World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day

The thirty-first annual World Press Freedom Day will be held on May 3.  It is a time to reflect on the quality and adequacy of information about events and situations that impact our lives in Canada.  Consider the role of journalists and news organizations in obtaining information, obstacles that impede the publication of information that impacts the well-being and freedom of people, the health of our environment, and the administration of justice. World Press Freedom Day is also a time to consider the responsibility of each of us in advocating and protecting freedom of the press.

In south-western Ontario communities our news reporters, radio and television stations generally, in my opinion, function quite well.  For example, in London, Mayor Josh Morgan is available weekly on the radio to provide information about local government and respond to citizens who phone in with questions.  Newspapers report information about the administration of justice, safety, environmental, and social issues,  Local radio explores current problems such as public transportation or traffic safety.  Citizens have opportunities to raise concerns through letters to the editor or phone calls to a radio station.

Provincially, information about the public good is less available.  Questions arise about private healthcare facilities unjustly charging patients for services, the sale of public land reserved for green spaces, particular developers being favoured, or the construction of highways that many consider unnecessary.  At the federal level, news organizations and journalists protected by legislation continue to demand answers about matters pertinent to the public good.  Yet the government often fails to respond in a timely or adequate manner.  Long-promised revisions of the Access to Information Act languish.  We are fortunate to have journalists who will investigate questionable situations, and report possible abuses. Public pressure and the persistence of journalists uncover actions that the government attempts to keep secret, such as the interference of foreign governments in elections, and the sale of scientific information and products to China.

Attempts to prevent or block disclosure of information occur for various reasons. Information about safety concerns may result in fines, lawsuits, loss of reputation, votes, business, or jobs.  Competent women are sometimes targeted because they are successful in roles traditionally filled by men such as politicians, police,  airplane pilots, or CEOs. In Ontario, there have been several incidents of local female members of city or town councils being targeted by verbal or physical harm. This discourages women from participating in politics.  Corruption in political leaders may lead to scandal, theft of public funds, or defeat in elections. 

Each of us can help to preserve freedom of information.  One way to do this may be by writing a letter to your local city council or member of parliament about a public concern.  Respectful complaints or inquiries about concerns encourage the provision of civil answers.  Prompt and truthful responses would facilitate trust.  Acknowledging errors, failures, and wrongdoing along with what corrective action is being taken is far more acceptable than denial and procrastination.

Democracy cannot survive without freedom of the Press and protecting this freedom is the responsibility of each one of us. On this World Press Freedom Day, may all of us consider ways in which we can support freedom of the press.

-Sister Patricia McKeon

Images: Patrick Fore, Thomas Charters/Unsplash

Civic Pride in Peril: Confronting the Issue of Waste in Our City

Our beautiful city, London Ontario, has numerous parks and a network of trails. I frequently walk on nearby trails where I encounter people of all ages, including groups of school children (and their teachers) joggers, cyclists, and children accompanied by parents, who feed ducks or catch and release frogs. But I am often saddened by the plastic bags and bottles, beer cans, coffee cups, styrofoam containers, candy wrappers, rotting food, empty snack bags, cardboard, paper, kleenex, cardboard boxes, and scrap paper that line our streets, spoil our trails and clog our parks. The amount of litter thrown on public property exceeds the capacity of City staff and ordinary Londoners who voluntarily pick up debris. 

Sister Pat with Jerry Pribil, London Council Member

A week ago, I spoke to Jerry Pribil, the Council member responsible for London’s parks and recreation departments, about the problem of trash in our city.  Mr. Pribil suggested that he accompany me on a walk. Accordingly, we walked along streets and the connecting North London trail adjacent to Ross Park. Mr. Pribil pulled a large garbage bag out of his pocket and proceeded to pick up garbage, hopping over the barrier along the ravine and reaching through bushes.  We mourned this regrettable garbage situation and discussed possible remedies.  I learned that Mr. Pribil, a member of Antler River Rally, participates in their monthly cleanups.  In these events, large groups of volunteers gather at an area in London bordering the Thames River to pick up and dispose of large amounts of trash. Information about this amazing organization may be found here. You may even want to join the group.

During our walk, we discussed the deplorable problem of garbage littering London’s parks, trails, and streets. Removing trash is essential but prevention is far more desirable than a cure; we need both. Occasional letters to the London Free Press indicate that Londoners are disturbed by the lack of cleanliness on our streets, trails, and parks. We require a culture shift. How, as a community, can we develop a mindset that views littering on our streets as unacceptable? How might organizations, businesses, and home or apartment owners help with the litter problem?  What constraints deter action and how can they be overcome?

I invite anyone reading this blog to respond by choosing to take one action towards resolving the problem of litter in our city.

-Sister Patricia McKeon, csj

Image: Markus Spiske/Unsplash

London’s Parks, Trails, and Streets: Gratitude and Dismay

LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA

London, Ontario has more than 500 parks, 7 million trees, and in excess of 330 km of walking and biking trails, all maintained in excellent condition by our city staff.   This year, the abundance of rain has caused our trees, bushes, and grasses to bloom like a tropical rainforest.  London’s website provides abundant information to entice exploration of this richness. It is a great pleasure to explore our well-kept streets, parks, and trails. Yet, there is a blight that mars our city. The roads and pathways are infested with empty bottles, beer cans, plastic containers, coffee cups, tissues, candy wrappers, plastic bags, and other debris.  Although some Londoners don disposable gloves, pick up “junk”, and dispose of it in designated receptacles, the plague persists and seems to overpower benevolent efforts to eradicate it. 

