Ironically, people with the privilege to do so are retreating from poor and unsafe air conditions on so-called #CleanAirDay. On this federally recognized day, it's time for the federal government to take serious action to make clean air a reality. bit.ly/42s4hPW
This is not the “new normal.” It is, however, the result of normalizing the use of fossil fuels. From #BayduNord to Canadian banks being the #1 funder of fossil fuels globally, this country must stop investing in fossil fuels and worsening the climate crisis.
Political leaders must do everything in their power to address the climate crisis and do it now. At Ecojustice, we’re doing all we can to act, which means holding governments accountable to fighting the climate crisis.
We know the climate crisis harms not only our environment but our physical and mental health. Climate anxiety is as real as the health harms that come with unsafe air quality. Take care as best as you can. mhcca.ca/resources
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🚨 BREAKING! The House of Commons has voted to pass Bill S-5 that reforms the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). This is a crucial milestone for environmental justice and we are on the cusp of a new law. A thread: 1/8
CEPA is Canada’s cornerstone environmental law that is supposed to keep us protected from dangerous pollution and toxic chemicals. But it hasn’t been reformed in more than two decades and was ill-equipped to keep us safe. 2/8
This day has been a long time coming. For the past eight years, @ecojustice_ca has been campaigning along with other coalition groups and people across Canada for this important law to be modernized. Let’s recognize this important milestone. 3/8
BREAKING: We’re taking the Ontario government to court on behalf of @envirodefence for its attempt to hack away at the Greenbelt near Hamilton. We’ve launched this case because @fordnation and his gov continue to squash local democracy with moves like #Bill23. A thread 👇 1/
In November 2022, the Ontario government announced it was changing Hamilton’s official plan to expand the city’s boundary by 2,200 hectares and encroach into farmland and wild spaces that are part of the Greenbelt. This goes against the direct wishes of the people of Hamilton. 2/
An official plan is a land use planning document that guides and shapes development and is used to ensure that future planning development balances social, economic, and environmental interests of the community. 3/
RALLY FOR CLIMATE: Tune into this thread for highlights from the rally in support of #GenClimateAction
Emcee for the event, Sophia Mathur, is currently speaking about her early days in climate activism starting at 7 years old, and how long the fight for climate justice has been — including her and her co-applicants’ ongoing efforts to hold the Ontario govt accountable in court.
Beze Gray, an applicant, is now up to mic. They’re speaking about how government, colonialism and racist environmental policy decisions have allowed for a majority of Canada’s petro-chemical facilities to be located next to their home community of Aamjiwnaang First Nation.
THREAD: Key quotes and takeaways from the Mathur et. al. v. Ontario press conference in Toronto. Follow along… 🧵
“Everything we do in the next 8 years to end our reliance on fossil fuels will be key in the fight for a climate stable future for young people.”
“Doug Ford has failed us. That’s why we’re taking him to court.” — Zoe Keary-Matzner
“My family and I had to live in a hotel for 6 months following the devastating Ontario storm earlier this year. Storms like this will continue to get worse if action isn’t taken against greenhouse gas emissions.” — Sophia Mathur
RT or like if you think EVERY person in Canada has an unqualified right to a healthy environment.
Today, the government re-introduced legislation to the Senate to reform the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). 1/
CEPA regulates exposure to harmful pollution and toxic chemicals and is an essential component of Canada’s environmental laws. Parliament must prioritize the passage of this bill. Full press release:bit.ly/3Lm3Sam 2/
This update is long overdue. A strengthened CEPA would aid delivering environmental justice and provide better protection from toxic chemicals and pollution, the effects of which were not yet well understood even twenty years ago when this law was last reformed. 3/
Now that the election is over, what are the next steps? Here are 4 actions the new federal government can take for our communities and the environment. THREAD
1. MODERNIZE CEPA
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) is supposed to protect the public from toxic pollution and environmental hazards — but the law hasn't been updated in more than 20 years.
In the last Parliament, the government introduced Bill C-28 (reforms to CEPA). The legislation included language recognizing the right to a healthy environment, but due to the snap federal election, Bill C-28 was never debated in the House of Commons and died on the order paper.