<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><o:SmartTagType
namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="State"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:120880966;
mso-list-template-ids:-987316218;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:638613557;
mso-list-template-ids:-1423401628;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2
{mso-list-id:676344533;
mso-list-template-ids:-1634932508;}
@list l2:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level2
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l2:level3
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l2:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l2:level5
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l2:level6
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l2:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l2:level8
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l2:level9
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l3
{mso-list-id:747307368;
mso-list-template-ids:1724408668;}
@list l3:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l3:level2
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l3:level3
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l3:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l3:level5
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l3:level6
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l3:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l3:level8
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l3:level9
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l4
{mso-list-id:1087381007;
mso-list-template-ids:-573950526;}
@list l4:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l5
{mso-list-id:1345207141;
mso-list-template-ids:-2015822900;}
@list l5:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l6
{mso-list-id:1745058428;
mso-list-template-ids:-2065010838;}
@list l6:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l7
{mso-list-id:2128116468;
mso-list-template-ids:2138310608;}
@list l7:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l7:level2
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l7:level3
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l7:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l7:level5
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l7:level6
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l7:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l7:level8
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l7:level9
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1029">
<o:colormru v:ext="edit" colors="#d0e3b5" />
<o:colormenu v:ext="edit" fillcolor="#d0e3b5" />
</o:shapedefaults></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body bgcolor="#D0E3B5" lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=1
color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>To view this newsletter online go to <a
href="http://www.weconserve.ca/newsletter/2012/April2012.html">www.weconserve.ca/newsletter/2012/April2012.html</a></span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div align=center>
<table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=614
style='width:460.85pt'>
<tr>
<td style='border:solid #8DC63F 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<div align=center>
<table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0
bgcolor=white style='background:white'>
<tr>
<td colspan=5 style='padding:1.45pt .05in 1.45pt 5.75pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=white face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:white'><img border=0
width=600 height=144 id="_x0000_i1084"
src="cid:image001.jpg@01CD132B.8A247920"></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=5 style='padding:1.45pt .05in 1.45pt 5.75pt'>
<div align=center>
<table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0
width="101%" style='width:101.0%' id=table18>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#205395" style='background:#205395;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p><font size=1 color=white face=Verdana><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:white'> The <a
href="http://www.weconserve.ca"><font color=white><span style='color:
white;text-decoration:none'>Conservation Council of Ontario</span></font></a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td width=278 bgcolor="#205395" style='width:208.5pt;background:#205395;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=1 color=white
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:white'> Editor:
<a href="mailto:chris@weconserve.ca"><font color=white><span
style='color:white;text-decoration:none'>Chris Winter</span></font></a>,
Executive Director </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td width=100 bgcolor="#205395" style='width:75.0pt;background:#205395;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=1 color=white
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:white'>April
2, 2012 </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan=5 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=6
color="#006f8b" face=Arial><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:#006F8B'>Eroding Commitments</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width=24 style='width:.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td colspan=3 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The word of the year is "austerity" - one
which the conservation movement knows well. Conservers know how to
make the most of what we have.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>But to conventional thinkers - especially conventional
economic thinkers - it's a different story. Austerity means cutting
back. And all too often, the wrong things get cut.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>In a conserver economy, we promote efficient and
sustainable use of resources, the transition from non-renewable to
renewable resources, and the protection of nature and natural resources
from short-sighted development. Let's see how we fared in the two
recent budgets...</span></font><font size=1 color="#006f8b" face=Arial><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:#006F8B'><br>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div align=center>
<table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=4 cellpadding=0
width="100%" style='width:100.0%' id=table14>
<tr height=396 style='height:296.7pt'>
<td width=276 height=396 valign=top style='width:207.0pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
padding:0in .15in 0in .15in;height:296.7pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font
size=4 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:
Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>The Ontario 2012 Budget<br>
</span></font></b><img border=0 width=238 height=119 id="_x0000_i1085"
src="cid:image009.jpg@01CD132C.E1429BA0"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>2012 Deficit: $16
billion</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Provincial Debt:
$242 billion<br>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Ontario</span></font></st1:place></st1:State><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
actions:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5'><font size=1
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:
Arial;color:black'>Environment and Natural Resources budgets are two
of only three ministries to be cut (p.195).</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>the
Ontario Clean Energy Benefit, a $1 billion electricity consumption
incentive, is being phased out for major consumers over 3,000 kWh
per month for a savings of around $100 million per year (p.
