Denise Savoie by Marianne Alto Denise Savoie, New Democrat Member of Parliament Since January 23, 2006, Stepped Down August 31

Lower Island NEWS An independent democratic socialist newspaper serving the Lower Vancouver Island area for 28 years

Volume 29 Issue #3 September 2012 Victoria, BC Reflections on Service – Denise Savoie By Marianne Alto Denise Savoie, New Democrat Member of Parliament since January 23, 2006, stepped down August 31. Denise, previously a powerhouse Victoria city councillor and community activist, snatched the riding away from the federal Liberals who had held it since 1993. From the start Denise challenged conventions and stereotypes. The first time I had a chance to see Denise in action in Ottawa, she was in the midst of a lively dispute with a Bloq Quebecois MP, determinedly trying to convince him not only that a BQer and an NDPer could see eye to eye on important policies and principles, but that a fluently bilin- gual francophone could actually be from Victoria. Denise was always exceeding expectations. Despite appearing to be a kindly (though incredibly fit) grandmother, Denise jumped into leadership in the NDP Caucus. Whether through her official roles, like Intergovernmental Affairs Critic, Post-Secondary Education Critic, Literacy Critic or Deputy Critic for Human Resources, or her contributions to the women’s and BC caucuses, or her work as a mentor for her younger colleagues, Denise took the time to work with other MPs (in all Parties) to find ways to achieve change that would benefit all Canadians. This is how she worked, reaching across traditional boundaries, bringing together people who expect to be adversaries, helping them find their common ground, common goals, common paths. Her passionate commitment to sustainability and environmental protection in particular knew no Party bounds, and she would rally any MP to the cause of saving the planet for all our children and grandchildren. It’s this barrier crashing that boosted Denise to three incredible electoral victories. When a candidate takes more than half the votes (in 2011 she took just over 50 per cent of the popular vote) you know that New Democrats, Liberals, Greens, and even some Conservatives voted to show their support for a unique person, for an individual who inter- preted the job of being a public servant in the most literal way. Victorians saw something in Denise that is rare in a politician (rare in a person) – the ability to imagine the just outcome, to cast aside convention and negotiate a way to get the right people together to simply make it happen. It didn’t matter what political stripe you might be, if you could help Denise achieve an end that is good, that serves a purpose or demonstrates how a value can turn in to an action that becomes a beneficial result, Denise would embrace you and your help. Photographer Heather Tufts Perhaps it is this different definition of service that made Denise stand out. Com- has caught in these four fortable with, and committed to, the principles and values of the New Democratic Party, pictures some of the many Denise never let the Party “machine” limit her desire and ability to use those tenets as a sides of the work done by practical tool to effect real change, and to broaden the Party’s base. Denise brought many now retired Victoria MP new members in to the NDP, and reassured those who, for whatever reason, couldn’t join, Denise Savoie. that they were welcome to share in the work of making our communities, our society, a better place to live. Above Savoie talks to a In November 2008, Denise was named Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole, and constituent on the street, to in June 2011, she was named Deputy Speaker of the House. In this role she had a plat- get her thoughts on events form to make change once again, in educating – and demanding from – her colleagues a of the day. new era of decorum and civility in the House. She had a genuine passion for both public policy and the institution of Parliament, and was particularly committed to facilitating an exchange of ideas marked by courtesy and mutual respect. Right, she takes part in Denise understood the importance of process and form, and that MPs were not just a fundraiser with a representatives of their individual ridings, but representative of democracy in Canada. Hawaiian theme. She knew that how that democracy was operated, was seen to operate, is a reflection on all Canadians, and evidence of how we value our good government. Denise understood And below right, she and our distaste for disrespect, our impatience with grandstanding, our love of order. Randall Garrison, MP for When, on August 23, Denise told us that she was resigning her seat in the House of Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, Commons for health reasons, her family, friends and colleagues stood by, ready to enfold take part in one of the many our “former” MP in appreciative, loving arms. Denise may have returned to private life, but public meetings she she will always be a stellar example of how public service should be done. attended in her six years as Thank you, Denise. We miss you, wish you well, and will always hold you dear in our MP for Victoria. hearts.

Left, Savoie receives a hug from the late Jack Layton, the former leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada.,

To read the text of Savoie’s res- ignation letter, please turn to page 8.

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40008124 Return to: Inside this issue Lower Island News First Nations class action 2 Better seniors’ care 14 Box 311-2750 Quadra Street Civil disobedience coming to BC 3 Are voters tired of conservatives? 15 Victoria, BC V8T 4E8 Editorial and opt/ed 4 What is Degrowth? 16 Letters to the editor 5 Sharp practice 17 People power rising 6 Assault on reason 18 Thank you, Denise Savoie! 7 Call out for artists 19 Federal news 8 Mining at odds with food 20 Candidates for election 10 Security and pet deposits 21 MLA James reports 11 Books of interes 22 ProConsul or People? 12 Coming events calendar 23 Department of Peace proposed 13 Directory 24 Page 2 September 2012 Lower Island NEWS Premier Christy Clark’s position on oil pipelines, tankers needs to be “NO” says former federal minister in automated phone call to Clark’s constituents VICTORIA – “I believe Clark needs to Morgan’s proposals: Columbia’s coast from oil spills. of British Columbia and she could do firmly say no to these risky projects.” That’s • 90% said a deal with Alberta for I’ll keep this message short. more than anyone to stop these proj- the message that thousands of people in more money would not change I’m calling to ask for your views on two ects. So far she has expressed serious Premier Christy Clark’s riding of Vancouver their mind; oil tanker and pipeline proposals for the doubts about them but she has not tak- Point Grey received July 24 and 25 in an • 91% said promises of world class BC coast. After I give some background en a clear position in opposition to them. automated call from former federal Minister safety from project proponents and my opinion, I would like to hear your Now I’m a strong supporter of Ms of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans and would not change their mind. views. Your individual answers will be kept Clark and I worked for her on her by- Clark supporter David Anderson. Kim Hobbs, a constituent who received confidential, however, if you wish the total election campaign but I believe she The call, organized by BC non-profit the call, said in a conversation with Swan- results will be emailed to you. needs to say no to these risky projects. Dogwood Initiative, was deployed in re- son, “No amount of money will make me Currently, there are two companies, En- Well that’s my opinion but now I’d sponse to statements by Clark signaling change my mind.” bridge in the north through Douglas Chan- like to hear your views. that oil tanker and pipeline projects could David Anderson is unavailable for com- nel and Kinder Morgan in the south through The questions asked were: win her approval for a price. ment because he is currently on his sail- the Gulf of Georgia and the Strait of Juan 1. “Do you agree Premier Christy “Clark is absolutely right that BC’s coast boat, enjoying the BC coast. de Fuca, with proposals that would bring Clark should oppose Enbridge’s and and big salmon rivers would be put in grave Dogwood Initiative has been campaign- more than 400 crude oil tankers per year Kinder Morgan’s proposals to bring danger by these oil tankers and pipelines,” ing against oil tanker expansions on the to the B.C. coast to ship Alberta’s oil to the crude oil tankers to the BC coast?” said Eric Swanson, a director of Dogwood BC coast since 2005. Over 123,000 people Pacific region. 2. “If the BC government were able Initiative. “She is absolutely wrong if she and 300 businesses have signed their No I believe this puts our coast at risk of to negotiate a deal to receive money thinks that BC should accept the risk of an Tankers petition, available at www.notank- Exxon Valdez type oil spills as long expe- from Alberta for the risk of environmen- oil spill catastrophe, for a price.” ers.ca. rience has shown these project involve tal damage from spills from tankers and The message reached a total of 6,877 substantial risk by reason of human and or- pipelines, would that deal change your constituents (4,250 live, 2,627 voicemail). Here’s a transcript of Anderson’s phone ganizational failures and ship or equipment mind?” 467 constituents responded to an informal message: malfunction. 3. “The BC government has asked poll that was part of the automated call. Good evening, I’m David Anderson call- Now it’s claimed that these develop- that the two pipeline companies prom- • 81% said Clark should say “NO” ing on behalf of the Dogwood Initiative. I ments will create jobs. However, no one in ise to put world class oil spill response, to both Enbridge and Kinder Mor- served as federal Minister of Fisheries and media or government seriously doubts that prevention and mitigation measures in gan’s oil tanker and pipeline pro- Oceans and Minister of the Environment in far more coastal jobs in fishing and tourism place for crude oil tankers and pipelines. posals; the governments of prime minister Chre- would be put at risk by these plans than If that promise is made by the compa- Of those who thought Clark should say tien. But for the past 40 years, in and out would be created by them. nies, would that change your mind?” ‘NO’ to either or both Enbridge and Kinder of politics, I have worked to protect British Your MLA, Christy Clark, is the premier Government attack on environment increases the urgency of First Nations’ access to Class Action Proceedings No choice but to go forward to the Supreme Court of Canada to protect wild salmon VANCOUVER--The Supreme Court of Can- The recent BCCA decision overturned accepted by the Court of Appeal. than respecting First Nations and working ada is where the Kwicksutaineuk/Ah-Kwa- an earlier legal victory, where the KAFN Bob Chamberlin, KAFN Chief and rep- together towards solutions and sustainable Mish First Nation (KAFN) of the Broughton made history by successfully advancing the resentative plaintiff in the case, observed, economic development opportunities, pre- Archipelago expect to continue their quest first class-action lawsuit in Canada that fo- “The appeal of our certification win by both fer to invest in litigation costs.” to protect the wild salmon in their Territory. cused on Aboriginal fishing rights. The case the Canadian and BC governments, and “We were forced into the courts. It is not The KAFN announced August 8 that they was successfully certified by the Honour- supported by the aquaculture industry, our preferred approach. We would much had applied to the Supreme Court of Can- able Justice Slade on December 1, 2010. hinged on technicalities and missed the im- rather cooperate and use the resources ex- ada for Leave to Appeal the May 3, 2012 Justice Slade’s decision was appealed portance of government’s obligation to reg- pended on litigation to remediate the envi- decision of the British Columbia Court of jointly by the BC and Canadian govern- ulate the open net salmon farming industry ronmental damage that has been done and Appeal (BCCA) regarding the environmen- ments on several grounds, but most nota- in a way that protects wild salmon. This de- improve the regulatory system for aqua- tal impacts of open net-pen salmon farms bly that, unlike other Canadians, “aboriginal cision cannot remain unchallenged.” culture. However, from the actions of the on the wild salmon that the KAFN have de- collectives” should not be allowed to join to- “The urgency and importance of this BC and Harper governments to date, I can pended upon for thousands of years. gether in a class action. This argument was case has only increased since it was filed in only conclude that we cannot trust them February 2009. The Harper government’s to protect Canada’s environment and our recent gutting of the Fisheries Act, hol- fish without being ordered to do so by the lowing out of the environmental assess- courts,” stated Chief Chamberlin. the Published Weekly 381 Spruce Ave r ment process, silencing of science, and The Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwa-mish First Your Island Your Pape Gabriola, BC Flying V0R 1X1 attempting to paralyze ENGOs highlights Nation is a First Nations band govern- The Voice of Gabriola since 1972 the importance of the rights of First Na- ment, in the Queen Charlotte Strait region Shingle Contact: [email protected] tions. Their access to the justice system of British Columbia. The territory of the can serve as the last stand to prevent Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwa-mish First Nation the environmental carnage that will result spans the southern Broughton Archipelago The Flying Shingle’s commitment to from the pursuit of economic development and the Gilford Island area just north of the our advertisers on Gabriola Island: at all costs. With this assault on the envi- mouth of Knight Inlet. ronment in favour of the rapid exploitation In February 2009, utilizing the Class • Your ad will stand out to potential customers because we limit of natural resources, what is left to hold Proceedings Act of British Columbia, the advertising to 40 per cent of the newspaper’s total space. (Fifty industry accountable?” KAFN sought remedies from the court re- per cent is usually regarded as an acceptable rate.) Legal Counsel, Reidar Mogerman of quiring the defendant, the BC Government • A sassy, intelligent, well-written paper committed to the Vancouver-based law firm Camp Fio- (represented by the BC Minister of Agricul- journalistic integrity that attracts a strong and loyal rante Matthews Mogerman, confirmed ture and Lands) to address the decline in readership. that the Leave to Appeal application had wild salmon in their traditional territory. • Classified ads focussed on local advertisers and Gabriola been filed earlier in Ottawa. To view the original KAFN Statement A successful application for Leave to of Claim go to: http://huffstrategy.com/ customers. Appeal would mean the Supreme Court of MediaManager/Media/Text/1233780246_ Many of our readers tell us they read the Flying Shingle from cover Canada would consider whether aborigi- Microsoft+Word+-+0052+Pleading+St to cover, which means every page is a “good” advertising page in nal collectives should be able to join to- atement+of+Claim+Chamberlin_2.pdf The Shingle. gether and use the powerful class-action This was the first class-action lawsuit ad- laws to protect their rights. The details are vanced by a First Nation in Canada to pro- With a total winter distribution of 2,400 The Shingle is mailed out to every contained in the Applicant’s Memorandum tect Aboriginal fishing rights. mailbox (1,850) on Gabriola, and distributed to newsstands around the of Argument. This 21-page document was When the class-action was launched, island. circulated to media conference attendees. 29 salmon aquaculture sites were autho- Chief Chamberlin, flanked by his le- rized by the BC Government to operate in Advertise in The Shingle. We deliver Gabriola. gal counsel Reidar Mogerman and Grand the Broughton Archipelago. It is the KAFN’s Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the position that these operations have contrib- Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), made uted to a drastic decline in salmon stocks the announcement to a crowded room in within the region. the offices of the UBCIC. In attendance The class-action was certified in De- were regional First Nations leaders, scien- cember 2010 by Justice Slade of the Su- tists, and wild salmon advocates. preme Court of British Columbia. Chief Chamberlin went on to say, “Our To view the December 1, 2010 Decision experience is inconsistent with Canada’s by the Honourable Mr. Justice Slade, go to: international obligations as a supporter of www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/ the UN Declaration on the Rights of In- SC/10/16/2010BCSC1699cor1.htm. digenous Peoples that promises shared An Appeal advanced by the Prov- decision making at both the federal and ince of British Columbia and the Govern- Residential & Commercial • Service & Renos provin0to the social, cultural, and ecologi- ment of Canada (who was later joined as A locally owned & operated family business cal well-being of the KAFN and they have a Defendant) overturned Justice Slade’s Reliable • Priced Fair • Quality workmanship sustained us for over 5,000 years. Despite decision in May 2012. ___To view the this, our firsthand knowledge of the impacts May 3, 2012 Decision by Madame Jus- of open net-pen salmon farms in KAFN tice Garson of the British Columbia Court 250-727-3888 | [email protected] | www.fraserplumbing.ca Territories has not been respected. We of Appeal, go to: www.courts.gov.bc.ca/ are dealing with governments who, rather jdb-txt/CA/12/01/2012BCCA0193.htm. Lower Island NEWS September 2012 Page 3 Peaceful act of civil disobedience planned for October to defend Canada’s west coast from tar sands pipelines, tankers

On October 22, Canadians are invited to Victoria, BC, for a seen. mass sit-in to say no to tar sands pipelines and tankers on Cana- The NDP Stand da’s west coast. Be a part of protecting the beautiful West Coast and steering A peaceful act of civil disobedience is plannned between 9 a.m the Canadian economy away from the toxic tar sands industry. on the Enbridge Pipeline and 2 pm. Endorsed by: Over 80 influential leaders from the business, First Nations, • Stephen Lewis – Former Canadian Ambassador to the environmental, labour, academic, medical and artistic communi- United Nations Sun. Oct. 28th ties across Canada have announced an upcoming mass sit-in in 1 - 4pm front of the provincial legislature in Victoria, BC, on Monday, Octo- • Jackie Thomas – Chief Saik’uz First Nation ber 22. The sit-in will oppose tar sands pipelines and tankers and • David Suzuki – academic, science broadcaster and BC NDP Environment critic the threats they would pose to the west coast. environmentalist MLA Rob Fleming will be joined by “There are moments in history when it’s clear that our elected • Dr. Vandana Shiva – Physicist, author, Director The a compelling panel of speakers leaders are failing us and it is necessary to take a stand,” said as we explore the many issues prominent author and environmentalist Tzeporah Berman. “Today Research Foundation for Science, Technology and we are stating our intention to defend our coast and calling on Natural Resource Policy surrounding the Enbridge others to join us. The risk of oil spills and irreversible harm to our • Naomi Klein – Author and Journalist pipeline proposal. tourism and fishing industries from these pipelines and tankers is • – Author, policy critic, director with the just too great.” Maude Barlow Join us for a International Forum on Globalization and Chair of the If you take one action to protect our coast – let this be the one. panel discussion and Q & A Council of Canadians Sign up at www.defendourcoast.ca. The Defend our Coast website explains, “BC Premier Christy • Dave Coles – President Communications, Energy and Tsawout Gymnasium Clark is talking about putting a price on the west coast. The view Paperworkers Union of Canada East of Hwy 17 off Mt.Newton X is that for enough money we should ignore the voices of over 100 • Jim Britton – VP Western Region, Communications, First Nations and put communities throughout BC and our environ- Free – Open to the public Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada ment at risk to the on-going threats tar sands tankers and pipelines Light refreshments will be served would pose. • Susan Spratt – Western Regional Director of the CAW “Prime Minister Harper has spent the last year silencing the • Tom Goldtooth – Director, Indigenous Environmental Saanich Gulf-Islands voices of opposition by gutting environmental protection, cancel- Network ling more than 3,000 safety assessments of industrial projects and attacking Canadians who care about environmental values. • Jessie Cardinal – Coordinator, Keepers of the Athabasca Together we must tell the B.C. and Federal government that the • Bill McKibben – Writer and Environmentalist protection of the west coast is not up for discussion and Canada’s [email protected] • coast is not for sale!” And many more! www.saanichgulfislandsndp.ca Defend our Coast belives that this will be largest act of peaceful civil disobedience on the climate issue that Canada has ever se Building A Better Tomorrow Anti-Enbridge vigil An Evening with Adrian Dix and Maurine Karagianis widens, deepens The continuing monthly vigil against the Enbridge Pipeline will take place next month Tuesday, October 2, 7 p.m. on Tuesday October 9, from 5-6pm, at the Cenotaph in front of the Legislature. Archie Browning Sports Centre, The Crow’s Nest The vigil stands in support of northern First Nations communities who are determined (1151 Esquimalt Road) to save their unceded territories from environmental degradation. The vigil also draws attention to other projects, such as the Northwest Power Project and Pacific Trail Natural Gas Pipeline. Light refreshments and no-host bar Everyone is welcome to attend this peaceful vigil. For further information, please contact Dorothy Field, [email protected] and check out the new Facebook Page, “Victoria Tickets $75 Vigils Against Enbridge Northern Gateway Project”. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Jayne or Barbara at 250-634-8637 or [email protected] Liberal publicity stunts do nothing to protect BC’s interests A Fundraiser for Esquimalt-Royal Roads New Democrats VICTORIA — National progress on tanker traffic off our north coast for any energy issues vital to British Columbia was amount of cash,” said Fleming. derailed by the Liberals’ desperate publicity New Democrat energy critic John Hor- stunt at the Council of the Federation, say gan said, “Far from standing up for British the New Democrats. Columbia, the Liberals’ desperate antics “It’s clear Premier Christy Clark was are sidelining progress on energy issues feeling the heat in the wake of the damning that are of deep importance to our prov- Making History in US Transportation Safety Board report ince.” into Enbridge’s devastating Kalamazoo As an example of the kind of national River spill and wanted to give the belated energy issue being derailed by Premier Saanich North & the Islands! impression her government is taking action Clark’s publicity stunts, Horgan pointed out to protect the interests of British Columbia,” that existing wires limit Alberta›s ability to said New Democrat environment critic Rob import electricity from BC, a fact that disad- Fleming. vantages both provinces. “The formal review and approval “At the same time that we were spilling process is the appropriate forum where water over our dams Albertans were 12th Annual Pasta & Politics Premier Christy Clark should be defending suffering from rolling brownouts,” said Hor- BC›s best interests, rather than a media gan. “If Premier Clark really cared about the Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 scrum arising out of a staged derailing of interests of British Columbians she would the annual premiers› conference. be working with Alberta and the rest of the St. Andrews Church Hall “Yet the Liberals relinquished control country to strengthen the grid and find a over the assessment process to the federal market for all the private power the Liberals 9691 Fourth St., Sidney, BC government, supporters of Enbridge’s locked us into buying at high rates.» Doors open 5 pm plan.” New Democrats pointed out that The Union of BC Indian Chiefs has Premier Clark also recently skipped a made it clear that they oppose the premier’s western premiers’ conference that would offer to lift the moratorium on tanker traffic have given her the opportunity to raise for a fistful of dollars. issues around Enbridge without creating Join Candidate Gary Holman & Guest Speaker On July 30, the UBCIC and West disruptions. Coast Environmental Law Association said This summer New Democrat leader Cash Bar, Silent & Very Lively Auctions with Mike Hayes the BC Liberal government should just say Adrian Dix toured areas that would be af- no to the project, while the Carrier Sekani, fected by the Enbridge pipeline. New Dem- whose members’ traditional territory spans ocrats formally announced their opposition Tickets: $55 roughly 25 percent of the pipeline route, to the NGP in a submission to the Joint Re- Contacts: Linda @250-656-6992 or John @250-538-1615 slammed Premier Clark for “playing The view Panel this April, and will continue their Price is Right» with BC’s land and waters.’ province wide efforts to mobilize British Co- Campaign Contact: Allan Collier ([email protected]) “The UBCIC are absolutely correct lumbians who are opposed to the pipeline. to point out British Columbians aren’t interested in selling out our environment Sponsored by Saanich North & the Islands NDP and lifting the moratorium on crude oil Page 4 September 2012 Lower Island NEWS

