Minister's autism claims 'nonsensical'

http://www.timescolonist.com/health/Minister+autism+claims+nonsensical/3589048/story.html

BY REID JOHNSON, TIMES COLONIST SEPTEMBER 28, 2010

Minister of Children and Family Development Mary Polak claims she improved services for autistic children by cutting the Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention program at Queen Alexandra Centre for Child Health. This is nonsensical.

Cumulatively, she has cut more than $3 million provincewide from autism services for children under six.


In her announcement last September, Polak tried to disguise this cut as an improvement in service, claiming that eliminating Queen Alexandra's $5-million intensive therapy program allows the government to increase funding for all autistic children under 6 from $20,000 to $22,000.


Given the number of autistic children in the province, this actually reduced overall funding to the under-six group by more than $3 million.

This is Prostate Cancer Awareness Week

A post for all the men out there. 

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men - it will afflict 1 in 6 men. If you are over forty it is important to know the facts.

Symptoms of prostate cancer may include slow or painful urination, blood or pus in the urine, painful ejaculation and pain in the lower back or abdomen, pelvis or upper thighs. If this sounds like you - see a doctor right away!

The good news is that in most cases, prostate tumours grow relatively slowly. It usually takes years for tumours to become large enough to be detectable and it takes even longer for them to spread out of the prostate. 

The bad news is that a small number of men have aggressive prostate cancers that grow and spread quickly. At diagnosis, it is tough to know which category a man falls into and this can make treatment decisions hard. 

BC Government continues to fail children with autism

Hollie and Cooper

Today is the one year anniversary of a fateful decision. On Sept. 16, 2009, Mary Polak, the Minister for Children and Family Development, announced she was cutting early intensive therapy (EIBI) for children with autism.

EIBI has decades of proven research behind it. Children with autism who receive it are better able to lead fulfilling lives and become productive members of society.

Given that EIBI likely reduces the lifetime costs of supporting individuals with autism by 65%, this decision was short-sighted. This cut will end up costing us all more money in the long-term.

Saanich Family Gets Help!

Good news!

Last week I told you about Ruth Horst and her fight to get bus passes for her children. Ruth works hard to take care of her five children but she is also disabled and cannot afford the $1400 it costs to buy the annual bus passes that most of her kids need to get to school.

Last week I also contacted every service club and charitable organization I could think of to see if they could help.

I’m really happy to share with you that at the eleventh-hour, the Salvation Army came forward with the funds needed for this school year.

Ruth and her family are very grateful to the Salvation Army and everyone else who showed concern and offered support in different ways.

But the larger problem highlighted by Ruth's story is unchanged.

Let's Swarm the Legislature!

The bees need your help!


Last year more than 90% of the honey-bees on the island died!


And what is worse, the provincial government's response has been to weaken the protections for our precious island bees.


Bee-keepers from across Vancouver Island ask you to join them for a rally:

Saanich Family Needs Help

Dear Friends,

I've been working hard to help Ruth Horst get assistance to purchase bus passes for her children. Ruth is on long-term disability and is the sole provider for her five children. The family lives far from the kids' schools and they do not own a car. They need to take public transit to get to and from school, but the total cost of annual bus passes - $1750 - is beyond Ruth's means.

At first I assumed that the government would help out in such a situation...but they will not. We are continuing to explore every option we can think of. But with school starting in a few days, the children are running out of time.

If anyone is able to help, cheques - payable to BC transit - for any amount, can be dropped off at my office, 4085 Quadra. All funds donated will go directly towards purchasing bus passes for the children.

Below is a A channel news story about the situation that ran last night.

Thank you for your concern and support. Lana.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bUHbBU-wjE&feature=player_embedded

Summer Update 2010 – Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South

Dear Friends,

Community Office Aug 2010

I hope you are enjoying the summer.

Last spring I visited 6500 homes, connecting with the people of Saanich South. This summer, I am again working hard to hear more about what you want, and to give you an update on what I’m up to.

Far and away, the most input I’ve received over the last year has been disappointment and anger about how the government introduced and is pushing forward with the HST. I want you all to know that I fought hard to stop it. I took a leadership role in organizing the opposition of thousands of cyclists, and I voted against it at every opportunity in the Legislature.

I believe the HST mess just emphasizes how overdue it is for us – the public – to have a good honest discussion about the “what and why” of our provincial taxes.

My own view is that one of the HST’s biggest flaws is that it is not grounded in the principles of sustainability. We need tax policy that addresses the environmental crisis we are in…and this tax fails that test.

A government that raises taxes on green transportation choices like bicycles is a government travelling in the wrong direction.

A question I get a lot is, “what do you do?”.

My job is to represent the 50,000 residents of Saanich South in the B.C. Legislature. I work in a non-partisan way to advance issues that are important the community. As a member of the official opposition, I also challenge and propose improvements to ongoing government policies.

Further, with my community-office team, I work directly with people in Saanich South who need assistance resolving provincial issues. We regularly help people with challenges relating to health care, education, small business, senior services, housing and transportation.

