The Koksilah Farmer’s Institute’s Angela Auchincloss fired out this email the other day that should be of concern to us all. It is almost like Science Fiction or something from the ‘Twilight Zone’.
Regular contributor Don Maroc responds below.
Good Evening Everyone,
The following information has been brought to my attention and I thought it was important that people knew about it.
Some of you do not grow anything with seeds but for all of us as citizens of Canada it is important that we know what is going on with our agriculture. You all happen to be on my email list and I chose you for your accessibility to others that may have an interest or stake in what is being proposed and because many of you a truly concerned about healthy living and local agriculture.
Please pass this message on. Apparently there is a May 23rd deadline. I was told it was sneaking in a back door and got found out….hmmmm, not unlike many other issues in our lives.
According to the National Farmers Union, the Canadian Government is going to alterthe Seed Act to among other things…allow seed companies to unilaterally de-register seed varieties at will, regardless of their value to farmers.
This could cause ‘old varieties’ to be eliminated and newer (maybe GM varieties) which are more expensive and under patent restrictions or royalty charges to be the only ones allowed to be used.
Back in 2006 (I think) the government was attempting to regulate what seeds could be used or distributed, like a government controlled seed bank. Is this the same idea?
I am not sure but knowledge is power so if everyone could check and inform themselves then we all benefit.
Thank you for your time,
Angela
By Don Maroc
Don Maroc Cowichan Conversations Contributor
Angela is right to alert us to the Harper government’s changes in Canada’s seed regulations. As might be expected the amendments pretty well all give control of our vegetable, grain, and forage seeds to multinational seed corporations and remove government protection of seed quality from our farmers.
“The Seeds Act and its regulations were originally set up to protect farmers and all of Canadian agriculture from unscrupulous seed dealers and poor quality seed,” said Terry Boehm, National Farm Union President. “But the proposed changes to the regulations clearly show that the federal government is prepared to let seed companies decide what farmers can and cannot use for seed.”
We have until May 23 to email the Agriculture Minister gerry.ritz@parl.gc.ca and our MP, Jean Crowder jean.crowder@parl.gc.ca to voice our complaints with the new legislation. After that it’s in Harper’s gentle hands.
As usual it appears that Stephen Harper has more up his sleeve than his arm. At the same time our Prime Minister is moving to turn control of Canadian agriculture over the international seed and chemical corporations, such as Monsanto, the European Union Commission is in final stages of doing exactly the same thing.
The EU Commission, the unelected executive arm of the European government, has issued it’s third draft of their new seed control law. It has been twice revised because of massive opposition from all EU nations’ farmers.
We should all be aware that the Harper gang are in the last stages of finalizing the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Which is another of those “free trade” deals that are not about trade at all, but greases the wheels of international investment and financial manipulations, and hands control of our local environmental, social, and economic regulations to foreign corporations.
According to the UK’s Real Seed Co., “On Monday May 6th a draconian new law was put before the European Commission, which creates new powers to classify and regulate all plant life anywhere in Europe.
The “Plant Reproductive Material Law” regulates all plants. It contains immediate restrictions on vegetables and woodland trees, while creating powers to restrict all other plants of any other species at a later date.
Under the new law, it will immediately be illegal to grow, reproduce or trade any vegetable seed or tree that has not been tested and approved by a new “EU Plant Variety Agency, who will make a list of approved plants. Moreover, an annual fee must also be paid to the Agency to keep them on the list, and if not paid, they cannot be grown.”
Although the corporations sit in on Harper’s CETA negotiations, he doesn’t disclose any of it to the Canadian public. From European sources we know that the last item to be settled is agriculture and it looks like both Harper and the Europeans are getting their ducks (excuse me, farmers) lined up together in the shooting gallery.
This is a good time to take a step forward and ban political polls beginning 30 days before voting day.
We have all seen the results in three successive provincial elections in Ontario, Alberta and of course right here in BC.
Considering the veil of secrecy and mystique that masks the pretty basic techniques used I think it is time to call BULLSHIT!
On each occasion these pollsters acted bewildered, concerned and yet nothing changes and the big bucks just keep on rolling in.
Some polls are perhaps more reasonable than others, 19 times out of 20.
Did they all hit ’20′ during the last three elections?
Let’s face it the polls can be wrong and yet campaigns are run by them from sunrise to sunset. Frankly I think that they ruin the election process. They are harmful for democracy and they should be banned.
This poll, on polls should be as good as the rest that we read.
Imagine the difference without constant polling results. Politicians would have to lay in on the line instead of hedging because the polls say they have a lead or on the other hand digging down and stretching to reach voters in order to catch up.
It would also make it far more exciting and possibly attract more folks to vote. As it is now 50 percent stay home. In some cases that is because their party is ahead and they have it in the bag anyway.
Conversely, your choice candidate is 15 points down in the polls and does not stand a chance anyway, so what the hell, my one vote is not going to make a difference anyway.
The manipulation especially from the push polls is especially contrary to allowing voters to judge and then make their own decision. The tally comes following the vote count on election day and that is how it should be in my opinion.
On the right side is the Poll on Polling. I will leave it up for awhile longer.
It is not scientific and is only a sample of Cowichan Conversations readers.
I ask that you give it some thought, vote and feel free to give us your opinion by putting your comments in for others to read as well. Of course as always full proper names are required to be approved.
One of the burning questions begging for answers as to WTF happened that saw the BCNDP lose the election is how is it that Brian Topp ran the campaign after it was known that he was in business with the political enemies of the campaign.
Topp was an actual leadership candidate for the Federal NDP, former Layton organizer and now partner with ex Harper aide and ex Christy Clark Chief of Staff Ken Boosenkool and Ontario Liberal operative Don Guy end up running the NDP Campaign?
These three set up a Consultancy Firm a few months back, Kool-Topp-Guy offering advice and guidance to government at provincial and federal levels.
And the BC NDP stuck with this mastermind!!!!
One of the better political blogs out there ‘The Real Story’ ran this post that both reveals and asks questions. Man oh man is a shake-up and housecleaning overdue!
Take it from the Topp
Posted on May 16, 2013 by Ian
Last night I got this from a friend in the campaign. It’s from NDP Campaign Manager Brian Topp to his campaign staff, although it was sent through Jan O’Brien rather than directly from the KoolToppGuy himself.
His letter makes one thing clear. This man isn’t taking any of the blame for the worst major campaign ever run in this province and arguably in the country.
From: Jan O’Brien
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 1:02:35 PM
To: All Staff – Canada Way; All Staff
Subject: FW: The morning after
Sent on behalf of Brian Topp:
Dear colleagues,
This isn’t the note I was hoping to write to you this morning, and I am very sorry indeed that that’s the case.
So let me get right to it: this heartbreaking result had nothing to do with the work of our campaign team.
Stop right there. “Had nothing to do with the work of our campaign team?” Just think about that for a second.
“Nothing?” As in not at all related? Or completely separate from?
“Nothing?”
Would you say that’s the right word? Not me.
The wrong campaign. The wrong strategy. The wrong ads. The wrong polling. The wrong debate prep. The wrong emphasis on social vs. mass media. The wrong get out the vote strategy. The wrong…
Isn’t it simpler to ask, just what was right?
Now, while this makes me very angry, I do get what Topp is trying to say. He’s saying: ‘Thank you for your work. You worked unbelievably hard and did a good job. And with such a disastrous result – amongst the worst in Canadian history – few will recognize your contribution.’
Topp should then have added, “the disastrous result had everything to do with the leadership of the campaign team.”
Here’s the letter Topp could have and should have sent to his staff:
‘Many of you worked in the centre of the 2009 campaign and in the space of four weeks took us from 13 points back to 3 points down, with momentum. You did that with half the staff and a quarter of the money we had this time.
‘Last time you helped run a campaign that defined the Liberals.
‘This time I ran a campaign that didn’t lay a finger on the Liberals and allowed them to define us.
It also failed to inspire people to vote for us.
‘Because of that the Liberals took a 20 point deficit and turned it into an election day rout.
‘You’re still as good as you were in 2009.
‘The difference was the leader and me. Our strategy was a disaster. It was experimental and founded on naive and delusional fantasies about politics. We let you down. Just as we let the party down and the province down.
‘For that I apologize and promise I will never darken your door again.’
New Democrat Leaders who lose in a Provincial Election have never been able to rebound as party leader in a further election attempt, ever.
Those who huddle in the backrooms following election defeats always seem to want to stay the course with the leader who has failed to win and yet all evidence points to that course will ensure another loss.
That is not change, that is not renewal. It is a combination between an attachment to the status quo and in many cases the trappings, real or imagined that go with hanging out with the insiders.
