nationalobserver--2020-11-11--Feds’ rural internet plan can’t come soon enough for farmers, advocates say

Across B.C.
’ s Kootenay region , slow internet has left many farmers struggling as the pandemic pushed everything from sales to school online .
They ’ re not alone .
High-speed internet remains patchy in rural and remote parts of Canada , leaving many farmers without an essential tool for the 21st century .
That might be changing .
On Monday , the federal government launched a $ 1.75-billion universal broadband fund to guarantee broadband internet service to 98 per cent of Canadians by 2026 .
First announced in the 2019 budget but delayed by the pandemic , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and increase internet capacity via a network of low Earth orbit internet satellites to improve speed and connectivity .
It ’ s a welcome change .
“ The days of putting flyers in people ’ s mailboxes are pretty much gone , ” said Katie Ward , national president of the National Farmers Union and a farmer in the Ottawa region .
“ The internet is a key part of communication for us.
” • Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities • Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been particularly important during the pandemic , connecting producers and customers who ca n't meet face-to-face because of COVID-19 restrictions .
That has both increased Canadians ' access to local food and has helped farmers , essential to the country 's food security , get through the year , said Ward .
According to the federal government , the proposed plan will guarantee all Canadians download speeds of at least 50 megabits per second and uploads of at least 10 megabits per second .
That ’ s enough for most video- and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided to regional internet service providers or local governments , with $ 150 million earmarked to enhance household access to a high-speed connection before Nov. 15 , 2021 .
In B.C.
, most of this funding will focus on remote regions since more than 90 per cent of households are already connected to a broadband service , according to a 2019 Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission report .
Telework is becoming the new normal .
# UBFCanada will help increase access to high-speed Internet , enabling Canadians to work from home and access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GetConnected pic.twitter.com/wjIAYJS0Xl — ISED ( @ ISED_CA ) November 10 , 2020 “ Canadians need access to high-speed internet to telework , to access online medicine , to participate in online classes , and more .
It helps businesses thrive , including agriculture , no matter where they are located , ” a spokesperson for Innovation , Science and Economic Development Canada said in a statement .
The federal government 's $ 1.75-billion universal broadband fund is set to make a huge difference for farmers , especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers who ca n't meet face-to-face .
Satellites will play a key role in the plan , and the government has partnered with a private company to access hard-to-reach parts of the country this way .
The network will also be subsidized and is expected to meet the minimum upload and download speed requirements .
“ One of the things we have pushed for in the ( National Farmers Union ) is to have the improved telecommunications infrastructure come up to a speed and standard that is equal to urban areas , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unreasonable cost on the rural service users , ” said Ward .

Across B.C.’s Kootenay region, slow internet has left many farmers struggling as the pandemic pushed everything from sales to school online. They’re not alone. High-speed internet remains patchy in rural and remote parts of Canada, leaving many farmers without an essential tool for the 21st century. That might be changing. On Monday, the federal government launched a $1.75-billion universal broadband fund to guarantee broadband internet service to 98 per cent of Canadians by 2026. First announced in the 2019 budget but delayed by the pandemic, the money will fund projects already in development and increase internet capacity via a network of low Earth orbit internet satellites to improve speed and connectivity. It’s a welcome change. “The days of putting flyers in people’s mailboxes are pretty much gone,” said Katie Ward, national president of the National Farmers Union and a farmer in the Ottawa region. “The internet is a key part of communication for us.”
The web has been particularly important during the pandemic, connecting producers and customers who can't meet face-to-face because of COVID-19 restrictions. That has both increased Canadians' access to local food and has helped farmers, essential to the country's food security, get through the year, said Ward. According to the federal government, the proposed plan will guarantee all Canadians download speeds of at least 50 megabits per second and uploads of at least 10 megabits per second. That’s enough for most video- and audio-calling platforms. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The funding will be provided to regional internet service providers or local governments, with $150 million earmarked to enhance household access to a high-speed connection before Nov. 15, 2021.
In B.C., most of this funding will focus on remote regions since more than 90 per cent of households are already connected to a broadband service, according to a 2019 Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission report. The federal government's $1.75-billion universal broadband fund is set to make a huge difference for farmers, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as internet access has helped connect producers and customers who can't meet face-to-face. Telework is becoming the new normal. #UBFCanada will help increase access to high-speed Internet, enabling Canadians to work from home and access new opportunities! https://t.co/2wR9tiTvod #GetConnected pic.twitter.com/wjIAYJS0Xl — ISED (@ISED_CA) November 10, 2020 “Canadians need access to high-speed internet to telework, to access online medicine, to participate in online classes, and more. It helps businesses thrive, including agriculture, no matter where they are located,” a spokesperson for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada said in a statement. Satellites will play a key role in the plan, and the government has partnered with a private company to access hard-to-reach parts of the country this way. The network will also be subsidized and is expected to meet the minimum upload and download speed requirements. “One of the things we have pushed for in the (National Farmers Union) is to have the improved telecommunications infrastructure come up to a speed and standard that is equal to urban areas, but also that it shouldn’t impose an unreasonable cost on the rural service users,” said Ward.


nationalobserver--2020-11-11--Opposition runs high against Quebec natural gas project rest of Canada hears little about

In the media of English-speaking Canada , one sees the arguments , pro and con , for building pipelines to export the fossil fuels of Alberta , Saskatchewan and even northern B.C .
You may read that the Wet'suwet'en , First Nation “ Coast Defenders ” and environmentalists are opposed to the Trans Mountain pipeline and to Coastal GasLink .
But did you know that another major natural gas project is being promoted in Quebec right now ?
Just as in Hugh MacLennan 's novel Two Solitudes , only a tiny minority of citizens are aware of the battles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In a nutshell , this project — a joint multibillion-dollar venture between Gazoduq and GNL Quebec — would entail natural gas , extracted from fracking in northern B.C .
and Alberta , being piped through existing pipelines all the way to eastern Ontario .
From there , a 750-kilometre pipeline — the Gazoduq project — would be built to the shores of the Saguenay River , where a liquefaction plant — the proposed Énergie Saguenay Project — would cool the natural gas to -162 C and then ship it in LNG tankers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BAPE ( Quebec 's environmental agency ) is holding hearings on the liquefaction plant only .
Because of conflicting jurisdictions , the interprovincial pipeline part of the project , plus the shipping on seaways , are under federal jurisdiction .
This means hearings have already been held under the scrutiny of its federal counterpart , the Assessment Agency of Canada .
• Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities • Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May Last November , our local environmental committee in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pipeline part of the project .
Despite the fact that the project leaders from Gazoduq and GNL Quebec are trying to play one government against the other , this is ONE single project ; pollution , GHG ( greenhouse gases ) and climate change know no boundaries !
For example , project proponents want us to believe that the liquefaction plant ( the one under the scrutiny of BAPE ) would be carbon neutral after the construction phase ; in order to achieve this , it would use millions of kilowatts an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many people have pointed out that our clean hydropower should be used to promote innovative carbon-free technologies , not to do some greenwashing of a fossil fuel that many serious researchers claim is as dirty as coal .
In order to be carbon neutral in Quebec , we are asked to ignore the GHG produced from fracking in Alberta , leaks in pipelines , the clean hydroelectric energy required for transportation , the clean energy required to liquefy the gas and combustion in foreign countries .
Here , the opposition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , half a million people marched through the streets of Montreal to denounce climate change , fossil fuels and Gazoduq .
To date , BAPE has received an unprecedented 3,000 briefs on this subject ; the vast majority of these expressed either outright opposition or asked pointed questions about the so-called environmental benefits of the project .
On top of the environmental problems , many have questioned its economic viability .
The prices for petroleum and gas are at an all-time low .
Forty economists have expressed doubts about the project , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by governments .
We would object strenuously if the government of Quebec should buy an economically lame-duck pipeline just like the federal government 's purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline .
And to cap it all , investor Warren Buffett ( Berkshire Hathaway ) has decided to withdraw his US $ 3-billion investment in this project .
Slicing this mega-project into numerous tiny , isolated pieces does n't make it more environmentally friendly .
We see through this public relations baloney .
The solution to climate change must be global in scope .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Climate Change is clear : If we want our planet to remain habitable for our grandchildren , 80 per cent of fossil fuels must remain in the ground .
No matter which side of the “ two solitudes ” you are from , the fight against fossil fuels , such as “ Projet Gazoduq ” is similar to the fight against Trans Mountain or Coastal GasLink or Keystone XL .
In all cases , the purpose of these pipelines is to bring more fossil fuels to the marketplace , which means that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Paris Accord .
`` We must use the reset potential of the COVID-19 pandemic to find novel ways to put our economy back on its wheels , '' Gérard Montpetit writes .
# Quebec # fracking # climatechange We must use the reset potential of the COVID-19 pandemic to find novel ways to put our economy back on its wheels .
And that means helping the workers from the oilpatch find new jobs in renewable energies .
In this , all people on both sides of the “ Two Solitudes ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !

