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Canadian Publications Mail Product Volume 16 Number 11 Your Coastal Community Newspaper June 17–June 30, 2004 Sales Agreement Nº 40020421 Tide tables 2 Saturna notes 3 Letters 4 What’s on? 5 Advance poll 7 Bulletin board 11 Closely watched votes: Saanich–Gulf Islands race may be critical The electoral battle for the federal parliamentary seat in the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding has drawn national attention. It’s not just that the race has attracted four strong candidates from the Conservative, Liberal, NDP and Photo: Brian Haller Green parties. It’s that the riding has the Haying at Deacon Vale Farm, one of Mayne Island’s fourteen farms. Mayne’s Farmers Market begins in July. best chance in Canada to actually elect a Green Party member. The Green Party is running candidates in all 308 federal ridings in Elections, then and now ~ Opinion by Christa Grace-Warrick & Patrick Brown this election, the first time it has done this. Nationally, polls have put the Green t has been said that generals are always fighting the previous war. It in debate and more free votes. If this is the case, the other parties will vote at a couple of percentage points. might also be said that politicians are always fighting the last election, eventually have to do the same. The polls (as we write) indicate the possibility But the Greens have plenty of room to Iand that the media are always reporting the last election. of a minority government, and it’s not clear which party might end up with grow among younger voters and seniors, Our proposition is that this election does not resemble the last one; most seats. Proportional representation is on its way, with the accompanying and Green candidate Andrew Lewis rather, that it is a completely new type of election, the first of a long-term hope that issues of the day will be debated in parliament, not in backrooms, attracted 25% of the vote in the change in democracy in Canada. This is the beginning of a series of caucuses, or ministers’ offices. provincial Saanich North and the governments where every individual we elect will make a difference in Why are we sure this is the trend? Simple. Canadians demand a Islands riding in BC’s last provincial government, for better or worse. government that works. Canadians are tired of watching a parliamentary election. This means every MP, no matter what gender, age, profession, question period apparently devoted to scoring points off members across the With the possibility of a vote split background, race, political party, religion, and so on, will actively contribute aisle. Canadians are unhappy about ‘presidential’ government. Canadians between four candidates, this means to the government we get. that a Green victory in the riding is Why will this be so? Democracy is Complicated theoretically within reach. We have experienced many years of a Dear editor: Over the past couple of weeks, the national media have come to recognize ‘presidential’ form of federal government where the "A vote for the Bloc Québécois is a vote for ." - . leader of the majority party can and has enforced the strength of Green support across the discipline on government members to the extent that "A vote for the Green Party is a vote for Paul Martin." - . country, which has manifested itself in a discussion of alternatives has been either stifled or, at "A vote for the NDP is a vote for the Conservatives." - Ujjal Dosanjh. widespread outcry over the exclusion of the very least, carried on away from public view and Green Party national leader Jim Harris knowledge. The mainstream media contribute to this Okay, I want to vote for the Green Party. from the national TV leaders’ debate. perception by ‘headline’-style reporting. Could someone tell me who to vote for? Both the CBC and the Globe & Mail have This results in an opposition (official, of course) Sincerely, Norman Abbey, Nanaimo now come to recognize the Greens as a that maintains a similar sort of discipline in its self- legitimate national party. A recent imposed preoccupation with opposing all government initiatives, and in column by Globe Editor Edward are tired of being insulted by heavily ‘spun’ versions of what is actually searching out scandal, incompetence, malfeasance and corruption. Greenspon documented the tide of happening. Canadians are concerned about the accuracy of reporting, on TV This combination of blind partisanship and ‘gotcha’ accusations ensures public support across Canada. and in the newspapers (not to mention the concentration of ownership in that conflict will dominate in parliament with the concomitant waste of In the riding, Conservative these industries). members’ time and the reduction of the substance of debate to the lowest incumbent Gary Lunn points out that common denominator. The conflict is welcomed by the media, because it Missing The Point the demonstrated strength of the Green makes it easy to write eye-catching stories and headlines without the difficult In fact, media focus in this election has been on the same things that vote is in the Gulf Islands, about one- third of the riding. He’s counting on a and expensive task of intelligently explaining the issues. characterized previous elections: the party leaders, the party platforms and solid right-wing vote from the more Sea Change the inferred party ideologies. So we end up with reports of every twitch and wriggle of the leaders of the four major parties, detailed analyses of their urban areas to put him over the top for Over the past few months, we’ve seen Paul Martin, leader of the federal Liberal the third time. party, responding to pressure and promising his backbenchers a greater role ELECTION, please turn to page 6 RACE, please turn to page 2 Got friends who don’t get Island Tides in the mail or can’t pick-up a copy at one of our 70 yellow boxes on the southern coast? They can read the good stuff on-line at www.islandtides.com Check out our growing archive of Island Tides Reprints. Page 2, ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004 Where Does Your Pension Money Come From? ~ Peter D. Carter woke up the other morning to a nasty shock in the mail. Not Last February, New Democrat MP Pat Martin tabled a from Revenue Canada this time. A mailing from the motion in the House of Commons calling for the CPP to be ICoalition to Oppose the Arms Trade advised me that my ‘prohibited from investing in companies and enterprises that CPP pension fund investment included money going to manufacture and trade in military arms and weapons, have AT FULFORD HARBOUR corporations that deal in death—the tobacco industry and the records of poor environmental and labour practices or whose JUNE armaments industry. Having transferred most of my RRSP conduct and practices are contrary to Canadian values.’ NDP investments to ethically screened funds, this was a bitter piece leader Jack Layton said the idea would be part of his party’s Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. of news about my CPP. election platform. 0130 9.8 3.0 0430 8.2 2.5 Something which has always astounded me is the general The motion was debated on February 24. The NDP motion 15 0925 2.0 0.6 23 0555 8.2 2.5 lack of interest in ethical or screened investments. Our was supported by the Bloc Québécois. The Liberals and TU 1755 10.2 3.1 WE 1400 2.6 0.8 MA 2210 9.2 2.8 ME 2215 10.8 3.3 capitalist economic system has long been accused of being Conservatives were united in opposing it. responsible for every bad thing from toxic pollution to war. But In March, the CPP announced it had hired an independent 0155 9.8 3.0 0510 7.5 2.3 16 0955 1.6 0.5 24 0720 7.5 2.3 what tends to get forgotten in the political posturing is that ethics adviser. However the qualifications of the CPP board’s WE 1835 10.5 3.2 TH 1440 3.6 1.1 everyone who has a savings account or a pension contributes choice, Purdy Crawford, are questionable. Crawford is currently ME 9.5 JE 2240 10.8 3.3 2315 2.9 dollars that find their their way to the corporations that make Chairman of Allstream, (formerly AT&T Canada) and counsel 0220 9.8 3.0 0545 6.6 2.0 the products, both good and bad. A large hospital foundation to the law firm of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt (a 17 1025 1.3 0.4 25 0920 6.9 2.1 TH 1915 10.8 3.3 FR 1525 4.6 1.4 was horrified when it was informed that it had been investing corporate/commercial law firm). He was chairman of Imasco JE VE 2300 10.5 3.2 for years in the tobacco industry. A church that worked for Limited, CT Financial Services Inc., and Canada Trustco 0010 9.5 2.9 0615 5.2 1.6 nuclear disarmament was shocked to find it made money from Mortgage Company until February 2000. Mr. Crawford sits on 18 0245 9.8 3.0 26 1135 6.9 2.1 a corporation that manufactured key components for nuclear the boards of several large public companies, both in Canada FR 1100 1.3 0.4 SA 1615 5.9 1.8 VE 1950 10.8 3.3 SA 2325 10.5 3.2 weapons. and the United States. Imasco is Canada’s largest cigarette It seems to me a very basic thing to be responsible for how maker. 0100 9.5 2.9 0650 3.9 1.2 19 0315 9.8 3.0 27 1350 7.5 2.3 our money is invested. If we want to improve the world in a Jack Layton’s NDP platform includes a promise to: SA 1135 1.0 0.3 SU 1715 7.2 2.2 capitalist-run economy, what could be simpler than making ‘Enlarge the mandate for investment of the Canada Pension SA 2025 10.8 3.3 DI 2345 10.5 3.2 sure our dollars are at least not put to a use that is harmful? My Plan to require that investment decisions take into account the 0150 9.5 2.9 0725 2.6 0.8 ethically screened funds have performed as well as non- general economic interests of Canadians as well as return on 20 0345 9.5 2.9 28 1525 8.9 2.7 SU 1210 1.3 0.4 MO 1825 8.2 2.5 screened, so ‘Why not?’ is more the question. investment, that decisions pass through an ethical screen, and DI 2055 10.8 3.3 LU In December of 2002, anti-smoking groups that included that the CPP investment board includes worker and community 0245 9.2 2.8 0010 10.8 3.3 Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada called on then Finance representatives. 21 0420 9.2 2.8 29 0805 1.3 0.4 Minister John Manley to set up ethical screens to stop the ‘Provide a legislative framework for joint trusteeship as well MO 1245 1.6 0.5 TU 1635 9.8 3.0 LU 2125 10.8 3.3 MA 1935 9.2 2.8 Canada Pension Plan Investment Board from using its funds to as for active investment by pension funds based on 0340 8.9 2.7 0040 10.8 3.3 support the sale of tobacco products. Tobacco kills as many as environmental and community economic criteria.’ 0500 8.9 2.7 0845 0.3 0.1 45,000 Canadians a year and doesn’t deserve the financial 22 30 10.5 Investing Ethically TU 1320 2.0 0.6 WE 1725 3.2 support of the multi-billion-dollar national pension fund, critics MA 2150 10.8 3.3 ME 2050 9.8 3.0 Ethically screened investing started in the 1920s with the said. The government claimed they could do nothing, saying the American Methodist Church and the Quakers. A range of ADD ONE HOUR FOR DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME CPP Investment Board makes the decisions. socially responsible investment products is now available in The CPP Investment Board was formed in 1997 to manage more than 21 countries. In the US, the value of screened funds Tides Tables Courtesy of the assets of the Canada Pension Plan. It is currently has grown from $1.2 trillion in 1997 to $2.2 trillion in 2003. Island Marine Construction responsible for overseeing $31-billion in equity, real estate and Actually this is just short of the $2.3 trillion dollars in Floats • Ramps • Moorings • Pile Driving infrastructure assets, and will also assume control of a further (unscreened) public pension funds. $35-billion in bonds and cash investments over the next few Ph: 250-537-9710 Fax: 537-1725 In the UK, ethically screened funds got a boost last July years. The plan’s consolidated portfolio of about $65 billion in when the government required company pension schemes to www.islandmarine.ca assets is predicted to hit $160 billion in a decade. disclose their ethical policy. Many pension funds are starting to Last December the Canadian Coalition to Oppose the Arms adopt ethical criteria as a result and their investment in the Trade (COAT) issued a report showing that the CPP has stock market is worth around £800 billion, 250 times that Ocean Air invested at least $2.55 billion in domestic and foreign military owned by individual ethical investors. corporations, including 15 of the world’s top 20 war At the very least, to behave ethically in this world of Floatplanes contractors. As a result, CPP has investments in the major 33 globalized death-dealing toxins and weapons, individuals have weapons systems used by the US in its war in Iraq. Fly on your schedule! a right to be able to be responsible for where their investment Three of those firms, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and dollars go. Investment managers call tobacco and armaments Up to 3 passengers from: General Electric, are listed in a report by the non-governmental ‘good investments’ because they perform well when other Southern Gulf Islands > Sidney $168 organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) as having been stocks go down. This is the fatal flaw with the capitalist Sidney or S. Islands > Van. Airport $300 involved in the making of anti-personnel landmines. Lockheed economy. It is designed for citizens to abrogate their moral Martin, the world’s biggest arms maker, still produces Call for a quote on other coastal flights…More Great Rates! responsibility to money managers, who are given only one components for CBU-89 ‘Gator’ landmines. Promoted as standard to operate by—to get the most return from the dollar. 1.866.655.1144 / [email protected] ‘highly effective area denial and harassment operations,’ these This also applies to governments. However, the reality is that www.oceanair.ca kill and maim indiscriminately for indeterminate periods. They both citizen and government may instruct the managers to are weapons of terrorism. Cluster bombs have been used by the invest according to defined ethical principles. We can use US in Afghanistan and Iraq. Canada was the leader in the UN capitalism to make a better world. The buck stops with each treaty banning land mines. The US is one of the few nations that one of us. have not signed on. Contrary to what the CPP Investment Board says, to satisfy The COAT also claim that between 1996 and 2002, military the general requirements of Canadians, CPP pension corporations donated at least $7.9 million to the Liberal, investments should be conservatively safe, both economically Progressive Conservative and Reform/Alliance parties. And and ethically. As an example, while tobacco and arms that over the past few decades, two Industry Canada programs investments may be safe economically, ethically they are not. alone donated more than $3 billion to about 84 military-related Right now we have little idea what our CCP or company corporate programs. Almost $2.5 billion of that went to 10 military contractors. The top recipient, Pratt & Whitney, PENSION, please turn to page 7 received $1.2 billion of these handouts.

