GroundWire: Community Radio News

GroundWire | November 9 -November 20 | Victory for Abdelkhadr Belaouni, Protesting Student Poverty

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:08:00 -0500

Welcome to the latest edition of GroundWire: November 9- November 20. THE HEADLINES: In Montreal, migrant justice advocates are celebrating a significant victory this week in the case of Abdelkader Belaouni (Aaron Lakoff: CKUT) From Vancouver, perspectives on the disruption of the Victoria torch relay and where the resistance movement is headed (VanRad Collective) In Toronto, students have had enough of living below the poverty line. The Student Day of Action on Nov.5 saw crowds demanding lower tuition fees, as recession job losses target youth, part-time and racialized workers (Omme Salma Rahemtullah: CHRY in Toronto) THE FEATURES: A recent Queen's University report indicates medical students want more training to help them treat people with intellectual disabilities. Indeed, 93 per cent feel training in intellectual disabilities should be improved. VoicePrint spoke with Dr. Philip Burge who is the author of the report. November 20, 2009 marks 20 years since the U.N Convention on the Rights of the Child. Ontario youth in and from foster care got together to talk about the Convention's goals around education and if those goals are a reality in Ontario (Jacky Harrison: CHRY in Toronto, audio from the Network Community Group and the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth). A new report, A Flawed Compass, suggests the Correctional Service of Canada is trampling on the constitutional rights of prisoners. Authors Michael Jackson and Graham Stewart, as well as former inmates and activists, warn Canada is headed down the road to more rights abuses (Dee Le Comte: CKUT in Montreal) This episode was anchored by Melissa Beckford and Ian Gormly, and produced by Alissa Tutay and Jacky Tuinstra Harrison. Music by Steel. Interested in submitting your own stories? Get in touch by emailing groundwireprod@gmail.com.

GroundWire | October 26 - November 9 | Tar Sands - Midwifery - Equity

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:10:00 -0500

Welcome to the latest edition of GroundWire: October 26 - November 9. THE HEADLINES: Jane Kirby of CKDU speaks with pro-choice advocate Sarah Woolf about the recent shutdown of the event "Echoes of the Holocaust" at McGill, which compares abortion to genocide. Drug addictions can have a significant effect on children. Jay Peachy of CJSF spoke with one artist in Vancouver who decided to take a bold view on the topic. Activists for accessibility and disability awareness say many dentists are wary of treating the disabled. For Handilink and for GroundWire, Cameron Wells speaks with Ali Sigal, who wants to change that. THE STATION REPORT: Jacky Tuinstra Harrison of CHRY descends on Kingston, Ontario, to document the Ontario Regional Conference of the NCRA. THE FEATURES: 80 years after women gained the right to run for office, Canada is still far away from gender equity in government. Erica Butler of CKDU looks at one initative across the country that is fighting this inequality. The VanRad Collective presents voices in opposition to the Alberta Tar Sands including Mike Mercredi of Fort Chipewyan and Mike Hudema of GreenPeace, in a special feature for GroundWire. Gretchen King and Saja Marouf of CKUT collect interviews while attending the 10th anniversary celebration of the legalization of midwifery in Quebec. This episode was anchored by Melissa Albiani and Matt Rawle, and produced by Melissa Albiani, with editorial support and coordination by David Parker, Jacky Tuinstra Harrison and Courtney Kirkby. Interested in submitting your own stories? Get in touch by emailing groundwireprod@gmail.com.

