NL Green Party Election 2006

Wrappin' it up

2006-01-24T11:48:00.000-03:30

NOTE: This will be the last post in this section of the Blog. It will be reserved as a campaign Blog while the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Party main Blog will be located at http://NLGreenParty.blogspot.com

Well, it's all over and personally, I'm physically exhausted, emotionally frustrated and mentally worn down. 2 months of campaigning came down to one night of watchin' CBC unfold it all... almost all anyway. I'm still a little miffed over the fact that they didn't show any Green results the whole night. I can understand their reasoning behind keeping the results to the top candidates but, they could have had the top 4 candidates and not just 3. Plus, I remember the election last time around posting results for all the candidates. What happened this time?

Anyway, here's the results for Greens in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Avalon
Shannon Hillier / 296 votes / 0.8%

Bonavista--Gander--Grand Falls--Windsor
Judy Davis / 275 votes / 0.7%

Humber--St. Barbe--Baie Verte
Martin Hanzalek / 339 votes / 1.0%

Labrador
Gail Zwicker / 82 votes / 0.7%

Random--Burin--St. George's
Mark Brennan / 426 votes / 1.4%

St. John's East
Stephen Eli Harris / 437 votes / 1.1%

St. John's South--Mount Pearl
Barry Crozier / 235 votes / 0.6%

That's a total of 2090 votes in Newfoundland and Labrador which, unfortunately, is a drop of over a 1000 votes from last election. It's not really surprising but, it certainly is a little disappointing. I guess there was no way to stop the conservative momentum this time around, especially not in Newfoundland and Labrador who has seen great things come out of Danny Williams. Plus, with so many people strategically voting Liberal to stop the conservative momentum, there was really no chance. Of course, we can't forget the seal hunt issue. This almost single handedly brought us down in the province.

All in all, this was an incredibly wonderful experience for me. I've found something within myself that I probably always knew I had but wasn't willing to flesh it out. Now that I have found it though, I will never give up. It wont be long before we have another election and this time, I'll be ready.

I can't help to think however, that because the Greens didn't elect any seats this time around, the next time will be much the same. We'll have no media. We'll not be permitted to debate with the other leaders on television and we'll not be respected as a party. But, who knows? I certainly don't. I would never have thought we'd have a Conservative government in place either so, things defiantly surprise you.

I'd like to take this time to thank all those who indeed voted for real change. All those who volunteered their time throughout the province, I thank you as well. Without the support of you few, there would be no Green movement in Newfoundland and Labrador and to me, that's a scary thought.

So. We push ahead. We ready ourselves for the next election and be sure that the Green voice isn't muted. We have a place in Government and we'll achieve this spot in time with true dedication and hard work. Don't give up. Never give up.

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you and then you win.

Remember that. Thanks again for your support.

Now, go to NLGreenParty.blogspot.com and follow the progress from here.

EDIT: I added Mark Brennans final remarks to this post.

Random Burin St Georges Green Candidate, Mark Brennan - Election Reaction

At home in Whitehill Nova Scotia, Green Candidate Mark Brennan laments over the recent election results. Brennan, who stepped forward to run for the Green Party in this Newfoundland riding said, "I did not expect to come anywhere close to winning in this election, the results are an indication that the public is not getting the message when it comes to true sustainability and the environment. What I do see though, is that despite the generally poor showing, there is still a core group of voters who truly put the well being of the earth first."

After the early Green Party public stand on ending the Seal hunt, the initial candidate decided not to run. Brennan feels this was a major factor in Greens doing poorly across the Province. "Overall it has been a good experience and I certainly wish the elected member well in the coming years and hope that some of the issues I was questioned about during the election are dealt with for the people of this riding. On the seal issue, we are seeing marine mammals wiped out the world over for human consumption. Newfoundland has experienced a devastating loss of it's main fishery, we need to make rebuilding these marine eco-systems a priority and that would also mean putting an end to the seal hunt as well banning the use of industrial draggers. Without these and other measures the five hundred year old Newfoundland fishery will never come back."

The 37 year old Landscape Artist and healthcare worker, vows to run again, saying that, "All of us need to wake up to the fact that there are limits to growth on a finite planet, we need to stop consuming the world, stop forcing other species into extinction, we also need to redefine our relationship to the earth. There really is no other choice, but I really don't think people are ready to hear this message yet, we are still in denial."

Mark A. Brennan
Canadian Landscape Painter/Photographer
Whitehill, Nova Sotia, Canada
http://www.markbrennanfineart.ca/

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No Results for Greens?

2006-01-23T23:42:00.000-03:30

Well, I have no idea how we've done. There aren't any numbers for the Greens on CBC as of yet. I'm disapointed in the programing...

Updates Later.

What are you doing reading this? Go VOTE!

2006-01-23T03:34:00.000-03:30

... Unless you've already voted (or the polls aren't open yet), then go ahead and read on. Well actually, don't bother because it doesn't really apply to you anyway. Plus, you should be out making sure your friends and family vote too. Go on.

The rest of you, please, go out and vote. It only takes a few minutes and is an extremely gratifying experience to choose who you want to lead you. It's an important decision to make but, please, make sure you know all your options before you mark your X. Don't be pressured by a peer or family member and don't listen to polls. Just vote with your heart.

If you want to check out all the platforms (of the 4 parties nearly everyone in the country has the opportunity to vote for), here they are (in alphabetical order to show no favoritism... though, the green background may throw you off).

Conservative Party of Canada
Green Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
New Democratic Party of Canada

And if you live in Quebec, there's the option of:

The Bloc Quebecois

Also, in various parts of the country there are other options as well. Check out Elections Canada List.

So, know ALL you options and choose with your heart. Pick the Party that best represents the Canada you want to build. Then, go mark an X by the candidate who will help you build that Canada.

Go on. Do it. Do the Evolution.

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Green Party urges non-voters to feel good about voting again

2006-01-22T01:08:00.000-03:30

Media Releases
2006-01-21
Green Party urges non-voters to feel good about voting again

"To those disenfranchised Canadians, I say your vote does count", says Jim Harris.

(Victoria, Saturday, 21 January 2006) - Canadians are two days away from an election that, if recent history is any indication, only 60 per cent of voters will actually cast a ballot, said Green Party of Canada leader Jim Harris today in Victoria.

"In fact, you could fill BC Place nearly 150 times over with the number of Canadians who didn't vote in the last election. Close to 8.9 million Canadians didn't vote or three times the total number of electors in British Columbia," said Harris. "The reason is simple enough: they have become completely ambivalent towards the style of electoral politics practiced by the old-line parties."

"It speaks volumes about a system when, outside of Ontario, there were more non-voters in Canada than voters in all the other provinces and territories combined," added Mr. Harris. "And while filling BC Place 150 times over would make for one football game, it's sad to think that all these people are effectively voiceless when it comes to the future of their country."

"To those disenfranchised Canadians, I say your vote does count," said Mr. Harris. "A vote for the Green Party is a vote that will be heard. It sends a message to the old-line parties that change isn't just necessary, it's inevitable."

Harris noted that the Green Party is the only political party in this election that has invited all Canadians to read the platforms of each party and choose the plan that best reflects their hopes and dreams for Canada and their children. "We are so confident in our plan for Canada that we have also posted links from our site at www.greenparty.ca to the platforms of other parties and NGOs."

The Green Party proposes something entirely new and different. It is a party that is socially progressive, pro-environment and economically prudent. The party believes that Canadians don't have to fit into the mold of the either/or, for/against divisions presented by the other national parties.

And here's another endorsment that I thought you might like. I do. It's not for me personally but, it's still darn good.

Be a leader and vote Green: Vote with your values; [Final Edition]
Craig Rourke. Sun Times. Owen Sound, Ont.: Jan 18, 2006. pg. A.5

Editor: I am very proud to say that I am supporting the Green Party in this federal election and more importantly in the Grey- Bruce-Owen Sound riding. I know that there are a great number of people thinking of voting for Shane Jolley and I have heard many people in our community endorse Shane as being the top local candidate. Many of us are struck by his insight, and can identify with his green values.

The unfortunate thing is that these sentiments are usually followed by something that sounds like this: "I'd like to vote for Shane but." To these people I would like to say that this is your chance to make your opinion count. Don't worry what other people are going to vote, worry about who you would like to represent you in Ottawa.

Be a leader and vote Green. If everyone who wanted to vote for Shane actually followed through with it, I think we would be in a real position to make some noise. Go with your gut on this one and advise your friends, family and co-workers to do the same.

There's a reason you want to vote for Shane Jolley and the Green Party, and that is simple: because you'd like them to win. Please try and get over your fear and skepticism and vote with your values when election day comes.

Craig Rourke
Owen Sound

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Top 10 Reasons to Vote Green on Monday

2006-01-21T00:02:00.000-03:30

Still undecided? Have no idea which party to support? Well, here are some reasons why you should Vote Green on January 23rd, if that helps any.

1. I want to feel good about my vote.I want to vote for someone, not against someone.

2. The Green Party has the best platform. The Green Party platform has earned positive reviews in the media, has done well under analysis by non-partisan organizations.

3. My great grandchildren will be proud of me. I want them to have a sustainable future, a green economy, and better democracy.

4. I want my vote to have an impact on the legislative agenda of the next parliament. MPs will spend the next session trying to look good for the next election, so they will be looking at who they lost votes to. Vote Green and Green priorities will set the agenda.

5. People are saying good things about the Green Party.

6. I am nobody's fool. I refuse to let Martin, Harper, Layton or Duceppe think he can scare me into "strategically" voting for him just for not being the worst among them.

7. Green Parties around the world get elected, govern countries, and make the world a better place.

8. Whoever I vote for will get $1.75 in public funding, per vote, per year. I feel good about the Green Party putting it to good use defending my values.

9. I am socially progressive, fiscally responsible, and committed to environmental sustainability - just like the Green Party.

10. One hundred and thirty nine years of Liberal and Conservative governments. Albert Einstein said it best: "The significant problems of our time are not going to be solved by the same level of thinking that got us into them."

A heck. Why stop there? Here are even more reasons to vote Green:

11. I am neither left nor right; I just know the difference between good and bad ideas.

12. I don't want to waste my vote: I know that the other parties will change when, and only when, they see how politically viable the Green Party is.

13. Prime Minister Paul Martin himself gave me plenty of reasons: "the gap between the rich and the poor is not narrowing, it's getting worse. The environmental problems we face in the world are getting worse. The conflicts that are taking place in the poorest parts of the world are getting worse. And children are being born into abject poverty in a world of huge wealth." Voting Green is a vote for real solutions.

14. The Green Party has a National Cancer-fighting Strategy, a real Kyoto plan, and a forward-looking Energy Plan, in addition to their comprehensive election platform.

15. I want the Parliament of Canada to be accountable to Canadians, protect our air, soil and water, develop a sustainable economy, meet and exceed our Kyoto commitments, and work for all communities. Green Party MPs will do that.

16. I just cannot bring myself to vote for people who do not have clean air, pure water and safe food as their priorities. There are only 2 choices on the ballot: the Green Party and everybody else.

17. The Green Party actually encouraged me to read all the party platforms and judge for myself, without the media spin. By respecting me, they have earned my vote.

18. I didn't get a chance to hear the Green Party in the leaders' debates, but now I have the chance to vote for them. I want to remind the Broadcast Consortium just how important the Green Party is.

19. The other parties embraced negative campaigning and attack ads. They really did. We are not making this up. The Greens didn't do any mudslinging. By respecting me, the Greens have earned my vote.

20. I believe in my local Green Party candidate.

21. The Green Party of Canada offers a vision of hope for Canadians. I know where they want to go with this county. I am voting for something good.

22. I am voting in a Canadian parliamentary election, not a U.S.-style two-party system as Martin and Harper would have you believe.

23. I used to vote for another party, but as Dr. Phil says: "How's that working for ya?" This time I'm voting Green.

24. I support the six fundamental principles of the global Greens: ecological wisdom, social justice, participatory democracy, non-violence, sustainability, respect for diversity.

25. It's just the right thing to do.

26. The Green Party understands that we are bound by the natural limits to growth and that current economic models don't reflect this. The Green Party's strategy to reduce consumption will lead to a higher quality of life for everyone.

27. Only the Green Party is working to rewire our economy and rebuild our communities so that our children are not left with the burden of environmental pollution and economic hardship related to higher oil prices.

28. I want to Make Poverty History; so do all 308 Green Party candidates.

Click here for information on how, where, and when to vote in the federal election on Monday, January 23.

There is no excuse for not doing it.

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Paying Props to the Green Party

2006-01-20T04:44:00.000-03:30

Okay, seeing we don't' get a whole lot of media attention (not from lack of trying), I wanted to let you know what some writers are saying about the Green Party.

First up James McRae in Ottawa:

Dance with Greens; [Final Edition]
James McRae. The Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ont.: Jan 16, 2006. pg. A.11

The Green Party has a fresh approach to politics, befitting a new age
we could live in, putting self-responsibility and creativity firmly in the hands of individuals interested in the common welfare.

Canadians wanted the Greens represented in the national leaders' debates. The party has candidates in every riding across the country.

With the release of its solid platform -- so solid you could dance on
it -- I sensed a lot of excitement about the prospect of Greens actually winning seats. The Green Party website received six million hits in the week following the release of its full policy.

The older Canadian parties, mired in the left/right view of the world, seem incapable of expressing new ideas. We are told the Liberals will lead us to more corruption while the Conservatives will lead us to war.

The NDP tries to be socialist and green at the same time; the trouble is, logically, or ecologically, you cannot be both. The Bloc Quebecois stares fixedly at its goal, getting more for Quebec in a Canada where

we already have everything.

Fortune favours the brave. I say we dance with the Greens.

James McRae,
Ottawa

Then there's Rob Gilgan in Alberta:

Ponoka Times
By ROB GILGAN /Publisher
Jan 17 2006

Far be it from me to tell anyone how to vote, or rather for whom to vote. I always encourage everyone to exercise the franchise; it's what keeps democracy alive and it's apparently an easy habit to break. I'm always surprised when people tell me they forgot, or couldn't be bothered, or chose not to vote, deliberately. "Don't vote, it only encourages them," they say. "My vote won't count, I'm from Alberta."

And once again, while I'm not telling you who to vote for, I am going to tell you where I'm placing my 'x' on Monday. I will, for the first time federally, be voting for the Green Party. I think it may well be the most significant ballot I will have cast in a long while and I'd like to explain why I think that.

Historically, I've voted for the candidate I thought earned my vote, either by the way they presented themselves and their platform, or the effort they put into ensuring the success of democracy. I've never been one to blindly place my hard-earned 'x' beside a party name -- I think pure partisan politics is a threat to democracy.

Like many Canadians, I recognize that we're living in the best of times. In theory, we should be re-electing the party that's presided over our robust economy. Notwithstanding that sentiment, the governing Liberals have not earned my vote with their campaign.

I am a social liberal and have been most of my adult life. I am a reflection of my parents' values in that regard. They also emphasized fiscal conservatism and I've benefited from that influence as well.

