Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 25
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Homeless woman's body found burning in shopping cart in Vancouver
CBC News.
Homeless woman dies trying to keep warm on frigid Vancouver night
VANCOUVER - A homeless woman in her 40s has died in downtown Vancouver after the structure she was using as a shelter caught fire earlier this morning.
Police said a passenger in a taxi travelling through the intersection of Davie and Hornby shortly after 4:30 a.m. called 911 after spotting a figure engulfed in flames inside the structure.
Police and firefighters responded but were unable to save the woman.
Early indications are the woman may have been trying to keep warm, maybe with a burning candle, as temperatures dipped to about minus 10 degrees Celsius, police said.
The investigation is continuing.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
VIDEO: Tim Weekes reports: Homeless woman's body found burning in shopping cart CBC News.(Runs 3:34)
"Initially it came in as a rubbish fire..."
More emergency shelter beds opening in Vancouver
$1.5 million cost to be shared by city, province, private sector
Comments to the CBC story:
Rare praise that Campbell and his minions have seen some sense in opening up shelter beds. Now, it's time for the province and the city to get families back into the Little Mountain BC housing complex where there are currently around 200 empty homes in affordable family housing units on Main St. in Vancouver. The province's plan was to re-develop the property, with a private partner (Holburn Properties) to build 2000 condos!!! The other part of the plan was to build 224 affordable units to replace the old ones. Laudable goals perhaps, under normal market conditions, but the idea tanks now.
I'd guess the chance of getting that kind of a monster development built has about a snowball's chance in an inferno. The housing is desperately needed, for our citizens who are homeless NOW. It's time for action, today, not in 2-3 years and an economic apocalypse later: 40-1BR's, 92-2BR's, 92-3BR's.
The other part of this is that all levels of government have to understand, if you enter into public-private partnerships (P3's), it is in the public interest to know with whom agreements are being struck, for how much and what the terms are. And, the "unspecified private-sector source [who] would contribute the other $500,000 in funding" should be applauded. What are the terms? Transparency is crucial and governments should have no problems disclosing those things. If you want to use a quasi-corporate model to run your oligarchies, then you have to consider the citizens of BC as shareholders who have a RIGHT to know what is being done with their funds.
The individuals and families who are holding out and digging in their heels are having the province boarding up homes where families lived. Sammy Chan, a legally blind man, who has lived in his unit for 32 years is getting turfed by "his" government. Show some compassion, some sense and humanity and stop this from happening, use the resources we have to help the people who need it most NOW. That's MY Christmas wish to Campbell, Coleman and Robertson.
For those who might complain about this, watch your words, because the slippery slope happens faster than you can blink an eye and there isn't a person in this world who isn't vulnerable to losing everything, especially these days. There but for the grace of God go I ... is a mantra to live by. As is do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
We used to believe in that in BC and Canada. I want that back.
Housing First.
Re-open Riverview Immediately for triage housing.
Contact these people to help make it happen:
Gordon Campbell - Phone: 604 660-3202;
E-mail: gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca or premier@gov.bc.ca
Rich Coleman - Phone: 604 607-6200;
E-mail: rich.coleman.mla@leg.bc.ca
Gregor Robertson - Phone: 604.873.7621; E-mail: gregor.robertson@vancouver.ca
Sam Rainboth,
Senior Manager, Public Affairs - BC Housing
Tel: 604 439 4789
Cell: 604 619 6525
E-mail: srainboth@bchousing.org
Holborn is currently developing properties in Whistler, Squamish, Vancouver,
Victoria and Surrey.
From the Little Mountain page.
For more information:
* Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with City of Vancouver
* Media Fact Sheet on the Resident Relocation (PDF)
* Redevelopment Overview (PDF)
* Guiding Principles for Redevelopment
* Guiding Principle for Resident Relocation (PDF)
************************************
Development Partner Selected For Little Mountain
May 8, 2008
VANCOUVER – BC Housing has selected Holborn Properties as the development partner for the Little Mountain public housing site in Vancouver.
Proposal Invited for Little Mountain Redevelopment
September 14, 2007
VANCOUVER – Minister responsible for Housing Rich Coleman today launched the formal process to select a private-sector partner for the redevelopment of Vancouver’s oldest public housing development. More.
**
Little Mountain housing fight brought to BC Legislature
By Andrew MacLeod November 26, 2008. TheHook.ca
************************
Who is Holburn anyways?
Holborn Properties
Might we assume they're part of the "Holborn Group" that donated $10,000 to Vision Vancouver in the 2005 Vancouver election?
Vision Vancouver Campaign Finance Disclosure
Holborn Holdings Ltd. - $1500 for Vision
Supplementary Financing Disclosure Statement (November 14, 2007)
Looking forward to perusing the 2008 Election Campaign Financing Disclosure statements, but we may have to wait awhile, since they don't have to be filed for 120 days after the election(March 16, 2009).
See more @ Vancouver City Hall Election Services.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Event: Jack Will Be in da House
Jack Layton, leader of the federal NDP is coming to visit with
Vancouverites, particularly those living in Vancouver-Kingway who
Don Davies has invited to a town hall meet & greet, debate, and
discussion on the "Ottawa" situation.
Here's the 411 (or is that 311 in multi-culti Vancouver):
What: an evening of discussion, debate and information on the recent events in Ottawa.
When: Wednesday 17th December 2008 at 6pm.
Where: Collingwood Neighbourhood House - 5288 Joyce Street, Vancouver
With: Special guest NDP leader Jack Layton
Light refreshments will be served. No need to RSVP – just turn up.
For more information, please contact my community office @ 604-775-6263.
E-mail Don @ davied@parl.gc.ca
******************************
Do you ever get a bee in your bonnet for a new song and you just HAVE
TO know who did it. I've been like that with the song in the new
Sony PSP tv commercial.
I started researching it and I'll tell ya'this has been one the hardest things
I've gone looking for ever... until synchronicity stepped in. I had literally
just sent an e-mail to Playstation.ca and the radio station I LOVE, the Current, played it within seconds of me sending that e-mail. Just wild, eh? Now, I am a happy, happy camper and can annoy everyone for hours playing that song over and over until I find a new one i just HAVE TO listen to.
I have to say, Sony has one slick advertising campaign for this product
(PSP 3000). They've had 10 different cities (and Canada) do their own ads,
each with a totally different look, feel and music. Their webpages are just
the best damn things I've seen in a long time too. Very creative and
innovative folks. And no, I'm not on their payroll, I wish.
Passionate Pits: Sleepyhead
Vancouverites, particularly those living in Vancouver-Kingway who
Don Davies has invited to a town hall meet & greet, debate, and
discussion on the "Ottawa" situation.
Here's the 411 (or is that 311 in multi-culti Vancouver):
What: an evening of discussion, debate and information on the recent events in Ottawa.
When: Wednesday 17th December 2008 at 6pm.
Where: Collingwood Neighbourhood House - 5288 Joyce Street, Vancouver
With: Special guest NDP leader Jack Layton
Light refreshments will be served. No need to RSVP – just turn up.
For more information, please contact my community office @ 604-775-6263.
E-mail Don @ davied@parl.gc.ca
******************************
Do you ever get a bee in your bonnet for a new song and you just HAVE
TO know who did it. I've been like that with the song in the new
Sony PSP tv commercial.
I started researching it and I'll tell ya'this has been one the hardest things
I've gone looking for ever... until synchronicity stepped in. I had literally
just sent an e-mail to Playstation.ca and the radio station I LOVE, the Current, played it within seconds of me sending that e-mail. Just wild, eh? Now, I am a happy, happy camper and can annoy everyone for hours playing that song over and over until I find a new one i just HAVE TO listen to.
I have to say, Sony has one slick advertising campaign for this product
(PSP 3000). They've had 10 different cities (and Canada) do their own ads,
each with a totally different look, feel and music. Their webpages are just
the best damn things I've seen in a long time too. Very creative and
innovative folks. And no, I'm not on their payroll, I wish.
Passionate Pits: Sleepyhead
Thursday, December 11, 2008
BC is Ours and We Are Taking it Back: Taking Action for Social Justice
On the heels of yesterday's 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights two new reports have been released about life in BC for too many and some concrete, reality-based solutions.
A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC
The report calls on all political parties to commit to legislated targets and timlines to dramatically reduce poverty in the province. It is the culmination
of five years of research conducted through the Economic Security Project, a research alliance led by the CCPA and Simon Fraser University.
The Time is Now:A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC Summary
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - BC office.
- Reduce poverty by 1/3 (from 13% to 9%)within four years;
- Make an equal or greater reduction in poverty among groups that are most vulnerable to poverty — recent immigrants, children, single mother families, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, and single senior women;
- Eliminate deep poverty (those living 50% or more below the poverty line) within two years; and
- Eliminate street homelessness within five years.
Key Areas for Action:
- Improve working conditions & pay for low wage workers.
- Raise the minimum wage, strengthen employment standards & actively enforce workplace protections
- Increase welfare rates by at least 50% & remove arbitrary barriers to accessing welfare that keep people from accessing assistance
- Immediately start building 2,000 units per year of social housing (not counting conversions, rental subsidies or shelter spaces
- Implement a universal public early learning and child care program.
********************
Precarious and Vulnerable: Lone Mothers on Income Assistance
Social Planning & Research Council of BC (SPARC-BC)
Locate the report on the front page of their webpage.
This research study found that lone mothers and their children on income assistance are experiencing severe material deprivation under the welfare policies of the BC government.
**********************
Now, the findings and the solutions are not new. Is there political will to
implement the suggestions, recommendations and strategies. We haven't
arrived here by coincidence. The social, economic and public policies of
both our provincial and federal governments have led us to this place and
point in time. I see no reason to believe that the existing governments have
the will, nor good sense, nor commitment to do anything about these conditions. Which means, they must be removed from the power to do any more harm to our citizens.
It's easy for many of us to sit back, satisfied with our lives, our material
lifestyles, maybe feel guilty and throw the odd loonie at someone on the
street, donate to the Food bank if we think about it. We're in times where
that kind of mentality is coming to an end. We All Must Care.
Beyond Caring, We Must All Do Something to Help Make Things Better. Not just at the warm & fuzzy time of the Holidays. All Year Round.
Many of us do not realize how close the edge of the Abyss we and some of
our loved ones are. Many of us have fallen into the gaping holes where the
social safety net used to be.
What's happened in BC, getting rich off the backs of the poor, is Social Violence. Some may call it Murder.
Do we even know how many people have died, homeless and indigent around BC?
Do we really know how many people have died awaiting getting into senior's facilities?
Do we know how many children & youth have died on the street around BC?
How many "graduated" from state foster care to lives of drug addiction, sexual victimization, crime, jail, death?
This is what we know:
While one in five children in BC live in poverty, 21.9% of Our children, leading Canada's child poverty rate for five years in a row, don't have food, or homes, or services Gordon Campbell was handing out gold medals that were engraved with "Presented by Premier Gordon Campbell" to Canada Line construction workers.
"The government couldn't say how many of the medals were given away or how much they cost... Yes, gold medals. Well, gold-coloured, anyway. And not just cheap little plastic knock-offs like the one my six-year-old got in a fun run a few months ago. "It's a good three inches across and weighs more than a quarter-pounder -- almost like a real Olympic medal. What a waste of money!"[Mike Farnworth - NDP house leader].
Premier's gold medals make NDP see red
Only name on construction workers' 'decoration' is Campbell's
Michael Smyth, The Province. Published: Friday, November 21, 2008.
2008 BC Child Poverty Report Card
*****************************
81 children in B.C. killed themselves in last 4 years: report
CBC News, Canada. Tuesday, December 02, 2008.
Looking for Something to Look Foward To – A Five-Year Retrospective Review of Child and Youth Suicide in B.C.
Child Death Review Unit, BC Coroners Service.(Jan. 1, 2003 to Dec. 31, 2007)
Summary of the Five-Year Restrospective Review
Child Death Review Unit
If we've had 81 children, age 10 to 19 kill themselves, commit suicide, fail to get help and support, children who removed themselves from this world during the most prosperous and economic times in BC's existence, what impacts will occur when BC takes a nose dive in the next couple of years. But more importantly, what are each and every one of us going to do to make sure that our government STANDS UP AND DOES THE RIGHT THING for our most vulnerable, at-risk citizens?
I know what I'm doing, how about you?
Get Active. Collaborate. Demonstrate Your Commitment to the Future for BC.
Join a Group. Write. Blog. Write letters, or e-mails to your MLA, your MP, to your City Council.
Write letters to the Editors, articles to publish in the papers.
Pass anti-poverty Resolutions and bring them to your local politicians.
Remember what your MLA has done to represent your community when it comes time to vote. Remind everyone you know too.
Run for Office, campaign for ethical and progressive candidates.
Lets take Back BC for our Future.We can Do this Together.
A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC
The report calls on all political parties to commit to legislated targets and timlines to dramatically reduce poverty in the province. It is the culmination
of five years of research conducted through the Economic Security Project, a research alliance led by the CCPA and Simon Fraser University.
The Time is Now:A Poverty Reduction Plan for BC Summary
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - BC office.
- Reduce poverty by 1/3 (from 13% to 9%)within four years;
- Make an equal or greater reduction in poverty among groups that are most vulnerable to poverty — recent immigrants, children, single mother families, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, and single senior women;
- Eliminate deep poverty (those living 50% or more below the poverty line) within two years; and
- Eliminate street homelessness within five years.
Key Areas for Action:
- Improve working conditions & pay for low wage workers.
- Raise the minimum wage, strengthen employment standards & actively enforce workplace protections
- Increase welfare rates by at least 50% & remove arbitrary barriers to accessing welfare that keep people from accessing assistance
- Immediately start building 2,000 units per year of social housing (not counting conversions, rental subsidies or shelter spaces
- Implement a universal public early learning and child care program.
********************
Precarious and Vulnerable: Lone Mothers on Income Assistance
Social Planning & Research Council of BC (SPARC-BC)
Locate the report on the front page of their webpage.
This research study found that lone mothers and their children on income assistance are experiencing severe material deprivation under the welfare policies of the BC government.
**********************
Now, the findings and the solutions are not new. Is there political will to
implement the suggestions, recommendations and strategies. We haven't
arrived here by coincidence. The social, economic and public policies of
both our provincial and federal governments have led us to this place and
point in time. I see no reason to believe that the existing governments have
the will, nor good sense, nor commitment to do anything about these conditions. Which means, they must be removed from the power to do any more harm to our citizens.
It's easy for many of us to sit back, satisfied with our lives, our material
lifestyles, maybe feel guilty and throw the odd loonie at someone on the
street, donate to the Food bank if we think about it. We're in times where
that kind of mentality is coming to an end. We All Must Care.
Beyond Caring, We Must All Do Something to Help Make Things Better. Not just at the warm & fuzzy time of the Holidays. All Year Round.
Many of us do not realize how close the edge of the Abyss we and some of
our loved ones are. Many of us have fallen into the gaping holes where the
social safety net used to be.
What's happened in BC, getting rich off the backs of the poor, is Social Violence. Some may call it Murder.
Do we even know how many people have died, homeless and indigent around BC?
