Canada in brief: Sept. 23, 2009

Inspection threatens to pull Ryerson radio station off air

ONTARIO (CUP) – After a year mired in controversy, Ryerson University’s CKLN 88.1 FM is at risk of losing its broadcasting license.

On Sept. 15, an inspector from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commissions (CRTC) flew in from Ottawa to assess the station, which violated its license agreement by broadcasting dead air for several weeks.

The CRTC will make their decision within two weeks, said Peter Toh, treasurer of CKLN’s new board.

— Vanessa Greco, The Eyeopener

‘We’re not going to take inaction,’ Greenpeace

BRITISH COLUMBIA (CUP) – Greenpeace activists from three countries fully shut down operations at a mine in Fort McMurray, AB for hours this week to send a message to governments to cease development of oil sands for oil production.

On Sept. 15, about 25 Greenpeace activists from Canada, the U.S. and France – including four University of British Columbia (UBC) students – infiltrated the Dutch Royal Shell Albian Sands open pit mine at around 8:30 a.m. Alberta time.

The mine produces 155,000 barrels of oil a day. The students remained at the site for about 30 hours before being escorted off the premises.

— Samantha Jung, The Ubyssey

Green Party leader wins B.C. nomination

BRITISH COLUMBIA (CUP) – Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, is wasting no time getting ready to turn B.C. into a bedrock of Green support – and V
ancouver Island is ground zero.

May won her party’s nomination for the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding on Sept. 19, having announced earlier in the month that she would seek nomination there. The riding’s southern tip is on Mackenzie Boulevard, which borders the University of Victoria.

Green party support has surged to 24 per cent in B.C. according to a Harris-Decima poll taken near the end of August. That puts the Greens ahead of the Liberals, who claim 20 per cent, and only four points behind the leading Conservatives.

— Cody Willett, The Martlet

Meal hall goes trayless

NOVA SCOTIA (CUP) – Acadia University has taken a step toward becoming a more environmentally conscious campus by deciding to completely remove plastic trays from its meal hall. As of the beginning of September, the school’s Wheelock Dining Hall removed all of the trays used to carry meals.

While juggling plates and cups without a tray may seem like a bother for some, trayless dining saves water and reduces energy and food waste.

— Angela Johnston, The Athenaeum