nationalobserver--2020-06-25--B.C. allows more openings, Horgan warns to celebrate carefully

British Columbia 's success at flattening the curve on COVID-19 will allow the easing of more restrictions on businesses , recreation and travel , says Premier John Horgan , who urged people to celebrate carefully when visiting a lake or the beach .
The premier said Wednesday the gradual move into B.C .
's third phase allows hotels , motels , spas , resorts , hostels , RV parks , provincial campgrounds and the film industry to resume operations after being shut down or restricted since March .
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said recent modelling data shows if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of contact with other people , then COVID-19 infection rates can be held in check .
Horgan said COVID-19 has not disappeared and he advised people to make plans before visiting other communities , which include safe physical distancing , frequent hand washing and staying home if sick .
The restriction on prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people remains in place .
`` I commend British Columbians because it 's their hard work that got us here based on the guidance that we 've received from public health , '' Horgan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hard work of British Columbians , I think , deserves a bit of time at the lake or on the beach . ''
• How Stephen Harper is destroying the Conservative party • Green Party leadership hopeful says his opponent was 'angry that a white person came up with an idea ' But Horgan said summer holidays and travel will be different this year .
`` As we carefully turn up the dial on our activity , we can now look to travel safely around the province .
But as we hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must remember we are not leaving COVID-19 behind , and we need to continue to do our part to bend the curve and protect the progress we 've made , '' he said .
Indigenous leaders from Vancouver Island , the Central Coast and the Interior said in a statement they were not consulted about the reopening and are concerned Indigenous lives could be at risk .
`` We will do what we need to in order to protect our people , and if there is an impasse , we need to talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before economics , '' said Judith Sayers , president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council on Vancouver Island .
Horgan said Indigenous leaders were being consulted about their concerns .
`` There are communities around B.C .
that are still quite concerned about travellers coming to visit , '' he said .
`` I think of the Haida on Haida Gwaii .
I think of the Heiltsuk in Bella Bella and the Nuxalk in Bella Coola and here on Vancouver Island , the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council who have asked government to give them more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
British Columbia 's success at flattening the curve on COVID-19 will allow the easing of more restrictions on businesses , recreation and travel , says Premier John Horgan , who urged people to celebrate carefully when visiting a lake or the beach .
Horgan 's announcement comes one day after Henry released modelling figures that said the province is maintaining a balance where contacts are increasing but at a rate that is keeping COVID-19 infection rates from spiking .
Henry said contact rates are at about 65 per cent of normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent , but it 's all the more important to continue limiting the number of people they connect with to allow for quick contact tracing if the illness spreads .
Up to 97 per cent of a person 's contacts have been found within a few days after a case is identified , she said .
Going to an 80 per cent rate of normal contacts would result in a dramatic increase in cases before a vaccine is available , she said .
B.C .
announced 14 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday , increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There has been another COVID-19 death , bringing the total to 171 people .
So far , 2,516 people have recovered from the virus .
The legislature resumed this week for a summer sitting , with Horgan 's New Democrat government facing criticism about delays in a long-awaited pandemic recovery program .
Last week , Horgan announced several online participation platforms , including surveys and virtual town hall meetings , to encourage people to have their say on the province ’ s recovery plans .
Opposition Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survive need immediate help , not surveys .
Wilkinson said the reopening announcement appeared to be more focused on Horgan 's vacation plans than the serious economic issues facing businesses and thousands of people .
`` We 've all got to be concerned when half a million people in this province do n't have a job compared to a year ago and tens of thousands of people are about to lose their jobs because of NDP policy , so it 's great to talk about going on holidays if you 've got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to take that holiday , '' he said .

British Columbia's success at flattening the curve on COVID-19 will allow the easing of more restrictions on businesses, recreation and travel, says Premier John Horgan, who urged people to celebrate carefully when visiting a lake or the beach. The premier said Wednesday the gradual move into B.C.'s third phase allows hotels, motels, spas, resorts, hostels, RV parks, provincial campgrounds and the film industry to resume operations after being shut down or restricted since March. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said recent modelling data shows if B.C. residents keep their current level of contact with other people, then COVID-19 infection rates can be held in check. Horgan said COVID-19 has not disappeared and he advised people to make plans before visiting other communities, which include safe physical distancing, frequent hand washing and staying home if sick. The restriction on prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people remains in place. "I commend British Columbians because it's their hard work that got us here based on the guidance that we've received from public health," Horgan said at a news conference. "And the hard work of British Columbians, I think, deserves a bit of time at the lake or on the beach."
But Horgan said summer holidays and travel will be different this year. "As we carefully turn up the dial on our activity, we can now look to travel safely around the province. But as we hit the open roads this summer, we must remember we are not leaving COVID-19 behind, and we need to continue to do our part to bend the curve and protect the progress we've made," he said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Indigenous leaders from Vancouver Island, the Central Coast and the Interior said in a statement they were not consulted about the reopening and are concerned Indigenous lives could be at risk.
"We will do what we need to in order to protect our people, and if there is an impasse, we need to talk. For us, it is people before economics," said Judith Sayers, president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council on Vancouver Island. British Columbia's success at flattening the curve on COVID-19 will allow the easing of more restrictions on businesses, recreation and travel, says Premier John Horgan, who urged people to celebrate carefully when visiting a lake or the beach. Horgan said Indigenous leaders were being consulted about their concerns. "There are communities around B.C. that are still quite concerned about travellers coming to visit," he said. "I think of the Haida on Haida Gwaii. I think of the Heiltsuk in Bella Bella and the Nuxalk in Bella Coola and here on Vancouver Island, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council who have asked government to give them more information about how we plan to proceed." Horgan's announcement comes one day after Henry released modelling figures that said the province is maintaining a balance where contacts are increasing but at a rate that is keeping COVID-19 infection rates from spiking. Henry said contact rates are at about 65 per cent of normal in B.C., up from 30 per cent, but it's all the more important to continue limiting the number of people they connect with to allow for quick contact tracing if the illness spreads.
Up to 97 per cent of a person's contacts have been found within a few days after a case is identified, she said. Going to an 80 per cent rate of normal contacts would result in a dramatic increase in cases before a vaccine is available, she said. B.C. announced 14 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, increasing the province's total to 2,849 cases. There has been another COVID-19 death, bringing the total to 171 people. So far, 2,516 people have recovered from the virus. The legislature resumed this week for a summer sitting, with Horgan's New Democrat government facing criticism about delays in a long-awaited pandemic recovery program.


nationalobserver--2020-06-26--Baytex restarts most suspended wells as crude oil prices bounce back

Baytex Energy Corp. says it is responding to higher oil prices by bringing back on line some of the wells @ @ @ @ @ April and May to avoid selling into an oversupplied market .
The Calgary-based producer says @ @ @ @ @ barrels per day of the 25,000 bpd it had previously curtailed , thanks to improving @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 bpd of heavy oil production is expected to remain off-line in the second half @ @ @ @

Baytex Energy Corp. says it is responding to higher oil prices by bringing back on line some of the wells it had shut down in April and May to avoid selling into an oversupplied market.
The Calgary-based producer says it has restored about 20,000 barrels per day of the 25,000 bpd it had previously curtailed, thanks to improving profitability.
It says about 5,000 bpd of heavy oil production is expected to remain off-line in the second half of the year.
The company says it is not restoring its 2020 capital spending plan, leaving it at between $260 million and $290 million or about half of the original plan of up to $575 million.
Baytex revised its full-year production guidance to a mid-point of 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, up from 72,000 boe/d.


nationalobserver--2020-06-26--Bowing to Beijing would put more Canadians at risk, Trudeau says

