30 June 2007
the first betrayal of many
Photos copyright Sandamara Images 2003-04: Chewitt map of Upper Canada 1813 showing the Haldimand Tract as surveyed; Mohawk Chapel in Brantford where Thayendaga (Joseph Brant) is buried; Baseline Road as surveyed by Augustus Jones to determine the Haldimand Tract: above Fergus and Irvine Creek bridge crossing.Following the American War of Independence, the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy were granted the Haldimand Tract as a reward for their loyalty to the British Crown. Essentially they were to be given the lands measuring six miles on either side of the Grand River from its source (actually three sources near Dundalk, Ontario) to its mouth near Dunnville, Ontario.
The actual tract of land that was given to the Six Nations was much less than that as the surveyor Augustus Jones stopped his survey at the point marked in the photo "road closure" north of Fergus but south of Arthur. The resulting Haldimand tract appears on the historical map (to follow). That map reveals the blocks of land sold by Chief Joseph Brant to white settlers. Monies from the sale of these lands were held in trust by the colonial government who in the decades following made investments in the Grand River Navigation Company, which ultimately failed, and created financial hardships for the Six Nations. A few decades after the sale of these lands, the Six Nations petitioned the provincial government for aid as they were enduring poverty and starvation. Many of the lands adjacent to the Grand River were never sold but casually occupied by the Grand River Navigation Company for use as towpaths to pull the barges used to transport cargo along the Grand River.
Most recently, "representatives of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy Council urged a renewal of the original agreements.....that recognized the Haudenosaunee as equal nations and partners fought to defeat the French in North America." The following statement was made in London, UK at the opening of an exhibition by Keith Jamieson, Six Nations historian and curator: "We, the chiefs of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Council in a full session at the Onondaga Council House, Grand River, would like to take this opportunity to remind our English allies that these portraits are an expression of our sovereignty as nations and that we ask the Crown in Britain to remind their representatives in Canada of the commitments that we have together." (1)
From the federal Indian and Northern Affairs website, the following background information: " In March 1995, the Six Nations of the Grand River Band of Indians filed a lawsuit against the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario. The lawsuit involves allegations of breaches of fiduciary duty in the administration of Six Nations lands and assets, most of which are based on events that took place before Confederation. In other words, the Six Nations claims focus on how land and money were managed, rather than questioning ownership and/or a return of lands." Read the rest of the backgrounder here:
For more on the original agreements regarding purchase and sale of "Indian" lands, see the text of the Royal Proclamation 1763 which is part of the Canadian Constitution and is the basis of many of the land claims currently under dispute at this link:
Sources: (1)"Canadian aboriginals remind Britain of their 'sovereignty''," The Record 07 March 2007; (2) available at KPL: Grand River Navigation Company, The, by Bruce E. Hill.
Labels: aboriginal, land claims
the frozen sub-Arctic
Photo of the Cochrane Rail Museum with steam rising in background recalls a memorable train ride from this destination.
One Christmas break "out," * RR noted that a severe weather system was moving across northwestern Ontario and determined to go back "in" before the storm hit. During the winter months, Highway 11 (the northern Trans Canada Highway) can prove incredibly treacherous. Safely arrived in Cochrane, RR turned over keys to her car at the ONR desk and relaxed in the safety of her room at the Station Inn immediately beside the train tracks. Up early to board the Little Bear scheduled to leave at 9:00 a.m., she was surprised to find that her car had not been moved to the auto-transporter rail car. ONR staff explained that overnight the temperature had dropped to -60C and her car was too frozen to move. As well, the locomotives at the Cochrane station had frozen and so unfortunately, the Little Bear was delayed pending the arrival of another engine from North Bay. By 11:00, passengers were advised to begin boarding. Once seated, a Cree spokesman came to the car, glanced at RR and determined "oh, that one? she's no problem,"** and announced to the Cree passengers that he had checked with ONR rail staff and been told to expect that by 1:00 p.m. the engine from North Bay would have arrived and that our train would be able to leave. He concluded his remarks by saying, "That's what they are telling us, but we know what that means. We'll believe it when it happens." There were knowing smiles around.
Yes, of course. Treaty 9 was negotiated by federal commissioner Duncan Campbell Scott who canoed his way across northwestern Ontario to negotiate with the first nations. The treaty was signed in 1905. There is an inherent discrepancy between the written and oral record. Apparently Commissioner Scott promised an annual treaty payment of $8.00 per family head but by the time, the written treaty was drafted in Ottawa that payment had dropped to $4.00. Over the past two decades, courts are accepting the accuracy of oral traditional records but inexplicably, the federal government has stalled on settling land claims-- one of the key issues in yesterday's Day of Action.
Treaty 9 applies as well to the communities of Attawapiskat (the DeBeer's Viktor diamond mine) and Kaschechewan (the tainted water supply community). Included in Treaty 9 are two clauses that are known as "the medicine chest" and "the schoolhouse" clauses which provide as treaty rights access to health care and education. Cf. the Record editorial that sanctimoniously proclaims," Of course there is more to the story and much that reflects better upon Canada. Canadians spend vast sums of money on building houses and schools and providing health care on reserves." (1) Mmm, that spending is a treaty obligation and compensates aboriginal peoples for the land signed over during treaty negotiations between sovereign nations.
Thus, in 2005 during the ongoing Kashechewan health/infected drinking water crisis, the Record raged, " Why was the help for this reserve so long in coming? part of the answer is that the federal and provincial governments share responsibility for the community and could not agree on a proper course of action. Now they are pointing the fingers of blame at each other. Their ineffectiveness and shirking of responsibility are mind-boggling." (2) From the news report tracking this crisis we learn, "Tears welling in his eyes over the plight of the Kashechewan Reserve, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Ottawa is 'missing in action' when it comes to helping natives." (3) Last year Ontario's premier demonstrated the sincerity of his concern when he flew to neighbouring Attawapiskat to make the start of the DeBeer's Viktor diamond mining project ---without a short jaunt south to visit first-hand the Kashechewan reserve! This year, the federal government offered to relocate the entire community to Timmins as much less costly than relocating the village to higher ground and replacing the defective drinking water and sewage treatment plants. Mmm? as noted in the post about the Viktor diamond mine, there are many companies prospecting nearby locations for more diamond discoveries. Wisely, the Kashechewan First Nation has refused the federal offer which would see them removed from their lands.
Ontario NDP leader Howard Hampton made the following observations recently:
1. "[Violent] protests would be avoidable and preventable if we had more thoughtful policy and action."
and
2. "Ontario is excluding First nations from decisions about revenue from natural resources and land claims...If the provinces on either side of us [i.e. Manitoba and Quebec] can work out agreements with First Nations, why are we not going that here?" (4)
Sources: (1) "A day to listen to native voices," Record editorial 29 Jun 07; (2) 2005 Record editorial, "Canada's shame"; (3)Benzie, Ferguson, and Campion Smith, "Natives plight 'deplorable', The Record 27 Oct 2005; (4) Jennifer MacMillan, "Hampton expects quiet Day of Action," The Record 28 Jun 07.
