1.

CALL FOR DELEGATES

1. Refinery Emissions
2. Canada’s National Implementation Plan (NIP) under the Stockholm Convention

2.

CALL FOR COMMENTS

1. Proposed Canada-Quebec Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation
2. Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Emissions

3.

RESOURCES / ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Alternatives Energy Issue Useful for Course Curriculums
2. CEN Forest Caucus Newsletter
3. DFAIT Conference Call on Special Summit

4.

Upcoming Events

1. OECD Forum 2004 - Health of Nations
2. Workshop on Water and Celebration
3. 2004 Sustainable Communities National Conference and Trade Show
4. CEN International Program (IP) meeting

5.

EMPLOYMENT

1. Senior Policy Analyst, Climate Change
2. Executive Director, Great Lakes United  

1.

CALL FOR DELEGATES

i.

Refinery Emissions

Environment Canada, in cooperation with the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, is hosting a two day workshop scheduled for Ottawa February 25-26, 2004. CEN ENGO delegates have been participating in the on-going Refinery Emissions process for over a year. The current consultation is intended to present the work achieved to date in a broader stakeholder forum. 2-5 ENGO delegates, in addition to the current contingent, are being invited. Because the current ENGO delegation consists primarily of representatives from smaller groups the CEN Selection Committee will be asked to ensure a balance of representation that includes larger environmental groups with a national and/or international perspective on the issue. That said, all CEN members in good standing with an interest on this file are invited to apply. For more information on the general process, visit the CEN's web site or contact Derek Stack, 613.728.9819 (22); to submit your candidature. Volunteers for the Selection Committee should also contact Derek Stack.

ii.

Canada’s National Implementation Plan (NIP) under the Stockholm Convention

In February 2004, Environment Canada will hold workshops in Edmonton, Alberta, the National Capital Region and Fredericton, New Brunswick to consult on Canada’s National Implementation Plan (NIP) under the Stockholm Convention, which is anticipated to enter into force soon. The workshops will provide an overview of Canada’s obligations under the Convention, the ways in which federal, provincial and territorial governments are meeting those obligations and describe current areas of discussion by signatories to the Convention (for example, guidance on Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices).

Following these workshops, Environment Canada will consider all comments and prepare a draft National Implementation Plan, to be posted on Environment Canada’s website for additional comments. Note that the meeting is open to the public (no selection required) but that subsidized travel and accommodation costs are limited. Members wishing to attend should complete the Registration form available on the CEN Website where additional information is also found. Please note the registration form should be sent directly to shelly.roy@ec.gc.ca by January 14, 2003, while CC-ing derek@cen-rce.org. Contact Derek Stack for more information.

2.

CALL FOR COMMENTS

i.

Proposed Canada-Quebec Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation

The draft agreement is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's web site. Comments must be received no later than January 30, 2004. Please direct your comments, in the official language of your choice, to:
François Boulanger
Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale
Bureau de Québec
1141, route de l'Église, 2e étage
Québec QC G1V 4B8
Tél. : (418) 649-6438
Téléc. : (418) 649-6443

ii.

Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Emissions

The Draft Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Emissions from Sterilization Applications is currently available for public comment.

There are only two sectors that contribute to point source releases of ethylene oxide in Canada: sterilization applications and chemical industries. Although sterilization does not represent a major use of ethylene oxide in terms of volumes consumed, it is the most significant source of release to the environment. Most hospitals in Canada do not treat their emissions, but rather vent the ethylene oxide used directly to the environment.

For more information and to view the Guidelines document, visit EC's website. The deadline for comment is January 16, 2004.

3.

