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Read, judge and act...  FVC alerts its readers to causes which come to our attention via our readership.  You are free to read, judge and act according to our individual beliefs in support of the Gospel and our Franciscan values.

Unbreathable No More: The EPA and clean air in 2021

January 11, 2021
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You are invited to join us on January 19, 2021 for a free screening of the short film Unbreathable followed by the webinar, Unbreathable No More: The EPA and Clean Air in 2021.
The right to clean air is an environmental justice issue, affecting communities of color and low-income communities at much higher rates. Air pollution directly contributes to health issues such as asthma, heart ailments, and cancer. Justice calls people of faith to work in solidarity with these communities to create a world where all can thrive. 
Join this screening and webinar to learn how you can plan to take action in 2021. 

​Five years after Paris Agreement, where is Canada?

December 15, 2020 - David Suzuki Foundation
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Five years after Paris Agreement, where is Canada?
Dear George,
Five years ago on this day, countries around the world signed the Paris Agreement, which is aimed at keeping global average temperature from rising more than 2 C, with an aspirational goal, added by Canada, of 1.5 C. It appeared the world was aligned to heed science and chart a new course for climate action. Since then, we’ve seen progress:
  • Cities, countries and companies made commitments to fully cut emissions, many by 2050.
  • Two-thirds of new power generation capacity is now coming from solar and wind.
  • Solar energy has become the cheapest form of electricity in history.
In Canada, we consume more energy per capita than any other country and have the fourth-worst performance in reducing emissions. We still subsidize fossil fuel companies and still support expanding oil and gas infrastructure. Take action:              Demand more ambitious action

​Ontario church builds "tiny homes" for the homeless

November 15, 2020
The local parish of St. Mary’s in Kitchener, Ontario, has completed a project that saw the construction of 24 “tiny homes.” These new houses, each sized 8 ft. by 10 ft., will provide shelter for those in need during the first winter of the world pandemic.

             What a great project: for the homeless, for the parish and especially for the youth!
                                                         Learn more

​10 ways to green your parish

November 10, 2020 - GCCM
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Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ calls on all people and communities to care for our common home by taking action. “The effects of the present imbalance can only be reduced by our decisive action, here and now.” (LS 161)
Parishes throughout the world are in a unique position to lead the way. There are more than 220,000 parishes across the globe. Most have multiple buildings and vehicles that, by using conventional fossil fuels for energy, contribute directly to the ecological crisis and climate emergency.                       Learn More

Support the Green New Deal not the TMX Pipeline - Take Action

October 6, 2020 - 350.org
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On Thursday, the Liberal government announced $10 billion in new infrastructure spending.¹ I was happy to see that some of the money is going to fund renewable energy projects, green retrofits and electric buses. That means Trudeau is starting to feel the pressure from our movement for a Just Recovery and Green New Deal.
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Federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, centre, is arrested by RCMP officers after joining protesters outside Kinder Morgan's facility in Burnaby, B.C. on March 23, 2018. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck
Then I remembered he’s still planning to spend billions on the Trans Mountain Pipeline. The project could end up costing taxpayers more than $20 billion. That’s double the total infrastructure investment announced last week!             ​Read more and take Action!

​Make the ultra-rich pay their share

​October 5, 2020 - Greenpeace
While poorer communities get hit the hardest by COVID-19 and climate change, the ultra-rich are getting richer.

Yet, as Canadians face the severe social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the wealth of the ultra-rich is growing and soaring: just in Canada, the top 20 richest billionaires increased their wealth by a total of $37 billion since March.              Read More

         ​ Tell the government to include a wealth tax in the Economic Response Plan​



The Amazon is on fire -- again!