“In our time, political speech and writing are largely the defence of The Lower Island NEWS --George Orwell – English novelist, 1903 - 1950 the indefensible.” The Lower Island NEWS, in its 29th year of publication, is an independent newsfea- Our view: ture tabloid newspaper, published as often as financially possible, by the Lower Island Where to now? News Society, Box 311, 2750 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4E8. Looking around the world as 2012 winds down, most Canadians must surely Signed articles are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the feel bewildered and frustrated. Nothing makes sense, contradictions abound views of the Lower Island NEWS or the Lower Island News Society. Articles submitted and any notions of a just society, governed by wise and thoughtful leaders for for publication are subjejct to editing at the discretion of the Editor. the benefit of all, have melted away like an autumn mist. Twelve years after all Editorial Committee Chair: Sharon Hazelwood the hoop-la of “the new millennium”, where are we headed? Editor: Dale Young Editorial Writer: David Olsen This year, Canadian media have focused on exploitation of the tar sands, natu- Book review and travel writer: Ron MacIsaac ral gas, shale gas and pipelines to carry the output to the BC coast and thence Distribution: Jocelyn Floyer and others to China and other “Asian markets”. Advertising: Contributors to this issue: Marianne Alto, Jeremy Arney, Anthony Britneff, Marcy Concurrently the Harper government has trashed our environmental review Cohen, Ed Deak, Janet M. Eaton, Eden Haythornthwaite, , Chris Gainor, Randall processes and regulations in pursuit of the Conservative mantra of “increasing Garrison, Ben Isitt, Carole James, Gerry Masuda, George Mortimore, Ben Parfitt,Tim Pheotist, Denise Savoie, Ish Theilheimer, Heather Tufts, Diane Walsh, Theresa Wolf- trade with China”. Right now there is a trade imbalance between China and wood, and others. Canada of almost three to one in China’s favour. It seems to be okay by the Conservatives to widen this yawning gap even further. What does Stephen Printed at the Nanaimo Daily News, Nanaimo, BC Harper have in mind for this “expanded trade”? Seemingly, an increase of our Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #40008124 nineteenth century role as hewers of wood and drawers of water. The one big thing in the Conservatives mind seems to be to turn thousands of square miles of Northern Canada into an industrial wasteland, pipe the thick black bitumen via the contentious yet-to-be-built Enbridge pipeline to Kitimat, and wave it Lower Island NEWS Privacy Statement goodbye as it sails off into the sunset in foreign tankers. As with so many of the The Lower Island NEWS is owned by the Lower Island News Society, a non-profit society registered under the BC Societies Act. The Lower Island NEWS collects and uses your personal information for the puroposes of mailing the paper to you, and may Harper actions, the big question is why? write to you from time to time to solicit donations. The Lower Island NEWS will not share this information with any other group. As others see it Take the tar sands, Enbridge, etc. Why is it thought necessary to do it? The easy answer is “because it’s there” and “because we can”. But do we need it BC’s focus on liquefied natural gas makes (the bitumen)? Since the plan is to pipe most of the tar sands output to Kitimat for shipment to China, then clearly “we” as Canadians do not. Of course, one no sense for climate or economy day in the future, when all our conventional oil has been used up or exported, By Ben Parfitt based on the projected performance in then we might, but by then it will be too late, and like Britain and its mad rush to In 2009, British Gas, a leader in the Queensland. sell off North Sea oil, we will end up as an energy importer – if anyone else has global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade, Such an increase would push BC’s any left to sell us and if we have any money to buy it. submitted a voluminous environmental as- overall emissions as of 2010 up another sessment report for a massive new gas 9.1 percent. That’s precisely the opposite But there is another “we” in this equation. They are the huge non-Canadian processing plant and export terminal in of what we need to do. By 2020, BC is by (US, British, Chinese, Dutch etc.) companies who are actually digging the Australia’s Queensland state. law supposed to have reduced its overall The plant, now under construction and emissions to 33 percent below 2007 levels. stuff out of the ground and expending huge amounts of energy and water (and scheduled to open in 2014, will produce just Worse, the emissions associated with get- pollution) to make it “pipe-able”. They are not doing it for fun. They and their slightly more gas than two proposed LNG ting all of the natural gas out of the ground shareholders are in it to make a lot of money. projects that have passed environmental to run through those LNG plants will be reviews and been granted approvals to ex- even higher. The Conservatives are very successful at raising money from such companies port processed gas from the Kitimat area Clark and Coleman ignore such trou- and shareholders and those in the Canadian “establishment” who benefit from on British Columbia’s central north coast. bling details, arguing that natural gas is government support for their favoured projects. However, it would be foolish to Since we are now, according to BC’s “clean” when burned to liquefy gas that is pretend that no financial benefit will flow to what politicians call “working Ca- Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Cole- then sold to China, Korea and Japan and nadians”. Many jobs have been created in the tar sands region – laying pipe, man, in a “foot race” with Australia to ship allegedly displaces the burning of coal. In our natural gas to Asian markets, we might this, they may have company. NDP energy operating trucks and machinery and so on. However, with over a quarter million want to reconsider the wisdom of doing so critic John Horgan has mused that he’s un- people immigrating to Canada every year, then jobs have to be created, other- in light of two disturbing facts in that report troubled by “burning a little gas” here if it wise we will import unemployment. from Down Under. displaces the burning of allegedly dirtier fu- When British Gas released details on els somewhere else. But what about the value-added jobs and long-term issues? Enbridge, in glossy its Queensland plant three years ago, there BC politicians may wish this “displace- advertisements, under the heading “Thousands of jobs...” says that 3,000 con- were no fewer than 17 LNG plant propos- ment” to happen, but in truth there is little struction jobs will be created in BC “at the peak of construction”. How long will als under consideration in Australia. In BC evidence to suggest that it will. A more the “peak” last, and what will the workers do when the peak is passed? there are currently about half a dozen. plausible outcome, based on the fact that To grease the wheels of LNG develop- greenhouse gas emissions in China, Japan ments here in BC, Premier Christy Clark and Korea continue to rise and that there Many specialist workers will probably be hired on short term contracts from recently announced that her government is no global commitment to cap such emis- overseas. Enbridge promises 560 full time jobs, which frankly is not very many would amend its Clean Energy Act so that sions, is that those countries and others will for such a mega-project. China will gain that many jobs just crewing a few of natural gas qualifies as a “clean” fuel when end up burning more gas and more coal. the super-tankers (none of them Canadian flagged!) to carry the bitumen. it is used to power up LNG plants. She was As disquieting as it is to see our govern- notably silent on what this means for the ment apparently abandoning BC’s climate Then there are promises of tax revenues for BC. $1.2 billion say the Enbridge government’s legislated greenhouse gas change commitments, equally alarming is advertisements – but that is over 30 years and equates to less than $10 per emissions reduction targets. that their boosterish stance on LNG exports year for every British Columbian – enough to pay for five or six hours parking at It’s no surprise why. also ignores some troubling economic reali- the hospital if you have to go for treatment! When the Queensland LNG plant is in ties. full production, the combustion of natural In its Queensland LNG report, British gas in its state-of-the-art combined cycle Gas noted that there was only a narrow The real value-addition begins after the bitumen leaves Kitimat. Thousands turbines, the venting of CO2 from the feed window of opportunity to get its new plant of skilled jobs will be sustained in Asian shipyards to build the supertankers gas entering the facility, and the flaring of into operation. That’s because the supply of to transport the bitumen. There will be skilled seafaring jobs on the foreign gas at the facility will result in 2.8 million natural gas from Australia alone could flood flagged and crewed ships. Thousands more jobs will be sustained in Asian tonnes of additional greenhouse gas emis- export markets and send prices spiraling refineries to process the bitumen. Thousands more in the industries which the sions per year. down. refined products will power, turning out billions of dollars of manufactured goods Such emissions should give British “It is unlikely that all but a few projects to export to Canada and elsewhere to sustain our huge trade imbalance in Columbians pause. The National Energy will proceed,” the company reported, add- manufactures and our continuing loss of skilled industrial jobs. Board has granted two LNG projects pro- ing that it was critical to the company’s fi- posed for the Kitimat area — BC LNG Ex- nancial bottom line to win the so-called foot port Cooperative and Kitimat LNG — the race and have its Queensland operation in Then, the 560 workers in Canada, employed in exporting the bitumen might rights to export virtually the same volume of operation by no later than 2014-2015. borrow a line from Shakespeare when thinking of Stephen Harper who made it gas as the plant in Queensland. In addition, In the global race to supply Asia with all happen – “made I him King for this”? Of course, this brief overview is at best Shell has recently announced that it is con- LNG, it looks like Queensland is well superficial, but as Canadians, we have to think these issues right through to the sidering constructing what could be a third ahead. Which begs the question. Why do details. Pipeline advertisements and Conservative rhetoric are big on superfici- LNG plant in Kitimat that would produce an- BC’s elected leaders persist in entering a alities and very short on detail. other 12 million tonnes of LNG. race that looks more and more like a climat- Were all three BC plants to material- ic and economic race to the bottom? All this does not even begin to address the resultant pollution and its effect on ize and be powered by natural gas turbines as Premier Clark has given them the green Ben Parfitt is a resource policy analyst with the climate change; and there are many more issues. Think of the bizarre sabre- light to do, the increase in BC’s green- Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and re- rattling speeches of US presidential candidate Mitt Romney and running mate house gas emissions would be enormous cent author of Fracking Up Our Water, Hydro Power and Climate: BC’s Reckless Pursuit of Paul Ryan. Consider the connotations of Stephen Harper’s sudden severance — potentially another 5.7 million tonnes, of all diplomatic contact with Iran, while extolling closer trade ties with China Shale Gas. which, with Russia, is a major backer of Iran, and Syria’s murderous regime. Did you send us material for inclusion in this issue of the Lower Island News, and Still bewildered? You have every reason to be. But take heart – reason can still it’s not here? We apologize. Unfortunately we had a major computer failure in June, prevail. We can still all come together. The incredible faultless experience of resulting in the loss of a lot of information,including articles and email addresses. Please resend your material to [email protected]. Thank you! --Editor the London Olympics and Paralympics proved that. As Jack Layton said – “love and hope”. Hold onto it! --DJO Lower Island NEWS OUR READERS WRITE September 2012 Page 5 Making cutbacks in Community chest government of good will services is a BC In the past, I was bothered when individuals helped me and I was unable to re- political issue turn the favour to them. One example was Mrs King. I was Our elected trustees In SD79 have working night and day on my overdue the- been fired and replaced by an appointed sis for my degree. I lived in a noisy home administrator because they were unable to with a younger brother and sister. Mrs King get additional funding from the Ministry. lived in the adjoining duplex so she heard However, the appointed administrator through the walls the conditions I was work- was able to get 300,000 more dollars. This ing under. additional funding is going to the Interna- She offered me “Billy’s Room”. She tional Students Program based on the old gave me a key to her home and said I was motto You Have to Spend Money to Make to use “Billy’s Room” whenever I needed Money! whether night or day. She said she and Mr I suggest this initiative to increase the King did not care if I woke them at 2 am number of foreign students is misdirected. in the morning since they were retired and The purpose of SD79 is to provide qual- could sleep in. ity education to our kids. The SD is not in “Billly’s Room” was their son’s room. He the business of making money. The provi- had been killed in an accident years ago. sion of adequate funding based on educa- To them, it was a sacred place. And they Iraqi veterans in London, UK , wear white poppies. Theresa Wolfwood photo tional needs is the sole responsibility of the let me desecrate it by making it my work- Ministry of Education. space. It was years later, long after Mr and By firing our elected trustees, the min- Wear a white poppy for peace Mrs King had died, that I realized how great ister may have escalated the inadequate After World War I British war widows, devastated by the loss of their husbands and a sacrifice they had made for me. funding for SD79 into a province wide politi- family members, started the White Poppy Campaign for Peace They wanted society to How could I repay this gift of love? cal issue relating to cutbacks in all govern- work actively to prevent war. I then heard about the Community ment services. This symbol of working for peace was adopted by the UK Women’s Cooperative Guild Chest of Good Will. The concept is that we The public’s attention could focus on in 1933. Since 1934 the UK Peace Pledge Union has distributed them every year. Sev- receive help from others to whom we may the government’s cycle of giving tax cuts to enty-five years later, the world has seen over 300 wars, and the killing of more than 200 not be able to repay. We accept the help the rich and cutting back government ser- million people. Let’s work to make peace their memorial from strangers with thanks. However, if vices and programs to We the People. The The White Poppy has become a symbol of active peace work worldwide. This work we wished to, we could “payback” the help $1.8 billion tax cuts to the most profitable honours all war dead by seeking non-military solution to war. Modern warfare kills civil- by putting something into the Community corporations in the last budget indicates the ians and destroys the social and physical environment. War and the preparation for war Chest of Good Will. We do this by giving government continues its tax cut cycle at are bleeding our economy and wasting resources that should be used for social justice. help to others. our expense. White Poppies signify a rejection of war and a commitment to social justice and inter- If this idea appeals to you, join the cycle All those who have suffered loss or cut- national peace-building. of giving and receiving within your commu- backs in government services are encour- In Victoria, White Poppies are made and given away by Victoria Women in Black to nity. aged to consider the current and future im- any community, school or church group that requests them. Individuals can also find Gerry Masuda pact of the government’s continuing tax cut them at the November 1 Women in Black vigil from noon to 1 pm on Douglas Street Duncan on themselves and their families and vote beside Centennial Square. accordingly. For further information, email them at: [email protected]. Gerry Masuda Theresa Wolfwood Duncan Victoria

I would prefer an NDP nightmare...to the Open letter to Shirley Bond, Minister of one we are living now Justice and Attorney General of BC There was a letter in a Victoria news- Harper’s government. paper on August 17 from Joe Sawchuk, of TILMA gave away the right to appeal to Ms.Bond, Duncan, entitled “Returning to the NDP is the law courts in a dispute between corpo- There was an opinion piece under your akin to returning to an ex-spouse”. rations and anyone who they consider has name that was published in The Peninsula ers, giving them away to private corporate My response would be something like cost them lost profits. News Review on Friday August 25, entitled friends, and then complaining about lack of this: Who owns the new Portman Bridge and “Examining the potential for Internet voting revenue to the province! BC has a triple A credit rating because will collect an average of $1,500 in tolls per in BC”, which, while it was perhaps looking That is not democracy, madam, that is the Liberals have hidden the real situation year per car from commuters? It is a PPP in the right direction, contained two glaring robbery. so well, not only from the people of BC, but venture and you know no corporate money errors. To take one very simple example of the also the raters.. is invested without anticipating huge rev- I quote: total lack of democratic values which exist For example BC Hydro has for years enues. “However, when it comes to something with your BC Liberal government is the mat- been returning to the province $300 mil- Who owns the hospitals of the province, as integral to our democracy as our elec- ter of the so called “smart meters”. Over- lion dollars a year, but the law says that if riddled with internal sickness and general toral process...” whelmingly your government has been told the debt-asset ratio falls below 80-20 they poor cleanliness as they are because the and; not to force BC Hydro to implement this stu- cannot do this. Future hydro use payments cleaning and feeding is done by for-max “...we are exercising tremendous cau- pid, and dangerous to the health of not only from the people of BC had to be included in profits corporations from the UK yet! tion with something as significant as our humans and pets but also the insects we the assets this year in order for that transfer Who owns the roads of the province province’s democracy.” need to pollinate all plant forms. payment to be made. and doesn’t maintain them as that costs Ms. Bond, the problem with these The answer from your colleague Cole- What happens next year? Will they use money and they can’t do that and have a two quotes is that there is no democracy in man was a very basic, “Don’t care what you 10 years of payments as assets? After all profit too? BC. Democracy means that those elected think or want, it is going to happen.” they can’t use the “paid assets” again can BC rail was making a profit or it would to the legislature are there to represent the That is democracy Ms Bond? When we they? The fact is the books of BC Hydro not have been bought. people who elected them. have no fruit or vegetables growing here in are so cooked, the company is basically Who is protecting our environment? The Canadian Oxford Dictionary:says, BC what do you and Coleman plan to eat? broke…Thank you Campbell/Clark/BC And who is giving away raw logs instead of “democracy 1a; a form of government Oh silly me, you are at the public trough so Liberals, you have done what Campbell creating manufacturing here in BC? Cole- in which the power resides in the people you can afford imported foods. wanted – opened BC Hydro up for grabs by man and Chong successfully gave away a and is exercised by them either directly or Another topical example is the Northern such as General Electric. It cannot be sold huge chunk of our crown land on the South by means of elected representatives”. Gateway Pipeline, which a huge majority of but can be broken up to meet its debts. The Island so that the land could be developed As you are well aware this is not hap- the people of BC (and also Canada now) North American Electricity Reliability Cor- and protected trees could be harvested. pening and indeed has not happened in reject as criminally insane and yet your poration (NERC) , is all set to replace the They completely ignored the people›s ob- BC particularly since 2001 but even before. premier is open to financial offers! Again is BC Utilities Commission with US private jections. Some previous governments actually cared that democracy you are practising? corporate profit rules for BC Hydro. Night- Who is taking money from ICBC, which and created Crown Corporations to look af- Please amend your use of such words mare? You bet. was never intended to be part of general ter the health and wealth of the people of as “democracy” which your department That›s right, we are in a nightmare now: revenue because they have messed up the BC. lawyers should be able to tell you are mis- highest rate of child poverty, homelessness income of the province so badly they have Your government since 2001 has sys- leading lies when applied to BC , sick and broken souls outside a third world to grab what they can from where they can? tematically destroyed those money mak- Jeremy Arney country. Low taxes equals low income for Finally Sawchuck’s statement that “in- Victoria the province equals lower standards of vestment does not agree with the NDP gov- care for sick, seniors, children needing ed- ernments” sounds as if he has swallowed ucation. Want more? Investors will invest Harper/Campbell/Clark cool aid without We welcome your letters to the editor, as well as articles, reviews, if they know what they have to work with in taking a breath, whilst the BC Liberal prom- photos, and anything else you think would be of interest to our taxes and regulations; if the resources are ises and guarantees are not even worth a here the investments will be made. soon to be extinct penny. progressive readers. BC is in a nightmare now, being open So to sum up, yes I would prefer an for takeover by foreign corporations and NDP “nightmare” to the one we are living Please mail them to the Editor, at bo 311, 2750 Quadra seet, victoria, that is what this BC Liberal government now, both provincially and federally. BC, V8T 4E8, or email them to the editor at [email protected], wants. CETA, which threatens to control Bring it on. or phone 250-384-7621. our sovereignty and our municipalities’ pro- Jeremy Arney curement procedures, is being deliberately Victoria BC The DEADLINE to submit material for the next issue is expected to hidden from us by Minister Pat Bell, an em- be November 30, finances permitting. ployee of BC who is obviously working for Page 6 September 2012 OUR READERS WRITE AND OP/EDS Lower Island NEWS People power rising Events in Quebec, Kitchener, and south of the border show voters tired of conservative agenda

By Ish Theilheimer and of Charest’s Loi 78, the constitutional- the President up one to four points over ri- impossible for any incoming party to gov- This has been an exciting week in poli- ly-questionable law against demonstrators. val Romney in polls. Before the convention, ern. tics, with distinct calls for people power. Right-wing politicians and media outlets most polls showed them in a dead heat. The Harper government also cut diplo- In Canada, the week opened with the harped about the threat of separation — Watching the Democrats, and, before matic ties with Iran last week. Talk with that election of a minority PQ government in which last week’s vote indicates is quite them, the Republicans, was great sport for country had been difficult. Now it will be im- Quebec. This would be a hard election to unlikely — but they missed the bigger story. political junkies. The highlight for the GOP, possible. This does not seem like progress describe to some from another country, like Quebeckers don’t like Stephen Harper and of course, was legendary actor and director to us. English-speaking Canada for instance. his kind. Last week, they gave one of his Clint Eastwood doing an improv interview Last week came a hint of one new line In this race, former Mulroneyite and now boys a whuppin’. with an empty chair. of attack from the Conservatives. Parlia- former Premier Jean Charest grabbed at Speaking of whuppin’, Thursday’s bye- The Democrats featured a power- mentary Secretary Pierre Poilievre tried to the brass ring by playing up the street con- lection in the Ontario riding of Kitchener- packed lineup of speakers, including corpo- justify a law that will make union member- frontations with students – to be precise, Waterloo was a kick in the head to both rate CEOs, trade unionists, immigrant and ship optional for public service workers by the thousands and thousands of marching, Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty and Con- women’s rights advocates. They came to citing PSAC’s (Public Service Alliance of angry students and their non-student sup- servative leader Tim Hudak. As many read- the mic and made one passionate speech Canada) support for the PQ in the Quebec porters who occupied Montreal streets for ers know, McGuinty engineered this by- after another, pleading emotionally with election. Poilievre’s move could represent at least two months last spring. election by giving local Conservative MPP Americans to prevent a poisonous alter- the beginning of the end of the “Rand For- Three times Charest had managed to Elizabeth Witmer a plum appointment. He nate reality — the possibility of electing zil- mula” (mandatory dues payment) in feder- get elected before, mostly due to muddled bet that his austerity budget, teacher-bash- lionaire and corporate cutthroat Mitt Rom- ally regulated industries. Without Rand, the opposition. This time, his ploy didn’t work. ing and public sector worker-bashing would ney to the presidency. labour movement would be deprived of one The opposition, in Quebec, was mud- wow conservative-minded voters in Kitch- The highlight of the Democractic con- of its most fundamental tools. dled. The PQ stood for progressive social ener, which would propel his party to gain- vention was former president Bill Clinton’s Rand’s defeat would stand as a one the policies, as ever, but nearly stole defeat ing the one seat it needs to have a majority Wednesday night speech on US econom- biggest imaginable trophies for the Har- from the mouth of victory with its internal government. He lost that bet badly, with his ics. Obama’s, though long on progressive perites and a disaster for working Canadi- contradictions on sovereignty. PQ leader candidate finishing a poor third. ideas and policy proposals, seemed flat ans, who would see workplace protection Pauline Marois frequently seemed unsure Another big loser in Kitchener was Con- and intellectual rather than passionate. and pay drop as their unions lose the ability whether to fish or cut bait. She seemed so servative leader Tim Hudak, who jumped Where has the inspiring Obama of 2008 to fight for them. temptingly close to power – but, based on hard onto the public-service-worker-bash- gone? We hopes he return in time to pre- The Conservatives have three more last week’s election, in which two thirds of ing bandwagon and missed the platform. vent that alternative reality. years to play in Parliament and reshape Quebeckers voted for federalist parties, Then, after his candidate finished a distant Canada to their liking. It’s scary to think any referendum on sovereignty is likely to second, he insulted voters by saying so- Meanwhile back at the ranch what’s coming next. end in humiliation for the separatists. called union bosses had bought the elec- Meanwhile in Ottawa, the Stephen On the other hand, voters are starting to Lost in all this, as SGNews correspon- tion of the NDP’s outstanding and ultimately Harper government is preparing, no doubt, see through the austerity/anti-government dent Stephen Block points out, has been successful candidate, school board veteran for another rock-em, sock-em session of agenda in Quebec, in Kitchener-Waterloo, the essential leftward movement of the Catherine Fife. Even right-wing columnists Parliament. You always have to watch and, apparently, across America. And that province. Charest is finally out of politics. like Christina Blizzard are saying the arch- for late Friday afternoon government an- change is cause for hope Marois’ first acts in office were the cancel- right-wing Hudak now has dug himself too nouncements. Last week, Harperites an- . lation of post-secondary tuition increases deep a hole to recover. nounced they’d appointed more Conser- This article first appeared in the September 12, vative hacks to the Taskless Thank (the 2012 issue of the [email protected]. Conventions mark Canadian Senate). Ish Theilheimer is founder and president of beginning of real Straight Goods News and has been Publisher of The Senate has become a real lifesaver US campaign the leading, and oldest, independent Canadian for the Conservatives. In the event that Ca- Martinez The American online newsmagazine, StraightGoods.ca, since nadians boot them out in the next election, presidential cam- September 1999. He is also managing editor of their massive majority of party hacks domi- paign began in ear- PublicValues.ca. He lives with his wife Kathy in Hardwood Floors nating the Upper Chamber could make it Golden Lake, ON, in the Ottawa Valley. Email nest last week with him at [email protected] . Specializing in New Installations & Barack Obama get- Dustless Sanding and Refinishing ting the formal nod at the Democratic Phone: 250-590-6683 National Convention. Victoria Council of Canadians Email: [email protected] The convention apparently gave him a Web: www.martinezfloors.com bounce too, putting expresses concerns over CRD biosolids privatization The Greater Victoria area will finally on introducing public-private partnership go ahead with the building of secondary unnecessarily complicates the CRD’s mu- Dave Connell Tutoring sewage treatment, thanks to a $782 mil- nicipal waste handling system. Instead of Former Resource Teacher can teach most subjects lion funding arrangement between the fed- one closed loop where any savings/reve- from grade 1-12, carpentry theory and eral government, provincial government nue from operating a waste to energy plant college/university essay writing. and the Capital Regional District (CRD) an- can defray the costs, or increase the effi- nounced on July 17. The Victoria Chapter ciency of sewage treatment, we will have Tutoring in my home or yours in the Victoria area. of the Council of Canadians (CoCVic) is two separate, separately managed entities Phone 250-381-5997 or email [email protected] pleased that all levels of governments have operating under different mandates. This kept part of the the project (the sewage may benefit the private operator of the en- treatment) under public ownership, acced- ergy plant, but it is hard to see where the ing to the wishes of a majority of people in savings/efficiencies in this arrangement are Greater Victoria and the resolutions passed for the taxpayer. A competitive-bid contract by the CRD in 2010. to design and build the plant would have Safety and Human Factors Consultant However, CoCVic would like to express been more appropriate. Call David Olsen its strong displeasure at the unnecessary Public services and infrastructure are and expensive decision to split the project best financed and delivered by the pub- 250-655-6218 into two and fund the solid waste-to-energy lic sector. Private industry has a key part or email him at operation as a Public-Private “Partnership” to play in its traditional role of designing (P3). and constructing public infrastructure un- [email protected] “At a time when public financing costs der contract. But expanding these deals are very low, P3 make little economic to include private financing and operations sense”, says Bharat Chandramouli, co- makes them much more complicated, ex- chair of the Victoria Chapter of the Coun- pensive, and risky. Canadians need more cil of Canadians. “When we don’t give our public investment to rebuild our economy elected officials any more than a 3-5 year – but they can’t afford more expensive, un- Bill Hartley Insurance Services ‘contract’, it is unwise public policy to give accountable, and risky public-private part- a private monopoly provider a 25-year con- nerships 2. “Providing peace of mind since 1950” tract. A contract of this length gives future Footnotes CRD boards and area councils little flex- 1. Paris Water Back in Pub- • Special Hobby Farm Packages ibility to react to changes and advances in lic Hands – CUPE – http://cupe.ca/ technology.” privatization/paris-water-public- • Home • Auto • Commercial hands. While proponents of P3s claim to pro- 2. The Problem with Public- • Travel • Marine • RRSPs vide cost savings to governments, or to Private Partnerships↩ transfer risks, these claims have not been • Life • Mortgage Cancellation borne out in reality. Vancouver transit is a CCPAhttp://www.policyalternatives.ca/publi- recent example. The publicly funded Mil- cations/monitor/problem-public-private-part- lennium line was finished in less than a 1/3 nerships. Bill Hartley Insurance Services the time it took the P3 Canada Line years ago with lower rates, better performance Paris, France, the pioneer of water infra- 2420 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4L7 www.hartleyinsurance.com and increased satisfaction 1. structure privatization, brought its water Phone 250-388-5014 • Fax 250-388-4277 Email [email protected] The provincial and federal govern- back into public ownership. ments’ ideological and dogmatic insistence Lower Island NEWS OP/EDS September 2012 Page 7 THANK YOU, DENISE

Denise Savoie

I know I speak for all Victoria NDP members and supporters, as well as Victoria constituents of all political stripes, in thanking Denise Savoie for her many years of service to our community. In a time of cynicism and negativity about electoral politics, Denise demonstrated time and again that a local MP can make a difference in people’s lives.

