winners by the awards commit-tees of their respective schools. We can all be proud of these three remarkable young women. They are trying to make the world a bet-ter place and I wish them success!

Young environmental leaders in Saanich South I’ve long been concerned about the environment – it is what drew me into politics in the first place. When I speak to young people I often try to inspire them to learn more about environ-mental issues and do something about the problems they discover. This year, I put my own money where my mouth is and created three $500 scholarships to reward “environmental leaders” at Claremont, Spec-trum and SIDES – the three high schools in Saanich South.

Sierra Kemp, Kaia Bryce and Kristine Chen were selected as the

Me and the energetic Kristine Chen, Kaia Bryce & Sierra Kemp

a true saanich starIt is with much sadness that I share the news that Bob Gil-lespie is gone. He died of natural causes just a few weeks ago, with loved ones at his side.

Bob elected to Saanich Council in 1990 and served for 18 years. One of his accomplishments was getting a reduced water rate for agriculture. This is a great help to farmers to this day and he will be remembered as a champion of local agriculture. Accountability was a big issue for Bob. He fought successfully for the direct election of Saanich’s CRD Directors. Saanich became

PRINTED LOCALLY ON 100% POST

CONSUMER TREE-FREE RECYCLED PAPER PLEASE RECYCLE

Lana Popham, Saanich-South MLAConstituency office is at 4085 Quadra Street on the corner of Nicholson250.479.4154 | lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca

I spent a lot of time on the door-step this summer – not to ask for your vote (the next provincial election is not until May 14, 2013) – but to connect personally with you.

As your representative in the BC Leg-islature, I need to hear directly what provincial issues are top of mind. It can be quite a surprise to find your MLA knocking on your door and asking for your opinions so I am very grateful for the time people give me. Thank you!

One request I got a lot was for another printed report – people want to catch up on my work at a time that is convenient to them. Well, here it is!

If you feel strongly about something happening in BC, or want help with a provincial matter, please get in touch. I am here if you need me.

Warm regards,

report

OC

TOB

ER

, 201

2

dearsaanich south

You’re invited! Please join me for a delicious ‘locavore’ dinner and a stimulating presentation about the huge impact of choosing to spend more of our money at local businesses.

6-8pm Tuesday, October 23. Salvation Army Citadel

4030 Douglas St (North of Mackenzie)

We’ll start by sharing a gourmet meal featuring the best of local foods. Then Barry O’Neill will present his “10% Shift” concept. Barry is the President of CUPE-BC and this is something he is very passionate about. He has gotten a great response to this presentation from Chambers of Commerce, City Councils, Busi-ness Associations and Commu-nity Organizations across BC.

Tickets are only $10! They go fast!

Free child-care available by res- ervation. Tickets are available at my office during regular office hours. Call or email for more info. Hope to see you there!

inside Finally! Solutions for Sayward & Pat Bay Hwy intersection ....... 2

MLA report In the community ................... 3 In the legislature ..................... 3

Saanich Star RIP Bob Gillespie ................... 4

Young enviro leaders .......... 4

A garden meal Butternut Squash Soup – simple & delicious! ................. 4

Art in the Office ................... 4

Barry O'Neill & Lana - Making the 10% Shift

New Art in the OfficeMy community office is now showing art by the award-winning printmaker Jennifer Whitford Robins. Drop by anytime during office hours and have a look at her beautiful work.

Watch for our Art Show and Year-End Open House on Friday November 23, 5-8pm at the Community Office. This event also marks the kick-off of our month-long food drive for the Mustard Seed Food Bank.

saanich south

community office hours

Regular Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

saanich south

l a n a p o p h a m , m l a | s a a n i c h s o u t h | w w w . s a a n i c h s o u t h . c a

the first municipality under the Charter to give citizens a direct choice of regional district directors. Victoria and other municipalities now follow the Saanich model.

Bob was admired by many and this is a great loss for Saanich.

a garden meal butternut squash soup

1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded2 tablespoons unsalted but-ter/grape seed oil1 medium onion, chopped2 cloves garlic6 cups chicken stockSalt and freshly ground black pepperCut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion/garlic and cook until trans-lucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash and sauté until slightly golden. Add stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 min-utes. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with salt, and pepper. Serve.

