CONTENTS

1. CALLS TO ACTION
2. EVENTS
3. ARTICLES
4. EMPLOYMENT

Vote for a ceasefire

On March 18, Members of Parliament will have the chance to vote for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Tell your MP to do the right thing and support the NDP’s Opposition Day motion, which calls for an immediate ceasefire in Israel-Palestine, an arms embargo, the restoration of UNRWA funding and humanitarian aid, and more.

Let your MP know: How they vote on March 18 will affect how you vote in 2025.

A clear majority of the Canadian public already supports the call for a ceasefire. Hundreds of thousands have signed petitions and joined peaceful demonstrations across the country.

It’s long overdue that Parliament reflects public opinion on this urgent humanitarian issue. Sign now, and spread the word.

ceasefirenow.ca

No Evictions

On Feb. 7, HRM posted eviction notices to 5 encampments across Kijpuktuk that residents must leave by February 26. These encampments are 5 of 11 sites the HRM had previously directed people to go to. Now, in the middle of winter, with very short notice, they are being forced to leave.

We condemn these evictions. We hold the Province of Nova Scotia and the HRM City Council responsible for causing further trauma and harm to people who are unhoused.

Both levels of government claim they are providing appropriate alternative housing to encampment residents, but these so-called alternatives are inadequate and/or inappropriate. Further, they are not choices or options – they are enforcements.

change.org

Ceasefire – phone zap

When: March 14th, 12pm and 7:30pm

Demand your MP vote for Ceasefire and Arms Embargo!

Join this urgent cross-Canada phone and email Zap March 14 to Demand MPs vote for Justice in Gaza, NOT for Genocide.

Twitter poster | zoom.us (12pm) | zoom (7:30pm)

Shut Down Genocide Profiteering

When: March 15th
Toronto Locations: 70 Carlton St. – 12 Noon
Toronto – 19 Bloor St W – 9am
Toronto – 992 Bloor St W – 9am
Toronto – 222 Queen St W – 9am
Peterbourough – 111 Hunter St. W – 11am

All out on March 15 for complete divestment! No Genocide Profiteering! Shame on Scotiabank!

Let’s keep up the pressure, our grassroots campaign is working. ScotiaBank reduced its Elbit Systems investment in the last quarter, but still stands as the largest foreign investor in this Israeli arms company, profiting off the killing and maiming of Palestinians.

cpavancouver.org

Kids March on March Break

When: March 15th, 11:30am
Where: York University, main gate picket line

In the spirit of solidarity with @cupe3903comms, we are organizing a March on March break! It’s important to teach our kids what labour solidarity looks like. Come join us! @YUFAyork, @GLRC_York, hope you all can come, kids or no kids. #canlab #whenwestrikewewin

Twitter poster

Genocide Justin is Not Welcome

When: March 15th, 6pm
Where: 37 King St. E.

Join Pro-Palestine advocates in Toronto on Friday, March 15 at 6PM at 37 King St. E., to protest Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party’s fundraiser, condemning their support for Israel’s genocidal war on Palestinians. Demand an arms embargo on Israel and hold Trudeau accountable.

Twitter poster

Migrant Spring

When: March 16th, 12pm
Where: Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor W

Migrants live here. We have deep roots. We grow and care for communities. But we are denied equality because we are denied permanent resident status. The richest few are scapegoating us, using racism to blame us for the affordability crisis. Join us in launching Migrant Spring. Let’s unite against racism and win status for all. Together, we will cultivate a future where everyone can thrive.

actionnetwork.org | migrantrights.ca

Book launch: Reasonable Cause to Suspect

When: Saturday, March 16, 7 pm. Iftar refreshments provided
Where: Friends House, 60 Lowther (At St. George subway)

A book launch and discussion on the obstacles preventing the repatriation from Northeast Syria of over two dozen arbitrarily detained Canadian Muslim men, women, and children.

Facebook event

Canadian Foreign Policy Hour with Yves Engler

When: Mondays at 6pm

Join 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

Book launch: The Regulation of Desire

When: March 18th, 6:30pm
Where: Glad Day Bookshop 499 Church St

Join us on Monday, March 18th at Glad Day Bookshop for the book launch of the 3rd edition of The Regulation of Desire by Gary Kinsman. Speakers include Gary Kinsman, Beverly Bain and Tom Hooper. Masks required. ASL provided.

