Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) is a Canadian-based non-profit organization dedicated to environmental issues, especially as they relate to human health. The group was founded in 1994, and is composed of over 4,700 medical doctors and concerned citizens from across Canada
. Its main focus is education of physicians and members of the public, sending delegates to scientific conferences, publishing opinion articles, talking to the media, and disseminating educational materials (including a video on the hazards of lawn pesticide
s). It also makes presentations to parliamentary committees.
, 1999), a 322-page handbook that offers an overview of environmental health threats and how citizens can effectively respond to them.
They launched the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, a network of groups committed to reducing the environmental impact of the health care sector in 2000.
The group was a founding member of the Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment in 2001, and initiated the "Changing the Environmental Impact of a Quebec CLSC" project in 2002. They provided expert testimony to the City of Toronto
during its pesticide bylaw hearings. This contributed to the passing of pesticide restrictions in Toronto in 2003.
The group played an educational role in the passage of Peterborough
's pesticide bylaw in 2005, named "the strongest pesticide bylaw in Canada" by the Canadian Environmental Law Association
, and played a role in the education of legislators of the province of Ontario leading to the Ontario Pesticide Law in 2008.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Its main focus is education of physicians and members of the public, sending delegates to scientific conferences, publishing opinion articles, talking to the media, and disseminating educational materials (including a video on the hazards of lawn pesticide
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
s). It also makes presentations to parliamentary committees.
Mission
CAPE's current programme is focused on educating health professional on environmental issues, reducing pesticide use, "greening" hospitals and health clinics, and developing organic agriculture and gardening.Ongoing projects
There are ongoing projects regarding:- Children's health and how it is affected by the environment.
- Toxins including: pesticides, persistent organic pollutantPersistent organic pollutantthumb|right|275px|State parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic PollutantsPersistent organic pollutants are organic compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes...
s, metals, genetically modified organisms and endocrine disruptors - Greening health care
- Climate changeClimate changeClimate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
Accomplishments
The organisation is responsible for the publication of The Canadian Guide to Health and the Environment, (University of Alberta PressUniversity of Alberta Press
The University of Alberta Press is a publishing house and a division of the University of Alberta that engages in academic publishing.-Overview:...
, 1999), a 322-page handbook that offers an overview of environmental health threats and how citizens can effectively respond to them.
They launched the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, a network of groups committed to reducing the environmental impact of the health care sector in 2000.
The group was a founding member of the Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment in 2001, and initiated the "Changing the Environmental Impact of a Quebec CLSC" project in 2002. They provided expert testimony to the City of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
during its pesticide bylaw hearings. This contributed to the passing of pesticide restrictions in Toronto in 2003.
The group played an educational role in the passage of Peterborough
Peterborough, Ontario
Peterborough is a city on the Otonabee River in southern Ontario, Canada, 125 kilometres northeast of Toronto. The population of the City of Peterborough was 74,898 as of the 2006 census, while the census metropolitan area has a population of 121,428 as of a 2009 estimate. It presently ranks...
's pesticide bylaw in 2005, named "the strongest pesticide bylaw in Canada" by the Canadian Environmental Law Association
Canadian Environmental Law Association
The Canadian Environmental Law Association is a non-profit, public interest organization established in 1970 to use existing laws to protect the environment and to advocate environmental law reforms...
, and played a role in the education of legislators of the province of Ontario leading to the Ontario Pesticide Law in 2008.
Awards
- Received a 2006 Canadian Environment AwardCanadian Environment AwardsThe Canadian Environment Awards were established in 2002 through a partnership between the Government of Canada and Canadian Geographic Enterprises. The national program recognizes dedicated Canadians who act locally to help protect, preserve and restore Canada’s environment...
(Gold) for cross-Canada pesticide education work. The Award was given by Canadian GeographicCanadian GeographicCanadian Geographic is the bimonthly magazine of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society . It was first published in May 1930 under the name Canadian Geographical Journal. The society's objective was to produce a popular magazine dealing primarily with Canadian geography...
Magazine and the Government of Canada.
- Received a 2007 "Virtuoso Award" from the International Association of Business CommunicatorsInternational Association of Business CommunicatorsThe International Association of Business Communicators is a leading association for business communication professionals. IABC has approximately 16,000 members in more than 100 chapters in over 80 countries....
for creating a campaign to ban lawn pesticides in London, OntarioLondon, OntarioLondon is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
.
- Received a 2008 "Shared Interest Award" from Citizens Bank of CanadaCitizens Bank of CanadaCitizens Bank of Canada is a British Columbia, Canada-based virtual bank owned by Vancouver City Credit Union . From 1997 until 2009 Citizens Bank offered personal and business banking services over the internet...
for general environmental protection work.
- Received a 2010 "J.R. Dymond Public Service Award" from Ontario Nature for playing a leadership role in the campaign to ban lawn and garden pesticides across Ontario.