News
Parliament Denies Canadians Mandatory Labelling of GE Foods
7 May 2008 (Ottawa) – A private member’s bill giving consumers the right to know if the food sold in Canada contains genetically engineered (GE) ingredients was defeated in the House of Commons today by a vote of 101 to 156. The defeat of Bill C-517 effectively protects the economic interests of GE companies like Monsanto over the rights of Canadians to know what they eat.
Canadians have a reason to be cautious: GE foods have never been proven to be safe to either human health or the environment, and little independent research has studied the long-term effects of GE foods. The lack of independent research has been criticized by the Royal Society of Canada, whose 2001 expert panel report on biotechnology continues to be ignored by the federal government.
Full article: http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/.
Lake Diefenbaker Area Identified as Potential Nuclear Plant Site in Saskatchewan
Regina, May 7, 2008 (Canadian Press) - A leaked report suggests the area around Lake Diefenbaker would be the best potential site for a nuclear power plant in Saskatchewan.
The report, prepared for SaskPower and leaked to CBC Radio, recommends a site on the eastern shore of the lake between the Gardiner Dam and the town of Elbow. It says plant output would be split between Saskatchewan and Alberta.
But the report also says that if SaskPower wants to advance the project, future studies should be done to assess competing uses for Lake Diefenbaker's water. The lake provides domestic supply for about 40 per cent of the province.
Full article: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2008/05/07/saskpower-nuclear.html.
Action Alerts
Call to Action Biofuels - Bill C-33
Bill C-33 provides a $2.2 billion subsidy for biofuels and requires that all gasoline include 5% biofuel content by 2010. Yet there is increasing evidence to show that the rush to biofuels will do more environmental harm than good. And converting food crops to fuel, causing food prices to skyrocket out of reach of millions of hungry people, is a "crime against humanity, says United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Jean Ziegler. Bill C-33 is coming up for 3rd and final reading. Stop the Canadian Bill that would commit us to biofuels use - you can go directly to http://www.rightoncanada.ca to send a letter if you like.
Take Action to Stop Genetically Engineered Trees
The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) is requesting sign-on from groups to an open letter to the Canadian Government asking for an end to approvals of field trials in Canada and asking to support an international moratorium on GE trees. Individuals are asked to write to the Minister of the Environment. Deadline May 14th.
Sign-on to the open letter and write to the Minister at http://www.cban.ca/trees.
Natural Herbal Products: Bill C-51
A new law being pushed in Canada by Big Pharma seeks to outlaw up to 60 percent of natural health products currently sold in Canada, even while criminalizing parents who give herbs or supplements to their children. The law, known as C-51, was introduced by the Canadian Minister of Health on April 8th, 2008, and it proposes sweeping changes to Canada’s Food and Drugs Act that could have devastating consequences on the health products industry.
To sign the petition, go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/409724. Deadline is Friday, May 9th.
World Leaders: Stop the World Food Crisis
We've plunged into a world food crisis: soaring crop prices sowing inflation and squeezing households round the world, 100 million more facing starvation and food riots flaring from Egypt to Bangladesh. In Sierra Leone alone rice prices have doubled, leaving 90% of the country unable to provide food for their family.
Sign the petition at http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_food_crisis/9.php?cl=83805885.
Participate in the Civil Society Response to Bisphenol-A Draft Assessment
Following the soon to be released draft assessment on Bisphenol-A (BPA) by Health Canada, there will be a 60-day comment period during which civil society groups can provide input and make recommendations on the management of BPA in Canada. BPA is one of the chemicals currently under review under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) Challenge.
The RCEN plans to coordinate a civil society response to this assessment as part of its CMP Capacity Building Project. NGOs that are interested in collaborating on this response should contact Leela Ramachandran, National Caucus Coordinator, at (613) 728-9810 ext. 223, email leela@cen-rce.org.
Coming Events
Regina
Wings Over Wascana (WOW) Nature Festival
May 8 - 10th, Wascana CentreWOW is an outdoor nature festival at Wascana Marsh offering free wetland and wildlife activities, entertainment and guided hikes for people of all ages. This annual festival occurs on the second Saturday in May to coincide with International Migratory Bird Day. Preceding this public event is a fundraising dinner on Thursday evening to raise monies for interpretive components at the marsh, followed by an interactive and educational day for school students on Friday. Public programming begins on Friday evening and continues all day Saturday. Please join us in our celebration of wetlands and wildlife!
