_ 2 _ Editors Note: ATo fully absorb the ingenuity of the title of this article, one should realize that a group of owls is properly referred to as a "Commonwealth of owls".

REPORT ON MEETING OF ENVIRONMENTAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

During November 20—23, 1977, environmentally concerned citizens' groups from across the country met in Hull, Quebec to discuss common concerns and voice some of these during a two day meeting with the Canadian Environmental Advisory Council. Two delegates were invited from each province and an additional one from each of the four regions. Rosemary Curley and Kathy Martin were the Prince Edward Island delegates. On November let, the Honorable Len Marchand, Minister of the.Environment made a brief statement and remained for a short time to hear delegates express some of the problems they are encountering. The remainder of the day was spent discussing the changing role of citizens groups in Canada. Fund raising, volunteerism, gaining access to the media and strategies for effective implementation of programs were discussed. On the second day, representatives from the Federal Government presented us with the government rationale for its energy policy, the importance placed on nuclear energy programs and the toxic waste problem in Canada. Delegates had an opportunity to question government positions on these issues. The need for and a desirable structure of a National Coalition of citizens groups with environmental concerns was discussed

but no conclusive action was taken.

This meeting was an extremely valuable opportunity for delegates to effect an information exchange and also to give public exposure to local concerns of national import. Mr. Gilbert Savard, from the Department of the Environment and editor of "Citizens Bulletin" offered to distribute the publication to anyone interested and asked groups to submit articles about issues they would like publicized. If you would like to join the mailing list, write to:

Citizens Bulletin - Mailing list

Information Service Directorate ‘

Fisheries and Environment Canada

10th floor, Fontaine Building

Ottawa, Ontario

KIA 0H3

John Swaigen from the Canadian Environmental Law Association offered to send the Environmental Law Newsletter to anyone requesting it. Staff from the office of Energy Conservation (Department of Energy, Mines and Resources) explained how their office could be of use to citizens groups. They have prepared a bibliography of literature on energy conservation and energy alternatives and a guide to the

Federal Bureaucracy is being planned so that people seeking assistance from a government department will successfully contact them. They can assist groups by organizing symposia and distributing information.

On November 23rd, approximately twenty delegates from six provinces (Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and British Columbia) met to discuss present aeria, spray programs especially with reference to aerial spraying of insecticides for spruce budworm. Each province outlined their governmentls policy on aerial spraying of insecticides. As a result, a national Coalition Against Aerial Spraying (C.A.A.S.) was formed and the Canadian Nature Federation agreed to act as its secretariat. For further information on the Budworm Coalition see following press release from Canadian Nature Federation.

Kathy Martin Biology Dept. University of Prince Edward Island