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Marking May Day with the Worker Action Network May 1, 2022 🌹 May Day Party 🌹 "The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too" - Rose Schneiderman (1882 - 1972) Workers deserve fair and equitable working conditions, but they also deserve joy, art, and beauty. On May Day, 2022 we gathered with the Worker Action Network at Bannerman Park for a celebration of workers rights. Check out the Rose Photo Project we did in partnership with Tania Heath of Project Power Back. All photos by Tania. View photos here: https://www.sjcnl.ca/may-day-party Previous Next

Sex Worker Solidarity Mar 6, 2021 In March of 2021, we participated in the Safe Harbour Outreach Project's (SHOP) "Stories of Sex Worker Solidarity" in recognition of #InternationalSexWorkerRightsDay . Below is a video submission by our Volunteer Coordinator. Another one of our members sent a mesage of solidarity too! SJC member Heather says that... "Sex workers are often members of other marginalized groups that don’t need any more barriers in front of them to get the services they need. When they are survivors of violence, they should have their complaints taken seriously, regardless of what they do for a living. They should be able to exist without fear of repercussions or victimization just for existing. And, above all else, sex work is valid work and should be treated as such. Self-determination exists in other work, and it should not be kept from sex workers because some people are uncomfortable with their chosen occupation." Thank you to SHOP for all your crucial work in the community, for championing the dignity and rights of sex workers, and for inviting us to be part of this iniative. Previous Next

Three Promises: Palestinian Film Screening Dec 17, 2023 banner photo by William Ping/CBC Please Note the Change of Date! This event has been moved to Sunday, December 17 due to Palestine rallies happening 2pm every Saturday at Harbourside Park until there's a ceasefire Date: Sunday December 17, 2023 Time: 3 - 6pm NT Location: Memorial University, ED 1020 Please wear a mask to help protect each other! Synopsis: While the Israeli army retaliates against the Second Intifada in the West Bank in the early 2000s, a mother films her family's daily life, punctuated by time spent shielding her family from harm in the basement. Now, her son revisits this past, delivering a heart-breaking portrait of the anguish of parents who are forced to choose between their children’s physical safety and the emotional upheaval of leaving home." Previous Next

Prisoner Justice Projects The SJC believes in prison abolition and the fight to bring about a world beyond prisons and policing. We believe communities can work together to address harm and hold one another accountable through Restorative and Transformative approaches to justice. Below are some projects we are involved in to connect with, advocate for, and support incarcerated community members. Prison Pen Pal Project We are a group of volunteers building friend ships through letter writing with community members experiencing incarceration in provincial penitentiaries in NL. Learn More about Prison Pen Pal Project Running Down The Walls Join us on October 15th 2023 at 2-5pm for the first ever St John’s Running Down the Walls fun 5k run/jog/walk/strut/roll. Bring $10 to participate or fundraise a minimum of $10. We’ll have water and snacks for all participants! Event starts at 2pm NT at the Corrections Wellness Garden, 89 Forest Road. Social to follow at 5pm NT at the Benevolent Irish Society, 30 Harvey Road. Learn More about Running Down The Walls

Land Back Fest with the Indigenous Activist Collective Jul 1, 2022 Land Back fest 2022 and 2023 grew out of Cancel Canada Day YYT 2021, which was organized by the Indigenous Activist Collective, Anti-Racism Coalition NL, Black Lives Matter NL, and SJC NL in response to Idle No More's call to Cancel Canada Day and show # NoPrideInGenocide Land Back Fest is a community gathering and feast with the Indigenous Activist Collective in Bannerman Park on July 1 to celebrate Land Back Movements and Indigenous Peoples. Why celebrate colonial genocide when we can come together to celebrate and demand the return of Indigenous lands to Indigenous hands!? Check out some Land Back fest photos here: sjcnl.ca/lbf Previous Next

