Inside Saanich South

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

2012-01-19T16:10:00.000-08:00

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Monday January 23rd is the year of the Dragon! I wish good health and prosperity to all of our friends and family in the Chinese community.

Today, I went out with fellow MLAs Rob Fleming and Jenny Kwan for some main-streeting on Fisgard.

Lana.

Our window at the Saanich South Community Office

Great window-painting by the very talented Deborah LeFrank!

2012-01-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

Here are our constituency office hours for the New Year!

Erika Rolston and Samuel Godfrey will be happy to assist you if you call or come in!

4085 Quadra St
Victoria, B.C.
V8X 1K5

Email: lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca
Phone: 250.479.4154
Fax: 250 479 4176

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

Stand up against hate

2012-01-04T14:41:00.001-08:00

Gravestone at the Jewish Cemetery on Cedar Hill Road

On New Year's eve, five gravestones at the Jewish Cemetery on Cedar Hill road were defaced with swastikas and other hateful messages. You can read more about what happened in an article by Jack Knox in today's Times Colonist.

There will be a vigil at 1pm this Sunday, January the 8th, at the cemetery (Fernwood Road and Cedar Hill Road).

I will be there as the MLA for Saanich South to stand with our Jewish friends and show that people of all faiths and backgrounds are opposed to anti-semitism and bigotry. Please join me if you are able to. Rabbi Harry Brechner will speak to the need for respect and inclusivity. This is a good time to pull together as a community.

Happy New Year from Saanich South!

2011-12-28T16:42:00.000-08:00

14th Annual Terry van Fleet Memorial Christmas Lights Bike Rid

2011-12-13T17:20:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 17th, 2011

A perennial family favourite!

Join the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition on a new night route, viewing colourful Christmas lights displays in the Saanich area. The ride begins and ends at the Victoria First Church of the Nazarene (4277 Quadra Street near Chatterton Way) with free refreshments and door prizes following the ride!

Registration begins at 6:00 p.m. The ride is approximately 20 kilometres and starts at 6:30 p.m. and returns to the Church Hall at about 8:30 p.m. Decorating your bicycle is encouraged.

The ride is free with donations encouraged (suggested donation $5).

All participating bikes must have front and rear lights.

Open House & Food Drive for Anawin House

2011-12-06T16:50:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

Season’s Greetings!

You are invited to celebrate the holiday season at my Community Office Open House. From 5-7pm, Friday December 16th. 4085 Quadra Street. We’ll have festive cheer and tasty treats!

I’m looking forward to seeing you.

Best wishes, Lana

PS. My food drive this year is in support of Anawin House ....donations gratefully accepted at the open house or anytime the office is open.Thanks for helping!

Babe's Honey Farm

2011-11-26T10:34:00.000-08:00

Letter To the Editor,

The ownership of Babe’s Honey Farm has finally changed. The community of rural Saanich feels the loss of a once iconic working bee farm. Just a glimpse of this now wasteland brings sadness to many of us. Many of our Saanich community members and beyond, knew the first owners of Babe’s Honey, Charlie and Babe Warren. They have gone down in our history books as Saanich’s honey farmers. The second owner of Babes Honey farm has gone down in infamy for destroying our beloved farm in Saanich.

The demise of Babe’s honey farm leaves most of us questioning the outcome. We are in disbelief that this turn of events could not have been stopped. Many community members believe that this outcome came due to a failure at every level of Government, including Saanich.

This past week a new owner has been announced after a receivership sale. It is my understanding and my sincere hope that with new ownership comes the responsibility for remediation that would be a requirement of the Agricultural Land Commission. Full remediation means rehabilitating this land back to its original state.

This would mean the removal of approximately 60,000 cubic meters of construction fill, and more extensive soil testing. This land must be returned to its original soil classification of Class 3 or better.

It is the desire of our community to see this situation fully rectified. I am hopeful that the new owner wants the same outcome. It is my expectation that the Mayor of Saanich accepts nothing less for the community he represents. And it is my hope that the Agricultural Land Commission commits to enforcing its order to remediate.

As MLA of Saanich South and as a community member who adored Babes Honey farm, I will continue to work to see Babes Honey farm restored back to its full agricultural potential. We may have lost a part of our agricultural history, but we have the opportunity to change this story for the future.

Lana Popham

MLA Saanich South

12 Days of Christmas to Anawim House

2011-11-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Saanich South,

Please help us show our generosity and caring to the clients and staff at Anawim House - bring your non-perishable items to either my office (at 4085 Quadra Street) or to Carole James' office (1084 Fort Street). For 12 Days, we will be collecting items for delivery on December 13.

Drop off your donations to the Saanich South office anytime from 9:30am - 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday! Donations to the Victoria-Beacon Hill office can be accepted anytime from 10:00am - 4:00pm, Monday to Thursday and 10:00am - 3:00pm on Fridays!

Cheers!

Lana

Chef of the Year Statement - Nov 21, 2011

2011-11-21T17:41:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, November 20 I participated in the Chef of the Year competition hosted by the Canadian Culinary Federation - Victoria, up at Camosun College. It was a fantastic fundraiser - showcasing local foods prepared by local talent.

Today, I made a statement in the Legislative Assembly recognizing my assistant and one of the Saanich chefs.

In Flanders Fields 1915

2011-11-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

Saanich South Showcasing Elizabeth Caulton

2011-11-08T12:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Saanich,

We are a very fortunate community to have such talented artists in our midst. My community office at 4085 Quadra is one location you can stop by and view some of their works.

Currently my office is highlighting the acrylic and oil works of Elizabeth Caulton.

Elizabeth was born in England and spent her childhood in the Midlands, which gave her easy access to the natural beauty of the Derbyshire Dales. She moved to B.C. in 1964 and continued her teaching career in both primary schools and University courses.

Elizabeth is using her retirement to devote more time to painting and exploring the use of various mediums in her creations of landscapes, florals, portraits and animal commissions. She is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and several local art clubs. Her works have been juried into the Sidney Fine Art Show six times - in addition to over 10 years of art showings all around Victoria.

I hope that you will find time to stop into my community office, on the corner of Quadra and Nicholson, to take in a selection of Elizabeth's fine work. We are honoured to host an artist of her caliber.

Lana

Time for leaves..........

2011-10-31T11:13:00.000-07:00

How to Compost Leaves

Phyllis Heuerman
Frederick County Master Gardener Program

Leaves are often referred to as "Gardeners' Gold". Their bright green appearance in the Spring is a harbinger of the beginning of a new life cycle. Their presence in the summer provides much needed shelter from heat and rain for wildlife and humans alike, as well as being the vehicle through which trees produce their own food. Their dramatic beauty in the Fall can be unparalleled. In addition to all of this, properly used as mulch or compost they provide outstanding organic matter and nutrients to the soil.

Unfortunately, to use leaves effectively as mulch and compost they still must be raked or blown from your gardens and lawn so that you have control over where they are used. Leaving a thick layer of leaves on your lawn or garden can create conditions that lead to rotting of the grass or perennials beneath. So, to start with rake the leaves up into a pile.

Once your leaves have been gathered, you have a choice between using them undecomposed, as mulch, or composting them before you put then in your garden. Regardless of how you are going to use them, the first step is to chop or shred your leaves. This will save space if you are placing them in a bin, it will minimize their blowing around and matting if you are placing them in the garden, and it will hasten their eventual decomposition into composted organic matter.

If you do not have a shredder, and do not wish to rent one, you can use your lawn mower to shred the leaves. If the leaves are on your lawn attach a bagger to your lawn mower before you begin cutting. As you cut the lawn, the leaves will be shredded and gathered into the bagger. You may also gather leaves in a pile and run the lawn mower without a bagger through the pile. Direct the discharge shoot in one direction at all times so that the shredded leaves are placed in a pile and not blown all over the place.

Once you have your shredded leaves, you may place them in your garden as mulch immediately, if you wish. However, do not place an excessive layer of mulch directly on the crowns of herbaceous perennial flowers. This is not necessary, and it can lead to root rot. If you are trying to extend the season for winter root vegetables, like rutabagas, carrots, leeks, kale or beets, you may use a heavy layer of shredded leaves to cover them. You may find that you can harvest these vegetables all winter with this added protection from the leaves. If you do use uncomposted shredded leaves as mulch in your garden, you should add some slow release nitrogen fertilizer to the garden in the Spring, as the process of leaf decomposition may rob the soil of nitrogen.

Another alternative for your shredded leaves is to compost them, either alone or with other organic matter. The simplest but longest process is to place the shredded leaves in a wire bin. Leave them there for two years, turning them occasionally, and you will have a really nice product. Leaf mold is a special fungus-rich compost that can retain three to five times its weight in water, rivaling peat moss. The "Leaf-Gro" that is available in most of or local garden centers is leaf compost. The only disadvantage of using leaves alone for composting is you will find that you need a tremendous amount of leaves to produce any quantity of compost.

Leaves can be used more effectively as a component in a compost pile that contains a variety of organic matters. A good balanced compost pile contains materials rich in nitrogen and others rich in carbon. Leaves can provide the carbon component of your pile. Other good carbon components include straw, nonglossy paper, wood and bark chips. Good nitrogenous materials include grass and plant clippings, uncooked fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Use your shredded leaves and other carbon materials to layer between your nitrogenous materials in a bin. Turn the pile occasionally to aerate it, and make sure that it is moist, but not soggy. It is not necessary to add commercial compost starters or fertilizer to a compost pile to start it "cooking" but doing so may hasten the process. The amount of time it will take to produce compost depends upon its size, composition and conditions. The process can take anywhere from three months to one year. My small suburban compost bins take 6 to 9 months to produce a fully composted product. I cut the materials I am placing in the piles into small pieces, and I turn the piles about once every 3 to 4 weeks.

I find reusing organic materials such as leaves for mulch and compost to be one of the most satisfying aspects of my gardening. I hope you will give it a try.

October 24 - Art Show Open House

2011-10-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Saanich South,

Those of you who have already visited my Community Office at 4085 Quadra Street, know that the space lends itself very well to displaying art. Fortunately for all of us, Saanich is a community with many, very talented, artists!

I invite each of you to come to a showing of the art currently gracing the walls of my office - by local artist, Dennis Jaques. Dennis is a self-taught artist who is spending much of his retirement as an active member of the arts community.

On Monday, October 24 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm, we will partake in some light refreshments, good company and an opportunity to meet the artist himself.

In November we will be changing the art to showcase another local painter, Elizabeth Caulton, who has also been invited to this showing. We look forward to offering another opportunity to showcase her art in December.

I consider it an honour to provide my community with what I consider to be an important service - recognition of the arts.

Hope to see you Monday.

Lana

September 26 - Resource Conservation

2011-09-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

These ideas on Resource Conservation came from participants in our Servin' up Sustainability event in June.

Join the discussion on my Facebook page to comment or add your own ideas.

Resource Conservation

The principles of 'reduce, reuse, and recycle' must govern the use of all materials and energy. Renewable resources use should be less than the rate of replenishment, while non-renewable resource use must be decreased in order to conserve and share equitably with future generations.

