The root of good, democratic government is the idea that the public are best served by having input into decisions that affect them. In a diverse, pluralistic society like Canada, with so many different regions, cultures, and industries, it’s even more important to draw from a wide cross-section of the populace in crafting policy. Plus, as our world becomes ever more complex, the role of indep ... [read more]

Last night in the House, there was a Committee of the Whole until 1:30am. On the option of the NDP, two departments of government can be submitted to examination of the main estimates (or the Department's 2012 budget) through a Committee of the Whole.  This entails the whole of the Commons being converted from Parliament to Committee, with the Speaker off the throne and at the table, the mace ... [read more]

Your ancestors have been able to live in, and with, the nature, with a full respect for her. [read more]

I read with interest today a number of news reports related to the announcement that  Cliffs Natural Resources will be investing approximately $3.3 billion in Ontario, to build a chromite mine in the Ring of Fire, and a ferrochrome processing facility in my city, the City of Greater Sudbury.  That Cliffs has been pushing ahead with developing the Black Thor deposit in the Ring of Fire has been ... [read more]

As a long-time environmental lawyer who has watched, and, in some cases, played a role in the development of Canada's environmental laws, I am devastated at the cynical, manipulative, and undemocratic way the Harper Conservatives are weakening or destroying those crucial laws. [read more]

The budget omnibus bill was best described by Terry Glavin the other day as a “statutory juggernaut that introduces, amends or repeals nearly 70 federal laws.” (Ottawa Citizen, May 5, 2012 “Something’s fishy with Bill C-38”). [read more]

The mainstream media is marking its report cards for the one-year anniversary under Harper Conservative majority rule. The bromides are calming—the Globe and Mail editorial gives the Conservative majority a positive spin—“more ups than downs”—while its reporter, John Ibbitson, wrote a piece nearly oozing with reverence for the prime minister. [read more]

During last year’s Council elections I put my hat in the ring for the role of VP English on the newly created Executive Council. It turned out that the only other voting possibility in that category at that time was for “None of the Above”; no one else submitted their candidacy. [read more]

Yesterday afternoon, I realized a new presentation for the "Climate Reality Project Canada" in the town of Kirkland. I shared during this conference the latest data about the global warming. I heard citizens concerned about the "reverse gear strategy" advocated by our current federal government, in this domain. Global warming is the most important topic which confronts humanity today. It must ... [read more]

Dear friends [read more]

Last week’s Spring Into Clean was an annual ritual Living Green helped found back in 2003. From a few dozen people picking up litter around the lakeshore, it has since spread to parks, schoolyards, ditches and parking lots across Barrie and includes thousands of students, families, coworkers, and other citizen groups. Hopefully you took part, but if you didn’t, don’t worry: the battle against ... [read more]

Okay, agreed. There’s nothing about Stephen Harper that suggests he is a big joker.  He doesn’t speak in public except in modulated monotones.  Very reassuring, like Prozac.  No off-script moments of hilarity.  No pirouettes in the hallways. [read more]

It's taken almost two years for the story to emerge, but the truth has surfaced at least in part. The interventions used to stabilize Canada's banking system after the 2008 economic crises amount to $3400 for every man, woman and child in the country. [read more]

The single biggest assault on environmental law was tabled last Thursday morning in the House – to nary a whimper. No front page headlines. No media interviews for Opposition parties for the major networks. True, we will likely hear more outrage as people wade through the 428 page Budget Implementation Bill, C-38. But, for now, the Harper Conservatives have stolen environmental protection in p ... [read more]

I have submitted these proposals today, May 6, 2012.  My thanks to those who sponsored the motions individually or as a whole especially the Davenport EDA and Frank De Jong.  Thanks to Rick Shea and others who helped amend various clauses.  Thank you for your support.  [read more]