ECOJUSTICE.CA
Who we are
Ecojustice is a national charitable organization dedicated to
defending Canadians' right to a healthy environment. Our lawyers and
scientists set legal precedents and strengthen environmental laws that
protect
and restore the environment, both today and for the future.
We are an independent organization and 100 percent of our funding is
provided by our generous donors. Standing together with thousands of
dedicated supporters, Ecojustice is winning victories that make a
lasting difference for our communities and our environment.
We come from a variety of backgrounds, yet share one common goal: To
ensure the long-term protection and health of our rich and diverse
environment.
What we do
Ecojustice provides legal services free-of-charge to charities and
citizens on
the front lines of the environmental movement, helping ensure equitable
access to environmental justice nationwide. We advocate for effective
laws, use the courts to make sure they are implemented and enforced, and
give a voice to Canadians in decisions that affect the air, water and
land we all depend on.
Ecojustice holds governments and corporations accountable to nature.
Going to court is never a sure thing. It is expensive, time-consuming
and the outcome uncertain. Litigation is a final and powerful option
when all other alternatives have been exhausted.
Monday
Humanists working for a better world » British Humanist Association
Humanists working for a better world » British Humanist Association
Here is the UK organization, with an emphasis on Climate Change and environmental action.
Here is the UK organization, with an emphasis on Climate Change and environmental action.
Thursday
Avaaz - Oil showdown in the Amazon
Humanists for Social and Environmental Action: Avaaz - Oil showdown in the Amazon
Dear friends,
There is one area of the Ecuadorian Amazon that is so pristine that the whole ecosystem has been preserved and even jaguars roam free! But the government is now threatening to go in and drill for oil.
The local indigenous people have been resisting, but they are afraid that oil companies will break up the community with bribes. When they heard that people across the world might stand with them and make a stink to save their land, they were thrilled. The president of Ecuador claims to stand for indigenous rights and the environment, but he has just come up with a new plan to bring oil speculators in to 4 million hectares of jungle. If we can say 'wait a minute, you're supposed to be the green president who says no one can buy Ecuador', we could expose him for turning his back on his commitments just as he is fighting for re-election.
He doesn't want a PR nightmare right now. If we get a million of us to help this one community defend their ancestral land and challenge the president openly to keep to his word, we could start a media storm that would make him reconsider the whole plan. Sign the petition now and tell everyone -- let's help save this beautiful forest:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/oil_in_the_amazon_8/?bVHRRab&v=21318
Dear friends,
 Ecuador’s Sani Isla Kichwa people have asked for our help to stop the government turning their forest home into an oil field. A massive scandal in the global media challenging President Correa to act on his environmental principles could persuade him to pull back and stop the Amazon oil rush. Sign the petition now:  |
The local indigenous people have been resisting, but they are afraid that oil companies will break up the community with bribes. When they heard that people across the world might stand with them and make a stink to save their land, they were thrilled. The president of Ecuador claims to stand for indigenous rights and the environment, but he has just come up with a new plan to bring oil speculators in to 4 million hectares of jungle. If we can say 'wait a minute, you're supposed to be the green president who says no one can buy Ecuador', we could expose him for turning his back on his commitments just as he is fighting for re-election.
He doesn't want a PR nightmare right now. If we get a million of us to help this one community defend their ancestral land and challenge the president openly to keep to his word, we could start a media storm that would make him reconsider the whole plan. Sign the petition now and tell everyone -- let's help save this beautiful forest:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/oil_in_the_amazon_8/?bVHRRab&v=21318
No More Indigenous Women Lost to Violence Amnesty International Canada
CANADA: No More Indigenous Women Lost to Violence | Write for Rights | Amnesty International Canada
The numbers are shocking. Canadian government statistics indicate that Indigenous women in Canada are five to seven times more likely than other women to die as the result of violence. The Native Women’s Association of Canada has documented more than 580 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. Most of those have occurred within the last three decades. Because of gaps in police and government reporting, the actual numbers may be much higher.
