Michelle Mungall

New Democrats Urge Reinstatement of Needs-based Student Grants on National Day of Action

2012-02-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

KELOWNA – As students across Canada stand together to call for a well-funded, high-quality, public post secondary education system, New Democrats are calling on the B.C. Liberal government to reinstate needs-based student grants.
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“Ten years of tuition increases and the elimination of grants by the Liberals have made pursuing higher education increasingly difficult,” said Adrian Dix, New Democrat leader, as he joined advanced education critic Michelle Mungall, other New Democrat MLAs and students at the University of British Columbia Okanagan today.

“Restoring grants is key to improving accessibility, supporting young people and building a more prosperous economic future,” said Dix.

Feb. 1 is the National Day of Action for post secondary students across the country. Thousands of students are participating in campus rallies to the share stories of the financial challenges they face and to urge governments to adequately fund post secondary education. Students in B.C. have the highest student loan interest rate in the country, on top of rising tuition and an average student debt load of $27,000.

"A primary way government can improve the level of prosperity in B.C. is by providing young people from middle- and lower-income backgrounds the opportunity to build their knowledge and skills so they can accomplish their goals," said Dix. "B.C. Stats reported this week that British Columbia is dead last when it comes to income inequality, and pointed to education and training as a key to narrowing the gap. University and college program graduates on average earn more."

New Democrats have been urging the B.C. Liberal government to proceed now with a needs-based grant program for postsecondary students. The non-repayable grant program – eliminated by the Liberals in the 2004-05 fiscal year – could be financed through reinstating a minimum tax on financial institutions.

“Ensuring access to advanced education must be a cornerstone of any economic growth and jobs plan for the province,” said Mungall. “It’s time for the Liberal government to step up and provide support for students to get the credentials they need to enter the economy of tomorrow.”

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook to 2020 suggests that 80 per cent of expected employment openings will require post secondary education.

“I have met with young British Columbians from across the province who are worried that they cannot meet their aspirations because of the rising cost of post-secondary education,” said Mungall. “Grants would help ensure that many young people can overcome barriers in getting the education they need to fulfill their dreams, and the B.C. economy will have the skilled labour force it needs.”

Mungall wants to see investment in apprenticeship and skills training programs in Prince George

2011-09-22T13:34:00.001-07:00

NEW DEMOCRAT ADVANCED ED CRITIC HEARS LOCAL COMMUNITY CONCERNS

Prince George – New Democrat advanced education critic Michelle Mungall wants to see investment in apprenticeship and skills training programs in Prince George.

Over the last three weeks, Mungall has toured colleges and universities across the province. On Wednesday, she was in meetings with president George Iwama and others at the University of Northern B.C. and at the College of New Caledonia. Mungall notes that investment in post-secondary programs is lacking. “After talking with students at CNC and UNBC, it is clear that students are given the back seat in Christy Clark’s ‘friends first’ agenda,” she said.

Young British Columbians have been abandoned by the Liberal government. They eliminated student grants, dismantled a program aimed at helping formeryouth-in-care get a fair start, doubled tuition fees, and froze the minimum wage for 10 years. Now, students are saddled with large debts, and many others are put off by the obstacles they would face pursuing any educational opportunities at all.

“Communities like Prince George need to see action from the government. Currently there is a shortage of apprenticeship and skills training programs and now these colleges and universities have had their provincial funding frozen,” noted Mungall. “This is critical for Prince George. We need to ensure that the Liberal’s are taking steps prevent resource-based communities from suffering economically.”

The Liberal governments own reports suggest that close to 80 per cent of expected employment openings – new jobs and replacement positions – will require some post-secondary education, or a university degree.

“So far on the Premier’s jobs plan tour, we have seen nothing to make education more affordable for B.C. students and in fact, there has been very little on any aspect of education and training which should be a key part of a jobs plan.

“The so-called jobs plan won’t help the many other important programs that are starved for funding now. Years of frozen post-secondary funding, cuts to apprenticeship training dollars and shrinking facilities grants leave students worried about their programs and administrators uncertain about how much more they can stretch dollars.

“The New Democrats, on the other hand, are proposing positive steps. At the beginning of this tour, Adrian Dix proposed the restoration of a needs-based grant plan that would aid struggling post-secondary students,” said Mungall. “The feedback from students on our ideas has been enthusiastic, and we look forward to continue working with them.”

Mungall wants the BC Liberals to stop making money off of student loans

2011-05-30T13:03:00.001-07:00

During the Budget Estimates debate for Advanced Education, MLA Michelle Mungall, critic for Advanced Education, Youth and Labour Market development, uncovered that the BC Liberals are profiting off of low-income students who need loans to go to school.

"The BC Liberal government is borrowing money for students loans at prime minus 1% then turning it around to students at prime plus 2.5%. That's a 3.5% markup," said Mungall. "BC has the highest student loan interest rate in the country, one of the highest student debt loads and the BC Liberals are profiting from it."

When the Minister initially stated that revenue from student loans go into one of the few grant programs the province has for students with disabilities, Mungall questioned the legitimacy of generating revenue from low-income students' loans for grants for low-income students. However, this further uncovered that the revenue from students loans does not in fact fund student grants. Rather, it goes into general revenue.

With student debt and poverty at such high levels in BC, Mungall also asked about student grants, noting that most of the 2500 FTE students at Selkirk College don't have access to financial needs-based grants from the province. Since 2001, BC Liberals have been cutting funding for post-secondary grants so that now they are about half of what they were in 2001.

"BC has the lowest level of student grants in Canada. Couple that with the highest interest rate on loans, and we shouldn't be surprised that student food banks are seeing more and more clients," notes Mungall. “The reality is that without upfront financial needs-based grants, many low income students are just not able to get their foot in the door."

