Attention New Brunswickers,

The Gouvernment of New Brunswick is looking for nominations in regards to the 2012 Environmental Leadership Awards.

Do you know someone who has made an outstanding effort to promote solutions to environmental issues?

Click here to send your nominations.

The St. Croix International Waterway Commission:

The Province of New Brunswick and the State of Maine established the St. Croix International Waterway Commission in 1987 to help governmental and local interests implement a long-term, cooperative management plan for their shared 180km/110mi St. Croix boundary corridor.
This corridor includes two of the largest lakes in New Brunswick and Maine, one of Eastern North America’s premier recreational rivers, and a major estuary. It also includes communities, industries, landowners, transportation and utility corridors, cultural sites and wilderness areas that are critical to the region’s heritage, lifestyle and economy.

The Commission has eight members, four appointed by the Premier of New Brunswick and four by the Governor of Maine. In addition, it has a Liaison officer from each of these governments and an Observer from each federal government. It maintains an international office at St. Stephen, N.B., with a small staff that serves both sides of the border.

The Commission is a non-profit organization in both countries (American 501(c)(3) organization; Canadian Registered Charity). It has no direct jurisdictional authority but rather works cooperatively with agencies and local interests to implement the St. Croix Management Plan.

Project Coordinator Job Constraints:

This position is limited to students who are:

1. is between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;
2. was registered as a full-time student during the preceding academic year;
3. intends to return to school on a full-time basis during the next academic year;
4. is a student in a secondary, post-secondary, CEGEP (Quebec only), vocational or technical program;
5. is a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act * and;
6. is legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial / territorial legislation and regulations

Priority will be given to students who are residents or who are currently residing in New Brunswick.
Priority will be given to students who are currently enrolled in post-graduate programs (Masters or PhD programs, consideration will be given to upper level undergraduates as well).
Priority will be given to students who have valid Canadian or U.S. passports.
A valid Canadian or American driver’s license and use of a car will be considered an asset.

Job Description:
The successful student will assist the executive director with project development around the nine core reporting areas for the Commission: Water, Fisheries, Planning, Land, Recreation, Heritage, Information, Economy and Other. The student will provide assistance with a wide range of tasks including administrative and financial tasks for the operational management of the Commission. As well they will assist with project development such as updating the website for our Commission as part of this year’s revitalization project; assist with the ongoing update of the St. Croix International Management Plan; assist where necessary with other project demands such as: lake water quality testing as part of an ongoing long-term database on the St. Croix River; assist with the Heritage River Summer Recreation Program; partake in the International festival a summer celebration for the border communities along the St. Croix river as well as the Chocolate festival held in St. Stephen, NB; and other projects that may arise during the employment term. This will be a great opportunity for a student to be exposed to the multi-faceted, multi-tasking, rigorous and rewarding experience of working with an International not-for-profit.

The successful candidate should have the following skills and qualifications:

• Excellent computer skills preferably experience in website maintenance and development and/or the ability to learn
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Self-motivated and self-directed with a strong work ethic
• Knowledgeable in natural resource management, forestry, water/watershed management, coastal and marine management, fisheries, and/or environmental education
• Experience in project development, management and implementation
• Knowledge of or willingness to quickly learn the relevant St. Croix watershed information
• Outreach and public awareness experience
• Good organizational and multi-tasking skills are a must
• Experience in funding proposal writing and report writing will be considered an asset
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Ability to work in an office setting and conduct field work when necessary

This position is completely funding dependent. If funding is not received for this position remuneration will likely not be available. Wages can be discussed upon the receipt of funding for this position.
Applications for this position will be accepted until April 27, 2012 at 5:00pm AST.
Applications should include a cover letter which highlights the relevant experience, skills and qualifications the applicant has to meet the job constraints and description, as well as, an up to date resume. Serious inquiries only please.

Applicants can apply by: Email applications are preferred.

