The Plant: Students for Sustainability

As part of the Canadian Federation’s students for sustainability tour Dawson promoted environmental awareness in an event called sustainable day in Conrods on October 7th.

The Canadian Federation of students launched a campaign called students for sustainability last year. As part of this campaign a campus to campus sustainability tour for all the school’s who are part of the Canadian Federation of Students was kicked off in Newfoundland on Sept 30th 2008.

Dawson is the 5th campus to be visited on this tour.

“The goal of this tour is to showcase what’s happening with the environment and to get more students involved in the sustainable movement and to get politicians to pay attention and take action in climate change,” said Katherine Giroux-Bougard, National chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students.

Conrods was filled with booths all promoting environmentally friendly products and sustainable ways of living. In total there were 10 booths including the Green Earth Club, Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Store, the David Suzuki Foundation, The Thrive Diet and Yoga booth, The DSU, The Canadian Federation of Students, Nutripur, Dawson health services, Council of Canadians, and Joytoyz, a sex shop.




“A lot of people are laughing at the Joytoyz booth but I called them up because a lot of sex toys are really bad for the environment and for your body, “said Mathieu Perron, DSU Staff.

Joytoyz which is located on St Laurent Street is a “woman friendly sex shop” that sells environmentally friendly products.

“We concentrate on silicone and glass toys which are environmentally friendly and re-usable,” sad Phuong, owner of Joytoyz.

One of the reasons they concentrate on glass is because it’s a non porous substance which means it won’t let any bacteria in and it also warms up nicely to the body.

“Our products are artisan made, not mass produced so the artist takes time to make sure each toy can take a lot of pressure which means it won’t break,” said Phuong.

Along with the glass toys and all natural lubes are rechargeable vibrators.

“Our fun factory vibrator is 100% silicone and comes in a case which is also the charger. This is good for people who don’t want to use a lot of batteries.”

Next to Joytoyz was Dawson’s very own nurse manning the health services booth and giving out free condoms, mini toothpastes and information on what health services can do for students.

“I think sustainable day is important because it makes the kids aware that the environment is not forever,” said Diem Truong, Dawson’s nurse.

Carly a first semester continuing education student was helping to man the David Suzuki Foundation booth.

“We’re promoting the David Suzuki Foundation which is essentially sustainability for the new generation,” said Carly.

The David Suzuki Foundation is trying to obtain sustainability through various challenges and campaigns.

One of the ways the foundation is trying to attain sustainability is through there campaign called Powervote.

“Powervote is about taking into consideration the environment when you vote,” said Carly.

According to the pamphlet the David Suzuki Foundation is “seeking 10,000 young voters who will make climate the priority when casting their vote.” To get involved you can sign the pledge at ourclimate.ca.



Another way to obtain sustainability is through the Campus Climate Challenge, which according to the pamphlet is making sustainable campuses “through changing institutional operations, improving curriculua and mobilizing campus community members support.”

“It’s incredible how many ways you can change a school and make it sustainable,” said Leila Roloff, a member of Dawson’s Green Earth Club.

Along with sustainable campuses the Green earth club was talking about composting and the damage water bottles are causing the environment. There were also samples of vegan brownies and raw food macaroons that students could buy.

“We have vegan and raw foods so people can come and try it and see what’s out there and expand their minds,” said Roloff.

In answer to the water bottle crisis was the Nutripur booth run by Kenny Bartczak, a first semester business administration student.

His parents own the Nutripur Company which sells 100% stainless steal, reusable water bottles.

“These are one of the safest water bottles on the market because there’s no leeching of anything into the water, there are no cracks for bacteria to get into and there are no chemicals,” said Bartczak.

Sustainable day proved to be an informative event with a variety of booths and information.

“I think student unions in general have been doing a lot of work around sustainability. It’s become a dire issue and students feel its important to get politicians to take action,” said Giroux-Bougard.

Sustainability isn’t just about the environment it’s about your health, economic health and bringing all sorts of social groups together,” said Perron.