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UUnniittiinngg TThhee SSaalliisshh SSeeaa ~~ FFrroomm CCooaasstt ttoo CCooaasstt ttoo CCooaasstt Volume 22 Number 23 2010 Year End Edition $2 at Selected Retailers Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement Nº 40020421

Photo: Derek Holzapfel Plumper Sound parking lot. Four (you can’t see one of them) idle freighters waiting for entry to the Port of Vancouver on November 28. Queens in trouble—Southern Gulf Commentary by Sara Miles Counting Carbon Islands’ ferries have a tough season Thank you, Bolivia! Thank you for giving makes up the government? You and I. The substitute Bowen Queen is still formidable variety of wind and current me the courage to say what I was too Our inaction on climate change makes suffering from overload problems on Route conditions. In fact, one of the most difficult Canadian to say: when it comes to climate me want to cry. Polar bears are just the Nº5. Ferry crews have been almost heroic in routes on the ferry system; in contrast to the change and carbon talks, we are big, fat cutest little guys and our irresponsibility is getting people home. Meanwhile, all has not port-to-port Comox–Powell River route. hypocrites. destroying them forever. been plain sailing for the Queen of Burnaby, Route Nº9’s fourth port of call, Sturdies On Day 2 of the COP-16 negotiations in I try to be environmentally friendly and borrowed from Comox–Powell River to Bay, is particularly exposed to southeast Cancun, Mexico, Bolivia’s ambassador to choose to walk or cycle as much as I can, but replace the Queen of Nanaimo (in refit) on winds from the Strait of Georgia, which the UN criticized the nations who are car drivers everywhere seem to have a plot the Southern Islands-Tsawwassen route . accompany most of Southern Islands’ bad negotiating laws that they cannot even to take over the world through complete On Monday, November 22, while winter weather. abide by. Canada is guilty as charged. Pablo annihilation of other transportation modes. docking at Sturdies Bay on Galiano, the Winds continued for the rest of the day Solon was especially critical of carbon offset On a larger scale, our federal government Queen of Burnaby was pinned against the on November 22; the afternoon sailing did market systems like REDD+ that pay won’t even debate a climate change bill, let port-side wingwall by the wind (reported as not leave from Long Harbour. The plastic developing nations to not cut down their alone pass one. And now they are selling our up to 40 knots), and every attempt to back surface of the starboard side wingwall at trees. forests for dodgy German carbon offset out saw the stern of the ship come ever Sturdies Bay had been peeled off by the bow I hope that the Canadian government investment projects. closer to the rather solid rock of Burrill Point of the ship and it was towed away for repair. takes this criticism seriously. The polar ice Let me try to lay out the connections and Bellhouse Park. The following Monday, high winds once caps are melting all around us, and all we between the recent Denman Island land It took an hour’s clever work by the again cancelled the afternoon trip. can do is think of money. I’m referring to the swap, the emerging North American cap skipper to get the stern pointed out into Then on the morning sailing on proliferating carbon offset projects, and trade market, and how these responses Active Pass to permit a brave dash in Thursday, December 2 as the ship including REDD+ programs, which I will to global warming will affect us. Bear with reverse well out into the strait, where the approached Berth 2 at Tsawwassen, the get into later. me, I’m pulling back the rug and it’s going ship could be safely turned around to head skipper warned passengers: ‘Everybody We are hoping carbon trading will solve to be messy. toward Tsawwassen. hold on, we’re going to bump the dock.’ The our climate woes, when all it does is sweep Carbon Offsets Though the 50-year-old sister ships ship wouldn’t go into reverse. our dirt under the rug. However, the dirt is Let’s begin with a crash course in carbon Nanaimoand Burnabywere originally built As it turned out, the bump was gentle piling up and it’s getting noticeable. To trading, or offsetting. The carbon market to the same plans, their respective routes and there was no obvious damage. But the make matters worse, our government CARBON OFFSETS please turn to page 6 have determined different modifications. As return trip to Long Harbour was delayed for seems to be stuck in the Stone Age. And who reported by ferry crews, the two vessels three hours while the ship was repaired. have quite different handling Otter Bay passengers had a very long ride as characteristics. the Queen of Burnaby did not call there Merry Christmas & T hank With a multi-Island loading and until the commencement of the evening unloading pattern, using only one end, the round-trip. However this got her back on Queen of Nanaimo makes a series of schedule. Good work for a quick fix. You to All Our Ferry Crews, demanding dockings and undockings. Many are waiting for Santa; Southern Travelling through Active Pass, Route Islanders are waiting for the return of their on Land and on Ships Nº9 also presents the skipper with a ships, slated for December 16. 0 is available at these SERIOUS COFFEE locations — look for the ‘Island Tides’ yellow boxes or racks Sidney—Beacon Avenue Mill Bay—Island Highway @ Frayne Rd Parksville—Heritage Centre Mall Nanaimo—Across from the Hospital South Duncan—Sun Valley Mall Courtenay—Southgate Centre, Cliffe Ave Nanaimo—Hammond Bay Rd Duncan—Cowichan Commons Mall Port Alberni—Shoppers Drugmart Plaza, 10th Ave Nanaimo—South Parkway Plaza Nanaimo—Hammond Bay Rd, CO-OP Campbell River—Island Highway near Larwood Rd Page 2, ISLAND TIDES, Dec 9, 2010 Water In The Well ~ Peter Lamb Hydraulic fracturing is a process that results in the creation requirements (usually between well and septic system) to of fractures in rocks, the goal of which is to increase the include other setbacks, such as between wells, which would output of a well. The most important industrial use is in indirectly affect the issue of hydrofracturing. Authorization stimulating oil and gas wells, where hydraulic fracturing has or permitting of hydrofracturing is not expected to be been used for over 60 years in more than one million wells. required unless the Ministry moves to drilling Nowadays, hydrofracturing is also used to enhance authorizations in sensitive areas. potable water supply and has been practiced in the Gulf Conclusions and Recommendations Islands with mixed reaction from residents. The Gulf Islands have been identified in the Water Act Where fracture porosity and permeability dominate a Modernization Discussion Paper as an ‘area of known groundwater regime (aquifer is probably a poor term here) quantity concern’ containing a ‘significant population that is any action that opens up a large number of new fractures is reliant on groundwater for drinking water’. Professional likely to alter flow patterns in unpredictable ways. Since the geologists and hydrogeologists on Salt Spring have expressed total volume of water will not be increased through serious concerns over the potential effects of hydrofracturing, hydrofracturing, any improved flow in one well will affect especially in the Gulf Islands and support regulation or even the flow in neighbouring wells. banning of the practice. While the subject well may or may not benefit, where Accordingly, considering the uncertainty inherent in these changes in flow patterns have a negative effect on hydrofracturing groundwater wells in the Gulf Islands and neighbouring wells there has to be some well-defined way the potential danger to safe, reliable potable water supplies to deal with potential impacts. In addition, there is a danger to residents and businesses relying on groundwater, the SSI of opening the regime to salt water intrusion or other Water Council has made the following recommendations to contamination and possibly destroying the potable water the Ministry: source upon which an individual or community water 1. Consider the strict regulation or banning of AT POINT ATKINSON system may depend. hydrofracturing in the proposed new Water Act currently DECEMBER Hydrofracturing is offered by many drilling companies under review by the Ministry (or in changes to the Groundwater Protection Regulation), especially in vulnerable Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. as part of their business and groundwater wells are being ‘fracked’ throughout the Gulf Islands. In general, drillers areas, including the Gulf Islands. 2. If regulations are proposed: 0031 2.0 0.6 0313 12.1 3.7 believe that hydrofracturing has been beneficial to their 8 0806 15.7 4.8 16 0654 11.2 3.4 clients by improving well performance. Most hydrofractures a)Impose strict requirements for minimum distances WE TH 1345 11.2 3.4 1230 14.1 4.3 are reported to be very successful with some dry wells between the subject well and the ocean, neighbouring wells 1754 13.1 4.0 2024 4.6 1.4 and septic systems, to be determined by a professional 0109 2.6 0.8 0407 13.1 4.0 recovering to significant flow rates although many of the 9 0844 15.7 4.8 17 0814 11.8 3.6 wells hydrofracked are not formally tested before or after hydrogeologist at the owner’s expense. TH 1444 10.8 3.3 FR 1305 13.8 4.2 the procedure. It is also noted that some have not been b)Prior to any hydrofracturing activity, require the 1839 12.1 3.7 2101 3.6 1.1 owner or well-driller to obtain a permit from the Ministry and successful but probably no more than 10 or 15%. 0146 3.6 1.1 0449 14.1 4.3 recording of the base flow rate and quality of the subject well 10 0920 15.7 4.8 18 0918 12.1 3.7 Drillers do acknowledge that there is also a potential to FR 1546 10.2 3.1 SA 1344 14.1 4.3 and neighbouring wells. affect other wells in the immediate area of the well being 1932 11.5 3.5 2137 2.6 0.8 c)Prior to any hydrofracturing activity, require adequate hydrofractured but that this is a very rare occurrence and can 0221 4.6 1.4 0528 14.8 4.5 notification to neighbours with wells and nearby community 11 0954 15.4 4.7 19 1009 12.1 3.7 often be remedied. Also, that the process can create some SA 1647 9.5 2.9 SU 1425 14.1 4.3 water system operators and provide an opportunity for those 2040 10.5 3.2 2215 2.0 0.6 instability in the well wall, requiring installation of a liner. potentially affected by the proposed hydrofracturing to 0257 6.2 1.9 0604 15.1 4.7 BC Ministry of Environment staff advised that Part 8 of 12 1026 15.1 4.6 20 1054 12.1 3.7 register their concerns with the owner, well-driller and the SU 1742 8.5 2.6 MO 1510 14.1 4.3 the Water Regulation (which only deals with the short term Ministry. 