Here’s your Canadian Atheist Weekly Update for to .
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[] The New Climate Denialism: Time for an intervention
Seth Klein and Shannon Daub talk about the new flavour of climate change denialism: paying lip service to it while taking actions that directly contradict it.
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[] You can see fracking’s impact on Earth’s surface from space
Sadly no images, but fracking has actually buckled the Earth’s surface enough to be measurable from space, and this can actually be used to predict where fracking-caused quakes may occur.
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[] City of Victoria proclaims International Blasphemy Rights Day
was International Blasphemy Rights Day, and while it got no next to no mention by most media and politicians, the city of Victoria, BC actually issued a proclamation recognizing it.
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[] Bill C-305: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (mischief)
Chandra Arya, Liberal MP for Nepean, has introduced a private member’s bill to extend the definition of “mischief” (aka vandalism) in the Criminal Code. Currently, the section in question only covers religious property. Arya wishes to extend it to cover educational institutions and buildings used primarily for administrative, social, cultural or sports activities or events. He also wishes to extend the recognized motivations to include bigotry against gender identity and sexual orientation.
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[] B.C. man faced excruciating transfer after Catholic hospital refused assisted-death request
Allowing institutions (not individuals) to conscientiously object from providing assisted dying services is having the predictable effect. The Post’s story is horrifying enough for the account of Shearer’s suffering, but buried in the tale are other depressing absurdities, like the doctor describing how she has to pose as a family member delivering flowers to even be able to assess patients.
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[] Measles eliminated in Americas: WHO
Despite the efforts of anti-vaxxers, the WHO has declared that measles has been eliminated in Canada.
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[] ”Invasive Species” by Zach Weinersmith (Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal)
Was the expulsion from Eden a punishment for us, or the planet?
Upcoming items
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[] Federal Parliament petition e-382: Blasphemous libel
Just a reminder that the blasphemy law petition closes . If you haven’t signed it already, do so before then. It is currently the 6th most signed petition, with over 5,700 signatures – which is far more than the 500 we needed to get it addressed in Parliament – but we can do better! Also, consider dropping a line to the petition’s sponsor, Willodale Liberal MP Ali Ehsassi, thanking him for his support.
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[] Health Canada public consultation: Regulation of self-care products
Health Canada is considering stricter regulations for “natural health” products that could result in them no longer being allowed to make health claims that haven’t been scientifically proven. Naturally the alt-med folks are watching this closely, and we should be, too. The last time Health Canada consulted the public about this kind of thing 74% of the responses were from industry… which is not good. The online public consultation ends , so if this is something that interests you, consider reading the proposal then submitting an email or snail mail to their consultations process.
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