Writer Laments Absence of MP From Poverty Debate.

Dear Editor, 

I’m disappointed that our Conservative Member of Parliament, Robert Sopuck did not attend the forum on child poverty here in Neepawa recently. 

The Harper Government Crawls Into Bed With a Shady Accounting Firm.

CBC TV News.
Watch video here.

El Salvador vs Pacific Rim: the Price of Saying ‘No’ to a Gold Mine

bilateral.org

Another polluting Canadian mining company throws its weight around in a developing country. Story here.

Nearly a Third of World's Cacti Face Extinction, Says IUCN

theguardian

Cactus display at the International Peace Garden, 

Manitoba. PinP photo.

Illegal trade is causing shocking decline in plants that are vital to desert ecosystems, most comprehensive global assessment yet reveals. Details here.

'Once-In-A-Millenium' Flooding Creates 'Otherworldly Scenes' in South Carolina

CommonDreams

Officials warned that the historic deluge will likely worsen as climate experts discussed connections between warming planet and extreme weather. Story here.

Colombia In The Shadow Of Human Rights Abuses

Common Frontiers

In 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Canada’s new “Americas Policy,” through which Canada would build trade ties with governments that shared Canada’s values of “democracy, human rights, rule-of-law and good governance.” The Canadian government then announced negotiations for a free trade and investment deal with Colombia, the country with the worst human rights record in the hemisphere. Story here.

When Canada Took Away Captain Paul Watson's Passport on Behalf of Japan

Independent

       Australia

Despite being a Canadian going back fourteen generations to 1587, Sea Shepherd captain and anti-whaling activist Paul Watson can no longer enter Canada because Stephen Harper took away his passport to placate Japanese whalers. Story here.