Alternatively, the BCNDP see advanced education as an investment in the province. With a skilled labor shortage of approximately 160,000 jobs in the next five years, BC needs to make post secondary education accessible and affordable for BC families. To start, the BCNDP will eliminate interest on students loans and increase student grants by $100million.

“Post-secondary education isn't a frill, it is a necessary component of our economy that requires investment by individuals and the Province," sates Mungall. $30million dollars to eliminating student loan interest rates and $100million will pay tremendous dividends to our communities."

Leader Adrian Dix and BCNDP Opposition will continue to stand up for students and strong provincial investment in post-secondary education.

www.michellemungall.ca

Mungall Giving Away Free Roller Derby Tickets!

2011-05-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

Nelson- Let your MLA know why community sport is important and you could win tickets to this season’s West Kootenay Roller Derby bouts. Michelle Mungall is drawing pairs of tickets to see one of this region’s most explosive sporting events. Just email your submission to michelle.mungall.mla@leg.bc.ca . First Draw is May 26 for the May 28th bout in Nelson.

“Promoting and supporting community sport is good on so many levels. I know why it’s important to me, but I want to hear why it is important to the people of this region,” says Mungall, “And as an extra incentive, I’ll be entering everyone who participates into draws that take place two days before each West Kootenay bout.”

The West Kootenay Women’s Rollerdderby League currently boasts eight teams including the Babes of Brutality, Lumberjackies and Killjoys. They represent a sport that is fast paced, fun and growing in popularity throughout BC.

Recently, Mungall spoke to this “roller derby explosion” in BC’s Legislature. “The West Kootenay women, while the largest league [in Canada], aren’t the only growing league,” said Mungall before the last bout. She then proceeded to list all BC leagues from the originators, Eves of Destruction, to Fort St. John’s Energetic City Roller Derby Association.

“Roller derby is among the many great community sports in our region,” says Mungall “Getting out and being active is good for your health, your community and the province.”

Kootenay Festivals

2011-05-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

MLA Michelle Mungall made a statement in the Legislature on Monday May 16th about two of this region’s spring festivals. The first, Creston’s Blossom Festival, will be celebrating its 70th year and will host its annual parade on Saturday May 21. Kalso’s May Days hosts many activities, including the famous ‘Logger Sports’, and will be hosting its parade on Monday May 23. Watch for Mungall and her fiance on their motorcycle.

Please click on the below link to view the webclip.

May 16, 2011 ~ Statement: "Festivals in Kootenays" ~ Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson - Creston

FESTIVALS IN KOOTENAYS

M. Mungall: Well, it did take a while this year, but spring finally did come, and the Kootenays, of course, know just how to celebrate its long-awaited arrival. As the rain showered over Baker Street in Nelson on May 7, locals piled on to the famous downtown street to get their seeds, flowers, herbs, shrubs, trees and garden decor. It was the West Kootenay EcoSociety’s tenth anniversary of their garden festival, and the rain stopped no one from supporting their neighbourhood businesses.

This upcoming weekend brings two more festivals and, of course, a prayer for a little sunshine. The 70th annual Creston Blossom Festival starts this upcoming Friday. To celebrate the past 70 years, the blossom festival is hosting a very fun event in honour of a past long-serving festival board member and woman who left a tremendous legacy in the Creston Valley, the late Lela Irvine.

The event is a pageant tea for women over 70 years of age. Mr. Speaker, you might notice that I’m not eligible for this pageant, so I will be taking in the baking and the handicrafts and the fashion show that entrants will be proudly showing off. I welcome all to join me after they catch enough candy at the parade earlier in the day. The pageant is at the Creston and district rec centre from 2 to 4 p.m.

But not to be outdone by its Kootenay neighbour Creston, Kaslo also boasts a lively May festival this weekend. So whether you’re entering the 5K run, the skate jam or logger sports or all of the above, May Days are sure to entertain and bring community together.

Like Creston’s blossom fest, there is a parade. Watch for me and my fiancé on our motorbike as we reach into the saddlebags and toss candy to eager kids and kids at heart. As the House knows, Nelson-Creston is the most beautiful constituency in B.C., so I welcome all to attend our wonderful May festivals. You will no doubt have a ball.

BCNDP is upfront on the HST, Mungall wants the same from BC Liberals

2011-05-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Nelson- Since learning of the BC Liberals’ betrayal on the Harmonized Sales Tax, the BCNDP has been clear the HST is the wrong tax at the wrong time. With an upfront and honest approach to the HST, the BCNDP has stood with families and small businesses to stop this tax shift. Despite calls on the BC Liberals to do the same, Christy Clark and her MLAs have done the opposite.

“The BC Liberals have chosen to say whatever is convenient to push through the HST rather than be upfront,” says Mungall. “This week, not only has the Minister of Finance failed to come clean on retaining previous PST exemptions once the HST is voted down, but now he is claiming that the BC Liberals are neutral in the referendum campaign. Their dishonesty when it comes to the HST never seems to end.”

Recently, the BC Liberal government started a $7million HST advertising campaign. Under the guise of explaining the tax, they are persuading people’s votes with their own tax dollars and false information. This $7million is outside the already determined funding for both sides of the referendum.

“This is just shameful. $7 million for HST ads after they misled the public, $6 million for convicted BC Liberal insiders on BC Rail, and $1.3 billion more out of BC families’ pocket books. This clearly shows the BC Liberals’ priorities.” Mungall adds, “It’s time for a real change.”

British Columbian families and small businesses can trust that the BCNDP will retain all exemptions that existed under the previous PST system once the HST is voted down.

“You will no longer see the HST’s 7% increase on haircuts, vitamins, bicycles, energy-saving appliances, and the long list of other items and services that are now more expensive,” states Mungall. “The BCNDP will ensure fair taxation that recognizes families’ realities today.”

Adrian Dix and the BCNDP continue to stand with British Columbian’s to stop the HST, and are committed to making life better and more affordable for families by investing in health care, education, and other vital services.

Newest study on HST shows BC Liberals lack credibility says Mungall

2011-05-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

After a government-appointed panel released a report on the impacts of the HST, Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall is disturbed at the discrepancies between the results and the promises made by BC Liberals. Although the BC Liberals assured that the harmonized sales tax will create over 100,000 jobs and economic growth in the province, the data clearly shows otherwise.

“Every single BC Liberal MLA adamantly asserted that the HST would create 113,000 jobs,” says Mungall. “And now we see that the projections are a fraction of that. Add to this the possible job losses in industries like the food services, and the gains are even less.”

According to the panel report, Canadian families will continue to pay a higher price since the introduction of the HST, shelling out an average of 350 dollars more per year. This estimate does not include outside expenses such as home renovations, and the costs of other basic amenities. Meanwhile, taxation for corporate business in BC is the lowest in Canada.

“The burden of this tax is on the backs of small businesses and BC families,” Mungall states. “Judging by the evidence of this panel report, it is fair to say the BC Liberals cannot be trusted.”

Since the day the HST was introduced, the BCNDP has been clear on its position.

“We oppose the HST because it is the wrong tax at the wrong time,” says Mungall. “In addition, we support the people’s referendum to stop this dig into their pockets. We will be working with them to ensure a fair process, and that the public’s voice is heard.”

Adrian Dix and the BCNDP Opposition will continue to offer fair, concrete solutions on the negative impacts of the HST on British Columbian families.

Mungall dissapointed in the “Status Quo” Liberal Budget

2011-05-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall is disappointed that the 2011 BC Liberal Budget offers no change, and instead is the very same budget delivered under Gordon Campbell earlier this year. Former Minister of Finance, Colin Hansen, defined the budget as status quo when he presented it, as he assumed that the new Premier would add changes to it. Far from any changes, the budget is the same, showing the Christy Clark fails to offer any real difference from her predecessor.

“The people of Nelson-Creston want to know why this government continues to leave school districts in the lurch with unfunded costs that force them to impact their budgets in places no one wants, the classroom,” said Mungall. “The people of Nelson-Creston want to know where MSP increases generating an extra $147 million last year are going, because we’re still without a surgeon at Kootenay Lake Hospital. We still have 2,000 orphaned patients in the Creston Valley, and we still have overworked public health nurses covering regions the size of some European countries.”

As the newly appointed critic of Advanced Education, Mungall noted that the budget fails to address the rising costs of tuition fees and student debt for British Columbian families. On these issues, Mungall talked about the BCNDP plan to “get the debt off of students back. A hundred million in students grants — that’s what we propose. Thirty million to eliminate interest.” By rolling back corporate tax cuts, corporations, who are now paying the province less in tax than students pay in tuition, will begin to contribute their fair share into developing the labour force they need to operate.

With a new premier who rode in on the slogan of change, this budget shows that Christy Clark is in truth more of the same. Most importantly, stated Mungall, “the reality is that the status quo is not creating opportunity. It is not creating growth.”

Adrian Dix and the BCNDP Opposition Caucus continue to stand up for British Columbians and put forward bold ideas that will build a better BC for the 21st century.

Mungall Demands Funding for Derailed BC Court System

2011-02-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

MLA Michelle Mungall says British Columbia’s justice system is starving to death because of a severe lack of funding for Provincial Courts. In Yesterday’s Question Period, Mungall asked both the Solicitor General and the Minister of Finance to account for the chronic underfunding and increased cuts in this year’s Budget.

“Is this the standard that the Minister of Finance plans to keep, or will he commit today to properly fund the criminal justice system, clear up the backlog and get B.C. courts working again?” demanded Mungall.

Rather than respond to the question, the Solicitor General and the Minister of Finance deferred to the absent Attorney General.

“I was disappointed in the Minister of Finance. He has responsibility for the Budget, and I asked a budget question. The people of BC deserve better than someone who is so out of touch that he can’t respond to questions on his own budget,” says Mungall.

“Criminal cases have been waiting more than two years to be heard because of case backlog and court delays,” adds Mungall, “ I think about the lack of closure for those involved in these cases that have been thrown out.”

Today a Quadra Island family is feeling the bitter result of a court case being dismissed due to delays. A man charged with shooting and killing the family’s puppy walked out of court today when charges were dropped after the Judge said it was taking too long to bring the case to trial.

Mungall and her NDP colleagues will continue to stand up to protect the people of British Columbia and our justice system.

To view the web clip click here.

Related Story: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/02/16/bc-puppy-death-charges-stayed.html

MLA’s Food Systems Report Ready to Launch

2011-02-15T12:05:00.000-08:00

Creston- Monday February 21 at 4:00pm, MLA Michelle Mungall will be releasing the report, Kootenay Lake Food Systems. This event brings the MLA’s work on local agriculture full circle since it is being held at the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce, the same venue where Mungall heard from 50 local farmers on the need to build our regional food system.

“The forum was the beginning of this whole process. So much information came out of that dialogue that it deserved a detailed look into this region’s current food network and ways to improve it,” says Mungall.

The Report was prepared by University of British Columbia Master of Arts student, Paris Marshall Smith during her internship at the MLA’s Nelson-Creston Community Office. Over the summer months, Marshall Smith met with agricultural producers and distributors throughout the Kootenay Lake region to identify the infrastructure needed to get locally grown food to local tables.

“It has been extremely gratifying to work with such an amazing group of people in the Kootenays,” says Marshall Smith, “There is a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to support local food production that really defines this region as a whole.”

