South March (SouthMarch) on Twitter

South March (SouthMarch) on Twitter

Follow development of the South March Highland development in Kanata on Twitter.

Or visit the home page in the battle against development of a environment that uniquely, in todays techno savy age, an entire community enjoys and desires to protect and maintain. It is a small wonder that in Canada, we cannot protect environments that we hold dear in the face of exploitation. We cannot deny the rights of the individual land owner. We can buy the land together from the owner. We can then dedicate the park in perpetuity to future generations. I can see no greater gift.

The Kanata community has much money to raise before they can buy the property valued at over $23 million. However, lobbying efforts continue to implore the NCC to buy the land and add it to the Greenbelt. We need your voice. We need your pressure. We need you to take hold of your Canadian freedoms and act. You are Canadian, you are free, you are responsible, remembering that saying nothing says something.

Urgent Action: Support legislation to impose standards on Canadian government support for mining companies operating internationally | MiningWatch

Urgent Action: Support legislation to impose standards on Canadian government support for mining companies operating internationally | MiningWatch

Watch: Bill C-300 Video from Film Varmit


WHY CANADIANS NEED and SOME SAY DESERVE BILL C-300. 


Canadians are generally thought of as polite and patient, thoughtful and kind hearted, trusting and helpful. And why not? How many of you have helped a stranger get their car unstuck in the winter snow? How many lock their doors or apologize when accidentally bumping shoulders on the bus? 

A pledge was used in Smith Falls until 1995 to begin each school day.

Canada: Our Pledge
I am a Canadian, a free Canadian,
Free to speak without fear,
Free to worship God in my own way,
Free to stand for what I think right,
Free to oppose what I believe wrong,
Free to choose those who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom, I pledge to uphold
For my self and all mankind.

To read the words written above remind me of my responsibilities, my privileges, and our common humanity. The words are addressed to backbone and heart. They remind me that I am a Canadian with the great responsibility of freedom. There are no excuses, no heavy hand to blame for our own ineptness and lack of action. Our freedom need only be exercised in full to understand how we truly are in command of Canada's destiny. Take note of the great Canadian Tommy Douglas, who fought hard for Medicare. 
  
 Given that Canadian mining companies for the most part are run by Canadians and that they in many ways are Canadian ambassadors abroad, we assume a continuance of moral character. 


That character which has made Canada great we demand mirrored in our Canadian company’s business practices abroad and we therefore have a need for enforcement through legal means.  


Standards and recourses are needed as a precaution against consumptions ambition and cruel hearts. 


I support Bill C-300 and have joined MiningWatch's letter writing campaign (you can too by clicking on this blog's title) in writing my MP and PM. Canadian companies subject to criticism will benefit. They will no longer need to take unprecedented steps to clear their name of any moral wrongdoing. 

Leading the way in demonstrating transparency and a dedication towards Human Rights and the Rights of Indigenous is surprisingly a company that has been admonished for violating both.   

THE BAD

Goldcorp Inc., is a Canadian mining company that allegedly is involved in very serious crimes, to the extent that their own shareholders requested a Human Rights Impact Assessment in Guatemala (HRIA). Goldcorp consented. This is an unprecedented move. By moving forward with the HRIA they lead by example. Creating the hope that Goldcorp's actoins will  become standard practice for mining companies globally. However, Goldcorp Inc wholly-owns Montana Exploradora de Guatemala S.A, which operates the dark cloud covered Marlin Mine. Since 2004 there have been ongoing claims of abuse and violence. Montana S.A. the assessment states failed in many regards.

·         That it fired employees attempting to form a union.

·         The mine fails to have an ``effective internal mechanism for worker to raise concerns and have grievances addressed`` (Pg 18, HRIA Executive Summary).

·         Montana fails to respect the right to a just wage.

·         There is a lack of proper fund or plan for the mines closure.

·         The mine`s operation damages homes and possibly the water supply.

Montana has failed in many more regards not mentioned above, however, the HRIA conducted is a tremendous step forward in moral responsibility. For having the courage to publicly bring to light and addresses these issues Goldcorp must be praised. That assessment was conducted and you can find it here:

·         Executive Summary 

·         Full Report

THE GOOD

Although I have written about what is the ``dark side`` that does not mean that the company is a cruel heartless monster. On the contrary Goldcorp contributes immensely to the society of Guatemala.

·         Financially they are performing spectacularly with a reported record operating cash flow in the second quarter of this year. They employ over 60% of the local community around the controversial mine, injecting $6.9 million in local payroll just last year.

·         Company policies enable significant hiring of local indigenous people through on-the-job training instead of formal qualifications. This not only supports the right to work but educates as well.

·         They funded the hiring of additional teachers, scholarships and improved facilities, supported projects to improve access to potable water.

·         When storm Agatha hit causing mud slides and flooding, Goldcorp`s website states they  provided ``corn, beans, rice, bottled water, protein drinks, 1,000 foam beds, 500 tents, candles and matches were delivered to community members starting on June 3<sup>rd</sup>. Other supplies to assist with infrastructure repairs from landslides and flooding were donated.  In total, Goldcorp contributed approximately US$300,000 to support the victims and communities affected by Agatha.``   

It will be Montana`s future actions after the HRIA that will reveal their nature. Montana and Goldcorp, although invested in realizing profits, are also deeply committed to the Human Rights. 


