nationalobserver--2020-08-08--Ten workers test positive for COVID-19 at Maple Leaf Foods pork facility

A Maple Leaf Foods facility in Manitoba where 10 workers have tested positive for COVID-19 will remain open , the head of the company said , despite calls from the union to halt production .
Maple Leaf Foods president and CEO Michael McCain said he has confidence in the safety precautions at the meat-processing plant .
Employees at the Brandon facility undergo daily health and temperature screenings , wear personal protective equipment and practise social distancing within the plant .
`` We are confident that our workplace is safe and we will continue operating , '' he said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were reported Friday , bringing the total to 10 since last weekend .
The cases are linked to local gatherings outside the plant , McCain said .
He urged Brandon 's mayor to call on residents to follow social distancing and wear masks to stop the spread of the virus .
• ‘ I feel like I ’ m getting sent back to die , ’ student says as NDP calls for Doug Ford to scrap back-to-school plan • Environment Minister says he needs to be convinced shipping terminal wo n't harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief provincial public health officer in Manitoba , said the cases are part of a cluster of 34 in the city west of Winnipeg , and appear to be connected to a person who travelled from Eastern Canada .
He said an investigation shows the infected workers did not acquire the virus from the plant .
Roussin added that there is indication of community spread in Brandon .
Jeff Traeger , president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832 , said he expects more Maple Leaf employees will test positive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maple Leaf to halt production in the Brandon plant until this situation is under control , '' Traeger said in a memo Friday morning .
The union , which represents nearly 2,000 workers at the plant , said many employees have asked if they can refuse to go to work .
The union said it is complicated , since the province has deemed their work essential and the facility safe .
A Maple Leaf Foods facility in Manitoba where 10 workers have tested positive for COVID-19 will remain open , the head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the union to halt production .
`` If you notice that protocols are not being followed properly , then you need to let your union know immediately , '' the memo said .
Manitoba spent months with low numbers of new infections of COVID-19 and has seen a drastic increase recently .
Health officials announced 30 new cases on Thursday and 17 on Friday .
Public health and workplace safety authorities inspected the plant Thursday , and the company said the results support its decision to continue operations .
Roussin said the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants in southern Alberta this spring .
Premier Brian Pallister said the province would only step in if recommended by health experts .
He noted that the rise in cases shows people need to remain vigilant .
`` Safety is the key to this recovery , '' the premier said .
`` There is nothing more important than that . ''

A Maple Leaf Foods facility in Manitoba where 10 workers have tested positive for COVID-19 will remain open, the head of the company said, despite calls from the union to halt production.
Maple Leaf Foods president and CEO Michael McCain said he has confidence in the safety precautions at the meat-processing plant. Employees at the Brandon facility undergo daily health and temperature screenings, wear personal protective equipment and practise social distancing within the plant.
"We are confident that our workplace is safe and we will continue operating," he said in a statement Friday.
Six of the worker cases were reported Friday, bringing the total to 10 since last weekend.
The cases are linked to local gatherings outside the plant, McCain said. He urged Brandon's mayor to call on residents to follow social distancing and wear masks to stop the spread of the virus.


nationalobserver--2020-08-09--COVID-19 outbreaks over in federal prisons but a new normal is in place

COVID-19 outbreaks in Canada 's federal prisons have been declared over , and staff and visitors are preparing for a '' new normal '' that could be in place for years .
In March , Correctional Service Canada implemented several physical distancing measures , including providing both staff and inmates with masks .
Additional personal protection equipment , such as gloves , gowns and face shields were also provided .
The prisons also banned visits from the public .
Correctional Service Canada 's website on Friday listed no active cases of inmates , but said results of five tests were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lecuyer said 142 employees at the institutions had tested positive for COVID-19 , and 139 have recovered .
About a third of inmates in Canada are housed in federal institutions with the remainder in provincial jails , where those on sentences of two years less a day mix with those awaiting trial .
COVID-19 outbreaks in Canada 's federal prisons have been declared over , and staff and visitors are preparing for a '' new normal '' that could be in place for years .
An official with the Union of Canadian Correctional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal in prisons , but it will be a lengthy process .
`` Officers are wearing masks anytime we ca n't social distance .
Inmates are given masks to wear whenever they ca n't social distance .
We still have to start opening in some ways , right ?
You ca n't leave everything shut down forever , '' James Bloomfield told The Canadian Press .
Correctional Service Canada began the process of gradually allowing visits to inmates across the country a month ago , with strict health measures .
Before being allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have their temperature checked .
They 're also required to wash their hands before entry , wear a mask and practice physical distancing .
Visitor spaces are cleaned and disinfected before and after each visit .
`` It really is what our new normal is , '' said Bloomfield .
`` It 's going to be restricted and very different .
Previously , we never asked anybody if they had been out of province if they came in for a visit .
We 'd never taken anybody 's temperature at the door , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public visits to the federal institutions was necessary but unpopular with the inmates .
Visits are important because they allow inmates to maintain community and family contacts , he said .
`` Having to restrict things like that is not taken lightly at all , '' Bloomfield said .

COVID-19 outbreaks in Canada's federal prisons have been declared over, and staff and visitors are preparing for a" new normal" that could be in place for years. In March, Correctional Service Canada implemented several physical distancing measures, including providing both staff and inmates with masks. Additional personal protection equipment, such as gloves, gowns and face shields were also provided. The prisons also banned visits from the public. Despite precautions, the novel coronavirus spread behind bars. "Out of our 43 institutions, we had five outbreaks since the beginning of the pandemic, which have now all ended," said Marie Pier Lecuyer, a spokeswoman for Correctional Service Canada.
"However, we continue to monitor the situation and diligently apply our safety measures and health protocols." A total of 360 inmates in Canada tested positive for COVID-19, and two of them died. The hardest hit institution was at the Federal Training Centre Multi-level in Laval, Que., which reported 161 cases and one death. One inmate remains in hospital. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Mission Medium Institution in Mission, B.C., had 120 inmates test positive. One of them also died.
Correctional Service Canada's website on Friday listed no active cases of inmates, but said results of five tests were pending. COVID-19 outbreaks in Canada's federal prisons have been declared over, and staff and visitors are preparing for a" new normal" that could be in place for years. As of Aug. 5, Lecuyer said 142 employees at the institutions had tested positive for COVID-19, and 139 have recovered. About a third of inmates in Canada are housed in federal institutions with the remainder in provincial jails, where those on sentences of two years less a day mix with those awaiting trial. An official with the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers said things are slowly returning to normal in prisons, but it will be a lengthy process. "Officers are wearing masks anytime we can't social distance. Inmates are given masks to wear whenever they can't social distance. We still have to start opening in some ways, right? You can't leave everything shut down forever," James Bloomfield told The Canadian Press.
Correctional Service Canada began the process of gradually allowing visits to inmates across the country a month ago, with strict health measures. Before being allowed in, visitors must be screened and have their temperature checked. They're also required to wash their hands before entry, wear a mask and practice physical distancing. Visitor spaces are cleaned and disinfected before and after each visit. "It really is what our new normal is," said Bloomfield.


nationalobserver--2020-08-10--Two teens killed in Manitoba after RCMP believe tornado threw their vehicle into a field

A tornado that killed two teens when it threw their vehicle more than a kilometre into a Manitoba farm field surprised even those in the area who are accustomed to violent weather , as well as a stormchaser , with its destructive strength .
`` A lot of people just ca n't comprehend how wind can pick up a piece of machinery in a yard that weighs thousands of pounds and throw it half a mile across the highway onto another piece of property , '' said Murray Wright , mayor of Virden , after visiting the farm where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday night .
Police said they arrived at the farm near Highway 83 south of Virden shortly after 8 p.m. , local time .
They said the property was extensively damaged and two vehicles had been thrown into a nearby field .
A search of the first vehicle , found closer to the highway , located a 54-year-old man from the Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation , who was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries .
• Federal COVID-19 aid for fishers poorly timed and leaves new entrants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second vehicle over a kilometre away , and they along with other first responders found a man and a woman , who were both 18 and from Melita , Man .
Police believed the pair were ejected from their vehicle , and they were pronounced dead at the scene .
Officers along with EMS continued to search the area for other possible victims but none were located .
Misheyla Iwasiuk , a local storm chaser , said it was the biggest storm she 's seen in her life .
`` It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was large , very violent and it was n't anticipated , '' she said .
`` We were assisting a gentleman whose vehicle unfortunately was flipped over and he was trapped inside of it . ''
She said multiple people stopped to help before emergency crews arrived and extracted the man from the car , which landed on top of downed power lines .
A tornado that killed two teens when it threw their vehicle more than a kilometre into a Manitoba farm field surprised even those in the area who are accustomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stormchaser , with its destructive strength .
Iwasiuk said farm buildings in the area took extensive damage after taking a direct hit from the storm .
She also said emergency responders were assisting people in the fields who were hit by the storm while in farm equipment .
The Wallace District Fire Department noted in a Facebook post that there were no injuries to anyone in the farmyard .
Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Alysa Pederson described the twister as very large in size , and said preliminary findings from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per hour .
Pederson said a storm warning was issued at 6:30 p.m. local time Friday , and later at 7:43 p.m. , a severe thunderstorm warning for the area was issued .
At 7:49 p.m. , a tornado warning was sent .
The government agency said a damage survey will be completed Saturday with the help of a team from the University of Manitoba .
`` There 's still people in the field and they 're still doing an assessment , '' Pederson said , noting that anyone with video or information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to Environment Canada .
In 2018 , a 77-year-old man was killed when a powerful tornado touched down in Alonsa , west of Lake Manitoba , lifting several homes off their foundations and sweeping one vehicle into the lake .
The RCMP said the man was found dead outside what remained of his wrecked home .
That tornado was estimated to have had wind speeds up to 280 km/h .
Trailers in a campground disappeared , presumably into nearby Lake Manitoba .
Wright , meanwhile , said dozens of people came out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virden on Saturday , using machinery to move broken trees and grain bins scattered across the ground .
Those who could n't help with the physical labour were providing food to the workers .

