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The AIH Transcript for August 21, 2019

Hosts: Helen Mann and Ramraajh Sharvendiran

Helen Mann: Hello, I’m Helen Mann, sitting in for Carol Off

RAMRAAJH SHARVENDIRAN: Good evening, I'm Ramraajh Sharvendiran. This is As It Happens.

[Music: Theme]

Prologue

RS: Tonight:

HM: Sparks fly. Unprecedented fires are consuming enormous swaths of the Amazon rain forest. And while environmentalists blame Brazil's president for laissez faire green policies, he is blaming environmentalists.

RS: Past the point of no return. It's been 25 years since a Somali refugee arrived in Canada as a child. So advocates are deeply concerned about his imminent deportation to a homeland he no longer knows.

HM: Smoke Screen on the water. For years, it's been an open secret in parts of Newark New Jersey that there was dangerous lead in the drinking water. But now, it's become a story outside the city limits.

RS: World music. The late Julien Gauthier recorded nature, and drew inspiration from nature for his compositions. And then, last week, while recording sound in the Canadian north, he was killed by a bear.

HM: Smooth as sulk. Donald Trump abruptly canceled his trip to Copenhagen, after Denmark makes it clear that Greenland is not for sale. And our Danish guest is more than happy to roll the red carpet back up.

RS: And to make mattress worse. An outdoor cinema in Denver — where you can watch movies while lying on inflatable beds — seemed like it would blow audiences away — before a strong wind blew the beds away instead.

RS: As It Happens, the Wednesday edition. Radio that hates to be the bearer of bed news.

[Music: Theme]

Part one: Amazon fires, Greenland Trump, bear attack musician

Amazon fires

Guest: Romulo Batista

RS: They’re known as the lungs of the world. And right now, they’re on fire. There are a record number of fires are burning in the Amazon rainforest. And there's a lot of blame to go around. Brazil's National Institute for Space Research says it's detected 72-thousand fires so far this year in the Amazon. That's 84 per cent more fires compared to 2018. Conservationists in Brazil say part of the problem lies with President Jair Bolsonaro — for dismantling environmental protections since he took office. And for emboldening loggers and farmers in the Amazon to clear the land. But President Bolsonaro has suggested environmentalists started the fires, in order to embarrass his government. Romulo Batista is a Greenpeace campaigner in Manaus, the capital city in the state of Amazonas, Brazil -- where many of the fires have burned. We reached Mr. Batista in Manaus.

HM: Mr. Batista, what do you say to your President's claim that it is environmentalists like yourself who are the ones to blame for these fires?

ROMULO BATISTA: Well, Bolsonaro’s statement, it’s an attempt by the president to hide himself from the consequence of the environmental policy he has been adopting. It’s an attempt to blame anyone who denounced the environmental policy scheme by his own government.

HM: Can you tell us how intense the fires are where you are in Brazil right now?

RB: Yeah, I'm in my Manaus — in the middle of the Amazon — close by my city, there is no frontier of the forestation. A lot of open areas, but even here, with the small deforestation, we have some smoke. It's very critical in other main cities as a Porto Belo . In other states, there is place that you do not see the sun for the last two weeks.

HM: You say that the smoke is very thick in some areas. How is it to breathe in those spots?

RB: It's very difficult. Your eyes and mouth burn with that, and the day the smoke. and just to have idea, in Porto Belo, the main capital of another Amazon state, the atendment at the hospital increase 300 per cent since the fire start because of breathing disease.

HM: So people are having to go to hospital because they're having such trouble breathing?

RB: Yeah, but the worst thing is about the smoke that goes in this city and cause a lot of disease, and this kind of eyes burning and mouth of burning all the time.

HM: We know that this is the annual season that is called the queimada in your country. It's when the farmers in Brazil used fire to clear land. Is that a simple enough explanation for why the fires are happening now?

RB: Yeah. Unfortunately, there is this practice here in the Amazon. The fire it's mainly use it for three reasons. The first one is for renew the pasture land. For not have to invest in the land they just burn the pasture. The second is to make clear cut the forest you burn the timber. And the third and worst it's burn the forest to make the forestation.

HM: The fires that are currently burning, is there way of knowing what is the primary cause?

RB: What we saw from the beginning of August was more than 45 per cent of the forest was burning. And more than six per cent of all the fires was in areas that haven’t been deforested this year.

HM: What evidence do you have — because we are hearing this from environmentalists — that President Bolsonaro carries blame for these fires? I mean you said when we began this conversation his policies are a major factor.

