Strait of GeorgiaAttractions &Accommodation

Vancouver Island & The Gulf Islands, Page 6 Every Second Thursday & Online ‘24/7’ at islandtides.com

Volume 16 Number 21 Your Coastal Community Newspaper November 4–17, 2004h

Canadian Publications Mail ProductSales Agreement Nº 1047655

Tide tables 2Chimp-wise 4Letters 4Saturna notes 5Bulletin board 7

Photo: Donna Martin

Bulldozing of the Walker Hook foreshore last winter for the sablefish hatchery (see related story below).

'REENWOODS !NNUAL !PPEAL� 3EE THE BROCHURE IN THIS PAPER xOR CALL THE &OUNDATION AT ��� �����

Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski has writtento BC Premier Gordon Campbell asking theprovince to delay the start of sablefish farminguntil precautionary measures to protect wildsablefish (black cod) from disease transfer andgenetic interaction are taken. The Governornoted that wild sablefish migrate between BCand Alaskan waters. Alaska’s wild sablefishfishery is worth over $100 million annually.

Murkowski referred to recent cooperativeefforts between BC and Alaska on majoreconomic ventures such as gas pipelinedevelopments and railway extensions. Hisletter continues:

‘I would urge you to delay the start of blackcod fish farming in British Columbia until:

1. adequate research is conducted todetermine the industry’s potential impacts onmarine environments and fishery resources;

2. socio-economic studies are completedthat will define the impact of sablefish farmingon existing fisheries and fishery-dependentcommunities; and,

3. the Canadian fish farming industrydevelops and employs the technologynecessary to prevent any harmful interactionbetween natural stocks and farmed fish. Giventhe high stakes involved for both the State ofAlaska and British Columbia, I would ask thatyou pursue a careful science-based look at thepotential impacts before allowing sablefishfarming.’

Sablefish AquacultureThe province’s nascent farmed sablefishindustry started with a single hatchery, built bySablefin Hatcheries Ltd at Walker Hook on theeast coast of Salt Spring Island. (See article inIsland Tides, July 31, 2003.) To date, 47licenses have been issued by the province toaquaculture operations to farm sablefish in netpens. Some 30,000 fingerlings were shippedthis past August to two of these farms. TheCanadian Sablefish Association’s (CSA)attempts in July to obtain an injunction toprevent this transfer were rebuffed; the federalcourt judge ruled that there was no proof thatthe farmed black cod would cause ‘irreversibledamage’ to wild stocks.

There had, of course, been no scientificresearch to prove the point one way or theother. The judgement exemplifies the reverseof the precautionary principle which could beused to assess untried farming initiatives.

Juvenile wild sablefish spawn in BC’scoastal inlets. Questions have been raisedabout the wisdom of farming sablefish,particularly in view of BC’s experience withsalmon farming, which has had problems withdisease, escaping fish, predation, pollution,waste disposal, and transfer of parasites to wildsalmon. Current thinking is that new salmonfarms should be land-based rather than locatedin the sea, in order to improve the industry’senvironmental record and safeguard the wildstock.

‘In 2003 Premier Campbell promised thatissues associated with fish health, escapes, andwastes are being addressed in advance of thedevelopment of sablefish culture industry,’ saidEric Wickham, CSA executive director. Assuggested by Governor Murkowski, there is noevidence of this.

The Walker Hook HatcheryThe Walker Hook sablefish hatchery has metwith local opposition through its use of theWalker Hook tombolo for both intake andeffluent wells for the hatchery. A uniquelandform, a beach joining a small offshorepeninsula to Salt Spring Island, the tombolo isan ancient Penelakut village and burial site,supports three rare and sensitive ecosystems,and is a popular swimming spot (listed on the‘Clothing-Optional Opportunities in BC’website).

The hatchery, located on adjacent leasedland, started operation in 2003, and drilledwells and excavated trenches on the tomboloduring 2002 and April, May, and June 2003.During this work, human remains werediscovered and reburied under the supervisionof Penelakut representatives. This work wascarried out under a permit issued by theprovincial Ministry of Sustainable ResourceManagement, despite objections raised by twoFirst Nations groups, the Hul’qumi’num TreatyGroup and the Penelakut Tribe.

Sablefin received temporary permission touse the tombolo for intake and disposal ofhatchery water from the Regional WaterManager (Ministry of Water, Land, and AirProtection), from September 15, 2003 toDecember 15, 2004 (15 months). This permitwas appealed in October, 2003 by thePenelakut Band, Donna Martin of Salt SpringResidents for Responsible Land Use, and the

Alaska questions BC’s sablefish policyPatrick Brown

BLACK COD FISHERY, please turn to page 2

Referendum on newvoting system will take place next MayOn Sunday, October 24, the Citizens Assembly onElectoral Reform recommended that BritishColumbians adopt a new voting system—the SingleTransferable Vote (STV).

The Citizen’s Assembly chose the STV system theydesigned over Mixed Proportional Representation(MPR), the system currently working in New Zealand,with a vote of 123 to 31 on Saturday, October 23.

The vote on whether the current electoral system(FPP) should be retained was 142–‘No’, 11–’Yes.’ Thesubsequent vote on whether the STV model theydesigned should be proposed to voters was 146–’Yes’,7–’No.’

The final decision whether to choose SingleTransferable Vote over our current ‘First Past ThePost’ system is now up to the voters of BC. Voters willcast ballots on STV in a referendum at the nextprovincial election on May 17, 2005.

Diana Byford, Citizens Assembly member fromSaanich North and the Islands commented, ‘I wouldlike to tell the people of British Columbia that byoffering you the Single Transferable Vote system wehonestly believe that we have given you the very bestalternative to our current system.

‘You will decide by referendum whether to adoptthe new system which offers you the three things wewere asked for in all the public meetings and throughall the more than 1600 submissions put before us.They are: Proportionality, Voter Choice and LocalRepresentation.

‘Our final report must be delivered by December 15of this year. It will include details of how this systemworks and our rational for choosing it.’

Green Party of Canada Deputy Leader AndrewLewis, resident of Salt Spring Island, commented,‘Congratulations to the Citizens Assembly. They havedone a tremendous job. It is a privilege to have such agroundbreaking democratic process in BC—which thewhole of Canada has been watching closely.

‘I am relieved that the Assembly haverecommended changes in BC’s electoral system. MyFirst impression of STV is that it will be good forminority communities like the Gulf Islands, which willhave a better chance of electing local candidates. I lookforward to the final proposal and am confident that itwill have a degree of proportionality that is sodesperately needed in the province.’ 0

Emergencymedical services at riskJohn Wiznuk

Saturna Island residents are in dangerof losing their current level ofemergency medical service. For fifteenyears, a small group of Islandvolunteers have trained, raised fundsand responded to medical call-outs withonly grudging support from provincialauthorities responsible for emergencymedical services. For an Island with nopracticing resident doctor, intermittentlocal nurse coverage, an agingpopulation and summer visitor influx,this volunteer crew has been a godsend.

This group is not allowed to be calledan ambulance crew nor is its vehicle tobe called an ambulance—even though itis fitted out as one—because it is notpart of the BC Ambulance Service(BCAS). The official title is SaturnaRescue, their vehicle is an ‘emergencytransportation vehicle,’ they arequalified through the Workers’Compensation Board of BC asOccupational First Aid Level 3attendants with spinal immobilizationendorsements.

