Help Alternatives Journal celebrate its 40th birthday by adding your choices to our Best-Of Lists for a Better World.

From National Parks to environmental books, pet peeves to green blogs, help us track Canada’s take on our environment. We want all regions of Canada to be represented in the survey, so please add your choices and send it along to your friends, family and colleagues, wherever they may be in Canada, so that they can participate too.

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The exhibition took months to prepare including washing hundreds of plastic bottles and digging into the Center’s recycling twice a week to gather the materials that make up the installation: 13,750 bottles and 12 rolls of double-sided tape were used to build the pond; 6,080 plastic water bottles were put together to form the waterfalls; 5,000 square feet of cardboard boxes make the tree trunks; 1,600 square feet of cardboard boxes were used to make the 70-foot high tree raises from Sainte-Catherine Level up to the 5th Floor; and dozens of can pops and ice-cream buckets make up the lilies and other flowers.

Entrevue “Fragile”, de Roadsworth et Brian Armstrong from Projekroom on Vimeo.

Linking nature and man-made structures “the elements that make up this installation are reassembled into a clumsy semblance of their original forms, a poignant reminder of both the fragility and irrevocable loss of a natural and original state.”

• promoting healthy communities and ecosystems;
• addressing climate change by moving to a low-carbon economy;
• and working with partners in the private sector to green North America’s economy.

Of note, the CEC launched a new $1.4 million North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) program to support a diverse set of projects by providing access to CEC resources for a broad base of hands-on groups and organizations. For more details on the program see the call for proposals here. Preliminary proposals are due 22 August 2011, before 5:00 p.m. EST.

The CEC was established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to build cooperation among the NAFTA partners in implementing the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), the environmental parallel agreement to the NAFTA. The CEC addresses environmental issues of continental concern, with particular attention to the environmental challenges and opportunities presented by continent-wide free trade.

• Total investment of $1.625 billion of which

• $1.191 billion in infrastructure development
• $382 million in expenditures to cover essentially social measures, in particular housing, health, the reduction of transportation costs, and education
• $52 million over the entire period to cover the implementation by the Société du Plan Nord and initiatives to solicit foreign investors

• $500 million in equity investment with an overall investment of $2.1 billion for overall implementation

The first five years will create 20,000 jobs per year which are expected to be sustained over the 25 year life time of the Plan Nord. The social measures include the construction of 500 housing units in Nunavik in addition to the already planned 340 units; strengthening the training and education infrastructure and services in the northern regions covered by the Plan; an investment of $65 million in the development, retention and attraction of manpower; strengthening the health and social services to meet the needs of the population influx in the region; and measures for the ‘preservation of the living culture’ of the north which includes the production of a “documentary series on the Plan Nord”.

Natural resource development
Some critics have observed that even though it lists specific priorities in each sector, in terms of concrete planned resource development projects the new action plan only identifies the ones already underway, especially in the mining sector, leaving a sense of uncertainty in respect to upcoming projects in this sector.  The recent opposition to the shale gas industry has focused attention to the Mining Law which has been criticized by prominent environmental organizations and community groups. As the proposed implementation of Bill 79 to amend the Mining Law was repelled last year, last week, the government introduced a new bill – Bill 14 – to amend the Mining Law which includes an increase in set-aside funds to cover 100% of the costs of mine rehabilitation (previously set at 70%) and some measures to increase local participation in the implementation of mining projects by way of excluding urban and outfitting zones from exploration and exploitation.

The official opposition – Quebec Solidaire and Pati Quebecois – have attacked the plan, especially in what concerns the mining sector. Amir Khadir (Quebec Solidaire) estimates that even though royalty rates have been increased from 12% to 16%, this measure remains only a budgetary initiative with no legal clout (Bill 14 does not make any changes to the royalty regime) estimating that in the past decade the government has only touched 1.5% of the total profits of mining industry in the province. The PQ has demanded an increased public participation in the decision making. The new bill limits participation to acquiring a written consent from the private land owner within a 60 day deadline and notifying the municipality 90 days before starting exploration works. In addition, although the PQ welcomes the mandatory public consultation measures it is worried that the task is left to the mining companies.

