Eclipse Awards’ investment in its people allowed the company to weather the financial downturn and emerge stronger than before.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – March 13, 2012) - Eclipse Awards, a leading designer of recognition awards and programs that drive change in businesses and organizations, from Microsoft to the US Marine Corps, has been named BC’s Best Employer.

The company was recognized earlier this month by Small Business BC, for its commitment to creating a healthy, safe and inspiring place to work, as well as significant contributions to Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, where the company is based.

“Our resiliency has been because of our commitment to our staff, the community and the environment, not in spite of it,” says Toby Barazzuol, President of Eclipse Awards. “That is the lesson that we hope to share with other small businesses.”

In 2010, Eclipse, which specializes in hand-crafted crystal recognition awards as well as eco-friendly green awards made from reclaimed materials, became the 8^th company in British Columbia to be recognized as a member of the Living Wage for families campaign.

In addition to paying its employees a living wage, the company offers subsidized transit passes and cash incentives for staff who walk or bike to work, and the work space features abundant natural light and a 2000 sq. ft. green roof with gardening plots for staff.

When the economic downturn hit in November of 2008, rather than laying off employees, the company was able to transition to a four day work week, a move Barazzuol says was only possible because of the transparent work environment and supportive culture developed through the company’s commitment to its employees.

“As a company, our mission is to help other organizations recognize and celebrate the human side of business and sustainability,” says Barazzuol. “This philosophy guides how our company operates and how we value our team. This award is a great reminder of why we do what we do.”

Founded in 1998, Eclipse Awards is an experienced, world-class supplier of crystal awards, green awards and glass recognition awards. Clients includeNASA, Microsoft, Molson, Canada Green Building Council and the U.S. Marine Corps. For more information visit: http://www.eclipseawards.com.

Contact Information:
Eclipse Awards
Toby Barazzuol
President
604-639-4200
www.eclipseawards.com

First Nations, Unions, Business and Environmental Interests Deliver Message in Ottawa-Destructive Oil Pipelines and Tankers Not in Canada’s Interest

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – March 13, 2012) - A diverse delegation from British Columbia, including First Nations leaders and business, environment and labour groups, are in Ottawa today to send a message that opposition is steadily growing to the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tanker project.

The delegation said the Enbridge project will not be permitted to proceed, according to declarations based on First Nations Rights and Title. The proposed project would trample First Nations rights, threaten thousands of jobs across Canada, and prevent Canada from tackling global warming.

“We will defend our Rights, no matter what bully tactics the federal government throws at us,” said Saik’uz First Nation Chief Jackie Thomas, of the Yinka Dene Alliance. “Our decision has been made: Enbridge will never be allowed in our lands.”

Beginning in January, an additional 40 First Nations people or groups signed Declarations banning the project, using their own constitutionally-recognized laws, for a total of more than 130 opposed Nations. Four more major B.C. municipalities have also passed recent resolutions against the Enbridge project, adding to the broad resolution of the Union of B.C. Municipalities against tankers. Also, more than 30,000 Canadians have signed a petition opposing the pipelines and tankers since January 6th when the government began its campaign to marginalize opponents. Meanwhile, the Communications, Energy and Paperworks (CEP) Union of Canada, representing 150,000 Canadian workers, including most of the workers employed in the tar sands, is also opposed.

“Canada does not need the Gateway pipeline” said David Coles, President of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. “Gateway is contrary to our need for jobs, the economy, environmental protection and First Nations rights; these four pillars have to be the priority.”

A recent study estimates that roughly 200,000 manufacturing jobs have already been lost due to Dutch Disease, a syndrome related to the rapid increase in tar sands exports. This problem will escalate with tar sands expansion. In addition, there are thousands of local jobs put at risk by the Enbridge pipelines and tankers.

“The commercial fishing and tourism industries employ 45,000 people in B.C. Enbridge and the federal government want us to risk these sustainable jobs, the fisheries resources, our way of life and our communities for a mere 217 jobs,” said Arnie Nagy, United Fisherman’s and Allied Workers’ Union, which is against the proposed Enbridge pipeline and supertankers.

The delegation met with MPs from the three opposition parties. Nagy and Michael Uehara, President of the multi-award-winning King Pacific Lodge, a tourism leader, requested meetings with Ministers Oliver and Kent, and were refused, yet did meet with Randy Kamp, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence added, “The proposed Gateway project is a gateway alright: a gateway to a future where we destroy our coast with oil supertankers, radically increase the pollution coming from the tar sands and double down on a path toward dangerous levels of climate change.”

The delegation referred to a new report by Environmental Defence and Forest Ethics called Our Nation, Their Interest: The Case Against the Northern Gateway Pipeline and Tanker Project. The report documented why Enbridge’s proposal is not in the interest of Canadians, from an economic and environmental perspective, despite efforts from the industry and federal government to convince citizens otherwise. It found that the pipeline would carry 100 million tonnes of carbon pollution each year and is premised on a scenario of dangerous inaction on climate change. The report can be found at www.environmentaldefence.ca/ournationtheirinterest.

The delegation follows new evidence revealed under Access to Information that federal bureaucrats warned the government about the heightened legal risk due to its own failure to provide adequate resources for First Nations to engage in the regulatory process for Enbridge Northern Gateway.

