Lower Island NEWS An Independent Democratic Socialist Newspaper Serving the Lower Island Area for 26 Years Volume 27 Issue #1 February/March 2010 Victoria, BC

Rights and Democracy shake-up an “extraordinary scandal!” -- Broadbent Public appointments process is used to pursue ultra-conservative political agenda By Ish Theilheimer man rights but to have a specific political a lawyer with the pro-Israel B’nai Brith mocracy, has put on staff talking to media, OTTAWA -- Rights and Democracy, the agenda.” Canada; evangelist Michael Van Pelt of the the confiscation of cell phones from top staff, agency that promotes democracy interna- “This is a situation in which the govern- think tank Cardus, and Jacques Gauthier, and the suspicious disappearance, in a re- tionally and in Canada, is the latest victim ment is using the appointment process to “who spent 20 years working on a doctoral ported “break-in”, of three laptop computers of the Harper government’s drive to stamp pursue a very specific political agenda that thesis in which he argues that Jerusalem from top staff’s offices, all located in an 11th extreme conservative views on everything has resulted in an attack on the very integrity belongs to the Jews by international law” floor office building. it can, says its founding president. of Rights and Democracy,” Broadbent told according to Paul Wells of Macleans, the “It’s pretty appalling for an organization Ed Broadbent, founding president of PublicValues.ca in a phone interview. Until reporter who has followed this story best dedicated to human rights,” he said. the Montreal-based organization formally now, the organization has always had politi- and most closely. known as the International Centre for Hu- cal appointments, he said, “but it has never “There has been an incredibly vicious Some news articles of interest in- man Rights and Democratic Development, been subject to direct political influence.” assassination of the integrity of an institution clude: calls recent developments there an “extraor- Broadbent specifically requested people established to be independent of the govern- “How the Harperites ambushed the rights dinarily serious scandal”. with political experience from all political ment of the day,” said Broadbent. “It’s an at- agency”, Haroon Siddiqui, Toronto Star Troubles there became public in early parties to staff the organization. “I wanted tack on the internal work of the Centre’s staff www.thestar.com/opinion/article/757981-- January. Rights and Democracy’s presi- people with political experience. The man- that has immense international credibility.” how-the-harperites-ambushed-the-rights- dent, Rémy Beauregard, died of a heart date was human rights and democratic “What this does is it reflects on the on- agency. attack immediately after a turbulent board development. There’s nothing wrong with going interference of this government in so- “Rights and Democracy: Did the right meeting in which he and the Centre’s staff that. But never once did any cast a vote that called independent agencies.” He cited the hand know what the right hand was doing?”, were viciously attacked by recent political had any political connection.” RCMP review, the firing of Linda Keen from by Paul Wells, Macleans; www2.macleans. appointees over grants to organizations Now, he says, “you have a government the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, ca/2010/01/31/rights-and-democracy-did- working on social justice issues in the Middle that has put people there not for their com- and the recent attacks on diplomat Richard the-right-hand-know-what-the-right-hand- East. Harper’s recent appointees charged mitment to make independent judgments Colvin over detainee abuse as further ex- was-doing/ the grants were going to anti-Israeli organi- about human rights but to have a specific po- amples. “This government either repudiates “Rights and Democracy rips itself apart”, zations with terrorist connections, despite litical agenda, specifically about the Middle advice or attacks personally the people who Paul Wells, Macleans, posted: February extensive vetting with Canadian and inter- East. It’s incredible.” give it, or they don’t reappoint people who 1, 2010 national authorities. The entire 47-member staff of Rights demonstrated ability and commitment to Public Values (www.PublicValues.ca) is “You have a government that has put and Democracy has demanded that three human rights and democracy.” a project of the Golden Lake Institute and the people there not for their commitment to board members, all recent political appoin- Broadbent is alarmed by the ban that online publication StraightGoods.ca make independent judgments about hu- tees, resign. They include David Matas, Gauthier, now president of Rights and De- Getting medical resources to Haiti’s victims--a dire challenge By Diane Walsh Just getting to Haiti is proving enormously difficult amid all the regulations and military What exactly does the word “security” mean anyway? Apparently not saving lives, that’s ops—never mind the clug-a-lug of kaki machines. Sheer confusion around Haiti’s govern- becoming abundantly clear. The standing so-called “security” policy governing the logistics ment policy awaits anyone arriving at the airport, which is said to be “directed” by the US of medical delivery to Haiti’s quake-victims—really bites. Medical attention is reported to government. take second place to security in the stricken-areas of Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. Among the many medical teams not able to get through to help victims is L’Association Something has to change. More and more people are dying Haitienne de Developpement Humain, or AHDH, a group which has needlessly under an American version of what security-priority looks been going to Haiti to provide socialized community-based medicine like, and that can be pretty scary if left unchecked. Instead of pooling for years. Based in New Orleans, AHDT is facing the making-resourc- vital information and centering policy on life-saving intervention and es-accessible-to-victims conundrum [see Google: www.haitiahdh.org]. logistical-distribution efforts, military-type security has become the Led by Dr. Charles Rene, the coordinator of the AHDH Project top priority. The result, supplies are stuck at the airport. Doctors are in Haiti, this long-standing experienced humanitarian medical team ready to serve people in pain but can’t reach them [see: www.msf. is facing a dire challenge in trying to serve his native homeland in ca and www.doctorswithoutborders.org]. its time of need. So much so that on January 18, Dr. Rene and his The temptation is to blame it on the US since they’re in charge. ready and fully-equipped medical team were literally calling around What about the Haiti government? Good question: it appears it is for assistance in hailing a plane. Dr. Rene was forced to approach merely succumbing to pressure, toeing the line, as everyone seems philanthropist organizations in a desperate attempt to get the message to have to do when receiving “aid from America”. out that transport is a major problem while at the same time medical Despite an outpouring of charity from around the world, disorga- intervention is constrained to the point of inhumane conditions being nization and lack of infrastructure on the ground in Haiti mean that further perpetuated beyond the disaster of the quake. Like a sick medical supplies and personnel are just not getting to the people in situation made even sicker by human stubbornness. crisis, in the way that they should—and could. Speaking on CNN, What’s interesting, though, is the action Dr. Rene takes next, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon (and the network’s chief medical sending an email dated January 18, to Mimi Mireille, of the Green correspondent) identifies what’s called, “preventable deaths” going Foundation, in Miami, as well as to his medical colleagues Yvelyne on there. Germain-McCarty, Jacqueline Simon, and Nicole Michael. That’s the point. This security policy is causing needless additional “Bonjour encore Mimi (Green Foundation, Miami), hardship for so many who could be helped if only government policy I thank you again for the conversation we just had. I am a co could be challenged effectively. But how? Preventable deaths, that founder of the Association Haitienne de Developpement Humain, is deaths and/or illnesses leading to death, are continuing to rack in New Orleans, since 1986 (Please, visit us at www.haitiahdh.org). up unnecessarily in the streets of Haiti, caused, reprehensibly, by Jean-Bertrand Aristide has twice been We have a hospital in La Vallee de Jacmel, we just left, in early De- an across-the-board vacuum in medical-intervention-planning [see deposed as president of Haiti. cember, fully supplied, and we just need to get there. Based on an www.pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com]. early promise of a plane for 30 passengers and a helicopter to ferry us from Dominican For instance, in Port-au-Prince, with hospitals decimated to rubble by the dreadful Republic to Jacmel, we have mustered an 18 MD and RN team and 4 pallet strong of earthquake, Dr. Gupta finds patients roaming the open streets for hours, day after day, medical supplies, in New Orleans. But no plane materialized. hoping to find medical assistance. No one should die because they suffered a crushed We are certainly ready to trim our plan and get to Haiti as many doc/RN as we can. arm, an infection from a soft-tissue wound, or even more unthinkable, from thirst, Dr. Gupta We would appreciate any help you can get us. believes and he’s speaking out about it. For that, Oprah is calling him a hero and many Cordially, people agree. Charles Rene, MD Who’s in charge in Haiti? Who’s responsible for putting someone in charge of supply distribution? With deadlocked traffic, clogged roads, and absurd channeling, there is still No word as of yet. Can you imagine such a scenario? Ah, but it’s quite common. no unified distribution strategy. Even Doctors without Borders had trouble getting to Haiti While we hear of news such as Hollywood actor John Travolta chartering his own plane and now they can’t get to victims systematically, reports CNN’s chief International corre- to bring nurses to Haiti, it’s still not clear if Dr. Rene’s team has arrived in Haiti to this day. spondent Christiane Amanpour. Please turn to page 2, Getting medical resources to Haiti’s victims Inside this issue Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement # 40008124 Jack Layton anouncement 2 Passenger people 14 Return to: The Lower Island News Box 311-2750 Quadra Street Editorial and op/ed 4 Making your money work 15 Victoria, BC V8T 4E8 Letters to the editor 5-6 How are we helping Haiti? 16 Urgent debate needed 7 Buy American deal 17 Games and crime bills 8 Walking while chewing gum 19 Strengthening democracy 9 New global war 20 Buy precious land 10 Mining our own business 21 Remembering Sonja Young 11 Book and other reviews 22 Trustee worries 12 Coming events calendar 23 FOI under fire 13 Directory 24

Page 2 February/March 2010 The Lower Island NEWS Getting medical resources to Haiti’s victims from page 1 If you do happen to want to help, go to www.firstgiving.com/baugustin, which is the also a filmmaker. With her husband, filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond, she made the award- AHDH organization’s on-line fund-raising page where you can have your name listed as winning movie, “Haïti dans tous nos rêves”, translated—Haiti in All Our Dreams. View it! a donor if you so choose. If you happen to own a plane and want to offer transport help, Jean’s adopted daughter is an orphaned child from Haiti. make contact with Dr. Rene at [email protected]. Anyone attempting to go to Haiti should know that the situation there is precarious at the moment—this makes the airport a dicey place, to say the least, a hot-bed of political Who is Dr. Charles Rene? struggles of various kinds (both between countries and between various groups trying to Originally from Haiti, Dr. Charles Rene calls both the US and Haiti his home. He trained gain control and for good and bad). as a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, qualified to practice in both places. Of note, on January 26, The San Francisco Chronicle (in a piece by Lea Suziki) re- Keenly aware of the plight of so many disenfranchised Haitians, Dr. Rene is ideally ported a noticeable rally that had taken place in the streets of San Francisco “seeking a suited to speak out about the logistical medical nightmare going on at this time. change of guard in Haiti”. Holding up Haiti’s national flag, protesters were calling for the It’s worth noting that Dr. Rene is highly credentialized. He first attended medical school, US to return exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power. And members of the Haiti at State University Medical School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He did his ob/gyn residency Action Committee (www.bapd.org/ghanee-1.html) were present to make the point that the training at the Hospital Justinien, in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. But over this period, Duvalier’s reign US military take-over of the Port-au-Prince airport “slows delivery of food and supplies to of terror is taking its harsh toll—both on Dr. Rene’s sensibilities and on the suffering people victims”. That’s quite a statement. of Haiti. Dr. Rene, embittered by it, decided on a self-imposed exile—moving to the US Only days later, the BBC reported, on February 1, that, “the US agrees to resume air- during the latter part of Duvalier’s dreadful reign. lifts of quake victims”, to move them to—other—hospitals in the US. The US military had Since a ”twice-over” education (as it were) is something that’s highly valued among the stopped airlifting people because the claim was hospitals were being overloaded, especially medical community in Haiti, he decided to do a second internship at Mercy Catholic Medi- in Florida, to the point that there was a request (from Florida) that Obama crack open the cal Center in Philadelphia, and then another ob/gyn residency at the Jersey City Medical safe for domestic disasters to be used for the Haiti situation. Center in New Jersey. The medical doctors on the ground in Haiti had been insisting that the airlifts continue In the early ‘80s, he ran a private practice in New Orleans. He served as chief of OB/ and were frankly quite horrified when they were halted for a time. But there are many GYN, at Pendleton Methodist Hospital, then went on to private practice in New Jersey hospitals that could take victims—even when airlifts were stopped--so the halt doesn’t while serving as a clinical instructor, assistant director and ultimately director of the OB/ really make sense. An executive decision was taken to go outside of Florida (seeing as GYN Diagnostic Center. In 1986, he returned to Haiti—to his humanitarian missions—to it complained of being overwhelmed by the needy from Haiti) and so now the US military help build a democratic order, specifically his dream of the people’s access to socialized is delivering victims of the quake to other states. The point that’s being made is the US modern medicine. There he focused his attention on The Commune of La Vallée de Jacmel military and the US government did not have any qualms about halting the airlifts—for a in the Department of South-East—his mother’s birthplace--working at the Joseph Hospital. time—as victims suffered. Over the last 20 years, Dr. Rene’s team sought to provide medical treatment to the “peasant” population—of course, free-of-charge. Supplies would be brought in from the US with the aim to provide outpatient care, both minor and major surgery, including pregnancy- Why care for Haiti—Why should it matter to us? related emergency operations. But now his work is simply to help quake victims--if only he Michaëlle Jean: A Canadian touched personally by Haiti’s pain. could get logistical assistance…] It is well known in Canada that Canadian Governor-General Michaëlle Jean was born Dr. Rene’s humanitarian efforts in the mid 1980s were a precursor to the formation of in Haiti. many humanitarian organizations that have now come into fruition, all with the aim of offering In her early years, she lived in Port-au-Prince (and Jacmel, her mother’s home town), health, education, financial aid, and—importantly, human-rights protection. These include both of which were devastated by the earthquake. his “baby”, the Haitian Association for Human Development (AHDH), based in New Orleans, In 1968 Jean’s family was forced to flee from Haiti to escape persecution, unlike Dr. established in 1986; Support Committee to Restore Democracy (COSURED), established Rene, who left by choice. The regime of Dictator François Duvalier tortured Jean’s philoso- in 1991; The Haitian Organization for Health Services, Inc. (HOHS), based in Washington, pher father, keeping him part from his family for more than 30 years. Jean’s family left for DC, and formed in 1993; and The Fondation Ertha Pascal Trouillot (FONDEPT), established a better life in Canada, settling in Thetford Mines, PQ. in Haiti, in 1996—all still existing in one form or another to this day. As does Dr. Rene’s core As many readers will remember, Jean was a successful reporter both at the CBC and a team, including his wife Sandra Birdsall-Rene, RN, Critty Hymes, MD, Nicole Vincent, MD, number of prominent French shows; and, she’s been a broadcaster, hosting The Passionate Arshi Michael, MD, Anika Michael, MD; Michael Beauford, and many volunteers. Eye and Rough Cuts. In 2004, Jean hosted her own show entitled, Michaëlle. Jean was Jack Layton announces he has prostate cancer; will stay as leader of NDP NDP Leader Jack Layton called a press muscle at the gym--it can be pretty painful. “His treatments were successful, and I Parliament for Toronto Danforth or as leader conference February 5 to inform Canadians “My back is better now, but today I want intend to tackle this with the same determi- of the New Democratic Party of Canada. that he has prostate cancer. Here’s his brief to let you know about an unrelated health nation that he did. “I have an amazing team, great friends speech. matter. “Like my dad, I am a fighter. And I will and a loving, supportive family. “As some of you may know, I hurt my “This year, more than 25,000 Canadian beat this. And my wife Olivia knows a thing or back last week. Everyone who leads an men will be diagnosed with treatable pros- “My treatment plan is now underway two about taking on cancer, having been active lifestyle knows what it’s like to pull a tate cancer and I have recently learned that and everything is on track. In the coming diagnosed with thyroid cancer just a few I’m one of them. weeks, the schedule of my treatment regime years ago. “She won her battle and so will I. “It’s the same kind of prostate cancer means I may have a bit more time to catch “Recently, the Party marked the 7th an- that my father was diagnosed with 17 years the Olympics. niversary of my becoming leader. Without ago. “He, like the overwhelming majority of “The hard work and drive of our Cana- question we have accomplished much. But Canadian men with prostate cancer, fought dian athletes will be an inspiration. we also recognize there is a lot more to do it and won. “I want to assure my constituents and the to build a more caring and greener Canada. Canadian public that this will in not impede And I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves my ability to serve as either the Member of Monday morning and get back at it.”

Just $900,000 left to raise for Curious about ethical $5.3 million Access building investing? Victoria — AIDS Vancouver Island and Victoria Cool Aid Society have announced that another $100,000 has been raised for the Access Health Centre. This $5.3 million building project is supported by the partner agencies, government, foundations, businesses and individuals. Just $900,000 remains to meet the mortgage- 250-405-3550 free goal. www.stephenwhipp.com The building at 713 Johnson Street, occupied since September 2009, is now home to counsellors from the Victoria Native Friendship Centre offering renewed downtown ac- cess to urban First Nations services. Later in the year, VIHA will also be moving some of their mental health and addiction services onto the second floor. Jack Layton, his wife Olivia behind him, are These valuable partners will add to the integration of services available at the Access seen in a screen grab from CBC Newsworld. Health Centre which provides primary care, dental care, counselling and mental health services to the homeless and other vulnerable, at-risk populations, with a team approach that has been applauded by government, health care professionals and the community. Significant donations in the last two months include: • Over $25,000 – Individual Cool Aid donors, local physicians and dentists • $16,000 - BMO Bank of Montreal (BC Division) • $13,500 - The Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children to pay for dental equip- ment used in the treatment of children • $10,000 - CIBC • $9,000 - Gifts from Victoria Foundation donors • $2,000 – St. John the Divine Anglican Church members Victoria Cool Aid Society and AIDS Vancouver Island continue to accept donations to retire the mortgage so all funds can be devoted to services. A $1 million donor interested in naming rights or an anonymous gift for the downtown heritage building at 713 Johnson Street is also being sought. If the capital campaign’s goal of $5.3 million is surpassed, an endowment fund will be set up in perpetuity at the Victoria Foundation to help pay for the annual costs associated with the Access Health Centre and its services. For further information, visit: www.AccessHealthCentre.ca or www.CoolAid.org or www.Avi.org or phone Kathy Stinson, executive director, Victoria Cool Aid Society, 250- 383-1977 or email her at [email protected] or Andrea Langlois, communications manager, AIDS Vancouver Island, 250-384-2366 ext. 2268, or email her at andrea.lan- [email protected]

The Lower Island NEWS February/March 2010 Page 3 First Nation takes Labour Council endorses Dogwood’s efforts BC to Court to protect the last to stop urban sprawl in the Saanich Peninsula The Dogwood Initiative and over half a nich so that Ian Vantrieght can build a high said community member Sue Stroud. 11 Caribou from dozen community members addressed a density luxury subdivision in on agricultural “This proposal would be disastrous for our committee of the CRD board January 27 land. The Central Saanich and CRD plan- community.” coal mining to demand that they protect the Saanich ners have both produced reports that are Vantrieght made a similar application Peninsula from urban sprawl. highly critical of this proposal and have several years ago that was rejected but VICTORIA – Monday, February 1 Chief Dogwood’s Our Home is Not For Sale explained that it would violate the CRD now a new Central Saanich council is ma- Roland Willson and the entire Council of the campaign has mobilized thousands of Regional Growth Strategy. It would have noeuvring to change their zoning rules and West Moberly First Nations walked into the people to speak out against reckless devel- negative environmental, economic and create a new category specifically to allow Courthouse in Victoria, BC to ask the BC opment in the CRD and on January 27 it an- social ramifications and set a very danger- this project to proceed. Supreme Court to overturn mining permits nounced that its efforts to stop urban sprawl ous precedent for the future of the entire Local residents are outraged and have in the critical habitat of an endangered on the Peninsula have been endorsed by Saanich Peninsula. asked the CRD to intervene because the caribou herd. The hearing was expected to the Victoria Labour council, the Lifecycles “Developments like this are undemo- project clearly contradicts the Regional last five days. food security project and the Sierra Club cratic, unsustainable and unaffordable,” Growth Strategy (RGS). West Moberly First Nations are based of Victoria. 34 kms north of Chetwynd in northeast BC. “The convergence of support from Last September the Ministry of Energy, labour and food sovereignty and environ- Ron reviews Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR) mental activists makes a clear statement to PLANET SALT SPRING, by Arthur Black, A LITTLE DISTILLERY IN NOWGONG, issued mining permits to First Coal Corpo- the CRD board,” says Dogwood campaigner HARBOUR PUBLISHING by Ashok Mathur, ARSENAL PULP PRESS ration (FCC) in the middle of the habitat of Gordon O’Connor. “An overwhelming ma- This is an audio CD. It is a compre- Ever since Rudyard Kipling’s book on the critically endangered Burnt Pine caribou jority of the people in this community do hensive guide to most of the delights of life in India, I have enjoyed that country’s herd – a herd so small that development not want to see their home destroyed by this neighbour island. We should all put writers. This is a complex story of a Parsi pressures has reduced it to 11 animals. The reckless development.” in at least a couple of days each season family with a background of their life in the First Nation turned to the Victoria-based law- The CRD will be considering a proposal visiting our offshore islands. Arthur Black village, the jungle and the city. firm of Devlin Gailus for legal help, and con- to re-zone agricultural land in Central Saa- is very convincing. --Ron MacIsaac vinced an environmental organization, West Coast Environmental Law, to assist with funding for the court challenge. “These caribou and their habitat are integral to the overall biodiver- Public sewaGe treatment sity of the area, and to who we are as Mountain Dunne-za people,” said Chief Roland Willson. “As stewards of the land, we cannot in good con- science stand by and watch MEMPR and FCC it’s time to make place the very existence of this caribou herd in serious jeopardy. Our Elders and the govern- ment scientists all agree your voice heard! that coal mining in the caribou’s critical habitat places the herd at risk. The double standard that the mining industry en- joys must come to an end Elected officials in the Capital Regional District will soon decide if your sewage treatment should be in public if we are going to save caribou from extinction.” hands or be given to a private corporation. Dr. Dale Seip, a Wild- life Ecologist from the tell local councillors that you want public sewage treatment. Ministry of Forests and Range and the govern- ment’s top caribou ex- pert, has stated that the Key public meeting dates contact the politicians. caribou herd is “critically endangered” and any February 25, 4 pm to 6:30 pm The Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee further activities by FCC Core Area Liquid Waste Management (CALWMC) members need to hear from you. would be “incompatible Committee (CALWMC) public hearing on with the recovery of the Judy Brownoff (CALWMC chair & Saanich councillor) herd”. In addition, sci- public orprivate operation entists from the Minis- [email protected] try of Environment have March 3 (tentative) Geoff Young (CRD board chair & Victoria councillor) recommended that “no” CALWMC meets to make recommendation to [email protected] activities occur in the CRD critical habitat as there Dean Fortin (Victoria mayor) [email protected] are already signs of the caribou being “extirpat- March 10 (tentative) Charlayne Thorton-Joe (Victoria councillor) ed”. MEMPR issued the CRD meets to make final decision on public or [email protected] permits notwithstanding private operation these concerns. Phillipe Lucas (Victoria councillor) [email protected] “These caribou are Frank Leonard (Saanich mayor) [email protected] listed as a “threatened (Dates may change – please check www.crd. species” and are sup- bc.ca to confirm dates and times) Susan Brice (Saanich councillor) [email protected] posed to be legally Vic Derman (Saanich councillor) [email protected] protected from harmful activities,” said Andrew Get more information. Leif Wergeland (Saanich councillor) [email protected] Gage, a staff lawyer with See Ten reasons to say no to privatization West Coast Environmen- Barbara Desjardins (Esquimalt mayor) tal Law. “It’s wrong for the at keepwaterpublic.ca and check out [email protected] government to refuse to greatervictoriawaterwatchcoalition.ca develop and implement Christopher Causton (Oak Bay mayor) [email protected] a recovery strategy, and Graham Hill (View Royal mayor) [email protected] West Coast is proud to Have your say. support the West Moberly Send your comments directly from the CRD Denise Blackwell (Langford councillor) First Nations in their legal [email protected] challenge to the permits.” website. http://www.wastewatermadeclear.ca/ Funding for the court publicinput/feedback.htm Dave Saunders (Colwood mayor) [email protected] case comes from West Coast’s Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund, A messAge from the people who live here And provide ser vices in our communities which celebrated its 20th the Canadian Union of PUbliC emPloyees. Anniversary in Victoria (at 2994 Douglas St.) on cope491 February 6. Page 4 February/March 2010 The Lower Island NEWS

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse. Bad laws are the worst sort of The Lower Island NEWS The Lower Island NEWS, celebrating its 26th year of publication, is an independent tyranny.” -- Edmund Burke, 1729-97, Irish politician and man of letters newsfeature tabloid newpaper, not affiliated with any political party, and published as often as financially possible by the Lower Island News Society, Box 311-2750 Quadra Street, Victoria BC V8T 4E8. Our view: Signed articles are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lower Island NEWS or the Lower Island News Society. Articles submit- Democracy in Canada needs ted for publication are subject to editing at the discretion of the Editor. Editorial Committee Chair: Sharon Hazelwood a complete overhaul now Editor: Dale Young Editorial writer: David Olsen If we had any lingering beliefs that we live in a real democracy they were surely dis- Book review and travel writer: Ron MacIsaac pelled by the events of the last few weeks. Once again, Stephen Harper decided to do Distribution: Jocelyn Floyer; Richard Mills without the inconvenience of Parliament and telephoned his new subordinate at Rideau Advertising: Hall to tell her. Contributors to this issue: Jeremy Arney, Joe Comartin, Jean Crowder, Eden Haythorn- thwaite, John Horgan, H. Horie, James Laxer, Ron MacIsaac, Jim ManlyKim Manton, Gerry Masuda, George Mortimore, Dale Perkins, Tim Pheotist, Denise Savoie, Dee Shoolingin, Scott With Parliament muzzled, President-Presumptive Harper set about what he likes best, Sinclair, Bert Slater, Sue Stroud, Heather Tuft, Jessica Van der Veen, Diane Walsh, Jerry consolidating his personal dominion over the true North Strong and (once upon a time) West, David Wilson, Stephen Whipp, Teresa Wolfwood, Susan Young and others. Free. Printed at the Nanaimo Daily News, Nanaimo, BC As a New Year gift to us, President Steve then anointed more cronies as Senators, Canadian Publications Mail Agreement # 40008124 stuffing the Senate with neo-con acolytes. They are not there to enact peace, order and good government, but to pocket $133,000 a year, plus expenses, until they are 75, for Lower Island News Privacy Statement acting as Harper’s lackeys. The Lower Island News is owned by the Lower Island News Society, a non-profit society registered under the BCSociety Act. The Lower Island News collects and uses your personal information for the purpose of mailing the paper to you, and may write to you from time to time to solicit donations.The Lower Island News will not share this information with any other group. How different to the 20 people appointed in 1950 to the then New Zealand Upper House. Known as the “suicide squad”, they were put there for one purpose--to vote themselves As others see it out of a job by abolishing the unelected NZ Upper House.

