THE GALLON ENVIRONMENT LETTER

506 Victoria Ave., Montreal, Quebec H3Y 2R5
cibe@web.net
Vol. 4, No. 2, January 10, 2000 

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Globe 2000 BI Annual International Conference on Business and the Environment, Vancouver, March 2000

The Globe 2000 International Conference and Tradeshow on the Environment will be held March 22 and 24, 2000 in Vancouver, B.C.
This bi annual conference last held in 1998, has grown to be Canada's largest, and one of the world's largest environmental conferences and tradeshows on environmental technologies and policies. There will be 10,000 participants, 2,000 conference delegates, 500 corporations, 400 technology exhibits, 250 speakers, 50 international buying delegations from a number of countries around the world. 

There was $460 million in business generated by exhibitors at GLOBE 98.
Expect more buying in 2000 as the worldwide market for environmental goods and services grows to more than $450 billion annually. GLOBE will bring companies together with key international buyers, governments and corporate executives. More than 2,000 corporate leaders and senior government officials from 50 countries are attending. If your company is interested in accessing international markets, GLOBE, supported by Environment Canada and Industry Canada, is the place to be. Limited space is available in the tradeshow. Showcases including Clean Energy Avenue, Software Alley, Sustainable Transport and the Learning Lane. 
Organizations already on board for GLOBE 2000 include AGRA Earth & Environmental, Ballard Power Systems, Battelle, Boeing, Golder Associates, Sanexen Environmental Services, and TurboSonic Technologies. For more information call ph. 604-775-7522 or john.wiebe@apfc.apfnet.org Visit the website at http://www.globe.ca/

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RON PORTELLI TO LEAVE CEIA NATIONAL 

Ron Portelli, President of the Canadian Environment Industry Association (CEIA National), based in Ottawa, will be departing after his three year term. CEIA National Chairman, Chris Henderson, of Delphi Group, Ottawa, said that, "Ron Portelli played a tremendous role in helping strengthen the organization and make it relevant to our companies' needs." Prior to joining CEIA, Portelli was President of Concord Environmental, a medium-sized environmental and air pollution control company based in Toronto. During his years at CEIA National Portelli was able to consolidate a diverse provincial driven organization into a national powerhouse. He worked on the expansion of export sales and helped create the new Environmental Exporters Council (EEC). Portelli also worked closely with Environment Canada and Industry Canada during the implementation of the federal Canadian Environment Industry Strategy (CEIS). You can still reach Ron at Canadian Environment Industry Association, 350, rue Sparks St., Suite 208, Ottawa, Ontario, Tel. (613) 236-6222, Fax (613) 236-6850, email info@ceia-acie.ca, website http://info@ceia-acie.ca/

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MINISTER DAVID ANDERSON SUPPORTS ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY

Speaking at a luncheon meeting of environment industries in Montreal with Grappe de developpement des industries de l'environnement, November 12, 1999, Canada's federal Environment Minister, Hon. 
David Anderson said, "our economic and social quality of life will be directly linked to the environment." Expounding on the importance of environmental and efficiency industries and technologies, David Anderson said, "environment and economy go hand in hand". He reminded the company representatives that there is a second "more invisible and subtle series of environmental issues that are affecting us", and urged the companies to address these, such as climate change and ozone depletion. Talking about greenhouse gas reduction and meeting the Kyoto Protocol reduction commitments, Anderson said, "the threat is in fact an opportunity. We can develop new technologies, or we as a nation can fall behind in economic competitiveness."

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SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY MANAGEMENT ACCREDITATION IN CANADA

The Standards Council of Canada has launched a new accreditation initiative called "Sustainable Forest Management" (SFM). The Standards Council will accredit Environmental Management Systems (EMS) registrars to register forest companies that conform with the new published Canadian SFM standard (CAN/CSA Z809-96). The new sustainable forest management standard was developed by a consensus of stakeholders, including the forest industry, woodlot owners, governments, academics, scientists, and environmental groups. Source Standards Council of Canada Press Release, Toronto, December 21, 1999.
Website at http://www.scc.ca/

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ONTARIO TO HOLD CONSULTATIONS ON HOGS AND OTHER INTENSIVE AGRICULTURE

