Taking a stand and putting on pressure.....

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Oct. 27, 2009

B.C. LIBERALS FAIL TO PROTECT WILD SALMON,
SURRENDER FISHERIES MANAGEMENT TO OTTAWA

VICTORIA - The escape of 40,000 Atlantic salmon from a fish farm in the Broughton Archipelago highlights the B.C. Liberals’ failure to protect wild salmon stocks, say the New Democrats.

Despite the escape, the Liberals will still not commit to implementing closed-containment technology, a system that would have prevented the escape from the open-net Marine Harvest fish farm Friday.

“The legislature’s all-party finance committee has recommended the implementation of closed containment as a benefit to the economy and to the environment, but the B.C. Liberals continue to sit on their hands,” says opposition agriculture and lands critic Lana Popham.

“This latest escape is a shameful, yet shining example of why closed containment is needed in B.C.’s waters,” said Popham. “Forty thousand mature, alien fish have escaped into the wild, meaning they’re competing with native wild stocks for food, looking to spawn and increasing the potential of passing on disease and other pathogens.”

Opposition environment critic Rob Fleming says there are fears the B.C. Liberals are fast-tracking seven new fish farm licenses before they transfer oversight of aquaculture to the federal government in February.

“We’ve just passed a summer in which the Fraser River sockeye returns were dramatically lower than expected,” said Fleming. “A significant stock is in crisis, but the B.C. Liberals are still blithely carrying on as if there is no problem.”

In Question Period Monday, the opposition asked Agriculture Minister Steve Thomson to commit to not fast-track those seven new licenses. Thomson indicated that despite the stocks in crisis and regardless of the escape from the Marine Harvest site, it was business as usual for his ministry.

The opposition has called for the province to commit to three immediate steps:
- No expansion of open-net fish farming activities or approval of new sites on B.C.’s coast.
- Implement the bi-partisan recommendation of the B.C.’s Select Standing Committee on Finance to move finfish aquaculture to closed containment and world-leading sustainable practice.
- Immediately begin open, transparent and complete stakeholder consultation on the February 2010 transfer of fisheries aquaculture management responsibility so that B.C.’s long-term interests in a sustainable fishery are represented in any transfer agreements.

Bob Simpson, the opposition critic for aboriginal relations and reconciliation, says First Nations leaders have expressed significant concerns over the further expansion of aquaculture and the transfer of authority to the federal government, but the B.C. Liberals have turned a deaf ear to those concerns.

“First Nations must be consulted before such a fundamental change takes place that would have a profound impact on their way of life,” said Simpson.

--30--

Media Contact: Tim Renneberg 250 361 6314

Question Period - Fish Farms - Oct. 26 09

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6KZ6_dOV2Q



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3gykCHQHqQ

Do you care about our wild salmon stocks?

Here is a portion of the transcript from the budget estimates I did focusing on aquaculture on Tuesday. There is some interesting answers regarding open net salmon farms........

To see the complete transript click on this link:

http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/39th1st/D91020x.htm


L. Popham: I think there has been a statement by the Minister of Environment on the lack of confidence in DFO that the public has regarding the aquaculture management situation and the collapse of our wild stock. I'm just wondering if the minister has confidence that DFO is capable of sustainable aquaculture management and is capable of protecting and helping bring back the salmon stocks in B.C. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
[1025]



Hon. S. Thomson: Firstly, I don't think it's appropriate in my estimates to comment on the competency of a federal regulator, but what I can say is that, as part of our discussions that we are having and will be having with the federal government over the next months responding to the decision, provincial interests will inform the discussion and be a significant part of that discussion. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
And I also can say that we are working closely with my colleague the Minister of Environment as part of these discussions, ensuring that the concerns that he has raised are taken into account as we work on this arrangement with the federal government. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]



L. Popham: Can the minister tell me how long he expects the transition to take? I know that there has been a discussion that it might be February, but in the briefing I had prior to these estimates, there was an indication that it could take longer than that. Is there an end date for these discussions? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
I would like to know the nature of those discussions –– if there have been any stakeholders invited into those discussions. And I would also like to know, while the discussions are happening and while our province is still undertaking the management of the aquaculture and fish industry: will the minister be putting a hold on the permits that are pending right now? And I would also like to know: how many pending permits are there? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
[1030]


Hon. S. Thomson: A number of questions there, so just to go through them. First of all, the court decision set out that the jurisdiction was to be transferred by February 9, 2010. That was the direction of the court, and that is the objective that we're continuing to work towards with the federal government. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
You asked about stakeholder engagement or consultation, and I can let you know that the federal government, as a courtesy, has advised us that they intend to have broad consultation on the new regulation, and in the process. That will take place over the next few months. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
You asked about the nature of the discussions. The nature of the current discussions are around essentially how well the federal government regulates and administers that portion of the regulation that is to be transferred to them as a result of the court decision. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
If you look at the court decision, you also know that in that transition period between now and then, the courts directed that the province will continue to administer and have responsibility for the industry under our current set of regulations and current management structure. We will continue to do that over that time period. That was what was directed by the courts. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
You asked about the number of new applications or number of applications. There are currently seven finfish aquaculture new applications that are in a process now of review, consultation. It involves very significant first nations consultation, environmental assessment. Those processes are continuing on those seven new applications. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
[1035]


L. Popham: Regarding the seven new finfish permits that are pending, I would like to know if these are separate applications from expanding current sites, and if there's a different number for those. I would also like to know if the minister believes that any of these permits will be approved before the transition is finished. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]



Hon. S. Thomson: Yes, the seven are separate. There are a number of other amendments in an application, requests in for…. These are amendments to tenures, licences — a number in the Broughton area, which I think is an area you may be asking about. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
[1055]
In terms of the approval process, as you know, those applications go through a rigorous environmental assessment, a very significant level of first nations consultation — requires local government involvement in that. I'm not in a position to be able to speculate as to whether any specific number or any of the new finfish applications may be approved within that time frame. Those depend upon that very rigorous process. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
We've got the strongest, strictest environmental regulation on the industry probably in the world and with the level of consultation that's required before an approval. I can't speculate as to whether any specific number of those will be approved within that time frame before the February 9 date. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]



L. Popham: Could the minister tell me how many permits are expansion permits? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Hon. S. Thomson: We're having some difficulty in very quickly getting that specific information for you. I think what I would like to say is that we're prepared, as a follow-up, to provide you with that information. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
There are a number of different kinds of applications, as you know, related to licensing renewal. Some, as you said, asked some expansion. I think to be fair, rather than provide a number that may not be completely accurate here, what we can commit to do is provide you that as a follow-up — a breakdown of the number of additional applications that we have currently in the system and under review, in addition to those seven new finfish applications that I talked about earlier. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