In the media of English-speaking Canada, one sees the arguments, pro and con, for building pipelines to export the fossil fuels of Alberta, Saskatchewan and even northern B.C. You may read that the Wet'suwet'en, First Nation “Coast Defenders” and environmentalists are opposed to the Trans Mountain pipeline and to Coastal GasLink. But did you know that another major natural gas project is being promoted in Quebec right now? Just as in Hugh MacLennan's novel Two Solitudes, only a tiny minority of citizens are aware of the battles and the problems in the “other solitude.” In a nutshell, this project — a joint multibillion-dollar venture between Gazoduq and GNL Quebec — would entail natural gas, extracted from fracking in northern B.C. and Alberta, being piped through existing pipelines all the way to eastern Ontario. From there, a 750-kilometre pipeline — the Gazoduq project — would be built to the shores of the Saguenay River, where a liquefaction plant — the proposed Énergie Saguenay Project — would cool the natural gas to -162 C and then ship it in LNG tankers to Europe and Asia. Currently, BAPE (Quebec's environmental agency) is holding hearings on the liquefaction plant only. Because of conflicting jurisdictions, the interprovincial pipeline part of the project, plus the shipping on seaways, are under federal jurisdiction. This means hearings have already been held under the scrutiny of its federal counterpart, the Assessment Agency of Canada.
Last November, our local environmental committee in the Saint-Hyacinthe area expressed its opinion on the pipeline part of the project. Despite the fact that the project leaders from Gazoduq and GNL Quebec are trying to play one government against the other, this is ONE single project; pollution, GHG (greenhouse gases) and climate change know no boundaries! For example, project proponents want us to believe that the liquefaction plant (the one under the scrutiny of BAPE) would be carbon neutral after the construction phase; in order to achieve this, it would use millions of kilowatts an hour of Quebec’s hydroelectric power. Many people have pointed out that our clean hydropower should be used to promote innovative carbon-free technologies, not to do some greenwashing of a fossil fuel that many serious researchers claim is as dirty as coal. In order to be carbon neutral in Quebec, we are asked to ignore the GHG produced from fracking in Alberta, leaks in pipelines, the clean hydroelectric energy required for transportation, the clean energy required to liquefy the gas and combustion in foreign countries. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Here, the opposition to the Gazoduq project is strong. In September 2019, half a million people marched through the streets of Montreal to denounce climate change, fossil fuels and Gazoduq. To date, BAPE has received an unprecedented 3,000 briefs on this subject; the vast majority of these expressed either outright opposition or asked pointed questions about the so-called environmental benefits of the project.


nationalobserver--2020-11-11--What Canada can learn from America's 2020 election

Like millions of Canadians , I am fascinated by U.S. presidential elections .
Over time , I ’ ve also grown fascinated by our collective obsession with American politics .
There are obvious reasons to pay attention to U.S. political tides , such as the size of our trade relationship .
But the reality is , most Canadians probably didn ’ t have export stats on their minds when they were honking horns Saturday in celebration of Joe Biden ’ s win .
Some of it is personal : Here in Vancouver , the border is so close that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown , and there are more expat Americans here than anywhere else on Earth .
Most of us have personal or professional relationships with Americans , and often both .
Full disclosure : I was married to one for 23 years .
However , I think the overriding reason Canadians obsess over U.S. presidential elections is fear ; specifically the fear that whenever something ails the democracy next door , it will inevitably creep over the border and infect democracy at home .
As one friend recently quipped , “ When the elephant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Given the steady erosion of democratic norms during Donald Trump ’ s presidency , it ’ s no surprise that we ’ ve been especially absorbed in the high drama of the 2020 election and understandably excited about the end of the current administration .
But how much will really change when Biden takes the reins ?
While millions of us were glued to screens and streams trying to decipher Electoral College math for what felt like the thousandth time , some simple truths of the American political system remain the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from conservation authorities • Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May Any forward policy movement requires the Senate , and pending a Georgia run-off election in January , it may remain in Republican control .
The defence of civil liberties and human rights is in the hands of a Supreme Court stacked with hard-line conservatives .
Americans are also still Americans , and while that brings with it many good things , it also brings a doctrine of American exceptionalism that is based on an unquestioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greatest nation on Earth .
This situates Trump as an aberration .
He ’ s not .
More than 70 million voted to re-elect Trump despite everything they ’ ve witnessed and suffered through over these past four years .
And here ’ s the real kicker : Trump voters will continue to have an outsized impact on policy in a Biden presidency .
Why ?
Unless Biden has nerves of steel — and his public persona sure doesn ’ t present that way — he will follow the pattern of past Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as his own because he believes he must in order to win control of the Senate in the 2022 mid-term elections .
Electoral College math is just the beginning of the challenging calculus of American presidential politics .
So what ’ s a Canadian to do ?
First , we can learn the main lesson of the Trump presidency .
If it smells like racism , misogyny and/or fascism , it probably is ... and you can ’ t ignore it out of existence .
Up against the backdrop of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
voters for explicitly rejecting candidates in our recent election who made misogynist and transphobic statements .
You have to confront hate early and directly .
Second , it ’ s time to give Canadian democracy a checkup .
One of the most chilling parts of these past four years has been watching the failure of checks and balances Americans thought they had to prevent someone with authoritarian leanings from taking power .
These range from the primary system validating Trump , through the failure of impeachment , right up to the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we as Canadians even list the main safeguards to our own democracy , let alone identify the deficiencies and possible remedies ?
While it 's great to see Donald Trump go , do n't expect too much change when president-elect Joe Biden takes the reins , @ andreareimer writes .
Sweeping campaign finance reforms made in B.C .
at both the provincial and municipal levels in 2017 are good examples of one way to strengthen democracy .
But like most long-overdue major reforms , they still need fine-tuning and there are too many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finance rules .
What about our own Senate ?
That it ’ s appointed on the advice of the leader of Parliament — the body it ’ s meant to provide sober second thought to — seems an obvious flaw .
Finally , we need to consider that the best defence against catching what ails American democracy may be learning how to play offence .
We can ’ t change geography , but we can choose political alliances and prioritize trade based on factors that go beyond geographic convenience .
Some relationships are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s fifth-largest economy and is broadly aligned in policy directions and economic goals .
But perhaps it ’ s time to shift some of our traditional focus and trade with other parts of America to stronger , more stable European allies who consistently share Canada ’ s policy aspirations on critical issues such as income inequality , structural racism and climate action .
I don ’ t think we ’ ll ever stop watching presidential races , but imagine how much better Canada could be if we were running our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ define .