Labels: aboriginal, James Bay Lowlands, land claims
out of sight, out of mind
Photo on left is of the Roman Catholic Church in Habay (formerly Assumption), Alberta; photo on right is of native grave in the Habay cemetery. The Dene Indian reserve at Habay is located approximately 75 km from the booming oil town of Rainbow Lake, but the two small villages inhabit two entirely different realities. The inhabitants of Rainbow are prosperous beyond measure whereas the inhabitants of Habay are mired in extreme poverty. Flying across this vast northwestern Alberta region exposes to the eye a vast landscape crisscrossed in its entirety with the geometric pattern of seismic cut lines used in oil exploration."I truly believe in my heart Canadians want everyone to have a fair chance in life"
--Phil Fontaine, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations (1)
Photo of church prompts memories of the residential school system and the systemic abuses inflicted on children who were removed from their families for ten months of the year all in the name of "Christian education" and a misguided attempt at assimilation (eradication?). Notwithstanding the federal government's apology and the compensation being paid out, it will take more than one generation to heal the damage. In Moosonee, RR witnessed first-hand the effect of the loss of an entire generation: it was the norm to see grandparents parenting their grandchildren as the parents struggled with issues of substance abuse and were absent to their offspring. As Rose F. Kennedy observed, "Time does not heal all wounds. There are scars that are left and under the scars a residue of pain."--Phil Fontaine, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations (1)
"A nation must come to grips with its history,
both the good and the bad,
to truly understand its identity and the meaning of its citizenship.
Understanding how and why successive governments tried to destroy us,
our cultures and our languages* in Canada's name
will go a long way
toward creating reconciliation between us,
making Canada a stronger country as a result." --Phil Fontaine (2)
both the good and the bad,
to truly understand its identity and the meaning of its citizenship.
Understanding how and why successive governments tried to destroy us,
our cultures and our languages* in Canada's name
will go a long way
toward creating reconciliation between us,
making Canada a stronger country as a result." --Phil Fontaine (2)
Notes: * While working in Rainbow, RR had the good fortune to have as a colleague an American linguist who first came to Canada to accept from Canada's National Museum the assignment to construct an alphabet for the Dene living in Habay. That task completed, he chose to stay in the North to record their stories and to share their way of life. On one memorable occasion, he drove? or rather slid RR's car across the ice-covered road between Rainbow and Fort Vermilion to avoid crashing into oncoming cars--skidding likewise. To distract RR from the inherent danger in the treacherous three-hour journey, he entertained her with Habay myths and legends. Web research has revealed that the stories this scholar compiled have been published.
Sources: (1) Joanna Smith, "Police inaction over native blockade irks CN Rail," Globe and Mail 30 Jun 07; (2) CP, " Wrongs have on for too long," The Record 30 Jun 07.
Sources: (1) Joanna Smith, "Police inaction over native blockade irks CN Rail," Globe and Mail 30 Jun 07; (2) CP, " Wrongs have on for too long," The Record 30 Jun 07.
Labels: aboriginal
26 June 2007
beyond borders
"The issues of today are borderless.
It's a different world. An accelerated world.
One that is adopting change across the globe collectively, aggressively, and irrevocably.
Understanding the forces of the climactic times we live in, and anticipating what is to come, means answers must also reach beyond borders." --Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO, RIM
It's a different world. An accelerated world.
One that is adopting change across the globe collectively, aggressively, and irrevocably.
Understanding the forces of the climactic times we live in, and anticipating what is to come, means answers must also reach beyond borders." --Jim Balsillie, Co-CEO, RIM
Labels: pensees
25 June 2007
wrapper notes
Gentle reader, of late the local rag appears to be on a diet.
Each morning RR performs a size check -- all advertising inserts move directly into the recycling bin, followed by the Wheels and other fluff sections, after that the American content sections are removed, and so on.
In short order, the thin outside editorial content pages are removed and appear very much like a tortilla wrap-- a bit denser here and more porous there. Today's blog provides a summation of what RR found noteworthy in last week's wrapper pages.
1. China, now the world's top emitter of carbon dioxide, has its say:
"Developed countries are hypocritical for criticizing China's greenhouse gas emissions while buying products from its booming manufacturing industry, Beijing said yesterday...[China's]Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang called China the "world's factory'' and said criticism of its increased emissions was unfair...China, which has a population of 1.3 billion people, spews about 4,760 kilograms of carbon dioxide a person, while the United States releases over 19,000 kilograms a person." (1)
2. Meanwhile, the second highest emitter of carbon dioxide advocates for alternative fuel sources, i.e. "the U.S. Congress passed a bill to increase the production of corn-based ethanol to 7.5 billion gallons by 2012. To meet this target farmers in the American corn belt are subsidized by tax rules and other concessions... While the process of obtaining ethanol from corn and then burning it as fuel is carbon neutral, ethanol critics point out that more energy is needed to make it than is gained by using it. And that the energy to make it comes from fossil fuels." At what other costs? Corn prices have almost doubled over the past year -- resulting in public protests in Mexico, where corn-flour tortillas are the national staple food...This increase is reflected in our own grocery bills, since so many of our foods contain corn products." (2)
3. Locally, we've been told to expect a dry summer as per Environment Canada," it will be a drier-than-normal summer for Waterloo Region. Tough news for local corn growers as "one corn stalk, which can reach up to eight feet in height, needs up to four gallons of water a week to mature." (3) So much for cashing in on ethanol riches!
4. Cambridge built heritage advocate Susan Struthers contends: "Heritage issues are almost always planning issues." (4) This would appear to be the case in the controversy over the planned roundabout at the intersection of Bridge and Lancaster Streets requiring the demolition of the Grand Hotel dating back to 1846.
"The former Grand Hotel, now a strip club, is the "heart of the village," according to Tony Wojnowski, 56. "The building should be spared and turned into a community centre and a historical site, he said. "How could they tear it down? It's a typical Kitchener mentality," Wojnowski said, shaking his head..."The village's roads are clogged because of growth in other parts of the region...The problem here is not Bridgeport's problem. It's Waterloo's problem. Leave Bridgeport alone." (5) -- Whom to blame for changing times? City of Kitchener? City of Waterloo? or Region of Waterloo whose responsibility this decision is?
5. Elsewhere poor planning "helped create a traffic mess in west Kitchener/Ottawa Street South and
Fischer-Hallman Road/Sunrise Shopping Centre i.e. planners approved a flawed traffic design for the
interior of the shopping complex." (6) The Record invites you to vent your frustration at this link: Is a better traffic plan needed for the area of the Sunrise Shopping Centre? Have your say at www.therecord.com
6. In recognition of Canada's Aboriginal Day celebrations, the local rag published photos and news reports as follows:
a. "Premier Dalton McGuinty used National Aboriginal Day to announce the creation of the ministry, but
said Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay -- who was already minister responsible for aboriginal affairs -- will continue to do both jobs...Native leaders who were invited to Ramsay's swearing-in ceremony yesterday wasted no time in saying the minister had a conflict of interest, noting natural resources conservation officers often charge aboriginals with hunting and fishing violations." Leader of the Opposition John Tory also noted this discrepancy: "It neither creates the focused minister who will work exclusively on aboriginal affairs, nor does it remove the conflict of interest by having the same person do both jobs....You can only conclude he did this entirely for political reasons, to try and fool the aboriginal people* into thinking he was acting on the (Ipperwash)
report.'' (7)
b. As to this week's national day of protest "to draw attention to poverty on reserves, stalled land claims and other issues"? The most insightful comment was made by Terrance Nelson, chief of the Roseau River reserve south of Winnipeg: “ For me, it's pretty clear that the only real powers that be are the Americans under the NAFTA (North American Free Trade) agreement...The day of action can be deemed a success only if it is strong enough to catch the attention of the U.S. corporations that buy Canadian resources and convince them to put pressure on the federal government. Industry must be forcing the government to the table. If the indigenous people actually can pull off a significant warning on June 29, it (will be) a wake-up call. And if that happens, the Americans are going to be saying, 'Look, get this thing settled."' (8) **
7. Last week's money-saving tip? Summer savings 10% credit on electricity use between 1st July and 31st Aug 07 i.e. " Your participating local electricity utility, with support from the Ontario Power Authority, will give you a credit on your upcoming electricity bill. No need to sign up, you are automatically enrolled. All you need to do is save electricity. It’s just that simple!" (10)
8. Funniest sentence in last week's rag? "Coun. Christina Weylie cut through the piles of goose poop and wanted to know how far the residents are willing to go. "Would you be in favour of oiling the eggs?" Weylie asked. (9)
We once had horse s**t, and now we goose poop to describe whatever--- political spin?
