BC Government is failing to protect BC farmland

Dear Friends,

Today in the BC Legislature I introduced critical legislation to protect the Agricultural Land Reserve.

This Bill demonstrates what is needed to stop the rampant misuse of prime farmland that is happening at this very moment.

Thousands of hectares of ALR land have been purchased by a conglomerate of large foreign corporations. The goal is to use the land for a dubious carbon sequestration scheme that will "offset" their polluting practices ...and make it impossible for the land to be used for agricultural production.

I am all for tree-planting but there is more than a million hectares on our timber harvesting land base that needs to be reforested right now.

Planting trees on farmland for carbon offset programs is a loophole in the ALR that needs to be closed by legislation.

The Agricultural Land Commission’s mandate is to oversee and protect the ALR while encouraging food production. Currently, thousands of hectares of food lands are being planted with trees — contradicting the ALC’s mandate.

This is an urgent issue that requires immediate action. At a time when there are serious droughts due to climate change in California and Washington, it has never been more important to protect our farmland and to bring it into production.

If the Protecting Agricultural Lands Act is passed, then the ALC will have the power to examine all ALR land use and can intervene when breaches occur. This act will bring security and accountability to a Ministry that desperately needs it.

Over 10,500 hectares of ALR land is being used for carbon offset schemes by one offshore corporation — and they don’t plan on stopping — in fact, this company has admitted to already planting 7 million trees on ALR land and plans to have 10 million planted by 2016. The B.C. Liberal government fails to see the urgency of this situation; they are dragging their feet.

Only 5 per cent of B.C.’s land is suitable for agriculture, which is why we have the Agricultural Land Reserve. The government isn’t acting quick enough to ensure that our provincial farmland is available for food production and not ruined to support a corporate greenwashing scheme.

The Protecting Agricultural Lands Act would empower the Agricultural Land Commission to better monitor, regulate, and protect B.C.’s precious farmland.

Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South

--

Background:

Globe & Mail: B.C. farmland lost to tree planting for carbon credits is a frightening loss

“I think the minister, who has been claiming to have control over this file, has no idea what’s going on,” she said. “I addressed this [issue] three times in the legislature. First time he denied there was a problem. Then we found out the problem was bigger than anyone expected. The next answer was that the Agricultural Land Commission had the tools to deal with the problem. Now we see by that correspondence that they don’t have the tools to deal with the problem. Obviously the government needs to get more serious about this.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/leaked-letter-questions-bc-governments-ability-to-protect-farmland/article24536006/​

Question Period in BC Legislature:

Community Spirit

Dear Friends,

Just over five years ago, 10-year old Dacian was diagnosed with a genetic disease called Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne dystrophy mutates a gene so that a protein called dystrophin is not produced. Dystrophin is needed for muscles to work properly. There is no cure yet for this disease and someone with it has a life expectancy of just twenty-five years.

Dacian’s loving family and friends are determined to do everything they can to bring comfort and happiness to his life.

He now needs a wheelchair more and more, and his family wants a wheel-chair accessible van so that he is not isolated. The cost of such a vehicle is very challenging for Dacian’s family. Regretfully, a provincial government programme that used to help with such purchases has been cut.

Rather than accept the situation, Dacian’s friends and family have rallied to his side and have been actively fundraising for over a year. They have raised $30,000 of the approximately $45,000 needed for the van!

His parents have now put a down payment on the van and last weekend Dacian wheeled onto it for the first time. This joyous event was captured by CHEK News in the video-clip below:

There are many remarkable people who came together to make this dream come true. As the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saanich South, I would like to publicly acknowledge a few of them now.

Maya and her mom Angie have driven the efforts since the beginning. They did a lemonade stand and loom bracelet stand last year that raised over $1500. Angie helped the family connect with Cascadia Liquor Stores that raised more than $3,700 for the van.

Also wonderful is the the effort of Nicole and her daughter Shaya who raised over $1600 with a lemonade stand and cookie fundraiser.

Firefighters in Saanich and in the whole CRD have been amazing. Special thanks to Nick with the Sooke Fire Department. He ran the Victoria Marathon wearing full firefighter gear and in the process raised $3,900 towards Dacian's van.