Like millions of Canadians, I am fascinated by U.S. presidential elections. Over time, I’ve also grown fascinated by our collective obsession with American politics. There are obvious reasons to pay attention to U.S. political tides, such as the size of our trade relationship. But the reality is, most Canadians probably didn’t have export stats on their minds when they were honking horns Saturday in celebration of Joe Biden’s win. Some of it is personal: Here in Vancouver, the border is so close that you can reach it by public transit from downtown, and there are more expat Americans here than anywhere else on Earth. Most of us have personal or professional relationships with Americans, and often both. Full disclosure: I was married to one for 23 years. However, I think the overriding reason Canadians obsess over U.S. presidential elections is fear; specifically the fear that whenever something ails the democracy next door, it will inevitably creep over the border and infect democracy at home. As one friend recently quipped, “When the elephant sneezes, we all get a cold.” Given the steady erosion of democratic norms during Donald Trump’s presidency, it’s no surprise that we’ve been especially absorbed in the high drama of the 2020 election and understandably excited about the end of the current administration. But how much will really change when Biden takes the reins? While millions of us were glued to screens and streams trying to decipher Electoral College math for what felt like the thousandth time, some simple truths of the American political system remain the same.
Any forward policy movement requires the Senate, and pending a Georgia run-off election in January, it may remain in Republican control. The defence of civil liberties and human rights is in the hands of a Supreme Court stacked with hard-line conservatives. Americans are also still Americans, and while that brings with it many good things, it also brings a doctrine of American exceptionalism that is based on an unquestioned belief that the United States is the greatest nation on Earth. This situates Trump as an aberration. He’s not. More than 70 million voted to re-elect Trump despite everything they’ve witnessed and suffered through over these past four years. And here’s the real kicker: Trump voters will continue to have an outsized impact on policy in a Biden presidency. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Why? Unless Biden has nerves of steel — and his public persona sure doesn’t present that way — he will follow the pattern of past Democratic presidents and cater to Republican voters as much as his own because he believes he must in order to win control of the Senate in the 2022 mid-term elections. Electoral College math is just the beginning of the challenging calculus of American presidential politics.
So what’s a Canadian to do? First, we can learn the main lesson of the Trump presidency. If it smells like racism, misogyny and/or fascism, it probably is ... and you can’t ignore it out of existence. Up against the backdrop of the U.S. election, I was proud of B.C. voters for explicitly rejecting candidates in our recent election who made misogynist and transphobic statements. You have to confront hate early and directly. While it's great to see Donald Trump go, don't expect too much change when president-elect Joe Biden takes the reins, @andreareimer writes. Second, it’s time to give Canadian democracy a checkup. One of the most chilling parts of these past four years has been watching the failure of checks and balances Americans thought they had to prevent someone with authoritarian leanings from taking power. These range from the primary system validating Trump, through the failure of impeachment, right up to the final stacking of the Supreme Court. Can we as Canadians even list the main safeguards to our own democracy, let alone identify the deficiencies and possible remedies? Sweeping campaign finance reforms made in B.C. at both the provincial and municipal levels in 2017 are good examples of one way to strengthen democracy. But like most long-overdue major reforms, they still need fine-tuning and there are too many places in Canada without any real campaign finance rules. What about our own Senate? That it’s appointed on the advice of the leader of Parliament — the body it’s meant to provide sober second thought to — seems an obvious flaw.


nationalobserver--2020-11-11--Tea Base shuts doors, but spirit of basement art space lives on

In a basement unit of an iconic but aging Chinatown mall , Toronto art space Tea Base opened almost two years ago with a mandate to engage the local community and bridge the divide between older and younger generations .
It had to close its doors last month , but those helping to develop its programming around transformative justice and social development are already looking at what comes next .
“ We are sad to inform everyone that we ’ re being reno-evicted from our unit C-15 in the basement , as our landlord is taking back possession of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Christie Carriere , Tea Base ’ s co-creative director , wrote on the collective ’ s Instagram page ahead of the exit .
Community has been particularly difficult to maintain amid 2020 ’ s COVID-19 lockdowns and ongoing restrictions , which have also made people ’ s ability to connect with each other more valuable than ever .
At an Oct. 26 online town hall , the Tea Base team told members they plan to rent another unit in the mall by the spring , asked them what support and virtual programming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed their intention to incorporate as a non-profit co-op .
• Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities • Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May “ I would love to carry on the collaborative and shape-shifting nature of the first Tea Base space , ” Carriere told Canada ’ s National Observer .
“ This space was special to me in that it was one of the only spots left in the city where you could go and just be there , be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fee.
” A closing art show seen inside the Tea Base site shortly before the collective says it was `` reno-evicted . ''
Photo by Steven Chen The volunteer-run space was typically open three or four times during the week ( actual hours would be posted on Instagram on Mondays ) , with events common on the weekend and focused on developing solidarity across marginalized groups .
“ It was an art gallery at times , a tea shop sometimes , a living room with a couch to nap on most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hot-pot dining hall , a mahjong hall ( non-gambling ) every Monday , a library , a zine-fair , a listening café , a garden club , and so many other things , ” Carriere said of the space , noting its organic and spontaneous collaborations meant programming “ was truly by the people for the people.
” Members of the collective produced a documentary called LOVE LIVES : An Experience following a Tea Base partnership with Bricks and Glitter on Sept. 1 , 2019 .
Source : YouTube / Hannia Cheng @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tea Base , a basement art space in Toronto , intends to invest in more ambitious virtual activities , distribute care packages , build up organizational infrastructure and redistribute money to local mutual aid groups .
The former Tea Base site retained part of the signage of the Xuân Hương ice cream and bubble tea store that a Vietnamese couple had operated for almost 20 years before closing around 2013 .
It was also headquarters for Friends of Chinatown TO ( FOCT ) , which is fighting for community-controlled affordable housing , economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Volunteers from the two groups spent hundreds of hours developing an anti-displacement garden in the courtyard of the mall after joining broader protests against Chinatown gentrification across North America last summer , and have more recently come into conflict with 420 Cannabis Court , which has started hosting comedy events and renting out the outdoor space .
Tea Base hosts a pre-pandemic event in the courtyard of the Chinatown Centre Mall .
Photo by Jae Ng What comes next ?
With the temporary savings on rent , Tea Base intends to invest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care packages , build up organizational infrastructure and redistribute money to local mutual aid groups .
The collective is about to kick off a series of online workshops called Consent Coalition facilitated by queer South Asian-Italian poet and social worker Cassandra Myers , which will tackle suicide intervention and peer support , consent and pleasure , and transformative justice and de-escalation .
And the group just invited vendors in Canada who are Black , Indigenous and/or other people of colour ( BIPOC ) to set up stalls for a virtual reality artists ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help decorate the spaces with pixel art representations of their goods .
The team has also started an Instagram Live series of Cantonese cooking lessons organized by their intern , Catherine Chan , launched another season of its Cantonese language café and started a new edition in Mandarin .

In a basement unit of an iconic but aging Chinatown mall, Toronto art space Tea Base opened almost two years ago with a mandate to engage the local community and bridge the divide between older and younger generations. It had to close its doors last month, but those helping to develop its programming around transformative justice and social development are already looking at what comes next. “We are sad to inform everyone that we’re being reno-evicted from our unit C-15 in the basement, as our landlord is taking back possession of the space on Oct. 31st, 2020,” Christie Carriere, Tea Base’s co-creative director, wrote on the collective’s Instagram page ahead of the exit. Community has been particularly difficult to maintain amid 2020’s COVID-19 lockdowns and ongoing restrictions, which have also made people’s ability to connect with each other more valuable than ever. At an Oct. 26 online town hall, the Tea Base team told members they plan to rent another unit in the mall by the spring, asked them what support and virtual programming the community needs in the interim and discussed their intention to incorporate as a non-profit co-op.
“I would love to carry on the collaborative and shape-shifting nature of the first Tea Base space,” Carriere told Canada’s National Observer. “This space was special to me in that it was one of the only spots left in the city where you could go and just be there, be in community, without purchasing something or paying a fee.” A closing art show seen inside the Tea Base site shortly before the collective says it was "reno-evicted." Photo by Steven Chen Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The volunteer-run space was typically open three or four times during the week (actual hours would be posted on Instagram on Mondays), with events common on the weekend and focused on developing solidarity across marginalized groups.
“It was an art gallery at times, a tea shop sometimes, a living room with a couch to nap on most of the time, a co-working space, a hot-pot dining hall, a mahjong hall (non-gambling) every Monday, a library, a zine-fair, a listening café, a garden club, and so many other things,” Carriere said of the space, noting its organic and spontaneous collaborations meant programming “was truly by the people for the people.” With the temporary savings on rent, Tea Base, a basement art space in Toronto, intends to invest in more ambitious virtual activities, distribute care packages, build up organizational infrastructure and redistribute money to local mutual aid groups. Video of LOVE LIVES: An Experience (2019) Members of the collective produced a documentary called LOVE LIVES: An Experience following a Tea Base partnership with Bricks and Glitter on Sept. 1, 2019. Source: YouTube / Hannia Cheng The former Tea Base site retained part of the signage of the Xuân Hương ice cream and bubble tea store that a Vietnamese couple had operated for almost 20 years before closing around 2013. It was also headquarters for Friends of Chinatown TO (FOCT), which is fighting for community-controlled affordable housing, economic justice and racial justice in the neighbourhood.
Volunteers from the two groups spent hundreds of hours developing an anti-displacement garden in the courtyard of the mall after joining broader protests against Chinatown gentrification across North America last summer, and have more recently come into conflict with 420 Cannabis Court, which has started hosting comedy events and renting out the outdoor space. Tea Base hosts a pre-pandemic event in the courtyard of the Chinatown Centre Mall. Photo by Jae Ng


nationalobserver--2020-11-11--Canada, Saudi Arabia named ‘worst performers’ in report on fossil fuel funding

