What’s Happening with Salmon Farms in the Discovery Islands?

by | Jan 7, 2022 | Environment, News and Events

In December, 2020 the federal Government finally decided that it was time to get the salmon farms out of the channels of the Discovery Islands near Campbell River. As Greens, we are delighted with this decision; it has long been Green policy to get the farms out and work to restore the health of our ocean. This long-awaited change in policy is largely thanks to the courageous stance taken by Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan, who chose to ignore the strongly pro-industry “advice” from her senior advisors and DFO. Minister Jordan chose instead to listen to the voices of the First Nations in whose traditional waters these farms have existed. For decades they have called for an end to these farms, and finally they were heard by Ottawa. Many others played important parts in convincing Minister Jordan to do the right thing, most notably salmon biologist Alexandra Morton. Her tireless 3 decades crusade and research are key to finally overpowering the obfuscation and denial by government and industry scientists and bureaucrats. The Discovery channels are the major migratory route for the vast majority of young salmon of all species from the Fraser River watershed, long one of BC’s largest and most productive salmon systems. As they swim through the waters where the farms are located, the young fish are hammered with lice and viruses that proliferate in the crowded salmon pens. The mortality of these young migrating fish is very likely playing a major role in the disappearance of the once-mighty runs of salmon our coast was known for not many years ago. With this decision government has given industry 18...

Fairy Creek – A short history

by | Jan 1, 2022 | Environment, News and Events

(Jay Van Oostdam, Jan 1, 2022) In early August 2020 a group of Forest Defenders known as the Rainforest Flying Squad (RFS), with support from Pacheedaht elder Bill Jones, blocked a logging road on the west side of the headwaters of Fairy Creek.  Teal Jones, the tree farm license holder (TFL 46), was planning to build a logging road into upper areas of the Fairy Creek watershed to clearcut this ancient ecosystem.  Over the fall and early winter 2020 Teal Jones employees and contractors withdrew from this area.   Snow came to block any access to these upper areas and RFS set up River Camp on Granite Main to block east side access to Fairy Creek.  In spite of the cold / rain / snow these RFS defenders stayed through the winter. In February 2021 Teal Jones sought an injunction to block Forest Defenders from roads and lands in their tree farm license (TFL 46).  Over February and March Forest Defenders starting coming from across British Columbia, Canada and the globe to defend these ancient ecosystems.  On April 1st (April Fool’s Day) the judge issued an injunction blocking access to roads and lands in TFL 46.  Fallers working for Teal Jones also rushed into the adjacent Caycuse watershed and on the Good Friday, Easter weekend they cut a large number of ancient trees.  The RFS then moved in to establish camps and block access to these ancient trees in Caycuse, Walbran,  and Fairy Creek (Waterfall / Ridge / Granite Main camps). In early May 2021 the RCMP moved to blockade and then invade the Caycuse Forest Defender’s camp.  Here we...

Greens on Canada’s Galapagos

by | Nov 2, 2020 | Environment, Member Submitted Articles, News and Events

Mitlenatch Island …a collaboration between Betty Donaldson, Carol Thatcher, and Mark de Bruijn Sometimes called “the Canadian Galapagos,” Mitlenatch Island is a BC Class A Nature Provincial Park located in the Salish Sea between Campbell River and Powell River. This little treasure trove of biodiversity comprises only 155 hectares, with an additional protective 300-metre water “boundary” beyond the high tide line. The tides from the north and south ends of Vancouver Island meet around the island, creating a biological richness in the surrounding waters. The island is in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island’s mountains, resulting in a semi-arid ecosystem that receives considerably more sunshine during the west coast’s normally wet and dreary winters. It is a unique ecosystem in the middle of the Salish Sea. This unique habitat has long been known to Indigenous peoples who made seasonal camps to harvest bird eggs, shellfish, fish, berries and plants. Generally, when SE Camp Bay is windy, Northwest Bay is not, so one of the Salish names means “calm waters behind.” In 1894, the island was acquired by the Manson family of Cortes Island, who used it as summer pasture for sheep and cattle. When post-WWII plans included using the Island for Lancaster bombing practice, in 1959 the Mansons sold the Island to the Province for $1 on the condition it become a nature park.  In 1961, it became the first such designated area in Canada.  The primary role of Mitlenatch Island Nature Park is to protect a unique island ecosystem and its special natural features. Perhaps the greatest of these is its birds, and it has been designated one...

Open Letter to Catherine McKenna re BC Ferries

by | Jul 27, 2020 | Environment, Member Submitted Articles, News and Events

Opportunities for a green infrastructure investment in BC Ferries The Honourable Catherine McKenna Minister of Infrastructure and Communities  January 27, 2020  Dear Ms. McKenna:  Re: Opportunities for a green infrastructure investment in BC Ferries.  I have read your Prime Minister’s Mandate Letter of December 13, 2019. I noted with interest that the letter contains the request that “your focus must be on the successful, timely delivery of our growth-generating investments in public transit, green infrastructure…” I am writing you to suggest an investment in that would pay great returns in our country’s attack on climate change.  BC Ferries is a company contracted by our Provincial Government to provide ferry service to coastal communities. Operating 25 routes with 47 terminals, BC Ferries has embarked on a program to reduce the environmental impact of its fleet. The newest four ships to be added will be diesel-electrics that are capable of being totally electric powered. At this time shore power to charge these vessels has not yet been built. Once these facilities have been built, they will take advantage of our Province’s ample renewable hydro-electric generated power.  An investment by our government in shore power facilities would be within your mandate. Historically the federal government has invested in transit facilities and equipment including electric transit buses. BC Ferries is an important part of passenger transit in our coastal communities as transit-ferry connections are being developed in their system. Historically BC Ferries has concentrated on moving motor vehicles, not people. A shift to more passenger traffic facilitated by transit connections will increase the efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of intercity travel.  An...

Name-that-Trail Contest

by | Jul 18, 2016 | Environment, News and Events, Political Activity

Name that Trail! The North Island - Powell River Greens have adopted a trail in the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands in Campbell River. You can submit your idea for the yet unnamed trail (see the red arrow pointing to the new trail in the map below). Email your fantastic trail name ideas to: northislandgreens@gmail.com for a chance to win a  prize from the Green Party.  ...

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