PerspectivesCANADIAN WINTER/SPRING 2019

information and action alerts to keep fighting a new law that would promote our members and the public informed. water privatization. Then on to Augsburg, We worked closely with allies in the U.S. Munich and Berlin in Germany, for mov- and Mexico and published several major ing ceremonies as each became a Blue reports on the energy provisions of both Community, vowing to protect water and On the Road with agreements. We were widely quoted the right to water forever. Maude Barlow in the media on the talks and the final deal. We also sounded the alarm that the November took me to the Blue Mountain USMCA will allow U.S. milk containing Center in upstate New York to meet the growth hormone rBGH to be sold in with American and international allies Canada without warning labels. on solidarity and cross-border cooper- Dear friends, ation and to Toronto to speak at the We had a huge success in our cam- annual gathering of the Parliament of The fall and winter of 2018 have been paign to have Harper’s so called “Fair the World’s Religions. as full as any I can remember. We are Elections Act,” with its open intent of busy on so many fronts, which you will voter suppression, overturned. We and In December, I had the great honour of read about in these pages. the Canadian Federation of Students presenting a keynote to the annual gath- took the Harper government to court ering of the Nobel Prize in Stockholm, We have been on high alert around Bill over this law and then lobbied the Sweden where each year they choose C-69, legislation that replaces the three Trudeau government hard on the need a “Dialogue” theme and invite speakers water laws gutted under the Harper for a replacement. In December, the from around the world. This year’s topic government, and we have expressed government announced that it would was water and I was able to inject the grave concern that certain pipeline adopt its electoral reform bill, which human rights story into what was oth- projects may be exempted from key includes restoring voter information erwise a fascinating and important, but regulations protecting water. cards as identification, in time for the mostly scientific, analysis. next federal election. This is a very We continue to fight Nestlé and are important success story for a campaign None of this would be possible without working with local First Nations of the that spanned many years. you, our members, supporters, chap- Grand River in Ontario to expose the ters, and our hard-working staff and injustice of the theft of their water by In September, I spoke to 500 enthusi- board. Thank you all. this transnational water hunter. We are astic people in Guelph about our fight also promoting Blue Communities in against Nestlé. From there I visited If you haven’t seen it already, keep an Canada and are excited to announce that several communities in Nova Scotia to eye on your mailbox for your 2019 Montreal will become a Blue Community support their opposition to the offshore Supporter Renewal package. You can on World Water Day 2019! drilling permits given to BP, the compa- use it, or the coupon conveniently ny responsible for the terrible oil spill in placed in this issue, to make your We also continue our campaigns against the Gulf of Mexico. renewal contribution to the Council of both major bitumen pipelines, particularly Canadians so that we may continue this Kinder Morgan, fracking in the western October took me to Quito, Ecuador vitally important work for social and provinces and the threat of re-opening with the Global Alliance on the Rights economic justice together. fracking operations in New Brunswick, LNG of Nature for a deeply moving confer- projects in B.C, and the offshore drill- ence with many local indigenous lead- With hope and resolve, ing permits the Trudeau government has ers from struggles in the Amazon. granted BP off of Nova Scotia’s south shore. Then it was on to Rome to fight the The trade file has kept us tremendously Canada-EU trade deal, as Italy is still busy. We followed the NAFTA/USMCA opposed to the corporate court that deal Maude Barlow, Honorary Chairperson, The Council negotiations closely and put out regular includes, and Zurich, where they are of Canadians Nestlé bottling water at the expense of communities

By Emma Lui

Every day, Nestlé, a multinational corporation whose operations include water bottling, draws millions of litres of water from aquifers in British Columbia and Ontario which it packages and sells for huge profits.

