Brampton Environmental Alliance
advocacy, low carbon forums, discussions and activities, resource sharing, listen to and learn about other cultural practices.
Saturday morning dawned the same way that it has for the past three years, windy, wet and numbingly cold. Storm clouds raced across the sky bringing driving snow and hail pellets. With the temperature hovering around 5 degrees, the snow did not stay on the ground but the biting wind made it feel far cooler than the temperature indicated. Despite that, several hardy souls made the trek to the Earth Day celebration by bicycle, some coming from as far away as Georgetown.
April is a great time of year. It heralds the true beginning of spring with longer days, warm sunshine and soaking rains that wash away the winter blahs. Signs of love are everywhere, from the birds gathering nesting material to the young folk, holding hands in the park.
Perhaps the best part of April is that it heralds Earth Month, a time to think about all of the environmental challenges we are facing and to take positive action to create a sustainable future for us and all the creatures sharing this small planet we call home.
Continue reading “It’s Earth Month – Give your planet a hug!”
This past week, City and TRCA staff hosted three community engagement sessions at the Paul Palleschi Recreation Centre to provide more details about the Loafer’s Lake and environs wetlands enhancement project.
Join members of the BEA at the Eco-Sphere, an environmental conference and market dedicated to raising awareness about sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The event, hosted by Acheve EYE (Environmental Youth Engagement), will feature engaging speakers, hiring employers, and a vibrant market showcasing sustainable businesses and products.
Event Details: Date: March 30th Time: 9:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Venue: Paul Palleschi Recreation Centre (30 Loafers Lake Ln, Brampton, ON L6Z 1X9).
Continue reading “Calling all Youth to the 2024 Acheve EYE Eco-Sphere Conference and Job Fair!”
The Brampton Environmental Alliance (BEA) hosted its second annual general meeting this past Wednesday March 13th. Twenty-two individual and organizational members attended along with 9 non-members and 5 guests. Among the guests was Brampton North MPP Graham McGregor who engaged with members at the conclusion of the meeting.
Continue reading “Brampton Environmental Alliance hosts Annual General Meeting”
When I was a boy growing up in Erindale, a hamlet that is now part of Mississauga, I would often see animals and plants rarely seen today. Bluebirds, Eastern Meadowlarks, Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting; these birds would often be seen around our backyard feeder. Salamanders could be found under almost every rock in our garden and smelt and brook trout were easy to spot in the Credit River running behind our house.
Continue reading “The Far-reaching impacts of Provincial Highway Building”
Members of the Brampton Environmental Alliance were in attendance last Monday March 4th as the Ontario government announced it is investing over $2.5 million through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program to enhance wetland areas in four locations of the Etobicoke Creek watershed in and around Loafer’s Lake and Conservation Drive Park.
The ceremony was hosted by Brampton North MPP Graham McGregor supported by Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Andrea Khanjin.
“Wetlands are incredibly important to our communities. They make up the natural infrastructure that protect us from drought and flooding, while keeping water clean and providing homes for many at-risk species of plants and animals.”
Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Attending dignitaries included Brampton’s Mayor Patrick Brown, Regional Councillors Navjit Kaur Brar, Michael Palleschi and Rowena Santos as well as representatives from TRCA and Ducks Unlimited.
“This is an incredible investment by the Province of Ontario to support the enhancement of Loafer’s Lake. Investing in the restoration and preservation of wetlands is an investment in the future of our city, ensuring the protection of countless species, like the fish and turtles that call Loafer’s Lake home. Many thanks to Brampton North MPP Graham MacGregor for his outstanding work on this project and I look forward to enjoying the new trails and viewing platforms with the community.”
Patrick Brown – Mayor of the City of Brampton
Loafer’s Lake is one of four priority lakes identified in the City’s “Lake Enhancement Strategy” , the other three being Norton Place Lake, Donnelly Ponds, and Professors Lake. These lakes are representative of the majority of Brampton’s 14 lakes, historical aggregate extraction pits that are now filled with ground water. There is an opportunity to improve public awareness, appreciation and utilization of these lakes. The Lake Enhancement Strategy looks to transform these lakes into “signature features” in the City for recreation and appreciation of nature.
Continue reading “Exciting news for Loafer’s Lake”
Brampton North MPP Graham McGregor along with Wards 2&6 Regional Councillors Navjit Kaur Brar and Michael Palleschi will be hosting what is being billed as a “huge” announcement on Monday March 4th, 12:45pm at Loafer’s Lake Park situated in central north Brampton. Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Andrea Khanjin, will be in attendance along with local community organizations, conservation authorities and businesses. Interested members of the public are welcome to attend.
Continue reading “Loafer’s Lake likely to receive a Provincial Makeover”The Brampton Environmental Alliance Board is pleased to announce that the second annual general meeting will be held on Wednesday evening March 13th, 7:00-9:00pm, 50 Sunny Meadow Blvd. Unit 109, (accessible directly from the parking lot behind the building).
Vito Beato, President – Unifor Local 1285 will be our keynote presenter. Mr Beato will discuss similarities between the labour movement and environmental activism and the importance of both to society at large.
If you are concerned about the environment and want to know more about how you can help address local environmental issues such as:
The meeting is free and open to everyone whether you are a BEA member or not.
Only BEA members are allowed to vote on BEA business matters.
This is the sixth in a series of posts on our journey to navigate government grants and loans available for home energy retrofits and to replace our natural gas furnace with a cold-climate heat pump. Click here to see all articles in the series.
I realize I’m about to wade into the political swamp by arguing that taxing carbon is a good thing for Canada and for most Canadians. Mr. Pierre Poilievre, leader of his majesty’s loyal opposition, has made carbon taxation the key plank in his Conservative party’s unofficial election platform. And, if the polls are correct, he has successfully convinced the majority of Canadians that this villainous initiative of the Liberal government’s environmental strategy is the root cause of virtually all of this country’s economic woes.
Continue reading “Heat Pump Chronicles Vol. 6 Is “Axing the Tax” really a good idea?”