In the energy sector the figures have remained the same – an additional 3500MW – nevertheless the plan specifies that 3000MW will be hydro, 300MW wind and 200MW of “other resources.” This breakdown will probably incite renewed criticisms in light of the already controversial Romaine project.

Aboriginal communities
The most interesting development is the increased participation of First Nations and Inuit in the development of the plan itself by way of consultation tables (see the chart below) as well as in its implementation, including representation on the Société du Plan Nord and other particular socioeconomic measures included in each sector.

Consultation framework

Cree Grand Chief, Matthew Coon Come, praised the plan as a “new era. We have gone from an era of a policy of exclusion to an era of a policy of inclusion.” However the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, Ghislain Picard, refused to participate in the unveiling ceremony protesting the failure of the government to ratify the Approche Commune with the Innu. He maintains that:

“The Government of Quebec has not only the obligation to take into account the rights of all First Nations affected by the Plan Nord, but it also has the responsibility to engage in true dialogue with all First Nations in Quebec, including subjects like wealth-sharing, co-management and royalties. I am still waiting for a phone call from Jean Charest.”

The Algonquin communities of the Abitibi region are still excluded from the Plan Nord as they reside just below the parallel 49 territorial limit. Indeed, for the nations that have not yet signed an agreement the implementation of the Plan Nord presents many challenges as they do not have a legal framework within which their interests can be protected – no recognized territorial or resource use rights.

Development model in question
Amir Khadir has accused the government of pursuing an outdated 19th century development model characterising it as “colonial” in its intent and substance. As other critics, M. Khadir calls for a long-term truly sustainable development model that engages local communities beyond “mere consultation”, applies cutting edge technologies, avoids destructive approaches such as open pit mining (such as the case of Malartic), in addition to meagre financial returns to society.  The “pillage” of the province’s resources to “the profit of multinationals” is, according to M. Khadir, unacceptable.

Although his view might seem extreme, especially considering the important and much needed economic development in these regions, M. Khadir might be in line with recent international paradigm change. On May 14, three days after the public announcement of the Plan Nord, the UN Environmental Programme published the first in a series of reports geared towards assessing the emergence of the Green Economy – Decoupling Natural Resource Use and Environmental Impacts from Economic Growth. Decoupling is defined as “using less resources per unit of economic output and reducing the environmental impact of any resources that are used or economic activities that are undertaken.” (UNDP, 2011: 8). Since resource consumption is “a reliable companion” of economic prosperity which makes “nearly all mainstream and development models” ignore resource constraints, worldwide resource use is expected to triple by 2050. “Over-exploitation, climate change, pollution, land-use change, and loss of biodiversity” point to an unstable world in the next few decades. The Panel argues that in order to avoid ecological, economic and social collapse, per capita resource use needs to be scaled down to 5 or 6 tons/year.

We are reminded that each Canadian uses an average of 25 tons of resources per year (mineral, agricultural, water, etc).  Tightening the belt may not only be needed during an economic recession, it’s becoming a necessity for the long-term survival of our society. Whether the Plan Nord will move the province into further ecological and social jeopardy or towards the Green Economy depends on the willingness of the decision makers to implement innovative strategic approaches. The civil society has an equal responsibility to improve well-being and social equity while reducing environmental risks.

