Times Colonist: Strata owners to launch petition against HST

Strata owners to launch petition against HST

Group fears condo owners will be hit harder when tax starts July 1

By Andrew A. Duffy, Times Colonist February 23, 2010

Another arrow has been added to the quiver of those fighting the harmonized sales tax, as a group of strata owners have come together to launch a petition against the tax.

With the help of Lana Popham, the NDP MLA for Saanich South, Harvey and Barb Freedman have launched an online petition (www.bcstratas.ca) and will hold a meeting tomorrow night to spur other strata owners to action.


Harvey Freedman is encouraging other owners to join the Fight HST campaign led by former premier Bill Vander Zalm, who is attempting to kill the tax via an initiative petition. Freedman said the meeting will focus on explaining that strata owners are going to be hit harder than single-family homeowners when the 12 per cent HST is introduced July 1.


Freedman estimates owners in his building "can expect to pay an additional $280 per annum, all of it due to increased provincial taxation."


He noted strata owners will have to pay more in maintenance fees because of the tax and have to conduct audits and do depreciation studies, which will be subject to the HST.


"This cruel tax is inflationary and will hit everyone in B.C.," he said. "There's a harder hit to condo owners because of the additional services they are obliged to have by law."


But Tony Gioventu, executive director of the Condominium Home Owners Association, said it's far too early to say with any certainty what impact the HST will have on strata owners.


"It is so variable, some strata corporations will see zero impact and some will see an impact as high as three to four per cent, and some [large mixed-use strata buildings] which charge HST on fees will be able to claim and get rebates so they will [come out ahead]," he said.


Gioventu said as a result it's impossible to put a dollar figure on the impact of the HST on the average strata owner. But he was adamant it would be well below $280 a year.


"A strata corporation would have to have 100 per cent of their budget to be labour-related in order to feel the maximum seven per cent impact of the HST on fees," he said. "Worst-case scenario most corporations are at 20 per cent [of their fees for] labour. In the maximum case I expect the scenario might be a 3.5 per cent increase."


Gioventu also pointed out depreciation reports and audits are not yet required.


"They are a possible regulatory requirement the government may bring in, but it won't bring them in until a public consultation process takes place over the next year," he said, noting even then there's no guarantee those studies will be subject to HST.


Tony Davis, president of the Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association, said the tax has not been top of mind within the association though they are concerned about its impact.


"We agree it will have an effect on strata owners, particularly to their maintenance fees and if they have management companies that will also increase, but it's a bigger issue than just strata owners. It will affect everybody," he said.


Popham, who will present the online petition to the legislature, said while the increase in costs to strata owners may not be a lot annually, it does add to the financial burden.


"It's another added cost on top of all the other added costs HST will have on daily living," she said, noting it will have a significant impact on those people living on fixed incomes and younger people. "All these things add up."


Tomorrow night's information meeting for strata owners is set for 6:30 p.m. at 3962 Cedar Hill Rd.


aduffy@tc.canwest.com


ON THE WEB:
www.bcstratas.ca
www.fighthst.com

© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Strata+owners+launch+petition+against/2600945/story.html

A life lived for others, devalued on your behalf

Please take a moment to read this absolutely heartbreaking piece from Saturday's Times Colonist. When the author closes with "Now please act," I encourage you to take a moment and write your MLA and tell them our seniors deserve better.

