Get Involved!

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ACTION ALERT: Reinstate funding to the Canadian Environmental Network

The Canadian Environmental Network and its provincial affiliate networks need your help!

Historically, the Canadian Environmental Network and its provincial affiliate networks received annual core funding from the Government of Canada.  This was used to facilitate networking on environmental issues across the country, coordinate national and provincial issue-based caucuses, coordinate ENGO participation in federal public consultation processes, and maintain open lines of communication between ENGOs and the federal government.

In 2011, as part of the across-the-board cuts to civil society organizations by the previous federal government, all federal funding to the RCEN and its provincial affiliate networks was cut.  This left the national network and most of the affiliates with functioning primarily on a voluntary basis with limited capacity to do their work.

There is hope that the current government will provide for renewed funding in its upcoming budget.  This funding is crucial for the survival of the national network and many of the provincial affiliate networks.  A proposal has been submitted.  It now needs strong and immediate support from environmental groups and individuals across the country.

This is where you come in!

Please take a few minutes to write to Prime Minister Trudeau and your MP telling them why you value the RCEN, your provincial affiliate network, or environmental networking at the national level in general.  Feel free to use the template letter provided below.  You can personalize it based on your experience or simply copy and paste.

Trudeau’s email is justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca and you can find your MP’s email here:  http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members

Mail may be sent postage-free to any Member of Parliament. The mailing address for any member of parliament’s hill office is:

Hon. [Name of MP]
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Let’s show our federal politicians that a strong, well-connected grassroots environmental community is essential to a strong Canada!

 

Draft Template Letter:

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

I am writing to ask that annual core funding to the Canadian Environmental Network (RCEN) be reinstated.

Historically, the RCEN provided a crucial link between environmental groups across the country, both large and small.  This link was vital in helping communities address environmental issues right across the country and ensuring a robust approach to the development of environmental policy in Canada.

Since funding was cut in 2011, the RCEN and most of its provincial affiliate networks have been functioning primarily on a voluntary basis with limited capacity to do their work.  This is not acceptable.  A strong, well-connected grassroots environmental community is essential to a strong Canada.  I urge you to reinstate core funding for this crucial work immediately.

Sincerely,

[Your name here]

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Youth Eco Internship Program

Youth Eco Internship Program (via the YMCA of Greater Toronto)
*Specifically, but not exclusively, looking for St. John’s, NL based Eco-organizations to participate.

The Youth Eco Internship Program (YEIP) gives professionals in the Eco/Green sector a chance to help youth with barriers to education under the age of 30, build skills, develop confidence and benefit from the guidance and support of a workplace mentor. Prior to their internships, the selected youth will participate in a 3 week pre-employment training at their respective YMCA, to help them gain essential tools needed to be successful in their internships. They will be compensated for their time during those 3 weeks. Internships are offered in both official languages, are full-time and practical with broadly based assignments that help a motivated person develop transferable skills needed to be successful. The 12 week internship program provides a subsidy reimbursement of the respective province’s minimum wage, for up to 37.5 hours per week, plus 4% vacation pay as well as MERCs to eligible employers/host organizations. The ultimate objective is to help youth with barriers to education find permanent employment in the Green/Eco sector following this internship program.

To participate, employers must:
· have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years;
· have a minimum of 5 full-time employees (though some flexibility);
· provide proof of, WSIB (Worker’s Safety and Insurance Board) or equivalent, and a minimum of $2 million general liability insurance;
· and must work in the Green/Eco Sector or contribute to environmental sustainability as an organization.

If interested or for more information about the program, requirements for employers, etc. please contact  paul@sustainabilitynetwork.ca 

Or

YMCA contact in Toronto:
Jesse Abell
Bilingual Job Developer, Youth Eco Internship Program
YMCA of Greater Toronto
2200 Yonge Street, Unit 300, Toronto, ON   M4S 2C6
T: 416-928-3362 e 22629  F: 647-439-4502 E: jesse.abell@ymcagta.org

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NLEN AGM and Caucus

agm poster.jpg

All members of the public and Environmental organizations are welcome to attend. No RSVP is required however any questions may be directed to nlen.ed@gmail.com

For voting privileges please ensure your organization has recently renewed their membership. For more information on membership please visit our membership page here.

