Green leader targets Stickle plan

RICHARD ROLKE Thu Aug 24th, 2017 2:10pmNEWS Morning Star
B.C.’s Green Party leader is getting involved in Stickle Road. Andrew Weaver has written to Transportation Minister Claire Trevena demanding information about the extension of Stickle Road through BX Creek Delta Park.“It is my understanding that the impacted wetland is key habitat for four protected species – the screech owl, western skink, western grebe, and American badger – and that the proposed changes will not accommodate bike or pedestrian travel,” he said in the letter. “I view these as substantial drawbacks to the proposal as it currently stands and would appreciate clarification as to why they are not being better addressed.” Weaver says he has heard from local residents who want the speed limit at Highway 97 and Stickle Road reduced to 50 kilometres an hour so the ministry develops a traffic plan that works for multiple stakeholder groups.
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also see https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/204975/Greens-step-into-Stickle

Green candidate enters the race

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Vernon-Monashee posted Feb 16, 2017 at 1:00 PM

The race for Vernon-Monashee is picking up. Keli Westgate will represent the Green Party in the May provincial election.
“I believe Vernon-Monashee is ready for a fresh perspective and some new leadership,” said Westgate, who is the sales and marketing manager at Spa Hills Compost. “As a mother of a school-aged child and the daughter of senior parents who live here, I am very motivated to build a valley that works for us all, where health is a top priority, and people can feel supported by their community when they need help and where all of us chip in and work together to improve all of our lives. I hope to inspire others to action, especially those that have felt left behind by the status quo.” She is a director with the Sustainable Environment Network Society and has been involved with O’Keefe Ranch. She has also worked in the communications industry and the film sector and was a workshop facilitator for the provincial government on gang and youth violence prevention. “Keli is a welcome addition to the B.C. Green team,” said Andrew Weaver, Green Party leader. “She is a dynamic professional with experience in multiple fields that will be invaluable in the B.C. Legislature.” The other declared candidates in Vernon-Monashee are incumbent Liberal MLA Eric Foster and Don Jefcoat, with the Libertarian Party. The NDP have not selected a candidate yet.

Green Candidates Announced

Posted on 6/12/2015 by 107.5 KISS FM News Staff 1
The North Okanagan-Shuswap Federal Green Party Association announced at its Annual General Meeting that nominations have re-opened to select a Green candidate for the 2015 federal election. Two independent business people have already declared their interest to become the Green Party candidate. Chris George from Notch Hill is a full time university student with 25 years experience in small business who ran for the provincial Greens in the Shuswap in 2013. "I am very concerned about this government's willingness to give away our resources and our children's futures via a series of ill considered trade deals. The 30% of Canadians who rely on small business for their livelihoods deserve better". Keli Westgate of Vernon works in multi-media, permaculture and composting. She ran in the last municipal election in Oyama. She is a Director with Historic O’Keefe Ranch and the Sustainable Environment Network Society (SENS). “I am passionate about sustainable development, local small business, affordable housing, and creating ‘green’ jobs for young people in the North Okanagan-Shuswap”, Keli said. “Green support keeps rising”, said a party representative. “People want a change from the dictatorial policies of Mr. Harper. They are looking for green alternatives to our crumbling resource based economy. They are afraid of Harper’s devastating attack on democracy. They want action on climate change. They recognize that Elizabeth May is an outstanding Parliamentarian and they want to support her.” “Elizabeth May proved that when voters come out to the polls, change can happen” said the Green Party campaign manager. “When voter turnout in her riding topped 75% last election, Elizabeth turned the tables on the incumbent.” A Green Party Candidate Selection Meeting is planned for July 23rd. To vote for the candidate you want in this selection process, you must be a member of the Green Party for 30 days prior to the event. Contact: Greig Crockett; 250-260-5877; crockett@okshuswapgreens.ca

Green Party candidate withdraws from race

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted May 24, 2015 at 9:00 AM
The Green Party is without an Okanagan-Shuswap candidate leading up to this fall's federal election. Dave Smith has withdrawn his candidacy due to what he calls "irreconcilable differences on campaign policy and strategy among members within the local Green Party." When contacted, the Coldstream resident would not provide further details. "I really don't wish to because I wish the party well. I'd like to leave them with the greatest opportunity possible and not dirty laundry," he said. "The Green Party has a very broad range of participants and I find myself at one end of the extremes. I'm a prudent accountant and fiscally conservative and that didn't work very well." Smith says he wishes the party well in finding a new candidate and he says he has appreciated the efforts of campaign members who have supported him. He also goes on to say that he continues to stand behind party leader Elizabeth May. "My support for Green policy is totally there, especially for extreme environmental challenges. I hope other parties can pick up on it." The local Green Party executive deferred comment on Smith's resignation until it can meet to discuss the matter.

Two Candidates For Green Nomination

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Wednesday, 28 May 2014 12:00
The Green Party has two candidates seeking the nomination for the Okanagan Shuswap riding for the 2015 federal election. Chris George is a Notch Hill resident who is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree from Thompson Rivers University. "Voters are hungry for change", says George about the mood in his community. Married and raising a young family in Notch Hill, George has operated independent businesses from Salmon Arm to Kamloops. "The present government can't seem to manage our social, environmental & economic interests together. It will take new leadership to balance the equation," says George who also ran for the party in thelast BC election. David Smith is a retired accountant and consultant living in Vernon who describes himself as "fiscally conservative." "The Green Party is the only party that understands how the economy & environment work together. Healthy communities and quality jobs over the long term require strong environmental action now," says Smith. Smith has worked 35 years in the forest industry from Lumby to Armstrong & Salmon Arm. The party expects to hold its nomination meeting in the fall and says other candidates are still welcome. You can get more information at www.greenparty.ca or by contacting Greig Crockett at 250-260-5877.
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Full bio’s on these nominees will be available at www.okshuswapgreens.ca

Green Party Organizer Parachutes Into Riding Race

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 23 April 2013 16:19 

  The fifth candidate in the Vernon Monashee election race admits she may just be a name on the ballot, a so called 'parachute candidate.' Rebecca Helps is a Port Moody resident who will run for the Green Party, the group that she is the executive director for. Helps hasn't decided how much time she will spend in the riding campaigning. "I haven't really considered taking part in the forums. I was planning on just being a name on the ballot, but I'm going to get registered and I'll take it from there," she tells Kiss FM. Helps says she decided to run after no candidates came forward in Vernon. "I don't that's a reflection that people don't want a Green candidate. I think it's more a reflection of the challenges were facing in our democracy now with people not wanting to be involved in politics." Huguette Allen of the Greens had 16 percent of the votes in Vernon Monashee in the 2009 BC election. Helps says with her entry, the Green Party has candidates in 59 of the province's 85 ridings.

New Vernon-Monashee Candidate

Written by Glen Morrison Tuesday, 23 April 2013 05:10
The Green Party has brought the candidate list for Vernon-Monashee up to five with the addition of Rebecca Helps.  She's the Lower Mainland based executive director of the B.C. wing of the party and has previously run both federally and municipally.  Helps joins independent Korry Zepik, the NDP's Mark Olsen, Liberal incumbent Eric Foster, and Conservative Scott Anderson. The deadline for candidates to enter is April 26.

Green Team Still Without Candidate

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Thursday, 11 April 2013 10:31

Local Candidates - No Green Yet.

Party Leaders

  It seems no one wants to be Green in the Vernon- Monashee riding.  The environmental-based Green Party of Bc has not been able to find a candidate to run in the May election in this area. Executive director Rebecca Helps says they see it as a favourable riding. "We would do really good there, and with the right circumstances, even at this late entry in the race, I think there's still a chance if everything went right, we could win it," says Helps. Huguette Allen of the Greens had 16 percent of the votes in the 2009 BC election. Helps says a visit to Vernon by national Green Party leader Elizabeth May last Monday (for a show with author Arthur Black), may produce a candidate. "She is very inspiring to people, so I am hoping out of that, somebody might step forward." While the Greens plan to have candidates in 55 BC ridings for the May 14 election, the deadline for getting one in Vernon is next week. Vernon Monashee has three declared candidates: Scott Anderson of the BC Conservatives, Eric Foster of the Liberals, and Mark Olsen of the NDP. The Shuswap riding has four candidates: Tom Birch of the BC Conservative Party, Chris George of the Green Party, Steve Gunner of the NDP, and Greg Kyllo of the Liberals.

