Win! Federal government rejects Prosperity Mine bid to destroy Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)
The federal government has turned down a proposal by Vancouver-based Taseko Ltd. to turn Teztan Biny (also known as Fish Lake) – a beautiful mountain lake southwest of Williams Lake – into a garbage dump for a copper-gold project called the Prosperity Project.
“This is an amazing and momentous victory,” said Brent Patterson, Director of Campaigns and Communications for the Council of Canadians. “Many people came together to save this lake and to make Schedule 2 an issue across the country.”
While the provincial government had approved the Taseko project in early 2010, a federal review panel concluded the environmental impacts on the watershed and surrounding lands were too high to allow it to proceed. Taseko had applied to use Schedule 2, a loophole in the metal mining effluent regulation of the federal Fisheries Act that allows the federal government to exempt metal mining companies from provisions that would otherwise prevent them from dumping toxins into natural bodies of water. Once an exemption is granted, lakes are listed on Schedule 2 and redefined as “tailings impoundment areas.”
Following the review panel’s conclusion, federal cabinet was tasked with making a final decision on the proposal. The federal government announced late yesterday that it upheld the review panel’s conclusions and the project would not be given the green light due to the serious and adverse environmental impacts it would cause.
The Council of Canadians joined the Tsilhqot’in First Nations and other nearby residents in opposing the mining project. Since 2009 we have been speaking out at public meetings, in the media, at the federal review panel hearings and to the federal government to stop the lake’s destruction.
In May 2010, we engaged our members across the country in launching a national petition drive calling for the Schedule 2 loophole to be permanently closed, and demanding that the federal government stop allowing mining companies to permanently destroy healthy freshwater lakes and rivers with toxic mining waste. Our members responded with overwhelming support and generosity, enabling us to conduct a timely and strategic campaign. On September 7, we delivered more than 15,000 signed petitions to Environment Minister Jim Prentice.
While this is a significant victory, we must remain vigilant in our campaign to close the Schedule 2 loophole for good. Several more lakes across Canada remain on the Schedule 2 list, including Sandy Pond, a beautiful freshwater lake in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are working with the Sandy Pond Alliance to Protect Canadian Water and Mining Watch Canada to stop the plan of Brazilian mining company Vale Inco to dump 400,000 tons a year of toxic mining waste into Sandy Pond. We have joined forces to launch a legal challenge in a further attempt to have Schedule 2 declared a violation of the federal Fisheries Act.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our members, supporters and Williams Lake chapter activists. Your support made a real difference in helping to save Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)! |
"I am grateful to the Council for the education they provide me regarding each campaign and issue they bring to light. As sobering as this new information is, it is always presented thoughtfully and intelligently and I am thankful. Knowledge surely is power and knowledge shared is a gift."
– Beth Arseneault,
Bath, ON |
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Here’s more about what’s new at the Council of Canadians:
Council celebrates 25 years of acting for social justice at annual meeting
Hundreds of Council of Canadians members, chapter activists, staff and supporters gathered in Ottawa October 22-24 for our Annual General Meeting proudly celebrating our 25 year history of speaking out against unfair trade deals and social injustices and bringing people together for positive political action by “Building People Power.”
The annual meeting focused attention on the proposed Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), highlighting the deal’s threats to farmers, First Nations, public water, municipal democracy, public services, cultural protections and other policies. Keynote speakers included National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians Maude Barlow, trade and public interest lawyer and Council of Canadians board member Steven Shrybman, and Université du Québec à Montréal Sociology Professor Dorval Brunelle, who addressed the potentially devastating effects of CETA and spoke to a different – and better – economy that is based on buying locally and sustainable energy solutions.
The evening forum also featured award-winning slam poets Ian Keteku, John Akpata as well as The Recipe and D-LightFull. The artists used the powerful art of spoken word to emphasize important social justice and political issues.
Youth had a strong presence at the meeting as young activists took to the stage during the public forum and also for one of the panels to speak about their visions and ideas for positive change.
People were able to get hands-on experience in workshops tackling topics such as climate justice and organizing People’s Assemblies, the victory for the Human Right to Water and Sanitation at the United Nations, how to use social networking tools such as twitter and Facebook in activism, and much more.