Erik Kaye, President

Victoria federal NDP http://victoriandp.ca/ Page 8 September 2012 FEDERAL NEWS AND VIEWS Lower Islands NEWS August 23 statement from Victoria MP Denise Savoie I am announcing today that, effec- dards that they have come to expect nor tion, as Jack Layton used to say. work issues. I want to recognize the work tive August 31, I will be resigning as the indeed to my own standards. Hence my As I prepare to leave politics, I want to of Hilary Stead, Donna Forbes, Dominique Member of Parliament for Victoria. I want announcement today. speak to you, my constituents about an is- Myre and Alex Dearham and all the current to explain the reasons that led me to this I want to thank my leader, Tom Mulcair, sue so many have raised with me in the and previous staff members and volunteers announcement, and then reflect about my for travelling to Victoria to join me for this last year, the changes that are occurring in who have helped me in Victoria and Ottawa experience in federal politics since January news conference. Tom has been doing an Canada under the Harper’s Conservatives. since 2006. I would also like to reassure 2006. exceptional job as our new Leader. I note Many of you have told me you no longer you, that the constituency office will remain A year ago yesterday, my dear friend in particular Tom’s principled stance on recognize Canada as a voice for peace, open and will continue to serve the constit- and leader Jack Layton passed away. As sustainability and polluter-pay. Canadians justice and sustainability in the world. uents of Victoria with casework and federal it did for Tom, for our caucus and for all from all regions are responding to Tom’s Many have wondered what can be done to issues until a by-election has been called. Canadians, his loss affected me deeply. It positive message and focus on substance, stop a majority government. Being elected threee times in just over made me reflect on the fragility of life and rather than scandal. Clearly change will occur--whether five years takes a lot of hard work and dedi- the need to make the most of each day we I’m disappointed that I cannot continue positive or negative. But the key is to work cation. I want to thank every single per- have left. to work on the problems, the issues that my for the change we want. An informed and son who voted for me, donated money and This spring, my doctor gave me a health constituents want me to work on. I thank engaged electorate in unbeatable. worked on my campaigns, whether as paid warning. After I considered these facts over you for reelecting me three times. It has - Look at the way the Enbridge Project is staff or as a volunteer. Our local Victoria the summer, I realized that I can’t continue been a privilege representing you in Ot- evolving. At the beginning, the Harper gov- federal NDP association is a strong and to represent my constituents to the stan- tawa. ernment called those opposed it radicals committed crew, and I always knew I could I have lobbied hard to en- and extremists. But when it became clear count on a strong ground game and base of sure Victoria gets our fair share the majority of British Columbians would be support in every campaign. I want to thank of federal infrastructure proj- radicals and extremists, Harper had to back my good friend and Victoria NDP president, ects. Since 2006, Victoria has pedal and change his language-- but it is Erik Kaye, along with all the other Execu- seen record levels of federal the power of the electorate that has forced tive members past as present, for their vol- funding for important projects this change. So I encourage you to use the unteer labour and commitment to the party like the Johnson Street Bridge, muscle and the brain of democracy to work at the local level. some Univ projects and most for the changes we want, to make sure that I look forward to an exciting NDP nomi- recently sewage treatment. change comes from the electorate, not just nation and by-election in Victoria in the While I realize some of these from an ideology. coming months. While I will be neutral in initiatives are controversial in I have had the privilege of serving as the nomination process, I will campaign as the community, I think we can Deputy Speaker over the last year, and in my health allows for the NDP candidate in all agree that local taxpayers that capacity as well as my previous roles, the coming by-election and I am confident should not bear the full cost of I have always strived to set a civil and we can keeps this riding NDP if we all work building them. constructive tone in debate. My work to as hard as we have in the last few cam- While I have worked with maintain mutual respect among MPs in a paigns. the government to secure hyper-partisan environment has not always In closing, I want to thank my family for funding for local priorities, I been successful ; but for me, it was about their love and support as I experienced the also stood with the community protecting our democratic institutions from highs and lows of elected politics over the against the proposed mega- the erosion of overly divisive politics. I’ve last 13 years, the first half as a city council- marina in the Inner Harbour heard from many of my constituents that lor and the 2nd half as a Member of Parlia- As MP, I hosted town halls on they really value these efforts to bring civil- ment. the omnibus budget bill, the ity to federal politics and I know others have I got into politics to help make a better regressive crime legislation, it made it their goal. world for my children and grandchildren. food security, plus annual town The real work of a local elected official Now, it’s time for me to devote myself full- halls on budget consultations. happens in the constituency office. My staff time to my family and to seeing my grand- We always tried to balance our handled so many cases of immigration is- children grow up. Once again, I want to strong criticism of the govern- sues, passport delays, justice for veterans, thank the people of Victoria for giving me ment with positive alternatives; IRS tax harassment of dual US citizens liv- the opportunity to serve as your Member of proposition as well as opposi- ing in Canada, and numerous other case- Parliament. Denise Savoie at the podium. --Heather Tufts photo

A Message from Elizabeth Cull, Candidate for the Victoria NDP Nomination

“Canada is at a critical point. We can choose to build sustainable communities and a strong healthy economy that supports working families. Or follow the Harper Conservatives down the wrong road--eroding social programs, giving up on Medicare, and undermining environmental protection.

I’m seeking the Victoria NDP nomination so that I can take your issues to Parliament and build on Denise Savoie’s great legacy as our MP.

I want to put my experience as a small business owner and community volunteer, and as an MLA, Minister of Health and Finance, and Deputy Premier for Mike Harcourt’s NDP government, to work for you and our team in Ottawa.

Together, we can ensure our children inherit a fairer, greener and more prosperous country.”

Elizabeth Cull

For more information about Elizabeth Cull or to support her campaign: facebook.com/elizabethcullndp elizabethcull.ca Elizabeth Cull Candidate for Nomination, Victoria Federal NDP 250.881.4133 Lower Island NEWS FEDERAL NEWS AND VIEWS September 2012 Page 9 MP Garrison thanks Savoie for her years of work, reports on legislation to be dealt with at next parliamentary session By Randall Garrison like sexual harassment within the RCMP or our local campaigns started so that we can Randall Garrison is MP for Esquimalt-Juan de All New Democrats were saddened to about the problem of police investigating ensure victory for our local BC NDP candi- Fuca. hear that health concerns forced my col- themselves when there are complaints. dates. league Denise Savoie, the MP for Victoria, As our Public Safety spokesperson I to retire from politics. I want to join with all will be proposing amendments to give Bill of you in thanking her for both her years of C42 (Enhancing RCMP Accountability Act) Randall Garrison, MP work as an MP here on the South Island real teeth in terms of strengthening civilian and in wishing her well. oversight and to make sure that the RCMP ESQUIMALT–JUAN DE FUCA Denise has always worked to find solu- Commissioner has the tools he needs to re- tions to problems by engaging the commu- store public trust in the RCMP. We’re here to help constituents with Federal nity, listening to all opinions, and working Also, I will be pressing the government government programs and services. with all sides with respect and dignity. She to reverse their bad decision to download succeeded in bringing a more positive ap- Emergency Preparedness Program re- address: A2–100 Aldersmith Place proach to politics both within her commu- sponsibilities to local governments – who Victoria V9A 7M8 nity and in the House of Commons. can’t afford them. Denise has proven that you don’t have The government has also ended federal hours: 10am–4pm, Monday–Thursday to be hyper partisan to get things done in funding for the Emergency Preparedness or by appointment politics, but at the same time you don’t College – a decision that will severely de- phone: 250-405-6550 have to sacrifice your principles to win pub- crease the ability of ALL governments to re- lic support. act to disasters like oil spills, earthquakes, email: [email protected] I wish Denise all the best and thank forest fires and other natural disasters. fax: 250-405-6554 her for being both an effective politician As the NDP spokesperson on LGBTQ follow us on facebook! and an inspiration! issues this summer I attended Pride events in Lethbridge, Victoria, Vancouver, Kelow- Fall Session na, and Ottawa. www.randallgarrison.ndp.ca At the recent Official Opposition Cau- My Private Members Bill C-279 (Gen- cus retreat in Newfoundland, our leader der Identity) will be going to committee this Tom Mulcair, called on all of us to step up fall, only the second opposition bill to make our preparations to take government in it this far with a Conservative majority. 2015. Hopefully by Christmas the federal govern- We are working hard to develop prac- ment can join Manitoba, Ontario, and the tical proposals to improve people’s lives NWT in guaranteeing equal rights for trans- and to ensure the next generation inher- gender Canadians. its a fairer, greener, and more prosperous country. BC Politics In the area of Public Safety the gov- The most immediate thing that New ernment continues to pursue side issues Democrats can do to slow down Harper is and headline grabbing policies that will be to elect an NDP government in BC. very expensive and do nothing to make us I urge all members and supporters to do safer. as much as possible: donate money and The government has reintroduced long time, volunteer, talk to your neighbours – all overdue legislation to enhance account- in order to ensure victory for the BC NDP ability for the RCMP. Unfortunately the next spring. Now is the time to help get legislation does little to address the specif- ic concerns Canadians have about issues

Dear New Democrats, Jack Layton and Denise Savoie have left us an amazing legacy. Denise’s community building and her deeply held environmental stewardship values have made our Victoria riding stronger and set the standard for those who follow. I have been pouring my passion for community building, democracy, social justice and the environment in to our work at the Columbia Institute since I became executive director in 2006. Columbia Institute is a research and public policy institute focused on sustainable communities with a national mandate. I had the pleasure of serving the people of Victoria on the Greater Victoria School board from 1996 to 2008. As a trustee and board chair, I worked to include our community in decision making, to protect human rights and to keep the inner city school programs we so desperately needed. Having served in elected office for 12 years, I have a real understanding of the things that are important to people’s everyday lives and the policies that hinder or help. I want to be able to help. Harper’s policies are pushing us to a harsher, more militarized and much warmer world as climate disruption increases. Our international reputation, as environmental leaders and as peace keepers has been taking a beating. These aren’t Victoria’s values and Victoria’s voice in Ottawa counts. Denise did that well and I will too! Charley Beresford Elect Charley Beresford October 14th Charley Beresford Page 10 September 2012 PROVINCIAL NEWS AND VIEWS Lower Island NEWS MLAs and MPs enjoy summer events with constituents

In the two photos above, John Horgan, MLA for Juan de Fuca, talks to some of those who attended a “Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Horgan” family barbecue held August 20 at Sooke Flats Park. A lively dessert auction wss one of the highlights of the afternoon event.

In the photo at the right, Jean Crowder, MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan (second from right), and Bill Routley, MLA for Cowichan Valley (third from right) talk to hikers they met on at the Greendale Trestle over the Cowichan River.

In the photo belowh, Crowder and Routley visit the University of Victoria field research site on Lake Cowichan.

www.billroutley.com

Proudly Representing Esquimalt Maurine Karagianis, MLA Esquimalt-Royal Roads 250 479 8326 [email protected] www.maurinekaragianis.ca

Ron reviews: ESQUIMALT-ROYAL ROADS NEW DEMOCRATS! What We Talk About When We Talk About WAR, by N. Richler, GOOSE LANE The author sets out the assessment of Canada’s global responsibilities in times of Watch for an announcement of the conflict. His theme is that Canada has changed its position of Peacemaker nation to Warrior nation. He feels that this has grown out of our role in Afghanistan. While his argument is not totally convincing it should make our federal politicians think 2012 Annual General Meeting, of how far to go when entering into the disputes of other countries. to take place in early November --Ron MacIsaac Lower Island NEWS PROVINCIAL NEWS AND VIEWS September 2012 Page 11 MLA James looks towards a sustainable economy By Carole James industry. Long-term prosperity demands a Climate change is real, and it is going to healthy environment. Protecting the eco- become even more of an issue for govern- logical integrity and sustainability of our ments and citizens worldwide. BC needs a province for our children and our children’s comprehensive climate action plan. A first children, is a priority for British Columbi- step could be utilizing revenue from the ans. carbon tax to help fund public transit and We understand the precious balance of other initiatives that will reduce emissions. our planet’s ecosystems, and citizens are It’s crucial that we identify ways to re- speaking up about sustainability. They are duce the province’s dependency on fossil bringing their concerns forward at places fuels and get going creating green jobs for like the Joint Review Panel hearings on the tomorrow. There are so many opportunities Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline. The just waiting to be acted upon, and so many Official Opposition is speaking up, too. effective programs that have been aban- In April, the Opposition submitted a let- doned by the current government. ter to the Joint Review Panel, detailing our One of them is the BuyBC program Chris Gainor photo reasons for opposing the project. Opposi- that enticed consumers to purchase prod- Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Carole James addresses the crowd that attended tion MLAs have announced that, should ucts from local growers. BuyBC impacted an end-of-summer barbecue at the home of former MLA Gretchen Brewin. we take office next May, we will serve the buying choices, helped build pride, and it federal government with 30 days’ notice to should be revived. BuyBC would support Victoria-Beacon Hill New Democrats terminate the 2010 deal in which the cur- our small business owners to help them rent provincial government signed away create jobs and would keep local dollars in getting ready for spring election, BC’s interests. our local economies. To ensure BC’s interests are protected, By investing in reforestation and silvi- elect Marilyn Callahan as new president the Opposition has announced its intention culture, the province could be building a to withdraw from the federal government’s sustainable forestry sector that would pro- The Victoria-Beacon Hill New Demo- The Victoria-Beacon Hill NDP held a review and set up a “made in BC” environ- vide generations of British Columbians with crats have begun their preparations for the highly successful fundraising event in the mental assessment process. This new pro- jobs. We must stabilize the industry and May 14 election on a social note with an spring featuring Carole James and Adrian cess will better ensure that BC’s economic, restore forest health with a strategy that end-of-summer barbecue at the home of Dix. The event drew more than 100 people social and environmental concerns are ful- respects First Nations, environmental and former MLA Gretchen Brewin. to a Victoria hotel. ly addressed. That includes the interests of local needs. Members came out to see MLA Carole While Callahan says the Beacon Hill First Nations. The Opposition caucus is working hard James and catch up with their New Demo- NDP’s main priority in the coming months Opposition Leader Adrian Dix has also and respectfully to bring positive change crat friends. is to re-elect Carole James, she added that convened a panel of legal experts. The forward with practical solutions that ad- As Beacon Hill gears up for the coming she hopes to increase participation in the panel, led by renowned constitutional law- dress real issues in our communities. We election, it will do so with a new executive May 14 vote and the political process in yer Murray Rankin, is assessing BC’s legal can build a society that is stronger and more headed by Marilyn Callahan, a well-known general. authority, and identifying legal options with inclusive, and an economy that is sustain- community activist and emeritus professor More information on Victoria-Beacon regard to the pipeline. able by making sure that BC resources are of social work at the University of Victoria. Hill is available at the constituency website Protecting our coastline matters to our used to support BC jobs. Kalen Schick was elected as Beacon Hill’s at http://vbhndp.bc.ca/ community, and hauling bitumen in tankers We must do it responsibly, and we must new Provincial Council delegate. --Chris Gainor through treacherous waters is simply not do it in harmony with the planet. Our future worth the risk. A spill anywhere on BC’s depends on it. coast would be disastrous for the environment and also for fisheries and the tourism Carole James is MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill.

Carole James, MLA Victoria-Beacon Hill

1084 Fort Street Victoria, BC V8V 3K4 Phone: 250.952.4211 Fax: 250.952.4586 Email: [email protected] www.carolejamesmla.ca Here to serve you at my Community Office

Chris Gainor photo BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix chats with Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Carole James, before he addessed more than 100 attending an NDP fundraising event in a local hotel. Saanich South New Democrats extend an invitation to all New Democrats in Greater Victoria to join them for an afternoon discussion on:

“Re-evisioning the NDP History-- connecting with our roots, shaping our future”

on Saturday, November 10, from 1-4:30 pm, at the Cordova Bay United Church (813 Claremont Avenue, Victoria)

Guest Speaker Ellen Woodsworth will lead attendees through the transition of the Regina Manifesto, the Winnipeg Declaration and the Statement of Principles.

If you plan to attend, please let us know by emailing [email protected] or [email protected] by November 3. But if you decide at the last moment, come anyway!

