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- Manitoba Park Reserves Extended
- Pollution and GHG Emissions Rise: Stats Canada
- Climate Change Petition Rejected
- New Charities Act for UK - Canada Should Follow
- US Supreme Court Hears Global Warming Case
- Manitoba and California Sign Global Warming MOU
- Ottawa's Plan for Toxics Not Good Enough
- Aboriginal Right to Harvest Timber Recognized
- UN Delays Indigenous Rights Declaration
- Green Budget 2007 Recommendations
- Fate of Six Manitoba Park Reserves Undecided
- 'Victoria's Dirty Secret' Campaign Victory
| Manitoba Park Reserves Extended | 11 January 07 |
 Manitoba Conservation has extended interim protection for several small and medium-sized Manitoba park reserves. Regulations were made public early in January 2007.Goose Islands (15 ha), Grand Island (940 ha), Kinwow Bay (8,400 ha), Pelican Islands, (130 ha), and Sturgeon Bay (14,490 ha) Park Reserves were first placed under interim protection for five years in December 2001 (Regulation 183/2001), most were nominated by First Nations. "Manitoba's government promised to create at least one new large significant protected area each year. We are still waiting for the 2006 announcement. Manitobans expect action," said Gaile Whelan Enns, director, Manitoba Wildlands. View map showing the location of each park reserve (PDF) View Manitoba Wildlands' 2006 protected areas audit (PDF) View Manitoba Wildlands' December 12, 2006 News item View regulations, Manitoba Parks Act: December 15 & December 21, 2006 (PDF) Sources: Manitoba Conservation, Manitoba Wildlands
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| Pollution and GHG Emissions Rise: Stats Canada | 08 January 07 |
 Environment Canada's second annual report on environmental sustainability indicators has revealed increases in one air pollutant that contributes to smog; greenhouse gas emissions have risen; and water quality guidelines for aquatic life are being exceeded, (at majority of selected monitoring sites across the country).Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators, prepared by Environment Canada, Statistics Canada and Health Canada, provides updates on three indicators: air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and freshwater quality. The indicators are annual measuring sticks by which governments and the public can track trends. The 2006 report tracks changes to indicators between 1990 and 2004. Greenhouse gas emissions rose 27% from 1990 to 2004 - to 758 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. This exceeds the greenhouse gas reduction target of the Kyoto Protocol by 35%, or about 200 million tones, making Canada one of the world's highest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases. The freshwater quality indicator focused on the ability of Canada's surface waters to support aquatic life. For the 340 selected sites across southern Canada, water quality was rated as "good" or "excellent" at 44% of sites, "fair" at 34% and "marginal" or "poor" at 22%. View the November 23, 2006 article in The Daily (Statistics Canada) View the report: Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators 2006 (PDF) View the November 23, 2006 Canadian Press article on CTV Sources: Statistics Canada, Canadian Press
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| Climate Change Petition Rejected | 05 January 07 |
 The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights decided it will not consider a petition filed by the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) in Canada and Alaska. The petition alleges the US government is violating human rights of Inuit by refusing to limit its greenhouse gas emissions and was submitted by Sheila Watt-Cloutier (then ICC Chair) in December 2005.The detailed 175-page petition said climate change threatens the rights of Inuit to use and enjoy their traditional lands and personal property, their rights to health and life, to residence and movement and to their livelihood. The petition asked for "relief from human rights violations resulting from the impacts of global warming and climate change caused by acts and omission of the U.S.". It also asked the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to visit the Arctic, and recommend the U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and cooperate on other international efforts. The November 2006 letter from the commission states that it "will not be able to process your petition at present... the information provided does not enable us to determine whether the alleged facts would tend to characterize a violation of rights protected by the American Declaration." Watt-Cloutier has asked the Commission, an international legal body affiliated with the Organization of American States, for further information on why it isn't proceeding. She's also invited commission members to visit the Arctic for a hearing "to provide testimony and documentation on these problems which are seriously affecting Inuit survival." Shiela Watt-Coutier was awarded the Order of Canada for her work with the ICC in a ceremony earlier this month. View the December 15, 2006 Nunatsiaq News article View the December 15, 2006 CBC article Sources: Nunatsiaq News, CBC
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| New Charities Act for UK - Canada Should Follow | 3 January 07 |
 On November 8, 2006, a new and modernized Charities Act became law in the UK. The UK's new Charities Act contains a revised and modernized list of charitable purposes that expands on the definition of the "four heads" of charity that dates back to 1891 - relief of poverty; advancement of education; advancement of religion; and other purposes beneficial to the community. The new Act includes in the definition of charitable purposes "the advancement of environmental protection or improvement". Developments in charity law and administration in England are still viewed with interest in Canada and are sometimes influential. The four heads of charity were adopted long before the emergence of Canada's current complex civil society, social economy and participatory democracy. Canada has changed enormously, but key elements of Canada's charity law have not. IMPACS hopes that the Government of Canada will follow the UK's progressive lead. The Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS) is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization committed to strengthening the voice and profile of civil society organizations in Canada and internationally. View December 2006 article in IMPACS' monthly newsletter (PDF) View information about the UK Charities Act View a guide to the main provisions of the UK Charities Act Source: IMPACS