Which brings us back to our dysfunctional and broken political system. Harper may Down to the wire for public present himself as the champion of constitutional reform by calling for an elected Senate (and then abandoning the idea in favour of power consolidation), but an elected Senate, without root and branch political and electoral reform is pointless and could even make sewage treatment matters worse (just look at the US). The latest Senate stuffing exercise was presented By Kim Manton to Canadians as “another step towards respecting the will of the democratically-elected We are finally down to the wire on the House of Commons”. decision about how to finance, manage and operate new sewage treatment. In early Talk about a contradiction in terms! Since when has the House of Commons been March CRD directors will be making a final democratically elected? In the 2008 Federal election only 58.8% of Canadians bothered decision. to vote for anyone. The remainder didn’t--either because they don’t care, see elections From the beginning the sewage project as an inconvenience since they prefer an oligarchic State, or are disillusioned by the has been caught in the cross hairs of the BC whole charade. government’s privatization agenda. Shortly after BC environment minister Barry Penner The majority of Canadians are effectively disenfranchised. President Steve and his directed the CRD to develop a sewage gang of latter day brown-shirts received the votes of only 22% of eligible voters, yet they treatment plan, Premier Gordon Campbell are denying climate change, waging war, stuffing the Senate, ignoring parliament and announced a new policy to encourage treating the Queen’s representative like a housemaid. But, when the majority of MP’s public-private partnerships or P3s. The tried to stop the headlong rush to a minority one party state after the 2008 election, the policy requires all capital projects with $50 brown-shirts fired off with emails calling on us to “save our government”. Then they got million in provincial funds to be considered the CBC and its right wing “At Issue” panel, plus much of the media on side, and we are for privatization. And since then, the federal now in a bigger mess than ever. government has come on board with its own guidelines to encourage P3s. Now we are routinely told “Canadians don’t want an election”. Well if that’s the case, But despite pressure from provincial and when will we want an election? If we keep on down this road, how long will Harper and federal governments, our local politicians the brown-shirts stay in power on the “Canadians don’t want an election” slogan? Sup- – the CRD directors – will make the final pose they don’t call another one--what will people actually do? The government con- decision. And it is important to remember trols the army, the police and all the levers of power. Will people turn out on the streets that the federal and provincial contributions Kim Manton to protest (and be tear-gassed) or will they just go fishing? will be for the capital portion of the project only. It is the taxpayers of the region who covery and reusing waste, a publicly oper- These are challenging times for Canadian democracy and we had better wake up and will foot the operating bill over the long-term. ated system will allow the CRD to integrate listen to the fading cries of those whose democracies were extinguished by stealth and It’s time to encourage local politicians these resources across the wide range of guile. Not all dictators seize power--many get elected and then decide not to give it up, to stand up for our communities and not be programs and services delivered by regional aided and abetted by corporate barons, a compliant press and opportunist military and bullied by the Campbell Liberals into what government and member municipalities. police chiefs. would be a massive private “demonstration A third reason is that P3s are more ex- project”. There are many reasons for going pensive for local governments and taxpay- So what needs to happen? It is no use tinkering with the present system--it needs public. ers. We need only look at the January 2009 a complete overhaul. First task is to abolish the Senate--an anachronism from the First, while there is growing evidence report by respected forensic accountants Eighteenth Century and its system of class and privilege. Second, there must be real that privatization doesn’t work, the best Ron Parks and Rosanne Terhart. Their proportional representation. Third, to form a government you should have to command reason for local politicians to go public with analysis of several BC based public-private a majority in the House. If not, the Governor General must ask the members of how- sewage treatment is that residents of the partnerships found that P3s cost more, that ever many parties it takes, to form a representative coalition that represents most of the CRD have clearly said they want a publicly the process used by the BC government to citizens, not just a minority. operated system that supports local jobs assess projects is biased in favour of P3s, and businesses. and that the public is denied access to It’s also time to terminate the charade of the Governor General. The office, or some- Public opinion research by both Ipsos proper information about P3s. thing like it, needs to be invested with proper constitutional rights and authorities, backed Reid and Environics finds a consistent belief Given all of this, it’s no surprise that most up by a non-political Supreme Court to oblige the Prime Minister of the day to stick to the by residents that sewage treatment should Canadian cities have said no to privatization rules of a true democracy. be in the hands of the CRD. And the May or have, like Hamilton, paid a high price for 2009 CRD report on community dialogues privately operated sewage treatment. In Will it happen? Sadly, with the people running the show right now, the answer is almost on sewage identified “a community desire 2006 Whistler said no to a P3 and is now certainly NO! If Canadians refuse to get fired up and involve themselves in the polit- to have locally built, publicly owned and celebrating a new public sewage treatment ical process, the rot will continue until we degenerate into capitalist totalitarianism--like managed treatment facilit(ies)”. system that includes cutting edge environ- China. The second reason to encourage the mental technologies for reusing waste. CRD politicians to stay public is that it is The citizens here have a lot at stake and At the provincial level, in BC, we are not doing much better. The torrent of bad news better for the environment. It is quite simply we need to make our voices heard to our from and about our ultra-right wing government shows no sign of abating. The latest putting the public interest ahead of private politicians. Check out keepwaterpubic.ca Campbell failure was described recently by the Time Colonist as a “betrayal”. At one or corporate interests. In terms of public and greatervictoriawaterwatchcoalition.ca fell swoop, the people of BC and Canada are to lose forever the right of access to mile accountability – governments answer to for details on how to participate. upon mile of pristine coastline on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The decision to the people and corporations answer to their enrich the shareholders of Western Forest Products and turn the west coast into luxury shareholders. Kim Manton is the coordinator for CUPE 1978’s enclaves for foreign billionaires is a scandalous sell-out of the birthright of future genera- And on the key issues of resource re- “Keep It Public” campaign. tions, while Liberal MLAs Murray Coell and Ida Chong lurk smirking in the shadows.

Finally, remember Omar Khadr? He still languishes in the infamous Guantanamo con- We welcome your letters to the editor, as well as articles and reviews, photos, centration camp, scooped up eight years ago as a child soldier in the post-9/11 frenzy. and anything else you think would be of interest to our progressive readers. Never charged, no witness to his alleged grenade throwing ever produced, abandoned by Canada. Former African child soldiers who killed hundreds, such as acclaimed Please mail them to the Editor, at Box 311-2750 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC, author Ishmael Beah, have been rehabilitated by the UN and lead useful lives, but we V8T 4E8, email them to [email protected], or phone 250-384-7621. couldn’t even rescue one confused teenager. We should be ashamed of ourselves! --DJO The DEADLINE to submit material for the next issue is Friday, April 2, 2010 The Lower Island NEWS OUR READERS WRITE February/March 2010 Page 5 Central Saanich farmland vs. development dispute continues It’s about protecting our land, not paving it over “Let us leave a splendid legacy for our • he would install a state-of-the-art children…let us turn to them and say, ‘This sewage treatment facility to handle waste. you inherit, guard it well, for it is more pre- Thankfully Mr. Vantreight must now provide cious than money, and once destroyed, proof of his claims. nature’s beauty cannot be repurchased at 4. The loss of natural resources can any price.” --Ansel Adams never be recovered. There is a Garry oak stand on the property that the developer has There is a beautiful hilltop – zoned ag- said he will dedicate as parkland to expand ricultural – that sits near the Central/North Quarry Park. It is critical that no decisions Saanich boundary, next to Quarry Park. It be made until the results of studies now is covered in Firs, Arbutus and Garry oaks, underway are reviewed in detail to provide and nestled between two separate working the whole picture of the kinds of plants, farms. Below, cattle and horses graze on trees, wildlife habitats on this hill. But will The beautiful hilltop--zoned agricultural--is covered in Firs, Arbutus and Garry one side and daffodils and other flowers the loss of this habitat be important enough oaks, is nestled between two working farms while cattle and horses graze on one grow on the other. This peaceful, pastoral to Council for them to reconsider and vote side and daffodils and other flowers grow on the other. This is Central Saanich. setting defines the jewel that is called Cen- against this proposal? tral Saanich. Because of its location on the northern But that idyllic scene could change border of the District, this development will Save our rural land forever. Ian Vantreight proposes to build not directly impact many Central Saanich Times are changing and so is the our the wish of residents, now ignore a large-scale, urban-style subdivision with residents, but it will create havoc in a long- landscape around us. What once was their election promises and want to more than 100 homes – including legal standing North Saanich neighbourhood. A precious and cherished by many, is allow a dense urban-style develop- suites – being constructed on this hilltop but new access road – with the potential for gone. Green pastures have been paved; ment outside the Urban Containment he can’t do it without the support of Central 400 – 600+ car trips per day--will run right condo towers can be seen where once Boundary to go ahead? Calling this Saanich Council. Those councillors are now along those residents’ property lines. The was fertile land. There is still one dense development “rural” does not moving forward to allow the development land for that access road has now been part left more or less untouched: the change the fact that it is an urban- to proceed by simply calling the land “rural” removed from the agricultural land reserve Saanich Peninsula. However, now style development in the wrong place! and changing two zoning bylaws. In adopt- even though two access roads already exist this too could change soon. Townhouses and duplexes on small ing the changes, Council will vote against further to the south. This truly is all gain for The land that is paved over can lots can never be called rural. the vision dear to its own residents and one developer, all pain for an ein a democ- never be recovered; it will be lost If Mr. Vantreight would not have create high-impact growth that is anything racy we are expected to abide by the rules forever. For that reason residents made the decision in fighting his own but modest. democratically agreed upon by those who came together to set boundaries. brother all those years…maybe this There are four reasons why this develop- went before, ntire neighbourhood. They were not against development, land would be saved, but should agri- ment proposal should be rejected: If you cherish green space, open skies but they wanted to see it contained cultural land be sacrificed because of 1. It is an inappropriate use of farmland. and the rural character that defines Central in certain areas so other parts could that? Should Central Saanich become This proposed development is in the wrong Saanich, let District councillors know how remain as green belt. They called it the a second Bear Mountain? place. The land is zoned “agricultural”, you feel. Perhaps one of the four council- Urban Containment Boundary. Within Central Saanich is called the “bread has been taxed as such for decades and is lors who have supported this development these boundaries development was basket” for the Capital Region; this surrounded by designated agricultural land application will take a sober second look allowed to blossom. Last year after soon can change. We do need the green reserve. Farmland doesn’t have to be flat and make a decision based on the studies’ extensive community consultations space. We do need agricultural land. to be productive; Mr. Vantreight currently facts instead of the desire to placate the the Official Community Plan was con- We don’t need more houses for the operates a composting facility there. developer. firmed that expressed strong support wealthy; we do need the fields 2. The District’s process for approving Email the Municipal Hall at municipal- for agriculture. For future food production, we this application is flawed. This land is be- [email protected] or telephone at 250-652- The CRD guide says under Pro- need the trees to breathe the clean ing rezoned “rural” simply to allow for this 4444. Contact the councillors – their names tect the Integrity of rural Communi- air and the peaceful, undisturbed development. It should be rejected because and telephone numbers are listed on the ties: “The Regional Growth Strategy surroundings to relax. Who can the development is outside the Urban District’s website at www.centralsaanich. seeks to protect the character and imagine additional hundreds of cars Containment Boundary (i.e. Tanner Ridge, ca, contact the chair (Mayor Graham Hill) or quality of rural communities, to en- day in day out on small local roads? Brentwood Bay or Saanichton) – the area co-chair (Mayor Dean Fortin) of the Planning sure that they remain strongly rooted North Saanich is going to close all designated for large-scale subdivisions. and Transportation Committee of the CRD at in the agricultural and resource land connecting roads that would lead to If Council votes to approve this devel- 250-360-3000 to tell them we have another base, and that the rural countryside this development. Then a new road will opment, it sets a dangerous precedent vista of “magic” that is in peril. and natural landscape remain a du- have to be created on ALR land just to both within the District and across Greater Asphalt is becoming the land’s final crop rable fact of life in the Capital Region.” access the site itself. Victoria. Once these bylaw changes are as development creeps over the hills and Residents felt safe with these Let’s be good stewards so devel- adopted, all agricultural lands outside the valleys of the Capital Regional District. Let’s guidelines, knowing they were pro- opment does not take over our agri- agricultural land reserve are candidates for do our best to maintain some rural character tected from development outside cultural land! Money should never guide development. With more than 180 farms close to civilization and protect this small these boundaries. However, when our decisions for the future. Please, in Central Saanich, that number could be piece of heaven in the midst of a growing, the new Central Saanich Council was help us to save our rural land that is staggering. urban community. elected, these boundaries all were ne- being cherished by many. The Central Saanich Official Community To learn more about this potential de- glected, ignoring the wish of those who H. Horie Plan highlights the need to “to preserve velopment, visit: http://saveourruralland. helped them to be elected. N.Saanich rural lands for rural purposes rather than blogspot.com/ How is it possible that councillors http://saveourruralland.blogspot. being considered as a reserve for future David Wilson, Central Saanich like John Garrison, who voted to hon- residential, commercial or industrial Bert Slater, North Saanich uses”. That will no longer be the case if this development is approved. In a democracy we are expected to abide by the rules 3. Is the development sustainable? Central Saanich bylaws state that any de- democratically agreed upon by those who went before velopment outside the Urban Containment Boundary must include its own water and Recently Central Saanich Councillor I think it’s important that CFAX and its on which they have a clear bias. sewer services. Council was set to ap- Ron Kubek was on CFAX trying to convince listeners understand that Ron Kubek himself The alternative to this is simply to cre- prove the development based on only the the station’s listeners that the Capital Re- moved the motion that brought the Central ate New Jersey on the Saanich Peninsula. developer’s word that: gional District was interfering in the internal Saanich issue to the CRD, and the elected Ron Kubek publicly declares his bias • sufficient water is available through affairs of Central Saanich with regard to the councillors of Central Saanich voted and every chance he gets, as at the CRD when an aquifer running through the property, and Vantreight Housing Development Proposal. passed that motion. he stated that “four of us publicly support Now, when Ron Kubek can’t get what this project and were elected on that basis”. he wants from the CRD, he tries to suggest He has repeated that position on CFAX they are undemocratic. It’s time for CFAX, and has therefore clearly declared a bias Friends of the Lower Island News and in particular Adam Stirling, to stop mud- in favour of a project that hasn’t even come dying the waters and set the record straight. to public hearing. Ask Ron Kubek why he moved the motion In fact, while it may be acceptable Thank you to those who have donated over the past two months. We are particularly in the first place. to take donations from anyone, you are grateful for your generosity at a time of the year when there are so many other calls Central Saanich’s elected representa- expected to recuse yourself when a pro- on your purse. Your donations help to keep the paper coming. tives and citizens were part of the seven- posal comes forward from someone you year process that created the Regional can be perceived to be beholden to, or with Donors during the past two months include: Growth Strategy including how that Regional whom you may have a business relation- Beryl McLeod $ 200 Growth Strategy would be changed and ship. A realtor promoting a development Leolnard Krog $ 50 monitored. To say now that bringing some- proposal will have a hard time banishing the Red Hens (one meeting) $ 40 thing before the CRD is undemocratic is suspicion that he is doing this for his own just false and childish. We signed on to it personal business interests as at some point Donations may be sent to the Lower Island News Society at Box 311-2750 Quadra on behalf of our citizens and we now must he is going to likely be selling or re-selling Street, Victoria, BC, V8T 4E8, and will be acknowledged in the paper. Please indi- abide by the rules to which we agreed. those very houses. cate if you prefer to be “anonymous”. Unfortuately we can’t give tax receipts. Ron Kubek needs to be asked to And while it is also acceptable to state lay out for all to see all the donations he your position during an election campaign, And thank you again! received, with names attached, because once elected you are expected to listen to all despite Adam Stirling’s silly remark about the information provided, to treat all citizens --Dale Young, Editor, for the Editorial Board a “god-given right” to donate, it in fact does respectfully whether fellow councillors or matter that donations be monitored and that councillors be asked not to vote on issues Please turn to In a democracy, page 6 Page 6 February/March 2010 OUR READERS WRITE The Lower Island NEWS You can help us save Oak Bay Lodge Monthly public accountability meetings and Mount Tolmie Hospital urged for MLAs by writer Vancouver Island Health Author- close information. When care is priva- A friend has suggested a wonderful for individuals who would like to make a ity issued a Request for Proposals to sell tized, buildings, lands, services and ac- method of imposing accountability on MLAs prepared presentation to the MLA such Oak Bay Lodge and Mount Tolmie Hos- countability are lost to citizens forever. by their constituents. He suggested that as describing a new problem indentified, pital and replace them with corporate Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Ida MLAs hold Monthly Public Accountability perhaps a solution to a problem previously care “somewhere in Greater Victoria”. Chong is constitutionally responsible Meetings in their ridings. indentified, or to present a new idea for con- At Oak Bay Council, Howard Waldner and she promised to stand up for pub- He suggested that the meeting be made sideration. This could take up to 30 minutes. (VIHA’s CEO) admitted that they were forced lic health care during the election. The of three components. The first is a 20-30 These monthly accountability meetings to sell the land because of underfunding. VIHA Board of Directors was appointed minute briefing by the MLA of what took give the MLA an opportunity to interact with Selling our assets has never caused by this government “for their leadership place in the Legislature in the past month. their constituents in a meaningful way, and an improvement in provincial funding skills, decision-making abilities and will- This could include bills discussed and their in the process develop trust and rapport. It policies or service delivery. When lands ingness to be accountable”. Michael impacts on the constituents, the MLA’s par- would also stimulate greater interest in are sold, the province just cuts more. Costello, Shelley Garside, Ellen Godfrey, ticipation in committees, and anything which politics among those interested. Oak Bay Council seems keen to protect Jac Kreut, David Kruyt, Brenda Nunns may be of interest to constituents. The MLA It is suggested that anyone interested the Lodge. Saanich Council has not ad- Shoemaker, Ed Robinson, Vern Slaney, could end his briefing with bills scheduled to in this idea of an MLA’s Monthly Account- dressed the issue yet. Mr. Waldner agreed Dr. Johan (Hans) van de Sande must ad- be discussed in the coming month, ability Meeting take the initiative and get his/ that it is unlikely that he could replace the vocate for the population they serve. The second component would be an in- her MLA to call an accountability meeting. land anywhere near our rapidly aging com- VIHA and Ms. Chong have the pow- teractive question/answer/discussion period If the response is good, a monthly meeting munity. Imagine you are 85. How often er, the smarts and the mandate to re- which could take up to 1½ hours. could be held. will you be able to visit your lifelong friends verse this decision, work with the com- The third component would be reserved Gerry Masuda, Duncan (or spouse!) in care if they are far away? munity and its leaders and refuse to Oak Bay Lodge and Mount Tolmie sell our future. VIHA can renew these Hospital are not old. They both passed buildings and keep public care on pub- Mass-based organization better than multiple inspections in recent years and lic land in Oak Bay-Gordon Head, close have received considerable upgrades to family and community. And home. public accountability meetings as well. They are structurally sound, What you can do: and simply require ongoing updating. Sign the petition: www.petition- Re. the idea of public accountability happen again. In fact, a skilled politician Oak Bay Lodge is a Campus of online.com/LANDS/petition.html meetings, they’re good in principle, but who could use the tactic “divide and conquer” Care, meaning care is seamless. Cou- Write to MLA Ida Chong and ask organizes them? and come out of it unscathed. In short, it ples with different needs can stay un- her to stand up for her community and I’ve never met any elected politician who would deepen public cynicism-- something der one roof. People know the build- stop the land sales and privatization. would actively organize such forums. First, we don’t want to see happen. ing and staff and they know they are Write to Saanich Council and/or Oak Bay they are expensive (advertising, promotions, So again, good in principle, BUT impos- home if ever their needs change. Council and ask them to refuse to rezone venue costs, sound system, etc.). Most poli- sible to pull off! When seniors’ care gets corporatized Oak Bay Lodge and Mount Tolmie Hospital. ticians wouldn’t commit time and resources I’m more interested in building a mass- we lose complex residential care beds – the Write to VIHA and ask them to stop. to organize them. based organization that sorts through all highest level of care -- the beds that Mount Jessica Van der Veen, Oak Bay Community run? Again, which com- the issues in advance of any meeting(s) Tolmie specializes in. They get replaced munity group would take that on? Most will with politicians. And which politician is in- with lower level care like assisted living only expend the time/energy/money if there vited will be decided by the top one or two which the government counts as complex In a democracy... is some payback from the meeting(s). issues the group wants to highlight at the care – but it isn’t. The frailest seniors end An open-ended accountability meeting, meeting. More disciplined and politically up waiting for proper residential care in from page 5 organized and run by a community group, more effective. expensive acute care beds for months. ordinary citizens, and whether they oppose would become easily deterred if a particular And it wouldn’t be time-constrained. Private corporations (even those your position or support it. special interest group took advantage of the That is, they may not be held every month, subsidized by taxpayers) refuse to dis- Ron Kubek is a champion of democracy opportunity and took over the agenda. and the issue of accountability wouldn’t when it is suits him. Unfortunately And a coalition group running an ac- come up. They would be issue-focused, his definition of the word is a very countability meeting again is problematical, and the community group(s) would know MORE AFFORDABLE, personal one that fGetting medical because whose agenda would be met by the what they would want to come out of the resources to Haiti’s victims—proving meeting? Again, a politician could come to meeting with the politician, and they could MORE ACCOUNTABLE a dire challenge the first one to check it out, believing that the be held accountable afterwards. By Diane Walsh confusion and disagreement over agenda That’s my “two cents worth”. What exactly does the word would derail the meeting and it wouldn’t Dale Perkins,Victoria “security” mean anyway? Apparently not saving lives, that’s becoming abundantly clear. The standing so- Is electorate getting what it deserves for called “security” policy governing the logistics of medical delivery to Haiti’s sending these corporate people back to quake-victims—really bites. Medical attention is reported to take second House of Commons and Legislature? place to security in the stricken- You may remember me writing last year Incidentally, I was informed that ICBC DEMAND “PUBLIC” about this “Lunn’s Folly” interchange, and I will probably only donate $100,000 to the apologize for not following up with my further interchange positioning them well to be SEWAGE TREATMENT discoveries earlier. I was somewhat taken sold as a high profit entity before Campbell with Bill C-6 and along with thousands of leaves for his director seats on so many others encouraging the Senate to reject it. corporate boards. $144 million return over I did get to have a meeting with one 20 years for $100,000 seems rather a rich of the “sponsor’s representatives” of this return to this ordinary man. (6 times the interchange, during which it was confirmed investment return each month which means Richard Hughes that there had been under the NDP gov- investment of $100,000 returned in about 5 Your NDP Realtor in the Cowichan Valley ernment of BC a complete plan for turning days after the opening of the interchange ! Highway 17 into a freeway ending at the I really think they should be paying for the ferry terminal. There was money allotted and whole thing) plans made for each intersection but Sidney Finally the Peninsular Review reported rejected the Beacon Avenue interchange that there would be 158 new jobs provided and put the whole project on hold. The up- by this project. I have been trying to imagine dated information on this is all available on if at any time during this building process the website www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/ there will be 158 people working on the Duncan: 250-746-8123 reports_and_studies/patbay/2007-03-15- project anyway, never mind new jobs. Victoria: 250-384-8124 Final_Report_Hwy17_Corridor_Strategy.pdf My original concept that this was a very Email: [email protected] Before that could be dealt with the pres- ill advised waste of money has been con- ent Dictator came to power. firmed to my mind, when I think what $24 Back to today, the business plan for million could do for housing on our reserva- this interchange was quoted as 6-1, which tions, and education -- real education not the means that the $24 million cost will be “no child left behind” kind -- and health and returned as a benefit of $144 million in 20 aid to seniors, all in this riding alone. years. Incredible. Oh well, maybe we are getting what we The costs of $24 million will be paid deserve for sending these corporate people Bill Hartley by the federal government (us), the BC back to the House of Commons, and the BC government (us), Victoria Airport Authority Legislature. (federal government and therefore us) and Jeremy Arney Insurance ICBC. (again us). Saanichton So who are the winners here you may ask? Services Ltd. The Airport says they will have better “The problems of the world cannot access from the highway (having seen the possibly be solved by sceptics or cynics plans and the multiple roundabouts, I very whose horizons are limited by the obvious • All types of insurance • much doubt this). Public Transport says they realities. We need (people) who can dream Auto, Home, Business, Boat, Life, Mortgage Cancellation can better serve the airport (well, the service of things that never were.” & Financial Planning now is so poor anything will be better). The “There are risks and costs to action. But big winner is ICBC who are the ones who they are far less than the long range risks of Office: 250-388-5014 FAX: 250-388-4277 will reap the $144 million in savings from comfortable inaction.” 2420 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4L7 (at Douglas and Bay) accidents not supposed to happen over the next 20 years. --John F. Kennedy The Lower Island NEWS OP/EDs February/March 2010 Page 7 Urgent national debate needed on Harper trade deal made while Parliament prorogued By James Laxer transit systems and are refitting homes to shifted gears toward fiscal restraint and It should now be abundantly clear, as a In the middle of a period of prorogation, make them more energy efficient, it is the plans to reign in further stimulus spending. consequence of the economic crisis through when parliament is not sitting, the Harper height of folly to open all these contracts to The Harper government is getting which we are passing that the United States government has sprung a sweeping new American bidders. (Given the multiplicity of Canadian companies in on the tail end of is ensnared in a long-term struggle to cope trade deal on Canadians. The agreement measures used to protect them from outside a US program in return for giving away a with its international indebtedness and the the Harper government has reached with the bidders, it is foolish to imagine that Cana- very important part of Canada’s ability to indebtedness of its citizens. Whether Ameri- Obama administration is the most important dian firms will have an equal opportunity to nurture Canadian firms and research and can policy makers do a good or a poor job extension of the North American Free Trade bid on US state and municipal contracts.) development at the provincial and municipal coping with the vast problems they face, the Agreement (NAFTA) since that deal went What makes the Harper government’s levels. This is an assault on what remains of US role in the global economy is diminishing into effect in 1994. deal particularly maddening is that the Buy Canadian economic sovereignty. and is bound to diminish further. The Harper deal will allow Canadian American provisions in the US Recovery Act It is well known that the Harper govern- Canadians need to ask themselves companies to bid on many, but not all, of violate the spirit if not the terms of NAFTA ment has been negotiating this deal with whether this is the moment to put all our the contracts involving government funded that guarantee the right of Canadian firms to Washington since last September. Now the eggs in the American basket for the future. economic stimulus projects in the US, which bid on US federal government projects with government has sprung it on the country The experience of the Buy American pro- are restricted to US companies under Buy the exception of defence contracts. when parliament is not sitting. visions in the Recovery Act ought to teach American provisions that have been inserted Instead of publicly and loudly asserting Expanding NAFTA, as this deal does, us something. Whenever the United States into the US government’s Recovery Act. that Washington is violating NAFTA, the requires an open and wide-ranging national needs, in the pursuit of its own interests, In return for this “concession” from Harper government is bribing the Obama debate, both inside parliament and outside. to violate trade deals with Canada, it does Washington, Ottawa has agreed to pay an administration to stop doing that by open- A trade deal of this magnitude should only so. It has done this for years on softwood unacceptably high price. Under the deal, ing up tens of billions of dollars worth of enter into force following a vote in parlia- lumber and now on the operations of the US Canadian provinces and municipalities will public contracts in Canada to American ment. (Debates are needed as well in pro- Recovery Act. Let’s now be fooled again. permanently give up the right to favour local corporations. vincial legislatures. Provincial governments Finally, it’s time for us to face up to the companies in awarding contracts. Moreover, out of the total of $275 billion should also not be permitted to agree to the implications of allowing a secretive govern- Government procurement at the mu- in infrastructure contracts to be awarded un- deal without debate.) ment to foreclose our options without us nicipal and provincial levels is an extremely der the US Recovery Act, $200 billion worth In the national conversation that must having a say in the matter. important economic development tool, have already been signed. The rash deal begin, Canadians should examine where crucial for job creation, the encouragement Harper has made will open up only the last the global economy is headed in coming This article appeared in James Laxer’s blog at of Canadian firms and the development of contracts to be awarded to Canadian firms, decades and how Canada’s economy can www.jameslaxer.com/2010/02/urgent-national- home-grown technology. and at best, a small proportion of those. On best fit into it so as to create the jobs and debate-needed-on-harper.html on February 6, and in the on-line edition of the Toronto Star, At a time when cities are rebuilding their top of that, the Obama administration has opportunities Canadians need. and is reprinted with permission from the author. What’s being said about the agreement... “What’s the cost of this one-time ac- is time-limited, Canada’s offer is mostly many struggling Canadian manufactur- “This agreement isn’t worth the cost. cess to the Recovery Act’s crumbs? Far permanent. Our provincial and municipal ers - from public transit to pharmaceuticals The impact of Buy American on our ag- too high. Through the World Trade Orga- procurement is worth tens of billions of to windmills - could benefit mightily from gregate exports has been statistically nization system, Canada opens up access dollars every year - and this is the first time the strategic leveraging of a home-field invisible.” --CAW economist, Jim Stan- to public purchasing in all provinces, and these immense purchases will be subject advantage.” —Opinions, Globe and Mail ford, Globe and Mail, February 8, 2010 all cities with more than 50,000 inhabit- to the provisions of international trade law. ants. Where the Buy American exemption Worse yet, we’re doing this right when The new feudalism By Jerry West dependent upon them and the less ability The social system in most of Europe dur- people have to deviate from what the cor- ing the Middle Ages is known as feudalism. porations want them to do. A similar system existed in Japan. A defining As corporate power grows, corporations characteristic of this system is that a ruler absorb more and more of our infrastructure, holds all title to land and dispenses use of buying up businesses and property and the land to retainers in return for their loyalty taking over government services. The end and service in support of the ruler. These result could be a return to a feudal system retainers in turn have their own retainers on where most of the population are serfs in down the line until we reach the serf at the the service of one corporation or another. bottom of the pyramid. A person who works Unlike the older feudal structures, however, for and is dependent upon those above for instead of the ruler being at the top of the their survival. pile, in today’s developing feudal society the Eventually this system gave way to one corporations own the rulers who are being based on class, and theoretically now to one reduced to corporate functionaries. The real based on democracy for all citizens of legal power lies in the board rooms. age regardless of class or gender, giving The recent US Supreme Court ruling is them a say in how society operates. a step in the direction of greater corporate History shows us that social systems are influence in our lives, and not just American in continuous flux, sometimes one way and lives. Since the United States has such a Saanich South New Democrats sometimes another and some times faster or great impact on world society, whatever slower. Where our current system is going happens there sends ripples throughout ask you to support is a good question all of us should ask and the rest of the world, particularly in Canada think about. This particularly if there are which is so closely bound to it. relief and reconstruction in Haiti. directions that we care very much that we The future will depend on whether the do not want it to go. trend of increasing corporate wealth and Recently in the United States the Su- power is allowed to continue. If it does, the preme Court issued a ruling that overturned ideals of freedom and democracy will be Just go to www.canadaforhaiti.com, the McCain-Feingold campaign finance replaced with ones emphasizing compliance reform law that limited the ability of corpora- and loyalty to corporate will. Reversing the and every dollar you give will be matched tions to spend money on political advertis- trend will require public pressure, a lot of it, ing. The ruling was based on the issue of to reduce corporate power and increase the by the Canadian government. free speech, which the court ruled applies to power of the individual. corporations which, for over a century, have To maintain and expand our freedom we been considered a person under the law. need to vote for politicians willing to change The idea that corporate groups have the legal status of corporations, and make rights equal to those of real persons in a them subservient to the public, not the other society is a threat to any form of democracy way around. We need leaders who will take based on the equality of the individual, away corporate personhood, who will make and is a step in social evolution backward corporations justify their existence and go towards the structures of the Middle Ages. through a public review process before Juan de Fuca New Democrats Recognizing the rights of corporations as they are granted a charter, and go through equal to those of actual persons increases it periodically to get their charter renewed. the power of accumulated wealth to decide We need to put an end to limited liabil- what the rules are that govern how we can ity and make those who own corporations live our lives. When corporations exercise responsible for corporate actions. Keep in touch! their influence there is little doubt that when the question is between corporate interest Jerry West is publisher/editor of the Gold River and the well being of society, which way they Record. You can reach President Heather Gropp will influence the decision. Copyright © 2010, West’s International. This editorial appeared in the January 26, 2010 by email at [email protected] The power of corporations is a direct issue of The Record. threat to personal freedom. The more this power increases, the more people are made Page 8 February/March 2010 FEDERAL NEWS AND VIEWS The Lower Island NEWS Games and crime bills 2010 Canada Summer Jobs program under way By Joe Comartin bills put forward by the government deal only By Jean Crowder, MP woods yet, despite what the Conservative Most Canadians believe that stopping with how sentencing is administered after a Are you the proprietor of a community- government tells us. 1.6 million Canadians crime and building a fair and effective justice crime has happened. Prof. Anthony Doob, based not-for-profit organization? Are are still out of work and a recent report from system should be a priority for elected of- one of Canada’s foremost criminologists, you involved in promoting tourism to our the Canadian Centre of Policy Alternatives ficials. Yet when Prime Minister Harper shut puts it starkly: These bills “are not going to beautiful community? Is your organization has found that many unemployed are run- down Parliament at the end of December, make anything safe”. involved in protect- ning out of Employment Insurance (EI) he killed 17 crime and justice bills that were The Conservative approach is wrong ing the environment? benefits before they can find a job. before the House of Commons and Senate. -- it is piecemeal, superficial and ineffec- Most importantly, do The youth unemployment is at 16 per- In the fractious reality of a minority Parlia- tive. Ultimately, it shows contempt for the you need extra help cent nationally, which is double the average ment, this move represents a massive waste issue of crime and the victims who have this summer and don’t unemployment rate in Canada. This high of preparation, deliberation and negotiation survived it. Canadians deserve far better. have the resources to unemployment rate puts a significant popu- -- 59 days of debate and 83 hours of com- We need our government to strongly commit hire someone? lation of Canada’s youth at a disadvantage mittee study, to be exact -- that cannot easily to dealing with crime over the long term. My If you answered to those who are employed. This is why be recaptured. fellow New Democrats and I believe that the yes to one of these programs that create employment and Behind the tough-on-crime rhetoric, problem of crime must be met head-on by a questions, you may help young workers gain experience such the Harper government is playing political comprehensive plan involving more effective be interested in learn- Canada Summer Jobs are so important. games with crime and victims. law enforcement, additional resources for ing more about the The application process for Canada His shameful use of victims of crime for the judicial system and social infrastructure Canada Summer Jobs Summer Jobs is competitive, so be sure photo-ops suggests that he would rather that seeks to prevent crime, not just punish 2010 program. to review your application thoroughly and keep crime as a political bludgeon than pass it after the fact. Canada Summer Jobs 2010 is starting make sure it is in accordance with Service much-needed legislation to modernize the In my almost 30 years as a member of to take form in communities across Canada Canada’s guidelines before you hand it in. I Criminal Code, strengthen investigations or the practising bar, I have seen that one of and will enter the application phase from strongly recommend that you attend informa- prevent crime. the most significant deterrents to criminal February 1 to the 26. The program is a fed- tion sessions provided by Service Canada – Canadians whose hard-earned liveli- behaviour is not sentencing, it is whether eral government grant given to prospective these are usually held during the application hoods have been destroyed by white-collar people fear that they will be caught. employers in certain sectors of work. The process and will be announced soon. criminals, families facing the devastating To stop financial crime, we need better grant gives employers the funds necessary For more information on the program, loss of a loved one and communities strug- regulations and more vigorous investiga- to hire a student looking for summer work you can consult Service Canada’s website gling to control the ravages of gangs are all tions to catch criminals before they defraud experience. It is a program in which jobs at www.servicecanada.gc.ca or call them toll badly served by a Conservative strategy Canadians. To stop street crime we must are created and valuable work experience free at 1-800-935-5555. designed to grab headlines, not criminals. modernize the Criminal Code and put more is gained. The bills themselves make that clear. police on the streets, but we must also 2009 was a very tough year for our com- Jean Crowder is Member of Parliament for Rooted more in style than substance, most make sure that we are giving communities munity and we are certainly not out of the Nanaimo-Cowichan. the necessary tools to attack the causes of violent crime. This means expanding programs to Starla Anderson reelected president reach youth at risk, addressing persistent gaps in mental health support, tackling violence against women and addressing of Saanich-Gulf Islands NDP Canada’s affordable housing crisis, among Saanich-Gulf Islands New Democrats ing a sabbatical as he tends to his young other measures. The conditions that create held a very successful, well attended and family, and Des McCambridge returning insecure neighbourhoods are complex. productive AGM December 12, at St. An- to the board after many years away as a To succeed in strengthening them, the drews Anglican Church in Sidney, on what member-at-large. Carol Pickup stepped government’s response must be just as was a very busy weekend right before down from the vice-president position, and comprehensive. Christmas. board newcomer Michele Murphy took her This approach is neither easy nor fast, The meeting included some healthy place. Starla Anderson will stay on as presi- but it is effective. A mass of international debate around running a strong candidate dent, Bill Graham as past-president, Irene evidence tells us that for every dollar we in SGI as the riding is presenting some Wright as secretary, Cathy Flikweert as invest in crime prevention programs focused formidable opponents. It was recognized financial agent, and Len Howland in charge on youth, we will save up to seven dollars once again that only the NDP adheres to of membership and NDP vote. Members in judicial costs later on. social democratic principles that address at large are Alan Coombes, Vivien Davies, As a country, we can pay to stop crime the inequalities that are inherent in a capi- Richard Mills, Carol Pickup, and Ro Reith. before it begins, or we can pay more to talist economic system and that the NDP The executive is looking forward to an suppress it later on. But when the govern- environmental policies cannot be outshone exciting year ahead, planning several events ment plays games with crime legislation, it is by any of the other parties. including an afternoon with Wayne Marston, Canadians that pay the price in victimization. The membership’s engagement at this NDP MP for the Ontario riding of Hamilton Come out and show this government there Prorogation is just such a game, proving meeting is a great indication that the mini- East-Stoney Creek, who is touring the west will be a political price to pay if they drive beyond reasonable doubt that Mr. Harper conference planned for February 21 (see speaking on seniors issues, and an all-day through this new tax on cycling. is simply not serious about crime or justice. notice on page 11 of this issue) will be a mini-conference focusing on what it means Now is the time for ACTION! Neither should be a political diversion for popular event. to be an NDPer. any government -- we simply have too much Starla Anderson’s gave the president’s SNI members are looking forward to at stake. report recapping a very busy year for the their Campaign Nomination Meeting, ten- executive, and new financial agent Cathy tatively scheduled for March 6. They are Joe Comartin is the NDP Flikweert presented the financial report excited to have one approved candidate MP for Windsor-Tecumseh. which highlighted SGI NDP’s return to black. nominee in Edith Loring-Kuhanga and are in Member Des McCambridge put forward discussions with at least one more potential a motion, passed unanimously by the mem- nominee. bership, concerning transparency around Please contact riding president Starla the Afghanistan detainees. Bill Graham will Anderson at [email protected] if work on drafting the resolution and it will be you are considering running. She would be sent to the Speaker of the House, Saanich- happy to answer any questions or concerns Gulf Island MP Gary Lunn, and NDP Leader that you may have. Jack Layton. After the business portion of the meeting The executive had some minor changes concluded, members enjoyed some good ol’ to the roster this year with Brian Port tak- fashioned socializing complete with holiday baking.

