Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Gearing Up for More Environmental Justice Ventures We have had a busy and exciting summer here at Friends of the Earth and, as we move into autumn, have lots of environmental justice work ahead, so stay tuned! Holding the Government Accountable Under the KPIA Keeping us on the edge of our seats is the anticipated Federal Court decision on our Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act case against the federal government. The decision on this “first in the world” case on Kyoto compliance could be delivered any day now. It will determine whether the government is legally required to head back to the drawing board to draft a new climate change plan to meet Canada’s international obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. For more background and information on the KPIA case, click here. Ensuring Environmental Rights For All Canadians Federally—On World Environment Day, FOE, together with Sierra Club of Canada and Ecojustice, launched a model Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights. The CEBR would recognize every Canadian’s right to a healthy environment and place a duty on the government to protect that right. It would also ensure citizens have fair and equal access to information, participation, and legal recourse in environmental decision-making. All political parties were challenged to incorporate the CEBR into their platforms for the upcoming election. Four of the five parties to-date have expressed support for the model Bill. Provincial & Territorial Jurisdictions—FOE is analyzing Canadians’ environmental rights in each jurisdiction. Our work will show where there are inequalities, report on measures for improvement and provide practical guides for citizens to make use of the tools available to them. Watch for FOE’s upcoming scorecard on environmental rights across jurisdictions.

EarthWords
Text Box: FOE is searching for case studies to ground truth its legal research for the upcoming Environmental Rights Report and scorecard. We’d like to hear from individuals and groups who have taken steps to exercise their environmental rights and protect the environment—both Text Box: Take action Text Box: FOE and the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce filed an Auditor General Petition for disclosure on execution of the Devils Lake Safeguard agreement of 2005. Without safeguards in place, FOE is insisting Canada call for the permanent closure of the outlet. Read the petition. Minsters of the Environment and Foreign Affairs must respond by October 12, 120 days following filing. Text Box: Be part of the solution! There are several ways you can make a difference: Donate Monthly Giving Charitable Gift Annuities Gifts of Stock & Securities Gifts of Property Text Box: Support FOE Text Box: The clock is ticking

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Protecting the Earth for tomorrow     

September 2008-Issue 25

Friends of the Earth Canada

260 St. Patrick Street, Suite 300                 Ottawa, ON K1N 5K5

(613) 241-0085       www.foecanada.org

Friends of the Earth CANADA E-Newsletter

Locally— Kelowna, BC —Shelah Pansegrau has been working for years to shut down illegal landfills operated on farmland  under Agricultural Land Reserve.  On July 30, Shelah’s tireless work  resulted in a Stop Work Order being issued on one property.  She’s asked FOE for help in securing action from officials she  has called on for enforcement of rules  dealing with air quality, ground and water quality and contamination issues.  Stayed tuned to Shelah’s work.

Locally— Montreal, Quebec —Sept 2, 2008  A citizens group launched a last resort petition to the Montreal Ombudsman challenging the rezoning of the much loved Benny Park because the process used denied public rights promised under the Montreal Charter of Rights, Responsibilities and Commitments.  The sports and recreation complex was originally to be built on an adjacent site  purchased by the City of Montreal for that purpose in 2005. To read the press release in English, click here; pour lire la Communiqué de presse en Français, cliquer ici.

Photo by Brooks Yardley