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Volume 15 Number 23 Tsawwassen to Vancouver Island & In Colour On-line Nov 20—Dec 3, 2003

Every Second Thursday and 24/7 on-line at islandtides.comCanadian Publications Mail Product

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Gulf Islands’

Tide tables 2Global village 2Saturna 3Letters 4Public health 5What’s on? 7Bulletin board 11

Attractions &Accommodation

Vancouver Island & The Gulf Islands, 2

CHUM SALMON

It looks like the third time around may be lucky forBill S-7, An Act to Protect Heritage Lighthouses, says theHonourable Pat Carney, Senator for British Columbia.

As a direct result of support from across thepolitical spectrum, including the ProgressiveConservatives, Canadian Alliance and NDP, the billreceived speedy passage to the House of CommonsStanding Committee on Canadian Heritage onOctober 29.

The Bill, sponsored by Nova Scotia SenatorMichael Forrestall and BC Senator Pat Carney,represents three years of hard work and persistence.First introduced in April 2000 as Bill S-21 and again in2002 as Bill S-43, the bill, which is modeled after theHeritage Railway Stations Protection Act, will helppreserve and protect Canada’s heritage lightstations.Bill S-7 will also provide a process for publicconsultation should the Department of Fisheries &Oceans decide to decommission more lightstations.

Carole-Marie Allard, Parliamentary Secretary tothe Minister of Canadian Heritage, told MPs that thegovernment supports the overall objectives of the Bill,and the public consultation process has received highpraise from all Parties.

Nova Scotia MP Gerald Keddy noted that this billaddresses one of the biggest difficulties with thecurrent system, the fact that the Coast Guard does nothave a mandate to protect the cultural significance oflighthouses and is not in a position to provide thecare needed to maintain these heritage buildings.

Nova Scotia NDP Fisheries Critic Peter Stoffer toldMPs, ‘I believe all Members of Parliament can andshould support this bill. It is extremely important tothe integral history of our country, as well as to futuremariners. Once lighthouses are gone, we cannot getthem back.’

To further the cause of lightstation preservation,Senator Carney recently toured a number of the lights

Third time lucky forbill to protectheritage lighthouses

Local Green Party of Canada members haveannounced the formation of a Green PartyElectoral District Association, (EDA), forSaanich-Gulf Islands federal riding. Thefounding meeting was held on Salt SpringIsland on November 1. The association hasbeen formed in anticipation of Bill C-24, theElectoral Reform and Political Financing Act, thatwill come in to effect January 1, 2004.

Jim Harris, Leader of the Green Party ofCanada said, in a message of support,‘Congratulations to the fantastic team inSaanich! I predict your riding and candidatewill have one of the highest votes in all ofCanada in the next general election. As youknow, any party that gets more than 2% of thevote across Canada will get $1.75 per vote peryear between elections. This will representover $500,000 to the GPC; which will enable usto build the Green movement across Canada.’

A recent Ipsos-Reid/CTV/Globe and Mail

poll puts the GPC at 4% across Canada, and8% in B.C.

Also announced at the meeting is the startof the official campaign period for prospectiveGreen Party candidates. So far, two membershave indicated their intention to run for thenomination; Ken Rouleau of Salt Spring, andPhil Spidle from Saanich. The interimPresident for the newly formed EDA, BryceKendrick, said, ‘I look forward to more peoplestepping forward for nomination in thecoming weeks. A contested nomination willensure we have the best candidate possible forthe 2004 election, with a strong, supportingorganization in place.’

Nominations will close 14 days before thenomination meeting, which is scheduled forthe 7th February, 2004.

For more information, Andrew Lewis 250-653-4770, [email protected]. ✐ LIGHTHOUSES, turn to page 7

Canadian environmental groups joined theirUS counterparts in a Seattle federal districtcourtroom on Monday, November 17, tochallenge the NOAA Fisheries’ decision to listthe southern resident Orcas as ‘depleted’under the US Marine Mammal Protection Actinstead of ‘threatened’ or ‘endangered’ underthe US Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Sierra Legal Defense Fund is representingthe Georgia Strait Alliance and the WesternCanada Wilderness Committee, who havefiled Amicus—Friends of the Court—briefssupporting the US coalition’s challenge on theESA decision.

The southern resident Orcas live in thetransboundary waters of southern GeorgiaStrait and northern Puget Sound. They have

suffered a 18% decline in numbers between1996 and 2001. Canada designated the Orcasas endangered in 2001. Experts havedetermined that the whales are suffering fromimmune and reproductive problems due totoxic chemicals, from a decline in salmon andfrom harassment from boats.

An ESA listing would provide moreauthority to protect habitat, clean up sourcesof toxic contamination and strengthenregulations that will help save the killer whalepopulation from extinction. The coalition isseeking a Motion for Summary Judgmentwhich, if granted, would compel the USadministration to afford the fullest protectionspossible to save the animals. ✐

Hearing to challenge ‘depleted’ status ofsouthern resident Orcas

Greens seek federal election nominees

Youngsters watch salmon spawning during their 10-day sojourn in Goldstream Park at the head of the Saanich Inlet, Vancouver Island.

Milk still out of recycling loopGillian AllanThe BC government has abandoned itsplans to include milk containers in thenew provincial recycling ‘ExtendedProducer Responsibility Regulation.’The regulation is expected to be in effectby the end of this year.

A Little BackgroundBC recyclers have been recycling allbeverage containers except milk andmilk substitutes for five years now.Because of heavy lobbying by the dairyindustry, milk substitute containerswere exempted from thedeposit/refund system that wasestablished in 1998.

Two years ago, the RecyclingCoalition collected more than 20,000signatures on a petition that requestedthat dairy product containers will beincluded in the deposit/refundregulation, but milk containers remainexempt.

Another Kick at the MilkCan

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Water,Air and Land Protection (WALP)announced in its Business PlanRecycling Policy that, without includingmilk, there was no ‘level playing field’in product stewardship amongbeverage industries. Hoping to equalizethe legislation, WALP intended toinclude milk beverage containers intheir new ‘Extended ProducerResponsibility Regulation.’ However,when their ‘Intentions Paper’ wasreleased in September it mentioned onlythat they would work with the dairyand dairy substitute producers toaddress the future of collectionsprograms.

Backed by the Dairy Council and theMinister of State for Deregulation, theMinister of Agriculture overruled theMinistry of Water Air and LandProtection’s (WALP) decision to includemilk containers in the legislation. Manyregional districts, including the CRD,have since written to WALPcomplaining about the dairy industry’sexemption for a second time.

Ann Johnston, coordinator of theSouthern Gulf Islands RecyclingCoalition, says the new legislation isgood, except for the missing milcontainers. Taxpayers (instead of theindustry) will continue to pay forlandfilling and recycling milk

MILK, turn to page 4

Photos: Christa Grace-Warrick

Despite 27 years on theCanadian political scene (fiveas Foreign Minister), it looksas if Lloyd Axworthy’s workhas barely started. His newbook, Navigating a New World:Canada’s Global Future is theproduct of the passions of aquintessential Canadian, theaspirations of a world citizen,and the lessons of globalexperience.

The result is a prescriptionfor Canada’s activist involvement in the entire world, drivenby a globalized conscience and using skills and attitudeswhich, says Axworthy, confer a particular advantage onCanadians in assuming what he calls the ‘navigation’ role. Butoverhanging the entire book is a visceral distaste for thehegemonic machinations of the current Bush regime in the US,and a fear that US prescriptions, together with a high degree ofeconomic integration (not to mention political ties and overtarm-twisting) will divert Canada’s foreign policy from itshistorically internationalist approach and multilateralinclinations.

Axworthy puts forward a clear and brave alternative to US-influenced foreign policy. His vision of Canadians asresponsible world citizens has its roots in the ‘social justice’movement. But Axworthy is no fundamentalist, rather apragmatist with a coherent moral compass.

A Man from WinnipegLloyd Axworthy describes himself as a ‘small-l’ liberal, butleaves the reader to figure out what that means. Inspired as ateenager by Lester Pearson, he studied political science atUnited College, Winnipeg (later the University of Winnipeg),and at Princeton, which awarded him a PhD in 1972.

He admits to a certain fascination with US politics, butmakes it clear, ‘…we are not Americans. We have our owndestiny to fulfill.’

He credits John F Kennedy and Pierre Trudeau, in whosecabinet he served, as later influences. His experience as foreignminister, clearly a dream job, gave him a ‘…constant surge ofadrenalin… .’

Now 63 and Director of UBC’s Liu Institute for GlobalAffairs, he sets a challenge for Canadians to follow in hisfootsteps.Human Security and National Sovereignty

The lodestar of Axworthy’s life as an internationalist is ‘humansecurity,’ freedom from fear and violations of body and spirit.He envisions this as neither a US ‘laissez faire’ or a European‘dirigiste’ model. But his view of security is broad, and includeseconomic, physical, and environmental aspects.

Viewing a world, and its international institutions,organized around the concept of the ‘nation-state,’ Axworthyargues that if any nation does not have both the willingnessand the ability to protect its own people, it has no right toundisturbed sovereignty. In his view, the internationalcommunity has the right, and in fact the duty, to intervene.

He cites plenty of examples, some in which there wassuccessful intervention, some where it was botched, or justavoided: Kosovo, Rwanda, Zaire, Srebrenica, Sierra Leone, EastTimor, Chechnya, Peru, Liberia. What is important, he says, isfor the world to assure all humans that they matter.

Soft PowerNot for Axworthy the carefully structured world of formaldiplomacy and international relations, the scripted jousting,standoffs, and sometimes war between nations. He’s anadvocate of ‘soft power’, the interaction of ‘…people workingin a global network’—a strategy based on information,communication and persuasion. In particular, it’s an alternativeto current US ‘full spectrum dominance’ policies and pre-emptive, unilateral action.

Axworthy’s spectrum includes not only traditionaldiplomatic channels, but also a wide variety of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), regional country groups,

The government has been busy passing bills in the provinciallegislature, with, as usual, minimal debate and littleexplanation. It is left to the media to attempt to interpret theirintentions and the probable results. Sometimes this is not easyand can lead to surprising conclusions, so treat the followingcomments (on just a few of those bills) with caution.

Bill 46, Land Amendments ActThis now has royal assent, providing a legal framework for thegovernment’s Working Forest Initiative (seeislandtides.com for information on the Working Forest).Stan Hagen, Minister of Sustainable Resource Management,said in the legislature, ‘We’re offering certainty through thestrategic sale of Crown land, which will be a catalyst foreconomic partnerships.’

MLA Paul Nettleton: ‘Simply put, the BC government isdismantling several of the steps in the review process of Crownland sales … While the government is denying that theirWorking Forest Initiative is privatization, we’d be fools to notrecognize their step by step removal of the legislative andprocedural frameworks that were designed to keep our publiclands in public hands.’

Bill 48, Amendments to the Agriculture,Food, and Fisheries Act

This has now been given royal assent. Essentially, it gives thegovernment the right to designate any shoreline and water areaas agricultural, this permitting aquaculture, and removes anyzoning or other rights local government might have had tooppose this use. This is, of course, of particular concern in theIslands Trust area, where a number of Islands, and Trust policy,have opposed the industrialization of their foreshore.