RACE from page 1 Liberal nominee David Mulroney, said by some to be a hand- counts. Lewis is the Deputy Leader of the . picked candidate of party leader Paul Martin, is part of a Leader Jim Harris, who is running against NDP leader Jack concerted Liberal effort to elect more members in BC. And NDP Layton in –Danforth riding. His chances of winning the candidate Jennifer Burgis brings a solid background and seat may not be high, but, again, for the party every vote counts. John Campbell government experience to a riding that has in the past As this is written, about two weeks before the election, polls Gillian Campbell and media surveys everywhere indicate that this election may Salt Spring Island demonstrated a solid NDP vote. well produce very different results than any previous one. Voters Edge of the Seat are reported to be cynical and distrustful of the major parties and On election day, it could be an exciting and unpredictable race. ready to vote for something different. Quebec voters may be The possibility of a minority government, either Liberal or ready to throw their support heavily to the Bloc Québécois, thus Conservative, means that the Saanich–Gulf Islands result could denying the Liberals part of their usual base of support. Ontario be pivotal in determining the final balance of forces in the federal voters are reported to be angry at increased taxes imposed by the house. And it will be one of the last ridings in the country to recently elected provincial Liberal government. Polls of BC report in. voters indicate widespread dissatisfaction with the provincial Votes Mean Funding Liberal government, and voters in the province could be ready For the Green Party, it’s not only the seat that’s at stake. Under once more to support the NDP. Or, as in the last provincial the new election financing law that takes effect for the next election, this may result in additional support for the Green election, any party that takes over 2% of the vote nationwide will Party. And Gulf Islanders are known as independent thinkers. be eligible for continuing federal funding of $1.75 per vote per The result of all this is that the race in Saanich–Gulf Islands year. Polls show that for the Greens, some stable government is attracting national attention. 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SSI: PACIFIC ROLLSHUTTERS & AWNINGS DESIGN • SALES • INSTALLATION wwwdrillwellcom drill@drillwellcom toll-free 1-800-563-5558 or in Victoria 361-4714 www.pacificrollshutters.com ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004, Page 3 Saturna Notes ~ Priscilla Ewbank e had marvelous low tides all Toward the end of the evening, one of the Canada First for Peace? ~ Peter D Carter through this last weekend. Community Club members periodically went "At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done. Then they According to the Canadian outside to check if the ferry was in sight, so that W begin to hope it can be done. Then they see it can be done. Then it is done and all the Hydrographic Service, June 4th was the lowest questions could continue until the last minute. world wonders why it was not done centuries ago." –Frances Hodgson Burnett since 1951. The tides will be as low as last Islanders’ wide-ranging questions and the Friday's, July 2 and 3rd. I am a dedicated tide candidates’ responses have provoked much ver a year ago, the coming together of domestic and international use. pooler and will use almost any excuse to community discussion. the Pender Island Peace Circle The Department would focus on non- stimulated me to do some research on military, peaceful conflict resolutions, prevent wander and poke around in all the places that Groundwater Update O are usually below the reflective surface of the the psychological origins of war. A book by a violence and promote justice and democratic On Wednesday, June 23 at 7:30, Dr. Diane ocean. former US army psychologist pointed out the principles to expand human rights. As I drove down East Point Road it was Allen of Simon Fraser University will present amazing fact that there is not one nation in the Domestically, the Department would be exciting to see how much ‘larger’ Tumbo and another update for Saturna’s groundwater world with a department of peace, nor has responsible for developing policies that address there ever been. As an advocate for peace, I was issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, Pine Islet appeared and how close you could study. Dr Allen has been collecting data on shocked to realize that I had never thought mistreatment of the elderly, and other issues of walk out to the roar of Boiling Point just off of Saturna Island for about 20 years. Brian Epps of the provincial government will also report on about the idea nor heard it spoken of at the cultural violence. Internationally, the the tip of Saturna. Removing a couple of many peace meetings I have attended over the Department would gather research, analyze water issues from the government standpoint— vertical feet of water from the surrounding years. foreign policy and make recommendations to water collection records and water use. This ocean greatly increased the landmass! In contrast, just about every nation has a the President on how to address the root causes The tidal area is so fertile in our waters, meeting will be informative for well owners, department of defense (which gets renamed of war and intervene before violence begins, many wondrous creatures make their living public and private water system users, and what it really is—War Department—in times of while improving national security, including where the tide surges in and out, alternately rainwater collectors. full-blown war). These defense departments in the protection of human rights and the wet and dry. I love the interplay between land Summer Song all nations demand ever increasing numbers of prevention and de-escalation of unarmed and and salt water, garter snakes that swim in the Saturna’s Summer Singing for Women is being ever more destructive, expensive and offensive armed international conflict. weapons—as if to prove that weapons aren’t ocean and little red crabs that get into the First directed by Islander Sharon Schermbrucker Historic Acts effective. Nation’s middens when the tide is really high. accompanied by Lois Buttery. For sopranos It is unlikely that the Bill will be passed by the So, next month, right after the final Lamb BBQ Calling the US military a defense force is and altos, choir singing and three and four-part current US government. It is nevertheless Clean-up Bee on July 2nd, I’ll be back out to something of a sick joke. Canada’s military may historic. Like the abolition of slavery it may take harmony will be practised for five consecutive take advantage of the opportunity to see into a more reasonably be called a defense force. And years for the US to pass such a Bill for peace but Sunday mornings, beginning June 27. Sharon this led me to enthusiastically write letters neighbouring world. it will happen. There is now an active US Schermbrucker has performed regularly on proposing that Canada become the first nation Marine Biology Department of Peace Coalition. One thing that Saturna and was awarded the 2004 BC Music in the world to set up a separate department would help it to happen is passing a Canadian Presentation Educator of the Year Award. Call Beverley at entirely devoted to (non-violent) peace. Peace Department Bill. On the subject of marine natural history, Rob 539-3775. The timing seems perfect as this is the UN In the United Kingdom, a private members Decade of Non Violent Peace. So far, we have Butler, eminent marine biologist, made a Garden Delights bill was introduced in the House of Commons presentation sponsored by Canadian Parks and been more than ever focused on war in these October 14, 2003, entitled the Ministry for Saturna Parks and Recreation’s Gardens and opening years of the twenty-first century. War Wilderness Society last Saturday at the Peace (Interim Provisions) Bill calling for both Greenhouses tour was a must-do. The garden is declared the answer to everything from Community Hall. Obviously passionate about a Ministry and a Commission for Peace. It of Sam Peramacki (locally immortalized in the cancer and drug addiction to terrorism and our coast and all of it’s intricate ecological passed first reading unopposed. It was later song, ‘Sam’s Garden’ by the Euphoniously poverty. Few are the voices heard over the din withdrawn before second reading for further connections, he made a wonderful presentation that suggest war is more the problem than the of photos, life histories of some key species, and Feminist and Non Performing Quintet) began amendments by the proposer, MP John solution. McDonnell. descriptions of up-to-the-minute discoveries by in 1990 when Sam and Bill Douglass purchased Imagine my delight then when, through a The Canadian Peace Department Project graduate students and biologists of species land in Winter Cove that was part of the old marine environment list-serve, I recently heard was announced from Victoria this February inhabiting the ‘Jade Coast’—our shoreline from shale plant. that a group in Victoria had come to the same Shale plant means just that—the land had with a quote by Paul Martin from the previous Mexico to Alaska. conclusion and were doing something about it. month. Again the idea was ignored by the been mined and shoved by machines. Sam, According to Dr Butler, our coast is one of Even before that, just over a year ago, I had media, preoccupied with reporting the latest the most incredibly rich environments in the who can shift and tweak any plant and been encouraged to find Senator Dennis atrocities of war in the Middle East and Africa. world due to tides, winds and temperature. The landscape into an eye-pleasing experience, has Kucinich’s historic introduction of legislation to While all governments lavish millions of oystercatcher and the sandpiper were two of brought in soil and straw and created, with create a US Department of Peace. dollars on the Bush war against terrorism, little the birds he profiled in detail. Saturna has a Bill’s help, a delightful ‘outside’ for their home. George Washington’s will be forthcoming for serious peace building. special affinity for the oystercatcher because we Food and flowers mix with a gorgeous lily Department of Peace We are now witnessing the widely predicted have a lot of them and because the Saturna pond, rock borders and an orchard to make a The Senator was picking up on an idea example from Iraq that war does not reduce baseball team is named after this slick bird! garden well-worth visiting. forgotten for 210 years. George Washington terrorism, but increases it. Dora Ripard, of CPAWS, is compiling an ‘What Not to Do’ in a garden was Sam’s introduced a Department of Peace bill into Also widely covered, as Bush beat his war drums, was the fact that terrorists and suicide atlas of maps of the Georgia Basin and she was amusing and delightful theme: ‘Keep paths Congress in 1793. The African-American asking for evaluations and additions to existing freeman Benjamin Banneker, a brilliant bombers do not appear out of a vacuum. Their wide enough for lawnmowers, know how big a breeding grounds are amongst the oppressed material on the maps she had spread all over plant will grow, do not plant invasive astronomer, mathematician and surveyor of the future Washington, DC, had written in his poor, uneducated and hopeless of the world. the Community Club tables. It was great to be a groundcovers, do not put paving over dirt, 1792 Almanac about a Department of Peace to Such are the pawns in the wars between part of ongoing research, right there at Rob identify your plants, glue your rocks around ‘balance’ the Department of War. Banneker’s religious fundamentalists and empire builders. Butler’s presentation, and realize how your pond because the otters will push them Funds made available by the wealthy nations to significant the value of observation and friends, including Thomas Jefferson, liked the into the pond when they dash around catching idea. address the sources of resentment are miserly compilation is. the goldfish’—and lots more hard-won secrets. Senator Kucinich’s Bill was introduced to in the extreme. All Candidates The next stop was Flora House’s Breezy Bay the House of Representatives July 11, 2001 and While deaths and injuries from terrorism look inconsequential compared with those On Monday, June 7th, the Community Club Herb Farm. In 1995, Flo started raising organic referred to subcommittee September 2001. from house fires or gun and motor vehicle held an All-Candidates meeting. Politicians and bedding plants but found the competition too Despite receiving support all across the US the accidents, terrorism (both state and non-state) Islanders had a great chance to talk and visit tough with our added transportation costs. She project has been ignored by the mainstream during a delicious potluck dinner, followed by media. Senator Kucinich’s Bill would establish is a danger that no nation can afford to ignore. has pursued organic certification and feels that Danger increases with weapons sales, two hours of the candidates, in turn, answering nonviolence as an organizing principle of gives her an edge in marketing for her recent questions from the audience. It is a very American society, providing the President with products, lettuce leaf and sweet basil. She now valuable experience to hear the candidates an array of peace-building policy options for PEACE, please turn to page 11 uses two greenhouses and ships 600 packets of answer the same question—what do they basil to Thrifty Foods in Saanich and expects to emphasize, how do they respond to each get up to 700 in the summer. Her goal is to other’s answers, how do they respond to The Lakeview (1464 sq. ft.) make her living at this enterprise. criticism. (See ‘All Candidates Meeting,’ page Flo and her family have connected with the MATERIAL LOCKUP 10 for more details). COMPLETE $113,850 $38, 295 $56, 695 Saturna has never had such an opportunity program ‘WorldWide Opportunities on before, as our 236 voters have not counted for Organic Farms’ and have hosted many young much. This time Saanich-Gulf Islands has been people over the recent years as they work on the Call Today for your FREE Plan Book identified as a swing riding along with farm in exchange for room and dinner. Kingsway in Vancouver and we are on the Determination and lots of energy are political map! CBC-TV is following Green Party hallmarks of Flo’s enterprise—certainly it fits candidate Andrew Lewis in his campaign, so the community’s desire for small scale, ‘island the riding had great media coverage. fit’ businesses. ✐ www.harvestcedarhomes.com FUEL-EFFICIENT, COST-EFFECTIVE WOOD HEATING 1-800-447-3247 604-273-8900 SEAPLANES www.seairseaplanes.com Leaves Vanc. Airport 7:30am 8 Scheduled Flights Daily 11:30am 4:30pm des: Port Wash, Lyall, Miners Serving the Gulf Islands and Greater 5:30pm des: Ganges, Thetis, Montague Victoria for over 25 Years Leaves Gulf Islands 8:00am FREQUENT Sales / Installations 12:00pm FLYER 5:00pm DISCOUNTS dep: Port Wash, Lyall, Miners Ark Solar Products Ltd. 6:00pm #6 – 1950 Government Street, Victoria, BC dep: Ganges, Thetis, Montague Phone: (250) 386-7643 FREE shuttle service to main terminal and bus exchange Page 4, ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004 Sowing the Seeds of Love: Kids and Gardens ~ Derek Masselink ne of my earliest and fondest memories as a young boy computers and Starbucks, we, as children, are able to recognize growing up in Victoria was our large backyard vegetable the hidden magic in trees, water, animals and landscapes. Ogarden complete with fruit trees and a flock of chickens. Properly cultivated and validated by caring and knowledgeable 17,000 copies this issue From what I remember, this garden was an important part of my adults, this affection for nature can develop into a more mature family’s life. Its primary purpose was to provide us with food— appreciation, which in turn may result in more purposefully, Every Second Thursday fruits, vegetables and eggs. Almost as important was its function more environmentally considerate lives—an increasing www.islandtides.com as a family playground, acting as a backdrop for our out-of-doors necessity given the kind of environmental challenges our species activities. My father also took the opportunity to use it as a sort now faces. GULF ISLANDS’ ONLY FREE & of backyard laboratory in which both my brother and I were Teachers and psychologists are also now recognizing the exposed to a number of natural mysteries such as the embryonic educational and therapeutic values of garden environments. All MAIL DELIVERY development of chickens. over North America and NEWSPAPER My childhood garden Europe gardens are being 8,000 copies experience was a subtle but incorporated into elementary delivered to powerful one, one that in and high schools as applied combination with my parents learning spaces or living Southern Islands’ appreciation and respect for laboratories. In these school households nature helped establish and gardens children are exposed shape my ecological worldview. to subjects as diverse and 9,000 copies on The memory motivated me to seemingly disconnected as the Ferry Routes create a similar situation for our nutrition, biology, chemistry, Sidney,Victoria children; a situation in which art, and even poetry through they can safely and enjoyably the planting and cultivation of & north of the come into contact with the vegetables and flowers. The Malahat to natural world—a situation where overwhelming support for Nanaimo they can be gently exposed to the these gardens by students, wonders, joys and tastes of teachers and parents alike nature. speaks to their success as ISLAND TIDES PUBLISHING Ltd While I believe that our learning environments. Box 55, Pender Island B.C. V0N 2M0 children need to be well versed in There is something about the three Rs, I have come to feel the emergence of life that Publisher & Editor: Christa Grace-Warrick that their education should be captivates even the most Contributors: Derek Masselink, Peter D Carter, Priscilla Ewbank built on a strong foundation of respect and appreciation—for detached urbane individual. Through this excitement and Rick Tipple. Gail Neumann, Marjorie Griffen-Cohen,Tanya Lester each other and for the world that supports them. My own interest, teachers are not only able to reach many of their most Lynell Anderson, Laurent Pellerin, Rita Chudnovsky, Brian Haller experience has led me to believe that gardens offer a perfect educationally disconnected children but they are also able to re- Telephone: 250-629-3660 Fax: 250-629-3838 venue in which this respect and appreciation can take hold and awaken the often long forgotten or ignored biophilic response— Email: [email protected] & [email protected] be cultivated. a response essential for the development of an ecological Deadline: Wednesday between publications According to the noted Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson, outlook. Off-Islands Canadian Subscriptions $37.45 all of us enter this world with a built-in affinity for nature, an Even though wild nature provides us with the most complete Voluntary Mail & Box Pick-up Subscriptions $21.40 affinity that he has termed biophilia. Apparently, this ecological experience, gardens offer an opportunity to encourage appreciation for all things living is at its strongest when we are and maintain this biophilic tendency within the safe confines of young and therefore most alert and impressionable. Before our GARDENING, please turn to page 8 Readers’ Letters minds have been dulled by television, shopping malls,