Canada and Saudi Arabia are the “ worst performers ” amongst their respective peers when it comes to the scale of support for oil and gas production , a new report says .
The International Institute for Sustainable Development , the Overseas Development Institute , and Oil Change International made the argument on Tuesday as part of their tracking of government support for fossil fuels .
The office of Canada 's environment minister said in response that the government has made “ significant investments ” in protections for air , water and natural areas , and towards a low-carbon economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Argentina of industry subsidies “ remains a priority.
” G20 countries including Canada have promised to stop giving public money to the fossil fuel industry .
Canada , however , was one of seven nations the organizations studied that actually increased the amount of public finance committed to the industry , on average , between 2014 and 2018 .
When it came to the scale of government support aimed specifically at oil and gas exploration , production , refining and transportation on average from 2017 to 2019 , Canada and Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their economic peers .
• Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities • Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May Canada provided the highest level of support in this category amongst other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) countries at around US $ 12 billion , beating out countries like Mexico , South Korea and Japan .
Saudi Arabia proved the highest amongst non-OECD countries at around US $ 32 billion , the report found .
“ Canada and Saudi Arabia are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale of support for oil and gas production of OECD and non-OECD member countries , respectively , ” reads the report , called “ Doubling Back and Doubling Down : G20 Scorecard on Fossil Fuel Funding.
” Canada has the world ’ s third-largest proven oil reserves behind Saudi Arabia and Venezuela , estimated at 171 billion barrels of oil , almost all of which is found in Alberta ’ s oilsands .
But the global scientific consensus is that exploiting proven reserves of oil and gas will raise global temperatures past 1.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after which the planet is at much greater risk of extreme drought , flooding , heat waves and poverty due to climate change .
“ These findings show that Canada ’ s public support to fossil fuels was far greater than other OECD G20 countries , ” said Environmental Defence Canada climate and energy program manager Julia Levin .
“ Yet we ’ re making the least amount of progress in eliminating this support , and actually increasing the amount of money being handed out to oil and gas companies.
” Canada and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” amongst their respective peers when it comes to the scale of their support for oil and gas production , says a new report .
Moira Kelly , press secretary for Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson , said the Trudeau government had made “ significant investments to protect our air , water and natural areas for our children and grandchildren ” and also invested to generate a “ world-leading clean economy.
” That includes Canada 's commitment in 2009 with its G20 partners to phase out “ inefficient fossil fuel subsidies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly said the government had “ already eliminated eight out of nine tax breaks for the fossil fuel sector ” and was “ working closely ” with Argentina on completing a peer review of each country 's fossil fuel subsidies , first promised in 2018 .
“ This peer review remains a priority , and we will continue to work closely with Argentina to complete it as soon as possible , ” Kelly said .
“ Our government will continue working with Canadians to cut pollution across the economy in a practical and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commissioner , federal departments have run into trouble trying to define what fossil fuel subsidies are and which ones are inefficient .
When the federal Environment Department , for example , examined 23 out of approximately 200 possible federal organizations for non-tax subsidies — things like government grants or research funding — it found four subsidies , none of which it decided were inefficient .
The department also did not consider the government 's $ 4.5-billion purchase of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline and expansion project in its assessment of subsidies .

Canada and Saudi Arabia are the “worst performers” amongst their respective peers when it comes to the scale of support for oil and gas production, a new report says. The International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Overseas Development Institute, and Oil Change International made the argument on Tuesday as part of their tracking of government support for fossil fuels. The office of Canada's environment minister said in response that the government has made “significant investments” in protections for air, water and natural areas, and towards a low-carbon economy, and said a promised peer review with Argentina of industry subsidies “remains a priority.” G20 countries including Canada have promised to stop giving public money to the fossil fuel industry. Canada, however, was one of seven nations the organizations studied that actually increased the amount of public finance committed to the industry, on average, between 2014 and 2018. When it came to the scale of government support aimed specifically at oil and gas exploration, production, refining and transportation on average from 2017 to 2019, Canada and Saudi Arabia stood out as the most prolific amongst their economic peers.
Canada provided the highest level of support in this category amongst other Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries at around US$12 billion, beating out countries like Mexico, South Korea and Japan. Saudi Arabia proved the highest amongst non-OECD countries at around US$32 billion, the report found. “Canada and Saudi Arabia are the worst performers in terms of the scale of support for oil and gas production of OECD and non-OECD member countries, respectively,” reads the report, called “Doubling Back and Doubling Down: G20 Scorecard on Fossil Fuel Funding.” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Canada has the world’s third-largest proven oil reserves behind Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, estimated at 171 billion barrels of oil, almost all of which is found in Alberta’s oilsands.
But the global scientific consensus is that exploiting proven reserves of oil and gas will raise global temperatures past 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, the threshold after which the planet is at much greater risk of extreme drought, flooding, heat waves and poverty due to climate change. Canada and Saudi Arabia are the “worst performers” amongst their respective peers when it comes to the scale of their support for oil and gas production, says a new report. “These findings show that Canada’s public support to fossil fuels was far greater than other OECD G20 countries,” said Environmental Defence Canada climate and energy program manager Julia Levin. “Yet we’re making the least amount of progress in eliminating this support, and actually increasing the amount of money being handed out to oil and gas companies.” Creating a 'world-leading' clean economy Moira Kelly, press secretary for Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, said the Trudeau government had made “significant investments to protect our air, water and natural areas for our children and grandchildren” and also invested to generate a “world-leading clean economy.”
That includes Canada's commitment in 2009 with its G20 partners to phase out “inefficient fossil fuel subsidies” by 2025, said Kelly. Kelly said the government had “already eliminated eight out of nine tax breaks for the fossil fuel sector” and was “working closely” with Argentina on completing a peer review of each country's fossil fuel subsidies, first promised in 2018. “This peer review remains a priority, and we will continue to work closely with Argentina to complete it as soon as possible,” Kelly said. “Our government will continue working with Canadians to cut pollution across the economy in a practical and affordable way.”


nationalobserver--2020-11-11--Regulator accepts BP offer to explore part of Atlantic marine refuge for drilling

A Canadian offshore oil regulator has accepted a bid from BP Canada to explore a portion of an environmentally sensitive marine refuge in the Atlantic Ocean for drilling .
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board ( C-NLOPB ) announced Nov. 4 that it had accepted a bid from the energy company for 264,500 hectares of ocean in exchange for a commitment to carry out exploration work worth $ 27 million .
According to the regulator , one part of BP Canada ’ s successful bid overlaps with a portion of the Northeast Newfoundland Slope — a marine refuge east @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and environmental groups say is key to biodiversity in the area .
“ Efforts to protect marine refuges and the species they support must be meaningful .
WWF-Canada calls on the federal government and the C-NLOPB to stop allowing oil and gas exploration and drilling in marine refuges .
Biodiversity depends on it.
” The bid is still subject to government and regulatory approval .
BP Canada must satisfy all requirements before the C-NLOPB can issue an exploration licence .
A Canadian offshore oil regulator has accepted a bid from BP Canada to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marine refuge in the Atlantic Ocean for drilling .
BP Canada spokeswoman Maureen Herchak said the company “ follows all regulatory requirements where we operate.
” “ It is too early to discuss future plans for this parcel , ” said Herchak .
“ However , should we undertake activity in the future , in keeping with government regulations , we will adhere to strict environmental standards , including evaluating any potential environmental and socio-economic sensitivities.
” Meanwhile , the regulator , referring to the overlap with the marine refuge , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ focused on the protection of environmentally significant and sensitive areas ” and would “ continue to work closely with DFO and others in this regard.
” “ Planning , monitoring and assessment of offshore petroleum activities will ensure they occur in an environmentally responsible way , ” the C-NLOPB wrote .
This includes any required “ mitigation measures ” are in place before any operations can begin , it said .
Canada 's National Observer asked the C-NLOPB on Nov. 6 if it could explain what specific oversight it would be providing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an environmentally responsible manner , but a representative could not respond by publication .
The area in the bid and other marine areas in the region were approved for bidding by the federal and Newfoundland and Labrador governments .
Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told the House of Commons environment committee on Nov. 4 that “ all drilling projects must respect high environmental standards , ” and regulations in place “ establish clear processes for drilling projects offshore.
” In a statement issued June 4 , the government said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigation measures and strengthens conditions to ensure projects adhere to high standards of environmental protection .
”

