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We always encourage people to send us comments, ideas, as well as information
about events or issues affecting our community.
We've received several notes from readers lately about water
issues, so this will be a (largely) "water issue".
In this issue:
1. Water - City water management study ... and report on the recent BWEV
"water workshop"
2. Public meetings on water:
a) April 18 - Maude Barlow & Colin Perkel
b) April 30 - St. Lawrence Forum
3. Environment & Earth Days in High Park - Apr 20-21
4. Health Care
- world19's March forum, public campaign, Kennedy meeting
5. Local Notes
- Spring garbage on the Humber, Dark Horse & No Frills,
welcome to the Future
6. City Hall items
- Public Postering, TEA Council Watch
1. WATER - CITY WATER MANAGEMENT STUDY
(NOTE: This item incorporates information presented at a Bloor West Eco-Village
workshop on water held in late March, and also uses some related sources).
The City of Toronto is considering several alternatives to managing our water
supply & waste water treatment. The alternatives being considered are enhancing the
current department, creating a city-owned water corporation and setting up an arms-length
water utility. (Toronto's water is currently managed by the Works & Emergency Services
department).
There has been much attention paid to water recently, not
only because of Walkerton. At a recent Bloor West Eco-Village workshop on water, the
speakers (from the Canadian Environmental Law Association and Toronto Environmental
Alliance) pointed out the "big business of water", and the rise of big water
companies over the past decade. Although privatization of Toronto's water is not currently
being considered, the possibility is a real concern to many. The provincial government's
"Omnibus" bill, passed shortly after the 1995 election, eased the way for this.
The speakers stated that after the British government privatized that country's water
delivery, 30,000 people had their water supply cut off for failing to pay their bills. As
well, disease and infection increased. One speaker mentioned that Mel Lastman had
suggested giving control over water to Toronto Hydro -- but last year, Mel suggested
selling Toronto Hydro!
Even if responsibility was transferred to a public utility
(like the Walkerton Public Utility Commission?), the possibility would be great for much
less openness and public accountabiltiy. Under the current system, the "first
goal" is clean and safe water. The speakers also talked about the "high level of
stewardship" that we see, for example, in the many groups actively involved in
supporting the healh of rivers like the Humber, Don & Rouge -- an involvement that is
encouraged by our level of public participation.
Balanced against this are the very large costs required to
bring our water infrastructure up to the standards we need -- such as replacing the
extensive lead pipe system.
The City's study will be collecting public input -- until
April 19. Comments can be sent to utilitystudy@city.toronto.on.ca. More information
(including a public comment form & frequently asked questions (FAQ)) is on the city
website at http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/involved/utilitystudy/index.htm.
See below for several more information links -- waterwatch
& Canadian Environmental Law Association (cela.ca) in particular have relevant
information.
2. WATER - PUBLIC MEETINGS
a) Maude Barlow & Colin Perkel, Thursday April 18
(This item, and the related links below were taken from the "People &
Planet-Friendly" weekly newsletter. See http://www.planetfriendly.net
for listints, or to subscribe).
Water. We see it everywhere, we use it everyday, but where does the water come
from? how is it being monitored? Join Maude Barlow, director of the International Forum on
Globalization, as she discusses her new co-authored book Blue Gold. In it she
illustrates that although we can't live without water, we're treating it as just another
commodity for sale. Also speaking will be Colin N. Perkel who was among the first
reporters on the Walkerton tragedy. He will be discussing his new book Well of Lies
in which he tells us how the story of Walkerton could happen anywhere.
Free. 7:30 pm Northrop Frye Hall Auditorium, 73 Queen's Park
Cres. E. Info: Lynn 416-946-7685 or 416-978-7989 http://www.uoftbookstore.com/online/events.ihtml
Related water links:
http://www.southendpress.org/books/waterwars.shtml
http://www.polarisinstitute.org/Main%20Page/Blue%20Gold.htm
http://www.canadians.org/blueplanet/index2.html
http://www.ifg.org/bgsummary.html http://www.cela.ca/water/public-private.htm
http://www.cielap.org/liquidassets.html
http://www.torwaterwatch.org
b) St Lawrence Forum - Tuesday April 30
(This item comes from the St Lawrence Forum: http://www.stlc.com/forums/index.htm) This
impending Council decision is an opportunity for public discussion of water management
issues. What are the merits of the proposed models? Do some open the door to
privatization? How do they impact on the cost and quality of our drinking water? How
accountable will the system be to the public? Join us for this important discussion on the
visions and the risks for Toronto's water.