In October, I went to the site of the Six Nations of the Grand River is down- territory. The well extracts water from an Middlebrook well with members of stream from Nestlé’s operations. The aquifer that 6,000 nearby residents rely on. the local group Save Our Water who Guardian reported that “Ninety-one talked about how vulnerable the town percent of the homes in this communi- Bottled water exports from Canada of Elora, Ontario’s drinking water sup- ty aren’t connected to the water treat- to the U.S. have increased by 383 per plies are. Elora, which is a community ment plant...Some...have no water at cent since 2009. According to Statistics in the township of Centre Wellington, all. Others have water in their taps, but Canada, exports from B.C. to the U.S. relies on three wells for drinking water. it is too polluted to drink.” have increased a staggering 5,951 per One well is stable but the other two cent over the last decade. wells are so vulnerable they cannot be Under the UN Declaration on the pumped at the same time. Rights of Indigenous Peoples, govern- Bottled water is a frivolous and wasteful ments are required to obtain free, prior use of dwindling groundwater reserves. Two years ago, Nestlé bought the and informed consent from Indigenous It is entirely consumptive – meaning Middlebrook well on the edge of Elora peoples for water projects like Nestlé’s almost all the water extracted leaves despite Centre Wellington’s own bid to bottled water takings. the watershed and does not replen- buy the well in order to safeguard drink- ish the aquifer. Council of Canadians ing water supplies for the community. Six Nations youth and supporters chapters across the country have found organized a protest against Nestlé in water bottled in Nestlé’s Aberfoyle and Nestlé’s plans to pump 1.6 million litres November and ran to the Grand River Hope plants for sale as far away as from this well have been delayed by a for the Water Is Life Prayer Run. A bus Newfoundland and Yellowknife. temporary provincial moratorium on new then took people from Six Nations to and expanded bottled water permits. The Nestlé’s plant in Aberfoyle. Many more The Council of Canadians is working moratorium was enacted in response to people from the Guelph area joined to with local groups to pressure provin- massive public pressure from Council of show support. Despite the rainy and cial governments to phase out bottled Canadians supporters and local groups such damp weather, roughly 250 people water takings. The Council will also as Wellington Water Watchers and Save gathered at the entrance of the plant continue investigating where Nestlé Our Water. The moratorium was extended to listen to speakers and express oppo- and other bottled water products are in December. A public opinion poll com- sition to Nestlé’s water grabs. being exported to. We are also promot- missioned by the Council of Canadians ing the Blue Communities Project, a in November revealed that 82 per cent of Wellington County is one of two places in growing global movement that encour- respondents across Ontario said the provin- Canada where Nestlé pumps water despite ages municipalities and other commu- cial moratorium should be permanent. local opposition. Nestlé is also pumping nities to ban bottled water, protect the water for bottling in British Columbia. human right to water, and promote The Ontario government should require public water and wastewater services. Nestlé to sell the Middlebrook well to Despite repeated droughts in the Lower Centre Wellington as the township’s Mainland and Fraser Valley, Nestlé contin- Emma Lui is the Water Campaigner with the Council population is expected to more than ues to extract 300 million litres annually of Canadians. With files from Mark Calzavara, double in the next 25 years. from a well in Hope, B.C. located on Stó:lo Ontario-Quebec-Nunavut Regional Organizer.

CANADIAN PERSPECTIVES Past issues of Canadian Perspectives THE COUNCIL OF CANADIANS EDITOR Jan Malek are available at www.canadians.org. 300-251 Bank Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1X3 DESIGN Amy Thompson Publications Mail Agreement Email: [email protected] No. 40065620 PRINTING Plantagenet Printing Tel: 1-800-387-7177

The Council of Canadians believes that political literacy is crucial. We encourage you to copy articles from Canadian Perspectives, conveniently fit on one or two pages. If you would like to reprint articles, or if you would like to distribute Canadian Perspectives in your community, please contact us at 1-800-387-7177. Stop it at the Source: Fighting Teck’s mega tar sands mine By Bronwen Tucker

If approved, the Frontier Teck Mine would be Alberta’s largest single tar sands mine project and would be equivalent to permanently adding about 10 million new cars on

the road, or about 60 million tonnes of CO2 a year. Photo: Louis Bockner, Sierra Club BC