 

 Vernon-Monashee

 

Green Party Needs A Candidate

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Friday, 22 February 2013 06:04

If you've ever thought about running for provincial politics, the Green Party may want you. The environment-based party so far doesn't have a Vernon-Monashee candidate for the May 14th BC election, and executive director Rebecca Helps says they're hoping someone comes forward. "Basically our nomination process is, they need to submit an application, they need to be familiar with the Green Book which is online, and be comfortable with the Green Party's policies and principles," Helps tells Kiss FM. Helps says the party feels Vernon Monashee is a riding they can win, adding they have candidates so  far in about a third of the 85 BC ridings. "Two years ago when we looked at the ridings we wanted to target, Vernon-Monashee was one of the main ridings, mainly because I believe of how well Huguette Allen has done at the federal level." Helps also feels the riding could have a four way vote split. Helps says they may not have candidates in all 85 B-C ridings, but are focusing on getting great, quality candidates in as many ridings as they can. She says they have until late April to get candidates in place.

13 Heros' Rally Wednesday (News Release )

 Wednesday June 13  5:30 PM

 http://heroes.leadnow.ca/events/colin-mayes-okanagan-shuswap-bc/
  A rally will be held in front of Colin Mayes' office (in Vernon) to request that Mr Mayes be one of 13 Conservative MP's needed to stop the Budget Bill (C-38) by voting against it. For those who aren't aware of Elizabeth May's extraordinary move in the House of Commons recently, she has asked  Andrew Scheer, the Speaker of the House, to rule the Budget Bill C-38 out of order, because she claims it has too broad a scope to be acceptable as a budget. She has also put forward hundreds of amendments to the Bill. Watch her plea to the public at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8H4uXHBu8k.

Not all Conservative MP's are with Mr. Harper on this issue. And even the National Post thinks she's got a point, or rather several: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/06/11/kelly-mcparland-elizabeth-may-leads-commendable-effort-to-halt-tory-omnibus-juggernaut/.

Read about the Speaker's decision at http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1209433--federal-budget-2012-voting-on-budget-goes-ahead-after-ruling-against-elizabeth-may?bn=1.

With as few as 13 Conservative MP's voting against the Bill, it would not pass. The rally is being held to demand that Mr. Mayes have the courage to oppose his Party in this matter.

Turn out to make this a forceful statement about the illegitimate omnibus nature of this year's Budget.

Press Release - March 13, 2012 - Immediate release

Guest Professor: Dr. Ross Hickey - "What's Good about Taxes?"

150 people occupied the Schubert centre to hear UBCO economics professor, Dr. Ross Hickey, present strategies for fair taxation.  "The very rich have been getting very richer over the past 30 years", he said. "At the same time, their tax rates have dropped from 43% in 1981 to just 29% today." Their share of income is at pre-depression levels of the 1930s. Incomes of the top 100 CEOs in Canada increased 27% in one year from 2009 to 2010. Incomes of the average Canadian worker rose a mere 1.1% in the same period. "That's bad for equity and bad for growth" Dr. Hickey stated. "Failure to reverse this trend will lead to greater crime, social unrest, & public insecurity. Furthermore, there is no relation between our economic productivity and low tax rates", he said. "An unfair tax system is unproductive."  But it's not enough to target a few high priced CEOs, Professor Hickey maintains. To spread the tax burden fairly, Professor Hickey recommends broadening the tax base on consumer items. "This may seem unpopular but it will capture more revenue from big spenders. However, it will only work", he warned, "if the increased burden on the poor is offset by substantial increase in transfers to low income earners. At the present time, government transfers & tax credits for things like home purchase and renovations largely benefit high earners. The poor can't buy into those". "The average total rate of all federal, provincial & municipal taxes combined is 40% for those earning above $30,000. For those earning below $30,000, it's 80%. We know that income is related to success in education, which is related to employment. Over taxing the poor disables them from getting a good education; it leads to poor health, poor social outcomes, and poor labour skills that cost society more in the long run", he said. "Canada's measure of inequality after paying taxes is much worse than the UK and Sweden", Dr. Hickey noted, "even though it's quite similar before taxes. Their tax system encourages equity. Coincidentally, their productivity is higher and their measures of social wellbeing are higher." Dr. Hickey also recommends returning to a more progressive tax system. "We must create more tax brackets with higher tax rates for higher incomes. We don't want to discourage people from working but we do want to have a system that is fair and provides sufficient revenue for education, health care, housing, day care & other social programs." Critics argue that higher taxes will encourage the rich to move away. While that may happen in a few cases, Professor Hickey states that the rich are not as mobile as critics suggest. "Besides, they also appreciate the good things that good taxes provide". "Taxpayers must tell politicians they want a fair tax system", he said. "They must stop saying taxes are bad. Taxes are the price of a productive, civil society. Taxpayers must insist on a fair price".
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UBC Professor Dr. John Janmaat will be the next GUEST PROFESSOR hosted by the Green Party. He will speak on the economic & ecological costs of pipelines and how to extract sustainability from finite resources.  Hear Professor Janmaat @ 7:00 pm Monday, April 2nd, at Vernon's Schubert Centre 3505 30th Ave. 

