In addition to a long career as founder, owner and director of Butterfield and Robinson, the preeminent global biking and walking company, Martha has been deeply engaged in the arts, the environment and women’s issues. Writer and producer of documentary films including EXPOSURE, Environmental Links to Breast Cancer and A Matter of Choice. Owner of Button Designs, designers and fabricators of Plexiglass furniture and accessories. Boards include the Ontario College of Art and Design, Coach House Press, Branksome Hall, PEN Canada and Ecojustice.

Martha and her husband George are long-time supporters of Ecojustice. Growing up in a family of lawyers, she understands the role the law plays in protecting our environment.

She believes clean water, land and air are undeniable rights and everyone who has children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews should care about these rights. “We are the custodians of our land and it is our job and our duty to keep it safe for future generations.”

Martha remembers her time at the beautiful family cottage in Muskoka. “It was a great outdoor life and I loved it”. As kids, they were responsible for tending to their huge vegetable garden which fostered a deep appreciation for nature. This was over 50 years ago and Martha reflects on how she was not worried about water or food quality then and how the region has changed over the years.

She is particularly proud of Ecojustice for taking on the Charter challenge defending the rights of Chemical Valley residents not to be exposed to unsafe amounts of industrial pollution. “It is courageous and it took a very efficient and effective organization to take this on. It is an uphill battle.”

Martha appreciates how, over the past 30 years, Ecojustice’s strategic litigation has forced the government to enforce laws that are already in place but are not fully implemented.

Last updated: October 15, 2020