1.

CALL FOR DELEGATES

1. NPRI Consultation on Reporting from the Mining Industry

2.

CALL FOR COMMENTS

1. Off-Road Compression-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations
2. Draft Screening Assessment Report for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

3.

CALL FOR SIGN-ON

1. Call for Support on Renewable Energy

4.

CEN ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Upcoming Teleconference, Domestic Substances List Update

5.

EVENTS

1. Premier Security Meeting at United Nations
2. Third International Workshop on Brominated Flame Retardants
3. Global Leaders to gather at University of Guelph for Agricultural Biotechnology Conference
4. The 2004 Corporate Knights Roundtable Conference: Defining the Corporate Citizen

6.

RESOURCES

1. How to Lobby at Intergovernmental Meetings, by Felix Dodds with Michael Strauss
2. Poplar River First Nation Web Site Launch
3. Regulations Amending the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations

7.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

1. Environment Canada’s Green Team – Speaker
2. Research Assistant - The Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)
3. Field Technician – Nature Trust of New Brunswick
4. One Sky-Canadian Institute for Sustainable Living - Youth Internship positions 2004-2005
5. Greenpeace is looking for an Energy Campaign Coordinator

1.

CALL FOR DELEGATES

i.

NPRI consultation on Reporting from the Mining Industry

The CEN has been invited to oversee the selection of 5 ENGOs to participate in a National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) consultation on reporting from the mining industry June 21-22 in the National Capital Region. These five ENGOs are in addition to the three standing ENGO members of the NPRI Mining Sub-group. Interested members should complete the delegate application form by end of day Wednesday May 19. For more information, on the NPRI generally, visit Environment Canada’s web site.

For information regarding the consultation, contact Derek Stack at the CEN via e-mail or phone: 613.728.9810 (22).

2.

CALL FOR COMMENTS

i.

Off-Road Compression-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations

Off-Road Compression-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette Part I on May 8, 2004. This initiated a 60-day public consultation on the proposed Regulations.

The proposed Regulations, under the regulatory framework of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), will introduce exhaust emission standards for diesel engines used for off-road applications such as those typically found in construction, mining, farming and forestry machines. The proposed Regulations will apply to 2006 and later model-year engines.

For additional information concerning the proposed Regulations, please contact Mr. Morrie Kirshenblatt, Head of Off-road Regulations at (819) 953-0914 or view the regulations online.

ii.

Draft Screening Assessment Report for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

The draft Screening Assessment Report for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (Brominated Flame Retardants) was released for public comment, commencing May 8, 2004.

Following the 60-day public comment period, the comments will be considered, and the report revised as necessary, including the final conclusion as to whether or not the substances are considered "toxic" under section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999). The report will then be sent to the Ministers of Environment and Health for final approvals. To view the report, visit Environment Candada’s web site.

3.

CALL FOR SIGN-ON

i

Call for Support on Renewable Energy

One Sky - The Institute for Sustainable Living invites all organizations in support of Renewable Energy to sign the CURES declaration prior to the international conference in Bonn Germany (June 1-5, 2004). This declaration was put together by an international network of non-government organizations (NGO’s) who are pushing for renewable energy. The response, however, from the Canadian NGO sector has been very weak. You can sign the declaration here. The list of signatories is available here. For more information, contact Michael Simpson at One Sky. Additional information on the conference in Bonn and some background thematic papers on renewable energy are available here.

4.

CEN ANNOUNCEMENTS

i

Upcoming Teleconference, Domestic Substances List Update

The Existing Substance Branch (ESB) of Environment Canada has scheduled the next in a series of teleconferences to update ENGOs on the status of categorization of the Domestic Substances List (DSL), to be held on May 31, 2004, 1-2:30 pm. ESB uses these regular teleconferences to provide ENGOs with the status and background information of the Existing Substances Program. During the first two teleconferences, which were held in January and March, an update on DSL categorization, the status of the assessments in the Pilot Project, and the information of two exposure tools being developed for screening assessment were provided.

If you are interested in participating in the next teleconference, please contact Barbara Schaefer via e-mail or phone: (613) 728-9810 x 30.

5.

EVENTS

i.

Premier Security Meeting at United Nations

Private and Public Sector colleagues are invited to attend the Annual Information Security Meeting, at United Nations Headquarters, New York City, Thursday, June 3, 2004. Since 1988, the Annual Information Security and IT Meetings at the United Nations has been the premier forum for the presentation of emerging technologies, developments, applications, and solutions in the IT and information security arenas. These Meetings bring together field researchers and practitioners, who are responsible for the running of international businesses and governments. Presentations offer novel research contributions and alternative solutions for executive managers and policy makers. If you would like to attend this year's Annual Information Security Meeting, at no charge, visit the following site. For more information, send an e-mail to Mike Lackey.

ii.

Third International Workshop on Brominated Flame Retardants

The Third International Workshop on Brominated Flame Retardants will be held in Toronto June 6-9, 2004. The workshop objective is to facilitate exchange of the latest information among scientists from academia, governmental agencies and industry engaged in different aspects of research in the field of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in the environment. For more information, visit the conference web site.

iii.

Global Leaders to gather at University of Guelph for Agricultural Biotechnology Conference

Internationally renowned academics from eight countries will gather at the University of Guelph, June 13 to 15 for the 16th annual National Agricultural Biotechnology Council (NABC) conference. Focusing on the theme “Agricultural Biotechnology: Finding Common International Goals,” the diverse group of leaders from social and scientific disciplines will address the intersection of biotechnology with global issues such as reducing the ecological footprint, ensuring safe and healthy food, and improving quality of life. Early registration for the conference is available until the end of May. The cost for the conference is $500 ($200 for students) until May 31. Registration information and a complete conference schedule is available on the University’s web site. For additional information, contact Katie Meyer, co-oordinator, NABC 16, via e-mail or phone: (519) 824-4120, Ext. 58923.

iv.