RB: Because since he started, the mandate has been eight months in office. But so far, we see no measures that have been announced to curb the deforestation or protect the Amazon. He have announced a lot of things that goes against the environment.

HM: But if President Bolsonaro has only been in office for eight months, and you're talking about a level of deforestation that has gone on for so many years, is it fair to blame him?

RB: It's not only about Bolsonaro. Greenpeace have started co-fight against deforestation environmental crime in Brazil in the last 25 years. And we criticize any single government that did not take care of the Amazon.

HM: What effect do you think President Bolsonaro’s language — the way he frames his arguments — is having on loggers and farmers? Has it emboldened them when it comes to how they treat the environment?

RB: Yeah, those who destroy the Amazon are so encouraged by his speech that on the 10^th of 11^th of August, farmers around one road here have announced that they will make a fiery day — which result in 300 increase in burnings in the main street of the region.

HM: Sorry, when you say fire days, what does that mean?

RB: They announced that they will burn the forest, and they did. What happened is that they announced that they will burn it. The government did not stop before, during, or after the announcement.

HM: We know the Amazon is often referred to as the lungs of our planet. What long-term impact are these fires having on that rainforest?

RB: It's very difficult for the forest recover for the fires. What's the worst that can happen is if we achieve what the science point. That forest will become a past process and become savannah. We will make the forest much more dry. And we would lost a lot of biodiversity. With more hot in the Amazon, we have the forest more dry, and more susceptible for more fires. That this create that kind of sequels that can be the end of the forest.

HM: Right. So you say it contributes to this vicious cycle of climate change, it impacts biodiversity, and it also dries out these forests. It's all very alarming, Mr. Batista. Thank you very much for giving us an overview of the situation.

RB: Okay. Thank you.

HM: Bye-bye.

RB: Bye-bye.

RS: Romulo Batista is a Greenpeace campaigner in Manaus, the capital city in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. That's where we reached him.

[Music: Sombre]

Ethics SNC

RS: On Parliament Hill today, it was deja vu all over again with the SNC-Lavalin affair. The Liberal-dominated Ethics Committee voted down an opposition motion to call on the Ethics Commissioner to testify. Last week, Mario Dion released a report that concluded that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had violated the Conflict of Interest Act, by improperly pressuring the former Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Jody Wilson-Raybould. The Liberals shut down that call to testify. With one exception: Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith broke ranks with his colleagues to support the Conservative motion. Here's how he explained his decision to reporters.

SOUNDCLIP

NATHANIEL ERSKINE-SMITH: I thought inviting the commissioner would have been a measure to increase transparency and accountability. But also, I fundamentally disagree with the legal analysis. I think the commissioner got this legally wrong in many ways, and I want to ask questions about that as well.

REPORTER: But on the transparency argument that you just raised, and you raised in there, you're right. What does it say at the eve of an election to see a majority of government MPs refuse what is usually routine?

NES: I see it two ways. One, I mean reasonable people can disagree about processes. Certainly, when we had Ms. Dawson attend as commissioner after the Aga Khan report, in some ways you could argue that it increased transparency. And the flip side of things, I don't think we have really learned any new information that came out of those two hours that we spent with her. And so my colleagues were firmly of the view, which I don't think is an entirely unreasonable one given past experience, is that we weren't to learn anything new. The report was substantive, and spoke for itself.

REPORTER: What would you have asked Mr. Dion had he attended today?

NES: I would have asked had Ms. Wilson-Raybould, as Attorney-General, proactively sought out advice, as is contemplated by a 2014 general objective. And the same considerations of jobs, and the same considerations had been presented by Minister Morneau or Prime Minister Trudeau. They were not pressuring, but they had been proactively consulted. Would that have been a conflict of interest? And the answer is absolutely it wouldn't be. His analysis focused on the improper influence, not the improperly furthering of the interest. Therefore Shawcross was breached, but in no way whatsoever was this a conflict of interest. In no way whatsoever did Prime Minister Trudeau breached the Conflict of Interest Act as it is.

REPORTER: So you showed dissent by voting to invite him. Yet, you exposed how he got it all wrong. Some people think that was a smart game on the part of the government, or the PMO. What do you respond to that?

NES: [laughs] I guarantee you that my colleagues had wished I'd voted with them.

RS: Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, speaking to reporters earlier today.