This election, from the perspective of the three traditional parties, the Liberals, Conservatives and New Democrats, is all about the past. The Conservatives have been focused on the corruption of past Liberal administrations. The Liberals are obsessed with what they believe is their influence on our robust economy over the past decade. The New Democrats selectively remember their influence on the Martin minority, but not their role in defeating the government against the wishes of a majority of Canadians.

The Green Party doesn't have a long past to obsess about, but they do have a track record - a better record than their current treatment would suggest. They have run 308 candidates in this election and the 2004 effort. In fact, due to both the Liberals and Conservatives having dropped candidates they found embarrassing, the Greens are actually running in more ridings than either.

Nationally, the Green Party attracted 4.3% of the popular vote, more than 6% in Alberta (a little less than a third of the votes garnered by the Liberals, ). And they did so without spending millions, renting airliners, hosting crowds of scribes and infringing on your favourite episode of 'Survivor'.

Part of the energy in my vote is a protest. The Green Party, even though it's running candidates in every riding in Canada, even though we anted up a million dollars for the votes they garnered last election, was banished from the national leaders debate. Gilles Duceppe, on the other hand, leading a party with a scant 12.4% nationally, participated in all four. Canadians deserved better.

Further, the Green Party was actually censored not by Elections Canada, but by a consortium of national media. That is shameful conduct and beyond explanation.

But mostly my vote is energized by looking to the future, not so much for myself as my children and their children, should they choose to have them. I don't see a lot of future in the platforms of the Liberals, Conservatives and New Democrats. I see housekeeping, window dressing, semantics and unwavering support for avoiding change.

Only the Green Party seems to recognize the relationship between a clean environment and reduced health spending. The others dare not raise this issue, since their power brokers measure success without consideration for environmental damage.

The Green Party's platform is grounded in sustainability. Resources are managed, rather than exploited. The platform acknowledges that a green economy runs on a sustainable work force. Agriculture is viewed as our food supply, whereas agribusiness seems to be all about shareholders.

The Greens are also keen on developing good government and renewing our democracy, concepts that should resonate with voters in this election. I don't expect my vote to produce a government, but I know it will support a progress that isn't available in the same old, same old traditional parties.

Some day, and hopefully soon, enough people will speak up, enough votes will be cast, that the traditional parties will have to expand their platforms to incorporate the reforms proposed by the Green Party today.

I hope my vote encourages that.

Then we go to Vancouver with Barbara Yaffe

Barbara Yaffe, Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, January 20, 2006

I know several people who have solved the dilemma of whom to vote for among a field of mainstream party candidates who fail to satisfy.

These people are opting to cast a ballot for the Green party.

Some of them would tell you there is no way they can vote Liberal because of the ethics issue. No way they can vote Conservative because of reservations about Stephen Harper's social conservatism. And that they are simply not socialist inclined.

Green is a vote that's easy to feel good about. Without a healthy environment, there's no life to enjoy.

The cancer rate is increasing, more and more children suffer from asthma, the planet is running out of conventional energy supplies, weird weather is causing mayhem across the globe, and just last week we learned Canadian polar bears are full of the toxic chemicals we've been deploying as a fire retardant in a variety of products.

No one expects the Greens to form government. But imagine the utility of having a couple of diligent Green MPs darting about the corridors of the Commons, asking questions that wouldn't otherwise be posed.

Green MPs would act as bees in the bonnets of traditional parties that regularly put political considerations above fundamental environmental principles, parties more attuned to economic growth and the provision of services to taxpayers, particularly needy ones.

We often forget the degree to which the planet and all its life forms are needy, too, although lately Mother Nature has been giving us a good few nudges.

Jim Harris, leader of the Greens, says his isn't a party of the left or right. Rather, it's a "solution-oriented party, with solutions based on ecological integrity."

"We are fiscally responsible, socially progressive and in favour of what is environmentally sustainable," he told a recent Vancouver Sun editorial board meeting.

Harris, a 43-year-old Torontonian, is a former journalist and author, married to business consultant Lee-Anne McAlear. They have no children. The party website describes the leader as a "committed environmentalist and avid rollerblader."

Harris is running in Beaches-East York in Toronto, currently held by Liberal MP Maria Minna.

While a party member for 17 years, Harris became the Greens' leader in 2003. He notes the party won 600,000 votes in the 2004 election, up from 100,000 in 2000. New election financing laws gives the Greens $1.75 for each vote. Harris began taking a salary last summer -- $50,000 annually.

The Greens definitely will not form government next week, so the party's specific policies are less important than its general orientation.

But for those who care, the Greens are against the Atlantic coast seal hunt, oppose offshore oil drilling off B.C., would phase out fish farms because they believe them to be a threat to natural fish stocks, want the tax system used to discourage high energy consuming pursuits and reward those practicing energy efficiency.

The Greens insist their policies would reduce health costs. which are such a drain on federal and provincial budgets.

"You cannot have healthy people on a sick planet," Harris asserts, pointing to smog problems increasingly being experienced in Canada's larger cities.

"We are putting our short-term interests ahead of the long-term interests of our grandchildren," says Harris, who drives a hybrid car. "We are caught in a deep pathology. We need a deep reorientation . . . . When are we going to say, enough is enough?"

Greens argue that practising environmental awareness wouldn't mean a loss of jobs. Rather, destroying existing ecosystems costs jobs -- think Newfoundland's cod stock. Encouraging new, unconventional resource use -- like wind power -- might well boost employment.

There's a pressing need for Green thinking for many reasons, the party website notes. At present, the world consumes about two barrels of oil for every new barrel discovered. Clearly, that's unsustainable.

Most parties, operating on short-term political exigencies, aren't prepared to tell voters they need to make radical changes in their lifestyle. Greens believe they have no choice.

Certainly, in the current campaign, no party other than the Greens have vigorously highlighted environmental issues.

Greens are running candidates in every riding, arguably making them far more relevant to the national political scene than the Bloc Quebecois.

byaffe@png.canwest.com

And then there's all these people saying great stuff about us.

"Rather than spoil my ballot, I'm looking for a true alternative. I may have found it in the Green Party. I know what you're thinking. The Green Party is for granola-eating peaceniks who drive hybrid cars. That's what I assumed until I discovered that the party offers a broad platform that covers much more than just environmental concerns."

- Lydia Lovric, Winnipeg Sun

"I know several people who have solved the dilemma of whom to vote for among a field of mainstream party candidates who fail to satisfy. These people are opting to cast a ballot for the Green party. [...] No one expects the Greens to form government. But imagine the utility of having a couple of diligent Green MPs darting about the corridors of the Commons, asking questions that wouldn't otherwise be posed."

- Barbara Yaffe, Vancouver Sun

"The Green Party of Canada has expanded a great deal on its social policy agenda since the last election. Women's equality issues are definitely covered in this platform. Unlike the other platforms, one does not need to read between the lines to seek out mention of equality issues. The Green Party's platform is most likely the most progressive of all party platforms."

- The Coalition for Women's Equality (CWE)

"By providing thoughtful responses to the questionnaire, the Liberal Party, the New Democratic Party and the Green Party showed they care about women's sexual and reproductive health and rights."

- Action Canada for Population and Development

"Frankly, a Green voice or two in parliament wouldn't hurt a bit."

- The Hamilton Spectator

"One thing you have to say about Jim Harris, he's got balls. When Paul Martin gave his speech on Kyoto he made sure to do it in Halifax and Montreal where he would be safe from industrialists. Jim Harris walked directly into the heart of the enemy territory and stuck it to them...by empowering them."

- progressivebloggers.ca

"Frankly, with our fiscal house largely in order, Canada should be poised to take to the world stage with innovative and bold stances on global issues like environmental sustainability, weapons in space, and Third World debt Â all topics addressed in the Green platform."

- The Progress

Then there's all these Non-Profit groups Evaluating our platform and policies.

Have a look. Decide for yourself.

Council of Canadians
Canadian Medical Association
Greenpeace
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
for Women's Equality

PLUS, there's all these articles too!

Did you get through it all? Yeah, I know, it's a lot of good word to get through.

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Here's where we stand on Health Care; Martin Hanzalek

2006-01-20T04:36:00.000-03:30

Martin Hanzelek, Green Candidate for Humber - St. Barbe - Baie Verte shares our parties policies on Health and Health care with the people of his riding and now I'm sharing it with you.

(By the way, he is not in this picture)

Here's where they stand on health care
Western Star. Corner Brook, Nfld.: Jan 16, 2006. pg. 3

Health care continues to be a significant concern for residents in this riding. What is your and your party's stand on health care issues affecting western Newfoundland?

Martin Hanzelek, Green Party of Canada,

Health care is a major concern for the Green Party of Canada. Canada's declining health care system,combined with an aging population, increased cancer rates and a severe lack of health care funding, has placed Canada's public health care system in a state of peril. The Green Party does not support a two-tiered health care system, with high-end private health care available only to the richest of Canadians, while low-income families face substandard care and long wait lists. We believe every Canadian deserves the best care possible, as soon as possible. Hand in hand
with health care is the environment.

We are the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. It is no coincidence Newfoundland has both the highest cancer rate in Canada and the highest dioxin emissions of any province. We burn household garbage in open incinerators, burn used motor oil as a fuel source at the Corner Brook paper mill, freely dump our raw sewage into the ocean and, at one point, we were even considering burning used tires as a source of energy. With an environmental track record like this one, it is no wonder why one out of two Newfoundlanders develop cancer in their lifetime.

The Green Party is focused on developing solutions to current problems, such as wait lists and access to diagnostic imaging equipment and specialists, but they are also focused on long-term solutions which include addressing the root cause of problems - not just providing a band-aid solution.

EDIT: Here's a news release on Hearth Care as well.

Media Releases
2006-01-20
Restoring health to our health care system

Green Party MPs would push to set and meet national educational, fitness and mental health goals

(Saskatoon, Friday, 20 January 2006) – In a speech at the University of Saskatoon today, Green Party leader Jim Harris outlined his party's vision for Canada's future, one in which Canadians have quality health care, a cleaner environment and the tools to stay healthy throughout their lives – and are better off because of it.

In the speech, Mr. Harris faults the country's old-line parties "whose vision is blinded by a four-year horizon", and therefore cannot deal with the far-reaching problems affecting Canada's health care system. As Mr.

Harris points out, diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes and conditions such as obesity are spiraling out of control – which is even sadder when you consider that, through proper lifestyle choices, these problems could be mitigated or wiped out altogether. It has put a huge strain on our health care system.

"Presently, our health care system can be better described as a 'sick care system'. Canada's health care professionals are some of the best in the world treating us once we get sick," Mr. Harris said. "But now our priority must be preventing illness."

The Green Party has education and funding plans that stretch beyond the four-year election cycle. Green Party MPs would push to set and meet national educational, fitness and mental health goals in order to ensure our children lead healthier lives.

It would include, for example, a national strategy that will set specific goals for mental health care, promote good mental health, reduce stigma and examine ways Canada can address issues such as stress and over-work.

The party would also tackle the wait time conundrum affecting this country's health care system. Jim Harris and the Greens believe that wait times need to incorporate not only the time it takes for Canadians to receive treatment, but also the time it takes between noticing a problem and getting preliminary care through a family physician. "By not including the time between your first symptoms and finally receiving treatment, we do not have the full picture of what a patient endures," Mr. Harris said.

To address this problem, the Greens are committed to increasing the number of physicians from 1.8 per 1,000 Canadians to 2.5 over the next ten years.

The Green plan would include streamlining the process it takes to accredit medical graduates from abroad so that those who choose to come to Canada can practice medicine here more easily.

- 30 -

For More Information:
Derek Pinto
Media Relations Officer, Leader's Tour
media@grenparty.ca

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3 Shockers Knocked me Off my Feet

2006-01-20T03:08:00.000-03:30

I heard and/or read three very shocking things yesterday. Maybe not so to everyone but, to me, I was taken so far aback that it was the holidays again.

First, I was on the bus traveling to the Rogers Television debate/forum (by the way, It was pouring out this morning... just in case I looked a little wet on TV) that they had set up and I while riding I read The Telegram. In there, I leart that our Government is NOT supporting the wind farm in Labrador, as of now. They say they have their own energy plan and is not sure how this development will fit in.

This blew me away. How is there any hesitation on this project? 2000 construction jobs. 200 sustaining jobs in an industry that is ever lasting. That is, of course, if global warming doesn't progress to the point where there is no wind on earth (which, by the way, I'm only stressing a point. I have NO idea if the global warming crises will stop wind from happening). Is this province going backwards?

THEN, while taping the Rogers cable thing-a-ma-bob, our NDP candidate here in St. John's East, Mike Kehoe (an incredibly nice man. I can't say enough about him) said "We should exploit our resources for all they're worth".

I was shocked. I really was. I thought the NDP were somewhat in tune with Green Party values but, this is clearly not the way I would ever think, let alone say on TV to a public that is about to vote for you... that is unless the public also wishes to "exploit our resources".

That still shocks me to type/read/see/hear/dream about tonight.

Later that night, Mike and I had a very intimate discussion with a group of Political Science students. This was my favorite gathering to date, by the way. It was a discussion, not a debate. Mike and I got along very well (even after hearing the E word... about our resources) and the students were quite interested.

Anyway, to progress to the next shocker, after the discussion was over, I was approached by a couple of students who were quite interested in our values. One of whom, was Tracy.

Tracy is a very Green young lady who has a deep concern for our environment. She's a member of MUN Project Green and a coalition called Trout Pond Action Group. The reason why their coalition was formed was what blew me away...

... I can't talk about it anymore. It makes me upset. Read this article.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Mine Poses Contamination Risk of the Exploits River

January 16, 2006

St . John's - A proposed mining project at Trout Pond near the Exploits River poses severe risks for residents and industries located in that area, warns a local coalition of citizens and environmental groups. The chief concern is the proposed mining operations would unnecessarily set a national precedent by dumping toxic mine tailings into Trout Pond, a water body frequented by salmon, trout, and waterfowl.

The proposed Duck Pond mining project is slated to be opened by AUR Resources early this year. According to the Environmental Impact Statement approved by the provincial government, Trout Pond will be used as a tailings dump for the mine's waste. The proposal requires federal approval - an amendment to regulations under the Fisheries Act, prohibiting the use of live ponds as tailings impoundments.

Trout Pond Mine to set National Precedent for Toxic Dumping

"DFO plans to amend regulations under the Fisheries Act to allow destruction of fish habitat," said Chad Griffiths, spokesperson for the Trout Pond Action Group. "This will set a national precedent, turning lakes across Canada into dumps." He added, "Mining companies across Canada are lining up to destroy our waters and natural heritage, but Newfoundlanders have the chance to stop them."

Contamination could be severe in this large ecosystem - an aquatic habitat, about the size of Quidi Vidi Lake. "Risking the contamination of the Exploits River watershed is unacceptable," said Griffiths, pointing out that it is one of the most important recreational fishery destinations in the province. The environmental impact of this project will be severe, even if accidental contamination is prevented.

No environmental compensation plan exists. The Environmental Impact Statement claims the impact of this project will be minimal, but relies on an environmental compensation agreement, yet to be seen by the public, leaving no manner of public accountability to assess the overall environmental impact.

