nationalobserver--2020-12-21--Prime Minister Trudeau reflects on difficult year

Justin Trudeau always knew 2020 was going to be a difficult year , his first leading a minority Liberal government dependent on opposition party support for its survival .
But that 's turned out to be the least of the prime minister 's worries as the country has lurched from one crisis to another .
It started in early January with the deaths of dozens of Canadians whose plane was shot down by Iranian missiles and it 's ending with the country still in the grip of a deadly pandemic that has killed more than 14,000 , left the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the stratosphere .
Throughout the spring , Trudeau conducted daily pandemic briefings in front of his Ottawa home , Rideau Cottage .
After a bit of a break over the summer , he 's been back doing at least two briefings a week since the second wave of the pandemic began sweeping the country in September .
`` It was my responsibility to reassure people , but also to show them that we were there to help them , to give them confidence , to inform them of what was happening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with The Canadian Press last week .
Justin Trudeau always knew 2020 was going to be a difficult year .
# Cdnpoli # Trudeau # COVID-19 Trudeau stuck to one part of his 2019 year-end plan : remaining focused on the programs intended to make Canadians ' lives better .
Indeed , the pandemic made that an imperative , in ways he could never have imagined a year ago .
`` We all know a little bit more now but in those first weeks , people had so many questions about what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , for their life , for their career , for their work , '' Trudeau said .
`` I certainly did n't have all the answers to all of their questions , but I knew I could show them that their government was 100 per cent focused on them . ''
His government threw billions into hastily crafted emergency aid programs to keep Canadians afloat as businesses shuttered and millions were tossed out of work .
Those programs or variations on them are set to continue until next summer with the deficit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion .
Navigating the pandemic `` is unlike anything else I 've had to do , '' Trudeau said last week during a chat with Montreal radio host and old friend Terry DiMonte .
Having to make `` weighty decisions '' goes with the job of prime minister , but he noted , `` It 's not all that often it 's life and death decisions . ''
Indeed , historian Robert Bothwell says not since the Second World War has a prime minister borne the weight of so much direct responsibility for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadians .
Trudeau 's vow to continue spending whatever it takes to see the country through the pandemic reminds Bothwell of the approach C.D .
Howe , then munitions and supply minister , took to mobilize Canada for war in 1940 .
Questioned about the massive cost of setting up factories to produce aircraft and munitions , Bothwell says Howe reportedly said something along the lines of : `` If we lose , what does it matter and if we win , nobody will remember it . ''
`` There was no ceiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend , '' Bothwell says .
`` I think that 's very similar to what Trudeau and company were doing back in the spring , just taking the lid off the budget and abandoning all the ordinary constraints . ''
Historically , Bothwell says the billions in emergency aid Trudeau 's government has shovelled out the door is `` plainly the most daring thing that we 've done budgetarily probably in the last 75 years , since World War II came to an end . ''
For now at least , that daring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opinion polls suggest overwhelming approval of his government 's handling of the health crisis , boosting support for Trudeau 's Liberals in the process .
Briefly last spring , Liberal support shot up to about 40 per cent , roughly the level needed to recapture a majority .
But that dipped in the midst of controversy last summer over the government 's decision to pay WE Charity $ 43.5 million to manage a student services grant program , despite the organization 's close ties to Trudeau and his family .
Still , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five points ahead of the Conservatives — an improvement over last fall 's election .
`` Despite how challenging a year it 's been for people and how much anxiety it 's created , I think there 's more goodwill for the government today than when this all started , '' says Abacus Data CEO David Coletto .
At no point in 2020 was the survival of Trudeau 's minority government ever in serious doubt .
Opposition parties largely co-operated in speedily approving emergency aid programs , not wanting to be seen standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triggering an election in the midst of a pandemic .
But the initial spirit of collaboration that prevailed at the outset of the pandemic had largely evaporated by year 's end and the coming 2021 budget , promising more historic spending to stimulate economic recovery , could well tip the country into an election .
Coletto detects little appetite at the moment for austerity but he sees some potential for Conservative gains if the Liberals fail to reassure Canadians that they have a long-term plan to get the country back on a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some potential for NDP gains on the issue of federal funding for health care .
But ultimately , he says , elections are `` 80 per cent about character and who do we just feel good about . ''
And in that respect , Coletto says , `` I just think the prime minister comes out of this crisis in a stronger position .
I think he demonstrated a sense of maturity and strength to people and that 's been reassuring .
`` Whether that 's what they want going forward , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into an even more challenging period . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20 , 2020 .

Justin Trudeau always knew 2020 was going to be a difficult year, his first leading a minority Liberal government dependent on opposition party support for its survival. But that's turned out to be the least of the prime minister's worries as the country has lurched from one crisis to another. It started in early January with the deaths of dozens of Canadians whose plane was shot down by Iranian missiles and it's ending with the country still in the grip of a deadly pandemic that has killed more than 14,000, left the economy in tatters and sent the federal deficit into the stratosphere. Not exactly what Trudeau envisioned when he sat down for a year-end interview 12 months ago. Chastened by his failure to win a second majority a couple of months earlier, Trudeau told The Canadian Press that he intended to take a lower-profile, more businesslike approach in 2020, focusing on the concrete things his government was doing to "make life better for Canadians."
Throughout the spring, Trudeau conducted daily pandemic briefings in front of his Ottawa home, Rideau Cottage. Justin Trudeau always knew 2020 was going to be a difficult year. #Cdnpoli #Trudeau #COVID-19 After a bit of a break over the summer, he's been back doing at least two briefings a week since the second wave of the pandemic began sweeping the country in September. "It was my responsibility to reassure people, but also to show them that we were there to help them, to give them confidence, to inform them of what was happening," Trudeau said during a year-end interview with The Canadian Press last week. Trudeau stuck to one part of his 2019 year-end plan: remaining focused on the programs intended to make Canadians' lives better. Indeed, the pandemic made that an imperative, in ways he could never have imagined a year ago. "We all know a little bit more now but in those first weeks, people had so many questions about what it means, what it would mean for them, for their life, for their career, for their work," Trudeau said.
"I certainly didn't have all the answers to all of their questions, but I knew I could show them that their government was 100 per cent focused on them." His government threw billions into hastily crafted emergency aid programs to keep Canadians afloat as businesses shuttered and millions were tossed out of work. Those programs or variations on them are set to continue until next summer with the deficit forecast to soar to nearly $400 billion. Navigating the pandemic "is unlike anything else I've had to do," Trudeau said last week during a chat with Montreal radio host and old friend Terry DiMonte.


nationalobserver--2020-12-21--National phone line launches to prevent overdose deaths

A new Canada-wide phone line aims to prevent deadly overdoses by connecting anyone who is alone and using drugs with peers who can quickly call for help if things take a bad turn .
`` People who have experience with overdose , or peers , have kind of a gut feeling or gut sense about what 's happening and what 's going wrong , because we 've been there before , '' said Rebecca Morris-Miller who founded Grenfell Ministries in Hamilton after years of drug use , homelessness and run-ins with the law .
The National Overdose Response Service , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grenfell Ministries and Brave Technology Co-op , which operates in Vancouver and Columbus , Ohio .
Anyone in Canada using a potentially deadly substance can dial a toll-free number and have someone standing by to call for help if needed .
A volunteer checks in periodically and calls 911 if there 's no response .
The caller can also provide contact information in advance for someone nearby with a naloxone kit — a helpful option to reverse an overdose in remote areas with long emergency response times .
• How one young scientist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North • First Nations speak out about work with contractor linked to Neskantaga water crisis The phone line can be a connection to treatment and social services without pressure or judgment , said Morris-Miller .
`` You have to meet people where they are at and let them make their journey towards you . ''
Grenfell Ministries runs peer support and outreach groups and , in February , set up an overdose response phone line serving Ontario .
NORS is starting out with 16 peer volunteers and is looking for more .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug user or a front-line worker .
The initiative comes at a time when overdose deaths are spiking .
A recent federal report says there were 1,628 apparent opioid toxicity deaths between April and June of this year , when the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit .
That 's a 58 per cent increase from the first three months of the year and the highest quarterly count since Ottawa first started keeping track in 2016 .
`` We have this awful pandemic going on and people are trying to access services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed , '' said Grenfell executive director Kim Ritchie .
`` The border shut down , so the drugs got cut with wilder and wilder stuff , causing more death . ''
Ritchie said everyone involved in the project had a `` driving passion '' to do something .
`` You ca n't treat an addict that 's already dead , '' she said .
Oona Krieg , Brave 's chief operating officer , said NORS can reach people without cellular data or Wi-Fi .
Brave has several technological offerings to keep drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with personal experience — including a mobile app linking drug users with remote supervision .
Other products include buttons that can summon help and sensors that can detect if there is someone motionless inside a washroom or other enclosed space .
`` It just seemed like another tool to put in the proverbial tool belt , '' Krieg said of NORS .
`` We need a multitude of solutions .
This problem is so incredibly complex , incredibly multi-faceted . ''
Dr. Monty Ghosh , a physician who treats vulnerable patients in Edmonton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Brave and Grenfell Ministries were doing separately and suggested they link up on a national scale .
He worked on getting Health Canada 's blessing and will evaluate how effective it is .
In 2016 , a telehealth patient in northwestern Alberta told Ghosh that he would use drugs with a friend in Edmonton over FaceTime on their cellphones , so each could get help if the other overdosed .
`` The patient had a brilliant idea that I felt needed to be implemented , '' said Ghosh .
Alberta had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the United Conservative government paused it earlier this year .
Provincial data shows the vast majority of overdose deaths happen in homes and outside downtown cores .
Ghosh added that supervised consumption sites are effective at preventing overdose deaths within a 500-metre radius .
NORS is meant to reach drug users who live too far beyond that or would be reluctant to visit a site because of the stigma .
`` It really is a life-saving intervention at its core . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. @ @ @