L. Popham: I would just like to state that it makes me very uneasy to think that we would be considering giving permission for new finfish aquaculture operations to begin as we're transitioning into a different type of jurisdiction with those. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
I think the constituents around B.C. are very concerned about the sustainability of the current aquaculture situation. I think people are really concerned that we should be moving from open-net containment to closed-containment aquaculture. I want to know if there's any money in the line item to help fish farms transition to closed-net containment systems. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
[D. Horne in the chair.]
[1100]

Hon. S. Thomson: No, there is not a specific allocation of dollars for closed-containment work, but we have committed and have our staff resources working in that area. We have significant expertise that we have built up over the years in the industry within our staff — some very, very good staff who are working with organizations and people interested in closed-containment technology. Part of the work of our staff is to do that and to work, looking forward, and researching that technology. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
We do work with organizations directly, like the coastal association of aquaculture reform and the Save Our Salmon society. We're working with those. I've recently met with them, as well, to discuss their interest in these areas. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]
We'll continue to ensure that our staff resources and expertise that we've built up continue to contribute to the research and the investigation of that type of technology. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

L. Popham: I would like to know…. Given the court ruling that open-net salmon farming is a fishery and not agriculture, will the industry's tax assessment change from farm tax to industrial tax? Industrial tax is much higher than farm tax. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Hon. S. Thomson: Yeah, a good question, and not one I have a specific answer for, but I think it's certainly something we can look into. I think it was also one that was appropriate to be canvassed under the Ministry of Finance estimates, as well, because that's where the tax policy decisions rest. But I think it's a very good question, and I thank you for raising it, and it's something we'll look into. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

L. Popham: What does the minister believe will be the status of the B.C. sustainable aquaculture report now that there is going to be a transfer to DFO? I am concerned that all of this work and the money spent and the hours spent will be lost in the shuffle, and I'm hoping that the minister will be bringing it to the table. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Hon. S. Thomson: Yes, that report and information will be used to help inform our discussions with the federal government. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Fishy Business.........

Part of my job as MLA for Saanich South includes being the Critic for Aquaculture. Even though the formal responsibility for Aquaculture in BC will be transferred to the Federal Government in the Spring, I don't believe we should be walking away from our responsibility to hold our BC Government accountable for time up until that transfer happens. We still have a budget for Aquaculture until that time.

We are in serious trouble with our wild stocks. There are many things we can do to help reduce the risk to our salmon. One major change we could make as a province is to require all fish farms to be "closed containment" systems. This is a safer way of farming fish in the ocean.

Here are some frequently asked questions answered by The Living Oceans Society. The Living Oceans Society Living is Canada’s largest organization focusing exclusively on marine conservation issues. They are based in Sointula, a small fishing village on the Central Coast of British Columbia.



What is Salmon Farming?

Salmon farming is the practice of growing large numbers of hatchery-origin salmon for human food in large floating mesh net-cage pens located in sheltered bays along the coast.

How can you tell if fish is farmed or wild?

In Canada neither retailers nor restaurants are required to label their seafood as farmed or wild. In the US, supermarkets are required to include this information on the label but the regulation is poorly enforced. However, if you see Atlantic salmon on a menu or a supermarket shelf it is farmed, there are no commercially viable Atlantic salmon fisheries left in North America. Atlantic salmon is the most commonly farmed species, but some B.C. farms raise Pacific Chinook (spring or king) and coho salmon. Retailers and restaurants often advertise “fresh” salmon. This usually means fresh from the farm—not from the fisherman. Be sure to ask restaurants and retailers if their salmon is farmed or wild. If it is farmed (Atlantic or Pacific), don’t buy it.

Is canned salmon farmed or wild?

Salmon used in canning is primarily wild salmon, although some can be farmed. The label on the can usually name the species of salmon-- pink and sockeye are the most common canned salmons. Neither of these species are farmed so you can enjoy your canned salmon with confidence.


Does eating farmed salmon help protect wild salmon because there is less pressure placed on wild stocks?

Salmon farmers often claim their industry is helping to “feed the world.” In truth, the salmon farming industry accelerates the depletion of wild fish stocks and strains the food supply for people in poorer nations. On average, it takes three to five kilograms of wild fish (used in the feed) to produce one kilogram of farmed salmon. Most of the wild feed for B.C. farmed salmon is taken from the southern hemisphere, diverting local protein to raise a luxury product for northern consumers. Farmed salmon also pose a threat to wild stocks by transferring parasites and diseases to passing wild salmon stocks. The open net-cages used in salmon farming do not allow disease and parasites to be contained, and a growing body of research has documented the decline of wild salmon stocks near salmon farms. Eating farmed salmon does not save wild salmon, it places them more at risk.

Are the levels of antibiotics and other chemicals higher in farmed or wild salmon?

Antibiotics and other chemicals used to treat parasites or keep net pens free of algae are commonly used in salmon farming. As a result, farmed salmon can contain antibiotics and chemicals you would not find in wild salmon.

I’ve heard farmed fish is naturally a grey color and that it is dyed pink or red – is this true?

Wild salmon range in colour from pink to red because of the food they eat. Since farmed salmon do not benefit from a wild diet, colourants (canthaxanthin and astaxanthin) are added to their feed to alter their flesh from an unappealing grey to a marketable “salmon” colour.

What are Sea Lice?

Sea lice are small marine ‘ecto’ (surface) parasites that occur naturally on many different species of wild fish. Sea lice feed on fish by attaching to the outside, usually on the skin, fins and or gills.
The two native species of sea lice in British Columbia, Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus clemensi, share a similar lifecycle (planktonic larvae maturing into juvenile and adult parasitic stages), with the main difference being that L. salmonis requires a salmon host to complete its lifecycle while C. clemensi can survive to reproduce on salmon as well as other fish.

If sea lice are a natural part of the ecosystem, why are they considered a problem?

Salmon farms are unnatural reservoirs for parasite populations. Not only do the high density conditions of salmon farms increase infection rates on farmed salmon, the location of salmon farms near the mouths of rivers puts them on the path of out-migrating wild juvenile salmon. Before salmon farms started operating on the B.C. coast, juvenile and adult salmon were separated. This kept sea lice that adult fish can carry from infecting juveniles who are too vulnerable to withstand infection. Wild pink and chum salmon are the size of a triple A battery and have no scales when they migrate past farms in places like the Broughton Archipelago. As a result, sea lice put these salmon runs at the risk of extinction, affecting the 137 species that depend on wild salmon as food.

What are PCBs, and why are higher levels found in farmed salmon?

Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are persistent, cancer-causing chemicals that were widely used from the 1930s to the 1970s and are now banned from North America. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, are chemical fire retardants used in several products and are found in the environment.A study published in the American journal Environmental Science and Technology on August 10, 2004 found on average higher levels of PCBs in farmed salmon than in wild salmon. The authors of the study concluded that frequent consumption of farmed salmon is more likely to boost exposure to PBDEs than wild salmon.The economic incentive to speed the growth of farmed species has led to the use of an increasingly high-energy diet, which means farmed salmon have a higher fat content than their wild counterparts. This makes them more vulnerable to contamination by fat-soluble pollutants (i.e. PCBs) that accumulate up the food chain. And, since feed ingredients are sourced from fisheries all over the world, “local” farmed salmon can contain contaminants from distant seas. Read the CBC’s 2002 story on Vancouver geneticist Michael Easton’s study that found even one meal a week of B.C. farmed salmon could pose health hazards.Find out Health Canada’s position on PBDEs.


What are the solutions to salmon farming problems?

Separate wild and farmed fish.

Remove open net-cage salmon farms from the B.C. coast and rapidly transition to land or ocean based closed containment systems.

No new open net-cage farm sites in British Columbia.

Until the transition to closed containment is complete, provide safe migration routes for juvenile salmon via the emptying of farms along these routes.

No increase in production levels at current farm sites.

Fish meal and fish oils used in farm fish feed must be harvested from verified sustainable sources.

Thankful.......

Happy Thanksgiving Saanich South

As our main harvest season comes to an end I want to express my gratitude to the people who are participating in sustainable food production.
My gratitude goes out to those who choose to make farming a career. I want to express my thankfulness to those who frequent our farmers markets. I am appreciative to those who are growing food in their own backyards or in any place they have access.
Thanksgiving is a celebration of a harvest season coming to an end. It's a celebration of food, family and friends.
On Vancouver Island we are fortunate to have a long growing season and many of us are still harvesting tomatoes, but that soon will change and we will be moving into grocery stores for our purchases.
As our own gardens put themselves to sleep for the winter, as the farmers markets close down until Spring, and as consumers, we are presented with foods from other places, I hope an awareness can accompany us over the winter months.

We grow many crops that store well over the winter. One of these crops is apples. As our BC apple crop comes into the market we also see apples from other countries. In order to protect our agricultural viability of this province we should be purchasing BC produce first. Buy BC apples until the BC crop has been sold. It's a vote for for sustainability and BC food security.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lana

Question Period - BC Olympic Wine - Oct 8 09

Olympic-sized Deceptions

What do these three bottles have in common? They are all sold as "BC Wine" and yet not one of them contains a drop of wine made in BC.

Look closely and you will see the wine bottle in the centre of this picture has the official BC Olympic logo. Yes, this is a wine we are presenting to the world to showcase the best of BC - and yet, the grapes are not grown in BC and the wine is not made in BC.

Today I rose in the Legislature and asked the Minister responsible why the government is letting this happen. You can read the transcript by clicking here.

Have you heard that the Cowichan sweaters being sold as official Olympic gear are not in made by Cowichan knitters. The cultural designs were just appropriated and the sweaters have been mass-produced and shipped into BC.

It is the same problem: local industries that should be hard at work getting ready for the Olympics are left out in the cold.

I believe the government will have to soon stop selling imported wine as "BC wine" - it is just too deceptive and too unfair to BC wine-makers. I won't stop pushing until I see this change.

I am just as determined that government stop ruining the reputation of our world-class B.C. wines by allowing cheap foreign plonk to be sold under the B.C. Olympic logo.

Community Garden - Our First Harvest!

Hi Saanich South,

We are so excited that our community garden is already producing. We picked our first bunch of Swiss Chard last week. Greg Holloway, a Saanich South Constituent, was at the right place and the right time and took a bunch home.

Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla), also known by the common names Swiss Chard, Silverbeet, Perpetual Spinach, Spinach Beet, Crab Beet, Seakale Beet and Mangold, is a leafy vegetable and a Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima. Although the leaves are eaten, it is in the same species as the garden beet (beetroot) which is usually grown primarily for its edible roots.

I love swiss chard as a leafy green and use it a lot in my meals. I think chard is a bit of a mystery. What do you do with it? The answer to this question is exciting....EVERYTHING! Add it to pasta sauce, into soup, add it to mashed potatoes, into scrambled eggs, put it in a frittata, or my favorite, saute it with garlic, olive oil and a bit of butter. Delish!

In case you didn't know, our Saanich South Community Garden is open during office hours.

Don't be shy, come on by! We would love to see you!

Lana

Don't Cut Autism Therapy for Children!

Sheri and Evan Peterson

Dear Friends,

Many of you have heard that the BC Government plans to cut funding to critical therapy for children with autism.

The decision was made hastily, without public consultation and on the basis of outdated information.

The facts are clear: funding such therapy saves taxpayers' money. Children with autism who do NOT get early intensive therapy will cost the public far more in long-term health care and social assistance than those who do get it.

If we make enough noise, I know the government will reconsider.

Our leaders are women like Hollie Davis and Sheri Peterson: moms who have seen the lives of their children profoundly improved by early intensive therapy. They are working flat-out to save this programme because they can’t bear to think of other kids losing this chance.

The true cost of this cut is horrifying. I’ve heard story after story of children who could not make eye contact, be in the presence of a stranger, make friends, hug their mothers or even stop hurting themselves. Cutting this programme will deny many children the chance to escape this fate.

Because of early intensive intervention, many children who suffered in this way are now like typical kids: their communication and social skills improved enormously and they are even able to attend regular school. When they grow up, they will be able to work and pay taxes, to give back to society, and to reach their full potential.

Please email Minister Polak (mary.polak.mla@leg.bc.ca) and ask her to reconsider the decision to cut funding to the EIBI programme. Believe me, it will help! Thank you.

Click here for more info and to join a facebook page of great folks working on this cause.

There is a rally this Wednesday, starting at 12:30pm at Bastion Square and marching to the Legislature. Hope to see you there!

Lana

Good news for a change....

A drop of good news for a change!

It’s been quite a month as I work in the Legislature and try to move the government towards more sustainable decisions. They aren't listening yet: whether it is their shocking failure to protect our wild salmon, or short-sighted cuts to a successful intervention program for autistic children. I will keeping working on important issues like these and I know that we`ll make progress because the facts on our side.

But there was one little success this week that I wanted to tell you about!

For years, many of us have been arguing as forcefully that this government must stop allowing wine imported from anywhere in the world to be sold as BC wine. The Liberal government helped to create a loophole called “Cellared in Canada”. If the wine is put in a bottle in BC, it can be marketed as BC wine, regardless of where the grapes are grown or even where the wine is made! This cheap product is everywhere, undercutting genuine BC wines and making it harder for local wineries to compete. And it dupes consumers that want to buy local. It is a deception, a fraud – pure and simple.

Finally, after all our efforts to keep the spotlight on this, the media around the world has begun to report on it. And now, the Minister Responsible, Rich Coleman, has promised to do something about it. Even if he applies just an ounce of common sense he will have to change these rules.

I won’t let up until he does.