Expectations of Directors of the Board of the Social Justice Co-operative The Board of Directors of the Social Justice Co-operative is a 9-person board responsible for ensuring the fiscal, legal, political, operational and administrative health of the organization. The focus of the board role is on building the capacity of the co-operative to sustain the operations of action teams, working groups, and other campaigns. While board members are not required to lead or participate in action teams, working groups, or other campaigns; occasional appearances at meetings of these groups are always welcome. The SJCNL board is a working board . This means that our board members work as unpaid staff for the nonprofit co-op since we do not yet have the financial resources to hire professional staff in most day-to-day positions. However, the SJCNL board is also a governing board , one that provides the leadership for the co-operative, consults with members and volunteers to shape strategic direction and co-operative policies, as well as provides financial oversight and ensures adequate resources for expenditures. Key responsibilities that our board fills on a monthly basis: - taking a leadership role in equity initiatives - keeping up to date financial records and maintaining synchronicity with the Co-operatives Act - maintaining the website and social media accounts - managing internal and external communications - reviewing, discussing, and approving new spending decisions or financial commitments - hosting monthly membership meetings - reviewing and approving membership applications - discussing any issues arising from organizing activities that could have legal implications for the co-operative, its board of directors, its staff, its membership, and its volunteers - overseeing the work of the SJC staff and supporting SJC staff in their work - reviewing and discussing proposed partnerships with other organizations - developing policy and other proposals for the consideration of members and volunteers While contributing to these collective responsibilities, there are individual expectations on each board member. Generally, it is expected that each board member: - Participate in a monthly board meeting . This usually requires reading agendas ahead of time, and preparing for any topics to which you will be required to speak - Participate in e-mail conversations on a weekly basis. In between monthly board meetings, the board does conduct some important conversations and decisions over e-mail. Board members can expect to have to reply to such e-mails 2-3 times per week. - Attend a minimum of 4 monthly general membership meetings per annum . These are open to all members, and a key opportunity for members to raise and discuss matters of importance to them. Board participation in these meetings gives board members a full understanding of the issues and realities of our members and volunteers, ensuring board activity is representative and supportive. - Assume at least one ongoing board responsibility . Each board member should take on some responsibility, outside of participation in meetings, in a least one portfolio area. Co-chair positions require extensive board coordination and staff liaising, as well as internal and external portfolios of responsibility, and the organization/facilitation of one co-operative committee (such as the equity team or the activities fund committee). Only the secretary and treasurer roles undertake daily and weekly tasks; as a result, these two roles do not entail organization/facilitation of a co-operative committee. Other portfolios may include: education and training fundraising governance and policy membership recruitment, onboarding, and support communications Altogether, board members can expect the time commitment of all of the above to be at least 16+ hours per month. This is not a hard rule, and rather an estimate to help board members set expectations.

Climate Petition Challenge Petition to Declare Provincial Climate Emergency Join us and demand that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador declare a climate emergency. How does it work? 1. Download the petition package below 2. Fill in your name and information. Know others who want to sign? Get their information too! 3. Return your completed package to the Social Justice Co-Op (details on the form) That's it! Quick and easy! Why do I have to download a form? In order for a petition to be presented in the House of Assembly, it has to be on paper. But don't worry! You collect the signatures and send us the forms, we do everything else, including cover the postage fees (contact us for details). Download the form and show your support today. Every signature counts! Print & Sign The Petition Climate Petition Challenge: Who We Are Right to Left: Lela Evans (PC), SJC member Rosie Myers, and Jim Dinn (NDP) posed for a selfie after Rosie delivered the petition to Confederation Building. What have we done so far? Taking the first steps towards progress In 2019, a team of SJC members put together this petition and set out into their communities. Over the course of a few months they collected over 2,000 signatures from citizens demanding the province declare a climate emergency Unfortunately, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic meant that signature collection had to stop. The petition was put on hold until it was safe to venture out again. In June, 2021, the Coalition for a Green New Deal NL and DecarbonizeNL teamed up and breathed new life into the project. They contacted all the seated parties and four MHAs - Lela Evans (PC), Jim Dinn (NDP), Jordan Brown (NDP), and Paul Lane (IND)- agreed