The Government of Canada has acknowledged the discrimination and violence faced by Indigenous women and girls in Canada but to date have taken insufficient action to stop the violence committed against them. United Nation’s officials have repeatedly called on Canada to take comprehensive action to put an end to this violence. More and more Amnesty International members around the world are joining in calling for immediate action to end the violence.lease send a message to Prime Minister Harper.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Postage: None required
Fax: (613) 941-6900
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
Or you may leave a message at http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/contact.asp
The numbers are shocking. Canadian government statistics indicate that Indigenous women in Canada are five to seven times more likely than other women to die as the result of violence. The Native Women’s Association of Canada has documented more than 580 cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. Most of those have occurred within the last three decades. Because of gaps in police and government reporting, the actual numbers may be much higher.
The Government of Canada has acknowledged the discrimination and violence faced by Indigenous women and girls in Canada but to date have taken insufficient action to stop the violence committed against them. United Nation’s officials have repeatedly called on Canada to take comprehensive action to put an end to this violence. More and more Amnesty International members around the world are joining in calling for immediate action to end the violence.lease send a message to Prime Minister Harper.
- Start with Dear Prime Minister.
- Describe who you are and what concerns you about the lack of action to protect Indigenous women from harm and to prosecute the perpetrators of violence.
- Ask him to collaborate with Indigenous women’s organizations to develop and adopt a comprehensive, coordinated National Action Plan to stop violence against women. This plan must address both the social and economic inequalities that lead to increased risk of violence against Indigenous women and how the police and justice system respond to the attacks them.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Postage: None required
Fax: (613) 941-6900
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
Or you may leave a message at http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/contact.asp
What else can I do?
1. Sign an additional petition from the Native Women’s Association of Canada supporting the call for a National Inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada.
Forced/ arranged Marriages - resources
here is a US-based group assisting women to escape arranged marriages:
Unchained at last:
http://www.unchainedatlast.org/
here is a Canadian website with a group of service providers offering assistance to women.
FAQ » » Forced Marriages
This information resource is part of the Forced Marriage Project, an initiative of South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALCO). The Forced Marriage Project, funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), denounces the threat and practice of forced, non-consensual marriage. More Info
We don't have any information at present on how to help the Canadian group.
Unchained at last:
http://www.unchainedatlast.org/
here is a Canadian website with a group of service providers offering assistance to women.
FAQ » » Forced Marriages
This information resource is part of the Forced Marriage Project, an initiative of South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALCO). The Forced Marriage Project, funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), denounces the threat and practice of forced, non-consensual marriage. More Info
We don't have any information at present on how to help the Canadian group.
Newtown victims honoured with #26Acts of kindness campaign
Newtown victims honoured with #26Acts of kindness campaign - Your Community
(this campaign suggested by a Board member of OHS)
(this campaign suggested by a Board member of OHS)
- An online movement honouring victims of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting is providing the world with a little bit of comfort and hope this week in the wake of an unthinkable tragedy.
The #26Acts campaign suggests that one random act of kindness be performed for each of the 20 children and 6 adults killed Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School
Tuesday
Snapshot Serengeti - volunteer wildlife survey!
Snapshot Serengeti
http://www.snapshotserengeti.org/
Hundreds of camera traps in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, are providing a powerful new window into the dynamics of Africa’s most elusive wildlife species. We need your help to classify all the different animals caught in millions of camera trap images.
http://www.snapshotserengeti.org/
Hundreds of camera traps in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, are providing a powerful new window into the dynamics of Africa’s most elusive wildlife species. We need your help to classify all the different animals caught in millions of camera trap images.
Wednesday
In Pakistan, a nascent hope behind the bombs | Avaaz
In Pakistan, a nascent hope behind the bombs | Avaaz
Writing in the Guardian, Pakistani novelist Mohammed Hanif says:
Here is an article and a petition at the end...
Writing in the Guardian, Pakistani novelist Mohammed Hanif says:
... the Taliban seem to know what they are talking about. An educated female population is more threatening to them than armies equipped with all-seeing drones. Every girl who crams for a high-school exam, every woman who runs a hospital, and every semi-educated mother who makes sure her daughter gets a better education than she herself received, is a mortal threat to the Taliban
Here is an article and a petition at the end...
...Malala is making a strong recovery and the Pakistani government has already announced some promising first steps towards education for all. But we need to keep up the pressure to make sure the money is not lost to corruption along the way. Sign the petition now!
Thursday
Write for Rights with Amnesty International on Human Rights Day, Dec. 10th
Write for Rights with Amnesty International on Human Rights Day, Dec. 10th
Prepare yourself to save a life on December 10th
It's time to get ready to Write for Rights!
