[All] GREN News Dec. 18

[Louisette Lanteigne]

GREN News

Local and Provincial News:  Regarding Smart Growth! 

Here's a handy new tool to help push for better water management: A new NRDC report was released, called "The Green Edge: How Commercial Property Investment in Green Infrastructure Creates Values,"  speaking of the benefits of green storm water infrastructure on private commercial property. The report can be viewed online here: http://ecowatch.com/2013/12/18/green-building-value-property-owners/

This week's Waterloo Chronicle featured an article of the GREN public presentations with Environmental Defence and Regional Staff on Smart Growth. The write up can be viewed here: http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/group-highlights-growth-concerns/

Here are four published reports regarding the high costs of urban sprawl as provided by Environmental Defence:

1) Pembina Institute & Royal Bank of Canada (RBC): Priced Out
http://www.pembina.org/pub/2358?utm_source=Environmental+Defence+Campaign+Email+List&utm_campaign=dc139ecfb8-Greenbelt_Watch_April_20124_26_2012&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_df56834cfa-dc139ecfb8-27177993

2) Neptis Foundation:  Implementing The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe: Has the Strategic Vision been Compromised? 
http://www.neptis.org/publications/implementing-growth-plan-greater-golden-horseshoe?utm_source=Environmental+Defence+Campaign+Email+List&utm_campaign=dc139ecfb8-Greenbelt_Watch_April_20124_26_2012&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_df56834cfa-dc139ecfb8-27177993

3) Sustainable Prosperity Report: Suburban Sprawl: Exposing Hidden Costs, Identifying Innovations

http://www.sustainableprosperity.ca/article3820?utm_source=Environmental+Defence+Campaign+Email+List&utm_campaign=dc139ecfb8-Greenbelt_Watch_April_20124_26_2012&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_df56834cfa-dc139ecfb8-27177993


4) Environmental Defence  High Costs of Urban Sprawl :
http://environmentaldefence.ca/sprawl-costs?utm_source=Environmental+Defence+Campaign+Email+List&utm_campaign=dc139ecfb8-Greenbelt_Watch_April_20124_26_2012&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_df56834cfa-dc139ecfb8-27177993

Regarding Enbridge Line 9

The Hamilton Spectator has taken a position saying Enbridge has not done enough to support it's Line 9 proposal. Here's the write up:
http://m.thespec.com/opinion-story/4275376-the-spectator-s-view-troubling-questions-on-line-9-reversal-plan/


Update re: Aamjiwnaang's Court case re: Chemical Valley

Evidence is submitted and will be cross referenced, from there final arguments will be crafted and court case anticipated by the end of 2014. Details here: 
http://www.ecojustice.ca/blog/read-our-latest-update-on-the-chemical-valley-charter-challenge


National News

The Harper government has dismantled one of the world's top aquatic and fishery libraries.

http://thetyee.ca/News/2013/12/09/Dismantling-Fishery-Library/

Kinder Morgan just applied for the "twin" to the Northern Gateway oil pipeline. 
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ben-west/kinder-morgan-pipeline-stephen-harper_b_4455764.html?utm_hp_ref=tw


Canadian Government and Industry discussing possibility of dumping tar sands toxins directly into rivers. 
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/12/16/oilsands-tailings-ponds-release_n_4451585.html


The city council in South Portland, Maine, has placed a moratorium on shipments of Canadian oilsands product, a move that was met with “cheers and a standing ovation,” according to local news sources.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/12/17/south-portland-oil-sands_n_4461863.html?utm_hp_ref=tw


NAFTA Environmental body asks Ottawa to respond to oilsand's waste concerns. 
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy-resources/NAFTA+environmental+body+asks+Ottawa+respond/9282859/story.html

TAKE ACTON! 

Environmental Defence has an online petition to sign in regards to Smart Growth saying how sprawl doesn't cover the true cost of infrastructure. They are asking for the OMB to work in compliance to Provincial laws and are calling for more dedicated parkland areas.   If you agree, sign here:  http://environmentaldefence.ca/tell-ontario-smarten-growth?utm_source=Environmental+Defence+Campaign+Email+List&utm_campaign=dc139ecfb8-Greenbelt_Watch_April_20124_26_2012&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_df56834cfa-dc139ecfb8-27177993


To demand a Provincial review for Enbridge Line 9 sign here: http://environmentaldefence.ca/demand-environmental-assessment-enbridge%E2%80%99s-line-9-proposal


Council of Canadians has a Petition to stop Trans Canada's Energy East oil pipeline: http://canadians.org/pipelines/stop-energy-east-pipeline

Petition to stop Enbridge's  Northern Gateway Oil Pipeline: http://www.holdthewall.ca/


Idlenomore is raising funds to help protect Treaty rights and Charter rights.  
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/idle-no-more-2-0-support-an-indigenous-led-movement-to-transform-canada


Have a good one everybody! 

Lulu :0)
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