2215 10.2 3.1 2254 1.3 0.4 use of water for well drilling) was recently amended to d) Consider establishing some program of monitoring 0335 7.5 2.3 0638 15.4 4.7 include hydrofracturing in the definition of altering a well. 13 1057 14.8 4.5 21 1138 12.1 3.7 neighbouring well records to establish the longer term effects MO 1829 7.5 2.3 TU 1557 14.1 4.3 Also, that there is a plan to include hydrofracturing in Phase on area water quality and quantity from a sample of 2334 1.3 0.4 II of the Groundwater Protection Regulation which could hydrofracturing projects. 0015 10.2 3.1 0712 15.7 4.8 be enacted before the new Water Act is introduced (recently 14 0421 8.9 2.7 22 1224 11.8 3.6 The Water Council also urges the Islands Trust and TU 1127 14.4 4.4 WE 1648 14.1 4.3 delayed by about a year). regional districts to support Ministry regulation of 1910 6.2 1.9 A key proposal in Phase II is a change to setback hydrofracturing in the Trust Area. 0 0159 10.8 3.3 0014 1.3 0.4 15 0526 10.2 3.1 23 0746 16.1 4.9 WE 1157 14.1 4.3 TH 1314 11.2 3.4 1948 5.2 1.6 1741 13.8 4.2 FACC warns of ferry fare impacts The coastal community liaison Ferry Advisory Committee average, 35-years-old. Chairs (FACC) has published two reports detailing impacts As well as on the economics of the ferries themselves, of continuing fare increases on Island communities. cumulative traffic drops have damaging social impacts on ‘Community Impacts of Escalating Ferry Fares’ deals ferry-dependent communities. with questions of affordability, the nature of Island Both reports recommend a review of the community AT FULFORD HARBOUR communities and their economies, changes in residents’ impact of ferry fares, past, present, and future; a re- DECEMBER and visitors’ travel patterns, and the impact on the examination of the business model; and that the Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. communities of the continuous escalation of ferry fares. transportation basic contract fee be adjusted to a level that The second FACC report, ‘Ominous Clouds’ contains the will really provide ‘modest and predictable’ fare increases 0809 11.8 3.6 0354 8.9 2.7 figures and tables that illustrate why the policies set up more in line with inflation, as originally promised when the 8 1340 9.2 2.8 16 0537 8.5 2.6 WE 1639 9.8 3.0 TH 1148 10.5 3.2 under the Coastal Ferry Act cannot continue into the third Coastal Ferry Act was passed in 2003. 1953 3.0 0.9 performance term. The two reports were presented to the Ministry of 0023 1.6 0.5 0433 9.5 2.9 The trends are unmistakeable: rising fares and Transportation, BCFS, and the Ferry Commissioner on 9 0845 11.8 3.6 17 0709 9.5 2.9 TH 1446 8.9 2.7 FR 1214 10.5 3.2 decreasing traffic; costs constant or rising; decreasing traffic November 17. The Ferry Commissioner has recently been 1721 9.2 2.8 2024 2.3 0.7 and thus, decreasing revenues for BCFS; no increases in the assigned a new responsibility: to consider the interests of 0101 2.3 0.7 0507 10.5 3.2 provincial contribution; rising fares to recover decreasing ferry users. This is in addition to ensuring the financial 10 0917 11.8 3.6 18 0828 9.8 3.0 FR 1553 8.2 2.5 SA 1243 10.5 3.2 revenues; decreases in traffic…. stability of BCFS. 1809 8.2 2.5 2057 1.6 0.5 Confirming these relationships, traffic has increased in The two FACC reports have been prepared in 0137 3.3 1.0 0540 10.8 3.3 11 0946 11.5 3.5 19 0934 10.2 3.1 resonse when fares have been reduced (temporarily, for two anticipation of the Commissioner’s review for Performance SA 1654 7.2 2.2 SU 1317 10.5 3.2 months in the winter of 2008/9; permanently for Term 3 (PT3), and the government’s anticipated September 1919 7.5 2.3 2131 1.0 0.3 overheights, in April 2010). 2011 decision on future ‘service fees’ under that contract. 0211 4.3 1.3 0612 11.2 3.4 12 1012 11.2 3.4 20 1027 10.2 3.1 Capital costs have doubled between 2005 and 2010 on PT3 will start in 2012, and last for four years. On current SU 1742 6.6 2.0 MO 1357 10.8 3.3 minor routes, despite only one minor vessel and one rebuild projections, fare hikes are projected to be around 10% per 2117 6.9 2.1 2208 0.7 0.2 placed in service in that time; many of the increased costs year, or service cuts must be made, or maybe both. 0246 5.6 1.7 0644 11.5 3.5 13 1036 11.2 3.4 21 1113 10.2 3.1 are allocations of capital costs of major terminal expansions, These reports project serious consequences for Gulf MO 1819 5.6 1.7 TU 1443 10.8 3.3 essentially a subsidy from the minor routes to the major Island communities. Find them at: 2352 6.9 2.1 2247 0.3 0.1 routes. www.gabriola.org/facc/. 0 0321 6.6 2.0 0715 11.8 3.6 14 1059 10.8 3.3 22 1201 9.8 3.0 Meanwhile, the aging minor route vessels are, on TU 1852 4.6 1.4 WE 1532 10.5 3.2 2327 0.7 0.2 0232 7.9 2.4 0746 11.8 3.6 15 0408 7.5 2.3 23 1254 9.5 2.9 WE 1123 10.8 3.3 TH 1626 10.2 3.1 1923 3.9 1.2 A Truly Island Home Tide Table Courtesy of Durable dock systems for exposed locations Build your Dream • Build it Green Ross Walker 250-537-9710 • Prefab custom home packages • Qualified builders available • Visit one of our island show homes • Off grid options On Time & On Budget Email: [email protected] www.islandmarine.ca 866-352-5503 www.mandalahomes.com [email protected] ISLAND TIDES, Dec 9, 2010, Page 3 The PlaceTo Find Hope ~ Elizabeth May n November 30, I attended a public gathering forefront of the call for global climate action. youth leadership. It lies in the generational cop-out: ‘these dedicated to protecting old growth forests of The chair of COP proceedings has the discretion to will be issues for the next generation. They will be wiser….’ OVancouver Island. Over 150 people attended a slide recognize representatives of civil society. While there is no Ending war, finding peace, eliminating poverty, saving and information presentation in Victoria. The images of obligation to do this, UN practice allows two interventions what’s left of ancient forests and rare species, and weaning significant last standing giants of old growth were a day from those not speaking for nation states. On the first our addiction to fossil fuels are not issues with long time breathtaking. Many of them are found within a short day, youth demanded protection of global forests as carbon lines. The need for action is well past its ‘best before’ date. distance of Port Renfrew in the pocket of old growth called sinks. A young New Zealander, Emma Moon, spoke on We cannot abandon our children to solve these issues ‘Avatar Grove.’ The fact that the Forest Practices Code is not behalf of global youth in demanding a proper classification where we have failed. It is our responsibility as adults, no sufficient to save the remnant pockets of southern system for forests, distinguishing between natural forests matter how grey our hair or aching our bones, to fight ever Vancouver Island old growth is shocking. The recent and plantations. harder for our children’s future. It is in that compelling honesty of youth, in their energy and clear-eyed statements provincial government decision to re-organize the On the third day, youth took the stage again. One of my colleagues, Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu, who serves as climate of the changes that must come, that we should find departments, creating a ‘Department of Natural Resources critic in the Green Shadow Cabinet, is already in Mexico for inspiration and resolve. Operations’ has muddied the waters. It is not clear how it the conference. She wrote that the youth provided ‘a In the face of evidence to engender despair, it is the will impact conservation goals. The news that the research moment of hope.’ young who keep alive in us that most courageous of branch of the forest service is being shut down as part of re- A twenty-two-year old young woman, Hanna Smith of emotions—hope. organization is troubling. the UK, spoke on behalf of the UK Youth Climate Coalition. Elizabeth May is the leader of the Green Party of Canada Pockets of old growth are being discovered and ‘We are reaching the end of the first (Kyoto) commitment and youth emeritus. For full disclosure, Ken Wu is also documented by the organization that sponsored the periods, and we—the International Youth—are asking you working part-time on her campaign to be elected as the meeting, Ancient Forest Alliance to look beyond your national interests and towards the MP for Saanich Gulf Islands. 0 (www.ancientforestalliance.org). Ancient Forest Alliance is interests of us all as global citizens,’ Smith told UN leaders. new on the scene, founded in January 2010 by Ken Wu. In The youth urged negotiators to take seriously the proposal IS YOUR less than a year it has grown quickly as an important voice from Grenada that emission reductions be made aggressive in forest protection in BC. and sufficient to avoid a global average temperature What struck me about the AFA team was its idealism, its WELL WATER increase of 1.5ºC. According to Adriana, the youth were SAFE TO DRINK? energy and its youth. For those of us who have been in ‘broadly applauded.’ conservation battles for decades, it was electrifying to listen Meanwhile, closer to home, on October 21, United Contamination can occur to a new generation of young activists who are passionately Nations Day, students from Salt Spring Island schools held without changes in colour or committed to this land and its forests. the 5th Annual Children and Youth Peace Assembly. They taste. Be safe, test annually. Adriane Carr, Paul George and I found it reminded us of launched the ‘peaceworks’ project asking all of us to sign on ourselves in the mid-1980s fighting to protect Gwaii on-line to a ‘command statement’ calling on ‘the United 250-656-1334 Haanas. Yet, these young activists have a different energy. Nations and all the governments of the world to bring world Something hard to articulate is their knowingness—an peace and the complete end to all wars on planet Earth by awareness of the fact that the lines they draw in the sand November 11, 2018—100 years to the day that the treaty to are around tinier and tinier ecosystems. end all wars was signed (www.sd64.bc.ca). As you read this I will be at the climate negotiations in Looking to our children for leadership is not really new. fax: 250-656-0443 Website: www.mblabs.com Mexico, where the early dispatches of calls for action are We have embedded in our collective consciousness Email: [email protected] from the global climate youth movement. Over 1,000 young (regardless of religion) fragments from gospel (‘And a little 2062 Unit 4 Henry Ave. West, Sidney, B.C. V8L 5Y1 people from forty countries have made their way to the 16th child shall lead them…’), and song, (‘we rise again in the Conference of the Parties (COP16). Youth are at the faces of our children’) But there is a peril in recognizing

