MARCH 5th, 2008
THERE WILL BE A COMMUNITY MEETING
SPONSORED BY CCAMU
FRIDAY MARCH 14TH, 6:30 pm
McMartin House
125 Gore St. East, Perth
1)
CCAMU COMMUNITY MEETING
2) WELCOME S.U.M.P TO THE ANTI-URANIUM NETWORK!
3) PERTH ANTI-URANIUM MARCH
4) NEEDED: WEBMASTER FOR THE CITIZENS' URANIUM INQUIRY WEBSITE
5) EVENT REMINDER: SONGWRITERST ROUND
6) BETTER LINK TO OUR TVO BLOG
7) EVENT REMINDER: PETERBOROUGH PROTEST FOR BOB LOVELACE
8) "NO URANIUM SHOW" IN PETERBOROUGH
9) SUPPORT FROM BLUE SKIES CULTURAL CENTRE
10) SUPPORT FROM WILD LANDS LEAGUE
11) SUPPORT FROM ABORIGINAL RIGHTS COALITION-ATLANTIC
12) MEDIA COVERAGE IN AUSTRIA
13) FRASER INSTITUTE'S SURVEY ON MINING COMPANIES
14) ANOTHER WAY MCGUINTY PROMOTES MINING IN ONTARIO
15) ARTICLE: ALASKAN NEWS
Over 50 people attended the CCAMU meeting held at McMartin House in Perth, to give reports on developments in our anti-uranium community.
Chief Doreen Davis and members of the Shabot Obaajiwan First Nation came to report on their continuing efforts to negotiate with the government and preparations for their court dates on March 18th, 19th and 20th. For more information on the Shabot Obaajiwans' fight against the uranium mine, please visit www.shabotisstillhere.com.
The Christian Peacemaker Teams spoke about their day of action in Kingston. A large delegation was here until recently. Several team members have stayed on to continue to witness the protest. Two of the CPTers are facing court charges and will be in court on March 18th.
Frank Morrison was on hand to tell us about his new high school anti-uranium program. He has been invited to give presentations to the schools as they are looking at the role of mining in Canada as a part of their curriculum over the next three years. Frank is also preparing for his upcoming court dates beginning on the 18th of March.
The O.P.P's
Major Event Liaison Team (MELT) was invited to be a part of the meeting.
Two members of the team were present. They said that the protestors were
respecting the 200-meter boundary set out in the injunction and that things
have been quiet at the site. They do not know if a drill has been brought
in.
There are a number of police who are facing potential court charges and
they are also expected to be in court on March 18th.
I asked Michele Brochu if she would explain the origins of the MELT program.
She told us that it was created from the findings of the Ipperwash Inquiry.
The police recognized the need to work with protestors, who have a democratic
right to peaceful protest, to prevent problems. This program is still
very new and there has been a steep learning curve for everyone involved.
It was acknowledged that there have been many times where the MELTeam
prevented difficult situations from escalating and many people felt that
the team was an important part of our protest. There was however concerns
raised about the police being forced to testify against the protesters
with whom they have developed a working relationship. Michele and Dianne
understood this and said that the police shared the same concern. Since
the program is still in its infancy, policies have yet to be developed
for the liaisons, whereby they would be exempt from giving testimony.
It is understood that this lack could put all parties in a compromised
position and that it needed to be addressed if the program was to continue
to be successful.
It was suggested that we could write letters of concern and/or support regarding the MELT program.
Letters
can be addressed to: Sgt. PATTERSON
East Region HQ
3312 Highway 43 East.
Box 2020
K7A 5K8
The Citizens' Inquiry was also on the agenda. Everyone was encouraged to participate and make a presentation. CCAMU is hoping that hundreds of local people want to have their voices heard! The inquiry is about how people have been impacted by uranium as well as expert testimony. Presentations are a maximum 10 minutes but they can be shorter. Short stories, plays, music, poetry, and slide/video/PowerPoint presentations are all welcome. We encourage people of all ages to create their own message to send to the government. Tell us about your ideas!
Please note the deadline for submissions for the Sharbot Lake event is March 18th. For more information go to our new website, http://www.uraniumcitizensinquiry.com/
A protest is being planned March 18th in Kingston at the courthouse before the proceedings get under way. Stay tuned for more details.
Next community meeting will be March 14th, 6:30pm at McMartin House in Perth.
2) WELCOME S.U.M.P TO THE ANTI-URANIUM NETWORK!