The 2004 Corporate Knights Roundtable Conference: Defining the Corporate Citizen

The 2004 Corporate Knights Roundtable will be held in Toronto on June 7, 2004. The theme of the conference is “Defining the Corporate Citizen: Bringing Clarity to Corporate Social Responsibility”. The keynote address will be provided by Simon Zadek, Chief Executive, AccountAbility, and World Economic Forum agenda setter – he will discuss Canada's sustainability edge. The data providers for the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada ranking will be on hand, and they will celebrate the winners at the Best 50 awards lunch. For more information, call (416) 203-4674, send an e-mail, or take a look at the conference brochure.

6.

RESOURCES

i.

How to Lobby at Intergovernmental Meetings, by Felix Dodds with Michael Strauss

This guide contains advice on how to lobby at intergovernmental meetings, whether as a stakeholder or a government official. It also includes tips for navigating the intergovernmental hot spots of New York and Geneva, lists of UN Commissions, conferences and permanent missions, contact details of key international organizations, NGOs and stakeholder groups and useful web addresses. For more details on this publication or to order a copy, visit for following web site.

ii.

Poplar River First Nation Web Site Launch

Asatiwisipi Aki (Poplar River First Nation) launched a new website to profile their community's land initiatives. This community is located on the eastern shores of Lake Winnipeg, north of Berens River First Nation, in the heart of Manitoba's boreal forest. Their website also highlights the history of the Poplar/Nanowin Rivers park Reserve, and the Accord signed by Poplar River First Nation with four other First Nations from Manitoba and Ontario. The Accord articulates a shared vision of protection for their traditional lands, including a boreal forest World Heritage site.

Visit the Asatiwisipe Aki (Poplar River First Nation) website.

View Environment Canada's press release on the World Heritage Sites.

View the World Heritage Site map.

iii.

Regulations Amending the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations

The Regulations Amending the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations have just been approved and will be published in Part II of the Canada Gazette on May 19 2004. These amendments come into force on May 4, 2004. Environment Canada will hold a general information session for all the stakeholders and interested parties, and they will also provide an overview of the key features of the amendments. While this is expected to be in September, confirmation of the date and exact location of this session will be confirmed at a later date. Environment Canada is also planning to hold a detailed information session in each region to inform all the mills about the regulatory requirements pertaining to these amendments. For more details, visit Environment Canada’s web site, or contact Marie-Louise Geadah from the Forest Products Division via e-mail, phone: (819) 953-1129, or fax: (819) 994-7762.

7.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

i.

Environment Canada's Green Team - Speaker

Environment Canada's Green Team at the Technology Center is seeking a speaker to present ideas, for approximately one hour, on how to think "green" while camping, hiking, and cottaging. They hope to raise awareness, to highlight some tips on "what to do" and "what not to do" to our environment while enjoying these summer activities. If you live in the Ottawa area, please contact Karen Aubin at (613) 998-9590, ext. 229.

ii

Research Assistant - The Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)

TEA is seeking a Research Assistant for a six-month position. This position is part of the federal government's On-Site program, so candidates must be currently on, or eligible for, Employment Insurance. The Research Assistant will assist TEA staff in developing a Green Plan for a social housing provider. For more information, view the employment section of the CEN website. Send resume and cover letter by 9 a.m. on May 14, 2004 to:

Keith Stewart, Ph.D.
Toronto Environmental Alliance
30 Duncan St., Suite 201
Toronto, Ontario M5V-2C3
Tel. 416-596-0660
Fax 416-596-0345

iii.

Field Technician – Nature Trust of New Brunswick

The Nature Trust of New Brunswick is seeking a Field Technician for its Fredericton Office. For more information, visit the Nature Trust's web site, or view the employment section of the CEN website. Resumes (with references) should be submitted no later than May 15, 2004 to: Margo Sheppard, Executive Director Nature Trust of New Brunswick P.O. Box 603 Station A Fredericton, NB E3B 5S6 or by email.

iii.

One Sky-Canadian Institute for Sustainable Living - Youth Internship positions 2004-2005

One Sky, is the Western regional node of the Canadian Environmental Network’s International Program. They are involved in coordinating this internship program, as a result of a successful application to the Canadian International Development Agency. Three positions will be filled for Sierra Leone and four for Nigeria. All interns will spend 18 weeks in Canada, five months living and working overseas, and time for debriefing and job searching at the end of the internship.

Visit www.onesky.ca for more details about these positions. You can also find this information on the CEN website. If you have further questions, contact One Sky at (250) 877-6030.

Applications should be sent via mail or e-mail. No faxes please. Send resume and cover letter outlining which position you are applying for, why you want the internship, and your ideas concerning sustainability to the attention of:

Nikki Skuce
Program Director
One Sky - The Canadian Institute of Sustainable Living
Box 3352
Smithers, B.C. VOJ 2NO

Deadline for Applications: midnight on May 17th, 2004

v.

Greenpeace is looking for an Energy Campaign Coordinator

This is a full-time 5 month contract position based in Toronto. Please send resume and cover letter by 9:00 am (EST) May 18th, 2004 to:

Wendy Wright, Human Resources Coordinator
250 Dundas Street West, Suite 605
Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2Z5
or Fax: 416-597-8422

The complete job description is available on Greenpace’s web site.