Friends of the Lower Island News the Utter Inhumanity and Callousness of Complaints That They Can No Longer Afford Their Actions
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Lower Island NEWS An Independent Democratic Socialist Newspaper Serving the Lower Island Area for 27 Years Volume 28 Issue #1 February/March 2011 Victoria, BC NDP federal leader speaks in Victoria NDP Leader Jack Layton was met by a full house and a standing ovation from over 200 New Democrats and supporters when he arrived at Victoria’s Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre Sunday, January 23, to attend a fund- raising luncheon sponsored by all the lower Island NDP riding associations. Following a buffet luncheon, Victoria MP Denise Savoie took the microphone to explain that Layton had been delayed by the morning fog, and instead of flying over from Vancouver, was taking the ferry to Nanaimo and would arrive shortly. She introduced all the politicians present, including Jean Crowder, MP for Cowichan- Nanaimo; Edith Loring-Kuhanga, NDP can- didate for election in Saanich-Gulf Islands; and Randall Garrison, who was acclaimed as NDP candidate for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca at a separate meeting Sunday evening, also attended by Layton. Savoie talked briefly about her work and successes in Parliament, and mentioned that January was the fifth anniversary of her elec- tion as a Member of Parliament. “I have challenged the government to act on a range of issues,” she said, “and have worked hard for the people of Victoria.” Asked to speak, Loring-Kuhanga first recognized the Songees Nation, on whose sacred territory the meeting was being held. Photo by Heather Tufts She then explained why she had got involved NDP leader Jack Layton speaks at a nomination meeting held by Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca New Democrats the evening of in politics, and spoke of the values she was Janury 23. Randall Garrison was acclaimed. Earlier, Layton addressed a crowd of more than 200 members and supporters at a raised with fundraising luncheon held at the Ambrosia Conference and Event Centre in Victoria. “I am looking forward to joining the NDP caucus in Ottawa after the next election, as they are the hardest working. Garrison then spoke about the need for a living wage policy, and told the audience that as a City of Equimalt councillor, he had brought the concept forward. As a result, a living wage is now a principle for that com- munity. He also mentioned the diversity of candidates being nominated by the NDP in Greater Victoria, pointing out that one is a francophone woman, one a First Nations woman, and one a gay man. On his arrival, Layton immediately took the microphone to laud Savoie for her work in Parliament, and for her constituency work, including leading opposition to the mega marina in Victoria harbour. He also recognized former MP, now BC MLA, Dawn Black for stepping forward to fill the position of interim Opposition Leader in BC, and for helping to bring the party together again. Talking about federal politics, he com- mented that attack ads are offensive. “We are ready for the election,” he said, pointing out that people feel that Ottawa is broke, and out of touch. “Millions of people are living in poverty,” he said. “We could lift them out of poverty for the cost of the tax cut to the corporations.” His comments brought the audience to their feet several times, with prolonged Photo by Heather Tufts applause. Also speaking at the event were (l-r) Randall Garrison, NDP candidate for MP Esqimalt-Juan de Fuca; Jean Crowder, MP for At the end, Layton was asked to act as Cowichan-Nanaimo; Edith Loring-Kuhanga, candidate for MP for MP in Saanich-Gulf Islands; and Denise Savoie, MP for Vic- auctioneer for a number of donated goods, toria. Savoie, Crowder and Loring-Kuhanga were also at the evening meeting at which Garrison was nominated. including a night at a bed and breakfast on Salt Spring Island. A lively bidding session For more photos, see page 2 then took place under his direction Inside this issue Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement # 40008124 23 Return to: The Lower Island News Another way to choose 3 Box 311-2750 Quadra Street Truth and reconciliation 14 Victoria, BC V8T 4E8 Editorial and op/ed 4 The curse of the yellow dust 15 Letters to the editor 5 The Kestral 16 The BC “Water Muddle” 6 Vietnam revisted 17 Why tax cuts make us weak 7 Leadership contestants 18-19 Federal news 8-9 Say no to FGM 20 Provincial news 10-11 Book and other views 21-23 If schools are keystones... 