48)</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>transportation
and environmental fees may be increased (p.103 ff)</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>many
environmentally significant laws that are administered by the
Ministry of Natural Resources are proposed to be amended, including
the Endangered Species Act, the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Provincial</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Parks</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
and Conservation Reserves Act, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Act, the Public Lands Act, the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, and
the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act.</span></font><font
size=1><span style='font-size:7.5pt'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:Arial'>It is what is not in the budget that is most
important:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l6 level1 lfo6'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>no detail
on investments in refurbishing or new builds for nuclear power
plants and their impact on stranded debt</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l6 level1 lfo6'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>little
detail on conservation programs within the electricity sector</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l6 level1 lfo6'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>little
detail on green infrastructure, including urban renewal</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l6 level1 lfo6'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>little
detail on incentives for local and green economic development. </span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:Arial'>With files from the <a
href="http://www.eco.on.ca/blog/2012/04/02/the-omni-budget-surprise/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-omni-budget-surprise">Environmental
Commissioner of Ontario</a> and the <a
href="http://www.cleanairalliance.org/">Ontario Clean Air Alliance</a>.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td width=249 height=396 valign=top style='width:186.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
padding:0in 5.75pt 0in 5.75pt;height:296.7pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><font
size=4 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:
Arial;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>The Federal 2012 Budget</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><img border=0
width=239 height=119 id="_x0000_i1086"
src="cid:image003.jpg@01CD132B.8A247920"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><br>
2012 Deficit: $25 billion</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>National Debt: $580
billion</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Federal actions:</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>further
cuts to core Canadian environmental programs, including Fisheries
and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>Changes
to the Fisheries Act that will dramatically weaken protections for
fish and fish habitat across the country, presumably to facilitate
industrial development.</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>environmental
assessments are to be streamlined to two years max, including for
the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline.</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7'><font size=1
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:
Arial;color:black'>the National Round Table on Environment and
Economy is axed. The NRTEE was recently asked to review all
provincial climate change strategies. </span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7'><font size=1
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:
Arial;color:black'>$8 million in new funding to audit charities to
ensure they are not "politically active," i.e. that they
do not speak out against the government's mismanagement of the
environment.</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l5 level1 lfo7'><font size=1
face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'>failed to
renew the federal ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program, which provided
much-needed incentives for home energy conservation.</span></font><o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:Arial'>With files from the <a
href="http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/panther-lounge/2012/03/reckless-budget-threatens-health-of-the-environment-and-us/">David
Suzuki Foundation</a>, <a
href="http://www.waterkeeper.ca/2012/03/28/does-your-canada-include-fish/">Lake
Ontario Waterkeeper,</a>and the<font color=black><span style='color:black'>
</span></font><a href="http://saveecoenergy.ca/save-energy-first">Save
Energy First Coalition</a>.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td width=14 style='width:10.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height=370 style='height:277.65pt'>
<td colspan=5 height=370 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:277.65pt'>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Needed: a Green Drummond<br>
</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Austerity is fine -- but unless we begin to look at the
root problems of over-consumption we risk cutting the cure rather than the
disease. Time we set up a green economic review that would look at
supporting the voluntary transition to a conserver economy. In
particular, we need to look at ways to maintain a high standard of living
while reducing consumption of non-renewable resources. It's a simple
mandate, but a conserver ethic would have an immense impact on policy,
fiscal instruments, and programs for energy, urban development, farming,
forestry, minerals and aggregates, education, health, and economic
development.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The immediate impact of a conserver ethic would be
increased support for energy and electricity conservation, transportation
alternatives, local food, complete communities, and local green jobs.
And with this support, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State>
would begin to shift to a more efficient and resilient economy.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on shifting
to a conserver economy -- please <a href="mailto:chris@weconserve.ca">e-mail
me</a>.</span></font><br>
<font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Chris.
