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Photo: Greg Hankins Exciting spring break—twenty teenage cadets attended the week-long 2015 and South Island Fire Camp at Fire/Rescue’s facility. Oil spill response confirms worst fears - Patrick Brown First Nations—property The response of authorities to the April 8 oil spill in Vancouver the 229 metre ship. This took about an hour. Harbour must confirm the worst fears of Gulf Islanders. The spill Emergency Centre rights even without from the MV Marathassa, a brand-new bulk grain-carrier The City of Vancouver was not notified about the spill until anchored in English Bay, continued for hours after it was intially 5:06am, and had an emergency operations centre up and running aboriginal title reported while the Coast Guard, Port Metro Vancouver, and by 5:50am. Besides the City, it included Polaris Applied Sciences, clean-up contractors West Coast Marine Response Corporation WCMRC, BC Ministry of Environment, North Shore Emergency The BC Court of Appeal has ruled that First Nations (WCMRC), part-owned by pipeline company Kinder Morgan, Management, Port Metro Vancouver, and the Squamish and property rights must be respected, even though aboriginal lumbered into action. Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. The Coast Guard, which was title has not been proven. Oil on the water in English Bay was first reported to Coast understood to be the lead agency in such situations, was The landmark judgement concerns two First Nations in Guard by pleasure boaters around 5pm on Wednesday, April 8. represented for just part of the time, according to reports. northwest BC, the Saik’uz and Stellat’en First Nations, Sailor Rob O’Dea says he called 911 and they were unsuccessful Measuring The Extent represented by lawyer Greg McDade. They have long in connecting him to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard called At 10:20am, a Transport Canada plane, equipped to measure the disputed the rights of aluminum producer Rio Tinto Alcan him three minutes later to say that they had dispatched a extent of oil spills, reported that an estimated 2,705 litres of oil to build the Kenney Dam on the Nechako River. They have pollution response team. had been spilled. Based on this estimate, the Coast Guard attempted to sue the company on the basis that the dam In fact, a two-man Port Metro Vancouver patrol boat set out reported that 80% of the oil had been recovered, and declared breaches their rights to the natural waterway which runs at 5:15pm to investigate the reports, but it was not equipped to the cleanup a success. through their lands. carry out any oil clean-up, and anyway found only ‘a minimum It was not until late on Friday that the oil leaking from the The courts had so far denied their right to sue, saying sheen that is not recoverable’. This assessment was passed on to Marathassa was confirmed to be bunker fuel. Its reported that they had not proved aboriginal title. The new Court of the Coast Guard at 7:15pm. At 6pm, Port Metro Vanvouver had characteristics were: a tendency to form clumps and blobs below Appeal decision gives the First Nations the right to sue. also asked commercial air traffic for photos to assess the extent the surface, with only 10% to 15% on the surface, with little Justice David Tysoe said in his decision that the law is of the spill, apparently with no results. evaporation. clear: aboriginal rights ‘do exist prior to declaration or At 8pm, it’s getting dark and Rob O’Dea heads home, having Under the hull of Marathassa, divers report oil deposited in a recognition’. He ruled that setting a separate standard for seen no sign of the Coast Guard or West Coast Marine Response. 40 metre strip. On the beaches, particularly on the North Shore, aboriginal people, forcing them to sue other parties to assert He passes by the stern of Marathassa, noting larger ‘globs of Charter tidal currents have resulted in oil-coated rocks and sand. A few their rights, is arguably inconsistent with the right black goo’ in the water. oil-coated birds have been rescued and treated; not all of them to equality. ‘Aboriginal people are part of Canada’s WCMRC Finally Called-out will survive. On the bottom of English Bay, no surveys have been community, and they should not be treated It wasn’t until 8:06pm that West Coast Marine Response was done but ‘globs’ are found below the water surface. disadvantageously in comparison to any other litigant formally notified (presumably by the Coast Guard) that there was Investigations continued to determine how much oil was lost asserting claims…,’ he wrote. an oil spill, and they should respond. At about the same time the from Marathassa, and why. The results of these queries have not This decision follows the Haida ruling (2004) which Coast Guard decides that they should investigate the spill ‘directly’ been released. In any case, there is no baseline data to compare held that the Crown has a duty to consult with First Nations but there are no reports of any Coast Guard vessels on the scene. with any assessment. concerning land use. More recently, the Tsilqot’in decision, At 9:25pm WMCRC arrives and finds oil on the water, and The Politicians And Officials Weigh In by the Supreme Court of Canada, was the first to recognize concludes that it is a large spill. aboriginal title to a specific tract of land. BC Environment Minister Mary Polak, concerned at apparent It is now dark. It takes until 4am the following morning to Rio Tinto Alcan has 60 days to apply for leave to appeal inaction by the Coast Guard, proposes that provincial agencies confirm that the Marathassa is the source of the oil, and at the Saik’uz/Stellat’in decision to the Supreme Court of 0 4:30am WCMRC starts to lay an oil containment boom around OIL SPILL, please turn to page 3 Canada. JTBUUIFTF6(5,286&2))(( MPDBUJPOT MPPLGPSUIFA*TMBOE5JEFTZFMMPXCPYFTPVUTJEFPSSBDLTJOTJEF 4JEOFZ#FBDPO"WFOVF /BOBJNP7*$POGFSFODF$FOUSF 1BSLTWJMMF)FSJUBHF$FOUSF.BMM 4PVUI%VODBO4VO7BMMFZ.BMM /BOBJNP#FBVGPSU$FOUSF $PVSUFOBZ4PVUIHBUF$FOUSF $MJòF"WFOVF %VODBO$PXJDIBO$PNNPOT.BMM /BOBJNP$PSOFS*TMBOE)XZ!)BNNPOE#BZ3E 1PSU"MCFSOJ4IPQQFST%SVH.BSU1MB[B UI"WF .JMM#BZ*TMBOE)JHIXBZ!'SBZOF3E /BOBJNP4PVUI1BSLXBZ1MB[B $BNQCFMM3JWFS5IF7JMMBHF 8JMMPX1PJOU www.islandtides.com Page 2, Island Tides, April 30, 2015 Coast Guard closures are ‘the wrong direction’ The federal government is headed in ‘the wrong Tony, Let’s do this direction’ in moving to close Coast Guard communications centres in Comox, Tofino- again for your Ucluelet and Vancouver, according to Glenn 80th on May 13th! Sollitt, ’s candidate for new electoral district, Courtenay-Alberni (see map page 7). ‘In light of the recent spill in English Bay reducing Coast Guard resources is the wrong direction,’ said Sollitt. The Coast Guard’s Tofino centre, actually located in Ucluelet, is set to close April 21, Vancouver will BUY | RAISE | MOVE | LEVEL close May 6, and Comox will close in early 2016. Marine traffic monitoring and Photo:John Bowers BUY RECYCLED HOMES communications in Comox and Vancouver will Increase Square Footage A solar roof for Pender’s well-loved recycling depot. See story below. RAISE be moved to Victoria. The service in Tofino- MOVE Subdivide Your Lot! Ucluelet will be moved to Prince Rupert. LEVEL Repair Foundation Issues ‘These centres are responsible for listening www.nickelbros.com to distress calls and guiding ships,’ said Sollitt, 1-866-320-2268 a former commercial fisherman on both the east and west coasts of . ‘Closing ROUND THE ISLANDS TALISMAN them increases the risk of shipping accidents. It Solar Next Step On Pender In order to obtain a building permit for a secondary BOOKS &GALLERY may mean missed distress calls.’ Last edition I headlined Solar Colwood’s completed suite, the dwelling must have a rainwater catchment Authors For Indies Day Sollitt noted that the closing of the Kitsilano solar initiative ‘Who’s next?’ Little did I know I would system with minimum storage capacity (a cistern) of May 2: events in store all day COAST GUARD CLOSURES, please turn to next page have a successor to report within days. 3,000 gallons. Next time you’re approaching Pender’s recycling Secondary suites are allowed only within certain This Place A Stranger: Canadian areas of (the brochure contains a map); Women Travelling Alone depot from the east, look up. Installation of 39 Author Readings, May 16, 7pm Whale Watching photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on the southeast facing only one secondary suite is allowed per lot. For side of the main building is now completed. properties of less than four hectares, a cottage or a 250-629-6944 All week we search through sightings Driftwood Ctr, Pender Island This project is the first major public building solar secondary suite is allowed, but not both. of seals and otters electricity initiative on the Penders and was Salt Spring Incorporation To and lost logs in the water spearheaded by local group, PSI 2020 (Pender Solar for the Orcas Be Studied, Again Roasting Fancy Coffee Initiative 2020), and funded primarily by a very The provincial government has allocated $120,000 for Hoping to see fins in the distance for mail orders since 1982 generous grant of $20,719 from the Nu-To-Yu thrift a study of a possible municipality of . binoculars raised to faces store, showing vision and exceptional leadership in Staff from the Ministry of Community, Sport, and we whisk our eyes across wave pushing this pioneering clean energy project forward. Cultural Development