics shut down than have children. Councillor Suzanne both undertook measures to process. to deal with the catastrophe Anton said she was “interested “clear the streets” of the poor In one of Vancouver’s bet- that it will wreak on the quality in doing a night, but I don’t think in order to make way for an ter-known anti-Olympics rallies of their lives, the province has I’d be interested in spending enormous influx of tourists. In held in February, the Vancouver made choices that reflect a a long time.” Mayor Sullivan 2004, the Olympics in Athens Organizing Committee for the desire for worldwide Olympic himself declined because, he forced the eviction of the Roma 2010 Olympic and Paralympic tourism. In June 2004, Visa said, he’s already familiar with community of Marousi for a Winter Games (VANOC), and announced two global agree- the issues, as he once collected parking lot and road enlarge- the Vancouver Board of Trade ments with Tourism Vancouver welfare and spent several years ments. were celebrating the disclosure and Tourism Whistler to in a social housing co-op and a A march for safe and of a “three-year countdown promote domestic and inter- paraplegic lodge in Vancouver’s long-term affordable housing clock” in the downtown national travel in the run-up to East End. organized by POW and held business district. Native People and during the 2010 Olympics. Sullivan’s “Project Civil on June 8 occurred in solidar- from all over B.C. participated The multi-million-dollar global City,” proposed in November ity with the Women Against in the rally, together with non- agreements will offer Visa card- of 2006, outlines his aim to Poverty Collective (WAPC) in native members of the Anti- holders worldwide value-added “eliminate” homelessness, the Toronto, who on June 3 orches- Poverty Committee, who are offers and incentives to visit open drug market, and the trated a housing takeover to protesting the gentrification of Vancouver and Whistler and are incidence of aggressive panhan- draw attention to the connec- their neighbourhood and the expected to stimulate tourism dling, with the goal to reduce tion between safe housing and eviction of hundreds from low- spending in Western Canada. all of these by 50% by 2010. women’s ability to live free from income housing in the DTES. Tourism Vancouver maintains He also aims to “increase the violence. WAPC members, along Seven protesters were arrested that their leadership “benefits level of public satisfaction with with many others, marched to during the protest. Tselletkwe the society, culture, environ- the City’s handling of public an abandoned building near of the Native Youth Movement ment and economy of Greater nuisance and annoyance com- Sherbourne and Bloor with (NYM) made a statement upon Vancouver.” plaints” by 50% by 2010. These the intention of converting it her release, stating: “Our land is The proposed House Swap targets are aggressive and to safe housing. Once inside, not for sale, we are still at war with the women of the DTES is require aggressive law enforce- the women hung a banner and with Canada, we have never intended to breed understand- ment, which is causing the pitched tents on the property, surrendered our land. We want ing through experience. POW concern of many living in the saying that they would keep the the whole world to know not member Joan Morelli pointed DTES. “People chalk it [poverty] building and provide their own to come to our country and to out that “even the well-meaning » continued on back cover The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 18 » “Phillipines” from page 10 murder, preceded by kidnap- For the United States this Pacific corporation for its project island of Mindanao. ping and torture. The fact that relationship has been a long on the island of Mindanao. With the elections over, only verified killings are used in and sordid one, beginning in The report states that TVI has the efforts of Canadian Philip- the figure of 858 makes it likely a brutal military occupation “deprived thousands of small- pino human rights organiza- that the actual number is much that lasted almost five decades. scale miners of their liveli- tions are being focused on other higher. In early 1991, the Philippines hood,” and “contributed to a projects. A national coalition of In February of this year, banned American military militarization of the area” that groups, including the Centre for UN human rights envoy Philip bases from its territory, but has had a “negative impact on Philippine Concerns, recently Alston conducted an inquiry this was rescinded in 1999. The the ability of the Subanon [the submitted a 5,000-signature in the country wherein he island nation has since been local indigenous population] petition to parliament calling concluded that many of the regaining a prominent strategic to enjoy the human right to for a review of all Canadian political killings taking place in position in American foreign security and the human right to relations with the Philippines the Philippines can be “convinc- policy. Human rights organiza- housing.” These charges refer and the impact these relation- ingly attributed” to the military. tions such as Karapatan believe to actions by the 160-person ships are having on human Earlier in the year, the Philip- that the influence of the US in security force working for the rights in the country. The CPC pine-based Melo Commission the Philippines is contributing mining company hired from is also continuing with its dem- drew similar conclusions, with to a familiar situation in which the Philippino army and given onstrations on the first Sunday the head of the armed forces proponents for social change, tasks such as the displacement of each month, beginning at St. conceding that the military was whether violent or not, are of settlements and manning of James church at the intersec- involved in some of the deaths. characterized as variations of blockades. tion of St. Catherine and City Both of these reports lack any communist or Islamic terrorism. Other Canadian human Councillors Street, in downtown form of binding recommenda- This is seen as a mutually ben- rights and church groups have Montreal. tions, however, and neither eficial arrangement for protect- cited Vancouver-based mining The final tally of the make a link