• Urbanization
• Sanitation and Pollution
• Governance and management
• Investment and Finance
• Environmental Impact and Climate Change

As one in 2 people in the world spend their lives in an urban center and 95% of the urban population growth is projected to take place in the developing world, managing fresh water resources is becoming a priority for governments (UN Water, 2011). For cities the challenge of maintaining and improving infrastructure and public water utilities is increasing as 1 out of 4 residents (789 million) live without access to sanitation facilities and 1 in 6 (894 million) don’t have access to safe freshwater. We are appropriating 56% of all accessible freshwater of which 70% is used in irrigation, 22% is used by industries and 8% for domestic use.  But access is only half the story. The pollution of this source of life exacerbates the challenge faced by urban centers and increases the strain on entire river basins. Every year 2 million tons of human waste are disposed in water courses and an additional 70% of industrial waste in the developing world is dumped untreated into waters (UN Water, 2006).

The main UN sponsored event took place in Cape Town, South Africa. The international conference held on the 22nd was highlighted by three main panels: Connecting Cape Town to the World which brought together water experts, professionals and suppliers to discuss the “challenges and opportunities of water and urbanization”. The second panel focused on governance and policy and included mayors, representatives of development banks, and international organizations working with local governments. The conference closed with a High-Level Panel which resumed the recommendations put forward throughout the day. An exhibition and fair running from march 20 to 22nd showcased “key international as well a national organizations and companies presenting their activities on Water and Urbanization.”

In Montreal WWD was celebrated at the NDG Ecocartier with a water-themed workshop (6575 Somerled, #206 from 7-9PM), a photo exhibition of Oxfam-Quebec’s projects in developing countries (Eaton’s Center), and a presentation of Montreal Action H2O to the Post Graduate Student Society of McGill environment committee (at Thomson House restaurant 3560 McTavish, at 6PM). In Quebec City organisers of the Quinzaine de l’eau stretched out the activities for 2 weeks to mark the 2nd International day without bottled water (Development and Peace) and WWD.

For more information on water related stats visit the UN World Water Assessment Programme
For everything you need to know about water see UN Water and here for the WWD events and past campaigns

Watch the Message by the UN Deputy Secretary-General

According to Nature Quebec, BAPE’s decision breaches Natural Heritage Conservation Act [Loi sur la conservation du patrimoine naturel (chapitre C-61.01)] which prohibits all industrial activities in ecological reserves. The Act stipulates that “a notice briefly describing the [...] the proposed change or abolition and stating that any interested party may, within 30 days, or, in the case of an abolition, within 60 days, communicate to the Minister of the Environment his point of view on the subject must be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec and in a newspaper circulated in the region concerned or, failing that, in a newspaper circulated in the nearest region.” BAPE on the other hand has proposed that the minister revoke the status of ecological reserve for the territory in question and substitutes it with another area elsewhere. As far as BAPE is concerned the ecological integrity of the reserve means nothing even though “it is the only reserve within the network of ecological reserves that has as one of its objectives the protection of the habitat of the Atlantic salmon[...]a particularly fragile species[...]Also found in the ecological reserve are a number of relatively rare or scarce species including bog aster, common harebell, bush honeysuckle , purple crowberry, pinesap and green pyrola”(2).

It might not be so surprising that the BAPE commission has made such an arbitrary decision since its presiding officer is Pierre Fortin, the same commissioner in charge of the shale gas consultations that have been marred by controversy.   As a past-President of the Canadian Economics Association, member of the Economic Advisory Panel of the Minister of Finance of Canada, and the Chief Economic Advisor to the Premier of Quebec, it is not too farfetched to assume that the environment is low on his list of priorities. Moreover, as far as the government is concerned BAPE’s decision is in line with its own practices having already opened a portion of the Matamec Ecological Reserve to staking in 1997 to Fort Knox Gold Resources Inc.

For a province that boasts its avant-garde sustainable development approach abroad, Quebec is paying a high stakes double-standard game.  While the world is meeting in Nagoya Japan to find a solution to the rapid loss of biodiversity, our Belle province is making a U turn for the worse.

1- for an in-depth look at the BAPE see Jean Baril, Le BAPE devant les citoyens. Pour une évaluation environnementale au service du développement durable.
2 – Conservation plan for the Matamec ecological reserve, 2003: 2.