This year John Acorn - The Nature Nut will be the feature guest!
The main Tent Village will be located near Douglas Park Track & Field (McDonald St. & Assiniboine Ave.) and all programs are offered free to the general public.
Details at http://www.wascanamarsh.ca/wow08.htm.
SCIC 2008 NGO Day
May 13th, 3 - 7 pm, Legislative BuildingThis is a great opportunity for Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation members to showcase their work as well as network with MLAs and other SCIC members. Cost is $25.00 and SCIC can provide transportation from Saskatoon to Regina Please RSVP by phoning 757-4669 or emailing scic@web.ca.
Sask. Network for Alternatives to Pesticides AGM
May 14th, 5:30 pm, Pasta Prima Restaurant, 4440 Albert St.The SNAP Annual General Meeting will be held over supper. Each person is expected to pay for their own supper. Please RSVP your attendance to dp.hjertaas@sasktel.net so there is adequate space reserved for everyone.
The AGM will be followed by a tour of the Hjertaas’s yard where many of the natural and reduced-risk yard care methods will be discussed (corn gluten, native plants, mulches, etc).
Knowledge and Innovation for Sustainability: Assessing and Adopting Beneficial Practices
May 25 - 27, University of ReginaThe RCE Conference of the Americas presented by RCE Saskatchewan will take place at the University of Regina on May 25-27, 2008.
What is the role of education in knowledge and innovation for sustainable development? What are we learning as regions as we seek to improve quality of life for all while living within the limits of our supporting ecosystem? Regional Centres of Expertise of the United Nations University from across the Americas and the world invite you to participate as we advance the U.N. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD 2005-2014) at this critical moment in our planet's history.
Details at http://www.saskrce.ca/conference2008.
Saskatoon
Celebrating Fair Trade: Strong Coffee & Women's Stories
May 9th, 8 pm, St. James Anglican ChurchThe documentary premiere of the film Strong Coffee: The Story of Café Femenino will be shown at 8 pm, plus a presentation by Fundacion entre Mujeres, a Nicaraguan organization supporting Women’s Coffee Cooperatives. Doors open at 7:30 pm.
Tickets: $5 advance (or $7 at the door) available at: Turning the Tide Bookstore: (525 11th St. E.), A Soft Landing (1814B Lorne Ave.) and Ten Thousand Villages (600 – 45th St. W.). Organized by the North Saskatchewan Fair Trade Network. For information, phone 966-7936.
Sponsored by: U. of S. Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, U. of S. College of Medicine, Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation, Ten Thousand Villages,, Turning the Tide Bookstore & Video Rentals, Engineers Without Borders, A Soft Landing, and Oxfam Canada.
We Are Many Festival Fundraiser
May 14th, 7 pm, College of Law Bldg., U. of S.Yann Martel invites everyone to attend the We Are Many (http://www.wearemanyfestival.com) fundraiser at the new College of Law building on campus.
Skip Kutz and Shelley Ewing, both well-known local jazz musicians, will provide the entertainment; there will also be plenty of food. The program will be short and sweet.
Everything is free, but Yann hopes you will joinhime in contributing to We Are May – in fact, je will be matching donations that evening (up to $3000). Come out and support the young people who are making a world-class event happen right here in Saskatoon.
SOS Elms Coalition Annual General Meeting
May 29th, 7:30 pm, The Refinery (Lower Level)SOS Elms Coalition will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Thursday May 29th at the Refinery, on Dufferin Avenue at 12th Street.
Everyone is welcome!
The Community Development Society 40th Annual International Conference
June 22 - 25, Delta Bessborough HotelIn order to build healthy, sustainable communities, pursuing a meaningful dialogue with all citizens, including those in our private and public sectors, is vital. We invite you to contribute to our conversation in June of 2008 as we convene those passionate about community—from practitioners to academics, researchers and interested citizens.
Plenary Speakers will be Sandy Heierbacher (Director of the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation) and Paul Born, Co-Founder, President of Tamarack an Institute for Community Engagement.
For more information about the conference and registration please go to http://www.comm-dev.org.
Other
The Big Wild: Launch
May 23rd, 7:30 pm, Land of the Loon Conference Centre, Anglin LakePlease join with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Mountain Equipment Co-op and Tourism Saskatchewan as we launch "The Big Wild" in Saskatchewan. Come and hear about "The Big Wild" initiatives (http://thebigwild.org) and how you can help to protect Canada's wilderness.