Contact Information:

Chief Jackie Thomas
Saik’uz First Nation
Yinka Dene Alliance
250-567-8048

Environmental Defence
Stephanie Kohls
416-323-9521 ext. 232; 647-280-9521 (cell)

Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, Canada
Dave Coles
President
613-299-5628

Mike De Souza has a story in the Financial Post this morning, suggesting that the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline review process could be overturned by the courts because of “unreasonable” consultation with aboriginal communities.

That suggestion comes from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency itself (one of the two government agencies tasked with reviewing the pipeline), and focuses on the lack of funding provided to Aboriginal communities to participate meaningfully in the review process.

While there is clearly a financial aspect that defines “unreasonable” consultation, there is also a moral aspect, and in that regard the Harper government has failed miserably. As I’ve related through my own story as a whistleblower, the Prime Minister’s Office has actively worked behind-the-scenes to undermine the ability of a registered intervenor (ForestEthics) to participate in the review process, labeling the organization an “Enemy of the government of Canada” and an “Enemy of the people of Canada” and attempting to cut-off its charitable funding by Tides Canada, an environmental foundation.

Last week representatives of Tides Canada appeared before the Senate committee on energy, environment and natural resources to defend their charity against accusations of misusing funds in support of anti-oil sands campaigns. Despite expressing concern that dissenting voices are being silenced by the government, Tides Canada appears relieved to cast off one of those voices after a nearly 10 year relationship. While this is a testament to the pressure Tides Canada feels from the Harper government, it also showcases the organization’s own lack of leadership – you can’t have it both ways, are you against voices being silenced, or are you complicit in that silencing?

Here’s an excerpt from a related article:

Paglia [Executive Director of ForestEthics] believes that its U.S.-based campaign is the real reason ForestEthics has become a target—and why the government is pressuring Tides Canada, one of ForestEthics’ main funders, to drop its support for the group.

Paglia said ForestEthics is considering leaving Tides Canada voluntarily in order to protect Tides’ other 30 organizations.

“What we’re seeing is that every decision we make on fossil fuels … brings more pressure on Tides,” Paglia said. “We don’t want to stay at Tides if it means the other [30] projects pay the price for them keeping us.”

“If ForestEthics is feeling they may create negative impacts, I think they’re taking a responsible approach,” said Merran Smith, director of the energy initiative at Tides Canada.

Leaving Tides Canada would not affect ForestEthics’ U.S. operation, Paglia said, but the group would lose the U.S. and Canadian foundation grants that support most of its Canadian campaigns. It would also be unable to give donors tax receipts, which might discourage individual donors.

Those Canadian campaigns include ForestEthics’ participation in the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline review.

In late January, EcoJustice filed a motion that would require the pipeline review panel to determine if “recent statements by the Prime Minister or by the Minister of Natural Resources … constitute an attempt by those ministers to undermine or to have had the effect of undermining the Panel hearing process or the credibility of any intervenor or any Person appearing before the Panel … and identify the steps that it will take to correct such unfairness.” Clearly we need to look much deeper than that.

It is my sincere hope that if the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline is ever approved (and that’s a big IF), that subsequent legal challenges include subpoenas calling on Tides Canada CEO, Ross McMillan, and representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office to determine just how “unreasonable” the federal government’s consultation has been, both in public and behind closed doors, including outright attempts to pressure, bully and remove the funding of registered intervenors in the pipeline review process.

Until that time comes, it’s up to us as citizens to hold the government, and those who would sadly obscure its bullying behaviour, to account in the court of public opinion.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – March 12, 2012) - Attention News Editors

When: Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 10 am

Where: Charles Lynch Media Studio, Room 130S, Centre Block, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

Who:
Chief Jackie Thomas, Saik’uz First Nation, Yinka Dene Alliance
Arnie Nagy, United Fisherman’s and Allied Workers’ Union
David Coles, President, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada
Michael Uehara, President, King Pacific Lodge
Josh Paterson, Staff Lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law
Rick Smith, Executive Director, Environmental Defence

What: First Nations, Unions and environmental groups come together to show growing opposition to Northern Gateway. Information will be provided on why the project is not in Canada’s interest.

Contact Information:
Gillian McEachern
(613) 292-4416

Video from day two (March 3rd) of the National Energy Board hearings into the Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tankers and pipeline project, being held in Hartley Bay, BC.

Download high-resolution version.

Video from day two (March 3rd) of the National Energy Board hearings into the Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tankers and pipeline project, being held in Hartley Bay, BC.

Download high-resolution version.

High-resolution copy:http://www.filefactory.com/file/c35db1d/n/Gitgaat_Feast_B-Roll.m4v

B-roll footage from an incredible Gitga’at Nation feast held tonight in the Great Bear Rainforest during National Energy Board hearings in Hartley Bay. Includes opening ceremony (dancing and drumming), the Gitga’at tradition of burning a plate of food as an offering to those who have passed on, and footage of Gitga’at children and elders eating traditional foods, including salmon berries for desert!

This is a way of life we must all protect from the danger of an oil spill.

Rough b-roll footage, intended for further editing. Download high-resolution footage.

Photo Credit: Sarah Stoner

National Energy Board hearings into the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tankers and pipeline project are taking place in Hartley Bay, Friday and Saturday, March 2nd and 3rd.

Photos and b-roll from Friday’s hearings can be downloaded and are free to broadcast from the links below.

Photos (credit Sarah Stoner) available here.

High-Definition video clips::

Opening Ceremony featuring dancers and drumming

Prince Rupert Rally, Fly-in to Hartley Bay, Swearing In, Shots from Communal Dinner

Simone Reece explains living with the fear of an oil spill,  if pipeline was ever approved