There has not been adequate public consultation. The public consultations regarding this project occurred several years ago and reached few people. They were conducted before mining regulations and standards were amended in 2002. Many affected parties (residents, recreational fishermen, tourism industry workers, aboriginal groups etc.) have yet to be informed about the potential environmental impact of this project.

"There are better options," said Griffiths. "Artificial impoundments are the norm now. Not ruining a live body of water". Seven mining projects across await this upcoming proposed amendment that, industry experts predict, will likely give them and future mines the legal right to pollute live ponds and lakes with tailings.

"It is vital to Newfoundland and Canada that actions be taken to ensure AUR Resource develops a more environmentally sustainable alternative which does not involve dumping mine wastes in Trout Pond," said Griffiths. "We can't afford to ignore the impact of this project until the damage has been done."

-30-

Released by the Trout Pond Action Group, a network of concerned individuals and environmental groups from all over the province including Sierra Club of Canada (Northeast Avalon Group), Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter), MUN Project Green, Protected Areas Association, Humber Natural History Society, Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, Society for Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility and Responsible Consumers NL.

For more information please contact:

Chad Griffiths, Spokesperson, chadgriffiths@mail.com, 709-691-1985
Stephen Mayor, Trout Pond Action Group, smayor@mun.ca, 709-579-4378
Jason Noble, Trout Pond Action Group, jdknoble@yahoo.com, 709-738-3879

For background on the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations under the
Fisheries Act, or the Duck Pond Project:
http://www.cen-rce.org/eng/caucuses/mining/index.html#activities

CESR -Society for Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility Memorial University of Newfoundland Chapter
Website: http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~cesr/index.asp
Email: cesr@mun.ca

So, that confirms it, we are moving backwards in this province if people are actually talking about going ahead with this. Not only that, they're trying to change regulations that was put in place to prevent this from happening. What is wrong with this picture?

A LOT! I gotta go lay down.

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Martin Calling on Green Vote?

2006-01-19T21:48:00.000-03:30

Is someone now even worried about the Green movement?

And so he should be! Mr. Martin is beggin' to the Greens for their vote, eh? Usin' the same move as last time, eh? Well, Well Mr. Martin, I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Well, Mr. Martin (if that is your real name) I got something to tell you; things are gonna be different this time. The people will not fall into your trap this time Mr. Martin. Oh no. We, the people, will not be fear mongered into voting AGAINST a party. We will go with our hearts and vote FOR a party. Thanks for the offer Mr. Martin, but I'm comfortable bein' Green. After all, Green means go and we all know what Red means, besides an irritated rash... which, when you think about it, is sorta like what the Liberals are.

I kid, I kid.

So, who doesn't have a clue what I'm talking about? Let's start at the begininng with this article...

Martin: 'We are the only people who can stop Stephen Harper.

PM says Tory leader not to be trusted to maintain programs in region
By Carl Davies
Telegraph-Journal

Paul Martin says voting Liberal is the only way to save New Brunswick from Stephen Harper, who has made so many promises during this campaign he would have to cut programs that directly benefit the province.

In an interview with the Telegraph-Journal Wednesday, Mr. Martin, who is trailing in the polls and in real danger of losing his job as prime minister, played the strategic voting card, urging anyone who opposes the Conservatives to vote Liberal this coming Monday, Jan. 23.

Speaking via phone from his campaign bus somewhere between Milton, Ont. and Toronto early Wednesday evening, Mr. Martin said that two-thirds of Canadians don't want Mr. Harper to lead the country and that there was only one way to avoid that.

"Most Canadians oppose his views," Mr. Martin said.

"The problem is that that two-thirds is of course divided, mostly with us, but there are also NDP supporters, there are Progressive Conservatives, there are the Green Party.

"My message very clearly is this is the time now when all progressive voters have got to come behind us.

"We are the only people who can stop Stephen Harper."

It's the same message that the Liberals used to great effect in 2004, when they were able to turn enough voters against Mr. Harper in the waning days of the campaign to win sufficient seats to form a minority government.

"Now is the time when all of the progressive voters in the country have really got to come together and say 'look, we're going to vote for someone whose values we share.' " Mr. Martin continued.

"The fact is, if he ever became prime minister, and he then cut ACOA, Jack Layton's not going to be able to stop him.

"If he decides he's going to cut the child-care program or he's going to cut infrastructure spending in Atlantic Canada, Jack Layton's not going to be able to stop him."

On the campaign trail, Mr. Harper pledged to maintain current funding levels for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the federal economic development agency for the region.

Mr. Martin said that given the number of Conservative promises made during this campaign, coupled with their cost, New Brunswickers should fear what might happen to ACOA under Mr. Harper.

"Mr. Harper, when he came out with the costing for his financial projections suddenly had to admit that he'd made 196 promises and he's $22 billion short in having the money to fund them and that he was going to have to find that money," Mr. Martin said.

"That means cuts, but he won't tell us what he's going to cut."

Mr. Martin, who had to make some painful cuts of his own when he was trying to bring the country's deficit under control as finance minister in Jean Chrétien's government, said such cuts would be painful.

"You can imagine what he's going to have to do to find that $22 billion," Mr. Martin added.

"I mean that's huge. I've got to tell you I've been there. I understand how difficult that can be."

The Liberal leader said he finds Mr. Harper's comments about ACOA on the campaign trail curious given past comments from the Conservative leader.

"He has spoken viciously against ACOA. He has spoken viciously against regional development.

Click to zoom (Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)
Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper greets enthusiastic supporters at a campaign rally in Montreal Wednesday.
"If in the middle of an election campaign all of a sudden he's had a change of heart,(that) may well be, but I go back, he's got to find $22 billion."

Mr. Martin said there's not much in the Conservative platform for the region.

"Most of the promises for which that money is going to be used is not going to be spent in Atlantic Canada," Mr. Martin predicted.

"He's got a very different vision of the role of government. He basically thinks government should stand back. Well that's not how we built Atlantic Canada or how we built the country."

Mr. Martin also said that Liberal programs such as the national child-care plan he announced in Saint John at the beginning of the campaign, would be history under Mr. Harper.

"He's essentially said that he's going to cut all of the new social programs which we've brought in."

The Conservative alternative to the Liberal child-care plan would see the government pay parents $100 a month for each child under the age of six.

Early in the campaign Premier Bernard Lord, who has campaigned with Mr. Harper, outlined a $1.875-billion federal-provincial development plan for the province, the majority of which would be financed by the federal government.

Fredericton MP Andy Scott said at the time that beyond existing child-care and gas tax deals, the Liberals were committed to $200 million for various projects in New Brunswick.

Mr. Martin said he'll consider the province's proposal after the election.

"We're prepared to sit down and talk to the province," he said.

"We can't make big announcements in the middle of an election campaign."

The Liberal leader is scheduled to make one final stop in New Brunswick Friday night, but says there will be no last minute promises to woo voters.

The speculation has already begun about who might succeed Mr. Martin if he loses Monday.

Former New Brunswick premier and current Ambassador to the U.S. for Canada Frank McKenna's name is prominent in those discussions.

Mr. Martin thinks Mr. McKenna is worthy of such talk, but he says all the speculation is premature.

"I certainly do not believe that Frank McKenna's role in public life is over. I think that he's got a great opportunity," Mr. Martin said before quickly adding, "I'm going to be around for quite a while."

He said he's not even thinking about losing.

"The only thing I've thought about is, we're going to have a cabinet meeting because we're going to win."

So, I was only told about the actual interview and I'm not exactly sure how much he talked about our Party but, just the mention is enough to push people into our hands. And Jim responded to it perfectly I believe.

Green Party reacts to Martin’s last play
Media Releases
2006-01-19

"Mr. Martin likes to trot out the 'values' card during elections and then quickly return it to the barn once the polls have closed."

(Brantford, Thursday, 19 January 2006) – Liberal leader Paul Martin overlooked one important fact when he offered up his ‘Hail Mary’ appeal to Green Party voters yesterday, said Green Party leader Jim Harris, ''Mr.Martin forgot the ‘fundamental differences’ that exist between our two parties.''

''Green Party voters support Kyoto not just in word, but in deed. Green Party voters believe in universal public health care for all Canadians, including Jack Layton and Paul Martin. And Green Party voters believe that the environment is a commitment, not a campaign ad,'' said Harris.

Harris noted that only a few months ago, Mr. Martin observed that ''the gap between the rich and the poor is not narrowing, it’s getting worse. The environmental problems we face in the world are getting worse. The conflicts that are taking place in the poorest parts of the world are getting worse. And children are being born into abject poverty in a world of huge wealth.''

''And Green Party voters believe Mr. Martin’s observations were right. It’s why they have chosen to vote for the Green Party in this election,'' said Harris. "Mr. Martin likes to trot out the ‘values’ card during elections and then quickly return it to the barn once the polls have closed.''

''But the Green Party believes that values are something you practice, not something you leverage for campaign ads.''

- 30 -

For more information:

Derek Pinto, David Kay
Media Relations Officers, Leader's Tour
media@greenparty.ca

*A La Mr. Burns*; "Excellent".

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Report Card on the 2006 Government Accountability Election Platforms

2006-01-19T15:33:00.000-03:30

Media Release

FEDERAL CONSERVATIVE PARTY HAS BEST GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PLATFORM -- NDP,GREENS, BLOC TIED NOT FAR BEHIND, LIBERAL GRADES MUCH WORSE -- ALL PLATFORMS STILL HAVE KEY GAPS -- LACK OF HONESTY-IN-POLITICS LAW MEANS NONE OF THE PARTIES' PLEDGES SHOULD BE TRUSTED
http://www.dwatch.ca/camp/RelsJan1806.html
Wednesday, January 18, 2006

OTTAWA - Today, Democracy Watch released its Report Card on the 2006 Government Accountability Election Platforms of the five main federal political parties (See Report Card set out below).

The Report Card grades the five main parties' platform pledges based upon 16 sets of changes Democracy Watch believes are the changes that will most effectively require everyone in the federal government to act honestly, ethically, openly, efficiently, representatively and, if they don't act in these democratic ways, easily and thoroughly held accountable. In total, the 16 sets of changes add up to about 70 changes to the federal government's accountability system.

The measures are a compilation of the proposals of the four nation-wide coalitions Democracy Watch coordinates (Government Ethics Coalition, Money in Politics Coalition, Corporate Responsibility Coalition, Canadian Community Reinvestment Coalition). A combined total of more than 140 citizen groups with a total membership of more than 3 million Canadians belong to the coalitions, groups that work on anti-poverty, bank accountability, community economic development, consumer, corporate responsibility, environment, labour, social justice, women and youth issues.

Many national surveys over the past several years have shown that a large majority of Canadians support the government accountability reforms set out in the Report Card, as do many commentators on democratic reform.

The 16 sets of changes, divided into five areas, all reflect the following five key elements for ensuring that large, powerful government institutions act responsibly and follow rules: 1. strong laws with no loopholes; 2. requirement to disclose details of operations and violations; 3. fully independent, fully empowered watchdog agencies to enforce laws; 4. penalties that are high enough to encourage compliance; and 5. empowerment of citizens to hold governments and watchdog agencies accountable.

The parties were given a grade ranging from A (Platform makes clear promise to implement proposal) to I (Platform does not mention proposal), with grades B for a vague or partial promise to implement the proposal, C and D for clear to vague promises to explore the proposal, E for mentioning proposal and F for mentioning the theme of the proposal. Grades were averaged for each of the five sections, and the average of section grades was used for the overall grades.

The highlights of the Report Card are as follows:

* The overall grades for every party, except the Liberals, are better than in all past election platform Report Cards Democracy Watch has produced, a clear sign that most of the parties are finally making comprehensive, effective pledges to strengthen the federal government's accountability system;
* The Conservatives had the best overall grade of B (mainly because of they made many specific pledges), and the best grade in two of the five areas (the Open Government area, and the Representative, Citizen-Driven Government area);
* The NDP also had the best grade in two of the five areas (the Honest, Ethical Government area, and the General Government Accountability Measures area), and tied with the Bloc and the Green Party with an overall grade of C+;
* The Liberals had the worst results, with an overall F grade, and the worst grades in all five areas;
* The strongest overall area grades for all the parties were in the "Open Government" area, with the Conservatives the best with a B+ grade;
* The worst overall area grades for all the parties were in the General Government Accountability Measures area, in which none of the parties had better than a B- grade (although in this area all the parties except the Liberals promise strong action on whistleblower protection);
* The main area in which all of the parties are weak is in empowering citizens and citizen groups to hold the federal government directly accountable;
* All of the parties except the Liberals promise action to strengthen ethics enforcement, lobbying disclosure and enforcement, auditing resources and enforcement, and election reforms, and;
* All of the parties except the Liberals promise to increase Parliament's role in reviewing appointments currently made solely by the Prime Minister, and ensuring merit-based nomination and appointment processes.

"Given the lack of a federal honesty in politics law, and the lack of a clear pledge by any of the parties to pass such a law, voters should be wary of trusting any political promises," said Duff Conacher, Coordinator of Democracy Watch. "However, a positive sign is that unlike in the past four elections most parties are addressing many of the key flaws in the federal government's accountability system."

The 2006 Report Card is an updated version of the Report Card issued by Democracy Watch during the 2004 and 2000 federal elections, reflecting changes that have occurred in federal laws since 2004. In the 2004 Report Card, the NDP received the highest overall grade of C mainly because of its promises to strengthen enforcement and standards in almost all of areas the Report Card covered (the NDP had the best grades in five of the 2004 Report Card's six areas).

Democracy Watch graded the parties' election platforms by reviewing the platforms. Statements by party leaders or representatives were not taken into account as they are not fully accessible to all voters, nor are they binding in any way on the party (as admitted by many party leaders) and as a result are even less reliable than promises made in the parties' platforms. (Please see Backgrounder set out below for details and relevant excerpts from the parties' platforms)

- 30 -

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Duff Conacher, Coordinator
Tel: (613) 241-5179
dwatch@web.net

Debate on Rogers Tonight

2006-01-19T14:51:00.000-03:30

Well folks, I just got back from Rogers studio where they taped a debate/forum for the St. John's East candidates (they doing one for 3 ridings here in the province, btw). The format was quick and they even had a neat feature where they presented questions from the public that were taped beforehand. It happened very fast and all in all, I think things went very well. Of course my view of things going well is anything that gives me an opportunity to talk about the Green Party.

Anyway it'll be aired tonight on Channel 9 in St. John's and also tomorrow night. Support your local television and check it out! Again, a special thanks goes to Rogers Television for giving us this opportunity.

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Greens aim to Prune the Political Rhetoric

2006-01-18T23:46:00.000-03:30

This is an article posted in Queens University publication of The Journal. Jim Harris, leader of the Green Party, is a graduate of Queens.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2006 - ISSUE 25, VOLUME 133

Jim Harris, Arts 82 and former rector, talks about what it’s like to be at the head of a growing party
S T O R Y - By Tamsyn Burgmann, News Editor

Journal: It was only a year and a half ago that you went through the last election campaign. The outcome of the election was that the Green party earned enough votes to receive federal funding. How have these funds changed your party’s ability to run this campaign?

