Looking ahead to 2023
At the end of 2022 Sierra Club Ontario volunteer leaders met for a planning session to look at the upcoming year. We discussed strengths, weaknesses and partnership opportunities.
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At Sierra Club Ontario, our work mainly focuses on protecting the Great Lakes ecosystem, increasing awareness about air pollution, and promoting Green Energy adoption in Ontario. Sierra Club Ontario also works on very local issues, in coordination with smaller communities in Ontario.
Attack on the Greenbelt is an Assault on Duffins Creek
The assault by the Ford government on the Ontario Greenbelt is primarily an attack on a cold-water trout stream, Duffins Creek. Despite this, the stream is still able to provide habitat for cold water salmonid species due to the successful campaign against Pickering Airport, and what was supposed to be a complimentary new town. Over time approximately half of these once all publicly owned lands (some have been sold to developers) have become incorporated into the 20,000-acre Rouge National Park.
It’s time to update Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy and You Can Add Your Voice
Leslie Adams — March 3, 2023
Sierra Club Ontario (SCO) has been involved in promoting a renewal of the Ontario Biodiversity Strategy. Now we’re ready to help you participate.
Between now and March 27, 2023, the Ontario Biodiversity Council (OBC) is seeking input on the Strategy. The Strategy is focused on five goals of empowering people, reducing threats, enhancing resilience, improving knowledge, and transforming investment. With 13 targets and 37 actions, OBC is looking for comments.
New Niagara Regional Official Plan – Eroding Protection
John Bacher — March 2, 2023Quite bizarrely, the new Niagara Regional Official Plan, approved on November 4, 2022, was a significant step backwards compared to the previous Niagara Regional Official Plan, which governed land use planning since its approval by the Ontario cabinet in 1983. The development of that official plan was a difficult 13 year process and a cornerstone for good planning in Niagara. While it initially provided policies to protect agricultural land, its approach became more comprehensive in 2009, with new provisions for comprehensive environmental protection policies.
Parks Canada's Technical Response to the Proposed Development of Greenbelt Lands Adjacent to Rouge National Urban Park
Publication Date:
November 29, 2022
This letter from Parks Canada is a submission to the Province of Ontario in response to the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act, Bill 39. Bill 39 removes Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve (DRAP) from the Ontario Greenbelt. (Copied below as well as attached as a PDF.)
Sitting Outside With Two Rabbits
Danny Beaton — February 23, 2023Last night was dark but not so cold for a mid-February night in downtown Toronto’s Annex neighborhood. Me sitting with two brown rabbits running around me perhaps looking for something to have for supper. Thinking this is the Chinese Year of The Rabbit and here they are living somewhere close to the building I live in. There are skunks in our garbage cans and raccoons, possums, rats, even squirrels and lots of birds who live here too. We’re all living in Indian Country.
The Morvan Road Landfill and its impacts on the African Nova Scotian Community
Megan Cormier — November 16, 2022When speaking of environmental racism, Ingrid Waldon said that "for those who argue that environmental racism is an issue of class and not race, I maintain [...] Race makes class hurt more” (Tillerman, et al., 2003, p.68). In Canada, people of African descent have been disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards, such as toxic air pollution, due to industrialization and colonisation, forcing Black communities into hierarchal systems of abuse and into depreciated environments.
Protecting Mother Earth and Our Future Generations
Danny Beaton, Mohawk of the Turtle Clan — November 10, 2022
In Memory of Alicja Rozanska.
As a Mohawk Environmentalist I want to thank CUPE and all of their supporters for protesting Doug Ford's Government and their negative idealism. I attended the protest on Monday November 7th and there were a good ten thousand or more CUPE Union members and citizens present to oppose Ford's Bill.
Join us this Sunday at 14th annual EcoFair in Toronto!
Posted on November 1, 2022
Join us this Sunday November 6th at the 14th annual EcoFair!
The EcoFair showcases environmental non-profits and environmentally-friendly businesses to celebrate their success and inspire everyone to join them in taking action. Enjoy fun interactive activities for kids and adults and good food.
Sierra Club Canada will have a table at Ecofair Toronto, make sure you stop by to find out about our biodiversity initiatives!
Masks are required when indoors at the EcoFair. Free masks will be provided.
The Fight to Breathe Easy: Is Bill S-5 the Answer?
