Environment
Vancouver to go on a Road Diet
In an effort to boost cycling as a mode of transportation from 3.7 percent to 10% the city of Vancouver is allocating $25 million dollars towards a two year plan, that will include a reduction in road space for cars. The City has already converted a lane of traffic from the both the Burrard Street Bridge and the Georgia Viaduct to cycling lanes, with very little fuss. Drivers have adjusted to these changes easily.
Vancouver Becomes Canada's First Fair Trade City
Vancouver has signed on to be Canada's first Fair Trade City. With an ethical purchasing policy already in use, this move further establishes the city's commitment to buying products that were made with fair and sustainable labour practices. Read more in the Vancouver Sun.
To view Vancouver's Fair Trade resolution, click here.
Offshore Drilling Put on Hold
The massive oil spill off the coast of Louisiana has promted the White House to put on hold all offshore drilling projects. This comes after Obama recently lifted the moratorium on offshore drilling in Alaska in an attempt to encourage Republicans ito sign on to his Climate Change bill. Read article in Globe and Mail here.
Three BC Municipalities Reject the Terms of the Canada EU Trade Agreement
The Canadian and European "Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement" (C.E.T.A.) is being carefully scrutinized by three BC Municiplaities. The cities of Burnaby, North Vancouver and Trail are asking the province and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for a detailed analysis on the impact of the agreement on local purchasing policies and control over resources. A leaked document has shown that the agreement would eliminate local procurement policies of municipal and provincial governments and open Canada's drinking water systems to private water corporations.
If your city is interested in drafting a resolution on the trade agreement, please see the language adopted here http://www.canadians.org/tradeblog/?p=799.
Vancouver Launches Curbside Composting
The City of Vancouver chose Earth Day to launch its new curbisde composting program. As of today residents can pitch fruit and vegetable food scraps in their yard waste bins. In 2011 the program will expand and allow for the composting of meat, dairy and bread products. Read more in the Vancouver Observer
Toronto to Launch Borrow a Bike Program Next Year
Toronto is set to become the second city in Canada to have a borrow-a-bike program. Currently, Montreal has the program up and running and other Canadian cities, including Vancouver are considering adopting the program. Based on Paris' successful Vélib program, Toronto will make 5,000 bikes available to commuters and recreational users at a small cost. A swipe of the credit card and the bike is yours for the day.
Vancouver council approves backyard chicken plan
Vancouver City Council adds its name to the list of over 300 North American cities that have amended their by-laws to allow for backyard chickens. Read article here.Half a Million Ontario Homes to Get Solar, Wind Power
In an effort to replace coal power, Ontario is moving ahead with large-scale wind and solar projects. The province is aiming to power over half a million Ontario homes with clean energy. Read Globe and Mail story here.
Home-Energy Retrofit Program Suddenly Ends
The popular ecoENERGY Retrofit program that provides grants of up to $5,000 to Canadians who make their homes more energy efficient has come to an abrupt end. Read Globe and Mail article here:Homeowners who had already booked an appointment for a pre-retrofit evaluation before the Natural Resources Department announced the program's demise Wednesday remain eligible to apply for a grant. But no further bookings will be considered.
Tories Curtail Key Environment Provisions
Significant changes to anti-pollution rules tacked on to budget last month will result in more power to craft narrow environmental assessments on controversial projects. Read article here: