Gorilla Radio with Chris Cook, Jennifer Moore, Yves Engler, Janine Bandcroft November 12th, 2012

This Week on GR

 by C. L. Cook

Canada is a world leader in mining exploitation. Canadian mining companies have developed technologies and techniques now employed around the world, and Canadian laws are considered some of the most favourable for the industry anywhere.

Lax regulatory oversight and near non-existent accountability for criminality committed by mining corporations both in Canada and abroad has proven an irresistible welcome mat for trans-national operators looking for countries to act as flags of convenience for their global operations.

The resulting damage done to Canada's reputation in the world is incalculable, and thanks to secretive governments, and an incurious domestic media environment, most Canadians haven't a clue why they are now perceived poorly. 

Listen. Hear.

Jennifer Moore is the Latin America Program Coordinator for Mining Watch Canada. Jen spent years in Latin America as a freelance print and broadcast journalist, specializing in communities affected by Canadian-financed mining companies. Jen is taking part this Thursday November 15th at 7pm in the Harry Hickman Building at UVic, with NDP MP Peter Julian, in 'Over Mined, Over Ruled: Justice Activism for Corporate Regulation,' a one night symposium exploring and analyzing Canada's role in international mining practices.

Jen Moore in the first half.

And; though Canadians largely still believe the country to be a force for peace and justice in the world the evidence increasingly belies that assertion. While it's arguable, Canada's colonial founding precludes the premise outright, since the end of the Second World War Canada ostensibly played peacemaker, standing between conflicted parties, and had at home initiated measures for social and economic justice, while championing responsible environmental stewardship. But those days are past, and though Canadians may be the last to know it, the nation is now identified with the massively polluting Tar Sands, and the political regression embodied by the policies of Stephen Harper. It all paints an ugly picture of Canada and its new found place on the world stage.

Yves Engler is a Canadian activist and the author of seven books, including: 'Canada in Haiti: Waging War on the Poor Majority,' 'The Black Book of Canadian Foreign Police,' 'Playing Left Wing: from Rink Rat to Student Radical,' and his latest, 'The Ugly Canadian: Stephen Harper's Foreign Policy.' Yves will be here at UVic this Tuesday November 13th at 7pm in the David Strong Building presenting The Ugly Canadian, a lecture on this country's foreign policy in all its hideousness.

Yves Engler and Canada's "no more mister guy" image in the second half.

And; Victoria Street Newz publisher and CFUV broadcaster, Janine Bancroft will join us at the bottom of the hour to bring us up to speed with some of things going on on our streets and beyond. But first, Jennifer Moore and justice activism for corporate regulation.

Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, airing live every Monday, 5-6pm Pacific Time. In Victoria at 101.9FM, and on the internet at: http://cfuv.uvic.ca. He also serves as a contributing editor to the web news site, http://www.pacificfreepress.com. Check out the GR blog at: http://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.ca/

G-Radio is dedicated to social justice, the environment, community, and providing a forum for people and issues not covered in the corporate media.