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><b><font size=4 color="#2065a0" face=Arial><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:#2065A0;font-weight:bold'>Member
News</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>The Silent Partners: Sustainable
Architecture and Energy Conservation<br>
</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Council President, Loghman Azar, will be hosting the
first of a ten-part workshop series on sustainable architecture starting
Thursday April 12 at 5:30. With the growing interest in sustainable
architecture, energy conservation, renovation, and new construction, people
ask what is the right thing to do?</span></font><font size=2 color="#1f487c"
face=Calibri><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Calibri;color:#1F487C'>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> With a team of seasoned professionals, these
presentations will be helpful in finding the right answers for your next
project. For the event flyer, go <a
href="http://www.weconserve.ca/pdf/silentpartners.pdf">here</a>, and you
can register for the free event <a
href="http://www.cco.wildapricot.org/events?eventId=478024&EventViewMode=EventDetails">here</a>.
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>OFL Days of Action <br>
</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The Ontario Federation of Labour is organizing a <a
href="http://www.ofl.ca/index.php/news/index_in/ontario_day_of_action_demand_prosperity_not_austerity/">Days
of Action</a> protest on April 21st at Queen's Park and is asking groups to
support and participate in the event. For more info, contact <a
href="mailto:DMacDonald@ofl.ca">Duncan Macdonald </a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Ontario</span></font></b></st1:place></st1:State><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'> Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) Applauds New Feed
In Tariff Plan<br>
</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program update is a positive
and natural progression of the FIT program and a victory for communities,
First Nations and progressive renewable energy developers, <a
href="http://www.ontario-sea.org/Page.asp?PageID=122&ContentID=3686">says
OSEA</a>.<br>
We all knew the guaranteed price for solar and wind would drop -- that was the
intention from the beginning. The new rates amount to a reduction of more
than 20 per cent for solar and approximately 15 per cent for wind.
Additionally, there are new rules to prioritize projects that have
community support and to reserve a minimum of 10 per cent of the remaining
FIT contract capacity for projects with significant community and
Aboriginal participation. Details on the new FIT program are on the <a
href="http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/en/fit-and-microfit-program/2-year-fit-review/">Ministry
of Energy website</a>. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter" />
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0" />
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0" />
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1" />
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2" />
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth" />
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight" />
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1" />
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2" />
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth" />
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0" />
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight" />
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0" />
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" />
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t" />
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style='position:absolute;
left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:133.25pt;margin-top:0;width:173.25pt;
height:121.5pt;z-index:1;mso-wrap-distance-left:0;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;
mso-wrap-distance-right:0;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;
mso-position-horizontal:right;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical-relative:line' o:allowoverlap="f">
<v:imagedata src="cid:image004.jpg@01CD132B.8A247920" o:title="terryrees" />
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=231 height=162
src="cid:image010.jpg@01CD132C.E1429BA0" align=right border=0 v:shapes="_x0000_s1028"><![endif]><b><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Federation of <st1:State w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State>
Cottagers' Associations (FOCA) <br>
</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Congratulations to the (FOCA) Executive Director,
Terry Rees who was recognized as by Water <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> magazine a person
representing Canadian water excellence and who is making a difference, in
the 2nd-annual installment of <a
href="http://watersnext.com/2012/terry-rees/" target="_blank"
title="Water's Next 2012 - Terry Rees">Water’s Next</a>.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Ontario Institute of Agrologists (OIA)
seeks review<br>
</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The OIA is circulating a discussion paper in support of
a review of the Ontario Professional Agrologists Act (OIPA). The goal would
be to update and strengthen the role of professional agrologists in land
use and decision-making processes. At the heart of the review is the
realization that we live in a very different time than when the Act was
passed in 1962 -- with new issues relating to best practices, environmental
impacts, resource allocation and food safety. For a copy of the
paper, please contact <a href="mailto:lendomino@leonarddomino.com">Leonard
Domino</a>. <br>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:13.5pt'><b><font size=4 color="#2065a0" face=Arial><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Arial;color:#2065A0;font-weight:bold'>CCO
News</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:49.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·</span></span></font><![endif]><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Here's
an article from the Wilfred Laurier student newspaper, The Cord, on <a
href="http://www.thecord.ca/articles/52453">World Water Day </a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:49.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·</span></span></font><![endif]><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>CCO
Executive Director, Chris Winter, is a finalist in the Leadership category
for the <a
href="http://www.toronto.ca/greentorontoawards/2012/finalists.htm">Green
Toronto Awards</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:49.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·</span></span></font><![endif]><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Chris
Winter and <a href="http://www.cleanairalliance.org/">OCAA</a> chair Jack
Gibbons were guest speakers at a March 30th panel on Sustainable Energy,
hosted by the Thames Region Ecological Association. Videos will be
posted on the TREA website.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:49.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·</span></span></font><![endif]><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The CCO
will be holding a members meeting (tba) to review strategic directions.
