nationalobserver--2020-06-12--Indigenous-led conservation signals path forward for Canada's first marine protected area network

June is called National Indigenous History Month , and claims World Oceans Day , but it is also marks the 10th anniversary of the federal designation of the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve .
Longtime stewards of this area , at the southernmost part of Haida Gwaii , the Haida Nation has been watching over Gwaii Haanas for generations .
The islands and marine waters within this protected area are teeming with ocean life — from breaching whales to wave-riding dolphins and undersea kelp forests .
Visitors from around the world are inspired by the region ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of the Haida .
The Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site is not just an ecological hot spot .
It is also a prominent example of Indigenous-led , co-operatively managed marine protected areas ( or MPAs ) in Canada .
Leading by example for the past 35 years , the Haida have changed how we approach co-governance , conservation and sustainability .
This unique protected site has created a pathway for the protection of other vibrant areas like it .
Gwaii Haanas , which encompasses the southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was first designated by the Haida Nation as a Haida Heritage Site in 1985 .
In 1993 , the Canadian government and the Haida Nation signed the Gwaii Haanas Agreement to co-operatively govern the terrestrial portion of Gwaii Haanas as a national park reserve , and the Gwaii Haanas Marine Agreement followed in 2010 .
• Opposition parties kill bill with one-time , tax-free payment of up to $ 600 for Canadians with disabilities The two nations now co-operatively manage Gwaii Haanas through the Archipelago Management Board ( AMB ) , established under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governance structure is unique in the equal decision-making power it grants to Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation , and its grounding in both Canadian and Haida law .
Then in 2018 , the Haida Nation and Canada further proved that collaboration can nurture innovation with the release of the Gwaii Haanas Gina 'Waadluxan KilGulGa Land-Sea-People Management Plan , a first of its kind — a co-operatively penned plan that sets direction for how the land and sea of a protected area are managed , from mountain top to seafloor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the Haida language .
Photo by Dale Simonson Now , co-led conservation is moving forward on a larger scale in the development of Canada ’ s first MPA network on B.C.
’ s north and central coasts , under the co-leadership of Indigenous , federal and provincial governments .
The Canadian government has set a target to protect 25 per cent of its ocean by 2025 and 25 per cent of its land and freshwater by 2025 .
Reaching these conservation goals will not be possible or just without Indigenous consent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an exciting opportunity to align federal and provincial priorities to protect more ecologically rich areas and to advance reconciliation in ways that will benefit generations to come .
The MPA network will connect the dots between special places , including Gwaii Haanas , the Scott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area , the Hecate Strait/Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs , and SGaan Kinghlas-Bowie Seamount Marine Protected Area , working to amplify the benefits of each individual site .
In the safety of marine protected areas , the dense underwater kelp forests that provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help to ward off the effects of climate change .
Ancient glass sponge reefs will continue to filter carbon and nitrogen , returning clean , nutrient-rich water to surrounding areas .
Flourishing fish populations in marine reserves can spill over to enhance fish stocks and provide a reliable food source for migrating whales and seabirds at each stage of their passage .
Today , 17 First Nations are working with the province of B.C .
and Canada to create a comprehensive , resilient and representative network of marine protected areas that protects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment for present and future generations .
The network will also will help coastal communities thrive through economic growth , increased tourism and recreation opportunities — and , of course , will leave an incredible environmental legacy .
“ The Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site is a prominent example of Indigenous-led , cooperatively-managed marine protected areas ( MPAs ) in Canada.
” # FirstNationsForward # IndigenousLedConservation The success of Gwaii Haanas signals a path forward for more Indigenous-led conservation .
These efforts need continued support to expand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first MPA network has the resiliency needed to deliver comprehensive ocean protection now and forever .

June is called National Indigenous History Month, and claims World Oceans Day, but it also marks the 10th anniversary of the federal designation of the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve. Longtime stewards of this area, at the southernmost part of Haida Gwaii, the Haida Nation has been watching over Gwaii Haanas for generations. The islands and marine waters within this protected area are teeming with ocean life — from breaching whales to wave-riding dolphins and undersea kelp forests. Visitors from around the world are inspired by the region’s natural beauty and the rich presence and history of the Haida. The Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site is not just an ecological hot spot. It is also a prominent example of Indigenous-led, co-operatively managed marine protected areas (or MPAs) in Canada. Leading by example for the past 35 years, the Haida have changed how we approach co-governance, conservation and sustainability. This unique protected site has created a pathway for the protection of other vibrant areas like it. Gwaii Haanas, which encompasses the southern portion of the Haida Gwaii archipelago, was first designated by the Haida Nation as a Haida Heritage Site in 1985. In 1993, the Canadian government and the Haida Nation signed the Gwaii Haanas Agreement to co-operatively govern the terrestrial portion of Gwaii Haanas as a national park reserve, and the Gwaii Haanas Marine Agreement followed in 2010.
The two nations now co-operatively manage Gwaii Haanas through the Archipelago Management Board (AMB), established under the two Gwaii Haanas agreements. This governance structure is unique in the equal decision-making power it grants to Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation, and its grounding in both Canadian and Haida law. Then in 2018, the Haida Nation and Canada further proved that collaboration can nurture innovation with the release of the Gwaii Haanas Gina 'Waadlux̲an KilG̲ulG̲a Land-Sea-People Management Plan, a first of its kind — a co-operatively penned plan that sets direction for how the land and sea of a protected area are managed, from mountain top to seafloor. Windy Bay Longhouse found in Gwaii Haanas. Photo by Christine Rondeau Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Gwaii Haanas means “islands of beauty” in the Haida language. Photo by Dale Simonson


nationalobserver--2020-06-12--FSIN asserts treaty right to Indigenous children in care