Canadian address: P.O. Box 2, St. Stephen, NB E3L 2W9
American address: P. O. Box 610, Calais, ME 04619
Telephone: (506) 466-7550 Cell: (506) 467-7558 Fax: (506) 466-7551
Email: staff@stcroix.org

As you know, the United States and Canada, along with other developed economies, have experienced a terrible epidemic of asbestos disease.  Currently, over 10,000 Americans and 1,000 Canadians die annually from asbestos-caused diseases such as, asbestosis, cancer, and mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the lung lining).  

On Thursday, December 8, 2011, American and Canadian asbestos victims and families (see media release at http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/archives/8493), exposed occupationally or environmentally, have come together by issuing a North American Declaration.  The Declaration calls for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for Canada, and President Barack Obama for the United States to end the support for asbestos mining, use and exports and for the development of safe alternatives.  

A decision from the Quebec government is expected soon on a loan guarantee which would allow investor Baljit Chadha and his partners to reopen the Jeffrey asbestos mine and export asbestos developing countries in Asia.  

On November 24, 2011, it was announced that mining of asbestos in Quebec was suspended temporarily.   With broad support for the Declaration, we hope that asbestos mining, its use in consumer products and exports of asbestos will be stopped permanently in Canada.

We are encouraging asbestos victims, family members, concerned individuals, unions, organizations and institutes to step forward and express your support, by endorsing the North American Declaration.  It’s vital to do this as soon as you can, so that we can maximize influence on the Quebec and federal government’s decision making.   

To endorse the Declaration, go to the following links:
1)      as an individual - http://bit.ly/vgtBeX
2)      organizations, institutions, labor, and NGOs supporters  - http://bit.ly/u13Igz

Background resources:
Press Release by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and the Canadian Voices of Asbestos Victims (EN & FR): http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/archives/8493
North American Declaration (EN & FR): http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/archives/8523
      
 
WHEN YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION ENDORSE THE NORTH AMERICAN DECLARATION, PLEASE ALSO CONSIDER SENDING A LETTER TO:
1)      Prime Minister STEPHEN Harper (Stephen.Harper@parl.gc.ca); and
2)      Premier Jean Charest of Quebec (http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.qc.ca/premier-ministre/joindre-pm/courriel-en.asp).  

Please send a copy of your letters to your Member of Parliament and to the Canadian Voices of Asbestos Victims (e-mail address needed).

All organizations and individuals who have endorsed the Declaration will be listed when it is formally delivered to Prime Minister Harper and President Obama in February 2012.

For more information, please contact:
Alec Farquhar, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (tel.: 416-510-8713; email: AFarquhar@ohcow.on.ca)

Stacy Cattran, Canadian Voices of Asbestos Victims  (email: scattran@gmail.com)
Fe de Leon. Canadian Environmental Law Association (Tel.: 416-960-2284 ext 223; email: deleonf@cela.ca)
Sarah Miller, Canadian Environmental Law Association (Tel.: 416-960-2284 ext 213; email: millers@lao.on.ca)

North American Declaration
Petition: http://bit.ly/vgtBeX
Press Release: http://www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org/archives/8493
North American Declaration for the elimination of asbestos - related diseases
 