Copies of the report will be available at the launch and can thereafter be downloaded from www.michellemungall.ca

NHL and Olympian Scott Niedermeyer shows support for MLA’s rally to Keep Jumbo Wild.

2011-02-02T15:25:00.000-08:00

Nelson: This Saturday February 5th at 12pm in Central School gym, Scott Niedermayer will be showing his support to Keep Jumbo Wild and you can too!

The two-time hockey Olympic gold medalist and Stanley Cup winner has emailed Mungall to express his support for the rally. Niedermeyer has been a vocal advocate for keeping Jumbo wild, and Kootenay Ice team members are following in his footsteps. They will be reading Scott’s letter while joining host Mungall onstage at the rally this Saturday. Also joining her will be Spencer Chandra Herbert, NDP Opposition Critic for Tourism, Culture & Arts, The Raging Grannies and more.

In November, Mungall spoke to the Minister for Natural Resource Operations and he said that he would be making a decision regarding Jumbo “in the next few months.” Should he give the Master Development Agreement the green light, it won’t be long before bulldozers make their way to this important grizzly bear habitat.

With this decision looming Mungall says the BC Liberal Minister “needs to hear the voice of Kootenay residents, a voice that has emphatically said they want to keep Jumbo Wild.”

“The time to stop the Jumbo Glacier Resort is now. Let’s make sure the Minister is clear that we don’t want this development in our backcountry, and that we won’t stand for it.”

Join us this Saturday in Central School Gym at 12 pm and help send a clear strong message to Keep Jumbo Wild.
For more information, please contact Michelle Mungall’s MLA office 250.354.5944 toll-free 1-877-388-4498 michelle.mungall.mla@leg.bc.ca

Anti-Jumbo forces ramping up for February rally

2011-01-21T10:32:00.000-08:00

By Andrea Klassen - Nelson Star
Published: January 20, 2011

With the end of a 20-year- old saga on the horizon, the West Kootenay EcoSociety and NDP MLA Michelle Mungall are hoping to jump start local interest in the Jumbo resort debate with a rally February 5.
Mungall says the Minister of Natural Resources told her a decision on the proposed year-round resort is coming some time in the next few months. For the $45 million project to go ahead, the provincial government will have to agree to create a resort municipality at the foot of Jumbo mountain.

“The minister didn’t give me anything to go with in terms of which way he’s leaning,” Mungall says, adding she was told all information on the resort is “in the decision matrix” and under review.

But she’s hoping a final display of public disapproval before the decision is made could keep the project from going ahead.

“People want to see Jumbo retained as a wild space. They’re clear about that in our region,” she says, adding backcountry tourism operators near Jumbo have also complained the resort would damage their business.

“I’m hoping the minister will hear us and hear our emphatic opposition and say no.”

David Reid, executive director of the EcoSociety, says he’s also hoping the rally will remind people the Jumbo issue is not yet settled.

“I think it’s an issue that has fallen off the radar a bit, because there’s been so little action in the past year,” he says, adding he’s not sure some of the resort’s opponents realize the province could still okay the project.

“We’re worried the Liberal government is going to sneak this in on its way out,” he adds.

Besides Mungall, at least three other MLAs are set to attend the event, including NDP environment critic Rob Fleming and Norm Macdonald of Columbia River-Revelstoke, whose constituency will house the Jumbo Glacier Resort should it receive the green light. The rally may also provide Nelson its first glimpse of one of the party’s leadership hopefuls.

The rally runs from 12 to 2 p.m. at Central School on February 5.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/news/114314164.html

Mungall Welcomes Minister´s Announcement Following her Video Trilogy

2011-01-07T16:00:00.000-08:00

Nelson- Less than a month after the release of MLA Michelle Mungall’s three video letters to Minister Rich Coleman, funding for Nelson’s Anderson Street housing project has been given the green light. In a statement released by the Minister Responsible for Housing, more than $3.8 million in capital funding has been promised to build the 33 units of supportive housing.

“I’m pleased that the Minister has finally approved funding for this much needed housing. After two years of delays, we can finally start planning for homes for those in need,” elates Mungall.

The project has been on hold since 2009, when the federal component of funding fell through. Since then, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and their partners have been waiting for a commitment to come from the provincial government.

“My Season´s Greetings Video Trilogy to the Minister focused on this very issue. I am happy to see that the Minister looked over our holiday wish list, as noted in the video, and finally granted it,” says Mungall.

Although Coleman had previously expressed that the Anderson Street Project was a high priority for the Ministry, it took more than two years and a little encouragement to see the money come through.

All three video letters are available online at the MLA’s Youtube channel.

Kerr Building Fire Victims

2011-01-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

Last night’s fire in the Kerr building destroyed all 48 units leaving tenants without homes or belongings. For anyone wishing to help the victims of the fire, the following locations are accepting donations. Please help in any way that you can.

Share Nelson -donations of household items

Salvation Army -donations of clothing and household items

Kootenay Kids -children’s clothing donations

Our Daily Bread -food donations

Pawsitive Apparel (old WIN store) -clothing and household items

A few more tidbits:

The Grande has offered 3 nights stay for the residents

Safeway has offered to help supply any food that is required (incredible!)

Mungall Releases Final Installment of Video Letter Trilogy

2010-12-15T13:22:00.000-08:00

Today marks the third and final installment of MLA Michelle Mungall’s video- trilogy letter to Housing Minister, Rich Coleman. The video letters urge the Minister to spread a little holiday cheer by releasing funding for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s proposed Anderson Street housing development for seniors who have experienced homelessness.

“The 35 units of supportive housing for seniors would be a huge benefit to the community by putting an end to homelessness for many people,” states Mungall.

