THE GALLON ENVIRONMENT LETTER
Canadian Institute for Business and the Environment
Institut Canadien du Commerce et de l'environnement
506 Victoria Ave., Montreal, Quebec H3Y 2R5
Ph. (514) 369- 0230, Fax (514) 369- 3282
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Vol. 3, No. 3, January 21, 1999
**************************************************************
CANADA CANADA CANADA CANADA
**************************************************************
�ALTERNATIVES� MAGAZINE THREATENED
LAST CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL MAGAZINE MAY BE SHUTDOWN BY
FEDERAL AGENCY
For more than 28 years, �Alternatives� magazine, created in 1971,
published out of the University of Waterloo, Ontario, has been
providing Canada with excellent environmental information and
advanced thinking on many of the emerging issues. Other great
Canadian environmental magazines like �Probe Post� and �Ecolutions�
have disappeared, leaving �Alternatives� as the last major Canadian
magazine. Now its very survival is at stake. Its annual $30,000 funding
from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
(SSHRC) is being stopped by the Council.
Dr. Robert Gibson, long time Editor of �Alternatives� said that,
�Alternatives is the official publishing vehicle of the Environmental
Studies Association of Canada, which represents scholars in universities
across Canada and is part of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Federation of Canada. It is heavily used in university libraries and
its contents are widely adopted as university course text material.
To us this suggests that our approach is indeed appropriate. Alternatives
is a successful, if atypical, scholarly journal that actually does reach
a wide audience of scholars and practitioners.�
The funding was provided by SSHRC through the Aid to Research
and Transfer Journals Program, under the Ministry of Industry Canada.
The SSHRC decision to end its annual funding was based on an adjudication
committee's assessment which apparently concluded that the journal
does not meet the SSHRC transfer journal criteria. Yet the journal had
met the criteria for the last decade and has not changed its basic
intellectual approach. So why now? What is different? What would
cause the SSHRC to change its mind? It doesn�t make sense.
If you want to save Canada�s last prestigious environmental
journal, write or call, Marc Renaud, President, SSHRC, Tower II, 10th
Floor, Constitution Square, 350 Albert Street, P.O. Box 1610, Ottawa,
Ontario K1P 6G4, Ph. (613) 995548, email [EMAIL PROTECTED],
Their website is <http://www.sshrc.ca/>http://www.sshrc.ca/
You should also contact the Hon. Sheila Copps, Minister of Heritage,
responsible for Canada�s culture and cultural publications like magazines.
As well, you may also wish to contact the Hon. John Manley, Minister,
Industry Canada, 235 Queen St., Ottawa. He is the Minister responsible
for SSHRC, and indirectly, for the funding for �Alternatives�. Contact him
at ph. (613) 995- 9001, Fax (613) 992 0302, Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
********************************************************************
PARTICIPATE IN CANADA�S ENERGY SUPPLY/DEMAND
CONSULTATIONS
Canada�s National Energy Board (NEB) will be holding
consultations on the country�s energy supply and demand
(oil, natural gas and electricity). The deadline for written
submissions is March 1, 1999. The NEB is updating its
long-term outlook on energy supply and demand, which
will be entitled "Canadian Energy - Supply and Demand to
2025". Round one consultations took place in April 1998,
and round two is happening now, concentrating on comments
regarding the NEB's preliminary analysis. The final report is
to be released in June 1999. Workshops are being hosted during
February in eight cities. Contact Ian Hayhow, Project Manager,
National Energy Board, Tel. 403- 299- 3107, Fax 403 299- 3664,
email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Also, see the NEB
website <http://www.neb.gc.ca/>http://www.neb.gc.ca
**********************************************************************
LATEST TWO STUDIES ON CLIMATE IMPACT
POSSIBILITIES ON CANADA
Environment Canada has released the latest two volumes of the
Canada Country Study which examines the impact of climate
change in Canada and the ways in which Canadians can adapt to
its effects. These reports make recommendations as to critical
next steps to increase Canadians' understanding and capacity to
respond to climate change. For more information or copies of the
report contact Environment Canada at 1- 800- 668- 6767;
Fax 819- 953- 2225; Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to the website
<http://www.ec.gc.ca/press/ccs2_n_e.htm>http://www.ec.gc.ca/press/ccs2_n_e.h
tm.