Bowing to pressure from Beijing to secure the release of two Canadians would put `` an awful lot more '' citizens at risk by signalling Canada can be intimidated , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday .
Trudeau did not budge from his stance that it would send the wrong message to drop extradition proceedings against Chinese telecommunications executive Meng Wanzhou in the hope of winning freedom for entrepreneur Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig .
Canadian authorities took Meng into custody over American allegations of lying to a bank to violate sanctions on Iran , and her extradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .
Soon after Meng was arrested in December 2018 , Beijing detained Spavor and Kovrig on allegations of undermining China 's national security — developments widely seen as retaliation for Meng 's detention .
A letter to Trudeau signed by 19 former politicians and diplomats urges that Meng be freed in a bid to win the release of the detained Canadians .
• How Stephen Harper is destroying the Conservative party • Green Party leadership hopeful says his opponent was 'angry that a white person came up with an idea' • No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Peace Arch Park — for now Signatories to the letter , obtained by The Canadian Press , include Jean Chretien-era ministers Lloyd Axworthy and Andre Ouellet , former Conservative minister and ambassador Lawrence Cannon and former diplomat Robert Fowler , who was himself taken hostage in 2008 in Niger .
On Wednesday , a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry suggested releasing Meng could be one way to resolve the issue .
Trudeau said he completely disagrees with the letter-writers because bending to Beijing would imperil the millions of Canadians travelling throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to work `` incredibly hard '' to gain the release of Spavor and Kovrig , Trudeau said , acknowledging the pain their loved ones are feeling .
`` But at the same time our responsibility is to make sure that we 're also protecting Canadians into the future , '' he said .
`` And if countries around the world , including China , realize that by arbitrarily arresting random Canadians , they can get what they want out of Canada politically , well that makes an awful lot more Canadians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that kind of pressure .
Bowing to pressure from Beijing to secure the release of two Canadians would put `` an awful lot more '' citizens at risk by signalling Canada can be intimidated , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday , June 25 , 2020 .
`` So we will continue to stand for our strong , independent justice system .
We will do everything we can to bring home the two Michaels .
And we will continue to do everything we need to do to make sure that all Canadians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stance got support Thursday from Alliance Canada Hong Kong , a group that advocates for human rights in China .
`` Engaging in hostage diplomacy sets a dangerous precedent that will put a target on all Canadians in China , '' said a statement sent by Cherie Wong , the group 's executive director .
The group said 123 Canadians are currently being detained in China , including 13 detained since Meng 's arrest , and called on Canada to take a `` strong and principled stance '' to drive international condemnation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undeniable that the Chinese government is holding foreign nationals within China hostage as chips to bargain with democratic governments .
There is strength in the unity of democratic societies , '' the group said .
`` It is therefore important for Canada to not be the first state to kneel before the ( Chinese Communist Party 's ) autocracy for it will only be the start of the collapse of global democracy . ''
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer also weighed in , saying he does n't believe that `` setting aside the rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Canadians being detained illegally . ''
`` I do n't believe that would leave Canadians who are around the world in a very secure position if hostile governments and hostile organizations around the world know that a government would entertain that type of a policy , '' he said Thursday during a news conference in Regina .
But Scheer blamed Trudeau 's failure to stand up to China for convincing some prominent Canadians that releasing Meng is the only option to gain the release of the two Michaels .
He suggested Trudeau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for the Asian Infrastructure Bank and imposed more inspections on Chinese goods coming into Canada .
`` But Justin Trudeau has done none of that .
He has tried precisely nothing to improve Canada 's position to give us more leverage and to show the government of China that there are consequences to mistreating Canadians , '' Scheer said .
`` He 's been completely played by the government of China and unfortunately his weakness has led us into this position where people are actually publicly advocating for setting aside the rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Canadian Press was first published June 25 , 2020 .

Bowing to pressure from Beijing to secure the release of two Canadians would put "an awful lot more" citizens at risk by signalling Canada can be intimidated, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday. Trudeau did not budge from his stance that it would send the wrong message to drop extradition proceedings against Chinese telecommunications executive Meng Wanzhou in the hope of winning freedom for entrepreneur Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig. Canadian authorities took Meng into custody over American allegations of lying to a bank to violate sanctions on Iran, and her extradition case is now before a British Columbia court. Soon after Meng was arrested in December 2018, Beijing detained Spavor and Kovrig on allegations of undermining China's national security — developments widely seen as retaliation for Meng's detention. A letter to Trudeau signed by 19 former politicians and diplomats urges that Meng be freed in a bid to win the release of the detained Canadians.
Signatories to the letter, obtained by The Canadian Press, include Jean Chretien-era ministers Lloyd Axworthy and Andre Ouellet, former Conservative minister and ambassador Lawrence Cannon and former diplomat Robert Fowler, who was himself taken hostage in 2008 in Niger. On Wednesday, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry suggested releasing Meng could be one way to resolve the issue. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Trudeau said he completely disagrees with the letter-writers because bending to Beijing would imperil the millions of Canadians travelling throughout the world in normal times.
Canada will continue to work "incredibly hard" to gain the release of Spavor and Kovrig, Trudeau said, acknowledging the pain their loved ones are feeling. Bowing to pressure from Beijing to secure the release of two Canadians would put "an awful lot more" citizens at risk by signalling Canada can be intimidated, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday, June 25, 2020. "But at the same time our responsibility is to make sure that we're also protecting Canadians into the future," he said. "And if countries around the world, including China, realize that by arbitrarily arresting random Canadians, they can get what they want out of Canada politically, well that makes an awful lot more Canadians who travel around the world vulnerable to that kind of pressure. "So we will continue to stand for our strong, independent justice system. We will do everything we can to bring home the two Michaels. And we will continue to do everything we need to do to make sure that all Canadians are protected going forward." That stance got support Thursday from Alliance Canada Hong Kong, a group that advocates for human rights in China.
"Engaging in hostage diplomacy sets a dangerous precedent that will put a target on all Canadians in China," said a statement sent by Cherie Wong, the group's executive director. The group said 123 Canadians are currently being detained in China, including 13 detained since Meng's arrest, and called on Canada to take a "strong and principled stance" to drive international condemnation of China's tactics. "It is undeniable that the Chinese government is holding foreign nationals within China hostage as chips to bargain with democratic governments. There is strength in the unity of democratic societies," the group said.


nationalobserver--2020-06-26--Kenney rejects Notley's demand to fire speechwriter over residential school comments

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he disputes comments made by his speechwriter in 2013 that questioned the severity of the effects of residential schools on Indigenous peoples , but is resisting Opposition demands to fire him .
`` I fundamentally disagree with those statements , '' Kenney said Thursday , referring to excerpts from an article written by his speechwriter Paul Bunner before he was hired by the province .
Kenney said his government denounces the horrors of the residential schools and the institutionalized racism that supported them , adding that the best way forward is for everyone to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're all learning about , for example , the reality and legacy of the Aboriginal residential schools , '' said Kenney .
Kenney , asked twice by reporters to clarify Bunner 's status , declined to say if Bunner would be removed from his position or sanctioned for the remarks .
• How Stephen Harper is destroying the Conservative party • Green Party leadership hopeful says his opponent was 'angry that a white person came up with an idea' • No U.S. cross-border reunions allowed at B.C .
's Peace Arch Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year as Kenney 's speechwriter and was a speechwriter for former prime minister Stephen Harper .
The remarks were contained in an article he wrote seven years ago for the magazine C2C Journal .
Kenney said he was n't aware of Bunner 's statements on residential schools when he was hired .
The story came to light in a CBC story published earlier Thursday that prompted Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley to demand Kenney fire Bunner and publicly apologize for bringing him into his inner circle .
`` The premier must address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who called the residential schools experience of Indigenous people a quote 'bogus genocide story , ' '' Notley told the house .
`` Thousands of children were killed and generations were traumatized .
These words extend that trauma . ''
Kenney 's office said Bunner is not doing interviews .
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he disputes comments made by his speechwriter in 2013 that questioned the severity of the effects of residential schools on Indigenous peoples , but is resisting Opposition demands to fire him .
In the article , Bunner argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indigenous students in Canada 's residential schools have been overblown into a genocide .
Bunner adds that while there is no doubt there was abuse , non-native students also endured such hardships in boarding schools .
He also suggested some survivors and lawyers are trying to exploit the misery for money through government funds aimed at promoting healing .
`` The bogus genocide story of the Canadian Aboriginal residential schools system is an insult to all of us , native and non-native , dead or alive , who are justifiably proud of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values of our great country , '' wrote Bunner .
`` We should fight like hell to defend it from those who would corrupt it . ''
Kenney noted the work his government has done to help First Nations , holding meetings with chiefs and creating the Aboriginal Indigenous Opportunities Corporation , which provides access to capital and technical support for investment in natural resource projects and related infrastructure .
A total of 150,000 Indigenous children are thought to have spent at least some time in a residential school over a century starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government-sponsored religious schools designed to both educate and convert Indigenous youth and to assimilate them into Canadian society .
Last fall , the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation , in a ceremony , revealed the names of 2,800 children who died in the schools .

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he disputes comments made by his speechwriter in 2013 that questioned the severity of the effects of residential schools on Indigenous peoples, but is resisting Opposition demands to fire him. "I fundamentally disagree with those statements," Kenney said Thursday, referring to excerpts from an article written by his speechwriter Paul Bunner before he was hired by the province. Kenney said his government denounces the horrors of the residential schools and the institutionalized racism that supported them, adding that the best way forward is for everyone to work together and listen. "I think we're all learning about, for example, the reality and legacy of the Aboriginal residential schools," said Kenney. Kenney, asked twice by reporters to clarify Bunner's status, declined to say if Bunner would be removed from his position or sanctioned for the remarks.
Bunner was hired last year as Kenney's speechwriter and was a speechwriter for former prime minister Stephen Harper. The remarks were contained in an article he wrote seven years ago for the magazine C2C Journal. Kenney said he wasn't aware of Bunner's statements on residential schools when he was hired. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The story came to light in a CBC story published earlier Thursday that prompted Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley to demand Kenney fire Bunner and publicly apologize for bringing him into his inner circle.
"The premier must address the profoundly racist views of his speech writer who called the residential schools experience of Indigenous people a quote 'bogus genocide story,'" Notley told the house. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he disputes comments made by his speechwriter in 2013 that questioned the severity of the effects of residential schools on Indigenous peoples, but is resisting Opposition demands to fire him. "Thousands of children were killed and generations were traumatized. These words extend that trauma." Kenney's office said Bunner is not doing interviews. In the article, Bunner argued that the abuse and separation suffered by Indigenous students in Canada's residential schools have been overblown into a genocide. Bunner adds that while there is no doubt there was abuse, non-native students also endured such hardships in boarding schools.
He also suggested some survivors and lawyers are trying to exploit the misery for money through government funds aimed at promoting healing. "The bogus genocide story of the Canadian Aboriginal residential schools system is an insult to all of us, native and non-native, dead or alive, who are justifiably proud of the peaceful, tolerant, pluralistic history and values of our great country," wrote Bunner. "We should fight like hell to defend it from those who would corrupt it."