Thank you for your continued support,

Lana

A life lived for others, devalued on your behalf

Because of cutbacks, man will go into a care home, at higher cost

By Dr. Shabehram Lohrasbe, Special to Times ColonistFebruary 13, 2010



Meet John Moelaert. I have his permission to tell you of the life he has led and where life has led him. I am hoping you will be as appalled and outraged as I am at the thoughtless and heartless decisions that have recently been inflicted on this vulnerable man -- on your behalf.
Born in Holland in 1930, John escaped the chaotic aftermath of war in Europe, making his way to Canada in 1951. He studied philosophy and creative writing and had a diverse journalistic career that inspired a deep caring for nature, a just society and conservation of the environment.
In his fruitful life, John participated vigorously in making our society a better place rather than enriching himself. He founded the Calgary branch of Amnesty International, the Kelowna branches of Peace Group, Tools for Peace and the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility.
In 1965, the Kamloops Wildlife Park was created under his leadership and it is now one of the largest conservation projects in Canada. In the 1970s, John worked with the United Church as uranium information co-ordinator and was appointed as an expert witness at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Uranium Mining.
Eight years ago, now living in Victoria, John was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder. Along with the worsening of movement and posture, general brain functioning can be compromised. John cannot think or speak as he once did, and faces the prospect of continued decline. It is a frightening time in his life.
With anxiety and depression accompanying and worsening the progression of his neurological symptoms, John was referred to me to see if I could assist.
John lives alone and frugally in his 37-year-old trailer with his cat Diego. I visit him there as he is often too ill to attend my office.
He lives with dignity, surrounded by reminders of his fruitful life. It would devastate him to lose his refuge and be away from his memories and his cat.
He survives on his pensions and his fixed expenses take up much of that modest sum. His eyesight is deteriorating, and spectacles are costly. Teeth break and rot, and dental bills pile up. John is a diligent and honest man who now spends his days worrying that the next major expense will leave him destitute. Expenses of a few hundred dollars are more than he can afford.
As he has grown feeble, this once-vibrant mind, which had galloped across social and philosophical issues with exuberance and insight, has now been reduced to worry over paying his bills.
I have been privileged to work with him as he continues to find hope and meaning in his life even as his body fails him, but it has been difficult to keep John going. Focusing on small mercies, accepting the changes in his body and mind and celebrating his lifetime of service have been the touchstones of our therapeutic strategy.
John has now had to cope with additional blows inflicted on him on your behalf as taxpayer, blows that have depleted his will to live. I have never seen him so devastated.
Consider what has been done to this gentle, selfless man. John has long been provided a Lifeline, a device that he wore around his neck. Patients with Parkinson's disease often fall and with Lifeline one button alerts a service that checks that he is safe.
John has been told that the service will no longer be provided unless he pays for it. He cannot, so he now lives with a new fear that he might not be able to get to his phone in a crisis.
John's ironic response to the yanking of his lifeline? He hopes the savings at the cost of his worrying about lying injured and helpless on the floor (a worry that I can see has worsened his mental health) goes to a good cause.
One loss was bad enough. Almost simultaneously, John was told that his meals would also no longer be delivered free. John faces additional expenses of $6 per day to eat the meals he has come to rely on in past years.
His sense of being abandoned in his old age by the society he served selflessly all his life is overwhelming. Despair has worsened his neurological symptoms.
I know: Times are tough and budgets have to be met. But set aside your compassion for a moment and consider the sheer financial stupidity of these decisions.
As a result of these decisions, I, as one of his caregivers, will have to push John into a care home far sooner than need be, leading to you, the taxpayer, paying much more for his daily expenses.
Does it take a genius to work out the difference between full-time care and $200 a month?
I accept the fact that for a bureaucrat, the name John Moelaert means nothing. Someone out there, up there, is making decisions behind closed doors. Can we not insist on an accounting for them?
I do not know how many people are out there in the same situation as John Moelaert. He is the one I know, and having known the man, the one I care deeply about.
Perhaps you know someone in his boat and you also care. If so, let your voice be heard; this letter is my appeal to you: call, e-mail, or write to those who represent you and insist that this inhumane treatment of our seniors must stop. Do not forget that these are decisions made on your behalf.
Thank you for reading this far. Now please act. We need to shame the decision-makers away from inflicting such suffering on John Moelaert and others like him.
Dr. Shabehram Lohrasbe has practised psychiatry for 25 years in this province. Although primarily a forensic psychiatrist, he has a small non-forensic practice where he sees patients struggling to find acceptance and meaning in their lives when confronting losses and life-threatening illnesses.
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

Squeaky wheels get the grease: Update

Hi Everybody,

Hope you are all well. A few quick updates on the "No HST on BIKES in BC" campaign. For all the details, check out www.squeakywheels.ca.

PETITION

The petition is still on a tear: over 3000 of you have now signed it!  Help me double or triple it in size before I present it to the Legislature in 20 days. Surely there are 10,000 cyclists in BC who know it’s nonsense to stick a new tax on cycling! Please ask your friends to check it out. The direct link to the petition is http://tinyurl.com/squeakywheels. Email me if you want a hard copy of the petition.

RALLIES

Over 150 people have RSVP’d for the 12pm Wed March 3^rd bike rally at the Legislature. That is fantastic! We’re working on a few surprises for the event: don’t miss out! You can RSVP at the facebook rally event page.  Please send an invite out through your network.

Cyclists around the province who can’t make it to Victoria on March 3 have spontaneously begun to organize their own rallies in support!

In Nanaimo, cyclists are meeting at the corner of Comox Road and Terminal Ave, on March 3, at 4pm for a ride and support rally. Their facebook event page is here.

In Vancouver, a number of people are even planning to ride over on mass, catching the 9am ferry. Sidney folks are planning to meet them on route and ride down to Victoria together. Their facebook event page is here.

There is still lots of time for you to organize your own event!

Keep in touch!

Lana

Lana Popham, MLA, Saanich South

250.479.4154

lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca

www.saanichsouth.ca

Bike Rally at the Legislature!

Please join me! Check out www.squeakywheels.ca for all the details.

Almost there! Help us save Madrona Farm!

Madrona Farm is such a jewel inside Saanich South. The importance of this farm, and ones like it, have always been a priority for myself and former MLA David Cubberley. David felt so strongly about saving Madrona Farm that he spearheaded a fundraising campaign last year asking people to donate their $100 carbon rebate cheques. He initiated this campaign with his own generous donation of $10,000.

