The Government of Canada has published a sparse but alarming Discussion Paper that proposes sweeping reforms to federal assessment and permitting processes. The overall goal of the Paper is to simplify and shorten these processes so that major projects can be approved and implemented more quickly. The public consultation period on the Discussion Paper has been extended until July 22, 2026. I have reviewed submissions by the Canadian Environmental Law Association, 350.org and Environmental Defence. All three have grave concerns about what the government is proposing to do. Here is a nutshell summary of what the Discussion Paper proposes:
Continue reading “Discussion Paper – Getting Major Projects Built in Canada, There is a Better Way”Brampton Climate Walk & Native Plant Tour at Dorchester Park
Hosted by Brampton Environmental Alliance in collaboration with Toronto Climate Week
Sunday June 7, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Dorchester Park, Brampton (Meeting point details will be confirmed upon registration)
What if your front yard, backyard, or boulevard could become a haven for bees, butterflies, and the plants that sustain them — right here in Brampton?
Continue reading “Brampton Climate Walk & Native Plant Tour at Dorchester Park”BEA partners with Plant Powered for the Earth to bring an exciting Pollinator Habitat workshop and program to WG Davis SPS.
Pollinators are essential to healthy ecosystems, food production, biodiversity, and climate resilience across Ontario. Creating pollinator gardens with native plants and installing bee hotels are simple but powerful ways communities can support declining native bee populations while helping mitigate climate change through healthier urban ecosystems.
Continue reading “BEA partners with Plant Powered for the Earth to bring an exciting Pollinator Habitat workshop and program to WG Davis SPS.”BEA Partners with Brampton Forestry, ACER and local schools to deliver tree monitoring
The BEA has partnered with Brampton Forestry and the Association of Canadian Educational Resources, (ACER) to provide tree monitoring services to sites at Batsman and Gore Meadows Parks. Students from Louise Arbour and Fletcher’s Meadows Secondary Schools participated in the 2-day event, Batsman Park on May 02nd and Gore Meadows Park on May 16th.
A feathered visitor draws much attention to our backyard
Who knew that one little bird, the size of a sparrow could create such a stir. It all started this past Wednesday when we looked out our kitchen window to see a woman, carrying a camera with a lens as long as a bus, taking pictures over our backyard fence. She wasn’t a stranger. We’d chatted with her often while on our twice daily walks, always carrying her camera, ready to take pictures of birds and animals that she saw along the way. But that day was different. She seemed very excited as she waved at us. Dayle went out on the deck to ask her what she was doing. It turns out she had sighted a Spotted Towhee, scratching for food under a forsythia bush in our yard.
Continue reading “A feathered visitor draws much attention to our backyard”Year End Report
So what has the Brampton Environmental Alliance been up to in 2025 and why should you care? Let me start by answering the second question first. While economic challenges such as food inflation, home affordability and U.S. tariffs dominate the news cycle, the impacts of climate change and environmental destruction take bigger and bigger bites from our pay cheques each year while negatively affecting the lives of every Canadian.
Continue reading “Year End Report”BEA participates in School Parent Night
On October 29th, BEA members Rajbalinder and Aneet were at Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School in support of their community engagement event that included parent interviews. Harold M. Brathwaite is a school of approximately 1,700 students with programs including: International Baccalaureate (IB), Specialist High Skills Major in Justice and Business Studies, International Student Program, Developmental Disabilities Program.
Invasion of the invasives
Here’s a quiz. What is Phragmites? Is it,
a: A mineral deposit left behind by dripping water in caves,
b: A children’s TV sequel to the Muppet Show,
c: A particularly itchy skin rash resulting from drinking too much red wine,
d: An aggressive type of invasive European grass or reed that grows in dense clusters up to 15 feet in height, crowding out native species and destroying wetland habitat throughout Ontario.
BEA Past Events
Your BEA team is taking advantage of April being Earth Month to participate in various activities to promote environmental awareness. Check out the sections below including: Parent Teacher Night at Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School,
Sustainable Procurement Workshop at the Rose Theatre,
Reconnect Brampton’s Sip & Stroll Nature Walk in Downtown Brampton,
Earth Day Event at McCandless Park,
CVC Fletchers Creek SNAP Workshop at Brampton City Hall
BEA Supports Events in Bramalea and Caledon East on March 22nd
Saturday March 22nd was a busy day for the BEA supporting two community tables.
In the morning, the Bramalea Community Network hosted a Health and Wellness Day at the Knightsbridge Seniors Centre. About 30 neighbourhood residents attended including seniors from the Centre as well as families from the surrounding community.
Continue reading “BEA Supports Events in Bramalea and Caledon East on March 22nd”