Right now, the Vancouver-based com- picture. We are facing cascading fail- Patrick Simon of the Deninu K’ue First pany Teck Resources is pushing hard ures with respect to the tar sands’ cli- Nation, located 300 kilometres down- to win approval for the largest-ever mate impacts – the Teck mine does not stream of the project, told the panel, tar sands mine proposal in Alberta’s fit within Alberta’s 100 MT emissions “Soon, you will have Indigenous peo- history. The Frontier Mine would cost cap based on the other new projects ples from all the way up in the Arctic $20 billion, operate for more than 40 that have already been approved, the coming down to these hearings because years, and produce 260,000 barrels of Alberta emissions cap is already not the impacts of these projects are carry- bitumen per day. Teck Resources wants ambitious enough to meet our 2030 ing so far away from the source.” to slip the project through the approval federal targets, and our 2030 federal process without much public scrutiny, targets are already well below what can While many of the impacted nations’ but the Council of Canadians is working be considered Canada’s fair share of leaders have signed participation to make sure that does not happen. meeting the Paris Agreement. agreements with Teck for this proj- ect, some stated they felt they had no The Frontier Mine is a dramatic step away 2. It is unlikely to provide choice because their efforts to counter from the fairer, 100 per cent renewable steady jobs, tax revenue or profit. tar sands developments have always energy economy we need to be building. Because the Frontier Mine requires high been ignored. While the people-powered fights to stop oil prices to stay profitable but also high and stall new pipelines have made it upfront investment, there is a good The Frontier Mine is such an extreme much harder for new tar sands projects chance it will not provide steady jobs project that we are cautiously hopeful to go forward, to have the best chance at or economic benefits for the public. the panel will reject it, or approve it with stemming their expansion, we also need While the environmental impacts and so many conditions that Teck cannot to shift some focus upstream to projects Indigenous rights violations associated afford to build it. But if it is approved, like the Frontier Mine. with this project would not be accept- the project will still face a decision able even if the project were much more from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau At the beginning of October, I drove up profitable, it is important to highlight and Minister of Environment and to Fort McMurray to participate as an that all of that damage could be for Climate Change Catherine McKenna intervener in the federal-provincial Joint almost no economic benefit. More jobs right before the 2019 election. We are Review Panel hearings for this mine on would be created by investing in almost building the political pressure now to behalf of the Council of Canadians. Here any other sector. make sure they cannot say yes to it. are some of the reasons why we called on the panel to “reject Teck”: 3. It doesn’t uphold Indigenous With your generous support, the Council rights. of Canadians is working to build a just 1. The Frontier Mine is a carbon bomb. During the hearings I listened to testi- transition away from the tar sands and Teck Frontier’s well-to-wheels emissions mony from elders and water protectors towards 100 per cent renewable energy. would be equivalent to permanently from the Deninu K’ue First Nation, There is still a lot of work to be done to adding about 10 million new cars on Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Fort get there, and not very much time left – the road, or about 60 million tonnes of McKay First Nation, and Fort McMurray thank you for being a part of it!

CO2 a year. First Nation, among others. They told the panel about the many ways that the Bronwen Tucker is the Prairies-Northwest Territories When we take stock of Teck’s emis- cumulative impacts of tar sands projects Regional Organizer for the Council of Canadians. sions, we also have to consider the big are already hurting their communities. The faces of offshore drilling resistance Photos by Robert van Waarden

“It would be catastrophic if there were a major spill here, and we would be directly affected. If there was an oil spill on our shores, tourists who come here for the natural beauty, beaches, recreation and paddling would surely go somewhere else.” Scott McCormack, Sea kayak guide and owner-operator of Cape LaHave Adventures

Why is offshore drilling not worth the risk? Who carries these risks? Who is working in communities to speak out and fight back against the offshore industry? This photo series highlights a number of community activists who are coming together to protect their homes, coastal commu- nities, fisheries, tourism, and cultural histories from the harms of offshore drilling.

Robert van Waarden, a photographer whose work often focuses on climate change-related issues, shares the images and voices of people who are working to stop BP’s drilling offshore Nova Scotia.

“This is our home, not a cash cow. As L’nu our job is to protect Mother Earth.” Marilynn-Leigh Francis, Indigenous fisherwoman

Above: “This town is able to survive because of the tourism that flows from the ocean. If the ocean is uninhabitable or displeasing because of an oil spill, our economic viability is gone.” David Devenne, Mayor of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia “We can't fight climate change if we continue to extract and expand fossil fuel development. They're mutually exclusive.” Chelsea Fougere, climate justice activist

Below: “The oil and gas industry has proven time and time and again in Alaska and Angola and the Gulf of Mexico that they’re not willing to coexist with fishermen.” Colin Sproul, Bay of Fundy Inshore Fisherman’s Association

Colin Sproul

“We refuse to allow the advocates for a poorly regulated finite oil resource to put the bounty of our renewable fishery resources at risk for a few decades of dangerous oil extraction.” John Davis, Director of Clean Ocean Action Committee

Opposing offshore drilling is just one piece of the “keep it in the ground” movement the Council of Canadians supports. This movement is calling for no more new fossil fuel development or infrastructure, combined with investment in a just transition for workers and our economy on a global scale.

