PLANET IN PERIL

A waterfall along the Icefields Parkway - Jasper Nat'l. Park. PLT photo  In days, the Harper Government will privatize a section of Jasper National Park and let an American-owned company blast a 300m metal walkway into our World Heritage mountains -- but Jasper's Superintendent has the power to stop them. Jasper Park's Superintendent Greg Fenton, a local Jasperite, has the ability to stop the privatisation of the park that he grew up in and loves. Fenton is currently bending to the Harper Government's demands, but by sending a strong message of public disapproval to Fenton – he can not only save the park that he loves from corporate ownership but can also ensure that our other treasured National Parks remain publicly-owned and run. Private international companies should not be profiteering off our national treasures. Click here to ensure our parks stay in public hands -- sign the petition calling on Fenton to save Jasper National Park before it's too late! PLT:

  The Government of Manitoba is actually considering a proposal to mine peat inside Hecla/Grindstone provincial park. If you are concerned about this, the deadline for expressing that concern to the government has been extended. Read more here. Peat Mine Comments Deadline Extended

Vancouver Sun January 8, 2012 Enbridge promises tough safeguards against a spill if its Northern Gateway pipeline is approved. Details here.  A sheen on the water from the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989.  Please also read: "A Quiet Shift in the Federal Criteria for Approval of the Gateway Pipeline."

San Francisco Chronicle 1/7/12 A federal judge has upheld the government's decision to let the nation's alfalfa growers plant the genetically engineered, herbicide-resistant strain manufactured by Monsanto Co., Details here. PLT. Canada hasn't proceeded with GM alfalfa - yet. But it will, whether farmers or the public want it or not.

January 6, 2012 By Zachary Shahan - Planetsave The birds were killed by the USDA! Details here. PLT: What about Canada? Are we doing it here too? Hmmm.

Counterpunch Feb 2010 - MARTHA ROSENBERG   While researchers and scientists investigate the cause of our diabetes, obesity, asthma and ADHD epidemics, they should ask why the FDA approved a livestock drug banned in 160 nations… details here. Photo courtesy of Alternet.

Winnipeg Free Press - Jan 6 '12 A top climate scientists, David Barber of the University of Manitoba warns, if the (warming) trend continues, we may see the increasing pattern of warm days as more curse than blessing. Details here.   The normally tranquil Big Boggy Crk. in western Manitoba,  swollen by the record floodwaters of 2011. PLT photo.