Dave Barrett Premier of BC 1972-1975
Going back to theDave Barrett one breakthrough victory in 1972 followed by a number of subsequent defeats tells us one thing. NDP leaders get one shot at it and history tells us that if they fail then they should step down and move on.
Bob Skellygot that. After his defeat where he won the popular vote but fell due to the distribution of that support he stepped down.
The membership ran with Mike Harcourtwho was victorious in 1991. He later resigned over the Commonwealth society scandal without having the chance to run as a sitting Premier in the 1996 election that was won by Glen Clark.
Clark was later forced to resign over phony allegations of wrongdoing regarding a casino licence.
Premier Glen Clark
Ironically he was found by the courts to be innocent of any wrongdoing but the RCMP-Media raid on his homeand the pressure swirling around him forced his resignation, a fate that befell many BC Premiers.
Ujjal Dosajhcaptured the leadership and in 2001 led party to a near death experience. In Election 2001 the NDP was reduced to only two seats.
In fact that was an amazing time as Joy McPhailand Jenny Kwanwere left to defend BC against newly elected Gordon Campbellwho oversaw the greatest wealth transfer and outright liquidation of commonly held assets in our history.
Fast forward to Carole Jameswho, in 2005, brought the party back from near oblivion that was the 2001 verdict.
Interim NDP Leader Joy McPhail
Carole James managed to successfully put the BC NDP back on their feet in 2005 increasing the seats to a very respectable level and then she ran unsuccessfully in 2009.
Carole was about to take a third run when internal revolt from within her caucus ended up with her stepping down making way for a wide open leadership race that was won by Adrian Dix.
NDP Leader Carole James
As we know all too well Adrian Dixsuffered the most shocking loss in BC Political history losing to BC Liberal Premier Christy Clark.
So as the naval gazing proceeds, remember this unassailable fact. Those who seek the Premiers chair and lose never manage to pull out a victory upon a second or third try.
Adrian Dix was felled by a number of things but this very decent man laboured with a skeleton in his closet.
The BC Liberals and their allies crucified him for backdating a memo to protect his then boss, former Premier Glen Clark. As stated above Clark was found innocent but the RCMP and BCTV were not innocent, although of course nothing became of that ‘Third World like raid” on Clark’s home. It was one of the most sickening and disgusting events that ever took place in BC history.
BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix
Adrian Dix’s transgression paled compared to the lies of the BC Liberals, but unsurprisingly the Corporate Media did not seem keen to expose and shine the light on the shortcomings of BCTV or the RCMP.
This victory was not be realized but I sure hope that he stays on as an MLA. If the voters choose to elect the NDP with a new leader next time Adrian would be an invaluable asset and possibly a Minister of Health.
So there we have it. History shows us that defeated BC NDP leaders have never recovered from a loss and reversed those results in a second or third run.
That is the math. It is now time to face reality, thank Adrian for his effort, and move forward sooner rather than later. The BC NDP must turn the page now.
If they do not, the sad undeniable history will deal yet another blow to an already demoralized NDP.
Christy’ the ‘Charismatic Campaigner’ Cleaned Our Clocks!
Status quo politics have little resonance with the majority and they stayed home in droves.
The disconnect on the centre-left side of the political spectrum cannot be ignored any longer.
Now the NDP must get back to where they once belonged. It is time to reinvent themselves. It is essential that they get back to a more engaging style of politics.
They have not offered a relevant option to the voters. There was no emotion, no hope, no vision.
Adrian Dix was honourable, cautious and chose the intellectual high road. That approach while commendable was ineffective.
He was too nice and he was up against an accomplished charismatic campaigner in Christy Clark who surprised her own party, the NDP and the province.
Nicey-nicey sucks, the NDP campaign strategy failed. They refused to put on the gloves and fight the rottenest government in Canada.
Premier Christy Clark Captured the Prize
Aim low, avoid disappointment folks. We are in for a rough ride on so many levels!
So now what? Oil tankers, pipelines, Enbridge, Kinder Morgan expansion, contaminated soil in watersheds, financial skulduggery, crowded classrooms.
Christy won on ‘Growing the Economy’ and surprisingly the NDP avoided economic issues for the most part.
Health and Education issues were hardly mentioned in the election campaign.
Health workers and Teachers were missing in action. Not getting political, being non partisan, has backfired in spite of massive ad campaigns that said-Vote for Education etc.
