
The Blue Dot Movement, advocating for the right to a healthy environment, is gaining support in Mississauga following the endorsement of a resolution by city council Wednesday.
“The right to a healthy environment is not only critical to protecting the city I grew up in, it’s also about protecting the health and economy of future generations,” said Lorne Park resident Cameron McCuaig.
He began leading the local Blue Dot effort a year ago with Sara Marie Harding, a Streetsville business owner.
Municipalities across Canada are being asked to pass declarations, ultimately aiming to amend the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and include the right to a healthy environment, clean air, safe food and clean water.
The movement is fronted by the David Suzuki Foundation.
McCuaig appeared before general committee a week ago, with students from Camilla Road Senior Public School in tow to show their support.
“Congratulations to the people of Mississauga for standing up for a future where their right to live in a healthy environment is recognized, and for standing up for the people and places we all love,” DSF spokeswoman Sophika Kostyniuk said in a statement.
Municipalities across Canada are being asked to pass declarations, ultimately aiming to amend the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and include the right to a healthy environment, clean air, safe food and clean water.
The movement is fronted by the David Suzuki Foundation.
McCuaig appeared before general committee a week ago, with students from Camilla Road Senior Public School in tow to show their support.
“Congratulations to the people of Mississauga for standing up for a future where their right to live in a healthy environment is recognized, and for standing up for the people and places we all love,” DSF spokeswoman Sophika Kostyniuk said in a statement.
Mississauga’s Environmental Advisory Committee “fully supports the goal to have this right recognized,” said Ward 8 Coun. and EAC chairman Matt Mahoney.
“It’s our hope that by taking environmental action on the local level we will inspire action from all levels of government. It’s only when we come together, city by city, that change can happen.”
Change has already happened in Hamilton, where council approved the effort in February 2015.
“Although I live in Hamilton, I work in Mississauga, and I thought it was critical to expand our great work in Hamilton to the place where I grew up and still call home,” said Harding.
-Kelly Roche
@qewsouthpost
-Kelly Roche
@qewsouthpost
well done! I co-organize Green Drinks Mississauga, a networking event and social meetup for anyone green, including anyone working on environmental projects in the community! Hope you can join us on April 12: http://bit.ly/GreenDrinksMississaugaApr2016
Keep up the good work!
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