[Music: Percussive jazz]

Greenland Trump

Guest: Michael Aastrup Jensen

RS: If they're not selling, he's not going. On Twitter last night, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he's postponing a visit to Denmark — scheduled to take place just two weeks from now. And he linked this abrupt postponement directly to comments by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Specifically — as he tweeted — her, quote: "comments that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland." Unquote. Michael Aastrup Jensen is a Member of Danish Parliament with the country's Venstre opposition party. We reached him in Copenhagen.

HM: Mr. Jensen, the initial reports that Donald Trump was interested in purchasing Greenland were kind of perceived as a joke. Are you laughing now?

MICHAEL AASTRUP JENSEN: [slight chuckle] No, we are not. But we must admit there has been a couple of real days for us. First, starting with the leaks about his intention to buy Greenland, then the official statement, and now the cancellation of his state visit to Denmark — so it has really been very surreal days for us.

HM: Do you remember your initial response when you heard the president's visit was postponed?

MAJ: Yeah, I do, absolutely. And I think it was a grave insult. Both to our royal family, who are officially the host for his visit to Denmark. But also in general to our country — let's remember that Denmark and the U.S. is actually strong allies. And we see ourselves as a strong friend as well. And we are you know involved in every military operation that the U.S. has participated in for as many years. So to do this is actually perceived as a grave insult.

HM: Give me a sense of the kind of preparations that have been underway for this presidential visit.

MAJ: Well, you must bear in mind that having an American president visiting a country like Denmark, of course, we have to take into account security matters. We also have all the banquets all the civil servants have to prepare. We have all the trade delegations, who also are standing by. So, all-in-all, it's a huge amount of manpower — especially in light of that the visit was at to be organized very short in advance.

HM: And were you told initially by the U.S. why the president wanted to come to Denmark?

MAJ: Yeah, but there was no mentioning whatsoever about any sale of Greenland. It was that he wanted to discuss strengthening ties regarding the Arctic. It was trade relations. You know, normal decision points that we will talk with any American president about.

HM: So it's fair to say that you were pretty taken aback when this whole issue of Greenland came up.

MAJ: Absolutely. First, we really did perceive it as a joke. And then when we found out it wasn't, it was like an absurd theatre show just continuing on. And we tried to be very polite, but also frank in stating that, of course, Greenland is not for sale, and never will be. But you know it's still continued on.

HM: Now, Denmark and Greenland, as you say, have made very clear the territory is not for sale. But what is your understanding now of why Donald Trump wants to buy it?

MAJ: Well, apparently, he wants to buy it because of the minerals. He also wants to buy it because of its strategic values. Of course, and we all agree with that. But I don't understand actually why Donald Trump would ever see Denmark in a position to even sell it. We should also remember that we are in no position to actually even sell it if we wanted to.

HM: And that's because it is an autonomous region.

MAJ: Exactly. So the 55,000 people living in Greenland can actually decide for themselves if they want to become independent, and however they want to live. So it is not up to us, even if you want to sell it or not — which we don't.

HM: Your prime minister was very gracious today. She said Denmark will do its utmost to maintain relations with the United States, despite this snub. Do you think that's problematic going forward?

MAJ: Well, it would be problematic if we only saw the US as President Trump. But we have had strong ties with the U.S before President Trump, and we will have it also after President Trump leaves office. So now,, we have to admit that the direct relations with President Trump will be an uphill battle. We will still try, but it will be an uphill battle. But then we'll try to get even stronger ties with you know other parts of the U.S. For example, Congress, secretary of state, and so on — because we also now see that President Trump apparently lacks any basic knowledge about diplomacy. So direct relationship with him will be difficult.

HM: What is being lost in your mind by the cancellation of this visit, and what was on the agenda that would have been useful to the two nations?

MAJ: You know here in the northern part of Europe, we are seeing Russia getting more and more aggressive — including against us. Regarding the Arctic, we want to make sure that the Arctic will not be a new Cold War. The territory where we see superpowers you know building up their military arms and so on. So there was a lot of issues. And then also trade relations. The U.S. and Denmark relationship regarding trade-wise is getting stronger and stronger through the years. There was a lot to talk about. And then I haven't even mentioned NATO. So there’s a lot of you know things we would always like to discuss with the American president — just not selling Greenland.

HM: What has this whole episode done in terms of the relationship between Denmark and Greenland?

