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Let's save the lives of Ontario's birds
Fri, 2015-11-06 18:32
#1
Let's save the lives of Ontario's birds
Fri, 2015-11-06 20:53
#2
Yes, this has been a known problem for decades, and not only in Ontario. Poor boidies. 
Mon, 2015-11-09 00:25
#3
Still haven't heard from Wynne. AND I still haven't heard from all the thousands of social activists here at Babble letting me know that they too have written Wynne about this. So get writing! Save the birdees today.
Mon, 2015-11-09 06:39
#4
Ontario Environmental watchdog blames bird deaths on the province: http://www.metronews.ca/news/toronto/2015/11/03/ontario-watchdog-blames-...
Apparently there is a law that could prevent the deaths of thousands of birds, but the government of Ontario has not been enforcing it. Read the article from the link above, and then write Premier Wynne to protest this: [email protected] (ETA: also can write to the general email: [email protected] or the contact form at https://www.ontario.ca/contact-us )
The province’s unwillingness to enforce its own laws is leading to the death of thousands of migratory birds every year, says Ontario’s environmental watchdog.
In her annual report, Environmental Commissioner Ellen Schwartzel lambasts the provincial government for failing to protect birds from the threat posed by tall buildings in Toronto.
Mon, 2015-11-09 06:40
#5
Here's the letter I sent to Kathleen Wynne ([email protected]): (ETA: also can write to the general email: [email protected] or the contact form at https://www.ontario.ca/contact-us )
Dear Honourable Premier Kathleen Wynne,
I read the Metro News article "Ontario Environmental watchdog blames bird deaths on the province" with some dismay. This article can be found at this URL:
It says that thousands of birds are being killed due to the province not enforcing the Environmental Protection Act. Apparently, according to the article:
"In 2013, the Ontario Court of Justice ruled reflected light responsible for bird deaths can be considered a “contaminant” in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act. Failure to bird-proof windows, for example, was therefore considered a provincial offence."
Please begin enforcing this law to save the lives of thousands of birds.
Thank you. Sincerely,
mark_alfred [with full address and phone number]
Feel free to copy my example and send it as your own. Thanks.
Tue, 2015-11-10 11:16
#6
I got the following from the government, likely from the "contact us" url form I submitted to them (I linked it above somewhere):
Thank you for contacting ServiceOntario.Your message has been forwarded to the Office of the Premier. If you require more information, please contact the Office of the Premier using the options provided on the webpage at: https://correspondence.premier.gov.on.ca/en/feedback/default.aspx
We hope you find this information helpful.
Jean-François
ServiceOntario -- making it easier
Visit us at: www.ServiceOntario.ca[/quote]So, they've at least acknowledged receiving my issue.
Tue, 2015-11-10 11:55
#7
Mark_alfred, I'm not familiar with the legislation. Does it require all owners of all buildings to bird-proof their windows? Incuding, like, homeowners?
ETA: I found the 2013 court decision: http://canlii.ca/t/fw6g3
Now for some heavy-duty reading...
Tue, 2015-11-10 11:56
#8
Birds are part of the food chain for many other species. They are an integral part of the ecosystem, more than humans.
Thu, 2015-11-12 19:29
#9
Well, I heard back from Premier Wynne. Here's her response,
Thank you very much for contacting me. I appreciate your taking the time to write and your willingness to share your thoughts. When it comes to building opportunity for the people of Ontario and securing our province's future and well-being, my colleagues and I want to hear everyone's voice and listen to everyone's input. That is why I am grateful for your ideas and suggestions. I welcome your future comments, and offer you my best wishes. Kathleen Wynne Premier of Ontario
Thu, 2015-11-12 19:55
#10
So, basically, she's on it.
Fri, 2015-11-13 21:54
#11
So, basically, she's on it.
Yes, she was grateful for my ideas and wished me the best.
Fri, 2015-11-13 22:08
#12
So, basically, she's on it.
Yes, she was grateful for my ideas and wished me the best.
It's more (if not better) than what I got from Anne McGrath. She received my ideas and disappeared.
Can't Wynne 'em all.
Sat, 2015-11-14 08:25
#13
"Can't Wynne 'em all." Can't win any without persistence, I figure. It's nice of the Ontario Liberals to send out a form letter of acknowledgement. So, the next step is to wait a bit and write again.
Sun, 2015-11-22 14:15
#14
Well, Wynne still hasn't gotten back to me with a letter saying, "Yes Mark, we will take action on this issue! In accordance with the court's ruling, reflected light from highrise buildings' windows is a contaminant harming birds, so any highrise building owner not taking action on this will be fined under the Envrionmental Protection Act."
Since the government hasn't followed up on it, as I mentioned, it's time for the next step. Snail mail! I'm going to sit right down and write myself a letter, then put a stamp on it, and send it straight to the government. They asked for it by ignoring my email. They shouldn't have ignored me.