nationalobserver--2020-06-26--Alberta inquiry into foreign funding of anti-oil groups extended to October

Alberta 's public inquiry into whether foreign money is bankrolling anti-oil protests in Canada is going into overtime .
Energy Minister Sonya Savage says the initial findings from the inquiry 's commissioner , Steve Allan , show more work is needed to complete the final report .
So , Savage says the government is extending the deadline for the report to Oct. 30 from July 2 .
Also , an extra $ 1 million will be added to the existing $ 2.5-million budget .
The cash will be diverted from the budget of the Canadian Energy Centre , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' • How Stephen Harper is destroying the Conservative party • Green Party leadership hopeful says his opponent was 'angry that a white person came up with an idea' • No U.S. cross-border reunions allowed at B.C .
's Peace Arch Park — for now The inquiry was an election promise by Premier Jason Kenney , who has said he believes foreign funders are pulling the strings on domestic protesters to undermine Alberta 's oil and gas industry .
Critics say Allan is not fact finding but is out to prove a pre-determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reputations of those who legitimately and lawfully question the expansion of oil and gas operations .
Late last year , the environmental law firm Ecojustice launched legal action , asking a court to strike down the inquiry , saying the process is politically motivated , prejudges conclusions and is outside provincial jurisdiction .
Savage , in a statement issued Thursday , said it 's critical that Allan have the resources and time to do the job properly .
`` How Alberta — and Canada — come through this economic crisis depends in large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our energy sector , '' said Savage .
`` We look forward to the recommendations of the commissioner .
We will do whatever it takes to support one of Canada ’ s most important industries as we set a path towards economic recovery and renewed prosperity.
” Alberta 's public inquiry into whether foreign money is bankrolling anti-oil protests in Canada is going into overtime .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25 , 2020 .

Alberta's public inquiry into whether foreign money is bankrolling anti-oil protests in Canada is going into overtime.
Energy Minister Sonya Savage says the initial findings from the inquiry's commissioner, Steve Allan, show more work is needed to complete the final report.
So, Savage says the government is extending the deadline for the report to Oct. 30 from July 2.
Also, an extra $1 million will be added to the existing $2.5-million budget.
The cash will be diverted from the budget of the Canadian Energy Centre, the government's so-called energy "war room."


nationalobserver--2020-06-26--Museum of Human Rights CEO resigns after allegations of racism, harassment

The president and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has resigned following recent allegations of systemic racism , discrimination and claims of sexual harassment at the Winnipeg facility .
The museum 's board of trustees says John Young has agreed that it is in the best interest of the museum that he step down , effective immediately .
`` We will act quickly to improve museum processes and our policies , and to rebuild relationships and trust with our staff and those we have let down , especially the Black and Indigenous communities , people of colour and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rafferty said Thursday in a news release .
`` We apologize unreservedly for what has happened and we know that the fight against systemic racism , homophobia , inequality and all forms of othering must be ongoing , and must be a priority . ''
Rafferty said the allegations were not properly brought to the attention of the board of trustees .
• How Stephen Harper is destroying the Conservative party • Green Party leadership hopeful says his opponent was 'angry that a white person came up with an idea' • No U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peace Arch Park — for now She said now that the board has a more complete understanding it is taking immediate action and will undertake long-term steps to address the problems .
Rafferty is to take over as Interim CEO until a new leader is in place .
The board said an external , third-party review of the museum is already underway .
The board said the review will focus on experiences with systemic racism and other forms of discrimination , along with the censorship of LGBTQ2+ content shared by current and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The preliminary findings of the report are to be received by July 31 and include recommendations for `` meaningful cultural change within the museum . ''
This initial review is to be followed by an institution-wide examination of all museum policies and practices and will enable current and former staff to share additional experiences .
The president and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has resigned following recent allegations of systemic racism , discrimination and claims of sexual harassment at the Winnipeg facility .
Earlier this month , leadership at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history at the request of some school groups .
Six members of the executive team signed an apology that said the practice was contrary to everything the museum stands for .
The museum said it stopped the practice of hiding content in 2017 .
A week earlier , the museum announced it would conduct an external review following social media posts alleging a racist and discriminatory work environment .
The controversy became public after the museum posted images of a Justice for Black Lives rally and current and former employees began responding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced working at the museum .
Other current and former employees also posted online how they were asked to avoid showing displays of LGBTQ history to certain school groups .
The Public Service Alliance of Canada , the union that represents staff at the museum , said these issues have been raised with management since 2018 .
Earlier this month , Federal Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault said he takes very seriously the apparent cases of self-censorship of LGBTTQ realities at the museum .
Former Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray said he resigned from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Human Rights over what he called `` this betrayal of its mandate . ''

The president and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has resigned following recent allegations of systemic racism, discrimination and claims of sexual harassment at the Winnipeg facility. The museum's board of trustees says John Young has agreed that it is in the best interest of the museum that he step down, effective immediately. "We will act quickly to improve museum processes and our policies, and to rebuild relationships and trust with our staff and those we have let down, especially the Black and Indigenous communities, people of colour and LGBTQ2+ communities," board chairwoman Pauline Rafferty said Thursday in a news release. "We apologize unreservedly for what has happened and we know that the fight against systemic racism, homophobia, inequality and all forms of othering must be ongoing, and must be a priority." Rafferty said the allegations were not properly brought to the attention of the board of trustees.
She said now that the board has a more complete understanding it is taking immediate action and will undertake long-term steps to address the problems. Rafferty is to take over as Interim CEO until a new leader is in place. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The board said an external, third-party review of the museum is already underway.
The board said the review will focus on experiences with systemic racism and other forms of discrimination, along with the censorship of LGBTQ2+ content shared by current and former museum staff up until June 22. The president and CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights has resigned following recent allegations of systemic racism, discrimination and claims of sexual harassment at the Winnipeg facility. The preliminary findings of the report are to be received by July 31 and include recommendations for "meaningful cultural change within the museum." This initial review is to be followed by an institution-wide examination of all museum policies and practices and will enable current and former staff to share additional experiences. Earlier this month, leadership at the museum apologized for censoring displays about LGBTQ history at the request of some school groups. Six members of the executive team signed an apology that said the practice was contrary to everything the museum stands for.
The museum said it stopped the practice of hiding content in 2017. A week earlier, the museum announced it would conduct an external review following social media posts alleging a racist and discriminatory work environment. The controversy became public after the museum posted images of a Justice for Black Lives rally and current and former employees began responding that it was hypocritical because of racism they faced working at the museum.


nationalobserver--2020-06-26--Pandemic can't quash remote B.C. island's Pride and joy

Perhaps nowhere is the global Pride motto of exist , persist , and resist more apropos than the tiny island of Cortes .
Wedged between Vancouver Island and the B.C .
mainland , Cortes boasts fewer than 1,000 permanent residents and is two ferry rides away from the nearest semblance of a city .
But geography and demographic challenges aside , not even a global pandemic is quashing the island ’ s Queer community and allies from celebrating Pride this year .
“ It was just too depressing for those of us in the community to have absolutely nothing going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josh Foisey , who decided to proceed with Pride after cancelling the celebration earlier in the spring .
“ Especially for a such a small Queer community out here , I think its nice and important for us to get together and celebrate.
” • How Stephen Harper is destroying the Conservative party • Green Party leadership hopeful says his opponent was 'angry that a white person came up with an idea' • No U.S. cross-border reunions allowed at B.C .
's Peace Arch Park — for now But , the pandemic has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Foisey said , adding the formerly public event will be invite-only .
“ It ’ s a totally underground event this year … with a hidden location and hidden time , ” the 31-year-old said .
“ We just have to be really diligent about keeping the numbers down due to ( COVID-19 ) , so it ’ s not likely to be more than 25 people.
” Those invited will be members of the island ’ s Queer community and allies who attended Cortes Pride fundraising evenings this past year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around for invites like truffle pigs , ” he said with a laugh .
“ Especially for a such a small Queer community out here , I think its nice and important for us to get together and celebrate , ” organizer Josh Foisey on Cortes Island 's LGBTQ2S+ community going ahead with a small COVID-19 appropriate celebration .
The event will be outside to ensure social distancing and only those invited will know the details of the where and when and will get a badge in exchange for their invite when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far as to hire security .
“ With the lack of things going on this year , people are really excited to get partying again , and we just can ’ t afford to have any looky-loos or drop-ins.
” It ’ s bittersweet to have to limit the numbers that can attend Cortes Pride , which is celebrating its second anniversary , said Foisey .
“ I would love to have it open to the public like we did last year , but we just can ’ t .
“ And , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , ” he said , adding folks on neighbouring Quadra Island and from the city of Campbell River on Vancouver Island had reached out .
“ We had a bunch of people reserving tickets as early as February , ” he said .
Launching the inaugural Pride celebration on Cortes last year was a bit tricky given the small size of the LGBTQ2S+ community , Foisey said .
“ I doubt we have 40 Queer people who live full-time on Cortes , ” he said .
As such , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who celebrated Pride at the Gorge Harbour community hall last year were allies , Foisey said .
The celebration featured an open-mike family event during the day with pizza , and balloons , followed up by an adult event at night with punk bands and a drag competition .
This year ’ s Pride features a young punk rock band in drag , some “ sassy ” folk musicians , dress up , DJs and electronica dance music , ” said Foisey , conceding the lineup is pretty eclectic .
“ Really , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I like , jammed up all together.
” Many other Pride events have moved online , but a virtual option didn ’ t make sense on an island with very patchy cell service and lots of people who live off the grid , said Foisey , adding he finds virtual events monotonous .
“ Anyway , the whole reason you go an event is to connect with your friends and enjoy music in a live atmosphere , ” he said .
Ironically , despite the scaled-down event , Foisey said more organizers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pride .
He hopes to break even , but Pride is not a money-maker on a small island , even at the best of times .
Most revenue from the queer community events he regularly organizes goes back to the bands .
“ Really , we are all just working for free , ” said Foisey .
“ Plus , I know times are tough right now , and we ’ re not going to charge people for what they can ’ t afford.
” Having fun and building community are the real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s about caring about where you live , and loving the people you ’ re around .
It ’ s important to show that .
”

