Vol 18:10
Mar 17, 1995
CELA and over 70 environmental groups from across Canada signed on to an open letter to Prime Minister Jean Chretien criticizing the "dismantling of the federal government's essential functions in the protection of the health and environment of present and future generations." The letter cited three different federal initiatives:
The letter called on the Prime Minister to honour the Liberal Party's Red Book commitment to strengthen the role of the federal government in the protection of Canadians' health and environment, by
Environmentalists from BC and across Canada met in Toronto on February 18 and 19 and joined industry, government and First Nations representatives for a national workshop on the CCME (Council of Canadian Ministers of Environment) harmonization initiative on February 19 and 20. The meeting followed regional workshops in Vancouver and several other cities.
In the last issue of WCEL NEWS, Bill Andrews talked about the developing gaps in environmental protection services as a result of the February 27th federal budget. He argued for the continuation of the harmonization process, and said "in my view, we can't simply scrap the harmonization initiative, tempting though that is. On the contrary, we need a realignment of federal and provincial environmental roles more than ever before. But the basis must be changed from eliminating the elusive `overlap and duplication' to plugging the gaps between the federal and provincial governments regarding environmental management."
Bill goes on here to address the participation of the First Nations people and the necessity for an agreement on harmonization that allows any party to move more quickly than proscribed by the harmonization process.
"It is important to note that every break-out group at the national workshop commented on the desirability of involving First Nations and aboriginal people more fully in the harmonization initiative. I have three comments about this.
"First, the CCME ministers' decisive adoption of the harmonization initiative made mere bystanders of First Nation and aboriginal people along with environmental groups and many other segments of society. These people made it clear that they do not necessarily accept the stated objectives of the initiative and that they think it is moving forward too quickly.
"Second, both levels of government have certain judicially recognized fiduciary duties in relation to First Nations people. These duties include environmental matters that could be affected by the fundamental restructuring of environmental management responsibilities contemplated by the harmonization initiative. In the haste with which the draft harmonization agreement has been negotiated, this issue does not seem to have been fully canvassed.
"Third, in a growing number of instances First Nations and aboriginal people exercise governmental authority and responsibilities for environmental management. Just as there is a need for federal, provincial and territorial ministers of environment to meet together in the CCME, perhaps there is a need for meetings which also include participants from First Nations and aboriginal governments.
"One final point. Management of the environment — like the environment itself — will always be complicated. No amount of 'harmonization' will change this. In fact, environmental management develops and changes over time with a remarkably organic quality.
"In this vein, it is crucial that harmonization efforts do not artificially restrict the ability of one or more governments to initiate new approaches to environmental protection. The draft harmonization agreement (s.9.3) does state that it "will not prevent a Party from introducing more stringent environmental measures to reflect specific circumstances or to protect environments or environmental values located within its jurisdiction." But this is a critically important issue, and it must be made absolutely clear that any province can develop more stringent environmental measures than other provinces, even in an area in which the CCME is currently developing environmental measures."
The Environmental Protection Department of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks has launched a new information service called the Environmental Protection Compendium which will provide on-line computer access to current copies of BC environmental statutes, regulations, criteria, guidelines, standards, policies, procedures, objectives, protocols, codes of practice, discussion papers and bylaws.
The Compendium will greatly reduce the complexity and costs of printing, storing, distributing and updating Environmental Protection Department material as well as improving service to Ministry clients. Keyword search capability has been built into the Compendium along with the ability to point and click on various menu items to retrieve environmental information.
Access to the Environmental Protection Compendium is made possible through the Internet which provides electronic access to a world-wide collection of information resources and services. The Internet is a global communications network of thousands of different computer systems which are connected to each other electronically.
Internet access is available at many libraries and educational institutions and is also available on a subscription basis from several commercial service providers. Suitable file browser software like Mosaic or Netscape is required to view on-screen text, images, sound and video.
The Compendium can be accessed under the Ministry's home page (an initial welcoming screen that provides a list of menu choices) which is located at Internet address http://www.env.gov.bc.ca. If you have any questions on the Environmental Protection Compendium or if you would like more information, please contact Alistair Stewart at phone 604-356-0602; fax 604-356-0605 or send an email to acstewar@epdiv2.env.gov.bc.ca.
The creation of the Environmental Education and Training Institute of North America (EETINA) was announced on January 31, 1995, in Mexico City. EETINA is a non-profit, private organization made up of twenty-four Founding Associate Institutions that represent the academic, business and non-governmental sectors of Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The mission of EETINA is to improve the environmental conditions of Mexico, Canada and the United States through environmental education and training. More specifically, EETINA will address the need for adequately trained human resources in order to carry out the commitments for environmental protection entered into under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
For more information, please contact Nancy Pearson at EETINA in Mexico City at 525-281-1516.
Founding Associate Institutions include the National University of Mexico, the Business Coordinating Council of Mexico, the Harvard Institute of International Development, the US National Environmental Trainers Association, the National Wildlife Federation, the World Resources Institute, the Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment Industry and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, among others.