Safety and Human Factors Consultant Call David Olsen 250-655-6218 or email him at [email protected]

NDP Leader Jack Layton and Victoria MP Denise Savoie shared a table at Victoria Federal New Democrats’ very successful dim- sum fundraiser, held last month at the Golden City Restaurant.

Come out and show this government there will be a political price to pay if they ram through this new tax on cycling. Now is the time for ACTION! The Lower Island NEWS FEDERAL NEWS AND VIEWS February/March 2010 Page 9 NDP to propose ways to strengthen Canada’s democratic process By Denise Savoie, MP As I enter my fifth year as Victoria’s Member of Parliament, I see significant challenges ahead for 2010. But I am also more optimistic than ever that we can overcome. The federal Conservatives believe that no one can stop them. Their continued obstin- acy on climate change contributed to the international failure in Copenhagen, and now they refuse to curb emissions from big oil and gas if the US doesn’t. They have refused to provide access to information on the torture of Afghan detainees, and they suspended Parliament when MPs got too close to the truth, which is and that the government plans to (censored for national security reasons). And now they are insisting on cutting public services and programs instead of cancelling new corporate tax breaks to erase the structural deficit that they created with billions in reckless tax cuts already. The banks and stock market have emerged quite comfortably out of the recession, but Canadian workers are still short 323,000 jobs and their employment insurance is running out. Big corporations are paying less tax, but property owners are paying more and watch- ing the erosion of municipal services. 900,000 children and seniors are still immersed in poverty with no hint of enhanced family support or pension reform. We can afford to host the Olympic Games but we cannot afford to maintain funding for key health services or community groups. This summer we’ll start paying more for everyday goods so that BC businesses can have a major tax cut with the HST. Times are tough for many among us in our community. But the good news is that we are not gonna take it anymore. Indeed, it seems that the majority our society that is often demeaningly labelled “ordinary Canadians” has awoken to the critical problems that we collectively face today. Most have never participated in a political rally, written to their MP, or called in to the radio. But they turned out by the thousands to protest the HST last fall. They rallied an overwhelming outcry against the stealth approval of the mega-yacht marina in Victoria harbour. They collected Denise Savoie, MP for Victoria, attended one of the many Pro Democracy rallies thousands of signatures to force a vote on borrowing money to replace the Blue Bridge. held throughout Canada, to show the widespread opposition to Harper progogu- They stood their ground against reckless public spending on the Olympics while mental ing Parliament . Here, Savoie (centre) speaks to one fo the participants at the rally. health and other community services were ruthlessly cut back. And they proved the prime minister and mainstream media wrong by not just spelling “prorogation,” but understanding There are preferable alternatives to crippling our public services with spending cuts its implications and brilliantly using social media to make their disapproval clearly heard. in order to reduce the federal deficit. But instead of boldly promoting smarter, fairer tax We will need every one of us to stand up in 2010. policy that ensures everyone pays their share, that our economy stays competitive, and The upcoming federal budget will be a turning point in Canadian fiscal history. that Canadians get the public services they need and deserve, we will get the same fiscal As we emerge slowly and unequally out of the recession, we face a record $56-billion medicine that created our current structural deficit. We will be forced to endure a second federal deficit. Most of it is because of the recession and the federal stimulus package, but round of major cuts to government programs and services – perhaps not as bold or deep not all: the Parliamentary Budget Officer has calculated a structural deficit of $13.5 billion as those imposed by the federal Liberals in the 1990s, but nevertheless further weakening this year, growing to $18.9 billion in 2013. our collective capacity to provide public services for every citizen, and to ensure a more Predictably, the Conservative government is preparing Canadians for major cuts to equal, health Canadian society. public programs and services to tackle the deficit. They say the “last thing” Canadians In addition to these tax proposals, I and my New Democrat colleagues, including Jack need is to raise anyone’s taxes. Layton, have proposed several solutions to strengthen our democratic process: But the structural deficit was not created by spending – it was created by irresponsibly • Legislation that requires a majority vote in the House of Commons before excessive tax cuts over the last decade, including and especially corporate tax breaks that a prime minister can use prorogation to shut Parliament down will have cost the federal government in the neighbourhood of $170 billion by 2013, and • Rules requiring MPs who wish to switch parties to resign and run in a $30 billion in that year alone. by-election instead of simply “crossing the floor” Liberal and Conservative governments have slashed the federal corporate tax rate from • Closing the legal loopholes that allow public officials to be exempt from 29.12% in 2000 to 19% today, with further plans of lowering to 15% by 2012. Meanwhile, lobbyist laws and the government to hide documents under faulty premises they have told Canadians that we “can’t afford” to boost our over-stressed public health • Abolishing of the unelected, wasteful and now hyper-partisan Senate system, enhance the quality or accessibility of postsecondary education, or establish a • A citizens’ panel to propose an effective, fair system of proportional national system of early learning and child care. representation in a national referendum The critical balance between a competitive tax regime, quality public services and the I encourage you to express your support for these initiatives to the prime minister (pm@ fair distribution of our collective wealth is dangerously out of whack. As a society, we have pm.gc.ca) and copy me on your letter ([email protected]). to re-connect the dots between the taxes we pay and the services we want. Do we want to 2010 can be a very good year. We could see historic NDP legislation on climate change cut the income security programs for seniors that our parents and grand-parents depend and affordable housing pass into law. We could see a restoration of a fair and balanced tax on? Do we want to raise even further the tuition fees and student debt with which our system that keeps us competitive and provides the services we want and need. We could children and grand-children are struggling? Do we want wait times to grow and the quality see Victoria’s ideas like green commuter benefits and pension reform come to fruition. And of our health system to decline? Do we want to ignore the homeless on our streets or the we could see more intelligent, cooperative debate in our federal Parliament. precariously housed families in our communities? If the answer to any of these questions But we have to fight for it. Please continue rallying, writing and speaking out. This is the is no, then we have to decide how to collectively pay for the fair, sustainable, caring society best way to make sure that our democracy works: to pay attention, to get involved, and to for which Canadians have always stood. insist on the Canada we want. That does not mean raising taxes. It means cancelling further tax cuts to those who Together, we can build that Canada in 2010. don’t need them and don’t use them for the benefit of society or the economy, and it means making sure everyone pays their fair share. The composite tax-cut program since 1990 Denise Savoie is MP for Victoria. has reduced tax rates for the richest 1% of Canadians by 4%, while the rate for the bottom 10% has actually risen by 5%. In 2005, the richest 4% of Canadians paid a lower tax rate than the entire middle class! Now is a time when the redistributive role of government is needed more than ever, but the prime minister has chosen to ask a hand-picked group of business leaders to help “If Keynes was alive write this year’s pivotal budget instead of consulting Canadian citizens through their elected today I think he representatives in Parliament. It is therefore no surprise that cancelling $48 billion in planned might have called corporate tax cuts for the next four years is not considered as a way to reduce the deficit. this theory of The Liberal-Conservative argument for corporate tax cuts is that they stimulate the efficient markets a economy by encouraging corporations to create jobs and investment. However, reducing case of ‘weapons of the corporate tax rate by 10 percentage points did not mitigate the effects of the recession, math destruction’.” largely because those tax cuts – totalling $86 billion – did not result in the corporate re- investment that creates jobs. In fact, the re-investment rate in Canada has fallen in parallel, and actually more steeply, than the tax rate. Nor do these corporate tax cuts help overall economic growth. Finance Canada itself reports that every dollar of annual corporate tax cuts added only 10 cents to Gross Domes- “Anyone who tic Product (GDP) last year and 20 cents this year. By comparison, it estimates that each believes exponential dollar of annual infrastructure spending adds $1.00 to GDP this year and $1.50 next year. growth can go on Even more upsetting is that the coming corporate tax cuts will be a direct drain of $4 forever in a finite billion to $6 billion from the Canadian federal treasury to the U.S. federal treasury, since world is either a the U.S. government taxes its corporations on a worldwide basis. Every percentage point madman or an below the U.S. corporate tax level of 35% that is not charged by Canada to an American economist.” corporation will be charged by the U.S. Treasury. --Kenneth Boulding Now, if the government were to simply cancel the additional corporate tax cuts they had planned to introduce this year, it would save $1.5 billion this year alone, and almost $8 billion a year by 2013. If it reverted back to its pre-2006 level of 22% - still a direct drain to the U.S. treasury – it would save $8 billion this year and almost $15 billion in 2013 – almost entirely erasing the structural deficit. If we were to fully tax capital gains income – closing a loophole that overwhelmingly benefits the very wealthiest Canadian investors, with basic exemptions to protect low- income earners, farmers, fishers and small business owners – we could bring the federal books back to surplus. Dave Connell Tutoring And if we were to take up another idea that is gaining momentum, by restoring the GST Former Resource Teacher can teach most subjects to 7% and allocating the proceeds to municipalities, who could in turn avoid major property from grade 1-12, carpentry theory and tax hikes and service cuts, and also meet urgent needs for infrastructure replacement (or refurbishment, as the case may be). 70% of Canadians supported this idea in a recent college/university essay writing. national poll, and it reflects a long-standing argument I have had with the federal govern- Tutoring in my home or yours in the Victoria area. ment that corporations should not get annual tax breaks while property owners get annual Phone 250-381-5997 or email [email protected] tax hikes. The share for Victoria alone would be approximately $125 million. Page 10 February/March 2010 PROVINCIAL NEWS AND VIEWS The Lower Island NEWS Government should buy “precious” New Democrats join environmental and land around Shirley, Jordan Riv health organizations in calling for er immediate ban on cosmetic pesticides By John Horgan, MLA and placed a greater weight on assisting As some of you have read or heard on a private company’s bottom line than on VICTORIA— It is time for the BC Liberal has asked the provincial government to the local media, the Western Forest Prod- other public interests. A damning indictment government to listen to families and citizen- take action. ucts lands around Shirley and Jordan River indeed. led health and environmental organizations “Currently municipalities simply don’t are back up for sale. There are 61 lots on The province has known for some time and take immediate action to ban the un- have strong enough tools to stop the spread the market, including 960 hectares of Jordan that Western Forest Products intended to necessary use of toxic and carcinogenic of these dangerous chemicals. Bylaws can’t River waterfront and town site, Jacob Creek sell the land. Why didn’t they try to strike pesticides, say New Democrats. take these toxic products off the shelves waterfront, 487 hectares around Shirley, four a deal three years ago? One year ago? “These toxic chemicals have been or stop many in- parcels by Muir Creek and 227 hectares One month ago? Now the land is open to linked to cancer by numerous studies,” stitutional and adjacent to Sooke Potholes Regional Park. the highest bidder – whether they live in said New Democrat environment critic Rob industrial users With the downtown in the economy and Abu Dabhi, Alabama or Alberta – and the Fleming. “That is why I introduced a private from using these the decline in lumber sales, it’s no surprise province of BC is not at the table. member’s bill last year that would get this c h e m i c a l s o n that forest companies are now involving And where are our local government poison away from our homes and the places their properties. themselves in the real estate market. But I MLAs, Murray Coell and Ida Chong? Both where our children play.” That is why we have to question the wisdom and long-term have a seat at the cabinet table but they A coalition of 18 health and environmen- need the province benefit of this decision. seem to be silent. Perhaps they, like the tal organizations joined together January 14 to take action,” The west coast of our Island is world- rest of the Liberal MLAs, are quite content to call on the BC government to take swift said West. renowned for its beauty. We have mountains putting corporate interests ahead of public and decisive action to ban cosmetic pesti- “Like other to hike, trails to walk, and flora and fauna interest. cides. The coalition includes the Wilderness parents, I want to to photograph. People come here from all Government accountability should be Committee, Canada’s largest membership- do what I can to over the world to experience what they the first order of business, not the last. Admit based wilderness preservation organization. protect my chil- no longer have in their countries – natural there is a problem and work with people to “British Columbians are concerned dren from toxic beauty in its purest form. And when people find a solution. How tough is that? about the serious impact that these toxic chemicals,” said visit our region they stay at local hotels, eat I’ve called on the provincial government substances have on our health and our Fleming. “I hope the BC Liberal government at local restaurants and shop in local stores. to make an offer on this land. We will not environment,” said Ben West, Healthy will do the right thing and support legislation Our economy and residents benefit when get these precious pieces of land back once Communities Campaigner with the Wilder- to ban cosmetic pesticides in the coming tourists visit. the black top starts to flow. ness Committee on the organizations’ blog. spring session.” Western Forest Products may say it Please let me know how you feel about “Every day that goes by while this ban is Carole James and the New Democrats has every right to sell the land. But I have this and, if you agree with me that these not in place is another day that our families are advocating for positive environmental to ask where the BC government has been lands should be saved, I encourage you to are being exposed to these toxic products.” solutions, including a Green Fund which on this issue? write to Bill Bennett, Minister of Commu- Cities like Vancouver, Burnaby and would see $150 million a year for climate This issue first hit the media three years nity and Rural Development, to share your Esquimalt brought in bylaws aimed at stop- change solutions and transit improvements ago when Rich Coleman, the former Min- thoughts with him. He can be reached at ping cosmetic pesticide use. In addition, in communities across the province. ister of Forests, let WFP remove its land [email protected]. the Union of BC Municipalities, which rep- from the tree farm licences, taking away resents communities across the province, any protection the land once had as green John Horgan is MLA for Juan de Fuca. space and working forest. This decision was ill-conceived, unnecessarily secretive, and made without regard for the interests of the Gandhi’s Seven Sins: Taxes: an investment in our quality of residents in our area or the future of our coastal communities. I should also mention Wealth without work life and the wellbeing of our community that the shareholders of WFP saw a $200 Pleasure without conscience By Dale Perkins million benefit with this decision. Knowledge without character a collapsing system”, and the introductory Soon it will be Income Tax deadline time The province’s independent auditor, Commerce without morality words were: “If the financial debacles of the again, and right on cue we can expect to John Doyle, did a review of this sale and Science without humanity past decade – the enormous bubbles, the hear the usual cacophony of jokes and dis- found that the decision was done without Worship without sacrifice credit collapse and its trillion-dollar conse- paraging remarks about income taxes. Most sufficient regard for the public interest Politics without principle quences – have taught us anything about originate from our neighbours to the south: the American economy, it is that capitalists “Capital punishment: The Income Tax” have done a remarkably poor job of safe- – Jeff Hayes, and guarding the future of capitalism.” It went “People who complain about taxes on to observe, “Not only must we repair our can be divided into two classes: men and tenuous financial system but shore it up Murray J. Ellis women” – author unknown (but US Ameri- to withstand two great, gathering storms: Chartered Accountant can to be sure). dwindling energy supplies and accelerating Jim Jaarsma Not as often recited are the ones that climate change.” Question – any evidence Services to Small Business give the opposite perspective: they’ve learned anything in the past year Contracting “Taxes, after all, are dues that we pay and a half? Bookkeepers available 250-360-1905 for the privileges of membership in an orga- Two of the writers (Lakoff and Budner) nized society,” Franklin D. Roosevelt, and state “taxes should reflect the benefits that Quality Carpentry “I like to pay taxes; with them I buy civi- the taxpayers receive. Taxes from every- lization,” Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. 250-385-1011 General Contracting one – rich and poor alike – go into a com- 1325 Tolmie Avenue Seeing positives in paying taxes is mon pot, to provide services for a nation’s not something the Fraser Institute and inhabitants.” They called the common pot, their obedient political operatives, Gordon the “common wealth” and it empowers both Campbell & Co., are capable of recogniz- the rich and the poor. ing. Their fixation on reducing or eliminating And what about progressive taxation, each and every tax they encounter is now the underpinning of most of our social leg- Cowichan Valley New Democrats revealed for what it is – nothing but a ruse for islation of the past – have we given up on privatizing the commonwealth built up over that noble concept? It used to be understood past decades. Their mantra is “stop gov- as the way people with more disposable ernments from stealing your hard-earned income paid a higher percentage of that cash; we want you to keep it in your own income in tax than those with less income. Stay in touch: pockets”. That’s simply an underhanded The opposite is a regressive tax that is fixed way of licensing private corporations to and makes no reference to a person’s abil- By mail to PO Box 102, Duncan, BC V9L 1P0 grab the money you’ve saved from reduced ity to pay. taxes to pay higher prices and user fees for We once thought Canada had a pro- By phone: 250-701-4781 their products, which, in turn, provides them gressive tax system, but we have seen the with bigger profits. Tax relief should now steady erosion of that principle, orchestrated All members are welcome at our meetings. be seen for what it is – just a blunt way to by the rich, so that a greater percentage of award private corporations by cutting back the tax burden is now shouldered by those from public enterprises and community-run with the least income. Å good example is programs, so they then can be given over sales taxes. Imagine a boss and her secre- to the private, corporate sector. tary both buy the same refrigerator, costing We, the public, can easily become mes- $1,000 (in round figures). In BC both will pay merized by the slick ad campaigns and the $120 in provincial and federal sales taxes. Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca political slogans praising tax cuts. We’re told For the boss, that tax bite would equal less to think of it as a natural and legitimate aspi- than two hours work. For the secretary, it ration, and we ought to praise and support might be almost 10 hours work. New Democrats any politician who promises lower taxes. From a purely selfish perspective, I too But what are we saying when we get would love to pay less taxes. But when I suckered into parroting these jingles? For consider the benefits I receive in return, I find a start, we’re saying that public agencies myself less resentful and don’t begrudge the Stay in touch! and operations are not important. We are cheque that goes to the Canada Revenue duped into condemning public education Service each year. Like the past American You can reach your Executive at P.O. Box 622, and health services, as inferior and inef- jurist, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., I now con- 105-1497 Admirals Road, Victoria, BC, V9A 2P8 ficient, not worthy of our support through sider it an investment in my quality of life, progressive taxes. and the wellbeing of my community. by phone at 250-381-2166 A past issue of Harper’s magazine (No- or by emailing Jock Bates (President) at wanzbates@ shaw.ca vember 2008) had as its lead article, “How Dale Perkins is coordinator of Orangeforum, and to Save Capitalism: Fundamental fixes for a retired minister of the United Church of Canada The Lower Island NEWS PROVINCIAL NEWS AND VIEWS February/March 2010 Page 11 A daughter’s tribute to her mother, Sonja Young By Susan Young cause that’s what Mum did – she took up by Tennis Canada to play -- as Canada’s I begin by expressing heartfelt thanks an astonishing variety of activities over her representative -- at a tournament in Turkey. to all members of Mum’s incredible com- life, and that meant she and Dad took up And while all this was going on, munity for the outpouring of love and with an astonishing variety of people, too. she found herself taking up, more support shown over the past few months. Let’s begin with Metchosin. Vanessa’s and more, to organized activism: This love came in many forms: calls, poem evoked for us the many pursuits -for the Sierra Club cards, soup, flowers, plants, baked goods, she orchestrated and supported for our -with the Island Transforma - letters, emails, knitted gifts, invitations family. I’ll just add the highly-talented tions Organization (fondly known out, visits in, photo collages, deliveries of Metchosin Ladies Cricket Team to that by her as, “The Train Guys”) wood, the singing of Xmas carols in our list, for which the three of us played. - with the BC Sustainable Energy Asso- front entrance, and a cooler full of the Soon enough however, once she ciation (leading to the installation of a solar Metchosin Equestrian Society’s Xmas got talking to the Saanich Pony hot water heater on the roof of the house) potluck dinner. You shared memories of Club, Mum’s reach extended to - -The Land Conservancy both fun and disastrous events with her, - the Pony Club regionally then nationally - The Robert Bateman Centre, and Curious about jokes, you gossiped, you brought her up - dressage shows in Saanich and beyond - by taking up with a network of like-mind- to speed on the issues she cared about, - teaching Riding for the Disabled ed people; taking on interventions at munici- ethical and asked her advice, you reassured her, - the Victoria Horse & Buggy Club. pal meetings and public consultations on the investing? and you graciously accepted the items she And then she took up future of renewable energy and transit in BC placed in your hands as you left the house. broader community matters: on behalf of a number of these organizations. As if that wasn’t already so much, you - the Association for the Pres- Frankly, at this point, her family no then told her how she would be remembered: ervation of Rural Metchosin longer had a full handle on her schedule or 250-405-3550 - with a cairn to be built on a Metcho- - as a Director for Metchosin on the its subject matter. She revelled in it, she www.stephenwhipp.com sin walking and riding trail not far from CRD Advisory Planning Commission, the contributed, she attended, she read and here. We encourage you to come out for CRD’s Roundtable on the Environment researched and, as many of you know, she a walk or a ride, and pause to read the and its Regional Trails Coordinating Group corresponded regularly and publicly with words composed by Mum that will adorn it. -the Victoria Fami - two people I don’t believe she had ever - with the naming of the Langford Ten- ly Court & Youth Justice Committee. even met – the editors of the Victoria Times nis Club’s Junior Tennis Champion Cup, so As a concerned citizen, she Colonist and the Goldstream News Gazette. fitting for someone who got so much enjoy- made representations to munici- This is where I wrap up, friends, with ment out of teaching tennis to kids and see- palities concerning the negative im- Mum’s greatest frustration and disappoint- ing them progress (and thank goodness they pacts of unrestrained development. ment – that she wasn’t done taking up and Saanich Gulf-Islands NDP invites our did because frankly, folks, her daughters And then she took up working again, taking on. And so I’d like to appeal to you, fellow New Democrats to: were a bit of a disappointment on that front!) where she admittedly cooled her heels a her community -- an appeal to your em- - with a plaque (in the memory of bit, taking solace in the boat ride to and pathy for the quandary in which those two Sherry and Surprise, our most stalwart from the Dockyard every morning and eve- newspaper editors now find themselves. The Values of Being NDP childhood steeds) by the Metchosin Pony ning and, later, the occasional small port They have surely lost one of their most Please join us with our special guests Club on its riding ring bleachers, and inspection on the Canada Customs launch. consistent and persistent contributors. for what is sure to be an inspiring day - with a paving stone in her name, in rec- Then she “retired”… To boot, both the public and all of conversations, ideas and ognition of her service as a member of the While continuing her rid - levels of government have lost, by reflections as we come together to Advisory Board for the soon-to-be construct- ing and community matters, Mom re- her passing, a point of view that is take stock of the values that drew us to the cause, and of who we are now ed Robert Bateman Centre at Royal Roads. turned after a long break to tennis: an alternative to “business-as-usual”. as New Democrats. Please know that these expressions of - locally at the Langford Tennis Club And so I have one specific task in which love are the most important gifts a person - on the Island scene at the I hope you’ll join me--by taking up, taking Joining us will be: nearing the end of her life can receive. Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club on and taking over from Mum. That is, Libby Davies, MP • Peter Julian, MP And this is where I seg - - provincially at a number of Can- every once in a while and with a thought Michael Prince, PhD • Joan Russow, PhD ue into what a life it was... ada Seniors’ Games, and then for her, put your views concerning an is- I’ve chosen the theme, “Taking Up” be- - internationally, when she was chosen sue of the day into a letter to the Editor! Sunday February 21st at UVic 10 am - 4:30 pm **

**Advance registration only Friends of CWB again take federal government For more information: to court to protect farmers’ democratic rights www.sgindp.wordpress.com or call Starla Anderson WINNIPEG -- The Friends of the Cana- “Since coming into office in 2006, the any other independent election process,” 250-744-2791 dian Wheat Board (FCWB) are being forced Harper government has used every dirty concluded Laurence Nicholson, “just as we once again to take on the federal govern- trick to try to kill the Canadian Wheat Board,” believe that it is illegal for the government ment in Federal Court. said Saskatchewan farmer Stewart Wells. to override a farmer-run-and-financed elec- Saanich Gulf-Islands “The Friends of the Wheat Board “Farmers had to challenge the government tion process mandated by Parliament with launched this case in 2008, and we were in Federal Court in 2007 over the legality a ‘secret’ letter.” hoping for a speedy trial,” said Laurence of a Cabinet Order which would have fun- Donations towards the legal action Nicholson, a grain producer from Seven damentally diminished the effectiveness of can be made directly to the Friends of the Persons, Alberta. “True to form, though, the the CWB. We were successful with that Canadian Wheat Board, c/o 104 Rue St. federal government fought us at every turn major action, but the government has kept Pierre, St. Norbert, MB, R3V 1J8. and the expedited trial was denied. But this on attacking the CWB at every opportunity. case is about basic democracy and fairness Now the government is attacking the basic for farmers, and we will press on.” democratic rights of Canadians--in this case At issue is whether a government min- farmers. For instance, the RCMP concluded Stay in touch with ister can override the CWB Act and Regu- that in the 2008 CWB director elections, lations with a “secret” letter of instruction Conservative MPs spent thousands of dol- New Democrat news which fundamentally changes the rights lars of taxpayer money directly campaigning and responsibilities of CWB Permit Book on behalf of anti-CWB candidates.” holders. During the 2008 director elections, A 16-page account of the systematic in Victoria-Beacon Hill thousands of farmers were unilaterally and and sometimes illegal attacks on the CWB without notification stripped of their auto- is available upon request. matic voting privileges by a letter issued “It should be illegal for MPs to use tax- at our new website: by Minister Ritz in July 2008 and not made payer money to campaign in CWB elections, public for two months. school board elections, civic elections, or www.vbhndp.bc.ca

Or contact VBH president Marianne Alto directly at [email protected] Current Topics on Orangeforum:

1) Discussion of core values and mission of the NDP. Oak Bay-Gordon Head New Democrats 2) The impact of Climate Change and what to do about it--the Suzuki method critiqued. 3) The Security and Prosperity Partnership Agreement (SPPA)--why it is important today if Canada wants a tomorrow. 4) The TimberWest TFL boondoggle Stay in touch! 5) An Environmental Plan with a difference. 6) Electoral Reform and why the NDP needs to get behind it. 7) Gambling Expansion -- the BC Liberals’ achilles heel. Find us online: www.obghnewdemocrats.ca 8) Health Care for seniors — The BC Liberal betrayal! 9) and more ... or by email: [email protected] Visit www.orangeforum.ca and join the conversation. Contact us to sign up for our monthly newsletter! Page 12 February/March 2010 EDUCATION NEWS AND VIEWS The Lower Island Diary of a mad trustee Cowichan trustee worries--among other things--about FSA test By Eden Haythornthwaite but alas our zeal was not matched by much the largest School District in BC, the Van- I sometimes imagine the dossier all the of an outcome. I am not disputing this ap- couver School Board, has elected to give countless letters from trustees around the proach – merely noting it. their families exactly what the Cowichan province are dispatched to at the Ministry of Our greatest accomplishment has been board continues to withhold – the right to Education and what sort of company they our astonishing success renewing our rela- decide if FSA testing is in their child’s best must be keeping. tionships with the aboriginal bands in this interests. Pretty mild stuff. I assume our entire correspondence is district and in particular Cowichan Tribes, Now we have just begun to machete in the same file as the eight million emails with a spotlight on our progress in working our way along the budget path, done for from Nigerian princes (or their widows) who with the Hwulmuhw Mustimuhw Education now in the Finance Committee, but I must want help getting huge sums of money out of Council. This came as quite a pleasant offer a bit of commentary on the proceed- their country. There are the requisite Viagra surprise to me since we have not actually ings. We have been subjected to a new and ads and all those damned messages from made any progress addressing their main gleaming budget model which, to be frank, is Eastern Europe presenting clean virginal concerns around inclusion in the aborigi- pretty much like the old model in that it rests Russian girls. Maybe the odd Rogaine offer nal budget preparations, advancement of entirely on frustrating the aims of staff and and every pizza flier they receive in case serious culture and language programs families to provide quality public education. they need to order for a late night session. or equal hiring. Still the ministry must But there is nothing like a bit of elemen- For the most part the responses we have had a good reason for their happy tary graphics to liven things up. Evidently our receive from the Ministry roughly echo the optimism – whatever is in the account we ministry has instructed the senior staff to es- regard anyone might have for these sorts gave concerning these matters, it provided Eden Haythornthwaite tablish a design which authorizes the barest of communications but – we did get quite some much needed cheer for our district’s of legally mandated services and the devil a nice little reply to the account we submit- accomplishments. mance when they have failed to supply the will take the hindmost--those being in no ted on our progress regarding the recom- Now all we have to do is live up to all necessary resources to meet their tragically particular order and by no means restricted mendations from the Southern Report (see this grandeur. minimal standards for quality learning. All to this list–small schools, French Immersion, link at the end). I think I will have this letter Then came the highlights in the letter in all – the kind of letter which could be ex- bussing and non enrolling teachers. bronzed. -- as far as student achievement goes, our panded into an offbeat miniseries or used So we have a box with the “bare bones” It has a distinctly head patting tone district is, as they said, static in terms of as an excuse for early retirement. services within (which for now appears to in- – congratulating us for even having tried, results--our graduation rates below pro- At the beginning of the meeting, the clude administration costs) and an “optional” just like a parent addressing a particularly vincial levels. Quite a nasty knock on the local teachers’ union folks provided the box with everything else. I am not kidding! addled child. Apparently we have made a head I would say. But I would also add the package they will be circulating concerning Who cares if eliminating these aspects of “serious effort” to meet the requirements ministry has a helluva set of cajones grieving the upcoming Foundation Skills Assessment our system will not come close to offsetting in the recommendations from Dr. Southern in shocked disbelief over our poor perfor- tests – due to be administered to our kids the deficit we are predicting and, in fact, in grades 4 and 7 in the next month. It is an will slash our enrollment which in turn will instructive tool for parents who may wish cascade into less funding, which will lead to to remove their children from the testing further cuts, less enrolment and on and on. regime. This is more or less what has occurred MacIsaac and MacIsaac In January last year, our board sent a in the last decade or so, but the new budget Dan MacIsaac* letter to the Ministry of Education stating: model will accelerate the process. At this “FSA does not provide meaningful in- table – the divide is almost even – 8 voted Ron MacIsaac* Deanna Lane formation for instruction and therefore is a to proceed with the model presented and 7 Certificate in Arbitration & diversion rather than a support to increasing against. Yet, in a winner take all approach, Mediation, University of Windsor there will be no reflection of that consider- *Denotes Professional Corporation student achievement. This diversion is cost- able lack of consensus. To take this catas- Personal Injury ICBC Claims ly to teacher time, school district resources and most significantly to student success.” trophe to community and claim the ministry Family Law Child Protection That was our choice as a board– we made us do it will not stand or certainly it Real Estate Wills and Estates made our own views known to the govern- should not. Free First Consultation ment. How then should trustees support the As trustees in the coming months we will 250-478-1131 families of this district who wish to stand up all have to decide if our mandate simply is to mechanically and dispassionately dismantle 2227 Sooke Road, Victoria for the same principle? Our board to its credit has clearly public education so there is nothing left expressed its considerable dismay over to defend. So far, the majority of us have these tests. In March 2007 the Cowichan agreed to proceed as if we have no choice Board of Trustees passed a motion calling but to do so. on the BC Ministry of Education to eliminate If trustees have no choice…who does? the Foundation Skills Assessment testing The end of this meeting was punctuated program. They supported the teachers call by the rattle of a motion, intended to shrink Robert G. Milne for a moratorium on FSA testing in the fall our numbers from the current nine to seven. of 2009. As I have commented on this at length, I will Jawl & Bundon FOURTH FLOOR It should therefore be time for us to get refrain here, but I am happy to report the Lawyers 1007 FORT off the pot and lend a hand to those parents majority decided we need all our trustees STREET who feel the same way. As usual, we are and the motion failed. VICTORIA, BC instructed by administration--without any I was relieved. I thought for a moment I V8V 3K5 actual evidence--that if we simply practice would find myself swamped with board work TELEPHONE 250-385-5787 what we preach and tell parents they have as a result of having fewer colleagues. Now FAX 250-385-4364 the right to choose, we are disobeying a that we have confirmed our numbers, I can EMAIL [email protected] law and will be punished in this or perhaps serenely return to all those activities I enjoy the next life on the grounds we could be due to the copious free time being a trustee offending the School Act. This, despite the bestows–time travel, cloning mammoths, fact there is no direct wording in that piece of raising the dead, spray painting nudes on dynamic legislation which prohibits parental parked cars and oh yes – playing happily SIHOTA & STARKEY right to decide on this matter. The participa- with the trains. Amen… LAWYERS & NOTARIES tion guidelines merely assert our students are “expected” to write. You and I both Note: The “Southern Report” can be viewed know that if students could be compelled to at www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/pubdocs/ PERSONAL INJURY • ICBC CLAIMS write the word “required” would have been bcdocs/439607/2008-05_special_advi- Family • Real Estate • Wills • Estates used–but it is not. sor_report.pdf). In the interests of clarity, I should tell you FREE 1st Consultation • Standard Fees for Many Services 250-381-5111 Piggies want help 1248 Esquimalt Road, Victoria On April 11, at St. Ann’s Academy, the air will be filled with snorts and squeals of delight, as Canada’s corporate elite get roasted. Between 2 and 4 pm, some of the more visible excesses of capitalism will be--should we say?--toasted as awards are given out to John Heaney CEOs that are outstanding in their piggish Heenan Blaikie LLP violation of the environment, the resources 514-737 Yates Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1L6 of the country, the bank accounts of ordinary Phone: 250-381-9599 Canadians, and of the public treasury. The 13th Annual Toll Free Fax: 1-866-615-8276 This is the 13th year that this parody of the Email: [email protected] Academy Awards has been held, and your par- Corporate Golden Piggy ticipation is requested. Volunteers are needed Awards to write short skits (about 3 pages maximum), Civil and Commercial Litigation, “Giving Corporate Greed and Corruption the reward it deserves since 1996” Labour and Employment Law to sing the songs that go between the skits, to at St. Ann’s Auditorium Administrative and Constitutional Law participate in the skits on stage, and for lots of (835 Humboldt St. at Blanshard) Employment Litigation off-stage jobs. Sunday April 11, 2010 2-4 pm Human Rights It’s lots of fun. If you’re interested, call 250- Free Admission Collective Agreements, Privacyi 385-1307, or contact [email protected]

C The Lower Island NEWS PROVINCIAL NEWS February/March 2010 Page 13 Freedom of information under fire Broken promises: BC’s coalbed High fees, delays undermining government accountability VICTORIA – Failure to comply with its High fees and delays are also being methane rules inferior own access to information rules is under- blamed for 57% decline in Freedom of In- New reports by Dogwood Iniative show government commitments not met mining the BC’s Government’s claims of formation requests in the last 12 years. In transparency and accountability, according 1995 there were 3,263 requests and only Back in 2007 Gordon Campbell’s gov- 6. Reclamation of land damaged; to a report by Dogwood Initiative and the 1,403 in 2007. ernment promised BC would have the best 7. Lessening noise pollution; University of Victoria’s Environmental Law “The Act promises not only an open standards for coalbed methane practices 8. Visual Impacts; and Clinic. and accountable government, but a gov- in North America. Almost three years later 9. Setback from houses and schools. In a presentation February 3 to the ernment that in good faith desires to be an investigation by Dogwood Initiative has BC’s broken promise is especially trou- Special Committee reviewing the Freedom open and accountable. These promises found this promise was broken. The protec- bling given that the government continues to Information and Protection of Privacy have not been honoured,” says Morgan tion British Columbia offers landowners, to provide massive subsidies ($539 million Act, the groups cited excessive delays, Blakley, author of the report and a member communities, water and wildlife give less was budgeted in 2010 for royalty reductions high fee estimates, and overzealous cen- of the University of Victoria’s Environmen- protection than other jurisdictions. and road and pipeline credits to the oil and soring of released documents, as among tal Law Clinic. New reports from the Dogwood Initiative gas industry) of taxpayers’ money effectively the many issues that have rendered the The Freedom of Information and Pro- confirm provincial rules on coalbed methane subsidizing fossil fuel developments like Act ineffective. tection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) requires that exploring, drilling and production do not coalbed methane. “It’s a nightmare,” says Dogwood Initia- the Act be reviewed by a special commit- live up to the standards set in other places “If the government wants to overcome tive’s Eric Swanson, referring to the pro- tee of the Legislative Assembly every six to safeguard against the intense industrial the widespread community opposition to cess of obtaining information via the Act. years, and the Third Special Committee development that accompanies coalbed coalbed methane they’re going to have to “This essential component of our democra- will report to the House by May 31, 2010. methane. strengthen their rules,” commented Dog- cy has been systematically neglected and The deadline for submissions to the Com- Coalbed methane is an unconventional wood Initiative executive director Will Horter. now stands withered.” mittee has been extended to February 28, form of natural gas. The number of propos- “So far they have not met any of the best In 2008, 47% of requests made by pub- 2010. als has skyrocketed since 2007 when the practices in North America.” lic interest groups, the media, and political provincial government declared it to be a The report, Citizens Guide for Coalbed parties, the groups most responsible for Ron reviews: cornerstone of its Energy Plan. There has Methane in BC, is designed to help people holding government accountable in our recently been significant controversy over affected by proposed coalbed methane democratic system, were not met in the ECOFORESTRY, the Art and Science projects in the Telkwa, Fernie, Princeton, operations in their communities to under- legal time frame. It took five years for the of Sustainable Forest Use, edited by A. Campbell River and the Sacred Headwa- stand the potential impacts and to help Freedom of information and Privacy As- Drengson and D. Taylor ters areas. them participate more effectively in the ap- sociation to gain access to some of the This text sets out the new paradigm for Dogwood Initiative’s Best Practices for proval processes to ensure their interests 600+page contract between the govern- the forest industry. A full complement of Coalbed Methane in BC report documents are protected. ment and IBM. In contrast other public 36 scientists has set out the way we must other jurisdictions more rigorous require- Readers can download the reports, bodies had their requests responded to in resource our timber. ments for: Citizens Guide to Coalbed Methane in BC a legal time frame 94% of the time. It is not so much about the failed sys- 1. Protecting water quality; and Best Practices to Coalbed Methane in The submission also cited the problem tem that has gutted our wonderful forest 2. Flaring gases; BC by going to www.dogwoodinitiative.org of excessive fees. In one case, the Sierra resources, as it is a guide for the logging 3. Cumulative impacts; Legal Defence fund received a fee esti- companies and government to terminate 4. Consultation and unbiased deci- mate of $24,600. After disputing the fee, the carnage in our woods. sion-making; the fee estimate increased to $172,947.50. --Ron MacIsaac 5. Royalties for public resources; FEDERAL/PROVINCIAL NEWS AND VIEWS

Page 14 February/March 2010 COMMENTARY The Lower Island Passenger people By Tim Pheotist The average person expects the ing and peaceful creature and the safety of protecting the interests of others. These days the average economist is “expert economists” and “elected rep- numbers (remember the idea of solidarity of The Passenger Pigeon was decimat- scratching around trying to understand, resentatives” to clearly understand and workers!!) protected the individual pigeon. ed one individual, or one small flock, at a and then explain to us lesser beings, “The explain the nature of today’s difficulties But the passenger had a fatal weak- time – eaten one small carcass at a time. Economy”. Whether it be Micro, Macro, and to effect rational and fair solutions. ness. It represented an almost infinite food Today’s human societies are viewed Global, New World Order etc. – choose The average person should not source. Your writer won’t tell the entire sto- by capitalist predators en masse (en a chapter – one thing is clear. Noth- be holding breath for this to happen. ry here, but the ease with which the pigeon flock?). The individual, alone, has no ing is clear to the average economist. We’ve reached a point where simply could be captured and killed made it a superb value and is prey. It is the work prod- Why is this? From the average person being an intelligent, compassionate Cana- resource for the invaders of North America. uct of the individual, as part of a con- on the street (sadly, often literally) to the dian is not enough to counter the poison of The pigeons were decimated by the trollable and organized workforce, that suburban yuppy, things could not be clearer. today’s Greedy Globe of a world economy. tens of millions, in part, to feed – the slaves allows a limited life to the individual. The average person now exists pri- This economist resists the tempta- and the poor! Jonathan Swift knew a thing Step out of the flock marily to serve an economic model tion to recite the tale of Chicken Little be- or two about economics and how to sustain and the sky will fall on you. that itself exists to serve the unbridled cause much of the sky has already fallen the underclasses. Eat the poor to feed the For safety and survival we must remain greed of a few gigantic corporations and as far as the average person is concerned. poor. Swift knew well the truth of his satire. part of a flock, but we can choose which flock. those that control and feed from them. To the extent that further damage can be Poor Passenger found itself to be at Unlike the passenger pigeon, we News from the US Supreme Court, mitigated by understanding inevitable and the bottom of the bottom of the food chain. have the power of reason and choice. last month, that corporations, recognized historical consequences, the following fac- By the turn of the century all passen- We should choose not to be as enjoying the rights and characteris- tual story may make a more telling metaphor. ger pigeons were gone. There were unsuc- part of the flock (econometric mod- tics of the individual citizen, should be Throughout much of the 19th century cessful efforts to revive and breed them in el!) designed by global capitalists. allowed to buy the elective office of any one of the most ubiquitous birds in North captivity but without the strength of the num- We must choose to be part of the representative of their choosing, should America was the Passenger Pigeon. Their bers they needed – impossible to replicate flock whose work product is returned to come as no surprise. (Tim strongly rec- numbers were measured in multiple mil- in captivity – inevitably they faded away. enhance the nests of all, for the good of ommends, before enrolling for your MBA, lions. A flock of pigeons, in flight, would Now, the passenger pigeon doesn’t rep- the flock. Not a nesting twig should be al- watching the movie The Corporation – an darken the sky for acres, just as a swarm resent a stand-alone economic model but it lowed to be thieved by capitalist raptors. education in itself). Have we returned to of locusts might. (No disrespect intended was, for a time, a tool of an economic model. We can stop the sky from fall- the days of the English Rotten Boroughs? to the average equal opportunity locust). It was a finite resource which was abused by ing with a wall of worker’s solidar- The average person clearly under- The Passenger became extinct be- uncontrolled and greedy capital interests. ity and resistance to the forces that to- stands where the family money is spent fore the end of the 19th century. There’s There are parallels with to- day have created, worldwide, a new and what vanishingly little value is received. not a single one alive on this planet. From day’s problems and some remind- and crueler form of poverty and slavery. The average person clearly un- billions to zero. How could this happen? ers and warnings to be absorbed. Otherwise, beware that we do not derstands the diminishing choices of The passenger pigeon was a social crea- For civilized societies there is become Passenger People, and as lifestyle and activities that are avail- ture. Nesting closely, a tree might hold 100 safety in numbers. But the individ- the pigeon, allow our carcasses to be able today, to the individual and family. nests. The passenger was an undemand- ual finds true protection only when the only thing that feeds our families. Monsanto takes Center for Food Safety legal victory to highest Court The US Supreme Court decided January even though USDA’s court-ordered analysis media about the significant risks of geneti- and protect us from the constant fear of 15 to hear a first-time case about the risks is now complete, and the US government cally engineered crops and the vital need contamination from GE crops,” said Phil of genetically engineered crops. Named actively opposed further litigation in this to protect farmers and the environment.” Geertson, an alfalfa farmer based in Idaho. Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms, No. matter, underscores the great lengths that Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown A 2009 study showed that the use of 09-475, the case before the high court will Monsanto will go to further its mission of crop in the US and a key source of dairy genetically modified crops, the vast major- be yet another step in an ongoing battle patent control of our food system and selling forage. It is the first perennial crop to be ge- ity Monsanto’s “roundup ready” crops, has waged by the Center for Food Safety to more pesticides.” netically engineered. It is open-pollinated by caused over the last 13 years a dramatic protect consumers and the environment The federal district court required the bees, which can cross-pollinate at distances increase in herbicide use, by 383 million from potentially harmful effects of genetically Department of Agriculture to undertake of several miles, spreading the patented, for- pounds, and concomitant harms to the engineered (GE) crops. an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) eign DNA to conventional and organic crops. environment and human health. The modified alfalfa seed at the heart assessing the impacts of the crop on the Such biological contamination threatens the The US Department of Justice has un- of the dispute has been engineered to be environment and on farmers; the first time livelihood of organic farmers and dairies, dertaken an investigation of Monsanto re- immune to Monsanto’s flagship herbicide the US government had ever undertaken since the US Organic standard prohibits garding violations of anti-trust and monopoly Roundup. Monsanto intervened in a 2007 such analysis for any GE crop. The court genetic engineering, and alfalfa exporters, laws and is set to hold public hearings in federal district court ruling that the Depart- permitted farmers that had already planted since most overseas governments also spring 2010. ment of Agriculture’s approval of GE alfalfa to continue, but halted any further planting reject GE-contaminated crops. Another 2009 study showed that, de- was illegal. The Center for Food Safety pending the agency’s re-assessment. That “We trust the Supreme Court will uphold spite decades of promises and hype, GE (CFS) filed a 2006 lawsuit on behalf of a the EIS was required is not in dispute; the farmers right to choose their crop of choice crops do not increase yields. coalition of non-profits and farmers who legal issue is only the scope of relief while wished to retain the choice to plant non-GE USDA analyzed the impacts of the crop for alfalfa. CFS was victorious in this case – in the first time. addition CFS has won two appeals by Mon- In October 2009 Monsanto asked the Daily Waste Times, Victoria, BC Adversary Advertorial santo in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Supreme Court to hear further arguments. Circuit: in 2008 and again in 2009. Now, In response, the Center and the US govern- upon Monsanto’s insistence, the Supreme ment separately opposed that request the Court has agreed to hear the case. following December. USDA completed the BUSINESS Editor: J. Fraser Institute > Telephone: 250-555-CASH > E-mail:[email protected] “This is truly a ‘David versus Goliath’ first draft of the EIS in December 2009. struggle, between public interest non-profits “Although we believe a further hearing is and a corporation bent on nothing less than unnecessary, we are confident we will again Global Private Sewage Corporation domination of our food system,” said Andrew prevail, as the lower courts have already reports record profits Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for three times determined,” continued Kimbrell. Food Safety. “That Monsanto has pushed “We hope that this grand stage will further Top execs meet bonus criteria were able to make through deregula- this case all the way to the Supreme Court, inform the public, policymakers and the winning them over 5.6 million in tion and fine-tun- bonuses - “Outlook is great!” ing the language on our original JoHN Dweller contract. It gave Globe-wide News Service us the flexibil- ity that we need Saanich North and the Islands New Democrats VICTORIA - Only seven years after signing the to carry out our amendment to the original contract, Global Private primary function Sewage Corporation is pleased to announce that – creating wealth they have recouped their original investment, and for our sharehold- are on firm ground for years of record-breaking ers,” adds John. Stay in touch! profits and top-level executive greed. “We are look- “The original deal was short-sighted and didn’t ing forward to account for the growing need of our executive’s bidding on other You can reach your president Gary Holman by phone lifestyles or our ability to lobby and litigate,” said public services at 250-653-2042 or by email at [email protected] Top John, GPSC’s new CEO and board chair. such as water treatment, and John, checking on his sewage portfolio “It tied our hands in several areas including health health and edu- and safety standards, wage negotiations, public cation delivery. There is so much room here for Keep May 1st open for our annual “Pasta ‘n Politics” safety and health, and so many inconvenient profit, and very little to stand in our way. environmental standards. It had accountability fundraiser. Details to follow. clauses that were unrealistic in today’s markets. The contract between the cash-strapped CRD and I am pleased with the gains that our lobbyists GPSC is up again in April, 2036. NO to CORPORATE SEWAGE TREATMENT Victoria Labour Council YOuR PRESENCE iS ViTAL AT ThiS PubLiC MEETiNG 219-2750 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4E8 Pre-register to speak at: Ph: 250-384-8331 FAX: 250-384-8381 Email: [email protected] www.wastewatermadeclear.ca The VLC, representing affiliated unions in the Greater Victoria area, or call 250.360-3001. Or just be holds its regular monthly meeting the third Wednesday of each month at 7 pm present – it makes a difference! at the Burnside-Gorge Community Centre . All delegates are invited to come out and meet the Executive: Thursday, Feb. 25, 4-6:30 pm CRD office at 625 Fisgard Str Mike Eso, President; Mike Ferguson, Treasurer; Mary Ehle, Secretary www.victoriacouncilofcanadians.blogspot.com The Lower Island NEWS PROVINCIAL COMMENTARY February/March 2010 Page 15 Making Your Money Work For You: Corporate Behaviour – Is it any of Your Business? By Stephen Whipp Why Does It Matter? Shareholder Engagement years old in April the three organizations This is the first of a series of articles Some of the non-financial issues that One way of paying attention to managing campaigning against the heavy financing about Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) investors face today are causing them to ESG risk, as an investor, is through share- of the oil, gas and coal industries feel that also called Environmental, Social and question where and how they are investing. holder engagement. This can be done as not much has changed since its publication. Governance (ESG) investing or sustainable It’s a complex world that stumbled through individuals, by NGOs or by large institutional The report claims all five “big” banks are investing. SRI is a way of investing to make days of negotiations at Copenhagen, to investors like mutual fund companies or contributing significantly to CO2 emissions. money that follows your own environmental, flooding seemingly caused by altered cli- pension funds. It also identifies Scotiabank as the largest social and governance values. This type of mate patterns to devastating earthquakes to A recent example of NGOs using lender to the coal industry, almost twice as investing has been around many decades, development of the Alberta Tar Sands and shareholder engagement is their concern much as it nearest competitor. but as someone who only practices SRI its impact on not only the land and air but over how Canadian banks are contribut- Organizations, like the Dogwood Initia- investing with my clients, I find there is still also water and the people living in nearby ing to CO2 emissions. The Royal Bank of tive are often looking for share donations confusion about what it is and what it isn’t. communities. Canada, considered to be one of financial or proxies, from individual investors, so it Why are these issues important to in- industry’s leaders on carbon emissions may can address issues like the Enbridge pipe- What Is SRI? vestors and why should we care? What’s be dragged into a shareholder scrap by the line across northern BC or the financing of There are three strategies used with investing got to do with climate change? Rainforest Action Network, the Pembina large CO2 emitters like the oil, gas and coal SRI. All assume you are investing to grow Many conservative corporate leaders such Institute and the Dogwood Initiative over industries. the value of your investment. as KPMG have said this about carbon its financing of the oil and gas and coal The issue of Canadian banks financing 1) Screening of Compa- emissions, “Many businesses are failing to industry, in particular the tar sands and En- large CO2 emitters has been on sharehold- nies–you select a company be- recognize the associated risks and business bridge Inc. Enbridge has been fighting off ers radar for several years. Many institu- cause of what you perceive to be opportunities.” Note the word “risks”. In shareholders who are opposed to its plans tional investors such as pension funds and acceptable or positive behaviour today’s world if an investor doesn’t consider to build a pipeline across northern BC to the socially responsibly managed mutual or you screen out a company environmental, social and governance risks carry tar sands product to the west coast funds are active shareholders. This group because of negative behaviour or (commonly referred to as ESG) then the where oil tankers will take it from Kitimat has been targeting tar sand operators and products. impact could be as severe as the recent through parts of the inside passage onto financiers for several years and will again 2) Shareholder Engage- financial melt-down. Certainly there are a Asian customers. in 2010. Their concern is the increased ment--a process of using your number of ESG analysts who believe that The three NGO’s are relying on a report risk companies are taking on. In past years rights as a shareholder to pressure unless corporations and investors begin completed in the fall of ’08 called Financing this group has addressed CO2 emissions a company to change particular paying serious attention to ESG guidelines, of Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy by and the lack of standardized reporting, behaviours that you think are we will continue to experience more frequent Canadian Banks. The report uses financial social issues, such as the lack of commu- unethical or may increase the market turmoil. information from the institutions to draw nity consultation and environmental issues company’s risk. some of its conclusions. such as water use and pollution and land 3) Community Develop- Although the report’s data will be two reclamation. ment--is the process of investing at a reduced rate of return into a product that offers micro-credit to economically challenged groups/ individuals or makes small in- frastructure funding available to British Columbia School Districts are communities mostly located in third-world countries. setting their budgets for the 2010 -11

“Edge of the World”: school year NOW! Sixth Annual Nanaimo We must tell the Trustees what we Global Film Festival This year’s Nanaimo Global Film Festi- expect them to do for our children! val “Edge of the World” will screen 30 ‘films on the edge’ over three evenings (February 18, 19, 20) and a full day (Saturday February 20) CARIBOO-CHILCOTIN SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES SAY NO at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. “We wanted to show films that represent TO UNDERFUNDING OF PUBLIC EDUCATION! the best use of the film medium”, says pro- gram committee chair, Ron Bonham, “and At the regular Board meeting on January 28,schools 2010 the Trustees of School District 27 passed for communities we also wanted to maintain a Canadian focus on provocative issues.” Bonham adds a motion to file a deficit budget to the Ministry of Education of the Government of British that he was struck by the recurring theme of Columbia. WHY? It was clearly stated that School Board Trustees are entrusted with the resource extraction. “Not really surprising,” obligation to defend and protect, he says, “considering Canada’s history with resource industries.” and nuture the quality of public The information and fair trade bazaar As a citizen of British Columbia, education in this province. With returns all day Saturday in the university the projected cuts anticipated cafeteria (Building 300), and snacks and ask yourself this... lunchtime light meals will again be provided from reduced funds from the by the NanGo Grannies and the Thirsty provinceNO the Trustees held firm PUBLIC Camel. A light supper will also be available How can a sitting government justify that the Board could not meet in the cafeteria before Saturday evening’s films. running a deficit budget without this responsibility and therefore Saturday evening is awards night, providing full funding for public filing a deficit budget was the showcasing short films produced with only option they have. the support of last year’s awards and an- services, including education? nouncing the winner of this year’s com- munity award. Beverages and organic fair schoolsWhat is the deficit for for? communities trade chocolate treats will be available Now is the Time! before and at intermission for the evening Insist on... programs. SCHOOL This year, for the first time, Early Bird full • No more Cutbacks! festival passes will be available at a discount • No more User Fees! ($20) from January 25 to February 17 at Attend the School District #61 Falconer Books in Port Place, Lucid Re- NO PUBLIC• No more School Closures! cords & Clothing on Commercial Street, the Meetings and express your Global Village Store in Fitzwilliam Gate, VIU concerns: • No more Land Sales! Students Union, Van-Isle Video on Bowen Road, Nanaimo Arts Council in Nanaimo North Centre, and Blue Jewel Bakery Café Special Pre-Budget Meeting at 3018 Ross Road. Wed, Feb 3rd SJ Willis 923 Topaz Av 7:00 pm CLOSURES All other passes (evening, daytime, SCHOOLVictoria and combo) will be available at the festival Public Board Budget Presentation Meeting at various prices, from $30 for the full festi- Wed Mar 24 Board Office 556 Boleskine 7:00 PM val, down to $10 for evenings or Saturday Public half-day. Low income passes will also be Public Board Meetings - Public Input available at the festival. Wed Mar 31 SJ Willis 923 Topaz Ave 7:00 PM Education See www.nanaimofilmfest.org for de- Wed Apr 7 SJ Willis 923 Topaz Ave 7:00 PM COALITION vpec.org tails, schedule and descriptions. CLOSURES VictoriaWed Apr 12 SJ Willis 923 Topaz Ave 7:00 PM Public EducationBoard Budget Debate and Approval Meeting WedCOALITION Apr 21 Board Office 556 Boleskine 7:00 PM vpec.org Page 16 February//March 2010 COMMENTARY The Lower Island NEWS How can we really help Haiti? By TheresaWolfwood wealth to the US – hence the total defores- Haiti since emancipation, and is wildly popu- haiti_cancel_the_debt_11/?vl The first way to help is to understand the tation of Haiti. lar.” In 2000, the Haitian electorate gave background of conditions in Haiti when the The terrible earthquake of January Aristide a second overwhelming mandate 2. Write to every politician you can earthquake struck. has revealed that Haiti had virtually no when his party (Fanmi Lavalas) won more Canada has a murky role is creating the infrastructure--no public water utility, no than 90% of the seats in parliament. think of demanding that Canada poverty and lack of democracy in Haiti, so emergency preparations and, with no ...“As soon as Aristide was reelected, a supports debt cancellation and that we need to seek out the facts before we re- building standards, buildings collapsed in systematic international campaign to bank- Canada supports truly democratic spond and organize action. In 2004 Canada, the quake. And Port-au–Prince’s popula- rupt and destabilize his second government as always helping the US do its dirty work, tion had soared because peasants were set the stage for a paramilitary insurrection free elections in Haiti. supported the overthrow of the elected driven off their land when they could not sell and a further coup d’état, and in 2004, President Aristide. Just as in Honduras last their crops because the US was dumping thousands of US troops again invaded Haiti 3. Support a trustworthy solidarity year, Canada made a few noises and with cheaper subsidized food. (just as they first did back in 1915) in order its complicity helped destroy democracy in The US has now taken over the airport to “restore stability and security” to their organization that has worked with both countries. and militarized aid ensuring that the needs “troubled island neighbour”. social movements in Haiti long Yves Engler, in his recent work The Black of the majority of Haitian people will not An expensive and long-term UN “sta- before the earthquake. Contact Book of Canadian Foreign Policy (reviewed be respected and the poor will remain poor bilization mission” staffed by 9,000 heavily in a 2009 issue of LIN), has written exten- and powerless. armed troops soon took over the job of Vancouver-based: haitisolidari- sively on Canada’s nasty participation in the According to Peter Hallward, author of helping to pacify the population and crimi- [email protected]. Roger Annis, overthrow of democracy and the invasion of Damming the Flood: Haiti, Aristide, and the nalize the resistance. By the end of 2006, Haiti, and goes into depth on our inglorious Politics of Containment, “Haiti is not only thousands more Aristide supporters had coordinator of this network, has action there. Poverty-stricken and weak Haiti one of the poorest countries in the world, been killed. Over the course of 2009, a suit- been in the media raising the im- may have been a dangerous example of it is also one of the most polarized and ably stabilized Haitian government agreed portant underlying issues behind democracy and resistance to neoliberalism unequal in its disparities in wealth and ac- to persevere with the privatization of the that had to be crushed. “The attitude seems cess to political power. A small clique of rich country’s remaining public assets, veto a the earthquake response and is in to have been, ‘if we can’t force our way in and well-connected families continues to proposal to increase minimum wages to $5 direct contact with Haitian partners. Haiti, where can we?’” dominate the country and its economy while a day and to bar Fanmi Lavalas (and several Popular President Aristide tried to resist more than half the population, according other political parties) from participating in Annis was part of a human-rights the powers of international institutions like to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the next round of legislative elections.” {end delegation to Haiti in August 2007, the IMF and the World Bank while he tried survive on a household income of around of Hallward quotes.} his second trip to the Caribbean to improve life for Haitians. He founded the 44 US cents per day. Since the earthquake, there has been island nation. He said in one inter- first medical school in Haiti which was closed Mass destitution has grown far more much commentary on the US’s militarization view, “Every country that has been and taken over by US Marines in 2004 who severe in recent decades. Starting in the of aid and the priority of the military at the culpable in the last 25 years for the ousted Aristide while they terrorized and 1970s, internationally imposed neoliberal airport over aid-bearing flights. Another way undermining of Haiti’s economic killed many of his supporters and officials “adjustments” and austerity measures fi- of confusing our response and humanitarian and social infrastructure definitely of his elected government. The ex-medical nally succeeded in doing what no Haitian support is to play up the idea of insecurity shares some responsibility,” add- school then became the UN forces base. government had managed to do since and civil unrest – to hypothesise violence, ing,. “[Prime Minister Stephen] They also burnt down the new museum winning independence in 1804: in order to almost seeming to provoke it. Yet many ob- Harper’s new to the file. It was the of Haitian culture, destroyed the children’s set the country on the road towards “eco- servers comment on the patience, fortitude Paul Martin [Liberal] government television station and obliterated many cul- nomic development”, they have driven large and generosity of the suffering populace. that sent troops into Haiti in 2004.” tural and historic institutions. The Marines numbers of small farmers off their land and But within hours of the earthquake the staff But Harper continues the same were replaced by foreign troops, paid by the into densely crowded urban slums. A small of the US embassy was evacuated and the policy. United Nations, including France, Canada, minority of these internal refugees may be Canadian T-shirt company, Gildan Active- Annis said Canada and other coun- the US and Brazil. lucky enough to find sweatshop jobs that wear, said it would switch its production to tries involved in the 2004 overthrow The US has a long and nasty involve- pay the lowest wages in the region. These other countries. need to be judged on what they ment in Haiti. When Haiti became indepen- wages currently average US $2 or $3 a Hallward also writes; “This is the fourth have achieved for Haiti since that dent from France, the French demanded day; in real terms they are worth less than a time the US has invaded Haiti since 1915. time. “The real thing right now is that the Haitians pay France an amount quarter of their 1980 value. Haiti’s tiny elite Although each invasion has taken a different look back on this first week of aid,” equivalent to 90 percent of the entire Haitian owes its privileges to exclusion, exploitation form and responded to a different pretext, he said. “What kind of infrastructure budget as compensation. City Bank offered and violence, and it is only violence that al- all four have been expressly designed to did Haiti have to respond, and why the Haitians a “debt exchange”, paying off lows it to retain them. For much of the last restore “stability” and “security’” to the is- didn’t it have one?” the French in exchange for a lower-interest, century, Haiti’s military and paramilitary land. Earthquake-prone Haiti must now be Roger Annis and others spoke at longer-term debt. Because of the debt the forces (with substantial amounts of US sup- the most thoroughly stabilized country in a big fundraiser in Vancouver in Americans invaded Haiti, seized the Trea- port) were able to preserve these privileges the world. Thousands more foreign security January – can some LIN readers sury, exiled the president and supported the on their own. personnel are already on their way, to guard organize one here? Duvaliers, ruthless dictators for decades, Over the course of the 1980s, however, it the teams of foreign reconstruction and 4. who drained Haiti of its resources while op- started to look as if local military repression privatization consultants who in the coming Be careful where you send your pressing and impoverishing its people. After might no longer be up to the job. A mas- months are likely to usurp what remains donations – check the policies, re- many years Haiti overthrew the Duvaliers sive and courageous popular mobilization of Haitian sovereignty...the inexhaustible cords and administrative expenses who had turned over much of the land and (known as Lavalas) culminated in 1990 with source of “instability” in Haiti – the ever- the landslide election victory of the libera- nagging threat of popular political participa- of aid agencies operating in Haiti. tion theologian Jean-Bertrand Aristide as tion and empowerment – may be securely president of Haiti. Large numbers of ordinary buried in the rubble of its history.” One place to send aid is in support of the people began to participate in the political For more background on Canada’s role medical teams of Cuba which were already system for the first time, and as political in Haiti see: Press for Conversion, Coali- in Haiti and need funds to respond to the scientist Robert Fatton remembers, “Panic tion to Oppose the Arms Trade (COAT), 541 earthquake. Cuba has an unequalled re- seized the dominant class. It dreaded living McLeod St, Ottawa ON K1R 5R2, ph: 613- cord in helping people in crises such as the Sue Stroud in close proximity to la populace and bar- 231-3076 or see www.coat.ncf.ca/ earthquake in Pakistan and natural disasters ricaded itself against Lavalas.” in many other countries. In fact it has set ...“Nine months later, the army dealt with What can Canadians do to help? First up a special emergency unit, the Henry this popular threat in the time-honoured way, of all: understand Haiti’s history right Reeve Medical Brigade, to respond to such with a coup d’état. Over the next three years, up to the present and our government’s disasters. At the time of the earthquake in around 4,000 Aristide supporters were killed. role is assisting oppression. Then act – Haiti, 402 Cuban internationalists, 302 of them medical personnel, had already been However, when the US eventually allowed 1. Call for the cancellation of Haiti’s Aristide to return in October 1994, he took helping Haitians. These together with many a surprising and unprecedented step: he debt – while aid goes in, massive of the 500 Haitian doctors who had been trained in Cuba free of charge formed the es- abolished the army that had deposed him. amounts of money are going out to As human rights lawyer Brian Concannon sential early group of lifesavers within hours (director of the Institute for Justice and De- service old loans. Sign the Avaaz after the earthquake. They have continued Meet me at JJ’s Coffeehouse in mocracy in Haiti) observed a few years later, petition: “Despite the earthquake, their work, boosted by an additional medical Brentwood Bay Fridays at 7 p.m. for brigade which arrived promptly from Cuba. “it is impossible to overestimate the impact Haiti owes crushing payments for a discussion of current issues. of this accomplishment. It has been called Support Cuban medical workers by a dona- the greatest human rights development in “dictator debt” run up years ago. tion to “The Mackenzie-Papineau Memo- rial Fund,” indicating on your cheque’s Sign the petition to cancel Haiti’s memo line “Cuba for Haiti”. Mail: The debt. It’s shocking: even as aid Mackenzie-Papineau Memorial Fund flows in to Haiti’s desperate com- & Friends of the Mac-Pap Battalion, Int’l Brigades Att: S. Skup 56 Riverwood munities, money is flowing out Terrace Bolton, ON L7E 1S4 NOTE: to pay off the country’s crushing Charitable receipts will be issued by the Mackenzie-Papineau Memorial Fund debt -- over $1 billion in unfair debt (Charitable Org - Revenue Canada Reg, racked up years ago by unscrupu- #88876 9197RR0001). The “Cuba for Haiti” lous lenders and governments. The contributions will go into a special account, ensuring that 100% of all donations are used call for full cancelation of Haiti’s for medical support and aid to Haiti. debt is building steam across the Theresa Wolfwood is the director of The Barnard- world, and has won over some lead- Boecker Centre Foundation in Victoria See:www. ers -- but other rich lender countries bbcf.ca for more articles, links, book reviews. are rumoured to be resisting. ” Sign on at: http://www.avaaz.org/en/ The Lower Island NEWS COMMENTARY February/March 2010 Page 17 Buy American deal should be rejected By Scott Sinclair exempt Canada from Buy American pref- to qualify for generous public subsidies, wind- and Government ministers and Canadian erences for the remaining projects under solar-energy producers in Quebec and Ontario Scott Sinclair is the director of the Trade trade officials have avoided saying just how seven specific federally funded programs. must use local goods and services, creating green and Investment Research Project at the much the tentative deal on Buy American The negative effects on Canadians will jobs while encouraging the local development of Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. His “Buy-American Basics” report is avail- preferences is worth to Canadian suppliers. far outweigh any small export boost that this renewable energy technologies. Buy-local food As the details of the agreement begin to agreement might provide. This is the first policies are increasingly popular across the country, emerge, the reasons for this reticence are time that Canadian provincial procurement supporting local farmers while reducing greenhouse becoming clear. has been covered under an international gases. Toronto’s new subway cars are being manu- The agreement gives Canada fleeting trade deal. As trade officials have been factured in Northern Ontario, providing hundreds of access to a sliver of the US stimulus pack- exclaiming south of the border, this opens high-skilled, well-paid jobs. age. Canadian businesses will get to com- up tens of billions of dollars annually to US While these popular programs are not immedi- pete for $US 3-4 billion worth of projects. businesses. ately threatened, provinces and municipalities are This amounts to less than 2 percent of the Meanwhile, the US has excluded its Buy now on a slippery slope. Further negotiations with $275 billion of procurement funded under American preference policies from its own the US and the European Union will mean more the Recovery Act. The rest falls outside the WTO commitments. Most big-ticket items concessions and further restrictions on the use of scope of this agreement. remain off-limits to Canadian suppliers. public purchasing as a policy tool. Over three-quarters of the stimulus The 37 states bound by the WTO agree- When they signed up to Ottawa’s negotiations funds have already been spent and the ment have numerous exemptions, such as last summer, the provinces were promised an remainder must be allocated by February purchases of motor vehicles, coal, printing exemption from US Buy American laws. Predict- Curious about 17, though there may be subcontracts be- and construction-grade steel. Federally ably, this has failed to materialize. Through sleight ethical yond that date. Given the late hour, and the funded mass transit and highway construc- of hand, and with Ottawa’s consent, Washington fact that these projects have already been tion are fully excluded, as are public utilities. managed to pocket the provincial governments’ investing? designed to comply with the Buy American In addition, federal and state government offers, while leaving the Buy American preferences provisions, Canadian suppliers can expect laws commit upwards of 20 percent of total almost fully intact. to see very little practical benefit from the procurement to small and minority-owned It is not too late to reverse this course, as the deal announced last week. American businesses. US municipalities tentative deal is contingent on approval in both 250-405-3550 In return for these meagre scraps, the are not covered by its GPA commitments. countries. A strong case can be made for parliamen- www.stephenwhipp.com provinces and municipalities have offered up Despite the glaring defects, it is easy to tary scrutiny and approval. The federal opposition temporary access to US suppliers worth an understand why some would favour such a parties are already signalling that this is a bad deal. estimated $CAD 25 billion. More ominously, deal. For ideological reasons, the Harper Provincial governments must also ensure that their Canada has bowed to US pressure to government opposes the use of procure- citizens get a voice. With the details now emerging, permanently bind purchasing by Canadian ment as an economic development policy it is clear that the deal is unfair and detrimental to provincial governments under the WTO tool. They are happy to tie the hands of Canadians and they should reject it. Agreement on Government Procurement provincial and local governments even if (the GPA). Canada gets little in return. Contrary to some reports, the deal does It is harder to understand why provincial not even provide Canadian suppliers with governments have gone along. Preferential the ability to compete for what’s left of the government purchasing is becoming an Victoria Federal NDP stimulus funds. The US has only agreed to important policy tool in Canada. In order Monsanto takes Center for Food Safety has a new website! legal victory to Supreme Court www.victoriandp.ca The US Supreme Court decided Janu- following December. USDA completed the ary 15 to hear a first-time case about the first draft of the EIS in December 2009. risks of genetically engineered crops. “Although we believe a further hearing Check us out for all the local news and events Named Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms, is unnecessary, we are confident we will from Canada’s NDP No. 09-475, the case before the high court again prevail, as the lower courts have will be yet another step in an ongoing battle already three times determined,” continued waged by the Center for Food Safety to Kimbrell. “We hope that this grand stage protect consumers and the environment will further inform the public, policymak- from potentially harmful effects of geneti- ers and the media about the significant cally engineered (GE) crops. risks of genetically engineered crops and The modified alfalfa seed at the heart the vital need to protect farmers and the of the dispute has been engineered to be environment.” immune to Monsanto’s flagship herbicide Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown Roundup. Monsanto intervened in a 2007 crop in the US and a key source of dairy Victoria-Swan Lake New Democrats federal district court ruling that the Depart- forage. It is the first perennial crop to be ment of Agriculture’s approval of GE alfalfa genetically engineered. It is open-pollinated was illegal. The Center for Food Safety by bees, which can cross-pollinate at (CFS) filed a 2006 lawsuit on behalf of a distances of several miles, spreading the Stay in touch! coalition of non-profits and farmers who patented, foreign DNA to conventional and wished to retain the choice to plant non-GE organic crops. Such biological contami- alfalfa. CFS was victorious in this case – in nation threatens the livelihood of organic You can reach your executive addition CFS has won two appeals by Mon- farmers and dairies, since the US Organic santo in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth standard prohibits genetic engineering, by emailing President Edward May at [email protected] Circuit: in 2008 and again in 2009. Now, and alfalfa exporters, since most overseas upon Monsanto’s insistence, the Supreme governments also reject GE-contaminated or by writing to Box 282 Court has agreed to hear the case. crops. “This is truly a ‘David versus Goliath’ “We trust the Supreme Court will uphold 1681 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, BC V8T 2C1 struggle, between public interest non-profits farmers right to choose their crop of choice and a corporation bent on nothing less and protect us from the constant fear of than domination of our food system,” said contamination from GE Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the crops,” said Phil Geert- Center for Food Safety. “That Monsanto has son, an alfalfa farmer pushed this case all the way to the Supreme based in Idaho. Court, even though USDA’s court-ordered A 2009 study showed analysis is now complete, and the US gov- that the use of geneti- Real Estate Services ernment actively opposed further litigation cally modified crops, the in this matter, underscores the great lengths vast majority Monsanto’s that Monsanto will go to further its mission “roundup ready” crops, Since 1990 of patent control of our food system and has caused over the last selling more pesticides.” 13 years a dramatic in- The federal district court required the crease in herbicide use, Professional -- Experienced -- Committed Department of Agriculture to undertake by 383 million pounds, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and concomitant harms Call anytime for a market evaluation! assessing the impacts of the crop on the to the environment and environment and on farmers; the first time human health. Part of every commission, the US government had ever undertaken The US Department with New Democrat clients, such analysis for any GE crop. The court of Justice has under- will be donated to a party candidate permitted farmers that had already planted taken an investigation of to continue, but halted any further planting Monsanto regarding vio- or sitting Member. pending the agency’s re-assessment. That lations of anti-trust and the EIS was required is not in dispute; the monopoly laws and is set Fred Hiigli legal issue is only the scope of relief while to hold public hearings in USDA analyzed the impacts of the crop for spring 2010. Fred Hiigli ~ Newport Realty the first time. Another 2009 study 250-385-2033 In October 2009 Monsanto asked the showed that, despite de- Supreme Court to hear further arguments. cades of promises and In response, the Center and the US govern- hype, GE crops do not At Newport Realty we sell special homes...yours! ment separately opposed that request the increase yields. Page 18 February/March 2010 COMMENTARY The Lower Island NEWS Walking while chewing gum

