Catholic Women's League -

July 2009 Ontario Provincial Resolutions

ON.09.01    Automobile Tire Age - Safety Risk (E&H )

Whereas,    Research suggests that aging automobile tires with possible tread separation are contributing to a significant number of fatalities each year; and

Whereas,     Studies indicate that replacement of automobile tires of more than 10 years of age since manufacture would result in a reduction of accident fatalities related to tread separation; therefore, be it

Resolved,    That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention assembled, request the national council to urge Health Canada to:develop and implement education/awareness programs to inform all Canadians of the risk of aging tires,educate Canadians on how to determine the age of a tire from sidewall labeling (DOT Code); and be it further

Resolved,     That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention assembled, request the national council to urge Transport Canada to enact legislation to restrict the commercial sale of tires more than 6 years old since manufacture; and to ensure the date of manufacture is clearly visible on the exterior sidewall of the tire, and be it further

Resolved,    That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention assembled, urge the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to amend its standards to require replacement of tires more than 10 years of age since manufacture; and be it further

Resolved,    That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention assembled, urge the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to enact legislation to require regular checking on the age and conditions of tires at time of emission testing; and be it further

Resolved,    That this resolution be forwarded to the national council for consideration at the 2009 annual convention.

BRIEF: Automobile Tire Age – Safety Risk

Research suggests replacement of automobile tires more than 10 years of age since date of manufacture would result in a reduction in accident fatalities related to tread separation. Between 1988 and 1997, 217 fatal collisions reported tires as a contributing factor in Canada; excluding Quebec data (Transport Canada, 1997).

Efforts by Safety Research & Strategies (SRS) to lobby the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) led to an advisory issued by NHTSA warning that aged tires, regardless of tread, are subject to greater stress increasing the likelihood of catastrophic failure (SRS, 2009). In 2003, NHTSA later put a hold on implementing rules related to tire age pending additional research which led to documentation of catastrophic tire failures in the United States starting in 2003 by SRS and further lobbying of NHTSA for changes.

In particular, SRS uncovered industry knowledge of tire aging including internal recommendations by manufacturers and recommended practice by the British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA). The BRMA recommended practice on tire aging states: “BRMA members strongly recommend that unused tires should not be put into service if they are over 6 years old and that all tires should be replaced 10 years from the date of their manufacture” (Russell, 2009). It also notes that environmental conditions such as exposure to sunlight and coastal climates, as well as poor storage and infrequent use accelerate the aging process.

“In ideal conditions, a tire may have a life expectancy that exceeds 10 years from its date of manufacture. However such conditions are rare.” (ibid).

The BRMA document goes on to say that aging may be identified by small cracks in the tire sidewall, however, “[a]geing may not exhibit any external indications and, since there is no non destructive test to assess the serviceability of a tire, even an inspection carried out by a tire expert may not reveal the extent of any deterioration” (SRS, 2009).

Through inquiry of Service Ontario and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), it was determined that the MTO sets standards for the operation and maintenance of vehicles to ensure their safe operation while the federal agency of Transport Canada has responsibility for safety standards for new vehicles and equipment such as tires. Provincial standards are contained in the Highway Traffic Act and its associated legislation while the federal standards are contained in the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Act and its associated legislation.

Current provincial legislation does not dictate limits to the age of tires and although the current federal standard requires tires to be marked with the week and year of manufacture there are no restrictions to the age of tires which can be sold by the manufacturers or retailers. In addition, none of the tire manufacturers include information explaining that the age of the tire could contribute to tread separation even if the tire and its tread bars are not worn.

Health Canada helps protect the Canadian public by researching, assessing and collaborating in the management of health risks and safety hazards associated with the many consumer products that Canadians use everyday.

REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Department of Justice Canada. Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations. 1995 (SQR/95-148)
Government of Ontario. Ministry of Transportation. Highway Traffic Act. RRO. 1990 Reg. 625
Government of Ontario. Ministry of Transportation. Highway Traffic Act. RSO 1990 Chapter H.8
Health Canada. Consumer Product Safety. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/index-eng.php
King D. Hanging by a tread: The role of tires in accident reconstruction. The Advocate Magazine. September 2007
Lancaster D. Keep the age of your tires in mind for smooth sailing. North Shore News. September 17, 2008
McIntosh J. Avoid getting burned by rubber: Age of tires is critical to safety, but lack of regulation makes it hard to know if you’re secure. Special to the Star, March 2, 2006
Monster R. Senior Vehicle Standards Engineer, Carrier Safety and Enforcement Branch, Ministry of Transportation, Ontario. email
Rubber Manufacturers Association. Be tire smart play your part” 2009
Russell R. When should the rubber stop hitting the road? Globe and Mail. February 5, 2009
Russell R. Tire age and rotary engines. Globe and Mail. March 2, 2006
Safety Research & Strategies, Inc. Advocacy work related to tire aging legislation, education and awareness. Retrieved online: www.safetyresearch.net/tires.htm
Transport Canada. Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate. 1997 Motor vehicle traffic collision statistics 1988-9
www.dunlop.ca/care/tech.html Care & Maintenance – technical
www.goodyear.com The complete tire safety guide
www.family-car-safety.com: Family Car Safety
www.safercar.gov: Tires, Tire Aging

ACTION PLAN

Write letters to the Ontario Minister of Transportation urging government to develop public education/awareness programs regarding the increased potential of belt separation as tires age and to enact legislation which restricts the commercial sale of tires more than 6 years of age since manufacture and requires the replacement of tires more than 10 years of age since date of manufacture.
Research material on tire age and educate family and friends on tire labeling and the dangers associated with using tires of more than 10 years of age since manufacture.
Hold a parish information session; develop and distribute an awareness brochure on tire safety.

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ON.09.02    Make Dementia a Health Care Priority (E&H)

Whereas,   Approximately half a million Canadians are affected by dementia and as the population ages these numbers will increase substantially; and

Whereas,   Dementia may prove to have the highest economic, social, and health cost of all diseases in Canada as it attacks, without prejudice, people from all walks of life, and the impact engulfs whole families; therefore be it

Resolved,   That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention assembled:

    encourage its members to become better informed about dementia through educational initiatives,

    urge the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to make dementia a health care priority by increasing funding for home and institutional care; and be it further

Resolved,   That this resolution be forwarded through the national executive to the other ten provincial councils, encouraging them to become aware of this issue as it pertains to their province/territory, and to act on it, as deemed necessary/prudent.

BRIEF: Make Dementia a Health Care Priority

Dementia refers to a group of diseases characterized by a progressive and generally irreversible loss in mental capabilities. Vital brain cells are destroyed. Symptoms can include memory loss, confusion and inappropriate social behaviour. There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease: Familial Autosomal Dominant (FAD) which can strike adults at any age, and Sporadic, which usually occurs after the age of 65. It is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada (NACA, 1996). The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for about 64 per cent of all dementias followed by vascular dementia (Alzheimer Society: key facts).

With the aging of the baby boom generation, the number of people with dementia will increase significantly over the next three decades. Women live longer on average, and the number of women affected with Alzheimer’s disease is greater than that of men. In addition, women are more frequently caregivers for people with dementia (Alzheimer Society: 100 years). Thus, dementia is an important health problem for women.

“Within a generation (25 years), the number of people living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia could reach between 1 million and 1.3 million” (Alzheimer Society: Statistics). This figure does not include the countless family members who must cope with the effects of the disease. (Alzheimer Society: 100 years).

