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The Sierra Club Writers Group of Western New York Encourages You to Participate, on Monday, November 18th, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the University of Buffalo South Campus Hayes Hall in Buffalo, New York

A Call-Out from the Sierra Club and the Citizens Regional Transit Corporation in the Buffalo/Western New York area

Posted November 13th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

We are reaching out to invite you to a local roundtable discussion regarding Sierra Club’s Transforming Transportation (https://my-geo.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35f78c77c3fbd6dbbeeebe6ac&id=bd3902bba7&e=1e416ef83d) report on November 18th from 10:30am – 12:30pm at UB Hayes Hall 402. 

This year, New York passed the nation’s most ambitious climate legislation which will phase out fossil fuels in our economy by 2050. Over 1/3rd of our greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector. Continue reading →

And How Many More Trees Are Going to Have to Fall in Forests in Niagara Before We Get a Stronger                    Tree Protection Bylaw in this Region?

A Brief Commentary by Doug Draper 

Posted November 13^th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

‘Cut and move on
Cut and move on
Take out trees
Take out wildlife at a rate of species every single day.’

• Lyric’s from Bruce Cockburn’s song ‘When a Tree Falls in the Forest’

Canadian-born singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn performed a sold-out concert at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines this October and one of the songs he sang was If A Tree Falls in the Forest.

As Cockburn performed the song, members of the audience joined him in singing the chorus; “If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear?”

Last year, a number of trees were sawed down or bulldozed out of the way in forests in Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, and on the property of a historic old estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake , and many people heard.

A tree taken down in Waverly Woods in Fort Erie last year, much to the chagrin of residents in the community, fighting to keep the woods free of urban development.

They not only heard and witnessed the destruction themselves, they made angry calls to the powers that be in government, only to be told, for the most part,  that the regional government’s current tree protection bylaw is not strong enough to do anything of any real substance about it. Continue reading →

Jobs in Manufacturing, Health Care Hit Hardest

A News Release from Ontario’s NDP and Official Opposition Party

Posted November 12th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

A Brief Foreword Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper –

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Conservatives have declared the province “open for business.” Okay, so why aren’t there more full-time jobs and living wages?

Did I miss hearing something in all of the “open for business” sermons coming out of Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Conservatives over the past 16 months?

Without ever showing Ontarians any details or substantive plans or policies in the run-up to the June 2018 provincial election, Ford and company told us  they were going to make Ontario “open for business” by cutting red tape (code for tearing up labour safety, building code, planning and environmental rules and regulations) and cutting taxes for “job creators,” which is a totally misleading term the radical right and their supporters use for any business that donates money to their party.

And, oh yes, Ford and his “government for the people” crusaders followed through on a promise to cap the minimum wage at a rate that falls significantly below what has been calculated by Poverty Reduction Networks across Ontario, including Niagara’s network, to be a living hourly wage in most communities because as Ford and his minions put it, anything higher than a capped down poverty wage is “a job killer.” Continue reading →

A Statement from Phil Wachel, President of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Locaal 4207, shared with Niagara At Large

Posted November 11th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

“In light of recent events that have occurred regarding racist, derogatory statements that have gone as far as call for violence against Indigenous Peoples on behalf of NAFA’s Facebook page, we, CUPE Local 4207, express our support of the traditional deer harvest that is part of inherent and treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples at Short Hills Provincial Park.

“Though NAfA (Niagara Action for Animals) has issued what they refer to as an ‘apology’, this once again reverses the onus in saying that it is one’s own fault for being offended.  

“The general tenor of the posts to their Facebook page as well as the administrators’ response is not acceptable.  Acts of colonial violence, racism and intolerance must not be ignored and treated with the utmost seriousness. 

“Everyone has the right to protest and express an opinion.  Protesting only in an area where Indigenous Peoples conduct a traditional harvest, calling on members of NAFA to commit acts of violence, is perpetuating colonial racism and violence against Indigenous Peoples.

“We support inherent and treaty rights, and denounce any and all acts of violence.”

• Phil Wachel, President

Canadian Union of Public Employees local 4207, Co-host of the Indigenous Rights Conference

1812 Sir Isaac Brock Brock Way, MC C 402, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1

Brock University

To read a piece Niagara At Large posted earlier this November 11th on the upcoming Indigenous Rights Conference on Saturday, November 16th click on https://niagaraatlarge.com/2019/11/11/you-are-invited-to-an-indigenous-rights-conference/

To read a statement of regret from Niagara Action for Animals and the Short Hills Wildlife Alliance, posted on Niagara At Large on November 8th, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2019/11/08/short-hills-deer-hunt-protesters-offer-regrets-for-words-perceived-to-be-offensive-on-facebook-page/

To read Niagara At Large journalist Doug Draper’s commentary on this disturbing affair, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2019/11/07/racist-words-disgrace-short-hills-deer-hunt-protesters-and-their-cause/ .