Bold action must be taken in order to turn the tide on climate Marilyn Keddy change. We need to call more loudly than ever for climate solu- tions, including funding for renewables, energy efficiency, eco- logical agriculture, and other low carbon sectors. We need to call Above: “Offshore drilling is not worth the risk to for worker retraining, cleanup of abandoned oil projects, and for our fisheries, tourism, and climate. Our politicians ways to make our cities more walking, biking and transit-friendly need to listen to the people who elected them, not while upholding Indigenous rights. We need a new vision for our to the oil and gas companies. We can’t fall into this future – one that doesn’t include new offshore drilling projects, classic example of industry capture.” but one that is healthy, sustainable and will secure a better, livable Marilyn Keddy, Retired former social worker future for us all. One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: by Sujata Dey The new NAFTA and Canadian trade

On November 30, after months of limits on Crown Corporations, higher exist between the U.S. and Mexico, but drama, U.S. President Donald Trump, monopoly protections for drug compa- in a less potent form. outgoing Mexican President Enrique nies, and benefits to Big Data. Pena Nieto and Canadian Prime We also teamed up with University of Minister Justin Trudeau, signed the The Council of Canadians, with the Alberta Professor Gordon Laxer from new NAFTA in Buenos Aires at the generous help of our supporters, the Parkland Institute to discuss the G20 summit. brought the voices of people across problematic energy proportionality pro- the country forward. We worked with visions. Lifted from the U.S. Canada Free The deal was unfinished, with law- allies, wrote reports, sent postcards, Trade Agreement, they mandate Canada yers working around the clock right commissioned surveys, organized to export energy to the U.S. according up until the signing. President Trump rallies, and spoke directly to politi- to a set formula. With these provisions, has already threatened Mexico with cians. With U.S. and Mexican allies, Dr. Laxer showed that Canada would be auto tariffs over GM’s closing of auto we delivered petitions asking for unable to meet Canadians’ basic needs plants and has said he will rip up the Chapter 11 to be removed at the U.S. in the event of energy shortages, and old NAFTA. The U.S. Congress – both Congress. Our Honorary Chairperson, would also be unable to meet our G8 cli- Republicans and Democrats – are ask- Maude Barlow, produced the People’s mate commitments. This, too, was taken ing for profound changes to the agree- Guide to Renegotiating NAFTA outlin- out of the new NAFTA. ment before they would approve it. So, ing our 10 principles for a fairer deal. as we saw with the Canada - European We also produced fact sheets and The Council fought to keep and expand Union Comprehensive Economic and handimation videos. the cultural exemption in NAFTA. Trade Agreement (CETA), this may not In September 2017, the Council of be the last signing. The good news is that in some ways, Canadians and the Régroupement the deal has improved. During this rene- Québécois sur l’intégration continen- But what is in the deal? Is it a new gotiation, more than 30,000 Council of tale gathered 100 prominent Canadian, NAFTA, or is it really different? The Canadians supporters urged the govern- Québécois and Indigenous artists to answer is both. NAFTA has gone through ment to get rid of Chapter 11, the mech- write a letter to the Canadian govern- significant changes, some for the bet- anisms in NAFTA that allow foreign cor- ment asking it to enshrine and expand ter, some for the worse. In essence, porations to sue governments over their Canada’s cultural exemption in NAFTA. it has copy-pasted corporate-friendly public policy if it hampers profits. And parts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership we were heard! The Chapter 11 invest- The cultural exemption was kept, and (CPTPP), the 11-country deal that iron- ment provisions will not exist between now is expanded to include digital culture: ically, Trump pulled out of. These pro- Canada and the U.S. This is a major Netflix, video games, and on-line culture. It visions were on intellectual property, victory. The mechanisms will, however, does, however, still permit U.S. retaliation. But as is the case with trade agreements for biologics, a class of drugs made of does not have the Chapter 11 provisions, hatched in secret with corporate inter- human or animal tissue. This wildly this CPTPP has them and adds the cor- ests at the forefront, the new deal has expensive but essential medicine is porations of nine more countries to the severe flaws. Corporations may have found in drugs for arthritis, Crohn’s and roster of those that can sue Canada over gotten rid of their ability to challenge ulcerative colitis. It will certainly add to its public interest policies. legislation in Chapter 11, but they have the price we pay for drugs, to the bene- now been empowered to have a seat at fit of Big U.S. Pharma. CETA in Europe the table, to review and approve policy In Europe, the Council of Canadians and regulations before they see the The Labour and environment chapters joined The Stop TTIP and CETA Italia light of day. These provisions – called are also problematic. A 21st Century movement to reinforce the Italian gov- regulatory cooperation – are being sold labour chapter and environmental ernment’s statement that it will not rati- as being about eliminating red tape for chapter would need adequate teeth, fy CETA. While the agreement has been businesses when in fact, these regula- and the environmental chapter, at provisionally in effect since September tions are often our environmental, food minimum, would have to recognize of 2017, the investor-state dispute set- safety, chemical, and other public inter- the biggest problem facing humanity: tlement mechanisms have been con- est rules. Now, corporations are given climate change. Unfortunately, none troversial. Full implementation requires the opportunity to challenge regulations of those things are happening within the consent of all 28 EU states and on a whole series of grounds. Pipeline this new deal. However, U.S. House of 10 regional governments. With a legal companies have been given their own Representative Democrats have said challenge still ongoing at the European side agreement where they specifically they will push for these changes. Court of Justice and the ratifications of can review regulators’ actions. EU countries, CETA is not a done deal. The CPTPP Dairy farmers have also been devastated And while the world was fretting over As you can see, with trade agreements, by concessions that grant U.S. farmers President Trump’s tweets on NAFTA, our collective voice does make a dif- close to 3.6 per cent access to Canada’s another deal was quietly being rat- ference. We are able to challenge cor- dairy market. Combined with the Trans- ified. The so-called “Comprehensive porate power when we work together. Pacific Partnership and CETA, this is a and Progressive” Agreement for Trans- We have had some critical successes horrible blow to the industry. It also will Pacific Partnership – the old TPP – was in Canada and in Europe. However, as open the floodgates for the imports of pushed through the House of Commons corporations continue to have access milk containing genetically engineered at unprecedented speed. After the U.S. to power, and wield it through trade Bovine Growth Hormone. Not licensed in ditched the deal, the remaining 11 agreements, we are a long way off from Canada, the hormone is widely used in countries bordering the Pacific Ocean fair trade agreements for people and the U.S. to boost milk production at the revamped it, eliminating the deal’s the planet. expense of human and animal health. In pharmaceutical and intellectual proper- general, the agricultural chapter will be ty provisions, but keeping most of the Luckily, the Council of Canadians, work- a severe attack on our ability to produce old TPP intact. ing alongside groups all over the world, and consume locally sourced food. is trying to win this important global In less than a few weeks, the deal passed struggle. Patent extensions for pharmaceuti- three readings in the Senate and House cal drugs are bad news. The U.S. has of Commons as the Trudeau government Sujata Dey is the Trade Campaigner for the Council

