Centre for Civic Governance

The Centre for Civic Governance works to support community leadership meeting today’s social and environmental challenges: climate change, Canada’s increasing equity gap, and shifting social trends. At the Centre for Civic Governance, our goal is to strengthen Canadian communities through sharing best practices, providing tools for locally elected leaders, and progressive policy analysis. We strive to provide knowledge and information to make real and positive social change.

Edmonton embarks on ambitious green plan

A comprehensive sustainable growth plan for Edmonton was approved by city council on July 20th. “The Way We Green describes a future Edmonton that is carbon-neutral, generates zero waste, is significantly less dependent on fossil fuels, has clean air and water, is able to withstand and bounce back intact from a range of possible environmental disturbances, and where in the course of everyday life, residents experience a strong connection with nature.” City staff is now working on an implementation plan to be presented in the fall.

Click here for more information on “The Way We Green.”

Climate change unleashing toxic chemicals stored in arctic ice

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are man-made substances that were once heavily used in pesticides and insecticides, but were restricted in 2001 due to their toxic nature. Air and ocean currents carried many of the pollutants to the arctic where they became trapped in the ice. A new study has shown that climate change and the melting of artcic ice is allowing the toxins to remobilize. POPs are now being discovered in high concentrations in the food chain and are becoming a threat to human and animal health. Read more at the Toronto Sun.

Find Report: Revolatilization of persistent organic pollutants in the Arctic induced by climate change, in the Nature Climate Change Journal here.

Closed-door CETA negotiations may be handing over local water rights

BC municipalities are becoming increasingly concerned about CETA negotiations that are taking place behind closed doors. It appears that the trade agreement between Canada and the European Union would give limit the right to procure local goods and services and would give large multinationals access to local water contracts. Squamish councillor Patricia Heintzman has pointed out that municipalities have tried to get a permanent exemption from the CETA contract, even passing a motion at UBCM and FCM, but so far, the federal and provincial governments have been unresponsive to their requests. Read more in the Squamish Chief.

CRD bans biosolids from farmland

Applying biosolids (treated sewage) to farmland as a fertilizer is a common, but controversial practice that has resulted in some very toxic fields. Although it is banned in some countries, Canada has no such policy. Victoria councillor Philippe Lucas made a motion to the CRD to ban biosolids and it passed unanimously. Read more in the Times Colonist.

What is poverty costing us in BC?

A new video from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) on the cost of poverty in BC. It turns out it costs more to allow poverty to continue than it does to implement solutions. Read the CCPA’s full report, “The Cost of Poverty in BC” here.

Report shows dramatic widening in Canada’s income gap

The Conference Board of Canada has released a new report titled, How Canada Performs: Is Canada becoming more unequal? The study shows that while income gap has been a trend for 33 years, it has accelerated since 1993. The study uses median income to gauge whether or not incomes have been increasing amongst low and medium income and the study shows only a 5.5% rise since 1976. In fact,only the richest Canadians have seen their incomes grow. Currently the richest Canadians take home 39.2 per cent of total national income.

Report: How Canada Performs: Is Canada becoming more unequal?

Grand Forks council oppose CETA agreement

Councillors in Grand Forks have voted to send a letter to their local MLA and MP expressing their opposition to the CETA agreement currently being negotiated. Council member Gene Robert explained,

“The first thing that bothers me about CETA is that they’re negotiating our procurement ability, our ability to purchase as a municipality…I think these European major corporations are looking at possibly taking over management of our water, our waste and of our recycling – these are big companies. The thing that bothers me the most about CETA is the fact that we’re not at the table.”

Local food policy passes in Saanich

Despite worries that a Canada European Trade Agreement (CETA) will threaten local procurement policies, many Canadian municipalities are moving ahead and developing their local food motions. THe Saanich District in BC just passed a policy that would make local food a priority at district events, at council meetings, and at cafes in recreation centres.

Toronto looking to scrap bike lanes

A few of Toronto’s bike lanes, Jarvis St., Pharmacy Ave. and Birchmount Rd. may be scrapped if Mayor Ford has his way. A vote will be held this week to decide if they stay or go. Despite a large amount of public support for the lanes, particularly from residents in the nearby areas, the Mayor and some councillors believe the lanes pose too much of an inconvenience to drivers.

BC communities make room for solar power

Last month, thirty-six BC communities adopted a policy requiring all new homes to be solar ready, meaning they will be built with space to accommodate a solar hot water heating system. The Canadian Solar Industries Association(CanSia) is pleased with the policy noting that “Solar energy creates more jobs than any other energy resource through production, installation and research.”

Green City Index Report

A new report takes an independent look at 27 North American Cities and rates their environmental performance. The US and Canada Green City Index reports on 9 key areas in urban sustainability; CO₂, energy, land use, buildings, water, waste air and environmental governance. Each city is provided with an environmental profile that examines in detail areas where the city excels or needs improvement. Although the report misses out in some key areas, namely food security and biodiversity, it provides plenty of interesting information.

Hike in gas tax will help pay for Evergreen Line

On Wednesday Metro Vancouver Mayors agreed to a 2-cent increase in the region’s gas tax to help pay for a rapid transit line for the region’s northeast sector. The Evergreen line has been on hold for years due to a funding gap. It is expected that this additional tax will provide a much needed $40 million for the project. Read more at the CBC.