Notes: *to fool the general public as our aboriginal people can't be fooled that easily; provincial election forthcoming 10th October 2007! **the aha-moment here? the East James Bay Cree who successfully took on Quebec Hydro and the Quebec provincial government to settle their land claims re flooding of their traditional hunting grounds used as their strategy a trip to top US business leaders in New York City. They have used part of the financial settlement to found Air Creebec, Cree-owned and operated, that provides an invaluable service to northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec communities and provides employment prospects to Cree youth. One of RR's graduates has undergone required training to pilot airplanes.
Photos copyright Sandamara Images 2002-2006 top L to R clockwise: Bridgeport concrete bowstring bridge to be repaired, confluence of Laurel Creek and Grand River just west of the bowstring bridge, Groh Drive corn farm and cob of corn. The corn fields have been replaced by a subdivision; the Bridgeport bridges present engineering challenges to the proposed roundabout as does the steep hill one must transverse when using the proposed roundabout. Will this planning decision fly?
Sources: (1)China defends rapid rise in manufacturing emissions The Record 22 Jun 07; (2)ROBERT MCCAULEY Ethanol won't be the fuel of the future The Record 23 Jun 07; (3)GREG MERCER, It'll be great for tanners, not so great for farmers, The Record 21 Jun 07; (4)Susan Struthers, the past president of Heritage Cambridge and a former chair of city council's heritage advisory committee, Political friction threatens historic city hall in Cambridge, The Record 21 Jun 07; (5)GREG MERCER'Typical Kitchener mentality' The Record 22 Jun 07; (6)JEFF OUTHI, "Former sleepy area now an accident waiting to happen, " The Record 23 Jun 07; (7)Aboriginal leaders criticize dual role of Native minister The Record 22 Jun 07; (8)STEVE LAMBERT DAY OF PROTEST OR CONFLICT? CP The Record 23 Jun 07; (9) T Pender,” City set to catch, relocate all geese in park The Record 19 Jun 07; (10)Www.Everykilowattcounts.com/summersavings
Labels: aboriginal, climate change
18 June 2007
born of necessity, the sequel
Photos copyright Sandamara Images 2006, L to R: King Street West streetscape-- to feature improvements to attract the young and restless; King Street East streetscape is to be designed to appeal to the old and sedate per Kitchener urban planner. We are now going to have an "ours" and "theirs" downtown????
Gentle reader, herewith a summary of key points made by Rod Regier, the City's Director of Economic
Development in the recent report to Council: City of Kitchener's 2007-2010 Economic Development Strategy/Draft for Discussion June 2007.
Do note the time frame 2007-2010 for this particular strategy as the year 2010 is date of next municipal election; the strategies contained within this document deal directly with EDIF expenditures i.e. the $110,000,000 economic development fund i.e. municipal borrowing plan implemented by this council in 2004. cf.
“Kitchener is on the rise, and has weathered recent global economic crises better than most
municipalities in North America...Kitchener’s business and political leadership have now laid the
foundation for exciting and creative business growth; the entire community is poised, a bit breathless,
waiting for something dynamic and dramatic to hatch.” (2)
(1) Sources: (1)http://www.kitchener.ca/Files/Item/item11686_ecd_strategy_2007_-_2010.pdfmunicipalities in North America...Kitchener’s business and political leadership have now laid the
foundation for exciting and creative business growth; the entire community is poised, a bit breathless,
waiting for something dynamic and dramatic to hatch.” (2)
Further on the report tells us that Kitchener has "limited cost effective greenfield industrial land & per acre price increases now $200,000 (up from $80,000 in 2004); what Kitchener does have is huge quantity of contaminated brownfield lands resulting from its extensive industrial past whose remediation costly* and will require financial resources of all levels of government (regional, provincial, and federal); to encourage development of these lands City of Kitchener has reduced Central Neighbourhood development charge rates and a TIF program in place that reduces taxes for the developer. Although the City is major downtown landowner, much of land is used for surface parking. **(1) Accordingly, this report shifts Kitchener's reliance on manufacturing to the regional level***: “In light of growing pressures on the City’s manufacturing industry, it is necessary to find ways to strengthen the competitiveness of regional manufacturing.” (1)“Across all the city’s industries, innovation is the key to our future ability to compete in global markets. Innovation...hinges on the talent available to industry.”
In light of the constraints on manufacturing, City of Kitchener proposes to hinge its economic development by forcusing on emerging cluster development strategies. Four key clusters are identified:
a. Education and knowledge @ 1,500 faculty and staff to downtown cf. 10,000 university/college graduates annually in Region of Waterloo;
c. Digital (“new”) media cf. highest growth potential after oil sands industry; this would require a digital media centre; ****
d. Arts and culture
i. Fashion merchandising & Interior design;
ii. Professional design & development (Stantec, CH2M, Robertson Simmons Architects). *****
Kitchener's salvation is to be found in the creative knowledge worker; therefore, the emphasis has to be on how to retain talented people who seek to live in cities which possess vibrant neighbourhoods, active streets, and interesting or unique architecture.” (1)
All of these proposals are to be funded through the $110,000,000 Economic Development Investment Fund (EDIF) per current status report:
a. $50,400,000 allocated -- this includes the Your Kitchener Market which provides a benchmark for the decision-making process of this particular Council ******
b. $55,300,000 notionally allocated--- this included $32,500,000 for new Central library as part of the knowledge cluster but proposal was abandoned after public as building costs escalated to $85,000,000; currently City is showing 2010 as possible date for new central library in its capital budgets: KPL 2006-2008 reads "continue work on a new central library." Elsewhere, the current report indicates the the Mayor's LEAF (green fund) will also be financed through borrowings via the EDIF mechanism.
c. $4,300,000 unallocated
Notes: *cf. coal tar contamination project was initially costed at $5,000,000 but has now exceed $30,000,000;
** parking revenues cannot substitute for lost assessment revenues;
***It would appear Cambridge has industrial land per this story: [Cambridge]" City politicians voted unanimously to call on regional council to allow development on 453 hectares (1,117 acres) of farmland north of the Toyota factory, bisecting Fountain Street." (3)
**** News item: "Children's Museum is... to form a partnership with the Canadian Centre of Arts and Technology at the University of Waterloo. The top floor of the museum will become a digital media centre. It will include a broadcast area where visitors can try to create television shows. It will also feature a video-conferencing classroom that could link students here with children elsewhere in Canada and around the world...Tthe university will contribute about $1 million for the project (equipment, renovation costs and salaries of staff based at the museum)...the museum will launch a $1-million fundraising campaign starting July 1 to help raise money for this gallery and other upgrades" (6)
***** News item: "The Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region announces plan to host of La Biennale (bi-annual) architecture exhibit from Venice, one of the biggest world architectural exhibits, to attract thousands of visitors to the area. ...The central exhibit would likely be housed in a former industrial building in downtown Galt while 29 international pavilions would be located in green space on Queen Street in front of the Centre in the Square in Kitchener and at Erb and Caroline streets in Waterloo." (7)
***** Per Record editorial: "Apparently the taxpayers' $20-million-plus investment should not be providing them with another place to shop but with an "incubator" for arts and culture, whatever the heck that means....It was to build this full-time market, in effect the supermarket that the downtown lacked, that taxpayers were cajoled into paying $23 million for the project. Oh yes, the subsidy continues in addition to the $23 million. Last time we checked, it was in excess of $700,000 a year...The biggest problem confronting the market today is the absence of full-time vendors." (4) ====> full-time vendors pulled out as there were insufficient customers during the week
In light of the constraints on manufacturing, City of Kitchener proposes to hinge its economic development by forcusing on emerging cluster development strategies. Four key clusters are identified:
a. Education and knowledge @ 1,500 faculty and staff to downtown cf. 10,000 university/college graduates annually in Region of Waterloo;
"Enticing university campuses to open in struggling downtown areas is promoted as a surefire way
to revive them because of all the money students spend....Higher education is
not the silver bullet. It's part of the solution."