What’s GOOD about Taxes? – Envision the ‘NEXT Economics’ .

OCCUPY the Vernon Schubert Centre, Monday, March 12 @ 7:00 pm
 
- for a provocative discussion on the reform of capitalism
with UBC Guest Professor of Economics, Dr. Ross Hickey            

National leaders around the world are seeking solutions to put the Western Economy back on track. Is capitalism the right train? Are growth, globalization & corporate dominance the right track?Professor Hickey unrolls a blueprint for change.                               
                                                                                                                                                                  
‘Guest Professors’ is a non-partisan public information series hosted by the Okanagan-Shuswap Green Partywww.okshuswapgreens.ca or 250-260-5877 Admission by donation – 3505 30th Ave. Vernon

Bee Safe Launched

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Monday, 05 March 2012 01:31

 Huguette Allen

A new program based in Lumby aims to educate the public about growing food that is safe for bees and people.  Former Green Party candidate Huguette Allen is a co-founder of 'Bee Safe' which has opened an office in the village.  Allen says genetically-modified crops and pesticides are linked to various health problems, and are threatening organic growers "There is no coexistence with those crops. If they're grown around us, what happens is they contaminate the organic or traditional crops." Allen says they're asking growers that support safe agriculture to put a 'Bee Safe' sign on their property. "We are planning workshops where we are going to teach all about seeds, about growing food, processing their food, conserving it, and how to cook with local food." She says people have to change some of their long standing practices, such as getting rid of every weed. "Many of the things that are considered weeds are really not damaging, and maybe we need to learn to live with them, because the pesticides are harming not just the air and the soil, but they're getting into our water." Allen believes the green initiative could provide a boost for Lumby's tourism, drawing visitors in. For more information, go to www.senssociety.org
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Want to learn how to start your own vegetable seedlings? Attend this  workshop by Bee SAFE on when and how to plant vegetable seeds indoor, how to care for your seedlings, and how to transplant them in your garden later.

When: Friday March 9th, 3PM to 4PM.
Where: Bee SAFE office, at 1961 Vernon Street, Lumby. Look for the Bee S.A.F.E sign.
Other times can be scheduled based on demand.

Please register by calling 778-473-3029 Monday to Friday between noon and 5PM or emailing beesafemonashees@gmail.com  Everyone is welcome. Entrance is by donation.

Water issues -- Presentations by Dr Hans Schrier.

Water issues -- Presentations by Dr Hans Schrier.

Professor Dr Hans Schrier kindly made his presentations available for viewing by the general public. If you are interested in the presentations they can be found at the following websites:

The Urban water Challenge

Agriculture: Water Use and Water Quality

Expert Critical of Okanagan's Water Waste

Press Release Feb. 28

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM  Thursday, 01 March 2012 01:11  
A UBC professor is urging planners in the Okanagan to regulate water consumption, to match capacity.  Dr. Hans Schreier told a crowd at Vernon's Schubert Centre, water use could be reduced by 30 percent by using modern irrigation and landscape techniques, improving livestock management, and by adding more low flow toilets. "Thirty-thousand new homes were constructed in BC last year but only 15 percent included low flush toilets." He says the Okanagan is the driest watershed in Canada, and politicians at all levels have to do more to control water waste and prepare for climate change. "The time has come to consider processing farm sewage as seriously as city sewage." Schreier questions using up to 70 percent of the water supply to irrigate low value forage for livestock. He says it makes more sense to use the scarce supplies for value-added crops such as grapes. The professor is a water research and planning expert who was part of the Green Party's speaker series.

