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To: The Federal Minister of Agriculture, The Honorable Mr. Andy Mitchell,

Monsanto has applied to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to register a genetically modified Roundup Ready alfalfa in Canada.

I object to the introduction of plants carrying genes from other species without extremely thorough study. I also strongly disagree with this proposed introduction because of the damage it may do to markets for Canadian organic products.

Please thoroughly study environmental damage, and take take possible market damage into account, before you consider introduction of Roundup Ready alfalfa, as well as the introduction of other GM crops.

Green green water

Green green water is a documentary film about hydroelectric power and its impact on the lives of thousands of Aboriginal people in northern Manitoba. Filmmaker Dawn Mikkelson, collaborating with Métis-Ojibway filmmaker, James M. Fortier, travels to Manitoba to tell the story of several Cree communities whose lives have been forever altered by hydroelectric dams. In the beginning, Mikkelson hoped that by drawing attention to this situation, the Cree would receive more equitable financial compensation for their pain, but is money enough to remedy the destruction of a culture, a way of life, and a community's dignity?

"This is a story about power... power from hydroelectric dams... the power to destroy an ancient culture... the power of big money... the power of Indigenous people who refuse to be powerless in their struggle to survive... and the power of activism."

Visit the green green water documentary film site
View the green green water Video Log (Vlog)
View the 12-minute trailer for green green water

From the Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee : Canada.

20. The Committee is concerned about information that the police, in particular in Montreal, have resorted to large-scale arrests of demonstrators. It notes the State party's responses that none of the arrests in Montreal have been arbitrary since they were conducted on a legal basis. The Committee, however, recalls that arbitrary detention can also occur when the deprivation of liberty results from the exercise of the rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Covenant, in particular under articles 19 and 21. (articles 9, 19, 21, 26)

The State party should ensure that the right of persons to peacefully participate in social protests is respected, and ensure that only those committing criminal offences during demonstrations are arrested. The Committee also invites the State party to conduct an inquiry into the practices of the Montreal police forces during demonstrations, and wishes to receive more detailed about the practical implementation of article 63 of the Criminal code relating to unlawful assembly.

The charges against me were dropped

A United Nations committee has harshly criticized the way Montreal police crack down on protesters at demonstrations. The report, released by the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, cites the Montreal force's tendency to arrest large numbers of people at demonstrations. According to the report, the tactic often leads to the arrest of innocent bystanders and people who have the right to express dissent. The report says Montreal police "should ensure that the rights of persons to peacefully participate in social protests are respected and ensure that only those committing criminal offences during demonstrations are arrested." Close to 2,000 protesters have been arrested by Montreal police since 1999, more than any other Canadian city, the UN human rights committee says. The report notes that at a G8 protest in 2002, 350 people were arrested. All of them were found not guilty. The report also points out that at a demonstration against the World Trade Organization in 2003, 243 people were arrested, only to have every charge dropped 18 months later. The report recommends that an inquiry be established look into how the force deals with demonstrators. A police spokesperson told local television reporters that the force was "looking into" the report.

The Civic Environment Committee

Please write to the Mayor and councillors at city hall to show your support for the Civic Environment Committee.

You will find Winnipeg councillors addresses here:

http://winnipeg.ca/council/

You can send a message directly to the mayor of Winnipeg here:

http://winnipeg.ca/interhom/mayors%5Foffice/

Just click on "Mayor's Mailbox."

Save the Boreal Forest

Take action via http://www.savetheboreal.org/

I cut these sentences out of an email message:

• This is Healing Tree, just back yesterday from a month in New Orleans.
• I'm climbing in it tonight (october 31st) and it is threatened to be cut as of November 1st.
• I'm already in trouble with the company and am facing serious charges if I get arrested.
• There are pictures of the tree and a short film on it at: www.wesavetrees.org.
• Click on "largest treesit ever".