The Power of Some

Canada has just concluded a free trade agreement with Columbia, which should be a gong show. Many have stated that these free-trade agreements render NAFTA useless on a number of fronts. Worse than that Todd Gordon has this to say about the agreement:

"What's the monetary value of a Colombian trade unionist's life? As it turns out, it depends on how many are killed in a given year since the potential fines the Colombian government will have to pay as penalty under its free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada whenever a union activist is killed is capped at $15 million. If this sounds like a sick joke I apologize, but this is in effect what the Canadian government actually negotiated."

Indeedy, Canada has been partaking in an unhealthy dose of evil-doing lately, the latest classic example being the lakes which are being turned into dumping grounds for mining corporations. Take note:

British Columbia:

• Kutcho Creek - Andrea Creek.
• Ruby Creek - Ruby Creek watershed.
• Prosperity - Fish Lake.
• Red Chris.
• Mount Milligan.

Manitoba:

• Bucko Lake.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• Duck Pond Mine - Trout Pond and Gill's Brook.
• Carol Mine - Wabush Lake.
• Wabush Mine - Flora Lake.
• Long Harbour - Sandy Pond.

Northwest Territories:

• Winter Lake.

Nunavut:

• Doris North Project - Tail Lake.
• Meadowbank - Second Portage Lake.
• High Lake.

And finally, in my ongoing attempt to chronicle deception by those in power, Chan Akya has a sterling article on how the banking industry is hiding subprime mortgage losses hoping that no one will notcie how big the gaping crevice has become.