to President Arroyo, ing the interests of both the US companies Placer Dome Incor- election shows mixed results, head of the Philippine armed and its client regime. porated and Crew Development with widespread success for the forces. Canadian trade with the Corporation for their record of ruling coalition at the local and While the social and political Philippines tops one billion environmental destruction and regional level and opposition environment in the Philippines dollars per year, according to lack of transparency in the Phil- parties gaining ground in the remains dismal, the country’s Industry Canada, and invest- ippines. senate. In light of the conditions relationship with the West is ment in the mining sector has In a manner that is even surrounding the election seen close. This amounts to a prob- been singled-out by human more direct, a number of former by the Montreal delegation, it lematic situation, according to rights groups, both within the members of Canada’s military would be premature to correlate the Montreal delegation, since Philippines and abroad, for and police forces are working polling results with popular countries that publicly espouse Canadian firms’ involvement with Grayworks, a Philippine desire and the functioning of a common values of democracy in environmental and human company engaged in combating healthy democracy in the Phil- and human rights are benefiting rights abuses. the guerilla organizations of ippines. from a relationship with a gov- A recently released report the Moro Islamic Liberation ernment that is violating these from Rights and Democracy Front, Abu Sayyaf, and the New deeply held principles. criticizes the Calgary-based TVI Peoples’ Army, primarily on the

» “Ecuador” from page 15 perspective because it’s like resistance has been vehement. their hope in this commission sector and emphasizes the negotiating with our lives, and Solano says that this and that it will be another waste country’s right to make its own in particular with the lives of announcement is a “step of time while mining projects decisions. “We ask everyone thousands of rural families backward” from what the gov- proceed toward production. who understands what is taking who are most directly affected ernment previously promised. place here to support this by these mining projects,” says “When we spoke with the The Ongoing Struggle struggle. This is really about Solano. president on March 26, he gave our national sovereignty and The subsecretary of mining, the green light for then-minister Solano says that looking our right to say 'no'.” Jorge Jurado, made a further of energy and mines, Alberto back over the last five months, She adds, “Within the announcement last week stating Acosta, to initiate a series of the National Co-ordinating system that we are living in, that a High Level Commis- exhaustive audits concerning Committee has been successful decisions are being made sion would be commissioned current projects. However, time in generating national debate not even by a small group of to produce a report within 30 has passed and they had to wait on the issues. However, she countries anymore, but rather days concerning Project Quim- for people to protest so that says, “unless other organized by a small group of transna- sacocha. Project Quimsacocha they can now talk about striking sectors and the rest of Ecuador tional corporations. And these is a large gold mining initia- this high level commission. We respond to what is happening, decisions are being imposed all tive led by Canadian company don’t know what it will mean, regrettably we will not be able around the world, often by blood IAMGOLD in the high plateau who will participate and if it to put up a sufficient front.” and fire. In this regard, all inter- (páramos) surrounding the will entail the suspension of this She notes that Ecuador is national solidarity is important communities of Tarqui and project.” Above all, Solano is unique in Latin America for to us in order to reclaim our Victoria del Portete, where local concerned that people will put not having an industrial mining right to self-determination. 19 The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 » “Ambiguica” from page 11 in the northeastern region, as a $600 fee to attend. This alone of smaller, grassroots organi- become extremely muddied result of the Atlantica scheme, ensured that the representation zations operating under the and largely ambiguous. Even could increase Nova Scotia’s from labour, environmental, banner of the Alliance Against political support for this ini- greenhouse gas emissions by indigenous, or even farming Atlantica. There was also a tiative appears ambiguous; “something like five million organizations would be left off larger contingent of individu- Premier Macdonald has been tonnes.” the table entirely. als who had travelled a fair using the words ‘Atlantica’ and In addition, the Atlantica When asked about the lack distance, from places as far ‘Atlantic Gateway’ interchange- proposal also contains remark- of representation from other away as Guelph, Hamilton, ably to describe the initiative, ably little mention of the fishing parties outside of the business Montreal, Fredericton, Maine despite the fact that many view or farming sectors, which have sector, the Atlantic Provinces and Indiana, in order to oppose the ‘Gateway’ as a more limited traditionally been a staple of the Chamber of Commerce’s Atlantica. Actions throughout project aimed almost solely at local economies of both Atlantic in-coming American President the week included a sizeable expanding the traffic within the Canada and New England, or Jonathan Daniels replied that critical mass bike ride, a full day Halifax harbour. As Here! New of the details about how the “everybody has been invited of workshops, a Friday evening Brunswick columnist Chris Atlantica proposal would impact into this process.” street party and a spontaneously Arsenault has noted , even local indigenous communities. When asked about the pro- organized disruption of the Atlantica’s proponents have Such sectors appear to hibitive nature of a $600 entry lunch of former AIMS director stated that regional business be expendable within the fee to such an invitation, Daniels Brian Lee Crowley. leaders have become confused worldview