will meet soon with local elected after wave, wish away the constant These solar panels will generate enough power to officials and Capital Regional District staff to plan the ferries and outboards fully covering the recycling depot’s electric needs each process. want the channel a calm from to you year, and then some. Readers can see how much The new study will focus on a comparison of invitation for whales www.potofgoldcoffee.com electricity is being produced day-by-day or even by the existing governance structures with potential as if our seeing them hour through a link on Recycling Society's website: municipal governance, and public engagement and would be proof of possibility www.penderislandrecycling.com. consultation on comparative scenarios. Salt Spring that all we have inflicted Since the start at the beginning of April they have Island is currently part of the Capital Regional District on this world generated more power daily than I have used to power and is the most populous unincorporated island in the might be reversed my household. Take a look and compare with your Islands Trust. The only existing municipality in the and all the ruin changed house (and your neighbours’houses) through your Islands Trust is . to an unscathed grace smartmeter readings at www.bchydro.com. A recent provincially funded governance study This solar project serves as a demonstration project as if the common seal established that there was sufficient community for the Pender Islands community, allowing residents interest in incorporation. Issues to be considered no longer counts enough for this and visitors to see a solar PV installation at work. approaches going home include local decisionmaking, co-ordination of services, This first undertaking has already resulted in a local water management and strategic and financial with a story of sea gulls crew receiving training from GabEnergy (a Gabriola as compared to eagles planning. The Islands Trust Council has been asked by Island organization that helps local individuals and the provincial government to develop a transition Do we want the rare, endangered organizations install clean energy) on installing strategy should Salt Spring incorporate. species to visit us systems, training that is expected to be used numerous The study, to be completed in early 2016, will be to bestow some special privilege times in the future. managed by a volunteer committee headed by the like a trust The goal of PSI 2020 is to see solar photovoltaic Local Trust Commttee and the CRD Director. systems installed on the roof of every suitable public that tells us we are not Late Summer For Denman Cable the culprits building on Pender by the year 2020—school, library, medical clinic, fire hall. Ferry 250-388-5788 I want to believe it's something else Harnessing solar power continues to grow BC Ferries anticipates that its new cable ferry between [email protected] this longing for the exotic dramatically, approximately 50% each year during the Buckley Bay and will be in operation, something that transcends past ten years. carrying vehicles and passengers, by late summer. such tired desires MINI-ADS! Kudos go to PSI 2020, Nu-To-Yu, CRD, Jamieson VP of Engineering Mark Wilson says work to lay the Of course, the time comes Electric for electrical smarts, to Pete Fennell cables will start in April. The ferry will be towed to when we give up Construction, the team of enthusiastic volunteers, and Buckley Bay from Seaspan Shipyards upon accept a pattern of metallic slaps to GabEnergy for helping North and South Pender take completion, then installation and testing can begin. as one more shipping sound a giant stride into the realm of clean, renewable energy. The Denman ferry will be the longest saltwater cable Engrossed in books we let it pass Who’s next now? ferry in the world; it will carry 50 cars. It will replace • harvesting systems until by accident of a glance Secondary Suites Defined the MV Quinitsa, which will be maintained as a spare • design • installation we glimpse the last three whales Mayne Island Local Trust Committee has issued a vessel (with the existing loading ramps) until the new • service breaching in the bay just yards away ferry has proven itself. VISIT OUR WEBSITE! brochure explaining its approach to the creation of legal We gaze, trapped between elation and regret secondary suites. Backyard Burning BOB BURGESS in that moment luck has granted - It clarifies just what a secondary suite is: it’s a self Backyard burning is banned in the Cowichan Valley 250-246-2155 kicking ourselves for what we missed contained dwelling that is located within the walls of Regional District from April 16 until October 14. Yard [email protected] we still feel honoured by the Orcas the principal dwelling but is smaller than the main waste for can be dropped off for free at any CVRD www.rainwaterconnection.com who likely neither know nor care dwelling. In fact, it cannot exceed 40% of the floor area Recycling Centre. Burning garbage or yard waste in Experience Counts! that we are, wistful, there of the main dwelling, nor can it exceed 646 sqft. Its your backyard spreads invisible, toxic chemicals wishing they'd come back outside entrance must be separate from the main throughout the region. give us one more chance dwelling; it must have a separate parking space. The For detailed information and alternatives to —Sandy Shreve septic system must have sufficient capacity for a suite burning, visit: www.ClearTheAirCowichan.ca. in addition to the main dwelling. ROUND THE ISLANDS, please turn to page 7

Readers, help us afford more pages of news! Paying for your Island Tides makes all the difference! If you get an unaddressed copy in your mailbox, or pick one up at our racks or yellow boxes, have you 1.888.296.8059 sent in your $30 annual voluntary subscription? Additional amounts joyfully accepted! Addressed www.wintonhomes.ca You’ll be right at home! subscription available for Vancouver Islanders: $57.75. Thank You! www.islandtides.com Island Tides, April 30, 2015, Page 3 Saturna Notes - Priscilla Ewbank he garden is packed with flowers! A friend just got with friends and family—but ultimately belonging to you two BULLETIN back from the Niagara Peninsula—most southerly who had found each other in a world of people and wanted to part of Canada—and reports that the tulips are just be together. BOARD breakingT the soil line and residents are still subdued from the Roy Barrow’s 80th winter that piled ice on top of drifts and reached to the tops of There was an island party for Roy Barrow at the Saturna Pub to doorways. celebrate his 80th birthday. Roy and his wife Marie lived on We have garter snakes and slugs emerging, butterflies, Saturna for a long time and Roy did small contracting all over FREE REMOVAL! wasps, every day a new migrant bird returns for the summer Scrap Car, Truck, Bus the island. Roy is a going concern, lots of hilarious stories, • WATER WELLS and tons of yellow tree pollen is wafting over everything—hear & Equipment philosophical conclusions and observations, advice and • HYDROFRACTURING that sneezing? No Wheels? No Problem! carpentry skills. He has a long line-up of Saturna women who TO IMPROVE WELL YIELDS Metal Clean-up Bins Also Last weekend at Haggis Farm, we were burning a fall and have just that change that they want done which didn’t require • DRILLING FOR GEOSOURCE Available winter’s worth of debris in two huge bonfires. It was a grand major building but needed a skilled person. With Roy you got Gulf Islands • Victoria • Sooke      Sidney • Duncan endeavor burning lots of large unwieldy feral rose bushes, two-for-one—great company and lots of accomplishment! At invasive weeds, expired chicken ladies, volunteer firs and      250-744-6842 the party, his fans gave him the royal treatment with lots of 250-732-4285 cedars, and prunings from the backroad to the pond. Four of us toasts, accolades and laughter. He was off into the night sailing wwwdrillwellcom drill@drillwellcom were working hard to roll those roses onto the inferno and on the Mayne Queen, home to Sidney where they now live. reorganizing the fire as it burned down. An Island Family Business Festival Active Pass For  Years! Remembering Jon The middle of April saw an initiative that drew the Southern Working hard together felt so comforting as a whole year has Islands together by focussing on the marine environment passed since my partner Jon died. In the beginning days, when WAHL MARINE LTD. between us. Festival Active Pass showcased the wild creatures 135 McGill Road All Types of Residential we first had Haggis Farm, we worked long, rich days together with whom we coexist in this species-prolific area of the Salish Salt Spring Island & Commercial building the barn, the house, putting up fences, running after Sea. This year’s host was Mayne Island, next year the organizing 30 years experience VINCE SMYTHE kids. We always worked side-by-side on big outside projects and epicentre will be Galiano. Active Pass is a globally recognized dock building & repair burning was one of those projects. We’d stoke the fire—sparks Important Bird & Biodiversity Area. pile driving & drilling 250-213-6316 flying—sit on a big log we kept for just this purpose, and wait till Rob Butler, a masterful speaker and lifetime biologist, who aluminum gangways & ramps Quality Workmanship Reliable Service the lot burned down enough for the next batch. We would chat, wrote The Jade Coast-Ecology of the North Pacific Coast was wood piers & wood floats Free Estimates drink water, and just rest in each other’s company from the a main presenter on Mayne Island followed by many other crane barge service & towing [email protected] effort and simple problem-solving that we were doing so easily events. mooring systems & service together. It was truly fun and full of the joy of accomplishment. Transportation was provided to attend events on both Gord Wahl 250-537-1886 A year, a whole year has passed since he died and still I turn Mayne Island and Saturna. About twenty Mayne Islanders cell 250-537-7804 Besley corners of mind and place and am caught unawares—knowing came to Saturna to join in Saturna’s impressive events—more Design & Build that we will never be together again. on that in Island Tides’ next edition. 