August 30, 2020 - Avaaz
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Diego Casaes - Urgent: The Amazon is on fire -- again! And my government is failing to protect it! We've never seen this level of destruction before. But If we push the EU to freeze an imminent trade deal with Brazil, we can force Bolsonaro to save the lungs of our planet. Join us now to safeguard the Amazon, and share with everyone.                      Sign the Petition

​Two transformational ways to start the Season of Creation

August 30, 2020 - GCCM
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Online Prayer Service
​World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Learn more
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Season of Creation Webinar
A Just Transition for Asia Pacific and Oceania
​Learn More

Time is running out for the Fed to keep their promise on plastics

Your fast foods may contain toxins!
August 20, 2020 - environmental defense
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New test results show that McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s may be wrapping their fries and burgers in toxic PFAS chemicals. Companies add PFAS to food packaging because it prevents grease from getting on your fingers, but PFAS chemicals have been linked to adverse effects on the immune system, liver damage and cancer. Join us in telling the CEOs of these fast-food giants to stop putting toxic PFAS in their food packaging!
Plastics continue to pile up around us, putting our environment and health at risk. Last year, Prime Minister Trudeau committed to banning certain single-use plastics as early as 2021. And with less than five months left in the year, the clock is ticking for the federal government to follow through on its promise. There’s no time to waste. Tell the government to take action on plastics now. Sign the petition and let's get rid of plastics.

Petition to the House of Commons - for Canadian Ombudsman

July 20, 2020 - Development and Peace
 D & P have been following this issue in our mining campaign for the last decade.  Let's help it come to a conclusion, that renders justice, transparency and accountability.

Please sign and share this parliamentary e-petition parliamentary e-petition and post on social media if you can. The petition is asking the following:

1. Empowering the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise with independence and the power to investigate human rights abuse allegations; and
2. Enacting a comprehensive human rights due diligence law that compels businesses to respect the most current international human rights standards across the entirety of their global operations and supply chains and holds them liable for harms caused by or on behalf of their operations. 
          
Sign the petitiion
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No means No to the mining industry, one of the most polluting, deadly and destructive industries in the world, yet it has received little scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Read the open letter: “Global Solidarity with Communities, Indigenous Peoples and Workers at risk from Mining Pandemic Profiteers”.


          Sign the petition

​Not another LNG Project

July 2, 2020 - STAND.earth
FortisBC wants to expand its Tilbury LNG plant along a fragile part of the Fraser River, in Delta, British Columbia. If we don’t intervene, this project could have devastating impacts on wild salmon and other endangered fish species which nearby Indigenous communities rely on. LNG (liquefied natural gas) is a known climate disaster too. 

  LEARN MORE & SIGN THE PETITION

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Artist’s rendering of an expanded LNG plant at Tilbury Island. | FortisBC.

GCCM - Stop the EACOP Oil Pipeline

June 22, 2020 - GCCM
While climate and social justice movements all across the world are calling for a “Just Recovery” to the coronavirus pandemic, fossil fuel companies are going full steam ahead with major projects that pose grave risks to human and planetary health.

GCCM is actively supporting the ongoing campaign in Uganda and Tanzania-East African region to stop the proposed East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).

Sign the Petition to stop EACOP

Attention Ontario OFS - Ford's latest attack on the environment 

May 18, 2020 - Ecojustic

The Ontario government is using the COVID-19 pandemic as cover to broadly dismantle environmental protections.
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At the beginning of April 2020, the Ford government passed a regulation that effectively suspended public consultation under Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR). Under this regulation, the government will not have to notify Ontarians or give them the opportunity to weigh in on decisions that may have a significant effect on the environment...          Read more and take action​

​Public funds should be for public health, not private profits

May 17, 2020
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© Phil Moore
You’ve probably heard that Canada has committed more than a billion dollars to develop COVID-19 vaccines, medicines, and diagnostic tests that we all need. What you’ve not heard is whether a successful Canadian vaccine candidate will be accessible or affordable to those who need it most.

That’s because right now, most public funding for medical research and development (R&D) comes with no strings attached – meaning that even when public funds are used to discover or develop lifesaving medicines or vaccines,  there are no requirements to make them affordable for people who need them, including Canadians.