Adrian and Daniela inspired many when they organized volunteers to build a fence that brought in more than $2,000.

The Kids Klub Victoria successfully organized a fundraiser that contributed $1,000 towards Dacian's van.

Mike and Brenda, and their son Cameron, have also made a huge contribution. They organized a neighbourhood garage sale that raised over $700.

To all of these people and the many more who helped out, I say: THANK YOU!!!

It is people like you that make our community a great place to live.

Sincerely,

Lana

Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South

PS. More details about Dacian and the fundraising effort is here:
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/a-van-for-dacian/191432

Globe & Mail: B.C. farmland lost to tree planting for carbon credits is a frightening loss

MARK HUME

VANCOUVER — The Globe and Mail

Companies seeking carbon offsets prefer open farmland to forests that have
been logged because the planting is easier.
(Ben Nelms/Bloomberg)

Published Sunday, Apr. 12 2015, 10:01 PM EDT

Thousands of hectares of agricultural land in British Columbia are being planted with trees so that companies can gain credits for carbon sequestration, says NDP agricultural critic Lana Popham.

During a tour of the province, the MLA has been hearing about the practice from ranchers and farmers who are worried about the loss of food productivity and who say they are being outbid for good farmland by large, foreign corporations.

Given the massive drought in California and the uncertain future of food production everywhere due to climate change, it seems crazy to take valuable farmland out of production to grow trees. That is especially true in British Columbia, where there are already extensive tracts of industrial forest land that have been logged and which are waiting to be replanted.

There’s room for more trees in the forest land base, but Ms. Popham said companies want flat, open farmland because it is easier and cheaper to replant trees there.

She first heard about the practice of replanting farmland with trees last year when meeting with farmers in Prince George. Then, last week, in Williams Lake, the issue surfaced again.

“If it was just a few hundred acres here or there I’d be, yeah, whatever, but it’s tens of thousands of acres,” she said. “So it’s an enormous situation.”

Celebrating and thanking the Wounded Warriors

Today it was my privilege to join the Speaker of the Legislature to host an event in the Legislative Library Rotunda to...
Posted by Lana Popham on Wednesday, March 25, 2015

New "Wills Clinic" at Victoria Courthouse

Kudos and a shout-out to Catharine Schlenker and the "Wills Clinic Project".

This new and free legal service is for low-income seniors (55+) and people with a terminal illness. 

The clinic helps prepare Wills, Representation Agreements, and Enduring Power of Attorney instruments.

People with under $300,000 in assets are eligible. This clinic is in the Justice Access Centre at the Victoria Courthouse.

To book an appointment, contact Catharine directly:

Catharine Schlenker, Service Coordinator
Access Pro Bono Society of BC
Phone: 250.356.6125

Success in Saanich! Maltby Lake to receive new environmental protection

Gillian Harvey (Pip Holmes' granddaughter),
Carmel Thomson, Patrick Brown and MLA Lana
Popham. BC Supreme Court, February 23, 2015

April 2, 2015 Breaking News!
Today the Supreme Court of BC formally accepted TLC's restructuring plan. This includes the agreement to sell most of TLC's interest in Maltby lake for $750,000 to Woody and Carmel Thomson. This is a huge victory for the environment and for those who want to see pristine Maltby Lake protected forever. The agreement of sale to Woody and Carmel (who are the long-time environmental stewards of this land) includes a covenant that requires them to dedicate the land as a park and conservation area. In effect, Woody and Carmel are making a $750,000 donation to protect Maltby Lake. Wow!

March 30 2015 Update
Creditors today accepted TLC's plan to restructure and exit bankruptcy protection. The plan would see ecological protections maintained for Maltby Lake.
http://www.cheknews.ca/tlc-back-on-solid-ground-after-land-deal/

March 19 2015 Update:
Maltby Lake update. On March 30 the TLC's creditors will vote on the court monitor-approved TLC plan to pay off its debts. Most of the creditors are prepared to accept the plan. They will get almost all of their money back, but in accepting this plan they are also agreeing to take less money than they would have if the bankruptcy process had operated as it usually does, liquidating assets for the highest possible return. And if that happens this case will make legal history. You might think it is a no-brainer (I do) but if all goes well we will have an important legal judgement emphasizing the logic that it is necessary to give "robust" consideration to the ecological value of land when it is being sold through bankruptcy proceedings. This resolution to the TLC troubles is far from perfect but it is important to note that a number of key properties will be protected In Saanich South, hard work by many people is expected to strengthen the environmental protections for Maltby Lake.