Bob Gillespie 1929-2012

ProposedThis Spring the government introduced changes to the "Pre-vention of Cruelty to Animals Act" that were strongly opposed by the SPCA. I proposed several changes to the Bill in response. I’m happy to report that in what Rob Shaw of the Times Colo-nist called a “rare victory” most of these changes were adopted by the government. The SPCA and others then withdrew their objections and the Opposition supported the revised Bill.

OpposedEarlier this year the government introduced a draft “Animal Health Act” to change the rules for responding to animal disease outbreaks. Regret-tably, the Bill had a large number of serious prob-lems. The worst of which was a gag clause that could be used to stop journalists, independent scientists and indeed anyone from communicating information about serious outbreaks of animal disease. I was the first person to raise this issue and the Minister of Agriculture initially tried to dismiss my concerns, calling me “alarmist”.

Fortunately, others joined in this fight. After hundreds of letters from outraged citizens and dozens of highly-critical media stories, the government backed down. The Government House Leader admitted the Bill needed more work and it was left to “die on the order paper”. This is a good news story for everyone who values free speech and ‘open government’.

Safety changes underway at Sayward/Pat Bay Intersection

casework updateSometimes when people run into challenges with provincial agencies and start demanding better service, they are rebuffed, and told: “take it to your MLA”.

While this may feel like a run-around, in certain situations my community office can help. We regularly clear up miscom-munications and help in little ways that make huge differ-ences in people’s lives.

A few examples? We get quick corrections of erroneous Phar-macare coverage calculations; we successfully appeal to Man-agers at the Disability Office to reconsider denial of funds for vitamins or supplemental health-care services; we help people needing Income Assistance navigate through the difficult process; and we assist seniors dealing with the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles regarding the revocation of driving licenses.

At other times, however, the problems are immense and

finally!

l a n a p o p h a m , m l a | s a a n i c h s o u t h | s a a n i c h s o u t h . c a | l a n a . p o p h a m . m l a @ l e g . b c . c a page 3

On the doorstep of Saanich resident, Surinder Gidda, finding out what matters to residents.

For over two decades, people have been asking for safety im-provements at the Pat Bay and Sayward Road intersection.

According to ICBC statistics, it is the most dangerous highway intersection on the Island. And yet, year after year, accident after accident (there were sixty in 2011 alone), nothing was done.

This problem became one of my top priorities after being elected in 2009. I began by organizing a public meeting on the subject, making sure municipal politicians and senior staff at the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) were there to hear directly from citi-zens. There was a huge turn-out and a lot of energy in the room.

As a result of this meeting a “work-ing group” was created, made up of residents, local politicians, BC Transit and MOT. Over the course of a year we consulted, studied and ultimately we recommended four relatively low-cost changes. I orga-nized another meeting with MOT

earlier this year and we took these suggestions back to the communi-ty. And the support was enormous!

Enough momentum was created to push the government into action

An announcement was made earlier this summer that our sug-gestions would be implemented over the next year. You can see the plan in the graphic on this page.

A ‘congestion ahead’ light has already been installed. MOT is working on the design plans now and intends to finish them early in January. They will then look at property acquisition and release a tender in February for a Contrac-tor to do the work. Construction is scheduled for the summer of 2013.

Only time will tell if these improve-ments will suffice. I will continue to work on this file and several other serious road issues in Saanich.

I would like to publicly thank the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs for their patient and relentless advo-cacy work on this problem!

solutions feel out of reach. Just this summer, six people in distress and pain asked me to help reduce the long waiting times for major surgery. All of them were pushed from pillar to post in their efforts to reduce the wait times…they all hit a wall.

I continue to press VIHA for clear answers on how they intend to increase the availability of oper-ating rooms for surgeons with backlogged waitlists. Surgery is expensive and our health-care budget is already stretched, but I refuse to believe that we can’t do better. I won’t stop pushing for improvements that benefit those most in need of care.

In the IegislatureAs the Opposition Critic for Agriculture, I take the lead in responding to government ac-tions that impact farming in BC. I do my best to propose positive changes, but I also oppose gov-ernment mistakes and failures. I’ll give you an example of each.

