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  January 16, 2009 issue
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GREENING THE 2009 BUDGET

On January 27, 2009 the federal government has an opportunity to put forward a green stimulus package that will create green jobs and help flight global warming.The following are proposals by various groups that emphasize the environment, the economy, and green job creation.  

 
THE GREEN BUDGET COALITION 
The Green Budget Coalition has outlined their recommendations for the 2009 budget in their "Meeting the Challenge."  

The Coalition also outlined its ideas for green stimulus opportunities. More >
 

THE PEMBINA INSTITUTE
"Recommendations for an Economic Stimulus" summarizes the need to emphasize a "surge" in green job creation and guide the private sector into a clean economy. More>
 
CANADA RENEWABLE ENERGY ALLIANCE  
Read their budget recommendations:
Obama's Visit to Canada 
 
WILL OBAMA GET STUCK IN THE TAR SANDS?
Smokestacks
President-Elect Barack Obama has announced his first foreign trip at the start of his presidency will be to Canada.
  
Obama and Harper are expected to discuss the role of the tar sands in a Canada-US climate change accord, where Harper will try to push for breaks for the oil industry in Canada. More>
 
Several prominent Canadian environmental organizations recently submitted a letter to President-Elect Barack Obama regarding the Alberta tar sands. More>
 
Meanwhile, the Sierra Youth Coalition has placed a toxic tar sands water bottle for sale on ebay.The funds obtained will be used towards a national in-school campaign on the social and ecological impacts of the tar sands. Make a bid>
Obama's Stimulus Package 
 
INVESTING IN GREEN JOBS AND CLEAN ENERGY
On January 8, 2009 Obama explained his American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan:  
 
"The plan will save or create 3 million jobs by doubling the production of alternative energy; weatherizing 75% of federal buildings and two million American homes; computerizing America's medical records; updating thousands of schools, community colleges, and public universities; expanding broadband; and investing in science, research, and technology."
 
Full speech and video coverage
 
The Globe's take on the stimulus package
 
Justice Matters

GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS TRIGGERED BY WARMING

As the threat of global warming proceeds, risks concerning global food security and agricultural practices including crop failure increase as a direct result. More>

Also, increasing global temperatures are reducing plant fertility and grain production that could lead to severe global food shortages and starvation. More> 

More US News 
 
CONTROVERSY OVER US CLIMATE ACTION PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL
 
The U.K. Conservative Party has announced plans to provide up to $12,000 per household to make their homes more energy efficient. Instead of giving the money directly to householders, the plan would allow energy companies to insulate homes at no cost to the people living in them and recoup the cost through energy bills. Home energy bills would not rise, however, because the new insulation would reduce energy use. More> 
Other Canadian News 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING SECTOR

 
The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy and Sustainable Development Technology Canada launched a collaborative report concerning energy efficiency in the commercial building sector.
 
CUPE LOCAL 3902 ADOPTS A WORKPLACE CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY
 
CUPE at the University of Toronto has adopted a workplace climate change policy along with an action plan called "Greening the Local: CUPE 3902 Climate change Policy and action plan." More> 
 
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TO FUND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS STUDY
 
The Harper government recently announced their plans to look at the economic impacts of a changing climate in Canada. More>
Get Involved 

Stop the Tar Sands! Email Premier Ed Stelmach and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and tell them to stop fuelling the rapid expansion of tar sands projects.
 
Sign the petition for concerned Canadians at KYOTOplus.
 
Sign the petition to stop new oil sands approvals.
 
Green the 2009 budget! Tell our federal Minister of Finance you want the emphasis on "eco" in Canada's economy.
Windmills

Looking Ahead
January 26 
Second Session of the 40th Parliament 

January 27
Canadian Budget Released 

March 10-12
International Congress on Climate Change - Copenhagen

About CAN Canada
Climate Action Network Canada (CAN Canada) - Réseau action climat Canada (RAC Canada) is composed of member organizations committed to preventing dangerous levels of human interference with the global climate system, protecting environmental sustainability and public health, while upholding principles of just transition, equity and social justice.