An estimated $5.5 billion a year is spent on persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Canada. The annual societal cost of care per individual with Alzheimer's disease is estimated to be:
$36,794 for severe disease
$25,724 for moderate disease
$16,054 for mild to moderate disease
$ 9,451 for mild disease
(Costs were based on use of nursing home care, use of medications and use of community support services by caregivers and unpaid caregiver time (ibid).

Data in the study “Rising tide - The impact of dementia on Canadian society” by RiskAnalytica will be released in the fall of 2009 (Alzheimer Society: Rising tide).

REFERENCES

Alzheimer Society. Media Centre. 100 years of discovery media kit. January 2, 2006
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/media/100years06-adfacts.htm
National Advisory Council on Aging. 1996. Dementia in Canada: a brief overview. http://www.caregiver.on.ca.cgdmov.html
Alzheimer Society. Alzheimer’s disease: statistics. Key facts about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia prevalence figures. October 2005
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/disease/stats-intro.htm
Alzheimer Society. Media Centre. Put your mind to it. Statistics show dementia affects more than 71,000 Canadians under age 65. January 5, 2009
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/media/putyourmind09-release.htm
Alzheimer Society. Media Centre. Put your mind to it. Rising tide – the impact of dementia on Canadian society. January 5, 2009
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/media/putyourmind09-RisingTide.htm

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alzheimer Society. Advocating for change: All party caucus on dementia. May 2009
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/society/currentevents/allparty_caucus.html
Alzheimer Society. Advocating for change: Our issues. January 2009
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/society/advocacyguide_issues.htm
Alzheimer Society. Media Centre. 100 years of discovery media kit. January 2, 2006
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/media/100years06-adfacts.htm
Alzheimer Society. Alzheimer’s disease: causes of alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease and genetics. The role of genes in Alzheimer’s disease. July 2007
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/disease/causes-heredity.htm .
Alzheimer Society. Alzheimer’s disease: related dementia. Vascular dementia. Mar 2009
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/disease/dementia-vascular.htm
Alzheimer Society. Alzheimer’s disease: statistics. Key facts about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia prevalence figures. October 2005
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/disease/stats-intro.htm
Alzheimer Society. Media Centre. Advocating for change media kit. January 30, 2008
http://alzheimer.ca/english/media/releases-backgroundercbonhill.htm
Alzheimer Society. Media Centre. Put your mind to it. Statistics show dementia affects more than 71,000 Canadians under age 65. January 5, 2009
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/media/putyourmind09-release.htm
Alzheimer Society. Media Centre. Put your mind to it. Boomers fueling dementia crisis. January 5, 2009 http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/media/putyourmind09-story.htm
Alzheimer Society. Media Centre. Put your mind to it. Rising tide – the impact of dementia on Canadian society. January 5, 2009
http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/media/putyourmind09-RisingTide.htm
National Advisory Council on Aging. 1996. Dementia in Canada: a brief overview. http://www.caregiver.on.ca.cgdmov.html
Ostbye T and Crosse E. Net economic costs of dementia in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 1994

ACTION PLAN

Encourage members to become better informed about dementia by providing access to educational resources such as pamphlets, and web-site addresses such as www.alzheimer.ca
Host a parish activity; invite a guest speaker from the Alzheimer’s Society to speak about dementia.
Contact the local MPP to urge the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to establish achievable strategies to make dementia a health care priority.
Encourage members to write letters to government in support of increased resources for both home and institutional care.
Monitor new scientific research, particularly preventative measures, treatments, care and assistance for caregivers.

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ON.09.03 Mandatory Wearing of Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmets for All Ages (E&H)

Whereas,    Seventy-five per cent (75%) of bicycle-related deaths are due to head injuries; and

Whereas,    Over half of Canadian adults (52%) who ride bicycles never or rarely wear a properly fitted helmet when they bicycle; and

Whereas,    Many head injuries suffered by bicyclists are preventable through the wearing of properly fitted helmets; therefore, be it

Resolved,    That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention assembled, request the Ontario Provincial Government to amend legislation to make properly fitted bicycle helmets mandatory for all ages and to initiate a public awareness campaign; and be it further

Resolved,    That the resolution be forwarded through the national executive to the other ten provincial councils encouraging them to become aware of this issue as it pertains to their province/territory, and to act on it, as deemed necessary/prudent.

BRIEF: Mandatory Wearing of Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmets for All Ages

Seventy-five percent (75%) of all bicycle-related deaths are due to head injuries. Although the use of helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%, the rate of voluntary helmet use continues to be low (LeBlanc et al, p.2).
Transport Canada statistics reveal that 60 cyclists were killed in 2001. Of these, 88 per cent were not wearing a helmet, including all of those under the age of 15 (CSC, 2002).
Studies have provided evidence that increased helmet use resulting from education and legislation is linked to significant decreases in bicycle-related head injuries (Thompson et al, p.5).
A study done in Halifax from 1995 to 1999 on mandatory helmet use for all ages showed a dramatic increase in helmet use after provincial legislation was passed and mass education was conducted. This study also showed that the proportion of injured cyclists with head injuries in 1998/99 was half that of 1995/96 (LeBlanc, p.2).
The Ontario Trauma Registry statistics for 2000-2002 indicate that in five years, the number of head injuries due to bicycle crashes decreased by 26% for children in that province. Safety experts credit this significant decrease to Ontario’s bicycle helmet legislation, which applies to cyclists only under the age of 18 years (CSC, 2002).
In 2004, the British Medical Association reversed its earlier position against mandatory helmet use and now supports legislation for helmet use for all ages. Much of its rationale for its changed position was based on new evidence arising from research evaluating provincial helmet laws in Canadian jurisdictions (NLPHA et al 2006).
The Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine and the Canadian Association of Road Safety Specialists support the mandatory use of bicycle helmets for all ages (ibid, p.2).
A national Ipso-Reid telephone survey on the use of helmets discovered Canadians do not wear sporting helmets for the following reasons; “don’t bother” (14%), “appearance” (14%), “not cool” (13%), uncomfortable (11%), and “inconvenient / cumbersome” (10%). However, the poll found that 97% of Canadians realize helmets prevent serious injury (CSC, 2002).
Legislation that only pertains to children and youth weakens the injury prevention efforts. The call for universal helmet legislation is supported by studies that draw attention to the positive association for adult helmet use and child helmet use (Nesdale-Tucker, 2005).
Almost 10% of hospital admissions for head trauma are related to injuries sustained during recreational sports and there is plenty of evidence to show that helmets reduce the severity and incidence of these types of accidents (Keindel 2005).
The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates the total direct costs associated with head injuries were $151 million in 2000-2001, thus creating an economic burden on our medical systems. Head injuries related to bicycles are preventable through the introduction of helmet use for all ages (CIHI, 2007).

REFERENCES

Canadian Institute for Health Information. The burden of neurological diseases, disorders and injuries in Canada (Ottawa: CIHI, 2007)
Canadian Safety Council 2002. Helmets: Attitudes and actions survey finds most kids wear helmets, most adults don’t. Retrieved online: www.safety-council.org/info/sport/helmets.html
Keindel P. 2008 Heads up on recreational helmet standards. Standards Council of Canada. Retrieved online: www.scc.ca/en/news_events/features/featuresindex_72.shtml
LeBlanc C, Beattie T & Culligan C. Effects of legislation on the use of bicycle helmets. Canadian Medical Association Journal, March 2002
Nesdale-Tucker R 2005 Safe Kids Canada position statement on bicycle helmet legislation. Sick Kids Canada. Retrieved online: www.sickkids.ca/SKCPublicPolicyAdvocacy/custom/BikeLegislationPositionStatement.pd
Newfoundland & Labrador Public Health Association, Newfoundland & Labrador Medical Association, and Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador. Mandatory bicycle helmet use in Newfoundland and Labrador. April 2006
Thompson D, Rivara F, & Thompson R. Helmets for preventing head and facial injuries in bicyclists. Cochrane review. In: The Cochrane Library (database on disc and CH-ROM). The Cochrane Collaboration Oxford: Update Software 2001, issue 3

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Canadian Institute for Health Information. The burden of neurological diseases, disorders and injuries in Canada (Ottawa: CIHI, 2007)
Canadian Safety Council 2002. Helmets: Attitudes and actions survey finds most kids wear helmets, most adults don’t. Retrieved online:www.safety-council.org/info/sport/helmets.html
Keindel P. 2008 Heads up on recreational helmet standards. Standards Council of Canada. Retrieved online: www.scc.ca/en/news_events/features/featuresindex_72.shtml
LeBlanc C, Beattie T & Culligan C. Effects of legislation on the use of bicycle helmets. Canadian Medical Association Journal, March 2002
Nesdale-Tucker R 2005 Safe Kids Canada position statement on bicycle helmet legislation. Sick Kids Canada. Retrieved online: www.sickkids.ca/SKCPublicPolicyAdvocacy/custom/BikeLegislationPositionStatement.pd
Newfoundland & Labrador Public Health Association, Newfoundland & Labrador Medical Association, and Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador. Mandatory bicycle helmet use in Newfoundland and Labrador. April 2006
Thompson D, Rivara F, & Thompson R. Helmets for preventing head and facial injuries in bicyclists. Cochrane review. In: The Cochrane Library (database on disc and CH-ROM). The Cochrane Collaboration Oxford: Update Software 2001, issue 3

ACTION PLAN

•    Invite an informed speaker to present at a meeting.
•    Host a public awareness day in your community demonstrating the proper use     of bicycle helmets. Invite the police to participate.
•    Encourage family members and friends to wear properly fitted bicycle     helmets.
•    Write letters to your MPP encouraging legislation for mandatory wearing of     properly fitted bicycle helmets for all ages.

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ON.09.04 Reducing the Use of Disposable Products (E&H)

Whereas,   More and more products are coming on the market that are designed to be used once and then thrown away; and

Whereas,       There is an increasing shortage of available landfill sites; and

Whereas,   League members are good stewards of the environment; therefore, be it

Resolved,       That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic   Women’s League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention    assembled, urge members to reduce or eliminate the    use of disposable products by:
•   being active in the community in support of the reduction of disposable products,
•   appealing to municipal governments to increase public awareness concerning recyclable versus disposable products,
•   encouraging companies and retailers to use recyclable products; and be it further

Resolved,       That this resolution be forwarded through the national executive to    the national chairperson of education and health standing    committee for education/action.

BRIEF: Reducing the Use of Disposable Products

There has been a dramatic increase in the production and use of disposable products and we are running out of landfill sites.
A 1995 study on municipal waste showed that high-income countries produced one-quarter of the world's municipal waste, but accounted for only one-sixth of the world's population. Richer countries tend to generate more waste than poorer countries (Beede and Bloom, 1995).
Landfill has a finite capacity. Permits for new or expansion of existing sites have proven to be difficult to obtain. For example, Toronto is currently sending its garbage to Michigan to the outrage of residents and some lawmakers there (Thompson Reuters, 2006).
In 2006, 27,249,178 tonnes of waste were disposed of in Canada and local governments spent an estimated $2.1 billion on waste management, up from $1.8 billion two years earlier (Statistics Canada, 2008).
Reasons to Avoid Disposable Products: Even when goods can be recycled, as many plastics can be, the recycling process still uses energy and other resources and often still produces some waste. Choosing a reusable rather than single use item will keep more waste out of landfill sites (Green Uses For Waste, 2008).
Disposable products on the market: Facial wipes, baby wipes, make-up remover wipes, disinfectant wipes, gadgets for scrubbing toilets, wet facial wipes, paper napkins, diapers, plastic water bottles, plastic drink glasses (water, wine, beer), paper and styrofoam coffee cups, paper and styrofoam plates, takeout containers, plastic utensils, coffee filters, cameras, pens, razors, sweepers and dusters, dryer sheets, batteries and many others.
Alternatives to disposable products: Torn up cotton t-shirts, cloth napkins, cloth diapers, re-usable water bottles, china dishes, re-usable and washable mops, pens with replacement cartridges, regular cameras, safety razors, dryer antistatic balls, electric razors, rechargeable batteries etc.(ibid).
Landfill sites are filling up with disposable products that could easily be replaced with reusable items. We are running out of time and space. We must safeguard this planet for the next generation.

REFERENCES

Beede D and Bloom D.1995 Economics of the generation and management of municipal solid waste. National Bureau of Economic Research http://www.nber.org/papers/w5116
Green Uses for Waste UK. Great Ways to Avoid Disposable Products www.greenusesforwaste.co.uk/
Statistics Canada. Waste management industry: Business and government sectors. The Daily, June 23, 2008
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/080623/dq080623a-eng.htm
Statistics Canada. Waste disposal by source, by province. Environment Accounts and Statistics Division, Catalogue no.16F0023X. 2008-07-04 http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/envir25a-eng.htm
Thomson Reuters. 2006 Toronto Finally Finds Canadian Home for it’s Trash. Planet Ark: Your Daily Guide to Helping the Planet, Home of the World Environment News. http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/38187/story.htm

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Beede D and Bloom D.1995 Economics of the generation and management of municipal solid waste. National Bureau of Economic Research. http://www.nber.org/papers/w5116
Green Uses for Waste UK. Great Ways to Avoid Disposable Products www.greenusesforwaste.co.uk/
Kovessy P. Talking trash: In light of looming landfill shortage, city could clamp down on businesses. Ottawa Business Journal. October 15, 2008 http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/292864655773800.php#
Lorinc J. Message in a water bottle. The Globe and Mail. November 15, 2008
McKinley K . Rant:Disposable cleaning products. CBC Marketplace. January 2, 2005 http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/environ/disposable/index.html
Muir R. Toronto’s strategy should be of interest to waste management professionals and politicians. Waste Diversion Campaigner, Sierra Club of Canada. letter
Statistics Canada. Waste management industry: Business and government sectors. The Daily. June 23, 2008
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/080623/dq080623a-eng.htm
Statistics Canada. Waste disposal by source, by province. Environment Accounts and Statistics Division, Catalogue no.16F0023X. 2008-07-04 http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/envir25a-eng.htm
Thomson Reuters. 2006 Toronto Finally Finds Canadian Home for it’s Trash. Planet Ark: Your Daily Guide to Helping the Planet, Home of the World Environment News http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/38187/story.htm
http://www.wrwcanada.com/ Waste Reduction Week Canada: Oct. 19-25, 2009
http://earththreat.org/hello-world What You Can Do To Help Change The World: Stop Using Disposable Products. July 26, 2007

ACTION PLAN

•   Members are encouraged to take an active role in minimizing or eliminating personal use of disposable products in their home and shopping activities.
•   Members are encouraged to promote the use of reusable products in their homes, communities and work places.
•   Be aware that Waste Reduction Week is October 19 - 25, 2009. Resource material is available at: http://www.wrwcanada.com/.
•   Plan a parish activity during Waste Reduction Week.
•   Partner with a local school on an activity to increase awareness.
•   Partner with other community organizations to support the reduction of disposable products.
•   Contact municipal councils and request more public awareness programs promoting the use of recyclables versus disposables from local government.