Moving Song election promises. I suggest ‘3 strikes and you’re out.’ A ‘strike’ is million dollar federal grant annually from a special Canadian Dear Editor: a broken election promise. ‘Out’ meaning disqualification from magazine trust fund. In plain terms the Canadian taxpayers are A cherished baby grand piano was moved from a Salt Spring running after serving that term. Candidates would think twice paying for Canadian Geographic magazine to destroy an award- studio by muscle, determination and generosity onto a flatbed, about luring voters with insincere promises, because they would winning endangered species refuge. We hope that John across on the ferry, through the rain, amid a torrent of worry, up have to think very hard about breaking any if elected. We might Thomson, the CEO of Canadian Geographic magazine, fully a winding ramp to the second floor of the community hall on get more candidates interested in serving the province and fewer understands the consequences of his decision and withdraws his Pender. This was for ‘May Song,’ the evening that Clare Mathias in it for a self-serving game. involvement with this business consortium. sang poems of love to the music of Debussy, Strauss, Schubert Peter D. Carter, Pender Island The Provincial Capital Commission makes their decision on and Brahms with the accompaniment of the pianist, Chris Consistency June 16—we must not let these unelected provincial boards Kodaly. Clare sang with a voice that opened the key to my soul. I Dear Editor: make these important decisions for us. We live in a democratic could be still and listen, let tears fall in my heart, and know the The Green Party of Canada supports improving the voting country so we must fight this dictatorial stance by the PCC. languorous ecstasy and sensual weariness of love. Clare, with her system through proportional representation. Same for the Green Please join us, contact your elected representatives and view our excitement, joy and grace, gave me an evening of laughing and Party of BC. Nice to have federal/provincial consistency. website: wwwsavecrystalgardens.com. ✐ weeping. With gratitude, I softly hold this humble hymn in my Clifford Pennock, Pender Island Rachel McDonnell, Victoria heart. Save Crystal Gardens Julia Reilingh, Vancouver Dear Editor: Play Ball! I am writing to update your readers on what is happening Non-toxic lawn Dear Editor: regarding our petition to save the Crystal Garden Conservation West Vancouver is the latest municipality to restrict the use of The main interest in electoral reform for BC is proportional Centre. As your readers know, last January, behind closed doors, ‘cosmetic’ pesticides. In the wake of the recent by-laws representation. This would change the childish ‘vote for the the Provincial Capital Commission made the decision to close restricting the use of pesticides, comes the first of what could be winner’ political game. down the Crystal Garden Conservation Centre. We have been many natural non-toxic new garden products designed to have However, the thing that is turning most people off politics is fighting to reverse this decision ever since. little or no negative environmental health impact. not that. It is the fact that there is no integrity in politics any We now have a letter dated over a year ago written by Bill This is a good example of safer, which means better more. This federal election is a competition between promises, Wellburn to the City of Victoria stating that before any changes commercial products coming on line, driven in part by which even before the vote the media are predicting will be to the Crystal Garden Conservation Centre happened he would environmental health regulations. It’s also a good example of broken by all parties. The candidates are judged not by their have a public meeting in the fall of 2003 with ‘the mayors and the sustainable development in commerce. integrity but by their strategy and image—in other words who is 13 municipal councillors and all interested citizens.’ This The product is Turfmaize, ‘Mother Nature’s weed and feed’ as best at fooling the voters. meeting never happened: we the public have not been consulted it is called by its manufacturer The Environmental Factor. Based So what we need in electoral reform is accountability for pre- as promised by Mr. Wellburn! in Oshawa the company’s focus is on providing a variety of We now have over 10,000 supporters (international and products and services which benefit the environment and BRING YOUR RECYCLABLES TO US… national) on our petition, and six city councils, (representing community. TurfMaize received regulatory approval for sale as a approximately 250,000 citizens) who have called for public pre-emergent weed seed germination inhibitor from Health We’ll take anything with a consultation before the request for proposals are considered. Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency January last year. deposit for a full refund. Two proposals have been submitted. One is from the Crystal The company is a founding member of the Organic Garden Conservation Centre, which would like to keep the Landscape Alliance (OLA), an association of businesses and Open daily 9am to 6pm centre as is but would like to market themselves and be run as a community groups committed to working together with nature Sunday 9:30am to 5pm nonprofit organization. The other group I am sure will shock to promote healthy, beautiful landscapes. your readers because it involves Canadian Geographic Turfmaize is the first 100% plant-based pre-emergent weed SATURNA GENERAL STORE magazine, which is partnering with a consortium of business seed germination inhibitor. Turfmaize is 98% corn gluten meal, a substance that has been successfully researched for over a 101 NARVAEZ BAY ROAD people, including Mel Cooper and Gary Mccardie, to put in some for-profit business, theatre type of attraction. decade at Iowa State University as an effective control for the 250.539.2936 Canada’s preeminent environmental magazine receives a half germination of crabgrass and dandelion seed. So Turfmaize is LAWN, please turn to next page IS YOUR WELL WATER SAFE TO DRINK? Contamination can occur Restoration of all exterior and interior wood without changes in colour or surfaces: log homes, wood siding, taste. Be safe, test annually. decks, shake and shingle roofs. 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fax: 250-656-0443 Website: www.mblabs.com Ph: 604.837.8866 Fax: 604.731.3523 Email: [email protected] [email protected] 2062 Unit 4 Henry Ave. West, Sidney, B.C. V8L 5Y1 http://www.woodwizards.bizwww.woodwizards.biz ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004, Page 5 Vancouver Island & The Gulf Islands ‘What’s On?’ Only $26.75! • With photo just $32.10 It’s Time for an Inheritance Saturday, June 19 Friday, June 25 - Sunday, July 4 ~ Marjorie Griffin Cohen Public Hearing, Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform— 20th Annual JazzFest International 2004—10 Hot Days and Tax one of 50 meetings in BC to hear British Columbians’ views on the Nights of the Coolest Music in Town: Are you going to inherit $1 million? Well, if you are, you’re safe provincial electoral system – how your vote determines the Keb Mo, John Pizzarelli, Kurt Elling, —even with the new NDP inheritance tax proposal. composition of BC’s Legislature • Lions Hall on Bonnet Avenue, Aaron Neville, Calexico, Cornell Alarm bells have been sounded about how the NDP’s Ganges • 1:30-4:30pm • Everyone welcome • Info: 1-866-667- Dupree + many more • Tickets: proposed inheritance tax could affect even those not normally 1232, www.citizensassembly.bc.ca • ON SALT SPRING ISLAND McPherson Box Office (charge by phone: 1-888-717-6121), HMV considered rich because property values in cities like Saturday & Sunday, June 19 & 20 Hillside & Mayfair, A & B Sound, Vancouver, Toronto and Victoria have risen so high. But is this Denman Island Home and Garden Tour—among perennial Victoria Jazz Society something to be really, really concerned about? tour favourites is broadcaster and author Des Kennedy's 1-888-671-2112 • Info: Victoria Jazz Society www.jazzvictoria.ca First of all, most of us are not so well positioned that our homestead with its stone pathways and terraces; new this year, • IN VICTORIA parents or rich uncles will be leaving us $1 million. Only 2.5% Ella Days’ sublime waterfront home with its curved roof and rounded walls nestled in serene woodland; eleven imaginative Saturday, June 26 of Canadian families would be affected by an NDP-style Denman homes and glorious gardens; lunches, art show, plant sale Last Sail for Beryl Pardey—informal gathering of friends and inheritance tax. But secondly, even if you are in that lucky (in the village) • 9:30am–5pm both days • Tickets: $15 by VISA, family; Short voyage out of Thieves Bay to scatter Beryl’s ashes; category, the actual tax is not that big—at least compared with Reservations 250-335-2576 • Info: 250-335-2918 or refreshments at Pardey house on Schooner Way after • Thieves similar taxes elsewhere—and it’s a tax that makes sense. http://denmanis.bc.ca/gardentour • ON DENMAN ISLAND Bay breakwater • 4pm • Info: Marshall Pardey 801-558-5262 • ON The average wealth of the 311,000 families in Canada that PENDER ISLAND Saturday & Sunday, June 19 & 20 would pay the tax is $2,278,863. With the first $1 million free of 22nd Annual Victoria Sat, June 26 to Sun, July 4 tax and a 17% tax rate on the rest (what the NDP has proposed, Garden Tour for the Celebrate Saanich Summer Sunfest—over 30 exciting contrary to media reports), taxes on these inheritances would Conservatory of Music— events, including Gyro-park Family average about $230,000. So, the inheritors would still have over self-guided tour of some of Fun Day (June 27), Gorge Canada $2 million to divvy up. Not bad. Victoria’s most beautiful Day (July 1), Celebrating private gardens featuring early summer blooms at their peak; Community at Saanich The US has taxes much like the NDP is proposing, in that it music by Conservatory students, tea, plant sale of unusual plants • Commonwealth Place (July 1), taxes both inheritances and any large gift transfers. The gift tax 10am–5pm both days • Tickets: two-day pass with tour map, $20 Gorge on Art (July 3), Strawberry is to prevent tax avoidance by people just before death. But the • Info: 250-386-5311 or www.vcm.bc.ca • IN VICTORIA Festival (July 4) and many more • Info: 250-595-7121 or difference between the NDP proposal and the US tax is that the www.saanich.ca • IN SAANICH NDP proposal is 17% on all transfers over $1 million while the Saturday, June 19 Thursday, July 1 US tax gets progressively higher after $1.5 million with a top tax Federal Election 2004 All Candidates Meeting—your rate of 48%. The US tax is called an 'estate tax,’ and is imposed opportunity to question the candidates • Everyone welcome, Saturna Island Lamb Barbecue—traditional lamb dinner, especially those 18–24 years of age • Gulf Islands Secondary carnival and family games, live entertainment, beer garden, local on the entire estate on death. In addition, most states in the US School, Multi-purpose Room • 3pm • ON SALT SPRING ISLAND arts and crafts • Moorage at Winter Cove and Lyall Harbour, have an 'inheritance tax,’ which is imposed on those who receive marine shuttle from Mayne and Penders, bus shuttle from inheritances. Tuesday, June 22 ferry/gov't dock • Winter Cove Park • 10:30am-4:30pm; dinner starts at 2:30pm • Info http://saturnalambbarbeque.com/ or Inheritance or estate taxes are common in Europe and are Meet the Candidate—Andrew Lewis, Green Party looks Marie Mackie 250-539-2579 • Tickets sold on-site from 10:30am: found in England, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, forward to meeting voters and talking with them • Library Meeting dinners $17.50, children $6 • No dogs on site; lifejackets required Sweden, and Switzerland. In England, the tax begins at Room • 4:30–6pm • Info: Peter Kearvell 250-629-3220 • ON in dinghies • ON SATURNA ISLAND £263,000 ($656,000 Cdn) and is considerably higher on PENDER ISLAND Thursday, July 1 everything (at 40%) than the tax that the NDP is proposing. Tuesday, June 22 Saturna Lamb Barbeque Water Taxi Shuttle—Viable Canada, Australia and New Zealand are the only industrial Federal Election 2004 All Candidates Meeting—your Marine will be running a service from Horton Bay and Hope Bay countries without an inheritance tax. opportunity to question the candidates • Everyone welcome, to Winter Cove • $10 return • Reservations Only!—limited An inheritance tax makes sense for Canada today for several especially those 18–24 years of age • Pender School Gymnasium • seating—call 250-539-3200 • ON PLUMPER SOUND 7pm • Info: Peter Kearvell, 250-629-3220 • ON PENDER ISLAND TAX, please turn to page 8 Thursday, July 1 Wed, June 23 & Fri, June 25 Canada's Birthday at Commonwealth Pool—cake cutting Harry Manx Concert—creating musical short stories with the ceremony at 3pm, kids carnival, musical ice cream, giant maze, CALL WAYNE UNDERHILL TO ORDER YOUR essence of blues and depth of Indian ragas his music has been synchro demo, waterslide, waves, diving boards, family TM called an ‘essential link’ between changerooms • 1–5pm • 4636 Elk Lake Drive (right off Pat Bay 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ‘SMART’ CAR the music of East and West • Hwy at Royal Oak exit) • $2 admission per person includes games 82 MILES/GALLON 3.5 LITRES/100 KILOMETRES WED: Pender Island Community and cake • Info: 24-hour Swim Info-line 250-727-7108 • IN Hall; Doors 7pm, Showtime VICTORIA COUPE OR CABRIOLET • DIESEL • AUTOMATIC ABS 7:30pm; Tickets $16 at the usual Saturday, July 3 to Friday, July 30 outlets • FRI: Mayne Island Agricultural Hall; Doors 7:30pm, Buddhist Dharma Teachings with Mark Webber—The 1-888-215-1175 Showtime 8pm; Tickets: $16 @ Mandala of the Twelve Manjushris Retreat July 3–16 and [email protected] Mayne Island Trading Post • Mahamudra (Vipassana) Retreat July 18–30 (both at Crystal Mountain Retreat Centre); public talks July 6, 13, 20, 27, 7:30pm, Info: High Tide Entertainment at [email protected] or 250-478- THREE POINT MOTORS 1888 • ON PENDER AND MAYNE ISLANDS Paige Drive • Info: (250) 538-0055, Saltsping Island or email [email protected] • ON GALIANO ISLAND VICTORIA Food Producers in Trouble, Asking for Government Cooperation Laurent Pellerin LANCE VAESEN ROOFING onsider this: of the roughly three dollars you pay to a factors beyond their control. 1184 SUMMIT AVE, VICTORIA grocer for a one-litre jar of pickles, only 25¢ goes to the Producers are also complying with new regulations that Cfarmer who produced them—and it cost that farmer 30¢ increase their production costs without offering a means for TANDING EAM ETAL OOFING to do so. The remaining $2.75 goes into the pockets of recovering these costs through higher prices for their products. S S M R intermediaries! Even the athlete whose picture adorns a box of Care for the environment, food safety, traceability and FOR WATER COLLECTION SYSTEMS breakfast cereal receives more per box than the farmer who grew epidemiological surveillance all come with a price tag that, ALSO the grain for the cereal in the box. unfortunately, is borne solely by farmers. TORCH-ON MEMBRANE SHAKE & SHINGLE This is the sad reality that Canadian farmers must face: they Under these conditions, it is clear the government must work receive only a very small percentage of the money consumers with farmers to help them get back on track toward profitability. 250-381-2157 CELL 250-361-5028 spend on food in grocery stores and restaurants, and more often The government has the responsibility to take a clear stand and FAX 250-383-2198 than not this percentage is inadequate to cover their production energetically support the use of tools such as supply Serving the Gulf Islands for 20 Years costs. Given these conditions, is it any surprise Statistics management, and it must also institute an emergency measures Canada’s most recent data confirms the net income of Canadian plan for dealing with catastrophes so it does not have to create a farmers has fallen to its lowest level in more than 25 years? new program every time a new disaster occurs. To all this we can add successive years of drought, the BSE Canadian farmers are offering the government the perfect Deanna’s Woodworks Handcrafted Shaker and crisis, avian flu, weather disasters, the battle of foreign subsidies opportunity to commit to this kind of action and to get involved. CanadianaStyle Blanket among other things, and all these factors have the cumulative The industry is inviting the government to participate in a special and Toy Boxes featuring: effect of collapsing commodity prices. Canadian farmers are symposium on farm income to be held during the next harvest • Dovetail Construction in Solid among the most efficient and competitive agricultural producers season. Pine • Aromatic CedarLined Blanket in the world, and produce one of the lowest-cost food baskets in It is time to remind our politicians that without a healthy Box Bottom the world. 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Brian Harris - Dave Cochlan Tel: 514-9280 or 1-888-687-8088 604-664-7630 email: [email protected] • web: www.LeoLee.ca 1-800-434-0566 #505 - 771 Vernon Avenue, Victoria [email protected] www.landquest.com Page 6, ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004 Ottawa takes baby steps Seals swim for seals ~ Tanya Lester Salt Spring In honour of the species from which they derive strokes in this unique swimming event. They while BC backtracks on their name, the Salt Spring Seals, a group of invite the general public to be there to cheer women who swim in wetsuits almost daily, will them onto the beach where their expected child care celebrate the Summer Solstice and the light arrival is 3pm. Lynell Anderson and Rita Chudnovsky and beauty of our world by participating in a Vesuvius is Salt Spring Seals’ home base. ‘If ‘I have tried five different babysitters. I wish I could send my fundraising relay swim from Crofton to you have ever looked out at Vesuvius Bay on a child back to the daycare centre; he loved it there–but when we Aquafarms Vesuvius Bay. cold, wet, stormy afternoon in winter and lost the subsidy we had to leave. We can barely pay our rent and ‘We are often joined by shy and curious witnessed a lot of splashing and hilarity, you buy food.’ Coming to harbour seals and the occasional sea lion have experienced the Salt Spring Seals in It may come as a surprise to hear this statement in 2004 Your Dock! from a Canadian family. After all, the federal government has MV Armada increased funding to the provinces for early childhood Ship to Shore Sales! development programs—of which child care is a cornerstone— in every year since 2001. Yet this is only one of many concerns Noon–5pm raised recently by parents in Surrey/White Rock as part of a Browning Hbr, N. Pender community consultation. Fri/Sat, June 18/19 & 25/26 The fact is that, in spite of three years of increased federal Montague Hbr, Galiano funding for early childhood development (ECD), child care in Sun, June 20 & 27 BC has not improved. Community members tell us that things Miners Bay, Mayne have instead gotten worse for most middle and low-income Mon, June 21 & 28 families. Preorder Online/Phone How can this be? A close look at the BC government’s www.saltspringaquafarms.com reporting to Ottawa explains the puzzle. 250-537-7167 In an agreement put in place in 2000, the federal and provincial governments made a joint commitment to improve 250-653-9900 and expand ECD programs, including child care, for children aged birth through six. The agreement included a federal Fresh, Farm funding commitment to BC totaling $290 million over a 5-year period beginning in 2001/02. Gate Sales on Unfortunately for BC families, when the current government Salt Spring! took office, it began to shift the province’s early childhood development priorities away from child care. While it has Daily 10am – 5pm increased support for some initiatives—including research, Salt Spring Seals at Grannie Bay community forums and grants to charitable organizations—it Chinook Salmon has done so using a combination of the new federal money for crossing paths on a fishing expedition,’ stated action,’ states Hayes, who is one of the 10 ‘hard Crabs • Clams ECD and money from direct cuts to child care. SS Seals member Diana Hayes in reference to core’ Seals. Oysters • Mussels The province’s own reporting acknowledges that in the first the group’s daily tryst. ‘On bright days when In fact, last Saturday when they took the Prawns (in season) two years after the joint agreement was signed, BC received over the water is clear, the swimmers are treated to ferry over to Crofton to rehearse for June 20, as $83 million for ECD—and at the same time cut an astonishing all the underwater extravagance that the soon as they got ready to enter the water, there $23 million from child care subsidies for low and moderate- 2-hour Aqua Northwest Pacific has to offer.’ was a seal paddling in the currents waiting to income families. The ‘crossing’ will begin at 1pm on Sunday, accompany them. In 2002/03 alone, the BC Government increased spending Farm Tours June 20 with 20 Seals expected to arrive in the The Seals are seeking sponsorship on its preferred early childhood development priority areas by Vesuvius harbour two hours later. donations to be contributed to the Island Daily 10am & 2pm $44 million. Thirty-eight per cent of this money came from Swimming across the current is quite a new Wildlife Natural Care Centre (IWNCC), which Sealife Touchtank increased federal funds. The other 62% came from substantial experience for the group. Wearing masks and has rescued and rehabilitated more than 2,500 cuts to child care and other ECD programs deemed to be of Adults–$10 goggles as well as their wetsuits, the SS Seals injured wild animals during its seven years in lower priority. Kids–Free will be accompanied by a boat escort that will operation. A large percentage of the rescued are The provincial government’s stated commitment to child include kayaks, rafts, row boats, motor boats seals. Reservations Not care as ‘a cornerstone of early childhood development’ stands in Needed - Just Drop By and Coast Guard vessels as guides and for Most of the animals are injured due to sharp contrast to the reality of its funding decisions. While the safety reasons. Doing the swim as a relay will increasing human infringement on their programs that benefited from increased spending are important 107 Meyer Road accommodate fatigue or muscle cramps among natural habitat. ‘We are sometimes told that and worthwhile, they should not be funded at the expense of (off Bulman Road) the participants. many of the species we treat are not threatened child care. ‘All these other services are fine and good, but I need The Seals are asking supporters to join them populations,’ the IWNCC website states. ‘While child care.’ from the rocks in Vesuvius harbour for the final this may be true, the work we do means Families, service providers and community members have SEALS, please turn to page 8 CHILD CARE, please turn to page 11

