by Pieter Vorster | Sep 1, 2018 | News and Events, Newsletters
Must Reads from Last Week Spreading the Word If you have friends who are interested in any of the content of this blog, please feel free to share it far and wide. The fact that it comes from the Greens of North Island-Powell River (NIPR) doesn’t mean it is only relevant to people in that riding. Because all Greens are part of the Global Greens, we need to think outside our riding boundaries and connect with each other. Encourage your friends to subscribe to NIPR communications. Let’s connect across this vast riding, this vast country, and this vast but ultimately tiny planet. Have Your Say About Did You Know… If you’d like to respond to an article here, go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. If you have ideas for future editions – remember, Did You Know… is weekly – go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. If you have general feedback, go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. BC Electoral Reform Referendum Part 1: Sierra Club BC endorses proportional representation Sierra Club BC has posted an essay by Maria Dobrinskaya, from Make Every Voter Count Society, which is the official proponent in BC’s referendum. Locally, Fair Vote Comox Valley (as part of Fair Vote Canada/BC) is the most active group. It’s great to see different groups all working for the same end – an improvement to our democracy and hopefully an end to situations like Site C and LNG. Part 2: BCGEU … now has a campaign for proportional representation! You can sign the petition to take back control of our democracy. “The age of...
by Pieter Vorster | Aug 25, 2018 | News and Events, Newsletters
Must Reads from Last Week Spreading the Word If you have friends who are interested in any of the content of this blog, please feel free to share it far and wide. The fact that it comes from the Greens of North Island-Powell River (NIPR) doesn’t mean it is only relevant to people in that riding. Because all Greens are part of the Global Greens, we need to think outside our riding boundaries and connect with each other. Encourage your friends to subscribe to NIPR communications. Let’s connect across this vast riding, this vast country, and this vast but ultimately tiny planet. Have Your Say About Did You Know… If you’d like to respond to an article here, go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. If you have ideas for future editions – remember, Did You Know… is weekly – go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. If you have general feedback, go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. BC Electoral Reform Referendum Gord Johns and Nathan Cullen are holding a town hall. It’s titled Save Our Coast, Stop Trans-Mountain. However, apparently the last half hour will be on proportional representation. DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 29, 7-9 pm LOCATION: Florence Filberg Centre Locally Big Oil – Kevin Taft DATE/TIME: September 13, 2018; 7 pm (Doors 6:30). LOCATION: Native Sons Hall, Upper Level TICKETS: www.kevintafttour.ca Student price $15. Regular price $20. Don’t miss the Kevin Taft Tour! Kevin will be speaking about the deep tentacles that Big Oil has woven into the tapestry of government decision making. 5 cities, one question: “Who is really in charge?” To find...
by Pieter Vorster | Aug 18, 2018 | News and Events, Newsletters
Must Reads from Last Week Have Your Say About Did You Know… If you’d like to respond to an article here, go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. If you have ideas for future editions – remember, Did You Know… is weekly – go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. If you have general feedback, go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. BC Electoral Reform Referendum Within the context of BC’s referendum, here’s a review of a book called Democracy’s Shadow, which posits there are two kinds of politics: the politics of faith (populism) and the politics of skepticism. Excerpt: “From Ancient Athens to Rome and from Great Britain to the United States, democracy has taken many forms. It has advanced the social enterprise of people and pluralized decision making to the masses and away from the elite cadres of the ruling class. Nevertheless, democracy has its darker features. Matthew Goodwin looks at democracy’s long shadow and the populists and demagogues that have cajoled the system for their own selfish gains. This read will entice any monitor of current events and political theorists alike.” Excerpt: “The crucial point about these competing models, however, is that they are inseparable. They need each other. Without politics as scepticism, the salvation-seekers risk dismantling the checks and balances and morphing into authoritarians. But without the salvation-seekers, the sceptics risk being taken over by political quietism; becoming far too readily accepting of the status quo and too slow to pursue change or reform.” Locally Big Oil – Kevin Taft DATE/TIME: September 13, 2018; 7 pm (Doors 6:30). LOCATION: Native Sons...
by Pieter Vorster | Jul 28, 2018 | News and Events, Newsletters
Must Reads from Last Week Have Your Say About Did You Know… If you’d like to respond to an article here, go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. If you have ideas for future editions – remember, Did You Know… is weekly – go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. If you have general feedback, go to NIPR’s website and leave a comment. BC Electoral Reform Referendum Part 1: Watch this and this. These are young people talking about the BC referendum, which is great. And this one is the second episode done by Shaw, with Sonia Furstenau. It’s a very good overview. Part 2: Look at who is opposing electoral reform and what interests they are trying to protect before accepting their arguments. Read more. Excerpt: “Knowing that … “false majorities” would not be possible under a proportional electoral system creates a huge disincentive for governments to reform the electoral system. In a system that is typically dominated by two major parties, both may prefer taking turns wielding unbridled power based on false majorities over the alternative of sharing power and co-operating with other parties on an ongoing basis.” Part 3: Watch this debate on proportional representation. Nathan Cullen is much more adept at discussing PR than his opponent, MLA Mike Morris, whose main argument seems to be that it’s unconstitutional. There were over 100 people in the audience, which is encouraging. Part 4: Fair Vote Comox Valley was at the Comox Valley Pride Picnic in the Park event July 28. It was great to see so many other community groups supporting the LGBTQ2 community. ...
by Pieter Vorster | Jul 14, 2018 | News and Events, Newsletters
Must Reads from Last Week BC Electoral Reform Referendum Thinking fairly about BC’s referendum on PR This article is an intriguing, philosophical take on why proportional representation is a more rational choice than first past the post. What is the connection between astroturf and the PR referendum? “Given the stakes involved, I’m not surprised to see the recent flurry of ill-founded fear-mongering by astroturf groups created by powerful businesspeople, backroom strategists and grumpy ex-politicians to spread confusion about the upcoming referendum on B.C.’s electoral system. Their efforts show just how important and urgent it is to switch to a more fair system.” Read more. In case you’re still unclear about the astroturf connection, read this…and watch this video from 2008 where David Michaels talks about his book, “Doubt is Their Product.” Locally Merville Water Guardians – Forests and Lands Ministry Meeting DATE/TIME: Monday, July 16, 6:30-8:30 pm LOCATION: Merville Hall Gay Pride Part 1: Drag Queen Story Hour DATE/TIME: July 26, 10:30-11:30 a.m. LOCATION: Courtenay Library Join us in collaboration with the Vancouver Island Regional Library as they host an exciting new event. Drag Queen Story Hour will feature our favourite Drag Queen, the beautiful, Miss Vikki as she reads from her favourite picture books to our kids. This is the first one of its kind for the Pride Society of the Comox Valley in an effort to support gender diversity and literacy in a fun, inclusive environment. Part 2: Pride Flag Raising Monday, July 23 Town of Comox – 9:00am Village of Cumberland – 10:00am City of Courtenay – 12:00pm 19 Wing Comox - Base Ceremony Tuesday, July 24, 10:30 a.m....
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