“ We ’ ve always had a treaty right over our children in care .
Our children are never on the negotiating table when we sign treaties , ” Pratt told Canada 's National Observer .
Pratt wants First Nations to take back control of their children in care .
He said Indigenous agency over their children was taken from them systematically by Canada , followed by the province of Saskatchewan in 1951 .
He compared the current situation to the tragedy of the residential school system .
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice-Chief David Pratt is slamming Saskatchewan Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them of not treating the rising majority of Indigenous children in its care as a priority .
“ The increase in the number of identified Indigenous children in a care is largely a reflection of these improved registration and reporting processes rather than a demographic shift , ” Janice Colquhoun , executive director of child and family programs for the provincial government told Canada 's National Observer in a written response .
According to numbers reported by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services , the number of children in its care has climbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and now stands higher than it ’ s been in 11 years .
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations ( FSIN ) has had a mandate since 1981 , reaffirmed in 2018 , to put Indigenous Peoples in charge of their children in care .
Pratt said Indigenous child welfare started going downhill in Saskatchewan when the Indian Act was amended in 1951 through a general application stating that in the absence of a federal statute , provincial law becomes paramount .
Pratt said ever since the province took over the system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care has steadily risen .
Last year , about 86 per cent of children in care were found to be Indigenous — an 11 per cent jump from 2018 .
“ Children only come into care when there are no options to ensure their safety at home .
In the case where a child or youth comes into care , we look to their extended family first .
Around 60 per cent of children in all out-of-home care placements live with their extended family.
” “ In Saskatchewan , child welfare services for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered jointly by First Nations Child and Family Services agencies and the Government of Saskatchewan .
$ 45M is provided to the agencies and other Indigenous service providers to deliver supports and services to children and families on- and off-reserve , ” Colquhoun said .
Data from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services show that in 2019 , there were 3,412 children in provincial care — the highest rate on record since 2008 , when there were 3,588 children in care .
The number of children in care in March was 3,362 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
These numbers are expected to climb as reporting methods improve .
The number of children in care reflects children in foster care , children in care of the provincial ministry and those who have been moved to the care of First Nations Child and Family Services .
This year ’ s annual report from provincial children ’ s advocate Lisa Broda said that of the 34 deaths recorded in the system last year , 29 were Indigenous children ( First Nations or Métis ) .
Seven of the 34 were deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ministry has been focusing on ensuring that Indigenous children in care are identified as eligible for status registration and treaty numbers , to ensure that their rights for registration are addressed and they identify with their cultural community .
This increased focus has significantly improved ministry reporting on constitutional status as more children/youth are self-identifying as Status Indian , Non-Status Indian , Inuit or Métis.
” He said repeated failures on the part of the province have pushed Indigenous people in Saskatchewan to move forward on implementing Federal Bill C-92 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their right to manage their own child welfare system .
“ I sometimes feel like I ’ m on the bow of the Titanic and Capt .
Scott Moe is up there with his cabinet in the captain ’ s chair and I ’ m waving my arms here with a red flag , saying , ‘ Iceberg dead ahead !
’ and the ship sails on .
There ’ s nothing being done to address the issues , ” Pratt said .
“ That system and that bureaucracy has to be overthrown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s continuing to fail First Nations children within this region , ” Pratt said .
“ I believe it all leads back to the historical work done by Canada to break apart our families , to assimilate us to the dominant culture ... ( the Ministry ) of Social Services has basically become the new residential school system.
” He said Indigenous people continue to see negative fallout from this legacy .
“ We want to do our best to dismantle those systems , create our own ways based on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Build strong , healthy , vibrant communities based on our culture , our connection to the land and our traditions , which are our ways of knowing.
” Pratt accused the governing Saskatchewan Party of failing to act on poverty , addiction and First Nations marginalization — factors that have contributed to the increase of Indigenous children in care .
“ Over the past number of years , we have made significant strides of what we can do to help support keeping Indigenous families together , build capacity for extended family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture and community , ” Colquhoun said .
She said the number of children residing safely at home with their families and receiving support services from child and family programs has increased by more than 20 per cent from last year and has exceeded the number of children in care .
“ Together with our partners , we have placed significant focus on both the ways we can strengthen families to maintain children safely at home to reduce the likelihood of involvement with the system and how we can build capacity within extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader Ryan Meili joined Pratt in calling for a “ comprehensive poverty reduction strategy and increased funding for mental health and addictions to address the root causes of the surge.
” “ There ’ s a lot of pain in these numbers , ” Meili said .
“ There couldn ’ t be a starker indictment of the government ’ s failure to act than what we see here .
“ We know that there are too many kids in care , and all too often , they are there because their families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ One in four kids in our province is living in poverty .
We have the lowest minimum wage in the country .
Poverty puts incredible stress on families and it is Saskatchewan kids who experience the effects of that stress .
We need real action on poverty reduction in this province and urgent action on mental health and addictions.
” The NDP had previously recognized the authority of the Indigenous family-child support framework over the provincial child welfare act .
The government at the time had passed an amendment to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Yorkton tribal councils as designated agencies .
But those references were removed when then-Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall took office in 2007 .
“ When ( they ) assumed power , what they did was they took out the reference to our family support act and they also took out the reference to the Yorkton and Saskatoon tribal councils ’ delegated agreements .
They did that without consultation , ” Pratt said .
“ The situation today is that almost nine out of every 10 children is Indigenous in the child welfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doyle Vermette echoed Meili ’ s sentiment .
He said Moe ’ s government has a willing partner in northern leadership , but instead , the province ignores them when they raise concerns .
“ Our northern , Indigenous and Métis leaders have been saying it for years .
Something is wrong here.
” Vermette said there are underlying socio-economic causes for the demographics of children in care , but the provincial government is out of touch when it comes to finding a solution .
He said it ’ s a problem across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we need to do something better , ” Vermette said .
“ Time and time again , the numbers show it .
If you look at the suicide rates , if you look at addictions , if you look at incarceration in our jails .
Who is getting locked up ?
How come our numbers as Indigenous people are always so much higher ?
” Pratt called on resource companies and every level of government to work with Indigenous Peoples to address these issues .
“ There are two things that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to be truly sovereign .
No .
1 , we need our children .
And No .
2 , we need access to lands and resources and economic opportunities like everyone else.
” He said the FSIN is preparing for when member nations decide to move forward on C-92 by developing policies and manuals , as well as building the infrastructure and supports that will be needed .
“ I think … the No .
1 thing that we need to build ( in ) each and every one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be healthy is a strong , healthy sense of who they are and where they come from.
” Pratt said they are taking a hands-off approach , so that any new system is based on the priorities and traditions of each member nation .
“ Let these kids realize that they do have a culture that they can be proud of , that they have a nation , that they have history , that they have family , relatives and a place that they belong to.
” If you are or someone you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is available at all hours .
Support can be found at the Canada Suicide Prevention Service website .
If you are in immediate danger , you can call 911 .

