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Orangeville council endorses Suzuki’s Blue Dot Movement

May 12, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Pickford

Orangeville Council’s decision Monday to back David Suzuki’s environmentally-minded Blue Dot Movement was described by one local spokesperson as a giant step towards protecting residents’ “basic human rights.”

Founded by Mr. Suzuki in 2014, the Blue Dot Movement is a grassroots level initiative launched with only one goal in mind: to see environmental rights enshrined in the Canadian constitution. Embraced and supported by over 100,000 residents across the country, the basic fundamentals of the movement focus around the importance of human beings having access to fresh air, clear water and safe food.

“Without these key sources of life, we die,” Nancy Urekar told council Monday. “Citizens are entitled to these basic elements of life in most nations across the globe… But not those from Canada and the United States.”

She said more than 110 nations across the globe recognize the right to live in a clean and healthy environment, with laws firmly entrenched in their constitution. Although there has been no such indication yet that the Canadian government would be willing to sign off on such a decree, followers of the Blue Dot Movement are calling on local municipalities to stand behind its residents and respect their right to live in a healthy environment.

Since learning about the Blue Dot Movement shortly after its foundation, Ms. Urekar has become a local champion for a scheme she says is vital for this generation and many, many more to come.

“We are all on this blue dot together. This is Earth and there is no exit,” Ms. Urekar said. “We have to make this blue dot work and make it healthy and safe for all citizens.”

In her presentation to council, Ms. Urekar was backed up by a strong crowd of over 30 vocal local supporters in asking that the Town follow in the footsteps of its neighbours and adopt the Blue Dot Movement.

“Many communities in the area have already signed our declaration – the City of Toronto, the City of Mississauga, the Town of Mono, the Town of Shelburne, the Town of Erin, the City of Brampton, the City of Newmarket…” Ms. Urekar said. “David Suzuki readily admits this is a long road, but that together we can get there. We are asking that you look after the people of Orangeville and buy into the simple idea that every human being has the right to breathe in clear air, drink clean, fresh water and eat healthy foods.”

With seemingly little to discuss, Council quickly opted to back the Blue Dot Movement, much to the delight of those in attendance.

“I think it’s incredibly important that people hear this and learn more (about the movement). It has really important goals and I think we as a council should support it,” Coun. Gail Campbell said.

With dozens of communities across Canada now on board, the plan, according to Mr. Suzuki, is to call for provincial and territorial governments to follow suit and pass their own environmental bills of rights. Should seven out of the 10 provinces representing more than 50 percent of the Canadian population back the project, the group will turn its attention towards the federal government with an end goal of amending the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

For more information on the Blue Dot Movement, visit bluedot.ca.

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