In the Blog
MID-WEEK ROUND UP: JUNE 18
Illustration: Erin McPhee
Check out what’s been making our headlines this week:
The federal government has approved the construction of the Northern Gateway Pipeline. The energy delivery company Enbridge plans on building an oil pipeline from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia. Activists have fought back against the development of the pipeline citing serious potential environmental damage and violations of Indigenous sovereignty. Upon hearing about the decision activists rallied to protest the pipeline decision. The Unist’ot’en Clan has released a video condemning the pipeline construction and the Haida Nation released a statement rejecting the Northern Gateway decision. There is also an action planned for June 20th by women of Gitga’at First Nation stretching crochet across the Douglas Channel and creating a symbolic blockade against the pipeline construction.
Activists in Iqaluit, Nunavut held a protest last weekend demanding better quality food and lower prices. Prices in the province are much higher than what is paid in other parts of the country. Activist group Feeding My Family who organized the protest has a list on its website of the prices differences. For example, a head of Cabbage in Ottawa costs $2.20 versus Nunavut Prices: In Iqaluit (the arctic hub) it costs $5.79 while in remote communities such as Arctic Bay it costs $28.54.
June 16th was the National Day of Action to stop cuts to refugee healthcare. In 2012 the federal government cut the Interim Federal Health Program which provided health services for many refugees. You can follow Doctors for Refugee Care on Twitter for more info on their campaign.
As World Pride starts in a few days in Toronto, Stonewall 45: A Live Art Recreation Of The Stonewall Riots premiers for a one-day-only exhibition at the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Celebrating the 45th anniversary of The Stonewall Riots the exhibit begins at the corner of Church St. and Alexander St. with a march to the theatre.
As part of the Reproductive Rights in Pop Culture reporting project by Bitch Media, Feministing and Making Contact, a podcast on pop music and abortion.