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Read the latest stories, updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, and more.
Waterkeeper's comments on the review of Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights and Regulations
Today, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper submitted comments to the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario regarding the review of Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights. The EBR is a powerful piece of legislation that has been the cornerstone of Waterkeeper's provincial work to protect swimmable drinkable fishable water for over a decade. It is also a key tool for Ontarians to participate in environmental decision-making processes. Read our complete submission here.
The fix is on: federal government launches review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act after law gutted in 2012
The worst year in the history of Canadian environmental protection was 2012. That year, the federal government gutted every major environmental law. The Fisheries Act no longer protected most fish or fish habitat. The Navigable Waters Protection Act no longer protected “water.” And the process by which major projects are reviewed was slashed. Today, Waterkeeper Mark Mattson sent a short submission to the Government of Canada endorsing the launch of new process to review environmental decision-making. Here is his submission.
STATEMENT re: Federal Court’s ruling in Darlington refurbishment appeal (Press Release)
Public interest groups are disappointed in a Federal Court of Appeal decision that found that the lack of public review of severe accidents and long term storage of nuclear waste is lawful if the nuclear regulator says so. Waterkeeper, Mark Mattson comments on the recent decision.
What can we expect from Environmental Assessments?
The nuclear industry has capitalized on the climate change media attention by touting its virtues; placing itself at the heart of the “clean, green energy” discussion. Now that’s not to say that nuclear power isn’t a realistic, viable option. But when you’re making a decision that affects millions of people and has potentially irreversible effects on the environment, you need more than a catchy PR slogan. You need all the facts out in the open; you need a complete and transparent assessment process.
2015 Case Review: Where do we stand at the end of the year?
With 2015 drawing to a close, what better time to look back at the events most affecting the lake? We looked at our newsletters, case summaries, and web traffic this year and compiled a list of the issues that caught your attention in 2015. Grab a coffee and enjoy the recap!
MEDIA ADVISORY: Public interest groups in court to appeal plan to refurbish aging nuclear reactors
Public interest groups are in the Federal Court of Appeal today to ensure that human health and environmental risks are carefully considered in a plan to refurbish four aging nuclear reactors at the Darlington site on the shores of Lake Ontario. This comes on the heels of the Toronto Executive Committee’s passing of a motion calling for a review of nuclear emergency plans.
Inside #DarlingtonNuclear, Part 4: Where do we go from here?
After 4 days and 79 interventions, the Darlington nuclear relicensing hearing came to a close last Thursday. Now able to take a step back from the marathon presentations, Hannah assesses what she witnessed. As an independent governing body, does the CNSC have the expertise and independence to make the necessary decisions?
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