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News & Views
Accessibility has come a long way in St. John’s, but it still has far to go - Saltwire
September 23, 2021
This zero-waste team wants your help revealing the biggest plastic polluters in N.L. - CBC News
August 20, 2021
Newfoundland and Labrador government says risk too great to take on equity stake in remaining years of Terra Nova project - Saltwire
June 10, 2021
The Premier’s Economic Recovery Team (PERT) report is fundamentally flawed and risks leading the province down a dangerous path, critics are warning. Unless the report’s nature and its immediate failures are understood and challenged, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians could be corralled into a conversation about their own future that marginalizes certain perspectives, limits civic engagement, and compounds underlying issues at the root of the province’s devastated economy.
Greene Report Must be Resisted: Observers - The Independent
May 11, 2021
The Premier’s Economic Recovery Team (PERT) report is fundamentally flawed and risks leading the province down a dangerous path, critics are warning. Unless the report’s nature and its immediate failures are understood and challenged, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians could be corralled into a conversation about their own future that marginalizes certain perspectives, limits civic engagement, and compounds underlying issues at the root of the province’s devastated economy.
MUN will hike tuition in 2022, says university president - CBC News
June 1, 2021
CLEAR is partnering with the Social Justice Co-operative N.L. and the Nunatsiavut Government on the citizen science survey, collecting data on key food prices. “The goal of the N.L. Food Pricing Project is to better understand the cost of key food items across our province,” said Ms. Neilsen, who is from North West River, Labrador, and is completing a bachelor of science degree. She and Ms. Davidson, who is originally from Clarenville and is working towards a bachelor of science degree, are eager to expand the study.
Price Watchers - The Gazette
June 7, 2021
CLEAR is partnering with the Social Justice Co-operative N.L. and the Nunatsiavut Government on the citizen science survey, collecting data on key food prices. “The goal of the N.L. Food Pricing Project is to better understand the cost of key food items across our province,” said Ms. Neilsen, who is from North West River, Labrador, and is completing a bachelor of science degree. She and Ms. Davidson, who is originally from Clarenville and is working towards a bachelor of science degree, are eager to expand the study.
May Day, or International Workers’ Day (IWD), presents an opportunity not only to remember our struggle, but to continue and expand it—to develop working-class power capable of challenging both the power of the merchant class at home, and the wider capitalist class abroad. This year, and every year, we ought to fight for May Day. We have nothing to lose but our chains.
How We’re Leading a Climate Justice Movement in NL - The Independent
May 1, 2020
As Premier Andrew Furey settles in at Newfoundland and Labrador’s helm, one group is using the change in provincial leadership to push for more action on climate change. “We're keeping an eye on the kind of moves he's making, especially early in office,” said Heather Elliott, a member of the Coalition for a Green New Deal NL, a group formed August of last year, and which is also affiliated with the Social Justice Cooperative NL. Elliott spearheaded writing a letter from the group to the premier. The letter was also shared with The Telegram.
September 20, 2020
'Move away from fossil fuels immediately, Coalition for a Green New Deal NL tells Furey' - The Telegram
Why May Day Matters for Newfoundland and Labrador - The Independent
May 1, 2021
Over the past year, the Social Justice Co-operative has been leading a campaign to address the climate crisis in Newfoundland and Labrador by connecting with activists and organizing a wide range of actions with a vision of anti-racism, anti-colonialism, and international worker solidarity. As we strike and organize for the climate through social and environmental justice, we wanted to take today—May 1st, International Workers’ Day—to reflect on the past year, share with you our successes, and our next steps.
May Day, or International Workers’ Day (IWD), presents an opportunity not only to remember our struggle, but to continue and expand it—to develop working-class power capable of challenging both the power of the merchant class at home, and the wider capitalist class abroad. This year, and every year, we ought to fight for May Day. We have nothing to lose but our chains.
Progressive Dreams Deferred in 2021 St. John’s City Election
September 29, 2021
"The most significant factor affecting the health and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is Climate Change. We understand that this province has seen a lot of economic success since oil was first discovered off our coasts, especially when the collapse of the cod fishery left an economic vacuum that needed to be filled. However, as science has conclusively shown, the need to move away from fossil fuels is immediate. Our youth continue taking to the streets and social media, demanding that our generation be accountable for their future." - excerpt of letter submitted to Premier Andrew Furey from the Coalition for a Green New Deal in Newfoundland and Labrador.
'Move away from fossil fuels immediately, Coalition for a Green New Deal NL tells Furey' - The Telegram
September 20, 2020
The Coalition for a Green New Deal recently welcomed Premier Furey into office and encouraged him to take courageous action to transition NL away from fossil fuels and care for our communities. The Premier did not respond to the letter, but thankfully The Telegram reached out and this is the statement from his office “Creating a strong and vibrant offshore oil and gas industry to ensure some of the lowest emission production can continue to be part of the global energy mix is a way that we can help achieve our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050,” reads the email. Minister Trimper had a more nuanced approach “I think climate change is definitely the number one threat facing not just this province, but the world,” he said. "So, we've got to get off carbon-based fuel sources. That said, it isn't going to happen overnight."
