Citizens Environment Alliance

The Citizens Environment Alliance (CEA) is a non-profit, grass-roots, international, education and research organization. We are committed to an ecosystem approach to environmental planning and management.

The Citizens Environment Alliance of Southwestern Ontario acknowledges that we are located on the traditional territory of Attawandaron, Anishnaabeg and Haudenosauonee peoples.

Events

News & Views

Carbon Pricing Should Remain Part of Canada's Climate Policy 

March 2024

The Citizens Environment Alliance has endorsed Climate Action Network Canada's statement regarding the disinformation about carbon pricing policies in Canada. Find out more about carbon pricing, read the statement. 

Municipal Climate Action in Ontario

February 2024

The Urban Climate Alliance (UCA) presented a webinar entitled: Municipal Climate Action in Ontario - Working Toward Sustainable, Resilient, and Vibrant Communities at the Local Level as part of the UCA's ongoing collaboration on climate action in Ontario municipalities. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlwFwTx1tFU

CEA 2024 Annual General Meeting

Thanks to everyone who attended CEA's AGM on February 24, 2024.

Congratulations to our 2024-25 Directors: President Frank Butler, Vice-President Michael Schneider, Secretary Parma Yarkin, Director Al McKinnon, Director Phil Roberts, Director Giovanni Abati and Director Philippa von Ziegenweidt.

Principles for a Green Transition in Ontario

October 2023

The Ontario Green Priorities coalition has created a set of principles that we believe are necessary for a successful and sustainable green energy transition in Ontario. This includes principles for transportation, the power sector, mining, and environmental justice. You can read the details here, Principles for a Green Transition.

Ontario to Abandon Sensible Land Use Planning for Unfettered Sprawl

June 2023

Sixty-two Ontario groups, including the CEA wrote to the provincial government to reconsider their plan to eliminate the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). The PPS has provided, at least, a modicum of balanced direction on land use planning in Ontario. Some of the proposed changes include: eliminating mandatory intensification and greenfield density targets designed to rein in urban sprawl. The provincial government is also planning to replace the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Read our submission.

Provincial Government Proposes Radical Alteration to Environmental Assessments

May 2023

In three postings to the Environmental Registry, the provincial government has proposed fundamentally flawed changes to the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). The proposed changes lack supportive evidence and would undermine the public interest provisions of the Act. In response to these proposals the CEA along with other environmental organizations and First Nations collaborated through a submission coordinated by the Canadian Environmental Law Association. The submission also proposed fifteen improvements to the EAA. See the submission.

New Gas Plant Threatens Windsor's Climate Accountability

January 2023

In a disappointing turn of events, City of Windsor administration has supported a new, dirty, gas-fired power plant proposed for east Windsor. City administration is proposing to, essentially, undermine previous municipal government commitments to climate action and support for a province-wide phaseout of gas-fired power. CEA has submitted comments to City Council objecting to this potential assault on climate action and municipal climate accountability. Read comments

Campaigns

The CEA works locally, regionally  and internationally to improve air quality and decrease exposure to harmful pollutants.

The CEA mandate to restore, maintain and enhance our local environment represents a long term commitment to fulfilling the needs of environmental sustainability for human and non-human species in our region.

The CEA in conjunction with 19 of Ontario’s leading environmental organizations have created Green Prosperity, an action agenda for the province, that we believe will help make Ontario a world leader in green practices and programs.

The CEA has created a set of environmental priorities for the new Council term focused on climate action and resilience and are intended to be updated. These priorities are long overdue actions that Council should have accomplished already given the climate crisis. 

Resource Centre

We have an extensive Environmental Resource Library with a searchable database at our office, 105-1501 Howard Ave., Room 3, Windsor, ON.

The Great Lakes basin is a sink for thousands of toxic chemicals. The CEA works to empower citizens, through information, to hold polluters and governments accountable for pollution prevention and the reduction of chemical pollution.

The UCA is a network of four Ontario-based municipal environmental organizations working to advance climate action at the city level.

The CEA has participated in the development, and been a leader, of Ontario water policy and protection.

Although it exists only in an archival state, our website: Idle-Free Windsor has all the info you need about vehicle emissions, health and ways to reduce our output of these harmful pollutants.

Videos

Ojibway Shores
City of Windsor's Community Energy Plan
How Ontario Cities can Quit Gas
Municipal Climate Action in Ontario