We've shown that together we can save lives, and you can once again be a part of our massive, life-saving effort on December 10, as Amnesty International mobilizes its full world-wide membership to take action.
Be a part of Write for Rights 2012 by SIGNING UP NOW.
You can choose to write one or several letters, sign an online petition, or organize a Write for Rights event with your friends, family or colleagues - one of hundreds of events we anticipate across Canada, and one of thousands taking place around the world on International Human Rights Day.
Last year Amnesty International supporters in 80 countries wrote over 1 million letters on International Human Rights Day!
We know that the influence of letters or a huge petition tips the balance and persuades a government leader to do the right thing. We know that our efforts get results.
Will it be YOUR letter that tips the balance and saves a life?
Each letter-writing case featured this year also allows you to write a letter of solidarity and bring hope to people who can feel hopeless.
Sign-up to write on your own | Sign-up to organize a letter-writing event with friends, at your school, at your office
Prepare yourself to save a life on December 10th
 |
 |
Narges Mohammadi is detained in Iran for defending women's rights. See her letter-writing action. |
 |
We've shown that together we can save lives, and you can once again be a part of our massive, life-saving effort on December 10, as Amnesty International mobilizes its full world-wide membership to take action.
Be a part of Write for Rights 2012 by SIGNING UP NOW.
You can choose to write one or several letters, sign an online petition, or organize a Write for Rights event with your friends, family or colleagues - one of hundreds of events we anticipate across Canada, and one of thousands taking place around the world on International Human Rights Day.
Last year Amnesty International supporters in 80 countries wrote over 1 million letters on International Human Rights Day!
We know that the influence of letters or a huge petition tips the balance and persuades a government leader to do the right thing. We know that our efforts get results.
Will it be YOUR letter that tips the balance and saves a life?
Each letter-writing case featured this year also allows you to write a letter of solidarity and bring hope to people who can feel hopeless.
Sign-up to write on your own | Sign-up to organize a letter-writing event with friends, at your school, at your office
If you are unable to join us, please consider buying
Tuesday
Winter Coat Drives
As the winter weather approaches, it's time to
think about donating your gently used winter coats. You can take them
to any West 49 location and receive $25 off of a new jacket, but if you
don't live anywhere near a West 49, check your local newspaper or do a
quick internet search to see where you can take your coats. Feel free to
share links to local coat drives here too!
Monday
ACTION ALERT: Harper must tear up the Canada-China investment treaty
ACTION ALERT: Harper must tear up the Canada-China investment treaty
Canadians are fuming about the Canada-China Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPPA), tabled quietly by the Harper government at the end of September. Tens of thousands of us have used action alerts like this one to ask Prime Minister Harper to cancel the investment treaty. It is resonating with opposition parties, which are demanding a public debate the government does not want to have. In fact, the FIPPA will become law on November 1 unless we can stop it.
WHAT IS A FIPPA?
The Harper government’s new investment pact with China fundamentally undermines democracy. It will give Chinese firms in Canada and Canadian firms in China 31 years of “protection” – from environmental, human rights or resource conservation measures they don’t like. It gives companies and private investors the right to sue Canada or China in controversial private, unaccountable tribunals outside the court system.
As a net importer of Chinese investment, especially in energy and resources, the treaty will compromise what we can do to better manage mining and energy projects. Globally, mining and oil companies have used their excessive corporate rights in trade and investment treaties to bully or punish governments that don’t give them the project approvals they want.
Even when a project was cancelled or improved because the community demanded it, multinational oil and mining companies have demanded hundreds of millions in compensation. Investment panels have obliged them with ever growing awards paid by governments to corporations. This is of the greatest importance given the need to power down the tarsands and stop proposed pipelines to the west coast.
Demand parliamentary hearings into the Canada-China investment pact!
Phone or send a short email to your Member of Parliament today saying you oppose the Canada-China investment treaty and ask that the issue be debated in the House of Commons. You can use the form below to send a note to all MPs, or find your own MP’s contact information here if you want to send personalized letter. Phone calls can go a long way, so please consider phoning your MP today in support of a debate on the Canada-China investment pact.Canadians are fuming about the Canada-China Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPPA), tabled quietly by the Harper government at the end of September. Tens of thousands of us have used action alerts like this one to ask Prime Minister Harper to cancel the investment treaty. It is resonating with opposition parties, which are demanding a public debate the government does not want to have. In fact, the FIPPA will become law on November 1 unless we can stop it.
