Our newsletter is also available on our website in English and French
January 2008
To a clean, green New Year!
The rash of recent and tragic bridge failures in Quebec has prompted the government to look at alternatives to overpasses. On November 19, I attended a public meeting held by Transport Quebec concerning the reconstruction of the infamous Turcot Interchange in southwest Montreal.
Message to Members
Thanks to everyone who signed the Avaaz.org petition we sent you last month urging Harper to drop his opposition to 2020 Kyoto emissions targets at the Climate Change Conference in Bali. Over 110,000 signatures added to the pressure coming from all sides, Canada relented, and a last-minute agreement was reached!
This is but a tiny step. Canada must now re-invest seriously in the clean energy sector and fund the scientific research necessary to develop revolutionary green technologies. Our government must also demand that industry and citizens alike do their part through emissions-reducing education, laws and incentives. Unfortunately it is difficult to believe the Harper Conservatives, whose first move once taking office was to cut 80 per cent of green program funding, will take any action at all. We urge our members to keep the pressure on while we wait for the next election. Here's to a clean, green New Year!
We are also excited to be sending worker member Aimée van Drimmelen to the third annual Citizen's Education Conference in Grenoble, France. This exchange, organized by the Office Franco-Québec pour la Jeunesse, puts community workers from Quebec in touch with those from France to make important links, learn, and build solidarity. Read all about it in our Eco Logic blog later this month!
Events 
Please phone or visit the store to sign up for these events!
JAN 4
Friday January 4, 7 - 9 p.m. (Coop La Maison Verte)
Essential Oils for the Skin: A safe cosmetic alternative II*
Discover which essential oils, vegetable oils and butters are the best for your body, their properties, and how to find them in Quebec. *Part of a series of workshops based on a book of the same name with the author Hélène Berton (FREE. The workshop will be in French)
JAN 7
Monday January 7, 7:30 - 9 p.m. (Coop La Maison Verte)
Nutrition Workshop with Jae Steele - Realistic Resolutions: Developing a New Year's Wellness Plan You Can Actually Stick to
($10 at the door. The workshop will be in English)
JAN 21
Monday January 21, 7 - 9 p.m. (Coop La Maison Verte)
Cotton conference with FibrEthik: Organic Cotton!
Learn more about the cotton industry, and the adventures of FibrEthik in forming a solidarity co-op to cultivate and import organic fair trade cotton products!
(FREE. Workshop will be held in French)
New Products
Green Beaver has introduced a new line of shampoos and conditioners, bath and body washes made with 95% organic or wild Canadian ingredients!
Unbleached organic and fair trade cotton t-shirts for men and women from local solidarity co-operative FibreEthik (available mid January).
Member Specials
10% off on another brand new product: stainless steel water bottles and re-sealable food containers from Kleen Kanteen!
Members' Corner (continued from above)
The proposed changes are huge in scope, involving not only Turcot but also the Ville St Pierre, Montreal West, Agrignon and De La Vérendrye interchanges, as well as part of the Ville Marie expressway. Estimated costs are in the billions of dollars and the planned construction will run from 2009 to 2015.
Members of the public voiced some concerns. NDG Green Party candidate Peter McQueen, who lobbied for the meeting to be held in the first place, would like to see the 20 stay where it is and ensure public accessibility to the Lachine Canal. Local councilor Warren Allmand raised the issue of access to information on the project. Concerns about pollution and traffic problems for area residents, compounded by having a second construction site-the planned super hospital-going on at the same time, were also raised. One of my concerns is what will happen to St-Henri's Village des Tanneries, a neighbourhood at the foot of the Turcot that will be covered by the new roadway.
As for green space, other than a vague promise no concrete plans have been put forward as to the use of this land. With promoters itching to build high-rise condos in Montreal, where is the guarantee that a greener highway system will be prioritized?
This is the largest construction project in our corner of Montreal (if not the province) for the next ten years, and there is definitely need for more consultation and information as to how this project will integrate sustainable technologies (like solar powered lights) and publicly accessible green space before any decisions are made. (For links to more information visit our online newsletter!)
Here is another report on the meeting by Jacob Larsen: http://spacingmontreal.ca/?p=279
Members' Corner is a place for members to write or suggest articles about environment or community-related subjects of all kinds. Email your ideas to newsletter@cooplamaisonverte.com
5785, Sherbrooke street West, Metro Vendome + bus #105 - call us! 514-489-8000