In October of 2013, the Land Conservancy of BC was granted creditor protection by the Supreme Court of BC.

The protection was to give it time to come up with a plan to avoid bankruptcy. The TLC currently owes creditors 8.4 million dollars.

Just moments ago the TLC's plan was approved by the Court.

The plan will see TLC repay most of the money owing to creditors while respecting its mandate to protect property with high ecological or heritage value.

There is a fine balance here. Nowhere is this more evident than with Maltby Lake.

As I have written previously, Maltby Lake is an extraordinarily important and robust ecosystem in Saanich.

Under the plan approved by the court today, the TLC will sell 83% of its interest in Maltby Lake for $750,000.

All of this money will go to TLC’s creditors.

It is important to note that Maltby Lake land was not sold to the highest bidder, but to the buyer best able to protect its ecological value. This shows TLC’s commitment to protecting the land it owns.

The purchaser will be Woody and Carmel Thomson, the long-time environmental stewards of that land. Their personal generosity and commitment to the environment are worthy of genuine praise and thanks from all residents of Saanich. The sale of this land includes legally-enforceable provisions protecting its ecology.

The TLC intends to sell the remaining 6% of its Maltby Lake share to the Friends of the Maltby Lake Watershed Society. I look forward to working with the Thomsons and the Society to reach this goal.

The court decision today is of tremendous value to the people of Saanich. Thanks in large part to the dedication and financial contributions of the Maltby Lake Society, and Woody and Carmel Thomson, as well as to the hard work and passion of TLC, we now have a court sanctioned and legally-enforceable plan to protect a large portion of Maltby Lake.  

I am also pleased to note that the TLC will be retaining ownership and maintaining its support of Madrona Farm, its other property in my constituency. Land trusts like this one are a key method for British Columbia to ensure that valuable agricultural land remains accessible to young farmers. 

Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South

Doctor-assisted dying: Statement in the Legislature

"It’s a great privilege today to rise in this house and speak to the legacy of Sue Rodriguez, a woman who lived and died right here on Vancouver Island. She is best known to us all for her brave fight to have the power to end her own life 22 years ago….


“'If I cannot give consent to my own death, whose body is this? Who owns my life'?"

Happy Year of the Goat!

Happy Lunar New Year Saanich South! I hope the Year of the Goat is a year of good health and prosperity for you and your family. 恭喜發財Lana

Democratic Reform

Dear Saanich South,

When people talk to me about politics one thing I hear repeatedly is a demand for more integrity.

In my opinion one of the very best ways to make that happen is to strengthen the actual rules of democracy.

Here are three simple changes that would move us in the right direction:

1. Don’t let corporations or unions make donations to political parties. That way we are more likely to get politicians who make decisions based on their own values and the best interests of the people they serve …not what is most advantageous for those with the deepest pockets. 
2. Protect “whistleblowers”: Governments should not punish civil servants who expose government misdeeds. 
3. Formalized online petitions. They are an inexpensive and efficient way to demonstrate how much public support there is for a policy change or a potential new law.

The Opposition is also committed to moving forward on the key question of proportional representation. If elected government in 2017 we will give British Columbians the opportunity to consider and then vote on potential reforms to our electoral system.

Furthermore, the Opposition is calling for a fixed parliamentary schedule including a spring and fall session; stronger conflict-of-interest rules for ministerial staff; and closing of loopholes in the lobbyist registry

And that is just to start! I’m proud of the Opposition’s commitment to democratic reform… and very excited about the efforts of my colleague Saanich North and the IslandsMLA Gary Holman on this file. Gary is the Official Opposition Spokesperson for Democratic Reform and he has organized two town halls on the subject.

