Category: Press Releases

Sept 24 – Municipal Candidates – Climate Action?

Len Ring

MUSKOKA – What are your municipal candidates’ ideas, opinions and positions around climate action? Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) asked all Muskoka candidates for municipal, district and mayoral positions. Candidate responses are now available on the CAM website: https://www.climateactionmuskoka.org/ Acclaimed candidates were encouraged to respond as well so their constituents have an idea of their intentions over the next four years. 

“Many responded with answers that were thoughtful and showed genuine concern for future generations,” says CAM member, Len Ring. “They make for informative reading.” 

Here are the questions CAM asked: 

1.What actions have you personally taken to support a greener, more sustainable climate?  

2. What opportunities for climate leadership at the municipal level (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)) would you champion in one or more of the areas Buildings | Housing | Land Use (sprawl) | Transportation | Other 

3. A long-term problem requires a long-term solution. What is your 100-year plan? If elected, what would be your first action? 

The municipal election period is October 17 – October 24, 2022. Find links to voter information here:  https://www.climateactionmuskoka.org/lets-talk-municipal-politics/

May 26 – Elizabeth May will be in Bracebridge Friday

Len Ring
Elizabeth May will be in Bracebrige

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Muskoka – Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) is thrilled to announce that long-time climate activist and Green Party MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, Elizabeth May, and Parry Sound-Muskoka Green candidate Matt Richter will participate in our weekly #FridaysForFuture climate strike this Friday, May 27, 11:30 to 12:30 at Memorial Park in Bracebridge.    

“CAM’s mandate is to drive climate action in Muskoka,” said Tamsen Tillson, a founding member of CAM. “We are thrilled to have Elizabeth walk with us, as she has long been a strong voice for urgent climate action. We hope her presence will help promote the climate message in Muskoka and Ontario.” 

“We invited all of the candidates to join us, and are very pleased to see Matt come out as well,” she added. “There’s sure to be some lively conversation. We hope their presence attracts some new climate strikers. Come join us!”   

CAM invites anyone who wants to talk climate to come down this Friday to walk and talk with MP Elizabeth May.  

Climate Action Muskoka is an inclusive, non-partisan group working to address the climate crisis in Muskoka. CAM has been holding #FridaysforFuture climate strikes since September 2019. This week the group celebrates 140 weeks of consecutive climate strikes (including in-person, digital and pop-up strikes during lockdown). Currently CAM holds climate strikes every Friday in Bracebridge and Huntsville.  

Climate Action Muskoka among 150+ group coalition launching Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign

Len Ring
Climate Emergency Campaign

A coalition of more than 150 groups from across Ontario — including Climate Action Muskoka — have launched the ‘Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign,’ and is calling on candidates in the upcoming provincial election to treat climate change as an emergency. 

Read article from Global News | Group sign-on

Climate Emergency Campaign

CAM Partners with Retired Teachers of Ontario to Deliver Climate Curriculum to Muskoka Students

CAM
Climate Curriculum in Muskoka Schools

TLDSB Superintendent of Education Jay MacJanet receives a delivery of bookmarks and curriculum. Left to right: Tamsen Tillson, Sue McKenzie, Len Ring, Jay MacJanet, Janet Libke, Linda Mathers and Joanne Garvey.

You have no doubt heard of Climate Action Muskoka’s Community Carbon Challenge, an initiative to highlight and promote everyday actions that we can all take to reduce our carbon footprint to achieve a 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030.
This week, in partnership with the Retired Teachers of Ontario RTOERO, District 46 Muskoka, Community Carbon Challenge-inspired curriculum along with CCC bookmarks are being delivered to all Muskoka students in grades 4-6 in the Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, and every private school.

A downloadable PDF of this curriculum is free to access

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HERE<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 

Know a teacher who might be interested? Please share!  

Bookmarks-QRCodeCurriculum

“We hope that students will take the ideas home and encourage their families to take up the Challenge to reduce their GHG emissions”, says CAM member, Len Ring.  

