AUTUMN 2016

The Council of Canadians www.canadians.org

A message in a bottle for every lake, every river

ALSO INSIDE: AVI LEWIS: WHY WE SHOULD ALL LEAP | THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE OF THE HUSKY OIL SPILL BOILING POINT: GOVERNMENT NEGLECT, CORPORATE ABUSE AND CANADA’S WATER CRISIS pg. 7 pg. 25 EDITOR Jan Malek COPY EDITOR Janet Shorten DESIGN Amy Thompson COVER Emma Lui PRINTING Plantagenet Printing

Past issues of Canadian Perspectives are available at www.canadians.org. ISSN 1188-6897 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065620

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Canadian Perspectives, The Council of Canadians 300-251 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1X3 Email: [email protected] Tel: 1-800-387-7177 pg. 5 pg. 22 The Council of Canadians believes that political liter- acy is crucial to regaining control of our communities and our country. We encourage you to copy articles Contents from Canadian Perspectives – most conveniently fit on one or two pages. If you would like to reprint 3 Letters to the Editor articles, or if you would like to distribute Canadian Perspectives in your community, please contact us at 4 On the Road with Maude Barlow 1-800-387-7177. 5-6 Creating a New, Healthy Economy for People and the Planet 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Maude Barlow, 7-9 Avi Lewis: Why We Should All Leap Leticia Adair, Pam Beattie, Roy Brady, Leo Broderick, Saskatchewan Oil Spill Shows Need for Better Regulation, John Cartwright, Robert Chernomas, Alice de Wolff, 10 Lois Frank, Andrea Furlong, Lorraine Hewlett, Garry Move Away from Oil John, Ken Kavanagh, Tracey Mitchell, Moira Peters, 11-12 The Human Experience of the Husky Oil Spill Abdul Pirani, Rick Sawa, Steven Shrybman, Heather Smith, Fred Wilson 13-14 Energy East: A battle to imagine a better collective future Chapter Activist Profile: Charlene Morton, South Shore, Nova ADVISORY BOARD Duncan Cameron, John Gray, 15 Eric Peterson, Mel Watkins, Lois Wilson Scotia 16 Chapter Action Updates EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Garry Neil 17 A Prescription for Better Medicine STAFF Meena Agarwal, Mohamed Amano, Dave Boiling Point: Government neglect, corporate abuse and Bergeron, Elizabeth Berman, Hélène Bertrand, 18-19 Michael Butler, Mark Calzavara, Daniella Carpio, Canada’s water crisis Dana Chapeskie, Philippe Charbonneau, Kathie 20-21 5 Things You Should Know About Water Protection: Why we Cloutier, Diane Connors, Brigette DePape, Mark must protect every lake, every river D’Arcy, Roger Desjardins, Sujata Dey, Angela Giles, Harjap Grewal, Andrea Harden-Donahue, 22 Take action! Send a message in a bottle to your Member of Karen Jordon, Meera Karunananthan, AJ Klein, Parliament Jamian Logue, Emma Lui, Jan Malek, Jeannette Muhongayire, Brent Patterson, Dylan Penner, 23 Building the People’s Climate Plan Matthew Ramsden, Rachel Small, Carl Stewart, 24 Canada Hasn’t Learned Its Lessons on “Free Trade” Robin Tress, Pamela Woolridge 25 Dr. Profit’s Trial Against Medicare 26 Mel Hurtig’s Passion for Justice Still Guides Us 27 Chapter Contacts

The Council of Canadians believes that political literacy is crucial to regaining control of our communities and our country. We encourage you to copy articles from Canadian Perspectives – most conveniently fit on one or two pages. If you would like to reprint articles, or if you would like to distribute Canadian Perspectives in your community, please contact us at 1-800-387-7177. Letters to the Editor

The signs of change out that President Obama’s words do not representation voting systems, such as The world, including Newfoundland and match his actions. If he truly cared about mixed member proportional, do not Labrador, is currently witnessing the slow what is best for the people of his nation, require a change in our Constitution. painful death of the industrial revolution. he would not be promoting a trade deal Energy UK, the biggest energy lobbying that is bad for the people but good for the Boyd Reimer group, has changed its position on green multinational corporations. Toronto, Ontario energy and will start campaigning for low-carbon alternatives. Its members real- So many experts can see the harm that A gift for water ize that their future is in the new forms of these trade deals do to a country’s sover- Thirty children and 12 teens recently energy rather than the old. eignty, how they chill a government and worked together to raise money at our make it reluctant to do what is necessary United Church Vacation Bible School. The Countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, to mitigate climate change for fear of theme was “water.” We created a “water Germany, Costa Rica and Brazil are giv- being sued. Why can’t the President of the wishing well” and researched a place in ing evidence that a system change is United States see that too? the world or in our country where there occurring. The world is changing trajec- were water issues. tory on the energy sector. Interestingly When I try to talk to people about this, enough, at the same time, every country they often say, “Why are Obama and The greatest awareness raised was around needs to acknowledge that all people, Trudeau in favour of these trade deals if First Nation communities – specifically that especially future generations, have the they are so bad?” I am still looking for the so many of these communities are on boil right to live in a healthy environment. answer to this. water advisories – some for as long as 25 This is translated into a call to include years. We learned that water is a natural the right to live in a healthy environment If making yourself look good as a politician resource that is essential for life and there- in our Canadian Constitution. is the main reason for signing a trade deal, fore should not be commodified and sold. then we need to make the government The renewable energy revolution is occur- see that it would look stupid if it were to We decided to donate these funds – with ring faster than anyone predicted. It is sign such a flawed trade deal. In other our gratitude – to the Council of Canadians believed that, with a mixture of good will, words, we need to make the government as a sign of support for all the work you do leadership and common vision, Canada look competent and globally engaged by to advocate for our greatest resource. has the potential to meet 100 per cent doing what is best for their nation and set- of its energy needs through wind, solar, ting the right example for other nations to Reverend Christina Paradela, Reverend geothermal, biomass and tidal wave, etc. follow. That means refusing to ratify these Miriam Spies and Reverend Alison Mock one-sided, corporation-friendly trade deals Dundas, Ontario We owe it to the next generations to think unless ISDS clauses are removed. It means and act differently. putting people first, not corporations. Send us your letters! If you have something to say about Raymond Cusson Frances Anne Cote an article you have read in Canadian Shoal Brook (Gros Morne), Newfoundland Iroquois Falls, Ontario Perspectives, or an issue you think and Labrador would interest our readers, please A new voting system write to us. We reserve the right to Why can’t Obama see the (Re. a letter by N. Hart in the Spring edit your letter for clarity and length. TPP is bad? 2016 issue.) Mr. Hart’s letter proposed Letters must include your full name, I read with great interest my Spring 2016 a proportional representation vot- address and phone number. issue of Canadian Perspectives. It was nice ing system based on Johnson’s Direct to see an issue dedicated to the TPP, and Party and Representative Voting (DPR) Send your letter to: also to the other big issue of concern, Unfortunately, that particular system Canadian Perspectives climate change. Yes, the devil is in the would require a change in Canada’s The Council of Canadians details. Great cover art, Greg Perry. Constitution, which would take too long. 300-251 Bank Street Our current Constitution requires that Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1X3 Sujata Dey’s article (The Trans-Pacific each province is allotted a certain num- Email: [email protected] Partnership Erodes Public Policy to Benefit ber of MPs, which wouldn’t work with Attention: Editor, Canadian Perspectives World’s Rich and Powerful) clearly pointed DPR. Nevertheless, other proportional www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 3 Council of Canadians National Chairperson Maude Barlow took to the streets in Stuttgart, Germany in September with more than 30,000 people to say “no” to trade deals like the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

On the Road with Carol Bergin Carol Maude Barlow

Dear friends, governments to restore secured funding dumped whatever we wanted into it, moved for health care. We followed the National it from watersheds where nature needs I hope you all had a long and restor- Energy Board as it heard from Canadians it to where we wanted it, exploited our ative summer. As always, your Council of about their concerns with the Energy groundwater (which we have not properly Canadians team across the country is hard East pipeline and the fact that it would mapped), and, in our assumption that it was at work fighting for social and environ- endanger nearly 3,000 waterways. We unlimited, over-extracted it for commodity mental justice here in Canada and around are organizing to impact the govern- exports, energy production and mining. the world. ment’s “consultations” on the water leg- islation which Harper gutted and Trudeau The book contains a chapter on the shock- My plate is full this fall. I am back in promised to reinstate. Big industry has ing state of water injustice in First Nations Europe fighting the Canada–European weighed in on the subject, not wanting a communities in Canada and what needs Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade return to strict laws, so we have our work to be done to rectify this situation. It tells Agreement (CETA) – in Germany, Denmark cut out for us. the story of trade – from the Canada-U.S. and Sweden this time – and the stakes Free Trade Agreement and NAFTA to CETA have never been higher. The Trudeau gov- In collaboration with the Canadian Labour and the TPP – and the danger posed by ernment is aggressively promoting a swift Congress, I am touring across Canada to these deals to water protection here in ratification of CETA before Great Britain fight the terrible Trans-Pacific Partnership Canada and around the world. Boiling leaves the European Union. But opposition (TPP). This massive deal would put dairy Point tells many stories of the courage to this mega-corporate deal is fierce in farmers at risk, lower our food safety and tenacity of local communities fight- Europe and all the national governments standards, increase the cost of prescrip- ing to protect their water and their rights are walking on eggshells trying to decide tion drugs, make it harder to fight climate and lays out a blueprint for the future. the best next steps. We have a real chance change, reduce the ability of local gov- An excerpt is included in this issue of of defeating CETA. ernments to implement local econom- Canadian Perspectives – give it a read! ic development programs, put Canadian I am also promoting Blue Communities workers at risk, put thousands in the As always, I am deeply grateful for your in Europe – in Bavaria, Germany, and in automotive sector out of work, increase support and commitment to the Council Geneva, Switzerland, before the World income inequality, and give thousands of Canadians and its values. We could not Council of Churches. More and more more corporations the right to sue Canada do this important work without you. municipalities, unions, universities and under the deal’s investor-state provisions. faith-based organizations are taking the This is a pernicious trade agreement that With hope and resolve, pledge to protect water as a human right must never see the light of day! and public trust. I am very excited about the forward movement on this project. Then, of course, there is my new book, Boiling Point: Government Neglect, At home we are fighting for a national Corporate Abuse and Canada’s Water Crisis. pharmacare program and a new health It tells the story of how generations of Maude Barlow is the National Chairperson of the accord between the federal and provincial Canadians have taken water for granted and Council of Canadians.

