The Gallon Environment Letter

Gary T. Gallon cibe at web.net
Thu Sep 11 20:10:57 EDT 1997


                         THE GALLON ENVIRONMENT LETTER
                              SEPTEMBER 8, 1997

_________________________________________________________

ONTARIO DEREGULATION CONTINUES: 
ENDS ENFORCEMENT UNDER FEDERAL FISHERIES ACT

The Government of Ontario continues the systematic dismantling of
environmental protection in Ontario. This is not good news for Canada, given
that Ontario generates almost half of the pollution in the country, and
Ontario was found to be the third worst polluter out of 61 states and
provinces in Canada the United States.  But marching to its own drum,
Ontario so far has:

o 	cut the Ministry of Environment and Energy's budget 42%
o 	eliminated almost 1,000 environmental officers positions
o 	cut all provincial funding to environment groups
o 	eliminated the Intervenor Funding Project Act
o 	eliminated funding for beaches clean up
o 	eliminated Environmental Compensation Corporation
o 	eliminated funding for clean technologies (the Environmental Technologies
Program)
o 	slashed enforcement and abatement functions

Now it has taken the next step.  One of the strongest and oldest tools for
protecting the environment within the provinces is the federal Fisheries
Act. In most cases, the provincial agencies use the federal act to protect
fish habitat and water quality.  However, in an unusual move, the Government
of Ontario issued a notice (EBR Registry No. PB7E4004.P) that it: "will no
longer be providing enforcement of the habitat provisions of the federal
Fisheries Act (Sec. 35)...".  Further, it stated that it: "will no longer be
providing mitigation advice on fisheries habitat on behalf of the Dept. of
Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). 

Ontario said it plans to return the responsibility for fish habitat in
Ontario to the federal government.  This is ironic considering that through
the CCME Harmonization process Ontario has been arguing for the federal
government to transfer its environmental responsibilities to the provinces.
With the federal government cutting its environmental budget by 40 per cent
(another 200 environment staff are being cut this month), it is in no longer
in a position to re-assume responsibility for enforcing the Fisheries Act in
Ontario.  The Ontario government understands this.  The move effectively
ends the enforcement of the Fisheries Act in Ontario.  Formal comments are
being requested up to September 17, 1997 by the Ontario Environmental
Commissioner for the Ministry of Natural Resources.  EBR Website:
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/ envision/ebr/index.htm. 

Paul Muldoon, senior lawyer with the Canadian Environmental Law Association
(CELA), based in Toronto, stated that: "the MNR's action is concrete
evidence that the provincial government wants to get out of the
environmental protection business.  It continues to look for excuses not to
enforce laws.  The proposed (CCME) harmonization agreement effectively hands
the federal environmental role to the provinces who, as evidenced by this
decision, have no intention of doing anything with it."  For a copy of their
press release contact: CELA, 517 College St., Suite 401, Toronto, M6G 4A2,
Ph. (416) 960-2284.  Or download from the website: 
http://www.web.net/cela.

***************************************************

ENVIRONMENT CANADA QUIETLY LAYING OFF ANOTHER 200

Following the Program Review of 1995, Environment Canada was ordered to cut
its budget by close to 40 per cent.  Part of the cut included more than 600
jobs.  However, in an attempt to soften the cuts, Environment Canada
promised to make profit centres and raise money from ministry activities to
pay for part of its operations.  But the expected revenues never
materialized and Environment Canada is in the midst of cutting another 200
staff, since funding for these positions is not included in the budget
allocation from the Ministry of Finance.

********************************************************

CANADA'S ENVIRONMENTAL GLOBAL WARMING POLICY STATEMENT MADE BY ENERGY MINISTER 

The U.S. news agency, Reuters, reported that Canada's Minister of Natural
Resources, Ralph Goodale, made an environmental policy statement on global
warming.  They reported that he stated: "Canada will not promise big cuts in
greenhouse gas emissions at the (Kyoto) summit in Japan."  In an article
written by Reuters' Jeffrey Jones, September 5th, it was reported that
Goodale, after speaking to a Canadian conference on climate change in
Calgary said: "the challenge for Canada to even stabilize emissions is
particularly daunting because of its large land mass, increasing dependency
on international trade and resource-based economy". For more information,
contact: Hon. Ralph Goodale, Minister, Natural Resources Canada, 580 Booth
St., Ottawa K1A 0E4, ph. (613) 996-2007; NRCan website:
http://www.NRCan.gc.ca:80/home/page2_e.htm. 