-- Laurel Davies Snyder, City of Cambridge core area co-ordinator (8)
b. Life Sciences (Biotechnology &Health sciences) associated with University of Waterloo association; Regier proposes a health sciences incubator (wet laboratories, diagnostic laboratories, pharmaceutical mfg);to revive them because of all the money students spend....Higher education is
not the silver bullet. It's part of the solution."
-- Laurel Davies Snyder, City of Cambridge core area co-ordinator (8)
c. Digital (“new”) media cf. highest growth potential after oil sands industry; this would require a digital media centre; ****
d. Arts and culture
i. Fashion merchandising & Interior design;
ii. Professional design & development (Stantec, CH2M, Robertson Simmons Architects). *****
Kitchener's salvation is to be found in the creative knowledge worker; therefore, the emphasis has to be on how to retain talented people who seek to live in cities which possess vibrant neighbourhoods, active streets, and interesting or unique architecture.” (1)
All of these proposals are to be funded through the $110,000,000 Economic Development Investment Fund (EDIF) per current status report:
a. $50,400,000 allocated -- this includes the Your Kitchener Market which provides a benchmark for the decision-making process of this particular Council ******
b. $55,300,000 notionally allocated--- this included $32,500,000 for new Central library as part of the knowledge cluster but proposal was abandoned after public as building costs escalated to $85,000,000; currently City is showing 2010 as possible date for new central library in its capital budgets: KPL 2006-2008 reads "continue work on a new central library." Elsewhere, the current report indicates the the Mayor's LEAF (green fund) will also be financed through borrowings via the EDIF mechanism.
c. $4,300,000 unallocated
"I had occasion to drive along King Street this week, from Borden Avenue to the far end of Waterloo.
What a difference; decay in Kitchener and prosperity in Waterloo. To say our downtown core is a
disgrace would be an understatement...When are we going to replace our mayor and the entire city
council? Think about it for a moment. After years the core continues to decay, there's no new library,
and a park that stinks and is not fit to walk through...Can't someone come forward to lead Kitchener
out of this horrible dark age? If the Kitchener city fathers were running a business it would have gone
broke years ago. It's no wonder no one bothers to vote."
--irate taxpayer
What a difference; decay in Kitchener and prosperity in Waterloo. To say our downtown core is a
disgrace would be an understatement...When are we going to replace our mayor and the entire city
council? Think about it for a moment. After years the core continues to decay, there's no new library,
and a park that stinks and is not fit to walk through...Can't someone come forward to lead Kitchener
out of this horrible dark age? If the Kitchener city fathers were running a business it would have gone
broke years ago. It's no wonder no one bothers to vote."
--irate taxpayer
Notes: *cf. coal tar contamination project was initially costed at $5,000,000 but has now exceed $30,000,000;
** parking revenues cannot substitute for lost assessment revenues;
***It would appear Cambridge has industrial land per this story: [Cambridge]" City politicians voted unanimously to call on regional council to allow development on 453 hectares (1,117 acres) of farmland north of the Toyota factory, bisecting Fountain Street." (3)
**** News item: "Children's Museum is... to form a partnership with the Canadian Centre of Arts and Technology at the University of Waterloo. The top floor of the museum will become a digital media centre. It will include a broadcast area where visitors can try to create television shows. It will also feature a video-conferencing classroom that could link students here with children elsewhere in Canada and around the world...Tthe university will contribute about $1 million for the project (equipment, renovation costs and salaries of staff based at the museum)...the museum will launch a $1-million fundraising campaign starting July 1 to help raise money for this gallery and other upgrades" (6)
***** News item: "The Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region announces plan to host of La Biennale (bi-annual) architecture exhibit from Venice, one of the biggest world architectural exhibits, to attract thousands of visitors to the area. ...The central exhibit would likely be housed in a former industrial building in downtown Galt while 29 international pavilions would be located in green space on Queen Street in front of the Centre in the Square in Kitchener and at Erb and Caroline streets in Waterloo." (7)
***** Per Record editorial: "Apparently the taxpayers' $20-million-plus investment should not be providing them with another place to shop but with an "incubator" for arts and culture, whatever the heck that means....It was to build this full-time market, in effect the supermarket that the downtown lacked, that taxpayers were cajoled into paying $23 million for the project. Oh yes, the subsidy continues in addition to the $23 million. Last time we checked, it was in excess of $700,000 a year...The biggest problem confronting the market today is the absence of full-time vendors." (4) ====> full-time vendors pulled out as there were insufficient customers during the week
(2)Jon rohr, “On the Verge of Something Big,” diverse-city May 2005; (3)Kevin Swayze,"Cambridge pushes region to open land-development opportunities," The Record 16 Jun 07; (4)Record editorial, “Don't give up on full-time market” The Record 16 Jun 07; (5)Dave Fromer, "Decay continues throughout Kitchener," letter to editor The Record 15 Jun 07; (6)Laura Thompson, "Museum pairs with UW," The Record 11 Jun 07; (7)LAURA THOMPSON AND LIZ MONTEIRO," Exhibit could 'shine light on region," The Record 14 Jun 07; (8)Kevin Swayze, Adapt to attract students, Galt core businesses urged, The Record 18 Jun 07.
Labels: urban planning
17 June 2007
broken wings
The previous post "born of necessity--the prologue" traced Kitchener's origins to a Mennonite farmer who built a sawmill on Schneider Creek and to impoverished immigrants who arrived here penniless but willing to work as day-labourers until they had saved enough to ply their skills in businesses of their own. This past winter RR casually read an academic treatise whose writer explored the origins of the nineteenth-century German immigration to Canada i.e. from the various German states that Bismarck unified into what we now know as Germany.
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
According to that scholar, this wave of German immigration resulted from economic necessity as these impoverished immigrants had been displaced by two factors: a) shift from an agricultural economy to an industrial one; and b) the rapid pace of German industrialization that could not accommodate vast numbers of semi-skilled workers. Faced with huge numbers of people requiring social assistance, Germany adopted a policy of sending its poor overseas -- with the support of many churches who helped fund ship passage to the New World. At the same time, the Canadian government was promoting settlement of its vast territories & had the Canadian Pacific rail/shipping system in place to support this transfer of displaced workers. One historical source noted that by ca 1900, approximately 100 new immigrants arrived daily at the train station in Busy Berlin--assured of jobs in local factories. (1)For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
That cannot fly.
