by Larry McCumsey | Dec 18, 2025 | News and Events, Newsletters
2025 has been a wild ride—not only for NIPR, but for the entire globe. War, environmental devastation, political and economic instability have all contributed to the deep uncertainty we all feel. Tensions with our U.S. neighbours have had an immense impact on Canadians, and here in British Columbia we are facing yet another potential blow to our environment. As we continue the fight to protect our old growth forests and wild salmon, we are now confronted with the threat of a pipeline from Alberta to our pristine coastline—along with the possibility of an exemption to the 1972 restrictions on tanker traffic through Hecate Straight and Queen Charlotte Sound. At the end of my letter please see links to two articles from Cortes Currents regarding Canada’s MOU with Alberta. The year began with the resignation of Prime Minister Trudeau, triggering a leadership race. Mark Carney became the new leader of the Liberal Party and quickly called a federal election for April 28. Rumours of an early election had been circulating for some time, leaving political parties scrambling to secure candidates. Fortunately, NIPR was already well prepared, with Jessica Wegg confirmed as our candidate. In fact, we were the first GPC riding in Canada to officially announce a candidate. For the Green Party, the election results were disappointing, to say the very least. Fear proved to be a dominant force, and reacting from fear is never a good thing. It is far better to remain grounded in our principles—and to vote accordingly. While NIPR planned and took part in a number of events during the course of the year, the highlight...
by Larry McCumsey | Nov 4, 2025 | News and Events
Annie Smith and Katy Lepine were members of the organizing committee for the David Suzuki Event on October 17, 2025 at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay, BC. David Suzuki’s presentation was titled: Humanity at a Crossroads: Transformation or Extinction. It was a huge undertaking for the small group of volunteers with the North Island – Powell River Greens. Annie and Katy share their reflections and photos from the event. Click here to read the full story on Cortes...
by Larry McCumsey | Sep 9, 2025 | News and Events, Newsletters
Join us at 6:00 p.m., October 17, at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay, BC to hear David Suzuki’s insights about escalating climate change and the relationship between humanity and the natural world. David’s presentation is titled Humanity at a Crossroads: Transformation or Extinction. You will be able to purchase a signed copy of his book, The Sacred Balance, or his children’s book Bompa’s Insect Expedition, and have him personalize it. If you have purchased any of David Suzuki’s books prior to the event you can bring one book in for signing. Light refreshments will be available by donation. The Florence Filberg Centre is located at 411 Anderton Avenue in Courtenay, BC. The venue is wheelchair accessible with ample free parking. Tickets are $45. Get your tickets today! To express interest in volunteering or to request special ticket pricing for people experiencing hardship please e-mail jessica.wegg@greenparty.ca. 6:00 pm: Doors open. Book signing with David Suzuki 7:15 pm: Event begins. Introductions and Territorial welcome with the local Pentl’ach Peoples 7:30 to 8:15 pm: David Suzuki’s presentation 8:15 to 9:00 pm: Question & Answer period with David...
by Larry McCumsey | Apr 18, 2025 | News and Events
April 17, 2025 MONTREAL – The Green Party of Canada has launched its election platform. You can read it here. This is a platform for everyone who has been pushed to the margins, sidelined, underestimated, or ignored—and who is done with the status quo. For people who are organizing, showing up, and demanding more social justice. Please find the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s costing...
by Larry McCumsey | Mar 17, 2025 | News and Events
From Elizabeth May’s weekly newsletter: Good Sunday Morning! Issue #258 – March 16, 2025 I rarely make a prediction–in writing–about politics- especially in the volatile times we are in! But today is an exception. I am close to 100% sure that a week from today – March 23 - our new Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Mark Carney, will stroll over to Rideau Hall to ask the Governor General to call an election. Why Sunday March 23? Because on January 6, when Justin Trudeau announced he would resign as soon as a new leader for the Liberal Party was chosen, he asked the GG to prorogue Parliament until March 24. The Liberal Party made its own decision to select the new leader by March 9. If you ask me, this was an odd choice, rushing through their leadership race and leaving a new Liberal leader with only 25 days until the House resumed normal business. At that point both the NDP and Bloc leaders were saying they would vote to bring down the government as soon as possible–hardly normal times! It would be a pretty tricky path for any new Liberal leader and freshly minted PM to navigate. But for a new leader, now Prime Minister without a seat in the House of Commons, it is beyond tricky. Carney cannot risk a single indelible memory, or much retweeted YouTube of Pierre Poilievre in his place, saying “Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Prime Minister…Oh right! He is not allowed in the Chamber!” If I am right and the election is called next Sunday, that would put voting...
by Larry McCumsey | Feb 26, 2025 | News and Events
21 people attended the premier of the feature documentary Yintah at the Campbell River Community Center on February 20th, 2025. The movie was sponsored by the North Island Powell River (NIPR) Federal Green Party Riding Association and follows the Wet’suwet’en land defender’s 10 year struggle to keep gas companies from building a pipeline through their territory. Cortes Currents interviewed two of the event organizers about the film and some of the deeper issues within the local community. The event was also covered by the Campbell River...
