News Releases

Bill C-38's first victim: Groups forced to drop court action against radioactive waste export
Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 00:46   |   Clean Up Chalk River!, Ecosystems, International Program, Nuclear Phaseout, Nuclear Subsidies, Oceans, Renewable Energy, Trade and Environment, Radioactive Waste, Nuclear-Free Canada, Health & Environment, Transition to Sustainable Economy

OTTAWA – As a direct result of Bill C-38, Sierra Club Canada and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) are withdrawing their applications for judicial review of permits issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to allow Bruce Power to export 1,600 tonnes of radioactive waste (containing plutonium and other radionuclides) through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway to Sweden.

“Our court case is the first victim of Bill C-38,” said John Bennett, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada. “Our quest for environmental justice and democracy, however, is far from over.”

Sierra Club Canada and CELA...

Technical Briefing for the Media on Arctic Ice
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 15:37   |   Climate Change, Climate Summits, Ecosystems, Government, Atmosphere & Energy

Date: Thursday, August 16, 2012

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Location: Sierra Club Canada, Suite #412, 1 Nicholas St., Ottawa

Ongoing weather events in the Arctic over the last few weeks and the resulting ice loss may have significant implications to the rate of climate change. Using satellite images, and the latest data being reported from established Arctic observers, Paul Beckwith of the University of Ottawa will provide a technical briefing on the present and the implications to future climate change. Space is limited please RSVP to: Executive.Director@sierraclub.ca or call 613.241.4611

...
Laura the Dragonfly creating a buzz on Parliament Hill; Pleads for protection at press conference
Thursday, August 9, 2012 - 00:51   |   Ecosystems, General - No issue selected, Wilderness and Species Conservation, Government, Endangered Species, Transition to Sustainable Economy

OTTAWA – A species of dragonfly may be the next victim of the federal government’s gutting of environmental protection laws, says Sierra Club Canada. The Laura’s Clubtail Dragonfly (Stylurus laurae) along with the Coast Manroot (Marah oreganus), and Four-leaved Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia) had their applications to be included on the Wildlife Species at Risk list denied by Environment Minister Peter Kent earlier last month (the July 4th announcement went unnoticed in the media).

“I know I’m not majestic like a Woodland Caribou or Blue Whale, or fearsome like a Rocky Mountain...

Canadian government opposes efforts at UN conference to strengthen language on mercury pollution
Thursday, July 5, 2012 - 12:18   |   Government

Ottawa - The Canadian government was among a group of developed countries at a UN conference last week opposing language intended to protect human health and the environment from mercury pollution. At the United Nations treaty negotiation session (INC4) held in Punta Del Este, Uruguay last week, Canada and its partners refused to include stronger language, even though it was supported by two-thirds of delegates engaged in the international negotiations.

"Developed countries should not stand in the way of the rest of the world on the issue of including health in international environmental agreements," said Eric Uram of the Sierra Club. "Everything in nature is connected, and people and the environment cannot operate on separate planes. Protecting the...

Two BC Artists pick up brushes to paint in protest against proposed Northern Gateway Project
Thursday, June 28, 2012 - 16:12   |   Protecting Biodiversity

The following information is from a June 12, 2012 press release issued by the Lloyd Gallery. Images of the artists work appear below:

Two British Columbian artists are picking up their brushes to paint in protest against the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project.

Glenn Clark, a 53-year-old Penticton landscape artist, conceived of this art and protest project, entitled Abandoning Paradise, when he realized that a ban on oil tankers traveling off the west coast was a realistic goal. The project won support from a British Columbia Arts Council Project Grant received by Clark this year.

For the last 37 years, Canada has had an unofficial moratorium on oil tankers traveling along B.C.’s northern coast...

Passing of Budget Bill is Bad News for Canadians and the Environment
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 10:49   |   Government

(Ottawa) - Today, our elected Members of Parliament passed Bill C-38, ignoring thousands of Canadians who spoke up for nature and democracy. The budget, which represents sweeping changes to environmental protection laws, eases the way for industrial developments that could put the future of our land, water and climate at risk. It also attempts to silence voices of dissent against such developments by making it more difficult for environmental charities to participate in the public policy process.

“This bill marks a step backwards for our democracy and economy, as well as for the protection of the air, water and land on which we and our children depend,” said Peter Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of the David Suzuki Foundation. “By weakening...

Chevron in Ecuador: Oil giant should pay-up and clean-up
Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 11:38   |   Energy Onslaught, International Program, Trade and Environment, Health & Environment, Transition to Sustainable Economy

OTTAWA - Canadian courts should order Chevron to hand over its Canadian assets to compensate Ecuadorian villagers for the toxic legacy they are forced to live with as a result of the cost cutting polluting practices of the company. This court action comes just the Canadian government is attempting to gut environmental laws.

“We have launched #BlackOutSpeakOut because Environmental laws are essential to protect public health and the environment. Without them companies like Chevron will leave a toxic legacy for our children,” said John Bennett, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada....

