Federal Funding Support for the Nova  Scotia Environmental Network  Press Conference – October 19, 2011 – Halifax, NS  Presentation by Sheila Cole, Advisor to the Board of Directors  of the NSEN  We are meeting today to discuss funding cuts to the Canadian Environmental  Network (CEN).  Core funding of $537 000 was expected from Environment Canada  (EC) for the current fiscal year to fund a small staff at headquarters in Ottawa and  one staff person for each provincial network, of which NSEN is one.    The Canadian Environmental Network has some 647 member groups nation‐wide,  representing at least 630 000 active individuals across Canada.    Here in Nova Scotia, the NSEN should have received $18 000 toward funding of one  paid staff member who manages the communication and coordination of our 57  active member groups province‐wide.    EC says the decision to cut this core funding is part of their efforts to allocate  resources in an efficient and cost‐effective manner.  This reasoning makes no fiscal  sense at all.  The national network and its provincial counterparts function with the  bare minimum of paid staff.  Fully 98% of the work is done by member groups on a  completely voluntary basis.  Any contribution made by EC is compensated at least  ten‐fold by the educational and organizational work done by groups across the  country.  This is the best possible value EC could ever find.  The knowledge,  resources, and expertise amassed by 647 environmental groups over 34 years is  literally priceless.  EC and the CEN have collaborated as partners for 34 years.  We have a form of  partnership and consultation that is the envy of people around the world.  Other  countries have come knocking on our door to ask how it is that our network is so  successful and how our Multi‐Stakeholder Decision‐Making Processes function.  In  our consultative model, federal and provincial government representatives,  academics, and environmental groups sit at a table with members of industry to 

jointly formulate policy, management, and pollution‐prevention plans for our  country.    In Nova Scotia, member groups of the NSEN have worked tirelessly for over three  decades toward high environmental standards in our province.  We have preserved  wilderness, helped develop sustainable forestry practices, and protection of species  at risk.  We have done the lion’s share of environmental education in communities  across the province.  We have trained and mentored hundreds of youth in  environmental stewardship best practices.  We meet annually with the provincial  Minister of the Environment to advise on subjects such as toxic chemicals, biosolids,  SMOG, acid rain, solid waste management, land use policies, etc.   Our work is highly  appreciated and recognized by NSE, as they fully acknowledge they could not  achieve a sustainable, green future for Nova Scotia without our help.  Yet at the  federal level, the government is engaging in death by a thousand cuts to civil society.   These cuts are collapsing the foundation our country has worked so hard to build  since the beginning of Confederation.  The cuts to the CEN is the last straw. We  MUST reinstate support for this network, as it forms the cornerstone and building  blocks for a prosperous and sustainable future for Canada.  The CEN was formed as a means for Environment Canada to consult with Canadians  on environmental matters.  The environmental community is the main constituency  of EC, yet in recent months, the CEN has been shut out of communications with this  department.  Our calls have not been returned; and we received no warning about  the cuts made to our core funding last Thursday. Imagine if the Minister of  Agriculture refused to talk with farmers, or the Minister of Fisheries would not  answer calls from fishermen.  What is the meaning of this breach of trust, we ask  ourselves?  We are here today to ask that Prime Minister Harper direct his Environmental  Minister, Peter Kent, to reverse this decision and release the expected funding to the  CEN.  The work of this network needs to be supported and encouraged at every turn  to ensure that the strong partnership with EC can continue into the future, for the  health and well‐being of our environment and all Canadians.     Sheila Cole may be reached at 902‐444‐4291  Or email:  [email protected] 

We need CEN to stay strong for other environmental groups across the country, especially, our NSEN group. NSEN has worked tirelessly in the past to see that our group is up to date on information and actions taken when we see our environment is at stake. NSEN is not for profit group and without funding, spreading information in the province of Nova Scotia to members is crucial. I, as a native person of Nova Scotia, support the NSEN, including CEN, to supply us with information and advise on environmental issues. I look forward each year when we can get together to discuss important issues concerning our environment in Nova Scotia and they are many. Many presenter are experts in the field of their choice and very information. Without them, we would not hear these issues and ask questions, or, what actions can be taken. Thanks, Allister Marshall Elder Recognized at NS 2011 Treaty Day for Nova Scotia    

The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada’s largest student organization in the country, representing over 500, 000 students in every province. The Canadian Federation of Students was formed in 1981 and at the time, it was recognized that for students to be truly effective in representing their collective interests to the federal and provincial governments, it was vital to unite under one banner. Students work together through the Federation to advocate for student rights at a provincial and federal level with the ultimate goal of achieving a well funded, quality, equitable and accessible post-secondary education. It shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone here that our members are also very passionate about the environment. As such, students have voted to establish a Students for Sustainability campaign as well as partner with CUPE, the Sierra Youth Coalition and the Polaris Institute on the campaign to take back the tap and phase out the sale of bottled water on our campuses. Since launching this campaign, and the annual Bottled Water Free Day, over a dozen Canadian campuses (including the university of King’s College) have banned the sale of bottled water. In Nova Scotia, the Federation has worked with other community groups to successfully lobby the Nova Scotian government and HRM to do the same in government buildings. The Federation is also a member of the Nova Scotia Environmental Newtwork. One of the founding principles of the Federation is that there truly is strength in numbers. Working together through the Nova Scotia Environmental Network and Canada’s Environmental Network gives us access to resources and opportunities we wouldn’t otherwise have and helps us have a much larger impact on environmental policy than we would on our own. I’m here representing students, many of whom are between the ages of 18 and 24 and will be inheriting the environmental problems created today. The Federation is happy to add our voice to those calling on the federal Minister of Environment to reverse the decision to break off their partnership with Canada’s Environment Network. Rebecca Rose Maritimes Organiser / Organisatrice Canadian Federation of Students / Fédération Canadienne des Étudiants et Étudiantes Office / Bureau: 902.425.4237 Cell / Le portable: 902.4882122 www.cfs-ns.ca The Canadian Federation of Students is Canada's largest students' organization, uniting more than 500,000 university and college students from all ten provinces.

October 18, 2011    Nature Nova Scotia (Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists) exists to aid  communication and cooperation among naturalists and natural history societies in  Nova Scotia. We also work at a provincial level toward protecting our natural  environment, in coordination with like‐minded organizations such as the Nova  Scotia Environmental network (NSEN), to which we have belonged as a group for  some time.    NSEN has provided a way for member groups to communicate on specific issues that  are likely to affect the members (e.g. industries, NGO's, naturalists).  Our support for  NSEN comes in the form of dues based on NNS member's yearly earnings,  and attendance at workshops NSEN offers.    Nature Nova Scotia wishes to express shock and regret over the recent  announcement of federal funding cuts to the Canadian Environmental Network and  to the NSEN.     This is a broken promise, Mr. Kent.     Unfortunately no one from the NNS organization living in the Halifax area is free and  able to attend the press conference tomorrow.    Please accept our moral support, and attendance in spirit if not in person.    With all good wishes  Bob Bancroft  President, Nature Nova Scotia  902‐386‐2501   

     

Gay's River Valley Environmental Protection Association 

Members of our community have been working together to ensure that the local Lead/Zinc mine operates strictly within the regulations of the Depts of Natural Resources and Environment. To this end, the Nova Scotia Environment Network has been invaluable in assisting us in connecting with individuals, NGOs and other volunteer groups within province; improving our understanding of the issues and assisting us in navigating the often complicated relationships among the various government departments and agencies. Most of us are volunteers; having paid NSEN staff in place to facilitate communication with government departments is a much more efficient and effective use of our time, and that of the civil servants tasked with responding to the questions and concerns of the public.

Katherine Gagne Gays River Valley Environmental Protection Association 902-758-1210     

     

    We call upon the federal government to recognize that those who work in the  environmental discipline are employed in a very real and necessary industry.     A healthy environment is the backbone of society, ensuring a prosperous and  healthy quality of life while preserving resources for future generations.     Within this healthy environment the citizens, industry and governments must  find common ground to promote sustainability.    For the past 34 years The RCEN has acted successfully as a catalyst for  all three groups, educating, facilitating and promoting environmental issues.  Our industry is one of research and development and as such requires  government funding if it is to be vibrant and successful.    Mr. Harper today we ask you to reconsider and reinstate funding to The  RCEN.       Fred F Blois  Biosolid Free NS 

 

 

 

The Halifax North West Trails Association (HNWTA) is a not‐for‐profit society  whose objectives are to promote the creation, protection and maintenance of trails  within the Halifax Mainland North area (St. Margaret’s Bay Road to Hammonds Plain  Road and the Bedford Basin to the Birch Cove Lakes). The trails in our area provide  linkages among our community neighbourhoods and use of the trails provides  opportunities for fitness, health, observation of nature and tourism. Stewardship  including environmental monitoring has taken on a new meaning after becoming  engaged with the local environmental community.  HNWTA is a member of Nova Scotia Trails Federation as well as the Nova Scotia  Environmental Network (NSEN).  Within the Nova Scotia Environmental Network, our group has benefited from  networking among members and others with like‐minded interests and concerns.  Membership has enhanced opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue with the  associated government departments at both the provincial and federal levels.  Among the many workshops offered to members over the past several years, we  have participated in volunteer recruitment and retention, fundraising, public  relations, environmental law and other topics. These have generally been offered at  a reasonable rate to non‐profit groups and would be out of reach for us in the  corporate world. As a member group, we have also benefited from connections to  the Community Based Environmental Network, whose many members are generally  also involved with the NSEN.  The shutting down of the NSEN and the provincial and national umbrella groups  across Canada will virtually shut down the opportunities for groups like ours that  already operate on a shoestring budget. To maintain a coordinated effort of  environmental education, value added opportunities take time and resources ‐  human and financial. Please reconsider this decision before cancelling the funding  envelope to the Environmental Networks.  Bob McDonald, PhD  Chair, Halifax North West Trails  October 17, 2011 

 

    NSEN press conference held October 19, 2011, Comments from Clean Nova Scotia,  Gina Patterson  Managing Director, Programs | Clean Nova Scotia  902‐420‐7937 | [email protected] | www.clean.ns.ca    Re: Decision to cut Federal funding to the RCEN.  My name is Gina Patterson, representing The Clean Nova Scotia Foundation, a non‐ profit environmental organization with the mandate of encouraging people to  consider the environment in everything they do. We have three areas of expertise:  education, restoration and energy efficiency.   Most importantly, today we are here today as an NSEN members, and therefore  members of the RCEN.   Most of the ENGO’s represented by these networks are all project funded and  project driven. We don’t often take the time to look around.   We value this vital connection to each other, to the diverse and rich organizations in  this country; people working towards common goals, who can and do, through the  network, share expertise, resources, volunteers, solicit support, avoid duplication  and instead coordinate efforts.    We value the support and professional development they provide, through well  attended and affordable skills building workshops. And we value the ability to bring  us together to provide constructive, expert, collective feedback on key political  decisions that relate to the work we do, as well as the chance to meet with the  Province annually as a group.   These networks enable us to collaborate in a way we couldn’t otherwise. Without  networks, we are left disjointed, and disengaged from each other. We would miss  the opportunities to rub shoulders with people who think differently from us.   The network helps breed creativity, and contributes to creating a healthy and  effective sector that is fighting for a sustainable future.   

 

The RCEN and its provincial affiliates, such as the NSEN, are a vital resource for the Federal Government. The RCEN is not a “special interest lobby group”. The Federal Government has a legislated duty to consult all stakeholders on environmental policy consultations and project approvals. The RCEN has helped the Federal Government do this effectively and efficiently (including cost and time savings), connecting and supporting Canadians from all walks of life to take part in these consultations. This relationship with RCEN ensured that the environmental community decided who would best speak to the particular consultation topic, through a transparent application and selection process. How will the government now ensure those educated voices are heard? This relationship and selection process is especially important for small, sometimes volunteer community groups and organizations. Without the support of government through the RCEN these groups do not have the means to effectively take part in these processes, which should be their right. Without the RCEN, how will the government be able to let these groups know about public consultations? And how will groups, if they do hear about consultations, be able to afford to participate? How will the voices of Canadians be heard and listened to? In the government letter announcing these cuts, the government stated that it is looking to shift to web based consultation. Does this mean that industry and the private sector will also be shifting to participate through the web, or will these groups, with the financial means to do so, still be at the decision making table? Environment Minister, Peter Kent, has a lot of explaining to do to Canadians about his decision to cut funding to RCEN. Jen McGowan, BES MA Community Advisor, Active & Safe Routes to School Ecology Action Centre 902-442-5055 skype: jen.mcgowan [email protected]    

The NSEN serves a very valuable networking function that will be greatly missed by East Coast Environmental Law (ECELaw). For our organization, the NSEN facilitates our interaction with community groups and individuals across the province. Without the important role played by the NSEN, ECELaw's ability to serve the public will be hampered as our work of providing environmental law assistance and education to Nova Scotians will become much more difficult.