All training is unpaid, on their owntime, often with tuition costscontributed by Island organizationssuch as the Community Club, Lions, orWomen’s Service Club. They haveasked for nothing more than the meansto be of service to their community andare willing to continue that effort.

Now, the Vancouver Island HealthAuthority (VIHA) and local BCASexecutive have decided that this mustchange. In a letter dated October 14 toGeri Crooks, volunteer crew chief,VIHA and BCAS are proposing thatSaturna Rescue change to ‘a moretraditional first responder format’ andperhaps become a part of the SaturnaFire Department. This is a substantialloss of service and level of care forSaturna Islanders.

The First Responder Program wasdeveloped at the Justice Institute of BCto provide procedures and protocols forpolice and firefighters to deal withemergency medical situationsencountered in the course of otherduties. The program is predicated onthe arrival of an equipped BCAS crewwithin fifteen minutes and thehandover of the patient for transport tofurther medical care. It authorizes onlythe basic interventions and techniques.

On Saturna after a 911 call is made,the fastest time that a BCAS crew canarrive is one hour. This would be byhelicopter; subject to weather andavailability of aircraft—and only inlife threatening situations. Injuriesjudged to be non-life threatening areevacuated by water taxi which adds

AMBULANCE, please turn to page 3

As the sun sets on George W. Bush’s first term, I’d like toreview what ‘Dubya’ has brought the US and the worldsince he was first elected—or rather, appointed—president

of the United States of America.

The EnvironmentBush began his policies in the environment by appointing achemical industries lobbyist and former governor of New Jersey(the ‘Petrochemical and Hospital Waste State’) as head of the EPA.The administration then walked away from the Kyoto Accord,which has now been ratified by over 100 countries includingRussia, because the science ‘isn’t sound’ and ‘[it will] cost lots ofjobs.’ Never mind that we’re on the brink of an irreversible climatedisaster, Bush has a clearer vision and is willing to look into thesituation at some unspecified future date.

In the meantime, Bush has also chosen to roll back the CleanAir Act, which would have cut emissions significantly by 2008 andreplaced it with the Clean Skies Initiative that gives hard-workingAmerican corporations an extra fifteen years to comply withthoroughly reduced standards.

Bush also replaced forest protection and the ‘roadless rule’ ofnational forests with the nearsighted Healthy Forests Act,granting the timber lobby immediate access to clear-cut forestswhile simultaneously providing ample tinder for next year’s fireseason. The justification for this policy was that it would reduceforest fires.

Wetland protection and water cleanliness standards were alsoremoved and replaced with bizarrely restrictive and redefinedregulations. So while it is true that Bush ‘passed new regulationsprotecting wetlands’ and water, it’s untrue that the measures haveactually improved anything, and in fact they have loosenedrestrictions on water contamination accountability in manyplaces.

The PATRIOT ActThe environment was just the beginning. Following 9/11—whichhappened on Bush’s watch, despite intelligence warnings issuedby the FBI and CIA months ahead of time—Bush quicklyimplemented his pet project, the USA PATRIOT Act. Thislegislation is yet another Orwellian measure designed to

strengthen the American fight against terrorism by swiftlyremoving all those ‘inalienable’ rights guaranteed by ourforefathers, who surely could never imagine that we would one daybe faced with such a dire situation that we would need to stripourselves of those burdensome freedoms. It’s not that the measurecut down the respected Bill of Rights, that’s too obviouslymeanspirited, rather our Champion of Freedom deigned to grantthe FBI and CIA (and other shadow groups) virtually unlimitedpowers of surveillance.

Americans are also encouraged to be openly suspicious of eachother and report all potential terrorist activity, even it was just‘someone who looks suspicious. Of course, there were dozens ofarrests as our President and the Department of Justice led ournation in combating terror here on the homeland. The convictionswere overturned most of the time, and many of the remainingdetainees were released for lack of evidence and violations of theirso-called rights, but no matter, the blow had been struck in thename of patriotism and liberty.

If you’re wondering how the state of America’s homelanddefenses are now, well, it’s a bit behind schedule, but the plans arethere. Plans for safeguarding chemical and nuclear plants fromattack, plans for increasing security along our nation’s borders,plans for screening all the containers that come into our countryevery day. The plans happen to be Kerry’s—but they’re there!

BushismsBush’s homeland defense must have folksy-ism though—beingable to relate to your common man by explaining things as ifaddressing a kindergarten class; smiling is important too, and soare trite pat expressions—and lies.

Here are some of the best Bushisms provided in the last fouryears: On terrorists: ‘Gonna smoke ’em out,’ on Osama binLaden/Saddam Hussein/John Kerry: ‘You can run, but you can’thide,’ on Iraq/Iran/North Korea: ‘Axis of evil’, on chaos in Iraq/Afghanistan: ‘Freedom is on the march’, on not finding weaponsof mass destruction: ‘we don’t want the smoking gun to come inthe form of a mushroom cloud,’ on resurgent public opinion:‘They misunderestimated me,’ on faith-based initiatives: ‘We’veunleashed the armies of compassion,’ on diverting from the Waron Terror to the War on Iraq: ‘Of course I know Osama binLaden’, and on what America stands for: ‘We stand for things.’Perhaps there will never be a presidential orator as memorableas George W. Bush.

Promises FulfilledBush has come through on some of his promises, though. Hepassed the Leave No Child Behind Act, only leaving a couple ofmillion children behind. He did provide tax relief for the public,though they will be paying for it in the form of a spiraling recorddeficit. Bush’s major promises to the corporations have all beenfulfilled too. The lumber industry has unrestricted access to theforests, chemical companies are off the hook for polluting, oil andgas are at record high prices and profits, with record low taxes;pharmaceutical companies charge outrageous prices, and bigmedia has seen not one but two major deregulations, resulting ina disproportionate market share for conservative commentaryand opinion presented as news.

War On IraqPerhaps the biggest legacy of our warmonger-in-chief is the War inIraq. A tragic quagmire by any account, it was touted and defendedby the president as an opportunity to liberate people of anoppressed nation. It is true that there are many nations suffering

Page 2, ISLAND TIDES, Nov 4, 2004

Tides Tables Courtesy of

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02TUMA

03WEME

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06SASA

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7.55.610.55.28.26.210.54.3

8.96.910.53.09.87.910.81.610.58.510.80.711.29.511.20.011.59.811.2

0.011.810.210.80.011.810.210.2

0.711.8

0.73.4

0.83.4

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1.33.32.12.21.53.21.9

2.31.73.21.62.51.93.21.3

10WEME

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2.72.13.20.93.02.43.30.53.22.63.30.23.42.93.40.03.53.03.4

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Canadian Sablefish Association (representing the wild fishery).

The Harm’s DoneAn application for a stay of activities (which would have shutdown use of the wells and essentially closed down the hatchery),pending the appeal, was made by the Tribe in December, 2003.It was rejected after a hearing in January, 2004, on the basis thatwhatever damage there was to the tombolo had already beendone and that Sablefin would suffer significant financial losses ifthe stay were to be granted.

The appeal itself was the subject of an eleven day hearing byan Environmental Appeal Board panel in May, 2004. Nodecision has yet been announced.

Upping The AnteSablefin Hatcheries has now applied for a PermanentWastewater Permit which would allow effluent discharge at fivetimes present levels into the burial midden and tombolo. This isvehemently opposed by the Penelakut Tribe, local residents,environmental groups, and the wild sablefish industry (CSA).

‘This is an extremely special place, identified by thegovernment’s own Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory as comprisingthree rare ecosystem types,’ said Donna Martin. ‘The salt marshwetland, sparsely vegetated ecosystem and coastalbluff/woodland complex make up less than 2% of the sensitiveecosystems in the entire Gulf Islands.’

The Walker Hook area has been designated a high-priorityprotected site by the Federal/Provincial Georgia BasinEcosystem Conservation Partnership.

‘Putting an industrial fish farm hatchery on this sensitiveland and discharging its waste into the marine environment isan ecological abomination,’ said Georgia Strait Alliance’s PeterRonald, ‘but using a fish farm as an excuse to disturb a nativeburial ground is simply obscene.’

Three Thousand Years OldWalker Hook, known as Syuhe’mun by the Penelakut Tribe, hasbeen assessed as the fifth largest archaeologically important siteof 756 sites identified in the Gulf Islands by a 1974 provincialgovernment study. Human use of the site has been estimated toreach back three thousand years.

Penelakut elders feel strongly that the site has been‘desecrated’ by Sablefin’s drilling and digging. Sablefin hasargued that the water intake and discharge takes place 35 feetbelow the surface, while the midden is only four feet deep, andtherefore no harm is being done. 0

BLACK COD FISHERY from page 1

The Bush Legacy ~ Mike Logan

BUSH, please turn to page 6

Cafeteria food lives on as compostLeftovers from UVic cafeterias are being converted to fertilizeras part of a pilot project to divert food waste from the region’sHartland landfill. An estimated equivalent of six tractor-trailersfull of food discards will be diverted over the course of the 2004-2005 academic year.

The pilot project, that started in April, partners the universitywith reFUSE, UVic commerce graduate Jason Adams’company, to collect and compost food scraps, coffee grinds, fruitpulp, and even paper plates and napkins. ‘Our aim is to reduceour environmental impact in the capital region,’ says UVicinterim sustainability coordinator, Sarah Webb.

reFUSE hauls the compost material to sites on VancouverIsland island where the discards are blended with horse manureand yard trimmings, composted in special containers, andeventually sold to landscaping companies and hobby farms. Theend product is called reSOIL. ‘With good planning, and inputfrom everyone involved, we’ve proven UVic can do this, and doit well,’ says Adams. 0

ISLAND TIDES, Nov 4, 2004, Page 3

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NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO HARTLAND LANDFILLTIPPING FEE AND REGULATION BYLAW

The Board of the Capital Regional District gives notice that it intends to adoptBylaw No. 3200, Hartland Landfill Tipping Fee and Regulation Bylaw No. 5,2003, Amendment Bylaw No. 1, 2004, at its meeting of Wednesday,November 10, 2004, in the Board Room at 524 Yates Street, Victoria, BC,V8W 2S6.

The purpose of Bylaw No. 3200 is to increase the tipping fees, effectiveJanuary 2, 2005, for the following:• general refuse from $79 to $82 per tonne• wood waste from $79 to $82 per tonne• mixed load from $79 to $82 per tonne• contaminated soils from $79 to $82 per tonne

A copy of Bylaw No. 3200 may be inspected between the hours of 8:30 a.m.and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday inclusive from the date of this Notice untilNovember 10, 2004 at the locations listed below:• Administration Department, 524 Yates Street, Victoria, B.C.• Hartland Landfill Administration Offices, Hartland Avenue, Victoria, B.C.

You may also view Bylaw No. 3200 on the Internet @http://www.crd.bc.ca/bylaws/solidwastelandf_/index.htm Select Bylaw No.3200 from the list of bylaws.

Questions regarding Bylaw No. 3200 may be directed to Mr. John Craveiro,CRD Environmental Services, 360-3164. Residents of the Gulf Islands andPort Renfrew may call toll free 1-800-663-4425, local 3164.

DATED this 28th day of October, 2004

Carmen ThielCorporate Secretary

AMBULANCE from page 1hours until a patient is seen by medicalprofessionals.

Clearly, this is not a scenario for which theFirst Responder Program was designed and tocall for its use exclusively is questionable.

Moving Forward NotBackward

It may be time for BCAS to end its decade ofprocrastination and establish an ambulancestation on Saturna. Pender, Mayne, Galiano,Gabriola and Salt Spring Islands all haveambulance service with paid on-callattendants. Saturna Islanders are entitled tothe same level of emergency care enjoyed byother BC residents. The old excuses of notenough call volume no longer hold. 2004 was aslow year according to Geri Crooks but SaturnaRescue still answered 40 emergency (911) call-outs and 85 non-emergency calls.

A side benefit to the formation of anAmbulance Unit is that paid on-call jobs allowyounger people to establish themselves andstay on Island, a valuable resource in theseaging communities. In addition, Saturna’sdesignation as a National Park Reserve,attractions such as the Saturna Vineyard, andan increase in numbers of recreational propertyowners indicate an accelerating need forambulance service.

What Will Be LostThe years of practical experience gained by thevolunteer crew may be lost. Geri Crooks hasstated her unwillingness to carry on with adecreased level of service. Other SaturnaRescue volunteers have expressed the view thatthey don’t want to participate in the FirstResponder program, especially without atrusted and experienced crew chief. So thecontinuity of emergency response will besevered and whoever takes over starts out cold.

There is a distinct lack of enthusiasm fromthe volunteer firefighters for another duty(involving intensive training and more call-outs) that will eat away at their working andfree time. A level of responsibility that no oneanticipated when they joined. It would be a coldand callous act for provincial bureaucrats todownload emergency medical response onunwilling fire department volunteers who havea lower level of medical emergency training.

The letter from VIHA and BCAS stated thatrepresentatives will visit Saturna in the nearfuture to discuss options for the delivery ofemergency medical service with stakeholders. Iwould suggest that all Island residents arestakeholders in this issue and a public meetingwith the community is the proper forum todiscuss and resolution of what emergencyresponse service should look like on Saturna. 0

The class certification hearing for the certified organic farmers ofSaskatchewan versus Monsanto and Bayer (Hoffman et alversus Monsanto et al) was held at the Court of Queen’s Benchin Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on November 1 and 2. At thecertification hearing, counsel for the certified organic farmers ofSaskatchewan presented arguments to demonstrate that thislegal action meets the five requirements for a class action underthe Class Actions Act of Saskatchewan. Hoffman versusMonsanto focuses on establishing Monsanto and Bayer’sliability for losses due to contamination of certified organic cropsby the two companies’ genetically engineered canola.

Turning The TablesAccording to a 2004 Canadian Supreme Court decision in theMonsanto vs. Schmeiser case, biotechnology companies areentitled to monopoly rights over their patented genes whereverthe genes occur. The new action asserts that these companiesmust also be liable for losses that result from the unwantedpresence of these patented genes. Winning the case would set aprecedent establishing the liability of companies for the spreadof GMOs.

The claim is based upon the following: Saskatchewan has thehighest number of certified organic farmers in Canada(approximately 1,000) and the highest number of certifiedorganic acres (approximately 1 million). Prior to the release ofgenetically modified canola as a commercial crop on the prairies,

certified organic canola was a growing and lucrative marketwhich provided a crop rotation option and a good income sourcefor the farmers.

Widespread contamination of seed stock by Roundup Readyand Liberty Link GMO canola has resulted in certified organicfarmers virtually ceasing to grow the crop. Incidents of volunteerGMO canola occurring on certified organic farmland hasresulted in losses due to the costs of removing the GMO canolafrom the field and crop.

In its October 22 press release, Monsanto suggested this case‘is not an appropriate use of the Court’s time and resources.’

Legal scholars are paying close attention. In her articleGenetically Modified Crops in Canada: Rights and Wrongs,Professor Jane Glenn from McGill University wrote ‘the issue ofcorporate responsibility for wrongs is now squarely before thecourts…. This case has been described as a potential ‘tidal wave’compared to the ‘legal ripple’ of Schmeiser.’

In Liability for the Release of GMOs into the Environment:Exploring the Boundaries of Nuisance, Professor ChristopherRodgers, University of Wales in Aberystwyth, wrote: ‘Thedecision in ‘Hoffman’ will be eagerly awaited, and may havemajor implications for plans to license GM crops for commercialexploitation in the UK. Whatever the outcome, the Canadianlitigation will throw into sharp relief the issues surroundingenvironmental liability for GMO contamination….’ 0

Schmeiser bites back—court case on contaminated organic canolaCheck thosesmoke detectorsWhen you turned your clocksback on October 30 did youremember to test the smokealarms and carbon monoxidedetectors in your home tomake sure they are stillworking?

It is an easy-to-remembertime to for the annual task ofreplacing the batteries in yoursmoke and carbon monoxidealarms.

The Canadian Associationof Fire Chiefs says thatkeeping your alarms in properworking order isn’t just amatter of common sense, itcould be a matter of life anddeath for you and your family.

Steeves proposes new type of APCNorth Pender Island Trust Byelection candidateGary Steeves has outlined his proposal for amajor overhaul of the Island’s AdvisoryPlanning Commission (APC). The proposalrecognizes the need to change how PenderIslanders and their organizations conductcommunity dialogue on a wide range of localtrust issues. Steeves says that it guarantees avoice for community organizations and thepublic from all areas of the Island.

Steeves’ proposition calls for an APCcomposed of regional and organizationalrepresentatives. The regional representativeswould come from areas such as Magic LakeEstates, Trincomali, Razor Point Road/Harbour Hills, Hope Bay, Clam Bay, Port

Washington/ Stanley Point and Otter Bay andIrene Bay.

Representatives would come from Pender’smany organizations and groups. For example,the Magic Lake Property Owners Association,Fire Protection Society, the Pender IslandConservancy Association, The Farmers’Institute, the Chamber of Commerce, theWomen’s Institute, Pender Island CommunityServices Society, the Community HallAssociation, water boards, and the ParksCommission.

‘Structuring the APC in this fashion’, saidSteeves, ‘would guarantee representation from

APC, please turn to page 6

Page 4, ISLAND TIDES, Nov 4, 2004

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An Evening of Hope ~ Peter Carter

On a recent Thursday night Vancouver’s OrpheumTheatre is packed to capacity with young Vancouverites.The info booths along the way to our seats in the balcony

are staffed by young volunteers.They have turned out to hear a female star on her tour from

Toronto to Los Angeles. This star is on the road 300 days of theyear. Looking round at the expectant young faces, I suddenlyrealized it must be like this in every city she appears all round theworld. This night she is introduced by Premier GordonCampbell. So who is she? A glitzy young rock star? Amultimillionaire entrepreneuse? No, when she walks ontocentre stage, she’s a plainly dressed, delicate-looking, grey-haired, almost elderly lady. And the entire audience rises toapplaud before she has said a word. She is a legend in her timeand they love her. She is Dr Jane Goodall and she is here to tellher story and support the protection of the Kermode or SpiritBear of the coastal BC rainforest.

A former chief of the Musqueam Nation welcomes DrGoodall, saying it was a great honour to have her as their guest.Native people believe that animals, too, have a spirit, but theyneed a voice. My wife told me that the final words of the chieftranslated to ‘Thank you, respected elder.’

The BC Premier gave a fine speech and promised a sanctuaryfor the rare and endangered Spirit Bear, a black bear born withwhite fur. There are only 400 left, mostly in the North CentralCoast, and their habitat has been disappearing due to logging.

Simon Jackson, founder and president of the Spirit BearYouth Coalition welcomed Dr Goodall to the stage. Jacksonlooks more like a young corporate executive than a tree hugger—or should that be bear hugger?

We learned from Premier Campbell that Simon started hiswork for nature as a teenager selling lemonade to support theKodiak bear in Alaska. Simon had called at Campbell’s home toask for his help when he was leader of the Opposition. Simonand his young friends have since been busy. A former Disneyproducer has agreed to make an animated movie about theSpirit Bear by 2007. Campbell offers Simon Jackson as anexample of citizenship and the power of one person dedicated toa fine idea.

Simon met Jane Goodall when he was a teenager. He hadasked her then to help the cause of the Spirit Bear. She had saidshe would, so here she is tonight.

Looking around the theatre I see a huge population of youngpeople who we never see or hear about in the media. They haveno interest in the rich and famous. To them, Jane Goodall rocks.

Goodall’s story goes back to her earliest memories as atoddler, bringing worms to bed. It is clear that her mother’slove—and her nurturing of Jane’s connection to the naturalworld (‘The worms need the earth, dear, let’s put them backoutside’)—was the secret of her special success. Time and againher mother allowed her the freedom to explore nature. When, atthe young age of 26, Louis Leakey agreed to send her to Africa tostudy chimpanzees, the British government in Tanganyika (nowTanzania) reluctantly agreed with the condition that acompanion went with her. There were no takers for the positionso her mother accompanied her. That was the start of what isnow the longest running field study of a creature in the wild.

Dr Goodall went on to explain how she made thegroundbreaking discoveries that changed the science of animalbehaviour. She was originally told her studies were invalidbecause she committed the cardinal error ofanthropomorphizing her study subjects. It was a scientific factback then that only humans have feelings and make tools. Goingto the Tanzanian forests straight from high school andsecretarial work, she had not had her brain molded byundergraduate degrees, she said. She wrote a PhD on her studies(University of Cambridge, 1965) and proved the scientific worldwrong. Chimps have feelings and personalities. Theycommunicate with one another. They learn and they make anduse tools.

As time has passed the assumed clear demarcation betweenhumans and other animals has become more and more blurred.There is no sharp distinction between humans and the rest of theanimal kingdom. We are, she said, learning to respect otheranimals. She told wonderful stories of the life-long bondsamongst chimps. I could see how Dr Goodall’s solo research had

GOODALL, continued next page

Understanding CoellDear Editor:Did anyone else have difficulty understanding MLA MurrayCoell’s letter regarding the Private Managed Forest Lands Act(PMFL) in the October 21 issue of the Island Tides? Hedescribed the Act as maintaining a ‘consistent regulatoryapproach’ and providing an ‘alternative service deliveryapproach.’ What does this really mean? It is almost as if thegovernment is embarrassed to tell the truth about this piece ofspecial-interest legislation and is trying to cover up the facts witha campaign of disinformation.

The campaign began when the PMFL Act was firstintroduced to the public back in the fall of 2003. The officialnews release was entitled ‘Sustainability Boosted on PrivateManaged Forest Lands.’ If then Minister Hagen was talkingabout the sustainability of development potential on privateforest lands, the statement was absolutely accurate. Forsustainability of forestry in BC’s private forests, the Act has theopposite effect. The language of the Act specifically removed thegoal of protecting the integrity of the working forest land-basefrom development. Previously in this province we had legislationthat tried to protect our working forests from the pressures ofdevelopment similar to the way that some of our agriculturallands are protected. This government has dismantled thatprotection.