This camapign was one of many community based initiatives that have been extreamely successful.

As of January 14, 2010, $1,413,000 have been raised, leaving $287,000 to raise by March 15,2010.

Thanks to the overwhelming support from TLC Members, concerned citizens, local businesses and community groups, all with a love for locally grown food, TLC is well on it’s way to seeing Madrona Farm protected forever.

But, there is still work to be done to save this community asset. Please join the hundreds of people who believe in protecting agriculture land for future generations by making your donation to help save Madrona Farm today.

http://blog.conservancy.bc.ca/get-involved-with-tlc/campaigns/madrona-farm/

Save Citizen’s Counselling

Hi Everybody,


Citizen’s Counselling is an incredible service that offers free or low-cost counselling. It is 99% powered by volunteer energy – why can’t our government come through with just a little bit of support to keep these volunteers doing their valuable work?!


Here is a letter from a number of south Island MLAs that was sent today to Howard Waldner, President and CEO of VIHA. You can send your own message to howard.waldner@viha.ca and/or to the Times Colonist at letters@tc.canwest.com.


Lana

Howard Waldner, President and Chief Executive Officer
Vancouver Island Health Authority
1952 Bay Street
Victoria, British Columbia
V8R 1J8

January 29, 2010

Dear Howard Waldner:

We are writing to express our concern over VIHA’s recent decision to terminate its contract with the Greater Victoria Citizens’ Counselling Centre. The $80,000 annual contract allowed the Centre to provide affordable counselling to over 1,200 people a year living in the region and it’s our understanding that demand for the Centre’s services has increased by 25% this year alone. Counselling is provided by individuals who have taken the Centre’s intensive 10-month training program, are professionals with advanced degrees and training, or are practicum students obtaining graduate degrees in counselling. All offer their services on a volunteer basis and work under the supervision of the Centre’s contracted professional supervisors.

We have all heard from constituents who have benefited from the services provided by Citizens’ Counselling and are upset and angered by VIHA’s decision. These individuals required counselling support and, due to personal finances, would not have been able to receive assistance were it not for Citizens ‘ policy which states that every person has the right to access quality counselling services regardless of ability to pay. To that effect, the Centre has a sliding fee scale based on family income.

The Centre has now been forced to close its doors as they have been unable to find a private insurance carrier to replace the insurance previously provided under VIHA’s contract. Until the Centre has insurance all counselling sessions will be cancelled.

We urge you to re-consider your decision to cancel the contract for the Greater Victoria Citizens’ Counselling Centre, especially during these difficult economic times, when individuals and families are experiencing increased stresses. Early intervention saves the health system money in the long-term. Citizens’ Counselling has been operating in our region since 1969 and it’s crucial they remain open to provide this essential service.

We look forward to your reply regarding our request.

Sincerely,

[signed]

Carole James, MLA, Victoria-Beacon Hill
John Horgan, MLA, Juan de Fuca
Rob Fleming, MLA, Victoria-Swan Lake
Maurine Karagianis, MLA, Esquimalt-Royal Roads
Lana Popham, MLA, Saanich South

cc: Brenda Wilson, Executive Director, Greater Victoria Citizens’ Counselling Centre

Children with Autism Deserve Better

Please join me for a candle light vigil on the steps of the Legislature.

Monday, Feb.1^st 2010, 4:30-5:30pm

We are coming together to grieve and find inspiration as we suffer the loss of EIBI programs for children with autism. EIBI is vitally important treatment that has proven long-term benefits. The benefits include significantly improved quality of life for these special kids and millions of dollars saved in health care costs.

The BC government is shutting down the last EIBI programme on Jan. 31^st.

Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister Mary Polak promised to make helping children with special needs a priority. They have failed us.

To appreciate what is happening and read intimate first-hand accounts of local parents with children who have autism, please visit www.autismstories.ca.

Best, Lana.

Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South

Bike Rally at the Legislature

Hi Everybody,

Check out my new website, www.squeakywheels.ca!

On  Wednesday, March 3^rd, 2010 at 12:00pm! Let's fill the Legislature grounds with cyclists and show this government they'll be a political price to pay if they ram through this new tax on cycling.

The next session of the BC Legislature will begin the 1^st week of March. I believe the government will likely try to rush the HST through this spring. They promised to implement by July.

As you know, if it passes as is, you will be paying 7% more tax on a bicycle purchased in BC.  This is more than you have paid in almost 30 years. You’ll also have to pay 7% more for stuff like helmets and locks, as well as paying 7% more for repairs.

The Liberal Government has got its head in the sand. Cycling is a sustainable transportation choice and should be encouraged, not punished with new taxes.

Approximately 40% of emissions in BC come from transportation. Global warming is a crisis: creating disincentives for cycling is unacceptable!

It is critical the BC Government hears from all of you!

