September 2024 Newsletter

We are learning, as the multiple crises and threats to lands, waters, biodiversity and people unfold, that the impacts upon Indigenous nations and peoples, and their inherent treaty rights are far more negative than on almost everyone else. While more than 400 years of colonization and genocide cannot be undone, what we can do is to listen to and learn from First Nations, Inuit and Metis voices. There are many cases where action is needed. Delays and inaction are not acceptable. Noting that September 30th is National Truth and Reconciliation Day, our focus this month is on Truth and Reconciliation. We are sharing relevant news and upcoming events in an effort to educate and raise awareness. We feel it is important to build and strengthen relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples, based on care and mutual respect, both with one another, and with the land itself. We also call upon elected officials across Canada to recognize and respect Indigenous sovereignty and stewardship, and to enact the laws, policies and, regulations and consultation that fulfil the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice.

In February 2022 Elizabeth May, Green Party MP (Saanich-Gulf Islands BC) reintroduced Canada’s first environmental justice law, Bill C-226 – An Act Respecting the Development of a National Strategy to Assess, Prevent and Address Environmental Racism and to Advance Environmental Justice. On June 24, 2024 it received Royal Assent. This law addresses Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 19, which calls for, in part, “the federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal peoples, to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities”.The law follows years of research by professor Dr. Ingrid Waldron of McMaster University on Mi’kmaw and Black communities exposed to environmental hazards in Nova Scotia. Lenore Zann, Liberal MP from Cumberland-Colchester 2019-2021 originally introduced a private member’s bill seeking environmental justice for vulnerable communities, but an election was called before that bill was passed. For more details refer to the excellent explainer by Denise Balkassoon (The Narwhal).

In our blog this month we focus on the status of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the importance of political will, and the need for all Canadians to be involved.

Some recent events do not provide us with much confidence. In a speech in Vancouver in late June, Pierre Poilievre proposed getting rid of “government paternalism”, and encouraging “economic reconciliation” which he explained would see Indigenous communities having control over industrial activities on their land. This position is a questionable benefit, as it perpetuates exploitative practices on Indigenous lands under the guise of progress and mutual benefit while ignoring inherent treaty rights, the risks of contamination of lands, water, fish and wildlife, and exposure to pollution and industrial hazards.And in July 2024, at an address to the Assembly of First Nations in Montreal, some First Nations leaders turned their backs on CPC leader Pierre Poilievre. The leaders said this was a response to his attacks on gender-diverse people, two-spirit people and trans youth, and the “blind eye” and “roadblocks” experienced by Indigenous veterans when trying to petition Conservative elected officials.

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) advocates to improve the health of communities – especially children – by addressing environmental pollution and harmful industrial toxins. They are celebrating the passage of Canada’s first Environmental Justice Law, so we are celebrating CAPE! CAPE’s Toxics program has begun the Place Based Power Project in partnership with the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition and Keepers of the Water, complementing CAPE’s existing work on Bill C-226 and Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Reform. In collaboration with communities impacted by fossil fuel extraction, the project goals are to start conversations, increase awareness, and find solutions. 

Ecojustice is Canada’s largest environmental law charity. We are taking this opportunity to recognize their excellent work – to defend nature, combat climate change, fight for a healthy environment, and deliver lasting solutions to Canada’s most urgent environmental problems. In an August 29, 2024 release the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, Kispiox Valley Community Centre Association, and Kispiox Band, represented by Ecojustice lawyers, annouced they have filed a judicial review to “hold the BCER [BC Energy Regulator] to account for breaking its own rules and ignoring concerns from communities directly impacted” by construction of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline. This 900 km pipeline would transport fracked gas across northern B.C. to the West Coast, and the pre-construction process has been “shrouded in secrecy”.

Sept. 18  Grassy River Run:

Walk with Grassy Narrows youth and community members at Grange Park in Toronto to show solidarity with them on their path to achieve mercury justice and freedom! Grassy Narrows people are powerful leaders in the movement for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice. They have shown that together we can fight for justice against all odds and make real gains. So much is still needed to right the wrong of mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows. To learn more, register and sign up to go on a bus, click on the image above or visit:  https://freegrassy.net/river-run-toolkit-september-18th-2024/ 

Sept. 23 to 27: Truth and Reconciliation Week:

The Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is offering a wide variety of free activities and events – both in person and virtual. Learn more & register:https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-and-learns/The Woodland Cultural Centre is holding Truth and Reconciliation events, both virtual and in-person in September – to learn more and register: https://woodlandculturalcentre.ca/upcoming-events/We also encourage you to find events that honour Truth and Reconciliation this month in your local area.