3D Computer Design This week, working hard to do our income tax, which he English Bay Oilspill Permit Plans always did for us by hand, was like reliving our life that we built Hy-Geo Foundations & Framing I was sad to hear of the oil spill in English Bay. But if we were Siding & Roofing together. Receipts for day-old chicks that arrive in the mail to going to have one, Vancouver Harbour on a quiet day is the Consulting Finishing keep the flock numbers up, 1 ton totes of layer-pellet feed from Decks & Fences most useful place to do our learning. Better that it happened in the Otter Coop in Aldergrove, pink sheets from Snowcap Technical services for Renovations & Additions an area of great population that highly values super-natural Timberworks & Arbors Supplies detailing ingredients for the bakery, propane and Water Wells and with all the vaunted cleanup capability as 25 years experience hydro, repairs, political donations, in his handwriting SALT SPRING ISLAND Licensed & Insured close as it could be. Happening at East Point for example, there Aquifers calculations and notations on the back of sheets of recycled Call Ron for free estimate would be just us locals. No highly visible arguing—exposed for Groundwater paper. All this is evidence of how we, or any other couple, builds [email protected] • 250.537.8885 the world to see—over the muddle up and who’s jurisdiction it (250) 658-1701 the life they share; so very personal and so very singular—shared 0 actually is. [email protected] www.hy-geo.com MOORINGS COAST GUARD CLOSURES from page 2 INSTALLED, REPAIRED, MAINTAINED Coast Guard Station in 2013 was cited in the delay in responding Tofino-Ucluelet but from Prince Rupert? Dock Chain Inspection to last week’s spill of bunker oil in English Bay . ‘With these closures, our Island communities are losing jobs & Replacement ‘We just had an incident in which it took six hours to respond and services, our fishers and other mariners are being put at Chris West to an oil spill right off the beaches in downtown Vancouver,’ increased risk, and our shorelines are facing greater exposure Dive Services comments Sollitt. ‘What will happen when the response to an to environmental disaster,’ Sollitt said. ‘The Green Party of 250-888-7199/250-538-1667 incident off of Courtenay-Comox or Parksville-Qualicum is Canada vigorously opposes these closures. We stand for a [email protected] coming, not from Comox, but from Victoria? coastline with safe, sustainable communities and a healthy ‘What will happen when the response to an incident off the environment.’ 0 Pacific Rim National Park or Port Alberni is coming not from

OIL SPILL from page 1 take over the lead role in the emergency had the authority to call out the spill response Done Right - Safely situation. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson forces of WCMRC, did not attend. This, despite • Foreshore Applications wants to know why it took so long for the city having told the reporting yachtsmen that a • Docks • Moorings to be notified. Premier Christy Clark echoed his ‘pollution response’ team had been dispatched. • Durable dock systems for frustration. Without the Kitsilano base, the Coast Guard exposed locations Former Kitsilano Coast Guard Base may no longer have any small, fast, patrol and Ross Walker & Corey Johnson Commander Frederick Moxey says that, had rescue boats (or crews for them) in Vancouver 250-537-9710 the base not been closed as an economy Harbour. It may be relying to a greater extent www.islandmarine.ca measure, the Coast Guard would have been on the Sea Island based hovercrafts. Can a there in six minutes (Marathassa’s anchorage hovercraft be safely operated in an oil spill? Northumberland was the one closest to the shuttered Kitsilano Even after WCMRC was called out, it took Transportation 40ft Landing Craft Barging to facility). most of the night for them to confirm the Mudge, Ruxton, De Courcey Coast Guard Commissioner Jody Thomas source of the spill; it was dark, and they hadn’t Valdez & Outer Islands described the response as well within the 10 asked Rob O’Dea. They only had booms and Building Supplies, Furniture hour standard set by the federal government skimmers, anyway; nothing to deal with Appliances, Cars, ATVs etc (Assistant Commissioner Roger Girouard had clumps and blobs. (Even now, tidal currents 250-327-9805 said it was six hours}. Federal cabinet minister may have carried this form of bunker fuel into [email protected] James Moore described the response as ‘very the Gulf Islands.) impressive’ and characterized remarks by However, WCMRC did have some idea of other politicians as ‘unhelpful’. how much oil the response had skimmed. And MEETING Thoughts On This Event when Transport Canada came up with its School District #64 (Gulf Islands). Regular meeting of the Board of School Trustees will be held on Wednesday, May 13 2015 at Mayne Investigations by nearly all the governments ‘estimate’ of a 2,705 litre spill (based on an Elementary/Junior Secondary. Meeting commencing at 1pm. Agenda: involved continue, as well as by the media. This aerial survey), WCMRC were no doubt pleased http://sd64.bc.ca/district/schoolboardmeetings. Public Welcome! to find that they had apparently recovered 80% was not a big spill, and it was not the result of a NEXT DEADLINE: May 6• 250.216.2267 shipwreck or a collision; it occurred while this of it. Certainly the Coast Guard were—this ship was at anchor (although there were would be so much better than the 15% that is [email protected] indications that it had been leaking since it was normally recovered. first launched). The ship was not an oil tanker, What this small spill appeared to show was and it was new; sufficient to remind us that all that the Coast Guard was unprepared to take ships carry oil, and even a small spill in an responsibility for the evaluation of a reported BRING YOUR RECYCLABLES TO US… urban area can result in widespread damage, spill, or to take immediate command of a developing situation. We’ll take anything with a with high costs of remediation. deposit for a full refund. Focusing on the response, it appears that On the Gulf Islands, close to busy , this is a particular concern. Plans for oil considerable time was lost, particularly in the Open daily 9am to 6pm waning daylight of Wednesday evening, spills should involve Island communities; this 0 because the first response vessel on the scene is no time for secrecy. was unable to evaluate the spill—and reported Ed’s Note: View an interesting video of direct 250.539.2936 that nothing could be done. public action at: SATURNA GENERAL STORE The Coast Guard, which should have been www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJL58CXfWHY 101 NARVAEZ BAY ROAD, able to carry out a competent evaluation, and MINI-ADS! www.islandtides.com Page 4, Island Tides, April 30, 2015 Readers’ Letters Shout-out To Active Pass Festival John Hague 1944-2015 Dear Editor: John died March 31, 2015 after a lengthy stay in Victoria Every Second Thursday Mayne Island hosted the first annual Active Pass Festival on General Hospital. He was predeceased by his mother ’s only April 7 to 19. As the sunshine and wonderful vibes fade on the Patricia in 2014. He is survived by his father Louis, his wife Free & Mail-Delivered Newspaper first of the Active Pass Festivals, I send a shout-out to the Barbara and their children Cameron (Jennifer), Merran talented committee who created a magical weekend. (Roy) and Jennica and three grandchildren. He will also be 22,000 copies this edition Among the many eventswere birding, marine and nature missed by his sister Louise (Grant) and brothers Phillip 14,990 print copies delivered to walks, including boating excursions; art and quilting displays, (Madeleine) and David (Louise) and many nieces and households on 14 Gulf Islands author readings and more. nephews. But my most lasting memories will be basking in the John became a permanent resident of Gabriola in 2007 Salt Spring • Mayne • Galiano • Pender • Saturna sunshine while listening to the choir, musicians, eating yummy believing from the start that he had already found a piece of Gabriola • Denman • Hornby • Quadra • Cortes food, and enjoying a glass of wine; the overall ambiance of the Read • Texada • Lasqueti • Thetis heaven. He was a true life-long learner often being the oldest special community of Mayne Islanders! student in the courses he took at Victoria Island University. For those who missed it, see you next year on Galiano! He was an active advocate for the local Gabriola radio station Barbara Hughes, Mayne Island CKGI and was keen believer in the power of the spoken John Hague word. Dear Editor: John spent many years and much energy promoting the I am so very sad to hear the