PLANET IN PERIL

by Larry Powell As its name implies, the conference promised a lot.  "Holding Power to Account. Investigative Journalism, Democracy and Human Rights."   Big concepts. Big ideas.  And it delivered.  I am thankful to have been part of it. More than three hundred people from 15 countries attended the event this past weekend, sponsored by the CBC and University of Winnipeg. They heard Adrienne Arsenault, a foreign correspondent with CBC TV's flagship newscast, The National, tell a terrifying tale about an assignment she was on in an African nation.

by Larry Powell Manitoba's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Ron Kostychyn, (r.)  is a liar. Way back in September of 2012  (over 1  1/2  years ago) , Kostyshyn   promised me he would read a peer-reviewed article I had written.  Entitled  "Field of Nightmares ."   It appeared in the well-respected Canadian journal "Alternatives - Canada's Environmental Voice." It documented much of the research which has been done, linking the popular herbicide "Roundup" to adverse effects on the health of  livestock, wildlife, crops and even  humans .  It also placed the official position of the Government of Canada on the record, which was , it was " aware of the research, but,  i t did not raise immediate risk concerns that would have triggered regulatory action.”

CBC News A multimillion-dollar plan to help save Lake Winnipeg by reducing the blue-green algae poisoning the lake was announced Wednesday by the Manitoba government. Details here. Related: Dangerous Ditches.  Manitoba’s “war on weeds” comes complete with powerful herbicides, questionable spraying practices and collateral damage. Scum on Lake Winnipeg. PLT photo.

Manitoba Co-Operator Forty miles of RM of Edwards roadways are closed due to water. Details here.

The  Manitoba Co-Operator Honeybee on flower. Larry Powell P in P photo. Manitoba’s beekeepers are feeling the sting of high winter losses, coupled with the pain and expense of overseas bee imports. Details here. Related:  Are Canada's Pesticide Regulators on the Take?  Canadian Authorities Refuse to Protect Precious Pollinators From Known Toxins. Is Something Crooked Going on Here?

Manitoba Co-Operator Corn harvester in Manitoba.                                                      Beekeepers at the Fort Whyte Centre in  Winnipeg, MB.  PLT photos. Keeping bees at bay when it comes to corn planting isn’t always possible,  but good communication goes a long way. Details here.