Join us on Sat. Mar. 12  to show your support for the promised Canadian Federal Ministry for a Just Transition

From:  The Just Transition Working Group
 It’s time that all Alberta MPs support the movement towards a healthy and sustainable future, for the sake of generations to come.

The Edmonton Chapter has joined the Day of Action for a Just Transition initiative – a national CoC effort in collaboration with 350.org.  

On March 12, activities are planned in two dozen Canadian cities to urge Parliament to pass legislation that accelerates the transition to 100% renewable energy while creating millions of good, green jobs.  Prime Minister Trudeau pledged to create a Ministry dedicated to do this in 2019, but has done nothing to follow through, even though the dire impacts of climate change have become more apparent and the need for a response has become more urgent. 

In Alberta the need for a transition away from resource extraction towards greener alternatives is particularly timely, given our historical economic dependence on the petroleum industry.  Along with the need to reduce GHG emissions at processing facilities, we need to retrain our oil and gas workers in alternate resource technologies that will carry our province into a sustainable future.  

Our CoC working group is partnering with 350.org, U of A Community Services Learning Program, Climate Reality Project and Climate Justice Edmonton to provide two opportunities for you to get involved on March 12:

 At 11:00 a.m. we gather in Riverbend Square outside the offices of Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux for the mock opening of a federal “Just Transition Ministry”, and our theme is Jobs for Transformation. There will be street theatre, music, an opportunity to sign our petition and more…  Please come and join us on the day, find out more at Riverbend Just Transition Action – 350 or email us at councilofcanadiansyeg@gmail.com.   (On March 6 2:00 – 4:00 we are hosting a banner- and poster-making event, and you are welcome to come and craft your own message.  Here is the registration link: https://forms.gle/3ZXjTaLwcQ8hjbqM6)

At 2:00 p.m. Climate Justice Edmonton is planning their Downtown event at 10235 – 124 St., near MP Randy Boissonnault’s office.  Here is their link for more info: https://act.350.org/event/jta-doa/25391/

Many Thanks,
The Just Transition Working Group
Edmonton Chapter-Council of Canadians

Just Say No to Canadian F-35 Jet Procurement Plans

Just Say No to F-35 Fighter Jets  by Corinne Benson, Chair of the Edmonton Chapter’s  NATO/Foreign Policy Working Group.  For more information, or, if you’d like to join this Working Group, send an email to edmontoncouncil@yahoo.ca
At the 2021 Council of Canadians National Annual Membership Meeting the membership voted for a policy resolution for the withdrawal of Canada from NATO. It has been estimated that 90% of Canada’s Military effort has gone to NATO and with that expenditure we create a lot of greenhouse gases on top of the expense and war. NATO member nations spend one trillion annually on their militaries which is more than 50% of global military spending. One estimate calculates the total cost of shifting our electricity to 100% renewable energy over 10 years at 4.5 trillion. That is still less than the 6 trillion that we’ve spent on almost two decades of endless wars waged since 9/11. The questions that needs to be asked is shouldn’t we spend less on the military and more on climate change and a number of other things that we need? With a new minority government in Ottawa that has three major parties that support the purchase of 88 new F35 fighter jets we need to examine the insanity of such an expenditure. In the past twenty years our CF18s have conducted thousands of airstrikes in Serbia, Libya, Syria and Iraq killing innocent people and destroying civilian infrastructure. Have these strikes and the pressure to purchase more killing machines come from our NATO allies as well as the business that makes so much money on the sale of weaponry?

Whatever the source of the politics behind this expenditure it needs to be opposed. The ticket price for the fighter jets in question is 19 billion dollars and the estimated price for their life cycle is 77 billion. This is the second most expensive federal procurement in Canadian history. We can use that same money for so many things that we need now: a just transition to a green economy, housing, social workers, teachers, health care , health care workers and child care. This list could go on. It raises a question that always bothers me that if you cannot provide these things for your own people what are you fighting for especially when you are only destroying lives and infrastructure elsewhere. Some equivalences have been made. 19 billion can buy 135,000 housing units or 950,000 jobs in the public transit sector. One hour of operation for an F 35 jet can pay for the annual salary of a nurse, teacher or social worker.