In fact, these publicly funded vaccines, medicines and health technologies are often sold to private companies, who get to decide who receives access to them — and at what price.

This is unacceptable.                                  Learn More and sign the petition

​Pledge for our common home

April 22, 2020 - Development and Peace
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​What is the provincial energy efficiency scorecard?

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A national low-carbon transition requires a tripling of energy efficiency from current levels. Energy savings will be largely driven by the provinces and territories, because they have jurisdiction over the most relevant policy areas, such as public utility regulation and building energy codes.
Canada’s first Provincial Energy Efficiency Policy Scorecard benchmarks progress, promotes healthy competition, and shares best practices. The scorecard assesses efficiency policies and performance in energy efficiency programs, enabling measures, buildings, transportation and industry. Learn more. Our leaders need to do better, much better. Tell your representatives how you feel. Ask for more action.       DOWNLOAD THE SCORECARD

Season of Creation - ACT!

September 3, 2019
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If you have 30 minutes: Plan a climate strike. Four months ago, 1 million+ people around the world stood up for climate justice. This month, young people are planning a strike that’s even bigger. Catholics are hosting over 100 climate strikes this September. 
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Join us:
  • Choose an activity. Plan to leave work or school to join a march, or plan to set aside time for public prayer during your lunch hour. 
  • Choose a location. Take action at your government center, a public park, or a cathedral. Be sure to find out whether permits are needed.
  • Choose a time. Marches are happening on September 20 and 27. Decide on your date and time. 
  • Gather your group. Text, call, or email others in your community. Make sure everyone knows the meeting location and time. 
  • Take signs. Tell the world you’re a Christian for climate justice. Print one of the banners here or make your own. 
  • Pray. Before or during your strike, use the prayer service here. ​
Finally, be sure to register your climate strike here so that others can find it. 
In his statement, Pope Francis says, “Young people remind us that the Earth is not a good to be wasted, but a legacy to be transmitted . . . we owe them real answers, not empty words; facts, not illusions.” This Season of Creation, we’re standing together in the hope this world sorely needs. 


​Pledge to go zero waste and give up single-use plastics

August 27, 2019 - David Suzuki Foundation

Signify your commitment to reducing waste and supporting the oceans by signing our zero waste pledge.
In Canada, nearly 90 percent of plastics end up in landfills, incinerators, lakes, parks and oceans.
We can do better! Let’s reduce over consumption of plastic and improve management of recyclable residues.  A world without single-use plastic is possible.

                                  Sign the zero waste pledge
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I agree to adopt one or more of the proposed actions:
  • REFUSE single-use plastic items.
  • ASK for reusable cutlery and pass on plastic straws in restaurants.
  • REPLACE single-use items with reusable items.
  • GIVE UP non-recyclable, plastic, disposable items.
  • OPT for items that contain recycled plastic if non-plastic isn’t available.
  • PICK UP plastic debris.
  • RECYCLE all plastic waste.
  • APPLY 5Rs: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and rot (compost).
  • ASPIRE to a zero waste lifestyle.
  • SUPPORT a federal ban on single-use plastics.

​You can go even deeper with your commitment to support a federal ban on single-use plastics by contacting the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change: 819-938-3813, ec.ministre-minister.ec@canada.ca.

And, our Queen of Green can also help you on your journey to sustainability with tips and resources, including her five ways to recycle less.

Encourage family and friends to do the same! Share the pledge with your network.

​URGENT: Tell Canada what matters to you!