Jim Harris: Six months before the last election, the party had one part-time employee. He was very busy, one poor guy all by himself. Six months before this election we had 20 people [working] full time.

We had so many firsts in this election. I was the first leader to visit every province in Canada and the North. I visited every province before Mr. Martin, or Mr. Harper or Mr. Layton. So [the funding] means that we have the money to fund the leaders tour that’s more aggressive than every old-line party.

We were the first party to release our full, entire election platform—it’s available on our website, http://greenparty.ca

There are only two federal parties now that have a candidate in every riding, the Green party and NDP, because the Liberals and the Conservatives just dropped one candidate each. So it means we have more candidates than the Conservatives and the Liberals. Our website is taking six million hits a week, as Canadians are hungry to learn about our platform because the television networks have shut us out. … We have an online petition that you can go and sign requesting the Green party be included in the debates, and so far 48,000 people have signed. When you actually consider [that] when the broadcasters invited Canadians to e-mail them questions, to the leaders of the old-line parties, only 10,000 bothered to submit questions. So five times as many Canadians want to see us on the debates as were interested in asking questions of the leaders of the old-line parties.

Journal: What would you have imparted to an audience if you had been included in the debate?

Jim Harris: We would have said things that aren’t being said by any other party.

For instance, today, one in every five children has childhood asthma. When you look at the rates from 30 years ago, it was less than one in 50. Why are we using our children as the canaries in the coal mine to tell us we have to change? Are we going wait until one in every four children has problems until the old-line parties decide to do something about it?

Journal: There are not yet any Green seats in the House of Commons. If you are able to get elected, how would you ensure that your party is heard?

Jim Harris: We saw the incredible amount of power that just three independent MPs had in this last parliament, because they determined the fate of the government, the fate of the budget, and were able to change the course of the government by exerting pressure. So by electing our first handful or two handfuls of Green MPs in this election, we can force the same fundamental changes to occur in Canadian politics. The Globe and Mail, front page, a couple days ago, had us at six per cent. And if you consider that the NDP in 1993 was 6.9 per cent of the vote, with nine seats, we are in the range to elect our first Green MPs in the history of Canada, in this election.

Journal: What would you consider a successful outcome of this election?

Jim Harris: We’re going to win seats in this election. When you do the math on the polling numbers from the Globe, six per cent is over 800,000 Canadians [that] have already made the decision to vote for a secure future for their children and their grandchildren. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Underneath that, we’ve never had such high discontent with all the traditional old-line parties. Research from Decima this summer shows that in addition to the number that have already decided to vote Green, 34 per cent of Canadians are now considering it. … At a time when we’re seeing a huge numbers of undecided voters, and huge numbers of [voters] not comfortable with any old-line party, this is the perfect storm for the Green party to break through.

Journal: It seems there is a broad-ranging spectrum of people who are supporting the Green party. You present a platform of ecological activism that at the same time is fiscally conservative. How do you reconcile seemingly contrasting political ideologies in one party?

Jim Harris: We talk about being fiscally prudent or fiscally responsible. I’ll give you an example. This past year the Liberals gave $1.4 billion in subsidies to oil and gas companies, and this is during a time when they’re making the highest profit in their existence. So we say we don’t think this is a fiscally responsible use of our precious tax dollars. Why are we subsidizing the most profitable companies in Canada?

Because we believe in balanced budgets, every dollar we spend in one area is a dollar that can’t be spent in another area. So that $1.4 billion is stealing precious resources that we can’t invest in education, because our students are graduating with the highest debt loads in the history of Canada.

To address childhood poverty, over 1.2 million children live in poverty today, some four million Canadians can’t guarantee that they will be able to buy food by the end of the month. They are poor, they need our help.

The oil and gas companies are rich beyond their wildest dreams. Why are we giving our precious resources to them? We can’t invest as much money in health care or social housing, because we’re subsidizing the rich companies in Canada. So we don’t consider it socially responsible.

Finally, we’re literally subsidizing global climate change: for every dollar the Liberals proposed to spend on Kyoto, they’ve spent subsidizing oil and gas companies. When you look at over last 30 years, it’s $40 billion that’s given to oil and gas companies. When you look at our total national debt, it’s only $500 billion. Almost 10 per cent of our national debt has come from subsidising oil and gas companies.

I just want to point out how we are fundamentally different from other parties: the Conservative party would keep up the subsidies because they’re an Albertan-based party, beholden to oil and gas interests. The NDP supported giving Ford $100 million and GM $200 million in the past 18 months, why? Because it was unionized jobs, CAW jobs. So we wouldn’t be supporting the two car companies that have the highest CO2 emissions on average, that produce gas guzzling vehicles and have bet their entire future on gas guzzlers. … I think that union workers would be just as happy building hybrids, in fact happier. Why don’t we produce any hybrids right here, right now in Canada?

Journal: Your party seems to strike a special chord with young voters, such as university students. Why do you think your party has this appeal? Is the youth vote crucial to your campaign?

Jim Harris: Absolutely. The student vote is absolutely crucial, and yes, the Green party has a higher percentage of [youth] support amongst our support overall than any other party in Canada. The Green party is the party of the future and for the future. And so, Sheila Copps, the former deputy prime minister of Canada, admitted to me that her daughter ran for high school election in her mock election, and won her seat, as a Green. And Hugh Segal, who is one of the backroom strategists for the Conservatives, admitted to me that his daughter voted Green. And Diane Francis, who is the editor at large of the Financial Post interviewed me, because her daughter voted Green. And Doris Anderson, who’s a former Liberal candidate, former editor of Chatelaine magazine, a prominent feminist and journalist, over dinner told me that her son not only voted Green, not only campaigns for the Green party, but belongs to the Green party.

And so while the who’s who of Canada may have belonged at one time, or worked for, or been elected by the only two parties that have traditionally governed Canada, their sons, their daughters are firmly focused on the Green party. Because we’re the party of the future and for the future.

Journal: What does the Green party have to offer university students, in particular?

Jim Harris: We have to invest in our education system. It’s alarming to me that if you’re coming out in meds or engineering, you can have a six-figure debt. If you’re going in arts—just even arts—it’s over $25,000, the average debt. We have to work to help our students, instead of giving handouts to the richest companies in Canada. So we would invest in supporting education. There are three legs to the education stool: there’s core funding, which affects tuition levels. There’s bursaries and grants, to students who need help, and then there’s debt remediation. We’ve focused on investing in all three.

Journal: Many students studying at university face the unusual predicament of having the option to vote in either of two ridings. If voting Green, how would you suggest a student act in order to maximize the impact of his or her vote?

Jim Harris: I would suggest that you all vote where your university is, because that would concentrate the vote and it will send a very clear-cut message to all the old- line parties: that if they want to remain relevant, they have to focus on the issues that we are talking about. So concentrate your vote to force the old-line parties to address these issues.

It’s not good enough for us to just talk about these issues, as Marshall McLuhan said, the medium is the message. So don’t just talk about it, show me. So we decided, to make the point—if you look at the average MP, he’s 55, white and male, not that there’s anything wrong with that, as Jerry Seinfeld would say. But it’s just not representative of our society. So we’ve said that 25 per cent of our candidates should be under 30 years old, and we’ve achieved that. So we’re not just talking about different issues, we’re representing different kinds of candidates. We can’t just talk about being the party of and for the future, we have to be the party of and for the future.

It’s completely understandable why young people don’t vote, because when they look or listen to the televised leaders’ debate, the issues aren’t being discussed. Why? Well, our voice was excluded. We are the party that has the highest percentage of the youth vote. And yet our voice was excluded. Ever wonder why the environment doesn’t come up? Every wonder why education doesn’t come up? Ever wonder why childhood asthma isn’t mentioned? Ever wonder why there is not a profound discussion about opposition to Iraq, opposition to ballistic missile defence system? All these issues are our issues.

Journal: There have been allegations raised that you didn’t declare the expenses you incurred for the 2004 party leadership. How have these allegations affected the morale of the party during the campaign?

Jim Harris: Not at all. The allegations were made by a former employee who was fired with cause, they’re completely factless and baseless, with one tiny exception of less than $200 of phone calls that due to omission weren’t declared and we’re filing an amended return. But we’ve provided 56 pages of documentation to Elections Canada refuting over 90 per cent of his allegations.

Journal: Anything else you’d like to add?

Jim Harris: We’re going to have another election in 18 months. There’s going to be another minority government. For this reason, you have to vote with your heart in this election. Because it’s going to be a minority, you don’t have to vote against the party you loathe, or against the party you fear, you can vote with your heart to force every old-line party to address these issues.

When you vote strategically, you first identify the party you most loathe, or most fear, and then you try to figure out who has the best chance of beating them. But if you identify the party you loathe, you might have to vote for the party you fear to avoid the one you loathe. Or if you identify first the one you fear, you might have to vote for the one you loathe to avoid the one you fear. And if you vote for bad government to avoid worse government, the bad news is you’re left with bad government. It’s only when you vote for something that we’ll get the government that we want.

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Students Get Chance to Question Candidates

2006-01-18T17:10:00.000-03:30

I wanted to let everyone know about this forum that is taking place tomorrow night. As far as I know, only myself and Mike Kehoe (NDP) are attending which, certainly shows something about the other two parties. I'm sure they're busy and all but...
Anyway, should be an interesting forum considering our parties are so similar in policies. Plus, I think Mike is a great man (only met him once, mind you) and an excellent choice for a candidate. It's too bad some NDP candidates in the past went against their own environmental polices and subsidies operations like clear cutting in BC or supported giving gas guzzling car manufactures like GM and Ford instead of calling for these factories to build hybrid cars. The NDP are great if they stick to what they believe in.

But, I digress. Here's the article about the forum tomorrow night which was written for the MUN Gazette. A special thanks goes out to Alex Marland for setting this up!

STUDENTS GET CHANCE TO QUESTION CANDIDATES
Town hall meeting on federal election
By Leslie Vryenhoek
The Gazette, Jan 12 2006, page 1

Memorial students will have a chance to ask the questions that matter most to them in this federal election when the Political Science Department hosts a town hall next week.

Candidates running in St. John's East have been invited to attend the forum, part of the third-year course Parties and Elections in Canada.

Alex Marland, the course instructor who conceived the town hall, said the timing of the election offered a chance to give his students first-hand experience with electoral campaigning.

"For many, this is their first exposure to a federal campaign. They feel very removed from the process," Mr. Marland noted, adding that the language politicians use and the things they talk about are not always relevant to youth. "When students listen to election campaigning, they tend to feel that people are talking over them, not talking to them. There are not a lot of young politicians, or even politicians who really talk to students."

Students typically have a particular interest in certain issues Â for example, the cost of post-secondary education, the job market and employment issues Â but Mr. Marland said it's the mechanics of voting that seem to raise the biggest questions.

"In my experience they have a complete lack of awareness. They're saying 'I don't know where to go to vote.' They have no idea how to go about it, no idea about the registration list."

While Elections Canada declined to send a representative to the town hall, they will have a community relations officer on campus to help answer those nuts and bolts questions.

In addition to students enrolled in his course, Mr. Marland is inviting all interested students to attend the event on Thursday, Jan. 19 from 5:30 to 6:55 p.m. in the Science Building, room SN-2036. He also hopes media will cover the event, so students can see first-hand how journalists and politicians interact.

Should be interesting. Check it out!

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Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, green party, Canada Election

Encouraging Letter

2006-01-18T01:14:00.000-03:30

I wanted to pass along this encouraging letter that was sent by a Green Supporter from Ontario, now living in the US.

K á n o w a k e': r o n - M o h a w k - T u r t l e C l a n

S i x N a t i o n s o f t h e G r a n d R i v e r

www.nativecanadian.ca

Hi Stephen!

I'm Kanowakeron of The Native Canadian website and I ran across your website from my site statistics; one of your GP graphics links to my website. That's fine with me... always willing to help out a fellow Green if I'm able.

Some background: 51-year old dual-citizen (CDN/US) Status Mohawk of the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve near Hamilton Ontario, living in the Rochester New York area and a voter in both Canada and the States (registered Green here in the Upstate NY bastion of conservative Republicanism). I’m active in the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada and have crossed the border on the average of once every ten days since 1983. My riding of Haldimand-Norfolk in Ontario should, in fact, be the Brant riding, but Elections Canada says otherwise.

No stranger to the GP scene in Ontario, I’ve had a number of email exchanges with Mike Nickerson (http://www.flora.org/sustain/) in the past as both he and I share a strong belief that the time has come for Proportional Representation in Parliament… as well as many other views, including Sustainability and Well-Being Measurement.

As an Ontarian, I’m aware of some perceptions that we tend to be a self-absorbed and self-centred lot, but may I say there are many of us who are keenly concerned with other parts of Canada. On a personal level, that concern extends to the Far North and Atlantic Canada. I supported Kevin McCann’s Fair Deal for Newfoundland and Labrador both personally and on my website, as it was patently clear who was being taken advantage of by the Federal government.

As a member of the First Nations, I’m also aware of the Native position that voting in a non-Native government’s election is viewed as consorting with the enemy, as it were. To that I respond, if one’s ‘enemy’ gives ammunition in the form of a vote, one would be foolish not to use it. If, as an Aboriginal, my life is to be controlled by a non-Native government, I at least want a say in who will be running that entity.

To that end, I enthusiastically support the Green Party positions and candidates in both Canada and the States as it has the most enlightened and respectful relationship with the First Nations of the major political parties. It’s my small way of fighting back against the forces which have historically run roughshod over the Aboriginal People of North America.

Due to health and economic issues, I’m unable to move to Canada… which is unfortunate given the present deplorable political, social and diplomatic climate of the States. As a proud Canadian, making the best of the situation is difficult considering the extremely dangerous path the Americans are following. Frankly, I’m less worried about the direction of the States than I am that of Canada. Any attempt by Canada to follow the Americans’ lead must be vigorously opposed which is reason enough to be extremely worried about the outcome of the election.

I just wanted to send you and Mark Brennan my best wishes and support for success in the upcoming election. Please feel free to share this with Mark and others as you see fit.

Together, as Canadians, we can make a difference.

Regards –
Dave

Dave Kanowakeron Hill Morrison U.E.
Turtle Clan Mohawk, Six Nations of the Grand River

It's refreshing to hear such uplifting comments. It keeps the legs movin', ya know?

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Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, green party, First Nations

Sierra Club of Canada Ranks Greens #1

2006-01-17T11:25:00.000-03:30

Sierra Club of Canada/Sierra Club du Canada
Press Release/Communiqué
January 16, 2006/le 16 janvier 2006

Sierra Club of Canada releases its analysis of Electoral Platforms

(Ottawa: January 16, 2006) - Sierra Club of Canada today released its analysis of the environment and sustainability commitments of the five major political parties.

"It must be said that it is unacceptable that party platforms are unavailable until less than two weeks before voting day," said Elizabeth May, Executive Director of the Sierra Club of Canada. "The Liberal and New Democratic platforms were released on January 11th, and the Conservative platform was unveiled on the 13th -- only ten days before the election." According to the Sierra Club of Canada, only the Bloc and the Green Parties released their platforms in a timely way to allow voters a chance to read and compare the party positions.

