SCAN TO VISIT OUR

Thinking Like An Archipelago - Showcasing The ADVERTISERS WEBSITES Canadian Publications Mail Product Volume 25 Number 15 August 1 —August 14, 2013 $2 at Selected Retailers Sales Agreement Nº 40020421

Photo: Davy Rippner A serious business; which one is closer? Measuring during Brooks Point fundraiser bocce in the trees event (see story, Round The Islands, page 7). Stormwater and dust control questions Another early warning on salmon Fish biologist Alexandra Morton of Sointula has viruses found in farmed salmon (in BC identified another virus which appears to be supermarkets), cutthroat trout from Cultus on Texada - Patrick Brown endemic among farmed salmon on the BC coast Lake, chum salmon from near Campbell River, is fast becoming the greatest Campbell River, some 520,000 tonnes and could possibly infect wild salmon. farmed steelhead from Lois Lake, and Atlantic capacity coal shipping port on the west coast annually. The virus is Piscine retrovirus (PRV), which salmon morts (dead fish from fish farms) from of . Existing facilities, at The Proposed Operation Norwegian research has associated with the the central coast, Morton’s paper sets out proof Roberts Bank and in North Vancouver, are Coal is to be delivered to FSD in 7,000 foot spread of heart and skeletal muscle that the PRV virus arrived in BC from Norway reaching their maximum size, handling long, 135 car BNSF unit trains, carrying an inflammation (HSMI) among farmed salmon. in 2007 and in Chile in 2008, give or take a year. mainly Canadian metallurgical coal. estimated 12,500 tonnes per train. The HSMI is characterized by muscle tissue Morton has found PRV in 97% of farmed Proposals to build new coal ports on the US train’s hopper cars will be unloaded directly deterioration, anorexia, and organ damage, and salmon she has sampled in BC supermarkets. Pacific coast are running into public into two 8,000 tonne capacity barges (there a 20% mortality among farmed salmon. Fish However, HSMI cannot be easily identified opposition and permitting difficulties. It is is no storage pile at the Fraser Surrey docks). with HSMI swim slowly and near the surface, because it affects parts of the fish which are therefore not surprising that a new proposal Each barge will be towed to the mouth of the and are long and thin. Marine Harvest, the gutted before the fish are put on sale. has emerged to provide for shipping Fraser, where it will be hooked to another full Norwegian company dominant in the world Farmed salmon are not tested by the Wyoming thermal coal through the Lower provincial government, and the province does barge for a ‘tandem tow’ to Texada. (The farmed salmon industry, lists HSMI as the Mainland. not accept that HSMI is caused by PRV. Neither and the George Massey Tunnel second leading cause of death among its farmed This proposal combines the BNSF the federal Department of Fisheries nor the do not accommodate deep-draft seagoing salmon. railway, Fraser Surrey Docks (FSD), and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency test for PRV. ships.) Virus Came From Norway Lafarge barging and bulk Once at Texada, the barges will be Norwegian research has established that the loading facilities. Initially planned to handle unloaded either to a stockpile, or directly into Morton’s research has been documented in a virus can be transmitted to wild salmon. two million tonnes in the first year, it a Panamax coal bulkcarrier if the ship is recently published peer reviewed paper in the However, the presence of PRV has not been provides for four million tonnes in present. To handle four million tonnes per July 11 issue of Virology Journal, co-authored established in BC’s wild salmon; the theory has subsequent years, and an eventual expansion year, this plan involves one train per day, one with the Atlantic Veterinary College of the been advanced that by the time the disease has to eight million tonnes annually. The Texada tandem tow per day (each way), and the daily University of Prince Edward Island and Chile’s advanced to HSMI, an infected salmon, facility currently handles the shipment of Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas Aplicadas. swimming more slowly than its peers, may have coal barged from the Quinsam mine near COAL PORT, please turn to page 2 Through the tracing of genetic sequences of been eaten by predators. 0

is at these SERIOUS COFFEE locations — look for the ‘Island Tides’ yellow boxes outside or racks inside! Sidney—Beacon Avenue —VI Conference Centre Parksville—Heritage Centre Mall South Duncan—Sun Valley Mall Nanaimo—Beaufort Centre Courtenay—Southgate Centre, Cliffe Avenue Nanaimo—Crnr Island Hwy @ Hammond Bay Rd Duncan— Commons Mall Port Alberni—Shoppers Drugmart Plaza, 10th Ave Nanaimo—South Parkway Plaza Mill Bay—Island Highway @ Frayne Rd Nanaimo—Hammond Bay Rd CO-OP Campbell River—Willow Point Village Page 2, ISLAND TIDES, Aug 1, 2013

AT POINT ATKINSON AUGUST Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m.

0648 4.9 1.5 0021 9.2 2.8 31 1425 12.5 3.8 8 0532 13.1 4.0 WE 1857 11.2 3.4 TH 1212 4.3 1.3 2355 13.1 4.0 1901 14.4 4.4 0743 4.6 1.4 0057 8.5 2.6 1 0530 13.1 4.0 9 0617 12.8 3.9 THU 2016 11.2 3.4 FR 1245 4.9 1.5 1924 14.4 4.4 0048 12.8 3.9 0136 7.9 2.4 2 0833 4.3 1.3 10 0706 12.5 3.8 FR 1617 13.5 4.1 SA 1319 5.6 1.7 2116 11.2 3.4 1950 14.4 4.4 0143 12.8 3.9 0218 6.9 2.1 3 0919 3.9 1.2 11 0801 12.5 3.8 SA 1654 13.8 4.2 SU 1356 6.9 2.1 2202 11.2 3.4 2020 14.4 4.4 0235 12.8 3.9 0303 6.2 1.9 4 0959 3.6 1.1 12 1904 12.1 3.7 SU 1724 13.8 4.2 MO 1437 17.9 2.4 2240 10.8 3.3 2052 14.4 4.4 0323 13.1 4.0 0354 5.6 1.7 5 1035 3.6 1.1 13 1021 11.8 3.6 MO 1752 14.1 4.3 TU 1527 9.2 2.8 2314 10.2 3.1 2130 14.1 4.3 0407 13.1 4.0 0450 4.9 1.5 6 1109 3.6 1.1 14 1153 12.1 3.7 TU 1816 14.1 4.3 WE 1629 10.2 3.1 2347 9.8 3.0 2214 14.1 4.3 0449 13.1 4.0 0551 4.3 1.3 7 1141 3.9 1.2 15 1324 12.8 3.9 Photo: Toby Snelgrove WE 1839 14.1 4.3 THU 1750 10.8 3.3 Summer family fun at Campbell Bay, . 2308 13.8 4.2 FULL MOON: MONDAY, AUG 20 ADD ONE HOUR FOR DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME COAL PORT from page 1 unloading of 12,500 tonnes of coal at Texada (on a six days per justifies a more detailed review than is proposed by the Ministry. week basis). Stormwater Management Plan The approximate capacity of a Panamax bulk carrier is The stormwater management plan is based on this stockpile 70,000 tonnes; this schedule would indicate one ship a week. capacity, and also on what is termed a ‘once in five years, 24- Double all these figures for eight million tonnes. hour rainfall event’. This is estimated at 2 inches of rain in 24 However, because deepsea ships cannot easily be scheduled accurately, and to allow for increased throughput and the separation of customer shipments, Lafarge has requested approval of storage for 800,000 tonnes of coal. The Lafarge Proposal Fraser Surrey docks are under the authority of Port Metro Vancouver (PMV), which has approved the scheme despite the objections of the Metro Vancouver ’s board, The board heard some 40 delegations before voting 21-4 to oppose FSD’s proposal. PMV has not heard AT FULFORD HARBOUR representations from the public. AUGUST However, the Texada facility is not within PMV’s jurisdiction. hours. This assumption is criticized as inadequate, and also for Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. Lafarge must get its permit from the Ministry of Energy and the lack of any provision should a more serious rainfall event Mines. take place. 0618 3.3 1.0 0436 9.2 2.8 31 1440 9.2 2.8 8 1127 3.0 0.9 In its application to the provincial Ministry, Lafarge states In order to prevent stormwater from carrying coal fines into WED 1756 8.5 2.6 TH 1848 10.2 3.1 that the operation will meet the conditions in a June, 1990 the sea, Lafarge proposes the construction of a ‘water infiltration 2259 9.8 3.0 permit granted to a predecessor corporation, Ideal Cement. pond’ which would allow seepage into ‘the adjacent estuary’. The 0708 3.3 1.0 0021 6.9 2.1 (These conditions required that coal should not enter the water ‘estuary’ referred to would appear to lie behind the beach to the 1 1539 9.5 2.9 9 0527 8.9 2.7 THU 1934 8.9 2.7 FR 1159 3.6 1.1 or foreshore, dust suppression equipment should be installed, south of the point of land on which the stockpile is located. The 2343 9.5 2.9 1908 10.2 3.1 and a limestone containment berm was to be built around the critics declared themselves unable to locate it. 0754 3.0 0.9 0100 6.2 1.9 foreshore side of the stockpile.) The critique also pointed out that the conditions of the 2 1622 9.8 3.0 10 0622 8.9 2.7 FR 2047 8.9 2.7 SA 1231 4.3 1.3 This 1990 correspondence appears to confirm provincial permit required that Lafarge prevent coal from entering the 1930 10.2 3.1 government agreement that the ship loading facility was still water or foreshore, not just ‘mitigate’ the release of coal fines. 0033 9.5 2.9 0144 5.6 1.7 covered by the permit originally granted to Texada Mines for This raised the question of possible contravention of the 3 0836 2.6 0.8 11 0727 8.5 2.6 SA 1656 9.8 3.0 SU 1306 5.2 1.6 their underground mine. That permit made specific mention of Fisheries Act. 2136 8.9 2.7 1953 10.5 3.2 the ‘storing and handling of other products’ beside copper and Airborne Dust Suppression 0124 9.5 2.9 0231 4.9 1.5 magnetite concentrates from the mine. While the proposal for FSD included specific provisions for the 4 0914 2.6 0.8 12 0844 8.2 2.5 SU 1725 10.2 3.1 MO 1345 6.2 1.9 Limited Opportunity For Public Input suppression of coal dust, even to the extent of suspending 2213 8.5 2.6 2020 10.5 3.2 The Lafarge application to the Ministry attached a stormwater operations when the wind exceeded 22 knots, the Texada 0214 9.5 2.9 0323 4.3 1.3 handling proposal prepared by Norwest Corporation. A copy of proposal did not address this in any detail. Considering that 5 0950 2.6 0.8 13 1016 8.2 2.5 MO 1748 10.2 3.1 TU 1430 7.2 2.2 the application had been made available only at the Texada open piles of coal on barges are to be towed at 7 knots up windy 2244 8.2 2.5 2050 10.5 3.2 Public Library, and a limited 30-day period had been allowed Sabine Channel, and the stockpiles are located on an exposed 0301 9.5 2.9 0418 3.6 1.1 for public comment, which ended on July 19. point of Texada Island, the critique noted that no plan for 6 1023 2.6 0.8 14 1202 8.5 2.6 TU 1809 10.2 3.1 WED 1528 7.9 2.4 Nevertheless, an extensive critique of Lafarge’s application airborne dust was included in Lafarge’s application, despite 2315 7.9 2.4 2126 10.2 3.1 was sent to the Ministry on July 13, from a concerned group that ‘common northwesterly headwinds of 5 to 35 knots’. 0348 9.5 2.9 0517 3.0 0.9 included James Mack, Tom Scott, Petr Cizek, and Linda Finally, the critique noted the ‘absence of a plan for 7 1055 2.6 0.8 15 1338 9.2 2.8 WE 1828 10.2 3.1 THU 1646 8.5 2.6 Henningson of Texada Island, Donald Gordon, Peter Johnson, independent or non-independent monitoring of air quality and 2346 7.5 2.3 2212 10.2 3.1 John Arts, and Gail Johnston of , Doug marine impacts’. FULL MOON: MONDAY, AUG 20 Hopwood of , and Meghan Michaud, of New Opposition ADD ONE HOUR FOR DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME Westminster. Following a motion put forward by Trustees from Lasqueti The signatories to the letter clearly expressed their Tide Table Courtesy of Island, Islands Trust Council at its June meeting resolved ‘That Durable dock systems for opposition to Lafarge’s application. the Islands Trust Council direct the Chair to write to the Port exposed locations Their letter notes that Lafarge’s application seeks to increase Metro Vancouver Board of Directors to express the Islands Ross Walker the size of the allowed stockpile from 150,000 tonnes to Trust Council’s opposition to the proposal to export coal through 250-537-9710 800,000 tonnes; this is some 40% of the size of the stockpile at Fraser Surrey Docks, and transport it by barge to Texada Island Email: [email protected] On Time & On Budget Westshore terminals (north of the terminal at for storage and then re-loading for shipment to .’ 0 www.islandmarine.ca ). The critique asserts that such a stockpile size www.islandtides.com ISLAND TIDES, August 1, 2013, Page 3

