1.

Calls For Delegates

1. There are no Calls for Delegates this week. 

2.

ACTION ALERTS

1. Send Recommendations on CEPA to the House of Commons and Senate Environment Committees  

3.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. New RCEN Staff!
2. Invitation to Environment Canada Courts Awards Project
3. NB Organic Farm Apprenticeship Program   

4.

RESOURCES

1. Communications Guide for Environmentalists 

5.

CALLS FOR INPUT / COMMENTS / NOMINATIONS / PARTICIPATION

1. Call for Comments: Proposed Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations
2. Call for Submissions: EPIC Sustainable Living Expo
3. Call for Comments: Survey on ENGO Involvement on Metal and Mining Environmental Effects Monitoring   

6.

Events

1. 7th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment   

7.

Employment

1. Accounting Clerk, Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) Deadline to apply: TODAY   

1.

Calls For Delegates

i.

There are no Calls for Delegates this week.

2.

Action Alerts

i.

Send Recommendations on CEPA to the House of Commons and Senate Environment Committees

The Parliamentary Review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA 1999) is wrapping up. Please send your House of Commons submissions with comments on CEPA by early February 2007.  House of Commons submissions should be sent to the House of Commons Committee Clerk, Eugene Morawski at ENVI@parl.gc.ca. Please send your Senate submissions by the end of February as the Committee must present its report no later than March 31, 2007. Senate submissions should be sent to the Committee Clerk, Keli Hogan at eenr-eern@sen.parl.gc.ca. Please copy your submissions and letters to Kiriaki Cocolakis, CEPA Coordinator for the Canadian Environmental Network. To view ENGO Parliamentary Committee submissions, visit the RCEN website. For more information contact Kiriaki Cocolakis, tel.: (613) 728-9810 ext. 236.

3.

Announcements

i

New RCEN Staff!

The Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) would like to welcome Leela Ramachandran, in her new position as National Caucus Coordinator at the RCEN. Leela will be responsible for the Agriculture, Water, Toxics, and Atmosphere & Energy Caucuses. Leela can be reached via e-mail at: leela@cen-rce.org, or telephone at (613) 728-9810 ext. 223, in English or French.
Welcome to the RCEN, Leela!

ii

Invitation to Environment Canada Courts Awards Project

Environment Canada - Ontario is developing a pilot project entitled the Environment Canada Courts Awards Project (ECCAP) to seek new ways to effectively and efficiently re-distribute court awarded penalties from companies that have committed an environmental violation to those that are committed to protecting the environment. ECCAP is inviting RCEN members to participate in this pilot project because of their commitment to the environment. By agreeing to participate, ENGOs may be eligible for court awarded funds if a violation of the CEPA 1999 or the Fisheries Act occurs in your community. Read the full invitation on the RCEN website and fill out the questionnaire by February 1, 2007 and send it back either by email, fax: (416) 739-4405, or mail to: Environment Canada, Ontario Region, 4905 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario, M3H 5T4, Attn: Bradley May.

iii.

NB Organic Farm Apprenticeship Program

The New Brunswick Organic Farm Apprenticeship Program is now accepting 2007 apprentice applications. The NB Organic Farm Apprenticeship Program is a 6-month (May – October) on-farm training program for the next generation of organic farmers. It is a unique, leading-edge program that combines the experience of established organic farmers, support of the organic sector resource network, and the energy of emerging organic farmers. The application deadline is January 19, 2007. For more information, visit the Fallsbrook Centre website or contact the NBOF AP Coordinator, tel.: (506) 375-4310.

4.

Resources

i.

Communications Guide for Environmentalists

Getting the Message Out: A Step By Step Communications Guide for Environmentalists is a joint project of the Sustainability Network and IMPACS: the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society. The guide is designed to help environmental groups focus their communication efforts. Through exercises, worksheets and basic communications theory, the handbook will help bring that focus to its communication efforts. Read the Charity Village book review or view the preface and table of content and the first chapter of the book. To order a PDF copy of the book, or for more information, visit the Sustainability Network website.

5.

Calls for Input / Comments / Nominations / Participation

i.

Call for Comments: Proposed Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations

The Government of Canada published proposed Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 16, 2006 for a formal 60-day public comment period. The risk management strategy and comments received provided the framework for the development of the proposed Regulations. The proposed Regulations will prohibit the manufacture of all polybrominated diphenyl ethers) PBDEs and will also restrict the use, sale, offer for sale and import of tetraBDE, pentaBDE, hexaBDE and mixtures, polymers and resins containing these substances. The proposed Regulations can be viewed on Environment Canada's website. Send written comments on the proposed Regulations, by February 14, 2007, to Director, Chemicals Sector Division, Environment Canada, 351 St. Joseph Blvd., 12th Floor, Gatineau QC K1A 0H3, e-mail:  TCS-SCT@ec.gc.ca.

ii.

Call for Submissions: EPIC Sustainable Living Expo

The EPIC 2007 (Ethical. Progressive. Intelligent. Consumer) Sustainable Living Expo in Vancouver, B.C. is inviting individuals to submit 1-2 minute videos on how you they are taking action and reducing their carbon footprints. The winner will receive $5,000 cash for a sustainable shopping spree, one round-trip airline ticket to Vancouver to check out EPIC and other prizes. The submission deadline is February 28, 2007. To read the criteria, and submit your video, visit the EPIC website.

iii.

Call for Comments: Survey on ENGO Involvement on Metal and Mining Environmental Effects Monitoring

The Environmental Effects Monitoring Review Group is tasked with taking a preliminary look at what is working and what is not in relation to the first set of data points received from the mines. ENGOs are invited to complete a survey to help get a preliminary understanding of how and who is involved currently with EEM and in what capacity. A draft report will be available in the new year, and a workshop recommendation will be put forward depending on the survey response and other input received. For an electronic copy of the survey, or to read the full MMER EEM Summary, visit the Mining Caucus webpage. For further information on the review process to date, contact Judy Parkman at: jparkman@shaw.ca. The deadline to send input is January 14, 2006.

6.

Events

i.

7th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment

The 7th National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment : Integrating Environment and Human Health, will take place on February 2, 2007 in Washington, DC. The Conference will focus on the environmental catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the growing potential for a global avian influenza pandemic as important and disturbing examples of the intimate connection between human health and the environment. Please visit the National Council for Science and the Environment website to register and to view the latest program updates, featured speakers, and information on travel and lodging. Direct general conference questions via e-mail to: conference2007@NCSEonline.org, or call (202) 530-5810.

7.

Employment

i.

Accounting Clerk, Canadian Environmental Network - Deadline to apply: TODAY

The RCEN is currently seeking an Accounting Clerk. Part of a team, the Accounting Clerk, reporting to the Executive Director, is responsible to, among other tasks : Assist the Executive Director on all financial matters; Provide regular reports on the finances of RCEN, including monthly reports on disbursements with comparisons between actual and budgeted expenditures; Prepare budget with Executive Director; Prepare and distribute regular payroll, expense cheque claims, T4 and payroll remittance, and; Ensure that all books and records are in order and prepare working paper as requested. This position is full time, permanent and unionized, including excellent health benefits, 20 days of paid vacation/year, and 5% of annual salary in RRSPs, following a six-month probation period. The starting salary is $33,500.00. The deadline to apply is January 12, 2007. For more information, visit the RCEN website.