In his letter Minister Coell informed us that under the newPMFL Act owners of private managed forest lands continue tohave lower assessments and pay less property tax, the same asthey did under the old Forest Land Reserve Act (FLR). In theGulf Islands forest owners pay about a fifth the taxes they wouldif the land were assessed as residential land. As with the previouslegislation, the owner must sign a statement committing toreforestation and minimum environmental standards or facepenalties for failing to meet these commitments. Unlike the oldFLR Act, which was administered and enforced by government(albeit haphazardly —the government never funded enough staffto effectively monitor private forest lands), the PMFL Act isadministered by a council consisting of two low-levelgovernment bureaucrats, two representatives of the forestryindustry and a fifth person elected by the other four. How canthis council represent the public’s interests and boost forestrysustainability?

Minister Coell claims that ‘hefty exit fees’ will ‘deter landowners from using the PMFL classification as a tax haven.’

Nothing about a tax shelter was mentioned in the Bruce Jordan’sletter to which Mr Coell was responding. Was this just aFreudian slip, a hint at the real purpose of the PMFL legislation?For example, if you put your forest land in the managed forestclass you do get a tax break. You give the government 20% andkeep 80% of what you would have paid in taxes if the land wereresidential. If you do that for five years and then pull the land outof managed forest class, the government will require you to paythe back taxes. In other words, those ‘hefty exit fees’ are nothingmore than a repayment of taxes that you would have owedanyway. In the meantime you have had the use of all that money.This is not a real penalty nor is this a real incentive for keepingthe land in forestry? If you keep the land in forestry for morethan five years and later take it out to sell to developers, you onlyhave to pay back a fraction of the taxes you would have paid.After 15 years you will pay back nothing at all.

It doesn’t take an economist to see that the PMFL Act is aclassic example of a tax shelter that gives short-term corporatetax breaks while doing nothing to protect private forest landsfrom future conversion. The PMFL Act serves the needs of BC’sindustrial forestry corporations and developers but not thepeople of this province. We won’t forget this deception next May.

Jane Wolverton, VancouverDear Editor:Murray Coell’s defense of the PMFL Act (Island Tides, October21) is an insult to us all. Behind the slippery rhetoric lies thetruth: the people of BC no longer have a say in managementpractices on private forest land. Local governments have beenrendered impotent. Forest land-use decisions will be made by agaggle of bureaucrats and friends of the forest industry. You andI have lost our voice. That’s the truth that Murray Coell’sbureau-babble seeks to hide. That he would feed us such pap andexpect us to swallow it is revealing—we are not stupid. We knowwhen we’re being duped. And we all have a vote.

Pam Freir, Galiano Island

Gary’s The OneDear Editor:

We’ve both had a chance to accompany Gary Steeves as hegoes door-to-door on North Pender talking with people aboutthe issues that matter most to them, and listening to theirconcerns.

One issue that comes up often is the Driftwood Centre

LETTERS, please turn to page 6

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Saturday, November 6Crofton Art Group’s Ready-to-Frame Sale—all art is mattedand ready for framing! • Crofton Seniors Home, 1507 Joan Ave.(near the Crofton ferry wharf) • 10am–5pm • Entry by donation •Info: Mary Oscar 250-246-9483 • IN CROFTON, VANCOUVERISLAND

Saturday, November 6North Pender Islands Trust By-election—All CandidatesMeeting sponsored by Pender Post • Pender School Gym • 2–4pm

Tuesday, November 9Port Wash General Store Information Session—forwomen interested in being part of a collective to open and run theGeneral Store and Tea Shop (financial investment not required) •At the store • 7pm • Info: Carolyn and Heather, 250-629-6480 •ON PENDER ISLAND

Thursday, November 11Pender Islands Lions Club Remembrance Day PancakeBreakfast—after a hearty breakfast you’ll have plenty of time tomake it to the Royal Canadian Legion for the 11am service •Memories Restaurant • 8-10am • Admission: Adults $5, Children(12 & under) $2.50 • ON PENDER ISLAND

Thursday, November 11Saturna Lions Remembrance Day Celebration—non-denominational service at St. Christopher’s Church, 10:30am;followed by social gathering at the Community Hall, catered bySaturna Women’s Club • Everyone welcome • Info: Pam Janszen250-539-9884 • ON SATURNA ISLAND

Thurs, Fri & Sat, Nov 11, 12 & 13Galiano Players present ‘Hits on Broadway’—a comedy intwo acts directed by Dave Clothier • South Galiano CommunityHall • 7:30pm; Sat Matinee: 2:30pm • Tickets: Adults $15,Seniors/Students $9 (Nov 11 performance is ‘pay what you can’ atthe door); available at Galiano Books or the door • Info: Susanne250-539-2911 • ON GALIANO ISLAND

Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun, Nov 11, 12, 13 & 14Remembrance Day Weekend Family Fun Swims—enjoySaanich Commonwealth Place’s wavepool, waterslide, pirate ship,toddler pool, swirlpool, family changerooms, steam, sauna andlength swimming • THURS: 10am–12noon, 1–4pm; FRI: 1–5pm,7–9pm; SAT & SUN: 1–4pm, 6:30–8:30pm • 4636 Elk Lake Drive(right off Pat Bay Hwy at Royal Oak Exit) • Info: 24-hour SwimInfo-line 250-475-7620 • IN VICTORIA

Friday, November 12Shel Neufeld: Images Fromthe Outside—acoustic guitarmusic with nature image slideshow,presented to launch WildartPhotography Productions,reawakening natural connections •Community Hall • 8pm • Tickets atthe door: $10 ($6 low income) •

Info: Shel Neufeld and Wildart Photography, 250-629-2090 orshel@cablelan.net • ON PENDER ISLAND

Fri, Sat & Sun, Nov 12, 13 & 1425th Annual Peninsula Community Services ChristmasGifts and Goodies Fair—local crafters and bakers;scrumptious food in our bistro; Friday 'Family Night' features:meal deals, face-painting for kids, wine-tasting, child- andhusband-care provided! • Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney (Beaconat Hwy 17) • FRI: 3–8pm, SAT: 10am–5pm, SUN: 10am–4pm •Admission $2.00 for the weekend, tables available • Info: Dianaor Kathy, 250-655-4402 • IN SIDNEY, VANCOUVER ISLAND

Fri, Nov 12 till New Years EveComox Valley 30th Annual Christmas Craft Fair—originaldesign, handmade works in pottery, jewellery, wood, glass, fabric,and much more • Comox Valley Art Gallery, 367 Fourth Street,Courtenay • Gala Opening November 12, 7-9pm, hours inNovember: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, in December: daily10am–5pm, except Sunday 11am–4pm • Admission free, 20%discount on purchases at Gala Opening • Info:250-338-6211,www.mars.ark.com/~cvag • IN COURTENAY, VANCOUVERISLAND

Sat, Sun & Fri, Nov 13, 14, & 19BC General Election, May 2005—Meet the Green Partynominees for candidate for North Saanich & The Islands •MAYNE: Sat Nov 13, Community Centre, 1-3pm; PENDER: Sun,Nov 14, Library, 3pm; SALT SPRING: Fri Nov 19, United Church,7–10pm, • Info: Peter 250-629-3220 • ON MAYNE, PENDER &SALT SPRING ISLANDS

