On April 21st, members of the Green Party of Beaches-East York gathered in honour of Earth Day to clean-up garbage in Taylor Creek Park.

Huge thanks to everyone who came out!

Our next scheduled clean-up is Saturday, May 18th – 11am. Location TBA.

Hope to see you there!

Cuddled up on the couch,  I threw suspicious glances at the objects in my house. “Which of you are emitting lethal toxins? Which of you are contributing to my slow death?” As I began to read, I discovered, well all, acutally.

This realization was both comforting and upsetting. Upsetting because it confirmed that there is no way to escape the reality that we live in a toxic environment. Comforting because it relieved some pressure, knowing that there are no hardcore purists who have purged every evil from their living spaces – no squeaky clean environmentalists who hold the rest of us to shame in their 100% toxic-free alfalfa sprout and straw-bale homes. We’re all in the same toxic mess. Even the hipsters’ home-grown sprouts were grown with water that likely contains toxins. But, there are things we can do. And that too, is comforting.

Part way through the book I became horrified by the toxicity of my vinyl shower curtain, steeping its chemicals into my children’s bathwater. I rushed out and bought a cloth replacement. Later, I learned that all synthetic materials contain brominated fire-retardants. I scowled at my newly purchased polyester curtain. I should have read the whole book first.

Smith and Lourie inspired me (besides unsuccessfully switching my shower curtain) to reduce the amount of plastics in my kitchen and to replace my children’s squirty bath toys. I also discovered that, although I thought I was using all natural personal care products, my shampoo had some questionable ingredients. It too got replaced.

Other book club members replaced their shampoo and conditioner. Conventional antiperspirants were given the boot. One member’s teenage daughter was inspired to switch her hand soap and her facial scrub. We all had a great discussion about bottled water, Brita filters (in plastic, potentially BPA- and/or PVC- ridden jugs), and the irony of our obsession with “clean” drinking water.

In the case of water, fire-retardants, hand-sanitizers and other everyday items, it seems odd, after having read Slow Death by Rubber Duck, that in our very efforts to protect ourselves from things that might cause immediate “danger,” we have exposed ourselves (and our communities and our planet) to toxins that pose potentially more hazardous long-term threats. Thank you, Smith and Lourie, for warning us about the slow death.

We’re glad you’ve come to visit.

We are the riding association representing all members of the Green Party of Ontario and the Green Party of Canada who reside in the electoral district of Beaches-East York, Toronto. For a full description of this district’s boundaries click here.

We host meetings for members, organize fundraising events, and are actively involved in campaigns, but we’re also a community outreach group.

So, whether or not you support, vote for, or are a member of the Green Party, we’d love to see you! All are welcome at all our events. Peruse our calendar. Subscribe to our email list. Join our conversation on Facebook and Twitter. We look forward to meeting you.

The Green Party platform is always available, election time or not. Read the Green Party of Ontario’s platform here, and the Green Party of Canada’s platform here.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Please contact us.

Thank you!