I also organize community events. For example, I recently organized a very well-attended forum about the dangerous intersection at Pat Bay Highway and Sayward Road, bringing together municipal politicians, community leaders and officials from the Ministry of Transportation. The Ministry is insisting on doing expensive, long-term plans for a possible overpass. The community is speaking largely with one voice: they consider safety improvements more of a priority. This is a file that I will continue working on until there is a good resolution. I recently filed a FOI request for all the maps and planning documents that government has, but is unwilling to share with the public. I’m also pulling together an experienced group of local residents to create a short-list of safety improvements that we want to see put in place in the short-term.
Please email me if you would like to help out.

I’m working hard on issues important to the community such as healthcare and education. For example, I am helping a young boy in Saanich South named Brandon. Brandon has Type 1 Diabetes. With just a little assistance, Brandon can use an insulin pump at school and have the same education opportunities as other children. For more information, please visit www.kidswithtype1.ca.

In addition, I want to share with you that farmers in our community are extremely concerned about recent changes to honeybee importation regulations. The government is needlessly putting these critical pollinators at risk. Click here for more information. My background is in agriculture and I am working actively on a number of files, including the flawed slaughter regulations, the need to strengthen the ALR, Site C, and the inadequate funding to the Ministry of Agriculture.

I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Saanich South and working with you to improve our quality of life. Thanks for your support and please keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Lana.

My Favourite Green Bean Salad

BC Green Beans are ready!

Yum!

I most look forward to two vegetables in the summer. One of them is tomatoes and the other is green beans. Fresh, local or homegrown, green beans are incredibly delicious! This is my favourite recipe for green beans. It's a cold salad and is a perfect addition to a summer dinner and very easy to take to a potluck or BBQ.

Figure out how big a salad bowl you want to use and have the appropriate amount of beans to fill that bowl.

Start by taking the stems and pointy ends off the green beans. Snap them in half and put them into a bowl. While you are doing that you can put a large pot of water to boil on the stove.

When you have finished preparing the beans, drop them into the boiling water for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, take them off the stove, drain them in the sink, and rinse them with cold water until the cool down. (Sometimes I even save the rinse water by having a bowl underneath the colander and then dump it onto my garden after.)

Once the beans have dripped dry, place them into your salad bowl.

Add 1/2 cup jarred sundried tomatoes in olive oil. They come cut-up or not. If they are not chopped, you will have to chop them.

Add a few swirls of good olive oil.

Add 3 cloves finely chopped garlic.

Add add 1 1/2 cups grated Asiago Cheese.

Add fresh ground pepper.

Add a pinch of salt.

Toss until beans are covered.

This is good the next day too!

For the Record!

I'm often asked what I do when I'm sitting in the House. Quite a lot! Here is a list of all the questions, statements and motions that I made in the Legislature during the last session. The links will take you to the Hansard transcript.

Popham, Lana (Saanich South)
As subject
response to budget 3183-4
Agricultural land reserve
status 3187
Agriculture
crops, pollination 5880
government support 3186-7
hemp industry 4790
Agriculture and Lands Ministry
estimates debate 4075-81, 4151-3, 4155-8, 4164-5, 4169-70
Autism
early intervention program and treatment services, funding 3186
Bees
population health 5880
Bike to Work Week
events in Victoria 5962
purpose 5966
B.C.
issues, community and environmental issues 3452
population, aging population 3765-6
B.C. Liberal Party government
action on stated goals 3184-7
Budget debate 3183-7
Buy B.C. program
status 2982, 3187
California
agriculture industry 3186
Climate change
impact on agriculture and food supply 4448
Consumption Tax Rebate and Transition Act
debate 4569-73, 4990-1
Cordova Bay Elementary School
students and teachers 3184
Cycling
commuter cycling 5962
Economy
knowledge-based economy, government support 3186
Education
system, system during B.C. Liberal Party administration 3184
Education, funding 4625
Employment and unemployment
job creation, government action 3186
Environment
environmental assessment process 3452-3
protection and sustainability, government action 3185-6
Fires and firefighters
firefighters, role 3291
Food
food security 4448-9
locally grown food, production and support 4449
Forests and forest industry
job protection, petition tabled 4566
Girl Guides of Canada
organization and activities 3788
Harmonized sales tax
impact on bicycles and repairs 5966
impact on cycling 3184-5
petition tabled 5050
Health, public health
government promotion of healthy lifestyle and physical fitness 3184
Highway 17 (Patricia Bay Highway)
improvements, government investment 3185
Infrastructure
transportation infrastructure, government investment in sustainable transportation infrastructure 3185-6
Literacy
programs and services, funding 3184
Lyme disease
awareness and prevention 5541-2
Motions
Federal-provincial environmental assessment process, debate 3452-3
Food security and production plan for B.C., debate 4448-9
Sustainable wild salmon stock and aquaculture, debate 5950
NDP
vision for sustainable B.C. 3452-3
Olympic Games, 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver-Whistler
athletes, accomplishments of Canadian athletes 3184
Oral questions
Buy B.C. program 2982
Harmonized sales tax on bicycles 3109, 5966
Importation of bees and beekeeping equipment to Vancouver Island 5885
School district costs and funding 4625
Pensions
pension income, gender disparity 3765
Petitions
harmonized sales tax 5050
harmonized sales tax on bicycles 3110
protection of B.C. jobs and old-growth forests on Vancouver Island 4566
Poverty
poverty among senior women, government action 3765-7
Premier's Council on Aging and Seniors Issues
report 3765-7
Private members' statements
Respecting seniors 3765-7
Private members' statements (response)
Industrial hemp 4790
Saanich
cycling trail system 3185
Saanich fire department
services and fundraising 3291
Saanich South constituency and area
issues and concerns 3185-6
Sales tax
exemption for bicycles 3109, 3185
exemption for bicycles, petition tabled 3110
School district 63 (Saanich)
funding 4625
Seniors
government action on issues 3765-7
terminology to describe seniors 3765
Social Credit Party
policies 3185
Statements by members
Bike to Work Week 5962
Firefighters 3291
Girl Guides of Canada 3788
Lyme disease awareness 5541-2
Role of honeybees in agriculture 5880
Velox Rugby Club 4970
Vancouver Island
beekeeping, regulation of imported bees and equipment 5880, 5885
forest industry, protection of old-growth forests, petition tabled 4566
south Island, economy and transportation infrastructure 3185-6
Vancouver Island Technology Park
role 3186
Velox Rugby Club
history and activities 4970
Veterinarians Act
debate 5447-8, 5639, 5647-8
Welfare
support system for vulnerable persons 3186
Women
economic status 3765-6

