Monthly Meeting of the London Chapter of the Council of Canadians

TZEPORAH BERMAN 
("Canada's Queen of Green") 
"Hope and Engagement: 
Tackling Climate Change and Pipeline Politics" 
Monday, May 12 at 7:00pm - 9:00pm 
Stevenson and Hunt Room 
London Public Library 251 Dundas St., London, Ontario 

$5 suggested donation 

http://www.tzeporahberman.com/ 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzeporah_Berman 

Tzeporah Berman has been designing and winning environmental campaigns in Canada and internationally for 20 years. She currently works as a strategic advisor for dozens of environmental organizations, First Nations and philanthropic advisors on clean energy, oilsands and pipelines. She is the former co-director of Greenpeace International's Global Climate and Energy Program, Executive Director and Co-founder of PowerUp Canada and Co-founder and Campaign Director of ForestEthics. Tzeporah was one of the experts in Leonardo Di Caprio's environmental documentary 11th hour, was one of six Canadian nominees for the Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, has been profiled as one of 50 Visionaries Changing the World in Utne Reader and as "Canada's Queen of Green" in the cover story for Readers Digest. This year Tzeporah was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of British Columbia. Her first book, This Crazy Time: Living Our Environmental Challenge was recently published by Knopf Canada.

Walk for Water!

Sunday April 27, 2014 at 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm 
Boys and Girls Club of London 
184 Horton Street East, London, Ontario 

The Walk for Water event postponed from the Water Rights Film Festival due to the cold windy weather (and resulting unsafe icy trail around the Forks of the Thames) on Saturday April 5 has been rescheduled to be combined with Earth Day festivities at Watson Street Park on Sunday April 27, 2014 from 12 noon to 2 pm. This is a family event open to the whole community--everyone is welcome! 

All participants in the Walk for Water will depart at 12 noon from the parking lot of the Boys and Girls Club of London (184 Horton St. ) and follow the walk circuit below: We will walk south on Richmond Street to the bike path at the bridge. We will follow the bike path easterly along the north bank of the Thames River through Richard Harrison Park. We follow the bike path under the Wellington Street Bridge that comes up onto the east side of Wellington Road. We cross the bridge and enter Watson Street Park. We follow the path way through Watson Street Park to Adelaide Street We turn back and follow the path back to Watson Street Park and join in the Earth Day festivities, including marching the giant 30 foot Benevolent Blue Water Snake around the park. 

This Walk for Water will be accompanied by Upper Thames River Conservation Authority Biologist Cathy Quinlan who will be pointing out various items of interest along the Thames River. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, the Solidarity Film Coalition and the Boys and Girls Club of London welcome everyone's participation during London's Earth Day celebrations on Sunday April 27th!

MAUDE BARLOW IN PERSON! Saturday April 26, 2014

"A River Runs Through Us" 
Oxford People Against the Landfill 
Ingersoll District Memorial Arena 
97 Mutual St. S, Ingersoll, Ontario 

FREE! 

Maude is scheduled to speak at 1:30 pm; other speakers continue until 3:30 pm.

The giant 30 foot Benevolent Blue Water Serpent will participate at some point in this event! 

Need a ride? Roberta 519-601-2053 
Carpools leave London at 11:00 a.m.

WATER RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL IMPORTANT NOTICE!

NOTICE! THE WATER WALK PLANNED FOR THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) AT 11:00 HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER! RAIN DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED. SHORT FILMS START AT 12 NOON AT MUSEUM LONDON AS PLANNED!

Water Rights Film Festival! by Jennifer Chesnut

A film festival about water rights in Canada and around the world. 

What needs to be done to minimize future water loss for the next generation? 

From Friday April 4th through Sunday April 6th at Museum London, the Water Rights Film Festival comes to London. Created by the Solidarity Film Coalition with numerous sponsors like Museum London, The Council of Canadians, and LACASA, this is an opportunity for people to check out some interesting facts about the substance that makes up three quarters of this blue planet, and sustains all our lives. 

Learn about the impact of our water use on the next generation, transnational corporate influence on water bodies, the 2012 elimination of 99% of rules protecting Canadian rivers and lakes, successful community activities to protect water, and more. 

Feature Films include: Blue Gold, Waterlife, Bottled Life; Sacred Spirit of Water. 