4 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians Trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) have granted more rights to corporations by Brent Patterson while eroding jobs and security for people.

Creating a New, Healthy Economy for People and the Planet The Council of Canadians calls for quality of employment in Canada now a healthy economy, one that meets at a 25-year low. This means there is less the needs of people and the planet, job security and fewer benefits for more rather than the 1 per cent. and more people. We oppose the “next generation” of trade agreements – the Our organization was formed in the fight Canada–European Union Comprehen- against so-called ”free trade,” which sive Economic and Trade Agreement has cost us many good jobs. Since the and the Trans-Pacific Partnership – and North American Free Trade Agreement support a comprehensive strategy that was signed, we have seen the loss of would give precarious workers greater well over half a million manufacturing access to social support mechanisms jobs in Canada, the net loss of 1 million and basic labour standards. jobs in the United States, and the dis- placement of millions of Mexican farm- The Council of Canadians has always ers. Employment trends show a growth been a strong supporter of the pub- in part-time, precarious jobs, with the lic ownership of public services. We www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 5 argue that public services, like water broadly, Statistics Canada has reported governments lose $7.8 billion in tax and wastewater infrastructure and that if 80 per cent of Canadians were revenue because of this. The figure even airports, should not be privatized as healthy as the top 20 per cent of in- could actually be as high as $20 bil- to be run by for-profit corporations. come earners in Canada, there would lion a year. To put those numbers in We have also made the case against be 40,000 fewer deaths per year. But context, it would cost just $4.7 billion the Trudeau government’s support of instead of moving towards greater over a 10-year period to provide clean “asset recycling,” whereby major pub- equality in this country, the richest drinking water and sanitation for First lic assets would be made available to 86 individuals and families in Cana- Nations peoples in Canada. public pension investors (and likely da have now accumulated as much others) as a way to fund new public wealth as the country’s poorest 11.4 We also believe a new economy (but not necessarily publicly owned) million people. Fifteen years ago, the should include a higher basic mini- infrastructure. We believe that public richest 86 had as much money as the mum wage. Economists Jim Stanford services are most efficiently operated poorest 10.1 million people. and Jordan Brennan have written, on a publicly owned and democrati- “Claims that higher minimum wag- cally accountable basis. es will inevitably cause measurable The current economy is failing negative consequences (especially for More recently, we have endorsed the young workers and those in low-wage Leap Manifesto, which includes a vi- to create secure, well-paying industries) are not consistent with sion for a healthy economy. Among its jobs with adequate benefits. empirical evidence from the Cana- demands, the manifesto highlights the The fossil fuel industry, sup- dian provinces. Minimum wage reg- need for a 100 per cent clean econo- ulations do not have important con- my by 2050, public support for clean ported by trade agreements, sequences on employment outcomes energy projects developed by Indige- government subsidies, and in either direction. Not surprisingly, nous peoples and other frontline com- the bottom-line imperative of employment outcomes depend first munities, a universal program to build and foremost on the overall level of and retrofit energy-efficient housing, a profit, is moving us towards an spending and macroeconomic activi- more localized and ecologically based environmental catastrophe of ty.” They also argue that a higher min- agricultural system, immigration sta- global proportions. imum wage equips more individuals tus and full protection for all workers, with greater purchasing power. the expansion of low-carbon sectors including caregiving, teaching, social The current economy is failing to cre- work, the arts and public-interest me- Unionization also helps the econo- ate secure, well-paying jobs with ade- dia, higher income taxes for corpora- my. The CLC has noted that, “On av- quate benefits. The fossil fuel industry, tions and wealthy people, and an end erage, unionized workers across Can- supported by trade agreements, gov- to fossil fuel subsidies. ada earned $5.28/hour more than ernment subsidies, and the bottom-line non-union workers. Women with imperative of profit, is moving us to- On the climate front, we back the call by unions earned more too ($7.10/hour wards an environmental catastrophe the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) for more) and got paid more fairly. Work- of global proportions. Low wages, the the creation of one million climate jobs. ers under age 25 earned an extra 27 per concentration of wealth and the lack Those jobs could be created through cent from jobs covered by a collective of tax justice are creating deepening investments in clean renewable energy, agreement. Workers in unions are an inequalities and denying the revenue green buildings, public transit and high- important part of the local communi- needed to invest in the social programs er speed rail transport. We have made ty and economy because that’s where that benefit society as a whole. But the point that the average renewable they spend their paycheques. Their in- there are alternatives. Public services, energy investment creates four times comes support local businesses (who fair trade, climate jobs, greater union- as many jobs as the same investment in create local jobs) and bolster the local ization, social investments, a $15 mini- the fossil fuel economy. tax base, which supports public works mum wage and fair taxation could help and community services that add to ev- us take important steps towards a new, That same argument has also been eryone’s quality of life.” healthy economy. made in other areas of social policy. Author and journalist Rutger Bregman A healthy economy would also require The Council of Canadians discussed has written, “Think about it: every fair taxation. It has been estimated that these issues and more at Groundswell [dollar] invested in a homeless per- Canadian corporations have as much 2016: Toward a healthy economy for peo- son returns triple or more in savings as $199 billion in offshore accounts (in ple and the planet, our annual conference on care, police and court costs. Just countries like Panama, Barbados, the which was held in St. John’s, Newfound- imagine what the eradication of child Cayman Islands and Luxembourg) as land and Labrador, October 14-16. poverty might achieve. Solving these a way to avoid paying their fair share kinds of problems is a whole lot more of taxes. Canadians for Tax Fairness Brent Patterson is the Political Director for the efficient than ‘managing’ them.” More estimates that federal and provincial Council of Canadians.

6 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians Saskatchewan Oil Spill Shows Need for Better Regulation, Move Away from Oil by Daniel Cayley-Daoust and Emma Lui

In July, more than 200,000 litres of freshwater legislation this fall. This our economy is not an easy task, but heavy oil mixed with diluents flowed should be an opportunity to develop it is an essential task. The longer we uncontrollably down the North stronger regulations and prevent envi- wait, the harder it will be. As one Saskatchewan River. It forced cities to ronmental disasters of this magnitude newspaper columnist recently point- close their drinking water intakes and in the future. By gutting the Fisheries ed out, Premier Wall is doing an awful impacted First Nations in Treaty 6 terri- Act, the Navigable Waters Protection job of diversifying the Saskatchewan tory. Prince Albert was forced to draw Act, the Environmental Assessment Act economy and seems able only to pro- water from the South Saskatchewan and the National Energy Board Act, the mote oil interests. Jobs are being lost River 30 kilometres away – a river that Harper government opened up lakes in education, film and other non-re- is already over-extracted. and rivers to more risk. The new reg- newable resource industries, not just ulations need to be stronger and more in the oil industry. Within hours of the Husky Energy pipe- effective in regulating and evaluating line spill, Alberta Premier Rachel Not- industrial projects in Canada that can Low oil prices and the global movement ley and Saskatchewan Premier Brad have an impact on our environment. towards alternatives present an oppor- Wall were both parroting the same bit tunity that needs to be seized immedi- of propaganda – that pipelines are the ately – an opportunity that will create safest way to transport oil and we need Internationally, investments in jobs and won’t pollute our waters. In- more of them. The sheer audacity of renewable energy have recent- ternationally, investments in renewable these statements points to our level of energy have recently surpassed invest- addiction to oil, and it isn’t good. ly surpassed investments in ments in new fossil fuel projects, but new fossil fuel projects, but Canada is lagging behind. Communities Though proponents claim pipelines are Canada is lagging behind. and families are already implementing the so-called “safest” method of trans- their own alternatives, but it’s time for porting oil, we have seen 8,360 spills our governments to step up to the plate in Saskatchewan since 2006, of which and support this transition and encour- Husky is responsible for 1,463. This In the meantime, we need to demand an age low-carbon climate jobs. isn’t isolated to Saskatchewan either – end to this pipeline fixation. To many, there have been 28,666 crude oil spills stopping the expansion of the oil indus- The Husky Energy oil spill is a catastro- in Alberta in the last 37 years. How is try and reducing our consumption may phe and it is also a reality check. It is this considered safe? sound counter-intuitive because of the one spill too many, and while we work impression that we are trapped, and towards overcoming our dependency The problem is that there are far too that our economy needs more oil and on oil, we need to do all we can to pre- many spills from both rail and pipelines. more pipelines to get out of its current vent future catastrophes – be they by The answer to this is twofold: we need economic slump. pipeline or by train, as it is clearer than to regulate existing pipelines and rail ever that industry cannot be trusted to transport better, and we need to over- But it is just that: a trap, a sign of our do this on its own. come our addiction to oil and begin the addiction. And both Notley and Wall transition away from fossil fuels. are entrenching themselves deeper Daniel Cayley-Daoust is the Energy and Climate into this addiction by going to bat for Campaigner and Emma Lui is the Water Campaigner The Trudeau government has commit- an industry that is quickly failing glob- for the Council of Canadians. The original version of ted to reviewing environmental and ally. Transitioning and diversifying the article appeared in the Regina Leader-Post. www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 7 This is an image from the film This Changes Everything. The film shows how climate Avi Lewis: change is affecting people all over the world, causing droughts, wildfires, intense Why We Should All Leap summer heat, violent storms and more.

Partners in life and partners in conviction and social activism, Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein make a formidable team. Through documentary film and writing, the two combined their talents to create This Changes Everything – a film and book by the same name. Then came the “Leap Manifesto” a political document meant to change how people think and act on climate change and economic inequality. Avi Lewis spoke with us recently about This Changes Everything and the Leap Manifesto.