Cabinet Shuffle & Enemies List - Elizabeth May The political news of the summer was supposed to be the Conservative. I am a traditionalist. I wish I had left cabinet in one friend saying, ‘but I really hate him and I have never heard Cabinet shuffle. It had been hyped well in advance. the traditional way—with a sex scandal.’ you say you hate him.’ My mother apologised and said it must Unexpectedly, it was the leak of the compilation of an Those backbenchers who have spoken out for democracy just have been the result of poor White House research. ‘enemies list’ that distracted us from the dazzling brilliance of and the rights of free speech were all overlooked for promotions. I see something of the same reaction brewing around this the Cabinet make-over. Enemies List list. People want to be on it. In advance, pundits were busy prognosticating, Further confirming that Stephen Harper is not about to The maintenance of an atmosphere of oppression and fear anticipating and inflating the significance of the change his iron-fisted style was the leaked email requires stealth and a level of invisibility. The leaking of an Cabinet moves. In the event, despite speculation ‘Former asking ministerial staff to compile an enemies list. enemies list has generated unwelcome critiques from that some of the most senior portfolios and Environment (I think at least one turfed minister will quickly conservative commentators in the National Post. It has also ministers would be re-arranged, the key Minister Peter Kent said find himself on that list.) invited ridicule. The surest way for Stephen Harper to lose his portfolios of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Natural the request to create a list of Former Environment Minister Peter Kent ability to control all aspects of his administration, to lose the Resources, Agriculture, Aboriginal Affairs, friends and enemies was not said the request to create a list of friends and effectiveness of his coercive management style is if people start Treasury Board and Government House only ‘juvenile,’ he drew enemies was not only ‘juvenile,’ he drew laughing. An enemies list is both, and, at the same time, sinister Leader remained unchanged. comparisons with a comparisons with a previous paranoid leader. and silly. The Conservative message machine tried previous paranoid In an interview with Postmedia, Kent said, ‘That Comparisons with Richard Nixon which Stephen Harper to pitch that the news was the promotion of the leader. ’ was the nomenclature used by Nixon. His political has now brought on himself will only continue to stir the pot of younger members of the caucus and more women. horizon was divided very starkly into friends and his own Watergate—Nigel Wright’s cheque to buy Mike Duffy’s Overall, the average age of the Cabinet dropped from enemies. The use of the word ‘enemies list,’ for those of silence. It might even remind people of his bizarre rebuke to 55 to 52, and the women appointed largely went to junior us of a certain generation, evokes nothing less than thoughts of Michael Ignatieff, ‘With the tapes I have on you, I wouldn’t want positions. The real news was that it was a bloated Cabinet, Nixon and Watergate.’ you to resign.’ departing from Stephen Harper’s earlier rhetoric about smaller I remember Nixon’s Enemies List very clearly as my mother The fearfulness in Ottawa should recede. We need more air, government. (Perhaps the removal of so many scientists has was one of those listed. We had already applied to immigrate light and truth-telling, and fewer people living in shadows, opened up room for more ministers?) to when some 700 names from the list were made heads down, hoping to get through the Harper era without Some ministers represent issues for which there is no public. All of her friends were jealous and wanted to know how losing their jobs. Maybe an enemies list is, against all odds, the 0 department to manage. New Cabinet member, Pierre Poilievre, she had made it onto the list when they had not. I remember beginning of the end. well-known as a reliable Conservative pit bull in Question Period, is Minister for Democratic Reform. With no department of Democratic Reform, he presides over a smallish group inside the Privy Council Office. Meanwhile, Christian Paradis became Minister for International Development, now a sub-set of the Department of Foreign Affairs, reporting to Minister John Baird. Two other Ministers also represent parts of DFAIT -- Ed Fast in International Trade & International Trade and Lynne Yellich in Consular Services. Overall, I cannot get very excited about Cabinet shuffles. In an administration where total control over decisions (large and small), priorities, and talking points is maintained by the prime minister, nothing changes unless he does. Sadly (or happily if you belong to the school of thought that Stephen Harper is his own worst enemy), the prime minister seems more rooted than ever in a hostile, hyper-partisan approach to governance. Newly Independent MP, former Conservative, Brent Rathgeber pointed out to the media one of the most significant things about the shuffle—it completely ignored the moves that might have soothed the increasingly unhappy back benches. Well-liked backbencher, who was widely rumoured to be about to go to Cabinet, James Rajotte of Alberta, was by-passed, while Peter Van Loan, who is nearly universally disliked by Conservative back-benchers (and more than a few front benchers too), gets to continue in the pivotal position of Government House Leader. Well-loved by the backbenches, Cabinet member Stephen Fletcher was turfed for no apparent reason. He did manage a tweet reflecting a brave and audacious sense of humour. The first and only quadriplegic in Parliament, he tweeted ‘I am a New recycling regime concerns islanders Gulf Island recycling organizations may not fit well into the provincial government’s proposed new recycling regime. It is based on a one-size-fits-all model and threatens the unique financial arrangements under which the recycling centres on each Gulf Island have developed into important elements of the island economy and culture. The idea behind the regulations under BC’s Environmental Management Act is that the producer of recyclable goods and packaging should assume responsibility for the recycling. An example is the ‘Return-it’ organization that is responsible for glass and plastic bottles, supported by provincial legislation that authorizes both a returnable deposit and a handling fee. On the Gulf Islands, recycling centres collect the bottles and recover the deposit, and the resultant revenue is important to them. Multi Materials BC If you see a wildfi re call *5555 on your cell. The provincial government is now trying to apply a similar approach to packaging and printed paper. In response to the Nearly half of all wildfires are preventable. Please, be responsible in our forests. regulations, a not-for-profit organization has been created which will have monopoly control and responsibility for the recycling of packaging and printed paper throughout the province. This organization, Multi Materials BC (MMBC) will set ‘market-clearing’ prices for various types of material and collection services, and take over responsibility for recycling where it is not currently provided. To learn more visit BCWildfire.ca Since these services are currently provided by various local or regional governments, for-profit, non-profit, or volunteer RECYCLING, please turn to page 8 www.islandtides.com Page 4, ISLAND TIDES, August 1, 2013 Reader’s Letter More Funding For TB, HIV & Malaria Buckley Bay side of Baynes Sound that apparently indicated Dear Editor: deep deposits of alluvial mud where the supporting structure An increasing number of individuals are reporting to hospitals would be located. Every Second Thursday with a new infectious terror: Total Drug Resistant TB. There is We have a vessel perfectly suited to our route. The MV ’s only Quinitsa has been put forward as a replacement vessel by BCFC Free & Mail-Delivered Newspaper no cure, no effective treatment. It is estimated that those with the disease infect up to 20 others a year. despite professional opinion stated in public meetings that she 21,000 copies this edition TB is a historical scourge that is cheaply cured with modern is not well suited for other routes due to her power ratio and antibiotics. But health care in the developing world is hull configuration. There are rumours about a rebuild of the 14,373 print copies delivered to fragmentary and underfunded, and this has allowed the MV Tenaka that would remove one of the main stated reasons households on 13 Gulf Islands evolution of drug resistance strains, this total drug resistant for the cable ferry project. version the latest to emerge. Please, please raise these concerns to anyone within Salt Spring • Mayne • Galiano • Pender • Saturna government who will actually listen. The opportunity to stop Gabriola • Denman • Hornby • Quadra • Cortes TB is enormously infectious and once drug resistant strains Read • Texada • Lasqueti are brought to Canada, there is little hope for those a carrier this project is very short, as BCFC proposes to sign construction comes in contact with. Infectious, lethal diseases know no contracts this summer. The Legislature is in session. How will boundaries in this connected world of ours. HIV started in the party that this island has always supported assure that we and spread death and misery across the globe. have a safe and normal ferry service? Laura Pope, This year the Global Fund to Fight HIV, TB, and Malaria is slated for replenishment, requiring 15 billion dollars to reach Raven Coal Mine A Moral Hazard its goal of treating 80% of the world’s tuberculosis sufferers. Dear Editor: 3,627 print copies on Ferry Routes and in: Canada’s share would be $750 million spread over three years. The insurance industry has a term that fits the Raven coal mine Victoria • Saanich • Sidney • Cobble Hill We can spend the money now and prevent the next infectious project to a ‘T’: ‘Moral Hazard.’ A Moral Hazard is a situation Mill Bay • Crofton • Duncan • Chemainus plague, or wait until it's too late and the cost much, much where an individual or company engages in a high risk venture, Ladysmith • Nanaimo • Bowser • Courtenay higher. makes a short term profit but leaves the downstream liabilities Nathaniel Poole,Victoria Port Alberni • Campbell River to someone else. The classic example is the sub-prime loan 3,000 online readers each edition Proposed Denman Cable Ferry situation in the US. The Big Banks gave out housing loans to Dear MLA Trevena: Owner, Publisher & Editor: Christa Grace-Warrick folks who couldn’t afford them. When the loans started turning I am writing to you as one concerned islander to another. BCFC bad they bundled them together, sold them to investment Contributors: Patrick Brown, Priscilla Ewbank, Elizabeth May, is still pushing ahead with the plan for a cable ferry to Denman companies and walked away. Susan Banjavich, Toby Snelgrove, David Ellis, Island. This project started as an alternate service provider The mining industry has many examples of projects that are Brian Crumblehulme, Harry Burton, John Reynolds, project and should have been scrapped along with the ASP moral hazards. They privatize the reward and socialize the Jan Slakov, Davy Rippner process by the commissioner. BCFC apparently are basing the downside risks: get in, get what they can, get out and leave the Island Tides Publishing Ltd Denman cable ferry concept on the interior cable . In no taxpayer holding the bag to pay the piper. There are three Box 55, , BC V0N 2M0 way are the two comparable in distance, weather, salt vs fresh indications that the Raven coal mine project is a moral hazard. Tel: 250.629.3660 • Fax: 250.629.3838 Email: [email protected]• [email protected] water, vessel size, passenger safety requirements, traffic volume First, it is an environmental hazard. Over 16 years, that huge and crew requirements. waste pile will be the size of a 500-story building spread over Deadline: Wednesday Between Publications While Transport Canada has very little in the way of an area the size of a Canadian football field—you can do the Off-Island Canadian Print Subscription: $56.00 regulation on cable ferries, they still must assure the safety of math. It will be with us long after the mine has closed. Situated Voluntary Mail & Box Pick-up Subscription: $30.00 US Subs: $80.00 • Online PDF: free the public but so must the provincial government. BCFC is up on a hill above and only five kilometres from www.islandtides.com ignoring pertinent weather information regarding winds and Baynes Sound, the pile, exposed to the elements, will leach out wave action in Baynes Sound gathered by the crew of the MV toxic substances that will flow downhill, polluting local water Quinitsa. BCFC has chosen to ignore concerns raised in the EYE tables on their way to the sea. report to them regarding the hull stability and design of the Second, the project is an economic hazard for the local proposed ferry. community and the valley. It threatens the 600 sustainable BCFC has not adequately planned for cable failures, nor have shellfish industry jobs, and, in turn, promises 300 temporary they developed a cost effective plan for routine changing of the jobs that will likely go to miners coming in from elsewhere. And, cables. And yet despite the lack of planning for basic and it threatens the tourism industry in our valley which is an necessary routine maintenance of the cables, the size of the essential part of our economic future. In the last year friends cables and the many concerns raised, they are pushing ahead. and family have invited my wife and I to share their timeshares BCFC is casting itself as a ‘world leader’ in cable ferry in Maui, Hawaii and Sedona, Arizona. Can you imagine what technology without having a firm design, without any practical would happen to their tourist industries if they suddenly experience, and without a vessel in the water. announced that they were supporting the development of coal Both Denman and Hornby Islands residents have rejected mines? Can you imagine what would happen to our tourist this proposal on every level and at every BCFC public industry if the same thing happened here? ‘consultation’—and yet we have been utterly abandoned to this Third, Compliance Energy itself, as a resource company, is transportation experiment by BCFC via the provincial a hazardous risk. North American and global markets for government’s failure to act. Unlike every other cable ferry borderline metallurgical coal are in the tank, especially thermal operating in BC and across Canada, we have no alternate route and the borderline metallurgical coal the Raven mine would to our homes and jobs. produce. In BC, the USA and , coal mines have been Your TotalTYour otaTYour lota The projected cost savings of $19 million (17 if you take off shutting down for months. Compliance shares have plunged the 2 million already spent) will never be realized over the 40 from 55¢ two years ago and are hovering around 5¢ now. As of WateratW SolutionolutionSer olution years it will take to accrue the ‘savings’ that are almost entirely December 31, 2012 their audited statement shows a deficit of based on crew size reductions. BCFC management said in a almost $7 million. The auditors pointed out that the company Gulf Islands Water Treatment public meeting on Denman Island that ‘you can make any has no revenue generating operations, and, in an unusual project work if you throw enough money at it’. This answer in ‘Emphasis of Matter’ stated that a material uncertainty may cast ~ Rainwater Harvesting response to concerned questions over seismic testing on the significant doubt about Compliance Energy Corporation’s ~ Water treatment for wells, ability to continue as a going concern. surface supplies & seawater BRING YOUR RECYCLABLES TO US… This high-risk venture is a classic example of moral hazard. ~ Filtration & Disinfection It is the wrong project, in the wrong place, at the wrong time ~ Slow sand filtration We’ll take anything with a being proposed by the wrong company. Is there anybody out ~ Small systems Health deposit for a full refund. there who really believes that this project will provide a long Authority approvals term benefit to our community and its future? Open daily 9am to 6pm Mike Bell, Comox 0 Bacteria, Arsenic,nserAa,ireactB Turbidity, Tannins-TOC,sninTan,tyidibrTu,cin - CTO Hardness,ss,dnearH, much more!!ermouchmss, Sunday 9:30am to 5pm www.watertiger.netwwww.. igerttwa err.. tne IS YOUR 250.539.2936 VictoriaatoricVi BurnabyyrnabBu CourtenayouC aynrteou ((250) 412-11101240)25 -11101110 (604)(-4 630-1114036)046 111 (250)0)25( 339-69149330) - 1496 ATURNA ENERAL TORE WELL WATER S G S SAFE TO DRINK? 101 NARVAEZ BAY ROAD, Contamination can occur without changes in colour or Butler Gravel & taste. Be safe, test annually.  Concrete…Better   from the ground up! 250-656-1334 Reliable Service, Quality Products #USTOMDESIGNSFOR(OMES & Competitive Prices 2ENOVATIONS )NTERIORS Serving All The Gulf Islands AND6ACATION(OMES Phone 250-652-4484 fax: 250-656-0443 Website: www.mblabs.com +EITH*AKOBSEN WWW JAKOBSENASSOCIATESCOM Fax 250-652-4486 JAKOBSENK NETROVERCOM Email: [email protected] 6700 Butler Crescent, Saanichton, B.C. 2062 Unit 4 Henry Ave. West, Sidney, B.C. V8L 5Y1 www.islandtides.com ISLAND TIDES, Aug 1, 2013, Page 5