As well new fighter jets will exacerbate the climate crises as they consume excessive specialized fossil fuel. The Department of National Defence has no plan to offset these military emissions, The development and use of these weapons will have catastrophic environmental consequences as carbon and toxic chemicals emissions of one long range flight exceed the typical automobile’s annual emission and because of their altitude will have a net warming effect for centuries. These fighter jets will in no way help us with the climate emergency that we are presently in because they can’t put out forest fires or rescue people. They are an aggressive attack system and have no function in self defence. Their sole purpose is to carry bombs and missiles and they are designed to be nuclear capable. We cannot bomb our way out of climate change. Sources: The main source for this article was:  “Why Canada Should Leave NATIO”, a webinar sponsored by The Canadian Foreign Policy Institute, Voice of Women, World Beyond War and the Regina Peace Council.  See:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmLz3gPBuYg
…For more information about the Edmonton Chapter-Council of Canadians and current Working Groups, see:  https://edmontoncouncilofcanadians.ca/working-groups-and-projects/

Acting in Good Faith

Thanks to Ian Skinner of the Onoway River Valley Conservation Association for this timely review of the environmental authorities of soon to be elected municipal politicians

Good faith requires a party who has a “discretionary power” under a contract to exercise that discretion in accordance with the purposes for which it was conferred”, the Supreme Court of Canada SCC 7. [1] This means simply that parties must not lie or otherwise knowingly mislead each other about matters directly linked to the performance of the contract.

Who is responsible for the “direction, control and management” of surface and ground water bodies within Alberta municipalities? 

Municipalities can and should be prioritizing environment management plans and bylaws, all of which are subject to the Municipal Government Act. According to Dr. Judy Stewart in Municipal Direction, Control and Management of Local Wetlands and Associated Riparian Lands: Section 60 of Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (2009), “If municipalities do not take action to manage these important natural resources at a local level, water bodies and riparian lands will continue to be impacted and destroyed to allow for increased development. It is in the greater public interest to invest in society’s “common wealth”, which in the case of natural capital would include the aquatic environment.” [2]

The Municipal Government Act is a job description. “It lays the foundation for how municipalities operate, how municipal councils function, and how citizens can work with their municipalities. The MGA is the legislative framework in which all municipalities and municipal entities across the Province of Alberta must operate and is one of the most significant and far-reaching statutes in Alberta. The MGA affects everyone in Alberta, the private sector and every ministry in the Government of Alberta.” [3] [4]

“Before taking part in a council meeting or performing any councillor duty, councillors are required to make and subscribe to the official oath of office. By taking the oath, you swear or promise that you will diligently, faithfully, and to the best of your ability, fulfill the duties of the office to which you have been elected. Mayor, Council, members of council committees or other bodies established by Council are responsible for ensuring that the municipality acts within its enabling legislation. The question of liability may arise as a result of councillors’ actions. Councillors have the following duty to perform any other duty or function imposed on councillors by the MGA or any other enactment or by the council (MGA s.153). However, section 535 of the MGA was written to protect councillors from personal liability while acting in good faith for the municipality.” [3][4]

Municipal governments must be held accountable to “uphold the law established by the Parliament of Canada and the Legislature of Alberta and the bylaws, policies and procedures adopted by Council” [5], during the earliest stage of planning and land use bylaw decision making, if not, such breaches will have dire consequences. 

Support a candidate who is willing to listen, act in good faith and “invest in the common wealth” [2] on behalf of our constituents, regardless of shared values. 

References:

  1. https://www.bennettjones.com/Blogs-Section/Supreme-Court-of-Canada-Imposes-Good-Faith-Limits-on-the-Exercise-of-Contractual-Discretion
  2. https://www.albertalawreview.com/index.php/ALR/article/download/321/318/319
  3. https://www.alberta.ca/municipal-government-act
  4. https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460136324What every councillor needs to know!     
  5. https://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2017_200.pdf Code of Conduct for Elected Officials 

Edmonton Chapter AGM this Sunday, Dec. 6, 3-5 p.m. on Zoom

Dear friends and Supporters of the Edmonton Chapter of the Council of Canadians,

This has been a busy year for the Edmonton Chapter of the Council of Canadians – in addition to weathering a global pandemic, the Edmonton Chapter has been focussed on pushing back on efforts to delist and sell off Alberta Parks, defend ecological sustainability, support the creation of a Digital Library and more.

On Sunday, December 6, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., you are cordially invited to attend the online Annual General Meeting of the Edmonton Chapter of the Council of Canadians to celebrate the good work of the last year and imagine how we can continue to build a better world moving forward.

Join us to:
–Celebrate and hear of our successful collaborative activities of the past year
=Offer your comments, suggestions and questions.
–Suggest priorities for the coming year
–Consider our sincere invitations to join us in our work as you are so inclined.
Register here
The Edmonton Chapter, as a grassroots, volunteer-run, civil society organization
plays a small but arguably significant role in our democratic process. We work in
concert with the national Council of Canadians, Chapters around Alberta and
across the country, its board and staff, including the Prairie-NWT Regional
Organizer, Chris Kruszewski, who is based in Edmonton.

