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Loading...Harper Government’s War on Environmentalists
- by Cathryn Wellner
- January 13, 2012
- 1:00 pm
More Cuts on the Horizon
A CBC report indicates:
Sources say the government isn’t just talking…but will be targeting environmental groups when the House finance committee reviews charitable funding next month.
The committee could recommend changing the rules to stop them from getting U.S. money.
A discussion in the finance committee would put environmental groups on notice that the government intends to curb their influence and their activities. In addition, if charitable status were denied to groups whose activities were deemed to be lobbying, funding for all environmental watchdogs would be at risk.
The government is also moving ahead on the plan it announced last fall, to slash Environment Canada’s workforce by 776 people. Sixty scientists and researchers at Environment Canada are receiving pink slips declaring their jobs surplus. More cuts are looming, and the department is facing deep budget reductions in the next fiscal year. Gary Corbett, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, told CBC:
While the government pays lip service to protecting the interests of all Canadians, it continues to target science-based departments, the front line, when it comes to protecting our environment and health of our citizens.
Canada’s Fossil Award Ensured
It appears instead of being embarrassed to be named Fossil of the Year for the 5th year in a row, Canada intends to ensure the next UN climate change conference will once again bestow the award.
As David Olive wrote in the Toronto Star:
Our prime minister trembles with unseemly rage that the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio may voice an objection to projects that will have a multi-generational, and irrevocable, impact on nature and social conditions in hundreds of communities across North America.
For the Harper government, economic gain trumps concern for the future of the planet. Although 60% of Canadians who voted in the last election chose other parties, the Harper government is using its majority to try to crush opponents and ram through its vision for the country. They have become the bully on the block, ignoring or undermining anyone who dares stand up to them. The environment is not even in second place on their list of priorities.
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Read more: canada, climate change, conservative party of canada, Enbridge, Environment Canada, environmental issues, Franke James, harper government, Northern Gateway pipeline, stephen harper
Photo 1 from Thinkstock; Photo 2 from Dogwood Initiative via Flickr Creative Commons
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+ add your ownWe have a demonic dictator as a leader who childishly must have his own way at all costs and will do anything to get it. Are these the qualities of a mature and reasonable man? What an embarrassment to Canada for Canadians and for his family! Somehow there must be a way we can remove him from office (insanity?) before the country and the planet has suffered beyond repair by his hand. Does he not realise he is digging his own grave as well as ours? Certainly no rational thought has gone into his plans and unfortunately he has brainwashed all his cronies to think the same and threatened them to not oppose him. Despicable!!!
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I am sure that I am not the only Canadian infuriated by our Federal Govt. Words coming out of some of the conservative mouths are demeaning anyone wanting to keep watch over the environment of our beautiful country, especially after the budget cut back on the Environment with their 400 + page amendments package (just to confuse a lot of us...they think). Canada we are on a slippery slope downhill in our image to the rest of the world.
'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change our country (world). Indeed it's the only thing that ever has'. Margaret Mead.
LEFT WING IDEOLOGIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I belong to the Mother of us all the Mother who recognises no boundaries, no ownership of land, no animal as above any other, no politician, no company, no wealth except the wealth of her beauty, no environmentalist.
We are temporary guests here and as such we should respect the rights of our host and leave everything as we found it or better.
To continue as we are doing is to commit suicide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I perceive economic manipulation and extreme deception are unveiling naturally to clear the past and liberate a new world foretold as 2012. When we are informed and respectfully speak up together for peace and justice, we evolve beyond mistaken beliefs into a heart centered, new sustainable world of unity, equality, and coherence. http://jhaines6.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/qa-bruce-livesey-author-of-thieves-of-bay-street-about-canadian-banking-problems/#more-37885
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Resistance sustains what we resist. Creativity influences new possibilities.
Our voices are stronger when counted together. Speak up peacefully for free energy.
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Canadians brothers and sisters,
It's all our fault!!! Less than 60% of the people voted in the last election. Shame on us!!! I just can't get over this one: Less than 60% Canadians actually voted!!! We're becoming a country of idiots!!! In a democracy, people get the governement that they deserve. We deserve Harper... as a punishment!
The result of the poor turn-out at the election: Harper is in charge, and we all know his motto "If people voted for me, it means that they're OK with absolutely everything I do." Then, he goes ahead and thrashes nature.
Yes I do realize that the majority of people WHO VOTED didn't vote for him... I didn't vote for him... But I still feel guilty. Maybe I could have done a little more to make sure EVERYONE I KNOW goes to vote. Maybe I could have been a little less sarcastic, when talking about canadian politics, because being sarcastic make people around me even more unconcerned about the election. Maybe... I don't know... But we got to do somethign about this!
We have to realize, as a country, that we are very lucky to live in a democracy. Just think about the long list of people who were molested, jailed, even killed to have that right. Think about Nelson Mandela, about Aung San Suu Kyi, about Liu Xiaobo, and all the others... Think about their struggle, and VOTE!!!
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