Sierra Club Canada, SOSS Stand in Solidarity with Innu, Maliseet, and Mi’gmaq First Nations Calling for Protection of the Gulf of St. Lawrence

July 16, 2014

The Sierra Club Canada Foundation and Save Our Seas and Shores Coalition (SOSS) are offering their support for the Innu, Maliseet, and Mi’gmaq First Nations of  Eastern Canada in their call for a moratorium on oil and gas exploration and development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

As with many oil and gas projects across the country, what we are seeing here is a government willing to run roughshod over rights of indigenous peoples to get to fossil fuels,” according to John Bennett, National Programs Director of Sierra Club. 

“We are proud to stand in solidarity with the Innu, Maliseet, and Mi’gmaq First Nations in calling for a moratorium on oil and gas in the Gulf.”

Low calving rates among blue whales cause for concern

Aug. 12, 2014

 

Scientists studying the blue whale in the Gulf of St Lawrence are reporting alarmingly low calving rates from this critically endangered species, says the Sierra Club Canada Foundation. The Sierra Club recently launched a campaign to safeguard the blue whale's critical habitat in the Gulf.

 

The Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) is a non-profit research organization located on the Gulf of St Lawrence's northern shore and they were the first group to begin long term study of marine mammals in the Gulf. Since their founding in 1979, this group has followed blue whale populations in eastern Canada, the Sea of Cortez and in the waters of Iceland.

 

Electric vehicles offer lane change to Nova Scotia

See an electric vehicle next to you on the road and you might not distinguish it from any other gas guzzler confronting rush hour traffic. But drive one yourself...and you won't soon shake the experience.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are powered entirely by their onboard batteries and therefore have no tailpipe. No combustion engine vibrates under their hood and no gears need shifted, giving these machines an unrivalled smoothness. When faced with stop signs, red lights or drive-thrus, EVs don't expend their power idling - they are incapable of idling.

But for all their blessings, EVs have their drawbacks. Their batteries have limited range, they can't be fuelled at the pump and for the time being, they cost more than your average gasoline vehicle. However, professor of mechanical engineering at Dalhousie University, Lukas Swan, said these drawbacks are being left in the dust.

No one will notice…‘til she blows

The National Energy Board (NEB) is continuing its undemocratic approach to pleasing its master: the oil industry. Most recently, the Calgary-based rubber stamp is trying to use the summer to hide yet another concession. On July 11th the NEB said it was going consider a request from Imperial Oil and Chevron to weaken the rules for offshore drilling in the Arctic and gave the public until August 1st to comment (some strong arguing won an extra two weeks).

PMRA continues to register bee-killing pesticides

MEDIA RELEASE, August 8, 2014

OTTAWA--Despite the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s (PMRA) decision to re-evaluate neonicotinoid pesticides, it is still registering new products containing the bee-killing pesticides.

“The Canadian government is attempting to deceive Canadians into believing it’s taking action on bee-killing pesticides when it is cleary not,” said John Bennett, National Program Director of the Sierra Club Canada Foundation (SCCF). “It’s a ruse. This government clearly isn’t taking the ecological threat seriously.

Low calving rates among blue whales cause for concern

Author: 
Zack Metcalfe
Source: 
Sierra Club Atlantic
Date published: 
Sun, 07/27/2014

Each blue whale has a unique pattern of spots of its back, like a fingerprint or a nametag. These spots allow researchers to identify each whale as either a newcomer, or an old friend.

The Mingan Island Cetacean Study (MICS) is a non-profit research organization located on the Gulf of St Lawrence's northern shore and they were the first group to begin long term study of marine mammals in the Gulf. Since their founding in 1979, this group has followed blue whale populations in eastern Canada, the Sea of Cortez and in the waters of Iceland.

MICS has discovered something troubling in the northwest Atlantic blue whale population. Of the 475 individual whales they've identified since their genesis in 1979, only 22 have been calves. This suggests a frighteningly low calving rate for a population already swimming on the brink.

Guided Bird Nature Walk July 26 - Heart Lake Conservation Area

Ever wonder who is tweeting at you?  (No not on twitter)  Come find out with us on Saturday, July 26! 

Discover the trails at Heart Lake Conservation Area, and learn about birds and other features in the area with avid naturalist and birder, Bob Noble.   

Date:  Saturday July 26, 2014

Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am

Location:  Heart Lake Conservation Area
10818 Heart Lake Road, Brampton

Event is free, however, we ask that you RSVP so we can notify park staff and prepare for the event. 

For more information and to RSVP, visit the event page:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/guided-bird-nature-walk-heart-lake-conservation-area-tickets-12194579315

Visit TRCA website for applicable park fees:

Blue whale receives honourable mention as Atlantic chiefs call for moratorium

Author: 
Zack Metcalfe
Source: 
Sierra Club Atlantic
Date published: 
Thu, 07/17/2014

"The Atlantic Salmon and the blue whales are both very precious creatures to our nations," said Chief Claude Jeannotte of Gespeg, Quebec. He spoke in Halifax on behalf of these two struggling species Wednesday, July 16.

Jeannotte was accompanied by four other First Nations chiefs from across Atlantic Canada, all from communities dependent on the, "rich bounty of the Gulf," in the words of Chief P.J Prosper, representing the Migmaq of Nova Scotia. Together they spoke against exploratory drilling at the Old Harry Prospect, located in the Gulf of St Lawrence 80 km off Newfoundland's west coast and 460 metres underwater.

The Old Harry prospect is expected to be drilled in 2015 or 2016, according to the oil and gas company Corridor Resources which presently holds an exploratory license in the region.