A tornado that killed two teens when it threw their vehicle more than a kilometre into a Manitoba farm field surprised even those in the area who are accustomed to violent weather, as well as a stormchaser, with its destructive strength. "A lot of people just can't comprehend how wind can pick up a piece of machinery in a yard that weighs thousands of pounds and throw it half a mile across the highway onto another piece of property," said Murray Wright, mayor of Virden, after visiting the farm where the twister touched down south of the community on Friday night. "It's a terrible thing." Police said they arrived at the farm near Highway 83 south of Virden shortly after 8 p.m., local time. They said the property was extensively damaged and two vehicles had been thrown into a nearby field. A search of the first vehicle, found closer to the highway, located a 54-year-old man from the Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation, who was taken to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
But officers located the second vehicle over a kilometre away, and they along with other first responders found a man and a woman, who were both 18 and from Melita, Man. Police believed the pair were ejected from their vehicle, and they were pronounced dead at the scene. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Officers along with EMS continued to search the area for other possible victims but none were located.
Misheyla Iwasiuk, a local storm chaser, said it was the biggest storm she's seen in her life. A tornado that killed two teens when it threw their vehicle more than a kilometre into a Manitoba farm field surprised even those in the area who are accustomed to violent weather, as well as a stormchaser, with its destructive strength. "It was a pretty bad scene ... This storm was large, very violent and it wasn't anticipated," she said. "We were assisting a gentleman whose vehicle unfortunately was flipped over and he was trapped inside of it." She said multiple people stopped to help before emergency crews arrived and extracted the man from the car, which landed on top of downed power lines. Iwasiuk said farm buildings in the area took extensive damage after taking a direct hit from the storm. She also said emergency responders were assisting people in the fields who were hit by the storm while in farm equipment. The Wallace District Fire Department noted in a Facebook post that there were no injuries to anyone in the farmyard.
Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Alysa Pederson described the twister as very large in size, and said preliminary findings from their investigation indicate wind speeds reached 190 kilometres per hour. Pederson said a storm warning was issued at 6:30 p.m. local time Friday, and later at 7:43 p.m., a severe thunderstorm warning for the area was issued. At 7:49 p.m., a tornado warning was sent. The government agency said a damage survey will be completed Saturday with the help of a team from the University of Manitoba.


nationalobserver--2020-08-10--Canada to match donations to Lebanon relief following Beirut explosion

The federal government will match all individual donations from Canadians to humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon following this week 's deadly explosion in Beirut .
International Development Minister Karina Gould says Canadians can help the Lebanese people who have lost loved ones , been injured or lost homes from the explosion by giving generously .
`` Concerted humanitarian action is required to meet the immediate needs of people impacted by the blast , including health care food , shelter and water , '' she said .
`` My message to Canadians is this : the best way that you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your contribution to be matched by the government of Canada , donations must be made to the humanitarian coalition or one of its partners . ''
Donations made by Canadians before Aug. 24 to the Humanitarian Coalition — a group of 12 established aid organizations working on the ground in Lebanon — or to one of the coalition 's members will be matched by the federal government , up to a maximum of $ 2 million .
• Federal COVID-19 aid for fishers poorly timed and leaves new entrants to flounder , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 5 million in emergency aid pledged by Ottawa earlier this week after Tuesday 's blast in Lebanon 's capital .
Another $ 1.5 million of aid has been earmarked for the Lebanese Red Cross .
Canada is directing all of its aid for this crisis directly to humanitarian organizations , not the Lebanese government , to ensure the assistance goes to those in need , Gould said .
`` What we are focused on right now is responding to the emergency at hand , working through trusted NGOs and international partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure that we 're getting the assistance to the Lebanese people in need , the most vulnerable , so that we can save lives , so that we can protect the vulnerable and make sure that we are helping them get through this crisis as fast as possible . ''
Earlier this week , Gould told reporters any direct aid to the government of Lebanon would only come with `` significant fiscal and political reforms '' in light of widespread domestic and international concerns about corruption and poor governance in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political ruling class , made up mostly of former civil war-era leaders , and it is now being blamed for incompetence and mismanagement that contributed to Tuesday ’ s explosion .
This has sparked protests of anger , which led to clashes between security forces and demonstrators Saturday in central Beirut .
The federal government will match all individual donations from Canadians to humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon following this week 's deadly explosion in Beirut .
The blast is believed to have happened when a fire touched off a stockpile of 2,750 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities left sitting in a warehouse for years - despite years of repeated warnings from officials that it posed a danger .
The Aug. 4 explosion has left at least 150 people dead , and thousands injured .
More than 300,000 people have lost their homes .
Bill Chambers , president and CEO of Save the Children , one of the Humanitarian Coalition 's member organizations , says he hopes Canada 's matching fund program will encourage Canadians to seize the opportunity to double the size of their donations .
`` This horrific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse time and has hit communities that were already suffering from the impact of COVID-19 and the economic deterioration in Lebanon , '' he said .
`` Over 100,000 children are now homeless and in need of immediate care . ''
Even before the explosion , thousands of people were struggling to feed themselves and their families due to an economic and financial crisis in the country .
The explosion has only worsened the situation on the ground for the most vulnerable , Chambers said .
`` What is needed in the immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds , dollars that can be , first of all , matched by the Canadian government and can be put to the most urgent needs in the moment , on the ground , '' he said .
Gould says Canada has so far received 64 requests for assistance from Canadians in Lebanon , but due to privacy concerns she could not share details except that these requests have included inquiries about consular support .
`` Canadian-based and locally engaged staff in Beirut are regrouping and the embassy will be open again on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The federal government will match all individual donations from Canadians to humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon following this week's deadly explosion in Beirut. International Development Minister Karina Gould says Canadians can help the Lebanese people who have lost loved ones, been injured or lost homes from the explosion by giving generously. "Concerted humanitarian action is required to meet the immediate needs of people impacted by the blast, including health care food, shelter and water," she said. "My message to Canadians is this: the best way that you can help is to donate money, and for your contribution to be matched by the government of Canada, donations must be made to the humanitarian coalition or one of its partners." Donations made by Canadians before Aug. 24 to the Humanitarian Coalition — a group of 12 established aid organizations working on the ground in Lebanon — or to one of the coalition's members will be matched by the federal government, up to a maximum of $2 million.
This matching fund is part of $5 million in emergency aid pledged by Ottawa earlier this week after Tuesday's blast in Lebanon's capital. Another $1.5 million of aid has been earmarked for the Lebanese Red Cross. Canada is directing all of its aid for this crisis directly to humanitarian organizations, not the Lebanese government, to ensure the assistance goes to those in need, Gould said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "What we are focused on right now is responding to the emergency at hand, working through trusted NGOs and international partners that are operating on the ground to make sure that we're getting the assistance to the Lebanese people in need, the most vulnerable, so that we can save lives, so that we can protect the vulnerable and make sure that we are helping them get through this crisis as fast as possible."
Earlier this week, Gould told reporters any direct aid to the government of Lebanon would only come with "significant fiscal and political reforms" in light of widespread domestic and international concerns about corruption and poor governance in the country. The federal government will match all individual donations from Canadians to humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon following this week's deadly explosion in Beirut. The country is led by a political ruling class, made up mostly of former civil war-era leaders, and it is now being blamed for incompetence and mismanagement that contributed to Tuesday’s explosion. This has sparked protests of anger, which led to clashes between security forces and demonstrators Saturday in central Beirut. The blast is believed to have happened when a fire touched off a stockpile of 2,750 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate that authorities left sitting in a warehouse for years - despite years of repeated warnings from officials that it posed a danger. The Aug. 4 explosion has left at least 150 people dead, and thousands injured. More than 300,000 people have lost their homes.
Bill Chambers, president and CEO of Save the Children, one of the Humanitarian Coalition's member organizations, says he hopes Canada's matching fund program will encourage Canadians to seize the opportunity to double the size of their donations. "This horrific incident could not have occurred at a worse time and has hit communities that were already suffering from the impact of COVID-19 and the economic deterioration in Lebanon," he said. "Over 100,000 children are now homeless and in need of immediate care."


nationalobserver--2020-08-10--Women are key to fisheries, so why don't they get credit?

