Documents Just Leaked From the Trans-Pacific Partnership Talks Spell Bad News For Our CBC.

Some Of Us

If the TPP passes, Crown corporations like the CBC could be required to operate entirely for profit. And worse -- this move could force the CBC to be privatized.

The mission of the CBC is to tell the bilingual and multicultural story of Canada – and if this deal passes, its only goal will be corporate profit.

Canadian politicians are extremely vulnerable to public pressure right now as they head into one of the longest election campaigns in Canadian history -- let's make sure our CBC is protected and not sold off for profit.

Sign the petition to Prime Minister Harper and the Party Leaders: Scrap the TPP and save the CBC!

The leaked document from Wikileaks shows that CBC, Canada Post and other Crown corporations could be forced into operating solely for profit if the TPP deal is passed.

Harper was gunning to pass the secretive and extreme TPP deal before the election was announced so he wouldn't have to answer to voters on the campaign trail. But last week's talks in Hawaii stalled out and public opposition is growing by the day. Harper has been busy making cuts to the CBC and other crown corporations for years, and honestly, we've had enough.

These institutions represent an essential part of the fabric of this country. We have no idea if this provision will make it into the deal's final text -- but we can't afford to wait and find out if Harper tries to unilaterally rubber stamp the TPP deal.

Call on Harper and Party Leaders to protect the CBC and our Crown corporations from terrible trade deals.

Harper called the election a whole month early because he thinks money is all it takes to hold on to power. Conservative MPs spent the days before the writ dropped on a corporate spending spree -- literally spending $4 billion to help secure votes.

Right now, we desperately need a publicly funded national broadcaster free from corporate influence. We need an alternative to Americanized corporate channels, one that gives Canadian writers, actors, producers and broadcasters have a place to grow and develop a national consciousness. The CBC used to excel at this and even now, crippled by successive funding cuts, it punches far above its weight.

At SumOfUs, we have been fighting for the CBC for years. And with the coming election, now is our chance to say loud and clear that we don't want a Canada without a fully funded public broadcaster. That means no corporate influence and no selling it off to benefit private interests.

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More information:

TPP Trade Deal Proposal Would See CBC, Canada Post Exist Solely For Profit, Huffington Post, 30 July 2015

Analysis of Leaked TPPA Paper for Ministers' Guidance on SOEs, Professor Jane Kelsey, Faculty of Law, University of Auckland, 28 July 2015

New Zealand Marks End to Coal Power

UPI

Last two coal power plants in the country to be decommissioned in 2018. Details here.

Nature Studies: Restoring Natural Habitats is Expensive - But it's Worth Every Penny

The Independent

A Monarch butterfly in Canada. PinP photo.

If the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, then it seems the price of wildlife in modern Britain is going to be eternal management. Details here.

How Wildfires and Climate Change Can Affect Your Health

By Courtney Howard NATIONAL OBSERVER

As an ER doctor in Yellowknife who often sees patients for respiratory ailments, I've taken a special interest in the rash of climate-induced wildfires this summer. Story here.

Cry Me a Tailings Pond, Canada

NATIONAL OBSERVER

The United States has its Clean Power Plan. Canada has the tar sands. Story here.

In Victory for Animals and Their Defenders, Judge Strikes Down Idaho 'Ag-Gag' Law

Common Dreams

Banning the filming of factory farm operations is an unconstitutional violation of both free speech and equal protection clauses, says federal judge. Story here.

If you liked this story, how about this one?  "Farm Sanctuary: A Haven From the Animal Holocaust"

Bombshell Study Reveals Methane Emissions Hugely Underestimated

Common Dreams

Findings throw EPA emissions database and countless other fracking studies into question. Story here.

California’s Largest Fire Is Moving At An ‘Unprecedented’ Rate

CLIMATEPROGRESS

Wildfires continue to rage in California, where the largest of the 21 blazes covered 65,000 acres Tuesday morning and has killed at least one person. Details here.

Farm Sanctuary: A Haven From the Animal Holocaust

Common Dreams

There are mornings when Susie Coston, walking up to the gate of this bucolic farm in her rubber boots, finds crates of pigs, sheep, chickens, goats, geese or turkeys on the dirt road. Sometimes there are notes with the crates letting her know that the animals are sick or injured. The animals, often barely able to stand when taken from the crates, have been rescued from huge industrial or factory farms by activists. Story here.

GreenParty of Canada Candidate Kate Storey Ready to Hit The Campaign Trail in a Key Riding in Rural Manitoba.

GRANDVIEW. Green Party candidate Kate Storey (above) kicked off her campaign in Grandview on Sunday. “I am ready and happy to take on the challenge of this longer campaign.” said Ms. Storey. I look forward to using the time to get out to more communities and talk to more people in Dauphin Swan River Neepawa.”

“The Green Party has attracted more stellar Canadians - with personal reputations that command respect across Canada -- than any other party.  I am proud to represent the Green Party beside candidates like MP Elizabeth May,  broadcasters Claire Martin and Jo-Ann Roberts and Olympic mayor Ken Melamed.”

“Canadians deserve a government that delivers on long-term and sustainable jobs, a sustainable and expanded public health system, genuine security, and leadership globally in confronting the climate crisis,” said Ms. Storey. “Canadians deserve MPs who put Parliament ahead of party, setting aside hyper-partisanship for citizenship.”

“Elected Greens  give Canadians the kind of respectful, effective, hard-working government they deserve. More Green MPs in a minority Parliament will have influence and clout, working across party lines. Greens believe in A Canada That Works – Together.”

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contact

Kate Storey, Green Party of Canada

204-546-2099

The Prime Minister of Canada Tells Another Big One!

Harper kicks off marathon campaign with a big lie! Does he really expect us to believe that taxpayers won't be on the hook for tens of millions of dollars due to this, the longest campaign in over a century - one that he is solely responsible for? The fact that we ordinary Canadians will apparently be responsible for half of the cost of all the attack ads we will be suffering through between now and Oct. 19th, makes me nauseous! I truly hope voters won't forget this when election day rolls 'round! (PinP)