Note to Readers
(Updated November 4) For the information of readers, we are publishing an ongoing index linking to articles published by Renewal Update, news bulletin of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada (MLPC). It is the sole political party in Canada that publishes its own regular media in both official languages.
Filed under Canada
Note to Readers
(Updated November 5) – Workers’ Forum presents the views and reports of workers on how to handle the pandemic and their struggles for the working conditions they require to make their contribution to the well-being of the population as a whole. They speak in their own name. To popularize these views and information, we are providing updated links to Workers’ Forum when it is published.
Filed under Canada, Working Class
Part of a series providing background information on the Halifax International Security Forum which will be held November 19-21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Interview of Tony Seed by TML Weekly, November 7. 2018
TML Weekly: Tony, as an independent journalist and researcher who amongst other things specializes in NATO and war exercises and preparations around the world, you have done investigation into the sponsors and partners of the Halifax International Security Forum (HISF). Can you tell us about that?
Filed under Canada, United States
The Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC) has initiated a new parliamentary petition to the Government of Canada calling on it to oppose the U.S. war on Cuba, and that Canada maintain principled relations with Cuba and not follow U.S. dictate. This petition, e-3640, opened October 29 and replaces a previous one, e-3456. That petition gathered thousands of signatures but died on the order paper when Justin Trudeau called the pandemic election, ending the 43rd Parliament.
Filed under Canada, Caribbean, United States
– No Harbour for War –
The 13th Annual Halifax International Security Forum (HISF) will be held November 19-21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. According to the organizers, they plan to have all their participants in person at the Westin Hotel for the fully vaccinated Forum.
The HISF is a U.S. organization hosted by Canada’s Minister of National Defence. It proudly announces it “receives generous support from the Government of Canada and Club HFX.”
At this time, the Security Forum is part and parcel of the U.S. and NATO’s “pivot to Asia.” Last year it rolled out its anti-China stance by issuing a “Handbook for Democracies” titled: China vs Democracy: The Greatest Game. HISF President Peter Van Praagh said, “We know what we are for; and we know what we are against. This is how (the Security Forum) differs from all other conferences of similar stature.”
This year, two of the eight Plenary Sessions and at least three of the Informal Sessions are directly related to China while a number of other sessions are indirectly related. All of it grows the danger of war in the Asia Pacific and on the world scale.
Besides the Plenary and Informal Sessions, the Security Forum prides itself on providing the venue for international defence and security “leaders” to meet behind closed doors to plan further crimes against the peace and the peoples of the world. “There is no substitute for face-to-face, in-person conversations between international defence and security leaders. They lead to collaboration, innovative solutions, and renewed hope for our democracies,” said Van Praagh.
The agenda purports to deal with global security issues but it does so not from the perspective of the peaceful resolution of conflicts and promotion of international rule of law by upholding the UN Charter. On the contrary, it promotes a U.S. “rules-based international order” which it calls democracy despite its aim to make the entire world submit to the U.S. declaration that it is the “indispensable nation” which every country must obey.
Anti-war activists in Halifax urge you to get involved in opposing the Security Forum and making sure Canada provides No Harbour For War and gets out of NATO and NORAD.
No Harbour For War advocates the prevention and resolution of conflicts in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. It opposes the use of force, threats and sanctions to subjugate countries. It calls on Canadians to oppose Canada’s integration into the U.S. war machine, NATO and NORAD and the usurpation of Canada’s decision-making and sovereignty by the U.S. All foreign and military policy should be decided in a manner which favours the peoples of the world.
Join a webinar on Friday, November 19 to hear speakers discuss what’s at stake for Canada and the Asia Pacific at this time. Participate in actions to oppose the warmongering Canada is sponsoring by hosting the HISF.
We call on Canadians to demand that the HISF be banned, along with demanding that Canada get out of NATO and NORAD and that they be dismantled. No foreign troops should be permitted to operate on Canadian territory and Canadian forces should be brought home. No foreign warships, whether armed with nuclear weapons or not, should be permitted to use our harbours. NATO-sponsored think tanks and academic institutions should be dismantled. Promotion of imperialist war aims and the militarization of culture must be rejected.
Filed under Canada, No Harbour for War (Halifax), United States
The Conservative and Labour parties in Britain recently held conferences which demonstrated their incapacity to address a single problem facing the peoples of England, Scotland or Wales, let alone Ireland where Britain continues to claim dominance over the north.
