EarthDream Film Festival
12:04 pm | No Comments » |
In homes, in workplaces, in coffee shops and schools, in churches and marketplaces on the South Shore, discussions flourish. The talk is of climate change and energy, farms, fish, our ocean, sustainability and lifestyle.
A growing number of beautifully enlightening films that reflect these themes, and few opportunities to view them, prompted the South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians to launch this, the first documentary film festival of its kind on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.
The EarthDream Film Festival answers a need in this community, not just for the valuable insights these films provide, but also as inspiration for further individual and group action.
The film selection includes The Age of Stupid, one man’s view from 2055 at what led to the devastation he lives in, and The Story of Stuff, a 20 minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underbelly of our production and consumption patterns.
The End of the Line shows firsthand the effects of our international love affair with fish as food, while H2Oil provides an unflinching look at the global struggle between water and oil, and the role that the Canadian oil sands play.
Food, Inc examines the startling evolution of food production since the 1950’s and promises that we’ll “never look at dinner the same way again.”
The weekend wraps with a heartwarming finale: local filmmaker Timothy Tracey’s Feast or Famine, portrayals of the lives and opinions of local farmers, food producers and suppliers and their role in bringing nutritious food to Nova Scotian tables.
Special thanks to partners Cinema Politica and the Ecology Action Centre.
Venue: Mahone Bay Centre
March 19, 20, 21
Free Admission. Donations welcome
blog: http://earthdreamfilmfest.wordpress.com
facebook: EarthDream Film Festival
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January 18, 2010
Prorogued, again.
9:55 pm | 1 Comment » |Canadians oppose prorogation
“While Canadians were resting over the holiday, Mr. Harper prorogued Parliament, thus cancelling the committee hearings into his government’s handling of the Afghan detainee affair. Proroguing Parliament also puts time and distance between the Prime Minister and his shameful performance at the December summit on climate change held in Copenhagen, where Canada was held up as an example of the worst practices.”
Seemingly strong words from Maude Barlow, the National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. And yet, about 63% of Canadians today say suspending Parliament is antidemocratic. Watch CBC’s coverage of this at http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/01/07/ekos-poll-prorogue.html.
Need ideas?
Connect with the tens of thousands who have signed the Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament group on Facebook. 203,053 supporters strong and counting as of Monday, January 18th!
Rallies are being planned across Canada for Saturday January 23 at 1:00 pm. Our local rally will be in HALIFAX on January 23rd at 1pm.
Location: Province House (1726 Hollis Street). The rally will be on the Granville St. side.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=232710139093&ref=nf
Want to get involved in the meantime?
1) Write to your local paper(s)
2) Write to your MP and your MPP
3) Write to the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean (By Email: info@gg.ca By Mail: Rideau Hall, 1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A1 NO By Fax: 613-998-8760)
4) Write to the Queen about the Governor General and Harper (Her Majesty The Queen
Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom)
5) Spread the word to friends, family, and coworkers!
Also, check out www.noprorogue.ca
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December 11, 2009
Canada at Copenhagen
6:37 pm | No Comments » |Calling for Climate (of) Change in Copenhagen
The Council of Canadians will push the urgent need for climate change action in Copenhagen, Denmark early next month, as world leaders gather for COP15, the 15th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Many see COP15 as a crucial moment for getting new commitments for an international climate agreement.
“To their shame, leaders such as U.S. President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and many European heads of state have been downplaying expectations (for COP15,) warning us that the most we can hope for is a plan to draft a plan at some yet undisclosed future date,” said Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians speaking about the urgent need for climate change action at a recent event. “This is a tragedy and represents an abdication of responsibility to future generations and the planet to find a workable solution to a global climate crisis that threatens every living being on earth.”
The Council of Canadians will be in Copenhagen, working both inside the conference and outside with environmental and social justice organizations and activists to ensure leaders get the message that urgent climate action is needed now. We will join a counter summit of groups bringing the voices of people around the world together for a better environmental future, recognizing that scientists say we are now at the tipping point on climate change. If immediate actions aren’t taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we will continue to see climate change-induced natural disasters such as tsunamis, droughts and melting glaciers that will change the face of our planet forever.