RESOURCES / ANNOUNCEMENTS

i

Alternatives Energy Issue Useful for Course Curriculums

Alternatives Journal has released its Winter 2004 issue focusing on energy. The magazine contains material that professors and teachers will find useful in their classes and lectures. The issue will be of special interest to people looking for course material on renewable energy technologies, conservation, historical precedent and government standards and regulations. Call (866) 437-2587 or e-mail Alternatives for more information and/or to subscribe.

ii

CEN Forest Caucus Newsletter

The CEN Forest Caucus Newsletter Special XII World Forestry Congress Issue is now available. The articles featured in this electronic newsletter were written by ENGO representatives and reflect diverse aspects of the Congress. The newsletter also includes the final WFC statement and NGO statement.

iii

DFAIT Conference Call on Special Summit

Following the December 16th Multi-stakeholder Meeting and in the context of the Monterrey Special Summit of the Americas, CEN members are invited to participate in a conference call on Friday January 16th at 2:30PM. Marc Lortie, Assistant Deputy Minister (Americas), will offer participants a debriefing on the Special Summit, which is to take place in Mexico on January 12th and 13th. To join the conference call, dial the following toll-free number: 1-866-805-7923. The passcode is 4890 followed by the # key. Please confirm your participation by end of day, Thursday, January 15, with Louise Renault by e-mail or phone at (613) 944-7020.

4.

UPCOMING EVENTS

i.

OECD Forum 2004 - Health of Nations

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is announcing its Forum 2004, Health of the Nations, which will take place on 12-13 May 2004 at the Centre de Conférences Internationales in Paris. The Forum 2004 will tackle the health of the world economy, the health of international co-operation and the health of citizens. For more information or to register visit OECD's web site.

ii.

Workshop on Water and Celebration

“Hidden Threats to Our Water - Exploring Loose Threads of the Oak Ridges Moraine Plan” Saturday, January 17, 2004, 1-5:00 PM The Kingbridge Conference Centre, 12750 Jane Street, King City, ON

Hosted by Save The Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM) Coalition in partnership with Great Lakes United and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA). The workshop is free of charge but space is limited. Please RSVP by January 7, 2004 to: STORM c/o Anna Tilman; phone: 905 841-0095; e-mail: annatilman@sympatico.ca. Also contact Ana for a copy of the agenda.

The workshop will be followed by a celebration of fifteen years of environmental activism on the Oak Ridges Moraine, featuring keynote speakers Elizabeth May, Executive Director, Sierra Club of Canada, and Dr Lynda Lukasik, Executive Director, Environment Hamilton. Reception and silent art auction will start at 5:30 pm, Dinner will be at 7:00 pm. To order tickets, phone 905 880-3465 or fax 905 880-3466 or email info@stormco.org.

iii.

2004 Sustainable Communities National Conference and Trade Show

The event is organized by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities', Ottawa, Ontario - February 4- 7, 2004, and will be of special interest to people involved in sustainable development programs in municipalities or organizations.

Those who register before January 9, 2004 will receive a discount. Registration deadline is January 23, 2004. To register, download a copy of the preliminary conference program and fax the completed registration form to Thavone Bounsouk, Information Officer at (613) 244-1522 or register on-line by visiting http://kn.fcm.ca.

iv.

CEN International Program (IP) meeting

The CEN IP invites you to its meeting on January 20 and 21, 2004 and to the International event on Renewable Energy on January 22, 2004. Both events will be held in Guelph, Ontario. For more information see the following web site or contact Jean Arnold; tel.: 506-375-8143.

5.

EMPLOYMENT

i.

Senior Policy Analyst, Climate Change

The Pembina Institute is seeking an experienced analyst and communicator to join its Climate Change Program. To apply, send a detailed resume and cover letter to Matthew Bramley, Director, Climate Change, Pembina Institute, by January 18, 2004. For full information visit Pembina's web site.

ii.

Executive Director, Great Lakes United

Great Lakes United has begun a search for an Executive Director to serve as the leader of the organization’s operations and programs. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter with salary requirement, resume and references no later than January 31, 2004 to the attention of Bonnie Danni at Great Lakes United, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Cassety Hall, Buffalo, New York 14222 or via e-mail. The full job posting is available on the CEN's web site.

iii.

Director of Development, Pembina Institute

The Pembina Institute is seeking an experienced and energetic Director of Development to work in a challenging and dynamic environment to develop, coordinate, and lead implementation of the Institute’s Fundraising Programs. For full details on this opportunity and more information about the Pembina Institute visit Pembina's web site. Application deadline: January 30, 2004