Every extractive capitalist economy needs a mechanism that allows corporate heavyweights to snuggle up with elected officials. In the US, there’s American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), and if you haven’t yet been horrified by Bill Moyers’ piece on how ALEC essentially enables corporations to write state laws, you’re in for a treat.
Where I live, we have the seemingly innocuous Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA). Made up of municipal leaders and business partners, NOMA has been an outspoken advocate for the forestry industry, butting heads with the province over issues like the Endangered Species Act. Quite open about its allegiances, organization is a member of the Northwest Forestry Coalition, and the director recently commented that her family has “worked in the pulp and paper industry for nearly 100 years.” Observing NOMA, city councilors, and the forestry companies work together is a bit like watching a political PDA.
Maybe this wouldn’t . . . → Read More: Boreal Citizen: Boreal greenwashing: Mill-town politics in Northern Ontario