A new Canada-wide phone line aims to prevent deadly overdoses by connecting anyone who is alone and using drugs with peers who can quickly call for help if things take a bad turn. "People who have experience with overdose, or peers, have kind of a gut feeling or gut sense about what's happening and what's going wrong, because we've been there before," said Rebecca Morris-Miller who founded Grenfell Ministries in Hamilton after years of drug use, homelessness and run-ins with the law. The National Overdose Response Service, or NORS, is a collaboration between Grenfell Ministries and Brave Technology Co-op, which operates in Vancouver and Columbus, Ohio. Anyone in Canada using a potentially deadly substance can dial a toll-free number and have someone standing by to call for help if needed. A volunteer checks in periodically and calls 911 if there's no response. The caller can also provide contact information in advance for someone nearby with a naloxone kit — a helpful option to reverse an overdose in remote areas with long emergency response times.
The phone line can be a connection to treatment and social services without pressure or judgment, said Morris-Miller. "You have to meet people where they are at and let them make their journey towards you." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Grenfell Ministries runs peer support and outreach groups and, in February, set up an overdose response phone line serving Ontario.
NORS is starting out with 16 peer volunteers and is looking for more. A peer can be an active or recovering drug user or a front-line worker. Canada-wide phone line aims to prevent deadly overdoses. #NORS #overdosecrisis The initiative comes at a time when overdose deaths are spiking. A recent federal report says there were 1,628 apparent opioid toxicity deaths between April and June of this year, when the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit. That's a 58 per cent increase from the first three months of the year and the highest quarterly count since Ottawa first started keeping track in 2016. "We have this awful pandemic going on and people are trying to access services, but a lot of places got closed," said Grenfell executive director Kim Ritchie.
"The border shut down, so the drugs got cut with wilder and wilder stuff, causing more death." Ritchie said everyone involved in the project had a "driving passion" to do something. "You can't treat an addict that's already dead," she said.


nationalobserver--2020-12-21--Ontario headed for provincewide lockdown, media reports say

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak havoc across the country on Sunday , causing the first deaths in Nunavut and , according to media reports , pushing Ontario towards a province wide lockdown .
Citing sources briefed on the provincial plan , two media outlets , Global News and 680 News , said the Ontario government is poised to announce a sweeping shutdown of non-essential services on Monday .
The duration of the lockdown will vary in length depending on the region , the outlets said in reports released Sunday afternoon .
A spokesperson for Ontario Premier Doug Ford did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
The province has been holding emergency talks over the weekend to discuss additional pandemic measures in the wake of several consecutive days with case counts exceeding 2,000 .
The new restrictions are expected to be announced Monday .
• How one young scientist is protecting fragile ecosystems in Canada 's North Meanwhile , Nunavut reported its first two deaths related to the novel coronavirus on Sunday as case counts remained high in several provinces , including Ontario and Quebec , which account for the bulk of the country 's infections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ premier , health minister and chief public health officer said a resident of Arviat and one from Rankin Inlet died Saturday .
The territory had no cases of COVID-19 until November , and has since recorded 259 .
The news comes a day after Canada surpassed 500,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
The latest 100,000 cases were recorded across the country over just 15 days -- the shortest growth period since the pandemic was declared in March .
It took six months for Canada to register its first 100,000 cases of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than a month to hit 300,000 and 18 days to hit 400,000 .
Ontario appears headed for a province-wide lockdown , media reports say .
# COVID19 # pandemic \g # Ontario towards a provincewide lockdown .
# Arviat # RankinInlet The two provinces hardest hit by the pandemic , Ontario and Quebec , each reported more than 2,000 new infections Sunday , with Ontario 's tally at 2,316 and Quebec 's at 2,146 .
The provinces also recorded 25 and 21 new deaths , respectively .
Out east , Nova Scotia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday .
The new infections came as Ottawa opted to ban travel from the U.K. for 72 hours , effective first thing Monday .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the measure is necessary to protect Canadians from a new strain of the virus that causes COVID-19 that is quickly spreading through the U.K .
The Public Health Agency of Canada said that while early data suggests the new strain is more transmissible than other variants of the novel coronavirus , there 's nothing to suggest that it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response or vaccine efficacy .
The agency said the variant has yet to be found in Canada .
At the same time , a new online survey shows the majority of Canadians report feeling optimistic about the new year in light of the COVID-19 vaccines .
A report commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies and conducted by Leger said 70 per cent of those polled said they were somewhat optimistic about 2021 , while 15 per cent reported feeling very optimistic .
Another 10 per cent said news of the vaccines left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , and five per cent said they felt very pessimistic .
Quebecers were slightly more positive overall , with 87 per cent reporting some level of optimism , compared with 84 per cent in the rest of Canada .
Those who described themselves as very optimistic were the most likely to say they will get immunized once a shot is publicly available .
More than 88 per cent of them said they would get the vaccine , compared with roughly 72 per cent of the somewhat optimistic respondents , 25 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six per cent of the very pessimistic .
The survey polled 1,528 Canadian adults between Dec. 11 and 13 .
According to the polling industry 's generally accepted standards , online surveys can not be assigned a margin of error because they do not randomly sample the population .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 20 , 2020 .

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak havoc across the country on Sunday, causing the first deaths in Nunavut and, according to media reports, pushing Ontario towards a province wide lockdown. Citing sources briefed on the provincial plan, two media outlets, Global News and 680 News, said the Ontario government is poised to announce a sweeping shutdown of non-essential services on Monday. The duration of the lockdown will vary in length depending on the region, the outlets said in reports released Sunday afternoon. A spokesperson for Ontario Premier Doug Ford did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The province has been holding emergency talks over the weekend to discuss additional pandemic measures in the wake of several consecutive days with case counts exceeding 2,000. The new restrictions are expected to be announced Monday.
Meanwhile, Nunavut reported its first two deaths related to the novel coronavirus on Sunday as case counts remained high in several provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, which account for the bulk of the country's infections. A joint statement issued by Nunavut's premier, health minister and chief public health officer said a resident of Arviat and one from Rankin Inlet died Saturday. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The territory had no cases of COVID-19 until November, and has since recorded 259.
The news comes a day after Canada surpassed 500,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Ontario appears headed for a province-wide lockdown, media reports say. #COVID19 #pandemic \g #Ontario towards a provincewide lockdown. #Arviat #RankinInlet The latest 100,000 cases were recorded across the country over just 15 days -- the shortest growth period since the pandemic was declared in March. It took six months for Canada to register its first 100,000 cases of the virus, another four to reach 200,000, less than a month to hit 300,000 and 18 days to hit 400,000. The two provinces hardest hit by the pandemic, Ontario and Quebec, each reported more than 2,000 new infections Sunday, with Ontario's tally at 2,316 and Quebec's at 2,146. The provinces also recorded 25 and 21 new deaths, respectively. Out east, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador each reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.
The new infections came as Ottawa opted to ban travel from the U.K. for 72 hours, effective first thing Monday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the measure is necessary to protect Canadians from a new strain of the virus that causes COVID-19 that is quickly spreading through the U.K. The Public Health Agency of Canada said that while early data suggests the new strain is more transmissible than other variants of the novel coronavirus, there's nothing to suggest that it has any impact on symptom severity, antibody response or vaccine efficacy.


nationalobserver--2020-12-22--Federal security-screening measures go too far: privacy watchdog

