#allthecanadianpolitics

[theleftycanadianradical]

Socialists, communists and the labour movement are responsible for winning the reforms that built the lifestyle that the Right likes to romanticize. Then they sold out the working class by adopting neoliberalism which has wrought destruction and inequality. Fascism is not the solution.

[phyllali]

Ontario rejected the proposal on changing what drugs midwives can prescribe, administer etc. Add your comment here telling the government how this is not allowing midwives to work within their scope, continues to create barriers for people to seek care if they do not have a family doctor, contining to clog up the healthcare system to get things like antibiotics from walk in GP, and more unattended pregnancies without being able to prescribe birth control.

comments are open until Nov 13

[finlaure13]

New Brunswick

AIM asks court to quash suspension of approval to operate Saint John scrapyard

Metal-recycling company alleges environment minister acted 'arbitrarily and unreasonably'

Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon - CBC News

Posted: February 15, 2024

Among other allegations, AIM says the environment minister did not identify the contaminants allegedly released during the Sept. 14 fire at its harbourfront scrapyard. (Roger Cosman/CBC)

American Iron & Metal wants a judge to quash the environment minister's suspension of the company's approval to operate a Saint John harbourfront scrapyard, alleging he acted "arbitrarily and unreasonably," exceeded his jurisdiction and breached his duty of procedural fairness.

The company has filed a notice of application with the Court of King's Bench in Saint John, seeking a judicial review of the decision, which followed a massive fire at the site Sept. 14.

The fire burned for two days and prompted a city-wide shelter-in-place order because of hazardous smoke.

On Sept. 19, New Brunswick Environment Minister Gary Crossman suspended AIM's approval because he was "of the opinion that there was an unauthorized release of contaminants in contravention of section 17" of the Clean Air Act.

In court documents filed this week, AIM says it's "prevented from operating its business at the facility in any fashion pending the Minister lifting the Suspension."

Irving refinery fires did not prompt suspensions

AIM argues that the fire, described in the documents as "The Incident," was "contained within 48 hours," the suspension did not identify the contaminant that was allegedly released or the conditions that had to be satisfied for the suspension to be lifted.

AIM contends it should have been given an opportunity to make submissions before the suspension, and that an order with a "narrower scope" would have been sufficient to satisfy the objectives of the act.

In a supporting sworn affidavit, Michael Cormier, AIM's vice-president for the eastern region, argues other industrial businesses have had fires that did not result in shutdowns or licences being revoked.

Irving Oil Ltd.'s refinery has "experienced several catastrophic explosions and fires" over the past several years, he said, including one in 1998 that resulted in a death, and an explosion and subsequent fire in 2018.

In 2018, Irving Oil confirmed there was a 'major incident' at the refinery that saw 'several' contractors being treated for non-life threatening injuries. (Submitted by Joseph Comeau)

In 2010, the refinery released "more than 30 metric tonnes of dust resulting in property damage to surrounding neighbourhoods and a reduction in air quality," in 2012 it released "dangerous levels of sulphur dioxide," and in 2018, it released "an unknown chemical resulting in property damage to surrounding neighbourhoods and a reduction in air quality," Cormier said.

The TRACC tire recycling yard in Minto also had a fire in 2019 that destroyed the facility and resulted in "significant long-term environmental damage," he said.

Relied 'excessively' on joint task force

According to the documents, AIM sent a letter to the Environment minister on Sept. 20 to ask what conditions it would need to meet to get the suspension on its harbourside metal-recycling operations lifted.

"On Sept. 29, the minister sent an email to AIM in which he "approved AIM to complete certain assessment and remedial activities at the facility (the "Interim Approval.") However, the Interim Approval was rescinded without explanation later that day," the documents say.

Crossman relied "excessively upon the actions taken and the information gathered by the [joint] Task Force and the Saint John Port Authority to the point of fettering his discretion," the company alleges.

In his affidavit, Cormier points out no members of the Department of Environment, including the minister, sat on the task force.

Raises questions of task force co-chair conflict

The company also questions whether the task force co-chair Andrew Dixon, who is the chief operating officer of Port Saint John, had a conflict of interest, as the port is AIM's landlord.