The first will be held tomorrow, February 3rd, at the Mary Winspear Centre, Activity Room. The second will be held on February 5th at Central Saanich Senior Citizens’ Centre. Both are free and open to the public, running from 6:30pm-8:0pm, and include representatives from Fair Vote Canada and Fair Voting BC.

Please attend and support our efforts to strengthen the democratic process in BC. 

For more information contact MLA Holman at 250 387 3655 or Gary.Holman.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Warm reagrds,

Lana

Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South

Times Colonist: MLAs set up rebel group on agriculture

Lana Popham organized the rebel group after the Liberal
government  rebuffed calls for an official standing committee.  
Photograph By BRUCE STOTESBURY, Times Colonist

LINDSAY KINES / TIMES COLONIST 

Independent MLA Vicki Huntington has agreed to co-chair a renegade Opposition committee on agriculture with Saanich South MLA Lana Popham.

Popham, the NDP’s agriculture critic, organized the rebel group after the Liberal government rebuffed calls for an official standing committee. The last one was disbanded in 2001, Popham said.

Huntington said Thursday that the lack of properly functioning committees of MLAs is “one of the great under-achievements of our democracy in the legislature.”

The Delta South MLA hopes to highlight that issue, while also focusing attention on agriculture and food security.

“I think it’s a good initiative and I think it brings attention to the fact that these standing committees don’t work properly and, in some cases, like agriculture, don’t exist,” she said.

As an unofficial committee, Popham, Huntington and the other members will receive no money or clerical support. Nor will Hansard record the proceedings. Popham hopes to livestream the meetings, perhaps with the help of a GoPro camera. “I won’t be wearing it on my head, but that would make it interesting,” she joked.

Popham expects the committee will meet monthly around the province. People will register to make 10-minute presentations and the committee will likely issue a report next fall.

“It ramps up the discussion and the importance of agriculture,” Popham said. “Although the government is choosing not to participate, it’s certainly a message that they’re going to be hearing, so I think the committee will still have the ability to influence policy decisions.”

Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick said Popham and Huntington are “doing what politicians do, which is try to attract attention to their cause.”

But he dismissed the need for a standing committee. “I have a ministry advisory committee made up of people from different parts of agriculture and agrifoods, including aquaculture,” he said.

The advisory committee will meet in the coming weeks to go over the ministry’s draft agrifoods plan. “That’s really the benefit of having that committee structure with industry players on it as opposed to politicians,” Letnick said.

Huntington said the Opposition committee will give local communities and citizens a chance to be heard. “Anything that can publicize the need to spend more time in defining what food security means to the people of this province is important,” she said.

Huntington said the Liberals dislike legislative committees because they “don’t like losing control.”

“The fewer committees you have, the fewer opportunities you have for input or for publicity or for criticism,” she said.

“In the time I’ve been in the house, the standing committee on environment has never met. The standing committee on Crown corporations [has] never met.”

lkines@timescolonist.com

Source: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/mlas-set-up-rebel-group-on-agriculture-1.1747541

A disaster waiting to happen?

Dear Saanich, 

Residential oil spills from aging oil tanks and accessories are harming our local environment and creating significant financial liability for home-owners.

Join MLA Rob Fleming and me for a public forum to discuss this problem and the solutions.

Thursday February 5th

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Spectrum Community School Theatre, 957 Burnside Rd W.

Panelists:

• Dean Murdock - Saanich Councillor
• Tim Pringle - Past-president Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC
• Ethan Krindle - Environmental Lawyer
• Dave Rogers - President of BC Hazmat Management Ltd.
• Dorothy Chambers - Colquitz River Steward
• Judith Lavoie - Freelance writer, former reporter Victoria Times Colonist

A recent report from the Partnership for Water Sustainability found that over 13,000 homes constructed in the CRD prior to 1992 had oil heating. Aging oil tanks and accessories, if not properly maintained can lead to catastrophic damages to local fish and wildlife in our waterways and pose significant clean-up costs for property owners and local governments.

Hope to see you on the 5th! Refreshments provided.