Lana

BC Wine? BC Deception. A slap in the face for BC Wineries!

It's hard to believe that the 2010 Olympics Logo, the designation of Official Wine Supplier, would be stuck on a product that is only cellared in Canada....and is not a 100 percent BC Product. We, as taxpayers, have sacrificed a lot of tax money to showcase our province to the world for 10 days. It would be appropriate to make sure the products we are showcasing are from BC. The article below lays it out nicley. Gordon Hamilton, from the Vancouver Sun, is an excellent journalist. Read it and weep......

Consumers 'deceived' by low-cost imports being sold as B.C. wines

By Gordon Hamilton, Vancouver SunSeptember 19, 2009
Lindsey and Michael Rankin, a honeymooning couple from California, check out a bottle of B.C. wine that contains imported wine as part of the blend.
Photograph by: Ward Perrin, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver SunLow-cost bulk wines from places like California and South Africa are being sold in government liquor stores as B.C. wines, raising a storm of protest among winemakers and wine lovers who say the impostors are damaging the reputation of this province's industry.

The wines are sold by Canada's three biggest winemakers as though they are British Columbia wines, and only a keen-eyed consumer can tell the difference, said David Bond, executive director of the Association of Wine Growers of British Columbia. Association members include some of the province's best estate winemakers.

"They are getting a free ride off the reputation everyone else has developed," Bond said in an interview. "They are selling it in the B.C. wine section, and it's atrocious. I think it's scandalous. This is a very calculated form of consumer deception."

It's a Canada-wide strategy developed by the three major winemakers in consultation with federal and provincial governments that is supported by provincial liquor boards. The B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch displays the wines as if they were domestic products, identifying their country of origin as Canada.

It's only in the fine print at the bottom of the back label that the wineries identify their product as being "Cellared in Canada from domestic and imported wines."

They don't have to contain a drop of B.C. wine under Liquor Distribution Branch regulations. They just have to be bottled in B.C.

They sell for less than the province's home-grown wines, and in this province are offered in the "British Columbia" section of government liquor stores.

Consumers have to be savvy enough to ignore the displays and head for wines identified by the VQA symbol (Vintners Quality Alliance) to get real B.C. wine.

The wines are priced to compete with international brands that are also blended from unspecified sources, according to B.C. Wine Institute general manager Lisa Cameron. She said how they are sold is a retail issue.

But the practice has already blackened British Columbia's reputation as a wine region. A sharply critical article in the Sept. 10 issue of the influential news magazine The Economist was headlined: "Blended Deceit from the Nanny State."

And Jancis Robinson, one of the world's leading wine writers, wrote in her blog recently that a tasting this summer of B.C. wines "was tempered by my experience in a typical local monopoly liquor store in Vancouver," when she checked out the wines in the section identified as "British Columbia".

"It's just so difficult to take Canadian producers seriously when they are allowed to mislead the wine-buying public to this extent," she wrote.

Robinson, who lives in London, England, told The Vancouver Sun in an e-mail that consumers are being misled.

"I do think it is extremely misleading, and I know many very intelligent and well-educated Canadians who have no inkling that these wines are not all-Canadian," she said.

Tourists seeking a taste of B.C. can also easily be misled by the marketing strategy. At Vancouver's Alberni Street liquor store, newlyweds Lindsey and Michael Rankin found out just how difficult when they tried to buy a B.C. wine while on their honeymoon here.

They said their confidence in the province's viticultural achievements was shaken when they learned a bottle of Peller Estates wine they were eyeing was actually a bulk wine, likely from their own state of California.

"If it says B.C. wine, you would expect it to be local," said Michael Rankin, referring to the store's "British Columbia" signage above the wines. The LDB identifies it with a red maple leaf, meaning, according to the store, it is a wine originating in Canada.

Lindsey, the wine-lover of the two, said she read the description on the back label, but would not have picked up the fine print identifying it as imported.

"If I read that before, I would have gone straight to the imports section and bought a wine I know something about," she said.

Rich Coleman, minister responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch, said in an interview Friday that he was not aware of the practice, and he intends to look into both the labelling of the wine and the way it is displayed in B.C. liquor stores.

"I never had a problem when we would bring in juice and then ferment it into wine in British Columbia. But if they are actually bringing in wine and re-bottling it, and it's already been made somewhere else and they are just re-bottling it, then that sounds a bit odd to me."

He said he intends to raise the issue with LDB president Jay Chambers on Monday.

"So it's where it's actually displayed on the shelf that's the issue," he said. "That I can look into, and I will do."

The bulk wines can be purchased for as little as 21 cents a litre, said Bond, yielding huge profits for the wine companies.

There are about a dozen brand names using the words "Cellared in Canada" -- from Peller Estates Proprietor's Reserve and Jackson-Triggs Proprietors' Selection, which sell for $9, to Wild Horse Canyon, at $13. All are made by divisions of Mission Hill, Andrew Peller Ltd. and Vincor International Ltd., owner of the Jackson-Triggs label. The three are the country's largest wine companies.

Only Mission Hill's more costly Wild Horse Canyon separates itself by stating on the front label that it is made from California, Washington and British Columbia wines.

The "Cellared in Canada" issue is one the three winemakers and the Liquor Distribution Branch are sensitive about.

No representatives of the Big Three were willing to talk about it for this article.

The LDB would only explain its policy by e-mail. Labelling is a federal responsibility, the LDB said.

As long as the wines are bottled here, they are shelved in the "BC Wine" sections of LDB stores, the e-mail stated.

But "there is no British Columbia grape content requirement for these wines," the e-mail said. "And wineries are able to make their own blending decisions."

John Clerides, owner of private Vancouver wine store Marquis Wine Cellars, said he only carries Jackson-Triggs wines because of the price point, but his staff warn consumers what they are buying.

"It's not in the Canadian wine section. There's really no home for it. We tell our customers to put their glasses on and read the fine print."

B.C. Wine expert John Schreiner said there's a lot at stake for the big wineries that use the "Cellared in Canada" wording. Not only are they hugely profitable for wineries, but also for the LDB.

But he believes some of the wineries are going too far. He singled out Vincor, which puts its logo identifying it as the official wine supplier to the 2010 Olympics on its "Cellared in Canada" wines.

"The most egregious example of a wine that will fuzzify consumers is the merlot from [Vincor's] Jackson-Triggs that has the special Olympics label.

"The issue these days is we are making world-class wines and these wines are kind of competing with the image of what we do so well in the Okanagan Valley.

"It isn't that they are bad wines. It's that they are often fairly ordinary wines. Let's face it. If you are a [domestic] winery out on the market for bulk wine, the wineries with bulk wine for sale aren't going to sell you the stuff they put in their best bottles.

"I'd like to see some better disclosure on the labels. I think it's more important than ever, now that we have quality wines, so Canadian consumers can make a choice."

ghamilton@vancouversun.com

Incompetence on Salmon!