*************************************************************
CANADIAN "BIG THREE" AUTOMAKERS RENEW AND STRENGTHEN
COMMITMENT TO POLLUTION PREVENTION
Chrysler, Ford and General Motors today announced in December
1998, their continued commitment into the new millennium towards
a voluntary reduction in toxic substance use, generation and release
from the automotive manufacturing facilities. The renewed and
strengthened Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the
CEO�s of the Canadian "Big Three", Mr. Mark Nantais, President
of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA) and
the Ontario Minister of the Environment Norman Sterling and the
federal Minister of the Environment Christine Stewart.
The MOU was started in May 1992, and has been renewed to
December 31, 2000. Since 1992, the agreement has resulted in
reductions and/or eliminations of more than 6,700 tonnes of the
listed target substances and 330,000 tonnes of other substances and wastes.
Contact, Mark A. Nantais, President, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers'
Association, ph. (416) 364-9333, or the Canadian Centre for Pollution
Prevention (C2P2), 'Canada's Foremost P2 Resource', 100 Charlotte
St., Sarnia, Ontario N7T 4R2, 1- 800- 667- 9790, fax 519 337- 3486,
email [EMAIL PROTECTED], website
<http://c2p2.sarnia.com/>http://c2p2.sarnia.com
***************************************************************************
RYERSON HOSTS 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
WORLD ORDER AND ENVIRONMENT
Ryerson Polytechnic University has issued a Call For Papers
for the Second Interdisciplinary Conference on the Evolution
of World Order � Global and Local Responsibilities for a
Just and Sustainable Civilization�, June 3 to 6, 1999, at Ryerson
Polytechnic University, Toronto, Ontario. The conference aims
to assess the shortcomings in the existing world order,
and at proposing new social structures and processes
which are more meaningful to the environment and fair social
systems.
Registration fees are CDN$ 190. For those who
wish, they can submit a one-page abstract of a proposed
presentation, poster, exhibit or internet presentation.
Mail, or facsimile copies should be accompanied by a
computer disk in MS Word, WordPerfect or ASCII text
file. Email copies in the same format are acceptable.
Send to Helmut (Ken) Burkhardt, Adjunct Professor of
Physics, Ryerson Polytechnic University Toronto, and
Co-chair, World Order Conference. All accepted abstracts
will be published on the WOC discussion list, and the WOC
home page. Tel. 416- 979- 5000 x 7246, Fax 416-979- 5064
email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website
<http://www.pgs.ca/woc>http://www.pgs.ca/woc/ Newsletter
**************************************************************
BOVAR ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLETES CONTRACT TO
INSTALL AIR POLLUTION MEASURING DEVICES IN MALAYSIA
The Canadian environmental companies, BOVAR Incorporated Ltd.,
was awarded a twenty year privatization concession to install, operate
and maintain a network of 50 continuous air quality monitoring stations
throughout Malaysia. It formed a joint venture company with Malaysia's
Progressive Impact Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (PIC), calling the new company,
Alam Sekitar Malaysia (ASTHMA). Currently they have 39 stations in
operation.
Alam Sekitar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. has installed 32 API devices nationwide
and the remaining 18 devices will be complete by the year 2000. Besides
those requisitioned by the DOE, an additional three devices were installed
in East Malaysia at the request of the Sarawak State Government (NST
August 19, 98).