Pratt said Indigenous child welfare started going downhill in Saskatchewan when the Indian Act was amended in 1951 through a general application stating that in the absence of a federal statute, provincial law becomes paramount.
“We’ve always had a treaty right over our children in care. Our children are never on the negotiating table when we sign treaties,” Pratt told Canada's National Observer.
Pratt wants First Nations to take back control of their children in care. He said Indigenous agency over their children was taken from them systematically by Canada, followed by the province of Saskatchewan in 1951. He compared the current situation to the tragedy of the residential school system.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice-Chief David Pratt is slamming Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and his government, accusing them of not treating the rising majority of Indigenous children in its care as a priority.
“The increase in the number of identified Indigenous children in a care is largely a reflection of these improved registration and reporting processes rather than a demographic shift,” Janice Colquhoun, executive director of child and family programs for the provincial government told Canada's National Observer in a written response.
According to numbers reported by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services, the number of children in its care has climbed each of the past five years, and now stands higher than it’s been in 11 years.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) has had a mandate since 1981, reaffirmed in 2018, to put Indigenous Peoples in charge of their children in care.
Data from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services show that in 2019, there were 3,412 children in provincial care — the highest rate on record since 2008, when there were 3,588 children in care. The number of children in care in March was 3,362, up from 2,981 over the past five years. These numbers are expected to climb as reporting methods improve.
The number of children in care reflects children in foster care, children in care of the provincial ministry and those who have been moved to the care of First Nations Child and Family Services.
This year’s annual report from provincial children’s advocate Lisa Broda said that of the 34 deaths recorded in the system last year, 29 were Indigenous children (First Nations or Métis). Seven of the 34 were deaths by suicide.
“Since 2017-18, the ministry has been focusing on ensuring that Indigenous children in care are identified as eligible for status registration and treaty numbers, to ensure that their rights for registration are addressed and they identify with their cultural community. This increased focus has significantly improved ministry reporting on constitutional status as more children/youth are self-identifying as Status Indian, Non-Status Indian, Inuit or Métis.”
Pratt said ever since the province took over the system, the number of Indigenous kids in its care has steadily risen. Last year, about 86 per cent of children in care were found to be Indigenous — an 11 per cent jump from 2018.
“Children only come into care when there are no options to ensure their safety at home. In the case where a child or youth comes into care, we look to their extended family first. Around 60 per cent of children in all out-of-home care placements live with their extended family.”
“In Saskatchewan, child welfare services for vulnerable children and their families are currently delivered jointly by First Nations Child and Family Services agencies and the Government of Saskatchewan. $45M is provided to the agencies and other Indigenous service providers to deliver supports and services to children and families on- and off-reserve,” Colquhoun said.
Pratt said this lack of attention is putting future generations in jeopardy.
“I sometimes feel like I’m on the bow of the Titanic and Capt. Scott Moe is up there with his cabinet in the captain’s chair and I’m waving my arms here with a red flag, saying, ‘Iceberg dead ahead!’ and the ship sails on. There’s nothing being done to address the issues,” Pratt said.
Premier Scott Moe at the helm of the Saskatchewan provincial government, which FSIN Vice-Chief David Pratt says reminds him of the Titanic. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Saskatchewan.
He said repeated failures on the part of the province have pushed Indigenous people in Saskatchewan to move forward on implementing Federal Bill C-92, which received royal assent in 2019 and asserts their right to manage their own child welfare system.
“That system and that bureaucracy has to be overthrown, it has to be replaced and it’s continuing to fail First Nations children within this region,” Pratt said.
“I believe it all leads back to the historical work done by Canada to break apart our families, to assimilate us to the dominant culture ... (the Ministry) of Social Services has basically become the new residential school system.”
He said Indigenous people continue to see negative fallout from this legacy.
“We want to do our best to dismantle those systems, create our own ways based on our ways of knowing. Bring our children home. Build strong, healthy, vibrant communities based on our culture, our connection to the land and our traditions, which are our ways of knowing.”
Pratt accused the governing Saskatchewan Party of failing to act on poverty, addiction and First Nations marginalization — factors that have contributed to the increase of Indigenous children in care.
“Over the past number of years, we have made significant strides of what we can do to help support keeping Indigenous families together, build capacity for extended family caregivers and keep children connected to their culture and community,” Colquhoun said.
She said the number of children residing safely at home with their families and receiving support services from child and family programs has increased by more than 20 per cent from last year and has exceeded the number of children in care.
“Together with our partners, we have placed significant focus on both the ways we can strengthen families to maintain children safely at home to reduce the likelihood of involvement with the system and how we can build capacity within extended families.”
Last week, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili joined Pratt in calling for a “comprehensive poverty reduction strategy and increased funding for mental health and addictions to address the root causes of the surge.”
“There’s a lot of pain in these numbers,” Meili said. “There couldn’t be a starker indictment of the government’s failure to act than what we see here.
“We know that there are too many kids in care, and all too often, they are there because their families are experiencing poverty,” Meili said.
“One in four kids in our province is living in poverty. We have the lowest minimum wage in the country. Poverty puts incredible stress on families and it is Saskatchewan kids who experience the effects of that stress. We need real action on poverty reduction in this province and urgent action on mental health and addictions.”
Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette and Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili in Prince Albert. Photograph courtesy of the Saskatchewan NDP.
The NDP had previously recognized the authority of the Indigenous family-child support framework over the provincial child welfare act.
The government at the time had passed an amendment to the act referencing the authority of the Saskatoon and Yorkton tribal councils as designated agencies. But those references were removed after then-Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall took office in 2007.
“When (they) assumed power, what they did was they took out the reference to our family support act and they also took out the reference to the Yorkton and Saskatoon tribal councils’ delegated agreements. They did that without consultation,” Pratt said.
“The situation today is that almost nine out of every 10 children is Indigenous in the child welfare system within this region.”
Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette echoed Meili’s sentiment. He said Moe’s government has a willing partner in northern leadership, but instead, the province ignores them when they raise concerns.
“Our northern, Indigenous and Métis leaders have been saying it for years. Something is wrong here.”
Vermette said there are underlying socio-economic causes for the demographics of children in care, but the provincial government is out of touch when it comes to finding a solution. He said it’s a problem across the board.
“Enough is enough and we need to do something better,” Vermette said.
“Time and time again, the numbers show it. If you look at the suicide rates, if you look at addictions, if you look at incarceration in our jails. Who is getting locked up? How come our numbers as Indigenous people are always so much higher?”
In 2019, seven children in care in Saskatchewan died by suicide. Source: 2019 annual report, Saskatchewan advocate for children and youth.
Pratt called on resource companies and every level of government to work with Indigenous Peoples to address these issues.
“There are two things that we need for true nationhood, for us to be able to be truly sovereign. No. 1, we need our children. And No. 2, we need access to lands and resources and economic opportunities like everyone else.”
He said the FSIN is preparing for when member nations decide to move forward on C-92 by developing policies and manuals, as well as building the infrastructure and supports that will be needed.
FSIN Vice-Chief David Pratt says Indigenous children today are key to building a healthy future for Saskatchewan. Photograph courtesy of Christopher Merasty.
“I think … the No. 1 thing that we need to build (in) each and every one of our children in order for them to be healthy is a strong, healthy sense of who they are and where they come from.”
Pratt said they are taking a hands-off approach, so that any new system is based on the priorities and traditions of each member nation.
“Let these kids realize that they do have a culture that they can be proud of, that they have a nation, that they have history, that they have family, relatives and a place that they belong to.”
If you are or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available at all hours. Support can be found at the Canada Suicide Prevention Service website. If you are in immediate danger, you can call 911.
Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-06-13--Trudeau and Scheer blame one another for blocking emergency disability benefit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer angrily traded accusations Thursday over who is to blame for blocking an emergency benefit to help Canadians with disabilities weather the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trudeau used his daily news conference to lambaste the Conservatives for refusing to give the unanimous consent necessary to swiftly pass a bill Wednesday that would have delivered on his promise of a one-time , tax-free benefit of up to $ 600 for people with disabilities .
The bill included a number of other measures — including controversial penalties for Canadians who fraudulently claim the Canada Emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage subsidy program to cover more seasonal workers .
For a variety of reasons , some of them unrelated to the content of the legislation , no opposition party was prepared to give the unanimous consent needed to debate and approve the bill within a matter of hours .
The government then proposed splitting the bill to deal quickly with the disability benefit separately .
The other opposition parties agreed but the Conservatives nixed that idea , holding out instead for a full resumption of business as usual in the House of Commons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-time , tax-free payment of up to $ 600 for Canadians with disabilities `` Politics got in the way of actually helping Canadians , '' Trudeau said Thursday .
He said the government remains committed to getting the benefit to Canadians with disabilities `` but it 's going to be harder because opposition parties chose to play politics instead of working together . ''
Trudeau was particularly incensed with the Conservatives , whom he accused of holding up the benefit in a fit a pique over their failure to win enough support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commons resume normal operations .
Instead , the Liberals , supported by the New Democrats , decided last month to continue with an expanded special COVID-19 committee that has served as a stand-in for the Commons .
`` So , because they did n't get their way two weeks ago they continue to complain and play politics and they blocked help to Canadians with disabilities because they 're still trying to argue something that they lost the debate on two weeks ago , '' Trudeau said of the Conservatives .
Scheer shot back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee , accusing Trudeau of `` shamefully misleading Canadians , trying to shirk responsibility for his failures in providing help for people with disabilities .
`` He is the one who waited months before bringing proposals forward to help people with disabilities ; and then yesterday , when Conservatives proposed a motion to have Parliament meet to debate this legislation , it was Liberals who said no , '' Scheer said .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer angrily traded accusations on Thursday , June 11 , 2020 , over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency benefit to help Canadians with disabilities weather the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Conservative motion called for the Commons resume normal sittings .
Trudeau was not in the Commons to respond but Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland suggested the Conservatives may have mistakenly blocked the disability benefit .
`` The mistake yesterday was Liberals ' shamefully saying no to allow Parliament to deal with that legislation and then disgustingly today trying to play petty politics on the backs of people with disabilities , '' Scheer retorted .
`` That 's shameful , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freeland shot back : `` What is shameful is to allow partisan politics and procedural manoeuvring to stop Canadians with disabilities who are truly facing additional challenges because of coronavirus .
What is shameful and , indeed , disgusting , is to prevent those Canadians from getting that $ 600 . ''
The finger pointing escalated despite a call from the chair of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities for all federal politicians to work together to help disabled Canadians weather the COVID-19 crisis .
`` We are absolutely concerned that partisan politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living with disabilities might have seen relief during this pandemic , '' Jewelles Smith said in an email .
`` We hope the parties realize that citizens with disabilities are struggling and seeking support from their government .
There is a great deal of despair from those at the furthest margins right now . ''
Smith said she hopes the government will reconsider the parameters of the proposed benefit , which critics have said will cover just 40 per cent of Canadians with disabilities .
The benefit , along with other measures in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Government House leader Pablo Rodriguez has vowed to continue negotiating with the opposition parties to try to find a resolution .
Most likely , that will involve introducing a separate bill for the disability benefit , which could be passed relatively quickly if at least one opposition party is prepared to support it and agree to limit the amount of time for debate .
The NDP has indicated it would not block the proposed benefit if it was dealt with in a stand-alone bill , even though New Democrats maintain the benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures in the bill could prove to be more difficult .
The NDP is adamantly opposed to imposing fines or jail time on Canadians who fraudulently claim the CERB — despite Trudeau 's assurances that the penalties are intended only for the small number who deliberately defraud the government .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11 , 2020 .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer angrily traded accusations Thursday over who is to blame for blocking an emergency benefit to help Canadians with disabilities weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Trudeau used his daily news conference to lambaste the Conservatives for refusing to give the unanimous consent necessary to swiftly pass a bill Wednesday that would have delivered on his promise of a one-time, tax-free benefit of up to $600 for people with disabilities. The bill included a number of other measures — including controversial penalties for Canadians who fraudulently claim the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and an expansion of the wage subsidy program to cover more seasonal workers. For a variety of reasons, some of them unrelated to the content of the legislation, no opposition party was prepared to give the unanimous consent needed to debate and approve the bill within a matter of hours. The government then proposed splitting the bill to deal quickly with the disability benefit separately. The other opposition parties agreed but the Conservatives nixed that idea, holding out instead for a full resumption of business as usual in the House of Commons.
"Politics got in the way of actually helping Canadians," Trudeau said Thursday. He said the government remains committed to getting the benefit to Canadians with disabilities "but it's going to be harder because opposition parties chose to play politics instead of working together." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Trudeau was particularly incensed with the Conservatives, whom he accused of holding up the benefit in a fit a pique over their failure to win enough support for their push to have the House of Commons resume normal operations. Instead, the Liberals, supported by the New Democrats, decided last month to continue with an expanded special COVID-19 committee that has served as a stand-in for the Commons.
"So, because they didn't get their way two weeks ago they continue to complain and play politics and they blocked help to Canadians with disabilities because they're still trying to argue something that they lost the debate on two weeks ago," Trudeau said of the Conservatives. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer angrily traded accusations on Thursday, June 11, 2020, over who is to blame for blocking an emergency benefit to help Canadians with disabilities weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheer shot back later during a meeting of the special committee, accusing Trudeau of "shamefully misleading Canadians, trying to shirk responsibility for his failures in providing help for people with disabilities. "He is the one who waited months before bringing proposals forward to help people with disabilities; and then yesterday, when Conservatives proposed a motion to have Parliament meet to debate this legislation, it was Liberals who said no," Scheer said. The Conservative motion called for the Commons resume normal sittings. Trudeau was not in the Commons to respond but Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland suggested the Conservatives may have mistakenly blocked the disability benefit.
"The mistake yesterday was Liberals' shamefully saying no to allow Parliament to deal with that legislation and then disgustingly today trying to play petty politics on the backs of people with disabilities," Scheer retorted. "That's shameful, and Canadians won't forget it." Freeland shot back: "What is shameful is to allow partisan politics and procedural manoeuvring to stop Canadians with disabilities who are truly facing additional challenges because of coronavirus. What is shameful and, indeed, disgusting, is to prevent those Canadians from getting that $600." The finger pointing escalated despite a call from the chair of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities for all federal politicians to work together to help disabled Canadians weather the COVID-19 crisis.