Ways to apply Resource Conservation,

In Your Daily Life

· Use low flow showerheads, washers, taps

· Insulate homes, replace windows to lower heat loss

· Buy second hand

In the Community

· Reduce consumption – reusing – recycle – refuse waste

· More bike lanes

· Public transportation

Provincial Government Policy

· Need for a non-renewables extraction strategy

· Funding for public transit – & more discounts to regular users using the system

· Stop old growth logging on Vancouver Island

Saanich South Community Garden Update

2011-09-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Travis (AKA the Best Farm Worker Ever) is helping whip the Community Garden back into shape - it's been getting a bit out of hand with all the sunshine.

He is making really good time clearing the jungle of weeds!

It was really great to get my own hands in the soil again today, too! Just planting some winter pansies - but gardening nonetheless!

Seems like a good idea to get grounded before the Legislature resumes in less than two weeks.

Come on down to 4085 Quadra and enjoy some of the last days of summer in our garden!

See you soon!

September 19 - Just Transition

2011-09-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

These ideas on Just Transition came from participants in our Servin' up Sustainability event in June.

Join the discussion on my Facebook page to comment or add your own ideas.

Just Transition

Mechanisms must be in place to manage the transition toward a Sustainable BC so that everyone takes responsibility and no one bears an unfair share of the burden of change.

Ways to prepare for Transition to sustainability:

In Your Daily Life

· Consider your purchases, where they come from, and if you really need them

· Resist victim mentality, be proactive and demonstrate leadership

· Purchase from environmentally & socially responsible companies whenever possible

In the Community

· Set up carpooling at work

· Set up walk or run groups in the community

· Make Quadra Street more bike friendly!!! Increase the amount of bike lanes in Victoria

Provincial Government Policy

· Policies that assist small family farming

· Student loan relief for ‘green’ training or free education for reviewable tech, etc

· Government purchases of land from ALR and made available via lease at reasonable rates to farmers so they don’t have the full burden of land acquisition and maintenance (as with park lands)

September 12 - Social Equity

2011-09-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

These ideas on the Social Equity came from participants in our Servin' upSustainability event in June.

Join the discussion on my Facebook page to comment or add your own ideas.

Social Equity:

Every British Columbian has a right to clean air and water, healthful food, adequate shelter, quality education and health care, safe surroundings, a sustainable livelihood and active participation in the economy.

Ways you can encourage Social Equity

In Your Daily Life

· Monitor what your kids watch on TV, encourage shows like “Jamie Olivers Food Revolution”

· Organize community meet ups to address issues in the community

· Advocate for the need for publicly owned and managed water etc. Water as a human right.

In the Community

· Support and volunteer for local politicians who campaign on social housing

· Get rid of standardized testing in schools

· Start a garden at a homeless shelter

Provincial Government Policy

· Policies promoting community farming and supporting food banks

· Address and promote healing for the legacy and harm caused by colonialism. First Nations have much to teach in regards to living in harmony and responsibly, these ethics cannot be lost.

· Raise minimum wage to $15-$17 and hour which families and live on and have the opportunity to make better socially conscious choices

Connecting the Dots for Mental Health

2011-09-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

September 10, 2011

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and about 300 people participated in a rally in downtown Victoria. They are calling for some very basic services not currently available to British Columbians in mental health crises. Access to emergency psychiatric services, a bed to sleep on during their crisis, and publicly funded psychotherapy are some of the services needed ...services not available to most people.

Although I had to be elsewhere - my staff represented me at the rally, including reading my statement below.

Too many people are falling through the cracks in our mental health system. It is well passed time to address the gaps that lead already vulnerable people to suicide.

Thank you to the organizers, the volunteers, the speakers, the photographers, for the donations and, of course, thank you to the DOTS.

------------------------------------------------

Good Day Dots Supporters,

I regret that I am unable to be here is person today. It was a great pleasure for our Saanich South Constituency office to assist the Dots Rally from the beginning. The awareness that DOTS is bringing to our Capital Region and to our Province is extremely valuable. Political will is often driven by public

awareness and demand, and taking this issue to the streets, literally, is an excellent use of time and resources. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Jean- for her dedication and passion.

I was thinking about who I would wear my dot for?

This is a question that emphasizes the incredible need for seamless mental health care in Canada and in BC. This is a question that can't be answered without feeling a sense of sadness and frustration due to the lack of connection for people of all ages who suffer with mental illness.

So who does my dot represent? My dot represents Rusty, Brendan and Cam; friends who are not here today because they couldn't find a way to connect the dots and they fell between the cracks. My dot represents all of us who have lost people or feel we are losing people because there are too many spaces between the DOTS here in BC. My DOT is for our community that is suffering because we don't have a plan. And my DOT is for you, because you are here today, and my DOT is standing beside yours making the connection.

Thank-you so very much for taking part is this incredibly important event.

Your Sincerely,

Lana Popham

MLA, Saanich South

(Hands Photo: Daphne Shaed)

September 6 - Resilience

2011-09-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

These ideas on the Resilience came from participants in our Servin' upSustainability event in June.

Join the discussion on my Facebook page to comment or add your own ideas.

Resilience:

Diversity needs to be fostered in communities and ineconomic, social and infrastructure systems in order to lessen vulnerability to risk, uncertainty and surprise, to maintain flexibility, to aid adaptation in the face of adversity and to facilitate future innovation and infrastructure.

Ways that you can foster resilience,

In Your Daily Life

· Get to know your neighbours

· Grow your own food and increase your consumption of organic foods

· Re-skill – learn how to do basic things such as canning, sewing, cooking, and fixing things rather than throwing things out

In the Community

· Engage youth & children

· Bring dynamic innovative training into the school system from an early age to foster creative caring citizens and solutions

· Give feedback to municipal councils for positive actions taken (eg. Infrastructure, transportation)

Provincial Government Policy

· Mandatory food composting for dense areas

· Incorporate gardening skills into elementary school curriculum

· Prohibit genetically modified crops or imported goods

Be Positive.......or B+

2011-09-01T11:35:00.000-07:00

Do you donate blood?

I heard a radio ad today letting us know that there is a real need for blood right now. I have donated in the past but it's been awhile. I know it's an important thing to do and many lives depend on it.....so I called and made an appointment.

On Tuesday I will be donating 450ml (1 pint) of B+ blood.

Lana

Information about donating blood to Canadian Blood Services:

Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. Much of the blood that is transfused every year is done under emergency or trauma situations. In Canada, hundreds of thousands of people each year receive blood components or blood products following accidents, during surgery or for cancer treatments, burn therapy, hemophilia and other blood-related diseases.

· The average amount of blood in one person is five litres or 10.5 pints

· There are approximately 450 ml of blood in a unit

· On average, 4.6 units of blood are required per patient

· In 2004/2005 Canadian Blood Services collected approximately 850,000 units of whole blood

It is estimated that about one in two Canadians can give blood. However, this year only one in 60 has and Canadian Blood Services needs this to change.

Basic Eligibility

Please note that this information is subject to change. Final eligibility determination rests with the screening staff at the donor clinic.

Identification
Identification with full name and signature, or full name and photograph required.

Age
To donate, you must be at least 17 years of age, in general good health, and feeling well on the day of your donation. If you have never donated before and have had your 61st birthday, or if you are between the ages of 67 and 71, and have not donated within the last two years, you must be assessed by a physician who must fill out and sign the following letter. You must also meet the other standard requirements for donation. To find out more, please call us at1 888 2 DONATE.

Letter to the Attending Physician (Please bring the completed letter with you to the clinic when you next come in to donate)

Weight
At least 50 kg (110 lb).

Frequency of Donation
Minimum interval between blood donations is 56 days.

Health
In general good health and feeling well. You should have had something to eat and adequate sleep. You must also meet hemoglobin (iron) requirements (test done at clinic).

Screening
At the time of donation, you will be asked a number of questions to determine your eligibility. For example:

· Had dental treatment (extractions, fillings, cleaning, restoration)

o For cleaning or filling: until the day after treatment

o For extraction, root canal or dental surgery: 72 hours provided there is full recovery

· A cold, flu or sore throat

o Full recovery

· Had ear or body piercing or tattooing

o 6 months

Donating blood does not put you at risk of disease. All needles are sterile, used only once and discarded. The usual blood collection - a "unit" - is about half a litre, or one pint. Your body soon replaces all the blood you donate.

Stem Cells
To be eligible to join the Canadian Blood Services OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network, you must:

· Be between 17 and 50 years of age

· Meet certain health-related criteria

· Fall between certain height and weight levels

For more information please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

August 29 - Biodiversity

2011-08-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

These ideas on the principle of Biodiversity came from participants in our Servin' upSustainability event and workshop in June 2011.

Join the discussion on my Facebook page to comment or add your own ideas.

Biodiversity:

Protection of diversity of plant and animal species is essential if ecosystems are to thrive and maintain the resilience necessary for adaptation and survival.

Ways that you can support biodiversity:

In Your Daily Life

· Plant only native gardens

· Replace lawns with plants that attract mason BEES!!! And butterflies!

· Help remove invasive species

In the Community

· Agriculture technologies that incorporate wildlife habitat, drainage systems in watersheds

· Preserve natural habitats

· Stop your pet from chasing or killing other species

Provincial Government Policy

· Urge No bottled water, educate B.C. water is among the best in the world

· Grow and harvest sustainably more from the sea

From the Office of the Speaker - In remembrance of the late Jack Layton

2011-08-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

From the Office of the Speaker

"In remembrance of the late Jack Layton

A Book of Condolence has been made available for MLAs, staff and the public to sign. The Book is located on the 2nd floor of the Parliament Buildings, in the Members' Lobby. The Book will be available for signature weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

A State Funeral for Mr. Layton will take place in Toronto on Saturday, August 27th. The Book of Condolence will be available until Monday, August 29th."

“Yes, we DO want a voice!"

2011-08-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

In the beginning there was a Petition Initiative – British Columbians were asked if they wanted to have a say in a whole new tax structure. British Columbians said “yes, we DO want a voice”.

Then there were those who wanted to challenge whether that Petition Initiative was legitimate. It was.

Then there was the referendum and people champing at the bit to get their voting package– even in the middle of a postal strike.

Now for the count. Elections BC staff are madly verifying and counting HST ballots.

The numbers will be released on a riding-by-riding basis tomorrow. Here is the link where the results will be posted:

http://electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net/electionsbcenr/REF-2011-001.html

Think Outside The Bag!

2011-08-24T00:10:00.000-07:00

While it earned me the nickname “bag lady” for a few years, my Think Outside The Bag campaign helped bring about change in this region. Instead of an official ban on plastic grocery bags, we saw enthusiastic community support for reducing plastic usage and increasing our re-usable alternatives at groceries stores.

With news that a major grocery chain may go back to offering plastic bags, I feel the need to dust off my campaign and start again. The difference this time is that I think I would be preaching to the converted.

