DocumentsCorrespondenceApr 4, 2016Pages 20–23
Correspondence: Rupert and Franny Yakelashek — World Water Day (includes City of Victoria FCM resolution attachment)
Letter from Rupert and Franny Yakelashek to Langford Council on World Water Day urging support for environmental rights and referencing the City of Victoria's proposed FCM resolution for a Federal Bill of Environmental Rights.
Key facts
- Letter date stamp: March 22, 2016 (received/filed for council agenda distribution)
- Authors: Rupert (age 12) and Franny (age 9) Yakelashek, 2523 Belmont Avenue, Victoria, BC V8R 4A5
- Request: municipality to champion environmental rights and support the Blue Dot movement/Federal Bill of Environmental Rights at FCM
- Attachment: City of Victoria Council Member Motion and proposed FCM resolution text concerning recognition of the right to a healthy environment
Correspondence: Rupert and Franny Yakelashek — World Water Day (includes City of Victoria FCM resolution attachment)
Letter to Mayor Young and Langford City Council
Date: March 22, 2016
Dear Mayor Young and Langford City Council,
Today is World Water Day! In honour, the Blue Dot movement is launching their federal campaign for a Federal Bill of Environmental Rights.
Canada has one fifth of the world's fresh water, one quarter of its wetlands and the longest coastline. But the Federal Government does not have a national water standard. Every day there are over 1,000 boil water advisories across Canada. The Blue Dot initiative is about recognizing every citizen's right to clean air, healthy food, access to nature AND clean water. And this is why we felt it is important to reach out to you today.
We are excited to report that the Blue Dot environmental rights movement is growing across the country. Right now 126 municipalities have made municipal declarations recognizing their community's right to a healthy environment. And 46 of those are in British Columbia! We guess this groundswell of support is why the Richmond A5 Provincial Bill of Environmental Rights Resolution passed at last September's UBCM Conference.
This June the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is meeting. The City of Victoria has made a FCM Federal Bill of Environmental Rights Resolution asking municipalities to encourage the Federal Government to make a Federal Bill of Environmental Rights. We are writing to you to ask your community to please support this resolution at the FCM conference and to considering making your own. We are sending you a copy of the City of Victoria's resolution to look at.
We feel so lucky growing up in Victoria. We know some Canadian kids aren't as lucky because they are exposed to unsafe environmental conditions. We want every child in Canada to have their environmental rights recognized and for them and their families to live in a safe and healthy environment.
We are so hopeful that progress is being made, but there is still a lot to do. It would mean so much to us if your municipality continued to champion environmental rights and stepped up at the FCM Conference.
Thank you for taking the time to read our letter!
Sincerely,
tAPQrf
Rupert (12) and Franny (9) Yakelashek
2523 Belmont Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8R 4A5
skyeladell@mac.com (our mom's email address)
City of Victoria — Council Member Motion
For the Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting of January 7, 2016
Date: December 5, 2015
From: Councillors !silt, Councillor Loveday and Mayor Helps
Subject: FCM Resolution - Federal Bill of Environmental Rights
Background:
The City of Victoria was the first jurisdiction on Vancouver Island to adopt a Declaration of the Right to a Healthy Environment, and helped spearhead the successful effort calling on the Union of BC Municipalities to endorse the proposal for a Provincial Bill of Environmental Rights.
Now, residents and advocacy organizations including the Blue Dot Movement are proposing that Canada's new federal government introduce a Federal Bill of Environmental Rights in Parliament.
The federal government's mandate letter to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change identifies the "overarching goal... to take the lead in implementing the government's plan for a clean environment and a sustainable economy."
Support for Environmental Rights is consistent with several components of the City of Victoria's Strategic Plan and aligns with the aspirations of residents and Council to demonstrate leadership in protecting and restoring ecological systems and the natural environment.
It is therefore proposed that Council endorse the following resolution calling for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to support the request for a Federal Bill of Environmental Rights, and forward the resolution to member local governments requesting favourable consideration and resolutions of support.
Recommendation:
THAT Council endorse the following resolution for consideration at the 2016 Annual Convention of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, requesting that the motion be considered by delegates at the Annual Convention in Winnipeg, rather than referred to Directors at a Board meeting, in order to encourage debate among representatives from all member local governments;
AND THAT Council direct staff to forward the resolution to all member local governments of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, requesting favourable consideration and resolutions of support:
WHEREAS municipalities are the governments that are nearest to the people and the natural environment, and therefore share a deep concern for the well-being of the natural environment and understand that a healthy environment is inextricably linked to the health of individuals, families, future generations and communities;
Council Report
December 5, 2015
FCM Resolution — Federal Bill of Environmental Rights
Page 1 of 2
AND WHEREAS federal policy affects municipalities' abilities to deliver the best environmental conditions for their citizens, including protecting natural assets such as air, water and soil, and enhancing community quality of life;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that FCIVI request that the Government of Canada enact federal environmental rights legislation that:
- recognizes the right of every resident to live in a healthy environment, including the right to clean air, clean water, safe food and resilient, fully functioning ecosystems;
- provides for public participation in decision-making on issues regarding the environment and access to environmental information;
- provides access to justice when environmental rights are infringed; and
- includes provisions for whistle-blower protection.
AND THAT Council request the Mayor to write to the Federal Government regarding the resolution.
Respectfully submitted,
41/t,
Councillor (sift
Councillor Loveday
Mayor Helps
Council Report
FCM Resolution — Federal Bill of Environmental Rights
December 5, 2015
Page 2 of 2