Perhaps nowhere is the global Pride motto of exist, persist, and resist more apropos than the tiny island of Cortes. Wedged between Vancouver Island and the B.C. mainland, Cortes boasts fewer than 1,000 permanent residents and is two ferry rides away from the nearest semblance of a city. But geography and demographic challenges aside, not even a global pandemic is quashing the island’s Queer community and allies from celebrating Pride this year. “It was just too depressing for those of us in the community to have absolutely nothing going on this summer,” said organizer Josh Foisey, who decided to proceed with Pride after cancelling the celebration earlier in the spring. “Especially for a such a small Queer community out here, I think its nice and important for us to get together and celebrate.”
But, the pandemic has radically changed the nature of the celebration, Foisey said, adding the formerly public event will be invite-only. “It’s a totally underground event this year … with a hidden location and hidden time,” the 31-year-old said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “We just have to be really diligent about keeping the numbers down due to (COVID-19), so it’s not likely to be more than 25 people.”
Those invited will be members of the island’s Queer community and allies who attended Cortes Pride fundraising evenings this past year, said Foisey. “Especially for a such a small Queer community out here, I think its nice and important for us to get together and celebrate,” organizer Josh Foisey on Cortes Island's LGBTQ2S+ community going ahead with a small COVID-19 appropriate celebration. It makes for a pretty exclusive event. “People are hunting around for invites like truffle pigs,” he said with a laugh. The event will be outside to ensure social distancing and only those invited will know the details of the where and when and will get a badge in exchange for their invite when they arrive. Organizers have even gone so far as to hire security.
“With the lack of things going on this year, people are really excited to get partying again, and we just can’t afford to have any looky-loos or drop-ins.” It’s bittersweet to have to limit the numbers that can attend Cortes Pride, which is celebrating its second anniversary, said Foisey. “I would love to have it open to the public like we did last year, but we just can’t.


nationalobserver--2020-06-26--Now streaming: Irresistible’s political spoof, Hammer’s errant son, and the real Vancouver in Bella

Now streaming: Irresistible’s political spoof, Hammer’s errant son, and the real Vancouver in Bella Ciao!

So now we know a little more about when the movie theatres will open .
July 3 is key .
Cineplex intends to reopen then , the small chain Landmark too , although it is opening a few in Alberta now .
The Cinematheque says July 9 , and the Van City Theatre has no date in mind yet .
It still has renovations going on and will continue streaming movies for a while .
This week we can stream Jon Stewart ’ s sendup of American politics , a brisk father-son thriller , the return of a colourful but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time travel series , and two also-rans .
IRRESISTIBLE : I never saw Jon Stewart on his TV show , but I had the impression that the political humour he did there was much more biting than this film , which he wrote and directed .
It ’ s a pleasant comedy and hardly the assault on modern election failings it imagines it is .
It hits some targets , but obfuscates others in imagining one campaign in the U.S. heartland .
A Washington strategist ( Steve Carell ) catches a news clip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town council and sees an opportunity .
The speaker ( Chris Cooper ) talks like a Democrat and should be mayor and getting him elected would help the Democrats connect with rural America .
The campaign turns big when an organizer from the other side ( Rose Byrne ) shows up and the fight is on .
Vancouver born and raised Mackenzie Davis is also in the film with Steve Carell .
Some early scenes work nicely as Carell awkwardly tries to get with small-town ways and fit in with people he thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ techniques are brought in .
The posters are flashier ( “ If you don ’ t think he will fight for you , you don ’ t know Jack ” ) and professional organizing technologies using “ analytics ” arrive , and fail in a very funny way .
Elections have been perverted by money seems to be the message and a postscript cites the power of political action committees .
The film doesn ’ t explain that part , though .
It offers not much more than sentiments ( “ What is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' ) and quick jokes ( “ He ’ s like Bill Clinton with impulse control.
” ) .
Want something stronger ?
Watch for A Face in the Crowd , which plays on TV quite often .
It ’ s from 1957 , but is remarkably prescient about the coming of Trump .
Irresistible is funny , but lame .
( Video on demand , $ 19.99 for a 48-hour rental . )
3 out of 5 HAMMER : Here ’ s a tight little thriller that ’ ll keep you interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the main plot : A drug deal gone wrong , an errant son in trouble again and a father reluctantly obliged to help .
It moves along at a speedy pace as the pair try to find a stash of money and an injured woman who might be dead , while the ripped-off dealer arrives with a gun and a mean disposition .
Director and co-writer Christian Sparkes takes it beyond this standard story by reflecting on father-son bonds .
This dad ( Will Patton ) has given up on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ You treat me like I don ’ t even exist.
” “ Good job with the parenting , ” one character sarcastically rubs in .
Patton , usually a supporting actor , is most believable in the role .
He ’ s aloof , then angry , self-critical , even crying at one point , all the while pondering what he ’ s done wrong .
The script is agile in the way it works in those thoughts , with the tension building and there 's even a surprise revelation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but worth your time .
All the actors are strong , and the title , as we learn in the end credits , is the director ’ s nod to his own father .
He ’ s from Newfoundland and made the film there and in Sault St. Marie , Ont .
( Available digitally VOD and EST . )
4 out of 5 BELLA CIAO !
: It took me a few minutes before I realized I had seen , and reviewed , this one before .
Over a year ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social justice group Reel Causes has brought it back for virtual screenings and I ’ m glad , even though I think it ’ s flawed .
But I did enjoy it better watching it again , largely because of the vivid picture it brings to one of Vancouver ’ s liveliest neighborhoods : Commercial Drive .
Carolyn Combs , who lives nearby , has captured its diversity .
It ’ s a nexus where Chileans , Italians , indigenous and many other people come together and create a cultural energy that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The film is scattered and leisurely and is marred by a story problem , but the community is portrayed accurately .
The film connects two missing people stories .
A woman from Chile is wracked by traumatic memories of the rise of Pinochet and the people who went missing .
She ’ s played by Carmen Aguirre , who is from Chile herself .
She ’ s stuck in a wheelchair , which is stolen at one point , dreams of a trip up the mountain and is ready to stop taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ native youth ( Taran Kootenhayoo ) who is into petty thievery and searching for his missing sister .
Marie Clements appears as an activist on the missing woman case .
A stoned woman prances by now and then .
Men in a restaurant discuss personal responsibility and the Chilean woman ’ s daughter tries for a job in a coffee shop .
And Ross Barrett leads a band through an alley to the old partisan song , Bella Ciao .
How Vancouver and how Commercial Drive is that ?
( Reel Causes is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The group suggests a $ 5 donation .
There ’ s also a cast and crew special on July 9 .
See https : //www.reelcauses.org/bella-ciao/ for details . )
3 stars ALSO notice that a film by Marie Clements has recently been added to the National Film Board ’ s free streaming service .
The Road Forward is a musical documentary with a long list of performers singing about Indigenous history , the beginnings of their activism and its vitality these days .
The music is widely varied and I gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three years ago .
Find it at NFB.ca DARK : Saturday , June 27 is a big day for two reasons .
One , the third and final season starts for this time travel series from Germany .
It ’ s developed a huge cult following with a plot line so complicated that it ’ s way beyond a puzzle .
It ’ s so intricate , I would suggest you don ’ t jump in now ; watch the first two seasons first .
At the very least , check one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet , at insider.com for instance , or the Cheat Sheet at IMDB ( although that one runs through it so fast , you ’ ll come out not sure if it ’ s silly or not ) .
The story , set in a small German town , involves a fight to control time .
It ’ s been going on for two seasons and is poised to expand into something much larger .
You see , there ’ s a wormhole in a cave near a nuclear power plant that allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically the years 2019 , 1953 , 1986 , and 2053 .
Along the way , they break all the rules of time travel , like meeting themselves .
One character is both her own mother and daughter .
There are allusions to Greek mythology , the Bible and to German literature .
It ’ s been absolutely fascinating so far , albeit unexplained , and I ’ m hoping for some real answers .
And the second reason why Saturday is key ?
In the story , June 27 , 2020 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t want to miss that .
THE 11th GREEN : I don ’ t know what to make of this one .
It ’ s engrossing to watch , but the content is so far out , it doesn ’ t make sense , even as a fantasy .
It takes the eternal rumours about Area 51 ( flying saucer visits covered up by the U.S. Air Force ) to way out there .
It even says right off the top that the film is “ speculative , ” but “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew about the flying saucers and credited the aliens ’ efforts with heading off a nuclear war ?
But kept them secret except to discuss them with President Obama in connection with the newer world threat : climate change ?
( Eisenhower died years before Obama became president . )
Maybe we ’ re to take it all metaphorically .
The film presents it as real , through the efforts of an investigative science journalist ( Campbell Scott ) .
He rattles some security-minded types by reporting on a company ’ s anti-gravity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His dad , a secretive air force general , dies , and in his papers , there ’ s proof that the engine has been known about for decades and that Eisenhower had contact with aliens .
They warned him that humanity had evolved into a “ military consciousness.
” ( Klatu had the same message way back in 1951 in The Day the Earth Stood Still . )
A new alien ( Tom Stokes , in the picture above ) brings a plea for peace , which , I guess , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dressed up with replica newsreels , belief in the rumours ( Defence Secretary James Forrestal ’ s murder , for instance ) and a lot of imagination by maverick filmmaker and Sundance favourite Christopher Munch .
( https : //theatricalathome.com/products/the-11th-green ) 3 out of 5 EXIT PLAN : I suppose this could be seen as a cautionary tale about assisted suicide .
The story imagines something that looks like a club or private business to provide the service .
It ’ s the only purpose I can imagine behind this film .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak horror movie , but with moping not scares .
And full of Nordic chilliness .
It ’ s from Denmark , with financial help from other Scandinavian countries .
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau ( presented as far less handsome than when he was Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones ) plays an insurance investigator who has closed himself off .
He ’ s been diagnosed with a brain tumour that can ’ t be surgically removed , but he finds an out .
Trying to verify a reported death so a widow can collect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Aurora where people contemplating suicide can fantasize how to do it .
He failed in his two attempts and checks in to learn more .
The place is bright and glistening , but the film is slow and contemplative .
There are flashes to the suicide attempts he imagines ( often ended by a phone ringing ) , annoying encounters with other clients , and a lot of talk about “ the circle of life ” and questions like “ Do you like yourself ?
” But not a lot of energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Video on demand , but not iTunes . )
2 out of 5