When: Sunday, December 6 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Online, over Zoom
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMudOGvpz4sGNJzVf17HB8Zt9BuYY15YbO1

Agenda:
Welcome and Introductions
Chapter Steering Committee Reports
Chapter Project and Campaign Reports and Updates
National and Regional Update (Regional Organizer, Chris Kruszewski)
Chapter Task Force Update
Election of Steering Committee Members

While we’ll miss meeting you in person, we’re looking forward to connecting with you
at our AGM!

In solidarity,

Rod Olstad
Co-Chair
Edmonton Chapter, Council of Canadians
https://edmontoncouncilofcanadians.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/cofcedmonton
edmontoncouncil@yahoo.ca

Neonicotinoids Timeline, 1980’s to June 2020 from an Edmonton, Alberta, Canada perspective

Neonicotinoid pesticides, arguably called “bee killers” are scientifically understood as a problematic class of pesticides. The European Union, in recognition of mounting evidence of their danger, banned 3 neonic formulations in 2018. Health Canada, at various times after 2015, promised to enact a similar ban. Instead, in November of 2019, Health Canada enacted restrictions of the use of certain neonic formulations, stopping short of any complete bans. Further decisions have been delayed until at least Spring of 2021 or Spring of 2022 due to delays attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This Neonic Timeline was prepared by the Pesticide Working Group of the Edmonton Chapter of the Council of Canadians. It is published according to the terms of the Creative Commons. It is available for anyone to build upon and expand, with acknowledgement of the Pesticide Working Group of the Edmonton Chapter of the Council of Canadians.

In the 1980’s Shell, and in the 1990’s Bayer began developing a new class of insecticides called neonicotinoids.  These pesticides are neuro-active and chemically similar to nicotine.  Compared to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, neonics cause less toxicity to mammals and birds than to insects.  That said, in so far as neonics reduce insect populations, they clearly and detrimentally affect insectivore bird and other  populations.  Although neonics do not immediately kill bees, there are several studies suggesting that the insecticide reduces the probability of bees surviving the winter.  During the coming years, neonicotinoids are linked more and more to significant decreases in bees and other insect populations.  

1990s:  Neonicotinoid pesticides are first introduced for use in Canada. 

2005:  The first Neonicotinoid pesticides were approved for use in the European Union.

May 2013:  The European Union places a moratorium on three kinds of neonicotinoids (out of 7 types),   The partial ban  forbids their use in flowering crops that appeal to honey bees and other pollinating insects.  There is a large body of evidence showing that neonics harm honey bees.  The ban is limited but acknowledges the need to follow a precautionary approach. 

Feb 2014:  Canadian Dr. Meg Sears of Prevent Cancer Now makes link between Neonicotinoid pesticides and the collapse of bee and bird populations: 

September 2014:  A new,, international report concludes there is evidence of significant harm caused by the neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin and that a regulatory review should be triggered.  

Mar. 19, 2015:  Legislators in Minnesota propose a 5-year moratorium on bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides.  See:  http://www.panna.org/blog/minnesota-bees-poised-relief-neonics

Summer, 2015:  Montreal bans all neonicotinoid pesticides – without exceptions- within its borders, including golf courses, the botanical gardens and all agricultural lands.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonicotinoid and https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-bans-neonicotinoid-pesticide-to-help-save-the-bees-1.3360458 and https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2015/12/montreal-canada-proposes-complete-ban-on-neonics/

June 3, 2016:  Health Canada and the PMRA end the practice of conditionally registering pesticides. This action was taken after the Commissioner for the Environment and Sustainable Development criticized Health Canada for maintaining conditional registration for a number of neonics for more than 10 years.  There remain a number of conditionally registered neonicotinoid (and other) pesticides.  Health Canada promises to ensure that the needed scientific studies and needed responses will “be resolved”  by 2017.     https://www.producer.com/2016/06/conditional-pesticide-registrations-no-longer-possible/

July 2016:  The Canadian environmental charity Eco-Justice files a law suit against the Pest Management Regulatory Agency challenging its conditional (and arguably illegal) registration of a number of neonicotinoid pesticides containing clothianidin and thiamethoxam.  https://ecojustice.ca/were-going-to-court-to-protect-the-bees/ (See also April 2019)

2016:   Health Canada initiates a re-evaluation and possibly phasing out the neonic imidacloprid in 3 years. (Health Canada later back pedal on this initiative.  See:  Feb. 2019 and Jan. 16, 2020)  Environmental assessments identified risks to aquatic insects such as midges and mayflies due to the pesticide.  Special reviews of two other neonics, clothianidin and thiamethoxam are also initiated.  A final decision, regarding idimacloprid is expected in December, 2017.         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonicotinoid and https://caar.org/ag-retail-news/454-health-canada-current-use-of-imidacloprid-not-sustainable and https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/canada-health-canada-intends-phase-out-imidacloprid  