Sept. 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

For some Truth and Reconciliation Day is known as Orange Shirt Day.  The small action of wearing an orange shirt (inspired by Phyllis Webstad’s story) makes a statement of support for reconciliation, and a commitment to the enduring truth that Every Child Matters. If you opt to participate, we encourage you to purchase and support an Indigenous-owned business or Indigenous organization near you. The Woodland Cultural Centre and Red Rebel Armour are examples of trusted sources.

October 1: National Day of Climate Action:

Seniors for Climate is organizing events across Canada. Learn more: https://seniorsforclimate.org/

Seniors for Climate logo image of elder woman holding the earth with a young male. Message below image: Later is too late

Our “Meeting of the Minds” was held virtually on Aug 29 with academics from across Canada who are hearing about our call for progressive parties to stop vote splitting. They are thinking about the climate of rising disinformation, and ways to involve students in our elections. They shared that framing these issues as a challenge to our Canadian democracy would be useful. There is concern because students do not usually engage in partisan activity, but are more focussed on existential issues – structural issues. In this past year, for example, student encampments brought together many students from different universities, creating a network of trust to call for universities (among other things) to divest from funds that support the wanton destruction and genocidal assault on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We will continue this dialogue and plan to develop resources and strategies to engage students and younger voters.

Indigenous peoples have been stewarding Turtle Island since time immemorial.  Cultural understandings about the interdependence of all creation, the responsibility to care for biodiversity, and to protect natural landscapes – grasslands, forests, rivers, wetlands – are recognized as an important contribution to mitigate carbon emissions. Indigenous wisdom guides forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk. (You may recall we discussed the threat of wildfires in our blog last month).

As just one example of Indigenous stewardship, a coalition of Treaty No. 9 Nations are coming together to protect the Breathing Lands from unchecked industrial development by taking Ontario and Canada to court to press for co-jurisdiction in Treaty No. 9 territory – one of the world’s most vital carbon sinks, located in the Hudson Bay Lowlands – giving them greater decision-making power over resource extraction projects on their lands.

Learn more: https://raventrust.com/campaigns/breathing-lands/

In other news, 770 acres of prime farmland is under threat of expropriation in Wilmot Township in Waterloo Region, Ontario as part of a plan to assemble land for a mega industrial facility. This approach is drastic for:

  • the unusual use of expropriation to support private development (not roads or other public infrastructure)
  • its lack of transparency (all elected representatives have signed Non-disclosure Agreements)
  • the wall of silence facing concerned citizens (the denial of more than 20 of their Freedom of Information Requests from the impacted farmers and property owners, and silence in response to a list of 70+ questions and a public letter
  • there is no indication that consultation with First Nations has been done

One thing is known: Doug Ford’s PC government is funding this project with taxpayer’s money. Observers note there are numerous parallels with the Greenbelt Scandal that has plagued Ford since 2022, when his government attempted to remove parcels of protected land from the Greenbelt – also without consultation with First Nations. That scandal is the subject of several investigations and an ongoing RCMP criminal investigation.

The public is demonstrating strong support for the Wilmot farmers against this egregious plan to destroy prime farmland – most recently with a trail of 50 tractors travelling to Region of Waterloo Headquarters into downtown Kitchener. Farmers need long term security to plan and run their operations. This decision to disrupt the permanent protection of the Countryside Line undoes decades of good planning by Waterloo Region, and has destroyed the farmers’ trust in government.

“A country’s ability to feed its own population is an important pillar of a well-functioning and sustainable society.”

A huge concern: Ontario is losing 319 acres of farmland every day. This loss is unsustainable and does not bode well for the future of Canadian agriculture. Farmland is a finite, non-renewable resource – only 5% of Canada’s landmass is farmland.

It should not be just farmers across the country keeping a close eye on this. Learn more: https://www.fightforfarmland.com/

Our theme for October will be our Canadian democracy, and how the Canadian public was both unprepared and shocked when the Conservative Party of Canada, under Prime Minister Harper, brought the US Republican playbook to Canada.  We recommend this documentary from 1 year ago, which has not yet received the media attention it deserves:  E-DAY CANADA: WHEN VOTER SUPPRESSION CAME CALLING by Documentarian Peter SmoczynskiLink to the trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPtpZDsqLsM  

Our Newsletter still needs a name! Please send us your suggestions.

Thank you for reading!

Find us on social media: