TRACE architectures is proud to partner with and donate to our local charities and non-profit partners this holiday season, and all throughout the year.
In the spirit of the holidays, TRACE has donated to the Ottawa Riverkeeper and the David Suzuki Foundation, as our team continues to actively promote sustainable land stewardship, at both local and international levels.
Ottawa Riverkeeper
TRACE has been involved with the Ottawa Riverkeeper organisation since 2008 and continues to champion for the Ottawa River watershed, by promoting their mission of providing leadership and inspiration to protect and improve the River’s ecological health and future. A swimmable, drinkable, fishable Ottawa River watershed, for all.
Ottawa Riverkeeper (OR), is a licensed member of Waterkeeper Alliance, an international grassroots advocacy organization. OR is a citizen-based action group that brings diverse people together to better understand and advocate for the ecological health of the Ottawa River and its tributaries. This includes the acknowledgement of the rights of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nations within the watershed, and a commitment to working together to build good relationships with a shared understanding of water protection. Just as biodiversity strengthens natural systems, water protection work is made stronger by the contributions, experiences, perspectives, and values of different people and communities. Ottawa Riverkeeper’s vision is based on the belief that people protect what they love.
The Ottawa Riverkeeper Charity continues to bring together volunteers, communities, businesses and all levels of government to find solutions to the problems that threaten the health of the Ottawa River. Expert and independent, OR advocates are responsible for participatory decision-making, public education, access to information, and compliance with protective regulations. Guided by a science-based approach, OR provides clear information with the aim to engage the public and empower citizens and decision-makers to ensure clean, healthy, and accessible water for all people and species.
The activities we continue to know and love depend on the health of our river. We look forward to the new year where we can continue to combat the many issues such as nuclear waste, endangered species, microplastics and sewage overflows that continue to negatively impact the Ottawa River, its watershed and ecosystem.
David Suzuki Foundation
TRACE is proud to have contributed to the following victories made possible by our work with the DSF, notably;
- Banning fossil fuel development in Quebec: Quebec became the first jurisdiction on Earth to ban oil gas and coal extraction. Since then, there have been no new fossil fuel exploration or development projects in the province.
- Securing your environmental rights: The Senate passed a bill to amend Canada’s toxics and pollution law, recognizing the right to a healthy environment for first time in federal law.
- Saving Kingston’s last urban forest: The city of Kingston, Ontario stopped a plan to develop 37 acres of urban forest and wetlands on the Cataraqui River, saving trees and critical habitat.
- Charting a clear path to clean power: The DSF’s modelling research — the first of its kind in Canada — shows that by 2035, this country can have an affordable, reliable national electricity grid with 100 per cent zero emissions
Other significant contributions and wins for the DSF this year includes uplifting young Indigenous climate leaders such as the Youth Forest Ambassador Project. This project continues to empower Indigenous and non-Indigenous activists and amplify their voices by:
- Convening seasonally based special events on Indigenous lands
- Stewarding (re)connection with nature/forests and traditional ways of knowing
- Encouraging knowledge-sharing between nations and communities
- Increasing awareness of Indigenous land and water issues, and land protection and restoration
- Providing media training and opportunities to host, collaborate on or appear as panellists for in-person and virtual Foundation events
- Creating a network of like-minded individuals, to diminish the distance and loneliness felt by water and land defenders working on similar issues happening on different territories
Creating a Climate-Safe Future for All
Aligning with the DSF’s beliefs, TRACE recognizes that underprivileged, racialized and Indigenous communities are inequitably and disproportionately affected by climate change and industrial pollution.
The DSF report, “For Environmental Justice in Quebec: Facts, Arguments, Courses of Action” recognizes these impacts and has developed a toolbox for providing strategies and policies to address them. While specific to Quebec, the problems illustrated represent environmental inequities in every province and territory.
