Email message #1

To: Francis.Manns@tsx.com, cw@ascendantholdings.com

Dear Sir,

I am writing to inform you that I am aware of Ascendant Exploration's actions in Intag, Ecuador and that I support the resistance to mining there.

I am aware of the multiple techniques that are being used to try and break this resistance. They include:

• 
  mail theft
• 
  the interruption and monitoring of phone and email services
• 
  a campaign of disinformation and lies against community leaders and organizations
• 
  intimidation, including armed guards, death threats, and violence against property
• 
  political corruption, illegal land claims, and illegal concessions.

I am also aware of the false and malicious libel suits that have been proposed against Periodico Intag in reaction to their attempts to educate the Intag community and also against Polibio Perez and Jose Serrano. I request Ascendant Exploration terminate these unfounded libel suits. I protest your appointment of General Cesar Bolivar Villaics to your board as "Community Relations and Political Liason." General Villaics has a past history widely denounced by the Ecuadorian human rights community. His threatening posture at community meetings causes me grave concern for the safety of the people of Intag, and shows Ascendant Exploration's willingness to use violence to break community resistance. Such willingness was demonstrated on Saturday, November 13th when a pair of bodyguards assaulted anti-mining activists and destroyed their property (photographic equipment) in Garcia Moreno during a speech by General Villaics.

Community resistance to mining is much larger than you may think. An active solidarity campaign in the United States and Asia is underway. It seeks to expose the actions of Ascendant Exploration to the investor community, such as the Toronto Stock Exchange, as well as those mining companies Ascendant Exploration hopes to sell its concessions to. Additionally, this campaign is committed to the defense of the rights of the people of Intag against the unethical actions of Ascendant Exploration. I pledge my support to the people of Intag to hold you and your company accountable for your actions.

I request that Ascendant Exploration terminate its business activities in Intag before you inflict further harm upon the honorable and hardworking members of the Intag community.

In Solidarity with the people of Intag,

Email Message #2

To: pierre-pettigrew@dfait-maeci.gc.ca, john.efford@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca, efford.j@parl.gc.ca, Pettigrew.p@parl.gc.ca, minister.industry@ic.gc.ca, emerson.d@parl.gc.ca

The Honourable Pierre Pettigrew
Minister of Foreign Affairs Canada
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0G2

The Honourable R. John Efford
Minister of Natural Resources Canada
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 21st Floor, Rm: C7-1
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0E4

The Honourable David L Emerson
Minister, Industry Canada
235 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0H5

Dear Honourable Minister,

I am writing to urge you to adopt the recommendations contained in the Fourteenth Report of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and to take action around a number of urgent cases involving Canadian mining companies operating abroad. I am deeply concerned about the social and environmental impacts of Canadian mining companies overseas and I find it disturbing that the Government of Canada has thus far failed to take meaningful action to address this obvious problem. The above-mentioned Parliamentary report provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate leadership on this important issue.

In late June, the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade adopted a report stating that they were “concerned that Canada does not yet have laws to ensure that the activities of Canadian mining companies in developing countries conform to human rights standards, including the rights of workers and of indigenous peoples.” The report argues that “more must be done to ensure that Canadian companies… conduct their activities in a socially and environmentally responsible manner and in conformity with international human rights standards.” Among other things, the report urges the Government of Canada to:

* Condition Canadian support “on companies meeting clearly defined corporate social responsibility and human rights standards...”

* “Establish clear legal norms in Canada to ensure that Canadian companies and residents are held accountable when there is evidence of environmental and/or human rights violations associated with the activities of Canadian mining companies.” And;

* “Work with like-minded countries to integrate and mainstream international human rights standards in the work of international financial institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank…”

The Standing Committee has requested “a comprehensive government response to this Report” and it is my understanding that the Government is currently deciding how to proceed. I am writing to express my support for the recommendations outlined in the report. I want to urge you to ensure that these recommendations are adopted by the Government of Canada and I would like you to please provide me with information outlining the steps that you are personally taking to ensure that this occurs.