Do we really know how many people have died awaiting getting into senior's facilities?
Do we know how many children & youth have died on the street around BC?
How many "graduated" from state foster care to lives of drug addiction, sexual victimization, crime, jail, death?
This is what we know:
While one in five children in BC live in poverty, 21.9% of Our children, leading Canada's child poverty rate for five years in a row, don't have food, or homes, or services Gordon Campbell was handing out gold medals that were engraved with "Presented by Premier Gordon Campbell" to Canada Line construction workers.
"The government couldn't say how many of the medals were given away or how much they cost... Yes, gold medals. Well, gold-coloured, anyway. And not just cheap little plastic knock-offs like the one my six-year-old got in a fun run a few months ago. "It's a good three inches across and weighs more than a quarter-pounder -- almost like a real Olympic medal. What a waste of money!"[Mike Farnworth - NDP house leader].
Premier's gold medals make NDP see red
Only name on construction workers' 'decoration' is Campbell's
Michael Smyth, The Province. Published: Friday, November 21, 2008.
2008 BC Child Poverty Report Card
*****************************
81 children in B.C. killed themselves in last 4 years: report
CBC News, Canada. Tuesday, December 02, 2008.
Looking for Something to Look Foward To – A Five-Year Retrospective Review of Child and Youth Suicide in B.C.
Child Death Review Unit, BC Coroners Service.(Jan. 1, 2003 to Dec. 31, 2007)
Summary of the Five-Year Restrospective Review
Child Death Review Unit
If we've had 81 children, age 10 to 19 kill themselves, commit suicide, fail to get help and support, children who removed themselves from this world during the most prosperous and economic times in BC's existence, what impacts will occur when BC takes a nose dive in the next couple of years. But more importantly, what are each and every one of us going to do to make sure that our government STANDS UP AND DOES THE RIGHT THING for our most vulnerable, at-risk citizens?
I know what I'm doing, how about you?
Get Active. Collaborate. Demonstrate Your Commitment to the Future for BC.
Join a Group. Write. Blog. Write letters, or e-mails to your MLA, your MP, to your City Council.
Write letters to the Editors, articles to publish in the papers.
Pass anti-poverty Resolutions and bring them to your local politicians.
Remember what your MLA has done to represent your community when it comes time to vote. Remind everyone you know too.
Run for Office, campaign for ethical and progressive candidates.
Lets take Back BC for our Future.We can Do this Together.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – December 6th
Today marks 19 years since fourteen female students were gunned
down on December 6 at Montreal's l'École Polytechnique in what is one
of the most horrific cases of violence against women in Canadian history.
In 1991 the Parliament of Canada established December 6th as a National
Day of Remembrance and a day to honour all women impacted by Violence.
Westcoast Indie News dedicates this day to:
- All of the single mothers struggling to raise their children in poverty – because their provincial and federal government has failed to ensure they have an adequate family income;
-For the hundreds of missing, disappeared and murdered Aboriginal women across Canada;
-To all the girls and women who are forced to tolerate physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse, rape and psychological degradation because they are female – in their families, communities, schools, and lives;
-For the girls and women who are sexually exploited, trafficked and forced into prostitution for survival, for themselves and their children;
-To all of the girl children and women who have been beaten, kicked, humiliated and murdered at the hands of the men who should cherish and protect them;
-For all of the girls and women who have to continue to fight for equality and safety – in their work, pay equity, in their families, in politics, in schools, in their communities and in sports;
-To all of the women who are abused by their spouses who are forced to stay because they have no other options for them and their children because governments do not adequately fund shelters and transition homes so women and children can be safe;
-For all of the workers and organizations that offer safety, protection, support and compassion to abused women and children.
-To all of the men who work as allies and protectors of girls and women and work along side of women to End Violence against Girls and Women.
-To all of those Uppity Women who stand up Loud & Strong and tell the World, men and Governments that in a civil society – THERE MUST BE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SOCIAL & PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST GIRLS AND WOMEN.
In 2008, Canada submitted its report to the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as part of the responsibility that came with the signing the UN Convention of the same name.
A coalition of women’s organizations also presented a report to the UN Committee. This coalition report chronicled the uninvestigated or inadequately addressed cases of missing and murdered women, the majority of whom were Aboriginal, in Canada over the past 20 years. Among the sites of missing and murdered women are two infamous B.C. locations, the Pickton farm and Highway of Tears.
The United Nations Committee is calling on the Canadian government to launch an inquiry into the cases of the missing and murdered women to find out why the response by law enforcement was so poor, and how to ensure that this is going to change. The Committee also requested a report back within the year.
Please take action on December 6 and throughout the following week. Join others across the country in supporting the UN Committee’s call. Contact your area Member of Parliament (MP) – you can find them through the Government of Canada website - and send an email or fax to her or him endorsing the UN recommendation and pressing the federal government to act immediately.
**********************************************
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women ( CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly.
2008 BC CEDAW Group report: Inaction and Non-compliance: British Columbia’s Approach to Women’s Equality.
Missing/Murdered Native Women
Please sign our Petition to the Canadian Government to investigate why so many of these cases remain unsolved.
Walk4Justice – Bernie Williams & Gladys Radek walked across Canada to rally in Ottawa to demand justice for the hundreds, if not thousands of Aboriginal women who have disappeared, been murdered in Canada.
In 2000, Gladys Radek launched a historical Human Rights case proving "systemic racism" for the first time ever in Canada. This cases final decision was July 13, 2005.
Native Women’s Association of Canada. Sisters In Spirit.
Canada must probe cases of slain, missing aboriginal women: UN
A United Nations committee wants Canada to explain why law enforcement agencies have failed to deal with the disappearance and murder of Aboriginal women.
Canada must probe cases of slain, missing aboriginal women: UN
The United Nations is calling on the Canadian government to investigate why hundreds of deaths and disappearances of aboriginal women remain unsolved.
It's asking Ottawa to report back in a year on the status of more than 500 cases that "have neither been fully investigated nor attracted priority attention, with the perpetrators remaining unpunished."
A federally funded $5-million study by the Native Women's Association of Canada concludes that 510 aboriginal girls and women have gone missing or been murdered since 1980. It calls for an emergency strategy.
The UN also raised alarms about lack of shelters for battered women and about Conservative government cuts that wiped out the court challenges program — funding that helped advance minority rights in the legal system.
Common-law husband charged in Abbotsford apartment homicide
CBC News. December 5, 2008.
After Priester's death her family was outraged because police failed to respond to a 911 call made from the apartment 12 hours before her body was discovered.
Bitch Poem
When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch. When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch. When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts, or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.
So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed. And if that makes me a bitch, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.
B - Babe I - In T - Total C - Control of H - Herself
"Well behaved women rarely make history" - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
WeCanBC: I am a Changemaker
- BC Campaign to End All Violence Against Women
16 Days of Activism - November 25th to December 10th.
See here for Events.
December 10th, 2008 - Candlelight Vigil
Light a candle for all women who have suffered from one of the most pervasive
human rights violations - violence against women.
5 - 6 pm
Victory Square
198 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
down on December 6 at Montreal's l'École Polytechnique in what is one
of the most horrific cases of violence against women in Canadian history.
In 1991 the Parliament of Canada established December 6th as a National
Day of Remembrance and a day to honour all women impacted by Violence.
Westcoast Indie News dedicates this day to:
- All of the single mothers struggling to raise their children in poverty – because their provincial and federal government has failed to ensure they have an adequate family income;
-For the hundreds of missing, disappeared and murdered Aboriginal women across Canada;
-To all the girls and women who are forced to tolerate physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse, rape and psychological degradation because they are female – in their families, communities, schools, and lives;
-For the girls and women who are sexually exploited, trafficked and forced into prostitution for survival, for themselves and their children;
-To all of the girl children and women who have been beaten, kicked, humiliated and murdered at the hands of the men who should cherish and protect them;
-For all of the girls and women who have to continue to fight for equality and safety – in their work, pay equity, in their families, in politics, in schools, in their communities and in sports;
-To all of the women who are abused by their spouses who are forced to stay because they have no other options for them and their children because governments do not adequately fund shelters and transition homes so women and children can be safe;
-For all of the workers and organizations that offer safety, protection, support and compassion to abused women and children.
-To all of the men who work as allies and protectors of girls and women and work along side of women to End Violence against Girls and Women.
-To all of those Uppity Women who stand up Loud & Strong and tell the World, men and Governments that in a civil society – THERE MUST BE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SOCIAL & PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST GIRLS AND WOMEN.
In 2008, Canada submitted its report to the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as part of the responsibility that came with the signing the UN Convention of the same name.
A coalition of women’s organizations also presented a report to the UN Committee. This coalition report chronicled the uninvestigated or inadequately addressed cases of missing and murdered women, the majority of whom were Aboriginal, in Canada over the past 20 years. Among the sites of missing and murdered women are two infamous B.C. locations, the Pickton farm and Highway of Tears.
The United Nations Committee is calling on the Canadian government to launch an inquiry into the cases of the missing and murdered women to find out why the response by law enforcement was so poor, and how to ensure that this is going to change. The Committee also requested a report back within the year.
Please take action on December 6 and throughout the following week. Join others across the country in supporting the UN Committee’s call. Contact your area Member of Parliament (MP) – you can find them through the Government of Canada website - and send an email or fax to her or him endorsing the UN recommendation and pressing the federal government to act immediately.
**********************************************
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women ( CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly.
2008 BC CEDAW Group report: Inaction and Non-compliance: British Columbia’s Approach to Women’s Equality.
Missing/Murdered Native Women
Please sign our Petition to the Canadian Government to investigate why so many of these cases remain unsolved.
Walk4Justice – Bernie Williams & Gladys Radek walked across Canada to rally in Ottawa to demand justice for the hundreds, if not thousands of Aboriginal women who have disappeared, been murdered in Canada.
In 2000, Gladys Radek launched a historical Human Rights case proving "systemic racism" for the first time ever in Canada. This cases final decision was July 13, 2005.
Native Women’s Association of Canada. Sisters In Spirit.
Canada must probe cases of slain, missing aboriginal women: UN
A United Nations committee wants Canada to explain why law enforcement agencies have failed to deal with the disappearance and murder of Aboriginal women.
Canada must probe cases of slain, missing aboriginal women: UN
The United Nations is calling on the Canadian government to investigate why hundreds of deaths and disappearances of aboriginal women remain unsolved.
It's asking Ottawa to report back in a year on the status of more than 500 cases that "have neither been fully investigated nor attracted priority attention, with the perpetrators remaining unpunished."
A federally funded $5-million study by the Native Women's Association of Canada concludes that 510 aboriginal girls and women have gone missing or been murdered since 1980. It calls for an emergency strategy.
The UN also raised alarms about lack of shelters for battered women and about Conservative government cuts that wiped out the court challenges program — funding that helped advance minority rights in the legal system.
Common-law husband charged in Abbotsford apartment homicide
CBC News. December 5, 2008.
After Priester's death her family was outraged because police failed to respond to a 911 call made from the apartment 12 hours before her body was discovered.
Bitch Poem
When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch. When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch. When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts, or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.
So try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed. And if that makes me a bitch, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.
B - Babe I - In T - Total C - Control of H - Herself
"Well behaved women rarely make history" - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
WeCanBC: I am a Changemaker
- BC Campaign to End All Violence Against Women
16 Days of Activism - November 25th to December 10th.
See here for Events.
December 10th, 2008 - Candlelight Vigil
Light a candle for all women who have suffered from one of the most pervasive
human rights violations - violence against women.
5 - 6 pm
Victory Square
198 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Human Rights for Workers & People with Disabilities
Groundbreaking Human Rights Award: Temporary Foreign Worker Rights
Foreign Canada Line workers win multi-million dollar human rights case
By Kelly Sinoski (December 3, 2008). The Vancouver Sun.
VANCOUVER -- A group of temporary foreign workers who helped build the Canada Line have won a multi-million dollar discrimination award from the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
The tribunal on Wednesday ordered the group's employers SELI Canada and SNC Lavalin to pay every member of the complainant group — who were all Latin Americans — $10,000 each as compensation for injurity to dignity, feelings and self-respect.
It noted that for two years, the treatment conveyed to the workers was that they were “worth less and less worthy than other employees because they were Latin American.”
The workers were paid substantially less than their European counterparts, forced to live in a motel rather than upscale condos close to the job site and made to account for any reimbursements received rather than receiving a monthly allowance to do with that they pleased, the tribunal noted.
“While the feelings and the self-respect of the Latin Americans was impacted, this case is primarily about dignity,” the tribunal ruled. “They worked side by side with Europeans who were paid substaintially more than they were for performing subtantially the same work.”
The tribunal noted that as foreign workers who spoke no English, they were “uniquely vulnerable.” “So long as they continued to work on the Canada Line project, they were unable to escape the discriminatory treatment that pervaded every aspect of the working and leisure lives.”
SELI Canada and SNC Lavalin, which were boring parallel tunnels under downtown Vancouver, have been under the microscope since early last year after a series of complaints to the Labour Relations Board, the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal and the provincial Employment Standards Branch over its treatment of foreign workers.
The Construction and Specialized Workers Union Local 1611 had alleged the employer, which was originally paying the 39 mostly Latin American workers $12,000 US per year, unilaterally altered their contract to raise their pay to $20,000 US after they joined the union in mid-2006.
That undermined the union's bargaining powers and let the employer set a wage that was below local labour standards, said the union in its filings. The workers were netting about $20,000 US per year, roughly $14 an hour, plus room and board — about three times what they would make in their own countries but $10 per hour less than the $23 to $24 an hour, plus $4-per-hour benefits, being paid to most local union workers, the union says.
SELI Canada and SNC Lavalin denied allegations that they fraudulently altered the workers' contracts and then covered it up.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
BCHRT Final Decision
Construction and Specialized Workers' Union Local 1611 obo Foreign Workers v. SELI Canada Inc., SNCP-SELI Joint Venture and SNC Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc. (No. 8)
(Final Decision - Grounds: Race, Colour, Ancestry and Place of Origin - Area: Section 13 - Employment)
2008 BCHRT 436
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities – December 3rd
3 December 2008 -- The International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. The annual observance of the Day aims to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues and trends, and to mobilise support for practical action at all levels, by, with and for persons with disabilities.
With the coming into force on 3 May 2008 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, advocates for disability rights have a powerful tool at their disposal. The 13 December 2006 adoption of the Convention by the UN General Assembly reflected an attitudinal change towards people with disabilities, to a recognition that persons with disabilities have the same inherent dignity, are capable of claiming their rights, and should be participating members of society. However, most countries have not yet ratified the Convention.
- Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Convention on the Rights of the Child
- ILO Code of Practice on Managing Disability in the Workplace
Study guide on the rights of persons with disabilities
A quick introduction in the human rights of persons with disabilities, and ways to promote and protect them.
Guide to Disability Rights (and dealing with the system)
(The Council for Disability Rights)
This guide provides practical information on employment, free medication, social security benefits, special education, and tax benefits.
********************************************
Get Your Vote in for BC's Most Influential People here.