And 1000 bikes on the lawn of the legislature will get their attention!

My hope is that bike shops, cycling associations and cycling enthusiasts all over BC will help me organize a critical mass at the legislature on March 3. Please contact me at saanichsouth@gmail.com or 250 479 4154 or visit the facebook event page.

March 3^rd will also be the day that I will present the petition that you have hopefully signed.  We’re already at more than 1700 signatures! But I would like to increase that tenfold before the rally. Click here to sign the petition (if you haven’t already done so). Please encourage others to do the same.

Thanks,

Lana

Lana Popham, MLA

Victoria Film Festival!

This year's Victoria Film Festival is only 16 days away, January 29 - Feb. 7. More fun than Hansard! You can see the programme guide by clicking here.

Here are a couple of their funny promo videos....

A New Year!

It's a new year and many of us have made resolutions to do something fabulous. Maybe it's to be more organized, to be more fit, to eat better, to drink more water, etc.

My resolution this year is to be more aware of how many disposable coffee cups I use – and use less!

It turns out they are bad for the environment and they are bad for our health. So using fewer disposable coffee cups is like two resolutions in one!

Don't get me wrong, I have a reusable one, and I use it. But there are times when I don't have it with me and I am desperate for a cup of coffee to go. So I accept a disposable one.

I have often dismissed this wasteful habit because I assumed that these cups would be recycled.

Only recently I have learned that they can't be.

Here is an excellent article from the Environment Canada website:

Sustainable Sips- The Hottest Trend in Coffee Culture!

If you need a cup of coffee to kick start your day, you are not alone!
Coffee is the number one beverage of choice in Canada and over 14 million Canadians savour the tempting taste of coffee everyday!

Before wrapping your mitts around your next steamy mug of java, skim through these tips and learn how to make the environmental impact of your coffee consumption a ‘skinny’.

Canadian coffee drinkers consume 3 cups of coffee a day, on average! Coffee helps fuel our busy lifestyles, with the majority of mugs taken ‘to go’ and served in disposable cups. These cups may be convenient, but their environmental impact lasts much longer than the morning, noon and evening caffeine boost they deliver!

Disposable Dilemma

Disposable cups are filling up our landfills and this is creating an extra large problem. Canadians use more than 1.6 billion paper and polystyrene cups each year!
Don’t let the words paper and polystyrene fool you, these cups are not recyclable.
Polystyrene cups take many years to biodegrade and produce toxic ash when they are incinerated. Polystyrene is recyclable on its own, but the production process infuses the material with chemicals that are not accepted in the blue box.
Less than fantastic plastic. Paper cups are insulated with a plastic coating called polyethylene. Polyethylene is not recyclable, so every paper cup must be tossed into the landfill.
Paper cups pile-up! Once these cups are laid to rest, they emit carcinogenic chemicals and methane through decomposition. One study reveals that 114.5 million kilograms of paper cup waste is dumped into the landfills each year. This is approximately the weight of 22 900 elephants!

Why aren’t paper cups made from recycled paper? Recycled paper has a variety of great functions, though it does not meet health regulations for a beverage container and is too flimsy to support hot liquids.

Go sleeveless! Cup sleeves may keep your coffee steaming a bit longer, but in doing so they are contributing to global warming. According to one study, each paper cup and paper sleeve combined with production and shipping creates about 0.11 kilograms of C02.

Life Cycle

The career of a disposable cup is short lived, but the environmental effects keep brewing. One study reports that North Americans use about 900 million Styrofoam cups each year, which if piled-up would fill one hundred, 75-storey office buildings!
Here are just a few of the negative impacts of disposable cups:
Paper and polystyrene cups are draining our energy and natural resources. To produce the 1.6 billion cups that Canadians are consuming each year it takes 190,235,800 tonnes of wood!
Cups must be transported from the producer to the coffee shop which emits greenhouse gases.
Disposable cups are only used for one beverage, about 30 minutes, and then tossed the garbage.
Brimming bins! When the garbage bins are full they are emptied by gas guzzling dump trucks and taken to the landfill.

Sustainable Solutions

Coffee is part of our daily routine so let’s make it a habit to sip sustainably!
Lug a mug! Carry a reusable coffee mug made of ceramic, plastic or stainless steel to divert excess waste created from disposable cups.

Is it break time yet? Reusable cups require more energy to produce, but each mug eventually reaches a breaking point where it is more environmentally friendly than a paper cup. After 24 uses a stainless steel mug breaks even with a paper cup!
One study reports that coffee drinkers use reusable cups about 13.5 million times, which prevents 266 727.27 kilograms of waste from ending up in the landfill!
Smart sleeves! Keep your mug cozy with a reusable sleeve and eliminate 2 kilograms of waste per year. There are many stylish sleeves available that are made from a variety of materials such as bamboo, silicone or felt.

