New Brunswick Public Interest Research Group

Challenge the Canada-European Union Free Trade Agreement – Oct 7

nbpirg — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 01:48:23 +0000

Canada and the European Union are negotiating a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) that will go beyond NAFTA.

Every fundamental aspect of Canada’s economy, from food policy to intellectual property rights and public purchasing to environmental protections, will be affected.

Be informed!

7 PM on Thursday, October 7
St Thomas University – Brian Mulroney Hall Room 103

Blair Redlin is a privatisation and trade agreement analyst with the Canadian Union of Public Employees and former Deputy Minister of Employment and Investment in British Columbia.

Scott Sinclair is a senior research fellow with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, where he directs the centre’s Trade and Investment Research Project. He is a co-author of Bad Medicine: Trade Treaties, Privatization and Health Care Reform in Canada.

Sponsored by Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the St. Thomas University Department of Social Work and the NB Public Interest Research Group (NBPIRG).

For more information, contact Carole Ferguson at cferguson@cupe.ca This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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More about the speakers:

Blair Redlin is a Research Representative for the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), based in Burnaby. He provides both policy and bargaining research for CUPE’s municipal, library, transportation and community health sectors in B.C. Analysis of privatisation and trade agreements is a priority of his work. From 1994 to 2001, Blair was a senior administrator in the B.C. public service. He served as Deputy Minister of Transportation and Highways; President of the B.C. Transportation Financing Authority; Deputy Minister of Employment and Investment and for two years was President of the Transportation Association of Canada. Blair is vice-chair of the Board of Oxfam Canada. He is also a member of the Board of BC Citizens for Public Power, a citizen’s advocacy organisation working to protect public electricity in B.C.

Scott Sinclair is a senior research fellow with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, where he directs the centre’s Trade and Investment Research Project. Scott has written numerous books, chapters, and papers including Bad Medicine: Trade Treaties, Privatization and Health Care Reform in Canada (with Jim Grieshaber-Otto); Facing the Facts: A Guide to the GATS Debate (with Jim Grieshaber-Otto); and Putting Health First: Canadian Health Care Reform, Trade Treaties and Foreign Policy (with Matthew Sanger), a background study prepared for the Romanow Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Prior to joining CCPA, Scott was a senior trade policy advisor with the Government of British Columbia. Scott Sinclair has a BA in political science from UPEI and an MA in political science from York University. He lives with his family in rural Prince Edward Island and in his spare time enjoys walking and bird watching.

Contribute to Fredericton’s donation to RAWA

nbpirg — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:12:09 +0000

*On Saturday, March 20, people in Fredericton gathered together to support the rights, education, health and empowerment of women in Afghanistan by holding a benefit variety show for the Revolutionary Association of Women in Afghanistan (RAWA). Donations to RAWA can be made to the Fredericton Peace Coalition (contact: info [at] frederictonpeace [dot] org) before April 15.

4th Annual RAWA Benefit Variety Show

nbpirg — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:48:27 +0000

Join us for an evening of music, poetry and dancing.

Proceeds go to the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan.
7:00 pm, Saturday, March 20
SUB Ballroom, UNB Fredericton

Featuring Nepalese dancing, Kaylee Hopkins, Saa Andrew, General Strike and more!

Tickets go on sale March 1st at the Grad House, SUB Welcome Centre and Westminster Books.

Presented by: Fredericton Peace Coalition :: NB RebELLEs :: University Women’s Centre :: NB Public Interest Research Group (NBPIRG) :: CUSO-VSO

ACTION ALERT: NO TO ACADIAN’S BUS ROUTE CUTS

nbpirg — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:49:13 +0000

Acadian Lines is planning to cancel several routes, and reduce service on other routes.

Fredericton to Miramichi – Cancelled
Saint John to Bangor – Cancelled
Kentville to Digby – Cancelled
Moncton to Charlottetown – Reduced service

Acadian Lines has applied to the NB Energy & Utilities Board (EUB) to make these changes.

The Conservation Council of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University Students’ Union, UNB Students’ Union and others will intervene in a formal hearing on Wednesday, March 17th, beginning at 10:00 am at the Fredericton Inn, 1315 Regent St. There will also be an informal public session at 5:30pm on Wednesday, March 17 at the Fredericton Inn, 1315 Regent St. While the deadline has passed to submit a request to present at both these sessions, both sessions are open to the public to attend as observers.