During the ceremony in Los Pinos, President Zedillo, acting as Honourary Witness, signed four agreements between EETINA and the North American Commision for Environmental Cooperation; the newly created Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Fishing; the Mexican Industrial Chambers and the National Confederaton of Fishing Cooperatives. In his comments, President Zedillo reinforced the commitment of the Mexican government to the environment and to educaiotn, and stated that the agreements constitute a tri-national alliance between Canada, the United States and Mexico, countries which through their diverse sectorial organizations have committed themselves to the improvement of the environment within the framework of NAFTA.
The agreements will allow EETINA, together with other public and private organizations, to jointly develop and implement training programs on strategic environmental issues throughout Mexico. The programs will be designed for public officials at the state and municipal levels and for small and medium sized industries.
EETINA has been offered as an in-kind donation valued at $7 million, a conference centre occupying 25 gardened acres adjoining a 150-acre botanical garden in the northern outskirts of Mexico City to be used as its headquarters and for training programs.
Manuel Arango, well known Mexican environmentalist and philanthropist, has been named as the first Chairman of the board of EETINA. William R Keilly, former Administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency, and Arthur Campeau, former Canadian Ambassador for the Environment and Sustainable Development, will assume the responsibilities of Vice-Chairmen. Rodolfo Ogarrio, President of the Mexican Foundation for Environmental Education, is newly appointed President of the Institute.
EETINA's first specific task will be to carry out jointly with the Colegio de la Frontera Norte, a Mexican academic institution operating in Tijuana and along the US-Mexico border, a series of courses for businessmen and government officials in those border cities dealing with environmental management, privatization ofd public infrastructure systems and waste water treatment. The creation of the Environmental Education and Training Institute of North America represents a positive example of the much needed cooperation among Mexico, the United States and Canada, through its different sectors, to solve pressing environmental problems.
Forest Renewal BC recently released its 1995 Program Handbook, a guide to developing and submitting proposals for funding under the Enhanced Forestry and Watershed Restoration Programs. It is also a useful document for anyone interested in developing a funding proposal under other program areas of Forest Renewal BC (FRBC), since it outlines the overall work of FRBC and sets out its interim guidelines and funding principles.
FRBC was established in 1994 to implement a program of long-term investment in the forest land base of BC as part of the provincial Forest Renewal Plan. FRBC funding is provided through five program areas: land and resources, environment, value added, workforce, and communities. The Enhanced Forestry and Watershed Restoration Programs, discussed in the 1995 Program Handbook, are part of the land and resources and environment program areas.
March 31 is the submission deadline for applications for funding under FRBC's Enhanced Forestry and Watershed Restoration Programs (this is not the deadline for other applications to FRBC). Applications will be accepted all year for the Enhanced Forestry and Watershed Restoration Programs, but to be considered for priority implementation in the 1995 field season, completed applications should be received by March 31.
For a copy of the 1995 Program Handbook contact FRBC at 604-387-2500. For toll free access call 1-800-663-7867.
—Ann Hillyer, Staff Counsel, is a member of the Board of Directors of Forest Renewal BC
The old adage about the changeable nature of March applies not only to weather, but to staff too at West Coast Environmental Law. At the end of March, we are saying goodbye to three office staff members.
Denice Regnier has been working with us as secretary since June 1990, and will now leave Vancouver. She will be greatly missed. We are pleased to announce that Alexandra Melnyk is now joining the West Coast staff. Alexandra brings a wealth of experience as a legal secretary to our office, and started here on March 6th.
Also, Kim Stanton and Matt Jackson, our E-Team interns, will be leaving at the end of March when our E-Team project (collecting and uploading information onto our electronic legal infobase) winds up.
Kim has been working with West Coast in a variety of capacities since November 1993, and is now in pursuit of contract research work until she enters law school in the fall of 1996. Matt has been here a short ten weeks, finishing up our E-Team project, and has been busy converting data for our database. He took over an E-Team position from John Gibb-Carsley, who worked with us from September until January before seeking greener pastures in Australia.
Thanks to you all and good luck!
WCELRF Newsletter (ISSN #0715-4275), copyright 1995, is published by the West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation. This issue was produced by Bill Andrews, Morgan Ashbridge, Chris Heald, Ann Hillyer, Patricia Houlihan, Matt Jackson, Catherine Ludgate, Alexandra Melnyk, Linda Nowlan, Denice Regnier, and Kim Stanton. Subscription information is above. West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation does research and education and maintains an environmental law library. West Coast Environmental Law Association provides legal representation and promotes law reform. The mission of West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation and West Coast Environmental Law Association is to provide legal services to protect the environment and to foster public participation in environmental decision-making. We are grateful to the Law Foundation of British Columbia for core funding of West Coast Environmental Law Association and West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation. Donations to West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation are tax creditable.