EAA declares environmental crisis following worst winter in decades.

Original date of publication: February 12th 2099

As the winter season starts approaching its end, nicknamed the “98’ Cold Wave” by environmental scientists, the Environmental Affairs Agency (EAA) has declared an eco-crisis.  Many southern parts of the country that are essential for Canada's food production have seen far heavier snowfall than usual, further hampering the effects caused by the fallout.  This has caused shortages of many food items and further exasperated supply chain issues, particularly of fruits, vegetables, and grain by-products.  Grocery stores are attempting to meet shortage demands with increased imports from international markets, although costs have begun rising as a result.  To combat this the EAA has announced a plan to partly subsidize Canadian farmers to lessen the economic burden while helping keep food prices from climbing to quickly, environmental Secretary Amanda Amhurst explained the plan at a press conference in Ottawa, 

“The plan will help curb rising food prices before they get too high and make sure Canadians are still able to eat during these difficult times.  We understand many Canadian farmers are losing large portions of their crops because of environmental conditions, making it financially unviable for most.  So the EAA will be providing financial assistance to lessen losses in order to make sure essential food goods don’t become more expensive than people can afford.”.

The winter also brought additional issues, as freezing temperatures and snowfall posed more risk than previous years.  As power grids in hundreds of cities remain under repair province's are working with the Howard administration to distribute winter clothes and other necessities to those in need.  Greatly assisting the process was aid from Lapunto which sent space heaters, winter clothes, food items, among other necessities primarily to be distributed to Indigenous communities in northern Canada.  However, despite both efforts from governments and non-profit organizations, reports of people dying from weather conditions during December and January have been on the rise according to Statistics Canada.  Homeless people were at particular risk as many municipal services designed to assist them are being overwhelmed, leaving some to fend for themselves.  Rural areas were also listed due both being isolated and government response being focused on urban areas.

The EAA's announcement has also prompted discussion in Ottawa over a possible restructure of several government agencies.  The primary focus is the Environmental Affairs Agency itself, which would have some of its responsibilities reassigned to new or elevated departments.  The Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources (DWNR) would be elevated to the Cabinet and oversee several newly created agencies, while the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) would be placed under the new “Department of Oceans and Fisheries”.  The federal justice system has also seen attention, as the Federal Law Enforcement Administration (FLEA) would be dissolved and replaced with the “Department of Justice” and ”Department of Public Safety and Homeland Protection”.  COINS would be resigned under Public Safety alongside the NCPS, CBSA, and CSC, while the National Parks Police Authority would be disbanded and conservation responsibilities would be given to other federal and provincial agencies.  However with Canada’s current status the proposed restructure will likely be put on hold till the country is in a more stable position.

Two new government agencies have had their creations ratified though, the Canadian Emergency Preparedness Agency (CEPA) and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Conservation and Recovery Commission (GLSLCRC).  CEPA had its creation passed in Parliament as part of the National Crisis Measures Act (which has been met with its own criticism) with the purpose of unifying the different aspects of federal disaster coordination under one agency.  The GLSLCRC has been formed as an international organization between Ontario, Quebec, and several Raritanian provinces to clean up radioactive contamination in the Great Lakes.  Because the lakes and St. Lawrence provides clean water to tens of millions cleaning them up is necessary to return a degree of normalcy to North America, however with parts of lake Michigan and Superior falling under the jurisdiction of other countries recovery efforts can be slowed.  Ontario’s Premier Marcus Arrnet called on the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota to join the commission during a televised conference, 

“I am proud to announce the creation of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Conservation and Recovery Commission.  Ontarians, Quebecois, and our Raritanian neighbours are coming together to repair the harm humanity has done to one of Orbis’s natural wonders, but without cooperation of the entire region no plan will succeed.  That’s why I’m calling on the state officials of Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin to join the GLSLCRC, to fulfill our obligations as public officials.  To serve those who elected us and guarantee the world’s survival for the generations to come.”

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(OOC: Sorry this is pretty late, but I was busy IRL the last couple weeks.  Anyway I finished it so enjoy the read, and goodnight.)