Keep a reusable mug at work, at home and in your car so that you will have one close at hand for your next caffeine craving! If you do forget your mug (it’s okay- you haven’t had coffee yet…) don’t double cup or use a paper warmer. If it is cold, your mitt will do the trick!

Have more money for coffee! Many coffee shops offer you a discount if you fill your own reusable mug.

Use a reusable mug for a fresh start tomorrow morning, or better yet at your next coffee break! Disposable cups are leaving ugly coffee stains on the planet. Take action and fill up a reusable mug to give you and the environment a boost!

63 percent of Canadians support banning battery cages for egg-laying chickens, poll shows

By Stephen Hui, straight.com. Dec 28, 2009

Almost two-thirds of Canadians support banning the use of battery cages to house egg-laying chickens, a new poll shows.

Across the country, 63 percent of Canadians would back a legislative ban on battery cages in their province, according to the telephone survey, conducted by Harris/Decima for the Vancouver Humane Society.

Download

 Summary of poll results

Twenty-six percent of respondents said they would oppose such a ban, while 11 percent didn’t know where they stood or refused to offer an opinion.

“British Columbians and women continue to be more strongly opposed to the use of battery cages, with 69% (respectively) indicating they would support their provinces making battery cages illegal,” the executive summary of the poll results, released today (December 28), states.

The survey defines a battery cage as a wire cage used to house five to seven egg-laying chickens. It notes that battery cages are stacked two to eight cages high and are found on more than 90 percent of Canada’s egg farms. These farms hold an average of 17,000 hens each.

Even more Canadians would agree with requiring cartons of battery-cage eggs to be labelled “eggs from caged hens”.

The poll found 77-percent support nationally for mandatory labeling. Sixteen percent of Canadians would oppose “eggs from caged hens” labels. In terms of how Canadians feel about battery cages, 58 percent are against their use, 17 percent are in favour, and 24 percent have no opinion. Seventy-two percent of Canadians said they are willing to pay more for animal products “certified to humane standards of care” by a third-party group.

When it comes to cage-free eggs, 54 percent of Canadians are willing to pay a higher price.

The poll also found that 62 percent of Canadians believe farm animals are treated humanely in the process of producing food and other products.

Harris/Decima surveyed 2,012 Canadians from December 3 to December 13. The poll’s national results are considered accurate plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

The Vancouver Humane Society is an animal-welfare organization that runs a campaign to improve the quality of life for egg-laying hens.

In response to a request from the society, the Metro Vancouver board of directors in February voted to send a letter to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency expressing opposition to the use of battery cages due to the “inherent cruelty of confining egg-laying hens” in them.

Original article:

http://www.straight.com/article-277486/vancouver/63-percent-canadians-support-banning-battery-cages-egglaying-chickens-poll-shows

Nicole Bottles

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

December 16, 2009

Lyme Disease Victims Forced Back to USA To Buy Healthcare

Forcing Nicole Bottles and other B.C. Lyme disease victims to pay for treatment in the U.S. is a grievous harm that contravenes the Canada Health Act, said David Cubberley, past MLA and a Director of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation.

“Nicole and her mom, Chris Powell, are back in California paying $3900 U.S. to have Nicole's IV antibiotic port replaced,” said Cubberley. “Last week they were refused placement at an ER ward on the grounds that Nicole hasn’t tested positive on Canadian soil for Lyme.”

“This is costing the Bottles thousands of dollars – money they don’t have – to buy care they’re entitled to under Medicare,” said Cubberley “ Nicole has chronic Lyme that tested positive at a registered U.S. lab, but she’s being denied antibiotics and home services here despite being wheel-chair bound.”

Nicole is like many hundreds of British Columbians whose Lyme disease is never diagnosed in B.C. because of faulty guidelines and flawed testing. Lyme-literate physicians from Seattle to Los Angeles provide the bulk of care to B.C. lyme victims.

“I’m concerned that Nicole is being denied the treatment she needs here in B.C.,” said Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South. “The family is living in extreme hardship, paying $1100 U.S. a month for Nicole’s meds alone.”

Popham and Cubberley are making a plea for donations to help cover Nicole's recent medical expenses which will total well over $7000. "This situation has all but bankrupted the Bottles family," Cubberley said.

"We have begun a fundraising drive this week to help them with this financial emergency,” Lana Popham said. “David Cubberley started the drive by donating $500. So far, over $1000 has been donated directly to Nicole Bottles and we hope to have at least $7000 by the end of the month".

A cheque, payable to Nicole Bottles, can be mailed to: Nicole Bottles, 622 Agnes St., Victoria, B.C. V9Z 2E6.

17-year-old Nicole showed symptoms of Lyme two years ago but saw 12 specialists in B.C. without a diagnosis. The B.C. Healthguide suggests B.C. doctors will clinically diagnose Lyme from symptoms and promptly treat it without tests. In reality, many doctors don’t recognize Lyme and depend entirely on a flawed diagnostic and testing protocol that misses most Lyme infections.