Most summer mornings , Jessica Taylor awakens before dawn and puts coffee to boil , the rich steam an alarm clock for her predominantly male crewmates .
The Sointula-based , sixth-generation fish harvester ’ s subtle opening to another day fishing is vital for the crew ’ s mental well-being and successful catch , yet beyond the boat , it will often go unnoticed in official fisheries data .
So will Taylor 's role as a female fisher .
That ’ s a global trend , according to researchers at the University of British Columbia , and one they valued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 5.6 billion US ) a year globally .
The study is the first to estimate the dollar value women contribute to fisheries .
“ There ’ s so much background work that nobody knows about , ” Taylor said .
For the past four seasons , she has worked on a salmon seiner .
Her primary role aboard is operating the drum — a large mechanical winch that brings in the net and where a mistake easily could cost easily her a hand — but she ’ s also the cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ m staying up the extra hour and waking up the extra hour as a cook and as the drum assistant .
And that ’ s work that nobody sees.
” • Federal COVID-19 aid for fishers poorly timed and leaves new entrants to flounder , critics say That lack of recognition is common .
Taylor said when she started fishing , she had to constantly prove herself in the male-dominated industry — on top of taking on tasks to keep the boat running .
Things are easier now that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry , but at a larger scale , problems remain .
Jessica Taylor is a sixth-generation fish harvester with family in Sointula and Alert Bay .
While at sea , she finds herself doing most of the unrecognized work to keep everything shipshape , and she 's not alone : a new study from UBC found that globally , women 's unrecognized contributions are worth at least $ 7.4 billion annually .
( Photo : Jessica Taylor ) Fishing is viewed as a predominantly male industry .
That bias is reflected in language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common term to describe a fish harvester — and in national databases .
It ’ s also inaccurate , explained Sarah Harper , the lead researcher for the UBC study and a post-doctoral fellow at UBC ’ s Institute for Fisheries and Oceans .
“ What I was trying to highlight was that women are very much involved , ” she said .
“ So , really trying to change that narrative around women in fisheries.
” According to the study , about 2.1 million women account for roughly 11 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributes about 2.9 million tonnes of fish worth roughly $ 5.6 billion US .
And unlike most of the fish accounted for in most datasets , which tend to focus primarily on export value , Harper found that the majority of the seafood harvested by women is sold locally or consumed by their families .
That means the total economic impact of these catches add up to some $ 22 billion ( or $ 17 billion US ) annually .
About 2.1 million women account for roughly 11 per cent of participants in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonnes of fish worth roughly $ 5.6 billion US .
To reach these numbers , Harper and her co-authors drew from existing gender-segregated national databases and looked to newspapers and interviews with local fisheries experts and NGOs to estimate women fish harvesters ' national participation rate in the fisheries .
Map illustrating global female participation rates in small-scale fisheries .
According to the study , about 2.1 million women globally participate in small-scale fisheries , primarily in South America , East Africa , and China .
( Map : Harper et al .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the total catch value of small-scale fisheries in each country , including artisanal and subsistence fisheries , to estimate how much seafood was caught and its value .
Harper cautioned that these numbers were rough estimates that primarily highlighted women ’ s extensive contributions to fisheries globally , knowledge that , for instance , could inform global and regional fisheries policies , particularly regarding food security .
“ The premise that I went with is that , in many places right now , the narrative is that women don ’ t fish… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) the reality women are fishing , but those activities… are not captured in the statistics and are not considered in policy.
” However , in B.C.
, the situation is a bit different , said Harper , who has also worked with the Heiltsuk Nation on the province 's Central Coast .
Fisheries and Oceans Canada tracks the number of women fishing in the province , with the most recent analysis done in 2011 showing that 37 per cent of B.C .
fish harvesters are female .
Most , like Taylor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That means their unrecognized contributions to B.C .
fisheries lie in other parts of the seafood processing and distribution chain .
These jobs include working in processing plants or managerial roles , political advocacy , bookkeeping , or caring for their families and communities .
Women play a key role in ensuring that fish can both feed their communities and fuel local economies , Harper said .
“ The connecting thread ( between the global study and B.C . )
was looking at this broader fisheries-related economy , beyond just going out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes to make sure there ’ s fish to catch — and who ’ s involved in that.
” These other roles are especially important in Indigenous communities , Harper said , where women have played key roles in pushing for policy changes to increase their communities ’ access to B.C .
fisheries to meet nutritional , economic , and cultural needs .
For Taylor , however , the best fisheries job is one with her feet on deck .
She is sure she will remain a fish harvester , supplying her community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international markets her entire life .
She loves the job — it lets her explore the B.C .
coast , foster a tight-knit community with other fish harvesters , and produce high-quality food for relatives and friends .
And she hopes others will join her .
“ There ’ s not enough women on the boat , ” she said .

Most summer mornings, Jessica Taylor awakens before dawn and puts coffee to boil, the rich steam an alarm clock for her predominantly male crewmates. The Sointula-based, sixth-generation fish harvester’s subtle opening to another day fishing is vital for the crew’s mental well-being and successful catch, yet beyond the boat, it will often go unnoticed in official fisheries data. So will Taylor's role as a female fisher. That’s a global trend, according to researchers at the University of British Columbia, and one they valued to be at least $7.4 billion ($5.6 billion US) a year globally. The study is the first to estimate the dollar value women contribute to fisheries. “There’s so much background work that nobody knows about,” Taylor said. For the past four seasons, she has worked on a salmon seiner. Her primary role aboard is operating the drum — a large mechanical winch that brings in the net and where a mistake easily could cost easily her a hand — but she’s also the cook and charged with keeping the boat shipshape. “I’m staying up the extra hour and waking up the extra hour as a cook and as the drum assistant. And that’s work that nobody sees.”
That lack of recognition is common. Taylor said when she started fishing, she had to constantly prove herself in the male-dominated industry — on top of taking on tasks to keep the boat running. Things are easier now that she’s firmly established in the industry, but at a larger scale, problems remain. Jessica Taylor is a sixth-generation fish harvester with family in Sointula and Alert Bay. While at sea, she finds herself doing most of the unrecognized work to keep everything shipshape, and she's not alone: a new study from UBC found that globally, women's unrecognized contributions are worth at least $7.4 billion annually. (Photo: Jessica Taylor) Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Fishing is viewed as a predominantly male industry. That bias is reflected in language — “fisherman” remains the most common term to describe a fish harvester — and in national databases. It’s also inaccurate, explained Sarah Harper, the lead researcher for the UBC study and a post-doctoral fellow at UBC’s Institute for Fisheries and Oceans.
“What I was trying to highlight was that women are very much involved,” she said. “So, really trying to change that narrative around women in fisheries.” About 2.1 million women account for roughly 11 per cent of participants in small-scale fisheries.Their work contributes about 2.9 million tonnes of fish worth roughly $5.6 billion US. According to the study, about 2.1 million women account for roughly 11 per cent of participants in small-scale fisheries. Their work contributes about 2.9 million tonnes of fish worth roughly $5.6 billion US. And unlike most of the fish accounted for in most datasets, which tend to focus primarily on export value, Harper found that the majority of the seafood harvested by women is sold locally or consumed by their families. That means the total economic impact of these catches add up to some $22 billion (or $17 billion US) annually. To reach these numbers, Harper and her co-authors drew from existing gender-segregated national databases and looked to newspapers and interviews with local fisheries experts and NGOs to estimate women fish harvesters' national participation rate in the fisheries. Map illustrating global female participation rates in small-scale fisheries. According to the study, about 2.1 million women globally participate in small-scale fisheries, primarily in South America, East Africa, and China. (Map: Harper et al.)
Then, they multiplied this rate by the total catch value of small-scale fisheries in each country, including artisanal and subsistence fisheries, to estimate how much seafood was caught and its value. Harper cautioned that these numbers were rough estimates that primarily highlighted women’s extensive contributions to fisheries globally, knowledge that, for instance, could inform global and regional fisheries policies, particularly regarding food security. “The premise that I went with is that, in many places right now, the narrative is that women don’t fish… These estimates are moving towards (showing) the reality women are fishing, but those activities… are not captured in the statistics and are not considered in policy.”


nationalobserver--2020-08-10--Plundering European green crabs trigger high alert along B.C.'s West Coast