For Immediate Release
Sept. 19, 2009

PENNER TRIES TO DIVERT BLAME FROM HIS OWN GOV’T INCOMPETENCE ON SALMON,
NEW DEMOCRATS SAY

VICTORIA – Environment Minister Barry Penner’s attempt to criticize the federal government’s Fraser River sockeye forecasts is a brazen attempt to divert attention from his own government’s shoddy record on fisheries management, say the New Democrats.

“Minister Penner is trying to shift the blame away from the B.C. Liberals, but the truth is that the B.C. Liberals’ repeated regulatory failures have contributed to the crisis facing many B.C. salmon stocks,” said New Democrat environment critic Rob Fleming.

“Pointing fingers at Ottawa doesn’t diminish their own culpability, and won’t make coastal communities forget Gordon Campbell’s cynical pledge to implement the best fisheries management in the world, bar none.”

“Minister Penner should be ashamed for criticizing Ottawa while he’s slashing his own ministry’s fish and wildlife management budget.”

Penner criticized the federal government’s forecasts in the wake of news that returns of Fraser River sockeye are roughly 10 per cent of expected.

“One of Premier Campbell’s great golden goals in 2005 was the best fisheries management on the planet, but they have completely given up on fish,” said Lana Popham, the opposition critic for agriculture.

“British Columbia salmon are at risk because the B.C. Liberals have no strategy. Like so many other issues, it seems their only strategy on this is political – and it’s essentially to blame someone else. That doesn’t help our wild salmon stocks.”

In 2007, the special legislative committee on sustainable aquaculture – chaired by Skeena MLA Robin Austin – made 55 recommendations to improve aquaculture while protecting wild stocks.

The failure of the B.C. government to protect wild salmon stocks was one of the issues cited in a lawsuit that led to fisheries management being turned over to the federal government.

"The minister has given up responsibility of wild salmon when he knows that Ottawa is about to inherit the B.C. Liberal fish farm debacle,” said intergovernmental relations critic Guy Gentner.

“When times get tough, leaders delve into the situation. Minister Penner is simply walking away."

My first speech in the Legislature

Lana's Response to the Throne and Budget Speeches.

L. Popham: A vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

These are interesting times we live in. When I think about our challenges as a province, as a country and as a planet, I feel a sense of urgency that never leaves my mind for a second when contemplating solutions. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

One thing I know is this. It's a time to be brave as politicians, a time to think about our collective vision and to be progressive. This sense of urgency is not unfounded as there are prompts all around us — pine beetle infestation, drought, weather pattern changes and crop failures. All the signs are there, if we take care to notice. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

The debate on the reality of climate change should be over. Climate change is a fact of life for us, but there seems to be something going on at the provincial level with regards to climate change politics. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Climate change is not here for political advantage, but it seems that climate change is being used like a pawn in a game that fails to recognize that the consequences are catastrophic. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I believe in a sustainable province and that we have what it takes to survive and to adapt to the changes we will undoubtedly see. My choice to run as a New Democrat was made because I know that my personal values and beliefs and vision will be given a chance to grow, develop and strengthen as conversations unfold. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

In tribute to Saanich South, I will do my best to bring a fair-minded attitude into this House, but I will also fight hard for the things that are critical. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Being elected on May 12 was a gift from the constituents of Saanich South, and it's a responsibility that I can't take lightly. The incredible weight of this responsibility fell on my shoulders soon after May 12, and it will sit there as a reminder of the privilege I've been given as I make my way through the next four years. My sense of responsibility is strong, and it will guide my decision-making. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

[1625]

I have lived in British Columbia most of my life, and I have lived in Saanich South for 13 years. I have been working hard in our community and have spanned my commitment and dedication across urban and rural issues. I come into provincial politics with the background, the passion and the energy to make sure we don't lose what we value so dearly. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Saanich South is an urban and rural constituency, and our residents have a keen appreciation for the quality of life. Over and over during the election, at many of the 6,500 doors I knocked on, I heard what quality of life means in Saanich South, and I wasn't surprised. It means not taking anything for granted when making decisions, and it means not thinking with a silo mentality. Our environment, our education, our health care, our arts and culture, our agriculture, our oceans and our sense of community — that's what's important to Saanich South. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

We're at a time when we can't make decisions independently of one another. We can't make decisions regarding education funding without considering the effects it will have on our future economy. We can't make decisions about zero-emissions transportation infrastructure or lack of it without considering climate change. We can't make agricultural policy decisions and food-standard policy without considering the effects on the future costs to health care. Everything is connected in some way. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

As the MLA for Saanich South, I will work as hard as I can to protect our quality of life and to secure our children's future. That's the commitment I made. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

A Saanich South resident and respected climate change expert, Guy Dauncey, warns us that the reports we hear, the statistics conveyed and the penalties we will pay for being too slow to respond are underestimated. We are facing serious societal-changing outcomes. But Guy Dauncey also gives us hope. He tells us that there are things we can do every day that will help us fight climate change and to adapt as well as possible to the changes coming our way. But those everyday actions are not going to be enough, he adds. We need to see some big moves. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

[C. Trevena in the chair.]



As a newly elected MLA, I am wondering. Are we brave enough as members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia to look partisan politics in the eye and ask ourselves this: are we all making decisions for the right reasons? Do we have the capacity as leaders to make choices that will enable our fight against climate change? Are we willing to consider the bigger picture and guide our province into a place where we will be able to contend with the changes to come? Are we committed to finding solutions and supporting legislation that focuses on sustainability every single time? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I have been given the role of Agriculture and Lands critic. This appointment was one that I had been hoping for from the first time I entertained the idea of becoming an MLA. Once the appointment had been made, I felt my sense of determination galvanize. I realized quickly that my passion for cooking, local food, local food production and sustainability had a new home. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

It's a critical time for food production in British Columbia. Never has there been a time when food and politics have so dangerously crossed paths. This is a time when we should be embracing local food production, should be encouraging local growers, building up our productive land stock. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

The possibilities with this portfolio seemed very hopeful to me, because for the first time in a long time, we have public awareness and public support for local food production. But then came the throne speech. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

It was a grand day. I took my seat in the Legislature for the first time last Tuesday. I waited in anticipation and watched with great interest as the proceedings began. And then, there it was. It was right in the throne speech. The cupboard is bare. It was in reference to our provincial coffers, but to think that the government would use a food reference is interesting, as this is the government who has beaten the budget for agriculture into the ground and continues with this current budget. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Using an analogy to food is quite appropriate, because when there's no food, nothing else really matters. The difference between an empty coffer and an empty cupboard is this: if our food supply is threatened, we don't have the option to run a deficit for four years. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Because of this it's critical to plan ahead, to develop a sustainable agriculture plan, a sustainable aquaculture plan and a food security plan. Instead, all we see is the lowest support for agriculture in Canada, a slow if not non-response to the collapse of our wild salmon stocks and policies that are halting local food production. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

[1630]

The throne and budget speeches failed to address our food supply, and that was, for me, a grand disappointment. Jamie Oliver, an English chef and media personality and an ardent campaigner against processed foods, lends us an interesting reflection from one of his cookbooks. He says: [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

"For thousands of years…we farmed reasonably, respectfully and in harmony with nature. But now, with our clever technology, computers and busier lives, we have moved further away from…home-cooked food.