nationalobserver--2020-06-13--Join Minister Catherine McKenna in Conversations on Tuesday

Join us on Zoom for the next Conversation series , as Linda Solomon Wood , editor-in-chief for Canada ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Catherine McKenna , Canada 's infrastructure and communities minister .
What will Canada ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ?
What ’ s a `` shovel-worthy '' job ?
Become a subscriber today and @ @ @ @ @ access to submit questions for the minister ahead of time .
McKenna was elected the @ @ @ @ @ Centre and appointed environment and climate change minister in 2015 .
The former lawyer , @ @ @ @ @ and mom of three will be our next guest on our Conversations series .
This @ @ @ @ @ Linda Solomon Wood 's Conversations series , sponsored by Canada 's National Observer and featuring @ @ @ @ @ economy , politics , culture and climate change .
To watch more Conversations , head @ @ @ @ @ .
To stay up to date on upcoming interviews , subscribe here .

What will Canada’s communities look like after COVID-19? What’s a "shovel-worthy" job?
Join us on Zoom for the next Conversation series, as Linda Solomon Wood, editor-in-chief for Canada’s National Observer, speaks with Catherine McKenna, Canada's infrastructure and communities minister.
Register here Tuesday, June 16 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET
Become a subscriber today and you’ll get subscriber-exclusive access to submit questions for the minister ahead of time.
McKenna was elected the first female MP for Ottawa Centre and appointed environment and climate change minister in 2015. The former lawyer, UN negotiator, competitive swimmer and mom of three will be our next guest on our Conversations series.


nationalobserver--2020-06-12--Nature Canada’s Graham Saul on pushing for social change and a green recovery

Saul is executive director of one of the country ’ s oldest environmental groups , Nature Canada .
He recently called for a “ Canadian nature corps ” inspired by one of former U.S. president Franklin Delano Roosevelt 's massive initiatives after the Great Depression .
He 's also become known for his at times scathing critiques of his own green movement , notably a 2018 interview on CBC 's Ideas titled “ Why Environmentalism is Failing.
” In a wide-ranging conversation with Canada ’ s National Observer , he urged the green movement to diversify its base , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it wants to succeed .
Drawn from his previous work in climate organizing , his recipe for victory draws inspiration from social movements throughout history , from slavery abolitionists to today ’ s international Black Lives Matter uprisings , to women ’ s rights struggles , civil rights and countless others .
Just don ’ t expect any of this to be easy , he warned .
“ Sometimes , it takes the kind of thing we see in the U.S. with Black Lives Matter to wake people up to the scale of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ We 've seen that consciousness of many people around the world has been awoken .
“ I look back at movements and see 200-year arcs .
There are sudden , inspirational , tragic bursts that happen .
Movements begin , they make progress , then they falter , they make more progress.
” For the environmental movement in Canada , he said , big ideas are needed that go beyond simply mitigating industrial society ’ s damage to species and ecosystems .
“ We need to be organizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in making sure there are specific demands we 're expecting of our decision-makers and actively organizing other people who care about them , to effectively put pressure , ” he said .
Among the big ideas , he said , must be that government investments to rebuild Canada ’ s post-pandemic economy must have several basic principles at their core : prioritizing diversity , social equity and reconciliation , aggressively reducing emissions , a just transition and retraining for workers and restoring damaged ecosystems .
Racial and economic justice as well as leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side conversations for the environmental movement , he warned , but any environmental investments must “ make sure the diversity of the Canadian population can benefit and will not exacerbate inequalities in society , but … be conscious of Indigenous rights and of racism in Canada.
” Saul lauded in particular the Indigenous Guardians movement in protecting the land , but called on Canada to better fund and support their efforts , and to ensure all conservation projects embody respect for Indigenous rights and ways of life , for example .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to support the restoration of nature , ” he said , “ we do it in a way that advances the reconciliation agenda , to make sure Indigenous ( people ) receive that support … overseeing and conserving and protecting land.
” Nature supporters , he said , need to learn how to better fight for change with tangible demands , grassroots people power and smart political strategy .
Saul takes inspiration from 19th-century Black orator and abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass : “ Power concedes nothing without a demand , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enslavement himself .
“ It never did and it never will.
” While he admitted that , too often , the nature community “ does n't have clarity in terms of demands ” on the climate crisis , advocates are finally finding their footing and realizing deeper transformation of society is needed .
“ The climate community is finally putting forward demands , ” he said .
“ They 're saying we 're not tinkering around with the edges anymore , it 's not to slow down the emissions but to reverse them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a transition.
” Founded in 1967 , Nature Canada is among Canada ’ s oldest environmental charities .
And though far from the largest today , its $ 3 million in annual funding has doubled over the past five years , according to Canada Revenue Agency .
Originally formed to bring together local naturalist associations across the country , its mission is “ to protect and conserve wildlife habitats in Canada by engaging people.
” And while it might not be near the largest green charity , the organization boasts an outside impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ naturalists and nature-lovers who form its grassroots .
Because countless local groups active in their environment are “ by virtue of their existence ” rooted in their local landscape and environment — whether birdwatchers , campers , fishers or inner-city community gardeners — it can be admittedly difficult to rally around a unified agenda .
He urged supporters to use people power to combat the entrenched influence of private industries on government decisions .
One corporate sector he believes has gained outsized influence is forestry — which he said should be encouraged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other types of fibre , for example .
And governments need to ensure they are calculating the greenhouse gas emissions of Canada ’ s immense forests based on scientific evidence , not industry pressure .
Canada ’ s National Observer , he noted , recently revealed forestry is in fact not helping reduce the country ’ s carbon footprint , despite logging companies claiming otherwise .
“ The Government of Canada has been shifting its assumption about how it calculates it , ” Saul said .
“ The carbon released by forest fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by insect infestations has been growing … Logging has not been reducing its greenhouse gas emissions significantly , so forests on their whole have turned into a massive source of greenhouse gas emissions.
” But while Saul urged more environmental defenders to use this rare historic moment to reflect on and improve their tactics — and to become at once more grassroots-driven , more diverse and also much more active in “ electoral contests ” and door-knocking to pressure politicians — he also said an often-missing element is celebrating victories .
Citing early-20th-century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saul reminded his audience any successful social movement must make ample space for celebration and thankfulness .
“ It 's really easy to just be fundamentally depressed all the time , ” he said .
“ But the reality is that good things do happen , progress does get made .
“ And while we have a long struggle , we need to find a way to celebrate the victories as we go along.
” This live interview is part of Conversations , hosted by Linda Solomon Wood and sponsored by Canada 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the economy , politics and climate change .
To watch the full conversation , head to our YouTube channel .
To stay up to date on upcoming interviews , subscribe here .

