- A terrorist group based-in Vancouver, calling itself the "Anti-Fascist Militia" has been mailing out parcel bombs and not just to racists. A bomb was sent to the notorious neo-Nazi, Ernst Zundel, and to an Aryan Nations leader. But also a conservative organisation, the Mackenzie Institute of Toronto, and a cattle insemination bureau in Alberta(!??) received the potentially lethal devices. The attack upon groups completely unconnected with racism or fascism leads to the conclusion that whoever is doing this is a psychopath much like the technophobic "Unabomber" in the USA, rather than an anti-racist militant gone astray. Genuine antiracist organisations have vehemently denounced the attacks.
July 19 - The new Ontario government has abolished the discriminatory quota system called "employment equity" established by the previous politically correct NDP government. Employment will now be based on ability rather than race or gender. These changes are in line with what more than 3/4 of the population want - no racial or sexual discrimEDnation, negative or positive.
July 21 - Demonstrations have begun against the proposed cuts in social services in Ontario. 1000 mothers and children marched in Toronto against changes in child care benefits which would no longer grant teenage single mothers free day-care.
July 22 - The Ontario government slashed welfare payments to single employables from $663 to $520. This will take effect in October. Workfare measures will also be introduced. In spite of the severity of this cut-back, polls show 75% support for this act.
July 26 - The CSN (ex-Catholic union central) has announced the formation of its own investment fund. More radical than the rival FTQ's billion dollar Fonds de Solidarite', the new organisation will have a section, Fondaction, devoted entirely to financing workers' co-operatives and community organisations. This is in line with the CSN's endorsement of worker co-ops.
Aug. 14 - Demonstrators in Montreal demanded a new trial for Mumia Abu- Jamal who is slated to be executed on August 17.
Aug. 24 - A potential Waco-like conflict appears to be developing near the tiny B.C. community of Gustafsen Lake. After the completion of the annual Sun Dance Ceremony several score of native people occupied the dance site. They were heavily armed and willing to die rather than leave." They protest what the occupiers claim is the New World Order threat to the lives and sovereignty of native people.
Sept. 8 - A native person was killed during a shoot-out with police in Ipperwash Ontario. A group of Chippawa's have occupied a park in the area in response to foot-dragging over land claims.
Sept. 13 - 12,000 people demonstrated in Montreal against proposed hospital closings.
Sept. 14 - College teachers went on a one day general strike throughout Quebec to protest cut-backs eliminating 25% of all teaching positions.
Sept. 17 - Natives at Gustafsen lake surrendered ending peacefully the month- long armed occupation.
Sept. 20 - 6000 university and college students demonstrated in Montreal against education cut backs which will add $1000 to the cost of their tuition fees.
Sept. 25 - 5000 people opposed to the Ontario governments cut-backs in welfare payments attempt to invade the legislature.
Oct. 4 - Noam Chomsky addressed about 2000 people in Montreal on the theme of the US and the New World Order. He criticised Canada for its so- called "hate laws", a form of censorship under the guise of fighting bigotry.
Oct. 5 - College professors in Quebec went on another one day strike to protest cut-backs.
Oct. 25. The Cree nation voted 96% against the separation of Quebec from Canada and promised to resist any attempts by a sovereign Quebec to rule their land. The following day, the Inuit voted against the separation of their territories by a 95% majority.
Oct. 30. - Quebec nationalists lost the independence referendum by a mere one percent. The nationalist campaign was marked by a level of deceit/demagogy, and xenophobia seldom seen in Canada. The anti- independence forces had little to offer but hollow promises of change and statistics on the economic costs of separation. These were little match for appeals about "national pride" and "nous sommes un peuple", but emotionalism was not enough to win the referendum. Some, but unfortunately not all the left, boycotted the campaign, claiming the nationalists were dividing the workers and the referendum was an attempt by a section of the Quebec bourgeoisie to grab all the power for itself. The closeness of the result will encourage further decentralisation of federal government power. The night of the referendum a bomb was planted in the Liberal Party (anti- independents) Montreal headquarters and in another city one of their offices was firebombed. A riot ensued between pro and anti forces in Montreal and 29 people were arrested.
Oct. 31 - In a surprise move, the Prime Minister of Quebec, Jacques Parizeau resigned- Many people suspect the outrage which greeted his xenophobic remarks in a speech given the night of the referendum had something to do with this. Parizeau claimed he lost the vote because of "ethnics" and that he wanted "revenge".
FREEDOM PRESS
http://www.lglobal.com/TAO/Freedom