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On BC Day, a Fervent British Columbian’s Gift to Canada

Aug 4th, 2014 by

Unwrap to reveal a solution to 'Tragedy in the Commons.' Gift image: Shutterstock.

Unwrap to reveal a solution to ‘Tragedy in the Commons.’ Gift image: Shutterstock.

Rafe Mair’s cost free way to fix our democracy deficit.

Two weeks ago, I confessed on these pages that I was a British Columbian first and a Canadian second. One of the major reasons is that I have always felt utterly disconnected from the federal government. Even when one knows one’s member of Parliament, that really doesn’t give a sense of connection to the governing process.

This is unlike the United States where congressmen and senators have enormous power, which is a reflection of the voter’s power. (As you will see, I do not suggest that Canada adopt the American system.)

Canada has lots going for it. It’s generally peaceful and prosperous. Despite our best efforts, we have no immediate enemies ready to do us harm. It’s mostly a neat place to live (especially if you live in British Columbia). Continue Reading »

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Sense and speed limits

Jul 29th, 2014 by

Memorial to Highway 99 victim Shannon Archer. Photo courtesy of the Whistler News

Memorial to Highway 99 victim Shannon Archer. Photo courtesy of The Whistler News

Ian Toothill runs Sense,  an organization which started by fighting photo radar and is dedicated, so it says, “to traffic safety through education not controlling speed”. Somehow these two terms are supposed to be mutually exclusive.

Dr. Perry Kendall is a BC Health Officer, who has that rare combination of information and common sense. He and Toothill have been conducting a public debate which Kendall has won hands down.

As far as I’m concerned there is no debate. What’s got it started was the raising of speed limits on many of the highways in British Columbia. Well, Toothill can claim a great deal of influence in this decision but it was in fact made by higher-ups in the Transportation Ministry and by the Minister and they should all be hanging their heads in shame. Continue Reading »

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The arrogance of Conservatives

Jul 26th, 2014 by

James Moore

James Moore

We have seen their sort before. I certainly have.

The story is that James Moore, the leading Tory MP, so we’re led to believe, is critical of Justin Trudeau and Thomas Mulcair, Canada’s opposition leaders, coming to British Columbia to talk about the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal. He is quoted as saying “if Justin Trudeau and Tom Mulcair wish to take the Adrian Dix approach to say no to any development in Western Canada and particularly in British Columbia in the next election, they’re going to have the same outcome in the next election as Adrian Dix did… The public, according to polls, is split on the matter. But the what the public is not split on is the idea of politicians being reflexive against any development in British Columbia. They always reject that.”

James Moore is a typical BC Conservative. Their most obvious trait is that they haven’t the faintest idea of what ordinary British Columbians think. They get all of their research from party cocktail parties and Chamber of Commerce meetings. Moreover, their arrogance is unlimited. Continue Reading »

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Amazon oil spill has killed tons of fish, sickened native people

Jul 24th, 2014 by

Barbara Fraser Dead fish from an oil spill in the Peruvian Amazon are mixed with oil-covered twigs gathered by local residents. Fish are vital to the villagers' diet and income. Photo by Barbara Fraser

Dead fish from an oil spill in the Peruvian Amazon are mixed with oil-covered twigs gathered by local residents. Fish are vital to the villagers’ diet and income. Photo by Barbara Fraser.

This article was passed along to me by IC Magazine. It was written by Barbara Fraser, and  published by Environmental Health News. Because of the importance of the subject matter, it is reproduced here it its entirety.

CUNINICO, Peru – On the last day of June, Roger Mangía Vega watched an oil slick and a mass of dead fish float past this tiny Kukama Indian community and into the Marañón River, a major tributary of the Amazon.

Community leaders called the emergency number for Petroperu, the state-run operator of the 845-kilometer pipeline that pumps crude oil from the Amazon over the Andes Mountains to a port on Peru’s northern coast.

By late afternoon, Mangía and a handful of his neighbors – contracted by the company and wearing only ordinary clothing – were up to their necks in oily water, searching for a leak in the pipe. Villagers, who depend on fish for subsistence and income, estimated that they had seen between two and seven tons of dead fish floating in lagoons and littering the landscape. Continue Reading »

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Stand up for BC!

Jul 23rd, 2014 by

Taken at Hell's Gate, British Columbia. Photo by waferboard from Your BC: The Tyee Photo Pool

Taken at Hell’s Gate, British Columbia. Photo by waferboard from Your BC: The Tyee Photo Pool

Why I am a British Columbian first, a Canadian second. How about you?

When you reach a certain age, the rules change. No longer do you hear much nor indeed have to care much about political correctness. When you have been fired one more time than you have been hired, and when people expect you to be rather snarly and grumpy anyway, you’re home free to write what I’m about to say.