Saturday, November 13Hon. Mike Harcourt Book-signing—Harcourt signs his newbook Plan B-One Man’s Journey from Tragedy to Triumph;don’t miss the opportunity to meet this remarkable man and getyour own signed copy of the first edition of his book • TalismanBooks & Gallery • 11:30am–1:30pm • ON PENDER ISLAND

Tues, Wed & Thurs, Nov 16, 17 & 18Gulf Islands’ Concert Series Presents: The McDades—anexciting fusion of world rhythms,jazz accents and lyrical balladsrooted in the Celtic tradition •SATURNA: Tues, Nov 16,Saturna Island Community Hall,7:30pm; MAYNE: Wed, Nov 17,Mayne Island Agricultural Hall,7:30pm; PENDER: Thurs, Nov18, Pender Island School,7:30pm • ON SATURNA, MAYNE & PENDER ISLANDS

Wed to Sat, Nov 17 to 27Opera Erotique: West Coast Tour–an evening of passionateopera; suitable for adults 18+ • VICTORIA: Nov 17, 18, 20 & 21,

Victoria Multi-Cultural Centre;PENDER: Nov 23, Community Hall;SALT SPRING, Nov 24, Artspring;VANCOUVER: Nov 25–27, Caprice NightClub • House opens at 7:15pm with artand music, main show 8pm • Tickets:$25/20 • Info: 250-389-0613,www.outoftheboxproductions.ca • INVICTORIA, VANCOUVER & ONPENDER & SALTSPRING ISLANDS

Saturday, November 20North Pender Islands Trust By-election—Voting Day •Pender Island School Gym & Errington School, Richmond •8am–8pm • Advance Polls: Nov 10 & 13 Pender School. Info: seeadvertisement page 7 • ON PENDER ISLAND & IN RICHMOND

Saturday, November 20Ladysmith Old-Fashioned Artisans Christmas Market—an eclectic mix of local artisans work from jewellery to woodcarvings to wall hangings; music by local musicians; festivesetting; indoor cafe • Aggie Hall, 1st Avenue & Symonds Street •10am–4pm • Admission free • Info: Suzanne Prest 250-245-2112,info@ladysmithcofc.com • IN LADYSMITH, VANCOUVERISLAND

Saturday, November 20Writer’s Workshop: Five Steps to Becoming a Best-Selling Author—professional presenters with tips andinformation; free draws; sponsored by the Independent AuthorsNetwork • Nellie McClung Library, 3950 Cedar Hill Road •9:30am–4:30pm • Cost: $50 • Info: Toni, 250-656-0537 • INSIDNEY, VANCOUVER ISLAND

Sat & Sun, Nov 20 & 21PIRAHA Christmas Craft Fair—get your holiday shoppingdone on Pender Island! Artisans, food vendors, raffle, concession& more! • Community Hall • 10am–2pm • Admission $2, under 12free • Info: Jill Moran 250-629-3669 • ON PENDER ISLAND

Fri, Sat & Sun, Nov 26, 27 & 28Solstice Showcase 2004: ‘Life, Laughter & Tears’—threenights of live theatre featuring scenes and short plays by local andclassical playwrights; comedy, a touch of tragedy and an eveningfull of what makes us all human • Community Hall • 7:30pm •Tickets: Adults $10, 12 & under $5, at That Little Coffee Place,Talisman Books & Gallery, Casual Pender and at the door • Info:Mike & Pam Connolly, 250-629-3913 • ON PENDER ISLAND

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Saturna Notes ~ Priscilla Ewbank

We have found our flashlights so we can get on themorning boat without walking into a tree on our wayto our cars; our heavier coats to keep the shivers at

bay; and our gumboots to wade the serious puddles or mow thelawn.

This fall, I’ve had a regular 7am appointment, so, as the daysshortened, I noticed it gradually become quite dark at 7am. (Thereturn of Standard time will give morning light a short reprieve.)I have been seeing the nocturnal squad—raccoons, owls, deer,bats just finishing off their diurnal tasks in the predawn. Thistime of year their activity time is longer than ours! Summer ismuch more ‘our’ time—with the notable exception of teenagers.

Celestial DynamicsOn October 27, I watched the full moon lunar eclipse. What ashow! The sky was completely clear, it wasn’t cold standingoutside and we had a great view off our eastern porch andthrough the kitchen window while eating dinner. When themoon was most rosy and darkly shadowed, you could see theMilky Way and the constellations beautifully—such a contrast tolater when the eclipse was over and the moon was its brilliantshining-white self. Living in the Islands with so little city lightand such rich, full dark, we get the complete effect.

Hallowe’en at the CoveThis year Halloween celebrations were held at the Winter CoveLamb BBQ site with fireworks, hot chocolate, ghosts andgoblins, bums, princesses and children dressed as adults (scary!)warming themselves around a lovely bonfire. This first timenoise-and-light extravaganza likely caused the wildlife to sit upand take notice!

Money’s cows in the pasture across from the previous venue,our fire hall, seem to take this annual show in stride—cowsaren’t too high strung I guess. Our fireworks display, bought bydonations and the fire department, and organized by ourfirefighters is always exhilarating—Ohhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhh!—costumed heads craning way up, delighting in the bursts of colorand vibrating with the big bangs.

The reason Halloween was moved from the fire hall is that inthe event of a call-out there is no danger of running over thebonfire, trick-or-treaters, or the hotdog cooker as the responseteam roars off. Of course, doing it this way the firefighters will allbe at Winter Cove keeping the bonfire roaring and the night skylit with fireworks and not at the Firehall! These strategicdecisions are hard to make!

Pre-Xmas EventsIn November, we’ll have lots of Island entertainment to keep ushappy. November 13 is our fall Firefighters’ Pig BBQ. Tickets areon sale—buy early, we always run out because this event is funand solves the dinner question wonderfully. You get a good visitin with all your neighbours and a dance or two.

Saturna Arts and Concerts Society has its first offering—the

SATURNA, please turn to page 6

GOODALL from page 4broken the human-animal divide.

An unexpected discovery she made was that violentaggression can break out amongst the usually peaceful chimps.She recorded chimps occasionally eating meat and one eventwhen a neighbouring group of chimps was ruthlesslyexterminated. Some of her friends criticized her for publishingthis finding. Didn’t that mean that humans had inherited thegenetics for war from a common ancestor millions of years ago?Indeed, if we look around nowadays we see a dark world full ofman’s inhumanity to man.

But Dr Goodall says that if we used our advanced brain wecan be successful in managing our aggressive tendencies—theevidence of history tells us it is possible. We have inherited an

altruistic side as well as the aggressive side and we have all thebrain power to choose. Dr Goodall inferred that it is our humandestiny is to raise ourselves above aggressiveness by developinga tolerant human culture.

The chimps have taught us a lot that is useful aboutourselves. But their numbers have dropped critically in her lifetime. Just 50 years ago, when she started observing them, therewere several million chimpanzees in Africa. They now numberperhaps a little over 150,000 spread over 21 nations, living insmall, fragmented communities surrounded by cultivated fields.As well as losing habitat from commercial logging and localagriculture, they are being killed in the commercial bush meat

GOODALL, please turn to page 7

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the oppression of totalitarian regimes, but none of them have significant quantities of oil, orembarrassed the President’s father.