Bill 75, The Significant ProjectsStreamlining Act

First reading November 3. This gives the government power tooverride or bypass any legislation or procedures, provincial orlocal government, which might impede the fast-trackeddevelopment of anything the government designates as aProvincially Significant Project. Victims include the

Community Charter, all local governments, the VancouverCharter, and all provincial departments except the AgriculturalLand Commission and the review procedures in theEnvironment Ministry. It’s sort of a last resort, no doubt withthe Olympics in mind, but it’s a significant assault on all thelegislative safeguards against haste and stupidity built up overthe years.

Bill 79, The Columbia Basin TrustAmendment Act

In 1995, recognizing that the residents of the Columbia Basinhad received no benefit from the dislocation resulting from thedevelopment of hydro-electric power in their part of BC, thegovernment created the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), whichowns generating facilities worth about $250 million and otherinvestments about $50 million, and used financial returns(about $2.7 million last year) to invest in more economicdevelopment projects in the region. According to the CBT, thishas encouraged another $100 million in private sectorinvestment.

The CBT Board of Directors was originally set up withtwelve representatives from six participating Regional Districts,and six appointed by the provincial cabinet. This Act changesthat to a twelve member Board, all appointed by cabinet. Noreason why is given, resulting in speculation.

Bill 85, The BC Hydro Public Power Legacyand Heritage Contract Act

First reading November 3. This grand-sounding title refers tolegislation that starts out confirming that the ‘legacy assets’ ofBC Hydro—the dams and associated installations—absolutelycannot be sold . . . except if they become no use any more.

Does this mean that if they are no use to BC Hydro, theycould be sold to someone who might make use of them? Togenerate power to sell to BC Hydro? Forgive our suspicions —it just doesn’t seem necessary to legislate this.

But wait! Tacked on to the end of this Bill is a provision torepeal the BC Hydro and Power Authority Privatization Act.

, ISLAND TIDES, Nov 20, 2003

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Food group conductingGE food survey Saltspringers for Safe Food, a group that encourages informedconsumer food choices, are conducting a brief survey onGenetically Engineered Foods at both the Ganges VillageMarket and Thrifty Foods on Salt Spring this month. Thegroup hopes to poll 400–600 islanders.

The surveyers hope to determine the level of shopperawareness and concern about Genetically Engineered Foodson the Island. Collecting this kind of local data will assist fooddistributors and producers with their buying and growingdecisions in the future.

For more information, contact Michelle Grant, Co-ChairSaltspringers for Safe Food, at 537-9634. ✐

Tidings from the Legislature ~ Patrick Brown

TIDINGS, turn to page 5

Book Review ~ Patrick Brown

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GLOBAL VILLAGE, turn to page 7

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In early October, Carolyn Stewart, (formerlywith the Islands Trust Fund) was brought onstaff as Park and Community PlanningCoordinator for the Gulf Islands National ParkReserve. Her job is to facilitate all aspects of themanagement planning process and to ensurethat Parks Canada’s planning efforts arecoordinated with other key agencies.

Her first task is to establish a Park AdvisoryBoard. This is a commitment made in the ParkEstablishment Agreement signed by Canada andBritish Columbia in May 2003. The AdvisoryBoard will have seven members including amember from the Capital Regional District, amember from Islands Trust, and three membersdrawn from the general public who haveexpertise in one or more of the following areas:conservation, education, land-based recreation,water-based recreation, tourism, or culturalheritage. There will also be two members fromParks Canada on the Advisory Board, one ofwho will be the national park reserve’sSuperintendent.

Advisory Board RoleThe role of the Park Advisory Board is to workwith Parks Canada on the managementplanning program. Board members worktogether to ensure that management issues arereviewed and analyzed from all angles, andthen provide advice to the Superintendent.When they are conducting Advisory Boardwork, members do not represent any agency orinterest; rather they act in the broad public

interest. The three public members will bechosen over the next few months (seeadvertisement on page 5). Interim Management Guidelines

Once the Advisory Board is appointed, the nextstep in the management planning program willbe to develop Interim Management Guidelines(IMGs). These provide management directionfor park operations until a longer term ParkManagement Plan is completed and approved.

In the interim, they allow for cautious andconservative management of the national parkreserve to protect current levels of ecologicalintegrity and ensure protection of culturalfeatures. No major development proposals areconsidered until a Management Plan has beenapproved.

To guide management and operationaldecisions, the IMGs will set out interim parkzoning and will establish policies regardingcritical visitor service needs, public safety,ecosystem and resource conservation, culturalheritage protection and other parkadministration and operations requirements.

They will identify key messages to becommunicated to the public to ensure that parkvisitors know what levels of service to expectduring this initial phase of the park’sdevelopment, and that they understand thefragility of the ecosystems being protected.

Consultation with the public and with FirstNations will be an integral component of thedevelopment of the IMGs. ✐

National park management team expandsWe are having good mud and blowy,

sunny/cloudy, warm days after thesteely-cold days at the beginning of

the month.We have had all of our daughters, their

partners, kids, dogs and belongings staying athome with us. It is so fun to have all of thelively goings-on: teasing, meals, workingtogether and the inevitable snaps and snips ofold arguments now reduced to small scenariosthat can be talked about. And we all learnfrom each other, to be better parents, cooks,team players, appreciators, human beings asthe kids have kids and we take on more roles.Living on Saturna is such a bonus, what ahome in such beauty, what a life in such avibrant community!

Mary Copeland MemorialThe Saturna Women’s Club hosted amemorial tea for Mary Copeland. Marypassed away on October 5 in Victoria at theage of 91. Mary’s son John and dear friend ofMary’s, Margaret Fry, shared stories andreminisced with Mary’s Saturna friends amidthe gentle clink of teacups, laughter and lovelytidbits.

Mary’s close tie to Saturna Island camethrough her husband, Frank Copeland, whogrew up on Saturna with his three siblings,Mary, Nellie, and Willie at ‘the old Copelandplace,’ which now has the name Poppy HillFarm. When Lorraine Campbell first startedcoming to Saturna in 1931, Willie ran theGeneral Store (where the fuel tanks are now)at the government wharf and Nellie was thepostmistress.

Frank met Mary in London, Englandduring the war, and Mary, from Oxford, bornin l912, came to British Columbia as his warbride. They lived for a short time on Saturnawith Frank’s parents and then went off to belighthouse keepers at Carmanah Point.

Mary made the huge shift from Oxford andLondon to Carmanah Point where the suppliescame in every three months, you walked for themail carrying a gun in case of cougars, cookedon a woodstove and used an outhouse.

Frank rescued many sea-wrecked sailorsand boats. He was honored with the GovernorGeneral’s Award. During this time, Frank andMary’s son John was born. When John was sixand ready for school, the family moved toProtection Island Lighthouse at Gallows Pointso John to go to school in Nanaimo. Mary tookJohn back and forth to school in a motor boat.August was their vacation month, after ajunior lighthouse keeper arrived.

The family bought the piece of land in BootCove and built themselves a house. Mary isresponsible for the gorgeous pink camellia, thefig tree came from the old Copeland place.

At this time Margaret Fry, also fromEngland, met Mary and they became fastfriends. Margaret visited Mary at thelighthouse and the two women arranged tomeet up in England several times andtravelled together. Margaret fondest memoriesof Mary are as ‘very good company, great fun,she had a wonderful laugh.’

After retiring to Saturna, Frank lived until1980, active in many Island community

events. Mary was active in the Woman’s Club,and well known for good food. She was agood neighbor in her Boot Cove communityto Bev Bruce and others.

Margaret and Mary continued their closefriendship after Mary moved into Victoria,attending the Victoria Symphony season,plays and other cultural events.

Condolences to John, on his mother ’sdeath and to Mary’s dear friends. Thanks tothe Women’s Club for creating that lovingtouch that allows people to connect and share.All the more special since Mary was part ofcreating the club in earlier times.Money Raised for Church Repairs

Charlie and Dorothy Campbell held a Sale ofsome of their treasures and knick-knacks atthe Community Hall to raise money for SaintChristophers Church repairs. People had awonderful time buying lovely silver andcrystal items and intriguing oddities—I betthat many Christmas presents have beenbought. Thanks to Dorothy and to Charlie fortheir generosity and their good taste in familytreasures!Parks and Recreation ActivitiesParks and Recreation is sponsoring four walksthis winter. Sign up for an Island Walk withIshbel and Meg, November 23.

Parks and Recreation is again sponsoringGord Krisjanson to create and teach a musicprogram for the Saturna school kids.

Parks Canada NewsParks Canada is moving right along. SeniorWarden Scott Giroux and his wife Ruby willbe moving into Jaqueline Fraser’s house laterthis month. This is a big move for Scott fromthe Queen Charlottes and he is getting rightinto Saturna Community. Kevin Taylor, PatrolOfficer, is staying at Money’s house at the topof the missing link.

Parks is also looking for someone local towork for them as a communications person.Parks Canada will supply more informationas to qualifications and how to apply.

Work will soon begin on the top of MountWarburton Pike to organize the parking and aviewing area. Quite a change for us Islandersto have an area we so profoundly regard as‘ours’ to be formally organized—even withour own input!

Field HouseThe old Field-MacDonald-Marjorie and TomDavidson-Von Hohenzollern house, downNarvaez Bay Road on the righthandside, willbe demolished by contract with JJMHighways Maintenance—Parks Canada has apolicy of no homes on their property.

The house was built in the ‘30s originallyand subsequently was home to the Fields,who had three kids, Fred, Gladys and Busterwho went to Saturna’s first school at thegraveyard. Buster married Edna and theylived in the same house and had threedaughters who went to our present school inLyall Harbor.

Next Tom and Marjorie Davidson movedin with their children, Mary Jane, John,Donald, Diane and Jennifer in 1959 when Tom

Saturna Notes ~ Priscilla Ewbank

SATURNA, turn to page 5

Long-time firechief retiresIt takes a special person to serve a community for forty years. On Saturday, November 15,Galiano Island honoured such a person. Chester Williams has lived on Galiano since 1947,moving there with his wife Marion, after he completed his service with the Royal CanadianNavy. Working as a master carpenter, he built what was needed, including many houses. TheWilliams were the original developers of Montague Marina.

In 1963, Chester was part of a group of Galiano residents who saw the need to start a fireservice on their island. He has been a serving member ever since. The first fire truck was a 1947Dodge with a Bickle/Seagrave fire apparatus, bought from the Langford Fire Department for$900. Since then, the South Galiano Fire Department has grown steadily in skills and equipment,occupying a special place in the community. For the last twenty-five years, Firechief ChesterWilliams has been the guiding force of the department.

The banquet honouringChief Williams wascoincidentally almost fortyyears to the day the the firedepartment was inaugurated onNovember 14, 1963. The twohundred well wishers,Islanders, friends and fellow firefighters were joined at theGaliano community hall by BC Fire Commissioner Rick Duruala,who presented Chief Williams with a forty-year bar for hisGovernor General’s Fire Exemplary Service medal. Durualaspoke of the provincial fire service’s admiration for Chester’scommunity service.

Chief Williams will serve until December 31 and on January 1,Galiano firefighter Bill Jones will take over as chief. ✐


FIRE CHIEFGaliano Island , B.C.