Government hiding information and failing to protect Wild Salmon - at the same time!

The government's decision to hide information about the sea lice infestation in and around the province’s fish farms is more evidence of both their failure to protect wild salmon, and their failure to follow Freedom of Information requirements.


Both Ecojustice and the T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation have asked the government to provide sea lice infestation records from January 2004 - March 2010.


But the BC Liberal government is denying their request despite the fact that the government just lost a six year battle to conceal 2002-03 sea lice infestation records from the public.


Dr. Alexandra Morton, an expert in sea lice who has studied wild salmon for years in the Broughton Archipelago says: “Hiding disease reports certainly raises the question: what don’t they want us to know. The only Fraser sockeye in collapse are those migrating past salmon feedlots."


It is clear that wild salmon need improved protection from human-caused impacts. And I believe strongly that the best way to protect jobs on the coast - in tourism, commercial fishing and aquaculture - is to protect the environment that sustains these activities.


We can become a world leader in sustainable aquaculture and create new green jobs while opening up markets to a product British Columbians can be proud of.


But for that we will need this government to have a change of heart - or we need a new government.


I applaud MLA Doug Routley, the New Democrat Critic for Citizens' Services for raising the issue of transparency and accountability.


He points out that the Freedom of Information and Privacy Commissioner has already ordered the B.C. Liberal government to release this information for a different year. By fighting against the public’s right to know, the B.C. Liberal government is wasting time and money. The government should be serving the people of this province, not shielding industry from public scrutiny.


During the spring sitting of the legislature, the New Democrat opposition introduced The Open Government Act to close loopholes in the province’s FOI legislation and prevent the government from waging time-consuming and costly battles against the public’s right to access information.


In 2007, the bi-partisan Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture recommended that the salmon farming industry be transitioned to closed-containment within five years. The B.C. Liberal government ignored this and more than 50 other recommendations, including transparent disease reporting, despite ongoing concerns about theimpact of fish farms on wild salmon and other species.


If the B.C. government had implemented the recommendations of the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture, we would be well on our way to showing the world that it is possible to have a thriving aquaculture industry that provides green jobs with a light environmental footprint.


I am fighting for an environmental plan that respects communities, creates green jobs, offers families positive choices and commits to concrete action to protect species at risk.


I call on Minister Thompson to do the right thing: show that you are committed to working transparently and help improve the protections for our desperately vulnerable wild salmon. Listen to the Courts of B.C. and release the documents now!


Lana.


Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South

Pat Bay & Sayward: Cordova Bay Speaks Out

Here is an article about the community forum I organized this week by Roger Stonebanks of the hard-working Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs. 

Safety first - and, please communicate
at Pat Bay and Sayward

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure must engage in meaningful community consultation before plans are drawn up for changes to the Patricia Bay Highway and Sayward Road - as well as at 'open houses' after plans are prepared for public reaction.

This message was delivered to the ministry before a standing-room-only audience of 115 residents by speakers at a public safety forum on June 15/2010 organized by Saanich South MLA Lana Popham at Cordova Bay Community Place.

The Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs (CBA) has been campaigning for more than a year for 'safety first' fixes at the intersection which is one of the most dangerous in terms of crashes on Vancouver Island. For details and background including two important traffic reports, please click on: Pat Bay/Sayward intersection safety issues.

Recently, the ministry disclosed that it is planning some changes at the intersection and will present them at 'open houses' for public comment. But speakers including Wayne Christmas, chairperson of the CBA traffic committee, said the ministry should consider public opinion before making plans by organizing a public input forum - as well as afterwards. He also said changes should improve safety and not increase cut-through traffic within Cordova Bay. 

