by Pieter Vorster | Feb 13, 2019 | News and Events
Mark de Bruijn Nominee for the Green Party of Canada Candidate for NIPR Much of my passion for the natural world and it’s wonders comes from leaving my urbanized European homeland at the age of 3, and moving to a country with nothing but wilderness everywhere. My father was smitten by it, and our family spent countless weekends and summers exploring the wilds, from our home in the Calgary foothills to the California Sierras. I grew up hiking, canoeing, trail riding and rock climbing my summers away in the glorious Rockies, much of it as a counsellor with a YMCA wilderness camp near Banff. Upon graduating from the University of Calgary with a 1st class honours B.Sc. in zoology, I worked as a fish biologist in the Arctic on Canada’s first major environmental assessment for a pipeline destined to bring Alaskan natural gas to Edmonton. Our work ultimately contributed to the Canadian government’s decision to decline the development application – the huge pipe was never built. Gradually I discovered my real interest lay in helping others appreciate and treasure the wonders of nature. I became a college biology instructor at Mount Royal College in Calgary. Later I completed the training to teach high school chemistry, biology and math, including a stint as school principal. As economics, interests and lifestyles changed, I gathered an eclectic range of skills working as general contractor, sporting goods buyer, healing program coordinator, and employability teacher and coach. But always I returned to education and the natural world as my primary passion. Along the way I discovered an interest in exploring the potential of creative...
by Larry McCumsey | Feb 3, 2023 | News and Events
It’s cold out there. And on February 25 the Green Party Comox Valley team is going to do something about it. Together with thousands of Canadians across the country, we’re walking and fundraising to support and serve people and families experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger in our community. Please, give generously. We are supporting the Comox Valley Transition Society and Dawn to Dawn. Please support Green Party Comox...
by Larry McCumsey | Jan 16, 2023 | News and Events
Groups announce Feb. 25 rally at provincial legislature, issue declaration calling on the Province to accelerate action for threatened forests. UNCEDED LEKWUNGEN TERRITORIES/VICTORIA – More than 160 organizations across British Columbia have issued a declaration called United We Stand for Old-Growth Forests, calling on Premier David Eby and his government to fulfill their commitments on old-growth. Signatories of the declaration, including the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, the Climate Caucus network of municipal elected leaders, and BC General Employees Union (BCGEU), are urging Eby to follow through on his October 2022 promise to “accelerate” action to protect old-growth forests within 100 days, and implement a paradigm-shift in forest stewardship to safeguard biodiversity. The organizers announced plans for a mass mobilization to hold the province accountable, with a march and rally scheduled for February 25, Eby’s 100th day. “The government’s continued negligence and stonewalling on truly protecting old-growth and elder trees is endemic in its approach to climate change and the stewardship of our environment,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “This feigned ignorance of what is happening to our forests by government and industry will be our downfall, and the impacts of this inaction will prevent us from leaving our future generations with a rich legacy of vibrant, healthy and productive forest lands.” Phillip added. “We must do everything in our power to protect these ancient giants and we cannot stop putting pressure on our governments to do their jobs: to protect us and the environment, not act as timber barons whose only concern is this year’s financial statements.” Despite promising to...
by Larry McCumsey | Jan 13, 2023 | News and Events
In October of this year the Save Our Forests Team highlighted our concern about clear-cutting of the original / old growth forest adjacent to the Mount Washington Parkway at Ramparts Creek / Browns River area with a Letter to the Editor in the COMOX VALLEY RECORD. Mosaic Forest Management is doing the clearcutting and is the forestry arm of Timberwest who actually owns the land. Mosaic has shown itself adept at side stepping issues of biodiversity and sustainability of forests / watersheds by indicating its participation in the industry led Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI). Ecojustice and eight environmental groups have just filed a complaint with the Competition Bureau requesting it conduct an inquiry into false and misleading ‘sustainability’ claims made by the SFI about its sustainable forest certification scheme. Devon Page, executive director, Ecojustice said: “The Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s standard is a greenwashed certification that misleads consumers and fails to protect forests and the environment. This deception needs to stop immediately.” We cannot wait, we must stop this old growth logging NOW. Timberwest was bought in 2011 by provincial pension plans managed by BC Investment Management Corporation (BCi) (teachers, ICBC, BC Hydro, provincial employees) and federal pension plans managed by Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP) (civil servants, RCMP, military) for just over $1 billion. This is only a very small proportion of their more than $350 billion invested. These pension plans can afford to take a slightly lower return on this investment to ensure the continued existence of these old growth forests and their associated species. If you are a retired or ongoing member of any of these...
