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- Spring Bear Hunt to End?
- East Side First Nations Sign MOU
- Canada Failing in Species Protection
- Wealthy Nations Overuse Natural Resources
- 2004 Budget Short on Protected Areas
- China's Grain Harvest Shrinking
- Loopholes in Canada's Kyoto Plan
- Manitoba Wind Project License Altered
- Innu Nation Denounces 'Protest Hunt'
- US To Revive Coal As Energy Source
- Cree Call for Diamond Mine Review
- Wuskwatim Co-Proponents Weave Web
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), together with the Winnipeg Humane Society launched a public campaign April 28, 2004 in conjunction with the opening of the controversial bear hunt in Manitoba.East Side First Nations Sign MOU |
03 May 04 |
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Province of Manitoba and eight First Nations located on the East Side of Lake Winnipeg was signed April 22, 2004. The MOU is an agreement between the First Nations and the province to work together on sustainable land use projects for the vast area of boreal forest along the east side of the lake. The future protocol will serve as a foundation for First Nations communities to be involved in decisions that will affect their communities and traditional territories. Conservation Minister Stan Struthers, Culture and Heritage Minister Eric Robinson and Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Oscar Lathlin attended the signing ceremonies. Chiefs and Elders from the First Nation communities also took part in the ceremonies. However, the ceremony was marred by controversy and delayed more than an hour while leaders from the First Nations communities met with government officials about whether they would sign the agreement. In the end, just eight of the 16 bands agreed to sign the MOU. The rest walked away from the meeting, seeking more time to review the agreement or citing fundamental flaws to the East Side Planning Initiative process. Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said the refusal of eight First Nations to sign the MOU does not mean the consultation process has failed and that the process is open for the other First Nations to join as they become comfortable with the process. View the Manitoba Government Press Release Download the April 23, 2004 Winnipeg Free Press article (DOC) Download the Memorandum of Understanding (DOC) Sources: Government of Manitoba Press Release, Winnipeg Free Press
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Canada Failing in Species Protection |
30 April 04 |
Environmental Defence Canada released a Report Card April 23, 2004 showing federal, provincial and territorial governments are failing to protect endangered species. The Report Card examines how governments are meeting the terms of the National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, a federal-provincial agreement that establishes guidelines for endangered species legislation and policy. Results reveal enormous gaps in both species at risk legislation and recovery programs from coast to coast to coast - gaps that mean more endangered animals and plants will likely be lost forever. The federal Species At Risk Act (SARA), passed in December 2002, is intended to act as a safeguard to ensure that a minimum level of protection for species at risk exists across the country. The Report Card found that the federal government is not properly implementing SARA, which was scheduled to come into force in June 2003. The Liberal government delayed the coming into force of the most substantive parts of the law by a year, and bureaucratic manoeuvring is threatening to delay and weaken the law further. These actions have undermined SARA to the point where the Report Card gives the federal government an "F" on SARA implementation. At the provincial level, four jurisdictions received a grade of "F" because they do not have stand-alone legislation to protect species at risk, and have failed to provide meaningful protection to these endangered animals and plants. On average, only 36% of scientifically classified "at risk" species are legally listed for protection in Canadian provinces and territories. View the full Environmental Defence Canada press release View the Environmental Defence Canada Report Card View COSEWIC Species listings Source: Environmental Defence Canada
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Wealthy Nations Overuse Natural Resources |
30 April 04 |
Redefining Progress, a US-based non-profit organization released the 2004 update of the world's leading indicator of sustainability, the Ecological Footprint Accounts. The 2004 Footprint of Nations concludes that the world's wealthiest nations are mortgaging the future at the expense of today's children, the poor, and the long-term health of the Earth. Through excessive consumption of non-renewable resources, a handful of countries are depleting global reserves at a faster rate than ever before. For the first time the United States has the world's largest Footprint at 9.57 hectares (23.7 acres) per person - a sustainable Footprint would be 1.88 hectares (4.6 acres). At the other end of the scale, developing countries like Bangladesh and Mozambique have Footprints of 0.53 hectares (1.3 acres) per capita - just over 1/20th of the US Footprint. Humanity's combined footprint represents an overuse of the earth's natural resources by 15%. The national Ecological Footprint Accounts measure the land area required to support a nation, providing for its needs and absorbing its wastes. The Accounts are composed of six factors: energy use, grazing land, pastureland, fisheries, built land and forests. Redefining Progress's prior reports have focused on the dangers of overusing our natural resources and the effect on future generations. For the first time, this year's report documents the current impact of over-consumption on the world's most vulnerable populations. Redefining Progress has calculated Ecological Footprints for over 130 countries and numerous regions as well as an increasing number of municipalities and businesses. Calculate your own Individual Footprint (in seven languages for 60 countries) on-line View the full news release by Redefining Progress Download The 2004 Footprint of Nations report (PDF 500KB) Source: Redefining Progress