Sierra Club Canada - Submission to the Senate Committee on Energy (Re: C-38)
Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 10:35   |   Alberta Tar Sands and Mackenzie River Delta, Biotechnology, Challenging Unsustainable Aquaculture, Clean Up Chalk River!, Climate Change, Climate Summits, Ecological Fiscal Reform, Ecosystems, Forests, Forests and Climate Change, Green Budget Coalition, Municipal Pesticide-Free Campaign, People Trade & the Environment News Digest, Population and the Environment, Right to Water, The Boreal Forest, Toxic Sludge, Water, A Park as Tribute to Andy Russell, Alberta Tar Sands Pipelines, CAFE Canada, Energy Onslaught, Fair Trade, Forests and Biodiversity, General - No issue selected, International Program, Nuclear Phaseout, Pesticide Awareness, Poverty Reduction for Environmental Conservation, Safe Food and Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Fisheries, Toxics Awareness and Education, Water Quality, Wilderness and Species Conservation, Alberta Centennial Wilds, Ban Asbestos, Food Irradiation, National Forest Strategy, Nuclear Subsidies, Oceans, Protecting Marine Areas from the Threat of Oil and Gas Development, Renewable Energy, Toxics, Trade and Environment, Waste Diversion, Water Conservation, Alberta Grizzlies, Caribou - Endangered, Food Miles, Government, Industrial Water Consumption, Newfoundland and Labrador, Pesticides, Radioactive Waste, Sydney Tar Ponds, Andy Russell – I’tai sah kòp (Castle), Great Lakes, Nuclear-Free Canada, Toxins In Food Consumables and Packaging, Bighorn Country, Intensive Livestock Operations, National Water Strategy, Endangered Species, Mussel / Shrimp / Salmon Aquaculture, Water Exports, Flathead Valley, Virtual Water Exports, Mountain Park - Cheviot, Indigenous Sovereignty, Atmosphere & Energy, Health & Environment, Protecting Biodiversity, Transition to Sustainable Economy

Submission to the Senate Committee on Energy

Re: Bill C-38

John Bennett, Executive Director

Sierra Club Canada

Thursday, May 31 201

 

Mr. Chair, honourable members, I want to thank you for inviting Sierra Club Canada to testify today. We found our last appearance before this committee invigorating and are glad to have another opportunity to speak to you.

There is a problem, however, which made my decision to accept this invitation difficult.  Sierra Club Canada’s bylaws require all members to respect Canadian law and by extension Canadian lawmakers.  I personally have great respect for the Senate. I strongly believe...

UPDATE: #BlackOutSpeakOut Events
Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - 22:22   |   Alberta Tar Sands and Mackenzie River Delta, Biotechnology, Challenging Unsustainable Aquaculture, Clean Up Chalk River!, Climate Change, Climate Summits, Ecological Fiscal Reform, Ecosystems, Forests, Forests and Climate Change, Green Budget Coalition, Municipal Pesticide-Free Campaign, People Trade & the Environment News Digest, Population and the Environment, Right to Water, The Boreal Forest, Toxic Sludge, Water, A Park as Tribute to Andy Russell, Alberta Tar Sands Pipelines, CAFE Canada, Energy Onslaught, Fair Trade, Forests and Biodiversity, General - No issue selected, International Program, Nuclear Phaseout, Pesticide Awareness, Poverty Reduction for Environmental Conservation, Safe Food and Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Fisheries, Toxics Awareness and Education, Water Quality, Wilderness and Species Conservation, Alberta Centennial Wilds, Ban Asbestos, Food Irradiation, National Forest Strategy, Nuclear Subsidies, Oceans, Protecting Marine Areas from the Threat of Oil and Gas Development, Renewable Energy, Toxics, Trade and Environment, Waste Diversion, Water Conservation, Alberta Grizzlies, Caribou - Endangered, Food Miles, Government, Industrial Water Consumption, Newfoundland and Labrador, Pesticides, Radioactive Waste, Sydney Tar Ponds, Andy Russell – I’tai sah kòp (Castle), Great Lakes, Nuclear-Free Canada, Toxins In Food Consumables and Packaging, Bighorn Country, Intensive Livestock Operations, National Water Strategy, Endangered Species, Mussel / Shrimp / Salmon Aquaculture, Water Exports, Flathead Valley, Virtual Water Exports, Mountain Park - Cheviot, Indigenous Sovereignty, Atmosphere & Energy, Health & Environment, Protecting Biodiversity, Transition to Sustainable Economy

#BlackOutSpeakOut Update

We are just a week away from #BlackOutSpeakOut day (June 4th). I can tell you the campaign momentum is building! The list of participating organizations is over 100 and growing! Maude Barlow just told me The Council of Canadians is also joining the protest. All across the country Canadians are recognizing that silence is not an option in face of the war on nature and democracy.

This week here in Ottawa we have two events:

Event #1:

On May 30th at 7:00 p.m. I will moderate a...

#BlackOutSpeakOut Ottawa Teach-in May 30th
Friday, May 18, 2012 - 17:04   |   Alberta Tar Sands and Mackenzie River Delta, Climate Change, Climate Summits, Ecosystems, Forests, Water, Alberta Tar Sands Pipelines, Energy Onslaught, Safe Food and Sustainable Agriculture, Wilderness and Species Conservation, Oceans, Toxics, Government, Pesticides, Atmosphere & Energy, Health & Environment, Transition to Sustainable Economy

OTTAWA – On Wednesday, May 30th Sierra Club Canada will host a #BlackOutSpeakOut teach-in on the environmental implications of the federal budget bill. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. MPs Megan Leslie (NDP), Kirsty Duncan (Liberal) and Elizabeth May (Green), and environmental law expert Stephen Hazell, will field questions from a live audience at St. Paul University in Ottawa (...

            

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