Intensive agriculture has turned family farming into major industrial operations, factory farming, that is ruining water quality and burdening farm communities with unbearable smells. The Government of Ontario has received numerous complaints, particularly from farmers. It has issued a discussion paper on "Intensive Agricultural Operations in Rural Ontario" and will hold a series of public consultations regarding the negative impacts of this type of factory farming. Written submissions are encouraged and are to be sent in by no later than February 15, 2000.
The Hon. Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, has asked his Parliamentary Assistant, Dr. Doug Galt, M.P.P.
For Northumberland to lead a public consultation on the issues surrounding intensive agricultural operations and nutrient management. Ultimately, the goal of the consultation process is to gather enough information to develop a plan that will support farmers' right to farm while at the same time not infringe upon surrounding land uses. For more info contact Mr. George Garland, Manager of Engineering & Technology Programs, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ph. (519) 826-3560, fax (519) 826-3259, email ggarland@omafra.gov.on.ca


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HARRIS SELECTS P.C. PARTY PRESIDENT TO BE NEW ENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER

As Ontario continues to get out of the business of protecting the environment, one of the last road blocks was the independent Environmental Bill of Rights Commission Office. Previously run by Commissioner, Eva Legeti, who was the first Commissioner appointed a number of years ago, the Bill of Rights Office critiqued some of the poor environmental measures taken by both the previous NDP and Tory Ontario Governments. However, the P.C. government led by Premier Mike Harris, has set out to reduce environmental protection in Ontario. He has cut the environment and natural resources conservation budgets, both, by more than 40%, one of the largest environment budget cuts amongst the 61 states and provinces in North America. He has cut the number of environmental regulations by 50%. He has stopped the annual point source direct discharge reports to Ontario's waterways, including the Great Lakes. He has stopped the annual reports of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's (MOE) reports on enforcement efforts and fines imposed on polluters. The only real check on the wholesale race from environmental protection has been the independent Environment Commissioner.

That is about to change. Mike Harris would like to invite his golfing friend and President of the Federal P.C. riding association in Mr. 
Harris' home town as the next Environment Commissioner. The nominee is Gordon Miller. His primary credentials are that he ran twice for the Conservatives and was not elected, and that he will do whatever the Conservative Ontario government asks. For example, like stop reporting on Ontario's environmental backslide. Or, stop bugging the Ontario Government in the Commissioner's annual report about not enforcing its own environmental laws.

The Opposition NDP and Liberal Parties have commented on the campaign donations he received from mining, logging and waste disposal interests. NDP Leader Howard Hampton urged Harris to revoke the nomination and send the matter back to committee to choose another Environmental Commissioner. Marilyn Churley, the NDP environmental critic began the debate for the NDP by expressing her dismay and disappointment at the government for attempting to appoint a partisan individual such as Gordon Miller. "As a long time environmental activist I am outraged and disgusted that someone with so much political baggage would be put forward by this government as a suitable environmental commissioner," stated Churley. For more information, please call Robin Cantin, Queens' Park, Toronto at ph. (416) 325-7324. See more information at the website http://www.ontariondp.on.ca/ 

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CANADA COMPLETES 1ST PHASE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE WTO NEGOTIATIONS

The first phase of the Canadian environmental assessment of the new World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, entitled, "Canada's Retrospective Analysis of the 1994 Environmental Review of the Uruguay Round", has been released. The second phase of the environmental review, developing the methodology for the environmental assessment, will be followed by a detailed review of environmental issues undertaken during the WTO negotiations over the course of the next few years. Extensive consultations with the provinces, non-government organizations, business groups and the public are planned throughout the environmental assessment. 
Your comments on the Retrospective Analysis would be welcome. 
Send your comments to Environmental Services Division (AES) Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Lester B.
Pearson Building, 125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2 Fax (613) 944-0432, Or send by email to AES@dfait-maeci.gc.ca The Retrospective Analysis is available through the Department's InfoCentre Tel. 1-800-267-8376 or FaxLink 1-613-944-4500). 
Or through the website at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/resume-e.asp 

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TORONTO ISSUES WASTE DIVERSION REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

