Hupacasath First Nation is bringing the Federal Government to Court

Canada-China FIPA: "We Stand Together" rally & tour supports First Nation legal challenge to controversial investment treaty

Brenda Sayers, a representative of Hupcasath First Nation (Vancouver Island) will speak at a rally on Parliament Hill and at events across Ontario and Quebec to gather support for a First Nations legal challenge to the Canada-China Foreign Investment Protection Agreement, which has been signified but not yet ratified by the federal government. The Hupacasath case, which was heard in federal court last June 2013 argues that the federal government is required to consult First Nations before ratifying treaties like the FIPA. 

The trade justice group in the Hamilton chapter of the Council of Canadians is hosting Brenda Sayers in a public event next Thursday, August 15th, 2013.

Where: Volunteer Hamilton, 267 King St. E.

When: Thurs Aug 15th, 2013  7:00-9:00pm 

Who: Council of Canadians

The Council of Canadians, along with Idle No More, LeadNow, KAIROS, Common Frontiers, Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Attac-Quebec, Trade Justice Network, Ottawa & District Labour Council, and the Latin America & Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) are supporting Brenda Sayers' tours. 

Find out how the Canada-China FIPA will impact us and future generations. 



This pic was taken while canoeing & fishing on Lake Eugenia.

Canoeing on Lake Eugenia

Lake Eugenia is a great place to spend some time with your family during a heat wave!

Fancy lakeside cottage dot the beautiful landscape. Bring your canoe or boat.

Had a great time with great company & great food. We feasted on the fresh bass caught in the clean, calm waters of Lake Eugenia.

While south-western Ontario was hit hard with scorching heat last week, it was relatively temperate lakeside in Grey County.

This pic was taken during a brief thunderstorm on Friday, July 19, 2013.

Council of Canadian Chapters at the Westover Blockade - June 2013

This week conscientious, concerned citizens protested on-site at Enbridge's North Westover pump. Come join the protest, whether just for a few hours or for a few days.

Enbridge plans to reverse the flow of Line 9B, which runs from Montreal to Westover near Hamilton. Flow reversal could raise the risk of a spill into places like the Beverly Swamp in the headwaters of Spencer Creek, Hamilton's largest watershed.

Hamilton 350 said, in a press release, that protesters at the Westover terminal "look to be in it for the long haul"

Check out Saturday's program of 'Hamilton's Finest' for a discussion of Enbridge's contentious, reckless disregard for the National Energy Board's process.

To hear this past Saturday's program,
visit  http://cfmu.mcmaster.ca
Under the Saturday Column, click on, 'Hamilton's Finest'
To download Podcasts, see Past Shows. Click on:  22.06.2013

Check out Adam Carter's article (CBC Hamilton).

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my Newfie Dad

Not many people in Hamilton, Ontario can say they have a Newfie Dad. 
I have a Newfie Dad. That means he's rough around the edges. He's a meat & potatoes kind of dude. 

A Newfie dad  means I grew up in a house with music. . . . piano, accordian, guitar along with the best Newfie Grandma (R.I.P. Grandma Bruce). She had a one-of-a kind lexicon.

My Newfie dad taught me numerous life skills, such as:

• walking, talking; reading;
• riding a bicycle;
• starting a fire in a woodstove;
• driving a car;
• maintaining a fire in a woodstove;
• growing a vegetable garden; and most importantly. . ..
• being an independent, critical thinker.

My Newfie dad is one of a kind too. . . a tough, old goat!

Here's a pic of my first Shepherd 'Barney', me at age 7 with my Newfie Dad. 

My dad never taught me that being a girl had its limitations. 
I have never felt held back by my gender. 

On this day, I acknowledge and honour the many countless hours my dad spent with me during my childhood. My childhood years included many hours with my dad taking me to extracurricular activities all days of the week, my favourite day being Saturday when he'd take me to music lessons, McDonald's, Dofasco Park, Dairy Queen, etc.

Tall Jon was a very good guy. He went before his time. 34 years old. Tall Jon's passage through the ages saddens all his friends. His obituary is viewable online at:

http://www.lifenews.ca/announcement/2876985-clement-jonathan-jon-ryan

I hope his last conscious thoughts included a sense of sadness he has caused his friends.

This pic of Tall Jon, Julie & I was on a boat cruise in Penetanguishine, Ontario with jam band Caution Jam. Good times. Great memories.

Political & Regulatory Channels to Oppose Enbridge's Line 9 Pipeline have been closed.

Imagine the Disruption & Inconvenience of a Tar Sands Oil spill in this Area

Enbridge's Line 9 pipeline crosses Highway Six. Thousands of folks travel this road daily. 

How many of us know there may be toxic diluted bitumen beneath it?

It seems that Enbridge may soon get its way if it is permitted to reverse the old pipeline, Line 9, to carry heavy crude from Sarnia to Montreal, through the Westover Terminal in Hamilton.

It might seem a bit drastic to block a road to make a point about Line 9 reversal. This inconvenience today is a mild disruption. Imagine the inconvenience and risks of a tar sands oil spill. Those risks materialized in 2010 when Enbridge's Line 6, substantially similar to Line 9, ruptured in Kalamazoo, Michigan leading to the permanent evacuation of 100 homes and leaving an uncleanable mess in the River. Consider the recent diluted bitumen spill in Mayflower, Arkansas. 

The Conservative government is fully backing the Line 9 reversal. They exempted it from an Environmental Assessment in the omnibus budget bill. The only regulatory body overseeing this is the National Energy Board. 

The extremist Conservative government has taken drastic steps to stop people from asking questions, discussing or opposing Enbridge's Line 9. This is totally unacceptable. 

This morning commuters were met with a civil, friendly & informed group of protestors. Commuters were offered muffins, and provided information about Enbridge's Line 9 reversal project. Some commuters were informed already, others were sympathetic. The fact that some members of the public already have knowledge of Enbridge's plans with Line 9 is a good sign that shows not everyone believes misrepresentations and outright lies from Enbridge. This is crude oil for export, not for Canadians. 

Not all travelers were informed or knowledgeable about the risks posed by diluted bitumen. 

Perhaps the sight of the Native Confederacy Flag helped condition some antagonistic feelings from OPP police officers. 

The Hamilton City Council and Hamilton Conservation Authority are opposed to having this project rammed through without consultation.

The National Energy Board offered only a two week window for people who want to so much as send a letter to fill out a 10 page application asking for permission to do so. The deadline passed last month, April 2013.

Thank you to Hamilton CBC's Adam Carter for following this story. 

For Mr. Carter's coverage of this morning's protest, visit:

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/05/06/hamilton-enbridge-line-9-protest.html

Big Lady Justice is thrilled at the arrival of her new second cousin, Violet Sumodobila.
No shrinking Violet!  At only 2 mths old, Violet said, 'Hello!' to her grandparents when they visited last month from Europe.

Violet has big, beautiful eyes, an engaging smile, a healthy crop of hair.  .  . and receives loving attention from her family.

Last Sunday, baby Violet hung out with her parents Emma & Mark & Big Lady Justice at Mulberry St Cafe. 

Violet took in the ambient sounds of the cafe, James St. North, the pedestrians, etc. 

Violet visited us in Hamilton yesterday. Beautiful, warm day in the Hammer for a visit. Violet appears to fancy ceiling designs, unusual (gently chewed) cherry oak pull-out doors, bright chandaliers (details that adults might not notice right away). 

Big Lady Justice is looking forward to spending more time with her new cousin Violet.