All posts by Guest Post

Justice, Politics

BC Government and Its Lawyers Head Toward Unionization Showdown

By  Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Lawyers working for the B.C. government are threatening to sue it over a new law that would remove their right to choose their own union.

Bill 5 became law on  Thursday after months of fighting between the government and the BC  Government Lawyers Association, which applied last year to be recognized  as an independent union representing about 300 members. 

The legislation lifts a ban on unionization for the lawyers, who advise government on new laws and represent it in civil court.

Continue reading BC Government and Its Lawyers Head Toward Unionization Showdown →
Environment

Canada’s competition watchdog opens inquiry into Pathways Alliance ads over greenwashing allegations

By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Competition Bureau is officially investigating an ad campaign that Greenpeace Canada argues is “false and misleading” because it suggests Canada’s six biggest oilsands companies are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping Canada achieve its climate targets.

The Pathways Alliance’s six members — Canadian Natural Resources, Cenovus, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil subsidiary Imperial, MEG Energy and Suncor — are responsible for 95 per cent of Canada’s oil sands production. A complaint filed in March by Greenpeace Canada took aim at the group’s “Let’s clear the air” marketing campaign, which presents its members as “making clear strides toward net zero” to help Canada “achieve a sustainable future.”

Continue reading Canada’s competition watchdog opens inquiry into Pathways Alliance ads over greenwashing allegations →
Forests

Carrie Saxifrage: Reflections from the outgoing Community Forest President 

Editor’s Note: Carrie Saxifrage was President of the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative from April 2019 – May, 2023.

This is Carrie Saxifrage with some reflections on the community forest.

Thanks so much to those who attended the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative (CCFC) AGM and to all the forest folk who keep this place deep green.

Continue reading Carrie Saxifrage: Reflections from the outgoing Community Forest President  →
Cost of Climate Change

Canada’s largest labour organization adopts climate action plan at tri-annual convention

By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Despite differences of opinion, a clear majority of delegates voted to adopt the Canadian Labour Congress’ (CLC) proposed climate action plan at its tri-annual convention in Montreal.

On May 9, workers representing local, regional and national unions weighed in on a climate action plan that will shape the mandate of Canada’s largest labour organization for the next three years. This is the first time the CLC, which represents more than three million workers across the country, has devised action plans as well as policy resolutions for different topics, including climate change, Indigenous justice, affordability, infrastructure, health care and organizing.

Continue reading Canada’s largest labour organization adopts climate action plan at tri-annual convention →
Politics

‘There’s a reason we call ourselves Alberta’s NDP,’ says Van Tighem

By Laurie Tritschler, Shootin’ the Breeze, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Kevin Van Tighem, NDP candidate for Livingstone-Macleod, was careful to differentiate his party from its federal cousins when he addressed Pincher Creek’s mayor and council on Monday.

“There’s a reason we call ourselves Alberta’s NDP,” he said, recalling that party leader and former premier Rachel Notley “went to war” with Jagmeet Singh’s Canadian New Democrats after her government backed the federal Liberals’ Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project.

Continue reading ‘There’s a reason we call ourselves Alberta’s NDP,’ says Van Tighem →