Stop Uranium Mining Peterborough (SUMP) will be creating a central list for Peterborough uranium news and updates. To be placed on their email list contact sumptbo@gmail.com. There are many events plan over this next month so stay tuned!
SUMP is also looking to lobby the Peterborough City Council to join the many cities and municipalities in calling for a moratorium on uranium mining in Ontario.
They don't have a website yet but they have started a multiple author blog at http://stopuraniumminingptbo.blogspot.com/
SUMP has started its own petition. For more information about this contact Paul McCarney at paulnion@hotmail.com.
Want to... Learn more about Uranium Mining? Help make a difference in your community? Make History?
What: A walk through Perth
When: Every Saturday starting March 1st at 10am (next on March 8th)
Where: Meet at the Perth Union Library Parking Lot
UNITE AND SUPPORT OUR VISION FOR A URANIUM FREE CANADA
MORATORIUM ON URANIUM NOW!!!
Don't forget to bring signs!
The first march happened on Saturday, March 1st and a lot of children participated. People of all ages are welcome to attend.
For more information contact Willa at willa_is@hotmail.com.
4) NEEDED: WEBMASTER FOR THE CITIZENS' URANIUM INQUIRY WEBSITE
Please contact Lynn at greenlynndaniluk@yahoo.ca if you are willing to take on this very important task.
5) EVENT REMINDER: SONGWRITERST ROUND
SONGWRITERST ROUND - SONGS Sung with heart
Location:
NAC's 4th Stage in Ottawa
Date: Saturday, March 8th
Time: 8 pm. Doors open 7:30pm.
Tickets: $25 and can be purchased at the NAC Box Office, Ticketmaster.ca,
and both outlets of Compact Music 613-233-8922.
Who: Two-time Juno award winner Jenny Whiteley will be joined by singer/songwriters Christine Graves and Jennifer Noxon.
Also: Art curetted by Ellen Fraser including, Chandler Swain, Marylee Laing, Five Women and Some Art and more...
Why: This is to raise money and awareness in support of The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU), The Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and The Shabot Obaajiwan First Nation.
For more information about this event, go to the front page of our website.
6) BETTER LINK TO OUR TVO BLOG
It appears the other link expired. This link should take you directly to our TVO Blog. Make a comment and see if they will cover our protest. For those who are on the Free-Bob Facebook, please consider logging on and telling TVO about your concerns.
7) EVENT REMINDER: PETERBOROUGH PROTEST FOR BOB LOVELACE
Date: Saturday,
March 8, 2008
Time: 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Location: Confederation Park (Across from City Hall)
Street: McDonnel and George
City/Town: Peterborough, ON
Contact Info Email: nicolemcrae@trentu.ca
8) "NO URANIUM SHOW" IN PETERBOROUGH
Tues. Mar. 4, 8:30pm, at The Spill (414 George N)
This show is meant to raise awareness and funds in support of Paula Sherman and Bob Lovelace, as well as the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and broader community members in their opposition to a uranium mine near Sharbot Lake, Ontario.
All funds raised will go directly to support the legal defense fund for the Ardoch. There will also be petitions to sign and letters to send to members of the Ontario government. Please come out to support these individuals and communities. We can all play a part in protecting human rights, the environment, and our future. Small actions can go a long way.
The show is FREE, with a suggested donation of $5, or PWYC. The fines placed on the Ardoch community, Paula Sherman, and Bob Lovelace collectively amount to $50,000. This means that any small contribution from each of us can help significantly.
Lineup:
- The Daniel Huizenga Band (featuring Paul)
- Nicholas Keays
- Vin Heney
*with special guests TBA!*
Contact paulmccarney@trentu.ca
or
http://trentu.facebook.com/event.php?eid=25692667552
9) SUPPORT FROM BLUE SKIES CULTURAL CENTRE
To all those who care about Blue Skies and the festival site,
In the December Blue Skies' newsletter we brought to your attention issues concerning uranium-mining exploration near the festival site.
At the AGM this past weekend, Blue Skies passed an important resolution:
"Blue Skies Cultural Centre, being a land owner in close proximity to a proposed Uranium exploration site and being concerned that any exploration will have an impact on the quality of the air and water, hereby declares its opposition to the said exploration."
We urge you to inform yourself now about the issues involved in this resolution.
To join us in protecting the land, visit: www.ccamu.ca
To receive UNews, sign on to: uraniumnews@mail.ccamu.ca
The Land
Council
Blue Skies Cultural Centre
Note: Please pass along this note to friends and family to help inform them about the issue.