As part of the City of Toronto's Integrated Solid Waste Resource Management (TIRM) Process, City Council has just released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for diversion services. Eight previously qualified companies are now preparing their submissions, which are due on February 29, 2000. They are Agra Monenco, All Treat Farms, HUWS, Rail Cycle North, State Group Ltd., Stinnes Enerco, Stone and Webster Canada, and SUBBOR. Diversion is defined as "the manual, mechanical and/or biological processing of waste products and/or materials that have a beneficial use to society. Material that is incinerated or placed in a sanitary landfill site for any purpose, including landfill cover, is not considered to be a "beneficial use". 
Source, Recycling Council of Ontario, Toronto, Website for RFP at http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/involved/swm/swmmep.htm 

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B.C. GOVERNMENT RESCINDS LOGGING PERMITS

A British Columbia forests ministry review panel has overturned a logging permit for 51 cutblocks in the Scotia Creek area east of Prince Rupert and around Surf Inlet south of Hartley Bay by International Forest Products Inc., (Interfor) on B.C.'s north coast after plans detailing where the logging would occur were challenged by the Forest Practices Board. The ruling has been praised by B.C. Forests Minister David Zirnhelt who said, "it proves B.C. forest practices are meeting the test of public accountability." Interfor which originally had its logging plans approved must now re-advertise them and make them available to public scrutiny. Much of the work to bring this issue to the fore was conducted by the Suzuki Foundation. For more information contact, Cathi Piazza, Communications Officer, Forest Practices Board , 3rd fl, 1675 Douglas Street, Victoria, B.C., Ph. (250) 952-6965, Fax (250) 387-7009, Email Catherine.Piazza@gems3.gov.bc.ca website http://www.fpb.gov.bc.ca 

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GIS ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING CONFERENCE
IN BANFF, ALBERTA

The 4th International Conference on Integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Environmental Modeling, will be held September 2 to 8, 2000, at the Banff Centre for Conferences, Banff, Alberta. Abstracts are invited for book chapters, journal articles, tutorials or workshops, method/ technique/ tool demonstrations, and electronic or static "poster" presentations contributing to the 4th International Conference on Integrating GIS and Environmental Modeling. Issues to be discussed include GIS spatial, statistical, temporal, and other methodological considerations related to science theory, new data sources and sensors, computing technologies, and application techniques. Contact, Conference Secretariat, GIS/EM4, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), CIRES Building 216, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0216. 
Conference Director is Dr. Bradley Parks, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) Campus Box 216, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80309-0216, Tel. (303) 497.6330, Fax (303) 497.6513. Email bparks@colorado.edu Website at http://www.colorado.edu/research/cires/banff/.

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6TH INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT MONTREAL, JUNE 21 TO 24, 2000

The 6th International Interdisciplinary Conference on the Environment will be held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, June 21-24, 2000. You may participate as session organizer, presenter of one or two papers, chair, moderator, discussant, or observer. The early deadline for abstract submission and participation is April 15, 2000. All papers will pass a peer review process for publication consideration in the Conference Proceedings. For more information, please contact Kevin L. Hickey or Demetri Kantarlelis, mail to, IEA/Hickey-Kantarelis, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01615, Tel. (508) 767. 7296 (Hickey), or ph. (508) 767.7557 (Kantarelis) Fax (508) 767-7382, E-mail (Hickey) khickey@assumption.edu (Kantarelis) dkantar@assumption.edu, website at http://champion.iupui.edu/~mreiter/iea.htm

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT, SEPTEMBER 2000 IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Coastal Zone Canada 2000 is the fourth in in the Coastal Zone Canada Association biennial series. It will be held September 17 to 22, 2000, in Saint John, New Brunswick.
The conference will address the theme Coastal Stewardship, Lessons Learned and the Paths Ahead. The Conference will focus on four inter-related sub-themes including aboriginal Practices, community-based Actions, Coastal Environmental Health, and Oceans Governance. The goal of this Conference is to develop a collective vision and identify products, policies and research that will further integrate coastal zone management.

The Conference invites contributions of papers and posters, and proposals for case studies and workshops. Contributions should relate to the above-noted conference theme and sub-themes. 
Interested authors and group leaders are requested to submit abstracts and proposals (maximum 250 words) by the following dates, January 31, 2000 for case study and workshop proposals; April 30, 2000 for papers and posters abstracts. Contact James A. Smith, Ph.D., Chair of the Program Committee by e-mail at james@coastalsmith.com Coastal Zone Canada 2000 Secretariat, c/o NB Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5H1 Tel. (506) 462-5961, Fax (506) 453-5210, E-mail czczcc2000@gov.nb.ca Website http://www.gov.nb.ca/dfa/czc-zcc2000/htm 

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PAUL WATSON, CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTALIST JAILED

Paul Watson, a founding member of Greenpeace in 1972, and currently Founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, was sent to the Newfoundland Penitentiary in St. John's, Newfoundland for 30 days starting in November 1999. He was charged by the federal Dept of Fisheries and Oceans for harassing and obstructing Cuban and Spanish drag trawl fishing operations on the Tail of the Grand Banks in 1993. The ships, ignoring international conservation measures and ignoring Canadian efforts to save the last of the commercial harvest on the Grand Banks, were over fishing the depleted supplies. Canada was unsuccessful in diplomatic efforts to stop the massive international fishing efforts. So Paul Watson stepped in. He drew international attention to the issue when he tried to cut the fishing nets of the international "fish pirates". Instead of being praised by Canada, he was charged with offenses. Canada, instead of charging the over fishing, charged the conservationist. 

In 1995, Watson was acquitted of two charges of mischief endangering life and was convicted of aiding and abetting an act of mischief. The mischief charge relates to Watson's action of placing his ship, the Cleveland Amory, in a position for a crew member to toss a stink bomb onto the trawl deck of the Cuban dragger Rio Los Casas. The Canadian prosecutor argued for a six-month sentence and Watson appealed for the dismissal of the sentence. Both appeals were denied. The Appeals Court cited that Watson did not show any remorse for harassing the Cubans and did not apologize to Cuba for his actions. Source U.S. Environmental News Service (ENS) November 22, 1999. Email seashepherd@seashepherd.org Visit the website at http://www.seashepherd.org/

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NEW CANCER ENVIRONMENT GROUP IN ONTARIO

As we begin to link the environmental carcinogens with the medical disease of cancer, more groups are turning to cancer prevention. 
Not cancer cure, since prevention is much healthier and more economically sound for society and its people. A new group has formed in Ontario called "StopCancer Ontario". It published the proceedings of a conference entitled, "Everyday Carcinogens, Stopping Cancer Before It Starts". Dr. Sandra Steingraber, was a keynote speaker March 27, 1999 at the conference, and spoke about the new science of endocrine disruptors and how it's not necessarily the dose, or even whether a toxin is a recognized carcinogen. Many scientists are now looking at 'windows of vulnerability' - when we may be more susceptible to exposure, such as during stress, or during prenatally or during puberty. 
A hard copy of the proceedings cost Cdn $12. Call Lorna Wilson at ph. (519) 751-2560 or email Cancer Prevention Coalition/ StopCancer Ontario at liz@ican.net You can download a copy from the website http://www.stopcancer.org 

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CEIA ONTARIO HOSTED ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY DAY NOVEMBER 22, 1999

On November 22, 1999, CEIA Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment hosted "Environment Industry Day" at Queen's Park in Toronto. A full day of meetings and discussions between corporate members of CEIA Ontario and Ontario MPPs to increase awareness, understanding and support for the advancement of the Environment Industry Sector in Ontario. An evening reception was also held. It was an excellent opportunity for environment company officials to mingle with MPPs and other government representatives. 
For more information contact, Norm Rankin, Chairman, CEIA Ontario at nrankin@millerthomson.ca Visit the website at http://www.ceia.on.ca/

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CEIA NATIONAL PRESENTED THREE AWARDS OF MERIT

On November 16th, 1999, the Canadian Environment Industry Association (CEIA national) presented its three Awards of Professional Excellence & Merit tonight to,

o Robert Fraser, Chairman of Engine Control Systems Ltd.
o Colin F. W. Isaacs, President of Contemporary Analysis Ltd.
o Norman S. Rankin, Environmental Lawyer with Miller Thomson

ROBERT FRASER has served on the Board of Directors of both CEIA Ontario and CEIA (national). He is being recognized for his significant contributions as the first Chair of the CEIA (national) Environmental Exporters Council (EEC). This January, Robert will be relocating to Chile, where he plans to help Canadian companies access the Chilean market. Email rfs@lubrizol.com

COLIN F.W. ISAACS joined the CEIA (national) Board of Directors as the CEIA Ontario representative in the spring of 1998. That summer, he accepted the appointment of Chair of the CEIA National Policy Forum (NPF). Under Mr. Isaacs' direction, the NPF expanded its outreach and now has active participants in almost every province. Colin drafted a set of guidelines for CEIA policy development, and has guided the NPF through a priority-setting exercise that is now being used on an annual basis to establish the NPF work plan one year out. Email cissacs@compuserve.com

NORMAN S. RANKIN has served as Chair of CEIA Ontario for the past two years. As if this position were not demanding enough, Mr. Rankin also devoted considerable volunteer time to advising the Board of CEIA (national) in its recent re-structuring exercise. It is largely due to Norm's sound legal advice and patient diplomacy that CEIA has achieved its present structure, which is consistent with that of other successful national business associations. Email nrankin@millerthomson.ca

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PEMBINA INSTITUTE CALLS FOR MORATORIUM ON IN SITU OIL SANDS MINING

Mining sand and stripping small bits of oil off the grains requires massive soil mining and large amounts of energy just to obtain and refine the energy from Alberta's tar sands. Oilsands deposits underlie vast areas of northern Alberta - about 12% of the total area of the province. It is estimated that over 300 billion barrels of oil are recoverable from these reserves - more than the proven reserves of Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately the Btu or, energy value, of the tar sands is very low compared to conventional sources. Without enhancement from better oil, tar sands oil is useful only for such things as making ashphalt, or various bunk and diesel oils.

"Open-pit mining only works for a small percentage of the Athabasca oilsands," says Tom Marr-Laing, Director of the Energy Watch program of the Pembina Institute, "but with in-situ technology, the oilsands industry is poised to massively expand the scale and extent of industrial activity in the boreal forest of northern Alberta." It turns out that in situ mining could ruining thousands of hectares of the boreal forests in northern Alberta.

Given the critical economic, social, and environmental importance of the boreal forest to Alberta, the Oilsands Environmental Coalition (OSEC) led by the Pembina Institute, has asked that the Alberta Energy Utilities Board (EUB) impose a moratorium on any in-situ development. 
The group says that this moratorium should remain in place until,

o an assessment has been conducted of the cumulative impacts of 
widespread in-situ development on the boreal forest (considering 
also many other forest uses, including intensive forestry activities); and

o a boreal forest-use policy has been developed to guide decisions on 
individual in-situ projects.

For more information contact, Tom Marr-Laing, Director - Energy Watch Program, Pembina Institute, ph. (780) 542-6272, Fax (780) 542-6464, Email thomasml@pembina.org

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TETRA PAK AND ATLANTIC PACKAGING TEAM UP TO RECYCLE JUICE BOXES 

Tetra Pak announced a partnership with Atlantic Packing Products Ltd.
that will result in the recycling of millions of juice boxes collected in Ontario blue box programs. Although about 47 percent of Ontario households already toss aseptic containers into their recycling bins, the containers have not been recycled. The announcement was made in Barrie, which used the occasion to launch its juice box collection program. Toronto waste management staff will meet with Tetra Pak to discuss adding the containers to the city's recycling collection. For more information, contact Anne Mathewson at Tetra Pak, (905) 3056914.
Source, RE-News Bulletin is published by the Recycling Council of Ontario. 
Contact Katharine Partridge, Editor, 489 College Street, Suite 504, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1A5; Phone (416) 960-1025, ext. 19; Fax: (416) 960-8053; e-mail kathy@rco.on.ca. RCO Executive Director: John Hanson.

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AGRA'S PROPOSAL FOR A GARBAGE INCINERATOR REJECTED IN ONTARIO

Innisfil Twp., Ontario councillors unanimously voted against the Township being a willing host for an energy from waste facility (EFW) proposed by Agra Resource, reversing a favourable vote it had made in September 1999.. The decision follows a telephone poll earlier this month of 1,400 Innisfil residents, who voted 57% against the proposal. 
The County of Simcoe, which manages waste services for Innisfil and 19 other county communities, also voted against the proposal in September. Those decisions put Agra's bid for Toronto's disposal contact in jeopardy. The proposed facility would incinerate Simcoe County waste, as well as waste imported from Toronto, Durham and other outlying municipalities. This week, Agra appealed the County of Simcoe's decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. Toronto disposal proposals must be submitted by December 15. Source, Recycling Council of Ontario, 489 College Street, Suite 504, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1A5. RCO website at http://www.rco.on.ca/

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