Foreign Canada Line workers win multi-million dollar human rights case
By Kelly Sinoski (December 3, 2008). The Vancouver Sun.
VANCOUVER -- A group of temporary foreign workers who helped build the Canada Line have won a multi-million dollar discrimination award from the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
The tribunal on Wednesday ordered the group's employers SELI Canada and SNC Lavalin to pay every member of the complainant group — who were all Latin Americans — $10,000 each as compensation for injurity to dignity, feelings and self-respect.
It noted that for two years, the treatment conveyed to the workers was that they were “worth less and less worthy than other employees because they were Latin American.”
The workers were paid substantially less than their European counterparts, forced to live in a motel rather than upscale condos close to the job site and made to account for any reimbursements received rather than receiving a monthly allowance to do with that they pleased, the tribunal noted.
“While the feelings and the self-respect of the Latin Americans was impacted, this case is primarily about dignity,” the tribunal ruled. “They worked side by side with Europeans who were paid substaintially more than they were for performing subtantially the same work.”
The tribunal noted that as foreign workers who spoke no English, they were “uniquely vulnerable.” “So long as they continued to work on the Canada Line project, they were unable to escape the discriminatory treatment that pervaded every aspect of the working and leisure lives.”
SELI Canada and SNC Lavalin, which were boring parallel tunnels under downtown Vancouver, have been under the microscope since early last year after a series of complaints to the Labour Relations Board, the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal and the provincial Employment Standards Branch over its treatment of foreign workers.
The Construction and Specialized Workers Union Local 1611 had alleged the employer, which was originally paying the 39 mostly Latin American workers $12,000 US per year, unilaterally altered their contract to raise their pay to $20,000 US after they joined the union in mid-2006.
That undermined the union's bargaining powers and let the employer set a wage that was below local labour standards, said the union in its filings. The workers were netting about $20,000 US per year, roughly $14 an hour, plus room and board — about three times what they would make in their own countries but $10 per hour less than the $23 to $24 an hour, plus $4-per-hour benefits, being paid to most local union workers, the union says.
SELI Canada and SNC Lavalin denied allegations that they fraudulently altered the workers' contracts and then covered it up.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
BCHRT Final Decision
Construction and Specialized Workers' Union Local 1611 obo Foreign Workers v. SELI Canada Inc., SNCP-SELI Joint Venture and SNC Lavalin Constructors (Pacific) Inc. (No. 8)
(Final Decision - Grounds: Race, Colour, Ancestry and Place of Origin - Area: Section 13 - Employment)
2008 BCHRT 436
************************************************
International Day of Persons with Disabilities – December 3rd
3 December 2008 -- The International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. The annual observance of the Day aims to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues and trends, and to mobilise support for practical action at all levels, by, with and for persons with disabilities.
With the coming into force on 3 May 2008 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, advocates for disability rights have a powerful tool at their disposal. The 13 December 2006 adoption of the Convention by the UN General Assembly reflected an attitudinal change towards people with disabilities, to a recognition that persons with disabilities have the same inherent dignity, are capable of claiming their rights, and should be participating members of society. However, most countries have not yet ratified the Convention.
- Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Convention on the Rights of the Child
- ILO Code of Practice on Managing Disability in the Workplace
Study guide on the rights of persons with disabilities
A quick introduction in the human rights of persons with disabilities, and ways to promote and protect them.
Guide to Disability Rights (and dealing with the system)
(The Council for Disability Rights)
This guide provides practical information on employment, free medication, social security benefits, special education, and tax benefits.
********************************************
Get Your Vote in for BC's Most Influential People here.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Cheers, Rally, Watch & Read
Congratulations to David Eby & the BC Civil Liberties Association
(BCCLA)who have joined forces (again), with Eby being appointed the new acting Executive Director.
Eby is of course an accomplished lawyer with Pivot Legal Society, which has been involved in excellent social justice work through strategic litigation and a variety of ways.
Make sure to check out their: Full Moon Xmas
Save this date! December 12.
Full Moon Friday Fundraiser.
9 p.m. to 4 a.m. details here
********************************************
National Labour Rally
Rally in support of a coalition government!!
Thursday, December 4
6 pm - doors at 5 pm
Trade & Convention Ctr, Vancouver
Please encourage everyone to attend.
********************************************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2008
10:00 a.m.
CONTACT: The Real News Network
Taruna Godric, 416-916-5202 ext. 414
E-mail: smcommunications@therealnews.com
Website: http://www.therealnews.com
Canada: Liberals NDP Bloc sign deal to oust Tories
Opposition parties make agreement to defeat Harper government on belt tightening economic plan
The Liberals and the New Democrats have a deal to form a coaliton government and push the Stephen Harper Conservatives out of office. The agreement was also signed by the Bloc Quebecois although they will not be part of the coalition. Liberal leader Stepahne Dion and the NDP's Jack Layton signed the accord which would see the two parties work together until June 2011. Gilles Duceppe of the Bloc Quebecois also signed the agreement which would see his party support the coalition till June 2010, though the BQ would not be part of the coalition.
The move comes after finance minister Jim Flaherty tabled an economic and fiscal update last week that did not include a stimulus package for the recession that has gripped the Canadian and global economies.
The Conservatives have attacked the idea of a coalition saying it was unconstitutional and went as far as recording a conference call by the NDP caucus trying to say that this was not about the economy but a power grab. The Bloc and NDP responded by reminding Harper that he had asked for a similar agreement in 2005 when he tried to topple then Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority government. The deal by the Liberals and the New Democrats would see a 24 member cabinet with the Liberals getting eighteen ministers and the NDP getting 6 as well as 6 parliamentary secretaries. This would be historic because the New Democrats have never formed or been part of the Federal government in Canada. The question remained of who would lead the coalition as Liberal Leader Stephane Dion will be stepping down after the Liberal Leadership convention.
For video coverage of this story visit our website:
********************************************
Best place on earth to be an advertiser
“How is it possible that the ‘best place on Earth’ is also the worst province in Canada for child poverty five years in a row?
“How is it possible that Premier Gordon Campbell can give out thousands of gold medals with his own name arrogantly stamped across the face to construction workers on multimillion-dollar provincial projects while one in five children live in deprivation?
“And how is it possible that a government spends millions on feel-good television ads about how wonderful this province is, while thousands of homeless walk the streets?”
- Bill Tieleman (24 Hours), Nov. 25, 2008
Why the Basi-Virk case still matters - a really good summary of how BC got to the 5th anniversary of the Basi-Virk/Sale of BC Rail/Raid of the Legislature case.
Bill Tieleman’s 24 Hours Column
Tuesday December 2, 2008
(BCCLA)who have joined forces (again), with Eby being appointed the new acting Executive Director.
Eby is of course an accomplished lawyer with Pivot Legal Society, which has been involved in excellent social justice work through strategic litigation and a variety of ways.
Make sure to check out their: Full Moon Xmas
Save this date! December 12.
Full Moon Friday Fundraiser.
9 p.m. to 4 a.m. details here
********************************************
National Labour Rally
Rally in support of a coalition government!!
Thursday, December 4
6 pm - doors at 5 pm
Trade & Convention Ctr, Vancouver
Please encourage everyone to attend.
********************************************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2008
10:00 a.m.
CONTACT: The Real News Network
Taruna Godric, 416-916-5202 ext. 414
E-mail: smcommunications@therealnews.com
Website: http://www.therealnews.com
Canada: Liberals NDP Bloc sign deal to oust Tories
Opposition parties make agreement to defeat Harper government on belt tightening economic plan
The Liberals and the New Democrats have a deal to form a coaliton government and push the Stephen Harper Conservatives out of office. The agreement was also signed by the Bloc Quebecois although they will not be part of the coalition. Liberal leader Stepahne Dion and the NDP's Jack Layton signed the accord which would see the two parties work together until June 2011. Gilles Duceppe of the Bloc Quebecois also signed the agreement which would see his party support the coalition till June 2010, though the BQ would not be part of the coalition.
The move comes after finance minister Jim Flaherty tabled an economic and fiscal update last week that did not include a stimulus package for the recession that has gripped the Canadian and global economies.
The Conservatives have attacked the idea of a coalition saying it was unconstitutional and went as far as recording a conference call by the NDP caucus trying to say that this was not about the economy but a power grab. The Bloc and NDP responded by reminding Harper that he had asked for a similar agreement in 2005 when he tried to topple then Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority government. The deal by the Liberals and the New Democrats would see a 24 member cabinet with the Liberals getting eighteen ministers and the NDP getting 6 as well as 6 parliamentary secretaries. This would be historic because the New Democrats have never formed or been part of the Federal government in Canada. The question remained of who would lead the coalition as Liberal Leader Stephane Dion will be stepping down after the Liberal Leadership convention.
For video coverage of this story visit our website:
********************************************
Best place on earth to be an advertiser
“How is it possible that the ‘best place on Earth’ is also the worst province in Canada for child poverty five years in a row?
“How is it possible that Premier Gordon Campbell can give out thousands of gold medals with his own name arrogantly stamped across the face to construction workers on multimillion-dollar provincial projects while one in five children live in deprivation?
“And how is it possible that a government spends millions on feel-good television ads about how wonderful this province is, while thousands of homeless walk the streets?”
- Bill Tieleman (24 Hours), Nov. 25, 2008
Why the Basi-Virk case still matters - a really good summary of how BC got to the 5th anniversary of the Basi-Virk/Sale of BC Rail/Raid of the Legislature case.
Bill Tieleman’s 24 Hours Column
Tuesday December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Coalition Building: Bye Bye Conservatives
Canada needs to say goodbye to Stephen Harper and his corporate thugs
and American pimps. Our nation, like every other one on Earth, this
planet I've grown rather fond of, is in serious economic and environmental
trouble that has only just begun. We need a government that can work together
and listen to us, to prioritize what needs to be done for all Canadians.
I've read a variety of opinions on this and I believe that a Coalition
between the NDP, Liberals & the Bloc is the way to go for the survival of
Canada. I think it is time for a change in the way politics is done in
Canada, even for a time. What I know about the candidates in my party of
choice, is that they work their butts off, in Ottawa and at home, they
make themselves available and do the work of constituents. And what I
know in the last election, Stephen Harper's Conservatives went into hiding
and wouldn't even talk to voters. Remember Harpocracy.ca with it's
Muzzler Counter, tallying the reports of Conservative candidates who
dodged voters, who failed to show up for All Candidates meetings, who
just basically failed to even demonstrate basic respect for the citizens
they wanted to vote for them. Or how about sCandalpedia.
In the immortal words of Stephen Harper himself:
On Child Care and Early Learning Development
“We do not think this government or any government should be in charge of
raising our children. We see what happens over there when government is
in charge of raising children.” (Stephen Harper, Hansard, October 6, 2004)
On Child Poverty
“These proposals included cries for billions of new money for social assistance
in the name of “child poverty” and for more business subsidies in the name of “cultural identity”. In both cases I was sought out as a rare public figure to oppose such projects.” (Stephen Harper, The Bulldog, National Citizens Coalition, February 1997)
"You’ve got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society."
- The Report newsmagazine, January 22, 2001
Let these people know that as a Citizen of Canada, you support the
formation of a Coalition between the parties and that the Conservative
government will cease to govern and exist in Canada.
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean Governor General of Canada
E-mail: info@gg.ca
Office of the Secretary to the Governor General's Office
1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A1
Telephone:(613) 993-8200 Fax:(613) 993-1967
Find Your Member of Parliament
Members of The House Of Commons
Find your Member of Parliament using your Postal Code
Stephane Dion: Dion.S@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 996-5789; Fax: (613) 996-6562
Jack Layton: Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 995-7224; Fax: (613) 995-4565
Gilles Du Ceppe: Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 992-6779; Fax: (613) 954-2121
Libby Davies:Telephone: Davies.L@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: (604) 775-5800; Fax: (604) 775-5811
2412 Main Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V5T 3E2
Don Davies: Davies.D@parl.gc.ca
2951 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5R 5J4
Here is a petition to sign by the Canadian Labour Congress:
I support a Coalition Government
****************************************
A Pleasure Pack of Political Pundits
Best Move for Liberals: Govern by Coalition
By Murray Dobbin. Published: November 19, 2008. TheTyee.ca
Coalition? Tories? A Pox on All!/
Rafe Mair. Published: December 1, 2008. TheTyee.ca
Coalition? Back off Jack!
NDP is crazy to team with Liberals and Bloc. Besides, Harper won. Bill Tieleman. Published: December 2, 2008. TheTyee.ca
B.C. bloggers react to coalition
The Hook.ca
Chinese in Vancouver
Susannah Ng.
Harper's Loss of Confidence
David Schreck, Strategic Thoughts.
From a speech to the Council for National Policy, a conservative American lobby group, June 1997, as reported by the CBC:
In terms of the unemployed... don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance.
The Reform party is very much a modern manifestation of the Republican movement in Western Canada; the U.S. Republicans started in the western United States.
and American pimps. Our nation, like every other one on Earth, this
planet I've grown rather fond of, is in serious economic and environmental
trouble that has only just begun. We need a government that can work together
and listen to us, to prioritize what needs to be done for all Canadians.
I've read a variety of opinions on this and I believe that a Coalition
between the NDP, Liberals & the Bloc is the way to go for the survival of
Canada. I think it is time for a change in the way politics is done in
Canada, even for a time. What I know about the candidates in my party of
choice, is that they work their butts off, in Ottawa and at home, they
make themselves available and do the work of constituents. And what I
know in the last election, Stephen Harper's Conservatives went into hiding
and wouldn't even talk to voters. Remember Harpocracy.ca with it's
Muzzler Counter, tallying the reports of Conservative candidates who
dodged voters, who failed to show up for All Candidates meetings, who
just basically failed to even demonstrate basic respect for the citizens
they wanted to vote for them. Or how about sCandalpedia.
In the immortal words of Stephen Harper himself:
On Child Care and Early Learning Development
“We do not think this government or any government should be in charge of
raising our children. We see what happens over there when government is
in charge of raising children.” (Stephen Harper, Hansard, October 6, 2004)
On Child Poverty
“These proposals included cries for billions of new money for social assistance
in the name of “child poverty” and for more business subsidies in the name of “cultural identity”. In both cases I was sought out as a rare public figure to oppose such projects.” (Stephen Harper, The Bulldog, National Citizens Coalition, February 1997)
"You’ve got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society."
- The Report newsmagazine, January 22, 2001
Let these people know that as a Citizen of Canada, you support the
formation of a Coalition between the parties and that the Conservative
government will cease to govern and exist in Canada.
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean Governor General of Canada
E-mail: info@gg.ca
Office of the Secretary to the Governor General's Office
1 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A1
Telephone:(613) 993-8200 Fax:(613) 993-1967
Find Your Member of Parliament
Members of The House Of Commons
Find your Member of Parliament using your Postal Code
Stephane Dion: Dion.S@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 996-5789; Fax: (613) 996-6562
Jack Layton: Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 995-7224; Fax: (613) 995-4565
Gilles Du Ceppe: Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 992-6779; Fax: (613) 954-2121
Libby Davies:Telephone: Davies.L@parl.gc.ca
Telephone: (604) 775-5800; Fax: (604) 775-5811
2412 Main Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V5T 3E2
Don Davies: Davies.D@parl.gc.ca
2951 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5R 5J4
Here is a petition to sign by the Canadian Labour Congress:
I support a Coalition Government
****************************************
A Pleasure Pack of Political Pundits
Best Move for Liberals: Govern by Coalition
By Murray Dobbin. Published: November 19, 2008. TheTyee.ca
Coalition? Tories? A Pox on All!/
Rafe Mair. Published: December 1, 2008. TheTyee.ca
Coalition? Back off Jack!
