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Acknowledging the current economic crisis, the economists "extend our support to the vision of an economy that works for the people, for the planet and for the future."

Citing that a good, working economy provides basic security, a safety net, services and rights for citizens, the economists say that “economics as an institution did not give sufficient warning, and did not inform the decision making” when the economic crisis hit.

The economists “declare our solidarity with the Occupiers who are exercising our democratic right to demand economic and social justice.”

Signatures from economists around the world continue to be added, with Canadian economists’ names starting to appear on the list.

In November 2011 Manitoba Wildlands resumed posting Reality Checks. Recent topics include: the need for ATV policy that is enforced; the number of upcoming Hydro projects in Manitoba; protecting lake sturgeon, and policy to turn off home heating during the winter.

Reality Checks are on the Manitoba government page in the Manitoba Wildlands website, where 2011 election surveys of all political parties are also posted.

The injunction prevents Taseko employees from conducting exploration work, which had been permitted by the BC government.

Tsilhoquo'in Chief Marilyn Baptiste says the latest mine proposal will be even worse on the environment than the first proposal. "Little Fish Lake as well as Upper Fish Creek will be destroyed. And Lower Fish Creek will be destroyed by their pit," argues Baptiste.

BC Supreme Court judge Christopher Grauer has ruled the First Nation was not properly consulted on two permits granted to Taseko by the provincial government. The injunction will be in force until the First Nation can launch a judicial review over the provincial government permits. Jay Nelson, the band's lawyer indicated, "I think it's the right decision. It gives everybody some space now to try to get the consultation process right for these approvals, so it gives the Crown a chance to come back and do its job properly."

The Council of Churches representatives issued a Call, which Manitoba Wildlands is posting below.

The report demonstrate that decisive action on the climate is being ousted from the political agenda, as businesses that contribute the most to climate change emissions, and who are profiting from these activities, work to defeat progressive legislation on climate change and energy around the world.

The report reveals, using clear case studies, how a handful of major polluting corporations such as Eskom, BASF, ArcelorMittal, BHP Billiton, Shell and Koch Industries, as well as oil industry associations, influence governments and the political process on climate legislation.

The report says Ottawa and Alberta have been partners in a taxpayer-funded "advocacy strategy" led by Canada's Foreign Affairs Department to fight climate-change policies and "pro-mote the interests of oil companies."

Canada, along with Japan and Russia, have indicated they plan to walk away from any climate deal that sets greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for developed nations between 2008 and 2012.

The speech referenced the “untapped potential of the Ring of Fire” — an area of muskeg swamps, lakes, and forests in the James Bay Lowlands. Several mining operations are being proposed and mineral exploration is underway in the Ring of Fire. But the throne speech did not mention affected First Nation communities, who are grappling with incomplete consultations, accommodation and environmental assessment of mining in their territories.

“The provincial government has been clear — they view the development of the Ring of Fire area as a key economic driver for years to come. The First Nations in the Ring of Fire area have been equally clear that they expect to be directly involved in the development from beginning to end.” said Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.

Sudbury Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Rick Bartolucci was named Minister of Northern Development and Mines October 20, 2011. He faces the task of bringing into force amendments made to Ontario’s Mining Act in 2009. The amendments include a clause so First Nation communities can withdraw land from development by showing it is a site of cultural or spiritual significance, although criteria for showing either have not been outlined.

The Minister’s task to make the amendments work will be complicated by recent happenings:

• A landmark August 16, 2011 Ontario’s Superior Court decision granted Grassy Narrows First Nations the right to reject development activities on their territory;
• Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) objected to mining operations on its traditional lands earlier in October 2011;
• Matawa First Nation announced their decision to withdraw support for development in the Ring of Fire area of Northern Ontario.

“These young people have touched a chord that is being discussed in every family across North America and in Europe, as well. I think it’s a very important thing they’ve done,” said Martin.

Mark Carney, current governor of the Bank of Canada and a former Goldman Sachs banker, says the democratic debate created by the ‘Occupy Movement’ has been “entirely constructive.”

"I understand the frustration of many people, particularly in the United States. You've had increase in inequality because of ... globalization, because of technology. You've had a big increase in the ratio of CEO earnings to workers on the shop floor."

Carney was appointed chairman of the Swiss-based international Financial Stability Board shortly after his comments about the Occupy Movement.