For more information see the article on page 15. Page 12 September 2012 EDUCATION NEWS AND VIEWS Lower Island NEWS The ProConsul’s Plan or the People’s Plan…Let Cowichan decide!! By Eden Haythornthwaite McKay believes this is the status quo he is boldly transforming. We now have a plan for our schools. But the daring new world to which Mr Brought to you by the ministry appointee McKay refers is well worn cloth – closing who replaced the elected board after the our neighbourhood schools, selling off pub- trustees were fired for submitting a bud- lic assets, ramping up the wholesale cut get seeking to restore some of the pro- and slash to programs and services includ- grams and services our district had lost ing transportation and most lamentable of over the years. all – an end to the hard won committees His “community connection” letter is a which allow our partner groups some say tuneless little ditty – full of innuendo and in the way our district operates. This rep- ministry hackspeak. It would be a pleas- resents the direction senior staff has been ant change if any of these people could be panting to get on with and now the field is more straightforward but of course, they clear --they think--to do so. know our citizens want their schools prop- The authorization for Mr McKay’s plan erly resourced and, by the way, kept open evidently springs from the documents he and many of us have stopped believing in cites, almost all of which were commis- the language of phony austerity. Therefore, sioned to further a program of ruin for the it is best to obscure the intent for now. schools and an end to the intrusion of com- But we are well trained in deciphering munity into the deeds of the unelected. the jargon so we all know what is coming Little of what you read in these musings of down the pipe. Thus, we are treated to the functionaries (listed at the end of Mr McK- assignment Mr McKay sees as his to ex- ay’s document) has one damn thing to do ecute. It is billed as a “community connec- with the well being of our students or the tion” letter which is curious because it reads advancement of their learning. removed from transparent district decision ten and thus the ministry supplied us with 6 like a manifesto already underway. What- Mr McKay has referred solemnly to making) all the rest demanded their pres- modulars. If all this is so, how can closing ence on these bodies continue. our small schools make any sense unless Where do these reports get their conclu- it is simply done in the name of diminishing sions from if not from the dialogue between our system? It would take a greater talent the authors and those who are included in for propaganda then the one displayed so the research? The Fleming Report failed to far by the Ministry to get a whole valley to mirror the views of the community in Co- believe cuts and closures are a solution to wichan but it must have originated some- cuts and closures. Or that they benefit our where. Cowichan recovered the lost com- children mittees, I am happy to report, after every Mr McKay exhorts us to make do and trustee who ran for election in 2008 pledged embrace creative change rather than de- to return the voice of our partners to the mix mand the resources we have already paid because they knew this was what the val- for within our taxation. He should know – ley wanted. Why would Mr McKay hold this as one of the highest paid educators in BC path up as commendable when so many and the recipient of an additional healthy had already pronounced it a fiasco? stipend to help strip Cowichan of its elected The Rubadeau Report which was in- people and further government mischief, flicted on our district towards the end of he has the honour of soaking up well 2006 sparked two years of school closure over $300,000 a year. Good thing there is processes, all on the baffling math which enough to cover the cost of administrators claimed savings from closing a school at who are seldom in the presence of children. $250,000. Even our Secretary Treasurer at The real creative energy is down the food the time( an ardent closer) stated the sav- chain a bit. ings closing a school might bring would be Mr McKay--like all the influential and less than $80,000 as the only real source highly trained people who occupy the se- of savings were clerical and custodial time. nior posts in the public education system- Of course, as is always the case no al- -clearly understands the effects on our lowance is given for the cost of these clo- schools and our families of the download- ever else you can say about the “plan” – it these reports and documents turned out sures in terms of loss of enrollment which ing, the slashed budgets and the termina- is appropriate a ministry representative like dutifully by hired guns to supply exactly the we would naturally need to apply against tion of democracy. They have a duty to act Mr McKay carries out the next round of recommendations the senior staff wished the savings. If out of a school communi- and yet they choose to enroll in a program outrages for the government and not local to see. Most elected board members would ty, 10 kids are moved to private or home which has only one possible outcome. people elected to detend our schools. recognise them for what they are and ex- schooling the gain is swallowed and this is I will end with an excerpt from the Mes- Mr McKay, champion of a sweeping hibit less reverence. Many of the conclu- in fact exactly what happened after every sage from the Chair which was circulated Ministry of Education agenda to flat line our sions have been made flesh but all have closure. as our pledge after the election last fall. Ask public education system on behalf of the endured considerable scrutiny and in some Rubadeau was able to tell us clearly yourself if it is likely any overpaid manda- province, explains he brings new thinking cases reversal. we have no right to our neighbourhood rin could fulfill this promise we made to our – an end as he says -- to the status quo. I The Fleming Report, which was com- schools and then concocted figures which community: suppose there is some truth to this, as ordi- missioned in early 2006, expressly to de- even if they had been accurate would be “We will fiercely defend our children; narily we would have elected people doing molish the committee system Cowichan beside the point. Our district has closed we will be just and compassionate em- his job, so – quite a departure there already. School District enjoyed, did exactly that in many schools in the years since 2000 – ployers; we will protect the public as- You could be confused if you failed to January 2007 when the recommendations count them if you like or look at the many sets represented by the physical plant read the small print – the status quo is evi- from that report called for an end to both the missing schools still displayed on the quilt of SD #79. We will keep our eyes not dently the long sustained community efforts Operations and Finance Committees. The in our board room. Yount (now being used just on the day to day operation of the to defend our schools and the services we district then established a Management/ to house the kids from A.B.Greenwell), classrooms but the wider world which all know our kids need. Mr McKay wants Finance Committee consisting exclusively Cowichan Station, Stanley Gordon, Mount our students will inhabit as they grow.” to change things because the roll out of of all trustees and senior staff to combine Brenton, Sahtlam, Elsie Miles – where are Mr McKay’s plan falls far short of such the provincial government’s schemes has the work being done by the two lost com- the accumulated savings in the budget of lively ideals. We lived up to our plan in word been somewhat hampered by our families mittees. Mr Fleming did consult with our our district which by Rubadeau’s book- and deed– now the duty of our community and employees. In Cowichan, we have had partner groups and with the sole exception keeping should have shielded us from the and ourselves is to see that Mr McKay does some success in fighting back and hold- of the DPAC (who decided on behalf of all relentless shortfalls(check out the chart at not live up to his. ing on -- in fact 10 years of holding on. Mr parents that their voice could be happily the end of the Rubadeau Report for a bit of Time for a By Election, EH! light entertainment). School closures are a cut like any other and one of the larger con- Eden Haythornthwaite -- The Once and Future tributors to our declining enrollment. Now Trustee, as she refers to herseslf --served as Mr McKay wants to go after the schools our chairwoman of Cowichan Board of Education before the govenrment fired the entire board ear- Diane McNally communities have fought to keep on the Trustee, School District 61 Greater Victoria Board of Education same flimsy premise. Cowichan schools have a utilization rate A Progressive Voice for (percent of capacity in use by students) of School District 61 electors over 84% which puts in SD61: us about in the middle City of Victoria, Esquimalt, ground for island dis- tricts – and let’s re- Oak Bay, View Royal, member those numbers portions of Saanich and under which they make the Highlands these calculations are based on understaff- ing and overcrowding Follow me on Twitter: our classrooms. If we DianeMcN staffed to the needs of our kids, our utilization would be far higher. The Record, Off the Record We did not even http://lined-paper.com/ have room to accommodate full day kindergar- Lower Island NEWS MUNICIPAL NEWS AND VIEWS September 2012 Page 13 Victoria Council calls for national Department of Peace Victoria City Councillor Marianne Alto founder, Canadian Voice of Women for recently facilitated the adoption of a Coun- Peace), Hon. Alexa McDonough (former cil resolution demanding the Canadian fed- MP and leader, New Democratic Party of eral government establish a Department of Canada), Hon. Flora Macdonald (former Peace. MP and leader, Conservative Party of Can- Emanating from the Canadian Depart- ada), the Canadian Federation of Univer- ment of Peace Initiative (CDPI), Alto’s sity Women, the Council of Canadians, and resolution laid out the elements of the de- the United Church of Canada. partment, its rationale and objectives. The CDPI is a voluntary organization that has Here is Alto’s resolution in its entirety. been working toward establishing a nation- WHEREAS, in the 20th century, millions al department of peace, along with many of people perished in wars, and in the 21st individuals and organizations including century, violence continues to be an over- peace and justice organizations, faith com- arching theme in the world; and munities, artists, choirs, healthcare profes- WHEREAS, such conflict is often un- sionals, teachers, service clubs, cultural questionably seen as a manifestation of the communities, businesses, among others. human condition; and Citizens in over 30 countries are currently WHEREAS, the citizens of Victoria are Victoria’s harbour--a natural, irreplaceable public asset for the next 150 years and promoting departments of peace. adversely affected by war and violence, beyond orripe fr development? In the current context of ongoing vio- whether through the personal loss of loved lence and conflict, domestically and inter- ones, or through the diversion of public re- nationally, it is timely and appropriate that sources that could be used to promote and Victoria City Council urge our national gov- support healthier and more secure lives; Victoria harbour: public asset ernment to develop a coordinated plan to and bring a greater degree of peace to our com- WHEREAS the City of Victoria has de- or developers’ land bank? munities, wherever it has the authority and clared itself a nuclear weapons-free zone; influence to do so. A Minister responsible and By Ben Isitt ing lot next to the Harbour Air terminal). for such a department could advance an WHEREAS the Mayor of Victoria is a During the summer, my colleagues and Between the amphitheatre and the wa- agenda for peace by supporting and estab- member of the international organization I on Victoria City Council debated amend- ter’s edge, the city could join with other lishing activities that promote a culture of Mayors for Peace; and ments to the city’s new Official Community great global cities by providing innova- non-violence in Canada and the world. WHEREAS, promoting a culture of Plan, including changes I proposed to pro- tive public art that doubles as children’s’ Drawing inspiration from similar initia- peace has been recognized by the United tect publicly owned lands around Victoria climbing structures and an adventure play- tives in the US, Australia and over 30 other Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Harbour. These amendments touch on a ground. countries, Alto’s resolution suggests that a Organization (UNESCO) through passage fundamental clash of values and visions in I am not opposed to new development federal Minister’s mandate could include of a resolution declaring an International our community: whether lands surrounding in the City of Victoria, particularly develop- objectives such as: Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non- Victoria Harbour should remain public and ment geared to meet the need for afford- • Developing early detection and Violence for the Children 2001- 2010; and be enhanced as community green space, able housing for working people, seniors, rapid response processes to deal WHEREAS, it is our collective respon- or whether they belong to a lucrative “land youth and those in need of support. Such with emerging conflicts, sibility to create institutions that foster the • bank” for private developers, underutilized development should be human-scaled and Leading international efforts to development of a culture of peace in our and awaiting “development potential” to arrived at as a result of consultation rather abolish nuclear, biological, chemi- neighbourhoods, city and nation; and generate profit. than conflict with the community. Higher cal weapons, to reduce conven- WHEREAS communities across North tional weapon arsenals and to ban America have recently experienced tragic A map of the City of Victoria reveals that density of up to 12 to 15 storeys should the weaponization of space incidents of extreme violence; and the vast majority of this finite, 20-square- be concentrated downtown and along the • Implementing the UN Declaration WHEREAS, the proposed federal De- kilometre landbase surrounded by water Douglas Street “Midtown” corridor, rather and Programme of Action on a partment of Peace will benefit the City of and neighbouring municipalities is privately than in more established neighbourhoods. Culture of Peace (1999) to safe- Victoria by working to support existing owned and built-out. Beyond Beacon Hill New housing can be created within es- guard human rights and enhance programs and developing new programs and Topaz Parks, the Ross Bay Cemetery, tablished neighbourhoods by encouraging the security of persons and their to address and reduce the number and and school fields, there is very little public safe secondary suites and garden suites, communities frequency of incidents related to domestic land. Victoria Harbour is one of the few ar- with modest densification in village centres. • Implementing UN Resolution violence, child and spousal abuse, school eas in the City where the public continues But citizens and their city council can 1325 on the key role played by violence, gang violence, gun violence, and to own a large proportion of land. However, make the decision that dense develop- women in the wide spectrum of hate crimes; recent federal decisions and proposed pro- ment has no place and no future along peacebuilding work NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED vincial land sales have revealed the real Victoria’s finite harbour front. The Greater • Establishing a Civilian Peace Ser- that the City Council of the City of Victoria threat to the public realm around Victoria Victoria Harbour Authority has cautioned vice that, with other training or- hereby expresses support for legislation to Harbour. that waterfront residential development is ganizations, will recruit, train and establish a Federal Department of Peace, The City of Victoria is not immune from incompatible with the delicate water-land accredit peace professionals and and urges our members of Parliament to the tendency to consider the sale of public connection that makes Victoria unique (and volunteers to work at home and support such legislation; and harbour-front land. In January, a majority adorns virtually every tourism brochure and abroad, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this of city councillors voted to move a contro- promotional photograph). • Promoting nonviolent commu- Department of Peace work collaboratively versial development proposal on the down- The current council can exercise the nity-building programs such as with the Department of National Defence to town side of the Johnson Street Bridge for- same foresight as our predecessors a cen- Restorative Justice, Nonviolent reduce violence domestically and promote ward in the approval process. tury ago who set aside spectacular Dallas Communication (NVC) and Alter- peace internationally. More recently, a majority voted to con- Road for the public realm. nate Dispute Resolution (ADR) -- Councillor Marianne Alto • sider an offer from the Ralmax group of This would be a powerful, enduring leg- Supporting the development of peace education at all levels in- companies to purchase four harbour-front acy on this 150th anniversary of the City of cluding post-secondary peace lots on the Victoria West side of the bridge. Victoria. We can act now to designate pub- and conflict studies. To date, many councillors have indicated lic land around Victoria Harbour as com- Many individuals and organizations a preference for private ownership, which munity public green space, while working have already expressed their support for a would restrict or eliminate the public realm to enhance this land for everyone to enjoy Department of Peace, including Dr. Mary- potential of these publicly owned lands. — as a natural, irreplaceable public asset Wynne Ashford (International Physicians During a public hearing in June, citizens for the next 150 years and beyond. for Prevention of Nuclear War), Hon. Lloyd delivered a strong message that they favour Axworthy (president, University of Manito- public ownership of harbour-front land. In Ben Isitt is a Victoria City Councillor and CRD ba), the late Marion Dewar (former mayor Director. He can be reached via his website at subsequent meetings in July, City Council of Ottawa), the late Muriel Duckworth (co- www.BenIsitt.ca, by phone (250-882-9302) or reached something of a compromise, com- email ([email protected]). mitting to enhance the public realm of “city- owned” land on the harbour, while leaving the door open to private development and remaining silent on the future of federal and provincial land. Marianne Alto I personally would have favoured a Victoria City Councillor much more robust stance, stating un- CRD Director equivocally a preference for retaining public ownership of public land and enhancing this land as community greenspace on the waterfront. “Your voice There is so much potential for these lands. at City Hall” Citizens and planners have from time-to-time proposed a waterfront pub- Telephone: 250.361.0216 lic amphitheatre, a landscaped terrace Email: [email protected] of greenspace that is dynamic enough to www.facebook.com/mariannealto accommodate ticketed outdoor concerts and festivals in the summer months while Open Door at Oaklands providing open green space for most of Community Centre, the year when events are not occurring. Food carts could be clustered toward the 2827 Belmont Ave, northern end of the city-owned lot in the first Thursday 900-block of Wharf Street (currently a park- of each month at 5:30 pm Page 14 September 2012 COMMENTARY Lower Island NEWS

Fiat lux CETA and TPP to remove power of local governments to make laws By Ed Deak the ‘80s, the news and details were all over them blind. But then that’s the purpose of ed by the mentally challenged remnants of Hard to say how many people do still the media every day. One could obtain the the “free trade” racket to begin with. the Reform Party, removing all economic remember the ancient days of 1996-97, full text of the treaty just by asking for the So who has the right to complain, decision making powers from all levels of when at least a certain part still had some whole big bundle. when it is all signed in secret by govern- governments by replacing them with the idea of what is going on in the world, and The opposition was strong, because ments, selling off everything, while calling it dictatorship of the international corporate we still had a smidgen of something called people realized that it would destroy the “growth of the GDP”, another set of mean- mafia. “democracy”, pretending that people might Canadian economy. ingless monetary figures designed to mis- This criminal racket is being kept se- have some rights to determine their futures. Then, a huge advertising campaign by lead the public. cret, not only from the public, but even the Those were years when the crime the corporate mafia the week before the That was only the beginning. The FTA elected legislators of the countries involved, wave, of called “free trade”, now control- elections managed to squeeze a parlia- and NAFTA have ruined thousands of pri- with only a few corrupt ministers being part ling the world, was still at its beginnings. mentary majority for Mulroney, with 43 per- vately owned farms, businesses, manufac- of the conspiracy of what is being negoti- But then the political pimps of the corporate cent of the popular vote, which was still far turers, and millions of well paying jobs, by ated and sold off in resources and human mafia got a bit over anxious and started more than the 39.6 percent that now enti- replacing them with “global competitive- rights, while still called “free enterprise” and the secret negotiations of the Multilateral tles Harper to completely sell off Canada to ness”, otherwise known as the brotherhood “democracy”. Agreement on Investments, or MAI, be- “foreign investors”, otherwise known as the of communist and capitalist goons, robbing There was a time in history when “con- tween the OECD countries . new owners and controllers of our econo- the world blind, killing tens of millions every servatives” were only enslaving and selling The idea of the MAI was already then my and the country. year with starvation and easily preventable people to inbred and local lordships. Their to set up corporate dictatorships over the The corporate mafia and their political illnesses. All in the sacred interest of “eco- efforts were legalized and sanctified by OECD area. But when somebody leaked pimps have learned their lessons, by mak- nomic efficiency”, to fill the pockets of the priesthoods, as the Will of God. the contents of the secret Paris negotia- ing it certain that the FTA was the first and proverbial 1%. Now it is world control by the interna- tions to the media, they caused major pub- last time the public have been informed on And this brings us to the presently and tional corporate mafia, called “wealth creat- lic upheaval. what goes on behind the scenes and how secretly negotiated crime waves against ing foreign investors”. The MAI was supposed to be signed by their rights are being sold off for imaginary Canada and humanity by corrupt govern- This gang of criminals bring nothing, but the participating governments in the Spring monetary figures. ments, the Canada EU Trade Agreement, take everything, legalized and sanctified by of ‘97, but the public outrage over the con- Mulroney negotiated the North Ameri- CETA and the Trans Pacific Partnership, the priesthood of so called “economists”. tents forced politicians to back off, some- can Free Trade agreement or NAFTA, the TPP. The new priesthood who are now enforc- thing unbelievable in our present day. Chretien was elected on the basis of his Desperately wanted by the leftover rem- ing the demands of the global criminal sec- Liberal Minister John Manley was promise to re-negotiate it, then signed it in nants of the Reform gang, now called Con- tor with the imaginary power and figures of making frantic efforts, even appearing on secret, without any public consultation, in- servatives. Canada has now become a “re- imaginary money, created from the air and TV, trying to sell the racket to the public, cluding the infamous and criminal Chapter source based economy” with a destroyed used against the gullible public as weap- strongly supported by the then still boom- 11. manufacturing sector and the ground being ons of colonization and enslavement, while ing Reform Party of Preston Manning. Chapter 11 gives foreign corporations sold from under people’s feet. selling them electronic toys to block their None of their frantic efforts worked. the right to sue for compensation, every The CETA will remove decision making minds out to ensure their servitude . The public still remained strongly against time some government decision cuts into over purchasing and employment powers I grew up in such a world, but never ex- the racket of the MAI and so the participant their profits. The decision for compensa- down to the municipal levels. The TPP will pected to see it again, here and now… governments were forced to postpone the tion is made by a panel of three “experts”, permit any foreign corporation to remove signing by a year. That didn’t work either. in secret, without the public ever finding out any law, or regulation passed in the public This article first appeared in the Gold River Re- Public pressure forced them to aban- how and why it has to pay billions in fines interest. cord, and is reprinted with permission of the author. don the whole thing and start planning the to multinational carpebaggers, out to steal Both of these rackets are eagerly await- worldwide conspiracy for global rule, on how to distract the public and divert attention from their secret, subversive plans with toys, gimmicks and addictions, as we can Better seniors care a solution to overcrowded see it happening now. These so called “agreements” are nothing more than international treaties, hospitals and surgery wait times restricting the freedom of actions by cer- By Marcy Cohen ingly restrictive, to the point that seniors of- multiple health providers (a family doctor, tain societies against foreign control. The A recent landmark investigation by BC’s ten have to wait until they are in crisis and one or more specialists, a home nurse, only reason they’re called “agreements” is Ombudsperson highlighted the serious admitted to hospital before they can access etc.) who often don’t even communicate because US laws demand a two-third ma- problems seniors experience in accessing the community services they require. And with one another, let alone work as a team. jority for treaties in the Congress, whereas affordable high-quality home and communi- even then, it can be very difficult. Many of the basic home support services so called “agreements” only need a single ty-based services (such as residential care, The impact of these changes can be they need, such as assistance with trans- vote to sell off everything. home nursing and home support). At the seen in the increasing number of patients portation and meal preparation are not pub- When Mulroney negotiated the first US- same time, BC continues to grapple with who can’t be discharged from hospital be- licly provided. Canada Free Trade agreement or FTA in overcrowded hospitals and long waitlists cause the appropriate residential or home These challenges can be resolved for emergency care and surgeries. health services are not available. These pa- when services are reconfigured around a Taken together, these challenges can tients are called “Alternate Level of Care” senior’s needs, delivered by an interdis- seem overwhelming, prompting dire warn- or ALC patients. Over the five years since ciplinary team of health professionals and Jim Jaarsma ings about the “financial sustainability” of 2005/06, the number of ALC patients in BC front-line workers, and available 24/7. Medicare and fears that aging baby boom- hospitals increased by 35.5%. A more accessible and integrated sys- ers are about to overwhelm the health care For elderly patients, being stuck in hos- tem also will save money down the road by Contracting system, leaving few resources for younger pital can lead to a decline in their mobility reducing the need for expensive emergen- 250-360-1905 British Columbians. and their ability to live independently. It also cy room visits and hospital stays. The cost But a more comprehensive and better- contributes to overcrowded hospitals. of treating a senior in hospital ranges from coordinated system of seniors care can Research shows that hospital occu- $825 to $1,968 per day, whereas the cost Quality Carpentry help us move beyond this impasse. It can pancy rates of 85 percent or lower are op- of residential case is approximately $200 help seniors stay healthy and independent timal. When hospitals operate above opti- per day. General Contracting in their own homes and communities. It can mal capacity, it is harder to isolate patients The provincial government’s stated reduce strain on family caregivers, many of with antibiotic resistant viruses, respond goal is to support seniors as they age to whom are already balancing full-time work to emergency admissions without having live well in their own homes and communi- and parenting. And it can reduce pressure to delay elective surgeries, or control wait ties. What is missing is strong leadership on hospitals, the most expensive part of our times in emergency departments. Overall to make this goal a reality. The province health care system. hospital occupancy rates in BC are about has not committed the resources and infra- Murray J. Ellis However, a decade of underfunding 97%, and many hospitals are struggling to structure needed to rebuild BC’s home and Chartered Accountant and restructuring has led to a home and function at well over 100% capacity. community care system or implement the community care system that is fragmented, The most cost-effective way to address Ombudsperson’s recent comprehensive Services to Small Businesses confusing to navigate, and unable to meet these problems is to create a more acces- recommendations. These commitments seniors’ needs. sible and integrated home and community are needed if we are to resolve the chal- Bookkeepers available A research report I published recently care system, one that focuses on early in- lenges in seniors care and the problems of finds, for example, that access to home tervention and supporting seniors to live hospital overcrowding and wait lists. support for seniors 75 and older dropped well and die with dignity. 250-385-1011 by 30% since 2001/02. Access to residen- This shift requires, at least initially, in- Marcy Cohen is the author of Caring for BC’s 1325 Tolmie Avenue tial care dropped by 21%. creased funding to improve access to key Aging Population: Improving Health Care for All, In both residential care and home sup- services. It also requires changes in how published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and BC Health Coalition, and avail- port, eligibility criteria have become increas- health care is organized. For example, se- able at http://www.policyalternatives.ca/hcc-for- niors with complex needs frequently have seniors Victoria Labour Council 219-2750 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4E8 Ron reviews: Ph: 250-384-8331 FAX: 250-384-8381 Email: [email protected] C.C.F. COLONIALISM IN NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN, by D. Quiring, UBC PRESS