The North Galiano Volunteer Fire Department offers achallenging opportunity for a qualified candidate to fill theposition of Fire Chief. This is a permanent part-timeposition reporting to the Board of the North GalianoCommunity Association. The island is a forested, coastalenvironment with rural residential homes interspersed inforested areas.

The Fire Chief is responsible for all fire suppressionrelated emergency services and fire preventionoperations for North Galiano Island, including planningand budgeting. Strong leadership skills with the ability tofully train and motivate approximately 20 officers andfirefighters is essential.

For further information, call Mervyn Olson 250-539-9977or email [email protected].

Interested candidates should forward an applicationletter, detailed resume and three reference contactsbefore November 30, 2003 to::

Mervyn Olson, President,North Galiano Community Assoc.,

Site 46, Comp. 28,Galiano Island , B.C. V0N 1P0

FIRE CHIEF - PENDER ISLANDA professional fire chief is required for a part-time positionwith a 40-member well-trained volunteer force on PenderIsland, a forested coastal area with residential developmentand rural areas. There are three well-equipped fire halls, onea new modern facility.Qualifications:

• Live Fire I & II• Qualification as First Responder • Air Brake Certificate & Appropriate driver’s licence • Sound budget planning & management • Strong leadership, motivational & organizational skills • Knowledge of fire fighting in a residential & rural

environmentQualification as a Fire Service Instructor I & II, FireInvestigation I & II, and a diploma as Fire Officer or creditstowards the diploma, would also be an asset. Previousleadership in a force of at least 20 members is a requirement.Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Interested candidates should forward an application letter,resume and references by Dec. 12, 2003 to:

Gordon Souter, Chair, Selection PanelNorth Pender Island Fire Protection Society

1107 Susan Point Road, Pender Island, BC VON 2M1Fax 250-629-6124

John Campbell

Gillian Campbell

Salt Spring Island

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The Oakville Suite 106-9717 Third Street

S idney, BC V8L 3A3

T elephone 250-656-5155 Fax: 250-656-5175

on Vancouver Island’s west coast prior to appearing before the

House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and

Oceans that is reviewing the Canadian Coast Guard.

As lightstations fall under the mandate of the Coast Guard,

Senator Carney’s objective in appearing before the committee

was to advocate for an expanded role for lightkeepers and their

stations. The Senator testified that these sites, by nature of their

strategic location along Canada’s coastline, should include

current navigation services as well as search and rescue, and

coastal defence and security activities. ✐

LIGHTHOUSES from page 1

Fi rechief Chester Williams

The first fire truck on Galiano Island.

D ecember session of

Tr ust CouncilThe Islands Trust Council will hold its next quarterly

meeting in Victoria, Wednesday–Friday, December 3–5. The

public is invited to attend the meeting, held at Harbour

T owers Hotel, from 1pm Wednesday to approximately 2pm

on Friday.

A highlight of this session of Trust Council will be a

session on establishing a National Marine Conservation

Area in the Southern Strait of Georgia. Bill Henwood of

Parks Canada will be updating Council.

Public ParticipationAt 10:30am on Friday, December 5, Trust Council invites

members of the public to participate in a Town Hall Session.

Persons or organizations wishing to reserve time to

present a formal delegation to the Islands Trust Council

following the Town Hall Session, should forward their

request to the Corporate Secretary, including the subject,

name and address of the speaker, to the Islands Trust

Victoria office by 4:30pm on Monday, November 24.

For the full agenda Please visit the Islands Trust website

www

.islandtrust.bc. ca. ✐containers. Johnston points out that, unless individuals start

contacting their MLAs to let them know they are not pleased

that the government has ignored their request that milk

containers come under deposit/refund regulation, BC taxpayers

will be paying for milk container recycling for a while yet. ✐

MILK from page 1The Government of British Columbia has taken the

unprecedented step of creating an independent assembly of

158 British Columbians to examine our system of voting. By

November 25, the Assembly will have its full 158 members

from all over BC — one man and one woman from each of the

79 electoral districts. Members will reflect the gender, age and

geographical make-up of British Columbia.

The Citizens’ Assembly is an independent, non-partisan

assembly of individuals who will meet to examine the

province’s electoral system—that is, how votes determine who

gets elected to sit in the provincial Legislature.

The Citizens’ Assembly will learn about electoral systems

and listen to British Columbians’ views on the subject. The

Assembly members will then decide which electoral system

they feel is best for the province.

The selection process got under way in September with a

random draw of names from the provincial voters list. Those

whose names were drawn were contacted and asked if they

wished to participate. From those who said yes, one man and

one woman from each electoral district are being picked at

regional selection meetings. Among Southern Vancouver members chosen are:

• Lana Donnelly, Colwood, Esquimalt-Metchosin–49,

married with two children, she’s a mail services courier with

Canada Post.

• Arthur Beaumont, Metchosin, Esquimalt-Metchosin–67,

married with two children and retired after 40 years at sea,

including service with the Canadian Navy as a hydrographic

technician.

• Darryl Hawkins, Cobble Hill, Malahat-Juan de Fuca–59,

married, retired after 27 years in the public service and now

assists with the operation of a sawmill.

• Barbara Kohne, East Sooke, Malahat-Juan de Fuca–64,

married, three children and four grandchildren. She worked in

printing and publishing for 18 years.

• Diana Byford, North Saanich, Saanich North and the

Islands–married with three sons. For 25 years, she trained

leaders for Scouts Canada.

• Cary Laing, Brentwood Bay, Saanich North and the

Islands–51-year-old sales manager in a tourist store. Married

with two children and coaches minor league sports.

• Chris Andersen, Victoria, Saanich South–68, a semi-retired

journeyman carpenter. He’s married with two daughters.

• Sarah Burwell, Saanich, Saanich South–40-year-old

homemaker and mother of three with a masters degree in

public administration.

• Susan Wood, Qualicum Beach, Alberni-Qualicum–47, a

house cleaner with two adult children, who has also worked as

a greensperson at a golf course and in sales in an antique store.

• F. W. Zens, Port Alberni, Alberni-Qualicum–Fritz is 65, a

dentist for 40 years and part-time farmer with three children

and three grand-children.

• Jean Ensminger, Ladysmith, Cowichan-Ladysmith–50, a

substitute teacher (social studies) and organic farmer

(blueberries and chickens) and has a daughter of 14.

• Thea Melvin, Ladysmith, Cowichan-Ladysmith–32,

married, and a home-maker with two boys; enjoys family

activities and reading.

• Tanis Dagert, Lantzville, Nanaimo-Parksville–38,

executive director of the Nanaimo Foodshare initiative, and

worked in Indonesia with CUSO from 1996-98.

• Glen Mackinnon, Nanaimo, Nanaimo-Parksville–77, and

retired. Married for 54 years, he has nine grandchildren and

one great-grandchild.

• John Chapman , Nanaimo, Nanaimo–77, a retired teacher

and grandfather (of three) who speaks English, Italian,

German, Spanish and Hungarian.

• Linda Nicolaisen, Nanaimo, Nanaimo–58, a ‘full-time

homemaker, Mom and Gramma’ who has five children and

eight grandchildren.

Dr. Jack Blaney chairman of the assembly is an experienced

facilitator. He is a former president of Simon Fraser University,

where he spearheaded numerous initiatives to increase access

to educational opportunities. Dr. Blaney has also served on a

variety of community and government boards, and is a

recipient of the Order of British Columbia.

If the Citizens’ Assembly recommends a new electoral

system, the recommendation will be put to all voters in British

Columbia as a referendum question at the next provincial

election in May 2005. If the voters endorse the Citizens’

Assembly’s recommendation, then a new electoral system will

be in place for the following provincial election in 2009. ✐

Electoral review members chosen


Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

CALL FOR PARK ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Parks Canada is establishing a volunteer Park Advisory Board (Board) to assist withthe management planning program for the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.

Parks Canada is responsible for the creation of planning processes, First Nations and public consultations, issue identification and analysis, and the development ofplanning documents. The role of the Board is to provide advice and guidance to Parks Canada regarding the Interim Management Guidelines, the ManagementPlan, the annual business plan for the Park Reserve, and other matters related to planning, management and operation of the National Park Reserve. Draft Termsfor the Board are available on request.

The Board will include 7 members as follows:• 1 member from the Capital Regional District Board• 1 member from the Islands Trust Council• 3 public members with expertise in one or more of the following areas: conservation, marine-based recreation, land-based recreation, education, tourism,

cultural heritage and• 2 (non-voting) members from Parks Canada, one of whom will be the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve Superintendent

To assist the Board in providing the best possible advice, it is expected that the Board may establish volunteer working groups in a variety of areas to gatherinformation, opinions, and suggestions on critical topics of interest and issues within the National Park Reserve. Members of the Board will chair these workinggroups. In addition, the Board will participate in the public consultation process.

Board appointments will be for a term of 1-3 years. The Board will meet at least 4 times per year for 1-2 days and possibly more often. Members may also berequired to travel for working group and public meetings. Travel expenses and a per diem honorarium will be provided to members for meetings as per ParksCanada Policy and Guidelines.

The public members must have extensive demonstrated experience in one or more of the area of expertise noted above, be available to travel for day or eveningmeetings, and be electronically connected via computer/email.

Parks Canada will be accepting applications from Canadians interested in volunteering for three public member positions on the Board until 4:30pm December 12,2003. Interested individuals must submit the following:

• A letter outlining their interest in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, their areas of expertise, any special skills that would benefit the Park Advisory Board, their understanding of the Gulf Islands region.• A resume outlining their experience and affiliations and explaining how these relate to the Park Advisory Board role.• Two letters of reference/support regarding the individual’s expertise and their abilities as they relate to the role of the Park Advisory Board.

Mail applications to:Carolyn Stewart

Park and Community Planning Coordinator, Coastal BC Field Unit, Parks Canada,

2220 Harbour Rd., Sidney, BC V8L 2P6

or send via email: [email protected]

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and Parks Canada is not bound to accept any individual that applies. Appointments are expected to be made by the ChiefExecutive Officer of Parks Canada early in 2004.

The trade ministers of 34 nations plan to sign the FTAAagreement at their Miami meeting on November 20-21.

Trade unions and social advocacy organizations have beenopposing the WTO’s General Agreement on Trade in Servicesand the Free Trade Area of the Americas. And no less anorganization than the American Public Health Association(APHA) made a submission to the US Congress one year agolisting it reservations about the trade agreements. Included werethe following points.• Both GATS and the FTAA provide broad rights tocorporations and diminish the decision-making role not only ofthe public sector but of democratic bodies at all levels. FTAArules would override to all governmental laws and regulationsas well as all measures taken by non-governmental institutions.

In this respect FTAA gives even greater rein to privatecorporations than the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA), which itself has been associated with creating moremisert to the Mexican population. NAFTA also caused theCanadian government to rescind bans on toxic substances inresponse to lawsuits from private corporations and to back-offprograms providing access to generic drugs.• The FTAA would extend private rights of action againstcountries, now included in NAFTA, to all other nations coveredby FTAA. Any nation prohibiting any company fromcompeting for public services could subject the country both tointernational trade sanctions and costly lawsuits for present andfuture losses to private companies.• Neither GATS nor the FTAA identifies social equity ordemocracy as a goal, but are dedicated solely to strengtheningthe ability of the private enterprise system to generate wealth.