So now we know a little more about when the movie theatres will open. July 3 is key. Cineplex intends to reopen then, the small chain Landmark too, although it is opening a few in Alberta now. The Cinematheque says July 9, and the Van City Theatre has no date in mind yet. It still has renovations going on and will continue streaming movies for a while.
HAMMER : Here’s a tight little thriller that’ll keep you interested in two ways. First, there’s the main plot: A drug deal gone wrong, an errant son in trouble again and a father reluctantly obliged to help. It moves along at a speedy pace as the pair try to find a stash of money and an injured woman who might be dead, while the ripped-off dealer arrives with a gun and a mean disposition. Director and co-writer Christian Sparkes takes it beyond this standard story by reflecting on father-son bonds. This dad (Will Patton) has given up on his son (Mark O'Brien) who complains, “You treat me like I don’t even exist.” “Good job with the parenting,” one character sarcastically rubs in.
Some early scenes work nicely as Carell awkwardly tries to get with small-town ways and fit in with people he thinks are hicks. And then modern campaign techniques are brought in. The posters are flashier (“If you don’t think he will fight for you, you don’t know Jack”) and professional organizing technologies using “analytics” arrive, and fail in a very funny way. Elections have been perverted by money seems to be the message and a postscript cites the power of political action committees. The film doesn’t explain that part, though. It offers not much more than sentiments (“What is happening in this country is wrong.") and quick jokes (“He’s like Bill Clinton with impulse control.”). Want something stronger? Watch for A Face in the Crowd, which plays on TV quite often. It’s from 1957, but is remarkably prescient about the coming of Trump. Irresistible is funny, but lame. (Video on demand, $19.99 for a 48-hour rental.) 3 out of 5
IRRESISTIBLE : I never saw Jon Stewart on his TV show, but I had the impression that the political humour he did there was much more biting than this film, which he wrote and directed. It’s a pleasant comedy and hardly the assault on modern election failings it imagines it is. It hits some targets, but obfuscates others in imagining one campaign in the U.S. heartland. A Washington strategist (Steve Carell) catches a news clip of a vigorous speech to a small town council and sees an opportunity. The speaker (Chris Cooper) talks like a Democrat and should be mayor and getting him elected would help the Democrats connect with rural America. The campaign turns big when an organizer from the other side (Rose Byrne) shows up and the fight is on.
BELLA CIAO! : It took me a few minutes before I realized I had seen, and reviewed, this one before. Over a year ago, when it was playing here. The social justice group Reel Causes has brought it back for virtual screenings and I’m glad, even though I think it’s flawed. But I did enjoy it better watching it again, largely because of the vivid picture it brings to one of Vancouver’s liveliest neighborhoods: Commercial Drive. Carolyn Combs, who lives nearby, has captured its diversity. It’s a nexus where Chileans, Italians, indigenous and many other people come together and create a cultural energy that you’ll find nowhere else in town. The film is scattered and leisurely and is marred by a story problem, but the community is portrayed accurately.
Patton, usually a supporting actor, is most believable in the role. He’s aloof, then angry, self-critical, even crying at one point, all the while pondering what he’s done wrong. The script is agile in the way it works in those thoughts, with the tension building and there's even a surprise revelation. It’s a small film, but worth your time. All the actors are strong, and the title, as we learn in the end credits, is the director’s nod to his own father. He’s from Newfoundland and made the film there and in Sault St. Marie, Ont. (Available digitally VOD and EST.) 4 out of 5
Courtesy Reel Causes
The film connects two missing people stories. A woman from Chile is wracked by traumatic memories of the rise of Pinochet and the people who went missing. She’s played by Carmen Aguirre, who is from Chile herself. She’s stuck in a wheelchair, which is stolen at one point, dreams of a trip up the mountain and is ready to stop taking her meds. There’s a native youth (Taran Kootenhayoo) who is into petty thievery and searching for his missing sister. Marie Clements appears as an activist on the missing woman case. A stoned woman prances by now and then. Men in a restaurant discuss personal responsibility and the Chilean woman’s daughter tries for a job in a coffee shop. And Ross Barrett leads a band through an alley to the old partisan song, Bella Ciao. How Vancouver and how Commercial Drive is that? (Reel Causes is presenting it as a fundraiser until mid-July. The group suggests a $5 donation. There’s also a cast and crew special on July 9. See https://www.reelcauses.org/bella-ciao/ for details.) 3 stars
ALSO notice that a film by Marie Clements has recently been added to the National Film Board’s free streaming service. The Road Forward is a musical documentary with a long list of performers singing about Indigenous history, the beginnings of their activism and its vitality these days. The music is widely varied and I gave the film 3½ stars when I reviewed is three years ago. Find it at NFB.ca
DARK: Saturday, June 27 is a big day for two reasons. One, the third and final season starts for this time travel series from Germany. It’s developed a huge cult following with a plot line so complicated that it’s way beyond a puzzle. It’s so intricate, I would suggest you don’t jump in now; watch the first two seasons first. At the very least, check one of the many summaries out there on the internet, at insider.com for instance, or the Cheat Sheet at IMDB (although that one runs through it so fast, you’ll come out not sure if it’s silly or not).
Courtesy Netflix
The story, set in a small German town, involves a fight to control time. It’s been going on for two seasons and is poised to expand into something much larger. You see, there’s a wormhole in a cave near a nuclear power plant that allows characters to move to other times, specifically the years 2019, 1953, 1986, and 2053. Along the way, they break all the rules of time travel, like meeting themselves. One character is both her own mother and daughter. There are allusions to Greek mythology, the Bible and to German literature. It’s been absolutely fascinating so far, albeit unexplained, and I’m hoping for some real answers. And the second reason why Saturday is key? In the story, June 27, 2020 is the predicted day of the Apocalypse. Don’t want to miss that.
THE 11th GREEN: I don’t know what to make of this one. It’s engrossing to watch, but the content is so far out, it doesn’t make sense, even as a fantasy. It takes the eternal rumours about Area 51 (flying saucer visits covered up by the U.S. Air Force) to way out there. It even says right off the top that the film is “speculative,” but “likely factual.” Really? President Eisenhower knew about the flying saucers and credited the aliens’ efforts with heading off a nuclear war? But kept them secret except to discuss them with President Obama in connection with the newer world threat: climate change? (Eisenhower died years before Obama became president.) Maybe we’re to take it all metaphorically.
Courtesy Joma Films
The film presents it as real, through the efforts of an investigative science journalist (Campbell Scott). He rattles some security-minded types by reporting on a company’s anti-gravity engine and then stumbles on much more. His dad, a secretive air force general, dies, and in his papers, there’s proof that the engine has been known about for decades and that Eisenhower had contact with aliens. They warned him that humanity had evolved into a “military consciousness.” (Klatu had the same message way back in 1951 in The Day the Earth Stood Still.) A new alien (Tom Stokes, in the picture above) brings a plea for peace, which, I guess, is the point of the film, dressed up with replica newsreels, belief in the rumours (Defence Secretary James Forrestal’s murder, for instance) and a lot of imagination by maverick filmmaker and Sundance favourite Christopher Munch. (https://theatricalathome.com/products/the-11th-green) 3 out of 5
EXIT PLAN: I suppose this could be seen as a cautionary tale about assisted suicide. The story imagines something that looks like a club or private business to provide the service. It’s the only purpose I can imagine behind this film. Other than that, it’s a weak horror movie, but with moping not scares. And full of Nordic chilliness. It’s from Denmark, with financial help from other Scandinavian countries.
Courtesy Level Films
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (presented as far less handsome than when he was Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones) plays an insurance investigator who has closed himself off. He’s been diagnosed with a brain tumour that can’t be surgically removed, but he finds an out. Trying to verify a reported death so a widow can collect insurance, he learns of an institution called Aurora where people contemplating suicide can fantasize how to do it. He failed in his two attempts and checks in to learn more. The place is bright and glistening, but the film is slow and contemplative. There are flashes to the suicide attempts he imagines (often ended by a phone ringing), annoying encounters with other clients, and a lot of talk about “the circle of life” and questions like “Do you like yourself?” But not a lot of energy or reason for this film. (Video on demand, but not iTunes.) 2 out of 5


nationalobserver--2020-06-26--How Canada tries to hide its racism by pointing a finger at the U.S.