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NANAIMO (Departure Bay) More daily flights home from the Mainland • Eight scheduled flights daily • Newest and fastest Seaplane fleet in Canada For scheduled flight info call • Departure from Seair Terminal at VANCOUVER INT’L AIRPORT Vancouver Int’l Airport 1-800-447-3247 • Free Parking and Free shuttle to Main Terminal • Frequent flyer discounts or visit our website at SEAPLANES • Charter flights available to other destinations seairseaplanes.com Our Islands. Our World. Page 4, ISLAND TIDES, Dec 9, 2010 Readers’ Letters Corky Talks About The Yellow Scarves manner. She advised others in her Caucus and staff what had Dear Editor: happened and named the MLAs who had come, in confidence, Leadership, in any Party, is not a right. Every Leader to see her and then proceeded to turn the upcoming Provincial understands that they serve the Party they lead. Power, of Council meeting into an opportunity to divide the signatories 19,750 copies this edition course, is addictive and extremely difficult to abandon. This is of the letter, and their supporters, from the rest of the Party. Every Second Thursday true in all institutions from the family to a community group The Provincial Council of the NDP is a wonderful institution. to a company to a political party. Power is also isolating. When Alone (as far as I know) the NDP understands that democracy inside the Party requires that constituencies have the right to run STRAIT Of GEORGIA’S ONLY FREE & we have power we have a position of status and we tend to be the Party and oversee its activities. In spite of the huge financial surrounded by people who support our status and may even MAIL DELIVERY NEWSPAPER costs involved the NDP representatives of every constituency in benefit from our position by virtue of their wages or their the Province come together a few times a year to debate issues ambition. Surrounded, as we are by such people, we lose and hear reports from their committees and their Leader and to contact with the views of the citizenry at large and need the meet with their MLAs. intervention of others, outside our circle, to tell us what is really 14,300 print copies delivered to I was honored, recently, to have been elected as a delegate going on. S. & N. Gulf Islands’ households to Provincial Council by the constituency of West Kootenay. A Political parties resolve these contradictions, at least in a meeting of the Provincial Council was scheduled to occur a few democracy, in various ways. One of the most straightforward days after the meeting between Carole James and the MLAs methods available to help a Leader understand what is who had asked her to consider calling for a leadership happening outside their circle is to have some of the elected convention. . people they work with simply go and tell them how things look As we walked into the hotel the morning of the Provincial out on the street. These interventions are universally ‘in Council meeting, staff members stood in the hallway outside confidence’ and, to my knowledge, have rarely ever been the meeting room and gave yellow scarves to everyone except 3,700 print copies on the Ferry Routes and discussed outside of the circle of people actually involved in the in Victoria, Sidney, Mill Bay, Duncan, the folks they knew had signed or delivered the letter, and a discussion. An MLA who meets with their Leader to suggest few of the rest of us they figured might support the 13 Chemainus, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, that the Leader needs to consider moving on in life has to be signatories. The result was surreal. It was also the most divisive Bowser, Campbell River & Port Alberni tremendously brave. The Leader does not have to agree with thing I have ever witnessed in our Party. The MLAs who had 1,750 online pdf readers each edition them and can make their life difficult in future. Obviously, the not signed the letter asking Carole to resign were identified, in www.islandtides.com discussion works best when the Member is trusted by the front of their peers and the press, as Loyal and Good. Thus, the Leader so that the Leader can believe that the Member is not folks without yellow scarves were immediately and publically ISLAND TIDES PUBLISHING Ltd acting out of ambition or malice. identified as Disloyal and Bad. The Leader can, of course, decide to accept the advice of the Box 55, Pender Island, BC, V0N 2M0 It was awful. It was so unprecedented and unexpected Member or decide the Member is wrong and stay on. (deriving, as it did, from a respectful and private meeting that Owner, Publisher & Editor: Christa Grace-Warrick Regardless of the outcome, however, we who were not in the everyone involved, except Carole, had intended to remain Assistant Publisher: Jill Moran meeting never hear about the exchange because it is never in private, regardless of how she decided to respond) that none the best interest of the Party to have their internal discussions Contributors: Patrick Brown, Priscilla Ewbank of us knew how to react, or feel, or think. made public. The meeting opened, as they all do, with a reading of the Elizabeth May, Peter Lamb, David Boyd, Derek Holzapfel In 1986, when I was a candidate and prior to the election, I Party’s Harassment Policy. If I, or any of us, had had our wits Sara Miles, Brian Crumblehulme was asked to sign such a letter to Bob Skelly, suggesting that about us, we would have responded by pointing out that the he resign as Leader. I declined, but others (I believe) signed the Tel: 250-629-3660 • Fax: 250-629-3838 scarves, themselves, constituted harassment of the worst kind. letter and (I believe) MLAs delivered it. If such a letter and I am sorry to say that this appropriate response didn’t occur to Email:[email protected] & [email protected] meeting actually happened, Bob Skelly, as was his right, chose me until some days later. to disregard the letter and the request to step down. I have Deadline: Wednesday Between Publications I think it fair to say that some of the present trauma can be never seen the letter and do not know who the MLAs were, as said to have begun with the expulsion of Bob Simpson from Off-Island Canadian Print Subscription $44.80 it has always been treated as an ‘in confidence’ occurrence. I the NDP Caucus. To many of the constituency associations in Voluntary Mail & Box Pick-up Subscription $28.00 know none of this to be absolutely true because, correctly, none the Province, Bob’s expulsion constituted a symbol of the International Subs: $60.00 • Free online in PDF format of it has been discussed with me by any of the participants. erosion of democratic principles that allow members of the Same thing with Mike Harcourt. (I believe) a group of MLAs Caucus or the Party to express their thoughts. Thus, visited Mike to discuss their wish that he resign in order to constituencies (including the one I had come to represent) had make the Nanaimo ‘bingogate’ scandal go away for the good of sent in motions urging the reinstatement of Bob Simpson. "From the first Blue Sky the Party. He chose to take the advice but, because it was a The motions urging the Leader to reinstate Bob Simpson Architecture have been private meeting, I do not know if such a meeting took place or were declared unconstitutional. It was determined, by the regionalists in the best who went to see him or what they said. I was part of that sense of the term. They President, that the Party had no constitutional right to have been deeply involved government and I do not know, and have not asked, what comment on that issue. This change to the agenda was simply with the ecology and private communications took place prior to Mike’s resignation. topography of southern wrong. Nobody in that room had wanted to ‘instruct’ the British Columbia and its Same thing with Glen Clark. I believe MLAs suggested to Leader how to do her job. The motion simply said the Leader wonderful interweave of sea, Glen that he resign. Glen (as was his right) chose to resist the forest, and rock ." be ‘urged’ to reinstate Bob Simpson. The Party has the right to request and then was forced to step down by virtue of actions ‘urge’ the Leader to do anything they want. We could ‘urge’ the by the Attorney General. As with both Bob Skelly and Mike Leader to stand on her head for an hour a day if we wanted, HELLIWELL + SMITH Harcourt, private discussions with Glen by MLAs who (may and she has the perfect right to ignore the advice if she sees it BLUE SKY ARCHITECTURE have) asked him to resign remain ‘in confidence’ to this day. I as wrong thinking or not in the best interest of herself or her was part of that government and I do not know, and have not Caucus or her Party. It is certainly unconstitutional for asked, what private communications took place prior to Glen’s members of Provincial Council to ‘instruct’ or ‘demand’ that resignation. the Leader take some action. It cannot, however, be 4090 Bayridge Ave West Vancouver BC V7V 3K1 For all I know, similar meetings have taken place between t 01 604 921 8646 f 01 604 921 0755 unconstitutional to simply give advice. If advice from the [email protected] Socred MLAs and Bill Bennett Junior and/or Bill Vander Zalm, members is unwelcome or unacceptable, then what is the Party www.blueskyarchitecture.com and Liberal MLAs and Gordon Wilson, and/or Gordon for except to function as an electoral machine? Campbell. The point being that MLAs of all Parties have always I can only guess that the President and the Executive did had the right to request of their Leader that they resign or not want to have the motion concerning Bob Simpson to see submit to a Leadership review and those discussions have the light of day so they declared it unconstitutional and then always been, and should always remain, private. The Leader G F< K KJJ :FM: F M < ›G

