CONTENTS
CALLS TO ACTION
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
Petition to the Government of CanadaWhereas:
– The nuclear threat is the highest it has ever been as the Doomsday Clock has been set at 90 seconds to midnight, due in part to the continuing war in Ukraine and the threats to use nuclear weapons;
– An intentional or accidental detonation of a single nuclear weapon would be disastrous, leading to the deaths of millions of people and contaminating the land, water and air with cancer-causing radiation;
– Nuclear weapons states are modernizing their arsenals, for example, the U.S. is spending $1.5-trillion over 30 years to rebuild its nuclear triad;
– The F-35 is part of this triad. Canada has just bought a fleet of F-35s, which are dual-capable fighter jets designed to carry the B61-12 thermonuclear bomb;
petitions.ourcommons.ca
EVENTS
Book launch: The Tenant Class
When: June 8th, 7pmWhere: The Casbah, 306 King St. W., Hamilton
When it comes to the rental housing debate, Ricardo Tranjan is not afraid to confront the elephant in the room: profit. Come celebrate the launch of his trailblazing new book, The Tenant Class. Meet special guests and housing movement friends for conversation, drinks, snacks, and entertainment by the incredible Steve Sinnicks. Cool venue + brilliant people = a great evening. Sponsored by the Ontario office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Society of United Professionals.
eventbrite.com
No Condo Tower at Dundas and Sherbourne
When: June 10th, 1pmWhere: 230 Sherbourne (at Dundas)
230 Fightback is fighting an epic battle against KingSett Capital, who want to build a luxurious condo tower on the contested properties of 214-230 Sherbourne. The three rooming houses that sat on the properties were boarded up in 2008. After a decade-long struggle to get the city to expropriate the properties, the city put in a bid to purchase 214-230 Sherbourne last year to build social housing on the land, only to be outbid by KingSett Capital, who paid $53-million for the empty lots and a boarded up rooming house.
230fightback.com
Newmarket Public Library Info Picket
When: Saturday, June 10th at 2pm; and Tuesday, June 13th at 1pmWhere: 438 Park Ave., Newmarket
Join CUPE 905 on-site at Newmarket Public Library to hand out leaflets and talk to members of the community. Library workers have been bargaining for months and months and haven’t been able to get an agreement. A petition will also be available for people to sign if they’d like to show their support.
cupe905.com
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
Climate Day of Action
When: June 13th, morning and afternoon rush hoursJoin Toronto & York Region Labour Council and Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) for a Climate Day of Action on June 13th!
We only get one planet, and we need to take care of it! As Toronto continues to grow, we still need green spaces and climate positive steps to reduce carbon emissions and address the rising global temperatures that impact us all.
labourcouncil.ca
Honouring Elder Vern Harper and the Native People’s Caravan
When: June 13th, 7pmJune is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Join us Tuesday, June 13th, to honour Elder Vern Harper (1936-2018)
Speakers Include:
– Jonathan Rudin, Special Projects Director, Aboriginal Legal Services
– Clay Shirt, Traditional Knowledge Practitioner of Holistic Health & Wellness
With special guest:
– Maria Campbell, Métis author, playwright, broadcaster, filmmaker, and Elder.
mailchi.mp | zoom.us
Might the Ukraine Conflict Spark a Nuclear War?
When: June 15th, 5pmMany analysts have expressed concern that the Ukraine war could escalate to a nuclear exchange, especially if Russia faces military defeat. How probable is this outcome, and how may the risk of such an eventuality be minimized?
Speakers:
– Arnd Jurgensen lectures in international relations at University of Toronto, and is an executive member of Science for Peace.
– Robin Collins is currently Co-Chair of the Canadian Network to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and Secretary of Canadian Pugwash Group. He has published short commentaries about UN reform, disarmament and a variety of global governance ideas.
eventbrite.ca
IJV’s 15th Anniversary Conference
When: June 16th and 17th, 6pmWhere: Polish Combatants’ Hall, 206 Beverley St
Tickets: From $54.58 (For the PWYC option, please email conference@ijvcanada.org)
Mark your calendars to be in Toronto June 16-17 for IJV’s 15th Anniversary Conference: Anti-racist solidarity and the fight for justice in Palestine. The conference will take place Friday-Saturday (open to the public) followed by our 2023 IJV Annual General Meeting on Sunday, June 18 (IJV members only). The AGM will be hybrid in-person and online with the option to join via Zoom.
eventbrite.ca | Event page for Saturday Night Concert @ Steelworkers Hall, 25 Cecil St., $25 or PWYC.
ARTICLES
Low Pay and a Four-Day Workweek
By Sonali KolhatkarDolly Parton’s signature song “9 to 5,” and the 1980s sitcom of the same name reflect a quintessentially American hustle culture of working 40 hours a week in thankless jobs. Even though many people work even more than that – earning the US the title of “the Most Overworked Developed Nation in the World” – our expectations of the ideal work scenario are built on a hard-fought labor victory, one that was still not nearly enough to curb worker exploitation.
Source: The Bullet No. 2833
Protest Disrupts Opening of North America’s Largest Weapons Fair
By World Beyond WarOver a hundred people have disrupted the opening of CANSEC, North America’s largest military weapons convention in Ottawa, where 10,000 attendees were expected to gather. Activists carrying 50 foot banners saying “Stop Profiting from War,” “Arms Dealers Not Welcome” and holding dozens of “War Crimes Start Here” signs blocked vehicle and pedestrian entrances as attendees attempted to register for and enter the convention centre, delaying Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand’s opening keynote address for over an hour. In police efforts to remove the protesters, they grabbed banners, and handcuffed and arrested one protester, who was later released without charges.
Source: The Bullet No. 2834
A Public Power Victory in New York State
By Trade Unions for Energy DemocracyOn May 2, New York became the first US state to pass a major Green New Deal policy following four years of organizing by the Public Power NY coalition and allies. The Build Public Renewables Act (BPRA), now New York State law, empowers and directs the state’s public power provider – the New York Power Authority (NYPA) – to plan, build, and operate renewable energy projects across New York State. Organizers are now focusing on growing the movement for Public Power from coast to coast.
Source: The Bullet No. 2835
Bay Street Has No Business at Dundas and Sherbourne
230 Fightback is fighting an epic battle against KingSett Capital who want to build a luxurious condo tower on the contested properties of 214-230 Sherbourne in Toronto. The three rooming houses that sat on the properties were boarded up in 2008. After a decade long struggle to get the city to expropriate the properties, the city put in a bid to purchase 214-230 Sherbourne last year to build social housing on the land only to be outbid by KingSett Capital, who paid $53-million for the empty lots and a boarded up rooming house. On Saturday June 10 (1 pm), we will be rallying at Dundas and Sherbourne and marching on KingSett’s office and then to the Fairmont Royal Hotel. KingSett owns 60 percent of the hotel. We won’t be pushed out.Source: LeftStreamed
EMPLOYMENT
OCUFA is hiring
Working under the supervision of the Executive Director, the successful candidate for Director of Policy and Government Affairs will help guide OCUFA’s policy analysis, legislative strategy, and government relations work on behalf of Ontario’s university faculty and academic librarians. The Director of Policy and Government Affairs will be part of a dynamic team of policy staff who work collaboratively to deliver the services required to meet OCUFA’s mandate, provide support for OCUFA’s member organizations, and assist in related advocacy initiatives.The salary range for this position is $119,153.87 to $138,314.91.
Deadline: 5:00 pm on Friday, June 16, 2023.
ocufa.on.ca