From November 15 until December 9, we at Halton Environmental Network are part of @OakvilleCF’s #GIVEOakville! GIVEOakville is an online crowd-funding platform where donors can support their favourite local charities through one all-access platform. Help us reach our goal by donating!
Donate to HEN through GIVEOakville on #givingTuesday (December 3) to support programs like OakvilleReady, which support community resilience, acting as emergency centres delivering timely information and supporting vulnerable communities in coordination with emergency services during extreme weather events.
Registration is NOW OPEN for the Generation Green Youth Conference. We are calling all Halton students (Grades 7 to 12) who are passionate about protecting the environment and creating a sustainable, climate-resilient future!
HEN's comments on the Province’s ERO #019-3136 Growing the Size of the Greenbelt
The Ontario Provincial Government posted ERO #019-3136 for public consultation on the protection of the Greenbelt from development for future generations recognizing, “The Greenbelt is home to much of Ontario’s vital environmental, groundwater and agricultural resources.” In the government’s 2020 Budget, a pledge was made to expand the size of the Greenbelt.
HEN provided comments supporting the expansion and enhancement of areas protected within the Greenbelt recommending a science-based, comprehensive system integration approach with meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples, impacted stakeholders and the public.
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HEN's comments on the Draft of Canada's Great Lakes Strategy for PFOS, PFPA, and LC-PFCAs Risk Management
The Halton Environmental Network (HEN) is pleased for the opportunity to provide comments as part of the Consultation on the Draft of Canada’s Great Lakes Strategy for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), and Long-Chain Perfluorocarboxylic Acids (LC-PFCAs) Risk Management.
Download HEN's Comments on Draft of Canada's Great Lake Strategy
Halton Region and Halton Environmental Network partner on Climate Action
We are excited to announce that the Halton Region Council has directed staff to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Halton Environmental Network to advance the Region’s work in addressing climate change. The MOU will define climate change mitigation and adaptation activities that the Halton Environmental Network will undertake to support Halton Region.
"The Halton Region is working to reduce our carbon footprint through our programs, services and infrastructure and ensure our community is prepared for severe weather events,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Through this MOU with the Halton Environmental Network, we can enhance our ability to address climate change across Halton and develop a collaborative approach to support the sustainability of the region for generations to come.
The MOU would formalize a partnership with the Halton Environmental Network to:
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Prepare a community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory;
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Work with partners to form a Community Climate Action Plan;
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Develop a Community Engagement and Outreach Plan in collaboration with the Halton Climate Collective; and
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Explore positioning the Halton Climate Collective to coordinate climate action in the region.
HEN’s comments on the Federal Cabinet’s Approval of CN Truck-Rail Intermodal Hub
On January 21, 2021 Minister of the Environment and Climate, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson issued the Decision Statement under section 54 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2021 to approve the CN truck-rail hub in the Town of Milton.
HEN, along with many in our community, including MP van Koeverden, Regional Chair Gary Carr, Mayor Krantz, Mayor Bonnette, Mayor Burton, Mayor Meed Ward, and Regional, City and Town Councillors, Community groups, and engaged Citizens advocated against the location of this CN hub and appeared in front of the Federal Review Panel. HEN is disappointed with the Decision from Minister Wilkinson, in particular due to the apparent disregard for our community’s health, safety, and well-being and the health of our environment.
We know that this hub will increase Halton’s local GHG emissions and we understand that it is supportive of Canada’s national GHG reductions, but at what cost? Climate action needs to be holistic and we must move to accelerate the path of climate mitigation and adaptation.
We must proceed with due diligence, ensuring that we always protect and preserve our community’s health, wellbeing, and the local environment. Looking forward, climate action must look at the ecosystem as a whole, ensuring that our path forward doesn’t create new challenges or put local systems at risk.
The CN hub will cause adverse health effects in our community.
The CN hub will release particulate matter of PM 2.5, which is a dangerous and unsafe level for our citizens. Fine particulate matter is linked to more effects and has a grave impact on human health. The particulates can move deeper into your respiratory tract, including your lungs.
The hub is located within an area that includes 12 schools, a hospital and two long-term care homes. We know this particulate matter will be damaging to our children, seniors, and those with compromised health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The CN hub will increase local truck traffic with the addition of 800 trucks per day - 1,600 trips running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Diesel trucks are a key source of fine particulate matter.
Our concern with this hub is warranted, even with the 325 new conditions as part of this decision. The fact still remains that this hub is in a populated area that will create an unsafe level of air quality in our community.
Many of the new conditions proposed within the decision cannot be enforced and will leave our community vulnerable.
Much like the proposed Oakville power plant from years ago, this is a bad decision.
HEN strives to collaborate, partner, and look for solutions, but this hub in this location will create a health crisis for our community.
Please contact Minister Wilkinson, your local MP, and/or CN rail, and if you hold stocks in CN rail, call your financial broker, voice your concern.
Moving forward, every infrastructure project must be considered through a more holistic lens that simultaneously incorporates climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as community health, safety, and well-being. We are open to discuss opportunities, and ensure the future of our community is based on best practices.
Together we can create solutions that will support climate action in concert with the well-being of our community, people, and the environment.
For more information, please visit the Region of Halton’s website and these links below: https://www.halton.ca/The-Region/News/2021/Federal-Cabinet-decision-on-CN-Truck-Rail-Hub
CEAA Panel Review of the: CN Milton Logistics Hub Project CEAA Registry No. 80100.
For more information please visit: https://www.halton.ca/The-Region/Projects-and-Initiatives/CN-Milton-Logistics-Hub-Project
Generation Green 2021 Stakeholders Participate in HDSB Human Rights Symposium
WHAT IS THE HDSB HUMAN RIGHTS SYMPOSIUM?
Human Rights is the work and responsibility of all members of society. The HDSB recognizes the importance of bringing education and community partners together to engage in vital conversations to challenge our thinking. The Human Rights Symposium provides an opportunity for educators and community partners to examine important issues impacted by equality and the human condition.
This year generation Green Stakeholders took part in their discussion 'Climate Justice and My Future'. Thanks to Julia, Hannah, Rida and Daisy for sharing their voice and for Suha for moderating.
In support of Conservation Authorities, HEN responds to Bill 229, Schedule 6
Bill 229 ‘Protect, Support, and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020’ includes Schedule 6 outlining changes to the Conservation Authorities Act.
Conservation Authorities work across municipal boundaries with a holistic science-, data- and ecosystem-based watershed approach. The core mandates identified in Schedule 6 connect back to different times when watershed management was only responsive to drought, flooding and erosion issues. This is not what is needed today.
Take a look at the Halton Environmental Network's Response to Bill 229 Schedule 6 Proposal: We are deeply concerned that, as a budget bill, the Province deemed public comment through the EBR unnecessary.
If you would like to show your support for Conservation Halton, and ask the Province to hold off on making unilateral changes to the CA Act without public consultation, please use this simple tool from our friends at Ontario Nature to send an email to your MPP and express your concerns.
HEN's comments on Halton’s Regional Official Plan
Halton is reviewing its Regional Official Plan, which guides land use decisions to ensure new development meets the needs of current and future residents.
To ensure we are aligned with Provincial policies and help inform how and where our community grows, we are asking for your feedback on the following topics:
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Natural Heritage
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Rural and Agricultural System
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Climate Change
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North Aldershot Planning Area
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Integrated Growth Management Strategy: Regional Urban Structure
Get involved and have your say! Your input is valuable. Click here to complete questionnaire and learn more.
Take a look at the Halton Environmental Network's comments on the Regional Official plan and go to Halton Regional Plan to provide your input and shape Halton's Future.