of Canadians. allowed two more years of protection limited debate. While the new NAFTA ✂

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We are deeply honoured and eternally grateful to Don and all of our other sup- porters who have thoughtfully chosen this very special way of supporting the Council of Canadians.

Make a Lasting Statement After a lifetime of standing up for social justice, defending the public interest and fighting to build a more caring and compassionate Canada, many Council of Canadians supporters choose to plan a legacy gift in their will to make a lasting statement about what matters to them – and to ensure their activism carries on beyond them.

Once family members and loved ones Leave a Legacy have been looked after, a legacy gift affords you the opportunity to align your personal to Empower the values with your philanthropic goals. Don Parker Next Generation Whether it’s a bequest arranged in your will or a life insurance policy that is no By Jamian Logue longer needed, a legacy gift is a simple yet meaningful way to assist an orga- nization that shares your values and Don Parker passed away two years Knowing that the pursuit of those goals beliefs, and will work to uphold them ago. This year he’ll fight to enact would outlive him, Don arranged for a for the benefit of future generations. tough new laws to protect lakes, riv- bequest in his will to keep the work of ers and drinking water sources. the Council of Canadians going strong By planning a legacy gift for the Council well beyond him. you can help shape the kind of Canada I first met Don in 2004, and over and world our children and grandchil- the years that followed we devel- “The corporate thirst for our water dren will inherit. oped a friendship based on shared and energy resources, the erosion values. From mobilizing for labour of our sovereignty, profits trumping If you have not already done so, please rights to initiating youth educa- people – the Council effectively takes consider leaving your own legacy gift to tion and employment opportunities, on issues that hit us right where we empower the next generation to contin- Don was the kind of person who live,” he told me. “I know my bequest ue fighting for the better Canada and a took action. will help the Council reach out and fairer world we all know are possible. empower the next generation in car- He once told me that as far back as he rying the torch.” To request no-hassle information on can remember, advocating for social legacy giving, including our helpful justice and holding governments and This year, Don’s legacy of activism will guide, simply complete the form below, corporations accountable were driving live on. His bequest will provide critical then detach and mail it back in the forces in his life. funding to support the advancement of postage-paid envelope enclosed. ✂