Stay tuned for details.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style='mso-margin-top-alt:5.0pt;margin-right:13.5pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:49.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><font
size=2 face=Symbol><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span
style='mso-list:Ignore'>·</span></span></font><![endif]><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>The next
Annual Meeting for the CCO is set for November<font color=black><span
style='color:black'> 21, 2012 5:30 to 7:00pm. Mark it in
your calendar.</span></font></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width=545 colspan=5 style='width:408.75pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height=36 style='height:27.0pt'>
<td width=24 height=36 valign=bottom style='width:.25in;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;
height:27.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td width=183 height=36 valign=bottom style='width:137.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;
height:27.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:Arial'><a href="http://www.twitter.com/weconserve"
title="blocked::http://www.twitter.com/weconserve"><span style='text-decoration:
none'><span title="blocked::http://www.twitter.com/weconserve"><img
border=0 width=100 height=36 id="_x0000_i1088"
src="cid:image006.gif@01CD132B.8A247920"
title="blocked::http://www.twitter.com/weconserve"></span><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'></span></span></font></a><br>
Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/weconserve"
title="blocked::http://www.twitter.com/weconserve">@weconserve</a>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td width=195 height=36 valign=bottom style='width:146.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;
height:27.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><a
href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Conservation-Council-of-Ontario/272318969466406"
title="blocked::http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Conservation-Council-of-Ontario/272318969466406"><span
title="blocked::http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Conservation-Council-of-Ontario/272318969466406"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img
border=0 width=100 height=30 id="_x0000_i1089"
src="cid:image007.gif@01CD132B.8A247920"
title="blocked::http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Conservation-Council-of-Ontario/272318969466406"></span></font></a></span></span></font></b><font
size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Arial'><br>
Find us on Facebook</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td width=201 height=36 valign=bottom style='width:150.75pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;
height:27.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Arial><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:Arial'><a href="http://paper.li/weconserve/1316188595"><span
style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=90 height=28
id="_x0000_i1090" src="cid:image008.jpg@01CD132B.8A247920"></span></a><br>
Subscribe to <i><span style='font-style:italic'><a
href="http://paper.li/weconserve/1316188595"
title="blocked::http://paper.li/weconserve/1316188595">The Conserver News</a></span></i>
daily</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td width=14 height=36 valign=top style='width:10.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;
height:27.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height=36 style='height:27.0pt'>
<td width=24 height=36 valign=bottom bgcolor="#006F8B" style='width:.25in;
background:#006F8B;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:27.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
<td colspan=3 height=36 valign=bottom bgcolor="#006F8B" style='background:
#006F8B;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:27.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=1 color=white face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:white;font-style:italic'>This
newsletter is produced with support from <a
href="http://www.thebeerstore.ca"><font color=white><span style='color:
white'>The Beer Store</span></font></a> for the Council's <a
href="http://www.weconserve.ca/"><font color=white><span style='color:white'>We
Conserve</span></font></a> program.</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=1 color=white face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:Verdana;color:white;font-style:italic'>To
subscribe or unsubscribe, see the newsletter box at </span></font></i><i><font
size=1 color="#506280" face=Verdana><span style='font-size:7.5pt;
font-family:Verdana;color:#506280;font-style:italic'><a
href="http://www.weconserve.ca/" title="blocked::http://www.weconserve.ca/"><font
color=white title="blocked::http://www.weconserve.ca/"><span
title="blocked::http://www.weconserve.ca"><span style='color:white'>www.weconserve.ca</span></span></font></a></span></font></i><i><font
size=1 color=white face=Verdana><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:
Verdana;color:white;font-style:italic'>. <br>
</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
<td width=14 height=36 valign=top bgcolor="#006F8B" style='width:10.5pt;
background:#006F8B;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:27.0pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height=0>
<td width=24 style='border:none'></td>
<td width=182 style='border:none'></td>
<td width=194 style='border:none'></td>
<td width=199 style='border:none'></td>
<td width=14 style='border:none'></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>