Adversaries of the Government?

Adversaries of the Government?

Environmental groups provide a great service to citizens

A message from Pat Letizia, Executive Director, Alberta Ecotrust

In the 20 years that Alberta Ecotrust has been supporting environmental nonprofit groups in Alberta, we have only seen an honest effort among our grantees to protect the public good by investing in environmental conservation and protection. Albertans have said over and over that the environment is important to them and the corporate and ENGO partners of this Foundation have worked hard to break down barriers and jointly invest in community-based environmental action. From education and awareness campaigns, remediation and reclamation projects, multi-stakeholder efforts to protect land and water, to policy development - Alberta environmental organizations work hard with very limited resources to ensure that Alberta's natural heritage is considered and protected when necessary as our economy and industrial development grows. Thus it is difficult to stand by and watch what is happening on the national landscape of political rhetoric and government finger-pointing.

Since the launch of Ethical Oil's campaign against environmental charities on January 2 of this year and the open letter one week later from Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver echoing that organization's position that environmental organizations are "threatening to highjack our regulatory system to achieve their radical ideological agenda," there has been a growing backlash against this type of characterization. Last week's unsupported assertion by Environment Minister Peter Kent that some environmental charities are laundering money from offshore interests - suggesting criminal activity - has the charitable sector in Canada increasingly alarmed.

Also, given that the new budget omnibus Bill-C38 devotes 150 of 400 pages to environmental regulation that repeals the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and diminishes the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act and the National Energy Board Act to apparently expedite development and reduce delays, it is no wonder that environmental charities and their funders and donors are feeling frustrated; singled out as potential "adversaries" of the government in a country renowned for its tolerance and democratic rights and freedoms. At a time when it is more important than ever for charities to continue working on solutions with industry and government, there is a sense that the sector is in someone's way. Big time.

So, the sector is speaking out. Imagine Canada recently sent an open letter to Minister Kent and Prime Minister Harper. The Philanthropic Foundations of Canada have prepared a statement of position [PDF] on the funding of political activities of charities and the Canadian Environmental Grantmaker's Network recently submitted a letter to the Finance Committee. The sector opinion seems to be that this is an attack on democracy and the important role that all charities play in Canadian Society.

We believe that all sectors should be respected as strategic partners on environmental solutions and that community-based environmental action is critically important - whether it is public awareness on alternative transportation, a creek clean-up or a legitimate protest that expresses concerns about the environmental impacts of a major industrial project. If you agree with us, please consider showing your support for a local environmental group by volunteering or donating a few dollars to them, or speak up by writing a letter to your MP, the Ministers of Natural Resources and Environment or your local newspaper and telling them how you feel about what's going on.

LINK: Alberta Ecotrust