Megan Cormier — October 25, 2022Health Canada estimates that there are 15,300 premature deaths, 2.7 million asthma symptom days, and 35 million acute respiratory symptom days linked to air pollution each year. Environmental burdens in Canada are not distributed equally amongst its residents, which disproportionately fall on the most vulnerable members of society.
So you want to learn about plastics?
Lucy Bain — October 18, 2022
We all know we have a problem with plastics. But just how deep does the problem go?
Plastics & waste can be a complicated issue. At every level, across the world, plastics pose a problem to people & the environment. But the good thing is, we are starting to become aware of this and there are a ton of resources to dive deeper into this multifaceted issue.
Breathing Easy: A privilege not granted to all
Megan Cormier — October 11, 2022In February 2022, Bill S-5 was introduced in the Senate with the goal of amending and strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (“CEPA”). Among other things, the bill aims to amend the protection provided for vulnerable populations and establish a right to a healthy environment.
Sierra Club Ontario Volunteers Plant 185 trees in Hickory Wood Park
Posted on October 3, 2022
Thank you to everyone who came out and joined us in planting 185 native trees and shrubs in Hickory Wood Park this past weekend!
We also want to thank our partners Credit Valley Conservation & Sheridan College - Mission Zero!
It was a beautiful autumn day and we were so happy to connect with so many people.
Join us for a tree planting October 1 in Brampton!
Posted on September 21, 2022
Join us as we plant 200 native trees and shrubs in Hickory Wood Park (Brampton) on October 1!
Whether this is your first time or you've planted thousands of trees, all ages and abilities are welcome. High school students can get service hours by volunteering.
Canadian Environmental Protection is Getting Stronger, but is it Strong Enough?
Morgan Martel — August 30, 2022
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) is a cornerstone of Canada’s environmental legislation. The original CEPA has several shortcomings that fail to meaningfully protect Canada’s environment. A current bill aims to strengthen this legislation -- but does it do enough to protect our environment and our health?
Join us for a community event in Brampton!
Posted on August 22, 2022
Join us this Saturday, August 27 in Brampton for a free, fun, social, event to promote waste clean up and reduction!
As part of the Back 2 School BBQ we will be painting City of Brampton garbage cans using designs provided by local artists. Sierra Club Peel will also be demonstrating what gets recycled and what gets tossed through a waste sorting game.
When: Saturday August 27 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Where: In the greenspace behind 4 & 10 Knightsbridge Road, Brampton.
Seaton Trail, The Battle Line
Dr John Bacher — August 18, 2022
On July 23, Sierra Club Ontario had a walk on the tranquil, beautiful Seaton Trail which forms the battle line between the Rouge National Urban Park and the Pickering Airport Study Area. The walk went from the charming Victorian Gothic village of Whitevale, up to the Oak Ridges Moraine. Here, we turned back after seeing an indicator of good ecosystem health — a Pileated Woodpecker. We were also entertained by a soaring Red Tail Hawk and the sounds of Cardinals, Chickadees, and Wood Frogs.
Let’s Make Leslie Spit SHINE!
Posted on August 16, 2022
Join us on Sunday August 21 for the first ever joint water & land cleanup in Toronto.
Where? Tommy Thompson Park, Toronto. Meet at the TTP Entrance.
When? Sunday, August 21 at 9AM.
What should you bring? Supplies will be provided on-site. We encourage you to bring your own refillable water bottles and gloves (gardening gloves would be great!).
Thin Green Wedge Under Attack Again
Dr John Bacher — August 15, 2022
There is a narrow green wedge of 1.5 kilometers south of the Niagara Escarpment in the City of Niagara Falls. It is a thin refuge for wildlife between a concrete maze of an expressway, quarries, the Welland Canal and a rock dump. It is now under attack.
North of the green wedge is the Greenbelt, which stretches from Lake Ontario to the Niagara Escarpment. South is the most intact area of Carolinian Canada outside of designated Indian Reservations stretching to Lake Erie. It is dominated by the wetland forests created by the heavy clays of the vanished Lake Tonawanda.
Walking our way to better air quality
Claire MacDougall — August 8, 2022
Poor air quality is a major tribulation facing urban life today, both for its impact on climate change and public health.
Blue skies are rare in many of the world's largest cities.