Today as a result of globalization, many of Berlin's once-thriving factories have shut down. The most recent statistic documenting this socio-economic shift is cited by Rod Regier in his report: Manufacturing: down 7,000 to 61,000 from peak of 68,000 in 2001. However, do note that this number counts only those shutdowns in the past five years. Local factories underwent closures starting in the late 1980's and throughout the entire 1990's---Kaufmann, Epton, Lang's, Arrow, Cluett Peabody....the breweries and distillers....very easy to forget as once the building have been demolished and replaced with newer developments, the overall impression is one of prosperity.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
For when dreams go
However, the following reports challenge such an assumption:
1. Per Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries report: "Waterloo Region is an economic
engine but it's becoming a society of haves and have-nots: the people without a good education, without specific and necessary skills, whether they are a 56-year-old laid-off factory worker or an 18-year-old high school drop-out, face a bleaker future that is, if anything, made more difficult to bear by the region's ubiquitous and conspicuous luxury ."(2)
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow
Frozen with snow
2. Per columnist Frank Etherington: “By far the majority of men and women coping courageously with poverty were casualties of a rash of local factory closures that, according to the experts, will continue into the near future. These are the people who, lacking job skills, have only enough education to hold down precarious manufacturing positions in outdated industrial plants collapsing like dominoes across Waterloo Region. They are workers often left behind in our thriving economy because they find it difficult, sometimes impossible, to adjust, retrain and try to become part of a rapidly changing high-tech workforce...This group often includes many in their late 40s or 50s who, once they lose those high-paying, often unionized manufacturing jobs are sometimes forced to sell their homes and assetsin order to survive on social assistance. Once they've sold those assets they are then at risk of living in poverty once they reach their senior years...Cambridge and North Dumfries Social Planning Council. The study points out that about 1,000 new businesses were successfully born into a healthy economy in the Cambridge area between 2001 and 2005...in this prosperous municipality, there's a corrosive layer of poverty that's getting worse, hidden just below the region's gleaming economic surface...an increasing number of working-poor people who need emergency food and shelter because they can't afford such basic needs on minimum-wage rates...the loss of about 7,000 manufacturing jobs across the region which has resulted in an estimated loss of $350 million in worker wages*...We need improved child tax credits for the poor, an increased number of subsidized or low-cost rental housing units, higher minimum-wage rates, and improved benefit packages for working poor families." (3)
Hold fast to dreams..
Benjamin Eby, where are you to provide the vision?
Benjamin Eby, where are you to provide the vision?
3. “New manufacturing jobs require a higher degree of skill than previously, often post secondary education or retraining.” Accordingly, Rod Regier recommends a multi-stakeholder manufacturing research centre and technology accelerator. (4)
Hold fast to dreams
--Langston Hughes, Dreams (5)
--Langston Hughes, Dreams (5)
The City's economic development strategy proposes to shift this city's economy from a manufacturing base into the knowledge-driven creative economy of the 21st century, but does not take into account the factory workers who have been displaced. No wonder there have been protest marches of late.
What needs to change? (1) City of Kitchener needs to partner with Conestoga College to retrain the displaced workers and to respect the skilled trades even as it woos the creative, knowledge worker. (2) Every factory conversion into residential housing must include two components at the very minimum a) 35% affordable housing and b) on-premises daycare. (3) Conestoga College needs a downtown campus and is as worthy of taxpayer dollars as are University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.
Notes: * as explained ro RR by an economist some time ago: 7,000 jobs would reverberate across the economy by a factor of 5 as suppliers and service providers to the companies would feel the effects of a shutdown; roughly 35,000 are affected by loss of manufacturing jobs.
Photos copyright Sandamara Images 2004-06 Lto R clockwise: GEXR train headed east with former Uniroyal plant in background; former Emil Vogelsang Button Factory/now Bread and Roses co-op (affordable housing); Arrow shirt factory undergoing brownfield remediation prior to adapative reuse as residential lofts; former Kaufmann rubber plant also being converted to residential lofts; former Lang Tannery recently sold to purchaser planning residential loft conversion. RR is including Vogelsang photo in order to reference young Emil's beginning in Berlin: father of a close friend asked Emil what skills he had; Emil replied he could turn buttons out of ivory but he lacked the machine and the necessary materials; the friend's father arranged for a barrel of ivory and a button-turning machine to be shipped here & Emil began his business that eventually led to Berlin's reputation as the "button manufacturing capital of Canada." Reason for Arrow photo? at the very end of this factory's production, shirts were manufactured in Mexico but shipped to this plant so that the few remaining workers could stitch "Made in Canada" labels into each shirt. The former employee who was source of this info scoffed at the poor quality of the Mexican-made shirts, "Thread too thin and prone to breakage; buttons will fall off as not enough stitches applied!"
Sources: (1) Apologies as RR failed to record author and book title into her reading journal; (2) Record editorial, "Region's haves can't ignore its have-nots," The Record 11 Jun 07; (3) Frank Etherington, " The affluent have to extend a helping hand,"The Record 14 Jun 07; (4) City of Kitchener's 2007-2010 Economic Development Strategy/Draft for Discussion June 2007. (5) poem available here: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16075
Labels: adaptive reuse, Berlin/Kitchener history
09 June 2007
born of necessity, the prologue
Photos copyright to Sandamara Images 2006 L to R: Joseph Schneider Haus, Kitchener; log schoolhouse in Waterloo Park-- the first Schneider dwelling would have been a simple log cabin that was replaced by the existing frame house in 1820. Black and white images in public domain L to R: John Hoffman, first furniture manufacturer; Jacob Hailer who manufactured chairs and spinning wheels-- his daughter married Louis Breithaupt and was matriarch to a prominent Berlin/Kitchener family; and on the right Frederick Gaukel for whom Gaukel and Frederick Streets in Kitchener are named & who purchased the Phineas Varnum Inn and is known as Berlin's first hotel-keeper, the forerunner of today's Walper Hotel.
21st June 2007 marks the 200th anniversary** of the arrival locally of a group of Mennonite settlers from Pennsylvania on 21st June 1807. in 1806, young Abraham Weber(1787- ) purchased 361 acres ( GCT lot 16--lands where Via Rail station and train tracks are now) and returned the following spring as guide of group of settlers that included Joseph Schneider and Benjamin Eby. Joseph Schneider had purchased 448 acres (GCT lot 17--Victoria Park and adjacent Heritage District) from Benjamin Hershey and Benjamin Eby (1785-1853) had bought 448 acres (GCT lot 2--Kitchener's East Ward surrounding First Mennonite Church at King/Stirling Streets).
The new settlers began clearing land and building log cabins to prepare for their first winter in Upper Canada. Abraham Weber cleared a section of his land where the former Goodrich/Uniroyal Tire plant is located and built log house. Some time later he married and hired a Negro named Carroll. Once while working in the bush, the darkey broke an arm and a leg. Mr. Weber then gave the injured man a piece of land for a cabin and garden. ** (1) In the same year 1807 John Erb built a grist mill in Preston; shortly thereafter Abraham Erb built sawmill in Waterloo.