New steering committee nominees from member organizations are welcome. Please email nlen.ed@gmail.com with questions or nominations. Agenda will be published on the NLEN website once available.

The 2015 AGM Minutes to be presented are available here.

The 2015-16 Fiscal Year Financial Statement to be presented is available here.

The finances as of October 31st, for interest, are available here.

The AGM and Oceans Caucus is being launched in unison with the ENGO Consultation on the 2012 Changes to the Fisheries Act. All are welcome to attend the AGM, without reservation. However, to participate in the consultation, you must register. Please find more information on the consultation here.

NLEN would like to particularly thank our member organization the Quidi Vidi-Rennie’s River Development Foundation and their catering location the Suncor Energy Fluvarium for their support for these events. Further information about their venue and catering services can be found here.

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Final Reminder to Register: ENGO Consultation on the Fisheries Act

Registration for the ENGO Consultation on the 2012 changes to the Fisheries Act is due Tuesday November 1st. Email completed registration forms to nlen.ed@gmail.com. Within a limited budget, there is assistance available through NLEN for those requiring travel and accommodations. See below for more information or download the registration form here now: Registration Form.

As key stakeholders and environmental representatives, Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) across Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) are being invited to participate as consultants in the review of the 2012 Fisheries Act being conducted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. The ENGO consultation is being coordinated by NL Environmental Network (NLEN), with the support of the Quidi Vidi/Rennie’s River Development Foundation, at the request of Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). NLEN will be compiling comments and submissions from ENGOs within NL recommending specific amendments to the Fisheries Act to restore lost protections and incorporate modern safeguards. This is in direct relation to the review of a number of environmental and regulatory processes launched by the Government of Canada on June 20, 2016.

The consultation will happen in two parts; November 3rd from 9am to 12pm will be a teleconference detailing background information on the 2012 changes to the Fisheries Act with the assistance of DFO personnel in preparation for the workshop on November 21st from 9am-3:30pm held at the Suncor Energy Fluvarium. Participants will take knowledge gathered from the initial teleconference back to the ENGO they represent and compile the organization’s recommendations in advance of the workshop . All ENGOs within the province are welcome to submit recommendations on the Fisheries Act to NLEN and are invited to send a representative to the workshop to further discuss and defend the organization’s position. Within a limited budget, there is assistance available through NLEN for those requiring travel and accommodations.

The registration form is available here and must be completed by November 1st, 2016.  Email completed forms nlen.ed@gmail.com.

ENGOs interested in participating can email NLEN at nlen.ed@gmail.com for more information.

NLEN will additionally be holding the Annual General Meeting and launching a provincial Oceans Caucus on November 21st, following the workshop. More information is available here.

NLEN would like to particularly thank our member organization the Quidi Vidi-Rennie’s River Development Foundation and their catering location the Suncor Energy Fluvarium for supporting the workshop portion of this consultation. Further information about their venue and catering services can be found here.

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FEASt AGM

 

Interested in continuing the work of FEASt? Then please join us Nov. 20 from 2 to 4 at the Sobey’s Community Room, Merrymeeting Road, where you will have the opportunity to form a new Board of Directors of FEASt. You can help continue the work of the organization, and take a leadership role in your community! The current Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to dissolve the organization if there are not enough people interested in forming a new board.

Whether you are interested in joining the Board or not, please join us Nov. 20 as we look back and celebrate 8 amazing years of educating the public on local food systems, and helping to increase access to safe, affordable foods! Help us celebrate all of the community support that we received throughout the years!

If you are passionate about food security in the St. John’s region and want to see the work of FEASt continue it is important that you attend this meeting!

Email: local.feast@gmail.com

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NLEN AGM and Oceans Caucus

NLEN AGM and Launch of Provincial Oceans Caucus

Monday, November 21st, 2016
2:30PM (CORRECTION, previously advertised at 3:30pm)

At The Suncor Energy Fluvarium, 5 Nagle’s Place, St. John’s

All members of the public and Environmental organizations are welcome to attend. For voting privileges please ensure your organization has recently renewed their membership. For more information on membership please visit our membership page here.

New steering committee nominees from member organizations are welcome. Please email nlen.ed@gmail.com with questions or nominations. Agenda will be published on the nlen website once available.