www.davidmulroney.ca www.liberal.ca ELECTION from page 1 published platforms and elaborate speculation them in person, so make the effort to do so. on the ideologies by which they might be Go to your local all-candidates meeting. If differentiated. there isn’t one, organize one. Go to individual None of these are much help to the voter. candidate’s meetings—including the ones for The party leaders, equipped either with power candidates you don’t like. You will be surprised ties or open-necked shirts (depending on the how much you learn. You’ll probably find them David Mulroney... A new appropriate image for the venue), are acting in all nice, but go away and cogitate, weigh the a curiously degraded form of reality television. options, think about the way ahead. Then voice and a new vision On the occasion the Leaders ‘Debate’ on TV, decide who you think best fits the bill. for Saanich–Gulf Islands we’ll be back to point scoring again, like a Some Things to Think About tennis match, and the media will concentrate In a world where our sense of ourselves and our on scoring—identifying winners and losers. problems and challenges can literally change in This focus on the leaders reinforces the idea a day, what talents do our elected My priorities: of presidential government. But that’s not how representatives need? it’s going to be, particularly if the leading party Can they handle a largely unknown future? doesn’t have an absolute majority. Leaders, Knowing the parliamentary ropes is far from Defend public health care - reduce parties and platforms are the icons of elections everything; being canny about the present wait times, train more doctors, past. system may not equip one for dealing with the strengthen home care, expand respite Not Just On TV unexpected events of the next few years. An care and provide stable, secure funding Canadians know how little help this focus is in ability to think outside the box may be very to fix health care for a generation. making voting decisions. Canadians are no useful. The ability to find and access longer content to watch this election on TV. resources—people and information—may be a Create safe, secure communities - With twenty years of experience in the They want to actually connect with the federal prime skill, too. Justice system, I will work to address the root causes of drug-related crime by election process, just as much as they do with Then ask yourself who will stay in contact the provincial one. with the riding and be responsive to your creating safe communities and supporting youth. That’s where your local candidates come in. concerns, have the flexibility to cope with the Fortunately, this is the part where, in the near unexpected, and have the agility to handle Protect the environment- With first-hand experience in prosecuting polluters, future, the voter can really make a difference. challenges. I will strengthen laws protecting our environment. So, if every MP is going to make an The drift from party politics will start to increasingly important contribution to the make all these qualities paramount. And it will Prevent Canada from following US foreign policies - I do not agree government, which candidate do you prefer? make your vote count. Be counted in. Be sure to with the incumbent in this riding that, "residents of Saanich Gulf-Islands want You can judge their character best if you meet vote on June 28—it’s a new brand of election. ✐ Canada to be involved in Iraq." I will ensure our military is fully equipped for the peacekeeping missions that have earned international respect for Canada. PORT BROWNING MARINA, CAFE & PUB th SPRING HOURS: On June 28 , elect Café: Weekdays 7am–8pm daily David Mulroney in Saanich–Gulf Islands! Early Bird Special $4.95 (7–9am) Sat & Sun 8am–8pm www.davidmulroney.ca Pub: Open from noon daily Liquor Store: Open from noon–9pm daily