to present the petition to the floor. From June 16th to the end of session, our petition was presented every day! Our Labrador MHAs spoke to witnessing climate change firsthand, and all demanded the province take action. We are now collecting signatures again, with the intention of presenting a second batch of petitions in October when the House resumes. This is where we need you! Download the form and get out into your communities. Stay safe, collect signatures, and get us the support we need so we can demand the government take the climate crisis into account with every deicion they make. We can do this! 2073 SIGNATURES COLLECTED, AND COUNTING! Sign the petition to declare a climate emergency! Join the Climate Petition Challenge Climate Petition Challenge: Quote Climate Emergency Declaration: Petition to the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador We, the undersigned residents of the Province of NL, bring the attention of the House of Assembly to the following: THAT, WHEREAS: According to the document “The Way Forward on Climate Change” the province is already experiencing the effects of climate change; NL joined the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change in 2016, but is not on track to meet its 2020 targets; Financial costs resulting from climate change will unequally impact municipalities due to responsibilities set out in the “Municipalities Act 1999” THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the House of Assembly to urge the government to: Declare a CLIMATE EMERGENCY Establish a task force on decreasing the effects of the climate crisis while building community resilience Consider climate in all policy & decision making Download, print and sign the climate petition now! Climate Petition Challenge: Who We Are Climate Petition Challenge: Get Involved

Project Nujio'qonik by World Energy GH2 Coalition for a Green New Deal: Who We Are What is Project Nujio'qonik? Project Nujio'qonik is also known as the Port-au-Port & Stephenville Wind Power & Hyd rogen Generation Project. It's a wind-to-hydrogen mega-project being proposed by Worl d Energy GH2 for construction on the Port-au-Port peninsula and in the area around Stephenville. The project, if approved, would see 164 wind turbines built on the Port-au-Port peninsula and a Hydrogen Generation Plant built in Stephenville. Who is World Energy GH2? World Energy GH2, founded in 2022, is a NL based subsidiary of a US company called World Energy LLC, one of the USA's biggest suppliers of biodiesel. The CEO of World Energy GH2 is Sean Leet, whose previous appointments include Director and CEO of two Maritime Transportation companies, KOTUG and Horizon Maritime. The chairman of Project Nujio'qonik is Nova Scotian billionaire John Risley, founder of Clearwater Seafoods. (Notice that no one here has any previous experience in wind energy or hydrogen generation) Members of the Social Justice Co-op NL, Council of Canadians, and Clean NL, rally for a Federal Impact Assessment of Project Nujio'qonik outside 10 Barter's Hill in St. John's on Friday September 22, 2023. Photo by Kassie Drodge Why are people concerned? A group of local residents called the E nvironmental Transparency Committee (ETC) outline many reasons for concern in their August 29th media release. Read the release in full by clicking here , or check out some highlights below: "We were already worried when this project was sprung on us last summer," says Marilyn Rowe, Chair of the Sheaves Cove Local Service District. "It was obvious then that trying to crowd 164 giant turbines onto our little peninsula would threaten our environment, our communities and ou r way of life. The preliminary work on roads and test towers has already caused significant destruction. The EIS [Environmental Impact Statement submitted by World Energy GH2] shows that the impacts will be even worse." The EIS, required by the Province, represents the proponent company's version of the impacts they anticipate and how they will address any problems. It is a massive multi-volume document detailing their technologically complex and economically questionable plan to use the area's wind energy to transform water into hydrogen and then into ammonia for shipment overseas from the port of Stephenville. Like Muskrat Falls before it, this mega-proposal suffers from an extreme form of optimism bias, apparently shared by the provincial government. The Port au Port Peninsula is home to some 4,000 people, a majority of Mi'kmaq descent, and is known for its relatively unspoiled natural environment, its rare and endangered species, and its unique blend of Indigenous, French and English cultures. A year ago when word began to spread there about the proposed mega-project, local people formed the Port Au Port Environmental Transparency Committee to demand a say in the decision-making and an end to the secrecy and conflicts of interest surrounding the project. "We've performed our due diligence, talked to the company, taken part in their staged 