Spence calls for cancellation of First Nations meeting over GG's absence

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence is calling on the Assembly of First Nations to cancel Friday’s summit with the federal government unless the governor general agrees to attend, CTV News has learned.

Spence says she will not participate in the upcoming First Nations meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper after learning that Governor General David Johnston will not attend the meeting. But she went a step further Wednesday, asking that the AFN outright cancel the meeting due to the vice-regal’s absence.

What Jason Kenney doesn't want you to know about Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Once again, Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program has been in the national news. This time, members of the Canadian labour movement questioned the integrity of the program when it was exposed that a mining company had been approved to bring in 200 of potentially 2,000 coal miners from China to work at a site in northern British Columbia. Labour brokers based in China, recruiting for mining operations such as this one, were charging up to $16,000 dollars from interested applicants and, on their job postings flyers, had listed being able to speak Mandarin. In addition, the labour brokers cited wages significantly lower than the base rate wage for miners in B.C.

Victims in India gang rape case are to blame, defendants' lawyer says

NEW DELHI—The lawyer representing three of the men charged with the gang rape and murder of a medical student aboard a moving bus in New Delhi has blamed the victims for the assault, saying he has never heard of a “respected lady” being raped in India.

Manohar Lal Sharma said his clients will plead not guilty to all charges Thursday when they make their next court appearance. His comments come as Indians have reacted with outrage to the opinions of politicians and a religious preacher who have accused westernized women of inviting sexual assaults.

Ontario Teachers To Protest New Contracts On Friday

TORONTO - Tens of thousands of Ontario elementary teachers and education workers will stage a one-day protest Friday over the government's decision to impose new collective agreements, their union said Wednesday.

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario — one of the largest teachers' unions in Canada — said it's following through on what the majority of its 76,000 members said they wanted should contracts be forced on them.

Finally, native Canadians defend themselves at every level

It is the worst of times for dealing with the massive problems faced by Canada’s aboriginal people. There hasn’t been a government less sympathetic than Stephen Harper’s in many decades.

With Harper it’s always about the money. This battle is only partly about money, and that’s where the misunderstandings begin.

The real story behind Attawapiskat’s problems

Making sense of Attawapiskat is not easy. The James Bay native community is synonymous with poverty. But it sits next to a diamond mine.

Its chief, Theresa Spence, has become famous across Canada because of the hunger strike she is waging on an island in the Ottawa River.

She insists she’ll only consume liquids until Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with her (which he has agreed to do).

Canada’s climate change ambassador looks beyond Kyoto

Back from his first United Nations conference as Canada’s climate change ambassador, Dan McDougall offered reassurance: our international reputation is not in tatters.

“We have very good relations with our colleagues and countries around the world. Canada’s positions are respected,” McDougall said Friday. “We’re very active in all of the negotiation sessions and making very positive contributions.”

Few Canadians Are Hopeful Before Harper Meets Aboriginal Leaders

More than half of respondents think the government has done a poor job handling health care, the environment, Aboriginal affairs and poverty.

As Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to discuss various concerns with Aboriginal leaders, many Canadians believe the impending meeting will be ineffective, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

Cutbacks force more homeless to sleep on Toronto streets

Like so many others, Angel Conception died long before his time. He was only 58 years old when he passed away shortly before Christmas.

Living in shelters and on the street over a number of years can age a person well beyond their years.

At least he was identified.

Paul Ryan Cosponsors New Fetal Personhood Bill

Despite the deep unpopularity of fetal personhood bills in 2012, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has again decided to cosponsor the Sanctity of Human Life Act, a bill that gives full legal rights to human zygotes from the moment of fertilization.

Ryan, who reportedly has 2016 presidential ambitions, had to de-emphasize his opposition to abortion without exceptions during the 2012 election to align his position with presidential candidate Mitt Romney. But this year, Ryan has been tapped as a keynote speaker for the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List's sixth annual Campaign for Life Gala, and he is re-upping his support for the most extreme anti-abortion legislation in the country.