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You can also call Hélène Bertrand at 1-800-387-7177, ext 244 or email her at [email protected] Bayfield’s Blue Community Story

Communities across Canada are turn- by agreeing to acknowledge access to oceans. It is estimated that the oceans ing “blue” as part of the Council of water as a human right. In a landmark contain 220,000 pieces of plastic per Canadians, CUPE and Eau Secours’s decision, local groups also ended the square-kilometre compared to an esti- Blue Communities Project. This peo- use of single-use bottled water at meet- mated 440,000 pieces in the Lakes. ple-powered initiative encourages ings and events. These groups ranged people to approach their municipal from Girl Guides, to service clubs, to These are alarming figures when 45 government to pass resolutions recog- book clubs, to gatherings with the local million people in Canada, the U.S. and nizing the human rights to water and conservation authority. Indigenous nations depend on the Great sanitation, banning or phasing out Lakes for drinking water, recreation, the sale of bottled water in municipal Having received this community com- and support for industries. Sadly, the facilities and at municipal events, and mitment, Blue Bayfield made over Lakes are also reservoirs for sewage, promoting publicly financed, owned, 2,000 refillable bottles available to any- plastic, and other debris from hun- and operated water and wastewater one in the village. Blue Bayfield got dreds of communities of varying sizes. services. Bayfield, a small commu- sponsors and installed five refill stations Much of the lake plastic is in the form nity in southwestern Ontario, was throughout the village. The jewel of of small beads. Fish and other spe- awarded its Blue Community desig- the refill stations is the mobile tricycle cies mistake these beads for food and nation in 2015 – but local residents “Blue Betty.” Betty is made available to municipal treatment plants are limited haven’t stopped there. Ray Letheren, any group holding an event and comes in their ability to remove microbeads one of many local volunteers, shares filled with 20 litres of municipal water from drinking water. the story about how they turned their and compostable cups. She also makes community blue and kept going. weekly visits to the farmers’ market. This concern gave rise to the Plastic Free Coastline Project. Bayfield, Ontario The southwestern Ontario Village of Over a two-year period, the refill sta- became part of this movement last Bayfield has a population of 1,000 and tions have had over 25,000 users. This spring by getting municipal council to is located on the shores of Lake Huron. is a remarkable figure given that two of pass a resolution to become plastic-free, Bayfield was awarded Blue Community the stations are outdoors and out of ser- organizing beach clean-ups, having local status by the Council of Canadians in vice for seven months of the year. businesses commit to reduce the use of 2015. Inspired by Maude Barlow’s visits, plastics, working with other groups, and the environmental voice of the village, The dangers of plastics holding plastic-free events. Blue Bayfield, set out to honour its com- One of the missions of Blue Bayfield is to mitment to the Blue Community Project. educate and raise awareness. Given our With the support of the Blue Community location on the shores of Lake Huron, we Project and Plastic Free Coastlines, Blue Blue Bayfield chose an alternative are constantly reminded of the effects of Bayfield is doing its best to address approach to gaining Blue Community plastics in large bodies of water. Studies environmental issues and be a model status. Instead of seeking support from by 5 Gyre Institute, New York University for other small coastline communities the municipal council, we sought sup- and a Bayfield-based organization, Love in Canada. port from the residents of the village, Your Greats, have confirmed that the in a grassroots approach. Thirty-five amount plastic in the Great Lakes per Ray Letheren is a member of the Blue Bayfield organizations committed to the project volume of water is double that of the group. Chapter Action Updates

The Montreal Chapter of the Council of Canadians took part in an action in December calling for a green new deal to address climate change. Chapters also delivered copies of the recently released UN climate report to MPs across the country.

