There are many reasons to support adding the right to solar light to the Charter of Rights in Canada.  First, solar access is extremely valuable to the individuals who have it. The quality and amount of sunlight which reaches a structure’s interior, for example, affects three economic measures: the resale price of the structure, as buyers will pay premiums for naturally lit space; the productivity of the structure’s occupants, who work better with sunlight than artificial light; and the operating costs of heating, cooling, and lighting systems. Similarly, the use of sunlight in outdoor areas can have financial consequences: a property owner can grow garden vegetables, produce commercial crops for resale, or use sunlight instead of electricity to dry laundry − all of which save or generate income. Perhaps most importantly, solar collectors, for which sunlight is the primary and essential ingredient, almost always save owners more in energy costs than the purchase price, and rapid technological developments have rendered them increasingly more valuable and will continue to do so in years to come. The recognition that solar access has value to individuals must serve as the basis for any solar rights regime.  A chorus of commentators writing thirty years ago praised solar energy and solar collectors and called our failure to recognize solar rights “an impediment to widespread conversion to solar energy, “The single most important legal issue concerning solar energy, and “the major legal issue associated with solar energy.” Although the need for guaranteed property rights in solar access has grown more acute, we have failed to modify the law to provide them. It is a fundamental need for all humans, either directly or indirectly, no different than food and water.

There always have, and there always will be, people who will "work the system" to get as much money as they can; particularly during a crisis. When the Pandemic hit in 2020, it put the whole world into a state of emergency as everything shut down in response. CERB was put into place to help those who all of a sudden had to stay home, or who had to suffer cut, or even lost wages.  At first the eligibility requirements were reasonable: It was available to workers who [were]: • residing in Canada, who were at least 15 years old • who stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19 or were eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or Employment Insurance fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 • who had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application, and • who did not quit their job voluntarily However, after the first period, another eligibility requirement was instated that made it virtually impossible for anyone to qualify: "When submitting a first claim, you could not have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the four-week benefit period of your claim. When submitting subsequent claims, you could not have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for the entire four-week benefit period of your new claim." This ruling on the part of the CRA effectively changed the rules on every citizen in Canada after benefits were already approved for disbursement.  How can anyone, in 2020 or now, live on $1000.00 per 4 week period, when the costs of mortgages, rents, food, gas, electricity, and food have gone up to over $1000.00 per month?  The $1,000 per month eligibility requirement is unreasonable to the working poor, retirees, and disabled adults across the country who may have received COVID benefits. By setting that income limit to $1000.00, it ensures that nobody qualified for any COVID benefits despite the fact that millions of Canadians received them; some after calling CRA every week during the Pandemic and being assured that they were eligible. Even people on social benefits get more than $1000.00 per month, which is not enough to live on. Spending time and resources pursuing individuals with no money to repay their debts is fruitless. Clawing back the money through carbon rebates, GST rebates, and tax returns, EIA, wage reductions, or fines will only ensure that those who are already struggling will struggle more.  It is in the best interest of all Canadians to provide a low income CERB repayment amnesty. After all, the reduction of poverty has been a top goal of the Federal Government since 2015. 

1. Protecting Free Speech: The right to free speech is a cornerstone of democratic societies. When universities, which should be bastions of open discourse and critical thinking, suppress lawful protest, it threatens everyone's freedom to express their views. 2. Upholding Human Rights: The situation at York University highlights broader issues of human rights and justice. Supporting the protestors means standing up against the oppression and silencing of marginalized voices, particularly those advocating for the rights of Palestinians. 3. Academic Freedom: Universities should be places where ideas can be freely discussed and debated. Actions that punish students for their political views undermine academic freedom and the integrity of educational institutions. 4. Solidarity with Students: The students at York University are exercising their rights to peaceful protest and free expression. Showing solidarity with them reinforces the importance of these rights for all students and supports the next generation of activists and leaders. 5. Preventing Precedent: If York University's actions go unchallenged, it sets a dangerous precedent for other institutions to follow. It's crucial to push back against such measures to prevent a wider erosion of rights on campuses and beyond. 6. Moral Responsibility: Witnessing injustice and remaining silent contributes to the perpetuation of that injustice. By taking action, you help to create a more just and equitable society. 7. Global Impact: The issues raised by the protestors at York University resonate beyond Canada. They are part of a larger global struggle for human rights and against systemic oppression. Your support contributes to a worldwide movement for justice. 8. Empowering Change: Every voice and action counts in the fight for justice. By caring and taking a stand, you join a collective effort that can bring about meaningful change and hold those in power accountable. Caring about this issue means standing up for fundamental rights, supporting those who are fighting for justice, and contributing to a society where freedom of expression and human rights are respected and upheld.

Those of us on Turtle Island/Canada are responsible to do what we can to end the genocide happening in Gaza. For seven months we have seen horrors that no one should experience. I hear the screams and see the fear in the children’s eyes, the suffering of parents who have lost their children and partners. The weapons and weapons manufacturers responsible for developing the murderous technology must not be welcomed by our government. We must demand that our government ends its complicity and cancels this event.

La combustion de combustibles fossiles contribue aux changements climatiques et fait monter en flèche les niveaux de pollution à un degré mortel. En effet, la pollution due aux combustibles fossiles est directement liée à 34 000 décès prématurés par an au Canada et à plus de 8 millions de décès dans le monde. Par ailleurs, les entreprises pétrolières et gazières induisent sciemment le public en erreur en ayant recours à des pratiques d’écoblanchiment. Par exemple, elles affirment faussement que le pétrole est un produit « à zéro émission nette » ou « carboneutre », ce qui empêche les consommateur(trice)s de prendre des décisions éclairées et retarde la transition vers des sources d’énergie plus sûres et plus propres. Les entreprises qui fabriquent des produits nocifs menaçant la santé publique ne devraient pas être autorisées à faire de la publicité. C’est dans cette optique que l’Association canadienne des médecins pour l’environnement a initié un appel à l'interdiction de la publicité pour l’industrie des combustibles fossiles, soutenu par plus de trois quarts de millions de professionnel(le)s de la santé. Le projet de loi C-372 représente une opportunité tangible de mettre en œuvre cette interdiction. Le projet de loi pourrait faire l’objet d’une deuxième lecture très prochainement et une grande vague de soutien en faveur de la pétition pourrait faire renverser la vapeur et mener à son adoption. Nous devons montrer aux parlementaires que de très nombreuses personnes en ont assez de la désinformation et des mensonges véhiculés par l’industrie pétrolière et gazière, et qu’elles n’arrêteront pas de se battre pour cette cause tant que le projet de loi C-372 n’aura pas été adopté. Signez la pétition dès maintenant pour soutenir cet important projet de loi et faire en sorte qu’il soit adopté rapidement.

Fossil fuels are driving climate change and causing skyrocketing levels of deadly pollution – Fossil-fuel pollution is directly linked to up to 34 000 premature deaths in Canada per year and over 8 million globally. Meanwhile, greenwashing by oil and gas companies knowingly misleads the public with false claims of “net zero” and “carbon neutral” oil impeding informed consumer decision-making and delaying the transition to safer, cleaner energy sources. Companies that create harmful products that threaten public health should not be allowed to advertise. For this reason, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment have been leading calls for a fossil fuel advertising ban, and three quarters of a million health professionals support such a ban. Now, with Bill C-372, we have the chance to make this a reality. The bill could come to second reading very soon and a giant wave of support and signatures on this petition could be critical in tipping the scales and getting this bill passed. We need to show Parliamentarians that there is a massive collective of people who are tired of the lies and disinformation from the oil and gas industry and who won’t stop until Bill C-372 is passed. Sign the petition now to support this important legislation and ensure its speedy passage into law.

This is Nunatsiavut, Our Beautiful Land—the place where our roots run deep. This is about our land, our people, our history, our self-determination, and our rights. Labrador Inuit have lived on this land for millennia. As its original inhabitants, our footprints are everywhere. We have lived here in harmony with the land, ice and sea – where wildlife, fish and birds thrive. Canada knows there is only one Inuit collective in Labrador. We are not just protecting our physical boundaries, but also our way of life and our identity. Recognizing members of the NCC as Inuit is harmful and disrespectful. This is not reconciliation. Tell Canada to follow our lead. Listen to the unified voice of Inuit in Canada and reject the claims from the Nunatukavut Community Council that threaten our way of life.

With nearly 1 in 4 Ontarians lacking a family doctor [2], where will you and your loved ones seek medical care in the years ahead, if not within our own community? HELP US BRING WESTGROVE MEDICAL TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! PLEASE CONSIDER SIGNING THIS PETITION. In addition, letters of support for Dr Laura Thomas & Dr Laura Quigley and Westgrove Family Medicine clinic may be sent to: Etobicoke Committee of Adjustment: [email protected] Please include the property address in your email: 4740 Dundas St West Councillor Stephen Holyday: [email protected]  Councillor & Deputy Mayor Amber Morley: [email protected] Mayor Olivia Chow: [email protected] Member of Provincial Parliament Kinga Surma: [email protected] Minister of Health Sylvia Jones: [email protected] Premier Doug Ford: [email protected] Sources: [1] Half a million people in Toronto don't have a family doctor, college says https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/half-a-million-people-in-toronto-don-t-have-a-family-doctor-college-says-1.6795222 [2] ‘Sounding the alarm’: 1 in 4 Ontarians could be without family doctor by 2026, groups say https://globalnews.ca/news/10257253/ontarians-family-doctors-2026/

Saanich’s Quadra McKenzie Study process is an opportunity that must not be wasted. Pressure from UVic could get bus lanes created this year, and get climate pollution from transportation trending down.  Saanich has good policy on climate action and prioritizing public transit riders over car drivers. But when it comes down to allocating road space, in the past transit riders got studies and cars got priority. It is no wonder that many people choose to drive to campus, even when parking is a major pain.  Saanich’s Quadra McKenzie Study presentation includes illustrations of continuous bus lanes on a reconstructed McKenzie with many tall new buildings, but as of right now this study is in the draft planning stages and will take decades to be realized. Bus lanes can and should be created now on the existing roadway, rather than waiting for redevelopment and major road reconstruction. An example of how long these kinds of projects often take is that the Shelbourne Valley Action Plan started with an open house in 2010, and bike and roll lane completion is still years away. Victoria’s plans for transit lanes on Douglas through downtown have taken even longer, with successive plans gathering dust for half a century. As The Martlet reported, last year Climate Justice Victoria, the University of Victoria Student Society (UVSS), and other student groups endorsed the BC Climate Emergency Campaign’s open letter on transportation. The letter calls for reallocating “road space from private automobiles to transit lanes, protected bike & roll lanes, pedestrian priority spaces, and space for trees.” It also asserts that road space “reallocation to trigger traffic evaporation will be essential for meeting the ambitious CleanBC” target of reducing traffic (vehicle kilometers traveled - VKT) 25% by 2030. As a provincial institution, UVic is ethically obligated to help meet this ambitious provincial VKT reduction target. According to UVic’s Sustainability Action Plan, the University has set a goal of increasing the use of transit, cycling and carpooling to 70% of the modal split.  We call on Saanich to paint in 24/7 bus lanes on all four-lane and wider sections of McKenzie this year, and for the UVic administration to actively and publicly lobby for this.

It is unacceptable to allow mining on Indigenous land without the free, prior and informed consent of the First Nation whose land it is. In Ontario, the “free entry” system has resulted in an inundation of mining claims submitted to First Nations. Mining companies are allowed to stake claims online, without ever setting foot on the land they hope to mine, and without gaining the consent of the Indigenous people who live there. This bureaucracy has consistently acted to deny Indigenous people control over their land. The sheer volume of claims is nearly impossible to keep up with. In fact, the Chiefs of Ontario are calling for a one-year moratorium on staking mining claims to give communities time to assess the massive number of claims and develop a meaningful process. For mining claims issued on Grassy Narrows’ Territory, there is no question that the community does not consent. Their land has already been violated by mercury, clearcut logging, and hydro dams. And in 2018, Grassy Narrows enacted a Land Declaration, enshrining into their law a ban on all mineral staking, exploration, mining, and logging in their territory. The Ontario government, which claims to be committed to reconciliation, must respect Grassy Narrows, respect their moratorium, and withdraw all mining claims that do not have their consent.

Our government is not acting in alignment with our responsibilities under international law. We need to restore funding for UNRWA as it is essential to lives of Palestinians in Gaza, and we need to stop sending weapons which are used to kill and injure civilians.

Over the past days and weeks, I have watched with profound grief as the civilian death toll in Gaza has mounted. After a promised pause, the Israeli military resumed attacks on the people of Gaza. Even after the International Court of Justice has called for a ceasefire, representatives from Israel's government have said they will not abide. It is more clear now than ever before that what we really need is a permanent ceasefire. One way we can do that is to get more prominent politicians into the fray. Already, some municipal politicians have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the more pressure there will be on the federal government. Saskatchewan politicians have been distressingly silent for the duration of this event - it's time for things to change and for us to join the international calls for justice. Add your name to call on Mayor Sandra Masters and Regina City Councillors to come out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza now.