Whereas asbestos is a known human carcinogen and has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 1 human carcinogen;  
Whereas asbestos is deemed toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the US Toxic Substances Control Act;
Whereas inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers of all types can cause cancer such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other health problems;
Whereas no safe minimum level of exposure has been identified for any type of asbestos;
Whereas asbestos-related diseases can take 10 to 50 years to present themselves;
Whereas the usual expected survival time for those diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months;
Whereas the World Health Organization estimates that 125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace and
              107,000 workers die annually from asbestos exposure;
Whereas these deaths involve enormous human suffering, especially in the case of mesothelioma, made worse because little is known about late stage treatment of these diseases;
Whereas many victims suffering from asbestos related diseases have never received compensation and millions are spent on compensation claims for others;
Whereas workers’ family and community members are also at risk of disease from asbestos fibers brought into their homes or otherwise released into the environment;
Whereas asbestos remains a serious hazard in North America where it was used extensively for insulation and as a fire retardant in the construction of many office buildings and public facilities such as schools and hospitals built up until the 1990s;
Whereas an estimated 35 million American homes and businesses are insulated with asbestos-tainted vermiculite;
Whereas the United States and Canada have not prohibited the use of asbestos in the production of domestic products;
Whereas Canada continues to allow the production and export of asbestos;
Whereasin 2010 the United States imported 90% of its chrysotile asbestos from Canada;
Whereas in 2010 Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Canada were the biggest asbestos producers and exporters in the world;
Whereas the majority of asbestos is exported to developing countries, which may not have the legislative or policy framework in place to practice safe use, handling and disposal of asbestos;
Acknowledging thatfive of the six known forms of asbestos with the exception of chrysotile asbestos are listed in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade;
Acknowledging that the Rotterdam Convention provides mechanisms for Parties to exchange information on toxic substances and seek prior informed consent from importing states before exports of toxic substances are permitted;
Whereas in 2011, there was still a lack of agreement by a handful of countries, including Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Viet Nam and Canada, to add chrysotile asbestos to Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention and whereas this failure will deprive workers and consumers in importing states, particularly for developing countries of information on health and safety protections and on proper handling for others who use products containing asbestos; and
Whereas the Province of Quebec in Canada has imminent plans to reopen and expand their asbestos mining operations.
 
 
Therefore be it urgently resolved, that Prime Minister Stephen Harper for Canada and President Barack Obama for the United States, immediately endorse a plan of action for North America for the elimination and prevention of asbestos-related diseases by:
• stopping the North American production and use of all types of asbestos;
• ending the North American export of asbestos to the developing world;
• replacing asbestos use with safe substitutes;
• developing economic and technological mechanisms to stimulate the swift  replacement of asbestos and its use in products throughout North America and the developing world;
• supporting asbestos producing communities and workers in just transition to sustainable alternative industries;
• taking measures to prevent exposure to asbestos still in place and during asbestos removal and disposal;
• supporting and improving early diagnosis, treatment, social and medical rehabilitation of asbestos victims;
• establishing North American registries of exposure locations and of people with past and/or current exposures to asbestos; and
• calling upon United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN to promote a global declaration embracing these same goals.

To arrange for an interview, please contact:
Fe de Leon, 416-960-2284 ext. 223
 
On-line:
Support the petition as an organization or an individual by visiting: http://bit.ly/vgtBeX (individuals) and http://bit.ly/u13Igz (organizations)
 
About the Canadian Environmental Law Association:  CELA is a non-profit, public interest organization established in 1970 to use existing laws to protect the environment and to advocate environmental law reforms. It is also a free legal advisory clinic for the public, and will act at hearings and in courts on behalf of citizens or citizens’ groups who are otherwise unable to afford legal assistance.  CELA is funded by Legal Aid Ontario.

--
Fe de Leon,
Researcher,
Canadian Environmental Law Association,
130 Spadina Ave., Ste. 301,
Toronto, ON   M5V 2L4
Tel.: 416-960-2284 ext. 223,
Fax: 416-960-9392,
E-mail: deleonf@cela.ca

Visit our web sites:
on CELA at www.cela.ca

on our Resource Library at www.ecolawinfo.org

on Pollution at www.PollutionWatch.org

on Source Water Protection at www.thewaterhole.ca

on Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment at
www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca

Monday, December 12, the Environment Minister Peter Kent announced the decision to remove our country from the Kyoto Protocol, saying it “does not represent the path forward for Canada’’.

What is the way forward? What’s the action plan? Why aren’t we thinking of others ways to be energy mindful? How are we going to reverse climate change? Is it by keeping the Alberta Oil Sands? I don’t think so.

Kent stated that “Canada, though, cannot do it alone,” -that is true but pulling out of the Kyoto Protocol is not helping improve the climate change situation either.


