Budget 2009 -
Few Green Jobs, Little Green Infrastructure, No Green Energy
The lack of green measures in this 2009 federal budget has left Sierra Club Canada feeling blue.
“This certainly isn’t a green budget,” says Stephen Hazell, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada. “The Government has missed a superb opportunity to help Canada make the transition to a sustainable economy by creating green jobs, supporting green infrastructure, and investing in renewable energy.”
Syncrude Prosecution
Jeh Custer, Sierra Club Prairie’s Tar Sands Campaigner, launched a private prosecution against Syncrude under the Federal Migratory Birds Convention Act, which prohibits the deposit of a harmful substance in an area frequented by migratory birds. L for the death of 500 ducks in April 2008.
Jeh’s prosecution is the first action laid against Syncrude following the disaster, with the provincial and federal government completing shirking any responsibility to lay charges.
 Action Grizzly Bear
Following the launch of Action Grizzly Bear (AGB) late last November there has been excellent public response. Over 100 people have joined Action Grizzly Bear and a similar number have joined the Action Grizzly Bear facebook group.
We have had coverage on TV, radio and print and made the first AGB presentation last week to the Sierra Club Chinook group. Most importantly, over 75 letters were sent in to various MLA's, Minister Ted Morton and Premier Ed Stelmach. Big thanks to everyone who sent in a letter!
This is a great start and we must keep this momentum going. If grizzlies are to remain a part of Alberta’s landscape it will be up to the collective voice of citizens and organizations to engage the provincial government to take action.
Go to www.actiongrizzlybear.ca and join the action today!
 Orca litigation: first round goes to Sierra Club and ally
Their names were Lummi, Blossom, Aurora, Ankh and Splash. The iconic killer whales, members of the famous Southern Resident pod that frequented the waters off southern Vancouver Island, went missing between November 2007 and September 2008. Along with two orca babies that hadn’t yet been named, they are thought to have fallen victim to the triple scourges of declining salmon stocks, physical and acoustic disturbances, and toxic contamination.
In January 2009, the Federal Court ruled that Sierra Club of Canada and Georgia Strait Alliance may join a recently filed lawsuit against the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, after DFO tried to block the two groups’ participation. The lawsuit, filed by lawyers with Ecojustice, alleges that the federal government has unlawfully failed to issue an order under its own Species at Risk Act to protect critical killer whale habitat.
“This is the first lawsuit ever of its kind in Canada,” said Sierra Club BC science advisor Dr. Colin Campbell. “We may be able to prevent extinction of the Southern Resident and Northern Resident killer whale populations by taking this last-resort action to ensure the protection of their critical habitat.”
The Southern Resident orcas are among the most contaminated marine mammals in the world.
City of Calgary to bag bags!
The City of Calgary looking into a plan to reduce or eliminate free plastic shopping bags by the end of 2010. This is an update on the anti-plastic bag campaign launched by our group last year. Attached are the two Calgary Herald stories about the issue. We sent out an action alert last week urging people to write/email/call their city council representatives urging them to support the motion to ask city staff to come up with a report on the matter, which will return to council in May of this year.
50% off Engagement Calendars!
These beautiful calendars are now available at half price – only $7.99 plus shipping!
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We have a small number of engagement calendars available. Order yours today before they run out!
To order, simply call our office toll-free at 1-888-810-4204.
Save Sandy Pond .. and other Lakes and Rivers Across the County
On January 29th, Newfoundland's Department of Natural Resources approved the development plan for the Vale Inco hydromet facility in Long Harbour, Newfoundland. With this approval, it is possible that this project will proceed as early as April of this year. One of the key changes made to the develop plan is an extension of the project completion date to allow time for federal approval allowing a metal precessing plant to use the provisions of the Metal Mine Effluent Regulations to redefine natural water bodies as tailings ponds. Please write to the federal Fisheries Minister to stop this project from destroying Sandy Pond ...
www.sierraclub.ca/atlantic/programs/economies/sandypond/index.htm
NAFTA Educational Forum: Do you know what we're trading?
Panel Discussion and Film Screening
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Scotiabank Auditorium, McCain Arts and Social Science Building Dalhousie University, Halifax NAFTA is in the news a lot lately, with rumblings from our US partners on re-opening NAFTA, a NAFTA challenge of the rejection of the Digby Quarry, and a potential case disputing the expropriation of Abitibi-Bowater's hydro for forestry rights in Newfoundland. Please come out find out how this continent-wide trade agreement affects your neighbourhood and your future.
www.sierraclub.ca/atlantic/getinvolved/events/events.htm
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