February, 2018:  Quebec places new restrictions on pesticides, but stops short of banning neonicotinoids:  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-pesticides-honeybees-1.4541996

April, 2018:  “The European Union … expanded a … ban of 3 neonicotinoid pesticides, Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.  This decision was made based on the threat they pose to pollinators. …        https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/04/european-union-expands-ban-three-neonicotinoid-pesticides

August 2018:  Citing significant threats to aquatic insects, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency conditionally proposes a 3-5 year phase out of two classes of neonicotinoid pesticides, clothianadin and thiametnoxam.   https://ipolitics.ca/2018/08/15/health-canada-says-popular-nicotine-based-pesticides-pose-risk-to-aquatic-insects/  and https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/august-18-2018-canada-bans-neonics-tracking-animals-from-space-and-more-1.4786729/canada-bans-neonic-pesticides-implicated-in-bee-declines-1.4786738  Health Canada later back pedals on this initiative.  (See Feb. 2019 and Jan. 16, 2020)

February, 2019:  Despite a growing body of evidence that 40% of the world’s insects are on the verge of extinction, and a growing body of evidence showing that neonics kill bees and despite a 2018 European Union total ban on the use of 3 main neocinotinoid pesticides, Health Canada and the PMRA reverses the planned 3-5 year phase out of the 3 main neonicotinoid pesticides.  An announcement at the end of 2019 is expected to provide details.  The PMRA is criticized for this decision.   https://thenarwhal.ca/canada-delays-insecticide-ban-study-finds-insects-verge-extinction/  and

and 

April 11, 2019:  The Federal Court arguably sides with the pesticide industry and the PMRA not to hear the merits of a case challenging the legality of conditionally approving pesticides like neonicotinoids before scientific research proves that there is an acceptable risk associated with their use.  The environmental law charity, Eco-Justice argued for this case representing the David Suzuki Foundation, Friends of the Earth Canada, Nature Canada and the Wilderness Committee.  The Federal Court dismissed this case on the grounds of “mootness”, presumably because theh PMRA was about to announce restrictions on the use of some neonicotinoids.  It took nearly 3 years for this case to wend its way through the courts, including surviving a number of challenges from the PMRA and the pesticide industry to have this case dismissed.  Note also that the PMRA suspended the pracitse of conditionally registering pesticides back in 2016 when this case was initially brought forward.     https://ecojustice.ca/pressrelease/statement-court-declines-to-hear-merits-of-neonicotinoid-pesticide-case/

April 2019:  Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) conditionally restricts certain uses of neonicotinoid pesticides in Canada, flouting the need for a precautionary approach and complete bans in Europe:  https://ipolitics.ca/2019/04/11/health-canada-restricts-certain-pesticide-uses-because-of-bee-health-concerns/

July 2019:  Canada lacks a standardized population tracking system of its over 800 native bee species.  Honey bees, often imported, are competing with native bee species.  https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-has-no-standardized-method-for-tracking-native-bee-species-until-its-too-late-researchers-say

Jan. 16, 2020:  As noted in the February, 2019 posting here, Health Canada/the PMRA releases an informational update on neoncotinoids which does not include the previously promised  3-5 year phase out of neonicotinoid pesticides,.  Health Canada is, arguably equivocating while continuing to collect data before deciding whether or not to follow the complete ban on the 3 neonicotinoid pesticides in Europe.     https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/pesticides-pest-management/fact-sheets-other-resources/update-neonicotinoid-pesticides-january-2020.html

In order to protect pollinators, Health Canada is cancelling many uses of neonicotinoids on crops that bees find attractive, such as orchard trees, and is not allowing spraying of some crops, such as berries and fruiting vegetables, before or during bloom.Jan 16, 2020

January 21, 2020:  The Canadian National Collaborating Cenre for Environmental Health releases an updated assessment on the human health impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides.  Five neonics are currently approved for use in Canada.  There is a growing body of evidence showing that neonic residues or contamination in our food is ubiquitous but the significance of this is contested.      https://ncceh.ca/environmental-health-in-canada/health-agency-projects/neonicotinoid-pesticides

June 2020:  Alberta bee keepers confirm “catastrophic” loss of bees during the winter of 2019-20.  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-bee-population-devastated-cold-winter-pandemic-1.5633527

September 2020: Health Canada publishes an “Update on the Neonicotinoid Pesticides”. Health Canada continues to delay following up on its earlier commitment to banning any of the neonicotinoid formulations. Efforts to gather, compile and publish data on aquatic insect populations and other factors have been delayed until Spring of 2021 and, in some cases until Spring 2022. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/pesticides-pest-management/fact-sheets-other-resources/update-neonicotinoid-pesticides-2020.html