HABITAT enviroscaping & property maintenance

HABITAT enviroscaping

6-1570 Liverpool Crt
Ottawa, Ontario
K1B 4L2
(613)749-8245

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ENDANGERED SPECIES LAW MADE TOOTHLESS?
Canada's attempt to pass an endangered species law has been on the Parliamentary table for seven years. Industry representatives, scientists, environmentalists, landowners and a legion of different witnesses gave evidence before the House of Commons environmental committee. The result was a series of recommendations made by the committee to improve the bill (Species At Risk Act). Essential changes were deemed necessary and made in three areas:

The committee concluded and recommended that it was not enough to simply protect an endangered species, but that its habitat needed protection as well.
The committee reinforced the methods and process of deciding which species would be placed on the protection list.
The committee also made changes to expand the act's so called 'safety net', which would protect an animal not only on federal land, but also on provincial land.

The above mentioned changes are supported by almost every interest group, the Canadian public (polls), and spokesmen from every political party, incl. the NDP and Alliance. All, except for the governing Liberal party whose own amendments rejects that of the Parliamentary committee, initiated primarily from environmental departmental staff.

It is very hard to to understand this. You cannot protect a species without protecting its habitat. Common sense to even the most ignorant. The decision process had to be strengthened, because under the original bill politicians had the sole discretion to decide which species would be listed. A process which is used in some provinces, legally listing on average less than 40% of the species listed scientifically as at risk. The 'safety net' concept is (similiarly active in four other wildlife laws) to be used on a discretionary basis by the federal government. It hasn't done so once. That is why the the committee recommended strengthening the concept by defining criteria for intervention.
Seven years of time and effort from every conceivable source and Parliament, not too mention countless threatened species, down the drain because of bureaucratic small-mindedness.

Also see the article in the The Ottawa Citizen by Elizabeth May, 19/02/2002, page A17.

PESTICIDES BANNED!
26/05/01 - Ottawa City Councillors have approved a one-year ban on the use of pesticides (including herbicides) for cosmetic purposes on all city property. The treatment of noxious weeds are exempted.

The City Council wants to determine the long-term costs and effects of the restrictions before adopting a permanent policy.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE

The Académie de la Capitale School did the spring gardening at the Ronald McDonald House on 407 Smyth Road on Thursday, 31 May. They want to thank everybody involved and for all the flowers and shrubs donated. The day went very well and was not only a charitable service towards the House, but fun and educational.