GroundWire | October 11-26 | Ontario Disability Pension Plan, Autonomy of Quebec Universities

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:43:00 -0500

Welcome to this edition of GroundWire. October 11-26. The headlines and Features: Quebec universities risk autonomy loss | Jacob Serebrin, Montreal Bureau Chief of CUP (Canadian University Press) Breastfeeding Challenge and Challenges | Jacky Harrison, with additional audio by Frieda Werden (CJSF) Right To Know Week | Nina Halliday-Thompson and Mark Weiler, CJSF Trouble with the Ontario Disability Plan. Nancy Vender Plaats of ODSP Action Coalition, interviewed by Marjorie Nicolauou. Adapted from Voiceprint's Contact program (executive producer, Paul Daniel) All-Woman Pharmacy's Trans Challenge | by Gleyse de Fran�a (CJSF) Community Radio Report Gabriola Radio Plans for NCRC and Maybe a Frequency | Kelly Price. Music(excerpted): "It's Your Money", written, produced and performed by Patrick Hickey of Waxed Productions in South Africa for the 2008 release of the International Budget Partnership's Open Budget Survey, which measures how transparent and accountable government budgets are in 85 countries around the world. Notes Series Coordinator: Jacky Harrison, CHRY & Groundwire Edition Coordinator: Jennifer Moreau, CJSF Edition Editor: Frieda Werden, CJSF Co-anchors: Gleyse de Franca, Frieda Werden, CJSF

GroundWire September 25-Oct.3 |

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:36:00 -0500

Welcome to the September 25th edition of GroundWire: Community Radio News from across Canada This edition was produced by volunteers in the studios of CJLY in Nelson, BC. The HEADLINES: Omme Salma Rahemtullah (CHRY Toronto) speaks with Stephen Moses, a striking employee and the Bargaining Unit Chairperson of Canadian Auto Workers 1000, about the Zellers/HBC strike in Scarborough, Ontario Catherine Fisher (CJLY Nelson) talks with Alexis Allen, President of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union about the September 22 strike vote by Nova Scotia Community College employees. This edition includes two STATION REPORTS: Vivian Park (CJSF Burnaby) asks NCRA Vice President External Stephanie Kepman a few questions about the CRTC's upcoming Campus and Community Radio Policy Review. The 2010 National Campus and Community Radio Conference will be held on Gabriola Island, BC. Kelly Price (CKGI Gabriola) chats with Gabriola Radio Society Board Member Kathy Ramsay about how the conference is shaping up. She also speaks with GRS Board President Ken Zakreski about Rogers Media's application to the CRTC for the last available frequency in the region. The FEATURES: The Vanrad Collective talk with Paulina Walton, who, along with other residents of the Golden Crown Hotel, has recently been served an eviction notice. Kim Kerr, executive director of the Downtown Eastside Residents Association suggests this eviction has much to do with the upcoming 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. Amber Hieb (CHLY Nanaimo) speaks with Paul Manly, a Nanaimo-based independent filmmaker about the SPP,and North American intergration. Manly's new film is 'You, Me and The Spp: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule'. The MUSIC: The September 25th Edition of Groundwire features music by Kathleen Yearwood, The Sinuses, Rabnett 5, and Tamara. For more information e-mail groundwireprod@gmail.com. For story ideas: groundwirepitch@ncra.ca

GroundWire Sept.11-Sept.25| Remembering Darcy Allan Sheppard, Pedal for the Planet

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 05:26:00 -0500

Welcome to this edition of GroundWire: Community Radio News from across Canada. Headlines include: -Pedal for the Planet on the way to Ottawa | Kesten Broughton -Remembering Darcy Allan Sheppard, colleagues mourn Toronto bike courier | Jacky Tuinstra Harrison CHRY Features: - OHIP for International Students: Why the UHIP plan won't do| Christopher Currier CFRC - Author Rod Michalko discusses his book, "The Difference That Disability Makes" | Catherine MacDonald and Paul Daniel VoicePrint - First Nations resistance to platinum mine in Big Lake | Courtney Kirkby CKUT Host(s): Kavita B & Scott Stevens Music by The Gertrudes and P.S I Love You.

