Saanich News: Election Wrap SAANICH SOUTH

Saanich News
Election Wrap SAANICH SOUTH: Popham pledges push for light rail

By Keith Vass - Saanich News

Published: May 14, 2009 2:00 PM
Updated: May 14, 2009 2:18 PM

Lana Popham wasn’t quite ready to believe the result until the last poll was counted.

“I needed to see my name with that check mark beside it and that didn’t happen until 11:30,” said the newly-elected Saanich South MLA, the morning after voters chose her to represent the riding by a narrow margin of 413 votes over her nearest challenger, Liberal candidate Robin Adair.

The close result, in which Popham claimed 47 per cent of ballots cast, made a point she says she’ll take with her to the legislature.

“For me, the message was I’d better work hard for these guys because they put their faith in me last night and I’m not going to let them down.”

Over at McMorran’s Beach house in Cordova Bay, a crowd of more than 200 Adair supporters felt the highs and lows of watching their candidate’s numbers flirt with the lead. During one 30-minute stretch, the running tally went from showing Popham leading by 400 votes, to Adair pulling ahead by 200 and then back to Popham in the lead.

“Everybody said this was going to be a very close race and they were right,” Adair told the crowd when he appeared onstage to concede defeat and thank his team just after 11 p.m.

Adair told reporters his plan now is to return to his communications consulting business.

But he added the community may have had a better shot at winning government infrastructure investments if they’d elected a government member.

“I don’t know how effective (Popham) will be in getting the kind of infrastructure money to Saanich South that (it) needs for overpasses or roadways or buildings or other things it needs,” he said.

Popham countered by saying she will go the legislature as part of a chorus of voices, including community groups and South Island municipalities, calling on the province to invest in light rail transit for the region.

“We may have gotten an overpass if (Adair) was elected ... but I don’t think that’s one of the projects we need,” she said.

Popham will wait to learn if she will be selected for an official critic’s role in the NDP opposition. But the organic vineyard and winery owner said she would like to be considered for the agricultural critic’s job left open by retiring NDP MLA Corky Evans.

She has leased her land and winery to other producers, enabling her to focus on her new job as an MLA, she said.

“But I’m a farmer at heart so I hope I’m able to spend some of my time with that. I also have a 10-year-old son who I need to spend time with,” Popham said.

“It’ll be a challenge, finding the right balance, but I can do it, I’m sure. I’ve got endless energy.”

kvass@vicnews.com

Saanich South results

X Lana Popham, NDP - 11,141 47.11%

Robin Adair, Lib - 10,728 45.37%

Brian Gordon, Green - 1,551 6.56%

Doug Christie, WCC - 228 0.96%

Results aren’t considered official until Elections B.C. conducts a final count May 25.

Saanich South electoral history

2009 - Lana Popham (NDP)

2005 - David Cubberley (NDP)

2001 - Susan Brice (Lib)

1996 - Andrew Petter (NDP)

1991 - Andrew Petter (NDP)

The riding was created in 1990 after the previous two-member riding of Saanich and the Islands was divided in two.





Find this article at:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/vancouver_island_south/saanichnews/news/45041467.html

Thank you!

Thank you Saanich South for electing me as your next MLA! It is a privilege I intend to pay back by working as hard as I can over the next four years to make all of our lives better.

Lana.

Bike to Work Week 2009

One day to the election but i'm never too busy for Bike to Work Week!


That is Bruce Carter (CEO Victoria Chamber of Commerce) and Rob Wickson, President Bike To Work Victoria.




Dave Goudy is on the left - he is one of the owners of Serious Coffee and a great supporter and sponsor of Bike to Work Week. Next is David Cubberley, retiring MLA of Saanich South.

Wow! Only four days left....

I've knocked on thousands of doors in the last month and everything I've heard has shaped my views of what we need our government to do and what I can do to best serve the interests of Saanich South.

I'd like to send a message directly to the people of Saanich South: thank you for opening up to me and sharing your fears and hopes, your personal experiences in our hospitals and schools, your worries about the economy and our environment, and so much more. I know it is difficult to express your thoughts to a stranger who has jut knocked on your door. But I am happy that so many of you are no longer strangers - that you took the leap to share a little of your own experiences with me. Thank you also for listening to what I believe and for showing me such respect - even when we disagreed on one issue or another.

I am galvanized by the trust so many of you are showing in me. My commitment to you is that I will work as hard as I can to sustain public health care, quality education and a clean environment.

My legs are aching from walking all over Saanich South - but my spirits are high. I've never been more confident that we can win this race.

To my supporters: there is still much more to do! Please take some time in the next few days to talk to your friends and family who live in the riding and share with them why you are voting for me. This race is very close and every vote will make a big difference.

I also have a message for those who are planning to vote Green: In Saanich South on May 12, the reality is that the Green Party candidate cannot win. Voting for the Green Party in this riding will keep an organic farmer and environmental activist OUT of the legislature. Please support me so I can fight as an MLA for the causes that we believe in. Both the Conservation Voters of BC and Guy Dauncey have endorsed me. You can read about my background asn environmental activist and views on the environment by clicking here.

Below is the lastest campaign video message from the NDP. It sums up very well why we need a change.

Lana.

Campaign Photo Slideshow

Hi, here is a slideshow of campaign photos - so many great people have volunteered, it is really wonderful - thank you all!!

Thank you Guy!

PROMINENT EVIRONMENTALIST ENDORSES LANA POPHAM FOR SAANICH SOUTH!

Guy Dauncey, the award-winning author of Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change and President of BC Sustainable Energy Association today endorsed Lana Popham for Saanich South in his widely read publication EcoNews. Dauncey wrote: "Lana will be a great advocate for agriculture and organic farming in BC, and a strong environmental presence in the Legislature."

A super busy week

Last week was incredible! I’d like to share a few snapshots to give you a feel of the campaign so far.

Yesterday I represented the New Democrats at a Agriculture debate on the mainland in the morning and marched in the Earth Day rally on the island in the early afternoon and then door-knocked until dusk. 

A few days ago the Conservation Voters of BC announced their endorsements for the election. They only supported four candidates in the whole province – and I was one of them! They wrote: “Our endorsements are designed to put stronger environmental voices in the BC legislature. Our endorsees are individuals who have shown strong leadership on climate change and other local issues. They will be an asset to the Legislature."

Last week was also very special because NDP Leader Carole James dropped by my farm to meet local farmers and hear, first hand, the issues that are important to them.  

Carole and I spoke about the importance of local agriculture and it turned into quite a gathering with local and provincial media and many, many supporters. Here is a video.

It was also an amazing week in terms of fund-raising, our best week ever. It is really very humbling to see so many people contributing what they can to this campaign – it definitely redoubles my commitment to work every day to protect our quality life and to secure our children’s future. We have a lot of money still to raise – please help! Click here to make a donation to the campaign.

The volunteer energy is electric! Heather, my campaign manager, often just shakes her head in happy disbelief! But we still need to ramp it up! Please drop by the office (4087 Quadra) call 250 479 2224 or email samuel@lanapopham.ca

A few upcoming public events you may be interested in:

• April 28 - CFAX 1070, on-air debate between Lana, Dallas Henault (Liberal) and Adam Saab (Green) on the environment. 9 - 9:30 am. Please call-in and ask questions. 250 386 1161. 
  
• April 29 - All candidates, Saanich South, 7:30 pm, Unitarian Church, 5575 West Saanich Road. Sponsored by Prospect Lake Community Assn.
  
• April 30 - Food Matters, Regional (I’m representing the NDP), 7-9 pm, First Metropolitan Church Hall, 932 Balmoral (@ Quadra).
  

In honour of Earth Day on Wednesday, I handed out one hundred reusable shopping bags at local shopping centres – that was fun! Earth Day is great time to refocus on creating green options which can help people live in a sustainable way. On Earth Day I also joined Wilderness Committee’s ‘walk into the woods’ to view some of our local big trees. I pledged to work towards greater protection for the 100 largest and oldest trees in BC. We have tr

ees in this province that are over one thousand years old. They and their immediate ecosystems must be protected. 

And the week began on Sunday when I joined hundreds of people celebrating Vaisakhi at Victoria's Sikh Temple onTopaz Street. Vaisakhi is a four week celebration of harvest time celebrated by millions of people around the world. This year marked the 310th anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa when the Sikh faith was formalized. The growing enthusiasm about the festival of Vaisakhi shows how much pride British

Columbians take in the tradition and culture of B.C.'s Sikh, Indo-Canadian and South Asian communities. Vaisakhi allows all of us to come together and celebrate the South Asian community's culture as part of our province's collective heritage. It helps us learn about one another and strengthen our pride in our shared customs.

And this week will be even busier!!!

Lana.

P.S., By the way, I am now twittering, please  click here if you want connect.

 

Rally for Farmers!

Yesterday was a great day - it was a real honour to speak at the rally for farming and food security...and on the steps of the Legislature, no less. 

Brent Warner gave a really smart keynote on specific changes we need to make to our ag policy. He noted that in the 70s there were ten full time extension officers helping fruit farmers in the Okanagan - and today there are...NONE! Jordan Marr and Tom Henry did a super job organizing the event,  Organic Farmer Heather Stretch and local food expert Linda Geggie shared 

important insights...well done everybody!

I was humbled by all the support local farmers and food security advocates gave me - and it only deepened my resolve to work towards better farming policy in British Columbia. 

Following is the rough text of my speech... (I also gave shout-outs to the big crew of NDP provincial candidates who were there to show their support for farmers - but I didn't mention how not a SINGLE Liberal Candidate bothered to show up, depsite repeated invites. As Jordan said, their absence speaks volumes.) 

"Good afternoon, thank you for inviting me here today on a beautiful spring day. I know how critical these spring hours are to your farms and gardens - and I appreciate that you have all taken the time to be here.

I am here to talk to you about something that has driven me to step up to the challenge of provincial politics. I am speaking as a mother, I am speaking as an eater, I’m speaking as a community activist, I’m speaking for the New Democrats and I am speaking as a farmer.

I believe we are at a critical point with local food production, maybe even the tipping point, and I am here to tell you that I believe in agriculture!

So much of what we do, so many of the policies that we believe in are ultimately tied back to local farming and our food supply.

As a candidate for the NDP, I’m proud of my party’s commitments to support and protect farming, and I am personally committed to strengthen these commitments once elected.

For the past eight years, government has ignored the concerns of farmers and paid lip service to what I believe is one of the most important industries in BC.

Sometimes it seems like government is more concerned about defending their badly thought out policy rather than encouraging local farmers to be successful.

It’s about time that we put local food production first.

We need to bring integrity back to the Agricultural Land Commission. The ALC should be focused on protecting farmland. Period.

Lately it’s been distracted by court cases, conflicts of interest and allegations about questionable dealings.

We need to value our small lot farms. Farmers are being put though an exercise of having to prove themselves innocent while they are accused of being guilty of not using their land in ways that qualify them for farm status.

I sat through more than 20 BC Assessment appeals last year with farmers in our region who lost their battles. My friend Mary Alice Johnson had her farm split. It was like a slap in the face to farming as she is one of our finest food producers on the South Island. She asked the people who decided the fate of her farm ….”who is going to feed you? I am here for Mary Alice.

We need to restore the Buy BC Program that helped farmers and small business people promote their products to local consumers.

It’s inexpensive and it works. So why was it cut? Because politics got in the way and farmers paid the price. The NDP will bring this back.

We need to get rid of unworkable meat processing regulations.

We shouldn’t be punishing farmers, but rather helping them by creating a system that protects the public’s health without imposing prohibitive new costs. The NDP will do this.

We need to bring extension services back to farmers in BC so we stop losing our future farmers. The NDP will do this.

We can and we must maintain our community’s farming roots. If we are to thrive as a society then we need to rely on our farms more than ever.

Most importantly, we need to support the farmers we depend on. If we loose the fight for agricultural support we loose everything. That’s is not acceptable you, its not acceptable to me and its not acceptable to the New democrats.

We used to value agriculture in this province, and that is the BC that I want back.

Thank you for your support!"

The Election Has Begun......Finally!

It's day two of a 28 day election period. The excitment has built for months and now it is a reality. The fight for our future in BC is going to be a tough one everywhere, but in Saanich South the race will be watched very closely.

Getting through the next month will be an adventure. I haven't had very many moments to sit back and reflect lately but I did get a chance to take my bike out on the weekend and ride around Saanich South. Saanich South is an amazing community. The urban/rural split makes it very unique. I feel lucky to live here and I am going to fight hard for the honor of being the MLA.

I would love your vote on May 12th!

Lana Popham

March 24th is No Tankers day!

Watch this.....and remember the devastation....if we lift the moratorium, like the Campbell Government wants to do, we will be reliving this nightmare.

http://www.dogwoodinitiative.org/notankers

From The Oil Free Coast Alliance......

www.oilfreecoast.org

In 1988, beaches along the west coast of Vancouver Island, between Uclulet and Tofino, were contaminated when oil swept north from a spill in Washington State after the fuel barge Nestucca collided and ruptured sending 890 tonnes of heavy bunker C oil into the ocean. Then, in 1989, one of the worst spills he world has seen occurred in Alaska when the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, spilling approximately 11 million gallons of oil - roughly equivalent to 125 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Unprecedented levels of public outrage in B.C. and beyond, and fear of future disasters, led the federal government to leave the moratorium in place.

British Columbia’s offshore area includes four key basins: Georgia, between the east coast of Vancouver Island and the mainland; Queen Charlotte to the north, between Haida Gwaii and the mainland; and Winona and Tofino, off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

While the federal government has been considering lifting its moratorium in the north, on the Queen Charlotte Basin, the province wants the blanket moratorium lifted, which would allow offshore oil and gas in the Strait of Georgia and off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

A number of oil companies, including Chevron, Shell and ExxonMobile, hold leases to the seabed in these basins, which were issued by the federal and provincial governments before the moratorium was instituted. One of the great unknowns is just how much oil and gas would be found in B.C.’s offshore seabed. In order to find out, ecologically destructive seismic testing and exploratory drilling must take place. Risking damage to an exceptional marine environment with untold numbers of plant and animal species as well as jeopardizing ancient First Nations cultures and jobs is nothing more than reckless.

In 2004, the federal government asked British Columbians their views on the moratorium by conducting public hearings and First Nations interviews. The public review involved the participation of 3,700 individuals, many of who work and live on the B.C. coast. Seventy-five percent of the participants told the federal government that they wanted the moratorium maintained. The First Nations review, which involved 70 nations, found 100 percent support for maintaining the moratorium.

The B.C. government is ignoring the views of B.C. residents and First Nations by pressuring the federal government to lift the moratorium and open the coast to offshore oil and gas exploration and extraction. We must work together to protect the B.C. coast and coastal economy from this threat.

Offshore oil and gas development starts with seismic testing, a process used to find oil reserves, which comes with significant risk. This testing requires shooting high-pressure sound waves into the ocean. Impacts from such extreme pressure include the destruction of eggs and larvae, damage to fish with swim bladders, such as rockfish, and disruption of migratory paths of marine mammals. For more info on the impacts of seismic testing click here.

Oil spills continue to be one of the greatest threats from offshore oil and gas development. Research has shown the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989 is still impacting the marine ecosystem. In addition to spills and blowouts, the industry produces drilling muds and produced waters, which flush poisons directly into the ocean. A single production platform can drill 50 to 100 wells and discharge over 90,000 metric tons of drilling fluids and metal cuttings directly into the ocean. What’s more, one offshore rig emits the same quantity of pollution as 7000 cars driving 50 miles a day.

Developing offshore oil and gas reserves will perpetuate our dependence on fossil fuels, which is contrary to Canada’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. It’s time to invest and encourage the development of alternative energies, such as wind and solar power.

When will they learn?

The BC Liberal government promised to reduce class sizes and improve support for students with special needs but they never provided the funding to get the job done. Instead, they downloaded additional costs onto local boards. As a result, 177 schools closed.

Last year, there were thousands of classes across the province that exceeded the government's own legislated requirements. There were more than 10,000 overcrowded classes that violated standards for students with special needs.

The mantra from the education minister of "highest ever" funding does not stand up to scrutiny. Data on inflation versus funding tells a different story. Compared to other provinces, BC is way behind. The numbers tell the story.

Improving the lives and education of children must be a priority. Read more in the BCTF Education Funding Brief.

When will the provincial government learn?

Look at www.bctf.ca/WhenWillTheyLearn.aspx

Our BC Education advocates are worried......

Jerry Oetting, president of CUPE Local 2081 representing staff at Camosun Community College and Paul Waterlander, a teacher in the Sooke School District,Lana Popham NDP Candidate Saanich South, Dr. Paul Shaker, former Dean and Professor at Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Education

Monday, March 9, 2009

Education advocates host forum on public education

VICTORIA—Come and find out why B.C. education advocates are worried about our public education system – from K-12 through to university – at a free public forum for residents of Greater Victoria. The forum is sponsored by the BC Coalition for Public Education.

Join us to hear Dr. Paul Shaker, former Dean and Professor at Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Education. Dr. Shaker will be joined by students, teachers and staff from the public school, college and university sectors.

Elsie McMurphy, trustee for the Saanich Board of Education (School District 63), Jerry Oetting, president of CUPE Local 2081 representing staff at Camosun Community College and Paul Waterlander, a teacher in the Sooke School District, and a representative of the UVic Students’ Society will offer brief comments on a range of education issues.

What: Free public education forum

When: March 10, 2009 7–9 pm

Where: Spectrum Community School Theatre

957 Burnside Road W. Victoria

The Coalition for Public Education supports and promotes universally accessible, quality public education and includes students, community organizations, and the people who teach and work in B.C.’s schools, colleges, institutes and universities.

Making the connection!

http://blip.tv/play/Ad3WG5HTXg

CFAX 1070 News Release

NDP NAME SOUTH SAANICH CANDIDATE

Mar 8, 2009

THE PROVINCIAL NEW DEMOCRATS ACCLAIMED LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVIST LANA POPHAM AS THEIR CANDIDATE IN THE SAANICH SOUTH RIDING FOR THE UPCOMING PROVINCIAL ELECTION.

POPHAM SAYS BECUASE SHE IS FROM SAANICH SHE HAS THE EXPERIENCE TO IDENTIFY KEY ISSUES AND TO BRING THEM TO THE FORE.

"I think that's what people want. I don't think people want an MLA who is elected thats going to be bringing messages from the government to the community. I'm the type of MLA that will be bringing messages from our community to the government."

IN THE LEAD UP TO THE MAY 12 ELECTION, POPHAM SAYS SHE IS PLANNING THE MOST DYNAMIC CAMPAIGN SOUTH SAANICH HAS SEEN. SHE FACES ROBIN ADAIR, THE LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR THE RIDING.

- LIZ MCARTHUR

What a party!!!!

What a great night we had on Saturday! Over 150 volunteers joining our dream team that night and many more wonderful people who contacted us to attend our next volunteer party . This was the first of many thank-you parties we will be having as we move towards May 12th! It was so nice to see our community represented by our guests. We had people from business to agriculture and everywhere in between. A great big slice of Saanich South, and a great big thank-you to all of you!

Notes From The Campaign Trail.......

There are over 20,000 doors standing between me and election day, May 12th!

One of the most enjoyable parts of this campaign so far is the door knocking
around our Saanich South community. The different neighbourhoods are
interesting to explore. I had a similar enjoyable experience when I ran as a
candidate in the 2005 Saanich Municipal election. I've found people to be
both welcoming and good-natured as I introduce myself door by door. It's
reassuring each time a resident recognises me from my work in the community
or recognises my voice from being on CFAX with Joe Easingwood and offers a
kind word.

I have heard so many supportive comments and have received offers to help
with my campaign.

Door knocking is a bit like a thermometer. It's like I'm taking the
political temperature of our community as I spend the hours moving from
doorstep to doorstep and there have been many nice surprises along the way.
What has been very encouraging are the positive responses I have been
receiving in Broadmead. People told me Broadmead isn't traditionally an area
where New Democrats do well, but many people seem to share my interests and
my concerns. They seem ready for change and as I said, it's very
encouraging. As I work my way around Saanich South I will be talking to many
people, and I hope I get to talk to you!

Reflections

Taking a step into the ring of Provincial politics is exciting and meaningful for me. Last August I made the decision to be a part of the May 12th race to the Legislature and I haven't looked back. Almost every day now I am asked why I am doing this, or why I think I am ready.

This is not a question that has a simple answer. There are so many reasons to enter into public service and I will get into the details over the next week. Today I can tell you that I have been on this journey my whole life. Whether it started in grade 7 when I won the Marie Mercier Leadership Award, or in Grade 11, when I became Prime Minister of my school.

Now I am 40 years old, and there have been so many important days in my life when I stood up and said things need to be different, and I want to put in the time to make the change.

This happens to be the time that everything I believe in deep inside, is in the spotlight. This is a time when, more than ever, I feel the opportunity to make a difference is now.
So I am working as hard as possible to have the chance to make a difference at the Provincial level. I won't stop until the polls close the evening of May 12th, and I would love your help along the way.

MLA Rob Fleming's Nomination. Congratulations Rob!

The 2009 NDP South Island Team!

Connect the dots....................

The funding that we could be using to begin developing a much-needed LRT system in this region keeps passing us by. At what point will our provincial decision makers start connecting the dots when it comes to funding a strong economy and sustainability?

We watched a ton of money come and go last summer in the form of individual $100 carbon cheques. This money, distributed by the government, was to offset the carbon tax that gasoline consumers started paying in July 08. The government distributed $440 million dollars across British Columbia. If we had pooled our cheques for this region we would have had about $33- million to begin bringing LRT to Greater Victoria. Using carbon tax funding to invest in a regional transportation solution would have been smart and progressive. This government is not there.

A regional LRT system is where we need to go to meet our carbon-reduction targets. Waiting for the guaranteed ridership levels to increase, waiting for pollution to get bad enough, or waiting for the moment when it takes 2 hours to get from the Westshore into Victoria due to traffic snarls, is inappropriate. We only need to look at Portland, Oregon , to know it’s a mistake to wait.

Money invested in LRT in this region will create jobs and stimulate our economy while moving in a direction that we are talking about going. We need government to stop using the word sustainability if they are not prepared to fast track sustainable projects. I don't want my tax money being used to fund single occupancy vehicle projects, such as massive traffic interchanges, I want my tax money solving problems.



Lana Popham

Saanich South

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

This was a wonderful day in Victoria BC. I was so happy to be participating in all of the celebrations. The colors and the costumes were a treat. Gung Hay Fat Choi!

Homelessness In BC......we have to fix it.

Fired Up!

12/15/08 Time to Get Fired Up:
Farmlands Conference Brings Farmers Together

KATIE ZDYBEL

On November 27th, concerned farmers and citizens of lower Vancouver Island gathered in Sidney at the Farmlands Conference to talk about how to move forward on issues facing our farmlands, farmers, and local food supply. Vineyard owners, prominent chefs, future farmers, and politicians filled up the rooms where a range of discussion sessions were adeptly hosted by moderators such as Metchosin farmer and Small Farms editor, Tom Henry, and Chef David Mincey of Camille’s. “There are a lot of movements afoot,” observed attendee Carol Herriot (of Seeds of Victoria), “and today we are connecting the dots.”

Leading speakers like the fervent Lana Popham of Barking Dog Vineyard, visionary David Chambers of Madrona Farm, and John Buchanan of Parry Bay Farm who brings thirty years of farming experience to the table, led sessions on themes such as ‘land leasing’ and ‘taking action on farmland issues.’ In true democratic style, the attendees spoke just as much as the panelists and the sessions carried on like townhouse meetings.

“The idea is to improve the lot of the farmer,” began David Mincey, opening the floor for discussion at the session on ‘taking action on farmland issues.’ Many suggestions were offered; “We need to shatter the myth that farmland needs to be owned by the farmer,” David Chambers offered and explained his farm’s position of entering into an agreement with a land trust to secure their farmland in perpetuity as a solution to astronomical land prices in BC. Chef Ken Hueston of Smoken Bones Cookshack stressed the opportunity for chefs to act as leaders of a new food movement that honours local land by bringing in farm fresh produce from as near as possible and teaching the public its merit through deliciousness. A reoccurring theme was getting kids to care about farming and to see it as a viable and valuable lifestyle in our highly modernized world. Popham expressed her wish to see an agricultural component in the school system and Mincey (half) joked that teens should not be able to graduate high school without a month’s work on the farm. Attendee Randy Pearson (of Islands Organic Producers Association), pointed out the reason for the near-extinction of new farmers: “Until it’s viable to send your kids to university on a farm income, people aren’t going to pick up the hoe.”

Though high prices, Agricultural Land Reserve red tape, and a dwindling crop of fresh farmers are serious obstacles, the prevailing energy was one of vim and action. The small farmers, vintners, chefs who source locally, seed-savers, and supportive citizens who gathered together in Sidney carried with them an appreciation for resources (whether they be water, land, or enthusiasm), a willingness to listen, and ideas that are nothing short of visionary. As Popham said, “All of this can either shut you down or fire you up…and I’m fired up.” The resounding applause and cheers were a strong indication that her words connected with many.

Celebrating at the Topaz Temple with MLA Rob Fleming and newly elected Mayor of Victoria Dean Fortin.

Diwali 2008 - Festival of Lights

The beautiful colours of Diwali.

LANA YES!

Would you like to join my LANA YES! campaign team? I am looking for volunteers and would be very excited to hear from you! As you know, the provincial election is not until the spring......BUT....as with every campaign you can never start too early. Email or call if you want to help.

My campaign will be full of energy and creativity!

Let's face it, if you are NDP you already have the cool factor. So let's show the rest of Saanich South what we are made of!

Lana Popham
250-507-4222
lanapopham@rogers.blackberry.net

Would You Like To Help With My Nomination?

I am very excited about this opportunity, and I am working hard to make it a reality, but I can’t do this without your help.

I need your support to win the nomination

What does this mean? It means that I need 200 people to join the BC NDP in Saanich South and come out to vote for me in approx. 3 months at a nomination meeting. The membership form is attached and it costs $10 to become a member.
If you would like another membership form please go online to BC NDP and you will be able to download one.

If you are not sure if you live in Saanich South you can check the map included or go online at www.elections.bc.ca

You cannot vote for me at the nomination meeting unless you have been a member of the NDP for 90 days, so timing is everything! I will need to have all membership forms sent to Vancouver by October 15th, 2008.

I can collect membership forms at any time. Please call me at 250-507-4222 or email lanapopham@rogers.blackberry.net.

To learn a little bit more about what I have been doing please check out my website at www.lanapopham.ca


Thanks so much!

Press Release.....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8, 2009

LANA POPHAM TO SEEK SAANICH SOUTH NEW DEMOCRAT NOMINATION

Saanich resident Lana Popham announced today that she is seeking the nomination for the BC New Democratic Party in Saanich South.

David Cubberley, the current MLA, announced this summer that he will not seek re-election.

Popham is well known in the community as an organic vineyard owner, environmental activist and small business person. She serves on Saanich’s Planning, Transportation and Economic Development Committee, the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, the Investment Agriculture Foundation , and the Islands Organic Producers Association.

Recently she successfully launched a campaign - Think Outside The Bag - to reduce the use of throwaway plastic grocery bags.

This spring Popham received a CFAX Community award for her environmental advocacy, placing as a runner-up for the annual top Community Leader prize. Popham is involved in many other issues including protection of agricultural land, urban and rural food security, sustainable transportation and affordable housing.

“The Campbell government is out of touch with the needs of our communities. How can we arrive at sustainable solutions for our province if we have no say in the discussion?” said Popham. "Saanich has had an effective voice in the legislature since 2005. I think I have the knowledge and drive to build on that record in Spring 2009.”

Popham counts Cubberley as a mentor and supporter. “I'm excited someone of Lana's caliber wants to enter provincial politics and will work hard to get her elected,” said Cubberley. "Her activism shows how much she values the quality of life in Saanich and demonstrates how our region can grow more sustainability."

Lana, 39 years old, is married to Jon, an Oak Bay firefighter and they have a 10-year-old son, Kye.

The provincial election is on May 12, 2009. No date has been set yet for the Saanich South nomination meeting.

For more info, please contact Lana at 250 507 4222.

Popham Seeks NDP Nomination.

Vintner drops council bid, seeks NDP nomination

Times Colonist

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Shifts in the political landscape have prompted vineyard owner Lana Popham to abandon the upcoming municipal election and take a shot at provincial office.

Popham said yesterday she has withdrawn from running for Saanich council to seek the New Democrat nomination in Saanich South for the B.C. election next year.

That nomination is up for grabs now that the sitting New Democrat MLA David Cubberly has announced he will be stepping down after one term. Party rules adopted in 2007 dictate Cubberly's replacement must be a woman candidate. In any riding held by the NDP, if the current MLA decides not to run, a woman must be nominated. The aim is to ensure women run where there is a real chance of winning, in a plan to push female and minority candidates into more ridings.

Popham said she decided to seek the provincial nomination because she had worked with Cubberly on issues of agriculture, food security and recycling. "I would like to carry on with that work."

The 39-year-old operator of the organic Barking Dog Vineyard said she also sees lots of room for MLAs interested in food production.

Popham pointed out the house is losing not only Cubberly, but also stepping down is Nelson MLA Corky Evans, who always paid attention to farm issues.

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008

A Community Success!

Capital Regional District pushing cloth shopping bags

Published: September 17, 2008 10:37 AM

Next time you head to the grocery store bring a cloth bag. That's the message the Capital Regional District is packaging in an effort to reduce the number of plastic bags used around Victoria. Handing out almost 1,000 cloth CRD bags at its recent Hartland landfill open house, the district's environmental services department is following up on its campaign, asking residents to take a pledge to not use plastic shopping bags. In return, you'll receive a free CRD cloth bag in return.

"Plastic bags end up in our landfills, our waterways and our harbours," Susan Brice, CRD Environmental chair and Saanich councillor said in a news release.

A survey of more than 20 local grocery stores helped the CRD determine that about 25 million plastic bags are used every year in Victoria.

"By refusing plastic bags, we can reduce consumption, stop plastics bags from entering our waste stream and practice good environmental stewardship."

Asking residents to stop using plastic bags is a step in the right direction, said Saanich resident Lana Popham. A New Democratic Party MLA hopeful, Popham has been the driving force behind a campaign to have plastic bags banned in the region.

"I'm really glad the CRD takes this seriously," Popham said. "It just drives home the message again that the plastic bag is a wasteful product and the more we keep the issue current the closer we are to solving the problem."

To take the pledge to refuse to use plastic bags and receive a CRD cloth bag, go to: www.crd.bc.ca/takethepledge

vmoreau@saanichnews.com

Dave Barrett helps celebrate the ALR"s 35th Birthday

I attended an Agricultural Land Reserve 35th birthday celebration a couple weeks ago. It was amazing to hear from the people, like Dave Barrett, who had the foresight back then to put a safety net in place for viable agricultural land.
These days there is a lot of pressure to remove land from this bank. It makes the headlines almost every day.
I hear people say that the ALR was put in place to protect farmland but the ALR does not protect the farmer. This is probably true. But, without the vision of the ALR, we would be in a completely different situation these days. We would be dealing with development smack dab in the middle of prime growing areas instead of chipping away at the borders. We have a place holder with the ALR.
35 years ago we protected the land and now maybe we have the understanding that we also need to protect the farmer. Food security is beginning to become a common term. Especially as elections draw near. People are making a connection between what we eat and where it comes from. Maybe we needed to wait until now to fully understand the role of the farmer, and to realize what was needed to protect this important and vital profession in our culture.
I think this is an amazing time for agriculture. If we can enable the appropriate political strength, we have a chance to secure a safe, local, food system.
The next 12 months could bring us 3 elections. Municipal, Provincial, and Federal. The solutions to a successful agricultural system will come from all three levels of government. Locally we need to pressure our leaders to not just talk about food security but to change the way we support our local food systems.
When you are deciding who to vote for in your municipality, make our food system a priority. Ask the politicians what food security means to them. Make them define it for you, demand a commitment, and hold them to it. We can't eat political rhetoric.....

Cycling! Love it!

This was the first year I participated in Bike To Work Week Victoria. I was a bit hesitant because I live in rural Saanich and the ride into town takes about 50 minutes. I had been a cyclist in Vancouver in the early 90's and enjoyed it back then but hadn't made it a part of my life since moving to Victoria. Bike To Work Week gave me the push I needed to reconnect with how great cycling really is. I have been using an older mountain bike and this has worked for me very well because I have been sticking to the trails...out of fear of traffic. I needed to get my confidence and skill level up and this has happened over a 3 month period. This month I have graduated to a cyclecross bike and have started to find my way along main roads and highways. This has been an eyeopener to what is needed as far as infrastructure goes. I have to say that the trail system is awesome but lacks signage. There have been many occasions where I am unsure which diection to take after exiting certain trails. I have also found that bike lanes working along side vehicle traffic are essential. Nothing is worse than a bike lane ending and throwing you out into fast moving traffic. Challenging for the cyclist and challenging for the vehicle operators. Many transitions I make in these cases feels like an accident waiting to happen. So how do I feel about spending money on non-fuel powered transportation infrastructure? This includes walking and biking......I say we need to spend the money to make it work. It is imperative to our sustainable vision and it makes sense.
I am grateful to Bike To Work Week.....it gave me a push I needed to rediscover cycling for commuting.....I think I am addicted!

Photos From Events....

Madrona Farm TLC Fundraiser - Farmers Natalie and David Chambers and me!

Canada Day at the Gorge Community Association Celebration

From Left to Right

Dean Murdock,Vicki Sanders,David Cubberley,Judy Brownoff,

Vic Derman,Lana Popham and Rob Fleming

Dean Murdock, Lana Popham, Barbara Meek and David Cubberley

Saanich Strawberry Festival 2008

Lana Popham and Denise Savoie

Lana Popham, Vic Derman, Judy Brownoff

2008 Saanich Civic League Launch

Rob Fleming and Lana Popham

117 Days To Go!

Time is marching on! 117 days until election day. I have been working hard for 3 years to prepare for November 15th, 2008. It has seemed so far away for so long but now....it is right there. My new yard signs have arrived and will be ready to go for October. If you are interested in having a sign on you lawn please contact me and I will have one delivered. I am currently designing my brochure and getting it ready to send to the printer. There is so much left to do but it is all exciting.

There are issues that I want to discuss coming up to November. The are things I feel strongly about and will begin to cover them on this blog. I appreciate any feedback, good or bad, and will respond to all comments. These comments will be available for the public eye as I am a strong advocate for transparency. You may not agree with everything I write but you will know where I am coming from. Please feel free to ask me any questions as well.

Vineyard owner adds name to slate for Saanich council election

Times Colonist

Monday, June 09, 2008

Vineyard owner Lana Popham is running for Saanich council in the November municipal election.

Popham, 39, owns the organic Barking Dog Vineyard on Old West Saanich Road and has been involved with numerous community issues and events. The most recent is her pitch to ban plastic bags in the capital region by end of 2008.

She received a CFAX community award for her efforts.

Popham is involved with several agricultural groups, including the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, the Island Organic Producers Association and even the compost committee at Brentwood Elementary School.

She's also a member of Saanich's planning, transportation and economic development committee.

Saanich is at a "critical time" in its growth, and needs progressive choices about land use, transportation and sustainability, she says.

More and improved green transportation choices are needed to reduce carbon emissions, says Popham. She wants to lobby for new investment in rapid transit, more bike lanes and trails, saying people won't leave their cars at home without good transit service.

Popham is married to Jon, an Oak Bay firefighter. They have a nine-year-old son.

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008

Community Matters - CHANNEL 11

Victoria Community Television
Presents ...

Community Matters ...

If you're interested in a progressive take on some important local issues, please watch this panel discussion that includes View Royal mayor Graham Hill, Saanich councillor Vic Derman and Lana Popham of Saanich .. Moderated by Judith Cullington, they discuss issues like climate change, sewage treatment, and our local food supply and put forward ideas and solutions that you may like. This is definitely the most progressive panel group on television, so don't miss it ...

On Victoria Community TV: Channel 11
Saturday, June 7 at 11:00 AM
Sunday, June 8 at 9:00 PM

also on Channel 4 in Duncan and Channel 11 on Saltspring Island

With thanks to VanCity for funding ...
Presented by ICTV .. Independent Community Television Victoria. ICTV is a non-profit society dedicated to community television. Filmed and produced by Lazarus Productions of Victoria.
Special thanks to the staff at Shaw Cable.

CFAX reports on the CRD decision.....

C.R.D. WILL NOT BAN PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS

May 28, 2008

THE CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED THAT NO ACTION IS NEEDED TO RESTRICT THE USE OR DISPOSAL OF PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS.

AND, THE COMMITTEE DECIDED IT WOULD NOT BE WORTH THE COST TO COLLECT PLASTIC BAGS AS PART OF THE BLUE BOX PROGRAM.

"TO DO SOMETHING SYMBOLICALLY AT A COST OF A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR ISN'T JUSTIFIABLE WHEN WE'RE DIVERTING JUST ONE PERCENT OF THE WASTE FROM THE WASTE STREAM," SAYS COMMITTEE CHAIR SUSAN BRICE.

BUT BRICE SAYS ONCE THE CURRENT CONTRACT WITH THE PICKUP COMPANY LAPSES IN 2012, MORE MATERIALS ARE LIKELY TO BE ADDED TO THE BLUE BOX LIST.

"THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE AT THIS POINT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THAT THIN PLASTIC SUBSTANCE," SAYS BRICE.

"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT AS WE ADVANCE INTO THE NEXT ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS THAT THERE WILL BE MORE PRODUCTS PICKED UP BY THE RECYCLING -- AND UNDOUBTEDLY PLASTIC BAGS, IF THEY'RE STILL IN EXISTENCE AT THAT POINT, WHICH I'M SURE TO SOME EXTENT THEY PROBABLY WILL BE, WILL BE INCLUDED."

SAANICH ACTIVIST LANA POPHAM HAS BEEN LOUD AND CLEAR IN HER DEMAND FOR A PLASTIC BAG BAN, BUT SHE SEEMED TO BE BACKING OFF A BIT AFTER WEDNESDAY'S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING.

"THAT'S A LITTLE BIT AGGRESSIVE, MAYBE," SAYS POPHAM. "PUTTING A DEPOSIT ON THAT BAG, SO WHEN YOU DO DECIDE THAT YOU WANT TO USE A PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG, YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN PAY 25-CENTS AND GET THAT. AND IF YOU BRING IT BACK, YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR 25-CENTS -- MAYBE THAT'S A WAY TO HELP US GET THROUGH THIS DECISION-MAKING PROCESS."

IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED THE PROVINCE COULD ORDER THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR TO CHARGE A DEPOSIT ON EACH PLASTIC BAGS GIVEN OUT AT THE TILL.

POPHAM ACCUSES THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF LACKING LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.

"I STARTED AT THE MUNICIPALITY LEVEL, WENT TO THE C.R.D., GOT THROWN BACK TO THE MUNICIPALITY, BACK AT THE C.R.D., AND NOW WE HAVE TO ASK THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT," SAYS POPHAM. "WELL THAT'S FINE, BUT THE AVENUE FOR ASKING THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS ALSO ABOUT RECYCLING. I AM UNCLEAR WHERE THE REDUCTION FITS INTO THIS. SO MAYBE IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE ALL COMMUNITY INITIATIVE."

STILL, POPHAM SAYS THE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION BEING GIVEN TO THIS ISSUE IS HELPING TURN THE TIDE WITH SHOPPERS.

"I THINK IT'S YOUR OBLIGATION TO TAKE A RE-USEABLE BAG [TO THE STORE]," SHE SAYS. "IT'S YOUR CHOICE, BUT I THINK PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO MAKE THAT CHOICE. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO GET THAT IDEA."

PRESENTLY, THERE ARE MORE THAN 50 LOCATIONS AROUND THE CAPITAL REGION WHERE PLASTIC BAGS CAN BE DROPPED OFF FOR RECYCLING, FREE OF CHARGE -- MOST OF THEM GROCERY STORES.

- IRELAND

Why is it all about recycling? The cost would be minimal if we reduced the problem...

High costs ground plan to recycle grocery bags

Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist

Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008

Plastic bags won't be picked up in Greater Victoria blue boxes any time in the near future.

While collecting the bags in blue boxes is possible, it is expensive and there are potential problems, assistant solid waste manager John Craveiro told the Capital Regional District environment committee yesterday.

Some of the challenges include the bags blowing around neighbourhoods prior to collection and contamination of bags with paper receipts and other contaminants, he said.

CRD staff estimate the net cost of collecting and processing 500 tonnes of bags would be $530,900 a year, while the current total annual net cost of collecting all materials is about $1.3 million.

The committee agreed that including the bags in the blue box program at this point would be too expensive. Instead it is recommending the CRD continue to lobby the province to expand its product stewardship program to include the bags and other soft plastics, increase education campaigns on alternatives to plastic bags and advertising drop-off locations.

There are 55 locations in the CRD, many of them grocery stores, that accept the bags for recycling. The committee agreed plastic bags should be considered for the blue box program when the next contract is issued in 2012.

Saltspring Island director Gary Holman said he was "stunned" by the additional costs to collect the bags.

Craveiro replied that the estimated additional costs come largely from contractors currently picking up recyclables.

"Right now they have maximized the payloads for their trucks. [Plastic bags] are not very much weight but [add] bulkiness. So you're looking about 2 1/2 trucks you'd have to add to their existing truck fleet in order to accommodate this," he said.

Plastic bags have not been considered a huge problem at the Hartland landfill. They make up less than one per cent of the waste there and Canadian litter audits show that plastic bags account for less than 0.5 per cent of household litter. As well, studies show the majority of plastic bags are reused at least once.

Several committee members objected to the wording in the report, which suggested the following the recommendation was a "status quo" option.

"It [the wording 'status quo'] has a sense of inertia and no change," said committee chairwoman Susan Brice, who added the CRD is doing everything from lobbying the province to conducting public education to help foster a reduction in the use of plastic bags.

Saanich Coun. Judy Brownoff said it's the CRD's mandate to regulate and educate.

"I definitely think the education program could be bumped up," she said, adding that more large retailers and stores in shopping centres should get involved in providing alternatives to plastic bags.

"We really do have to wrap it up. It's an environmental issue," she said.

bcleverley@tc.canwest.com

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008

Recycling? How about reduction!

CRD: Recycling plastic bags in blue boxes too pricey Bill Cleverley Times Colonist Tuesday, May 27, 2008 It would cost too much -- more than $530,000 a year -- to recycle plastic grocery bags as part of the blue box program, say Capital Regional District staff. The recommendation to the CRD's environment committee not to collect the bags in blue boxes is disappointing to Saanich resident Lana Popham who has been campaigning for months to have the bags banned. "I think it's decision-making at a snail's pace," Popham said. "I feel that I've worked really hard to increase the awareness about the negative impacts of plastic grocery bags in our environment and the key thing is we should be willing to move beyond reliance on them and not enable an ongoing dependence." Popham sees the problem as two-fold. The first is their production wastes oil and the second is that they escape into the environment, causing harm to a variety of species. But CRD staff are recommending the status quo. Instead of collecting the bags in blue boxes, the region should continue to lobby the province to expand programs to have stores collect the bags, the report says. While collecting the bags in blue boxes is doable, it is expensive and there are challenges, "such as the bags blowing around neighbourhoods prior to collection, educating residents in proper preparation, contamination of bags with paper receipts and other contaminants," the report says. Staff estimate the net cost of collecting and processing 500 tonnes of bags is $530,900 a year while the current total annual net cost of collecting all materials is about $1.3 million. The report notes 55 locations in the CRD, many of them grocery stores, accept the bags for recycling. It suggests that if the collection program isn't expanded, plastic bags should be considered for the blue box program when the next contract is issued in 2012. Popham doesn't think costs have to be as high as staff suggest. There's no need for hard tops on blue boxes to prevent plastic bags from blowing around prior to collection. "We do paper in a heavy-duty plastic bag to stop them from blowing around. I don't understand why we don't have the same approach for plastic bags," she said. Plastic bags have not been considered a huge problem at the Hartland landfill. They make up less than one per cent of the waste there and Canadian litter audits show that plastic bags account for less than 0.5 per cent of household litter. As well, the majority of plastic bags are reused at least once. bcleverley@tc.canwest.com © Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008

Panama Flats

Should the “right to farm” outweigh the obligation to farm responsibly?

In Saanich, farming is in the headlines again. The new owners of Panama Flats are in the middle of a controversial fight that involves farming, fill dumping, and ecological risk. Emotions are running high between community members, the Municipality of Saanich and the potential farmers/developers.

How do we as residents make heads or tails out of the information and misinformation coming our way? The best way to do that is to be well informed about what we potentially have to lose.

The new “farm plan” for Panama Flats includes building a berm that – if allowed – will ring the edge of the entire property. The ‘plan’ is to isolate the flats entirely from winter flooding in order to utilize the land for perennial crops, which in my opinion, are unsuited to land that floods every year.

Panama Flats is made up of a soil class called “organic soil”. We are most familiar with them being referred to as “peat soils”. This is in contrast to the mineral soils that are most common on our Island. Our peat lands are very precious and unique. When we look at their history we can understand why. These sensitive and unique soils started their formation just after the glaciers left. Lakes were formed in this area both by glacier melt water and by fingers of the ocean being land locked. . The levels of peat were gradually formed by successions of vegetation continually encroaching on these lakes and being submerged and deprived of oxygen. This is a very slow process and worldwide only constitutes 3% of our landmass.

To responsibly farm in peat soils takes specific management practices. There is a fine balance between destroying the peat system and working responsibly within it. Water plays a key role in this management.

If we look at Panama Flats, we know that over the winter months it lies submerged in water. This water level allows the peat to remain saturated and the structure of the peat bog to remain at a certain level. Previous farming practices of Panama Flats worked within the seasonal patterns of the wet and dry seasons. The Flats were left to submerge during the cold, wet, non-growing season. This allowed a winter habitat for wildlife and migrating birds.

Once the spring came and brought drier conditions, the water was pumped, the wildlife moved on, and suitable crops were planted. Potatoes are a crop that has been traditionally planted in this space. Potatoes are very appropriate for such an agricultural situation. We have lost our potato growing capabilities in Central Saanich for decades due to the threat of the Golden Nematode. In a time when we are thinking of food security, we should not take prime starch growing areas out of production. Potatoes are a crop that stores well over the winter and I think that fits into our long range agricultural planning.

Bringing fill onto an area such as Panama Flats is ecologically and agriculturally irresponsible. The proposed berm would permanently cover the edges of the valued peat soil and threaten its water holding capabilities. The results of this action could cause the peat bog to settle which is of great concern. The extent of the settling would vary but brings with it a new set of worries. There could be an increase in flooding, a need to continually deepen drainage ditches, and the potential to loose the peat layer as it will dry and the mineral soils would begin to make there way up into this unique horizon. Although the traditional farming method of tilling and plowing can cause have some settling results, the winter rejuvenation due to water retention allows for significant peat conservation.

There are many reasons to farm responsibly. There are many reasons to choose different crops for different areas. Blueberries may do well in this location once the topography is drastically changed, but what if they don’t, and what are the impacts of permanently changing the soil and its hydrology? We are left with a scar on a piece of farmland that would be irreparable. The proposal to plant blueberries on Panama Flats may be great on paper…but if you talk to people who have been farming here for years, agrologists who have our soils in their best interest, and community members who value the diversity that this land brings, we will find that the right to farm does not trump the obligation to farm responsibly.

Panama Flats is a unique peat marsh that currently supports a balance between nature’s use of the land and the growing of food-crops. These activities have coexisted in harmony since farmers first arrived here. Undertaking forms of farming that will block nature’s use and fundamentally change the nature of the soil is not a responsible use of provincial ‘right to farm’ legislation.

Lana Popham
Organic Farmer/ Saanich Resident

CFAX Community Awards. Thanks so much CFAX!

Photo courtesy of my friend Chris Smith from SNAP Victoria. Thanks Chris!

Times Colonist - may 3rd, 2008
Community Leader - Runner Up
"Lana Popham is best known for her work banning plastic shopping bags, a campaign called "Think Outside The Bag" as well as her most recent initiative "Go Left For Litter", an attempt to clean up neighbourhoods. She has proven that one person - someone with a level of consciousness around greening our region - can make a significant difference to our community."

A gift from rural Saanich......

Get cracking on egg production, farmers say
By Erin Cardone - Saanich News - April 18, 2008


Lana Popham and Dean Rebneris say eggs are a driving force in the local eggonomy – economy, that is. Egg farmers are an important part of the local food supply in and around Greater Victoria.
Erin Cardone/News staff

Dean Rebneris and Lana Popham climbed the stairs to Saanich municipal hall Tuesday with 120 eggs in tow.

“We’ll hand them out to (Mayor) Frank Leonard and anyone else we see who might need them,” Popham said.

The 10 dozen egg cartons were decorated with a label intended to promote egg farming locally and raise awareness of just how many eggs are laid in rural Saanich and distributed for sale around neighbouring municipalities.

“There’s nothing like farm fresh eggs, ones when you know the farmer,” said Rebneris, who keeps 99 laying chickens. “I feed these eggs to my kids.”

Their simple action Tuesday was a push for awareness of eggonomics, Popham said. “We’re just trying to make a point that it adds to the economy, so we were presenting the eggs to the mayor (and others) as a gift from rural Saanich. It’s just to say we’re here and we count.”

As most eggs for sale in Greater Victoria, especially in grocery stores, are imported from the United States or shipped from the Lower Mainland, Popham and Rebneris are hoping to see a boost in locally grown eggs and the number of people who buy locally.

Although they didn’t have hard figures for Victoria or Vancouver Island, the B.C. Egg Producers Marketing Board says eggs are big business for the province. The industry is worth more than $95 million annually, and more than 61-million dozens of eggs are graded each year.

The Island has 18 registered egg producers, four of whom are in the Victoria area, and dozens more unregistered. For anyone wanting to try their hand at becoming an egg producer, Rebneris suggests attending the May 10 Prospect Lake flea market to pick up some laying hens.

ecardone@saanichnews.com

Come join us if you can!

Concerned about our local food supply?

Are we committed to farming and food production in BC or not?

An evening with Corky Evans, MLA for Nelson Creston and David Cubberley, MLA for Saanich South

Wednesday April 16th
Cordova Bay Elementary School Gym
5238 Cordova Bay Road, Victoria, B.C.
7:00pm – 8:30pm

Opposition Critic for Agriculture, Corky Evans is touring rural B.C. to discuss the current state of agriculture in our province and to hear what farmers and other interested people have to say about the importance of supporting farmers, farmland and local food supply. Please join us for an entertaining discussion about a serious issue.


For more information contact:

Lana Popham at 652-4110 or barkingdog@shaw.ca

Laura Neil at 952-4418 or david.cubberley.mla@leg.bc.ca

Another try........

CRD considers collecting plastic bags in recycling boxes
Recycling the ubiquitous items deemed a better alternative to outright ban

Bill Cleverley
Times Colonist

Thursday, February 28, 2008

The Capital Regional District will investigate collecting plastic grocery bags through the blue box recycling program.

The region doesn't have the authority to ban the bags outright, and after discussing the issue for more than an hour yesterday, many members of the CRD's environment committee aren't convinced a ban would be a good idea.

Because the bags are so easily picked up by the wind, causing a litter problem, collecting the bags in the blue boxes has been viewed by CRD staff as problematic.

That could be a non-issue in about four years as discussions are underway with contractors and municipalities about moving to a single, large blue tote with a lid for collection of recyclables by 2012, Alan Summers, CRD manager of solid waste, told the committee. That idea could be fast-tracked and in the meantime staff have been instructed to open discussions with contractors about collecting the bags in the blue boxes.

The committee also recommended stepping up public education campaigns that emphasize things like returning bags to grocery stores.

Plastic bags make up less than one per cent of the waste at Hartland Landfill and Canadian litter audits show that plastic bags account for less than 0.5 per cent of household litter. As well, the majority of plastic bags are reused at least once.

But Saanich resident Lana Popham, who has been campaigning for months to have plastic grocery bags banned, told the committee that's not the point.

"I cannot emphasize more that if all the plastic grocery bags were to end up in the landfill, half our problem would be gone. Or, if they all ended up in our recycling systems, we would then be able to more easily focus our concerns. But the main problem is they don't all end up in those two places," she said.

Popham sees the problem as two-fold. The first is their production wastes oil and the second is that they escape into the environment, causing harm to a variety of species.

The committee also heard from Justin Sherwood, of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors, and Bruce Young, of the Canadian Industry Association, who both argued against a ban.

Young said not only are bans difficult to enforce, jurisdictions that have tried them have found they result in even more plastic ending up in landfills. With no grocery bags, people buy and use heavier kitchen catchers and other plastic bags for their trash.

Sherwood urged a "smart use" approach with a focus on education.

Committee chairwoman Susan Brice said society has already come a long way in terms of environmental awareness about plastic bags as evidenced by the number of people carrying reusable totes.

Victoria Coun. Dean Fortin said the plastic grocery bag is one of the "most visible symbols of environmental waste" and it would almost be worth imposing the ban for symbolic reasons even if it can't be enforced.

But Metchosin Mayor John Ranns disagreed.

"We are educating ourselves. We are changing. We are seeing changes I never thought we would in terms of social responsibility. We don't have to make a law for everything, and banning things as a symbolic gesture I really have a problem with. It's not reasoned lawmaking. It's lawmaking through ideology," Ranns said.

Victoria Coun. Geoff Young said that before any consideration is given to imposing a ban, staff should report on what the implications would be.

"Do people adjust? Does everyone start walking around with a string bag? Or, in fact does plastic consumption go up and stay up?" he asked.

"I've really had enough of political environmentalism. I think we should have a little bit of knowledge-based environmentalism, and that's what we should be doing first."

bcleverley@tc.canwest.com
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008

Yaaaaa for Jack Knox!

We're neck-deep in plastic. Is it time to bag the bag?

Jack Knox
Times Colonist

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Most notable new trend at this year's TC book sale? The arrival of the reusable shopping bag.

Every second person was packing one of the suddenly ubiquitous fabric carrier bags, the same ones that you always forget to throw back in the trunk after unloading the groceries.

The sight would have warmed Lana Popham's heart. The Saanich farmer -- she has Barking Dog Vineyard -- has been doggedly campaigning to eradicate plastic shopping bags from the local landscape.

In fact, she'll be back in front of the Capital Regional District's environment committee tomorrow, arguing her case. She would like to see plastic shopping bags banned altogether, but failing that, figures the CRD could drive them out of existence with a 50-cent-a-bag charge. "That alone would cause a voluntary ban."

Alas for Lana, the CRD says her idea is a non-starter, that the regional district doesn't have the authority to ban or tax bags. All it can really do is ban them from the landfill, but a staff report doesn't recommend that, either. Measured by weight, plastic bags make up less than one per cent of the rubbish in the Hartland dump.

Popham doesn't dispute that. "We all know it's not a landfill issue," she says. "If the bags all got to the landfill, that would be fine." What ticks her off are all the bags that end up in fields, or clogging culverts, or washing around the ocean. Besides, she says, oil is too precious and finite a resource to waste on plastic bags, which are made from petroleum. It has been estimated that more than 500 billion of them are used each year.

Popham's arguments echo those being heard worldwide. China has banned ultra-thin plastic bags; by some calculations, that will save 37 million barrels of crude each year. Ireland has effectively taxed bags out of existence. Last April, the Manitoba town of Leaf Rapids became the first Canadian town to ban them. In November, Langford's Real Canadian Superstore, which used to hand out 950,000 bags a year, became the first major retailer in B.C. to do away with them.

In January, CRD board member Vic Derman, a green-leaning Saanich councillor, asked regional district staff to report on ways to curb the excessive use of plastic bags. Staff have now responded with recommendations to increase education about recycling and alternatives to plastics, to ask that bags be included in provincial recycling regulations, and to look at a model bylaw similar to one governing pesticide use.

Those recommendations will be heard by the environment committee tomorrow. So will the arguments of Popham and, from another perspective, a representative of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association.

The industry argues that bans and taxes don't work, that they actually lead to an increase in the use of plastics and paper. "The prime example is Ireland's bag tax, which led to a 21 per cent increase in the amount of plastic consumed in Ireland as people substituted heavier plastic kitchen catchers which could be purchased off the shelf tax-free even though the number of bags distributed at checkout declined 90 per cent," stated a letter to the environment committee from Cindy Cirko, vice-president of the plastics association.

The plastics association proposes forming a partnership with the CRD and retailers to cut excessive use -- persuading big-box stores and others to launch in-store recycling programs, that sort of thing.

Popham isn't swayed by the association's arguments against bans and taxes: "It's their livelihood."

All of which still leaves the question of what you are supposed to do with your plastic bags right now. You can't put them in your blue box. (The CRD looked at adding them to the blue box program in 2005, when it was expanded to include other plastics and pizza boxes, but rejected the idea; they tend to blow around the street and, with little commercial value and a low tolerance for contamination, are unattractive to recyclers.) Most grocers have in-store recycling bins for plastic bags. Most now sell their own carrier bags, too -- an option, as the book sale showed, that more and more people are starting to take.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008


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The plastics industry rearing their heads....

Canadian Plastics Industry Associations

To CRD Environment Committee Members


As the CRD explores issues related to plastic shopping bags, the Canadian Plastics Industry Association would like to provide you with an overview of experiences in other jurisdictions. The information provided is well documented on the public record and provides valuable lessons for policy initiatives on plastic shopping bags. The industry would also like to put forward some ideas on how we can partner together.

Let us begin by saying that we strongly agree with concerns about the “excessive or irresponsible” use of our product. While we recognize that plastic shopping bags are not a landfill problem (less than 1% of landfill), we believe this has to be about the wise use of our resources. These bags are a valuable resource and should be diverted from landfill as much as possible and recycled.

Many provinces in Canada have successful diversion programs for plastic shopping bags and achieve solid recycling rates – Alberta – 32%, Nova Scotia – 45%, B.C. 35%.
In fact, B.C. is the undisputed leader in voluntary product stewardship in Canada on in-store recycling of plastic shopping bags. Fifteen years ago, these progressive retailers put in place a province-wide network offering in-store recycling of plastic shopping bags. Many prominent retailers participate including Overwaitea, London Drugs, Safeway, Walmart, Save On Foods, Thrifty Foods, and Choices.

What has been learned
Experience in other jurisdictions shows that the best solution for plastic shopping bags is a constructive, positive approach. It is an approach that builds on the traditional environmental principles of reduce, re-use and recycle, effective partnerships, and public education programs that empower and motivate people to act.

Here are some of the lessons:
• bans and taxes don’t work - they have the complete opposite effect from what is intended and actually lead to greater consumption of plastic and paper
• the prime example is Ireland’s bag tax which led to a 21% increase in the amount of plastic consumed in Ireland as people substituted heavier plastic kitchen catchers which could be purchased off the shelf tax-free even though the number of bags distributed at checkout declined 90% (PIFA / Mike Kidwell Associates 2006)
• another example is Taiwan which lifted its ban on plastic bags in the fast food sector because it led to a mountain of waste (paper and plastic) going to landfill; Taiwan is now focusing on recycling
• North America is developing an approach based on diversion and recycling.
• many jurisdictions in Canada have highly successful diversion/recycling programs for bags on which to build a go forward solution


What other jurisdictions are doing
The issue of bag bans and taxes has been researched thoroughly in Europe and rejected by many advanced economies – Scotland, the U.K., New Zealand, Italy, the European Union, New York City, and the State of California.

The Scottish government, starting in 2004, spent two years in public hearings on the Irish bag tax (defacto ban) gathering expert opinion and listening to testimony from various governments. In the end, the Scottish government rejected this approach as bad public policy because bans/taxes have a number of negative unintended consequences such as actually increasing the amount of plastic consumed.

North America is moving aggressively on recycling and diversion from landfill. Many jurisdictions in the U.S. are enacting mandatory in-store bag recycling for large retailers across all classes of trade. The State of California law on mandatory recycling came into effect last July and New York City just passed their bylaw on mandatory recycling for plastic bags and film in their city.

In Canada, bans and taxes have been examined and rejected by the Union of B.C. Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, the Greater Vancouver Regional District Waste Reduction Committee, and some 35 municipalities across the country.

Many municipalities are promoting wise use (the 3’R’s’) with highly successful grassroots “Say yes to reuse and recycling” programs. These programs are designed not only to expand the recycling infrastructure, but build public awareness and empower residents to reduce, reuse and recycle. Examples include Sault Ste Marie in Ontario, the City of Ottawa, and Halton and Durham Regions with their “Take-It-Back” Programs.

The way forward
The plastics industry would like to recommend a solution for consideration by the CRD; a solution focused on the 3 “R’s”. The proposed solution would:

- Build on the existing highly successful in-store recycling infrastructure in the CRD and expand it to include big box stores and mass merchandisers; CPIA would work with the CRD to organize a meeting with non-participating retailers to help get them on board.
- CPIA will undertake ongoing public education using the media and other tools to promote the 3 “R’s” on bags with residents; endorsed by the CRD.
- The CPIA will provide an actual listing of participating stores recycling bags to the CRD for loading on their website so that the CRD can help direct residents to stores recycling bags. The listing will be updated regularly by the CPIA.
- The CPIA will produce and provide free of charge 2’x3’ posters to each retail location recycling bags. These posters will be placed above the recycle bins in order to build profile of and promote the program to customers.
- The CPIA will contact the retailer associations in B.C. to provide assurances that all of their members will offer all choices including reusable bags, recycling, bins, and other options.
- The CPIA will undertake a media campaign on better bagging at checkout which will help reduce the number of bags distributed in the first place.

As a partner, we would ask that the CRD lend its support to these initiatives and endorse the 3 “R’s”. If you should have any further questions or would like to discuss in more detail what has happened in different countries, please feel free to contact me.

Yours truly,


Cathy Cirko
Vice President, Environment and Health
Canadian Plastics Industry Association
Email ccirko@cpia.ca
Tel.: 905-678-7405 ext 234

China Too!

China’s new ban on plastic bags may help protect marine life
From: Alana Herro, Worldwatch Institute
Published January 9, 2008 09:26 AM

China’s surprise crackdown on plastic bags, announced on Tuesday, will prohibit the production and distribution of ultra-thin bags beginning June 1. The ruling bans the manufacture, sale, and use of plastic bags under 0.025 millimeters thick and prohibits supermarkets and shops nationwide from handing out the sacks for free. With the move, China joins a growing list of regions, from San Francisco to South Africa, that are using taxes, bans, and other regulations to try to decrease the prevalence of the ubiquitous bags.

Some 4 to 5 trillion plastic bags—including large trash bags, thick shopping bags, and thin grocery bags—were produced globally in 2002, according to the Worldwatch Institute’s State of the World 2004 report. Roughly 80 percent of those bags were used in North America and Western Europe. Every year, Americans reportedly throw away 100 billion plastic grocery bags, which can clog drains, crowd landfills, and leave an unsightly blot on the landscape.

Perhaps less widely known is the destructive impact that plastic bags have on oceans and marine life. Tossed into waterways or washed down storm drains, the bags are the major source of human-related debris on the seabed, particularly near coastlines, according to the 2007 Worldwatch report Oceans in Peril: Protecting Marine Biodiversity. At least 267 different species are known to have suffered from entanglement or ingestion of marine debris, and plastics and other synthetic materials cause the most problems for marine animals and birds.

Every year, tens of thousands of whales, birds, seals, and turtles die from contact with ocean-borne plastic bags. The animals may mistake the bags for food, such as jellyfish, or simply become entangled. Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to break down, so even when an animal dies and decays after ingesting a bag, the plastic re-enters the environment, posing a continuing threat to wildlife. While most plastic bags eventually break down into tiny particles, smaller sea creatures may still eat the sand-sized fragments and concentrate toxic chemicals in their bodies.

In addition to the bans, taxes, and other government policies now in place to fight the plastic-bag scourge in countries like Bangladesh, Ireland, Kenya, and Taiwan, a variety of responses have emerged in the business community. Some companies now manufacture and purchase biodegradable bags or bags made from recycled materials, and a growing number offer in-store recycling for the receptacles. Although recycling the petroleum-based bags is not always cost-effective, one ton of recycled plastic bags can save 11 barrels of oil, according to an estimate in EJ Magazine.

Other responses include manual cleanups and bans on dumping plastic from ships at sea. Many anti-plastic-bag advocates support the commonsense approach offered by the Chinese government. “We should encourage people to return to carrying cloth bags, using baskets for their vegetables,” said a notice posted on the central government website.

Hurray for Whole Foods!

Whole Foods Market® to Sack Disposable Plastic Grocery Bags by Earth Day

Grocer Encourages Use of Reusable Shopping Bags, Declaring Today "Bring Your Own Bag Day;" Celebrates by Giving Away Over 50,000 Reusable Bags to Customers Companywide

AUSTIN, Texas. (January 22, 2008). Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI), the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced today it will end the use of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts in all of its 270 stores in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. with the goal to be plastic bag-free by Earth Day, April 22, 2008.

"Central to Whole Foods Market's core values is caring for our communities and the environment, and this includes adopting wise environmental practices," said A.C. Gallo, co-president and chief operating officer for Whole Foods Market. "More and more cities and countries are beginning to place serious restrictions on single-use plastic shopping bags since they don't break down in our landfills, can harm nature by clogging waterways and endangering wildlife, and litter our roadsides. Together with our shoppers, our gift to the planet this Earth Day will be reducing our environmental impact as we estimate we will keep 100 million new plastic grocery bags out of our environment between Earth Day and the end of this year alone."

The first U.S. supermarket to commit to completely eliminating disposable plastic grocery bags to help protect the environment and conserve resources, Whole Foods Market has declared today "Bring Your Own Bag Day" and will give out over 50,000 reusable shopping bags to customers at the checkouts this morning to celebrate today's announcement. "We hope to inspire shoppers to prompt positive environmental change by adopting the reusable bag mindset," added Gallo.

"Doing away with plastic grocery bags won't just help protect marine life, it's a key move in shifting us away from a 'consume-and-dispose' mentality," says Lisa Mastny, editor of the Worldwatch Institute report Oceans in Peril. "Disposable plastic bags can linger in the environment for more than 1,000 years and are the major debris item found on the seabed, especially near the coast."

"During our International Coastal Cleanup each year, our volunteers find hundreds of thousands of bags on beaches and in the ocean posing a threat to birds, turtles and other marine life. As people continue to learn more about the impact their lifestyle has on the environment, we find they are looking for personal solutions to global problems," said Laura Capps, senior vice president of communications and outreach with Ocean Conservancy. "We applaud Whole Foods Market for encouraging their customers to bring re-usable bags when shopping and for making better stewardship of our environment a part of their everyday lives."

Beginning immediately, each store in the Company will work on depleting stocks of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts and will help raise awareness about the benefits of reusable bags. Over the next three months, stores will reduce plastic grocery bag inventories and increase selections of reusable bags for purchase.

Whole Foods Market has encouraged shoppers to bring their own bags for years by offering a refund of either five or ten cents at the checkouts, depending on the store. The Company also sells different types of reusable bags, ranging from canvas to its new large, stylish "A Better Bag" - a sound environmental choice since 80 percent of its content comes from recycled plastic bottles and it is an economical choice as well since it costs only 99 cents.

"Before Whole Foods Market decided to do away with this disposable plastic grocery bags at our checkouts, we ran tests in San Francisco, Toronto and Austin. Customers have overwhelmingly supported the plastic bag ban initiated by Whole Foods Market in these cities and applauded the progressive stance the stores have taken," said Gallo. "The response has been incredibly positive, and our customers are thanking us for doing this. Additionally, our Team Members are excited and passionate about taking this initiative, and we're finding it's created a great forum for discussion and awareness at the checkout counters."

Although the natural and organic grocer hopes to inspire shoppers to bring their own reusable bags, the Company will continue to offer an environmentally sensitive option when needed - 100 percent recycled paper grocery bags. Last year, Whole Foods Market became the first and only food retailer in North America to offer these recycled paper grocery bags made with 100 percent recycled fiber content, which also are completely recyclable.

Discontinuing disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts is another step in the Company's ongoing effort to provide more Earth-friendly bags and containers in its stores. Recently, Whole Foods Market stores began using all-natural fiber packaging at its salad and food bars. The fibers for the new containers come from plants that are cultivated or grow wild and are harvested annually. Additionally, the Company continues to seek alternatives to plastic bags in its bulk, produce, bakery and seafood departments.

"We realize there are many more steps to take, and we recognize it's an ongoing process to provide as much Earth-friendly packaging as possible," said Gallo. "We will continue to evaluate each department within our stores as we seek to continually improve."

More information can be found at online at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/byobag.

What will we use for our garbage if we don't have plastic grocery bags?

What will we use to put our garbage in?

This is the number one question I get from people when they contemplate a plastic grocery bag ban. I always try and shoot back this question: "Why do we buy so much garbage?"

It is almost overwhelming when we try and navigate through all the packaging that is pushed on us everyday. My friend Ian Graeme sent me this link and I think it is worth taking 20 minutes to watch. You may not agree with all of it, but it does make you think.

The Story Of Stuff

Could it happen in Vancouver? If so, why are we so slow to move?

Plastic bags could be a thing of the past

Tiffany Crawford, Canwest News Service

Published: Friday, January 25, 2008

Eradicating those unsightly plastic bags that hang in trees and clog landfills may not be in the bag just yet but the idea is reaching a fever pitch in Canada and around the world.

On Tuesday, Whole Foods Market, the world's largest natural-food retailer, announced it would stop giving out disposable plastic bags at the checkout counters. All of the retailer's 270 U.S., Canadian and U.K. stores aim to be free of bags by Earth Day on April 22 of this year. And earlier this month China launched a countrywide ban barring shop owners to hand out single-use bags.

Slowly ideas are changing about the need for plastic bags. But could they go the way of the VCR or at the very least become taboo like cigarettes?

"There is a shift in perception," says Tracey Saxby, a 30-year-old environmentalist who lives half of the year in Rossland, B.C., and the other half in Whistler, B.C. "We just don't need them."

Saxby, an Australian native, was one of the first people in North America to champion a ban in her adopted home of Rossland.

About 10 years ago, the budding environmentalist worked in a retail store in Australia, where incidentally the federal environment minister is currently seeking to ban all ultra-thin plastic bags by the end of the year.

She said she would question why she had to give customers a bag even for the tiniest item. It was then on a trip to Coles Bay in Tasmania that she became really passionate about doing something about the problem.

"It was really cool what was happening there because it's such a tourist attraction and all of these thousands of tourists who came to see the national park were also witnessing a town without plastic bags and really seeing it work, she said by phone from her family home in Brisbane.

The village of Coles Bay, which attracts about 25,000 tourists a year, became the first community in Australia to ban the bags in 2003. The move was copied by dozens more communities in Australia and across the globe.

So Saxby brought the idea home. She took the idea to city council last year in Rossland.

"I said Rossland, let's do this and the whole town got excited," she said. "There was an overwhelming fervour."

The town vied to be the first town in North America to go bag free, but that honour landed in the lap of the small community of Leaf Rapids, Man., on April 2, 2007. With just over 500 residents, city officials handed out more than 5,000 free cloth bags. Leaf Rapids is about 980 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

San Francisco became the first U.S. city to adopt a ban in March after efforts to impose a tax failed, while New Jersey is seeking to be the first state to phase out bags after government implemented a bill in November.

Large global cities are also jumping on board. London's 33 municipal authorities are pushing for an outright ban on plastic bags, and city council in New York trying to pass laws to bar the so-called white pollution.

"It's happening everywhere now," says Saxby, "Vancouver, Toronto, Whistler - all these places are looking at options and are committed to reducing or eliminating them. Reusable bags are everywhere."

The idea is gaining worldwide momentum. There are now restrictions or bans in Ireland, Taiwan, Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar and South Africa, among others.

The chief administrator in Leaf Rapids, Martin Van Osch, says the whole community is willing to use the cloth bags to do their shopping. Local businesses could be fined $1,000 for ignoring the ban, but no fines have been levied.

"It's a good thing because people are learning that plastic bags are not free. There's a price," says Saxby.

It's estimated that plastic bags take about 1,000 years to break-down in the environment.

The tricky part of the equation for many Canadians is the perennial question: plastic or paper? But environmentalists say using paper isn't the answer either. Opponents say they use too many trees, create more greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing and take up more space in landfills.

Environmentalists argue that consumers must look at other options.

"We wouldn't oppose a ban, but we currently propose a tax," said the leader of Canada's national Green Party Elizabeth May, noting a federal ban is highly unlikely in Canada.

"We need to convince consumers that, on so many levels, these are not essential products," she says. "It's a created false need."

Saxby agrees. "It was only in the '70s that we even started to use these plastic bags."

Tips to reduce plastic bag use:
. Buy cloth shopping bags available at most grocery stores
. If you are only buying a couple of items, consider carrying them.
. Consolidate purchases into one bag.
. Place fruit and veggies directly into your basket.
. Purchase lightweight mesh or cotton fruit and veggie bags to use for little things like peas or beans.
. Avoid double bagging.
. If an item already has a handle don't put it in another bag.
. Ask the store for produce boxes that you can re-use and then recycle.
. On a bike? Take a back-pack with you.

What can I use as a garbage bag?
. Compost organic material. Recycle as much as possible. Rinse your bin and reuse.
. Re-use newspaper to line your garbage bin: Save a few sheets of newspaper each week to wrap your rubbish or line your garbage bin. This helps minimize mess and is a good alternative to plastic garbage bin liners.
. Purchase biodegradable bags. While biodegradable bags are not the solution (we need to reduce our waste first!) they are a compromise if you feel you do need to line your bin.

What can I use to pick up dog poop?
. Re-use plastic bags that you get as packaging. For example, bread bags, or paper mushroom bags.
. Buy a dog-composting unit that you can install in a corner of your yard.
.Ask your local pet store to order a dog composting unit for you.

© Canwest News Ser

A bit of a spitting match.......

A letter sent to the Victoria News:

Lana Popham’s campaign to ban disposable plastic bags brings to mind
the observation of Westminster parliamentarian A.P. Herbert: “Let’s
find out what everybody is doing and then stop them doing it,” for
there was never a more easily compactible, convenient and clean
method for collecting articles from the shops, especially groceries.

On the other hand, the type of canvas receptacle, which she and her
Labrador dog are carrying in your photograph, are placed by some
people on the ground, in the dog basket or on the lavatory floor and
are thus thoroughly contaminated by the time they reach the turntable
at the grocery supermarket upon which other customers will follow
with their food purchases.

How often does Popham clean and disinfect the bags in which she
collects her groceries and does she ever place them on the checkout
turntables?

Disposable plastic or paper bags serve many other uses in our modern
world – ask Dog George about his toilet requirements.

Ralph Smith

Victoria


My emailed response:

Re: Many good uses for plastic bags

Although it may be quite satisfying to try and make a bad example out
of such a good one like reusable grocery bags, you raise a good
point. Reusable bags are washable. You wondered in your letter how
often do I wash these bags? Quite often. I think it it is important
to throw them into the wash in order to keep them clean for grocery
shopping. Try as you may to discourage my quest to ban plastic
grocery bags in our area but this will be in vain. You hit the nail
on the head with your further comments. Plastic grocery bags are a
modern day convenience. In fact, they are a ugly habit of
convenience. Such a wasteful product. So harmful to our
environment. But what about George? Thanks for asking. I take care
of his bag needs by using a biodegradable doggie bag. These are
"small" bags that break down after time. I do not use a large
grocery bag for this purpose. Here is a quip that is much more up to
date than your Westminster parliamentarian A.P. Herberts: : “Let’s
find out what everybody is doing and then ask why?"
Cheers,
Lana

Saanich News Update...

Plastic bag ban faces roadblocks
January 11, 2008


As Lana Popham took the next step in her quest to ban disposable plastic bags from the Capital Region, she hit another wall.

At this point, the greatest hindrance to Popham’s mission is confusion over who would be responsible for enacting such a bylaw – the Capital Regional District or individual municipalities.

“I would have liked to have spoken last night,” Popham said, referring to Monday night’s council meeting. “But I thought it quite commendable of Vic (Derman) to bring forward the motion so early in the year.

Coun. Derman added a resolution to Monday’s council meeting to help Popham with her cause, recommending councillors talk to CRD board members about drastically reducing the number of plastic bags in the region.

Popham’s already spoken to the CRD, though. In December, she faced the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, which told her it was up to each municipality to ban plastic bags.

Monday, Saanich council discussed the need for a bylaw against excessive use of the bags, but didn’t take any real action.

“This is a regional issue and actually more of a provincial issue,” Coun. Vicki Sanders said, though she didn’t specifically point to which body could make a bylaw happen.

However, moments before, Derman had said, “This is something at this time the regional authority doesn’t have the power to enact. We should use the CRD to co-ordinate municipal action in this region,” he added.

Coun. Judy Brownoff highlighted her wish to see one such bylaw, stating a survey of 20 grocery stores determined approximately 25 million plastic bags are used every year in the Victoria area.

With Saanich council not getting far with the resolution, Popham is taking her case to North Saanich council in the coming week.

“The last thing you can do is get discouraged,” she said. “Maybe North Saanich will end up being the leader on this one.”

ecardone@saanichnews.com

Life will go on after plastic bags banned

Written by Al Lubkowski - Saanich Resident January 3rd/2007

There is a growing legion of shoppers who are now boycotting plastic bags in favour of more environmentally friendly bags and bags that can be re-used. Good on them!

This phenomenon is a typical example of how residents like you and I can make a difference and in alliance with the private sector, show our regional and provincial governments who they need to follow.

For residents who believe the garbage pail liner and their way of life is being threatened, be reminded that there was life before plastic bags and there will be after, quite likely, a life more pleasant than before.

Many of us are beginning to realize there is a long-term price to be paid for the convenience of using plastic bags and their hydrocarbon progeny. Quite apart from the many problems these cause when dumped into our landfills, there is the even greater problem caused when these plastics are flushed, blown or otherwise disposed of into our rivers, lakes and oceans. Perhaps most important, it shows that many people the world over are now willing to take that extra step to pay that extra dollar and to change their life styles to ensure that there are no surprises in their children’s tap water or their fish ’n chips.

In B.C., a province where we pride ourselves on our beautiful surroundings and penchant for protecting this beauty, it is surprising that so little concerted action has been taken by local authorities and the province to reduce our incredible production of plastic waste. But as is often the case, this initiative must come from the grass roots, from people like Lana Popham and other community-minded individuals and associations who are spearheading this need to change.

While the issue of plastic versus biodegradable alternatives may not be as pressing as some others currently facing us, progress in phasing out plastic bags would be a symbolic step forward in weaning ourselves off the sacred cow of plastic – which in itself might be a good thing, providing us with the confidence to embark on more challenging environmental issues – of which there are many.

What you and I can do to help move this forward:

Make the change from plastic yourself. There are many alternatives to using plastic bags and more will certainly come. (even the District of Saanich for example has recently switched to biodegradable garbage bags for their in-house wastes).

Make your opinions known to politicians. The Capital Regional District will soon be involved in deciding whether to proceed with alternatives to plastic bags, if not to ban them outright. Saanich representatives who sit on the CRD Board and who will influence the vote on this issue are: Mayor Frank Leonard, councillors: Susan Brice, Judy Brownoff, Vic Derman and Lief Wergeland.

Come out and support phasing out plastic bags when this issue comes to debate and vote at the municipal or regional levels of government.

Al Lubkowski

Saanich

Lobby Misses Target - Saanich News

By Erin Cardone - Saanich News - January 02, 2007


Proposal to ban plastic bags not a CRD decision

Lana Popham did her homework in preparation for a presentation to the Capital Regional District board. Popham is lobbying for an all-out ban on disposable plastic bags from the region.

She collected statistics and signatures, did interviews and gave herself a pep talk.

It all culminated in eight minutes in front of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee in December. The Saanich resident was allowed to state her case only to learn she was presenting to the wrong audience.

“They told me that it was not a CRD issue and it was up to individual municipalities,” Popham said.

Despite the minor setback, her crusade isn’t over. Popham has scheduled a meeting with the municipality of North Saanich in January to make her presentation there.

She’ll move on to the region’s 12 other municipalities, asking each to ban plastic bags.

“I feel really hopeful,” Popham said. “I’ve had so much public support, so that keeps me going.”

In fact, Popham should have started her quest in front of individual municipalities, says Saanich’s municipal solicitor Chris Nation.

“Municipal council would do a consultation with the business community - grocery and retail stores that use plastic bags,” Nation said.

He added consultations with other interest groups, such as environmental groups, should take place. “Then council would ask staff to prepare a bylaw.”

Forming a bylaw, Nation said, wouldn’t have to go through a formal public hearing process.

Rather, councillors would either push it though or shut it down at a council meeting.

Popham has also asked to meet with the municipality of Saanich “as soon as possible” to get talking about the ban.

ecardone@saanichnews.com

Bag Ban Sacked By CRD - Monday Magazine

Lana Popham says being caught in a game of jurisdictional ping-pong between the Capital Regional District and its constituent municipalities won’t hamper her quest to see plastic grocery bags banned on the south Island.

Popham, a one-time—and future, she promises—candidate for Saanich council, asked the CRD’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee for an outright ban on disposable plastic grocery bags in the region at its December 13 meeting.

CRD didn’t bite however, citing Hartland Landfill manager Tom Watkins’ assessment that plastic bags account for only one percent of material in the dump.

CRD staff concluded a ban on plastic bags at the landfill would be too difficult to enforce, and bags won’t be added to the dump’s list of 13 banned materials by the close of 2008, as Popham initially requested.

But the Saanich farmer took that news in stride.

“Now the municipalities can be on notice that this issue will be coming soon to a meeting near you,” she says. Popham is already on the agenda for a January North Saanich council session.

Popham was rebuffed in her initial approaches to municipalities in the area and was instead told that banning bags qualified as a regional issue. However, CRD has said it does not have the authority to ban plastic bags at point of sale, nor does it have the regulatory authority to impose a tax on bags that would be passed on to users.

Saanich councillor and CRD director Judy Brownoff says the issue is one that concerns every municipality in the region.

“As a CRD director and a Saanich politician, I believe this is a regional issue,” she says. “It’s one of those issues that crosses all borders. Could we ban [plastic grocery bags]? I guess we could, but we’d have to get everyone to buy in,” she says.

Instead, Brownoff says businesses should voluntarily embrace the use of cloth totes.

“Yes, it will cost a little more up front, but the cloth bags with the businesses logo on the sides will be around for a lot longer,” she says.

In April 2007, Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, became the first Canadian municipality to impose an outright ban on plastic bags, with businesses risking fines up to $1,000 if they distribute them.

My Date With The CRD.....

Letter To Editors Of Local Papers:

So I did it. After months of preparation, hours of letter collecting, many interviews, time on talk shows, talking about it, writing about it, blogging about it, I did it. My 5 minutes in the spotlight came on Thursday, December 13th. I was allowed to speak for 5 minutes at the CRD Solid Waste Advisory Committee. But lets back up a few months. I began this campaign to reduce disposable plastic bags by asking many of our 13 Municipalities within the CRD if they could take action against wasteful plastic grocery bags. They said it was not up to individual Municipalities this was a CRD decision. I took that advice to heart. I knew I had better organize a lot support from our communities and have extra momentum when I landed in a CRD boardroom stating my case. So the day came. It was on Thursday. The boardroom was fancy. I was nervous. I had printed off 100 of my hundreds of letters of support and brought them with me. I had 5 minutes to speak…I took 8. What happened? They told me that it was not a CRD issue and it was up to individual municipalities. Ahhhh, time well spent.

My Presentation:

My name is Lana Popham. I am a resident of Saanich. I have come here today to ask you to recommend to the CRD Environment Committee, that by the end of 2008, a ban on disposable plastic grocery bag within the CRD will be implemented.

I know that is a bold request. I know that asking the CRD to instigate a ban may be too radical. I know that the word “Ban” can create controversy no matter what is being banned.

But I am asking for one, never the less. After my presentation, if I have not made a solid case for a ban then I have a secondary request.

My secondary request is that the CRD invests money into a substantial educational campaign in order to push a voluntary reduction of these bags.

I started researching this topic last spring. I began looking at my own carbon footprint. I started to audit myself. I began with the amount of km I was driving. This lead to trying to reduce the amount of fossil fuels I used per week. Because I live in rural Saanich and because I am on so many committees and go to so many meetings, I found that reducing the amount I was driving quite difficult. This led me to reduce other actions that used fossil fuels. The easiest one to reduce and actually completely eliminate was my use of disposable plastic grocery bags.

I looked at the amount of oil that went into making plastic bags. This includes the amount of oil and energy used to get the oil to make the bag, then there is the actual oil in the bag, then there is the amount of oil and fuel used to distribute the bags to retailers. So already, before the bags are even used they have a huge carbon footprint. A statistic from the US is that is takes 12 million barrels of oil to make the bags that the US consumes annually.

Here in Canada an average family of 4 uses 1000 plastic bags per year. This is alarming.

I then started to investigate other facts about these bags. I assumed they were a landfill issue. So I emailed Allan Summers. He didn’t hesitate to tell me that they were not a landfill issue. He asked me if I had ever been on a Hartland landfill tour. He said I should educate myself before I continue. So I did. I went on a tour with Tom Watkins. It was incredible. I learned how well the Hartland landfill is managed and I learned that these bags really are not a landfill issue at all. In fact they are 1% of the waste in the landfill.

So off I went to find out what the real problems with these bags are besides wasting oil.
And what I found out was shocking. The waste of fuel is an unacceptable but the destruction to our sea life and wildlife is unbearable. Our habit of convenience is escaping our systems. From what I have read, we are only recycling 1-4% of them. The rest of them are either being used as garbage bags, or escaping into our environment.

There are many reports that show the oceans are filled with plastic. A significant amount of this plastic is bags. I have a friend that is part of the Bowker Creek Society here in Victoria and he says that each time it rains heavily the storm water runs into Bowker Creek and with that storm water come plastic bags. This is one way they get into the oceans.

This escape is translating into millions of deaths around the world.
Floating plastic bags look like jellyfish to sea turtles. Dolphins, seals and whales will also eat plastic and, with a false sense of fullness, often die of starvation. When plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, smaller birds and fish eat it. This is well documented and is not insignificant.

Canadians alone are using 10 billion plastic bags per year. Why am I asking the CRD in this region to implement a ban? This is because we live on an Island. We are surrounded by ocean. The effects of plastics on sea life are happening in our oceans. You can talk to any avid boater in this area and they will tell stories of plastic bags getting stuck in there engines. It’s common.

The facts go on and on. Why do I think we are ready to take action to reduce plastic bags in our region? Because I have spent the past 3 months asking people if they are ready. And they are. I have hundreds of letters of support. These are people that I don’t know. They are people that I do know. They are people living in our CRD. They are individuals. They are Community Associations. They are businesses. They are David Suzuki, The Sierra Club, The Georgia Straight Alliance, they are Municipal Councilors, they are the TBUCK Suzuki Foundation, they are Dr. Sinclair Philips of the Sooke Harbour House, and they are MLA David Cubberly. And this is just a sample of people who are in support of the CRD taking action and being a leader.

This is not a new idea. This is not my idea. I am not speaking alone. All over the world people are taking action and asking leaders to take this small step towards less waste. It is a very small piece of the puzzle. If we cannot be brave enough to take this step it worries me that we won’t be able to take any steps.

San Francisco has banned non-biodegradable plastic bags in large grocery stores, Ireland has a $.20 tax per bag, France is banning plastic bags starting 2010 but will start in Paris next year, South Africa has banned thin plastic bags, and Uganda has banned thin plastic bags and has taxes on thicker ones. There is a big list of places that are taking action.

We need to be on the list of places that are taking leadership. The time has come to take this step. I don’t want to hear why we can’t do it. I want to hear how we will do it. We have plenty of examples from around the world. We can learn from the successes and failures in order to create a successful, efficient, friendly, publicly acceptable model. I am asking you to be leaders. I am asking you to make a move.

Lana Popham
Saanich BC

A little challenge....in the Saanich News.

Keep holidays plastic bag free

Holiday shopping has begun. Although I would like to expound on the value of shopping for sustainable gifts I am choosing instead to put out a challenge to holiday shoppers. Each time you go out to purchase gifts in the Capital region, I challenge you to bring your own reusable shopping bags. I challenge you to return home with your purchases and not with any extra plastic shopping bags. This is not a difficult challenge but imagine if all shoppers did this over the next month. How many bags would we save from entering and destroying our environment? How many barrels of oil would we conserve if we just said no. So simple, so important. I challenge all of you.

Lana Popham

Saanich

Remember the days when we were so crazy and used plastic grocery bags?

‘People will get used to it’

Going green looks fine to shoppers

BY CARLAWILSON Times Colonist staff

Customers at Langford’s Real Canadian Superstore didn’t seem to mind bringing their own bags to the checkout yesterday, as the store became what it says is the first major grocery retailer in B.C. to go plastic-bag free.

Shoppers packed purchases into reusable bags and plastic bins, as well as old plastic bags. Many had already switched to cloth bags, part of a growing movement against single-use plastic bags.

“The idea is a good thing,” said shopper Oscar Trachsel of Metchosin. “People will get used to it.”

Langford’s Nancy Peddie, who packed close to $200 worth of groceries into plastic bags saved from previous shopping trips, agreed. “There are too many [plastic bags] out there.”

The 127,500-square-foot Langford store is the second Superstore in the chain to eliminate plastic bags, as part of the company’s goal of reducing the number dumped in landfills by a billion a year. The first was in Milton, Ont., where the move was “very, very popular,” said Lori Stene, spokeswoman for parent company Loblaw Cos. Ltd. “People in general are looking for ways to be more environmentally responsible.”

About 950,000 plastic bags a year were distributed from the Langford store prior to the ban. To replace them, the store has sent Langford households reusable bags made from 85 per cent recycled plastic water bottles, Stene said. The bags are selling for two for 99 cents until Dec. 8. Area residents also received a coupon for a free plastic bin with a minimum purchase of $25.

Lana Popham of Central Saanich showed up at the store yesterday with a letter congratulating the company, and is urging other grocery chains to follow the example. She wants a ban on disposable plastic bags in the region by the end of 2008. “Timing is everything and I think people are ready for this change. People are sick of wasting.”

Environmentalists say Canadians use about 10 billion plastic bags a year. Many end up in the ocean, where they look like jellyfish and are swallowed by animals such as whales, sea turtles and sea birds, Popham said. Dumped in landfills, the bags have been predicted to last up to 1,000 years.

The move to ban or limit the bags is global. Tiny towns like Leaf Rapids, Man., to big cities like San Francisco, have banned the bags, while Ireland has a “plastax” of about 20 cents per bag.

Already, most grocery store chains in Greater Victoria sell reusable bags, and many pay customers a few cents for each bag they reuse.

Date with the CRD.

I have received the date that I am able to present my case. I have approximatley 5 minutes to speak in front of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) on December 13th. I have received many letters of support and I am excited about that. But, I could always use more.
I will be requesting a total ban on plastic grocery bags, with a second request trailing behind. My second request will be, that if the CRD in unprepared to grant my first request, they consider a total education campaign about reusable bags. This education campaign would be loaded with the facts about the damage plastic bags do to our environment. It would explain the waste factor. Basically education would drive a voluntary ban. This would be money well spent!
Even if they decide that my first request is reasonable, education would have to accompany it.
I am excited to speak with them!

Comment by the TC!

Editorial: The end of plastic bags

Times Colonist

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2007

So life ends for the ubiquitous white plastic grocery bag. Only 30 years ago, it muscled paper bags aside at the checkout counter, a triumph of technology and petrochemicals.

And tomorrow, the plastic bag gets shoved out in its turn, as the Langford Real Canadian Superstore quits keeping the bags on hand for customers. More than any talk of bans or taxes, this signals the beginning of the end for the plastic bag.

After all, this isn't some organic food market in Fairfield that's giving plastic the push in favour of hemp bags. The Superstore is a classic big-box shrine to shopping. If the green winds are blowing strongly enough to sweep plastic bags from its bank of checkout counters, then their future looks bleak everywhere.

Superstore is getting rid of the bags as part of the effort by parent Loblaw Companies to go green. British Columbians use about 1.3 billion bags a year -- 3.5 million a day.

Even with reuse, more than 95 per cent of the bags end up in landfills -- or waving sadly from tree branches and fence lines.

Defenders end up arguing mainly that other environmental issues are more important. They do say the bags don't contribute much volume to waste and that if people don't get them at the store, they'll just end up buying other plastic bags to use around the house.

But waste is waste. The bags have acquired a symbolic importance, showcasing our willingness to use hydrocarbons to create a product with a lifespan of days that remains in the environment -- including the oceans -- for centuries.

Other jurisdictions have taken steps to curb the plastic bag's use. Ireland introduced a tax on plastic bags -- about 22 cents -- in 2002. Their use has fallen by 90 per cent since then. Communities from Leaf Rapids, Man., to San Francisco have banned the bags. London has joined other British communities in seeking legislation bringing a ban.

The action by Superstore suggests the change is coming in Canada with or without government action. The company, an astute marketer, has decided the public today is opting for the environment over convenience.

More than that, the ban shows just how much our attitudes have shifted toward environmental concern.

Just 40 years ago, we welcomed plastic bags as yet another example of modern life's ability to deliver up new improved versions of whatever came before.

Now, we're looking back to cloth bags and carry carts, choosing conservation over convenience. It's a welcome change.

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2007