****************************************************************
GET YOUR EMS SOFTWARE FROM GREENBRIDGE
MGMT ONTARIO
Run a complete environmental management system (EMS) gap
analysis on Greenbridge Management's environmental info centre
web site. Greenbridge has developed a suite of EMS software and
diagnostic tools that run off their web site. You can also conduct
a detailed diagnosis of your emergency response plan and your
risk management practices. Save your results and track your
progress. There is no need to install and maintain software. It is ready
to run if you already have a web browser. The diagnostic tools are
accompanied by extensive "how-to" tips, references, sample
procedures, list of environmental aspects found in different industries,
discussion forum, and many related web sites. The material is updated
regularly, so there is no need to remove and insert new pages into 3-ring
binders like there is in a paper system. If you are an environmental
director and want to give your site environmental co-ordinators an easy
tool to diagnose their EMS, this site is for you. For a demo, call Phil
Green at (905) 855 0975 or e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Greenbridge Management Inc. Suite 260, 2155 Leanne Blvd, Mississauga,
Ontario L5K 2K8. Ph. (905) 855- 0975 fax (905) 855- 0977,
website <http://www.greenbridge.com/>http://www.greenbridge.com
****************************************************************
BCNI CORRECTS PREVIOUS ARTICLE ON BCNI
John R. Dillon, Vice President, Environment and Legal Counsel,
Business Council on National Issues (BCNI) wrote to clarify some
of the inaccurate information provided in our last newsletter article
on BCNI. For example, he rightly questions the information provided
in Allan Fotheringham�s article in Canada�s Maclean�s Magazine we
quoted, that stated, � d�Aquino brought 17 federal and provincial
deputy ministers together at the Kyoto Conference to watch his slide
show that preached for a reduction in Canada�s environmental goals.�
Fotheringham was inaccurate. Mr. d�Aquino did not go to Kyoto with
John Dillon. Nor did he or Dillon make a presentation to Canadian
officials there. Actually, the BCNI presentation was made earlier, and
in Canada, to senior Canadian officials on Kyoto before they went to
Kyoto. Notwithstanding, we do apologize for any incorrect information.
The following is John Dillon�s full letter on our article.
********************************************************
BCNI STATES THAT
I take issue with a number of statements in the article.
1) Tom d'Aquino did not go to Kyoto. I was a member of
the Canadian delegation, and so too were a number of business
and environmental group representatives, as is now standard practice.
2) With regard to the claim that d'Aquino brought 17 federal and
provincial deputy ministers together at the Kyoto Conference",
Fotheringham is wrong. No such meeting took place in Kyoto.
3) Your suggestion that the BCNI "has been going head to head with
environmental groups in Canada on the new Canadian Environmental
Protection Act" is also at odds with the facts. A number of
industry and environmental groups have made their views known on Bill
C-32, but BCNI has not been part of this exercise.
4) I categorically reject your suggestion that the BCNI "has
been working hard on the federal and provincial governments to relax
their environmental protection measures" . BCNI was one of the
early proponents of sustainable development in Canada, arguing that
environmental and economic progress can and should go hand in hand. We
urged our members to look aggressively for opportunities to reduce
their emissions of greenhouse gases and recent evidence shows that a
number of major industry sectors have done so.
Where we have parted company with the federal government is
with regard to whether the Kyoto target is realistic for Canada,
a reduction of 25 percent in a relatively short period of time.
And we say this in light of what other countries have agreed --
or not agreed! -- to take on as targets, given our dependence on
energy intensive industries for a substantial portion of our national
wealth, and given that there is little reason to believe that Canadians
are ready for the rather substantial changes in behaviour and lifestyle
that such an ambitious target would require. Signed, John R. Dillon, Vice
President, Environment and Legal Counsel, Business Council on
National Issues, 90 Sparks Street, Suite 806, Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5B4, Tel. (613) 238- 3727, fax (613) 236- 8679,
email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
****************************************************************
BCNI�S NEWSLETTER EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT
MEETING STRINGENT KYOTO TARGETS
The Business Council on National Issues (BCNI) published and
circulated to senior decision makers in government and industry
the Spring 1998 issue of its newsletter, �National and Global
Perspectives�, which had a section on climate change under the
heading �sustainable development�. It featured five articles warning
Canada against pursuing a rapid and substantial reduction in
greenhouse gases. The first article by Gwyn Morgan, Alberta Energy
Company Ltd., stated that, �the Kyoto Protocol sets totally unrealistic
reduction targets in equally unrealistic time frames.� He added that,
�not many Canadians will realize that Canada�s Kyoto commitments
could spread a virulent virus which emaciates the livelihood and
living standards of millions of Canadians.� In another article, Roger
Phillips, IPSCO Inc., questioned the accuracy of the science supporting
the call for greenhouse gas reduction. Phillips wrote that, �scientists
can�t even agree on whether the long term climate trend is a warming
one�. Phillips added that, �There is a good chance that the real
contribution of greenhouse gases to global warming will be so small
as not to warrant draconian action.�
Tom d�Aquino wrote in the same newsletter an article entitled, �Punitive
Measures Will Not Work�, asked, �how then should business try to
influence the agenda on the climate change issue so that it truly can
be compatible with expanded trade and economic development
throughout the world?� Tom d�Aquino added that, �citizens need to
understand that major changes in lifestyle and economic expectations
are in store....�.