The project has been shovel-ready since the fall of 2008 and would see $7 million put into supportive housing in the region. Despite reassurances from Minister Coleman that this project is a priority, actual dollars have yet to be seen.

During filming, Mungall enlisted the help of local housing advocates, City Councillor Donna Macdonald, and people who would benefit from this supportive housing.

“Anyone can view the video trilogy on my YouTube channel or by following the links from my website. Most importantly, the Minister for Housing doesn’t have to make a special trip to see that local seniors and the lot on Andersen Street are ready and waiting for housing. He can see them just by clicking “play” on three videos” says Mungall.

Click here to go to Michelle’s Youtube channel.

Statement on Carole James’ resignation as Leader of the BCNDP

2010-12-07T08:43:00.001-08:00

In 2003, Carole James stepped forward to run for leadership of the BCNDP at a difficult time in our party’s history. We had two seats in the BC Legislature, and many people did not want to affiliate with us. Yet, Carole’s dedication to the NDP was clear during the leadership race, and in the end she received broad support to be BCNDP’s leader.

Over the past seven years with Carole as Leader, we have grown from those two seats to the largest Opposition in BC’s history and record high provincial support. Because she has always worked for the benefit of British Columbians, it wasn’t surprising when she started grassroots conversations to build a better BC via Our Province Our Future. Courageous, fair, compassionate are all words that describe Carole and her work.

In stepping down as Leader, Carole has again put her commitment to British Columbians first. It was not an easy decision, but it is one that she felt necessary to end the internal conflict within the BCNDP. British Columbians wanted to see the fighting stop, and so she stopped it.

In moving forward, we are not without challenges. As always, we will meet those challenges because we are a strong party and proud to be NDP. Most importantly, we value our province and have a continued dedication to the people of BC. Our focus must now be on getting ready to make a Government rooted in democratic principles and the values important to citizens. That focus is my commitment to you.

My thanks go out to Carole and her family for all that they have given to our province and our party over the past seven years. We have been the beneficiaries of their sacrifices and their generosity.

MUNGALL RELEASES VIDEO-LETTER TRILIGY ON HOUSING IN NELSON

2010-11-29T10:56:00.000-08:00

This Holiday Season, MLA Michelle Mungall will use YouTube to send a video trilogy to Rich Coleman, the Minister responsible for Housing. The three video letters will focus on CMHA’s proposed 35 unit housing project slated for Nelson’s Anderson Street.

“The Anderson Street housing project has been stalled for much too long. Minister Coleman has expressed that funding for these 35-units is a priority for the ministry, but we have yet to see one shovel hit the ground,” states Mungall. “This Holiday Season I have a very clear message for Minister Coleman; putting roofs over people’s heads so that they are not left out in the cold.”

The $7 million supported housing project was slated to begin in the fall of 2008 at the site of the old school board office in Nelson.

The video trilogy will be uploaded to Youtube each Wednesday beginning December 1st. Anyone can watch the videos and add their voice to the online comments by subscribing to Mungall’s YouTube channel. You definitely want to subscribe to get the first screenings of this season’s made-in-Nelson trilogy.

To subscribe to the MLA’s Youtube channel, click here.

JUMBO CONCERN CONTINUES

2010-11-26T11:14:00.000-08:00

Nelson Star Nov 26, 2010

“Ouch! This cold snap bites,” I said as I walk out my door the other day. “Jack Frost is chowing down on my nose rather than merely nipping at it.” You’d think that after growing up on the Prairies with -40°C winters, I’d be a pro at cold spells. Nope. After living here for awhile, I discovered how much I love our generally milder weather and loathe the plummeting temperatures.

I also discovered that in my heart of hearts I am a mountain-girl. I like the land going up, with all the hidden gem spots in between the giant rocks. The water, the forests, beaches, bowls, caverns… they all make up this amazing part of the world that attracts people from all walks of life. It is immensely inspiring. It is jumbo-sized incredible. And I like that most of our natural places are wild. So not surprisingly, I support Jumbo wild.

Over the last few months, I have received hundreds of letters asking the provincial government to reject the proposal for Jumbo Glacier Resort (JGR). Last week, representatives of the Ktunaxa Nation trekked to Victoria to give the provincial government the Qat’muk Declaration. This was a formal presentation of the Ktunaxa’s opposition to JGR. Along with the Ktunaxa, business owners, environmentalists, retirees, students, and so many more have told me that they don’t want the BC Liberal Government to make a “jumbo mistake.”

Just in case the new Minister for Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thompson, wasn’t sure about the extent of local opposition, I wanted to tell him directly. I also had some questions for him. Just a few hours before writing this, I got off the phone with the Minister who is now in charge of the approval process for JGR. Here is what he said:

All the local input goes into a “decision-matrix” alongside research data, First Nations consultation, the approved Environmental Assessment, and an economic impact analysis. On the last component of the “decision matrix,” the Minister did not know how this was conducted and what kind of analysis was done. As a result, I will be speaking with the Ministry staff person who does because this is a critical point. The proponents contend that JGR will create jobs and be beneficial. No doubt it will create jobs, but the benefits are uncertain if we don’t know how it will impact existing resorts, small recreational businesses, local wages, and the natural environment for long term sustainability of our local tourism industry.

For the most part the Minister was evasive and vague. Since he is new to this recently created (and odd) Ministry, I cut him some slack for his limited knowledge of the issue. However, I thought he trivialized the opposition, and it was also telling that he didn’t acknowledge the importance of recognition and reconciliation with First Nations within the process of assessing JGR.

“Steve,” I said, “when will you be announcing your decision?” He replied that they are completing two pieces, and once those are done, a decision will be made. Those pieces are a recent grizzly bear study done by Dr. Michael Proctor and First Nations “consultation.” So I asked “where are these pieces at in terms of completion?” “Close,” he said, “In a few months.”