Council of Canadians chapters help put corporations like Husky and BP are 2014. Fracking is an extreme extraction campaigns and social and economic operating in the Atlantic Ocean and method for trapped natural gas. Current justice issues in the spotlight in com- bouncing back from major industrial New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs is munities across the country. Chapter accidents without repercussions. These arguing that the community of Sussex activists continue to be busy protect- are the things the South Shore chapter and surrounding areas support fracking. ing water and public health care, chal- is fighting against with their Campaign Premier Higgs added an amendment lenging unfair trade deals, calling for to Protect Offshore Nova Scotia. Since in his recent Speech to the Throne that urgent and immediate action on cli- starting their campaign in 2016, they’ve includes a partial lifting of the moratori- mate change, and to standing up for gained the support of six municipal um. When MLAs visited the communities democracy. Here are just a few exam- governments, been a driving force in of Sussex and Penobsquis in December, ples of their recent actions: establishing the Offshore Alliance coali- chapter activists from Moncton, Kent tion, educated people through speaking County and Saint John reminded them Rewriting the rules tours and the media, and delivered lawn that fracking opposition is still strong. As the Northwest Territories government signs and bumper stickers to communi- New Brunswick chapters will be orga- pursues sweeping reforms on seven piec- ties from Yarmouth to Sydney in Nova nizing rallies, radio ads, participating in es of legislation covering fossil fuel, land, Scotia. This year, they’ll be working to actions and organizing strategy sessions and resource development, the Northwest make offshore drilling an election issue to ensure the fracking ban stays in place. Territories chapter has been pushing for and garnering even more support to the reforms to include binding referenc- stop offshore drilling in Atlantic waters. Eradicating poverty- es to the territory’s commitments to the sharing the solutions United Nations Declaration on the Rights Fighting the Site C dam The Hamilton chapter in Ontario orga- of Indigenous Peoples, the human right to Seven chapters partnered with author nized a Forum on Poverty and Inequality water and the Paris Climate Agreement. and agriculture policy expert Wendy on October 17, the United Nations Over six months, the chapter participated Holm to host a “Damming the Peace” International Day for the Eradication in stakeholder meetings, wrote letters, speaking tour about BC Hydro’s Site C of Poverty. Solutions to poverty and and drew media attention to the short- dam from Victoria, B.C. to Fort Smith, inequality such as the Guaranteed Basic falls of the new bills. As first written, the Northwest Territories. With packed Income program (which the Ford gov- pieces of draft legislation would allow for rooms at each stop, Wendy, chapters, ernment abruptly cancelled despite the projects to go forward without Indigenous and allies made the case that the risks to Premier’s promise not do so during the consent, fracking projects to be devel- food sovereignty, watershed health, and election campaign), “Rent Safe” and oped, and the expansion of oil and gas Indigenous rights mean the mega-dam a proposed registry of landlords were development in a time when we need cannot go forward, and gave people the presented and discussed. The event to be transitioning towards renewable tools to get involved. Since the tour was was endorsed and organized in partner- energy. Amended legislation is expected held, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that ship with the Hamilton Centre for Civic in mid-2019. The Northwest Territories a full Treaty 8 Infringement trial needs Inclusion, the Hamilton Roundtable on chapter will be ready to hold their terri- to take place before the reservoir area is Poverty Reduction and the Disability torial government to account no matter flooded in 2023, which means the fight Justice Network of Ontario. what happens. against Site C continues! If you are interested in joining a Council of Offshore Drilling New Brunswick Canadians chapter near you, please check still not worth the risk fracking ban in question out our Chapter Contacts on page 11, The world is creeping closer to a climate The current moratorium on hydraulic call us toll-free at 1-800-387-7177, or visit tipping point. Corporations are gaining fracturing – also known as fracking – was our website at canadians.org/chapters. control over regulatory and decision-mak- established in New Brunswick when Brian We can also help you start a chapter ing processes. Some of the world’s richest Gallant’s Liberals won the election in if there isn’t one in your community. Chapter Contacts The Council of Canadians appreciates the energy and dedication of our chapter activists. If you are interested in joining a chapter please see the contacts list below, or get in touch with the regional office closest to you. For more information on the Council’s chapters, visit www.canadians.org or call us at 1-800-387-7177.