10) SUPPORT FROM WILD LANDS LEAGUE
To see the Wild Lands League support for Bob Lovelace and our protest, click on the link below.
http://www.wildlandsleague.org/
11) SUPPORT FROM ABORIGINAL RIGHTS COALITION-ATLANTIC
Human Rights Violations in the Imprisonment of Robert Lovelace of Ardoch Algonquin First Nation --the Government of Canada Must Act!
Aboriginal Rights Coalition-Atlantic
March 3, 2008
The Honourable Chuck Strahl
Minister,
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Dear Minister Strahl:
We are a coalition of Canadian and Aboriginal people from the Atlantic region of Canada. With grave concern, we are writing you about the injustice being experienced by Robert (Bob) Lovelace at the hands of our Canadian justice system.
Bob Lovelace, is fifty-nine years old, an ex-chief for the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, father of seven children, and an instructor at Sir Sandford Fleming Community College and Queen's University (Kingston ON). He is a well-respected, peaceful man, regarded by many as an Elder.
Lovelace refused to accept that the Ontario government could license Frontenac Ventures to carry out exploration for uranium on land that is part of a 25-year-old Algonquin land claims process. After continuing to take part non-violently in protests opposing this activity, he was held in contempt of court by Ontario Court Justice Douglas Cunningham. On February 15, 2008 Lovelace began serving a six (6) month jail term, essentially for his beliefs. He has an additional order to pay a $25,000 fine. At least one, perhaps two, other individual(s) from Ardoch First Nation were also treated unjustly by the court system in the same matter.
Lovelace's sentence is a violation of his human rights. Particularly affected are his rights to assembly and to take part in non-violent protest, the right to live free of discrimination, and the right to a fair judicial process. Canada has signed numerous international human rights treaties, such as the United Nations' Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Through these and other treaties, Canada has agreed to secure and guarantee the rights of individuals and communities of individuals, including the Article 1 right to self-determination.
Ardoch is just one of several First Nation communities whose leaders have been abused by Canadian officials to enable corporate natural resource exploration and extraction. At the heart of all these types of situations are violations by provincial governments of the Canadian constitutional guarantees for Aboriginal Peoples. As the Ontario provincial Ipperwash Inquiry reported in 2006, "the single biggest source of frustration, distrust, and ill- feeling among Aboriginal people in Ontario is our failure to deal in a just and expeditious way with breaches of treaty and other legal obligations to First Nations." In 1996, the Final Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples emphasized the same points throughout volumes 1, 2 and 6.
The Lovelace court decision also goes against the fiduciary responsibility of Canada to protect and guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples, especially regarding land and treaty rights issues. Several recent Supreme Court decisions unanimously uphold the principles of "consultation, accommodation and consent" in regard to Aboriginal inherent rights and First Nation treaty issues in particular.
Minister Strahl, for quite some time your staff and provincial officials have been engaged in a tripartite comprehensive lands claims negotiation process with the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. Your staff may find "consultation" arduous, but you know that the policy of "non-consultation" does not work. As demonstrated in many places, including in Ontario at Ipperwash in 1995 and more recently in Caledonia, very unfortunate civil unrest and state reactions are common outcomes when Canadian governments (at the federal, provincial, or municipal levels) fail to address unresolved treaty and land issues.
The Ontario government of Dalton McGuinty recently committed itself to dealing with First Nations' issues respectfully, and as a top priority. The Lovelace case shows how far the Ontario government has to go. Other governments across Canada have shown themselves to be little better on these issues. It is time for justice for Aboriginal and First Nation Peoples in Canada. At the international level, this has been recognized through the United Nations General Assembly's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which speaks clearly about the issues addressed up to now in this letter.
Minister Strahl, there is another reason why your federal Cabinet colleagues should be deeply concerned about this controversy. Under its antiquated Mining Act, the government of Ontario authorized initial exploration for uranium on land within the Ardoch First Nation's traditional territory and surrounding Canadian communities. Many Aboriginal People and Canadians are passionate in their opposition to the mining of uranium. Many have taken part in non-violent protest to bring an end to the activity, because of the major environmental and human impacts of uranium pollution. Perhaps as a result of this civic concern, advanced exploration and mining of uranium is now being recognized as a concern of the federal government, while extraction of other minerals is fully recognized as a constitutional responsibility of provincial governments.
