Recent Releases from Friends of the Earth Canada
Friends of the Earth Says Federal Pesticide Announcement A Big Step Toward Rebuilding Canadians’ Trust in Pesticide Decisions: recent decisions on glyphosate and neonics eroded what little trust existed
Published Wed, 4 Aug 2021 19:19:10 EST Read More
August 4, 2021 (Ottawa) - The pesticides industry's attempt to increase the legal levels of glyphosate (Roundup) in Canadian food has been paused. In a major shift in pesticide policy, the Government of Canada is hitting the pause button to suspend decisions on maximum residue levels(MRL) for gly...... Click here to read this release
Friends of the Earth Canada Responds to Walmart Canada’s Introduction of New Pollinator Health Commitments
Published Fri, 25 Jun 2021 13:33:11 EST Read More
Friends of the Earth Canada welcomes the new Pollinator Health Commitment for Walmart’s Canadian operations. In addition to previous commitments to reduce bee-toxic pesticides called neonics in garden centre plants, Walmart will now address the use of pesticides in fresh produce and florals so...... Click here to read this release
New Poll Finds Over 40% of Canadians Self-Described Climate Voters
Published Wed, 7 Oct 2020 11:27:48 EST Read More
COVID-19 and climate both important finds Friends of the Earth October 6, 2020 (Ottawa) In releasing a new national poll, Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth said, “Despite COVID-19, climate is clearly on the minds of Canadians. Forty-two percent of respondents described themselves as climate voters. The findings of this poll point to a caring Canadian society that w...... Click here to read this release
How did US$600,000 of your pension money end up in the hands of US Republicans? “Pay the money back” Friends of the Earth say to CPPIB employees
Published Mon, 28 Sep 2020 20:23:16 EST Read More
September 28, 2020 (Ottawa) - In advance of CPPIB's public meetings across Canada, Friends of the Earth Canada has asked the Chair of the CPPIB, Heather Monroe-Blum, to enforce its Code of Conduct and recover US$600,000 given to Republican organizations. The payments were made by Crestone Peak Resources to Colorado Republican committees in 2018. Crestone Peak Resources is 96% owned by the CPPIB and, at the time, at least three CPPIB employees were sitting on its board including Avik Dey (CPPIB's...... Click here to read this release
Protect native bees by planting native plants in the Greater Toronto Area - says new e-guide
Published Tue, 23 Jun 2020 07:21:38 EST Read More
Media Release Toronto, ON (June 23, 2020) In recognition of National Pollinator Week, Friends of the Earth is publishing "A Flower Patch for the Rusty-patched Bumblebee: Creating Habitat Gardens for Native Pollinators in the Greater Toronto Area". Friends of the Earth Canada is making free digital copies of the e-guide available through foecanada.org as a public service. ...... Click here to read this release
On World Bee Day, Canadians Called On to Host Wild, Native Bees
Published Tue, 19 May 2020 09:05:05 EST Read More
Media Release May 19, 2020 (Ottawa, Ontario) - On World Bee Day (May 20), Friends of the Earth is calling on Canadians to create B & Bs (Bee & Bees) in their yards to host bumble bees and other wild, native bees. Bumble bees in Canada are key pollinators for many native plants and are more effective pollinators than introduced honey bees for specific crops,...... Click here to read this release
Canadians Say Politicians Need to Tackle Plastics Pollution
Published Tue, 1 Oct 2019 04:28:04 EST Read More
October 1, 2019, Ottawa - Half way through the federal election, Friends of the Earth Canada has a message for Canadian politicians. The electorate wants action to stop plastics pollution: 86% of Canadians want you to take more action on plastics as a way of reducing climate harmful greenhouse gases. And 8 out 10 Canadians will support you to ban production and use of single-use disposable plastic containers and packaging. Friends of the Earth is releasing its new national poll with six ques...... Click here to read this release
Good news for Canadian bees, other pollinators and gardeners Major garden centres shut down use of neonic pesticides
Published Wed, 12 Jun 2019 05:21:56 EST Read More
(June 12, 2019, OTTAWA) - A Friends of the Earth Canada survey has revealed a major victory for bees and pollinators. Canada’s big box stores are reporting they have almost eliminated the sale of neonicotinoid-contaminated flowering plants. Friends of the Earth Canada has spent the last five years testing flowering plants from garden centr...... Click here to read this release
Toronto briefing by leading US lawyers who won $78M Monsanto Roundup Herbicide verdict, January 30
Published Mon, 28 Jan 2019 09:34:31 EST Read More
Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Time: 6:30 p.m. Location: The Gladstone Hotel 2nd floor Gallery 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON Who: Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of Earth Canada (Ottawa) Meg Sears, PhD, Chair, Prevent Cancer Now (Ottawa) Michael L. Baum, Attorney & Managing Partner and R. Brent Wisner, Attorney & Partner, Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman, Los Angeles What: Toronto - Friends of the Earth Canad...... Click here to read this release
Canadian Pesticide Regulators refuse calls for glyphosate pesticide review
Published Tue, 22 Jan 2019 07:37:42 EST Read More
Briefing by leading US lawyers who won $289M Monsanto Roundup verdict on what Canadians need to know about glyphosate and Roundup to protect themselves Ottawa Media Conference Time: 10 am Date: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 Location: 135B West Block, Parliament Hill Presenters: Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of Earth Canada (Ottawa) Meg Sears, PhD, Chair, Prevent Cancer Now (Ottawa) Michael L. Baum, Attorney & Managing Partner and R. Brent...... Click here to read this release
Will the Canada Pension Plan be hit by climate chaos? Or thrive by adapting its investment plans?