The slogan “Build Back Better” that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has adopted means that the old pre-pandemic normal is to be brought back, but with an increased onslaught on working people, their lives, working conditions and well-being.
Filed under Europe
Blaming “extremist groups on the far-right and the far-left”to cover up the need for democratic renewal
A controversy has arisen about remarks by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the “Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism — Remember-ReAct,” an event held in Sweden on October 13. In a speech delivered by video, the Prime Minister blamed “extremist groups on the far-right and the far-left” for a rise in “hatred, fear and mistrust.” Trudeau told the audience, “We’re in a time right now where around the world we see an increase of polarization, of extremism, or radicalization everywhere, including in some of the most open, liberal democracies in the world. In our elections, in our public discourse and in mainstream communications — let alone social media — we’re seeing a rise in intolerance. We see the organizations of extremist groups on the far-right and the far-left that are pushing white supremacy, intolerance, radicalization, promoting hatred, fear and mistrust across borders but within borders, as well.”
Filed under Canada
The 44th Parliament will begin sitting at 1:00 pm on November 22, the Prime Minister’s Office announced in a press release on October 15. That is just over two months after the federal election. The session will start with the Throne Speech, delivered by Governor General Mary May Simon.
The new cabinet will be sworn in by the Governor General at Rideau Hall on October 26. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Chrystia Freeland will keep her positions as Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister but no other cabinet posts have been announced.
Filed under Canada
Updated October 27
Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College, together and in partnership with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia are pleased to announce an online event focused on the theme of Slavery and Reparations: African Nova Scotia, Canada and Beyond. This event is being held in preparation for the 2023 Universities Studying Slavery Conference, which will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia (see below).
Monday, November 1 – 2-4pm EST & 5-7pm EST
Featuring panelists (2-4pm EST): Cikiah Thomas (Co-ChairInternational Working Committee, Global African Congress); Delvina Bernard (PhD-candidate, International Development Studies, Saint Mary’s University); Dr. Andrea Douglas (Director, Jefferson School African American Heritage Centre)
Keynote lecture (5-7pm EST) by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and the leading international scholar on reparations.
Register at http://register.bccns.com
For more information: https://ukings.ca/events/pre-conference-event-for-2023-universities-studying-slavery-conference/
Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College, together and in partnership with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia are pleased to announce an online event focused on the theme of Slavery and Reparations: African Nova Scotia, Canada and Beyond. This event is being held in preparation for the 2023 Universities Studying Slavery Conference, which will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia (see below).
Filed under Canada
New York City, October 22-24
Friday, October 22: Cultural event 6:00-9:00 pm
Saturday, October 23: Tribunal 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Sunday, October 24: Tribunal 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Monday, October 25: Presentation of Findings at the UN
Register here: spiritofmandela.org
An important International Tribunal is taking place October 22-24 in New York City. Organized and hosted by the Spirit of Mandela Coalition it aims to bring international attention to U.S. violations of human and civil rights of Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples, spotlighting the inhumane and violating treatment of political prisoners. As an example, the U.S. is violating international law in its deliberate refusal to provide adequate medical care to U.S. political prisoners and all prisoners. Another example is the use of extended solitary confinement. Leonard Peltier, still unjustly in jail after more than 45 years, was repeatedly kept in solitary for long periods, as were many others, especially Black and Puerto Rican political prisoners. In the case of Albert Woodfox he was forced into solitary for 40 years!
Filed under United States
By Christelle Néant
During his visit to Ukraine to inaugurate a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Babi Yar massacre, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier literally rewrote the history of the massacre of tens of thousands of Jews, and made Ukrainian collaborators of the Nazis look like victims.
September 29-30, 1941 – November 6, 1943
Monuments at Babi Yar, left to right: to Jews; to Soviet citizens and POWS; to Roma; to children.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed at Babi Yar by the Nazis and their Ukrainian collaborators in their campaign against the Soviet Union during World War II. They are said to be the worst committed up to that time, surpassed by even greater crimes committed by the Nazis after that.