Greens hosting lecture series in Vernon

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 26, 2012 1:00 AM

The Okanagan Shuswap Green Party kicks off its guest professor series Monday.  The opening speaker is UBC professor Dr. Hans Schreier from the faculty of land and food systems.  Schreier will present Watersheds, Food Security and Climate Change Science Monday at 7 p.m. in the Schubert Centre.
Admission is by donation. Schreier’s research focuses on watershed management, land-water interactions, soil and water pollution and geographic information systems.  He has worked extensively in watershed studies in the Himalayan and Andean regions, in Brazil, Honduras, Vietnam, Mongolia and British Columbia.  On March 12, Dr. Ross Hickley, a UBC professor of tax and public economics will speak on Taxation, CEO Salaries and Leveling Income Equality. And on April 2, Dr. John Janmatt will lecture on Tarring The Spirit Bears: Pipelines, People and Profits. All lectures are presented by the Okanagan-Shuswap Green Party Association.
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"Politics & Jazz" at UBCO

Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, will be hosting an evening of "Politics & Jazz" at UBCO, Monday, September 5th!!

In addition to being Canada's most remarkable politician, Elizabeth May is a prominent Lawyer, an Author, an Officer of the Order of Canada, and the recipient of three Honourary Doctorates. She's also a grandmother.

                                                       GREEN PARTY LEADER
     Elizabeth May at UBC-O      Monday, September 5, 2011
     100 Mile Buffet at 8:00 PM      Elizabeth May address 8:30
     Two sets of live Jazz & mingling from 9:00 to 11:00 PM
     Arts Building Atrium - room 186      3333 University Way - parking in lot G or S
     Tickets: $35.00 a person ($20 for students)
     Cash bar will serve a selection of Okanagan wines

     Tickets are limited so act now!      Reserve tickets by replying to Guy: 250 503 3191 (Vernon)      guy@morazain.com

Adriane Carr to run for Vancouver city council

CBC News  Posted:Aug 9, 2011

Green Party of B.C. deputy leader Adriane Carr says she will run for a seat on Vancouver city council in the November municipal election. Carr has been leader of the B.C. Greens, running for both the provincial and federal parties and has yet to win, but said she’s not ruling out a return to those political arenas.  "I've learned after many years in politics that you never say never, but I'm really excited about returning to local politics," Carr said Tuesday.  Carr said she is familiar with municipal issues, with her Masters degree in urban geography. She did her thesis on the Kitsilano neighbourhood. "I'm hearing lots of people complaining about the fact that neighbourhood plans are being overruled by spot rezoning and it really hasn't been thought through on the impact on quality of life."  Carr said she's also in favour of banning crude oil tankers from the harbour area. Carr’s return to municipal politics could split the vote for Vancouver's other left-leaning parties, Vision Vancouver and COPE. She said the Green Party wants to run at least four candidates in the fall election.

May in Your House

On May 1, the Green Party of Canada presents its vision to Canadian voters with this half-hour television special: "May in Your House: The Green Party Story."Here we present the practical, realistic Green Party approaches to real problems faced by Canadians: climate change, jobs, health care, education, pensions, youth unemployment and more. “May in Your House” airs Sunday, May 1 at 9:00pm EST/6:00pm PST on Business News Network (BNN) & CHEK-TV at 6:30-7pm PST, Victoria.

Green Party Rally April 11th

12 April 2011 - For immediate Release VERNON -

A group of about 30 people gathered on the steps of Vernon's courthouse yesterday to hear Greig Crockett, Green party candidate, speak out against the exclusion of Elizabeth May and demand democratic debates. Crockett was joined by Vernon's well known actor Christine Pilgrim, who specializes in history based theatre, impersonated Elizabeth May, as she was being silenced by faceless media moguls. "One million Canadians deserve to have a voice" claimed Crockett. "Elizabeth May represents values Canadians deserve to hear and solutions that work. Excluding her means there will be no debate on Climate Change or on corporate media concentration and how it damages our democracy. Excluding Elizabeth May from televised debates means that Canadians will now only hear what the major parties want them to hear, not the fresh ideas supported by more and more Canadians." Crockett was joined by supporters of all ages holding signs demanding to have Elizabeth heard. "Elizabeth May is the clear voice of reason in a political world that is ignoring serious issues at its own peril" added Crockett. "Excluding her from debates means silencing all Canadians who want to see a real alternative to the Conservative."