Media Contact:

David Cubberley 250-818-1129
Lana Popham 250-507-4222
Chris Powell 778 433 1047

Visit the website for more information.

One step removed from 'dream job'

MLA loves her role as agriculture critic, but thinks she'll love it more when she's the agriculture minister

BY ROB SHAW, TIMES COLONISTDECEMBER 6, 2009

During an all-night session of the legislature, Lana Popham slept on a cot in her small office.

Photograph by: Bruce Stotesbury, Times Colonist, Times Colonist

Lana Popham likes to walk around the stuffy old legislature and open all the windows. The blast of fresh air reminds the NDP MLA from Saanich South about her pre-political life, when she spent all day outside working in her organic vineyard.

As her first session as a provincial politician comes to a close, her farming life is but a distant memory. It has been replaced by a daily routine of early-morning lobbying breakfasts, committee work, house duty, caucus meetings, question period, lobbying dinners and late-night arrivals back home where her 11-year-old son is asleep without a goodnight from his mother.

There's a cot in her office where she recently slept during an all-night session. She had to speak in opposition to a government bill that forced ambulance paramedics back to work.

Her speaking time was 2:30 a.m.

"The pace of the session is excruciating," she said. "We've prepared ourselves pretty well but I have been away a lot and that's probably the hardest part. You don't realize how much you miss. Your family sacrifices for your dream."

Popham, 41, is riding the rookie MLA rollercoaster, a journey that begins with the joy of election, morphs into panic at voter expectations and concludes with humility when you walk into the legislature for your first day.

"Coming into this building you get a really amazing sense that you better take this job seriously because there's a sense of responsibly that hits you very hard."

The NDP appointed Popham its agriculture critic, and she admits she's "very lucky" to get a topic so close to her heart. Still, there's been a steep learning curve for unfamiliar parts of the industry, such as meat regulation disputes that have required tours of slaughter houses.

"I'm the queen of the abattoir now," she joked. "But it's my dream. Well, actually minister of agriculture is my dream, but that's next time."

As critic, Popham keeps a watchful eye on Liberal agriculture minister Steve Thomson. She's responsible for questioning his budget in the house, line by line, in a nerve-wracking process called estimates.

In theory, she's also the one to verbally eviscerate him in question period -- the 30 minutes of the day when political theatre and rhetoric overtake constructive discourse.

It's not a part of the job Popham enjoys. "I'm finding that although there's an artificial hatred that starts to build up, it doesn't really mean anything outside of that chamber and you can get a lot of work done just by having a conversation."

With all its catcalls and heckling, question period "is just not my personality," she said. "And I really do think that it's out of control. I don't know of many people who appreciate how it works in there."

People might be surprised to know she has "a great rapport" with Thomson, who is also a rookie MLA.

"We may not agree on some of the issues, but we both have an agriculture background, so we're both generally on the same page for things, which helps."

She said she hopes to continue to raise environmental concerns in the house in other ministries, such as environment and the climate secretariat. But she admits to still battling her nerves on occasion.

"Before you do anything in this place you are a nervous wreck and that's the honest truth. Anyone who doesn't want to admit that is lying. But I absolutely love it. I've always been an activist and I guess I've always had a big mouth. So now I have a place to use it.

"Even though I'm exhausted and pretty worn out, I'm thinking about the next session and starting to get excited."

Original article is here:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/thewest/loves+role+agriculture+critic+thinks+love+more+when+agriculture+minister/2309568/story.html

12 ways to a green Christmas

Make it yourself or buy it locally -- just make sure your gifts won't add unnecessarily to the landfill site

BY STEVE CAREY, TIMES COLONIST

purse made from salvaged material, available at orabags.com

Photograph by: www.orabags.com, www.orabags.com

It seems an increasing number of people are interested in a green holiday season. Numerous books are on the shelves, such as Green Christmas: How to Have a Joyous, Eco-Friendly Holiday Season and A Greener Christmas, if that's any indication. But it's tough to know what's green and what's "green washed," products that masquerade as environmentally friendly, but aren't really. It's an important time of the year to read labels, ask questions and do your research on products you're interested in purchasing.

It's still early enough to put some thought into your gifts. Know why you're getting a gift for the person you're buying it for. There's nothing worse than giving someone a gift they don't want or can't use; those are destined to collect dust on a shelf -- or worse, get tossed.

What else can you do in addition to looking for ethical and sustainable gifts? Recycle your old holiday lights and replace them with low-power LED versions. With a bit of planning, you can take your holiday parties and gatherings toward zero waste: Just set out a few bins for recycling, compost and waste, and direct people appropriately. Take it a step further by removing the trash can entirely, and watch your uncle's hesitation as he tries to determine which bin his used paper plate goes into. That should make for interesting conversation around the dinner table.

