NWPA - The Next Step

[jedi jeffi]

And Canada I know you will find this too cute and cuddly but untill your neighbour learns to like the ouddoors as much as us we are off thier radar.

For years across the country all outdoor user groups have been trying to save their little areas of paradise, much of the time with the cards stacked against them.

For the first time we have an issue that has crossed the boundaries and one that could equally affect us all the same. We now have over 100 various organizations across Canada mentioning the Navigable Waters Protection Act, but still we have made little inroads with the average outdoor user or Canadian that may rarely venture out to the waterways.

We have no budget for advertising,

No budget for lobbyists.

No politicians in our pocket.

And if this works,

Priceless!

So here we go!

I know this is really reaching and will most likely offend a few people.

I will place it as a separate post so it is a clean copy and paste.

But I don’t see any other way to make sure that the outdoor user groups get invited to the table at the next round.

That is the least I am hoping for.

The big kids have their own agenda

The average urban dweller has no idea what they may lose.

In this experiment of the “6 degrees of separation” on the lighter side I am hoping for a dinner with Kevin Bacon or at least a benefit concert from his band to fund some lobbyists.( I’ll make sure you get the good tickets)

And as much as you may offend people on your email list consider what may happen if no outdoor user groups get invited again.

So to get to eat at the table we have to use what tools we have, time is running short.

Hey! It’s my name at the bottom and if I look like a fool, well it’s not the first time, and I am sure I will have plenty of other opportunities!

There are others who have risked much more, so I stand up for them.

There are far more educated/informed people, who should have that seat than me.

I’ll be happy with the dessert!

Jeff McColl

[jedi jeffi]

I am not a fan of chain e-mails and have never forwarded one, (except for child find ) let alone start one. However, if you are concerned for Canadian rivers or the debate(s) on other environmental concerns, then pass this on! I am not supported by any political party or major environmental group and have no multi-million dollar advertising budget. Only my passion for paddling and being outdoors propels me. So, equipped with the internet and written word as my tools, I hope to spread the word to help preserve our rights under the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

This Act, enshrined in law, gives all Canadians access to waterways and protects access to those waterways for future generations - the ability to canoe, kayak, power boat, to fish and to hunt, much the same as Canadians 100 years ago, except instead of doing it to survive we do it for recreation.

In the recent past, Canadians have learned to use this Act for protection of their water ways. The Act required that “works” be made known, giving a chance for concerned citizens to voice their concerns over those proposed projects. If Canadians, even 40 years ago, showed the same concern for their environment we would not be using huge amounts of tax dollars to rehabilitate the many cement ditches and destroyed urban watersheds.

The proposed changes brought forward in June of this year are cause for great concern to the ordinary user of Canadian water ways.

“Too silent to be real”

These words from Gordon Lightfoot’s “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” instantly place an image in your mind of the vast tracts of Canadian wilderness.

The trouble is - as we go into this election, the silence is real.

Canadian rivers/watersheds are under unprecedented assault.

The politicians are silent.

The majority of big environmental groups are silent.

The big professional groups/outfitters in all outdoor user groups are silent.

This leaves just a few ordinary Canadians voicing their concerns, trying to ensure the rights given to you over 100 years ago are preserved.

We can understand the need for changes,

We can also understand the need for a fast track mechanism to build infrastructure projects.

But we also understand that these works need to be done in an environmentally way as to safeguard the health of the watersheds.

There should be approved construction/water treatment processes that evolve with technological advancements.

We also believe that the Canadian public should not have to subsidize industry so that they may profit.

When looking for someone to quote, the person’s words who I felt were most appropriate were by Rev. Martin Niemoller. (His words at the end) I believe that Martin Niemoeller’s words were meant for more than man’s inhumanity to man.

As humans continue to assault the planet I believe we should heed his words.

And, as Rev. Niemoeller did, I release this letter to the public domain.

I am Jeff McColl, Milton, Ontario

I am just a mailman.

I speak for Canadian Rivers!

http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.com/

We can make a difference!

Forward/copy this to everyone, including the politicians.

Let them know you are speaking up!

“First they came for the Communists,

and I didn’t speak up,

because I wasn’t a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,

and I didn’t speak up,

because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the Catholics,

and I didn’t speak up,

because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me,

and by that time there was no one

left to speak up for me.”

- Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

[Smokin Joe]

I see some great points here. And I'm sure none of us here have the $ to put up a major protest. However I agree that there is nothing better then strength in numbers.

Come on people lets let them know what we think about this!!

Jeff I couldn't agree more, it's a lot harder when the last person in line try's to say something.

[Dan Andrews]

This Act, enshrined in law, gives all Canadians access to waterways and protects access to those waterways for future generations - the ability to canoe, kayak, power boat, to fish and to hunt, much the same as Canadians 100 years ago, except instead of doing it to survive we do it for recreation.

I disagree with this part. Some of still hunt, not for "recreation", but to maintain a right that may someday be needed to survive once again (eg: war/depression) and to pass survival techniques down to our kids so it is not lost forever. There are in fact those who still do hunt for survival (Eg: remotely located/cultural sustaining).

Either way its worth fighting for. I fear though that a chain letter may in some cases be a bridge burner. I will print this and ask my executive at the club to read it aloud at the general meeting and provide copies to anyone who requests them.

Dan