Kanada (Canada) is burning

 perfect day at last

but . . .

wildfire haze

Dear Chris The wildfires are not just headlines — they’re a terrifying reality for so many Canadians. Over 33,000 people have been forced out of their homes by hundreds of wildfires across Western Canada, with smoke spreading elsewhere. The damage is extensive, with fires ravaging entire communities. Billions of dollars in aid are pouring in, yet some evacuees are still unable to find refuge. This is not normal. It’s not yet summer, and wildfires are starting sooner and fiercer than before. Scientists tell us that an early-season heat wave that led to these fires was five times more likely from climate change. The climate emergency is at our doorstep, and we need federal action now! Canada’s new government has been focused on defending our country from the threats south of the border. But the conversation is veering into dangerous territory with the talk of pipelines and magical “decarbonized oil” as false solutions to our energy economy. This will only make matters worse! That’s why we need a new plan for Canada, where our greatest strength is climate leadership. Read our blog to learn more: READ BLOG Today, the government tabled the Building Canada Act, which will fast-track mega-projects that could include dirty energy.Yet pipelines are not nation-building. We can’t decarbonize oil. And we can’t build Canada up while our communities are burning down. Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to make Canada the strongest economy in the G7. But how can he do that with homes burning and emissions on the rise? Strong Canada doesn’t roll back on climate progress. We need projects that position our country as a clean economy leader. You can’t fight Trump by being like him. The good news is that people like you and me are not giving up! Across the country, Canadians are stepping up, meeting with their Member of Parliament (MPs), organizing in their communities, and demanding climate action. At Environmental Defence, we are launching a series of actions and training sessions to empower more Canadians to demand climate leadership from the federal government in this critical time! We hope you will join us. Stay tuned … Keith Brooks Programs Director, Environmental Defence

Environmental Defence Canada 33 Cecil St, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1N1 You are subscribed to this list . You received this email because you made a donation, opted-in to receive updates when you signed a petition, or signed up directly. Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | View in browser

Hands Off The Greenbelt billboards

  

 

For the last four and a half years, the Ontario government has systematically dismantled environmental protection and climate change laws. Even our precious Greenbelt, which we all thought was permanently protected and would never be touched, is now under attack.

Environmental Defence has been opposing the government’s egregious actions by helping Ontarians voice their concerns with letter-writing campaigns and rallies, raising awareness with radio and newspaper ads, taking legal action to oppose urban boundary expansions, and most recently seeking an OPP investigation. With your help, we have been able to create a groundswell of public support to demand “Hands off the Greenbelt”.

To keep the pressure on, we want to install large billboards across Ontario to tell the Premier and the MPPs that they need to keep their Hands off the Greenbelt. One of Environmental Defence’s long-standing supporters and a past Board member, Bobby Eisenberg along with his wife Ellen, have personally committed to matching your donations up to $50,000 so that we can continue to shout, “Hands off the Greenbelt!” Bobby and Ellen have been fighting to protect Ontario’s environment for decards, and like you are appalled by the Ontario government’s recent actions that have eradicated all past environmental laws and successes and put our wetlands, forests, farmlands, wildlife habitats and livable communities at huge risk.


The billboards will let more people know that the Greenbelt is under attack and put more pressure on MPPs to repeal Bill 23, cancel the Greenbelt land swaps, and stop putting the interests of developers ahead of those of their constituents.

We must make sure that developers keep their “Hands off the Greenbelt!”. Environmental Defence has ambitious plans to do just that, and these billboards are a key part of our strategy. Won’t you join fellow Environmental Defence supporters Bobby and Ellen Eisenberg and help us make sure the Ontario government knows that Ontarians will not support their attempts to destroy our environment?

Chris, I know that together we can ensure that the Greenbelt is protected from destructive development. I hope you will join us in fighting to keep all Hands off the Greenbelt.

 

With gratitude,


Tim Gray
Executive Director

 

(I donated $25)

first newsletter of environmental defence : connecting citizens groups across Ontario

 Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter!

Click here to view in your browser

 
    

   
Dear Chris,

Welcome to the first edition of our Ontario: Yours to Protect newsletter, a monthly round-up of a few of the latest issues and threats facing this province's environment, and how you can help protect it.

Yours to Protect is an initiative bringing together local citizen groups and environmental organisations from across Ontario to support clean water, farmland, biodiversity and healthy communities.

Thank you for being part of the movement.

In solidarity,

The Yours to Protect Team

 

ORBIT DEVELOPMENT: INNISFIL MEGA-PROJECT THREATENS LAKE SIMCOE
The Orbit is a giant proposed “new city in a cornfield” development near the shores of Lake Simcoe. This mega-project is slated to pave over farmland and radically change how Innisfil will grow, placing an impossible pollution burden on nearby Lake Simcoe. Last month, the Ontario government issued a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to override local planning rules - including requirements for affordable housing - and permit the destruction to go ahead. Visit the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition webpage to learn more and take action.

SAVE THE CLEARVIEW WETLANDS
Amidst the scenic hills of the Niagara Escarpment in Simcoe County, a municipality is attempting to destroy an area of rare wetlands and old growth forests by paving and widening a seasonal dirt road to benefit a private quarry. Read this blog by local activist Wendy and take action.

 

5000-ACRE YORK REGION LAND-GRAB DELAYED BY PEOPLE-POWER
York Region’s plan to pave over 5,000 acres of its remaining farmland hit a roadblock - but it’s not over yet. Last week the council met to approve its sprawl agenda in a surprise special meeting, but thanks to a strong response from residents pushed the decision back to October 21. Read more and take action.

 

WE WENT TO THE HIGHWAY 413 COMMUNITY WEBINAR SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO
The Ontario government’s Highway 413 project team is holding their second community engagement webinar next week. Environmental Defence’s Programs Director Keith Brooks attended the first meeting and found minimal public interaction, and a series of misleading statements about the proposed megahighway. Learn more in this blog.

 

LEARN MORE
CAMPAIGNS WE'RE WORKING ON
Ontario doesn't need another megahighway. #Stopthe413
 

TAKE ACTION
Stop the Big Sprawl - build livable, walkable communities.
TAKE ACTION
Learn more about the Yours to Protect initiative at YourstoProtect.ca
 

LEARN MORE
YOURS TO PROTECT IS AN INITIATIVE

OF ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING CLEAN WATER,

FARMLAND, BIODIVERSITY, AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.   
  

Environmental Defence Canada
33 Cecil St, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1N1

You are subscribed to this list as zenriver@sympatico.ca. You received this email because you made a donation, opted-in to receive updates when you signed a petition, or signed up directly.
 

                                                                   ~   ~   ~

Hello Yours to Protect Team,

Congrats on this first informative newsletter. It's a great idea to have a forum so the many citizens groups forming across Ontario can keep each other updated on our various campaigns and projects.

Our local conservation area, Callaghan's Rapids, has been under attack from ATV vandals driving up and down the river bed for several years now. Although motorized vehicles are prohibited, they have become so emboldened they've created their own "mudding road" through over a hundred metres of forest.

Our group formed just over a year ago, and we've already had some minimal success with stopping the ATV destruction and are starting some restoration projects and improved parking lot access.

best wishes,
Chris Faiers

Marmora, Ontario

zenriver@sympatico.ca


Here's a post from my blog last year about our group: