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Harper's Betrayal

Stephen Harper is at it yet again...breaking another promise to Canadians, or at least on the verge of calling an election despite his promise of fixed election dates. It seems that Harper will do whatever he wants as long as he, his Conservatives, and his industry cronies benefit. And since there is no party that is likely to beat the Conservatives right now, he will break his promise of fixed elections to win the next one by calling it early. 

I don't really care much for politics, but rather the environment. And any Canadian party would be better for the environment than the Conservatives. That's why, after many years of voting Green, I will likely decided to vote for the one party in my riding that has the best chance of beating the Conservatives, whoever that turns out to be come election day.

Why do I feel Harper is such a threat to our environment? Well, simply because he is of the old school philosophy of extracting as many resources as possible with no concern for environmental impacts unless the public screams and it will affect his rating in the polls. Only then will he try to make it look like he gives a damn, greenwashing his actions and throwing us 'environmentalists' a small bone. Harper only cares about immediate economic gains for his industry buddies in oil and mining, cloaked in the banner of a strong economy for all Canadians. He does not care about climate change, endangered species or our health. He does not care that old school economics are the reason we are in this mess, and he is supporting more of the same crap. Harper has absolutely no idea how to create the sustainable, equitable economy that is necessary to return us from the brink of environmental, social and economic disaster. 

For if Harper and much of the world continue on our current path, with the same fallacy of economic growth, not only will our environment suffer irreparable damage, but so will our economy. Harper, wake up...infinite growth is not possible on a finite planet, especially when the economy is based on non-renewable resources. Shifting to a sustainable economy is imperative, and Harper must go for that to happen, as he does not even understand the concept. 

Harper's recent 2 hour visit to Tuktoyuktuk, NWT, is a prime example. Money for new roads and a port will only come with the Mackenzie valley natural gas pipeline. This is a very controversial project that many Canadians do not want. The natural gas from the Mackenzie pipeline, should it be built, is destined for two places...the Alberta tar sands to extract their dirty, energy intensive oil, and to the Americans to meet their insatiable addiction to oil. Of course this goes along with the Conservatives' intensity based greenhouse gas targets, which means that Canada's GHG emissions will continue to rise as our carbon based economy expands. Can Harper tell me what will happen when we run out of oil, which is very likely within the next 50 years? Why invest countless billions in a dying industry, when we could instead be world leaders in sustainable energy? 

Another prime example is the 16 lakes that are destined to become toxic tailing ponds for mining companies. Yep, you can mine in Canada, and leave your toxic waste in one of our lakes...yet another example of industry externalizing their costs onto the environment and our health, rather than having to clean up their mess. And somehow this is allowed to happen under the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations of the Fisheries Act. Yeah, I heard somewhere that toxic mining tailings are good for fish! And yes, I know this is nothing new, but yet again Harper is demonstrating that he has no desire to implement the kinds of changes that Canadians want and the environment requires. 

Yes, we need a whole new way of thinking in Ottawa, and I believe the only party that fit's the bill is the Green Party. As much as it pains me to say, there is no way the Greens will win the next election so, for this election only, I am committing to strategic voting to get the Conservatives out of office. At least the NDP and Liberals care about our environment, or so it seems, and less damage will happen until the Greens reach their full potential. And if by chance the Green Party does well in my riding, I will gladly give them my vote over the Liberals or NDP. 

If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. That's what Keeping Down with the Jones' is all about. So what can we do to make a difference?

• Consider the new ABCs of politics in Canada, and vote 'Anything But Conservative'. And if you're an American, please vote Obama! 
• Send a letter to Ottawa telling them you don't want more lakes turned into toxic mining tailing ponds. You can do this easily online with the Council of Canadians' Action Alert:Freshwater lakes, not 'tailing impoundment areas'. 
• Sign the petition Demand Democratic Debates, to include the Green Party in the next Leaders' debate.

 

The Great Herring Fishery!!

This morning I woke to the sound of the herring fishery outside my window. Year to year I never know where the herring will choose to spawn or why, but this year they've again chosen Buccaneer Beach! And this is by far the most exciting day of the year on our usually quiet little shore. The tiny parking lot at the public beach access is packed to overflowing as people come and go to take in the spectacle.

I'm suffering lense envy as I watch several photographers stealing amazing shots as I struggle with my makeshift adapter and a telescope...to no avail. The air is filled with the cries of thousands of seagulls. The sea lions are too gorged to bark as they roll around feeding and lolling in the sun. Engines hum and the net paddles clank as the herring are taken aboard the many skiffs. A DFO observer plane buzzes overhead. Fisherpersons' voices rise above the clanging and bustling noises, excited and ocassionally angry. Dozens of herring boats sit offshore in the Strait of Georgia, waiting for their skiff to come in, gorged with herring like the seagulls and sea lions.

My heart swells with pride, an ugly emotion, I know. But I feel so content, aware that my life's purpose is to protect this body of water for just this reason...for the herring, and all the creatures that depend on them; from seagulls to salmon, from killer whales to fisherpersons, and to people enjoying the wonder from shore, including myself. For this is a day for the soul...spirits lifted in celebration of life.

For a moment I feel guilty watching all the hard work from shore, but then I berate myself and sink into a blissful reverie. After all, I often work myself to the edge of burnout during the week to help preserve and protect the Strait of Georgia, so I'm justified in this contradictory moment of fervor and peace. I marvel at the milky blue of the ocean, reminding me briefly of warm tropical waters. But the air is crisp despite the sun, filled with a fishy but pleasant scent.

I watch closely from shore as a skiff not 50 yards away passes a net across it's deck. I can see the herring flashing silver in the sun, some flipping high in the air over the heads of those hard working men. But my heart sinks as I notice their net is not nearly as full as it should be. Is it just a bad set, or a sign of poor numbers? I anxiously await to hear whether the year was a success...for the fishery and the fish. This disturbs my morning of joy and reminds me that there is much more work to be done to protect this once abundant body of water.

But I will set aside the work until Monday morning. For now I will worry about moving my beach chair from a passing shadow, petting a friendly dog walking by, and observing things like the foam from the spawn starting to appear along the shore, or the eagle soaring overhead...I am alone in my thoughts, yet connected to all that surrounds me.

You can help protect the Strait of Georgia and surrounding communities. For, if you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. That's what Keeping Down with the Jones' is all about.

• Georgia Strait Alliance is committed to protecting the Strait of Georgia from the scourges of sewage and toxic chemicals, shipping and boating pollution, open net pen salmon farms, and environmental degradation. But more than that, Georgia Strait Alliance is an innovative and progressive solutions-based organization.
• GSA's Green Boating Program has won several awards with worthwhile projects such as the Guide to Green Boating, new Clean Marine environmental marina certification program, and Ocean Solutions project for boat sewage pumpout stations.
• GSA's Salmon Farming Campaign works to protect the marine environment and wild salmon from the devastating impacts of open net pen salmon farming, but goes one step further to explore the alternative of closed containment systems.
• The Clean Air and Water Program of GSA includes many innovative solutions-oriented projects, such as the ToxicSmart program aimed at keeping our homes, gardens and workshops toxic-free, and the Victoria and Vancouver Sewage campaigns, to not only ensure proper sewage treatment for our communities, but to look towards resource recovery from sewer.
• GSA is part of an LNG Alliance fighting the proposed LNG terminal and power plant on Texada Island.
• Other issues addressed by GSA include: Marine Habitat and Wildlife Protection, the Climate Crisis, Cruise Ships, Ship Pollution and Marine Safety, Military Impacts, Artificial Reefs, and Shellfish Farming.
• You can help the Strait of Georgia in many ways. Consider becoming a member of Georgia Strait Alliance by donation. Sign an Urgent Action Alert. And most importantly get out and enjoy the great outdoors and appreciate all mother nature has to offer.