Local Beekeepers are fighting to keep our precious island pollinators safe

Here is a letter I sent today to BC Agriculture Minister Ben Stewart regarding the inadequate protection of island honey-bees.

February 25, 2011

Dear Minister Stewart,

I am writing to draw your attention to a matter requiring your action. As you are likely aware, the owner of Babe’s Honey, Mark Pitcher, is now facing several fraud-related criminal charges. I assume he is innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. Having said that, it is important to revisit how your Ministry has handled the Vancouver Island bee file.

My understanding is that the policy to lift the quarantine on the importation of bees and of bee equipment on the island was based in large part on input from Mr. Pitcher.

In contrast, hundreds of Island beekeepers – including substantial honey-related business owners – were denied input in the decision-making process. They were and are presenting a consensus on what steps are necessary to safeguard our island pollinators and improve honey bee health on the island.

Experts, concerned individuals and myself, have been speaking out strongly about this situation since the quarantine was lifted. We have warned your ministry repeatedly of the danger of this course of action. Our input was ignored.

At this point, it is important to ensure the safety of hundreds of millions of bees recently brought onto Vancouver Island by Mr. Pitcher. I have questions regarding the health and maintenance of these hives. As the Official Opposition Critic for Agriculture, I am asking for answers.

I want to know what course of action you are recommending and what steps you are taking to ensure the situation improves.

This issue affects all of us on the island because if these bees become diseased and spread their disease, our already-decimated precious island pollinators could be further harmed.

As you know, pollination is a very important part of our food security and pollination is fundamental to our island agriculture industries.

I look forward to your earliest reply

Sincerely, Lana Popham

Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South

Official Opposition Critic for Agriculture

And check out this Times Colonist article for more details:

Times Colonist

Response to the Budget - Agriculture Focus

Today I rose in the Legislature to call the BC Liberal government to account for its failure to support agriculture.

Rapid Transit!

As an MLA, one topic people regularly bring up with me is traffic. We’ve been debating for years how best to address our transportation problems. I believe strongly that we need to invest in a public transportation system that is zero-emissions, efficient, cost-effective and pleasant to use.

Click to see close-up

Creating such a system for Victoria and the surrounding areas is very exciting - but it is also a complex and expensive undertaking that has long-term implications. It requires careful consideration and wide consultation.

I am happy to report that this work is well underway and BC Transit has developed a regional rapid-transit plan which has widespread support from the municipalities of Saanich, Victoria, View Royal, Colwood and Langford.

The image to the right shows where BC Transit’s rapid transit alignment would be developed in the Victoria/Saanich area. (You can click on the image to see a regional map).

We are still debating what kind of system this should be – the biggest question is whether it should be rail-based (such as trams) or road-based (such as high-speed buses). BC Transit sums up the argument like this: “A rail-based system would cost more, but would have more capacity, attract more ridership and the vehicles would last longer. A rubber-tire-based system would cost less and could be implemented faster, but would reach capacity sooner, not attract as many riders as rail, and the vehicles would require more frequent replacement.”

Concept

I agree with the Municipalities of Saanich, Victoria, View Royal: we are all supportive of a rapid transit system that is rail-based. As Councilor Dean Murdock argues, “a rail-based system offers environmental, social, and economic benefits for our region. It will cut greenhouse gas emissions, increase transit ridership, improve transit travel times, stimulate economic growth, and cut sprawl.”

There is no way to escape the fact that transportation is a significant contributor to global warming. We need to get serious about climate change. Rapid transit – and especially light rapid rail - is an important and necessary step to help us reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Costing and other details continue to be worked on. We should soon have enough information to make a decision about how to move forward. Municipalities, regional governments and community leaders have shown initiative and vision. It is time for the provincial government to prove it is serious about fighting climate change and willing to help address the south island’s transportation needs.

Click here to learn more abou the Victoria Region Rapid Transit Plan.

Lana.

Clips from a recent interview

Topics:

-Union of BC Municipalities
-Tanker traffic down our BC coast (1:20)
-Transportation: LRT and lack of investments on Vancouver Island (3:40)

Topics

- 'Saving Hudson's Bay Farm'
-Agricultural Land Commission (1:04)
-Barriers to farming
-Climate Change and agriculture (2:00)
-Cooking show ("fast food" recipe) (3:00)

Five Shiny Purple Seeds

Scarlet Runner Bean Seeds

I hold in my hand five shiny, purple, seeds.  They have come from inside an old medicine bottle that my grandmother Mavis gifted to me many years ago.  With the seeds came a small handwritten note.

“These seeds are from your great grandfather’s garden.  He saved the seeds from his Scarlet Runner beans each year.  I thought you might want to try them out in your own garden.  Love Grandma Mavis”.

I started with eight of these purple seeds and I tried to germinate them one seed at a time over three years…careful not to waste the chance to grow the exact beans my family had feasted on two generations ago.  Each year the bean seed failed in some way and after the third failure I felt that just having the seeds themselves would have to satisfy me.

These days I keep those five seeds in my desk at the BC Legislature to remind myself of my connection to agriculture and why I entered politics. 

If you are like me, this time of year is even more exciting than the holidays because in your mailbox you will be receiving, not Christmas cards, but the  2011 Seed Catalogs. Nothing is better on a cold winter afternoon than having a hot cup of tea, a stack of seed catalogs, and the thrill that comes from planning the current years’ harvest.  Fabulous!

The value of local seed and the importance of supporting local seed companies is becoming more significant these days.  As the climate changes and our growing conditions change, local seeds are changing too.  They are evolving to conditions and hopefully adapting to the changes in our environment.  This is all part of the sustainability equation. 

It troubles me that a few major corporations have control over the majority of our seed supply.  This is not healthy for our communities, for our local economies or for the diversity and health of our seed banks.  Supporting local seed companies is investing in our future.  Supporting local seed companies also supports the economic development of our local economies.  Money spent at the local level is re-spent at the local level.  Plus it helps farmers diversify their incomes. 

Our local seed savers are playing a critical role as far as food security goes.  As my friend Dan Jason of Salt Spring Seeds says “save seeds like our lives depend on it”…because they really do.

This time of year brings one of my most favorite events into our communities.  Seedy Saturday!  Below are some of the BC Seedy Saturday locations and dates.   Maybe I will see you there!

Lana.

• Qualicum Beach, Feburary 5th, at the Qualium Beach Civic Centre (10am-4pm) Visit their site for information on an array of topics from speakers to vendors and more!www.qbss.bravehost.com

• Salt Spring Island, Feb. 12, 2007 Held at the Farmers Institute, Salt Spring Island from 10-3pm

• Victoria, Feburary 19th, at the Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street Victoria (10am-3pm)

• VanDusen Botanical Garden, Feburary 26th, 37th and Oak Street Vancouver (10am-4pm)

• Sooke, Feburary 26th, Sooke Community Hall (10am-4pm)
• Courtenay, March 5th, at the Filberg Centre (10am-3pm) in downtown Courtenay comprehensive vendor list (complete with e-mail and web links) available atwww.cvseeds.bc.ca 

• Nanaimo, March 6th, at the Bowen Park Auditorium (10am-4pm)

• Cobble Hill, March 12th, at the Cobble Hill Hall (10am-3pm)

Saanich is "Age-Friendly"!

The Municipality of Saanich has demonstrated impressive initiative with its efforts to make our community more “age-friendly”.

This project began in 2006 as a partnership with cities around the world and the World Health Organization. The goal is to make changes in our community which create greater inclusion for people who are older. By adapting to aging-related needs and preferences we can improve the quality of life in Saanich:

In an age-friendly community, policies, programs, services and infrastructure related to the physical and social environment are designed to enable older people to live in security, enjoy good health and continue to participate in society in a meaningful way. It takes into account the biological, psychological, behavioural, economic, social and environmental factors that operate over the course of a person’s life to determine health and well-being in later years.

Saanich has had lots of help in this project, including the province of BC, VIHA, BC Transit, Saanich Silver Threads, Seniors Serving Seniors, Saanich Volunteer Services Society and TD Canada Trust (Shelbourne St).

For more information, please visit this web page at the Municipality of Saanich:

http://www.saanich.ca/parkrec/community/agefriendly.html

There is always lots more that can be done. If you have ideas about what we should do in Saanich South to make our community more “age-friendly”, please let me know!