The cost of the war is over 13,000 Iraqis killed by the US and as a result of the ensuing chaos, over1,000 coalition soldiers dead, ten times that number wounded, and a bill currently totaling $300billion and rising. International relations, including those with Canada and Mexico, have beenimpacted. Much of Iraq still lies in ruin, much of the country is anarchic, even the occupied zonesaren’t safe. American corporations are looting Iraq and disenfranchising its citizens. Yet, thePresident, brazen as ever, admits no error, claiming that America has done the morally right thing.

In Iraq, there are no WMD, no terrorist ties with Al-Qaeda, and certainly no open-armed welcomefrom the grateful Iraqis. Instead, we’re faced with a quagmire that is all too reminiscent of theVietnam War. 0

BUSH, from page 2

SATURNA from page 5McDades, a Celtic band from Alberta—seepage 5, ‘What’s On?’ for details.

The one and only annual Christmas Marketis in November too, this year there’s already avery strong showing of vendors.

The Candlelight Dinner is coming togetherand will be held in December. This annualtradition provides a sit-down fancy affair for thewomen, who do so much and have done somuch for our community, and their spouses. It’sgreat to see Lorraine Campbell, Lil Cunningham,Marie Mackie, Doris Ackerman and manyothers who have served the community formany years being served and catered to! Ticketsgo on sale at the Christmas Craft Fair. They sellfast. If you fail to purchase, you have to hope thatsomeone dies so that you can get their tickets! Ifyou can’t get to the Craft Fair, organize an agent.

Flu Clinic was a Party!Saturna’s one-time Flu Clinic was held at theCommunity Hall. It was a party! Our homecarenurse Donna Curwen came down to the Hallearly and lit the fire and baked cookies and hadtea and coffee on the go for Islanders whoshowed up for their shots. People in the line,awaiting their turn, were nervously chattingand laughing, people who had their shots werein the lounge laughing and eating andkibitzing—no doubt with great relief because itwas over!

The event was a great opportunity forvisiting with such an unusual theme! HeatherPlayer, the public health care nurse, washeading the volunteers of the wonderfullyorganized ‘shoot-up crew.’ There were no tearsand everyone got a colourful sticker. 0

development (Draft Bylaw 141) and itsassociated housing agreement (Draft Bylaw163). People want to know exactly where Garystands on this issue. Gary has consistentlystated that he considers these bylaws to befundamentally flawed. He was impressed thatso many in the community were openly unitedin opposition, even though their reasons wereso diverse. He strongly believes that there mustbe an Official Community Plan (OCP) reviewbefore an issue with such a potentiallyprofound impact can be considered. Hebelieves also that the loss of rural land is amajor factor, given the role it plays in theretention of our water resources.

And it’s clear on the doorstep that Islandpeople are concerned about water. Gary talksabout the Island being essentially 2700hectares of rock and shale, with rainfall the onlysource of water. The thin layer of topsoil, andthe plants that grow in it, are the only thingsthat stop most of this rain from runningstraight off into the sea. And Gary believes theprotection of water resources to be essential tolife on Pender Island, and the quantity andquality of water to be the first consideration inany proposed land use decisions.

Gary has heard people say that they have lostfaith in the Islands Trust, that it’s a ‘toothlesstiger,’ that it makes ‘stupid rules’ and there mustbe ‘a better way of governing.’ But Gary responds

that the Local Trust Committee (LTC) hastremendous ability to fashion local solutions tolocal problems, and we must not give that up!

What we have to do is to devise bettermechanisms such as a reconfigured AdvisoryPlanning Commission (APC), a revised OCP, aclear vision of the Island’s sensitive ecosystemsand watersheds, and a strong GrowthManagement Plan so that islanders can managetheir own future.

We’ve been glad to hear Gary reinforce hisbelief that people’s property must be respected,but he’s clear that along with the privilege ofowning property comes a responsibility for thecommon good. We’re lucky to live in alegislatively protected area and must workwithin that framework to maintain our qualityof life and to be good stewards of theenvironment.

Gary has impressed us with his knowledgeand the fact that he is so approachable andrespectful of people’s views. He has the skillsrequired for building consensus and has madea career of bringing disparate groups together.He’s excited about the host of ideas andexpertise offered by the many Pender Islandershe’s encountered, and looks forward toworking with the community. We believe thatGary Steeves is the best candidate for NorthPender Island Trustee.

Jo Atkins and Sue Bailey, Pender Island 0

LETTERS from page 4

all areas and perspectives on the Island. Itwould mean knowledgeable Islanders,representing a wide range of opinion, providingimportant advice to trustees.’

The Advisory Planning Commission is abody appointed by Island Trustees to providecommunity feedback and advice to them. Thesize and make-up of the APC is determined bythe North Pender Local Trust Committee (LTC).Islands Trust advisory planning commissionshave existed for nearly thirty years. Until a fewyears ago APC commissioners were elected byIslanders rather than appointed by trustees.

‘The challenge for any advisory structure isto ensure that it is a diverse yet comprehensivebody of community opinion’ said Steeves. Theproposal means that APC commissioners would

be accountable to the areas or organizationsthey represent and would transform the APCinto a body that represents more than theindividual opinion of commissioners. ‘I thinkthat an APC structured in this way would permitAPC members to go back to the groups theyrepresent, discuss matters with them in aninformed and respectful way, and guaranteethat everyone who wants to be heard is heard. Inthis way, the APC would be a more accuratebarometer of community opinion and be betterequipped to advise local Trustees,’ hecommented.

‘This APC overhaul is an important buildingblock in the process to minimize or eliminateconflict and replace it with communityconsensus building, says Steeves. 0

APC from page 5

Building a marine conservationnetworkParticipants in Canadian Parks & WildernessSociety’s (CPAWS) October undersea-watchingboat trips were asked to send in feedback aboutthe adventure. Those responding were enteredin a draw for copies of Rob Butler’s book, TheJade Coast. Winners were Tania Schissler,Andrew Lewis and Cheryl Bastedo.

Jodi Stark, who received the feedback, saysa frequent comment from participants was thatthe opportunity to network and meet otherswith an interest in marine conservation was keybenefit of the trip .

To continue to build the marine

conservation network, Stark encourages peopleto join the National Marine Conservation Area(NMCA) Coalition listserv. Simply send Starkan email requesting to be put on the list(jstark@cpawsbc.org).

Through the listserv you can stay up-to-datewith Parks Canada’s feasibility study, relatedlocal events and meetings, and progress on theestablishment of the NMCA, says Stark.

CPAWS is working to ensure that the area ofthe marine conservation study is extendednorth up to Gabriola.

ISLAND TIDES, Nov 4, 2004, Page 7

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given to the electors of North Pender Island Local Trust Committeearea that an Election By Voting is necessary to elect, for the balance of the three year term ofDecember 2002 to December 2005, a Local Trustee to the Board of Islands Trust and that thepersons nominated as candidates at the Election By Voting and for whom votes will be receivedare listed below:

NORTH PENDER ISLAND LOCAL TRUST COMMITTEE - one trustee to be elected:Surname Given Names Residential AddressJOHNSTON Tony 5723 Canal Road, Pender Island, B.C. V0N2M1STEEVES Gary 2702 Yawl Lane, North Pender Island, B.C. V0N2M2

General Voting Day for the election of a trustee will be open Saturday the twentieth(20th) day of November 2004, TO QUALIFIED ELECTORS of the North Pender IslandLocal Trust Committee area at the following places:

North Pender Island Pender Island Elementary School5714 Canal Road, North Pender Island

Greater Vancouver Errington Elementary School (Gym)9831 Herbert Road, Richmond, B.C.