Pat Bat/Sayward public meeting, February 2012

ProposedThis Spring the government introduced changes to the "Pre-vention of Cruelty to Animals Act" that were strongly opposed by the SPCA. I proposed several changes to the Bill in response. I’m happy to report that in what Rob Shaw of the Times Colo-nist called a “rare victory” most of these changes were adopted by the government. The SPCA and others then withdrew their objections and the Opposition supported the revised Bill.

OpposedEarlier this year the government introduced a draft “Animal Health Act” to change the rules for responding to animal disease outbreaks. Regret-tably, the Bill had a large number of serious prob-lems. The worst of which was a gag clause that could be used to stop journalists, independent scientists and indeed anyone from communicating information about serious outbreaks of animal disease. I was the first person to raise this issue and the Minister of Agriculture initially tried to dismiss my concerns, calling me “alarmist”.

Fortunately, others joined in this fight. After hundreds of letters from outraged citizens and dozens of highly-critical media stories, the government backed down. The Government House Leader admitted the Bill needed more work and it was left to “die on the order paper”. This is a good news story for everyone who values free speech and ‘open government’.

Safety changes underway at Sayward/Pat Bay Intersection

casework updateSometimes when people run into challenges with provincial agencies and start demanding better service, they are rebuffed, and told: “take it to your MLA”.

While this may feel like a run-around, in certain situations my community office can help. We regularly clear up miscom-munications and help in little ways that make huge differ-ences in people’s lives.

A few examples? We get quick corrections of erroneous Phar-macare coverage calculations; we successfully appeal to Man-agers at the Disability Office to reconsider denial of funds for vitamins or supplemental health-care services; we help people needing Income Assistance navigate through the difficult process; and we assist seniors dealing with the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles regarding the revocation of driving licenses.

At other times, however, the problems are immense and

finally!

l a n a p o p h a m , m l a | s a a n i c h s o u t h | s a a n i c h s o u t h . c a | l a n a . p o p h a m . m l a @ l e g . b c . c a page 3

On the doorstep of Saanich resident, Surinder Gidda, finding out what matters to residents.

For over two decades, people have been asking for safety im-provements at the Pat Bay and Sayward Road intersection.

According to ICBC statistics, it is the most dangerous highway intersection on the Island. And yet, year after year, accident after accident (there were sixty in 2011 alone), nothing was done.

This problem became one of my top priorities after being elected in 2009. I began by organizing a public meeting on the subject, making sure municipal politicians and senior staff at the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) were there to hear directly from citi-zens. There was a huge turn-out and a lot of energy in the room.

As a result of this meeting a “work-ing group” was created, made up of residents, local politicians, BC Transit and MOT. Over the course of a year we consulted, studied and ultimately we recommended four relatively low-cost changes. I orga-nized another meeting with MOT

earlier this year and we took these suggestions back to the communi-ty. And the support was enormous!

Enough momentum was created to push the government into action

An announcement was made earlier this summer that our sug-gestions would be implemented over the next year. You can see the plan in the graphic on this page.

A ‘congestion ahead’ light has already been installed. MOT is working on the design plans now and intends to finish them early in January. They will then look at property acquisition and release a tender in February for a Contrac-tor to do the work. Construction is scheduled for the summer of 2013.

Only time will tell if these improve-ments will suffice. I will continue to work on this file and several other serious road issues in Saanich.

I would like to publicly thank the Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs for their patient and relentless advo-cacy work on this problem!

solutions feel out of reach. Just this summer, six people in distress and pain asked me to help reduce the long waiting times for major surgery. All of them were pushed from pillar to post in their efforts to reduce the wait times…they all hit a wall.

I continue to press VIHA for clear answers on how they intend to increase the availability of oper-ating rooms for surgeons with backlogged waitlists. Surgery is expensive and our health-care budget is already stretched, but I refuse to believe that we can’t do better. I won’t stop pushing for improvements that benefit those most in need of care.

In the IegislatureAs the Opposition Critic for Agriculture, I take the lead in responding to government ac-tions that impact farming in BC. I do my best to propose positive changes, but I also oppose gov-ernment mistakes and failures. I’ll give you an example of each.

Pat Bat/Sayward public meeting, February 2012

winners by the awards commit-tees of their respective schools. We can all be proud of these three remarkable young women. They are trying to make the world a bet-ter place and I wish them success!