GroundWire | September 1-12 | Special Labour Day Edition

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:26:00 -0500

Welcome to a Special Labour Day Edition of GroundWire, where we bring you a series of features on workers' rights in Canada. But first the headlines: Hosted by Gianna Lauren (CKDU Halifax) -Environmentalists oppose Hanlan Creek development as it threatens Guelph's old growth forest and protected species: Libby Drew (CFRC Kingston) -Camp Out discusses LBGTQ Activism in the Maritimes: David Parker (CKDU Halifax) In Campus and Community Radio Station News: Bill C-61 Update: As parliament resumes, consider writing your MP on the Digital Copyright fight: Charlotte Bourne (CJSF Burnaby) Labour-Focused Features for Labour Day -Labour History takes Comic Form: Megan Turcato (CJSF Burnaby) -CUPW supports union drive for Dynamax Couriers: Aaron Chubb and Alex Calderaro(CJSR Edmonton) -Drop Fees campaign has anti-poverty message for student workers: Candace Mooers CHRY Toronto) -Conservatives' Expansion of Canada's Temporary Worker Program means restrictions for refugees and fewer rights for racialized workers: Omme Rahemtullah (CHRY Toronto) -"Scrap the Live in Caregiver Program" Voices of the Filipino Community in Canada: Produced by Candace Mooers and Ashkon Hobooti (CHRY Toronto) This Edition of GroundWire hosted by Gianna Lauren, produced by David Parker at CKDU Halifax.

Labour and Workers' Rights

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:59:00 -0500

A compilation of GroundWire's research and reporting on issues that affect workers in Canada and abroad.

Refugee, Migration and Newcomer Issues

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:26:00 -0500

This is a compilation of Groundwire's research and reporting on stories of migration and newcomer issues in Canada. With coverage of: Bringing Home Abousfian Abdelrazik: By Chris Albinati and Andrea Macnevin (CKUT Montreal) Immigration Raids in Southern Ontario:By Omme Salma Rahemtullah (CHRY Toronto) Life of a Live in Caregiver: By Adam Bemma (CKUT Montreal) The Sheikh Family Separation: By Chris Albinati (CKUT Montreal) Former KGB Officer Loses battle to stay in Canada: By Jennifer Moreau (CJSF Burnaby)

Groundwire| August 14-28: Bil'in Village Update, Fredy Villenueva's death and IWW organizing

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:38:00 -0500

In this week's Edition of GroundWire: Hosts Steve and Zoe from CJSR in Edmonton deliver community radio news, with contributions from campus-community stations and volunteers across Canada. Headlines include: -The one year commemoration of Fredy Villenueva's death at the hands of Montreal police| Aaron Lakoff CKUT -The case against Carleton Professor Hassan Diab| Omme Rahemtullah CHRY -International action against performing artists in Israel| Tariq Jeeroburkhan CKUT Features: -IWW organizing against Starbucks in Quebec| Aaron Chubb CJSR -GroundWire update: Raids in the Palestinian village of Bil'in| Chris Albinati CKUT -Legal aid for sex workers in Alberta| CJSR National Events Listings and More!

Welcome CUP

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:38:00 -0500

GroundWire is pleased to welcome the Canadian University Press as a content partner and GroundWire supporter. Thanks CUP!
Learn more at www.cup.ca

GroundWire: July 31-August 13

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:40:00 -0500

Welcome to GroundWire's latest edition of national news from a grassroots perspective. This is the fourth bi-weekly edition of GroundWire - community news from coast-to-coast-to-coast, produced by UMFM in Winnipeg. In this edition of GroundWire: Headlines: - Winnipeg worried over Privatized Water| Michael Elves UMFM - Defining Sexual Assault in Winnipeg| Michael Elves UMFM Features - Mohammad Mahjoub's Hunger Strike at Kingston Penitentiary | Usman Mushtaq CFRC - Olympic Update: Charter Battles for Women Ski Jumpers | Sam Kriviak CJSR -- Simon Fraser University Funding Micro-managed by Government| Nina Halliday-Thompson CJSF