by Larry McCumsey | Dec 13, 2022 | Newsletters
2022 is almost history - to top the year off here is the December issue of our NIPR EDA newsletter. Seasons greetings to all of our friends in North Island - Powell River and best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year. NIPR Newsletter (Vol I - Issue 3) Dec...
by Larry McCumsey | Oct 26, 2022 | News and Events
Local resident and member of the NIPR Green Party electoral district association executive, Jay Van Oostdam, offers this opinion piece in the Comox Valley Record. He raises the alarm about logging of old growth forest in the Ramparts Creek area beside the Mount Washington road and notes the many impacts that this will have, including putting Comox Valley water security at risk. Comox Valley Record - Sounding the alarm about clearcutting old-growth forests in the Comox...
by Larry McCumsey | Oct 9, 2022 | News and Events
A number of qathet region organizations* have come together to address the issues that arise from the recent closure of the Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat pulp and paper mill in Powell River. The issues are grouped under the three main objectives adopted by the Coalition: To ensure that Paper Excellence (owners of the mill) will fulfill their legal obligation to remediate the site. There are multiple outstanding issues in the mill area and surrounding communities. To ensure that the community benefits from the hydroelectric power generated at the site. A subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable wants to sell the electricity to the US with no benefit flowing to the community or whomever assumes ownership of the mill site. To support the Tla’amin Nation in the restoration of wild fish habitats that were damaged or destroyed by the building of the dams. The Powell River salmon run was once second only to the Fraser River for significance on the BC coast. The Coalition has recently released a brochure that they wish to distribute as widely as possible. The brochure provides more detail about the group objectives, lists actions that we all can take to help and describes the makeup of the Coalition. After the Mill Brochure The group recently published an opinion piece in the Peak and on Oct 4 group member John Chan presented to the Powell River committee of the whole meeting. The current council accepted John’s presentation and approved a recommendation to send the issue to the new city council for discussion early in its mandate. *The After the Mill Coalition seeks to be a non-partisan group representing all...
by Larry McCumsey | Sep 19, 2022 | News and Events
Sue Moen is a Campbell River resident who is a long-time friend, supporter and member of the Green Party of Canada. She was instrumental in founding the North Island-Powell River Greens in 2014 and served on its board for a number of years. Her values are firmly rooted in the six core Green Principles. If elected she would bring these in to Campbell River Council at a time when they are sorely needed, as the city struggles with housing, homelessness, climate change, a struggling economy and 1st Nations reconciliation. It is candidates like Sue who give hope for the kind of bold and progressive local governance communities all across BC need. This is a letter she wrote to NIPR as a way of introducing herself and her candidacy for council person in the upcoming municipal election. Mark de Bruijn North Island - Powell River EDA CEO My name is Sue Moen and I am running for Council in Campbell River. I previously ran both federally and provincially for the Green Party so wanted to let folks know they have an opportunity to have those principles and values reflected at City Hall this October. My core values are equity, diversity and inclusion and my biggest priorities include housing, climate change, reconciliation and revitalizing the local economy on a human scale. We are living within multiple crises. The effects of climate breakdown are already being felt and we are not demanding development and city operations meet the highest standards for efficiency, mitigation and resiliency. The number of people un- or precariously housed is growing. Folks are struggling to meet...
by Larry McCumsey | Sep 1, 2022 | News and Events
On November 19, Green Party of Canada members will elect our new Leader. Over the next 80 days there will be a variety of events designed to allow members to get to know each candidate. We are very honored and excited to announce that the 2022 Green Party of Canada Leadership Candidates are: Simon Gnocchini-Messier Chad Walcott Elizabeth May Anna Keenan Jonathan Pedneault Sarah Gabrielle Baron For more information about the race and the candidates visit The Amazing Canadian Leadership Race - Green Party of Canada / Parti Vert du Canada Decidons...
by Larry McCumsey | Jul 29, 2022 | News and Events
Want to make an impact while having fun? Join our Comox Nautical Days Volunteer Team and help make sure the compost, recycling, and garbage is placed in the correct bins during the July 30th to August 1st weekend. If you are interested, please send an email to Councillor Jonathan Kerr at jkerr@comox.ca. For more information about Nautical Days go to https://www.comoxnauticaldays.com Healthy Community, Healthy People, Healthy...
by Larry McCumsey | Jul 27, 2022 | Newsletters
Here we are with Volume I, Issue 2, of the New NIPR Newsletter! We hope that you enjoy our summertime edition. And we want you to know that we are here, we are working, and we are listening. Enjoy! New NIPR Newsletter (Vol I, Issue 2) - July...
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