Photo: Harry Burton Is it hot out there?

August Garden Calendar - Brian Crumblehulme olitics and science aside, the world’s weather systems and reduce erosion. Water needs to soak into the ground not from the UK who informed me that French wine companies have turned topsy-turvy. Daniel McKenney of Natural get sluiced into the sea and that means seasonal mini-wetlands were buying up farms in Yorkshire in anticipation that the north P Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, says and flood zones. Low lying clay soils will turn to gumbo if not of England would soon become the next Burgundy. simply ‘there is strong evidence of a pending and profound planted properly and high clear-cut slopes such as driveways When we think of gardening we tend to think of summer change in global climate.’ Here on the west coast and will wash out unless run-off channels are created. with a few token bulbs for spring. Now with dryer summers we comparable areas in we are seeing wetter milder winters My driveway has a distinct dip in the middle where are encouraged to plant xerophytes and drought-tolerant and dryer summers. Every rainwater meets from varieties. Well and good. recent summer has all the eather has to be the most crucial factor when it comes to both directions. For However, milder winters are a perfect opportunity for winter islands on the look out for growing plants in any garden wherever you live in the several years we drove gardening where the cooler wetter weather means no watering wildfires. Embrace it or deny through a mini lake that and less weeding, and now is the time to sow and plant for world and gardeners are finding that well-defined it, today’s weather is not lasted for weeks until a winter. Browse through the West Coast Seeds Fall & Winter what it used to be. Wgrowing seasons no longer exist —BBC Garden World. few years back when I catalogue for ideas or take a spin into a good local nursery for What does this mean for dug out a drain pit and winter vegetable and bedding plants. farmers and gardeners on the islands in the Salish Sea? On the filled it with rock and then back-filled with gravel. Now even Although almost all the climate zones in the USA have positive side it implies we can grow many more plants and trees after a November downpour, all the water soaks away within a consistently recorded warmer weather for the past 10-15 years, previously considered exotic. Ten years ago I planted a fuchsia couple of hours. it may not be correct to infer a uniform warming trend. The hedge. Now as I write it is 12 meters long, over a meter high Dry summers also imply managing our water. About the size New York Times called it ‘global weirding’ with strange and jungle of red and purple flowers, a year-round evergreen home of Saltspring, Malta lies a few miles north of Tunisia, has about unpredictable weather patterns. to Anna’s humming birds, and is completely drought-resistant. 2 feet of rain a year and supports a population of 350,000 AUGUST CALENDAR please turn to page 8 Grapes, pomegranates, loquats, kiwi, lemon and lime trees, people plus a few thousand seasonal tourists. Potable water and persimmons, , apricots and figs, even Bougainvillea, produce are ferried in and trees are not part of the landscape. EVOCSTEOP • NEP DNALSIRED • CB bananas and palms can be inspired to flourish next to the We are not there yet but I predict a few water collection tanks venerable King apples. In their nursery, Fruit will be in everyone’s Christmas stocking this year. Trees & More, Bob & Verna Duncan have a demonstration The venerable British Royal Horticultural Society have taken orchard stocked with mature examples of all the above—and to planting tropicals outside, and the Editor in Chief of the RHS more. Journals remarks that ‘we will have to be more ecologically Winter snows and ice are giving way to a rainy season where sensitive, adapting what we grow and how and where we grow many traditional garden flowers just keep on trucking and roses it. Gardeners of old knew how to manipulate micro-climates have to be pruned to induce them to take a rest. and also use valuable natural resources such as soil, composted On the downside new invasive insects are moving in and garden waste and rainwater to best effect, selecting the right native bees and wasps are succumbing to damp wet winters. plant for the right place.’ Meanwhile, mildew and blackspot leaf fungi have increased on Visiting Europe a few years ago I chatted with a gardener roses and fruit trees. Native trees like cedars are also giving way to more drought-resistant firs and maple, and we've all seen the effects of the pine beetle plague across the province and into The Fishery Fine Seafoods Alberta. BC’s Best Gourmet Canned Seafood • Live Crab & Shellfish If you like horror stories, look up images of Kudzu. Originally Fresh & Frozen Fish • Mussels, Prawns, Clams, Oysters from Japan and South China, Kudzu behaves like the invasion SATURDAYS ABOARD THE CRAB DANCER of a man-eating ivy in a B-movie, and at last count it has crept 9-11:30am: Sturdies Bay, up to . And don’t even get me started about the huge 12-3pm: Miners Bay, Mayne Island increase in the slug population with all their new hybrid varieties. GANGES STORE: TUES-SAT 10-5, SUN: 10-3 Winter has become a season of moss and heavy rain which 151 Lower Ganges Rd, means don't build your house on a slope and plan for water run FOR ADVANCE ORDERS CONTACT: R ESORT & SPA off. The BC Government are advocating a tree planting program 250-537-2457 • www.thefishery.ca www.poetscove.comwww .poetsc evo .com • 250-629-2100 to mitigate warmer summer temperatures, absorb winter water www.islandtides.com Page 6, ISLAND TIDES, Aug 1, 2013 Pender debates doctor termination - Patrick Brown n Pender Island faces the possible loss of one of its two doctors in its facilities, and is responsible for employing office staff. (This October, and residents are becoming increasingly concerned. is in contrast to the ‘fee-for-service’ model under which most of al The Pender Care Society (PIHCS), which owns BC’s doctors work.) f and operates Pender’s Medical Clinic, has been advised by the Following a June 11 meeting with PIHCS, VIHA committed Health Authority (VIHA) that Dr Michael in writing to ‘actively recruit’ a new doctor for Pender Island, d Thompson’s contract will not be renewed when it expires. and expressed confidence that ‘there will be interest in this s VIHA has assured PIHCS that this action has not been taken attractive opportunity’. When suitable candidates are identified, s. because of any concerns about clinical competence or patient wrote VIHA, they will be given opportunities to visit Pender, f safety, but, citing confidentiality concerns, have given no further and for island residents to meet with them. e reasons, nor any information on any efforts to deal with However, VIHA’s efforts to recruit doctors for Galiano and whatever issues have led to the contract termination. Dr Salt Spring Islands have not been successful. Should there be o Thompson’s contract requires that he be given six months gap in service, VIHA says that Pender residents can consult Dr notice of its termination, set for October 26. It is also reported Gerry Moore, and Nurse Practitioner Tracey Adams. that neither Dr Thompson nor his wife wish to leave the island. Seniors’ Concern Pender—‘Attractive Opportunity’ Dr Thompson is well liked on Pender, and his impending loss Photo: John Reynolds PIHCS provides 9,000 square feet of facilities for two doctors, has resulted in a petition and a number of letters to VIHA Eagle scores a lingcod dinner in . a Nurse Practitioner, a dentist, community nurses, a small lab, officials, as well as the ombudsman, MP Elizabeth May, and an optometrist, and various other health practitioners, as well MLA Gary Holman. While VIHA’s contractual arrangements as a two bed emergency room. with doctors in rural practice do not include any provision for Under each doctor’s contract community involvement, Pender Islanders have expressed with VIHA, the Authority particular concern that VIHA has not consulted the community UIFOE"OOVBM pays a fixed annual dollar before their action was taken. amount for ‘specified clinical Recent surveys show that Pender Island has a very high services’ and the doctor’s proportion of seniors, with 55% of the population over 60 and necessary supporting and 315 residents over 74. Most have strongly indicated they wish clerical staff. The doctor pays to stay on the island, and the availability of health care is very rent to the Health Centre for important to their ability to continue. 