WHAT IS A FIPPA?
The Harper government’s new investment pact with China fundamentally undermines democracy. It will give Chinese firms in Canada and Canadian firms in China 31 years of “protection” – from environmental, human rights or resource conservation measures they don’t like. It gives companies and private investors the right to sue Canada or China in controversial private, unaccountable tribunals outside the court system.
As a net importer of Chinese investment, especially in energy and resources, the treaty will compromise what we can do to better manage mining and energy projects. Globally, mining and oil companies have used their excessive corporate rights in trade and investment treaties to bully or punish governments that don’t give them the project approvals they want.
Even when a project was cancelled or improved because the community demanded it, multinational oil and mining companies have demanded hundreds of millions in compensation. Investment panels have obliged them with ever growing awards paid by governments to corporations. This is of the greatest importance given the need to power down the tarsands and stop proposed pipelines to the west coast.
Vision Statement | We Are Power Shift Canada
Vision Statement | We Are Power Shift Canada
Powershift statement - Conference opening today (you can follow events on the blog)
2011 was a year of people’s power. From mass mobilizations in Greece and Spain, throughout North Africa and the Middle East, to Occupy Wall Street and the struggle against the Keystone XL and Gateway pipelines, movements of ordinary people emerged and set the stage for much needed changes to today’s economic, social and political landscape. For many, 2011 spelled a darker and tougher time, with climate change-induced disasters and spiraling economic inequality and misery. But it also re-kindled a fire, an appetite for greater justice, for a more equal and collaborative society.
Youth were at the forefront of these movements. In Canada, too, they are rising to the occasion. Power Shift 2012 will gather young people from across the country to build on this momentum and strengthen the movement for climate and environmental justice. We will be organizing Powershift 2012 while young people face a difficult, uphill battle to create a just and sustainable future. Canada has abandoned the Kyoto Protocol, eliminated energy efficiency programs and continues to subsidize and promote the fossil fuel industry, acts that threaten our air, water, land and the climate. Our present and future economic welfare is also at risk. We see daily reports promising cuts to our public services, the dismantling of our social security, the loss of workers rights, and tax breaks to corporations that don’t need them.
The economic and climate crises we are facing have the same roots — the relentless drive to put short-term economic profits over the interests of our communities and the environment. We can find joint solutions to the climate and economic crisis: by reining in corporate power and its undue influence over our political process, by reviving and strengthening our public sphere, by localizing our economies and our food system. Such long term solutions and alternatives will safeguard our communities and our environment. ...
Powershift statement - Conference opening today (you can follow events on the blog)
2011 was a year of people’s power. From mass mobilizations in Greece and Spain, throughout North Africa and the Middle East, to Occupy Wall Street and the struggle against the Keystone XL and Gateway pipelines, movements of ordinary people emerged and set the stage for much needed changes to today’s economic, social and political landscape. For many, 2011 spelled a darker and tougher time, with climate change-induced disasters and spiraling economic inequality and misery. But it also re-kindled a fire, an appetite for greater justice, for a more equal and collaborative society.
Youth were at the forefront of these movements. In Canada, too, they are rising to the occasion. Power Shift 2012 will gather young people from across the country to build on this momentum and strengthen the movement for climate and environmental justice. We will be organizing Powershift 2012 while young people face a difficult, uphill battle to create a just and sustainable future. Canada has abandoned the Kyoto Protocol, eliminated energy efficiency programs and continues to subsidize and promote the fossil fuel industry, acts that threaten our air, water, land and the climate. Our present and future economic welfare is also at risk. We see daily reports promising cuts to our public services, the dismantling of our social security, the loss of workers rights, and tax breaks to corporations that don’t need them.
The economic and climate crises we are facing have the same roots — the relentless drive to put short-term economic profits over the interests of our communities and the environment. We can find joint solutions to the climate and economic crisis: by reining in corporate power and its undue influence over our political process, by reviving and strengthening our public sphere, by localizing our economies and our food system. Such long term solutions and alternatives will safeguard our communities and our environment. ...
Friday
Holiday Food Drives
If you have a local food bank to list, please let us know.
We'll tag them with "Food" in the categories, and the City, so you can find them again.
