1.

Calls For Input / Calls For Comments / Calls For Nominations / Calls For Participation

1. Call for Input - EPA Caucus Seeking Information on Public Reviews

2.

Action Alerts

1. Petition Against the Release of Genetically Engineered Plants

3.

Announcements

1. Canadian Environment Awards Names Finalists for 5th Anniversary Celebration 

4.

Resources

1. Second Annual National Forest Strategy Report Card Database
2. Green Municipal Fund New Funding Opportunity for Remediation of Brownfield Sites

5.

Employment

1. Accounting and Financial Manager, Canadian Environmental Network
2. Communications Officer, Greenpeace
3. Oceans Campaign Coordinator, Greenpeace
4. Staff Counsel, Environmental Law Centre

1.

Calls For Input / Calls For Comments / Calls For Nominations / Calls For Participation

i.

Call for Input - EPA Caucus Seeking Information on Public Reviews

Members of the Canadian Environmental Network's Environmental Planning and Assessment (EPA) Caucus' Public Participation Committee are looking for information/knowledge of any public review and/or consultation where a lead agency, regulator or proponent sought public input/feedback attendant to any environmental assessment. Please provide any subjective input about the nature of the process, how it worked, and its success or failures. Documented reports and/or records may be identified with sources. This information will allow the EPA Caucus to catalogue the factors affecting the outcome of a public participation process negatively or positively, and what kinds of issues will contribute to a strategic and effective public participation process. This data/evidence compiled will permit the construction of a template or checklist for parties to use when providing input into the scope and structure of any pubic participation process in the future.

Please forward any responses to Jannis Klein, EPA Caucus Coordinator.

2.

Action Alerts

i

Petition Against the Release of Genetically Engineered Plants

Greenpeace Canada is encouraging ENGOs to participate in a petition against the release of genetically engineered (GE) plants. Currently, the Canadian government is considering authorising the environmental release of GE plants intended to produce pharmaceutical and industrial molecular components.

Organizations in Canada or outside Canada are asked to add their names to the petition letter by May 14, 2006 to Éric Darier, Greenpeace. Individuals are asked to send an email to Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, based on the petition letter.

3.

Announcements

i.

Canadian Environment Awards Names Finalists for 5th Anniversary Celebration

The Canadian Environment Awards (CEA) has named the finalists who will be honoured during its annual celebration of environmental achievement. Inspired by the community-action objectives of Canadian Environment Week, taking place from June 4 to 10, the CEA is a national, bilingual celebration recognizing four levels of environmental excellence: Community Awards, Citation of Lifetime Achievement, Ideas for Life, and The Green Team Challenge. Now in its fifth year, this program celebrates 18 individuals and grassroots groups that have been chosen by a panel of environmental luminaries from nominations submitted by the Canadian public. The Awards Gala, which launches Canadian Environment Week, will take place on Monday, June 5, at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. The Canadian Environment Awards 2006 is a partnership between the Government of Canada and Canadian Geographic Enterprises, which manages the program and publishes the magazines.

For complete details of the CEA 2006, visit the Canadian Geographic Website.

4.

Resources

i.

Second Annual National Forest Strategy Report Card Database

The Sierra Club of Canada recently released its second annual National Forest Strategy (NFS) report card database. The database contains all you ever wanted to know about forest management policies and practices, and evaluates provinces on their implementation of key NFS commitments. Find out what your province or territory's old growth policy is, or what assumptions go into the determination of the harvest level, or what protocols exist between your government and local First Nation and Aboriginal communities, by visiting the Sierra Forest Watch website.

ii.

Green Municipal Fund New Funding Opportunity for Remediation of Brownfield Sites

The Government of Canada has endowed the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) with $550 million to establish the GMF to provide a long-term, sustainable source of low interest loans and grants for municipal governments and their partners. GMF is now using a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process to determine which implementation projects best meet program goals and requirements. There will be at least one RFP each year in the following categories: Energy, Waste, Water, Sustainable Transportation, and Brownfield Remediation. Through the Brownfield Remediation RFP process, GMF will award funds totaling approximately $20 million in low interest loans. The Brownfield Remediation RFP has been designed to encourage the remediation and redevelopment of municipally owned brownfields. The Brownfield Remediation RFP will open May 10, 2006 and close May 31, 2006.

The Intent to Apply form, and details of RFP requirements and process, are available on the FCM's Centre for Sustainable Community Development website.

5.

Employment

i.

Accounting and Financial Manager, Canadian Environmental Network

The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) is seeking an experienced Accounting and Financial Manager to perform the following tasks, under the supervision of the Executive Director: Maintain regular communications with the Budget Committee on RCEN's finances; Ensure the books are in order including accounts payable and receivable; Enhance support to all projects and Caucuses; Enhance support to the Regions; Maintain all administrative procedures related to staff; Maintain responsibilities to the bank; Laise with the Auditors and Funders and; Maintain all office lease renewals.

Qualifications include a college diploma or university degree in accounting, minimum CGA levels 3-4, and 3 years of previous accounting experience, excellent communication and organizational skills, a strong ability to manage time and multiple projects, a strong knowledge of MS Office applications and Simply Accounting, an excellent ability to work cooperatively in a team environment, independently and under pressure, as well as a strong affinity with the organization's mission and activities. Excellent written and verbal skills in both English and French are mandatory.

Full-time permanent, starting salary $40,000 plus generous benefits package after probation. The deadline to apply is May 26, 2006. For more information, visit the RCEN website.

ii.

Communications Officer, Greenpeace

Greenpeace Canada is seeking an experienced communications officer to fill a vacancy in their Toronto office. The successful candidate will work closely with the Greenpeace Canada Communications Coordinator and campaign staff to refine and implement communications strategies and provide ongoing media support. The major focus of the position is to increase the profile and effectiveness of Greenpeace across the country through identifying opportunities, responding to events and providing communications advice and products. Requirements include a sound general knowledge of a wide variety of environmental concerns and a broad grounding in political and current affairs, and being comfortable and able to work with all ranges of media. The Communications Officer will be expected to travel occasionally, both within Canada and internationally. The deadline to apply is May 26, 2006.

For more information, visit the Greenpeace Canada website.

iii.

Oceans Campaign Coordinator, Greenpeace

Greenpeace Canada is seeking an experienced Oceans Campaign Coordinator to develop an analysis of the current oceans situation, develop and implement strategy and a work-plan to raise awareness and engage the public. The successful candidate must have at least four years experience in campaigning, communication or other related area, and will have a demonstrated commitment to environmental issues and Greenpeace culture and activism methods. The Coordinator will be required to provide leadership to the oceans campaign, act as a campaign spokesperson and create materials to effectively communicate the oceans campaign. Experience related to oceans ecology and oceans issues is a strong asset. Travel within Canada and around the world is to be expected, as well as the ability to sometimes work evenings and weekends.

For more information, visit the Greenpeace Canada website.

iv.

Staff Counsel, Environmental Law Centre

The Environmental Law Centre (ELC) is seeking a lawyer to fill a full-time Staff Counsel position in Edmonton, starting summer 2006. The successful candidate will be involved primarily in delivery of the Centre's public programs, including information services, community presentations, environmental law research and writing, and participation in law reform activities. Experience in environmental law and policy is required. Salary will be competitive within the charitable sector; a full benefits package is included. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 24, 2006.

For more information, visit the ELC website.