CFN – Bill C-38, which was tabled in Parliament on March 29th of this year and passed June 19, 2012 has left many struggling in search of answers to the question, “what can I do about this now?”
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Our elected Members of Parliament passed a Bill which “weakens environmental rules and silences the voices of those who seek to defend them”. These changes have eased the path for industrial mega-project developments such as the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline in Northern B.C., the Alberta tar sands and Quebec’s Plan Nord; projects that put the health of our land, water and climate at risk. This bill marks a significant step backwards in protecting and sustaining the living planet on which we and our children depend.
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So what can we do?
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I had the privilege to meet Dr. Kirsty Duncan, MP of Etobicoke North, earlier this month on a trip to the Toronto area. Dr. Duncan is prepared to speak in Parliament on behalf of the Canadian People who wish to see the Government of Canada review all environmental policy changes announced in the Economic Action Plan 2012, with a view to identify policies that will strengthen Canada’s environmental safeguards; and reverse the changes made to environmental legislation in Bill C-38.
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Just as a side note, here is an article by Elizabeth May which discusses the impact of the some of the C-38 changes to Environmental laws/acts. LINK
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In order for Duncan to make a presentation to Parliament in this regard she must have documentation showing the signature and address information of the interested Canadian Citizens (of voting age) wishing her to act on their behalf. For each 25 signatures documented, Duncan is entitled to one minute of floor time to discuss the petitioned matter. Obviously the more signatures received, the more time she will have to present and convince.
Suggested document is as follows:
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PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
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We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada wish to bring to the attention of the Government of Canada that Canada’s world-renowned natural heritage is at risk and is being further imperilled by the elimination of environmental safeguards developed over the last 50 years, especially through the implementation of the government’s Economic Action Plan 2012 and the passage of Bill C-38, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures, which will result in significant cuts to Environment Canada’s budget, the elimination of essential environmental legislation, the elimination of the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy, the silencing of dissent from environmental non-governmental organizations, and the continued practice of preventing government scientists from speaking publicly about their work; and that these changes will have a negative impact on the Canadian economy today and in the future.
THEREFORE, we request the Government of Canada TO review all environmental policy changes announced in the Economic Action Plan 2012, with a view to identifying policies that will strengthen Canada’s environmental safeguards; and reverse the changes made to environmental legislation in Bill C-38, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 29, 2012 and other measures.
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Signatures Addresses
(Sign your name. Do not print.) (Give your full home address.)
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Kirsty must receive the petitions with the original signatures. These can be forwarded to
Kirsty Duncan, 613 Confederation Building, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
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Do you want to help collect these signatures? If so, you can cut and paste the above information on documents to collect the needed signatures with addresses. It is important that if more than one page is needed for the signatures that the information preceding the signatures “Therefore, we request the Government of Canada……” and all the following information following this sentence, to the lines for the signatures, be included at the top of the page.
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If you are unclear or would rather have a copy of the petition e-mailed to you, I would be happy to do so. Kindly request the petition document from earthmatters@jmilner.com Please also share this article far and wide. The small actions of many has potential for colossal change.
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Further information about Dr. Kirsty Duncan can be found at http://kirstyduncan.liberal.ca/biography/
Your commentary is always encouraged and welcome below or to earthmatters@cornwallfreenews.com