0 $IPDPMBUF-JMZ$VQ Dreaming Pipeline Leaks, Dodging $IBSJUZ(PMG5PVSOBNFOU Grizzlies –Special Report by David Ellis t’s spring in the coast people of BC to help make the twinning project mountains, a glorious time, no ‘better’. He was, very aggressively, saying that 4VOEBZ "VHVTU  Imosquitoes yet, here in the high country, the new project, and the old pipe, were already 4,100 feet up, the sun is hot, you are closer to an essential part of the Canadian economy. it up here. The last of the snow patches still Was he not ever planning to take his hang on, in the shade of the aromatic balsam grandson salmon fishing, in BC? 1SPTQFDU-BLF(PMG$PVSTF  firs. I have several times pulled balsam needles The scent of balsam fir reminds me this was 1SPTQFDU-BLF3E 7JDUPSJB 1SPTQFDU -BLF 3E 7JDUPSJB off as I pass, crushed them and put them to my grizzly bear . From three accounts I nose–the scent is exhilarating. Everywhere heard this spring, the local grizzlies are clearly QN4IPUHVO4UBSU there is the roar and murmur of streams and on the rebound. So, I could meet one at %JOOFS 1SJ[FT "VDUJPO runoff, my boots are soaked from fording three anytime and, this year, grizzlies really seem to swollen creeks. be presenting themselves to me. (PMG%JOOFS%JOOFS0OMZ I am hiking the Kinder Morgan Trans I had just returned from bookselling trips  DIBSJUBCMF5BY3FDFJQUTBWBJMBCMFGPSDIBSJUZQPSUJPO DIBSJUBCMF5BY3FDFJQUTBWBJMBCMFGPSDIBSJUZQPSUJPO Mountain pipeline, a pipeline that few seem to to the Chilcotin and Bella Coola, where I had know is already carrying tar sands oil, ‘dilbit’, seen four grizzly—that makes eight for this %VGGFS%VEEFVTVGGGGFSGGFFSSCSTBST TBOE4T BOBOBBBBB BOOEECEE E 4B4BO4BOECBHHF 4B BO E CBCCBH BBHHHFHHF through southern BC. Little attention is being year, after the four I saw earlier on the Nass brought to the existence of this old pipeline, as lava beds. After I told a Chilcotin (Tsilhqot’in) %% only a few environmental groups and some librarian of my encounters, she said that they    brave individuals are speaking out against a ‘don’t feel threatened by me’. Well I am very  % %' & massive, Canadian government-supported much a believer, also a modern witness, to lobby to ‘twin’ this pipeline. This lobbying is Native American spirituality, and such a )('&%%$#"!  %'  &%%%( &%%'&% &% aimed at the people of BC’s Interior, many of comment was flattering to me. But these are %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %%%% % '  whom are still out of work since the housing one of the few animals that can, and will, very % % ) &% &%%&%'% &%) crisis in the all but closed down quickly kill you if they meet you close up—and the province’s mainstay logging industry. they get flustered. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% % % (&%  This day, I am hiking the pipeline right-of- I reach a hollow before a sudden rise in the % % )% %  % &%% way, south from the Tulameen Road to the pipeline right-of-way, a mile north of the ‘jump %%%%%%% %'' Coquihalla ‘jump off’, where the pipe suddenly off’. The wind is full in my face, just as it had         drops 1,000 feet in just over a mile, on a hunch been when I had met a bear when I was 17,    that I might find oil spill. The pipe is now 60- near Whistler Mountain—that day I truly years-old, and the website of the massive learned the meaning of the word terror. With Kinder Morgan corporation says that the my recent ‘luck’, I will meet one again, eyeball *))('&%$##"!( %( %( #(#"#&(!)"(%!#&$( Trans Mountain pipe is ‘as good as it ever was’. to eyeball, as I go over that rise up ahead. I look *!!%$ %(*(%&( #($%')# %(%(&%%!( It is my quest to do all that one man can do to out for tracks or bear scat. I look down, and % (&(% (#"#& !(%#(%( #( #(( % !"( stop what seems inevitable: a massive spill see…oil. Oil! $%$%) #())#! (( #(#"#&($%  (!()&#"( destroying the Fraser River, the heart and soul Well not an oil spill, just an oily film, on the &!#"( ((#)'( !(%#&( #( %'(( of this province. water flowing up and through the mossy right- Before I left my vehicle, I was listening, of-way, over an area about 30ft x 30ft, one of  &%%!'% %& ( every 30 minutes, to radio ads in which the those marshy places where you don’t know if self-assured voice of Kinder Morgan Canada you will suddenly get a wet boot. President Ian Anderson was asking the rural PIPELINE, please turn to page 9

Photo: Henny Schnare, henny.ca Summer events of all kinds have enthusiastic line-ups. This one is the Galiano Wine Festival, a fundraiser for Galiano Health Care. www.islandtides.com ISLAND TIDES, August 1, 2013, Page 7 Remembering - Jan Slakov WhatHiroshima would you do with a swampy overgrown area, strewn with garbage, in Ganges? Around 1990, that was the state of the area across from Artspring and our local Canadian Voice of Women for Peace group (VOW) had an idea. There was a push on, spearheaded by the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, along with CANADA 125 and the National Capitol Commission, to create peace parks across the country in honour of Canada’s 125th birthday. VOW members thought that neglected piece of land would be a good spot for such a park. It turned out several groups and agencies had some kind of claim or jurisdiction over the land and it was not going to be easy to get the go-ahead to make a park. So Maggie Schubart and her dear friend Marg Simons conceived the idea of inviting representatives from the various groups to meet on site and have a brown bag lunch there together. Well, it turned out only Maggie and Marg showed up with lunches ... but the meeting did happen and VOW got the approval they needed to move forward. Kathy Reimer, who has worked for decades to protect and restore island waterways, worked with her team to clean up the site and fill in puddles; she also donated a huge rock from her property and Hank Schubart made a peace park plaque to go on the boulder. As with other peace parks, ours includes a tree planted in honour of each province and territory, a total of thirteen. Maggie had envisioned the park as a place where islanders might meet to resolve conflicts in a healthy way so it is fitting that, years later, the Japanese Garden Society got permission to create the Heiwa Garden (Heiwa being the Japanese word Photo: Susan Banjavich for peace) in memory of the Japanese-Canadian pioneers who Surreal reflections; Westwood Lake, Nanaimo were forced off the island during WW II, their land sold off despite the promises it would be held in trust for them. After the park and garden were created, VOW decided it would be the best spot to continue with annual Hiroshima Day ROUND THE ISLANDS commemorations. Now, when the ‘cold war’ threat of nuclear holocaust has Bocce for Brooks 36th Annual Victoria Classic Boat apparently been superseded by other threats to life on earth, it A perfect Sunday afternoon, July 14, under the pines on Karl Festival might seem that one reason to continue to commemorate Hiroshima Day is gone but the threat of nuclear weapons, also Hamson’s land behind the Pender Island Community Centre. The on both sides of the border is blessed with the dangers of radioactive contamination through ‘depleted A dozen teams played ‘bush bocce’ under Bill Deverell’s rules, an enormous number of traditional boats of all descriptions. At uranium’ weapons continue. I believe the need to build which assume that sometimes you can’t see the ‘jack’ (the little the end of August you will be able to see some of them in one community, foster understanding and prevent hatred and white ball at which your aim the big balls you throw), and allows spot, Victoria’s Inner Harbour. no concessions for hitting trees, really bad bounces from Day to day, these wonderful craft, yachts and workboats, are violence is urgent. So, we continue to remember, in the spirit stumps, sticks, rocks, and other natural hazards—rather like cared for by their owners and a supportive community of of the George Santayana quote, ‘Those who cannot remember 0 Pender disc golf but with balls. boatyards, tradespeople, and admirers. the past are condemned to repeat it.’ The double-knockout tourney lasted all afternoon, Throughout the region there are some amazing maritime culminating in a win for ‘Team Gracie’, whose advantage was non-profit organizations, such as: the Maritime Museum of BC, Independent obviously the cute young lady in the mickey mouse dress who Port Townsend Wooden Boat Foundation, SALTS, Dental Hygiene was responsible for throwing out the jack. Centre for Wooden Boats, Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, in a relaxed setting A touch of class was provided by MP Elizabeth May, who Victoria Tall Ships Society, Silva Bay Shipyard School and the provided her best imitation of royalty in ringing the bell to start Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. These dedicated Registered Dental Hygienists the contest. organizations provide opportunities for education, training, offering: Refreshments were available under the pine trees for those skills development and economic growth in our communities. • scaling • root planing who really came for a good natter. Boat owners and those that support them are why Victoria • polishing • whitening The object of the afternoon was to raise money towards the Classic Boat Festival is still celebrating our maritime heritage • other services completion of the Brooks Point park purchase—Sunday’s total after 36 years. A business familiar to many of us, Swartz Bay’s Celebrating 11 years of service in beautiful Sidney-by-the-Sea was a very encouraging $4,590, plus another $5,400 from the Canoe Cove Marina and Boatyard, sponsors the event. sale of cords of firewood, donated by Pender’s for-charity Visit www.classicboatfestival.ca for more info. 250-655-4884 woodsplitters, the Green Angels. Building Green Dreams On Salt Only $115,000 to go! The next Brooks Point benefit is the 2nd annual Chocolate Lily Cup golf tournament at the Prospect Spring Island Lake Golf Course on Sunday, August 18. Want to get some ideas for green building? A fun opportunity      COTTAGESGATTO ESS CAMPGROUNDRGPMA DNUOR MARINAAINRA Details: 3pm Shotgun Start; 9-hole Texas Scramble; 6:30pm is being offered on Salt Spring this month. A number of Dinner, Prizes, Auction; Golf & Dinner $80; Dinner only $45; sponsors—Earth Festival Society, Transition Salt Spring, Salt EXPLXPLOREORE GABRIOLAABRIOLA register as foursome, threesome, twosome or single with David Spring Books, Windsor Plywood, Elements Home Design— are MOUNTAININTANUO BIKIKEE SCOOTERTEOOC RTE KAYAKA KAY RENTALSLSTAEN Greer, [email protected] (see also www.brookspoint.org). putting on an ecohomes tour. The tour aims to be a meeting of 3350 Coast RdRdtasoC5033 www.PAGESRESORT.comRESSEAGP.www omcRT.ORES 250.247.893131897.240.25 RTI, please turn to page 11