Local history credits to Joseph Schneider the founding of the city of Kitchener cf. Waterloo County Hall of Fame tribute: "commonly regarded as the Founding Father of Berlin now Kitchener"; (2) however, Joseph Schneider came here to farm and like Abraham Erb, the reputed founder of Waterloo, refused to part with any of his farm holdings during his lifetime. Historian Kenneth McLaughlin writes: “The site on which the village had begun to develop was most unlikely. Far removed from navigable water, it was not even at the crossroads of a highway or thoroughfare, and it was without a major river to provide water power for the needs of future inhabitants. Adjacent to a dense cedar and tamarack swamp, the settlement was located where the Great Road from Dundas cut across the farm of Joseph Schneider... The few houses and shops were strung along the road which was bounded by sandhills over which loaded wagons could hardly be drawn." (3)
To whom then do we owe the origins of this most unlikely city? -- eclipsed at first by its neighbouring villages-- Bridgeport and Doon-- that have now been absorbed within Kitchener's urban area? Herewith, a compilation and timeline of various historical threads:
In 1812, "the first Germans arrived...and were plowboys until a Dorf [i.e. village] was founded in the Sand Hills, when they flocked to the workbenches...Rich men did not emigrate from Germany. Instead of the heavy- pursed it was mostly men with trades. Certain hand-workers had enough means to open a shop; some a few pieces of silver left over; and others who gave the captain of the sailing ship a bond in which they agreed, after reaching an American port, to be sold at auchtion to a farmer for three or four years and work off the crossing charge.” (1)
In 1813 , the first Mennonite meeting house, a log structure is built; in 1815 an annex was added to log meeting house and serves as first schoolhouse. Benjamin Eby served as preacher and first school teacher. In 1816 Abraham Erb erected a grist mill in Waterloo; in the same year, Joseph Schneider built a sawmill to supply lumber to build a frame house for his family and moved into the finished house in 1820. “Shortly after the Schneiders had moved into their new home a stranger, Phineas Varnum, pulled their latchstring. He wanted to buy a parcel of land on which to run up a blacksmith shop and roadhouse. On account of the toil spent in clearing his land, Joseph Schneider was averse to selling any part of it. Yet after pondering the value of a smithy in the settlement, he leased Varnum a site in West King Stret, near the Walper House corner, Varnum built his shop and tavern between 1820 and 1824 and as the story goes, plied his callings there until the 1830's.” (1)
In 1836, Frederick Gaukel purchased Varnum's Innn, enlarged and renamed it “Gaukel’s Hotel.” (4) Elsewhere RR learns: Phineas Varnum, first innkeeper....allowed free use of a tiny log cabin to Mennonite immigrants for little money. The Varnum Inn became the first official trading post for the natives of the area. Many Indians would come to trade and sleep in the warm inn kitchen before returning home.” (5)
“In the early 1820's, the Sand Hills had a sawmill, a smithy, and an inn...Soon after Jacob Sauer built the first
frame house; John Roat opened the first saddlery and Simon Bowman the first carpenter shop, where the
Woolworth block now stands. In 1825 John Hoffman and Samuel Bowers established a furniture factory on land donated by Benjamin Eby. Eby’s land sales provided the necessary space for smaller enterprises, such as carpentry shops, a smithy, and an inn on King Street.”
Historian Uttley provides the following tale of Benjamin' Eby's significance in the nurturing of the small settlement that was being born around him: “John Hoffman was then a boy not quite 17 years of age and all the wealth he had consisted besides his clothing, of 'twenty-five cents.' He learned the carpenter trade with Samuel Bowers who came here the same year as Hoffman....[Uttley narrates how the two boys went to various farmers seeking to acquire land to start village but were turned down.] ....Finally they wended their course to Berlin to Benjamin Eby, to whom they were going for consolation after meeting with so many disappointments and refusals from the hands of their co-religionists. Benjamin Eby, after becoming
acquainted with the cause of their downcast spirits, said,”Boys, if that is all, go up street and build a factory. I shall give you the land required.” Here they then erected the first cabinet factory in the County. At the same time David Miller started a small store where the Post office now is. [demolished, site of present Speaker’s Corner at King/Benton].
In 1832 Jacob Hailer purchased an acre of land to build house and workshops to manufacture chairs and spinning wheels; Heinrich W. Peterson, a printer and unordained preacher, built a printing office at the corner of King and Scott Streets and purchased a printing press in Philadelphia that was hauled here by yoke of oxen. Publisher of first newspaper, The Canada Museum ( first published 1835).(1) Again, all of the required lands were purchased and/or donated by Bishop Benjamin Eby.
Historian Uttley tells us that “as an acorn the City of Kitchener was called the Sand Hills, and the community, Ebytown.” In 1833 the settlement near intersection of King and Queen Streeets was renamed Berlin. By 1850, the village had a population of "750 souls and a few industries ( a pottery, brewery, two small chair factories)." (6) From such unlikely beginnings, Berlin became a noted manufacturing industrial centre.
Who then founded Berlin/Kitchener? Joseph Schneider, the first settler-farmer? of Phineas Varnum, the first skilled worker and hotelier? or was it Benjamin Eby, the farmer-preacher-teacher who provided the lands and wherewithal to support the first impoverished immigrants here who arrived with only the clothes on their backs but dreams a plenty of a better life for all? --- the answer to that question deals with historiography, i.e. the writing of history: who is writing the history? for whom? and why? A rather tantalizing question: how does one account for the origins and growth of this most unlikely city that sprouted up in a dense tamarack and cedar swamp at the edges of fertile farmland?
Sources: (1) W. V. Uttley, History of Kitchener available online here: (2)
(6) The Catholic Church in Waterloo County, Book I available at our roots website. (5)http://www.grandriver.ca/GrandStrategy/pdf/ga_jan01.pdf
Labels: Berlin/Kitchener history
04 June 2007
that visionary thing again...
A photo collage to focus attention to Centre Block properties copyright Sandamara Images 2006, L to R counterclockwise: King Streetscape looking west towards City Hall, King Street looking east towards Market Square, facade of the Canadian Block, the oldest commercial structure dating to pre-Confederation, detail of Canadian legion (former Bell Telephone Building) on Ontario Street, brick detailing of Mayfair Hotel and Hymmen Hardware (facades to be retained), Capitol Theatre cornice detailing, Young Street prior to Forsyth demolition, and post-modern stucco facade with empty storefront of commercial building immediately to the west of Kitchener City Hall. All of the visionaries are prepared to sacrifice quality brickwork for bland stucco that weathers very poorly?
Caught up in University of Waterloo's current catch-phrase "Why not?", The Record and the University of Waterloo School of Architecture jointly sponsored a design contest among graduate students to design the Centre Block immediately to the east of Kitchener's City Hall. The winner will be announced later this week and receive $2,000.
The rationale? "I feel strongly that cities are only as good as the people who participate in their development and get involved. From all my studies and all my research, I have learned that when people got involved there were always good results. If people don't get involved, others make the decisions. If there is only a small number of people involved there is more chance business interests or the status quo will prevail." –Thomas Seebohm who teaches at the University of Waterloo's school of architecture, and runs his own firm, does not want the redevelopment of Centre Block left to urban planners and architects.
"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why...
I dream of things that never were and ask why not."-- G B Shaw, Irish playwright
I dream of things that never were and ask why not."-- G B Shaw, Irish playwright
However, the City of Kitchener has accepted the proposal of Brampton-based developer, Andrin Limited/ retained Quadrangle Architects of Toronto "to design the $100-million project to revitalize the 2.6 acres of
city-owned land on Centre Block. On June 25, a detailed model of the proposed redevelopment of the block bounded by King, Young, Duke and Ontario streets will be presented to a public meeting at City Hall. The June 25 meeting at City Hall marks the beginning of several weeks of public consultations planned by city officials. City
councillors will vote this fall to approve, amend or reject Andrin's ideas for the block. Prior to the vote, the city will hold three public meetings in the council chambers at City Hall -- June 25, July 10 and July 24." (1)
Until then Kitchener taxpayers can comment on student visions as to how to develop 2.6 acres of city-owned property at cost of $9,100,000 purchase price + cost for additional studies and Forsyth demolition -- all charged to the Economic Development Fund.
Today's Record showcased Gordon J. Graff's proposal: " A Diversified Nucleus." Graff wants to redevelop the entire block-- the 2.6 acres owned by the City and the other half of the block that is privately-owned. Well, why not dream big? Never mind that one of those private property owners just completed an upper-storey renovation to create residential units in 2006 and likely still has loan repayments to make. Key points from Graff's proposal include: Graff's design is "motivated by the objective to return the site to the people of Kitchener, the concept employs a diversified set of building uses intended to attract the widest spectrum of residents possible.
