You may be sick of hearing about the Muskrat by now. For the last year it has dominated the political discourse and is likely to continue to cast a shadow for some time (may as well resign yourself to that).

This most recent round of Muskrat folly centers on a court case by Hydro Quebec and a further twist in the tale from Nova Scotia. Good theater, but it's hard not to wonder if the curtain should have already come down.

What would have been the outcome had the province's public utilities board been allowed to do its job and review the project before it was sanctioned? What outcome had government listened to voices of protest and opposition? What need is there for such intransigence on the part of government if pitfalls have apparently gone unidentified? These are the most troubling questions, beyond even specific concerns raised from various perspectives.

No matter how legitimate concerns are explained away, it is increasingly difficult for people to be confident. The evolution of the project has produced a bottoming out of popular support for the government and the premier, creating an atmosphere where many feel it is no longer possible to simply believe. This sets the stage for a reckoning, one that has the potential to sweep government from office and bring Muskrat to a halt, which even for some of the project's soft supporters would now come as a welcome relief.

Otherwise, you have to practice ever more subtle feats of logical gymnastics in order to say, I support the Muskrat. Because now, when people say they support Muskrat, what they really mean is that they believe in the technical capacity of hydro dams to produce electricity, for who can speak to other outcomes of a project whose architects appear unaware of so many variables. It begins to look as though without a reckoning, if the government is allowed to continue the project and serve out its mandate, we should prepare to get what they deserve.

The Great Canadian Mask Ban came into effect the other day. The law doesn't mean it's illegal to mask up at a protest. But the instant the protest has been declared an illegal assembly (once the cops read the riot act) the law comes into effect. At that point, if you don't take off your mask -- bam! -- huge fines and a maximum of ten years in the slammer.

The Sandy Pond Alliance will be back in court on February 27th and 28th. The Alliance will make its case before the Federal Court of Canada to prevent pristine lakes, ponds, and waterways from being designated and used as tailings ponds for mining and smelter waste.

The case will be heard by the Federal Court in the Newfoundland Supreme Court chambers on Duckworth Street. Presently there are about 18 lakes and waterways across Canada which have been designated for this.

The Sandy Pond Alliance will be holding a rally outside the courthouse on Duckworth Street commencing at 8:30 AM on February 27, 2013.

Pass it on and see you there!

Idle No More solidarity actions are taking place today (Jan 27th) across Newfoundland and Labrador. Demonstrations are happening in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook, Bay St. George, and in St. John's (see our previous post for more info). Below are photos and videos from the St. John's event. Please copy, download, share and help spread the solidarity around!
***Updated*** Here's a link to photos from the rally in Corner Brook via Cornerbrooker.com
***Updated*** Here's a link to a photo album from the St. John's rally by Jenne Nolan
***Updated*** Here's a link to photos from the Happy Valley-Goose Bay march by Denise Cole

Idle No More activists in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook, Stephenville, and St. John's are organizing rallies and protests for Sunday, January 27th.

--Solidarity March in Happy Valley-Goose Bay (with Friends of the Grand River/Mistashipu)

--Facebook event for Corner Brook organized by 4 O'Clock Whistle (read press release here)

--Facebook event for St. John's organized by Idle No More St. John's

--Stephenville event Sacred Fire hosted by Bay St. George Cultural Circle,

Idle No More protests have been taking place in NL since early December 2012. The timeline below highlights a few of the many actions in solidarity with the INM movement. This post is intended to promote solidarity as well as to consolidate information, so please help us add to/make corrections to this list by leaving a comment or sending us an email.


Dec 10th —  Idle No More solidarity protest in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. Video here.

Dec 11th --- NunatuKavut elders arrested for trespassing

Dec 18th --- Dennis Burden arrested

Dec 21st --- Stephenville Idle No More protest

Dec 21st --- St. John's Idle No More solidarity rally

Jan 4, 2013 —The Idle No More campaign held protests in Corner Brook and Grand Falls-Windsor. 

Jan 11, 2013 — NunaTuKavut Community Council Idle No More solidarity protest

Jan 12, 2013 — Idle No More St. John's Round Dance at Avalon Mall

Occupy NL stands in solidarity with Idle No More activists in St. John's on January 12th 2013. Here's some of the pictures and videos from today's event. Please copy/download/share and distribute far and wide (sharing is caring). To link up with Idle No More in St. John's, check out the facebook group.

Kicked out in the rain, but still singing and drumming!

     With all the crap going on around the world (Israel decimating Gaza; the ongoing insurrection in Syria; General Strikes across Southern Europe, turning violent when police intervene; Unions in Spain organizing raids on super markets and then distributing the food freely, etc. etc. etc...) it seems a bit surprising that nothing major (that people are noticing and talking about) is happening here in North America (the coming Black Friday events excepted). But then again, the majority of people in Canada and the United States are completely indoctrinated from birth to think that if it isn't affecting them then it doesn't matter. So because of this I end up thinking of the population that they are asleep, as they are not seeing what is going on in the world.
   