GroundWire: July 17 - 30, 2009 | Headline: Midnight Raids in Bil'in

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0500

In the West Bank, villagers from [bill-eye-yeen] are living in fear, unable to sleep or work or carry on with normal life. Activists and community members claim Israeli Defense Forces are raiding their village daily. The Palestinian village is renowned for its weekly non-violent demonstrations against Israel's separation barrier and most recently gained international attention for suing two Quebec based companies for committing war crimes. Villagers believe the increased tactics are linked with the lawsuit. [Sirens, jeeps driving by...] Army green Jeeps roll into the village of Bill-eye-yeen under the cover of darkness. Sirens blare as teams of fully armed soldiers strategically break down doors and wake people out of their beds. Life is anything but normal says Mohammed Khatib. "All of the people are afraid to sleep... " The nightly raids are more than just collective punishment. Israeli forces have arrested more than a dozen youth between the ages of 15 and 18 and even an American activist. Many of the charges are linked with their participation in the demonstrations, and home for these youth, even one that is constantly being disturbed, is likely to be a long way off. "Yes, they are arresting... Eye-witness accounts captured in video of the raids and demonstrations is being updated daily on Youtube including a report filed by a FOX News reporter who was tear gassed during a demonstration.

GroundWire: July 17 - 30, 2009 | Headline: Shoes to fill, Interview with Sami Sheikh

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0500

A Montreal family is living apart right now after immigration Canada separated Sabir and Seema Sheikh [shake] from their four children. Around noon on July 10th, authorities showed up at the family's home and took the parents, who were still in their slippers, into custody. They have since been deported to the United States where it is feared they will eventually be sent back to Pakistan. In the wake of his family's devastating split I talked with twenty one year old Sami Sheikh about adjusting to life as the new head of the household. "What... [:54] While they struggle to cope with life for the present, the danger in Pakistan is very real as the family is targeted for both political and personal reasons. "Threats... [:31] Community support for the family has been extremely vocal in the days following the event. Justin Trudeau, Member of Parliament for the Papineau riding where the [Shakes] live has been outspoken, saying in a letter to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, that deportation will be devastating to the family's future. For now the parents have been taken in by a refugee support group in New York City. The future of the children remains unknown as a decision on their status has only been stayed.

GroundWire: July 17 - 30, 2009 | Headline: All-Women's Pharmacy

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0500

A new all-women pharmacy is open for business in Vancouver's Downtown East Side. CJSF spoke to Karen Duncan, executive director of the project. [Transcript coming]

GroundWire: July 17 - 30, 2009 | Headline: Toronto Strike

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:32:00 -0500

The City of Toronto's inside and outside workers are entering their third week of strike action and are not willing to give in. Civic employees union Local 416 and Canadian Union of public Employees Local 79 represent 30,000 workers in the city of Toronto ranging in services from garbage collection to parks and recreation to daycare. They have been on strike since June 22, demanding that they receive fair and equitable wage increases similar to other employees of the city and also that they not be forced to give in to concessions. I spoke with Mark Ferguson, president of civic union employees union Local 416 "Certainly the city of Toronto came into this round of bargaining looking to strip the rights of our members and essentially rewrite our collective agreement. This strike is a strike that was brought on by the city of Toronto and the unreasonable demand for concessions. We are in fact playing a defensive role in this strike and did not come to the table with unreasonable demands. We came to the table seeking to be treated fairly and not to participate in a race to the bottom. " The recent economic recession has seen an increase in strike action from workers across the country, as it is workers who ultimately must make sacrifices to survive in hard times. Though many workers, union activists, academics and see the economic recession as an excuse to mistreat and tighten control on the working class. "We understand better than most the financial plight of the city of Toronto. We think that it is a falsity- that they are using the recession as an excuse to gain concessions from the unions. We understand that the problem with the finances of the city of Toronto is largely a structural problem, a problem that was created by the former provincial government that cut necessary funding to important city services." Groundwire contacted the city of Toronto but they refused to speak with us. For Groundwire this is Omme Selma Rahemtullah.