"Who would have thought, all those decades ago, that we would be able to buy prepacked portions for dinner, complete with a steam valve and excessive disposable packaging? Things like this would have been considered science fiction, an impossibility; yet now it's everyday life.

"Of course, all of this has resulted from a demand from generations who haven't learned to cook. Imagine our great-grandparents' amazement at the choices of ingredients we now have from places like India, the Mediterranean and China. Yet at the same time, they would have wondered what the world had come to if they read the advertisements in farming magazines explaining how to make animals gain more weight by making them retain more water.

"Imagine what farmers in the old days would have thought of today's battery farming practices. They'd have told you it wouldn't be allowed to happen. They'd have told you it would never happen — housing birds together, with no room to move."

Jamie Oliver is insightful and is fighting hard for food security in the U.K. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Our health care system is becoming overrun with avoidable illnesses. One of the most avoidable is type 2 diabetes. This is the breakdown of our food system rearing its ugly head. We have generations now who have no connection with what they consider food and where it comes from. We are seeing the ill effects of what overprocessed, nutrient-deficient, fat-laden, salt- and sugar-laced food is producing. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

It's ironic that the word "food" has been removed from the title of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Ironic, but it's fitting in a way. There's a disconnection between food and agriculture right now. I would like to see that word reinstated in the ministry title, and I hope that the Minister of Agriculture and I can sit down and talk about that. So far, all of our dealings have been pleasant and hopeful. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

We have to ask ourselves where we're going with agriculture. What's our vision? Are we moving blindly towards centralized food production that only has a few main players? Do we want a system that is fraught with risks to our future? Are we supporting a system that allows our food animals to suffer for the sake of the bottom line, as is the case inside industrial feedlots? What is this system that is forcing us to lose control over our plant seed stocks, handing control over to ill-intentioned corporations like Monsanto? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Is this the direction we want to go, or is it time to re-establish our local food systems, create a sustainable and more self-sufficient British Columbia? Does this sound too quaint, on the other side of the House? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

In B.C. our local farms and farmers are disappearing at an alarming rate. On Vancouver Island we produce only about 7 percent of what we need, and in British Columbia, B.C. farms produce only 48 percent of what we need. Why have we lost our way with our essentials for life? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

It's hard to imagine a throne speech and a budget that don't mention the importance of food — considering that, regardless of what side of the House we're from, we need to eat from a sustainable food system to ensure a healthy future. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

We heard a lot of talk about the international market in the throne speech, and we see a massive reduction in the climate action budget. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

We heard talk about the oil and gas industry. It's shocking to me that we would consider supporting one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gases, the Alberta tar sands. These tar sands rival even the most polluted cities in China. By entertaining the northern gateway pipeline project, we are compromising our morals and our environmental standards. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

This project has the potential for disaster written all over it. Not only is it supporting businesses that are exceeding provincial pollution guidelines; we are inviting an ecological catastrophe when this dirty oil starts coming down our coast in oil tankers. As politicians, we need to stand together and say no to this type of toxic economy and stand behind the moratorium on oil tankers coming down our coast. We need to stand together on this and show strong political leadership. The only reason to support a project like this is greed. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

[1635]

Something we didn't hear anything about in the throne or budget speech was the state of our wild salmon stocks. Will the historians of our time look back at this moment and define now as the time when our west coast wild-food fishery collapsed? There has been mismanagement of these stocks. Current practices by fish farms have undoubtedly contributed to the potential complete destruction of wild salmon. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I stand with all of those who consider the protection of our oceans and our fisheries a priority. We must listen to experts like Alexandra Morton, who tells us that our time is up. These are B.C. waters. This is something that defines our history and our future. The fate of our oceans has been put in federal hands. Why are we taking a step back? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

It is necessary that as a province, we weigh in heavily and demand that the measures taken are radical enough to avoid the same outcome as the east coast cod fishery collapse in 1992. The approach and the length of time it took to understand and to react to that crisis were too little, too late. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

We have to learn from that ecological and economic disaster. With the cod fishery still devastated and with a potential for our own salmon fishery to have the same outcome, we have no time to waste. Do we know the eventual consequence of doing nothing? Do we know what it means when our oceans die? I suspect it wouldn't be good news. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

With that in mind, I will be supporting the people who are the experts — the experts who have nothing to lose by telling the truth. I will be inviting them into our conversations, and I will be asking them what needs to be done. If I was able to make the changes that were needed, I would. But I'm not, because I'm in the opposition. So I'm asking all of you in the government to act as quickly as possible. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I believe that this government would make better decisions if it takes the criticisms and suggestions of the official opposition. We have all come here for our own reasons. We are all here because of democracy. I hope we're all here because we have a vision, and we're developing actions which will help us create a sustainable society. If this is the case, then democracy is alive and well. If it's not, then it's sick. There is no argument that we need to work together for our own survival. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I would not be here if it weren't for the 300 people who volunteered on my campaign. There are too many people to thank today, but I want them to know how much I appreciate all the valuable work they did. Thank you so much. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I would like to thank my campaign manager, Heather Gropp. She is a woman of integrity, and she brought great political savvy to the campaign. This is Heather's third win as campaign manager in Saanich South. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I also want to thank Samuel Godfrey, who did an amazing job on my campaign as the office manager and volunteer coordinator. I feel very fortunate that he is now my constituency assistant. He's smart and hard-working, and I know that he's going to do great work for Saanich South. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Along with my campaign team, I also had the invaluable expertise of former British Columbia MLAs. My "tough questions" debate team consisted of my good friend, colleague and former Saanich South MLA David Cubberley; former Saanich South MLA and cabinet minister Andrew Petter; and former cabinet minister Paul Ramsey. I also had invaluable advice from former cabinet minister Catherine McGregor and former cabinet minister Elizabeth Cull. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Their counsel allowed me to develop my sense of provincial politics. This awareness permitted me to meet the challenges that came my way over the 28-day election period. I will always be grateful for their patience and wisdom. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I would like to acknowledge the fine work my predecessor did in his role as MLA for Saanich South. David Cubberley was successful in his quest to bring awareness to issues such as Lyme disease and anaphylaxis. David is a master of language and always brought a thoughtful and intelligent approach to this Legislature. With his clever use of language came a sharp sense of humour, always retaining respect for this institution in his approach. He is my mentor and my friend, and he continues to be a valuable sounding board for me. I thank him for that. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Finally, I would like to thank my family. My husband, Jon, and my 11-year-old son, Kye, have promised me their patience, and I have promised to fight hard for the things that we believe in. We as a family believe in sustainability, and we have made personal choices in our lives that reflect this philosophy. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

[1640]

I am very fortunate to have a large family support system, including extended family. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their help, and I want them to know that I will be bringing all of them with me along on this journey. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

B.C. Vision for Agriculture

Hi All,

Yesterday I had two minutes in the House to make a statement, here is what I said:

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY IN B.C.