          

The Water System Experts Since 1972

t Fountains & Watergardens t Rainwater Harvesting t Well Pumps & Water Systems t Swimming Pools & Spas     t Waste Water Pumps & Controls t Landscape Lighting )('&'("))  t Water Treatment & Filtration tIrrigation '   # *) # # '!) !#&&!)  )&&#)! !)"' ! # '# # '' ' $! BUY RAISE MOVE LEVEL  & )  $  #()  #&#)&!! #! 461 Dupplin Road Victoria B.C. 250-383-7145 RECYCLED INCREASE SUBDIVIDE FIX YOUR HOMES SQ. FOOTAGE YOUR LOT FOUNDATION       www.vanislewater.com WWW.NICKELBROS.COM 1-866-320-2268 *)('&'(%$#"! (#"#!!    www.islandtides.com Page 8, ISLAND TIDES, Aug 1, 2013

SUMMER READS TALISMAN BOOKS &GALLERY Robin Percival Smith ‘Strange Possession at Viner Sound’ Book Signing 1:00pm August 10 250-629-6944 Driftwood Ctr, Pender Island

Graceace PointPGr oint Square 250-538-0025 Salt Spring Island wwwwww.blacksheepbooks.caw..blacksheep ooks.cabooks.ca Photo: Toby Snelgrove Lots of folks are flipping burgers and dogs these days for fun or good causes—or both. This crew is at Mayne’s St Mary Magdalene Church Fair.

Regional Kitchen Scraps Strategy GARDEN CALENDAR from page 5 I leave the last word to the RHS: while to cook through so they quickly follow the potatoes on the • plant for the future, using trees, shrubs and hedges that are grill. Green beans, cauli, snow peas, tomatoes and perhaps a drought tolerant; crisp apple really just need searing. Food Waste • plant windbreaks to protect the garden from stormier In The Skillet Digester Distribution Sales weather; This can be done on the same grill by adding the ingredients • prepare soil thoroughly to maximise drainage, adding in order of cooking time, but frankly I find my heavy iron skillet In support of the Regional Kitchen Scraps organic matter, gravel or grit; so much easier and with less hazard of loosing precious portions • set up a water butt, or two, so you have your own natural down between the slats of the grill. oil works well for this Strategy, the CRD is making onsite food supply during warmer weather; hot salad; and a splash of sesame oil adds a wonderful aroma waste digesters available • create wildlife gardens with ponds and water features to to the mess. Add cherry tomatoes last. for purchase by residents residing on the give some respite to animals in hotter drier summers; Put all the vegetables in a large bowl with the drippings from Southern Gulf Islands and • don’t plant for the long-term in flood areas; and the skillet, toss the coarsely chopped greens beginning with basil Salt Spring Island. • be careful if gardening on slopes not to clear too much of and arugular and put a handful on each plate. Top with a few Food Waste Digesters are available for the existing vegetation, as this will create problems with erosion. grilled prawns or your favourite local chèvre, a drift of gently purchase at your local recycling depot. Summer Veggie Recipes burnt almonds or pine nuts and serve immediately. Summer is such an amazing time for really great fresh fruit & A great idea from British chef Yotam Ottolenghi has lime vegetables that meals begin with a walk in the garden to see juice/tahini/green chili & yogurt blended until creamy, then Digesters that retail for $165 will be priced at a what jumps into the bowl. First question: is this a potato, rice, spooned on. I also like sour cream, chives and pomegranate discounted rate of $95, (including tax). Payment pasta or bread affair? Because these carbohydrate require the with a dash of lemon. The sky's the limit. accepted by cash or cheque. First come, first served. longest cooking time in that order. If you are entertaining kids (and those that still think like Limit one per household. On The Grill kids) the same principle can be used in a pizza. Brush the shell with a little olive oil and pre-bake until done but not browned. Visit myrecyclopedia.ca for strategy information or For potatoes I start by turning on the BBQ, cut small potatoes in half, larger ones in quarters, toss lightly in canola and throw Make up your mix as above, heap it onto the hot shell and cover contact the Compost Edcuation with grated cheeses, sliced olives, sun-dried tomatoes, Centre online at www.compost.bc.ca or by phone at them on the grill. Next gather a bowl of vegetables and salad greens. Eggplant, carrots and other firm critters also take a anchovies, chocolate bars, whatever... and bake in a hot oven 250.386.WORM (9676) for digester installation until the cheeses melt. Serve with cold, dry cider. 0 information.

Proudly sponsored by RECYCLING from page 3 organizations, and are in many cases integrated with garbage itself. Since the acceptance and viability of the scheme depends collection and recycling of other materials, the effect of MMBC’s on its pricing and it eventually depends on what MMBC terms predetermined fixed prices is difficult to determine. ‘research into collection costs’, with an ‘opportunity to review’. This is particularly true of the Gulf Islands, where recycling MMBC has indicated that the price would be set at some operations often go far beyond the handling of packaging and combination of handling costs and a cost-per-dwelling serviced. printed paper. However, a schedule of ‘market-clearing’ prices has already The Simple Should any organization refuse to accept MMBC’s set price, been published and has raised concerns in existing recycling then MMBC may put out its services to tender from private organizations, particularly since MMBC has indicated that no High-Performance sector organizations. This type of control may be aimed mainly alternatives will be available. at curbside collection in residential areas, where collection Quite possibly, there will be some negotiation and it will take Septic System contracts may be attractive to private enterprise. some time. But tight timelines are set for the submission of plans Eljen GSF…Your Affordable MMBC also requires that recycling depots be open five days and their approval by the provincial government. Solution for Today’s a week (including Saturday) and that, in rural areas, they be In particular, local government has expressed concen that Wastewater Challenges! plans may be accepted without financial projections attached. located no more than 10 km from the retailer from which the This would appear to permit MMBC to set whatever prices they packaged or printed goods were supplied. want. Doubts About Implementation MMBC’s plans explicitly exempt the ICI (industrial, Ideal for New or The publication of MMBC’s plan raised has more questions than Replacement Systems commercial, institutional) sector, despite that, in many areas, it answers. this sector produces more packaging and printed paper MMBC’s implementation plans set very short timelines for recyclables than the residential sector. implementation (May 19, 2014). However, they provide little in MMBC’s definition of ‘efficiency’ is strictly financial (tonnes Innovative Products and Solutions Since 1970 the way of financial details, either for the information of the of recyclables versus cost-of-handling) and takes no other organizations which must deal with the organization factors into account. This raises the possibility of conflict with  eljen.com (producers, local governments, private sector operators, and island operations which may have additional social and recycled material processors) or for the transparency of MMBC community objectives. 0 www.islandtides.com ‘Options for non-‘smart’ metering ISLAND TIDES, Aug 1, 2013, Page 9 Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines, reduce theft, encourage conservation, and can meter at no cost, a radio-off meter at an the radio off. announced today that BC Hydro will offer new automatically detect outages. Over 20 years, additional cost or keep their existing analog The set-up and monthly cost-recovery fees options for customers who have put their the program will pay for itself and will help meter with a cost as well. The analog meter will offset the cost of adding infrastructure to smart meters on hold. The BC government keep rates affordable, which is a priority for option is expected to cost more than the radio- ensure the BC Hydro grid can work as says that it is responding to public concerns by government. off meter because of the need for duplicate planned. The fees will also recover the cost of providing opt-out options with the costs borne Minister of Energy and Mines, Bill Bennett systems. setting up and maintaining separate metering by those customers and not subsidized by the said, ‘This decision finds an appropriate Customers who choose to keep their processes and manually performing services majority, who have a standard BC Hydro smart balance between addressing the concerns existing installed analog meter will be able to that would be automated by smart meters. BC meter. raised by people who have put their meter keep them until the meter breaks down, their Hydro expects to complete these installations BC Hydro customers who do not currently installation on hold, while ensuring that the Measurement Canada seal expires or they by March 1, 2014. have a smart meter will now have three majority of customers who have a standard relocate. When the account holder changes, More about BC Hydro’s Smart Metering choices: smart meter will not be paying for those who the analog meter will be replaced with a Program: www.bchydro.com/smartmeters. 0 • choose the standard smart meter at no select an opt-out. As we have said, nobody will standard smart meter or a digital meter with cost; be forced to take a smart meter. I believe that • accept a digital meter with the radio off. this is a fair and reasonable solution for all BULLETIN BOARD This option will be subject to a one-time cost to British Columbians.’ modify the meter plus a monthly fee to read the BC Hydro CEO Charles Reid commented, HOME & PROPERTY meter; or ‘Smart meters are now part of our standard • keep the old analog meter, which will be operating equipment, just like utility poles and subject to a monthly fee that will include both wires. We have been engaging with customers Besley the extra cost of reading the meter and the cost throughout the province about smart meters • WATER WELLS Design & Build of instituting duplicate systems. over the past two years and we believe this • HYDROFRACTURING Foundations & Framing 250-474-7325 Costs and fees associated with the options solution is a reasonable compromise.’ TO IMPROVE WELL YIELDS Siding & Roofing Finishing Metal & Torch-On will be established by BC Hydro but will be BCHydro’s Quick Facts • DRILLING FOR GEOSOURCE Decks & Fences 20+ Years Experience reviewed by the BC Utilities Commission to • The Provincial Health Officer, Health 1-800-746-7444 Renovations & Additions BBB, Licensed, Insured, WCB, ensure that BC Hydro is only recovering the Canada and the World Health Organization 250-537-8456 Timberworks & Arbors Visa M/C • Excellent references www.soarecontracting.com cost of providing and servicing for the radio-off have confirmed that smart meters pose no www.drillwell.com 25 years experience and analog options. known health risk or reason for concern. [email protected] Licensed & Insured