Saanich – Gulf Islands T 250-480-7803 Live Music: June 18/19–Thor & the Thundercats June 25/26–Cal Batchelor 275-1555 McKenzie Ave F 250-480-7804 Authorized by the official agent for David Mulroney. Saanich, BC V8N 1A4 E [email protected] Autorisé par l’agent officiel de David Mulroney. 629-3493 • www.portbrowning.com • [email protected] ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004, Page 7 S.S.I. Conservancy celebrates 10 years n the past 10 years, the Salt Spring Island Conservancy has the Garry oaks, arbutus and wetland areas. In co-operation with educated thousands of Islanders about good stewardship the Trail and Nature Club, the Conservancy built on the reserve Ipractices, completed five conservation covenants, a trail with beautiful views of the Gulf Islands, Fulford Harbour established two nature reserves on the Island, and has been a and Mount Maxwell. This land is now the site of the current major contributor to the purchases of over 2,600 acres of ‘Stewards-in-Training Program’ in which all of Salt Spring’s Island lands for protective management by government and grade 6/7 students are spending a day learning about ecology non-profit agencies. and conservation. It all began in 1990 when Martin Williams indicated that he In 2003, over a decade after the original attempt to was interested in selling part of his property to the community purchased Martin William’s property, the Conservancy acquired for parkland. The property on Mount Erskine would provide about 20 ha (50 acres) of his land through a fundraising trail access to the Crown lands and much needed parkland on campaign. The acquisition brought an extraordinary sense of Salt Spring’s north end. Maureen Milburn and Fiona Flook closure, along with the recognition that, when it comes to saving decided to work for the campaign to buy the Williams property land, energy and persistence are the Conservancy’s strongest and went to the market every Saturday, where they met many allies. This land is now protected in perpetuity as the Manzanita Islanders dedicated to conservation and anxious to save Crown Ridge Nature Reserve. lands. Through a concerted community effort, enough money On May 29, the Conservancy honoured its founders for their was raised to purchase the Williams property. When work 10 years ago to form the Conservancy and their dedication to negotiations with existing agencies fell through, it was clear that Island conservation over the last decade. The event featured an on-Island organization was needed to help motivated internationally famous artist and long-time Conservancy member Islanders protect their land. Robert Bateman who shared his passion and knowledge about the Island neighbours on Galiano had formed a conservancy and environment through a travel and art slideshow entitled ‘Making served as an outstanding model of what could be accomplished. Pleasing Places.’ The following day, the Conservancy highlighted In 1994, the Salt Spring Island Conservancy was founded by a the dedication of some of its members in stewarding their own group of committed women. These dedicated women were Photo: Christa Grace-Warrick land with a ‘Tour to Pleasing Places.’ Maureen Milburn, Fiona Flook, Ailsa Pearse, Nancy Kathy Searle at work. Kathy raised an astonishing $5,284.25 in Braithwaite, Mallory Pred, Heather Martin and Ann Stewardship Project 2004 Pender’s recent ‘Balding For Dollars’ event to help BC Richardson. They wrote a constitution that included the ability Next on the agenda on June 18, and introducing the Stewardship children with cancer. Then her employer, Pender’s Tru Value to hold covenants. Many of these women are still active in the Project 2004, is a talk by two of ’s most Conservancy today. qualified speakers on the topic of Sensitive and Garry Oak grocery store, matched it for a whopping total! Within months of the Conservancy’s founding, the largest Ecosystems. Stewardship Project 2004 will help Islanders to (160 acres) unprotected stand of old-growth conifers, known as identify, sustain, and enhance natural habitats on their land Advance polls for the Mill Farm, was threatened with logging. A fundraising through public education, site visits, and land protection campaign was launched and ended in 1996 in the successful mechanisms such as covenants. purchase, in conjunction with CRD Parks and the provincial One of the speakers, Jan Kirkby, lives on Pender Island and Saanich–Gulf Islands government, of the land. It was an exciting time as our Island is a landscape ecologist with Environment Canada, Canadian Voters living in the riding of Saanich–Gulf Islands who cannot became a ‘can do’ place, forming private and governmental Wildlife Service. She provides scientific support to facilitate and vote at their regular polling station on June 28th may vote on partnerships to buy and preserve land. encourage sustainable, ecosystem-based, land-use decisions. Salt Spring Island on June 18, 19, and 21. The advance poll will The successful Mill Farm campaign was barely over when a Before coming to Environment Canada, Jan was the be open at Salt Spring Island United Church Hall from noon 63 ha (158 acre) parcel surrounding most of Ford Lake was Conservation Science Ecologist at the BC Conservation Data to 8pm on those days. If a voter cannot attend either the regular poll or the Salt placed on the market. A Conservancy director, acting privately Centre in the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management for Spring advance poll, voting is possible at the riding’s Elections with other concerned individuals, bought the land and held it 9 years. awaiting conservation purchasers. The Conservancy pledged to Canada office at the Fairburn Elementary School at 1841 Jan will talk about the recent Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory Fairburn Drive in the Mount Douglas area. The office is open help in a community fundraising project if necessary. Ducks mapping for Salt Spring Island in the context of comprehensive from 9am to 9pm on weekdays, 9am to 6pm on Saturdays, Unlimited Canada stepped in to complete the purchase. conservation strategies as an alternative to ad-hoc, site-specific and 12 noon to 4pm on Sundays, till June 22nd. At the end of 2001, the Texada Land Corporation agreed to conservation actions. The importance and effectiveness of a For further information telephone Elections Canada at donate the trees on the 106 hectares (262 acres) of Mount landscape approach to conservation will also be introduced. Jan 1–866-546-7616. ✐ Maxwell watershed land being purchased from them by North will invite discussion on how to establish common conservation Salt Spring Waterworks District in exchange for a tax receipt. goals and shared values within communities, and how we can The Conservancy was asked to hold a covenant to protect this work more effectively together to find ways to live on the land WCB OCCUPATIONAL FIRST AID land in perpetuity and to issue a receipt for the ‘ecological gift.’ without compromising what remains of our natural areas. EVEL ON ENDER SLAND In addition to protecting the drinking water that supplies L 2 P I Chris Junck is the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team’s Ganges, this covenant was the first covenant in British Columbia JUNE 21 - 25, 2004 Public Involvement and Extension Specialist. Chris has been placed on a public water source. active in conservation for 20 years. He will talk on the Garry oak Location: Poets Cove Resort In 2002, the Salt Spring Island Conservancy entered into a meadows and woodlands, which are among Canada’s most rich Cost: $535.00 new phase of land acquisition. At the end of that year, the Conservancy received a 29 ha (72 acre) gift of land in the south habitats, home to more than one hundred species at risk. Paul Stone of Salt Spring donated by Cordula Vogt of Salt Spring Island and Why are Garry oak ecosystems rapidly vanishing? Find out HeartSafe EMS her mother, Oda Nowrath of Duncan. The land, named the what the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team is doing to 1-877-503-2237 protect and restore these rare and unique habitats and what you Andreas Vogt Nature Reserve, is being managed in an firstaidforbc.com environmentally sensitive manner by the Conservancy to protect can do. ✐ PENSION from page 1 This Time, pension plans are invested in. Money is power in a capitalist and the economy. All those pension funds equal a vast amount of power. As we invest for our retirement we also create the world that our children will inherit. New Democrat A question for federal candidates is, ‘Do you support the Government of Canada requiring the CPP investments to be VOTE FOR team ethically screened?’ But no need to wait on the government to change the world. Invest in the screened fund of your choice. Buy Ethical. Do it now. And the COAT website (http://coat.openconcept.ca) has Jack Layton an on-line petition. ✐ New Democrats built health care in Canada. Oriental Health We know what it takes to rebuild it. We believe federal funding for health care must as a first step Centre increase to 25 per cent of the total. We also believe the federal government must play Sidney, BC a role in enforcing real national standards that guarantee equal access to health care no matter where families live or how much money they have. Health care must also Suffering from arthritis, frozen be reformed to meet new challenges by starting a national homecare shoulders, knee pain, lower back program and a national pharmacare program. pain, sciatica, headaches? PROTECT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Try herbal patches–This scientific technique from China combines Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture and accupressure. Our Elect patches contain more than 30 effective herbs  and have no side effects. JENNIFER BURGIS Surprising Results! Saanich-Gulf Islands Herbal patches can help remove toxins from your body and relieve pain. CallToll Free: 1-866-881-1051 Campaign Office: 4085 Quadra Street, Victoria For an appointment call Mark Sun at: Web: www.jenniferburgis.ca 250-655-3339 or 250-216-6063 Authorized by Ian Cameron, Financial Agent for Jennifer Burgis Page 8, ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004 Trust Fund advisors appointed The Board of the Islands Trust Fund has appointed three advisors of three trustees and up to three members of the public appointed for a two-year term. by the Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services. The new advisors are Barrie Morrison of Pender Island, Bruce The Minister is not currently making new appointments to boards Whittington of Ladysmith, and David Borrowman of Salt Spring mandated by provincial legislation, and the terms of past Island. Barrie is involved in international research on agriculture appointed community board members have expired, leaving only and social change as well as Pender Island land protection three trustees on the Board. The Trust Fund Board has chosen to initiatives; Bruce has a strong land trust and natural history appoint community advisors so it can benefit from the broad background; and David is a former Salt Spring Island Trustee with range of knowledge normally provided by appointees. interests in natural area protection. The Trust Fund Board has also asked the province to amend The three advisors, who will serve a 2-year term, will provide the Islands Trust Act to give Trust Council the authority to appoint advice on matters before the Board. They were selected for their community members to the Trust Fund Board. The province has special skills and their ability to represent the interests of the not yet confirmed when it can consider such changes. Islands Trust Area at large. They sit as individuals rather than The Trust Fund Board governs the Islands Trust Fund, a advocates for special interests. As volunteers, they do not vote on conservation agency within the Islands Trust. The Islands Trust board matters. Fund was established in 1990 to help preserve and protect the ‘Our new advisors bring a wealth of experience and knowledge unique character and environment of the Trust Area by accepting to the Trust Fund Board,’ said Louise Bell. ‘Their insightful lands, covenants, and financial donations to benefit conservation. comments have contributed significantly to our meetings. I look The Islands Trust Fund acts as a regional land trust and currently forward to working with them over the next two years.’ protects 50 properties with a combined total of 604 hectares (1493 Under the Islands Trust Act, the Trust Fund Board is made up acres) of land. ✐