Cynthia Bendickson believes an ecological battle along the inside passage of Vancouver Island is looming .
It ’ s not a question of if , but when the invasive European green crab will land on the shorelines of the Salish Sea , says the biologist and executive director of the Greenways Land Trust .
“ Aquatic invasive species are particularly hard to control once they 're out into the environment , ” Bendickson said .
“ ( Offspring ) can drift on currents a long , long ways .
So that 's why it 's likely inevitable that we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The European green crab is one of the 10 most unwanted species in the world , according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada ( DFO ) .
The smallish shoreline crab is resilient , voracious and has the ability to disrupt the overall balance of a marine ecosystem .
It devours a wide variety of intertidal animals , particularly shellfish such as oysters , mussels , clams and other young native crustaceans , including Dungeness and red rock crabs .
• Federal COVID-19 aid for fishers poorly timed and leaves new entrants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mow down eelgrass beds , destroying essential habitat for any number of small or juvenile fish species , such salmon or herring .
Biologist Cynthia Bendickson of Greenways Land Trust says when the invasive European green crabs hit sensitive estuaries , the best option is vigilance and control programs .
Photo : courtesy of Cynthia Bendickson .
The green crab is already firmly established on the south and west coast of Vancouver Island , Bendickson said .
That 's why conservation groups , First Nations and stakeholders in the commercial fishing industry along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on high alert .
“ We haven ’ t been doing a lot because we have n't had to up till now , ” Bendickson said .
“ But it ’ s certainly on the radar.
” It ’ s not a question of if , but when the invasive European green crab will land on the shorelines of the Salish Sea , says biologist and executive director of the Greenways Land Trust , Cynthia Bendickson .
Greenways Land Trust is heavily invested along with its partners in monitoring and protecting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The estuary is one of the largest along the central coast of east Vancouver Island and has huge value to fish and wildlife in the region , Bendickson said .
“ It ’ s completely important , ” she said .
“ Four of the five Pacific species of salmon spawn in the Campbell River.
” Stakeholders have been taking base level surveys of eelgrass beds to monitor their health , as the beds suffered declines in the past .
“ So , losing even more eelgrass is really very worrying , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten eelgrass habitat up and down the coast , she added , including the Discovery Islands and other outer islands .
“ Anywhere you get freshwater meeting the ocean you potentially have eelgrass , so there are lots of pockets and salmon streams on the islands that might be impacted , ” Bendickson said .
“ But those ones are harder to monitor , so it makes it even more of a challenge.
” Thomas Therriault , a research scientist with the DFO , says the European green crab arrived in B.C .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the late 1990s .
Since then , the invader has rapidly established itself in the Sooke Basin and the west coast of Vancouver Island , Therriault said .
There are now reports of the crustacean on the B.C.
’ s central coast and a recent sighting in Haida Gwaii , he added .
Map courtesy of the Strait of Georgia Data Centre .
It ’ s most likely green crabs are travelling along the B.C .
coast on ocean currents during their larval stage , Therriault said .
The female crabs can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice per year .
The larval stage is 50 to 80 days , and those offspring can drift long distances before settling in a new location .
Interventions are pretty limited in this stage of the crab ’ s life , Therriault said .
“ It disperses on ocean currents .
I mean , that 's not really something that can be stopped , ” he said .
There have been reports of the green crab in the inside passage along Vancouver Island , but at this point there ’ s no evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Therriault said .
But DFO is keen to monitor the situation and any sightings of the crab in areas such as the Strait of Georgia , the Johnson Strait or further north around Haida Gwaii .
“ As the invasion unfolds , especially in new areas like the Salish Sea , the public can play an important role by reporting observations of European green crab to us , ” said Therriault .
The crab can grow up to 10 centimetres across , and can be red or yellow , as well as green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the set of five spines on each side of its eyes , he said .
DFO follows up reports and decides whether to conduct trapping to determine the population size .
“ It ’ s a bit of scoping to determine , you know , what 's the scale of the incursion , ” he said .
Generally , if an invasive species is detected early enough , an eradication program might be considered if a sensitive species or habitat needs to be protected , Therriault said But when an invasion is widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With an invasive species as widespread as the green crab , it ’ s probably best to pick your battles , Therriault said .
“ What we can do is think about how we control the density of crabs in areas that we most value or care about , ” he said .
“ Those that are supporting important species like eelgrass , or commercially important species that are harvested or are otherwise valued.
” The goal is to suppress the population in a strategic way that allows import ecosystems to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bendickson agreed it was unrealistic to think there might be a way to wipe out , or completely prevent the green crabs ' arrival into the Campbell River estuary .
“ I think that they ’ ll come , ” she said .
“ But with vigilance , and an appropriate response through some control program , we can keep the invasive species to a minimal level so they don ’ t have a huge impact.
” To report European green crab sightings , except along west Vancouver Island , call 1-888-356-7525 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pacific region .
Those reporting should submit a photograph , an exact location and date of sighting , and note identifying features .

The smallish shoreline crab is resilient, voracious and has the ability to disrupt the overall balance of a marine ecosystem.
The European green crab is one of the 10 most unwanted species in the world, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
“(Offspring) can drift on currents a long, long ways. So that's why it's likely inevitable that we are eventually going to be dealing with this.”
“Aquatic invasive species are particularly hard to control once they're out into the environment,” Bendickson said.
It’s not a question of if, but when the invasive European green crab will land on the shorelines of the Salish Sea, says the biologist and executive director of the Greenways Land Trust.
Cynthia Bendickson believes an ecological battle along the inside passage of Vancouver Island is looming.
It also can mow down eelgrass beds, destroying essential habitat for any number of small or juvenile fish species, such salmon or herring.
It devours a wide variety of intertidal animals, particularly shellfish such as oysters, mussels, clams and other young native crustaceans, including Dungeness and red rock crabs.
The estuary is one of the largest along the central coast of east Vancouver Island and has huge value to fish and wildlife in the region, Bendickson said.
Greenways Land Trust is heavily invested along with its partners in monitoring and protecting the Campbell River estuary, she added.
“We haven’t been doing a lot because we haven't had to up till now,” Bendickson said. “But it’s certainly on the radar.”
That's why conservation groups, First Nations and stakeholders in the commercial fishing industry along the north island’s inside passage are on high alert.
The green crab is already firmly established on the south and west coast of Vancouver Island, Bendickson said.
“So, losing even more eelgrass is really very worrying,” she said.
Stakeholders have been taking base level surveys of eelgrass beds to monitor their health, as the beds suffered declines in the past.
“It’s completely important,” she said. “Four of the five Pacific species of salmon spawn in the Campbell River.”
The green crabs can threaten eelgrass habitat up and down the coast, she added, including the Discovery Islands and other outer islands.
“Anywhere you get freshwater meeting the ocean you potentially have eelgrass, so there are lots of pockets and salmon streams on the islands that might be impacted,” Bendickson said. “But those ones are harder to monitor, so it makes it even more of a challenge.”
Thomas Therriault, a research scientist with the DFO, says the European green crab arrived in B.C. from the waters farther south in California in the late 1990s.
Since then, the invader has rapidly established itself in the Sooke Basin and the west coast of Vancouver Island, Therriault said.
There are now reports of the crustacean on the B.C.’s central coast and a recent sighting in Haida Gwaii, he added.
Map courtesy of the Strait of Georgia Data Centre.
It’s most likely green crabs are travelling along the B.C. coast on ocean currents during their larval stage, Therriault said.
The female crabs can release up to 185,000 eggs once or twice per year. The larval stage is 50 to 80 days, and those offspring can drift long distances before settling in a new location.
Interventions are pretty limited in this stage of the crab’s life, Therriault said.
“It disperses on ocean currents. I mean, that's not really something that can be stopped,” he said.
There have been reports of the green crab in the inside passage along Vancouver Island, but at this point there’s no evidence there’s a self-sustaining population, Therriault said.
But DFO is keen to monitor the situation and any sightings of the crab in areas such as the Strait of Georgia, the Johnson Strait or further north around Haida Gwaii.
“As the invasion unfolds, especially in new areas like the Salish Sea, the public can play an important role by reporting observations of European green crab to us,” said Therriault.
The crab can grow up to 10 centimetres across, and can be red or yellow, as well as green. But the most distinguishing feature is the set of five spines on each side of its eyes, he said.
DFO follows up reports and decides whether to conduct trapping to determine the population size.
“It’s a bit of scoping to determine, you know, what's the scale of the incursion,” he said.
Generally, if an invasive species is detected early enough, an eradication program might be considered if a sensitive species or habitat needs to be protected, Therriault said
But when an invasion is widespread, suppression is generally the remaining option.
With an invasive species as widespread as the green crab, it’s probably best to pick your battles, Therriault said.
“What we can do is think about how we control the density of crabs in areas that we most value or care about,” he said.
“Those that are supporting important species like eelgrass, or commercially important species that are harvested or are otherwise valued.”
The goal is to suppress the population in a strategic way that allows import ecosystems to maintain some degree of functionality, he added.
Bendickson agreed it was unrealistic to think there might be a way to wipe out, or completely prevent the green crabs' arrival into the Campbell River estuary.
“I think that they’ll come,” she said.
“But with vigilance, and an appropriate response through some control program, we can keep the invasive species to a minimal level so they don’t have a huge impact.”
To report European green crab sightings, except along west Vancouver Island, call 1-888-356-7525 or email [email protected] in the Pacific region. Those reporting should submit a photograph, an exact location and date of sighting, and note identifying features.
Rochelle Baker/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-08-10--Liberals turn over thousands of pages on WE decision to Commons committee