A Canadian offshore oil regulator has accepted a bid from BP Canada to explore a portion of an environmentally sensitive marine refuge in the Atlantic Ocean for drilling. The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) announced Nov. 4 that it had accepted a bid from the energy company for 264,500 hectares of ocean in exchange for a commitment to carry out exploration work worth $27 million. According to the regulator, one part of BP Canada’s successful bid overlaps with a portion of the Northeast Newfoundland Slope — a marine refuge east of the province that the federal government and environmental groups say is key to biodiversity in the area. The refuge contains corals and sponges that other marine life use as spawning grounds or nurseries, says the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). Corals and sponges are fragile and take time to recover from damage. Any oil company exploration in the marine refuge is going to put biodiversity in the area at risk, argues WWF-Canada.
“Efforts to protect marine refuges and the species they support must be meaningful. WWF-Canada calls on the federal government and the C-NLOPB to stop allowing oil and gas exploration and drilling in marine refuges. Biodiversity depends on it.” A Canadian offshore oil regulator has accepted a bid from BP Canada to explore a portion of an environmentally sensitive marine refuge in the Atlantic Ocean for drilling. BP says it’s ‘too early’ to discuss plans The bid is still subject to government and regulatory approval. BP Canada must satisfy all requirements before the C-NLOPB can issue an exploration licence. BP Canada spokeswoman Maureen Herchak said the company “follows all regulatory requirements where we operate.” “It is too early to discuss future plans for this parcel,” said Herchak.
“However, should we undertake activity in the future, in keeping with government regulations, we will adhere to strict environmental standards, including evaluating any potential environmental and socio-economic sensitivities.” Meanwhile, the regulator, referring to the overlap with the marine refuge, said in its Nov. 4 announcement that it was “focused on the protection of environmentally significant and sensitive areas” and would “continue to work closely with DFO and others in this regard.” “Planning, monitoring and assessment of offshore petroleum activities will ensure they occur in an environmentally responsible way,” the C-NLOPB wrote. This includes any required “mitigation measures” are in place before any operations can begin, it said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-11--Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities

The Doug Ford government is rewriting the rules for agencies that protect Ontario watersheds , undermining their powers and allowing developers to skip checks and balances , environmental advocates say .
In Ontario , 36 conservation authorities manage hazards like flood control and water quality , issue permits for construction in areas near crucial waterways and oversee conservation lands .
The changes to the rules governing them undermine the agencies ’ ability to ensure development in flood-plains is done safely , said Conservation Ontario , a non-profit representing the 36 conservation authorities .
“ It just reduces our ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Kim Gavine , the general manager of Conservation Ontario .
“ It ’ s almost like death by a thousand cuts.
” • Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May The changes were nestled inside Bill 229 , a bill introduced Thursday to enact measures the government outlined in its 2020 budget .
Ontario first created conservation authorities in 1946 after the province found that decades of poor planning had led to drought , deforestation , erosion and increased flooding .
The current system was designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hurricane Hazel , which struck southern Ontario in 1954 , killing 81 people and destroying homes that had been built on flood-plains .
After the disaster , Ontario put conservation authorities in charge of flood forecasting and making sure development near waterways was done safely .
“ It ’ s really about protecting people and property , ” said Laurie Nelson , director of policy planning at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority ( TRCA ) , referring to the current conservation authority rules .
The Ford government ’ s rewrite of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities ’ power , allowing the minister of natural resources to take over some decision-making on developments .
It would also allow developers to appeal conservation authorities ’ decisions directly to the minister , who could then overturn them .
And it would take away the agencies ’ ability to appeal municipal planning decisions they believe could be harmful for conservation .
“ It is a problem because it politicizes a process that is not political , ” said Ontario NDP environment critic Ian Arthur .
“ I think that the more that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we add in ministerial discretion or discretion on a municipal level , the less it does what it ’ s supposed to do.
” Conservation authorities oversee Ontario watersheds .
Doug Ford 's changes to how they work could allow developers to circumvent checks and balances brought in after hurricane Hazel in 1954 , environmental advocates say .
# onpoli The changes put the interests of developers ahead of science-based decision-making , said Ontario Green party Leader Mike Schreiner .
“ The climate crisis is only going to worsen flooding , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so short-sighted and reckless.
” Reduced flood protections could also be a “ huge liability and safety risk , ” said Tim Gray , the executive director of the non-profit Environmental Defence .
“ Anything that removes oversight from an ecological or flood hazard perspective has the ability to increase risk , ” he added .
Andrew Buttigieg , a spokesperson for Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek , didn ’ t directly answer when asked about concerns around flood mitigation and safety .
But he said the new rules would “ increase accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land use planning process , ” and that improving the governance of conservation authorities is part of the province ’ s flood mitigation strategy .
“ These changes would improve the governance , oversight and accountability of conservation authorities , while respecting taxpayer dollars by giving municipalities more say over the conservation authority services they pay for , ” Buttigieg said in an email .
They have a special role in development : While a municipal government might be concerned about economic issues or the environmental impact within its boundaries , a conservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire watersheds , which can span hundreds of square kilometres .
The authorities employ scientists who assess the impact of each project .
The new rules , if passed , would theoretically allow the province to overrule concerns raised by those scientists .
One example is a controversial development in Pickering , Ont.
, that would pave over a protected wetland .
Though the TRCA hasn ’ t officially decided whether to issue a permit or not , it has said it doesn ’ t generally support projects on protected wetlands — if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the new legislation would allow the Ford government to overrule it .
“ There will never be an answer of no , ” Gray said .
The TRCA is also concerned about the changes , and in a statement Friday called on “ partner municipalities , residents throughout our jurisdiction , and our network of supporters ” to reach out to the province on its behalf .
“ We really want to be able to protect our watersheds , ” Nelson said .
“ And being a major landowner in the GTA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public lands are also protected.
” The government announced plans to change the rules for conservation authorities in 2019 .
That year , it also cut their funding for mitigating natural hazards like floods by 50 per cent and ordered conservation authorities to shut down programs the province deemed unnecessary .
Conservation authorities had been working with the province in good faith to streamline their permitting processes and tell the government what types of changes could be helpful , Gavine said .
“ We ’ ve made great strides in improving turnaround times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that the changes that are being presented in the ( new legislation ) are not necessary in light of this improved work that we ’ ve seen.
” The legislation is likely to pass , since the Progressive Conservative government holds a majority .
It ’ s not clear what the full impact of the changes could be because the province has said it ’ s also writing a new set of regulations to go with the new rules , said Gavine .
( Buttigieg didn ’ t answer when asked when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I believe there ’ s other ways we could work co-operatively , ” Gavine said .
“ We fear that it ’ s going to impact our ability to look at the health of Ontario ’ s environment .
”

The Doug Ford government is rewriting the rules for agencies that protect Ontario watersheds, undermining their powers and allowing developers to skip checks and balances, environmental advocates say. In Ontario, 36 conservation authorities manage hazards like flood control and water quality, issue permits for construction in areas near crucial waterways and oversee conservation lands. The changes to the rules governing them undermine the agencies’ ability to ensure development in flood-plains is done safely, said Conservation Ontario, a non-profit representing the 36 conservation authorities. “It just reduces our ability to protect Ontario’s environment,” said Kim Gavine, the general manager of Conservation Ontario. “It’s almost like death by a thousand cuts.”
The changes were nestled inside Bill 229, a bill introduced Thursday to enact measures the government outlined in its 2020 budget. Ontario first created conservation authorities in 1946 after the province found that decades of poor planning had led to drought, deforestation, erosion and increased flooding. The current system was designed based on lessons learned in the wake of hurricane Hazel, which struck southern Ontario in 1954, killing 81 people and destroying homes that had been built on flood-plains. After the disaster, Ontario put conservation authorities in charge of flood forecasting and making sure development near waterways was done safely. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “It’s really about protecting people and property,” said Laurie Nelson, director of policy planning at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), referring to the current conservation authority rules.
The Ford government’s rewrite of those rules would chip away at conservation authorities’ power, allowing the minister of natural resources to take over some decision-making on developments. It would also allow developers to appeal conservation authorities’ decisions directly to the minister, who could then overturn them. And it would take away the agencies’ ability to appeal municipal planning decisions they believe could be harmful for conservation. Conservation authorities oversee Ontario watersheds. Doug Ford's changes to how they work could allow developers to circumvent checks and balances brought in after hurricane Hazel in 1954, environmental advocates say. #onpoli “It is a problem because it politicizes a process that is not political,” said Ontario NDP environment critic Ian Arthur. “I think that the more that we politicize this, the more that we add in ministerial discretion or discretion on a municipal level, the less it does what it’s supposed to do.” The changes put the interests of developers ahead of science-based decision-making, said Ontario Green party Leader Mike Schreiner. “The climate crisis is only going to worsen flooding,” he said. “It’s just so short-sighted and reckless.”
Reduced flood protections could also be a “huge liability and safety risk,” said Tim Gray, the executive director of the non-profit Environmental Defence. “Anything that removes oversight from an ecological or flood hazard perspective has the ability to increase risk,” he added. Andrew Buttigieg, a spokesperson for Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek, didn’t directly answer when asked about concerns around flood mitigation and safety. But he said the new rules would “increase accountability, consistency and transparency by streamlining the land use planning process,” and that improving the governance of conservation authorities is part of the province’s flood mitigation strategy.