In 1969 , then prime minister Pierre Trudeau famously said that living beside the United States was like “ sleeping with an elephant.
” Indeed , a beast of such size is impossible to ignore in even a king-sized bed , and his every grunt and movement becomes the problem of his bedfellow .
Canadians love to conceive of our relationship with the United States like this : we are helpless and can do little against the giant beside us .
Roll over .
Put a pillow on your head .
Hope to God he doesn ’ t roll over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more than a tale of a helpless small animal keeping an even keel in the midst of an elephant .
Our identity is formed not simply by lying beside the beast , but also by using the United States to whitewash and obscure our own reality .
The United States is more like a thick fog that we use to hide reality and create the fantasy that we are better : our racism is kinder , our inequality is milder , our problems aren ’ t as bad and therefore , life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basis of mainstream thought that can be applied to pretty much any issue .
The Globe and Mail editorial board used this as a justification for why Canadians should not support defunding the police : “ Canada ’ s problems , though related , are different in nature and scale .
As noted earlier this week , the number of people who die at the hands of police in Canada each year is around 26 ; in the U.S. , it is more than 1,300.
” • How Stephen Harper is destroying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopeful says his opponent was 'angry that a white person came up with an idea' • No U.S. cross-border reunions allowed at B.C .
's Peace Arch Park — for now Policing , gun violence and racism get this treatment the most .
White Canadian pundits and politicians are fast to reach to American statistics to argue that things here aren ’ t so bad .
When premiers Doug Ford and François Legault denied that systemic racism exists in their provinces , Shelby Thevenot argued that this is a common trope : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that runs through the veins of Canadian society .
Canadians have a history of presenting themselves as 'less racist ' than the U.S. , but systemic racism is as old as Canada itself.
” She then details how Canada ’ s immigration system has discrimination built into it , through the points system that allows some people to immigrate to Canada more easily .
Deflecting criticism by referencing the United States has a long history in Canada , and it helps maintain white supremacy by calming people into believing that things in Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you look at the United States .
When politicians and journalists dodge criticism by pointing to the United States , they weasel out of needing to take how a problem has evolved specific to Canada seriously .
It becomes an easy way to ignore important issues .
Canada might rank behind the United States in police killings , but the rate of people killed by police is far higher than most other countries , including France , Australia , the Netherlands and Portugal .
The Globe and Mail missed this detail .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movements have roots in Canada that are as deep as they are in the United States .
`` The habit of using American fog to hide Canada ’ s own systemic racism has perpetuated white supremacy , and allowed decision-makers to avoid dealing with the problems that racism causes . ''
Canada ’ s legacy of slavery is different than the United States ’ but because of that difference , the echoes that exist today look different .
Different is not a synonym of better .
More than 4,000 people were enslaved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and religious orders owned slaves .
Slaves were a mix of Indigenous and Black people , and a Black slave was evidence that someone had greater economic power .
Mainstream Canadian history took stories from the Underground Railroad to sanitize this history : rather than being a nation built on slavery , Canada welcomed freed slaves .
Where the economic power from slave-grown crops in the United States formed the basis for modern capitalism there , Canada derives its economic power from natural resources .
Clearing vast territories to make way for resource @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foundation of Canada ’ s modern economy .
To do this required a concerted genocide against Indigenous Peoples , organized by the state and religious organizations and carried out by soldiers , police and religious activists .
The most efficient tool to achieve this was through the Canadian Pacific Railway , built to flood Western Canada with white settlers and to ship goods to market .
The CPR was built by thousands of Chinese labourers .
They weren ’ t slaves , but they were paid less than half of what white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most dangerous jobs along the most brutal parts of the railway to do the work .
Canada ’ s labour market , where racialized people are paid less and expected to put themselves in danger , is the true legacy of this history .
There is a straight line between the origins of Canada ’ s racist economy and the fact that the overwhelming majority of workers who have died from COVID-19 have been racialized : among health-care workers , the majority have been Black .
There are so many other examples too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker program , which is premised on the idea that foreign workers can be paid less to do difficult or dangerous work at wages that Canadian workers refuse .
The habit of using American fog to hide Canada ’ s own systemic racism has perpetuated white supremacy , and allowed decision-makers to avoid dealing with the problems that racism causes .

In 1969, then prime minister Pierre Trudeau famously said that living beside the United States was like “sleeping with an elephant.” Indeed, a beast of such size is impossible to ignore in even a king-sized bed, and his every grunt and movement becomes the problem of his bedfellow. Canadians love to conceive of our relationship with the United States like this: we are helpless and can do little against the giant beside us. Roll over. Put a pillow on your head. Hope to God he doesn’t roll over on you. But the relationship is much more than a tale of a helpless small animal keeping an even keel in the midst of an elephant. Our identity is formed not simply by lying beside the beast, but also by using the United States to whitewash and obscure our own reality. The United States is more like a thick fog that we use to hide reality and create the fantasy that we are better: our racism is kinder, our inequality is milder, our problems aren’t as bad and therefore, life here is great. This mythmaking forms the basis of mainstream thought that can be applied to pretty much any issue. The Globe and Mail editorial board used this as a justification for why Canadians should not support defunding the police: “Canada’s problems, though related, are different in nature and scale. As noted earlier this week, the number of people who die at the hands of police in Canada each year is around 26; in the U.S., it is more than 1,300.”
Policing, gun violence and racism get this treatment the most. White Canadian pundits and politicians are fast to reach to American statistics to argue that things here aren’t so bad. When premiers Doug Ford and François Legault denied that systemic racism exists in their provinces, Shelby Thevenot argued that this is a common trope: “The premiers’ comments reflect a misconception that runs through the veins of Canadian society. Canadians have a history of presenting themselves as 'less racist' than the U.S., but systemic racism is as old as Canada itself.” She then details how Canada’s immigration system has discrimination built into it, through the points system that allows some people to immigrate to Canada more easily. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Deflecting criticism by referencing the United States has a long history in Canada, and it helps maintain white supremacy by calming people into believing that things in Canada aren’t so bad, if you look at the United States.
When politicians and journalists dodge criticism by pointing to the United States, they weasel out of needing to take how a problem has evolved specific to Canada seriously. It becomes an easy way to ignore important issues. "The habit of using American fog to hide Canada’s own systemic racism has perpetuated white supremacy, and allowed decision-makers to avoid dealing with the problems that racism causes." Canada might rank behind the United States in police killings, but the rate of people killed by police is far higher than most other countries, including France, Australia, the Netherlands and Portugal. The Globe and Mail missed this detail. The defund the police and Black Lives Matter movements have roots in Canada that are as deep as they are in the United States. Canada’s legacy of slavery is different than the United States’ but because of that difference, the echoes that exist today look different. Different is not a synonym of better. More than 4,000 people were enslaved in Canada, and the richest Canadian families and religious orders owned slaves. Slaves were a mix of Indigenous and Black people, and a Black slave was evidence that someone had greater economic power.
Mainstream Canadian history took stories from the Underground Railroad to sanitize this history: rather than being a nation built on slavery, Canada welcomed freed slaves. Where the economic power from slave-grown crops in the United States formed the basis for modern capitalism there, Canada derives its economic power from natural resources. Clearing vast territories to make way for resource extraction or farming: that’s the foundation of Canada’s modern economy. To do this required a concerted genocide against Indigenous Peoples, organized by the state and religious organizations and carried out by soldiers, police and religious activists. The most efficient tool to achieve this was through the Canadian Pacific Railway, built to flood Western Canada with white settlers and to ship goods to market. The CPR was built by thousands of Chinese labourers. They weren’t slaves, but they were paid less than half of what white workers were paid, and given the most dangerous jobs along the most brutal parts of the railway to do the work.


nationalobserver--2020-06-27--Saskatchewan's First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs minister denies flunking file