MAJ: Well, actually, the only positive outcome of all this circus is actually that the ties between Greenland and Denmark is actually getting stronger and stronger. Because now, the Greenlandic people are seeing that they can very fast become a pawn in the superpowers’ play off the arctic territories. So now, today, the connection has never been stronger actually.

HM: All right. Mr. Jensen, thank you very much for bringing us up to date on all of this.

MAJ: [laughs] You're more than welcome.

HM: Okay.

MAJ: Thank you.

HM: Bye.

MAJ: Bye.

RS: Michael Aastrup Jensen is a Member of Danish Parliament and foreign affairs spokesperson for the center-right Venstre opposition party. We reached him in Copenhagen.

[Music: Spanish guitar]

Bear attack musician

Guest: Marc Feldman

SOUNDCLIP

[Sound: A soundscape called “Penguins Versus Petrels”]

RS: That's a soundscape called "Penguins versus Petrels", from an album by Julien Gauthier. The French composer, who was born in Ottawa, collected the sound when he spent months in the remote Antarctic Kerguelen Islands. Nature often inspired Mr. Gauthier's work — which is why he recently travelled to the Canadian north. But according to the biologist he was travelling with, his trip ended abruptly — and horribly. Friends and family are mourning Mr. Gauthier's death, after a bear attack by the Northwest Territories community of Tulita. Julien Gauthier worked with the Brittany Symphony Orchestra. Marc Feldman is its executive director. We reached Mr. Feldman in Rennes, France.

HM: Mr. Feldman, first of all, I'm very sorry for your loss.

MARC FELDMAN: Thank you very much.

HM: When you look at Mr. Gauthier’s Facebook page, it's pretty clear how excited he was about this trip to Canada. What was his plan for this visit to the Northwest Territories?

MF: Well, you know, first of all, he is Canadian. He was born in Ottawa. And he was so happy to do this trip. That’s something he's wanted to do you know for such a long time. And his idea was, first of all, to make the trip — the trek — I guess you could call it. And record sounds, and to get inspiration for a new work for cello, and photography in the concert that he was going to do when he returned — and then perhaps other things with the Symphony Orchestra as well.

HM: In recording that music, what would be his intention? Was it for inspiration, or was something he would incorporate into the actual work?

MF: He did both. He would incorporate sounds into the actual work at times when he really wanted to use it. And at other times, he'd be inspired by. It inspired by the atmosphere, the rhythms, and the things that he would record. It really depended on the work that he wanted to do.

HM: What have you been able to find out about what happened to Mr. Gauthier on this trip?

MF: Well, from what I heard, you know you can only glean things second-hand, but it happened all very, very quickly. And that he was caught by the Bear, and taken into the forest, and his and a biologist who was he was with — I mean these are people that have done this type of thing before — tried her best to save him, and she couldn't.

HM: How did you first meet Julien Gauthier?

MF: That's one of the most the nicest stories in all of this because you know I'm the director of a symphony orchestra, a pretty classical symphony orchestra. And we do some strange things. On occasion, we reach out beyond the classical world. And I got a call from Julien one day, and said he had a crazy idea that he wanted to accompany some scientists to these faraway islands near the Antarctic. And he wanted to live with them for a few months and get inspiration to write a symphony. And when I heard that, you know I immediately said yes. I said if you can find the funding, we will do the world premiere. And he found the funding, and we ended up doing it. And then after that, it's just been a three-year residency with the orchestra that's been wonderful.

HM: So you had no hesitation. It didn't sound like a crazy idea?

MF: Of course, it did. But I have no hesitation anyhow, [deep laugh] If you know what I mean?

HM: So what was he unique then among some of the composers you would have worked with?

MF: Absolutely. And I think there's something that's really important to be said about Julien in today's contemporary music world that tends to be quite rarefied, if you know what I mean? Julian really wanted to connect with something else. He really wanted to connect with nature. But not only with nature, but with the scientists and the people that actually are studying the world today. And I thought that bridge between science and art was something very, very important today, and that's something that we were working on.

HM: As you all come to terms with what happened to Mr. Gauthier, how are the people at your symphony remembering him today?

MF: Well, today was our first day back with rehearsals after we heard about the tragedy last week. Today, we had a moment of silence for Julien at the orchestra, which is a moving moment when musicians are quiet. We were planning a number of things during the season. We were going to do a new world premiere. He was working with an aquarium, and scientists from the aquarium in western France. And we're going to do his Australe Symphony again, and we're going to do a number of his works throughout the season. We’ll do an homage to Julien at our opening concert in a few weeks. And I know that other composers that met him in our orchestra, and other composers are getting together right now. And we're thinking about putting together a Julien Gauthier a prize for young composers that want to follow in his footsteps in terms of writing about nature, ecology, science, adventure. So these are the things that we're all thinking about in the last day or so.