L. Popham: This summer I was fortunate to travel through Kamloops and the Cariboo region on a six-day agricultural tour with the member for Cariboo North. Since most of my experience with agriculture has been on Vancouver Island, I was taken aback by the huge scale of agricultural operations in the Interior. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

In town after town we consulted with ranchers, farmers and people interested in expanding local food production. We visited working ranches and organic farms, took a tour of an abattoir and attended a livestock sale. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

It became clear during this tour that a single vision was being articulated. Just like on Vancouver Island, there is a vision shared by the First Nations Agricultural Association, the Fruit Growers Association, the B.C. Livestock Producers Co-op, the meat processors, local agricultural steering committees, farmers' market associations, individual ranchers and an increasing number of consumers who are interested in supporting local food production. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

It is a vision about self-sufficiency and sustainability of B.C. agriculture. It is a message about our untapped capacity. It's hard to believe that in a time of accelerating climate change, a time of economic turmoil, we are not focusing on our own back yard for solutions. A self-sufficient British Columbia is not such a crazy idea. It's an idea whose time has come. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I'm not talking about cutting ourselves off and shutting our doors or about being independent from the rest of this planet. I'm talking about a wasted opportunity if we don't start to develop B.C.'s agricultural community to its fullest potential. That's the message I'm bringing back to this House from the farmers and consumers of B.C. who want to be part of the solution. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Video link is here, at the 7:50 minute mark.

IMPACT OF HST ON RESTAURANTS & LOCAL FARMS

Hi Everybody,

Yesterday I participated in Question Period for the first time.

The transcript is below.

Here is the link where you can watch it: http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/video/archive.asp?video=200908271300&time=13:53:53&duration=00:34:53&toc=archive My question starts at the 16:40 minute mark.

IMPACT OF HARMONIZED SALES TAX
ON RESTAURANT INDUSTRY
AND LOCAL FARMS

L. Popham: By implementing a tax that threatens B.C.'s restaurant industry, this government is slamming the door on a critical market for B.C. farms. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Recently the president of the Island Chefs Collaborative, Cory Pelan, stated that the connection between small local farms and the restaurants they supply is a direct and mutually sustainable one. However, Mr. Pelan said that because the HST threatens the restaurant industry, it also threatens B.C.'s small and medium-sized farms, which depend on local restaurants buying their fresh produce. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

My question is to the Minister of Agriculture. Did you consider the negative impacts on small farms when you supported the HST? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Hon. C. Hansen: Let me tell you what was actually the biggest threat to the restaurant industry that's occurred in the last number of years. It was actually a commitment…. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Just sit down, Minister. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Members.

Continue, Minister. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Hon. C. Hansen: The biggest threat to the restaurant industry in recent years was the commitment that was made by that party that would jack up their wage cost by 25 percent, and the industry itself said it would lay off thousands of restaurant workers and close literally hundreds of restaurants around British Columbia. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

To the benefit of the hon. member, the B.C. Agriculture Council, which represents 12,000 farmers in British Columbia, is in support of HST because it takes costs out of their costs in producing the food that we depend on. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Mr. Speaker: Member has a supplemental. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

L. Popham: The Minister of Agriculture didn't answer my question. My question is about small farmers and local food production for local restaurants. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association, has stated today that the connection between the restaurant industry and local food and beverage producers provides a material boost to the local economy. B.C. Restaurants and Foodservices Association does not support the HST. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Given the devastating effect HST will have on the restaurant industry and local farms in B.C., will the Minister of Agriculture stand up for these industries and demand the Premier cancel the proposed HST in British Columbia? [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Hon. C. Hansen: As I pointed out to representatives of the restaurant industry in one of our discussions, even a head of lettuce has embedded PST built into the cost. The cost of putting tires on the trucks that move produce from the farms to the distribution warehouses and from those warehouses to the restaurants has embedded PST in it that gets passed on in terms of the cost of those goods. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I can tell you what is the biggest threat to the restaurant industry in British Columbia. It's people who are unemployed, and that threat is because people who don't have jobs don't typically go out to restaurants to dine. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

This is a measure that's going to create jobs. This is a measure that's going to stabilize the economy and provide for economic growth, and it is exactly that economic growth that will help benefit a restaurant industry in the years to come. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Saanich South Constituency Office Opening

Thanks to everyone who attended the Saanich South office opening today. We had over 150 guests! It was great to see familiar faces and meet new constituents. The fresh corn from Sluggets farm and the organic vegetables from Saanich Organics were a real treat!

Our office hours until after Labour Day, will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10-3pm. We will announce our fall hours soon.

Please come in and enjoy the Saanich South Community garden. Anytime the office is open we will be opening the gates to the garden and you are welcome to come in and make yourselves at home. We have 3 bistro tables under a gazebo that are a perfect place to sit and read or write.

All through my campaign I spoke of my dedication to our community. When I chose this office location it was because it was a place that would lend itself to community gatherings. This community is important to me and I want you to feel welcome.

I hope to see you soon. This is your place Saanich South!


Lana Popham

In the Trenches

Hi Everybody,

I've had busy summers before, but nothing compares to the past month.

Two weeks ago I was in the South Cariboo on my first tour as Agriculture Critic. I spent six days meeting with farmers, ranchers, and people involved in Agriculture and Food Security. I learned a lot and hope to have a few moments soon to share my reflections with you. This is the first of many tours I will be taking.

But, back on the home front, my office continues to receive dozens of emails about the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Two weeks ago I wrote that you may not have heard much about it well, that has changed! The media has also felt how much this issue has grabbed the public's attention.

There are still many details to be revealed about the HST plan.

In theory, the call for harmonization is a good idea: reducing paperwork and streamlining our tax system is necessary.

But it looks like the government is using that worthwhile objective as a smokescreen to bring in a new and unfair tax.

Together we can change the government's plans.

Here are the three top reasons why I strongly oppose the government's proposed HST:
1. The HST would drive up the cost of many goods and services, from rent to hydro bills, haircuts, movie tickets, restaurant meals, vitamins, bicycles, Energy Star appliances, and even funerals. The list goes on and on and the cost to you will be significant. For those on a fixed or low income, this additional burden may be devastating.