For more information: amber.nash2@leg.bc.ca

Warm regards,

Lana Popham

MLA, Saanich South

BC Legislative Standing Committee on Agriculture!

The Official Opposition is taking the unprecedented step of convening an Opposition Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food after well over a decade of neglect by the BC Liberal government of our province's agriculture industry.

Agriculture is a multi-billion dollar economic generator that has enormous untapped potential. This is an industry that can unlock prosperity in communities throughout the province. 

A Standing Committee could help reverse the age gap in B.C.’s agriculture industry by developing strong agricultural policies that incent young people into agriculture, and allow them to make a good living.

Retaining young farmers is critical to having a strong agricultural future. The B.C. Liberals have not taken the steps needed to encourage young people to get into the industry. In 15 years they haven’t developed a long-term agriculture plan and they have put our provincial food security at risk.

I've urged the B.C. Liberals government to bring back the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture for six years. Although the Opposition Standing Committee on Agriculture and Food will be operating without legislative supports such as Hansard, the committee has support across the province.

I have heard tremendous support for a legislative committee from all parts of the agriculture industry. We have support from small farms and big farms, conventional farmers and organic farmers, and from entrepreneurs and food security advocates.

British Columbians can’t afford to wait for action on agriculture in the face of climate change and missed economic opportunities.  We must have a long-term, sustainable agriculture and food plan in order to be resilient.

The members of the committee are:

• Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South 
• Raj Chouhan, MLA Burnaby-Edmonds
• Katrine Conroy, MLA Kootenay West
• Robin Austin, MLA Skeena
• Nicholas Simons, MLA Powell River-Sunshine Coast

A schedule of committee meetings, a public website and information on how the public can participate will be released over the next month.

Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South & Agriculture Spokesperson for the Official Opposition

Saanich News: More oil tank spills, still no new solutions

Crews from Saanich public works set up a containment boom on
the Colquitz River in 2013. 

— Image Credit: Black Press File Photo

• by  Daniel Palmer - Saanich News
• 
  
• Three home heating oil leaks that have found their way into Bowker Creek and the Gorge Waterway this month are just the latest in a long list of expensive spills across the region, and local MLAs believe the province needs to do more to protect homeowners.
• 
  
• On the evening of Jan. 5, Saanich received a call from Oak Bay fire crews about an oil sheen and strong smell of diesel fuel on Bowker Creek near Mortimer Street. Booms were installed in the area, but finding the source of the leak proved difficult.

MMBC & Urban Impact

Quick note. Today I met with Nicole Stefenelli and toured her company, Urban Impact. 

This remarkable BC company, located in New Westminster, takes in 450 tonnes each day of recyclables. 

450 tonnes! 

It has more than 100 employees. Nicole started her company from scratch when she was in her early twenties. Up until recently it handled more than 25% of the province's recyclables.

Regrettably, recent changes made by the BC government have created a new monopoly in her industry, MMBC, and her company has been cut out. 

Nicole is an amazing business woman with a great team and I am sure she will find a way to thrive. 

But that doesn't mean we should look the other way while this government actively undermines the recycling sector! I certainly intend to do exactly the opposite.

For more information on my work challenging MMBC, see:

• November 2014: Sign Petition for Review of MMBC

• September 2014: Local Recycilng Business forced to close

• June 2014: Letter to Auditor General re. MMBC

• May 2014: Small Business & MMBC

• March 2014: Standing up for Recycling in BC

• April 2014: No taxation Without Representation

Critical Moment for Maltby Lake

Dear Friends,

This Monday a BC Supreme Court will hear arguments about the future of Maltby Lake.

The Land Conservancy owns 35% of this Saanich property but is under pressure from its Court-appointed Monitor to sell off its share to the highest bidder. (TLC has been under Creditor Protection since late 2013.)

Many people in Saanich have contacted me to say that if a sale is ordered by the court it must be to a bidder that will accept an obligation to maintain its natural state. Such a bidder has come forward. The individuals involved have widespread support from the community at large, local Saanich Councillors, local conservationist organizations, and even from the general membership and Board of TLC.

Now we are looking to the BC Supreme Court to recognize this significant public support and fairly balance the valid financial interests of TLC’s creditors with the environmental importance of the watershed itself.

Let’s not forget that the beauty and ecological value of this watershed is extraordinary.

The video which follows is a 10 minute excerpt from a public event I held recently about Maltby. The speaker is an expert in hydrology and has been actively studying Maltby for years. His talk and images are very engaging and clearly lay out why this watershed is worthy of protection.

You can show your support by ‘liking’ the Maltby Lake Society’s facebook page or signing their petition.

Background:
http://saanichsouth.blogspot.ca/2014/10/protect-maltby-lake.html
http://saanichsouth.blogspot.ca/2014/10/maltby-lake-event-success.html

Christmas? Hanukkah? ...Art? Donuts!

Dear Residents of Saanich South,

Join me on Wednesday December 17th, between 6:00 and 7:30 pm, at my Constituency Office, 4085 Quadra St.

Award-winning portrait and still life painter Marcia Perkins will be in attendance with more than thirty of her paintings and drawings.

To celebrate Christmas, carollers from the much-loved Linden Choir will sing between 6:30 -7:00 pm. 

We will also have mulled apple cider made from local apples and savory mini-quiches made by a local chef. 

And to celebrate Hanukkah, we will be making hot sugar doughnuts on site!

Hope to see you soon!

Lana

MLA Saanich South

Letter to Auditor General re. MMBC

Sign petition calling for review of MMBC by Auditor General

Cool Aid Society & Olympic Vista

Here is a statement I made in the Legislature yesterday:

L. Popham: I rise to speak on the accomplishments of the Cool Aid Society. As is well-known in this House, the Cool Aid Society is the lead organization in the capital region helping homeless people. At the moment, Cool Aid is providing 374 supportive housing apartments and shelter for over 1,700 people every year. Cool Aid does tremendous work, and its staff and supporters have our heartfelt thanks.

One of Cool Aid's remarkable success stories is Olympic vista located in Saanich South. It was completed in 2011 and provides long-term supportive housing for 36 seniors who have struggled with homelessness. I visited the site last week, and I was so impressed by the staff that work at Olympic Vista because they are dedicated to ensuring that this is not just a facility addressing a serious problem but a safe, welcoming home with access to the help and the respect that these residents require to thrive and make their housing situation successful.

My view on Site C

Here is a clip from my response to the Oct 2014 Throne Speech where I lay out my view on the controversial Site C proposal. 

Transcript of the entire speech is here

Lana Popham

MLA Saanich South

Your thoughts on private money in municipal elections?

Dear Saanich South Residents,

The BC Legislature’s Special Committee on Local Elections Expense Limits is currently conducting public consultations on principles for local elections expense limits. 

In particular, the Committee is examining principles for the relationship between elector organizations and their candidates with respect to expense limits and principles for establishing expense limits for third party advertisers, including whether there should be an overarching, cumulative limit on third party spending such as exists in provincial general elections.

LNG & Climate Change in BC

Here is a brief excerpt of my Oct 2014 Response to the Throne Speech where I summarize my environmental objections to the BC Liberal's LNG plans. 

You can find a transcript for the whole speech here:https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/40th3rd...

Decrease in crashes = a great birthday present!

Here is a very kind birthday card my office made for me.

Safety improvements made at Pat Bay and Sayward appear to be working well. Only time will tell (and keep driving safely!) but it is certainly a very positive sign that there has been a significant decrease in serious crashes at this intersection since the safety improvements were completed exactly one year ago.

Thanks are due to the Cordova Bay Community Association (notably Graham Shorthill featured in the card) for keeping the pressure on. I recall past-president Roger Stonebank bending my ear on this issue before I was even elected! Thanks also to the Ministry of Transportation, especially former Minister Blair Lekstrom, Senior Engineer Dave Edgar and District Manager Kirsten Pedersen, as well as the skilled workers who brought the plans to life in a very dangerous workplace. Thanks also to Saanich, BC Transit and local business owners... and of course all of us BC taxpayers who footed the bill!

Lana
MLA, Saanich South

The Heights at Mt. View is open!

