Politics & Government

After much debate, the proposed Clarington incinerator has been approved by Durham Region council.

After a debate which has been heated on both sides, and after around 70 people and groups expressed concerns about the project, the motion passed 16-12.

On May 14th, 2009, the Ontario Green Energy Act basically passed and will soon be law. There seems to be a lot of people in the GTA who don't know a lot about this legislation, but who would like to know more about the meaning and possible effects.

We spoke with Mike Layton, Program Manager, Environmental Defence about the new legislation and some of the effects it might have in the Greater Toronto Area. Environmental defense is a 25 year old organization whose goal is to "protect the environment and human health across Canada". This respected organization publishes reports on environmental issues and helps educate Canadians on what we can do to reduce Canada's climate change footprint.

Effective April 22, 2009, Ontario has banned the use of more than 250 pesticides, and over 80 pesticide ingredients for cosmetic use. The ban, which is now law across the province of Ontario, bans the sale of pesticides "for cosmetic purposes on lawns, gardens, parks and school yards, and includes many herbicides, fungicides and insecticides".

Find out more about how this ban might affect you as a homeowner, and how you take care of your lawn this summer without pesticides.

The Green Toronto Awards for 2009 have now been awarded, and GreenGTA was there to cover the event and bring you the winners.

The City of Toronto's environmental awards of excellence honour and celebrate the individuals, organizations and companies leading the way to a cleaner, greener and more liveable Toronto.

This year's hosts were Mayor David Miller, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, and special guest Ed Begley, Jr.

Here is a round-up of everyone who won, and who was an award finalist.