News Releases

Federal government laying waste to the Canadian landscape
Thursday, October 18, 2012 - 13:02   |   Climate Change, Ecological Fiscal Reform, Ecosystems, Energy Onslaught, Safe Food and Sustainable Agriculture, Oceans, Toxics, Trade and Environment, Pesticides, Nuclear-Free Canada, Indigenous Sovereignty, Atmosphere & Energy, Health & Environment, Protecting Biodiversity, Transition to Sustainable Economy

MEDIA RELEASE

October 18, 2012

OTTAWA - The government of Canada continued its assault on environmental protection today with omnibus Bill C-45.

“Today’s killing of the Navigable Waters Act, along with further gutting of what’s left of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and Fisheries Act, will inhibit the ability of Canadians to protect their natural environment for their children, grandchildren and future generations,” said John Bennett, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada.

"Canadians want to protect the environment and have a strong economy. We don’t need to sacrifice the planet to achieve the latter - the two aren’t mutually exclusive...

Who will eat from radioactive kitchenware?
Friday, October 12, 2012 - 14:31   |   Government, Radioactive Waste, Nuclear-Free Canada

OTTAWA – Documents released yesterday indicate that back in May the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) was alerted to a shipment containing radioactive kitchenware (contaminated with Cobalt 60) and it wasn’t until October 5th CNSC ordered Hanin Shipping [1] to remove their radioactive shipment from a dock in Montreal.

This incident raises a number of very serious questions, including:

  • Why did the CNSC then to take six months to issue an order?
  • Why did CNSC make no attempt to conduct an investigation to determine where this material was manufactured, how it became...
"Shop Locally" Appreciation Event
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 - 03:59   |   none

Thank You Ottawa! Shopping Bag Giveaway

OTTAWA - Sierra Club Canada will distribute reusable shopping bags free of charge in the ByWard Market on Saturday, September 15th and Landsdowne Farmers' Market on Sunday, September 30th.

"We are showing a little appreciation to Ottawa’s local shoppers with a small gift," said John Bennett, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada.

Shopping locally is one of the most effective ways an individual can contribute to creating a healthy environment and sustainable economy.

Throughout history the...

Coal Regulations: Not enough is still not enough!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 - 16:08   |   Renewable Energy, Government

OTTAWA – Today’s announcement by federal environment minister Peter Kent will further relax already grossly-inadequate regulations for coal-fired power plant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Despite growing evidence of climate change, particularly this summer’s record Arctic Ocean ice-loss, the government of Canada continues to ignore the science.

“Arctic Ocean ice is at an all-time low and we are in the midst of a record breaking year for heat waves, droughts and torrential rain storms,” said Sierra Club Canada Executive Director John Bennett. “We don’t have 50 years to fix this...

Bill C-38's first victim: Groups forced to drop court action against radioactive waste export
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 23:46   |   Clean Up Chalk River!, Ecosystems, International Program, Nuclear Phaseout, Nuclear Subsidies, Oceans, Renewable Energy, Trade and Environment, Radioactive Waste, Nuclear-Free Canada, Health & Environment, Transition to Sustainable Economy

OTTAWA – As a direct result of Bill C-38, Sierra Club Canada and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) are withdrawing their applications for judicial review of permits issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to allow Bruce Power to export 1,600 tonnes of radioactive waste (containing plutonium and other radionuclides) through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway to Sweden.

“Our court case is the first victim of Bill C-38,” said John Bennett, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada. “Our quest for environmental justice and democracy, however, is far from over.”

Sierra Club Canada and CELA...

Technical Briefing for the Media on Arctic Ice
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 - 14:37   |   Climate Change, Climate Summits, Ecosystems, Government, Atmosphere & Energy

Date: Thursday, August 16, 2012

Time: 11:00 a.m.

Location: Sierra Club Canada, Suite #412, 1 Nicholas St., Ottawa

Ongoing weather events in the Arctic over the last few weeks and the resulting ice loss may have significant implications to the rate of climate change. Using satellite images, and the latest data being reported from established Arctic observers, Paul Beckwith of the University of Ottawa will provide a technical briefing on the present and the implications to future climate change. Space is limited please RSVP to: Executive.Director@sierraclub.ca or call 613.241.4611

...
Laura the Dragonfly creating a buzz on Parliament Hill; Pleads for protection at press conference
Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - 23:51   |   Ecosystems, General - No issue selected, Wilderness and Species Conservation, Government, Endangered Species, Transition to Sustainable Economy

OTTAWA – A species of dragonfly may be the next victim of the federal government’s gutting of environmental protection laws, says Sierra Club Canada. The Laura’s Clubtail Dragonfly (Stylurus laurae) along with the Coast Manroot (Marah oreganus), and Four-leaved Milkweed (Asclepias quadrifolia) had their applications to be included on the Wildlife Species at Risk list denied by Environment Minister Peter Kent earlier last month (the July 4th announcement went unnoticed in the media).

“I know I’m not majestic like a Woodland Caribou or Blue Whale, or fearsome like a Rocky Mountain...

Canadian government opposes efforts at UN conference to strengthen language on mercury pollution
Thursday, July 5, 2012 - 11:18   |   Government

Ottawa - The Canadian government was among a group of developed countries at a UN conference last week opposing language intended to protect human health and the environment from mercury pollution. At the United Nations treaty negotiation session (INC4) held in Punta Del Este, Uruguay last week, Canada and its partners refused to include stronger language, even though it was supported by two-thirds of delegates engaged in the international negotiations.

"Developed countries should not stand in the way of the rest of the world on the issue of including health in international environmental agreements," said Eric Uram of the Sierra Club. "Everything in nature is connected, and people and the environment cannot operate on separate planes. Protecting the...

Two BC Artists pick up brushes to paint in protest against proposed Northern Gateway Project
Thursday, June 28, 2012 - 15:12   |   Protecting Biodiversity

The following information is from a June 12, 2012 press release issued by the Lloyd Gallery. Images of the artists work appear below:

Two British Columbian artists are picking up their brushes to paint in protest against the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Project.

Glenn Clark, a 53-year-old Penticton landscape artist, conceived of this art and protest project, entitled Abandoning Paradise, when he realized that a ban on oil tankers traveling off the west coast was a realistic goal. The project won support from a British Columbia Arts Council Project Grant received by Clark this year.

For the last 37 years, Canada has had an unofficial moratorium on oil tankers traveling along B.C.’s northern coast...

Passing of Budget Bill is Bad News for Canadians and the Environment
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 09:49   |   Government

(Ottawa) - Today, our elected Members of Parliament passed Bill C-38, ignoring thousands of Canadians who spoke up for nature and democracy. The budget, which represents sweeping changes to environmental protection laws, eases the way for industrial developments that could put the future of our land, water and climate at risk. It also attempts to silence voices of dissent against such developments by making it more difficult for environmental charities to participate in the public policy process.

“This bill marks a step backwards for our democracy and economy, as well as for the protection of the air, water and land on which we and our children depend,” said Peter Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of the David Suzuki Foundation. “By weakening...

            

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