Aamjiwnaang First Nation activist Ron Plain has been ordered to pay more than $16,000 to CN Rail for his role in a 13-day blockade that was part of the Idle No More movement.
On Wednesday in Ontario Superior Court, Justice Bruce G. Thomas ordered Plain to pay $16,584.87 to CN to cover the company’s legal costs.
Plain, a spokesperson for the Sarnia rail spur blockade that began Dec. 21, 2012, was declared in contempt of a court order to end the blockade last December.
CN spokesperson Jim Feeny said the railroad company is pleased with the outcome.
“The ruling underscores the importance of the principle that everyone must abide by the rule of law,” he said.
CN sought $50,000 plus an order preventing Plain from coming within 100 feet of the spur line, while Plain’s lawyer, Peter Rosenthal of Toronto, argued for $1,000.
When contacted, Rosenthal said “we are still considering the situation and are not ready to comment.”
Tables, tents and vehicles on and around the track during the blockade impacted a number of petrochemical, plastics recycling, and other industries served by the line, CN officials have said.
An affidavit from Plain makes it clear he had knowledge of the court order and continued participating in the blockade, Thomas wrote in his decision.
CN, meanwhile, is planning to donate the money to the Aamjiwnaang community, Feeny said.
“We felt it was the most appropriate course of action.”
CN initially offered to forward collected costs to its aboriginal scholarship program, but Feeny said officials are planning to confer with Aamjiwnaang community members to determine the best recipient.
Plain, 51, has been off work since May due to a neck injury, and is waiting for a decision on his disability benefits. Thomas said he weighed that, and Plain’s role in helping dismantle the protest in early January, in his decision.
Thomas also ruled for no restrictions on Plain’s mobility.
A campaign to raise $10,000 for Plain’s legal defence raised $4,798.
CN officials had initially asked for $5,000 in January to recoup contempt motion costs, but Plain refused, maintaining he did not violate the court order and saying he had proof CN is not entitled to the spur line land because it belongs to First Nations.
“I do not fear CN … I will run this up the flagpole as far as I can,” said Plain during a January court appearance.
On June 24, Plain filed a statement saying although he did not admit the contempt he would not contest it.
Justice Thomas said a finding of contempt was “inescapable” during that June 24 hearing in Sarnia.
The CN rail blockade was one of several demonstrations organized by Aamjiwnaang First Nation members during the Idle No More movement, including a January rally that held up traffic for more than an hour at the Blue Water Bridge.
Sarnia police were criticized by a Superior Court judge for not forcing an end to the blockade, but were praised by local leaders for maintaining a peaceful presence at the site.
]]>Extra! Extra! Read all about it! There are two Half a Dino shows coming up at The APK featuring some of our country’s best national and local talent. The shows on Thursday, July 4th and Thursday, July 11th are
not to be missed and I hope that this preview helps sway you if you’re
unfamiliar with any of the SIX stellar acts. These bands are too good to sleep on! Both shows are $5, and I urge you to take a chance on
these bands. You will not be disappointed.
Sunday Night, HOT DOG celebrates the ever expanding and resurgent ‘No Music’ scene with A… bit of noise (Facebook Event). Joining local Experimentalists Staph, The Economy, Suangi, Hooray For You, Clinica Psychosis and a DJ Set from Cheddle’s Fast’n'Bulbous is Russian-Haligonian Konstantin Iakovlev aka Panties. This will be Konstantin’s fourth time through town, and judging by the expansion of sound each time ’round, this will very likely be his most dense and captivating performance yet. Earlier this week we had a chance to catch up with our friend Konstantin to discuss…
Mike Bot: Hey ma man! You’re coming to us from Halifax, how is living in Halifax and playing this form of experimental music?
Konstantin Iakovlev: There is a small noise community out here, that I’m an outsider to. I seem to have a very polarizing effect on people here, they either go out for a smoke as soon as they see me setting up, or a handful ofthem will watch and sometimes cheer, sometimes heckle me. hecklers are the best though.
How does your native RUSSIA influence your music?
The spirit of DIY is the biggest lesson I got. In USSR there was a black market of western music (Beatles, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, etc.) lathe cut on old x-ray film. So dubbing releases in my room, and block printing covers seems pretty darn natural to me.
Can you share with us some of your experiences, both the ups and downs, traveling your work?
London is number 1. No comparisons. To the point that I usually play more shows in London than I do in Halifax. Last year it was 8 shows in LONDOOM versus 5 in Halifax. Some of the lows would have been having a show cancelled as I’m getting on the Inter City bus to get to that show (Ottawa). The highlight would be being treated like noise royalty in Easthampton Massachussetts – to the point that i almost missed my bus the next day because the hosts would not take ‘no’ for an answer tomore shots of cheapest vodka available.
How would you describe the music or sound you make to the unitiated?