A study of youth around the globe, released in Britain last September prior to the global COP26 Climate Summit, reveals that young people are feeling helplessness and despair about the climate crisis. It identified the source of their anxiety as adults not taking the actions required to protect their future. Source.

The bookmark project in Muskoka provides the opportunity to enhance family discussions that focus on solutions, starting with individual actions.  

Have you signed up yet to take the Community Carbon Challenge? Learn more and get started today!

“Posing as Canadian: How Big Foreign Oil Captures Canadian Energy and Climate Policy”

CAM

Muskoka – Please join political economist and Gravenhurst resident Gordon Laxer in a webinar on his new report exposing the disturbing power and influence of multi-national foreign oil corporations on Canadian climate and energy policy, Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 7:30 pm.

Published by the Council of Canadians and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, “Posing as Canadian: How Big Foreign Oil Captures Canadian Energy and Climate Policy” reveals how foreign fossil fuel interests influence Canadian governments.

“People may be surprised and intrigued to learn that all major oil corporations operating in Canada are fully or majority foreign-owned,” says Laxer. “Yet they wave the maple leaf flag, meddle in Canadian politics and perpetually lobby the federal and Alberta governments. In a healthy democracy, the voters, not foreign-influenced corporations, shape the policies enacted in their name.”

The event is jointly hosted by Climate Action Muskoka (CAM), Environment Haliburton! (EH!) and Seniors for Climate Action Now! (SCAN!).

RECORDING NOW AVAIABLE

The report found that foreign-owned corporations fund about 97 per cent of the revenue of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) – the apex oil and gas lobby group in Canada. A 2018 law bans foreign entities from meddling in Canadian elections. But, if corporations list their headquarters in Canada, they can register as third-party advertisers for elections. Executives of foreign-owned oil corporations have made sizeable contributions to political parties and politicians who favour their agenda. The report recommends closing the loophole.

“Climate impacts now occur across Canada. Oil and gas production is the largest source of carbon pollution here, but still governments drag their feet on policies to transition off fossil fuels. Now we know why,” says CAM co-founder, Sue McKenzie. “Canadians want to be listened to and want a ‘made in Canada’ climate policy, not one influenced by foreign fossil fuel interests.”

Gordon Laxer is a political economist, professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, and the founding Director of Parkland Institute. He is the author of two award-winning books (After the Sands: Energy and Ecological Security for Canadians, and Open for Business: The Roots of Foreign Ownership in Canada) and the editor of several others. He has published over 40 journal articles, refereed book chapters, and research reports. His op-eds have been published widely in Canadian outlets and he has also been a regular guest on current affairs radio and television programs. 

Find the Report and more here: www.gordonlaxer.com

COP 26 and Net Zero’s Dangerous Distractions 

CAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) is co-sponsoring a vital and timely pre-COP26 (Conference of the Parties) webinar with Environment Haliburton!(EH!) and Seniors for Climate Action Now! (SCAN!) titled COP 26 and Net Zero’s Dangerous Distractions this Thursday, October 28 at 7:30pm ET. All are welcome to attend.


Marc Lee, prominent senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), will discuss what the concept of “Net Zero” is and why it is a dangerous mitigation plan to address the climate crisis. The SCAN! Education Committee will explain why the success of COP26 is critical for the future. 

Lee joined the CCPA in 1998 and is one of Canada’s leading progressive commentators on economic and social policy issues. He led the CCPA’s Climate Justice Project (CJP) which published a wide range of research on fair and effective approaches to climate action through integrating principles of social justice.

The CCPA is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, it is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates. 

The CCPA produces the research and analysis necessary for policymakers, activists, and everyday Canadians to make informed decisions and press for social change.