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| US Supreme Court Hears Global Warming Case | 3 January 07 |
 The U.S. Supreme Court tackled global warming for the first time November 29, 2006. The case could set an important precedent on federal discretion to recognize and regulate environmental and health damage from climate change.A group of 12 states, including New York and Massachusetts, is suing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to properly do its job. These states, backed by environmental groups and scientists, say that the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to impose limits on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by cars because it specifically mandates regulation of all pollutants that may endanger public health or welfare. In the late 1990s, the Clinton administration concluded the EPA has the regulatory authority to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. As a presidential candidate in 2000, George Bush pledged to regulate carbon emissions. Inside the courtroom, the Supreme Court appeared sharply divided over what role the federal government should play in regulating carbon dioxide emissions from new cars. When a decision on the case is handed down before July 2007, its ripple effect could extend to power plants as well as states' efforts to impose stringent regulations on car tailpipe emissions. A separate case involving the EPA's claim the Clean Air Act does not give it authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants is being litigated in other federal courts. View the November 30, 2006 Associated Press article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer View the November 29, 2006 CNN.com article View the November 29, 2006 National Public Radio article View the November 28, 2006 New York Times editorial (DOC) Sources: Associated Press, CNN, National Public Radio, New York Times
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| Manitoba and California Sign Global Warming MOU | 21 December 06 |
 Premier Gary Doer and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an agreement December 14, 2006 committing their governments to further action on climate change.A central feature of the five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) is support from California for Manitoba's plan to draft legislation aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. California recently passed legislation that made it the first US state to limit GHG emissions. Other features of the MOU include:
View the December 14, 2006 Governor of California press release View the December 2006 Manitoba-California MOU (PDF) View Manitoba Wildlands' October 6, 2006 news item Sources: Government of Manitoba, Governor of California
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| Ottawa's Plan for Toxics Not Good Enough | 21 December 06 |
 Canada's main environmental legislation needs a major overhaul to protect the public from emerging peril of hazardous chemicals used in consumer products. This, according to a letter delivered to Prime Minister Harper December 11, 2006, signed by 721 Canadian scientists and doctors.The letter says the federal government's plan does not address deficiencies in the regulatory system. The scientists' letter focuses on four areas for improvement in CEPA:
NGOs are also echoing the scientists' call for strengthening CEPA. The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) prepared a submission with comments on implementation of the Act, pollution prevention, public participation, controlling toxics substances, the Precautionary Principle, accountability and enforcement, and international agreements. View the Canadian scientists' letter View the December 11, 2006 press release View the December 11, 2006 Globe and Mail article Visit the RCEN's CEPA Review webpage View details on current phase of the review of CEPA View the December 19, 2006 Manitoba Wildlands letter (PDF) View the December 18, 2006 Pembina Institute Comments Sources: ScientistsForAHealthyEnvironment.ca, Globe and Mail, RCEN
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| Aboriginal Right to Harvest Timber Recognized | 18 December 06 |
 Aboriginal people have a broad right to cut timber on Crown land for domestic use, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in an important test case December 7, 2006. In a 9-0 decision, judges decided three New Brunswick men who took Crown wood to make furniture, build a home and burn as firewood were exercising their aboriginal rights. "If aboriginal rights are not permitted to evolve and take modern forms, then they will become utterly useless," Mr. Justice Michel Bastarache wrote. "The cultures of the aboriginal peoples who occupied the lands now forming Canada prior to the arrival of the Europeans - and who did so while living in organized societies with their own distinctive ways of life - cannot be reduced to wigwams, baskets and canoes." The ruling, which did not define the limits of personal use, could apply across the country if natives show cutting timber is rooted in traditional livelihoods of their ancestors to use wood for shelter, transportation, tools and fuel. The court said aboriginals need only to establish, based on flexible rules of evidence that the logs they intend to cut are on land where their ancestors traditionally lived and harvested timber. The decision is a significant win that will improve the way of life for natives and serve as a bargaining chip in negotiations with governments to secure rights to other resources. "What we're seeing here is a major breakthrough in our aboriginal rights, not just in the Atlantic, but across Canada," said Chief Wilbert Marshall, of the Chapel Island First Nation in Nova Scotia. View the December 8, 2006 Globe and Mail article View the December 8, 2006 Canada.com article View the December 7, 2006 Vancouver Sun article View the December 7, 2006 CBC article View the December 7, 2006 Supreme Court of Canada decision Sources: Globe and Mail, Vancouver Sun, CBC, Canada.com
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| UN Delays Indigenous Rights Declaration | 18 December 06 |