Facebook poster

Fundraiser for Freedom Theatre

When: March 18th, 7:30pm
Where: Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave

From Turtle Island to Palestine – A Theatre Action.

FB poster | passemuraille.ca

The History of Labour Media

When: March 19th, 7pm

The world of media has been changing at a rapid pace. Unions have been either catching up or staying ahead of the curve.

Join us to find out about how labour has used media in the past – and how we are using it now (and why). We will also discuss where labour and communications are heading. Whither Labour Media?

mailchi.mp

Join 230 Fightback at City Hall

When: March 21st, 10:30am
Where: City Hall

Come out to City Hall, on Thursday, March 21! The developer KingSett Capital bought up the property at 214-230 Sherbourne well over a year ago, with the intention of building a luxury condo tower. 230 Fightback challenged this, confronting KingSett and demanding of City Hall that social housing be built there instead.

Under community pressure and, with the prospects for its investment not looking as solid as it had hoped, KingSett agreed in principle to sell the property back to the City. A delegation that we took to the office of Mayor Olivia Chow was told that she agrees with the idea of building housing on the site that will meet the needs of the community but it was clear that there was no firm plan of action to ensure the developer turns over the site.

230fightback.com

Cobalt Blues

When: March 21st, 11am

A conversation on the politics of resource extraction and education in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

zoom.us

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

When: March 21st, 12pm
Where: Metro Hall, 55 John St

Join the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) and Toronto & York Region Labour Council (TYRLC) at Metro Hall on March 21st to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

IDERD is an opportunity to organize in the name of racial justice. Housing, policing, transit, good jobs, etc. impact all of us, but we know that those impacts are felt differently when you are a racialized person living in Toronto. We have an opportunity to present our new mayor and city council with practical and impactful policy proposals, tools and solutions that will benefit all Torontonians.

eventbrite.com

Lawsuit Filed Against Canadian Government to Stop Arms Exports to Israel

A group of Canadian and Palestinian applicants have commenced legal proceedings in the Federal Court against the Canadian government to stop arms exports to Israel. The applicants are seeking a court order that the Government of Canada cease issuing export permits for all military goods and technology destined for Israel, and that the issuing of these permits be declared unlawful under Canadian and international law. “It’s cruel and reprehensible that our government has continued to provide material support to Israel’s atrocities, while at the same time cutting off humanitarian support to the victims of those same atrocities,” said Hammam Farah, one of the applicants.

Source: The Bullet No. 2960

The Case for a Public Green Power Company

By Paul Kahnert

While the world burns, conservative governments in both Alberta and Ontario continue to spend billions hiding and protecting their failed hydro deregulation schemes. This is money that should be spent combatting the climate crisis. If we are going to get serious about fighting the climate crisis effectively, then the profit motive must be removed. It is time to form the Ontario Green Power Authority, (or OGPA). A company that would build, own, and oversee conservation measures and green power production, transmission, and distribution. Its mandate is the public interest and “power at-cost,” without the multiple layers of profit that now exist.

Source: The Bullet No. 2961

Belfast’s International Wall becomes the Palestinian Wall

In a defiant show of solidarity with the people of Palestine a group of mural artists led by internationally renowned artist Danny Devenny has transformed Belfast’s iconic “International Wall” into the “Palestinian Wall” to show off amazing murals designed by Palestinian artists who would have suffered imprisonment, torture and death had they attempted to paint them in their homeland.

Source: LeftStreamed

Administrative Assistant

Apply now for the Administrative Assistant position at the Toronto & York Region Labour Council.

Are you a progressive administrator looking for your next challenge? The Toronto & York Region Labour Council has a permanent opening on its small and dynamic staff team. Reporting to the President or designate, the successful candidate will oversee and undertake the Council’s administrative functions, share responsibility for financial roles, and support our diverse campaigns.

The starting rate for the position is $1,479.17 per week increasing to $1,579.17 over the first year. The Labour Council offers a comprehensive benefits package.

labourcouncil.ca