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APRIL 13th, 2008 PETERBOROUGH
URANIUM CITIZENS' INQUIRY |
IN THIS ISSUE: |
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1)
ARTISTS FOR BOB LOVELACE BENEFIT CONCERT 1)
ARTISTS FOR BOB LOVELACE BENEFIT CONCERT Bruce Cockburn, an officer of the Order of Canada, has earned 20 gold and platinum records in Canada, 11 Juno Awards and is inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Inuit singer-songwriter, Susan Aglukark is also a member of the Order of Canada and a multiple Juno Award winner. Multiple Juno winners David Francey and Jenny Whiteley will be joined by Joey Wright and Terry Tufts, two of the country's best guitarists, the Algonquin Drummers and Unity, an aboriginal women's singing group. Unreserved seating is $30. Limited Free Bob Lovelace Supporter tickets are $100. and include preferred seating, compilation CD and a pass to the artist after-show party. All tickets
are available at Brian's Record Option, Novel Idea, Tara Natural Foods
and The Grand Theatre Box Office at City Hall, phone: 613- 530-2050. For
online ordering contact: www.grandtheatre-kingston.com 2) MCGUINTY TURNS DOWN CCAMU'S INVITATION TO THE URANIUM INQUIRY >From the office of Premier McGuinty April 2, 2008 Mr. Wolfe
Erlichman Premier Dalton McGuinty has received your kind invitation to the public hearings on uranium mining, and he has asked me to pass along his sincere thanks. Your event is very important to Premier McGuinty but, unfortunately, due to prior commitments, he must regretfully decline you kind invitation. He has asked me to express to you his disappointment in not being able to attend. On behalf of the Premier, I wish to reiterate my thanks to you for your thoughtful gesture. Premier McGuinty remains grateful to you for taking the time to write to him and asking him to participate in your event. He extends his best wishes to you for what he knows will be a productive and insightful public hearings. Sincerely, Laura Miller If you are interested in attending the Tent City on Queens Park in solidarity with indigenous communities across Ontario who are demanding justice, sign up to our list serve. Note: this is for everyone interested in attending - you don't need to be organizing it to attend. If you do want to volunteer time to help make this happen before hand, please email: may22tentcity@gmail.com, email: may22tentcity-subscribe@googlegroups.com and follow the instructions pass it on to others who will be interested in staying informed on the details for those attending Cheers, Leah Henderson 4) CBC'S "LAND AND SEA" FEATURING DR. EDWARDS For those of you who have access to CBC TV: A quick note to advise you that the CBC's "Land and Sea" episode discussing uranium will air this Sunday, April 13 at 12:30 p.m. I believe it will focus on the existing moratorium against uranium exploration and mining in the province of Nova Scotia, which is under serious attack by several exploration companies with the quiet encouragement of the NS Government. I am one of those interviewed for this episode. Gordon Edwards 5) WEBSITE CREATED IN SUPPORT OF KITCHENUHMAYKOOSIB INNINUWUG For information and articles go to the KI blog at, Lynn, having heard that Bob was not getting access to the books that people were forwarding to the Lindsay detention centre, I got in touch with the librarian there to try to find out why. I must say I found her to be sensitive and receptive and personally unpacking and sorting materials. The first thing people who want to send books should realize is that no notes or letters to Bob included in the books will be forwarded to him. When I sent mine to him I sent a separate letter listing the books that had been sent in case there was something he immediately wanted. The librarian said that what inmates want most is the standard John Grisham best-seller stuff, but that secondarily adventure stories true or fictitious are a close second. There's been a lock down at the centre until yesterday to try to control the flu epidemic that's been running in close quarters there. Peter Bunnett
Wendy Laut of Perth suggests letters be written to the Attorney General requesting a review of the Robert Lovelace's sentencing. Feel free to use the sample letter below. To the Honourable
Christopher Bentley Copy your letter to: Minister
of Aboriginal Affairs, Michael Byrant