This winter, stay tuned for both weather and Jumbo updates.

MUNGALL CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO STOP GLACIER-HOWSER IN ITS TRACKS

2010-08-31T14:30:00.001-07:00

NELSON — Less than one year after the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office gave the Glacier-Howser private power project its second failing grade, the company proposing the project has now applied for a third time, and New Democrats are once again vowing to stand with the community to stop it.

“The people of the Kootenays have already spoken about this project – they simply don’t want it because it is not good for our region,” said Michelle Mungall, New Democrat MLA for Nelson-Creston.
“The B.C. Liberal government has ensured that destructive projects like the Glacier-Howser proposal can come back again and again, even when local businesses and people in the region have been outspoken about their potential to harm our communities,” said Mungall.

The controversial 100 megawatt private power project is proposed for an area in the Purcell Mountains, 120 kilometres north of Nelson. Mungall noted that opposition to the project by the vast majority of local residents is due to its potential to harm threatened and endangered species such as bull trout, grizzly bears, wolverine and mountain caribou, as well as the damage it would do to a popular recreational area and tourist attraction.

“During last year’s public consultation process, it was a struggle to get some clarity and transparency about ways for the public to meaningfully participate,” added Mungall. “Should this application go forward yet again, the public must be heard.”

Mungall has written a letter to the project assessment director at the Environmental Assessment Office requesting a number of measures to ensure the public’s voice is heard:

1. In addition to other public meetings, a formal public meeting must be held in Nelson, home to a significant number of businesses, organizations and other community stakeholders;
2. The maximum number of days (75) must be allowed for public consultation, and that the public must be provided information on how to fully participate in the process;
3. An independently written executive summary of the proposal must be provided in plain language that is understandable to the public.

“The environment minister has the authority to shut down this process now and save a lot of time and money on reviewing a proposal that the people of the Kootenays have already said loud and clear they don’t want. Barring the minister’s intervention, at the very least the Environmental Assessment Office needs to do everything it can to make sure people’s voices are heard,” said Mungall.

The Carole James New Democrats are holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for their HST doublecross while working with British Columbians from all walks of life, all corners of B.C., and all sectors of our economy to build a better British Columbia for the people of this province.

Mungall welcomes UBC Intern to work on regional food security

2010-07-07T15:55:00.000-07:00

Following her Community Forum on Agriculture in Creston, MLA Michelle Mungall has engaged the help of University of British Columbia Masters student Paris Marshall Smith to support initiatives that will increase Kootenay Lake communities’ food security.

In March, Mungall heard from local farmers and food lovers that there is much to be done to support farmers and strengthen local food systems, so Mungall took on the task. UBC’s School for Community and Regional Planning offered the expertise with graduate students like Marshall who were interested in internships. Pairing Marshall Smith with the project of supporting local food in the Kootenays “was a natural fit,” says Mungall.

“I am very pleased to have Paris join my team,” adds Mungall. “As a student in the Master in Community and Rural development program at UBC, she brings a high level of skills to work with farmers and food lovers for increased regional food security.”

“Many people have told me that they want to make the 100 Mile Diet more than just a trend, but a normal way of life. In fact, the Creston Community Forum not only inspired this project, but also Jen Barclay who has started Frattoria, a marketing business for local food. The momentum is there, and Paris is here to capture it and work with locals for local food.”

Familiar with the region, Marshall has been managing the large gardens and “food flow” at the East Shore’s Yasodhara Ashram for the past two years. “Food is my passion, and being able to complement my studies with an internship focused on supporting regional food systems is right up my alley,” says an enthusiastic Marshall Smith.

Over the summer months, Marshall Smith will start by meeting with agricultural producers and distributors throughout the Kootenay Lake region to identify the infrastructure and networks needed to get locally grown food to local tables. A draft action report will come forward in the Fall for public input at a large regional meeting.

“This is a win-win,” notes Mungall. “We get a dedicated person to work with us on an important issue with broad impact, and she gets to enhance her learning.”

Whip it at the Rollerderby!

2010-05-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

As a big fan of rollerderby, Mungall delivered this statement in the BC Legislature about whipping it at a bout.

May 5, 2010 ~ 2 Minute Statement: “Roller Derby” ~ Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston

Mungall Working for Healthcare in Our Region

2010-04-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

As the Interior Health Authority and the Ministry of Health cut the Operating Room by 25% at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, they further reduce health services to West Kootenay residents.

Mungall stood up to the Minister of Health when news of cuts to KBRH first came to light. Calling on him to restore nurses and the OR time, Mungall joined Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy in pressing the Minister for answers.

Watch online at: Surgical Services at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital - QP Clip - March 3, 2010

Read the article in the Nelson Daily News at http://www.nelsondailynews.com/article/20100310/NELSON0101/303109980/-this-is-what-health-care-has-come-to-in-bc

The Nelson and District Health Task Force has been a long-time advocate for restoration of health services in the region. In Spring 2009, 3047 residents signed a petition calling on election candidates to support a CT Scanner, a general Surgeon and 3 Intensive Care Unit beds at Kootenay Lake Hospital. Nearing the anniversary of the petition, MLA Mungall presents the petition to the BC Legislature.

The petition reminds us all that the BC Liberals have been chipping away at our region's health services since they took office in 2001. It further reminds the BC Liberal Government that we will never stop fighting for those services. Our region deserves quality healthcare that prioritizes patient safety.