The committee’s report also calls on the Government to “conduct an investigation of any impact of TVI Pacific’s Canatuan mining project in Mindanao on the indigenous rights and human rights of people in the area and on the environment, and table a report on this investigation in Parliament within 90 days.” I support this recommendation and I believe that the Government should also call on TVI to suspend all activities pending the outcome of this investigation. I also strongly believe that the Government should launch investigations into the activities of Ascendant Copper Corporation’s Junin project in Ecuador and Glamis Gold’s Marlin Mine in Guatemala, and call on these companies to suspend their activities pending the outcome of the Government’s investigation. I would like you to please provide me with information on what your office is doing to ensure that the problems associated with these projects are addressed.

Finally, I am appalled that the World Bank and other international financial institutions have not yet made clear and binding commitments to uphold international human rights standards. Please provide me with information on what you are doing to ensure that these institutions are no longer able to ignore international law.

As you know, more money is raised for the global mining industry in Canada than in any other country in the world and more than half of the world’s mining companies list their shares on Canadian capital markets. Canada has a responsibility to develop mechanisms to hold these companies accountable for their actions overseas. This is a responsibility that the Government of Canada has failed to embrace. I hope that the above-mentioned Parliamentary report will prove to be an opportunity to address this glaring and damaging failure.

Thank you,

How to

For the following post, I've adapted an action plan for a real organic farm near Guelph, Ontario. While reading this post, I encourage you to consider your own neighbourhoods for the processes. Here goes:

1. Complete an Ecological Impact Assessment.

2. Organise the existing residents of [your neighbourhood], the community garden renters group (not the Community Shared Agriculture group, yet), and workshop site, to not only co-operatively grow food, but to make and repair things, share tools, exchange surpluses, spend some leisure time, and hold meetings. Work co-operatively and share crops as a team.
a. Initiate resident-controlled co-housing co-operative to ensure permanent affordability of housing on site.
b. Hire professionals: facilitator and a retrofitter

3. a. Option 1. Small-scale poultry and possibly aquaculture (possibly referring to Ireland, S. 1997) production collective. This collective could collect and trade useful waste for the whole co-operative to use.
Option 2. Initiate small-scale on-site textile project (Darroll, 2002).
b. Possibly integrate the on-site bakery as a second collective. (A bakery will be necessary.)
c. "Gleaning" operation whereby people living in the area, i.e., organic farmers, give permission for some of their surplus to be harvested by the co-operative group.

4. Integrate the Community Shared Agriculture at this point. This phase may initiate the redistribution of surpluses to [your city]-based food bank, mental health institution, etc.

5. Encourage low-income, unemployed, aged and disadvantaged people to become involved in the community garden and workshop co-operative (to provide the things they need) including company and activity. Organise recycling and renovation of furniture, toys, clothing, building materials and compostable material.
a. It may be appropriate at this stage to initiate the Common Hall, or Common House, where people could engage in craft-making and shared meals.
b. Kiloh (1995) suggests that the single-parent family is perhaps the greatest beneficiary of the closer (ecovillage) community.

6. Analysis of export and import dependence. What products are being "imported" that could reasonably be produced on site? What collectives might be set up to produce locally the things needed?

7. The ecovillage will include the group of co-operative members who are participating in the localized, small-scale, zero-growth economy at this stage.

8. Permacultural edible landscape development: good water catchments, sewage recycling, home gardens, community gardens, and especially many trees to produce fuel, timber, food, and craft materials (Hu 1998)
a. Smaller fruit trees are used on the south side of houses where they are most protected and can provide shading of windows in the summer.
b. Species chosen either for their food production capabilities or for their appropriateness as 'native' species.

9. People can work for each other and trade without money, possibility of a LET System at this stage. It is critical to the development of a sustainable small-scale economy, that currency and firms do not become part of the economic model. Even small firms could result in unemployment.

