2018 Activities Report for the Edmonton Chapter

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Activities Report for 2018 for the Edmonton Chapter of the Council of Canadians

Presented at Council of Canadians Edmonton Chapter AGM.  Dec. 2, 2018

This past yearthe Edmonton Chapter operated largely with the understanding that we are effective identifying and working with  our allies and promoting the Council of Canadians as affiliated with a small range of  civil society organizations.   This has been a fairly successful approach. 

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Edmonton Chapter AGM, Sunday, Dec. 2, 3-5 p.m.

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Dear Friends and Supporters of the Council of Canadians,
 
Edmonton Chapter AGM
Sunday, Dec 2, 3-5 p.m. 
Hostelling International (10647-81 Ave.)
 BASEMENT MEETING ROOM, 


 
The Edmonton Chapter cordially invites you to our 2018 Annual General Meeting.  The Council of Canadians is the largest, non-partisan, grass roots based civil society organization in Canada.  With over 40 Chapters across Canada, a staff of more than 25 at our national office in Ottawa and at 4 regional offices, the Council of Canadians is in a unique position to develop, promote and realize a truly progressive agenda for social and environmental justice.  


 
Listen to brief reports from the Edmonton Steering Committee members, enjoy some light refreshments and share your ideas on how we can move forward.  
 
This past year, the Edmonton Chapter formally and/or informally partnered with a number of local organizations.  There will be brief reports representing activities for each of the following: 
  • The Alberta Environmental Network (Methane Working Group)
  • The Alberta Green Energy Network
  • The Alberta Pharmacare Working Group
  • Climate Hub
  • Climate Justice Edmonton
  • CPAWS-Northern Alberta Chapter (re:  Bighorn Wilderness Park Proposal)
  • Pesticide Free Edmonton 
If you have any questions or comments, or If you’re interested in being part of grass roots based initiatives to achieve social and environmental justice, please attend our AGM and/or contact us via email at edmontoncouncil@yahoo.ca.  
 
Rod Olstad
Chair
Edmonton Chapter
Council of Canadians 

Call for your assistance and support! :-)

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As you may by now realize, the Edmonton Chapter’s recent campaign focus is City Council’s pesticide policy, especially its continued use of the potent and persistent neurotoxin chlorpyrifos (Pyrate), to control mosquitos during the spring and summer months.  Edmonton’s Auditor released an audit of Edmonton’s pesticide policy and practises back in November, 2017.  City Council’s Audit Committee will discuss the pesticide audit this coming Monday, Jan. 22nd at 9:30 a.m. 

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Edmonton Risks Serious Health/Environmental Consequences with Continued Use of Persistent and Potent Neurotoxin Chlorpyrifos to Control Mosquitos

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Why is Edmonton the only municipality in Canada, if not North America,  still using chlorpyrifos, a potent and persistent neurotoxin to control mosquitos?  To consider this perplexing question, Council of Canadians-Edmonton Chapter volunteers Rod Olstad and Robert Wilde interviewed Dr. Isabelle Chapados (Edmonton paediatrician and associate clinical professor at the University of Alberta) and Sheryl McCumsey (Coordinator for Pesticide Free Edmonton).

Chlorpyrifos: Why is Edmonton the Only Municipality in Canada That Still Uses This Potent and Persistent Neurotoxin to Control Mosquitos?

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by Sheryl McCumsey – Edmonton Chapter Steering Committee Member and Coordinator, Pesticide Free Edmonton

Chlorpyrifos is a neurotoxin that inhibits proper nerve functioning. It is used to kill insects by paralysing the insect’s essential muscles like those used for breathing. Of course it doesn’t just impact insects as many health studies have proven. The chemical is linked to severe birth defects, brain damage, developmental delays and behavioural problems in humans. Its use correlates with increased incidence of cancer and it has caused deaths. Some of the largest lawsuits around any pesticide are related to chlorpyrifos. $23.5 million was awarded in 2010 to one US family in a lawsuit after their children were permanently harmed. New York State also sued Dow Chemical, the company that makes the chemical, for $2 million for saying chlorpyrifos is safe. Currently, seven US state attorney generals have charged the Environmental Protection Agency with violating federal law by failing to issue required safety findings on chlorpyrifos. Meanwhile, in Canada, when Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency was audited in 2015, this pesticide was specifically mentioned as not being re-evaluated as required by law.

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