****************************************************************
CEIA ONTARIO TO HOST NAD BANK SPEAKER AT
BUSINESS BREAKFAST
On March 22, 1999, 700 am, CEIA Ontario will host a business
opportunities breakfast with a key representative from the
North American Development Bank (NADBank) in Toronto. Following
the breakfast, a half day workshop will be held for CEIA Ontario
environmental company members on how to work with the NAD
Bank. CEIA Ontario is co sponsoring along with the Ontario
Ministry of the Environment�s Green Industry Office (GIO), the
Ontario International Trade Corporation (OIC), and the Canadian
Consulate office in Dallas. Contact Tom Armstrong, Executive
Director, CEIA Ontario, 23 Lesmill Road, Suite 102, Toronto, Ontario,
M3B 3P5, Tel. 416 447 2456, Fax 416 447 5828, email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Website at <http://www.ceia.on.ca/>http://www.ceia.on.ca/
****************************************************************
ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
The North American Development Bank (NADBank) has up to
$U.S. 3.0 billion to finance infrastructure and environmental
projects on the U.S. and Mexican border. It was created May 18,
1994, along with the Border Environment Cooperation Commission
(BECC) by U.S. President Executive Order 12916. The bank provides the
funding for projects that have been reviewed and approved by the BECC.
For example, the NAD Bank provided U.S. $2.0 for the development of
a collection and a proper landfilling system for the town of Agua Prieta,
Sonora, M�xico. NAD Bank has provided US $ 14.5 million for the
Construction of a wastewater collection system and connections to
the treatment plant in McAllen, Texas. And, it has provided US $31.2
million to the Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, M�xico for the construction
of two wastewater treatment plants (north and south), collectors, sewer
lines and pumps to convey wastewater to the plants for treatment, and the
rehabilitation and replacement of sanitary sewer lines in the city.
Address, Victor Miramontes, Managing Director and Chief Executive
Officer, North American Development Bank, 203 South St. Mary�s,
Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas 78205, Tel. (210) 231 8000,
Fax (210) 231 6232, website <http://www.nadbank.org/>http://www.nadbank.org/
**********************************************
************************************************************
$180.90 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO
THE GALLON ENVIRONMENT LETTER
Subscribe to "The Gallon Environment Letter". The 8 to 10 page newsletter is
loaded with up to date business and policy information that your company,
government agency, or organization can use immediately. It is provided twice
a month. It is also accompanied by the �Green Jobs Available Report� that is
sent to you once a month. Subscribe now. Send a cheque for $180.90 a year
($169.00+ $11.90 GST) and help finance the research that delivers inside
information and breaking news on environment business in Canada and the
world.
Make your cheque out to, "Gallon Letter", 506 Victoria Ave., Montreal,
Quebec,
H3Y 2R5.
*************************************************************
*****************************************
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Copyright (c) 1999 Canadian Institute for
Business and the Environment, Montreal
All rights reserved.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Gallon Environment Letter
506 Victoria Ave.
Montreal, Quebec H3Y 2R5
Ph. (514) 369-0230, Fax (514) 369-3282
email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
