Fix the link where science and policy meet

A salmon is seen trying to climb a small waterfall at Quigley Creek near Princess Royal Island, B.C., Sept, 20, 2013. The province’s new approach to managing freshwater resources is under attack.
(JONATHAN HAYWARD/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Fix the link where science and policy meet

Thomas Homer-Dixon, Heather Douglas and Lucie Edwards

Contributed to The Globe and Mail, Jun. 23 2014

Trout Unlimited Canada writes: "No matter what your political stripe, the systematic destruction of environmental science in Canada should concern everyone. It is one thing to reduce capacity. It is another to eliminate it, stifle it and knowingly remove it....it was government scientists that discovered the link between phosphorus and pollution and the impacts of acid rain on our lakes. These created informed policy that did NOT negatively affect the economy, but made all aspects of society more sustainable. Please share this article with your friends."

Read article here: http://bit.ly/1nXT81H

Harper government cutting more than $100 million related to protection of water

Coast Guard services are facing cuts equivalent to $20 million by 2014-15.Photo by Darryl Dyck, The Canadian Press

Harper government finds waterway spending cuts

Coast Guard downsizing in $100M shaved

by Mike De Souza, Calgary Herald/Postmedia News, Sat, Dec 28, 2013

More than $100 million in cuts are underway at the federal department in charge of protecting Canada's water and oceans, despite recommendations from top bureaucrats that it needs to increase spending for both environmental and economic reasons.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1ahM0Ek

NOTE: The Calgary Herald story was edited for length. Read the original story here: http://bit.ly/1g89KQa

Coast Guard services are facing cuts equivalent to $20 million by 2014-15.Photo by Darryl Dyck, The Canadian Press

Dismantling of Fishery Library 'Like a Book Burning,' Say Scientists

Photo, Mike Deal, Winnipeg Free Press

Scientists go fishing for old documents
 
by Mary Agnes Welch, Winnipeg Free Press, Dec 05, 2014

Fish and water scientists turned into scavengers this week, descending on a soon-to-be-closed federal library to salvage hundreds of books, journals and rare reports that are about to be tossed.

The library at the Freshwater Institute on the University of Manitoba campus is one of seven slated for closure by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Read article here: http://bit.ly/18oM2wN

Dismantling of Fishery Library 'Like a Book Burning,' Say Scientists

By Andrew Nikiforuk, TheTyee.ca, Dec 09, 2013

The Harper government has dismantled one of the world's top aquatic and fishery libraries as part of its agenda to reduce government as well as limit the role of environmental science in policy decision-making.

Read article here: http://bit.ly/IN16KB

Canada gutting its international reputation along with its environmental laws

Anna Johnston

Canada gutting its international reputation along with its environmental laws

14 November, 2013

West Coast Environmental Law writes: "Protection of fish and fish habitat are not the only things at risk because of recent changes to the Fisheries Act. In a recent op-ed in the Hill Times, West Coast Environmental Law staff lawyer Anna Johnston argues that Canada is gutting its international reputation by gutting its environmental laws."

Read article here: http://bit.ly/1idACjr

Changes to Fisheries Legislation Have Removed Habitat Protection for Most Fish Species in Canada

John Post, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Calgary, says the federal government’s changes to the fisheries legislation have eviscerated the ability to protect habitat for many of the country’s fish species.
Photograph by: Riley Brandt, University of Calgary, Calgary Herald

Trout Unlimited Canada writes: "John Post and Jeff Hutchings are two of Canada's highly respected fisheries scientists. The changes to fisheries legislation in Canada has increased the need for the work that Trout Unlimited Canada does and the need for your support. You can support our work on our website at www.tucanada.org"

Changes to Fisheries Legislation Have Removed Habitat Protection for Most Fish Species in Canada

Nov. 7, 2013 — Federal government changes to Canada's fisheries legislation have eviscerated the ability to protect habitat for most of the country's fish species, scientists at the universities of Calgary and Dalhousie say in a new study.

Read article here: http://bit.ly/17fqiow

Canadian aquatic science and environmental legislation under threat

Photo, courtesy - SOS - Save Our Science

Canadian aquatic science and environmental legislation under threat

Trout Unlimited Canada writes: "For those that may not have seen this posted, another analysis on the attack on environmental science in Canada. We are not making this stuff up. If you care about your environment, please help support those of us that are trying to make a difference!"

Read here: http://bit.ly/XFv6LY

Photo, courtesy - SOS - Save Our Science

Canada quietly pulls out of UN anti-droughts convention

Photo: The federal cabinet last week ordered the unannounced withdrawal of a United Nations convention that fights droughts in Africa and elsewhere on the recommendation of Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, ahead of a major scientific meeting on the convention next month. (Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press)

A few weeks ago, Canada announced that it was withdrawing its support of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.  In doing so, we become the only country in the world that is not part of this agreement.  Here is a column on that subject  that appeared in the Calgary Herald.

The grim human toll of desertification

By Craig & Marc Kielburger, Calgary Herald April 8, 2013

Nora Busienei closed her eyes and smiled as she remembered years past when her small farmhouse burst at the seams with sacks of maize, beans, millet and pumpkins.

"I would stare at our harvest. I was so happy, so confident in my children's future," she said, before her smile faded. "That feels like another world now."

Today, her mud hut in Pimbiniet, Kenya, is full of nothing but choking smoke from the cooking fire.

Read more here:  http://bit.ly/17GIBxi

TUC Responds Regarding Leaked DFO Document

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Lesley Petersen (Biologist) & Jeff Surtees (CEO)

Trout Unlimited Canada

TUC Responds Regarding Leaked DFO Document

In response to concerns of Trout Unlimited Canada members and supporters across Canada regarding potential changes to the fish habitat provisions of the federal Fisheries Act, CEO Jeff Surtees wrote to The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

A press release by a former Department of Fisheries and Oceans biologist, Otto Langer has been widely reported in the media. That press release stated that Mr. Langer had been provided with a leaked government document which says that Cabinet is planning to water down the habitat protection provisions of the Canada Fisheries Act by deleting the habitat protection provisions of section 35 of the Act and replacing it with a new section which does not mention or protect habitat.

The story, as reported by CBC News, can be seen here

TUC’s letter of concern to Minister Ashfield can be viewed here

TUC CEO Talks to Lets Go Outdoors

Trout Unlimited Canada CEO Jeff Surtees talks to Lets Go Outdoors radio regarding potential changes to the fish habitat provisions on the federal Fisheries Act.

Please visit the Lets Go Outdoors website to listen to this interesting interview.

VIA: TUC Newsroom