Chances are, if Ottawa crossed your mind yesterday it involved the Senators. It’s practically un-Canadian that (despite a fantastic Sens effort last night) we’re once again faced with a Canadian-team-less Stanley Cup playoff.
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Chances are, if Ottawa crossed your mind yesterday it involved the Senators. It’s practically un-Canadian that (despite a fantastic Sens effort last night) we’re once again faced with a Canadian-team-less Stanley Cup playoff.
Un-Canadian, too, were many things in another Ottawa event: the huge bill to implement the federal budget was introduced. Normally, it’s as unremarkable as a Saturday night in the capital, but this year was different as the government’s assault on anyone not on speed-dial with powerful oil interests continued to accelerate.
We’ll start with the unprecedented crack-down on environmental charities.
My own charity has been around for 28 years. We’ve won big victories on everything from banning toxic chemicals to protecting greenspace to using more clean, renewable energy. But don’t be lulled into thinking we’re respectable. Oh no. Because from time to time, we—like many other charities of all kinds—actually say something.
It’s true. We sometimes have an opinion. Which, it should be said, is legal and a legitimate activity for a charity. Or at least it was until powerful oil interests decided they didn’t like our opinions much.
So they set up a sham group that’s been laying complaints about environmental charities with the Canada Revenue Agency. And lo and behold, the federal budget responded by announcing expensive new rules clearly aimed at tying environmental charities up with endless red tape (ironic given the government’s obsession with cutting alleged red tape for vested industrial interests. But I digress).
There are 1,483 words in the section outlining new rules for charities. 1,483 words! And you thought your tax return was complicated.
It’s pretty un-Canadian when multi-billion-dollar, foreign-owned companies polluting our country with tar sands drilling are being positioned as victims. And the full power of the federal government rides to their rescue by coming down hard on charities that try to chart a different course.
But don’t feel left out. Your rights were impeded, too.
Yes, the budget bill wasn’t content to try and shut charities up. Because powerful oil interests need new pipelines that First Nations, communities and coastal fishers don’t want, the budget also makes approving them much easier.
Environmental assessments have been part of Canadian law for ages. How long? We regularly won Stanley Cups back when they were introduced. But who needs to hear from regular people or groups when they may not want what Big Oil does?
Not the federal government. So out go cornerstone elements of the environmental review process and key fisheries and wildlife protection legislation, and in comes Ottawa, ready to approve projects likety-split.
In all, the budget bill that landed yesterday does something brand new for this country. It elevates the rights of powerful oil interests above those of citizens.
I guess the hockey rink isn’t the only place where I wonder what happened to Canada.
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