What a huge day in our community! We now have a beautiful new seniors residential care facility in Saanich South called The Heights at Mt View. 

President and CEO of Baptist Housing Howard Johnson said he has visited more than 200 sites around North America to incorporate latest advances for seniors with dementia and who are in need of complex care. 

Maltby Lake Event a Success

Here is a report on the event from Carmel and Woody Thomson:

Thank you for venturing out on such a miserable evening to attend the Open House & Community Meeting for the protection of Maltby Lake. Woody and I were thrilled with the turnout. During the Q&A portion, and while I sat amongst a panel of stellar presenters, was it wrong for me to count heads? I counted 79. I admit to being nervous stepping up on the stage, but so glad I did if only to see the faces of the many supporters who have been with us from the beginning. Thank you!

To have a forum dedicated to understanding the ecology, and the natural and conservation values of Maltby Lake was phenomenal. We wish to thank Saanich-South MLA Lana Popham for hosting the learning forum and to her constituency assistant Samuel Godfrey for organizing the event with volunteers.

Guest speakers were experts in the fields of science and conservation. They presented significant information (data) during the course of the evening. It was satisfying to see Maltby Lake recognized for what it is: An ecologically sensitive ecosystem rarely found in the urban landscape.

Location change for Maltby Lake meeting!

The community meeting about Maltby Lake will now take place at:

Claremont Secondary School, 4980 Wesley Road. (Click here for a map.) Tuesday Oct. 21^st.

Agenda

7:00pm - 7:20pm      Displays, coffee, tea and delicious sweets from Cascadia bakery.

7:20pm - 7:30pm      Introduction, MLA Lana Popham

7:30pm - 8:10pm      Presentations on the environmental value of Maltby Lake

·         Mary Haig-Brown, Chair, Friends of Tod Creek Watershed

·         Ian Bruce, Executive Director, Peninsula Streams Society

·         William Shulba, Maltby Lake Mapping Project; and

·         Adam Taylor, Executive Director, Habitat Acquisition Trust

8:10pm - 8:30pm      Questions & answers, discussion.

8:30pm - 8:40pm      Next Steps & meeting close, MLA Lana Popham

We’ve changed the location to accommodate far more interest than we had anticipated. We now have more than enough space (the theatre in the school) so feel free to share the invite and bring a friend or two.

Site C doesn't fit behind closed doors

Site C doesn't fit behind closed doors

Hydro-electricity is extremely important for our province. It's an economic engine and a source of clean and renewable energy.

The Site C project is potentially the next big public hydro project and it’s been up for discussion for years. This past week the BC Liberals granted this project environmental approval. They claim that the benefits outweigh the social and environmental costs of building it.

The Federal Government has said the same thing.

The next step that a responsible Government would take in a project this size, 8 to 10 (or more) billion taxpayer dollars, would be to send it to the BC Utilities Commission.

Protect Maltby Lake

UPDATE: Location change! 

The event is now being held at Claremont School, 4980 Wesley Rd. (Map here) 

No RSVP necessary.

Dear Friends,

Please join me at my Community Office on Tuesday October 21st, from 7:00pm - 8:30pm for an Open House & Discussion about Maltby Lake. 

Few are aware of this extraordinary place, even though it is in Saanich and just ten kilometres from Victoria. There is no place closer to the provincial capital that surpasses Maltby Lake in terms of ecological value or wild beauty. 

  

People of faith, thank you!

Faith in Action is a social-justice group made up of community leaders from different religions and faith traditions. The group has released an evocative 'social covenant' that defines our concerns and responsibilities as citizens of British Columbia. 

Please come to the front steps of the BC Legislature at 11:30am on Wednesday, October 8. Your presence will demonstrate the importance of these ideas.    

New poll confirms overwhelming support in BC for the ALR

As Opposition spokesperson for agriculture, I have very important news to share with you: a poll released this week shows that more British Columbians than ever want strong protections for B.C. farmland.

Commissioned by the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia and the Vancouver Foundation, the poll found an astounding 95 percent of British Columbians believe our Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) should be preserved for green space and growing food.

A full 80 percent of those polled were concerned about our dependence on other countries for our food supply.