Cell phones industry finances civil war - Carole Pearson
  UN asks consumers to help stop ecosystem destruction and social disaster with boycott of Congolese coltan ore.

Feds continue mishandling of native lobster wars - Parker Barss Donham
Long after the Marshall decision, Ottawa keeps plans for a native fishery caught up in a legal battle.
 
 

Health Canada "reinterprets" laws about prescription drug ads for consumers - Ann Silversides
  Suggestive ad campaigns slip past Canadian regulators.
Study shows drug ads work - critics push for limits.

Consumer tip:
Saving on gas bills with a $40 digital thermostat
  A great tip for saving money and protecting the environment, from reader Mike Cowtan in Vernon BC.
 
 

The Future of Social Democracy in Canada   - Read the papers at the McGill conference site.   - Read reports of the conference on the Debates page. Take part in on-line forums and vote in the instantly-tallied surveys: Theme 1: Political Citizenship Theme 2: The Role and Limitations of the Market; Local and Global Theme 3: Social Citizenship Theme 4: Civil Society, Political Parties, Grass Roots Activism   - Read letters about the conference and its themes, or send one of your own.

Future of the left
Wanted: A Big Tent party of the Left - Ish Theilheimer
  'Who will build it?' and 'how?' are the key questions.

NDProgress group seeks "root and branch" renewal of NDP - Mike DeRosenroll
  Promotes end to party and labour campaign contributions, one-member-one-vote, separate federal and provincial parties, and a rethink of ties to labour.

No More Politics As Usual - Judy Rebick introduces the New Politics Initiative, which aims to build a new more activist party from the ashes of the NDP. A link to rabble.ca - .

Join the debate over the NPI Murray Dobbin says it helps bridge the gap between social movement politics and the (increasingly) exclusive electoral politics of the NDP. Jordan Berger writes on The Four Words the New Politics Initiative Forgot. What do YOU think? See what others think and state your views.

Straight Goods Forum Let cities fend for themselves Larry Solway suggests a city-based tax could be the answer. What's your opinion? Would that be more democratic or just another cash grab? See what others have written and state your views. Then take the NEW Straight Goods Instant Poll: Should cities be able to raise taxes to support services?

Workplace


CLC executive votes to lift CAW sanctions and move on
  "Nobody feels like they won anything."
 
 

Workers gear up to unleash the power of labour's pensions
  New book looks at strategies for workers to take command of the huge pool of pension fund investment and make it work for them.

Colombia mining privatization worries Canadian miners - Ben Lefebvre
  Multinationals bring poor human rights record, high profit expectations - while Canadian mines close.

Make me laugh:
Nifty Neologisms

CANADIAN TRIVIA from the Trivia Guys
What percentage of Canada's land mass is farmed?