Watch the delivery of the petition online at: Petition - Kootenay Lake Hospital - MLA Michelle Mungall - April 1, 2010

Rather than the IHA and Ministry of Health fund a basic diagnositc tool -a CT Scanner, Kootenay residents have now taken up the charge. The Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation has been leading the community-wide fundraising for a CT Scanner at Kootenay Lake Hospital. To honour and promote the cause that will certainly benefit the whole of Nelson-Creston, Mungall delivered a statement to the Legislature.

Watch online at: Fundraising for CT Scanner Services in Nelson - Michelle Mungall, MLA - March 3, 2010

Recognizing Nelson's Contributions to Haiti

2010-04-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

To acknowledge the inspirational volunteer work being done by Nelson residents as they help to rebuild Haiti from the massive earthquake last january, MLA Mungall made a statement in the Legislature.

Read below or watch online at: Haiti Earthquake Relief - M. Mungall, MLA - March 30, 2010

M. Mungall: Well, 45 minutes after arriving in a community just west of Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010, three teachers and 17 students from Mount Sentinel School along with four volunteers from Kootenay Christian fellowship, including my neighbour Jim Reimer, were shaken out of their hostel. They were at the epicentre of the 7.0 earthquake that has rocked Haiti to the ground.

As they ran into the street, they left behind $10,000 of raised funds for community supports. Amidst the chaos, that money was stolen. However, the high school students still had the money in their pockets, and it was with both this money and their spirit that the Nelson region began its direct role in rebuilding a devastated Haiti. The students pooled their pocket money to buy rice so that they could give it to those who had nothing. Days later all 17 students arrived home safely.

Three other Nelson residents were caught in the quake, and they, too, survived to then turn around and help many of the injured people in Port-au-Prince. Since January several locals have journeyed to Jacmel, including two midwives and a local paramedic, Alon Gelcer. They are building and operating a clinic for women and children. And today another two Nelson residents are in Haiti contributing their medical skills to the national university hospital.

This one particularly hits home for me because one of these residents sits across the kitchen table from me. Over the next two weeks my partner, Zak Matieschyn, is joining Dr. Joel Kailia in Haiti's busiest emergency room. Although the earthquake has left the headlines, the need and the devastation remain.

And you can be sure that where there is a need, there is definitely a Nelsonite.

'Nuff Said!

2010-03-05T14:32:00.000-08:00

A cyclist with a message!

Rallying on the Legislature steps to stop the HST and the BC Liberals' new 7% tax on bikes.

Standing up for the missing and murdered Aboriginal women

2010-02-13T13:19:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, the Prime Minister of Canada addressed the BC Legislature from inside the Chamber.

Outside, earlier in the day, First Nations women and Chiefs called on both the Prime Minister and BC Premier to act on the issue of the missing and murdered women, most of whom are Aboriginal. They said there are 3000 across Canada since 1970, but only 520 have been recognized. The United Nations has expressed its disappointment in the lack of government action on this issue as well, and West Coast LEAF has given BC a grade of F for its (lack of) response.

Taking the concerns of First Nations Chiefs and women into the House, Michelle Mungall and NDP colleagues asked the BC Liberal Government to commit to a public inquiry on the missing and murdered women.

Here's part of the Hansard Transcript:

February 11, 2010 ~ Question Period: Call for Inquiry re: Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women ~ Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston

M. Mungall: The first nations representatives who were here today noted that there are many solutions to prevent the violence that takes their mothers, their daughters, their sisters, their aunties and friends from their communities. We know that the police are doing whatever they can. But the solutions that they spoke of need real government involvement, real government action and real government implementation.

The representatives from first nations communities want a public inquiry. They want to know why. They want to know how we can stop this. So the question is: will the Deputy Premier today, on this day, commit to a public inquiry for the missing and murdered aboriginal women of this province?

Hon. M. de Jong: I've had occasion in the course of fulfilling various duties in this chamber, as Attorney General and as the minister responsible for aboriginal relations, to meet with some of the people directly affected. The member is correct about the concern they have expressed with respect to individual cases and the underlying reasons that may account for some of those cases.

The work the government is doing in partnership with leadership within first nations communities is designed to address some of those underlying reasons, to bridge those socioeconomic gaps that for too long have separated aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians. That is the grand issue that we have as a challenge, which we as a government and I hope all members and think all members want to work on.

In the meantime there are, of course, individual families who are confronted by very personal tragedies, and the investigating authorities will continue to work to try and find answers for them as well.

To Cambodia and back

2010-02-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

To start 2010 on a moving note, my partner Zak and I travelled to Cambodia where we toured around the beautiful South Asian country for two weeks. Along with exploring one of the eight wonders of the man-made world, Angkor Wat, hiking through the jungle to a ghost town, and spelunking through ancient temples carved into caves, we learned about the Khmer people’s most recent history.

Most notably, we saw the long term affects of the Khmer Rouge. In 1975, the communist Khmer Rouge seized control of the Cambodia government after a lengthy civil war. For four years, they shut Cambodia off from the rest of the world, banned money, radios, clocks and forced millions into labour camps. They killed 25% of the country’s population, first targeting teachers, doctors, lawyers, and political opponents. However, soon almost everyone was a political opponent and whole families feared for their lives. That said, one of the most moving part of our travels was the Killing Fields Museum and Memorial.

Today, Cambodian politics involves a quasi-democracy. They have elections, but they aren’t always free and fair. They have multiple political parties, but the Leader of the Opposition is in exile in fear for his life. They have freedom of speech, but it is recommended to not say anything negative about the government. This was the reality into which I walked to train 45 women candidates from the opposition party.

As women in politics in countries where roughly 20% of seats are held by women, we shared much in common. However, I never have to contend with the possibility of being arrested simply because I did well at my job as an Opposition MLA. That is the current situation for MP Mu Sochua. Nonetheless, we were able to reach over the differences, borders and languages to learn about building democracy.