A few days ago someone told me that "it takes green to go green." Not so, especially during the holidays. It's the thought that counts, and, in the case of a green and sustainable Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, using your noggin and skills will help you find -- or make -- the perfect gifts while staying true to your ethics and sustainable leanings, all while keeping within your budget.

I've assembled a list of 12 holiday gift ideas to help you have a green holiday season. Hopefully, we'll all be green and still have some snow.

1. Make a card: It's estimated that there are more than 1.9 billion cards sent each holiday season in the United States alone. This year, why not give something more personal: buy some hemp or recycled paper card stock and some art supplies, and add your own creative flair to the business of card-making. Keep the supplies and use them year after year.

2. Bake a gift: Ever wonder why you should save cookie tins? Now you know: It's for the holidays. Sweets such as peanut brittle can be made in advance and store well. Preserves, such as jellies and jams, are always appreciated, as are baked goods, such as cookies. Plus, the tins and jars can be reused. Some people are wary about homemade goods, so for those folks, try another option.

3. Give consumables: A lot of people -- students, retirees, newspaper columnists -- live in the tight confines of condos, apartments, or basement suites and physically don't have enough space for more "stuff." Instead, give those people consumables, such as grocery gift certificates.

4. Buy services: Gifts don't always have to be material. Give gift certificates to local services, such as a trip to a massage therapist or spa, a trial membership at a yoga studio or gym, or a gift certificate to a hair salon. This keeps waste out of landfills and provides worthwhile local employment.

5. Give ethical products: Buying a fair-trade product -- such as organic chocolate -- is another good way to go green for the holidays. Fair-trade products ensure the farmers and craftspeople who produce the product are remunerated fairly. It might not be the right shade of green you're looking for, but it does provide a better quality of life for farmers and craftspeople who may be at risk of being exploited.

6. Buy vintage and second-hand goods: Buying second-hand furniture, books or other used products is another great way to go green for the holidays. Know the tastes of the person you're buying for, though: One person's sweet find is another's old junk. But with all the great second-hand and vintage stores in town, there's a gift available for everyone.

7. Give a gift that gives twice by donating to charity: If there's a group that the person you're buying for really loves, donate some money to it on their behalf. For example, you can adopt a cougar or a grizzly bear through The Land Conservancy (www.conservancy.bc.ca/store). Give to the University of Victoria's Environmental Law Centre (www.elc.uvic.ca/sponsors). Donate to the Dogwood Initiative, which wants to make British Columbia the global model for sustainable land reform (www.dogwoodinitiative.org). Give to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, which last year assisted more than 2,300 households in need (www.timescolonist.com/christmasfund). Through an organization such as World Vision (http://donate.worldvision.org), you can buy livestock for a family in need or donate school supplies to Canadian families that could use some help.

8. Pick organic for babies: There are so many options for babies, from unpainted, unfinished wood toys to cosy organic cotton jumpers. Local crafter Dress Me Up (www.dressmeup.ca) makes organic cotton stuffed rabbits for teething, while Good Planet Baby Store on Broad Street (www.goodplanet.com) also sells all kinds of green baby products.

9. Buy organic clothing: Clothing is always a popular gift for Christmas. Look for organic cotton, which uses less water and no pesticides, unlike traditional cotton. Ditch your mental image of a pony-tailed hippie wearing an itchy hemp hooded sweater. Nowadays, hemp, which uses less water to grow than cotton and grows faster, can be made into comfortable and nice-looking duds.

10. Look for up-cycled materials. Products made from salvaged materials are becoming increasingly available. Simple Shoes (www.simpleshoes.com) are sneakers soled with old tire treads, while messenger bags made from recycled seatbelts and bicycle tires, such as those from Alchemy Goods (www.alchemygoods.com), are also available. Some local crafters make items out of salvaged fabric, such as handbags sewn from old leather jackets (www.orabags.com).

11. Re-gift: Do you have an item or collectable that your friend or family member has been eyeing for some time? Are you not using it? Are you particularly attached to it? If not, let it go. It might come back to you next year.

12. Buy local: If you can buy something locally made, do it. The environment isn't just about hemp toilet paper and leafy vegetables: it's also about community. Local businesses create industry and employment, and are vital to building healthy communities.

Reprinted from:  http://www.vancouversun.com/life/ways+green+Christmas/2312154/story.html

Sustainable BC

Here is a vision document that inspires me!




For more information, please visit: http://www.buildingsustainablebc.ca/

Victory for Wild Salmon

Does the Fisheries Act have teeth?


An update from
Alexandra Morton, November 26, 2009


We are one step closer to applying the laws of Canada to salmon farming! It was a pivotal day in court. Although it is only one more step towards enforcing the laws of Canada on fish farmers,  it was essential if we are to bring reason to this situation.

In September I laid charges against Marine Harvest for illegal possession of juvenile wild salmon. This came after months of correspondence with Fisheries and Oceans, asking them to uphold the Fisheries Actand lay a charge themselves.

