Environmental protection must be supported

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) is potentially the most important law that the federal government could enact in our lifetime.

More than 20,000 Canadians die prematurely every year because of exposure to environmental hazards and poor air quality. The total cost of pollution in Canada is more than $100 billion a year. We can’t afford not to take action.

CEPA is Canada’s primary law on toxins and pollution, but is badly outdated so that is why the federal government must approve the recommended changes if we want to address our serious environmental issues.

More than 109 countries — over half the nations on Earth - already recognize their citizens’ right to live in a healthy environment so it’s time Canada joined them. Every Canadian has the fundamental right to breathe fresh air, drink clean water and eat safe food.

If implemented, the federal committee’s recommendations would help reduce the costs of pollution, improve health, and foster growth of the green economy. Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna is going to make her decision based on public input on Oct. 15 so that does not leave us much time to show our support for this important legislation.

We know what we need to do as a collective to bring our environment back into balance. We all need to pull together to change what we are doing and you can help by letting your elected representatives know how you feel about strengthening CEPA but you need to do it now.

In Cape Breton, MP Rodger Cuzner can be contacted at rodger.cuzner@parl.gc.ca and MP Mark Eyking can be contacted at mark.eyking@parl.gc.ca.

Paul Strome B.A., B.Ed. Cheticamp