Highlights: 

Friday evening, Josephine Mandamin, Anishinabe elder, will speak the aboriginal perspective on water, sharing stories from her experience being the Great Lakes Water Walker. The feature film will be Blue Gold. 

Saturday morning at 11 a.m., in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club, all are invited to a community water walk at the Forks of the Thames. Following the walk, there will be animated shorts on water inside the Museum’s cinema. At 1 p.m., the full feature documentary program will resume with Waterlife. Mike Nagy, president of Water Watchers, will speak about Nestlé’s involvement in the Guelph area watershed. 

Sunday afternoon, Juan Sanchez, editor of Indigenous Message on Water, will share water poetry. Both the films Bottled Life and Sacred Spirit of Water will be shown. 

The Water Rights film festival is open to all for learning more about the force that constitutes eighty percent of our bodies, and holds all life in its flow! Admission is free. 

In order to protect water for the next generation, we must learn how we are changing it, and change the way we perceive it. 

Expect excellent films, speakers, poems, and a walk for water! Come for part or all of the weekend. Bring a water-loving buddy. 

For more information: 

http://waterrightsfilmfestival.wordpress.com/

solidarityfilmcoalition@outlook.com 

(originally published in London Fuse: http://londonfuse.ca/event/water-rights-film-festival)

03/31/15

For Immediate Release:

Water at Risk:

A documentary tour of the Great Lakes and beyond with a Thames River walk and the legendary Water Walker

From Friday, April 4th through Sunday, April 6th at Museum London, the Water Rights Film Festival ripples through London, Ontario. This free festival highlights issues related to water in Canada and around the world.  Emphasis will be placed on emerging risks to the Great Lakes. Special guest, the legendary Anishinabe elder and Water Walker, Josephine Mandamin, has walked the perimeter of all five lakes since 2003 “to raise awareness that our clean and clear water is being polluted by chemicals, vehicle emissions, motor boats, sewage disposal, agricultural pollution, leaking landfill sites, and residential usage.” Including a community water walk on Saturday morning, 11 AM, at the Fork of the Thames, this free public event is an opportunity to learn about the substance that makes up nearly three quarters of this blue planet. Created by the Solidarity Film Coalition with numerous sponsors such as Museum London, The Council of Canadians, Seeds of Hope, and LACASA, one organizer, Roberta Cory says, “In order to protect water for the next generation, we must learn how we are changing it, and change the way we perceive it.” 

Friday evening, Mandamin will speak the aboriginal perspective on water. Saturday morning at 11am, in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club, all are invited to a community water walk at the Forks of the Thames. Following the walk, there will be animated shorts on water inside the Museum’s cinema. Mike Nagy, president of Water Watchers, will speak about Nestle’s involvement in the Guelph area watershed. Sunday afternoon, Juan Sanchez, editor of Indigenous Message on Water, will share poetry to help people “remember the sacred nature of Water”. Feature films shown throughout the weekend include: Blue Gold, Waterlife, Bottled Life and the Sacred Spirit of Water.

The Water Rights film festival not only includes films but is a multi-faceted event open to the public to learn more about the force that constitutes eighty percent of our bodies and holds all life in its flow! Some questions that will be investigated are: What impacts are water corporations, like Nestle in Guelph Ontario, having on the Great Lakes watershed? What can we expect from the 2012 elimination of 99% of rules protecting Canadian rivers and lakes? How can we protect the Great Lakes for future generations?

All are invited to meet experts from across the province, participate in a guided walk around the Thames, listen to water poetry from an indigenous perspective, and view excellent films at the Water Rights Film Festival.

#######

For more information:

http://waterrightsfilmfestival.wordpress.com/

Roberta Cory:  robertacory@rogers.com, (519) 601-2053

Paula Papel: solidarityfilmcoalition@outlook.com , (519) 697-9252

Line 9 Snake Walk! The Forks to English St. on Dundas, March 31, 5:00 pm

LINE 9 SNAKE WALK! 

EVERYONE WELCOME  

11 puppeteers needed to operate the 30 foot evil black Line 9 Snake

The Snake joined the Anti - Line 9 rally at Queen's Park on March 7, 2014: 

http://rabble.ca/news/2014/03/line-9-will-snake-across-ontario-and-quebec-waterways

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ7W2wWgHz4&feature=youtu.be 
 (press conference) 

http://ww3.tvo.org/video/196834/pipeline-runs-through-it

RALLY AT FORKS OF THE THAMES 
5:00 pm Monday, March 31, 2014 
(Rally at Riverside Park just north and west of the river.)