We are disappointed in this response from government. Climate change is an urgent threat to our jobs, to our families, to our communities, and we need courageous leadership at the helm that is willing to take this public health emergency seriously.
September 18, 2020
Minimalism - Cross Talk with Ramona Dearing
January 13, 2021
"Are you someone who takes great pleasure in having lots of stuff around, from books to collectibles to clothing to gadgets and tools. Or do you prefer having plenty of space in your closets and cupboards, and having the bare minimum of stuff to keep you going? Guests: Viviana Ramirez Luna and Sophie Wells are both on the Zero Waste Action Team."
LETTER: A New Year, A Greener World - SaltWire
What a youth panel wants to hear more about on the election trail - CBC News
January 29, 2021
When will our political parties acknowledge and commit to addressing the climate crisis?! "I don't see it getting as much attention as it deserves. I know last year St. John's did declare a climate emergency, but I haven't heard much on a provincial level, so I would like to see each of the parties commit to either at least acknowledging that this is an issue that we need to face and say that they will work on a plan," said Feltham.
Kerri-Claire Neil: using her voice for all the right reasons - Tint of Ink
February 3, 2020
"Some of Neil’s concerns for the future of the province are addressed through her efforts with the Social Justice Cooperative Newfoundland and Labrador (SJC). SJC “aims, as its core commitment, to advance the cause of social, economic and political equality at home and abroad.” The Cooperative is involved with a variety of campaigns focused on the giving the people of the province a voice and insure social justice, including a focus on climate change." - by Gina Gill
Rally Held at Bannerman Park in Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Nation in B.C. - VOCM
February 15, 2020
"The group was demonstrating to show their solidarity with protests happening in British Colombia against the northern B.C. Pipeline project, which crosses traditional Wet’suwet’en land. Those at the rally carried signs that read “water is life” , “reconcilliation is dead”, and “solidarity with Wet’suwet’en and Labrador Land Protectors”. Dr. Rachel Jekanowski is one of the organizers of the event. She says they all came out from both indigenous and non-indigenous walks of life to stand up to protect indigenous sovereignty and their right to their own lands and waters and their right to make their own political decisions about them."
Some residents hope to make a case to bring Metrobus service to C.B.S - CBC News
February 15, 2020
"Jen Crowe is co-chair of Happy City St. John's, a non-profit group that helps to create public dialogue in the city. The group organized the forum. According to Happy City St. John's, 77 per cent of people living in Conception Bay South work outside of the community. Crowe says the numbers make a good case for public transit in the area. 'You're really really limited if you're a student or if you're a senior, or you're someone who just can't afford a vehicle," Crowe said. "You're really limited in how you get around that place and also get to St. John's and Mount Pearl." Crowe said one of the big issues that came up during the forum was the cost of bringing Metrobus to Conception Bay South." - by Alex Kennedy and The St. John's Morning Show
Activist group holds St. John's rally in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en nation protesters - CBC News
February 15, 2020
"Cold temperatures in downtown St. John's Saturday did not deter Solidarity with Labrador Land Protectors from rallying in support of the Wet'suwet'en nation protests. Rachel Jekanowski, a member of the St. John's-based community activist group, helped organize the rally. The group was formed to support the Labrador Land Protectors group in opposition to the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project, but also supports other causes. 'We're trying to bring community members, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, from across the city and across the province together to stand up and say that we defend and support Indigenous sovereignty,' Jekanowski said." - by Stephen Miller
Dozens gather at MUN during Muskrat Falls announcement to protest B.C. pipeline - CBC News
February 10, 2020
Letter: Premier Furey, We Need a Green New Deal - The Independent
The Social Justice Co-op was LIVE at VOCM's Lunch Bunch with Andrew Hawthorne on January 30, 2020, talking about the Green New Deal for NL, events like Green New Drinks, our petition for NL to declare a climate emergency, and MORE!
"About 100 people gathered at Memorial University's Signal Hill campus Monday afternoon to protest the construction of a British Columbia pipeline. The demonstration — held near Monday's announcement of a Muskrat Falls rate-mitigation agreement, with federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan in attendance — was a move of solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en Nation, who oppose the development of a pipeline on their territory in British Columbia, and to protest the RCMP, who arrested Wet'suwet'en members blocking access to the pipeline construction site." - by Mark Quinn
"When thinking about tackling the climate crisis, let’s think beyond the “greenness” of our energy sources and energy efficiency. Let’s reflect about minimizing our demands and finding meaning through caring relationships with the planet and with others, not through consumerism. Committing to minimalism can be the start of new experiences and new behaviours that, once changed, can last long, inspire others and make the change the planet urgently needs." - by Viviana Ramírez Luna
Social Justice Co-op at Lunch Bunch with Andrew Hawthorne
January 30, 2020
"Members of a St. John's non-profit that studied how a few dozen households managed their plastics say they were shocked to find that most of it wound up going in the trash. The Social Justice Co-operative Newfoundland Labrador's Zero Waste Action Team released the finding of its research earlier this week. 'From our preliminary findings, we see that out of the total plastic waste that is generated in a house, 75 per cent of it, as per count … is not getting recycled,' project organizer V. Nikhilesh Paliath said in an interview."
St. John's group startled by how much plastic goes to the dump - CBC News
March 24, 2021
January 6, 2021