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ON.09.05   Support Canadian Food for Children (CL)

Whereas,    Canadian Food for Children (CFFC) is a registered Canadian charitable organization that relies totally on donations and volunteer labour to fulfill its mission to provide food and services for underprivileged children and their families worldwide; and

Whereas,   both Catholic and secular communities have acknowledged the significance of CFFC’s dedication to feeding and caring for children around the world; therefore, be it

Resolved,    That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention assembled, encourage its members to become involved and to financially support the CFFC; and be it further

Resolved,   That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention assembled, request that this resolution be forwarded to the national executive for support and action in all ten provinces and three territories.

BRIEF: Support Canadian Food for Children

Canadian Food for Children (CFFC) is a registered Canadian charitable organization founded in 1985 in the Archdiocese of Toronto by Dr. Andrew Simone and his wife Joan. Its motto is “Jesus is our Strength” and there are no paid employees. In the beginning the Simones began to ship food to Mother Teresa in Africa but at her suggestion they now ship to missionaries in twenty-two countries around the world. They are guided by a Board of Directors that includes six secular Franciscans and the organization supports the Canadian market through the purchase of grains and cereals as well as the use of shipping services. Financial support for CFFC is received from cash donations, cheques and/or bequests from individuals, school or church groups and other charities so that CFFC can purchase food and services for the poor in countries such as Nicaragua, Ghana and the Philippines. As a Catholic-based organization, they get the local bishop to vouch for the mission’s integrity and make periodic visits themselves to ensure delivery of food, clothing and medicine directly to the poor (CFFC, 2008; Madawo; Simone).

Those involved with CFFC at the local, provincial and national levels, realize that this organization epitomizes what it means to be “rooted in gospel values” (Brown) and the organization understands the joy of giving. Individuals and parishes have provided assistance through donations of goods, time and memorial donations (Alcoba). Volunteers recruit donations of food and supplies, bring them to the warehouse and assist with packing and shipping of the containers. Children are encouraged to participate through CFFC’s Pennies for the Poor program (CFFC, 2007). Dr. and Mrs. Simone as well as other volunteers across the country have donated many hours speaking at churches and in schools to increase awareness that in developing countries, one hundred pennies provide forty good meals (Richard; Wilson 2001). As a result, children develop a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives as they fill their sand pails with pennies or donate money in lieu of their birthday gifts, so they too can help feed the poor (CFFC, 2007).

In recognition of the great work of CFFC, several awards have been conferred on the Simones including the Catholic Civil Rights League’s Archbishop Adam Exner Award and the Saint Anthony’s International Solidarity Award (Canada Europa; CCRL). They have been recognized in the secular world in publications such as the National Post, Sunday Sun, Readers Digest, Medical Post as well as The Catholic Register. Within the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, the CFFC has been acknowledged in reports for evangelization and mission assistance, developing countries and ministry to youth (DeLuca; Jacobs; Miller).
In order to continue to do the amount of shipping that CFFC currently does in one year, the organization requires at least $1.5 million dollars annually (Richard).
Support for Canadian Food for Children by The Catholic Women’s League of Canada through awareness articles in The Canadian League and directives from standing committee chairs would encourage financial assistance to continue the great work of this organization.

REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alcoba N. Giving it all away: For this former doctor and his wife, the good life is simple. April 2005. http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/bodyandhealth/story.html
Brown BA. Report of National Chairperson of Spiritual Development. The Canadian League. Catholic Women’s League of Canada. http://www.cwl.ca/annualreports/2004/spiritual%20Development.html
Canada Europa Holy See. Canadian Charity wins Saint Anthony International Prize. Government of Canada. 2006 http://geo.international.gc.ca/canada-europa/holysee/right_nav/end_food-for_children-en.aspx.
Canadian Food for Children. CFFC co-workers, B.C. division, our history. June 21, 2008 http://www.canadianfoodforchildren.org/history.html
Canadian Food for Children. Children helping children. April 7, 2007
http://www.canadianfoodforchildren.org/contributors.html
Catholic Civil Rights League. League honours Canadian Food for Children founders. CCRL. 2008 http://www.ccrl.ca/print.php?id=4981
DeLuca R. Annual report of national chairperson of Community Life. The Canadian League. Catholic Women’s League of Canada. Fall 2006, Fall 2007
http://www.cwl.ca/annualreports/2007/CL.html
Jacobs MA. Ontario: Margaret Ann Jacobs. The Canadian League. Catholic Women’s League of Canada. Fall 2008
Lazzarin P. The night of the awards. Messenger of Saint Anthony. The Basilica of Saint Anthony. Sep 2006 http://www.messengersaintanthony.com/messaggero/pagina_articolo.asp
Madawo I. Dr. Simone feeds the poor. Catholic Register. February 2008
Miller C. Report of national chairperson of Christian Family Life. The Canadian League. Catholic Women’s League of Canada. Fall 2004. http://www.cwl.ca/annualreports2004/CFL.htm
Richard J. Living the life of Jesus: One world, one family. Toronto Sun. March 27, 2005
Simone A. Canadian Food for Children: Jesus is our strength. pamphlet
St. John Lateran. Bonnie News. Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure. Toronto. November 9, 2008. pamphlet
The Interim. Father Ted Colleton: Faith and Life. Canadian Food for Children puts Mother Teresa’s words, ‘Trust in God’ into action. Toronto Interim Publishing. April 2006
Toronto Stress Management. Canadian Food for Children. Charities we support. 2008 http://overloadedstress.com/ccfc.html
Wilson B. Food for thought. The Medical Post. September 25, 2001
Wilson B. Lives of Service. Reader’s Digest. Reprinted from The Medical Post. August 2002
Yawoski K. Food for Children sends funds to Ursulines in Brazil. 2004
http://www.saskatoonrcdiocese.com/news_articles/documents/Food

Unpublished sources

Reid M. Easter Project of order of Franciscan Secular. Toronto. March 8, 2008. memo

ACTION PLAN

•   Encourage members to become educated and more aware of the CFFC.
•   Encourage members to support the CFFC through donations, volunteering and fund-raising initiatives.
•   Host a parish activity to promote awareness; invite an informed CFFC volunteer as guest speaker.

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ON.09.06    Understanding Palliative Care (E&H)

Whereas,    Palliative care allows patients to gain more control over their lives, manage pain and symptoms more effectively, and provide support to family and informal caregivers; and

Whereas,     The term “palliative care” is often interpreted as only meaning close to death or end-of-life by the majority of Canadians; and

Whereas,    The services and programs available to patients’ families and caregivers need to be promoted effectively for timely access; therefore, be it

Resolved,    That the Ontario provincial council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, in 62nd annual convention assembled, urge the Ontario Provincial Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to establish an intensive media education program to increase the public’s understanding, perception, and awareness of palliative care and available services; and be it further

Resolved,    That this resolution be forwarded through the national executive to the other ten provincial councils and the three territories, encouraging them to become aware of this issue as it pertains to their province/territory, and to act on it, as deemed necessary/prudent.