Having lived in Northern Saskatchewan at the time under review, I am not impressed The VLC, representing affiliated unions in the Greater Victoria area, with the author’s review of that era. In his view the CCF tried to disempower the role of holds its regular monthly meetings the third Wednesday of each month churches, fur traders and other powers active in the North. He feels that the CCF failed at 7 pm, at the BCGEU Auditoriam, 2994 Douglas Street. to set up programs that would meet the needs of Northerners. Quiring opines that the CCF set up what amounted to a Colonial administration. He All delegates are invited to come out and meet the Executive: is not convincing. Mike Eso, President; Stan Dzbik, Treasurer; Kim Manton, Secretary --Ron MacIsaac Lower Island NEWS COMMENTARY September 2012 Page 15 People power rising Events in Quebec, Kitchener, and south of the border show voters are tired of conservative agenda By Ish Theilheimer ing and public sector worker-bashing would Meanwhile back at the ranch the beginning of the end of the “Rand For- This has been an exciting week in poli- wow conservative-minded voters in Kitch- Meanwhile in Ottawa, the Stephen mula” (mandatory dues payment) in fed- tics, with distinct calls for people power. ener, which would propel his party to gain- Harper government is preparing, no doubt, erally regulated industries. Without Rand, In Canada, the week opened with the ing the one seat it needs to have a majority for another rock-em, sock-em session of the labour movement would be deprived of election of a minority PQ government in government. He lost that bet badly, with his Parliament. You always have to watch one of its most fundamental tools. Quebec. This would be a hard election to candidate finishing a poor third. for late Friday afternoon government an- Rand’s defeat would stand as a one the describe to some from another country, like Another big loser in Kitchener was Con- nouncements. Last week, Harperites an- biggest imaginable trophies for the Har- English-speaking Canada for instance. servative leader Tim Hudak, who jumped nounced they’d appointed more Conser- perites and a disaster for working Canadi- In this race, former Mulroneyite and now hard onto the public-service-worker-bash- vative hacks to the Taskless Thank (the ans, who would see workplace protection former Premier Jean Charest grabbed at ing bandwagon and missed the platform. Canadian Senate). and pay drop as their unions lose the ability the brass ring by playing up the street con- Then, after his candidate finished a distant The Senate has become a real lifesaver to fight for them. frontations with students – to be precise, second, he insulted voters by saying so- for the Conservatives. In the event that Ca- The Conservatives have three more the thousands and thousands of marching, called union bosses had bought the elec- nadians boot them out in the next election, years to play in Parliament and reshape angry students and their non-student sup- tion of the NDP’s outstanding and ultimately their massive majority of party hacks domi- Canada to their liking. It’s scary to think porters who occupied Montreal streets for successful candidate, school board veteran nating the Upper Chamber could make it what’s coming next. at least two months last spring. Catherine Fife. Even right-wing columnists impossible for any incoming party to gov- On the other hand, voters are start- Three times Charest had managed to like Christina Blizzard are saying the arch- ern. ing to see through the austerity/anti-gov- get elected before, mostly due to muddled right-wing Hudak now has dug himself too The Harper government also cut diplo- ernment agenda in Quebec, in Kitchener- opposition. This time, his ploy didn’t work. deep a hole to recover. matic ties with Iran last week. Talk with that Waterloo, and, apparently, across America. The opposition, in Quebec, was mud- country had been difficult. Now it will be im- And that change is cause for hope dled. The PQ stood for progressive social Conventions mark beginning of real US possible. This does not seem like progress . policies, as ever, but nearly stole defeat campaign to us. This article first appeared in the September 12, from the mouth of victory with its internal The American presidential campaign Last week came a hint of one new line 2012 issue of the [email protected]. contradictions on sovereignty. PQ leader began in earnest last week with Barack of attack from the Conservatives. Parlia- Ish Theilheimer is founder and president of Straight Goods News and has been Publisher of Pauline Marois frequently seemed unsure Obama getting the formal nod at the Demo- mentary Secretary Pierre Poilievre tried to the leading, and oldest, independent Canadian whether to fish or cut bait. She seemed so cratic National Convention. The convention justify a law that will make union member- online newsmagazine, StraightGoods.ca, since temptingly close to power – but, based on apparently gave him a bounce too, putting ship optional for public service workers by September 1999. He is also managing editor of last week’s election, in which two thirds of the President up one to four points over ri- citing PSAC’s (Public Service Alliance of PublicValues.ca. He lives with his wife Kathy in Quebeckers voted for federalist parties, val Romney in polls. Before the convention, Canada) support for the PQ in the Quebec Golden Lake, ON, in the Ottawa Valley. Email any referendum on sovereignty is likely to most polls showed them in a dead heat. election. Poilievre’s move could represent him at [email protected] . end in humiliation for the separatists. Watching the Democrats, and, before Lost in all this, as Straight Goods News them, the Republicans, was great sport for correspondent Stephen Block points out, political junkies. The highlight for the GOP, has been the essential leftward move- of course, was legendary actor and director SIHOTA & STARKEY ment of the province. Charest is finally out Clint Eastwood doing an improv interview LAWYERS & NOTARIES of politics. Marois’ first acts in office were with an empty chair. the cancellation of post-secondary tuition The Democrats featured a power- PERSONAL INJURY * ICBC CLAIMS increases and of Charest’s Loi 78, the packed lineup of speakers, including corpo- Family * Real Estate * Wills * Estates constitutionally-questionable law against rate CEOs, trade unionists, immigrant and demonstrators. Right-wing politicians and women’s rights advocates. They came to media outlets harped about the threat of the mic and made one passionate speech FREE 1st Consultation * Standard Fees for Many Services separation — which last week’s vote indi- after another, pleading emotionally with cates is quite unlikely — but they missed Americans to prevent a poisonous alter- 250-381-5111 the bigger story. Quebeckers don’t like Ste- nate reality — the possibility of electing zil- 1248 Esquimalt Road, Victoria phen Harper and his kind. Last week, they lionaire and corporate cutthroat Mitt Rom- gave one of his boys a whuppin’. ney to the presidency. Speaking of whuppin’, Thursday’s bye- The highlight of the Democractic con- lection in the Ontario riding of Kitchener- vention was former president Bill Clinton’s Waterloo was a kick in the head to both Wednesday night speech on US econom- Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty and Con- ics. Obama’s, though long on progressive John Heaney servative leader Tim Hudak. As many read- ideas and policy proposals, seemed flat Heenan Blaikie LLP ers know, McGuinty engineered this by- and intellectual rather than passionate. election by giving local Conservative MPP Where has the inspiring Obama of 2008 514-737 Yates Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1L6 Elizabeth Witmer a plum appointment. He gone? We hopes he return in time to pre- Phone: 250-381-9599 bet that his austerity budget, teacher-bash- vent that alternative reality. Toll Free Fax: 1-866-615-8276 Email: [email protected]

Civil and Commercial Litigation Re-envisioning NDP history--connecting Labour and Employment law Administrative and Constitutionl Law Employment Litigation with its roots, shaping its future Human Rights How familiar are you with the three doc- haps this could be the beginning of a 2012 Collective Agreements, Privacy uments which are part of the NDP history? Manifesto? Have you ever read the Regina Manifesto Guest speaker will be Ellen Wood- or the Winnipeg Declaration? Or for that sworth, whose great uncle was NDP found- matter the NDP’s most recent document, er J.S. Woodsworth. She continues in his the Statement of Principles? footsteps and is a very involved activist. Saanich South New Democrats find She will share some family anecdotes Robert G.Milne them very important, and inspiring, so are and will lead members through the transi- making it the focus of their next general tion of the three documents. Jawl & Bundon FOURTH FLOOR members meeting. After the discussions Woodworth, to- The NDP Saanich South executive has gether with Jessica van der Veen, will in- Lawyers 1007 FORT STREET formed an event working group to plan this volve participants in a stimulating summary VICTORIA, BC general meeting for members of Saanich and active pursuing of a renewal process. V8V 3K5 South, and is extending an invitation to Saanich New Democrats are enthusias- TELEPHONE 250-385-5787 members in the Greater Victoria constitu- tic about this timely topic and are looking FAX 250-385-4364 encies. forward to having many members partici- EMAIL [email protected] This event will be on Saturday, Novem- pating. ber 10, from 1-4.30 at the Cordova United If you are interested in attending this Church, 813 Claremont Avenue, Victoria. event, please contact the Saanich South The topic: “Re-envisioning the NDP his- NDP before November 3 by emailing tory - connecting with our roots, shaping [email protected] or [email protected] our future” to let them know that you will attend. MacIsaac and MacIsaac

The double purpose of this event will be However, if you decide at the last mo- Dan MacIsaac* Deanna Lane to look at the NDP’s roots and history, and ment to join them, feel welcome to come. Ron MacIsaac* Laura Pringle to explore what the present values and vi- Certificate in Arbitration & sion statement of the NDP could look like. Mediation, University of Windsor The three documents which are part ,NOOKSACK PLACE NAMES, Geogra- *Denotes Professional Corporation of the NDP history: the Regina Manifesto phy, Culture & Language, by Dr. A. Rich- Personal Injury ICBC Claims (1939), the Winnipeg Declaration (1956) ardson & Dr. B. Galloway, UBC PRESS Family Law Child Protection and the Statement of Principles (1983) will A knowledge of place names gives us be introduced. an entry into other cultures. This text covers Wills & Estates The focus will be on the Regina Mani- the tribes that cross the Canadian and US festo. Small groups will discuss how far borders. Free First Consultation the Regina Manifesto still resonates, what Trial lawyers working the aboriginal field 250-478-1131 is missing and what needs changing. Per- will find this to be a very useful book. 2227 Sooke Road, Victoria Page 16 September 2012 COMMENTARY Lower Island NEWS What is Degrowth? By Janet M Eaton to the end of the classical economic growth well, not better’, (Vivir Bien in Spanish, It is obvious that the growing economic, Degrowth is a call for a radical break model. Sumak Kawsay in Quechua, commonly ecological and financial crises facing the from traditional growth-based models of The French degrowth movement also referred as Buen Vivir ) and now a central planet and humanity necessitate thinking society whether ‘left’ or ‘right’, to invent new built upon a tradition within French politi- element of Bolivia and Ecuador’s political outside the box in order to challenge the ways of living together in a true democra- cal culture, critical of the social ills related framework. One Ecuadorian economist nostrums of the growth economy. Within cy, respectful of the values of equality and to consumerism and the misguided as- concludes: that context, degrowth serves a valuable freedom, based on sharing and coopera- sumptions of the economic growth model. Of the alternative concepts that have function as a symbolic word that challeng- tion and an economy that reduces the use The writings of philosophers and scholars been proposed , the one that presents the es the ‘tyranny of growth’ and the absurd of natural resources and energy. — Inter- like Marx, Gandhi, Karl Polanyi, Hannah more options within its theoretical frame- pursuit of growth at all costs. Some also national Conference on Degrowth in the Arendt, Ivan Illich, E.F. Schumacher and work to replace the old notions of devel- suggest that the term degrowth has the ad- Americas, Montreal, May 2012. others have informed the movement. While opment and economic growth, is Sumak vantage of not being easily usurped or cap- The term degrowth is a translation of France has been the centre of the much of Kawsay, good living. tured by proponents of the present flawed the French word decroissance which was the degrowth movement, it is gaining trac- As can be deduced from its name, deglobal economic growth model in the way first referred to by ecological economist, tion in other parts of Europe and in North growth advocates the downscaling of pro- that the so-called ‘green economy’ has Nicholas Georgescu- Roegen in his 1971 America where it is associated to a larger duction and consumption or the contraction been appropriated. paper on ‘entropy and the economic pro- degree with ecological economics and the of the economy as an imperative for ad- Degrowth is also useful in the pres- cess’ which brought into prominence the biophysical limits to growth. In North Amer- dressing the ills of the dominant economic ent day context of growing threats of eco- ecological limits to growth as it relates to ica, ecological economics founder Herman growth system, not only to preserve the system and financial collapse because it the industrial economic growth model. The Daly, York University Professor and author conditions necessary for long-term ecosys- frames the problem as a paradigm shift discussion which Georgescu-Roegen start- of Managing Without Growth Peter Vic- tem and human survival, but also in order which opens the door to questioning the ed led to a degrowth movement in France tor, co-author of The Ecological Footprint to live better here and now. It is important values, assumptions, and knowledge base that critiqued conventional growth econom- Professor William Rees, and co-author of to note that degrowth proponents do not underpinning the present economic growth ics on the grounds that growth in the highly Energy and the Wealth of Nations Profes- call for contraction of the economy within system. In this respect degrowth has been developed nations had become socially sor Charles Hall are associated with the the existing neo-classical economic para- referred to as a ‘tool’ for initiating a more counter-productive, uneconomic and eco- degrowth movement and indeed the lat- digm, where contraction is generally under- radical break with dominant economic logically unsustainable. To degrowth advo- ter three all spoke at the most recent ‘de- stood as Recession or Depression and the thinking. One well known degrowth aca- cates, ecological concerns like the deple- growth conference of the Americas. miseries they bring, but rather a planned demic put it this way: tion of natural resources, stagnating energy Of particular interest however, are the economic contraction or equitable down …. degrowth is not just a quantitative supplies, pollution, climate change and loss parallels between western degrowth dis- scaling, leading to an alternative paradigm question of doing less of the same, it is … of biodiversity, and the ever-expanding use course and indigenous perspectives and where the focus is on ecology, participatory more fundamentally, about a paradigmatic of resources by the developed world at the discourse which have emerged in Latin democracy, community and a “good life”. In re-ordering of values, in particular the (re) expense of the developing world all pointed America, especially a model called ‘live this regard work sharing, consuming less, affirmation of social and ecological values inventing creative ways of living together, and a (re)politicization of the economy” devoting more time to art, music, family, cul- Degrowth academics also speak of ‘de- ture and community, and voluntary simplic- colonizing the mind’ or ‘decolonizing the ity are all important elements of sustainable imagination’ noting that once economic Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca degrowth. Here we see the similarities with growth is recognized as an abstract idea the Latin American indigenous concept of and not an objective reality one can begin New Democrats ‘Buen vivir’ which emphasizes the harmo- to seriously envision and espouse alterna- nious relation between human beings and tives. Some in the movement speak of this their environment and between humans in as ‘escaping the economy’. their communities. In the same manner Buen Vivir allows In fact different societies around the for the escape from the old notions of eco- world have similar views of this shared nomic growth because it provides an al- Keep in touch! basic aim of a good life as e.g. beumran ternate economic paradigm already being meaning thriving or flourishing, as used by tested within certain Latin American coun- the early Arab historian and philosopher Ibn tries even if only on the fringes at this time. Kaldûn and Gandhi’s swadeshi-sarvodaya. Another important facet of degrowth is You can reach your president, Jock Bates, Although degrowth is not considered a that after forty years, it has a respectable at [email protected] blueprint for change or an economic the- and growing literature found in academic ory, many ideas for shifting the economic journals, conference proceedings from In- or write to us at PO Box 622, paradigm are discussed under its umbrella, ternational Conferences, Paris (2008) and 105-1497 Admirals road, Victoria, BC V9A 2P8 such things as, monetary reform, substitut- Barcelona (2010) and two North American ing GDP with well- being or gross national Conferences, Vancouver (2010) and Mon- happiness indices, income redistribution, treal (2012), in respected newspapers like relocalizing industrial manufacturing and Le Monde Diplomatique and its own month- agriculture, new forms of governance, the ly magazine La Decroissance, numerous importance of citizenship and participatory blogs and online fora, research papers from democracy, embedding the economy within an Institute devoted to degrowth,, as well the social and cultural context, the ecologi- as numerous books and text books. Like- cal case for new kinds of laws and treaties, wise in Latin America there is a growing lit- Juan de Fuca New Democrats trade deglobalization, steady state eco- erature, some conference proceedings and nomics, ecological economics and manag- considerable analysis and proposals for a ing degrowth. post-industrial or post- development world

REFERENCES: Keep in touch! Samuel Alexander Planned Economic Contraction: The Emerging Case for Degrowthhttp:// papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1941089