This article and other Reuters' environment articles can be found on the
Planet Ark web site: http://www.planetark.org.

**********************************************

GREEN COMMUNITIES NETWORK MEETS WITH CANADA'S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER CHRISTINE
STEWART

The Green Communities Association (CGA) executive met with federal
Environment Minister Christine Stewart for an hour and a half August 12,
1997 to brief her about the National Green Communities Initiative which
promotes small business involvement in eco-efficiency for residential and
commercial establishments. CGA reported that Stewart "cautioned us about the
scarcity of funds but provided some helpful comments. She encouraged us to
bring forward a five-year proposal for federal participation in
community-based environmental activity.". Contact: Clifford Maynes,
Coordinator, Green Communities Association, 4 Knox St., Peterborough,
Ontario K9H 2A8; ph. (705) 745-7479; fax: (705) 745-7294; email: cmaynes@
web.net;   website: www.ptbo.igs.net/~gca/.

****************************************************************

**************************************************
GREEN   GREEN  GREEN   JOBS   JOBS   JOBS
**************************************************

PEMBINA INSTITUTE SEEKING ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY ANALYST FOR OTTAWA

The Pembina Institute based in Drayton Valley, Alberta needs an Energy and
Environment Policy Analyst to be based in Ottawa.  The Pembina Institute is
one of Canada's top think tanks on energy, environment and economics.  Its
policy staff concentrates on developing creative regulations, designing
public education programs, and proposing economic instruments in areas of
clean air and energy, and green economics.  The candidate should have
substantial experience in the field and be bilingual (French and English).
Contact: Robert Hornung, (613) 235-2190 or email:  rhornung at web.net.

****************************************************

CANADA'S JOHN VAN NOSTRAND ASSOC. SEEKING INTERN FOR ZAMBIA PROJECT

John van Nostrand Associates Limited (JVA) is a Toronto-based firm of  urban
planners, architects and engineers founded in 1978. JVA provides urban and
rural planning and management services to Canadian  municipalities,
international development agencies and non-governmental organizations, and
the private sector.  Since 1995, JVA has been involved in the municipal
decentralization process initiated by the Government of the Republic of
Zambia. The intern will be required to produce the following deliverables:
Progress Report: Including draft Municipal Profiles, and digitized basemaps
· Final Report: Including final Municipal Profiles · Internship Evaluation
Report: Outlining expenses, achievement of internship objectives, including
relevant skills, knowledge and experience gained.  The successful applicant
will possess proficiency in the use of AutoCAD and/or GIS, familiarity with
the urban development process and municipal governance issues, and have some
overseas experience in a developing country urban environment. Candidates
must be under the age of 30, and must be either a Canadian citizen or
permanent resident.  Contact: Michel Frojmovic, Tel.   (613) 728-0335, Fax.
(613) 728-2467, Email. frojmovi at istar.ca.

*********************************************************

MORE ENVIRONMENT JOBS IN CANADA (COMPLIMENTS THE GLOBE AND MAIL)

*********************************************************

SYNCRUDE WANTS TWO SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS

Syncrude operates a large oil sands petroleum extract mining project in Fort
McMurray, Alberta.  It's Environmental Affairs Dept. Is seeking two
full-time environmental scientists to work on land reclamation,
environmental assessment, environmental monitoring, and air pollution
control.  You need at least a Masters Degree and 10 years experience.
Deadline September 15, 1997. Contact: Syncrude Canada Ltd., fax (403)
790-7573, email: recruiting at syncrude.com; website: http://www.syncrude.com.

COGEMA MINING CO. SEEKING VP ENVIRONMENT AND LICENSING

Cogema Resources Inc., operates two uranium mines at Cluff Lake and McClean
Lake in Northern Saskatchewan.  It is looking for a Vice-President
Environment and Licensing.  He/she will be responsible for all
environmentally related matters including the obtaining and compliance with
federal and provincial licensing requirements and the development long and
short term plans related to environment objectives. Competition No. 97037GM.
Deadline for application September 24, 1997.  Fax (306) 343-4656.

