Lakehead University
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

On December 5 and 6, 2013, the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration held a conference at Lakehead University on the Role of Government Policy in Sustainable Mining Development. The purpose of the conference was to examine the past, present and future of public policy and how it promotes sustainable mining development. With a great range speakers and over 130 attendees the conference will help to inform future policy development as it pertains to mining in northern Ontario, particularly the Ring of Fire. The Centre for Place and Sustainability Studies, under the direction of Dr. David Greenwood, has been involved in the following: June, 2014. The Centre co-sponsored an Environmental Funders Forum. The free public forum provided a platform for funders, experts and stakeholders to discuss successful models, trends, and environmental priority themes in relation to funding. Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario. February, 2014. The Centre co-hosted the Earthcare Community Forum, a community-wide open house with featured speakers and opportunities for youth and other leaders to participate in developing the city’s sustainability plan. Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay, Ontario. July, 2013. The Centre co-sponsored the Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s (NAN) 2013 Food Symposium, which included presentations from NAN communities, hands-on skill building workshops, traditional medicines, guest speakers, and round table discussions. Common Grounds, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Based on a survey conducted by the Centre for Place and Sustainability Studies, faculty, staff, and graduate students reported that they were engaged in the following: - Faculty foundation and operation of CUSP (Citizens United for a Sustainable Planet) - Participation in making suggestions to the City of Thunder Bay on how to reduce the amount of garbage collected from households. This was in response to the City requesting suggestions from the general public. - Some faculty reported being members of the Council of Canadians - Some faculty are members of the Thunder Bay EarthCare Adaptation Research Group, proposing steps that should be taken to adapt to ongoing and future climate changes in Thunder Bay - included helping prepare reports and run workshops for decision-makers. - Various faculty involved in "DEEPER– the Deepening Environmental Education in Pre-Service Education Resource" work to influence educational policy with the Ministry of Education. - Faculty have attended and organized protests and environmental fair related to climate change, the Experimental Lakes Area, and against Conservative politicians. Spoken regarding Tar Sands pipelines and against the Energy East proposal. - Faculty on the Board for the True North Community Co-operative - Faculty as Chair of the Food Infrastructure Working Group for the Thunder Bay Food Strategy. - Faculty on National Advisory Committee for the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems out of Wilfred Laurier University.