HM: There's one particular piece I want to ask you about — something to do with a lighthouse?

MF: Yeah, it's funny. He's always looking for places to write. And there's a lighthouse off the coast of Brittany, in the Atlantic Ocean. And we were joking. I said well, you know if I could get you that lighthouse for a few weeks, would you write another piece for us based on a Britain word for the North West winds? And he said well, if you can get me the lighthouse, I'll write you the piece. So I reached out to the regional government, and I said hey, can he be a resident in the lighthouse for a few weeks in the middle of winter, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and he would write a piece for us? And we got the lighthouse, and he went there, and he wrote the piece for us that we premiered a few months ago.

HM: We want to play now some of the first movement of Mr. Gauthier’s Symphony Australe, which you have mentioned already. This is performed by your orchestra. Can you just tell us what we should be listening for here?

MF: The first movement is I would say it's about the desolation of those islands that are 2,000 miles away from anything. And I think you can feel how far away they are, and how beautiful, and desolate, and calm that those islands must have been. Or still are, excuse me.

HM: Mr. Feldman, I'm very pleased that you were able to talk to us about Mr. Gauthier, and your memories of him. Again, we're sorry for your loss, and thank you for talking to us.

MF: Thank you very much.

HM: All right. Bye-bye.

MF: Bye-bye.

RS: That was Brittany Symphony Orchestra executive director Marc Feldman in Rennes, France. If you'd like to see some pictures of Julien Gauthier, and hear more of his music, visit our website: www.cbc.ca/aih.

[Music: Orchestral]

Part two: Abdilahi Elmi deportation, Newark watter

Abdilahi Elmi deportation

Guest: Dunia Nur

RS: Abdilahi Elmi will spend at least a few more days in Canada. The 34-year-old was set to be deported today, but the proceeding has been pushed to Monday. Mr. Elmi fled war in Somalia as a young refugee. For more than 20 years now, he has lived in Canada — sometimes landing in trouble with the law. Now, because of his multiple criminal convictions and lack of citizenship, he's set to return to a place he barely knows. A fate advocates say is just the latest example of the government letting in child refugees — and then letting them fall by the wayside. Dunia Nur is the president of the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council. She's been working with Mr. Elmi on his case. We reached her in Edmonton.

HM: Ms. Nur, have you spoken to Abdilahi Elmi today?

DUNIA NUR: Yes, I have.

HM: How's he doing?

DN: He's doing really good. He's hopeful. He said he's very overwhelmed, and there is so much that he wants to express to the public. Unfortunately, he does not have that opportunity because he detained in Edmonton Remand Centre. He did say that he's very grateful for all of the Canadians that have stood up for his rights, and protection, and safeties.

HM: Is that what's giving him hope? You say he's hopeful.

DN: Yeah, he's very hopeful. He's very anxious, but very hopeful. A lot of the supports that you know came out and questioned their respected electives, and put a petition for him. There was rallies that happened. So he said that he never thought that anyone would ever stand up for him like this.

HM: What are your fears about what might happen to him if he is sent to Somalia?

DN: Significant possibility of indefinite detention because he's someone that does not speak the language, he does not know the culture. He doesn't even have a Somali passport. The other thing is the fear of him dying. It's a death sentence because he's going into a physical area that he does not know its landscape. It's one of the world's most dangerous places that the government of Canada is deporting this young man to, which is Somalia Kismyo. There’s militant groups — there's al-Shabab — that completely occupied that space. At the same time, he's someone that has been raised in Canada for 24 years, and it's really scary to send someone you know that has been raised specifically by the child care system, that does not even know about his culture.

HM: Can you tell us about the circumstances under which Mr Elmi came to Canada?

DN: Yeah, Mr. Elmi came to Canada as a child refugee at the age of 9-10 years old. Shortly after, he was apprehended from his mother. He was apprehended under the legal causes of neglect and abuse. As he writes in his petition, he's endured a lot of physical abuse, emotional abuse, and also psychological abuse. And he was even homeless. And child welfare intervened, and they apprehended him. Snd from there on, he just fell right through the cracks.

HM: And he'd been living on the streets, right? Since about the age of 16?