By G.E. Mortimore Transit’s chosen response, said: “We have the road the 50 Goldstream route that has been Our troubled transit system could be- expanded service in the West Shore to keep Bentall’s managers might make a better abandoned. come a model of efficiency, if a smartened- up with population growth. We approached deal for their investors if they were to rethink She argued that the part of Jacklin that up provincial government invested money the property owner, (operator) Bentall LP, their decision to snub a whole category of the 50 Goldstream now travels is much and brainpower. to expand the existing exchange. We were customers -- bus riders. This is a bad time more thinly populated, therefore the plan- Vancouver Island has been starved of advised that their long-range plans did not for inadvertently customer-hostile actions, in ner’s statement does not fit the facts. both kinds of investment. Citizen anger at include a transit exchange.” view of the fact that 400 of the 2,000 largest Determined shoppers and commuters the botched revamp of Victoria’s West Shore “Therefore, BC Transit looked for other malls in the U.S. have closed in the last two may puzzle out connections through com- suburban bus routes is a symptom. Transit options. Station Avenue was chosen be- years. Walmart seems to be beating out munity buses, but by Mrs. Richards’ obser- management is struggling to improvise cause of its central location to the mall old-style malls. There are built-in transit vation these are infrequent and sometimes remedies for provincial neglect. The shift of and downtown Langford. It was a costly exchanges in some Walmart locations. fail to show up; integrating their wobbly the bus exchange from a shopping mall to and lengthy endeavour to implement the Transit altered 11 bus routes and moved timetables with major routes is a challenge a place isolated from stores and houses is changes..It would take time to undo what the exchange after Bentall LP refused Tran- that involves travellers in long lonely waits a failed improvisation. sit’s request to add more bus bays at West in a comfortless place that has no wash- Shore Town Centre to handle increased rooms, nearby coffee shops and stores, or population. adequate protection from the weather. Safe and handy techniques exist for Bungled revamping of Victoria’s West putting through increased numbers of pas- Shore transit routes is only one chapter in sengers without expanding bus-exchange the story of a long-running struggle to speed space. There still is time for Bentall and up a slow change in the public mindset and Transit to take account of such methods and the structure of transportation. Cars are discover their common interest in serving freedom machines, but we are moving to- people who are both store customers and ward road-clogging concentrations of auto- bus riders. mobiles that waste time, energy and money. The buck stops in the premier’s office. Many retired baby-boomers will quit driving. Transit’s faults result from the current pre- We need fast, convenient transit now. mier’s lack of management skill and vision, Car-addicted sprawling Atlanta, Geor- his fixation on the Vancouver-and-Whistler- gia, shows us a workable strategy: Transit based Olympics -- to the detriment of all Oriented Development (TOD) at rail sta- other topics and places -- and the provincial tions. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit government’s failure to remedy local short- Authority (MARTA) owns railside land and falls by providing money and inventive me- is a partner in residential-commercial-office diation, coordination and policy-making. . complexes. Development and transit feed “The Goldstream bus used to go along money and passengers to one another. Dunford, up Carlow and along Goldstream, Vancouver Island could go beyond serving a lot of commuters,” transit cam- Atlanta with a rail retrofit, by way of two paigner Ann Richards of Langford reminded under-used corridors, the E&N Railway and me by e-mail. “Now it goes straight up the Galloping Goose Trail on the former CN Jacklin, which is not a residential area... line. Both are dedicated routes with rela- and leaves a lot of us with no reasonable tively little cross-traffic interruption. Saanich’s new Uptown Mall could be part of a coherent transit system for Greater bus access.” The current site of the West Shore bus Victoria, with its mix of offices, retail stores and housing. She complained to Transit, but staff- transit exchange may seem to harmonize ers answered by politely suggesting that, with a rail-guided transit plan. The exchange Transit scored brilliant successes in the was originally requested of us by the prop- although people do get upset by changes, is near the track. It could be plugged into past, especially in the time of former Transit erty owner.” the new setup is the wisest way to go. commuter rail. marketing manager Chris Foord -- bicycle One face is missing from this picture: Mrs. Richards snapped back with a five- But there is no station on Station Av- racks on buses, low package fares for uni- Premier Gordon Campbell. He had already page report to the Victoria Regional Transit enue, commuter rail does not yet exist, no versity students and provincial civil servants, rejected Earth-friendly action, followed his Commission, declaring that the answers sign of TOD shows on the horizon, and vehicles of varied sizes tuned to traffic, from doctrinaire privatization faith, and coloured don’t make sense. She was under-whelmed many bus-riders and former riders are angry. double-deckers to small community buses-- himself dull brown by widening the slide- by the following statement from a Transit I have met several wandering, bewildered but service in the region encompassing prone road to Whistler and selling a public planner: travellers who asked where they had to go Victoria, Sooke, Lake Cowichan, Courtenay railway which could have carried Olympic “The level of service on the route 50 has to catch a bus to downtown Victoria. and Alberni is slow and road-dependent. visitors. Smarter management was needed increased to a high-frequency transit route It’s not helpful to assure transit riders Spurred by frustration, Transit could there; it seems equally needed here. Diplo- and this level of service is most appropriate that the new pattern will be good for them in tap granting agencies and governments macy plus tax breaks and economic-stimu- on urbanized arterial corridors with higher the long run. You must strengthen present- for money to create a world-known testing- lus subsidies could bring Transit and Bentall density land use. Unfortunately Carlow is a day transit loyalty, and switch additional ground for inventive planning. That far-off together for a common green-profit cause. local road with single family homes which is car-drivers to transit. This becomes easier vision needs tough, vigorous action to bring In some cities, built-in transit stations more appropriate for community bus levels when commuter rail service begins, but it it closer. pull customers into malls, allowing down- of transit service.” takes work and thought. Local reform meshes into wider-scale sized parking lots, opening more space So the planner said. Mrs. Richards Boulder, Colorado, a university town planning. Ann Richards is pushing for local for revenue-earning structures, and saving retorted that Transit is out of touch with within the orbit of Denver, held a dialogue reform. She used to ride by bus from Lang- taxpayers money by shifting drivers to transit real life. She unfolded a longish catalogue with neighbourhoods and employers, found ford to downtown Victoria but she drives and taking cars and their tailpipe fumes off of multi-family dwellings on the section of where people were coming from and where nowadays because the bus journey has be- come too difficult and time-consuming. She and other transit-riders and former riders are waging a public campaign to awaken Transit to its errors and make it change direction. The campaigners are troubled in particular by the shortening and diversion of the 50 Goldstream bus route. The awkward bus commute includes a much-lengthened walk between home and the transit exchange, which has moved from WestShore Town Centre to a place on Station Avenue isolated from stores and houses. I wondered why Transit had slipped an- chor at the mall and drifted into limbo. Two mall staffers blamed Transit. A merchant blamed mall owners. Mall manager Laura Poland offered a middle view: “The bus exchange was moved by BC Transit so that growth could be accom- modated. It was determined by all parties that the shopping centre couldn’t provide (the space that Transit required) when fac- tors such as safety (and) shopping centre growth. were taken into account. “On behalf of our tenants and customers we have written to BC Transit to request that they reinstate a stop. We suggested bring- ing route 50 around or through the shopping centre. They would be welcome on our property in their former location as a “stop” rather than an “exchange.” We continue to work with Transit.” This illustration shows how City Cars stack together. The MIT group sees the vehicles as the linchpin in a strat- But each player must follow a separate egy that aims to mitigate pollution with electric power, expand limited public space by folding and stack- path through the no-exit maze of policies. ing vehicles like shopping carts, and alleviate congestion by letting people rent and return the vehicles to Joanna Morton of Transit, marking out racks located near transportation hubs, such as train stations, airports, and bus depots. Photo by Franco Vairano The Lower Island NEWS INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND VIEWS February/March 2010 Page 19 Transit-oriented development they wanted to go, remodelled transit routes schools made in Island railside nodes could one another. That’s what Transit-Oriented communities. A government mandated in part on these findings, and offered low be variously targeted to Haitian earthquake Development is all about. Such old-fash- study of the future use of rail is in progress. package fares, so that buses tended to run victims, residents of shantytowns worldwide ioned politicians as Premier Campbell have Citizen pressure for Transit Oriented Devel- full instead of half-empty. and the rising Asian middle class. shown us that they don’t get it. The premier opment will be needed. Boulder received only meagre money Commerce and world-care join to- and colleagues are hung up on such crude Unless TOD is launched in a calculated and weak coordinative support from state gether here. The making of architecturally straight-line ideas as “power for me and my way, the rail study will likely produce one and federal governments. If applied with styled as well as utilitarian prefab houses friends now”, and the magic of privatization more lowball estimate of drivers’ willingness greater scope and intensity, such mobiliza- -- encouraged by government with loans, as expressed in the fictional “free market”. to switch to transit, and one more weak ex- tion of people and vehicles might return tax concessions, government orders for Hopefully they will be replaced by mod- hortation to wait and see what commercial double the investment. An Island brain- homeless-housing projects, and the build- ern political entrepreneurs who can walk and traffic develops, or -- at the worst -- abandon hatchery for transit-boosting ideas would ing of “invention parks” -- could be part of chew gum at the same time. the railway. Arguably, however, the flow of be worthwhile. Boulder-style mobilization would be on its agenda. The same goes for Demand-Responsive Transit (DRT), which can carry riders be- tween main transit lines and workplace and home. Forms of DRT have been tried in Scotland and Italy, sending hybrid taxi-bus- es along routes that may be varied by dial- a-bus techniques. A start has been made on tracking systems which, in advanced form, will connect vehicles with homes, and show the time, position and routes of taxi-buses on home screens, hand-held devices and electronic signboards at bus stops. Ideally, DRT could eventually give most people service nearly as good as HandiDART gives the disabled now. Job-making climate-change grants from government, foundations and corporate business could finance Vancouver Island’s rise to star status as a transportation path- finder. This region, with its underused rail corridors, has the potential to join and even outshine the many cities around the world that are responding to a demand for transit.