WALK THE SNAKE ACROSS THE BRIDGE OVER THE THAMES. 

WALK EAST ON DUNDAS TO THE EAST VILLAGE COFFEEHOUSE. 

THEN: 
SPRING THAWS PIPELINE MELTDOWN TOUR!

More info: Roberta 519-601-2053

COMING EVENTS

Council of Canadians, London Chapter 
Coming Events 

March 20 
Thursday 6:30 - 8:30 Landon Library ENVIRONMENTAL BOOK CLUB - bring a book/title on climate change to share 

March 21 
Friday 2:00 car pool to Beachville Quarry Lake STOP THE DUMP RALLY Meet at 193 Duchess Ave. (4 houses W of Ridout) 519-601-2053 

March 24,25,26,27 
Monday though Thursday - 7:00 to 9:00 MAKE THE WATER SNAKE sew scales on the 30 foot Water Snake 193 Duchess Ave. 519-601-2053 

March 29 
Saturday 9:00 - 9:00 PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH CARE REFERENDUM canvas neighbourhoods in groups with ballots to vote for public health care; take a shift at tables with ballot boxes - Western Fair Farmer's Market and other public places - volunteers needed; Visit 620 Richmond St. for materials 226-238-9141 or 519-643-6806 or call Roberta 519-601-2053 

March 31 
Monday 5:00 ANTI-LINE 9 RALLY AND SNAKE WALK down Dundas. Meet at Riverside Park NW of Forks for Rally. Walk the Line 9 Snake across the bridge and East down Dundas 6:30 - East Village Coffee House - English and Dundas - food and drink for sale; film on resistance to tar sands and pipelines - music until 10:00 pm 

April 5 
Saturday All day long - BALLOT BOXES ALL OVER TOWN:      REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE - volunteers needed Phone to volunteer at a polling place - 226-238-9141 or 519-643-6806 

April 4,5,6 
WATER RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL, MUSEUM LONDON
 FREE! 
Friday, April 4 6-9 Grandmother Josephine Mandamin - Water Walker film: Blue Gold 
Saturday, April 5 1-5 films: Waterlife and Dolime Dilemma Sunday, April 6 
 11-1 family program: water walk/films; 
 1-5 films: Bottled Life and Sacred Spirit of Water Juan Sanchez - poetry - Indigenous Message on Water 
Debut of the Water Snake!
http://waterrightsfilmfestival.wordpress.com 

April 26 
Saturday 1:00 pm MAUDE BARLOW at Earth Day in Ingersoll sponsored by OPAL ALLIANCE (Oxford People Against the Landfill); 
Second appearance of the Water Snake!    
Ride pool from 193 Duchess Ave. RSVP - 519-601-2053 leave at 11:00 am 
http://opalalliance.ca

"A RIVER RUNS THROUGH US": MAUDE BARLOW!

April 26th, 2014

Ingersoll District Memorial Arena, 97 Mutual St. South

        

http://www.opalalliance.ca/news-events

STOP THE DUMP! Special protest at the quarry

Friday, March 21, 2014 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, the weekly protest against the dump will focus on the entrance to the Carmeuse property where Carmeuse wants to drain a lake and Walker wants to fill an active quarry with garbage. 

Driving north on Embro Road aka Foldens Line from the 401, it is just north of the four way stop at Beachville Rd (which in Ingersoll is called Charles Street). 
https://goo.gl/maps/6hZWZ

Like the Arcade Fire concert recently, this gathering has a dress code: come prepared for pond hockey, or fishing, or ice-fishing, or with a boat, oar, paddle, fishing rod, landing net, bird-watching gear and googles, etc. 

This proposed dump is next to the Thames River, which flows down through London. Any disturbance to the Thames Watershed affects us all. This garbage, to be dumped right into a quarry which is below the water table, would include Toronto's "residential, industrial, commercial and institutional solid waste, contaminated brownfield soil and asbestos", according to Walker, the landfill company! The quarry leaks like a sieve! The Thames is contaminated enough! Please help stop this incredibly dangerous dump! 

