Calling for Climate (of) Change in Copenhagen The Council of Canadians will push the urgent need for climate change action in Copenhagen, Denmark early next month, as world leaders gather for COP15, the 15th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Many see COP15 as a crucial moment for getting new commitments for an international climate agreement. “To their shame, leaders such as U.S. President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and many European heads of state have been downplaying expectations (for COP15,) warning us that the most we can hope for is a plan to draft a plan at some yet undisclosed future date,” said Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians speaking about the urgent need for climate change action at a recent event. “This is a tragedy and represents an abdication of responsibility to future generations and the planet to find a workable solution to a global climate crisis that threatens every living being on earth.” The Council of Canadians will be in Copenhagen, working both inside the conference and outside with environmental and social justice organizations and activists to ensure leaders get the message that urgent climate action is needed now. We will join a counter summit of groups bringing the voices of people around the world together for a better environmental future, recognizing that scientists say we are now at the tipping point on climate change. If immediate actions aren’t taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we will continue to see climate change-induced natural disasters such as tsunamis, droughts and melting glaciers that will change the face of our planet forever. To read our background document about our work in Copenhagen go here. For Climate (of) Change materials, including a fact sheet and handbill go here.

PHOTO: Climate (of) Change: Carleen Pickard, Director of Organizing and Andrea Harden-Donahue, Energy Campaigner for the Council of Canadians give a thumbs up at the rally for people and the planet in Saint John New Brunswick.   Support our work – Donate now The Council of Canadians is a non-profit organization and does not accept money from corporations or governments. Our work is sustained by the generous donations of concerned Canadians who share our vision and commitment to action. Join Canada’s largest advocacy organization and people who believe that a better Canada – and a better world – is possible. Become a member or make a donation today. Sign up! Want to stay up to date on Council of Canadians’ news, activities and hard-hitting analysis? Enter your e-mail address »

Here’s more about what’s new at the Council of Canadians:

• Thirsty for water information? Fill up at the Blue Summit
• Tackling global trade in Geneva
• Win! Legislation to revoke Site 41 building approval gets thumbs up in Ontario legislature
• Let people know that The Tar Sands Blow
• December 10 last date to give the gift of social and economic justice for the holidays
• Watch it! New videos on “Afta NAFTA” and a rebroadcast of the Council of Canadians 24th Annual General Meeting
• Join the Council of Canadians today!
  

Thirsty for water information? Fill up at the Blue Summit

Keeping water in public hands is one of the Council of Canadians’ main missions. On November 27-29, along with CUPE, we will bring hundreds of people together in Ottawa for The Blue Summit to “Learn, Act and Organize” for public water.

Communities across Canada are fighting to protect their public water services and supplies from pollution, underfunding, destructive dams and diversions and privatization. The Blue Summit will celebrate, strengthen and expand the network of Water Watch activists working to protect public water for everyone. The weekend is filled with exciting activities including an opening party to celebrate grassroots water activism, a rally on Parliament Hill in support of public water – where we will have a banner to sign that will be presented to Canadian leaders in Copenhagen at climate talks – workshops, speakers and much more.

If you would like to become a part of the local and global movement to promote water as a human right and a public resource, we invite you to join us in Ottawa for this free event.

Go here to find out more about The Blue Summit, or call us toll free at 1-800-387-7177, ext 229.

Tackling global trade in Geneva

The Council of Canadians will be confronting the global trade agenda in Geneva, Switzerland during the seventh WTO ministerial conference. Leaders attending the conference, including International Trade Minister Stockwell Day, are set to discuss the international trading system and the current global economic environment.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a global trade institution with extensive power. It is responsible for administering dozens of international trade agreements and declarations on a range of issues from agriculture to intellectual property rights. It also handles trade disputes, monitors national trade policies, and operates as the overarching forum for global trade negotiations, called “rounds."