Members of the public gave a number of ideas for changes at the intersection. Popham said she has received many responses to her opinion survey and promised that all communications that she receives will be delivered to the ministry and to Saanich municipality - ahead of plans being finalized by the ministry. The survey is available on her website:www.saanichsouth.ca

Patrick Livolsi, the ministry's regional director for the south coast, said a consultant has been engaged to review past traffic reports and identify a long-term strategy as well as what can be done now to reduce accidents. The consultant will work with Saanich municipality. He hoped changes will include a park-and-ride facility. He promised the highway won't be increased to six lanes - it will stay at four lanes.

"We are trying to pare down options to the public for feed-back for small-scale improvements," he said. He noted that 68 per cent of accidents are rear-enders and they occur at the approaches to the intersection as well as at the intersection.

The ministry first disclosed last March on CBC Radio that it hopes to have plans ready for public comment this fall, "safety mitigation measures" short of an interchange that would significantly reduce the accident record. The cost might be $2 to $3 million.

Coun. Judy Brownoff, Saanich council's liaison with the ministry (along with Coun. Leif Wergeland, who lives in Cordova Bay and who attended the meeting as well as several other councillors), said council has emphasized that the ministry must engage the public - "There has to be true meaningful engagement. This community wants meaningful consultation."

When one speaker asked if the ministry would be willing to form a consultation committee, Livolsi said "We'll take that under consideration."

Coun. Brownoff said the Pat Bay/Sayward intersection is the second-worst in Saanich for accidents (using ICBC figures) - and surprised the audience by identifying the worst as Wilkinson Road/Interurban Road which she said has a lot of traffic cutting through between Patricia Bay Highway and Trans-Canada Highway.

She said Saanich Police have told her that speed is not a factor in most accidents at Pat Bay/Sayward. The biggest issues are inattentiveness by drivers and following too closely. Most accidents occur in the afternoon.

One speaker said the community needs to decide whether or not it is prepared to accept an interchange (as forecast in several traffic reports) - and if not, the discussion would go in another direction. Comments at the meeting indicated support for safety measures at the present intersection but not an interchange or "grade level separation" as it was sometimes called.

Popham concluded the meeting by again stating that all opinions that she receives from the public will be delivered to the ministry and Saanich. "This is just the beginning of community consultation," she said.

(News item provided by Roger Stonebanks, former president of the CBA.)

Reprinted with permission. http://www.cbasn.com/news.php

It's time to enjoy the local bounty!

A news update from the Southern Vancouver Island Direct Farm Marketing Association… For farm links and other information, visit their website at www.islandfarmfresh.com or find them on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Island-Farm-Fresh/333541989160

Strawberry Watch

FINALLY! The wait is over! All farms now have strawberries (visit our product page for a list of farms selling strawberries). Dan’s Farm is taking orders for flats of strawberries and filling those orders at this time. U-pick strawberries will start on June 23. Down the road at Oldfield Orchard and Bakery, u-pick happens on June 19 and 20, then Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday for the following week. Visit our U-Pick page for a complete listing of U-Pick farms.

Notes from the Peninsula

Michell Bros. Farm reports they have added fresh bunched carrots, green onions and green cabbage to its shelves, along with bunched beets, kale and lettuces. Over at Saanichton Christmas Tree Farm in Saanichton, Joan Fleming has potted dahlia plants for sale, along with beautiful colourful hanging baskets… And across the road at Suntrio Farm, the boys have variety of unique greens for sale, including pea shoots, sunflower sprout mix and wheat grass, as well as plan starters. The Muse Winery in North Saanich was a multiple medal winner at wine competitions this spring, taking 3 golds and a bronze at the Canadian Wine Competition and 4 silver medals at the NorthWest Wine Summit.

Notes from Metchosin

Fiona is holding a huge sale at Metchosin Farm: “Time to clear out the nursery to make way for summer (yes, it IS coming!). All tomato plants are on sale for $1.50 each if you buy ten or more. A great deal, while quantities last. Given the cool wet spring that we've had, the farm stand is still open until these plants are all sold. There is still a wonderful selection of salad mixes, New Zealand spinach, strawberry plants (some with red berries on them), squash, melons, rhubarb, tomatillos, peppers and more.”

Notes from the Cowichan...

Experience the summer solstice celebration of feminine energy at Damali Labyrinth (Damali Lavender Farm) on Monday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m. 'MANY STRONG, WISE, and BEAUTIFUL WOMEN' This is the fourth summer solstice celebration at Damali Labyrinth. Invite friends, daughters, sisters, mothers and bring a drum, tambourine or wooden spoons as we will be generating rhythms of the heart connections.

Merridale Ciderworks

Sunday, June 20: Barbeque buffet lunch for Father’s Day. Brunch begins at 11 and goes until 4 for only $20 a person. For menus and more information visit our website.
Saturday, July 3rd: Join us Saturday evening for a live dinner theatre on our orchard decks! The Bamberton Historical Society joined forces with the Seeds and Salt Theatre Company to create the historical theatre production, “The Road Less Travelled.” It portrays what makes Vancouver Islanders unique by uncovering 3 forgotten stories of Vancouver Island’s past and retelling them in a dramatic style that encourages the audience to interact with the characters and share in the lives, loves, intrigues and heroic deeds of the past. Drinks and appetizers begin at 5:30 followed by dinner at 6 pm. Dinner will be a cold buffet and served at long tables in the bistro. At 7:00, guests will be escorted onto the back deck to watch the plays and children are welcome. Bring a sweater in case of chill, but overhead heaters and blankets are provided for warmth.