All the platforms were graded against a possible total of 75 points, augmented by a questionnaire, posted HERE, for a possible additional 28 points.

The commitment to the Kyoto Protocol is paramount, but was only one of many possible points to be allocated within a full breadth of environmental commitments.

Party scores were as follows: Green Party 97, NDP 91, Liberal 53, Bloc 46, and Conservative 31.

"The Green Party really improved its platform since the 2004 election, with a greater sophistication in its policy recommendations. For the first time, it has the strongest set of recommendations for environment and sustainability. The New Democratic Party is only slightly behind the Greens," noted Ms. May. "The Liberal Party platform is strong on Kyoto, eco-system restoration and national parks, but loses points for its continued booster-ism for tar sands expansion and the Mackenzie gas pipeline. The Bloc scores poorly as it is disinterested in policies for all of Canada, nor does it support a strong federal government -- an essential element in environmental protection in Canada."

The poorest set of environmental promises was those of the Conservative Party.

"We are very concerned that the Conservative Party, alone among all the major parties, is unprepared to commit to current Kyoto targets, to which Canada is bound under international law, nor to adopt longer term targets post 2012 within Kyoto," said John Bennett, Senior Policy Advisor on energy to the Sierra Club of Canada. "In the coming week, we hope Mr. Harper will be called upon to explain how much emphasis he will place on reducing greenhouse gases and what approach he will take to the upcoming global negotiations for deeper reduction targets, should his party form government."

Canada's role in the next round of negotiations is critical as Canada will, as a result of our role in hosting the Conference of the Parties in Montreal (November 28-December 9, 2005) continue as the head of the United Nations negotiation process until November 2006. The next negotiation session will be this spring in Bonn.

-30-

For more information contact:
Elizabeth May, 613-241-4611
John Bennett, 613-241-4611, 613-291-6888 (cell)

As a side note...

...I'd like to share this article posted here.

Environment in Crisis: 'We Are Past the Point of No Return'
Published on Monday, January 16, 2006 by the Independent / UK

Thirty years ago, the scientist James Lovelock worked out that the Earth possessed a planetary-scale control system which kept the environment fit for life. He called it Gaia, and the theory has become widely accepted. Now, he believes mankind's abuse of the environment is making that mechanism work against us. His astonishing conclusion - that climate change is already insoluble, and life on Earth will never be the same again.
by Michael McCarthy

The world has already passed the point of no return for climate change, and civilisation as we know it is now unlikely to survive, according to James Lovelock, the scientist and green guru who conceived the idea of Gaia - the Earth which keeps itself fit for life.

In a profoundly pessimistic new assessment, published in today's Independent, Professor Lovelock suggests that efforts to counter global warming cannot succeed, and that, in effect, it is already too late.

The world and human society face disaster to a worse extent, and on a faster timescale, than almost anybody realises, he believes. He writes: " Before this century is over, billions of us will die, and the few breeding pairs of people that survive will be in the Arctic where the climate remains tolerable."

In making such a statement, far gloomier than any yet made by a scientist of comparable international standing, Professor Lovelock accepts he is going out on a limb. But as the man who conceived the first wholly new way of looking at life on Earth since Charles Darwin, he feels his own analysis of what is happening leaves him no choice. He believes that it is the self-regulating mechanism of Gaia itself - increasingly accepted by other scientists worldwide, although they prefer to term it the Earth System - which, perversely, will ensure that the warming cannot be mastered.

This is because the system contains myriad feedback mechanisms which in the past have acted in concert to keep the Earth much cooler than it otherwise would be. Now, however, they will come together to amplify the warming being caused by human activities such as transport and industry through huge emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2 ).

It means that the harmful consequences of human beings damaging the living planet's ancient regulatory system will be non-linear - in other words, likely to accelerate uncontrollably.

He terms this phenomenon "The Revenge of Gaia" and examines it in detail in a new book with that title, to be published next month.

The uniqueness of the Lovelock viewpoint is that it is holistic, rather than reductionist. Although he is a committed supporter of current research into climate change, especially at Britain's Hadley Centre, he is not looking at individual facets of how the climate behaves, as other scientists inevitably are. Rather, he is looking at how the whole control system of the Earth behaves when put under stress.

Professor Lovelock, who conceived the idea of Gaia in the 1970s while examining the possibility of life on Mars for Nasa in the US, has been warning of the dangers of climate change since major concerns about it first began nearly 20 years ago.

He was one of a select group of scientists who gave an initial briefing on global warming to Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet at 10 Downing Street in April 1989.

His concerns have increased steadily since then, as evidence of a warming climate has mounted. For example, he shared the alarm of many scientists at the news last September that the ice covering the Arctic Ocean is now melting so fast that in 2005 it reached a historic low point.

Two years ago he sparked a major controversy with an article in The Independent calling on environmentalists to drop their long-standing opposition to nuclear power, which does not produce the greenhouses gases of conventional power stations.

Global warming was proceeding so fast that only a major expansion of nuclear power could bring it under control, he said. Most of the Green movement roundly rejected his call, and does so still.

Now his concerns have reached a peak - and have a new emphasis. Rather than calling for further ways of countering climate change, he is calling on governments in Britain and elsewhere to begin large-scale preparations for surviving what he now sees as inevitable - in his own phrase today, "a hell of a climate", likely to be in Europe up to 8C hotter than it is today.

In his book's concluding chapter, he writes: "What should a sensible European government be doing now? I think we have little option but to prepare for the worst, and assume that we have passed the threshold."

And in today's Independent he writes: "We will do our best to survive, but sadly I cannot see the United States or the emerging economies of China and India cutting back in time, and they are the main source of [CO2] emissions. The worst will happen ..."

He goes on: "We have to keep in mind the awesome pace of change and realise how little time is left to act, and then each community and nation must find the best use of the resources they have to sustain civilisation for as long as they can." He believes that the world's governments should plan to secure energy and food supplies in the global hothouse, and defences against the expected rise in sea levels. The scientist's vision of what human society may ultimately be reduced to through climate change is " a broken rabble led by brutal warlords."

Professor Lovelock draws attention to one aspect of the warming threat in particular, which is that the expected temperature rise is currently being held back artificially by a global aerosol - a layer of dust in the atmosphere right around the planet's northern hemisphere - which is the product of the world's industry.

This shields us from some of the sun's radiation in a phenomenon which is known as "global dimming" and is thought to be holding the global temperature down by several degrees. But with a severe industrial downturn, the aerosol could fall out of the atmosphere in a very short time, and the global temperature could take a sudden enormous leap upwards.

One of the most striking ideas in his book is that of "a guidebook for global warming survivors" aimed at the humans who would still be struggling to exist after a total societal collapse.

Written, not in electronic form, but "on durable paper with long-lasting print", it would contain the basic accumulated scientific knowledge of humanity, much of it utterly taken for granted by us now, but originally won only after a hard struggle - such as our place in the solar system, or the fact that bacteria and viruses cause infectious diseases.

Rough guide to a planet in jeopardy

Global warming, caused principally by the large-scale emissions of industrial gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), is almost certainly the greatest threat that mankind has ever faced, because it puts a question mark over the very habitability of the Earth.

Over the coming decades soaring temperatures will mean agriculture may become unviable over huge areas of the world where people are already poor and hungry; water supplies for millions or even billions may fail. Rising sea levels will destroy substantial coastal areas in low-lying countries such as Bangladesh, at the very moment when their populations are mushrooming. Numberless environmental refugees will overwhelm the capacity of any agency, or indeed any country, to cope, while modern urban infrastructure will face devastation from powerful extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Katrina which hit New Orleans last summer.

The international community accepts the reality of global warming, supported by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In its last report, in 2001, the IPCC said global average temperatures were likely to rise by up to 5.8C by 2100. In high latitudes, such as Britain, the rise is likely to be much higher, perhaps 8C. The warming seems to be proceeding faster than anticipated and in the IPCC's next report, 2007, the timescale may be shortened. Yet there still remains an assumption that climate change is controllable, if CO2 emissions can be curbed. Lovelock is warning: think again.

© 2006 Independent News and Media Limited

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Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, green party, sierra club, environment

, global warming

One Week to Go

2006-01-16T13:52:00.000-03:30

So, there's one week left to the campaign and, like many people, I really have no idea how the results are going to turn out. I know how the polls are saying it's going to turn out but, I try not to listen to them a whole lot. Either way, it's going to be an interesting day one week from this one.

Please, no matter who you'll be voting for, be sure to get out there and do so. It's an important part of our Country and more of us should really be voicing our opinions. Right now, people who are between the ages of 18-30 are the ones least likely to get out and mark an X so, I'm talkin' to you guys and gals directly when I say "Get out and vote!".

If you really want (and I suggest you do) you can get out there and get it done today. It's the last day of advanced polls so, in order to beat the rush and madness on Election day, why not go and do it now. It's warm (yet rainy) and you never know when the snow'll come. Could be a blizzard on Jan 23rd, who knows? So, get out there. Get it done.

When you do so, tell us about your experience!

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Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, green party

Bold Fishery Preservation Plan

2006-01-14T14:30:00.000-03:30

Because the fishery is very important to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, I wanted to share this new Media release with you.

Media Releases
2006-01-13
Green Party Endorses Bold Fishery Preservation Plan

The Inshore Transition and Development Plan (ITDP) is unique in that it doesn't only rely on quotas to manage what is a very delicate resource

(Moncton, Friday, 13 January 2006) - The Green Party of Canada firmly believes in the protection and sustainability of the Maritimes inshore fishery, and therefore endorses the bold plan of the Maritimes Fishermen's Union's that will help ensure its survival, said leader Jim Harris today.

"The Inshore Transition and Development Plan (ITDP) is unique in that it doesn't only rely on quotas to manage what is a very delicate resource," said Harris. "It introduces ways to preserve the fishery, and gives employment tools to those fishers who wish to get out of the fishery. Done properly, the ITDP will be a boon to Eastern Canada's coastal communities."

In its plan, the MFU recognizes that there are too many lobster fishers to sustain the resource. This in itself is a big step ahead. But it goes further: The plan includes programs to naturally enhance and protect the region's ecosystems.

Of note, the MFU has programs in which lobster larvae are extracted and incubated for several weeks. When they are released, MFU officials have found that the survival rate is 35 percent higher. 80,000 lobsters were reintroduced last year alone.

As well, the ITDP has implemented specific steps to protect the lobster fishery, including the monitoring, preservation and research of the ecosystem in which lobster live and thrive.

Finally, the ITDP have several development projects - including research; fishing of alternate species; eco-tourism; and aquaculture - in the coastal towns that traditionally rely solely on one fishery. This diversification is paramount for the survival of these communities.

"The Inshore Transition and Development Plan is a demonstration of a protection plan hatched, if you will, at the grassroots level," Mr. Harris said. "The MFU is to be congratulated for such forward thinking."

- 30 -

For More Information:
Derek Pinto, David Kay
Media Relations Officers, Leader's Tour
media@greenparty.ca

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Newfoundland and Labrador, canada, green party, green party of canada, fishery

How did this Harpen? We're back to the Seals.

2006-01-13T02:55:00.000-03:30

So. We're back to the seals. Sure. Okay. Let's talk about it.

NOTE: Please check the comments for further developments.

Credit for this post goes to FredfromCBS. Thank you Fred. As much as I wanted to move away from the subject, there's no point in runnin' away.

It all started with this letter that Fred sent to the Green Party...

"I am writing to let you know that you are making it practically impossible for Stephen Harris (and others) to run fairly in Newfoundland. He recently joined our little political yahoo-group for NL Politics and while he defends the Green Party's plank on seal hunting, it is glaringly obvious to me (a new resident of Conception Bay South, formerly of Ontario following a 25 year military career) that this loose plank in the Green Party's platform will sink her ship out here. Just thought you should know that while more and more people strive for a better global environment, the reality of an entire province, whose population has emigrated to all parts of Canada, and who has been badly treated by the Canadian Federal government for years, will never see eye-to-eye with an uninformed sealing position. Even as a mainlander who has lived in Green Germany and then in Nova Scotia where they at least separate recyclables from garbage, I can't vote Green because of this awkward seal stance..."

To which, (I think) Sharon Labchuck (Atlantic Organizer for the Green Party) replied to with...

Dear Fred Harris:

Thank you for taking the time to write the Green Partyof Canada and inquire about our policies.You have asked about our position on the seal hunt. The Green Party supports the phasing-out of Canada's commercial seal hunt. It is opposed to the culling of seals, and other marine mammals, in an attempt to enhance fisheries.

The Green Party of Canada advocates the development of sustainable economic alternatives for those affected by the closing down of the commercial seal hunt. Nothing in the party's resolution negates traditional aboriginal rights, or those rights guaranteed by the Canadian constitution or a treaty.

If you require more information about the seal hunt, please feel free to contact Sharon Labchuk, our Environment advocate, at slabchuk@... or our Industry advocate, Peter Ellis at peterellis1000@....

For general background information and the 2006 Green Party of Canada platform, please visit www.greenparty.ca. You can also access media releases through the Newsroom, located on the left side of the Home page. The Media Releases section is the first item in the drop-down menu.

The policies of the Green Party of Canada are socially progressive, fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable. They are founded upon six fundamental principles: ecological wisdom, social justice, participatory democracy, non-violence, sustainability, and respect for diversity.

Please note that I have attached the press releases relevant to this topic below.

Thank you once again for taking the time to write us.

Sincerely,
Election Info Centre Assistant
___________________________________

This Article was sent along as well, and I'm glad that it was. It gives a whole new perspective to Jim's visit here.

Press releases:
End federal support for seal hunt
This government-subsidized seal hunt is a chapter in our history that needs to come to a close.
(St. John's, Thursday, 1 December 2005) It's time to end federal support for the seal hunt and instead use federal programs to develop sustainable jobs that will bring Newfoundland and Labrador international praise, said Green Party of Canada leader Jim Harris today at a news conference in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Killing seals is an off-season activity for fishers, and profits make up only a tiny fraction of their incomes. When Canada banned whale killing, people discovered whale watching tours were more profitable. Likewise, the Green Party believes seal watching excursions would be better for the economy and the ecology of the East coast," said Harris. "Canada markets itself on wilderness and wildlife. This government-subsidized seal hunt is a chapter in our history that needs to come to a
close."

Most Canadians don't know that the seal hunt is subsidized by their tax dollars. The Canadian Institute for Business and the Environment reports that the federal government provided more than $20 million in subsidies to the sealing industry between 1995 and 2001. Subsidies are used to upgrade and construct seal processing plants, promote the seal hunt abroad, develop new markets for seal products, and fund research into the development of new seal products.

"Cod stocks were depleted by industrial fishing, which was encouraged by the federal government, and not by harp seal herds. Seals are just a convenient scapegoat for a politically-motivated kill," said Harris. "When Europeans first arrived on the East coat there were an estimated 24 million harp seals living in balance with so many fish that their abundance could impede the passage of ships. Today, less than five million harp seals remain, and the cod are gone."