CP: The book, the documenta­ causes of the climate crisis in extractivist ry and the Leap Manifesto – capitalism) that emphasizes emotion and you did it as a three platform people on the front lines. When I was approach. Why did you choose finishing the film I felt very strongly that to present it this way? the political demands that came out of AL: We set out almost eight years ago on our thesis needed to be in the movie, but this sprawling multi-platform initiative with every time I tried to put them in it felt like the conviction that to really introduce big, a pamphlet or a laundry list, so in the end bold ideas into a very cluttered culture we I took them out of the film because they needed to come at people from as many just weren’t convincing as narrated argu- angles as possible. The book provided the ments. But then we had the crazy idea to opportunity to really lay out the master try to launch a political manifesto at the narrative and very detailed arguments same time as the film, and as soon as that with lots of proof. The film is a streamlined was proposed it felt completely right. The take on the thesis (examining the root Leap Manifesto, as a political document,

8 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians has its own language and its own cadence we are clearly empowering everyone else. pretend we can avoid the actual clash of and its own social and cultural form, and And that strikes me as exactly what social interests in society. Look at the fossil fuel that’s where the demands really belonged. movements ought to do. industry – the most powerful and wealthiest As soon as we made that decision we industry in human history. It has trillions realized it wasn’t our job to make up the CP: What in this message is reso­ of dollars of future profits to lose and it’s demands for a movement of movements. nating with people so much? fighting like its life is on the line. So that’s And so that’s when we convened a historic AL: People know in their bones that we are what we are up against. That’s why we have meeting in May 2015 where we brought really screwed as a species unless we have to build a movement of movements and together activists from all different causes, transformative change immediately. We can connect the dots between all the different from all around the country and laid the see with our own eyes every single day issues that people are fighting for so that groundwork for what would be a con- around the world that the climate catastrophe we can build a much larger group of people sensus document, which is what the Leap is unfolding even faster than scientists have who have everything to gain – a better, fairer Manifesto is. predicted. And that science was already really world with more justice for everyone. scary so most people are dealing with a latent CP: And what has the response level of panic. When they look at government CP: What advice would you give been like? responses they either get flowery words – to somebody who wants to be AL: There has been a tidal wave of response. which is what we have in Canada since we involved? There have been two very different kinds. changed governments a year ago – or they AL: I think the Leap Manifesto is an invita- The response from the establishment: the see incremental approaches and market mea- tion to look around at the different issues corporate media, most of the political class, sures like cap and trade plans in Ontario and and struggles in your own community and although not all of it, and the entire political Quebec, or paltry carbon taxes like in B.C. see how they are connected and then to try pundit class has been entirely, overwhelm- that don’t get anywhere near the level that to make your activism into the living connec- ingly negative and fear-mongering. Some would be required to actually reduce carbon tive tissue that will unite movements across of those responses really show how this emissions. People are smart and they perceive the spectrum. In downtown Toronto, where document has gotten under the skin of the a vast chasm between the urgency of the I live, we have a terrific movement coming people who benefit so mightily from the crisis and the level of ambition that is on offer from labour and other allies around the fight status quo. Brian Mulroney was trotted out from our governments in terms of a response. for $15 – the $15 minimum dollar wage. from retirement to tell a business audience So the Leap Manifesto, which treats the crisis This already brings together precarious and that the Leap Manifesto is “a new philos- as one requiring transformative change, has non-unionized workers with trade unions ophy of economic nihilism” that “must resonated for that reason. But also, and I and other social forces. We have a divest- be resisted and defeated.” The Globe and think more importantly, the Leap Manifesto ment movement on campuses – young Mail editorial board called it “madness,” tells a story about the kind of world we people trying to get their universities to Rex Murphy milked like four columns bash- want – so rather than try to scare people into divest from fossil fuels, churches doing the ing the Leap Manifesto, but of course, as action, it seeks to inspire them with an ambi- same. So I’m lucky to live in a big city with probably Canada’s foremost climate denier, tious and positive agenda. And that agenda a large population with a lot of activism, but that’s not all that surprising from him. isn’t just to respond to the climate crisis, but we have to be able to see the threads that Conrad Black was rushing into the fray to to the sick economic system that is creating connect the dots among all the issues we smear us. All of these mainstream respons- it, as well as with a host of related crises like see around us. So as far as the “what can I es completely mischaracterized the Leap our relationship with First Nations, our callous do?” question goes, I think where the Leap Manifesto. But the responses were to a treatment of migrants and refugees, deep can help is to serve as an invitation to look clichéd version of environmentalism and inequality and structural racism in society – all at your own local landscape of causes and nothing could be further from what the the intersecting crises that we know need see how they are brought together by an Leap Manifesto actually is. urgent response. analysis of climate change, inequality and racism in society and to get out there and The other main response was from people CP: What do you think the big­ help out in all the different ways that activists – from Canadians. We’ve been absolutely gest challenges are to get this do. I think what the Leap adds to the work overwhelmed by the chord that this has change? of specific issued-based struggles is a sys- struck with many people who live on Turtle AL: There is a tremendous amount of temic analysis, a way of seeing the causes as Island. More than 40,000 have signed power and wealth invested in maintaining connected, and a meeting place for people now, more than 200 organizations have the status quo. So just like with corporate to come together beyond their silos. signed, and every day our inboxes have trade deals, just like with the right to water – more requests from community groups thinking of other great Council of Canadians CP: Are there next steps for the who want to do public discussions, who causes – just like with First Nations struggles, Leap Manifesto? want to volunteer and help out, who want in order to win these necessary victories for AL: Big time! [laughs] After a truly extraor- to get involved in the many struggles that people we have to confront the most pow- dinary roller coaster of a first year the peo- make up the constellation of the Leap. I erful actors in our society: corporations and ple who continue to do organizing around find this extremely heartening because we the governments that serve them. There is the Leap Manifesto – we are a team of are clearly frightening the powerful and no shortcut. The Leap Manifesto doesn’t four or five people – we took a breath over www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 9 Avi Lewis (front right) and cinematog- rapher Mark Ellam film This Changes Everything in New York City. Ed Kashi

the summer and looked each other in the where we bring together people to launch and to the Leap Manifesto. We’ve been eye and asked: should we call it? Should a platform like that? Should we continue staggered and really, really touched by how we declare victory and move on, or do we to annoy the powerful, have twitter wars Council supporters and Council chapters have a hell of a lot more work to do? And with Brad Wall, and fight the battle of big have taken up the document and organized there was no hesitation as we recommit- ideas in the culture? To what extent can we local meetings and town halls, film screen- ted to doubling down on the work of the give people tools to self-organize around ings and book clubs. I think we feel that the Leap. So our first step was to zoom out the Leap Manifesto? This is the thing that Council is the national movement organiza- and actually identify the kinds of interven- we are most excited about. Looking at the tion that really gets the Leap Manifesto in tions that we’ve been able to make in the Bernie Sanders campaign and other move- its bones. Of course there are many other culture in the last year – get clear on what ments that have allowed people to self partners in our broad, broad coalition who we’ve discovered we can do. We haven’t organize – that have trusted and empow- fight on their issues and make connections, made any decisions and we are actively ered the grassroots supporters of any par- but for decades now the Council has been seeking the input of allies to work out ticular cause and given people tools to use in the business of connecting the dots on what our best next steps could be. We’ve in their own communities – that’s a direc- different issues and I think that’s why there been asking ourselves some questions like: tion we know we want to take. has been such a close working relationship Should we try to work with social move- between Leap and the Council. ments across Turtle Island to deepen the CP: I know our Council of Canad­ Leap vision and create a kind of platform ians chapters really responded to The Council of Canadians welcomed Avi like the Movement for Black Lives has cre- the Leap Manifesto Lewis as a keynote speaker at our annual ated in the U.S.? In other words, should AL: There is no single organization that conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland we expand the Leap Manifesto into a has responded as vigorously and as inspir- and Labrador, in October. For more infor- much more specific, policy-based vision? ingly as the Council of Canadians – both mation about the Leap Manifesto visit Should we have a national convention to This Changes Everything, book and film, www.leapmanifesto.org

10 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians (Left to right) Shelley Essaunce, Barb Sauve and Diana Bird performed water ceremonies The Human Experience on the bank of the North Saskatchewan River following Husky Energy’s recent oil spill. The spill resulted in close to 70,000 people losing of the Husky Oil Spill access to clean drinking water. by Brigette DePape

