John Bonnar's

Activists rally outside Barrick Gold AGM

johnbon — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 20:45:57 +0000

On Tuesday, over 150 people rallied outside the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto where Barrick Gold held its AGM.

Click here to see more photos from the rally.

Canadians 'disappointed and alarmed' by federal government's lack of commitment on climate change

johnbon — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 22:26:10 +0000

Over 30 groups and organizations, representing thousands of Canadians, issued a joint statement to the Canadian government on Wednesday decrying the government's lack of commitment to domestic action on climate change and the international climate negotiations process.

In their letter, the signatories claim that "the government's recent failure to submit Canada's targets for emissions cuts to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by the March 31 deadline is indicative of this lack of commitment."

The groups claimed that the UNFCCC invited developed countries to submit their Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC).

Clyde River Inuit community supporters rally outside Federal Court of Appeal

johnbon — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 00:13:30 +0000

In an attempt to reverse a 2014 National Energy Board (NEB) decision that allowed seismic testing in the waters inside Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, the Inuit community of Clyde River had their request for an injunction against oil and gas exploration companies heard on Monday at the Federal Court of Appeal in Toronto.

In 2014, despite widespread opposition from Inuits in Baffin Island, the NEB granted a five year license to a group of Norwegian companies to begin seismic testing this summer.

Click here to see more photos from the rally.

Greenpeace arctic campaigner Alex Speers-Roesch said seismic surveys fire loud air cannons underwater.

Slaughterhouse donates lamb to Ontario animal sanctuary

johnbon — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 12:34:41 +0000

Dedicated animal rights activists convinced a slaughterhouse owner to spare one lamb from being killed over the Easter weekend.

The Toronto-based activists had come to Newmarket for a break-of-dawn vigil last week, organized by Katie Barber of Aurora’s Animal Rights Advocates, at King Cole Ducks, Canada’s largest duck slaughterhouse.

Photo: Louise Jorgensen

At the same time, a few decided to reach out to a neighbouring lamb slaughterhouse. During a spur-of-the-moment visit, Anita Krajnc and Paul Bali made their appeal for “this small Easter mercy” to Newmarket Meat Packers co-founder Gino Plastino and his son.

CUPE 3902 and 3903 members march for better working, living and learning conditions

johnbon — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 18:23:47 +0000

Although Mary Jean Hande isn’t currently taking any classes, the third year PhD student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Educstion (OISE) puts in 40 hour work weeks doing field work, writing, applying for grants, presenting at conferences and working on publications.

On top of that, she works three additional jobs, two with CUPE Local 3902 and one with CUPE Local 3907, that add up to another 15 to 20 hours per week.

Click here to see more photos from the rally and beginning of the march.

Striking U of T and York University education workers rally for accessible, high-quality education

johnbon — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 22:12:46 +0000

"Ontario will be the best place to live, from childhood to retirement," said Kathleen Wynne on the homepage of the Welcome to Ontario website.

Except, of course, if you're a university student. Then it's the worst place to live.

Ontario university students pay the highest tuition fees in Canada, averaging $7,539 per year, and the Liberal government spends the lowest amount per student than any other jurisdiction in Canada.

By the time they've completed their undergraduate degrees, students have racked up an average of $37,000 in debt.

Click here to see more photos from Saturday's rally.

Thousands around the world celebrate spring by going meatless for a day

johnbon — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 12:44:49 +0000

Photos: Toronto Day of Action against Bill C-51

johnbon — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 21:46:20 +0000

On Saturday, more than 2,000 people attended the Day of Action in Toronto.

Click here to see more photos from the rally held at Nathan Phillips Square.

Photos: OCAP delegation to the Ministry of Community and Social Services

johnbon — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 22:53:02 +0000

On Wednesday, the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) held an action in support of a 53-year-old man on ODSP who faces eviction from his building due to errors with the provinces’s new computer system issuing social assistance cheques.

Click here to see more photos from Wednesday's action.

Photos: 10th Annual Strawberry Ceremony for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls

johnbon — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 14:30:24 +0000

Over 1,200 people gathered outside police headquarters in Toronto to demonstrate against the ongoing genocide of Indigenous women and girls.

Click here to see more photos from the 10th Annual Strawberry Ceremony in Toronto.

Photos: Toronto 'World Love For Dolphins Day'

johnbon — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:09:23 +0000

On Friday, February 13, Sea Shepherd showed Japan just how much the world reveres dolphins with peaceful “World Love for Dolphins Day” demonstrations across the U.S., Canada and overseas.