Graham Saul finds himself unexpectedly optimistic in these difficult times.
And the Canadian environmental leader insists that’s not in spite of today’s massive unrest, inequities, hardships or health crises — but because of what he sees as urgent opportunities for social movements to win victories.
“I believe we're at a very exciting moment in human history, and the next 20 to 30 years are going to be looked back on as a revolutionary moment,” the veteran environmentalist told attendees of a Zoom conversation with Linda Solomon Wood, editor-in-chief of Canada's National Observer. “I think we're up for it, though we have a lot of work to do.”
Video of Nature Canada’s Graham Saul on the pushing for change from Canada’s nature community Nature Canada's Graham Saul speaking with Linda Solmon Wood on a Zoom call as part of the Conversations series on June 11, 2020
Saul is executive director of one of the country’s oldest environmental groups, Nature Canada. He recently called for a “Canadian nature corps” inspired by one of former U.S. president Franklin Delano Roosevelt's massive initiatives after the Great Depression.
He's also become known for his at times scathing critiques of his own green movement, notably a 2018 interview on CBC's Ideas titled “Why Environmentalism is Failing.” In a wide-ranging conversation with Canada’s National Observer, he urged the green movement to diversify its base, and engage more strategically with power, if it wants to succeed.
Drawn from his previous work in climate organizing, his recipe for victory draws inspiration from social movements throughout history, from slavery abolitionists to today’s international Black Lives Matter uprisings, to women’s rights struggles, civil rights and countless others.
Just don’t expect any of this to be easy, he warned.
“Sometimes, it takes the kind of thing we see in the U.S. with Black Lives Matter to wake people up to the scale of the challenge and urgency of action,” he said. “We've seen that consciousness of many people around the world has been awoken.
“I look back at movements and see 200-year arcs. There are sudden, inspirational, tragic bursts that happen. Movements begin, they make progress, then they falter, they make more progress.”
For the environmental movement in Canada, he said, big ideas are needed that go beyond simply mitigating industrial society’s damage to species and ecosystems.
“We need to be organizing around big ideas, getting people involved in making sure there are specific demands we're expecting of our decision-makers and actively organizing other people who care about them, to effectively put pressure,” he said.
Among the big ideas, he said, must be that government investments to rebuild Canada’s post-pandemic economy must have several basic principles at their core: prioritizing diversity, social equity and reconciliation, aggressively reducing emissions, a just transition and retraining for workers and restoring damaged ecosystems.
Racial and economic justice as well as leadership of Indigenous communities must no longer be side conversations for the environmental movement, he warned, but any environmental investments must “make sure the diversity of the Canadian population can benefit and will not exacerbate inequalities in society, but … be conscious of Indigenous rights and of racism in Canada.”
Saul lauded in particular the Indigenous Guardians movement in protecting the land, but called on Canada to better fund and support their efforts, and to ensure all conservation projects embody respect for Indigenous rights and ways of life, for example.
“We have to ensure that as we move to try to support the restoration of nature,” he said, “we do it in a way that advances the reconciliation agenda, to make sure Indigenous (people) receive that support … overseeing and conserving and protecting land.”
Nature supporters, he said, need to learn how to better fight for change with tangible demands, grassroots people power and smart political strategy.
Saul takes inspiration from 19th-century Black orator and abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass: “Power concedes nothing without a demand,” wrote the U.S. anti-slavery leader after escaping enslavement himself. “It never did and it never will.”
While he admitted that, too often, the nature community “doesn't have clarity in terms of demands” on the climate crisis, advocates are finally finding their footing and realizing deeper transformation of society is needed.
“The climate community is finally putting forward demands,” he said. “They're saying we're not tinkering around with the edges anymore, it's not to slow down the emissions but to reverse them … and this is going to require a transition.”
Founded in 1937, Nature Canada is among Canada’s oldest environmental charities. And though far from the largest today, its $3 million in annual funding has doubled over the past five years, according to Canada Revenue Agency. Originally formed to bring together local naturalist associations across the country, its mission is “to protect and conserve wildlife habitats in Canada by engaging people.”
And while it might not be near the largest green charity, the organization boasts an outside impact thanks to the tens of thousands of naturalists and nature-lovers who form its grassroots.
Because countless local groups active in their environment are “by virtue of their existence” rooted in their local landscape and environment — whether birdwatchers, campers, fishers or inner-city community gardeners — it can be admittedly difficult to rally around a unified agenda.
He urged supporters to use people power to combat the entrenched influence of private industries on government decisions. One corporate sector he believes has gained outsized influence is forestry — which he said should be encouraged to move away from harvesting ancient forests toward other types of fibre, for example.
And governments need to ensure they are calculating the greenhouse gas emissions of Canada’s immense forests based on scientific evidence, not industry pressure. Canada’s National Observer, he noted, recently revealed forestry is in fact not helping reduce the country’s carbon footprint, despite logging companies claiming otherwise.
“The Government of Canada has been shifting its assumption about how it calculates it,” Saul said. “The carbon released by forest fires has been growing, the carbon released by insect infestations has been growing … Logging has not been reducing its greenhouse gas emissions significantly, so forests on their whole have turned into a massive source of greenhouse gas emissions.”
But while Saul urged more environmental defenders to use this rare historic moment to reflect on and improve their tactics — and to become at once more grassroots-driven, more diverse and also much more active in “electoral contests” and door-knocking to pressure politicians — he also said an often-missing element is celebrating victories.
Citing early-20th-century anarchist and feminist author Emma Goldman, Saul reminded his audience any successful social movement must make ample space for celebration and thankfulness.
“It's really easy to just be fundamentally depressed all the time,” he said. “But the reality is that good things do happen, progress does get made.
“And while we have a long struggle, we need to find a way to celebrate the victories as we go along.”
This live interview is part of Conversations, hosted by Linda Solomon Wood and sponsored by Canada's National Observer, featuring topics around COVID-19, the economy, politics and climate change. To watch the full conversation, head to our YouTube channel. To stay up to date on upcoming interviews, subscribe here.


nationalobserver--2020-06-13--Stop killing my people

Stop killing my people

Sometimes it seems like I ’ m watching an epic movie of drama and barbaric injustice lately .
But , it ’ s real life .
Another one of us is gone .
Rodney Levi ’ s name lit up my Twitter feed Friday night .
‘ Murdered by RCMP…this Mi ’ qmaq man was unarmed .
This country is in chaos .
Rest in Power , brother ’ Rodney Levi murdered by RCMP in Miramichi tonight .
This Mi'qmaq man was unarmed .
This country is in chaos .
Rest in power , brother .
💔 — FORM A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 One of our prominent leaders , Chief Allan Adam ’ s beaten and bloodied picture flashed across the headlines of the world this week too .
He was profiled by RCMP in Fort McMurray , tackled and arrested over an expired license plate .
I ’ ve cited stats in countless articles I ’ ve written over the last 10 years about Indigenous Peoples .
You can go look up what is going on if you need proof in numbers .
This perspective is from a human standpoint , from someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this war against her own people , as a journalist for over a decade .
`` The essence of racism is systemic .
It is before our eyes , are you looking ?
Do you see the injustice now ? ''
How does it feel when your own people are being murdered from oppression on your very own home and native land ?
It feels like tremendous pressure on your chest , it ’ s like losing your breath , gasping for air and it throbs with pain .
You walk around in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart .
You curse to the sky and you drop to your knees until you get up and walk again .
It ’ s like a virus .
You can ’ t breath .
And we all feel it .
But that pressure , that pain starts churning into a raging fire .
A fire of a thousand generations of strength , of courage and unrelenting hope .
Hope , because it ’ s not 1873 anymore .
Our people are not silenced anymore .
The very Dominion of Canada established an army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people under its control .
Through the North West Mounted Police , now turned RCMP , and its foundational principles which trickled out into police forces under colonial rule .
Invaders dispatched an army in the name of clearing the plains and seizing the lands from my ancestors .
That was just the beginning .
After the clearing of the plains they herded our people into boxes called reservations and stood guard so they couldn ’ t leave unless given permission by the Indian agent of the Indian Act .
The RCMP enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
This country was designed to oppress our people .
It was designed to target us , to keep us in line .
We are a sovereign people .
We are not a conquered people .
Colonialism tried wiping us out .
It may have brought us down , it may have stolen the dreams of generations , but our mothers and fathers prayed for us with their dying breath .
They prayed their children and grandchildren would one day heal , live free , rise and thrive over the chains of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The world is watching now , the world is listening , and the world is shifting .
Right now .
Racism is being ripped from the roots for all to see its ugly truths .
More innocent bloodshed is on the line in this war of race and power .
Our people are tired .
But our people will not give up .
Rodney Levi was shot and killed by RCMP during a police call on June 12 , 2020 .
Governments can make laws to change , courts can pass judgements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , something I ’ ve learned is none of that will matter until it comes from the heart .
And the change comes from the people -- not systems .
The essence of racism is systemic .
It is before our eyes , are you looking ?
Do you see the injustice now ?
Stop denying .
Stop debating and just start doing .
Something !
Stop killing my people .
Who will you stand with now that the foundations of ignorance are being shaken and can no longer be an excuse ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken ; but our hearts are in-sync for justice .
We have hope like never before because our people are speaking up and standing up .
More than ever our allies awaken to stand for justice and equality .
One thing I ’ ve learned in life , is to never give up , be brave ; be courageous and never lose hope .
We are all in this together .