news of the passing of John Hague. Green Party of Canada and was passionate about Canadians For many years, John was a valiant Green on Gabriola. His work taking an active part in their democracy. He had a powerful Also 3510 print copies on Ferry Routes and in: Victoria • Saanich • Sidney • Cobble Hill in community radio brought us together and he produced many sense of justice and was not afraid to stand up for his beliefs. Mill Bay • Crofton • Duncan • Chemainus wonderful radio pieces about Green values. We shared the same Many of these points of view were articulated in frequent Ladysmith • Nanaimo • Bowser • Courtenay hero—Petra Kelly of the German Greens. And John produced a contributions to Island Tides. Port Alberni • Campbell River very touching documentary about one of my best friends, John’s love of a good conversation will be sadly missed 3,500 online readers each edition Colleen McCrory—Kootenays’ eco-warrior extraordinaire. by family and friends. John came to Sidney in 2011 to help in my campaign in A farewell for family and friends will be held at the Owner, Publisher & Editor: Saanich-Gulf Islands and then became the British Columbia Gabriola Golf and Country Club Saturday, June 13, 2015 Christa Grace-Warrick representative on the Green Party Council. from 2-4pm. Editorial & Publishing Assistant: Natalie Dunsmuir He made a huge impact on me, the Green Party and the spill clean-up capacity next to a major city where the tidal action Contributors: Patrick Brown, , Priscilla Ewbank green movement. He will be missed. is gentle and the clean-up immediately at hand. Imagine a spill Greg Hankins, Toby Snelgrove, Sandy Shreve, Elizabeth May, Sidney in the volatile churning currents around Turn Point. The reason John Bowers, Bryce Kendrick, Barry Cotton Directly Affected the Southern Resident Killer Whale species has settled here, is Dear Editor: Island Tides Publishing Ltd that this churning of the waters supplies nutrients to the food Box 55, Pender Island, BC V0N 2M0 Pender Islanders concerned about the Kinder Morgan pipeline chain that the Orcas depend on for survival. Tel: 250.216.2267• News: [email protected] expansion gathered at the community hall on a sunny Sunday Advertising: [email protected] Raincoast coordinator of Scientific Outreach afternoon in April to hear presentations from Raincoast Communication, Lori Waters, provided an insightful analysis Advertising Deadline: Wednesday Between Publications Conservation Foundation on how we are all ‘Directly Affected’ of the risks of a possible oil tanker spill in the Salish Sea and the by the impacts from an expansion of the Kinder Morgan Tar Canadian Addressed Subscription: $57.75pa fallacy of some of the assumptions that Kinder Morgan used to US Addressed Subscription: $80.00pa Sands pipeline and the resulting increase in oil tanker traffic paint a rosy picture of the potential risk in its TMX pipeline through Gulf Island waters. For unaddressed copies & online readers: twinning application to the National Energy Board (NEB). Raincoast’s Wild Salmon Program Director Misty Suggested Voluntary Subscription is $30pa Kinder Morgan’s overly optimistic spill scenario is brought MacDuffee gave an overview of the materials available for NEB www.islandtides.com to us by Richard Kinder, CEO and Chairman of Kinder Morgan Hearing Commenters on the potential impacts of an oil spill in Energy Partners, one of the top 50 richest persons in the US at the Salish Sea. This includes materials on salmon, forage fish $11billion, and Vice President and COO of Enron in the 1990s and the critically-endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. before Enron’s bankruptcy on December 2, 2001. Tankers and oil spills can endanger whales, their salmon Part of Sunday’s program was a how-to workshop for SHORELINE • Specializing in water food supply and disturb their underwater acoustic world. responding to the National Energy Board’s Review of Kinder Without efforts to address these threats, this unique group of DESIGN access over steep Morgan’s application. Friends of Brooks Point sponsored this killer whales could become extinct. What we do to protect the & rugged section of the program. There were 18 of Pender’s over 50 marine environment in the next two decades will determine terrain Commenters in the audience at the presentations part of the their future. Anything we do to further degrade that afternoon. (Raincoast is an Intervenor in the Hearing.) environment will hasten their extirpation. • Fully insured Those participating in the workshop included ‘approved’ Should it be a crime against nature to knowingly and Commenters and others who are directly affected by the Kinder • Excellent willingly contribute to the extinction of a species? Would it be a Morgan application but have not been permitted to have their references ‘crime against humanity’ if ‘killer’ whales hastened the voices heard in the NEB process. They identified a wide range extinction of our species? Peter Christenson • 250-858-9575 of issues, actions and recommendations that are worthy of an Of course, they wouldn’t! They are an evolved, peaceful, www.shorelinedesign.ca article. This kind of collaboration makes it clear that the efforts family-oriented species that eat salmon, not people. Their main of the NEB to mute the general public’s voice on this application concern is the survival of their four newborn members, 3 from will not succeed. J-Pod and 1 from L-Pod, bringing their population over 80 for We are all directly affected and we all have a right to be heard the first time in years. on this important issue. There is too much at stake to let this But there is a dark cloud on their horizon. The existing application slip by like an unnoticed underwater oil spill. The shipping super-highway that cuts through and effort to funnel the public voice into a closed process is failing; Haro Strait poses an ever increasing danger to their survival. An it is spilling out beyond the administrative boom intended to oil spill in these waters would seal their fate permanently. contain it. At the first ‘Directly Affected’ event in January, Heiltsuk The Water System Experts After the event we all made our way home to enjoy what was Nation poet Crystal Smith de Molina read her enigmatic poem, Since 1972 left of that sunny Sunday. At 5:13pm Mae Moore e-mailed Misty ‘I am a Casualty’ depicting an Orca encountering an oil spill. and Lori: ‘Southern Resident Killer Whales went by North Crystal’s poem played a central role in the engaging video t Fountains & Watergardens t Rainwater Harvesting Pender following your talks.’ Lori responded at 6:37pm: ‘I saw t Well Pumps & Water Systems t Swimming Pools & Spas Turning Point, which was previewed at Sunday’s event. The one from the ferry!’ t Waste Water Pumps & Controls t Landscape Lighting video depicts the navigational hazards at Turn Point where At 9:37 David Ohnona, producer of Turning Point added: t Water Treatment & Filtration tIrrigation Boundary Pass joins Haro Strait just East of Sidney. The special ‘At the end of the day, several families gathered at Mackinnon navigational requirements at Turn Point illustrate how it is a Beach for an evening picnic. The whales came by. Several high risk ‘hot spot’ in the shipping super-highway between the ‘waves’ of them. Some of the adults were snorkelling. The kids 461 Dupplin Road Victoria B.C. 250-383-7145 Kinder Morgan terminal in Burnaby and the open sea. An oil were busying themselves along the shoreline. Then the sun set. spill from a collision or grounding in that area would devastate How do we translate that? With gratitude.’ www.vanislewater.com the Salish Sea marine environment and undermine the Gulf They are with us. Are we with them? Islands economy. Paul Petrie, South Pender Response to the 2,700 litre spill in English Bay illustrates the Budget For Contamination Clean-up IS YOUR Dear Editor: Tuesday’s federal budget added another $99.6 million to clean FOGARTY ACCOUNTING & up contaminated sites, which are already slated to cost WELLSAFE TO WATER DRINK? TAX SERVICES LTD Canadian taxpayers almost $7 billion in clean-up costs, according to a recent report by the Parliamentary Budget Office. Contamination can occur CANADIAN & AMERICAN Some of these funds could be used to move contaminated without changes in colour or soil from Esquimalt Harbour to the BC’s proposed new toxic taste. Be safe, test annually. TAX PREPARATION & CONSULTATION soil treatment site above Shawnigan Lake, north of Victoria. The PERSONAL • CORPORATE site is directly above a provincially designated community drinking water source for 12,000 residents. The proposed new 250-656-1334 tel (250) 653-4692 fax (250) 653-9221 contaminated site will supposedly protect ground and surface [email protected] water with a synthetic liner, rated to last 35 years. The government better budget another billion for the Fulford Village office on inevitable future costs to clean up the current ‘clean up’, plus Salt Spring Island legal costs for the argument about which level of government is fax: 250-656-0443 Website: www.mblabs.com responsible. Billions more may be needed for future health care Email: [email protected] Providing Canadian and American costs resulting from the release of carcinogens into a community drinking water source. 2062 Unit 4 Henry Ave. West, Sidney, B.C. V8L 5Y1 tax services since 1978 0 www.islandtides.com Blaise Salmon, Mill Bay