nationalobserver--2020-11-12--Extra income support for hard-hit workers may end post-pandemic, PM says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the more generous benefits being provided to out-of-work Canadians during the pandemic should n't be seen as permanent changes to the social safety net .
Millions of people have received emergency benefits since March , when the first wave of COVID-19 struck Canada and led to widespread lockdowns and historic job losses .
A new round of $ 500-a-week benefits for the unemployed has since been put in place and extended to next summer .
Trudeau suggested the government is watching to see how things play out before deciding on its next move .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Financial Times , Trudeau said just because aid programs are helping during the pandemic does n't mean they 'll be useful once the crisis passes .
• Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities • Opposition runs high against Quebec natural gas project rest of Canada hears little about He also said the extra benefits likely wo n't stick around .
`` Let 's not pretend that something that works right now … gives us stability , '' Trudeau said in the pre-recorded interview .
`` That 's not a measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post- pandemic world .
I think there are really important reflections to have on how we provide income supports and how we make sure that everyone is given opportunities . ''
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit paid out $ 81.6 billion to about 8.9 million people during its run from March to October .
Since then , the three benefit programs that replaced it have paid out nearly $ 2.3 billion , with the majority going to the more than one million people who have used the Canada Recovery Benefit for those out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has steadily risen , and has now exceeded federal estimates for demand .
The three `` recovery '' benefits will be in place until next summer .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the more generous benefits being provided to out-of-work Canadians during the pandemic should n't be seen as permanent changes to the social safety net .
# Covid19 # cdnpoli # universalincome # basicincome At the same time , a slowdown in the number of employment insurance claims suggests demand for those benefits may fall short of the 2.8 million officials previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depending on the path of the pandemic .
Trudeau said in the Financial Times interview that the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 is why the Liberals revamped the aid program over the summer so benefits would rise if the economy turned south , or drop in cost if circumstances improved .
He said the benefits , as well as an extension to the wage subsidy program , a new commercial rent relief program , and extra help for companies closed by local lockdowns are all automatic stabilizers to ease conditions through the second wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage subsidy program to next summer wo n't be official until the Senate approves the necessary legislation .
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is scheduled to appear at the Senate finance committee Thursday to testify on the bill , known as C-9 .
The Senate has had some of the loudest voices for the Liberals to adopt another automatic stabilizer in place of myriad benefits : a basic income program .
Basic income is essentially a no-strings attached benefit governments provide to citizens that sets a financial floor for individuals and families .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not been publicly keen on , point to the existing suite of pandemic benefits as proof the idea works — even if experts have said the CERB and its replacements are n't exactly a basic income .
`` What we 're doing now should n't be conflated with things that we might or could do in the future , '' Trudeau said when asked about basic income .
`` I think we have to get through this before we start designing a whole new universe of social supports . ''
The parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing a basic income for six months to almost all Canadians , projecting a cost of between $ 30.5 billion and $ 71.4 billion , down from the $ 47.5 billion and $ 98.1 billion outlined in July .
The overall cost would grow annually until it hit between $ 84.2 billion and $ 197.2 billion in 2025 , depending on how much of the benefit is clawed back from people whose other incomes increase .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11 , 2020 .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the more generous benefits being provided to out-of-work Canadians during the pandemic shouldn't be seen as permanent changes to the social safety net. Millions of people have received emergency benefits since March, when the first wave of COVID-19 struck Canada and led to widespread lockdowns and historic job losses. A new round of $500-a-week benefits for the unemployed has since been put in place and extended to next summer. Trudeau suggested the government is watching to see how things play out before deciding on its next move. Speaking at a virtual event hosted by the Financial Times, Trudeau said just because aid programs are helping during the pandemic doesn't mean they'll be useful once the crisis passes.
He also said the extra benefits likely won't stick around. "Let's not pretend that something that works right now … gives us stability," Trudeau said in the pre-recorded interview. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "That's not a measure that we can automatically continue in a post- pandemic world. I think there are really important reflections to have on how we provide income supports and how we make sure that everyone is given opportunities."
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit paid out $81.6 billion to about 8.9 million people during its run from March to October. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the more generous benefits being provided to out-of-work Canadians during the pandemic shouldn't be seen as permanent changes to the social safety net. #Covid19 #cdnpoli #universalincome #basicincome Since then, the three benefit programs that replaced it have paid out nearly $2.3 billion, with the majority going to the more than one million people who have used the Canada Recovery Benefit for those out of work. The number of recipients has steadily risen, and has now exceeded federal estimates for demand. The three "recovery" benefits will be in place until next summer. At the same time, a slowdown in the number of employment insurance claims suggests demand for those benefits may fall short of the 2.8 million officials previously estimated. All that could change, depending on the path of the pandemic.
Trudeau said in the Financial Times interview that the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 is why the Liberals revamped the aid program over the summer so benefits would rise if the economy turned south, or drop in cost if circumstances improved. He said the benefits, as well as an extension to the wage subsidy program, a new commercial rent relief program, and extra help for companies closed by local lockdowns are all automatic stabilizers to ease conditions through the second wave of COVID-19. The extension of the wage subsidy program to next summer won't be official until the Senate approves the necessary legislation.


nationalobserver--2020-11-12--Manitoba hunkering down for second time to fight spread of COVID-19

Today is the day Manitoba goes into a self-imposed economic and social hibernation to try to bring surging COVID-19 numbers back under control .
The province has been struggling to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus since it started spiking in recent weeks after a summer lull .
Gatherings are limited to five people , but the restriction does not apply to those who live in the same household .
Churches ca n't hold in-person services and non-essential stores and restaurants are limited to curbside pickup and delivery .
Bars , museums and theatres are closed and recreational activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities • Opposition runs high against Quebec natural gas project rest of Canada hears little about The province reported 5,676 active cases on Wednesday , the deadliest day of the pandemic for Manitoba , with nine new deaths for a total of 123 .
It 's the largest per-capita caseload of active infections in the country .
Tighter public health orders had already been brought in for some areas , notably Winnipeg , but chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working .
The sharp rise in cases and , with it , a record number of hospitalizations has put the health-care system under strain .
Intensive care beds , including those occupied by non-COVID-patients , are running close to capacity .
There have been outbreaks in long-term care homes and hospitals , and widespread community transmission .
`` We need to flatten our COVID curve and we need to do that now , '' Premier Brian Pallister said Tuesday as he announced the widespread slowdown which is to last as long as four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , is the day Manitoba goes into a self-imposed economic and social hibernation to try to bring surging COVID-19 numbers back under control.
# Covid19 # Manitoba This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12 , 2020 .