EASTSCAN GEOMATICS LTD. NEEDS GENERAL MANAGER

Eastcan Geomatics Ltd., a member of the MacDonnell Group is based in
Halifax, Nova Scotia.  It does GIS environmental mapping, digital geological
and ecosystems analysis for regions in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Eastcan needs a General Manager with at least five years senior management
experience.  Deadline September 23, 1997.  Email: gerrypost at mgnet.ca.

NWT WANTS TWO ENVIRONMENT POSITIONS: LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND
POLAR BEAR BIOLOGIST

The NWT Dept. of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Nunavut
Headquarters wants to hire a Senior Advisor, Legislation & Enforcement
(Salary $48,000 to $58,000; Ref. # 041-0027-0100) and a Polar bear Biologist
(Salary: $54,000 to $64,000:  Ref. # PB-97-0100).  Deadline: September 15,
1997.  Fax application to Shohil Kanji, Ph. (819) 979-5074, fax (819) 979-6026.

CYANAMID WANTS ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE

Cynamid Crop Protection, manufacturer of pesticides and chemical
fertilizers, based in Markham wants a regulatory affairs associate to report
to the Director of Regulatory and Environmental Affairs.  Prefer a Ph.D.,
but will accept M.Sc. With experience in environmental fate, environmental
chemistry, aquatic/terrestrial ecology, and pesticide regulation.  Deadline
September 17, 1997; Mail resume to: Cindy Piggott, Director, Human
Resources, Cynamid Crop Protection, 88 McNabb St., Markham, Ontario L3R 6E6.

*********************   END  OF   JOBS   *******************************

**************************************
INTERNATIONAL
**************************************

BRITISH ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY FINDS U.K. BUDGET LACKING

The British Environment Business Newsletter analyzed July 17th, 1997 the new
U.K. federal budget regarding the environment.  The environment business
letter reports: "the first (Labour) budget has outlined the principles for
environmental tax reform, but has largely failed to deliver on its
environmental promise while fundamental changes have been put on ice until
next spring at the earliest. Chancellor Gordon Brown's first Budget has held
back from major green tax reforms" It reported that some bright spots in the
federal budget include: " modest increases in levies on traditional motor
fuels, with lower rates for clean fuels including natural gas, and important
tax concessions to boost investment."  From: Information for Industry Ltd.,
18-20 Ridgway, London, England SW19 4QN,  Tel: +44 (0) 181 944 2930, Fax:
+44 (0) 181 944 1982. e-mail eb at cix.compulink.co.uk,  Website
http://www.ifi.co.uk.

******************************************

ENVIRONMENT SUMMIT ‘98: PREPARING FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM

A special international environment policy conference will be held the week
of May 11, 1998 at     Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.  It will
focus on emerging environmental issues including: voluntary environmental
measures like Project XL, EPA's Environmental Leadership Program, and ISO
14000.  It will also deal with cradle-to-grave factors for sustainable
development of products being produced, distributed, used and disposed.  It
will look at alternative communication methods and tools for presenting
environmental and safety data to special interest groups and the general
public; and review the assessment of the relative risk of multimedia
environmental impacts.  Contact: Tammy Nielsen, Vice President,
Environmental Resource Center, ph. (919) 469-1585 ext. 226.

*********************************************************

2% GROWTH IN U.S. ENVIRONMENT ENGINEERING AND CONSULTING INDUSTRY

	On average, environmental engineering consulting firms grew by about 2
percent in 1996, according to the Environmental Financial Consulting Group
Inc. (EFCG) based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The  EFCG's annual financial
survey of CEOs of the engineering firms found that there was  little change
in median operating margins.  They reported that overall profits for the
industry are expected to be 35 percent to 40 percent lower in 1996 than what
had been projected in 1995. The CEOs view municipal markets and
water/wastewater work as the strongest market areas, while hazardous waste,
lab services and federal government work are seen as the weakest areas. This
report explores the financial themes of 1996 and looks at CEOs' predictions
for 1997. The detailed financial survey was completed by 165 of the roughly
175 CEOs in attendance at the Seventh Annual Environmental CEO Conference,
held in New York City. Among others, representatives of 48 of the top 50
engineering and consulting firms in the sector completed the three-page
survey. Participating firms generated $15.4 billion in gross revenues from
environmental engineering., consulting and remediation services.  Source:
International Environmental Information Network  4801 W. 81st St. —
Minneapolis, MN 55437 — Ph: 612/831-2473 Fx: 612/831-6550.

