Archive for January 2013

The Campaign to Erode Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

January 31, 2013

“For almost 15 years, the federal Department of Justice has conducted a campaign to erode the consitutional and legal status of Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Canada.” Signed by more than four dozen experts in the field of Indigenous Rights…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

A Breakthrough on Financial Transaction Tax, But Still a Long Way to Go

January 29, 2013

A decision by 11 European countries to implement a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT, also known as the “Robin Hood Tax”) constitutes an important victory for tax justice campaigners. Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain…

Post filed in: Uncategorized

To Build and to Plant – a reflection by Rev. Brian McIntosh

January 28, 2013

Theological Reflection – Sunday, 3 February, 2013 The Reverend Brian McIntosh is the staff team leader at Bloordale United Church in Etobicoke, ON. He is currently  the national Co-Chair of the United Network for a Just Peace in Palestine and…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

Journeys of Light and Shadow – A reflection by Sister Elizabeth Davis

January 23, 2013

Theological Reflection – Sunday, 27 January 2013 Elizabeth M. Davis is a Sister of Mercy of Newfoundland.  She has enjoyed ministry in education and health care and is presently congregational leader.  She is working on a doctoral thesis related to…

Post filed in: Spirited Reflections

Who is the Government of Canada Listening To?

January 22, 2013

A slew of new legislation that undermines both Indigenous rights and environmental protection in Canada points to the fact that the petroleum and pipeline industries have significant influence on the Government of Canada’s legislative agenda. A December 12, 2011 letter…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates

KAIROS Victoria Appears Before Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel

January 18, 2013

On January 10, 2013, Susan Draper from the Victoria KAIROS group made an oral presentation to the Joint Review Panel on the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline.  Sharing the concerns of many in the KAIROS network in BC, Susan spoke about…

Post filed in: Ecological Justice, Indigenous Rights

Congolese massacre victims denied justice in Anvil Mining lawsuit

January 16, 2013

Two years ago, a group of Congolese citizens launched a class action lawsuit in a Quebec court against Anvil Mining Ltd., alleging that the company was complicit in widespread atrocities committed during an October 2004 raid by the Congolese military…

Post filed in: Africa, Indigenous Rights

Policy Briefing Paper #33 – Signposts for a New Financial Architecture

January 16, 2013

In 2012 KAIROS joined ecumenical partners from around the world in fashioning the São Paulo Statement on International Financial Transformation for the Economy of Life. Briefing Paper No. 33 describes the background for 10 of the key elements contained in…

Post filed in: Latin America

Policy Briefing Paper #32 – Tax Reform for Equity and Sustainability

January 16, 2013

Briefing Paper No. 32 summarizes research on tax justice issues that KAIROS prepared for the São Paulo conference. Reform of taxation is a feasible way to reduce ine-quality, fund social programs and finance invest-ments in harmony with Earth‟s ecological carrying…

Post filed in: Latin America

Colombia can now buy prohibited automatic firearms from Canada

January 14, 2013

On December 13th, 2012 the Government of Canada eased its ban on automatic firearms sales to Colombia and added Colombia to its Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL).  Although controls remain on exporters, Canadian gun merchants now have the possibility…

Post filed in: Latin America

Notes on Attawapiskat Finances

January 10, 2013

Attawapiskat’s finances have been under some scrutiny since the First Nations community in northern Ontario declared a state of emergency last winter due to a housing crisis. At that time the community was placed under third party management, which means…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights

KAIROS lance un appel à un jeûne de solidarité, le 11 janvier, avec la chef Spence

January 7, 2013

Le premier ministre Harper a fait savoir vendredi le 4 janvier qu’il rencontrerait les leaders des Premières Nations le 11 janvier, date marquant précisément le premier mois de jeûne de la chef Theresa Spence, qui veut ainsi attirer l’attention sur…

Post filed in: En français

Reflection on an Ecumenical Solidarity Visit to Chief Spence

January 6, 2013

Epiphany Sunday January 6, 2013 We came to Victoria Island with an arrangement to meet her, but travelling gently knowing that her strength and health were tested. We wanted our solidarity to be gift and not burden. When we arrived,…

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, Spirited Reflections

KAIROS Calls for Solidarity Fast with Chief Spence January 11

January 4, 2013

On Friday, January 4, the Prime Minister announced that he would meet with First Nations leaders on January 11, the one month anniversary of Chief Theresa Spence’s fast to bring attention to the treaty relationship between First Nations and Canada….

Post filed in: Indigenous Rights, UNDRIP Blog Updates