Citizens for the Environment and Future in Eastern Ontario

Our Publications and Press releases

• New municipal by-law (February 14, 2005) in East-Hawkesbury – CEFEO congratulates Municipal Council
   

• The Case Against Industrial Hog Factories – Analysis by members of CEFEO (20 February 2004): A position paper addressing the problems associated with intensive hog operations -- Environmental (and Health), Economic and Emotional issues --  followed by a brief segment on the shortcomings of Ontario’s Nutrient Management Act as it applies to intensive (mega) hog operations, the details of our ongoing petition for a provincial moratorium (which you can join by clicking here). A strongly documented and scientific case is made to stop by a provincial moratorium the expansion of industrial integrators and corporate intensive hog operations, for as long as it takes to study crucial issues in a comprehensive and prudent manner, and improve regulations and practices.
  
  

• Serious word of caution from Dr Robert Bourdeau, Medical Officer of Health, Eastern Ontario Health Unit (27 October, 2003): Industrial Swine Operation and Community Health Effects - Medical Evaluation and Risk Assessment [This one is not a CEFEO publication.]
  
  

• Situation in East Hawkesbury – October 31, 2003 
  At an “All Candidates” debate for the Municipal elections in East Hawkesbury, the audience cheered the unanimous declarations of all candidates opposing the invasion of Ste. Eugene and Ste. Anne de Prescott with mega hog factories. In view of very recent developments in Quebec, this position is the right one. The Environment Minister in Quebec has extended the moratorium against new hog factories in that province until the regulations are improved. But will this situation in Québec push their integrators to try even harder to break into Eastern Ontario? The Ontario government has to adopt a similar moratorium to protect the health and environment of Eastern Ontario against an invasion of Quebec hog factories. (click here to continue)
  
  

• Newsletter #2  -- Mega Hog Farms: A Threat to our Future! In St. Eugene, North-Glengarry and elsewhere in Eastern Ontario, the threat continues!) (July 2003)

(In chronological order. To start with the most recent items, click here to get to the bottom of this page)

• FACTSHEET AND ALERT – « Industrial Hog Farms: a Threat to St-Eugène & Ste-Anne de Prescott » distributed to residents of Hawkesbury-Est (16 February 2003)

An introduction to the risks posed by hog factories to communities.

• STATEMENT [in FRENCH] to East-Hawkesbury Council at a special public meeting (20 February 2003)

Overview of many risks posed by hog factories: threats to local farmers, public health, underground water, rivers, property value, economic development, community relations and tourism.

• PRESS RELEASE – « Application for an industrial hog farm: Mayor declares conflit of interest – too late. Citizens in Eastern Ontario and Western Québec in a state of shock » (20 February 2003)

A municipal moratorium is passed at a special public meeting, but too late: Mayor Michel Lalonde opens the meeting with a declaration of a personal financial interest and he withdraws from the case before Council. People he has financial ties with have handed in an application for a permit, just hours before the adoption of the moratorium. Citizens in the township meeting room are baffled and outraged.

• FACTSHEET – « Industrial Hog Farms In Our Backyard: A Threat for the Rigaud, Hudson & St-Lazare Area » for citizens of the neighbouring Québec towns of Rigaud, Hudson, St-Lazare, Très-St-Rédempteur and Pointe-Fortune (23 February 2003). 

Alert about the targeting of East-Hawkesbury by industrial hog barn promoters, the inevitability of cross-border pollution (in view of the prevailing winds and the geography of the Rigaud River and Ottawa River watershed); call for citizens to urge their mayors to contact the East-Hawkesbury Reeve.

• RESOLUTION 1-2003 – « Farms – Not Hog Factories » (27 February 2003)

Farms are an essential component of our rural communities and must be protected. Establishment of mega hog factories is incompatible with the preservation of our rural communities and of our quality of life, and is also incompatible with the protection of farms. The Ontario government must create a separate regulatory framework for mega hog industries, which are not farms, but industries and need to be regulated as industries.

• STATEMENT [IN FRENCH] to East-Hawkesbury Council at a regular meeting (3 March 2003) – English version coming soon

Further demands to Council, after the adoption of the interim control by-law. (Feb 20). Overview of further threats that industrial hog factories pose to local farmers: damage to the quality of well water, drop of the level of the aquifer networks and potential of wells running dry, loss of farmers’ autonomy.

• PRESS RELEASE – «100 citizens say NO to industrial hog operations at largest demo ever in East-Hawkesbury» (4 March 2003)

More and more citizens join the movement opposing the establishment of industrial hog farms in East. Despite the freezing temperature (-24 degrees), close to 100 people demonstrated peacefully but loudly, Monday night, in the parking lot of the municipal building in St-Eugene. People said YES to farms, YES to the rural environment, but NO to industrial hog operations. After the demonstration, the Citizens for the Environment and Future in Eastern Ontario made a presentation to the municipal council, in a packed room. They spoke about the devastating impact the establishment of industrial hog operations would have on local farmers. Citizens ask Council to make sure no permit is granted for a mega hog factory. If a permit is granted, the Town must fight with its citizens against it.

• Industrial Hog Operation in East Hawkesbury: Building permit has been refused, but it is too early to declare victory (Press release, 10 March 2003)

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