'consultations' and challenged their experts," says Nadine Tallack of the ETC. "All during that time, the proponent was continuing their preliminary work, while meeting with the provincially-appointed committee of government employees to make the drastic changes and additions to their original proposal that they have now entrenched in their EIS." With members locally throughout the Peninsula and supporters across Newfoundland and Labrador, the ETC has received formal letters of support from provincial and national organizations, including EnviroWatch NL, the Social Justice Co-operative of Newfoundland and Labrador, CLEAN NL and the Council of Canadians. "This World Energy mega-project is not 'green energy' at all," says Helen Forsey of the Council of Canadians Avalon/NL Chapter. "Its construction alone will require huge amounts of fossil fuels and earth minerals, and its operation will rely on power from the provincial grid to cover fluctuations in the wind source. Moreover, nothing even partially 'green' will stay here in the Province: the ammonia will be shipped overseas to European markets, generating further emissions and wasting more energy to reconvert it to a usable form. Newfoundland/Ktaqmkuk will be left with the devastating environmental and social consequences of the whole profiteering venture." Read Full Media Release What are people asking for? The Environmental Transparency Committee, with the support of EnviroW atch NL, the Social Justice Co-operative of NL, CLEAN NL, and the Council of Canadians, are asking that Minster Stephen Guilbeault designate Project Nujio'qonik for a impa ct assessment through the federal Imp act Assessment Agency. The federal impact assessment process i s more comprehensive than the pro vincial one and provides for public participation . Trust has broken down between concerned residents and the provincial government, leading to a lack of trust in the provincial government's capacity to carry out an honest and sufficient assessment. Concerns about Premier Furey's connection to Project Nujio'qonik's billionaire chairman John Risley emerged after news broke last fall of Furey and Risley enjoying a fishing trip together in July 2021 at Risley's luxury cabin in Labrador. Concerns have also been raised about Furey's friendship with businessman Brendan Paddick , a director at World Energy GH2. These concerns have intensified since the Independent NL broke a story about the provincial government peddling the province on the international energy market as the 'World’s First Net-Zero Potential Energy Super Basin' and uncovered covert plans to const ruct a hydrogen transportation pipeline through unceded Innu lands in Labrador . Minister Guilbeault is to decide whether to designate Project Nujio'qonik for a federal Impact Assessment by October 3r d . A federal impact assessment will ensure the public has a chance to participate in considering the environmental impact of Project Nujio'qonik. Read SJC Letter of Support Update - September 29, 2023 The ETC worked hard to push Minister Guilbeault to designate the project for Federal Impact Assessment. Unfortunately despite the comprehensive case they made, and the many letters of support contributed by groups like the SJC, Council of Canadians, and the FFAW, the minister decided not to designate the project for a federal impact assessment. Instead he left the environmental and impact assessment in the hands of the province. The provincial process is not as comprehensive as the federal one and does not provide any funding for public intervenors, which is how concerned residents get their voices heard in the assessment process. The ETC is now considering setting up a parallel community-run impact assessment process. If you're interested in being involved in this shoot us an email at SocialJusticeCoopNL@gmail.com and we'll put you in touch. A second west coast based group working to ensure concerns about the potential negative impacts of Project Nujio'qonik and others like it get heard is the South Coast Alliance. We had the great pleasure of meeting with Brenda from the South Coast Alliance this week. They are advocating for a "six-month pause, with time extension possibilities, on approving industry projects on the Southwest Coast until proper Cumulative Effects Assessment studies and meaningful consultations are concluded". This includes the wind-to-hydrogen mega-project proposed by World Energy GH2, Project Nujio'qonik. If you're on Facebook, you can join their group "Protect NL " to stay updated on their activities. Brenda came all the way to St. John’s to bring flyers, petitions and protest signs to raise awareness. Send us a message at SocialJusticeCoopNL@gmail.com to get some flyers and petitions! You can also email the South Coast Alliance at ProtectNL@outlook.com Project Nujio'qonik Incompatible with Revolution of Care SJCNL Volunteer Coordinator, Lea Movelle, opens Sept 22nd Rally for Federal Impact Assessment of Project Nujio'qonik by calling out provincial