Type of Research: Research Paper, Database          

Research Description:

This project will compile information on criminal and scandalous activities of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) from its founding in 1984 to the present. It will attempt to track the consequences for CSIS of each scandal which has come to light. Finally, it will analyse the data according to a set of questions developed in collaboration with the People's Commission Network in the course of this project.

Part A. Scandalous activities and consequences for CSIS.

Drawing on a wide variety of public sources (literature review; media coverage; SIRC reports; internal Public Safety audits; court decisions and transcripts; interviews with activists and lawyers; reports by human rights and community organizations), information on CSIS misdemeanors will be gathered, synthesized, and categorized.

We are interested not only in illegal activities but any ""shocking"" behaviour: actions that are broadly held to be incompatible with justice and freedom. To narrow the scope of the research, we have categorized the kinds of activities that have in the past provoked public scandals. The following ten categories can be refined and modified in the course of the research, but serve as an initial basis:

Project Description:

The Montreal Media Co-op is looking for a student, preferably in Journalism or Communications, to undertake a research and writing project for the upcoming semester. The student would be expected to work with members of the MMC is researching one or several topics through various means, including Access to Information Requests, archival research and interviews. While familiarity with journalistic research methods is a plus, training will be provided to the student as well.

The research will revolve around a clear topic with the goal of publishing at least one in-depth investigative piece. The topic will be defined based on the needs identified by the MMC and take into account the student's research interests. Possible topics include: Housing and homelessness Poverty rates/anti-poverty programs Environmental initiatives on Montreal island Police brutality/killings and accountability Women, queer and trans- issues in Montreal Race and racism in Montreal.

Based in Montreal’s South-West, the Ste-Emilie Skillshare is a politicized community art space run by a collective of trans people, queers and people of colour. We are artists and activists, working together within an anti-oppression framework and moving towards social transformation. As historically marginalized people, sharing our art and skills are revolutionary acts as the art we produce can be used as a tool for political change.

We host a fully-functional silkscreen studio, which is our primary way of
working with other communities and community organizations, but we
also host workshops, film screenings, vernissages, parties and kids'
days.  We see the teaching and making of art by marginalized
communities as an important component of anti-oppressive organizing.

Project description: Queer McGill has operated at McGill in various forms since the early 1970’s, and has played its own particular role in queer history. Being able to access and reflect on this aspect of our local queer history would be incredibly meaningful to present and future generations of queers and activists.

Project description:

This project will consist of a qualitative and quantitative systemic examination of the Montreal shelter system to determine the state of access for transsexual, transgender and gender-variant people in need of shelter and housing (with a possible specific focus on women`s shelters). Furthermore, the research will look at other cities which have successfully adapted their shelter system (such as Toronto and New York City) to improve access for trans people. The final research will be used in the context of the ASTT(e)Q's ongoing work to improve access to shelters.

 
Final product:

The final product will be a 15-20 evaluation report, with a 2-3 page summary report (to be used for media and public awareness), summarizing the status of the Montreal shelter system, and compiling resources and making recommendations based on the successes of trans activists in other cities in implementing policy regarding trans access.
 

Skills & time commitment required: