FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1999. All Rights Reserved

News by FFWD Staff Earth Day events celebrate progress The future of the environment looks more promising than past years as the world prepares to celebrate Earth Day 1999. Paul Liddy, Calgary coordinator for Earth Day Canada, says there is a renewed interest in environmental issues, largely due to policies on climate change being implemented by developed countries. "It’s coming up because governments are now taking an active role in turning things around." Liddy says the positive actions are being driven by a new generation of people with more environmentally conscious attitudes. He cites David Suzuki’s recent presentation on alternate energy sources as a positive example, noting that about 70 per cent of the audience was under age 30. Corporations are also taking action. Liddy says a lot of large corporations called the coalition this year asking to be involved. Some of those businesses will be part of an environmental expo showcasing various interest groups and companies dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability and awareness. Participants range in size from Petro-Canada and Suncor to a small group working to save birds. "There’s quite a cross-section," says Liddy. However, not all corporations are taking a proactive role – Liddy says some have no interest in the issues and want to be taken off the mailing list. He expects consumer pressure and environmental legislation will force such businesses to change their attitude. "We’re going through a transition from fossil fuels to alternatives. I think we have to recognize that, while fossil fuels are very important, we have to make room for the alternatives," he says, adding that the effects of climate change cannot be ignored. Earth Day aims to raise awareness about such issues as well as to celebrate initiatives by different individuals, groups and companies to improve the environment. Organized for the first time in 1970, Earth Day is now an international event held annually on April 22. The Calgary Earth Day coalition has had 13 volunteers working on the event since October, and several activities are scheduled throughout the week: Thursday, April 22 – Environmental Expo at Eau Claire Plaza, Critical Mass bike ride, Cycle Frenzy, and the Earth Day Bash at Hard Rock Cafe (groups wanting to raise money for environmental initiatives can sell tickets to the bash, just phone 264-2880 for details); Tuesday, April 20 – Dance for the Planet, a dance-a-thon to raise environmental awareness, hosted by the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation at The Palace; Saturday, April 24 – Bow Chinook Barter’s carnival at Eau Claire Plaza; and Sunday, April 25 – Vegetarian Dinner, hosted by the Calgary Vegetarian Society. For more information on Earth Day events, see our listings on page 35 or call the coalition at 264-2880. Conservationists win appeal in Cheviot battle Environmentalists won a significant victory last week when a federal judge ruled that a review of the proposed Cheviot coal mine on the edge of Jasper National Park was flawed. The $250-million project had received approval following a controversial federal environmental assessment – the town of Hinton supported the project due to employment opportunities while conservationists opposed it due to the impact on wildlife. However, the recent ruling states that the assessment was required to consider the impact of all industrial development in the region as well as the project under review, which is something the panel failed to do. Conservationists say the decision is an important win that could change the way federal and provincial governments co-operate on environmental issues. They plan to use the ruling to help battle the Suncor oilsands expansion in northern Alberta. The judgement was the second blow to the project, coming one month after the president of Luscar Ltd., the company that owns the mine, announced a one-year delay in construction due to a drop in coal prices. Construction for the proposed strip mine, which would be 23 kilometres long and up to 3.5 kilometres wide, was scheduled to start this year. Luscar has 30 days to appeal the decision, or it could request the government to reconvene the panel to address the issues. Sample beer to support theatre A thirst-quenching tradition will continue this week at Brewtopia, Calgary’s biggest beer tasting event. Beer lovers will have a chance to sample 56 different beers supplied by 23 craft breweries from across Canada, as well as a few from the U.S., Mexico and Belgium. "That’s a lot of beer," jokes Robin Elliot, chairman of the fourth annual event, held in support of Alberta Theatre Projects. Elliot says several of the popular brews from past years will be back, along with a few new beers and breweries – Nelson Brewing (B.C.), Whistler Brewing (B.C.), Stella Artois (Belgium) and Sol (Mexico) make their first appearance, while Calgary’s Wildwood Brewpub (formerly Mission Bridge) and Canmore’s Peak Brewing (a merger between the former Bow Valley Brewing and Banff Brewery) launch their products. Brewtopia has also added an industry night this year – anyone from the hospitality industry gets a discount on Thursday night admission. Brewtopia runs for three days at the Red & White Club, located adjacent to McMahon Stadium (1833 Crowchild Trail N.W.) – Thursday, April 15 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, April 16 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, April 17 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, and tokens for a four-ounce sample cost $1 each. All proceeds go to Alberta Theatre Projects. Jim Dinning new CRHA chairman Former Tory treasurer Jim Dinning has been appointed the new chairman of the board of the Calgary Regional Health Authority (CRHA). Dinning replaces Dr. John Morgan, who left the position following a recent critical review of authority operations. Morgan will remain on the board as a regular member. Dinning called it a new start for the authority and said the board will work to implement recommendations from the review However, the decision is being attacked by the provincial Liberals and New Democrats, who blame Dinning for the current state of the health care system. ND leader Pam Barrett called the appointment ludicrous. "This is the man who was instrumental in bringing the Conservatives’ fiscal wrecking ball upon Alberta’s public health care system from 1993 to 1997," Barrett says. "To then put him in charge of the delivery of health care in the Calgary region is absurd." She adds that the appointment appears to have been made without any prior consultation. "This appointment makes a mockery of the government’s constant claims that is is trying to return responsibility for health care delivery to Alberta’s communities," she adds. She called on the province to rescind Dinning’s appointment and to immediately move towards elected boards for regional health authorities, which it promised to do when the regions were first formed. Unlike school boards, the regional health boards are not elected and therefore cannot be held accountable to the public through elections. Morgan, who was appointed CRHA chairman last September based on the recommendation of a regional health authority review panel, has been outspoken about his belief that board members should be elected. However, the provincial government – comprised of elected representatives – argues that it is better able to ensure board members are suitable for the position through appointments, not elections.

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