The federal Liberal government has handed over thousands of pages of documents related to the WE controversy to a House of Commons committee , which lawyers are now vetting for personal information and cabinet secrets .
The finance committee demanded the documents last month as it probes whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's relationship with WE Charity influenced the government 's ill-fated decision to have the organization run a federal student-volunteer program .
Committee members are hoping the documents will shed light on the discussions that led to the decision to have WE run the Canada Student Services Grant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early July .
`` People are asking a lot of questions , '' NDP finance critic Peter Julian said in an interview .
`` There 's been a lot of contradictions in testimony .
So the documents should be revealing a lot more of what the real answers are . ''
Yet while the Liberals turned more than 5,000 pages over to the committee ahead of Saturday 's deadline , it was n't clear when they would be released to members as committee lawyers go through them to prevent the release of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for fishers poorly timed and leaves new entrants to flounder , critics say `` We do n't know , '' Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre said during a news conference on Sunday when asked when committee members would get the documents .
`` We have asked .
They have not given us the timeline . ''
Committee chairman Wayne Easter predicted the documents would be released in the coming days to members as additional lawyers from the public service have been brought in to help review them for cabinet secrets and other information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , there will could be disagreements about why certain information was withheld .
While Poilievre and Julian suggested they were keeping the door open to challenging any redactions , Easter said the vetting was being conducted by the professional public service — and noted the tradition of Parliament respecting cabinet confidence .
Usually prepared for ministers to aid government deliberations and decision-making , documents marked as cabinet confidences hold closely guarded political secrets and are legally protected from unauthorized release .
Trudeau has previously faced pressure to waive cabinet confidence when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure then-justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould on a deferred prosecution agreement with Quebec engineering firm SNC-Lavalin .
The federal Liberal government has handed over thousands of pages of documents related to the WE controversy to a House of Commons committee , which lawyers are now vetting for personal information and cabinet secrets .
`` We respect the integrity of the public service , '' Easter said when asked about the lawyers redacting cabinet confidences in the WE documents .
`` That 's why there is no political involvement in the redacting of these documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is involved . ''
The Liberals have been embroiled in controversy since it was revealed on June 25 that WE had been selected to run the Canada Student Services Grant , which promised up to $ 5,000 toward the education costs of students who volunteered during COVID-19 .
The sole-sourced agreement with WE was to pay one of its foundations up to $ 43.5 million to administer a grant program designed to encourage students to sign up for volunteer work related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cabinet 's discussions about the agreement before it was awarded to WE given their respective families ' ties to the Toronto-based charity .
Trudeau has spoken at six WE Day events since becoming prime minister , while his mother and brother have been paid almost $ 300,000 and reimbursed about $ 200,000 in expenses for appearing at WE events .
Trudeau 's wife has also had expenses covered .
Morneau , meanwhile , acknowledged last month that he repaid WE about $ 41,000 in sponsored travel for him and his family to view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kenya in 2017 .
Yet the government has insisted that the decision was based on a recommendation from the non-partisan public service following its conclusion that WE was the only organization capable of running the grant program .
Opposition critics , meanwhile , are also training their sights on an agreement between a Crown corporation and a company employing the husband of Trudeau 's chief of staff , Katie Telford .
The agreement between the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. and MCAP , where Telford 's husband Rob Silver is an executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent-assistance program for small businesses affected by COVID-19 .
The Prime Minister 's Office has said Telford established clear ethical walls between herself and MCAP in January , even before COVID-19 shook the country 's economy and led to the creation of the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program .
But Poilievre questioned why the government did n't simply ask the Canada Revenue Agency to run the rent-assistance program given it is already managing the federal wage subsidy for businesses struggling during the pandemic .
`` CMHC , which is strangely running this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of providing affordable housing .
Not commercial real estate , '' Poilievre said .
`` Now , of course , the easy way to deliver this program would have been through CRA .
CRA already had a program stood up to deliver a wage subsidy . ''
Easter , however , expressed concern about the committee getting distracted by opposition `` fishing '' efforts and not focusing on its main task of preparing for next year 's federal budget and overseeing COVID-19 spending .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published @ @ @ @ @

The federal Liberal government has handed over thousands of pages of documents related to the WE controversy to a House of Commons committee, which lawyers are now vetting for personal information and cabinet secrets. The finance committee demanded the documents last month as it probes whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's relationship with WE Charity influenced the government's ill-fated decision to have the organization run a federal student-volunteer program. Committee members are hoping the documents will shed light on the discussions that led to the decision to have WE run the Canada Student Services Grant, before the deal was cancelled amid controversy in early July. "People are asking a lot of questions," NDP finance critic Peter Julian said in an interview. "There's been a lot of contradictions in testimony. So the documents should be revealing a lot more of what the real answers are." Yet while the Liberals turned more than 5,000 pages over to the committee ahead of Saturday's deadline, it wasn't clear when they would be released to members as committee lawyers go through them to prevent the release of protected information.
"We don't know," Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre said during a news conference on Sunday when asked when committee members would get the documents. "We have asked. They have not given us the timeline." Committee chairman Wayne Easter predicted the documents would be released in the coming days to members as additional lawyers from the public service have been brought in to help review them for cabinet secrets and other information. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Even after the documents are released, however, there will could be disagreements about why certain information was withheld.
While Poilievre and Julian suggested they were keeping the door open to challenging any redactions, Easter said the vetting was being conducted by the professional public service — and noted the tradition of Parliament respecting cabinet confidence. The federal Liberal government has handed over thousands of pages of documents related to the WE controversy to a House of Commons committee, which lawyers are now vetting for personal information and cabinet secrets. Usually prepared for ministers to aid government deliberations and decision-making, documents marked as cabinet confidences hold closely guarded political secrets and are legally protected from unauthorized release. Trudeau has previously faced pressure to waive cabinet confidence when it came to allegations he tried to pressure then-justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould on a deferred prosecution agreement with Quebec engineering firm SNC-Lavalin. "We respect the integrity of the public service," Easter said when asked about the lawyers redacting cabinet confidences in the WE documents. "That's why there is no political involvement in the redacting of these documents. That's why the law clerk is involved." The Liberals have been embroiled in controversy since it was revealed on June 25 that WE had been selected to run the Canada Student Services Grant, which promised up to $5,000 toward the education costs of students who volunteered during COVID-19.
The sole-sourced agreement with WE was to pay one of its foundations up to $43.5 million to administer a grant program designed to encourage students to sign up for volunteer work related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau have since apologized for not recusing themselves from cabinet's discussions about the agreement before it was awarded to WE given their respective families' ties to the Toronto-based charity. Trudeau has spoken at six WE Day events since becoming prime minister, while his mother and brother have been paid almost $300,000 and reimbursed about $200,000 in expenses for appearing at WE events. Trudeau's wife has also had expenses covered.


nationalobserver--2020-08-10--What happens if the Governor General requires discipline or dismissal?

With Gov .
Gen. Julie Payette finding herself the focus of intensifying public scrutiny following reports about expensive personal renovations at Rideau Hall and alleged mistreatment of current and former staff , renewed interest has been sparked into the role of the Governor General in Canada — and what happens if the person holding this office requires discipline or dismissal .
1. Who has the authority to fire the Governor General ?
The Governor General is appointed by the Queen , on the advice of the prime minister , and , as such , only the Queen could fire her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , there are nuances to the situation .
If the desire existed to see Payette leave her office , it would be more likely that a private conversation between her and the prime minister would lead to a letter of resignation .
If she disagreed or refused to leave when asked , the prime minister could call the Queen and request that she be dismissed .
But that would be an option of last resort , says Philippe Lagasse , a Carleton University expert on the Westminster system and the Crown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorly timed and leaves new entrants to flounder , critics say `` You basically have to weigh , from the prime minister 's point of view , is it worth the aggravation to have this buzzing around if it continues as a controversy in the coming months ? ''
he said .
`` In an ideal situation , you would want this to be solved in a way that allows both parties to save face , which is something that both groups can agree to mutually without bringing in the palace . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor general important , especially when there 's a minority Parliament ?
Technically , the Governor General is the second-highest office in Canada , after the Queen .
That makes her one step higher than the prime minister in the hierarchy of Canada 's Westminster system of democracy .
The reason for this is because she can be called upon to make several decisions regarding the formation of government .
It would be her decision , for example , to prorogue Parliament , ending a parliamentary session , or to dissolve Parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , triggering an election .
In a minority situation , which is what we have now , the possibility of a government losing the confidence of the House of Commons is more likely than in a majority , and governor general therefore becomes a key player .
This happened in 2008 , when former prime minister Stephen Harper asked then-governor general Michaelle Jean to prorogue Parliament to avoid a non-confidence vote he was expected to lose — a decision that was controversial at the time .
`` Every decision the governor general might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be put under a very strong , critical eye , and if you have somebody whose judgment or standing vis-a-vis the government is suspect in any way , that undermines the underlying order of things ... you would want to avoid to the extent possible , '' Lagasse said .
Since the Governor General is appointed on the advice of the prime minister , if questions arise about her fitness for office , things can become even more tricky when questions of dissolving parliament come into play , he added .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any perception that this person is worried about their job and therefore will align themselves with whichever political party is more likely to keep them in office , '' Lagasse said .
`` There has to be no doubt that she 's either in or out , otherwise we do n't want there to be the perception that somehow the prime minister can wield the possibility of dismissal to get their way with the Governor General . ''
3 .
How tenable is the current situation with Payette for the Trudeau government ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ damaging , you do n't want the Governor General to be making news in this way , '' says Barbara Messamore , a history professor at the University of Fraser Valley .
Past governors general have faced controversy about spending and other issues , but the fact Payette has faced questions about her role in office throughout her three-year tenure to date has had a compiling effect , she said .
The CBC reported last week that hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent on designs and renovations Rideau Hall , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for privacy , accessibility and security reasons .
This comes on the heels of another CBC report last month , citing anonymous sources , that Payette had yelled at , belittled and publicly humiliated employees , reducing some to tears or prompting them to quit .
The Privy Council Office , a bureaucratic operation that supports the prime minister and cabinet , said last month it was launching an independent review of the allegations .
Payette said she welcomed the probe .
And though she has been in office since 2017 , Payette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official residence of Canada 's Governor General , and has faced criticism for taking a lower profile in the job .
`` ( There 's been ) a steady drip of allegations and also , from the beginning , she seems to have been an uneasy fit for the role , '' Messamore says .
`` Nobody could deny that Madame Payette is a remarkable , accomplished person .
But those accomplishments do n't necessarily translate .
You can be really accomplished in one sphere and just not be an ideal fit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying he believes three years of negative headlines are turning up the heat for Trudeau and Payette .
`` I think there 's enough discussion and enough damage being done to the office that I think it would be incumbent upon the ( Prime Minister 's Office ) , ( Privy Council Office ) , if they have n't already , and I presume they already are ... considering whether or not its wise to have her stay in the position at this point . ''
This report by The Canadian Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