Oxford People Against the Landfill

 Car pools leave London at 2 pm. Roberta 519-601-2053

https://www.facebook.com/events/627707830636100/

Line 9 Snake goes to Toronto!

LINE 9 SNAKE GOES TO TORONTO  

Our black, 32 foot long Line 9 Snake was built by many people, each giving a few hours of their time. People volunteered to sew, paint black letters on white fabric, cut out plastic teeth, and engineer the head. The body was designed to be held up with 4 foot dowel poles and the cardboard head to be held up by a broom handle. After a pretty intense day (the NEB announced approval of reversal of Line 9 for dilbit under increased pressure at 4:40 pm so we had to get out our press release immediately) the Snake was finished by Roberta at 11:00 pm Thursday March 6 and left at 8:00 am the next morning for Toronto with Paula Marcotte, Anthony Verberckmoes, Rory and Roberta Cory. 

It was a splendid day at Queen's Park: clear, cold and crisp. We unrolled the Snake and attached the body to the head with velcro tabs. As people were arriving at the Stop Line 9 rally they saw the Snake and took up a dowel pole to walk the Snake around in front of the Legislature. Finally the Snake positioned itself behind the speakers and the banners from Idle No More, 350.org, Rising Tide, and other eco justice groups. Mark Calzavara, our CoC Regional Organizer, sent his cell phone picture of the Snake to Maude Barlow, and she sent back her approval and support. There were around 300 people at the rally and about 50 media cameras!! As Sakura, one of the speakers for Rising Tide said, we all knew the NEB would be a rubber stamp for Line 9 and so we see this as the kick off for our real campaign across Ontario to demand an independent Environmental Assessment. 

Many of our members are taking the excellent "Not Worth the Risk" report to their MPPs and City Councillors and the Snake will appear at a rally here in London at the Forks of the Thames very soon - date to be announced. 

More on the rally:
http://rabble.ca/news/2014/03/line-9-will-snake-across-ontario-and-quebec-waterways

Information on Line 9: http://risingtidetoronto.noblogs.org/files/2014/02/NEB_report_final.pdf
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/hamilton-protesters-denounce-line-9-reversal-decision-1.2564095
http://desmog.ca/2014/03/06/concerns-mount-about-61-year-old-enbridge-pipeline-great-lakes

Council of Canadians London Chapter - announcements and updates

Attention all Activists: 

1) londoncouncilofcanadians.ca (click on “London CoC Blog Site") has all events, past minutes, agenda, blog, e.g.: 
http://londoncouncilofcanadians.blogspot.ca/2014/03/monthly-meeting-of-london-chapter-of.html

2) Monday, March 10 (tomorrow!) - Kick off for London Health Coalition campaign - part of a referendum in support of protecting public community hospitals (see Ontario Health Coalition ontariohealthcoalition.ca). London Joins Major Referendum to Protect Community Hospitals WHERE: Campaign Office @ Richmond & Central (620 Richmond street Unit F) WHEN: 12 pm (noon), Monday March 10. WHAT: Bed-In and Ballot Box for Public Health Care. WHY: The London Health Coalition is campaigning to raise public awareness leading to a referendum on community hospitals. Join us to learn how Londoners can get involved and cast their vote in support of quality public healthcare. 

3) Until Wed. March 13 - Art: for the BEES! Artlab Gallery, Western, John Labatt Visual Arts Centre IMAGINE: Sustainability, community, engagement: BEES! Show continues until March 13: Spread it far & wide! Cross-pollinate .... everywhere! ---------- Forwarded message ---------- The potential extinction of one species, the honey bee,would bring about widespread irreversible damage to our food supply and the natural environment. In an effort to tackle the massive issue of sustainability, this year's Gallery Practices class uses the humble bee as a starting point to present an urgent matter in concrete, imaginable ways.. Exploiting the interactive and temporal properties of large-scale installation and video the honey bee is connected to much greater concerns that outline the necessary personal stake we must have in our environment, both natural and built, and in our approach to sustainable living. Rather than pointing to ubiquitous overconsumption, "hive mentality" can be repurposed to mean community and involvement. The hive is our city and the issue of sustainability requires a reimagining of possible ways of living as we ultimately aim to be forward-looking. Please see attachments for more information. We hope to see you there. Best regards, Susan Susan Edelstein, Director Artlab Gallery, Department of Visual Arts The University of Western Ontario John Labatt Visual Arts Centre, VAC 122 Perth Drive London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7 Tel: 519-661-3440, ext. 86186 Fax: 519-661-2020
www.uwo.ca/visarts/ 

