March 27, 2025
A Message from our President
I am spending a few weeks in Germany visiting friends and family. And I learned a new word describing what I am doing here: Workation.
One thing I immediately noticed in the Düsseldorf neighbourhood where I am staying is the large number of solar installations on roofs. And not just residences – commercial buildings too. While far from being a sun-drenched country, Germany has one of the highest solar power outputs in the world and some 13% of electricity comes from solar.
What’s really neat are balcony-mounted solar panels: you simply plug them into an outlet, hang them on the balcony rails, and the power flows into the net. The systems have enjoyed a surge in popularity since regulatory reforms in 2023 facilitated their installation.
Back home, my hosts have solar panels and use them almost exclusively for their electricity needs (they also have a solar-hot water system to heat the house and water). And they are such nerds that they charge their electric car only when the batteries of the house are full and the power from the sun goes directly into the car.
Now there is something cool.
– Burkhard 
Going Blue
In Canada, 26 First Nations communities still lack access to safe drinking water. The Blue Community Schools project, in partnership with the Council of Canadians, helps schools encourage water as a human right by promoting public water access and infrastructure, and eliminating bottled water sales. For over eight years, the Water Drops campaign has empowered students to urge the federal government to end drinking water advisories in First Nations communities—a promise yet to be fulfilled.
You can support this important work by encouraging schools to become Blue certified, inviting students to share their message on a printable Water Drop or by donating.
Gravel Mining News “Blast”
All Eyes on Mount Nemo
Our partners from CORE Burlington are in the midst of an extensive Ontario Land Tribunal hearing as they continue the fight to protect Mount Nemo from a proposal by Nelson Aggregates to expand their quarry. You can help show community support by attending virtually over the next several months. Let’s show the tribunal that all eyes are on Mount Nemo!
The Tide Turns in Caledon
On March 14, our partners Forks of the Credit Preservation Group won a major victory in their bid to protect Northwest Caledon from a gravel quarry. The Ontario Land Tribunal dismissed an appeal from major aggregate producer CBM and upheld the town of Caledon’s Aggregates Reform Interim Control By-law. This success was largely due to the evidence supplied by the Group that proved the aggregate industry’s claims of a supply shortage are false. In fact, the province has licenced more than 13 times the aggregate needed to meet average annual consumption.
“With this loss at the OLT, CBM has ‘blasted a huge hole’ in the industry’s strategy to intimidate local government and its demand for endless approvals of new aggregate licences,” said lawyer David Donnelly.
Making a DAMN Difference
By now, everyone’s heard of the trade war. But have you heard of an op-ed war? Reform Gravel Mining Coalition co-chairs Sarah Harmer and Doug Tripp are engaged in one through the Hamilton Spectator. Their opponent? Kevin Powers, public relations consultant for Nelson Aggregates. In their most recent rebuttal, Sarah and Doug call out Nelson Aggregates’ faulty math, citing the evidence provided at the Mount Nemo hearing. Sarah, who is a celebrated singer-songwriter, was also recently featured on CBC’s As It Happens (at the 1:08 mark) about the Jefferson salamander and the threats posed to this endangered species by the proposed open-pit mines on Mount Nemo.
We are working with the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition to Demand A Moratorium Now on new gravel mining applications in Ontario.
Growing Gravel Grievances
While the focus of our fight against the aggregate industry has been Ontario so far, many communities across Canada also need help battling this extractive and little regulated industry. Colchester County residents recently reached out from Nova Scotia to seek assistance in their fight to save Little Dyke Lake from a proposed quarry expansion.
Exploring Nature – Halfway Across the Globe!
My vacation here in the Philippines is a much-needed escape filled with nature and quality time with family. Surrounded by my hometown’s breathtaking landscapes, I am spending most of my free time exploring nature with my loved ones, creating unforgettable memories along the way.
This trip is more than just a break—it is a reminder of the beauty of simple moments spent with loved ones in nature, which has made this vacation truly special.
– Abigail Acedera, Operations Manager
New Projects
- Climate Stories Atlantic: to provide a platform for telling climate solutions success stories happening in communities across the Atlantic region in ways that are both accessible and empowering.
- Save Springwater from Lewis Pit Expansion: to protect and preserve the natural heritage and environment in Ontario’s Springwater township by opposing the Lewis (Gravel) Pit expansion.
- Supporting the Next Generation of Clean Energy Professionals: to support students who self-identify as female and plan to work in the clean energy transition through raising funds for a grant program.
Small News Bites
- It’s finally here – the second season of Hot Globe launches TODAY! Check it out (and catch up on all your favourite episodes from Season 1).
- Wishing Eric St-Pierre, former Executive Director of the Trottier Family Foundation, all the best as he moves on to his next adventure!
- And congratulations to Eric and our partner Mitchell Beer (of The Energy Mix Productions) on receiving the King Charles III Coronation medal for their respective work on climate action.
- Our partners at Climate Momentum are busily preparing for their annual Earth Day Street Party. This year’s event will take place on April 27 from 11:30 – 2:00 pm in Stratford, Ontario and will feature a great mix of food, music, art and eco-community.
- If you’re a gardener you won’t want to miss the upcoming Gardening for the Planet webinar with our partners Climate Legacy. Cultivation Activist Lorraine Johnson will present at 2:00 pm on April 7 – you can register at this link.
- We are thrilled to share that the documentary Plastic People has received nominations in three categories at the prestigious 2025 Canadian Screen Awards: Best Science or Nature Documentary, Best Direction in a Documentary and Best Picture Editing in a Documentary. Plastic People is now available for viewing on CBC Gem.
Happy spring!
Sincerely,
The Small Change Fund Team
P.S. Your donation directly to Small Change Fund allows us to keep improving services and supports to help more grassroots projects succeed nationwide. Thank you for helping make change!