NDP is crazy to team with Liberals and Bloc. Besides, Harper won. Bill Tieleman. Published: December 2, 2008. TheTyee.ca
B.C. bloggers react to coalition
The Hook.ca
Chinese in Vancouver
Susannah Ng.
Harper's Loss of Confidence
David Schreck, Strategic Thoughts.
From a speech to the Council for National Policy, a conservative American lobby group, June 1997, as reported by the CBC:
In terms of the unemployed... don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance.
The Reform party is very much a modern manifestation of the Republican movement in Western Canada; the U.S. Republicans started in the western United States.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Change, Clever Contortions, Coffee, & Culture
Ask yourself, is this where our whole World is heading? If your answer is HELL NO!!!
Then figure out what you need to do to stop this from happening, join in with the rest of Us, the growing throngs of civil HUMANity and MAKE CHANGE on a small and large scale.
Press play
*********************************
The Plot Thickens: Loose Lips Sink Ships
Police sergeant accused of leak that sank chief
A senior Victoria police sergeant who was suspended this month is accused of leaking the letter to the media that sparked the investigation into former police chief Paul Battershill.
The inquiry into Sgt. Jim Simpson's actions is poised to open a fresh round of scrutiny of the police department, and has the potential to dredge up a mess of information that has been shrouded in secrecy since Battershill resigned from the force Aug. 13 when the Victoria police board said it had lost confidence in his leadership.
Follow the bouncing ball to the Sale of BC Rail and the Raid of Our Legislature.
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What Better Gift than Fair Trade Coffee for the Holidays?
CoDevelopment Canada
More than 20 years of building partnerships for global justice.
Café Etico offers you a great coffee experience - fair trade, organic
coffee at a great price. Roasted locally to ensure that you get the best tasting cup of coffee, you also know that the rich flavour is contributing to communities across Latin America and supporting a positive model of global trade.
Purchase Café Etico
Café Etico can be purchased at a variety of retail outlets across the Lower Mainland. It can also be purchased directly from our office at
101-2747 East Hastings, Vancouver, BC.
Click here for a list of retailers and pricing.
To place an order directly call 604-708-8782 or email us at etico@codev.org.
***************************************
Hot Show Alert: Quinteto Tiempo
When: 7:30pm – December 5th 2008
What: Concert to Benefit the community of Bajo Lempa in El Salvador and for the Cuban’s Emergency Fund
Where: Peretz Centre Auditorium
6184 Ash Street @ 43rd Ave, Vancouver, BC
Tickets: Suggested donation $30
Buy Tickets Here & Support Local Businesses & Community Events:
People’s Coop Bookstore – 1391 Commercial Drive
Vallarta Mexican Restaurant – 2891 E. Broadway
Tierra Del Sol – 2018 Commercial Drive
Highlife Records – 1317 Commercial Drive
Presented by: Association Mangle for Culture – BC & Arts and Culture Committee of Vancouver, Vancouver District Labour Council
Hear Quinteto Tiempo
See Quinteto tiempo en El Salvador: Cancion con todos
Then figure out what you need to do to stop this from happening, join in with the rest of Us, the growing throngs of civil HUMANity and MAKE CHANGE on a small and large scale.
Press play
*********************************
The Plot Thickens: Loose Lips Sink Ships
Police sergeant accused of leak that sank chief
A senior Victoria police sergeant who was suspended this month is accused of leaking the letter to the media that sparked the investigation into former police chief Paul Battershill.
The inquiry into Sgt. Jim Simpson's actions is poised to open a fresh round of scrutiny of the police department, and has the potential to dredge up a mess of information that has been shrouded in secrecy since Battershill resigned from the force Aug. 13 when the Victoria police board said it had lost confidence in his leadership.
Follow the bouncing ball to the Sale of BC Rail and the Raid of Our Legislature.
*******************************************
What Better Gift than Fair Trade Coffee for the Holidays?
CoDevelopment Canada
More than 20 years of building partnerships for global justice.
Café Etico offers you a great coffee experience - fair trade, organic
coffee at a great price. Roasted locally to ensure that you get the best tasting cup of coffee, you also know that the rich flavour is contributing to communities across Latin America and supporting a positive model of global trade.
Purchase Café Etico
Café Etico can be purchased at a variety of retail outlets across the Lower Mainland. It can also be purchased directly from our office at
101-2747 East Hastings, Vancouver, BC.
Click here for a list of retailers and pricing.
To place an order directly call 604-708-8782 or email us at etico@codev.org.
***************************************
Hot Show Alert: Quinteto Tiempo
When: 7:30pm – December 5th 2008
What: Concert to Benefit the community of Bajo Lempa in El Salvador and for the Cuban’s Emergency Fund
Where: Peretz Centre Auditorium
6184 Ash Street @ 43rd Ave, Vancouver, BC
Tickets: Suggested donation $30
Buy Tickets Here & Support Local Businesses & Community Events:
People’s Coop Bookstore – 1391 Commercial Drive
Vallarta Mexican Restaurant – 2891 E. Broadway
Tierra Del Sol – 2018 Commercial Drive
Highlife Records – 1317 Commercial Drive
Presented by: Association Mangle for Culture – BC & Arts and Culture Committee of Vancouver, Vancouver District Labour Council
Hear Quinteto Tiempo
See Quinteto tiempo en El Salvador: Cancion con todos
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Slippery Slope: Free Speech & Freedom of the Internet take a Hit
With the CRTC's latest ruling allowing Bell Canada to continue to throttle and limit it's customers data transmission the anwser is really easy. Use your rights as consumers and stop giving them any business.
Why is this an important issue? Net throttling gives Big Telecom corporations, such as Bell, Shaw, & Telus, complete control over Canadians access to the Internet. It also limits the competition from smaller Internet Service Providers (ISP's) who are wholesale customers. Through the use of throttling, Big Telecom puts customers of smaller ISP's at a disadvantage in being able to offer the same type of connectivity, fast data transmission time.
I'm not sure why this also hasn't been investigated by the Competition Bureau under the Competition Act of Canada, because this also seems like an effort by Big Telecom to create monopolies and cut out their competition.
Fundamentally, Net Neutrality is an issue of democracy and free speech. With the rise in the popularity, use and freedom of speech that the Internet provides to global citizens, corporate media and political leaders have essentially lost control of how they can control citizens access to information. Think about it, prior to the Internet, almost everything citizens knew was through corporate and local media. Our understanding of every issue that we weren't directly involved in was filtered and disseminated by the media outlets. The control of Big Media (which was often a vehicle of the political and ruling elites) has diminished and corporate media knows it is dying a slow, gasping death. Look at CanWest & CTV's staffing cuts. It would be oversimplifying it to say that's the only reason, but it's important.
As a purveyor of independent news & media, obviously I come from a perspective that Net Neutrality and free speech should be promoted and are of far more relevance than protectionism of Big Telecom's profits. Let's face it, if it weren't for free speech and the Internet, there are so many things the general public would never hear about. So many things that citizens in this fine democracy of Canada would not know about our elected officials and what they're up to on our time and dime.
For instance, did you see the federal NDP's shadow cabinet announcement? I read numerous media outlets every day, didn't see a thing reported. Considering that these MP's were elected by citizens, I think it is in the public's interest to know who they can go to about the many issues that impact life in Canada. I think it's important we know that Glenn Thibeault is the Opposition critic for Consumer Protection. So the citizens of Canada can contact him about Net Neutrality and other relevant consumer issues.: Thibeault.G@parl.gc.ca
A larger argument exists, that Internet throttling is the slippery slope in the cessation of free Internet access. The idea is that the real "plan is to convert the Internet into a cable-like system, where customers sign up for specific web sites, and then pay to visit sites beyond a cutoff point."
"Mike Finch of American Free Press stated that the 'demise' of the free Internet is slated for 2010 in Canada, and two years later around the world! Canada is seen a good choice to implement such shameful and sinister changes, since Canadians are viewed as being laissez fair, politically uninformed and an easy target." He claims that sources working within Big Telecom corporations have leaked this information.
The Official Decision: The Canadian Association of Internet Providers' application regarding Bell Canada's traffic shaping of its wholesale Gateway Access Service
Reference: 8622-C51-200805153
Tell the CRTC's Chair Konrad von Finckenstein what you think about this decision here.
Or call him @ 1-819-997-3430.
Here is a list of CRTC Provincial & Territorial Commissioners to contact them.
Interested parties may submit their comments by February 16, 2009. They may do so by filling out the online form, by writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, or by fax, at 819-994-0218. The Commission also plans to hold an online consultation to allow the public the opportunity to discuss the issues and questions related to the Internet traffic management practices of ISPs.
Read more about Net Neutrality & Fair Copyright from Michael Geist
CRTC allows Bell to continue internet throttling
Net neutrality takes a big hit
By DHARM MAKWANA, 24 HOURS
Net neutrality took another big hit, local advocates said yesterday.
The CRTC ruled Bell Canada can continue to “throttle” its customers by limiting the quantity of data transmitted on its network at certain times or by certain software usually used for sharing files the size of computer programs, movies or albums.
Steve Anderson, with SaveOurNet.ca, said Bell systems aren’t sophisticated enough to distinguish between the illegal distribution of software and legal use.
“Other services such as phone over Internet or streaming services for the news would be throttled,” he said. “This limits consumer choice onlne, bad for online innovation and bad for freedom of expression.
See Global National's Stop the Throttler video.
For more information about Internet freedom: savetheinternet.com
Why is this an important issue? Net throttling gives Big Telecom corporations, such as Bell, Shaw, & Telus, complete control over Canadians access to the Internet. It also limits the competition from smaller Internet Service Providers (ISP's) who are wholesale customers. Through the use of throttling, Big Telecom puts customers of smaller ISP's at a disadvantage in being able to offer the same type of connectivity, fast data transmission time.
I'm not sure why this also hasn't been investigated by the Competition Bureau under the Competition Act of Canada, because this also seems like an effort by Big Telecom to create monopolies and cut out their competition.
Fundamentally, Net Neutrality is an issue of democracy and free speech. With the rise in the popularity, use and freedom of speech that the Internet provides to global citizens, corporate media and political leaders have essentially lost control of how they can control citizens access to information. Think about it, prior to the Internet, almost everything citizens knew was through corporate and local media. Our understanding of every issue that we weren't directly involved in was filtered and disseminated by the media outlets. The control of Big Media (which was often a vehicle of the political and ruling elites) has diminished and corporate media knows it is dying a slow, gasping death. Look at CanWest & CTV's staffing cuts. It would be oversimplifying it to say that's the only reason, but it's important.
As a purveyor of independent news & media, obviously I come from a perspective that Net Neutrality and free speech should be promoted and are of far more relevance than protectionism of Big Telecom's profits. Let's face it, if it weren't for free speech and the Internet, there are so many things the general public would never hear about. So many things that citizens in this fine democracy of Canada would not know about our elected officials and what they're up to on our time and dime.
For instance, did you see the federal NDP's shadow cabinet announcement? I read numerous media outlets every day, didn't see a thing reported. Considering that these MP's were elected by citizens, I think it is in the public's interest to know who they can go to about the many issues that impact life in Canada. I think it's important we know that Glenn Thibeault is the Opposition critic for Consumer Protection. So the citizens of Canada can contact him about Net Neutrality and other relevant consumer issues.: Thibeault.G@parl.gc.ca
A larger argument exists, that Internet throttling is the slippery slope in the cessation of free Internet access. The idea is that the real "plan is to convert the Internet into a cable-like system, where customers sign up for specific web sites, and then pay to visit sites beyond a cutoff point."
"Mike Finch of American Free Press stated that the 'demise' of the free Internet is slated for 2010 in Canada, and two years later around the world! Canada is seen a good choice to implement such shameful and sinister changes, since Canadians are viewed as being laissez fair, politically uninformed and an easy target." He claims that sources working within Big Telecom corporations have leaked this information.
The Official Decision: The Canadian Association of Internet Providers' application regarding Bell Canada's traffic shaping of its wholesale Gateway Access Service
Reference: 8622-C51-200805153
Tell the CRTC's Chair Konrad von Finckenstein what you think about this decision here.
Or call him @ 1-819-997-3430.
Here is a list of CRTC Provincial & Territorial Commissioners to contact them.
Interested parties may submit their comments by February 16, 2009. They may do so by filling out the online form, by writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, or by fax, at 819-994-0218. The Commission also plans to hold an online consultation to allow the public the opportunity to discuss the issues and questions related to the Internet traffic management practices of ISPs.
Read more about Net Neutrality & Fair Copyright from Michael Geist
CRTC allows Bell to continue internet throttling
Net neutrality takes a big hit
By DHARM MAKWANA, 24 HOURS
Net neutrality took another big hit, local advocates said yesterday.
The CRTC ruled Bell Canada can continue to “throttle” its customers by limiting the quantity of data transmitted on its network at certain times or by certain software usually used for sharing files the size of computer programs, movies or albums.
Steve Anderson, with SaveOurNet.ca, said Bell systems aren’t sophisticated enough to distinguish between the illegal distribution of software and legal use.
“Other services such as phone over Internet or streaming services for the news would be throttled,” he said. “This limits consumer choice onlne, bad for online innovation and bad for freedom of expression.
See Global National's Stop the Throttler video.
For more information about Internet freedom: savetheinternet.com
Friday, November 21, 2008
Events Not to Be Missed
Hip Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes
When: Friday, November 21st, Doors 8:30pm, Film starts 9pm
Where: Vancity Theatre - 1181 Seymour St Vancouver, BC
What: Documentary highlighting the role of men, women & commerce
in mainstream hip hop. Panel discussion, featuring Chuck D follows.
Fundraiser for Battered Women's Support Services
BWSS Crisis & Intake Line: 604-687-1867
Vancity Theatre: Vancouver International Film Theatre
**************************
For all of you Fashionistas and Early Christmas Shoppers
FAB FAIR’S 5th Annual WINTER SALE
When: Saturday November 22nd and Sunday November 23rd 11:00am-5:00pm daily
Where: Heritage Hall - 3102 Main Street at 15th Avenue,
Vancouver
What: 45 fabulous and funky local designers
will come together in the historic Heritage Hall to display their eclectic mix
of jewellery, handbags, scarves, hats, belts and so much more.
$2 admission, kids free.
For more information email:fabfair@hotmail.com
***********************************
Eastside Culture Crawl
When: Nov 21: 5pm to 10pm & Nov 22 + 23: 11am to 6pm
Where: In over 300 artist's studios across East Vancouver!
What: The Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual FREE 3-day visual arts festival.
