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Discusses the emerging threat to Canada's boreal forest. Threat posed by the oriented strandboard (OSB) industry; Exploitation of Canada's hardwoods; Resource Information Systems Inc.'s (RSI) forecast of an increase in demand for OSB and its impact of the environment; Overexpansion of the OSB industry; Public concern over forestry practices; Health and safety issues.

Focuses on the effect of technological changes on paper and pulp mills employees in Canada. High-tech intimidation; High-tech boredom; Challenges for unions.

Cites a report indicating the decrease in number of jobs and increase in hours of overtime in the pulp-and-paper industry in British Columbia. Estimated number of jobs eliminated since the mid-1980s; Employers' refusal to pay all unnecessary overtime; Reasons and need for working overtime.

Focuses on the expropriation of property of the Anishinabe people of Sagkeeng in Manitoba by Abitibi-Price's paper mill. Protection of property under Treaty Number 1 in 1871; Formation of mill town in 1926; Enforcement of unofficial boundaries; Exploitation of human and natural resources for the sake of progress; Violation of environmental regulations.

Focuses on `The New Times' newspaper as part of Canadian left journalism. Author's involvement with the paper; Transformation from organ of the Communist party to a project of the left; Support for the paper; Failure of the paper.

This article informs presents an interview with Maude Barlow, a founder and national president of the Council of Canadians. In March 2005, the Council of Canadians will celebrate its twentieth anniversary. Howe Institute has a series of papers on the subject, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives is lobbying for it and, now, former deputy prime minister John Manley is co-chairing an American-based Council on Foreign Relations task force on North American integration. An international campaign through the Council's Blue Planet Project to have water recognized as a human right through a United Nations treaty, and a national campaign to prevent the bulk export of Canada's water, stop the privatization of water systems and secure a new National Water Act. INSET: The Council at a Glance.

The article reports on the failure of the private pension system and the initiatives taken by the government in this regard in Canada. It reports that many workers and retirees of Nortel Networks Corp., AbitibiBowater Inc. and Fraser Papers Inc. face the prospect of major cuts in their pension plans as the companies think it to be an easy way to get rid of their debts. It has been reported that many companies are going under bankruptcy protection.

Reports on tree mining in the Labrador coast despite protests from the Innu and conservationists. Irreparable damage to the woodlands by the callous acts of developers and politicians; Clearcutting of forests by pulp and paper mills; Black market loggers; Effect on Newfoundland's woodpeckers, ospreys and salmon; Corner Brook Pulp and Paper and Abitibi Price's environmental programs; Politicians choice between forests and jobs.

Discusses North America's declining role in world pulp and paper markets. Role of consumers' environmental knowledge in deciding how much and what kind of pulp products are acceptable to the public; Cutting of Canada's boreal forests; Declines in world pulp prices and production; Plantation forestry in Canada.

Comments on the liberal media conspiracy claimed by the National Post newspaper writers in Canada. Television advertisements ran by the periodical writers to merit the ownership of the paper; Points proven by the co-owner of the paper in running the advertisements; Coerage of the paper against the prime minister.

The article focuses on the 2005 Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) convention. From a policy perspective, the convention reflected the progressive character of the Canadian labour movement. Major policy papers on public private partnerships and deep integration were adopted. Resolutions confirming labour's opposition to the anti terrorism act and missile defense were passed with overwhelming majorities. The convention discussed the style and substance of the CLC leadership. This was due to the candidacy of Carol Wall for the CLC presidency. Wall, a veteran activist, educator and organizer, ran a spirited campaign.

Editorial. Deals with the discussion paper by Lloyd Axworthy on the social policy in Canada. Imposition of deep cuts in social expenditures; Greasing the labor market; Liberal government's proposed reform.

Questions whether Ontario's New Democratic government will keep its promise to reform provincial labor laws. Leak of a confidential document detailing legislative proposals that Labour Minister Bob Mackenzie supports; Proposals in the government's discussion paper, including an anti-scab law; Prediction of job loss with reform; Business opposition to reform; The issue of 'broader-based bargaining' for workers in low-skill service-sector jobs; Commitments crucial for labour and the economy; Criticism from the Ontario Federation of Labour; Outlook for labor to organize women and immigrant workers.

The article reports on free trade policy of Canadian Labour Congress. The author agree with the Canadian Labour Congress's controversial position paper that free trade has not been a total "economic disaster." But the author disagree that economic integration has gone so far that measures to reduce the dependency and challenge this right-wing direction cannot be contemplated. Economic problems of poverty, unemployment and the lack of democratic direction over the economy are worse now than they were in the late 1980s, when the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement was first signed.

The better part of 250 million dollars of the tax-payer dollars has flowed through the Federal Government Sponsorship funds into the grubby hands of Liberal Party of Canada public relations firms in Qu& eacute; bec during a period of 4 years, from 1997 to 2001. Fat commission fees for shuffling papers from one crown corporation to the other, astronomical sums paid out for non-existing reports, fake invoices, dummy corporations — the litany of white-washing schemes is truly mind-boggling. Only about half the funds ended-up in flags, banners, sponsorships and other baubles of federal propaganda, while the rest flowed back to Liberal Party coffers through sophisticated kick-back schemes

Comments on the implications of the plans of newspaper publisher Ken Thomson to sell all but one of his Canadian newspaper. Thomson's efforts to monopolize newspaper publisher in single-paper towns; Quality of reports and articles published by Thomson's newspapers; Possible owner of the 'Free Press' newspaper.

Comments on David Mackenzie and Andre Foucault's policy paper about the rift between the goods and services unions and the rest of the labor movement in Canada. Restructuring of Ontario's economy; Private sector unions' loss of collective bargaining power; Difference in ideological turf.