Infrastructure failings mean Ontario schools are primed for spreading disease, teachers warn:

The windows on Vamvalis’ floor do not open, and ventilation is poor.
Vamvalis lives with a chronic lung condition, and the air quality in her
school has always exacerbated the problem. Before the COVID-19
pandemic, she worked with the school’s caretakers to try to improve the
ventilation through regular filter changes with little success.

Infrastructure failings mean Ontario schools are primed for spreading disease, teachers warn: Every school has different furniture, but in recent years some
classrooms have intentionally moved away from individual desks towards
shared tables in the interest of fostering collaborative learning
environments, said one York region teacher who shares
Vamvalis’ concern.The windows on Vamvalis’ floor do not open, and ventilation is poor.
Vamvalis lives with a chronic lung condition, and the air quality in her
school has always exacerbated the problem. Before the COVID-19
pandemic, she worked with the school’s caretakers to try to improve the
ventilation through regular filter changes with little success.Read More

Seven principles to align COVID-19 recovery with Canada’s climate commitments—new report shown to key federal ministers: July 7, 2020, Unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe Territory (Ottawa) —As the federal government works out its COVID-19 economic recovery, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) today released seven principles that outline a roadmap for meeting Canada’s 2050 climate commitments while spurring economic resiliency and creating good jobs. Canada’s leading environmental groups, who represent close to two million people, have signed on to the new recommendations. Several of the groups, including the Pembina Institute, Climate Action Network Canada, David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence, and Équiterre, met last week with key federal ministers to provide a more detailed path forward as Canada moves out of an emergency phase and into recovery.

“The federal government is spending billions on economic stimulus and has signalled that it is committed to a green recovery. This report shows the vital importance of strong climate action if we are to be effective in creating good jobs, a resilient economy and a healthy, fair society,” says Vanessa Corkal of IISD, lead author of the report. “Our response to COVID-19 must put us on a better path to confront the climate and biodiversity crises, which in their own way will have major health impacts.”

Seven principles to align COVID-19 recovery with Canada’s climate commitments—new report shown to key federal ministers: July 7, 2020, Unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe Territory (Ottawa) —As the federal government works out its COVID-19 economic recovery, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) today released seven principles that outline a roadmap for meeting Canada’s 2050 climate commitments while spurring economic resiliency and creating good jobs. Canada’s leading environmental groups, who represent close to two million people, have signed on to the new recommendations. Several of the groups, including the Pembina Institute, Climate Action Network Canada, David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence, and Équiterre, met last week with key federal ministers to provide a more detailed path forward as Canada moves out of an emergency phase and into recovery.“The federal government is spending billions on economic stimulus and has signalled that it is committed to a green recovery. This report shows the vital importance of strong climate action if we are to be effective in creating good jobs, a resilient economy and a healthy, fair society,” says Vanessa Corkal of IISD, lead author of the report. “Our response to COVID-19 must put us on a better path to confront the climate and biodiversity crises, which in their own way will have major health impacts.”Read More