Search results for “site/human rights”

  • Manitoba’s NDP: time to return to its social democratic roots

    In June, 1969, Manitoba elected Canada’s first NDP government and Manitoba’s first social democratic government. The NDP has since become the dominant political party in Manitoba, winning 8 of the last 12 elections and governing for almost two years in every three since June, 1969. The NDP’s latest run as…

  • The Latin American Revolution (I)

    Latin American Presidents address World Social Forum In a historic first, on January 29, five Latin American Presidents addressed the 2009 World Social Forum (WSF) held in Belem, Brazil: Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Evo Morales of Bolivia, Rafael Correa of Ecuador, Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Fernando Lugo of…

  • Labour Matters

    Fast Facts: Normal is the Problem

    Long term care and COVID The heart-breaking tragedy of multiple COVID-19 deaths in Canadian long-term care facilities, and the often-horrific manner in which those deaths have occurred, are evidence of what appears to have become “normal” in many of those facilities. It is impossible not to be moved by scenes…

  • Poverty interventions are health interventions: Three considerations

    An irrefutable evidence base demonstrates that socioeconomic conditions—in particular poverty and inequality—impact health. In health care we call these conditions ‘social determinants of health’ (SDOH)—a term that describes the downstream health impacts of multiple forms of systemic inequity. In the context of a society, culture and health system that focus…

  • Labour Matters

    Work Life: Brought to the Brink by Recklessness… First thoughts on COVID-19

    This piece is dedicated to Mark Golden (August 6, 1948 – April 9, 2020). Mark was a scholar of classics, teacher, life-long social justice advocate and friend to CCPA Mb. Referring to the role of plagues in ancient Greece, Joel Christensen writes: “Plague stories provide settings where fate pushes human…

  • Manitoba Research Alliance

    Communities are Partners

    Workers’ Occupational Health and Safety Rights with Newcomers Download 5.08 MB56 pages For the past 20 years, newcomer and migrant workers in Manitoba have learned about occupational health, safety and compensation rights thanks to the Cross Cultural Com­munity Development Program at the MFL Occupational Health Centre. Community Trainers, who have…

  • A Dangerous Brew

    Perimeter Security Plan threatens privacy and civil rights Fillet of a fenny snake, in the caldron boil and bake; Eye of newt, and toe of frog, wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting, lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing — For a charm of powerful trouble,…

  • Yukon’s court ruling on free-entry mining could help Idle No More

    This past December 27th, the appeals court of the Yukon Territory gave an important ruling regarding the rights of First Nations in relation to Yukon’s free-entry mining policy. The plaintiff in the case, the Ross River Dena Council tribe, considers that Yukon’s government cannot allow quartz production on its territory…

  • Fast Facts: Cosmetic Pesticide Ban needs to continue

    Previously published in the Winnipeg Free Press April 7, 2022 Geese flying overhead. A warm sun. Puddles. For a winter-weary Manitoba, Spring is finally making an appearance. This year, it cannot come soon enough. Many of us long for sounds of kids playing outside, strolls around the neighbourhood, picnics and…

  • Government pressure to cut wages will increase the risk of deflation

    It is now abundantly clear that Canada and the world is facing its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. However, a sense of premature Hoover-type optimism seems to have settled in to Ottawa’s thinking, breeding a dangerous complacency that the government has done all that is required to combat…

  • Why wheelchair fees are not ‘fair’ and what they say about the state of seniors care in BC

    The recent announcement of a $25/month user fee for wheelchairs used by people in long-term care facilities in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions has been unpopular – particularly given the simultaneous announcement of pay raises for top government political staff. Premier Clark has since withdrawn the promise of…

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    The University of Victoria seeks to profit from climate change deniers and policy obstructionists: The Exxon connection

    The school year is now well under way. For many new students starting at the University of Victoria, the university’s stated commitments to sustainability were likely attractive, especially for BC residents whose summers were haunted by relentless wildfires. Given the needed move towards low-carbon economies it makes excellent sense for…