12 Coming events caledar 23 Healing road paralysis 13 Directory 24 Page 2 February/March 2011 The Lower Island NEWS More photos from NDP leader Layton’s visit NDP leadership debate tour to Left, Randall Garrison makes his acceptance speech. take place in March and April Photo by Heather Tufts BURNABY -- BC NDP leadership candi- • Qualicum - March 28 dates will head out on an eight-stop leader- • Prince George - April 4 ship debate tour in March and April as part • Terrace - April 6 of the BC NDP leadership election. Events in Victoria and Metro Vancouver, as well as the issue theme for each event, “We’re very excited to be heading out will be announced in the coming days. One on the road with the candidates for leader of the leadership debates will also be broad- of our party,” said Jan O’Brien, BC NDP cast via internet video to allow members Provincial Secretary. “We’ll be stopping in who are unable to attend to participate. major centres across BC so that every New The BC New Democratic Party will be Democrat, and every British Columbia voter electing their next leader through a province- will have a chance to meet our candidates.” wide, one-member one-vote election on The tour stops include: April 17. A leadership assembly will take • Kelowna - March 21 Above, Layton place at the Vancouver Convention Centre • Kamloops - March 22 chats with Saanich- on that day. Gulf Islands candi- • Nelson - March 24 date Edith Loring- Kuhanga. Photo by Doreen Marion Gee Leadership election date set by BC NDP for April 17 BURNABY -- The BC NDP Provincial “Setting the date and location for the Council has voted to hold a leadership leadership election is a key step in the election on April 17, 2011. A leadership leadership election process,” said O’Brien. Left, NDP members assembly will take place at the Vancouver “Over the coming weeks we will continue anxiously await Convention Centre. to develop a comprehensive set of rules Layton’s arrival. “British Columbians are ready for a to govern the election, and we will ensure Photo by Doreen Marion Gee change from the reckless policies of the BC that this leadership election is run in a fair, Liberals, and New Democrats are moving transparent, and accessible manner.” forward with our leadership election,” said The Provincial Council ratified the ap- Jan O’Brien, provincial secretary of the pointment of a five-member leadership rules BC NDP. “It’s an exciting time to be a New committee. The committee is comprised of: Democrat in British Columbia, and we’re Brian Gardiner, former BC NDP pro- looking forward to a competitive leadership vincial secretary and former Member of election.” Parliament The leadership election will take place Colin Gabelmann, former BC Attorney through a one-member, one-vote election General process where each member of the NDP will Lorraine Shore, BC NDP vice president have an opportunity to vote. Members of the and lawyer BC NDP will be able to vote via telephone Marianne Alto, BC NDP vice president or internet during the leadership assembly, and Victoria City councillor (ex-officio) or via advance voting. Jan O’Brien, provincial secretary (ex- Individuals must be members of the BC officio) NDP for 90 days prior to the Election Day MLA Dawn Black was ratified as interim in order to be eligible to vote in the leader- leader by the BC NDP Provincial Council on ship race. the recommendation of the BC NDP caucus in early 2011. Leadership nomination rules will ensure fair, transparent election BURNABY -- The BC NDP Provincial Adrian Dix Executive approved January 13 rules for leadership nominations that will help ensure a fair, modern, and competitive leadership election. Leadership. Energy. Results. “The Leadership Rules Committee produced a set of thoughtful, fair, and transparent Candidate Nominations Rules that will help set the stage for an exciting • A leader with a Leadership Election,” said Jan O’Brien, BC NDP Provincial Secretary. proven track record The Leadership Election rules set a number of financial rules for leadership since the 2005 election: candidates, including a $175,000 spending limit, a $2,500 donation limit, and a require- working in constituencies ment that a list of campaign donors be made public prior to voting on April 17. all over BC and giving Candidates will be required to collect 250 nominating signatures from party mem- the NDP a high profile on bers throughout BC, and to remit a $15,000 entrance fee. the key issues. “New Democrats have long fought for electoral fairness in British Columbia, and our ideals are reflected in our candidate nomination rules,” said O’Brien. • A leader with values The deadline for candidates to submit their nomination to the party is February 28. and vision: presenting All candidates will be subject to the same ap- proval process as MLAs, which requires final solid NDP alternatives signoff by the party’s Provincial Executive. A committee of five senior party mem- on jobs and the economy, bers, including a former BC Attorney Gener- al and former BC NDP Provincial Secretary, on the environment, and developed the candidate nomination rules.