DN: Yeah, and then he eventually aged out of governmental care, and he was living on the streets from there on. And then at the age of 19, Mr. Elmi actually went to apply for his own permanent residency. As soon as he applied, the government of Canada — Immigration Canada — actually took eight years just to respond to him, and say no, he's not eligible.

HM: Mr Elmi does have a lengthy criminal record. He's in the remand centre. He's not a Canadian citizen. Why should he be allowed to stay in the country?

DN: Well, the first thing is that his criminal records is not something that he's denying. It's something that he did take responsibility and accountability for. What happens with a lot of young people that are raised in foster care, that go through various of different abuses, that live with pre-migration trauma, unfortunately, their life trajectory does become one that is similar to Mr. Abdilahi Elmi. So he's a young person, who's never had an opportunity. Right now, there's a rehab centre that actually confirmed a bed for Mr. Elmi. He has been accepted into a school. We put him in an independent living. There is a Somali mothers’ coalition that's teaching him about his culture. And these are the interventions that not only Abdilahi and me, but many young children that go towards that unfortunate circumstances, these are the opportunities they need. Not the death penalty.

HM: But when you look at the convictions though, they include assault with a weapon, assault of a peace officer, and uttering threats. What do you say to Canadians who may be less than sympathetic towards Mr. Elmi, and fear that you know he may commit future crimes?

DN: These are things that he did take responsibilities for. These are convictions that he has served. And this is a young man that really went through a lot of trauma, lives with mental health conditions, also has a lot of alcohol dependency, has never had community support, family support, governmental support, or effective strategy and interventions. He's not the only young person that grows up in this type of life circumstances. The only thing that makes his case very different and unique is one of negligence in terms of his legal caregivers, which is not applying for his Canadian citizenship status.

HM: What kind of intervention are you hoping for in this case?

DN: What he's asking for is to be humanized, and look at his life circumstances. And in terms of the deportation, we really hope that our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes all these things into consideration because that as the promised acknowledgement that he has made. Our government has allocated a lot of funding to crime prevention. And you know understand that it stems from a place of systemic barriers, and mental health. So that's what we're hoping. And it's to also ensure that Elmi’s charter of rights and his intrinsic human rights is also protected.

HM: Well, in fact, last summer we saw the Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale intervene in a similar case involving a Nova Scotia child refugee, Abdoul Abdi. He was also set to be deported due to his criminal record, lack of citizenship. The case actually got dropped by the government. Is this the kind of thing that you're hoping Mr. Elmi will also experience?

DN: Abdoul Abdi’s case actually set the precedent for a lot of Canadians to see that this is the life trajectory, and the unfortunate circumstances that a lot of child refugee experience. So yes, Abdoul Abdi’s case did set the precedents. What that told us, and what that showed the public, is that our government has the full ability to intervene. So that's what we're hoping for.

HM: Ms. Nur, thank you very much for explaining the situation to us.

DN: Thank you. Thank you very much.

HM: All right. Bye-bye.

DN: Okay.

RS: Dunia Nur is the president of the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council. She's been working with Abdilahi Elmi. We reached her in Edmonton.

[Music: Ambient]

FOA: Russ Conway obit

RS: He started working for the Eagle-Tribune in Lawrence, Massachusetts at the age of 18. And by the time sports journalist Russ Conway retired from that paper, four decades later, he'd been awarded by the Hockey Hall of Fame; inducted into the New England Racing Hall of Fame; and nominated for a Pulitzer. Oh, and he'd exposed corruption in the NHL Players Association — eventually helping take down its founder and former head, Alan Eagleson. Russ Conway died on Tuesday. He was 70 years old. He was best known for his work delving into corruption allegations against Alan Eagleson in his 1995 book called "Game Misconduct: Alan Eagleson and the Corruption of Hockey". In an interview with former As It Happens host Michael Enright that same year, Mr. Conway explained how influential Eagleson was in hockey, and why he'd taken on such a major figure.

SOUNDCLIP

RUSS CONWAY: he's the self-proclaimed hockey czar. He was, in my estimation, and many others, the most powerful man in hockey for quite some time, based off of his great success of the 72 Summit Series, and the fact that he wore many hats. He was the most powerful agent. He had more players that he represented and his businesses represented than any others. He then was the executive director of the union. He was the director — a director — of Hockey Canada. And for all practical purposes, organized and promoted the Canada Cup tournament.

MICHAEL ENRIGHT: Of all of the offences, if we can call them that, the allegations made, which one to you is the most shocking, the most egregious?