The federal privacy watchdog is pressing for changes to security screening procedures for public servants .
An internal memo prepared by the privacy commissioner 's office says the government has `` not demonstrated the need '' for several intrusive measures — from credit checks to polygraph tests .
The memo says the watchdog will continue to press the Treasury Board Secretariat to justify provisions of its security-screening standard , but also that the Treasury Board has largely proceeded without taking the privacy commissioner 's advice over the years .
The Canadian Press used the Access to Information Act to recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memo .
The Standard on Security Screening , introduced in October 2014 , allows for screening of federal personnel ranging from the basic category of `` reliability status '' to `` enhanced top secret '' clearance .
• How one young scientist is protecting fragile ecosystems in Canada 's North • Tory MP says Liberals ‘ failed ’ to comply with motion on Huawei , foreign interference Federal officials are reviewing the standard , as they are required to do every five years — an examination the Treasury Board says will include privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy commissioner 's office planned in late 2019 to emphasize its view the Treasury Board Secretariat had not made a compelling case for the screening procedures .
`` We have stressed that TBS has provided insufficient analysis to demonstrate that each measure mandated by the standard is necessary , effective , and the least privacy-intrusive measure available , '' the memo says .
`` Where TBS has provided evidence towards the effectiveness of these measures , the evidence has been general in nature , and the link to effectiveness has not always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect to checks of credit records , Treasury Board pointed to a single British study that found many data breaches are motivated by desire for money , the privacy watchdog 's memo says .
`` We do not feel that this provides an actual link between poor credit and financial gain . ''
The federal privacy watchdog is pressing for changes to security screening procedures for public servants .
# TBS # cdnpoli Among the office 's other concerns : — Use of police record checks , to see if someone might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up non-conviction-related information about things like mental-health incidents and domestic disputes ; — Examination of open-source information , for instance through internet searches , can still yield personal data , some of which might be inaccurate ; — Polygraph testing , which is expanded under the standard , does not directly measure trustworthiness and is known to produce both false negatives and false positives .
Mandatory security-screening requirements set out in the federal standard are applied by departments and agencies commensurate with the risk related to the duties the subject is to perform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or facilities he or she will have access to , said Martin Potvin , a Treasury Board spokesman .
The government `` takes the privacy rights of Canadians seriously '' and continuously adopts measures to safeguard personal information held by government institutions , including in its security screening practices , he added .
The privacy commissioner 's office says Treasury Board has emphasized the need to align Canada 's screening practices with those of the other Five Eyes nations — members of an intelligence-sharing alliance that includes Australia , Britain , New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the watchdog acknowledged the importance of being considered `` a viable , security-focused partner , '' but added the federal standard raised Canada to `` a level that exceeded '' the other Five Eyes nations , with the exception of the U.S. , says a background document included with the memo .
Vito Pilieci , a spokesman for the privacy commissioner , said the office corresponded with Treasury Board on the screening standard in February , and continues to engage with the department on the matter .

The federal privacy watchdog is pressing for changes to security screening procedures for public servants. An internal memo prepared by the privacy commissioner's office says the government has "not demonstrated the need" for several intrusive measures — from credit checks to polygraph tests. The memo says the watchdog will continue to press the Treasury Board Secretariat to justify provisions of its security-screening standard, but also that the Treasury Board has largely proceeded without taking the privacy commissioner's advice over the years. The Canadian Press used the Access to Information Act to recently obtain a copy of the November 2019 memo. The Standard on Security Screening, introduced in October 2014, allows for screening of federal personnel ranging from the basic category of "reliability status" to "enhanced top secret" clearance.
Federal officials are reviewing the standard, as they are required to do every five years — an examination the Treasury Board says will include privacy considerations. The internal memo says the privacy commissioner's office planned in late 2019 to emphasize its view the Treasury Board Secretariat had not made a compelling case for the screening procedures. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "We have stressed that TBS has provided insufficient analysis to demonstrate that each measure mandated by the standard is necessary, effective, and the least privacy-intrusive measure available," the memo says.
"Where TBS has provided evidence towards the effectiveness of these measures, the evidence has been general in nature, and the link to effectiveness has not always been strong." The federal privacy watchdog is pressing for changes to security screening procedures for public servants. #TBS #cdnpoli For example, with respect to checks of credit records, Treasury Board pointed to a single British study that found many data breaches are motivated by desire for money, the privacy watchdog's memo says. "We do not feel that this provides an actual link between poor credit and financial gain." Among the office's other concerns: — Use of police record checks, to see if someone might be associated with criminal activity, can turn up non-conviction-related information about things like mental-health incidents and domestic disputes;
— Examination of open-source information, for instance through internet searches, can still yield personal data, some of which might be inaccurate; — Polygraph testing, which is expanded under the standard, does not directly measure trustworthiness and is known to produce both false negatives and false positives. Mandatory security-screening requirements set out in the federal standard are applied by departments and agencies commensurate with the risk related to the duties the subject is to perform and the sensitivity of information, assets or facilities he or she will have access to, said Martin Potvin, a Treasury Board spokesman.


nationalobserver--2020-12-22--NDP pushes feds to outline vaccination plan for Indigenous communities

The federal government should come up with a plan to roll COVID-19 vaccines out in Indigenous communities immediately , NDP health critic Don Davies says .
Speaking to a virtual news conference Monday , Davies said the federal government has deferred to the provinces to determine who will be vaccinated first but Indigenous health falls squarely in federal jurisdiction .
`` This is a federal responsibility , '' he said .
He said Ottawa should detail a plan to ensure Pfizer-BioNTech 's vaccine and others will be delivered to Indigenous communities that are experiencing health crises similar to or even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Vaccination access should be based on one thing : vulnerability , '' he said .
`` When we see Indigenous communities who are vulnerable all across this country and experiencing outbreaks at the highest levels in this country , then we must respond . ''
• How one young scientist is protecting fragile ecosystems in Canada 's North • Tory MP says Liberals ‘ failed ’ to comply with motion on Huawei , foreign interference He said none of the current 14 vaccine sites is targeted to COVID-19 hot spots in rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistent flaw in the way the federal government fails to prioritize Indigenous health care .
`` When we speak of things like systemic racism that is baked into our system , I think this is the kind of manifestation of that , '' he said .
`` It just is part of our normal response to not think of Indigenous health or to put it second and to accept that . ''
Davies says Ottawa should consider flying people from remote communities to major centres to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine , and consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural or remote areas .
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is so far the only one approved for use in Canada against the virus that causes COVID-19 .
It requires storage in special ultracold freezers and is difficult to transport .
Davies said the government decision to make Indigenous communities wait for a less finicky vaccine from Moderna , which is in reviews but has not been approved by Health Canada yet , is not acceptable .
`` That 's sending a message that Indigenous communities are second-class citizens in this country , that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second in line , '' he said .
The federal government needs a plan to roll # COVID19 vaccines out in Indigenous communities immediately , NDP health critic Don Davies says .
# Cdnpoli # Vaccine # # vaccination Churchill-Keewatinook Aski NDP MP Niki Ashton told the news conference that people in her northern Manitoba riding who have COVID-19 fly to major urban centres , including Winnipeg , to get medical care they need on a regular basis .
`` Let 's see that same kind of approach , if necessary , be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access the vaccine , including the Pfizer vaccine , '' she said .
Ashton said Indigenous leaders in her region want the federal government to take the lead on COVID-19 vaccination .
The Conservatives have also pressed for a federal plan to get vaccines to Indigenous communities , as part of a broader push for faster vaccinations .
Indigenous Services Canada said Friday that it 's working closely with Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to support an integrated and co-ordinated approach to support the delivery of a COVID-19 vaccine to Indigenous people .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases on First Nations reserves and a total of 6,756 confirmed positive cases throughout the pandemic , as of Dec. 17 .
Ashton said there has to be collaboration with the provinces but the responsibility of vaccination in Indigenous communities falls under the federal jurisdiction .
`` The distribution of the vaccine , access to the vaccine for communities in our region , for indigenous communities in our region , is a matter of life and death , '' she said .
`` There is a real sense of urgency we 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 21 , 2020

The federal government should come up with a plan to roll COVID-19 vaccines out in Indigenous communities immediately, NDP health critic Don Davies says. Speaking to a virtual news conference Monday, Davies said the federal government has deferred to the provinces to determine who will be vaccinated first but Indigenous health falls squarely in federal jurisdiction. "This is a federal responsibility," he said. He said Ottawa should detail a plan to ensure Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine and others will be delivered to Indigenous communities that are experiencing health crises similar to or even worse than those in urban centres. "Vaccination access should be based on one thing: vulnerability," he said. "When we see Indigenous communities who are vulnerable all across this country and experiencing outbreaks at the highest levels in this country, then we must respond."
He said none of the current 14 vaccine sites is targeted to COVID-19 hot spots in rural or remote areas and that shows a consistent flaw in the way the federal government fails to prioritize Indigenous health care. "When we speak of things like systemic racism that is baked into our system, I think this is the kind of manifestation of that," he said. "It just is part of our normal response to not think of Indigenous health or to put it second and to accept that." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Davies says Ottawa should consider flying people from remote communities to major centres to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and consider bringing the vaccine to central hubs in rural or remote areas.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is so far the only one approved for use in Canada against the virus that causes COVID-19. It requires storage in special ultracold freezers and is difficult to transport. The federal government needs a plan to roll #COVID19 vaccines out in Indigenous communities immediately, NDP health critic Don Davies says. #Cdnpoli #Vaccine ##vaccination Davies said the government decision to make Indigenous communities wait for a less finicky vaccine from Moderna, which is in reviews but has not been approved by Health Canada yet, is not acceptable. "That's sending a message that Indigenous communities are second-class citizens in this country, that they have to wait, that they're second in line," he said. Churchill-Keewatinook Aski NDP MP Niki Ashton told the news conference that people in her northern Manitoba riding who have COVID-19 fly to major urban centres, including Winnipeg, to get medical care they need on a regular basis. "Let's see that same kind of approach, if necessary, be used for people to be able to access the vaccine, including the Pfizer vaccine," she said.
Ashton said Indigenous leaders in her region want the federal government to take the lead on COVID-19 vaccination. The Conservatives have also pressed for a federal plan to get vaccines to Indigenous communities, as part of a broader push for faster vaccinations. Indigenous Services Canada said Friday that it's working closely with Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to support an integrated and co-ordinated approach to support the delivery of a COVID-19 vaccine to Indigenous people.


