Hey, as you all know, I care deeply about the environment, I have been cleaning up Stratford for a few months now, I wrote posts about how to reduce waste, but there is more to being a sustainability activist. One of the things you can do is to get involved in the local legislation and support bills and laws that you resonate with.

This article is about just that. I decided to write an article to express my support and my excitement for the Environmental Bill of Rights. I am also hoping that you will help spread the word and encourage you will find a few minutes to call your MLA to let them know you support the EBR as well. I made a badge and an infographic for you to share on social media. Let’s make some buzz! Let’s get the ERB bill transformed into a Law.

What if I told you that in Canadians do not have any legal rights to clean air, clean drinking water, and a healthy environment that supports nature’s balance and ecosystems?

If you want to learn more about the legal size of the EBR, go read this article from East Coast Environmental Law

What is the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR)?

The Environmental Bill of Rights is a proposal meant to protect the environment in Prince Edward Island and those who live in it by providing the platform, the tools for Islanders to be actively involved in the process of protecting the environment, holding companies accountable for damaging the environment.

So a few months ago I registered for a webinar about the environment held by Lynne Lund MLA, deputy leader of PEI’s green party and representative of the Summerside-Wilmot district. The discussion proceeded to cover Lynne’s proposed environmental bill of rights or EBR — Bill 108. In my opinion, this bill could reform the way we handle environmental issues today and help us receive the right to a healthy province.

Lynne’s goal was to bring to the public’s attention the fact that she was working on an Environmental Bill of Rights for PEI. I was quite surprised that there nothing that would protect the environment and give people a chance to live in a safe and clean environment.

She was very passionate about her project and explained how much work was involved but nothing could be accomplished without the community’s help. I got also very excited so I will do my best to explain why you should also support this bill.

Before making the decision if you support this Bill or not I would like to explain a bit of what it is all about.

First of all, what is a bill?

Think about it as the baby stages of a law. A bill is a proposal for creating a new law. In order for a bill to become a law, it has many steps that are very well explained in this infographic.

The good news is that the  Environmental Bill of Rights Lynne has been working on has been tabled in the legislature. That means that it is taken into consideration. This is a huge first step but the next ones are just as vital. I will explain later what you can actually do to help and support this bill.

Why should PEI Islanders care about the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR)?

If you care about the environment and you would like to take action to protect it for your own good, community good and future generations good, then this bill will support your mission. Here are ten reasons why you should care:

1. It would ensure our right to live in a healthy environment

2. It could empower us, the islanders, to participate in more of the decision-making process for any projects that might affect our climate and environment

3. The bill would provide us tools and a solid platform to properly protect the environment

4. There would be an actual person (an Environmental Commissioner) to contact in case you are concerned about future issues, bills, and projects related to the environment

5. It would give us the right to pursue legal action for environmental misconduct

6. The bill would create accountability for corporations, businesses, and the government regarding pollution, and other actions that disrupt the ecological balance of our environment

7. It would contribute to our equality by preventing socioeconomic environmental racism for indigenous people and other marginalized communities

8. It would assist with issues secondary to environmental impacts such as access to clean drinking water and clean air

9. The EBR would ensure a sustainable future for the environment, and for future generations

10. It would bring environmental concerns to the forefront of local news and political discussions, benefit eco-education in schools, and increase the overall conversational presence throughout the island

What can I do to help?

If you like the sound of all of the above, here is how you can support this bill:

1. Sign my change.org petition to help raise awareness SIGN HERE

2. Call your MLA to show your support and express your interest in the bill.

3. Share this post on social media

4. Send a letter to publications such as The Guardian (letters@theguardian.pe.ca), The Journal Pioneer(letters@journalpioneer.com), Eastern and West Prince Graphic (editor@peicanada.com)

5. Write an article on your blog about why this Bill would be beneficial

6. Share this image around to create awareness