Litter impacts our waterways

I wonder what transpires in the minds of those who treat public spaces as garbage cans.  Perhaps they were not properly educated about environmental responsibilities? Do offenders expect others to clean up after them?  Do they consider the effects of their actions on the beauty of our city or the pleasure of others?  

Nature & Litter - an unsightly mix

I know this is not unique to London and I wonder what could be done to develop a culture in which each of us feels responsible for creating and maintaining the natural attractions of one’s city. 

In a less than benevolent mood, I mused about imposing fines on offenders, assigning them to pick up debris, or scrub the graffiti from park benches, bridge support structures, and railings.  Sadly, I suspect that such measures would feed anger and instigate strident claims about “rights and freedoms”.  It is the selfless and caring actions of others, not criticism, that inspire me to be more generous and desirous of building community. So, some alternate suggestions come to mind: 

• Would our City Council and community businesses consider creating an honorary white knight position with the “knight” being appointed by Mayor Josh Morgan? The knight’s responsibility would be to distribute certificates and vouchers randomly to persons of any age whom he or she sees picking up garbage or cleaning graffiti.  

• Arrange for more garbage containers at convenient locations.  

• Order garbage bags and protective gloves to be supplied to volunteer environment protectors and enhancers. 

• Lead by word and example in properly disposing of the garbage we generate as we drive, bicycle, or walk on our streets, parks, and trails. 

• Donate vouchers to be awarded by the honorary white knight, e.g., a gift certificate for a coffee shop, grocery store, theatre production, hockey game, hydro bill payment, Blue Jays' game, Stratford play, iPad or phone.  

• Volunteer to remove graffiti from public places. 

• Select artists and aspiring artists to paint murals in appropriate locations.  

•  Publicize examples of how our combined efforts contribute to the splendor and enjoyment of our city.  

We can't solve the garbage problem alone, but together we can contribute our ideas, time, and talents to support and create a beautiful environment in London, Ontario, and in all of our cities.

-Sister Patricia McKeon, CSJ 

Encounters on the Trail

The rewards of walking on London, Ontario’s trails exceed that of mere exercise.   I meet friendly cyclists, walkers, pedestrians, and dogs.  I listen to birds, search for frogs in springtime, and experience the constant changes in the weather and scenery.  Occasionally there is an intriguing encounter. 

Image: Unsplash/Blake Lisk

Today I met a man, whom I will name, Joseph, who was walking up a slope from a tent on the river’s edge. He had descended to the tent to check on the welfare of the occupant because of the very cold temperature.  The tent’s owner was absent, and the walker expressed hope that the tent-dweller was in a safe, warm place.  Joseph spoke about his regular walking tours of London’s trails. He described having urged a tent dweller on another trail to seek temporary shelter; this man had declined the suggestion, stating that several blankets kept him sufficiently warm and that staying in a men’s shelter was too dangerous.  Joseph spoke of another occasion in which he had met a young female tent dweller, convinced her to leave her unsafe location, and assisted her to find refuge from her alcohol-addicted boyfriend. Walking the trails in London to search for people in need is a regular practice of this good Samaritan.  

We conversed together about the difficulties for people who have no homes, the lack of adequate resources, and the failure of past efforts to remedy a grievous problem in our city. We also noted the anonymous donation of twenty-five million dollars for a new effort to overcome homelessness, the willing cooperation of several organizations to remedy an untenable situation, and the skilled leadership from the city that together provide hope that London can, at last, overcome a longstanding calamity. 

Patricia McKeon, CSJ 

The Mother Tree

The Great Bear Rain Forest in British Columbia, although about one-tenth in size, is comparable to the Amazon rain forest, as one of the greatest contributors to the health of our planet.  This forest preserves the biodiversity of our animals and plants, stores carbon, is a source of medicine, and counteracts pollution.  Yet, in this forest, the lack of appropriate management and building of dams has resulted in increased pollution, floods, fires, and loss of habitat for animals.  Only three percent of this old-growth forest has never been harvested.  

Suzanne Simard was born in 1960, a member of a logging family.  As a child, she witnessed her grandfather, father, and uncles down trees with hand-held saws, and use horses to drag logs to rivers where men would walk on the floating logs to push them down river and break up log jams with dynamite. Amputated fingers were a common hazard.  In addition, building roads through the forest, using modern equipment, erecting dams, and clear-cutting large sections of the forest have caused much harm. The legacy of frequent forest fires, floods, loss of animal habitat, loss of biodiversity, and reduced carbon storage.   

In her 2021 book, Finding The Mother Tree, Simard describes her long journey to become a forest researcher, overcome resistance to letting go of harmful convictions and practices, and introduce new forest management practices.  Simard’s story is an amazing account of a woman who persisted in following her vision with great courage in the face of much opposition, family responsibilities, and a major health issue.  She leaves a legacy of trained researchers and a revolution in forest management. I highly recommend reading her inspirational book, Finding The Mother Tree. 

Below is a fascinating video Mother Trees and the Social Forest, in which the author describes her work and the application of research findings that provide hope for the restoration of our forests.  

-Sister Pat McKeon, CSJ