nationalobserver--2020-12-22--B.C. government announces funding to grow raspberry industry

The B.C .
government recently announced funding to revitalize the raspberry industry , but growers say it won ’ t be enough to secure the future of raspberry farms .
The province is investing $ 90,000 in a new Raspberry Replant Program to help growers increase the amount of acreage planted with varieties suitable for fresh and individually quick-frozen ( IQF ) raspberry markets .
IQF products include standup pouches , bags or boxes that contain mostly whole fruit and are sold in grocery store freezer aisles .
Small-scale raspberry growers in the province who own between one and 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program , which is accepting applications until Jan. 11 .
Funding will be allocated on a per-plant basis to a maximum of $ 3,300 an acre .
“ We recognize that they ( the province ) are investing in the raspberry industry , and it is now up to the raspberry growers and processors in British Columbia to make this program a success , ” said James Bergen , chair of the Raspberry Industry Development Council , thanking the agriculture ministry for its investment .
• How one young scientist is protecting fragile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MP says Liberals ‘ failed ’ to comply with motion on Huawei , foreign interference The cost-sharing funding program aims to support the B.C .
raspberry industry in local and global markets , while creating jobs and increasing food security for British Columbians .
However , Amanjot Singh Grewal of Grewal Berry Growers Ltd. calls the initiative a joke and says the program has such a short application window it is unlikely to reach many farmers .
Most small farmers are unaware of the program and will find it difficult to meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think only a few farmers , those who are involved with the council ... know about it because they ( had ) a meeting with the ministry and can order the plants , ” Grewal said .
Raspberry council manager Lisa Craig says council members were told about the program at the Nov. 17 annual general meeting .
Followup emails with links were sent after the official announcement from the agriculture ministry , she adds .
“ We also continue to send out reminder emails periodically.
” Availability of low-priced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern for Canadian raspberry growers , who are struggling to compete with a robust import market .
The B.C .
government recently announced funding to revitalize the raspberry industry , but growers say it won ’ t be enough to secure the future of raspberry farms .
# foodsecurity Raspberry consumption in Canada is increasing every year , but the majority of the fruit being sold is imported .
Grewal says packers or wholesalers import raspberries from other countries like Chile , Mexico and Serbia and sell them in Canada .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s shown in big letters .
But that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s grown in Canada , ” he said .
Bergen understands the challenges facing growers today .
Revitalizing the local raspberry market will require a shift in mindset as well as in growing , processing and selling practices , he says .
Growers , he adds , must be willing to explore new varieties of raspberries .
“ There is a demand for both fresh and IQF raspberries from retail and customers , ” he said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers want and can access easily is extremely important.
” Grewal also emphasizes the need for a good relationship between packers and growers .
“ We first need to work on the markets and then build trust between packers and growers , ” he said .
Craig says the council is trying to bridge this relationship by having a dedicated position on its board for a packer/processor representative .
Bergen and Grewal say the pandemic has presented local farmers with some sales opportunities .
Demand for locally grown produce has been exceptionally high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on frozen fruits during the initial lockdown period as many people used their increased time at home to eat healthier food and re-evaluate their eating habits .
The increased demand resulted in higher IQF pricing , which will lead to increased returns to the growers , Bergen says .

The B.C. government recently announced funding to revitalize the raspberry industry, but growers say it won’t be enough to secure the future of raspberry farms. The province is investing $90,000 in a new Raspberry Replant Program to help growers increase the amount of acreage planted with varieties suitable for fresh and individually quick-frozen (IQF) raspberry markets. IQF products include standup pouches, bags or boxes that contain mostly whole fruit and are sold in grocery store freezer aisles. Small-scale raspberry growers in the province who own between one and 10 acres of land are eligible for the program, which is accepting applications until Jan. 11. Funding will be allocated on a per-plant basis to a maximum of $3,300 an acre. “We recognize that they (the province) are investing in the raspberry industry, and it is now up to the raspberry growers and processors in British Columbia to make this program a success,” said James Bergen, chair of the Raspberry Industry Development Council, thanking the agriculture ministry for its investment.
The cost-sharing funding program aims to support the B.C. raspberry industry in local and global markets, while creating jobs and increasing food security for British Columbians. However, Amanjot Singh Grewal of Grewal Berry Growers Ltd. calls the initiative a joke and says the program has such a short application window it is unlikely to reach many farmers. Most small farmers are unaware of the program and will find it difficult to meet the deadline for spring planting, he added. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “I think only a few farmers, those who are involved with the council ... know about it because they (had) a meeting with the ministry and can order the plants,” Grewal said.
Raspberry council manager Lisa Craig says council members were told about the program at the Nov. 17 annual general meeting. Followup emails with links were sent after the official announcement from the agriculture ministry, she adds. The B.C. government recently announced funding to revitalize the raspberry industry, but growers say it won’t be enough to secure the future of raspberry farms. #foodsecurity “We also continue to send out reminder emails periodically.” Availability of low-priced fruit from competing markets is a major concern for Canadian raspberry growers, who are struggling to compete with a robust import market. Raspberry consumption in Canada is increasing every year, but the majority of the fruit being sold is imported. Grewal says packers or wholesalers import raspberries from other countries like Chile, Mexico and Serbia and sell them in Canada.
“It’s packed in Canada and it’s shown in big letters. But that doesn’t mean it’s grown in Canada,” he said. Bergen understands the challenges facing growers today. Revitalizing the local raspberry market will require a shift in mindset as well as in growing, processing and selling practices, he says. Growers, he adds, must be willing to explore new varieties of raspberries. “There is a demand for both fresh and IQF raspberries from retail and customers,” he said, “and producing the right products that Canadian consumers want and can access easily is extremely important.”


nationalobserver--2020-12-22--Countries must work together to build momentum for global climate action

Climate change is one of the biggest geopolitical challenges the world is facing today , even as it continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its public health and economic fallout .
One may question the urgency of stronger climate action amid a pandemic that has wreaked havoc on every aspect of our lives .
We say climate action is now more relevant than ever ; the science is unquestionable — we must cut our carbon footprint and invest in green technologies for our future prosperity .
While much of the world 's activity came to a standstill during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get perilously hotter .
We experience it all around us , from the fires burning through Oregon and Australia and typhoons in Asia to the Mont Blanc glacier collapse in Italy and the crops destroyed in Romania by the most severe drought in decades .
Flattening the emissions curve can only be achieved through collective global action .
The recent Climate Ambition Summit — which marked the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement — offered encouraging signs that we are moving in the right direction , as countries made new commitments towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , Canada and the EU have been leading the charge on climate action .
At their virtual meeting in October , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vowed to continue this work and committed to post-COVID green recoveries .
We welcome Canada ’ s pledge to upgrade its 2030 nationally determined contribution ahead of COP26 and its recent announcement of a new law on climate neutrality .
“ Momentum is building on climate action , as net-zero emission is becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with significantly different historical and geographical circumstances , ” writes @ EUAmbCanada .
# EU # Canada # COP26 # COVID19 Canada and the EU have been also spearheading climate action efforts in various international fora , including at the Ministerial on Climate Action ( MoCA ) , through G7 and G20 initiatives , in addition to our regular bilateral high-level dialogues on climate , energy and the environment .
Momentum is building on climate action , as net-zero emission is becoming the new normal mid-century outlook for countries with significantly different historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with international community pledges of $ 100 billion in climate financing to developing countries , must be the outcome of the climate negotiations at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 .
A new vision of the world is emerging post-COVID , one in which climate neutrality is not only a necessity , but also the driver of new economic opportunities .
The choices we make today will determine our future tomorrow .
Christian Burgsmüller is the chargé d ’ affaires and deputy head of the delegation of the European Union to Canada .