CARBON OFFSETS from page 1 works on two levels: the mandatory, compliance market, corporation that acts as our local provider. They only cost program on which BC’s regulations are based. also known as cap and trade, and the voluntary market. $25/ton. You can even buy them online at Collaboration—wow—sounds like a good plan, right? It Currently, BC only has voluntary carbon offset programs. carboncreditcanada.ca. All you need is a credit card. is, but only if your goals are worthwhile. And I’m not But our very own compliance carbon market is quietly Let’s put this in perspective: Canadian emissions per convinced carbon trading is worth all the attention. creeping forward, hiding under that nice, cozy rug. capita are about 20 tons CO2/year, whereas the average in Trade or Reduce? On December 6, the Climate Action Secretariat, under India is about 2 tons. An intercontinental flight emits about Here’s the problem: there seems to be more emphasis on the BC Ministry of Environment, closed public comment on 2 tons CO2e per capita. With the Pacific Carbon Trust, you trading than there is on emissions reduction. The BC cap and trade and offset regulations for large industrial can offset a flight to Europe for only $50! Isn’t it great that government has set a goal for us to reduce our emissions by emitters in the province. we can save the planet so easily? Hang on to your rug; it’s more than 33% in the next ten years. This is supposed to be The regulations are being developed under the not quite so simple. followed up by an 80% reduction below 2007 levels by Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act. Many people have never But what about the industrial emitters that make up the 2050. heard anything about the proposed regulations; bulk of our national emissions? On January 1, 2012, In ten years, I will be 40-years-old. Will cap and trade symptomatic of a widespread failure to address the issue. compliance cap and trade will cover them. result in us cutting one-third of our emissions by my fortieth Voluntary Offsetting The Emerging BC Compliance Market birthday? I hope so. A livable planet would be the best gift. But let’s go back to the voluntary offsets for a moment. This will mean that certain industrial sectors emitting over However, I am skeptical because carbon trading looks a These consist mainly of ‘corporate social responsibility’. 25,000 tons CO2e annually will have a GHG emissions set lot like a magic carpet. If we believe in it enough, it will take Companies like Shell or Air Canada buy offsets that fund allowance, or cap. If they are smart and emit less than they us far away from reality. It helps us look away from the excellent initiatives to reduce emissions at the source. Many are allowed, they can sell what they have left over. If they current reality that everyone keeps ignoring—we need to offset investments also go to projects that are supposed to have not budgeted well, they must buy more credits from reduce emissions, not trade them! help the planet absorb, or sequester, carbon dioxide and those who have saved. If the cap is low enough and carbon is valuable, trading other greenhouse gases (GHGs). These offsets allow the But if BC places a cap on emissions, won’t industries try may work. But there is so much potential for things to go companies to continue to emit, confident in the belief that to move to a place where it is cheaper to pollute? Daa-da- wrong. For example, over half of Germany’s industrial CO2 the offsets will make up for it somewhere else. da-dah! Enter the Western Climate Initiative to save the emissions are addressed through a cap and trade system. Carbon offset credits are measured in metric tons of day. A group of jurisdictions—Arizona, BC, California, This involves projects like the one on Denman Island, as we carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). One ton of CO2e equals Manitoba, Montana, New Mexico, Ontario, Oregon, will see. one carbon offset credit. You can buy them from various Quebec, Utah, and Washington—have joined forces as the Magic Money organizations, such as the Pacific Carbon Trust—the crown Western Climate Initiative (WCI) to strategically address For our very own offset regs, though, we are being very GHG emission reduction. careful to make sure all carbon offsets will be additional, The WCI designed the CARBON OFFSETS, please turn to page 9

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Four Corners ~ Priscilla Ewbank ISLAND TIDES, Dec 9, 2010, Page 7 our Corners, the place where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet, is a spectacular land of light and rocks and a turquoise sky—occasionally
   F
shaded by lightning, pelting rain or snow. Dramatic erosion      is the process which forms this world of canyons, uplifts, mesas, buttes, pinnacles, spires—and a host of other geomorphic labels. 
This fall, Jon Guy and his sister and us partners toured 
around; camping for several days in two places and ranging ! widely from the base camps. We visited Arches National "
! *  
Park and Mesa Verde. Mesa Verde is a World Heritage Site 
$$
that receives up to 575,000 visitors a year—this is serious #
))
visitor inundation!
'
%&
( %& + *
Since Saturna has so much national parkland, I am + *
, *+
 always curious how park systems function as they carry out - .*+
, * 
the task of hosting and educating visitors while maintaining the integrity of a unique natural feature that is entrusted to     
them.         
        Parks in this canyon country have an additional duty to !""# $   %&'()&*+)'++, protect not only the rock arches and the many ancient elaborate Puebloan stone communities built in the sheltered alcoves of the canyon walls, but also the very soil, everywhere. This desert has a natural soil feature called cryptobiotic Pueblo people who now live in New Mexico. Ancestral crust, a mix of algae, bacteria, moss, and lichens that creates Puebloans is the new term, very much appreciated by the crunchy slightly pinnacled soil everywhere. This plant Pueblo and Zuni people who don’t see themselves as aggregation performs a critical function as it withstands foreigners, then or now ! flash floods, exceptionally high temperatures and freezing, American parks leave you to evaluate your hiking stabilizes the soil, creates environments for other plants, and capabilities and count on you to read their signs and get the helps with water absorption. educational messages. To my surprise, I was severely It does not withstand human impact and the resulting challenged on a trail designated as compaction: whether made by ‘primitive’ yet presented as a regular feet, jeeps, all terrain vehicles, option in the highly visited Arches cars, campers, bicycles or their National Park. livestock. Parks have many signs Visitors, I observed, were dressed and leaflets, explaining the value in all varieties of shoe apparel from of this ‘crust’ aimed at keeping us sensible to flip-flops, high heels, on designated trails. dresses, shorts, and fashionable Since everywhere is walkable clothing. Some visitors carried (except the vertical) and the land children and some carried is so intriguing, the parks have monstrous amounts of camera signs wherever one might be Independent equipment. Many dropped out Dental Hygiene inclined to impulsively veer off the along the trail. in a relaxed setting established trails. The signs, a ‘Primitive’ as presented in plastic plank embedded in the American parkspeak is an unknown Registered Dental Hygienists dirt, say ‘Do not walk here’—bold, category in Canadian parks—hair- offering: concise and immediate! raising is what I would have • scaling • root planing • polishing • whitening The two state counties that described it as! But I loved it because • other services encompass the canyonlands have I accomplished it and because where more emergency callouts than the path took us was so powerfully Celebrating 8 years of service in beautiful Sidney By-the-Sea any other state counties in the beautiful. United States. Park brochures talk Tarantula spiders were the most 250-655-4884 about ‘self rescue’ a more than fascinating for me in this desert land. precautionary concept, I thought! Dehydration, getting lost Mature spiders are 6” in diameter—I am interested but quite in the canyon mazes, and falling are the main call-outs. hesitant! They go through several moults—like a snake— Islands Large & Small Excessive political correctness is often attributed to and you can find the moults. They spin no webs and eat Canadians and we are teased for our cultural insistence that other insects, frogs, and lizards. We saw one in a kiva at we be correct and in both French and English. I was Mesa Verde and two around and about. The females live up Salish Sea Good Life surprised that the well-known term Anasazi to describe the to 25 years. In some regions they migrate from the riparian Eating, Sleeping & Shopping cave ruins and the people who built them is no longer areas in winter to the cooler areas in summer. They are black acceptable in the United States. and very hairy and they can jump straight up. Our local wolf alexandramorton.ca However, Anasazi is a Navajo word and the Navajo spiders have nothing on these arachnids! salmonaresacred.org people were very much latecomers to the Canyonlands I came back with an appreciation of print media that migrating along with the Apaches from the Athabasca plains serve Saturna and the Gulf Islands. My guess is that a of Canada. The translation of Anasazi means ‘the ancient traveller to the Gulf Islands would be well informed about foreigners’. Direct descendents of the cliff-dwellers are the our community. I did not find that in my travels. 0