The Council of Canadians also held its business meeting during the weekend event at which members were able to elect Council board members, vote on resolutions, and review the organization’s budget projections.
To watch a rebroadcast on Rabbletv of the public forum and three panels that took place during the event go here.
Hundreds rally against CETA as negotiations take place in Ottawa
 On Friday, October 22, hundreds of people gathered to protest outside Old City Hall in Ottawa where the fifth round of negotiations on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) were taking place.
The rally, organized by the Council of Canadians, featured short speeches from Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians, Terry Boehm of the National Farmers Union, Peggy Nash of the Canadian Auto Workers, Clayton Thomas-Muller of the Indigenous Environmental Network, Claude Vaillancourt of ATTAC-Quebec, Roxanne Dubois of the Canadian Federation of Students, Daniel Legere of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Dave Coles of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, Denis Lemelin of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, and Hassan Yussuff of the Canadian Labour Congress.
Speakers highlighted the deal’s threats to workers, farmers, public water and services and local decision-making powers. If approved, CETA could further open EU food markets to “Frankenfood,” genetically-modified imports, and give European-based private water corporations access to our publicly owned and delivered water. As recent reports have revealed, the deal will cost Canadians thousands of jobs and put corporate power ahead of local social and environmental priorities.
CETA has been veiled in secrecy. Negotiations are happening behind closed doors without public awareness or input. The Council of Canadians helped deliver this message directly to International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan through our first-ever mobile advocacy action where hundreds of people texted a message to Minister Van Loan saying “the public must have a voice in CETA negotiations” and calling for an immediate halt to negotiations.
To read more about CETA and to see resources including our two new factsheets, as well as video from the rally go here.
Challenging Water Markets in Alberta: Barlow tells packed crowd ‘Our water is not for sale!’
 Council of Canadians National Chairperson Maude Barlow recently spoke to a standing-room only crowd at the University of Alberta about the Alberta government’s moves towards expanding the province’s water market.
In 1999, the Alberta government introduced the Alberta Water Act, which for the first time allowed “water transfers,” or the right to exchange all or part of a water licence between users. But it wasn’t until 2006 that the Alberta government – realizing there was no more water to give away – stopped issuing water licences in the Bow, Oldman and South Saskatchewan River basins, actually creating the conditions for Canada’s first market for water.
Millions of dollars have since been exchanged, and dozens of licence transfers have already been completed. In just one example, 6,700 cubic metres of water per day were purchased in 2007 for $15 million for the development of a large shopping mall, horse racing complex and casino in Balzac, a municipality just north of Calgary. While market proponents refer to the allocation of water for lucrative commercial use as moving water to “higher value uses,” the Balzac development demonstrates how the water market in southern Alberta truly operates, allowing for a massive and water intensive development in an area where water permits are no longer available to meet the basic needs of a growing population.
“Alberta is the province most at risk in this global water crisis,” said Barlow. “In Alberta there is the making of what I call ‘the perfect drought.’ We have pollutions, increased water extractions, a growing population and more demand. But yet the Alberta government is moving piece by piece towards a water market. The government is commodifying water instead of protecting it as a Commons, available to all and owned by no one.”
To read more about the fight back against Alberta water markets and to watch video of Maude Barlow’s speech go here.
Photo by Dave Williamson. Maude Barlow speaks to more than 400 people about the problems with Alberta’s water market.
Council speaks out about Moncton, NB’s decision to sell water for hydro-fracking venture
The Council of Canadians made headlines recently speaking out against Moncton, New Brunswick’s plan to sell municipal water for use in a local hydro-fracking project.
The city has agreed to sell public municipal water to Apache Canada, a U.S.-owned mining company, for its hydraulic fracturing testing in the Frederick Brook formation in the Elgin area in southern New Brunswick. As many as six to eight trucks a day are filled with water from the Turtle Creek reservoir and then sent 50 kilometres to a “lake” that has been created to store the water for these operations.