Climate change is one of the biggest geopolitical challenges the world is facing today, even as it continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its public health and economic fallout. One may question the urgency of stronger climate action amid a pandemic that has wreaked havoc on every aspect of our lives. We say climate action is now more relevant than ever; the science is unquestionable — we must cut our carbon footprint and invest in green technologies for our future prosperity. While much of the world's activity came to a standstill during the pandemic lockdowns, the planet continued to get perilously hotter. We experience it all around us, from the fires burning through Oregon and Australia and typhoons in Asia to the Mont Blanc glacier collapse in Italy and the crops destroyed in Romania by the most severe drought in decades. As much as COVID-19 is a large-scale human tragedy, no doubt science tells us this is just a warning compared to the existential risks global warming poses to our civilization in the years and decades to come. There will be no vaccine against climate change and its devastating impacts. Our mission in the European Union is to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. At their last European Council meeting on Dec. 11, EU leaders unanimously agreed to set a 2030 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent compared to 1990 levels.
This will provide certainty for our businesses, industries and citizens. It will further fast-track the decrease in the costs of low-carbon technologies. For example, the cost of solar photovoltaics dropped by 82 per cent between 2010 and 2019. Reaching this target will even help us save €100 billion in the next decade and up to €3 trillion by 2050. In Europe and around the world, many businesses and individuals are shifting to clean and green technologies. The EU Green Deal is our blueprint in this green transformation. In the year since it was adopted, the Green Deal has become the thread that runs through all our policies — from energy to industry, farming and food. And in our “Next Generation EU” recovery package and long-term budget, approved Dec. 11, more than half a trillion euros will address climate change and mitigate its effects. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Yes, the 2030 target is ambitious, but achievable. Meeting this unprecedented target would put the EU firmly on track to accomplishing climate neutrality by 2050 and our obligations under the Paris Agreement. And if other countries follow suit, the world will be able to keep warming below 1.5 C.
Flattening the emissions curve can only be achieved through collective global action. “Momentum is building on climate action, as net-zero emission is becoming the new normal mid-century outlook for countries with significantly different historical and geographical circumstances,” writes @EUAmbCanada. #EU #Canada #COP26 #COVID19 The recent Climate Ambition Summit — which marked the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement — offered encouraging signs that we are moving in the right direction, as countries made new commitments towards fulfilling the Paris Agreement promise. For years, Canada and the EU have been leading the charge on climate action. At their virtual meeting in October, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen vowed to continue this work and committed to post-COVID green recoveries. We welcome Canada’s pledge to upgrade its 2030 nationally determined contribution ahead of COP26 and its recent announcement of a new law on climate neutrality. Canada and the EU have been also spearheading climate action efforts in various international fora, including at the Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA), through G7 and G20 initiatives, in addition to our regular bilateral high-level dialogues on climate, energy and the environment. Momentum is building on climate action, as net-zero emission is becoming the new normal mid-century outlook for countries with significantly different historical and geographical circumstances. This, along with international community pledges of $100 billion in climate financing to developing countries, must be the outcome of the climate negotiations at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021.


nationalobserver--2020-12-22--MPs push bills to cut pollution, ban plastic exports, narrow carbon pricing

With the House of Commons expected to return Jan. 25 , Canada ’ s National Observer is profiling 10 environment-focused bills making their way through Parliament .
Today , we look at five of those bills .
Leah Gazan says the climate emergency is “ threatening everything we know and value.
” The NDP MP from Winnipeg Centre is one of several members currently sponsoring bills meant to hold the government to account on its climate commitments .
Bill C-232 , the Climate Emergency Action Act , was first introduced in February and reinstated this fall after Parliament was prorogued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second reading on Dec. 4 , just before the House of Commons adjourned on Dec. 11 .
• How one young scientist is protecting fragile ecosystems in Canada 's North • Tory MP says Liberals ‘ failed ’ to comply with motion on Huawei , foreign interference Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson ’ s bill , C-12 , the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act , would also require the government to set and meet emissions targets .
So would Bloc Québécois MP Kristina Michaud ’ s bill , C-215 , the Climate Change Accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all others winding their way through Parliament , will now have to wait until MPs return near the end of January to resume their progress .
Gazan ’ s bill would require the environment minister to consult with “ Indigenous Peoples and civil society ” to “ develop and implement a climate emergency action framework ” within a year of coming into force .
That includes everything from meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2030 to ensuring a “ transition towards a green economy ” by boosting employment in areas like green energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health and protection of the natural environment of Canada.
” “ We are witnessing around the country that individuals , Indigenous nations and young people want action — real action — to address the climate crisis , ” said Gazan .
Here are five environment-focused bills making their way through Parliament right now — and what you need to know about them .
# cdnpoli # climatechange Michaud ’ s bill , also introduced in February , would require “ an action plan to reduce Canadian greenhouse gas emissions ” within nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C-215 , debated at second reading on Nov. 4 , would require “ interim targets ” for reducing Canadian greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2025 and going out to net-zero emissions by 2050 .
It also includes “ mandatory reductions ” of at least 30 per cent below 2005 levels .
“ The bill seeks to ensure that the government ’ s choices are in keeping with Canada 's international commitments and that the measures it plans to take are realistic and sufficient , ” said the MP representing the eastern Quebec riding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s own net-zero emissions bill , C-12 , was most recently debated at second reading on Nov. 26 .
Unlike the other two bills , it was introduced in November .
Bill C-12 would require the federal government to set national carbon emissions targets for 2030 and beyond , eventually reaching net zero in 2050 , and draw up emission-reduction plans for achieving those targets .
Wilkinson said in Parliament that the bill was an answer to the Liberals ’ election promise of coming up with a plan to “ create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set national climate targets that will achieve the science-based goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
” “ The proposed Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act is an important contribution to articulating a Canadian vision for a clean economy , and it sends a signal of the depth of our resolve to be a serious competitor in the clean global marketplace , ” he said .
Two other bills from Conservative MPs are aimed at tackling other environmental issues outside of emissions reductions .
Conservative MP Scot Davidson ’ s bill , C-204 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection Act ( final disposal of plastic waste ) , would ban Canadian exports of plastic waste that is non-recyclable “ for final disposal.
” The bill , which was debated at second reading on Oct. 30 , contains a list of 31 types of plastic waste and a clause allowing the government to add or delete from the list .
“ Canada ’ s plastic waste is not a problem that can be simply exported away .
Many of the countries receiving our plastic are developing nations incapable of managing it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environment protected , ” said Davidson in Parliament .
Meanwhile , Conservative MP Philip Lawrence ’ s bill C-206 , an act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act ( qualifying farming fuel ) , would remove carbon pricing from two fossil fuels used for drying grain on farms .
The bill adds natural gas and propane to the list of “ qualifying farming fuels ” that are listed as exempted from the government ’ s carbon pricing system for farmers .
It was debated at second reading on Nov. 23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crops using these fuels should not be singled out .

With the House of Commons expected to return Jan. 25, Canada’s National Observer is profiling environment-focused bills making their way through Parliament. Today, we look at five of those bills. Leah Gazan says the climate emergency is “threatening everything we know and value.” The NDP MP from Winnipeg Centre is one of several members currently sponsoring bills meant to hold the government to account on its climate commitments. Bill C-232, the Climate Emergency Action Act, was first introduced in February and reinstated this fall after Parliament was prorogued in August. It was debated at second reading on Dec. 4, just before the House of Commons adjourned on Dec. 11.
Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson’s bill, C-12, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, would also require the government to set emissions targets. So would Bloc Québécois MP Kristina Michaud’s bill, C-215, the Climate Change Accountability Act. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The three bills, and all others winding their way through Parliament, will now have to wait until MPs return near the end of January to resume their progress.
Gazan’s bill would require the environment minister to consult with “Indigenous Peoples and civil society” to “develop and implement a climate emergency action framework” within a year of coming into force. Here are five environment-focused bills making their way through Parliament right now — and what you need to know about them. #cdnpoli #climatechange That includes ensuring that "Canada meets, at a minimum, the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets set for 2030" under the UN climate convention. It would also ensure a “transition towards a green economy” by boosting employment in areas like green energy and ensuring the “economic well-being, public health and protection of the natural environment of Canada.” “We are witnessing around the country that individuals, Indigenous nations and young people want action — real action — to address the climate crisis,” said Gazan. Michaud’s bill, also introduced in February, would require the implementation of “an action plan to reduce Canadian greenhouse gas emissions in order to enable Canada to fulfill its obligations under the Paris Agreement,” within nine months of coming into force.
Bill C-215, debated at second reading on Nov. 4, would require "interim targets" to "enable Canada to achieve the target of net-zero emissions by 2050." The interim target for 2030 must be a reduction of at least 30 per cent below 2005 emissions levels. “The bill seeks to ensure that the government’s choices are in keeping with Canada's international commitments and that the measures it plans to take are realistic and sufficient,” said the MP representing the eastern Quebec riding of Avignon-La Mitis-Matane-Matapédia. The Liberal government’s own net-zero emissions bill, C-12, was most recently debated at second reading on Nov. 26. Unlike the other two bills, it was introduced in November.


nationalobserver--2020-12-22--Tory MP says Liberals ‘failed’ to comply with motion on Huawei, foreign interference

Conservative MP and shadow foreign affairs critic Michael Chong said the Liberal government has “ failed ” to comply with a motion regarding Canada ’ s relationship with China adopted by the House of Commons last Friday .
The motion , sponsored by Chong , calls on the government to act on two fronts within 30 days : table a “ robust plan ” to deal with intimidation by China of Canadians within Canada ’ s borders , and decide whether to allow China ’ s Huawei Technologies to participate in the development of Canada ’ s 5G infrastructure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blair sent a letter to MPs outlining the steps that Canada is taking to combat foreign interference .
It did not , however , mention Huawei .
“ The Liberal government has failed to comply with the part of the motion concerning Huawei .
In doing so , they have failed to uphold democratic norms , ” Chong wrote in a statement .
The government isn ’ t actually required to act on the Conservative motion since it ’ s not binding .
However , Blair said he wanted to provide MPs with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House of Commons on Jan. 25 .
• How one young scientist is protecting fragile ecosystems in Canada 's North Two years ago , China imprisoned Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in apparent retaliation for the RCMP ’ s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant .
Since then , the Trudeau government has forgone deciding whether to allow Huawei to supply equipment for Canada ’ s 5G networks .
The U.S. claims Huawei is an espionage arm of the Chinese military and has urged Canada and other western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the company denies the allegation .
Canada is the only member of the Five Eyes alliance that has not barred or restricted the use of Huawei 5G equipment .
In his letter , Blair said : “ Foreign states , including the PRC ( China ) , attempt to threaten and intimidate individuals around the world , including in Canada , through various state entities and non-state proxies .
We strongly denounce this behaviour wherever it may occur.
” Blair added that the pandemic has worsened foreign interference .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim to sow doubt about the origins of the COVID-19 virus and the means required to counter it ; discredit responses to COVID-19 while casting their own as superior.
” The letter also explained that several government bodies , including the RCMP , the Canada Border Services Agency and Canada ’ s spy agency , CSIS , are currently working to counter foreign interference threats .
“ CSIS has long-standing investigations into foreign interference threat activities that target Canada , and uses the full mandate of the CSIS Act to investigate , advise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat , ” wrote Blair .
Conservative MP Michael Chong said the Liberal government has “ failed ” to comply with a motion ordering the feds to decide whether to allow Huawei to participate in the development of Canada ’ s 5G infrastructure .
# cdnpoli Chong says that ’ s not enough : “ This letter merely summarizes what the government has been doing to address foreign interference , which has proven to be woefully inadequate.
” Blair and Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne were both contacted to comment on Chong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t respond in time for the story .
However , in his letter , Blair said he ’ s willing to formally table the contents of the letter in the new year .