Sometimes it seems like I’m watching an epic movie of drama and barbaric injustice lately. But, it’s real life. Another one of us is gone. Rodney Levi’s name lit up my Twitter feed Friday night. "Murdered by RCMP … this Mi’qmaq man was unarmed. This country is in chaos. Rest in Power, brother." Rodney Levi murdered by RCMP in Miramichi tonight. This Mi'qmaq man was unarmed.
This country is in chaos.
Rest in power, brother.
💔 — Shireen Ahmed (@_shireenahmed_) June 13, 2020 It hit like a poisoned arrow of torment.
Last week it was Chantal Moore. The beautiful, brown haired, brown skinned Tia-o-qui-aht First Nations mother-26, shot dead, five times at the hands of police in New Brunswick. 26 year old Chantel Moore was shot dead by police in Edmundston, N.B. on June 4, 2020. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In April Winnipeg police shot three young Indigenous People. Two were less than 24 hours apart. Eisha Hudson, age 16. Jason Collins, 36. Stewart Keven Andrews, 22.
One of our prominent leaders, Chief Allan Adam’s beaten and bloodied picture flashed across the headlines of the world this week too. He was profiled by RCMP in Fort McMurray, tackled and arrested over an expired license plate. "The essence of racism is systemic. It is before our eyes, are you looking? Do you see the injustice now?" I’ve cited stats in countless articles I’ve written over the last 10 years about Indigenous Peoples. You can go look up what is going on if you need proof in numbers. This perspective is from a human standpoint, from someone who has been on the frontlines of this war against her own people, as a journalist for over a decade. How does it feel when your own people are being murdered from oppression on your very own home and native land? It feels like tremendous pressure on your chest, it’s like losing your breath, gasping for air and it throbs with pain. You walk around in a daze nursing another blow to the heart. You curse to the sky and you drop to your knees until you get up and walk again. It’s like a virus. You can’t breath. And we all feel it.
But that pressure, that pain starts churning into a raging fire. A fire of a thousand generations of strength, of courage and unrelenting hope. Hope, because it’s not 1873 anymore. Our people are not silenced anymore. The very Dominion of Canada established an army of its foreign force to keep our people under its control. Through the North West Mounted Police, now turned RCMP, and its foundational principles which trickled out into police forces under colonial rule.


nationalobserver--2020-06-13--Vancouver Island hard hit as B.C. records highest-ever monthly fatal overdoses

British Columbia 's health officer fought back tears as she addressed the province ’ s deadliest month ever for illicit drug overdoses at a COVID-19 briefing Thursday .
In May , 170 people died from overdoses , as the supply of street drugs continues to be increasingly toxic , the coroner ’ s office reported .
B.C .
has recorded a total of 554 fatalities from illicit drugs in 2020 so far , and more than 100 deaths in each of the past three months .
The Island Health authority surpassed its prior deadliest months recorded by 36 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 28 deaths in January and March .
“ It ’ s just completely heartbreaking and unacceptable , ” Guy Felicella , peer clinical adviser with the BC Centre on Substance Use , said Friday morning .
B.C.
’ s overdose crisis , into its fifth year as a declared public health emergency , saw more fatalities in the month of May than the 168 confirmed deaths COVID-19 has caused in the province to date .
“ It ’ s just completely heartbreaking and unacceptable , ” Guy Felicella , peer clinical adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after the province suffers 170 fatal illicit drug overdoses in the month of May .
“ This is the often forgotten public health emergency , ” Felicella said .
“ The two public health emergencies aren ’ t addressed the same and , unfortunately , neither are people ’ s lives.
” Street drugs are increasingly contaminated and though B.C .
has implemented a series of harm reduction strategies , more has to be done to improve access to safe , prescribed drugs , he said .
“ The missing component in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply programs throughout the province , especially in Victoria , ” Felicella said .
There needs to be a wider range of drugs prescribed to better individualize safe supply treatment for users , he said .
People using illicit drugs take a wide range of substances and some are now accustomed to using fentanyl , which is safely prescribed in hospitals , he said .
“ It ’ s kind of like the situation where you wouldn ’ t give baby aspirin to someone suffering from a migraine , ” Felicella said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people dying from overdoses were aged 19 to 49 , and men accounted for 80 per cent of the deaths .
Of the people who died , 85 per cent were found inside their homes or a residence .
Dr. Henry stressed the danger of people using alone , noting the distancing measures people were using to stay safe from COVID-19 might be aggravating the isolation drug users experience .
“ We know that using alone right now is exceedingly deadly.
” She urged family , friends and co-workers to reach out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs , and urged those who do use to seek help .
Drug testing , using with a buddy , accessing safe supply and using overdose prevention sites are all effective ways to reduce risk , she said .
“ ( There is ) no one , single cause or magic bullet that will solve the crisis , ” Henry said .
In a targeted effort to save people from dying while using alone at home , B.C .
launched the Lifeguard app province-wide May 21 .
The free app , downloadable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Play , prompts users to check in 50 seconds after dosing , Neil Lilley , senior provincial executive director of BC Emergency Health Service , said on Friday .
If people don ’ t check in on the phone , emergency responders are dispatched to the person ’ s location to prevent an overdose , Lilley said , describing the app as a virtual buddy system .
“ The vast majority of deaths … are from people using alone , and unfortunately , that ’ s because there ’ s nobody there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
When paramedics do get called out for an overdose , there is a successful outcome 99 per cent the time , Lilley said .
“ So , if we can get called to those overdoses ( with the app ) , we have a high chance of patients surviving.
” B.C .
launched the free Lifeguard app , a virtual buddy , which allow people using drugs a means to alert paramedics if they are at risk of overdosing .
Photo : courtesy B.C .
government .
To date , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 497 people and been used 1,012 times .
In Vancouver , 231 people have downloaded it , followed by Surrey at 224 , Victoria 73 , Kelowna 52 and Courtenay 27 , Lilley said .
The personal data of anyone using the app is completely anonymous and only used to dispatch first responders to the GPS location , he added .
Given the contamination of street drugs , people are encouraged to use the app if they are using alone , even if they don ’ t believe they are using fentanyl , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the app 's users will be based in cities , but the overdose problem exists all over the province — in small , rural communities , too , Lilley said .
As long as a person can get cell service or Wi-Fi , the app will alert 911 dispatch services in an overdose emergency , he said .
“ It ’ s all about getting the word out there , ” he said .
“ We want to get it out to every little corner of the province , every single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lifeguard app saved its first life after it dispatched emergency responders to an overdose on May 31 , Lilley said .
It is a great concept and could save lives if people are using alone , Guy Felicella said .
“ I do know it ’ s gaining a lot of traction with youth , which is a good sign , ” said the peer clinical advisor .
But some will still avoid the app because of stigma and because they are wary due to the criminalization of drug use , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will wake up and see police in their house . ''
BC Emergency Health Service 's Neil Lilley says there is no cause for concern because police officers only attend overdose calls in cases of overt danger .
“ It ’ s a message we ’ ve been trying to get out to everybody for a few years now , ” he said .
“ Any overdose call that comes ( in ) , we don ’ t share that information with police , we send out paramedics and as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter.
” “ People don ’ t have to have concerns about using the app and ( being tied to ) criminal activity in any way.
” Dr. Henry emphasized the need to diminish stigma and shame , and reiterated the need to decriminalize drug use to save lives .
The drug overdose crisis was complex , challenging and rooted in pain , she said .
“ We must eliminate the stigma and shame that leads people to be afraid to reach out , ” she said .
“ I have called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternatives to the criminal justice system to support people in getting the help they need .
”