Cormier notes he attended meetings between AIM and port officials in the weeks leading up to the fire, when Port Saint John "urged AIM to consider relocating the facility for the purpose of allowing another industry tenant to take over the property." AIM told Port Saint John it was not interested in its relocation proposal and that it intended to stay, according to Cormier.

Task force chair Cheryl Hansen, the clerk of the Executive Council, dismissed the notion that the port was in a conflict position in correspondence with AIM dated Nov. 15, court documents show. "The task force is not the decision-maker, therefore, conflict of interest principles do not apply, and in addition, we are satisfied no conflict exists," she wrote.

American Iron & Metal vice-president for the eastern region Michael Cormier attended the hearing Friday but declined to comment. (Graham Thompson/CBC)

AIM further claims Crossman "exceeded his jurisdiction and discretion under the act and/or acted unreasonably" by:

Imposing an unconditional order under the Clean Air Act.

"Arbitrarily and unreasonably" suspending the approval for an indefinite period.

Failing to explain why a full suspension was reasonable and/or necessary and failing to provide sufficient reasons for his decision.

It claims the minister breached his duty of procedural fairness by failing to provide specific reasons for the suspension or the conditions that had to be met for the suspension to be lifted, and "failing to follow precedent in which other industrial businesses were not suspended for breaches" of the act.

Wants to see evidence

AIM is seeking an order that the evidence the minister used to make his decision be produced.

It is also seeking costs and any further relief the court deems reasonable.

None of AIM's allegations have been tested in court. The Department of Environment has not yet filed a response and declined to comment Thursday. "The Department of Environment and Local Government will not comment on matters before the court," spokesperson Clarissa Andersen said in an email.

"AIM has no comment at this time," Fredericton lawyer Romain Viel said in an email.

Operations remain suspended

Even if AIM succeeds in getting the Department of Environment suspension lifted, its salvage dealers licence for the port site remains revoked, Department of Justice and Public Safety spokesperson Allan Dearing confirmed Thursday, and operations remain suspended.

Public Safety Minister Kris Austin revoked AIM's approval under the province's Salvage Dealers Licensing Act on Dec. 29.

On Wednesday, the province announced AIM can resume accepting material at its Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton sites after inspections determined they now comply with the national fire code.

But that relates to the company's east Saint John site, on Recycling Street, not the west side port location where the fire occurred.

With files from Shane Magee

[newsfromstolenland]

Today's top story: White person from the USA shocked and angered to discover that a Canadian news article is about Canada and not the United States

[aurorajay]

More bullshit from my home province >:(

[purplespacecats]

HOLY SHIT THIS IS SUCH A WIN

@allthecanadianpolitics

[thevioletsunflower]

Canadians: Act now to support guaranteed basic income!

The Canadian government is about to vote on starting the process of instituting a guaranteed basic living wage.

If you are a Canadian resident, please consider contacting your representatives about it! MP Leah Gazan has a tool on her website that makes showing your support easy. Just put your name and postal code into this tool and it will automatically send a message to your MP, the Prime Minister, and several Cabinet Ministers: https://www.leahgazan.ca/glbi_letter_2024#newmode-embed-20407-68031

If you’re Canadian, please show your support! If you aren’t, please share this post so your Canadian followers can see it.

@allthecanadianpolitics

[theleftycanadianradical]

Newly updated

How Canada's Federal Parties Vote On Housing Policy in Canada

I'll be updating these semi-regularly leading up to the next Federal election. They're dated, so you can check your copies to see if you're sharing the most recent one.

[maester-cressen]

As each day passes, the destruction against Palestinians keeps claiming more and more lives. Dyia (@familygazaamal), on top of being separated from other members of his family , have shared this very heartbreaking story with me about his wife Shamia and his four children via DMs:

[Image description: a screenshot of a tumblr message sent by Dyia containing the following text. This story happened to my wife and children two days ago. My children and I went for the vaccination that protects my children from diseases and polio as a human right, the second stage of vaccination. While we were on the way, we were in the taxi, and the car in front of us was targeted. At that moment, we did not see anything in front of us because of the very heavy dust. We were suffocating from the strong smell of gunpowder. A man and a small child were martyred, and the rest was injured. At that moment, my children began to cry and scream loudly from the horror of the scene. Until this moment, my children and I are in psychological shock from the situation. They have reached fever with trembling and have lost their appetite until now. What should I do? Every time I go out, me and my children are very afraid. Please help us. End image description]

Every sentence on this message adds a new layer of sadness. The hard work to get a vaccine as necessary as polio. The dead child and man, whose names and stories might never come to light. The fear of having watched that horrible scene but having to remain strong to comfort your children. Watching your children becoming sick and afraid and feeling hopeless.

