Concerns arising over talk to commodify Canadian water during negotiations of the Canada-European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) have prompted Lillooet City Council and Mayor Dennis Bontron to prepare resolutions for higher governments. The resolutions, which will be sent to the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) convention, appeal for provincial and federal governments to refuse discussions of free trade negotiations to commodify water. Read the full story in the Lillooet News.
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.
Trade agreement percieved as threat to Canadian water systems
A report from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and Council for Canadians expresses concern over the proposed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) currently being negotiated between Canada and the European Union. The report states that EU negotiators want Canadian municipal water utilities to be included in a chapter on public procurement, which may lead to the privatization of public water systems. Many municipal councils are voicing their opposition. Read the full story in the Sicamous Eagle Valley News.
Why feminism still matters
Sixty-five years after the United Nations officially recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day, gender equality still remains a work in progress. Women are disproportionately represented as victims of violence, and comprise the majority of the world’s poor. Gender discrimination is also apparent in workplaces across the globe, including Canada where the gender inequality gap has increased since the 1980s. Read the full story in the Vancouver Sun.
Why human rights, safe schools, and Pink Shirt Day matter
On February 21 the Vancouver board of education unanimously passed a motion of support for Bill C-389, a federal bill that would add gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code. Gender identity and expression are common grounds for bullying and harassment among school-aged youth. As schools take part in antibullying campaigns on Pink Shirt Day (February 23), they should also show their support for Bill C-389. Read the full story in The Georgia Straight.
BC’s school libraries are most affected by chronic underfunding
Many schools across the province are facing major budget shortfalls, and according to a recent report, it is libraries that bear the brunt of cost-cutting measures. In the 2009-2010 year, parents and schools were able to raise 1.2 million dollars to keep school libraries afloat. However, dollars raised varied widely according to neighbourhood income, underscoring the reality that those living in poorer communities suffer most when budget cuts are made.
In Vancouver and Burnaby school board chairs, Patty Bacchus and Larry Hayes are challenging new Premier Christy Clark to put her “Families First” commitment into play by supporting public schools.
Read article in the Georgia Straight.
Read BCTF new release.
UNDP Interactive Project Map
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) created an interactive map highlighting the projects they have implemented across the world in an effort to combat or mitigate climate change. Projects can be categorized into the following sectors: climate change adaptation, capacity development, enabling activity, finance, and mitigation. Check out the map at the UNDP website.
Money-losing carbon tax must be fixed: CCPA, Sierra Club
A new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) and Sierra Club BC states that the BC carbon tax is “revenue-negative” and increases social inequality. It argues that instead of funding corporate tax cuts, revenues from the tax should be spent on climate change investments such as public transportation and green job creation. Read the full story in The Tyee, and read the report on the CCPA website.
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the Fourth Assessment Report on Climate Change (AR4) in 2007. AR4 is perhaps the largest and most comprehensive summary of climate change ever written, and assesses scientific, technical and socio-economic information in the understanding of anthropogenic climate change, its potential impacts, and options for mitigation and adaptation. Read the report on the IPCC website.
IPCC Fifth Assessment Report
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will finalize its Fifth Assessment Report on Climate Change (AR5) in September 2014. Compared to previous reports, AR5 will put more emphasis on the socio-economic impacts of climate change and the significance of sustainable development for adaptation and mitigation. It will also provide more region-specific information on climate phenomena, economic analyses, and the evaluation of uncertainties. Read the proposed outline of the report on the IPCC website.
C40 Cities
C40 Cities is a network of cities around the world committed to combating climate change, and provides a platform for cities to share information, gather support and demonstrate leadership. At the C40 website you can find information about initiatives, best practices, and climate action plans for each network city.
Don’t Forget Gay and Trans Kids Are Most Bullied
Students from two Vancouver schools recently organized a flashmob to spread the world about the “international anti-bullying day”, or “Pink Shirt Day”, which occurs on Feb. 23. Despite the students’ choice to wear pink shirts with the word “acceptance” written on them, they lack reference to homophobia and transphobia, which are the most common motives for bullying. Read the full story in The Tyee.
Stockholm 1972
The UN Conference on the Human Environment, better known as the Stockholm Conference, was held in 1972 in Stockholm. It was the UN’s first major conference on international environmental issues and is recognized at the beginning of contemporary political and public awareness of global environmental issues. The declaration produced in Stockholm contains 26 principles regarding environment and development, an Action Plan with 109 recommendations, and a Resolution. Read the full declaration here.