Modernizing the electricity grid is a critical • 96% of BC Hydro customers now have a An Island Family Business for TRAVEL WILL • BOAT HAVE Call Ron for free estimate part of BC Hydro's plan to provide a secure and smart meter—1.8 million meters. 47 Years! [email protected] • 250.537.8885 reliable power system to support the economy, • 60,000 meter installations have been new and emerging industries, and delayed by customer request. communities all over the province. The • BC Hydro has been working with Hy-Geo www.flynn.ca replacement of obsolete mechanical meters customers who have concerns. The majority of Consulting 250-652-0599 - Conventional Roofing with modern smart meters is a critical part of people who originally refused are now taking a Technical services for - Standing Seam & Low-slope this transformation. smart meter. Metal Roofing Smart meters are the end-point of the • BC Hydro will offer an enrolment period Water Wells - Custom Flashing electricity grid and are part of an upgrade that between September 1 and December 1 for Aquifers - Asphalt & Cedar Shingles will help BC Hydro improve its management customers who have put their smart meter Groundwater - 6” Water Collection Gutters of the electricity system. They also lower costs, installation on hold to select a standard smart (250) 658-1701 [email protected] LAND ACT: PIPELINE from page 6 www.hy-geo.com I think, how could a high-pressure pipeline have a small NOTICE OF INTENTION leak? It is probably just some oil rising from an old discarded TO APPLY FOR A oil can from years ago. But then, there was that press quote last DISPOSITION OF Highbank Dave’s Drilling CROWN LAND week of a Kinder Morgan official, regarding the spill at Waterfront Access & Blasting Kingsvale: ‘It’s difficult to say how long oil had been escaping. Take notice that Douglas 10 years experience Hayward & Anne Hayward, Dave 250-537-7481 I would say it was a matter of days or weeks rather than months building stairs & landings or years, it was a very, very, very slow leak. It’s almost classified have applied to the Ministry of Callum 250-538-8640 Forests, Lands and Natural of cedar and stone as a weep.’ ••• Resource Operations “We don’t stand Is this ‘weep’ about to be a ‘spill’? Kinder Morgan will not shorelineaccess.com (MFLNRO), West Coast Service 250-629-3672 behind our work, have spotted this from their helicopter fly-overs, just as these Centre for a Private Moorage & FIREWOOD we stand behind a tree.” [email protected] fly-overs had not spotted the Kingsvale ‘weep.’ That was found Breakwater Tenure situated on by a crew, who just happened to be repairing the pipe nearby. Provincial Crown land located at FOR SALE But I see no recent vehicle treads. Kinder should be hiking King Island, near King Islets at 2-4 Cord Loads MARINE this daily; the Fraser River is at risk! Up and over the little hump the entrance to Lyall Harbour, Seasoned Fir I go, no bear, or even deer. I come to a small lake before the off Saturna Island. Call Ian for pricing jump-off and note that no trout are rising. I see pieces of The Lands File Number that has been established for this styrofoam around the edge, the same styrofoam chunks seen application is Crown Lands File 250-539-5463 on an inspection of the lower part of the jump-off a few weeks #10100-20/1414085. Written before. Perhaps the pipe, when lowered into place in the comments concerning this treacherous jump-off, was protected by this. application should be directed CAR RENTALS On Time & On Budget I sold a book with a picture, page 57, of them lowering the to the Section Head, Ministry of • Foreshore Applications pipe way back then. Even UBC’s special collections does not Forests, Lands and Natural Car Rentals • Docks • Moorings Resource Operations at have this book now, I think, as I make a mental note to show Near Sidney, Saanich, • Ramps • Pile Driving them a copy this summer. During digitization, many major 142–2080 Labieux Rd, Victoria, Ferries & Airport Nanaimo, BC, V9T 6J9, or historical documents no longer now make their way into the Seniors’ Specials Ross Walker emailed to: Authorizing few archives we have in BC. Long & Short Term 250-537-9710 [email protected]. www.islandmarine.ca The wind hits me really hard in the face as I look over and Comments will be received by Mention ad for discount! down the jump-off, to the Coquihalla canyon. In the soft soil, I MFLNRO until September 1.800.809.0788 MOORINGS see tracks. Kinder Morgan tracks or, more probably, National 12th, 2013. MFLNRO may not gsaautorentals.com INSTALLED, SERVICED, Energy Board tracks, I guess. They might even be from a car: be able to consider comments MAINTAINED WAHL MARINE LTD. received after this date. 135 McGill Road bureaucrats or Kinder-brass driving down to the jump-off. You Dock Chain Inspection Salt Spring Island Please visit our website: & Replacement need keys to get into the access road. HELP WANTED 30 years experience http://arfd.gov.bc.ca/Applicati Why the sudden inspection after I emailed them my last Person to transport between 500 onPosting/index.jsp for more Chris West dock building & repair report? My e-campaign, maintains total transparency; I was e- and 700 Times Colonist newspapers Dive Services information. by boat from Crofton or Sidney to pile driving & drilling sending to the environmental community, Kinder Morgan Be advised that any response to Saltspring Island 6 mornings a 250-888-7199/250-538-1667 aluminum gangways & ramps personnel, the Prime Minister of Canada, and the RCMP, who this advertisement will be week. Please contact the Times [email protected] Colonist at 250-380-5326 or email wood piers & wood floats were, according to the press, now apparently tracking the considered part of the public [email protected]. crane barge service & towing record. For information, contact ‘environmentalists’, now considered a ‘threat to National mooring systems & service Security’. (My policy is to consider the men in red to be still on the FOI Advisor at the Ministry 18,000 copies! my side and, in fact, I had received positive feedback from them of Forests, Lands and Natural Gord Wahl 250-537-1886 regarding my pipeline public safety concerns.) Resource Operations office in [email protected] cell 250-537-7804 Nanaimo. Perhaps the higher-ups in both Kinder and the Energy Board did not even know of the jump-off, and had come to see it. People are retiring early these days, and corporate and BOXED ADS B&W: $24.50/in+gst COLOUR: $32/in+gst government memories are getting shorter, especially when DISCOUNTS On prepaid multi-edition series companies so often change ownership. After the recent local spill, a press article had noted, ‘Although he did not know how WORD ADS $17 (25 words), additional words 27¢ ea old this specific section of the Trans Mountain pipe is, (as CALL OR EMAIL 250.216.9961 [email protected] PIPELINE, please turn to page 10 www.islandtides.com Page 10, ISLAND TIDES, Aug 1, 2013 Oil Spill Response in Norway—Part 2 - Sheila Malcolmsen o learn how Norway handles oil spill risk, I represented our government hasn’t required or adopted any for the BC Islands Trust Council when, in June, the Port of Metro coast. Industry voluntarily developed eight geographic response TVancouver gathered Canadian oil industry, federal plans for BC’s coast, one of which covers just 8 of 470 Islands government, First Nations and local government delegates to Trust islands; UNITING ISLANDS BIG AND SMALL meet Norwegian counterparts in oil spill prevention and • Regulated oil spill response times that are faster than in shipping safety. Canada (it’s three days for a 10,000 tonne oil spill in BC’s Salish Voluntary Subscriptions help In the last issue of Island Tides I described what I learned Sea; we were told it’s ten minutes in Norway. That can’t be quite keep all this great news coming! of Norway’s approach to state ownership and taxation of oil and right, but it’s clearly a tighter regulation); gas. To recap: Norway’s government owns 30% of the oil and • Responding to oiled wildlife (Canadian regulations don’t If you receive Island Tides in your mailbox, pick gas business; industry oil profits are taxed at 75%; and oil taxes require any response). it up at a yellow box or rack located from Victoria make up 30% of state revenues, resulting in extensive public The Norwegian Coastal Authority www.kystverket.no/en to Campbell River, or read online, you can show infrastructure and an enviable social safety net. coordinates all oil spill prevention and response. Although the Canada and Norway are both major oil and gas exporters, Canadian industry representatives on the tour felt Norway’s your support with a voluntary subscription of and with BC’s population and coastline being equal to shipping safety infrastructure was replicated here in BC (though $30 (includes gst) or an amount of your choice. Norway’s, Norway’s experience is relevant here. spread over many departments and agencies), I felt more Having expressed concerns about oil spill risk for three reassured by Norway’s approach, where this vital function is decades, in 2009 Islands Trust Council ramped up shipping housed under one roof. BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! safety advocacy when container ships dragged anchor in A few cautions on what’s above: some of this information Plumper Sound, risking fuel tank ruptures that could have oiled may have been lost in translation (Norwegians spoke very good We have a fun opportunity for sensitive Salish Sea shorelines. English, but there are things I may have misunderstood). Also, Trust Council has since been asking questions about the there are measures the BC shipping industry and ports adopted voluntary federal and provincial capacity for oil spill prevention and voluntarily that they feel are equivalent to Norway’s operating subscribers: response, and how Canadian regulations compare to other standards; I’m focussing on where I heard that Norway’s federal ‘double your countries. Trust Council is opposed to the Kinder Morgan requirements exceed the Canadian government’s regulations. pipeline expansion and its tenfold oil tanker increase in our The Port of Metro Vancouver will soon issue a trip report sub’ to $60, waters, but we also want better spill prevention and response that confirms some of these regulatory details. Also, three and ask for for the vessel traffic which BC already has. studies will soon be released on comparative oil spill responses your very own So on the trip, it was heartening to hear Norway has already (by the Pacific States/BC Oil Spill Task Force, the BC Ministry adopted the strong regulations we hope for in BC, such as: of the Environment, and a federal panel on Canadian oil tanker Island Tides T- • Acting on derelict vessels. Norway doesn’t delay to find safety), so we’ll soon be able to see Canada’s oil spill regulations shirt! out who ‘owns’ the pollution, but in Canada no agency is compared to other regimes. (S, M, L & X-L) responsible; I’m grateful for the chance to learn from Norwegians and so • Ports of refuge are designated for vessels in trouble which hope our Canadian government does; we don’t yet have ‘world might create an oil spill if they remain at sea; class’ regulations, which we badly need for the Salish Sea. The YOU ARE PART OF THE GOOD NEWS • Dedicated standby tugs, to prevent a vessel-in-trouble cost of an oil spill, to ecology and community, is too much to bear. situation from escalating into an oil spill, (Norway has five In the next issue of Island Tides, part three of this series will Your repeat subscriptions are making standby tugs; State has one; BC none); look at the governance framework and culture of consensus • Geographic response plans to identify sensitive areas that that spawned this regulatory approach and seems to be a difference! Sincere thanks to our need extra protection and special conditions like strong protecting Norway’s coast. readers who have sent 2013 voluntary currents that might affect how spill response is approached. Sheila Malcolmson is Chair of Islands Trust Council. 0 subscriptions already! Although Washington State has 19 geographic response plans,