All are encouraged to send in a written submission before the March 4th deadline.

To object to the bus route cuts at the NB EUB, objectors must identify how the bus route cuts would be detrimental to the users of the public transportation services, to provincial economic or social development, or to intraprovincial, interprovincial or international commerce.

Send written submissions to:

Lorraine R. Légère
Board Secretary
New Brunswick Energy & Utilities Board
P.O. Box 5001
Saint John, NB
E2L 4Y9
Email: lrlegere@nbeub.ca; and general@nbeub.ca

Suggested points to include in your letter:

1. How the route cuts will affect you?

2. Why you take the bus instead of other transportation? According to a 2008 report about New Brunswick’s multi-modal transportation strategy, “both intercity bus and urban transit services are experiencing a renewal of interest.” For economic and environmental reasons, people are choosing to take the bus.

3. These bus routes are the only means of transportation between communities for many New Brunswickers. Public transportation is key to social development.

4. These bus routes are important for intraprovincial and interprovincial commerce. Cutting these bus routes would have a detrimental economic impact on communities, particularly rural communities, dependent on the bus service for trade.

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For more information:

NB Energy & Utilities Board website: www.nbeub.ca

The Notice: Acadian Coach Lines LP: Revision to Routes and Schedules January 20, 2010:
http://156.34.203.123/Documents/Orders%20&%20Notices/MC/E/Notice-E-2009-018.pdf

Join the Facebook group “No to Acadian Bus Route Cuts” page and post your submissions or thoughts there or to info [at] nbmediacoop [dot] org

FRI, FEB 19: ACTIVIST WORKSHOP WITH ROBERT DIAB

nbpirg — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:11:27 +0000

Human Rights in an Age of (In) Security and Mis (In)formation: A workshop for students, activists and
organizers interested in human rights with Mr. Robert Diab, lawyer, scholar, doctoral student – Faculty of Law, UBC, author of ‘Guantanamo North: Terrorism and the Administration of Justice in Canada.’ Date: February 19, 2010 at 3:30 – 5:30 PM. Where: James Dunn Hall, Room G5 at St. Thomas University. Diab will explain the basic facts of security certificates and give an update on Abousfian Abdelrazik’s case. Activities will include poetry and marking on a graffiti wall. This FREE workshop is brought to you by the NB Public Interest Research Group (NBPIRG) with the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, STU, the Fredericton Peace Coalition and the Faculty of Law, UBC. Everyone Welcome.

WED, FEB 17: HOWARD ZINN: YOU CAN’T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN

nbpirg — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:10:34 +0000

American historian, playwright and social activist Howard Zinn died last Wednesday at the age of 87. Zinn wrote more than 20 books and is the author of the million-plus bestseller A People’s History of the United States. Free film screening of Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train. When: Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7:00pm. Where: McCain Hall, Room 202, St. Thomas University. Co-hosted by the NB Public Interest Research Group -www.nbpirg.org “This acclaimed film looks at the amazing life of the renowne historian, activist and author. Following his early days as a shipyard labor organizer and bombardier in World War II, Zinn became an academic rebel and leader of civil disobedience in a time of institutionalized racism and war. His influential writings shine light on and bring voice to factory workers, immigrant laborers, African Americans, Native Americans and the working poor. Featuring rare archival materials and interviews with Zinn and colleagues such as Noam Chomsky, You Can’t Be Neutral captures the essence of this extraordinary man who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years. Narrated by Matt Damon. Featuring music by Pearl Jam, Woody Guthrie & Billy Bragg!” For more info: nbpirg@gmail.com

Sign the petition!

nbpirg — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:23:53 +0000

NBPIRG is planning to have a referendum at both STU and UNB this semester to fund the PIRG (it would create a student fee, with an opt-out provision). If you want to sign the petition or help us with our referendum drive, contact us at nbpirg[at]gmail[dot]com