In Burkina Faso, a historic trial is taking shape for the death of iconic leader Thomas Sankara in 1987. But the main defendant and former president, Blaise Compaore, will be absent | Katrin Ginsler
Filed under Africa
Freedom of press of the reactionary ruling classes
In 1961 and for years after, the French and Anglo-American media colluded with the state to cover up the 1961 massacre of Algerians in Paris, ensuring impunity for those responsible for this heinous crime such as the Nazi collaborator Maurice Papon, Prefect of the Paris police. This is an apt time to recall what happened. Continue reading
Filed under Africa, Europe, History, Media, Journalism & Disinformation
Police powers unjustly imprisoned hundreds uring 1970 “October Crisis”
October 16 marks the 51st anniversary of the proclamation of the War Measures Act by Pierre Elliott Trudeau and his Liberal government. Trudeau declared a state of “apprehended insurrection” in order to use the powers of the War Measures Act, which had been used in World War I and World War II, to indefinitely detain people without charges or trial.
Filed under Canada, Canadian Forces, History
At the time of the conquest and into the 19th century, what is called “Indian policy” was diplomatic and military in orientation. Both the English and the French conquerors recognized the Indigenous peoples’ nations. Besides other proof, it is known that they sought and formed alliances with various nations on a sovereign and independent basis. They also entered into the Two Row Wampum which established nation-to-nation relations. Their military and diplomatic policy towards these nations means they were forced to form alliances with them for purposes of defence and for purposes of making advances in the fur trade, in exploration, etc. In 1763, at which time the problem of settlement began to be posed, the Crown gave an assurance by Royal Proclamation that “the Indians” would not be disturbed in their territories beyond the settled colonies. “Indian land” could be surrendered only to the Crown and only by a “General Assembly of Indians.”
Filed under Canada, Indigenous Peoples
A reflection by Tony Seed*
This reflection was written on October 13 and expanded on October 17. Some 400 people gathered at an outdoor memorial meeting to honour the life of work of Robert Devet held in Halifax on Thursday evening, October 14.
Robert Devet was born in Holland in 1954 to a progressive, anti-fascist family. His maternal grandfather, Hendrik Koch, was a family physician in a poor working class neighbourhood in Amsterdam who championed the rights of women to have control over reproduction and a political activist in the international communist movement who also moved to the Soviet Union for a period. After having been taken prisoner in 1941 fighting the Hitlerite German occupation of the Netherlands, he died in 1942 in the Nazi concentration camp Neuengamme near Hamburg. His name is on the national list of honour in the House of Parliament in The Hague. Robert Maarten de Vet was a son of Huibert A. de Vet (born in 1920) and Sophia Louisa Jacoba (“Pop”) Koch (born in 1918). Both his parents took part in the heroic resistance of the Dutch people in different ways. His father was an expert forger of documents used to get Jews to safety and his mother was a member of the communist party (CPN) during and right after World War II and worked on its newspaper De Waarheid. Robert was part of a broad wave of youth who came forward in the Sixties to oppose the racist and fascist South African apartheid regime and the American war of aggression against Vietnam. In a reflection, his sister Hélène de Vet writes that “especially his mother, but in a certain way also his father, were independent and outspoken people. They were neither conformist nor bourgeois. We like to think that all of us children have inherited some of this contrarian ‘family’ attitude.” [1]
Robert emigrated to Nova Scotia with his partner Maria van Gurp from Halifax in 1979 where they soon married. He worked as a civil servant with Service Nova Scotia in information technology. After Maria passed way and his retirement, without any formal background in journalism he began writing for the Halifax Media Co-op in 2012. In stylistic terms, his writing was simple, straightforward and to the point. He was a faithful interlocutor who conducted interviews with respect. Colleague Hilary Lindsay notes that he authored over 300 articles between September 30, 2012 and December 19, 2015. He was without a doubt motivated by the direction of the anti-social, neoliberal agenda of the Nova Scotia government, which he experienced first hand. His last series of articles for the Halifax Media Co-op supported the almost two-year-long strike of newsrooms staff at the Halifax Chronicle Herald, part of the Saltwire media monopoly, which he backed up by participating on the picket line of his colleagues.
Filed under Media, Journalism & Disinformation
Indigenous peoples defence of hereditary rights
The day after the federal elections, September 21, about 50 Mi’kmaq fishers and their supporters held a rally outside the Atlantic headquarters of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to affirm their hereditary and treaty fishing rights and serve notice to the government that they will continue to vigorously defend these rights.
Filed under Canada, Fisheries & fishermen, Indigenous Peoples
All Out for Wedzin Kwa! INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF ACTIONS – October 9 – 16 |
– http://www.yintahaccess.com –
We are producing below the most recent recap of events from the Gidimt’en Checkpoint, Wet’suwt’en territory, issued October 4, 2021.
