Property Assessment Q&A Tomorrow!

Mr. Danakody, a man with answers!

There have been many recent changes to the rules around how property is assessed in British Columbia.

Sometimes, between kids and pets, bills and appointments, and the thousands of other details that occupy our daily lives, an changes to something like property tax assessment can pass by unnoticed.

Back to Business: Food Security is an important part of a Sustainable British Columbia

Click here if you can't see the image.

Stung!

Kudos to Greg Horne for making this documentary! Watch it and you'll know why island bee-keepers swarmed the BC Legislature this fall...and why it is so important that we protect our precious island pollinators.





Please take a moment to support my efforts to persuade the Ministry of Agriculture to address this serious situation: click here.

Thank you,

Lana.

Downtown Winter Market!

Starting THIS Saturday and continuing on the third Saturday of ever month until spring ... there is a Winter Market!

Many of our favourite producers will be there, including Terra Nossa farm with local meats, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks, Iron Maiden Seafood, Saanich Organics, Bread by Matt, Vancouver Island Salt Company, Haliburton farm and Kildara farms.

It takes place in the beautiful (and sheltered!)  Market Square, from 11am-3pm. There will also be live music, and entertainment.

Hope to see you there!

Thank you victoriapublicmarket.com for making it happen! It is people like you that are helping to make local food security a reality...and a lot of fun!

Lana

Agriculture and health on critic's mind

Reprinted from the Invermere Valley Echo

NDP Agriculture Critic Lana Popham
 speaking to students at 
DTSS in Invermere.
Darryl Crane/echo photo

By Darryl Crane -

Published: November 16, 2010 1:00 PM

Students and residents of the Columbia Valley had a special visitor when MLA for Saanich South and NDP critic for Agriculture and Lands, Lana Popham came to the area.

Popham was elected MLA for Saanich South on May 12, 2009 and is a well-known environmental and community activist, businesswoman and organic farmer.

Oy Veh!

Why bother asking people for input if you are going to completely ignore what they have to say?

Today the BC Legislative Finance Committee released their public consultation report for the 2011 Budget.

But Premier Gordon Campbell’s recent announcement of an income tax break made a mockery of this process and wasted the time of hundreds of British Columbians who had participated in good faith.

Thank you Cranbrook, Kimberley and Invermere!

Thank you Cranbrook, Kimberley and Invermere!

From food security to renewable energy - here are some pictures of amazing British Columbians doing the hard work to plan for the future! I was on agriculture tour of the area this week and was really impressed! Click to the right to see the photo album.

One of the highlights of the tour was learning about successful efforts to connect kids to healthy local food. There is a Chef's programme in Invermere bringing good food back into the school system. I was even treated to a lovely lunch with freshly harvested salad greens from the school greenhouse.
Here is a recipe of the (delicious!) tofu burritos we had for lunch.

Don't knock it until you've tried it!

Weekend Reading!

Hi,

Two very interesting reports have recently been released - excellent weekend reading for everyone interested in agriculture, sustainability and food security!

Lana

"Every Bite Counts", by the CCPA: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/everybitecounts

And a draft strategy for a regional food system in Vancouver: http://www.scribd.com/doc/37130581/Draft-Regional-Food-System-Strategy-for-Metro-Vancouver-September-2010