Conservative MP and shadow foreign affairs critic Michael Chong said the Liberal government has “failed” to comply with a motion regarding Canada’s relationship with China adopted by the House of Commons last Friday. The motion, sponsored by Chong, calls on the government to act on two fronts within 30 days: table a “robust plan” to deal with intimidation by China of Canadians within Canada’s borders, and decide whether to allow China’s Huawei Technologies to participate in the development of Canada’s 5G infrastructure. In response, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair sent a letter to MPs outlining the steps that Canada is taking to combat foreign interference. It did not, however, mention Huawei. “The Liberal government has failed to comply with the part of the motion concerning Huawei. In doing so, they have failed to uphold democratic norms,” Chong wrote in a statement. The government isn’t actually required to act on the Conservative motion since it’s not binding. However, Blair said he wanted to provide MPs with a response before they reconvene in the House of Commons on Jan. 25.
Two years ago, China imprisoned Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in apparent retaliation for the RCMP’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant. Since then, the Trudeau government has forgone deciding whether to allow Huawei to supply equipment for Canada’s 5G networks. The U.S. claims Huawei is an espionage arm of the Chinese military and has urged Canada and other western countries not to use its technology — but the company denies the allegation. Canada is the only member of the Five Eyes alliance that has not barred or restricted the use of Huawei 5G equipment. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In his letter, Blair said: “Foreign states, including the PRC (China), attempt to threaten and intimidate individuals around the world, including in Canada, through various state entities and non-state proxies. We strongly denounce this behaviour wherever it may occur.”
Blair added that the pandemic has worsened foreign interference. “We have observed state-sponsored information manipulation … These campaigns aim to sow doubt about the origins of the COVID-19 virus and the means required to counter it; discredit responses to COVID-19 while casting their own as superior.” Conservative MP Michael Chong said the Liberal government has “failed” to comply with a motion ordering the feds to decide whether to allow Huawei to participate in the development of Canada’s 5G infrastructure. #cdnpoli The letter also explained that several government bodies, including the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency and Canada’s spy agency, CSIS, are currently working to counter foreign interference threats. “CSIS has long-standing investigations into foreign interference threat activities that target Canada, and uses the full mandate of the CSIS Act to investigate, advise the government and take action to reduce the threat,” wrote Blair. Chong says that’s not enough: “This letter merely summarizes what the government has been doing to address foreign interference, which has proven to be woefully inadequate.” Blair and Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne were both contacted to comment on Chong’s remarks, but didn’t respond in time for the story. However, in his letter, Blair said he’s willing to formally table the contents of the letter in the new year.


nationalobserver--2020-12-22--Environmental ripple effect of Bute Inlet landslide starting to unfold, scientists say

Environmental impacts from millions of tonnes of earth and water sluicing down a valley and spilling into the ocean are just beginning to be understood , say scientists studying a massive landslide in the Bute Inlet watershed .
Climate change set the stage for the slide that occurred on the morning of Nov. 28 , according to Brent Ward , a geologist at Simon Fraser University .
A retreating glacier northeast of the head of Bute Inlet left a mountain slope above Elliot Creek unstable , said Ward , who is also co-director for SFU ’ s Centre for Natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mountain — normally secured by the glacier and located above an older slide — came loose , plunging six to seven million cubic metres of rock and earth into a glacial lake at the head of the creek , Ward said .
A displacement wave likely 100 metres high resulted — sending a wall of water down the length of the lake and creek , carving out channels for about 15 kilometres along the valley bottom and taking a raft of trees , rocks and earth with it .
• How one young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's North Geologist Brent Ward of Simon Fraser University said six to seven million cubic metres of rock and earth fell into a glacial lake causing a 100-metre wave that scoured the valley below .
Photo courtesy of Brent Ward All the debris and water fanned out when it collided with the Southgate River valley , which , in turn , continued to drain into Bute Inlet , Ward said .
Most of the slide ’ s devastation was the result of the wave pushing out of the lake , which grew at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glacier melted , Ward said .
“ Because of climate change and the fact the glacier pulled back , a lake formed there , ” he said , adding if the landslide had occurred in the past , it would have just fallen onto the glacier and stayed put .
“ We probably would n't have even noticed it , but because of the lake , it triggered this big wave , and it 's had a huge effect on the fishery and wildlife in the area , ” Ward said .
Climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landslide in B.C .
's Bute Inlet that has devastated the area 's fishery and wildlife , says geologist Brent Ward .
# climatechange Pilot Bastian Fleury , with 49 North Helicopters based in Campbell River , was one of the first to survey and get footage of the slide ’ s devastation from the air .
Fleury returned to the area again last Thursday to get images of where the slide originated close to the glacier .
Homalco First Nation Chief Darren Blaney also surveyed the wreckage left by the landslide in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slide ’ s torrent has totally decimated the coho and chum spawning grounds along Elliot Creek and on the Southgate River downward from the slide .
“ We were able to fly in because it was clear , and we could see the lake was totally gone , ” said Blaney , adding the Homalco Nation ’ s food security will take a hit with the washout of the salmon beds .
“ I ’ m just hoping some chum have spawned further up ( the Southgate River ) and the eggs have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s new eco-resort that supports the nation ’ s grizzly bear tours , located somewhat uphill at the head of Bute Inlet , escaped damage , Blaney said .
The grizzly bears dependent on the salmon runs in Bute Inlet are a concern , Blaney added .
But hopefully the bears will be able to find enough food along the nearby Homathko River , or even travel to the neighbouring Toba Inlet in search of salmon , he added .
Nice summary of the Elliot Creek landslide !
Thanks @ davepetley https @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GeoBrentatlarge ) December 16 , 2020 The landslide is a particularly interesting event and one numerous researchers are still investigating , said Andrew Schaeffer , a Pacific division seismologist with the Geological Survey of Canada .
Over a seven-hour period , there were at least three earthquakes ranging between 2.1 and 2.3 in magnitude not far from where the landslide occurred , Schaeffer said .
The last happened at 6:52 a.m. , about 20 to 40 seconds before the landslide , which itself was picked up by both Canadian and U.S. seismic stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the early estimates for the slide 's location came from locations determined using seismometers , ” Schaeffer said .
The massive landslide didn ’ t register exactly as an earthquake would , but it sent out low-frequency surface waves resembling those of a quake with an equivalent magnitude of 4.9 , Schaeffer said .
“ But if this had actually been a 4.9-magnitude earthquake , the residents of Campbell River , Quadra Island and some of the inside coast of Vancouver Island may have felt the shaking , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the earthquakes triggered the landslide , Schaeffer said , adding it ’ s believed magnitude-4 earthquakes or greater can cause landslides .
“ This is a subject of active , ongoing research in regards to this event , ” he said .
Jennifer Jackson , an oceanography researcher with the Hakai Institute , said the glacial slide had an immediate and dramatic cooling effect on deeper water in Bute Inlet .
Over 70 years , Bute Inlet ’ s deep-water temperature rose by 1.2 C , said Jackson , whose research involves monitoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fjords .
But the landslide was so massive , it immediately caused half a degree of cooling in deep water below 350 metres , Jackson said .
“ We 've never really seen anything like that , ” she said .
“ If we had n't known that there was a slide , we might have just dismissed it and thought our data was wrong.
” Additionally , a huge amount of sediment came down into the inlet and is bound to change its nutrient ratios and impact the marine food web @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We also did see changes in oxygen and the pH levels , but we 'll still have to piece together what that means for the food web , ” Jackson said .
“ The second big thing that we 've seen on the ocean data is that there was a massive turbidity current , ” Jackson said , adding the current is found 250 metres below the ocean ’ s surface .
These current flows have increased density due to high amounts of sediment triggered by geological disturbances .
The turbidity current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 65 kilometres from the mouth of the Southgate River down the inlet and was an incredible 400 metres thick , Jackson said .
“ Normal turbidity currents in Bute Inlet would be about 25 metres thick , ” she said .
The ripple effects in both the marine and terrestrial environment are going to take some time to piece together , Jackson said .
However , it ’ s clear retreating glaciers were a factor in the landslide , which should raise concern for any coastal communities that could be at increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , Jackson said .
“ Especially First Nation communities living in similar areas , ” said Jackson .
“ I think it ’ s a really good time to think about the vulnerability of these communities to similar events .
”