There are many reasons why not using plastic bags is a good idea. The value of oil used to make these bags should alone be a deterrent, but convenience is sometimes a convenient excuse. There is the idea that a ban may save room in the landfill. In reality, plastic grocery bags don’t take up much room.

So what is the most important reason we should stop using plastic shopping bags? It’s simple. There are millions of bags that do not end up in recycling depot, landfills, or under the kitchen sink. If they did, this issue would not be so important. These bags end up in our environment. They are perfectly designed to move by wind. These bags end up polluting our landscape and floating in the ocean surrounding us. Sadly, many sea creatures mistake them as food or are entangled by them, dying of starvation or suffocation. I think our region will continue making smart choices, and I encourage our grocery retailers to continue to Think Outside The Bag.

Lana Popham

MLA, Saanich South

August 15 - Precautionary Principle

2011-08-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

These ideas on the Precautionary Principle came from participants in our Servin' up Sustainability event in June.

Join the discussion on my Facebook page to comment or add your own ideas.

Precautionary Principle:

Given the best available information, where there is no scientific consensus on risks that specific actions or policies might pose to human health or the environment, decisions must err on the side of caution. Lack of scientific certainty should not be used as a reason to delay action to prevent harm, where a threat to health or environment exists.

Ways that you can apply or support the Precautionary Principle:

In Your Daily life

· Read Labels

· Self educate and increase your own awareness about sustainability issues

· Boycott Genetically Modified Food & demand labels for Genetically Engineered foods

In the Community

· Have more sustainability classes/workshops/meetings/talks in the community

· Integrate sustainability classes in schools and have more guest speakers such as Andrew Weaver visit schools

· Build more community gardens to foster a sense of collective stewardship

Provincial Government Policy

· Provincial pesticide ban

· Plan for uncertainty, encourage projects that are not only sustainable but carbon negative

· Prohibit production sale and use of genetically engineered crops - subsidize organic foods

The Saanich Fair is coming soon! The theme this year is "What's Cooking At The Fair?"

2011-08-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

Did you know...........

The Saanich Fair is run by a non-profit Society called the North & South Saanich Agricultural Society

The Society has been in existence since 1868
The Saanich Fairground relocated from Saanichton to the present site on Stellys X Road in 1992
Hundreds of volunteers put on the Saanich Fair
All concessions during the Fair are non-profit and manned by volunteers of their organization
The Fairground is rented on a regular basis when the Fair is not on.
The primary focus of the Society is to promote agriculture via a three day Agricultural Fair
The Fairground consists of 70 acres
An average of 45,000 people attend the Saanich Fair
The society owns the Saanich Fairground

A Lyme event in Victoria today.....

2011-08-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Join me today for a Victoria screening of the documentary film on Lyme disease film "Under Our Skin" Plus there will be a Q&A period with Dr Ernie Murakami. The film begins at 1:00pm & Q&A at 3:00pm. It's at Camosun College, Lansdowne Campus, Fisher Room 100. Admission is free, but donations accepted. (Parking $2 for 4 hrs.) Please feel free to repost this to your Facebook. Thank you!

Bottle Drive For Local Family Stricken With Cancer

2011-08-12T18:21:00.001-07:00

On my way home though Saanich South tonight I noticed this poster on the mailboxes.

I called the event organizer and it turns out that this family needs our help in a very big way:

A local woman has been diagnosed with metastatic brain cancer. She has a husband and three small girls. Her husband has had to stop work to stay at home and care for the family. His co-workers are pulling together to try and raise some money as they are now without 2 incomes.

You can help by dropping off your bottles tomorrow, Saturday, August 13th at the corner of Glanford and Vanalman. Or you can drop them off across the street at 4234 Glanford between 8:30am and 3:30pm Monday to Friday.

Please call Lynn with any questions or for possible pickup @ 250-881-3750.

Thank-you,

Lana

August 11 - Adaptive Management

2011-08-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

A fire in our office building caused a bit of a hiccup our posting schedule.

These ideas on Adaptive Management came from participants in our Servin' up Sustainability event in June.

Join the discussion on my Facebook page to comment or add your own ideas.

Adaptive Management:

In order to achieve sustainable objectives, the use of best available practices and technologies needs to occur within a culture of continuous leaning, adequate monitoring and a commitment to modify strategic directions.

Ways that you can support Adaptive Management:

In your Daily Life

· Choose smaller/sustainable homes to live in. Make better use of space. Don’t live in homes with dead space.

· Budget to pay more for better quality sustainable food (i.e. cut off cable if need be)

· Share your garden with your neighbor

In the Community

· Plant drought resistant vegitation in parks and properties. Use less lawn/grass.

· Plant more food/fruit bearing plants on public lands

· Local foods in school lunch programs and gardens on campus

Provincial Government Policy

· Change the law that prohibits restaurants from donating their good excess foods

· Increase hydrometric and climatologically data monitoring and analysis

· Encourage voting among youth (in their schools)

Saanich South Office Re-Opens August 11

2011-08-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

Office will re-open Thursday, August 11 at 9:30am.

Dear Saanich South,

On the weekend, there was a fire in the building that houses my community office. No injuries at all, but there is some smoke and water damage.

The restoration company is on their way right now (Monday morning) so we hope to open again later this week.

We will continue to work from outside the office, we appreciate your patience.

I would like to extend my great appreciation to the Saanich Fire Department for their fast and effective response that saved my office! Thanks so much!

I would like to thank my Landlords Neil and Michelle Salmond. On Sunday they spent most of the day cleaning up inside my office. They used over 30 large towels from their home to soak up the water that was sitting on the hardwood floors. Thank-you for your kindness and hard work.

And finally, thanks to all of you for the well-wishes and concerns - we are all fine and we feel incredibly fortunate that things turned out so well under the circumstances! We will be back hard at work within a few days.

Cheers, Lana

MLA Popham gets 'lucky' with minimal fire damage to office

BY Larissa Johnston, Times Colonist

Published: Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Lana Popham's worries were eased when she returned to her Quadra Street constituency office Monday morning.

The Saanich South MLA's office was the site of a roof fire Saturday night, but there wasn't much damage to her building, she said Monday afternoon.

"We're very, very lucky." The landlords spent Sunday cleaning water off the floor. One cubicle office was quite smoky and a restoration crew will be in today to clean the building.

At the time of the fire, Popham was in Kamloops for the annual Farms 2 Chefs agriculture and culinary event.

Even if there had been extensive damage, the office is almost paperless with everything on computer backed up remotely, Popham said. She noted that her greatest concern had been original art from local artists.

Two engines, a ladder truck, rescue command and a dozen firefighters from the Saanich fire department responded to the fire at 4085 Quadra St. around 11 p.m. Saturday night.

There were no injuries, but fire crews remained on site for several hours. The fire was contained to the roof, causing an estimated $10,000 in damage.

Popham learned about the fire from her son, Kye, who called around 11: 30 Saturday night.

Her husband Jon works at the Oak Bay fire department and heard the dispatch to the Saanich department and asked Kye to make the call to his mom.

The building is also shared by the Peninsula Denture Clinic.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

ljohnston@timescolonist.com

- With files from Kathryn Burnham

Fire at Saanich South MLA's office

BY LARISSA JOHNSTON AND KATHRYN BURNHAM, TIMESCOLONIST.COMAUGUST 7, 2011

Lana Popham will have an unpleasant sight when she gets back to her office Monday — the Saanich South MLA’s constituency office was the site of a roof fire over the weekend.

But Popham, who was in Kamloops for the annual Farms 2 Chefs agriculture and culinary event, is more concerned about artwork in the office than her own work.

“We do display art from local artists on our walls and I am quite worried about that at the moment,” she said in an online interview Sunday evening before boarding a plane from Kamloops to Vancouver.

The office is almost paperless and everything on the computer is backed up on a central server, making it unlikely they would lose any important files, even if there were fire damage, she said.

Two engines, a ladder truck, rescue command and a dozen firefighters from the Saanich fire department responded to the fire at 4085 Quadra St. around 11 p.m. Saturday night.

There were no injuries, but fire crews remained on site for several hours. The fire was contained to the roof, causing an estimated $10,000 in damage, although what was affected inside is yet to be seen by the occupants.

Popham learned about the fire from her son, Kye, who called around 11:30 Saturday night and said, “Mom, your office is on fire.”

Popham's husband works at the Oak Bay fire department and heard the call to the Saanich department, and asked Kye to make the call to his mom.

Popham had several calls back and forth with the Saanich fire department and they assured her by 12:30 a.m. that the office was secure.

There was fire damage to the roof and most likely only water damage inside, they told her.

The building is also shared by Peninsula Denture Clinic, which was not open Sunday.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but construction was being done on the roof at the time.

Popham said she will check it out first thing Monday morning.

kburnham@timescolonist.com

ljohnston@timescolonist.com

Meanwhile, back at the farm....

2011-08-07T15:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday in Saanich South may have been eclipsed by the fire at my office - but I was in Kamloops at the time, enjoying the Farms 2 Chef event.

Events like this one not showcase locally grown products, but also serve to stimulate local economies while ensuring food security; the very goals of the Grow BC, Feed BC and Buy BC program.

So, let's keep shopping at farmer's markets and asking government to reinstate Buy BC. Imagine if Health Authorities bought their produce locally....

Lana

Farms 2 Chefs event key economic booster

AUGUST 7, 2011

JH

Showcases like Farms2Chefs are a window of opportunity for improving domestic economies, the NDP's agriculture critic said Sunday.

Lana Popham, a former farmer, was in Kamloops Sunday to attend the event at Thistle Farm in Westsyde.

She said agriculture faces a variety of challenges, including climate change and volatile world markets, and events like this are a way to overcome that.

A similar chefs' collaborative on Vancouver Island provided her and other farmers with a stable marketplace that aided in planning and selling crops, she said.

"It was also a really great way for the consumers, who are demanding local food, to see a relationship building that they wanted to buy into as well," said Popham. "It encompassed everybody in the food movement."

Industrial farming brought society to a point where food was produced outside of communities, she said. Now the world is reverting to an era where people want to eat what is grown locally.

Farms2Chefs is also representative of the Grow B.C., Feed B.C., and Buy B.C. concept that Popham and NDP leader Adrian Dix are advocating. The plan includes proposals to have the Interior Health Authority purchase food for hospitals from local farmers and growers, and revitalizing the Buy B.C. program.

"People don't just want to know where their food is coming from, but who is growing it," said Popham.

Hosted by the Thompson-Shuswap Chef Farm Collaborative, Farms2Chefs is a "grazing event" featuring small dishes prepared by 19 different restaurants, with the opportunity to find pairings with local wines, beers and mead.

NDP Agriculture critic speaks out
Cuts in agriculture have farmers suffering says critic Lana Popham.
Last Updated: Sunday, August 7th, 2011 \| 4:08pm PDT	Story by: Sandy Hall

The NDP's Agriculture critic is speaking out against what she calls a total lack of planning from the government when it comes to supporting the industry.