Toe Tappin' at Providence Farm

Saturday, June 19 @ 5 p.m.

You'll have a great time helping Providence Farm raise funds at our annual Wild West Hoedown, with a buffet dinner, live and silent auctions and a real old fashioned country barn dance. Hoedown profits directly support the wonderful, innovative programs at the farm; programs that benefit the lives of so many in the Cowichan Valley. Tickets $75 from Providence Farm 250-746-4204. 

Grow Your Own

Carolyn Herriot’s new book, The Zero Mile Diet, is now sprouting up in local bookstores. Visit Carolyn’s web site for more information. And look for Carolyn and the Zero Mile Diet at the Saanich Fair this year!

Opportunities for youth

Haliburton Community Farm Summer Farm Camp for Kids

Here's another opportunity for young people to learn about growing and eating local foods. The Haliburton Community Organic Farm offers a Summer Farm Camp for Kids – visit the farm website to learn more.

Mr. Organic's Summer Camp for Kids
Your child will learn about: • Good bugs VS bad bugs • Companion plants • Seeding • Wonderful world of worms • Creating raised beds • Transplanting
All food-growing materials are provided, including seeds, potting soil, starter plants, compost, top soil, tools, and equipment. Camp is available to most ages - please ask.  One Full Week ONLY $115! Drop-ins Welcome $25/day

Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 2:30pm  • July 5–9 • July 12–16 • July 19–23 • July 26–30

For more information and/or to register, call Mr. Organic (Dave) at 250-655-9156 or 250-704-6602. Visit Mr. Organic's website (www.friendlyorganics.ca)

And don't forget Mr. Organic's Gardening Workshop for Kids at The Roost Farm Centre on June 19, from 9 am to 12 noon.

Recipes from Taste of Life Catering (www.tasteoflifecatering.ca) featuring local farm products in season. Enjoy!

Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb

Ingredients:

1 rack of island Lamb

One bunch of parsley

2 tbsp of chopped rosemary

½ cup Honey

¼ cup Dijon

1 cup of panko breading

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Vegetable oil

Method:

In a food processor combine bread crumbs parsley rosemary, salt and pepper. Mix together on high for 2 minutes; mixture should be green in color. Take out and set aside in a glass bowl. In another bowl combine honey & Dijon, set aside. Once lamb is clean, cover bones with tin foil – this will Keep them from burning while cooking! Heat up a skillet with a little oil, sear your lamb on both sides for 3 minutes to seal in the juices, let cool for 10 minutes before coating.

Next paint on honey mixture all over the lamb meat. Dredge in breading mixture completely coat both sides of lamb. To finish pre heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat up a pan on medium to high heat. Sear both sides of lamb for 3 minutes, place in oven with show side up. Rare – cook for 15 minutes.

Medium rare to medium – 20 minutes. Let you lamb rest for 5 minutes, then cut in between bones. You should get 4 to 5 nice pieces. Serve with nice red wine Demi glace & sides of your choice. Enjoy!

Shopping for lamb?

A number of our members sell local lamb (visit our product page for a complete list and links). Call ahead for availability and to place orders.

Saanich Peninsula: Dragonfly Hill Vineyard & Winery, Ireland Farms, Olde Country Registered Sheep, Saanichton Christmas Tree Farm, The Roost Farm Centre

Metchosin: Seabluff Farm

Cowichan Valley: Gill-Power Hobby Farm, Providence Farm, Stonefield Farm.

Community Forum: Pat Bay Highway & Sayward Rd.

Dear Saanich South,

Are you concerned about the intersection at Pat Bay Highway and Sayward Road?

Did you know that for over two decades it’s been one of the most dangerous intersections in all of British Columbia?

Please join me for an discussion about this problem and what should be done about it.

Tuesday, June 15, 7-8:30pm at Cordova Bay Elementary School, 5238 Cordova Bay Road. (map)

I'll be introducing three speakers who are well-versed in the possible solutions:

• Judy Brownoff, Saanich Councillor and Council Liaison to the Ministry of Transportation;
• Wayne Christmas, Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs; and
• Patrick Livolsi, Regional Director, South Coast Region, Ministry of Transportation

There will be lots of time for community engagement and refreshments will be served.

If you can't make it or just want to make sure your voice is heard. Please take a moment to fill out my short survey: your opinions will be considered as we move forward. Click here.

Thank you,

Lana

Our Bees Deserve Better!

To everyone concerned about our precious pollinators,

Today in the Legislature I made a two minute statement about the `Day of the Honeybee`.

As you know, the government recently ended a twenty-two year old quarantine on importing bees from the mainland, and did so without consulting local bee-keeping communities and associations.

During Question Period, I raised the issue directly with the Minister responsible, asking him to pull back from this short-sighted decision and provide the protections our island honey bees desperately need.

More information is available on my website, islandbees.ca

You can watch both videos below, transcripts follow.

"Day of the Honey Bee" - Two-Minute Statement in the Legislature



Honey Bees in Question Period, May 27, 2010



--

HANSARD: ROLE OF HONEYBEES IN AGRICULTURE
L. Popham: May 29 has been proclaimed the Day of the Honeybee in British Columbia. Honeybees are a big part of our pollinator population and play a critical role in the production of many B.C. crops. In fact, much of B.C.'s agricultural production is dependent on honeybee pollination. Without them, our food systems will fail.

