While all eyes turn to Rio de Janiero as world leaders meet to discuss sustainable development, other things are happening in Canada. With the approval of Bill C-38, a blow has been dealt to environmental regulations and free speech across the country. Parks Canada employees have recently received letters stating that they are now forbidden from criticizing the federal government. Contact with journalists is being restricted to selected individuals, and employees are being told that they have a "duty" to support the Harper government.
While environmental groups and organizations may be being hit hard lately, they are still keeping up their work. The David Suzuki Foundation is hosting a phone-in, or ``telephone town hall`` to discuss with Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age and Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. The questions that will be discussed will revolve around the benefits of being immersed in Nature, such as"Can being in nature make you smarter?". The conference call will be on Sunday, June 24 and it will be nation-wide, and anyone can participate for free. Click here for more information and to register.