2. This measure is a painful blow to many BC businesses – the restaurant industry alone, for example, estimates that this new tax would cost their businesses $750 million per year, leading to job losses right when we can least afford it. Despite what you may have heard, most businesses won't get other tax breaks and will be unable to absorb such a tax hike. Our vital tourism industry is going to take it on the chin. It just doesn’t seem right.

3. In addition to the fact that the HST would make people’s lives harder and hurt businesses during the recession, the government doesn’t have the mandate to bring in this tax. If the government really thinks that the HST is the “best thing” for the economy, they should have put that choice before British Columbians. Instead, after running for government in the recent election, with promises that they had no plans to impose the HST, the government then betrayed the trust and insulted the intelligence of British Columbians by doing just the opposite. A mea culpa and an apology would be an appropriate way to clear the air and move forward.

There are many better ways to approach taxation reform.

Consult broadly and listen to new ideas for change! We need to push our tax system to DECREASE taxes on products and services that benefit us and INCREASE taxes on the opposite. This is the idea behind high taxes on tobacco.

This is a model we must give more weight to - a positive kind of solution. Let's have a debate - wouldn't this be a more balanced, healthy, approach to governing?

The government claims the HST will have a net positive impact on BC, but after reading letter after letter from businesses that will be negatively affected it is hard to imagine.

Just yesterday, foe example, I received a letter from the Massage Therapists’ Association of British Columbia. They are concerned about the HST. They explain that Registered Massage Therapists are in a unique situation within the health care profession as they are one of two groups who must charge GST on each patient visit. This means that the HST will increase the tax paid from 5% to 12%. They are worried that this will limit visits from their clients who will feel a financial burden.

This is the type of story that makes you really question the way this tax was introduced. Why wasn’t there any consultation?

Is the HST all bad? Not completely. It will help the owners of certain businesses, most definitely. But for the rest of us, this is going to hurt. For people running businesses with tiny margins, for people with a low or fixed income - this tax increase may be devastating.

The Minister of Finance points to a CD Howe study of the HST in the Maritimes as evidence of the benefits of HST. But that is misleading: when the Atlantic Provinces brought in the HST they dropped the total amount of the sales tax. And, even then, the HST actually increased the cost of vital commodities like housing and clothing.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to sign an anti-HST petition by clicking here. You also may want to join more than 90,000 people (!!!) opposed to the HST on a non-partisan facebook site - click here.

Please keep in touch. Stopping this tax will not be easy but it can be done.

Lana

ps. All Saanich South Consituents are invited to an open house for my Constituency Office this Friday, August 21, from 1 to 6 pm.

Taxes!

Dear Constituents,

Thank you for all the letters this week about the government's announcement of their plans to "harmonize" our provincial tax with the federal one.

Many of you will not have heard of it yet. It's called the harmonized sales tax or HST.

You know me, I'm all about harmony! But in this case I see some problems on the horizon and I'm not alone. In fact, every single person who has spoken to me about this has been either shocked or angry.

And your feelings are well founded.....springing a new tax on us without consultation is unacceptable. Why was this not discussed during the election period? I don't think there are many British Columbians who appreciate these tactics.

Why am I concerned? Well, for starters, there are a number of important exemptions in the current PST. There are products or services on which one does not have to pay the PST right now. Harmonizing the taxes has impact of removing those exemptions. So you pay more. More for everything from funeral services to household renovations and bicycles.

When you see a government increasing taxes on "green" choices, you have to wonder what they are thinking? Is the HST all bad? I'm not sure yet. I am going through the information bit by bit to analyze the possible impacts.

I can tell you one thing though, and increasing or decreasing taxes has the potential to shape our behaviour

We need to push our tax system to DECREASE taxes on products and services that benefit us and INCREASE taxes on the opposite. This is the idea behind high taxes on tobacco.

I like that kind of positive solution.

But under the HST you will have to pay 7% more to buy a bicycle! Bikes reduce congestion, pollution and global warming and makes us healthier!

Increasing taxes on them is the wrong thing to do.

I'm working on solutions right now. I'd like to hear your thoughts. Please visit my facebook page to make a public comment or email me at lana.popham@leg.bc.ca.

Happy British Columbia day! I hope this long weekend gives you time to pause, enjoy this hot weather and be with those who make you happy.

Lana

PS. I'd like to share a letter I received a few days ago from a prominent member of our constituency and addressed to our Premier:

July 25, 2009

You’ve finally lost my vote on the harmonized tax, not that the individual seems to matter even though small voter turnout means each vote has more impact.

I am adamantly opposed to the harmonized tax, and, no, I don’t believe businesses will pass on their benefit to the individual, but I am even more opposed to the arrogance behind announcing the tax as a fait accompli. Implying that HST wasn’t on the agenda 3 months ago, before the election, is an insult to the intelligence of the public or yourselves.

And, yes, of course anything can be rationalized but rationalization does not guarantee voters will be convinced....

As Lana Popham is my MLA I am copying this to her to register my opinion on the HST.

J.I., Saanich South, Victoria.
[Full name withheld by request; reprinted with permission.]

Tax on Bikes? Come on!

Implementing the HST on bicycles proves that the Campbell government is not serious about climate change solutions. There hasn’t been a social tax on bicycles since 1981. Back then it was an extremely progressive move to cut taxes for environmental and health reasons. This has made purchasing bikes more affordable for over 25 years. And now, without consultation, the price of making green choices becomes more expensive. Climate change is a serious problem and this government can’t seem to understand that. I am astonished by the Liberals regressive message to British Columbians.

I'm getting organized!

Hi,

I hope everyone is having a good summer.

I've been working very hard to set-up my Constituency Office and get organized at the Legislature. My goal is to have the office open by Mid August. And the Legislature begins sitting in just over one month, on August the 25th.

As you may know, I was recently appointed the NDP Agriculture Critic!

My passion for food production in British Columbia runs deep and I am so fortunate to have this opportunity. Thank you!

Food has always fascinated me. As long as I can remember, I have loved to prepare it and been intrigued by how it grows...and now I have officially been given the responsibility to fight for it!

Carlo Petrini, the founder of the Slow Food movement, once said, “I am a gastronome. No, not the glutton with no sense of restraint whose enjoyment of food is greater the more plentiful and forbidden it is. No, not a fool who is given to the pleasures of the table and indifferent to how the food got there. I like to imagine the hands of the people who grew it, transported it, processed it, and cooked it before it was served to me.”

We are starting to have a renewed awareness about our food and where it comes from. We are starting to see a growing demand for local, clean, safe products. We, as eaters, are a new political force. I strongly believe that we are the key to successful agriculture in British Columbia. Misdirected policy is taking away our choices, but as eaters, we have the power to make sure we go in the right direction.

There has never been a time when politics and food have so dangerously crossed paths.

Demand local food, demand safe food, demand clean food.

I promise you that I will be doing the same.

Lana