dear minister

Submitted the following via Environmental Defence Canada

The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
10 Wellington St., 28th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0H3
Tel.: (819) 997-1441
Fax: (819) 953-3457
E-mail: Rona.Ambrose@ec.gc.ca

Dear Minister Ambrose,

As a Canadian concerned about the environment, I am writing to express my support for increased government action to promote the reduction of pollution in our communities and to take action to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Using the PollutionWatch web site (www.PollutionWatch.org), I noticed that the pollution levels in Canada are very high. I also noticed that some facilities are reducing the amount of pollutants released to the air, water and land while other facilities continue to increase the amount of pollutants released to the environment or transferred. Across Canada, each and every year, large amounts of pollutants known to be carcinogens, suspected of being reproductive/developmental toxins and suspected respiratory toxins are released from facilities to our air, water and land. This is unacceptable.

In addition, the PollutionWatch web site also shows that many facilities are releasing greenhouse gases, which cause global climate change. I am very concerned about the amount of greenhouse gases that are being emitted into the environment and the amounts reported by Canadian facilities. What are the government’s plans to reduce these greenhouse gas levels? I believe that, as a minimum, Canada should live up to its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, and reduce greenhouse gases to meet the international targets.

I also firmly believe that the issue of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Canada should be a priority for all levels of government. The federal government must lead this effort and engage with its provincial and territorial counterparts to take action.

The federal government’s role in tracking and managing pollution in Canada should not diminish. The federal government programs that collect data on pollutant releases and transfers and emissions of greenhouse gases through the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) and the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program are of utmost importance to Canadians who want to see a cleaner and healthier environment for all of us. If Canadians are to promote a healthier environment, the NPRI and Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program must be expanded. Strengthening these programs is an essential element of Canada’s efforts to reduce pollution.

As matter of priority, Environment Canada should:

1. Ensure Canada takes immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas levels and fulfill its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. It is critical that Canada continues its long-standing practice of working with the international community to protect and improve the global environment, THROUGH, FOR EXAMPLE, A CARBON CREDIT PROGRAM.

2. Increase its activities to eliminate toxic substances from use, release, generation, disposal or recycling in Canada with defined timelines. Attention should be given to those pollutants that are persistent, bioaccumulative and inherently toxic, toxic under CEPA, carcinogens, respiratory toxicants and those pollutants suspected of being reproductive toxicants.

3. Strengthen and expand pollution prevention strategies through effective regulations and programs.

4. Strengthen and expand the NPRI and GHG programs through an effective multi-stakeholder consultation process.

5. FIX THE SHORTCOMING OF THE CANADIAN ECONOMIC SYSTEM BY ADDRESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. "ECONOMIC" DERIVES FROM L. oeconomia AND Gk. oikonomia, MEANING "HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT" - AND CLEARLY IT (THE AIR WE BREATHE, THE LAND WE CULTIVATE, THE WATER WE DRINK, AND THE RESOURCES WE EXPLOIT) ARE PART OF THE CANADIAN "HOUSEHOLD" AND MUST NOT BE IGNORED NOR OMITTED FROM THE CALCULATIONS. ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO TAX THE PRODUCTS AT TIME OF ACQUISITION FOR THE COST OF THEIR EVENTUAL DISPOSAL (INCLUDING ANY PACKAGING). SIMILARLY, FOSSIL FUELS SHOULD BE TAXED FOR THE COST OF SEQUESTERING CORRESPONDING AMOUNTS OF CARBON AND OTHER POLLUTANTS. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXPLOIT MARKET FORCES TO PROMPT MANUFACTURERS OF GOODS TO REDUCE THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT OF THEIR PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES, AND GIVE CANADIAN MANUFACTURING AND RECUPERATION INDUSTRIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME WORLD LEADERS WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO THE PRESERVATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL RAMPAGE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IS A TRAIN WRECK IN THE MAKING. FIXING THE ECONOMIC (HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT) IMBALANCE AT THE SOURCE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF OUR SOCIETY AS PAYING DOWN THE DEBT.

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

I really do look forward to the reply.