Sea Shepherd chapters hosted demos at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. and Japanese consulates in cities across the nation, in solidarity with Sea Shepherd’s volunteer Cove Guardians currently on the ground in Taiji.

Click here to see more photos from the demonstration.

Community organizer detained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security

johnbon — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 18:21:00 +0000

Julian Ichim made his second trip to Ireland last November to gather information for his blog and radio show as well as attend the Ar Fhies of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32CSM) as an international guest.

But ten days later, when he tried to board a flight home from Ireland to Canada, he was detained and interrogated multiple times by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The 32CSM, an Irish republican group, is a pressure group with branches throughout the traditional counties of Ireland. Republicans want to leave the United Kingdom and join a united Ireland.

Animal rights film garners four Canadian Screen Awards nominations

johnbon — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 14:41:03 +0000

The Ghosts in Our Machine was nominated for four Canadian Screen Awards during a press conference held on January 13 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox cultural centre in Toronto.

The nominations included the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary together with Best Direction, Best Photography and Best Sound in a Documentary Program.

“Having four nominations is a huge honour,” said Liz Marshall, Director, Producer, Writer, Co-Cinematographer, in a telephone interview on Wednesday. “And it’s also a shining moment for the film.”

Crown drops charges against animal rights activists

johnbon — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:46:40 +0000

The Crown withdrew criminal mischief charges on Wednesday against six animal rights activists who had been arrested last November for blockading an entrance to a slaughterhouse in the west end of Toronto.

“It’s never pleasant to have charges hanging over one’s head,” said animal rights lawyer Camille Labchuk, who represented the six defendants, in a telephone interview on Thursday.

Homeless men freeze to death during Toronto's winter cold snap

johnbon — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 01:11:24 +0000

OCAP members occupy city building, demand safe space for women and trans people

johnbon — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:36:05 +0000

November 25.

A year since the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) began its campaign for 24-hour women and trans drop-in spaces after a homeless woman was sexually assaulted twice in one night near Dundas and Sherbourne in Toronto’s DTES.

Months after Toronto City Council agreed to move forward with a plan to establish 24-hour drop-ins this year, then later mothballed the project until 2015.

"At a time when shelters, especially women and family shelters, operate at nearly 100 per cent capacity every night and turn people away with nowhere to go," said OCAP in its October 20 release.

Activists demand federal government boost affordable housing investments, develop national housing strategy

johnbon — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 14:28:38 +0000

Louise Bark was angry.

The disabled woman, who uses a motorized wheelchair to get around, receives $1,086 in monthly benefits. Yet in Toronto a bachelor apartment rents for $876 a month, a one bedroom for $1,035.

"Now I happen to be lucky," she said, addressing a crowd of almost 500 people at a National Housing Day rally in Toronto on Friday.

"I happen to be subsidized but there are far too many people that are not and that is shameful."

Health-care activists snubbed by Joe Oliver's constituency office staff

johnbon — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:12:23 +0000

On Tuesday morning Health for All, along with representatives from other signatory organizations, tried to deliver a letter to Finance Minister Joe Oliver's constituency office in Toronto.

"We let the staff know we would be coming to drop off an open letter signed by 160 community organizations," said Ritika Goel, a member of Health for All, in an email interview.

"Unfortunately, in response, they decided to lock the door which speaks to the complete disregard for public opinion."

Health for All joined 160 organizations in signing an open letter to Joe Oliver in opposition to provisions in Budget Bill C-43 that would allow provinces to restrict access to social assistance for refugee claimants and others who lack permanent residency status.

Animal protection groups launch national anti-fur campaign

johnbon — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 14:30:03 +0000

Two animal protection groups have begun a new national campaign to end the confinement and slaughter of millions of animals every year to support Canada’s fur industry.

The #MakeFurHistory campaign was started by The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals (APFA) and The Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) with the support of LUSH Cosmetics.

Activists block entrance to Toronto slaughterhouse

johnbon — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 14:27:20 +0000

It began at 8 am on an overcast Thursday morning outside St. Helen’s Meat Packers, a slaughterhouse in the west end of Toronto.

In a non-violent act of civil disobedience, 6 activists sat on the pavement to prevent trucks from delivering cows to the facility. Sixty five to seventy other activists turned up to provide support.