This event involves artists who work on the east side of Vancouver, BC,
in an area bounded by Main Street to Commercial Drive and from First Avenue
north to the waterfront.
The website has the locations of participating artists.
********************************************
Tar Sands: The Dark Side of the Boom
BC-Wide Speaking Tour on the Impacts of the Tar Sands on
Communities in Alberta and BC
Dogwood Initiative
Council of Canadians
Please join us for a very important panel about the largest industrial project in history that has been devastating the environment and communities in Alberta. This enormous development is expanding across the continent with little to no regard for the eco-systems and communities that lie in the path of its infrastructure.
Speakers include:
Mike Mercredi - Member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, speaking about the front line struggles of the indigenous community in Fort Chipewyan agains the tar sands industry.
Jesse Kalman - Tar Sands Campaigner with the Polaris Institute, speaking about the social and environmental impacts of the tar-sands.
Will Horter - Executive Director of Dogwood Initiative, speaking about the support infrastructure based and proposed in BC affects current and future tar-sands development.(Speaking in Vancouver, Victoria, Comox and Nanaimo)
For more details & information go here.
Tar Sands Tour Dates:
Vancouver
Tuesday, November 25
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St. (7pm)
Contact - Council of Canadians Vancouver Chapter:
norman.hill@shaw.ca or 604-789-9331
Nanaimo
Tuesday, December 2
Vancouver Island University—Nanaimo Campus
Room 109 - Building 356,
900 Fifth Street (1pm)
Contact - Council of Canadians Nanaimo Chapter:
blhansen@shaw.ca or 250-245-2254 / 250-816-6253
Victoria
Wednesday, December 3
The BCGEU Hall,
2994 Douglas Street (7pm)
Contact - Council of Canadians Victoria Chapter:
barbaramp@fastmail.fm or (250) 220-5355
****************************************
Anti-Poverty Legal Strategies: Housing and Human Rights
Meet Irene Faulkner, Lawyer in the Victoria Tent City Case
In October, the BC Supreme Court judged that Victoria's bylaw preventing homeless people from erecting temporary shelters in city parks violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms*. Irene Faulkner will speak in Vancouver on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 as part of a panel on housing and human rights.
Join us in a discussion with legal organizations and lawyers representing poor and homeless people in the fight against poverty. What are the possibilities and limitations of the law in anti-poverty organizing? What role do those directly affected by poverty have in advancing legal challenges?
WHO:
IRENE FAULKNER: Lawyer in Victoria Tent City lawsuit. Last month, a BC Supreme Court found that Victoria's bylaw preventing homeless people from erecting temporary shelters in city parks violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
ROZ SALVADOR: lawyer with BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre, a non-profit, public interest law office that advocates for poor people in matters of income assistance, disability benefits and residential tenancy.
LAURA TRACK: lawyer with Pivot Legal Society that utilizes strategic legal advocacy to focus on the causes of problems rather than symptoms.
PIVOT has released several reports and launched several legal complaints on the issue of lack of affordable housing in the DTES.
WHAT:"Housing, fighting poverty and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms"
WHERE:YWCA, 733 Beatty Street
WHEN:Wednesday, November 26th, 6:30 p.m.
The event is free.
This event is organized by West Coast LEAF and co-sponsored by the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre POW (Power of Women) Project.
For more information please phone (604) 684-8772
or email exec@westcoastleaf.org or project@dewc.ca
*"Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice." s. 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Part I of the Constitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982, (U.K.), 1982, c. 11
*****************************
Finally, if you've never used this site, I highly suggest checking it out.
Rate My MD
When: Friday, November 21st, Doors 8:30pm, Film starts 9pm
Where: Vancity Theatre - 1181 Seymour St Vancouver, BC
What: Documentary highlighting the role of men, women & commerce
in mainstream hip hop. Panel discussion, featuring Chuck D follows.
Fundraiser for Battered Women's Support Services
BWSS Crisis & Intake Line: 604-687-1867
Vancity Theatre: Vancouver International Film Theatre
**************************
For all of you Fashionistas and Early Christmas Shoppers
FAB FAIR’S 5th Annual WINTER SALE
When: Saturday November 22nd and Sunday November 23rd 11:00am-5:00pm daily
Where: Heritage Hall - 3102 Main Street at 15th Avenue,
Vancouver
What: 45 fabulous and funky local designers
will come together in the historic Heritage Hall to display their eclectic mix
of jewellery, handbags, scarves, hats, belts and so much more.
$2 admission, kids free.
For more information email:fabfair@hotmail.com
***********************************
Eastside Culture Crawl
When: Nov 21: 5pm to 10pm & Nov 22 + 23: 11am to 6pm
Where: In over 300 artist's studios across East Vancouver!
What: The Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual FREE 3-day visual arts festival.
This event involves artists who work on the east side of Vancouver, BC,
in an area bounded by Main Street to Commercial Drive and from First Avenue
north to the waterfront.
The website has the locations of participating artists.
********************************************
Tar Sands: The Dark Side of the Boom
BC-Wide Speaking Tour on the Impacts of the Tar Sands on
Communities in Alberta and BC
Dogwood Initiative
Council of Canadians
Please join us for a very important panel about the largest industrial project in history that has been devastating the environment and communities in Alberta. This enormous development is expanding across the continent with little to no regard for the eco-systems and communities that lie in the path of its infrastructure.
Speakers include:
Mike Mercredi - Member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, speaking about the front line struggles of the indigenous community in Fort Chipewyan agains the tar sands industry.
Jesse Kalman - Tar Sands Campaigner with the Polaris Institute, speaking about the social and environmental impacts of the tar-sands.
Will Horter - Executive Director of Dogwood Initiative, speaking about the support infrastructure based and proposed in BC affects current and future tar-sands development.(Speaking in Vancouver, Victoria, Comox and Nanaimo)
For more details & information go here.
Tar Sands Tour Dates:
Vancouver
Tuesday, November 25
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St. (7pm)
Contact - Council of Canadians Vancouver Chapter:
norman.hill@shaw.ca or 604-789-9331
Nanaimo
Tuesday, December 2
Vancouver Island University—Nanaimo Campus
Room 109 - Building 356,
900 Fifth Street (1pm)
Contact - Council of Canadians Nanaimo Chapter:
blhansen@shaw.ca or 250-245-2254 / 250-816-6253
Victoria
Wednesday, December 3
The BCGEU Hall,
2994 Douglas Street (7pm)
Contact - Council of Canadians Victoria Chapter:
barbaramp@fastmail.fm or (250) 220-5355
****************************************
Anti-Poverty Legal Strategies: Housing and Human Rights
Meet Irene Faulkner, Lawyer in the Victoria Tent City Case
In October, the BC Supreme Court judged that Victoria's bylaw preventing homeless people from erecting temporary shelters in city parks violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms*. Irene Faulkner will speak in Vancouver on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 as part of a panel on housing and human rights.
Join us in a discussion with legal organizations and lawyers representing poor and homeless people in the fight against poverty. What are the possibilities and limitations of the law in anti-poverty organizing? What role do those directly affected by poverty have in advancing legal challenges?
WHO:
IRENE FAULKNER: Lawyer in Victoria Tent City lawsuit. Last month, a BC Supreme Court found that Victoria's bylaw preventing homeless people from erecting temporary shelters in city parks violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
ROZ SALVADOR: lawyer with BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre, a non-profit, public interest law office that advocates for poor people in matters of income assistance, disability benefits and residential tenancy.
LAURA TRACK: lawyer with Pivot Legal Society that utilizes strategic legal advocacy to focus on the causes of problems rather than symptoms.
PIVOT has released several reports and launched several legal complaints on the issue of lack of affordable housing in the DTES.
WHAT:"Housing, fighting poverty and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms"
WHERE:YWCA, 733 Beatty Street
WHEN:Wednesday, November 26th, 6:30 p.m.
The event is free.
This event is organized by West Coast LEAF and co-sponsored by the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre POW (Power of Women) Project.
For more information please phone (604) 684-8772
or email exec@westcoastleaf.org or project@dewc.ca
*"Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice." s. 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Part I of the Constitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982, (U.K.), 1982, c. 11
*****************************
Finally, if you've never used this site, I highly suggest checking it out.
Rate My MD
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Universal Children's Day: When Will Children Come First?
Universal Children's Day
20 November 2008 is celebrated as the international day for children. The United Nations General Assembly recommended in 1954 (resolution 836 (IX)) that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of understanding between children and of activity promoting the welfare of the world's children. The date of 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
2008 is the 19th anniversary of Universal Children's Day.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world. Today, 193 states have ratified the CRC. In fact, only two countries in the world — Somalia and the United States — have not yet given the CRC legal force, although both have signed it.
United Nations: Convention on the Rights of the Child
Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by
General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989
entry into force: 2 September 1990, in accordance with article 49
Ratification information
Preamble
The States Parties to the present Convention,
Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Bearing in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Recognizing that the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance,
Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community,
Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,
Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity,
Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the child has been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 and in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly on 20 November 1959 and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (in particular in articles 23 and 24), in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular in article 10) and in the statutes and relevant instruments of specialized agencies and international organizations concerned with the welfare of children, '
Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth",
Recalling the provisions of the Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and Internationally; the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules) ; and the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict,
Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children living in exceptionally difficult conditions, and that such children need special consideration,
Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural values of each people for the protection and harmonious development of the child,
Recognizing the importance of international co-operation for improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing countries...
Read all Article here.
See here for the full BC Association of Social Workers (BCASW) Media Release:
From Words to Action: On the 19th Anniversary of the 1989 House of Commons Resolution to end child poverty, BCASW urges governments invest in social infrastructure
November 18th marks the nineteenth anniversary of the passage of the 1989 all-party resolution of the House of Commons to eradicate child poverty in Canada. The BC Association of Social Workers wants to remind all levels of government of that historic commitment to the health, wellbeing and human rights of the children of Canada.
November 20th 1989 was also the historic date that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was introduced to the world. Canada ratified their commitment to the human rights of all Canadian children on January 12th 1992. Sadly, as a whole, Canada has made very little progress toward the integration of the spirit and intent of that Convention, the transfer from theory into reality and practice.
20 November 2008 is celebrated as the international day for children. The United Nations General Assembly recommended in 1954 (resolution 836 (IX)) that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of understanding between children and of activity promoting the welfare of the world's children. The date of 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
2008 is the 19th anniversary of Universal Children's Day.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world. Today, 193 states have ratified the CRC. In fact, only two countries in the world — Somalia and the United States — have not yet given the CRC legal force, although both have signed it.
United Nations: Convention on the Rights of the Child
Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by
General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989
entry into force: 2 September 1990, in accordance with article 49
Ratification information
Preamble
The States Parties to the present Convention,
Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Bearing in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Recognizing that the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance,
Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community,
Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,
Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity,
Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the child has been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 and in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly on 20 November 1959 and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (in particular in articles 23 and 24), in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular in article 10) and in the statutes and relevant instruments of specialized agencies and international organizations concerned with the welfare of children, '
Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth",
Recalling the provisions of the Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and Internationally; the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules) ; and the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict,
Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children living in exceptionally difficult conditions, and that such children need special consideration,
Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural values of each people for the protection and harmonious development of the child,
Recognizing the importance of international co-operation for improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing countries...
Read all Article here.
See here for the full BC Association of Social Workers (BCASW) Media Release:
From Words to Action: On the 19th Anniversary of the 1989 House of Commons Resolution to end child poverty, BCASW urges governments invest in social infrastructure
November 18th marks the nineteenth anniversary of the passage of the 1989 all-party resolution of the House of Commons to eradicate child poverty in Canada. The BC Association of Social Workers wants to remind all levels of government of that historic commitment to the health, wellbeing and human rights of the children of Canada.
November 20th 1989 was also the historic date that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was introduced to the world. Canada ratified their commitment to the human rights of all Canadian children on January 12th 1992. Sadly, as a whole, Canada has made very little progress toward the integration of the spirit and intent of that Convention, the transfer from theory into reality and practice.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Guess They were Serious: Lack of Transparency in Hiring of Victoria Police Chief leads to Resignation from Victoria Police Board
Fireworks at the meeting of the Victoria Police Board
meeting, regarding the appointment of Jamie Graham
as the next Chief Constable of the Victoria Police Force.
Serious questions are being raised about the process
wherein Graham moved to the top of the list of candidates,
which included acting Chief Bill Naughton.
Victoria police board member quits over hiring
of new chief
CBC News.
Catherine Holt, a member appointed to the board, has
been reported to bring forward a motion at an in camera
meeting to learn more about the process. Her motion was
defeated, although we don't know by how many votes.
It appears she wanted more transparency and openness
around the decision-making of the process around the
selection and appointment of the winning candidate.
She also explained she thought that the appointment should
wait for the new mayor-elects of Victoria, Dean Fortin and
Esquimalt, Barb Desjardins, Chair and Vice Chair of the police
board, to be sworn in, before this important decision was made.
Ms. Holt also stated that she believed that the new Chair and
Vice Chair should be involved in that appointment.
Once her motion was defeated, Ms. Holt felt she could not
continue to participate in the process and she resigned her
position on the Victoria Police Board.
Holt said she couldn't remain a member of the outgoing
board and live up to her public duty if it planned to hire a
new police chief during its final days.
"There is public concern about the process, this
board and the candidate, and an incoming chair
and vice-chair have been identified, and in any
public governance situation I know of, those
people should be able to make the final decision,"
said Holt.
Barb Desjardins, speaking to the media, also pointed out
that Graham is considered a "controversial" person and
she too wants to know about the process of his selection
and why a recommendation was made if he was the
person selected. Seems reasonable to me, since she and
incoming Chair of the police board, Fortin, will have to
manage any problems that might arise out of this
appointment and ongoing business of the force.
See for yourself one of the only media pieces that exists
right now. Select Top Story for the News Final.
Late in the day, CBC finally posted a story on this.
It's quite interesting how this has been handled by the
media. On last night's Final News, GlobalTV mentioned
the story briefly, not nearly as detailed as the story on
their website here.
A story in the Victoria Times Colonist was removed for
most of the day, but late in the day was restored.
I suspect lawyers have been busy making phone calls
this morning.
Victoria police board member quits over hiring of
new chief
Says she's unhappy with decision to hire new police chief
before new mayors are on the job
Lowe said Holt's resignation was a surprise.
"To not have a motion passed and resign on the spot
doesn't do that position much justice," said Lowe, who
added Holt was removed from the selection committee
because of "conflict of interest."
The process has taken six months and cannot start
again as it would take another three months before
someone could be hired and some candidates would
not be willing to go through it again, Lowe said.
Fortin and Desjardins were at the board meeting as
observers to be briefed on the hiring process.
After the meeting, Desjardins said she was satisfied
and Fortin, who, before he was elected, asked for
the choice to be delayed, said he was ready to
live with the decision.
"The board makes the decision and it's our responsibility
to move forward when the contracts are finalized.
This is about building for the future," said Fortin,
who will be asking for an external review of the
police department."
I think Mr. Fortin might want to expand the
terms of reference for that review to examine
outgoing Mayor Alan Lowe's actions as Chair of
the Police Board through the whole messy business.
