CONTENTS
CALLS TO ACTION
Save the Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre (OSC) has been underfunded by the government for years. And now its very existence is under threat.The Government of Ontario plans to demolish the iconic, award-winning OSC to replace it with a 50% smaller building, located on top of a parking garage at Ontario Place.
This plan is not only unnecessary, it’s expensive too.
At least $650-million of our tax dollars will be used to build a smaller OSC at Ontario Place, as well as a new concert venue, beaches and a large parking garage that will primarily benefit a private foreign-owned corporation.
act.newmode.net
EVENTS
Mayor Chow, Where Are You?
When: January 25th, 1pmWhere: Toronto City Hall
The developer KingSett Capital has informed us that, rather than proceed with plans to build a luxury condo in Toronto’s Downtown East, it is prepared to sell the site to the city.
Mayor Chow has not responded to requests for her to make her intentions clear. In fact, she has doggedly refused to acknowledge our existence.
Facebook poster | 230fightback.com
Action Call
When: January 25th, 3pmJoin members of the 350 Canada team for for a short, high-energy Zoom call where we’ll take action together to counter disinformation about renewable energy.
act.350.org
Women of Labour Speak Out for Palestine!
When: Thursday, January 25th, 6 pmA conversation between the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 3902 Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Committee (CUPE 3902 BDS Committee) and Labour 4 Palestine Greater Toronto Area (L4P GTA) chapter featuring:
– Hind Awwad, Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 1281 and Labour 4 Palestine (L4P) member and former coordinator of the BDS National Committee in Palestine
– Haneen Azzam, United Steelworkers Local 1998 and L4P GTA chapter co-coordinator
– Pamela Arancibia, Mayworks Festival Board of Directors and L4P GTA chapter co-coordinator
– Lisa Nussey, CUPE 3902 BDS Committee Chair and PhD student at the University of Toronto
docs.google.com
Value Change for Survival
When: January 25th, 7pm“Value Change for Survival: Facing Climate Change from a Haudenosaunee Point of View,” with Rick Hill.
twitter poster | zoom.us
Repoliticizing The Housing Question in Canada
When: January 26th, 1pmWhere: 1524 Dunton Tower, Carleton Univ, Ottawa (and zoom)
With Ricardo Tranjan – a political economist and senior researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
This will be a hybrid event. Once you RSVP, a Zoom link will be e-mailed to you.
carleton.ca
The impact of the war on Gaza
When: January 27th, 11amDr. Alice Rothchild will present a general historical framework and background on Gaza before October 7, the impact of the assault on the health care system and general infrastructure, the consequences for the civilian population and implications for human rights violations, and possible steps the audience can take to pressure the US government which has continued to provide massive amounts of military support and political cover for Israel.
zoom.us
Rally for the Ontario Science Centre
When: January 27th, 12pmWhere: St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 450 Broadview Ave
Doug Ford has presented a misguided plan to move the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario Place.
This benefits no one.
Certainly not the residents of Flemingdon Park or Thorncliffe Park.
Not the neighbouring communities of Don Mills and Leaside or any other residents of Ontario.
Not kids, teachers and parents.
eventbrite.ca | savesciencecentre.com
Book launch: Black: activist, scientist, icon
When: January 27th, 2pmWhere: A Different Booklist, 779 Bathurst St
This book launch explores Black history through poetry, which has the power to move by bringing to life bare historical facts, and the life of Canadian trailblazer Dr. Howard D. McCurdy.
Facebook poster
Hassan Diab: Justice Denied
When: January 28th, 3pmWe are thrilled to invite you to a webinar featuring Dr. Hassan Diab and members of his support committee. Presenters will provide a brief overview of Hassan’s case since it started in 2007, including the April 2023 French trial in absentia and developments since then.
Join us and learn about the human rights implications of Hassan’s case and how it has impacted Hassan and his family. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and to help the support committee in its work.
zoom.us
Canadian Foreign Policy Hour with Yves Engler
When: Mondays at 6pmJoin author Yves Engler on Mondays for a weekly news roundup and interactive discussion about Canada’s role abroad. This weekly session will delve into the latest developments on subjects ranging from military affairs and Canada’s role in Ukraine to its contribution to Palestinian dispossession, and the exploitation of African resources. Join Yves for a critical take on Canada’s foreign policy. Questions, comments, and criticisms are all welcome.
zoom.us
Housing Across Canada
When: January 29th, 7pmA Webinar on Resisting Eviction.
Featuring: Tonye Aganaba, Andrew Crosby, Vince Tao, Ricardo Tranjan, AJ Withers.
docs.google.com
Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night)
When: Tuesday, January 30th, Open Mic Sign-up: 6:30pm; Show 7-10pmWhere: Living Room, Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave
Admission: $10-20 Sliding Scale
Canada’s most diverse & brave poetry reading + open mic series
Featured poets: Asifa Sheikh & Gary Barwin
+ Open Mic for poetry in any language
Facebook event
Just Transition Guide
When: Jan 31, 7pmJoin us for a fireside chat between two of Turtle Island’s most prominent environmental activists on climate change and Indigenous leadership!
This virtual event follows November’s official launch of the “Just Transition Guide,” a project led by Melina Laboucan-Massimo, in collaboration with Sacred Earth Solar, Indigenous Climate Action, the David Suzuki Foundation, Power to the People and RealWorld Media. The guide explores Indigenous-led pathways toward equitable climate solutions and resiliency in the climate crisis.
zoom.us
Confronting Anti-Palestinian Censorship
When: Feb 1st, 6:30pmThis panel invites workers, including arts workers, to reflect on tactics for undertaking Palestinian liberation solidarity actions at and outside the workplace. Moderated by Hassan Husseini of Labour for Palestine – Canada, with panelists: artist Rana Nazzal Hamadeh, filmmaker John Greyson and labour lawyer Wassim Garzouzi, the discussion will touch on anti-Palestinian censorship, the Palestinian Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), legal issues, rights and more.
In person | zoom.us
The Fascist Threat and What it Means for Working Class Politics
When: February 9th, 7pmWhere: Eastminster Church, 310 Danforth Ave
Amidst unfolding environmental disaster, ongoing genocide, and a lack of faith in public institutions, fascist and anti-democratic movements continue to gain political ground, both at home and abroad. How can working class movements respond to these fundamental threats? How can we build a real alternative that can challenge the dominant politics of division and distrust?
To speak to this pressing topic, The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education is thrilled to host Adolph Reed Jr. for his re-scheduled special guest lecture, THE FASCIST THREAT: What it Means for Working Class Politics.
tickettailor.com
ARTICLES
Canada and the South African Genocide Charges Against Israel at the ICJ
By Socialist ProjectThe merciless bombardment by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza has been challenged for all the world to see. South Africa – the historical victim of and ultimate victor over a racist apartheid regime – has courageously charged Israel with genocide at the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. A charge of genocide at the ICJ requires proving a state’s intent to physically destroy a national, ethnic, or religious group, under the terms of the UN Genocide Convention. A decision by the ICJ is binding, but there are no real mechanisms of enforcement. The court could call for an immediate cessation of the genocidal activities, but it often takes years to arrive at a final ruling.
Source: The Bullet No. 2936
The Nuclear Energy Dilemma: Climate Savior or Existential Threat?
By Leslie Alan HorvitzWith the planet teetering on the brink of climate disaster and the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 rapidly slipping away, the need for alternatives to pollutive fossil fuels has never been more evident. Should nuclear power be one of those alternatives? There are many thorny questions. Is nuclear power too dangerous? Is it too expensive? Does it present too much of a security risk? Is the problem of finding a safe way of storing nuclear waste too insurmountable? Is it unfair to kick a clear and present danger down the field to future generations?
Source: The Bullet No. 2937
The Tragedy Of India’s Authoritarian Descent
By Achin VanaikDespite all the talk about India being the world’s largest democracy the existing reality is very different indeed. For persistent dissidents and opponents of the current Hindu nationalist regime headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the general political environment is effectively an undeclared emergency. In many respects it is worse than the declared Emergency of 1975-77 with its suspension of fundamental civic and political rights. That lasted a little less than two years. The current process of systematic degradation of the basic institutions of Indian democracy under the Modi government has been going on since 2014 when it first came to power.
Source: The Bullet No. 2938
Gaza Protests in Toronto: Marching Orders for the Police?
By Judy HaivenSince when did the Toronto Police take their marching orders from a single ethno-religious group while ignoring others? Since about a week ago, it turns out. How did we go from the police making efforts to control – and even befriend – the pro-Palestine demonstrators on Toronto’s Avenue Road bridge by bringing them Tim Hortons coffee, to Police Chief Demkiw threatening demonstrators with arrest for merely showing up to picket on the same bridge.
Source: The Bullet No. 2939