4) Tuesday, March 18 - "The Boat From Gaza" with film "Green Lazer" and film maker John Greyson,        Tolpuddle - 6:30 social, Middle Eastern snacks 7:00 film 
 Council of Canadians http://londoncouncilofcanadians.blogspot.ca/2014/03/monthly-meeting-of-london-chapter-of.html 

5) Thursday, March 20 - Eco Book Club - 7:00 pm Landon Library - all are welcome 

6) Water Rights Film Festival - April 4,5,6 - Museum London - by the Solidarity Film Coalition
http://waterrightsfilmfestival.wordpress.com 

Robert Cory (“Rory”) 
Website/SocialMediaAdmin 
London Chapter Council of Canadians 
londoncouncilofcanadians.ca 
Facebook&Twitter: londoncoc 
Phone 519-601-2053

Monthly Meeting of the London Chapter of the Council of Canadians

JOHN GREYSON

When: Tuesday March 18, 2014
Where: Tolpuddle Co-op general room
380 Adelaide between Dundas and King 

Finger food, coffee, tea 

Presentation: THE BOAT FROM GAZA - David Heap 

John Greyson will show his film “Green Laser” and speak about the Palestinian/Isreali issue of Gaza and share his experiences. 
http://www.cinemapolitica.org/film/green-laser http://www.cinemapolitica.org/artists/john-greyson 

Products made in Gaza can be ordered. 
http://www.gazaark.org 
http://www.bdsmovement.net 

Refreshments will be courtesy of the Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) club at Western University. 

Networking and Action Plans 

This is a FRAGRANCE FREE event. 

Bus goes down Dundas - questions - need a ride - 519 - 601 - 2053 

COUNCIL OF CANADIANS, LONDON CHAPTER 

MARCH 18, 2014 AGENDA 

"THE BOAT FROM GAZA" DAVID HEAP 

6:30 SOCIAL: MIDDLE EASTERN SNACKS PROVIDED 

7:00 FILM: THE AWARD WINNING "GREEN LASER" 
FILM MAKER JOHN GREYSON FOR TALK AND Q AND A 

7:45 ABOUT GAZA'S ARK: WENDY GOLDSMITH; DUNIA HAMOU 

8:00 BUSINESS 

ACTIONS AND CAMPAIGNS: 
HEALTH COALITION REFERENDUM 
WATER RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL 
POLLINATOR SANCTUARY LONDON 
STOP CETA 
LINE 9 "NOT WORTH THE RISK” 
ECO BOOK CLUB 

NEW BUSINESS 

8:30 MINGLE - JOIN A CAMPAIGN - GET INVOLVED 

APPEARANCE OF THE LINE 9 SNAKE!

Minutes of last meeting, Feb. 10, 2014: http://londoncouncilofcanadians.ca/LondonCoCMeetingMinutes.pdf

NEB approves Line 9 reversal to carry dilbit / no independent environmental assessment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Roberta Cory - 250-220-1763

March 6, 2014

The Council of Canadians London Chapter condemned the National Energy Board (NEB) today for approving Enbridge’s Line 9 proposal to ship diluted bitumen in their forty-year-old pipeline between Sarnia and Montreal and is urging Premier Kathleen Wynne to prevent the controversial project from going forward. 
  

“Pipeline safety expert Richard Kuprewicz testified to the NEB that Line 9 has a high risk of rupture if the project goes ahead” said chapter spokesperson Roberta Cory.  “Line 9 passes though hundreds of communities and rivers that flow right into the Great Lakes and Enbridge still hasn’t finished cleaning up after their last massive diluted bitumen spill in the Kalamazoo River four years ago. Line 9 crosses Hyde Park Rd., Richmond Rd. near Birr, Highbury Rd., and the Thames River at Plover Mills just north of Fanshawe Lake.  Are our first responders prepared for a massive chemical spill, are our hospitals prepared to take the injured, and have we budgeted for this type of emergency?"

  

“How can the NEB allow an accident prone company to pump some of the dirtiest oil on the planet through an ancient pipeline across the drinking water supply of millions of people?” ” said Rod Morley. “The NEB is clearly just a rubber stamp for big oil. Now it is the absolute duty of the province to protect our drinking water. Premier Wynne must step in to prevent a catastrophe.”