His comments about Ms. Holt being removed from the selection
process is very, very curious. Why would he tell the public
and media something like that and label it conflict of interest,
when Ms. Holt appears to be the one who was quite transparent
and excused herself from the final selection because of potential
bias against two of the candidates, because she was a witness in
an investigation. More and more questions arise about it all.
New questions also arise as to whether Graham will now be
subject to disciplinary action after being found guilty of
"disreputable conduct" under the Police Act for his failure
to cooperate in the investigation of police misconduct by
the RCMP regarding the 50 affidavits submitted by
Pivot Legal Society on behalf of Vancouver citizens who
complained of abuse at the hands of police.
PCC's Decision Ordering Investigation into 3rd Party
Complaint Against Vancouver Chief Constable Graham
The final nail in the coffin though is the recent report issued
by Delta, B.C.
Police Chief Jim Cessford, who found Graham guilty
of "disreputable conduct" under the Police Act.
Cessford stated: "It is my view that there is clear
and convincing evidence that Chief Graham
committed, through his inaction, the Code of
Conduct offence of discreditable conduct."
This is no small issue, a thorough investigation, by another
police official, found former Chief Constable Jamie Graham
guilty of breaching theCode of Professional Conduct in failing
to cooperate and ensure cooperationby officers under his
authority in the investigation into complaints of disreputable
conduct, including physical assaults against marginalized
and vulnerable citizens, many of whom have poor physical
and mentalhealth, by some officers of the Vancouver Police
Department.
Apparently the Office of the Police Complaints
Commissioner won't comment until the appointment is
confirmed. No-one from the Victoria Police Board is
willing to confirm Graham got the job.
Sounds like management material for Victoria to me. One
thing we might be wonder is that if Graham, or his people
in blue happen to stumble on some unseemly, or harmful
information in "Politiciantown" if he might be a better bet
for keeping it under wraps than other selections.
One has to seriously question the judgment and smarts of the
Police Board over this hiring. We can't even begin to figure out
the dynamics at play within the Victoria Police Depart-
ment, but I can't fathom why this Board would appoint
someone with such a seriously flawed public record of managing
in his previous gig as Chief Constable of the Vancouver
Police Department. It's not like his past is hidden away.
Graham has a well established history of showing public
and open disregard for the rights of poor citizens and for
the Police Act he was working under. He dismissed the
findings of the RCMP that some of the affidavits had merit
and apparently encouraged members not to cooperate
with the RCMP in that investigation.
Prior to hiring him and putting him on Victoria's
books, a little due diligence might be in order.
A good question to ask on behalf of the citizens
of Victoria - just how many investigations has
Jamie Graham been the subject of over his
career in policing? It's a pretty relevant question.
Another little tid bit many may not remember is that
Graham, as Vancouver's Police Chief, overspent one
year's budget by $5 million. At the time I couldn't help
but wonder why he wasn't terminated then.
If any CEO overspent like that, and that is what a Chief
Constable is, they are fired in the private sector. So why
was it okay for that to happen in the civil service? His
overspending was absorbed by the City of Vancouver
and its' taxpayers.
From BC Liberals Suck: Vancouver City Police news
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Vancouver's top cop highest paid city employee
CBC News, (Jun 7 2005). VANCOUVER –
Vancouver's chief of police was the highest paid employee
on the civic payroll last year. According to the city's 2004
statement of financial information, Chief Jamie Graham
took home more than $223,000. But a police spokesperson
says that amount included back pay for missed vacation time
and a $16,000 bonus. The board decided not to pay
Graham a bonus this year.
Police chief defends overspending
CBC News, (Oct 29 2004). VANCOUVER –
Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham isn't making any
apologies for the fact his department has come up more
than $5 million over budget.
FROM OCT. 28, 2004: Police spending drives city into red
Police Accountability Endorsed
By charlie smith, (2-Dec-2004 ). The Georgia Straight.
From BC Revolution: Graham's Incompetence
A litany of media stories and quotes abouth Graham's
very public role as top cop in Vancouver.
Some particularly important ones:
Vancouver Police Chief spending taxpayers money
like he is the King of Vancouver.
October 29, 2004
November 9, 2004
To bring you all up to date, the above mentioned
"over-expenditure of five million dollars" is not at
all the result of "unexpected expenditures", as hard
to believe as that already is to accept. Rather it is
in fact a continuation of a pattern of over-expenditure
that saw this same "Chief" of the VPD spend more
than three million more LAST YEAR than he
was lawfully allowed under BOTH the Vancouver
Charter AND Police Act.
Here is another VERY interesting bit entitled:
CTV exposes Graham's connection to Hong Kong
criminal network. Click on the video link under the
Graham's Incompetence collection of stories.
"Ho has been transferring large sums of money to
various VPD fundraisers. Ho is filmed in the above video
at a VPD ODD squad fundraiser dinner."
Ho has been reported to contribute money to the
Vancouver Police Foundation.
The stories mention "Ho was caught by the VPD with
a large sum of cocaine, yet the VPD dismissed all
charges...."
"Ho's family is one of the many Hong Kong members of the
Big Circle crime syndicate that was recently exposed
(in a W5 passport scandal report) as having close ties to
the upper brass within the RCMP and Federal government. "
VPD says Graham will be cleared in current
controversy
By Charlie Smith. Georgia Straight. Dec. 1 2005.
Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham is being investigated
under the Police Act in connection with donations to the
Vancouver Police Foundation.
According to the VPD release, a "senior member" of the
department had concerns about tax issues and asked
for a review by the RCMP commercial crime section. "
The results of the investigation conducted by the RCMP,
assisted by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency,
was that there was no wrongdoing by anyone and that
was confirmed by a Special Prosecutor appointed by the
Attorney General's office," the VPD stated.
The VPD claimed in its news release that media falsely
stated that Ho had paid for hotel rooms at a conference
of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police in Vancouver
in 2004. "
In any mass conference booking of hotel rooms it is
common for the hotel to include a few complimentary
rooms," the VPD purported. "Chief Graham and two
other executives of the CACP stayed in those rooms and
all others were billed."
The VPD also insisted in the news release that Graham
will be cleared because the investigation concerns the
same issue that the RCMP already reviewed.
Ho is a former Vancouver police-board member
and owner of MCL Motor Cars. Several years ago,
the Burrard Street dealership supplied a Jaguar,
decked out in RCMP colours, to the North Vancouver
RCMP detachment for community relations. At the
time, Graham was the commanding officer in North
Vancouver.
Vancouver police chief faces investigation
CBC News.
Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham is under investigation
by the Police Complaints Commissioner for leaving a
used target practice sheet with bullet holes through the
head of the silhouette on the desk of the city manager.
The chief had written on the sheet:
"A bad day at the range is better than the best day at work."
**********************************************
After the gong show that the whole Battershill fiasco
turned into and read more about that saga here, I think
it's a really fair question: why didn't the Board see fit
to promote from within? Why was Bill Naughton
good enough to be promoted and sit in the Chief's
Chair at one of the worst times in the force's history,
serving for over a year, but he wasn't deemed
suitable, or good enough for the permanent job?
I agree wholeheartedly with Ms. Holt that Victoria citizens
and taxpayers deserve more transparency and information
about the process for Graham's appointment. What makes
this quite interesting is Ms. Holt is a BC Liberal appointee
to the Victoria Police Board. She's also a well respected
management consultant with the Sage Group of
Management Consultants.
For someone with Ms. Holt's experience and calibre to be
so deeply concerned about the process and timing of
Graham's appointment we should all be listening. The fact
that she would take such a public stand in resigning from
the Board over this is a signal that there is much more to
the story than people are being told and I think it is a
sign of deep integrity for Ms. Holt to show courage in
standing up for her convictions.
Too bad the rest of the current and future Victoria
Police Board don't appear to be quite as interested in
transparency and due diligence as Ms. Holt and Ms.
Desjardins. I suspect the potential folly of that will be
seen in the future, depending on the choice the Vic
Police Board makes. And they should choose wisely,
many are watching.
meeting, regarding the appointment of Jamie Graham
as the next Chief Constable of the Victoria Police Force.
Serious questions are being raised about the process
wherein Graham moved to the top of the list of candidates,
which included acting Chief Bill Naughton.
Victoria police board member quits over hiring
of new chief
CBC News.
Catherine Holt, a member appointed to the board, has
been reported to bring forward a motion at an in camera
meeting to learn more about the process. Her motion was
defeated, although we don't know by how many votes.
It appears she wanted more transparency and openness
around the decision-making of the process around the
selection and appointment of the winning candidate.
She also explained she thought that the appointment should
wait for the new mayor-elects of Victoria, Dean Fortin and
Esquimalt, Barb Desjardins, Chair and Vice Chair of the police
board, to be sworn in, before this important decision was made.
Ms. Holt also stated that she believed that the new Chair and
Vice Chair should be involved in that appointment.
Once her motion was defeated, Ms. Holt felt she could not
continue to participate in the process and she resigned her
position on the Victoria Police Board.
Holt said she couldn't remain a member of the outgoing
board and live up to her public duty if it planned to hire a
new police chief during its final days.
"There is public concern about the process, this
board and the candidate, and an incoming chair
and vice-chair have been identified, and in any
public governance situation I know of, those
people should be able to make the final decision,"
said Holt.
Barb Desjardins, speaking to the media, also pointed out
that Graham is considered a "controversial" person and
she too wants to know about the process of his selection
and why a recommendation was made if he was the
person selected. Seems reasonable to me, since she and
incoming Chair of the police board, Fortin, will have to
manage any problems that might arise out of this
appointment and ongoing business of the force.
See for yourself one of the only media pieces that exists
right now. Select Top Story for the News Final.
Late in the day, CBC finally posted a story on this.
It's quite interesting how this has been handled by the
media. On last night's Final News, GlobalTV mentioned
the story briefly, not nearly as detailed as the story on
their website here.
A story in the Victoria Times Colonist was removed for
most of the day, but late in the day was restored.
I suspect lawyers have been busy making phone calls
this morning.
Victoria police board member quits over hiring of
new chief
Says she's unhappy with decision to hire new police chief
before new mayors are on the job
Lowe said Holt's resignation was a surprise.
"To not have a motion passed and resign on the spot
doesn't do that position much justice," said Lowe, who
added Holt was removed from the selection committee
because of "conflict of interest."
The process has taken six months and cannot start
again as it would take another three months before
someone could be hired and some candidates would
not be willing to go through it again, Lowe said.
Fortin and Desjardins were at the board meeting as
observers to be briefed on the hiring process.
After the meeting, Desjardins said she was satisfied
and Fortin, who, before he was elected, asked for
the choice to be delayed, said he was ready to
live with the decision.
"The board makes the decision and it's our responsibility
to move forward when the contracts are finalized.
This is about building for the future," said Fortin,
who will be asking for an external review of the
police department."
I think Mr. Fortin might want to expand the
terms of reference for that review to examine
outgoing Mayor Alan Lowe's actions as Chair of
the Police Board through the whole messy business.
His comments about Ms. Holt being removed from the selection
process is very, very curious. Why would he tell the public
and media something like that and label it conflict of interest,
when Ms. Holt appears to be the one who was quite transparent
and excused herself from the final selection because of potential
bias against two of the candidates, because she was a witness in
an investigation. More and more questions arise about it all.
New questions also arise as to whether Graham will now be
subject to disciplinary action after being found guilty of
"disreputable conduct" under the Police Act for his failure
to cooperate in the investigation of police misconduct by
the RCMP regarding the 50 affidavits submitted by
Pivot Legal Society on behalf of Vancouver citizens who
complained of abuse at the hands of police.
PCC's Decision Ordering Investigation into 3rd Party
Complaint Against Vancouver Chief Constable Graham
The final nail in the coffin though is the recent report issued
by Delta, B.C.
Police Chief Jim Cessford, who found Graham guilty
of "disreputable conduct" under the Police Act.
Cessford stated: "It is my view that there is clear
and convincing evidence that Chief Graham
committed, through his inaction, the Code of
Conduct offence of discreditable conduct."
This is no small issue, a thorough investigation, by another
police official, found former Chief Constable Jamie Graham
guilty of breaching theCode of Professional Conduct in failing
to cooperate and ensure cooperationby officers under his
authority in the investigation into complaints of disreputable
conduct, including physical assaults against marginalized
and vulnerable citizens, many of whom have poor physical
and mentalhealth, by some officers of the Vancouver Police
Department.
Apparently the Office of the Police Complaints
Commissioner won't comment until the appointment is
confirmed. No-one from the Victoria Police Board is
willing to confirm Graham got the job.
Sounds like management material for Victoria to me. One
thing we might be wonder is that if Graham, or his people
in blue happen to stumble on some unseemly, or harmful
information in "Politiciantown" if he might be a better bet
for keeping it under wraps than other selections.
One has to seriously question the judgment and smarts of the
Police Board over this hiring. We can't even begin to figure out
the dynamics at play within the Victoria Police Depart-
ment, but I can't fathom why this Board would appoint
someone with such a seriously flawed public record of managing
in his previous gig as Chief Constable of the Vancouver
Police Department. It's not like his past is hidden away.
Graham has a well established history of showing public
and open disregard for the rights of poor citizens and for
the Police Act he was working under. He dismissed the
findings of the RCMP that some of the affidavits had merit
and apparently encouraged members not to cooperate
with the RCMP in that investigation.
Prior to hiring him and putting him on Victoria's
books, a little due diligence might be in order.
A good question to ask on behalf of the citizens
of Victoria - just how many investigations has
Jamie Graham been the subject of over his
career in policing? It's a pretty relevant question.
Another little tid bit many may not remember is that
Graham, as Vancouver's Police Chief, overspent one
year's budget by $5 million. At the time I couldn't help
but wonder why he wasn't terminated then.
If any CEO overspent like that, and that is what a Chief
Constable is, they are fired in the private sector. So why
was it okay for that to happen in the civil service? His
overspending was absorbed by the City of Vancouver
and its' taxpayers.
From BC Liberals Suck: Vancouver City Police news
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Vancouver's top cop highest paid city employee
CBC News, (Jun 7 2005). VANCOUVER –
Vancouver's chief of police was the highest paid employee
on the civic payroll last year. According to the city's 2004
statement of financial information, Chief Jamie Graham
took home more than $223,000. But a police spokesperson
says that amount included back pay for missed vacation time
and a $16,000 bonus. The board decided not to pay
Graham a bonus this year.
Police chief defends overspending
CBC News, (Oct 29 2004). VANCOUVER –
Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham isn't making any
apologies for the fact his department has come up more
than $5 million over budget.
FROM OCT. 28, 2004: Police spending drives city into red
Police Accountability Endorsed
By charlie smith, (2-Dec-2004 ). The Georgia Straight.
From BC Revolution: Graham's Incompetence
A litany of media stories and quotes abouth Graham's
very public role as top cop in Vancouver.
Some particularly important ones:
Vancouver Police Chief spending taxpayers money
like he is the King of Vancouver.