Rail transit helped revitalize Portland, Oregon, among other cities. Portland’s streetcar line, connecting with the Max urban rail system, played a key part in the transformation of Pearl district from a col- lection of decayed warehouses into Port- Passengers board and alight via a special tube on Curitiba’s central transit routes so that boarding is not delayed by fare col- land’s premier urban-chic neighbourhood. lection. Buses running in the dedicated and exclusive lanes stop at tube stations. These are modern design cylindrical-shaped, Warehouses have been turned into luxuri- clear-walled stations with turnstiles, steps, and wheelchair lifts. Passengers pay their bus fares as they enter ous lofts, townhouses, condos, boutiques, specialty retailers, grocery and book stores, the supply-chain management process that The already-installed Chris Foord- freight -- the lifeblood of a railway -- will not art galleries and restaurants. some forest-planners recommend as a tool inspired components -- Boulder-style low- increase unless we make the increase hap- Vancouver Island could pull together for the reinvention of BC’s forest industry. price package transit passes for students pen through a total economic-development and apply in a coherent system, adapted Shantytown residents could gain skill in as- and civil servants, bus bike-racks and buses push. to this region’s needs, the methods that sembling prefab houses and then do their of assorted sizes matching traffic volumes US president Franklin D. Roosevelt have produced benefits elsewhere. The own construction; the BC wood-supply chain -- can not work properly until they are woven showed the way in the Great Depression Island’s creative retrofit could become a could be continuously readjusted as new into a network of devices that give strength with the Tennessee Valley Authority, which transportation pilot model for the world. It markets are explored and proved out. to one another. Such a network is a living, raised a dirt-poor region to prosperity. Elec- could combine fast, convenient rail transit The BC factory-made shelters that go to changing system. It grows more efficient and trical power was a key tool of development with the kind of TOD that strengthens the the world’s poor at near-zero charge could people-friendly as new devices are included. there. Rail transport could be a development economy and the network of social services. be financed by a fractional tax on stock- Among the new elements will be real tool here, incorporating such new cargoes TOD on Island rail lines might include market gambling and other money-dealing, citizen dialogue and focused talks with as alternative-power hardware manufac- transit software laboratories, windpower, if provincial and federal governments join neighbourhoods and large employers (not tured from BC aluminum, new value-added solar and modular-house factories and and possibly help engineer the success token pretended “consultations”) designed wood products and even new food and fab- innovative senior communities. Victoria of the “painless-tax” campaign already to shape present-day transit routes accord- ric from hemp plantations. Rail passenger could launch a trial of rail-station rental of launched in Europe. It may seem that the ing to existing and latent demand. Real-life transportation will be a magnet for tourism the folding car developed by Massachusetts opposition of Wall Street and Bay Street is strategies will also include transit-oriented to First Nations cultural centres with Imax Institute of Technology, occupying only one- too powerful to overcome, but economic development (TOD) to build future demand theatres, bus-linked skiing, nature-watching, eighth the space of a conventional car. The stress plus leadership could make it happen. and future service in a way that is comfort- steam-train excursions and long-awaited action-research program could even include A promising idea jumps out from this kind able and profitable to all stakeholders. Low- dinner-train outings to a film centre and the test-points for balloon-lift freight-transfer. of talk: the idea of doing several different priced package rail and bus passes for hos- theatre in Chemainus. Earthquake-resistant prefab houses and things at once, so that the actions reinforce pital staff and members of the armed forces Development without transit currently and civilian defence staff crowds part of the Galloping Goose. The should be added. ugly car-parking towers at the casino in The system will be View Royal are conspicuous evidence of fine-tuned by demand- lack of coordination. If rail transit paral- responsive transit (DRT) lels the Galloping Goose, the towers will with advanced dial-a-bus be less needed, and some of the space technology, region-wide they occupy can be put to better service. low-cost merchandise Rail could connect Legislative offices via delivery service, and a Douglas and/or Government streets with government campaign to the massive Uptown Victoria project, with rationalize taxation and Victoria General Hospital and the offices, zoning policies so that laboratories, stores and condos at Colwood choosing to ride transit Corner and Langford. is rewarded. At the same time, the Victoria General This is the time to Hospital expansion might be augmented to start grafting in fast rail include a clinic with salaried staff -- lighten- service on two under- ing the load on the emergency room -- and used routes, as the main rental apartments for hospital staff and arteries of South Vancou- visiting relatives of out-of-town patients. ver Island transportation. This kind of coordination, linking transit, Because of the diligent commerce and health care, requires man- work of citizen groups agement by political leaders who know how (which government did to simultaneously pat the head and rub the recognize, to its credit, stomach. despite the Campbellite As a step toward retrofitting such link- hands-off “free market” age, trial grade separations and leafy fences faith) the E&N right-of- on the Galloping Goose might show how way is now held by the rail -- including new low-cost lightweight Island Corridor Foun- systems -- can safely run alongside walkers dation, a federation of and wheelers. The green way to travel...lawn trackage flanked by privet hedges on route 8 in Basle, municipalities, regional districts and First Nations G.E. Mortimore, Ph.D., is a writer and social Switzerland (left) and alongside a roadway on route 39 in Brussels, Belgium (right). anthropologist based in Langford. Page 20 February/March 2010 The Lower Island The new global war against people, Part 2 By Dee Shoolingin tive relationship among them over several were able to work with the yearly figures again. In my Xmas Story: The Grinch that Killed decades. This regime had out bid the CCF in of each province or the whole nation. Ac- That measuring tool led the feds to Xmas ‘75 [Lower Island News, Issue 6, ‘52 by offering public funded hospitals. They curate population graphs were dependent propose a federal tax change on a collec- 2009], I introduced the ideological war on introduced the Social Services Tax to pay on the census taken every five years, and tion of trade and fabrication taxes to the the field of economics. The science-based for your hospital stay. It was the 5% sales estimated between. Those figures gave GST. It gave the nation a thermometer to school battling with the elitist-based school tax. The sick did not have to mortgage their segments of averaged out straight lines. check the health of Canada’s economy. for global rule. homes to recover. That was a good thing. No actual bumps by the month of births and It was forced to bring on the GST by the During the post war period, Canada and Had the BC sales grown faster than deaths of any significance to show. censorship the provinces or BC put on this BC let slack some of the economic practices population we could say that the economy The bean counters had the tax records monthly data. For national uses large firms that let us contribute well during that war for and the BC market place had noticeable of sales and of income taxes and all were report frequently while smaller ones file our share of the war effort. CD Howe ran our growth. But merchants had to struggle to summed up to show annual figures that also GST quarterly. economy by the science based theories that stay in business. The sales tax made all made mostly segments of straight lines. Now BC is giving up this tax collection. gained favor after the depression of the 30’s. merchants tax collectors. The tax had to be But from the late ‘50s, an amateur started Not only will there be a better excuse to un- But by the ‘50s prosperity for the com- reported and given to the revenue branch looking at the monthly sales tax figures that derfund hospitals and heath care in BC but mon citizen became a hurdle for the folks by the 15th of each month. Most did. were not hidden then. In the ‘70s the monthly our administration will lose this measuring that controlled the big picture. Trade unions In 1972 there was a regime change in bumps showed the yearly cycles of sales tool. The cash flow must come from Ottawa were gaining on the robber barons of in- BC. That regime promoted what econo- with the biggest bump at the Xmas season. after those bean counters think they held dustry for deciding the good life. The CCF mists call injections at the lower end of the Also it was noticeable with these monthly our tax money long enough. It removes was making Canada address social issues. economic cycle. First there were the public bumps to predict somewhat more accurately cash from where it must be injected. The Even a hayseed province was run by some expectations of better pay as the minimum where the BC market growth was going. BC market place pie will shrink. Merchants ordinary voters. wage hike was an election promise. Also This data was the smoking gun evidence will suffer and lay off workers to make the The US Senator Joe started a witch there were full payments made to all that that could prove the science school of eco- pie shrink further. hunt that crossed the border. There were sold to the province. nomics theories that the big money players The loss of timely financial planning for more communists under your bed then Shop keepers that had expected pay- argued against. Most large enterprises could BC will make us dependent on the ideology there were flying saucers among our clouds. ment from BC to take a year as it had for read their own books to see the way their of Canada’s federal economic incompe- Even Ronald Reagan confessed to joining the past 20 years were amazed to be paid own market grew or shrank. They had been tence rather than our own provincial inepti- the Hollywood commies, but just to get laid, in 30 days. They had cash to restock with, doing that since the days of Babylonian tude. Social programs will be eroded with they were better looking than the Republi- cash to hire help even at the small raise in bookkeeping, but now one could show a job losses and further shrinkage of the BC can GOP girls. And BC had a coalition of the minimum wage. And more shoppers province wide market, just using the sales economy. Prosperity and profits for middle corporatists to keep out the socialist hoard. felt like spending a few buck more than tax data. merchants and workers will fade faster While the Social Credit called the usual. There was a climate of consumer A nation’s revenue clerk could now make than you can say fascism or its modern CCF’ers commies, it was their administra- confidence. It was like believing that God a reasonable estimate of a large corpora- term corporatism. Corporations will control tion that actually practiced a mild form of would provide after all. tion’s balance sheet, even for conglomer- or own more of BC than citizens will. They communism. You can tell, not by what they Those economic graphs started to ates. That was the economic thermometer will own you. say but by what they actually do. The uber change their relative slopes and relation- that Trudeau used to guarantee BC the three This harmonization scheme is an ideo- capitalist from Kalonna took over by expro- ships of the past 20 years. The sales curve points revenues for dropping the PST. logical one to centralize Ottawa’s power for priation a number of private corporations shot up some while the cost of living and It was hiked in March ‘76 to 7%. That the supreme soviet of the neo-cons. That and socialized them to Crown corporations. population growth kept somewhat steady was due to the instant freeze of consumer is the latest battle of this economic war. All in the name of state capitalism, was it? with the past. While all were growth graphs, spending by the Grinch in the Xmas Story. It further will censor the knowledge for lo- During this slow prosperity, the economy the rise in sales explained that more folks, More smoke from the same economic gun cal and provincial prosperity. Only the big of BC grew at a modest rate. A graph of the on average were being shifted to a better evidence. In a few years Trudeau had BC players will know how to make money and sales also showing the cost of living and relationship with their own cost of living. drop it to 4% and the revenues were stable starve out the smaller firms, related jobs, population growth showed the same rela- Now the economists of the day normally for BC. Later ideology forced the tax up and community livelihoods. Enbridge confronted over controversial pipeline to West Coast Grassroots members of the Wet’suwet’en markets. this case.” said Hereditary Chief Toghestiy strongly oppose the full scope of the tar Nation and Saik’uz First Nation travelled “The executives hold the reigns,” said (Warner Naziel) of the Wet’suwset’en Na- sands initiatives, including all the pipelines from northwest British Columbia to join Dogwood Initiative’s Eric Swanson, referring tion’s Likhts’amisyu Clan. that direct from it, the resulting tanker traffic Calgarians and BC-based NGO Dogwood to the Northern Gateway project, “yet every- “This pipeline is proposed to parallel one along the east and west coasts, and CN’s Initiative to greet employees of pipeline body at Enbridge could benefit by knowing of our spawning channels for salmon which proposed ‘pipeline on rail’,” added Mel Bazil. company Enbridge Inc. January 14 as they more about the people who stand to lose.” all of our people depend on. We have the “Thousands of water courses across North headed to work. “Our Clan members have met many responsibility to protect that sensitive eco- America are threatened or at risk because They were reiterating a message that times to discuss the issue and because system for all of our people today and for of existing or proposed pipelines.” Enbridge CEO Pat Daniel has heard again there are already serious cumulative the many generations into the future. We will “As a supporting ally to the Wet’suwet’en and again in British Columbia: “No and impacts on all of our ecosystems, we protect this precious resource.” said Freda and as a member of the Saik’uz First Na- Never”, to the company’s proposed “North- unanimously oppose Enbridge’s plans Huson spokesperson of the Wet’suwet’en tion, I strongly support the Wet’suwet’en in ern Gateway” pipeline and tanker project for their Northern Gateway Pipeline. Our Nation’s ‘Unis hot’en people. protecting their lands and their territories, that would transport oil from Alberta to authority and jurisdiction have never been “As a Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Clan as it will also be protecting our territories,” BC’s coast, and then on to Asia and other extinguished and they will be exercised in member of the Lax Gibuu / Gitimt’en I saids Adam Thomas.

B a c k g r o u n d

Proposed Pipeline Route Through Wet’suwet’en Nation Territory

Unceded Territory

Much of British Columbia is the un-ceded territory of First Nations, who have never signed treaties with the Crown. The interplay of aboriginal rights and title with the Crown’s claim to title, and resource decision making authority on these lands create massive uncertainty with respect to resource projects such as Enbridge’s proposed pipeline.

Opposition to Federal Review Process

The government of Canada has an- nounced a terms of reference for a Joint Review Panel (JRP) to review the Northern Gateway pipeline. However, this process lacks legitimacy because several First Na- tions, including the Wet’suwet’en Nation, consider the government to have failed in its constitutional and court-directed duty to First Nations review process; the federal First Nations Opposition to the Projec tions that are opposed. meaningfully consult them with respect to government has refused this proposal. the review. Some First Nations have stated In June 2009 Alberta’s Mikisew Cree Opposition Shared By BC Residents that the review itself is an infringement of First Nations Support for the Process First Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First their aboriginal title and rights – including Nation joined the Wet’suwet’en, Nadleh Polling continues to show that close to three the Nadleh Whut’en and Wet’suwet’en. As of mid-2009 Enbridge had signed Whut’en, Haisla, Gitga’at, Gitxaala and quarters of BC residents support a legislated The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council protocol agreements with 29 First Nations Haida of BC in signing a declaration to stop oil tanker ban on BC’s north Pacific coast (CSTC) sued the federal government in in Alberta and British Columbia. These pro- any plans to transport oil from the oilsands (Synovate, 2008); such a ban would pre- 2006 – the first time Enbridge put forward tocol agreements include provision of funds to the Pacific coast. The declaration was clude any northern oil pipeline and tanker this pipeline proposal for review – citing a to First Nations to conduct studies and for signed at an All Nations Energy Summit. A proposal. Both the federal NDP and Liberals failure to meaningfully consult. The CSTC other purposes; and in return require that significant portion of the proposed pipeline have supported such a ban. and other bodies, including the First Nations the signing First Nation agree to support route and the entirety of the proposed tanker Summit have been advocating for a parallel the government review process. route in BC overlap territories of First Na- The Lower Island NEWS COMMENTARY February/March 2010 Page 21 Mining our own business: Canada’s secret war By Heather Tufts of Pacific Rim’s mining operations is esca- is endemic in international mining practices. were seriously compromised and were The final day of her Mexican state visit lating in Cabanas. In June 2009 the body Junior companies are often fronted to do the denounced by the Ecological Defence and on December 10, 2009, was marked by of environmentalist Gustavo Rivera Moreno prospecting, as they pave the way for large Conservation of Intag (DECOIN). The new protests and shouts of “Canada, get out.” was found in a well, with signs of torture mines by using strong-armed “persuasive” Mining Law permits large-scale, open pit Although Governor-General Michaëlle Jean and later in the year Ramiro Gomez, vice tactics in vulnerable systems. Klippenstein metal mining in pristine Andean highlands was kept at some distance from protestors president of the Environmental Committee accuses the Canadian government of being and Amazon rainforest. The complaint re- she later condemned the high-profile murder of Cabanas (ACC), was assassinated. More complicit in unethical or militant practices sulted in an investigation by the same World of an anti-mining activist who had opposed a recently on December 26, Dora Alicia Reci- through lack of regulations but the Harper Bank in a glaring conflict of interest. Canadian mining development in Chiapas. nos was gunned down in her eighth month government rejects the need for legislated Klippenstein acknowledges the “stag- About 50 supporters of slain protester of pregnancy while carrying her two-year guidelines. Meanwhile corporations are able gering financial mismatch” in his law suit Mariano Abarca Roblero gathered in the old child. She and her husband were both to define “social responsibility” with blatant and says that companies have hundreds southern town of San Cristobal de Las outspoken opponents of the proposed El self-interest. of millions of dollars vested in profits, so he Casas, where Ms. Jean was visiting a Dorado Mine in Cabanas which Pacific Rim The Intag lawsuit is a challenge to our expects that they will spend tens of millions women’s collective. The protesters wore is desperate to open despite widespread current legal system because there is no in their defence. He also anticipates years paper cutouts of skulls over their faces, and community opposition. precedent. As part of ongoing international of counterattacks, including unrelenting ap- carried signs bearing Mr. Roblero’s photo. peals on technicalities. But he emphasized Roblero who was gunned down in front of his that the basics of his case is straightforward. home on November 27, 2009, had publicly “There’s a simple fundamental legal point opposed a Mexican barite mine owned by that you shouldn’t harm somebody and Calgary-based Blackfire Exploration. that you shouldn’t use your money to hire Roger Maldonado, another local activ- someone who is likely to do harm.” ist who knew Mr Roblero, said Blackfire Disputes with offshore Canadian had been accused of causing serious mining companies about lack of consulta- environmental damage including water tion, human rights violations, environmental pollution and toxic emissions and bribing degradation and para-military security and local officials into compliance. Reports later intimidation tactics are numerous. Mining confirmed that Blackfire had been paying Watch and the Council of Canadians are one of the local mayors a monthly fee of lobbying for the support of Bill C-300, an Act $1,000 although Blackfire claimed that the respecting Corporate Accountability for the payments were extorted. Maldonado added Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Develop- that anti-mining activists had faced threats ing Countries. Bill C-300 which was tabled and retaliation from mine employees on by Liberal MP John McKay had narrowly other occasions. passed second reading in April 2009 and Three men charged in Roblero’s death was awaiting third reading when parliament were directly linked to the Canadian mining was prorogued. company. One of the men arrested was Bill C-300 assures improved corporate a former employee, another worked as a accountability by withdrawing financial and contractor doing dust control on the roads political support to mining companies that and the third man was employed as a su- breach human rights and environmental pervisor at the mine. Although Roblero had standards. For the first time in Canadian recently received death threats, Blackfire’s Mariano Abarca Roblero talks about his community’s struggle against Canadian international mining history a complaints president Brent Willis denied that any of Blackfire Corporation in Chiapas, July 2009. He was shot and killed on November mechanism would be available. The bill the men had ever acted as security for the 27, 2009. Photo by Tamara Herman defines a more objective relationship be- company, and called the death a tragedy. Toronto lawyer, Murray Klippenstein research, Canadian Supreme Court Justice tween Canadian extractive companies Blackfire admits that their image has been believes that Canadian mining companies Ian Binnie found Canadian courts lack the and government agencies such as Export tainted but this is not the first time that operating in other countries with impunity power to deal with claims by people living in Development Canada and the Department Canadian mining companies have been should be held accountable for atrocities in the developing world who allege Canadian of Foreign Affairs & International Trade in an linked to heavy-handed security measures Canadian courts. He is testing this premise companies have violated their human rights. attempt to limit government bias influenced to “protect” mining interests. by representing three villagers from the val- Binnie has found that, as a result, foreigners by investment profits. In May 2009 violence broke out in Peru ley of Intag in Ecuador who are suing the with legitimate claims may be left with no NDP MP Peter Julian says that Mr. when hundreds of community members who Canadian Copper Mesa Mining Corporation effective recourse or remedy. He says that McKay’s bill is not far reaching enough work in the extraction of minerals for the and the Toronto Stock Exchange. The stock companies that face bad publicity in Canada since people harmed by Canadian corpora- Canadian mining company Barrick Gold, exchange which has never been sued is one also lack a forum for a legal response to ac- tions operating in other countries must be in Huaraz, gathered to request an increase of the leading financial backers although cusations notwithstanding their capacity for able to seek redress in a Canadian court. of salaries. When company officials denied it was specifically advised not to fund the highly financed public relations campaigns. In addition many mining critics believe that their request, the community members Intag mine because it could evoke violence. There is an urgent need for legal reforms to Canadian-financed offshore tribunals are blocked the access roads to the mines with The rich mineral deposits that are bur- provide some semblance of justice in these also essential under the current deteriorat- stones and tree trunks as a means of pro- ied beneath the tropical, dense forests in David and Goliath circumstances. ing circumstances. Bill C-300 also excludes test. This civil action was met with tear gas the foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes have Most social justice organizations believe the provision of an urgently needed ombuds- bombs launched by a police patrol, to which attracted miners from a range of countries that the mining industry should be regulated person but the modest legislation is seen as the demonstrators responded by throwing for many years. The arrival of Canadian so that they respect environmental integrity an important first-step measure. stones. Barrick Gold sent in a contingent prospectors in 1997 was immediately met and human rights. The Canadian govern- The bill which designs a framework for of police and two people were killed while by opposition from the local community. ment consultations in 2006 came to the government accountability was stringently another 20 were seriously injured. Accord- They felt a mine there would jeopardize their same conclusion when a consensus was opposed by the Harper Conservatives in ing to police spokespersons, a total of 30 indigenous way of life and endanger the reached by the mining industry and civil concert with a powerful industry. In a con- police agents are employed as security for unique regional biodiversity exacerbated by society organizations. One of their main temptuous move to prorogue parliament on the mining company. the bullying tactics of “consultation.” recommendations was to establish an inde- December 30th Harper obliterated pending Two years earlier a small Mayan com- A decade later the villagers of the small pendent ombudsperson. This would give the legislation rendering the last parliamentary munity in the highlands of Guatemala Ecuadorian village who attempted to block developing nations a voice when they are session virtually meaningless. Private mem- also defied a powerful Canadian mining a proposed open-pit copper mining devel- threatened or harmed by the uncontrolled bers bills however are the lone survivors of company by holding a community vote on opment near their village soon became activities of Canadian mining companies. prorogation and it is hoped that Bill C-300 whether to allow mining on its territory. They victims of threats and attacks. Some of Four years later there has still been no ap- can be revived in the fray of stolen time. overwhelmingly voted to halt mining activity these threats were caught on video-tape pointment of an ombudsperson. In the meantime unbridled Canadian which is devastating their land but the com- where security guards tried to force their If there were a Canadian ombudsper- mining companies are out of control in too munity’s basic rights have been ignored by way into the village. Several dozen men, son, “that person could investigate what is many countries, operating with a pejorative Goldcorp. To add further insult this ongo- wearing bullet-proof vests and armed with happening to the communities and the en- sense of entitlement. The people who are ing dispute is being played out against a shotguns and teargas were met by a villag- vironment,” says Sixto Léon of the National adversely affected are left with few options backdrop of intimidation and violence eerily ers’ blockade as a military helicopter flew Coalition of Communities Affected by Mining other than to protest, even when they are reminiscent of the 1960’s civil war when overhead. Eye-witnesses reported that the Projects in Ecuador. Alicia Granda, a re- met with brutal force. a campaign to massacre Mayan villages ex-military armed security on the ground and searcher and human rights activist adds that brought brutal repression. The major play- the helicopter had been hired by the local “an ombudsperson ers in this dispute are the Canadian mining mining company which is a subsidiary of the would help our overall company Goldcorp, the Guatemalan gov- Canadian Copper Mesa Mining Corporation. struggle against min- ernment, the World Bank and the Canadian Complaints made by local residents to ing and oil companies government, each of which has a stake in human rights organizations include: the offer acting with impunity.” the profitability of the mine. of money to the presidents of the communi- Another signifi- “The Pacific Rim Mining Corpora- ties in exchange for their signature in favour cant problem is that tion is an environmentally and socially of mining; the presence of bodyguards and many developing responsible exploration company focused para-military troops strongly armed with countries are pres- on environmentally clean gold deposits in pistols, tear-gas and bombs; payments to sured to rewrite their the Americas,” states the company. The attend meetings convened by the mining mining laws in order transnational corporation which is based company; pressure on the participants to to facilitate interna- in Vancouver is suing Cabanas State in El sign blank sheets of paper; hiring of non- tional mining practic- Salvador for one hundred million dollars as authorized outsourcing companies; and es. Ecuador’s current compensation for perceived loss of profits repeated invasion of private property. mining law was influ- when the state denied a gold mining permit. This is the first time that a Canadian enced by Canadian The company, which faces strong commu- mining company operating outside of the mining companies nity opposition claims that the permit denial country has been charged in a Canadian and funded by the breaches CAFTA (Central American Free court. Klippenstein believes that executives World Bank. During Trade Agreement). of Canadian mining companies need to be the initial plan envi- Anti-mining activists perform street theatre outside the Cana- Meanwhile violence toward opponents held legally accountable because corruption ronmental standards dian Embassy in Mexico City. Photo by Tamara Herman Page 22 February/March 2010 BOOKS, PLAYS AND .... The Lower Island All That We Say Is Ours: Guujaaw and the Reawakening of the Haida Nation, by Ian Gill, published by Douglas & McIntyre, 2009

Book Review by Heather Tufts Haida Gwaii is the ancient homeland of the Haida nation and is Canada’s west coast archipelago famous for its wild and remote beauty. This is the inspiring story of the rebirth of a nation which dared to challenge the powerful forces of industry and government. This epic tale outlines a high-profile struggle that emerged in the 1970s when the Haida joined forces with environmentalists to save the islands from decades of relentless and uncontrolled logging practices. The BC government and the forest industry seemed intent upon decimating the magnificently towering old-growth forests without regard for aboriginal rights and title or the world famous nature reserve. At this time an audacious young man named Gary Edenshaw, later known as Guujaaw emerged to lead the charge with his passionate vision that the Haida held inherent rights to control their own destiny. The determined logging blockades and tenacious court challenges became the roller-coaster events of defeats and victories. But the riveting drama unfolds with the eloquent and charismatic activist Guujaaw confidently at the helm. “We don’t actually claim the land. It’s the government who claims our land,” a strident and convincing Guujaaw pronounced to author Ian Gill. Photo by Theresa Wolfwood All That we Say is Ours embraces the cultural landscape of Haida Gwaii with a vivid The construction of this Israeli-only highway in Palestine took valuable farm land account of a ceremonial potlatch, an ancient tradition that was prohibited until 1951. The and resulted in the destruction of hundreds of olive and other food trees. vibrant and soulful dancers who are inextricable linked to days gone by, honour the guests “in gorgeous button blankets, drums held aloft, a slow beat setting tune for two dancers brandishing canoe paddles in their imaginary journey”. Soil Not Oil: Climate Change, This resplendent culture is juxtaposed with the divergence of views over sovereignty, title and ownership that severed the Haida from the Government of Canada. To the Haida “Theirs in not just another country: it is another culture, another cosmology, another reality, Peak Oil, and Food Insecurity, another economy, another history---another world,” writes Gill. by Vandana Shiva, Zed Books, 2008, UK By 1985, in news footage broadcast around the world, 72 people including Haida women elders wrapped in button blankets were arrested at a dramatic logging-road blockade on Reviewed by Theresa Wolfwood Lyell Island. This was a transformative moment in the court of public opinion and a newly- “We can either keep sleepwalking to extinction or wake up to the potential of the planet defined Haida stewardship ethic was seen as inevitable. and ourselves.” “The earth is not dying it is being killed. And the people who are killing it have names The construction of this Israeli-only highway in Palestine took valuable farm land and addresses,” an outspoken Guujaaw accused the BC Business Council in 2004. But and resulted in the destruction of hundreds of olive and other food trees. CANADIANS after years of court challenges and political maneuverings almost half the Haida homeland FILE ANTI-GOOGLE OBJECTION is now protected including the pristine Gwaii Haanas National Park. Meanwhile as an February 1, 2010 -- They’re angry, and they’re putting their well-chosen words into eloquent orator and master tactician, Guujaaw became internationally renowned for his action. Represented by eminent copyright lawyer David Fewer, director of the Canadian extraordinary role in indigenous rights. Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic at the University of Ottawa, a group of Canadian However the book is not without controversy. Guujaaw, now president of the Haida writers has filed a comprehensive legal objection to the Google Books Settlement with a Nation, does not endorse the individual focus he receives in the book saying that it is not US court in New York. the Haida way. He affirms that hereditary chiefs, elders and citizens of the Haida Nation The Canadian objection joins scores of others filed by three US writers’ organizations, direct his work and he is vexed by the central position afforded him in the narrative. other interested public policy groups, and individuals. The court will decide the settlement’s National Chief Shawn Atleo believes that the story can help to bridge the gulf of misun- fate on February 18. derstanding that is pervasive in society. “In telling the story of a modern indigenous hero and The objection grows out of a petition launched on New Year’s Day, in which the writers’ his people, Ian Gill has captured a moment in the global resurgence of indigenous people.” group called the settlement “an assault on international copyright law” and “theft of a cultural An emerging Haida Gwaii is a testament to the reacquisition of aboriginal rights and heritage”. To date, the petition has accumulated over 500 signatures from Canadian authors title in British Columbia and its transition will be an historic legacy. As president of Eco-Trust outraged at Google’s attempt to foist a meaningless settlement on them after digitizing and prolific author, Ian Gill contributes many years of expert research to this essential nar- their work for commercial use without permission. One of the writers behind the petition is rative, but the story and triumphant resurgence of a nation belongs to the Haida. Katherine Gordon, a former contracts lawyer. She notes, “The legal flaws in this appalling deal are so obvious even the US Department of Justice has expressed its objections to it. Reviewer’s footnote: In December 2009 a protocol agreement was signed by We think we have every chance of success in having the settlement rejected.” Premier Gordon Campbell and Guujaaw, president of the Haida Nation. It centres The legal brief, prepared by Fewer after discussions with the lead authors, cites con- around resource use and forestry rights and is intended to foster sustainable re- cerns ranging from NAFTA and the Berne Convention on copyright, to the special status source development and job creation. The agreement includes the official renaming of Quebec and French language writers. The objection concludes: “These public policy of the Queen Charlotte Islands as Haida Gwaii and seems to conclude many years choices should not be left to private litigants, nor should they be foisted on authors. Such of conflict. far-reaching changes should be taken up by domestic legislatures, debated between the users and authors whose legal rights will be affected, and implemented with the legiti- macy that comes only from democratic decision-making.”Soil, Not Oil is another of this well known environmentalist’s pithy treatises on topical and important issues. Shiva has a knack of bringing together issues we often see as separate and linking our awareness to these connections. And indeed these three issues are more than connected; they are closely intertwined. She starts out by writing that this triple crisis is a triple opportunity. This awareness gives us a chance to change our attitudes and acceptance of industrial farming which is based on petroleum from the use of chemical herbicides and fertilizers to the use of gas-guzzling large machinery and the transportation of food all over the world. “We can and must respond creatively to the triple crisis and simultaneously overcome dehumanization, economic equality and ecological catastrophe.” “Climate change demands we reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions.” What better and more immediate way than to change our food habits. We can buy local, support small organic farmers, start a garden and ignore the out-of-season travellers that entice in our supermarkets. Strawberries in February? They taste like cardboard, picked green for their journey and are saturated with chemicals. Shiva encourages us to power down our consumption as we power up our creativity which includes using democracy and human energy for change. She encourages us to relate to small farmers who practise sustainability and live near us. Build community insti- tutions – like the farm markets we already have – to support people-centred agriculture. In the chapter Sacred Cow or Sacred Car she documents how the car eats people – through the use of land for growing biofuels instead of food, building roads and parking, the effluent and emissions of the industry poisoning our soil and air and wasted resources. She uses some European sites similar to Victoria, Freiburg and Strasburg, as examples of the decrease in car use by creating pedestrian zones, expensive parking, and traffic calming while, most important, building up efficient public transit. And as we, the rich minority of the world, may still think it is our divine right to consume finite resources, our consumption is not only causing massive eco-injustice for the majority world but also produces effects we ourselves cannot escape – climate change and envi- Guujaaw (above) and the Haida nation have had a transformative effect on aborigi- ronmental degradation all around us. nal rights and title in BC. Photo courtesy of the Tyee Shiva has summed up many of the issues, grounding them in her own country but also in our northern world, and she outlines many possible responses. Soil not Oil is easy to read, straightforward and realistic. There is no time to wait for governments or corporations to act “voluntarily”. Action is up to us – now.