10. Establish non-market exchanges of locally produced basic necessities.

11. Consider what collectives might be set up to provide mutual services on a non-profit basis. Consider local energy production, food production, child minding.

12. What collective activities can be organized to provide for the ecovillage some of the goods and services it needs? Can some energy sources, e.g., biogas, be built and maintained? Are monthly "ecovillage improvement" work days a possibility? Do not raise money to hire a contractor, these jobs can be done by the ecovillage co-operative members.

13. Emphasize the importance of living simply, making things yourself, having home gardens, repairing and reusing. Encourage more household production, e.g., bottling and sewing.

14. One of the collectives could study ways of reducing living costs at this stage, e.g., alternative energy sources such as solar panels, regular energy audits and retrofits, a green building code, wind energy, and/or low energy lighting and appliances, and structural rehabilitation and reuse such as domestic hot water preheat, solar hot water, heat recovery ventilation, recycled heat exchange, and/or rooftop gardening.

15. Develop craft collectives to increase local production of many items. Organise classes, skill sharing, display days, local sources of material for pottery, basket making, weaving, etc.

16. One collective could focus on the possibilities for providing local and cheap entertainment. Concentrate on drawing local talent to these activities.

17. Set up a work co-ordination committee to grapple with the problem of ensuring that all who need some work and some cash income have access to these. Does the study of the ecovillage's imports indicate new collectives that could be set up? Help people live more simply.

18. Give high priority to the need for continuing education, for increasing and maintaining understanding and commitment to the ecovillage. Explain to local people the purpose of the project, reasons why it is important to pioneer a path others can take toward a sustainable world order.

19. Work out procedures for unifying and co-ordinating the ecovillage. There should be a forum or mechanism whereby people can keep in mind the overall pattern of ecovillage development and evaluate particular ideas in relation to a vision statement. It is not ideal if many different groups go their own seperate ways trying to do things that are not carefully integrated into the overall strategy. Scarce resources are best focused on selected tasks with all clearly aware of how it fits into the basic vision. It is most important to get to the stage where the whole ecovillage consciously and deliberately takes control of its own development and determines to work hard at the process.

20. There must be much careful, critical and altruistic thought analysing the ecovillage's functioning and needs. Aim to have eventually developed a climate of solidarity and citizenship and clear awareness that the people of the ecovillage will willingly and constantly devote energy to keeping the ecovillage's community, economy, culture, and ecology in good shape.

21. It is crucial that the ecovillagers understand that their community will not survive unless they make considerable effort to support it, by making voluntary contributions to working bees and projects.

22. It is most important to understand from the start the goal is not to find an alternative path to conventional affluence for the ecovillage. Living standards in dollar terms will certainly fall. The goal is to provide sufficient and satisfactory standards to build community and solidarity, and above all ensure that the ecovillage can survive and is secure in the knowledge that it can control its own fate and continue to produce for itself most things it needs, regardless of what happens on national and international economies.

Referenced Material

Hu, D. and R. Wang. 1998. Exploring eco-construction for local sustainability: an eco-village case study in China. Ecological Engineering 11(1-4): 167-176
Ireland, S. 1997. Aquaculture: the Chan way. Western Fisheries: 33-35
Kiloh, G. 1995. Armour Park eco-village prairie settlement for a sustainable future (Saskatchewan). The University of Manitoba. 141 pp
Trainer, T. 2000. Where are we, where do we want to be, how do we get there? Democracy and Nature 6(2): 267-286

Cottage plan threatens sacred site: natives

By Carol Sanders

A proposal to develop cottage lots on Crown land on the Winnipeg River has neighbours and some members of the aboriginal community up in arms.

The area near Silver Falls is home to age-old rock placements or petroforms considered sacred in aboriginal culture, said area resident John Markert. The regional advisor to the province's historic resources branch said the planning district and the province have ignored petitions and letters expressing concern about the development of close to 30 cottage lots southeast of Pine Falls.

