Chelsea is a small community of 7,000 just across the river from Ottawa. Its population may be small, but its commitment to sustainability is huge. Here's its Mission Statement:

"To improve the quality of life for current and future generations, by offering community, cultural and recreational services and activities, the protection and enhancement of the environment and the preservation of territorial boundaries."

It looks like Chelsea is well on its way to achieving its goals. Since 2000, the community has received eight honours for its environmental, recycling and sustainable development practices. Among the services it offers are things like biweekly road side recycling pick up, H₂0 Chelsea (a volunteer program collecting surface and groundwater data on quality and quantity), and strict zoning bylaws to promote sustainable development.

If one small community in Quebec can agree to work together in this way, imagine what the rest of Canada could do to reduce its environmental footprint.

Thank you Senator McCoy for posting information on Chelsea.  We have been working hard at creating a sustainable future for this community since the late 1980's (see www.chelsea.ca).  The secret is this: enlighthened citizens gently pushing on the Municipal Council who has for the last twenty years not been afraid to think out of the box!  There is another secret: public meetings.  Lots of them, whether it is to solve a specific problem or to review the master plan every five years.  As for the taxes, well some citizens think they are too high ( along with provincial and federal taxes...), but they were set at $1560. for a house worth $200,000. in 2007.  Each house has its own well and sewage system.  So in essence, time, lots of good will, a clear vision can work miracles!  Yours sincerely Mayor Jean Perras

We need to organize in large cities by community associations, but they are notoriously underfunded bodies - perhaps some corporate philanthropy may help, thereby avoiding the heinous high municipal taxes of which Barich speaks...

It does sound great.  But it's so much easier, isn't it, when everyone knows everyone else?  In big cities, especially in the suburbs, lots of times you don't even know your neighbour 2 doors down.  

So Seebe, tell me more about why Chelsea was chosen as one of the best places in Canada to live.  What criteria were used?

Everyone makes it appear as though it is difficult to take steps to reduce your environmental impact, that it is costly and a burden.  but in this case, one small Canadian community is showing that it is not that hard if you put your mind heart into it!