Do you support the simple yet powerful idea that all Canadians deserve to breathe fresh air, drink clean water and eat food grown in healthy soil? Did you know that 110 countries around the world already recognize their citizens' right to live in a healthy environment? Last June, an all-party committee of MPs recommended the right to a healthy environment be included in Canadian law for the first time. Join Blue Dot on Sunday, February 25 at 2pm to learn about this historical opportunity and how people in Hamilton are coming together to make environmental rights a reality. What: A Blue Dot community information session outlining our plan for 2018, and what we can do to support environmental rights for all Canadians When: Sunday, February 25 2018 at 2pm (Doors open at 1:30pm) Where: Hamilton Public Library (Hamilton Room), 55 York Blvd. Hamilton Who: Blue Dot supporters and local leaders of all ages **PLEASE RSVP TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH MATERIALS & REFRESHMENTS ON HAND** Since 2014, the Blue Dot movement has been working to secure legal recognition of the right to a healthy environment at all levels of government. Through the hard work of our volunteers, nearly half of all Canadians now live in municipalities that recognize their residents' right to live in a healthy environment. Towns and cities alone cannot protect our environment. Since 2016, Blue Dot has focused on bringing provinces and the federal government into our growing movement. In June, the federal Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development made 87 recommendations to update and strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. These recommendations are a landmark first step toward legal recognition and protection of environmental rights in Canada, including: Creating legally binding, enforceable national air- and water-quality standards; Ensuring people know if toxic substances are present in everyday consumer goods; Increasing protections for vulnerable populations and communities, including the elderly, children and First Nations; Empowering civil actions against government negligence. Our town hall is a vital step in bringing the federal government into the Blue Dot movement. Together, we can convince Ottawa to enact strong legislation to protect the right to a healthy environment. See you there!