Featuring presentations by Ric Driediger: Adventure Tourism in Northern Saskatchewan; and Dan Frandsen: "Prince albert Greater Ecosystem Woodland Caribou Research". Music by singer-songwriter Mark Ceaser.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Gord at 306 469-2356, or email vaadeland@sasktel.net.
Baillie Birdathon
May 24th, Last Mountain Bird ObservatoryEnjoy a morning of birding around Last Mountain Bird Observatory, located in Last Mountain Regional Park just west of Govan! Following this there will be a BBQ (small fee) hosted by the park, and an opportunity to visit a Great-horned Owl nest and band owlets.
If you would like to help raise funds for Last Mountain Bird Observatory, you can register for the Baillie Birdathon and find sponsors for the number of species you see (or sponsor yourself!) or you can sponsor our LMBO Birdathon leader, Jared Clarke. A tax receipt is issued for all sponsorships over $10. To register for the Baillie Birdathon (and receive a great t-shirt!), call Bird Studies Canada (1-888-448-2473 ext.210), or visit BSC at http://www.bsc-eoc.org to download your Birdathon Participant kit - be sure to name "Nature Saskatchewan" as your sponsoring club on the registration form so that funds will go to LMBO.
Can't make it to LMBO? Naturalists of all feathers can join in the Birdathon: sign up, find sponsors and get out in May to see as many species as possible in one day at a location of your choice. Go it alone or with a buddy, or check with your local nature club - a bird enthusiast may be leading a local Birdathon.
Check out the Baillie Birdathon notice in the News Room of the Nature Saskatchewan website for more information, or contact us in Regina at 780-9273 or 1-800-667-4668 (SK only).
Masonry Workshop
May 31st - June 1st, Craik Eco-CentreStudents will have the opportunity to learn to work with stone, instructed by Greg Chatterson. Cost is $75 per student.
Sponsored by Craik Sustainable Living Project. For information or registration, phone 306-734-2605 or email: eade@sasktel.net.
Saskatchewan Eco-Network AGM
June 14th, 11am - 4 pm, Redberry LakePlan to attend SEN's Annual General Meeting, to be held at Redberry Biosphere Reserve Interpretive Centre, Redberry Lake Regional Park on Saturday June 14th.
Come early and enjoy a nature walk at 11 am with Mike Finley, long-time cottage owner, member of the Saskatoon Nature Society and connoisseur of wild herbal teas. Bring a picnic or buy your lunch at the park concession and enjoy some visiting time with ecologically-minded folks from around the province over the noon hour.
This year we will have a special presentation. Roger B. Hillier, Petitions Manager at the Office of the Auditor General of Canada, will be speaking on the role of the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development and specifically on the petition process as a tool to bring about positive environmental changes.
Our Annual General Meeting will follow the presentation.
Redberry Lake is approximately 100 km northwest of Saskatoon, access via Highway 340. Highway 340 intersects Highway 16 northwest of the Borden Bridge, and intersects Highway 12 at Blaine Lake, southwest of Prince Albert.
2008 Ness Creek Music Festival - Call for Eco-Village Participants
July 17th - 20th, near Big RiverThe Ness Creek Music Festival is celebrating its 18th year. It has grown into a major Canadian Festival drawing about 3,000 people per day, over four days. The Festival site is nestled in the boreal forest a few miles from Big River, Saskatchewan and adjacent to the Prince Albert National Park.
Ecological awareness and promotion of alternative ideas and services has always been an important part of the Ness Creek Festival. The Eco-Village provides opportunities for individuals and groups to display, promote, workshop, discuss and sell their ideas and services with Festival goers.
If you're interested in applying to be an Eco-Village participant, please contact Brenda Goldsworthy at 652-2485 bgoldsworthy@sasktel.net or Gary Smith at 664-2330 smithgroenen@sasktel.net.
The Ness Creek Cultural & Recreational Society is a not-for-profit organization that exists primarily to create an annual Festival to celebrate Music, Arts, Community and Ecology in the boreal forest.
Straw Bale Buidling Workshop
August 4 - 8, 2008, Craik Eco CentreDuring this workshop you will have hands-on experience building a straw bale structure from the ground up. Instructor is Dave Dale, and cost is $250 per person. Registration is on a first come basis. Space is limited so if interested register early.