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Page 8, ISLAND TIDES, Dec 9, 2010 Saanich resident named in world’s top 100 influential women Book Review ~ Patrick Brown The US Newsweek magazine has highlighted Elizabeth hope that their series on women leaders will inspire other Spot The Island: A New Ferry May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, as one of the women worldwide to speak out and become leaders in their world’s most influential women. Other women that have own communities. Young women in particular need to be been highlighted in this series include US First Lady encouraged to speak up and defend their rights, their Game For The Holidays Michelle Obama, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and communities, and the planet. Women are very powerful he very scenic Australia’s first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard. and, working together, can be effective initiators of much ferry trip ‘I appreciate being recognized by Newsweek and only needed change’ said May. 0 Tb e t w e e n Tsawwassen and LETTERS from page 5 Swartz Bay lasts an quantitative risk assessment for the marine components of chance over 50 years. hour and thirty-five Northern Gateway. Enbridge supplied the data used in the The chance of a spill is between 10.64% and 16.37% of minutes, and this slim following calculations remembering that the QRA group up to 5 million liters in the Douglas Channel or British book is just exactly was chosen by Enbridge to determine these values. Columbia Coastal waters. That’s better than a one in seven what you need to Although I question their accuracy, I will use them at face chance of a sizable spill over a 50-year project. understand where your value until they are proven different. You may be surprised This is quite the contrast to The Pacific Pilotage ferry is, what you are at the results of my calculations. Authorities’ remarks reported in the October 21, 2009 looking at—and it Considering Enbridge has presented the Northern Kitimat Northern Sentinel who said the chance of a presents you with Gateway project as a minimum 30-year lifespan, I wanted potential spill here in the future is nil. ‘There should never enough facts to amaze to know the chance of a marine spill as a percentage in that be an incident.’ I confirmed this quote as it was surprisingly your relatives and 30, 40 and 50-year timeframe. I also wanted to know how displayed on Enbridge’s Northern Gateway website. fellow travellers. large that spill could be. The irony is that the marine division where there is a high Necessarily, author Enbridge estimates the probability of a marine oil spill risk of a spill isn’t even the responsibility of Enbridge. It will Bruce Whittington is selective—but his choices of what to of any size is one occurrence in every 250 years. That be the responsibility of the owner of the oil or condensate tell you about are eclectic, relevant, and fascinating—and mathematically converts, using the Poisson distribution and the shipping company which is transporting it. there’s lots of information even the most frequent ferry model, to the chance of a spill being: 10.64% over the There is also a greater risk of a spill on the pipeline side. riders won’t know. proposed projects 30-year lifespan, 13.63% over 40 years The probability that a bitumen or condensate leak would The Islands’ history goes back many millenia—way and 16.37% over 50 years. occur along the pipeline route was calculated using the beyond Europeans’ couple of hundred years and even First It’s tough to get a handle on the possible spill sizes in National Energy Board’s (NEB) failure frequency Nations’s thousands. The natural history—rocks, trees, relationship to these percentages as Enbridge only clearly information. Using the data Enbridge filed in their birds, mammals, plants, fish, seals, whales, seaweed, corals, provides the size of spills for the most extreme timeframes application, there is: and an enormous variety of sea life—is endless. not the one in 250 year occurrence. Readers of the • A 27.6% chance of a medium-sized spill over the 50- This is the first of what’s intended to be a series of ferry Enbridge’s application without reference to the draft QRA year lifespan of the pipeline in the Interior Plateau (east of travel guides, and it’s an excellent companion on your trip— can only read between the lines to determine the spill size Burns Lake to just east of Terrace) and, knowledgeable, broad, large format, with good maps, for the 1 occurrence in 250-year estimate. It must be • A 15.03% chance of a large spill over the 50-year excellent colour photographs (as taken from your ferry), understood that any sized spill can occur at any time. The lifespan of the pipeline in the Interior Plateau (east of Burns and historical photos. The writing has a decidedly ecological spill size associated with the 250-year estimate is up to 5 Lake to just east of Terrace) and, point of view. million liters. This is equivalent to the volume of two • A 9.85 % chance of a medium sized spill over the 50- If you thought the ferry trip was a tedious waste of time, Olympic sized swimming pools. year lifespan of the pipeline in the Coast Mountains (east of this book makes it both education and entertainment. To summarize, the chance of a marine spill of up to 5 Terrace all the way to Kitimat). million liters during the 30-year lifespan of Enbridge A medium sized spill for a pipeline is classified as ‘What’s That Island’, Bruce Whittington, Stray Feathers Northern Gateway’s project is 10.64%. The chances of a spill Press, 2010, $14.95. 0 increase to 13.63% over a 40-year lifespan and 16.37% LETTERS, please turn to page 11

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9826 island_tides_e.indd 1 12/1/10 8:10:42 AM ISLAND TIDES, Dec 9, 2010, Page 9

and the Democratic Republic of Congo. seeding and/or human-induced promotion of natural seed CARBON OFFSETS from page 6 Their Canadian projects focused, until now, on a sources’) and avoided deforestation (‘preventing the direct verifiable, and permanent. Community Ecosystem Restoration Program (CERP) that human-induced conversion of Forest Land to a non-forest We will regulate them so they are not just a result of involved planting trees or reverting disturbed lands to land use’). business as usual; an independent third party will confirm native forest ecosystems. Adding trees to the land is quite Why here? the reductions are real; and we will ensure the emissions different from just not cutting them down. British Columbia’s temperate coastal rainforests are ideal will not be released again into the atmosphere at a later date However, their most recent Canadian deal, on Denman for carbon offset programs. Our Douglas firs and cedar trees (no one has said exactly how, though). Oh, and we will set Island, which involves a complicated land swap with private live a relatively long time and grow quickly, and can it up so that each offset is only counted once and that there developer Henning Nielsen and the Ministry of therefore sequester more carbon in the short-term and over is no ‘leakage’. Environment, does not fit into the CERP category. It is their lifetime than other types of forest. One estimate states Leakage occurs when emissions rise in another location simply ‘avoided deforestation’. that just eight trees will sequester one ton of carbon over as a result of the offset project. Say, for example, using a Land that would have been subdivided was instead made their lifetime, which is often considered to be 100 years for CO2-intensive helicopter to remove invasive trees in a forest available to the Ministry of Environment to purchase for market purposes. management project. Or a forest fire. Wave goodbye to your parkland at a low price thanks to the carbon credit This is where our magic carpet comes crashing to a halt— offsets. investment brokered by ERA. The German firm Forest there is little guarantee that the trees will not be cut or burnt Don’t forget that we need to monitor the legitimacy of Carbon Group (FCG) made the investment. Incidentally, down. We cannot know what will happen in 100 years to the carbon trading market, because carbon offset credits are Frédéric Jacquemont, head of FCG, was recently appointed the forests and the carbon they contain. Not to mention the like stocks. Can we create legislation strong enough to president of ERA. minor little detail that the Earth’s natural carbon cycle takes prevent people from saving their allowance for a rainy day Granted, a significant portion of the Chickadee Lake millions of years. when it’s worth more? (Rather than using them for what watershed on Denman will now be preserved as parkland. This still leaves us not discussing the most important they are intended—emission reduction.) thing: we need to reduce emissions, not just What happens to the credits’ value when we move them around. If we are serious about create more allowances for new industries? It’s this, we will put a very high price on carbon. like printing money. It isn’t worth much. The Carbon Tax and You Denman Island Avoided The twin of carbon offsets is carbon tax. We Deforestation have one. It’s the BC government’s cute It gets even more complicated because there are little baby to tote around and show off in several types of projects that qualify for offset places like Washington State. Everyone crediting. Forest management strategies are seems so astonished by our becoming increasingly popular. One of the more ‘progressiveness’. It’s disappointing. dubious is REDD+. ‘Reducing Emissions from Our carbon tax baby is two years old and Deforestation and Forest Degradation’ is an not having much effect. Strengthening the offset program developed by the UN that pays drunk-driving laws had more impact on landowners and government to not cut down getting people to drive less than did our fuel trees. tax. I say it is dubious because it is making The carbon tax applies to ‘downstream’ artificial profits from something that we should emissions only, such as diesel and gasoline be doing as a matter of fact anyway. As Bolivian purchased at the pump. Cap and trade ambassador Solon said in Cancun, ‘Now they Photo: Sara Miles offsets apply only to industrial emissions, want to put a value on nature...this is what got Carbon offsets? Can you see any alternatives? not including their downstream emissions. us here in the first place.’ We don’t want to charge anyone twice. North Vancouver-based Ecosystem Restoration It’s a win for the environment! In 2008, our carbon tax started out at $10/ton of C02e, Associates (ERA) has REDD+ projects in Burundi, Rwanda Also, $1.2 million worth of carbon credits will be increasing $5/year until the maximum of $30/ton in 2012. available for FCG’s clients to purchase if they need to What does this mean for us as consumers? Not much— ‘neutralize’ their emissions. FCG’s clients include industrial gas went up a few cents. Certainly not enough that people operations such as the German utility company Entega, are choosing to drive 30% less. who offsets its natural gas emissions with Canadian forestry The Pembina Institute says carbon should cost projects. It is still okay to burn vast amounts of natural gas! GULF ISLANDS WATER TREATMENT SOLUTIONS $200/ton by 2020 to equitably contribute to a global effort Not such a win for the environment. to address climate change. In Sustainable Energy–Without Well Water • Rain Water • Surface Water But this is just the beginning of trading our forests for the Hot Air, David Mackay writes that it would have to cost • Whole-house Treatment GHG pollution. $400/ton before impacting car driving in the USA. • Self-cleaning Sediment Filters The New Forest Carbon Offset We are not even close to changing behaviour through • Media Filters Protocol price signals. The price of gas would go up by $1 per gallon • Ultraviolet Systems The BC Ministry of Environment, in conjunction with the with a $100/ton carbon tax, according to Guy Dauncey in Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands, is drafting the Forest 101 Solutions to Global Warming. Our carbon tax baby only REMOVE: Carbon Offset Protocol, which will ‘guide development of costs us a measly $20/ton. Iron / Odour / Bacteria / offset projects on private and public land in BC.’ It is in the As a rough estimate, we pay about $1/liter, or $4/gallon. Hardness / Arsenic consultation phase until January 31, 2011. If we use Mackay’s price of $400/ton that would be 250-412-1110 • 604- 630-1114 • 524 William Street, Victoria Pat Bell, Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands, says it required to effect change, we should be paying about $2/L. 250-339-6914 Comox Valley ‘could help unlock new revenue for forest managers and To change our driving habits, and reduce emissions, we www.watertiger.net help industry reduce emissions.’ need to double the price of gas. Are we willing to do this for The new Protocol will guide future forest management the sake of our future? Perhaps we would prefer to get back practices for carbon offset projects such as afforestation on our magic carpets and fly the other way. Hartland Landfill (‘direct human-induced conversion of land that has not Carbon ‘Neutrality’ been Forest Land for at least 20 years prior’), reforestation The BC government recently introduced legislation that 2011 Changes (‘re-establishment of trees on land through planting, requires all public institutions to be carbon neutral. Some

