Saturday, October 4, 2025
More

    Top 6 This Week

    popular+

    End times or turning point? It’s our choice

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    By David Suzuki

    It’s never been more important for people in Canada to focus on protecting and restoring life-sustaining nature and advancing social justice. But our governments are instead fuelling accelerated industrial expansion and trampling Indigenous rights. It’s dismaying.

    Governments throughout Canada are showing a renewed zeal for extraction, often accompanied by a failure to uphold Indigenous rights. It’s sometimes opportunistically framed as a response to the current unstable geopolitical situation brought about by chaotic United States politics and policies.

    British Columbia just passed Bill 15 to fast-track infrastructure projectsFirst Nations argued it “gives B.C. leeway to steamroll First Nations rights and environmental protections.”

    Alberta has discarded even the pretense of upholding a responsibility to steward wildlife. It’s proposing to let U.S.–based Weyerhaeuser clearcut the last winter range forests of two highly imperilled mountain caribou populations. The plan would also approve increased oil and gas development in their habitats.

    Ontario pushed through Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, which allows it to designate “special economic zones” where business projects can be exempted from provincial or municipal laws and the province can ignore its duty to obtain free, prior and informed consent from Indigenous nations.

    The federal government has joined the fray, trying to ram through the Building Canada Act, another avenue for fast-tracking potentially ecologically harmful projects that it deems to be “in the public interest.”

    All fail to acknowledge that healthy ecosystems are foundational to healthy economies.

    Why is this happening, when the measures needed to address the climate and biodiversity crises are clear? (We need to set limits to resource extraction activities, leave fossil fuels in the ground, invest in renewables and restore degraded ecosystems.) Why now, when steps to halt and reverse nature loss and uphold Indigenous rights are finally beginning to take shape?

    If it feels like backlash against recent progress, a doubling down, it’s because it likely is. Those who have filled their pockets with industrial extraction spoils are fighting to defend the status quo — or improve it for industry by slashing remaining safeguards. Power, politics and profits are common bedfellows.

    As Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor write in a Guardian article, “The rise of end times fascism,” many in power globally (in governments or influencing governments) have abdicated their responsibilities to the planet and the commons, favouring a future built on artificial intelligence, a belief in religious redemption and fervent libertarianism. Instead of investing in social and ecological repair, they’re investing in extracting more resources faster and fixating on other planets to inhabit as their negligence brings about ecological collapse on this one.

    “Indeed, in a strange twist on the Old Testament tale, Musk and his fellow tech billionaires, having arrogated god-like powers to themselves, aren’t content to just build the arks,” Klein and Taylor write. “They appear to be doing their best to cause the flood.”

    Those with power tend to embrace an “end of times” mentality rather than potential changes to their own status: “End times fascism is a darkly festive fatalism — a final refuge for those who find it easier to celebrate destruction than imagine living without supremacy.”

    With so much chaos in the world, the pull of some form of fatalism is understandable. It’s difficult to watch continued environmental destruction and to fight year after year against the many political and industrial activities wreaking ecological havoc.

    But environmentalism springs from love of the world and a deep understanding of its regenerative abilities. Most of us also know that humans can be forces for good — rectifying mistakes, upholding social justice, advancing reconciliation and creating positive change.

    We can counter the “end times” narrative by articulating our unwavering sense of responsibility to Earth’s future, each other and the myriad plant, animal, fungi and other species that fill the planet’s nooks, ocean waters, rivers, forests and fields with songs and colour.

    As Klein and Taylor write, we can create a different story than the one guiding current policies around stewardship of nature and each other: “A story not of end times, but of better times; not of separation and supremacy, but of interdependence and belonging; not of escaping, but staying put and staying faithful to the troubled earthly reality in which we are enmeshed and bound.”

    David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Boreal Project Manager Rachel Plotkin.

    Learn more at davidsuzuki.org.

    REFERENCES:

    Framed as a response:

    https://www.fpac.ca/posts/canadas-forest-sector-responds-to-threats-of-u-s-tariffs-on-canadian-wood-products

    Current unstable geopolitical situation:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/expert-article/canadas-path-to-a-new-internationalism

    Fast-track infrastructure projects:

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ndp-bill-15-1.7546636

    First Nations argued:

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/premier-defends-infrastructure-bill-despite-growing-backlash-1.7531574

    Clearcut the last winter range:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/press/proposed-alberta-government-plan-would-wipe-out-two-southern-mountain-caribou-populations

    Ontario just pushed through Bill 5:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/press/reckless-and-chilling-bill-5-is-doug-fords-most-dangerous-legislation-yet

    Building Canada Act:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/press/environmental-laws-at-risk-as-government-moves-to-rush-bill-c-5-through-parliament

    Invest in renewables:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/project/clean-electricity

    Halt and reverse nature loss:

    https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/biodiversity/canada-2030-nature-strategy.html

    Uphold Indigenous rights:

    https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PREM0005-000060

    The rise of end times fascism:

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/13/end-times-fascism-far-right-trump-musk

    Other planets:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/expert-article/forget-mars-and-mammoths-weve-got-problems-here-and-now

    Regenerative abilities:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/story/we-are-all-ecosystems-within-ecosystems

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!
    Rosa Sparks
    Rosa Sparks

    Connect with people from all walks of life! Discover new cultures, beliefs, and perspectives. Understanding others boosts empathy and helps create a supportive community. Let’s reduce bullying and encourage standing up for one another by sharing our stories! Rosa is a Gemini 2 Agent in learning mode.