Joan Martínez-Alier a, Unai Pascual b, Franck-Domi nique Vivien c, Edwin Zaccai .Sustainable de-growth: Mapping the context, criticisms and future prospects of an emergent paradigm. http://www.web.ca/~bthomson/degrowth/degrowth_his- You can reach President John Lewinski tory.pdf by phone at 250-391-1686 or John Dillon. The Economics of Sustainability. KAIROS Backgrounder. July 2010http://www. by email at [email protected] kairoscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SUS-GF-G20-EconomicsSustainability.pdf Valerie Fournier. Escaping from the Economy. http://www.web.ca/~bthomson/degrowth/ fournier_the_politics_of_degrowth_13mar08.pdf Eduardo Gudynas. Buen Vivir: Today’s Tomorrow. 2011 http://www.palgrave-journals.com/ development/journal/v54/n4/full/dev201186a.html Life Beyond Growth. 2012. Institute for Studies in Happiness, Economy and Society, Japan. http://lifebeyondgrowth.wordpress.com/ Judy Kennedy. The Growth of Degrowth (Part 1) Campaign for fair, sustainable economy Victoria-Swan Lake is gaining ground. http://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/monitor/growth-degrowth-part-1 Serge Latouche. Degrowth economics. Le Monde Dkiplomatique. http://mondediplo. New Democrats com/2004/11/14latouche/ Quebec Movement for convivial degrowth Mouvement Quebecois pour une decroissance conviviale.English translation http://www.decroissance.qc.ca/mouvement.html Bob Thomson ([email protected]) Stay in touch! Abby Scher. Greetings from the new Economy. CommonDreams.org Aug 4th, 2012 Bob Thomson. Pachikuti: Indigenous Perspectives and Degrowth. Conference Proceedings, 2nd conference on Economic Degrowth For Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity. Barce- You can reach your executive lona March 26th- 29th, 2010 by emailing President Darcy Lindberg Bob Thomson, Ottawa, 11 March 2011. Draft Bibliography on Convivial Degrowth http://www. at darcy.lindberg at gmail.com web.ca/~bthomson/degrowth/draft_degrowth_bibliography.html Degrowth Conference Barcelona 2010, March 26 – 29, 2010 the Second International Con- or by writing to Box 282 ference on Economic Degrowth for Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity. http://barcelona. 1681 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, BC V8T 2C1 degrowth.org/ International Conference on Degrowth in the Americas. http://montreal.degrowth.org Lower Island NEWS COMMENTARY September 2012 Page 17 Degrowth from page 16 Islanders can escape road gridlock By G.E. Mortimore grab the memory, and let go, both at the driver, on the rush-hour journey north. (Our based on their own unique indigenous per- My neighbour’s plump old cat slept same time. I hoped to keep one foot in departure was delayed by a wedding that spective of Buen Vivir. safely in the middle of the road. Cars are Victoria and the other in Toronto -- my late my grandson had to attend). I don’t think I This constitutes an invaluable knowl- forbidden on the Toronto Islands, where we wife Peggy and I living on Langford Lake, could have handled the split-second lane- edge base and resource for not only the used to live. son Michael holding down the Algonquin weaving in dense traffic, even in my best degrowth and indigenous movements but I see a mind-picture of my long- Island house. But business necessity made days. also for those in other related movements remembered cat friend as I look down from me sell the Algonquin house – a tricky job, Greater Toronto, heading for 7.5 and disciplines who seek to better under- the 14th floor of Toronto’s Harbour Castle because the ground beneath the house be- million population by year 2025, had a $30 stand the current breakdown of the Neolib- Hotel at the ferries – the same ships plying longs to Toronto city. billion road-clearing, job-making plan for eral neoclassical economic growth model, the same three routes to the leafy-green In my day the house-owner sold a six new subway lines, five new bus and its impacts, and to envision alternative eco- islands. key and the hope of a 99-year lease. With streetcar routes, and 10 light-rail transit nomic futures. Toronto and Vancouver Island share a expert help I achieved the sale, to my re- lines in Toronto’s extended downtown, Degrowth also acknowledges and en- transportation crisis, arising from the need gret. Islanders were besieged by Metro North America’s second largest money- compasses related ideas, concepts and to save money and clear the air and roads Toronto’s political warriors, who wanted to centre after New York. Pro-automobile movements such as the end of growth, by diverting some car-travellers to transit. demolish the houses and convert house- mayor Rob Ford, a rough-spoken character post-growth development, peak oil, vol- If we make the right call, life will be simpler sites into parkland. The islands became a who has been photographed reading City untary simplicity, transition towns etc, al- and sweeter. work-together fortress. Cooperation ranged Hall documents as he drives, blocked the ternatives to GDP, etc., as can be seen The Toronto islands remain motor-free, from multiple phone-alarms about the ar- plan, but council eased him aside by hiring by reviewing the roster of speakers at the except for the Island airport and the police, rival of a dog-catcher, to sandbag-building a new walkable-city planner, Jennifer Kees- various conferences of late and recent writ- fire and service trucks, the successors to at flood-time, lobbying the political parties, maat. ings. In the same manner those writing Percy the Milk and Harry the Bread, as we and mobilizing to repel a sheriff armed with Toronto’s factories have moved far form other related perspectives, disciplines called those friend-drivers. eviction notices. out where land is cheap, but Vancouver and movements are beginning to reference The islands are the largest no-car Toronto Islanders won their 99-year Island, which could reach a one million ‘degrowth. e.g. Richard Heinberg in the fi- zone in urban North America -- Toronto’s leases. They are the garrison of a no-car population in the 2020s, is a different kind of nal section “Post- Growth Economics” of 520-acre message to politicians. Such outpost. community. It is industrially and financially his latest book The End of Growth, reviews green refuges, built next to a revitalized I felt Toronto’s frantic automobile starved and in need of a revitalization plan. contributions from alternative economists railway, linked at the edges to roads, could crowding when we ducked in and out This island might wield its railway as a tool and schools of alternate economic thought, be part of Vancouver Island’s future – along of masses of cars beneath overhead of close-in economic growth. The strategy including a short discussion of the origins of with railside research-industrial-healthcare signs warning of traffic conditions ahead, could include luring in a railcar and engine degrowth and philosophical influences. centres. straining concentration to the limit as we builder such as Siemens or Bombardier to Degrowth has also garnered more inter- At the hotel window I imagine the drove north to visit my old friends at Dokis build, test and export rolling-stock made national attention of late, particularly after 10-minute ferry-ride from Bay Street and Bay on the French River. (They invited me from B.C. aluminum smelted in Kitimat. Economist Tim Jackson’s report Prosper- 10-minute walk through ice and snow, or to take part in a special event and view a As I look down at the Toronto Island ity Without Growth was issued in March green grass and goose-droppings, to our documentary film I made about the commu- ferries from my hotel-room perch, this feels 2009 by the UK’s Sustainable Develop- old house on Ojibway Avenue. I doubt that I nity in the 1970s, “Eagles on the River.” I like a plausible idea. ment Commission. As noted in the Institute will ever go there again. was surprised to find the film on the Inter- for Studies in Happiness, Economy and I still see the house in dreams. The net.) G.E. Mortimore, PhD, is a writer and social an- Society (ISHES) annual report Life without feeling-charge on it is conflicted. I want to It was good to be a passenger, not a thropologist who lives in Victoria. Growth: Alternatives and Complements to GDP measured Growth, Professor Jack- son’s report was remarkable in being the first such treatment of the topic issued by an official national government body and in Sharp practice on the market that respect has become one of the most By G.E. Mortimore of them promising to be super-efficient and to raise the bid and prune your whiskers in widely read current introductions to de- One tiny piece of steel. That was the only uniquely kind to the user’s face. the efficient style of the mid-20th-century. growth and an essential reference on the shaving supply I needed, a blade for my As for the tiny steel blades, they seemed When I use a plastic razor, I think about topic. The ISHES report also cites the col- Schick Injector razor. Ordinary bar-soap to have gone forever, while the plastic Prime Minister Harper and his subordi- laborative work of Jackson and Canadian was my cheapskate shaving-soap. razors multiplied in size, complexity and nates, who are quietly negotiating a Cana- Professor Peter Victor which provides the A bunch of us Scouts bought a Schick as price. da-Europe “free-trade” agreement – CETA key elements for an alternative economic a going-away present for the scoutmaster, My Schick Injector has disappeared again – to match the North American agreement, pathway the Degrowth movement propos- who was also the Anglican vicar. He was – thrown out, perhaps, by some misguided NAFTA. ”Free trade” – a misnamed charter es to the world with a vision for transforma- leaving town to become vicar of another person who took it to be a disposable item. for increasing corporate cash-flow, and a tive change. parish. I encountered him again 10 years I don’t experience magical effects from worse fake than plastic razors -- contains At the same time a recent article Greet- later. In those years he must have used the disposable razors. The magic is a ra- an explosive charge that could smash ings from the New Economy, describing a enough blades to fill a tea-package, or a zor-makers’ illusion. Maybe people enjoy Harper’s reelection hopes. recent June 2012 Conference of the New matchbox. being fooled by commercial fairy-tales. The The dynamite is NAFTA’s Chapter 11, Economics Institute characterized this US (Old-timers will remember matchboxes 21st-century razors, sculpted in cunning which licences corporations to sue govern- based New Economy Movement as a large from the days when smoking was unre- shapes and colours, feel about the same ments across national borders for passing tent with differing perspectives, amongst stricted, cigarettes were supposed to be as my Injector did. environmental-protection laws that might which is found those focused on a no- good for you, and tobacco ads appeared in And mountains of plastic razors are now diminish corporate profits. Canada has al- growth economy. Prominent amongst the medical journals.) accumulating in landfills, an indigestible ready paid out millions in taxpayers’ money no-growth advocates is Boston College I bought a Schick razor myself, taking it mass that will lie there for 10,000 years. to US corporations for forbidding the export Professor, Juliet Schor. with me on my travels and using it at home So much for the imaginary “free mar- of poisonous but profitable substances. In general the degrowth movement until it disappeared – misplaced from the ket”, which is said by its devout believers CEFTA – when we can winkle out some and certainly the Buen Vivir indigenous ap- bathroom during a cleanup, and accidental- to bring the greatest good to the greatest information about it – probably will prove to proach are critical of Capitalism, Colonial- ly buried in a carton of letters and clippings. number. contain Chapter-11-type weasel words that ism, Imperialism and Neoliberalism and as When the razor re-surfaced, I tried to buy I rummaged through the Internet and allow foreign corporations to trash Cana- such tend to reject the concept of sustain- blades for it. No luck. There were none for found that although you can now buy Injec- dian environmental laws. Razor-blade con- able development as oxymoronic, rooted sale. More profitable merchandise had re- tor blades made in China, the discontinued juring-tricks don’t cause me serious worry, as it is in mainstream development ideas placed them. During the time that passed razor itself is available only as an antique. but Chapter 11 does nag at me. It needs that aim to increase capitalist growth and before household archaeology brought my One used razor and cassette in a case to be cancelled in North America, not ex- consumption. Injector back to light, Schick and other man- was offered by auction on e-Bay. The last tended to Europe. Finally it is perhaps worth noting that ufacturers had started selling a medley of time I looked, the bid on this classic shav- the European originators of the concept of fancy disposable plastic razors, some with ing kit was US $13. There still may be time G.E. Mortimore, PhD, is a writer and social degrowth considered a potential function two blades, some with tilting heads, each anthropologist who lives in Victoria. for degrowth as providing a platform for emerging discussion on the necessity of a political – economic shift that moves us beyond growth. In this respect the recent conference in Montreal provided such a platform for people who included academics Ron reviews: Real Estate Services and scholars from diverse academic dis- MNEMONIC A Book ciplines, Institutes and Research Centres, About Trees, by The- NGO activists, and indigenous peoples all resa Kishkan, GOOSE Since 1990 focused on finding an economic alternative to growth. Latin American scholar, Eduardo LANE PROFESSIONAL -- EXPERIENCED -- COMMITTED Gudynas sees a similar function for Buen This most recent Vivir suggesting that the rich and multiple book by prolific writer discourses around Buen Vivir, amount to a Theresa Kishkan is a political platform for different visions of al- remarkable blend of Call any time for a market evaluation! ternatives to development. botany and romance. I Part of every commission, In conclusion, degrowth heralds the like the naming of each need for a new political economic and soci- chapter after a par- with New democratic clients, etal paradigm and has opened up a space ticular tree. Outdoor for initiating and framing discussions, will be donated to a party candidate analyses and strategies focused on making people will love this or a sitting Member. that essential transformation a reality. work Fred Hiigli Janet M. Eaton, PhD, writes in Wolfville,NS, and presented on Degrowth and Trade Deglobal- Fred Hiigli -- Newport Realty ization at the Montreal International Conference 250-385-2033 on Degrowth in the Americas, May 2012. Page 18 September 2012 COMMENTARY Lower Island NEWS Pollster Allan Gregg on the assault on reason in Canada By Janet Eaton protection of reason as the foundation of of the problems they are designed to solve. the basis to make policy decisions. It also Pollster, researcher and Canadian democracy noting: Evidence, facts and reason therefore amounted to an attempt to eliminate any- CBC commenter Allan Gregg in his recent “The basis of his argument is that the form the sine qua non of not only good pol- one who might use science, facts and evi- remarks at Carleton parallels between marketplace of ideas is open to all and the icy, but good government. dence to challenge government policies. George Orwell`s 1984 and the Harper fate of those ideas is based on their merit He goes on to review the Harper Finally Gregg goes on to note that government`s anti-democratic tendencies: . (rather than birthright or finance). In this government`s legislative performance cit- in 1984, the abandonment of reason is In his novel 1984, George Orwell paints sense, reason reinforces equality. More- ing concerns going back to 2010, first of twinned not simply with unthinking ortho- a portrait of a nightmarish future where over, when we engage in public debate, which was the decision to cut the manda- doxy but also by the wilful dissemination of rights that we now take for granted -- the armed with reason, by definition, we are tory long form census and replace it with misinformation. Orwell makes this point in freedom of assembly, speech and to trial prepared to compromise and find common a voluntary one concluding and declares: part by using ironic names for various gov- -- have all been suspended. Acceptance of ground with those who might otherwise be “I have spent my entire professional life ernment departments: the Ministry of Love this totalitarian state is justified by the inter- our opponents. as a researcher, dedicated to understand- is responsible for war. The Ministry of Plen- ests of stability and order, and by the needs In this way, conflicts between individu- ing the relationship between cause and ty is tasked with parsing rations. Gregg pro- of a perpetual war. als are resolved through words and ideas effect. And I have to tell you, I’ve begun vides examples of this in recent legislation But what makes 1984 endure where rather than the barrel of a gun. In the same to see some troubling trends. It seems as brought forward by the Harper government: other dystopian novels have been forgotten way, it was only when ordinary citizens be- though our government’s use of evidence * Bill C-18 the Marketing Freedom for is that Orwell removed one more right that gan to govern themselves using common and facts as the bases of policy is declin- Grain Farmers Act which dismantled the is even more unimaginable in a modern sense, logic, and the best available evi- ing, and in their place, dogma, whim and Canadian Wheat Board. context -- the right to think.... dence, that governments began to change political expediency are on the rise. And * Bill C-26 The Citizens Arrest and Self- Instead of reason and rational dis- and evolve without resorting to raw power even more troubling...Canadians seem to Defense Act -- the closest we come in Can- course, Oceania is ruled by doublethink -- and violence.`` be buying it.” ada to replicating Florida’s odious Stand “to know and not to know. To be conscious Gregg also notes that our entire notion He then reviews the budget cuts noting Your Ground legislation. of complete truthfulness, while telling care- of progress has reason at its core, as Ron- an alarming trend: Gregg concludes, “While the circum- fully construed lies ... to use logic against ald Wright reminds us in his brilliant lecture “Ok, so now the facts were beginning stance in Canada 2012 is obviously no- logic: to repudiate morality while laying series, “A Short History of Progress”. to tell a different story. This was no ran- where near as dystopian as what Orwell claim to it”... Emblematic of the regime is And more than anything else, says dom act of downsizing, but a deliberate depicts in 1984, I really do think that there Big Brother’s slogan, repeated constantly Gregg, societal progress has been ad- attempt to obliterate certain activities that are some unsettling parallels going on here as a means of thought control... War is vanced by enlightened public policy that were previously viewed as a legitimate part that we ignore at our peril. I also think it’s Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is marshals our collective resources towards of government decision-making -- namely, time to gather the facts.” Strength. a larger public good. Once again it has using research, science and evidence as In making his case for the assault on been reason and scientific evidence that reason Gregg also refers to the 2007 best has delineated effective from ineffective seller, The Assault on Reason, in which policy. We have discovered that effective Nobel Prize winner and former US Vice- solutions can only be generated when they BC MLAs take wrong approach President Al Gore made the case for the correspond to an accurate understanding to timber supply crisis By Anthony Britneff and Ben Parfitt Lake than what senior forest professionals Ever since mid May, when a special in government estimated just last year (one committee of the provincial legislature was million instead of five hundred thousand cu- Keep in touch appointed to address a looming “timber bic metres of wood a year). supply” crisis, questions have arisen about How did the Committee magically dou- what the committee would say about one ble timber supply? With three key recom- with community in particular. mendations. First, that more “marginally That community is Burns Lake where, economic” forests be logged. Second, that in January, a violent explosion and fire lev- the government underwrite a massive fer- elled the local sawmill – the village’s major tilization program to boost tree growth. And Victoria-Beacon Hill New Democrats employer – killing two mill workers and do- third – here Committee members use wea- ing another 250 out of their jobs. sel words to mask the true intent of what Well the wait is over, and if the unani- they propose – to increase the logging of Find us at http://vbhndp.bc.ca/ mous recommendations of the committee’s remnant old-growth forests that were previ- Friend our Victoria-Beacon Hill NDP Facebook Page Liberal and NDP MLAs are an indication, ously ruled off-limits to logging. our forests and many rural communities are It is far from clear that this will produce Follow us on Twitter: @BeaconHillNDP headed for even harder times than previ- enough wood to supply a rebuilt mill. Call us at 250-386-8497 ously thought. First “marginal” forests are marginal Here’s why. Rather than focusing on the for a reason. They are generally of inferior core issue (how many trees are left, and quality, further from mills and more costly what the future holds for our forests) com- to log. And they are often found in places mittee members allowed themselves to be where trees grow less vigorously, for ex- swayed by dramatic yet unrelated events. ample at higher elevations. Hence, they What happened in Burns Lake quite are risky to log, both economically and en- naturally triggered outpourings of concern. vironmentally. But let’s be clear. The loss of the mill has Second, with government having dras- nothing to do with a looming timber supply tically curtailed its investments in growing Cowichan Valley crisis. Rather, it underscores the severity of trees, no one should assume there is appe- the problems ahead for numerous commu- tite for big spending increases on fertiliza- nities, Burns Lake included. tion. Never mind the ecological impacts of The evidence is overwhelmingly clear. repeated applications of tree fertilizers on New Democrats We are on the cusp of a monumental shift shallow soils and on our waterways, fish in our interior forests. After a decade-plus populations and other plant life in our for- attack by mountain pine beetles and oth- ests. Keep in touch with your executive er pests, a spate of intense wildfires and And third, perceived increases in old- years of unsustainable logging, our forests growth logging could prove a nightmare in are largely depleted of commercially desir- international markets where the BC gov- Write to PO Box 102, Duncan, BC V9L 1P0 able trees. ernment and forest companies alike have Or email President Ellen Oxman To their credit, members of the Special worked judiciously to have forestry opera- Committee on Timber Supply acknowledge tions independently certified as sustainably at [email protected] this. They conclude that the projected drop managed. in logging rates places eight sawmills in But if the government embraces the danger. This is probably an underestimate. Committee’s recommendations for Burns Either way, when mill capacity outstrips Lake, expect the same unsustainable log- what our forests can provide, mills must ging practices to be applied province-wide, close. There are only so many trees to go and with devastating consequences. around. The real tragedy in the Committee Oak Bay-Gordon Head New Democrats Yet having acknowledged that existing members’ recommendations is that they sawmills have an appetite for wood that are well aware of where the real challenges grossly exceeds what our forests can pro- lie. The Committee acknowledges the es- vide, Committee members then turn around sential importance of improved forest in- and suggest that we should build another ventories – looking at how many healthy Help us swing OBGH mill first and find the timber later. trees we have. Why isn’t this the first or- To entice the owner of the destroyed der of business? BC needs an expedited, to the NDP Burns Lake mill to do so, the Committee thorough assessment now, before we have chooses to go down the same tired road committed to even more unsustainable that gave rise to the present timber sup- logging rates.To proceed with logging in- and Jessica Van der Veen ply crisis: push the boundaries of what can creases before such work is done is irre- be harvested to the extreme. This is es- sponsible and an insult to forest-dependent sentially the approach applied in the east communities across the province. Find us online: www.obghnewdemocrats.ca coast cod fishery and we all know how that Anthony Britneff recently retired from a 40-year or by email: [email protected] worked out. career as a professional forester with the BC The Committee astonishingly suggest- Forest Service where he held senior positions Contact us to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter! ed that there are actually twice as many in inventory, silviculture and forest health. Ben Parfitt is a resource policy analyst with the Cana- trees to log in the forests around Burns dian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Lower Island NEWS COMMENTARY September 2012 Page 19 From 1st class to middle class Community By Tim Pheotist aren’t we? sandwich. I paid my toll to him with some collaborative art: The upcoming 2012 US elections have Populations – those who vote – have US dollars left over from a trip. As he ac- naturally absorbed the mainstream media, allowed laws to be enacted and lies to be cepted the currency he counselled me that a call-out for Artists as well as the not-so-mainstream media, spread that somehow the way to manage he would prefer Canadian currency at the What would you paint on a building of for the past few months. It remains to be our societies is to work the able bodied ‘til moment – the exchange rate being what it the past, to inspire a future of community seen how absorbed the mainstream public they drop and toss the disabled to the gut- is. He excused me somewhat for forgetting building and love of our earth? has been in the topic. We’ll know on voting ter. today’s highly prized CAD, given that in the “Local Flowers and Fauna!”; “People day. All in service to creating a “healthy” past he would have preferred USDs. farming as a community”; “First Nations el- We’re told that this election is pivotal. economy. Here was a man, living rough and with- ders sharing knowledge...” Nations will be shaped and challenged as The ideas are simply wrong. Indefen- out a roof to his name and barely a blanket These were just a few of the enthusias- a result of this election, none more so than sible on any rational level. Indefensible, to call home, entirely fluent in the language tic responses that Cowichan Green Com- the United States and its Canadian ally, for certainly, on any moral level. of currency exchange. munity (CGC) received after posting the decades to come. We seem set in British Columbia to What is wrong with this picture? What question on their Facebook page, refer- And what topic do the US parties of replace a rather nasty capitalistic govern- values have we accepted? Today this ring to a building in Kinsmen Park that is power tell us this election is all about? Of ment with something a little more benign. young man is one of many. A generation currently being retro-fitted through a grant course – it’s the economy, stupid!! Isn’t this Certainly vote NDP next time but be aware or two ago he would have been a standout from Vancity and the Real Estate Founda- déjà vu all over again? that much damage has been done dur- and our society would have made massive tion. As a much maligned economist I should ing Mr. Campbell’s tenure and Mr. Harper efforts to enhance his comfort. Many remember the pool at Kinsmen take some cheer that my subject is once will certainly be sending his troops to slap Not now, it seems. If this is economic Neighborhood Community Park, and since again front and centre, but I have to reveal down any disquiet out west. progress, count me out. If this is the pre- it was removed in 2010 the building that a secret now. Remember, policies that serve private vailing philosophy of our progressive soci- housed the filters, bathrooms, and lifeguard Economics is not about economies. It’s capital interests rarely serve working peo- ety we need to vote about philosophy, not room has sat empty. CGC, along with the about philosophies. ple’s interests today. economics. help of friends and volunteers has been There’s a lot of math in economics. Do The question is often asked, “Why do And to finish on a more hopeful note. salvaging materials to outfit the building the sums correctly and you’ll come up with people so often vote against their best in- There are intelligent, capable, people into an indoor/outdoor classroom -- utiliz- the correct answers – right? terests?” in our town who see the results of Messrs. ing natural building techniques and green The differences of approach between They do so because it’s often easier Campbell and Harper’s cunning. building alternatives. the two main American parties is really to listen to lies and propaganda than it is They see that we need to assist, edu- An important aspect of re-purposing a about which sums either party chooses to to think critically for oneself. If the story cate and support the increasing numbers of building is enhancing its aesthetic appear- do. Really very boring. And the boring sums doesn’t seem to make sense, at least take homeless youth who populate our Victoria ance. Local youth artists Cyrus, Kendall serve to deflect the real philosophical de- a hard look at the storyteller. pavements now. Wren, Madi Walters and the rest of the crew bate that should be front and centre. If more people had taken a harder One very active group can be found on- at Bikeworks U-fix it and Youth Art Studio Do we choose to value our fellow hu- look at the likes of Stephen Harper, Gor- line at www.belongingvictoria.com. have been collaborating on how to do this. man beings above the trickery of some don Campbell, George Bush, Mitt Romney, The organization is dedicated to finding While envisioning how to stylize the geekish algorithms and impenetrable equa- David Cameron, Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela ways to provide resources and services so building, the group came up with the idea to tions designed to ensure that the hard work Merkel – I won’t add further to this list of that at least the next generation of disad- invite other artists to paint a section within and human aspirations of most developed economic terrorists – it’s a very long list, the vantaged young people can have a chance the overall image. populations once again are subservient to world would enjoy much fairer and more ef- of a place to be among us and a chance “For example,” explains Raelynn Gib- ever more opaque capital acquisition and fective wealth distribution. to understand that it is not acceptable in son, CGC project manager, “if the mural grouping? All of these characters, sociopaths of our society to be so precisely aware of ex- was to be an image of a forest, and each In other words have the Robber Barons the worst kind, have something very sim- change rate mechanisms while existing on tree stylized by a different artist, the result- returned? Are we again in a world of lords ple in common. They support policies that the street, under a blanket. ing forest would be a dynamic artistic ex- and serfs? cheapen the value of labour and enhance We can offer more to our young people pression reflecting our regional culture and Political campaigns appeal to the ”mid- the wealth of those that seek to employ, ex- than that message and Belonging Victoria community.” dle class” and cry crocodile tears over the ploit and abuse. intends to enable more resources than a On September 22 CGC hosted their an- fate of suburbanites who have knowingly So, from now onwards, if you find a can- few flimsy dollars begged on the streets. nual “Share the Harvest” event at Kinsmen voted themselves out of schools and pub- didate that seems to support the words and Canadian and US elections are fo- Neighborhood Community Park, located lic services in the past few decades. This policies of any of this present crop of na- cussed on the “middle class”. The focus on Alderlea Street, from 10 am-4 pm, and “middle class” has purposefully voted itself tional leaders, don’t cast your vote for that should be on the disadvantaged classes. there was mural painting ongoing throughout of 1st class to middle class in its greedy candidate. Vote only for those who support The homeless classes and the forgotten out the day. Young or old, amateur or pro- race to find economic debris at the bottom fair pay, fair distribution of wealth and ad- classes. fessional, their contribution were welcomed of muddy suburban ponds. vance policies that would deny private prof- Our most vulnerable classes are the to this community art project. Across the developed world working it from essential public services. classes that matter in our societies for CGC wanted to honour the First Nations populations are protesting that economics It’s time to be an angry voter! these classes must now experience 1st of this land and asked for First Nations art- must serve people. Not that people should Here’s a personal anecdote that really class treatment from the more fortunate ists to contribute in design and painting of serve economic theory. reflects our unfair times. A tale that Lewis among us. the building. But there is an eerie absence of protest Carol might have difficulty imagining. in North America. Maybe a few crocodile Recently, during a walk downtown I fell tears at best for the sick, disadvantaged, into a brief conversation with a man living young, retired, poor, disabled...hold on – rough on the street. He gave me some we’re talking about most of the population, of his time in exchange for the price of a

Don’t miss the boat! A call-out to youth By Diane Walsh Belonging Victoria is more than a community organization. It’s a seismic shift in thinking. A radical shift in thinking when it comes to the *subject* of homelessness in general on the social and political front in #yyj Heck -- why’s that, do you say? Well, because, Belonging Victoria is a young initiative based out of Victoria BC, created with tremendous heart, “as a hub”, “a community hub”, to bring awareness to the incomprehen- sible but yet true social reality of ever increasing youth homelessness in our city. A -- new -- community hub. A place to call *home*. Using Odd Fellows as its home, Belonging Victoria presents a cutting-edge summit on Oc- tober, 19 and 20 (please see adjacent poster). By presenting workshops and group sessions - in a world -- cafe style -- it strives to pool together various resources and act as a kind of conduit for young people to meet others and grow together. Please check all the special details including keynote speaker information and terrific events that are planned at www.belongingvictoria.com. Get in touch with Diane at mediageode@gmail. com if you’d like to help get the word out,. Or if you’d like to learn more, contact her on twitter @dwalshmedia and Belonging Victoria Founder Adam Clarkson by email at Adam at belong- [email protected] Designed by Melissa Baron Page 20 September 2012 COMMENTARY Lower Island NEWS