The Green Party defied conventional political wisdom by voicing its opposition to the seal hunt in St. John's, Newfoundland, not far from where the hunt actually takes place. "Standing against the seal hunt, which since 2003 has meant the killing of nearly one million seals, would be easy to do in downtown Toronto," said Harris. "Instead, we are here in St. John's because we believe that voters have the right to know where the Green Party stands - and to present real, sustainable alternatives to the fishers who participate in the hunt."

Harris challenged each leader of the other federal parties to state their party's position on the hunt and to do so in Newfoundland and Labrador, however popular or unpopular their positions may be.

The Green Party supports wildlife conservation and would redirect seal hunt subsidies to help diversify the economy of Atlantic Canada.

Stop federal seal hunt subsidies The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is allowing a cull of 925,000 seals between 2003 and 2006. Despite scientific evidence that such a high quota is unsustainable, the federal government claims that the hunt will not harm seal populations and is necessary to allow collapsed cod stocks to recover. (Montreal, 30 March 2005)-Canada must put an end to federal subsidies that support Canada's annual seal hunt off the East coast and instead redirect these funds to creating real jobs in Atlantic Canada for local fishers, said Green Party of Canada Environment critic, Sharon Labchuk. "Most Canadians don't know that the controversial seal hunt, which opened today, is subsidized by their tax dollars," said Labchuk. The Canadian Institute for Business and the Environment reports that the federal government provided more than $20 million in subsidies to the sealing industry between 1995 and 2001. Subsidies are used to upgrade and construct seal processing plants, promote the seal hunt in Europe and elsewhere, develop new markets for seal products, and fund research into the development of new seal products.

The Green Party supports wildlife conservation and would redirect seal hunt subsidies to help diversify the economy of Atlantic Canada.

"Killing seals is an off-season activity for fishers and profits make up only a tiny fraction of their incomes. When Canada banned whale killing, people discovered whale watching tours were more profitable. Likewise, the Green Party believes seal watching excursions would be better for the economy and the ecology of the East coast," said Labchuk. "Canada markets itself on wilderness and wildlife. This government-subsidized seal slaughter is a shameful chapter in our history that needs to come to a close."

"Cod stocks were depleted by industrial fishing, which was encouraged by the federal government, and not by harp seal herds. Seals are just a convenient scapegoat for a politically-motivated kill," said Labchuk. "When Europeans first arrived on the East coat there were an estimated 24 million harp seals living in balance with so many fish that their abundance could impede the passage of ships. Today, less than 5 million harp seals remain, and the cod are gone. Current seal quotas, not even enforced, are unsustainable and are a threat to the survival of the species. Government scientists predict the seal population will be reduced by a further 30 percent by 2011."

Sincerely,
James
GPC Info-Centre

Fred then posted to the NL-politics Yahoo Group his reply to this email...

Dear Sharon & Peter,

Thank you for your prompt reply. I have Cc'd this response with your reply to my query to my Newfoundland & Labrador Politics (nl-politics) Group. Liam O'Brien is the moderator if you wish to request membership.

As a reletively new Newfoundlander, I found your reply to be informative but I felt that it contained assumptions, coupled with some erroneous fact reporting. So, I went to Google and hit "harp seals north atlantic" and the top two main hits were scientific sites. Both agree quite closely to the news releases that you provided to me. I was very surprised. Numbers that I have heard in the past were much higher and must have included all seal species.

That said, I still think that stating an instant cessation of all seal hunting is Green Party political suicide in the Atlantic Provinces and especially NL. The goal of sealers and DFO is not to wipe out the seals. Creating the same style of sustainability desired for the ground fishery is their goal. Plus, it must be remembered that because we almost eradicated the whales the seals have very few natural predators and require some control. Trying to compare the majesty of whale watching to millions of pounds of fish eating blubber on the ice flows ain't gonna getchya the tourist vote either...

On the other hand, , there is cod and I feel that to protect it we must dismantle every factory freezer, trawling, dragging and netting boat. Remember when shrimp was a treat? It used to be 10 bucks for a shrimp ring! Now they're $2-4 each. Stop foreign fishing and take custodial control; allowing only hand-lines until stocks recover, is the only logical way to repair the damage.

Just my thoughts for now,

FredfromCBS

Anybody got anything to add? Post a comment.

Technorati Tags:
Newfoundland, green party, seal hunt

'Out of the Fog' Interview

2006-01-12T14:04:00.000-03:30

Part of the reason why I didn't get the post on the forum completed yesterday (besides the drop in connection at the worst possible time) was because I had an interview with Krysta Rudofsky on 'Out of the Fog', which is a (from website) local TV talk show (on Rogers Television) that profiles community groups, showcases local musicians and explores issues of concern to people living in St. John's and the surrounding areas.

It's too bad that I didn't have time to post about it last night before it aired but, hopefully a certain percentage of people in St. John's got to see it. It was probably the best promotion that I received so far because it was an unedited interview. There was no clips or half responses but, a full interview strait on through.

I was able to talk about our policies on fossil fuels, tax shifting, crime, decentralization and more. Of course, there was discussion on the seal hunt as well but, that was to be expected and fine by me, considering I had ample time to discuss other issues.

I'd like to take this time to thank Krista, Rogers and everyone involved with 'Out of the Fog' for making everything so comfortable and giving me the opportunity to spread a Green message. It's very appreciated.

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Newfoundland, green party

Forum hosted by the City of St. John's

2006-01-12T12:58:00.000-03:30

First of all, let me apologize for giving misinformation. The forum that took place on Tuesday night was not only for St. John's East but also for St. John's South. Unfortunately, the Green Party Candidate for that riding was not present.

Secondly, just so you know, this is my second time trying to post this. It was supposed to be posted yesterday but, my connection dropped as I was publishing and when I pressed the 'back' button, all the text was erased. Grrr.

Note: Use notepad first, then copy and paste. I learned my lesson.

Anyway, the forum went well. As nervous as I was, I'm confident that the questions I answered we're answered appropiatly. It was a treat actually. Not only did I gain experience participating in such a format, I was able to promote the Green vision to a room full of interested people. Albeit, it seemed from the clapping and cheering, that most were NDP supporters.

Speaking of the NDP. I gotta say, I really enjoyed meeting Mike Kehoe of that party. I found him to be a really nice and personable man. I didn't have a lot of time to chat with him but, he did try to get me to switch sides and go over to the NDP. Of course, my reply was "Never" but, it was interesting to get an invite especially considering Mr. Kehoe also spoke to me about toying with the idea of running for the Greens at one point. He later decided that he could not because of our (and by our I mean the Greens, not me personally) stand on the seal hunt issue. I can understand that. It's an issue important to us as Newfoundland and Labradorians but, there are many issues important to us and the Greens are speaking directly to those issues. Decentralization for one. That's exactly what we as a province want and what we as a party are pushing for. So, my point is, in the long run, in my heart of hearts, I truly believe the Green Party of Canada is the perfect choice for the province and by the next election, I vow to make the leader and the rest of the Party understand that our province knows best when it comes to the hunt. To not go Green because of the issue is turning my back on everything I believe in. It's too bad that Mike wasn't with me on that.

I spoke of this that night and I'll do it again here; Wouldn't the country be a great place to live if the Greens and the NDP were in the position that the Liberals and the Conservatives are now? These parties have enough power and I'm truly sick of the cross party mud slinging that happens between them. Nothing will ever get done if you cannot work together to get things done and these two parties obviously cannot work together. The Greens in power with the NDP as opposition (or even visa versa) would truly equal a beautiful place.

Of course, to add to my NDP/Green comments, I did go on to say "... and the Conseravtives were in the same positions as the Greens are at this point; not in government". Thought you'd like to know.

I should say at this point that I wouldn't vote NDP at this time, however. Sure they have some great ideas (a lot of which were taken or inspired by us, which is okay. Like Jim Harris says "We want everyone to steal our ideas.") but, the have a tendency to promise one thing and do the opposite. For example, they are all pro environment right? Why, I ask, do their MP's make such decisions that affect our environment so greatly? Promoting uranium mining in Saskatchewan, refusing to interfere with import of toxic waste from New Jersey for burning in New Brunswick and supporting the clear cutting of our forests in BC are all examples of past behaviors of NDP MP's. Makes you wonder what else they'll say on one hand and do on another.

Anyway, back to the forum; the media coverage of the event was minimal, especially when it comes to coverage on the Green Party (me). CBC didn't mention us at all, NTV had one little piece from me on education and the The Telegram had an article that had one quote from me: "Do not vote for Stephen Harper". For those wondering, it was in response to a question asked to the Mr. Doyle or Mr. Hearn (CPC candidates) regarding why they should vote for Conservative. The moderator gave others the opportunity to answer.

All in all, things went swimmingly and perhaps I opened up one mind to the Greens and maybe they even took a platform or a brochure with them as the went home for the evening. I made sure to leave some behind... just in case. You never know when a inner Green will find the light. It happens all the time.

Technorati Tags:

Newfoundland, green party

NTV/Telelink Poll for NF & Lab. Ridings

2006-01-11T17:51:00.000-03:30

So, NTV (Michael Conners to be precise) is back in the Blog again today. They aired a piece last night which dealt with how things are shaping up in all the ridings in Newfoundland and Labrador. Telelink, in partnership with the local station conducted a mini poll to determine where people stand so far. Michael also posted an article on the NTV website:

Poll shows high undecided rate, close race in Avalon
by Michael Connors
January 11, 2006

Incumbents lead in six of the province's seven districts, but the percentage of undecided voters remains high, an NTV/Telelink poll shows. In the seventh district, Avalon, the Liberals and Conservatives are in a dogfight for John Efford's old seat. Telelink polled 1,600 people from Jan. 5 to 9, before Monday night’s leaders’ debate; 39 per cent of respondents said they were undecided. For the 1,031 who had decided, the numbers broke down like this: 46.4% said they would vote Liberal, 40.5% would vote Conservative, 11.4% NDP and 1.7% for the Green Party. The margin of error is +/-3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20. Telelink then broke down those numbers riding by riding, but be warned: the sample sizes are small, at about 150 respondents each, and so the margins of error are high, at +/-8 percentage points, and 10 percentage points for Labrador. In Labrador, 63.4% of respondents said they would vote for Liberal MP Todd Russell, putting him well ahead of Conservative Joe Goudie (25.7), New Democrat Jacob Larkin (9.9) and Green candidate Gail Zwicker (1.0). In Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte, Liberal Gerry Byrne has 51.9% support, ahead of Conservative Cyril Pelley (36.4) New Democrat Holly Pike (10.4) and Green candidate Martin Hanzelek (1.3). In Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Liberal Scott Simms has 52.2% support, compared to 40.1% for Conservative Aaron Hynes, both well ahead of New Democrat Sandra Cooze (6.4) and Green candidate Judy Davis (1.3). In Random-Burin-St. George’s, Liberal Bill Matthews has 55.6%support, ahead of Conservative Cynthia Downey (37.1), New Democrat Amanda Will (6.0) and Green candidate Mark Brennan (1.3). In St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, Conservative MP Loyola Hearn leads with 45.6% support, ahead of Liberal Siobhan Coady (35.6), Peg Norman of the NDP (18.1) and Barry Crozier of the Greens (0.6). St. John’s East is shaping up to be close, with Conservative Norm Doyle at 40.5%, compared to 35.9% for Liberal Paul Antle, putting them inside the statistical margin of error. Mike Kehoe is running for the NDP (19.0) and Stephen Harris for the Greens (4.6). In Avalon, the poll gives a slight edge to Conservative Fabian Manning at 46.8%, but right behind him is Liberal Bill Morrow at 44.2%, well within the margin of error and therefore a statistical dead heat. New Democrat Eugene Conway has 7.7% support and Shannon Hillier of the Greens has 1.3%.

Just to recap the results with regards to the Greens, here's what it looks like.

1.7% Province Wide
1.0% Labrador
1.3% Humber - St. Barbe - Baie Verte
1.3% Bonavista - Gander - Grand Falls - Windsor
1.3% Random - Burin - St. George's
0.6% St. John's South - Mount Pearl
1.3% Avalon
4.6% St. John's East

I'll be back to post about the forum last night in a little while. I have to go watch NTV news first.

Technorati Tags:

Newfoundland, green party

Why YOU should vote Green! Mark Brennan

2006-01-10T22:22:00.000-03:30

Why should you vote Green? As you know I represent the Green Party. I am not going to give you any waffle about promises I cant keep or go on about the past political record of the other Candidates. Or even pretend for one minute I am going to win! For all of us there is a much larger issue that we all need to take a serious look at and it’s the reason I have stepped forward to run in this election, because I think anyone with a green conscience in Random Burin St Georges, needs a place to mark their vote on election day.

Global oil production is said to peak in the next few years, this would mean that there could perhaps be 40-50 years remaining of industrialisation based on oil, perhaps less. The end of oil will basically mean a huge change in the way we live. Currently, our lifestyles are 100% linked to oil and fossil fuels. With huge growth expected in countries like China and India, there is an ever increasing chance of an approaching energy crisis and with that many other problems. For the most part this is merely a side note in Canada’s other political parties. The NDP, Conservative Party and the Liberals all advocate a continuation of industrialisation based on ever increasing growth, a society based on these principles will eventually fail because all the ‘resources’ humans need to survive are not endless commodities.

Unless we begin to redefine our relationship to the planet we face turmoil in the years to come. The burning of fossil fuels is changing the earths climate, causing acid rain, water pollution, more human sickness, and species loss. With an ever expanding globalized economy there will never be enough fish in the sea, forests for fibre, natural gas, or anything else we take from nature to live our over consumptive lifestyles. We see the effects of this with the collapse of fisheries around the world and devastation of the worlds forests and with that an ever increasing demise of the species of the earth.

The Green Party is currently the only party that is undergoing a serious discussion on redefining our relationship to the planet. The Green Party has an extensive platform (www.greenparty.ca) that will help deal with these looming problems. What we need to do in this election is to scare the wits out of the Liberals, NDP and Conservatives by taking many votes from them, only then will they begin to change their attitudes and their policies and begin implementing real changes that need to be made to secure a future that is currently in question for all of us. There really are no jobs on a dead planet. Thanks.

The results are in: Jim Harris wins debate

2006-01-10T13:06:00.000-03:30

Wait, sorry my mistake; the leader of the Green Party of Canada wasn't allowed to join the leaders debate.

What a country we live in that will allow a Separatist Party to voice it's opinion to the nation and not a Party who believes in strengthening Canada as a whole.

It's frustrating as a Green supporter to hear Jack Layton say that there is another choice for Canadians and know full well that he isn't the only other choice. Many people have decided who'll they'll vote for by watching last nights election and it's completely unfair and undemocratic to the citizens of Canada to not be able to hear all their options.

It's time for a drastic change in our Government, in Canada, and the only ones prepared to make such a change is the Green Party of Canada.