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post in the space following the Bernie Sanders quote below.

A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who also share their first and last names.

For More News And Commentary From Niagara At Large – An independent, alternative voice for our  Greater Bi-National Niagara Region – Become A Regular Visitor And Subscriber To NAL At Www.Niagaraatlarge.Com .

“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

On Saturday, November 16th, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Brock University’s Marilyn I.Walker School of the Fine and Performing Arts in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario

A News Release form the Supporters of the Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt

Posted November 11^th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

St Catharines, Ontario – The Supporters of Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt are pleased to release the schedule for their upcoming Indigenous Rights Conference (in St. Catharines/Niagara).

The conference isa spectacular interdisciplinary program featuring Indigenous women scholars who look across multiple Indigenous Rights issues.

Mayor Walter Sendzik and the Strong Water Women, Niagara Women’s Drum Group, will help to open theconference.

It will be held Saturday November 16, 2019 from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm. at Brock University’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, 15 Artists’ Common, downtown St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario.

Michele-Elise Burnett

Michele–Elise Burnett, Celebration of Nations Artistic Director and Brock University’s Aboriginal Education Council Co-Chair explains why it was important to her that Celebration of Nations partner with the Indigenous Rights Conference:

“By having our rights recognized and respected shows the Two Row Collaboration in action! There is a positive Indigenous momentum happening in Niagara. Celeste and Jodielynn [Co-Founders of The Supporters of Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt] are true warriors set on a mission to education the public of our inherent right to hunt and what it means to our peoples and our future generations.” Continue reading →

Wednesday, November 13th at 8 p.m. at the  St. Catharines Central Library. The Forum is open to all and  Free of Charge

Posted November 11^th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

A Brief Foreword Note from NAL publisher Doug Draper –

With all of the recent discussion and controversy over some racist language aimed at Indigenous people who participate in an annual deer hunt in Short Hills Provincial Park in Niagara, this public forum, organized before that troubling episode occurred, could not be more timely and important.

So try, if you can, to attend this forum if you can and join in a discussion aimed at making our communities more welcome and peaceful for everyone.

On Wednesday November 13th , at 8 p.m. the  Niagara District Council of Women will hold a public forum on racism, discrimination and oppression.

Now here is News about the Public Forum from the Niagara District Council of Women – 

Niagara is not immune to racism, discrimination and oppression – a most  disturbing  fact  recognized by Niagara Regional Councillors as they voted recently  to join the Canada-wide  Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities , such as Hamilton, London and Windsor.

Niagara District Council of Women, strongly supports this action , and as  its President, Gracia Janes notes:  “  From  press reports of an  ever-growing platform of hateful messages on the internet and   graffiti  on private fences, to school yard bullying and  personal experiences , this blight is now clearly in the public’s view and needs remedying quickly and strongly.”

Forum panelists  – Nona Bader, of the  Niagara Anti-Racism Association, Laura Ip, Niagara Regional Councillor, Nyarayi Kapisavanhu, ED Tools of Empowerment for Success, and Saleh Wazirudden, Chair  City of St. Catharines’ Anti-Racism Committee have experienced, and /or closely observed  racism, discrimination and oppression, and  are working together to counter this growing blight and  to create an inclusive  society here in Niagara.

For more information on the very good community work of the Niagara District Council of Women, click on – http://ndcw.ca/ .

For an earlier post on this event, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2019/10/31/you-are-invited-to-a-public-forum-on-racism-discrimination-and-oppression-in-our-niagara-region/

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post in the space following the Bernie Sanders quote below.

A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who also share their first and last names.

For More News And Commentary From Niagara At Large – An independent, alternative voice for 0ur   Greater Bi-National Niagara Region – Become A Regular Visitor And Subscriber To NAL At Www.Niagaraatlarge.Com .

“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

A Statement by the Canada’s Prime Minister on Remembrance Day 

Posted November 11th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

Canadian soldiers, about to assualt the beaches of Normandy, France, D-Day, June 6, 1944

Ottawa, Ontario –  The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Remembrance Day:

“Today, we come together to honour the brave Canadians in uniform who have served our country throughout our history. They’ve built peace. They’ve defended democracy. And they’ve enabled countless people to live in freedom – at home and around the world.

“Remembrance Day <https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance> was first held in 1919 on the first anniversary of the armistice agreement that ended the First World War. Continue reading →