Faced with accusations she failed in her response to the pandemic , Saskatchewan 's First Nations , Métis and Northern Affairs minister defended herself this week .
“ For anybody to say that I don ’ t care about the north , they are just absolutely not telling the truth , ” Lori Carr , who is the MLA for Estevan , told Canada ’ s National Observer on Thursday .
Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger has said Carr and her ministry “ completely misread this whole file ” in their approach to the pandemic in northern Saskatchewan , particularly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , and facing this incredible and unique challenge of COVID-19 , they were a no-show , ” Belanger told Canada ’ s National Observer on Wednesday .
Buckley Belanger , the NDP MLA for Athabasca , grilled Lori Carr , Saskatchewan Party MLA for Estevan on her handling of the First Nations , Métis and Northern Affairs file during the pandemic .
Photograph courtesy of Buckley Belanger .
In a debate between Carr and Belanger on Monday , the two MLAs had conflicting narratives of how relief efforts were managed in northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroying the Conservative party • How Canada tries to hide its racism by pointing a finger at the U.S. • Ford government plans would strip endangered species protections in the Golden Horseshoe , critics say Belanger said after the debate that the pandemic has laid bare inequalities that make northern Saskatchewan particularly vulnerable to crisis situations .
He argued that smaller northern communities were left to fend for themselves due to a lack of communication between the ministry and stakeholders on the ground .
“ Had it not been for local leadership throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decimated our communities , ” Belanger said .
Jackie Ballantyne runs a homeless shelter in La Ronge , Saskatchewan .
This spring the dilapidated building was flooding as she made sandwiches for clients .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
Carr said that whenever concerns are raised , they are addressed right away .
“ You sit there and you try to explain how life is here and she just does n't get it .
She ’ s completely lost , ” Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger .
She said she regularly consulted with northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Meadow Lake Tribal Council , Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron and Métis Nation Saskatchewan .
“ It truly is a two-way communication .
A lot of them have my personal cellphone number and they reach out to me directly , and I respond to all of them immediately , ” she said .
Belanger accused Carr of failing to fill a critical administrative position in the Northern Village of Buffalo Narrows and planning to move it to La Ronge .
Minister Belanger accused Minister Carr of planning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Narrows to La Ronge .
Source : Google Maps .
The Northern Municipal Services branch of the Government Relations Ministry had a municipal administrator based in Buffalo Narrows in the northwest , a position which Belanger said acts as the functional mayor for communities too small to operate fully as municipalities .
He said the vacancy left no local point of contact for northern settlements .
Belanger said the reason why that position is such an important issue relates to the province ’ s lack of leadership when it came to the north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took on the issue when an official in Descharme Lake said they were unable to get hold of anyone in order to hire checkpoint staff for the community .
A checkpoint set up by English River First Nation along the 918 highway entrance to La Plonge in northwest Saskatchewan .
Photograph submitted by Candyce Paul .
“ There 's no municipal adviser and we have no control over our municipal fund to be able to do these things , ” Belanger said .
Belanger said Bruce Leier , the position 's previous holder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his retirement .
He said Carr ’ s office took no action to find a new administrator until Leier had already left the job .
He maintains the province must have been planning to move the office to La Ronge .
“ No ifs , ands or buts .
We intercepted that by way of people calling us , saying they 're ... going to shut down service and move it to La Ronge , ” Belanger said .
Carr said the Government Relations Ministry was made aware Leier had retired .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying in Buffalo Narrows , and that the province is hoping to hire locally if possible .
“ We ’ re in the process of trying to fill that position .
It is sitting vacant right now , so I can understand why people might think that it ’ s moving , ” Carr said .
“ It would be ideal if we could find someone from that community .
It would be absolutely perfect and , obviously , that ’ s what we ’ re hoping for.
” Meanwhile , the water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing and communities in northwest Saskatchewan feel especially vulnerable to flooding .
Wildfires are expected to be more severe than average this summer in the region , too .
A map of the Churchill River ( Hudson Bay ) drainage basin .
Data derived from NASA SRTM , Natural Resources Canada , US Geological Survey , Natural Earth .
Public domain .
Belanger said the province 's handling of the crisis in La Loche , an epicentre for COVID-19 in the northwest , has him worried .
“ I am concerned about flooding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a very active fire season .
If how they handled COVID-19 is any indication , it does n't look good.
” Carr said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency ( SPSA ) has been handling emergency situations .
“ We have people with the ( SPSA ) speckled all over the north ...
When and if there is an issue such as fires or flooding , they go to where the emergency is , ” Carr said .
She said most northern firefighters are from the north , live in the communities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Belanger said he tried to establish a rapport with Northern Municipal Services ' executive director , Brad Henry , in La Ronge , but it didn ’ t pan out .
“ Every time you phone an official , they tell you to phone the minister ’ s office .
It gets shuffled back and forth , ” Belanger said .
Carr said any issues would have been communicated over the phone whether that person was in Buffalo Narrows or any other location .
Estavan MLA Lori Carr told Canada 's National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister for First Nations , Métis and Northern residents seriously .
Photograph courtesy of premier Scott Moe .
“ One of the things that I would say regarding COVID-19 , for the most part , people were not doing business face-to-face , regardless , ” Carr said .
“ They would have still been able to get their needs met by speaking with someone , no matter where they were.
” Belanger said because Carr lives in Estevan , in the south of the province , she lacks a practical understanding of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you try to explain how life is here and she just does n't get it .
She ’ s completely lost , ” Belanger said .
“ It 's an absolute insult , in my opinion , that she becomes the minister responsible for northern affairs , the minister responsible for First Nations and Métis relations and , of course , the municipalities minister , coming from as close to the American border as you possibly can.
” Carr defended her record and told Canada ’ s National Observer she wants to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job and my position very seriously , and I have done nothing but give continual outreach and have two-way communication with northern leaders , ” Carr said .
“ I want people to know that in my role as minister of First Nations , Métis and Northern Affairs , I truly believe in the value that they bring to the province of Saskatchewan and I am here to work for them .
”

“In the darkest time, and facing this incredible and unique challenge of COVID-19, they were a no-show,” Belanger told Canada’s National Observer on Wednesday.
Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger has said Carr and her ministry “completely misread this whole file” in their approach to the pandemic in northern Saskatchewan, particularly in the northwest.
“For anybody to say that I don’t care about the north, they are just absolutely not telling the truth,” Lori Carr, who is the MLA for Estevan, told Canada’s National Observer on Thursday.
Faced with accusations she failed in her response to the pandemic, Saskatchewan's First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs minister defended herself this week.
He argued that smaller northern communities were left to fend for themselves due to a lack of communication between the ministry and stakeholders on the ground.
Belanger said after the debate that the pandemic has laid bare inequalities that make northern Saskatchewan particularly vulnerable to crisis situations.
In a debate between Carr and Belanger on Monday, the two MLAs had conflicting narratives of how relief efforts were managed in northern Saskatchewan.
“It truly is a two-way communication. A lot of them have my personal cellphone number and they reach out to me directly, and I respond to all of them immediately,” she said.
She said she regularly consulted with northern mayors, the Prince Albert Grand Council, the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron and Métis Nation Saskatchewan.
Carr said that whenever concerns are raised, they are addressed right away.
“Had it not been for local leadership throughout the whole north, COVID-19 would have decimated our communities,” Belanger said.
Belanger accused Carr of failing to fill a critical administrative position in the Northern Village of Buffalo Narrows and planning to move it to La Ronge.
The Northern Municipal Services branch of the Government Relations Ministry had a municipal administrator based in Buffalo Narrows in the northwest, a position which Belanger said acts as the functional mayor for communities too small to operate fully as municipalities. He said the vacancy left no local point of contact for northern settlements.
Belanger said the reason why that position is such an important issue relates to the province’s lack of leadership when it came to the north dealing with COVID-19.
He said he took on the issue when an official in Descharme Lake said they were unable to get hold of anyone in order to hire checkpoint staff for the community.
A checkpoint set up by English River First Nation along the 918 highway entrance to La Plonge in northwest Saskatchewan. Photograph submitted by Candyce Paul.
“There's no municipal adviser and we have no control over our municipal fund to be able to do these things,” Belanger said.
Belanger said Bruce Leier, the position's previous holder, gave nine months' notice before his retirement. He said Carr’s office took no action to find a new administrator until Leier had already left the job.
He maintains the province must have been planning to move the office to La Ronge.
“No ifs, ands or buts. We intercepted that by way of people calling us, saying they're ... going to shut down service and move it to La Ronge,” Belanger said.
Carr said the Government Relations Ministry was made aware Leier had retired. She said the position is “absolutely” staying in Buffalo Narrows, and that the province is hoping to hire locally if possible.
“We’re in the process of trying to fill that position. It is sitting vacant right now, so I can understand why people might think that it’s moving,” Carr said.
“It would be ideal if we could find someone from that community. It would be absolutely perfect and, obviously, that’s what we’re hoping for.”
Meanwhile, the water level in the Churchill River system is increasing and communities in northwest Saskatchewan feel especially vulnerable to flooding. Wildfires are expected to be more severe than average this summer in the region, too.
A map of the Churchill River (Hudson Bay) drainage basin. Data derived from NASA SRTM, Natural Resources Canada, US Geological Survey, Natural Earth. Public domain.
Belanger said the province's handling of the crisis in La Loche, an epicentre for COVID-19 in the northwest, has him worried.
“I am concerned about flooding, and this year is supposed to be a very active fire season. If how they handled COVID-19 is any indication, it doesn't look good.”
Carr said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) has been handling emergency situations.
“We have people with the (SPSA) speckled all over the north ... When and if there is an issue such as fires or flooding, they go to where the emergency is,” Carr said.
She said most northern firefighters are from the north, live in the communities and “know the culture and the language.”
Belanger said he tried to establish a rapport with Northern Municipal Services' executive director, Brad Henry, in La Ronge, but it didn’t pan out.
“Every time you phone an official, they tell you to phone the minister’s office. It gets shuffled back and forth,” Belanger said.
Carr said any issues would have been communicated over the phone whether that person was in Buffalo Narrows or any other location.
Estavan MLA Lori Carr told Canada's National Observer that she takes her role as minister for First Nations, Métis and Northern residents seriously. Photograph courtesy of premier Scott Moe.
“One of the things that I would say regarding COVID-19, for the most part, people were not doing business face-to-face, regardless,” Carr said.
“They would have still been able to get their needs met by speaking with someone, no matter where they were.”
Belanger said because Carr lives in Estevan, in the south of the province, she lacks a practical understanding of her portfolio.
“You sit there and you try to explain how life is here and she just doesn't get it. She’s completely lost,” Belanger said.
“It's an absolute insult, in my opinion, that she becomes the minister responsible for northern affairs, the minister responsible for First Nations and Métis relations and, of course, the municipalities minister, coming from as close to the American border as you possibly can.”
Carr defended her record and told Canada’s National Observer she wants to work for northerners.
“I take my job and my position very seriously, and I have done nothing but give continual outreach and have two-way communication with northern leaders,” Carr said.
“I want people to know that in my role as minister of First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, I truly believe in the value that they bring to the province of Saskatchewan and I am here to work for them.”
Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-06-27--Corporate directors seen to be legally obligated to ensure firms manage climate risks

