Toronto 2008 Olympic Bid CEO John Bitove seems to have retreated to the political standby of fence sitting regarding whether a "green games" fate is in the future for the Toronto Olympic bid.
On the day the Ninth Anniversary Issue of Toronto Free Press came off the press, Bitove responded to numerous telephone calls made to Olympic bid offices a week prior. Bitove, who requested to have a copy of the Ninth Anniversary Issue delivered to his Forest Hill home, said he would be adamantly opposed to allowing the inclusion of an anti-PVC clause similar to Sydney Australia’s Olympic bid for the Toronto games.
Bitove, only then a week into the Olympic post, indicated he would likely commit his opposition to the anti-PVC clause in writing.
But a few days later, Bitove telephoned editor Judi McLeod to say no decision had been made on an anti-PVC clause for the Toronto bid, nor would the decision be forthcoming in the near future.
...."I don’t know... I can’t say at this time...some clarification is needed," said Bitove.
The new Olympic bid chairman indicated that "David (Crombie) does not agree with your story" and suggested there was some doubt about the veracity of our May cover story, "Greenpeace Tentacles Reach Toronto Olympic Bid".
"You can log onto the net and see for yourself. You do not have to rely on the May issue of Toronto Free Press," McLeod countered.
..."Greenpeace, which managed to hoodwink first an Olympic Coordination Authority and then a continent with the insertion of a tiny phrase in self-styled environmental guidelines written up for 2000 Sydney Olympic games, has forged its way into the boardroom of the Toronto Olympic Bid," said Toronto Free Press in its May story.
..."Sydney-based scientific consultants BIS Shrapnel Pty Ltd., estimate that avoiding PVC in Sydney’s Olympic facilities would add about $9.48-million to construction costs.
...“Top Toronto Olympic bid members have been meting with high level "green games" Greenpeace Australia activist Dr. Darryl Luscombe. Luscombe has told Olympic bid members that the Sydney games prove an environmentally sustainable future is possible, and that Toronto should consider the same positive spin-offs when it submits its Olympic bid.
Luscombe’s counterpart Greenpeace Canada’s Toxic Campaigner Morag Simpson has already joined the Toronto Olympic bid’s Environmental Committee.
There will be no public input on a "green games" fate for Toronto until the end of the year.
"The (environment) committee hasn’t designed a public process yet," Suzanne Barrett of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust (WRT) said last month.
According to Barrett, the public process will not be available until the end of this year.
Asked if the timing on public process could not be accelerated, Bitove replied that he didn’t think so.
Four years ago, the former City of Toronto Council said yes to vinyl, on the basis it was safe, valuable and good for the environment.
In an impressive show of support, an overwhelming majority of Toronto City councillors voted to continue the use of vinyl (PVC) pipe for all its municipal and plumbing needs.
More than 25 technical and scientific experts from across North America came to the council chamber to present the latest research findings that clearly show that vinyl pipe is the best choice for municipal water and distribution systems.
The vote, which completed a six-month review of the product, indicated that even under the most rigorous analysis vinyl is safe, valuable and good for the environment.
"This is a victory for the people of Toronto," said former Ward 9 Coun. Steve Ellis. "From the information that was presented to council, it is obvious that vinyl pipe performs better than the alternatives while providing cleaner water."
"It’s more economical as well. And in these difficult times, every municipality in Canada must make the right financial decision for their taxpayers. For the City of Toronto, the choice was clear: vinyl pipe carried the day."
In November 1997, the former City of Toronto was amalgamated along with six other municipalities into one regional council. Environmental activists were included on council standing committees, some now being paid a per diem for attending meetings. In December 1998, the newly amalgamated City of Toronto council, in discussions with representatives of the Federal Government Environmental Choice Program, adopted the Environmentally Responsible Procurement Policy.
The use of vinyl pipe for municipal and plumbing needs in Toronto has been eclipsed by the new policy.
Clause 7 of the Procurement Policy states..."Given the environment and economic importance of infrastructure, Green procurement principles should be fully applied to construction, design, processes, tendering and materials." While Clause 8 states: "Given that many Green products services can produce a variety of tangible benefits, full consideration should be given to the long term and complete costs and benefits of Green procurement".
The City of Toronto is also proposing to pass a new Sewer Use Bylaw, which was developed in consultation with the World Wildlife Fund. It sets more stringent limits on chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc. In fact, some of the limits are lower than those set for drinking water.
Public consultation with industries and non-governmental agencies began in late April and concludes on July 13, 1999. Following the consultation process, the bylaw will be presented to committee and council for adoption by the end of this year.
Just in time for the anti-logging campaign it planned for British Columbia, Greenpeace suffered a setback in credibility after losing its latest attempt to gain the charitable status it has sought for more than a decade.
Revenue Canada refused to recognize the Greenpeace Environmental Foundation as a charity, deeming its activities as having "no public benefit" and charging that "lobbying to close polluting industries could drive people "into poverty" ".
Greenpeace appealed, but the case was closed in late May after the group withdrew.
"I don’t think Greenpeace is going to be made a charitable organization, and we seem to be doing okay without a charitable status," said Peter Tabuns, Greenpeace Canada’s executive director.
But without charitable status, Greenpeace cannot offer tax receipts to its donors.
Having the double blow of losing the battle for charitable status coupled with the criticism of having "no public benefit" is bound to heighten public awareness and affect Greenpeace’s fundraising efforts.
Hollywood is about to glamourize the life of militant environmentalist, former Greenpeace founder, Canadian Paul Watson.
Production is slated to begin this summer on the film version of Watson’s life story as recounted in his book, Ocean Warrior.
The Canadian conservationist, who made a name for himself for his sometimes violent outbursts against those he feels are despoiling our planet, once boasted to The Saskatoon Star Phoenix that he doesn’t care what people call him. "I’m here to p-ss people off, to make them think about what they’re doing, and block a boat, sometimes sink it," he said.
Watson signed a deal with the Montreal-based Kingsborough Greenlight Pictures on the film, which producer Pieter Kroonenburg says will portray the Canadian activist as an "extremely nuanced hero", capturing the spirit of Watson and his adventures.
Still in his teens in 1969-70, Watson helped organize Greenpeace, but broke ranks with the organization, which is plagued by internicene fighting, almost a decade later.
Describing Greenpeacers as "the Avon ladies of the environmental movement", he then formed Sea Shepherd, which currently has its own private navy comprised of two surface ships and a real life submarine.
He says he wants the film to convey a message that concern for the environment is an acceptable thing, even a noble pursuit.
"It’s sort of a macho thing in a way, especially for younger people looking for inspiration in their life," he says.
Among avowed supporters of Watson’s civil-disobedience-minded Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, is Woody Harrelson, said to be chomping at the bit to play the lead role of Watson in Ocean Warrior.
"When you come back as a whale you’ll be glad you put Greenpeace in your will," says an advertisement for bequests in a Greenpeace magazine.
Greenpeace, which has become as slick as any public relations corporation in finding new ways to solicit public donations, even offers its own series of personal cheques.
..."Every time you order a supply of Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior Series Personal Cheques from Federated Cheque Services Inc., Greenpeace will receive more than 10% of the purchase price. These highly visible, full colour cheques maintain our message and raise additional awareness and funds to continue our critical work. Cheques are printed with solvent-free vegetable based inks, on chlorine free paper.
"Greenpeace message cheques carry all of your personal information. They are accepted in all Canadian financial institutions--100% guaranteed or a refund will be provided.
"Show off your support for Greenpeace! Order today and spread our important message."
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
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