The imprisonment of Bob Lovelace flies in the face of Canada's commitment to uphold human rights for all people within its national boundaries. It is also embarrassing for all Canadians, who desire safety, peace, justice, and respect for human rights, for all people in Canada, including those of Aboriginal heritage. Your Cabinet colleague in the Canadian Heritage department has responsibility for reporting to the United Nations on the human rights situation in Canada, and must be fully alerted to this controversial legal situation.
In October 2003, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty convened Ontario's Ipperwash Inquiry to provide guidance to provincial officials on how to avoid human rights abuses in situations such as this. There is one "lesson learned" from the Ipperwash debacle that stands head and shoulders over all the others. When a grievous error is made by state officials that results in human rights violations against Aboriginal Peoples, it should be acknowledged and addressed, not swept under the rug.
As the Canadian Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs you are constitutionally and administratively responsible for Aboriginal Peoples and First Nations' land, resource and treaty issues. In this capacity, you must instruct your staff to expedite a successful resolution of the comprehensive claims process involving Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. The failure to progress in those talks is at the heart of this dispute.
In the interim, we ask you to request Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to urgently instruct:
1) Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources to place a moratorium on all uranium exploration in or near Ardoch First Nation traditional territory, until the question of who has stewardship for this land has been resolved through the tripartite claims process; and,
2) Ontario's Attorney General to order a review into Justice Cunningham's decision. Perhaps, if nothing else, this review could expedite an appeal date for Robert Lovelace.
Respectfully yours,
Shirley
Childs and Ann Pohl
(on behalf of the)
Aboriginal Rights Coalition-Atlantic Canada (NDP)
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
This is to let you know the Austrian daily newspaper "Die Presse" on February 28th 2008 ran a story on the problem of prospecting uranium in Canada on indigenous land. The (translated) title of the article is: "Canada: Prospecting Uranium in Huntin Grounds".
Best greetings
Peter Schwarzbauer
(Editors
Note: To see a copy of the article click on the link below. It includes
information on Bob Lovelace. It is in German.)
http://diepresse.com/home/panorama/welt/366397/index.do)
14) FRASER INSTITUTE'S SURVEY ON MINING COMPANIES
Quebec stakes
claim to best policy for mining; Nevada and Finland round out annual survey's
top three
February 28, 2008
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/commerce.web/newsrelease.aspx?nID=5180
TORONTO, ON-Prospectors and investors looking for a stake in the mining sector should turn to Quebec, as La Belle Province is seen by mining executives as having the best policy environment in the world for investment, according to the Survey of Mining Companies 2007/2008, released today by independent research organization The Fraser Institute.
Quebec topped the annual worldwide survey, jumping up from the number seven spot last year. Nevada, a perennial favourite of the mining industry, moved up to number two from last year's number three spot.
British Columbia has resumed its upward path in the survey. British Columbia had seen steady improvement until last year when its score in the survey stalled but this year it moved up to 19th spot from 30th in last year's survey.
The Fraser Institute's Survey of Mining Companies: 2007/2008 represents the opinions of 372 mining executives and managers worldwide on the policy and mineral endowment of 68 jurisdictions on all continents except Antarctica.
Manitoba, which was viewed with much optimism by the mining industry after being ranked number one last year, fell to number five. Alberta, last year's runner up, dropped to number four.
The biggest surprise was Finland, which rocketed from number 29 last year to the number three spot.
"Quebec has always been viewed in a good light by the mining industry, primarily due to its favourable geology," said Fred McMahon, coordinator of the survey and the Institute's Director of Trade and Globalization Studies.
"But Quebec's government also provides a favourable policy environment to go along with strong mineral potential. Mining companies feel Quebec's stable policies provide them with the certainty that reduces risk for long-term projects. Year after year, the survey bears out that above all, mineral exploration companies value stability and certainty when it comes to government policy."
Other jurisdictions rounding out the top 10 are Chile, Utah, Wyoming, Ireland and Sweden.
The bottom ranked jurisdiction was Honduras, which scored zero in every category and did not receive a single response indicating the country does anything to encourage investment. Zimbabwe, which was the lowest ranked jurisdiction last year, had the same score but was supplanted by Honduras at the bottom. Other low-ranking scorers were Ecuador, Panama, Bolivia, India, Indonesia and Mongolia.
"Once again the results of the mining survey reinforce the importance of having a stable, predictable, transparent policy environment in order to attract investment, as well as ensuring good social, environmental and economic outcomes," McMahon said.