Lana Popham is in Kamloops today taking in the annual "Farms 2 Chefs" event, which promotes locally grown food.
Popham says she left farming and went into politics to try to rectify the widening gaps in support for those working in agriculture.

She says that farmers suffered when the successful Buy B.C. provincial marketing program was cut 10 years ago for partisan reasons.

She says the Buy B.C. program needs to be brought back to ensure the province has food security as well as to help the green economy.

Saanich Star - Nicole Bottles

2011-08-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

Check out the newest Saanich Star - Nicole Bottles!

She is the most amazing advocate for awareness about Lyme Disease.

Click here to learn about her story on our Saanich Stars website.

Also, on August 14 is a showing of "Under Our Skin" an award winning documentary. This important and eye opening film is about lyme disease and the controversy that surrounds this hidden epidemic. The film will be followed by a question & answer period with special guests, Dr. Ernie Murakami and David Cubberley.

Sunday August 14th, 2011

1:00 p.m.

Fisher 100, Lansdowne Campus

Camosun College, 3100 Foul Bay Road

Victoria B.C.

This is a free event!

This film is not suitable for children. Hosted by Lymeaware@gmail.com

August 1 - Protection for the "Commons"

2011-08-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

These ideas on protecting the commons came from participants in our Servin' up Sustainability event in June. Join the discussion on my Facebook page to comment or add your own ideas.

Protection for the ‘commons’:

The 'commons' must be held and managed in the public interest. The shared public trusts are water, air, fish & wildlife, our parks & protected areas, cultural & intellectual assets, and amenities such as health care, education, public utilities and infrastructure.

In Your Daily Life

· Educate yourself about the importance of biodiversity

· Use parks and public places

· Take down your fence, encourage your neighbours to do the same, create a common centre and common garden and commonalities J - an urban eco-village

In the Community

· Support groups such as Peninsula Streams & Friends of Tod Creek Watershed

· Community gardens

· Reinforce the Saanich Urban/Rural boundaries

Provincial Government Policy

· Socialism is not a bad idea – we share the cost – we should also share the profit

· Ensure protection of public assets (eg. Juan de Fuca lands) is enabled by fair public representation (eg. All CRD members voting); no sales of public lands

· Implement regulations for the use of carbon

July 25 - Food Security

2011-07-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

These ideas on food security came from participants in our Servin' up Sustainability event in June. Join the discussion on my Facebook page to comment or add your own ideas.

Food Security:

Increased local and provincial food self-sufficiency is essential. We must protect the agricultural land base, promote environmentally sustainable farm practices and support economic viability of food producers.

In Your Daily Life

· Overcome NIMBY attitude

· Buy fair trade

· Go to farmer's markets (Moss St market)

In the Community

· Build a community greenhouse

· Get involved in partnerships between schools and communities to grow community gardens

· Support volunteer for municipal politicians who support urban agriculture

In Provincial Government Policy

· Property laws that encourage new farmers (assist with land ownership, with leases)

· New Policies to prevent individuals from purchasing ALR land and turning it into private estates i.e. 1)Purchaser must file an agricultural plan and be able to implement it in 2 years 2) Demonstrate agricultural expertise/abilities 3) New buildings must not be situated in such a way that restricts future agricultural possibilities

· Funding and policy for food security related programs in schools (eg. ‘Growing Young Farmers’ program)

Ingredients of Sustainability

2011-07-25T17:43:00.000-07:00

It has been just over a month since Dr Andrew Weaver and I presented Servin’ up Sustainabilty; a locovore dinner and community discussion on sustainability. The following notes are from that discussion.

Over the next 12 weeks, I will post the key discussion points that people shared. These points will be organized under headings of 12 Principles of Sustainability. Within each principle, people explored ideas that can be action in our daily lives, in our community and in our Provincial government policies.

Starting today, I will post one of these each Monday. I encourage you to read the description of each principle and the ideas generated. Feel free to join the online discussion on my Facebook page. There is no particular order to the principles, and ideas often overlap between principles.

I encourage this dialogue to be a thoughtful, challenging and respectful exploration of the 12 principles. It is my hope that this dialogue will inspire action.

12 Principles and the Dates they will be posted:

July 25 – Food Security

August 1 (BC Day) – Protection of the Commons

August 11 – Adaptive Management

August 15 – Precautionary Principle

August 29 – Biodiversity

September 6 – Resilience

September 12– Social Equity

September 19 – Just Transition

September 26 – Democracy & Due Process

October 3 – Full Cost Economics

October 10 (Thanksgiving) – Resource Conservation

October 17 – Ecosystem Protection

Thanks for the input so far – looking forward to more!

Lana

Summer Meals "In The Bag"

2011-07-21T16:51:00.000-07:00

Since my 2006 Think Outside the Bag campaign to eliminate plastic bags from the Capital Region, my collection of reusable grocery bags has reached critical mass.

Please help me get rid of these bags.

I will be donating all of my reusable grocery bags to the Mustard Seed food bank....once they are full of food donations.

Food banks often find that donations dwindle in the summer months, which can create real hardship. For example, families whose children don't have the benefit of a school lunch program are now wondering how to feed the family.

This is a change that we can have "in the bag".

Bring your donation of non-perishable food items to my Saanich South Constituency Office at 4085 Quadra and we will fill these bags for those in need.

Thanks everyone!

Lana

One Week Left to Comment on New Fish Farm Application

2011-07-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Fellow Salmon Lovers,

Mainstream Canada, the Canadian arm of Norwegian fish farm company Cermaq has made application to use 55 hectares in Clayoquot Sound.

Although fish farming has recently changed jurisdiction from Provincial to Federal - the tenure for foreshore and for seabed rights are still through the Province.

The public comment period on this application closes on July 22, 2011 - next Friday. It appears that the only way to make comments is through this website - so please do so! There are two documents attached to this page - with images of the applications.
http://www.arfd.gov.bc.ca/ApplicationPosting/viewpost.jsp?PostID=21805

This area, on the West Coast of Vancouver Island is within the boundaries of the UN proclaimed UNESCO biosphere reserve - part of a global network of marine biospheres. To learn more about the biosphere program - click here.

Remember, wild Pacific salmon are still considered a common property resource in Canada - even if the fish farm companies and current Governments do not agree. We need to speak for the salmon! Demand protection for our wild salmon - they are the lifeblood of our coast!

All the best!

Lana

(Image: Existing Fish Farm Tenures in Clayoquot Sount area. Source: Friends of Clayoquot Sound)

Thank-you to all those who took part in our bike rally today!!

2011-07-07T15:55:00.000-07:00

This is MLA Doug Routley and myself standing in front of Capital City Bikes downtown Victoria. Our beautiful Squeaky Wheels banner is off to the side. We had many riders out today and appreciate all the good wishes.

Does the Squeaky Wheel get the grease? Sometimes yes and sometimes no...but it makes us feel better to speak out!

Cheers for now,

Lana

Squeaky Wheels Get the Grease!

2011-07-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

Calling all cyclists in the Victoria region!

Join me this Thursday July 7 for a bike rally!

Our message is clear: Vote Yes to extinguish the HST on bikes in BC!

The rally starts at 11am sharp at Performance Cycles, 3949 Quadra St.

We’ll pick up riders along the way. Our tentative schedule includes stops at Ryder's Cycles, and Straight-Up Cycles.

The rally finishes at Capital City Cycles, 1419 Broad St, at 12pm with a few short speeches by leaders in the cycling and anti-HST community.

Click here for the route.

For thirty years, bikes (and bike expenses like repairs, helmets and locks) were PST exempt. Why? Because it makes no sense to tax such a healthy and environmentally-friendly form of transportation. The HST ended the exemption and in effect created a new 7% tax cycling.

Just over a year ago squeakywheels.ca brought together thousands of cyclists from across BC who opposed the HST and the new tax it put on cycling.

Over 500 hundred of us rallied on the front steps of the Legislature and I submitted a petition to the Speaker of the House with over 5000 signatories.

With the HST referendum ongoing, now is the time for cyclists to again come together and send a strong message: Vote Yes to extinguish the HST on bikes in BC!

Can the B.C. Liberal government explain how jacking up the price of a bike is going to help make B.C. more sustainable or encourage people to make healthy lifestyle choices?

And how does a new tax on cycling possibly advance B.C.’s Climate Action Plan? Getting people out of their cars and onto their bikes will reduce carbon emissions. It also means less traffic congestion, less wear and tear on our roads and lower health-care costs.

A government that increases taxes on green transportation is traveling in the wrong direction.

Join me for a ride on Thursday and let's help turn this thing around!

Lana

Lana Popham
MLA, Saanich South

Constituency Report Video, June 25 2011

2011-06-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest Constituency Report.

Success for Saanich School Kids!

2011-06-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

Saanich Student Max with Lana at the Community Forum

held at at the Saanich South Community Office for Saanich

students and parents concerned about the budget deficit

Dear Saanich South,

I'm very pleased to report that yesterday the BC government did an about-face and agreed to provide additional funds to the Saanich School Board.

Many of us have been working hard to make this happen. Personally, I pressed the issue with the Education Minister several times, raised the need for this in the BC Legislature, spoke out strongly on the subject with the media on numerous occasions, connected with dozens of affected parents, and held a public forum on the topic for Saanich parents and kids at my community office two days ago.

As you may recall, the Saanich School Board refused to approve the cuts required to meet the government's flawed funding formula. The School Board argued that they had already made many deep cuts and anything further would cause too much damage to the educational quality of our Saanich public schools. Hundreds of parents supported them in this gutsy move and launched an email campaign to raise awareness of what was at risk.

Up until the very last minute Education Minister Abbot refused to budge, saying repeatedly that there were no more funds available and hinting strongly just last week that the Trustees who didn't do as they were told would be fired.

But the Saanich Trustees stuck to their guns and yesterday the BC Government released an additional $170 000, almost exactly what the Saanich Trustees said they needed! Last night the Trustees approved a new balanced budget.

I think the Trustees’ principled stand - and all of the public pressure - helped turned this around.

My concerns with the funding formula used by the Province for our public schools remain, but this is a positive development and children in Saanich will be better off because of it.

Lana

School Funding Forum - June 27

2011-06-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

While BC politics has been focused around the HST Referendum, Saanich schools have been facing an ongoing funding crisis that is about to come to a head.

Saanich School board, like all school boards across the province, has been facing a decade of immense pressure from continued funding cuts with no revenue increases. In April 2010 the School Board was facing a $3-4 million dollar shortfall, with layoffs of up to 23 staff. This translates to less support for students: less field trips, less library staff, less support for special needs students.

This year, facing further cutbacks and the loss of even more resources for students, the School Board stood up to the Ministry of Education and tabled a deficit budget for the 2011-12 year that calls for the restoration of programs and services that have been reduced in previous years and avoids any additional cuts this year. By law, School Boards across the province are required to submit balanced budgets to the Ministry of Education by June 30.

With a child in the Saanich School District, I am not only concerned as an MLA, I am concerned as a parent. I’ve spoken out about this many times. It was an issue I raised during the 2009 election and, since that time, I have continued to question the government over ongoing budget pressures that they have imposed on our schools and our kids.