The AGM and Oceans Caucus is being launched in unison with the ENGO Consultation on the 2012 Changes to the Fisheries Act. All are welcome to attend the AGM, without reservation. However, to participate in the consultation, you must register. Please find more information on the consultation here.

NLEN would like to particularly thank our member organization the Quidi Vidi-Rennie’s River Development Foundation and their catering location the Suncor Energy Fluvarium for their support for these events. Further information about their venue and catering services can be found here.

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ENGO Consultation on the 2012 Changes to the Fisheries Act

As key stakeholders and environmental representatives, Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) across Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) are being invited to participate as consultants in the review of the 2012 Fisheries Act being conducted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. The ENGO consultation is being coordinated by NL Environmental Network (NLEN), with the support of the Quidi Vidi/Rennie’s River Development Foundation, at the request of Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). NLEN will be compiling comments and submissions from ENGOs within NL recommending specific amendments to the Fisheries Act to restore lost protections and incorporate modern safeguards. This is in direct relation to the review of a number of environmental and regulatory processes launched by the Government of Canada on June 20, 2016.

The consultation will happen in two parts; November 3rd from 9am to 12pm will be a teleconference detailing background information on the 2012 changes to the Fisheries Act with the assistance of DFO personnel in preparation for the workshop on November 21st from 9am-3:30pm held at the Suncor Energy Fluvarium. Participants will take knowledge gathered from the initial teleconference back to the ENGO they represent and compile the organization’s recommendations in advance of the workshop . All ENGOs within the province are welcome to submit recommendations on the Fisheries Act to NLEN and are invited to send a representative to the workshop to further discuss and defend the organization’s position. Within a limited budget, there is assistance available through NLEN for those requiring travel and accommodations.

The registration form is available here and must be completed by November 1st, 2016.  Email completed forms nlen.ed@gmail.com.

ENGOs interested in participating can email NLEN at nlen.ed@gmail.com for more information.

NLEN will additionally be holding the Annual General Meeting and launching a provincial Oceans Caucus on November 21st, following the workshop. More information is available here.

NLEN would like to particularly thank our member organization the Quidi Vidi-Rennie’s River Development Foundation and their catering location the Suncor Energy Fluvarium for supporting the workshop portion of this consultation. Further information about their venue and catering services can be found here.

 

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NAACAP AGM Annoucement

You invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Northeast Avalon ACAP (NAACAP) on Monday, September 26 at MUN Botanical Garden. The event will include a special presentation from Memorial University’s Tom Cooper titled “Exploring PPP and Alternative Service Delivery Models for both the private and not-for-profit sectors”. This presentation will include discussion on the use of P3s and alternate service delivery methods for funding environmental infrastructure projects. The presentation will be at 7 PM and will be followed by AGM business.

If you are interested in joining NAACAP’s Board of Directors, please email info@naacap.ca to express interest.

naacap-agm

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Climate Change Town Hall

Nick Whalen, the Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, will be hosting a Climate Change town hall on Thursday, September 8th from 6-8pm at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church auditorium, located at 8 Military Rd.

As part of this event we are planning to have outside groups, involved in mitigating climate change in various ways, joining discussions at roundtables throughout the room. To make this event a success in harvesting ideas to provide to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change we would like to extend the invitation to anyone interested in joining our discussion and provide solutions. Tables include: International Cooperation, Food and Agriculture, Mitigation of Emissions, Preservation of Habitat, and Municipal Planning.

Hope to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/NickWhalenMP

nick.whalen@parl.gc.ca

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Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium Volunteer Opportunities

The Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium is looking for volunteers! A catch-and-release aquarium nestled in beautiful Petty Harbour, volunteers help us to engage the public and educate visitors about local marine life and our oceans. Positions to be filled include: Science Interpreter and Aquarist, Event help, Research Assistant, and Aquarium Maintenance.

Volunteers are needed for weekly 3 hour shifts from now until October 7, 2016. Along with weekly interpretive shifts, volunteers are needed for outreach events, our release party, and the take-down of the aquarium tanks once our season is over.

For more information or to sign up today, email Pam at info@miniaqua.org or fill out an inquiry form on our website.

http://www.miniaqua.org/jump-in.html