Last night I attended a Regina city council meeting where the usage of a Public Private Partnership for the construction, operation and maintenance of a new waste water treatment plant was discussed.
Water
Mandated Light Bulbs, an Unwarranted Health and Environmental Risk
The Hon. John Baird, then Minister of the Environment, in whose watch the mandatory policy for CFLs was adopted.
Among concerns about the health dangers of Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs), which contain mercury, the Alberta Government continues to promote the product in its efforts to green itself and the world. The light bulbs are a good example of how elected officials and civil servants –eager to jump on the environmental bandwagon for the sake of political appearances– put people at risk and damage the natural environment in whose name they adopt such misguided policies.
At one website promoting Earth Hour environmental activism, the Alberta Government recommends here that people
Recycle and use compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). If every household in Alberta changed just one light bulb to a CFL, it would be the same as taking the emissions from 66,000 cars off the road.
One Simple Act, the Alberta Government site promoting the virtues of Earth Hour, passionately recommends the use of the health-hazardous CFLs.
They go on to advise further:
-
Slowly replace all the bulbs in your home. Each time you visit your grocery or hardware store, look for sales and purchase a few more CFL bulbs. Check your electricity bill today, and after replacing 10 lights in your home over one month, check again for energy and cost savings.
-
For all night lighting, you can cut costs by replacing bulbs with lower wattage bulbs or by choosing a compact fluorescent or a nightlight.
In spite of this damning Health Canada report [in pdf] dating back to February 2012, the information the Alberta government offers makes no mention of the significant risks involved.
Water Pricing by Usage the Way Forward: Pricing the solution for semi-arid Prairies
Canadian municipalities, especially in water-stressed regions, need to adopt water rates that reflect actual usage, both to aid in conservation and pay for infrastructure.
Maude on Water
I hope Maude will add all farmers like me in the call for universal access to safe drinking water and affordable water supply systems.
Featured News
Weaponizing the Law
The indictment of former U.S. president Donald Trump for crimes invented by his political opponents is the most egregious example yet seen of the weaponizing of the law. The United States is now full of examples. However, in Canada, we also see the law being...
“Looking At” Seizing Control Over Western Canada’s Natural Resources
OTTAWA, REGINA - Last week, two things happened that could have profound impacts on natural resources development in Saskatchewan. One is a hint the federal government might want to take control of natural resources away from the provinces, and the other is the...
Toward Greater Transparency in Water and Sewer Services in Winnipeg: It’s time to separate infrastructure from politics
Frontier’s new report shows how the public-private partnership being considered by Winnipeg City Council on sewer services and infrastructure is an effective model.
Change Prices, Not Attitudes, to Conserve Water: Market Pricing is the Key to Efficient, Sustainable Water Use
By eliminating water subsidies and eliminating flat rate pricing for water, we can do more to promote conservation than millions of dollars worth of public education campaigns.
Our Blue Gold: There’s nothing wrong with treating water as a commodity
“In the past few years, several domestic think-tanks have researched this issue, and concluded that there is a potentially lucrative market for Canadian water. The Frontier Centre for Public Policy estimates that Manitoba could earn US$1.33-billion annually by exporting just 1% of the fresh water flowing into Hudson Bay, via a pipeline to American markets, thereby ending Manitoba’s status as a have-not province.”
Wastewater Problems in Cottage Country
PowerPoint slides which accompanied the Breakfast on the Frontier speech by John Ilg in Winnipeg February 10, 2010.
Removal of nitrate-nitrogen from City wastewater will cost millions and achieve little
PowerPoint slides detailing Manitoba’s options to balance good and bad algae in its lakes and rivers which accompanied the Breakfast on the Frontier speech by Jan Oleszkiewicz in Winnipeg on November 25th, 2009.
A Visionary’s Epiphany About Water
Kierans figures that before this century is out, freshwater in North America will reach such a crisis state – drought, forest fires, irrigation – that Canada will be forced to reach an agreement with the United States.
Debate of Course but Be Honest
Winnipeg residents need more accurate information about private service delivery options before they vote in a proposed referendum on the issue.
A Few Hot Summer Facts to Think About on Fresh Water Use in Canada — and the Rest of the World
As a percentage of available renewable resources, Canada withdraws less of its water each year than the overwhelming majority of countries in the world, including European nations such as Germany and France. Canada’s per capita water consumption is high, but is sustainable in light of our large natural supply of freshwater. FC049
Canadians Needn’t Feel Guilty Over Water Use
As a percentage of available renewable resources, Canada withdraws less of its water each year than the overwhelming majority of countries in the world, including European nations such as Germany and France. Canada’s per capita water consumption is high, but is sustainable in light of our large natural supply of freshwater.