Location: Queen's Park Date: April 10, 2008 - 8:00am http://ontariondp.com/node/1983 NDP Leader Howard Hampton continues to press for justice for jailed Ontario aboriginal leaders. During today's Question Period, Hampton reiterated concerns expressed at a large rally at Ryerson University held in support of the jailed aboriginal leaders from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) and Ardoch Algonquin First Nations. "Everyone at the rally made the same point: that the jailing of First Nation leaders simply because they oppose mining exploration and mineral development at this point in time on their traditional lands is wrong. This is a disgrace and the McGuinty government needs to do something to stop it immediately," Hampton said. The rally drew a diverse crowd of more than 500, including National Chief Phil Fontaine, former National Chief Ovide Mercredi, and representatives from many environmental and social justice organizations. The rally was protesting the six-month jail sentence handed to Robert Lovelace of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and to Chief Donny Morris and five other leaders of the KI First Nation. "This is real black eye for Ontario. The McGuinty government needs to resolve this situation. Are they prepared to commit today to supporting the immediate and unconditional release of these jailed First Nations leaders?" asked Hampton. 9) STATEMENT: AFN WOMEN'S COUNCIL ON ROBERT LOVELACE AND THE KI SIX OTTAWA, April 9 /CNW Telbec/ - Today the AFN Women's Council reiterated their support for Algonquin leader Robert Lovelace of Ardoch and Chief Donny Morris, the four councillors and community member of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), who are in jail for contempt of court. In two separate cases, these First Nations communities refused to allow mining exploration on their traditional lands without their permission. "What is being implied in these cases? That economic interests trump First Nation rights? Or that economic interests trump constitutionally protected rights? This is a slippery slope, not only for First Nations but for all Canadians," said AFN Women's Council Chair Kathleen McHugh. "This should never have gotten to the point where it went to court. The corporations involved can still do the right thing: sit down and negotiate fairly and openly with the communities and their leadership. We also call on the federal government to end its silence and act responsibly by following its legal duty to ensure First Nations are properly consulted when development takes place on their lands." The AFN Women's Council has supported a "wave fast" started by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Women's Council in support of the communities. AFN Women's Council Chair Kathleen McHugh also visited KI Band Councillor Cecilia Begg in the Kenora jail earlier this month. The AFN Women's Council is committed to ensuring that First Nation women's perspectives are included in all AFN policy directives and activities, in addition to ensuring that the AFN is an effective advocate on behalf of First Nation's women. For further
information: Karyn Pugliese, Heath Communications, (613) 241-6789 ext
210, cell (613) 292-1877 10) ARTICLE: AECL ABANDONS EFFORTS TO SELL U.K. REACTORS `Our sense was that we were unlikely to get the blue ribbon this time around,' CEO tells Star Apr 05, 2008 Tyler Hamilton Federally owned Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. is no longer pursuing the sale of its next-generation nuclear reactor in the United Kingdom, announcing yesterday it will focus its energy on capturing business at home. Some industry critics said AECL, which says it has spent "less than $10 million" trying to snag a purchase from the U.K., is trying to soften the blow of a certain loss and how it might be perceived as it bids for contracts in Canada. "Why let it blow up later when you can back out now and save some face?" said Shawn-Patrick Stensil, who closely follows the nuclear power sector for Greenpeace Canada. Less than two weeks ago, Mississauga-based AECL announced that its Advanced Candu Reactor made it onto a short list of four reactor designs approved by the U.K. nuclear regulator, which said it found no safety or security shortfalls serious enough to rule out the Canadian design. The short list also included Areva NP, Westinghouse Electric Co. and GE Nuclear - the same companies currently being considered for a new reactor in Ontario. To read the rest of this article go to, http://www.thestar.com/article/410418 11) CCAMU'S WOLFE ERLICHMAN'S REPONSE TO THE STAR Re: April 05, 2008 AECL abandons effort to sell U.K. reactors http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/410836 Comment - Nuclear is not the future Why don't you investigate whose pockets were lined by the $10 million of taxpayers' money that was spent on trying to sell the unreliable Candu reactor to Britain? The nuclear lobby in universities, government and private industry sucks in billions of taxpayers' dollars and leaves us with stranded debt on our hydro bills. It's time to turn the page on the dirty, expensive and unreliable disaster that is nuclear power. If Ontario decides to buy nuclear reactors instead of investing in conservation, smart-grid technology and truly green power, it will be the worst mistake of Premier Dalton McGuinty's government. Wolfe Erlichman