Sponsored by Craik Sustainable Living Project. For information or registration, phone 306-734-2605 or email: eade@sasktel.net.
Job Opportunities/Call for Delegates/Proposals
Saskatoon Homeless Count 2008 - Volunteers Needed
As you probably know, housing and homelessness are becoming increasing concerns given the economic climate in Saskatoon. The Community University Institute for Social Research (CUISR), funded by Service Canada, is planning a homeless count for Saskatoon. We are currently recruiting survey volunteers for this project, which will take place on the evening of Thursday, May 22, 2008. Surveyors will work with a team of volunteers and conduct in person interviews in shelters or outside, in a designated area of Saskatoon. CUISR has developed a comprehensive safety plan and has implemented a number of measures to ensure surveyors enjoy their volunteer experience.
The time commitment will include one six hour day of training and between four and seven hours on May 22, depending on what you would like to be involved in. Training will be offered on May 10, 17 and 18. Food and refreshments will be provided on the training and survey days.
The results of the survey will be used to inform community service providers, policy makers, and the general public with a clearer picture of what absolute homelessness looks like in Saskatoon. It will allow service providers to better tailor services to our local context.
If you're interested in signing up, email the Homeless Count office at homelesscount2008@gmail.com and ask for a sign up form.
Researchers Wanted for Prairie Water Issues
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Saskatchewan Office is looking for research associates, in particular, a person who would write a paper for us on the issues related to prairie water supply. We publish short 2000 word pieces in our SaskNotes newsletter and longer more scholarly works up to 20,000 words in our Occasional Papers. Some funding is available to support research and writing.
Their website is http://www.policyalternatives.ca.
Please contact Brian Banks, Acting Director, Saskatchewan Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), #105 – 2505, 11th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 0K6. Phone:(306) 924-3372. Fax: (306) 586-5177 E-mail: ccpasask@sasktel.net.
Policy Intern
Safe Drinking Water FoundationThe Safe Drinking Water Foundation (SDWF) has been funded by Max Bell Foundation to hire a Policy Intern.
If you have a degree in Political Studies, International Studies or Journalism (with political knowledge), Aboriginal Government, Aboriginal Law, or Law and are located anywhere in Canada, the Safe Drinking Water Foundation wants to hear from you.
Full time position for four months through summer 2008, potential for position to be extended part time for up to two years giving great flexibility to student pursuing Masters or Doctorate in one of these disciplines. Successful candidate must have strong research writing skills, be comfortable talking with politicians and bureaucrats, be outgoing, problem solving individual who takes initiative.
Interested applicants apply to admin@safewater.org or phone 306-867-8067 for more information. Website: http://www.safewater.org
Two Evergreen Grant Programs Now Accepting Applications
Evergreen Common Grounds is now accepting applications for two grant programs supporting community environmental restoration projects.
The Home Depot-Evergreen Rebuilding Nature Grant 2008 provides grants of $1,000, $3,000 or $8,000 - plus $2,000 in Home Depot gift cards - to cover the costs of tools and building, native plants and trees, and other expenses associated with urban environmental stewardship projects in Canada. Guidelines and Application Form at: http://www.evergreen.ca/en/cg/cg-funding.html. The application deadline is Friday, June 6th 2008.
The Unilever-Evergreen Aquatic Stewardship and Conservation Grant Program 2008 provides grants of between $3,500 and $10,000 to support small-scale, community-driven, education and restoration projects that increase public awareness of sustainable water use and the importance of aquatic features, while providing meaningful opportunities for community action. Download the grant Guidelines and Application Form at: http://www.evergreen.ca/en/cg/cg-funding.html. The application deadline is Friday, June 13th 2008.
Kaleidoscope Video Challenge
The Kaleidoscope Challenge is a chance for media-savvy young people ages 8 to 18 to express themselves about what global issues concern them most. To participate in the contest, young people (as individuals or in classes or groups) should plan and produce a video of five minutes or less, and enter by following the instructions on the contest web site at http://www.videochallenge.ca.
Deadline has been extended until May 16th, 2008. Entries must be in a DVD or VCD version and must include a parental consent form, available on the contest website.
SCIC will coordinate a provincial selection process and awards night in April, and two provincial winners will receive a digital video camera or equivalent in cash ($1,000). A national winner will also be selected. Call SCIC at 757-4669 or e-mail scic@web.ca for assistance or more information.