Here are links to stories about this decision:

December 13, 2011-The Gardian,United Kingdom-Video- ''Canada withdraws from Kyoto protocol on climate change''
December 12,2011-National Post-''Canada pulling out of Kyoto accord''
December 13, 2011-The Globe and Mail- '' So, we’re out of Kyoto. What next?''

The 2012-2013 intake for FBC international internship applications is now open.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE:

Biodiversity Restoration and Community Development Facilitator in Canada and Cuba
Biodiversity Restoration Facilitator in Canada and Cuba
Organic Agriculture Facilitator in Canada and Cuba
Appropriate Technology Technician in Canada and Nicaragua
Biodiversity Restoration Facilitator in Canada and Dominican Republic
Rural Livelihood Developer in Canada and Dominican Republic
Biodiversity Restoration Facilitator in Canada and Honduras
Community Development Facilitator in Canada and Honduras
Environmental Educator in Canada and Honduras
Organic Agriculture Facilitator in Canada and Mexico
Biodiversity Restoration Facilitator in Canada and Costa Rica

Go to the Falls Brook Centre website for specific details on each placement at http://www.fallsbrookcentre.ca/?page_id=117 or go to our website www.fallsbrookcentre.ca and click on internships in the top navigator bar.

DESCRIPTION:

Each year, Falls Brook Centre offers young Canadians an opportunity to gain practical experience in the fields of organic agriculture, environmental education, land restoration, renewable energy and community development through the Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) International Youth Internship Program (IYIP). The goal of this project is to give young Canadians practical work experience and to develop skills in the fields of international relations and sustainable development both in the context of Atlantic Canada and in Latin America.

Falls Brook Centre internships are an integral part of equipping young professionals of today with practical knowledge and skills to work at a landscape level with local communities in transition.  As an organization we seek to inform our policy discussions and educational outreach with hands-on skill-building.  A morning might be spent turning compost and then suiting up to assist with a public forum on adaptation to climate change.  A 10-day analog forestry workshop might be arranged where you are soaking in and learning from some of the leading restoration biologists without a weekend break.  The internship will be what you are willing to put into it.  The value is really in how you can apply yourself.  Most placements are in rural areas faced with challenging situations. You should expect to spend a very full eight months requiring time, energy, productivity and a perspective willing to be challenged and engaged.

PREREQUISITES FOR ALL INTERNSHIPS:

Be aged 30 or under;
Be Canadian citizens or landed immigrants able to work in Canada;
Be currently under or unemployed;
Have not previously worked outside Canada in a paid, career-related position;
Be a graduate of a college or university; and
Have not previously participated in another Youth Employment Strategy (YES) internship program
Be able to function in both written and spoken Spanish;
Applicable Degrees include the following: forestry, biology, geography, international development, environmental studies or science, resource management, anthropology or rural development
Please visit our internships page for full details on the 20 placements and application process or visit our website www.fallsbrookcentre.ca

APPLICATION DETAILS:

To apply, please send all applications via email to:
Tegan Wong-Daugherty  | International Intern Coordinator
Email:  internships@fallsbrookcentre.ca

Applications will only be accepted by e-mail.  Applicants should electronically provide a cover letter, indicating the position(s) in which they are interested and highlighting their qualifications for this position, along with a resume and 2 references. Please indicate  in your cover letter your earliest possible start date.

While Falls Brook Centre appreciates all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  If you have not been contacted within one month of application deadline please assume that we have chosen other candidates for this round of internships.

Deadline: Applications will be accepted immediately and hiring will continue until all positions are filled.

