Metro Vancouver’s proposed solid waste management plan is drawing fire over its waste incineration component. The region plans to increase recycling from 50% to 70% and burn the remaining 30%. While burning garbage could potentially provide energy and heat to nearby neighbourhoods, critics warn that incineration creates toxic air pollution, releasing "emissions of mercury, lead and cadmium into the atmosphere". Several municipalities are opposing the plan, while others are requesting more detailed information before proceeding. Read the full story in the Georgia Straight.
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.
New Report shows that Farmers’ Markets Contribute $3.09 Billion to Canadian Economy.
A report commissioned in 2008 by FMC (Farmers’ Market Canada ) has found that farmers’ markets have an economic impact of $3.09 billion dollars annually on the Canadian economy. The study also shows that 62% of Canadians feel that buying directly from farmers is extremely important. Read the study here.
Green Builders Consider the Benefits of Green Roofs, White Roofs
Green builders are currently examining the environmental benefits of different roofing systems, focusing much of their research on white roofs and green roofs. While green roofs are expensive, test sites in New York City have shown that green roofs are very effective at reducing the urban heat island effect, absorbing stormwater and keeping buildings cool in summer and warm in winter. Read more here.
Canada-EU trade talks: jumping from one sinking ship to another
Read Jim Stanford’s Op-Ed on the CETA Trade Agreement in the Globe and Mail.
Former Vancouver Mayor Recieves City’s Highest Honour
On July 6th, former Vancouver Mayor, Art Phillips received the Freedom of the City Award. Under Mayor Phillips, the City of Vancouver adopted socially and environmentally progressive policies that laid out the foundation for what is today one of the most livable cities in the world. Mayor Phillips and his party rejected the plan to build a freeway into downtown, saved Strathcona, Vancouver’s most significant cultural and architectual neighbourhood, and created South False Creek, an area of abundant parkland and mixed income housing, featuring the largest piece of the city’s co-op housing stock. Read the full story in the Vancouver Sun.
Federal Government Cutting Back Mandatory Census Collection
The Federal Government is cutting back on the collection of statistical information from Canadians. The Conservatives reason that much of the information collected is an intrusion on personal privacy. However, community groups, and those who conduct research and develop policy say that this move will seriously harm the quality of their work. Census information is widely used to establish the need for schools, hospitals and transit in communities. Read the full story in The Globe and Mail.
Green Infrastructure Better for Storm Water Control
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago have concluded that green infrastructure is better suited to deal with storm water runoff that the traditional use of curbs and gutters, detention ponds and storm sewers. Green infrastructure incorporates permeable pavement, green roofs and constructed wetlands to reduce the flow of pollutants into sewers and ultimately into rivers, streams, oceans and lakes.
Read more here.
Violence in Neighbourhoods Lowers Children’s IQ Scores
A murder in a neighbourhood often lowers the IQ scores of children within a 10 block radius. Although this dip in IQ seems to go back to normal after 10 days, the post-traumatic stress of children who live in violent crime-ridden neighbourhoods accounts for lower IQ scores and poorer academic performance. Read the full story in Reuters.
Canada EU Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will jeopardize municipal water services and local procurement policies
Canadian Trade Lawyer Steve Shrybman presented a number of worrying scenarios at a dialogue session hosted by the Centre for Civic Governance last Friday at the FCM. He pointed out that the “The European Union has made a pointed request that drinking water services be included in the trade agreement, opening the door for big multinational firms to “stake” a claim in municipal water systems.” This would open the doors for the privatization and foreign control over water. The agreement also threatens the ability of municipalities to buy locally, and companies could no longer be favoured in the bidding process by their investment in the local community. So far, many municipalities seem to be unaware of the consequences of this binding agreement. Click here to read Shrybman’s report. Read more in the Toronto Star.
Local Elections Task Force Delivers its Recommendations
The BC Local Elections Task Force delivered its recommendations on improving local government elections yesterday. In their recommendations they highlighted the need for expense limits on local election campaign participants and the need for sponsorship information on all election advertising. Despite pressure from business groups the task force also recommended that corporations not be given a vote in local elections.
The Centre for Civic Governance submitted its recommendations to the elections task force in April. Strengthening Local Democracy.
Vancouver and Toronto Launch Programs to Encourage Newcomers to Ride Bikes
The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition, with support from Vancouver Coastal Health, runs a program that teaches new immigrants how to cycle in Vancouver. A similar program, called “Culture Link”, is being launched in Toronto this June. The programs both aim to reduce stress among newcomers and engage them in new social situations. Read the full story in the Vancouver Sun.
A Tale of Three Cities
A recent study from the Neptis Foundation, titled “Growing Cities,” examines the very different trends in city planning and growth in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. Vancouver is touted as the densest city with the least urban sprawl, thanks in part to proactive city planning in the 1960s and 70s. Calgary has the highest degree of urban sprawl, largely due to the ease with which sprawl can occur into prarie land.