RICK SAWA kind of frightening. A lot of people Prince Albert, Council of Canadians were in shock that this could happen Board member to us, and some fear the long-term effect and wonder how soon we will What has been the impact of the have water. We got an email [from the spill on your community? Prince Albert Water Authority] saying For us rural folk, we get our water from they were shutting it off and that you the city They shut our water off com- needed to come pick up water. I did pletely for days. When they shut it off, we not have means to get water. Luckily, had water in our [holding] tanks, but we we had plans to go to a friend’s cab- Rick Sawa, Prince Albert, Council of Canadians had to boil it and bleach our dishes after in so we were okay there. We have to Board member we washed them. They quickly set up be very careful and use bath water to bottled water that we could go pick up. flush the toilet. It was a frightening Between 200,000 and 250,000 litres We still can’t drink it, but we can use it experience, and we were woken up of crude oil and other material leaked for everything else. When I asked where somewhat. We keep hearing that pipe- into the North Saskatchewan River it comes from they couldn’t tell me. It lines are the greatest thing. To me, this on Thursday, July 21, from a breach scared people because we did not know shows that they aren’t! in a Husky Energy owned pipeline. how long the water would be off – people Close to 70,000 people lost access to said it could be weeks or even months. What did you think of Husky’s clean drinking water because of the handling of the spill? spill. Clean-up efforts are ongoing. What was it like for you on the When we found out [Husky Energy] Below are a few stories from people day that it happened? had been warned 14 hours ahead of who have been directly impacted by I was at home when I found out. When time that was a bit disturbing. It took 14 the spill. they first shut the water off it was hours before they did something. www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 11 What did you think of the use water in a sparing manner – no coming down the North Saskatche- government’s response? washing cars, no watering gardens, wan River where our intake pipe is for On the ground, I’m not sure what they simply using water for daily necessities. Prince Albert’s water source. It was on are doing. Premier Brad Wall looks at We went under contract with a water Facebook that I heard that we were in- this as an economic problem, not an deliverer from the Saskatoon area with structed to stockpile and I was pan- environmental one. The deputy minis- water tankers to deliver water to our icked. I didn’t know how much water ter of the economy was the spokesper- reservoirs. Bottled water was delivered to stockpile, for how long we would son for the spill, not the department of every two days to the homes of elders. need to use the stockpiled water, and the environment. That was a bit odd. We will be under a boil water advisory I was overcome with grief. for some time. The government is saying nobody The morning of Monday July 25, died, whereas by rail we have deaths. when the oil plume had arrived in They are saying we have to move [the Prince Albert, I read about it on Twit- crude] and need to choose the safest “I went into fight mode. ter while still in bed. I burst into tears way to move it, that the only two op- I went to the river and I and wept. Such a loss of our water, tions are pipelines or trains. But there’s witnessed the oil slick and our drinking water, the water that a third option: let’s stop – or at least gave us life. cut back – and start working towards the scum streaming down renewables like many other countries the river from the dock. As How have you responded to the across the world. Anishinabekwe, an Ojibway spill? I went into fight mode. I went to the riv- What can be done to help? woman, I carry teachings er and I witnessed the oil slick and the People can put pressure on the govern- about women and the water scum streaming down the river from ment to move away from oil and gas and I was asked to do the dock. As Anishinabekwe, an Ojib- and to end subsidies, write letters to way woman, I carry teachings about the editor, to MPs and MLAs. water ceremonies.” women and the water and I was asked - Shelley Essaunce to do water ceremonies. A group of three of us continued to do water cere- LYLE BEAR monies every day along the river for the Muskoday First Nation first few weeks. What did you think of the What has been the impact of the response from Husky? What is Husky doing to spill on your community? As far as I know, Husky has not yet respond? For us First Nation people, water is met with our Chief. There has been I am expecting that Husky “officials sacred. It is the gift of life. We are no compensation for the cost related and experts” will tell us that the water taught by creator and our elders not to water delivery. Husky has commit- is fine to use at some point. to waste. Without it, none of us live. ted to meet with each community to Animals, plants, trees. All life de- provide compensation for any hard- Husky is apparently doing testing and pends on this. Water is sacred to In- ship caused by the oil spill. First Na- saying that nature will take care of it digenous people, particularly people tions share this land. In our treaties and really we have nothing to worry in Muskoday First Nation. we signed that we will live in harmo- about, so says their expert. I don’t trust ny with the newcomers, the Europe- this. There are also independent asses- The band has gone to great lengths to ans that have come to share this land. sors in town. provide safe water to about 650 resi- They have been slow in reciprocating. dents. A number of years ago, Musko- People and industry can be reckless The Council of Canadians was one of day had an agreement with Prince Al- with the treatment of water. We need several organizations that supported a bert and the Prince Albert rural water to take care of Mother Earth. We only grassroots-led independent assessment authority to provide water to the First have one Earth. of the water after the spill occurred. Nation. We have a low-pressure water The results showed that the spill spread line that runs about 15 to 20 kilometres much further because of Husky Ener- that services Muskoday. SHELLEY ESSAUNCE gy’s delay in reporting and responding, Prince Albert that the company has not been forth- After the spill at the Husky plant, Musko- coming about water testing or clean- day First Nation and all users were shut What has been the impact of the up, and that people should have been off without notice. Our Chief and Coun- oil spill on your community? warned earlier about the dangers with cil declared a state of emergency. The Husky oil spill has been quite the water. devastating. On July 21, my world Within the state of emergency we were changed when we were told to stock- Brigette DePape is the Prairies Regional Organizer for cautioned to use good judgment and pile water because of the oil plume the Council of Canadians.

12 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians Angela Giles

The Council of Canadians teamed up with the Peace and Friendship Alliance in New Brunswick to help with the Energy East: A battle Harmony Project art installation, which involved painting the image from the Wolastoq flag along the proposed to imagine a better Energy East pipeline route to show opposition. Alma Brooks, Ben Gotschall and Council of Canadians New Brunswick Energy East Campaigner Mark D’Arcy stand by collective future one of the painted trees.

In June, the National Energy Board to submit written evidence, the oppor- (NEB) launched what was supposed tunity for intervenors to ask official to be a 21-month-long hearing into questions, or put forward information TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline. requests of TransCanada and other in- It was the beginning of a long, com- tervenors, and eventually, the possibili- plicated process that will end with a ty of oral hearings and the cross-exam- by Daniel Cayley-Daoust recommendation to the federal gov- ination of TransCanada. ernment about whether or not the pipeline should be built. One thing is certain: this process is complex and it is a world where law- The NEB process originally included yers – of which TransCanada has plen- preliminary panel sessions until De- ty – are most comfortable. The Council cember 2016 for intervenors to ask of Canadians is working with interve- questions and explain their main areas nors across the country to make sure of interest, and into 2017, the opportu- this opaque process is better under- nity for intervenors and commenters stood and best utilized to advance the

www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 13 goal of stopping Energy East before it the panel hearings were on hold at the serious concerns that not only Indig- is built and puts our communities and time Canadian Perspectives went to press. enous people, but the general public our planet at even greater risk. have about the fundamentally flawed Since being elected, the Trudeau gov- NEB process.” Chief Ernie Cray of the The Council of Canadians was at the ernment has attempted to bolster the Cheam First Nation was blunter, calling opening of the first NEB panel session NEB’s image with its proposed interim the process “drive-by consultation.” in Saint John, New Brunswick in August measure for the Energy East hearings. with many local and regional partners. Effectively, the NEB has added a sepa- Ultimately, the government needs to We held a press conference outside the rate public meetings process to discuss ensure that the principles in the United venue where the panel sessions were Nations Declaration on the Rights of In- being held to show that there is a strong digenous Peoples, including free, prior opposition to this pipeline. Ron Trem- Indigenous communities and informed consent, are upheld. blay, Grand Chief of the Wolastoq Mali- came out in large numbers on seet Grand Council, Lynaya Astephen It is clear the NEB’s highly technical pro- of the Red Head, Anthony’s Cove Pres- the second and third days of cess gave advantage to the well-resourced ervation Association, and Colin Sproul, the Saint John panel sessions TransCanada Corporation. Any revised spokesperson for the Bay of Fundy In- and the resounding message process must shift this and put more pri- shore Fishermen’s Association, gave ority on a true environmental assessment, powerful presentations to the media. was that Indigenous peoples consultation with Indigenous peoples, and would need to give their a climate test that considers upstream and This outside activity complemented the consent before this project downstream impacts, and that recognizes energy and the powerful stories that communities’ right to say “no.” Energy East opponents brought to Tran- could move forward. sCanada and the three NEB members Re-imagining our collective inside the panel session. fossil-free future the pipeline which will happen some- We need to seize opportunities to build TransCanada’s contempt and time in 2017 and which will result in a a new vision and a new future for our the NEB’s loss of credibility written submission to be added to the communities. One of the common themes we’ve seen NEB process outlined above. Similarly, for some time now is TransCanada’s the government has added a separate TransCanada has proposed its vision contempt for landowners, First Nations climate assessment process that only – a future of corporate profits made and municipalities. Company officials looks at the direct upstream climate by sending extracted resources across often only partially answer local resi- emissions and does not consider the Canada to outside markets, endanger- dents’ questions at the panel sessions, downstream emissions. These two ad- ing our water along the route; a future or outright refuse to respond. Indeed, ditional steps did little to bolster public where we are abandoning our climate in many instances, TransCanada’s well confidence in the process. targets and putting our sacred water- funded team of lawyers and experts ways at risk. This future isn’t pretty. were spinning and regurgitating talking The Trudeau government promised an points instead of answering questions. additional consultation process with Luckily, we’ve got tools to change TransCanada is posing as the good cor- Indigenous communities that will be things. The Leap Manifesto has given us porate citizen, saying it is meeting with handled by the Major Projects Manage- a good framework with which to em- “this many” First Nations and “that ment Office. The process for it, howev- bark on this journey, and researchers many” landowners, but many people er, is still unclear. Indigenous commu- like Stanford’s Mark Jacobson, with his see this as posturing. nities came out in large numbers on Solutions Project, have given us a path the second and third days of the Saint to follow to phase out fossil fuel energy Another theme that has emerged is the John panel sessions and the resounding needs in the next 20 years. NEB’s lack of credibility and transpar- message was that Indigenous peoples ency. This will make it more difficult for would need to give their consent before As campaigners, we meet new peo- the Trudeau government to rely on the this project could move forward. ple every day. We hear stories of peo- board to approve the pipeline. It was re- ple fighting for and creating a better cently revealed that current NEB Energy A similar consultation process was world, and we are reminded of the East panel members met secretly with attempted for Kinder Morgan’s Trans power of collective action. There is former Quebec premier Jean Charest to Mountain pipeline, to much dissatis- strong support for alternatives to a fos- discuss the Energy East project. Charest faction. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of sil fuel–filled future. We’ve got a chal- was employed by TransCanada as a con- the Union of BC Indian Chiefs told that lenge ahead of us, but I believe we are sultant at the time. The NEB had to apol- panel “we’re not confident in the pro- ready to meet it. ogize after it initially denied they had cess…we do not believe this process talked about the pipeline project. Three that is in place here at the moment Daniel Cayley-Daoust is the Energy and Climate panel members recently resigned and goes far enough to address the very Justice Campaigner for the Council of Canadians.

14 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians Chapter Activist Profile Charlene Morton, South Shore, Nova Scotia

The South Shore of Nova Scotia is known for its picturesque coastline Charlene Morton (left) sits on a pier in the South Shore views, beaches and artisan commu- with Amy Buckland-Nicks of nities. It’s also home to the vibrant the Bluenose Coastal Action South Shore Council of Canadians Foundation. The two women Chapter, whose members are partic- work together on water issues. ularly active on water issues in their region. Charlene Morton is a local chapter activist and spoke recently Offshore Petroleum Board, a regulatory is an issue. Although we do have a solid with Canadian Perspectives about why agency that has given approvals to StatOil group of people involved, we’re always try- she volunteers her time. (Norway) and Shell Oil to drill off the South ing to recruit new members. We usually ask Shore very close to fragile fishing grounds. people attending a meeting or public event How did you first get involved We’re also working on raising awareness to identify those who might be interested with the Council of Canadians? about proportional representation and and then we reach out to them. Although I’m originally from the South organizing a panel discussion about the Shore, I had moved away for work and efficiency of biomass-driven energy. What advice would you give to was living in Vancouver for several years. people who might be consider­ I often came home in the summer, and, What is your most memorable ing becoming a chapter activist? during the summer of 2011, I was home moment or campaign? It’s so important to build a support base. and volunteered for the Growing Green Most campaigns are inspiring because of Being a small group in a small rural area Festival through the Town of Bridgewater the new people and allies one meets and means you need to generate a broad base Community Sustainability Network. After works with from local communities and so you’re not working on issues alone. We getting to know Marion Moore, Co-Chair the region in general. The Water Week meet a lot of knowledgeable people, work- of the South Shore Chapter, through photo exhibit, which we’ve been doing for ing on things that really matter for every- Festival volunteer work and having been a the past three years, has grown and taken one. It’s nice to see people come together supporter of the Council of Canadians for me into different Art Gallery and school and work hard to achieve meaningful goals years, I was happy to take up an invitation communities. The Campaign to Protect for their communities and beyond. to join the chapter steering committee Offshore NS has been the most interesting when I retired and moved back to Nova in terms of research and the growing list For more information about how to join a Scotia the following summer. of contacts and endorsements. The Blue chapter in your area, visit our website at Communities Project was another learn- What is the chapter focused on www.canadians.org/chapters or call us toll- ing process as we worked with municipal these days? free at 1-800-387-7177. staff, committees and councilors. From The chapter has been working on water these experiences, one collects memorable and energy-related issues lately. We orga- moments, knowing that they all offer con- nized the third annual photo exhibit for siderable inspiration and knowledge for Water Week in the spring and we achieved volunteer work as well as bringing in new the first Blue Community designation in friends and allies to share strategies and Atlantic Canada with the Municipality solutions for common problems. South Shore, of the District of Lunenburg passing the N.S. three resolutions in December 2015. What challenges does the In April, we launched the campaign to chapter face? “Protect Offshore Nova Scotia,” focusing We’re a pretty active group politically but on the reform of the Canada–Nova Scotia the work can be all-consuming, so burnout www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 15 Chapter Action Updates by Brent Patterson

Council of Canadians Organizing Assistant Rachel Small (left) and Peterborough Chapter activist and Council Board member Roy Brady (right) took part in a march and rally in support of the Grassy Narrows First Nation’s campaign for cleanup of mercury contamination in their Mark Calzavara territory.

Council of Canadians chapters are international norm, the Trudeau government Canadians chapters have celebrated sev- active in almost 60 communities across decided in August to spend $132 million on eral key campaign wins, including an the country. Here are just a few exam- new prison facilities for immigration detain- indefinite moratorium on fracking in New ples of what they have been doing in ees to replace older institutions. Brunswick, the Niagara Falls Planning recent months: Department recommending against “Colonialism No More” zoning changes needed to destroy the Glyphosate is dangerous The Regina chapter supported the Thundering Waters forest until five condi- The Kent County chapter pressed New “Colonialism No More” camp outside the tions are met (including consultation with Brunswick’s Acting Chief Medical Officer Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Indigenous peoples opposed to the devel- of Health to release a report on glypho- (INAC) office in that city. The camp called opment), and Fredericton City Council sate, a herbicide that is widely sprayed on the government to revoke the Indian admitting that it erred when it sent a in the province. In June, chapter activist Act, honour the Treaty rights, and address letter (voted on at a council meeting Ann Pohl wrote to Dr. Jennifer Russell, long-standing issues impacting First Nations, closed to the public) to Prime Minister stating, “We need to see that report on including poverty, housing and education, Justin Trudeau supporting the controver- glyphosate that you promised we would inadequate drinking water and a lack of sial Energy East pipeline. have before the spray season begins. We job opportunities. A spokesperson for the need to see that report now. It is not clear camp said, “We’re tired of the suicides. In memoriam to us if your report has been scrapped, We’re tired of the poverty and the water The Council of Canadians mourns the suppressed, or something else has hap- that’s not drinkable.” After almost 125 days passing of Brockville chapter activist pened.” In late July, the government camping in front of the INAC office, and a Jim Riesberry, who passed away on had released the report that shockingly visit from Regina MP and federal Cabinet May 3, 2016, at the age of 82. Jim concluded there is “no increased risk minister Ralph Goodale in late July, the founded the chapter and served as its for New Brunswickers exposed to gly- camp folded near the end of August. chairperson for eight years. Several phosate.” This despite the World Health years ago, Jim commented, “Over the Organization’s International Agency for Fair trade, not corporate power last 10 years we have presented to city Research on Cancer saying glyphosate “is The Victoria chapter is working to get the council, participated in demonstrations probably carcinogenic to humans.” municipal councils of Victoria, Saanich and in Ottawa, met annually with our MP, Esquimalt to pass resolutions against the screened documentaries, and hosted Support for immigration detainees Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Chapter Maude Barlow and the Unbottle It! The Peterborough chapter rallied in support activists Ted Woynillowicz and Neil Mussell tour, among other things. We don’t of immigration detainees being held in a highlighted the undemocratic nature of get to celebrate as many victories as prison in nearby Lindsay, Ontario. Indefinite the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) we would like, but we have the joy immigration detention is an issue of concern provision in the TPP that allows transna- of working with others across Canada for many Ontario chapters as well as chap- tional corporations to challenge govern- and together being an influence.” Our ters across the country. In July, the chapter ment decisions made in the public interest. sincere condolences go out to Jim’s rallied outside the constituency office of Chapter representatives stated, “The TPP family and friends. Maryam Monsef, the Minister of Democratic is a contentious so-called free trade agree- Institutions, demanding that she call on ment that has little to do with trade and To read more about how chapters are Ralph Goodale, the Minister of Public Safety, much to do with a transfer of power to acting for social justice in communities to meet with immigration detainees on multinational corporations.” across the country visit www.canadians. hunger strike. The international standard org/community. is to limit immigration detention to 90 Key wins days, but in Canada there is no such limit. Since the last issue of Canadian Per­ Brent Patterson is the Political Director for the Unfortunately, instead of moving to this spectives this past April, Council of Council of Canadians.

16 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians Chapter Action Updates by Brent Patterson A Prescription for Better Medicine by Michael Butler

This fall, the federal, provincial and having trouble paying for the drugs between government jurisdictions and territorial governments will enter into their doctors prescribe, including crit- the lack of a national formulary (an negotiations that will shape the future ical medicines such as asthma inhal- evidence-based list of approved drugs) of medicare in Canada. The feder- ers, antibiotics, anticoagulants and mean medication is not being pre- al government is hoping to conclude insulin. People commonly split doses scribed appropriately. More than one in negotiations on a new accord by the to make the medication last longer, or three Canadians (37%) over age 65 filled end of 2016. Many of the important decide not to fill the prescription at at least one prescription for medicines topics being negotiated revolve large- all because it costs too much, which believed to pose unnecessary risks for ly around money. leads to increased costs in the public older adults (at a cost of $400 million). health care system. This means be- But should negotiations centre only tween 3 million and 8 million Canadi- Dr. Joel Lexchin, an emergency room on money, or should they be about ans have worse health outcomes due physician and professor of health pol- better health? to the cost of medication and the lack icy at York University, says medicines of a universal pharmacare program. are commonly underused, overused or Medicare is Canada’s most cherished misused in Canada. It is estimated that 1 social program. Canadians from coast Canada has the second highest per cap- in 6 hospitalizations in Canada could to coast depend on it. The health accord ita spending on drug costs in the OECD, be prevented through national regula- negotiations need to be seen as an op- following only the United States. Since tion and better guidelines. This is com- portunity to confirm medicare, but also 2000, the growth in drug expenditures pounded by a lack of transparency in to expand quality public health care. in Canada has outpaced the growth in the approvals of new medication and all other countries. Canadian drug ex- poor after-market surveillance. According to the Canadian Pharmacists penditures increased by 184.43 per cent Association, Canada is one of the few de- between 2000 and 2012, a growth rate This fall, the Council of Canadians will veloped countries in the world without higher than any other comparator coun- push the federal government to create universal pharmacare, and the only coun- try. Even the U.S.-developed prescription needed checks and balances to protect try in the world with a universal health medications cost on average 30 per cent Canadians from Big Pharma’s influence care system that excludes prescription more in Canada than they do in other on our health care. Not only can phar- drugs. A national drug coverage plan – industrialized countries. macare be a tool to save money, it can known as universal pharmacare – was also result in better medicine. Phar- first recommended in 1964 by the Royal Despite our high level of pharmaceuti- macare requires a national formulary Commission on Health Services and in cal spending, Canada attracts the low- to achieve fair, equitable, appropriately multiple reports since. It remains one of est amount of pharmaceutical research prescribed and evidence-based drug the core pieces missing from medicare. among comparable countries. Big Phar- coverage across Canada. This is an op- ma spent 4.4 per cent of earnings on portunity to improve the safety, moni- Recent polls show 91 per cent of Canadi- research and development (R&D) in toring and quality of prescription drugs, ans want a national pharmacare program. 2015, the lowest amount since reporting while controlling costs. started in 1988. It’s the twelfth consecu- Currently 10 per cent of Canadians (over tive year that Canadian pharmaceutical We believe all Canadians deserve ac- 3.5 million people) are not covered by companies have not met the threshold cess to the prescription drugs they need, any type of drug plan and a further 11 of 10 per cent of domestic sales to be regardless of place of residence, age, per cent have limited drug coverage. put into R&D. The companies promised employment status, or income. No one Canadians spent $29 billion in 2015 on this in 1987 in exchange for having their should have to choose between paying prescription drugs – the equivalent of periods of market exclusivity increased. rent, buying food or purchasing medi- $814 a year per Canadian. cine they need. According to Steve Morgan, a profes- At the same time, more than one in sor of health policy at the University of Michael Butler is the Health Care Campaigner for the five Canadians (23 percent) reported British Columbia, the patchwork system Council of Canadians.