“I am impressed with the forthrightness of any Central Banker who acknowledges, as Mark Carney has done, that the Occupy Wall Street Protests are constructive. He’s acknowledged the frustration felt due to the continual increase of economic inequality,” said Elizabeth May Canadian Member of Parliament and Green Party Leader, in support of Carney’s appointment.

The Occupy Movement started in New York, with protests on Wall Street about the growing gap between rich and poor. Within a month the movement spreading like wildfire across the US and then Western world, with ‘Occupy” encampments in hundreds of cities worldwide.

In December 2010 Manitoba Hydro requested a final license under Manitoba's Water Power Act for Lake Winnipeg regulation, after 35 years of interim licences.

On July 5th, 2011 the Manitoba government asked the Clean Environment Commission (CEC), a government advisory body, under Manitoba's Environment Act, to review issuance of a final Water Power Act license to Manitoba Hydro. The terms of reference sent to CEC Chair Terry Sargent September 1st, 2011, claim the "Environment Act does not apply to the Lake Winnipeg Regulation project."

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Bi Pole III, required under Manitoba's environment act, and originally expected in summer 2011, was delayed and is now expected to be submitted for public review before the end of 2011.

It is unclear when the EIS will be submitted to Manitoba Conservation, by Manitoba Hydro, what the process and duration of public review will be, and whether this transmission project will involve public hearings, with public participant funding. To date the Minister of Conservation has not provided a 'reference' to the Clean Environment Commission to hold hearings. Hearings would follow all stages of EIS review.

Manitoba Hydro will need to make sure that access to the Bi Pole III EIS materials is at the same standard used during the EIS review for the Wuskwatim transmission project. The range of stakeholders and affected communities means it is essential that Bi Pole III materials are available on paper, on DVDs, and posted on government and Hydro websites.

The sale includes industrial buildings, equipment, waterfront lands and facilities, residential communities, the new TMP mill, a waste water treatment plant, a landfill, and approximately 1,000 acres of vacant land. PFDC will seek alternative uses for the assets and site, by moving forward with land reclamation and site reconfiguration, while exploring opportunities for resale. The complex brownfield redevelopment process could take from 2-5 years to complete.

Financial details of the sale were not disclosed but Tembec said the site was sold for "nominal net proceeds" as the mill had already been written off when it was permanently closed.

On the Labour Day weekend in 2009, Tembec locked out its workers after they rejected the company's offer of cuts to their wages, pensions, and benefits. A year later, in 2010, the mill officially closed its doors and as many as 300 workers were out of a job.

"The mere fact the State Department is slowing down and taking a look at the dirty Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is hugely encouraging. We commend President Obama for listening to the American people and putting the brakes on what would have been a disaster for millions of Americans who want clean air, clean water and good health for their families," said Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club US.

The announcement came after more than 10,000 people converged on the US White House in opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline November 6, 2011, and after legislators in Nebraska convened an emergency session November 1, 2011 to pass a law to require re-routing of the pipeline.

State Department spokesperson Mark Toner said a late deal between TransCanada and Nebraska did not change the 2013 deadline. "Nebraska [and] TransCanada are working together, and we're working to support them, but nothing has changed in regard to the timeline we laid out last week."

"We need TransCanada to listen to the American people telling them 'no' to the pipeline and we need Canada to stop pushing dirty tar sands oil on America," said Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, of the Washington-based National Resources Defense Council.

Goose Islands Park Reserve (145 hectares (ha)), Grand Island Park Reserve (1,035 ha), and Pemmican Island Parks Reserve (22 ha) are all located in Lake Winnipegosis approximately 175 kilometres north of Dauphin, Manitoba.

Kinwow Bay Park Reserve (8,400 ha), Sturgeon Bay Park Reserve (14,490 ha), and Pelican Islands Park Reserve (130 ha) are located along the western shore of Lake Winnipeg approximately 225 kilometres north of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Manitoba's Parks Act, s. 9(1) requires public consultation for park reserves, and park reserve renewals. Comments must be received no later than November 21, 2011.

Park reserve designation, which established the protected areas, provides interim protection while the decision for permanent designation and protection is made.

If park reserve designation is renewed until 2016, this will be the third time that interim protection has been extended for an additional five-years for these six Park Reserves, which were initially established under Manitoba's Parks Act June 1, 2001.

"More than 15 days should have been given to solicit public comments," said Manitoba Wildlands Director Gaile Whelan Enns. "After more than a decade of interim protection, and plans to increase interim protection to 15 years, Manitobans should be rightly asking if and when these protected areas will be permanent?"