Manitoba matched its deadliest day of the COVID-19 pandemic Thursday as business owners feared how they will get through a second period of economic hibernation. Health officials announced nine more deaths, matching the record set only the day before. There were 474 new cases detected. “Stay home,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba's chief public health officer. “The message is do not socialize outside of your household.” Under new public health restrictions that went into effect Thursday, non-essential stores and restaurants are limited to curbside pickup and delivery. Churches can't hold in-person services. Bars, museums and theatres are closed and recreational activities are suspended, although schools remain open.
Roussin said hospitals are being pushed toward capacity. There were 227 people in hospital, 34 in intensive care. The province has been struggling to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus since it started spiking in recent weeks after a summer lull. There have been more than 2,500 cases in the last week and more than 20 deaths in the past three days. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Manitoba has the largest per-capita caseload of active infections in the country with 6,030 in its population of just under 1.4 million people.
In the spring, Kelly O'Leary decided to close the Sapphire Hair Lounge in Winnipeg a week before public health orders required it. Today, November 12, 2020, is the day Manitoba goes into a self-imposed economic and social hibernation to try to bring surging COVID-19 numbers back under control.#Covid19 #Manitoba O'Leary, the salon's co-owner, said they went beyond provincial requirements once they reopened. It was a different environment in the usually loud, full salon — appointments spaced out, clients in masks and no noisy blow dryers. Even as COVID-19 numbers rose she hoped salons would be spared new restrictions because of the expensive and extensive precautions the industry had taken. The new public health order restrictions have forced the salon to close its doors again. "When the news of the shutdown came, it was definitely a punch in the stomach. It wasn't the same thing as March," O'Leary said. "A lot of us had to face the fact we were devastated. We didn't want to leave. We didn't want to shut down."
O'Leary said business owners are trying to figure out how to pay rent for their empty buildings, support employees and navigate confusing government programs. Kate Fenske, CEO of the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone, said many small businesses rely on the months leading up to the holiday season to bring in revenue that keeps them afloat into the next year. "This year it's likely not going to be the case," she said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-12--Climate-changing methane emissions from oilpatch twice as high as thought, study shows

Emissions of a potent greenhouse gas from Canada 's oilpatch are nearly twice as high as previously thought , says newly published federal research .
The findings on methane from Environment Canada researchers could complicate regulatory attempts to nearly halve releases over the next five years , says an environmental group .
`` That target will not be met unless the regulations are significantly strengthened , '' said Dale Marshall of Environmental Defence .
Methane is released from oil and gas infrastructure such as pumps , pipelines and valves during everyday operations .
Its effects in climate change are about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and both industry and government have been working to keep it contained .
How much methane is being released has been contentious .
• Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities • Opposition runs high against Quebec natural gas project rest of Canada hears little about Current estimates are based on the difference between how much methane enters oilpatch infrastructure and how much is left at the other end .
In a paper published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology , Environment Canada scientists instead used actual measurements of methane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of data from four points in Alberta and Saskatchewan show the previous total of 1.6 megatonnes is an underestimate .
The study found three megatonnes .
`` It 's off by a lot , '' said lead author Doug Worthy .
`` It 's almost twofold . ''
The study does n't specifically address where the unreported methane is coming from .
Worthy said there 's likely to be a wide range of sources and amounts .
`` There might be known , unreported emissions or emissions ( industry ) does n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ methane sources around oil storage tanks are underestimated and could be significant , he said .
Emissions of a potent greenhouse gas from Canada 's oilpatch are nearly twice as high as previously thought , says newly published federal research .
# ClimateChange # Methane The report 's findings are being welcomed by industry .
`` The industry is working closely with government and regulators to continue to build a detailed understanding of methane emissions and their efficient management , '' said a statement from Jay Averill of the Canadian Association of Petroleum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the sources of methane emissions , the better we can find ways to target and reduce those emissions . ''
Marshall pointed out the paper comes days after Environment Canada announced deals with Alberta and Saskatchewan that said proposed provincial methane regulations would achieve the same reductions as ones Ottawa had designed .
The paper 's conclusions are more evidence that they wo n't , he said .
`` The federal regulations say you have to do a lot more leak detection and repair .
That 's when you see when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are n't working , when the tanks are emitting huge amounts of methane .
`` The provincial regulations are weaker on leak detection . ''
Federally commissioned research already predicts Canada will only achieve two-thirds of its reduction target .
Marshall said the new findings reinforce that .
Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson should have known research from his own department would cast doubt on the equivalency of the provincial rules , said Marshall .
`` I do n't know what 's worse — that he did know and just did it anyway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Moira Kelly , Wilkinson 's spokeswoman , said the federal government remains committed to its reduction target .
`` Methane emissions provide some of the most cost-effective approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the country , '' she said .
`` We will continue to monitor and review the effectiveness of the federal regulations and will continue to work with provincial partners , civil society , and industry to ensure that these objectives are achieved . ''
She said Ottawa will report on the effectiveness of the methane regulations late next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to refining the numbers and getting a clearer picture of exactly where the emissions are coming from .
It will also work to distinguish emissions from fields that are primarily natural gas and those that produce mostly oil .
But the amount of methane that Canada will have to keep out of the atmosphere will increase , he said .
`` I do think the inventory numbers are going to come up . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 11 , 2020 .

Emissions of a potent greenhouse gas from Canada's oilpatch are nearly twice as high as previously thought, says newly published federal research. The findings on methane from Environment Canada researchers could complicate regulatory attempts to nearly halve releases over the next five years, says an environmental group. "That target will not be met unless the regulations are significantly strengthened," said Dale Marshall of Environmental Defence. Methane is released from oil and gas infrastructure such as pumps, pipelines and valves during everyday operations. Its effects in climate change are about 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide and both industry and government have been working to keep it contained. How much methane is being released has been contentious.
Current estimates are based on the difference between how much methane enters oilpatch infrastructure and how much is left at the other end. In a paper published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, Environment Canada scientists instead used actual measurements of methane in the atmosphere. Eight years worth of data from four points in Alberta and Saskatchewan show the previous total of 1.6 megatonnes is an underestimate. The study found three megatonnes. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "It's off by a lot," said lead author Doug Worthy. "It's almost twofold."
The study doesn't specifically address where the unreported methane is coming from. Worthy said there's likely to be a wide range of sources and amounts. Emissions of a potent greenhouse gas from Canada's oilpatch are nearly twice as high as previously thought, says newly published federal research. #ClimateChange #Methane "There might be known, unreported emissions or emissions (industry) doesn't have to report." For instance, methane sources around oil storage tanks are underestimated and could be significant, he said. The report's findings are being welcomed by industry. "The industry is working closely with government and regulators to continue to build a detailed understanding of methane emissions and their efficient management," said a statement from Jay Averill of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
"The more we know about the sources of methane emissions, the better we can find ways to target and reduce those emissions." Marshall pointed out the paper comes days after Environment Canada announced deals with Alberta and Saskatchewan that said proposed provincial methane regulations would achieve the same reductions as ones Ottawa had designed. The paper's conclusions are more evidence that they won't, he said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-12--Second COVID-19 wave has inmates locked down in 'atrocious' conditions, advocate says

Rising COVID-19 case count bodes ill for prison inmates , many of whom remain under partial lockdown without adequate health care , says the head of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies .
Three federal prisons have reported five cases of COVID-19 between them in the last few days as the pandemic worsens on the outside .
`` They ’ ve compensated for the lack of ability to socially distance by locking people down in really restrictive ways , which has tremendously affected the mental health of prisoners , '' said Emilie Coyle .
She called the conditions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a toxic relationship between correctional officers and inmates conflicts with guards ' de facto role as caregivers during the pandemic .
Guidance from public health officials who are not familiar with prisons aggravates a deficient health-care system and translates into restrictions that `` do n't equate to care , '' Coyle said in a phone interview Wednesday .
• Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities • Opposition runs high against Quebec natural gas project rest of Canada hears little about Her advocacy group , which works with female inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release some offenders so as to allow easier physical distancing behind bars , a step she says provinces have taken more readily than Ottawa .
She is also asking for more investment in rehabilitation programs to encourage community reintegration and prevent recidivism , paving the way for earlier releases .
The federal prison population fell by only two per cent to about 13,700 between March and April , while the number of Canadians incarcerated at provincial and territorial institutions dropped by 25 per cent to roughly 18,200 between February and April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came after Public Safety Minister Bill Blair asked the federal prison service and the parole board in March to consider releasing some inmates early to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission .
Nearly one-quarter of inmates in federal custody are serving life sentences and ineligible for parole , he said in the spring .
But many federal prisoners have been ensnared in a catch-22 that has hindered their release , Coyle said .
Prison inmates locked down without adequate health care , says the head of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What ended up happening was they shut everything down and nobody had access to programs , and the conditions of parole or release are usually that they ’ ve completed their programs within the institution , '' she said .
The odds of prison depopulation seem even longer as case counts spike across the country , which raises the risk of transmission via inmate transfers and correctional officers .
The five inmates who have been detected with COVID-19 this week — two in Drummondville , Que.
, one in Stony Mountain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institution for Women — are medically isolated and being monitored , the Correctional Service of Canada said .
Contact tracing is underway and testing is being offered at the three federal institutions affected , the agency said .
None of the three facilities is currently allowing visitors , a restriction that has been in place at all federal prisons in Quebec since late September due to the coronavirus spike .
`` The little social activity they had with family , loved ones , spouses , children — all links with the outside world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director general of the John Howard Society of Quebec .
`` They find themselves really locked in their cells , sometimes 23 hours out of 24 , '' she said in French , calling the treatment inhumane .
As the second wave washes across Canada , the correctional service said it continues to screen employees and equip correctional officers and inmates with medical masks , on top of heightened cleaning measures and social restrictions .
`` For example , in past months , we suspended visits and some activities in certain areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions , '' spokeswoman Véronique Rioux said in an email .