    To use a favourite quote of mine: "The Sheep will be slaughtered, or turned to Wolves." Now at first glance it doesn't look good, but let me explain it. I'll break it down into two parts: 'the sheep will be slaughtered,' & 'or turn to wolves.' To understand the first part of the quote two things must be known: Who are the Sheep? & How will they be slaughtered?

    As to who are the sheep? The sheep are the 'sleeping' population that doesn't realize where 'their' politicians are taking them, and doing in their collective name (destroying the ecosystem through allowing systematic exploitation of all our natural resources in the name of 'profit'). Now as to how will they be slaughtered? I just explained part of it.

   What about the second part of the quote: 'or turn to wolves'? what does that mean? Who are wolves?

    Wolves are the people in society who are informed on what is going on and can see what is happening as well. As compared to sheep being 'asleep' wolves are 'awake'. What kind of change can be made in society with people changing to 'wolves'? Any kind of world and society we as humanity want; a more humane society. Where instead of an economy with a focus on profits, we could have an economy where its main goals and focus is to provide for every person's needs.

--Ken

Check out some of the images and video from the coordinated demonstrations earlier today. Big thanks to all the people that came out and showed solidarity! Please send us your images/videos to post!

Here's a link to some great pictures from the Rally for Democracy in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador this afternoon, organized by Friends of the Grand River/Mistashipu and Grand Riverkeepers. Here's their rally handout.

Solidarity with demonstrators in Labrador. More pics here.

There was coverage of the People's Assembly St. John's protests of the undemocractic handling of the proposed Muskrat Falls mega-project in the CBC, the Telegram, and even coverage in the Vancouver Sun!

Where's the power? People power!

Special report from Z News and NL's favorite tiny reporter, Zoe. (Thanks Gordon!)

UPDATED YET AGAIN... Photos coming in from friends we met at Confederation Building and another demonstration in solidarity, Boil Up For The Big Land! Solidarity across Newfoundland and Labrador. Keep the pics coming folks

The Muskrat falls process so far has been anything but satisfactory to most people. Undemocratic, to say the least—the latest coming yesterday, when the government announced that there wouldn't even be a debate in the House of Assembly on Muskrat Falls. Reclaim the political process by joining the newest initiative for direct democracy in this province. 

Attend the People's Assembly Undemocracy Tour Nov 19th 1 PM on the steps of Confederation Building!

The People’s Assembly is a grassroots forum for direct democracy. It is an alternative to an unresponsive system of top-down party politics. The People of Newfoundland and Labrador have the right to actively participate in the political process and the civic responsibility to ensure this happens.

To this end, the People’s Assembly is holding a weeklong Referendum on Muskrat Falls, running November 18th through 25th. On Sunday, November 18th there will be a public demonstration to kick off the referendum, meeting at Harbourside Park in downtown St. John's at 12:00 noon and marching to Colonial Building for a rally. Throughout the week there will also be daily marches and other actions in order to bring the political process back to the People. Regardless of differences on the merits of the Muskrat Falls project, few can be satisfied with the process as it has unfolded. Participating in the referendum is a way to take part in this political decision, but also to show your dissatisfaction with a broken political system. This "do-it-ourselves" approach demonstrates a new set of expectations to a government that will not simply change on its own.

Check out the pa-nl.ca website for updates. Let the people be heard. Get involved!

Concerned citizens gathered at Confederation Building this morning to urge people to rethink the Muskrat Falls project. Members of the group Friends of the Grand River/Mistashipu, along with supporters from various parts of the province, came out to make their voices heard! This is only the beginning. Solidarity!

Check out blogposts on other recent protests in Labrador here and here.

Note the upside down flags indicating distress

Protesters took their message to the roadside. Lots of cars honked to show their support!

A small but lively group – sure to grow.

Solidarity.

Press release via Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu

Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu Concerned about Mayor Abbass’s Potential Conflict of Interest

Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu (FOGR/M) have requested that Mayor Abbass and the Town Council of Happy Valley-Goose Bay hold a public meeting to explain to its residents how there is no conflict of interest in relation to the mayor’s various positions. In addition to Mayor Abbass’s appointment to Nalcor’s Board, he has also publicly taken the stand with Peter Woodward’s pro Muskrat Falls business group.

We at FOGR/M are concerned about the adjacency principle and lack of consultation since the mayor’s appointment to these groups. We are further concerned about how all residents are being represented as plans move forward. Many of us in FOGR/M are residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and do not feel represented, consulted, or considered as he takes such a vocal public stand for the project.

FOGR/M will be continuing protests at the town office until we feel these concerns are being publicly addressed. A letter will also be presented to the Town Council on October 12, 2012 requesting the same. It is our position that a well-advertised public meeting called by the town council would give ample opportunity for all residents to come and understand how these various positions do not put the mayor and town council in a conflict of interest in representing all of the electorate.

Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu believe in a common mission, to protect and preserve all Labrador Rivers, including our efforts to Save Muskrat Falls! FOGR/M believe this government proposed megaproject to create a hydroelectric dam at Muskrat Falls that will eventually lead to potentially damming of other Labrador rivers is wrong, our reasons are varied, still the end decision the same - it is not a healthy project for anyone involved. FOGR/M are committed to stopping it! Search us on Facebook for more information.




via Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu

Friends of Grand River/Mistashipu would like to invite you to


to join us in protest of the Muskrat Falls Hydro Project.

We are all aware that Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mayor Leo Abbass is now a NALCOR Board Member, and we'd like to hear from him and how Labrador and his community is going to benefit from this project in the long run? How is he looking out for the interests of the Labradorians and residents who elected him? And why has he made no public presentations to inform us of why he's on this board, what this project will mean to all of us, and will he allow us any input at all as this moves forward!? 

Read more at the Facebook Event Page

There's a reason most people have never heard about the Canadian European Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (or CETA): it trades us away for the sake of bigger profits for multinational corporations. A local group calling themselves 'Citizens Against CETA' have put together an informational video (along with other great resources from the Council of Canadians and CUPE) to help get information out about this secretive trade agreement, which is in its final stages of negotiations and could be signed as early as the end of 2012.

Read more in a recent article in The Independent about how globalisation is set to make further inroads in Newfoundland and Labrador under CETA.

A group called the Friends of Grand River has staged a protest against the Muskrat Falls development.


You can read more about the group Friends of the Grand River here. And check out these images taken of the development already happening, before the project has even been sanctioned. It makes a farce out of the upcoming debate in the House of Assembly.

 Read the CBC article here.

Join us for a huge Casseroles (Pots and Pans) Night on Sunday July 22 at 8 pm, in solidarity with students in Quebec and Canadians throughout this country who have had enough.

WHY: Because the fight is about more than tuition, debt, and fundamental rights. It is about demanding a future where the rights of people and the health of the environment are MORE IMPORTANT than the health of the economy and the rights of the elite.

This is a demonstration first and foremost about community, joy, solidarity, togetherness, and creating a democratic space for people beyond the ballot box.

It's about building grassroots connections and meeting your neighbours. Building the revolution from the bottom up!

It's about voicing your rejection to the policies of the federal and provincial governments that have repeatedly made us the greatest embarrassment in the global community.

Hello everyone! In case you missed the Mega Casseroles pot bangin' protest on June 22nd, here are a few photos and some video footage of what went down.

To show solidarity with the Quebec student strike and opposition to Quebec's Law 78, as well as to show opposition to the federal government's Bill C-38 and the local Bill 29 (read more about Bill 29 here, here, or here), close to thirty people showed up at Harbourside Park to bang on pots and pans.

We marched down Water Street and made our way to George Street, waving red flags, carrying banners, and respecting most traffic laws and crossing streets safely for the entirety of the march.

We did block George Street, but please don't let that bit of civil disobedience discourage you from coming out and taking part. For some reason, we also found ourselves with a police escort. The police were parked across from Harbourside Park before we started, followed us down Water Street and George Street, and followed us back to Harbourside Park. This means that we were very safe, or perhaps one jay-walk away from being fined. It's hard to say, really.

Occupy NL is calling on concerned citizens to protest against the provincial government's Bill 29. This Saturday at 1 pm we will meet up in front of Confederation Building to voice our discontent.  Bring a sign (and maybe even your pots and pans) to show how important government transparency and accountability is to you!

THE ISSUE...

Bill 29, a new bill just introduced, will make sweeping changes to Newfoundland and Labrador's access to information laws. News reports have raised concerns that this will put more power into the hands of cabinet ministers to give the public access to information or not.

"Proposed legislative changes will allow the provincial government to keep ministerial briefings secret, ignore requests for information that cabinet ministers deem to be 'frivolous,' and bar the auditor general from a wider array of records," CBC reports.

 Interesting turn of events from a government whose campaign platform assured voters of openness and transparency.

 The CBC article continues: "But since taking office, the Tories have worked to erode the act, filing lawsuits to restrict the powers of the watchdog tasked with investigating citizens’ complaints, and adopting narrow interpretations of the information that can be released to taxpayers."

More resources:

 Join local Newfoundland and Labrador environmental community organizations for a press conference to be held on Monday June 4 at Harbourside Park at 10 AM. It is part of the broader Black Out Speak Out campaign being organized across the country in opposition to the omnibus Bill C-38, (a 425-page bill being rushed through Parliament), which would weaken many of the country's most important environmental protection measures. Read more about specific reasons the bill is undemocratic and destructive on many fronts.

Concerned citizens at Harbourside Park June 4 for the press conference organized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network.

 View the Top Five Reasons to Speak Out and download a top ten list (from the Black Out Speak Out website) for more info.