BRIEF: Understanding Palliative Care

“The way we care for and support people who are dying, and their families, is one of the measures of our society and the social programs we provide.” (MOH, 2006). “The medical developments of the last century or so have yielded dramatic improvements in our overall quality of life, but they have been accompanied by an increasing medicalization of the dying process. Compared to earlier times, most of us have little direct experience of death. British Columbians are consequently unfamiliar, and sometimes uncomfortable, with the inevitable, final part of life.” (ibid). Canadians need to know that they can access services as soon as they are diagnosed with a chronic disease or illness. If palliative care services are going to be helpful, individuals need to have early access.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines “…palliative care as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual. Palliative care:
•    provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
•    affirms life and regards dying as a normal process
•    intends neither to hasten or postpone death
•    integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
•    offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death
•    offers a support system to help the family cope during the patients illness and in their own bereavement
•    uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if indicated
•    will enhance quality of life, and may also positively influence the course of illness
•    is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications (WHO, 2009).

“Canada’s population is aging. As a result, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) estimates that over the next 40 years demand for hospice palliative care services will continue to increase. Each year more than 259,000 Canadians die. The leading causes of death in Canada are diseases of the circulatory system (about 35%), neoplasms (tumors or cancers) (about 28%) and diseases of the respiratory system (about 10%). Hospice palliative care programs and services are beneficial for all of these groups, which total 73% of all Canadian deaths. In 2004, Statistics Canada projected that the rate of deaths in Canada will increase by 33% by the year 2020 to more than 330,000 deaths per year. In 2007, 37% of Canadians reported that they have been diagnosed by a physician as having a chronic condition or illness. One in three Ontarians live with one or more chronic diseases. Of those, almost four out of five over the age of 65 have one chronic disease, and of those, about 70% suffer from two or more. Chronic diseases account for about 70% of all deaths. The CHPCA estimates that each death in Canada affects the immediate well being of an average of five other people, or more than 1.25 million Canadians each year. Hospice palliative care programs allow patients to gain more control over their lives, manage pain and symptoms more effectively, and provide support to family and informal caregivers.” (CHPCA, 2008).

Education and programming need to be established by the provincial, territorial and federal governments to increase awareness of the basic definition of palliative care.

REFERENCES

Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. Fact Sheet: Hospice palliative care in Canada. April 2008
Secondary sources found in CHPCA:
        Population Projections for Canada, Provinces and Territories – 2000-2026, Statistics Canada, Catalogue #91-520, p.110,124
        Deaths, 2003. Statistics Canada, 2005. Catalogue no. 84F0211XiE, http://www.statcan.ca/English/freepub/84-208-X1E/84-208-X1E2007001.htm
10th Annual Health Care in Canada Survey: A national survey of health care providers, managers and the public, 2007, http://www.hcic-sssc.ca
Ontario Health Quality Council – 2007 Report, March 2007,http://www.ohqc.ca
Rachlis, Michael. Presentation to the Local Health Integration Networks(LHIN) Education Session, Toronto, Ontario, April 6, 2006
Informal Caregivers are family members, loved ones, or friends and neighbors who provide support or care for the dying family member, loved one, or friend. A Model to Guide Hospice Palliative Care: Based on National Principles and Norms of Practice (CHPCA, 2002) defines Informal Caregivers as, “not members of an organization. They have no formal training, and are not accountable to standards of conduct or practice. They may be family members or friends.”
Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Health. A provincial framework for end-of-life care. May 2006
World Health Organization. WHO Definition of palliative care. 2009

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. Fact Sheet: Hospice palliative care in Canada. April 2008
Government of British Columbia, Ministry of Health. A provincial framework for end-of-life care. May 2006
World Health Organization. WHO Definition of palliative care. 2009

ACTION PLAN

•    Write letters to the provincial Minister of Health and Long Term Care and request the minister to develop and increase educational opportunities for health professionals with respect to palliative care.
•    Write letters to the provincial government urging education initiatives be developed for the general public to promote awareness of early palliative care service interventions.
•    Write letters to the provincial government urging development of programs to promote palliative care awareness for community practitioners.
•    Sponsor workshops to promote palliative care education.
•    Invite a guest speaker to a parish meeting to discuss palliative care and end-of-life care.
•    Provide members with material such as pamphlets, articles, and contact information which define palliative care.
•    Members can become more informed by accessing such web-sites as: www.chpca.net and www.hc-sc.gc.ca

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July 2008 Ontario Provincial Resolutions

Whereas,        Bill C-484 Unborn Victims of Crime Act, recognizes unborn children as crime victims when they are injured or killed during the commission of an offence against their mothers; and

Whereas,        The Catholic Women’s League of Canada recognizes the humanity of the unborn child from the moment of conception; therefore, be it

Resolved,        That the Ontario Provincial Council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada in 61st annual convention assembled, urge members to immediately contact their Members of Parliament encouraging them to support the passage of Bill C-484 Unborn Victims of Crime Act, and encourage all concerned citizens to do the same; and be it further

Resolved,        That this resolution be forwarded to the national council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada for consideration at their annual convention in August 2008.

Brief:
Bill C-484 Unborn Victims of Crime Act, (Epp) is a Private Member’s Bill introduced by MP Ken Epp, to recognize unborn children as crime victims when they are injured or killed during the commission of an offence against their mothers. In the past three years five pregnant women have been violently attacked and murdered in Canada, the most recent a 25 year old Toronto woman whose seven month foetus was killed. (CBC)

The Catholic Women’s League of Canada recognizes the humanity of the unborn child from the moment of conception and thus strongly supports changes to the Criminal Code which would make every person who causes the death of a child during birth or at any stage of development before birth, while committing an offence against the mother, guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment.

(Note: this resolution was not recommend for presentation to national convention because this bill has passed second reading in the House of Commons, and the League has been acting on and continues to address the issue; a letter of support was sent to Prime Minister Harper from the floor of the national convention and can be read at http://www.cwl.ca/recentupdates.htm   Sept 11 )

(Note: this was not recommend for presentation to the national convention because the League has a position as stated in previous resolutions (1989.10; 2004.02). However, the updated material provided will be invaluable during delegation discussions with government.)

Whereas, The Greenbelt Plan seeks to protect farmland in Ontario, it protects poor quality farmland while excluding large tracts of prime farmland; and

Whereas, Loss of prime farmlands will continue without adequate provincial farmland preservation policies; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Ontario Provincial Council of the Catholic Women' s League of Canada, in its 59th annual convention assembled, urges the Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to amend the Greenbelt Plan:

• to include the 175,000 acres now left out between currently approved urban boundaries and greenbelt boundaries
• to extend greenbelt protection to all prime farmland in Ontario
•to preserve the viability of farmland that already exists
•to re-evaluate the zoning bylaws adversely affecting farmland already
•encroached upon by urban sprawl.