of some of Atlantica’s then shrugged. “Well, we’re not The split of the ‘black bloc’ about whether to put their more radical proponents.”The going to be able to get everybody demonstrators from the main support behind the concept painful reality is that the world to the table. We’re going to get march on June 15, as well as the of an ‘Atlantic Gateway’ or a changes and traditional ways the people who really truly want subsequent scattered confron- broader ‘Atlantica’ concept of life often do not fit with the to be interested in the develop- tations with police, resulted in currently advocated by AIMS. new circumstances,” wrote ment of this.” an overwhelming use of force by The confusion seems to be Cirtwell in a column in Halifax’s police. Ironically, the majority magnified further by the fact Chronicle Herald on the opening The Uninvited of the 21 arrests occurred after that the Atlantica discussions day of the Atlantica conference. demonstrators within the ‘black have been largely informal. “If urban centres are Outside of Halifax’s World bloc’ march were attempting to At present, there is no signed growing, then serve that market Trade and Convention Centre, disperse by moving towards the agreement or proposal that and don’t worry about the the anti-Atlantic protests had base of Citadel Hill. They were has been put forward for declining local one.” a remarkably different flavour corralled, surrounded, and an Atlantica trade zone. All than during the inaugural heavily tasered by police. One the decisions regarding the Exclusion Atlantica conference, held in demonstrator was held down by proposal appear to have taken Saint John, New Brunswick, in three police officers and tasered place within board meetings of As unpopular as such early June 2006. During this until he became unconscious. either the Atlantic Provinces notions might be within regions conference, trade union leader- It took more than five minutes Chamber of Commerce or the of Atlantic Canada, where the ship in the region had mobilized for an ambulance to arrive on Atlantic Institute for Market rural population constitutes significantly, bringing in repre- the scene. Michael Doyle was Studies. nearly half of the total popula- sentation from Acadian workers also pepper-sprayed by police, It is the ambiguity of the tion, Atlantica’s proponents in the Mirimichi, Moncton and seemingly because he witnessed Atlantica proposal that may have managed to line up Bathurst regions as well as the police use of tasers. offer the greatest threat to its prominent political support predominantly Anglophone “I was yelling ‘that guy is success. However, given the for the cause. The conference regions of Fredericton and Saint getting tasered for no reason,’” entirely closed-door nature of in June began with a keynote John. The heads of the Federa- said Doyle. the discussions that have taken speech by Nova Scotia Premier tions of Labour of Nova Scotia, “And then the guy just place, it would be premature Rodney Macdonald and featured PEI, New Brunswick and New- sprays me.” for Atlantica’s opponents to a presentation by Conservative foundland were also present at Police subsequently claim victory. The “Atlantica: Foreign Affairs Minister Peter this mobilization and spoke out laid a combined total of 70 Charting the Course” confer- Mackay. The announcement of publicly against Atlantica. charges against demonstrators, ence concluded with no specific federal funding for the Atlantica By contrast, organized including assaulting a police recognition amongst the 200 council followed a $2.1 billion Labour in Halifax played little officer, unlawful assembly and delegates of any need to include federal commitment to ‘gateway role in the mobilizations and wearing a face-mask with intent farmers, environmental- initiatives,’ of which Atlantica teach-ins outside of this year’s to commit an offence. ists, labour organizations, or appears to be a primary target. Atlantica conference, aside Atlantica critics within the dis- Critics pointed out that it from a well-attended town hall Welcome to Ambiguica cussion of the economic future seemed accepted as a matter of featuring Maude Barlow at of Atlantic Canada and New faith that the economic fate of Dalhousie University on June In the midst of all the England. the “Atlantica” region would be 13. Although the main demon- arrests, demonstrations and decided solely by business and stration was arguably as large photo-ops to emerge from the corporate leaders. Participants as the Labour-sponsored march second round of Atlantica/ of the “Atlantica: Charting the in 2006, the makeup this year anti-Atlantica events, the Course” Conference paid a was predominantly composed Atlantica concept itself has The Dominion, August 2007 — Issue #47 20 b y He a t h e r Me e k

» ”Housing swap” from page 17

up to inefficiency, inactiveness,” COHRE calls on affected com- said Chubb-Kennedy. munities and support organiza- A research team, coordi- tions to closely monitor these nated by COHRE, spent three processes, and to take action years studying past and future to ensure that no housing Olympic host cities and the rights are violated as a result of impact that the Games have had mega-events. To the women of on housing rights. The report the DTES, however, and many also addresses the housing others, the onus for ensuring effects of other mega-events that no housing rights are like the FIFA World Cup, World violated should fall on the gov- Expos, IMF/World Bank Con- ernment, rather than groups ferences and beauty pageants with little or no funding who such as the Miss World and must struggle to be represented Miss Universe contests. It by the media. concludes that mega-events can Refusal of the terms of the cause a number of breaches in house swap and Councilors’ housing rights. “It is possible excuses for not participating are (and imperative) for mega- not acceptable to the women Edward Greenspon doesn’t read events to be organized without of the DTES. “This would be a the Dominion. forcibly evicting people, without confirmation,” they said, “that criminalizing the homeless and there is absolutely no political Find out what he’s missing. without rendering housing will to eliminate poverty.” Subcribe online: unaffordable,” said Du Plessis. www.dominionpaper.ca/subscribe