Enough is enough. Now is the time to make sure we have a safe September. Now is the time to make sure every student and education worker walks into a safe, healthy environment. Let’s protect them by getting “back to basics” and providing clean air for them to breathe. Help us remind the Ontario government of its duty to protect students and education workers. Demand they take responsibility for this terrible failure to protect us all. Insist that they act to provide a safe September, and invest those unspent tax dollars on improvements to air quality in our schools - for the sake of our communities and healthcare system.

Ontario has an opportunity to be a leading example of sustainable development. If we don't act now, the window will close forever.

Our rivers, mainly the Oldman River, can’t be subject to selenium pollution without their fish populations being killed off. We see the desperate need to protect what little water we have. Stand up for what’s right.

The Island Corridor is an irreplaceable public asset. Unless a continuous transportation use is found for it, it could be broken up. Many people thought rail service was needed to keep the corridor intact but all over the world unused rail corridors like this one are being saved for public use by converting them to highly successful active transportation routes as multi use trails. Now that rail service has stopped on the Island Corridor for 11 years for safety reasons there is an opportunity to do a rail trail here as a safe local alternative transportation option and a world class low impact tourism attraction. Let's make it happen!

We are in deeply uncertain times. Climate change disasters, including forest fires, flooding and drought, are touching the lives of virtually everyone. Canadians can ensure the federal government acts as though climate change is an existential threat, by using its constitutional powers to take charge. A new world cannot be born while the needed changes to our cultural and economic systems seem politically impossible. Quoting from Klein's A Good War: "Most of us know the battle for our lives must soon get underway, and most of our leaders are now talking tough on climate. But we're not quite sure how to begin in earnest." The time has come for those of us who are aware of the risks to study this book, raise awareness, and lobby the government on its duty to act, no matter the cost. As CD Howe, who established 28 Crown corporations and did detailed economic planning to ensure WWII production was where it needed to be, famously said, “If we lose the war, nothing will matter.” It's even more true now: nothing will matter if we don't beat climate change and biodiversity loss.

This system allows companies and individuals to stake mining claims on First Nations lands from the comfort of their offices, without gaining the consent of the Indigenous people who live there. You have stated that we need to “listen to Indigenous voices and ensure they are heard loudly and clearly.” Your government’s refusal to respect Grassy Narrows’ Indigenous Protected Area completely contradicts your own words. This is not in the spirit of reconciliation that your government espouses to care about. Grassy Narrows has been fighting for justice for over 50 years, it is time to make things right. Grassy Narrows is demanding that Ontario respect their Indigenous Protected Area and end all logging and mining activity on the area. Will you commit to that now? We must respect Grassy Narrows' decisions for their territory. Never again should harmful decisions be imposed on Grassy Narrows people and the territory that they depend on. This is an issue of high concern to me and I will be watching closely to see that justice comes at long last to Grassy Narrows.

We need to recapture our politicians from the undue influence of fossil fuel companies who are even helping to write our government’s climate policies. Recently, for example, the government of Alberta granted 4.3 billion to fossil fuel companies at a time when people are unable to find a family doctor in this province, and at a time when at least two large companies stream-lined their operations by laying off workers. Meanwhile forest fires raged out of control all across the country, affecting peoples lives in several negative ways.

It’s a step backwards in our society to build housing that does not promote environmental living practices. Just because it may be more convenient certainly doesn’t make it acceptable. We must act locally to make the changes necessary in every realm of living to address the real threats of pollution and climate change.

We all need to work together to help reduce wildfires and pollution and banning wood campfires permanently is one way to do this. It doesn't mean we have to give up having campfires, as propane fire pits are readily available, and can provide the same warmth and ambiance of a wood fire without the associated environmental and health problems.

Natural health products (NHPs) play an essential role in the wellbeing of Canadians. They are an important piece of empowering citizens to care for themselves at home, and as a way to prevent illness.  Natural health products include items such as supplements (Zinc, Magnesium, Omega 3, etc.), natural body care products, homeopathic medicines, and traditional medicines (herbal medicines, traditional chinese medicines, etc.). Many Canadians turn to these products to be proactive with their health.  Canadians know our health system is strained. Why would we want to impose more barriers for people to access proactive health?  1/5 NHP companies said they are considering leaving Canada altogether. Over 70% of companies said they would have to limit their product line to prioritize what was most profitable. These new regulations will crush small NHP businesses, and drive up costs for the products that remain in the market. These new regulations will make natural health products difficult to access. 

Students have been reporting they avoid going to the washroom during the day because they do not feel that it is a safe space for them – their privacy is not guaranteed. The cleanliness of the washrooms is also of concern, with the need for more dedicated caretaking time spent on ensuring these spaces meet the hygiene standards required to prevent the spread of infections (to which over the past two years, Rousseau has fell victim). The experience of going to the washroom in their current state creates feelings of insecurity, anxiousness, uncertainty, and overall poor hygiene. These reports from students run contrary to the Hamilton-Wentworth School Board’s Facilities policy which indicates: “Hamilton‐Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) believes in maintaining equitable, efficient and sustainable schools and other board facilities that provide safe and high-quality learning and working environments for students, staff and the community.” You can appreciate that students who avoid using the washroom for an entire school day is a true reflection that the environment being provided for them is not safe nor a high-quality learning environment. The parent community at Rousseau Public school are imploring the school board to allocate funds to improve the washroom facilities at the school so that students feel comfortable and safe using these necessary spaces. We recognize that the school board is in a tough position as the intention to rebuild the school building is strong, however after many years of unsuccessful applications for funding, it is time to recognize that the Board now needs to direct money towards the upkeep of the building in order to improve the facilities that students need to use daily. The health and wellbeing of our children depend on it. Sincerely, The Rousseau School community

Right now schools in downtown Toronto are way over capacity, there are is some schools 37 kids in the class, some of schools are driving school children 3-4 km away.