Export Development Canada has perfected the art of lending billions of taxpayer dollars to scandal-ridden foreign buyers. But its transparency could use some work. Patricia Adams of Probe International shares her experience with EDC “disclosure”.
China has declared economic war against us — and we’re helping them win

The West has been China’s financier and enabler, fecklessly comforting ourselves with the gains gotten from cheaper consumer goods, and putting out of mind the long-term pains that await us.
Shut the Pickering reactors down

Join Shawn-Patrick Stensil of Greenpeace as he focuses on the Pickering problem and why he wants nuclear power out of Ontario’s energy mix.
Privacy in a big data world

For some optimism on the subject, listen to Dr. Ann Cavoukian, Ontario’s former information and privacy commissioner, discuss her view of the win-win relationship privacy, security and data analytics will enjoy in the future during a recent appearance on TVO’s The Agenda.
Site C risks ‘death spiral’ for BC Hydro, says watchdog
Consumer Policy Institute warns of big rate hikes and pressure for taxpayer bailout.
Canada could be about to make corporate ‘crime’ less criminal — and more lucrative

Patricia Adams: There’s no evidence that deferred prosecution agreements enhance anything other than agency budgets.
Decriminalizing corporate corruption

Deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) make a mockery of the criminal justice system. Join Probe International as we get to the root of this problem at our final Grounds for Thought discussion night of the year: Tuesday, November 28 @8PM.
How megaprojects bankrupt public power utilities and leave regulators in the dark: report

Government-owned power utilities across Canada are pushing ahead with multi-billion dollar megaprojects, while undermining the regulators put in place to protect consumers from such reckless behaviour, according to a new analysis from the Consumer Policy Institute.
Once again: Sichuan quake highlights dam risk
The 7.0-magnitude earthquake in southwest China’s Sichuan province earlier this month, and a devastating 2008 quake in the same province, are likely linked to the region’s dam-building program, says expert.
Solid as a rock
Ensuring public stability has become even more of a priority for President Xi Jinping in the sensitive lead-up time to the CPC Central Committee’s 19th Party Congress scheduled for later this year. Law enforcement and local officials must guard against potential threats as never before, including the threat of disaster. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake in southwest China’s Sichuan province earlier this month saw “earthquake rumours” added to the growing list of bans in recent weeks.
The rule of silence
Will the death of China’s best-known pro-democracy activist in state custody embolden the country’s dissident movement despite efforts to erase his memory?
How megaprojects bankrupt utilities

Brady Yauch, executive director of Consumer Policy Institute, describes the looming threat to public institutions – and to our pocketbooks.
Chinese dissident Hu Jia ‘critically ill’ in Beijing hospital
Veteran dissident Hu Jia hospitalized for acute illness under watch of China’s state security police.
International lawyers, judges call on Beijing to release detained rights lawyer Xie Yang

“Lawyers in China like Xie Yang are indispensable in ensuring human rights protection and upholding the rule of law in China” reads a statement issued by the International Commission of Jurists calling on Beijing to release Xie, who has reported torture during his incarceration.
China tightens its grip over which journalists can report news online
It’s World Press Freedom Day and in China that means more restrictions have been announced.