government for greenwashing, drawing parallels to Muskrat Falls, thanking Environmental Transparency Committee for raising their voices, and encouraging a Revolution of Care. Jude Benoit shares concerns about Work Camps, Noise Pollution, Environmental Racism Jude Benoit, longtime Two Spirit Mi'kmaq activist, co-founder of the Indigenous Activist Collective and member of the SJC shares concerns about the impacts of Project Nujio'qonik on their home and family. Helen Forsey says Current Assessment Process is largely Managed by and for the Proponent (World Energy GH2) Helen Forsey, with the Council of Canadians, says the Avalon chapter has been working with the Environmental Transparency Committee since January on effort to secure a Federal Impact Assessment for Project Nujio'qonik. Emphasizes that a Federal Impact Assessment would allow for more true public participation, both through funding for public intervenors, and a longer, more detailed and more independent process in place. Rally for Federal Impact Assessment for Project Nujio'qonik Ends in Group Chant: Protestors chant, "We're here to fight for the future we need, the elites won't save us from their own greed" Thanks to Kassie Drodge for capturing all of the photos and videos from the rally <3 Update - November 12, 2023 On November 1st, Minister Bernard Davis announced that the NL government would not be approving Project Nujio'qonik and asked World Energy GH2 for more information in their environmental assessment, including "potential and cumulative effects of the project." This is a huge win for groups across the province who have been raising questions about this mega project! On October 27, we joined protesters from the Environmental Transparency Committee in Port au Port who raised important questions about the project and are so excited that their efforts have been successful on this front. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/no-decision-yet-n-l-government-says-world-energy-gh2-proposal-needs-more-information-1.7015232

In Solidarity with the Sovereign Wet'suwet'en Nation Feb 27, 2020 The Social Justice Cooperative declares our complete and unconditional solidarity with the people of the sovereign Wet’suwet’en nation in their ongoing resistance to Canadian colonialism, as well as with all those who have taken action in support of the Wet’suwet’en nation following invasion by the RCMP. We demand an end to violence against Wet’suwet’en people and their allies in Wet’suwet’en territory and the immediate evacuation of Coastal GasLink. We demand that the RCMP leave Wet'suwet'en territories. We demand that all Wet’suwet’en land defenders, supporters and journalists who have been arrested in the past week be immediately released and all charges dropped. From all perspectives, the actions of the RCMP and Coastal Gas Link, supported by the BC and Canadian government, are illegitimate, immoral and unacceptable. Under ‘Anuc niwh’it’en (Wet’suwet’en law) all five clans of the Wet’suwet’en have unanimously opposed all pipeline proposals and have not provided free, prior, and informed consent to Coastal Gaslink/TC Energy to do work on Wet’suwet’en lands. In addition to violent and blatant ignorance of the law and consent of Wet’suwet’en, the actions of the RCMP and Coastal Gas Link represent a clear rejection of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People and a clear violation of the spirit of past commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. It is unconscionable that the governments of BC and Canada are taking this action. Over the past decade, the Wet'suwet'en people have been providing people across Turtle Island with leadership in the fight against climate change and proper stewardship of lands and waters. Meanwhile, colonial governments across Turtle Island have consistently acted in the interest of the oil and gas industry, which will result in nothing but climate disaster of unimaginable devastation. We wish to express deep gratitude to the Wet’suwet’en people for the formidable vision and strength with which they have defended their people and territories from pipeline development. It is clear that your strength and commitment is unwavering and we support you completely . We also encourage people across Turtle Island to actively support the Wet’suwet’en people at this time of attack from colonial governments. We call on everyone to take any actions of solidarity you can, as often as you can, until the demands of the Wet’suwet’en people are met. Donate to Wet'suswet'en Unistoten Camp: https://unistoten.camp/support-us/donate/ Unistoten Camp Solidarity Toolkit: https://unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/ Unistoten Needs List: https://unistoten.camp/support-us/wishlist-needslist/ P.S. Check out this coverage of the "pipeline building" demonstration that the SJC participated in at Minister O'Regan's office in February of 2020: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/supporters-protest-pipeline-1.5477873 Previous Next