Island Tides, April 30, 2015, Page 5 News Shorts Two Tier Electricity Pricing Hits it is a basis for the negotiation of legally binding Final North Island Hard Agreements with each First Nation. The First Nations included are the Songhees, Beecher Bay, Competing Bids For Merv Wilkinson’s BC Hydro’s two tier pricing is leaving many people in the North T’Sou-ke, Malahat, and Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose). Wildwood Island with extremely high bills and for some that means the The Agreement addresses First Nations’ rights to to use, possibility of disconnection. The Land Conservancy, which currently owns the 77-hectare own, and manage lands and resources; it also deals with the North Island MLA, Claire Trevena, has written to the BC Wildwood Ecoforest near Cedar on Vancouver Island, is development and growth of prosperous Aboriginal Utilities Commission to urge a review of the policy for those attempting to sell the property while ensuring that the wishes communities and their governance structures. The Final communities where there is no option to BC Hydro and of the late Merv Wilkinson for its management are honoured. Agreements will include a treaty land package covering electricity. Wildwood is a sustainability showplace. Wilkinson not only approximately 1,565 hectares of Crown lands, to be held in fee ‘My office hears from numerous people who are facing opposed clear cutting, but operated Wildwood under a simple by the First Nations. massive bills because they have gone into the second tier. But sustained yield plan that he wished to be continued. Since his In it: Songhees First Nation will receive the Provincial Capital for many people there is no choice – it is electricity or nothing,’ death, and Wildwood’s acquisition by The Land Conservancy, Commission headquarters in downtown Victoria. T’sou-ke First said Trevena. the legend has been maintained by the Ecoforestry Institute Nation will receive a 60ha parcel at Broom Hill; Malahat First ‘The BC Liberals have increased the cost of hydro to Society, which continued to made it accessible to the public. Nation will receive a 120ha parcel in south Shawnigan Lake; untenable levels; they’ve taken away retrofit programmes which The Land Conservancy (TLC) is now under court direction Beecher Bay First Nation has already received a 67ha land helped bring down the cost. All that’s left are massive bills for to dispose of most of its properties in order to satisfy debts of parcel in Sooke; Snaw-Naw-As First Nation will receive two people who are already under pressure,’ says MLA Trevena. some $8 million. The Ecoforestry Institute Society has parcels, totalling 6.4ha near Parksville. She says she recognizes that two tier pricing is supposed to submitted a bid of $600,000 for the Wildwood property, and In governance, the Constitution of Canada, including the reduce consumption but that does not help people who have no has expressed its support for the continuation of Wilkinson’s Charter, will apply to each First Nation government, which will alternative fuel source. She is asking BCUC to find an alternate ecoforestry practices. However TLC was offered some be democratically elected and accountable. Financial transfers system for those relying solely on BC Hydro for power. $860,000 by a private buyer, who agreed to maintain to First Nations total $142 million; further funds, including Wilkinson’s ecoforestry methods. The Land Conservancy holds Vancouver Island Treaty Basis education, are still to be agreed. Harvesting rights and their a restrictive covenant on the property. Five Vancouver Island First Nations of the Te’mexw Treaty geographical boundaries remain to be negotiated, but will not The private bidder is said to be an experienced forester; but Association have signed an Agreement-in-Principle with the interfere with the existing rights of other First Nations. 0 through an agreement with the Land Conservancy, his identity federal and provincial governments. It is not legally binding, but has not been disclosed. His initial bid has been withdrawn, but is expected to be resubmitted soon as a non-profit society. Single-venue (50 words): $39.90 includes image Manager, Ecoforestry Institute Society, is calling for public Multi-venue (70 words): $52.50 includes image support for its bid, saying that the best protection for the What’sOn? Payment with order by Visa or MasterCard, please Wildwood property would be through the society’s purchase. VANCOUVER ISLAND & ALL THE GULF ISLANDS [email protected] or 250.216.2267 Any sale of the land must be approved by the court. Mayors: NEB Process ‘Not A Public Friday, Sat & Sun, May 1, 2 & 3 Sat and Sun, May 9 & 10 What a Wonderful World!—Pender Island 33rd Annual Mother’s Day Garden Tour—Gorgeous gardens, Hearing’ Choral Society concert; Daniel Lapp early Victoria spring; two-day pass to ten hand-picked, enchanting The mayors of southwestern BC have declared their ‘non- directing; Pender House Band with special private oases; enjoy Victoria confidence’ in the National Energy Board review of the Kinder guest soloist, Oscar Kempe, and the Kid's Conservatory of Music students and Choir directed by Jasmine Jones K Community faculty music; gardening questions Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline proposal. Hall K Friday and Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday answered; plant sale and silent auction; Their statement says: ‘This is not a public hearing. It has 2:3opm K Tickets: Adults $15, Ages 5-15 $5, proceeds support the Victoria become apparent that the evidence presented by Kinder Under 5 free K Info: 250.629.2026 K PENDER Conservatory of Music K Info: Morgan will never be tested by cross-examination. The second Saturday, May 2 www.vcm.bc.ca. K VICTORIA and final round of Intervenor Requests (IR) by written Fragile Waters—screening of Saturday, May 16 questions is nearing completion and is proving to be inadequate. multi-award winning Ecological Landscapes: Preserving Beauty in The proponent has failed to answer the majority of questions documentary about Southern our Natural Surroundings—talk by renowned Resident Orcas and their fight for landscape architect Cornelia Hahn Oberlander submitted by municipalities and other intervenors, and in IR survival against all odds, with who has designed iconic public landscapes for round one the NEB panel has failed to require reasonable directors Rick Wood and Shari six decades K Community Hall; a SIMRES answers. Because of the inadequacies inherent to the review Macy; additional speakers: Misty SeaTalk K 1pm K Admission $10, 18&Under free K process, hundreds of questions critical to public safety and MacDuffee, lead biologist, Raincoast SATURNA environmental impacts remain unanswered.’ Conservation Wild Salmon program and Adam Olsen, Tsartlip First Saturday, May 16 Nations and BC Green Party Leader; presented by Saturna Island SeaFest 2015 ‘The Oyster Festival’— This is signed by the mayors of Vancouver, Burnaby, New Marine Research and Education Society K Saturna Community Hall oysters raw, gourmet and barbecue with Westminster, City of North Vancouver, Victoria, Squamish, and K 1pm K Info: www.saturnamarineresearch.ca K SATURNA good music, free shuttle meets every Cortes Bowen Island. They have declared that the hearings are ‘no Saturday, May 2 to June 3 ferry K Gorge Harbour Marina Resort K longer a credible process from either a scientific evidentiary Art Show—‘Pearl Perfection’ by Sublime Serving starts 11:30am K Tickets: Adults basis, nor from a public policy and public interest perspective.’ Design with Guest Artist, Corre Alice and her $20; kids’ menu & prices K Info: They call upon the federal government to ‘put the current evocative paintings; meet the artists on Saturday, [email protected] K CORTES NEB process on hold until an adequate process is in place’ and May 2 K Red Tree Gallery, Hope Bay K Open Saturday, May 16 Wednesday thru Sunday K 11am–4pm K Info:250- Valentina Atton presents her award-winning the provincial government ‘to re-assert its role in environmental 629-6800, www.redtreegallery.ca K PENDER assessment, and to establish a provincial process with proper book Owl’s Dream—fun and magic for the Sat, Sun, Wed, & Fri, May 2, 3, 6, & 8 public hearings to assess this very substantial private proposal.’ whole family: face painting, fairy dust and Book Reading Library Tour—William stickers; you can wear a mask if you like K BC ‘Out To Dry’ On Health Care Deverell reads from his new book Sing a Chapters, 1212 Douglas Street 11am-4pm K The BC Health Coalition says the 2015 federal budget Worried Song; hosted by your local public Masks and face-painting ideas: libraries with support from the Canada Council www.owlsdream.ca K VICTORIA entrenches deep health care cuts for BC and fails to include for the Arts K SAT, MAy 2: Galiano Library, 3pm; Saturday, May 16 much-needed reforms, such as national pharmacare, to meet SUN, MAy 3: Mayne Island Agricultural Hall, Mayne Island Conservancy’s 9th Annual May Day 2pm; Wed, May 6: Pender Island Community the needs of Canada’s aging population. ‘BC is facing a $5 billion Celebration—face painting and wand making it Farmers’ Market, Hall, 7pm; FRI, MAy 8: Salt Spring Island Library, cut to health care under the federal government’s new funding at 1pm Morris Dancers and a Mad 7pm K Free event, everyone welcome K formula,’ says BC Health Coalition co-chair Rick Turner. Procession with drummers to Miners GALIANO, MAyNE, PENDER, SALT SPRING The federal government has said that it will not renew the Bay Park, maypole dance, crowning Sunday, May 3 2004 Health Accord, and the new funding formula for federal May Queen in labyrinth, dancing and 8th Annual The River Never Sleeps games, delicious refreshments, raffle K health transfer payments will mean that BC will receive less Salmon Festival—a family celebration of Free event, everyone welcome: federal funding than the province has received in the past 10 salmon and their ecosystems: salmon especially elves, fairies and others K Info: years. release, touch tanks, booths, activities, BBQ Helen O’Brian 250.539.5619 K MAyNE Starting in 2017-18, the Canada Health Transfer payments KRosewall Creek Salmon Hatchery, 1.8 km Saturday & Sunday, May 16 & 17 north of Cook Creek Road turnoff, 8425 will no longer include a 6% escalator. Instead, payments will 28th Annual Pottery Studio Tour—10 unique Berray Road K 10am–3pm K Info: venues featuring functional wares, and decorative only grow in line with a 3-year moving average of nominal GDP http://www.fbses.ca K FANNy BAy growth (with a minimum increase of 3 per cent per year items for indoor and outdoor display K Free maps @ Sunday, May 3 Buckley Bay ferry booth & the Island Arts Centre guaranteed), says the coalition. Ruckle Heritage Farm Day—geared (top of ferry hill) K Studios open 10am-5pm K Info: These changes will cut nearly $36 billion in funding to the toward children and educational farm- www.denmanpottery2015.blogspot.ca K DENMAN provinces over ten years, according to the Council of the related themes; heritage farming and Sunday, May 24 crafts; animals, orchard, farm products Federation Working Group on Fiscal Arrangements. 20th Annual Bob Dylan Birthday Party—an displays, classic machines, ‘Not only are there deep cuts to health in this budget, there evening listening to, or performing your favourite Bob demonstrations, exhibits, activities, Dylan tunes K Galiano Community Hall K Show at is no plan for a national pharmacare program or national food K 10am–3pm K Beautiful Ruckle 7pm, Bob’s cake at 8:30pm K Admission: donation to seniors care strategy—both of which have high support among Farm K Info: Marjorie Lane 250-653- Galiano Community Land & Housing Trust K Canadians,’ says Turner. ‘The federal election is just around the 4071 or [email protected] K SALT SPRING Performers’ or general info, please call Tom corner and it’s up to all of the political parties to provide people Wednesday & Saturday, May 6, & 9 250.539.2960 K GALIANO in Canada with a health care platform they can vote for.’ Great Bear Wild: Dispatches from a Northern Rainforest— Thursday, May 28 Pacific Wild’s Conservation Director Ian Pender Island Recycling Society AGM K Community Hall Lounge Provincial By-election for Vancouver- McAllister, author of The Last Wild K 7pm K Everyone is welcome K Info: 250-629-6962 or Wolves presents a multi-media event Mount Pleasant [email protected] K PENDER Jenny Kwan, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, is stepping celebrating his new book and gives insight into the Great Bear Rainforest; Saturday, May 30 down from her position in order to run as NDP candidate in Q&A, booksigning, book sales K WED, One-Day Solar Photovoltaic Installation Course— for Islanders Vancouver East in the federal election. Her resignation will MAy 6: Denman Community Hall, 7pm, thinking about clean, solar energy; instructor Dave Neads will teach trigger a provincial by-election, most likely sometime in the next $10, Kids free SAT, MAy 9: ArtSpring, basic theory, site assessments, grid and off- year. 7:30pm, $20, $5Under-18 K Info: grid solutions, students will learn to mount At press time , the Green party had received applications www.pacificwild.org, greystonebooks.ca ground and roof installations K Hosted at K DENMAN & SALT SPRING Island School of Building Arts, 3199 Coast from Pete Fry, a former municipal Green candidate, and Matt Rd K Registration $125K Info and to register: Toner, a former candidate for the BCNDP. Following [email protected], 250.247.8922, www.isba.ca K discussions with BC Green Party Interim-Leader Adam Olsen, Next Deadline: May 6 GABRIOLA Toner decided to withdraw his application and throw his 250.216.2267, [email protected] support behind Fry. www.islandtides.com Page 6, Island Tides, April 30, 2015 2015 budget holds few surprises; a litany Budgetitis of lost opportunities - Elizabeth May An article you may have missed inance Minister Joe Oliver’s first and funding. federal action is needed to eliminate internal Was in last week’s Economist. last budget represents a hodge-podge It was also surprising to find no funding barriers to trade than the creation of an Now Canada’s not often seen of election promises, rather than a announced after the bolded headlines and Internal Trade Promotion Office within On pages of this magazine; coherent, prudent plan for Canada’s future text devoted to credit unions, digital Industry Canada to only ‘support’ a long- So this one really should be read— F economic and social health. infrastructure, consumer protection overdue review of the cumbersome and It hits the nail square on the head ! It all comes down to priorities. The framework for banks, and mental health. ineffective Agreement on Internal Trade It’s all about the Budget, and Harper administration is set to spend more Meanwhile, much of the new funding, (AIT) that dates back to 1995. The same lack Why it’s so hard to understand money on the celebrations of Canada’s 150th such as for municipal infrastructure, is not of critical federal initiative is evident in the By people who would like to know birthday than on the crisis of First Nations slated to even begin for another two years. lack-lustre reference to harmonizing training Just where their income-taxes go— education. As noted by the National Chief of Budget commitments starting in 2017 are a and certificate requirements. A system made so with impunity, the Assembly of First Nations Perry bit rich from a government on the eve of an In our federation, it makes no sense to Designed to hinder rigid scrutiny. Bellegarde, critical First Nations issues election. throw money to trades and apprenticeships The whys and wherefores of what’s spent continue to be ignored. This budget’s forecasting uses rose- without working with the provinces and Are sorted out in parliament Perhaps the most shocking omission is coloured glasses anticipating a growth rate territories to develop a rational national By an official P.B.O.1 the climate crisis. It is remarkable that in a consistently higher than that set out in the approach. The same can be said of the But is this working ? Yes, and No. budget tabled seven months before the most recent Parliamentary Budget Officer’s changes to the Workers Income Tax Benefit The system was a good idea, deadline negotiations for a comprehensive report, further compromising spending set to where provincial engagement is critical to But now it’s ‘broke’ - that much seems clear. climate treaty, at COP21 in Paris, the words begin in 2017. remove barriers for workers or in providing ‘climate change’ are nowhere even Funding pledges set to begin in the 2017- money to immigrants for foreign credential For us, the people, seems to me— mentioned—zero versus 108 references to oil. 2018 fiscal year include: public transit, recognition process. There are two sides to Budgetry; Having put all their eggs in the bitumen enhanced funding for Department of And again, a $2 million announcement The first one—just the estimates, basket for so long, the Harper administration National Defence, and increased funding for for a consultation on Autism Spectrum Of future trends and hopeful states; reacted to low oil prices like a bunny in the the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Disorder—without taking a lead in working (You’ll need a pinch of salt to swallow headlights—delaying the budget by months, Meanwhile, the Harper administration with the provinces and the territories getting The party posturings that follow). while ignoring economic opportunities. In has continued largesse to polluting actively engaged in health care—is laughable. The second phase is much more clear— the Green Party’s pre-budget submission, we industries, like oilsands and nuclear energy. There are many more sections on which I It has to wait until next year, had urged the minister to move quickly to Violating the prime minister’s own pledge to could comment— funding for ‘security’—but When programs, savings, money spent provide needed boosts for those sectors of the G-20 to stop subsidizing fossil fuels, the nothing for increased oversight in the face of Are scrutinized by parliament, our economy that benefit from the low 2015 budget opens up a whole new category the terrifying C51, funding for the bombing Including deals that came to nought— dollar—specifically tourism, film and of accelerated capital cost allowances to of Iraq and Syria, nothing for the Thank God for the Auditor-General’s report ! television production, and manufacturing. promote fracking and LNG. sustainability of Canada’s health care system. 