How? a. "One of the primary attractions the design offers to the site is a new movie theatre complex located along King Street." ====> this in spite of the closures of a string of movie theatres in the downtown over the past decade?? and does he envision razing the historic Capitol theatre??? Princess Cinemas in Waterloo has attracted a steady clientele by restoring two older buildings ( annex to Huether Hotel and storefront location that was last used as a furniture store).
b. " Another significant attracting force of the site is a downtown campus for a post-secondary institution, located along the park at the corner of Duke and Ontario streets. This building would accommodate classes and administration from an institution such as the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University or Conestoga College seeking a downtown satellite campus, and introduce a youthful demographic to the site." ====> Thus far, City of Kitchener taxpayers are on the hook for $6,000,000 borrowed monies to provide Wilfrid Laurier University with a downtown campus, an additional $32,000,000 million +gift of land to University of Waterloo (also borrowed and repayable by yours truly), and the only educational institution still to drink from City of Kitchener's bottomless cup would be Conestoga College??? There's a catch here as the corner this student wishes to redevelop contains two properties in private ownership: Whiskey Jack's and the drycleaner at the corner. Another land purchase in the works? Quite possibly as the news report re the proposed redevelopment includes this tantalizing sentence, " Along Ontario and Duke streets, another three- or four-storey building with residential units will be constructed." -- Can we assume then that the Canadian Legion (Bell Building) is to be demolished? that the City plans to acquire Whiskey Jack's and Jessop's Cleaners? and to demolish same? and pay for the required environmental remediation-- all of that drycleaning fluid that has leaked downhill?
c. "Historical buildings integrated into development" include only the Mayfair Hotel, Hymmen Hardware, and Weber Chambers at the intersection of King and Young Streets. Missing from this vision are the following historic structures: the oldest commercial structure, the Canadian Block at corner of King and Ontario Streets, the Capitol Theatre and the Canadian Legion (Bell Telephone Building).
Ah yes, let the dialogue begin.
"Isn't it high time that someone got negative about negativity?
Yes, it is...
What does it take to turn a no into a yes?
Curiosity.
An open mind.
A willingness to take risks.
And, when the problems seems most insoluble,
when the challenge is hardest,
when everyone else is shaking their heads,
to say:
let's go." (3)
Yes, it is...
What does it take to turn a no into a yes?
Curiosity.
An open mind.
A willingness to take risks.
And, when the problems seems most insoluble,
when the challenge is hardest,
when everyone else is shaking their heads,
to say:
let's go." (3)
Notes: *to be paid for by the City's borrowing the money. Principal and interest payments will be charged to taxpayers --the same taxpayers who can expect a 6% tax hike and 6% increase in user fees in the 2008 budget.
Sources: (1)Terry Pender, THE CENTRE BLOCK CHALLENGE and (2)GORDON JAMES GRAFF A Diversified Nucleus in The Record 4 Jun 07. (3) Shell advertisement in May 06 issue of Vanity Fair promoting "real energy solutions for the real world " at www.shell.com/us/realenergy
Labels: urban planning
02 June 2007
near north, far north
Photos and maps R to L counterclockwise: inset Ontario map, the area near North Bay/Lake Nipissing/Qlgonquin Park is considered the Near North; farther north encompassing the Mooose River and adjacent watersheds is considered Far North; De Beers map shows location of Victor Diamond Mine north of Moosonee (Moose River), Kaschechewan (Albany River), and west of Attawapiskat (Attawapiskat River; the height of land marker on TransCanada Highway 11; Moosonee Transporation Line tug pulling barge out of Moosonee to head up the James Bay Coast; Moose River at Moose River Crossing wth boreal forest standsin autumn: dark green black spruce, golden stands of aspen, and rust-coloured tamarack. Copyright Sandamara Images 1998-2001.
The day after Rambling Rose posted "for the love of trees," two e-mails arrived. In the first e-mail, a local expert on Canada's boreal forest drew her attention to the Wildlands League campaign to stop logging in Alqonquin Park. Likewise, the second from a faithful blog reader provided readers with the link to that campaign in the posted comments section.The information provided in "for the love of trees" is a summary of the report filed with the Ontario Minister of Environment calling for a reduction in logging activities in this provincial park. The e-mails prompted further research into this issue and the inevitable conclusion that it is in all of our best interests to pressure this government to stop logging activities entirely. Deadline for comments on this particular issue is 15 June 2007. Do note that this particular government's mandate has ended and they will soon be riding the election campaign buses to solicit your vote in the October 2007 Ontario provincial election.
Thus, the original post expanded by another two posts-- this one "boreal treasures: birch and lumber" and "boreal treasures: aspen etc." in order to highlight two activities that put Canada's boreal forest at risk: logging in Alqonquin Park and diamond extraction in the James Bay Lowlands.
For most of us, Alqonquin Park is iconic. We have either camped/canoed the park or are familiar with Group of Seven landscape paintings. Not so, the boreal forest that extends into the Arctic watershed farther north and even Rambling Rose can only imagine the lands that are now being coveted for the diamonds that can possibly be mined for them. In blogging about the DeBeers Victor Diamond Mine project just west of Attawapiskat, RR neglected to post the link to the karst formation considered nationally significant as the photos of the river reveal exceptional beauty. Link here:
It will be important to engage our politicians in discussions about both Alqonquin and the industrialization of our far north as litmus tests to determine how green all of their promises are. It's too late to stop the Victor project but not too late to put measures into place for any further diamond undertakings.
DeBeers was required by national and provincial legislation to complete a comprehensive environmental assessment (EA). The entire document is available at their website. RR has only skimmed Section 8 @ 209 pp. total & zeroed in on a few issues as covered in the blogs below. However, RR needs to note specific socio-cultural context re one section-- the one dealing with public consultation with the elders. Apparently two sessions took place. What was significant is that although there was a good turnout for the first session, only two showed for the second. Most of the dialogue recorded at the second session covers comments made by the translator. The attendees were silent and non-responsive. This is a case where silence speaks volumes as that is the aboriginal way to signal lack of agreement. Rambling Rose was fortunate enough to attend such an elder session with Mushkego Cree from the coastal communities in which they spoke of preservation of their language, culture, and land. She listened and thanks to the Chair's willingness to translate from Cree to English learned so much as each elder spoke with passion about the land and culture that is theirs.
Premier McGuinty flew to Attawapiskat last summer for the opening of the Viktor project. He did not go to Kaschechewan immediately south-- in his taxpayer-funded government airplane that he freely uses. Why go to the Kash? It was last summer that most of that community was airlifted to Timmins because of health problems related to the town's tainted water supply. Actions speak louder than words--notwithstanding his government's apology for the Ipperwash-related aboriginal death.
It's time to begin meaningful dialogues with our politicians-- to ask tough questions and to expect real answers instead of spin and politicking as usual.
Labels: aboriginal, boreal forest, James Bay Lowlands
boreal treasures: aspen, birch, and lumber
"Canada’s boreal forest is one of the last wild areas in the world that still supports a full suite of native species in large, connected ecosystems. It is a last refuge for species like woodland caribou and wolverine that have disappeared from more southerly areas where logging, roads, mining and other developments have fundamentally altered ecosystems." (1)
"Algonquin Park Quick Stats:
1893 = Year Algonquin created
765,345 hectares (7,653 square kilometres) = Total area within Algonquin Boundary:
12 times the size of Toronto (city boundary 63,018 hectares)
2,000 km = Total length of canoe routes in Algonquin
8,000 kilometres = Total length of roads within Algonquin
Total road distance between Vancouver and Halifax = 5,932 kilometres
Total length of roads in Toronto = 5,300 kilometres "(2)
" Algonquin Park is the only protected area in Ontario where logging is allowed. In fact, more than three-quarters of the park is open to logging. Logging in the park combined with related activities such as road construction, gravel quarrying, and fire suppression, is slowly killing Algonquin. Native plant and animal species are threatened, while new, invasive and destructive species are being introduced. According to the park's official canoe route map, less than 1% of the park's original, ancient red and white pine forests remain."