The Council of Canadians is Canada’s largest citizens advocacy group with more than 60 chapters across the country and 11 chapters near Line 9 including London, Guelph, Brantford, Hamilton, Peel Region, York University, Toronto, Northumberland, Peterborough and the Kawarthas, Brockville and Montreal.
  

  For more information contact:
         Roberta Cory - (250-220-1763)

  Rod Morley - (519-872-0008)

  Geoff Crealock - (519-433-4284)

    http://risingtidetoronto.noblogs.org/files/2014/02/NEB_report_final.pdf

Water Rights Film Festival

Water Rights Film Festival coming in April! April 4-6, 2014, Museum London, London, ON; more details will be provided soon!

London Council of Canadians- ACTIONS AND UPDATES

Hello activists -

What a good turnout at last night's meeting,  Monday Feb. 10th.  Thank you all for coming out in the cold to create a critical mass for the CoC here in London.  Thank you Jessie and others for the snacks!!  

You will be receiving the minutes from our secretary, Aldous Smith. It will be complete and accurate with names, contact information, etc. The minutes of all past meetings are posted on the website and on Facebook so you can check them anytime if you have missed a meeting.

We have eight issues, campaigns, or areas of activism going right now!!!  We need you to pick one issue or campaign and let us know that we can count on you for a few hours of your time. Every one of these issues is vital so that we do not sleep through the gradual takeover of Democracy by the Harper government and its corporate agenda. 

Trade Justice London presented the main topic of the evening, with an action which followed.  Marie France, who represents LACASA (Latin American-Canadian Solidarity Association) is working with TJL because of LACASA's history in opposing previous attempts by powerful corporations to control Latin America through trade agreements. She and Aldous shared the strategies of successful campaigns which defeated past trade agreements.  Their work continues towards opposing CETA and the TPP. 

Jeff and Shirley are asking London to be one of the cities to kick off the new push back against privatization of health services. It will involve door to door campaigning. We have to let them know if we have the people to turn out to do this. 

Celeste and Margo are really working hard on the food security issue by campaigning against neonics and pesticides used on nursery plants that make them unhealthy for our pollinators. They have succeeded in getting a grower of non GM seed nominated to the city Agricultural  Advisory Committee. All the rest of the members are main stream farmers, so this is a big step. TREA's program Thursday at Grosvenor Lodge is about neonics. Food Not Lawns is also involved in this issue. 

Topic: Neonicotinoid Pesticides - Why Can't we Just STOP? Presenter: Maureen Temme Date: February 13, 2014 Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm Location: Grosvenor Lodge, 1017 Western Road For more information call: 519-685-2845

The Solidarity Film Coalition, which meets every Tuesday at the Central Library near the Red Roaster, is completing plans for the April 4,5, and 6 "Water Rights" film festival at Museum London.  The three main films are Blue Gold, Waterlife, and Bottled Life with shorter films, speakers, and a "Water Walk" event for families and children. 

George Crowell has informed us about changes in the strategy to switch to greater use of the Bank of Canada. We will hear more about this campaign at our next steering committee meeting.

The Regional Social Forum is meeting at Tolpuddle Saturday, Feb. 15, 1-3. The CoC is involved in several components of this important movement. The Forum will be in London at the end of June or beginning of July. The National Social Forum will be in Ottawa the end of August. This is about the survival of Democracy and the demise of the Harper agenda of corporate rule. We will have busses leaving from London so that many of us can join the rally in Ottawa. 

David is planning the next CoC program around Gaza's Ark. We will keep you posted on the date and the program - please keep both Monday, March 17 and Tues. March 18 open - we will pick the date shortly. 

Julie has started an  Environmental Book Club the first and third Thursdays, 7-9,  at the Landon Library. The first meeting will be Thursday, March 6. The focus will be environmental/social issues around the world. Bring books and or titles you have read and would recommend to others. 

We are supporting the Opal Alliance in solidarity with the Oxford Coalition for Social Justice by joining the rally every Friday at 3:00 pm against the proposed Walker Landfill. We meet at 193 Duchess Ave. (Wortley Village) at 2:00 pm and ride pool to the rally location in Ingersoll, Woodstock, or at the gates to the Beachville Quarry. 510-601-2053 for a ride. 