The Canadian Environmental Network‘s (RCEN) 2010 Conference will take place at the Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Montreal, from September 17-19. For over 30 years, environmental NGOs have attended this annual event to meet their colleagues, share stories and strategize around the most pressing environmental issues. As long-time RCEN member Martha Kostuch used to say, “this is where environmentalists come to recharge their batteries!”

This year, environmentalists from across Canada – including youth, Indigenous people, government and industry representatives – are invited to participate in our 2010 Conference. Come and learn about the work of both big and small environmental NGOs and particpate in a discussion on the values of biodiversity.

Conserving Biodiversity Pays: The Values of Ecosystem Services

We all depend on biodiversity to live happy, healthy lives. In fact, biodiversity supports all life on Earth through a multitude of free ecological goods and services, such as food, water, medicines, air purification, pollination of crops, and more. To celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, this year’s conference will focus on the different values our society attaches to biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides. Read more about the theme

Policy on Eco-Responsibility

Our objective for the 2010 Conference is to reduce as much as possible, within the available budget, the environmental footprint of the event. Prior to, and during the conference, the RCEN will:

• Promote the role that participants can play in the greening of the event
• Ensure that the hotel does what it can to reduce the environmental impact of the conference
• Encourage the use of low carbon transportation options for participants
• Keep the use of paper to a minimum while providing alternatives

Thank you for helping us make this an eco-friendly event. Read more about the Policy

While the rights to participation of local communities in environmental assessment of megaprojects are guaranteed by legislation in Quebec and Canada, Latin American communities have little say in how development takes place on their territory. Forced displacement, assassinations and intimidation by paramilitary forces are the ways in which development is imposed on the majority of local communities from Mexico to Chile. Intensive natural resource development began in 2000 under the auspices of regional integration plans promoted and financed by the Inter-American Development Bank. Two major regional integration plans, the Plan Pueblo Panama (Central America) and the Initiative for the Integration of South American Infrastructure (South America), foresee some 500 development projects totaling approximately $60 billion. Faced with significant human rights abuses and excluded from benefiting from large dam projects many local and aboriginal communities have created opposition groups such as the Movement of Dam Affected People (MAB), the Red Latinoamericana contra represas y por los ríos, sus comunidades y el agua (Latin American Network against Dams and for the Protection of Rivers, Communities and Water -REDLAR) and Movimiento Mexicano de Afectados por las Presas y en Defensa de los Rios (Mexican Movement of People Affected by Dams and in Defense of Rivers – MAPDER). Similar to aboriginal peoples in Quebec and Canada these groups are not opposed to development but demand that such projects take into consideration their human, social and economic rights as international conventions such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Dam Commission require.

“As we enter the era of energy efficiency, the Committee for Human Rights in Latin America is to highlight the impact on human rights that this energy called “clean” causes for the affected communities and ask what their rights are respected. Furthermore, we wish to end the climate of violence that usually accompanies the introduction of such projects, often involving acts of repression, harassment and violence by security forces.”  The Solidarity Caravan will travel across Quebec from the 8th to the 27th of March in the company of a delegation of Latin American women representing impacted communities in the South. They will be visiting local schools, CEGEPS, community centers and universities in various towns and cities such as Ottawa, Gatineau, Québec, Wendake, Betsiamites and Sept-îles. The objective is to create support network and a dialog concerning the impact of large development plans such as the Plan Nord launched by the Quebec government last year.

The trip will close with a two-day conference in Montreal on the 26 and 27 of March organized by CDHAL in collaboration with the Coalition on socio-environmental impacts of transnationals in Latin America, Development and Peace, the Canada Research Chair on Environmental Education, the Montreal Institute of International Studies (IEIM) of UQAM, and the Research and Knowledge Network Relating to Aboriginal People DIALOG.

For more information contact Julie at caravane@cdhal.org or 514.387.5550