1. The right to live in a healthy environment
Clean air
Clean water
Safe food
Sounds simple?
Something everyone would want and agree with?
healthyYEG.org

2. Canada does not recognize this right
110 countries around the world recognize their citizens right to live in a healthy environment
Canada does not recognize this right
50% of Canadians live in communities with unsafe levels of air pollution
1000 boil water advisories in Canada at any given time – especially vulnerable communities
Air quality certainly a concern in Edmonton!
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3. Only 2 declarations signed in Alberta:
______ municipalities in Canada have sign declarations recognizing their citizens right to live in a healthy environment, including Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver
Only 2 declarations signed in Alberta:
Jasper
Camrose
We believe Edmonton should be next!
healthyYEG.org

4. Edmonton-based organization
Based upon work of David Boyd and Blue Dot Movement (bluedot.ca)
Right to clean air, clean water, safe food
Immediate goal: municipal declaration
Ultimate goal is to see the right to a healthy environment enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, for all Canadians
That’s where HealthyYEG comes in – list member organizations
Based on bluedot, a grassroots, local movement and the simple idea that all Canadians should have the right to clean air, clean water, safe food.
Our immediate goal is to see City of Edmonton sign a declaration recognizing the right of its citizens to live in a healthy environment, as _____ Canadian municipalities have already done. _______ Canadians have signed the blue dot pledge
Ultimate goal
85% of Canadians support the idea of environmental rights.
healthyYEG.org

5. Why is the right to live in a healthy environment important?
Results in stronger environmental laws
Better enforcement of those laws
Greater role in environmental decision-making
Countries with environmental rights in their constitutions (110) have reduced GHG emissions faster that those without
Drives improvements in air, water and food quality
Enshrining in the Charter is important
Laws can only be strengthened, never weakened
would help individuals such as woman from Rosebud, Alberta, whose groundwater contaminated by fracking and embroiled in costly, lengthy legal battle – documented in Slick Water by Andrew Nikiforuk
healthyYEG.org

6. What could a declaration mean in our community?
Declaration is aspirational
Can result in commitment to:
Decision-making principles that protect, fulfill and promote a healthy environment
To use best and latest science when making decisions
To set clear environmental targets and objectives
Accountability through regular assessment, public reporting
Even thought there is a basic template for the declaration, it can be tailored to the needs of the community.
Declaration is aspirational
healthyYEG.org

7. Benefit of Declaration
Very congruent with work currently underway
World class recycling
Way We Green
Clean air, clean water, clean land, safe food are central to our quality of life and economic success
Increase leverage with provincial and federal governments
Aligns with UN 2030 SDG Goals
We believe that there are many benefits to the City of Edmonton in signing a declaration recognizing the right of its citizens to a healthy environment!
Aligns with innovative business community investment in clean, renewable energy and green technologies.
healthyYEG.org

8. UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals
#3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15
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9. Environmental leadership toward sustainable future
Edmonton has the potential to be a leader in sustainable development!
Mayor Iveson wants Edmonton to be “Canada’s Health City.” (Based on article from Globe and Mail, Iveson is promoting the health innovation industries in Edmonton.)
We believe our sign should read, “Canada’s Healthiest City!
healthyYEG.org

10. How You Can Help Sign the Blue Dot Campaign Pledge at bluedot.ca
, call or tweet your city councillor
Support our motion or draft your own motion calling upon Edmonton City Council to sign a municipal declaration recognizing the right to live in a healthy environment.
We know that in order to convince members of city council that this declaration is important, we need to demonstrate that we have the support of a broad base of the Edmontonians, so we are asking people to:
Sign the Blue Dot Campaign Pledge
, call or tweet your city councillor – sample on our website
We are hoping that you will sign a copy of motion to support the right of all Canadians to live in a healthy environment, that you will allow us to list you as supporters of this declaration!
And that if you are members of other organizations, that you will ask them to sign the motion as well.
healthyYEG.org

11. Our Motion
We support the right of all Canadians to live in a healthy environment. This right includes:
the right to breathe clean air
the right to drink clean water
the right to consume safe food
the right to access nature
the right to know about pollutants released into the local environment
the right to participate in decision-making that will affect the environment
We have copies of the motion here, with a cover letter of explanation that you can take to your organizations.
These are the key highlights the motion:
healthyYEG.org

12. “In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called upon to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground.”
- Wangari Maathai
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13. healthyYEG.org healthyYEG@gmail.com @healthyYEG
Thank you!
healthyYEG.org
@healthyYEG
Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today ABOUT HEALTHY YEG!
healthyYEG.org