Published Thu, 29 Nov 2018 06:57:10 EST Read More
“The CPP Investment Board is currently misleading Canadians. It is not taking climate risk seriously. It must take immediate action and stop investing in fossil fuels” observed John Bennett, Senior Policy Advisor, Friends of the Earth - Canada (FOE-C). If the CPPIB does not take immediate action warns Friends of the Earth, it will be negligent in its job as an investment manager, failing the economy by propping up sunset industries, and failing Canadian pensioners who will suffer from cl...... Click here to read this release
Will your New Year’s Resolutions be good for the Planet and your Wallet?
Published Fri, 22 Dec 2017 08:41:44 EST Read More
As the head of Friends of the Earth in Canada, Bea Olivastri, is often asked around this time of year about the most important things someone can do to help protect people and the planet. Bee health is at the top of her list - Canadians are very concerned about the welfare of bees and their important role in food security. Olivastri suggests joining Friends of the Earth’s campaign for a ban on bee-killing pesticides and, she says, “Start planning yo...... Click here to read this release
Ontario’s Top Court Lifts Barrier to Epic Struggle Against Chevron
Published Tue, 31 Oct 2017 09:09:14 EST Read More
October 31, 2017 (Ottawa, Canada) - Today, Ontario’s top court reversed the decision of a lower court that ordered Ecuadorian villagers to put up almost a million dollars before moving ahead with their case against Chevron. The Ecuadorian Indigenous people and settlers came to Canada seeking enforcement of the ruling of their court that the polluter must pay. They are asking Canadian courts to make Chevron Canada pay the US$9.5 billion award made in 2013 by Ecuadorian courts over t...... Click here to read this release
A Cocktail of Bee-harming Pesticides Found in North American Honey
Published Thu, 5 Oct 2017 12:13:05 EST Read More
October 5, 2017 (Ottawa) - New research, published in Science, today, found widespread contamination of bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticides in honey around the world. Friends of the Earth Canada CEO, Beatrice Olivastri, said, “The discovery of a cocktail of bee-harming pesticides in honey samples across North America, Europe and Asia reinforces the need for a complete and permanent ban on neonicotinoid pesticides.” Olivastri went on to say, “The study also highlights the importance...... Click here to read this release
Ontario government action on bee and pollinator protection applauded by Friends of the Earth
Published Mon, 23 Mar 2015 11:06:40 EST Read More
Premier Wynne and Ministers of Environment and Agriculture cited as North American leaders (March 23, 2015, Ottawa, ON) Today, following extensive public consultation, Ontario tabled a Regulation to permanently reduce 80 percent of the bee-harmful neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides used on corn and soy seed by 2017. This announcement makes Ontario the first North American jurisdiction to permanently restrict usage of this pesticide (for neonic-coated corn and soy...... Click here to read this release
Chemical giant Bayer loses libel action to muzzle bee protectors
Published Thu, 12 Mar 2015 08:36:40 EST Read More
(Ottawa, ON, March 12, 2015) German chemical giant Bayer has failed in its attempt to muzzle Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) over the environmental group's claims that thiacloprid, a pesticide manufactured by Bayer, harms bees. Thiacloprid is one of a group of insecticides called neonicotinoids (“neonics”) which work by interfering with insects' nervous systems. In February, Bayer slapped an injunction on BUND based on a booklet (published in December 2014) for gardeners inter...... Click here to read this release
Honey bees get support in Niagara Falls by-election polling
Published Thu, 6 Feb 2014 06:38:29 EST Read More
Friends of the Earth Bee Cause finds overwhelming voter support for action to save bees in closely fought by-election between NDP and PC front-runners in the Niagara Falls Riding (Ottawa, ON, Feb. 6, 2014) A poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth Canada (FOE) to research voter expectations related to protecting honey bees in Canada's fruit basket -- the riding of Niagara Falls -- indicates significant public support and concern about the issue. The FOE resear...... Click here to read this release
Attention holiday shoppers - green gift and holiday polling
Published Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:17:42 EST Read More
Ahead of the biggest shopping season a poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth Canada shows buyers do consider the environment in their purchases (Ottawa, Canada November, 21, 2013) As the biggest retail blitz of the year approaches, Friends of the Earth Canada (FOE) is releasing their national holiday survey results. FOE commissioned this research to find out if environmental concerns influence holiday shopping. Th...... Click here to read this release
Stop Honey Bee Carnage Say Eight Out Of Ten Ontarians
Published Thu, 7 Nov 2013 05:11:08 EST Read More
Respondents agree that bees are crucial to Ontario’s agriculture sector (Ottawa, ON, November 7, 2013) A new public opinion poll released today finds that more than eight out of every ten people in Ontario support a ban on pesticides linked by scientists to bee deaths. Friends of the Earth Canada (FOE) commissioned the poll to discover whether or not Ontarians were concerned about Neonicotinoids (neonics) and their effect on the steadily declining bee popul...... Click here to read this release
Ontario opinion poll shows solid support for green energy, strong opposition to WTO ruling
Published Mon, 3 Dec 2012 04:03:05 EST Read More
Opinion poll released as solar industry meets at convention in Toronto Ottawa, December 3, 2012 - A new opinion poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth Canada shows overwhelming support for green energy in Ontario, and strong opposition to the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s meddling in buy local programs that create thousands of green jobs for Ontarians. The survey conducted by Oraclepoll Research found that 83% of Ontarians believe it is important to have more renewabl...... Click here to read this release
Friends of the Earth calls for investigation into Canadian Food Inspection Agency's silencing of Canadian salmon scientist
Published Fri, 23 Nov 2012 13:09:46 EST Read More
Request seeking immediate action sent to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Office of the Auditor General of Canada Ottawa, November 23, 2012 - Friends of the Earth Canada has filed a petition and requested an investigation in response to recent actions by a federal agency to silence a researcher that has played a key role in investigating infectious salmon anemia (ISA) in salmon from British Columbia. In a recent letter, the Canadian Foo...... Click here to read this release
Friends of the Earth Canada releases “Plug and Play” model regulation to help Canada reduce greenhouse gas pollution
Published Wed, 7 Dec 2011 12:26:12 EST Read More
For immediate release Friends of the Earth donates its services to help Canada in its time of embarrassment (Ottawa, December 8, 2011) With Canada's international environmental reputation at rock bottom at the Durban climate negotiations, Friends of the Earth Canada has decided to donate its services to help Canada. "Canada's Minister of the Environment showing up in Durban without domestic regulations in place is shocking," said Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends o...... Click here to read this release
Latest Lethal Threat to the Great Lakes Must Be Halted
Published Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:45:40 EST Read More
Friends of the Earth Canada Supports U.S. States’ Case on Invasion of Asian Carp For immediate release (Ottawa, November 28, 2011) Friends of the Earth Canada joins U.S. States in the fight to stop the Asian Carp invasion of the Great Lakes citing the mutual obligation of Canada and the U.S. under the Boundary Waters Treaty to prevent transboundary pollution including biological pollution by Asian carp. Represented by thei...... Click here to read this release
Shell 'apologises' for worldwide damage in "erratum" to annual report
Published Tue, 17 May 2011 07:21:38 EST Read More
For Immediate Release New report displays 12 cases of environmental and social wrongdoing (THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS, May 17, 2011) During the Shell annual general assembly (AGM) in The Hague, today, Friends of the Earth International presented an "erratum" [1] to Shell’s 2010 annual report. In this spoof "erratum", which was distributed among shareholders, Shell 'admits' that it is "causing a lot of unwanted and unnecessary damage" in its global oil-gas- and biofuels...... Click here to read this release
New water awareness project launched in Manitou, Manitoba in celebration of World Water Day
Published Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:57:50 EST Read More
For Immediate Release Friends of the Earth Canada, Pembina Valley Conservation District, Manitoba Department of Water Stewardship and Royal Bank of Canada celebrates world water day with launch of Be True to Be Blue (Manitou, Manitoba/Ottawa, Ontario, March 18, 2010) In celebration of World Water Day, Friends of the Earth Canada is launching its new water awareness project, “Be True To Blue” in Manitou, Manitoba in cooperation with the Pembina Valley Conservation D...... Click here to read this release
Le Canada traîné en Cour pour dérogation à la loi fédérale sur le réchauffement climatique
Published Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:24:52 EST Read More
COMMUNIQUÉ Pour diffusion immédiate Le Canada traîné en Cour pour dérogation à la loi fédérale sur le réchauffement climatique OTTAWA (le 15 décembre 2009) - Le gouvernement canadien se voit confronté à un recours juridique historique devant le plus haut tribunal du pays, pour défaut à ses obligations quant au réchauffement climatique, et spécifiquement pour avoir refusé de respecter une loi fédérale qui lui impose de réduire ses émissions de gaz...... Click here to read this release
Canada's climate performance illegal - Friends of the Earth asks Supreme Court to rule on critical points of law (Kyoto and Copenhagen)
Published Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:14:56 EST Read More
MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release Canada facing legal challenge for breaking federal global warming law OTTAWA (December 15, 2009) - The Government of Canada is facing a landmark legal challenge in the country's top court for failing to take action on global warming -- specifically for refusing to respect a federal law that requires reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Yesterday an appeal was filed with the Supreme Court seeking to argue that the Government is b...... Click here to read this release
Friends of the Earth Canada in Court challenging federal government failure to act on climate law
Published Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:01:45 EST Read More
MEDIA ADVISORY Friends of the Earth Canada in Court challenging federal government failure to act on climate law Will argue governments cannot pick and choose which laws to follow What: Environmental groups are challenging Canada's federal government in court for its violation of the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act (KPIA). The case targets the fundamental question of whether the government is above the law. The law states that Canada must take strong acti...... Click here to read this release
Friends of the Earth launches David Brooks' new book in Halifax September 29
Published Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:58:55 EST Read More
Media Advisory Attention: Environmental, News, Community Editors and Reporters Friends of the Earth launches David Brooks' new book 'Making the Most of the Water We Have' comes to Halifax Sept. 29 Friends of the Earth will release Making the Most of the Water We Have: The Soft Path Approach to Water Management early next week. The book is co-edited by David Brooks, a geologist, economist and author who has previously written about conservation and water management. ...... Click here to read this release
Friends of the Earth launches David Brooks' new book
Published Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:19:51 EST Read More
Media Advisory Attention: Environmental, News, Community Editors and Reporters Friends of the Earth launches David Brooks' new book 'Making the Most of the Water We Have' to be released September 25 Friends of the Earth will release Making the Most of the Water We Have: The Soft Path Approach to Water Management later this week. The book is co-edited by David Brooks, a geologist, economist and author who has previously written about conservation and water manageme...... Click here to read this release
Interview Opportunity: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to be investigated for violation of federal PCB regulations
Published Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:13:48 EST Read More
Interview Opportunity Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to be investigated for violation of federal PCB regulations Allan Williams of New Harbour, Newfoundland, is successful in using his environmental rights to request a federal investigation of alleged violations of the federal PCB regulation under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The circumstances that have lead to the PCB contamination of the landfill primarily result from disposal of transformer ...... Click here to read this release
Full text of FOE's first annual Scorecard on Environmental Rights
Published Thu, 4 Jun 2009 05:55:40 EST Read More
Click on 'Download Original Release' to view the full text of FOE's first annual Scorecard on Environmental Rights....... Click here to read this release
Les Ami(e)s de la Terre Canada publient un premier Bulletin annuel des droits environnementaux
Published Thu, 4 Jun 2009 05:52:43 EST Read More
COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE Pour diffusion immédiate La majorité des provinces échouent à protéger les droits environnementaux Les Ami(e)s de la Terre Canada publient un premier Bulletin annuel des droits environnementaux (Ottawa ON, le 4 juin 2009) - À la veille de la Journée mondiale de l'environnement, Les Ami(e)s de la Terre Canada publient leur premier Bulletin annuel des droits de l'environnement reconn...... Click here to read this release
Friends of the Earth Canada releases first annual Score Card on Environmental Rights
Published Thu, 4 Jun 2009 05:48:02 EST Read More
