Trade Justice Network releases educational leaflet explaining dangers of little-known free trade talks between Canada and European Union "Hey Canada, heard of the CETA yet? No? It's not surprising!" begins the introduction to this new four-page illustrated educational leaflet titled Top ten reasons why CETA is bad for Canada, published by the Trade Justice Network. Once again, the Canadian government is pushing ahead with free trade talks that will change the face of Canada — and they're doing it behind closed doors. The proposed agreement, called the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), will radically alter our country by enshrining a broad set of rights for transnational corporations while endangering the democratic rights of Canadians. Yet hardly anyone has heard about it! This educational leaflet intends to change that, providing readers with a quick, entertaining, easy-to-understand overview of the fundamental changes our leaders have in store for us as they quietly negotiate away many of our rights. For more information on the campaign to expose and oppose the CETA, and to order copies of this educational resource, visit the Trade Justice Network. To download a PDF version, see the "portfolio" section of Educational comics on this site.
	Another Jim Stanford / Tony Biddle collaboration: CAW puts out illustrated educational piece on financial collapse Written by economist Jim Stanford, How to Make a Financial Soufflé: The ingredients of Financial Chaos is a four-page educational leaflet that explains in easy-to-understand terms and images how and why financial crises, like the one currently gripping the globe, happen. Follow the crazy corporate chef as he whips up a fowl-tasting soufflé called Financial Chaos. See how the excesses of capitalist greed, combined with cheap credit and willful negligence on the part of government lead to the creation of speculative bubbles which inevitably implode, causing chaos and undue hardship in the real economy where ordinary citizens live and work. How to Make a Financial Soufflé is a call to action to transform our economy to one based on democratic control, fairness and genuine productive pursuits. To download a copy visit the CAW or see the "portfolio" section of Educational comics on this site.
	New book by economist Jim Stanford, illustrated by Tony Biddle Recently I had the privilege of illustrating Jim Stanford's new book Economics for Everyone: A Short Guide to the Economics of Capitalism (Fernwood Publishing, Pluto Press, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives). Jim Stanford works with the Canadian Auto Workers union and is Canada's preeminent progressive economist. His writings appear regularly in The Globe & Mail, and he is frequently called upon by CBC television and radio to provide his analysis of current economic trends. Jim's new book is a ground-breaker — an economic text written in plain, entertaining language designed to demystify economics for the average reader. With the help of 28 of my cartoon illustrations and diagrams (or, "economic road maps" as we call them), Jim starts with the smallest microcosm of the capitalist system and gradually builds in complexity, chapter by chapter, until he describes the whole global system — and the risks and failures inherent therein. Economics for Everyone, as the title suggests, is for everyone, but it is especially valuable for labour, social justice and environmental activists who need to become more economically literate in their work. Jim has put together a complementary curriculum, available on-line, for those wishing to use the book as the basis for a structured course. For more information and to purchase copies of the book, visit economicsforeveryone.ca.

 
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