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2004 Budget Short on Protected Areas |
30 April 04 |
The Government of Manitoba released its 2004 budget April 19, 2004. Some conservation issues related to water and energy were featured in this year's budget. The Lake Winnipeg Stewardship program, newly introduced legislation on water protection, and the floodway expansion were highlighted. Manitoba Wildlands Director Gaile Whelan Enns expressed concern over the lack of attention to protected areas establishment, and the vague description of recent activity to protect lands in Manitoba. "The 2004 budget refers to parks that have been announced previously as if they are new. These include protected areas established 10 years ago. In fact, no new protected areas have been established since the last budget. In March 2004 an ecology based Lowlands national park agreement with Canada was announced. A month later we again are hearing lots about tourism, and new cottage lots - but no specifics on establishing new protected areas. Its time for Manitoba to get on with fulfilling its commitments for new protected areas." The 2004 Budget Speech also included reference to $100,000 in new funds for protected areas establishment. The coming years budget for activities to plan, and establish parks and protected areas is currently less that the 1999 budget. View the Manitoba Government 2004 Budget materials Source: Government of Manitoba Budget papers
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China's Grain Harvest Shrinking |
22 April 04 |
In February 2004, the Chinese government passed emergency legislation to increase its agricultural budget by 25 percent, or roughly $3 billion. The additional funds primarily will be used to raise support prices for wheat and rice, the principal food staples. Approval of such an increase outside of the normal budget-making process indicates the government's mounting concern about food security.China's grain harvest has fallen in four of the last five years, dropping to 322 million tons in 2003. This drop of 70 million tons exceeds the entire grain harvest of Canada. China's harvest shortfalls of recent years have been covered by drawing down its once massive stocks of grain. China is the first major grain-producing country where environmental and economic trends have combined to reverse the historical growth in grain production. China soon will be forced to turn to the world market for massive imports at a time when world grain stocks are at their lowest level in 30 years. Among other things, this means that the surplus world grain production capacity and cheap food of the last half-century may soon be history. Higher food prices could become a permanent part of the economic landscape. Adjusting to these higher food prices could become a dominant preoccupation of governments in the years ahead. View the full Earth Policy Institute article Source: Earth Policy Institute
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Loopholes in Canada's Kyoto Plan |
22 April 04 |
On March 24, 2004, Dr. Matthew Bramley, director of the Pembina Institute climate change program, testified to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, on emerging loopholes in the federal government's policy on the system of emissions targets for major industrial facilities ("large final emitters" or "LFEs"). According to the Pembina Institute, a system of emissions targets for LFEs is the single most important policy initiative for Canada in order to implement the Kyoto Protocol.Several loopholes risk being allowed in the LFE system, with the result that it will deliver significantly fewer emission reductions than the government has committed to under the Kyoto Protocol, damaging Canada's ability to meet its international obligations. The Pembina Institute has identified a list of 10 potential loopholes in the system, including double counting reductions, giving credit for reductions that would have happened anyway, allowing weaker targets now in exchange for future promises, and failing to require sufficient auditing and transparency. View the Pembina Institute briefing note on 'Large Final Emitters' Source: Pembina Institute
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Manitoba Wind Project License Altered |
21 April 04 |
