Comments to Government 2006 - 2016
2016 - Ontario Cap and Trade Program: Offsets Credits Regulatory Proposal
Environment North submitted comments to the Ontario provincial government's Offsets Credits Regulatory Proposal.
"... Carbon offset programs also have challenges in implementation and in transparency. In addition, their validity, is often in question and/or difficult to determine. There are many concerns regarding additivity, leakage, permanency, to mention a few." Click here to read the letter
2014 Energy East Pipeline
TransCanada PipeLines Limited’s proposed Energy East Pipeline
Environment North participated in the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) consultation process, a forum for Ontarians to express their views on the proposed Energy East Pipeline. Environment North had three main concerns with the project:
1. The construction of a pipeline facilitates expansion of Canada’s oil production and invests in new fossil fuel infrastructure. These are both incompatible with Canada’s responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
2. The risk of a spill in the Great Lakes watershed.
3. The benefits do not outweigh the consequences, especially for Ontario.
To read the full letter to the OEB click here.
2012 -Stillwater Canda Inc. Environmental Impact Statement for the Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project
On November 26, 2012, the Joint Review Panel decided that the Stillwater Canada Inc. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) does not contain sufficient information to proceed to public hearings. To view the Panel's complete assessment click here.
2011 - Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine Project Environmental Impact Statement
Environment North submitted the comments on the Draft Guidelines for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Marathon PGM-CU Mine Project. Click here to read the comments.
2011 - Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project
Environment North has submitted comments to the Darlington New Power Plant Project Panel Secretariat. Environment North does not support the construction of new power plants for two primary reasons: more production of toxic nuclear waste and economics. There is no proven disposal solution and nuclear energy is expensive. Read the letter
2011 - Woodland caribou habitat protection approach
Environment North submitted comments to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources regarding the woodland caribou habitat protection approach. Environment North strongly disagrees with the proposed approach that would separate the caribou habitat into different zones and provide exemptions from the Endangered Species Act for most industrial uses for some zones. The entire caribou habitat range should be subject to regulations under the Endangered Species Act. To read the letter "click here".
Heidi Strobl, trained biologist, development professional and member of Environment North, has also submitted comments. "The province needs to: protect woodland caribou, in all of its habitat, through the current legislated powers of the Endangered Speices Act; withdraw the proposal to exempt forestry, mining, and hydro industries who wish to operate in caribou habitat from the ESA; and base caribou recovery on the guiding principles of (1) habitat thresholds and (2) the precautionary principle. To read her letter "click here".
2010 - Proposed Growth Plan for Northern Ontario
Julee Boan, president of Environment North has written comments on the "Proposed Growth Plan for Northern Ontario". "We believe that true sustainability will result from new socioeconomic approaches that value conservation and stewardship as a benefit to northern communities, not a cost to economic development. The market directed approach currently emphasized in the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario falls short of the lower energy future and decentralization of political decision-making required to ensure a prosperous future for our communities." Read the letter
2008 - Woodland Caribou
Environment North commented on the policy regarding Woodland Caribou conservation and recovery efforts in Ontario.
"Ensuring the health of caribou populations is critical. Not only are they indicators of healthy forests, but we have a moral obligation to sustain these populations. Woodland caribou's steady disappearance from half of their historical range is an indication of the significant loss of ecological integrity that has accompanied the industrialization of our northern landscape. There is no question that human beings have played a significant role in the loss of caribou habitat, and that needs to change." Continue reading
2006 - Species at Risk Legislation Review
Environment North submitted comments on the discussion paper regarding the proposed Species at Risk Legislation. "With our focus on Ontario's boreal forest, we have specific concerns for the survival of woodland caribou and wolverine populations in Ontario's north, and want to ensure that wide-ranging species are properly considered in the new legislation. Both species have lost more than half of their historical habitat, primarily in the past 50 years." To read the letter.
2006 - Terms of Reference for an Environmental Assessment of Peat Resources Ltd.'s proposal
Environment North has sent comments on the Terms of Reference for an Environmental Assessment of Peat Resources Ltd.'s proposal to extract and process peat from two locations near Upsala, Ontario. Concerns were expressed regarding public notice of comments and environmental impacts. Continue reading