Free Trade Places the Future of Rice Farming in Japan in Doubt

bilaterals.org

Rice has been at the centre of Japan’s economy and culture for centuries. But changes are afoot. There is growing concern among Japanese farmers that the country’s rice-producing capabilities are diminishing in the face of international trade pacts such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In fact, all local agriculture is in the spotlight as pressure mounts to increase local imports of overseas produce. Details here.

A Political Voice of Reason Comes From the NDP Amid the "Love-In" Over the TPP.

While the Trudeau government has gone ahead and signed the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, there remains many uncertainties about what's in store for Canada.

The Harper government first negotiated this deal in secret. Now we have the Liberals agreeing to a deal that can'tbe renegotiated! Any concerns or changes raised in future consultations won't matter.

We do know that the TPP will:

Health Canada Re-Approves a Cancer-Causing Pesticide

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Health Canada announced it's endorsing the continued use of Syngenta's Atrazine, a dangerous pesticide that has been banned in the European Union since 2004. PLEASE SIGN PETITION  HERE!

• RELATED: 

• "Are Pesticide Regulators on the Take?" 
• This Global News documentary delves into lies, corruption and evil-doing by the same, sweet people who make atrazine. Please watch!

TransCanada Dismissed Whistleblower. Then Their Pipeline Blew Up.

NATIONAL

OBSERVER

TransCanada Corp put “substandard materials” in an Alberta natural gas pipeline that blew up in 2013, Canada’s pipeline regulator said, as it finally responded to a four-year old warning from a whistleblower with a new industry-wide safety order. Story here.

To Feed the World, Tap Into Organic's Potential: Study

Common Dreams

'It’s not just a matter of producing enough, but making agriculture environmentally friendly and making sure that food gets to those who need it.' Story here.

RELATED: "Organic Producers Could See Net Profit Levels Of Up To $300 Per Acre"

Scientists Trace Cancer-Linked Pollutant to Alberta's Oil Sands Stockpiles

NATIONAL

OBSERVER

Dust blown away from stockpiles left over after oil sands upgrading is very likely a key source of a cancer-linked pollutant commonly found in the northern Alberta region, concludes a new peer-reviewed study. Story here.

Neepawa Banner Publishes Controversial Letter Over Religion & Climate Change.

by Larry Powell

The publisher of the weekly newspaper, "The Banner" in the Town of Neepawa, Manitoba, Ken Waddell, printed an editorial before Christmas, denying a human cause for climate change. He also criticized methods proposed by federal and provincial governments to tackle the problem as "certifiably nuts." This prompted a letter of my own which challenged his conclusions. I found it odd that a person of faith, as he is often proud to communicate, could find it possible to believe in the truly fantastic stories of the Bible, yet could not find it within his own personal powers of reasoning to accept the now well-proven science of climate change. To his credit and that of the papers, my own letter appeared in the January 22nd edition, below. Ken, I suspect that publishing this was not easy for you, as it was not the kind of letter you deal with often - touching, as it does, on both climate change and faith, the latter obviously being of great, personal  importance to you. By priniting it, you have taken the high road and shown that you also take the values of journalism and free speech very seriously! Thank you!

 As my letter points out, it's not uncommon for Ken's stories to be embellished with Bible passages. And every single edition of his paper (as seen, below) contains columns by three different writers - all religious. 

In my humble opinion, if we are to routinely subject many other issues in our society to public scrutiny and debate, such as politics, sports and gender identity, why not religion? Why not hold people of faith accountable to their often controversial beliefs and positions, just like everyone else? 

This is all I'm attempting to do here. 

Want to chime in with your own opinion? You know the drill! (Just go to the comments section after this blog post.)

Thank you!
Larry

RELATED: "Faith vs. Science. Why Can't We Have Both?"

The Trans-Pacific Partnership: An #UnfairTrade Deal Too Far

International Institute for Sustainable Development

Non-trade provisions in the TPP, such as investment and intellectual property rights, threaten to heighten inequality. It is time for Canada to say; this is a deal too far. Story here.

Oppose the Disastrous TPP #UnfairTrade Deal! PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION!

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In just hours, Trade Minister Freeland will sign Canada on to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The TPP is one of Stephen Harper’s biggest legacies. The sweeping "free" trade deal will let corporations sue governments in special courts for laws that might hurt their 'expected' profits, and it could severely damage our access to medication, internet freedom and workers’ rights. In short, it’s a massive corporate power grab. But the TPP must still be ratified by Parliament. So we still have a chance to stop it. PLEASE SIGN HERE.

RELATED: "Free Trade. Pathway to Prosperity? Or Back Road to Corporatism?"

Damning Report Finds Alberta Failing Aboriginals in Oil Sands Development

THE GLOBE AND MAIL

The Alberta government’s attempt to balance competing interests in the oilsands region has failed to protect aboriginal rights, lands and health from industrial development, says an unreleased report. More here.

Federal Agency Failing to Protect Canadians from Pesticides

cape Canadian Asn. of Physicians for the Environment

A recent report suggests Health Canada’s Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency is failing to protect Canadians and the environment from chemical pesticides. Story here.