" Everyone must clearly understand that there is a finite amount of productive land in Ontario and without it we lose the ability to feed ourselves and our children. " 1

" Urban sprawl is gobbling up green space in southern Ontario at an unprecedented rate. " 2

" According to the Canadian Census, the amount of land in productive agriculture in Canada reached its historical peak in 1951 and has been declining ever since. " 3 " Sometime during the 1990 ' s, the area under cultivation exceeded the supply of dependable agricultural land. " " When the limit of dependable land is exceeded, increased cultivation must rely upon marginal land. This lower-quality land is often unsuitable for stable, long-term agricultural production. It is by definition, affected by severe constraints for crop production (e.g. poor soil texture, inadequate drainage and adverse slope.) Production on marginal land may also be more environmentally harmful, as it is often susceptible to soil damage resulting in erosion and requires greater inputs of fertilizers, pesticides and water to achieve a given yield. " 5

In 2005, the Ontario government passed the Greenbelt Act to put into effect the Greenbelt Plan. " The greenbelt is a cornerstone of Ontario ' s Proposed Greater Horseshoe Plan which is an overarching strategy that will provide clarity and certainty about urban structure, where and how future growth should be accommodated, and what must be protected for current and future generations. " 6

" The Greenbelt Plan is under the jurisdiction of Ontario ' s Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and is structured to be implemented through municipal governments. " 7 Although the Plan seeks to minimize infrastructure on Natural Heritage Systems and specialty crop areas (Holland Marsh and Tender Fruit Lands), there is no such protection for prime agricultural land within the Greenbelt ' s protected countryside. 8

The government acknowledges that " Within the vast majority of south-central Ontario and substantial portions of the Greater Golden Horseshoe beyond the Greenbelt Area, there are extensive agricultural areas [which] ¼ will continue to be governed by current and potentially future, planning frameworks and regimes which manage land use in Ontario. " 9

Whereas the Greenbelt Plan outlines the government ' s plans for " Protected Countryside " , The Greater Golden Horseshoe Plan, " Places to Grow " , outlines the government ' s plans for development. 10

There are between 100,000 to 200,000 acres of mostly good farmland already designated for sprawl in existing municipal official plans. The Greenbelt Plan leaves another 175,000 acres bordering development boundaries out of the greenbelt ¼ " 11 " The farmland designated protected countryside is not Class 1 farmland. Much of this land is Class 4 or worse. This is land with poor soil texture, inadequate drainage, problematic slopes, susceptibility to erosion and high dependency on off-farm in-puts, such as fertilizer, pesticides and water to produce food commercially. " 12 The approximately 175,000 acres was left out to allow for urban expansion even though Neptis Foundation research has shown that almost 178,000 acres already within existing boundaries but not yet built out could accommodate expected urban growth for as much as the next 60 to 70 years, depending on development densities. " Ontario Nature, (whose work includes promoting smart growth and seeking to rein in urban sprawl to protect natural areas and farmlands) strongly opposes these lands having been left out and we advocated for the inclusion of ALL these lands in the greenbelt. " " Agricultural land in urbanizing regions enhances quality of life. It contributes to green space, wildlife habitat, rural character and access to fresh, high quality locally grown produce. " 13

" The Ontario government cannot protect a greenbelt without providing for the economic viability of farming. " 17 Ensuring the protection of prime agriculture land through greenbelt type legislation is part of a larger strategy for sustainable agriculture in Ontario.

Whereas, Legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide provides no legal protection for the frail, the poor, the elderly and others who are vulnerable;

Resolved, That the Ontario Provincial Council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada at 59 th annual convention assembled, request the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada to urge the Federal Minister of Justice to retain and uphold the current status and wording of the Criminal Code of Canada, which currently protects human life from euthanasia, Section 222, and assisted suicide, Section 241; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada for consideration at the annual convention in August 2006.

Euthanasia is the deliberate killing of someone by action or omission, with or without that person's consent.

There is no separate offence of euthanasia under the Canadian Criminal Code. It is treated as murder, which can be first degree if planned or second degree if not planned. 1

It is crucial to ensure that the infirm, the vulnerable and the poor are never thought of as burdens to society. It is crucial to provide everyone with quality long-term care in respectful and dignified surroundings. 2

Canadian citizens should be assured that their dignity at every stage of life is

recognized by government as important. They must be reassured by government that their needs will be met humanely. They must be shown true compassion in the care they receive from society, not through death-dealing, but by being looked after in a life-giving way. 2

References:
1 Catholic Organization for Life and Family, Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Urgent Questions , Copyright COLF, 2005
2 Press Release, Death by Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide: Not a Need Not a Right, Toronto, October 6, 2005, The Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute

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ON.06.03 Labelling of Pest Control Products

Whereas, The availability and use of pest control products pose potential risks both directly and indirectly, to the health, safety and well-being of people in Canada and to the environment; and

Whereas, Currently it is not mandatory to include easily read warning labels on these pest control products; and

Whereas, Disposal of empty containers of pest control products is unregulated in spite of potential harm due to leakage; therefore be it

• amend Bill C-8 2002, Pest Control Products Act and Bill H-3 1985 Hazardous Products Act, to require consumer warnings on pest control products similar to Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (WHMIS)

• amend Bill C-8, 2002, Pest Control Products Act, to require pest control products and their containers be clearly labelled as hazardous

• require that pest control products and their containers be required to be disposed of as hazardous waste, and

• initiate a campaign or awareness program to reduce the use of pest control products for public and private use; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada for consideration at their annual convention in August 2006.

The Pest Control Products Act , which governs the importation, registration and sale of pest control products in Canada, states in its opening Whereas that ".the availability and use of pest control products pose potential risks, both directly and indirectly, to the health, safety and well-being of people in Canada and to the environment." Precautionary and first aid instructions on pest control products, as now written in extremely fine print, fail to sufficiently warn the consumer about the inherent risks of product use.

Bill H-3 1985, Hazardous Products Act, explicitly excludes pest control products which are therefore sold without conspicuous consumer warning labels. In addition, because of this exclusion, there are no regulations to protect the lawn care or agricultural worker using pest control products with mandatory Workplace Hazardous Material Information System(WHIMS)labels as required for other workplace hazardous material.

Documented evidence clearly demonstrates the linkage between the use of pest control products and damage to humans, the environment and pets.

Due to a lack of regulatory standards, labels on the containers of pest control products are written in very fine print. A randomly chosen label on weed feed (not required by law to label with WHMIS or similar system of quick warning) says:

"RE-ENTRY INTERVAL: Do not allow people (other than applicator) or pets on treatment area during application. Do not enter treatment area until spray has thoroughly dried. Precautions : KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN . Harmful if swallowed. Avoid contact with eyes, skins, and clothing. Avoid breathing spray mist. Wear long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, shoes and chemical resistance (e.g. rubber) gloves. Rinse gloves before removal. Wash hands before eating, drinking, using tobacco or using the toilet. If pesticide penetrates clothing, remove immediately, then wash thoroughly and put on clean clothing. Remove clothing and launder separately before reuse, and promptly and thoroughly wash hands and exposed skin with soap and water, then shower. Re-use gloves for pesticide application only. Store in its original container tightly closed and away from children and pets. Causes eye irritation. May cause skin irritation. Wash application equipment thoroughly after use. Do not apply to bent grass lawns or lawns containing more than 15% bent grass. Avoid using recently treated grass clippings as mulch on susceptible plants. Apply on calm days only to avoid drift to desirable plants and ornaments. Disposal Procedures: Discard empty container in household garbage. First Aid: GET MEDICAL ATTENTION OR CONTACT POISON CONTROL CENTRE. IF IN EYES: flush with plenty of water and get medical attention or contact poison centre. IF ON SKIN: Wash with soap and water. IF SWALLOWED : Get medical attention or contact poison control centre."