Council of Canadians vice-chair Leo Broderick and Trade campaigner Stuart Trew will be in Geneva participating in counter-ministerial events and raising concerns about the impacts of the WTO’s broad agenda and power. Protests are being planned, and organizers hope to be able to demonstrate in front of the WTO headquarters on the Rue de Lausanne in Geneva.

This month also marks the 10-year anniversary of a major anti-globalization showdown at the WTO meeting in Seattle, U.S.A.  Thousands of people took to the streets in 1999 to protest the WTO’s powers and agenda. Check out our new webpage commemorating the pivotal moment by going here.

Read Maude Barlow’s look back on the importance of the Seattle Summit in the growing movement for fair, democratic trade here.

Win! Legislation to revoke Site 41 building approval gets thumbs up in Ontario legislature

The efforts to stop a landfill from ever being built at Site 41 in Simcoe County, Ontario scored another victory as MPPs voted in favour of a bill to revoke building approval on the site.

The Council of Canadians has been calling on MPPs in Ontario to support Bill 32, an Act to Prevent the Disposal of Waste at Site 41 in the Township of Tiny. Bill 32 passed second reading in the Ontario Legislature by a vote of 40-11. Next, the bill needs to go to committee for consideration.

To help in the broad-based effort to pass Bill 32, Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow wrote an open letter to MPPs, we issued a media release, and put out an action alert directing people to a web-based petition that has gathered thousands of signatures.

To read more about our work to stop Site 41 go here.

Let people know that The Tar Sands Blow

What country is home to the most environmentally-destructive fossil fuel project on earth? Ours is.

The Alberta-based tar sands are cutting a massive hole in the earth, ripping up boreal forests, leaking toxins and poisoning land, air and water. Want to see for yourself? Click here to watch our new video The Tar Sands Blow.

You can take action today to spread the word that Canada needs do better by doing these three simple things:

1. Watch it. Watch The Tar Sands Blow and get informed about the tar sands widespread impacts.
2. Sign it. Add your name to the petition at the end of the video.
3. Send it. Forward this video link to family, friends and co-workers and help us show how the tar sands blow!

December 10 last date to give the gift of social and economic justice for the holidays

Are you still searching to find that special gift for a loved one? Consider giving a gift to friends and family that will really make a difference – a Council of Canadians gift membership. Social and environmental justice are always in style! Get your gift membership by December 10 to make sure it arrives in time for the holidays.

You will be helping the Council’s work to promote clean water, fair trade, energy security and public health care for everyone. You will also be providing your loved one with an opportunity to learn more about these issues, and information on how to get involved in the fight for a better Canada and a more just world.

With your gift of a Council of Canadians membership, we will prepare a package that includes:

• A personalized holiday card advising them of your gift;
• Their 2010 membership card;
• The most recent issue of our informative magazine, Canadian Perspectives, and other current campaign information.

Visit our website today for more information, or contact our membership department at 1-800-387-7177 if you have any questions.

Happy holidays! And thank you for helping us to create a better Canada and a fairer world.

Watch it! New videos on “Afta NAFTA” and a rebroadcast of the Council of Canadians 24th Annual General Meeting

Missed out on a recent Council of Canadians’ event? Now you can check them out on video on RabbleTV.

“Afta NAFTA” a panel discussion of a tri-national panel of experts on the continuing plans to deepen and expand the failed NAFTA model, as well as the growing U.S. civil society movement to fundamentally rethink and reform America’s international trading regime to protect workers, the environment and democracy was held earlier this month. Panelists discussed how these competing visions for North America will have major impacts on Canada and Mexico, but also provide the opportunity to create a much fairer trading relationship across continental borders. Check out the video here.

In October, the Council of Canadians was in Saint John, New Brunswick for our 24th Annual General Meeting. Titled Turning the Tide: A just economy for people and the planet our AGM focused on two crises the world now faces: the economic crisis and its link to the growing environmental crisis. We looked at how the current failed economic model, based on market priorities, has led to the current economic downturn and we talked about what people can do in their communities to push governments to better, more locally-based economic policies. Check out the rebroadcast here.