News

"We're here basically to bring attention to the impact that G8 and G20 meetings have, and the effect their social and economic policies are going to have on indigenous people, lands and resources," said Russell Diabo, a Quebec Mohawk and spokesman for Defenders of the Land. "We have a lot of unresolved issues we need to see addressed domestically, without Stephen Harper talking about going overseas and dealing with development there."

The group also called for control of claimed land, and urged the government to investigate the disappearance of some 500 aboriginal women across Canada.

Members of the rally passed out mock report cards for Canada, giving the country failing grades in several categories, including the failure to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and a failure to protect of lands and resources.

The legislation, expected to be in place by early 2011, but not in effect until 2015, will force electricity producers to phase out older, high-emitting coal-fired plants, change technology in existing plants, and require newer facilities to match the lower greenhouse-gas emissions of more efficient natural-gas fired plants.

Canada has 51 coal-fired units producing 19 percent of the country's electricity and 13 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions. However, 33 coal plants will reach the end of their economic lives by 2025, which may leave existing coal plants operating another 15 years. Unless operators make substantial investments to cut emissions from the aging facilities, the plant will be required to shut down.

"Our regulation will be very clear," states Prentice. "When each coal-burning unit reaches the end of its economic life, it will have to meet the new standards or close down. No trading, no offsets, no credits." This may leave existing coal plants operating for another 15 years, in business as usual mode.

"We're looking at this positively," states Marlo Raynolds, executive director of the Pembina Institute. "For once the minister is heading in the right direction but the details of the regulations must actually result in a true and timely phase out (of coal power) in Canada."

Climate Action Network Canada voiced concern about the pattern of announcements for future regulations to address climate change and emissions, which then do not then materialize.

Under California law, known as AB 32, the state is setting limits on greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, oil refineries and other industries, and encouraging the sale of more fuel efficient cars. California will probably also require 33% of the state's electricity come from renewable sources by 2020, up from about 15% today.

If passed, The proposition on the November ballot would delay AB 32 until unemployment falls from 12.4 percent to 5.5 percent or lower.

Republican Californian Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, who is vying to replace Schwarzenegger in the November 2010 election, says AB 32 would put California's businesses at a disadvantage to rivals in other states. Meanwhile rival Democratic candidate Jerry Brown, the state's attorney general and former two-term governor, supports AB32.

Schwarzenegger, who sees AB 32 as part of his legacy, commented, "This initiative sponsored by greedy Texas oil companies would cripple California's fastest-growing economic sector, reverse our renewable energy policy and decimate our environmental progress for the benefit of these oil companies' profit margins."

The public will have the opportunity to make verbal submissions, complete a Wetlands questionnaire and review a Wetlands workbook at a series of public meetings held across Manitoba between June 9, 2010 and July 14, 2010. Alternatively, the public will also be able to make written submissions until August 15, 2010.

The public input collected will help the Council in advising the Minister of Water Stewardship on issues surrounding wetlands and water stewardship in Manitoba.

Electronic copies of the of the questionnaire and workbook are available through the Manitoba Water Council webpage. Hardcopies are available by calling 945-1007 or mailing: Manitoba Water Council, Re: Wetland Public Consultations, Box 11, 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg MB R3J 3W3

The Manitoba Water Council, created by the Water Protection Act, is the senior advisory body to the Minister of of Water Stewardship. The Council advises the Minister on policies, programs, plans and legislation to achieve he government's goal of the best water for all forms of life and lasting prosperity.

On June 15, 2010, Environmental Defence and Equitere placed a full-page ad in the Quebec daily Le Soleil and published a joint opinion piece in the Toronto Star. Both called on the two provinces to get off oil.

"Quebec and Ontario send tens of billions of dollars each year to oil companies operating in the U.S. Gulf and in the tar-sands when instead we could be creating jobs at home by getting off oil," said Steven Guilbeault of Equiterre."

A June 14, 2010 Environmental Defence poll, conducted by Angus Reid, showed that more than 60% of Ontario residents surveyed support government laws and spending to move away from oil to clean energy, even if it means new taxes or fees on oil and gas pollution.

"The tragic oil spill in the Gulf has brought the dangers of continued dependence on oil into sharp focus," explained Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence, adding, "Countries like Denmark and Israel are mounting massive scale ups in electric vehicles, while other countries are making investments in public transit. Real world practical solutions already exist. It is time for us to both prevent future spills and to tackle global warming by getting off oil."

"Voices-Voix, came together because of growing and serious concerns that the space for dissent and debate in Canada is rapidly shrinking," says Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada.

On June 17, 2010 Voices-Voix released its "Raise Your Voices" Declaration signed by human rights, women's, aboriginal, labour, environment, student, faith-based and development organizations.

• Reputable organizations with a long history of service to the public such as KAIROS, Climate Action Network, Canadian Council for International Co-operation, Canadian Arab Federation, and the National Association of Women and the Law and the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women have had their funding threatened, reduced or discontinued
• The mandate and funding of the Court Challenges Program, which funded many human rights and public interest cases, has been drastically reduced.
• Robert Marleau, the Federal Information Commissioner, reports that access to government information has been restricted.
• Parliament has been prorogued to avoid serious allegations of Canadian Military involvement in torture in Afghanistan.
• International government actions have set back or weakened crucial Canadian commitments such as protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, reduction of green house gases, and protection against torture.

"If you shut down diversity, there will be weak policy debate and that means bad public policy," explained Gerry Barr, President and CEO of the Canadian Council for International Co-operation.