October 29, 2004
November 9, 2004
To bring you all up to date, the above mentioned
"over-expenditure of five million dollars" is not at
all the result of "unexpected expenditures", as hard
to believe as that already is to accept. Rather it is
in fact a continuation of a pattern of over-expenditure
that saw this same "Chief" of the VPD spend more
than three million more LAST YEAR than he
was lawfully allowed under BOTH the Vancouver
Charter AND Police Act.
Here is another VERY interesting bit entitled:
CTV exposes Graham's connection to Hong Kong
criminal network. Click on the video link under the
Graham's Incompetence collection of stories.
"Ho has been transferring large sums of money to
various VPD fundraisers. Ho is filmed in the above video
at a VPD ODD squad fundraiser dinner."
Ho has been reported to contribute money to the
Vancouver Police Foundation.
The stories mention "Ho was caught by the VPD with
a large sum of cocaine, yet the VPD dismissed all
charges...."
"Ho's family is one of the many Hong Kong members of the
Big Circle crime syndicate that was recently exposed
(in a W5 passport scandal report) as having close ties to
the upper brass within the RCMP and Federal government. "
VPD says Graham will be cleared in current
controversy
By Charlie Smith. Georgia Straight. Dec. 1 2005.
Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham is being investigated
under the Police Act in connection with donations to the
Vancouver Police Foundation.
According to the VPD release, a "senior member" of the
department had concerns about tax issues and asked
for a review by the RCMP commercial crime section. "
The results of the investigation conducted by the RCMP,
assisted by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency,
was that there was no wrongdoing by anyone and that
was confirmed by a Special Prosecutor appointed by the
Attorney General's office," the VPD stated.
The VPD claimed in its news release that media falsely
stated that Ho had paid for hotel rooms at a conference
of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police in Vancouver
in 2004. "
In any mass conference booking of hotel rooms it is
common for the hotel to include a few complimentary
rooms," the VPD purported. "Chief Graham and two
other executives of the CACP stayed in those rooms and
all others were billed."
The VPD also insisted in the news release that Graham
will be cleared because the investigation concerns the
same issue that the RCMP already reviewed.
Ho is a former Vancouver police-board member
and owner of MCL Motor Cars. Several years ago,
the Burrard Street dealership supplied a Jaguar,
decked out in RCMP colours, to the North Vancouver
RCMP detachment for community relations. At the
time, Graham was the commanding officer in North
Vancouver.
Vancouver police chief faces investigation
CBC News.
Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham is under investigation
by the Police Complaints Commissioner for leaving a
used target practice sheet with bullet holes through the
head of the silhouette on the desk of the city manager.
The chief had written on the sheet:
"A bad day at the range is better than the best day at work."
**********************************************
After the gong show that the whole Battershill fiasco
turned into and read more about that saga here, I think
it's a really fair question: why didn't the Board see fit
to promote from within? Why was Bill Naughton
good enough to be promoted and sit in the Chief's
Chair at one of the worst times in the force's history,
serving for over a year, but he wasn't deemed
suitable, or good enough for the permanent job?
I agree wholeheartedly with Ms. Holt that Victoria citizens
and taxpayers deserve more transparency and information
about the process for Graham's appointment. What makes
this quite interesting is Ms. Holt is a BC Liberal appointee
to the Victoria Police Board. She's also a well respected
management consultant with the Sage Group of
Management Consultants.
For someone with Ms. Holt's experience and calibre to be
so deeply concerned about the process and timing of
Graham's appointment we should all be listening. The fact
that she would take such a public stand in resigning from
the Board over this is a signal that there is much more to
the story than people are being told and I think it is a
sign of deep integrity for Ms. Holt to show courage in
standing up for her convictions.
Too bad the rest of the current and future Victoria
Police Board don't appear to be quite as interested in
transparency and due diligence as Ms. Holt and Ms.
Desjardins. I suspect the potential folly of that will be
seen in the future, depending on the choice the Vic
Police Board makes. And they should choose wisely,
many are watching.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Little Brevity, Homage & Celebration
You have not lived until you have seen the Flight of the
Conchords. They both rock my World and make me laugh
parts of my anatomy off. If I were to engage in some of
that passe netspeak, I would say they make me ROTFL!
Flight of the Conchords Ep 7 'Mutha Uckers'
The Conchords are now on Comedy Network every week.
Check them out to bring some brevity and absurdity to
your otherwise staid and boring day.
************************************
The Place to Be This Week:
100 years of South Asian Presence in Canada
November 17-23
Various FREE Some amazing events centred on this
special anniversary
South Asian Events blog
South Asians first arrived in Canada at the end of the
nineteenth century, and by 1908, approximately 5,000
were reported to be resident in British Columbia.
That year, the Canadian government introduced the
Continuous Journey requirement seeking to prohibit
further South Asian migration into the country.
In 1914, Gurdit Singh, a Punjabi, chartered the Komagata
Maru and a group of 376 South Asians passengers sailed
to Canada to challenge this racist law. Although they were
forced to return to India, they dealt a serious blow to the
‘Keep Canada White’ policies of the white settler society.
A group of South Asian academics, activists and community
groups have come together to organize a week-long series
of events in November (17- 23), 2008, to mark over one
hundred years of South Asian presence in Canada, and to
commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the Continuous
Journey requirement. These events will pay homage to
the struggles waged by South Asian communities in the past,
celebrate our achievements, and build alliances as we
face the challenges of the 21st century.
We would like to acknowledge that we reside on the lands
of the Indigenous peoples / First Nations and support them
in their ongoing struggle for self determination from racist
settler-colonialism.
Beats Without Borders
CD Remix Party Delhi2Dublin Delhi 2 Dublin
Thursday, Nov. 20th -
The Red Room (398 Richards)
Vancouver
Check 'em out here and here
If you like non-stop dance & good vibes, then this is
the show for you.
Komagatamaru Heritage Foundation
Conchords. They both rock my World and make me laugh
parts of my anatomy off. If I were to engage in some of
that passe netspeak, I would say they make me ROTFL!
Flight of the Conchords Ep 7 'Mutha Uckers'
The Conchords are now on Comedy Network every week.
Check them out to bring some brevity and absurdity to
your otherwise staid and boring day.
************************************
The Place to Be This Week:
100 years of South Asian Presence in Canada
November 17-23
Various FREE Some amazing events centred on this
special anniversary
South Asian Events blog
South Asians first arrived in Canada at the end of the
nineteenth century, and by 1908, approximately 5,000
were reported to be resident in British Columbia.
That year, the Canadian government introduced the
Continuous Journey requirement seeking to prohibit
further South Asian migration into the country.
In 1914, Gurdit Singh, a Punjabi, chartered the Komagata
Maru and a group of 376 South Asians passengers sailed
to Canada to challenge this racist law. Although they were
forced to return to India, they dealt a serious blow to the
‘Keep Canada White’ policies of the white settler society.
A group of South Asian academics, activists and community
groups have come together to organize a week-long series
of events in November (17- 23), 2008, to mark over one
hundred years of South Asian presence in Canada, and to
commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the Continuous
Journey requirement. These events will pay homage to
the struggles waged by South Asian communities in the past,
celebrate our achievements, and build alliances as we
face the challenges of the 21st century.
We would like to acknowledge that we reside on the lands
of the Indigenous peoples / First Nations and support them
in their ongoing struggle for self determination from racist
settler-colonialism.
Beats Without Borders
CD Remix Party Delhi2Dublin Delhi 2 Dublin
Thursday, Nov. 20th -
The Red Room (398 Richards)
Vancouver
Check 'em out here and here
If you like non-stop dance & good vibes, then this is
the show for you.
Komagatamaru Heritage Foundation
Way to go Vancouver: Kickin' it NewSchool
Now, congratulations are well in order for the Vision
Vancouver/COPE win and the well deserved routing the
NPA took. However, we can't escape the serious problem
that only approximately 26 per cent of voters showed
up to vote in this most important of elections.
I'm sure there are lots of reasons for this, but I don't
really care what excuses people have for not going to
the ballot box. Voter apathy, election burnout, no-one
to vote for, politicians are all the same. Blah, blah,
blah. There are people all over this planet who don't have
the right to vote, people who fight and die to bring that
right to their people and nations. It's time for a serious
re-think of what democracy means to Canadians.
Most of us may not realize it, but when we take things for
granted, they are at the most risk of being taken from us.
Democracy is in many ways on shaky ground here in Canada.
Looking at this election makes that very apparent. Somewhere
around 26% of Vancouver's population voted in our new government.
That means close to 75% did not vote for the new government.
It was the same in the federal election, with similar splits.
Now, I happen to think that 26% voted for the right people
to lead Vancouver into the next 3 years, but that's my bias.
What it always come down to is that one team got the vote
out better than the other.
And, as Larry Campbell, former Vancouver mayor and now
Senator in Ottawa, mentioned, Vision Vancouver is a party
of the present and future. They got the vote out by using
Web 2.0 technologies in the most effective ways - Facebook,
Twitter, text messaging. It worked to engage a wide range
of voters, including young people, in this election. It's
a lesson all political parties should learn well.
The NPA was hampered by infighting, by the lack of a cohesive
team and has again, self-destructed, like we saw in 2002.
I'm not sure the leadership of the NPA is given to any self-
reflection, but this is the time to engage in some of that.
The party was ripped apart by internal politics, a pattern
they can't seem to get away from.
I feel bad for Peter Ladner, who is certainly not a bad guy,
or leader. He may well be asking "Et Tu Brutus?" this morning.
It's probably the appropriate thing to be asking after
everything that's gone down in the last week, regarding
Millenium. That money trail is still going to be followed
to find out where the pots of Vancouver taxpayer gold have
gone.
I also hope all the NPA folks who ran and lost, especially
those who had the privilege of serving Vancouver, give some
serious thought and analysis to why they were voted out. Some
pretty big mistakes and misjudgments were made about very
basic things, Politics 101. Time for some lessons to be
learned.
Final Results from CBC Election Report
Gregor Robertson - Mayor Elect - 67598
City Council
Raymond Louie of Vision Vancouver - 66226
Heather Deal of Vision Vancouver - 63116
George Chow of Vision Vancouver - 62262
Kerry Jang of Vision Vancouver - 60598
Andrea Reimer of Vision Vancouver - 59148
Tim Stevenson of Vision Vancouver - 58380
David Cadman of COPE - 56665
Suzanne Anton of the NPA - 52941
Geoff Meggs of Vision Vancouver - 49538
Ellen Woodsworth of COPE - 45877
School Board
BACCHUS, Patti (Vision) - 64451
LOMBARDI, Mike (Vision)- 62772
CLEMENT, Ken (Vision)- 62096
GREGSON, Sharon E. (Vision)- 61417
WONG, Allan (COPE) - 56027
BLAKEY, Al (COPE) - 49045
BOUEY, Jane (COPE)- 48227
Ken Denike (NPA)- 46777
GIBSON, Carol (NPA)- 46048
Parks Board
BARNES, Constance (Vision)- 62973
JASPER, Aaron (Vision)- 58343
BLYTH, Sarah (Vision)- 567756 (?)
WOODCOCK, Loretta (COPE)- 49901
HUNDAL, Raj Vision)- 48871
MACKINNON, Stuart (Green) - 48415
ROBERTSON, Ian (NPA) - 44005
Other good news from Metro Vancouver:
Dianne Watts of Surrey wins the mayor chair again,
for a second time. Ms. Watts is the blueprint
of how to make change on a large scale and politicians
and would-be politicians should be looking to her
leadership style and substance for lessons in how to
bring positive change and team building to their
municipalities.
Derrick Corrigan won Burnaby again.
Now, one might hope that the election of a progressive
majority of mayors in Metro Vancouver and other
municipalities around the province signals to the BC
Liberals that the alarm is sounding off for change.
It ain't just Obama's slogan:
It is Time for a Change
And all around BC voters are getting out and delivering
that change for all of us.
Vancouver/COPE win and the well deserved routing the
NPA took. However, we can't escape the serious problem
that only approximately 26 per cent of voters showed
up to vote in this most important of elections.
I'm sure there are lots of reasons for this, but I don't
really care what excuses people have for not going to
the ballot box. Voter apathy, election burnout, no-one
to vote for, politicians are all the same. Blah, blah,
blah. There are people all over this planet who don't have
the right to vote, people who fight and die to bring that
right to their people and nations. It's time for a serious
re-think of what democracy means to Canadians.
Most of us may not realize it, but when we take things for
granted, they are at the most risk of being taken from us.
Democracy is in many ways on shaky ground here in Canada.
Looking at this election makes that very apparent. Somewhere
around 26% of Vancouver's population voted in our new government.
That means close to 75% did not vote for the new government.
It was the same in the federal election, with similar splits.
Now, I happen to think that 26% voted for the right people
to lead Vancouver into the next 3 years, but that's my bias.
What it always come down to is that one team got the vote
out better than the other.
And, as Larry Campbell, former Vancouver mayor and now
Senator in Ottawa, mentioned, Vision Vancouver is a party
of the present and future. They got the vote out by using
Web 2.0 technologies in the most effective ways - Facebook,
Twitter, text messaging. It worked to engage a wide range
of voters, including young people, in this election. It's
a lesson all political parties should learn well.
The NPA was hampered by infighting, by the lack of a cohesive
team and has again, self-destructed, like we saw in 2002.
I'm not sure the leadership of the NPA is given to any self-
reflection, but this is the time to engage in some of that.
The party was ripped apart by internal politics, a pattern
they can't seem to get away from.
I feel bad for Peter Ladner, who is certainly not a bad guy,
or leader. He may well be asking "Et Tu Brutus?" this morning.
It's probably the appropriate thing to be asking after
everything that's gone down in the last week, regarding
Millenium. That money trail is still going to be followed
to find out where the pots of Vancouver taxpayer gold have
gone.
I also hope all the NPA folks who ran and lost, especially
those who had the privilege of serving Vancouver, give some
serious thought and analysis to why they were voted out. Some
pretty big mistakes and misjudgments were made about very
basic things, Politics 101. Time for some lessons to be
learned.
Final Results from CBC Election Report
Gregor Robertson - Mayor Elect - 67598
City Council
Raymond Louie of Vision Vancouver - 66226
Heather Deal of Vision Vancouver - 63116
George Chow of Vision Vancouver - 62262
Kerry Jang of Vision Vancouver - 60598
Andrea Reimer of Vision Vancouver - 59148
Tim Stevenson of Vision Vancouver - 58380
David Cadman of COPE - 56665
Suzanne Anton of the NPA - 52941
Geoff Meggs of Vision Vancouver - 49538
Ellen Woodsworth of COPE - 45877
School Board
BACCHUS, Patti (Vision) - 64451
LOMBARDI, Mike (Vision)- 62772
CLEMENT, Ken (Vision)- 62096
GREGSON, Sharon E. (Vision)- 61417
WONG, Allan (COPE) - 56027
BLAKEY, Al (COPE) - 49045
BOUEY, Jane (COPE)- 48227
Ken Denike (NPA)- 46777
GIBSON, Carol (NPA)- 46048
Parks Board
BARNES, Constance (Vision)- 62973
JASPER, Aaron (Vision)- 58343
BLYTH, Sarah (Vision)- 567756 (?)
