[All] GREN News

Sat Mar 7 00:28:24 EST 2020

Hi folks
We are being blessed with amazing reports these days.  Here's the latest. 
SaveOurWater.ca Science & Policy Brief
In the attachments is the new Science and Policy brief, a 10 page document produced by SaveOurWater.ca which gives the overview of the Nestle Water Taking issue. 
It speaks to how water quantity risk assessments for Centre Wellington failed to have regard for Nestle's volumes because currently there is no permit issued.  
It speaks to the alarming tax burdens and externalized impacts this project could have on the community and environment. 

It raises concerns for outdated models being used that predates the current knowledge produced by the Ontario Geological Survey which shows substantial differences in the layout of the bedrock that identified far less water available for deep municipal wells. In a nutshell, it clearly identifies that the future wells, together with private large-scale pumping in the same area, is not feasible
The aquifers water supply is more reliant on surface water flow then they thought with 98% of thewater in Centre Wellington’s deep aquifers originating as rain and snow melt within theimmediate area. 
They're in the position of being at risk of water quantity issues even without Nestle. 
It's a brilliant report that is a serious wake up call for all communities. 

Ontario DGR Cancelled.
As I relayed to Gren Members previously the Saugeen Ojibwa Nation has helped to cancel the Deep Geological Repository in Kincardine.  An interesting comment was made by CELA's Teresa Mc.Clenhagan on Twitter who stated: This demonstrates what a problem the "hosting agreements" are - buying support of the local community obscures analysis and proper decision making. 
Here is the article that references that particular issue which states:
OPG was compensating Kincardine and neighbouring municipalities, and now they will no longer be paying those annual fees, and council said the town could now be losing close to $500,000 due to this. However, Kuntz said the company still pays its dues.

https://blackburnnews.com/midwestern-ontario/2020/03/03/local-council-receives-update-cancelled-deep-geologic-repository-project/?fbclid=IwAR3cM917EJirx8HZ5okhdMEDslKlba-Zy5KDGO06clVaUavKD6WqqlN1cZY

The Rail Police 
Public police forces are choosing not to investigate major accidents at CN and Canadian Pacific Railway, including recent crude oil train crashes and deadly derailments, a CBC News investigation into Canada's rail system has found. They routinely defer to little-known federal railway police run by (and funded by) CP and CN, leaving the companies to investigate themselves with no outside police looking into potential criminal negligence. Even the TSB (Transportation Safety Board) does not lay charges and said it is not "legally competent to assign fault." 
Police not probing recent rail disasters, crude oil derailments, deaths for possible negligence | CBC News

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Police not probing recent rail disasters, crude oil derailments, deaths ...

Public police forces are choosing not to investigate major accidents at CN and Canadian Pacific Railway, includi...
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Economist Robyn Allen on the myth of Tar Sands Jobs. 
With a chart provided by the Alberta Government and Stastics Ms. Allen states tar sands expansion does not lead to more jobs. From 2010 to 2019 Alberta oil production increased 84% from 1.9 million barrels per day to 3.5 mb/d and laid off workers. They aren't coming back because big oil aggressively displaces employees as a business strategy. The chart is in the attachments. 
She also provided the link to her article noting that Suncor lays off drivers by replacing them with driverless trucks and kills 400 jobs without any any public accountability. Cenovus almost doubled production but laid off 2,500 people. 
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/letters/article-dec-21-big-oil-seems-to-have-decided-albertas-males-are-disposable/

Wetlands, Forests, Ponds help manage Flood Risks. 
The latest research from the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative (MNAI) found that natural assets like wetlands, forests, and ponds help communities in Canada better manage flood risk. In the communities MNAI worked with, natural assets provided savings ranging from $0.2 to $414 million. “In Riverview the wetlands and forests in a proposed development area provided a minimum of $1.4 million in stormwater services,” said Bornemann. “This has led to initial steps to alter the future road network to avoid the wetlands.  Here is a brief overview of the findings along with a link to the background data is online here:  https://mnai.ca/nature-helps-communities-manage-flooding/

Coastal Gas Link Summery in two quick links.
The Use of RCMP in Wetsuweten was illegal according to 200 legal experts. 
Settler governments are breaking international law, not Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, say 200 lawyers, legal scholars

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Settler governments are breaking international law, not Wet’suwet’en her...

While Wet’suwet’en land and water protectors are being depicted as transgressors of the “rule of law,” they are ...
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The Province of BC was to blame. Source:  BC Civil Liberties Association. 
PRESS RELEASE: Wet’suwet’en, BCCLA, and UBCIC Release Explosive Letter Revealing BC Solicitor General Authorizing RCMP Deployment, Contradicting Public Statements - BC Civil Liberties Association

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PRESS RELEASE: Wet’suwet’en, BCCLA, and UBCIC Release Explosive Letter R...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VANCOUVER/ (Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaʔɬ/sel̓ílwitulh...
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Support Bill C-232 Climate Emergency Action Act 
The bill was introduced by NDP MP Leah Gazan from Winnipeg and it calls to recognize the rights of all Canadians to a safe, clean, healthy environment as a human right. Over 100 countries in the world have the policy and now it's our turn. Details of the bill are online here: 
Private Member's Bill C-232 (43-1) - First Reading - Climate Emergency Action Act - Parliament of Canada

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Private Member's Bill C-232 (43-1) - First Reading - Climate Emergency A...

Private Member's Bill C-232 (43-1) - First Reading - Climate Emergency Action Act - Parliament of Canada
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Support Bill C-230 National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism Act.
Lenore Zann introduced an Act to End Environmental Racism in Nova Scotia as an MPP with bill 111 which didn't pass at the time,  but now as a Federal Liberal MP she's going national with this concept.  Check it out here:  Private Member's Bill C-230 (43-1) - First Reading - National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism Act - Parliament of Canada

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Private Member's Bill C-230 (43-1) - First Reading - National Strategy t...

Private Member's Bill C-230 (43-1) - First Reading - National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism Act - Par...
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Support e-2396 (Indigenous affairs) to ratify UNDRIP and remove RCMP from Wet'suwet'en
The bill was proposed by Elizabeth May of the Green Party and it can be viewed online here: Petition e-2396 - Petitions

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Petition e-2396 - Petitions

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Quick Sign Petitions

Tell Canada to support the Green New Deal  https://act.leadnow.ca/green-new-deal-canada/
Tell Canada to not fund the Coastal Gas Link https://350.org/no-public-money-for-the-coastal-gaslink-pipeline/
Stop Enbridge's proposed Fracked Gas line in Hamilton. https://www.cleanairalliance.org/stop-gas-pipeline/

Be sure to call your MPs to support the good bills coming out! 
Have a good one everybody! 
Lulu 

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