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August 15, 2019
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​The federal elections are just around the corner. Now more than ever, we need to demand meaningful action on plastic pollution, so the newly elected government can start moving Canada towards a plastic waste-free environment.
In early June, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an ambitious commitment to ban certain single-use plastics as early as 2021.  This is great news! But with the federal election only a few months away, we need all party leaders to make a commitment to reduce plastic pollution, ban single-use plastics, and hold producers responsible for the plastic waste they create.                                                            TAKE ACTION

THIS ELECTION, WHO WE VOTE FOR MATTERS MORE THAN EVER. NOT JUST FOR OUR COUNTRY, BUT FOR OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE AND THE HEALTH OF OUR PLANET.

JUly 19, 2019 - Environmental Defence Canada
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 I DEMAND THAT ANY GOVERNMENT THAT REPRESENTS ME MUST:
  • Implement a strong climate action plan that meets our international  commitments to keep global warming below catastrophic levels
  • Establish economic equality and ensure social justice
  • Respect and promote the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Restore nature and prevent wildlife extinction
  • Ensure a livable planet for our children
            READ MORE

The power of micro loans - an option for taking action

July 8, 2019 - submitted by Jewel Jasmins, ofs
Jewel Jasmins wrote, "At our last OFS General meeting… one of our candidates in formation shared with us her response to our JPIC Reflection, on alleviating poverty.  She shared with us that both her and her husband supported this Kiva for years, putting in $20.00 to help a poor person have access to some money to develop  a small business in a poor country.  The video clip explains how this works.  They would always have their $20.00 returned at a later date, and would make it available again to use for this noble cause, or use this contribution as a gift to someone they know, so that this would be in their name." 

Commentary: The editors at Franciscan Voice Canada did some checking into this form of helping people, but we found there can be some pros and cons to micro-finances. We recommend you do your own checking to ensure the agency your are dealing with is a reputable one. KIVA seems to have a good reputation - FVC

Margaret & Andrew engaging with the youth at climate strike 

May 26, 2019
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​Margaret Ross ofs, from Coquitlam, B.C. and Andrew Conradi ofs, from Victoria, B.C. are seen here engaging with the youth at climate strike in front of Calgary Municipal Hall on May 24, 2019. This is taking action! The youth who are concerned and taking action are greatly encouraged when we, the older generation, get out there and support them. We thank them both for their initiative!

Canada needs an Ombudsperson with teeth

May13, 2019 - Development and Peace
We need to ensure that the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Business Enterprise (CORE) will be an independent office with the powers to investigate complaints so that it will be a real voice for justice.
The Canadian Network of Corporate Accountability (CNCA) and Development and Peace – Caritas Canada are hoping to get thousands of signatories to this petition, to represent the massive support for this campaign. ​Please sign and ask your friends to sign it as well. The e-petition will be delivered to the government on May 27. We also invite you to call or write to ​your MP, asking them to ensure that the ombudsperson is truly a voice for justice!​
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​Pope Thanks and Encourages Greta Thunberg in Her Commitment to Defend the Environment

April 18, 2019 -- Zenith
Join the climate strike – Celebrate Laudato Si’ on May 24
Learn More

​Bayer/Monsanto: Drop your appeal against Dewayne Johnson

December 2, 2018 - SumOfUs
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FILE – In this Aug. 10, 2018 file photo, Dewayne Johnson reacts after hearing the verdict in his case against Monsanto at the Superior Court of California in San Francisco. (Josh Edelson/Pool Photo via AP, File)

​Join the wave of resistance against oil pipelines

July 9, 2018 - Greenpeace
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​Aerial shot of the enormous tailings ponds at the Syncrude mine in the Canadian tar sands. Canada’s tar sands are an oil reserve the size of England. Extracting the crude oil called bitumen from underneath the unspoiled wilderness requires a massive industrialized effort with far-reaching impacts on the land, air, water and climate. Greenpeace is calling on oil companies and the government to stop the tar sands, for the sake of the people and the planet. Photo –William Akehurst

                                                Learn more and act
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Read, judge and act...

FVC alerts its readers to causes which come to our attention via our readership.  We are free to read, judge and act according to our individual beliefs in support of the Gospel and our Franciscan values.

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