Let Ottawa know you're frustrated with the current government. Let them know you'll not stand for the same old ideas for age old problems. Let them know that your sick of the bickering that's ever-present in parliament causing nothing to be achieved. Let them know that such obviously biased organizations like the CRTC should not decide who Canada sees and who Canada doesn't which it should be handled by a impartial organization like Elections Canada. Simply, let Ottawa know that it's time for change.

Make your voice be heard; Vote Green.

Reminder

Those who are in and around or close to St. John's should remember that there is a forum tonight at the St. John's Convention Center, starting at 7:30pm. This will be featuring all the candidates in St. John's East and is open to the public who can ask questions. Read this blog post for full info.

Technorati Tags:

Newfoundland, Canada, Green Party

To vote for the Green Party or the NDP, that is the question

2006-01-10T00:14:00.000-03:30

To vote for the Green Party or the NDP, that is the question
Press Release: January 9, 2006.

People ask Green Party candidate Mark Brennan "Should we vote for the NDPcandidate or should we vote for you and the Green Party?"

Brennan acknowledges that people who are interested in social justice issues and
also in environmental issues in Newfoundland, find themselves facing adifficult choice in this election. The Green Party also has a strong social justice thrust in its election Platform.Brennan agreed that "Sometimes the Green Party policies are not deep enough, for example supporting carbon emissions trading, and that perhaps aparticular environmental policy of the NDP may be more progressive than thatof the GP. However, it is only within the Green Party that a certain kind ofdiscussion is taking place, about the fundamental shift in consciousness needed in how we humans have to relate to the Earth." Also, "The Green Party says it supports deep ecology, which provides the philosophical basis to oppose 'resourcism', the dominant human-centered world view of industrial society, that the Natural world exists primarily as raw material for the human purpose."

"The NDP," said Brennan "due to its overall orientation, is not an ecological party, because of their belief that the major ecological problems can be resolved within industrial capitalist society. Yet it is this very society which has caused the Earth-threatening ecological crisis." Brennan explained, "We need to think much more deeply. Ecocentric justice is more inclusive than human or social justice. 'Community' has to include not just humans, but other animals, plants and the Earth itself."Brennan said that people who in the past have supported the NDP should understand that:"

1. The NDP is totally human-centered in its overall orientation andwill always put human interests first, before any environmental issues."

"2. The NDP is committed to economic growth and consumerism within a capitalist economic framework. It does not understand or accept that ecology imposes 'limits' upon all of us.The NDP has no alternative economic model to thatof the global market economy."

"3. Everywhere the NDP has been in political power provincially, ithas worked within the industrial capitalist paradigm, be it in forestry,agriculture and the fisheries. Thus, in industrial forestry, the NDP has supported clear cutting,spraying, handing over forested crown lands to industry, etc." Brennan pointed out that while NDP interventions have a bias towards workers' interests,both worker and capitalist interests disregard the interests of the forests and their non-human inhabitants and degrade the forest base over the long term. And, he said,"It's a similar story for the industrial fishery and industrial agriculture."

"Other examples of NDP's ecological ineptitude," said Brennan, "are their support for the uranium industry in Saskatchewan; and for the auto industry, where the NDP, by upholding the job interest of the auto workers, seriously undermine their commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and to reductions in global warming."Brennan pointed out "The ecology movement draws from all the 'isms' insociety. People come to the Green Party from social democratic, liberal,conservative, and other political backgrounds." He concluded by saying, "I believe that only the Green Party has the potential, as a political party,to contribute to the needed shift in consciouness for humans in how theyrelate to the Natural world that sustains us all."

- 30 -
Mark A. BrennanThe Green Party Candidate for Random Burin St Georges,
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA www.greenparty.ca

Technorati Tags:
Green Party, Newfoundland

Danny Williams' Letter to Leaders

2006-01-09T11:05:00.000-03:30

The Premiere of Newfoundland and Labrador (Danny Williams) recently sent a letter to all the leaders with questions concerning Newfoundland and Labrador... or so he says anyway. Sure, he sent letters but, he didn't send one to ALL the leaders.

One to Jack Layton, one to Stephen Harper and one to Paul Martin. Where's the letter to Jim Harris, the leader of the Green Party? Does he too not respect the official Party enough to even find out where they stand on issues regarding our province? It seems to me that if he loved Newfoundland and Labrador as much as he says he does, he at least find out ALL the options that are before him. The Green Party of Canada is a real option and one that could benefit our Province more than any other party has to date.

Why would he not write Jim? It just doesn't make sense to me and is a complete ignorance to the 3117 people who voted for the Green Party in Newfoundland and Labrador during the last election... let alone those who have turned Green since.

I send Mr. Williams an email concerning this. Let's see if he gets back to me.

Technorati Tags:
Danny williams, Newfoundland, green party

Petitions and Polls

2006-01-08T13:41:00.000-03:30

As everyone I'm sure is well aware, the first of the last Leaders debate is tomorrow and the Green Party has yet to be included and will not be. Does this just not make sense to anyone else?

The Green Party of Canada became a officially recognized Party last election by winning 4.4% of the votes (the % needed was 2) throughout Canada. With this come over a million dollars of tax payers money. Don't these taxpayers deserve to know what this money is going towards?

Nearly 50,000 people have signed our petition to let Jim Harris debate with the other leaders... which is quite a few, especially when you consider the fact that only 10, 000 Canadians sent questions to ask the leaders as of now.

With 1 day left, I encourage you all to sign the petition and help make sure that this undemocratic act doesn't go unnoticed.

And speaking of petitions, I came across one that is important specifically to our Province. It calls for Improved Recycling Infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador and I encourage everyone visiting here to sign it. Every step you take to keeping Newfoundland and Labrador a beautiful province is well worth the effort.

Please Sign the Petition now.

There was an online poll recently located on the front page of The Globe and Mail which asked the question "If the Green Party, for example, received 5 per cent of the popular vote in the federal election should it also receive 5 per cent of the seats in the House of Commons?"

21617 people voted, 57% (12366) Yes and 43% (9251) No. Looks like a majority of people want exactly what the Greens want; a proportional representation electoral system.

View the results yourself HERE

Thinking Green, Being Green, Talking Green

2006-01-07T15:46:00.000-03:30

It's been a busy week for this Green Candidate, overwhelmingly so in fact. Running a campaign is pretty tough, as I'm sure everyone can understand but it's doubly tough when you're doing most of the work yourself. But that's okay; I'm fine with being one man on a mission to spread a message that everyone at least needs to hear. It's important to Newfoundland and Labrador, to our society, to our human race that others hear what we have to say. I recognize that importance and it's becoming more and more evident that if people like me don't run one person campaigns there is no hope for multi people campaigns in the future

So, I forge ahead. I push on. I reach out to all those people who have that Green side hidden deep below the surface and in time, that inner sanctuary of Green will be released making the world a better place.

If you're ready to release that inner Green now. If you're ready to start thinking Green, Being Green and Talking Green then the first thing you can do post a comment. Say hello. Reply to any post in the Blog or use the tag-board to the right.

Then, forward this blog address to everyone in your contact list. Let everyone know that we exist and to at least Know Green.

Third (well, you can do any of these things in any order you choose, of course) email me (sharris@greenparty.ca) or call me (709) 727-2697. Let's discuss what's on your mind and me on mine. This'll hopefully inspire you to Talk Green yourself. Perhaps, you'll even be inspired to help further and volunteer because seriously, when you Understand Green you'll Be Green.

St. John's East Candidates Forum

2006-01-07T14:16:00.000-03:30

The City of St. John's is holding a forum for all Candidates in the St. John's East riding on Tuesday, Jan 10th starting at 7:30 pm. This will be held in the St. John's Convention Center located across from Mile One, downtown St. John's

Attending the forum will be Paul Antle (Liberal Party of Canada), Norman Doyle (Conservative Party of Canada), Mike Kehoe (New Democratic Party) and myself, Stephen Eli Harris (Green Party of Canada).

The forum is open to the public and I encourage everyone to take part. This is one major opportunity to see where the Candidates stand on many issues. I for one am extremely excited (and doubly nervous with this being my first forum) to have the opportunity to spread the Green message to a wide audience and to show that the Green Party is not a joke as I heard one Newfoundland man refer to us as in a News segment a couple nights ago.

Please, make available this day and join us for this forum.

Another NTV News Spot

2006-01-06T11:51:00.000-03:30

NTV aired a segment last night that dealt with the Avalon riding (Shannon Hillier is the Greens Candidate), profiling each candidate and some of their main issues. The segment was quite lovely because Shannon Hillier was able to talk about something other than the Seal hunt, for the first time in our local news.

Michael Conners created the piece and has also written up an article for their website: http://www.ntv.ca

All eyes on federal race in Avalon
by Michael Connors
January 5, 2006
It will be the race to watch on election night. With John Efford in retirement, the riding of Avalon will be electing a new MP on Jan. 23, and it's a seat that all of the parties would dearly love to win. Bill Morrow now carries the Liberal flag. He says he won't try to fill Efford's shoes, rather he'll bring his own experiences as a lawyer in Bay Roberts to the table if he wins the election. Avalon is the most interesting of the new ridings created in the province after the last census. North of the Trans-Canada Highway used to belong to the Liberal stronghold of Bonavista-Trinity-Conception; south of the highway used to belong to the Tory stronghold of St. JohnÂs West. So the winner may come down to which side does a better job of getting its vote out to the polls. Former MHA Fabian Manning is running for the Conservatives. He was kicked out of the provincial Tory caucus earlier this year for speaking out against the governmentÂs controversial plan for raw material sharing in the crab industry. It was a move that made Manning very popular with fishermen and vaulted him into federal politics. He promises to do more of the same if elected to represent Avalon. Trying to break the Liberal and Tory dominance are the New Democrats and the Green Party. Eugene Conway of Harbour Main is running for the NDP. If elected, he says he will use his vote in the Commons as a bargaining chip for provincial interests with whatever minority government emerges. Shannon Hillier is one of three locally based candidates running for the Greens in the province. For her, the top issue in Avalon is waste management and encouraging more people to recycle. The Liberals and Conservatives remain tied in national polls and the gap between them is closing in Ontario. That means on election night, all parties will be looking at the early returns from Avalon and wondering if they're a sign of things to come.

My Own Positon on the Seal Hunt, by Mark Brennan

2006-01-05T17:55:00.000-03:30

My own position on the seal hunt.
Well I may as well wade into this endless issue to clear the air. My own position on the seal hunt it this. Firstly, I appreciate that Newfoundlanders have traditionally hunted seals for well over a hundred years. I realise it is a huge part of the culture. Lets get one thing out of the way. I hunt, yes kill, for food. And I fish for food also. So you could say that I am not opposed to the killing of wild animals for food purposes. My wife’s family have been farmers for more than six generations here in Nova Scotia, and I worked on a Scottish sheep farm as a young lad of 14. I have raised pigs and chickens and butchered them myself also. So do I oppose the killing of seals? There are two answers to this question. On the grounds of killing seals for food, I am absolutely not against this. Some killing is needed for any of us to live. Animal rights groups would perhaps have a different argument here.

Now I am not going to pretend I don’t get emotional when I watch an animal die. Of course I do. But I try to maintain a close relationship to nature so that I always feel a sadness when I kill for food. Feeling this closeness helps me to understand that I am also a part of this incredible planet and I should indeed also help protect it.

On the issue of industrial sealing. Yes I am opposed to the killing of thousands of Seals to be sold in foreign markets. Seals are marine mammals and are a vital part of the marine eco-system world wide. The fishery off Newfoundland and Nova Scotia is in serious decline through the introduction of huge draggers and over fishing. It is time to begin to at least attempt to re-establish these healthy eco-systems to ensure future integrity. This would mean an end to the commercial seal hunt as well as other steps like establishing large marine protected areas.
I have spent some time with Newfoundlanders who have family that have been in the annual seal hunt for years. I respect them and have been a ‘patron’ of their kindness on more than one occasion. So for me it’s not so much an emotional issue. Snowshoe Hares are ripped apart daily by Great Horned Owls, Elk are killed by Wolves, and that is my argument. I am interested in preserving this natural balance. In ensuring that all these predator/prey relationships continue for thousands more years. Instead in these times we are slowly seeing the demise of the oceans species. From the Great Whales to the Turtles and countless other species, all are declining because of humans. What I oppose is humans seeing ‘wild nature’ as a commodity to profit from. If this type of thinking continues we WILL fish the oceans to extinction. There will be no fish for any of us to catch, only a tiny remnant of a once thriving ocean.

We see declines in African mammals through the ‘bush meat’ trade, the Japanese fishermen kill thousands of Dolphins each year and Norway and Japan are hell bent on a continuation of whaling. Thousands of sea birds and Sharks are killed by drift nets, the Nova Scotian mainland Moose is now endangered, in 100 years the Polar Bear will be gone, the list goes on and on. What kind of planet are we leaving behind? It’s time for all of us to change our relationship to the earth, to understand that there really are no jobs on a dead planet.

Mark Brennan the Candidate running in Random Burin St Georges.

2006-01-05T17:39:00.000-03:30

Hello all, I'll start by posting my bio to introduce myself:

Mark Brennan is 37 years old and was raised on the rugged West Coast of Scotland. He moved to the Maritimes almost 20 years ago. Mark served five years in the Royal Navy at sea, with much of his time spent in peace keeping duties in the Gulf, Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic. He has been busy in his local Maritime community of White Hill, Nova Scotia as a past volunteer fire fighter, soccer coach and as an important voice for the environment.

Mark is a landscape painter and healthcare worker in the town of New Glasgow. He has been married to Lucy for 17 years and they have one daughter, Season - age 8. They live in a very rural area of Nova Scotia on an old homestead farm that has been in the family for six generations and farmed for almost as long.

Mark's strong belief that the protection and well-being of the planet should be a focal point for humans has led him to run in Random-Burin-St. George's during this election. At home, he has been involved in many forestry campaigns and has also worked for new protected areas in Nova Scotia. His main focus has been to oppose clear-cutting and the industrial spraying of chemicals on the forests. His community recently fought a battle to stop an industrial pulp mill from spraying the forests in their area.

Mark has traveled to Newfoundland to paint it's rugged beauty and feels a close connection to the Island, especially after two visits to Beaumont Hamel memorial battlefield, in the Somme area of France. This is the area where so many young Newfoundlanders gave their lives for our freedom in the First World War. "I am a veteran myself and so are many members of my family. Remembrance is so very important to us, they gave us the freedom we have today and that is why I am running in this election. It is important to me that those who have a green conscience in the riding of Random - Burin - St. George's, can have a place to mark their vote on election day."

"I also realize that Random-Burin-St. George's has its problems and that some communities don't even have clean drinking water, this is unacceptable. Taking care of the planet also means taking care of its people. Certainly I am not expected to win, but by voting Green this election you can send a strong voice to the newly elected official that the well-being of the environment must become a priority instead of an afterthought."

CBC Segment

2006-01-05T11:14:00.000-03:30

I know I've moved on but, I just discovered an article on the CBC website that was written in addition to the segment that aired two nights ago. It's just as well that I share it with you all... and then we'll move on again, shall we?