Register for the webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcuGuqD4vHtHpYkfOh0WNXUD3hmEejUIH?fbclid=IwAR0gELUJPxXDU7deMV4we7F6QdmL0hzAkx_27PdLDkXBmqxLlurCVAPSX5Y  

or on the EH! website: https://www.environmenthaliburton.org/

Vote Climate Canada is Still on Fire

CAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Muskoka – Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) and Climate Action Parry Sound (CAPS) are calling on all federal parties and all federal candidates to deliver real action on the Climate Crisis by supporting a moratorium on fossil fuel expansion, including a freeze on fossil fuel projects currently under construction, and Just Transition legislation that leaves no one behind.

“Our planet is on the ballet this year. Everyone needs to raise their voice loud enough so that the federal parties listen,” says CAM’s Sue McKenzie, commenting that the group wants to give citizens an opportunity to do so in their own communities of Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and Parry Sound on September 8.

Parry Sound Muskoka riding towns will join 50+ communities across Canada holding Vote Climate – Canada is STILL on Fire climate marches Wednesday, September 8,the day of the French All-Candidates Debate and the day before the English Debate.

“This is the climate election,” McKenzie said. “If we wait four more years, climate tipping points will have been reached and can never be turned back.”

The Muskoka Events will run from 11:15am to 12:30pm (11:00 to 12:30 in Parry Sound) in the following locations:

Gravenhurst – meet at the Gazebo at Muskoka Wharf, near the Lion’s Pavilion on Bay St.

Bracebridge – Memorial Park beside the Norwood Theatre on Manitoba St.

Huntsville – corner of Main and John at the swing bridge

Parry Sound – Mary St Centre lawn at 11:00am

These are NON-PARTISAN events. We ask that everyone adhere to masking and social distancing health guidelines. Check our website the morning of the event for any changes: https://www.climateactionmuskoka.org/

Please RSVP to climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com to let us know which event site you will attend – or just show up on the day!

Here are a few sign ideas – or write a message on your mask. (We will have a few extra signs.)

  • VOTE CLIMATE
  • End fossil fuel expansion
  • Just Transition now
  • Put out the fires
  • I’m voting for a just transition
  • Vote to end fossil fuel expansion
  • Canada is STILL on Fire
  • Climate Emergency! Act Like It! 
  • YOUR OWN MESSAGE…

Climate Action Muskoka

RTO-ERO and CAM Taking Action In a Climate Crisis

CAM
RTO-ERO and CAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Muskoka – An exciting new initiative to take action on the Climate Crisis in Muskoka was launched Friday at the weekly Climate Strike in Memorial Park, Bracebridge. The Muskoka Chapter of the Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO/ERO) is supporting Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) with a financial donation to be used to promote the CAM 50% by 2030 Community Carbon Challenge. 

The Challenge calls on all Muskoka households, businesses and groups to assume the same greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal – 50% by 2030 – as the District of Muskoka and the area municipalities. Sign up to take the challenge at climateactionmuskoka.org. 

RTO-ERO’s goal is to significantly increase the number of households in Muskoka who pledge to take action to make a difference in sustaining the Muskoka environment. They also want to promote the use of the Carbon Calculator on the CAM website and encourage changes in behavior by individuals and households.  

RTO-ERO is looking at three different steps to achieve its goal and, to that end, has printed bookmarks to invite participation by both permanent and seasonal residents and to provide lots of simple ideas for GHG reductions. The group will be: 

  • providing posters and bookmarks to Muskoka businesses that are frequented by seasonal residents to provide information on the Community Carbon Challenge and how to access it. Watch for posters and bookmarks coming soon to local businesses and bulletin boards across Muskoka! 
  • providing bookmarks to all municipalities in Muskoka. 
  • distributing bookmarks to all junior level classrooms in Muskoka, along with some curriculum ideas for teachers, to encourage students and their parents to take up the Community Carbon Challenge.  

The Retired Teachers of Ontario, District 46, Muskoka (RTOERO) endorsed the efforts of CAM almost a year and a half ago and can now report that the District of Muskoka, the Township of Lake of Bays, and the Town Councils of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Huntsville have joined the Township of Georgian Bay in declaring a climate emergency.  

For more information contact Joanne Garvey at president46@districts.rtoero.ca or CAM at climateactionmuskoka@gmail.com