TAXfrom page 5 Butler Gravel & reasons. First, the government needs sufficient money to When Frankly D Roosevelt introduced the estate tax in the adequately fund public health care, education and to support US Congress in 1935 he cited Andrew Carnegie, who observed Concrete…Better municipalities. Second, it is important to bring back issues of that ‘where wealth accrues honorably, the people are always from the ground up! equity to public financing. Over the past 20 years under both silent partners.’ Roosevelt saw this as good reason for the Reliable Service, Quality Products Conservative and Liberal governments, the income tax rates for wealthy to share. To him, inherited wealth was not only bad for the wealthy have dropped, capital gains taxes have been lowered the economy (he called it ‘static wealth’), but was inconsistent & Competitive Prices considerably and so have corporate taxes. with the ideals of equality, much as inherited political power is Serving All The Gulf Islands But most important is the trend toward the rich getting richer inconsistent with political equality. Phone 250-652-4484 and the poor, poorer. Since 1984 the wealthiest 10% of the An inheritance tax imposes hardships on no one. It is a tax population in Canada improved their situation considerably: that could do lots of good and it’s time Canada joined the rest of Fax 250-652-4486 they now own 55.7% of everything in the country (compared the world in having one. 6700 Butler Crescent, Saanichton, B.C. with 51.8% of everything in 1984). The remaining 90% of Marjorie Griffin Cohen is an economist who is a professor of Canadians lost ground, with the poorest losing most. This is not Political Science and Women’s Studies at Simon Fraser only unfair, but can be directly linked to public tax policies, at University. ✐ both the federal and provincial levels, that favour the wealthy.

