Lower Island NEWS An independent democratic socialist newspaper serving the Lower Vancouver Island area for 28 years Volume 30 Issue #1 January, 2013 Victoria, BC Victoria’s new Member of Parliament, Murray Rankin (centre), is joined by NDP federal leader Tom Mulcair and House of Commons Clerk as Rankin is sworn in. An exclusive interview with Victoria’s newly elected MP, Murray Rankin, LLM, QC, MP A bright star for Victoria, Ottawa and Canada By Jonathan Lee the few months leading to the election, and impoverishment for countless Canadians, federal government is very much absent in during the candidates’ meetings. He’d won and enrichment of very few. joining to imagine and enact useful, long The new Member of Parliament for the election. Now he could reasonably be As Rankin pointed out, in the recent term policy solutions. Victoria, BC, Murray Rankin, is a rising star allowed a little R & R. election the Conservative candidate polled “You can’t change things by doing in today’s political galaxy. And yet here he was again, ready less than 15% of the total vote. the same thing over and over. That’s a If energy and intellect can change and to explain and persuade. Entirely It’s the “growing inequality” in society, definition of insanity,” says Rankin. sustain, for the better, Rankin’s recent understanding the nature of the task that as Rankin stated as he began to tick off his He praises the work of voluntary election can only be a good thing. he’s been elected to perform. concerns and priorities, that drive his desire and non profit organizations such as, for In this first in-depth interview since his It was clear from the outset that Rankin to be a constructive force for change. example, Victoria Cool Aid Society, The election, he has provided for Lower Island means business in improving the lives of his For Rankin and the NDP it is Coalition to End Homelessness, Our Place, News readers a clear roadmap of where he Victoria constituents, and in the work that unacceptable, in a country as wealthy as Mustard Seed and many more. hopes and intends to assist Her Majesty’s he intends to undertake to make the NDP Canada, that people are to be found living But this is not enough for Rankin. Loyal Opposition, and the federal New the next party of government in Canada. on the streets. He wants to see a restoration of federal Democratic Party, in improving the lives of LIN readers will appreciate only But it’s not only the homeless population assistance. Loans and grants to fund long Victorians and Canadians. too clearly how grim are these current to be found on the streets that Rankin term solutions providing economic equality And further, he begins to outline Conservative economic and political times. recognizes. We need to look at the “couch of opportunity. For example Rankin cites many of the policies and philosophies For so many of Victoria’s residents, young surfers and people sleeping in their cars”, the promotion of housing co-ops as a that the NDP will bring to the country, as and elderly, life is a daily struggle, with he says. “Those who can’t get a foot on the proven powerful resource in challenging the next governing party, after the current every tomorrow bringing another 24 hours social and financial ladder.” affordable housing shortages. Conservative government is defeated at of uncertainty. “This Conservative government’s In Rankin’s view not enough is done the next general election. It’s this understanding that Murray policies have exacerbated the difficulties to support younger generations. Even for Rankin is a bundle of energy and Rankin seeks to address in taking his seat that people face, and have encouraged a those with the opportunity for advanced passion. We met on a bleak, pre-Christmas in Canada’s House of Commons. culture of growing inequality.” education, student loan debts of $30,000 morning, at one of Victoria’s landmark The recent federal by-election came Rankin acknowledges that at provincial - $50,000 are unsustainable for individuals buildings on Douglas Street. at a time when even the most stubborn and local levels, useful work has been done starting a career and seeking a place to live Murray Rankin could have been of Conservative voters are having trouble to alleviate distress, and he praises the and raise a family. excused for looking to abbreviate this imagining that Prime Minister Harper’s work of Mayor Dean Fortin in Victoria for Rankin believes that the federal interview. He’d explained party policies ideas and governance can lead to his continued efforts. government must do more to support a faithfully, patiently and passionately over anything better than a continuing slide into At the same time, Rankin notes that the Please turn to A bright star, page 2 Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40008124 Return to: Inside this issue Lower Island News Idle No More in Victoria 3 As American as applie pie 14 Box 311-2750 Quadra Street Editorial and opt/ed 4 Corporate responsibility 15 Victoria, BC V8T 4E8 Letters to the editor 5 “Bloody January again!” 