As of January 2, 2011 Hartland Landfill will increase its tipping fees to:

äSHUWRQQHRIJHQHUDOUHIXVH äSHUWRQQHRIZDVWHVOXGJH Call Us Toll Free For Quotes On ä$OORWKHUZDVWHZLOOEHLQFUHDVHG  • Homeowners • Farm E\SHUWRQQH • Commercial • Bed & Breakfasts In addition to an increase in tipping fees, Product SALT SPRING ISLAND: Stewardship Materials will be banned from disposal as Mike Garside • 250-537-5527 refuse at Hartland landfill. The new disposal ban will take 1103–115 Fulford-Ganges Road effect January 2, 2011. Most of these materials are SIDNEY: accepted at the Hartland Recycling Facility and other Doug Guedes • 1-866-656-9886 • (656-9886) A2–9769 Fifth Street recycling locations throughout the region. For a complete BRENTWOOD BAY: list of where to recycling these products visit Doug Strong • 1-877-655-1141 • (652-1141) www.HQYJRYEFFDHSGUHF\FOLQJ 7178 W. Saanich Rd OAK BAY: Gary Law • 250-592-5544 112-2187 Oak Bay Avenue autoplan For more information visit SAANICHTON: www.crd.bc.ca/hartland DAN OLIVE • 1-877-633-0877 or call 250.360.3030. Anchor Insurance Agencies Ltd., 2-7855 East Saanich Road www.seafirstinsurance.com Page 10, ISLAND TIDES, Dec 9, 2010 ‘Spirit Festivals’ get provincial funding Some Islands’ cultural organizations are Campbell River Community Arts Council ISLANDS TRUST among 41 groups that will receive funding $20,000, Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts for ‘Spirit Festivals’ next February. The Society $9,150, Arts Denman $8,000, NOTICE OF NOMINATION festivals are intended to commemorate the Cowichan Intercultural Festival (Duncan) SATURNA ISLAND LOCAL TRUSTEE BY-ELECTION 2010 Olympics; the funding to partly $20,000, Lasqueti Island Arts Council compensate for reductions in arts and $8,157, Nanaimo Arts Council $40,490, PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given to the electors of Saturna Island Local Trust Area that cultural funding earlier in 2010. Oceanside Community Arts Council nominations for the office of: ‘BC Spirit Festivals will bring together (Parksville) $15,900, Ptarmigan Music and One Local Trustee for the balance of the three year term of December2008 to December 2011, artists, cultural organizations, creative Theatre Society (Pender Island) $10,000, industries and local citizens to celebrate the Friends of Film Society of Powell River will be received by the Chief Election Officer or a persondesignated at the offices of the Islands Trust, Suite 200, 1627 Fort Street,Victoria, B.C., V8R 1H8 between the hours 9:00of A.M. on spirit of British Columbia. Featured $20,000, Salt Spring Arts Council $19,073, Tuesday, the fourth (4th) day of January 2011 and 4:00 P.M. on Friday, the fourteenth activities will include visual arts exhibitions, Community Arts Council of the Saanich (14th) day of January 2011 and during that period the nomination documents shallonly public museum programs, publications, Peninsula (Sidney) $3,520, and La Societe be received on regular office days and hours . Should anyone wish to file nomination media arts, dance, music and theatre Francophone de Victoria $50,000. documents in other than office hours, arrangements may be made by phoning the Chief Electionproductions,’ says the government news The program total, a little over a million Officer at (250) 472 0059. release. dollars, comes from the 2010 Sports and Candidates shall be nominated in writing by two duly qualified electors of Saturna Island Local Island organizations to receive grants Arts Legacy, and the BC Spirit Festivals Trust Area. under this program are: Program is administered by the Assembly The nomination documents shall be in the form prescribed in theLocal Government Actand Bowen Island Arts Council $9,170, of BC Arts Councils. 0 shall state the name and residence of the person nominated in such a manner as to sufficiently identify the candidate. The nomination documents shall be subscribed to by the candidate. RIPARIAN from page 5 At the time of filing the nomination documents, the candidate shall also filewith the Chief Election Environmental Professional (QEP); should Area (SPEA–don’t you love these Officer or a person designated by the Chief Election Officer a written disclosure, as required the QEP certify that the proposed acronyms!) which cannot be disturbed, and under the Financial Disclosure Act. development will not result in any harmful may also specify ‘mitigating measures’ as a Copies of all forms are available at: alteration, disruption, or destruction condition of development. • the Offices of the Islands Trust, Suite 200, 1627 Fort Street, Victoria, B.C., V8R 1H8 (HADD) of natural features, functions, and Owners of lakefront property should be • on the Islands Trust website: http://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/byelections.cfm conditions that support fish life processes in aware of special guidelines applicable to • or by calling the Chief Election Officer at (250) 472 0059. the 30m riparian assessment area, then a docks, ramps, and floats, including their To qualify for the office of Local Trustee thecandidate must be a: DP will not be required. location, construction, no use of treated • Canadian Citizen There are other exemptions for forest wood, floatation material to be contained, • Eighteen (18) Years of age or older management activities under the Forest Act and ‘semi-transparent’ surfaces. • Resident of British Columbia at least six (6) months immediately beforehe t day nomination papers are filed; and or the Private Managed Forest Land Act, (For details and guidelines, refer to the • Not disqualified by the Local Government Actor any other enactment from voting in for agricultural activities, for mining bylaw and the provincial RAR website. The an election in British Columbia or from being nominated for, elected to or holding activities under the Mines Act, for changes original Madrona consultants’ report can be office. authorized by the Water Act, for repair of found on the North Pender Trust website.) If an election by voting is to be held, voting day will be Saturday, February 19th, 2011. pre-existing structures, for gardening and Bylaw 184 has now had first reading and Given under my hand at Victoria, B.C. thisthird (3rd) day of December, 2010. yard maintenance (provided no cosmetic can still be amended; after second reading Thomas F. Moore, pesticides are used), for fences (provided no there will be a public hearing; after third Chief Election Officer native trees are removed), for trails (1 metre reading it will go to Islands Trust Executive This notice is being published in this newspaper as a convenience only and not in wide or less), and for works undertaken by and will probably receive the Minister’s accordance with the legal requirements pursuant to the Local Government Act. a public body. The QEP may also specify a signature sometime this summer. 0 Streamside Protection and Enhancement Seasons Greetings! To our advertisers, writers, photographers, and readers People tell us that Island Tides, in 2010, is the best it’s ever been. In April, at no extra cost, we negotiated a very good print deal to give us more pages, better quality, and colour on every page—more room to tackle national and provincial news, to showcase Islands’ stories, and to publish heart-warming photos and informative maps. We thank you for your enthusiastic response and inspiring comments about our new format. They keep us going! (We’ll be back in your mailboxes for our 22nd year on Thursday, January 13.) Yes, not only is this our year-end edition—today is Island T ides’ 21st Birthday! A birthday is a great time for our readers to make their contribution to keeping Island Tides flourishing!

