Dear Friends,

Thank you for taking the time to speak out for sustainable aggregates, a community-based green energy program and to protect the Temagami wilderness from mining. Together, we’ve made a real difference — pushing the government to act on all three issues.

Government Review of the Aggregate Resources Act

Last Thursday, the Minister of Natural Resources announced the government would review the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) just a few hours after GPO Deputy Leader Rob Strang sent a letter demanding action.

As you may recall, it was pressure from citizens groups supported by the Green Party that led to an election eve call by the Liberals for a full Environmental Assessment for the Melanthon Mega Quarry. Community groups kept pushing and forced the Liberals to go further, promising to review the ARA.  

With your help, we’ve kept up the pressure — issuing news releases, giving speeches and attending events. And six months later, the Liberals announced their intention to move forward with the ARA review.

The real work begins now — we must ensure that the ARA revisions put clean air and water, local food sources, and natural heritage before aggregate mining profits.

Community-based Green Energy

The GPO has fought hard to oppose Conservative attempts to kill green energy. We’ve also criticized the Liberal approach of putting corporate interests ahead of community benefits.

Together, we’ve stuck to our principles — holding that the best way to promote green energy is to give priority to green efforts with local decision making, local ownership and local benefits.  

Last Thursday the government finally started to listen when the Minister of Energy announced that the new Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program would provide priority grid access for projects with local ownership and local approval. The new program takes a step in the right direction.

Again, now the real work begins fighting Liberal plans for new nuclear— we must stop this waste of billions of dollars that crowds out cheaper and greener alternatives.  

Protecting Temagami from Mining

You also answered our call to protect Temagami — sending letters to the Minister of Natural Resources to demand that the government cancel plans to remove forest reserve status from Wolf Lake.

On March 13th, the Liberal government announced that forest reserve status for Wolf Lake would be maintained.

And our work continues to protect Temagami. We are working with NGOs and community organizations to push the government to permanently protect Wolf Lake by including this unique forest as part of the Chiniguchi Waterway Park.

Green Voices Make a Difference!

All three of these issues affect our quality of life, our environment and our economy. Thank you for taking the time to speak out and force the Liberal government to take meaningful action. Together, we will continue to demand action on these issues.

Our efforts will lead to a better world — for ourselves, our children and future generations.

With sincere thanks,

Mike Schreiner
Leader

PS: Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.”

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Attend the GPO Convention to keep building momentum for a sustainable future: www.gpo.ca/agm12