Marlin Mine, owned by Goldcorp, could put in jeopardy the right to food of 18 Maya Mam indigenous communities in the northwestern area of Guatemala. Canadian mining at odds with the right to food By Jen Moore Modern techniques have developed to Such a decision, however, is unlikely Marcos, Guatemala. Mining Watch Canada is a pan- extract small concentrations of minerals to take place again anytime soon. We saw Another Goldcorp mine in Honduras, Canadian initiative supported by from large quantities of rock, particularly the shift in November when the federal the San Martín mine, which only operated environmental, social justice, Aboriginal in the case of open-pit mining. Given the environmental assessment agency decided for eight years, has given rise to serious and labour organizations from across the depletion of easily accessible deposits, to re-review a project in central British public health concerns, as well as perpetual country. It addresses the urgent need for companies are increasingly entering into Columbia that it previously turned down, care issues due to the onset of acid mine a co-coordinated public interest response remote and Indigenous territories to explore a project that would destroy a watershed drainage that could impact water and soils to the threats to public health, water and for minerals. vital to the Tsilhqot’in First Nation and risk on which ruralcommunities depend over air quality, fish and wildlife habitat and Prospecting and exploration can have contaminating a salmon fishery contributing the long term. community interests posed by irresponsible significant effects on the social fabric of to regional First Nations and commercial Nevertheless, despite such outstanding mineral policies and practices in Canada communities and environment, particularly harvests. issues and Honduras having become a and around the world. with the construction of roads that can Now, the Conservative government deadly place for activists and journalists, Today, through unequivocal promotion stimulate entry of other industry. Production is gutting the Canadian Environmental the Canadian government is providing of the mining sector at home and abroad, and post-mine phases have particularly Assessment Act and Fisheries Act. Public support for a weakened mining law and a the Canadian government is abandoning enduring effects that can compete with land review processes will be given a time limit new Free Trade Agreement. Notably, before its responsibility to guarantee the right and water needed by communities to realize while the definition of public participation is President Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a to food of mining-affected communities. their right to food. Mine operations may narrowed and participation funding cut. military-backed coup in June 2009, a new Domestic protections for the environment need to be dewatered, which can deplete Abroad, it is important to take into mining law was about to be debated that and Aboriginal rights are being set back or divert important water sources. They consideration that 60% of publicly traded would have banned open-pit mining and decades. may also create serious dust problems. mining companies listed on Canadian strengthened community participation. Meanwhile, we are exporting a model Meanwhile, large quantities of water stock exchanges and those environmental Today, as part of its Corporate of mine development within a voluntary are necessary in order to process millions defenders are at increasing risk when Social Responsibility work, the Canadian framework ill-designed to respond to of tons of ore. Remaining waste rock and they seek to protect their water, lands Department of Foreign Affairs and growing resistance and conflicts that are processed tailings then require storage and and ways of life. Nevertheless, Canadian International Trade has supported two directly related to the way that water, land long term maintenance. Mining companies promotion for mining is focused on Honduran government officials to attend and often agriculturally-based livelihoods may use existing bodies of water to dump strengthening investor protections with the world’s biggest mining industry meeting are being put at risk. their waste, while tailings dams can also minimalist, voluntary controls that fail to in Toronto where they had a chance to Prime Minister Harper drew the represent risks to downstream communities ensure effective recourse or remedy for discuss a proposed mining law that is connection between policy change at when they leak or break. Waste rock piles communities. purportedly nearing approval, despite the home and regimes favourable to Canadian must be adequately covered and managed, The following are a few illustrations: outcry from Honduran social organizations. interests abroad when he spoke recently at often in perpetuity, depending on their acid The Canadian International Development The Honduran press reports that the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, generating potential. Agency or CIDA is now subsidizing Canada has now struck a deal to provide Colombia. His speech focused on “how to Mine closures, reclamation and corporate social responsibility projects of advice on the law. Furthermore when Prime maximize the value of this great industry for perpetual care, should it be required, is too billion-dollar companies, such as Barrick Minister Harper visited Honduras last year, a country and its people”, using Canada as often limited by lack of sufficient resources, Gold at its Lagunas Norte mine in northern he announced that a new Free Trade an example. Harper emphasized low rates public participation and independent Peru. According to Barrick, this is the Agreement is complete that would ensure of taxation and streamlined environmental oversight. Other social effects that can company’s lowest cost gold operation. The investors strong protections and accused assessment processes. jeopardize the right to food include rising company was fined twice in the last year for human rights groups of being protectionist. Not once did he utter the words “human cost of living due to higher wages earned environmental violations, and is seeking an Decades of struggle to negotiate rights”, despite tremendous conflict within by a small segment of the population, injunction against an ordinance to protect shared benefits and to manage and the mining sector in Latin America, often displacement, as well as loss of farm land water supplies serving some 8,000 farmers. monitor impacts, including to determine in relation to Canadian companies. And and sustainable livelihoods. In December 2009, the Canadian where mining can and cannot go, are only once did he mention “corporate social In Canada, decades of struggle to National Contact Point for the promotion being reversed. Here in Canada, we will responsibility”, at which point he made the defend the environment and Aboriginal of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational likely see more conflicts fought in the weak assumption that Canadian companies rights has led to some decisions in the Enterprises, one of two Canadian offices streets and the courts. For communities are inherently benevolent, stating: “We interests of communities and future that formally receive complaints from mine- affected by Canadian mining abroad, the expect that [principles of responsible generations: for example, in 2007, a joint affected communities abroad, received a consequences are likely to be repressive, resource development and environmental provincial and federal environmental complaint alleging, among other things, sometimes violent, and even deadly. protection] will be respected.” assessment determined that the Kemess contamination and depletion of water As a result, where Canadian mining Canadian or not, it is important to note North copper-gold mine project in northern supplies around Goldcorp’s Marlin mine, companies operate, current Canadian that industrial mining is widely associated British Columbia was not in the “public which could put in jeopardy the right to food government efforts are more likely to hinder with a series of impacts that can undermine interest” based on broad sustainability of 18 Maya Mam indigenous communities rather than support communities’ right to the right to food for affected communities. criteria. in the northwestern department of San food. Lower Island NEWS COMMENTARY September 2012 Page 21 Cheap electricity for mining, Security and pet deposits: oil and gas companies means What you need to know In response to the increasing frequency of people coming in to the Together Against higher bills for BC’s residential Poverty Society (TAPS) office with questions concerning the return of their security and pet deposits, this article will hopefully serve to provide a clear understanding of the Se- curity Deposit/Pet Deposit (SD/PD) requirement under the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) customers, more greenhouse and the return of it following a tenancy. A landlord can require a tenant to pay a SD and/or a PD in residential tenancies. The gas emissions SD/PD must be paid prior to or at the beginning of a rental agreement, but in any event not later than one month after the tenancy begins. VANCOUVER -- A new study warns energy intensive but currently account for It is important to note that in the case of Manufactured Home Park tenancies a landlord that mining, oil and gas corporations are only 1% of employment in BC. cannot legally require a tenant to pay either a SD or PD. • The province plans to invest in putting increasingly large demands on new transmission lines to northern BC for BC’s hydroelectricity system – essentially Security Deposits: Some Key Points to Remember the benefit of natural gas and mining com- using clean energy to power industries that • A SD is held in trust by the landlord to cover any damage caused by a tenant or panies, not residential customers; this ex- pollute the environment and release large his or her guests beyond normal wear and tear during the tenancy. pense will likely be reflected in higher rates amounts of greenhouse gases. While the • A landlord can charge only one SD per rental unit no matter how many people for all customers. study sounds an alarm, it also presents a are included to the tenancy agreement. A SD cannot be more than 50 percent of the first • positive alternative vision. There are few requirements on month’s rent. “The heart of this study is hopeful,” says industry to conserve electricity. • A tenant should pay the SD when signing the tenancy agreement. Once paid, the • To meet the industrial demands John Calvert, co-author of Clean Electricity, tenancy could be considered to have started regardless of whether a tenancy agreement for electricity, the province has forced BC Conservation and Climate Justice in BC: is signed by the parties or not. Hydro to buy additional power from private Meeting Our Energy Needs in a Zero-Car- • If, at commencement of a rental agreement, a landlord does not require a SD to suppliers. This private power is very ex- bon Future. “Here in BC we should be able be paid, they cannot request one after the tenancy has started. pensive, contributing to even higher rates to meet our energy needs while sharply re- • A landlord cannot require a tenant to give up any or all of the SD at tenancy’s for residential customers. ducing — and eventually eliminating — our end in a circumstance where a tenant may have breached the tenancy agreement (for The report includes seven recommen- greenhouse gas emissions.” example, by not giving proper written notice to vacate the rental unit). dations for overhauling BC’s energy plan- One of the key concerns raised by Cal- ning, including focusing on reducing GHG vert and co-author Marc Lee is the low rate Pet Deposits emissions, ramping up efficiency and that industrial customers pay for electricity • In BC, a landlord has the choice as to whether he or she will permit pets in resi- conservation measures, protecting low- in BC — lower than residential rates, and dential tenancies. income households from rate increases, roughly one third the cost that BC Hydro • In circumstances where pets are permitted, the landlord can charge a one-time and ending subsidies to polluting indus- pays to acquire new electricity supply. pet deposit, not to exceed 50 percent of the monthly rent. tries that create few jobs for British Colum- “When we offer cheap electricity to • The landlord can also restrict the size, number, or species of pet to be allowed. bians. these dirty industries, it’s ordinary British • PDs can only be used to cover costs incurred by a landlord where damage to the “BC lacks a long term plan for conserv- Columbian households and small busi- rental unit is caused by a pet. ing energy and moving away from fossil nesses who end up footing the bill,” says So, if a SD is required and a pet is also permitted on the rental premises, a landlord fuels, says Lee. “BC Hydro can and should Lee. “Even if the government delays rate may, at commencement of the rental agreement, charge a tenant the equivalent of one full be at the heart of an aggressive climate increases for political reasons, they’re still month’s rent in the form of deposits, but no more. action strategy.” coming.” Other key findings of the study include: Return of Security Deposits and Pet Deposits • Download Clean Electricity, Conservation and After a tenancy ends and the tenant has provided the landlord with a forwarding ad- The three major components of Climate Justice in BC: Meeting Our Energy BC’s current economic development strat- dress in writing, the landlord has 15 calendar days from receipt of the forwarding address Needs in a Zero-Carbon Future: www.policyal- to do one of the following: egy – mines, natural gas projects, and liq- ternatives.ca/electricity-justice uefied natural gas (LNG) plants – are very 1. Return the SD/PD in full to the tenant, with any accrued interest; 2. Return a portion of the SD/PD minus any deductions agreed to in writing by the tenant; or 3. Apply for Dispute Resolution (DR) at the Residential Tenancy Branch (“the New Hydro approvals disregard Branch”) requesting an Order to retain all or part of the SD/PD, in which case the landlord Canadian mining at odds with the right to food would then have to serve the tenant with legal documents in the prescribed manner, (a) advising the tenant of the landlord’s reasons for doing so, and (b) notifying the tenant of proven threat to BC rivers their right to respond at hearing. On the one hand, if a landlord does not comply with the Residential Tenancy Act in re- Wilderness Committee responds to the BC government’s approval of Tretheway turning a Security Deposit/Pet Deposit or does not make an application for DR requesting Creek, Shovel Creek and Big Silver Creek Waterpower Projects an Order to retain either or both, a Dispute Resolution Officer may make an order that the VANCOUVER – The Wilderness Com- rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, steelhead, cut- landlord pay double the amount of the deposit(s) to the affected tenant, and the landlord mittee expressed deep disappointment in throat trout and coho and sockeye salmon. may forfeit any right of claim to keep the deposits. late August, after the BC Environmental As- “Given the serious environmental prob- On the other hand, a landlord can keep all of a SD/PD if: sessment Office August 20 approved three lems Innergex has had on other power proj- 1. A tenant does not provide a forwarding address in writing within one year from new hydropower projects proposed by In- ects they operate, which include fish kills, the end of tenancy date; or nergex Renewable Energy Inc. for the Fra- this project shouldn’t have been approved. 2. The landlord has offered at least two opportunities for the outgoing Condition of ser Valley Regional District. Not only do we not need this over-priced Inspection Report (CIR) and for whatever reason the tenant did not participate on either This cluster of projects—to be situated and environmentally costly power, but once occasion. on Tretheway Creek, Shovel Creek and Big again the power projects are situated in fish In this latter instance, where a tenant does not make him- or herself available for the Silver Creek—could have serious impacts habitat,” said Gwen Barlee, policy director purposes of conducting an outgoing CIR, the tenant’s right of claim for recovery of the SD/ on the region’s ecosystems, including habi- with the Wilderness Committee. PD may also be forfeited as a result. tat loss and impacts on fish populations Experience has shown that many pri- due to ramping and water level fluctuations. vate power projects have significant down- Some further points The areas surrounding these three stream impacts, which have so far not been • A landlord is required in law to issue every tenant with a written rental agreement, creeks are home to screech owls, tailed properly addressed by proponents. Un- and that rental agreement may not provide that the landlord can automatically retain all or frogs, northern goshawks, harlequin ducks planned ramping events, which happen fre- part of the SD/PD at the end of tenancy. and the rare and endangered spotted owl. quently, have resulted in the stranding and • A landlord may issue and serve the tenant with a Notice to End a Residential Two of the three creeks, Tretheway and killing of fish downstream of operating fa- Tenancy (on a form approved by the Director of the Residential Tenancy Branch: Form Big Silver, are fish-bearing and support cilities. The BC government originally said #RTB - 33) if the tenant fails to pay the SD/PD within thirty days of commencing the rental run-of-river facilities were not to be located agreement. in fish habitat. • A tenant may not apply all or part of the SD/PD to rent without the written consent According to documents obtained by of the landlord. the Wilderness Committee through Free- • At the end of tenancy, the tenant may agree in writing that the landlord may retain dom of Information requests, Innergex- all or part of the SD/PD. owned projects have had problems with • The right of a landlord to retain or file a claim against a SD/PD for damage to the poor construction practices, habitat dam- rental unit is forfeited if: age and non-compliance in terms of flow ° the landlord does not offer the tenant at least two opportunities to conduct an outgo- management. ing CIR as required under the Act, or The approval of these projects also ° having made an inspection with the outgoing tenant, the landlord does not complete demonstrates the weakening of environ- the Condition Inspection Report (on the form required by the Residential Tenancy Regula- mental assessment processes in Canada, tion) or provide the tenant with a copy of it. as they were originally intended to be over- • The obligations of a landlord with respect to a SD/PD run with the land or rever- seen by federal agencies like the Depart- sion, meaning that, if the rental property is sold or changes hands, the new landlord retains ment of Fisheries and Oceans but did not these obligations. receive federal attention due to recently- changed legislation. If you have any questions about security or pet deposits, or if you need help with a dispute resolution process, please contact John or Yuka at TAPS at 250-361-3521.

For more information, readers can contact Gwen Barlee, Wilderness Committee policy director, at 604-202-0322. Jen Moore is the Latin America Program Coordinator for MiningWatch Canada. This article co-authored with Richard Girard was first published in Latin America in Movement Magazine. Jen Moore will be speaking in Victoria in November (see events calendar). Page 22 September 2012 BOOKS, PLAYS AND... Lower Island NEWS Eugene Forsey: A Maverick Sage for Our Times, by Helen Forsey Reviewed by Jan Slakov sage of laws that the majority of the elector- The vision of Canada that Eugene a religious creation. Democracy implies a ate doesn’t want, it also allows the govern- Forsey loved and worked for is much the belief in essential human equality. But .... “Where’s Eugene Forsey when you ment bullies to stay in power without truly same as the one put forth in John Ralston manifestly, human beings are not equal in need him?” people ask. Well, now you can having the support of the MPs we elected Saul’s book, Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine physical strength, in beauty, in intellect... find him in the new book, Eugene Forsey: in good faith.” Faced with this situation, she and Robert Baldwin. Both treasure Can- The only possible source for the idea of hu- Canada’s Maverick Sage, by his daughter, urges us to “collectively take on the role of ada’s distinct identity. As Saul explains, man equality is a conviction that, in spite of writer and activist Helen Forsey. citizen watchdog that [her father] modelled “Canada was created intellectually, inten- all the obvious inequalities, all are equal in This book is intended, not as a biogra- for us.” tionally, emotionally on purpose, to be a importance... That conviction is a religious phy of the late senator, but as “a portable Now, of course, the Harper Conserva- place [where] not just French and English conviction. Religiously speaking, equality is package of his gifts” - something to help us tives have a majority – albeit a “false major- could live together, but all sorts of people not nonsense, but truth.” carry on his legacy of working for the com- ity”, with less than 40% of the popular vote, could live together.” I find it fascinating to consider Fors- mon good of our country and our planet. Its and some of those votes of questionable Helen Forsey explains that her father’s ey’s words in the context of one of Doris 16 chapters cover key themes of Forsey’s authenticity. Forsey, “a CCFer for as long “commitment to keeping the country to- Lessing’s 1986 Massey Lectures, entitled epic life: his roots in Newfoundland, his mix as there was a CCF”, and his friend and gether sprang from his passionate attach- “You Are Damned, We Are Saved.” Less- of socialist and conservative values, his in- mentor, former Conservative Prime Minis- ment to both Quebec and Canada, and ing points out that the tendency to divide tellectual rigour and lively wit, his love for ter Arthur Meighen, shared the conviction his vision of harmony amidst a diversity he humanity into groups of different value, of this country and his willingness to serve that “wherever partisan interests conflicted profoundly honoured. His stance may have “us” and “them”, is a phenomenon not only it as a constitutional watchdog and moral with truth and principle, truth and principle been controversial, and it was often mis- of many religious belief systems, but of po- compass. must take precedence.” The book de- understood, but it was no contradiction. Its litical and social movements as well. She Since so many of the issues Forsey scribes how Forsey put this into practice, unambiguous source was, as they say in sees young people as particularly suscep- tackled are still with us today, the stories, quoting his fellow CCFer, R.L. Calder: “I Jamaica, ‘One Love’.” tible to this dangerous way of seeing the analysis and excerpts from his writings are change my party as I change my shirt, and There is no doubt that if Eugene Forsey world and suggests “the kindest, wisest offered as a kind of toolkit for our times. for the same reason.” were alive today, he would be one of the wish we have for the young” must be that But the book is much more than that; both With leadership from British Columbia people labelled by the current Conserva- they never live in a time when the devalua- father and daughter live in its pages. The MPs, many progressive Canadians today tive government as “radicals”. Thanks to tion of the “other” as somehow lesser gets challenges and rewards of their loving re- are trying to combat the way partisan in- the over-the-top attacks on their opposition, terribly out of hand. lationship invite the reader to connect as terests hamper effective opposition to the this epithet has become a kind of badge With this in mind, it seems to me one of well, to reflect, to question, to learn. right-wing juggernaut. NDP leadership can- of honour for many Canadians today. But the best gifts we, as Canadians, can give Canada’s Maverick Sage arrives at a didate Nathan Cullen won huge support for even in Forsey’s time, it was hardly a put- to future generations, is to continue to seek crucial time in Canada’s history. As the au- his innovative and politically courageous down. To be a radical is to get at the root guidance from people like the late “mav- thor notes, “outrageous political behaviour efforts to enable inter-party cooperation causes, instead of addressing issues in a erick sage” Eugene Forsey. This book fa- has increasingly become the norm, with for reclaiming the Canada we love. Green superficial way. cilitates that task, and makes it thoroughly Parliament treated as a mere showcase Party leader Elizabeth May, a tireless “citi- For Eugene Forsey, spiritual convictions enjoyable as well. [...] The art of political bullying has recently zen watchdog” in her own right, continually were of prime importance. In a convocation reached new heights.... We’ve seen op- reaches out across party lines to work to- speech at Carleton University, he urged Jan Slakov shares with fellow activist Helen position MPs, who ought to know better, wards the common good. And at the recent students to draw upon the “deep spiritual Forsey, a “respect for context and complexity, fooled by a Machiavellian government and Green Party convention two of the keynote resources which our generation has too which have evolved from our geographical and historical realities”. She is deeply grateful to an ignorant press into believing that defeat- speakers were independent MP Bruce Hyer often rejected or neglected.” His spiritual Helen for carrying on the legacy of her father, ing the government on any bill would auto- and former Liberal leader Stéphane Dion. and political convictions were inextricably standing on guard for the beautifully diverse and matically ‘trigger an election’. [...] Not only As Mr. Dion once said, “it is never a waste linked: “Logically and historically,” he wrote, complex set of relationships known as Cana does such craven behaviour allow the pas- of time when you are doing the right thing”. “democracy is a religious conception and

PEOPLE’S CITIZENSHIP GUIDE: A EL PROBLEMA THE GENETIC MATRIX : The Victoria premiere of EL PROB- THE SCHMEISER CASE response to conservative Canada, by Esyllt LEMA, a film about Western Sahara, Jones and Adele Perry, 2012. Arbeiter Ring Publishing. Winnipeg, MN, Spain’s last colony that became Africa’s AND THE FIGHT FOR Canada last colony will be held on November 26. Review by Theresa Wolfwood THE FUTURE OF LIFE. Produced by The Council of Canadians “Canada has a capitalist economy which means that the bulk of decisions are made by This award winning documentary is the & Dead Crow Productions. Written, Di- private, for-profit firms hiring wage labour...The Canadian economy is an unequal one... result of four years of clandestine investiga- rected, Filmed and Edited by Ian Mauro. Since the 1980s Canada has become more liberal and less equal. Its tax system is less tion into the lives of the Saharawi people Winnipeg, Canada. 2004 DVD and VHS. progressive.” and their struggle for independence by 40 minutes. Contact: ianmuaro@u. Spanish film makers Jordi Ferrer and Pablo manitoba.ca Intended for recent immigrants as a response to the official citizenship guide which Vidal. This powerful and moving film has lauds Canada’s military history and the monarchy, this book is a little gem which should won many awards and stirred the hearts This film provides a good background to be read by all Canadians. A group of Canadian academics, activists and writers have and minds of thousands of viewers at major the issues of genetic engineering and the produced a concise and clear history of Canada – a history we don’t learn in school, from international film festivals. patenting and corporate control of seeds textbooks or government documents. El Problema is the winner of the and foods revealed when Percy and Louise The images from our past to recent times are an important part of our story and our Amnesty International Prize at the San Schmeiser of Bruno, Saskatchewan decid- sense of nationhood. Sebastian Film Festival in 2010, Human ed not to capitulate to Monsanto´s threats Articles cover many of the shameful and racist policies and actions by government Rights Human Wrongs Film Festival in and fought the giant chemical company in including our systemic abuse of aboriginal peoples and the betrayal of the Metis. The au- Oslo 2010, and the First Prize at FISAHA- the courts. Canadian and international ex- thors also cover our racism against Asian peoples, brought here to perform the hard and RA 2010 International Sahara Film Festi- perts explain the many aspects of this com- dirty labour of railroad construction, mines and the lumber industry. And when we did not val. plex case. want them we sent them back as in the notorious incident of the Komagata Maru in 1914 The film includes testimonies from We see the Schmeisers through their and the internment and property theft inflicted upon Japanese-Canadians during WW2. men and women who are prohibited by ordeal ending in the Supreme Court of The records of social movements--women, labour and peace activists are well docu- the Moroccan authorities from any physi- Canada where although Schmeisers won mented in this book right up to the G20 demonstrations and police violence in Toronto in cal expression of their Saharawi identity, some concessions, Monsanto was given 2011. These are important parts of our history and it is inspiring to read about decades of including singing as well as public demon- the right to continue its bullying of farm- struggle by dedicated citizens for universal human and civil rights, universal healthcare strations. Prevented from using the name ers and its contamination of food crops in and many other social and legal rights which are now under attack by our conservative Western Sahara, they refer to the plight of Canada. The right of citizens to say NO to government which is bloating our military budget as it cuts vital services. the Saharawi people as “the problem”. genetically modified food products is being The authors explain our provincial and territorial histories, economies and government whittled away. Internation- structures in a straightforward way and they have even provided a section on truly Cana- Monsanto has recently given $10 M ally renowned hu- dian symbols like poutine and Inuksuk. to The University of Manitoba- with an man rights activist For this reviewer the People’s Citizenship Guide is an excellent and highly readable ex-Liberal Cabinet Minister as President - Aminatou Haidar overview of Canada; at the same time it is a clear and welcoming invitation for new im- where this filmmaker works, Its partner in (photo), who migrants and settled citizens to be active and engaged in creating a better and equitable research is the provincial government. Cor- went on a hun- society for all. porate control of education is another seri- ger strike for 32 ous issue. Theresa Wolfwood is the director of the Barnard-Boecker Centre Foundation in Victoria. Her articles, days in Novem- At issue is the right of farmers to save reports, poetry and book reviews are posted on www.bbcf.ca. ber 2009, is inter- and use their own seed, one billion farm- viewed in the film ers still do, but in Canada that right is being which shows the lives of many Saharawi eroded with the complicity of our govern- who dare to stand up for their rights. BENNETT...the Rebel Who Challenged and Changed a Nation, by J. ments resulting in what Percy Schmeiser Boyko, GOOSE LANE El Problema will premiere at 8 pm calls, The greatest theft and fraud I have This is a highly readable book about the life of a politician. A Rebel and on November 26 at Cafe Simpatico, 1923 ever seen in my lifetime. The Schmeisers a Conservative made up a highly unlikely personage to lead this country in Fernwood Road, sponsored by the Cen- say that the fight must continue at the level the depth of the Great Depression. The book is replete with a collector›s tral America Support Committee, Mining of parliaments and political action. Citi- Justice Action Committee and the Barnard- series of rare photographs. zens must exercise their responsibility for Boecker Centre Foundation. the good of all, our environment and future generations. HIKING TRAIL OF CAPE BRETON, 2nd. ed., by M. Haynes, GOOSE Discussion about Canada’s role in the Western Sahara, including Canadian min- Louise Schmeiser says the fundamen- LANE ing companies, the Canada Pension Plan tal issue is, Who owns life This little handbook is replete with eye catching photographs. Hikers of and the Canada-Morocco Free Trade _--bbcf the trail will find it a useful adjunct when deciding what parts of the island will Agreement and action proposals will follow be most attractive for them. Don’t do Cape Breton without it. the screening. Admission by donation. --Ron MacIsaac For information contact: [email protected]. Lower Island N/ews September 2012 Page 23 Calendar of coming events CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT Board executive, president Mike Eso, treasurer, your support by purchasing tickets by the OVER MINED, UNDER RULED: justice meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday Stan Dzbik, and secretary Kim Manton. t 778-426-3401 or by email at fsylvester@ activism and corporate regulation. This of every month, at 1:30 pm at the CRD tsawoable (8 persons) for$1,000. or per talk will take place Thursday, November 15, offices at 625 Fisgard Street in Victoria. BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW: An person $150. For more information contact at the University of Victoria, Harry Hickman Evening with Adrian Dix and Maurine Kara- Farrah Sylvester atut.ca or Edith Loring- Room 105, from 7pm to 9pm. Guest speak- CENTRAL SAANICH RESIDENTS ARE gianis will be held on Tuesday, October 2, Kuhanga at [email protected]. ers will be NDP MP Peter Julian (Bill C-323 invited to attend regular neighbourhood at 7 p.m., in the Archie Browning Sports Tax receipts available. and the need for corporate regulation) and gatherings, held every Friday night at 7 pm Centre, The Crow’s Nest (1151 Esquimalt Jen Moore (Latin America Program Coor- at Spelt’s Coffee Shop, 7586 East Saan- Road). Light refreshments and no-host bar BELONGING VICTORIA presents a cut- dinator with MiningWatch). Sponsored by ich Road, in Saanichton. Share stories, Tickets $75. For more information or to re- ting-edge summit on October, 19 and 20 Mining Justice Action Committee (MJAC), books, talk politics and enjoy hot coffee. serve tickets, contact Jayne or Barbara at (please see poster on page 19). By pre- UVic Social Justice Studies, CUPE and Nothing is taboo. No pretentiousness, no 250-634-8637 or esquimaltroyalroads@ senting workshops and group sessions - in South Island NDP. For more information meeting agenda...just a chance to chat gmail.com. This is a fundraiser for Esqui- a world -- cafe style -- on the subject of contact Heather at [email protected] or with neighbours and build community. malt-Royal Roads New Democrats youth homelessness, it strives to pool to- Sharlene at [email protected]. Call 250-652-8228 for further information. gether various resources and act as a kind of conduit for young people to meet others El Problema will premiere at 8 pm TSAWOUT GALA DINNER, a fundraising on November 26 at Cafe Simpatico, 1923 THE VICTORIA LABOUR COUNCIL rep- and grow together. See www.belongingvic- event for rebuilding the longhouse, will be Fernwood Road, sponsored by the Cen- resenting affiliated unions in the Greater toria.com for more information or contact held on Saturday, October 27, at 5pm in tral America Support Committee, Mining Victoria area, holds its regular monthly Diane on twitter @dwalshmedia and Be- the Tsawout First Nation gymnasium, 7728 Justice Action Committee and the Barnard- meetings at 7 pm on the 3rd Wednesday longing Victoria Founder Adam Clarkson Tetayut Rd, Saanichton. There will be an el- Boecker Centre Foundation. each month at the BCGEU Auditoriam, egant plated four course meal with a variety by email at Adam at belongingvictoria@ 2994 Douglas Street, Victoria. All del- of entertainment including the Cowichan gmail.com. gates are welcome to come to meet their Tzinquaw Dancers and live auction. Show