It’s been a demanding year. Advertising is way down but that hasn’t stopped us. Since April of this year, there has been almost none of the usual government advertising. And, as winter comes on, BC businesses are having tough times—everybody is hanging on for a better spring. But newspaper presses cannot stop rolling—because people are relying on the news. It’s not very fair to expect advertisers to bear the the entire cost of the newspaper. So, especially this year, Island Tides is calling on its readers to make the difference.

Island Tides isn’t profitable in the business sense of the word, though it does pay its way without public subsidy. We call Island Tides a ‘social enterprise’. It draws Islanders together in a way which profits them and their communities.

The most effective way to ensure that Island Tides has sufficient revenue is for readers to give an annual ‘subscription’ for the newspaper that you already pick-up or receive in the mail. Our suggested annual $28.00 ($25.00+HST) is a modest place to start, but consider sending an amount of your choice to help us cover staff, production, printing, postage, delivery, news-gathering, research, writing, photography, computers, internet, office equipment etc, etc. Island Tides is worth it.

It’s not a lot and it works best if all our readers pitch in. Many people tell us they keep meaning to send us a voluntary subscription—if you have ever thought that, now is the time to actually do it. Not only that—tell your friends and neighbours you did. It will remind them to contribute, too.

Mail your contribution to: Island Tides, Box 55, Pender Island, V0N 2M0, or call (250-629-3660) with your VISA or Mastercard and we can say ‘thank you’ in person. Thanks to those of you who have already made your contribution, and thank you for your many kind words. All The Very Best, Christa Grace-Warrick, Editor and Publisher ISLAND TIDES, Dec 9, 2010, Page 11 Islands’ Bulletin Board BULLETIN BOARD BOXED ADS: 1.5”, 2”, 2.5”, & 3”• B&W: $23.36 per inch+hst • COLOUR: $31.80 per inch+hst — multi-issue discounts with prepayment • WORD ADS: (UP TO 25 WORDS) $16.80 (inc hst), ADDITIONAL WORDS 28¢ per word (inc hst) • PAYMENT WITH ORDER VISA & MASTERCARD ACCEPTED • Next DEADLINE: January 5 • Phone: 250-629-3660 • Email: [email protected] AUTOMOTIVE HOME & PROPERTY SERVICES Bowen Plumbing GSAAutoRentals E VAE FREE! NC SE & Heating A N Jesse Bowen, Gas Contractor Scrap Car, Truck, L ROOFING Jesse Bowen, Gas Contractor Bus & Equipment Ltd. Telephone: (250) 629-0008 250-474-7325 REMOVAL 250-381-2157 20+ years experience Merry www.flynn.ca Cell: (778) 977-2808 No Wheels? Cell 250-361-5028 250-652-0599 Metal roofs & torch-on Christmas & No Problem! Fax 250-383-2198 - Conventional Roofing Email: jesseandvirginia@ Excellent references. - Standing Seam & Low-slope BBB, Licensed, Insured, gmail.com WCB, Visa, M/C. Happy Medium & large bins Standing Seam Metal Roofing www.soarecontracting.com for metal clean-up - Custom Flashing New Year metal Roofing - Asphalt & Cedar Shingles also available foR WateR - 6” Water Collection Gutters D. A. SMITHSON & SONS to you & Gulf Islands • Victoria ColleCtion SyStemS Well Drillers yours! Sooke • Sidney • Duncan ALSO 250-539-5252 250-655-5038 250-744-6842 TORCH-ON MEMBRANE Serving the Gulf Islands 1-800-809-0788 250-732-4285 SHAKE & SHINGLE 250-478-6937 [email protected] Serving the Gulf [email protected] www.gsaautorentals.com Islands for 20 Years MARINE www.smithsondrilling.com MEETINGS WAHL MARINE LTD. GETAWAYS School District #64 (Gulf Islands). A 135 McGill Road regular meeting of the Board of BUSINESS OPP Salt Spring Island HELP WANTED For your Victoria getaway: fully School Trustees will be held at Gulf Interested in starting your own home 30 years experience modern furnished one level heritage Islands Secondary School, downtown loft. Trendy location steps based business? J.R. Watkins is dock building & repair School District #64 Wednesday, January 12, 2011 looking for Independent Watkins On Time & On Budget to inner harbour, Chinatown, commencing at 1pm. To view the pile driving & drilling (Gulf Islands) shopping, entertainment: associates on Pender Island, Galiano agenda for this meeting: Island, Saturna Island and Salt • Foreshore Applications aluminum gangways & ramps Applications are invited for www.victoriavacationapartment.com www.sd64.bc.ca/board_meetings.html Spring Island. Call Millie Leathers • Docks • Moorings wood piers & wood floats Substitute Bus Drivers for Public Welcome! 250-539-5526 for more information. Galiano and Pender • Ramps • Pile Driving crane barge service & towing Islands. Ross Walker mooring systems & service Please refer to School 14,300 homes •3,700 yellow box pick-ups •1,750 online readers 250-537-9710 Gord Wahl 250-537-1886 District #64 website at www.islandmarine.ca cell 250-537-7804 www.sd64.bc.ca/staff.html 250-629-3660 www.islandtides.com for further information.

CARBON OFFSETS from page 9 LETTERS from page 8 of this neutrality is being achieved through reducing adaptation to abrupt climate change. between 30,000 and 1,000,000 liters. A large sized spill is emissions at the source and efficiency improvements. A lot Even if we reduce our personal energy consumption greater than 1,000,000 liters. Spills smaller than 30,000 of it is being met through carbon offset purchases from the through conscientious and responsible actions like driving liters occur more frequently. Pacific Carbon Trust. Germany, lauded for its emission less, eating locally, recycling and conservation, we still need To me ‘minimal’ means the least possible or very small; reductions, also meets many of its allowances through to address the large emitters. I am frustrated that most of not a 1 in 7 chance of a spill in our coastal waters or 1 in 4 carbon offsets. my per capita emissions come from large industry. I know chance for the proposed pipeline. The park that is being created on Denman Island is one we need jobs, but I would rather have a planet to live on! From now on when referring to chances of a spill in example of a project that is helping Germany ‘reduce its There is tremendous potential for green jobs and creative regards to the Enbridge Northern Gateway’s proposed emissions’. Making a park on an island doesn’t translate as solutions to this problem. We need to get off our magic pipeline and marine component, we should be using other emission reduction in my book. What’s that you say—the carpet and start looking at reality, start reducing emissions. adjectives to describe the risk, but ‘minimal’ shouldn’t be developer would have cleared and subdivided it without this If it works, a compliance cap-&-trade market will one of them. project? encourage emission reductions and alternatives to fossil Kelly Marsh, Kitimat Great, now all developers can hurry up to create projects fuels. However, if it doesn’t, as we have seen with our Taxi! Taxi! that they won’t do if we pay them to not cut trees down. Is it insufficient carbon tax and shallow forest carbon projects, The following letter was sent to David Hahn, CEO of BC just me, or should they be doing this anyway—for nothing? we’ll be in a worse mess than we are now. Ferry Services Inc. (If you consider the future of humanity to be ‘nothing’.) Improved energy standards for homes and appliances Dear Mr Hahn: I think this magic carpet that we are stuck on has some resulted in an emissions decrease of 1.4% for that sector in I read Mr van der Horst’s letter about his nightmarish kind of ominous power. It’s like Lord of the Rings for clean 2008, so we know that legislation can make a difference. The experience getting a cab to Gabriola in the November 11 air. ‘We need a clean environment! Buuuut, we can make so much money off polluters...’ question is whether we will support our political leaders to issue of Island Tides. I’m wiritng as a grandmother raising It’s just as bad as funding public transit with revenue get off the magic carpet and make strong, effective policies a teenage girl on Gabriola. She has been taking a cab to and from the gasoline tax. Why can’t the government figure out that create a change from business as usual. from Departure Bay for the last three years. She visits family that the more people stop using their cars and take public on the mainland quite often. For me to take my car over to transit, the less revenue to fund it there will be? Walking the Talk drop her off and pick her up is expensive and takes up to I have always wanted to visit Europe. I have never been and four hours each trip. There’s An Blue Elephant In My Room was planning to go next summer, after graduating from Yes, I chose to live on Gabriola and I do pay for that in a In spite of BC’s carbon neutral government initiative, university. However, I cannot justify the carbon emissions hundred ways. But now the ferry corporation wants more Canadians still emit more greenhouse gases per capita than I will create by flying there. money. The cab companies have been servicing the most people on this planet. We just aren’t doing enough to I might get there one day, but I will not go by plane. terminals for how many years? And now you want them to lower our national GHG emissions. We talk around it really Unless solar airplanes take off, of course. Nor will I conjure pay a huge fee for that service? How can you be so greedy? well, bringing in regulations and legislation and taxes. But up a feeling of consolation through the acquisition of carbon people are starting to see the pile of rubbish that’s The ferries have become less user-friendly since you came offsets. I will simply reduce my emissions—period. underneath it all. ‘on board’. We’ve been sweeping GHGs under the atmospheric rug We live in a society that is unwilling to change. We have To make seniors, phyically challenged or anyone over 12 for the last 100 years. We knew we would have to clean up a government that is afraid to be criticized for laying out the (age limit to ride alone on the ferry) hike up to the cab our planet one day. That day is here and the choice is clear— facts. The lobbying system puts corporations’ rights ahead parking area in the dark, snow, rain, or whatever is just nuts. of the commons. change now, or be forced to change later. I prefer having a When someone is killed doing this, I guess you will use our Light-duty trucks and fossil fuels produced for export, choice. tax money to worm your way out of a wrongful death suit. including expanded tar sands development, contributed to If I travel to Europe one day, it will be by ship and train This new policy is going to affect everyone, so I hope some of our most significant emissions increases in the last and cycle—the most efficient means of transport. I don’t feel others will speak up. Mr Hahn, not everyone has family to 20 years, according to Environment Canada. This trend deprived; it’s not an essential trip. pick them up and maybe just this once you could back down shows no sign of slowing. This means I won’t get to Europe until I either have a lot and think of the people instead of lining your pockets! Some The change in behaviour that is required to mitigate of time or a lot of money; it’s insane that trains are so things should stay the same. climate impacts will not occur without strong policies and expensive while flying is so cheap. Oh well, at least I won’t Eve Livingstone, Gabriola Island price signals. We also need to seriously start thinking about be a hypocrite. 0 Page 12, ISLAND TIDES, Dec 9, 2010 December Garden Calendar Brian Crumblehulme he Holly & the Ivy, when they are calendar year); biennial (those that both full grown...’ ...of all the trees germinate in one year and flower in the next Tthat are in the British woods in times calendar year); and perennial (those that of yore, the holly was the only evergreen. germinate one year to flower in the In pre-modern times ancient Brits following few years). All very simple. Except supplemented their diet with wild game and that the designations are arbitrary and the hunter out in the forest chasing supper many of the new varieties break all the rules would have been amazed at the sight of a because they are engineered to be grown as brilliant shiny, green tree loaded with red annuals regardless of their genetic berries. It is no small wonder, then, that disposition. Thus for example: sweet peas, when the missionaries came by seeking petunias, broccoli, onions and parsley are converts the holly tree was up there on the biennial or perennial if given half a chance. list of important symbols. And almost all the native flowers (and Also in winter the ivy attracted attention weeds) have already germinated in the rain for it’s ability to clothe a dead-looking oak as you read this rant and will grow through or elm tree and make it appear alive. British the winter and charge headlong into flower expatriates colonizing the Islands a before next summer’s drought. Which also hundred years ago introduced both species means that it is far more efficient to pick and along with the ubiquitous broom and winter weeds now instead of waiting until hawthorn all of which are now considered April when they are blowing seeds across Photos: David Boyd invasive. your driveway. The wonder of waking up to In winter the Celts in the British Islands Speaking of winter fun activities, any dry snow. Wrapped up—or not, and their Teutonic cousins in Germany day is a good day to plant, prune, weed and our children can’t wait get would cut branches of green trees and mulch trees, bushes and perennial plants. bushes to decorate their homes and halls, a Then, when you have finished all that, this out and enjoy it. tradition that persists in corrupted form is the prime time to make new paths, mend today with the invention of flashing lights fences & pergolas, plan if not dig ponds, and plastic effigies. build sheds, greenhouses and tea-time