I have watched the Saanich School Board struggle each year with dwindling resources. They are trying to make the best choices for our children but are being forced to make cuts that will compromise the education of our children. By submitting a deficit budget, the board is likely to be removed by the Ministry of Education and replaced with one appointed by the province.

Saanich is one of many school districts facing declining enrollment. The current funding model is calculated on a per-student basis: less students in your school, less funding. However, when a class has one less student in it, costs do not drop proportionality to the amount of funding lost from losing that student. If a class goes from 25 to 24 students, most costs stay the same: teacher salaries, janitorial services, utilities, but the loss of per-student funding means cuts to services and resources have to be found somewhere.

I encourage all students, staff and parents come to my offce Monday June 27, from 3pm til 5pm, for a BBQ forum to hear your concerns and what ideas you have to address these ongoing funding shortfalls.

Thanks.

Lana

This Monday: locavore dinner and community discussion about climate change and sustainability

2011-06-16T16:24:00.001-07:00

UPDATE: MONDAY JUNE 20 - EVENT IS SOLD OUT.

Dear Saanich South,

You are invited to a locavore dinner and community discussion on climate change and sustainability this Monday, June 20th, at 6pm at the Citadel, 4030 Douglas St. There are still tickets available at my community office (4085 Quadra), open this Friday, 9:30pm-3pm and at Cabin 12 (corner of Pandora and Govt) open everyday 9-3pm. Tickets are $10 and that includes dinner and a presentation by Dr. Andrew Weaver with the latest info on global warming and how we are doing at responding in BC. There will also be a workshop part of the evening where you can contribute your own ideas about how BC can become more sustainable. There is free childcare for children aged 5-12, by reservation only. Check out the poster below for more details.
Lana

Saanich Cycling Festival this Sunday!!

2011-06-15T16:36:00.000-07:00

The Saanich Cycling Festival is happening this Sunday! This is a wonderful community cycling event, featuring a police-escorted ride. (The route is from UVIC, down Cedar Hill, up Shelbourne, down Mckenzie and back to Uvic, map here.)

Last year’s ride brought out over one thousand cyclists of all ages! This will be fun! The ride departs at 10am, returning at 11am.

After the ride, the festival begins! There will be stage performers, bike demonstrations, games and food vendors. Saanich will also have information displays on the ongoing Shelbourne Corridor project, a planning initiative to create a balanced transportation corridor that accommodates walking, cycling, transit and private vehicles on Shelbourne Street.

Last year’s ride and festival was a major success. It demonstrates our community’s passion for community and cycling.

Lana

POSTPONED - Art Exhibition at my Community Office this Wednesday Evening

2011-06-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

Join me for an art exhibition at my office Wednesday evening!

If you’ve made a trip into my office lately, you will have noticed that the walls are adorned with lovely works of art created by a talented local artist, Dennis Jaques.

Denis took up art and painting after retirement, and it’s been a privilege to host some of his work in my constituency office. He has a unique style that combines the tradition of the Folk Art schools with his own inspiration taken from sports, landscapes and environmental awareness. His work has been featured at many art shows, and he is a regular at the Moss Street and Gorge Paint-ins.

As part of my last open house session this Spring, I will be hosting an art exhibition featuring some of Dennis’ works. It’s happening this Wednesday from 7-8:30pm at my constituency office at 4085 Quadra Street. I hope Dennis and I will see you then!

Lana

Due to a severe case of Canucks Fever - the Wednesday Art Show has been postponed. Please watch this site for a new date!

Check out my Saanich South 2yr Update!

2011-06-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

Here is the newsletter that I sent out last week to Sannich South.

Bike To Work Week 2011 at the Legislature!

2011-06-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

Bike to Work Week!

2011-05-31T11:26:00.000-07:00

Bike to Work Week is rolling along right now! It runs from May 30 - June 5...join in on the fun! Check out their website for more information: http://www.biketowork.ca/

Here is a statement about Bike to Work Week that I made yesterday in the BC Legislature:

Tod Creek Flats Update

2011-05-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

On May 18th, my community office helped organize a community gathering led by Friends of the Tod Creek Watershed.

Tod Creek Flats is a floodplain along Tod Creek as it drains north from Prospect Lake into Tod Inlet. The regular flooding makes for valuable agricultural land – all the nutrients get deposited as the water drains away – and also raises concerns for neighbours who need to protect their property.

The Flats don’t drain as quickly or thoroughly as they used to. Over a century of development in the area - including houses, roads and farms – has had a big impact on the drainage patterns.

David Cubberley and engaged community

The District of Saanich clearly recognizes the need to manage floodplains for ecological and agricultural reasons as well as for safety. The District established a working group and the working group became the Friends of Tod Creek Watershed – who, in 2008, partnered with Saanich to commission Murdoch de Greef to draft a report on the historical flow patterns.

The report was presented to Saanich and the Friends in the fall of 2009. Since then, the Friends have been trying to get funding to conduct the full hydrological studies needed to determine the next steps.

Over 30 landowners and interested parties joined the discussion. At the last minute, duties at the Legislative Assembly kept me from attending, but David Cubberley, former MLA was kind enough to step in and play the part of the welcoming committee, along with my assistant Erika Rolston.

Scott Murdoch did an excellent job presenting his report: an overview of the changes to the area over the last century and the results of a design charette in the summer of 2008. The results were met with some concern that solutions would be limited to the options discussed in the report.

Scott Murdoch

Deborah Curran, local land owner and Smart Growth BC co-founder, jumped in and made it very clear that the options in the report are only the beginning of the discussions. Deborah has been involved in this effort for some time now and – as professor of environmental law - is very knowledgeable about the hoops that need jumping. She spoke to the different levels of government, each with their own abilities and constraints with respect to environmental regulations. Deborah has been speaking with UVic faculty about the possibility of an environmental engineering program taking on Tod Creek Flats as an ongoing study.

Finally, Mary Haig-Brown was asked to speak as Chair of Friends of Tod Creek Watershed. She spoke very clearly to the need to persevere now so that our grandchildren do not have to fix the issues that our grandparents started.

I’ve heard from several people that it was a very informative evening and an important step forward. In adddition to David, Erika and the Friends, I’d like to thank the neighbours for their thoughtful and frank input, and the First Unitarian Church of Victoria for sharing their beautiful space and providing delicious snacks.

For more information: http://todcreek.rd123.ca/?page_id=404

Outerbridge Gardens

2011-05-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

I spent a wonderful afternoon at an open house for Outerbridge Gardens today. What a fantastic surprise to meet Mrs. Outerbridge also attending the event. Mrs. Outerbridge just celebrated her 90th birthday and is still very much dedicated to the vision of this incredible place in Saanich South. If you would like to visit, the main park entrance is off of Royal Oak Drive, adjacent to 1181 Royal Oak Drive. It has very limited parking and is best to walk in from the street or cycle there.

Outerbridge Gardens is a 9.3 acre property once owned by Mrs. Outerbridge from the late 80s to 2005. For a number of years the property was known locally as the ‘Shangri-La Bird and Nature Sanctuary’ and was open to the public.

She spent years creating the gardens, ponds and landscape features to create an oasis for wildlife, particularly birds. Now it is in the hands of Saanich and has many loving volunteers. They are always looking for more volunteers and you can connect with Outerbridge through Horticulture Center of the Pacific!

I would like to thank the volunteers who put on this event today. I had a great time!

Cheers,

Lana

May 29th is the Day of the Honey Bee in BC!

2011-05-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

This past Thursday I celebrated bees! Click here for Bees in the Legislature

HST on bikes shows government is back-pedaling!

2011-05-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a question that I asked Kevin Falcon, the deputy Premier and Minister of Finance today in the Legislature.

For more than thirty years, bikes (and bike expenses like repairs, helmets and locks) were PST exempt. Why? Because successive governments agreed it made no sense to tax such a healthy and environmentally-friendly form of transportation.

In fact, it was Hugh Curtis, a Socred Finance Minister and Saanich South MLA who first made this decision. In a Budget Speech in 1981, he said that cycling would be PST exempt because “it is consistent with a healthier, quieter and more energy-efficient society.”

This rationale has only become stronger over time as we’ve learned more about the benefits of healthy living and the importance of reducing our carbon emissions. The more we can encourage people to ride bikes rather than drive cars, the better it is for everyone. It means less traffic congestion, less wear and tear on our roads and lower health-care costs.

I wonder if the B.C. government can explain how jacking up the price of a bike is going to help make B.C. more sustainable or encourage people to make healthy lifestyle choices. How does this possibly advance B.C.’s Climate Action Plan?

And now, after increasing the cost of cycling by 7%, does the government really believe British Columbians are going to fall for a promise to reduce that tax hike by 1 % in a year, and another 1% a year later? Let's not forget that we were promised in writing during the last election that a HST would not be introduced.

Only two months ago, Premier Clark ruled out reducing the HST rate, saying 'I think people will see that as buying them with their own money,' yet here she is, doing exactly that.

We need a different approach. I believe we should be creating incentives for green transportation, and disincentives for more polluting forms of transportation. Standing up for cyclists as an Opposition MLA is one way that I can help keep the pressure on.

A government that increases taxes on green transportation is a government traveling in the wrong direction. Please show your support by joining our 'Squeaky Wheels Get the Grease' facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=168651903391

Take Back the Tap!

2011-05-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

Here I am with Community Activist Ed Pullman
and Saanich Councillor Vicki Sanders

In a little over a decade, over-priced plastic bottles of water have gone from a niche market product to a ubiquitous item seen and sold everywhere we go. This despite the fact that the vast majority of Canadians have access to safe and clean drinking water through their municipal water system.

Why do people spend their hard-earned money on plastic bottles of water? Some people claim it tastes better than tap water. But analysts estimate between 25 and 40 percent of bottled water is simply reprocessed municipal tap water.

Of course plastic bottles of water are convenient. Advertising, which accounts for 10 to 15 percent of the price of a bottle of water, has successfully associated bottled water with a healthy lifestyle and a status symbol.

While many of us think nothing of this process, the environmental externalities associated with bottled water are something we cannot continue to ignore.

Bottled water consumes substantial amounts of non-renewable fuels to process, package and transport, creating adverse air quality and climate change impacts. It takes approximately three litres of water to manufacture a one litre plastic water bottle!

Although plastic bottles can be recycled, anywhere from 40% and 80% of empty bottles end up as litter. According to an Encorp Pacific recycling report, over 40 million plastic water bottles went into BC landfills alone!

In Saanich we already pay taxes to provide us with a safe and highly regulated service providing clean and fresh water. Does it make sense to encourage unnecessary use of plastic-bottle water?

Many groups have taken up the cause of reclaiming tap water, including The Polaris institute, Sierra Youth Coalition, CUPE and the Canadian Federation of Students. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has passed a resolution urging municipalities to phase out the sale and purchase of bottled water at their own facilities. Dozens of cities and universities across the country have gone or have committed to going bottled water free.