“My thoughts and condolences go out to family and friends who have lost their loved ones, and I share your grief.”
“I cannot express how difficult this news has been to hear,” Dr. Bonnie Henry said , distressed, and adding that the province’s resources are stretched to the limit trying to address B.C.’s dual health emergencies.
B.C. has recorded a total of 554 fatalities from illicit drugs in 2020 so far, and more than 100 deaths in each of the past three months.
In May, 170 people died from overdoses, as the supply of street drugs continues to be increasingly toxic, the coroner’s office reported .
British Columbia's health officer fought back tears as she addressed the province’s deadliest month ever for illicit drug overdoses at a COVID-19 briefing Thursday.
Of the total deaths this year, 54 occurred in the south Vancouver Island health service area, 32 in central Vancouver Island and 12 in the north region.
Vancouver Island in particular suffered a serious spike in fatalities, recording 38 deaths across the health authority — 21 of them in Victoria alone — for a total of 98 deaths to date this year .
“The two public health emergencies aren’t addressed the same and, unfortunately, neither are people’s lives.”
“This is the often forgotten public health emergency,” Felicella said.
B.C.’s overdose crisis, into its fifth year as a declared public health emergency, saw more fatalities in the month of May than the 168 confirmed deaths COVID-19 has caused in the province to date.
“It’s just completely heartbreaking and unacceptable,” Guy Felicella, peer clinical adviser with the BC Centre on Substance Use, said Friday morning.
The Island Health authority surpassed its prior deadliest months recorded by 36 per cent — previous monthly highs were in 2018 with 28 deaths in January and March.
There needs to be a wider range of drugs prescribed to better individualize safe supply treatment for users, he said.
“The missing component in all of this is establishing widespread safe supply programs throughout the province, especially in Victoria,” Felicella said.
Street drugs are increasingly contaminated and though B.C. has implemented a series of harm reduction strategies, more has to be done to improve access to safe, prescribed drugs, he said.
People using illicit drugs take a wide range of substances and some are now accustomed to using fentanyl, which is safely prescribed in hospitals, he said.
“It’s kind of like the situation where you wouldn’t give baby aspirin to someone suffering from a migraine,” Felicella said.
A total of 70 per cent of the people dying from overdoses were aged 19 to 49, and men accounted for 80 per cent of the deaths.
Of the people who died, 85 per cent were found inside their homes or a residence.
Dr. Henry stressed the danger of people using alone, noting the distancing measures people were using to stay safe from COVID-19 might be aggravating the isolation drug users experience.
“We know that using alone right now is exceedingly deadly.”
She urged family, friends and co-workers to reach out to people they know might be using drugs, and urged those who do use to seek help.
Drug testing, using with a buddy, accessing safe supply and using overdose prevention sites are all effective ways to reduce risk, she said.
“(There is) no one, single cause or magic bullet that will solve the crisis,” Henry said.
In a targeted effort to save people from dying while using alone at home, B.C. launched the Lifeguard app province-wide May 21.
The free app, downloadable to any cellphone from the App Store or Google Play, prompts users to check in 50 seconds after dosing, Neil Lilley, senior provincial executive director of BC Emergency Health Service, said on Friday.
If people don’t check in on the phone, emergency responders are dispatched to the person’s location to prevent an overdose, Lilley said, describing the app as a virtual buddy system.
“The vast majority of deaths … are from people using alone, and unfortunately, that’s because there’s nobody there to call 911 for them,” he said.
When paramedics do get called out for an overdose, there is a successful outcome 99 per cent the time, Lilley said.
“So, if we can get called to those overdoses (with the app), we have a high chance of patients surviving.”
B.C. launched the free Lifeguard app, a virtual buddy, which allow people using drugs a means to alert paramedics if they are at risk of overdosing. Photo: courtesy B.C. government.
To date, the Lifeguard app has been downloaded by 497 people and been used 1,012 times.
In Vancouver, 231 people have downloaded it, followed by Surrey at 224, Victoria 73, Kelowna 52 and Courtenay 27, Lilley said.
The personal data of anyone using the app is completely anonymous and only used to dispatch first responders to the GPS location, he added.
Given the contamination of street drugs, people are encouraged to use the app if they are using alone, even if they don’t believe they are using fentanyl, he stressed.
It’s expected most of the app's users will be based in cities, but the overdose problem exists all over the province — in small, rural communities, too, Lilley said.
As long as a person can get cell service or Wi-Fi, the app will alert 911 dispatch services in an overdose emergency, he said.
“It’s all about getting the word out there,” he said.
“We want to get it out to every little corner of the province, every single nook and cranny of B.C.”
The Lifeguard app saved its first life after it dispatched emergency responders to an overdose on May 31, Lilley said.
It is a great concept and could save lives if people are using alone, Guy Felicella said.
“I do know it’s gaining a lot of traction with youth, which is a good sign,” said the peer clinical advisor.
But some will still avoid the app because of stigma and because they are wary due to the criminalization of drug use, he said.
“Part of the concern is people will wake up and see police in their house."
BC Emergency Health Service's Neil Lilley says there is no cause for concern because police officers only attend overdose calls in cases of overt danger.
“It’s a message we’ve been trying to get out to everybody for a few years now,” he said.
“Any overdose call that comes (in), we don’t share that information with police, we send out paramedics and as long as the scene is safe … only paramedics enter.”
“People don’t have to have concerns about using the app and (being tied to) criminal activity in any way.”
Dr. Henry emphasized the need to diminish stigma and shame, and reiterated the need to decriminalize drug use to save lives.
The drug overdose crisis was complex, challenging and rooted in pain, she said.
“We must eliminate the stigma and shame that leads people to be afraid to reach out,” she said.
“I have called for this before. We must look for alternatives to the criminal justice system to support people in getting the help they need.”
Rochelle Baker/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-06-13--As Ontario reopens, critics wonder why environmental protections remain suspended

In much of Ontario on Friday , citizens could enjoy patio beers or get long-awaited haircuts as COVID-19 restrictions lifted .
But a broad suspension of environmental rights — which the province 's Progressive Conservative government said it needed to respond to the COVID-19 emergency — remains in place even as the crisis caused by the virus appears to subside .
“ If people can congregate on patios while abiding by physical-distance guidelines , surely , they can be consulted on environmental measures that affect their community , ” Ontario Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said in an interview .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ key portion of Ontario ’ s Environmental Bill of Rights , allowing it to push forward projects or laws that could significantly impact the environment without consulting or notifying the public .
The regulation doesn ’ t specify that those decisions must be related to COVID-19 .
At the time , the government said environmental protections could slow down its response to the pandemic .
The suspension expires 30 days after Ontario ’ s current state of emergency ends — for now , that ’ s June 30 , but the government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Opposition parties kill bill with one-time , tax-free payment of up to $ 600 for Canadians with disabilities Andrew Buttigieg , a spokesman for Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek , didn ’ t respond to questions about when the government would restore the environmental protections or what projects related to COVID-19 it had used the suspension to expedite .
But Yurek ’ s previous statements still stand , Buttigieg said — the government will remain transparent and consult the public on changes not related to COVID-19 , he said .
The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
This week , the government used the suspension to allow petroleum refineries in Ontario to temporarily reduce the number of surveys to detect leaky machinery .
For 2020 , companies may now conduct two checks instead of the usual three due to the effects of COVID-19 , a change that was posted to Ontario ’ s Environmental Registry , but implemented without consulting the public .
Petrochemical leaks and spills are common in Sarnia ’ s Chemical Valley , a collaborative investigation involving Canada 's National Observer found in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of environmental protections to delay a deadline for industry to report greenhouse gas emissions .
( Yurek has previously said change was to align Ontario ’ s deadline with a similar delay on the federal level . )
Though these changes appear small , they ’ re starting to add up , said Robert Wright , a staff lawyer at the non-profit Ecojustice and former vice-chair of Ontario ’ s Environmental Review Tribunal .
“ If people can congregate on patios while abiding by physical distance guidelines , surely they can be consulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner .
# onpoli “ My concern might be that some of these changes will become embedded , ” he said .
NDP question why environmental consultations can ’ t be done virtually The Environmental Bill of Rights included a section allowing the government to skip public consultation if a public health emergency demands it .
Buttigieg has said the government didn ’ t use that section because determining which measures would qualify could slow down COVID-19 response further .
“ There were robust fail-safes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ontario NDP environment critic Ian Arthur said Friday .
“ I do n't think ( the suspension ) is necessary.
” Arthur also pointed out that the province is continuing to consult the public digitally on other matters — the finance committee , for example , has held virtual hearings .
The fact that the government hasn ’ t done the same for environmental changes is indicative of its priorities , he added .
“ There are ways that we can conduct consultations safely through the use of technology , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t being employed in this instance is absolutely beyond me.
” Since Doug Ford became premier in 2018 , Ontario has cancelled 227 clean-energy projects , wound down conservation programs , weakened endangered-species protections and taken away powers from the province ’ s environmental commissioner , who is meant to hold the government accountable .
Last month , a court overturned Yurek ’ s decision to cancel a partially built wind farm , with judges finding the minister was “ not reasonable ” and did not “ meet the requirements of transparency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has a record of not being trustworthy when it comes to the environment , Schreiner said .