*********************************************************

ENVIRONMENT HIGH ON INTERNATIONAL POLLING RESULTS

Canada as a major exporter of minerals, wood products, and pulp and paper
faces a competitive disadvantage as a result of Europe's perception that
Canadians are falling down in protecting their environment.  A new
international poll of some 27,000 people in 24 countries revealed that
environmental concerns of the consumer remain very high.  Conducted by the
International Environment Monitor, called MORI, the poll found that "the
environment should be given priority even at the risk of slowing down
economic growth (56%). Only 17% say that economic growth should be given
priority even if the environment suffers.  Eight out of ten people say
protecting the environment should be given at least equal priority to
economic growth. Twenty two per cent said they both should be given equal
priority."

***************************************************

FRENCH MINISTER WANTS ECO-TAX TO FIGHT POLLUTION

PARIS - French Environment Minister Dominique Voynet, the first Green to
hold the post, said in an interview on Thursday she wanted to introduce an
"eco-tax" on energy to fight against worsening air quality.  Voynet told the
daily Le Figaro that pollution alerts this week in Paris and other large
cities were only "the tip of the iceberg" and that France had to take
longer-term measures against rising pollution levels.  Pollution alerts were
in force for the third straight day during August in the French cities of
Paris, Lyon, Lille and Strasbourg.  She said she: "would like France to
adopt an eco-tax on energy and carbon emissions to promote behaviour that
respects health and the environment more,".  She added that:  "It would not
be an extra tax, but a tax that could gradually replace part of the tax
system."  

France's prime minister has set up a working group on this issue.  All
cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants would have to draw up an air
pollution and global warming gases reduction plan by late 1998 to shift the
emphasis towards public transport and non-polluting alternatives such as
bicycles or walking. Voynet said she also favoured stricter automobile
emission norms and supported efforts within the European Union to introduce
them community-wide by the year 2000. (c) Reuters Limited 1997 

******************************************************

IRAN FOCUSES ON PROTECTING ITS ENVIRONMENT

TEHRAN (Reuter) - Iran's first woman vice-president said on Monday she would be
prepared to pass laws to protect the environment. "Special attention will be
paid to the protection
of the environment...If necessary we will approve new laws to protect the
environment,"
Masoumeh Ebtekar, 37, told state television.    Ebtekar,  also appointed to
head the Environmental Protection Organisation, stated: "We will try to
acquire environmentally friendly technology and work closely with
universities and research centres," (c) Reuters Limited 1997 

*******************************************************

HUNDREDS DETAINED WHILE PROTESTING INDIAN SMELTER

MADRAS, India (Reuter) - Indian police on Saturday detained hundreds of
protesters demanding the permanent closure of a copper smelter which they
said was spreading pollution.  The protesters, demanded the shutdown of the
Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd smelter in the southern port city of
Tuticorin, police said.  Sterlite operates India's only private-sector
copper smelter, which began production in December 1996.  The company was
asked in early July to shut down its 100,000-tonne annual capacity smelter
after suspected gas emissions. More than 100 workers of a nearby factory
were taken to hospital.  The company strongly denied any leak.  On August
13, the firm received permission to reopen (c) Reuters Limited 1997 

***********************************************************

INDIA DEMANDS FIRMS HAVE EFFLUENT TREATMENT SYSTEMS

NEW DELHI (Reuter) - India ordered 2,026 industrial units, discharging
wastes to rivers, to install effluent treatment systems in three months or
be closed down.  "We have given them three months' time starting fourth of
August," Environment Minister Saifuddin Soz told reporters in the Indian
capital.  Soz said committees comprising senior officials from the
Environment Ministry would be set up for the four zones in the nation to
examine the level of waste discharge by the companies.  Twenty-five percent
of the cost of setting up the systems would be provided by the federal
government and 25 percent by the state where a company was based.  -- New
Delhi Newsroom (91) 11-301-2024; Fax (91) 11-301-4043 (c) Reuters Limited 1997 

*******************************************************


END


Gary T. Gallon
Canadian Institute for Business and the Environment
506 Victoria Ave.
Montreal, Quebec  H3Y 2R5
Ph. (514) 369-0230
Fax (514) 369-3282
email:  cibe at web.net



More information about the Coral-list-old mailing list