Ron reviews:

THE LAST JUROR, by J. Grisham, RANDOM HOUSE LOST KIDS, Vulnerable Children and Youth in Twentieth Century Canada and the Grisham has produced a worthy addition to his masterpiece THE FIRM. He, as usual, United States, edited by M. Gleason, T. Myers, L. Paris and V. Strong-Boag, UBC PRESS excoriates the Whites of the Deep South. This collection of articles examines many vulnerable children, e.g. inter racial adop- A sidebar applicable to Victoria is his description of what bringing in Big Box stores does tions, and disabled children, historically and up to the present. A highlight is the essay on to a community: kills downtown, union membership and freezes wages at minimum wage. losing the child in divorce proceedings. --Ron MacIsaac The Lower Island NEWS February/March 2010 Page 23 Calendar of coming events toria Area, holds its regular monthly meeting the cause, and who they are as New Demo- small small rental fee. Sponsored by LEADS CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT Board at 7 pm, on the third Wednesday each crats. Special guests will be Libby Davies, (Local Environment Action Divas). For more Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday month, at the Burnside -Gorge Community MP, Peter Julian, MP, Michael Prince, PhD information, see www.recipeforacoolplanet. of every month, at 1:30 p.m., at the CRD Cenre All delegates are welcome to come and Joan Russow, PhD. Advance registra- com or phone 250-544-2064. offices at 625 Fisgard street in Victoria. to meet your executive, president Mike Eso, tion only. For more information go to www. treasurer Mike Ferguson and secretary Mary sgindp.wordpress.com or call Starla Ander- VANCOUVER ISLAND WATER WATCH CENTRAL SAANICH RESIDENTS ARE Ehle. son at 250-744-2791. COALITION is proud to announce an up- invited to attend regular neighbourhood coming two day forum entitled “Your Water gatherings, held every Thursday at 7 pm at 6th ANNUAL NANAIMO FILM FESTIVAL NO HST ON BIKES IN BC RALLY willlbe - Your Future”, to be held May 29 and 30. the Fresh Cup Cafe, at 1931 Mt. Newton X will be held February 18-20 at Vancouver held onWednesday, March 3, at noon, at May 29 will be comprised of two bus tours, Road. Share stories, books, talk politics and Island University in Nanaimo. Thirty “films the Legislature. For further information, go the first tour to be of the city’s water facilities enjoy hot coffee in Saanichton. Nothing is on the edge” will be shown on three nights to www.squeekywheels.ca. and the other of the Nanaimo watershed. taboo… No pretentiousness, no meeting (February 18-20) and all day (February 20). The tours will be run twice so that everyone agenda… just a chance to chat with neigh- An information and fair trade bazaar returns SAANICH-GULF ISLANDS FEDERAL who wants to get to both tours can do so. On bours and build community. Call 250-652- all day Saturday in the university cafeteria NDP will hold its Nominating Meeting on May 30, speakers and workshops will be 8228 for further information. (Building 300). Snacks and light meals March 6, at the Cordova Bay United Church featured. Among the speakers will be Maude during the day, and a light supper on Sat- Hall, 813 Claremont Avenue, Victoria, from Barlow, Rafe Mair, Corky Evans and Arthur WOMEN IN BLACK, a worldwide move- urday will be available. Saturday evening is 1:30-4:30 pm. Gary Holman will be guest Caldicott. Workshop presenters are An- ment of women for peace and non-violence, Awards Night! For further information about speaker and refreshments will be served. drew Gage (environmental lawyer), Ingmar has been meeting in silent vigil once a month the program and the cost of festival passes, Lee (civil disobedience), Robin Mathews for 11 years. All those who support our aims please go to www.nanaimofilmfest.org. HEALTHY PLANET, HEALTHY LIVING (privatization), Trevor Wicks (drinking water are welcome to join us for all or part of the EXPO will be held on Saturday, March sources). More information on registration hour. Men too! We meet beside Victoria THE VALUES OF BEING NDP will be the 20, from noon to 3 pm at the Brentwood will be forthcoming. The entire two days (in- City Hall at Centennial Squaret, from noon topic of an all-day gathering from 10 am to Community Hall, 7082 Wallace Drive. More cluding lunches) is FREE for all participants! to 1 pm. For information about the vigils to 4:30 pm, on Sunday, February 21, at the than 60 solutions for green living! Special Create a World without Violence, call Marya University of Victoria. Hosted by Saanich- guest will be Guy Dauncey, author of The at 592-6484. Gulf Islands NDP, members will join in Climate Challenge, who will speak briefly conversations, ideas and reflections as they at 1 pm. Free admission. A few spaces for THE VICTORIA LABOUR COUNCIL, rep- take stock of the values that drew them to display tables might still be available for a resenting affiliated unions in the Greater Vic-

RabbleBerries Jam CD Karen Gillmore, Sharon Hazelwood, Alan O’Dean and Ken Orchard all share in the vocals and play a wide variety of folk instruments ranging from washtub bass, through shakers and bamboo flutes, to more conventional banjos and guitars. In a similar way their song selections range from pleasant songs about Old-Fashioned Spice Cake or Homegrown Tomatoes (part of their 10-metre diet) to the kind of political protest songs that address today’s issues. Songs like Islands with its “Saltspring, Pender, Galiano, Mayne,” refrain, or Diamond Bright Sky” about the West Coast Road where they met Tom “from Sombrio”, and Kayak Song celebrate life on coastal BC. Island Train imagines a time, not too far distant we hope, when the old E & N truly serves the needs of commuters travelling to and from Victoria and other Island centres. The final selection,Wild Goose, gives a beautiful, haunting rendition of Wade Hemsworth’s song about going home to the northern woods. Of the political songs, my favourites are Have you Been to Jail for Justice? and Bor- derlines. Have you Been to Jail for Justice? reminds us of the high price that many people have paid in the struggle; these include not only celebrated names like Gandhi and Martin Luther King but countless ordinary folk like the Vancouver Island coal miners sentenced to Oakalla in the 1912-14 strike. Borderlines details some of the disasters brought upon us and our brothers and sisters in other countries by unrestrained global capitalism. It tells of a worker’s growing realization that her/his low wages and unemployment are directly linked to the harsh life imposed on workers throughout the world. “They’re telling us that they cannot afford our wage As they turn their greedy eyes on distant shores; As patrols guard the borderline, I’m standing in a picket line. In corporate boardrooms, plans are formed To move my plant to Ecuador Where for 50 cents a day A woman slaves her life away; And then they tell me she’s my enemy. The RabbleBerries (l to r) Ken Orchard, Sharon Hazelwood, Alan O’Dean and Karen Gillmore enjoy a cup of tea to go along with their RabbleBerries Jam CD, produced From the diamond mines of Africa, at the request from many of their fans. To the fields of El Salvador, From the sweatshops down in Mexico Reviewed by Jim Manly To the wired slots in Tokyo Over the past four years The RabbleBerries folk quartet have provided some great Sweat is sweat and blood is blood entertainment not only at folk clubs up and down the Island but also at NDP election rallies, And one day soon the time must come union meetings, protest groups, and environmental events. We’ll stand and face our common enemy. Now, in response to requests from many of their fans, they have produced their first CD, with 18 of their favourite songs. A few copies have been circulating since Christmas When that time comes, as in our struggles today, we’ll need music; political music of but their official release will be on Sunday, February 28 when they will be featured at the course but also the kind of music that celebrates the good life we want for all. That’s the kind Victoria Folk Club, Norway House, 1110 Hillside; doors open at 7 pm with various perform- of music we have on The RabbleBerries Jam. So come to the launch or, if you can’t, order ers from 7:30–9 pm; the main event begins at 9 pm. a copy ($15 or $20) at [email protected] or phone 250-385-1307 or 250-384-5174.

Canadians file anti-Google objection Ron reviews: They’re angry, and they’re putting their well-chosen words into action. Represented by THE LITTLE BOOK OF SLUGS, edited by A. Shepherd and S. Galant, NEW SOCIETY eminent copyright lawyer David Fewer, director of the Canadian Internet Policy and Public PUBLISHERS Interest Clinic at the University of Ottawa, a group of Canadian writers has filed a com- This was a difficult book for me to review, because I revere the slug since its exudation prehensive legal objection to the Google Books Settlement with a US court in New York. is a quick and permanent cure for psoriasis. The Canadian objection joins scores of others filed by three US writers’ organizations, The book contains 120 pages of sure fire ways to rid your garden of these little creatures. other interested public policy groups, and individuals. The court will decide the settlement’s fate on February 18. THE SICK HOUSE SURVIVAL GUIDE, by A. Hobbs, NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS The objection grows out of a petition launched on New Year’s Day, in which the writers’ This is a very timely book, now that science has pointed out the hazards of indoor group called the settlement “an assault on international copyright law” and “theft of a cultural pollution. Highlights are the chapters on reducing the chemical burden. heritage”. To date, the petition has accumulated over 500 signatures from Canadian authors Every family, especially families with children, should have this text in their home. outraged at Google’s attempt to foist a meaningless settlement on them after digitizing their work for commercial use without permission. One of the writers behind the petition is FINAL APPEAL, Anatomy of a Frame, by Colin Thatcher, ECW PRESS Katherine Gordon, a former contracts lawyer. She notes, “The legal flaws in this appalling The angry author has written a riveting book about his conviction for the murder of his deal are so obvious even the US Department of Justice has expressed its objections to it. wife. While it may not convince the reader that this was a wrongful conviction, the assess- We think we have every chance of success in having the settlement rejected.” ment of the prison system may incite some reform. (I think the authorities should have let The legal brief, prepared by Fewer after discussions with the lead authors, cites con- him keep his horse at the prison.) cerns ranging from NAFTA and the Berne Convention on copyright, to the special status of Quebec and French language writers. The objection concludes: “These public policy A trip to Sidney to see the Ocean Discovery Centre should qualify as a petite vacation. choices should not be left to private litigants, nor should they be foisted on authors. Such It is a joy to see the little kids touch the undersea life items. Then there are the colour- far-reaching changes should be taken up by domestic legislatures, debated between the ful and amazing strange plants and animals that you can view at close up. The surprise users and authors whose legal rights will be affected, and implemented with the legitimacy is to find sea life that one would think would only be located in tropical waters. The centre that comes only from democratic decision-making.” ranks as one of the major places of interest on Vancouver Island. --Ron MacIsaac

Page 24 February/March 2010 L The Lower Island NEWS Directory of locations, organizations, publications of interest MLA COMMUNITY OFFICES Marianne Alto at 250-370-9199, write to Box 5380, LCD9, Victoria, BC, V8R 6S4.or visit their Together Against Poverty Society: 415-620 ALTERNATIVE WEBSITES Cowichan Valley Community Office,Bill Rout- website:www.victoriandp.ca. View Street, Victoria, BC, phone 250-361-3521. ley, MLA: 273 Trunk Road, Duncan, BC or PO Box www.alternet.org --A US website featuring alter- 599, Duncan, BC, V9L 3X9, phone 250-715-0127, PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Soci- native articles on US and world politics, an online toll free 1-877-715-0127, fax 250-715-0139, MLA NDP OFFICES ety: Third floor, 535 Yates Street, Victoria, BC, magazine and information source. email [email protected] V8W 2Z6, phone 250-361-9433, fax 250-361- BC New Democrats: 5367 Kingsway, Burnaby 1914, website www.vircs.bc.ca. www.counterpunch.org--an American website Esquimalt-Royal Roads Community Office, BC, V5H 2G1, phone 604-430-8600, fax 604-432- with a left-wing viewpoint. Maurine Karagianis, MLA: A5-100 Aldersmith 9517, toll free 1-888-868-3637. Victoria Labour Council: 219-275 Quadra Place, View Royal, BC V9A 7M8, phone 250-479- Street, Victoria, BC, V8T 4E8, phone 250-384- www.criticalthinking.org 8326, email [email protected] Canada’s New Democrats: 300 - 279 Laurier 8331, fax: 250-384-8381, email [email protected]; or visit her website at www.maurinekaragianis.ca West, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5J9, phone 613-236- Mike Eso, president; Mary Ehl, secretary; Mike http//dominionpaper.ca--a Canadian ezine cov- 3613, toll free: 1-866-525-2555, fax 613-230- Ferguson, treasurer. ering national and international stores that main- Juan de Fuca Community Office,John Horgan 9950, TTY: 1-866-776-7742. stream sources may not cover. Updated daily. , MLA: Victoria office: 800 Goldstream Avenue, Victoria Peace Centre: Box 8307, Victoria, BC, V8W 3R9, phone/fax 250-592-8307, email cen- Victoria, BC, V9B 2X7, and South Cowichan OTHER GROUPS www.globalproblematique.net/bcpolicyprobe office: 17-Valley View Centre, 1400 Cowichan [email protected] or website www.vicpeace.ca. YOU MAY WANT TO REACH -- Run by BC Policy Probe, this website features Bay Road, phone 733-2521, email john.horgan. information and research about suh things as [email protected] World Wildlife Federation: 410-245 Eglinton privatization of BC Hydro. Amnesty International--Canadian Section: Avenue East, Toronto, ON, M4P 3J1, phone www.amnesty.org. Saanich South Community Office, Lana 1-800-26-PANDA, fax 416-489-8055, website: www.avaaz.org/en/global --Global warming is Popham, MLA: 4085 Quadra Street, Victoria BC www.wwf.ca a global threat. By c onfronting it together, we BC Council of Senior Citizens Organization: V8X 1K5, email [email protected], can build a more just, tolerant, and vibrant world. phone 604-438-3221. www.saanichsouth.ca United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC) - Victoria Branch: 202-3293 Douglas Street, www.indymedia.org -- A collective of independ- BC Latin American Congress: 4184 Brant Victoria-Beacon Hill Community Office,Carole Victoria, BC, V8Z 3K9, phone 250-475-2868, fax ent media organizations and hundreds of journal- Street, Vancouver, BC, V5N 5B4, phone 604-879- James, MLA: 1084 Fort Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 250-475-5898, email [email protected] or ists offering grassroots, non-corporate coverage 3246, fax 604-872-6776, email [email protected]. 3K4, phone 250-952-4211, fax 250-952-4586, website www.unac.org. of events as they happen around the world. email [email protected] Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: 410- ALTERNATIVE PUBLICATIONS World 75 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5E7, phone www.informationclearinghouse.info -- Victoria-Swan Lake Community Office, Rob news daily--news you won’t find on CNN or 613-563-1341, fax 613-233-1458, email ccpa@ Fleming, MLA: 1020 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, Briarpatch Magazine: a progressive Canadian Foxnews. policyalternatives.ca, website: www.policyalter- BC, V8T 2A2, email [email protected] magazine, published 10 times a year, subscrip- natives.ca. tions $24.61, 2138 McIntyre Street, Regina, http://Newsdaily.ca--CanadaNewsdaily.ca is a SK, S4P 2R7, email briarpatchmag@sasktel. good (and bad) news service with a refreshingly MPs and COMMUNITY OFFICES Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives--BC com. non-corporate view of the news, from local to Office: 1400-207 West Hastings Street, Vancou- House of Commons, Room global stories, with features, opinion, analysis -- all Denise Savoie, MP, ver, BC, V6B 1H7, phone 604-801-5121, fax 604- 518, Confederation Building, Ottawa, ON, A1A Canadian Dimension Magazine: an independ- for free, including free classified ads. Newsdaily 801-5122, website: www.policyalternatives.ca. 0A6. ent socialist magazine, begun in 1963, and run by covers Canadian and world news, plus a focused a cooperative, published 6 times a year, subscrip- look at British Columbia, Victoria and the Islands. Canadian Health Coalition: phone 613-233- , Denise Savoie, MP, tion $24.50, students and unemployed $18.50, Victoria Community Office 1018. 970 Blanshard Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 2H3, 2B-91 Albert Street, Winnipeg, MN, R3B 1G5, [email protected] Originally phone 250-363-8421, fax 250-363-8422, open subscription hotline 1-800-737-7051. set up to discuss the implications of the Multi- Canadian Labour Congress (Pacific Region): Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; visit www.den- lateral Agreement on Investments, this website 201-5118 Joyce Street, Vancouver, BC, V5R isesavoie.ca or email her at [email protected] COMER (Committee on Monetary and Eco- and related email list now discuss world-wide 4H1, Regional Representative Iris Taylor, phone nomic Reform): reform-minded focus on mon- developments of concern to left-wing readers. 604-430-6766, extension 267, fax 604-430-6762. Jean Crowder, MP, House of Commons, Con- etary issues and how they affect our society, email federation Building, Ottawa, ON, A1A 0A6. Email [email protected], website www.comer.org. http://ndp.4webs.ca -- A new NDP list serve and Council of Canadians, Victoria Chapter: PO her at [email protected] bulletin board. Check it out. Box 5515, 1625 Fort Street, Victoria, BC, phone Global Outlook: Ian Woods, editor; $25 Cana- 250-360-8448, email victoriacouncilofcanadi- Jean dian, PO Box 222, Oro, ON L0L 2X0. --PEJ News, a free service, serves Nanaimo-Cowichan Community Office: [email protected] or visit www.victoriacouncilofca- http://pej.org Crowder, MP: 101- 126 Ingram Street, Duncan, up daily news, opinion and analysis of peace, nadians.ca BC V9L 1P1, www.jeancrowder.ca or email her The CCPA Monitor: published by the Canadian environment and justice issues. Stay informed at [email protected] Centre for Policy Alternatives, 410-75 Albert with web and email stories often days, weeks Canadian Wildlife Federation: 350 Michael Street, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5E7, $110 supporting and months ahead of the mainstream media. The Cowpland Drive, Kanata, ON, K2M 2W1, phone membership with $75 tax0 receipt, or $25 low in- Peace, Earth & Justice News is produced entirely PROVINCIAL NDP 1-800-563-9453, or visit www.cwf-fcf.org. CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATIONS come membership receives the Monitor monthly. by volunteers and is a probject of the non-profit Prometheus Institute based in Victoria, BC. CubaTours: for information about nonprofit The Democrat: published by the BC NDP, 3110 Cowichan Valley New Democrats: Write PO educational tours of Cuba and books, phone 604- Boundary Road, Burnaby, BC, V5M 4A2, sub- -- The Canadian Box 102, Duncan, BC V9L 1P0; or contact presi- 874-9048 or go to www.cubatours.ca. www.policyalternatives.ca dent Ellen Oxman at 250-701-4781or email her at scription $10 per year. Centre for Policy Alternatives’ web page offers research reports, books and opinion pieces done [email protected]. Ecojustice (formerly Sierra Legal): 214-131 The Straight: a weekly publication with features, on issues of social and economic justice. Water Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4M3, phone articles, news and reviews from Vancouver, sub- Esquimalt-Royal Roads New Democrats: 1-800-926-7444 Write Suite 335 110-174 Wilson Street, Victoria, scription $117/52 issues in Canada, 2nd floor, www.rabble.ca -- A cheeky site offering original 1770 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6J 3G7, stories, feature articles and columns from some BC, V9A 7N7 oremail esquimaltroyalroads@ Government of Canada: www.gc.ca. gmail.com.. phone 604-730-7000, email [email protected]. of the progressive voices in Canada. Government of BC: www.gov.bc.ca. Juan de Fuca New Democrats: Email president New Internationalist: a communications co- www.saveourrivers.ca--Site includes new film operative based in Oxford, it exists to report on on the Ashlu and Upper Pitt Rivers Hydro projec Heather Gropp at [email protected]. Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition: visit issues of world poverty and inquality; to focus ts. www.greatervictoriawaterwatchcoalition.ca or attention on the unjust relationship between the Oak Bay-Gordon Head New Democrats: Write phone 250-595-1701 or 250- 380-1197. PO Box 5539, LCD 9, Victoria, BC, V8R 6S4,or powerful and the powerless in both rich and poor www.sevenoaksmag.com--It’s new, it’s progres- nations; to debate and campaign for the radical sive, and it’s online. contact president Keith Todd at 250-598-8039 Human Rights Internet: www.hri.ca. or by email at [email protected] changes necessary f the basic material and spiritual needs of all are to be met, subscriptions, www.strategicthoughts.ca--You’ll find David Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria: $38.50 including GST ,PO Box 706, Markham, Schreck’s columns and more here. Saanich North and the Islands New Demo- phone 250-388-4728, fax 250-386-4395. crats: Email president Gary Holman at ghol- ON, L6B 1A7, phone 905-946-0407, fax: 905-946- 0410, email: [email protected]. www.straightgoods.com -- A watchdog working [email protected] or phone him at 250-653- NAPO (National Anti-Poverty Organization) for Canadian consumers and citizens. 2042. News: influential national organization which ad- Our Times: Canada’s independent labour maga- vocates for the poor in local communities, courts zine and read by mostl abour organizations and --BC news and views from a Saanich South New Democrats: Write PO Box and political area. Join at www.napo-onap.ca. www.thetyee.ca 30041, Saanich Centre Postal Outlet, Victoria, other supporters of working pwople. Check its non-corporate perspective. website at www.ourtimes.ca. BC, V8X 5E1, phone 250-479-1100, or email Parliamentary website lists all federal cabinet --US website with Real news. [email protected]. ministers, parliamentary secretaries and opposi- www.truthout.org The Island Tides: local news, features and tion spokespersons. Visit www.parl.gc.ca/infor- commentary with an environmental focus, free to Victoria-Beacon Hill New Democrats: Write mation/about/people/key/critic.asp?language=E www.vancouverislandwaterwatchcoalition. PO Box 8523, Victoria, BC, V8W 3S1, phone islanders, $37.45 per year for off island Canadian ca/ subscriptions, Box 55, Pender Island, BC, V0N 250-386-8497or email president Marianne Alto Ploughshares: University of Waterloo, Ontario, 2M0, phone 250-629-3660, email islandtides@ -If you don’t want to at [email protected]. phone 519-888-6541, see www.ploughshares. www.victoriacarshare.ca- gulfislands.com. own a car but still need to drive one sometimes, ca, or email [email protected]. Victoria-Swan Lake New Democrats: Contact this welbsite may be for you. The Left Coast Events list is a free weekly email president Edward May at edwardomay@gmail. Seniors’ Advocacy Services, sponsored by the compilatioln of peace, earth and justice events. --website by noted activist com, or write to PO Box 282, 1681 Hillside Av- Greater Victoria Seniors (OAPO) organization, www.vivelecanada.ca Send an email to [email protected] to sub- Mel Hurtig about the corporate threat to Canadian enue, Victoria, BC, V8T 2C1. are available on Mondays and Thursdays from scribe, or check http://relativenewz.ca for current sovereignty, includes a whole range of features 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m., at the Blanshard event listings. from online polls and petitions to editorials and FEDERAL NDP RIDING ASSOCIATIONS Community Centre, 901 Kings Road (King and information updates. Dowler Streets), close to the #4 and #6 buses on The Record: news and views from Canada’s west Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca New Democrats: Con- Quadra Street. Service is free, and provided by coast, published every other Wednesday in Gold --The World Socialist Web Site tact president Jock Bates at wanzbates@shaw. trained volunteers. For further information phone www.wsws.org River, BC, subscriptions $32.10 per year, Box is the Internet centre of the International Commit- caor write to PO Box 622, 105-1497 Admirals 250-388-7696. 279, Gold River, BC, V0P 1G0, email record@ Road, Victoria, BC, V9A 2P8. tee of the Fourth International (ICFI). It provides island.net, website www.island.net/~record. analysis of majorworld events, comments on Seniors Serving Seniors: 109-1022 Pandora political, cultural, historical and philosophical is- Nanaimo-Cowichan New Democrats:Contact Avenue, Victoria, BC V8V 3P5, phone 250-382- The Republic: Vancouver-based socialist paper, sues, and valuable documents and studies from president Sue Creba at 250-753-3371or email 4331. subscriptions, two issues per month, $25 per her at [email protected]. the heritage of the socialistmovement. year; free at local news stands, PO Bo 56072, Sierra Club of Canada: 412-1 Nicholas Street, Vancouver, BC, V5L 5E2; email mag pie@lynx. Saanich-Gulf Islands New Democrats: Con- Ottawa, ON, K1N 9Z9, email [email protected]. COMMUNITY RADIO bc.ca. tact president Starla Anderson by email at Commercial free commujnity radio, CFUV is starla­[email protected] orIrene Wright (Gulf South Island Health Coalition, an affiliate of the located at 101.9 FM and 104.3 Cable, or visit Victoria Street Newz: provides information Islands), by phone/fax 1-250-537-5347, or email BC Health Coalition. If you’re concerned about ac- http://www.cfuv.uvic.ca from and about poverty and homelessness. It’s at [email protected]. cess, affordability and quality of health care in our sold by low or no income vendors on the streets community, get involved by calling co-chairs Phil of Victoria, and archives are available at http:// Victoria New Democrats: Contact president Lyons at 381-0033 or Carol Pickup at 475-0454. relativenewz.ca