The FTAA could in fact prevent governments from holdingservice providers accountable for key social and public healthobjectives like affordable access to medical treatment, educationand utilities.

APHA’s submission also called on US Congress to opposethe passage of GATS or FTAA by a fast-track mechanism. Itproposed the establishment of a commission with the mandateto explore the impact the free trade agreements on populationhealth and the public health infrastructure before furtherliberalization of trade through GATS and FTAA. It pointed tothe importance of adopting trade regulations that promotedemocracy, equity and well-being,as well as wealth.

ALHA Recommendations to US Congress• APHA advocated alternative proposals such as the Fair TradeAgreement of the Americas to promote trade agreements thatadvance the interests of population health.• APHA strongly urged that essential public services like health,education, social services, water and corrections be formallyexempted from trade liberalization, and immune fromchallenge under GATS and FTAA.• Furthermore the association urged that current tradeagreements be rescinded or modified to the extent that theypresent a threat to the lives and health of affectedpopulations,through the denial of drugs, through the forcedexposure to hazardous substances,or through the diminishedpower of local and national governments to effectively protectthe population from such threats, including governments’central responsibility to enact and enforce regulations.• It requested the US Trade Representative to call for a nationalplebiscite in the US, and to encourage a similar plebiscite in each

WTO country, to approve or reject the provisions of GATS, anda similar plebiscite in each North and South American countryregarding the FTAA.

‘Ethically Untenable Contract’The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) made asubmission to the Canadian government on the liberalizedinternational trade agreements at the time of the proposedMultilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) in 1997.

The CPHA raised a contradiction in Canada’s (and mostother nations’) approach to multilateral agreements that it found‘ethically untenable.’ It pointed out that Canada, like manyother nations, is signatory to numerous international andmultilateral agreements on environmental protection andsustainability (the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, human rights,the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the InternationalLabour Code) and public health (the Alma Ata Declaration, andthe World Health Assembly Declaration on Health For All).These ‘common good’ accords represent agreements aboutwhat is important to promote and protect if people are to have adecent quality of life. None of these agreements haveenforcement mechanisms.

In contrast to these ‘common good’ agreements,the draftMAI, the WTO and NAFTA, which extend the rights of privateinvestors and producers even when they conflict with the‘common good’, all have enforcement mechanisms.

CPHA stated, ‘We see no ethical justification for this. We donot believe the Government of Canada should sign agreementsthat enforce economic practices that benefit the few without alsoinsisting that reciprocating agreements for the common goodbecome enforceable.’ ✐

Trading Public Health ~ Peter D. Carter

TIDINGS from page 2What going on here? Oh, now I understand. This

relieves Terasen Gas of the burden of being a ‘specialcorporation’ under the Privatization Act which removed itfrom public ownership (as part of BC Hydro) in 1988.

At that time, the government of the day legislated that,without cabinet approval, no more than 20% of thecompany (then BC Gas) could be sold outside the province,it could not be sold or merged, it could not sell, lease, orexchange substantially all of its property, and its head officeshould remain here; that’s what it meant to be a ‘specialcorporation’. Well, no more.

NDP leadership hopeful Leonard Krog notes thatTerasen and its directors have been generous contributors

to the provincial Liberals; Terasen itself says that thislegislation would make it easier to raise capital to do newthings (see their TV ads). Or sell the company.

Perhaps they should have called it the ‘Terasen and BCHydro Heritage More Privatization Act’.

Bill 88, Private Managed Forest Land ActThird reading on November 6 makes it clear that localgovernments can’t interfere in any way with anything aprivate owner might attempt to do with Managed Forestland. ‘What the mighty province hath decreed, let no localgovernment put asunder.’✐

SATURNA from page 3came to work at the CHEK-TV tower. Their kids attended the newclassroom at our school.

Tom was an ingenious handyman and built greenhouse,henhouse-brooder, painting studio, workshop and a basement for thetemperature-controlled storage of all kinds of vegetables. All of hisimprovements had great mechanical devices that he contrived to dotasks more conveniently.

Field’s livingroom was where David Lyall (David for MountDavid and Lyall for Lyall Harbor) Bellamy was born to BeverlyBellamy in the early ‘60s. Attended by Lou Money, Marie McMannand Edna Fields, the baby made a fine entry into the world.

The house was home to many children and several families that

SATURNA from page 11

The Nail On The HeadDear Editor:Thank you to Patrick for his well done article ‘Privatized BCFerries goes Political!’ You hit the nail on the head re aspects ofthe poll and its use by the company. The overtime issue is welladdressed. I know this past summer, and the one before, Route9 racked up huge overtime amounts because management hadnot permitted the the hiring of enough workers to fill the crewpositions needed according to regulations.

Many employees were asked repeatedly to work back-to-back shifts and, as per the contract, were paid double time. Towork a full shift, get home by 10pm perhaps and have to get upat 5am to go back to work another full shift, you should getpaid extra—not sure it’s good for safety though.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for doing thisspecial report.

Sheila Anderson, BC Ferries employee, Galiano

Texas Ranger & Sheriff GeorgeDear Editor:As a child, a Texas Ranger stopped us because we had outof state tags on our car. He gave us a rattler kit withinstructions to use the razor blade to cut and then suck outthe poison, which of course made my father wonder whowould help if he were bit in the butt. The Ranger, havingheard this many times before, simply told him that hewould then find out who his real friends were.

Over the years, I’ve thought a lot about that TexasRanger driving a Cadillac with horns on the hood, he had afriendly face and looked ten feet tall, I was probably eight atthe time.

The USA to me was that Ranger, Walt Disney, DaveyCrockett and really nice people, despite the fact that sameyear we were in Georgia and I remember with equal claritya sign over the entrance to a bar, telling the world that ‘nocats, dogs, Jews or niggers were allowed on these herepremises.’ Of particular note is the order they are in.

There was no Vietnam or Watergate. Ike’s biggestproblem was his golf game. Ed Sullivan was giving useverything we wanted and JFK had his eyes on the Whitehouse and virtually every female in Boston. Life was verygood and the USA ruled by example. We were of courseoblivious to the truth we were Canadian.

What went wrong? This week, President Bush is sending100,000 more troops to impose his will upon the Iraqis.People who once worshiped the ground Americans walk on

are now blowing it out from under them.More and more people are telling the Emperor that he’s

naked, ghosts of Vietnam are haunting main streets all over theUSA with the arrival of their children in flag-laced boxes.

The president of the United States is running out of steam,he has lied and he was caught. There were never any weaponsof mass destruction in Iraq and he knew it. Just like Nixon, hewill fall under his own weight and just like Nixon thousands ofAmerican children will die in a foreign country.

The USA had every right to lead the democratic world atone time; it lost that right long ago, though, by ignoring worldopinion and devastating nations all over the globe by trying toimpose their will. The simple fact is that the USA destroyeditself, the very principles of free press and speech it so hardilyfought for have come back to bite them in the ass.

Horrible, criminal behaviour has been exemplified in thisescapade with Iraq, but the free press of the globe has broughtit to the Americans’ doorstep, the same free press thatflourished because of American involvement in the first place.

I wonder what that Ranger would think of his fellow Texan?Robert Saint Amour, Surge Narrows

More Sharp-tailed SnakesDear Editor:I just verified a new sharp-tailed snake site. This site is on thenorth-tip of Salt Spring Island, which is a range extension ofabout 4 km to the north of Vesuvius. The owners contacted meafter they saw a small article about the restoration projects inthe Island Tides.

Christian Engelstoft

A Public Forum on HydroDear Editor:For the past couple of years, you may have been concernedabout the BC Energy Plan to privatize our utility company, BCHydro, a piece at a time. The major components of the utility,namely generation, transmission, distribution andadministration and customer services are being isolated intoseparate companies, some of which have already beenprivatized.

For example, the private company Accenture (of Enronfame) is now responsible for the service activities of BC Hydro.These include information technology, financial services,human resources and procurement, activities which formerlyemployed a third of the workforce of BC Hydro.

How can breaking up an efficient, integrated, self-ownedutility into pieces to be run by private companies for profit

possibly be of benefit to the citizens of BC? This is a questionthat occurs to many of us, particularly those who are interestedin efficient service and affordable power.

Concerned people are only too aware of the disastrouseffects of privatization of power on electricity prices inCalifornia, Ontario and Alberta.

Now, if you are a government watcher you may havenoticed Bill 85 which was introduced in the Legislature onNoember 3. This bill is called the BC Hydro Public Power Legacyand Heritage Contract Act. It purports to protect the assets of ourBC Hydro from sale to public companies, but in an amazing bitof Orwellian doublespeak it manages to do exactly the opposite.

Bill 85 will strip rate-setting powers from the BC UtilitiesCommission, and allows the government at its own discretionto sell off assets it deems ‘no longer fit’, ‘no longer useful’, or‘replaceable’ to private power companies. This astonishing billis now in second reading in the Legislature.

The implications of the BC Energy Plan and Bill 85 arepotentially devastating to the citizens of BC. A town hall forumon BC Hydro and our Electricity System is to be held inGanges, sponsored by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens ofSalt Spring Island. The forum will begin at 7:30pm on Friday,November 28, at the Gulf Islands Secondary School.

Our MLA, Murray Coell, has been invited to put forwardthe government position, and other speakers include SchoolTrustee Judith Boel, CRD Director Gary Holman, and JohnYoung, chair of the BC Hydro watchdog group, Citizens forPublic Power.

If you are concerned about the privatization of BC Hydro, orare worried about potential increases in the cost of electricity atyour home or business, you should try to be there. All sides ofthis important issue will be discussed, and you are invited tobring your questions and share your ideas.

Tom Wright, Salt Spring Island

Radio LizardsDear Editor:Jeff Weaver here from CBC Radio in Victoria (we’re regular on-line readers of course). Can you please forward my email toPriscilla Ewbank, your Saturna correspondent. I’ve just got acouple of quick questions about alligator lizards. MostIslanders probably don’t know we have our own lizard, andthey’re pretty hard to find around Greater Victoria. But itsounds as if Saturna is lizard-rich. And is there a local expert?(I’m also planning a trip to Saturna and need a little advice onwhat I can record there.)

Jeff Weaver, CBC Radio, Victoria ✐

Christmas is around the corner andwe all know how hard it is to buygifts for those in the boating

community. Here are some tips that I amsure would be hugely appreciated.

• Books: How about a perennial classic,such as Captain William Bligh on CrewManagement? It’s a timeless study onkeeping the peons in their place.

• Designer bottom paint: I can see theadvertisements in Vogue already. Ananorexic model in a snappy set of oilskinswith accessories by International Paints and fragrance byCalvin Kelp paints the bottom of her boat in glowing shadesof trend. Barnacles die in a politically correct and non-polluting manner from over co-ordination.

• Cordless Toasters: I cannot understand why this is notpossible. After all, we put a man on the moon, so a 12-volttoaster should not be too difficult.

• A self-reeving, from the bottom, mainsail halyard: I haveheard of some promising early work being done in India onthis, but no one seems to be following the idea up.• Travel Vouchers: Always a popular present, why not giveyour bank manager or local politician a trip on a commercialhalibut boat? They would be able to spend a couple of weeksduring the equinoctial gales rolling around in gore and fishguts while anchored in 25 fathoms on places like the GooseBank, feeding rotting squid into a baiting machine, andsleeping, when completely exhausted, in their soaked clothes.