This bring us back to Bill C-300. We must ensure that Canada has policies and legislation that reflects our moral character. Although we do not live in Guatemalan, if a Canadian mining company is found violating human rights and/or the rights of the indigenous in Guatemalan, it reflects poorly on us. This is because,
as the violating companies are based out of Canada we can exert some measure of influence, that in  many occasions,  is greater than that of the country in which the violation of rights is occurring.

If we do nothing in the face of evidence; if we do not investigate, then we too are guilty, and Canada will be tainted by its idleness.

Would you continue to sit on a bucket by the river while a neighbours house burns? Who would not be ashamed of an individual who sat!? We are Canadians and we are kind hearted and helpful. It is critical that Canadians have some measure to enforce our high moral standards upon Canadian mining companies abroad.

With that in mind, I ask you to visit MiningWatch’s website by clicking on this articles title and add your voice by joining MiningWatch's letter writing campaign.

MiningWatch's sample letter is seen below.

“For individual Canadians: Write to your Member of Parliament

Use this link to find your MP and his/her contact information by entering your postal code:  click here.

Sample letter:

To: (name of your MP)
cc: Honourable Michael Ignatieff at: Ignatieff.M@parl.gc.ca
      Honourable John McKay at: mckayj8@parl.gc.ca

House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0A6
Canada

(Date)

Re: Support for Bill C-300 on Corporate Accountability

Dear (name of your MP),

I am writing to let you know that I strongly support Bill C-300, an Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil and Gas Corporations in Developing Countries.

I am appalled by regular reports that Canadian mining, oil and gas companies are involved in human rights, labour, and environmental violations around the world and by the fact that these companies often receive financial and political support from the Canadian Government. Many countries in which our extractive companies operate do not have strong legal or regulatory systems to hold multi-nationals to account for human rights and environmental abuses. Capacity building efforts in these countries have not been able to close what the United Nations has called a "governance gap." And while some companies strive to meet high standards voluntarily, too many do not.

Bill C-300 responds to the urgent need for a stronger regulatory framework to hold Canadian mining, oil and gas companies accountable, in Canada, for human rights, labour, and environmental violations overseas. Bill C-300 has garnered support across the country and internationally. It is supported by the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability (CNCA), a coalition which includes prominent labour, ecumenical, environmental, social justice, and human rights organizations. Bill C-300 has my support as well.

I urge you, as my Member of Parliament, to support Bill C-300, recognizing that it reflects and responds to the recommendations made to the Government of Canada by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2005.

Yours truly,” 

(The sample letter above is found here: http://www.hria-guatemala.com/en/MarlinHumanRights.htm)

Tools of Change

Tools of Change

The Fork It Over! initiative is a innovative means of reducing unnecessary food waste. Click on Tools of Change to view how the program is working in Portland Oregon.

Let us implement this in Ottawa.

There will be a need for volunteers to form a board and pursue business participation.

Green Living Ideas - Sustainable, Eco, and Green Living Tips

Green Living Ideas - Sustainable, Eco, and Green Living Tips

Great Website for furthering the cause of reducing our collective footprint.

Group to bike to City Hall to protest Kanata clear-cut | Ottawa and Region | News | Ottawa Sun

Group to bike to City Hall to protest Kanata clear-cut

By DOUG HEMPSTEAD, OTTAWA SUN

Last Updated: August 20, 2010 12:57pm

Group to bike to City Hall to protest Kanata clear-cut | Ottawa and Region | News | Ottawa Sun: "A group of concerned citizens will be biking from Kanata to City Hall Sunday, to show their opposition to the planned clear-cutting of old growth forest owned by a developer in the South March Highlands.

The event, organized by mayoral candidate Charlie Taylor, is called Cycle for South March.

The rally starts at 1 p.m. at the Beaver Pond in Kanata, and wraps up with speeches and a protest at 3 p.m.

The event is open to participants for the whole route, part of the route, or just the protest at City Hall.

– Doug Hempstead"

This is a treasured forest. If we cannot protect our own land how can we ask others in other nations to do the same?

Take the Burden Of Trash Back to the Manufacturer

Packaging has gotten out of control, amongst a lot of other things, like pollutants, and the economy. The difference is that packaging is something we can control. We do not have to dive 5000 feet below the surface to begin tackling the problem. Its something that doesn't take a specialization in toxicology or years of law school to understand.

Some things are simply over packaged. Period. We bring that over packaged good home. Throw out the waste. The city picks it up, at a cost. And we pay taxes for the city. The consumer is thus twice vexed by packaging.

Everyone says that we need buy conscientiously, however, sometimes no matter how we try the product we need is simply wrapped up in a pound of garbage. Like toothpaste. Toothpaste always comes in a box. This is for display and shelf purposes. However, it a massive cumulative waste that can be avoided and yet isn't.

This is were everyday citizens step in. When you buy you toothpaste. Leave the box with the cashier. Tell them you want toothpaste without a box. Eventually, and this worked in Germany, the grocery stores will ask their suppliers for toothpaste without boxes. Boom we have eliminated excessive packaging on one product. Removing waste from landfills, tax dollars from city waste management budgets, and saving some resources.

This kind of action is simple and effective. It can be used on any product which you find has excessive packaging. Together we can motivate our grocery stores to motivate their suppliers to change for the betterment of all.

Mission

Its time to start taking subtle civil action as a community to effect positive change for future generations. As such this this blog is dedicated to the people of Ottawa. May we communally act for the betterment of all.