www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 17 Michelle Valberg

EXCLUSIVE BOOK EXCERPT Boiling Point: Government neglect, corporate abuse and Canada’s water crisis by Maude Barlow For over three decades, I have trav- For make no mistake, the world is run- elled the world, learning about ning out of accessible water. On World water, learning that abundance is Water Day 2015, the UN reported that not a given, and that the future of demand for water will increase by 55 the human race and the species with per cent over the next 15 years. By whom we share this planet is liter- that time global water resources will ally dependent upon it. I have stood meet only 60 per cent of the world’s in solidarity with those fighting for demand. A 2016 report from leading water justice in their communities or scientists warned that two-thirds of trying to save endangered lakes and the global population currently lives rivers from contamination, overex- with severe water scarcity for at least traction and corporate malfeasance, one month of every year and almost 2 and I am always amazed at how far billion suffer severe water scarcity for away these struggles appear to be to at least half of every year. The water most Canadians when I return home. crisis could affect as many as 7 billion

18 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians almost non-existent. They are a On World Water Day 2015, the UN reported that demand patchwork of outdated, vague and for water will increase by 55 per cent over the next 15 years. even conflicting regulations with no coherent overarching principles or By that time global water resources will meet only 60 per rational planning. Many of our laws cent of the world’s demand. were originally enacted well over a century ago for a country that was still largely rural and agrarian and people by 2075. UN Secretary-Gener- whose population mostly extracted al Ban Ki-moon gathered 500 scien- water for their own use. As our econ- tists together who concluded that our omy grew and industrialized, our gov- global abuse of water has caused the ernments updated laws, enacted new planet to enter a “new geologic age” ones and set regulations piecemeal akin to the retreat of the glaciers over as situations and need arose. There 11,000 years ago. was little understanding, among ei- ther the general population or elect- It is no surprise that some parts of ed officials, of the consequences of the world, such as Australia, many pollution, overuse or overextraction. countries in Africa and all of the Our forebears genuinely believed that Middle East, are in water crisis as clean water would always be available they had few water resources to be- and that there was more than enough gin with. But the crisis has suddenly for every purpose. moved well beyond the expected. Ca- nadians would be wise to look at oth- We have only recently begun to real- er traditionally water-rich countries ize how mistaken that belief was. for insight into what could happen to us if we do not plan – if we do not This book is a cry from the heart. It hold our governments accountable is time to abandon our erroneous be- to build a coherent water strategy for liefs that Canada has unlimited sup- the future. plies of water, that Canadians have taken care of this water heritage, or

Michelle Valberg Brazil, listed by the UN as the most that we still have lots of time to do water-rich country in the world, is ex- A perfect storm of declining water sup- so. We need a strong, national plan periencing such devastating drought plies, rising poverty levels and climb- of action based on a new water ethic in its southern region that 20 mil- ing water rates has brought what we that puts water protection and water lion people are at risk, and the city have always thought of as Third World justice at the heart of all our policies of São Paulo almost ran its reservoir issues to our own doorstep. and laws. The path forward is clear, if dry last year. Muddy sludge clogged not simple. municipal pipes as residents turned Despite our shared mythology of on their taps. In China, over half the limitless water, Canada is not im- Maude Barlow is the National Chairperson of the rivers have disappeared in just 25 mune to this, the world’s most press- Council of Canadians and author of 18 books. years. The United States, listed as ing problem. We face serious issues This text is an excerpt of her recently received the eighth water-richest country in of water contamination, eutrophica- book Boiling Point: Government neglect, corporate the world, has been experiencing a tion, overextraction, glacial melt and abuse and Canada’s water crisis. multi-year drought rivalling the Dust climate change. Extractive energy Bowl of the 1930s throughout large and mining projects endanger our swaths of its south and west. In 2015, waterways. Corporations are eyeing Get your FREE copy California had to impose strict water Canada’s water, setting up bottled of Boiling Point! rationing in many communities, and water operations and bidding to run Get a free copy of Maude’s new neighbour turned against neighbour water services on a for-profit basis. book with your gift to help pro- as people battled over compliance. There are even renewed calls to al- tect every lake, every river. Just While it is true that El Niño–driven low bulk commercial water exports start a monthly gift with the rains have provided some relief to the to drought-stricken states. Council of Canadians of $5 or most drought-stricken parts of the more OR increase your current United States, scientists believe that it Water protection regulations across monthly gift by $5 or more OR is short-lived and that droughts in the the country are uneven and general- make a single gift of $75 or more. arid parts of the U.S. will become both ly inadequate, and federal rules are more frequent and longer lasting.

www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 19 “Rawson Lake Kananaskis country” by daveblooggs007 via Flickr. CC by 2.0 “Rawson Lake Kananaskis country” by daveblooggs007 via Flickr.

5 Things You Should Know about Water Protection by Emma Lui Why we must protect every lake and every river under a new Navigable Waters Protection Act

Four years ago, the former Harper gov- Fisheries Act and the Navigation Pro- must be part of the foundation ernment introduced two omni-budget tection Act. The government will create of all water legislation and pro­ bills that made sweeping changes to two expert panels to examine how the tections. some of Canada’s key laws concern- National Energy Board and the federal In July 2010, 122 countries of the Unit- ing water and the environment. The environmental assessment process ap- ed Nations General Assembly voted to Harper government removed protec- prove projects. The expert panels will recognize the human rights to water tions for 99 per cent of lakes and rivers detail their findings in reports that are and sanitation. This internationally under the Navigable Waters Protection expected in January 2017. binding resolution must be recognized Act. The government also gutted the at every level of government. Fisheries Act so that it no longer pro- West Coast Environmental Law Centre’s tects fish or fish habitat. Nearly 3,000 Anna Johnston told Desmog Canada that In the report Our Right to Water: A Peo- environmental assessments were the review is a “once-in-a-generation ple’s Guide to Implementing the United cancelled as a result of amendments opportunity for Canada to enact really Nations’ Recognition of the Right to Wa- made to the Canadian Environmental visionary new environmental laws and ter and Sanitation, Council of Canadi- Assessment Act. Mining, tar sands, processes.” ans National Chairperson Maude Bar- fracking, pipeline and other risky proj- low outlines the three obligations the ects are being approved under these Here are five things that must be in- recognition of a human right to water weakened laws to this day. cluded in the Navigation Protection Act imposes on governments: the obliga- (NPA) – formerly the Navigable Waters tions to respect, protect and fulfill. This This summer, the Trudeau government Protection Act (NWPA) – for water to be includes government’s obligation to announced it will review and hold pub- protected for future generations: prevent third parties from interfering lic consultations through the fall about with the enjoyment of the human right. the National Energy Board, the Canadi- The human right to water For example, a government is required an Environmental Assessment Act, the 1.and community consent to protect a community from pollution

20 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians and inequitable water extraction by waterways in Canada except 97 lakes, the obligation to obtain free, prior and corporations or governments. 62 rivers and 3 oceans. Mining, hydro informed consent into the NWPA and dam, liquefied fracked gas, fish farms other water legislation so that Indig- The Trudeau government’s review of or other projects on the remaining 99 enous treaty and water rights are re- the NPA and other environmental legis- per cent of lakes and rivers do not trig- spected and a nation-to-nation rela- lation creates an opportunity to incor- ger an environmental assessment un- tionship is truly established. porate the human right to water into der the NPA. these laws. The Trudeau government Clean drinking water, recre­ must create mechanisms in the acts 5.ation, sustainable jobs, and that allow communities to say “no” to a just and healthy economy are projects that pollute or inequitably ex- Changes to the NPA and other inextricably linked. tract water and say “yes” to protecting environmental legislation Media and governments often falsely local lakes and rivers and upholding must be part of a long-term pit the environment against jobs. They the human right to water. argue that if people stand up to protect plan to transition away from water or the environment they must All energy and resource fossil fuels and protect every be opposed to job creation. This is far 2.development projects must lake and every river. from the truth. be reviewed. The Harper government’s 2012 water The number of jobs created in water-in- legislation changes resulted in the ex- tensive industries like mining, oil and emption of the review of pipeline and KGHM Ajax Mining Inc. is proposing gas is very low compared to jobs in other transmission line projects under the to build a copper and gold mine south sectors. According to Statistics Canada, current Navigation Protection Act. The of Kamloops, British Columbia, on the forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, and pipeline industry lobbied for – and won traditional territory of the Secwepemc oil and gas made up only 2 per cent of

“Rawson Lake Kananaskis country” by daveblooggs007 via Flickr. CC by 2.0 “Rawson Lake Kananaskis country” by daveblooggs007 via Flickr. – these changes. Nation. If approved, the open pit mine the total number of jobs in 2013. In fact, would produce 65,000 tonnes of ore the industries that produce the most If built, the Energy East pipeline would per day, which would be transported jobs are trade (15%), health care and be the largest pipeline in North Amer- to the Port of Vancouver for shipping. social assistance (12%), manufacturing ica, transporting 1.1 billion barrels of The KGHM Ajax mine threatens Jacko (10%), professional, scientific and tech- crude oil from the Alberta tar sands to Lake, which is known as one of the best nical services (8%), construction (7%) New Brunswick. The Energy East pipe- fly-fishing lakes in B.C. Retired miner and education services (7%). line would cross 2,963 identified water- Tony Brumell believes the lake will “es- ways and countless smaller streams and sentially die” if the mine is built. Changes to the NPA and other environ- wetlands along its route. However, un- mental legislation must be part of a der the current legislation, Energy East The Trudeau government must scrap long-term plan to transition away from and every other large pipeline project the schedule of 97 lakes, 62 rivers and fossil fuels and protect every lake and will not undergo any scrutiny under the 3 oceans and ensure the impacts of every river. For real change, the Trudeau Navigation Protection Act because pipe- dams or other structures are assessed government must restore and enhance lines are still exempted. Drinking water individually for every lake, river and freshwater protections in a way that sources for close to 5 million people, navigable waterway. creates a 100 percent clean, renew- as well as fishing, tourism, recreational able energy economy by 2050, one waters, a beluga habitat and the home Indigenous title and water that respects Indigenous rights, creates of the world’s largest tides in the Bay of 4.rights must be recognized low-carbon, sustainable jobs, and pro- Fundy, would all be in danger from a in every water and environmen­ motes water and climate justice. spill from the Energy East pipeline. tal law. Parts of Canada are on unceded Indige- Your voice matters. You can use these The name of the act should be restored nous territory. The Trudeau government five points at the public consultations, to the Navigable Waters Protection Act has repeated its commitment to estab- in letters to the editor, or when talking and it must include assessing the im- lishing a nation-to-nation relationship to friends, family or your local Member pacts of pipelines and transmission line with Indigenous communities. However, of Parliament about the urgent need to projects on lakes, rivers and other wa- this commitment was called into ques- protect water. Together, we can make terways once again. tion when the Trudeau government ap- the new water and environmental leg- proved permits for the controversial Site islation the catalyst for the water future Mining, hydro dams and C dam in northeastern B.C., which some we want. 3 other projects are putting First Nations vehemently opposed. lakes and rivers at risk. Emma Lui is the Water Campaigner for the Council Under the NPA, the former Harper gov- In order for the Trudeau government to of Canadians. ernment removed protections from all be true to its word, it must incorporate

www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 21 Take action! Send a message in a bottle to your Member of Parliament

