Update …as of December 19th support for our initiative had increased to include
the Province of British Columbia, as well as 15 BC municipal governments
– all proclaiming December 11th 2014 ‘A Day For Our Common Future’.
With British Columbia representing 13% of Canada’s population, and the local government support comprising some 30% of BC’s residents, we believe there is growing interest in seeing ‘A Day For Our Common Future’ proclaimed annually.
In this respect we expect to reach out across the country in 2015, inviting support by local, provincial and federal representatives in Canada.
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2014
Seven BC Cities Proclaim December 11th ‘A Day For Our Common Future’
CEDAR – “As a society we think many promising answers to present challenges lie in working locally for global solutions,” says Laurie Gourlay, President of the Vancouver Island and Coast Conservation Society.
Seven cities in British Columbia have just signed the VICCS Proclamation to support December 11th as ‘A Day For Our Common Future’ (see Proclamation , attached). Representing approximately 615,000 BC residents the cities include Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, Oak Bay, Nanaimo, Parksville and Campbell River.
“With the Mayors and Council of almost 15% of BC’s population formally in support the Vancouver Island and Coast Conservation Society couldn’t be more pleased,” says Gourlay. “Interest is growing, and solutions are being sought for a balanced approach to growth and development.”
In late November the non-profit society circulated the Proclamation to BC municipalities, asking that they recognize the 1987 anniversary of ‘Our Common Future’ having been received by the United Nations. Prepared by the World Commission on Environment and Development this report prompted nations around the world to begin working together for sustainable development.
“The Proclamation recalls the contribution that sustainable development makes to our long-term economic, social, ecological and cultural goals,” Gourlay states. “And that Canada played a critical role in fostering and writing Our Common Future.”
The Vancouver Island and Coast Conservation Society has also written to Prime Minister Harper and to all Members of Parliament, drawing attention to recent G20 Summit concerns as well as remarks made by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon just prior to this week’s Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru.
“As we look forward to 2017 we expect to see many ways that Canadians can celebrate our nation’s 150th birthday of Confederation,” the VICCS letter notes. “It would say much to the world, and to Canada’s vision as a community of communities, if we also recognized the 30th anniversary of ‘Our Common Future’ – December 11th 2017.”
In this respect one of the specific goals of the Proclamation raises attention to the adverse effects of climate change, recommending increased support for adaptation, mitigation and climate-smart development.
“Overall we believe the Proclamation offers a practical, positive and solution-oriented approach which reflects the interests of Canadians from all walks of life,” Gourlay adds. “We’re looking for healthy ways to achieve sustainable development – economic, social, environmental and cultural initiatives for everyone’s benefit.”
With the goal of encouraging cross-Canada participation VICCS intends to increase national interest in the Proclamation over the next few years, as well as local efforts for sustainable development. “By 2017 we hope all Canadians will be looking to our common future, and what we might achieve together – in cooperation and partnership,” says Gourlay.
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For more information:
Laurie Gourlay
Vancouver Island & Coast Conservation Society, P.O. Box 333, Cedar, B.C., V9X 1W1, (viccs@shaw.ca) <www.viccs.vcn.bc.ca>