"Logging in a Park is simply unacceptable. It flies in the face of protecting wildlife, nature and it weakens our shield against global warming. Something is drastically wrong when Algonquin Provincial Park has over 8,000 kilometres of roads and a large metropolitan city like Toronto has 5,300 km.....
rest of letter is available here:
http://www.savealgonquin.ca/
Please do your part by visiting this url and adding your voice to the campaign to stop logging in Alqonquin Park. Per Ontario Wildlandsleague: " YOUR VOICE MUST BE HEARD. You need to let the province know as soon as possible. We’ll make it easy. Fill in your name, postal code and email address and we will send the following letter on your behalf. Letters sent from Ontario will also be copied
to your MPP.
The deadline for public comment on the Report is June 15, 2007. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW.
Please do your part by visiting this url and adding your voice to the campaign to stop logging in Alqonquin Park. Per Ontario Wildlandsleague: " YOUR VOICE MUST BE HEARD. You need to let the province know as soon as possible. We’ll make it easy. Fill in your name, postal code and email address and we will send the following letter on your behalf. Letters sent from Ontario will also be copied
to your MPP.
The deadline for public comment on the Report is June 15, 2007. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW.
Sources: (1)http://www.wildlandsleague.org/display.aspx?pid=6&cid=65
(2)http://www.wildlandsleague.org/attachments/Algonquin_Release.pdf
Photos copyright Sandamara Images 1998-2001: silver birch used to make canoes by aboriginal peoples found on backroad in Muskoka cottage country; golden aspen stand in the James Bay Lowlands.
Labels: boreal forest
boreal treasures: diamonds and tamarack
Photos: tamarack forest beside Butler Creek, Moose River tributary;Moosonee Transportation Line tugs used to pull barges up the coast;
barge loaded with supplies for new Northern store up the Coast.
"A letter signed by 1,500 scientists released yesterday in Ottawa [urged] all governments to act to protect the Boreal Forest. The scientists warned that the Boreal Forest – a garland of green in Canada that shields us against global warming – is clearly under serious threat from industrial logging and mining activities. It shields us from global warming by storing more carbon in its soils, forests and wetlands than any other ecosystem on the planet...In 2003, Mr. McGuinty promised to implement a land-use planning regime for the northern third of the province, an area that until now has been off limits to logging. So far he has failed to deliver on this promise, instead approving the massive DeBeers Victor Diamond Mine. The groups are also asking the government to protect significant areas of intact caribou habitat in the commercial forestry zone; a move that also would store large quantities of carbon that otherwise would contribute to global warming." (1)
The Victor Diamond Project is a massive diamond mine being proposed by the DeBeers diamond conglomerate in northeastern Ontario near Attawapiskat on James Bay. This region is part of one of the largest, intact wilderness areas left on earth and currently has no industrial development...The mine site would cover an area of 5,000 hectares. The open pit would be 220 metres deep and 1-2 kilometres wide. The ecological footprint of the mine (the area its operations will impact), however, is much larger. Up to 260,000 hectares -- an area roughly four times the size of the City of Toronto -- will be impacted by dewatering, the pumping of water out of the pit, which is likely to massively change water flows above and below ground throughout the area. There is a good chance that this project will be expanded if more diamonds are discovered in the region***... Environmental impacts include: 100,000 m3 of salty water will be pumped out of the pit each day into the Attawapiskat River. This is equivalent to 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools per day or 14,600 pools per year.2.5 million tonnes of rock would be processed (piled, crushed and dumped) each year.The area of the proposed mine and its associated infrastructure provides critical habitat for woodland caribou, a threatened species. Caribou are extremely sensitive to industrial activity and usually disappear from areas where it occurs. After the mine closes and the site is re-vegetated, studies say that "excellent habitat for moose" (shrubs and young forest) will be created, which also means that the habitat that previously supported caribou (older forest and bogs) will be diminished. This will result in the local extinction of caribou.....Debeers will exploit this non-renewable resource and get out. At the end of the mine's life -- in 15 years or less --- the people of the region will be left dealing with the impacts, such as damaged rivers and fisheries, depleted caribou herds, people trained in skills they can only use if they move away, huge disparities in income, and young people who no longer know the land. (2)
From the De Beers (A Diamond is Forever) website, the following information:
"In June 2005, the Attawapiskat First Nation voted in favour (85.5%) of ratifying the Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA). In August 2005, De Beers received approval by the Federal Minister of the Environment for the Victor Project Comprehensive Study Environmental Assessment (EA).**Construction of the mine began in February 2006, once the necessary permits were granted. The Victor Project will employ approximately 600 people during construction and 375 permanent positions will be created during mining and processing operations. The Victor mine will be the first diamond mine in Ontario and the second in Canada for De Beers." (3)
Notes: ** Table 8-38 Cumulative Effects Assessment-Natural Environment: 1) "Displacement of habitats potentially used by ungulates (mainly for caribou...); noise and other forms of general disturbance could adversely effect caribou" & the DeBeer's conclusion? " Effect not significant"???; 2) re migratory birds, "displacement of habitats (mainly fen and bog) at the Victor site, as a result of facility and infrastructure placement" & the DeBeer's conclusion? "effect not significant"???; ====> Aboriginal people in the James Bay Lowlands traditionally stock their freezers with ducks, geese, moose and caribou taken during the traditional spring and fall hunting seasons. One of Rambling Rose's most memorable meals was served to her by the chef at the Sakabaun ****: an appetizer of Arctic char flown in from Baffin Island followed by caribou stew.
elders also expressed concern that water quality would be negatively impacted and recalled: "In the mid-1950's, with the building of the radar....we're starting to see some of the side-effects in the area. My concern is that some 40 years down the line, when the mine closes, there may be effects....I see the problem left behind from the radar [editor's note: PCB's contaminating the water supply & elsewhere in the EA, removal of PCB contaminated soil from Fort Albany is documented in great detail}...Victor will affect water. Perhaps not right away, but maybe after closure."
Traditional teaching passed on via oral traditions: "My father told me that if you mistreat nature and kill the frog, there will be a day when you will not be able to drink the water. The frogs purify the water."
cf. "the Supreme Court of Canada defines Aboriginal rights as "an integral practice, custom, or tradition of the Aboriginal culture of the Concerned Aboriginal community. This right is defined within the context of the individual community and its historic (pre-contact traditions....Aboriginal rights are inherent.....Aboriginal and treaty rights normally require a land base sufficient to ensure their proper exercise...The taking of lands for other, incompatible purposes diminishes these rights." (pp 8-115-116 of comprehensive EA). (3)...."Potential disruptions to hunting and trapping acitivities could occur within and area of 750 sq km..." (p 8-118)..."Elders....[give high importance] to the maintenance of traditional skills and values. values include the holistic world view that sees people as part of the environment and responsible for its care, the spiritual and economic value placed on hunting, trapping and fishing, and on the use of traditional medicines, language retention, and the socio-political organization that give precedence to family-centre life and sharing, as well as decision-making by consensus." (p 8-118)
*** DeBeers EA indicates that 11 companies are exploring for diamonds in the immediate region adjacent to the Victor Project. Previous research done by RR revealed that diamond exploration is taking place in all lands north of TransCanada Highway 11; the impact of diamond mining in north-eastern Ontario at the James Bay frontier is comparable to the impact of oil and gas extraction in northern BC/Alberta & Yukon/North West Territories. Already the mighty Peace-Athabaska watershed system has been negatively impacted by the Fort McMurray oil tarsands development.
****Sakabaun is Mushkego Cree for traditional roast goose cooked on a spit over an open camp fire during hunting season. Photos and maps: ====> to follow
http://cpaws.org/news/archive/2007/05/ontarians_want_forest_protecti.php
(2) Ontario Wildlands League "What is Victor Diamond Mine?"
http://wildlandsleague.org/display.aspx?pid=231&cid=233
(3) Debeers website
http://www.debeerscanada.com/files_2/mining.html
(4) Link to Environmental Assessment Report referenced in this blog:
Labels: aboriginal, boreal forest, James Bay Lowlands
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