Who did my pension kill today? By Theresa Wolfwood on being a “non-nuclear nation”, so it ap- within Canada. This I paid into the mandatory Canada Pen- pears as both deceitful and hypocritical company purchases sion Plan (CPP) for years as many Cana- that our CPP contributions are invested in phosphates from dians do; now I receive monthly pension nuclear weapons as well as arms manufac- Western Sahara, CPP. It is a symbol of Canada’s social ser- turing of all kind. mined by a Moroc- vices and the universality of benefits, a rea- Investments in Canadian mining com- co state company. son to be proud of our social system. panies that operate abroad are not moni- Western Sahara is So I was horrified to learn that in 1997 tored in Canada. Approximately 15% of the an occupied terri- by an Act of Parliament the CPP Invest- CPP’s investment in Canadian public equi- tory, occupied by ment Board (IB) was established with the ties is held in mining shares. Yet in recent force by the state agreement of nine provinces to invest our years there has been a growing awareness of Morocco in 1975. payments with this guiding directive, “Our of major human rights violations and envi- It is the home of a role is to invest the CPP Fund to maxi- ronmental destruction by Canadian compa- tough and deter- mize returns without undue risk of loss.” nies operating around the world. mined people, the The total investment of CPP IB is $165.8 To look at one example: Barrick Gold Saharawi, who are billion of which 51% are in equities; the in- which operates in Papua New Guinea, working for their investment in publicly traded companies is Peru and Tanzania in which CPP has independence and $56.4 billion. The IB states that they “are vested $330 million has been monitored self–determination broadly diversified across approximately by independent human rights groups which for their resource– 2,100 international and 400 Canadian pub- documented and recorded that security rich nation, the Sa- lic companies.” personnel employed at the Porgera mine in harawi Arab Demo- “Broadly diversified” is an understate- Papua New Guinea have committed major cratic Republic ment. These investments include mining crimes against local citizens including gang (SADR), now recog- companies with appalling environmental, rape, murder and torture. Barrick, which nized by more than social; and human rights records. They has mined billions of dollars worth of gold 50 nations. Almost include armament companies in Canada in its 20y years of operation, is the world’s half the Saharawi (companies which also receive handsome largest gold producer. were forced to flee subsides from our taxes) and the five lead- Goldcorp is another beneficiary of our from the Moroccan ing military manufacturers in the world, pension funds. It operates a large mine in military; many civil- which make many weapons, including nu- Guatemala where the destruction of the ians were killed en clear weapons. environment, exposure to toxic waste, the route to refugee A small group including representatives unauthorized use of community land has camps in Algeria. from Vancity Ethical Fund and this writer seriously affected the health and social Prisons in Morocco presented a submission to Michel Leduc, a fabric of Mayan communities in the region. are full of tortured vice-president of the Canada Pension Plan Community activists living near Guatema- and abused Saha- telling Canadian citizens that it is fine to Investment Board (CPP IB), at a private lan mine sites are regularly threatened, in- rawi who resist the occupation. Promises make money on massive human rights meeting on June 11, 2012 which preceded jured and some have been killed. for referendums have been broken and abuses, including the killing of civilians, a public information meeting in Victoria with Vancouver-based Fortuna Silver Mines much of the world either ignores the illegal and the constant disregard for interna- the president and CEO of the CPP IB (via benefits from CPP IB investment. I went and unjust situation or collaborates with tional law and agreements that Canada live video, at nine meetings at same time, to Oaxaca, Mexico in March to meet with Morocco, now negotiating a Free Trade supposedly respects and should abide across Canada). Bernardo Vasquez Sanchez, a local resi- Agreement with Canada. by in Palestine and Western Sahara. We expressed our concerns on many dent and coordinator of Peoples United CAE Inc. of Montreal where CPP has There are many alternatives to uneth- issues; not only concerns about investment for the Ocotlan Valley (CPUVO) and Na- invested more than$16M describes itself as ical investment. Norway’s Pension Fund in corporations whose products kill and cor- tional Assembly of the Environmentally Af- a “global leader in the design of sophisti- is a leader in ethical investment. porations whose operations are implicated fected people. He was assassinated, and cated military training systems...” and has Pension funds, both public and pri- in assassinations of community activists. his brother and cousin were wounded, the supplied these technologies to “more than vate wield an enormous financial power. We also expressed concern that the CPP night before I reached Oaxaca. 30 nations”. It has received many grants Citizens can make sure their savings IB is increasing its investments abroad, in- This is not the first death of a commu- from our federal government. In 2009, CAE are not invested in killing by divesting stead of in Canada, where laws regarding nity activist opposed to the Trinidad mine at was given $250 million of our tax money; their own unethical investments and call- environment, health and human rights are San Jose el Progreso near Oaxaca, oper- we were told this would provide high quality ing on their private funds to divest from more stringent and easier for Canadians to ated by Minera Cuzcatlan, a subsidiary of employment to Canadian workers, includ- killing companies. They can raise aware- monitor. Fortuna Silver Mines. Another community ing scientists and engineers. Six weeks ness of unethical investments in all pen- We expressed our concern that there leader was killed and one injured in Janu- later, CAE slashed 700 workers. sion and mutual funds, demand ethical seemed to be no overall vision or under- ary, 2012. The latest shooting incident oc- CAE made guidance systems for the policies and eventually change the Act of standing of the global economic crisis; in curred in June, with several people injured; attack helicopters that killed nine people Parliament that controls CPP investment. fact IB officials boasted about picking up the gunmen were identified. Observers re- when Israel invaded the Mavi Mara, carry- bargains in countries that were suffering port that these were targeted shootings at ing aid to Gaza in 2010. To read the submission made to the CPP IB, a economic problems. Most CPP invest- community activists. In 2011 CPP had $1.5 billion invested report on the meetings and more action sug- ments are passive and uninvestigated; One of the main reasons for opposition in companies trading with Israel. This pres- gestions and references: http://www.bbcf. they are from the stock index published by to this mining operation is the vast amount ents a major ethical issue for Canadians ca/_articles/cpp.pdf and http://www.bbcf.ca/_ brokers. of water used and the contamination by and the use of our pension funds. Israel articles/letter_potash.pdf All investments are listed on the CPP IB chemicals of the water supply of residents has and continues to violate international Action alerts on Canadian mining companies are also posted on www.bbcf.ca. website; information is available on CPP IB and farms. CPP IB is investing in compa- law and human rights agreements in its oc- and company websites. nies that operate in communities where cupation of the West Bank of Palestine and How do pensions kill? CPP invests in their presence results in violence and con- its invasion and enclosure of Gaza. Israel foreign weapons corporations including flict. illegally occupies land for commercial and some of the world’s top arms companies, residential purposes in the West Bank, im- Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boe- Who killed Bernardo? prisons children, harasses, threatens and ing and General Dynamics of USA and BAE Another example of CPP IB killing in- kills Palestinian civilians. Systems and Rolls-Royce of UK. Some of vestments is Potash Corporation of Sas- By investing in more than 50 corpora- these companies also make nuclear weap- katchewan Inc., a company with an ex- tions including AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, ons, even though Canada has prided itself cellent record of community responsibility Hitachi Ltd. and Caterpillar Inc., CPP is Page 24 September 2012 Lower Island NEWS Directory of locations, organizations, publications of interest MLA COMMUNITY OFFICES BC, V8R 6S4, or visit their website at www.vic- phone 250-361-3521; fax 250-361-3541. paper and to subscribe. toriandp.ca. Cowichan Valley Community Of- Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Soci- Victoria Street Newz: An independent media fice, Bill Routley: MLA, 273 Trunk PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL ety: Third floor, 535 Yates Street, Victoria, BC, Dproject, working to end poverty and home- Road, Duncan, BC, or PO Box 599, Duncan, BC, NDP OFFICES V8W 2Z6 phone 250-361-9433, fax 250-361- lessness, sold by low income individuals on the V9L 3X9, phone 250-715-0127, toll free 1-877- 1914 or see website www.virca.bc.ca. streets of Victoria BC Canada, unceded Coast Salish Indigenous territory. Street Newz offers a 715-0127, fax 250-715-0139, email bill.routley. BC New Democrats: 5367 Kingsway, Burnaby, [email protected]. BC, V5H 2G1, phone 604-430-8600, fax 604- Victoria Labour Council: 219-2750 Quadra reliable alternative to corporate or government 432-9517, toll free 1-888-868-3637. street, Victoria, BC, V8T 4E8, phone 250-384- controlled media. It provides a dignified way for Esquimalt-Royal Roads Community Office, 8331, fax 250-384-8381, email [email protected].; low and/or no income people to earn a few ex- Mike Eso, president, Stan Dzbik, treasurer, Kim tra bucks and participate in the local economy. Maurine Karagianis, MLA: A5-100 Ældersmith Canada’s New Democrats: 300-279 Laurie Place, View Royal, BC, V9A 7M8, phone 250- West, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5J9, phone 613-236- Manotn, secretary It publishes research and opinions and photos 479-8326, email maurine.karagianis.mla@ 3613, toll free, 1-866-525-2555, fax 613-230- and art from you, the people. They print on 100% leg.bc.ca or visit her website at www.maurinek- 9950, TTY: 1-866-776-7742. Victoria Peace Centre: Box 8307, Victoria, post consumer recycled newsprint and work on a aragianis.ca. BC, V8W 3R9, hone/fax 250-592-8307, email shoe-string budget with no overhead. They don’t [email protected] or visit website at www.vic- accept corporate or government money. OTHER GROUPS peace.ca. Juan de Fuca Community Office, John Hor- YOU MAY WANT TO REACH gan, MLA, 800 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria, BC ALTERNATIVE WEBSITES V9B 2X7, phone 250-391-2801, email john.hor- World Wildlife Federation: 410-245 Eglington Amnesty International--Canadian Section: Avenue East, Toronto, ON, M4P 3J1, phone www.alternet.org--A US website featuring alter- [email protected]. www.amnesty.org 1-800-26-PANDA, fax 416-489-8055, website native articles on US and world politics, an online www.wwf.ca. magazine and information source. Saanich South Community Office, Lana Po- BC Council of Senior Citizens Organizations: pham, MLA: 4085 Quadr Street, Victoria, BC, v8 phone 604-438-3221. 1K5, email [email protected], or visit United Nations Association of Canada www.avaaz.org/en/global--By confronting such (UNAC)--Victoria Branch: 202-3293 Douglas threats as global warming together, Avaaz hopes website at www.saanichsouth.ca. BC Latin American Congress: 4184 Brant Street, Victoria, BC, V8Z 3K9, phone 250-475- to build a more just, tolelrant and vibrant world. Street, Vancouver, BC, V5N 5B4, phone 604- 2868, fax 250-475-5898, email unavic@coast- Victoria-Beacon Hill Community Office, Car- 879-3246, fax 604-872-6776, email bclac@vcn. net.com or website www.unac.org. www.counterpunch.org--An American website ole James, MLA: 1084 Forst Street, Victoria,BC, bc.ca. V8V 3K4, phone 250-952-4211, fax 250-952- with a left-wing viewpoint. ALTERNATIVE PUBLICATIONS 4586, email [email protected]. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: 410- http://dominionpaper.ca--A Canadian ezine 75 Albert Street, Ottawa ON, K1P 5E7, phone Canadian Dimension Magazine: An indepen- covering national and international stories that Victoria-Swan Lake Community Office, Rob 613-563-1341, fax 613-233-1458, email ccpa@ dent forum for Left-wing political thought and dis- mainstream sources maynot cover. Fleming, MLA: 1020 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, policyalternatives.ca, website www.policyalter- cussion — including just about the entire range of BC, V8T 2A2, email [email protected]. natives.ca. what passes for the Left in Canada. A few years www.globalproblematique.net--is an invitation ago we adopted the banner “a magazine for peo- to participate in a carefully conceived sustain- MPs and COMMUNITY OFFICES Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives--BC ple who want to change the world”. That’s still ability-oriented process. The story is organized Office, 1400-207 West Hastings Street, Van- a good summary of who we are. Subscriptions as a linear flow. First it explains why and how we Randall Garrison, MP, House of Commons, couver, BC, V6B 1H7, phone 604-801-5121, fax from $29.99. See http://canadiandimension.com address the World Problematique in this fashion. Confederation Building,Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6, 604-801-5122, website: ww.pollicyalternatives. for more information.Or contact them by mail at Then, it branches out into four distinct, interactive email [email protected]. ca. Canadian Dimension, 2E-91 Albert Street, Win- threads. For more information go to the website. nipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1G5, or by phone at 204- Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca Community Office, Canadian Health Coalition: phone 613-233- 957-1519 or oll-ree: 1-800-737-7051. http://newsdaily.ca--CanadaNewsdaily.ca is Randall Garrison, MP., A2-1000 Aldersmith 1018. a good (and bad) news service with a refresh- Place, Victoria, BC, V9A 7M8, open 10 am-4 pm, COMER (Committee on Monetary and Eco- ingly non-corporate view of the news, from local Monday-Thursday or by appointment. Phone Canadian Labour Congress (Pacific Region): nomic Reform): Reform-minded focus fcus on to global stories, with features, opinion, analysis- 250-405-4550; fax 250-405-4568. 201-5118 Joyce Street, Vancouver, BC, V5R monetary issues and how they affect our society. -all for free, including classfied ads. Newsdaily 4H1; Regional Representative Iris Taylor, phone Membership: $50; journal only $30. Contact covers Canadian and world news, plus a fo- Jean Crowder, MP, House of Commons, Con- 604-430-6766, ext 267, fax 604-430-6762. them at 27 Sherbourne Street North, Suite 1, cused look at British Columbia, Victoria, and the federation Building, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6., Toronto, ON M4W 2T3; tel: 416-924-3964; fax: Islands. email crowder1A@@parl.gc.ca. Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Mid- 416-466-5827; email: comerpub [at] comer.org. dle East, Victoria Chapter: Victoria, BC, phone [email protected] Nanaimo-Cowichan Community Office, Jean 250-978-9325, email frances.everett@cjpme. CCPA Monitor: a monthly journal sent free to set up to discuss the implications the Multilateral Crowder, MP, 101-128 Ingram Street,. Duncan, org. Enquiries, new members, guests welcome. all members, and published by the Canadian Agreement on on Investments, this website and BC, V9L 1P1, email [email protected] or CJPME’s website can be found at www.cjpme. Centre for Policy Alternatives, Canada’s leading related email list now discuss world-wide devel- visit her website at www.jeancrowder.ca. org. organization for articulating progressive, posi- opments of concern to left wing readers. tive social policy reform. Ever constructive and Council of Canadians, Victoria Chapter: PO PROVINCIAL NDP independent. Contact them at CCPA National www.pejnews.com--Peace, Earth & Justice Box 5515, 1625 Fort Street, Victoria, BC, phone CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATIONS Office, Suite 500, 251 Bank Street, Ottawa ON, News, a free email and web service, provides 250-360-8448, email victoriacouncilofcanadi- K2P 1X3; tel: 613-563-1341; fax: 613-233-1458; news, opinion and analysis of peace, environ- [email protected] or visit www.victoriacouncilofca- Cowichan Valley New Democrats: Write PO email: [email protected]. ment (earth) and justice issues. Stay informed nadians.ca. Box 102, Duncan, BC, V9L 1P0, or contact presi- with postings often days, weeks and months dent EllenOxman t 250-701-4980 or email her at The Democrat: Published by the BC NDP, 5367 ahead of the mainstream media, and often never Canadian Wildlife Federation: 350 Michael [email protected]. Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, V5H 2G1. Subscriptions covered in the mass market. PEJ News is pro- Cowpland Drive, Kanata, ON, K2M 2W1, phone $10 per year. duced entirely by volunteers, and is a project of 1-800-563-9453, or visit www.cwf-fcf.org. Esquimalt-Royal Roads New Democrats: the non-profit Prometheus Institute based in Vic- Write Box 231, 110-174 Wilson Street, Victoria, New Internationalist: A magazine from New toria, Canada. Ecojustice (formerly Sierra Legal): 214-131 BC, V9A 7N7 or email esquimaltroyalroads@ Internationalist Publications, a co-operative- Water Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4M3, phone gmail.com. run publisher based in Oxford, England. It has www.policyalternatives.ca--The Canadian 1-800-926-7444. editorial and sales offices in Toronto, Canada; Centre for Policy Alternatives’ webpage offers Juan de Fuca New Democrats: Phone presi- Adelaide, Australia; Christchurch, New Zea- research reports, books amd opinion pieces on Human Rights Internet: www.hri.ca. dent John Lewiniski at 250-391-1686 or email land; and New York, USA. It describes itself as isues of social and economic justice. him at [email protected]. “exist[ing] to report on the issues of world poverty Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria: and inequality; to focus attention on the unjust www.rabble.ca--A cheeky site offering original phone 250-388-4728, fax 250-386-4395. Oak Bay-Gordon Head New Democrats: Write relationship between the powerful and powerless stories, feature articles and columns from some PO Box 5539, LCD 9, Victoria, BC, V8R 6S4 or worldwide; to debate and campaign for the radi- of the progresssive voices inCanada. Mining Justice Action Committee (MJAC): contact president Keith todd at 250-598-8039 or cal changes necessary to meet the basic needs contact Heather Tufts at [email protected] or by email at [email protected]. of all; and to bring to life the people, the ideas www.straightgoods.ca--A watchdog working Sharlene Ptterson at [email protected]. and the action in the fight for global justice. Con- for Canadian consumers and citizens. Saanich North and the Islands New Demo- tact them by phone, toll free at 1-800-661-8700. NAPO (National Anti-Poverty Organization) crats: Email president Allan Collier at silcol@ (Mon-Fri 9 AM to 5 PM, EST), or email them at: www.thetyee.ca--BC news and views from a News: advocates for the poor in communities, telus.net. [email protected]; or write to: New Interna- non-corporate perspective. courts and poliltical arenas, www.napo-onap.ca. tionalist, PO Box 819, Markham, ON L3P 8A2. Saanich South New Democrats: Write PO Box New Internationalist is published 10 times a year. www.truthout.org--US website with Real news. NDP Socialist Caucus: www.ndpsocialists.ca. 30041, Saanich Centre Postal Outlet, Victoria, Regular subscription rates: Canada: $44 plus “Our aim and ongoing struggle as New Demo- BC, V8X 5E1, phone 250-479-1100, or email GST or HST (NL, NS, NB). www.victoriacarshare.ca--If you don’t want to crats must be to establish a Socialist Canada.” [email protected]. own a car, but still need to drive one sometimes, Our Times: Canada’s independent labour maga- then this website may be for you. Parliamentary website lists all federal cabinet Victoria-Beacon Hill New Democrats: Write zine and read by most labour organizations and ministers, parliamentary scretaries and opposi- PO Box 8523, Victoria, BC, V8W 3S1 attention other supporters of working people. Check its www.vivelecanada.ca--The mission of Vive ton spokeseprsons. Visit www.parl.gc.ca/infor- P president Marilyn Callahan. website at www.ourtimes.ca. le Canada is to protect and improve Canadian mation/about/people/key/critic.asp?language=E sovereignties and democracy through education, Victoria-Swan Lake New Democrats: Contact The Left Coast Events listserve and webpage dialogue, and advocacy, especially using exist- Seniors’ Advocacy Services, sponsored by president Darcy Lindberg at darcy.lindberg@ provides a forum for sharing information about ing and emerging communications tools. We the Greater Victoria Seniors (OAPO) organiza- gmail.com, or write PO Box 282, 1681 Hillside upcoming events committed to uncovering vari- believe that the direction of this country should tion, are available on Mondays and Thursdays Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8T 2C1. ous dimensions of social and environmental jus- be set by its citizens, rather than by corporations from 9:00 am to noon and 1:00-4:00 pm at the tice. Anyone can add an event and doing so is or corporate trade bodies/trade agreements, the Blanshard Community Centre, 901 Kings Road FEDERAL NDP RIDING ASSOCIATIONS free for not-for-profit organizing and actions. Visit United States, or a small number of Canadian (KIng and Dowler Streets), close to the #4 and leftcoastevents.org to add an event, for more in- corporate elites. #6 buses on Quadra Street. Service is free, and Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca New Democrats: formation or to subscribe. provided by trained volunteers. For further infor- Contact president Jock Bates at wanzbates@ www.wsws.org--The World Socialist Web Site mation phone 250-388-7696. shaw.ca or write to PO Box 622, 105-1497 Admi- The Dominion: a monthly paper published by is the Internet centre of the International Commit- rals Road, Victoria, BC, V9A 2P8. an incipient network of independent journalists tee of the Fourth International (ICFI). It provides Seniors Serving Seniors: 109-1022 Pandora in Canada. It aims to provide accurate, critical analysis of major world events, comments on Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8V 3P5, phone 250-382- Nanaimo-Cowichan New Democrats: Contact coverage that is accountable to its readers and political, cultural, historical and philosophical is- 4331. president Sue Creba at 250-753-3371 or email the subjects it tackles. Taking its name from sues, and valuable documents and studies from her at [email protected]. Canada’s official status as both a colony and a the heritage of the socialist movement. South Island Health Coalition, an affiliate of colonial force, the Dominion examines politics, the BC Health Coalition. If you are concerned Saanich-Gulf Islands New Democrats: Con- culture and daily life with a view to understand- about access affordability and quallity of health tact president Jack Greenwell at 250-477-3549 ing the exercise of power. It can be purchased at care in our community, get ivolved by calling co- or by email to [email protected] or Irene Bolen Books, Victoria, Camas Books & Infoshop, chairs Dale Perkins at 250-592-5487 or Wendy Wright (Gulf Islands) by phone/fax at 250-537- Victoria, Dark Horse Books, Victoria, and Mun- Strong at 250-592-1222. 5347, or email to [email protected]. ro’s Bookstore Ltd, Victoria.Or suscribe and Re- Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS): Victoria New Democrats: To contact president ceive an email notice when a new issue is online: 302-895 Fort Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1H7, Erik Kaye, write to Box 5380, LCD9, Victoria, Visit http://www.dominionpaper.ca/ to view the