"If the policy structure is opaque, unstable, and unpredictable - the things that most vex the mining industry - then the process can be easily politicized and good projects opposed by special interests may be rejected while bad projects with powerful supporters may be approved."
The overall rankings are based on the survey's Policy Potential Index, a composite index that measures government policies including uncertainty concerning the administration, interpretation, and enforcement of existing regulations; environmental regulations; regulatory duplication and inconsistencies; taxation; uncertainty concerning native land claims and protected areas; infrastructure; socioeconomic agreements; political stability; labour issues; geological database; and security.
The Canadian picture
After placing five provinces in the top 10 last year, only Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba made the grade this year with New Brunswick falling to Number 13 from number 6 and Saskatchewan dropping to 12 from 10. This is the third consecutive year that Saskatchewan has fallen in the mining survey.
Ontario also showed signs of recovery, moving up slightly to 18th from 20th. Nova Scotia had no change, ranking 17th again while Newfoundland was the lowest ranked province at 22nd, the same ranking as it had last year. The Northwest Territories continued to improve, moving up to 37th from 41st, while the Yukon Territory fell to 16th from 11th and Nunavut dropped to 54th from 39th.
Significant international developments
Perhaps the most significant change internationally was the return of Chile among the top 10 where it is ranked 6th. The results of last year's survey dropped Chile to 27th spot, perhaps due to labour problems the industry was experiencing at the time. This survey shows that the industry's long-term faith in Chile has not yet been shaken.
Last year's survey showed Australia as being a preferred locale, but that has changed for 2007/2008 as the states of South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania all dropped out of the top 10.
"Mining is fully international business and these results reinforce the idea that jurisdictions must be prepared to compete on an international basis to attract mining investment," McMahon said.
15) ANOTHER WAY MCGUINTY PROMOTES MINING IN ONTARIO
News Release: Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
February 27, 2008 - 033
Ontario Hosts World Mining Forum
McGuinty Government Promotes Province's Mineral Advantages
TORONTO - Advancing sustainable mineral development and promoting the province's superior mineral investment climate will be the focus of Ontario's participation in two key international conferences.
Ontario and the World Bank are co-hosting the World Mines Ministries Forum, one of the world's most unique mining events. Held biennially, the prestigious conference brings together government officials, aboriginal representatives, members of non-governmental organizations, university researchers and senior mining executives from more than 50 nations to discuss issues that will promote sustainable mineral development policies and practices. The forum takes place from February 28 to March 1 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
"Ontario is recognized globally as a leader in promoting sustainable mineral development," said Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle. "This an excellent forum to facilitate collaboration and communication between advocates of sustainable mineral and community development and mining industry to work together to achieve a common goal."
Immediately following the forum, more than 20,000 delegates expected to attend from around the world will attend the Prospectors and Developers of Canada Annual Convention, which runs from March 2 to March 5.
The Ontario Pavilion will feature the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines along with partners including northern municipalities, Far North First Nation communities as well as academe. For Ontario, this is an excellent opportunity to showcase its natural mineral endowment, security of land tenure, efficient permitting and approvals processes, electronic access to valuable geoscience data and a government committed to promoting mineral development through sustainable principles and focused fiscal incentives.
These initiatives
are part of the government's Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger
northern communities.
http://www.ontario.ca/northernprosperity
Learn more
about Ontario's Mineral Development Strategy,
http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/mndm/mines/mds/default_e.asp
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7952448
Villagers protest uranium mining at Iditarod.
Some residents, including students in Elim, are worried that the side effects of uranium mining will harm the environment, including water, fish and animals. (KTUU-TV)
by Angela
Blanchard
Saturday, March 1, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Some people used all of the attention at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod to draw attention to concerns over a mining project near an Iditarod checkpoint.
Two companies, Triex Minerals Corp. and Full Metal Minerals Ltd. conducted core drilling for uranium about thirty miles from the village of Elim last year.
And they are gearing up for drilling this summer.
Some residents, including students in Elim, are worried that the side effects of uranium mining will harm the environment, including water, fish and animals.
Carl Wassalie is with the Alaska Action Center.
"Uranium has such a long standing history of causing permanent damage to women, children, elders," Wassalie said. "Any little amount that is leaking into environment builds up over time into animals and water."
Wassalie students will also be out on the trail with the same message as the mushers push through Elim.
The goal, he said is for people living in that area to have more of a say about the project.
Calls placed to both companies for comment went unreturned.
Contact
Angela Blanchard at ablanchard@ktuu.com