Rising COVID-19 case count bodes ill for prison inmates, many of whom remain under partial lockdown without adequate health care, says the head of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies. Three federal prisons have reported five cases of COVID-19 between them in the last few days as the pandemic worsens on the outside. "They’ve compensated for the lack of ability to socially distance by locking people down in really restrictive ways, which has tremendously affected the mental health of prisoners," said Emilie Coyle. She called the conditions in some institutions "atrocious," and said a toxic relationship between correctional officers and inmates conflicts with guards' de facto role as caregivers during the pandemic. Guidance from public health officials who are not familiar with prisons aggravates a deficient health-care system and translates into restrictions that "don't equate to care," Coyle said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Her advocacy group, which works with female inmates, is calling on the federal government to release some offenders so as to allow easier physical distancing behind bars, a step she says provinces have taken more readily than Ottawa. She is also asking for more investment in rehabilitation programs to encourage community reintegration and prevent recidivism, paving the way for earlier releases. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The federal prison population fell by only two per cent to about 13,700 between March and April, while the number of Canadians incarcerated at provincial and territorial institutions dropped by 25 per cent to roughly 18,200 between February and April, according to Statistics Canada.
The changes came after Public Safety Minister Bill Blair asked the federal prison service and the parole board in March to consider releasing some inmates early to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Prison inmates locked down without adequate health care, says the head of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies. #Covid19 #prison #inmates Nearly one-quarter of inmates in federal custody are serving life sentences and ineligible for parole, he said in the spring. But many federal prisoners have been ensnared in a catch-22 that has hindered their release, Coyle said. “What ended up happening was they shut everything down and nobody had access to programs, and the conditions of parole or release are usually that they’ve completed their programs within the institution," she said. The odds of prison depopulation seem even longer as case counts spike across the country, which raises the risk of transmission via inmate transfers and correctional officers.
The five inmates who have been detected with COVID-19 this week — two in Drummondville, Que., one in Stony Mountain, Man., and two at the Edmonton Institution for Women — are medically isolated and being monitored, the Correctional Service of Canada said. Contact tracing is underway and testing is being offered at the three federal institutions affected, the agency said. None of the three facilities is currently allowing visitors, a restriction that has been in place at all federal prisons in Quebec since late September due to the coronavirus spike.


nationalobserver--2020-11-12--Assistance for Canadians in Hong Kong expected, as committee says Uighurs face 'genocide'

The federal government is expected to announce long-awaited plans today to help Canadians living in Hong Kong amid the Chinese clampdown on democracy in the territory .
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino is to unveil the government 's plans at a press conference in Ottawa .
Earlier Thursday , members of the House of Commons committee looking into the plight of ethnic Muslim Uighurs in China 's Xinjiang province highlighted their recent hearings , which resulted in a finding that the Chinese Communist Party is guilty of perpetrating a genocide against the ethnic minority .
The all-party Commons subcommittee on human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China 's imprisonment of Uighur Muslims .
They shared accounts of their mass incarceration , rape and forced sterilization of women and mass surveillance .
Critics say China has detained as many as one million Uighurs and members of other Muslim groups in what amounts to mass prisons , where they can be re-educated .
The Chinese government has denied any abuse of human rights in the region and says reports about that are false .
• Ford government to take powers away from conservation authorities • Opposition runs high against Quebec natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about `` The subcommittee is persuaded that the actions of the Chinese Communist Party constitute genocide , as laid out in the Genocide Convention , '' said Liberal MP Peter Fonseca , the committee chair .
`` In particular , the subcommittee would like to thank the Uighur witnesses that provided evidence at great risk to themselves and their families living in Xinjiang . ''
New Democrat MP Heather McPherson said the most compelling testimony she heard came from women who `` survived the concentration camps and shared their stories of abuse and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown again and again that to wipe out a people , to perpetrate a genocide , one must destroy the women .
Acts designed to prevent births constitute genocide , '' she said .
Thursday 's developments are sure to anger China , which has warned the Trudeau government not to intervene in Hong Kong , and to butt out on levelling criticism related to the Uighurs .
Canada 's relations with China are at an all-time low because the People 's Republic has imprisoned two Canadian men , Michael Kovrig and Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has branded as coercive or hostage diplomacy .
Kovrig and Spavor were rounded up by Chinese authorities in December 2018 , nine days after Canada arrested Chinese high-tech scion Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant .
The subcommittee made clear it was targeting the Chinese Communist Party specifically .
`` This is not about a people .
This is not about a country , '' said Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi .
`` What we want are these practices to stop and then we will have nothing to say on the matter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's report will eventually wend its way up to the full Commons committee on foreign affairs and international development before it makes its way to the government for a response .
The Trudeau government has repeatedly said it wo n't back down on raising China 's record on human rights , in public if necessary .
On Wednesday , Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Canada was `` deeply disappointed '' by China 's latest decision to remove four elected lawmakers from office in Hong Kong .
`` This decision further narrows Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom of expression and public participation in governance in Hong Kong , '' the minister said in a statement .
`` This action clearly demonstrates a concerning disregard for Hong Kong 's Basic Law and the high degree of autonomy promised for Hong Kong under the 'one-country , two-systems ' framework . ''

The federal government is expected to announce long-awaited plans today to help Canadians living in Hong Kong amid the Chinese clampdown on democracy in the territory. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino is to unveil the government's plans at a press conference in Ottawa. Earlier Thursday, members of the House of Commons committee looking into the plight of ethnic Muslim Uighurs in China's Xinjiang province highlighted their recent hearings, which resulted in a finding that the Chinese Communist Party is guilty of perpetrating a genocide against the ethnic minority. The all-party Commons subcommittee on human rights heard harrowing testimony from survivors of China's imprisonment of Uighur Muslims. They shared accounts of their mass incarceration, rape and forced sterilization of women and mass surveillance. Critics say China has detained as many as one million Uighurs and members of other Muslim groups in what amounts to mass prisons, where they can be re-educated. The Chinese government has denied any abuse of human rights in the region and says reports about that are false.
"The subcommittee is persuaded that the actions of the Chinese Communist Party constitute genocide, as laid out in the Genocide Convention," said Liberal MP Peter Fonseca, the committee chair. "In particular, the subcommittee would like to thank the Uighur witnesses that provided evidence at great risk to themselves and their families living in Xinjiang." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions New Democrat MP Heather McPherson said the most compelling testimony she heard came from women who "survived the concentration camps and shared their stories of abuse and violence."
"It has been shown again and again that to wipe out a people, to perpetrate a genocide, one must destroy the women. Acts designed to prevent births constitute genocide," she said. Canada's House of Commons deems China's treatment of Uighurs "genocide." #Uighurs #Xinjiang #Genocide #humanrights #cdnpoli Thursday's developments are sure to anger China, which has warned the Trudeau government not to intervene in Hong Kong, and to butt out on levelling criticism related to the Uighurs. Canada's relations with China are at an all-time low because the People's Republic has imprisoned two Canadian men, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, in what the Trudeau government has branded as coercive or hostage diplomacy. Kovrig and Spavor were rounded up by Chinese authorities in December 2018, nine days after Canada arrested Chinese high-tech scion Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. extradition warrant. The subcommittee made clear it was targeting the Chinese Communist Party specifically.
"This is not about a people. This is not about a country," said Liberal MP Sameer Zuberi. "What we want are these practices to stop and then we will have nothing to say on the matter of the Uighur people." The subcommittee's report will eventually wend its way up to the full Commons committee on foreign affairs and international development before it makes its way to the government for a response.