David Suzuki is looking to put more pres- sure on the federal and municipal governments to increase their environmental responsibility by asking local municipalities to sign a declaration noting the environmental rights of their residents.

The project, called the Blue Dot Campaign, was brought to the attention of Mono Council by local resident and former Councillor Bob Mitchell, who recommended that Council consider adding Mono’s name to the growing campaign, adding that he is aware the members are all strong environmentalists.

According to the campaign website, “more than 110 nations across the world recognize the right to live in a healthy environment,” but Canada is not one of those countries. The Blue Dot Campaign seeks to force the Canadian Government to change that.

“What’s more important than the right to breath fresh air, drink clean water and eat healthy food?” asks Mr. Suzuki in the online campaign presentation.

One of the benefits of the campaign is that it’s not just for municipalities, it’s also for individuals. According to the website, www. bluedot.ca, over 85,500 Canadians have already joined the movement, calling for the right to all Canadians to have a healthy environment to be recognized at all levels of the government.

As of October 6, both Kitchener and St. John’s Newfoundland passed a declaration as a municipality adding their voice collectively to the campaign. According to Councillor Fred Nix, who followed up with some additional research on the project, a municipality in B.C. has also recently passed a declaration.

“David Suzuki would like to see as many municipalities as possible to pass declarations on these rights to put more pressure on the provincial and federal governments,” said Councillor Nix. “I’ve talked to the Suzuki Foundation and they don’t really care what the wording is as long as it enshrines these rights.”

He added that as much as the campaign sounds like a positive driver for change, there are some concerns and questions he has that he has been unable to find answers on so far. The biggest question was about what kind of liability the Town could be facing if something happened that opposed the declaration, such as getting too much pollution in the air, which would counter the right to clean air.

“Could we be sued if we don’t have clean air?” he asked. “I think it’s a good idea if Mono were the first municipality in Dufferin to pass this, but before we do that, I’d like a bit more research to see whether we’ll be facing practical or legal obligations to do something.”

The other Councillors around the table expressed similar concerns in regards to what they could be committing the Town to if they were to pass this declaration.

“One statement they make is that this is made to be ‘legally recognized at all levels of government’, and that wording scares me,” added Councillor Sharon Martin. “If we don’t do something once we’ve written it, are we legally responsible for taking action? Individuals can sign and commit on their own, but I think as a municipality we need to look into this more before passing anything.”

Councillor Nix agreed that the wording was where things could become a problem. “Instead of saying we ‘seek’ to have clean air, we’re declaring it’s their right,” said Councillor Nix. “We have to know if we are going to make that statement, whether it be- comes our responsibility to deliver on that
promise to our residents.”

Deputy Mayor Ken McGhee suggested that perhaps, while the investigation to get these answers is underway, that Council could consider looking into what statements they could commit to in order to sign and join the campaign.

“I think the Suzuki Foundation is looking at beyond Canada, into creating a worldwide initiative that looks at everything, such as whaling, and pollution of waters,” he added.

After further discussion, Mono Council passed a unanimous motion to have a sub-committee created in order to look into their concerns. The committee would include two people from Council, as well as two from the Town, and would be responsible for evaluating the campaign (and subsequent responsibilities that come from joining it), and make a recommendation to council as to whether or not they should join.

1. WILLIAM H GATHERCOLE AND NORAH G says:

   Who cares about the Blue Dot ?!?! IT’S TIME TO GET RID OF SUZUKI ! We need a NEW Suzuki that DOES NOT make a mockery of the electoral system. We need a NEW Suzuki that DOES NOT interfere in illegal partisan political activities. We need a NEW Suzuki that DOES NOT flout taxation laws. We need a NEW Suzuki that cares more about the human race, which he has referred to as maggots. http://wp.me/p1jq40-Mn http://wp.me/p1jq40-mL We need to get rid of the current Suzuki, forever !

   One media outlet has recently organized a PETITION against Suzuki, demanding that Canada Revenue Agency AUDIT this organization’s non-profit charity tax-exempt status, given its excessive interference in partisan politics. GET RID OF SUZUKI BY SIGNING THE PETITION HERE … http://wp.me/p1jq40-8SQ SUZUKI MUST SUFFER THE SCRUTINY OF THE MEDIA AND THE SPOTLIGHT OF CANADA REVENUE AGENCY. For the whole truth about SUZUKI, please go to the following links … http://wp.me/P1jq40-21m http://wp.me/p1jq40-66Q http://wp.me/P1jq40-4aU

   Petition Against David Suzuki For Flouting Taxations Laws –

   http://pesticidetruths.com/2015/08/18/petition-against-david-suzuki-for-flouting-taxations-laws-mr-ezra-levant-demands-audit-by-canada-revenue-agency-illegal-interference-in-partisan-politics-public-policy-2015-08-17/

   11:13 pm on October 15, 2015

    Reply