Locally, Saanich councillors recently offered unanimous support for a motion championed by councillor Vicki Sanders to phase out bottled water sales in its recreation centres and municipal buildings over the next three years. Water fountains in buildings will be upgraded with filling stations and Saanich will launch an education campaign promoting the use of personal water bottles. Esquimalt, North and Central Saanich councils have enacted similar efforts at reducing bottled water consumption.

Undergraduate students at the University of Victoria recently voted 85% in favour to phasing out bottled water and improving access to public drinking water through more water fountains and water bottle refilling stations. I’m impressed to see young people taking the lead and making such a strong statement against bottled water.

The Capital Regional District is privileged to have access to an abundance of fresh potable water through such sources as the Sooke Reservoir and Leech River. This natural system is a treasure. The average cost of a litre of our world class drinking water? Less than one-tenth of a penny! That beats the toonie you have to shell out at a vending machine. In fact, a substantial percentage of bottled water is simply re-filtered municipal tap water from another city that’s been packaged and transported hundreds or thousands of miles.

With efforts from municipal governments and civil society, what role can the provincial government play in reducing bottled water consumption? Should we begin to phase out bottled water sales at crown corporations, ministry and other provincial buildings? Could we step up education efforts and awareness campaigns?

There is no single solution to reducing bottled water consumption. Changing consumer culture takes time, patience and initiative. But I know from my efforts to encourage re-usable shopping bags in Saanich that change can happen.

What can the provincial government do to reduce bottled water consumption? Send me your thoughts and comments. lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca

Lana.

Spring 2011 Constituency Report - Video

2011-05-18T15:56:00.000-07:00

Lana Popham, April, 2011.

LRT4CRD!

2011-05-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

BC Transit has recently completed a long and exhaustive study on rapid transit options in the Capital Regional District (CRD). This two year study consulted a broad range of business and community groups and gave careful consideration to the alignment and technology best suited for rapid transit.

Using a multiple-account evaluation accounting for business, social and environmental impacts (also known as triple bottom line), it concluded light rail transit connecting Downtown to Uptown to the Western Communities via Douglas Street, the Trans Canada Highway and Old Island Highway is the best option to relieve traffic congestion while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Light rail will also allow for densification around train stations that will have numerous transportation, health and economic benefits for current and future residents.

Now that the plan has been presented, Greater Victoria has a historic choice to make. We can do nothing. We can expand roads and build overpasses. Or we can build light rail.

Doing nothing is not an option. Congestion is already reaching a breaking point. As population growth in the Western Communities continues, the Colwood crawl into Victoria on weekday mornings and back in the afternoon will only worsen. BC Transit is losing millions of dollars and hundreds of service hours to buses stuck in traffic congestion. In addition, they reported a transit ridership decline last year for the first time in many years. The status quo is simply unacceptable.

Expanding roads may offer a short term solution to congestion problems, but this will only make matters worse in the long run. We must consider the downstream costs of increasing capacity on our roads: the costs of new parking facilities, increased traffic accidents and insurance payouts, worsening health outcomes from more people driving, displacing congestion to roads and intersections that won’t be upgraded and so on. It’s been said that dealing with traffic congestion through expanding roads is like dealing with a weight problem by buying a bigger belt. I couldn’t agree more!

For myself and many others, the need for Light Rail is self-evident.

As MLA for Saanich South, I will continue to be a strong voice for an LRT solution. By working with community, our community leaders, local politicians, and senior government, we should be able to find our way to a financially responsible plan which solves our growing transportation crisis. I see senior Government coming to the table with at least two thirds cost-sharing. It’s a smart investment in our future: it brings our money back into our communities, and improves our quality of life.

Please sign our petition at www.lrt4crd.ca to show your support for LRT.

Yours sincerely,

Lana Popham
MLA, Saanich South

Restore the Tod Creek Flats

2011-05-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

May Day! May Day! Wild Salmon need your help!

2011-04-28T16:34:00.000-07:00

Alexandra Morton is asking all Victorians who care about wild salmon to walk with her this Sunday, May 1st, to demand an end to open-net fish-farming on our coastal waters.

Please join me at my community office (4085 Quadra Street, North of Mackenzie Av.) at 1pm to welcome the walkers. We'll have snacks and after a short rest break we'll walk downtown for a 3pm rally at the Legislature.

Click on the poster to the right for more information.

Wild salmon symbolize a sustainable British Columbia. They are very important to the health of our forests, feeding eagles and bears and many other species. They provide an income, livelihood and essential food-source for tens of thousands of people. And yet, they are also at great risk.

Our government must do more to protect wild salmon! Good exercise for a great cause. I hope to see you on Sunday.

Lana.

PS. The May Day walk starts at 9am at the Tsawout First Nation and you are welcome to join in there. For more information, visit salmonaresacred.org.

Save the Date!

2011-04-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Saanich South,

You are invited to a locavore dinner and community discussion on climate change and sustainability this Monday, June 20th, at 6pm at the Citadel, 4030 Douglas St. The event is close to selling out! But there are still tickets available at my community office (4085 Quadra), open this Friday, 9:30pm-3pm and at Cabin 12 (corner of Pandora and Govt) open everyday 9-3pm. Tickets are $10 and that includes dinner and a presentation by Dr. Andrew Weaver with the latest info on global warming and how we are doing at responding in BC. There will also be a workshop part of the evening where you can contribute your own ideas about how BC can become more sustainable. There is free childcare for children aged 5-12, by reservation only. Check out the poster below for more details or call my office at 250 479 4153.

Lana

Victoria Autism Awareness Walk

2011-04-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Don't miss it - this Sunday! Go to victoriaautismwalk.com for more info.

The Natural City: A Visionary Call to Action!

2011-04-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

April 14, Reynolds School, 7:30pm

Join me for a presentation by Vic Derman, Saanich Councillor and past Vice President and Co-Founder of the Land Conservancy of BC.

The Natural City is a visionary, comprehensive, and thought provoking approach to a better future for today’s residents and those who come after us.

Vic Derman provides an integrative blueprint for planning ‘the natural city’. Well versed in sustainability and climate change issues, Vic offers solutions to what should be our top priorities in the planning process, and the changes we need to make in order to optimize our quality of life. Having been involved with sustainability issues for 20 years, he has an acute and practical understanding of the necessary shift towards urban sustainability, global sustainability and ultimately the legacy that should be passed down to future generations. Topics include: Urban design, compact development, transportation, food sustainability, how to overcome the various political barriers and much more.

"Without doubt, Saanich and our region face a future where we must 'do things differently' to succeed. Past practices have produced a myriad of outcomes such as loss of open space, environmental degradation and choking congestion that are unsustainable and inconsistent with citizen's hopes and expectations." - Vic Derman

Click here for map. More info call Lana @ 250 479.4154.

Lyme Disease Awareness

2011-03-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Whether you are hanging out in the backyard or camping in pristine wilderness, Lyme disease is a serious concern.

Do you know what Lyme disease is? That’s okay, most people don’t. But with summer coming and the great outdoors looking more and more tempting, you need to know the simple steps you can take to avoid contracting Lyme disease.

What is Lyme Disease? A CBC report around this time last year put it is way: “tiny tick, big problem.” First diagnosed in Lyme, Connecticut in the mid-1970s, the disease is spread by nymphal ticks no bigger than a speck of pepper . Ticks travel from animal to animal, feeding off blood. If a tick consumes infected blood and then bites you, symptoms begin appearing in as little as three days. The bites can be painless and leave only a tiny mark that doesn’t last very long.

What are the symptoms of Lyme Disease? According to the Public Health Agency of Canada:

The symptoms of Lyme disease usually happen in three stages, although not all patients have every symptom. The first sign of infection is usually a circular rash. This rash occurs in about 70-80 percent of infected people. It begins at the site of the tick bite after a delay of three days to one month.

Other common symptoms include:

fatigue
chills
fever
headache
muscle and joint pain
swollen lymph nodes

If untreated, the second stage of the disease can last up to several months and include:

central and peripheral nervous system disorders
multiple skin rashes
arthritis and arthritic symptoms
heart palpitations
extreme fatigue and general weakness

It sounds serious, and it is. But it is also easily preventable, and if promptly diagnosed, it is easily treatable, too.

Here are a few tips from the BC Centre for Disease Control:

Walk on cleared trails wherever possible when walking in tall grass or woods.
Wear light coloured clothing, tuck your top into your pants and tuck your pants into your boots or socks.
Put insect repellent containing DEET on all uncovered skin.
Check clothing and scalp (covered or not) when leaving an area where ticks may live.

Lyme disease is North America’s fastest rising infectious disease. It’s utterly debilitating if not detected and treated quickly with antibiotics – which happens rarely in B.C.

If detected early, Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics in a matter of weeks. When in doubt, see a doctor – and make sure she tests for Lyme disease if your symptoms fit the above profile.

I am close to several people who suffer from Lyme disease. I know how brutal this disease can be. Thank you for reading.

Lana.

For more information:

Give this Woman a Job!

2011-03-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

Betsy with Dried Salmon

Here is a letter from Alexander Morton with some great ideas... and an offer we'd be fools to pass up on.

March 22, 2011

British Columbia this is my job application

After watching DFO’s Director General of Science, Pacific Region on the stand at the Cohen Commission March 17 - this is my job application. If I was Director General of DFO Pacific Region, I could straighten this mess out and put our wild fish first. DFO policy has already driven one of earth’s most generous fish stocks to extinction (the east coast cod stocks) by ignoring their own scientist. They are doing exactly this again today. On March 17 we heard DFO did not inform the public that one of their scientists found what looks like a virus is killing the majority some runs of Fraser sockeye. DFO did not tell us that this virus has been epidemic in salmon farms on the Fraser migration route. I doubt DFO has any idea how widespread this virus is in farm salmon. I don't think they have a handle on the situation If we allow this type of mismanagement and secrecy we will lose wild salmon, one of our most valuable public resources

Number one DFO must recognize there are four types of salmon in BC; wild, enhanced, hatchery and farmed and there is no evidence they can co-exist. Fishery Managers have to give one type of salmon top priority. I would choose wild salmon because they are the least expensive, most likely to survive climate change, most prolific, greatest benefit to humanity and have a 10,000 year successful trackrecord.

Salmon wear spectacular regalia at spawning time to allow the females to make the best choice for their species. The males are saying, “hey, look at me I went to the North Pacific and back and have THIS much to show for it!” Female choice tunes each population, honing them into the best fish possible for the environment of the moment. When humans take that choice away from the salmon in hatcheries, we might as well cut off their tails as we release them. We destroy their most powerful survival mechanism. Enhanced salmon in spawning channels require expensive cleaning regularly and this costs more and more money as fuel costs rise. In 2010, I saw a spawning channel choked with carcasses. Any eggs under them were smothered by the massive rotting - it was a death trap!

Farm salmon break all the natural laws, are unsustainable with rapacious shareholders demanding continuous growth and they privately owned. If I were Director General of the DFO Pacific Region I would work for Canadians, not salmon farming corporations.