Prime Minister and Parliamentarians: I understand that House of Commons environment committee is stalled due to filibuster. Apparently certain members have been blocking progress by not letting other members of the committee talk. I also understand that if the filibuster continues, this bill could be killed. I yet understand that if real progress on climate change is to happen, you must end the stalemate and allow the committee to get back to work. I further know you meet 3pm EST Wednesday, April 9, so please accept this as my fervent request that you let the bill go through ASAP. The Climate Change Accountability Act (Bill C-377) would set science-based emission reduction targets for Canada, something that this government obviously objects to. I can only ask on behalf of myself and my family (though I suspect that many others, a majority in this country would require you to do the same as I ask you to now) to: STOP KAO-TAOING TO THE PURSUIT OF THE ECONOMY AT THE WHIM OF THE RICHEST NATIONS ON THE PLANET. MANY OF US ARE WONDERING WHEN THE PURSUIT OF QUALITY OF LIFE STARTED TRUMPING ACTUAL QUALITY OF LIFE. THIS IS NOT A HUMAN ISSUE, IT'S A LIFE ISSUE. Very Sincerely Yours; William
Terence Tufts
Andy Fisher did a presentation at the Sharbot Lake Inquiry. April 7, 2008 Dalton McGuinty,
Premier Re: Uranium Mining in Eastern Ontario Dear Premier McGuinty: I have enclosed a copy of a presentation I recently made to the Citizens' Inquiry into the Impact of the Uranium Cycle. I want you to have it for a particular reason. Shortly after you first became Premier, you made a comment that stuck in my mind; as I recall it, you remarked on the difficulty you were having moving from the Poetry of Opposition to the Prose of Government. I appreciated your honesty at the time, while also feeling saddened by what you said. Why, I asked myself, should governing a province be a non-poetic business? Poetry is the essence of life; shouldn't we worry if our governments are devoid of it? I remind you of your words because many would dismiss the presentation I made at the Inquiry as mere poetics-not only because I read a poem by the great sage Wendell Berry, but also because I advocated for an "ecological" society that pays heed to the interdependence of all life and listens to the wisdom of its elders. This may sound to you, also, like unrealistic nonsense. I regard it, however, as realism of the highest kind. In fact, much of my thinking was formed over many sober years of graduate study at York University. Having benefited from the expenditure of Ontario taxpayers' dollars on our educational system, I feel obligated to speak out (including to you Premier) about what I learned: that a society that lacks a poetic relationship with the natural world has no future. Poetry stands for beauty, for depth and soulfulness. When our lives lack poetry we are reduced to ugly superficial strategic acts. Such was the case in a Kingston courthouse when Justice Douglas Cunningham ruled harshly against Ardoch and Shabot Obaajiwan Algonquin leaders over their peaceful protest. I regard the failure of your government to intervene in this matter (the reasons why you are duty-bound to do so, both legally and morally, I will not rehearse here) as a similarly heartless act. For it favours a superficial corporate greed and a shallow, thoughtless reading of Canadian history over the lives of principled people standing up for justice, respect, accountability, and a wise relationship with the land. I use these words not because I want to inflame the situation or shame you as a person, but rather because I believe they are accurate-because I want to appeal to the man who in Opposition wasn't afraid to speak of poetry. Mr. Premier, the actions of your government and the Ontario courts, especially the jailing and fining of Bob Lovelace, have left a terrible stain in eastern Ontario. This was only made worse when the Kingston Court recently dropped contempt charges against several non-Aboriginal people. One of these people was determined to go to jail, and refused to purge his contempt; still, he walked free. I believe that the exclusive targeting of Aboriginal leaders, when the uranium protest is comprised of both Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals, must be deemed an instance of environmental racism-one more scene in a long history of exploiting and despoiling the land, and attempting to break the Aboriginals who make a claim to it. I