Environmental impacts from millions of tonnes of earth and water sluicing down a valley and spilling into the ocean are just beginning to be understood, say scientists studying a massive landslide in the Bute Inlet watershed. Climate change set the stage for the slide that occurred on the morning of Nov. 28, according to Brent Ward, a geologist at Simon Fraser University. A retreating glacier northeast of the head of Bute Inlet left a mountain slope above Elliot Creek unstable, said Ward, who is also co-director for SFU’s Centre for Natural Hazards Research. A section of the mountain — normally secured by the glacier and located above an older slide — came loose, plunging six to seven million cubic metres of rock and earth into a glacial lake at the head of the creek, Ward said. A displacement wave likely 100 metres high resulted — sending a wall of water down the length of the lake and creek, carving out channels for about 15 kilometres along the valley bottom and taking a raft of trees, rocks and earth with it.
Geologist Brent Ward of Simon Fraser University said six to seven million cubic metres of rock and earth fell into a glacial lake causing a 100-metre wave that scoured the valley below. Photo courtesy of Brent Ward All the debris and water fanned out when it collided with the Southgate River valley, which, in turn, continued to drain into Bute Inlet, Ward said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Most of the slide’s devastation was the result of the wave pushing out of the lake, which grew at the bottom of the mountain as the glacier melted, Ward said.
“Because of climate change and the fact the glacier pulled back, a lake formed there,” he said, adding if the landslide had occurred in the past, it would have just fallen onto the glacier and stayed put. Climate change set the stage for a massive landslide in B.C.'s Bute Inlet that has devastated the area's fishery and wildlife, says geologist Brent Ward. #climatechange “We probably wouldn't have even noticed it, but because of the lake, it triggered this big wave, and it's had a huge effect on the fishery and wildlife in the area,” Ward said. Pilot Bastian Fleury, with 49 North Helicopters based in Campbell River, was one of the first to survey and get footage of the slide’s devastation from the air. Fleury returned to the area again last Thursday to get images of where the slide originated close to the glacier.
Homalco First Nation Chief Darren Blaney also surveyed the wreckage left by the landslide in his traditional territory last week. The slide’s torrent has totally decimated the coho and chum spawning grounds along Elliot Creek and on the Southgate River downward from the slide.


nationalobserver--2020-12-23--We asked political cartoonist Michael de Adder to sum up 2020

More than 18 million cases .
Over 320,000 deaths .
As America is ravaged by an out-of-control COVID-19 pandemic , President Donald Trump squats with his eyes glued to his phone , tweeting .
A petulant grin on his face , he seems oblivious to the virus spilling out all around him in this cartoon by Michael de Adder .
In October , Canada ’ s National Observer editor-in-chief Linda Solomon Wood spoke to de Adder , a Halifax cartoonist whose scathing visual commentary was prominently featured by the Lincoln Project , a group of Republican and ex-Republican strategists working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the live Zoom conversation , sponsored by Canada ’ s National Observer , de Adder spoke about the surreal experience of being a Canadian hired by conservatives to defeat their own party .
With the dust starting to settle after the Nov. 3 presidential election in the U.S. , Trump continues to behave erratically with no plan to combat the pandemic .
In the past six weeks , he has been fixated on overturning the vote , and is being described as “ off the rails ” — a fitting end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that used to symbolize his campaign and supporters .

More than 18 million cases. Over 320,000 deaths. As America is ravaged by an out-of-control COVID-19 pandemic, President Donald Trump squats with his eyes glued to his phone, tweeting. A petulant grin on his face, he seems oblivious to the virus spilling out all around him in this cartoon by Michael de Adder.
In October, Canada’s National Observer editor-in-chief Linda Solomon Wood spoke to de Adder, a Halifax cartoonist whose scathing visual commentary was prominently featured by the Lincoln Project, a group of Republican and ex-Republican strategists working to defeat Trump’s re-election bid. In the live Zoom conversation, sponsored by Canada’s National Observer, de Adder spoke about the surreal experience of being tapped by American conservatives to help defeat their own party.
With the dust starting to settle after the Nov. 3 presidential election in the U.S., Trump continues to behave erratically with no plan to combat the pandemic. In the past six weeks, he has been fixated on overturning the vote, and is being repeatedly described as “off the rails” — a fitting end to the so-called “Trump train” that used to symbolize his campaign and supporters.


nationalobserver--2020-12-23--Indigenous women leaders are having a #MeToo moment

“ Where are your women ?
” he asked .
I don ’ t know if that story is factual .
It may be a parable .
Still , there ’ s truth in it .
• How one young scientist is protecting fragile ecosystems in Canada 's North First Nations are diverse , but with few exceptions , women traditionally exercised our will on our communities ’ governance through women ’ s councils , clans or kinship ties and commerce .
At the risk of simplifying a complicated history , legalized gender discrimination in the Indian Act forced First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Residential schools , family unit breakdown , the loss of traditional economies and media stereotyping all devalued and displaced us .
We know this through our oral stories .
The history is documented in government archives , recorded in books and catalogued in the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls ( MMIWG ) .
Our elders tell us equality between men and women is a cultural value , and our nations will never be whole or strong until we reverse the harm done .
That language gets written into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sometimes those political speeches sound like lip service .
And I am not alone in that observation .
A resolution recently passed at the Assembly of First Nations ( AFN ) will be important in separating rhetoric from sincerity .
The resolution calls for an investigative review of specific incidents of discrimination against women and people of different sexual orientations within the AFN .
`` In our elected governments , First Nations might want to ask ourselves : Where are our women ? ''
@ karyn_pugliese writes for @ NatObserver .
# @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be that we respect and honour and hold our women up , and that is not always the case .
We are complicit in some of this , too , ” said Chief Doris Bill , of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation in Yukon , who co-initiated the resolution .
“ Change is hard .
I know that .
Looking inward is hard.
” Bill was surprised the resolution passed , and even more surprised it passed with substantial support — 78 per cent of the votes .
First Nations women have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political field .
Often , it has been behind the scenes as policy analysts , speechwriters and legal advisers .
At the AFN , 60 per cent of the 127 staff are women , and women make up half of the management team .
This has been true for many years , including when I worked there a decade ago .
Part of the reason is that First Nations women out-educate men .
Among First Nations people who hold university degrees , 69 per cent are female and 31 per cent are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But in our elected governments , First Nations might want to ask ourselves : Where are our women ?
Before 1951 , Canada did not allow women to run for political office in the band government system it imposed on First Nations .
In 1954 , Elsie Knott of Curve Lake became the first woman elected chief of a band government .
By 2011 , there were 120 female chiefs — about 19 per cent , according to the AFN .
The AFN says it no longer tracks the proportion of women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada says of the 517 chiefs in its database , only 70 , or 14 per cent , were women as of December 2020 .
Data on other gender identities are not collected .
Cora Voyageur , a sociologist and an Anishinaabe of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation , interviewed 64 women for her paper , `` Female First Nations Chiefs and the Colonial Legacy in Canada . ''
They were well educated , had administrative experience , and most had been community workers or activists before being elected .
If those interviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman in First Nations politics , it ’ s no wonder so few ever run for office .
Frankly , the paper makes it sound like a shit show .
On top of running their communities , female chiefs still had a full load of housework .
In some cases , men in the band office undermined them ; one flat-out told the chief he would not work for a woman .
The paper catalogues stories of intimidation and threats of violence .
One chief stated a car tried to run her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had her home vandalized .
In a post- # MeToo , post-MMIWG era , female leaders are asking for change and accountability .
One very public case involved Morley Googoo , a regional chief elected to the 11-member board of governors , also known as the AFN executive committee .
Googoo also served on a tripartite forum in Nova Scotia , which involved four levels of government .
In 2018 , two separate workplace investigations upheld allegations by multiple women that Googoo had bullied , intimidated , harassed and threatened them .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staunchly denied everything in the reports .
The allegations have not been proven in court .
In the fallout , chiefs in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia voted Googoo out .
The AFN executive adopted a code of conduct to create a “ safe environment , free of violence , discrimination and harassment.
” But Cheryl Maloney , the former president of the Native Women ’ s Association of Nova Scotia , who filed the complaint , said none of that got to the root of the problem .
The forum took its time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility or wanted to help her work on better ways to handle future complaints ; forum members insisted it was not their jurisdiction , she says .
So , Maloney filed four complaints with the Canadian Human Rights Commission ( CRHC ) — one against each government level — to sort out who is accountable .
“ The jurisdictional issues mean there is a lack of safety for women ; that ’ s how they ( men who harass women ) are getting away with it .
No one is responsible .
Someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or it breeds , ” Maloney said .
The AFN would not comment on Maloney ’ s case since it is before the CHRC .
However , at a special assembly held earlier this month , AFN legal counsel Stuart Wuttke confirmed jurisdictional gaps .
He said labour law , workplace policies and the CHRC cover AFN staff , but “ tripartite councils , or political leaders and guests who attend assemblies are not covered by any binding policies or code of conduct.
” As for the code of conduct adopted by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s working .
Two sources who have attended executive meetings spoke to me on condition of anonymity .
They said both Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald and Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek have been targets of lateral violence .
They described instances where the male-dominated committee told the female chiefs they did not need to heed their opinions because they can outvote them — only three of the 11 chiefs on the executive committee are women .
An executive meeting held by video conference on Sept. 4 was described as particularly volatile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archibald ’ s efforts to speak .
When asked if there ’ d been any code of conduct complaints , the AFN replied : “ The complaints and disputes within the AFN executive , those are in-camera meetings , and we are prohibited by the regional chiefs from disclosing any details related to their discussions.
” However , Archibald went on the record publicly : “ Women are not always respected , especially at the executive .
We have had very difficult moments.
” Adamek did not discuss what happened inside the September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ decision point ” shortly after and told her chiefs back home in Yukon about events at AFN .
“ We ’ ve all seen things that we do n't like .
We need to create safe spaces for women and LGBT2QL people , ” said Adamek .
“ No one should have to leave a meeting feeling interrupted , not being respected or because of comments about age , gender or physical appearance.
” On Nov. 2 , Yukon chiefs passed a resolution calling on the leadership at the AFN “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : is reflective of the matriarchal nature of Yukon First Nation communities and governments ; promotes and protects women ’ s rights , including their right to be part of decision-making processes.
” On Nov. 17 , the B.C .
Assembly of First Nations adopted a similar resolution against discrimination and harassment , noting : “ Statements are also applicable to the Assembly of First Nations.
” All of this has left what one might call a “ mood ” among the chiefs , at least within the 78 per cent at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was a debate about it .
Some chiefs wanted to soften the language to a “ review of policy ” rather than an investigation of incidents .
AFN legal counsel warned it could open the AFN up to civil suits .
Despite these concerns , it passed .
And that has both Chief Adamek and Chief Bill hopeful .
“ It is increasingly clear , because of the inquiry , because of the space opened up by the # MeToo movement , it ’ s time to take this seriously and seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing a safe space , ” said Adamek .
“ I think change should come from the top down .
I hope we have a better AFN , ” said Bill .
“ It ’ s time we dealt with it .
It ’ s 2020 , for God 's sake .
It ’ s time .
”