• Cellular Distress Flares: You leave them ashore inrestaurants and theatres, and they go off when you get into

trouble. Since cell-phones are now passe, think of howimportant these will make you feel!

• A Chart of the Port of Swift Current, Saskatchewan andother prime boating areas the Canadian HydrographicService has been neglecting.

• Swiss Navy Sunglasses complete with teensy-weensybinoculars, an equally tiny compass that could sit on yournose, port and starboard coloured strings, and a heads updisplay of the Canadian bouyage system and collisionregulations.

• For the kayakers, a lovely flowing, yellow nylon signsaying ‘Caution, speed bumps.’

• Finally, how about some lumps of coal in the stockings ofthe culprits who really have the most to do with theincreasing hazards and mess in our waters. These includethose who believe that an automated lighthouse works aswell as one with a human being, that salmon can be betterbred in pens, and that graduates of the Regina NauticalInstitute (QV) are actually a help.✐


15,000 copies this issueEvery Second Thursday

www.islandtides.comGULF ISLANDS’ ONLY FREE &

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ISLAND TIDES PUBLISHING LtdBox 55, Pender Island B.C. V0N 2M0

Publisher & Editor: Christa Grace-Warrick Contributors: Gillian Allan, Patrick Brown, Peter D. Carter,Priscilla Ewbank, John Carlton, John Wiznuk, Seth KleinTelephone: 250-629-3660 Fax: 250-629-3838

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Readers’ Letters

Definitely Not The Ferries!

Christmas Wish ListJohn Carlton

Now till New Years EveComox Valley 29th Annual Christmas Craft Fair—originaldesign, handmade works in pottery, jewellery, wood, glass, fabric,and much more • Comox Valley Art Gallery, 367 Fourth Street,Courtenay • HOURS IN NOVEMBER: Tues–Sat 10am–5pm,HOURS IN DECEMBER: daily 10am–5pm, except Sunday11am–4pm • Admission free • Info:250-338-6211,www.mars.ark.com/~cvag • IN COURTENAY, VANCOUVER ISLAND

Saturday, November 22Ladysmith Old-Fashioned Artisans Christmas Market—aneclectic mix of local artisans work from jewellery to boomerangs,kids clothing, wall hangings; music by local musicians; festivesetting; indoor café • Aggie Hall, 1st Avenue & Symonds Street •10am–4pm • Admission free • Info: Suzanne Prest 250-245-2112,[email protected] • IN LADYSMITH

Friday, November 28 Public Meeting on BC Hydro and our Electricity System—come out and support public power; bring questions, ideas andfamily, friends and colleagues • Gulf Islands Secondary School,Ganges • 7:30pm • Info: 250-537-5347 • ON SALT SPRINGISLAND

Saturday, November 29Ivonne Hernandez Concert—2001North American and 3-time BC FiddlingChamp performing tunes from her recent CDas well as Scottish, old-time, bluegrass andCajun tunes; accompanying Ivonne is notedVictoria guitarist, Jeremy Walsh • PenderIsland Community Hall • 8:00pm • Tickets:$15 at local outlets • Info: 604-264-6190,www.ivonnehernandez.com • ON PENDER

ISLAND

Saturday, November 29Santa’s Christmas Sale—quality hand-crafted gifts; many newartisans; refreshments available • St. Peter’s Parish Hall, Canal

Road • 10am–3pm • Free Admission • ON PENDER ISLAND

Saturday, November 29Pender talk of the Gulf Islands’ Speaker Series—find outabout conservation of rare or ‘at risk’ species; Chris Junck on theGarry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team; Blair Hammond, HabitatProtection Biologist from Environment Canada, on the EcologicalGifts Program; Rundi Kopping, from Parks Canada, on the GulfIslands National Park Reserve • Community Hall • 1:30pm–4pm •Info: Isabelle Morris, 250-391-9457 • ON PENDER ISLAND

Sunday, November 30Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Learn-In—videosand discussion; note date is not November 22, as noted in thePender Post • Anglican Hall • 2–5pm • Info: 629-3811 • ONPENDER ISLAND

Sunday, November 30Sidney Sparkles day kicks off ‘Celebrate a Dickens of aChristmas’—breakfast and photos with Santa, entertainmentwith Canadian College of Performing Arts and clowns ‘Goldie andJiggs the Clown,’ 9am–noon; Winter Market in ‘Christmas TownSquare,’ Beacon Ave, 11am–4pm; Christmas Bingo, noon–3pm, inthe Big Tent (Beacon & 4th); Star Cinema matinées all afternoon;Lighted Santa Parade on Beacon Avenue, 5 pm • Info: 250-656-4365 • IN SIDNEY BY THE SEA

Saturday, December 6Saturna talk of the Gulf Islands’ Speaker Series—find outabout conservation of rare or ‘at risk’ species; Harvey Janszen,Botanist, on Saturna Island Ecosystems; Pippa Shepherd, fromParks Canada, on Canada’s new Species at Risk Act; RundiKopping, from Parks Canada, on the Gulf Islands National ParkReserve • Community Hall • 1:00pm–3:30pm • Info: IsabelleMorris, 250-391-9457 • ON SATURNA ISLAND

Saturday, December 6The Hall Association’s Annual Christmas Craft Fair—aPender tradition: local crafters, door prizes, raffle, draws,refreshments • Community Hall • 11am–4pm • Admission: Adults$2, under 12 free • Info: Susan DeGryp, 250-629-6043 • ONPENDER ISLAND

Saturday, December 6‘Sidney Sailpast of Lighted Boats—Sidney Waterfront, 5pm;pre-sailpast refreshments and entertainment with ‘Rig a Jig’ andcarolling plus free glow-sticks for the kids in the Big Tent at foot ofBeacon Avenue, 3:30–5:30pm; Sailpast, 5pm • Info: 250- 656-4365 • IN SIDNEY BY THE SEA

Sunday, December 7Allison Crowe Concert—Acclaimedgospel-rock, jazz-grunge, classical-blues,folk-soul singer-songwriter celebratesthe release of her new CD, Tidings, withan intimate solo performance; featuringguest artists: Marlies Iredale, ZoeGuigueno and Adam Iredale-Gray •Agricultural Hall • 7:30pm • Info: 1-250-537-1286, www.allisoncrowe.com • ON MAYNE ISLAND

Fri & Sat, December 12 & 13Surviving the Holidays Workshop—learn tools to reducefamily-related stress from Certified Trainer Michèle Favarger, BCNetwork for Compassionate Communication; coffee and tea bydonation • Parish Hall, 4703 Canal Road • Friday: 7:30–9:30pm($10 suggested donation), Saturday: 9am–5pm, $50 BCNCCmembers, $60 non-BCNCC members • Info: Michèle,[email protected], 250-746-8765, BCNCC: www.bcncc.org • ONPENDER ISLAND

Fri, Sat & Sun, Dec 12, 13 & 14Salt Spring Singers Concert—Festive Christmas Music andJohn Rutter's ‘Gloria,’ also featuring the Salt Spring Honour Choir• Artspring • December 12 and 13, 8pm; December 14, 2pm •Tickets/Info: Artspring, 537-2102 • ON SALT SPRING ISLAND

Sunday, December 14Green Party Prepares for Federal Election—meet JimHarris, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, and Adriane Carr,Leader of the Green Party of BC • St Ann’s Auditorium, 835Humbolt Street • 2–4pm, informal meet and greet until 6pm •Info: Bryce Kendrick, 250-655-5051 • IN VICTORIA

‘What’s On?’ Vancouver Island & The Gulf Islands

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islandtides.comKeep coming

back for more!We are expanding our website with every new edition of

Island Tides. Online you will find downloadable PDFs ofthe last three newspapers, with photos in colour, plus

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GLOBAL VILLAGE from page 2civil society and international humanitarian organizations,intergovernmental agencies, multinational corporations, theCommonwealth, the Organization of American States (OAS),the WTO, Africa’s NEPAD, la Francophonie, NATO, the Groupof 20, the Arctic Council, and a bewildering array of networksand personal contacts.

And, of course, the widespread panoply of the UnitedNations. Axworthy is the first to admit that the UN is less thanperfect, but nevertheless firmly believes that it is essential.

He also clearly believes that individuals, particularlyCanadians, can make a difference.

Some Examples of Soft PowerHis book describes two accomplishments of which he isobviously proud: the international treaty on anti-personnelland mines (the ‘Ottawa process’), and the creation of theInternational Criminal Court. Both of these were new,innovative, and could be said to be victories of Canadian ‘softpower’, and templates for future international agreements.

The Ottawa process, in particular, involved many civilsociety players, and Axworthy was nominated for a NobelPeace Prize for it. The International Criminal Court, set up totry people rather than nations, has its intellectual and politicalhome in Canada, and the US is still attempting to undermine it.But, as Axworthy says, ‘…impunity for the powerful is nolonger assured… .’

Critics of ‘soft power’ point out how ineffective it can bewhen dealing with defiant states and stubborn individuals.This is undoubtedly valid—ask Maher Arar—but you can’tplay hardball all the time, either.

IssuesAxworthy’s litany of the world’s problems emphasizes thosethreats to human security which would inspire moral outragein most of us. They are almost too numerous to list: AIDS andmaternal mortality, which account for millions of deaths,particularly in Africa, the corruption and ineptitude of failed

states, poverty, drought, and starvation, children’s wars andthe oversupply of automatic weapons, nuclear sabre-rattling,outer space weaponization, and the ‘…crazy logic of the pre-emptive use of weapons of mass destruction to take outpresumed weapons of mass destruction… .’

On Kyoto, which he supports: ‘International governance onenvironmental issues is notoriously weak.’ On the World Bank,the International Monetary Fund, and the failures of theWashington Consensus, he cites a widespread fear ofinternational financial institutions which take away the right ofdemocratic governments to make decisions. There’s a need, hesays, to ‘…break the hold of the international marketpriesthood.’

But he reminds us that ‘Concerns about globalization are asmuch about culture as they are about economics.’

Meanwhile, he accuses the international community ofremaining in ‘reactive mode,’ failing to take responsibility, andbeing dominated by the five permanent members of the UNSecurity Council.

The United NationsWith his emphasis on the security of humans, rather thannations, Axworthy reminds us that the first words of the UNCharter are ‘We the peoples of the United Nations.’ Aneffective UN, he says, is clearly in the interests of Canada.

Unfortunately, he notes, the UN structure still represents therelationships of the great powers at the end of World War Two.This is particularly true of the Security Council.

He proposes a change in emphasis: the basic purposeshould be the responsibility to protect individuals, rather thannations; the General Assembly should take on more of adecisionmaking role; the UN needs a rapid reaction force thatcan quickly reach the world’s trouble spots; finally, why not a‘peoples’ general assembly,’ in addition to the present one,which represents national governments?

GLOBAL VILLAGE, turn to page 8

Alaia Hamer wins peace poster contest again

Alaia Hamer, an eighth grade student at Pender IslandSchool, has, for the second year in a row, won thePender Lions’ Peace Poster Contest. The poster is

Pender ’s contribution to the 16th Annual Lions ClubInternational’s poster contest, which aims to emphasize theimportance of world peace to young people everywhere.