GARDENING from page 4 our own communities and backyards. And though they are often down to the nearest row of recently planted herbs and begins to Call Us Toll Free for Quotes on: incredibly divorced from nature, these gardens can act as a systematically and gleefully rip them out, we believe that to ban • Homeowners • Farm ‘middle’ environment in which we and our children can them would result in a greater loss. So we grin and bear the participate—I mean hands-totally-on—in ways that are not damaged plants, the ‘sequestered’ toys, the pulled plant tags, • Commercial • Bed & Breakfasts possible in wilder areas due to their sensitive nature. What’s and we attempt to direct their energies towards areas of the Now in Three Locations: more, gardens offer the added benefit and opportunity of garden where they will have less of an impact—such as perennial growing and harvesting food—food that is ultimately necessary beds, the garlic or asparagus patches, or areas that are currently email:#1103-115 [email protected] Fulford-Ganges Road, Salt www.islandtides.comSpring Island for our survival, food which, depending on the way it is grown, under construction (we are fortunate to have many of these). We Doug Guedes & Doug Strong • 1-250-537-5527 ultimately impacts or at least involves the natural environment. have found that if we do this right, they gradually develop an By growing our own food with our children we provide an appreciation and affinity for the garden; a reward that we value A2 - 9769 Fifth Street, Sidney opportunity for learning and reconnection. more than cleanliness and order. Doug Guedes • 1-866-656-9886 • (656-9886) Now this is often easier said than done, especially if you, like As a young parent and aspiring farmer and gardener, I am me, are a bit of a gardening control freak. As the British garden reminded by my children that the value of gardens is not just in 7178 W. Saanich Rd, Brentwood Bay writer, television presenter and father, Monty Don, has their appearance or their design, the organization of their spaces Doug Strong • 1-877-655-1141 • (652-1141) remarked, tongue firmly planted in cheek, ‘Children and serious or the arrangement of their plantings but rather in their ability autoplan gardening are wholly incompatible. Grown-ups want an ordered to successfully connect people, in particular children, to the www.seafirstinsurance.com peace where children need sheltered anarchy.’ And it is true that supporting natural world. The good ones, be they small if you have aspirations of garden greatness, your children may community garden plots or expansive, formal French gardens, present a real challenge. That said, children can bring an added convey this connection creatively and emotionally. When What are your dimension to the garden—a certain spark—a lively gardeners get it right even the most mature of us should feel that unexpectedness that is generally missing from more staid, well- biophilic childhood excitement, that love for all things living and options? organized, childless gardens. green, running through our bones. Find out from your Take our garden as an example. We are in the process of When I catch glimpses of my elder daughter walking through Gulf Islands’ alternative developing a half-hectare market and kitchen garden, the our garden clutching her pet chicken or busy munching on a primary purpose of which is to feed us, with whatever is leftover freshly picked pea or stooped over an inching snail I know that energy specialists to be sold at our roadside stand or at the local farmers’ market. in spite of all our garden’s obvious and numerous inadequacies Energy Options An enterprise of this size and nature requires a certain amount we have the critical piece right. And that makes me glad. of structure and disciplined management. More information on this topic can be found at (School Gardens) [email protected] 250-537-8371 At best our young children are benign contributors to the www.cityfarmer.org/schgard15.html and (Children and 364 Lower Ganges Rd., Salt Spring Island garden, at worst they are downright problematic. And while the Biophilia) www.earlychildhood.com ✐ electrical contractors • solar • wind • microhydro systems latter case may be true, particularly when our youngest trundles

SEALS from page 6 everything to a fawn who has just been made an orphan by an profits will go to IWNCC as well. Tax receipts will be issued for pipeFISH plumbing licensed gasfitting & plumbing automobile, to a harbour seal pup dying slowly on a beach contributions of $25 or more. because its mother drowned in a fishing net, or to a bald eagle, Hayes said the group has been working on improving Serving the Gulf Islands flightless and dying from lead poisoning. We see animals as endurance by swimming in waters previously uncharted by Pipefish specializes in new construction renovations independent lives, not as populations. If today we can prevent them. These include Fulford Harbour, Grannie Bay, Long and commercial work: needless suffering of a sick animal, then we have done important Harbour and from Idol Island off Sunset Drive to Southey Point. • Canadian products and materials are used as much as possible work.’ In this way, they have been training for the two hour swim on • Environmentally sensitive The swimming group is also organizing a celebration dinner June 20. • Community conscious at Vesuvius Pub after the swim is completed. A portion of these ‘The crossing will acknowledge the seals’ strength and power, •Free estimates • Conscientious and proficient service their habitat and the humans who work to keep their oceans • Guaranteed workmanship safe, and is a small gesture on the part of the swimmers to say: • References available upon request Thank you, King Neptune, for all the joy you have shared with us,’ Hayes sums up. ✐ Kire Gillett Licensed Gas Fitter To arrange a free estimate: Journeyman Plumber Call Bonded & Insured Email pipefish@saltspringcom We’re the Only Fish in Town! GULF ISLAND WATER TREATMENT SOLUTIONS Well Water • Rain Water • Surface Water • Davnor BioSand Filters • Reverse Osmosis Richard J. Wey BCLS • Trojan Ultraviolet Systems • Whole-House Filters Legal, Engineering and Topographical Surveys REMOVE: Subdivision Planning Iron / Odour / Bacteria / Hardness / Arsenic The Oakville Suite 106-9717 Third Street 320 Mary Street, Victoria (250) 383-4558 Sidney, BC V8L 3A3 www.watertiger.net Telephone 250-656-5155 Fax: 250-656-5175 A Division of Pro Star Mechanical Technologies Ltd ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004, Page 9

There are better ways to protect you and your family from West Nile.

Know the risks You’ve likely heard about West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne virus. Mosquitoes from breeding by emptying all outside sources of standing water at least once a week. can transmit the disease to humans after becoming infected by feeding on the These include flowerpot saucers, tin cans, plastic containers, tires, tarps, pool covers and blood of birds that carry the virus. trampolines. In addition: WNV has been spreading across North America in the past few years. Officials predict • Change water in birdbaths and pet dishes regularly and empty wading pools. it will show up in British Columbia this summer. • Install a pump in ornamental ponds, stock them with fish, or change water weekly. • Unclog rain gutters and drainage ditches. While we don’t think you’ll need a suit of armour, there are some simple precautions • Use fine mesh to cover rain barrels and containers that cannot be dumped. you can take to protect yourself and your family from contracting this disease. WNV is transmitted to humans through bites by infected mosquitoes. The virus is What can you do when West Nile virus arrives? not spread by direct person-to-person contact, nor from animal to human, or from Public health in B.C. is monitoring for signs of WNV and will inform the province if the drinking water. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not become ill. virus does arrive here. Meanwhile, following these simple steps will help ensure a safe About one in five people infected develop mild, flu-like symptoms lasting less than and enjoyable summer for your entire family. a week. Symptoms may include headache, fever, skin rash, body aches and/or swollen Protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites by covering up with light-coloured lymph glands. These symptoms may develop from three to 14 days after being bitten clothing, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Reduce time spent outdoors when mosquitoes by an infected mosquito. About 1% of those infected develop serious health problems are active and use a mosquito repellent (those with DEET are very effective). such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or its lining). This can If using products containing DEET, make sure the concentration does not exceed 30% result in long-term complications or even death. for adults and 10% for children between two and 12 years old. Insect repellents containing DEET should not be used on children six months and younger, and only occasionally on What can you do right now? children between six months and two years in situations where the risk of disease is Prevent mosquito breeding around your home and yard. Mosquitoes only need a high. Carefully follow the instructions on the label of all insect repellents. teaspoon of water in which to breed. Make sure window screens have no holes or gaps. If you don’t have screens, keep windows While testing to date does not show the presence of WNV, you can keep mosquitoes and doors closed between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

To find out more about West Nile Virus, call BC NurseLine at 1-866-215-4700 (604-215-4700 in the Lower Mainland) or visit www.gov.bc.ca.

Provincial Fraser Interior Northern Vancouver Coastal Vancouver Island Health Services Health Health Health Health Health Page 10, ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004 All Candidates Meeting ~ Rick Tipple On Monday, June 8 Saturna Community Club A woman's right to choose? held an All Candidates Meeting for the June 28 Burgis—noted Conservative candidates have federal election. The following is a supported a free vote on abortion and same-sex condensation of the two hour meeting—I marriages. Women are in a precarious position apologize for any distortions. • Democracy and should be vigilant. Community Club President Dawn Wood, who moderated the meeting, introduced the Mulroney—disagrees with Paul Martin, there • Representation four candidates: Jennifer Burgis, NDP; should be no free vote, and he will stand up for Andrew Lewis, Green Party; Gary Lunn, this principle no matter what. Conservative; and David Mulroney, Lunn—why talk about something that has • Accessibility Liberal. already been decided? Gary Lunn Working for his Constituents Visit www.garylunn.com to view Gary’s record.

Stephen Harper, Gary Lunn and your Conservative Party will address the democratic deficit in Canada by bringing about meaningful change. The hallmarks of a new Conservative government will include fixed election dates, an elected senate, candidates nominated by local constituents and real representation in Parliament. “I’m helping to re-elect Gary Lunn because I know he is an effective MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands. He’s a dedicated, hardworking, honest Member of Parliament and he has a work ethic second to none. We need Gary Lunn now more than ever.” Reg Teeney, Victoria’s 2004 Citizen of the Year.

Re-elect Gary Lunn Andrew Lewis, Jennifer Burgis, Gary Lunn and David Mulroney Saanich-Gulf Islands Lewis—gender equality and nonviolence are Opening Remarks one of the keys of the Green Party platform. Lunn began by saying he was glad to be How would you make For information or assistance contact Gary: back on Saturna. He is proud of his record, Campaign Office: Saanich Plaza pushing for the new recreation centre, the health care and education 3567 Ravine Way (near Save-On-Foods) national park, and, with Senator , the best? tel: 479-1241 email: [email protected] the rebuilding of the federal dock. Reasons to Lewis—most cancer comes from the vote for him: The government spends billions environment and diet. Changing habits and and when something goes askew, they go into preventing pollution would save money. justification mode. Steve Harper would end Burgis—nothing has ever been done with the this. Although the environment is critical, he Roy Romanow Report. We would implement it would lift the moratorium on offshore oil and and promote wellness as well. gas exploration, progressing carefully. Lunn—health care should be publicly funded, Lewis is an Islander, having lived on Salt but if the private sector can deliver lower cost Spring since 1992. He understands how finite services, let them. The top professions are