Atlantic Rachel Small Quinte, ON Winnipeg, MB Cowichan Valley, BC Regional Organizer [email protected] Lynne Rochon Mary Robinson Donna Cameron Angela Giles 416-979-5554 613-393-1985 204-803-5416 250-748-2444 [email protected] 1-800-208-7156 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 902-422-7811 www.canadianswinnipeg.org 1-877-772-7811 Ontario Thunder Bay, ON Delta-Richmond, BC Centre Wellington, ON Lynn Pratt Northwest Territories Lynn Armstrong New Brunswick Contact regional staff 807-343-9491 Northwest Territories 778-835-2546 [email protected] [email protected] Fredericton, NB Lois Little Garry Guild Guelph, ON 867-873-8120 Toronto, ON Kamloops, BC 506-462-9915 Ronald East [email protected] Tracy Frohlick Anita Strong [email protected] 519-766-0139 cocnwt.ca roneastcocguelph @gmail.com 416-975-3895 250-375-2241 [email protected] [email protected] Kent County, NB www.coc-guelph.ca Saskatchewan torontococ.weebly.com www.kamloopscanadians.ca Denise Melanson Prince Albert, SK 506-523-9467 Halton Chapter Rick Sawa Windsor-Essex, ON Kelowna, BC [email protected] June Wright 306-922-3851 Doug Hayes Karen Abramsen [email protected] [email protected] 519-735-8319 250-769-1977 Moncton, NB cochalton.wordpress.com/ pacouncilofcanadians.ca [email protected] [email protected] Pamela Ross 506-471-1700 Hamilton, ON Quill Plains, SK Mid-Island/Nanaimo, BC [email protected] Ed Reece Quebec Elaine Hughes Bill Eadie 905-389-7887 Montreal, QC 306-323-4901 250-758-0218 Saint John, NB [email protected] Abdul Pirani [email protected] [email protected] Leticia Adair www.cochamilton.ca 450-371-2529 www.midislandcanadians.org 506-633-0398 [email protected] Regina, SK [email protected] Kitchener Waterloo Jim Elliott Nelson-West Kootenays, BC David Lubell Prairies-NWT 306-352-4804 Keith Wiley 519-745-0175 Regional Organizer [email protected] Newfoundland 250-777-2020 kw.cofc @gmail.com Bronwen Tucker and Labrador wileykeith @ gmail.com [email protected] Saskatoon, SK St. John’s, NL London, ON 587-926-7601 David Greenfield Yvonne Earle Port Alberni, BC Julie Picken-Cooper 306-222-8520 709-579-4442 Colin M. Frazer 519-636-4373 Alberta [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Blood Tribe, AB stjohnscouncilofcanadians.weebly.com www.londoncouncilofcanadians.ca Kimberly Weasel Fat British Columbia and Powell River, BC 587-438-0124 Nova Scotia Mississippi Mills, ON Yukon Patricia Cocksedge [email protected] Inverness County, NS Stan Madore Regional Organizing 604-485-5409 Johanna Padelt 613-454-1685 Assistant [email protected] Calgary, AB 902-787-2753 [email protected] AJ Klein Paul Armstrong [email protected] [email protected] Terrace, BC [email protected] Northumberland, ON 604-688-8846 Bruce Bidgood www.calgarycouncil.wordpress.com North Shore, NS Minnie de Jong 1-888-566-3888 250-635-6044 Kathryn Anderson 905-377-1713 [email protected] Edmonton, AB 902-657-0474 cocnorthumberland @fastmail.com British Columbia Rod Olstad [email protected] Campbell River, BC Vancouver-Burnaby, BC 780-988-3802 Ottawa, ON Richard Hagensen Penny Tilby [email protected] South Shore, NS Phil Soublière 250-286-3019 604-263-1005 Marion Moore 613-204-1459 [email protected] [email protected] Medicine Hat 902-527-2928 [email protected] www.vancouvercouncilofcana- David Condo [email protected] https://sites.google.com/site/ Chilliwack, BC dians.ca 403-977-1620 ottawacanadians/ Daniel Coulter [email protected] Prince Edward Island 604-791-2852 Victoria, BC Peel Region, ON chwkcouncilofcanadians@gmail. Barbara Mitchell Pollock Charlottetown, PEI Red Deer Rosemary Keenan com 250-220-5355 Betty Wilcox Karen Reay 905-457-9513 [email protected] 902-672-2650 403-391-4242 [email protected] Comox Valley, BC www.victoriacouncilofcanadians.ca jbwilcox2010 @ hotmail.com [email protected] Kim Stubblefield Williams Lake, BC Ontario-Quebec- Peterborough-Kawarthas, ON 250-703-3790 Roy Brady Manitoba [email protected] Peter R. Smith Nunavut 705-745-2446 Brandon-Westman www.cvcanadians.org 250-392-2605 Regional Organizing team [email protected] Contact Regional Organizer [email protected] Mark Calzavara www.peterborough-kawarthas.org www.williamslakecouncilofcana- [email protected] dians.ca PerspectivesCANADIAN

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Chapter Contacts Chapter

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