Updates

The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest health and economic crisis in a generation. Some governments are taking extraordinary measures to fight the pandemic, in order to save lives, protect jobs, and avoid economic disaster. But the little known Investor State Dispute Settlement system, or ISDS, included in many trade deals, could pressure governments to roll back public interest measures, or pay millions in compensation to corporations.

ISDS allows foreign companies to sue governments for measures that might impact their profits.

Thank you to all who voted in last week’s elections for regional representatives to the Chapter Task Force. The following chapter members were elected to serve on behalf of their regions:

There comes a moment in the life of every not-for-profit organization when it’s time to freshen our look and update our vision to better reflect who we are and the progress we aspire to achieve.

For us at the Council of Canadians, that time is now.

I’m so excited to share our fresh (but familiar) Council of Canadians branding with you: our new logo, colours and fonts, as well as our refreshed mission and vision.

Today’s Speech from the Throne comes at a major turning point in this global pandemic. A second wave appears imminent – in some communities across the country, it has already started.

Canadians are ready for change. Seventy-three per cent of Canadians expect a “broad transformation of society,” and the government promised to move forward on many important social programs today, including steps towards national pharmacare, childcare and national standards for long-term care.

Today, the Canadian Health Coalition and 12 other national and regional organizations sent a joint letter to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Finance calling for the federal government to take immediate action to implement universal, public pharmacare.

To: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Cc: Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister
Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance
Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Natural Resources
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada Minister
Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Re: No federal funding for exploration drilling off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Council of Canadians has learned Alton Gas appears to be working on site this week, despite a Supreme Court ruling in Nova Scotia overturning their industrial permit while they consult with Sipekne’katik First Nation.   

A large hole in the ground has appeared at the Alton Gas site and workers have been seen on site this week, raising questions about whether the company is doing work during the court-ordered consultation period with Sipekne’katik First Nation.   

It is with deep gratitude and respect that the Council of Canadians’ Board of Directors announces that Maude Barlow is stepping down from her position of Honorary Chairperson.
 
The Board is immensely thankful for all that Maude has contributed to the organization, right from the Council’s formation in 1985 to the present day. She has provided unparalleled leadership, commitment and dedication to the Council of Canadians, its values, and efforts to bring people together to drive progressive change.
 

As governments prepare recovery plans amidst the COVID-19 crisis, an informal alliance of over 150 civil society groups, representing collective memberships of millions in Canada, are demanding these plans move us toward a more equitable and sustainable future, with the release, today, of six Principles for a Just Recovery.

OTTAWA – A total of 301 organizations, academics and former politicians from across the country are calling on all levels of government in Canada to take urgent steps to strengthen human rights oversight amid the COVID-19 pandemic.