The wild salmon that swims all the way back from the open Pacific and chooses a site to spawn without our help – is THE most valuable salmon there is. I would honor the needs of this fish in every way possible - it is the only salmon with a future.

* I would establish the premise that wild fish manage themselves – we simply need to decide how much we are going to get out of their way and allow them to do what they do best - make more salmon.

* I would enact a Follow the Fish course of action using state of the art science to understand exactly where they are prospering and failing. This will equip us to debate what roadblocks we want to remove or keep.

* I would put a number of DFO people somewhere where that they can’t hurt anything further and I would hand the reins to others.

* I would meet with every First Nation Fisheries Manager and stream-keeper group to understand what needs to be done in each unique situation and then I would meet with those who disagree with them before making any decision.

* I would ensure every significant watershed has people trained in disease sampling and outfit them with the tools to immediately capture information on the epidemics that are flashing out of control killing BC wild salmon, so we can track and deal with this.

* I would form small, efficient roving teams combining dedicated First Nations, biologists and the people who know the area best to walk these watersheds continuously and task them to report on where the salmon are and how they are doing. In this way we would learn what is working, what is not and what we need to maximize the fish’s own potential to thrive.

* I would thread together the people spread across BC who are working for salmon. The people on the grounds and the leading scientists need to talk. The fishermen need to meet the Fishery Managers on the spawning grounds. Every meeting would be structured to produce or tune a plan of action. No wasted effort or bafflegab allowed.

* I would reinstate local DFO offices as much as I was able, populate them with local experts and make sure the folks on the grounds have clear channels of communication between themselves and head office, so when problems arise we would have an all hands on deck immediate response.

* I would offer opportunity and attention to the Canadians who think they can conduct aquaculture without soiling our province. I would promote farming at the bottom of the food chain, not the top. I would invite the open net industry to leave, suggesting the courts might offer leniency if they voluntarily removed themselves in the face of mounting evidence that they are the source of lethal fish diseases and thus enormous losses to Canadians.

* I would apply this approach to all fisheries. It is not that I know what needs to be done in all cases, but I can figure out who is sincere and knowledgeable and encourage these people to come forward to begin a new era where we work with our wild fish and not against, where policy is second to truth.

My personal goal is to return to the wilderness of the Broughton Archipelago, but I would be willing to do this in hopes that I could go home in a year or so and watch the wild salmon and all they feed return to us.

Alexandra Morton
http://alexandramorton.typepad.com

Dirt! The Movie

2011-03-14T22:28:00.000-07:00

You are invited to a FREE screening of Dirt the Movie!

An award-winning documentary and an Official Selection at Sundance Film Festival, Dirt! the Movie tells an amazing and little known story of the relationship between humans and living dirt

Watch this trailer and you'll see why this movie has gotten rave reviews!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8_dN5YWnyc

Co-hosted by MLA and Ag Critic Lana Popham and City Councillor Philippe Lucas. After the film we'll have tea and snacks and a presentation by farmer and local-food advocate Bob Maxwell.

Narrated by Jaime Lee Curtis, Dirt! the Movie brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact of soil. It tells the story of Earth's most valuable and under-appreciated source of fertility--from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation.

Donations are welcome - all proceeds to Victoria Downtown Public Market Society!

For more info: philippe.lucas1969@gmail.com or www.victoriapublicmarket.com

Four Remarkable Women

2011-03-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

Organic farming on Southern Vancouver Island owes a great debt to four remarkable women: Mary Alice Johnson, Tina Fraser Baynes, Marti Martin-wood and Rebecca Jehn.

Today - in honour of the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day - it is my pleasure to re-release a documentary about their early efforts.

It was directed and filmed in 1995 by Helen Rezanowich of the Media Network Society. I know that it inspired a number of women to begin farming… including myself!

The film captures the challenges that women face if they want to farm. But it is also about the joy and value that comes from growing food for yourself and others. I know many women farming today will relate to the feelings and ideas expressed in this film.

Many of the projects these women helped start – such as Moss Street Market – remain vibrant and successful to this day. I’m also very happy to report that all four women are still actively farming.

Mary-Alice Johnson, for example, has transformed land in Sooke into a highly-productive and successful farm, ALM Farm. She and her business partner Marika Nagasaki grow a full range of vegetables, including fifty types of heritage tomatoes, and coveted salad greens. They also have poultry and pigs, run a busy seed company (Full Circle Seeds) and protect wild natural spaces on the edge of the farm. The whole operation is certified organic, employs several people and grosses over $100 000 a year!

Tina Fraser Baynes also continues to farm organically at Corner Farm in North Saanich. She has a busy farm-gate stand, and has helped start the North Saanich Farm Market. She also teaches a popular course at Camosun College about how to start a farm.

Marti Martin-Wood runs Two Wings Farm in Metchosin with her husband Bernie. Their seed company was founded in 2000 and continues to provide high-quality, certified organic and open-pollinated seeds.

Rebecca Jehn operates Rebecca’s Garden, a certified organic market garden in Saanich. She is also well known for her preserves and seeds. She continues to hold workshops on seed saving, plant propagation, harvesting and marketing produce, as well as canning and preserving the harvest.

I asked Mary Alice if she had a word of advice for young women considering farming. Her answer? “Well, I worry about people being too idealistic about it. It is very hard work. But it can be done – there is a huge demand for local and organic. People will thank you and value your efforts. It’s an extremely rewarding way to make a living.”

I hope you will enjoy this video and join me in celebrating four remarkable farmers for this year’s International Women’s Day.

Firefighters

2011-03-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

Today is a sad day for many - it is a day to remember fallen firefighters.

Here is a Statement I gave in the Legislature last year on this date.

L. Popham: People love firefighters. That's a fact. An Angus Reid public opinion poll showed that firefighters are one of the most trusted professions in the world. Firefighters are our heroes. They put their own lives at risk to save ours. They see us at the most painful and terrifying moments in our lives, and they give us comfort, respect and care.

Fire departments are like families — families protecting our families. I'm married to Jon, a firefighter from Oak Bay who has been there for 18 years. My brother Guy is a firefighter in Delta and has worked there for 16 years. When you have a firefighter or two in the family, you feel like part of the greater fire department family of British Columbia. Yes, I have a soft spot for firefighters.

I am proud to be the MLA for the Saanich fire department. The Saanich fire department has been around since 1948 and has 108 full-time firefighters. The Saanich fire department is not only protecting our community, but they're helping us build a better community with the Saanich Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation. This foundation is a registered non-profit charity that was established in 2001 and has raised over $200,000.

They give and they give. Whether they are on shift or on days off, they are contributing to our quality of life. When they come to us as elected officials and ask for support for cancer presumption legislation, when they come to us and ask for support for the right-to-know legislation, and when they come and ask for the right to be licensed to practise at the emergency medical responder level, both sides of the House need to listen.

Firefighters would break down doors, walk into fire and risk everything to save us. Let our legislation not be the barrier that stops them.

http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/39th2nd/h00309p.htm#3291

http://www.theprovince.com/Memorial+service+honour+fallen+firefighters/4394035/story.html

Local Beekeepers are fighting to keep our precious island pollinators safe

2011-02-25T17:10:00.001-08:00

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

February 25, 2011

Dear Minister Stewart,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I look forward to your earliest reply

Sincerely, Lana Popham

Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South

Official Opposition Critic for Agriculture

And check out this Times Colonist article for more details:

Times Colonist

Response to the Budget - Agriculture Focus

2011-02-16T17:15:00.000-08:00

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

Rapid Transit!

2011-02-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

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

Click to see close-up

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

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

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

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

Concept

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

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

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

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

Lana.

Clips from a recent interview

2011-02-11T15:02:00.000-08:00

Topics:

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

Topics

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

Five Shiny Purple Seeds

2011-01-24T16:55:00.000-08:00

Scarlet Runner Bean Seeds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lana.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saanich is "Age-Friendly"!

2011-01-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lana

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

Festivals, Festivals, Festivals!

2011-01-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Season's Greetings and Merry Recycling!

2010-12-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

Hi,

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

Lana

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

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

The easiest way to get rid of such stuff is to collect a large bag of it and then drop it off at a mobile depot.

(There is a small cost but you can also drop off all kinds of other things for recycling, like tetra paks, dairy and non-dairy gable-topped cartons, electronics and so on.)

The depots run at various locations every Saturday morning (9am-12pm). You can see a list of locations by clicking here.

If you want to see all the different items that can be recycled by this programme, click here.

2. What about hard plastics?
Easy! All clean rigid plastic stuff (except Styrofoam and plastic packages previously containing hazardous waste) can go in the blue box.

3. When is my next curbside collection day?
Click here to visit a page where you can type in your address and get the info.

4. Is there a limit to how much stuff I can put out on the curb at one time?

No! And as long as you have at least one blue bag or blue box, you can use other containers of similar size and configuration.

5. Is there one place to find out answers to all my questions?

Yes! Check out myrecyclopedia.ca. A great place created by our very own CRD that answers questions on everything from what to do with the old paint can to what can go in a blue box.

For information on holiday recycling, click here.

And of course reducing is best of all! Do you know that our community dumps over 140 000 tonnes of waste every year at the Hartland Landfill.

But there is good news too! Jan Meadows, a hard-working supervisor at the Hartland Landfill, has calculated that we usually produce about 12 tonnes of garbage in December, and 13 tonnes in January - as we clean up from the season's parties.

However, last December-January, we actually went from 12 tonnes to 11 tonnes: great work people!!! We think it is because people are doing more and more reducing and recycling.

Rally for Climate Progress

2010-12-09T22:31:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

Climate change is the most serious problem facing the planet. The largest mass extinction crisis in our history is being set in motion by climate change – scientists project that as much as 37% of the world’s known animal and plant species could be committed to extinction by 2050 under current trends. Other consequences of anthropogenic climate change include acidifying oceans, increasing droughts and floods, crop failures, intensifying storms and extreme weather events, expanding forest fires and forest insect infestations, and the creation of hundreds of millions of “climate refugees” from rising sea levels and droughts (resulting in escalating social conflicts and wars).

Canada’s minority Conservative government has been working hard to obstruct progress on an international agreement by opposing any legally-binding emissions reductions targets in a successor treaty to Kyoto.

At this year’s climate negotiations, Canada has again received the Fossil Award 3 times by the Climate Action Network International for obstructing progress in international climate negotiations and at home in Canada.

In a major affront to Canadian democracy, on November 17 the unelected Conservative senate killed Canada’s only climate bill, Bill C-311, that was passed by a majority of elected Members of Parliament (NDP, Liberals, and Bloc). Not in over 80 years has Canada’s unelected Senate killed a bill passed by an elected majority of MP’s without putting it up for debate. Check out Rick Mercer’s rant below.

Friday’s rally is being organized by the Majority for A Sustainable Society (MASS), a new group founded by Victoria environmentalistsKen Wu and TJ Watt. MASS will work to promote climate sustainability and environmental protection while counteracting the anti-environmental policies of the minority Conservative government, which is at odds with the environmental views of the majority of Canadians.