‘The hands of two different colours symbolizing the needfor all different cultures and races to work together today tocreate peace tomorrow was the inspiration for my poster,’ the13-year-old from Magic Lake said. The poster was selected by ajury made up of artists and the public for its originality, artisticmerit and portrayal of the contest theme, ‘Create a BrighterTomorrow.’

Pender Lions Club President Guy LaBine said he wasimpressed by the expression and creativity of the Pender IslandSchool students. ‘It is obvious that these young people havestrong ideas about what peace means to them. I’m so proudthat we were able to provide them with the opportunity toshare their visions.’

Hamer’s poster now advances to the district round ofjudging, in Nanaimo. ‘Our club is cheering for Alaia as herposter advances in the competition, and we hope that hervision will ultimately be shared with others around the world,LaBine said.’

Hamer and 23 other students will be honoured by the Lionsin the spring of 2004 for participating in the contest.✐

The Threat from the USThe undercurrent which runs through this book is Axworthy’sconcern about pressure on Canada to become a compliantsatellite of the US which, he says, has little regard for Canadianinterests and principles. He describes the Canadianrelationship to the US as making love to a porcupine (Trudeaudescribed it as sleeping with an elephant).

While he advocates more Canadian government offices inthe US, he is concerned that the US War on Terrorism hasresulted in ‘…pressures from both within and without to signon to an anti-terrorist doctrine that will fundamentally reorientour own foreign policy.’ (This book was started just before9/11 and completed a few months ago.) We should avoid, hesays, ‘one on one’ relationships with the US. Not always easy.

As an example, Axworthy says that the price of Canada’srefusal to become involved in the Iraq war is our capitulationon continental missile defence. As for our foreign policy: ‘…dowe simply leave it to the market or Uncle Sam to decide?’

At times, cold fury: ‘…not since the coldest days of the ColdWar has there been such outright disavowal of the validity ofmultilateral engagement, such willingness to break agreementsand the adoption of such aggressive pro-nuclear policies asthere is under George W. Bush.’

And at home: ‘…some editorialist, academic or Alliancespokesman or defence minister bleats out that we have nochoice but to fall in lockstep with American policies.’

An Actor on the International Stage‘Canada can and should be one of the mapmakers in today’shighly charged international environment.’ says Axworthy. Wepossess qualities suitable to this role, ‘…because of the distinctivequalities of our political, social, and economic system.’ Ourinternational stance should mirror basic domestic values.

We have a little preparation to do. We should: adopt aproportional representation system for electing the federalparliament; elect the senate, and maybe some of our keyinternational representatives; limit the power of money inCanadian elections; make greater use of the Internet fortransparency, and accountability.

Axworthy would raise our international involvement to atop level national priority and create a cabinet level globalstrategy team, using civilians and our immigrant diasporacommunities internationally.

‘But another choice that Canadians should be given is totake on leadership, become the active agent for change, forgealliances, and dedicate time, effort and resources to generatingsupport.’

Does Canada have the political will? Axworthy’s Vision

Axworthy’s combination of passion and responsibility is rare inpolitics. His breadth of view adds extra credibility. Indifference,he says, is the ultimate sin.

His adoption of global citizenship should make us think.How many Canadians can share his excitement at thechallenge: ‘Exploration is not for the entrenched, thecomfortable, the defenders of the status quo….’

Axworthy measures the future in terms of a world of twoEmmas: one Emma is a child soldier in Uganda, the other, hisnew grandchild in Toronto. They are presented with a world ofdifficulties, inhumanities, and contradictions. What will theygrow up to?

By the end of the book, we well understand what Axworthythinks a liberal is: a modest, polite Canadian with energy andenthusiasm to work anywhere, anytime, for human security. Aperson of strong humanitarian principles with a devotion tosocial justice, and to a balance between economics and theenvironment. Someone who feels responsibility and duty.Someone who would rather work by persuasion, consensus,communication, and contact than by force or intimidation. Ateam builder and leader. Finally, a fierce pride in Canada, and abelief that Canadians are true citizens of the world.

And someone who enthusiastically accepts the challenge to‘…make the [global] village our turf.’ Lloyd Axworthy is thattype of Canadian.

‘Navigating A New World: Canada’s Global Future.’Toronto: AlfredA. Knopf Canada, 2003. $37.95 Can. ✐

GLOBAL VILLAGE from page 7


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2003/04Voluntary Subscriptions

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Since the inception of the Islands Trust, one of its majorgoals has been to ensure that each Island has an OfficialCommunity Plan, and then to implement a regular

review process so that the OCP is up to date. The target hasbeen to update each plan at least every five years. NorthPender , for example, is just starting the process of a review.

In the ‘70s on the Islands, OCPs started as descriptions ofwhat already existed at the time and were initiated by the Trustor regional districts. There format was often adopted fromsurrounding municipal areas.

An OCP is a legal bylaw and must be passed by the Island’sLocal Trust Committee, with four readings and a publichearing after an often lengthy drafting process. Five-yearreviews could almost be a continuing process rather than anevent.

The ‘90s were a time of development for the Islands Trust.After the Trust’s mandate was endorsed by the then Socredgovernment in the late ‘80s. Then the Trust embarked on alengthy Trust Area public consultation process to developOCPs’ over-arching document the Islands Trust Policy Statement.Once the Policy Statement was in place in June 1994, a majorand very overdue upgrade of the thirteen OCPs could begin,often with quite contentious processes as Islanders tried toreconcile, ‘preserve and protect’ with private property andcommunity values. The new OCPs evolved to reflect Islandnecessities and values rather than the urban formats of the firstones. These more relevant OCPs are now in place on all Islandsand a series of more timely reviews are about to begin for thoseIslands which completed their ‘90s reviews first.

An OCP describes the general natural and humangeography of the Island, sets out principles to be followed in itsgrowth, and identifies areas where industrial, commercial,parks, forests, agriculture, and various types of residentialdevelopment are to be located. Its object is to record the wishesof all residents of the Island for their Island as a whole. For thisreason, an OCP review should involve an extensive process of

public consultation, covering myriad issues, focusing on thefuture.

New or changed OCPs must be consistent with the TrustPolicy Statement, which in turn stems from the Islands Trust Actand its ‘preserve and protect’ mandate. Reflecting this, new orrevised OCPs must be approved by the appropriate minister ofthe provincial government.

Land Use BylawsOn the next level down, each Island also has a Land Use Bylaw(LUB) that sets out the zoning categories used on the Islandand the permitted land uses and restrictions applying to eachcategory, and specifies the zoning of every land parcel. (LUBsused to be called ‘Zoning Bylaws.’) Changes to zoning areaccomplished by bylaws that amend the LUB. No such changecan be made if it would render the LUB inconsistent with theIsland’s OCP.

In the ‘90s new LUBs had to created to bring them into linewith the new-style OCPs. The LUB process tends to be the onewhich creates lively differences of opinion, as Islanders seek toget their needs met. It is also the document that gets amendedon a piecemeal basis to reflect the needs of a community.Following a new OCP, its dependent LUB would need acomprehensive overhaul to ensure that it is still consistent.

To summarize, the LUB must be consistent with the OCP,which must be consistent with the Trust Policy Statement,which must be consistent with the Islands Trust Act and itsmandate.

The Islands Trust is unique among local governments in BCin having both a formal mandate and a Policy Statementapplying to all the Islands. All local governments have an OCPand an LUB, stemming from the original Municipal Act and itscurrent successor, the Local Government Act. It’s not yet clearwhat mechanism will be enshrined in the forthcomingCommunity Charter, but something similar may be expected(otherwise chaos could ensue).

We Need Both OCPs and LUBsSome have questioned the need for both an OCP and an LUB;it may appear that both contain the same information, one insomewhat more detail than the other. In fact, in many localgovernment jurisdictions, changes to the OCP appear to bedriven by developer requests for specific zoning changes(amendments to the LUB).

This, however, is backwards. The OCP reflects, after all, thewishes of the entire community, about their entire community.Initiatives to change the OCP will require broad public support,and will apply to the entire Island. Specifically, they must notdiscriminate against particular properties, or favour others.Their rationale must have its roots in the good of thecommunity, as determined by the community.

LUB AmendmentsAmendments to the LUB, on the other hand, can initiated bythe specific landowners affected. They may present a request tothe community’s elected representatives, who will be aided intheir judgement by a public hearing, for a change in land useon a particular parcel, usually to the benefit of the landowner.

Some amendments to the LUB may change usage in a zoneor even create a new one. In this case, amendments will applyto all similarly zoned properties on the Island. If there wereonly one such property, an amendment would bediscriminatory.

The intention of the two-level structure is that the OCPoverrides the LUB; that the broad public interest outweighs theinterest of any individual landowner. So the LUB must beconsistent with the OCP.

On the Islands, the public interest defined in the OCP isgiven additional weight because it must be consistent with theIslands Trust Policy Statement and its recognition by provinciallegislation. In effect, all amendments to the LUB must beconsistent with the ‘preserve and protect’ mandate, the core ofthe Islands Trust Act. ✐

OCPs and LUBs—which way round?


Flu season is back.Influenza is a serious and contagious illness. Every year, thousands of British Columbians are hospitalized from the influenzavirus (flu). While anyone can contract the flu, people over the age of 65 are at thegreatest risk of developing life-threatening complications.

A flu shot is the best protection.Flu shots are proven to be 70-90% effective at preventing infection in healthyadults. That’s why people who may spread the virus to those most at risk from the complications of flu are urged to get their flu shot every year. Because even if you’re able to battle the flu virus on your own, those around you may not be so lucky.

Free for those who need it most.Some people are considered “high risk” for contracting the flu or passing it on toothers. The World Health Organization recommends that anyone considered highrisk should be vaccinated. That’s why the Government of British Columbia providesfree flu shots to health-care workers, seniors, adults, and children with chronicillnesses and their families.

Myths about flu shots.A flu shot will not give you the flu. The influenza vaccine does not contain liveviruses. Many people believe flu shots weaken their immune system. This is alsountrue. The vaccine actually boosts your immune system and prepares it to fightthe virus. For most people, side effects are minimal if any.

Protect yourself and the people around you.Please get a flu shot this season. Not only will it protect you from getting sick, it willalso prevent others from being exposed to the influenza virus. All of which meansfewer visits to the emergency room and/or hospital. In fact, influenza immunizationcontributed to about 1700 fewer hospitalizations for pneumonia and influenza in BCbetween 1999/2000 and 2000/2001.

HOW TO REDUCETHE RISK OFGETTING THE FLU

• Get a flu shot.

• Wash your hands often,

especially during the

winter months when the

flu is most prevalent.

• Keep your hands away

from your nose, eyes,

and mouth.

• Stop or minimize

smoking. It irritates the

lining of your nose,

sinuses, and lungs,

making you more

susceptible to the virus.

• Keep your immune

system healthy by eating

a balanced diet and

getting plenty of exercise.

ProvincialHealth Services

FraserHealth

InteriorHealth

NorthernHealth

Vancouver CoastalHealth

Vancouver IslandHealth

To arrange your flu shot, contact your doctor or public health unit. For more information,call BC NurseLine at 1-866-215-4700 (24/7) or visit www.gov.bc.ca/healthplanning.