"It'd be just like if the government decided to build on a site of a church and not ask the congregation, and all of a sudden the congregation sees their place of prayer damaged," said Caroline Bruyere, a Sagkeeng First Nation member.

Native elders have toured the site and written to the province vouching for its historic and religious significance, said Markert. The petroforms were usually placed in remote areas and serve as reminders of the aboriginal teachings given to the first people by the Creator.

Elder Don Cardinal said the Silver Falls rock formations are part of a much larger petroform that has great historical and spiritual significance, and should be left as it is.

Bruyere said she hopes the province takes the elders' opinions seriously.

"It's part of my cultural history, part of my faith," Bruyere said. "They should have the same concern and respect."

Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said that the cottage lots won't be developed if it's found to be a sacred site. He encouraged people with concerns about the development to attend a meeting in the RM of Alexander on Oct. 5.

Markert said other historical sites along the Winnipeg River have been destroyed by development and the province has an opportunity in this case to preserve a significant one.

"That was our highway," said Bruyere. "There were certain stops where you'd do ceremonies for your travel, for your well-being and for a good hunting season and a good fishing season," she said.

To pgbinns@gov.pe.ca

Dear Premier Pat Binns,

I am emailing you because people in Canada ought to have a choice between conventionally- and organically-grown food. To provide this choice, Canada must provide a place for organic crops to grow, free from genetic contamination. Prince Edward Island is the ideal place for this purpose.

Please ban genetically engineered crops on Prince Edward Island, eliminate genetically altered animal feeds, ban genetically engineered fish, institute mandatory GMO labelling, adopt policies to foster ecologically and socially sustainable agriculture, especially perennial polycultures, publicize the GE-Free Zone, and encourage other governments to follow suit.
The proclamation of a GE-Free Zone by your government would protect and revitalize PEI agriculture, by meeting the growing demand for non-genetically engineered food. In effect, you are enabling PEI to find a niche in world markets. In this regard, the European market, which represents annual sales of over 1.6 billion Canadian dollars, offers a particularly relevant example: over 80% of the major food retailers and processors have introduced policies favourable to GE-free products. This market represents a very real commercial potential for PEI farmers.

Sincerely,

[name and address]

http://wheredidyourfoodcomefrom.blogspot.com/

Devils Lake outlet shut until spring?

By Mia Rabson and Paul Samyn

The controversial Devils Lake outlet operated for only 10 days before it was shut by pollution concerns, it was learned yesterday.

The Manitoba government was elated to hear high sulphate levels forced North Dakota to turn off the taps, possibly until next year.

North Dakota reported yesterday the outlet that opened Aug. 15 was closed because sulphate concentrations on the Sheyenne River upstream of the outlet exceeded the allowable limit.

Unless the Devils Lake area is hit by heavy rains this fall, it is unlikely the outlet will be turned on again before the spring, which Manitoba says gives the province more time to improve the filter protecting Manitoba from the contents of the lake.

"This is certainly a positive development," said Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton.

The Devils Lake outlet is designed to drain 50 cubic feet of water per second into the Sheyenne River, which flows east into the Red River. The Red then carries the water north to Lake Winnipeg.

Manitoba has long feared Devils Lake contains organisms that are foreign and possibly harmful to Manitoba waters. There have also been fears about excess pollution.

Water from the lake was expected to reach the Manitoba border sometime this week, although provincial officials say it may be hard to discern when that actually happens because the water will be heavily diluted. It isn't expected to reach Lake Winnipeg until at least late next week.

North Dakota state engineer Dale Frink said that 10 days after the outlet began operating, sulphate levels on the Sheyenne River upstream of the outlet exceeded 390 milligrams per litre, forcing the state to close the outlet's gate.

The health permit allowing the Devils Lake outlet to be opened prohibits operation when sulphate levels on the Sheyenne River exceed 300 milligrams per litre of water.