Our proclamation was signed recently, and within our proclamation, the virtues of B.C. bees as well as the threats they face were brought to light:

"Whereas the honeybee has, through its role as pollinator, been an important part of agricultural efforts since ancient times; and whereas the honeybee plays an essential role in the success of agricultural enterprises in British Columbia; and whereas the honeybee has been under serious threat due to disease and environmental conditions that ultimately threaten the future of agriculture in our province; and whereas the government of British Columbia has worked with the agriculture industry to improve production and the honeybee has been under serious threat due to disease and environmental conditions that ultimately threaten the future of agriculture in our province. Whereas the government of British Columbia has worked with the agriculture industry to improve production and stabilize the industry. Whereas it is in the interest of furthering that goal to raise awareness of the role of the honeybee and the plight it faces."

In early May, a 22-year-old policy restricting the importation of bees to Vancouver Island was lifted. This significant decision is of grave concern to the Vancouver Island bee-keeping sector. Bee keepers are especially concerned because last winter on Vancouver Island almost 90 percent of honeybees died, largely because of the varroa mite which was introduced to island hives when an individual contravened our island quarantine.

I am wondering, given recent decisions, if the day of the honeybee will become a day of memorial for honeybees on Vancouver Island in our near future.

HANSARD: TRANSCRIPT FROM QUESTION PERIOD
L. Popham: Beekeepers on Vancouver Island are reeling from a recent decision to change the policy around the import of bees to Vancouver Island from the mainland — a policy that has been in place for 22 years. This was done without consultation, and the results may be devastating to our bee industry. The test results, which were the basis for the government to lift the quarantine, are not being made public.

Will the Minister of Agriculture commit today to listen to all island beekeepers and ensure that there will be no honeycomb and no used equipment brought onto the Island from the Lower Mainland?

Hon. S. Thomson: The member opposite is aware that we've equalized the restriction for imported bees onto Vancouver Island with federal standards. Vancouver Island beekeepers were able to import bees from Australia and from Chile before. We've equalized those standards with federal standards so that they can import bees from the Lower Mainland, providing those opportunities for the Vancouver Island bee producers.

I'm fully aware of the concerns of Vancouver Island. The member opposite knows that I've met with the presidents of the associations. For bees to come onto Vancouver Island, they require inspection, and they require a permit. We've committed to continue to work with the associations to make sure the inspection protocols are in place so that we can protect the health of the Vancouver Island bee population.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

L. Popham: I understand that the minister has met with the local Island bee clubs, and so have I. It's not the bees that are a problem and that they're worried about. They're worried about the honeycomb and the used equipment. The minister has been claiming that there is science to back up the decision that was made. If he believes this is true, then there should be nothing to hide. Will he commit today to release the provincial test results to the Island beekeepers?

Hon. S. Thomson: I have met with the presidents of the associations, and I've committed to continue to meet with them. As I said, it requires inspection. It requires permit for bees to come on to Vancouver Island. We're going to continue to work with the associations around the inspection protocols to make sure that we protect the health of the Vancouver Island bee population.

Coming from the agriculture industry, I understand the importance of the bee industry to both the agriculture industry and to value-added production for small-scale farms on Vancouver Island and in British Columbia. We'll continue to work with the association to make sure that those inspection protocols and those permits are in place to protect the health of the Vancouver Island bee population.

http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/39th2nd/H00527y.htm

Bike to Work Week!

Hi Everybody,

Bike to Work Week is just around the corner! May 31st - June 6. See their website for all the details: biketowork.ca/victoria. I hope you'll get in on the action.

And don't forget to snap up a t-shirt! I know shirt sales are an important fund-raiser for the group. Details on the much-loved shirts are here: http://biketowork.ca/node/139

Lyme Disease

From Hansard, May 19, 2010.

LYME DISEASE AWARENESS

L. Popham: Mr. Speaker, May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Lyme disease is North America's fastest-rising infectious disease. It's utterly debilitating if not detected and treated with antibiotics, which rarely happens in British Columbia. People get Lyme disease from ticks. Ticks are sneaky. They anaesthetize their bites so they can feed in peace. Western black-legged ticks abound here, and up to 10 percent now carry Lyme in endemic areas like the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and southern Vancouver Island.

May is awareness month because it starts a fresh tick season, the time when nymphal ticks, no larger than a speck of pepper, lurk on tips of long spring grasses, waiting for a blood meal to pass by. Risk of infection can be greatly reduced if we know what precautions to take, what places and actions to avoid, like playing in tall grass while wearing shorts. 

Being Lyme-aware is vital for children in suburban schools next to wooded areas frequented by deer. There are many such schools in B.C. 

Today our public health officials are silent on the rising risk of Lyme disease. However, there are signs that our local schools are taking the risks to children more seriously. At Rogers Elementary in Saanich South, the May newsletter has a tick alert that's informative, non-alarmist and tells parents what to avoid, what to look for and what to do if a tick is discovered. That's prevention as it should be practised. 