Please do not hesitate to donate to this campaign, for it has been vetted by @/gazavetters (number 55). Reuniting this family in Egypt is imperative, especially because little Amal (the youngest child) has been injured.

Taglist:

@fancysmudges @brokenbackmountain @mothblossoms @aleciosun

@fluoresensitive @khizuo @lesbiandardevil @transmutationisms

@schoolhater @timogsilangan @appsa @buttercuparry @sayruq @malcriada

@palestinegenocide @sar-soor @akajustmerry

@annoyingloudmicrowavecultist @feluka @tortiefrancis

@flower-tea-fairies @tsaricides @riding-with-the-wild-hunt

@visenyasdragon @belleandsaintsebastian @ear-motif

@kordeliiius @brutaliakhoa @raelyn-dreams @troythecatfish

@theropoda @tamarrud @4ft10tvlandfangirl

@queerstudiesnatural @northgazaupdates2 @skatezophrenic

@awetistic-things @camgirlpanopticon @baby-girl-aaron-dessner @nabulsi

@sygol @junglejim4322 @heritageposts @chososhairbuns @palistani

@dlxxv-vetted-donations

@illuminated-runas @dlxxv-vetted-donations

@freetyphoonfire @generallyjl @dirhwangdaseul @wutheringheightsfilm @cybrthrillz @jezior0 @anneemay @appsa @labutansa @girlinafairytale @sneakerdoodle @variantsofblue @brokenbackmountain @maester-cressen @demothers-empty-blog @thedailydescent @aleciosun @determinate-negation @schoolhater @buttercuparry @sayruq @tittyinfinity @luminousrose1 @malcriada @i-am-a-fish @a-shade-of-blue @allthecanadianpolitics @i-cant-think-of-a-thing @mazzikah @sar-soor @soracities @sadhoc @skatezophrenic @girlwhonaps @brutalgeneration @voidofryu @timogsilangan

[myceliacrochet]

Even the World Food Programme has stopped helping Maryam and her little children.

Hey comrades😳😖

I appreciate your help so much

We can do this

Let's keep going for Maryam and her little children

They're all alone and need formula and need to get out of there

They haven't had the privilege of being vetted yet, if anyone could help with that we'd be so grateful!!!! Actually she's verified by the Sidra Project!!

Clean RIS on the photos in her GoFundMe and on her Facebook page

Donation-protected

Donate here

@minosbull @sylvianritual @fly-sky-high-09 @wellsbering @awetistic-things @gazavetters @gaza-evacuation-funds @gazagfmboost @90-ghost @allthecanadianpolitics @amvs @afro-elf @a-quiet-green-agreement @akajustmerry @aloudlyprofoundduck @alaspoon @anneemay @ana-bananya @anyonghalimaw @antipsychotic @ap-kinda-lit @apollonaire @applejupiter @aroacenezhaanddainsleif @artfight @assortedfruitflavors @ateezlovingbookworm @atherea @atlasrainerot @autisticandroids @averagenotnormal @azizisbored @biggest-gaudiest-patronuses @bogleech @booasaur @blinkpen @boton @box-dwelling @butch-king-frankenstein @butchniqabi @bunnyhugs22 @boochanz-moved @cheezbot @catchymemes @cannibalchicken @catnippackets @cosmonautroger @determinate-negation @dlxxv-vetted-donations @date-an-anarchist-suggestions

[osmanthusoolong]

“A Canada Post worker says she was suspended after refusing to deliver flyers that compare gender-affirming medical care to child mutilation.

The flyer from Campaign Life Coalition, an anti-abortion group based in Hamilton, Ont., calls for a ban on "child sex-change."

Shannon Aitchison said she is the mother of a transgender adult and given that gender-affirming surgery is only available to people aged 18 and above, believes the wording of the flyers is harmful and discriminatory against transgender people.

"It's misinformation. It is lies and misinformation being presented as truth," she said.