Frink blamed the high concentrations of sulphate on the low water flows on the Sheyenne. He said he believes the sulphate is coming from groundwater runoff.

"In the fall, the flow in the Sheyenne drops off significantly," said Frink. "We think that's the reason the sulphate levels are so high."

Environment Canada spokesman Kevin Cash said the jump in sulphate levels when the Sheyenne River's flows are low was entirely predictable. He said it was also expected that would impact on the outlet's operations.

But Cash said the increase in the sulphate level will not result in a breach of the Boundary Waters Treaty, as it is not a sufficient amount to cause harm to Canadian waterways.

"The volume of the water coming out of Devils Lake is unlikely to result in any violation of the sulphate guidelines by the time it reaches the international boundary," said Cash.

Sulphate is an inorganic substance that occurs naturally in water, and is particularly prevalent in ground water. High levels of sulphate in drinking water usually cause a foul taste and odour and have been linked to gastrointestinal problems such as severe diarrhea.

U.S. federal regulations require drinking water to contain no more than 250 milligrams of sulphate per litre of water.

Dwight Williamson, director of water science and management for Manitoba Water Stewardship, said the high levels of sulphate on the Sheyenne are not expected to pose any problems in Manitoba.

Williamson said the International Joint Commission, which oversees boundary water issues between the U.S. and Canada, set a limit of 250 mg of sulphate per litre of water on any body of water as it crosses into either country.

Williamson said once the Sheyenne hits the Red River, the sulphate will be diluted in the higher flows in the Red. He added it has been a very rare occurrence to see the sulphate level on the Red River at Emerson exceed the 250 mg limit.

"Once the Sheyenne mixes with the Red River, the levels (of sulphate) will go down," he said. "Even at 300 mg it is unlikely to exceed the IJC limit at the border."

Williamson said sulphate would only affect aquatic species at extremely high levels.

Frink noted the outlet itself did not cause the increased level on the Sheyenne, but because it would increase sulphate levels slightly, it can't operate when the river is already over its limit.

Manitoba will test the water on this side of the border, but the results won't be relevant until Manitoba can tell whether the Devils Lake water has arrived in our neck of the woods, officials have said.

A call to action

From November 28th to December 9th representatives from 150 or more nations will be meeting at a Climate Conference in Montreal, Canada. The vast majority of those present will be signers of the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. They will be discussing the latest developments with this deepening world crisis and what should be done about it. The representatives of the United States government, however, will be present working behind the scenes to try to block any positive action.

This is the role they have played for several years. We are outraged that our government has taken this obstructionist approach to one of, if not the, most critical and urgent issues of our time.

Powerful dirty energy corporations like Exxon/Mobil are calling the shots on U.S. energy policy. Resources and lives are being wasted in a tragic war instead of going into energy conservation and development of clean, safe energy that would end our reliance on Middle East oil while generating millions of new jobs. We must stand up and take action now! This fall let's mobilize a
nationwide, grassroots education and action campaign leading up to mass demonstrations in Montreal and throughout the U.S. on Saturday, December 3rd. (Especially if you are an American) help gather signatures for the Peoples Ratification of the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty www.kyotoandbeyond.org, which will be presented in Montreal. Join Climate Crisis USA and join the world as we call for:

• U.S.A., Join the World by Ratifying the Kyoto Protocol
• Support and Export Clean, Safe, Non-Nuclear Energy Alternatives
• End Government Subsidies for Oil and Coal Corporations
• Dramatically Strengthen Energy Conservation and Fuel Efficiency Standards
• A Just Transition for Workers, Indigenous and Other Communities Affected by a Change to Clean Energy
• Defend the World's Forests; Support Community-Run Tree Planting Campaigns

This organizing campaign in the United States is part of an international effort. A call has been issued and organizing is underway for demonstrations on December 3rd in many other countries around the world. Leading up to December 3rd local groups, e.g., Canadian groups, can organize house parties, forums, teach-ins, conferences or town meetings.