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Cost of Afghanistan mission could reach $11.3billion, government says

February 27, 2009

The Canadian Press reports that, "The Canadian combat mission in Afghanistan could cost taxpayers around $11.3 billion by the time it ends in 2011, according to a new government estimate."

COST BREAKDOWN
"Around $9 billion of the costs are Defence Department-related and include expenses for personnel, equipment, supplies, maintaining bases and medical needs. The report also lays out $2.3 billion of mission expenses in other departments, including $1.7 billion for the Canadian International Development Agency, $400 million for the Foreign Affairs Department and $150 million for Veterans Affairs Canada. Long-term health-care costs are not included because they are more difficult to account for, as health-care issues can be the consequence of cumulative mission experiences, the report says."

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South African decision on right to water expected in late-March

February 26, 2009

The Coalition Against Water Privatisation in South Africa writes today that, "For three days (Monday 23rd – Wednesday 25th February) the appeal against the historic High Court judgement on the rights of poor communities to equitable, adequate and affordable access to, and enjoyment of, water was heard in front of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein."

The CAWP legal team "reiterated and expanded on the core arguments (on) the immediate need for practical relief and affirmation of the constitutional right to water access..."

RESIDENTS SPEAK
"On the first day of the hearing, the small court over-flowed with residents of affected communities in Gauteng and the Free State, under the banner of CAWP."

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Ignatieff dismisses National Geographic feature on the tar sands

February 25, 2009

The Canadian Press reports this afternoon that, "Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff is positioning himself as a staunch defender of the Alberta oil sands."

The article continues, "He's brushing aside a 20-page spread in National Geographic magazine that outlines environmental concerns around the northern Alberta industry. The Liberal leader says he doesn't take lessons from foreign publications. He says the oil sands need to be made more sustainable, but he's proud of the industry and called it a world leader."

The full article can be read at
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/593063

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Concerns about tar sands polluting the NWT water supply

February 25, 2009

The Calgary Herald reports that, "The Dene Nation and the Assembly of First Nations -- along with the Pembina Institute's office in Yellowknife-- are raising concerns about the risk of toxic waste from the oilsands seeping into the Northwest Territories' water supply."

PEMBINA RECOMMENDS TRANSBOUNDARY WATER AGREEMENT "The environmental think-tank is calling for several protections, including a halt on new projects until tougher environmental rules are in place, and a transboundary water agreement with the Northwest Territories."

FIRST NATIONS MOTION FOR HEARINGS AND DRY TAILINGS TECHNOLOGY "Last week, the two First Nations groups passed a motion saying both the federal and provincial governments have failed to adequately protect water, fish and migratory species...The motion, which will be sent to Edmonton, Yellowknife and Ottawa, calls for extensive environmental hearings in the Northwest Territories and a commitment to use dry tailings technology for all future oilsands developments."

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'Obama's comments on NAFTA and labour are apositive sign', says NUPGE

February 25, 2009

The National Union of Public and General Employees writes in Straight Goods that, "Barack Obama reaffirmed Wednesday when he flew to Ottawa for his first foreign visit as president of the United States that he wants labour and environmental 'side agreements' brought into the main body of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)."

OBAMA RAISED NAFTA WITH HARPER WHILE IN OTTAWA "The president told a joint news conference with Stephen Harper on Parliament Hill that he raised the issue during their first face-to-face talks since Obama took over from George Bush on January 20."

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