Filed under Canada, Indigenous Peoples
“When you enter Galerie Cité in Edmonton where Mary Joyce’s show ‘Culture of Resistance’ is on display, the first impression is a combination of energy, vibrancy, sensuousness and beauty” | Marina Allemano
The review below of Mary Joyce’s show, Culture of Resistance, was written by Dr. Marina Allemano, Retired Lecturer, Department of Modern Languages & Cultural Studies, University of Alberta, and an author, translator and literary critic.
Filed under Canada
Now that the results of the 2021 Federal Election have been validated and certified in all but three ridings where recounts are underway, the Canada Elections Act requires the Chief Electoral Officer to immediately start reimbursing some candidates for their election expenses. Only those candidates who received at least 10 per cent of the valid votes cast are eligible.
Filed under Canada, Uncategorized
By Joshua Cho
In Western media’s latest anti-China crusade, unsubstantiated allegations of a Chinese disinformation campaign – which the reports themselves admit have had little engagement on social media, and nonexistent impact offline – supposedly represent a very serious threat to the US.
Filed under Media, Journalism & Disinformation
Democracy Watch and Integrity B.C. have applied to the Federal Court for a ruling on the legality of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2021 early election call. The case was filed on September 15 and asks for a ruling that would stop such calls going forward.
Filed under Canada
For close to a year and a half, Mi’kmaq water protectors have had an encampment, Truckhouse #2, alongside the Windsor Causeway of Highway 101 in Nova Scotia to monitor government compliance with tidal water flows vital to fish habitat in the macro tidal estuary of the Avon River. Through their resistance and organizing work they are winning some battles.
Filed under Canada, Indigenous Peoples, Nova Scotia Government
By Dmitriy Kovalevich*
Over the past 30 years, Ukraine’s independence has had two main pillars – the administrations of the United States/UK/Canada and the Ukrainian oligarchs, who defended their assets looted in the 1990s. Both these pillars have actively promoted their deputies to the Ukrainian parliament, as well as financing ultranationalist organizations and their media. And right now, a struggle is flaring up between the two pillars.
Filed under Europe, United States
On the eve of Bennet’s trip
To the UN General Assembly
The army killed five Palestinians.
Now the armed forces are girding
For an escalation in the Occupied Territories.
Along Tel Aviv’s Ayalon Highway
Huge signs declare:
“Peace is the future
Of our children –
Celebrating the first anniversary
Of the peace accords.”
This refers, of course,
To the accords
With the UAE and Bahrain.
Peace with the Palestinians?
Who needs it?
Gush Shalom Statement, Sept. 29, 2021
Filed under Palestine, West Asia (Middle East)
Filed under Canada, Indigenous Peoples
Results of the 44th Federal Elections | Anna Di Carlo
Elections Canada has released validated results for the September 20 Federal Election. With mail-in ballots having been counted, the seat count stands at Liberals, 159; Conservatives, 119; Bloc Québécois, 33; NDP, 25 and Green Party, 2.
Filed under Canada
Canada’s election and broadcasting laws do not uphold the right of Canadians to an informed vote. A major reason is that registered parties and candidates are not treated equally. A concept of “equitable” treatment was introduced to displace the fundamental democratic principle of equality. The suggestion is that all parties and participants in an election are all treated “fairly” but there is no discussion of the criteria used to determine what constitutes fairness.
In this vein, on September 20, a complaint was filed with the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), arguing that the 2021 election coverage does not even meet the requirement for equitable treatment. The complaint was also filed with the Commissioner of Canada Elections.
Filed under Canada, Media, Journalism & Disinformation
“Trudeau’s ‘Gamble’” in Renewal Update is a very good article which goes right to the heart of the problem as to why the various factions of the ruling class are unable to make accurate predictions in the current political and economic situation which this same ruling class has fostered.
Filed under Canada
US Marines discharge Perfluoro octane sulfonic acid (PFAS) into the sewers. Okinawan officials are “furious” while the Japanese government is complacent | PAT ELDER
Filed under Asia
St. John meeting during strike vote on September 22, 2021
In its September 22 bulletin, the Canadian Union of Public Employees New Brunswick (CUPE NB) reports that seven of its 10 locals engaged in efforts to renew their collective agreements, some of which expired as long as four years ago, have been given strong strike votes. Workers are currently engaged in centralized bargaining with the government for wages that they consider acceptable and that will assist in addressing the problem of attracting and retaining workers in public services. The issue of working conditions must be resolved through negotiations with the locals.
Filed under Canada, Working Class
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