The April meeting (date to be announced) will be a costume and prop making party. Creative work with music and laughter.  Most  materials will be provided (you will get a list of contributions you can bring). We will use our creations in our First Annual Earth Day Parade and will store them to use in future rallies and campaigns. 

The steering committee (open to those taking leadership in any of our campaigns) will be meeting soon.  If you are interested in becoming more involved let us know. 

TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS - SEND THIS TO YOUR CONTACTS - SHARE THIS WITH GROUPS YOU ARE INVOLVED WITH - THERE IS LOTS OF WORK TO DO AND IT IS MORE FUN WITH LESS STRESS WHEN THERE ARE MORE OF US DOING IT!! 

Roberta Cory, Chair

Council of Canadians, London Chapter

FREE or FAIR? The Trade Justice Movement!

You Are Invited

To a Presentation by

Trade Justice London

The Global Trade Justice Movement: 

Past Successes and Future Possibilities

Jennifer Chesnut, Chair
Trade Justice London
Council of Canadians

Council of Canadians

London Chapter

When:   Monday, February 10, 2014

Where:  Tolpuddle Co-op general room

380 Adelaide between Dundas and King

Time:  6:30 - 9:00 pm

Finger food, coffee, tea

Networking and Action Plans

This is a FRAGRANCE FREE event.

Bus goes down Dundas - questions - need a ride - 519 - 601 - 2053

Background:  Since the late 80's, trade deals have increasingly become the dominant model of inter-country governance. Written behind closed doors, trade justice action is a challenge ripe for those who care about water, poverty, food sovereignty, public services, culture and democracy. Learn about the successes in the trade justice movement from the MAI to the FTAA, and creative strategies past and present for educating and pressuring for fairer trade.

Council of Canadians, London Chapter   -   Agenda
Monday, Feb. 10,  2014 - 6:30 - 9:00 pm 

Tolpuddle Co-op general room (380 Adelaide between Dundas and King)

6:30 - 6:45 coffee, tea, finger food
Bring a plate of something to share if you can

1) BUSINESS - Reports and updates

Treasurer - Masoud Karimi
Trade Justice - Jennifer Chesnut 

Solidarity Film Coalition - Marie France 

Peace and Human Rights - David Heap 

Health - Jeff Hanks

Food Security - Celeste

Report on Birdbone Theatre - Roberta

Walker Landfill Protest every Friday - Roberta
Fundraising

services auction - Celeste 

Hyland film night - Roberta

2) Announcements

Gaza's Ark <info@gazaark.org>  Supporting Gaza

Paul Ferris, SumOfUs.org <us@sumofus.org>  Info on the TPP and actions to take

Oppose the "Fair Elections Art" which is NOT FAIR

"Hold the phone! Call for democracy"  12:30 pm today

Sign our Democracy 24/7 petition<http://www.canadians.org/election/letter-to-Harper.html> now, as we will be delivering the petition to Craig Scott, NDP Democratic Reform Critic, on Monday afternoon on Parliament Hill.

As part of the delivery, we're inviting people from Ottawa to join us on Parliament Hill for a mass phone-in to Conservative MPs asking them not to ram this legislation through without further thought and study. People across the country can also participate by phoning an MP from wherever they are. Start time is 12:30 PM. Craig Scott will be arriving to accept the petitions at 1:00 PM.

3) GLOBAL TRADE JUSTICE MOVEMENT: PAST SUCCESSES AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

    Program and action to follow

4) BREAKOUT GROUPS AND NETWORKING - FIND YOUR PASSION - PICK AN ISSUE

50 NEXT MEETING - Monday, March 17, 2014 - Tolpuddle - 6:30 to 9:00.

THE BOAT FROM GAZA - David Heap

Bus goes down Dundas. Ride pooling - offer a ride or need a ride - 519-601-2053

Meeting Minutes, Jan. 13, 2014
Present: Roberta Cory, Robert Cory, Aldous Smith, David Heap, Jennifer Chesnut, Masoud Karimi, Jeff Hanks, Julie Picken-Cooper, Anne Dyer, Jessie Hanke, Rod Morley, Celeste Lemire, Paula Marcotte, Christine Troughton, Kathy Clee, Phil Butterworth, Bryan Smith, Steve McSwiggan, Suzanne Crellin, Mike Farlowe, Deb Woodhall, Monika Rauche, Bill Smith, Jodi von Wahl, Susan Smith.
Agenda
BUSINESS
a) Reports and updates

•   Treasurer - Masoud Karimi: updated C of C accounts.
  