1Parliamentary Budget Officer While the budget acknowledges that tourism Anticipating the Energy East pipeline and It is worth noting some welcome —H Barry Cotton, 2014 is a significant sector of our economy, no dilbit spills in the St Lawrence River, there is measures to stop the claw-back of student Ed’s Note: Barry wrote this poem last year funding is committed. It was this prime new money for spill response there, and in income from their student loan needs and we did not have room to publish it. A year minister who cancelled all advertising in the the Arctic. There is also enhanced funding for assessment,and to assist small business. later: plus ça change, plus c'est la même US market to promote Canada as a tourism the NEB and CEAA to conduct pipeline and And as I have pointed out in comments chose. destination. Now, he has blown it again by fossil fuel project reviews. Almost comical is about recent budgets, the bottom line about missing the chance to boost our visibility as a the section boasting of the world-class spill this budget is that it omits the bottom line. vacation destination in advance of the 2015 response already in place for the BC coast: There are no actual budgets, department by If you already get an Island Tides in summer season. ‘Since 2012, the Government has provided department, to allow any citizen—or MP—to your mailbox, your $30 annual The treatment of tourism (a subject and a funding to strengthen Canada’s marine spill find out if departments are set to receive voluntary subscription makes a big heading, but no money) is repeated on many prevention, preparedness, and response more or less funding than in the previous other topic areas. The budget is bizarre in regime....to more effectively manage oil spill year. But, by now, anyone who looks to this difference—more photos and more having included sections, even relatively long response operations....’ Clearly, this was sent government to deliver sensible budgets has pages of news. Please mail your sub ones, about departments and programmes to press before the English Bay spill. just not bein paying attention. that receive no new funding. For example, A whole series of measures are destined It is a big thick brochure for the next today or phone 250-216-2267. there are two pages extolling the virtues of to be meaningless without federal leadership election. And, as Joe Oliver noted, the Thank you! our national parks system, itself the victim of to ensure coordinated action with the instability in federal funding can be sorted a 10% budget cut in 2012, without a penny in provinces. For example, much more effective out by Stephen Harper’s grand-daughter. 0

Illustrations are strangely lacking for such an unfamiliar group. Book Review by Bryce Kendrick Having thus inadequately fulfilled its mandate, the chapter then The Sea Among Us moves on to discuss invertebrate fisheries and aquaculture, ne of the problems we, relentlessly. During the planning stages of the Gulf Islands ending with a useful 4-page table. But you’d better know the who live around the National Park, I examined a map that showed who the difference between molluscs and crustaceans before you start. Strait of Georgia, face isnumerous stakeholders were, and where their claims lay. The Chapter Five gives an exemplary treatment of the fishes. Of Othat we can’t see what is going picture presented was amazingly diverse, and I immediatelycourse, what is going on now in many fisheries is largely a on under the surface of the intuited the complexities and difficulties involved in controllingtragedy of the commons, in which catches often decline ocean—though our abundant the situation. continuously, while no one will create extensive no-take zones— bufflehead ducks could tell us, Our adherence to the resident orcas as iconic species will somethingnot our successive governments seem unwilling or since they spend more time save them unless we alter salient features of which many of usunable to enact. under water than on top of it. I are not even aware. ‘How do we get more Chinook salmon to Chapter Six is a most readable account of the marine recently looked out over the feed the Orcas?’ This book will tell us some of what we need mammals.to I might, however, have asked for a comparative set water and saw a sealion’s head do in order to bring change about. As individuals, we are of diagrams of the Cetacea, as such things are available. emerge in the act of swallowingrelatively impotent—it’s governments that must implement Chapter Seven, on birds, is also exceptionable, with mostly a fair-sized salmon. The veil wasstrict controls and even prohibitions of many of the activitiesfine, diagnostic illustrations. Here the text is like that on the pierced for a second. This book,that go on in the strait. But if enough of us, having read thismarine mammals—easy to read and informative. I couldn’t help The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgiahelps to lift book, pressure government to do the right thing, it may yet picking up some new anecdotes, and the maps of migrations that veil more systematically. happen. are mindblowing. Discussions of the negative impacts of human Another problem we face is that we operate individually on So, what is in the book? Ten chapters: Geology, Physical population growth, toxins, oiling, harvesting, fishing, waste a very limited time scale, which the book’s historical and Ocean, Biological Oceanography, Invertebrates and Marine management and climate change on birds will give us all geological sections should do much to expand. Ignorance is notPlants, Fishes, Marine Mammals, Coastal Birds, The Pre- something to think about. The need for more and better bliss—whether we are watching or not, the anthropogenic Contact Era, The Zone of Encounter, History of the Fisheries,protected areas is clear. processes that damage the strait and its biota proceed and an afterword about the Future. Chapter Eight is a well-researched and engagingly written The abundant maps, photographs, diagrams, and the clearaccount of the pre-contact era. Archaeology has recently Your Total explanatory text in the first two chapters sets the scene in exposed a time when the fairly numerous First Nations of the Water Solution brilliant detail. Chapter Three effectively opens our eyes to thewest coast drew a good and sustainable living from ocean life, phytoplankton and zooplankton that supports the rest of theespecially salmon and shellfish, for about 6,000 years. Most of Gulf Islands Water Treatmeent biota (including the whales), and how it changes with the the species they harvested have since undergone collapses, seasons. while 90% of the First Nations themselves fell to catastrophic Chapter Four on ‘The Invertebrates and Marine Plants’ epidemics of several diseases, especially smallpox, introduced ~ Rainwater Harvesting (most of the plant-like organisms in the strait are actually algae,by Europeans in the 18th century. A relatively early visitor like ~ Water treatment for wells, and are not closely related to plants) begins with a skeletal Captain Vancouver asked, on discovering many recently surface supplies & seawater outline of biodiversity in the strait, then expatiates on the abandoned villages, ‘Where did everybody go?’ ~ Filtration & Disinfection diversity of habitats and the kinds of relationships in them, The final chapters provide the answers, and follow on right ~ Slow sand filtration naming scores of organisms but never actually introducing usup to the present, with clearly written accounts. The graphs ~ Small systems Health to them. This will confuse the average reader. The illustrations,showing fish population crashes are alarming. Yet the authors Authority approvals which should have been copious, are rather few and not seem to think that all is not lost. If we can reduce our impact on Bacteria, Arsenic, Turbidity, Tannins-TOC, Hardnesss, much more! particularly diagnostic (try describing an octopus from two the Strait it may yet do much to enrich our lives—it still enriches illustrations). The part that shocked me the most was that themine. wwww..watertigerr..net seaweeds (macroalgae)—which cover hundreds of square This is a beautifully produced book—its price would not be ViServingctoria The GulfBu Islandsrnaby & BC sinceCoourte 1988nay kilometres of shoreline, include the largest and fastest growingpossible without major subsidy, which came from the Pacific ([email protected]) 412-1110 (604) 630-111 TF:4 1-855-777-1220(2500) 339-6914 algae in the world, and are habitats and breeding grounds for many other organisms—are dealt with in a single page. SEA AMONG US, please turn to next page www.islandtides.com Island Tides, April 30, 2015, Page 7

SOUTH-WESTERN BC ELECTORAL DISTRICTS MAPSFormer & New Maps overlay • Individual Electoral District maps at www.elections.ca