From my MP, Craig Scott:
non-perishables at our Constituency Office:
741 Broadview Ave, Suite 304
Tuesday to Friday (10 am-5 pm)
We'll tag them with "Food" in the categories, and the City, so you can find them again.
From my MP, Craig Scott:
Toronto-Danforth Food Drive
We are continuing to Toronto Danforth Food Drive in support of the Eastview Neighbourhood Community Centre Food Bank will be continuing till October 31st. This is a very important time toremember families who rely on food banks andto do our part to fight hunger in our community. Please take the time to donate a fewnon-perishables at our Constituency Office:
741 Broadview Ave, Suite 304
Tuesday to Friday (10 am-5 pm)
Wednesday
First World Problems...
WATERisLIFE endeavours to bring clean water and WASH programs to schools and communities in developing countries. They run a variety of interesting projects and you can get involved by donating ($10 will buy a straw that filters as you drink and lasts for a year!) and by volunteering to publicize their cause via social media.
Their site features a number of videos, including this one showing ordinary Haitians reading tweets with the hashtag #firstworldproblems. This ad is apparently upsetting a few people, but if nothing else it puts things into perspective. Even if you don't like it, those drinking straws are amazing, so if you have $10 to spare, consider donating one of those.
Via Lousy Canuck
Fundraising as a Team!
Starting in 2013 we'd love to enter a Humanism
Helps team into fundraising events like Relay for Life or Run for the
Cure... If any of you have suggestions about what other sorts of events
we could enter as a team, we'd love to hear them. If there is enough interest, it would be great to enter teams across Ontario, so let us know if
you would like to participate so that we can start getting
organized!
Because I am a Girl : Egypt: Eliminating female genital mutilation : Plan International
Because I am a Girl : Egypt: Eliminating female genital mutilation : Plan International
Despite Egypt's banning of female circumcision - also referred to as female genital mutilation (FGM) - in the 1990s, the practice is still widespread, and in rural areas such as Kalioubia or Giza, is almost universal among girls aged 7 to 12.
Most girls are not consulted, nor do they consent to the practice. FGM is one of the most blatant denials of girls' human rights. The practice also compromises girls' health and social development.
Abolishing the practice has proven extremely difficult since it is maintained through long-held customs that are deeply rooted in communities and family life.
The Reduction of Female Genital Mutilation project, which started in 2006, is sponsored by Plan Egypt in collaboration with government and civil society at national, regional and local levels (including the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM), local departments of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health, and 10 community development associations).
A human rights based approach underpins the strategy ultimately to reduce and eliminate FGM by tackling harmful attitudes and beliefs in communities through the creation of local coordination and gender committees.
Work with and through these entities has increased the understanding of parents, community leaders, and members of community development organisations of the harmful psychological and physical impacts on girls and the role they can play in the fight for its elimination.
Capacity has been built locally to deliver advocacy and awareness activities for parents and others who play a key role in maintaining the practice. Children themselves have been sensitised on the harmfulness of FGM and informed of their human rights.
More than 7,000 girls and women have so far been supported through capacity building and service delivery.
Despite Egypt's banning of female circumcision - also referred to as female genital mutilation (FGM) - in the 1990s, the practice is still widespread, and in rural areas such as Kalioubia or Giza, is almost universal among girls aged 7 to 12.
Most girls are not consulted, nor do they consent to the practice. FGM is one of the most blatant denials of girls' human rights. The practice also compromises girls' health and social development.
Abolishing the practice has proven extremely difficult since it is maintained through long-held customs that are deeply rooted in communities and family life.
The Reduction of Female Genital Mutilation project, which started in 2006, is sponsored by Plan Egypt in collaboration with government and civil society at national, regional and local levels (including the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM), local departments of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health, and 10 community development associations).
A human rights based approach underpins the strategy ultimately to reduce and eliminate FGM by tackling harmful attitudes and beliefs in communities through the creation of local coordination and gender committees.
Work with and through these entities has increased the understanding of parents, community leaders, and members of community development organisations of the harmful psychological and physical impacts on girls and the role they can play in the fight for its elimination.
Capacity has been built locally to deliver advocacy and awareness activities for parents and others who play a key role in maintaining the practice. Children themselves have been sensitised on the harmfulness of FGM and informed of their human rights.
More than 7,000 girls and women have so far been supported through capacity building and service delivery.
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