Please mail subscriptions to: PIPELINE from page 9 The same goes for the National US military), could be repaired. The Energy Board, so perhaps my emails repair men, who I had silently Box 55, Pender Island, BC V0N 2M0 various repairs and maintenance have been done on the pipeline over the years) KM employee were making them do some research. watched one day from a distance, had Or call 250.629.3660 with your VISA/MC Galarnyk did say the pipeline in general has been (None of them have ordered the very tried to make a culvert of permeable in operation since 1953.’ rare book on this pipeline which I stream pebbles, on each side of the sell.) But don’t pat yourself on the flagged area, to get drainage. But back, Dave, they might well be closely things did not go well; water auditing your every email, but it is continued to flow down the pipe and very, very unlikely that you are ever filled the hole where the pipe was going to have any influence at all on being daylighted. the plans of the multi-billion dollar oil When I came the next week, late industry. But Rachel Carson never one evening, there were no warning gave up, why should a ‘pipeline signs or barriers on the access road. I basher’. drove right up to the pit, to look down Little River (Comox)-Westview (Powell River) I heard about the Kingsvale spill at the exposed 60-year-old pipe. The from a person at one of my book sales. National Energy Board requirement Terminal Upgrades: Information Session That night, I dreamed it, I even is the ‘maintenance of fencing around located it, geographically, in my mind. any exposed pipeline’. This day they BC Ferries will be conducting upgrades of marine structures at Little River and And then, yesterday, I had walked were in violation of that law! Also, no Westview terminals early in 2014. Due to the nature of the work, each terminal will down the Terasen gas right-of-way, guards. What a shock! Could I take beside the Kinder line, and there was them to court? Could the National require a temporary closure. the spill site, spot lights and all, exactly Energy Board? Someone was going to where I had dreamed it, just north of get fired, when I report this. During these closures scheduled from January 12 to March 9, 2014, ferry service the repair site. What are the odds of The daylighted site had continued from the upper Sunshine Coast to both Vancouver Island and Texada Island will be that? to fill with water, and the pipe was left I thought of the great book Maps exposed, for weeks, as the crew provided via alternate routes. Customers wishing to travel during this period are and Dreams by Hugh Brody, who struggled to finish the job. The hole advised to carefully check sailing times prior to travelling. had gotten to know the Beaver had to be pumped, so that repairs (Dunneza) First Nations people of could continue. When the Kingsvale BC Ferries will be hosting information sessions in the area to present finalized details Northern BC (whom I had visited and spill occurred nearby, the hole was of the terminal improvements, the alternate service plans and to answer any questions. sold books to, a year ago). It is often in still open, and the entire repair crew your dreams that you actually bring and all the equipment had to be These events will be held as follows: together all the ‘technical data,’ and driven right by this mess. your spiritual self, with the fragments I believe two things caused the  Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Powell River of other information, from many Kingsvale leak to finally blow. First, sources, in your mind. The Beaver the weeks of heavy equipment Town Centre people lived, and still live, in a vast disturbance at this nearby repair site, land where moose are actually quite and second an accumulation of  Thursday, August 15, 2013, 7 pm to 9 pm at the Hall at Gilles Bay scarce, and finding, or remembering, corrosion-causing sediment. on Texada Island a good hunting area, took some Corrosion is everywhere eroding the creative dreaming. So does finding protective coating of the pipeline. pipeline leaks. I can already hear the Kinder For information, contact: Darin Guenette, Manager, Public Affairs, BC Ferries On a number of occasions, when I technical staff fuming, when they read at 1-877- 978-2385 (toll free) or [email protected] was travelling by the pipeline this of my theories. No, I am not a pipeline spring, I had quickly visited another expert. But I have accumulated 62 site, upstream of the Kingsvale spill, years of common sense as I have that was being ‘daylighted’ (oilman roamed this great province. talk for dug out) so a section of And maybe I am now learning to corroded pipe, located by means of dream as well as some of my First GPS (kindly provided for free by the Nations friends. 0 www.islandtides.com ISLAND TIDES, Aug 1, 2013, Page 11 What’sOn VANCOUVER ISLAND & ALL THE GULF ISLANDS Single-venue (50 words): $33.60, $39.90 w image • Multi-venue (70 words): $44.10, $50.40 w image • Payment with order by Visa or MasterCard, please Thursday, August 1 to Saturdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 Saturday August 10 Thursday to Sunday, August 15 to 18 Thurs September 5 Live music at Port Browning Marina Pub—the Fulford Days—South Salt Spring’s fabulous 31st Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Pender Island Shorelines— best music & dancing on Pender! • Aug 3: Rio family event, local bands, Arts—featuring some of photography and mixed media Samaya; Aug 10: Helen Curl; Aug 17: Chris kids games, prizes and Canada's and BC's finest by Diane MacDonald • Red Tree Capson; Aug 24: Black Flamingo; Aug 31: Ball fun; Lamb BBQ, Corn, writers including David Gallery • Open everyday 10 am- Gag’n Chain • 4605 Oak Road • No cover, 19+ • Chilli and more; get the T- Bergen, Kate Braid, CC 5pm • Info: www.portbrowning.com, 250.629.3493 • shirt at Country Grocer or Humphreys, Lee Maracle, www.dianemacdonaldphotography.com • PENDER PENDER The Mercantile • Donna Morrissey, Susan Musgrave, Susan Swan Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4 August 7, 11, 18, 21 & 25 Drummond Park (off Isabella Point Road)• 10am- and LInda Spalding • Rockwood Gardens • 7pm • Info: [email protected] • SALT Tickets: $15 • [email protected], 1- Saturna Artists 13th Annual Studio Tour & Galiano Books’ Summer Sessions—SUN AUG SPRING 800-565-9631 • SECHELT Sale—meet & talk with island artists in their 7 & 18: Children’s Story Time in the Garden with studios; featuring paintings, prints, textile collage, Larry Foden; SUN AUG 11: Book Launch, ‘Death Saturday, August 10 Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 25 silk scarves, etchings, cards, handwoven scarves, Was In The Blood’ by Linda L. Richards; WED AUG 21st Annual Galiano Wine Island Eyes:Summer Art Show of Salt Spring shawls & throws and many other creations • Info: 21: An Introduction to Drawing for Beginners with Festival—wines, ciders and Island Painters’ Guild—first ever Tour maps available at both island stores – follow Kenna Fair ($10): SUN AUG 25: Book Launch beers from near & far, Riedel clothesline art sale; vote for your the blue balloons • 11am-4pm • SATURNA ‘Galiano Island Preserves’ by Alison Colwell • souvenir wine glass, artisan favourite artwork; scholarship Fris & Sats & Holiday Sundays in August Galiano Island Books • Info & registration: cheeses, music by Daniel winner, Mayne Island’s Anika 250.539.3340 • GALIANO Elmes and Max Murphy, local artists Francine Kitka, will exhibit; Opening Hummingbird Pub Bands—Fri, Sat, Sun Aug 2- Renaud, Ria Okuda and Danilo Gerber, silent Reception Fri, Aug 6, 2-4pm • 3-4, Stowaways; Fri, Sat, Aug 9,10, Born In Thurs, August 1 thru Sat, August 10 auction, delicious finger food, Galiano Health Care ArtSpring, Jackson Avenue • Cities ; Fri, Sat Aug 16,17, Mozzy Lane; Fri, Sat The Hornby Festival 2013—Mainstage line-up fundraiser • Walking distance from ferry terminal • Daily 10am-4pm • SALT SPRING Aug 23, 24, Mike Alviano, Fri, Sat, Sun Aug 30, includes: African 1-4pm • Tickets $35 @ the door, reserve at 31 & Sept 1 Baby Harry and Band • Showboyz, PapaGroove, August 22 thru September 1 [email protected] • Adult-only event Hummingbird Bus runs to and from Montague Good Lovelies, Foggy 27th Annual Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival— • Info: www.galianowinefestival.com • GALIANO Park and Marina, daily from 5pm • Hummingbird Hogtown Boys Family Pre-fringe events begin Aug 20 • 50 Shows. 300 Pub • Info: 250-539-5472 • GALIANO Hoedown, H’Sao, Marie- Saturday & Sunday, August 10 &11 Performances. 11 Venues. 11 Days. Now through August 28th Josee Lord, Anton Kuerti and Colin Carr; Coombs Fair—Celebrating 100 years of Drama. Dance. Musicals. Live children’s and free performances throughout • Agriculture, 1913-2013: 4-H Comedy. Spoken Word. Physical Artisans Summer Gift Gallery—contemporary Info: 250.335.2715, www.hornbyfestival.bc.ca • and open displays, animal Theatre. • Also 2 days of kick-off and traditional arts and HORNBY barns, arts & crafts, events in Centennial Square: The crafts by Island Artists • domestic science, Fringe Block Party, The Fringe Tulista Community Arts Sunday & Monday, August 4 & 5 horticulture & more; Preview & KidsFringe at Market Square. • Centre, Fifth and Weiler on ‘Port to Starboard’ Annual Art Studios Tour & blacksmithing, spinning & weaving, beekeeping Info: 250.590.6291, www.victoriafringe.com • the Sidney Waterfront, free Sale—crystalline and master gardening demos; live music, games, VICTORIA parking & free admission, pottery, food and fun for the whole family • Coombs support local artisans while enjoying a day in photography, Saturday, August 24 Fairgrounds, Ford Road, behind Coombs General Sidney • Open 10am-4pm daily • Info: jewelry, paintings of Pender and other paintings, Pender Islands Fall Fair 2013—“From The Store • 8am–5pm • Tickets at gate • Info: Janet www.cacsp.com or 250-656-7400 • SIDNEY music & art, woodworks, sculpture and more • Garden To The Table”: Parade, Exhibits, Boley, 250.752.9757, www.coombsfair.com • Magic Lake area, follow the bright green signs & Entertainment, Food, Beer garden • Community Daily until September 15 COOMBS go past the Disc Park • 10am-4pm • NORTH Hall • Market 9:30am, Gate open 10am, Parade ArtCraft—fine arts and crafts at BC’s longest PENDER Sat & Sun, Aug 10 & 11 10:30am, BBQ 5pm; Dance with Citizen Band running show: ceramics, fibre Denman Island Art Studio Tour 6:30pm • Admission: Adults $7, Children 5-12 $3, arts, basketry, painting, jewelry, Tuesday, August 6 —22 unique venues showcasing Under-5 Free • Info: www.pifi.ca, Margaret Alpen, wood accessories… decorative Annual Hiroshima Day Observance—gathering, local talent. Including 250.629.6608 • PENDER and functional, The best of the remembering, and working to end photography, mixed media Gulf Islands in downtown Ganges war; music by Cheryl Cohen, Saturday, August 31 sculpture, painting, fibre arts, • Open 7 days a week, Susan Cogan and Sue Newman, First Annual Walkalong for Learning—From the pottery, hand-made books, 10am–5pm at Mahon Hall, 114 bring something to sit on, Forest to the Sea, celebrate the mid-island june to wood-carving, jewelry & much Rainbow Road • Info: contributions of flowers and protected areas network and GCA and Islands more! • 10am – 4pm daily • Free 250.537.0899, www.ssartscouncil.com • SALT origami cranes welcomed; MP Trust Fund land acquisition, fundraiser for tour maps-Denman Is Arts Centre • SPRING Elizabeth May & MLA Gary Holman in attendance education, food and music • 6km walk: www.denmanartstour2013.blogspot.com • • Peace Park-Heiwa Garden, near ArtSpring, 1pm–4pm, Gathering at the Galiano Every Saturday, until Thanksgiving DENMAN Ganges • 5:30 pm • Info: 250.537.5251 • SALT Conservancy Association Learning Centre site: Pender Islands’ Farmers’ Market—fresh, local SPRING Sunday, August 11 4–7pm • Info: gcawalkalong.causevox.com • produce, baked goods, local art, artisan works & Salt Spring Island Eco- GALIANO demonstrations, culinary delights; guest speakers Wednesday August 7 Living & Home Tour – on current topics, buskers, musicians; bring your Curator of Archaeology for the BC Museum Sunday & Monday, September 1 and 2 self-guided tour friends and family, enjoy lunch or a snack, you Grant Keddie will speak about First Nations Planting Peace—Dr Will Tuttle, author of The showcasing some of the never know what you’ll find or who you’ll meet! • history of the Gulf Islands in the changing World Peace Diet shows how island's best examples of Community Hall • 9:30am-1pm • Info: landscape of the last 22,000 years, refreshments, our daily food choices impact energy-efficient www.pifi.ca • PENDER community dialogue, organized by Penders’ First global social stability, construction, green building materials, renewable Nations Reconciliation Initiative • Community Hall personal and planetary Sat, Sun & Mon, August 3, 4 & 5 energy, rainwater harvesting, small footprint living, • 7–9:30pm • Voluntary donation, all welcome • health, animals, and spiritual BC Day Family Fun Swims—enjoy the organic growing, electric vehicles & more • 10am- PENDER development; Saturday lecture, Sunday intuition wavepool, waterslide, Wibit inflatable 1:30- 4pm • Tickets: $20 at workshop • Both evenings at Ukranian Culture 3:30pm on the holiday Monday, diving boards, saltspringecolivinghometour.eventbrite.com, Salt Center, 3277 Douglas Street • 7–9pm • Tickets: pirate ship and toddler pool, swirlpool, steam, and Spring Books 250.537.2812, • SALT SPRING Give Your Event Visibility! Earlybird till August 15: $30 both events; lecture sauna • Saanich Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk $10, wkshp $25 [email protected], 250-721-1101 • Lake Drive (right off Pat Bay Hwy at Royal Oak 250-216-9961 www.members.shaw.ca/IQBrite/Events/ALL.pdf exit) • Sat: 1-4pm Sun: 1-4pm Mon: 10am-noon, 18,000 Copies of Island Tides [email protected] • VICTORIA 1-4 pm • SAANICH