want you to understand, Premier, the shame felt in this community over these actions. Every day one hears people saying they are embarrassed to be Canadians because of Bob's imprisonment; every day people wonder out loud "where's McGuinty?" I want you to know what is being said. I also want you to know that I do not underestimate the burden you bear as Premier in devising an energy scheme for the future of this province. I am simply asking that you not fall prey to a certain crackpot realism that requires conformity to a doomed colonial mentality and an outdated mega-technology. I am asking you to exercise your courage, your poetic soul even, in envisioning a different kind of mentality, a different kind of technology, and a different kind of society. To me, such a society would be composed of artful communities living gracefully on the land, with a sense of proportion and modesty. It would celebrate Creation; attend carefully to the seasons, the land and the waters; and be animated by the spirit of gift-giving rather than that of endlessly taking. Again, this may sound to you like a foolish fantasy, mere poetic dreaming. I suggest, however, that this peak moment in human history, with its multiple looming crises, reveals that it is the current course of our society that is in fact delusory. To believe that we can continue to live in such an arrogant and thoughtless manner on this earth, with no depth of feeling for the land or poetry in our public affairs, is the real dead end. There comes a time when the seemingly impossible path must be taken. The current path (as Joseph Tainter tells us) is one of runaway trains, houses of cards, and dinosaurs. It takes true leadership to change course. I am asking you, Premier, to demonstrate that leadership. The reality of having to build a future based on conservation and renewable energy is a severe one. But it is the work of adults to face such severe realities; and the results from doing so might be quite beautiful. In closing, I would like to join the chorus asking you to: . free Bob
Lovelace;
Yours truly, Dr. Andy Fisher 14) DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT NUCLEAR? CHECK OUT BULLFROG POWER Taken from the Bullfrogpower website http://www.bullfrogpower.com/ Clean power "Choosing green, carbon-free power is an easy way to do your part to help fight climate change and create a healthier environment for future generations. Bullfrog sources power exclusively from generators who meet or exceed the federal government's Environmental Choice Program EcoLogo standard for renewable electricity. Our power comes from clean, emission-free sources like wind power and low-impact water power instead of carbon-intensive sources like coal. Conventional electricity production is among the largest industrial sources of carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas that is linked to climate change. Electricity production is also a major source of pollutants including nitric oxide, sulphur dioxide, mercury and particulates that contribute to poor air quality and smog conditions. When you sign up for Bullfrog Power, you are supporting clean, renewable electricity producers who are displacing polluting and carbon-intensive electricity production on the grid. It's a great way to support a cleaner, sustainable energy future. Bullfrog is committed to increasing the amount of green power on our regional electricity grid systems in Canada by helping to develop new renewable generation facilities. Several new turbines have been commissioned in Canada to meet the needs of bullfrogpowered homes and businesses. So when you make the choice to support Bullfrog Power, you can feel comfortable knowing that you're helping to advance the development of renewable power in your region." 15) ARTICLE: INUIT HALT AURORA IN LABRADOR April 9, 2008 By Andy
Hoffman Aurora Energy Resources Inc.'s hopes of extracting uranium in Labrador were dealt a crippling blow after Inuit in the region imposed a three-year moratorium on uranium mining. The Nunatsiavut government voted 8-7 in favour of the ban which will prevent Aurora or any other mining firm from producing the radioactive metal until at least 2011. Shares of Vancouver-based Aurora plunged almost 34 per cent in response to the vote results, which became effective immediately. The people
of the area 100 kilometres north of Goose Bay were concerned about potential
environmental damage and health risks. Exploration can continue and Aurora said it will carry on with an in-fill drill program at its Michelin and Jacques Lake deposits in Labrador as well as a prefeasibility study on the Michelin project, which Aurora says has more than 100 million pounds of uranium. To read the rest of this article go to, |