Photo courtesy of professional documentary photographer Jo-Anne McArthur

Across the street is a similar operation, Ryding Regency Meat Packers.

Video: OCAP Raise the Rates action - Part 2

johnbon — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 18:02:14 +0000

Click here to see more photos from Thursday's action.

On Thursday, OCAP and supporters held a community barbecue outside Seaton House men's shelter before marching to Liberal MPP Glen Murray's constituency office demanding an increase to social assistance rates and minimum wage.

Video: OCAP Raise the Rates action - Part 1

johnbon — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 17:53:54 +0000

Click here to see more photos from Thursday's action.

Video: October Toronto homeless memorial vigil -- Part 2

johnbon — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 22:29:31 +0000

Video: October Toronto homeless memorial vigil -- Part 1

johnbon — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 22:21:28 +0000

Video: Activists demand end to 10-year UN military occupation of Haiti

johnbon — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 13:02:43 +0000

Click here to see more photos from Saturday's action.

From the release:

HAITI – 10 YEARS OF OCCUPATION – ENOUGH!

Withdraw the troops NOW and END the MINUSTAH!

The United Nations Security Council is currently debating the extension of the military occupation of Haiti for another year and the troop level that is needed to maintain this 10-year illegal mission.

The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has occupied the country since June 2004. MINUSTAH is using 7,522 uniformed personnel, and 1,514 civilian staffers to maintain the military occupation of Haiti.

New research suggests sex workers don't feel exploited, most buyers aren't oppressors

johnbon — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 22:40:54 +0000

Sex workers and sex buyers aren't who we thought they were, the first national report on the Canadian sex industry has found, only one of the findings from the five-year study, led by Cecilia Benoit of the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC).

Evidence from the six surveyed sites (St. John's, Montréal, Kitchener, Fort McMurray, Calgary and Victoria) suggests that the majority of sex workers -- most of whom are Canadian-born, Caucasian, in their 30s or 40s and have some form of education or training beyond high school -- do not feel exploited and say that most buyers are not oppressors.

Art therapist introduces Palestinian Canadian children to the political situation in Palestine

johnbon — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:51:26 +0000

Palestine House, in collaboration with Sarah Abu-Sharar, an Expressive Art Therapist, will stage an autumn Art Camp over the Thanksgiving long weekend for a group of Palestinian Canadian children aged seven to 13 years.

The camp will bring together 20 Palestinian Canadian children to introduce them to the “discourse of the political situation in Palestine, through their own language, which is the language of art, magic and play.”

Children will have the opportunity to meet other Palestinian children while creating art with them on the topic of Palestine. The camp will be facilitated by a trained Expressive Art Therapist and a group of artists.

Reproductive justice activists call for equal access to Canadian medical services

johnbon — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 13:23:43 +0000

"Without access, there is no real reproductive justice," said Jordana Greenblatt, Ontario Coalition of Abortion Clinics (OCAC)

It was Saturday morning, two days before the election in New Brunswick, a province that under Regulation 84-20 requires two doctors sign off that an abortion is "medically required" and that it must be performed in a hospital by an OB/GYN.

"This is a major disparity in terms of access. It's a violation of the Canada Health Act which the federal government refuses to enforce. And it is truly shameful."

Six more names added to the Toronto homeless memorial board

johnbon — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:11:27 +0000

Six names. Six homeless men. Six deaths.

Three were staying at the Seaton House shelter. Another was found in an alley. A fifth was standing outside the Good Shepherd Centre, on the sidewalk having a cigarette, when he was accidentally struck and killed by an SUV. The sixth was beaten to death in a park near Wellesley and Parliament streets.

“If anyone knows any of these people and would like to say a word, I’m going to give a few minutes for that,” said Greg Cook, an outreach worker at Sanctuary Ministries.

A lingering five seconds of silence.

Four more homeless deaths in Toronto

johnbon — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:28:59 +0000

Everyone knew him as DA. But his real name was Douglas Alexander McDougall.

He died two days ago from a drug overdose. He was living at Seaton House, a Toronto homeless shelter for men located on George Street near Dundas in the Downtown Eastside.

“He was a great man,” said one of his friends.

“Helped us all. We were like family. We had a street family. I love him to death and I pray that he goes to heaven. I hope you all pray that he goes to heaven too because he was a kind soul. God bless DA.”

The man who spoke so lovingly of DA told everyone that he became homeless nine years ago.