The panel consists of John Cartwright: spokesperson Toronto
Water Watch Coalition, Jamie Dunn: Water Campaigner Council of Canadians and Mike Price:
General Manager City of Toronto Water and Waste Services. 7:30-9:30. Free St. Lawrence
Theatre for the Arts at 27 Front St. East seating is limited to 500, first come first
seated
3. ENVIRONMENT & EARTH DAYS IN HIGH PARK
On Saturday, April 20, David Miller is sponsoring Environment Day in High Park
beside the Grenadier Restaurant. The "toxic taxi" will be there, so bring your
household toxics - cleansers, paints, batteries, etc. Also, old computer equipment and
kitchen and other household goods can be disposed of safely. Get new blue boxes, grey
boxes and composters.
Sunday, April 21: Earth Day in High Park
Beside Colborne Lodge, noon-4pm. Environmental displays, activities and vendors.
4. HEALTH CARE NOTES
a) world19 Health Care Forum
We will send more information about our March 26th forum on Health Care. The
Villager carried a report in its March 29th issue, but as is their apparent policy,
made no mention of world19 who organized (with help from several other community members),
sponsored and hosted the evening. While the Villager advertises itself as a
"community" newspaper, it's apparently a selective community view. http://www.communitynewsroom.com/to/bloorw/story/229895p-329010c.html
b) Medicare Campaign
An extensive public campaign will begin this month to build widespread support for
public health care. It will include lawn signs, ribbons, door-to-door and phone
canvassing. We will have more information soon -- including the local campaign. In the
meantime, people interested in helping "Save Medicare" should contact the
Toronto Health Coalition at 416-929-1945 or see the Ontario Health Coalition website at http://www.web.net/ohc/.
c) Gerard Kennedy Forum - Tuesday April 23
The Parkdale-High Park MPP's regular "community council" meeting this
month will have health care as its primary focus. (As well as discussion on Hydro
deregulation and tenants rights). For information, contact Tim O'Leary 416-763-5630
5. LOCAL NOTES
a) A sign of spring (Back to our "water" theme)
The Humber is in its spring high-water period. Walking along the banks, one can
now admire the shoreline, lined with the collected garbage that was left as its high-water
mark receded. It's "impressive" to see the huge quantity of styrofoam and
plastic bottles that has been waiting for spring.
b) Dark Horse
As reported in our last newsletter (#101 -- see www.newsletters.world19.com), the Dark Horse
is applying for removal of its "no outdoor facility" condition on its liquor
license. Public input can now be made until May 10 to licensing@agco.on.ca.)
c) No Frills
We've heard rumours for years of No Frills leaving the Village, but more often
recently. We wonder if any readers have more information about the last large grocery
store in the Village.
d) What's in the Future?
Many wonder what kind of restaurant will be moving in to the old Future Bakery
location -- obviously, one that can afford $15,000/month.
6. MORE AT CITY HAL
a) Public Postering
City Council this week will be debating a proposal to seriously restrict public
postering. Under the proposal, posters will be limited to "collared" areas on
just 2% of utility poles; names & phone numbers must be posted, and violations can
result in a $60 fine per poster.
Certainly, posters can make a mess of poles: commercial
messages, spiritual communication, lost cats, public meetings, church services and far
more compete for public attention. However, there are limited means of public
communication available to most people. Certainly, if world19 depended on The Villager
for publicity, we would not never get our message out. And with video ad boards now
distracting expressway drivers, with ads now decorating escalator handrails, it seems to
us that "visual pollution" is in the eye of the beholder.
For extensive information (including Supreme Court decisions
upholding public postering), see: http://www.publicspace.ca/postering.htm.
City Council will vote on April 17. If you're interested, call or write your councillor.
A public rally to oppose the proposed bylaw will be held
Tuesday April 16, 1pm at Nathan Phillips Square with Billy Bragg, Reg Hartt, Avi Lewis,
Graeme Kirkland, Jian Ghomeshi, and others.
b) TEA Council Watch newsletter
Toronto Environmental Alliance has just published its April "Council
Watch" Newsletter. Click here for details on many environmental issues on the April
Council agenda (including leaf blowers, green energy, traffic calming, etc.), Water watch,
pesticides and the island airport. They also list members of The Organic Landscape
Alliiance, if you want a truly "green" yard.
http://www.torontoenvironment.org/councilwatch/issue_seven_main.htm
Full City Council agendas can be found (PDF format) at:
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/legdocs/2002/agendas/cc.htm
For world19,
John Leeson
world19:
Supporting citizen involvement in our community and its future.
Phone: 416 766-8605
email: world19@world19.com
web: www.world19.com |