16 The BC disadvantage for women 6 Pirates of the Mediterranean 17 Caring about inequality 7 Brain-health plan 18-19 Federal news 8 New Year’s Levees 20 Queen Elizabeth awards 10 FGM update report 21 MLA James reports 11 Books of interes t 22 Working outside the box 12 Coming events calendar 23 Education on the agenda 13 Directory 24 Page 2 January 2013 Lower Island NEWS A bright star, Murray Rankin, from page 1 attend to a dialogue with First Nations long and creative association. leaders as another example of the failure of The NDP is now a government in national education policy. The present An NDP government will promote this Conservative government to address waiting. Conservative government selectively cites sustainable environmental policies, yet another example of economic inequality, It’s a party not only committed to the Canadian constitution to justify its view recognizing the expertise, experience and which an NDP government will correct. protecting the environment and preserving that education policy and delivery is entirely rights of First Nations interests. Underlying Rankin’s positions are the and redirecting resources, but it is also a a provincial responsibility. At the same time Rankin is passionate in his admiration beliefs that the economic and budgetary party that understands that credible policies Rankin notes that a similar model and and expectations of First Nations priorities of any government quickly explain are required of government at every level, rationale is not followed in the provision of communities. how that government sees its task. to serve countless needs. Canadian health care. The Harper government has done An NDP government will radically He welcomes the support of Green Rankin believes that a properly funded nothing to engage First Nations communities change Conservative spending priorities party voters, in due course, understanding and sustainable federal education policy is beyond more of the “paternalistic” to better serve and enable provincial their invaluable work in speaking to the entirely constitutional and is as important approaches of the past, Rankin says. There governments to distribute federal funds topics of environmental dangers and the as a properly funded national health care is a “culture of dependency” that must be more effectively and fairly. solutions that can work to preserve and policy. An NDP government will move to ended. First Nations communities have a To the charge that NDP policies might be protect the planet. correct this inequity, attaching provincial constitutional right to self government and more “tax & spend”, Rankin is dismissive. As an environmentalist Rankin also educational spending mandates to federal the Canadian federal government needs NDP policies are designed to distribute understands that a government must social transfers. to join in partnership with the Assembly of existing resources more effectively and promulgate realistic policies on multiple Rankin points out that we live in a First Nations to find solutions to the crisis in fairly. An NDP government, for example, issues and as such the NDP values the “knowledge based economy and not an First Nation communities. will not replicate the cost overruns that can input of all progressive thinkers, in a spirit extractive economy”. This has not happened under Stephen be seen with the current order for F35 jets of partnership and consultation. Without sustainable education policies Harper’s government and will happen rising to $46 billion from the $9 billion initial The NDP holds the largest number we are unable to make the intelligent under the leadership of Tom Mulcair, says estimate. of parliamentary seats of any opposition strategic decisions necessary to manage Rankin. Rankin cites other examples of gross party in the past 30 years. It has taken its our energy industries for the long-term. Murray Rankin speaks with authority in cost overruns and compares those costs responsibilities as the official opposition Rankin moves neatly to a discussion these matters. As a lawyer he has acted as with the opportunities for cost effective very seriously and will displace the Harper of the NDP positions on pipeline issues, a negotiator, advocate and representative, savings and redistribution presented by government at the next election. Enbridge, et al and notes that NDP leader, looking at many perspectives of First encouraging lower carbon producing Rankin mentions that a recent study by Tom Mulcair, has consistently been a Nations policies. industries, for example. the Canadian Department of Finance, no fighter against environmentally dangerous He deplores the lack of federal Rankin sees the necessary redirection less, credits NDP governments across the extraction and transportation systems consultation with the AFN and mentions in spending priorities as an investment.