Lana

Lana Popham, MLA
250 479 4154
lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca

Festivals, Festivals, Festivals!

There are some super festivals coming up in 2011. They'll be here before you know it - get out the calendar! Here are few to wet your whistle.

The 6th annual Victoria Whisky Festival starts Friday January 21st and continues until Sunday January 23rd. All the details on their website: http://www.victoriawhiskyfestival.com/

The Victoria Film Festival is a fantastic way to check out the latest cutting-edge films. http://www.victoriafilmfestival.com/

The Victoria International Cycling Festival takes place this May and June. It is a celebration of "pedal power pride". There are lots of exciting events including Ryder Hesjedal's 'Tour de Victoria on May 28  and the 'Grand Prix' on May 29th. http://www.vicf.ca/

A popular August event and the only Dragon Boat Festival in Canada to take place in a Working Harbour. Watch 90 Dragon Boat Teams from across North America race across a 500-metre water course in Victoria's Beautiful Inner Harbour. http://www.victoriadragonboat.com/

Not to be missed! Victoria's Fringe festival runs from August 25th to Sept 4, 2011. 


And you can apply now to bring your own talent to the stage! Entrants are selected by lottery in regional categories and ten spots are reserved for in-person applications from Victoria-based companies on a first-received, first-accepted basis. 

All the details at http://intrepidtheatre.wordpress.com.



Of course there are lots more! Let me know your favourite and I'll in add in more soon.... lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca

Season's Greetings and Merry Recycling!

Hi,

I wish everyone a healthy, green and prosperous new year!

Lana

For those who live in the south island's CRD, here are my top 5 recycling FAQs for this festive season.

1. How do I recycle soft plastic?
It can't go into the Blue Box and there is lots of it - like plastic bags of every size and shape. These products are full of nasty chemicals and often end up polluting our environment ...and they don't need to!

Rally for Climate Progress

FRIDAY, December 10, 2010
12:10-12:40 pm

Pandora St. by Broad St. (by City Hall), Victoria

Speeches featuring IPCC climate scientist Dr. Andrew Weaver, national Green Party leader Elizabeth May (via Skype projection), NDP MLA Lana Popham, environmental activist Ken Wu, statements by MP’s Denise Savoie (NDP) and Dr. Keith Martin (Liberal).

Please attend this brief noon rally and award ceremony in downtown Victoria tomorrow (Friday) on the last day of the UN Climate Summit in Mexico. Activists are launching a campaign for a public mobilization over the ensuing year to ensure a binding agreement for a successor treaty to the Kyoto Accord (which expires in 2012).

Will you help?

Hi Everybody,

Check out this video about the Mustard Seed and my food drive, made by local film-maker Greg Horne.



From Dec 1st to the 17th my community office is doing double-duty as a Saanich drop-off depot for the Mustard Seed Food Bank.

Everyone who makes a donation will have a chance to win two tickets to the Speech from the Throne at the Legislature and lunch for two at the Legislative Restaurant … with me!

We’ll be open for extended hours to receive your donations: Monday-Thursday, from 8 am – 6 pm.

The office is located at 4085 Quadra St.

Thanks, Lana.

Property Assessment Q&A Tomorrow!

Mr. Danakody, a man with answers!

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

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

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

Click here if you can't see the image.

Stung!

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





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

Thank you,

Lana.

Downtown Winter Market!

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

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

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

Hope to see you there!

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

Lana

Agriculture and health on critic's mind

Reprinted from the Invermere Valley Echo

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

By Darryl Crane -

Published: November 16, 2010 1:00 PM

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

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

Oy Veh!

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

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

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

Thank you Cranbrook, Kimberley and Invermere!

Thank you Cranbrook, Kimberley and Invermere!

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

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

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

Weekend Reading!

Hi,

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

Lana

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

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

The worst kind of 'trick or treat'!

Last Wednesday, Premier Campbell spent a quarter of a million dollars of taxpayers' money on a prime-time television infomercial.

In the Halloween spirit, I was hoping the treat would be a few answers to all the questions we've been asking for years about the BC Rail scandal. Or perhaps he would treat us to an apology for how be brought in the HST, and a pledge to do things differently. There was none of that.