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November 4, 2009
Poverty on the South Shore
2:31 pm | No Comments » |Poverty in rural areas of Nova Scotia is not as visible as poverty in urban centres. Many are not aware of poverty on the South Shore, but it exists in considerable numbers. Some of the factors contributing to poverty here are: lack of public transportation, lack of affordable housing, inadequate minimum wage and unemployment insurance, lack of job opportunities, need for affordable daycare spaces, and need for more generous welfare policies including support for recipients education opportunities.
Join us for Café Canada, sponsored by the South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians, on November 6 for “Voices of Poverty on the South Shore: Personal Stories and Discussion.” This forum is co-sponsored with the Second Story Women’s Centre. Three people from the South Shore will share their personal stories about living with poverty and answer questions from the audience, followed by a discussion about the causes of poverty and the need for solutions to poverty.
Friday, November 6, 7:30 p.m., Mahone Bay Centre.
Did you know?
Poverty Quiz
Statistics from CRIAW FACTSHEET Women in Poverty www.criaw-icref.ca
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WELFARE postcards www.ncwcnbes.net
STATISTICS CANADA low income cut offs ( StatsCan LICOs)
1. How many Canadians live in poverty? 10.5% of us or 3.4 million
Who are they? Single working people, single mothers, aboriginal peoples, racialized groups, immigrants, persons with disabilities, children
Which is the fastest growing group? Single people under 25.
2. All people in poverty live off welfare. True false
Only 34% of working-age families living in poverty had some income from welfare in 2006 and the average amount was $8,700.
3. If you have a job, you can’t be poor. True false
About 25% of poor families had a major income earner who worked full-time for the full year in 2006. Some jobs just don’t pay enough to get by.
4. Who makes up the largest group of minimum wage earners in Canada? Single young people and women (of all races)
5. Minimum wages in Nova Scotia are adequate to support a single mother with one child above the poverty line. True False
The minimum wage in NS is $8.60 per hour. This means a yearly income of $17,888. The Statscan low income cut off for this family was $22,731 in
urban Nova Scotia in 2006.
6. Welfare is the easy way out. True false
Qualifying for welfare is stigmatizing, the rules are ridiculously complicated and the income you receive could be as low as 24% of the poverty line.
7. What are three of the hardest things for people in poverty to endure? Food insecurity, bad housing, stigma, loss of dignity (poor-bashing)
8. Canada is doing a better job in reducing the wage gap than the United States and Great Britain. True False
Canada has the fifth largest wage gap in developed countries. Only Spain, Portugal, Japan and Korea are higher.
9. Why are women more likely to be in poverty than men?
(1) unpaid child rearing and care giving (2) inequalities in the labour market (3)inadequate social assistance, EI, and Canada Pension rates and provisions
10. Name some reasons why people in poverty are not healthy?
1) low income and social status 2)low wages and poor working conditions 3) inadequate social supports (see Health and Poverty for more)
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October 9, 2009
350 – International Day of Climate Action
2:07 pm | No Comments » |Drums! Banners! Lifejackets! Snorkels! Music! Kids! Turtles!
On Saturday, 24 October 2009, show up at the Old Bridge (3-4 p.m.) and join this fun local event in Bridgewater. Dress up, bring props and loads of spirit!
We graphically show the impact of rising sea levels caused by climate change and join events all around the globe on this International day of Climate Action.
And what is 350.org?!
Some Background: 350 refers to parts per million (ppm) of CO2 in the atmosphere. This is the level that scientists have identified as the safe upper limit of CO2. We are already above this safe zone at about 390 ppm. Unless we are able to return to below 350 this century there will be irreversible global impacts. Some greenhouse gases are necessary. These gases trap heat in our atmosphere and without them the planet would be too cold. But too much is disastrous. 350 is a new target informed by the most recent science.
