It is really incredible to watch the development of an idea, as it grows into something grand.

I have been lucky enough to watch the idea of one Thornhill, Ontario (my hometown) resident, Jonathan Maister expand right before my very eyes.

In an April 2008 issue of Canadian Geographic Magazine, Jonathan read about the West Toronto Initiative for Solar Energy (WISE). The community-led renewable energy project organized the bulk purchase of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Solar Hot Water (SHW) systems. In the first wave of this initiative, 86 units (60 solar hot water systems and 26 solar electric systems) were ordered. Residents were able to take their own personal energy use into their own hands while reducing their environmental impact (through the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions their energy source resulted in).
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Toronto Bans Water Bottles

The City of Toronto and its mayor, David Miller, have proven that they are serious about taking steps to help reduce the city’s impact on the environment. Will the measures prove to be successful in the end? I believe the recent mandatory $.05 charge for plastic bags will reduce demand— citizens already have more cloth bags than the need. I am more sceptical about the success of the water bottle ban. It lacks the scale of the “grocery bag tax” as it only pertains to municipal grounds. How about a $1.00 “bottled water tax” instead (with a non-toxic water bottle advertising the policy sent to every household in Toronto?).
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Regardless of your views on his political ideology, it is hard to debate Sam Gindin’s arguement and suggestion from a November 26^th article:

“First, as absolutely essential as the bailout is, it won’t end the crisis in the auto industry even if the Detroit-based companies adjust their models. That’s because the industry has so much excess capacity and slow growth will characterize at least the next few years, if not beyond. This means that even as the union lobbies to achieve the bailout, it needs to raise its perspective beyond auto. It needs to start thinking about the application of existing facilities and skills to a larger set of products. Here, the environment re-enters, but rather than being a threat to jobs it holds out the potential of adding jobs. If the environment is going to be seriously addressed in this century, it will mean changing not just the kind of cars we drive and how they are powered, but everything about how we work, consume, travel, live. To that end, auto’s assembly, component and tool and die shops, along with its body of skilled and committed workers, are an asset that can be converted into producing wind turbines, solar panels, parts for mass transit vehicles, more energy-sensitive industrial machinery and more energy efficient home appliances.”
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Every candidate attempts to obtain 4 levels of commitment from voters through the running of their campaign:

i) A vote for the candidate
ii) A commitment to “soft” campaigning for the candidate (speaking with friends, family)
iii) A commitment to “hard” campaigning (volunteering for the campaign: fundraising, going door to door, putting up signs)
iv) Financial support (donations)

Based on the recent Federal election, it would appear that candidates in Canada are having a hard time getting the first commitment out of Canadians.Tamir Birk reminds us that at 59.1%, the 2008 Federal election had the lowest voter turnout in Canadian history.
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