I don’t know if that story is factual. It may be a parable. Still, there’s truth in it.
In 1757, a Cherokee spokesman, Attakullakulla, led a delegation of his people to negotiate an agreement with the governor of South Carolina. Looking around the room, Attakullakulla noticed something odd about the delegation of white men. He was puzzled.
Our elders tell us equality between men and women is a cultural value, and our nations will never be whole or strong until we reverse the harm done.
We know this through our oral stories. The history is documented in government archives, recorded in books and catalogued in the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
First Nations are diverse, but with few exceptions, women traditionally exercised our will on our communities’ governance through women’s councils, clans or kinship ties and commerce. At the risk of simplifying a complicated history, legalized gender discrimination in the Indian Act forced First Nations women out of the political space. Residential schools, family unit breakdown, the loss of traditional economies and media stereotyping all devalued and displaced us.
Bill was surprised the resolution passed, and even more surprised it passed with substantial support — 78 per cent of the votes.
“Our values used to be that we respect and honour and hold our women up, and that is not always the case. We are complicit in some of this, too,” said Chief Doris Bill, of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation in Yukon, who co-initiated the resolution. “Change is hard. I know that. Looking inward is hard.”
A resolution recently passed at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will be important in separating rhetoric from sincerity. The resolution calls for an investigative review of specific incidents of discrimination against women and people of different sexual orientations within the AFN.
Sometimes those political speeches sound like lip service. And I am not alone in that observation.
That language gets written into the speeches of our Indigenous male leaders.
But in our elected governments, First Nations might want to ask ourselves: Where are our women?
Part of the reason is that First Nations women out-educate men. Among First Nations people who hold university degrees, 69 per cent are female and 31 per cent are male, according to the 2016 census.
First Nations women have been slowly pushing their way back into the political field. Often, it has been behind the scenes as policy analysts, speechwriters and legal advisers. At the AFN, 60 per cent of the 127 staff are women, and women make up half of the management team. This has been true for many years, including when I worked there a decade ago.
Before 1951, Canada did not allow women to run for political office in the band government system it imposed on First Nations. In 1954, Elsie Knott of Curve Lake became the first woman elected chief of a band government. By 2011, there were 120 female chiefs — about 19 per cent, according to the AFN.
The AFN says it no longer tracks the proportion of women in leadership.
Cora Voyageur, a sociologist and an Anishinaabe of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, interviewed 64 women for her paper, "Female First Nations Chiefs and the Colonial Legacy in Canada." They were well educated, had administrative experience, and most had been community workers or activists before being elected.
If those interviews indicate what it is like to be a woman in First Nations politics, it’s no wonder so few ever run for office.
Frankly, the paper makes it sound like a shit show.
On top of running their communities, female chiefs still had a full load of housework. In some cases, men in the band office undermined them; one flat-out told the chief he would not work for a woman. The paper catalogues stories of intimidation and threats of violence. One chief stated a car tried to run her down when she was walking; another had her home vandalized.
In a post-#MeToo, post-MMIWG era, female leaders are asking for change and accountability.
One very public case involved Morley Googoo, a regional chief elected to the 11-member board of governors, also known as the AFN executive committee. Googoo also served on a tripartite forum in Nova Scotia, which involved four levels of government. In 2018, two separate workplace investigations upheld allegations by multiple women that Googoo had bullied, intimidated, harassed and threatened them. There were also allegations of assault.
Googoo staunchly denied everything in the reports. The allegations have not been proven in court.
In the fallout, chiefs in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia voted Googoo out. The AFN executive adopted a code of conduct to create a “safe environment, free of violence, discrimination and harassment.”
But Cheryl Maloney, the former president of the Native Women’s Association of Nova Scotia, who filed the complaint, said none of that got to the root of the problem.
The forum took its time investigating the complaint. No one accepted responsibility or wanted to help her work on better ways to handle future complaints; forum members insisted it was not their jurisdiction, she says. So, Maloney filed four complaints with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CRHC) — one against each government level — to sort out who is accountable.
“The jurisdictional issues mean there is a lack of safety for women; that’s how they (men who harass women) are getting away with it. No one is responsible. Someone has to be responsible for this behaviour or it breeds,” Maloney said.
The AFN would not comment on Maloney’s case since it is before the CHRC.
However, at a special assembly held earlier this month, AFN legal counsel Stuart Wuttke confirmed jurisdictional gaps. He said labour law, workplace policies and the CHRC cover AFN staff, but “tripartite councils, or political leaders and guests who attend assemblies are not covered by any binding policies or code of conduct.”
As for the code of conduct adopted by the AFN executive, not everyone thinks it’s working.
Two sources who have attended executive meetings spoke to me on condition of anonymity. They said both Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald and Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek have been targets of lateral violence. They described instances where the male-dominated committee told the female chiefs they did not need to heed their opinions because they can outvote them — only three of the 11 chiefs on the executive committee are women.
An executive meeting held by video conference on Sept. 4 was described as particularly volatile, with one male counterpart drowning out Archibald’s efforts to speak.
When asked if there’d been any code of conduct complaints, the AFN replied: “The complaints and disputes within the AFN executive, those are in-camera meetings, and we are prohibited by the regional chiefs from disclosing any details related to their discussions.”
However, Archibald went on the record publicly: “Women are not always respected, especially at the executive. We have had very difficult moments.”
Adamek did not discuss what happened inside the September meeting specifically, but said she reached a “decision point” shortly after and told her chiefs back home in Yukon about events at AFN.
Kluane Adamek, AFN Yukon regional chief. Photo submitted by Kluane Adamek
“We’ve all seen things that we don't like. We need to create safe spaces for women and LGBT2QL people,” said Adamek. “No one should have to leave a meeting feeling interrupted, not being respected or because of comments about age, gender or physical appearance.”
On Nov. 2, Yukon chiefs passed a resolution calling on the leadership at the AFN “to conduct itself in a manner that: is reflective of the matriarchal nature of Yukon First Nation communities and governments; promotes and protects women’s rights, including their right to be part of decision-making processes.”
On Nov. 17, the B.C. Assembly of First Nations adopted a similar resolution against discrimination and harassment, noting: “Statements are also applicable to the Assembly of First Nations.”
All of this has left what one might call a “mood” among the chiefs, at least within the 78 per cent at the assembly who supported the investigative review.
There was a debate about it. Some chiefs wanted to soften the language to a “review of policy” rather than an investigation of incidents. AFN legal counsel warned it could open the AFN up to civil suits.
Despite these concerns, it passed.
And that has both Chief Adamek and Chief Bill hopeful.
“It is increasingly clear, because of the inquiry, because of the space opened up by the #MeToo movement, it’s time to take this seriously and seek to represent all First Nations people by providing a safe space,” said Adamek.
“I think change should come from the top down. I hope we have a better AFN,” said Bill. “It’s time we dealt with it. It’s 2020, for God's sake. It’s time.”