This December, in Copenhagen, Denmark world leaders will meet to carve out a new global climate change agreement. The treaty that is currently on the table doesn’t meet this new 350 target. October 24 is an opportunity to have our collective voices heard. It’s our chance to influence international climate politics as governments finalize their positions leading up to this global summit.
Find out more at www.350.org/southshore350
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August 26, 2009
Muriel Duckworth 1908-2009
6:14 pm | No Comments » |The South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians is saddened by the death of peace activist Muriel Duckworth. She had many connections with people on the South Shore. Many of us attended her 100th birthday celebration at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium last November. She was lauded with words, pictures and songs to a full house overflowing with joy and love. As founder of the Voice of Women for Peace, recipient of the Order of Canada and 10 honorary doctoral degrees, she was an inspiration to many in her support for women’s rights and her devotion to peace. According to Muriel, “War is the greatest destroyer of human life, the greatest polluter, the greatest creator of refugees, the greatest cause of starvation and illness. We all have to care—not just for our own little circle, but for the universe.” Her famous quip “War is Stupid” has gone around the world. Her firmest conviction was that killing is unacceptable. The Council of Canadians stands firmly in harmony and solidarity with these views.
Margery Dahn
SS Chapter of the Council of Canadians
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June 24, 2009
Support the Troops Yellow Ribbon Campaign
4:09 pm | 4 Comments » |In the June 30 edition of the Bridgewater Bulletin you will find a letter expressing the position of the South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians with regard to the Support the Troops Yellow Ribbon campaign. We feel it is possible to support the troops without supporting the mission in Afghanistan, but think the distinction should be made. What is your opinion? Are you in favor of the war? Do you think the troops should be brought home now?
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May 26, 2009
Some questions to ask our local candidates
4:29 am | 3 Comments » |The South Shore Chapter of Council of Canadians encourages public discussion of issues that are critical to the NS of the future. Politicians, in the legislature and during the campaign, seem to avoid discussion. At candidate meetings or on the doorstep, we encourage all citizens to raise fair but challenging questions of the candidates and their parties. The following is a list of questions which we think are important. The quality of the answers will influence how we vote. Please use these questions and add your own to the list. May you have interesting many discussions.
1. Energy Security. Much is said about our oil, gas and wind power resources and yet NS imports the majority of its energy needs. We are becoming a mere energy corridor, exporting our resources with little gain for our citizens and businesses. “How would your government ensure a greater benefit for Nova Scotians from our resources?” “How would you encourage renewable energy development while ensuring local ownership of the resources?”
2. Food security and the plight of NS agriculture. NS farmers struggle with escalating costs and low food prices. Major food stores import food from other provinces and countries resulting in processing plant closures and wasteful transport. “Before we lose more of our farms and farmers, how will your government support Farmer’s markets, local processors and promote “eat local” programmes?”
3. Access to university and community colleges. Higher education is funded per student and as the NS population of college-aged students decline, colleges will be forced to raise fees even more, and/or lower the quality of the programmes . Higher fees are a serious barrier for many students and their families. “How will your government ensure access for all and maintain the quality of our universities and colleges?”
4. Forestry.
a) The October 2008 Working Paper of the Voluntary Planning Forum on NS’s forests reported high public concern about the level of harvesting by clearcutting – around 94% as reported by GPIAtlanyic. While this method is most acceptable in some cases (some say 20%), the GPI report points out that clearcutting cannot sustain natural forest ecosystems nor contribute to stable employment or long-term community vitality. Would your government encourage an appreciable reduction in clearcutting by regulating harvest practices and establishing incentives for selective harvesting and uneven-aged forest management?
b) Forestry used to be a major employer in rural NS. Mechanisation of harvesting and widespread closures of globally-owned mills has severely reduced the workforce. Rural employment would be greatly increased if small woodlot owners were supported in implementing sustainable forest practice and if small scale specialty wood products businesses were encouraged. “Major international companies receive thousands of NS taxpayer’s money for every dollar received by NS woodlot owners. How would your government reverse this pattern and ensure quality rural employment?”