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/nl/story/nf_green_party_20060104.html

In N.L., it's not easy being Green
Last updated Jan 4 2006 04:20 PM NST
CBC News

The Green party has managed to field a full slate of candidates in Newfoundland and Labrador, but has had draw on out-of-province members to do it.

Five of the seven Green candidates in Newfoundland and Labrador live outside the province.

The Greens angered some supporters in Newfoundland and prompted the resignations of a key organizer and their candidate in Labrador riding by calling for abolition of the seal hunt.

Shannon Hillier, who is carrying the Green banner in Avalon riding, admits the party's stand against the seal hunt is an obstacle - at least in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Basically, it's an Ottawa decision," she said.

"No matter what government you're dealing with, I don't think they really understand, or their decisions reflect what's going on in Newfoundland," she said.

Lori-Ann Martino, who ran for the Greens in 2004, said she could not endorse the party's stand on sealing.

"I think any Newfoundlander would look straight at [that] and be able to see that this party does not represent them," Martino said.

"That's when I realized that this was strategic, and I was just a tool in a bigger political machine that was mostly aimed at Upper Canadians."

Jane McGillivray, a medical doctor who won the party's nomination in Labrador riding, quit her candidacy over the sealing issue.

The Green party says the sealing policy, which holds that the industry is not sustainable, was adopted by 93 per cent of delegates who attended a recent meeting.

Stephen Harris, the Green candidate in St. John's East, is sticking with the party, and supports the platform.

He admits the policy has kept potential supporters away.

"It's already hurt," he said.

"I'm going to fight to make sure everybody knows there's more than just the seal hunt on their platform."

Only Hillier and Harris will actually be campaigning for the Greens in the province.

They said a full slate helps give the party more credibility, and every vote for the party brings $1.79 in federal funding that can be used to promote the Greens' environmental agenda.

Green Party 2006 Platform

2006-01-04T16:09:00.000-03:30

I haven't really had the chance to fully promote the ever expanding platform that the Green Party has this time around, so I'll do so now. Hopefully, this'll help move the minds away from the seal hunt and into big issues that concern our province, country and planet.

When it was released this past Monday, many were surprised to know that we've expanded beyond the traditional environmental issues and into other equally as important issues, of course all of it striving for a better way of life for all Canadians. The Green Party has been founded on 6 principles (Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Non-Violence, Participatory Democracy, Sustainability and Respect for diversity) and the new platform clearly promotes each.

Much of the media as of late has been focusing on our stance of how we believe the election process should be handled, which of course is a more proportional representation of government. In fact, the Globe and Mail website right now has a poll on their front page asking it's viewers their opinion on this very topic (http://www.theglobeandmail.com is the address if you want to voice your opinion. It's on the right hand side).

To clarify, a Proportional represented government would be a move away from traditional way of electing individuals whereby the majority wins in each riding to a equal way of representing parties. This is achieved by electing seats based on the total number of votes. For example, last election the Green Party had 4.4% of the popular vote. If we had a Proportionally represented system that would mean they would get 4.4% of the seats, which makes absolute sense. At least the nearly 600 000 people that voted for the Green Party last time around would now have representation at the highest level. It's a fair way to do things and it makes sense to me to use it.

That's only one issue however and we have a vision for much more than that. Below is the key topics found in the Green Party Platform

The Green Party vision

We can build a sustainable Canada

We can build an inclusive Canada

We can build a healthy Canada

We can renew our democracy

We can build a sustainable fiscal framework

Phew. That took more time than I thought it would but, at least it's done and you all now have a easy way to view the platform... which I encourage you to do.

Go on, do it!

Let's move on shall we?

2006-01-04T11:57:00.000-03:30

The internet is a wonderful thing to happen to politics, it really is. Sites like these are very valuable to a candidate as it gives them a chance to respond to any media that has been released. As we all know, the media tends to bend things to suit their own needs. All for the sake of the story right?

Where am I going with this? Remember that interview with CBC yesterday? Well, it aired last night and of course, it was nothing like how I thought it was going to turn out. I know how these things work but, it's still frustrating to know that you can talk about everything under the sun for 15 minutes to only have a 3 second clip used. In this case, the clip used (in fact the entire piece) made us (yes, us. I had no idea others were interviewed, including an ex Green supporter who supposidly left because of Jim's stand on the seal hunt... when, from what I know, actually left to have her second baby) sound like we're against the leader or the party, when in fact we are not. Just because a candidate does not agree with one of the parties polices doesn't mean they aren't loyal Greens. This is what a democracy is; it's about finding common ground between two (or more) opposing ideals... even within a political party.

The main focus of the piece was about the Seal hunt, of course. I'm not really surprised though. I mean, it's the only thing most of the people in this province know (or care) about the Green Party. This is why I was so excited after the interview was completed; we actually talked about much more than that issue. I was hoping that we'd finally get some other topics out there and a maybe a showing of how passionate we are about our party and it's place in our wonderful Province. But we didn't, not this time.

It's okay though. It really is. This'll only push me harder to reach as many people as possible and let them know that we extend far beyond the seal hunt. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve to know the full extent of the Green Party platform so that they can make the most educated decision on the 23rd... so that they can make the right decision on election day.

Lucky 7

2006-01-03T13:31:00.000-03:30

Well, I don't know how lucky the number 7 is but it certainly is a significant number when it comes to Newfoundland and Labrador during election time. For those that don't know, we have 7 ridings in the province and luckily, the Green Party has one in each... Albeit, some are not from this province. In fact, there are only 2 from the province and while some may look down on that, I still look at the positive; at least people have the opportunity to vote green if they so wish. Without the candidate in place, that wouldn't be possible.

This is the list of candidacy, with as much contact info as I have right now. This will be updated as more info is available or you can keep checking the Green Party website

Newfoundland and Labrador - Terre-Neuve et Labrador
Avalon	Shannon S Hillier	E-mail	709-726-4569
Bonavista - Gander - Grand Falls - Windsor	Judy Davis		902-657-3371
Humber - St. Barbe - Baie Verte	Martin Hanzalek		709-686-2222
Labrador	Gail Zwicker
Random - Burin - St. George's	Mark Brennan	E-mail	902-396 4397
St. John's East - St. John's-Est	Stephen Eli Harris	E-mail	709-727-2697
St. John's South - Mount Pearl	Barry Crozier

Also, I'm working on getting each and every one of these Green guys and gals on this blog so that they are able to leave their marks online and further spread their own beliefs. Keep an eye out for that.

Other News

I've just completed an interview with the lovely Deanne Fleet from CBC which should air tonight at 6:00pm in Newfoundland. I personally thought that it went well though, one never knows how it turns out until it's aired. Some of the topics discussed were the sealing issue (of course), candidates from outside the province and the importance of getting votes (money wise), among other things.

Check it out; 6pm Newfoundland (half hour earlier in Labrador) on CBC.

Volunteers are Valuable

2006-01-02T15:06:00.000-03:30

Every good thing needs help in making it better. The Green Party's, my, campaign is no exception to this rule. In order for me to open minds and spread the word that things need to change now in order to preserve our future, other like minded folks need to assemble and make this awakening happen.

Here' in St. John's East there are 66, 354 electors (adjusted to 70, 027 for the national average) eligible to vote. At this time, I'm basically reaching out to those people by myself. Sure, I have a couple of wonderful friends who support me, one of whom (Dave Brinston) is kind enough to drive me around the city putting up signs (By the way, I really love that I have our wonderful little green signs placed next to huge wooden billboards type signs that the other parties have here. That alone makes a point) and he's not even a Green supporter at heart... though I'm doing my damndest (can I say that word?) to open him up further to the world and hopefully sway him to vote Green.

So, here's my call to you. Do you believe in a future that has clean air, water and soil for your children and their children? Do you believe in heath, not just health care? Do you want a government that accountable for it's actions? Do you have a drive to make the future you want happen actually happen? If so, please contact me at anytime either by calling (709-727-2697), by email (stepheneliharris@gmail.com) or by using this handy form found on the Green Party website.

Someday is now. Vote Green, Talk Green, Be Green!

Stephen Harris
GPC Candidate - St. John's East

P.S. Leader Jim Harris announced the Green's Platform today and it is now available for download at the Green Party Website or by clicking HERE. (It's in PDF format)

Happy New Year

2006-01-01T11:38:00.000-03:30

Well, it's January 1st and a new year has rolled on in. With 2005 come and gone, we now have 2006 to set new goals, make new wishes and fulfill resolutions and I want to take this time to wish you all the best in these endeavors as the new year rolls on.

Isn't it strange to be entering the latter half of the decade? It only seems like yesterday the clocks rolled over to a new millennium. Time moves so quickly, days passing like minutes and years like days. It makes you wonder what exactly we're celebrating yearly as the clock approaches January 1st.

For me, during this time each year, it's impossible not to realize how fast the future is approaching and that deep sickening feeling sets in; That feeling that the future we're heading for is not one I'll be celebrating every year as I do now. With the path we're living now being so destructive, it's hard to imagine a future whereby there's anything left to celebrate.... unless of course we change direction.

In 23 days, all Canadians have a chance to vote on how they want their future to be. A choice will be made on whether we continue down our current path of destruction or change direction and take a new path into the future. With the Green Party being the only Party talking about the future beyond 5 years, the choice seems easy to me; take a new path, find a better future, vote Green.

January 23th, 2006, the choice yours. Let you voice be heard!

NTV News Spot

2005-12-31T03:18:00.000-03:30

Michael Conners of NTV conducted an interview with me on Dec 21st which quickly aired that night. I was very impressed with how well it turned out and was very happy that there was no negative spin taken. Great promotion for the start of the campaign...

There was also a article posted on the NTV website (http://www.ntv.ca) written also by Michael.

Local Green candidate tries to overcome seal hunt platform
by Michael Connors
December 21, 2005

It's never easy for new political parties to get traction in this province. For local Green Party candidates, the job has been made even more difficult by their leader's opposition to the seal hunt. Stephen Harris is running for the Greens in St. John's East. He likes the party's vision of ending the conflict between the environment and the economy. The party's policy of "tax shifting" would place more taxes on junk food and companies that pollute, and ease the burden on healthy food and clean industries. But that message doesn't get much attention in Newfoundland and Labrador. Instead, party leader Jim Harris came to St. John's on Dec. 1 and called on the federal government to stop supporting the seal hunt. Mr. Harris says he hasnÂt heard about anything else from voters since. He says he has gotten many e-mails complaining about the platform. The seal hunt has been an ongoing source of conflict between the national Green Party and its membership in this province. People who supported the party in the past have left, including the party's nominee in Labrador, because of the platform. Mr. Harris says he personally supports the seal hunt as long as it is conducted in an environmentally sustainable manner. But he has stayed with the party because he believes its overall message is worth fighting for. He admits the Greens will have a tough time in Newfoundland and Labrador. While the party has only a handful of nominations to fill across the rest of the country, four of the seven ridings in this province still do not have Green candidates. Mr. Harris worries that if the party is going to run in all 308 districts again, it will have to resort to parachuting candidates from other provinces.

A special thanks to Michael Conners and NTV for the opportunity to speak my mind and further spread the awareness of the Green Party.

Visit thier website: http://www.ntv.ca

Bus Fuss

2005-12-29T06:36:00.000-03:30

The Metrobus here in St. John's has a really great service whereby for 2 dollars you get a ride and a copy of the days Telegram. On January 2nd, I doubt I'll be grabbing a paper anymore because 2 bucks will only get me a ride due to Metrobus' decision to hike the rates.

While I can understand why the rate hike came, I'm completely disgusted by it. Right now, on average, I'm paying $24.50 a week or $98.00 per month whereas in January that will rise to $28.00 a week and $112.00 a month. That's a significant increase if you ask me and a deterrent from using the service. In this day an age when we should
be promoting the use of public transportation to clear our roads and clean our air, hiking the rates will only do the opposite. Like with many other things, we are moving backwards as a society.

If only there was a way to promote the use of bus systems so that more citizens use it. With an election upon us, I suggest that the people of St. John's express their disdain with the rate hike and see what the local candidates are going to do about it. I know that the Green Party has a policy in their platform to make all bus passes tax deductible which would indeed lessen inhibitions from using the bus service but, what do the others plan to do? This I'd like to know. As a concerned citizen worried about the amount of vehicles driving today and subsequently the amount of toxins being released into the air, I deserve to know.

Green Seal of Dissaproval

2005-12-29T06:09:00.000-03:30

This is my personal response to the Jim Harris' stance on the commercial Seal Hunt.

The Green party of Canada is founded apon six fundamental principles; Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Non Violence, Sustainability, Respect for Diversity and Participatory Democracy. All of these values are extreamly important however, the one I believe is essential to the growth of Government is the latter of the 6. The Green Party strives for a democracy in which all citizens have the right to express their views, and are able to directly participate in the environmental, economic, social and political decisions which affect their lives. One of the ways they've already started to impliment this is by way of the Living Platform; an online discussion of all the Green party's values whereby anyone of any age, gender, race or political affiliation can have their say on how they think a Green Party government should be ran. Their wish is to open up debate to more people than ever ensuring that everyone has their say on thier future.

This brings me to my point. Recently, Jim Harris (Leader of the Green Party) visited Newfoundland and Labrador and expressed his views on the annual Seal Hunt. Many were angered when Mr. Harris said that "It's time to end federal support for the seal hunt and instead use federal programs to develop sustainable jobs that will bring Newfoundland and Labrador international praise". I was one of those many.

As a supporter of the Green Party I can understand Mr. Harris's view however, the leader truly doesn't understand how important this industry is to Newfoundland and Labrador. It seems only those who are native to the province can understand the importance and it's truly sad that so many "upalongs", "mainlanders", non-Newfoundland a Labradorians are mislead about the seal hunt. It's not an industry of brutallity and 'baby seal whacking' (on a side not, I agree with Cathy Jones, Bill Lankhof IS an asshole) that everybody believes it is. It's astonishing that so many people assume that baby white coat seals are clobbered just because organizations like Green Peace use it as thier poster child when in fact, these seals aren't even harmed.

I do agree that it's time for our province to start pursuing sustanibile industries If the seal hunt is mananged property to ensure only what's needed is taken and all that is taken is used, then the industrly would indeed continue to be sustainable. I'm a strong supporter of the ways of old where thousands of people existed by way of hunter/gatherer. These people would scour the land gathering food and killing animals to feed apon... however, they would only take or kill what they need. There was no stockpilling of meat or sport hunting thus ensuring that there would always be plant and animal life to live off for generations to come.

This is my participation to the democracy. I want Mr. Harris and the rest of the country to hear my voice on this issue and will do whatever possible to make sure all of the voices of Newfoundland and Labrador are heard. A well managed, publically informed hunt is a sustainable way of life and should never be banned completly. The effects to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are too severe to do so.

Stephen Harris
Green Party Candidate - St. John's East

The Welcome post

2005-12-29T05:12:00.000-03:30

Every new blog has one; a welcome post. Here's ours... welcome...

This is a place for Green Party candidates in Newfoundland and Labrdor to express thier opinions and hopefully open themselves up to a wider audience.

Questions, concerns and replies are always welcome so please don't hesitate to make a reply.