That was too vague. The teachers and health care workers had a lot at stake, but failed to engage in a pointed, focused way. Boy will they pay for their lack of engagement.
The days of Labour playing a significant role in elections seem to be behind us, for better or worse.
BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix-took the high road to defeat!
The BC Liberals escaped paying a price for the HST, the BC Rail Scandal, the threat posed by the Enbridge Pipeline, Fracking and the threat of oil spills to our coast.
The BC Green’s campaign was a benefit to the BC Liberals.
They only won one seat, but in their strategy of running in most constituencies was a blessing for Christy Clark. However, their effort was not the deciding factor in the amazing BC Liberal victory.
The BC Conservative campaign, fraught with missteps, failed to register inroads that would have pulled away Liberal support. In truth it enhanced Christy Clark’s shocking upset victory.
And of course the MSM failed to hold the BC Liberal’s feet to the fire, but it truth that was NDP’s job and they fell flat while Christy danced, grinned and promised milk and honey.
Down in the trenches politics with nasty attacks, outright lying and negative campaigning worked for the BC Liberals.
Alexa Morton, Marine Biologist, has been our voice protecting salmon for years. She has led the way exposing the excesses of the commercial open pen farmed salmon operations.
She has today come out with a very important message of support for the BC NDP.
The Common Sense Canadian featured this breaking news. Here it is.
John Horgan MLA Juan de Fuca with Rick Atkinson from the Ambulance Paramedics of BC… Emergency ParameDIX Changing Ambulance Service for the Better, One Precious Life at a Time!
“I don’t think you need a weather vane to know which way the wind blows in British Columbia,” he said, taking a shot at a Liberal television add that put his picture on a weather vane.
Just as Christy Clark is in high gear doing her version of the Socialist Hordes are at the Gates, along comes former Premier Gordon Campbell’s ’Chief of Staff’ Martyn Brown with this commentary that was published in the Georgia Straight.
Kevin Logan has put together this multi media analysis of the Christy Clark Spin vs the’Real Facts.’
Kevin Logan (with Christine) A Cowichan Conversations Contributor
Take a few minutes and read this excellent piece. This is what ‘Independent Journalism is all about!
BC Liberal Pipeline Follies
By Kevin Logan
Christy Clark and the BC liberals have made a lot of bold claims about their position on pipelines proposed for British Columbia.
However, what they have neglected to tell British Columbians is that their government has entered into binding agreements that ensure the success of pipelines from Alberta to the BC Coast.
Everyone knows there has been a lot of politics surrounding pipeline developments in British Columbia, but very few are aware of the longstanding agreements, established by the BC Liberals, that ensure the success of the proposed pipelines and have thoroughly tied the hands of all BC Stakeholders leaving them with no capacity to actually impact the processes that will ensure the success of these developments.
TILMA/NWPA absolutely confirms that no level of government in British Columbia can block pipeline development, impede trade through the Province or create any obstacle, whatsoever, that prevents Alberta’s pipelines from reaching BC’s tidal waters. Doing so would result in fines up to 5 million dollars per infraction.
The June 2010 Equivalency Agreement, done in secret by the BC Liberals and against the letter of the law, forfeits our provinces ability to review, assess and decide on these pipeline proposals that threaten to transform the province as we know it.
The video presents these documents, and exposes the BC Liberal election posturing on pipelines as hollow and meaningless. These concepts, backed by government documentation, have been published on the internet and readily available for anyone interested.
Yet Christy Clark has never publicly acknowledged their existence, but more importantly, she has also positioned her party for re-election on claims that run counter to these indisputable facts.
In fact, the material contained in this video proves that when Christy Clark’s claims she can block or prevent these pipeline proposals, based on her “tough NEW stance” and “5 conditions” it is without merit, not based in reality and ignores the existence of these agreements of her governments own making.
The video closes with live footage from the most recent Estimates debate for the Ministry of Energy, where the Minister “of Everything” Rich Coleman, is on tape discussing his governments “Non-disclosure agreements” with the worlds largest oil companies.
A fact that has gone unreported and exposes the bold hypocrisy of the BC Liberal campaign which has had the audacity to broadly claim the BC NDP is “concealing” their position on these pipeline developments.
There is not one media report that covers the “Non disclosure agreements” the world’s largest oil and gas companies have with the BC Liberals, even though the Minister responsible has made their existence known in the public debate contained in this video.
