March of Mourning 20 yrs of NAFTA

The Trade Justice group of the Hamilton chapter of the Council of Canadians ('CoC') has joined an Intercontinental Day of Action, saying 'Enough!' to 20 years of NAFTA.

When: Tuesday, January 28th, 2014  6:00pm

Where: Gore Park at James St. South

What: March of Mourning 20 years of NAFTA

The following press release describes why the CoC Trade Justice group is gathering next Tuesday to march for 15 minutes in solemnity & solidarity.

We're marching to our CoC Chapter meeting at Volunteer Hamilton where Graham Flint will be making a presentation about the Flamborough community's struggle against St. Mary's Cement and the NAFTA challenge. 

Please join us!

The Canada-EU trade deal & it's potential impacts on Municipalities

The Hamiltonian is an excellent blog that features content on local issues that are important to our community here in Hamilton. Many thank-you's! to the Hamiltonian for featuring today's article on the extreme pro-corporate trade deal, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement ('CETA').

http://www.thehamiltonian.net/2013/12/the-canada-european-comprehensive.html

my shepherds

Today is warm, sunny & beautiful on the Hamilton Mountain. 

Bunkie & George Fynbar take it a bit easier during the heat, resting in the backyard.

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.