RC: The most disgusting.

ME: Disgusting.

RC: And that's the proper word. Disability insurance, whereas players in the NHL, in case their careers ended with a disabling injury, they had protection and coverage both by the NHL and the NHLPA. Some were able to buy optional insurance. They bought it at Mr. Eagleson’s suggestion. When they went out, they were confirmed as being disabled, their careers were ended. In the case of Andre Savard, for example, he had to pay a fee to Mr. Eagleson’s company to get his insurance. Not only that, he didn't get the full coverage that was specified. He was supposed to receive $175,000 U.S. He received $100,000 Canadian. Mr. Eagleson's company received $85,000 to process that claim. Mike Gillis was another one. Very clear case. He was covered for certain amounts in disability insurance. Mr. Eagleson’s company charged Mr. Gillis in excess of $40,000 to obtain his own disability insurance. When you go and you buy car insurance from your car agency to simplify it, and the cost of business is somebody runs a red light. You are insured. You ought to get your insurance. The insurance agency that sold you the insurance — that got its commission — doesn't come back and say to you well, we're going to charge you extra to get your insurance processed.

RS: That was journalist Russ Conway speaking with As It Happens host Michael Enright in 1995. Mr. Conway died on Tuesday, at the age of 70.

[Music: Ambient]

Newark water

Guest: Yvette Jordan

RS: Newark, New Jersey has a water problem. And now, that's clear to everyone. Last week, the city began handing out free bottled water to people with high levels of lead in their tap water, making national headlines. But that move comes a full year after some advocates raised the issue with the city government. Yvette Jordan is one of those advocates. She's a teacher and a co-founder of the Newark Education Workers Caucus. We reached her in Newark, New Jersey.

HM: Ms. Jordan, what are the lead levels like in your home’s water?

YVETEE JORDON: Lead levels in my home are 44.2 parts per billion.

HM: How does that compare to what they should be?

YJ: Well, federal action level is 15, so it's almost three times the federal action level.

HM: What was your first reaction when you got the results saying that that was the number?

YJ: Oh, I was shocked. I was shocked. I was upset. So was my husband. Honestly, I wasn't expecting that.

HM: What have you learned about the risk of elevated lead levels?

YJ: For 15 parts per billion, anything over that will affect our neurological system. And that's something I'm concerned about — especially for small children, and for women who are pregnant or elderly — anybody who is extremely vulnerable.

HM: You said you didn't expect to find the levels would be elevated in your home. Why not?

YJ: Well, nobody ever said anything. And in our city, nobody else was speaking about this, until an organization I'm a part of — which is Newark Education Workers Caucus — were approached. We were informed through NRDC lead is in your water in Newark.

HM: And NRDC is, again?

YJ: Natural Resources Defense Council. And that's an environmental advocacy group. And they informed us, and said we have found this out. And NRDC is the same group who sued for clean water in Flint. So they are extremely credible. And they approached us, and said we think you should be aware of this, and are also asking if you would serve as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the city of Newark.

HM: Can you just tell me how you are managing the issue in your own home?

YJ: initially, as soon as we found out, we were using filters, and filtering our water for drinking as well as cooking. We were doing that up until about a week and a half ago. And now, I'm using only bottled. Our city is supplying 48 bottles for a week. However, that is not enough. So on average, I'm spending in the area of about 30 dollars a week in bottled water.

HM: Yeah, that adds up pretty quickly.

YJ: Absolutely.

HM: Now, it was a year ago you said you found out about these levels. Do you think though that the city and officials have been open about the nature and the extent of this issue?

YJ: Absolutely not. Initially, as I was alluding to earlier, when the city was initially approached, they said our water is safe, no problems here. Newark is not Flint. Actually, they had a hashtag saying Newark is not Flint. So they were in denial. Either that or were lying. Hopefully, it wasn't lying, and they were just ignorant. [slight laugh] I'm hoping.

HM: You know, there's some people who are pointing the finger at Senator Cory Booker, who's your city's former mayor and water commissioner. And, of course, is running for the Democratic nomination for president. Who do you blame?

YJ: I think it's easy for us pointing fingers. So it's easy to say okay, Cory Booker, he was not on top of it, and wasn't handling it. Or even saying Sharpe James, who was a previous mayor, wasn't. However, when the problem was known, how come our mayor was not stepping up and saying oh, okay, it's a problem. We should address it immediately. So I feel it was a violation of the trust we have in our city officials.