With Gov. Gen. Julie Payette finding herself the focus of intensifying public scrutiny following reports about expensive personal renovations at Rideau Hall and alleged mistreatment of current and former staff, renewed interest has been sparked into the role of the Governor General in Canada — and what happens if the person holding this office requires discipline or dismissal. 1. Who has the authority to fire the Governor General? The Governor General is appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the prime minister, and, as such, only the Queen could fire her, if it ever came to that. But, there are nuances to the situation. If the desire existed to see Payette leave her office, it would be more likely that a private conversation between her and the prime minister would lead to a letter of resignation. If she disagreed or refused to leave when asked, the prime minister could call the Queen and request that she be dismissed. But that would be an option of last resort, says Philippe Lagasse, a Carleton University expert on the Westminster system and the Crown.
"You basically have to weigh, from the prime minister's point of view, is it worth the aggravation to have this buzzing around if it continues as a controversy in the coming months?" he said. "In an ideal situation, you would want this to be solved in a way that allows both parties to save face, which is something that both groups can agree to mutually without bringing in the palace." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions 2. Why is public confidence in the governor general important, especially when there's a minority Parliament?
Technically, the Governor General is the second-highest office in Canada, after the Queen. That makes her one step higher than the prime minister in the hierarchy of Canada's Westminster system of democracy. The reason for this is because she can be called upon to make several decisions regarding the formation of government. It would be her decision, for example, to prorogue Parliament, ending a parliamentary session, or to dissolve Parliament on the advice of the prime minister, triggering an election. In a minority situation, which is what we have now, the possibility of a government losing the confidence of the House of Commons is more likely than in a majority, and governor general therefore becomes a key player. This happened in 2008, when former prime minister Stephen Harper asked then-governor general Michaelle Jean to prorogue Parliament to avoid a non-confidence vote he was expected to lose — a decision that was controversial at the time. "Every decision the governor general might make around prorogations, dissolutions are going to be put under a very strong, critical eye, and if you have somebody whose judgment or standing vis-a-vis the government is suspect in any way, that undermines the underlying order of things ... you would want to avoid to the extent possible," Lagasse said.
Since the Governor General is appointed on the advice of the prime minister, if questions arise about her fitness for office, things can become even more tricky when questions of dissolving parliament come into play, he added. "What you certainly don't want is any perception that this person is worried about their job and therefore will align themselves with whichever political party is more likely to keep them in office," Lagasse said. "There has to be no doubt that she's either in or out, otherwise we don't want there to be the perception that somehow the prime minister can wield the possibility of dismissal to get their way with the Governor General."


nationalobserver--2020-08-10--Environmental groups take Ford government to court over COVID-19 recovery bill

A coalition of environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Ford government Monday , alleging the province ’ s lack of public consultation on environmental changes in its economic recovery bill was “ unlawful.
” The Ontario legislature passed the omnibus Bill 197 last month over objections from opposition parties , environmental advocates and auditor general Bonnie Lysyk .
Lysyk warned the government would be “ not compliant ” with Ontario ’ s Environmental Bill of Rights if it passed the bill without consulting the public .
The bill was aimed at jumpstarting economic activity after COVID-19 , but critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government does have to consult the public when it makes changes like this , ” said Ian Miron , a staff lawyer with the green law charity Ecojustice , which is representing Greenpeace Canada and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee .
“ We are aware that Ecojustice has commenced a judicial review application , ” he said in an email .
“ We are reviewing the notice of application and determining our next steps.
” Greenpeace and Ecojustice brought a similar case before the courts in 2018 , after the Ford government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without holding consultations .
The court found last year that the government broke the law in that case , though the judges didn ’ t compel the government to undo the change .
Three environmental groups are taking the Ford government to court for failing to consult the public on major envirnmental changes in Bill 197 .
“ We say ( the passage of the bill ) broke the law , '' said Ian Miron , a staff lawyer with Ecojustice .
# onpoli Ecojustice is also representing a group of young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government last year , alleging the province ’ s lack of climate action is endangering their charter rights .
In the application for judicial review on Bill 197 , Ecojustice alleged the Ford government has shown a “ pattern of illegal conduct.
” “ Here we are again , ” Miron said .
Ontario auditor general Bonnie Lysyk speaks to media in 2018 .
Lysyk has said the government was required to consult the public on environmental changes in Bill 197 .
File photo by Fatima Syed In Ontario , the Environmental Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public for 30 days on changes that would impact the environment .
Proposals are supposed to be posted online , on the Environmental Registry , for public feedback .
The Ford government did not do so before it passed Bill 197 , which included rewrites to 20 pieces of legislation , including several that related to the environment .
Lysyk previously told Canada 's National Observer she was concerned about a section of the bill that overhauled environmental assessments ( environmental advocates said the rewrite weakened environmental protections ) .
She also flagged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s power to use Ministerial Zoning Orders ( MZOs ) , a mechanism that allows Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark to override the normal land planning process .
The Ecojustice court challenge mentions those sections as well , but also points to four other sections that it says would change laws related to the environment , with measures related to expropriating land , land development and municipal drainage systems .
The laws changed fall under four ministries — municipal affairs , agriculture , environment and transportation .
When the government introduced rewrites to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Miron said , it posted the changes on the Environmental Registry for consultation .
This time , he added , there was a “ broad failure to consult.
” “ There ’ s a concerning pattern of conduct here , ” he said .
See you in court : On behalf of @ GreenpeaceCA & @ wildernews we 're suing the Ford government for breaking the law when it passed Bill 197 without public consultation – a recurring theme of serial misconduct by this government .
https : //t.co/l2E0CiIGfK pic.twitter.com/dc7HH2WYUj — Ecojustice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Ford government tried to exempt itself from environmental rules The government previously told Canada ’ s National Observer it included a measure in Bill 197 to exempt it from the public consultation requirements set by the Environmental Bill of Rights .
In its court application , Ecojustice said the clause amounts to an “ intentional refusal ” to consult the public .
“ The Minister of Environment acted intentionally for an improper purpose , ” the filing said .
However , the exemption clause only applied to the rewrites of environmental assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill that Ecojustice says relate to the environment , Miron said .
“ We see that as a bit of a shell game , ” he added .
The exemption also becomes invalid after 30 days , which Miron said is roughly the same amount of time that anyone opposed to the bill would have to legally oppose it .
‘ It really looks like an attempt to shield themselves from judicial scrutiny , ” he said .
It ’ s not clear how long it could be before the courts deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roughly a year , however , COVID-19 has led to slowdowns in Ontario ’ s judicial system .