In much of Ontario on Friday, citizens could enjoy patio beers or get long-awaited haircuts as COVID-19 restrictions lifted. But a broad suspension of environmental rights — which the province's Progressive Conservative government said it needed to respond to the COVID-19 emergency — remains in place even as the crisis caused by the virus appears to subside. “If people can congregate on patios while abiding by physical-distance guidelines, surely, they can be consulted on environmental measures that affect their community,” Ontario Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said in an interview. In April, the government suspended a key portion of Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights, allowing it to push forward projects or laws that could significantly impact the environment without consulting or notifying the public. The regulation doesn’t specify that those decisions must be related to COVID-19. At the time, the government said environmental protections could slow down its response to the pandemic. The suspension expires 30 days after Ontario’s current state of emergency ends — for now, that’s June 30, but the government has the ability to extend it further.
Andrew Buttigieg, a spokesman for Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek, didn’t respond to questions about when the government would restore the environmental protections or what projects related to COVID-19 it had used the suspension to expedite. But Yurek’s previous statements still stand, Buttigieg said — the government will remain transparent and consult the public on changes not related to COVID-19, he said. The government will have more news next week, he added. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions This week, the government used the suspension to allow petroleum refineries in Ontario to temporarily reduce the number of surveys to detect leaky machinery. For 2020, companies may now conduct two checks instead of the usual three due to the effects of COVID-19, a change that was posted to Ontario’s Environmental Registry, but implemented without consulting the public.
Petrochemical leaks and spills are common in Sarnia’s Chemical Valley, a collaborative investigation involving Canada's National Observer found in 2017. “If people can congregate on patios while abiding by physical distance guidelines, surely they can be consulted on environmental measures that affect their community,” said Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. #onpoli The government previously used the suspension of environmental protections to delay a deadline for industry to report greenhouse gas emissions. (Yurek has previously said change was to align Ontario’s deadline with a similar delay on the federal level.) Though these changes appear small, they’re starting to add up, said Robert Wright, a staff lawyer at the non-profit Ecojustice and former vice-chair of Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal. “My concern might be that some of these changes will become embedded,” he said.
NDP question why environmental consultations can’t be done virtually The Environmental Bill of Rights included a section allowing the government to skip public consultation if a public health emergency demands it. Buttigieg has said the government didn’t use that section because determining which measures would qualify could slow down COVID-19 response further. “There were robust fail-safes built into the Environmental Bill of Rights,” Ontario NDP environment critic Ian Arthur said Friday. “I don't think (the suspension) is necessary.”


nationalobserver--2020-06-15--Migrant workers hold virtual rally calling for full immigration status

A group supporting migrant workers held a virtual rally Sunday that called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and MPs to immediately extend full immigration status for all non-permanent residents .
The event , sponsored by the Migrant Rights Network , featured a series of farm workers , caregivers , construction workers and others who expressed the difficulties of living through the COVID-19 pandemic without the government support given to Canadians .
`` We are raising our voice because the COVID-19 virus has laid bare the crisis caused by capitalism , racism , climate change and war , '' spokeswoman Sarom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rho said the majority of migrants are paid low wages , and face many other challenges .
`` Canada 's corporations profit off of the intentional temporariness caused by a two-tiered immigration system , '' Rho said , adding that the novel coronavirus has hit migrants and poor the hardest .
• Noam Chomsky on post-Covid-19 society : Trump is worse than Hitler , but the peasants are coming with pitchforks `` Without access to emergency income supports , migrants have been working through the crisis without basic labour rights or health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are homeless , we have lost our lives . ''
Without emergency income supports provided to Canadian workers , she says , migrants are going hungry as they struggle to survive .
Rho said migrants are calling on Trudeau to live up to his promise to do better to fight racism .
`` So today we say to him , Prime Minister Trudeau do better by ensuring full immigration status for all . ''
That would provide health services including hospitalization and access to doctors , worker protections against discrimination and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases and paid emergency leave .
It wants access to community supports such as food banks , emergency shelters and other services and an immediate moratorium on detentions and deportations .
A group supporting migrant workers held a virtual rally on Sunday , June 14 , 2020 , that called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and MPs to immediately extend full immigration status for all non-permanent residents .
The activist group launched the one-day event by supporting efforts to defund , disarm and dismantle police over racist policies following recent deaths at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and several Canadians , such as Rodney Levi , an Indigenous man in New Brunswick .
`` We are in the midst of a massive anti-racist uprising against police and anti-Black police violence , a groundshifting rebellion led by Black women and youth . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14 , 2020 .

A group supporting migrant workers held a virtual rally Sunday that called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and MPs to immediately extend full immigration status for all non-permanent residents.
The event, sponsored by the Migrant Rights Network, featured a series of farm workers, caregivers, construction workers and others who expressed the difficulties of living through the COVID-19 pandemic without the government support given to Canadians.
"We are raising our voice because the COVID-19 virus has laid bare the crisis caused by capitalism, racism, climate change and war," spokeswoman Sarom Rho said during the one-hour event.
Rho said the majority of migrants are paid low wages, and face many other challenges.
"Canada's corporations profit off of the intentional temporariness caused by a two-tiered immigration system," Rho said, adding that the novel coronavirus has hit migrants and poor the hardest.


nationalobserver--2020-06-15--Opponents mark one year since Quebec's controversial religious symbols law

Opponents of Quebec 's controversial secularism law vowed Sunday to keep up the fight to see it rescinded ahead of the first anniversary of its passing .
Some of those opposed to the legislation gathered in front of Premier Francois Legault 's office in downtown Montreal to denounce Bill 21 as it is known , a law they associate with systemic discrimination .
The legislation — which is the subject of several legal challenges — bars some public-sector employees deemed to be in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols while at work such as turbans , kippas and hijabs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the midst of a pandemic creating an unprecedented health , social and economic crisis as well a major call to denounce the racism and violence within institutions .
• Noam Chomsky on post-Covid-19 society : Trump is worse than Hitler , but the peasants are coming with pitchforks They called on the Quebec government to move away from policies that divide and move to unite the population for the challenges to come .
`` It 's one year too many , '' said Hanadi Saad .
For activists who took the microphone on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women — the law is first and foremost another symptom of the systemic racism that exists in Quebec society .
`` Law 21 does not protect Quebec 's identity , it was created to make religious and racial profiling , particularly towards women , especially Muslim women , '' Saad said .
Ehab Lotayef , the co-ordinator of a campaign against Bill 21 , made a link with Legault 's recent assertion that while racism does exist in the province , systemic racism does not .
`` The premier denies the existence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is legalizing systemic discrimination , '' Lotayef said .
Opponents of Quebec 's controversial secularism law vowed on Sunday , June 14 , 2020 , to keep up the fight to see it rescinded ahead of the first anniversary of its passing .
`` The fight of rights and equality is not for a certain group and not against a certain group , we are not equal unless we are all equal . ''
The Coalition Avenir Quebec government has previously defended the secularism law , saying it enjoys strong support among Quebecers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government invoked closure to adopt the secularism law on June 16 , 2019 .
A plaintiff in one of the legal challenges spoke Sunday .
Ichrak Nourel Hak wears a hijab , is about to get her teaching degree and wants the right to work in her profession of choice .
The National Council of Canadian Muslims and Canadian Civil Liberties Association took up her cause , but the courts declined to grant a stay of the symbols provision and she 's waiting for the case to be heard on the merits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't believe that in 2020 , I 'm here before you trying to make you understand that my rights are being violated , '' she said .
`` I can not believe that I still have to fight to make it clear that I wo n't abandon my dream to allay false fears . ''
Another activist called on those gathered not to give up the fight .
`` I want you to join together against this bill , not because you it directly impacts you but because we must have common cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke out against the bill during parliamentary hearings .

Opponents of Quebec's controversial secularism law vowed Sunday to keep up the fight to see it rescinded ahead of the first anniversary of its passing. Some of those opposed to the legislation gathered in front of Premier Francois Legault's office in downtown Montreal to denounce Bill 21 as it is known, a law they associate with systemic discrimination. The legislation — which is the subject of several legal challenges — bars some public-sector employees deemed to be in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols while at work such as turbans, kippas and hijabs. That group includes teachers, police officers and judges. Organizers noted the anniversary comes in the midst of a pandemic creating an unprecedented health, social and economic crisis as well a major call to denounce the racism and violence within institutions.
They called on the Quebec government to move away from policies that divide and move to unite the population for the challenges to come. "It's one year too many," said Hanadi Saad. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions For activists who took the microphone on Sunday — a large number of them women — the law is first and foremost another symptom of the systemic racism that exists in Quebec society.
"Law 21 does not protect Quebec's identity, it was created to make religious and racial profiling, particularly towards women, especially Muslim women," Saad said. Opponents of Quebec's controversial secularism law vowed on Sunday, June 14, 2020, to keep up the fight to see it rescinded ahead of the first anniversary of its passing. Ehab Lotayef, the co-ordinator of a campaign against Bill 21, made a link with Legault's recent assertion that while racism does exist in the province, systemic racism does not. "The premier denies the existence of systemic racism and at the time he is legalizing systemic discrimination," Lotayef said. "The fight of rights and equality is not for a certain group and not against a certain group, we are not equal unless we are all equal." The Coalition Avenir Quebec government has previously defended the secularism law, saying it enjoys strong support among Quebecers and has described it as moderate.
The government invoked closure to adopt the secularism law on June 16, 2019. A plaintiff in one of the legal challenges spoke Sunday. Ichrak Nourel Hak wears a hijab, is about to get her teaching degree and wants the right to work in her profession of choice.