Stories on these topics (see below) have been published on the internet for over a year, yet no one has refuted them, and Christy Clark has never publicly acknowledged their existence.
They impact all British Columbians and are crucial to our future.
Please share the video and supporting documentation provided below with everyone you know as it effects us all, and is pivotal to future of British Columbia in this upcoming election. Source Material:
Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All copyrighted materials contained herein belong to their respective copyright holders, I do not claim ownership over any of these materials. I realize no profit, monetary or otherwise, from the exhibition of these videos.
For an election that started off so slow this is turning into a lively one.
Adrian Dix and the BC NDP have dug down and gone after Christy Clark and the BC Liberals for their remarkable ‘Untruthiness’ to borrow a line from ’Late Night Talker-Satirist Stephen Colbert.’
If Colbert was covering Election 13 he would of course be backing the BC Liberals for their selfless efforts as Truth-Tellers, Job Creators, Educators Supreme and world leading environmentally sensitive leaders of the ‘Free World’
Stephen Colbert would eviscerate the BC Liberals with praise and encouragement.
Can’t you just hear him congratulating the BC Liberals for growth success in ‘Growing our Environmental Footprint’ and producing an escalating amount of carbon.
He would marvel at their attack on education and applaud their incredible accomplishment of ranking 2nd worst in all of Canada for ‘Child Poverty’ . He would be cheering them on to ‘Go for the Gold’-BC could be Number 1.
I am almost expect to see him any night now do his famous tongue in cheek endorsement of the forces that he wants to see trounced. That is the ‘Colbert-Style.’
I admire his objectivity and try to emulate that purity of purpose at all times.
So folks here are the latest numbers. If NDP supporters get out and vote we should be OK but it is only through voting that we can take back British Columbia and take it back we must.
The Terrace Daily News featured this video with a display on their front page. It is edgy, well, the repeated screechy ‘Liar-Liar-Liar-Liar-Liar’ is edgy but then, because you know what, you know what? It is true!
The marijuana question was interesting. Christy dodged it and took a shot at Adrian who supports decriminalization.
Because, do you know what, do you know what? It is all about ‘Growing the Economy ‘she said that at least 20 times during the TV Debate which can be seen over ‘On the Left Side’ if you missed it.
Umm, Christy, do you know what? Growing pot and hemp would grow the economy, reduce crime and associated policing and court costs.
BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix says pot should be decriminalized
As a bonus which is probably not be of much interest to you, it would mean that otherwise law abiding citizens would not be saddled with a criminal record that can affect their credit, employability, freedom to travel.
Christy have you ever smoked pot? Have any of your friends? Doh!
Here is a sample of the comments following release of the LIAR-LIAR-LIAR Video.
BEC BOY 1 day ago
It? could be worse. We could be retarded and let the NDP cripple the economy and put several multi-billion dollar project on hold because they feel they need to be re-evaluated. Show me a perfect party or leader; you can’t because one doesn’t exist. Ignorance is bliss and the Terrace daily is a joke aimed to sway the less intelligent and weak minded.
Terrace Daily News 1 day ago
Not sure, but we think you missed the point, this was not pro NDP but certainly could be seen as anti Liberal – in actual fact it was anti-Liars, specifically Clark. We simply were so offended at the blatant lies during the debate we felt it was our civic duty to point these lies out as loudly as possible. Site C has nothing to do with the LNG and the LNG will not produce 100,000? jobs. Fracking even requires massive water from Williston Lake, the BC hydro reservoir. Stupid and a Liar. ABC!.
Last day for Advance Voting is Saturday. The final voting opportunity will be Election Day from 8AM until 8PM.
This will be a tight election, your vote counts. Who would you rather have as our next Premier?
More Christy Clark and the BC Liberals or Adrian Dix and the BC NDP!
It is up to you. You can make it happen. You really can, if you VOTE!
Gordon ‘Flip’ Wilson, the man who never met a political party that he didn’t love and then hate and then love again has rowed across from his Powell River digs to stand with Christy Clark and the soon to be defeated BC Liberals.
Actually Gordy and Christy are natural allies, both are self-servers lacking real concern for others.
One wonders if this is an ‘Any port in a Storm’ situation. Gordon Wilson’s home is in foreclosure and is listed for sale.
Frankly, I’ll be damned if I can figure out how either can help themselves or each other at this point.
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