Hydro-fracturing or “fracking” is a process where sand, water and chemicals are blasted into shale rock to gain access to trapped natural gas deposits. The highly controversial extraction process is gaining popularity in the United States and more recently in Canada as more accessible fossil fuel sources become harder to find.
The Council of Canadians opposes fracking because of its high carbon emissions, its high water use, and the dangers it poses to polluting groundwater and local drinking water. Communities where fracking projects are underway have reported water pollution, “burning water,” where water from household taps catches fire due to residual methane gas from fracking operations, and health concerns. We are calling for a nationwide stop on hydro-fracking.
To read more about Moncton, NB’s plan to sell public water for hydro-fracking go here.
Take Action! Help unite voices in your community against climate change
 The next major round of UN climate negotiations will be held in Cancun November 29 to December 10. The last round of negotiations in Copenhagen failed miserably, so why wait for governments to take action?It is the collective voice of people that can help make climate justice a reality!
The Council of Canadians, joined by the Indigenous Environmental Network, KAIROS and the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, are calling on people in communities across Canada to host People’s Assemblies on Climate Justice during the Cancun negotiations.
A People’s Assembly is an interactive process that provides the opportunity for people to listen and be heard about what climate justice means to them – in their community and globally. It is a movement-building and organizing tool. It is a gathering of people to discuss and analyze climate justice that can feature a local climate justice issue or campaign. A People’s Assembly is a space to discuss demands, commitments and visions for how things could be different. It is aimed at transforming awareness into action by invigorating ongoing and new climate justice actions in your community.
To find out more about how to organize a People’s Assembly in your community go here.
Win! Harper’s bid for UN Security Council seat rejected
The Harper government recently withdrew its bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council after failing to obtain the supportive votes needed from other countries.
The Council of Council of Canadians publicly stated the Harper government did not deserve this seat because of its refusal to recognize the human right to water, the fact that almost every other country in the world has signed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and because of its dismal climate policy.
In May, we hand delivered a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that outlined why we believe the Harper government didn’t deserve a Security Council seat, which prompted critical questions in the House of Commons and a mention on the CBC National News. In September, we faxed a letter to the 192 permanent missions at the United Nations expressing our concerns about positions the Harper government has taken on water, the climate and Indigenous rights.
During the UN vote, Canada only won 78 to Portugal’s 113 votes. Needing at least two-thirds of the votes to advance, Canada was forced to withdraw from the race. This marks the first time in history Canada has been unsuccessful in its bid for a seat on the UN Security Council.
To read more about this go here.
Voices Wanted: Give the gift of a Council of Canadians membership
 When you give a Council of Canadians membership to friends and family you are helping to advance social justice. With governments increasingly influenced by corporate agendas, Canadians need a powerful collective voice to hold them accountable. Your gift will also provide your friends and loved ones with an opportunity to learn more about clean water, fair trade, climate justice and public health care for everyone.
Your gift of a Council of Canadians membership includes:
- A personalized card advising the recipient of your gift;
- Their 2010 membership card (valid for one year);
- The most recent issue of our informative magazine, Canadian Perspectives, and other current campaign information.
A Council membership is a great gift for any occasion. Celebrate the holiday season, a birthday, anniversary, or other important event in the life of a family member or friend with the gift of social justice.
For more information visit our website here, or contact our membership department at 1-800-387-7177.
Join the Council of Canadians
Founded in 1985 by a handful of citizens including Farley Mowat, Pierre Berton and Margaret Atwood, the Council of Canadians is Canada’s pre-eminent public watchdog organization. By becoming a member of the Council of Canadians your generous support helps give our organization a voice on social, economic and political issues and build a strong, independent and diverse Canada. Join the Council today, and help us prove that a better Canada is possible. Already a member? Share this newsletter with a friend and encourage them to join or donate and become a part of Canada’s largest citizens’ advocacy organization.
Get Active!
The Council of Canadians has a new way to keep you informed about issues that matter. Join our new ACTIVlist and get regular updates about emerging news stories and actions you can take to help make our communities and our country better for everyone. Together, we can all act for social justice.
Click here to join the ACTIVlist. |
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