It inspires me today, in Lyme Disease Awareness Month, to urge our public health agencies to get serious about reducing public exposure to this preventable, debilitating and largely untreated illness. 

http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/39th2nd/H00519y.htm

Highway Safety: Sayward Road and the Pat Bay Highway

Please take a moment to fill out this survey - thank you!
If you do not see it below, you can access it by clicking here.

One heck of a week!

Dear Saanich South,

I hope you are all well and are finding time to enjoy the weekend. Last week was super busy for me and I would like to share a few of the highlights with you.

But first: I'm pleased to invite you to join me in welcoming Alexandra Morton to Saanich on Saturday May the 8th.

Alex is a renowned biologist and a leading expert on BC salmon. She is completing a 500 km walk from the northern part of Vancouver island to Victoria in order to raise awareness about the need to improve fish farming practices in order to save our rapidly disappearing wild salmon stocks.

Click here to read a Globe and Mail article about her. And you can watch a very interesting news story about the walk on /A\ Channel by clicking here. The beautiful picture you see is a young Nimpkish Dancer during a ceremony this week at the start of Alex's walk.

My event takes place at 12:30pm on Saturday, May the 8th at my office, 4085 Quadra St. (.5 km North of Mackenzie). We will welcome Alex and the other walkers on the last day of their "migration". And then those who are able will join with her and walk the final six kilometers to downtown Victoria. A great way to get some exercise!

There will be a free barbecue salmon at 2pm at Centennial Square and rally at the Legislature at 4pm. Let’s make sure Sockeye are around for our grandchildren. Find out more at salmonaresacred.org

Ok, my week! Let me just start by saying I had a miserable cold the whole time! Anyway, I'm feeling better now and here is what I've been up to as your MLA....

I started the week off on Sunday with some fun: I attended a 5 km walk at Beaver Lake in support of families raising children with autism. I had a great time chatting and enjoying the passion of the crowd. What a dedicated group! Please check out my website, autismstories.ca, to read about the personal impact of cuts to intensive therapy for children with autism. You can connect with the local group working on this issue by visiting their facebook page.

After the walk, I went to the Sikh Temple on Topaz Street – it was Vasaki after all! Best wishes to all the celebrants. I enjoyed a wonderful meal in the Temple dining room. (This is a meal that is provided free every Sunday to everyone. It was delicious!)

On Monday, I started receiving more calls about booming cannons in the Blenkinsop Valley. It seems a local farm is firing off canons to scare away the Canadian Geese. They are eating the new foliage on a very large blueberry farms – this can severely damage and even kill new plants. However, the noise is also really upsetting a lot of their neighbours. If you are one of them, please visit my website, blenkinsopvalley.ca to register your complaint. I am collecting information to better understand what is happening and to look for opportunities to improve the situation.

Early in the week I met with colleagues and Ministry staff regarding a number of issues including significant legislative or regulatory changes to the way in which Veterinarians and Optometrists are regulated in B.C. The Veterinarians Act falls under my critic portfolio so I am preparing for debate by studying the proposed amendments to the act, section by section by section. It's very interesting!

In the House, I presented a Private Member’s Motion calling for a made-in-BC food security plan. You watch that by clicking here.

On Thursday, coughing and sniffling, I travelled to Vancouver for a 7 am breakfast meeting with real estate leaders about the ALR. It was a forum on topical issues confronting the commercial development industry. It was quite interesting to hear the tug of war between panel members. Did you know the Fraser Institute blames the ALR for unaffordable housing? And they think 'local food is a fad' and that the environmental and nutritional benefits of organic food are myths. Hmmmmm......

Speaking of the ALR! It was the ALR 37th birthday this week and I joined other supporters of agriculture in celebrating this milestone and calling for renewed vigilance to protect our precious and dwindling farmland.

After the breakfast, I rushed back to Victoria in time to speak at a tree-planting and memorial on Shelbourne Street. It was a moving experience as we grieved and acknowledged the loss to Canada of Myles Mansell and Lt. Richard Nuttal, both of whom are loved and remembered by many in Saanich. They died fighting in Afghanistan in 2006 and 2009, respectively. I attended the funeral of Lt. Andrew Nuttall back in December and was struck by the strength of his family. I was very fortunate to meet his mom and dad at the tree planting this week. They are wonderful people.

With my kleenex box in tow, I met mid-week with the Saanich School Board Trustees. They have to make some harsh budgeting decisions in the next ten days. After our meeting, I rose in the House and raised the issue of inadequate funding for our schools with the Minister of Education during Question Period. I believe we need to do a better job at working collaboratively with education professionals in the schools. At current budget levels our children will lose library hours and kids with special needs will lose important teaching aids. Music programs are even at risk. At this rate I wonder what will become of our public education system......

With my cold at a high point, I gave a half hour speech opposing the HST. (Not my most energetic performance!) I focused on my experience of the debate in the House and the impact of the HST in the Comox Valley and Quadra Island, where I grew up. You can watch that by clicking here. I will have another 30 minute opportunity to speak about the HST and will be focusing on the effects we will feel in Saanich South.

