This edition of EcoNews covers the Conservation Council’s responses to the report by the Select Committee on Climate Change and government strategies on local food and water protection. Also included here: information on how to make your views known on protection of fish habitat, a heartwarming story about the Wil-Doo Community Bike Club in Fredericton, our congratulations to the Canadian Rivers Institute for 15 years of accomplishments and a challenge for you to submit your great tree. We conclude with a round-up of the Conservation Council in the news.
85 recommendations for a sustainable province
New Brunswick’s all-party Select Committee on Climate Change released its report on Monday, Oct. 24. The report closely aligns with recommendations set out by the Conservation Council in our climate action plan, including calling on the government to work towards having a fossil-fuel free electricity system by 2030. Read more here. Meanwhile, the government of Canada has set out a plan on carbon pricing. What does the federal carbon pricing plan mean for New Brunswick? Read our briefing paper.
NB announces strategy to promote more local food and beverages
New Brunswick’s Local Food and Beverage Strategy was announced by Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet at Ferme Michaud in Bouctouche on Oct. 19. “Promoting local food, from turnips to tomatoes, from fiddleheads to apple jelly, we grow healthier communities, we reduce pollution and we cut back on waste — all good things when you are thinking about how to build a sustainable New Brunswick,” said Lois Corbett. Read more here.
NB commits to water classification
The Department of Environment and Local Government released its report, “Working Together to Build a Water Strategy for New Brunswick — Summary of Comments,” on Oct. 15. The Conservation Council’s executive director Lois Corbett says, “We are especially pleased to see the Minister is committed to water classification as a critical part of an overall water protection strategy.” In releasing the report, Environment Minister Hon. Serge Rousselle said: “The current status of the Water Classification Regulation under the Clean Water Act was a frequently raised concern. That is why we are establishing a technical working group to look at this particular issue in depth and provide recommendations as we develop the overall water strategy.” Read more here.
Let’s talk clean water and better fish habitat
Your Conservation Council team is working hard with science and policy groups from all across Canada to help restore key protections for fish and freshwater and marine habitat lost under the previous government’s amendments in the “Omnibus” bill. Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic LeBlanc has opened up a broad consultation. Go to Let’s Talk Fish Habitat, to share your views on how to create a robust Fisheries Act.
Building community one ride at a time with the Wil-Doo Community Bike Club
Josephine Savarese writes about the Wil-Doo Community Bike Club, a volunteer operated program for lower income youth aged 7 to 15 years who reside on Wilson and Doone streets forming the club name, in a guest blog for the Conservation Council. Bike club members brought more cheer to the Conservation Council’s fall fundraiser with Gypsophilia at The Fredericton Playhouse in September. “Those kids are clearly super cool. We are so glad they were at the show,” says Gypsophilia‘s Ross Burns. Got a bike or bike parts to donate to the bike club? Conserver House, the office of the Conservation Council, is acting as a drop-off location for donations. Drop by during office hours or arrange a drop off time by contacting Tracy at tracy.glynn@
Canadian Rivers Institute celebrates 15 years
“We congratulate the Canadian Rivers Institute on not only the release of this fantastic report but of 15 years of outstanding science and policy direction on river protection both nationally and provincially,” says Lois Corbett, Conservation Council of New Brunswick. Read more here.
Got a great tree? Call out for The Great Trees of New Brunswick, 2nd Edition
What’s your great tree? The Conservation Council and Atlantic Forestry Reviewwant to know. It has been almost 30 years since the book, Great Trees of New Brunswick, was published and we think it’s time for a second edition of the book that captures more pictures and stories of our great trees. Email Tracy at forest@conservationcouncil.ca with a picture and story of your great tree beforeDec. 31, 2016. Read more here.
Conservation Council in the news
- Louise Comeau spoke with CBC, Global, the Telegraph-Journal and radio on the report by the Select Committee on Climate Change. Comeau told reporters that the recommendations lay out a rigorous structure for reducing greenhouse gases and looks forward to the province moving forward on legislation, governance and implementation.
- Lois Corbett told CBC’s Information Morning that Twin Rivers pulp and paper mill in Edmundston should have done a better job at notifying people it had a leak. The mill released chlorine dioxide gas five times since June. Corbett told CBC, “When a large industrial facility operates in New Brunswick, we should know what the rules are and what our government is doing to make sure the company tells its neighbours what’s going on.”