A coalition of environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Ford government Monday, alleging the province’s lack of public consultation on environmental changes in its economic recovery bill was “unlawful.” The Ontario legislature passed the omnibus Bill 197 last month over objections from opposition parties, environmental advocates and auditor general Bonnie Lysyk. Lysyk warned the government would be “not compliant” with Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights if it passed the bill without consulting the public. The bill was aimed at jumpstarting economic activity after COVID-19, but critics said it undermines environmental oversight. “The government does have to consult the public when it makes changes like this,” said Ian Miron, a staff lawyer with the green law charity Ecojustice, which is representing Greenpeace Canada and the Wilderness Committee. “We say (the passage of the bill) broke the law.” The environmental groups have filed an application for judicial review, asking Ontario’s Divisional Court to rule that the Ontario government’s passage of the bill was “unlawful.” If successful, the law wouldn’t be struck down, but Miron said he hopes clear guidance from the courts could help the government reassess its plans — though Bill 197 has passed, it hasn’t taken effect yet.
“This government has shown itself willing in the past to reconsider decisions it’s made, for instance, with the Greenbelt,” he said. “There is a window of opportunity here as well.” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Andrew Buttigieg, a spokesperson for Environment Minister Jeff Yurek, declined to comment as the case is now before the courts.
“We are aware that Ecojustice has commenced a judicial review application,” he said in an email. Three environmental groups are taking the Ford government to court for failing to consult the public on major envirnmental changes in Bill 197. “We say (the passage of the bill) broke the law," said Ian Miron, a staff lawyer with Ecojustice. #onpoli “We are reviewing the notice of application and determining our next steps.” Greenpeace and Ecojustice brought a similar case before the courts in 2018, after the Ford government axed the province’s cap-and-trade program without holding consultations. The court found last year that the government broke the law in that case, though the judges didn’t compel the government to undo the change. Ecojustice is also representing a group of young people who filed a suit against the Ford government last year, alleging the province’s lack of climate action is endangering their charter rights. In the application for judicial review on Bill 197, Ecojustice alleged the Ford government has shown a “pattern of illegal conduct.”
“Here we are again,” Miron said. Ontario auditor general Bonnie Lysyk speaks to media in 2018. Lysyk has said the government was required to consult the public on environmental changes in Bill 197. File photo by Fatima Syed


nationalobserver--2020-08-10--Toronto police arrest, charge, use force against way more Black people

Black people don ’ t need to hear it , but they are far more likely than white people or other people of colour to be pulled over , charged or subject to use of force by Toronto police .
But while a fresh statistical review released on Monday by the Ontario Human Rights Commission added to decades of evidence showing systemic bias in policing and justice — and calling for change — Premier Doug Ford was announcing he would give police more money to buy surveillance cameras .
The document , `` A Disparate Impact , '' compiles statistical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on use of force , and comes amid widespread protests across North America against police brutality and a sharp debate about the role of police in society .
“ I ’ m done with reports , ” said Sandy Hudson , one of the founders of Toronto ’ s Black Lives Matter chapter , which is pushing for the defunding of the police .
“ I want to be doing interviews on action.
” The new OHRC report detailed the myriad ways Black people are discriminated against by the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more likely to be charged for cannabis offenses ( the data is from 2013-2017 ) even though conviction rates and research show use at similar rates to white people .
• Liberals turn over thousands of pages on WE decision to Commons committee Black people were four times more likely to be charged for so-called ‘ out of sight ’ driving offenses , in which the offense can only be discovered once an officer has made the decision to pull the person over .
“ We all know it ’ s bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results in the degradation , harm and death that we ’ ve seen in our community … but if it doesn ’ t lead to any action what ’ s the point ?
” Hudson said .
The Black Lives Matter movement has been calling for the Toronto police budget to be cut in half , but even an effort at city council to trim it by 10 per cent failed to pass in June .
Although they represent only 8.8 per cent of Toronto ’ s population , Black people represented almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dataset and more than a third of those out of sight driving charges .
Almost one in four cannabis charges were laid on Black people .
The city said at the time it would develop alternative community safety models while its budget allocated millions of dollars for body cameras , and the provincial government kicked in more money on Monday for police .
“ It 's absolutely critical that our brave men and women in uniform have the tools and the resources they need to do their job and keep us safe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he announced $ 3 million in funding over three years for Toronto police to double the number of closed-circuit television cameras across the city .
`` We all know that anti-Black racism results in the degradation , harm and death that we ’ ve seen in our community … but if it doesn ’ t lead to any action what ’ s the point ?
” asks Black Lives Matter organiser @ sandela He said the government was responding to the force ’ s urgent request following “ episodes of senseless violence ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick to confront issues they deem important — noting the federal government ’ s rapid response to the WE charity scandal as another recent example — while engaging in “ a really maddening , tortuous time loop ” about how to solve racism .
“ All this energy has been poured into this report and it could have been put into creating new things , the new services that we need to replace this institution that refuses to change , ” she said .
The charges the Ontario Human Rights Commission report focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allow for more discretion .
A quarter of cases of death , serious injury or allegations of sexual assault heard by the Special Investigations Unit ( SIU ) involved Black people , and almost four in 10 of the more mundane forms of state violence such as punches and kicks or batons .
Although they represent only 8.8 per cent of Toronto ’ s population , Black people represented almost one-third of all the charges in the dataset and a quarter of the cases of death , serious injury or allegations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unit ( SIU ) , the independent police watchdog that investiagtes such incidents .
They were at the receiving end four times out of 10 in incidents involving force such as punches and kicks , grounding or use of batons .
“ Black people are grossly overrepresented in virtually all lower level use of force categories documented by the study , ” said Dr. Scot Wortley , a criminologist and the lead author of the report .
The vast majority of SIU cases involved unarmed Black civilians without prior criminal records who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Many cases involved people in a mental health crisis or dealing with a substance abuse issue .
The report said this overrepresentation could not be explained by factors such as patrol zones in low-crime and high-crime neighbourhoods , violent crime rates or average income .
For those in positions of power in racist systems “ We do n't need another report showing us that if you 're Black , young , living in a socio-economically disadvantaged community , or living with mental health issues that you are at far greater risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very people ostensibly tasked to serve and protect you , ” said Anthony Morgan , a racial justice lawyer and manager of the city 's Confronting Anti-Black Racism unit .
“ These reports are primarily for the politicians , public policymakers , judges , Crown lawyers and prosecutors , parole board members , probation officers and others in positions of power within the systems of policing ” that have fed the frustrations of the Black Lives Matter movement and others , he said .
They were nevertheless “ exceptionally important , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience and provide impetus for policy change in those systems of power “ that continue to produce so much Black pain , both physically and figuratively.
” The report and its authors make two recommendations : that Toronto police , its board and city council adopt legally binding remedies to address and eliminate anti-Black bias and racism in police , and for the provincial government to create the legislative or regulatory requirement that all police services collect comprehensive , disaggregated race-based data across a range of police activities .
Solicitor general Sylvia Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , the province has compelled police services to submit race-based data for any intervention that involves use of force .
The police force and its board have not made binding commitments .
“ The Toronto Police Service is committed to accountability and community input to ensure we foster a human-rights based approach to policing and combatting systemic racism , ” said interim chief Jim Ramer in a joint statement issued by TPS and the police board following the release of the OHRC report .
“ We are continuing to work on ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of our policies and practices , ” said Ramer , who replaced Mark Saunders after he stepped down at the end of July .
Despite that commitment , a Black person in Toronto is just as likely to be shot by police as a Black person in an average U.S. city , said the OHRC 's interim chief , Ena Chadha .
“ It is time to make transformative changes in the institutions and systems of law enforcement that produce such disparate outcomes – community trust and safety , especially the safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she added .
Editor ’ s note : This article was updated at 5:42 p.m. on August 10 , 2020 , to include comments from Premier Doug Ford and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones , the manager of the city ’ s Confronting Anti-Black Racism unit , a Black Lives Matter organiser , and a joint statement from Toronto police and police board .

Black people don’t need to hear it, but they are far more likely than white people or other people of colour to be pulled over, charged or subject to use of force by Toronto police. But while a fresh statistical review released on Monday by the Ontario Human Rights Commission added to decades of evidence showing systemic bias in policing and justice — and calling for change — Premier Doug Ford was announcing he would give police more money to buy surveillance cameras. The document, "A Disparate Impact," compiles statistical reports on the racial disparity in charging and on use of force, and comes amid widespread protests across North America against police brutality and a sharp debate about the role of police in society. “I’m done with reports,” said Sandy Hudson, one of the founders of Toronto’s Black Lives Matter chapter, which is pushing for the defunding of the police. “I want to be doing interviews on action.” The new OHRC report detailed the myriad ways Black people are discriminated against by the city’s police. It found Black people were much more likely to be charged for cannabis offenses (the data is from 2013-2017) even though conviction rates and research show use at similar rates to white people.
Black people were four times more likely to be charged for so-called ‘out of sight’ driving offenses, in which the offense can only be discovered once an officer has made the decision to pull the person over. “We all know it’s bad. We all know that anti-Black racism results in the degradation, harm and death that we’ve seen in our community … but if it doesn’t lead to any action what’s the point?” Hudson said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Black Lives Matter movement has been calling for the Toronto police budget to be cut in half, but even an effort at city council to trim it by 10 per cent failed to pass in June.
Although they represent only 8.8 per cent of Toronto’s population, Black people represented almost one-third of all the charges in the dataset and more than a third of those out of sight driving charges. Almost one in four cannabis charges were laid on Black people. The city said at the time it would develop alternative community safety models while its budget allocated millions of dollars for body cameras, and the provincial government kicked in more money on Monday for police. "We all know that anti-Black racism results in the degradation, harm and death that we’ve seen in our community … but if it doesn’t lead to any action what’s the point?” asks Black Lives Matter organiser @sandela “It's absolutely critical that our brave men and women in uniform have the tools and the resources they need to do their job and keep us safe,” Ford said in prepared remarks as he announced $3 million in funding over three years for Toronto police to double the number of closed-circuit television cameras across the city. He said the government was responding to the force’s urgent request following “episodes of senseless violence” last summer. Hudson said governments were quick to confront issues they deem important — noting the federal government’s rapid response to the WE charity scandal as another recent example — while engaging in “a really maddening, tortuous time loop” about how to solve racism.
“All this energy has been poured into this report and it could have been put into creating new things, the new services that we need to replace this institution that refuses to change,” she said. The charges the Ontario Human Rights Commission report focused on, which require more police surveillance and allow for more discretion.


nationalobserver--2020-08-11--Ensign Energy Q2 revenue plunges 48 per cent

Ensign Energy Services Inc. reported a $ 17.1-million net loss in its second quarter , as revenue fell by nearly @ @ @ @ @ time last year .
The loss amounted to 10 cents per share , an improvement @ @ @ @ @ $ 30.2 million or 20 cents per share due partly to a $ 52-million gain @ @ @ @ @ .
However , adjusted earnings totalled $ 58.1 million or 36 cents per share , @ @ @ @ @ or 64 cents per share in the second quarter last year .

