by Isabelle Moody Canada’s natural beauty and wildlife, along with our multiculturalism and social responsibility, were at the core of the Canadian character. Today, this country is a driving proponent of all that is leading our world into environmental and economic decline with social disparity for first nations people and younger generations. How did this change in Canada’s core values happen?
The Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River shows contagious disease travelling from farmed fish to wild salmon. Nevertheless, the latest federal bill makes significant changes to the Fisheries Act before the Commission gives its recommendations.
The International Food and Inspection Agency has been ordered to close its Research and Inspection Office in Saanich. The federal budget has eliminated more than 11,000 staff, notably biologists and veterinarians and Parks Canada staff.
Cuts have led to moving BC’s command centre for oil spill response to Montreal, Quebec. Who will provide research to protect our wild fish, our food, our oceans and our public health?
The latest Bill C-38, disguised as an adjunct budget bill, eliminates decades of environmental protection including: Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, Fisheries Act, Navigable Waters Protection Act, Species at Risk Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, National Round Table on Environment and Economy Act and the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act. This bill allows cabinet to overrule independent committees, such as the National Energy Board. These major decisions can now be made by politicians, rather than by the scientists and professionals with public input.
This may lead to approval of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project, bringing two pipelines full of toxic oil and bitumen from Alberta’s tar sands to BC’s coast. These pipelines will cross more than 900 streams and rivers to transfer their toxic fuel to tankers plying Hecate Strait—one of the most dangerous coastal waters in the world. Unbelievably, this fossil fuel is headed for China and ports south, while Canada’s east coast continues to import oil.
A realistic and beautiful photo story of the area and the project, called The True Cost of Oil, is at http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxVictoria-Garth-Lenz-Provinc.
It seems our current government thinks we are running out of time to sell everything fast. Sounds like the values of a bankrupt business, not those of the Canada I once felt proud of.
We need to recognize the real limits to the earth and its natural systems. We need to reduce, recycle, reuse and refuse rather than run to the store for our every want.
We can commit to less travel, buy smaller and fewer vehicles and buy good used items instead of new ones.
We need to protect nature and our environment and learn about its interconnected systems.
We need to increase support to conservation and environmental charities, which currently receive less than four per cent of Canadian charitable gifts.
We need to vote and make our values known to governments who are elected to represent their constituents and the greater public interest.
We can choose culture change, rather than climate change, by living with foresight, compassion, respect and responsibility. Then, we will again feel proud of being Canadian.
Isabelle Moody is a BC coast islander who lives near the site of a planned new coal mine and, like all wildlife up and down the BC coast, would be affected by an oil spill. She and her family live off-grid, using solar power for virtually all of their power needs.