Many years ago, when I hosted the midnight show at CKNW, a caller asked if I was a Canadian first or a British Columbian first. Without hesitation, I answered “a British Columbian.”

That is much more so now than ever.

I have always been a British Columbian first, and in many ways.

For example, I loathe the Toronto Maple Leafs. Surely, that’s a good start! Continue Reading »

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Computer Klutz

Jul 22nd, 2014 by

iPadAll my life I have had a “thing” about machines. I have never been able to make them work much less fix them when they don’t. Going back to an outboard motor when I was a youngster I have always felt that I was at a horrible disadvantage with the machine and sooner or later it would get me.

For example, I advise you not to fly on an airplane with me. As soon as I touch the entertainment system it goes on the fritz. Sometimes just for me, more often for the entire row, sometimes for the whole cabin.

I first started using a computer in 1984. It was a Xerox and it had enormous floppy disks that you had to initialize in order to get started. It constantly locked, usually just when I’d finished and editorial and there was nothing left I could do but start all over again!

I moved into Microsoft in the early 90s and used one for about 25 years. It and I had our moments but by and large I was able to turn it into a typewriter that recorded what I wrote. This was all I wanted, so by and large we survived. Continue Reading »

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Canada’s shame

Jul 19th, 2014 by

Israsel missile strike in Gaza City. Photo by Hatem Moussa, AP

Israsel missile strike in Gaza City. Photo by Hatem Moussa, AP

The Conservative government of Stephen Harper and his lackey John Baird ought to be ashamed of themselves as indeed the country should be ashamed of them. Their position with respect to Israel and Gaza is so short sighted as to be a national disgrace and should be condemned by all Canadians.

It would be idle in the extreme to try to trace the history of Israel and Palestine. It goes back into the mists of time. What one can deal with, however, is the use of the word “terrorist “ which seems to be governing the position of the Government of Canada. In short, Hamas is a terrorist organization that is shooting missiles into Israel and thereby is bringing Gaza’s problems on itself and thus is responsible for the hundreds of innocent deaths caused by Israel in that territory. That Hamas is doing minimal damage while Israel is slaughtering hundreds of innocent Gaza citizens is, apparently, beside the point. I, frankly, find it hard to believe that even a Canadian government could take such a shortsighted view of what is a part of an enormous ongoing problem that’s lasted nearly 70 years. Continue Reading »

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CKNW update

Jul 17th, 2014 by

Old CKNW logoMy old radio station, CKNW is in a lot of trouble. Its ratings have fallen to the point where they are ridiculous. They are losing their online  people, which is natural as time goes by, without any obvious replacements. There was a time when NW always had a farm team, as often as not employed by other radio stations. This no longer is the case.

I am occasionally asked why I care since they fired me under such humiliating circumstances 11 years ago.

The answer to that is simple. I still feel a strong loyalty to the CKNW I knew and the worked for before Corus Entertainment took over. In the NW that I knew, pride was the operative word. All that any of us wanted to do was to make the station better and to increase the listenership because we merited it. There were outstanding performers, all of whom were different, and all of whom marched to their own drummer. We were a band of eccentrics. Continue Reading »

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Tragedy in the Commons: Former Members of Parliament Speak Out About Canada’s Failing Democracy

Jul 16th, 2014 by

I am in the process of ridding myself of about 700 to 800 books because of lack of shelf space. I was astonished then, to get a call from Wendy, from 32 Books, asking if I would like her to buy me a book. She brought it home and I sat down and read it right through.

I want to emphasize that I do not know the authors, was not given the book, and was not asked to do a review of it.

Having said that, I was so astonished at what I read I felt that I ought to inform you.

First of all, I was surprised to find such an excellent critique of the House of Commons and our system coming out of Toronto. I have learned over the years that Ontario, favoured so much by the system, seldom produces critics of it. This book is very much the exception.

The authors, Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan, formed an independent political think tank called Samara. I don’t know too much about this organization yet, but intend to find out more. Their book, Tragedy in the Commons, subtitled former “members of Parliament speak out about Canada’s failing democracy” is a must read for all Canadians. Continue Reading »

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Take me out to the ball game

Jul 14th, 2014 by

Vin Scully

Vin Scully

I am not a soccer fan. I did not watch any of the World Cup except the final which I mildly enjoyed.

It’s not that I have anything against soccer. It is obviously the most popular game in the world – did you know that if attendance is the criterion that Cricket is the second most popular?

I just find it very dull to watch.

Soccer is great game for kids. I loved it. The equipment is cheap and the rules are simple. Injuries are usually of a minor variety. The game is fun to play because everybody gets a chance to kick at the ball somewhere along the line.

But I am a baseball fan. Continue Reading »

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