1. Respect the right to freedom of opinion or expression.
2. Act in accordance with Canada's democratic traditions and values.
3. Be transparent.

The U.N. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, published in 2005, concluded human activities threatened the Earth's ability to sustain future generations.

"The dream of many scientists in both developed and developing countries has been made a reality," said Achim Steiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP).

The Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) will be modeled on the International Panel on Climate Change. The new body aims to carry out high quality peer reviews of science on biodiversity and ecosystem services emerging from research institutes across the globe.

Plans to formally set up the IPBES require approval of the UN General Assembly, and will be presented to environment ministers for endorsement at UNEP's global ministerial meeting February 2011.

Climate Prosperity report series is a comprehensive, two-year policy research and advisory program being undertaken on economic risks and opportunities to Canada of climate change. These reports will examine what the impacts of a warming climate mean to Canada's environment and what a global low-carbon transition will mean to Canada's economy.

Measuring Up outlines Canada's first Low-Carbon Performance Index (LCPI), which can be used to compare Canada carbon performance to other G8 countries. The LCPI examines effects under three categories: emissions and energy; innovation, skills, investment; and policy and institutions. The categories are meant to illustrates Canada's performance while examining our capacity to prosper in a carbon constrained world.

Research by Schindler and his colleagues shows increases of toxic metals in the river and lands surrounding. Most elements listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Authority were high including antimony, beryllium, cadmium, copper, nickel, selenium, silver, thallium and zinc. Levels were highest near oil sands industrial development.

Dr. Gina Solomon, senior scientist with Natural Resources Defense Council was invited by the community to provide her thoughts on the February 2009 Alberta Cancer Board study.

"What you keep seeing is links to hydrocarbons and petroleum products in the scientific studies. That's the case for the leukemias and lymphomas, as well as for the bile-duct cancer and for the soft-tissue sarcomas, which is also an extremely rare cancer," Solomon told the crowd, noting her biggest concern is the potential contaminants in the food chain.

Both Schindler and Solomon support calls from the Fort Chipewyan community for further research regarding new higher levels of contaminants and potential increased illness.

"It's time to hold the federal government accountable to manage, conserve, and develop our fisheries on behalf of Canadians," said Bettina Saier, Director, Oceans, WWF-Canada.

"Although good policy on sustainable fisheries management does exist in Canada, implementation on Atlantic groundfish fisheries has occurred slowly, if at all. Progress is needed to ensure legislative tools to enable rebuilding depleted stocks, such as Atlantic cod, are consistent with those used throughout much of Europe and the United States." (May 3rd, 2010 WWF press release.)

• Rusty-patched Bumble Bee is facing imminent extinction.
• Ontario's river system has eleven endangered species of freshwater mussels.
• Both species of BC Threespine sticklebacks are endangered.
• Whooping crane has made a slow recovery of only 14 birds in 1938 to nearly 250 at present, despite continuing risks.
• Climate change is increasing risk of extinction for many species—particularly in Western Canada.

The organizations include: the Canadian Boreal Initiative, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Canopy, the David Suzuki Foundation, ForestEthics, Greenpeace, The Nature Conservancy, Pew Environment Group, International, Boreal Conservation Campaign, Ivey Foundation, and 21 companies - from the Forest Products Association of Canada.

The David Suzuki Foundation issued column to say First Nation participation is essential for the agreement to be viable. Greenpeace Canada, according to media leaks, is debating its participation in the agreement.

Most boreal regions in Canada are also First Nation traditional territory, and in many cases treaty land entitlements, aboriginal rights, and title issues remain unresolved. Throughout the boreal, government is required to consult with and accommodate Aboriginal people prior to development decisions that may affect Aboriginal rights.

Chief Ghislain Picard of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) commented, "The intentions... must obviously be backed up by a genuine and tangible willingness to involve the First Nations that have rights over these lands."

Grand Chief Stan Beardy of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Ontario indicated in his press release: "The right of consent is reflected in the spirit and intent of both Treaty 9 and Treaty 5, this is our right. We must be part of the decision making, benefit from resources in our traditional territory, and be involved in how the land is managed."

This will be Tim Horton's seventh camp in Canada. The camps provide underprivileged youth, aged 13 to 17, an opportunity to learn leadership skills in a wilderness setting. The camp, near the town of Pinawa, will cost $12 million to build and accommodate up to 260 children between the ages of 13 and 17.

Tim Horton's and Manitoba were forced to abandon earlier attempts to build at Meditation Lake due to public outrage over a lack of consultation, and water quality results showing high levels of blue-green algae made the site selected unsuitable.

The Wilderness Committee of Manitoba (WCM) was instrumental in raising awareness and mobilizing opposition to the Meditation Lake site, and they remain concerned about the current proposal.

"On the surface this is great, positive news. Underprivileged kids get to go to camp and learn leadership skills, and there seems, finally, to be some discussions about First Nations youth involvement and opportunity. Who would argue with that?" stated WCM Director Eric Reder, adding "But 'does the end justify the means?' We should reflect on whether we want to allow another piece of nature to be fragmented, whether we want biological diversity to be further threatened, and whether we want to see just a bit more of the essential components of a healthy environment disappear?"

At a recent Winnipeg Open House regarding the new site Tim Horton Foundation representatives indicated this camp would mostly be used by children from outside Manitoba, during the summer months. Manitoba children could use it off season, and during the winter.