Comparison with randomly chosen and obviously less harmful No-Name household bleach (required by law to label) shows "Caution Irritant" in large letters on the front and on the reverse:

WARNING: CAUSES BURNS, DANGEROUS FUMES FORM WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER PRODUCTS. DO NOT MIX WITH AMMONIA, ACIDS, TOILET BOWL CLEANERS OR DRAIN CLEANERS. DO NOT SWALLOW. DO NOT GET IN EYES OR ON SKIN OR CLOTHING. DO NOT BREATH FUMES. HANDLE WITH CARE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. WEAR RUBBER GLOVES AND SAFETY GLASSES. USE ONLY IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA. DO NOT USE ON COPPER, ALUMINUM, STEEL OR SILVER. DO NOT TRANSFER TO FOOD OR BEVERAGE CONTAINERS. KEEP TIGHTLY CAPPED IN UPRIGHT POSITION. STORE IN COOL DRY AREA AWAY FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT. FIRST AID TREATMENT: CONTAINS SODIUM HYPOCHORITE. IF SWALLOWED, CALL A POISON CONTROL CENTRE OR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IF IN EYES, RINSE WITH WATER FOR 15 MINUTES. IF ON SKIN, RINSE WELL WITH WATER. IF ON CLOTHES, REMOVE CLOTHES. IF BREATHED IN, MOVE PERSON INTO FRESH AIR. KEEP PERSON WARM.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hazardous Products Act , R.S. 1985, c. H-3
Pest Control Act, Bill C.8, 2002.

"Pesticides, Making The Right Choice For The Protection Of Health And The Environment, Report Of The Standing Committee On Environment And Sustainable Development, May 2000", Http://Www.Parl.Gc.Ca/Infocomdoc/36/2/Envi/Studies/Reports/Envi01/04-Toc-E.Html

" Briefing Notes on Bill C-53 The Proposed New Pest Control Products Act for the Standing Coming on Health, May 2, 2002, The Ontario College of Family Physicians, 357 Bay Street, Mezzanine, Toronto ON M5H 2T7

Note at the national convention this was renamed and passed as 2006.06 > Labelling and Disposal of Pest Control Products [L]

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ON.06.04 Ontario Works Recipients Income Increase

Whereas, The current income supports that Ontario residents receive under the Ontario Works program are much lower than low income cut-offs established by Statistics Canada; and

Whereas, In March 2004, there were 672,000 people on Ontario Works living in poverty; and

Whereas, This causes a serious risk for life long poverty and loss of human potential;

Resolved, That the Ontario Provincial Council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada at 59 th annual convention assembled, urge the Ontario government:

• to make revisions that will provide people on social assistance with sufficient income comparable to the Ontario Low Income Cut Off (LICO) established by Statistics Canada, in order to have adequate housing, food and other basic needs; and be it further

A raise of 40% in Ontario Works(OW) benefits is urgently needed to give back to OW clients the buying power that they lost when benefits were cut back in 1994 1 OW clients often receive less than fifty per cent of the low income cut-off (LICO) established by Statistics Canada 2 . The table shows the maximum income for OW recipients in column 2 3 and compares them with LICOs (poverty line incomes) for communities of various sizes in columns 3 to 7 4 .Generally, OW clients all receive the same income regardless of the size of the community in which they live.

Income levels for Ontario Works recipients compared with Ontario LICOs for 2004 (after tax)

Family Maximum Rural Community Community Community Community
Size Benefit Areas <30,000 30,000- 99,000 100,000- 499,000 > 500,000
_________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The deprivation that OW clients experience makes it impossible for them to become healthy and contributing members of society . Their income is so meager that their day to day lives are consumed with finding cheaper shelter and additional food from social service agencies rather than engaging in training or looking for work. They become sick and demoralized.

Social research provides strong evidence that poverty is a major cause of illness and premature death. OW clients are forced to spend a disproportionate amount of their income on shelter. Unable to afford milk, vegetables and fruit, they often choose filling foods that are high in fat and calories. As their health status deteriorates, OW clients become vulnerable to diseases including cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness and diabetes 5 Their recoveries from illness are more costly to the health care system because they are longer and more complicated due to their poor health . 6 .

There is much evidence that poverty interferes with educational attainment. A study released in 2004 by the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy reported that only 27% of youth from poor neighbourhoods completed high school on schedule for their age, compared with 77% of youth from wealthier neighbourhoods. 7 . When the researchers compared the neonatal statistics on birth weight and Apgar scores of the two groups of youth, there was no difference between them, 8 suggesting that the two groups had equal potential at birth, to grow up healthily. The difference in their achievements by school graduation age must be the result of their life experience. People who do not complete secondary education are at serious risk for lifelong poverty because they cannot get secure employment and they are often forced into continued dependence on social assistance.

Poverty is the most significant risk factor for youth to become involved in criminal activity. Children growing up in poverty suffer from material deprivation and social exclusion. Consequently, they develop behaviours that can lead to involvement in crime. The justice system deals more harshly with low income offenders and their incarceration is a major cost to society. 9 . The risk of poor outcomes for child development decreases dramatically when family income reaches $30,000 and outcomes are even better when family income exceeds $ 40,000. 10 .

In March 2004, there were 672,000 people on Ontario Works living in poverty. 11 . This is an unacceptable loss of human potential, a disgrace for us as a community, and a very costly mistake. 12.

Whereas, It is estimated that consumers world wide use over 500 billion plastic bags each year and many billions end up as litter; and

Whereas, Plastic bags do not biodegrade, they photo degrade or break down into smaller and smaller pieces, contaminating soil and waterways, and causing death to marine life, wildlife and farm animals that accidentally ingest these pieces; and

Whereas, The production of plastic bags requires petroleum and often natural g as, both non-renewable resources that cause damage to fragile habitats and ecosystems around the world; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Ontario Provincial Council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada urge members to become aware of the use and abuse of plastic bags; and be it further

Resolved, That the Ontario Provincial Council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada in 59th annual convention assembled request the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada to urge the Federal Minister of the Environment to introduce an awareness campaign on the use and abuse of plastic bags by:

• promoting the use of alternatives for consumers, i.e. cloth bags and/or tote boxes; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada for consideration at the annual convention in August 2006.

Well over a billion single use plastic bags are given out for free each day. Those bags come at a very high cost to our environment and society. Since they were introduced in the 1970's plastic bags have infiltrated our lives. Globally, we carry home between 500 billion and 1 trillion every year or about 150 for every person on earth. Billions of these plastic bags end up as litter every year. While plastic bags may be hygienic, odorless, waterproof and a convenient way of carrying goods, they are environmentally unsound. 1

Plastic bags can have a devastating effect on wildlife. 2 Estimates are that worldwide, thousands of whales, birds, turtles and seals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food. On land, many cows, goats and other animals suffer a similar fate to marine life when they accidentally ingest plastic bags while foraging for food.

Recycling will not solve this problem. Recycling rates for plastic bags are extremely low. Only one to three percent of plastic bags end up being recycled. The economics of recycling plastic bags is not efficient. The process of sorting, the contamination of inks, and the overall low quality of the plastic used in plastic bags makes recycling them economically unsound.

Many bags collected for recycling never get recycled. A growing trend is to ship them to other countries, which are rapidly becoming the dumping ground for the Western world's glut of recyclables. Rather than being recycled they are cheaply incinerated under more lax environmental laws.

Even if recycling rates increased dramatically, it would not solve other significant problems: the use of non-renewable resources; toxic chemicals in their original production; the inevitable glut of bags that end up littering our environment, where they eventually break down into tiny toxic bits.

Plastic bags may not be the most adverse problem facing our environment, however, they are everywhere and involve a real cost to society.

