Minister of Labour David Forbes endured 45 minutes of questions from union members at today’s Convention.  Delegates took the Minister to task for poor enforcement of occupational health and safety contraventions, particularly in the mining industry.  They were also disappointed that the Minister appeared unwilling to make anti-scab legislation a priority at the provincial level.

Sandra Finley of Saskatoon was elected the new leader of the Green Party of Saskatchewan at a general meeting held on the weekend of October 14. Finley is a well known community and environmental activist. She is replacing John Kern, who was forced to resign as leader for personal reasons. She will serve as leader until the annual general meeting in March 2007.

The Saskatchewan NDP will hold their 70th annual sacred convention in Saskatoon in a couple of weeks. The theme is Saskatchewan: Feel the Energy which, according to organizer Cathy Duncan, “refers to some of the positive developments in the areas of health, youth and economic development." The event could probably be renamed Feel the Heat, to more aptly reflect what the SK NDP are up against.

Given the recent  Stern Review final report on the economics of climate change, the NDP government -- the same one that opposed the Kyoto Protocol in its early stages and the same one that continues to promote increased uranium activity in the province -- is the same one that may actually have to take a serious look at its role in creating climate change.

Feel the Heat: The brown bits are hotter.
Robert A. Rohde map.
Creative Commons/GNU image

I listened with dismay at the suggestion by John Gormly and many others that seeking the truth about why people died on 9/11 dishonours those who died. This is similar to the personal attacks and name calling of those who dare to question why our citizens are dying in Afghanistan or Iraq.

The report of the task force to kill the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) is long on platitudes and short on specifics, but the federal government’s underlying agenda is very clear, says the President of the National Farmers Union (NFU).

“Buried in the platitudes is the underlying theme of absolute government control of the Canadian Wheat Board,” said Stewart Wells.

Tom Lukiwski, Conservative Member of Parliament for Regina Lumsden Lake Centre, spoke for 120 minutes in the House of Commons Environment Committee meeting earlier this week.  He does not normally attend those meetings, but was sent there, as one of the procedural experts in the Conservative Party.  His intervention effectively stalled debate on the new Kyoto Bill recently tabled in the House of Commons by Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez.  The Bill has the support of all parties in Opposition.

While the provincial government dithers over introducing anti-scab legislation, a Conservative-led federal goverment is forging ahead, beating Saskatchewan's "labour-friendly" government to the punch.

Yesterday Bill C-257 passed second reading in the House of Commons.  The Bill will amend the Canada Labour Code to ban the use of replacement workers, or scabs, during strikes and lockouts.  “We are very pleased that our elected Members of Parliament took this important step for workers in the federal sector.  Anti-scab legislation builds healthier labour relations in important sectors of our economy, including our borders, transportation, communication, trade, and the administration of government services, “ said Larry Hubich, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour.

Workers are still waiting for a Sask anti-scab law.
Photo by Chris Banting.

In Regina, 36.47% of eligible voters bothered to vote in yesterday’s municipal elections. That’s up 11.5% from three years ago when Fiacco was acclaimed. Pretty appalling isn’t it? The work the Coalition for a Citizen-Friendly Regina (CCFR) did to field candidates and highlight a number of issues during the campaign should not go unnoticed. For a brief history of the campaign, commentary and discussion, visit Politics 'n' Poetry.