Press centre

Activists play out disaster scenario of nuclear meltdown in Toronto

Mon, 12 May 2008 17:40:02 GMT

A group of radiation-poisoned Torontonians stricken and dying on the sidewalk. Rescue teams with Geiger counters, stretchers and gas masks. This was the scene at several locations in downtown Toronto today where Greenpeace activists staged the aftermath of an accident at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.

Environmental groups fight attempt to repeal crucial climate provision from 2007 U.S. Energy Bill

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Today, the Natural Resources Defense Council and 26 other U.S. and Canadian environmental groups sent a letter to the Senate and House urging preservation of Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). Section 526 prohibits the Federal purchase of dirty fuels (such as liquid coal, tar sands and oil shale) whose lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions are higher than conventional fuels.

Parliament denies Canadians mandatory labelling of GE foods

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A private member’s bill giving consumers the right to know if the food sold in Canada contains genetically engineered (GE) ingredients was defeated in the House of Commons today by a vote of 101 to 156. The defeat of Bill C-517 effectively protects the economic interests of GE companies like Monsanto over the rights of Canadians to know what they eat.

Greenpeace demands independent public inquiry into bird deaths, stiffer penalties and investigation of all tailings ponds

Mon, 05 May 2008 18:07:06 GMT

At a news conference today, Greenpeace demanded that Premier Ed Stelmach immediately launch a public inquiry under the Alberta Public Inquiries Act to investigate the deaths of 500 birds at the Syncrude tailings ponds.

Ethanol minimums passed in Parliament spell more global food woes

Thu, 01 May 2008 23:40:34 GMT

A bill passed in the House of Commons today could see more of our already limited food supply fed to cars and SUVs instead of people, says Greenpeace.

Greenpeace activists let it all hang out at Premier’s fundraising dinner

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As part of Greenpeace’s ongoing campaign demanding an end to the exploitation of the Alberta tar sands, Greenpeace activists descended from the ceiling during Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach’s fundraising speech this evening, unveiling a banner that read “$telmach: The Best Premier Oil Money Can Buy.”

Greenpeace investigation reveals Kimberly-Clark ignored company environmental policy, misinformed shareholders

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Greenpeace investigative report into Kimberly-Clark's (KMB.NYSE) role in the devastation of Ontario's Kenogami Forest has found the company ignored its own environmental policy and misinformed its shareholders about aspects of its sourcing from the Boreal Forest. The tissue giant and maker of Kleenex and Cottonelle meets with its shareholders today in Irving, Texas.

Logging in Canada’s Boreal Forest could trigger “carbon bomb” impacting global climate, says report

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Logging in Canada’s Boreal Forest is exacerbating global warming by releasing greenhouse gases and reducing carbon storage, says a new Greenpeace report released today. It also makes the forest more susceptible to global warming impacts like wildfires and insect outbreaks, which in turn release more greenhouse gases.

Bill to Label Genetically Engineered Foods: Will MPs vote for Monsanto or Canadians?

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Today the House of Commons will debate a Private Member’s Bill (C-517) proposed by Gilles-André Perron, Bloc Québécois MP for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles. If adopted, this bill will legislate the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods (also called genetically modified or GM). More than 40 countries across the world already have adopted labeling laws including Europe, Russia and China.

Federal party leaders sign KYOTOplus pledge

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Opposition party leaders Stéphane Dion, Gilles Duceppe and Jack Layton signed a pledge to fight climate change. The KYOTOplus pledge is part of a national global warming petition campaign launched today on Parliament Hill by Canadian environmental and public interest organizations. The Prime Minister and Environment Minister John Baird were also invited to sign the pledge, but declined.

Greenpeace activists arrested protesting Boreal Forest destruction

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Early this afternoon, four Greenpeace activists were arrested attempting to unfurl a massive banner inside Toronto’s Eaton Centre. The message: “Sears, Best Buy, Indigo Books, Toys “R” Us, Canadian Tire and Kleenex = Boreal Forest Destruction.”

Gordon Campbell declared "biohazard" on first annual GE Free Day

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Gordon Campbell is a biohazard to British Columbia for his continual refusal to label genetically engineered products, says Greenpeace, which today organized the province's first annual GE Free Day

Canada's leading environmental groups release national roadmap to set more sustainable course for country

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:00:08 GMT

Concerned about the lack of political leadership on urgent issues such as climate change, Canada's leading environmental organizations have come to a groundbreaking consensus around a roadmap for action that is being released today.

New nuclear plants too little, too late at too high a price

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

None of the new nuclear reactors under consideration by the McGuinty government can be built fast enough to meet Ontario's looming electricity gap or stop dangerous climate change, says Greenpeace Canada in response to the McGuinty government’s announcement that it would ask four companies to participate in a biding process to build new reactors in the province.

Report documents growing evidence of GE contamination of traditional crops

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

An international report on GE crop contamination has shown multinational companies such as Bayer and Monsanto are turning a blind eye to cases of GE contamination on a global scale, and British Columbians are paying the price with their health.

End high seas whaling say majority of Japanese people

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Greenpeace commissioned opinion poll, released today, reveals that nearly three quarters of the Japanese people do not support their country's whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Astonishingly, 87% were surprised to learn that their tax money was being used to subsidise the whaling operation.

Government steps to halt algae blooms don't come soon enough

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Environment Minister, John Baird announced today he will limit phosphates to 0.5% starting in 2010. Canada will finally close a 40 year old legal loophole that allows environmentally damaging phosphates in household cleaning detergents. The limit is a good step towards cleaning up Canada's lakes and rivers, but Greenpeace demands why the minister is delaying implementation for another two years. "Canada's waterways can not take another season like last year where hundreds of lakes became no-go zones, where toxic blue-green algae blooms killed off fish and wildlife populations. It would be better to impose the ban immediately, than wait until 2010," said Josh Brandon, agriculture campaigner with Greenpeace.

Parliament Should Pass CNSC Bill, Environmental Groups Say

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Greenpeace, Ecojustice (formerly Sierra Legal Defence Fund) and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) applaud the private member's bill tabled by the New Democratic Party to make the Minister of the Environment responsible for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

Greenpeace projects message on Parliament Buildings to mark anniversary of Kyoto

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Greenpeace marked the third anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol coming into force by projecting the words "Wanted: Climate Leaders" on the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa this evening. Activists holding candles also held vigil in protest of Canada’s lack of progress on combating climate change.

Environmentalists shine spotlight on use of ‘good wood’ in 2010 Olympic venues

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:53:51 GMT

Exactly two years before the opening of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, a new spotlight is being shone on the Games’ environmental footprint. The website, GoodWoodWatch.ca, was launched today to ensure environmentally and socially responsible Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood is included in venue construction. The website will track the use of ‘good wood’ in Olympic venues in the coming months. In its bid to hold the Games, Vancouver 2010 committed that new buildings and infrastructure required for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games will be a showcase of the best in green building design and construction techniques.