High costs are paid both for the non-renewable resources they require and for the damage that is done to the environment to obtain the petroleum and natural gas required for their production. The toxic chemical ingredients needed to make the plastic produces pollution and the energy needed to manufacture and transport disposable bags eats up more resources and contributes to global warming. 3

While retailers give the bags away "free," their costs are passed on to the consumer in higher prices. 4

In a landfill, plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to degrade. As litter, they break down into tiny little bits, contaminating our soil and water. Collection, hauling and disposal of plastic bag waste creates an additional environmental impact, putting an unnecessary burden on our diminishing landfill space and causing air pollution if incinerated. 5

Note: This was not presented as a resolution at the national convention
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ON.06.06 Religious Rights and Freedoms Concerning Marriage

Whereas , On July 20, 2005, the federal government adopted Bill C-38, (An Act Respecting Certain Aspects of Legal Capacity for Marriage for Civil Purposes) changing the definition of marriage to the union of two persons to the exclusion of all others, thereby extending civil marriage to couples of the same sex; and

Whereas , Bill C-38 also assured " the right to freedom of religion " for " faith groups ¼ protected from being forced to solemnize marriage, or participate in other ways, when proposed marriage does not conform to their religious beliefs " 1 according to freedom of religion and conscience guarantees under Section 2 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms ; and

Whereas, In 2005, Ontario passed Bill 171 protecting the right of religious officials who solemnize marriages and control the use of sacred places to do so in accordance with their religious beliefs ; therefore, be it

Resolved , That the Ontario Provincial Council of The Catholic Women ' s League of Canada in 59th annual convention assembled , urge the Ontario Provincial Governmnet to extend the legislation for the solemnization of marriage beyond the clergy, guaranteeing the protection of the concientious and religious rights of:

_ all religious groups and those who support their beliefs, i.e. marriage commissioners, church personnel relating to buildings, grounds and facilities, volunteers, and employees

_ all individuals who refuse to recognize, host, teach, support or participate in services connected with same sex marriage; and be it further

Resolved That the Ontario Provincial Council of The Catholic Women ' s League of Canada in 59th annual convention assembled, request the national council of The Catholic Women ' s League of Canada to encourage the provincial councils to urge their provincial and territorial governments to enact or extend the legislation for the solemnization of marriage beyond the clergy, guaranteeing the protection of the concientious and religious rights of:

_ all religious groups and those who support their beliefs, i.e. marriage commissioners, church personnel relating to buildings, grounds and facilities, volunteers, and employees

_ all individuals who refuse to recognize, host, teach, support or participate in services connected with same sex marriage; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to the national council of The Catholic Women ' s League of Canada for consideration at its annual convention in August 2006.

1 The Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops, Media Release - Response of the Supreme Court of Canada to

the Marriage Reference [On-line]. December 21, 2004 . Available: http:www.occb.on.ca/english/MediaCourtDec04.pdf

Parliament has adopted Bill C-38, the Civil Marriage Act, which re-defines the institution of marriage as the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others, thus including couples of the same sex. This brings into question conscientious and religious freedom guarantees in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms regarding the solemnization of marriage. Federally, Bill C-38 states that; " ¼ everyone has the freedom of conscience and religion under Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ; ¼ It is recognized that officials of religious groups are free to refuse to perform marriages that are not in accordance with their religious beliefs . " 3

However, since the solemnization of marriage is under provincial jurisdiction , it is necessary to enact legislation that guarantees full religious and conscientious protection for those who do not recognize, support or participate in any way in the solemnization of homosexual marriage in Canada . Religious groups must be guaranteed the right to maintain their rules, practices, rites, teachings and traditions regarding the solemnization of marriage exclusively for heterosexual couples. Clergy, church personnel, volunteers and volunteer agency personel; employers and employees of religious organizations and others involved in civil marriage ceremonies must be guaranteed the right to recognize, participate, or otherwise be engaged in only those marriages which are consistent with their beliefs and traditions. Staff of religious schools and school boards, prinicipals, teachers, parents, and students must also be guaranteed the right to continue to be involved with the promotion, teaching, studying, and creation of curriculum for religion and family life educational programs which present a view of marriage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and practices.

Persons affiliated with church owned property, buildings, grounds , facilities and related resources require legislative protection from having to host, support, or otherwise be involved with marriages other than within their established religious rites, observances and understandings, including the right to refuse access for such intents and purposes.

1 Smith, Bishop Richard W. " Marriage and Family Must be Protected. " The Canadian League , vol. 81/ No.2/Spring 2005. p. 3

2 The Ontario Provincial Council of The Catholic Women ' s League of Canada. (April 2005). Submission To The Justice Committee Re: Bill C-38, The Civil Marriage Act

3 Canada , Parliament, House of Commons. 1 st Session, 38 th Parliament, ( February 1, 2005 ) Bill C-38: Civil Marriage Section, lines 1-3 , 39-42

4 Horgan, Philip. " Summary of Recommendations Regarding Bill C-38 Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. " [On-line] June 12, 2005 . Available: http:// www. Ccrl.ca

Note this resolution was re named and passed at the National convention as 2006.01 > Religious Freedom [SD]

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ON.06.07 Renewable Energy

Whereas, Much of our energy supply comes from non-renewable resources such as oil, coal, natural gas, or radioactive elements; and

Whereas, Renewable energy quickly replaces itself and is available in a never-ending supply either from the natural flow of sunlight, wind or water around the earth; and

Whereas, Wind energy is clean, does not produce air pollution, is completely renewable, high reliable and very efficient; therefore, be it

• to increase production and use of clean, renewable energy as in the form of wind, water, and solar power; therefore be it further

Resolved That the Ontario Provincial Council request the national council to urge the Federal Minister of Energy and the Federal Minister of the Environment:

• to increase production and use of clean, renewable energy as in the form of wind, water, and solar power; therefore be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada for consideration at the annual national convention in August 2006

Brief
Electricity powers our heat and light. It runs our televisions, stereos, and computers. We expect things to work at the flip of a switch or the push of a button. Rarely do we wonder about the fuels that power electricity. 1

Today much of our energy supply comes from coal, oil, natural gas or radioactive elements. They are considered non-renewable because once they are removed from the ground and used, they are not replaced.

Scientists predict global warming will produce drastic results, including coastline flooding from rising sea levels, increased droughts and famine, the spread of disease, more severe storms, and the potential for an ice age. 1

The need for renewable energy has intensified in Ontario with a potential for wind, hydropower, biomass, geothermal and solar energy.

Renewable energy is clean, does not produce air pollution and is reliable and efficient.

Wind and solar power are the world's fastest growing energy sources, with capacity expanding at double digit rates every year over the past decade. Globally, wind power already generates electricity equal to that used by millions of European households. The effects of this rapid growth include impressive technological advances, dramatic cost reductions, and an increase in political support for renewable energy around the world. 2

These developments occur against a backdrop of rapidly rising demand for energy, as well as growing concerns about the security of energy supplies and the environmental and health dangers associated with the burning of fossil fuels. Indeed, the need for new, sustainable sources of energy has never been greater. Although renewables currently meet only 2% of global energy demand, the technical potential of these inexhaustible and relatively benign energy sources far exceed total energy use. 2

For renewable energy to make a significant contribution to the economic development, job creation, reduced fossil fuel dependence, improved human health, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, it is essential to improve the efficiency of the technologies, reduce their costs, and develop mature, self sustaining industries to manufacture, install, and maintain renewable energy systems.

Note this resolution was passed at the national convention as 2006.04 > Renewable Energy [EH]