For Immediate Release Majority of provinces fail on provision of environmental rights Friends of the Earth Canada releases first annual Score Card on Environmental Rights (Ottawa ON, June 4, 2009) - On the eve of World Environment Day, Friends of the Earth Canada releases its first annual Score Card of Environmental Rights available in law to the people of Canada. In the face of inadequate action by governments to ...... Click here to read this release
Grandfather calls on feds to investigate PCB contamination
Published Tue, 2 Jun 2009 05:57:56 EST Read More
For Immediate Release Grandfather calls on feds to investigate PCB contamination (Ottawa, ON/New Harbour, NL - June 2, 2009) - Yesterday, Mr. Allan Williams of New Harbour, NL, with the support of Friends of the Earth, applied to federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice to investigate violations of the federal PCB regulation under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as others. Mr. Williams submitte...... Click here to read this release
Nestlé accused of Greenwashing – Complaint Filed Today
Published Mon, 1 Dec 2008 09:03:36 EST Read More
Nestlé accused of Greenwashing – Complaint Filed Today Advertising Standards Canada asked to probe Green Advertisement Ottawa – Friends of the Earth Canada, Ecojustice, the Polaris Institute, the Council of Canadians, and Wellington Water Watchers filed a complaint this morning under the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards alleging that Nestlé Waters North America has broken advertising rules in claims it made regarding the environmental impacts of its products...... Click here to read this release
Canada in court for violating federal climate change law
Published Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:48:30 EST Read More
Media Release – For Immediate Release Canada in court for violating federal climate change law Lawsuit demands government obey the will of Parliament TORONTO, June 18, 2008 – Today, Canada became the first country ever to be brought to court for failing to comply with its legal commitments to combat global warming. Pro-bono lawyers from Paliare Roland Barristers and Ecojustice (formerly Sierra Legal Defence Fund) presented legal arguments on behalf of Friends of the...... Click here to read this release
Canadian Government to be challenged in court for failing to uphold Kyoto Accord
Published Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:04:04 EST Read More
Media Advisory Attention: News, Environment, Government, Politics Canadian Government to be challenged in court for failing to uphold federal climate change law Lawyers will argue in court that Kyoto commitment broken TORONTO - Canada will be the first country ever to be brought to court for its failure to comply with domestic law and meet its international commitments to combat global warming. On behalf of Friends of the Earth Canada (FOE), pro-bono lawyers from P...... Click here to read this release
New law gives Canadians legal right to healthy environment
Published Thu, 5 Jun 2008 06:47:23 EST Read More
For Immediate Release New law gives Canadians legal right to healthy environment Cornerstone environmental legislation introduced by environmental groups Ottawa, Ontario, June 5, 2008 - Three leading environmental organizations are using the United Nations' World Environment Day to launch the first Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights (CEBR), model legislation that would enshrine in law the right of all Canadians to a healthy environment. The proposed Environmenta...... Click here to read this release
25,000 "Energy GreenBoxes™" delivered to Ontario low-income families through Ontario's food banks
Published Thu, 6 Dec 2007 06:30:28 EST Read More
Attention News, Community and Assignment Editors 25,000 "Energy GreenBoxes™" delivered to Ontario low-income families through Ontario's food banks (Toronto, December 6, 2007) This holiday season, Friends of the Earth Canada (FOE Canada) and the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) are helping low-income families save money and energy while improving the comfort of their homes. Food Bank clients in Ajax, Barrie, Beamsville, Brampton, Lindsay, Mississauga, Niagara Falls, ...... Click here to read this release
Canada under fire for flouting federal global warming law
Published Thu, 29 Nov 2007 03:23:14 EST Read More
MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release (Ottawa, Canada, November 29, 2007) Just days before Canadian Environment Minister John Baird leaves for the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, Canada is facing a second legal challenge for missing a key deadline under global warming legislation passed into law earlier this year. The government was served late yesterday with a second Application for Judicial Review for violating the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act (KPIA), the Canadian federal ...... Click here to read this release