Young environmental leaders in Saanich South I’ve long been concerned about the environment – it is what drew me into politics in the first place. When I speak to young people I often try to inspire them to learn more about environ-mental issues and do something about the problems they discover. This year, I put my own money where my mouth is and created three $500 scholarships to reward “environmental leaders” at Claremont, Spec-trum and SIDES – the three high schools in Saanich South.

Sierra Kemp, Kaia Bryce and Kristine Chen were selected as the

Me and the energetic Kristine Chen, Kaia Bryce & Sierra Kemp

a true saanich starIt is with much sadness that I share the news that Bob Gil-lespie is gone. He died of natural causes just a few weeks ago, with loved ones at his side.

Bob elected to Saanich Council in 1990 and served for 18 years. One of his accomplishments was getting a reduced water rate for agriculture. This is a great help to farmers to this day and he will be remembered as a champion of local agriculture. Accountability was a big issue for Bob. He fought successfully for the direct election of Saanich’s CRD Directors. Saanich became

PRINTED LOCALLY ON 100% POST

CONSUMER TREE-FREE RECYCLED PAPER PLEASE RECYCLE

Lana Popham, Saanich-South MLAConstituency office is at 4085 Quadra Street on the corner of Nicholson250.479.4154 | lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca

I spent a lot of time on the door-step this summer – not to ask for your vote (the next provincial election is not until May 14, 2013) – but to connect personally with you.

As your representative in the BC Leg-islature, I need to hear directly what provincial issues are top of mind. It can be quite a surprise to find your MLA knocking on your door and asking for your opinions so I am very grateful for the time people give me. Thank you!

One request I got a lot was for another printed report – people want to catch up on my work at a time that is convenient to them. Well, here it is!

If you feel strongly about something happening in BC, or want help with a provincial matter, please get in touch. I am here if you need me.

Warm regards,

report

OC

TOB

ER

, 201

2

dearsaanich south

You’re invited! Please join me for a delicious ‘locavore’ dinner and a stimulating presentation about the huge impact of choosing to spend more of our money at local businesses.

6-8pm Tuesday, October 23. Salvation Army Citadel

4030 Douglas St (North of Mackenzie)

We’ll start by sharing a gourmet meal featuring the best of local foods. Then Barry O’Neill will present his “10% Shift” concept. Barry is the President of CUPE-BC and this is something he is very passionate about. He has gotten a great response to this presentation from Chambers of Commerce, City Councils, Busi-ness Associations and Commu-nity Organizations across BC.

Tickets are only $10! They go fast!

Free child-care available by res- ervation. Tickets are available at my office during regular office hours. Call or email for more info. Hope to see you there!

inside Finally! Solutions for Sayward & Pat Bay Hwy intersection ....... 2

MLA report In the community ................... 3 In the legislature ..................... 3

Saanich Star RIP Bob Gillespie ................... 4

Young enviro leaders .......... 4

A garden meal Butternut Squash Soup – simple & delicious! ................. 4

Art in the Office ................... 4

Barry O'Neill & Lana - Making the 10% Shift

New Art in the OfficeMy community office is now showing art by the award-winning printmaker Jennifer Whitford Robins. Drop by anytime during office hours and have a look at her beautiful work.

Watch for our Art Show and Year-End Open House on Friday November 23, 5-8pm at the Community Office. This event also marks the kick-off of our month-long food drive for the Mustard Seed Food Bank.

saanich south

community office hours

Regular Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

saanich south

l a n a p o p h a m , m l a | s a a n i c h s o u t h | w w w . s a a n i c h s o u t h . c a

the first municipality under the Charter to give citizens a direct choice of regional district directors. Victoria and other municipalities now follow the Saanich model.

Bob was admired by many and this is a great loss for Saanich.

a garden meal butternut squash soup

1 (2 to 3 pound) butternut squash, peeled and seeded2 tablespoons unsalted but-ter/grape seed oil1 medium onion, chopped2 cloves garlic6 cups chicken stockSalt and freshly ground black pepperCut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion/garlic and cook until trans-lucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash and sauté until slightly golden. Add stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 min-utes. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender and puree. Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with salt, and pepper. Serve.

Bob Gillespie 1929-2012