This is the third flyer sent by the group since August. The first two were in support of the Blaine Higgs government's changes to Policy 713, requiring parental consent before school staff can use a child under the age of 16's chosen name and pronouns.

Higgs's campaign manager, Steve Outhouse, has previously said the Progressive Conservatives have "no involvement with this flyer or the actions" of the group.

The most recent flyer calls for banning gender-affirming health care for youth.”

“The Medical Consent of Minors Act in New Brunswick gives anyone 16 years or older the right to consent to medical treatment, including taking medications, such as hormones, or going to counselling. Medical professionals may grant parental-consent exceptions for younger teens who are deemed mature enough to make decisions.

Gender-affirming surgeries are available for those over 18 years of age in New Brunswick.”

…

“Aitchison said she's delivered mail in the past that she personally didn't agree with, but the flyer goes a step further.

"This is the first time I have ever drawn a line in the sand and said … I will not be party to delivering propaganda," she said.”

…

“When the first of these flyers showed up in New Brunswick mailboxes last month, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said its workers "have been given the option of not delivering the offensive material if it would cause them mental anguish or if they fear for their health and safety."”

…

“It's not clear whether the option was given by the union or Canada Post, and why Aitchison was suspended despite what the union said. The union has not yet responded to CBC questions on the issue.

After three days of suspension, Aitchison said she had a disciplinary meeting and is still awaiting a decision. She said the union has filed a grievance on her behalf.”

I really hope she wins, this is horrendous.

@allthecanadianpolitics

[rampagingpoet]

Unfortunate but not surprising.  Campbell River’s city council has historically been composed of businessmen who own property in the downtown core - the area “hit hardest” by the homeless.  It’s far easier for them to try and keep people away from their shiny, shiny shops than it is for them to help people.

"The City of Campbell River has passed a bylaw banning the use of drugs on public property.

Council approved the bylaw just days before B.C.’s three-year decriminalization trial came into effect.

The bylaw states that the purpose is for the “protection and enhancement” of the community’s wellbeing.

Anyone caught consuming a controlled substance in public places like parks or city property could face a $200 fine.

“I think if it turns out that evidence contradicts this, we can remove it. As it stands, this seems like the most prudent move to protect all of our community. Campbell River’s being used as a test subject for a new program and we don’t know what’s going to happen.”

”I support this because it was asked of us by law enforcement,” council member Ben Lanyon said.

“I think if it turns out that evidence contradicts this, we can remove it. As it stands, this seems like the most prudent move to protect all of our community. Campbell River’s being used as a test subject for a new program and we don’t know what’s going to happen.”"

Full article

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[newsfromstolenland]

The Israeli cabinet has agreed to a temporary ceasefire deal that will enable the release of about 50 people who have been held captive in Gaza since the Hamas armed group stormed southern Israel on October 7.

The agreement came after talks on a Qatar-mediated deal that continued into the early hours of Wednesday morning, with Israeli media reporting heated exchanges between ministers of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

The prime minister’s office said the deal would require Hamas to release at least 50 women and children during a four-day truce.  For every additional 10 hostages released, the pause would be extended by a day, it said, without mentioning the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

[...]

Hamas, which controls Gaza, also released a statement, confirming that 50 women and children held in the territory would be freed in exchange for Israel releasing 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails.

It said that Israel would also stop all military actions in Gaza and that hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian, medical and fuel aid would be allowed into the territory.

Full article

Tagging: @allthecanadianpolitics

To be clear, this is temporary, and Netanyahu has already said that Israel will resume its attack afterwards.

[smokeweedeattherich]

If you are in Alberta around Calgary or Edmonton consider attending one of these protests for the support of trans rights.

Thank you and please share.

@allthecanadianpolitics

[draconicsplendor]

@allthecanadianpolitics have you seen the story about Jamie Dooley? He's a 41-year old trans man that was recently found dead in a Hamilton prison, after less than a day of being there. The family was never informed that he was arrested. Some stories use she/her pronouns because Jamie continued using them with his family. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton

[theleftycanadianradical]

Congratulations Canadians, you've made it half-way through the year. This means if you're working, you've earned half of what Canadian CEOs have earned in the first 45 minutes of work on January 3rd, 2023!

If you don't like it, I dunno, maybe just work as hard as 243 people. Apparently CEOs do, as goes the logic of bootlickers!