RTI from page 7 An Amazing Trip let us know. minds and the perfect way to find out about the latest green From August 4 to 8, two lucky groups of hikers will have a Despite the low crop the late September Salt Spring Apple technologies being used by Salt Springers. It features examples unique experience. Guided by Friends of Strathcona Park, they Festival will go ahead. This year, apple farmer and organizer of energy-efficient construction, green building materials, will hike through the Bedwell Valley. Harry Burton (aka Captain Apple) say that the festival will renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, small footprint living, The hike, which will take five days and four nights, follows a include some new-to-the-festival orchards. It’s a unique organic growing, electric vehicles and more. The desire to build wild route through which was discovered by the Friends a few opportunity to connect with tasty, rare, historical and unusual ‘green’ is growing and almost all of the sites are new to the tour years ago. ‘This is one of only three valleys within the park that apples, and the farmers that grow them. this year, the last tour on Salt Spring was two years ago. go from the alpine all the way out to the ocean,’ says Kel Kelly, In 2011, 302 organically grown apple varieties were Some homes are completed and inhabited, others are still a director with the organization. The other two valleys, the displayed at Fulford Hall. In the meantime, have a look at over under construction, all provide inspiration and answers as to Megin and the Moyeha, are much more difficult to access than 1,000 photos from Apple Festival 2011 on the website why people are choosing eco-friendly ways of life. the Bedwell. saltspringapplefestival.org. Homeowners, some of whom were previous Eco-Tour-goers One group will go down the valley from Bedwell Lake and Fulford is going to be busy sooner than the Apple Festival, themselves, will be on hand to talk through the history of the another will go up from the Pacific, starting at Tofino. The Fulford Days is coming up mid-August, this Salt Spring builds, the design decisions, the construction processes and how groups will meet halfway, exchanging car keys to allow everyone southend celebration has been happening for 25 years. it’s impacted their lives. to get back home. ‘We’ve done this trip a couple of times Every Island has its sun-scorched summer extravaganzas, Ron Watts and Donna Hall have almost halved their annual already,’ says Kelly, ‘and it’s always fun when the two groups with quite different themes and purposes. The heat, the bright energy bill with a solar hot water system, photovoltaic net meet and share stories of their adventures to date.’ light, the colours, and the smells are so different from our calm, metering and super-thick insulated walls; Gordon Handford The Bedwell route goes through a variety of fascinating moist winter days that we love to congregate in our beat-the- opted for a geo-exchange heating system, an insulated concrete ecosystems, including alpine meadows, a rare high elevation heat gear and hats. Check out ‘What’s On?’, above, for events 0 form construction finished with earth interior walls; Karen Selk maple forest, old growth cedar and fir groves and past several and go island-hopping to some new ones. and Terry Nelson self-built using the EcoNest system—timber magnificent waterfalls. The river itself is never far away. Hornby frame with clay and straw infill; Daria Zovi’s passive solar design If you are fit, get on the list for next year, call 250-337-8348, Island Cortes is still under construction but will also feature a living roof; and or email [email protected]. SaltSpring Galiano a Quadra

Saturna Denman e to mark the official opening of the electric vehicle charging es reach Read S Apple Festival Goes Ahead Tid es a h nd ll t VancouverIs lis sla he Sa station at ArtSpring there will be a display of electric cars, I Mayne se e Have you notice that lots of apple trees have no fruit this year? islands in th scooters and bicycles with the owners available for questions. Was it last year’s tent caterpillars or lack of bees at the right time Gabriola See ‘What’s On?’, above, for more details. Texada this spring? Readers would like to know. So, if you do know, Pender Tides www.islandtides.com Page 12, ISLAND TIDES, Aug 1, 2013 Parks Canada Day East Point was the focus for Parks Canada Day celebrations.   Saturna Notes -- Priscilla Ewbank Grouping presenters created a marvelously fun and ow damp and silent, the creek has people are visiting the Island in droves. All of   stopped running above ground at our us locals with businesses plot and think and    Nplace. When I hand-water in the work hard to attract visitors to our Island     garden, I notice that birds come zooming in to businesses—besides the gorgeousness of perch close to the silvery droplets. Water is so island land and seacapes there is the warmth precious. of island communities. However I’ll bet the The most-delicious and very-popular with biggest magnet will prove to be days of family and visitors, sugar snap peas have had predictable sunshine!       it for the year—we are on to delicious green Beach Sign Theft &      beans, chard, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, and the first of the summer squash—and still salad Vandalism greens. Plums are just coming and I am taking Saturna community is surprised and aggrieved Roasting Fancy Coffee to find that there is someone who feels that for mail orders since 1982 care to water the orchard this year to plump out the pears and apples. In Winter Cove, they must destroy or steal beach access signs home of the best hedges and sprawls of vines to make a statement. The signs at East Point on the Island, I saw a ripe head of have been stolen twice and the next set blackberries—they were palatable but two vandalized with a corrosive material—nineteen from to you more days of sun will send them over the top! replacements in all. All of this replacing comes www.potofgoldcoffee.com Coming soon: that scent that mixes only in out of the Saturna Parks and Recreation berry time in the Gulf Islands—dry grass, budget, so instead of some lovely communal marine air, buzzy wasps, flowering Queen gain we are replacing park signs with our Anne’s lace. Quiet warmth and the plop of money. berries into small buckets tied around your In Canada, we are aware that beaches waist—I can’t wait! belong to all citizens; we collectively decided Dry Islands that is important. Signs help regulate access, entertaining afternoon for Islanders and visitors; participating Waiting at Swartz Bay for the ferry and looking so users of the beach do not infringe on the were Saturna Parks and Recreation Commission, Saturna over to south-facing Brown Ridge on Saturna, privacy and private property of nearby owners; Island Marine Research and Education Society, and the you can see that it was named Brown Ridge in keeping the public where they have a right to Southern Gulf Islands Economic Development Commission summer! All the islands are dusty and crisp. be, on publically owned land accessing a public through the Experience the Gulf Islands (EGI) project. Island fire departments and Parks Canada are beach. 1.888.296.8059 The EGI’s Cycling & Pedestrian Trails project was set up in on the alert as the humidity readings in the soil On Saturna we have lots of opinions and www.wintonhomes.ca the parking lot with pens for people to record their ideas, go down making the land much more in aren’t afraid to air them through meetings, unhampered by reality, on to maps as to where a network of You’ll be right at home! danger of underground burning. committees, letters to the editors, bulletin trails might be on Saturna. Local coordinator Sheila Wallace Local concern is big and the dangers real. boards, and mail outs. Other than a guess that and overall project coordinator Danica Rice offered The sign on the General Store door says in the vandal’s message is about whether or not encouragement. Ship To Shore the designated beach accesses should be boldface type, ‘All Open Fires Banned’, inside, Down the trail to the sea, Parks and Recreation had set up Tree Service signed, the motive is unclear as the person isn’t a note taped on the cash register reminds the under an awning and three sticky, mucky commissioners were sharing her/his views adequately. Island-to-Island store clerks, ‘Issue No Burning Permits’ and, happily handing out gigantic waffle cones of ice cream and the The RCMP are now involved and the issue driving out to East Point lighthouse, the big kids were peeling off from the adults to join Parks Canada Tree Removal has moved from being a issue involving our sign at the T-junction indicates extreme fire personnel to make kites. Topping/Thinning community’s ability to perhaps resolve to a hazard. This also means you can’t run A rapt audience listened to our famous Park Interpreter Pruning gasoline-powered machinery and things with legal situation with serious consequences and Athena George talk about Orcas, not twenty feet from the Lot Clearing metal blades like lawnmovers. probably some social ones when the truth sandstone cliffs where J,K and L pods regularly pass in And, the days of sunshine are a joy and becomes known. Arborist by Boat summer, fishing for Chinook salmon (as they did later that John Racine evening). Further down at the tide line Shell Beach, the Saturna

www.shiptoshore.ca 250.668.2186 Marine Research and Education Society in conjunction with Roy Mulder of the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society was hosting Intertidal Safari: Critters in the Intertidal Zone from 1 to 3 pm. I have never seen a more successful setup. Two young women divers were going out in the tidal waters of East Point and Tumbo Island and bringing back marine beasties to put into ten tanks that had plastic lines running into a small relatively Shop Something Different! quiet compressor that kept aerating and supplying new cold 10940 West Saanich Rd 250-656-2547 ocean water into each tank. The huge tides and very cold www.deepcovemarket.com waters off of East Point make it a perfect place for marine life— from orcas and nine other marine mammals to starfish—and the divers brought up a lovely diversity. Each tank was womanned by a delightful and well-informed Cowichan Land Trust volunteer who was equally at home with the mute but avid curiosity of the 1 to 3-year-old crowd and all the questions and stories of the adults. Two binocular microscopes were set up so people could look at sea items 9100 East Saanich Rd minutely and there were lots of hand lenses to look close up at North Saanich urchins, gumboot chitons, sea cucumbers, starfish, and lots www.roostfarmcentre.com more in the tanks. The tank set-ups kept the captured specimens cool and lively until they would be returned to their own habitat under the sea. Purple stars and tide pool johnnys, mussels and barnacles, and sea-going garter snakes we see commonly at the tide line. What a surprise to get deep under the water through the efforts • harvesting systems of the divers with mud stars, vermillion stars, brittle stars. • design • installation Young and old were so engrossed, so taken by the gorgeous • service vitality and variety of sea life beyond the margins of the tides. VISIT NEW WEBSITE! Seeing, looking, touching live animals, right next to their BOB BURGESS natural habitat, hearing the questions of others. Learning— 250-246-2155 gently—by word and by example from a passionate human [email protected] being to be respectful and caring of other forms of life, these www.rainwaterconnection.com are experiences that no colourful brochure, digital application, Experience Counts! Create travel memories with YQQ. or handbook can teach. We are family—starfish and human. We offer friendly, personalized service One dad said to me, ‘Do you do this every weekend? We and daily direct flights to and from Calgary, came for the ice cream and never imagined we would happen MINI-ADS! Edmonton and Vancouver with endless across such a wonderful offering!’ I heard nothing to express possibilities beyond. but gratitude and appreciation for the opportunities presented BE SEEN & by the Parks Canada staff and the volunteers from Saturna DON’T BUST THE Parks Commission, Marine Sanctuaries, Cowichan Land Trust, www.comoxairport.com Saturna Research and Education, and the Experience the Gulf BUDGET! Islands group. 0 www.islandtides.com