Authorized by Eskil Johnsson, Official Agent for Gary Lunn our tenure is. Leadership is rooted in available only to the rich; a plan to deal with community. Key principles: the long term student loans would help. future is rooted in local power and new political Mulroney—the ‘brain drain’ has ended, but ideas. We need stable meaningful jobs for our we still do not have enough resources. He offspring. Respect for diversity. agrees with Lunn that student loan policies Mulroney supports Paul Martin because would help. Remove student debt equal to the "See Li for all your Gulf Islands Real Estate!" his views are closest to his own. We must show amount on income tax paid. respect for previous decisions and build on What about the CBC? them; extremism is wasteful and expensive. Lewis—supports stable funding for the CBC Leaders should lead with vision. They should but is disappointed the Greens are not given the be people of action and courage, especially same privileges as the other parties. regarding youth. This election is not about: the Burgis—the concentration of media in Canada economy, which is good, interest rates, which is greater than in any other democracy. The are low, nor employment, except for youth. But CBC, being the only voice of balance, needs he won't defend the gun registry. The election is increased funding. about: the kind of country we want, youth, and Lunn—has no official policy. Personally, he Salt Spring Island: Oceanfront, beautiful Galiano Island: 60 acres of superb lowbank universal health care. loves it and supports it, but the appointment harbour view, 2 bed, 1.5 bath, wood oceanfront, incredible beach, spectacular Burgis began by asking how anyone could system does not work. fireplace, wood floors, comm. water. views, lovely forest with trails. Unique & say there is nothing wrong with the economy of $980,000 without peer! See Li! Mulroney—communities have just two Canada when one million children live in companies to report all the news. We need poverty? She started the first government Canadian ownership of media, and publicly funded daycare, in Trail. She was on the controlled media. CBC radio is great. municipal council. Her roots are at the Why should Liberals expect community level, but at the federal level, a candidate must believe in what the party stands support after the gun registry for. The main platform: electoral reform and and sponsorship program? proportional representation, restoring transfer Mulroney—I am asking you to elect me, not payments, greening the environment, and Paul Martin. There have been mistakes, but restoring integrity to government. CANDIDATES, please turn to next column Salt Spring Island: Oceanview, 2 bed Salt Spring Island: 3 bed, 2 bath home, home, sep. guest suite, double garage, terrific sep. studio, frontage on Duck workshop, renovated in last 2 years. Just Creek, comm. water, 2.56 acres, endless Live Your Dream SHORELINE move in! $540,000 possibilities for the future. $498,000 DESIGN specializing in Galiano Island: 10 acres, West Coast forest, Mayne Island: 0.29 acres lot, motivated water access over oceanview potential, close to marine park. seller, excellent investment! $99,800 steep $193,000 Salt Spring Island: Oceanview, 5+ acres, &rugged Salt Spring Island: Lakefront, dock, 0.88 drilled well, driveway roughed in, zoned terrain acre building lot. Rare! $349,000 for home, guest cottage, & studio. $399,000

Valdes Island: Oceanfront, 2.69 leasehold Second Sisters Island: Whole private 3+ acre treed island with dock. Your own acres, commanding views of Georgia Strait. Peter world! $1,200,000 $64,900 Christenson

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CANDIDATES from page 10 CHILD CARE from page 6 that is why I am running as a candidate, not home tending my Lewis—Andrew and his wife are not the 'working poor' but not spent the last two decades urging the federal government to garden. inches away. We know the critical development years are age take a leadership role in funding child care only to have our Lunn—many letters were sent to the Auditor General regarding one to six, so we must have good daycare. provincial government spend the funds in other areas while it the gun registry, but nothing has been done. What are you doing now about the guts this essential component of BC’s overall early childhood development program. Burgis—we all know about the wastage but more is lost by future of oil? corporate write-offs. And this is only part of the picture. When we factor in the Lewis—the demand will exceed the supply in very few years, so elimination of the province’s low-cost, universal program for Lewis—support candidates, not parties. There should be audits taxes should be used to reduce consumption. We must be off school-aged children (six to 12 years of age), the child care on all ministries. bottled fuel by 2050. situation is even worse. To what degree will you integrate Burgis—we should use our natural gas in Canadian industry, The research is clear. Access to quality, affordable child care with US policy? and give rebates for environmentally friendly vehicles. promotes healthy child development and supports families as Burgis—like Star Wars, it is not the way to go. We can stand Lunn—we can use wind power and other alternatives, but we they work, study, parent and participate in their communities. strongly as a nation and still have good relations. must also change our habits and attitudes. ‘They say they want us to work. They say they want us to be good parents. They say that we should give our children the Lunn—the US are protectionists. We should play economic Mulroney—we must change our habits, use alternate energy, chance to learn… but then they cut the programs we need.’ hardball. fund research, and not allow patents to interfere with alternate development. Ninety per cent of Canadians think we should have a Mulroney—there is a fundamental difference: respect. The US nationally-coordinated child care plan. This goal is both does not respect other nations and their people and values. We Your stand on off-shore oil and gas? achievable and sustainable. Countries across Europe have made are much safer by caring than by building walls. Lunn—lift the moratorium; there is risk in everything, but there quality, publicly funded child care a reality for years. Of 22 Lewis—all we have left is our water. Social and environmental could be an overall net benefit. There would need to be a affluent countries—including the UK and US—Canada has the concerns should be addressed in NAFTA. There should be no regulatory framework that works with zero tolerance for lowest percentage of three- and four-year olds in licensed child UN veto, and WTO, GATT, and so on, should be under the UN. infractions. care or education. What is good about the other parties? Burgis—maintain the present moratorium. Establish a This year, the federal government will again increase funding for early childhood development and this increased federal Lunn—we all believe in something and show respect for other’s commission of the environment, a green secretariat. commitment should be cause for a celebration. Instead, our beliefs. Mulroney—leave it where it is. provincial government’s approach to spending federal funds on Lewis—we are against lifting the present moratorium. Lewis—wonderful question. The Liberals have accepted other ‘anything but child care’ has left British Columbia’s families off views; the NDP have been willing to admit agreement; the What would you feel about the guest list. ✐ Conservatives used to be a populist party. establishing a Department of Peace? Mulroney—admires the Greens who have given us creative Mulroney—opposed, there are other ways to promote peace. PEACE from page 3 ideas, the NDP for their social heart and being the founders of Lewis—peacekeeping is a traditional Canadian role. Burgis— Medicare, and the Conservatives for not intruding. globalized trade communications, and travel. yes, but not made up of non-elected appointees. Terrorism is a bit like cancer. Once it takes hold it can spread Burgis—the parties in power have done many good things: the like wild fire and be resistant to remedies. It is a phenomenon Liberals brought in the Constitution and the Charter of Rights What about proportional that demands vigilant, energetic prevention. But cruise missiles and Freedoms; the Greens became a voice for sustainability at representation? and helicopter gun-ships are as useless against terrorism as the right time, and the Conservatives espoused ‘pink Mulroney—there is a committee looking at it in BC, let’s see how nuclear missiles. conservatism’, which is eroding, but we could use it again. that goes. Lunn—electoral reform is certainly needed. Lewis— Nothing would stop terrorism better than strategies for If you form a minority government, we would support it. Burgis— we, too, would support it. global health. People need (and so have a right to) food, clean could you work with the Bloc? Closing Comments water, shelter, medical care and security of person. It is a Burgis—very well. Lunn—no coalition, ever. Mulroney—work Lunn—participation is most important. I will continue to try to dangerous scandal that these rights are being neglected by with anyone we can agree with. Lewis—work with anyone. represent every single member of the electorate. wealthy nations and the growing number of extremely wealthy individuals. Daycare, and increasing poverty? Mulroney—I am proud of Canada and to be a Canadian. Our government is, overall, responsible and caring. My idea of As the UN explained in its announcement of the Peace Mulroney—housing is extremely unaffordable, so the electoral reform would be to cut the number of ridings in half, Decade (not long before 9-11), we need to build a Culture of government should get back into affordable housing, but this then have each riding elect one male and one female Peace to reduce the risk of terrorism and war. These are the cannot happen if there is a tax cut as well. representative to Parliament. matters that departments of peace would bring to nations and their governments. Canada is the nation that has perhaps the Lunn—the separation of wealth is a huge problem. Harper’s Burgis—basic values vary with each party; the people and their best record of peace building. Is it Canada’s destiny to be first solution is a tax cut mainly affecting the lower two tax brackets, participation is the key to electing a government which can give for peace? which will create jobs. Canada a sustainable and prosperous economy. A Question for Federal Candidates Burgis—those answers really make her angry. Increase the tax Lewis—non-violence is a key principle of my party. on the wealthy. Programs like RRSPs are for the privileged, not ‘Do you support the proposal for Canada to be the first nation in Then the audience warmly thanked the candidates as they the poor. The Liberals cut programs and the Conservatives the history of the world to establish a department of peace— raced off to catch the ferry. ✐ would cut funding. and if not, why not? ✐ ISLAND TIDES, June 17, 2004, Page 12 Book Review ~ Gail Neumann GREEN PARTY OF CANADA Hiking the Gulf Islands Charles Kahn’s new book, Hiking the Gulf Islands, is a THE FUTURE STARTS ON JUNE 28! must for hikers who want to explore any or all of the Gulf Islands from Sidney Spit north ELECT to Quadra Island. The book is well laid out, attractive, packed ANDREW LEWIS with useful information, and DEPUTY LEADER, GREEN PARTY OF CANADA easy to read. Photographs of fabulous views from in Saanich-Gulf Islands mountaintop or shoreline trails lace the chapters together. www.andrewlewis.ca Updated from Kahn’s 1995 www.greenparty.ca Orca publication of the same Andrew Lewis on his way to Ottawa title, this book includes 30% 250-381-2737 more hikes. The additions are new trails that have been designated since the last publication. Changes in other trails are Now is the time to elect Green Party MPs detailed as well. Hiking the Gulf Islands describes 102 hikes on 22 Islands to make the difference! They will: including six marine parks. This book would be useful to both seasoned and novice hikers. Kahn shares his first hand • Work to improve standards of health, as well as health care; observations as well as points of interest and cultural notes. • Protect our children and grandchildren from being sold-out for short-term gains; Descriptions of the hikes entice readers to get out and explore. Each Island’s chapter begins with a brief historical overview, • Create a sustainable economy, jobs and way of life; tips for getting to the Island, and a map showing the trails, main roads, beach accesses, and points of interest. Kahn outlines •Avoid government expansion and top-down solutions; services and accommodations and includes notes of interest to •Give voters more power, more choices and a balanced budget; walkers. Besides the trails, each chapter describes gentle hikes for those who prefer to stay on the roads or take short beach • Insist on social justice, respect and dignity for everyone; strolls. Kayakers will be pleased to find directions to launches •Stand up for Canada and our uniquely diverse culture. and suggestions for local paddles. Kahn rates each trail on a five star scale. This is one more star than the last publication. He explains that the number and variety of hikes added to the Islands made it necessary to ‘It would be a wonderful thing not only for nature but for future generations increase the scale. The descriptions of each hike include trail if Andrew (and other Green Party candidates) had a seat in Parliament. The length, time needed, description, level of exertion, elevation, clear instructions on accesses, facilities, and cautions if any. Green voice is badly needed in the halls of power these days.’ Kahn rates seven of the 102 trails as outstanding five star Robert Bateman—internationally renowned artist hikes although he remarks that even a one star hike in the Gulf Islands is enjoyable for outdoor enthusiasts. Island residents will appreciate Kahn's clear directions to help keep hikers from accidentally walking onto private land. He To date — begins his book with an overview of responsible hiking, touching Greens have been elected in 29 countries, forming governing coalitions in seven. It is on subjects such as garbage, dogs, campfires, camping, and time Canada joined the global movement and elected Green Party MPs. safety considerations. An explanation of the different types of public parks and Crown Land designations will help hikers to Saanich–Gulf Islands leads the way for Canadians! understand and respect each Island’s special places. The Gulf Islands are exquisite and this book offers directions to some of their most spectacular places while reminding hikers ELECT ANDREW LEWIS for Saanich-Gulf Islands MP! to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. X ‘Hiking the Gulf Islands: An Outdoor Guide to BC’s Enchanted Authorized by the Official Agent for Andrew Lewis Isles,’ (Revised 2004), Including the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, by Charles Kahn, Harbour Publishing, paper back. ✐ Accommodation & Attraction — Vancouver Island & The Gulf Islands

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