Submission to the Independent Advisor on the Development of the Pickering Lands
Land Over Landings, November 18, 2015
The saga of the “Pickering Lands” had its genesis in 1968 when the federal government decided that Toronto’s Malton (now Pearson) Airport would soon be swamped by travellers and that Toronto needed what Montreal had just been given – its own Mirabel.
The airport was shelved but the expropriated land remained in Transport Canada’s hands. …On the Federal Lands over the years, Transport Canada imposed a policy of systematic neglect and depopulation, which in turn sent the surrounding area into steep economic decline. The Lands have been stripped of most of their heritage, families, economic generators.
The project initiated in 1968 and kept on life-support all these years has been a colossal waste of public money for not one iota of public gain. The scope of the present study has once again been determined by Transport Canada, the same department that has controlled the discussion on the future of the Federal Lands for over forty years, with no positive outcome in all that time for anyone.
We intend to broaden the scope and address, among other things, the creation of jobs now; the need to preserve this prime farmland now; the need to rebuild a devastated community now. Our regeneration blueprint for the area does not include an airport.
Read the full submission…
Field notes for social change – a conversation with Raj Patel
Hosted by: Community Food Centres Canada
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, FROM 12:00 PM TO 1:00 PM ET
In this one hour webinar, we are thrilled to welcome Raj Patel’s lessons from the frontlines of the food justice movement. This webinar interrogates the question: where does social transformation come from? We’ll explore successes and failures of various facets of the food movement in the global North and South, and we’ll unpack how different actors — individuals, organizations, businesses and governments — have championed change.
Mind Your Business! Financial Literacy and Effective Business Management for Farmers
Hosted by: Farmstart
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, FROM 12:00 PM TO 1:30 PM ET
Do you know what’s making money on your farm? Are you thinking about trying a new marketing strategy or crop? Are you asking yourself if you can farm the way you want – and be financially viable? FarmStart’s Farm Viability Series of 4 webinars is a chance to dig deep into financial tools for evaluating and improving your current or future farm business.
Ecological Farmers of Ontario Conference: Our Living Soils
December 3-5, 2015
Four Points by Sheraton – London, ON
We are proud to be a sponsor for the 2nd Annual Ecological Farmers of Ontario Conference. We will be hosting the following set of workshops on vegetable seed and diversified grain – you do not want to miss these sessions or any of the other amazing workshops at the EFAO Conference!
Strong #EatThinkVote campaign points to need for Canadian Food Policy Council
Food issues are cross-cutting and complex. Who better to deliberate on them than a council that brings together the best minds from the relevant levels of government, industry, and civil society? Read more…
World Soil Day 2015 : ‘Soils a solid ground for life’
Soils have been neglected for too long. We fail to connect soil with our food, water, climate, biodiversity and life. We must invert this tendency and take up some preserving and restoring actions. The World Soil Day campaign aims to connect people with soils and raise awareness on their critical importance in our lives.
The WSD 2015 will be celebrated on the 4th of December! Read more…