Lately equal parts power electronics, crappy digital hardcore, and Sesame Street songs. What music, which artists or songs or albums, inspire your work? The single biggest influence would be Iron Bitchface (formerly from Kitchener, then Toronto). They bridged the gap for me between Digital Hardcore, Grindcore, and Noise. After hearing them, noise suddenly made sense (check out their album ‘Pulse Pounding Cyberslam’). Other than them, my influences are usually people I have played with, or in contact with, so – Breakdancing Ronald Reagan, Isolation Order, D/A A/D, The Economy, Goiter, Cop Car Bonfire, Fossils, etc.
As far as non-acquaintance noisicians go, my favourite releases would either be Gruuthaagy ‘Terror Agenda’, or Fckn’Bstrds ‘Sylvester Im Knieschussclub’.
(Staph/Disleksick/Isolation Order/Curb’s David Cereghini (pictured left with Staph/Disleksick bandmate Andrew Disleksick) joins in the conversation…)
David Cereghini: How important is your position as the head conductor on the J train?
As Ralph Wiggum would put it, I smell like Otto’s jacket.
Thanks Konstantin.
Be sure to join us at the APK this Sunday Night. Show begins at 9:45pm. Cheddle of CHRW’s Fast’n'Bulbous closes out the evening with a DJ set bridging the gap between music for your head, and music for your feet.
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Friday June 28th at the APK, Hot Dog presents the ‘one to beat Rock & Roll event’ of the Summer. Those privy to the Canadian ‘underground’, or those attuned to the mighty Weird Canada, will be well aware of this line-up. If you are not, and you love Rock & Roll, especially LIVE sweaty dirty Rock & Roll, take the time to familiarize yourself with Astral Gunk, Babysitter, Sheer Agony, and the Noise Hounds. (Facebook Event)
They strutted into town last Summer in shades and Hawaiian shirts and proceeded to murder the crowd at the then Brennan’s Beer Bistro (after being pushed by one of the very best Syndrome sets in the history of the band). ‘Mur-dar’ we all drunkly, sweatily cried! Jackhammering guitars to the floor, creating the pure sound and feeling of chaos, and all the while presenting great Golden Era Rock & Roll. There are only a handful of bands that can hang with the Soupcans, but the Funk Punk of the Gunk fits there nicely. Expect more than you’re thinking if you’re thinking ‘hmm, do I need to go?’ (From ‘the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou‘) ‘The answer is YES!’ ‘Well it’s GOT to be!’
Building, rocking, rolling, a few years on their beating belts, Babysitter have emerged from behind the onslaught of noise and hiss with this past year’s critically acclaimed ‘Eye’ (Weird Canada and Polaris Prize judge Aaron Levin’s numero uno LP). Bands who approach initially with a Low-Lo-Fi aesthetic, often times lose the charm of what made them appealing in the first place. Not the case with Babysitter. Now we see that the songs perhaps needed a ‘proper’ recording. They were just too good to be stuck in the mud. And no worries to the ‘privileged by taste’ seekers that were aware of them prior, the aesthetic wasn’t laid to rest, but rather chiseled out. What we heard live at APKII, at an early evening show in 2011 with TV Freaks, was what you’ll hear here. That’s why I’m on about it. Check the link. June 28th, batten down the hatches, these dirty road warriors are loose and stoned, and here for your raging pleasure.
First things first, there’s no metal gimmicks or sounds at work here. They call the pursuit of sound on display ‘Power Pop’, and you’d be hard pressed to find a band working in this arena with more creativity, and on f#*^ing cruise control. Last year, Sheer Agony played alongside Freelove Fenner at a somewhat surprisingly well attended show at EVAC. That night the two combined for ‘Only A Shadow’ and broke us all in two! Maybe three! Whadda they got up their sleeves this time? If yr reading this unsure about Sheer Agony ask yr friends about this band, and if none of yr friends know them or were there at the show, or in general aren’t onto these stellar flight Hot Dog shows, banana split from them for a night, and come meet some new friends. I know it’s crazy to suggest, but… come by yourself! We’ve got good people all around! The ‘too cool for schoolers’ don’t think we’re cool cause we don’t give a shit about them. So they don’t come anyway. This is happening 6/28 and yr cordially invited to have a guaranteed terrific time at this monumental night of Sheer Rawk!
The brother band, offshoot, of Astral Gunk, Noise Hounds are a duo that challenge Blues and Punk conventions while slamming hard ‘Free Form’. They’re loose as a goose, but tight and right with their drums and gee-tar! They make it seem easy, and then when you aren’t looking go all John Dwyer on your Dan Burke. What does that mean?
