Environment North Minutes
Of August 8th, 2012
Board Members:
Julee Boan - Chair
Scott Harris
Lea Matyuska Graham Saunders
Susan Grinstead
Lucy Laframboise
Charlene Rogers
Public: Karen Peterson Maurice Grinstead
Kerstin Muth
Location: Susan’s house on Prospect Ave.
The agenda was accepted.
Moved by: Graham
2nd by: Charlene
5:30 pm
carried
The June 2012 minutes were accepted as amended.
Moved by: Charlene
2nd by: Scott
carried
The July 2012 minutes were accepted as amended.
Moved by: Charlene
2nd by: Lucy
carried
Lea will prepare an itemized expense list to prepare for funding reports.
The Treasurer’s Report was accepted.
Moved by: Graham
2nd by: Scott
carried
Board Business
1. Horizon Wind Park
Graham and Charlene were contacted by Kathleen McKenzie of the Horizon Wind Park. She was
asking for a private meeting with us.
There was a motion that our president refers Horizon to our public statement, decline a private
meeting, but be kept informed and invited to public consultation sessions.
Moved by: Charlene
2nd by: Susan
carried
2. Big Boreal Adventure
This map and guide book of our area was designed by Marilyn Grudnyski and is the only program in
Canada. It is designed for gr. 4 -6, is family oriented and available in 3 languages – English, French
and Ojibwa. It involves walking tours via geocaching with a map, compass or GPS. The idea is to find
the hidden post in an interesting environmental or historical site. They are scattered throughout the
city and more are continually added. Each post bears a different symbol that you make a rubbing of
in your booklet. This is a self-guided activity that can be done anytime during the year. Environment
North has been asked to become involved and support them with suggestions and a web link. For
more information, see www.geocaching.com .
3. Victims of Climate Change (VCC)
There will likely be more extreme weather events in the future. Fundraising for children’s toys or
activities for the families of flooding and other disasters caused by climate change was introduced.
A motion was made to open a sub-account in support for Victims of Climate Change. Five (5) % of
funds can go into a sub-account for this and a donation of $20 or more can receive a tax receipt.
Any money received specifically for the VCC will be deposited in the VCC fund at 100%. This should
be addressed to Environment North and have a memo to the VCC fund.
Moved by: Graham
2nd by: Lucy
carried
4. Ring of Fire and Chromite
This was deferred until Lucia Montavio is available.
5. Forest Food Project
Wild foods, berries, fish, herbs and fiddleheads are some of the dinner items at the Nishnawbe Ashki
Nation (NAN) Food Forum. On August 28, 29 and 30, at the NorWester Hotel, the NAN Food Forum
will be held. It will involve recognizing forest foods, cooking classes and tours. Charlene will attend
the NAN Forum. Julee will design a booklet with a logo for the forum.
6. Great Lakes Act
Charlene attended the citizen’s conference on the Great Lakes Act. The deadline for input was
August 8th, 2012, but they will still accept comments. There is funding available up to $25,000 for a
grassroots community, volunteer base action. Some examples of this could be kayak stopping spots
in Neebing Township or interpretive signage along the Lake Superior shore. EN is interested in
viewing pods for bird watching in Dorion as it would complement their popular Bird Festival.
7. Dorion Wind Farm and the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA)
The wind farm was built by RES; the people are very happy with it. Enbridge recently purchased it
and gave the community of Dorion $35,000 as part of the package. There will also be continued
funds going to Dorion. The people feel that they have a good relationship with Enbridge, so one
resident has asked the Dorion Council to express support for the ELA.
Enbridge has downplayed the importance of the ELA and believes that a private corporation can
monitor this world renowned scientific research centre. It is believed that if the Dorion Council and
other municipalities write letters to Enbridge, MP Greg Rickford, MP Peter Kent, PM Steven Harper
and the CBC that the government may rethink cancelling the facility. Thunder Bay has not passed a
resolution to save the ELA.
Environment North will give a presentation to Thunder Bay City Council asking them to forward a
resolution to the federal government from the city in support of maintaining the Experimental
Lakes Area.
Moved by: Scott
2nd by: Lea
carried
8. Go Green Expo
Eco Superior and EarthWise Thunder Bay will co-host the expo at the CLE Coliseum on Fri. Sept. 28th,
Sat. Sept. 29th and Sun. Sept. 30th. Susan has been asked to bring her solar display and sun cookies.
We need staff to work the EN, Environmental Film Network and Ontario Nature booths. A schedule
will be arranged at the next meeting.
EN will purchase a table for $50 from the Go Green Expo.
Moved by: Lea
2nd by: Scott
carried
9. Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, wrote to Karen to thank her for her
presentation to the Committee regarding the budget Bill 55. Karen spoke about industry and the
importance of the ELA.
10. Waste Working Group vs. the Plastic Bag
Lucy reported that the WW group of EarthWise wants to send an action plan to city council. Plastic is
a by-product of the fossil fuel industry and is not biodegradable. It has been found in the stomachs
of birds and fish leading to their death. It is toxic to the environment. Statistics are mixed in terms of
opinions on banning them; more young people use recycled or cloth bags.
Thunder Bay can ban or partially ban plastic bags, but not tax them. Some large businesses are
charging 5¢ per bag, but that is a decision made at head office. Small businesses are individually
handled. Our province does not collect taxes on them; MPP’s need to amend the Municipal Act. So
far the cities that have banned the bad bags are L.A., Fort McMurray and Toronto.
11. CJ Article
Julee will write the next article on the $70 million MNR cut back vs. the money subsidizing the
logging industry. Lucy will write an article in the future about banning plastic bags.
12. Solar Stuff
Susan shared the graphs that were measuring the temperatures of the solarium, the new solar hot
water panels and tank and the outside air temperature. It was easy to see how efficient the new
solar water system was. We ate sun cookies and took a tour of the solar home.
13. Next Meeting
Wed. Sept. 12th, 2012
5:15 – 7:30 pm
Bay Credit Union basement