Ensign Energy Services Inc. reported a $17.1-million net loss in its second quarter, as revenue fell by nearly half compared with the same time last year.
The loss amounted to 10 cents per share, an improvement on the year-earlier loss of $30.2 million or 20 cents per share due partly to a $52-million gain from repurchasing some outstanding debt.
However, adjusted earnings totalled $58.1 million or 36 cents per share, down from $101.8 million or 64 cents per share in the second quarter last year.
The Calgary-based contract drilling company says revenue for the quarter ended June 30 was $194.8 million, down from $377.5 million a year earlier.
Revenue from Canada dropped 66 per cent to $17.0 million, representing about nine per cent of the total.


nationalobserver--2020-08-11--Canadian Natural to take over Painted Pony Energy in $461-million deal

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. has struck a $ 461-million deal to buy Painted Pony Energy Ltd. as it looks to grow its position in the liquids-rich Montney natural gas region of northeastern B.C .
`` This acquisition further strengthens Canadian Natural 's natural gas assets and production base in key operating areas and complements the company 's diversified portfolio , '' Canadian Natural president Tim McKay said in a statement .
`` This transaction also allows us to further insulate against natural gas costs in our oilsands operations and has minimal impact on the company ’ s low overall corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calgary-based Painted Pony company for $ 111 million in cash and the assumption of $ 350 million in debt is expected to close later this year .
Canadian Natural is best known as one of Canada 's largest oilsands and heavy oil producers , but it has been allocating funds to grow its natural gas output as well .
• Liberals turn over thousands of pages on WE decision to Commons committee • What happens if the Governor General requires discipline or dismissal ?
In a statement , Painted Pony said it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of weak natural gas prices and more recent declines in prices for the petroleum liquids produced with the gas .
It decided on a confidential process to enhance shareholder value , it said , and its board determined the corporate buyout offer of 69 cents per share by Canadian Natural was the best path forward .
Painted Pony 's shares have traded between 20 cents and 90 cents in the past year .
They rose by as much as 16.9 per cent on Monday to match the offering price .
Separately , Canadian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northeastern B.C .
are located near its similar operations and offer potential synergies in infrastructure and pipelines .
It said the assets produce about 270 million cubic feet per day of natural gas and 4,600 barrels per day of petroleum liquids .
By comparison , Canadian Natural produced 1.46 billion cubic feet per day of gas and 922,000 barrels per day of crude oil and liquids in the second quarter .
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. has struck a $ 461-million deal to buy Painted Pony Energy Ltd. as it looks to grow its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region of northeastern B.C .
Analysts said the transaction was good for both companies but better for Canadian Natural , whose shares were little changed on Monday .
`` Although we would consider the acquisition as immaterial to base operations today ( four per cent of total production ) , the purchase is consistent with Canadian Natural 's history of opportunistic acquisitions along cyclical lows , adding significant future gas inventory , '' National Bank analyst Travis Wood said in a report .
Analyst Chris MacCulloch of Desjardins pointed out the offer represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 cents per share target price for Painted Pony , but investors may have mixed feeling about the deal .
`` The acquisition certainly marks a disappointing conclusion for PONY shareholders after languishing for years under the crippling weight of elevated debt levels and depressed natural gas prices , '' he said .
Painted Pony will hold a special meeting in September to vote on the deal which will require support of two-thirds of the shares .
It said holders of about 25 per cent of its shares , including its two largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transaction .

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. has struck a $461-million deal to buy Painted Pony Energy Ltd. as it looks to grow its position in the liquids-rich Montney natural gas region of northeastern B.C.
"This acquisition further strengthens Canadian Natural's natural gas assets and production base in key operating areas and complements the company's diversified portfolio," Canadian Natural president Tim McKay said in a statement.
"This transaction also allows us to further insulate against natural gas costs in our oilsands operations and has minimal impact on the company’s low overall corporate decline rate."
The acquisition of Calgary-based Painted Pony company for $111 million in cash and the assumption of $350 million in debt is expected to close later this year.
Canadian Natural is best known as one of Canada's largest oilsands and heavy oil producers, but it has been allocating funds to grow its natural gas output as well.


nationalobserver--2020-08-11--Americans mostly oppose Trump tariff on Canadian aluminum, survey suggests

A new opinion survey suggests Donald Trump 's recent decision to slap a tariff on Canadian raw aluminum is garnering poor reviews on both sides of the border .
In a web survey conducted by polling firm Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies , 58 per cent of American respondents said they disagreed with the 10 per cent import tax .
In what comes as less of a surprise , 90 per cent of Canadians who took part in the survey objected to the White House 's tariff .
The survey was conducted Aug. 7 to 9 among 1,513 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older , who were recruited from an online panel .
Since polls created from internet panels are not random samples , the survey can not be assigned a margin of error .
• Liberals turn over thousands of pages on WE decision to Commons committee • What happens if the Governor General requires discipline or dismissal ?
The polling firm says that using data from the 2016 census , results were weighted according to age , gender , language spoken , region , level of education and presence of children in the household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the population .
Trump announced last week he was reimposing a tax on Canadian raw aluminum because Canada had broken a promise not to flood the U.S. market with the product .
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland vehemently denied the dumping claim and said Canada would soon retaliate with $ 3.6 billion in tariffs on American items that contain aluminum .
`` In imposing these tariffs , the United States has taken the absurd decision to harm its own people at a time its economy is suffering the deepest crisis since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Any American who buys a can of beer or a soda or a car or a bike will suffer . ''
The comments might help explain why 28 per cent of Americans surveyed said they somewhat disagreed with Trump 's move , while 30 per cent said they totally disagreed .
A new opinion survey suggests Donald Trump 's recent decision to slap a tariff on Canadian raw aluminum is garnering poor reviews on both sides of the border .
Jean-Marc Leger , president of the survey firm , suggested the numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the action by the mercurial U.S. president .
`` Why the 10 per cent ?
Why at this moment ? ''
he said .
`` It looks like another impulsive decision . ''
Sixty-nine per cent of Canadians who participated in the survey said they completely disagreed with the tariff , with 21 per cent somewhat opposed .
Seventy per cent of Canadian respondents said Ottawa should fight back by imposing tariffs of its own on U.S. products .
The trade spat shattered the brief harmony between Ottawa and Washington that followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free trade agreement .
While nearly two-thirds of Americans told Leger that Canada and the U.S. benefit equally from their commercial exchanges , only 38 per cent of Canadians supported the notion .

A new opinion survey suggests Donald Trump's recent decision to slap a tariff on Canadian raw aluminum is garnering poor reviews on both sides of the border. In a web survey conducted by polling firm Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies, 58 per cent of American respondents said they disagreed with the 10 per cent import tax. In what comes as less of a surprise, 90 per cent of Canadians who took part in the survey objected to the White House's tariff. The survey was conducted Aug. 7 to 9 among 1,513 Canadians and 1,003 Americans, 18 or older, who were recruited from an online panel. Since polls created from internet panels are not random samples, the survey cannot be assigned a margin of error.
The polling firm says that using data from the 2016 census, results were weighted according to age, gender, language spoken, region, level of education and presence of children in the household in order to ensure a representative sample of the population. Trump announced last week he was reimposing a tax on Canadian raw aluminum because Canada had broken a promise not to flood the U.S. market with the product. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland vehemently denied the dumping claim and said Canada would soon retaliate with $3.6 billion in tariffs on American items that contain aluminum.
"In imposing these tariffs, the United States has taken the absurd decision to harm its own people at a time its economy is suffering the deepest crisis since the Great Depression," she said. A new opinion survey suggests Donald Trump's recent decision to slap a tariff on Canadian raw aluminum is garnering poor reviews on both sides of the border. "Any American who buys a can of beer or a soda or a car or a bike will suffer." The comments might help explain why 28 per cent of Americans surveyed said they somewhat disagreed with Trump's move, while 30 per cent said they totally disagreed. Jean-Marc Leger, president of the survey firm, suggested the numbers reflect a lack of a clear rationale for the action by the mercurial U.S. president. "Why the 10 per cent? Why at this moment?" he said. "It looks like another impulsive decision."
Sixty-nine per cent of Canadians who participated in the survey said they completely disagreed with the tariff, with 21 per cent somewhat opposed. Seventy per cent of Canadian respondents said Ottawa should fight back by imposing tariffs of its own on U.S. products. The trade spat shattered the brief harmony between Ottawa and Washington that followed a successful renegotiation of the North American free trade agreement.