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Saturday July 27th, HOT DOG presents the London debut of Edmonton to Montreal’s criminally underrated Matt Perri aka PERRI. Matt comes to us highly recommended by his peers including his and our good friend Sean Nicholas Savage (whose tribute LP includes a terrific contribution from PERRI). On this night Matt will be joined by local throw-back ‘College Rock’ Dreamgaze trio S.M. and a full line-up still be announced (Facebook Event). Get Familiar! Check this rad video below…
Matt Perri & The Living Sluts – In The Alley from Tim Kelly on Vimeo.
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TIM GLASGOW (Science of Sound – Forest City)
Youtube: http://youtu.be/drbD4GigDAo
(with IDP): https://www.youtube.com/
Interview: http://
WORMWOOD (Down Tempo Experimental Pop – Saskatoon)
Bandcamp: http://
TIM LIMSANA & GAVIN MOORE (Dark Wave – Forest City)
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/gavin-moore-q-r-b/quinn-read-baxter-gavin-moore
DAICON (DJ Set – Forest City)
Past Messages: https://www.youtube.com/
Past Messages: https://www.youtube.com/
Yossarian: https://soundcloud.com/
PWYC / 19+
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Hot Dog, the promoter of this show, is terribly sad to inform that tonight’s scheduled and tirelessly promoted Quaker Parents / Old & Weird / Holden Main show has been cancelled by the APK. Thank You for your interest in the show and the bands, and apologies to anybody who had made plans to come down for the show.
p.s. I urge all fans of either band reading this to help out with their travel and the loss of this show by purchasing albums by both Old & Weird and Quaker Parents on their respective bandcamps.
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(Article reposted from Hot Dog London.)
This year we’ve expanded the accidentally annual ‘East Coast Summer Boaster’ into a two day event. Friday afternoon we’ll be host to two fantastic Sackville bands, Yellowteeth and the Moutbreathers. The Sack Attack will be joined by local standouts Sa Tires (Facebook Event). Part 2, comes to us two days later, Sunday Night, in the form of Haligonian Double Trouble, Quaker Parents and Old & Weird. That night we’ll also be DJing lots of East Coast Indie Rock and K Records. Ya dig, the twist? Let’s call it a DJ set with a focus on ‘Coast to Coast’ how Washington State fell in love with Nova Scotia. And how London loved them all (Facebook Event).
YELLOWTEETH
Yellowteeth comes at you from all angles. They’re a cohesive unit, but they have an all out intent to kill by any means necessary. The music is minimalist punk, but the rules are broken early and often (see Josee f#%*ing wailing like a motherf#$*er). Each member is in love – with the heavy sounds they provide their friends in the band, and all the heavy sounds their friends provide them. And it’s impossible for the audience not to feel in love with all the heavy sounds too! Last time through they shocked us all stealing the show from Odonis Odonis, Syndrome, and the mighty Town Ship. Jaws dropped right around that fab-o Deerhoof cover. I fell in love with this band that night, and they brought it on home for an encore at Hot Dog the next day. Fresh off an Obey performance in support of Mac Demarco, and an upcoming NXNE ‘Killer Haze’ showcase, they’ll be a treat for all who treat themselves this Friday afternoon.
THE MOUTHBREATHERS
Lucy Niles strolled into Hot Dog last Summer and performed the quintessential Hot Dog set. If she lived here, she would have had an invitation to a Friday Afternoon residency. Robin Henry was there that day and fell in love. I think something in that performance inspired him and so came the recently departed Radish House. There is a lot to love in the songs of Lucy Niles and her Mouthbreathers. I like to think of this band as Peanuts Punk. That might sound cute, but really Charlie Brown had some serious issues to deal with. What I’m trying to say is – this isn’t all just bubblegum and mistakenly swallow it. This has all the touchstones of great Punk the way of K Records. Like Jonathan Richman, Lucy is a Modern Lover that keeps it simple and direct and often funny. 1990s revivalist’s ‘Can’t Touch This‘.
SA TIRES
Bellone Music and the Graham Brothers have something wonderful going here, and strangely sound like the most traditionally (in the Rock and Roll sense) East Coast band of all. They’ve only just begun. One solid debut album available on bandcamp right now. One solid debut performance at the Hot Dog Record Store Day extravaganza. What to expect? Wonderfully Crafted Pop Songs on 45, and a prodigious 14 year old drummer. Oh, and here’s the standout cut.
QUAKER PARENTS
This photograph poses as a reminder of the ‘joy and fun, season in the sun’, we had one Friday Night hosting our first ever Hot Dog East Coast Summer Boaster (that’s what recently wed father of two BBY in the back called it). Quakes were playing with the great Jon McKiel (pictuted), and Haligonian compadres Cold Warps. I don’t know anything much better than spending time with friends, having refreshments and listening to great music.