The Environmental License for the St. Leon Wind Energy Project, owned by Sequoia Energy Inc., has been revised and re-issued by the Director of Environmental Approvals, Manitoba Conservation. The proponents had requested that the portion of their Environmental License pertaining to the interconnection transmission line be transferred to Manitoba Hydro. In response to this request on April 5, 2004, the Director re-issued the license, which deleted the reference to the transmission line interconnection between the wind collector station and Manitoba Hydro's existing St. Leon 230 kV substation. The original license had been issued November 14, 2003. This is the latest in a series of contentious issues related to this first wind project development. The initial Environmental License for the wind project was issued despite indication from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) that a federal environmental assessment of the project would be required and that assessment activities should be coordinated with the appropriate federal departments. CEAA noted written concerns expressed by officials of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regarding insufficient information in the proposal regarding impacts on fish habitat. Environment Canada also expressed concerns about the insufficiency of baseline data and field surveys for migratory birds as provided in the St. Leon proposal, as well as mitigation and monitoring of effects on bird populations. The Environmental License issued by the province notes that the project must also comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal regulations and by-laws. Manitoba Wildlands' appeal of the initial November 2003 Environmental License was denied. It is not clear at this time how licensing of the Hydro substation and transmission lines for the wind project will be undertaken. View the on-line public registry files at Manitoba Eco-Network View the January 5, 2004 article on Manitoba Wildlands' appeal of the St. Leon Wind Energy Project License Sources: Sequoia Energy Inc. - St. Leon Wind-Energy Ltd. Partnership, St. Leon Wind-Energy Project Public Registry file materials (File #4976.00), Manitoba Wildlands
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Following a 'protest hunt' by a group of Quebec Innu, the Innu Nation called for immediate action to ensure the continued survival of a threatened woodland caribou herd in central Labrador.US To Revive Coal As Energy Source |
21 April 04 |
After 25 years, coal is poised to make a comeback as an energy source in the US, motivated by the demand for affordable electricity and the rising price of other fuels. At least 94 coal-fired electric power plants - with the capacity to power 62 million American homes - are now planned across 36 states.The plants, slated to start coming on line as early as next year, would add significantly to the United States' generating power, help keep electricity prices low, and boost energy security by offering an alternative to foreign oil and gas. However, the coal-fired plants would also pump more airborne mercury and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide into the air. A March 2004 report by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), an arm of the US Department of Energy documented the increase in proposed coal-fired plants that has occurred over the past three years. If all were built, they would add 62 gigawatts or another 20 percent to the US's current coal-generating capacity. However, experts caution that perhaps no more than half of all proposed plants will ever be built. It can take seven to 10 years for a coal power plant to go from planning to construction - and legal action and public protests often halt them. The increased development of coal-powered electricity generation and its estimated $72 billion investment has not been well-publicized by industry and has been overlooked by the public. View the full February 26, 2004 Christian Science Monitor Source: Christian Science Monitor
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Cree Call for Diamond Mine Review |
21 April 04 |
Diamond giant De Beers is developing Ontario's first diamond mine on James Bay in the traditional territory of the Mushkegowuk Cree. This is the first time an industrial project of this magnitude has been contemplated in the James Bay lowlands ecosystem. The mine will require a network of winter roads, a fuel pipeline, housing facilities for hundreds of workers, an airstrip that can handle a Hercules, ocean-going oil tankers in James Bay for the first time and other facilities.De Beers recently released its study on the anticipated environmental effects of the project. The project will now be subject to a federal and provincial environmental assessment and review process to fulfill licensing requirements. To help navigate the federal and provincial regulatory process, De Beers has retained the services of GPC, one of the country's biggest lobbying firms. The Mushkegowuk Cree do not have funds for the independent technical advice needed to review the confident claims of De Beers' engineers and scientists. The Cree are calling on the federal government to provide funding for an independent review of De Beers thousands of pages of technical studies. View the full April 5, 2004 Globe and Mail news story Source: Globe and Mail
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Wuskwatim Co-Proponents Weave Web |
16 April 04 |
There was a March 10, 2004 Manitoba Legislative debate between Premier Gary Doer and Mr. Jon Gerrard, Liberal Party Leader, regarding the need to consult with the Metis people about the Wuskwatim Projects. In the debate the Premier wrongly stated that his Government had been consulting with the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF), and that his Ministers "have had full consultations with the Metis Federation." He also suggested that his government will undertake consultation "in a fair way for the Metis people." In a letter to Premier Doer, President Chartrand wrote, "clearly your Ministers and staff have not fully briefed you." In a recent interview, President Chartrand explained, "there has been no consultation, or accommodation, of the Metis Nation by the Manitoba Government, Manitoba Hydro, or NCN. The Metis are being virtually locked out." Download the full April 8, 2004 Grassroots News article (PDF 750KB) View the Grassroots News website View the Energy Manitoba website Source: Grassroots News |
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