Map: Lori Waters Whoops! SEA AMONG US from previous page ROUND THE ISLANDS from page 2 Great Bear Rainforest Acoustics he gremlins got in again. First, they rearranged the Salmon Foundation. Hence, it would be a bargain even if most Environmental group Pacific Wild has placed six hydrophones, 539 in Tom Hennessy’s contact phone number for of its contents were less than superb. But the vastly experienced underwater microphones, in the waters just off the Central performers for The Bob Dylan Birthday Party (see editors/contributors have generally steered the volume aright. Coast. Working with the Heiltsuk Nation in monitoring ocean What’s On?, page 7 for the right number). Cynthia from If you have questions about the Strait of Georgia, I’d be noise over time, they’re hoping to get a better sense of how T surprised if you could not find respectable answers somewhere let me know. She and husband Rex are the animals use the waterways. ‘Most of the species that are Cheap & Cheerful Blues Band and they are planning to play in the book. acoustically sensitive rely on a quiet ocean in order to at Bob’s Birthday this year. Most publications about the strait tend to focus on one or a communicate, in order to forage, in order to survive here,’ says If this wasn’t enough, the electoral districts map we few attributes or groups of organisms. Not this one. The Ian McAllister, cofounder of the wildlife conservation previous adoption of a multi-authored approach has allowed the book to organization. He says the need to get better data on the waters published last edition was the one for elections! It cover most of the angles. As Brian Riddell states in the off the Great Bear Rainforest is especially critical because BC was easy to make the error. When doing a google search you Introduction, the book ‘is a unique combination of science, potentially faces a massive rise in tanker traffic in the coming can whiz straight to the former map on Elections Canada’s history, anthropology and biology’ from which I would dissect decades. website. We have changed it to the ‘new’ map in Island Tides’ out geology, physical oceanography, and meteorology among ‘If all of the proposals that are currently on the books for the online edition.) Anyway, we are making amends by printing others. There is, as one might expect, a concentration on the north coast of British Columbia went forward, there would be both maps this time (above). With the help of the amazing fishes (and fisheries) and birds, but marine mammals are not up to 3,000 separate tanker trips a year,’ he says. Lori Waters we have overlaid the 2015 map. This way readers neglected, and there are first rate treatments of the current and ‘We’re working as hard we can to establish these acoustic can get the big picture of the differences. historical interactions of people and their impacts on the strait. thresholds that will allow us to incorporate those into marine Darwin wrote: ‘A traveller should be a botanist.’ As a biologist Readers are telling us how confusing the new electoral planning initiatives in the future.’ Sitka, surf and outdoors districts are—especially in Courtenay and Comox which now who somehow neglected to take geology as an undergraduate, clothing company in Victoria is findraising for the hydrophone have the boundary line between the twin cities. (Too small to I would add that discipline (now called Earth Science) to project. Visit: crowdfund.sitka.ca and pacificwild.org. be seen accurately on this map.) We will be printing more Darwin’s aphorism. Most who live around the Strait of Georgia In early May, longtime Great Bear Rainforest resident know little about it and can, if they wish, be guided by this book McAllister, award-winning photographer and author of The detailed maps and descriptions to help us all fathom it. Also to many strange places and disciplines. All of us have depths Last Wild Wolves is giving presentations about his latest book go to Elections Canada; be sure to go from the homepage to and breadths of ignorance which this book can address. Not Great Bear Wild on Denman and Salt Spring Islands, see the ‘New’ maps section. —CG-W only is the coastal scenery superb, except for the almost “What’s On’, page 7 for details. ubiquitous clearcuts, but the strait also offers perhaps the best Jane Goodall, talking of his book, says: ‘Through cold water diving in the world—the largest octopuses and the breathtaking photographs and moving prose, McAllister’s Great Butler Gravel & most diverse seastars among others—though we have recently Bear Wild presents a compelling case for the urgent need to …Better had a catastrophic mortality of some seastars which came too Concrete protect, in perpetuity, one of the most magnificent ecosystems from the ground up! late to be discussed in the book. on the planet—the increasingly threatened Great Bear It is not just the pleasure, but must be the duty of everyone Rainforest.’ 0 Reliable Service, Quality Products who lives near the strait to adopt it as one of their major & Competitive Prices concerns. We have control over such things as the quality of the Serving All The Gulf Islands water, and the health of streams and rivers that enter the strait. The Simple We know that our resident orcas, now only 80 in number, are High-Perfoormance Phone 250-652-4484 balanced on a knife’s edge, and we can all educate ourselves Fax 250-652-4486 about these charismatic megafauna and the other cetaceans Septic Systeme 6700 Butler Crescent, Saanichton, B.C. who live here. Eljljen GSF…YYouro A orddable ble Toward the end of his cautionary yet inspiring book, Stewart Solution foro Today’s Brand writes, ‘We need to monitor in detail and map in detail Wasta ewater Challenges! Independent what’s really going on… In particular, we need to cure our Dental Hygiene ignorance about the ocean.’ James Lovelock notes ‘The ocean in a relaxed setting is truly aqua incognita… It is right to build theories of the Ideal for New or Registered Dental Hygienists ocean…but quite wrong to use them to make policies. First they Replacement Systems offering: must be tested by long-term observation and measurement,’ • scaling • root planing because about 97% of life on earth lives in the ocean. Google • polishing • whitening Ocean is an ongoing project with that aim. We must pay close • other services Innovative Products and Solutions Since 1970 attention. This book will help. Bryce Kendrick taught biology at University of Waterloo for Celebrating 13 years of service in beautiful Sidney-by-the-Sea eljen.com 30 years, retiring to Vancouver Island in 1994. 0 ‹ 250-655-4884 www.islandtides.com Page 8, Island Tides, April 30, 2015

Photo: Toby Snelgrove: SNELGROVE IMAGES.com The Belle are a winter haulout sites for mostly Steller’s and some Californian sea lions. They start arriving in mid-fall and leave for the breeding rookery in early May. No breeding occurs on the Belle Chain, rather on rookeries on the north-west of Vancouver Island. In April, Festival Active Pass participants commented ‘ feel like I am in a National Geographic show’. Even Parks Canada staff on the tour were ‘stoked’.

Cornelia Hahn Oberlander speaks on Saturna ornelia Hahn Oberlander is one of the areas. most important landscape architects of She has designed some of the most iconic the twentieth century, yet despite her outdoor spaces in Canada including Robson Clasting influence, few outside the field know her Square and its adjoining Provincial Law Courts name. Her work has been instrumental in the in Vancouver and the gardens of the National development of the late-twentieth-century Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. One of Cornelia’s design ethic, and her early years working with more recent projects is the new Visitor Centre architectural luminaries such as Louis Kahn and Discovery Hall at Vandusen Botanical and Dan Kiley prepared her to bring a truly Gardens in Vancouver. modern--and audaciously abstract—sensibility Herrington places Oberlander within a to the landscape design tradition. larger social and aesthetic context, chronicling In Cornelia Hahn Oberlander: Making the both her personal and professional trajectory Modern Landscape, Susan Herrington draws and her work in New York, Philadelphia, upon archival research, site analyses, and Vancouver, Seattle, Berlin, Toronto, and Our natural environment is no place numerous interviews with Oberlander and her Montreal. collaborators to offer the first biography of this Oberlander is a progenitor of some of the adventurous and influential landscape most significant currents informing landscape for household hazardous waste. architect. architecture today, particularly in the area of Born in 1921, Oberlander fled Nazi ecological focus. In her thorough biography, May Bring your hazardous waste to the Germany at the age of eighteen with her family, Herrington draws much-deserved attention to going on to become one of the few women to one of the truly important figures in landscape Recycling Depot graduate from Harvard University's Graduate architecture. 220 Sturdies Bay Road, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm 3 School of Design in the late 1940s. Cornelia and her family have had a home 2015 For six decades Cornelia has practiced on Saturna Island for many years. Now in her socially responsible and ecologically sensitive ’90s, Cornelia continues to work with a twinkle Household hazardous waste defined. design for public landscapes. She has worked in her eyes and a curiosity that has not been in cities around the world on projects that have erased by time. Hear her talk on May 16, see Household hazardous waste is any waste from your home that you consider helped define a natural landscape within urban ‘What’s On?’, page 7 for details. 0 to be dangerous or are unsure of. It includes any leftover household products that are marked with the following symbols:

Flammable Corrosive Explosive Poison Common examples include pesticides, varnishes, paints, cleaners and + = pool chemicals. Please remember this collection is for household waste only, no industrial waste from commercial businesses. Greenhouse Gardening Starts Here! Halls English Greenhouses are known for high quality & affordability. For more information call the CRD Hotline 1.800.663.4425 Five models, 6 or 8ft wide, 4 to14ft long. Easy to assemble kits. See our website for details. Email: [email protected] or visit www.crd.bc.ca Russell Nursery, Island Agent for Halls Greenhouses 1370 Wain Road, North Saanich, BC (first exit off ferry) 250-656-0384 www.russellnursery.com/greenhouses Missed something? You can read ‘searchable’ back issues online: www.islandtides.com. There are topic archives, too! www.islandtides.com