 In a move that stunned the international indigenous community, a number of African nations persuaded the majority of nation states to delay adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples until September 2007. Representatives of Namibia, Botswana and other African countries were disturbed the declaration lacked a definition of who is indigenous. The African countries were supported by New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the United States. The declaration has been in the works for 23 years and addresses individual and collective rights of indigenous people. It speaks to their rights to education, health, employment and language, outlaws discrimination and ensures indigenous people have the right to remain distinct. The newly formed UN Human Rights Council adopted the declaration June 29 in a vote of 30-2. Only Canada and Russia voted against it. Canadian Aboriginal leaders and all three federal opposition parties are accusing the Conservative government of harming Canada's reputation by reversing its position on the declaration. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Shawn Atleo said, "Canada was positioned to play a significant role in supporting the declaration but chose to actively oppose both as a member of the Human Rights Council and at the General Assembly." In a detailed explanation posted on the Indian Affairs website, department officials argue that such wording is so broad that it could lead courts to reopen land claims that have already been negotiated and settled. View December 12, 2006 UN News Centre View the December 12, 2006 CBC View the December 8, 2006 Indian Country Today View the December 3, 2006 Inter Press Service News Agency View the November 16, 2006 Globe and Mail article (DOC) View Canada's Position: United Nations Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Sources: UN News Centre, CBC, Indian Country Today, Globe and Mail
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| Green Budget 2007 Recommendations | 18 December 06 |
 The Green Budget Coalition issued its five overriding recommendations for the 2007 federal budget on November 27, 2006.The five recommendations focus on:
The Green Budget Coalition brings together the collective knowledge of 20 of Canada's leading environmental and conservation groups. The Coalition submits priority recommendations for each annual federal budget to advance the integration of environmental values into Canada's economy. View the November 27, 2006 Green Budget Coalition press release View the Green Budget Coalition report, Recommendations for Budget 2007: Opportunities for a Greener Canada (PDF) View the March 29, 2006 Nature Canada press release Source: Green Budget Coalition
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| Fate of Six Manitoba Park Reserves Undecided | 12 December 06 |
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Interim protection for six Manitoba park reserves expires December 14, 2006 and Manitoba Conservation has yet to announce action so all six will remain protected. Goose Islands (15 ha), Grand Island (940 ha), Kinwow Bay (8,400 ha), Pelican Islands, (130 ha), Pemmican Island (22 ha) and Sturgeon Bay (14,490 ha) Park Reserves were placed under interim protection for five years in December 2001 (Regulation 183/2001). The purpose of interim protection of a Park Reserve is to conserve an area's natural, cultural and recreational values while public views are identified in a public consultation process. These six park reserves have no review process during the last five years. Review started only in advance of this impending deadline on the regulation that protects them. In its October 2006 consultation document, Manitoba Conservation indicated that additional time is needed to identify and review Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation community ideas for the Kinwow Bay, Pelican Islands and Sturgeon Bay Park Reserves and to discuss the Goose Islands Park Reserve with Pine Creek First Nation. The department proposes that interim protection for these four Park Reserves be extended. Kinwow and Sturgeon Bay park reserves are a fraction of the original intended protected area. Manitoba Conservation also suggested that Park Reserve status for Pemmican Island site not be renewed because Parks Canada has determined the ability of the site to support colonial nesting birds is limited. Pemmican Island was initially identified for inclusion in the Lowlands national park proposal. Manitoba Conservation has received a request for protected Park Reserve status for Cormorant Islands, a documented colonial nesting bird site. The department is suggesting the 170 hectare Cormorant Islands site be added to a renewed protected Grand Island Park Reserve - and that a permanent provincial designation for this combined site continue to be pursued with Chemawawin First Nation. Grand Island was nominated by Chemawawin First Nation initially, and could already be permanently protected. View Manitoba Conservation's consultation document regarding the six park reserves (PDF) View map showing the location of each park reserve (PDF) View Manitoba Wildlands' 2006 protected areas audit (PDF) Sources: Manitoba Conservation
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| 'Victoria's Dirty Secret' Campaign Victory | 12 December 06 |
 Victoria's Secret's parent firm and conservation group ForestEthics have reached an agreement to make the lingerie retailer's catalogue more environmentally friendly. Limited Brands signed a new forest policy that it will no longer work with suppliers who source from the Rocky Mountain Foothills near Hinton, Alberta, and will no longer use suppliers who source paper from any caribou habitat range in Canada unless it has been certified by Forest Stewardship Council. Limited Brands' flagship catalog will shift to 10% post consumer waste content beginning in 2007. The changes, announced December 6, 2006, follow a high-profile campaign against the company that included full-page advertisements that featured a lingerie-clad model toting a chainsaw and the tag line 'Victoria's Dirty Secret.' The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) released a press release in response to the announcement by ForestEthics and Limited Brands. FPAC expressed disappointment that ForestEthics had "pressured Limited Brands into adopting a policy that discriminates against over 300 forestry dependant communities across Canada." It did not comment on the practice of sourcing of forest products from endangered species' habitat. View the December 7, 2006 Toronto Star article on ForestEthics' website View the December 7, 2006 Financial Post article on ForestEthics' website View the December 6, 2006 ForestEthics press release View the December 6, 2006 CBC article View the December 6, 2006 Reuters article View the December 6, 2006 Globe and Mail article on ForestEthics' website View the December 6, 2006 Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) press release View the Victoria's Dirty Secret Campaign timeline View Manitoba Wildlands' January 27, 2005 & August 19, 2005 news items Sources: ForestEthics, Reuters, CBC, Globe and Mail, FPAC
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