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‘Martha Stewart Living’ put Salt Spring Islandin the spotlight on November 12. A majorfocus of the show was Salt Spring’s IslandWildlife Natural Care Centre, a volunteer-driven charity that cares for injured andorphaned wild animals throughout the GulfIslands and Vancouver Island. The centre isthe only year-round marine mammalrehabilitation centre in Canada.

Over a two-day period, Martha Stewart’sfilm crew covecentre, including a dramatichelicopter rescue of Pennywhistle, anorphaned newborn seal pup. Pennywhistlewas one of 85 pups who were spared a long,agonizing death alone on a beach thissummer.

To commemorate the show, Jeff Lederman,founder and director of the Wildlife Centre,commissioned Salt Spring bookbindingartisan Jill Willmott to help him create a one-of-a-kind, hand-bound book featuring Jeff'swildlife photography. In a letter to Lederman,Martha Stewart stated, ’…the photography isbeautiful and the stories heartwarming. It willmake a lovely addition to my library. I am surethat without the caring and dedication of youand your staff these wonderful creatureswould not have survived.’ Log ontowww.sealrescue.org to find out more about

the centre.✐

Martha Stewart goes wild—Island-style

The clock is ticking on BC’s newwelfare time limits, and as the realityof the looming social crisis sinks in,

people are getting nervous.Most anxious of all are those who have

spent a year or more on social assistance.Starting April 1, most ‘employable’ peoplewithout kids who’ve been on welfare fortwo years will be cut off. ‘Employable’people with kids over three will lose $100per month from a social assistance chequethat is already virtually impossible to liveon.

If radio call-in shows and letters to theeditor are any indication, BC’sunprecedented new rule isn’t sitting wellwith much of the public at large either. Thereality of people hitting the two-year limitwon’t be pretty: it means no money to paythe rent, buy food, take the bus, buyclothing, have a telephone, or otherwisemeet the basic human needs we all share.

Maybe even Minister of HumanResources Murray Coell is feeling nervous.He’s busy introducing a variety of newexemptions to the two-year rule, no doubthoping to delay off the unseemly task ofthrowing thousands of people off welfareand into the street.

But his ministry’s own internaldocuments—leaked in early October by astaff person no doubt frustrated by theirMinister’s refusal to say how many peopleare at risk of maxing-out the two-year timelimit—show that this has the potential to bea social catastrophe. According to theleaked figures, as of October, over 14,000‘employable’ adults in BC haveaccumulated over 13 months on the welfaretime limit clock. And the leaked documentmakes clear that this doesn’t include peoplerecognized as disabled, or anyone elseexempt from the rule. Another group ofalmost 15,000 people is just behind, havingreceived social assistance for seven totwelve months.

These are very troubling numbers.People who stay on social assistance formore than a year generally do so for areason. Historically, about 80% of peoplestay on welfare for less than a year. In otherwords, despite all the rhetoric andmythology about ‘welfare dependency,’ thereality is that people only turn to welfare asa last resort, and most don’t stay long.Living on welfare is bloody hard. Oncepeople find their feet, they leave.

A person who stays on welfare for morethan a year does so either because a toughjob market makes steady employment hardto find, or they face some barrier toemployment that makes finding andkeeping a job extremely difficult. These

barriers are often invisible—social, mentaland addiction problems unrecognized bythe Ministry, a lack of affordable childcare,etc. It is these so-called ’employable’ folkswho are most at risk of hitting the time limitwall.

Minister Coell insists that everyone whocan work will find a job. He claims that asmany as 10,000 jobs are available, waiting tobe filled, right now. But his numbers don’tadd up. There are over 50,000 ‘employable’adults receiving social assistance right now.And any available jobs are most likely to goto those who have been on welfare for ashorter period of time — people with fewerbarriers to employment. And with theunemployment rate currently above 9%, thefolks on welfare are part of a larger group ofover 200,000 people in BC looking for jobs.That’s stiff competition, and a grim outlookfor those at risk of hitting the two-year wall.

Interestingly, the Ministry released itsfifth quarterly ‘exit survey’ of welfareleavers in September—the surveys MinisterCoell keeps pointing to as proof that peopleleaving welfare are finding jobs. Thisquarter, however, there was noaccompanying news release—perhapsbecause the news wasn’t that good.Compared to the same period a year earlier,all the numbers are worse. Fewer people areleaving for work or school. And whilecaseloads are going down, it’s not becausemore people are leaving welfare. It’sbecause fewer people qualify under BC’stough new rules. And with unemploymentat an 8-year high, at least a few of thosepeople are ending up on the streets.

Which brings us back to the unsettlingnature of the time limits. Those BritishColumbians who are outraged by the recentincrease in squats and panhandling shoulddirect their anger towards the causes of thispoverty, not the consequences. Leavingpeople out in the cold, literally, doesn’tmake much sense. It’s morally bankrupt,and it’s bad economics––for which societywill pay in increased health costs andincreased crime. Either way, unless theprovincial government backs off the two-year time limit rule, the social fallout willcontinue to confront us on the street.

Seth Klein is BC Director of the CanadianCentre for Policy Alternatives, and co-authorthe recent study ‘A Bad Time to be Poor: AnAnalysis of BC’s New Welfare Rules,’ availableat www.policyalternatives.ca. ✐

Alarms Sounding on Welfare TimeLimits ~ Seth Klein

The unseemly shenanigans associated with the current effort to‘Unite the Right’ in pursuit of power in the federal parliamentmade me wonder whether we would be subjected to this farcicalperformance if we had proportional representation on thefederal level.

Since the present amalgamation agreement is presented tothe Alliance as a way to ensure that the combined ‘Conservative’party would gain sufficient votes in Ontario ridings to obtainmore seats, and to the PC party members as their only chance forsurvival as a viable party at all, it is interesting to see what wouldhave happened in the 2000 election if a form of proportionalrepresentation had been used. This would have been analternative to the current ‘first past the post’ system, which canproduce such tremendously skewed results.

The actual results of the 2000 vote, in a 301 seat parliament,was Liberals 172 (mostly in Ontario), Alliance 66 (mostly in thewest), Bloc Quebecois 38 (all in Quebec), NDP 13, and PC 12(mostly in the Maritimes).

But the popular vote, country-wide, was Liberals 40.8%,Alliance 25.5%, BQ 10.7%, PC 12.2%, and NDP 8.5%. Theremaining 2.3% went to independents and others. Clearly, theLiberals, the Alliance, and the BQ benefited from theconcentration of their votes in a limited number of ridings. TheBQ, of course, did not run candidates outside Quebec.

Had the seats in Parliament been allocated according to aproportional representation system, and assuming the samenumber of seats, the party splits would have been Liberals 126,Alliance 79, PC 37, BQ 33, and NDP 26. This would have been aLiberal minority government; the Alliance would still be theOfficial Opposition, but all of the parties would have adequate

representation to put forward their points of view and influencelegislation.

Clearly, in order to pass legislation, the Liberals would needthe support of at least one of the other parties. What might theresult have been?

My analysis, based on speculative estimates (readers bewarned) of support for various issues which have arisen sincethe 2000 election, seems to indicate that, in fact, the Liberalswould have been able to govern, and the legislation they wishedto pass would have been passed, and initiatives which theyopposed would not have passed.

In a few cases this would have been with the support of theAlliance, in most cases with support from other parties.However, it seems likely that some of the more extreme aspectsof proposed legislation would have been modified to gain thissupport.

But equally important, the debates in Parliament would havebeen far more meaningful, as the number of speakers and thepoints raised would better represent the range of opinion acrossCanada.

In carrying out this analysis, it became apparent that theposition of the Bloc Quebecois really would have mattered (onmany issues today, it matters little). I find the BQ position on anumber of issues hard to predict, and so they represent a sort of‘wild card’ in analyzing a theoretical vote.

But one other thing is very clear. It would no longer benecessary to broker an uncomfortable shotgun marriagebetween the Alliance and the PCs. Their differing opinions onmany issues would be expressed and properly represented inParliament. Wouldn’t that be better? ✐

Special Report by Patrick Brown

A proportional federal parliament? ISLAND TIDES, Nov 20, 2003,

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PROVEN SERVICE COMMITMENT • RESULTS

1-800-774-1417email:[email protected]

www.island-explorer.com/pender

ARMOUR

ROOFINGA Division of Flynn Canada

• Torch-On • Standing Seam & Low-slope

Metal Roofing • Custom Flashing • Asphalt & Cedar Shingles• 6” Water Collection Gutters

1-877-652-0599Member: Better Business Bureau,Roofing Contractors Assoc of B.C.

www.flynn.ca

FOR RENT

MARINE

WEB SERVICES

FOR WILD BIRDS & GARDENERS

Home & GardenAccessories

•

Wild Bird & HummingbirdFeeders

• Quality Seed and Suet

George Lovick & Calvor Palmateer

1-250-881-7575566 Johnson St, Victoria

Email:[email protected] owned/operated since 1997

AUTOMOTIVE

FOR SALE

MEETINGS

1989 Ford Econoline E250 propane-powered camper van. Stove/oven,fridge, propane fireplace, 12-discCD player, large skylight, pinetongue and groove paneling. Openand spacious design. Goodcondition. $5000 obo. Phone Trevoror Gillian, 250-629-3380.

MAUI Vacation Condos

1 & 2 bedroom unitsOcean & Garden Views

Reasonable RatesUpgraded, CLEAN units

1-800-800-8608www.mauisuncoast.com

Cedar products crafted in the classic barrel style

¥ Barrel Saunas ¥ Water Cisterns Barrel Pools

Wood Fired Hot Tubs

www.forestlumber.com

Tel: 250-642-4899 British Columbia CANADA

HOME, GARDEN & PROPERTY

School District #64 (Gulf Islands).A regular meeting of the Board ofSchool Trustees will be held at theSchool Board Office, Salt SpringIsland on Wednesday, December 3commencing at 1 p.m. PublicWelcome!

Galleon Books & AntiquesBuying & Selling QualityUsed Books, Antiques &

Collectibles

We Purchase Estates &Private Libraries

Call for On-Site Valuation

(250) 655-07009803 Third Street Sidney

[email protected]

North Galiano: large 3-bedroomhome for long-term rental.Solar/generator power, wood heat,beautiful garden. Possible at-home income. $650/month. CallDave or Donna, 250-539-5124.

REAL ESTATEPENDER ISLAND

2-bedroom house on quietstreet in Magic Lake Estates Sunny yard, ocean glimpses

$140, 000FOR MORE INFO:(250) 629-3033

http://pender.gulfislands.com/mdavies

REAL ESTATE

Island SpecialtyNursery

Open by appointmentfrom Dec to MarchCall Mary Dawn forGift Certificates

or come see our exciting selection of

winter flowering perenials & shrubs

�� Chemainus Rd

isn@island netii

i

D. A. SMITHSON & SONS

Well Drillers539-5252 or

250-478-6937

TTrreevvoorr’’ssGGaarrddeenn

MMaaiinntteennaannccee

pruning • trimmingplanting • bed workseasonal cleanups

225500--662299--33338800oonn PPeennddeerr IIssllaannddGETAWAYS

SATURNA from page 3made Saturna their full-time home. Life was very differentwith little money, lots of work, lots of walking and the need tocreate with what you had. It will be very different to turn thecorner after the hill past the stream and see no house—unlessyou have just arrived—then it will just be like it always wasthe first time you saw it.