Lakes and rivers in Canada are in Here’s how you can send a Donate to help protect danger. The former Harper govern- message in a bottle to your Every Lake, Every River ment left 99 per cent of lakes and riv- Member of Parliament: Your donation is needed to: ers unprotected under the Navigation Visit www.canadians.org/EveryLake- Protection Act (NPA) and clawed back Get people informed and en­gaged. EveryRiver for a website link to con- other regulations meant to protect 1. Knowledge is power, and your gift will firm whether your local lake or river is freshwater sources. equip people across the country with tools unprotected. Any water body not on this to get informed and engaged – and join list is unprotected. All lakes and rivers are Take part in the Council’s Every our movement for water justice. now unprotected from large pipeline and Lake, Every River Campaign transmission line projects. Flood the consultations. You’ll help Send a message in a bottle to your local to launch a national ad campaign to Member of Parliament that you want every Go to your local lake or river and put ensure all of us know when and where lake and every river safeguarded from some water from it in a Mason jar. this fall’s consultations are happening environmentally damaging projects like 2 Take a photo and tweet it with the hash- and turn out in huge numbers. This is our mines, dams, fracking and pipelines. tag #EveryLakeEveryRiver and mention chance to be heard. @CouncilofCDNs. You can also email the Keep the pressure on MPs. You’ll This fall, the Trudeau government will photo to us at [email protected]. support critical local actions and let- hold public consultations on restoring We will add your photo to a Flickr album ter-writing campaigns aiming at keeping and modernizing freshwater protections. and feature it on our website. the pressure on MPs to stand up to Big With so many harmful projects being Oil lobbyists and to listen to their con- proposed, restoring and enhancing these Deliver the jar of water to your local stituents. protections is more important than ever. Member of Parliament’s constituen- You and I must urge the government to 3 Prefer to donate by phone? Call us cy office during office hours. On the lid, show the leadership needed to protect toll-free at 1-800-387-7177 (Monday to write “Protect Lake ______” and a every lake and every river in Canada and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET). message to your MP. Talk to your local MP Indigenous communities. about the importance of protecting every Prefer to donate by mail? Send your cheque lake and every river. payable to “The Council of Canadians”: Big oil, mining and other industrial com- The Council of Canadians panies will be lobbying the government to 300-251 Bank Street keep the status quo. Ottawa, ON K2P 1X3

The Trudeau government must ditch the The Council of Canadians operates with NPA and replace it with a restored and no corporate or government funding, enhanced Navigable Waters Protection Act and always has. Our work is 100 per cent and other water legislation so that all lakes, independent and sustained by generous rivers and waterways are fully protected. donations from people like you. Thank you for your support!

22 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians Building the People’s Climate Plan by Robin Tress

The federal government has been hold- ing Climate Change Town Halls across Council of Canadians’ chapters work the country to inform their National in communities across Canada for Climate Strategy, which will be released climate justice. Many chapters par- ticipated in the “100 per cent possi- by December. The Council of Canadians ble” rallies last fall to push for gov- has responded through an initiative ernment action on climate change. called the People’s Climate Plan. This initiative was put together by a coali- Rejecting these monstrous pieces of impacted by that extraction. In Cana- tion of groups working to make climate infrastructure is central to the People’s da, these communities tend to be poor, action work for us – the people. We are Climate Plan and must be at the heart racialized or Indigenous communities, coming together to demand a national of Trudeau’s climate plan too. rural, and otherwise excluded from en- plan that focuses on what we real- vironmental decision-making process- ly need: effective climate action that Not only does the People’s Climate es. Furthermore, the impacts of climate attacks the root of the climate crisis. Plan call for no more pipelines to be change often hit these already marginal- built, it also calls for no new fossil fuel ized communities the hardest. The People’s Climate Plan has three infrastructure. New LNG plants, tank- main requirements. In order to be ef- er terminals, natural gas storage fa- While we build our renewable transi- fective and worthwhile, Canada`s cli- cilities, offshore oil rigs – under a sci- tion, it’s critical to ensure that Indige- mate plan must align with the best ence-based climate plan, these are all nous communities are part of the dis- available climate science, move us rap- non-starters. cussion, and have given their free, prior idly towards a 100 per cent renewable and informed consent to new projects economy, and be justice-based. 100% renewable economy and programs. In line with this, the Peo- Since we need to aggressively ramp ple’s Climate Plan calls for the adoption Based in science down global fossil fuel production, we of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Science helps us perpetually refine our need a different way to power our cities Indigenous Peoples. understanding of the world. Science and homes. A 100% renewable econo- tells me that since I was born in 1990, my is possible, achievable, and manda- In the discussion about building a just the global temperature every month of tory if we intend to avoid the worst ef- transition we can’t forget about the my life has been hotter than the aver- fects of climate change. Better yet, the people who actually do the building. age month in the last century. Earlier in Council of Canadians believes we can There are a huge number of skilled my life, scientists largely agreed that if – and must – have this renewable econ- workers currently employed in un- we could limit global warming below 2 omy by the year 2050. sustainable sectors who could be re- degrees Celsius there would be a good trained so they could be employed in chance that climate change would not There are all kinds of ways to get our the new economy. This retraining will spin beyond out of control.[ As our economy off fossil fuels. “Delivering take investment from government and understanding of climate change has Community Power” is one example of post-secondary educational institu- evolved, scientists have determined an opportunity to position Canada Post tions. Iron and Earth (ironandearth. that a 1.5 degree limit on warming is as the centrepiece of our new renew- org) is one organization working hard more compatible with a livable future, able economy. By running our mail to shift workers from the fossil fuel in- and in order to reach that limit, more fleet on renewable-powered vehicles, dustry to sustainable employment. than 80 per cent of remaining fossil introducing postal banking and oth- fuel reserves must remain unburned. er services to communities across the Many of the Council’s chapters and sup- country, and doing it all through one of porters have already participated in local So when we say that our climate plan Canada’s strongest and most influen- climate hearings and have shared infor- must be aligned with science, we mean tial unionized workplaces, Canada Post mation about this three-pronged peo- that the government’s plan can’t ig- could be a hub of the green transition. ple’s plan. You can chip in too by attend- nore the uncomfortable truth that the ing an upcoming hearing in your area, or tar sands must stay unburned if we ex- Justice-based transition by submitting your ideas to the federal pect to have a livable future. Since we Not only do fossil fuels harm our cli- government’s climate portal online. can’t keep extracting bitumen, there is mate, but the extraction of fossil fuels no need for new pipelines like Energy and natural resources almost invariably Robin Tress is the Atlantic Organizing Assistant for East or the Trans Mountain pipeline. involves steamrolling over a community the Council of Canadians. www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 23 Canada Hasn’t Learned Its Lessons on “Free Trade”

by Sujata Dey Abandoned John Deere plant

Barbed wire still protects the cracked This is ironic because free trade agree- by free trade agreements (FTAs), close to pavement where an abandoned ments are becoming more contentious 30 per cent of bilateral trade occurs with John Deere plant used to operate in around the world – with hundreds non-FTA partners. Added to this, Cana- Welland, Ontario. The building, still of thousands of Germans protesting da’s exports to non-FTA countries have standing, is testimony to the Niagara against trans-Atlantic trade deals, with grown faster than imports. In May 2016, region’s former status as a manufac- trade agreements playing a highly visi- Statistics Canada revealed that we had turing powerhouse. ble role in the U.S. presidential election, record trade deficits. and with India and Eastern Europe try- Recently, Council of Canadians chap- ing to exit bilateral investment agree- Under NAFTA, food sovereignty has ter activist Fiona McMurran organized ments. Canada, a country bound by a been challenged and local production a tour for Anne-Marie Mineur, a Dutch long-standing trade deal, has not even threatened, with many small farmers Member of the European Parliament, had a debate about the proposed Can- in all three NAFTA countries losing their showing her abandoned manufactur- ada–European Union Comprehensive livelihoods. While Canadian agriculture ing plants that are relics of the pre- Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) exports tripled from $11 billion to $33 NAFTA days. The ghosts of Welland or the Trans-Pacific Partnership, despite billion between 1988 and 2007, net farm are abundant: Union Carbide, Welland their looming impacts. income fell by more than half during Industries, Energex Tubesite, Lakeside that period and Canadian farm debt Steel, John Deere, Powerblades Indus- And yet, we have faced the brunt of free doubled. Canada has lost many family tries, Welded Tube of Canada, Univer- trade. While our economy has grown, farms – the number fell from 366,128 in sal Resource Recovery, Atlas Steel, ASW equality has not. Statistics Canada data 1970 to 204,730 in 2011. Now, most cat- Steel, Henniges and Automotive Sealing show that workers’ inflation-adjusted av- tle, hogs and poultry are concentrated in Systems Canada. erage wages have stagnated while CEOs’ large factory farms. incomes have risen. The Canadian Cen- “Once known as the bustling industrial tre for Policy Alternatives publishes an And while NAFTA’s promises didn’t add heartland of Niagara, where rails and annual survey showing how long it takes up, we got something that wasn’t on water meet, Welland has now become the average CEO to make what the me- our radar: investor attacks on our public the city that free trade left behind,” Mc- dian worker makes in a year. This year, it interest policies through Investor State Murran noted. took just 12 hours. Dispute Settlement provisions in Chap- ter 11 of NAFTA. This was designed to Photos of the abandoned plants are ee- Although Canada has signed an unprece- protect investors from uneven applica- rie, a testimony to an economy that was dented number of trade agreements, this tion of the rule of law in Mexico, but in- slowly crushed. While the North Amer- doesn’t guarantee more trade. In fact, ex- stead of protecting Canadians, it allowed ican Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) port growth has been higher with coun- corporations to sue Canada. Seventy per is not solely to blame, Canada’s man- tries not covered by such agreements. cent of all lawsuits under these provi- ufacturing sector hollowed out since Jim Stanford, an economist and special sions have been against Canada, most of NAFTA’s inception. Statistics Canada advisor at Unifor, Canada’s largest private them attacking social or environmental data show that 540,000 manufactur- sector union, demonstrates that Canada’s regulations made in the public interest. ing jobs (as calculated by Unifor from export growth has been faster with coun- Statcan’s CANSIM site) have been lost tries not covered by trade agreements. History teaches us that NAFTA was not a since 2000, a fact that not even NAFTA Canada’s exports to South Korea actual- good deal for our country. Why haven’t proponents can deny. As well, many of ly declined after a bilateral trade agree- we learned our lesson when it comes to the promises made about NAFTA – in- ment came into force. trade deals? creased productivity, more jobs, more money in our pockets – have simply Whereas 5 per cent of Canada’s exports Sujata Dey is the Trade Campaigner for the Council not come true. are with countries outside NAFTA covered of Canadians.

