Letter from Rupert (age 10) re: Declaration of the Right of a Healthy Environment

January 26, 2015

Dear Mayor Screech and Councillors,

Last November my sister Franny and I participated in two Blue Dot Tour events with David Suzuki. The Blue Dot Tour was a series of events across Canada to inspire people to ask their municipal governments to make a declaration recognizing the right to a healthy environment. Once enough cities and towns have made this declaration they will go to their provincial or territorial government to ask them to pass an environmental bill of rights. Once enough provinces and territories have done this the Canadian government will be asked to amend the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to guarantee the right to live in a healthy environment.

Since the tour started a number of cities across Canada have made this declaration. Since I went to the Blue Dot event, I have worked with Mayor Lisa Helps and Victoria's City Council to make an environmental rights declaration. It makes me feel so proud that I played a part in this historic event. Working with the City of Victoria on passing the declaration was one of the highlights of my life.

I'm contacting you because in my opinion the Capital Regional District is the most wonderful place in the world. I feel it is a gift to grow up here. I know that making the environment a priority will make Greater Victoria a healthier and safer place not just now but when I am an adult and long after that. I want all municipalities in the CRD, across Vancouver Island and the province to join the City of Victoria in making municipal declarations recognizing the right to a healthy environment.

Recently, I found out that kids have the least amount of power in our society. I think that kids should have as much say as adults especially with things that affect them. I'm not old enough to vote but I feel I'm not powerless, especially after my recent experience with the City of Victoria. Kids have a voice and people should listen to what we have to say.

What I would like to share is everything we need comes from nature, so if humans are harming nature we're directly harming ourselves. Everyone should have the right to drink clean water, eat healthy food and breathe clean air. One hundred and ten countries have recognized environmental rights. Canada is not one of them. If we work together it could be.

For more information about David Suzuki's Blue Dot Movement please go to their website: bluedot.ca. I told the David Suzuki Foundation that I would be writing to you. They sent me a model declaration for View Royal. If you have any questions please contact Cameron Esler, National Blue Dot Movement Organizer with the David Suzuki Foundation, at community@bluedot.ca.

I thank you for taking the time to read in my letter. If I can support your efforts to make an environmental rights declaration in View Royal please let me know. You can contact me at my mom's email address, skyeladell@mac.com.

Sincerely,

Rupert

Rupert (age 10)

Rupert Yakelashek 2523 Belmont Avenue Victoria, British Columbia Traditional Territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations Canada V8R 4A5