Job Title: Environmental Project Manager

Location: Black’s Harbour, New Brunswick

Employment type: full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Start date: January - February, 2012

Job Purpose and Organization Description

The Project Manager will oversee the planning and implementation of Eastern Charlotte Waterway’s environmental projects in Southwestern New Brunswick. Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc. (ECW) is a not-for-profit environmental organization that performs monitoring and research to protect coastal and freshwater resources, in addition to raising the capacity of local communities to address issues of environmental concern through public education and awareness initiatives. ECW also operates an on-site ISO accredited microbiology laboratory and provides sample collection services to support the organization’s not for profit objectives.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities of the Position

1. •Develop and implement environmental projects that target the needs of the public and ecosystems of Southwest New Brunswick

• Create project work plans, schedule and coordinate project events such as field work and stakeholder consultations;

• Assist the Executive Director with recruitment, management, and orientation of project staff;

• Coordinate project activities, such as field work and public events;

• Engage stakeholders, including youth, interest groups, and individuals in environmental stewardship;

• Monitor and report on project progress, track deliverables, and revise project activities accordingly;

1. •Plan and monitor the allocation of resources (human, financial, and physical) to projects to ensure adherence to budgets and financial reporting requirements;

• Elicit stakeholder and volunteer participation and develop communication plans to share   project outcomes;

• Review the quality of project tasks regularly and evaluate project outcomes to maintain high standards;

1. •Write reports to communicate progress to funders, to disseminate information to stakeholders, and to document project outcomes in technical and scientific formats;

• Provide technical assistance to the Executive Director for project development and proposal writing;

1. • Deliver public presentations and assume PR responsibilities in relation to project activities and outcomes

Qualifications

Education and experience

University degree(s) in a suitable natural science discipline plus a minimum of two years related work experience, preferably in a not-for-profit setting. Applicants with other academic qualifications and a minimum of four years of applicable work experience (relative to the skills and attributes listed below) will also be considered.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Experience with project management or staff supervision  

1. •Strong technical writing skills demonstrated by experience writing scientific reports drawing on a range of academic literature and research papers

• Self-directed and task-oriented, with an ability to supervise and motivate others

• Knowledge of the design and implementation of projects to monitor surface water quality

• Experience performing field work in aquatic environments

• Demonstrate effective communication and public speaking skills

• High attention to detail and results-oriented disposition

1. •Proficiency in the use of computers for word processing, data analysis, email, spreadsheet development, and scientific research

• Experience in the design and maintenance of websites and with GIS software will be considered assets

Working Conditions

The Project Manager will work primarily in an office environment, but will also be required to conduct fieldwork in remote locations and attend public events as required by projects.  The Project Manager may also be required to work occasionally on evenings or weekends as required by projects.

Rate of pay:  $16 - $20/hour, depending on experience

To apply for this employment opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume including at least 2 references to rjm.ecw@nb.aibn.com no later than 5pm on Monday, December 12th with the subject line heading ‘Project Manager Application’. We thank all those who apply for their interest in this opportunity, however due to the volume of applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Position: Executive Director
Organization: ACORN http://www.acornorganic.org
Location: Sackville, New Brunswick

Interested in providing key leadership, vision, enthusiasm and commitment to organics in Atlantic Canada?

Do you have significant experience in senior non-profit management and administration?

If yes, then you may want to consider applying for the position of Executive Director of ACORN (Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network).

Position is located in our lovely offices in Sackville, NB.

Deadline to apply is December 23rd (only short-listed applicants will be contacted). Interviews to be held in early January.

Full details are available here:
http://acornorganic.org/pdf/ExecutiveDirector.pdf

When applying, please indicate that you saw this posting at GoodWorkCanada.ca.

A coalition of national environmental groups has published recommendations for a Green Budget for the federal government. The budget covers 1) Species at Risk, 2) Freshwater Resources 3) Energy Efficiency and 4) Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform.

Click here for the 2012 Green Budget 

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearings for the operating license to restart Lepreau are this week in Saint John. They can also be seen live through webcasting. The Saint John chapter of the Conservation Council has been working hard getting ready for these hearings and their intervention is available. Click here for more information and additional files.

The report of the Crown  Land  Task  Force, chaired by Norm Betts, has been been released   to  the  public by the Department of Natural Resources. The Department  is inviting the public to make comments with a deadline of January 13. Click here for the report.