Thursday at UNB Law School: Killer’s Paradise

nbpirg — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:51:14 +0000

The Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network and the NB Public Interest Research Group present the film Killer’s Paradise about the ongoing femicide in Guatemala on Thursday, Jan 21 at 7pm at the UNB Law School – Ludlow Hall, Room 2A/2B. Enjoy a cup of fair trade Breaking the Silence coffee and talk about solidarity efforts between the UNB Law School and a community legal clinic in Rabinal, Guatemala. Contact: nbpirg[at]gmail[dot]com

About Killer’s Paradise:
Since 1999 more than two thousand women have been murdered in Guatemala, with the numbers escalating every year. Yet, lawmakers and government officials continue to turn a blind eye. Powerful and uncompromising, Killer’s Paradise uncovers one of the most emotionally-wrenching hidden human rights abuses taking place, while exposing the impunity allowed by an inept judicial system. With its history of almost four decades of civil war, Guatemala is a troubled society but it can also be seen as a microcosm of the pervasive violence and injustice against women that exists in the world today.

When 13-yer-old Stephanie Lopez was found killed, any evidence was buried with the body. In the three months since Jorge Velasquez’s daughter was murdered, the case file has shuffled from desk to desk with no real progress. After five years of hunting down her sister’s killers, Maria Elena Peralta is no closer to the truth. No one knows who is behind these atrocious acts and nothing is being done to find the culprits. Cases are routinely closed and the murdered women dismissed as nobodies.

But there are traces of hope: a grassroots human rights movement is emerging from the country’s tainted past. Fuelled by frustration, anger, great sadness and loss, women and men are coming together for a common fight in the name of their daughters, wives and sisters. Human rights activist Norma Cruz travels across Guatemala to educate women on their rights and how to protect themselves and others against violence. Jorge finally obtains DNA testing for two suspects in his daughter’s death. Maria Elena travels to Washington, D.C. to garner support for her long-standing fight.

With stunning realism, Killer’s Paradise documents these heartbreaking stories. Victims’ friends and family, police officers and investigators, rapists and gang members – even a serial killer who still roams freely – offer gripping testimonies to the stark reality in Guatemala. Meticulously crafted and beautifully shot, Killer’s Paradise is a bold film that captures the raw emotions of all those affected and the harsh reality of a struggling nation.

Stand with Haiti

nbpirg — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:33:22 +0000

Update: A group of university students have raised hundreds of dollars for Haiti relief by selling fair trade coffee on the campus of St. Thomas University. We also raised money from a screening of Aristide and the Endless Revolution last night. We will send our money to Partners in Health.

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Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and thousands are feared dead from the 7.0 earthquake that levelled Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010.

Haiti Action Fredericton, the Fredericton Peace Coalition, the NB Public Interest Research Group and Cinema Politica Fredericton present:
ARISTIDE AND THE ENDLESS REVOLUTION
WHEN: 5:30pm, Tuesday, Jan 19
WHERE: James Dunn Hall, Room G1, St. Thomas University

Funds raised from the film will go to Zanmi Lasante/ Partners in Health. The Zanmi Lasante medical center is located in the Central Plateau of Haiti and delivers health care through a network of clinics in that region of the country. It also trains Haitians as doctors and health professionals. The health center survived the earthquake and is moving to deliver aid to the disaster zone. For more info: http://www.pih.org/home.html

You can also listen to today’s Democracy Now (http://www.democracynow.org) for more information on how to give, as well as historical analysis and news from the ground following the earthquake.

Contact: info[at]frederictonpeace[dot]org

Slam poet Andrea Gibson to perform in Fredericton for Afghan Women’s Rights Group – November 12

nbpirg — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:03:58 +0000

Andrea Gibson, one of America’s most admired slam poets, will be making her first Atlantic Canadian performance on Thursday, November 12 in Fredericton at the Student Union Building Ballroom at the University of New Brunswick. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. with opening acts by local artist Kaylee Hopkins and the NB RebELLEs Gumbooting Troupe. All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Afghan women’s rights group – RAWA – the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan. Tickets, $10 each ($7 for students), can be bought now at the Westminster Bookstore on King Street, the Alden Nolan Grad House on Windsor Street or by contacting info@frederictonpeace.org The event is hosted by the Fredericton Peace Coalition, the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, NB RebELLEs, the University Women’s Centre, the UNB Sexuality Centre and the NB Public Interest Research Group. Check out Andrea’s poetry at www.andreagibson.org