•   Trade Justice - Jennifer Chesnut
  

o NAFTA closing factories, creating insecurity for jobs. 500,000 jobs lost since 1994.
o Outlined Our Intercontinental Day of Trade Justice Action, on Feb 1st. 20th anniversary
of NAFTA.
o Please connect with us if you have a network you can help with. Walk begins at noon; and movie at 2pm.
o Initiative for City Hall motion on CETA. Modelled on Toronto’s request for opt out and vote – to Kathylnn Wynne. This will be ongoing through Jan/Feb.
 Solidarity Film Coalition - Marie France
o Report by Paula Marcotte: Museum London co-sponsoring. April 5th and 6th. Theme
will be all water.
 Peace and Human Rights - David Heap

o Regional People’s Social Forum, Central Library 1-5pm. Working towards peaceful social forum in August – cross-Canada
o Prison Justice Film Festival showing around London from January 29th to February 2nd.

•   Willexplore:connectionsbetw.IndigenousandPalestinianstruggles
  
•   Immigration/detention/security certificates (current strike at Lindsay Detention Centre
  
•   Effects of Residential Schools on Turtle Island, and connections to prisons
  
•   QueerandTrans.prisoners
  
•   Warondrugsandusers
  
•   PoliticalprisonersinLatinAmerica
  
•   Illegal and inhumane treatment of Omar Khadr
  
•   TherewillbeaMarchmonthlymeetingaboutGaza’sArk
  

 Health - Jeff Hanks
o Making Waves campaign in Windsor – Jeff will update when info. available
o The federal health accord is running out in March. Conservatives have said they will peg spending to 3% of GDP which means about 36 billion in cuts planned. Harper said would keep escalator payments for a few years but has reneged and is refusing to give about 600 million promised.
o Ontario liberals passing legislation to allow LHINs (Local Health Integration Networks) to take cataract surgery and endoscopy out of hospitals and offer it in private clinics. This is seen as a move to privatize services and will lead to closure of rural and community hospitals as more and more services are offered in clinics. Necessary to try to stop them by mobilizing people.
 Water Committee
o Roberta: We have no water committee. Need to discuss this and bring a group togther. On breakout, cards from Maude’s visit circulated, to get momentum for inititatives to go with.
 Related issues that could be addressed by Water committee: Conservation; The RIGHTS of water, legal protection; Education about water issues - Blue Communities Project; Fracking and aquifers

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f) NEXT

o o o

Charlie Angus’ book Unlikely Radicals – on the mine dump war.
Penn Kemp’s book in memory of Jack Layton. $25:00, $5 of which goes to C of C Tailings of Warren Peace, $20:00

 

Bee issue and neonicotinoids headed up by Celeste and Margo. They approached city hall for ban on neos, but no go. Work continues apace.
OPAL Presentation: Steve McsSwiggan, Suzanne Crellin , Bryan Smith, gave compelling and informative presentation on the proposed Ingersoll Dump.
o “Located adjacent to Ingersoll, Centreville, and Beachville, the proposed Walker Industries mega-landfill would occupy a section of Carmeuse Lime's quarry operation and is planned to be the 4th largest landfill in Canada” -- opalalliance.ca
o Next protest – Beachville Rd and Embro Rd. [See ‘Stop the Dump’ on FB] o See also: www.opalalliance.ca
o For similar information, see movie, Trashed, by Jeremy Irons.
Fundraising Initiatives discussed. o Celeste - Services auction
 Servicesdonated,fromgardeningtolawyerdonatingawill.LasttimeCeleste was part of Services fund raiser, netted over $6,000.
o David Heap - Hyland film night
 David is talking with Ali (Mgr. of Hyland); Roberta will follow up.
Roberta introduced books



Birdbone Theatre, doing Line 9 work. Coming to Woodstock and Feb 2-3 at East Village Coffee House
MEETING - Monday, February 10, 2014 - Tolpuddle - 6:30 to 9:00. 

Formatted minutes:
http://londoncouncilofcanadians.ca/LondonCoCMeetingMinutes.pdf