For more info contact Ken Wu at majoritysustainable@gmail.com.

Will you help?

2010-12-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody,

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

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

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

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

The office is located at 4085 Quadra St.

Thanks, Lana.

Property Assessment Q&A Tomorrow!

2010-11-29T16:41:00.000-08:00

Mr. Danakody, a man with answers!

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

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

But the changes are important. For example, did you know that residential property was assessed at the 2007 rate for 2009? Or that land with split classification in the Agricultural Land Reserve will no longer be taxed at two separate rates? Or that small farms now only need to produce $3,500 in annual revenue to receive agricultural status?

With so many questions out there, I’m pleased to welcome BC Assessment’s Reuben Danakody to Saanich South for a community forum and Q&A. He will give a summary of some of the changes and is happy to answer your questions.

Tuesday, November the 30th, 7:30pm – 9:00pm (Map below)

Salvation Army Citadel, 4030 Douglas Street.

The event is free and open to all. We'll have tea and cookies too!

Hope to see you there, Lana.

PS. This is the latest in a series of free forums organized by my community office. If there is a topic you would like covered, please let me know! lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca

View Larger Map

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

2010-11-22T11:56:00.000-08:00

Click here if you can't see the image.

Stung!

2010-11-17T12:44:00.000-08:00

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

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

Thank you,

Lana.

Downtown Winter Market!

2010-11-17T10:10:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

Hope to see you there!

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

Lana

Agriculture and health on critic's mind

2010-11-16T16:49:00.000-08:00

Reprinted from the Invermere Valley Echo

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

By Darryl Crane -

Published: November 16, 2010 1:00 PM

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

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

Popham was on her first visit to the area and took the time to learn more about concerns locals have in the agricultural industry.

“I have not had the opportunity to come into this area and see what is going on agriculturally. I am very committed to sustainability. This area is amazing for what it is doing. I tour many towns that have the vision but the action here takes my breath away,” Popham said.

Popham started her tour in Cranbrook before moving on to Kimberley where she met with some local ranchers.

She then came north to Invermere to visit farmers who are involved with aspects of agriculture that are close to the MLA’s heart.

“They are doing things in a similar setup to what I used to do and it made me want to get out there and help them because I missed it so much,” Popham said.

Popham said she has heard that some people feel that there are fewer new farmers but she is of the belief that people do want to become involved with the industry but they want to do it in a new style that is concerned about sustainability and local food.

“This is a teachable moment where consumers are begging for local food and we have people who want to produce it. The problem is that we do not have the provincial support in agriculture right now to make it easier to do that,” Popham said.

When looking at the future of agriculture in British Columbia Popham had some ideas on what could be done by the government to help.

“We had a great program up to eight years ago. It was a buy BC program. Farmers want our products to be marketed to us. They want to have labelling so we know where products are from. It was very successful.

"The Ministry of Agriculture is so ill-funded right now that there is no money for that but it is hard for me to understand why we would not invest in a program that is going to give some strength to our domestic economy,” Popham said.

Another idea that the MLA has involves looking at the way the food in B.C. is being distributed and the possibility of better using the rail-system to move food throughout the province.

As Popham continues to talk to people in B.C. about the issues surrounding agriculture in the province she is working on a document to highlight both the issues and ideas on how to make the industry more efficient.

While in Invermere Popham stopped in to talk to students at David Thompson Secondary School (DTSS) and see some of the programs which involve food at the school.

“The greenhouse and the chefs' program were the attraction. Connecting kids to food is critical right now. We are seeing skyrocketing Type 2 diabetes in kids and that is related to what they are eating. We are feeding them sugar-laced, fat-ladened, highly processed food. That has to raise alarm bells,” Popham said. She added that she was very impressed with the chefs' program and the food that they are making.

She also passed on a great deal of credit to the teachers at DTSS who are responsible for helping students in their lives.

In the end Popham said she was grateful to have had the chance to visit the area and for all the hospitality shown to her during her trip.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/invermerevalleyecho/news/108304884.html

Oy Veh!

2010-11-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

People and organisations from every corner of the province made thoughtful submissions to the budget consultation process. The vast majority of respondents in the finance committee’s consultations said they want resources dedicated either to programs and services or to reducing debt. But the premier threw those options out the window when he announced in a T.V. infomercial that the government would spend almost all available revenues on a tax break.

I support the decision by Opposition members to refuse participate further in the Finance Committee as their involvement would add credibility to what we now know is a meaningless public relations exercise.

If your blood isn’t boiling yet, check out Paul Willcock’s article in today’s TC:

Campbell's $2-billion gamble to keep his job

BY PAUL WILLCOCKS, TIMES COLONIST NOVEMBER 12, 2010

I thought the budget consultation process hit bottom in 2004.

But Premier Gordon Campbell took things to a new low with his TV announcement of an arbitrary 15 per cent tax cut, a desperate, doomed move to hang on to his job at the expense of the Liberal party and the democratic process.

The legislature finance committee -- six Liberal MLAs, four New Democrats -- travels the province each fall to hear suggestions for the February budget.

It's a big deal for many people. Business groups propose tax shifts, advocates make the case for spending on schools or health care. People send emails or briefs on what they think should be priorities. Many presentations are thoughtful and well-researched.

And the committee writes a report that, theoretically -- though rarely practically -- shapes the budget.

This year, the government noted that an improving economy offered opportunities. There was an extra $2 billion over the next three years available for initiatives.

"What would you do with additional resources?" it asked. "Would you fund new programs and services, would you reduce the debt, or would you cut personal income taxes?"

So chambers of commerce and arts groups and non-profits and individuals prepared their submissions. People already working 10 hours a day worked longer to offer their ideas.

Then Campbell went on TV and announced a 15 per cent tax cut that wiped out that $2 billion, before the committee even started preparing its report.

It was a grand insult. The committee had travelled to 14 communities and done videoconferences with people and organizations in another nine. A lot of effort had gone into hundreds of submissions.

And Campbell gave the finger to them. He decided on a tax cut before he even heard from all those people across the province. The consultation was a sham.

There was no reason for haste. The tax cut doesn't take effect until Jan. 1. The committee was to report by Nov. 15.

If Campbell had delayed his TV address three weeks, he could have read the committee report and learned what British Columbians believed the budget priorities should be. That would have been polite.

He didn't, which speaks of a certain contempt for all those people and groups working on their budget submissions.

The New Democrat MLAs withdrew from the committee in protest.

The loyal Liberals defended the premier's tax-cut announcement. You would think, after listening to all those presentations and reading all the submissions, they would have urged the premier to wait a few weeks for the report.

If, as Campbell maintains, all decisions are backed by caucus, surely the Liberal committee members -- John Les, Norm Letnick, Don MacRae, John Rustad, Jane Thornthwaite and John van Dongen -- would have suggested the tax-cut announcement could wait until the public was heard.

But they weren't consulted, they were silent or they were ignored. I'm keen to know which.
The previous low point in budget consultation came in 2004, when the government sent out a pre-election campaign flyer/budget consultation document to every household in the province. About 26,000 people responded with budget suggestions. But the flyer went out late, time was tight. The government threw 23,500 of the responses in the garbage and looked at 2,550 -- one in 10.

In this year's budget consultations, Campbell, seeking political salvation, went further and ignored every single submission.

Liberal supporters should be the angriest. If Campbell hadn't bet $2 billion on a doomed effort to rebuild his personal popularity, the new Liberal leader would have had the chance to announce tax cuts or measures to reduce surgical waits or investments in economic growth.
This isn't a partisan, or left-right issue, whatever that means.

It's about bad behaviour, contempt for citizens, docile elected representatives, abuse of power and the reckless spending of $650 million a year.

And it brings shame on the government, and all those who went along with the abuse.

pwillcocks@timescolonist.com

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Paul+Willcocks+Campbell+billion+gamble+keep/3816386/story.html

Thank you Cranbrook, Kimberley and Invermere!

2010-11-12T15:17:00.000-08:00

Thank you Cranbrook, Kimberley and Invermere!

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

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

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

Tofu Burritos

Yield 12 Burritos

375 ml. Onions, finely diced
15 mL Canola oil
30 mL Garlic, minced
20 mL Chili powder or Chipotle puree
1 L Red or green peppers, finely diced
10 mL Paprika
30 mL Cumin, ground
10 ml Oregano leaves
500 ml Corn
2 pkg Extra firm tofu
150 mL Tomato Paste
30 mL low-sodium soy sauce
125 Chopped Black Olives
12 Whole wheat tortillas
Pepper to taste

Method:

Sauté the onions, garlic, and chili powder or chipotle paste in oil for three minutes.

Add peppers and continue cooking on medium heat until the onions are soft. Add the paprika, ground cumin, oregano leaves, corn and crumbled tofu and continue to sauté.

When the vegetables are tender, stir in the tomato paste, low-sodium soy sauce, olives and pepper to taste.

Place 250 ml of filling into the centre of each tortilla and form into a burrito. Place seam side down onto a parchment-lined hotel pan or baking dish.

Bake at 180 C, covered with foil for 20 minutes, or until heated through.

Recipe modified from the Moosewood Restaurant Cooks for a Crowd.

Weekend Reading!

2010-11-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hi,

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

Lana

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

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

The worst kind of 'trick or treat'!

2010-10-31T15:38:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

Based on this government's record, we can be sure such a tax cut will be paid for with more cuts to necessary services and more hidden fees. And this promised tax cut won't cover the reality of the tax hike we're already paying with the HST. For example, the possible savings from this tax cut for the average double-income family will be several hundred dollars less than the $1,128 extra per year that Statistics Canada says that same family is paying under the HST.

There were a lot of claims in that infomercial that don't add up to scrutiny. Here are a few more examples.

-Claim: Charts accompanying the premier’s infomercial show how British Columbians are faring better when it comes to paying taxes.

-Fact: Economist have said the charts in the presentation are “misleading as presented,” and “deceptive, maybe intentionally deceptive.” The charts also fail to include taxes such as the HST.

-Claim: On Sept. 24, 2011, everyone in B.C. will get to be the finance minister for a day.

-Fact: In the referendum, voters will have an opportunity to vote down the HST, but will not be able to reverse any other decisions made by the Minister of Finance and the B.C. government. British Columbians will not have the power to properly fund local agricultural development, education and health services, the arts or green, sustainable transportation.

-Claim: People who make up to $72,000 will get a tax break.
-Fact: People who make less than $72,000 will see less of a benefit than those who earn more, with over half of the tax break going to the richest 20 per cent of people.

-Claim: A new plan will ensure every child that leaves grade four will be reading, writing, and doing math at the fourth grade level.
-Fact: The funding for this commitment only adds up to $11 per student in grades one through four, which doesn’t even make up for the 2009 B.C. government's cut to literacy programs. Additionally, the B.C. government is leaving schools short on funding after hitting them with hikes to MSP premiums, hydro rates and more operational expenses.

I know the BC government can do much better than this and I look forward to an opportunity to make that happen.

Best, Lana.