Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

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Regional council votes to repeal sewer line maintenance policy

Regional council votes to repeal sewer line maintenance policy

Durham regional council has repealed a controversial policy which changed the way home sewer lines are maintained and repaired. Council voted Wednesday to undo the changes. Regional staff will once again be responsible for repairing sanitary sewer service connections on private property (up to one metre away from a home’s foundation).

The region is being directed to reimburse customers who paid for their own repairs.

A regional sewer system bylaw was changed in April 2022, making homeowners responsible (at the time) for the portion of each line that runs through their property.

Commons could soon pass legislation to study environmental racism

Commons could soon pass legislation to study environmental racism

The House of Commons is close to adopting Canada's first-ever legislation on environmental racism — environmental hazards that disproportionately affect Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities. Bill C-226 comes up for a vote today and is expected eventually to pass through the House of Commons with the support of the Liberals, the NDP and the Green Party. Those parties hope the bill can be fast-tracked through unanimous consent and bypass several procedural hoops. That's not likely without the support of the two other opposition parties.

Will your vote help to protect the environment?

Will your vote help to protect the environment?

Canadians could be encouraged by the existence of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). When it was enacted in 1999, the legislation was forward-thinking and ambitious. It lay the groundwork for a sustainable society, supported by enforceable regulations to implement some lofty ideals. CEPA makes it possible to protect biodiversity, the quality of drinking water, and human health from hazardous chemicals. It also encourages the sustainable practices of a “circular economy.”

University of Calgary students urge 'Yes' vote on fluoridation in fall election

University of Calgary students urge 'Yes' vote on fluoridation in fall election

Some University of Calgary students are urging other students to vote in favour of restoring fluoride in the city's drinking water in this fall's election. Fluoride naturally occurs in some foods and is found in the Bow and Elbow Rivers at a concentration between 0.1 and 0.4 mg/L. Health Canada recommends water be fluoridated to a level of 0.7 mg/L to prevent tooth decay.

As Canada heads toward vote, Trudeau vulnerable over indigenous policies

As Canada heads toward vote, Trudeau vulnerable over indigenous policies

Trudeau also promised to end all boil water advisories in indigenous communities by 2020. Fifty-one advisories are still in effect in 32 communities, while 108 have been lifted since 2015, according to official data. "There hasn't been any meaningful progress on their watch" on indigenous issues, said Frank Graves, president of polling company EKOS Research, leaving Trudeau "somewhat exposed" politically.

Ready to vote again on water fluoridation? Calgary to hold 7th plebiscite on issue

Ready to vote again on water fluoridation? Calgary to hold 7th plebiscite on issue

Calgary will hold yet another plebiscite on whether to restore fluoride to the city's drinking water this fall. Council voted 10-4 in favour of allowing the electors to decide the issue on Monday. It will be put to the public during the 2021 municipal election in October. Council chose to stop adding fluoride to its water supply in 2011, against the opinion of Calgarians who had voted in favour of fluoridation in 1998 and 1989 plebiscites. The city has held plebiscites on the issue dating back to the 1950s.

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