Has Big Oil Hijacked Democracy?

[JohnyCanuck]

Canada's government spies on and harasses citizens who peacefully question petro-corporate aims.

By Murray Dobbin


Harper's general list of assaults, as bad as they are (and columnist Lawrence Martin has compiled a pretty thorough one here), is different from our prime minister's genuinely frightening decision to enlist the country's security apparatus in the direct and immediate service of the oil industry. Nothing like this has ever happened before in Canada.

Paranoid governments in the past have used the RCMP and CSIS to spy on political enemies, infiltrate activist organizations and have even sent in agent provocateurs to tarnish the image of political protest. But to arrange to have intelligence and police agencies, government representatives, a government agency supposedly responsible to Parliament and the Canadian people (the NEB) and corporate executives all sit around a table to explicitly violate not only our democratic rights but the law of the land is a grotesque step beyond.

snip

The rational for the collection of covert intelligence on environmental groups opposed to the gateway project was protection of the NEB hearings and the panel members conducting them. But clearly no one believed there was a threat. RCMP's Tim O'Neil, senior criminal intelligence research specialist, reported there was "no intelligence indicating a criminal threat to the NEB or its members... I could not detect a direct or specific criminal threat." Nonetheless, he delivered the desired, contradictory (and outrageous) prediction: "It is highly likely that the NEB may expect to receive threats to its hearings and its board members."

Let's be clear about who was being targeted as potential sources of these alleged threats: some of the most public, transparent and principled organizations in the country, including Idle No More, ForestEthics, Sierra Club, EcoSociety, Leadnow, Dogwood Initiative, the Council of Canadians and the People's Summit. None of these organizations have ever been cited for any activity except effective democratic engagement.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2014/02/10/Big-Oil-Democracy-Hijacked/

[Joe Shlabotnik]

1. We're in such deep shit now,

that the question is how do we get out of it once Harper is gone. I think Trudeau would continue with much of Harper's economic agenda; albeit re-branded, and Mulcair is not exactly Tommy Douglas either.

[thecytron]

2. Who wants to put a pipeline carrying a dangerous toxic goop through my living room?

A Democracy in Canada? Since when? I think we've lost that one a long ago! It started with the builders of Expo 67 when it took place in Montreal.

In a nut-shell, the Freedom of Speech in this country is no better than anywhere else in the world! Our politicians are simply the best master illusionists around. That's all!

So, say whatever you want, but at very least, the countries, we often criticized for their lack of Human Rights, have the balls to admit that they are not democratic! They don't say to the world things like "Come here, and enjoy our great Democracy", or "Move here, and we will take care of you". You just know where you stand right away.

This is all I'm going say on this topic, for now!

I'm still trying to catch up my breath from yet another man-made ecological disaster. This so called non-existing heavy released of pollution from the Tar-Sand project somehow is clouding my judgement.

I'll comeback to it when I feel better. Hopefully, great Public Awareness Event, such as what Neil Young did for us, the true occupant of the land called "Canada", will keep on happening. Such a public event goes a long way in helping me get better.

Thank you Neil Young! I am a long time fan!

I am so glad you are still alive!

God bless! You are not alone in this fight!

I am too!