5. Government accountability and transparency We know that many governments have taken steps to become more open and accountable to the public. The fact that Nova Scotians had to wait until the end of April, 2009 for a budget from a government that had not convened the Legislature for approximately 5 months is not consistent with this trend. ”If your party were to form the government, what would it do to deal with this issue?”
6.Women’s Issues “If you were to identify an issue and/or issues which would be of concern primarily for women in Nova Scotia, what would this be? How would your party address this issue(s) if you were to be elected?”
7. Atlantica What are your thoughts regarding Atlantica or the Gateway as it is also called? Atlantica is presented as a means of increasing trade between the Atlantic provinces and the US northeastern states, but it appears to be primarily geared to carrying goods from Asia via the Suez Canal to an enhanced Port of Halifax and by “truck-trains” on super highways to the US mid-west and via giant corridors to Mexico and other areas. How will Atlantica benefit Nova Scotians? Also, when the earth is faced with possible disaster due to global warming, is this plan reconcilable with efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and our environmental footprint?
8.Uranium Moratorium The current moratorium on uranium exploration and mining can be removed by the decision of the Minister of Natural Resources. Citizens of Lunenburg County feel vulnerable with every change of minister. To ensure the protection of the environment and Nova Scotians’ health, would your government favour and work for legislation to permanently ban all exploration and mining of uranium in Nova Scotia?
9. Health Care
a) Private for-Profit health advocates want to dismantle our health care system. What is your commitment to defend and improve our public health care system? How would your government ensure access to health care in rural Nova Scotia?
b) If your party were to form the government, what specific steps would it take to improve the delivery of healthcare to Nova Scotians; in particular, access to emergency room services in rural areas?
10. Public Transit Public transit reduces the use of fossil fuels, reduces demand for more and bigger roads and provides citizens with economic access to medical, social and commercial services. Do you support the introduction of a public transit system in Lunenburg County? If so will you commit to financially sharing in this cost with some of the $3 million allocated to rural transit in the last Conservative budget?
11. Fisheries The importance of the fishery to the Nova Scotia economy has been, and remains, significant, contributing millions of dollars to the economy each year. Yet, we have been told that we could be facing the complete depletion of fish stocks in our lifetime unless there are major changes in fishing practices. Nova Scotia cannot leave these important decisions to the federal government alone. “How will your government support coastal communities and work towards the sustainable development of the fishing industry?”
Questions developed by Council of Canadians -South Shore Chapter
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May 13, 2009
Documentary- You, Me and the SPP
4:34 am | No Comments » |Have you heard of the SPP or of TILMA? These secret agreements present threats to democracy and citizen responsibility by corporate plans for deep integration of the USA, Mexico and Canada. The standards, civil liberties, regulatory systems and institutions that were put in place through the democratic process over generations are up for elimination by these agreements. Attend the screening of the important documentary YOU, ME and the SPP at the Mahone Bay Centre , School St., Mahone Bay on May 29 at 7:30 pm to learn of SPP and TILMA!!
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April 3, 2009
6:21 am | 3 Comments » |
On Sunday March 22nd the South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians held a World Water Day event at the Pearl Theatre in Lunenburg. The highly acclaimed documentary FLOW:For Love of Water was screened. In addition, young ladies from Lunenburg High School and Class Afloat presented in the lobby their excellent projects about bottled water and raising funds for a well in India. This event was attended by 153 persons from the South Shore.
Two questions come out of this event. One – the great projects of the high school students are the result of initiative of young ladies - where are the young men??? Second – how long does it take you, the reader, to brush your teeth? Does it take at least 15 seconds?
The writer would be interested in answers to the first question for it is strange that concern and initiative seems lacking.
It takes the writer more than 15 seconds to brush my teeth while clean water is running down the tap. The writer must remember that, according to the UN, somewhere in the world a child dies on average every 15 seconds from the lack of clean water or proper sanitation!! Certainly the world can correct that!! Yes, we can??
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