Instead, we got a trick: a promise of an income tax cut. To me, it sounded like a cynical attempt to buy some popularity.

Pumpkin Pie!

It's pumpkin season here in BC and not just for carving. You will find many types pumpkins all through our farmers markets including ones grown for pie making. This is a favourite recipe that I have used for years. It all starts in the field........

Pumpkin Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie.

1 cup packed light-brown sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2 cups fresh Pumpkin Puree, or canned

3 large eggs, lightly beaten, plus 1 egg for glaze

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk

Pate Brisee pie dough (see recipe below)

1 tablespoon heavy cream

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with

parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine sugar,

cornstarch, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin puree, and 3

eggs. Beat well. Add evaporated milk, and combine. Set aside.

Between two pieces of plastic wrap, roll pate brisee into a 12

inch circle. Fit pastry into a 9-inch glass pie plate; trim dough

evenly along edge, leaving about a 1/2-inch overhang. Pinch to

form a decorative edge. If the dough begins to soften, chill for 15

minutes.

Make the glaze: Beat the remaining egg, and combine with heavy

cream. Brush glaze very lightly on edges of pie shell. Fill pie shell

with pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle grated ginger on top of pie.

Transfer to prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue

baking for 30 minutes more. Cool on a wire rack

Roasted Pumpkin

Makes 1 1/3 cups

1 sugar pumpkin (about 1 1/2 pounds)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using a sharp paring knife, cut several slits in pumpkin, piercing skin alll the way through.

(thisll l Place in a baking dish; pour about 1 inch water in bottom of dish. Bake until skin is easily pierced and inside is very soft, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Cut off top of pumpkin, and scoop out seeds; discard both. Peel, and discard skin. Place pumpkin in the bowl of a food processor; puree until smooth. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up o 2 days or the freezer up to 1 month.

Pate Brisee

Makes 1 double-crust or 2 single-crust 9- to 10-inch pies.

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Directions

In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar.

Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal,

8 to 10 seconds.

With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream

through feed tube. Pulse until dough holds together without being

wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds.

To test, squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add

more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc

and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill at least

1 hour. Dough may be stored, frozen, up to 1 month.

Today's Editorial in the Vancouver Sun

Thank you Vancouver Sun for eloquently expressing the anger that so many of us are feeling right now. If the BC Liberals have a shred of integrity left they will call an inquiry.

Where are we as a province or a country when senior government officials can accept more than $75,000 in inducements and no one goes to jail? Do our judges even understand any more the concepts of "right" and "wrong?"


And how can the courts call it a "fine" when the same crooks are merely returning their ill-gotten gains? If the average person fails to declare some income, a fairly minor crime, even they are forced to pay the lost tax plus a 100-per-cent penalty as punishment.


And what sort of government do we have in B.C. when our top justice official, Attorney-General Mike de Jong, can agree to pay the crooked officials' $6-million legal fees as part of a deal between a supposedly independent special prosecutor and the defence lawyers? What is the point of hiring an independent prosecutor in the first place, if at the end of the process the attorney-general — a politician in the very government whose integrity the case brings into question — will be needed to approve such a massive carrot in the plea bargain? Have the payment of lawyers' fees ever before been part of such an arrangement?


And is there anyone in B.C. not suspicious about how all of this could suddenly happen after seven years of legal proceedings on the eve of former finance minister Gary Collins and other Liberal insiders being forced to take the stand?


Were this happening in some third-rate banana republic it would be shocking enough. That it is occurring in our beloved province is appalling beyond words. You're wrong Mr. de Jong. An inquiry into this sordid affair is needed.

© Copyright (c) The Province - http://www.vancouversun.com/Editorial+Inquiry+needed+Basi+Virk+scandal/3697779/story.html?id=3697779

How do you like them apples!

Please join me for a chat and some delicious apples this Saturday at Moss Street Market!

On October 16, from 10 am - 2 pm, Moss Street Market is holding their first annual pie tasting fundraiser, with proceeds going to support the market, and also to the Island Chef's Collaborative and Our Place.

There will be lots of delicious pies lovingly baked by island chefs!

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