Sierra-News: March 1999
Sierra Club - Chebucto Group Newsletter
Welcome to the March 1999 issue of Sierra-news!
March is here...and spring is just around the corner!
It's a good time to come out of hibernation and get
involved. Here are some ways to do just that as well
as updates and information. Don't forget to be involved
with the Chebucto Group election (even if that means just voting!)
In this issue:
- The Chapter office has MOVED!
- Join the Chapter FUNdraising Commitee
- Lands for Life UPDATE
- REDUCE PESTICIDES in your municipality!
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The Eastern Canada Chapter office has moved! We now have a bigger space
that we share with the Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment(CONE) and the
OntAIRio campaign(an initiative of National Office).
Our address is:
517 College St. Suite 237
Toronto, Ontario
M6G 4A2
ph# (416)960-9606
fax# (416)960-0020
email: sierraec@interlog.com
If you're ever in Toronto, don't be afraid to come by and say "HI"!
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FUNdraising Commitee
We are looking for money lovin' people! If you know, or are keen to learn
how to make money, organize special events, write grant proposals, have
innovative ideas, can beg, plead or steal, WE WANT YOU!!!
The Eastern Canada Chapter Fundraising Commitee will be meeting:
Tuesday March 30, 7PM
This meeting will be done by phone because we want people from all over the
Chapter. Please let us know if you would like to participate so we can be
sure to get you on the call.
Please contact Erica at (416)960-9606 or
P.S. I was only joking about the stealing part :)
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Lands for Life Update - Progress Needs to be Secured
A great achievement is in sight....a virtual doubling of the park and
protected areas, added crucial sites (Algoma, South Spanish, Eastern Boreal
Wildlands), and there will be a process to complete representation in the
future. We have an agreement in principle with the leading members of the
forest industry-soon to be signed. They have agreed that this protected
area expansion will not close their mills because of the government's
adjustments to wood supply and other concessions-- these changes will be
good for the North and all Ontario.
We have recommended consultation with other key stakeholders - a forest
accord is critical, but not the final step. The Minister of Natural
Resources, John Snobelen has assured us that he will consult with others
including: First Nations, the mineral industry, tourist industry
representatives, anglers and hunters. We understand those discussions are
under way. During this discussion, while many will agree, some narrow
interests may attempt to delay or de-rail any decision to protect natural
areas. You can help at this critical juncture.
You have written or made calls when the government was doing something
wrong. In this case, it is equally important to encourage the government
when it is considering some very good things. Please contact Minister of
Natural Resources, John Snobelen, Premier Mike Harris, and your local MPP
with these basic messages:
1. 12 % protected is a great achievement-you want to see the firm
commitment now
2. make certain protection is permanent and "real" protection -no
mining, no logging, no hydro-dams
3. more parks will be needed, you want to see a practical way to
complete the system.
The Globe and Mail Environment Page carried an extensive story on Feb 26th.
Both the Star and Globe wrote favourable editorials on March 1st and there
is a lot of positive momentum for this 12 % proposal. We have talked about
the Lands for Life issues for over two years. The time has come to make
the proposal public, complete the consultation, and declare a decision.
- Ric Symmes, Provincial Coordinator
For more information call: 1 888 371 LAND
Email: Hon. Mike Harris
Legislature Building, Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1A1
Fax: (416) 325-3745
Tel: (416) 325-1941
Hon. John Snobelen
Minister of Natural Resources
6th Floor, Whitney Block
99 Wellesley St. W.
Toronto, Ontario, M7A 1W3
Fax: (416) 314-2216
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In 1998, The municipality of Halifax, Nova Scotia formally declared
National Pesticide-Free Week. The Campaign for Pesticide Reduction (CPR!)
hopes that other municipalities will also declare April 19 - April 25, 1999
as "Pesticide-Free Week". Below you will find a sample proclamation. Why
not get your municipality to sign on?
PROCLAMATION
National Pesticide-Free Week
April 19 - April 25, 1999
WHEREAS Pesticides, which include insecticides, fungicides and herbicides,
are inherently toxic products which target fundamental biological processes
essential to living thing; and
WHEREAS The most common herbicides used for domestic purposes in Canada
have not been proven safe, and when pesticides are registered for public use,
interactions between chemicals in the "inert" or "active" ingredients,
which can vastly magnify toxicity, are never studied or documented; and
WHEREAS The chemicals used as "inerts ingredients" include some of the most
dangerous substance known; and
WHEREAS Children, because of the immaturity of their detoxification and
immune systems are more vulnerable and should be kept safe from toxic
pesticide exposures while walking to school, learning in class, and playing
at home; and
WHEREAS Although many pesticides, such as 2,4-D, have been scheduled for
reassessment because they damage health and they damage the environment,
they are still being released into Canadian communities at rates several
times those used in agriculture; and
WHEREAS 2,4-D, a hormone-mimicking pesticide, is present in one-third of
all Canadian garden products, yet homeowner use of pesticide products is
largely unregulated, and residues from these pesticide products, unlicensed for
indoor use, enter homes from adjacent properties and can still be measured
in home dust one year later; and
WHEREAS People have a fundamental right to be safe in their own homes, yet
in urban areas involuntary pesticide exposures are impossible to avoid, and
many individuals are exceedingly sensitive even to minute amounts of
pesticides; and
WHEREAS The [-your municipality here-] is joining hands with 48 other
communities across Canada working towards the removal of cosmetic chemical
pesticides from our urban environment as part of the 1999 National Campaign
for Pesticide Reduction (CPR!).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, I, [-your Mayors name here-], Mayor
of [-your municipality here-] proclaim the week of April 19 - April 25,
1999 as Pesticide-Free Week, in the of [-your municipality here-].
Dated at [-your municipality here-] [-province-] this XXth day of XX, 1999.
______________________________ (Mayors signature goes here)
[-your Mayors name here-]
MAYOR
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For more information on Pesticides check out the Sierra Club Homepage
Email the Sierra Club's Chebucto Group
or call (902) 455-6365
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Sierra Club of Canada, Eastern Canada Chapter
517 College St. Ste.237,
Toronto, ON
M6G 4A2
Ph. (416)960-9606 Fax(416)960-0020
Membership Questions
Visit Our Web Site
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Mission Statement of the Sierra Club of Canada, Eastern Canada Chapter
The purposes of the Eastern Canada Chapter are to explore, enjoy and
protect the wild places of the earth and to practise and promote the
responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources, especially within
the territorial boundaries of the Chapter and through the development of a
well-trained grassroots network.
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