24 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians Dr. Profit’s Trial Against Medicare

Public health care supporters ral- lied outside the B.C. Supreme Court as Dr. Brian Day’s case against medicare got underway. by Michael Butler

In September, medicare in Canada was explained Colleen Fuller of the Inde- Dr. Profit’s clinics – the private put on trial as Dr. Brian Day’s lawsuit pendent Patient Voices Network. 4 Cambie Surgery Centre and the against the B.C. Ministry of Health got Specialist Referral Clinic – were caught underway at the province’s Supreme Here are 6 things you need to know extra-billing and double-billing. A 2012 Court. The outcome will have national about Dr. Profit’s challenge to public audit conducted by the B.C. govern- implications for Canada’s universal, health care: ment found that in just one month, Dr. public health care system. Day’s clinic had illegally billed patients This case is the greatest threat to close to $500,000, including $66,734 Dr. Brian Day launched his lawsuit in 1 medicare in a generation. This in overlapping claims where Day billed July 2012, claiming that British Colum- case isn’t about improving health care; both the patient and the province. bia’s ban on the purchase of private it’s about money and greed. Dr. Day is insurance for medically necessary ser- using misinformation and the courts to Evidence from around the world vices already covered by the public sys- force in a two-tiered, U.S.-style system. 5 shows private clinics erode pub- tem is a violation of Section 7 of the Ca- lic health care and increase wait times. nadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Polls show Canadians strongly It has been shown that wait times are Dr. Day argues that if you have money, 2 support medicare and its core highest in Canada in areas with the you should have the right to buy your principle that health care should be most privatization because these clin- way to the front of the line. provided on the basis of need, and ics poach doctors, nurses and resources not the ability to pay. While there are from the public system. Private clinics The Council of Canadians organized a ral- real challenges in our universal public also “cherry pick” their patients and ly outside the B.C. Supreme Court on the health care system, we need to mod- leave patients with more complex cas- first day of the hearing involving health ernize it, not privatize it. What Dr. Day es to the public system. care practitioners and researchers, trade wants is against the Canada Health Act union leaders and concerned Canadians. and its principles of universality and A study of more than 1,000 Work- As Dr. Day, who is known to many as “Dr. equity. The costly queue-jumping he 6 ers Compensation Board patients Profit,” attempted to dismantle medicare, is advocating doesn’t benefit everyday in British Columbia showed that not only the Council of Canadians was there to Canadians. It would allow some people is private health care more expensive, it raise awareness and show solid public to pay for their health care while taking does not improve return to work times. support for a public system. away doctors from the public system. (Patients in the public system did margin- ally better and for a fraction of the cost.) Dr. Day, propped up by a right-wing, Dr. Day says patients – and doc- Calgary-based lobby group with close 3 tors – should have a choice. But The Council of Canadians is part of a ties to former prime minister Stephen doctors already have the freedom to opt broad coalition of groups supporting Harper and other corporate interests, out of the public system. What Dr. Prof- public health care and working to stop pretends this case is about health it actually wants is to be able to charge Dr. Day and his plan to bring U.S.-style care. “Although [Day] argues that he’s an unlimited amount for his services two-tiered health care to Canada. fighting for patients and the right of and then also charge the government patients to pay, he’s actually fighting (and taxpayers) for it. This is what the Michael Butler is the Health Care Campaigner for the for the right of doctors to charge,” case is really about. Council of Canadians. www.canadians.org Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 25 Mel Hurtig’s Passion for Justice Still Guides Us by Maude Barlow

the fabulous Canadian Encyclopedia, and were American and remind him that write a series of bestselling books, the Canada’s mining companies operating last a scathing account of the Harper in the global South have the worst repu- years in power. tation in the world for human rights and environmental violations. Together, we founded the Council of Canadians, whose mandate included Where we never differed was in our Mel Hurtig and Maude Barlow posed for a support for Canadian culture, a Canadi- views on free trade and how these deals picture at the Council of Canadians’ annual an industrial strategy, reduced foreign serve the interests of transnational cor- conference in Toronto in 2000. ownership, better and more careful use porations and limit the right of govern- of natural resources, and a progressive ments to protect workers, communities foreign policy that included multilateral or the environment. Those who extol (fair) trade, a strengthened United Na- the benefits of NAFTA can never explain tions, de-escalation of tensions between the dramatic loss of manufacturing jobs, the superpowers, and a global arms con- the growing income gap or Canada’s el Hurtig was a force of na- trol deal. Although I took over the role continued trade deficit since that deal Mture. I first met Mel in the fall of 1985, of chair in 1988, Mel continued to act as was signed. when he invited me to a series of meet- friend and mentor for many years, help- ings to discuss the coming Canada-U.S. ing to create what is now one of Cana- A recent poll found that only one in four Free Trade Agreement. There I met the da’s most vibrant social and environ- Canadians support NAFTA, and resis- people I most admired in our country – mental justice organizations with more tance to the Canada-EU Comprehensive Bob White, Grace Hartman, David Suzu- than 100,000 members and supporters. Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) ki, Pierre Berton, Walter Gordon, Sheila is very strong in Europe. Both major U.S. Copps, Mel Watkins, Stephen Clarkson, Mel continued to cross this great coun- parties now oppose the Trans-Pacific Christina McCall, Stephen Lewis, Dun- try, speaking to thousands of people, Partnership (TPP), a deal Mel was fight- can Cameron, Doris Anderson, Margaret increasingly addressing another passion ing right up to the end of his life. Atwood and many others, all concerned – that of the growing inequality in Cana- that a deal with Ronald Reagan’s Amer- dian society. Just as he predicted when Mel Hurtig’s passion for justice never left ica would threaten our social programs, we founded the Council, our social se- him. I love the fact that hours before his our ability to control our natural re- curity net became frayed and Mel was death in a Vancouver hospital, his daugh- sources and culture, and our right to an deeply affected by the poverty, especial- ters, Barbara, Jane, Gillian and Leslie, told independent foreign policy. ly among the young, he saw on his trav- their father that the Inquiry into Missing els. His 1999 book Pay the Rent or Feed and Murdered Indigenous Women had How could you not love a man who the Kids was a cry from his heart asking finally been announced. Mel smiled and rented a Twin Otter airplane to drop how child poverty could exist in a coun- said, “Bravo! It’s about time.” a Canadian flag on the American ice- ty as blessed with wealth as Canada. breaker Polar Sea when it entered the Mel’s legacy is his challenge to all of us Northwest Passage without permission We had our disagreements, of course. who live in this country: if, with all our from our government? I did not support the founding of the natural wealth, financial resources and National Party in 1992, fearing a split educated population, we in Canada can- Mel’s passion for Canada was forged in of the anti-NAFTA vote in the upcom- not create a truly just and sustainable his early years as an Edmonton bookstore ing election. I felt our movement need- society, who can? His spirit lives on to owner and publisher. He was shocked to ed to remain non-partisan and attempt guide us on this path. find how little space there was for Cana- to influence policy makers across the dian literature, films, books and music board. I also moved the Council of Cana- In honour of the family’s wishes, a memo- and how shallow the teaching of Cana- dians away from its nationalist roots, to rial fund has been set up to celebrate Mel dian culture and history was in many one critiquing economic globalization, Hurtig’s life and legacy. If you would like schools and universities. This passion led making common cause with people make a donation, please call us at 1-800- him to help form the Committee for an and communities struggling for justice 387-7177, visit www.canadians/mel or Independent Canada (which in turn in- around the world. I would point out to mail your gift to 300–251 Bank Street, fluenced Canadian cultural policy), create Mel that not all aggressive corporations Ottawa, ON K2P 1X3.

26 Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2016 The Council of Canadians

Water is not a source of profit Many parts of southern Ontario and British Columbia have recently faced drought conditions. Yet Nestlé, a giant bottled water corporation, continues to pump millions of litres of water from watersheds in Wellington County, Ontario and Hope, British Columbia.

Groundwater resources are finite. fully managed and enjoyed by all who live Droughts, climate change and over- around it – not a source of profit. extraction continue to impact our limited water sources. At this pace, Let’s stop Nestlé from profiting from communities will not have enough for water. Together, we can ensure our water their future needs. is protected for generations to come.

Water is a human right, commons and a Visit www.canadians.org/nestle and public trust, to be shared, protected, care- pledge to boycott Nestlé!

Like what you read? The Council of Canadians operates with no corporate donations or government funding, and always has. Our Get a FREE copy public advocacy work is proudly 100 per cent independent of Maude Barlow’s and sustained by generous donations from people like you. new book Boiling Point when you: Here’s my donation to keep this work going strong: Start a monthly gift $10 $25 $50 $100 $200 My choice _____ of $5 or more Make this a monthly gift! OR increase your I would like to donate by: current monthly gift Cheque made payable to The Council of Canadians (for by $5 or more monthly enclose your cheque marked “Void”) OR make a single Visa MasterCard Amex gift of $75 or more.

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