AND SUCH VOTING PLACES SHALL BE OPEN BETWEEN THE HOURS OF EIGHT (8:00)A.M. and EIGHT (8:00) P.M.

ADVANCE VOTING OPPORTUNITIES shall be open at the Pender Island Elementary School,5714 Canal Road, North Pender Island, B.C. between the hours of eight (8:00) A.M. and eight(8:00) P.M. on Wednesday, the tenth (10th) day of November 2004 and on Saturday thethirteenth (13th) of November 2004.

of which every person is hereby required to take notice and be so governed accordingly.

The only persons permitted to vote at the Advanced Voting Opportunities are those who, beingduly qualified electors, sign a statement that:

(a) the elector expects to be absent from the North Pender Island Local Trust Committee area for which the election is to be held on General Voting Day,

(b) or the elector, for reasons of conscience, will be unable to vote on General Voting Day,

(c) or the elector will be unable to attend a voting place on General Voting Day for reasons beyond his/her control,

(d) or the elector has a physical disability or is a person whose mobility is impaired,

(e) or the elector is a candidate,(f) or the elector is an election official.

Given under my hand at Victoria, B.C. this twenty second (22nd) day of October, 2004.

Thomas F. Moore,Chief Election Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICEThere have been some legislative changes as to qualifications of elector status and process to votethat affect electors which are included in the listings below:

Resident Elector - You are qualified as a Resident Elector if you:(a) are eighteen years of age or older on general voting day (b) are a Canadian citizen;(c) have resided in British Columbia in accordance with section 50 of the Local

Government Act for at least six months immediately preceding registration;(d) have resided in the area at least 30 days immediately preceding the day of

Voting(e) are not disqualified from voting under the Local Government Act or any

other ActIf you are not on the Voters List you may register on Voting Day providing you have two piecesof identification, one of which has your signature and preferably one with pictorial identification,e.g. drivers licence.

Non Resident Property Elector - You are qualified as a Non Resident Property Elector if you:(a) are not entitled to register as a resident elector;(b) are eighteen years of age or older on general voting day (c) are a Canadian citizen;(d) have resided in British Columbia in accordance with section 50 of the Local

Government Act for at least six months immediately preceding registration;(e) are a registered owner of the real property used for qualification at least 30

days immediately preceding the day of registration(f) are not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other act from

voting in an election.

In addition to the above requirements the limitations listed below also apply to nonresident property electors:

(a) if more than one individual is registered as an owner of the real property then only one individual is entitled to vote with the written consent of a majority of all other registered owners that are on the title including the person requesting registration;

(b) if the non resident property elector is not on the voters list and wishes to register on General Voting Day or at an Advance Voting Opportunity you may present a Non Resident Property Elector Certificate issued by the Capital Regional District that has been obtained from the offices of the Secretary or you may apply for a certificate on Voting Day if you produce written authority from the registered owners that you have been designated to vote accompanied with adequate documentation, such as a Land Title Search, Assessment Notice or Tax Notice, proving ownership of the property used as a basis for a vote together with two forms of identification that includes a signature (such as a driver's licence).

ISLANDS TRUSTNOTICE OF ELECTION BY VOTING

NORTH PENDER ISLAND LOCAL TRUSTEE BY-ELECTION

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MEETINGSSchool District #64 (Gulf Islands). Aregular meeting of the Board ofSchool Trustees will be held at theSaturna Island School, Wednesday,November 10, commencing at 1pm.Public Welcome!

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GOODALL from page 5

trade, a nasty spin-off from commercial logging. On a morehopeful note, she told how her program working with the localpeople encouraged tree planting to provide both connectingwildlife corridors for the chimps and fire wood for the humans.

All we really know, she said, is that all life is connected. Andas regards the natural environment, we must not ignore howbad it has become. We have known for so long of the vast globaldamage we are inflicting. In the 1980s she attended a UNsummit of religious leaders. It was only the aboriginal elderswho spoke strongly for the other-than-human animals. AnEskimo elder from Greenland said they knew well the ice wasmelting under global warming and asked, ‘When would thehearts of the people in the south start melting a little?’

Dr Goodall said she anguished for her three grandchildren.What kind of a world are we leaving them? It was at a conferenceon primates at Chicago in 1986 that she realized how bleak thefuture was for chimps and that many of Africa’s problems arenot due to Africans. It was then she changed from scientist toactivist and since then she has not been in any one place formore than three weeks.

After her talk she answered questions from the audience.Yes, she said, there were times when it seemed too much for herto carry on. Then she thinks of the forests in Tanzania and of allher aboriginal friends around the world who send her prayers.She talked about her Roots and Shoots program and the hope itbrings. There are now 7,500 active groups with an averagemembership of 40 students in 90 countries, including one onGaliano Island. Children are desperate for hope in our world,says Goodall, instead they are being subjected to terror alerts—they are being conditioned to fear.

At the end of an evening that we didn’t want to end there wasa long, standing ovation. Alone on the large theatre stage, shelooks so frail. Her soft, sincere voice has touched each person.

She had given young people a sense of hope. They know sheis one person who will never give up on their future. She couldhave retired. They know how much she has sacrificed. She is agenuine elder. Her presence brings out the best in people. Shegives them faith in humanity, in the rest of nature, and in life.They love her. They look upon her as their hero, almost as asaint. As I made my way out slowly, engulfed by the energy ofour young people, I knew there is hope. 0

TTrreevvoorr

’ssGGaarrddeenn

MMaaiinntteennaannccee

ISLAND TIDES, Nov 4, 2004, Page 811

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1

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THE CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTION SERIES

To learn more about what BCHydro is already doing to secure our energy future, visit us at

www.bchydro.com.

ProcessC 65Y 100K 5

RUN-OF-RIVER POWER GENERATION WILL CHANGE A LOT OF THINGS.EXCEPT THE RIVER.PINGSTON HYDRO PLANT

Apart from size, the major difference between small hydroelectric facilities and their larger counterparts is that the former are run-of-river – they don’t store water in a man-made reservoir.

The water simply travels through a pipe to the generating facility. The steeper the grade of the river, the higher the water pressure and the greater the generating potential.

The Pingston Hydro Plant, located south of Revelstoke, is a good example. BC Hydro is purchasing approximately 155 gigawatt hours of electricity per year from this project, which is co-owned by Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. and Brascan Power.

It’s just one of 40 innovative energy projects across the province (representing over 1.5 billion dollars

in direct investment) that will help BC Hydro provide our customers with clean energy. Many are already in operation and all of them are scheduled to be online by 2006,providing enough power for over 250,000 homes.

CLEAN ENERGY ALREADY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE INMEETING THE ELECTRICITY NEEDS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Clean energy and Power Smart will play an important part in meeting and managingB.C.’s demand for more electricity. BC Hydro is committed to meeting half of ourrequirement for new energy from clean energy producers like Pingston – and there are more to come.

While they’re a big part of our energy future, innovative clean power technologies have limitations and can’t meet all of the province’s energy needs. Our job is to ensure reliable power is available throughout the year, even on the very coldest day. To do that, we need to examine all of the generation options available, including the most efficient near-term solution to reliably meet Vancouver Island’s capacity needs.

As part of our 2005 Integrated Electricity Planning process, we will be talking to people around the province about the preferred resource mix for British Columbia.