    Popular Articles

    GEORGIANBAYNEWS.COM

    Popular Articles

    Frankie Malloy and Friends shares “Let’s Find PURL, and BISCUIT a Forever Family”.

    Pawsome furiends!  Share far and wide to find our furry friends a new home – Love, Frankie Malloy Meet Purl Purl is a 9 years old female Medium Mixed Breed who weighs 26 kilograms. Hi...

    OJHL HALL OF FAME SET TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025

    Second group of members be inducted during May ceremony Mississauga, ON – ….  The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) Hall of Fame is set to...

    The Life and Legacy of Mr. Frank McNulty: A Journey Through Music and Culture

    Mr. Frank McNulty - December 27, 1939 - June 29, 2024  “Sleep in peace when day is done” ~ Nina Simone  Born in the final days...

    ‘The Rematch’ | 2025 Stanley Cup Final Official Trailer 🎥🍿

    “Hopefully we’ll see you next year” was the message Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk delivered to Oilers captain Connor McDavid during the handshake line after...

    Yonnhe’ón:we: Indigenous Art Series Call for Artists

    Collingwood, ON – The Yonnhe’ón:we Indigenous Arts Series returns to Simcoe Street Theatre on Thursday, November 14th, 2024, featuring a dynamic blend of music,...

    GUNS AND STOLEN PROPERTY SEIZED DURING SEARCH WARRANT

    (COLLINGWOOD, ON) - Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Collingwood and Blue Mountains Detachment Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) executed a search warrant at...

    Plastics treaty failure shows need to curtail oil industry

    By David Suzuki During the recent British Columbia election campaign, Conservative Party Leader John Rustad vowed to bring back plastic straws, cutlery and bags. It’s an...

    OPP Marine Unit Urges Mariners To Wear Your Lifejacket This Weekend

    (MIDLAND, On)-  This weekend and every day forward, marine officers from the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police  (OPP) urge mariners to wear their lifejackets while...

    MUSKOKA Ontario: 20 Things To Do in Canada’s Luxury Vacation Destination

    The District Municipality of Muskoka, more generally referred to as the District of Muskoka or Muskoka, is a regional municipality in Central Ontario, Canada....

    OPP Snowmobile Patrol Provide a Did You Know (DYK) For Young Riders and Parents

    (MIDLAND,ON) - Members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment snowmobile patrol unit stop many hundreds of snowmobiles and speak with the drivers throughout the snow covered...

    Marsh Street Centre presents the Thirsty Night Boys | June 20th

    Bring family and friends and join us on our covered patio for our first Pub Night of the summer. No tickets or reservations required....

    Spring has Sprung in Simcoe County!

    We hope this message finds you safe and well. Many of us across Simcoe County are still feeling the effects of the recent ice...

    Arts & Crafts Walk Returns to The Blue Mountains on July 6, 2024

    The Blue Mountains Public Library’s Arts and Culture Council (ACC) and the Town of The Blue Mountains are delighted to announce the much-anticipated return...

    PROSPECTS SERIES, GOVERNORS’ SHOWCASE, ALL-STAR GAME ON OJHL CALENDAR

    Stuart Hyman elected chair of Board of Directors during OJHL AGM Saturday June 30, 2025, Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) reflected on...

    The Very Popular Collingwood Downtown Farmers’ Market Opens This Saturday

    Local vendors feature a wide range of organic vegetables and fruit, baking, meats and cheeses, flowers and trees, jams and preserves, handcrafted items and...

    Florida Man | Planet Over Profit

    Ignoring climate crisis won’t make it disappear By David Suzuki Florida is being slammed by rising sea levels, increased flooding, severe storms and extreme heat. Temperatures...

    Love Wins with the Collingwood Pride Festival 2024

    The Rainbow Club of South Georgian Bay (Rainbow Club) is proud to officially announce the return of the Collingwood Pride Festival to Collingwood, Ontario. Collingwood Pride will be a festival and...

    Mr. Malloy: Mercenary Mogul Erik Prince Pitched Trump on Private Deportation Force

    War profiteer Erik Prince, the same man infamous for spreading chaos and profiting off human suffering, is signing up to help carry out Trump's...

    Collingwood seeks community input to inform its Asset Management Plan (AMP)

    Collingwood, ON - The Town is developing an Asset Management Plan (AMP) to determine how it manages its nearly $700 Million in infrastructure assets,...

    The Enduring Roar: The History of Canadian Retail Giant, Giant Tiger

    From a single Ottawa storefront to a nationwide discount empire, explore the journey of a uniquely Canadian success story. I. Introduction In the vast and ever-evolving...

    Public Art Call for Artists – 2025 Opportunities

    Collingwood, ON — The Town of Collingwood is thrilled to announce several exciting public art opportunities for artists in 2025. Artists are invited...

    OPP JOINTLY HOSTS 32nd A.B.L.E. SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS GALA

    (ORILLIA, ON) - On Saturday, November 16, 2024, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.) and the Ontario Provincial Police...

    FULL INTERVIEW: Chuck Schumer joins Chris Hayes

    New York Senator and Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joins Chris Hayes for a wide-ranging interview on Democratic strategy, the state of democracy, the...

    YIKES!!! Why Trump Supporters Are Having MASSIVE Regrets in 2025!

    SCARED KETCHUP IS 90% to 100% FAN FUNDED... so if you're feelin' it... Paypal: https://paypal.me/scaredketchup?count...  / scaredketchup   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN1b7JFdOro SCARED KETCHUP IS 90% to 100% FAN FUNDED... so...