Directors of Canadian corporations are legally obligated to act on the risks posed by the climate crisis as part of the basic responsibilities of their jobs , even if they don ’ t personally believe in the science , according to a new legal analysis .
The Canada Climate Law Initiative ( CCLI ) , a research hub at the University of British Columbia ( UBC ) and York University , released an opinion Thursday that examined directors ’ various duties under securities law and corporate law in Canada , and how courts have interpreted similar situations .
The opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , senior partner at Hansell LLP , concluded that the legal obligation to act on climate already exists in Canada for corporate directors without any new laws needing to be passed .
That ’ s because it is part of their “ duty of care ” and their job to ensure the accuracy of the company ’ s disclosures to markets , and goes beyond any one director ’ s personal opinion about climate change , Hansell found .
Corporate directors , even those who are “ skeptical about the climate change risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put aside any preconceptions they may have ” and actually “ put climate change on the board agenda ” as more than just a discussion point , she wrote .
• How Stephen Harper is destroying the Conservative party • How Canada tries to hide its racism by pointing a finger at the U.S. • Ford government plans would strip endangered species protections in the Golden Horseshoe , critics say “ This obligation exists , and you can ’ t let any personal views get in the way of what ’ s in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” explained CCLI principal investigator Janis Sarra , professor at UBC ’ s Peter A. Allard School of Law and founding director of the National Centre for Business Law , in an interview .
Under Canadian law , corporations must have at least one director .
A board of directors is responsible for supervising the affairs of the corporation and most boards meet on a regular basis to fulfil this responsibility .
Directors and officers are required to follow an objective standard of care , meaning that courts will test their actions against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” would undertake .
Sarra said Hansell ’ s legal opinion was the first of its kind , because Canada has not yet seen any major litigation against companies surrounding this issue .
In the United States , meanwhile , there are about 800 cases pending , and even more worldwide , she said .
Titled “ Putting Climate Change Risk on the Boardroom Table , ” the opinion says directors must “ keep abreast of what the science is saying , ” talk to management about climate risk and work with them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level , if it has not already done so .
Directors of Canadian corporations are legally obligated to act on the risks posed by the climate crisis as part of the basic responsibilities of their jobs , even if they don ’ t personally believe in the science , according to a new legal analysis .
“ When we think about environmental law more generally , we think about , ‘ What ’ s the company ’ s impact on the environment , is it discharging contaminated water ?
’ And now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very broad recognition by our appellate courts that this is an existential threat to business , by lots of international organizations and certainly by investors with trillions of dollars in assets under management , ” Sarra said .
“ What it ’ s now saying is that it ’ s not just the outward activity of the companies , but it ’ s everything coming at the company , and directors and officers need to be paying attention to that.
” Sarra said Canada will likely see a securities-law case on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a case testing a company ’ s failure to properly disclose the risks to the sector it is in — whether that be sectors like oil and gas , transportation or others .
But the list of people that might bring cases under tort or nuisance is open-ended , she said , and so could involve stakeholder groups launching lawsuits against companies for failing to act on climate .
The legal opinion was welcomed by Royal Bank of Canada board member Andrew Chisholm , who is on the federal government ’ s expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Catherine McCall , executive director for the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance , which represents major institutional investors with more than $ 4.5 trillion in assets under management .

Directors of Canadian corporations are legally obligated to act on the risks posed by the climate crisis as part of the basic responsibilities of their jobs, even if they don’t personally believe in the science, according to a new legal analysis. The Canada Climate Law Initiative (CCLI), a research hub at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and York University, released an opinion Thursday that examined directors’ various duties under securities law and corporate law in Canada, and how courts have interpreted similar situations. The opinion, written by corporate-governance expert Carol Hansell, senior partner at Hansell LLP, concluded that the legal obligation to act on climate already exists in Canada for corporate directors without any new laws needing to be passed. That’s because it is part of their “duty of care” and their job to ensure the accuracy of the company’s disclosures to markets, and goes beyond any one director’s personal opinion about climate change, Hansell found. Corporate directors, even those who are “skeptical about the climate change risk alarms being sounded,” must “put aside any preconceptions they may have” and actually “put climate change on the board agenda” as more than just a discussion point, she wrote.
“This obligation exists, and you can’t let any personal views get in the way of what’s in the best interests of the company,” explained CCLI principal investigator Janis Sarra, professor at UBC’s Peter A. Allard School of Law and founding director of the National Centre for Business Law, in an interview. First-of-its-kind legal opinion Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Under Canadian law, corporations must have at least one director. A board of directors is responsible for supervising the affairs of the corporation and most boards meet on a regular basis to fulfil this responsibility.
Directors and officers are required to follow an objective standard of care, meaning that courts will test their actions against those that a “reasonably prudent person” would undertake. Directors of Canadian corporations are legally obligated to act on the risks posed by the climate crisis as part of the basic responsibilities of their jobs, even if they don’t personally believe in the science, according to a new legal analysis. Sarra said Hansell’s legal opinion was the first of its kind, because Canada has not yet seen any major litigation against companies surrounding this issue. In the United States, meanwhile, there are about 800 cases pending, and even more worldwide, she said. Titled “Putting Climate Change Risk on the Boardroom Table,” the opinion says directors must “keep abreast of what the science is saying,” talk to management about climate risk and work with them to elevate the issue to the board level, if it has not already done so. “When we think about environmental law more generally, we think about, ‘What’s the company’s impact on the environment, is it discharging contaminated water?’ And now, what we see with climate change is a very broad recognition by our appellate courts that this is an existential threat to business, by lots of international organizations and certainly by investors with trillions of dollars in assets under management,” Sarra said. “What it’s now saying is that it’s not just the outward activity of the companies, but it’s everything coming at the company, and directors and officers need to be paying attention to that.”
Royal Bank, institutional investors give thumbs up Sarra said Canada will likely see a securities-law case on the issue, or in other words, a case testing a company’s failure to properly disclose the risks to the sector it is in — whether that be sectors like oil and gas, transportation or others. But the list of people that might bring cases under tort or nuisance is open-ended, she said, and so could involve stakeholder groups launching lawsuits against companies for failing to act on climate.


nationalobserver--2020-06-27--Federal government network outage hits Canadian pandemic research funding

One of Canada 's federal research funding organizations had to delay the deadline to apply for a COVID-19 emergency program @ @ @ @ @ outage that hit multiple government institutions .
All three funding organizations — the Canadian Institutes @ @ @ @ @ ) , the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council ( NSERC ) and the Social @ @ @ @ @ ( SSHRC ) — tweeted about their networks being knocked offline on June 26 .
@ @ @ @ @ extending the deadline to apply for the first stage of the Canada Research Continuity Emergency @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 research , because of a `` system outage . ''
The council tweeted Saturday @ @ @ @ @ experiencing technical difficulties .

One of Canada's federal research funding organizations had to delay the deadline to apply for a COVID-19 emergency program because of a major network outage that hit multiple government institutions.
All three funding organizations — the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) — tweeted about their networks being knocked offline on June 26.
SSHRC said Friday it was extending the deadline to apply for the first stage of the Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund, meant to help COVID-19 research, because of a "system outage." The council tweeted Saturday morning that it was still experiencing technical difficulties.
CIRC said Friday morning that Shared Services Canada, which is responsible for providing information technology services to government, was "experiencing a government-wide outage affecting all of our internal and external services and applications."
Shared Services Canada confirmed to National Observer on Friday that it was "aware of the incident affecting some departments." A spokesperson for the organization said it was "working to remedy the situation as quickly as possible."