Great Lakes In Trouble

According to today's edition of the New York Times:

CHICAGO — Regional government agencies around the Great Lakes spend some $15 billion a year to protect the lakes from invasive species, contaminated sediment and sewage overflows, a new study shows. But local officials say that still more protection is needed and that the United States and Canadian governments should pay for it.

“They’re saying it’s not a federal problem, but it is,” Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago said of the five lakes, which hold 20 percent of the world’s fresh water. Mr. Daley and other regional leaders say they intend to press for more federal money in light of the study, to be released Wednesday, which for the first time estimates what local governments are devoting to the lakes.

Several mayors said the lakes should not be deemed merely local concerns, but seen as a broader issue, akin to assisting the New Orleans region after Hurricane Katrina or restoring the Everglades in Florida. The study, arranged by the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, both advocacy groups, concluded that the 688 local governments in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region spend much of the money on aging wastewater systems, which can release sewage when overwhelmed with rain. The $15 billion estimate was based on responses by 143 of the local governments to a survey on their spending in 2006.

It is uncertain exactly what federal authorities in the United States and Canada now spend on the Great Lakes, in part because so many agencies and programs are tied to the lakes. “That is one of the problems; we can’t find out what’s being spent,” said David Ullrich, executive director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

No one was available on Tuesday at the United States Environmental Protection Agency to answer questions about Great Lakes spending. But Dale Kemery, a spokesman for the agency, wrote in an e-mail message that its budget provided “significant funding” for wastewater infrastructure nationally.

“We’re doing more with less by advancing innovative technologies and growing greater partnerships for sustainability,” Mr. Kemery wrote.

Still, Mr. Ullrich pointed to a main federal fund — one that helps states with wastewater projects — as an example of shrinking federal money that he said would leave the Great Lakes in jeopardy: the Clean Water State Revolving Fund dropped to $689 million in the 2008 fiscal year, from $1.08 billion a year earlier.

“The same problem can be seen here,” David Miller, the mayor of Toronto, said of Canada’s federal financing. “The national government doesn’t seem to understand the urgency and importance of the Great Lakes.”

Restorative Justice

What is restorative justice?

Restorative justice is one way to respond to a criminal act. Restorative justice puts the emphasis on the wrong done to a person as well as on the wrong done to the community. It recognizes that crime is both a violation of relationships between specific people and an offence against everyone - the state.

Restorative justice programs involve the voluntary participation of the victim of the crime and the offender and ideally members of the community, in discussions. The goal is to "restore" the relationship, fix the damage that has been done and prevent further crimes from occurring.

Restorative justice requires wrongdoers to recognize the harm they have caused, to accept responsibility for their actions and to be actively involved in improving the situation. Wrongdoers must make reparation to victims, themselves and the community.

What are some examples of restorative justice programs?

All restorative justice programs have some common elements. They seek healing, forgiveness and active community involvement. The programs can take place at different times after a crime has occurred - sometimes after charges have been laid; sometimes after an accused has been found guilty of an offence.

Some examples of restorative justice programs include:

• victim offender mediation;
• family group conferencing;
• sentencing circles;
• consensus-based decision-making on the sentence; and
• victim offender reconciliation panels.

Good restorative justice programs have well-trained facilitators who are sensitive to the needs of victims and offenders, who know the community in which the crime took place and who understand the dynamics of the criminal justice system.

How do victims of crime benefit from restorative justice programs?

The restorative justice process provides victims with the opportunity to express their feelings about the harm that has been done to them and to contribute their views about what is required to put things right. Some studies of restorative justice programs show that victims who are involved in the process are often more satisfied with the justice system and are more likely to receive restitution from the offender. Involvement can also help victims heal emotionally as well as lessen their fear of the offender and of being a victim of crime again.

However, restorative justice programs can be time-consuming and emotionally draining. For some crime victims, meeting the offender is difficult. The criminal justice system is working out ways to make sure that restorative justice programs give victims a voice in the process without pressuring them to participate or causing them more distress.

Does a victim of crime have to participate in restorative justice?

No. A victim's participation is voluntary. To help a victim decide whether or not to participate in a restorative justice program, the victim should be given complete information about the restorative justice process, possible outcomes, her or his role, the role of the offender and other process participants, as well as information about the criminal justice system options.

The fundamental principle is that restorative justice must not re-victimize the victim in any way. The process and the outcome should not cause further harm.

Whether or not a victim of crime participates in a restorative justice program, she or he is entitled to all the victims' services that are available in the community.

Are restorative justice programs in place across Canada?

There is a growing number of restorative justice initiatives under way across the country. More programs are being put in place all the time.

Will restorative justice programs replace other criminal justice system responses to criminal behaviour?

No. There will always be the need for a court process. Restorative justice can only take place when:

• an offender admits guilt, accepts responsibility for his or her actions and agrees to participate in the program;
• the victim of the crime freely agrees to participate in the program, without feeling pressured to do so; and
• trained facilitators are available in the community and a restorative justice program is in place.

As well, a person who has been wrongly charged with an offence must have the opportunity to prove his or her innocence in court. Restorative justice programs are not appropriate in every situation.

Zenn Update

In December I wrote to Jim Bradley, Ontario's Minister of Transportation, to advocate approval of the Zenn car on Ontario's roads. Strangely, although the all electric Zenn is manufactured in Canada, it has only recently received Federal permission to sell in this country--but only if it meets Provincial standards. To date, the only Province to approved the Zenn for sale has been British Columbia.

Today I received a reply from Susan Lo, Director of Safely at the Ministry of Transportation, expressing concern that Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) such as the Zenn, are only legally required to meet 3 of 40 federally mandated safety standards. She feels, in the event of a crash, Low Speed Vehicles offer little in the way of occupant protection.

However, the Province now plans to evaluate the Zenn as part of Ontario's LSV pilot to help her get a better sense of where these vehicles should be allowed to operate and who should be allow to operate them. As a result, the Zenn will be allocated to provincial and municipal parks and conservation areas.

They may also be evaluated on college campuses, gated communities, military bases and other places where the Zenn would not share roads with larger and faster motor vehicles. The Zenn is designed to have a maximum speed of 40 km per hour.

Since the Pilot project began in 2006 and will not be complete until 2011, I wouldn't look for Zenns on Ontario roads in the near future.