A time-honoured custom on Saturna is to salvage thewindows, solid doors, flooring, door hardware and goodlumber for use in other buildings with JJM’s permission this isthe case with the Narvaez Bay house. So, in some ways thehome lives on.

A Fine BBQThe Fire Department Pig BBQ on November 8 was delightful!The pig was the best and had lots of crisp crackling! All of ourservers-—the kids—did a fine job, the clean-up crew was atwork as soon as the first plates hit the sink, and the crowd wasin a fine mood. The live band, The Voyageurs, could really beltout rock-and-roll and the dance floor was packed with kidsand jiving adults.

Sara Hawk’s daughter Zooey won the 50/50 draw, NaomiAmren and Thomas Estey won the kids’ draw. The firefighterssold all of the tickets and the community had a fine occasion.Thanks to all of our volunteer firefighters and the communitymembers who pitch it to create such a fun way to donate.

TONY MANZANOSaturna Islander, Tony Manzano died Friday, October 31.Tony’s enthusiastic, lively self will be missed on Saturna. OnSunday, November 9, the family of Tony Manzano held a tea atthe Community Hall to celebrate Tony’s life. Tony made a lotof things happen in his life, his enthusiasm and warm smilewill be remembered for a long time.

The Hall was packed with friends and family to honor thisexuberant man who first came to Canada on the freighterCalifornia Rainbow which spent months moored in PlumperSound waiting for a berth in Vancouver, during a dock strike.The community had lots of parties with the crew.

By 1980 Tony had moved to Canada, married Gloria, anIsland woman and fathered Carlos. Tony worked hard to bringhis sister Beth and brothers Eduardo and Moses to Canada.Gloria and Tony made a good life here, working hard for manyresidents, at Haggis Farm Bakery and at Saturna Vineyard.

Tony brought us in touch with present immigrationpatterns, the process of becoming a new Canadian, and hisinheritance of Philippine culture and language. He was a realIslander, capable, with great attributes and some liabilities, andat the centre of life in the community. Our condolences toTony’s family and to his many friends.

RememberingRemembrance Day was celebrated in Saint Christoperschurch with tea and lunch served by the Womens Clubafter the service at the Community Hall. The walls at theHall were full of posters and words by our school children.

The Saturna Lions organize the day of wreath-layingand honoring the different branches of the forces. TomJohnstone officiated, Scott Lambert spoke about the gift oflife being the important focal point for Remembrance Day.Brianne Jones read a poem, and Neal McDonald recited InFlanders Fields. ✐

Photo: Gail NeumannOn Remembrance Day, Betty Galt, one of Salt SpringIsland's oldest active veterans waits by the wreaths tobe laid at the cenotaph, in Centennial Park, Ganges.Galt, who is in her nineties was enjoying one of themildest days she remembers for the November 11thservice. She was joined by hundreds of Islanders whowatched the parade through the village andparticipated in the ceremonies.

Accommodation & Attractions Vancouver Island & The Gulf Islands

At Home In VictoriaComfortable lodging. Closeto downtown & hospitals.

$25/sgle, $35/dble,queen

250-920-9953

Weekdays

The Island's premiere resort hotel.

Weekends

Moped Packages andhourly/daily rentals

Canada’sFriendly B&Bs

www.bbvacation.comcanadacyberhighway.com

‘Unity Sea To Sea’

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“The Brig” has had a Refit!The waterfront pub in Maple Bay

Live Music Wed� Sat� & Sun Night Dine on our new enclosed balcony

�� Beaumont Ave Duncan ��Coming by boat? Use our guest wharf

Beer� Wine & Liquor Storeopen � days a week� �� am to �� pmAll N

ew!

The Haven B&BIn Peaceful Victoria

Close to beach, hospitaland university. Organicbreakfasts and privatebathrooms. $40-$60

250-598-7015

Two RavensGallery

original& limited edition fine art�

hand crafted home accessories

�� Joan Ave� blocks from the ferry

CROFTON��


3110 DOUGLAS ST. VICTORIA, BC V8Z 3K4 across from Mayfair Shopping Centre,

1-800-997-6797www.blueridgeinn.ca

* Single occupancy. Subject to availability. Valid to March 31, 2003

$39*from

better deal!visitors a

Our quality accommodation includes:indoor pool, sauna, free parking, in-room coffee, a convenient location and a warm welcome. Stay with us.

We offer

*Single occupancy. Subject to availability. Valid until March 31, 2004.

Stowaway gets rescueAfter a Saturday night on the tiles, an Akita dog crept aboard the Queen of Cumberland as the

ship was tied up at Swartz Bay overnight. Somehow, the dog scrambled onto the rubbingstrake; the ‘bumper’ which runsaround the outside of the vessel.Not wide enough for the dog toturn around, once on there seemsto have been no way off.

At 6:25am the vessel gotunderway for her first port ofcall, Sturdies Bay, Galiano Island.The dog, quite invisible toanyone on board, had to go alongfor the ride.

Miraculously, the animal didnot fall off during the hour-longsailing across Active Pass and

was eventually spotted by apassenger through a clearingport at the car deck level. Passengers fed the dog buns to cheer it up. On arrival at Sturdies Bay, acrew member climbed out on the rubbing strake and walked around to the dog. The ship’srescue boat was lowered from a derrick and the exhausted dog was manoeuvred into it.

The dog’s plight caught the hearts of passengers. There were no complaints about latearrivals and departures. On the spot, two ferry riders offered to give the dog a home. However,thanks to it’s dog tags, after a more comfortable ride back to Swartz Bay, the dog was unitedwith its Lands End area owner. ✐

Waste disposal is a global multi-billion dollar problem. Currently,waste is either landfilled or

incinerated, wÏith severe implications for theenvironment and human health. Landfills aremajor producers of methane and polluters ofwater tables. Incinerators, even so-called state-of-the-art ones that have pollution controldevices, produce greenhouse gases and are asource of heavy metals, particulates andcancer-causing dioxins. They contaminate theair, soil and water.

Both systems are extremely costly andgenerate little local income. Collection in theUS alone costs $US 4 billion annually. In Asia,$US 25 billion is spent dealing with theproblem, a figure estimated to double by thenext generation.

Society has been stuck for too long withthese expensive, unsafe, ‘quick-fix’ wastemanagement systems that perpetuate a‘throw-away’ mentality to what is arepotential resources. A new paradigm isrequired that looks at waste not as a problemto be buried or burned but as an opportunityto recover valuable resources, create jobs, savemoney and reduce pollution.

What is Zero Waste?Zero Waste is a new approach being pioneeredby leading corporations, municipalities, andprogressive governments. Its goal is anindustrial system directed towards materialrecovery.

Zero Waste cuts to the heart of the wasteproblem by tackling the way products aredesigned and changing the way waste ishandled so that products last longer, materialsare recycled, or, in the case of biodegradables,composted. Zero Waste is a ‘whole system’approach that aims to fundamentally changethe way in which materials flow throughhuman society.

Wasting versus RecyclingEvery day around the world, we burn andbury paper, metals and plastics which, ifrecycled, would lighten the ever-growingpressure on the world’s forests, soils, andmineral resources by making more with less.

Doubling the life of a car saves the 15tonnes of materials required to make a newone. Recycling paper gives wood fibres sixlives rather than one. Increasing theproductivity of resources in this way alsoleads to major savings in energy. Zero Wastecould play a central role in cutting CO2emissions and sequestering carbon in the soil.

Zero Waste also provides economicdividends. Redesigning production andincreasing recycling to eliminate waste isstimulating a green industrial revolution. Newmaterials and growth industries are emerging,together with a growth in jobs. Effectiveprogrammes for waste separation, as well assystems for composting of organic waste—which accounts for at least 50% of waste inmost countries—also generate local income.

Governments Endorsing ZeroWaste

Governments that embarked on policies toreduce waste in order to combat pollution andclimate change, are now realizing that ZeroWaste is a key element in any post-industrialeconomic strategy. In Germany recyclingalready employs more people thantelecommunications. In the US, it hasovertaken the auto industry in direct jobs.Local and national legislatures in Australia,Denmark, the US, New Zealand and Canadaare already advocating Zero Waste policies.Major corporations such as Sony, Mitsubishi,Hewlett Packard and Toyota are alsosupporting the principle. Some regions havereduced their waste problem by up to 70% byrecycling alone.

Producers’ Responsibility Zero Waste is not reliant purely on recycling.The current volume of waste is the result of

wasteful production processes and excesspackaging. To solve the growing wasteproblem, steps can be taken to reduce theamount of waste produced by industries anddecrease the amount thrown out byconsumers. Source reduction is the mostefficient and pollution-free approach to thewaste problem.

Zero Waste is a total approach from thebeginning to the end of the productionprocess. It incorporates the principles ofExtended Producer Responsibility (EPR),which ensure manufacturers takeresponsibility for the entire lifecycle of theirproducts and packaging. The cost ofcontinuing to produce and packageirresponsibly currently falls on the localcommunity through waste managementtaxation. If a product and its packaging cannotbe reused, recycled or composted then theproducer should bear the cost of collectionand safe disposal.

Government policy can encouragemanufacturers to eliminate materials andproducts that are not reusable, recyclable orcompostable.sCareful segregation ofremaining discarded materials is required tofacilitate their recovery as resources ready foruse by industry. Producer responsibilitylegislation is already emerging in Europe. TheEnd of Life Vehicles Directive and the WasteElectrical and Electronic Equipment Directivesset high targets for reuse and recycling andexclude the use of hazardous materials.

Many household items, such as batteries,insect sprays, paper and plastic products,disposable razors and hairsprays, containtoxic chemicals that pose serious health risksand exacerbate the waste problem. Municipalsolid waste that contains toxic chemicals ormaterials, is less likely to be recyclable andmore likely to cause environmental problemsin landfills and incinerators. Manufacturersmust ensure they stop producing items thatcontain hazardous toxic chemicals.

Key is PreventionThe key to Zero Waste is prevention:preventing valuable resources from everentering the disposal stream in the first place.Preventing the mounting volume ofdisposable products and packaging.Preventing the use of dangerous toxicsubstances in consumer items; and stoppingthe head-long rush to incineration.

Until we achieve Zero Waste, we may needto landfill a small portion of our wasteespecially in the transition years. This shouldonly happen after the maximum amount oforganics and dry recyclables have beenremoved. This residual waste needs to be‘cleaned’, that is made as biologically safe aspossible to avoid the chemical reactions,methane emissions and leaching of poisonsinto soil and groundwater which makeslandfilling of mixed waste such a problem.

Implementing Zero WasteGovernments must take a more active role intackling the waste problem in the future. Theymust raise demand for recycled products, levyenvironmental taxation on bad packaging,implement education and assistance programsand establish economic incentives for disposalreduction and development of sorting,recycling and composting projects andfacilities. Enlightened governments that arealready following these policies have proved itcan work if the political will is present.

Only well-implemented waste elimination,recycling and composting systems based onsource separation will lead us down the pathof zero waste and towards a sustainablefuture.

Greenpeace International can be contacted [email protected]. ✐

Zero Waste: The Way Forward Green Peace International

Photos: Linda Poole

milk still out of recycling loop - island tides newspaper · strait and northern puget sound. they...

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