This is a guest blog by Brendon Samuels. He is a PhD candidate in the Department of Biology at Western University where he studies solutions for bird conservation. Brendon uses community science tools to monitor human impacts on wildlife and inform recommendations for land use planning and policies aimed at protecting biodiversity. Brendon organizes litter cleanups in London, Ontario and is interested in public education about strategies to prevent litter and water pollution.   The Ontario government is moving forward with plans to consider approving a landfill right beside a tributary o ..read more

Statement by Emilia Belliveau, Energy Transition Program Manager Montréal/Tiohtià:ke | Traditional, unceded lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka/Mohawk Nation, a gathering place for many First Nations, including the Anishinaabeg – We are disappointed that the Government of Alberta is attacking the federal government’s attempts to clamp down on greenwashing. On May 28th the House of Commons passed Bill C-59, which helps prevent greenwashing by requiring companies to provide evidence for their environmental claims. In response, Alberta’s  Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz ..read more

Province’s next step should be to expand deposit return to include non-alcoholic drink containers. Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – We applaud Ontario’s announcement that all grocery and big box retailers selling beer, cider, wine and other ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages will have to accept empties and refund customers’ deposits by 2026. The Beer Store’s long standing deposit-return system already keeps billions of alcoholic beverage containers out of landfills, incinerators and the environment ..read more

Statement by Aly Hyder Ali, Oil and Gas Program Manager  Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – It is disappointing to see that the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) has once again resorted to using disinformation and stoking fear to avoid taking any responsibility for its climate pollution. In an analysis released today, CAPP claims that the oil and gas emissions cap will result in economic losses. Yet CAPP continues to ignore the overwhelming economic impacts of the oil and gas industry’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are d ..read more

The tailings “ponds” that are filled with toxic wastewater from oil sands mining now store enough toxic fluid to fill Lake Louise – 2000 times over! They uproot the boreal forest, scar the landscape and harm those living nearby. Despite the damage, you can bet that curbing fossil fuel production and putting aside the funds needed to implement safe clean-up isn’t often top of the agenda for the petroleum industry. Nor is it a conversation that appears regularly in Alberta’s newspapers. For many Albertans, though, the impact of tailings waste on the environment and human health is a real concer ..read more

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Yesterday, Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto City Council approved a large-scale Official Plan amendment and rezoning of major streets within the city’s residential neighborhoods that will permit apartment buildings of up to six storeys and sixty units on more than 30,000 lots that have –until now– been restricted to low-rise housing. This decision is an important victory both in the fight to save fores ..read more

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This is a guest blog by Katie Krelove, Ontario campaigner at Wilderness Committee. Katie works to build relationships and advocate towards strong campaigns to advance the Wilderness Committee’s goals of people-powered wilderness preservation for the benefit of all in Ontario. Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) is meant to protect and recover species-at-risk and their habitats, but does it work?  Although elusive to find, Blanding’s turtles are easily identified by their bright yellow throats and necks and curious ‘smiles”. They have large domed shells and can retract entirely inside ..read more

Albertans are fond of nature. In fact, we are among the most passionate about nature in Canada! But if you’re going to be part of the environmental movement in Alberta, you probably enjoy a challenge. That’s because the obstacles, between where we are and where we want to be are higher than the Rocky Mountains. Emerald Lake, Alberta. Photo by Bruno Soares via Unspalsh I like a challenge, and maybe that’s why I’ve been involved in the environmental movement in Alberta for more than thirty years. That said, I’ve never taken on a challenge like the one ahead in Alberta, and across Canada. In Alb ..read more

Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are still rising, although they are still lower than pre-COVID levels. Some industries however, such as electricity, are reducing their emissions, the pollution from the production of oil and gas is increasing. Climate change is undoubtedly here. People are scared and looking for answers. A vast majority of people in Canada are calling on the federal government to urgently put in place the oil and gas emissions cap to prevent the climate crisis from getting worse. Last week, more than 6000 people were evacuated from Fort McMurray. The week before, 4000 ..read more