WOODCOCK, Loretta (COPE)- 49901
HUNDAL, Raj Vision)- 48871
MACKINNON, Stuart (Green) - 48415
ROBERTSON, Ian (NPA) - 44005
Other good news from Metro Vancouver:
Dianne Watts of Surrey wins the mayor chair again,
for a second time. Ms. Watts is the blueprint
of how to make change on a large scale and politicians
and would-be politicians should be looking to her
leadership style and substance for lessons in how to
bring positive change and team building to their
municipalities.
Derrick Corrigan won Burnaby again.
Now, one might hope that the election of a progressive
majority of mayors in Metro Vancouver and other
municipalities around the province signals to the BC
Liberals that the alarm is sounding off for change.
It ain't just Obama's slogan:
It is Time for a Change
And all around BC voters are getting out and delivering
that change for all of us.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Follow the Money Trail – Part 2: All Good Things Seem to Lead to Liberals
The revelations just keep getting better & better about the
whole Millenium gong show. This from CBC:
Vancouver mayoral candidates return Millennium's
donations
Both Vancouver mayoral candidates have rejected campaign
contributions from Millennium Development Corp., the builder
of the controversial Olympic Athletes Village for the 2010
Games.
Non-Partisan Association's Peter Ladner said
Millennium delivered a $2,000 cheque to him last
week.
Vision Vancouver's Gregor Robertson said he received
Millennium's $1,000 donation cheque Wednesday.
Understatement of the Year
"The timing of it is troubling given that decisions have
been made and driven in secret by the NPA and campaign
donations are arriving after the fact," Robertson said.
"I think we need to ask hard questions about where the
dollars come from and why?"
Ladner's copy of the report turned up on fellow NPA
councillor B.C. Lee's desk two days later, and Vancouver
police are now investigating the incident at the request of
Mayor Sam Sullivan.
Valerie Wan, a senior consultant for Millennium,
told CBC News Wednesday that the developer has
donated just under $10,000 to the Nov. 15 civic
election to both the NPA and Vision Vancouver.
************************************************
So, bit of a question here: exactly how much has
Millenium donated to the NPA and Vision Vancouver
over the past few years? How about individuals
associated with Millenium and Armeco?
Where did the other $7000 donated by Millenium go?
While the police are investigating, they might want to
expand things a little and get copies of the daytimers
and meeting schedules of mayor and city council going back
to, oh I don't know, the time when Olympic venue contract
bids were getting sorted out. No lobbyist registry at
Vancouver city hall. Yet.
Also, police might want to have a look at disclosure statements
by city councillors, re: any gifts from Millenium, or Armeco.
From the City of Vancouver webpage:
Campaign financing
Candidates and elector organizations will be required to
provide the chief election officer with up-to-date contact
information and must file financial disclosure statements
if they incur election expenses or receive campaign
contributions. Campaign organizers only need to file this
information if they incur election expenses or receive
campaign contributions in excess of $500.
**************************************************
It's quite interesting the kind of things we can learn when
looking at the Campaign Financing Disclosure statements
from the last election.
Peter Ladner received $2500 from Concord Pacific on
October 28th 2005. They were one of the contenders in
the Olympic Village bid too.
Rennie Marketing Systems handed over $1000 on
October 3rd 2005.
Apparently a lot of individuals contributed too and their
names were blanked out. One very generous soul gave
Mr. Ladner $3000 on October 5th 2005. Wonder
who? It looks like their last name begins with an S.
Vancouver Election Spending Out of Control
Prone to fraud, few limits, and a whopping $30 spent per
vote.
A Tyee special report. By Monte Paulsen
Published: October 31, 2007
Excerpt$:
The right-leaning Non Partisan Association and its 26
candidates reported raising more than $2 million for the
November 2005 election. The NPA itself reported only
$603,887 in party donations, 81 per cent of which came
from corporations.
The balance was raised by the NPA candidates themselves.
Mayor Sam Sullivan led the pack, with reported donations
of more than $490,000. Like the NPA, Sullivan's money
flowed overwhelmingly from corporate donors.
The centre-left Vision Vancouver party reported raising a
total of $1.357 million during the 2005 election period.
Unlike the NPA, Vision's candidates did not also mount
individual fundraising efforts.
Vision reported taking 73 per cent of its money from corporate
donors, 15 per cent from individuals, 12 per cent from labour
unions and the balance from various non-profit organizations.
The left-leaning Coalition of Progressive Electors reported
raising $532,852 during the 2005 election period. COPE took
69 per cent of its 2005 funds from labour unions, and less than
5 per cent from business.
NPA (Civic Non-Partisan Association)
Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement
Notable Donations to NPA coffers:
- Paul Barbeau – Barbeau, Evans & Goldstein: $2066
(or $2086) on August 24th 2005.
- Mark Marissen – Marissen Holdings Inc.: $417.30 on
October 13th 2005
- Patrick Kinsella – Progressive Strategies Ltd.: $417.30
on August 24th & October 5th 2005
- Concord Pacific donated $14,000 on October 26th 2005.
Canadian National Railway Company - $25,000 on
November 9th 2005. Just what does a Montreal based
company have to do with the NPA and why would they
donate such a generous amount to their campaign?
Total amount of donations declared: $1,157,641.74
Much of the information is vetted, especially individual donors.
Vision Vancouver
Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement
Supplementary Financing Disclosure Statement
(November 14, 2007)
Concert Properties - $1580 on March 18th & May 30th
2005
Concord Pacific – Total $48,250
Eagle Medallion Fortress Investment Corp.–
Total: $169,994.80
Why is the Calgary based firm so interested in a new upstart
Political party? Well, whatever the linkage, it’s interesting,
because apparently Steve Lefevre, described as the
“beneficial owner of EMFIC was arrested in the United States
on charges that appear to be related to online gambling.
Vision OK with campaign gift
Recently convicted donor had given $170,000
Christina Montgomery, The Province
Published: Monday, July 16, 2007
Great Canadian Casino – Total: $30,750.
Millenium’s donations are all broken down into separate
donations, $500 for what appears to be each holding company:
Total: $3000
Rennie Marketing Systems: Total: $75,639.
Xiang Enterprises Ltd. - $30,680 from a mystery company,
whose director is listed as a Dario Giannandrea from Montreal.
CUPE BC: $72,700
Total donations to Vision: $1,389,089.66
COPE (Coalition of Progressive Electors)
Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement
Supplementary Disclosure
Total donations: $525,740.81
No real surprises here, trade unions donated the most:
CUPE BC, different CUPE locals, HEU, Vancouver
Elementary Teachers
Labour/Union total: $360,511.13
Concord Pacific Group donated a total of $9250.
***********************************************
Sweeet, more to add to the investigations and Olympic
Contract Inquiry. If Millenium has this kind of money
to be throwing VANOC’s way, why are they bellying
back up to the Vancouver trough for more taxpayer
funds?
Millennium joins team as Official Supplier of the
Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games
Developer of Olympic and Paralympic Village
Vancouver now on board
Vancouver, March 20, 2008 – The Vancouver Organizing
Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games (VANOC) today welcomed the Millennium
Development Corporation to its team as an Official
Supplier through a financial contribution to VANOC
of $3 million.
Awarded the contract by the City of Vancouver in
April 2006, Millennium is the developer of the Millennium
Water project that will serve as the Olympic and Paralympic
Village Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Games.
Through this partnership, Millennium obtains Official Supplier
rights, which enhance the organization’s ability to market
this unique development in conjunction with the 2010 Winter
Games.
From the Vancouver 2010 Supplier page:
Millennium Development Corporation is an Official Supplier and
is the developer of the Millennium Water project that will serve as
the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver during the 2010
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Entire council agrees to lie-detector test on city hall
report leak
Chad Skelton and Darah Hansen, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Furlong speaks to the Vancouver Board of Trade:
Furlong calls on business community to step up to
welcome the world in 2010
Nov 13, 2008
Strong leadership from the community, changes to business
operations, a warm welcome to visitors and support for
Canada’s athletes were among the Business Top Ten List
shared by Furlong to ensure successful and unforgettable
Winter Games in 2010.
ZNet - Vancouver Olympics Sustainability
whole Millenium gong show. This from CBC:
Vancouver mayoral candidates return Millennium's
donations
Both Vancouver mayoral candidates have rejected campaign
contributions from Millennium Development Corp., the builder
of the controversial Olympic Athletes Village for the 2010
Games.
Non-Partisan Association's Peter Ladner said
Millennium delivered a $2,000 cheque to him last
week.
Vision Vancouver's Gregor Robertson said he received
Millennium's $1,000 donation cheque Wednesday.
Understatement of the Year
"The timing of it is troubling given that decisions have
been made and driven in secret by the NPA and campaign
donations are arriving after the fact," Robertson said.
"I think we need to ask hard questions about where the
dollars come from and why?"
Ladner's copy of the report turned up on fellow NPA
councillor B.C. Lee's desk two days later, and Vancouver
police are now investigating the incident at the request of
Mayor Sam Sullivan.
Valerie Wan, a senior consultant for Millennium,
told CBC News Wednesday that the developer has
donated just under $10,000 to the Nov. 15 civic
election to both the NPA and Vision Vancouver.
************************************************
So, bit of a question here: exactly how much has
Millenium donated to the NPA and Vision Vancouver
over the past few years? How about individuals
associated with Millenium and Armeco?
Where did the other $7000 donated by Millenium go?
While the police are investigating, they might want to
expand things a little and get copies of the daytimers
and meeting schedules of mayor and city council going back
to, oh I don't know, the time when Olympic venue contract
bids were getting sorted out. No lobbyist registry at
Vancouver city hall. Yet.
Also, police might want to have a look at disclosure statements
by city councillors, re: any gifts from Millenium, or Armeco.
From the City of Vancouver webpage:
Campaign financing
Candidates and elector organizations will be required to
provide the chief election officer with up-to-date contact
information and must file financial disclosure statements
if they incur election expenses or receive campaign
contributions. Campaign organizers only need to file this
information if they incur election expenses or receive
campaign contributions in excess of $500.
**************************************************
It's quite interesting the kind of things we can learn when
looking at the Campaign Financing Disclosure statements
from the last election.
Peter Ladner received $2500 from Concord Pacific on
October 28th 2005. They were one of the contenders in
the Olympic Village bid too.
Rennie Marketing Systems handed over $1000 on
October 3rd 2005.
Apparently a lot of individuals contributed too and their
names were blanked out. One very generous soul gave
Mr. Ladner $3000 on October 5th 2005. Wonder
who? It looks like their last name begins with an S.
Vancouver Election Spending Out of Control
Prone to fraud, few limits, and a whopping $30 spent per
vote.
A Tyee special report. By Monte Paulsen
Published: October 31, 2007
Excerpt$:
The right-leaning Non Partisan Association and its 26
candidates reported raising more than $2 million for the
November 2005 election. The NPA itself reported only
$603,887 in party donations, 81 per cent of which came
from corporations.
The balance was raised by the NPA candidates themselves.
Mayor Sam Sullivan led the pack, with reported donations
of more than $490,000. Like the NPA, Sullivan's money
flowed overwhelmingly from corporate donors.
The centre-left Vision Vancouver party reported raising a
total of $1.357 million during the 2005 election period.
Unlike the NPA, Vision's candidates did not also mount
individual fundraising efforts.
Vision reported taking 73 per cent of its money from corporate
donors, 15 per cent from individuals, 12 per cent from labour
unions and the balance from various non-profit organizations.
The left-leaning Coalition of Progressive Electors reported
raising $532,852 during the 2005 election period. COPE took
69 per cent of its 2005 funds from labour unions, and less than
5 per cent from business.
NPA (Civic Non-Partisan Association)
Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement
Notable Donations to NPA coffers:
- Paul Barbeau – Barbeau, Evans & Goldstein: $2066
(or $2086) on August 24th 2005.
- Mark Marissen – Marissen Holdings Inc.: $417.30 on
October 13th 2005
- Patrick Kinsella – Progressive Strategies Ltd.: $417.30
on August 24th & October 5th 2005
- Concord Pacific donated $14,000 on October 26th 2005.
Canadian National Railway Company - $25,000 on
November 9th 2005. Just what does a Montreal based
company have to do with the NPA and why would they
donate such a generous amount to their campaign?
Total amount of donations declared: $1,157,641.74
Much of the information is vetted, especially individual donors.
Vision Vancouver
Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement
Supplementary Financing Disclosure Statement
(November 14, 2007)
Concert Properties - $1580 on March 18th & May 30th
2005
Concord Pacific – Total $48,250
Eagle Medallion Fortress Investment Corp.–
Total: $169,994.80
Why is the Calgary based firm so interested in a new upstart
Political party? Well, whatever the linkage, it’s interesting,
because apparently Steve Lefevre, described as the
“beneficial owner of EMFIC was arrested in the United States
on charges that appear to be related to online gambling.
Vision OK with campaign gift
Recently convicted donor had given $170,000
Christina Montgomery, The Province
Published: Monday, July 16, 2007
Great Canadian Casino – Total: $30,750.
Millenium’s donations are all broken down into separate
donations, $500 for what appears to be each holding company:
Total: $3000
Rennie Marketing Systems: Total: $75,639.
Xiang Enterprises Ltd. - $30,680 from a mystery company,
whose director is listed as a Dario Giannandrea from Montreal.
CUPE BC: $72,700
Total donations to Vision: $1,389,089.66
COPE (Coalition of Progressive Electors)
Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement
Supplementary Disclosure
Total donations: $525,740.81
No real surprises here, trade unions donated the most:
CUPE BC, different CUPE locals, HEU, Vancouver
Elementary Teachers
Labour/Union total: $360,511.13
Concord Pacific Group donated a total of $9250.
***********************************************
Sweeet, more to add to the investigations and Olympic
Contract Inquiry. If Millenium has this kind of money
to be throwing VANOC’s way, why are they bellying
back up to the Vancouver trough for more taxpayer
funds?
Millennium joins team as Official Supplier of the
Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games
Developer of Olympic and Paralympic Village
Vancouver now on board
Vancouver, March 20, 2008 – The Vancouver Organizing
Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games (VANOC) today welcomed the Millennium
Development Corporation to its team as an Official
Supplier through a financial contribution to VANOC
of $3 million.
Awarded the contract by the City of Vancouver in
April 2006, Millennium is the developer of the Millennium
Water project that will serve as the Olympic and Paralympic
Village Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Games.
Through this partnership, Millennium obtains Official Supplier
rights, which enhance the organization’s ability to market
this unique development in conjunction with the 2010 Winter
Games.
From the Vancouver 2010 Supplier page:
Millennium Development Corporation is an Official Supplier and
is the developer of the Millennium Water project that will serve as
the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver during the 2010
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Entire council agrees to lie-detector test on city hall
report leak
Chad Skelton and Darah Hansen, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Furlong speaks to the Vancouver Board of Trade:
Furlong calls on business community to step up to
welcome the world in 2010
Nov 13, 2008
Strong leadership from the community, changes to business
operations, a warm welcome to visitors and support for
Canada’s athletes were among the Business Top Ten List
shared by Furlong to ensure successful and unforgettable
Winter Games in 2010.
ZNet - Vancouver Olympics Sustainability
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