|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activist News by Charm Maryea
Big Changes in Vancouver Government
Congratulations to Larry Campbell (Vancouver’s new Mayor) and the rest of the Cope team, including David Cadman (see last month’s CG article “Political Compassion” p8) who scooped a whopping 8 out of 10 seats on City Council. Congratulations also to Peter Ladner (NPA) of Business in Vancouver fame and Sam Sullivan (NPA) who scooped the other two. Visit www.cope.bc.ca, www.city.vancouver.bc.ca or call: 604-255-0400 for more info.
Canada’s First Green School Trustee.
Green School Trustee, Andrea Reimer was elected in civic elections
held across BC, on Saturday, November 16th and more Green votes were
cast for Council, School and Parks, than ever before, confirming the
growing support for Greens in Vancouver. www.vangreens.org
or call: 604-684-5535
Government Total Recall
If you’re tired of your current BC government and can’t wait two years for elections, then you might consider total recall. John Olsen, the brainchild of a group he calls the Commons Protection Group has launched a website called RecallThemAll.ca. The group is based in Nanaimo and wants to see recall papers for all 77 MLA’s handed in on Jan 13, 2003.
One MLA who won’t be recalled, because he was turfed out of the BC Liberal government’s caucus recently, is Paul Nettleton. He was expelled after accusing the government of having a secret plan to sell BC Hydro. He will now serve as an independent for the Prince George-Omineca riding. If you happen to agree with him visit www.handsoffhydro.com and do your part. Also see page 24 of this edition.
Vancity $1 Million Award
VanCity’s second annual award of $1-million towards non-profit
initiatives went to Vancouver East Cultural Centre for its proposal
to renovate and restore its facilities. After 30 years, 1.5 million
visitors and 7,500 performances, centre executives say "the Cultch"
one of this region’s treasures, needs some much needed upgrading.
Unfortunately, the Co-operative Auto Network, a not-for-profit car sharing organization, that helps to eliminate some of our pollution and traffic problems, were only runners-up. They proposed to expand their car sharing program to include 30 electric hybrid cars, as well as a “station car” program for transit-poor areas. For more information call: 604-685-1393 or visit their website:
www.info@cooperativeauto.net. One idea for next year’s $1 million might be to award $1/3 million between the final three.
Forest Friendly Paper
Staples, the largest and fastest growing office super store in the world, announced that it would meet demands to move towards forest friendly paper sales. After a two-year effort by The Paper Campaign, a coalition of dozens of citizen groups dedicated to greening the paper marketplace, (led by ForestEthics and the Dogwood Alliance) Staples finally committed to achieve an average of 30% post consumer recycled content across all paper products it sells. Also to phase out purchases of wood products from endangered forests, such as the Canadian boreal forests and British Columbia’s old-growth forests, and create an environmental affairs division reporting annually on its environmental results.
The Paper Campaign is now calling on other retailers, such as Office Depot, Office Max and Corporate Express to meet or beat Staples’ commitment for environmental paper standards improvements.
Contact: ForestEthics 250-422-3031 or visit www.ForestEthics.org and www.ThePaperCampaign.com
Granville Island Public Market
Great Markets Great Cities award for major public markets in North America recognized Granville Island Public Market with a prestigious award of merit for its significant contribution to the social, economic and environmental health and well being of its city. Granville Island Public Market was the only market in Canada to win an award. Visit Granville Island’s website: www.granvilleisland.com or call: 604-666-5784
Internationally Organic
An Italian study conducted by the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca per gli Alimenti e la Nutrizione, has found organic pears, peaches and oranges have higher levels of antioxidants than their conventional counterparts.
The Ritz in London, England, has become the first hotel there to offer certified organic meals.
Organic farmers in Ontario have reported that pollen from neighbouring genetically engineered corn has contaminated their crops.
Real Mealz, a chain of organic fast food, restaurants, is being launched in the Netherlands and Germany.
In Argentina Organic farmers have increased from 220 in 1995 to over 1,500 in 2001, with areas reaching 3 million hectares in 2001. Argentina exports around 90% of it’s organic produce mainly to the US and EU.
In India The Indian Ministry of Agriculture has recommended that state governments earmark 50 percent of the farmland under government control for organic farming. Already, the Madhya Pradesh government has set aside half of it’s farmland for organic farming and identified a village in each block as an organic farming village.
In Mexico up to 75 percent of costs for organic certification, will be refunded under government efforts to stimulate trade in organic products.
Contact: Organic Trade Association 413-774-7511 website: www.ota.com or www.the organicreport.com (Check out their Organic Gift List).
Do you have some activist news for Common Ground? Email Charm.
 Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