Quaker Parents just keep choogling along creating new fans every night they play. Sometimes I feel like each song is a history lesson in Indie Rock and Pop, and with an emphasis on East Coast. Whatever. To be honest, I really don’t know that much about this band other than they’re a pair of nice and talented brothers making exquisite Math Pop. There is seriously at least 5 great songs in every song. What’ch’ya gonna do when Grundy-mania runs wild on you!?!
Also, any band on the Craft Singles series is well worth your time. These are words to live by.
OLD AND WEIRD
I know very little of Old & Weird. I know they play sweet bubblegum Indie Pop in the tradition of K Records not to mention the rich history of their native Halifax. Was Eric’s Trip a hard sell before they became nationally known? I assume so, because I don’t think many people going into this are aware of just how great Old & Weird are. What it comes down to is – I can’t say too much, I only really know the jams, and the jams are excellent! But don’t feel the need to take my word, just set aside a second or two to listen. And fall in love.
I’m excited to see how this plays live. Oh and… any band on the Craft Singles series is well worth your time. These are words to live by.
The Coast boasting continues Monday night with an encore featuring the mighty Cousins (Facebook Event). And on Friday June 28th when Sackville’s Astral Gunk (and duo offshoot Noise Hounds) join Victorians’ Babysitter, Sheer Agony from Montreal, and the aforementioned Sa Tires (Facebook Event).
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(Article reposted from Hot Dog London.)
Saturday Night, Hot Dog debuts on the fab-o-los APK patio with a can’t miss, knock-out bill featuring the Return of Mozart’s Sister. I have no doubt that anybody that caught Ms. Caila Thompson-Hannant, aka Mozart’s Sister, back in late March will be there. If you missed out I urge you not to miss out again. Mozart’s Sister is a bonafied rising pop star, one that would exponentially improve the radio, charts and everywhere pop music goes. Imagine early Madonna with the creative impulses of a modern pop superstar like Grimes. Mozart’s Sister is truly of this time, but rooted in the tradition of the ‘great vocalist’. Below Quinn Read-Baxter, also rejoining MozSis on Saturday Night, discusses her love for Ms. Thompson-Hannant. Also on this bill are two red hot Londoners, namely, New Zebra Kid and fresh off his blow-away DJ set on Thursday May 23rd, (DJ) Daicon. All of this action is also the official after party to the wonderful afternoon on Dundas called ‘Our Street’.
MOZART’S SISTER
“Mozart’s Sister is truly one of the best live acts in the world. This is not an exaggeration. Critics throughout the blogosphere (including Pitchfork) are on board, as are contemporaries such as Grimes who calls her one of her favourite acts in the world—what more do you need to know? Her songs go places pop songs rarely go. Feelings of inadequacy have never been so upbeat as they are in the self-titled song ‘Mozart’s Sister’. With a lyric like “I’ll never be more than number two” which resonates. Man, who hasn’t felt like Mozart’s Sister? In any case, Mozart’s Sister is not number two, no matter what she sings. She’s the best, and we are so lucky to have her for the SECOND time in just a couple months. Caila, the formidable force behind Mozart’s’ Sister, is one of the most beautiful, sweetest people I have had the privilege to ever met. She loved London when she last played, and told me we were an awesome crowd. She was right. So, be sure to come out Saturday Night to yet another wonderful Hot Dog show. And dance! To me, Daicon, New Zebra Kid and Mozart’s Sister June 8th!” (Quinn Read-Baxter)
New Zebra Kid is on a run. He’s red hot, and the audience is starting to believe. He’s had a hat trick of three consecutive stand out performances – 1. Stealing the show from Sean Nicholas Savage and Doldrums 2. Hot Dog Record Store Day bouncing off the walls 3. Solo two Thursdays ago Main Eventing with Greggy Clypse, Tim Limsana and the fantastic DJ Daicon. I won’t run longhere as I‘m starting to assume some of you reading are already becoming familiar with what I’m saying. Those new to the work of the Kid - check out the samples above including the brand new ‘Bobby Fischer’ video. This time out Quinn is back in the fold to play lady-Rev. I expect, as always, his best performance yet.
QUINN READ-BAXTER
Quinn’s making a move. Still early in her rise, she’s become consistent and continued to release solid, often moving recordings. Check out the new ‘QRB’ EP (‘polished’ by electronic mastermind You’ll Never Get To Heaven’s Chuck Blazevic. And read the praise here from electronic tastemaker Silent Shout.
A couple weeks back on a Thursday Night, if you were at the APK, you witnessed one of the finest DJ sets this city has seen in how long(?) I do not know. Taste and timing. And beat busting moves. Daicon’s debut featured tracks that had the room dusting off their shoes, moving their hips and bop-bop-bopping to the beat. Saturday’s gonna be every bit as good. Expect to sail into the night with a smile on your face.
And as mentioned this all goes down as the official after party to Saturday’s Our Street 2013. For more information check here.