Ever the romantic, I like to take a day in gazebos. You can always sleep later. Photo mid-December to gather winter greens. I Recipes can feel quite virtuous cutting branches of Since before recorded history Winter has holly or broom to shape into wreaths and been party time: Saturnalia, winter-fest, garlands, and a few pruned cedar branches Yule, Christmas, callitwhatyouwanna. The placed around the floor look good and ancient Greeks held great banquet feasts create a wonderful foresty aroma. I’m not a called Symposia where they drank, ate, fan of needlessly cutting fir trees for drank, discussed philosophy and drank decoration, but if you take it as an some more. (Read Plato for details.) opportunity to do a little judicious thinning Archestratus has left us his favourite in an overgrown thicket, you can salvage a recipe for a fish dish. tree to safely stand in a bucket for a couple Archestratus Fish Dish of weeks. Prep time 15-20 minutes, Cook for about 40 honey and roll in the seeds. For savory Globi sauce on a platter with yesterday’s left over If you have no thicket, you can always hie minute, Feeds a lot. omit the honey and roll in sesame seeds, salt bread and some apples. a it to a good garden centre or nursery and 1 large fish such as salmon, cod or tuna, & pepper. Serve hot with strong red wine. look for a hardy evergreen tree in a pot. A cleaned and skinned Ever the moralists Victorians invented Goes well with a discussion on politics. a potted tree also makes a good present along Olive oil many ways to keep the poor alive. From a Medieval etiquette demanded that you with or instead of a bottle of wine when Dry white wine section entitled ‘Cheap Food Suitable to the feed anyone who came to your door. From you’re invited out. Try to select healthy trees garlic, onions, rosemary, bay, thyme & Poor Man’ in A Manual of Domestic a 1393 cook book this is: that are related to the indigenous ones, fir parsley, chopped Economy by JH Walsh, FRCS: or spruce, for example, so that when your Feta cheese A Dish for unexpected Guests liver Pudding: friends plant them out in January they Prep & cooking time about 20 minutes Place the fish in a large earthenware dish Stew a pound & a half of liver in very little stand a better chance of survival. 20 slices of cold meat such as beef, pork, or baking pan. Slather with oil, liberally water for 1½ hours. Chop this into small Still on the subject of gifts: this month pheasant, venison, etc cover with the chopped herbs and lots of pieces and mix with some bacon, beef or the dream-list seed catalogues arrive in all cheese. Gently pour the wine around the Several slices of fatty bacon chopped fine. mutton fat, salt & pepper and put into a their super-natural glory. For plants and fish to about 2 centimeters deep taking care Gently fry all the meat in a pan over the fire. bowl. Make a crust of beef dripping and seeds, it is way better to order from local not to wash off the herbs. Place in a hot oven While: you take 6 egg yolks and a little white suppliers than those in another climate and bake for 35-45 minutes until cooked wine and ‘beat them together until you are flour and cover the pudding. Boil for 2 zone across the continent. There’s a big and browned on top. tired.’ Remove the pan from the fire and hours. ‘This with three pounds of potatoes, incentive these days to grow older varieties. If you are wise like Plato, you will also use drain all the juices into the egg mix. Pour the will make a dinner for a labouring man and Some of the best are late 19th and early 20th the oven to bake a few loaves of bread at the sauce over the meat and return to the fire his wife, together with five or six children for Century varieties and hybrids available same time. Serve with lashings of wine, hot stirring constantly. Serve the meat and a price not exceeding one shilling.’ 0 from West Coast Seeds and Island Seeds. bread, and discuss the meaning of life. a Older heritage varieties often taste better During Saturnalia the Romans would than newer ones but may produce fewer feast for days snacking on finger food such After Christmas visiting flowers and smaller fruit. as this favourite of Cato’s: BC Ferries is pleased to offer $39.95 winter discount promotion back this winter as our For herbs the best by far are Richters in Globi CoastSaver fares starting December 29, holiday season gift to our customers,’ said Ontario who have a huge collection that Prep time about 20 minutes, Cook for 20 2010 through January 5, 2011, on the three Janet Carson, BC Ferries’ Vice President of makes for an interesting read with a second minutes, Makes about 25. major routes connecting the Lower Marketing and Travel Services. ‘For added cup of coffee. Caveat: if you wish to ¼ Kilo Ricotta Mainland and Vancouver Island. When the value, book a Vancouver or Victoria getaway experiment do so on a small scale and be About 1 cup of spelt or semolina, 1 egg, A CoastSaver promotion is coupled with a BC and receive a guaranteed complimentary very wary about scattering seeds of non- pinch of salt, honey, lard, poppy seeds Ferries Vacations package, holiday room upgrade at select properties when you indigenous wild plants that may take over Knead the cheese, flour, egg and salt into travellers can save even more. travel on a CoastSaver day.’ your garden. a dough as though you are making bread The special CoastSaver deal covers the Reservations are recommended for This may be an opportune time for me to and allow this to rest for an hour. Heat the fare for a passenger vehicle and driver on all travel during the holiday season if a specific vent a pet peeve. Seeds germinate and lard in a skillet or deep fryer (you can use sailings between Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay, sailing time is desired. For details about the plants grow in a range of environments that vegetable oil but lard is much better). Drop Tsawwassen–Duke Point and Horseshoe CoastSaver winter promotion and BC gardeners and seed companies have teaspoon sized balls of the dough into the Bay–Departure Bay. Adult passenger fares Ferries Vacations packages, visit designated into categories such as annual fat and fry until golden brown. Drain on a are just $9.95 for the same eight-day period. www.bcferries.com. 0 (those that germinate and flower in one towel and immediately dunk or paint with ‘We’re bringing the popular 30%

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