Today was our third court appearance. The first two were simply to set dates, and then extend those dates so that the Department of Justice could review the details of the case. Today's appearance was a "process hearing" with a judge to lay out the charge and our evidence. The judge could either have refused to issue a summons, or approve the charge.

Today in Port Hardy, the judge approved the charge and a summons will be issued to Marine Harvest to appear in court and the trial could proceed.

There are several directions this could take from this point:

1. The Department of Justice could take the case over and run the case. My lawyer, Jeff Jones and I are hoping this will occur as this is truly David against Goliath, a tiny North Island law firm working Pro Bono to date, against a multi billion dollar international corporation. A round of applause for Jeffery and Marianne Jones they have done so much already!

2. If the Department of Justice takes the case, they could proceed to trial where all evidence can be heard, and a Judge will rule on the merit of the case. Or, the Department of Justice can stay the charges and the case is closed without a trial.

3. Jeff Jones and I might have to run the trial ourselves. While this seems a good idea, the reality is a tidal wave of paperwork that could overwhelm his firm, even though this appears to be an extremely straightforward charge which many fishermen have faced. However, well funded corporate defendants can stretch a trial out for days if not weeks, making it extremely costly for a private citizen to enforce the Fisheries Act.

In any case we are setting precedence. Canada cannot manage its fisheries in a sustainable way unless the laws about how many fish are caught are enforced. Over-fishing is a global problem, it is not sound management to allow salmon farmers unlimited access to BC wild fish.

Thanks to all of you for all your support. If you know anyone who would like to join us in signing the letter to the Minister of Fisheries to PLEASE ENFORCE THE FISHERIES ACT, the letter is still on our websitewww.adopt-a-fry.org.  Until the Federal government is
willing to uphold the laws of Canada we will continue to do what we can to fill the void.

My deepest thanks to all of you, we face tough stretch ahead, but once again the courts have agreed with our position.

A remarkable film will be released next week on the Global impact of salmon farming, here is the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eggrGn0V0fg

No individual can right the wrongs we have wreaked on our planet.  Thank you all for being with me on this.

alexandra morton

Local food includes local meat

New Democrats are introducing a bill in the legislature today which, if passed, could mean meat from local farmers can be purchased directly by customers.

The new bill amends the Food Safety Act, which will change the current rules that all meat offered for sale must be processed at centralized facilities, a burden for some small producers.

“Forcing farmers to ship their animals hundreds of miles for processing not only makes local meat unaffordable, it also puts undue stress on the animals and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions,” said Lana Popham, New Democrat agriculture critic, calling it a "common-sense bill".

“Even as increasing numbers of British Columbians are looking for local food choices, the centuries-old tradition of the family farm is at risk,” said New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons, who introduced the bill.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_north/interior-news/news/72894677.html

Fresh evidence BC government supports off-shore oil drilling

Minister Blair Lekstrom: "We believe it can be done".

"The Battle is Still Someone's to win."

by Catherine Turnquist

Last Friday was National Child Day, a day meant to recognize the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Among them are the right to healthy development and the right to pursue an education.

The machete trail being currently hacked through our social and health services is putting those rights in jeopardy. Children, particularly those with special needs, must always be a priority, whatever the economic climate. If their needs aren’t met, their health, growth and education are all compromised.

Intensive therapy for autism, treatment for Fetal Alcohol Disorder, services for children with Down’s Syndrome, an anti-bullying program for schools, literacy initiatives – all are being dropped in favour of deficit reduction.

Public health nurses, the only clinic in B.C. for youth with addictions – supports we expect to have available are being lost almost daily. It took years to build up some of these systems and if we let them go now, it will take years to get them back - if we ever get them back.

This has become nothing less than a fight for what kind of society we want to live in and what kind of province our children are going to inherit. Priorities come from values. Values are what make a society what it is, what decides how liveable and how civilized it is.

If we don’t insist that our government protect special needs children, we're moving a step closer to barbarism, to social Darwinism. The biggest, strongest and most-neurotypical will thrive. The children with autism, or cerebral palsy - they'll all get trampled and have their meagre resources strip-mined for cash by the very public officials meant to protect their interests.

Fight, people. This really is life or death and the battle is still someone's to win.

Nov. 20, 2009

Thanks Monday Magazine!

Nov. 12-18 2009 issue.

I'm cramming for an A+ before the end of the year.

BC Legislature must come together in support of a Global Climate Treaty in Copenhagen

Yesterday in the Legislature I rose to ask all MLAs to make a joint appeal to Prime Minister Stephen Harper to engage constructively and help make the Copenhagen negotiations next month a success.



I will be following up with Premier Campbell on this request and will let you know what happens.

Agriculture and the Green Economy

Here is a short speech I gave yesterday in the Legislature in support of a private member's motion made by Rob Fleming. This motion would strengthen our green economy and I spoke about the important role agriculture can play.