HM: Umm hmm.

YJ: And finally, when he finally acquiesced, and said in October of 18, okay, there is a problem with our water, I felt it was late. He really said this at the seventh inning of a nine and in game, you know? It's like come on, what are you doing?

HM: Have you been told why the lead levels are high, and why they've been rising?

YJ: Well, the lead service lines are bad, and lead is leaching into the water system. So lead service lines need replacement.

HM: Do you have any idea when it will be that people in Newark can feel confident about their water supply?

YJ: Oh, I wish it was tomorrow, really. But until lead service lines are replaced, until everybody is aware of what is going on, I don't see it happening soon. Now, our city officials are saying that lead service line replacement for everybody won't happen for another seven years.

HM: Wow! It must be daunting to think about using bottled water and filters for that long?

YJ: Absolutely, absolutely. I think initially, our city officials were concerned about the image of Newark, about its economic engine, and about how certain businesses are coming here, and they're just worried about that. So now, you've got to worry about us. The health of the citizens and residents of Newark is most important.

HM: Well, Ms. Jordan, I really appreciate you telling us what's happening there. Thank you very much.

YJ: Okay, Helen. Thank you.

HM: All right. You take care. Bye-bye.

YJ: Okay, bye.

RS: Yvette Jordan is a teacher and a co-founder of the Newark Education Workers Caucus. We reached her in Newark, New Jersey.

[Music: Indie rock]

DL: Windy mattresses

RS: Dateline: Denver, Colorado.

[Music: Dateline theme]

RS: It was among the most majestic sights the American West has to offer: the rarely seen migration of the cartwheeling air mattresses. Saturday was breezy in Denver. A guy named Robb Manes was lounging by the wind-whipped pool when something unusual dropped by: an inflatable bed, which had blown in over the fence — quickly followed by another, and another. Mr. Manes then stood up and turned his camera to the area whence these beds had arrived. The footage is breathtaking: a flock of dozens of air mattresses, bounding and tumbling end over end — toward, into, and sometimes right over the pool.

SOUNDCLIP

[Sound: Lots of people cheering and wind blowing]

RS: There were maybe a hundred of them, hurtling through the air — followed by several frantic people. As Mr. Manes told The Denver Post, quote, "There was a woman trying to catch a mattress. She looked at us and said, 'This is a disaster.'" Unquote. That woman was one of the organizers of an event called "The Bed Cinema", held at a park in Denver. The idea was that you and friends could plop down on one of more than 150 inflated double beds and watch a movie. Most showings went fine. Then came the sudden storm and high winds on Saturday. And suddenly, instead the scheduled showing of "Back to the Future", it was "Gone With The Wind". Goes to show: you can plan a great party, but it can still be ruined by uninvited gusts.

[Music: Indie rock]

FOA: Model Railway

RS: It took a lifetime to build. And only one drunken night to destroy. In May, we told you about an elaborate model train display in Stamford, England that was vandalized. Today, four 16-year-old boys pled guilty to destroying it -- after downing a bottle of vodka and going on a "rampage." Three of the teenagers have been sentenced to a year of community service and fined 800 Canadian dollars. The other will be sentenced in September. In May, Carol spoke with Peter Davies — the chairman of the club that built the display. Here's part of their conversation.

SOUNDCLIP

PETER DAVIES: The best thing I can suggest to you is that if you stand at the door of your main living room, and you look around at all the lovely things around you. But instead of it being where it's in its place, it's match wood. Well, that sort of feeling is what it was like. Because what I saw was total devastation.

CAROL OFF: For people who don't know what these model railway displays look like. I mean these are extremely elaborate, detailed installations, aren't they?

PD: Yes, we're talking miniature worlds, really. If you can imagine anything in the real thing, well, miniaturize it, and you have it.

CO: And how long did it take — would it have taken — the people who created these scenes to it to have actually constructed them?

PD: Yeah, one of the layouts had taking 25 years.

CO: When we talk about this in terms of years or the hours put into them, that's only part of the story, isn't it? It's the love, and the passion, and the detail.

PD: Absolutely, you know there's a lot of imagination goes into creating the scenes in the first place. A lot of planning. There’s absolutely nothing, bits of paper, bits of card. It's just mind-blowingly horrible.

RS: That was Peter Davies speaking with Carol in May. Today, four teenagers pleaded guilty to destroying the model train display.

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August 21, 2019 episode transcript

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