On Wednesday we also finalized a few details for a public forum on “Highway Safety at the intersection of Sayward Road and the Pat Bay highway". This event will take place June 15, 2010, 7-8:30pm at Cordova Bay Elementary School. All are welcome. More details to be announced. Please help me learn about your experiences at this dangerous intersection by taking a few minutes to complete my short survey.

On Wednesday I also taped my Constituency Report with Shaw TV. (It will air Saturday May 8 at 5:30 pm and Sunday May 9, at 3 pm.) Why so much TV action when I could barely breath is beyond me! But I think it turned out well and I was able to toss a salad "live" and talk about what is available from our local farms and gardens at this time of year. I have included the recipe I used on the show. You can look for these local ingredients at farmers markets starting now.

BC Spring Kale Salad

• Bunch of Kale
• Bunch Flat Leaf Parsley
• 2 BC Apples
• Handful Toasted BC Hazelnuts/Filberts
• Cup of cubed local cheese (your choice)

Chop Kale finely in strips. De-stem and Chop Parsley. Cube apple. Cube Cheese. Toast nuts. Toss! Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Eat your kale it is good for you!

Thursday night after the session ended, I drank a strong coffee and drove to Campbell River. In the morning I met up with Fin Donnelly, a MP in New Westminster/Coquitlam/Port Moody. Fin is the Federal Aquaculture Critic. We were there to learn more about fish farms. This is the second such tour I have done in less than a year. We visited an open-net fish farm and a closed containment fish farm. I learned a lot!

Whew! So now it's the weekend and I'm feeling all better! And yes, this weekend I got a little down time with my family and even planted a few seeds in my garden.

Thanks for reading and please keep in touch!

Cheers, Lana

PS. I usually send this update out to my email list but because of a computer break-down, I can`t do that today. If you would share this with your friends and families I would be grateful. Thanks.

Walk for Wild Salmon - May 8th

Hi,

Happy Earth Day!

You are invited to my office and gardens on Saturday May 8th at 12:30 pm for a welcoming celebration and walk for Alexandra Morton.

There will be refreshments, and those who choose will walk the final six kilometers along Quadra St with Alexandra to a barbecue salmon reception at Centennial Square at 2 pm and then a rally at the Legislature at 4pm.

Alexandra Morton is a powerful voice speaking out against industrial aquaculture and its harmful effects on wild salmon. For almost 30 years, she has studied the impact of fish farming on wild salmon and her research has been published in 17 journals. Last month she received an honourary doctorate from Simon Fraser University, and she is recognized internationally as an expert on BC's wild salmon. She recently won a lawsuit against the government, forcing the Federal government to live up to its constitutional duty to protect our waters and regulate fish farms. Her goal is ensure that our wild BC salmon does not end up like the destroyed Atlantic Cod stocks - but instead that the wild stocks are a vibrant part of a healthy ecosystem.

On May 8th, Alex will complete her walk from the top part of Vancouver island all the way to Victoria. Her goal is simple: “If we want wild salmon, British Columbians need to send government a very clear message: this nonsense is over, get salmon farms out of the ocean and let Canadians reinvent this industry on land.”

Please RSVP to lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca

All the best,

Lana,

Lana Popham, MLA
Saanich South

RAIN OR SHINE

For more information, please visit saanichsouth.ca or salmonaresacred.org.

--

The Get Out Migration Begins
A people’s movement to protect the fish that built BC – wild salmon

(April 22, 2010, Sointula, BC) After 20 years of expressing concern to governments that won’t listen and have shielded Norwegian salmon farms from the laws of Canada, the public of British Columbia is taking to the streets to get industrial salmon farming out of the ocean and away from their wild salmon.

The Get Out Migration begins today with an evening send-off from the fishing village of Sointula. Tomorrow morning the Namgis First Nation will perform a ceremony at the Nimpkish River at 10am for the group walking into the mountains.

 “Get Out for Wild Salmon” released today on www.salmonaresacred.org org> shows Biologist Alexandra Morton leaving the Meetup River with the young wild salmon and the send off by the Broughton First Nation village Gwa'yasdams Village. “When International companies come in here and lay waste to our territory we have a problem with that,” said elected chief Bob Chamberlin.

Anissa Reed of Ocean Aura and one of the planners says, “people absolutely hold salmon sacred. The outpouring to the Get Out Migration of artwork, volunteers organizing awesome events in every town, offering us shelter in their homes is a demonstration of the attachment British Columbians have to wild salmon. We expect thousands to participate.”

“Government has ignored its own studies on salmon farming since 1989. This is exactly how we lost the food security, thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars that the North Atlantic cod brought to Canada.  “We in BC do not intend to play out this tragedy again,” says Alexandra Morton, “government must support the families dependant on this industry as it is removed from the ocean onto land.”

On April 16, 2010, the Department of Justice (DOJ) had to instruct DFO to lay charges against Norwegian fish farm company Marine Harvest, for unlawful possession of wild salmon and herring.  “This offence was reported to DFO last year, why did it require the DOJ to lay a straightforward charge?” asks Morton. “If we want wild salmon, British Columbians need to send government a very clear message this nonsense is over, get salmon farms out of the ocean and let Canadians reinvent this industry on land.”
 The Get Out Migration has spread to other towns. For details http://www.salmonaresacred.org/itinerary