– by Julie Morris, photos by nuttycake.com –
You, like me, might not have heard about David Suzuki’s Blue Dot Tour (www.bluedot.ca) which began in Atlantic Canada last September and headed West with a final stop in Victoria last November. However, a 10-year old local resident took its message to heart and wrote to every municipality within the CRD. Once I discovered that this young Rupert Yakelashek has, to date, inspired eight local municipalities to sign a declaration of the “Right to Live in a Healthy Environment” (out of only 26 municipalities Canada-wide) I truly felt in awe and inspired.
Currently over 110 nations have recognized the right to live in a healthy environment; however, Canada is not among them. David Suzuki’s Campaign, and its film, “Today is the day we Decide” speaks about how Canada is falling behind other countries. Our environment, water and air are being polluted. Currently over 68,000 Canadians have signed the Blue Dot movement along with 26 municipal governments that formally recognized their citizens’ “Right to Live in a Healthy Environment”. Once enough support is reached, the goal is to ask the Federal Government to amend the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to include environmental rights.
This declaration of rights provokes a gut reaction of “well, of course we should be doing this”:
“That all people have the right to live in a healthy environment, including:
The right to breathe clean air; the right to drink clean water; the right to consume safe food; the right to access nature; the right to know about pollutants and contaminants released into the local environment; the right to participate in decision-making that will affect the environment.
Young Rupert became motivated after learning in his Civics class that kids have the least amount of power in our society. Attending the Blue Dot Tour event, Rupert was reminded about the fundamental concept that everything we as a species need to survive, comes from nature. Disappointed to learn that Canada is no longer an environmental leader, he felt that despite being just a kid, he had to try and make a difference.
Rupert’s plan began with approaching candidates in Victoria during the recent municipal election. He stated, “If you promise to make this declaration for a ‘right to a healthy environment,’ I’ll convince my parents to vote for you.” On December 18, 2014 he and his family held a rally outside City Hall. “Rupert’s Rally for a Healthy Environment” made a presentation to Victoria City Council, who then voted unanimously to make the declaration recognizing the rights for a healthy environment.
But he didn’t stop there! Locally, Rupert and his younger sister Franny, (now age 8) have addressed seven CRD councils since December 18. What followed has been a domino of declarations by many local councils. Victoria, Saanich, Highlands, View Royal, Langford, Central Saanich and North Saanich have all approved this declaration.
North Saanich Counsellor Heather Gartshore feels that this decision becomes a long reaching “lens” with which to approach issues such as Grants and Aid funding, stewardship, support for agriculture, parks and trails; and even changes perspective on items such as replacing a traditional fuel car with a zero emission one. Perhaps there will be more “accountability” as well.
Additional citizens have also approached local municipalities, including other children as well as adults. Local Central Saanich resident Alexis White approached her municipality and they approved the declaration in February. Alexis stated she was “ecstatic” when the declaration was passed in Central Saanich and thanks the progressive thinking counsellors including Zeb King and Alicia Cormier who assisted in helping her with the process. She feels this will “change the whole landscape” of local municipalities as they consider issues such as expanding the urban boundaries, food security and reviewing in OCP’s.
In these few months, Rupert has learned that just because he is not old enough to vote, does not mean he cannot start working on the world he feels all children should want and deserve. He is also immensely grateful that he has a clear idea of what he and other kids are capable of accomplishing. Kids do have power! “My goals are to contact every municipality across British Columbia and to make a short video to encourage other kids to get involved and make a positive change in their community”
Rupert does not know when his piece of this complicated but exciting environmental rights puzzle will be completed, but he is confident that he is on the right path. Rupert is thankful for all the opportunities and encouragement that have come his way. Will this add accountability to local government? Will these seemingly obvious declarations have a very powerful and long reaching effect? Is this truly how local citizens can make the most change? Central Saanich Counsellor Zeb King agreed that the declaration is only the beginning; that citizens are a big part of the picture and he hopes this event will “inspire more people to get involved and stay involved”.
If your local city or municipality has not yet reviewed this declaration, and you feel motivated by the potential change a single person can start to make, consider writing a letter to your local council requesting it is discussed within their next agenda.