Cambodia has hope. From the tragedies of the Khmer Rouge to the tenacity of today’s Opposition parties, Cambodia has moved on from extremism and onto a path that will hopefully bring about a robust and strong democracy.

Coming back to this side of the globe, that same hope to bring stability and prosperity from devastation exists in Haiti after the shattering earthquake on January 12. Comparatively, BC is doing quite well. We are able to help others while also striving to improve the lives of our family and neighbours at home. This March, we’ll be looking at the BC Budget and if the Liberals heard the views of the public when putting it together. For just as in Cambodia and Haiti, a democracy requires a government to be responsive to the people, and if it is not, the people will have the final say.

You can find this article in I Love Creston at http://www.ilovecreston.com/

Mungall Makes Nelson's Newsmaker of the Year

2009-12-31T18:29:00.000-08:00

What an honour! Full story at http://www.nelsondailynews.com/article/20091231/NELSON0101/312319999/-1/NELSON01/mungall-wins#art_comments

NEW DEMOCRATS CALL ON B.C. LIBERALS TO MAKE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

2009-12-31T08:49:00.000-08:00

New Democrat MLAs want the B.C. Liberal government to head into the new year with a commitment to stopping violence against women and children.

“We think that today is a perfect day for the B.C. Liberals to make a New Year’s resolution to do their part to end domestic violence,” said New Democrat MLA for Nelson-Creston Michelle Mungall, chair of the Official Opposition Women’s Caucus.

“To start with, the government must restore the $1.2 million they plan to cut from transition houses and victim services,” said Mungall. “The B.C. Liberals reversed the cut announced for 2009 when New Democrats stood with community groups and local governments against the proposed cuts, but so far they still plan to slash this funding in 2010.

“New Democrats also successfully fought to have funding restored to the New Westminster Domestic Violence Response Team, but their funding extension runs out in March, showing that the B.C. Liberals just won’t commit to solutions to end domestic violence,” Mungall said.

Since forming government in 2001, the B.C. Liberals have watered down policies designed to protect women suffering from domestic violence abuse, fallen short on providing the resources to investigate the murders and missing women on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and the Highway of Tears, and failed to act on recommendations stemming from the Oak Bay murder-suicide of the Lee family in 2007.

“The B.C. Liberals have ignored the recommendations put forward by the Representative for Children and Youth regarding this tragic and preventable event, saying they wanted to wait for the coroner’s inquest to be complete,” said Maurine Karagianis, New Democrat critic for Children and Family Development. “Well, the coroner has now made several recommendations too, but the B.C. Liberals have yet to commit to any of them.

“We are calling on the government to make a New Year’s resolution to take action on these recommendations – especially the coroner’s call to establish regional and provincial domestic violence response units. Fully funding dedicated domestic violence courts would also go a long way to protecting women and children from family violence,” said Karagianis, MLA for Esquimalt-Royal Roads.

Langley RCMP and a dedicated Crown prosecutor for domestic violence were involved in a highly successful pilot project that showed how police, Crown prosecutors and community groups can work together to protect women and children facing abuse. Despite being viewed as a model for successfully navigating domestic violence cases, the B.C. Liberals eliminated funding for the program.

“There are several concrete steps that the B.C. Liberals could take to end violence against women and children in British Columbia, but they refuse to act,” said Mungall. “New Democrats would restore funding to women’s centres that can offer counseling, referral and other frontline services to women in need across the province and restore funding to vital legal aid services. The B.C. Liberals should resolve to take a hard look at the direction they’ve taken and the consequences to women across British Columbia.”

MUNGALL LAUNCHES GREEN POWERED WEBSITE

2009-12-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

Michelle Mungall Shows Off Green Powered Web Pages to Local High School Students.

On Monday December 14th, Michelle Mungall introduced her new website www.michellemungall.com to an audience of students in the theatre of L.V. Roger Secondary School.

The website, which is Green Hosted, is designed as a tool to guide constituents through what their MLA can do for them and to help them connect with services of local and governmental agencies.

“The new website is stored on web servers run by a carbon neutral company. That means the company purchases renewable energy certificates that offset the carbon emissions generated by all of their business activities. This is one of the many ways I actively reduce my carbon footprint,” says Mungall.

Designed by Brian Chard of Brian Chard Design, the site contains pages that are both informative and entertaining. “There’s a wealth of information on there,” says Mungall. “You can find out about anything from information on BC’s Medical Services Plan to the Creston Valley Food Action Coalition.”

And be sure to watch the video, specially prepared by Mungall, which gives you an all access tour of the Legislative Buildings in Victoria.

See the article in the Nelson Daily News here: http://www.nelsondailynews.com/article/20091217/NELSON0101/312179994/MUNGALL-LAUNCHES-NEW-WEBSITE-WITH-FOCUS-ON-YOUTH

What's going on with Waneta Dam --our regional asset?

2009-12-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

In Question Period on November 19, Opposition Critic for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources John Horgan was joined by Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy as they sought the Liberals’ rationale for the most recent deal between BC Hydro and Teck Cominco.

Teck Comino was looking to cover its financial losses by selling assets –a typical decision in these tough economic times. BC Hydro took $825 million of ratepayers’ money to buy one third of the Waneta Dam. Yet the dam, experts say, was only worth $500 million.

This happened right under the noses of Columbia Power Corporation, as they were never given the opportunity to bid on a dam for which they have the expansion rights. In addition, the surplus power being generated by Teck Cominco was already being sold to BC Hydro, so they didn’t buy the dam to get the power.

Our question to the Minister was why shut out CPC and pay more than market value for power that BC Hydro is already getting. Does the local community wants BC Hydro to own the dam? That can’t be it because Katrine Conroy pointed out that the Mayor of Trail, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, the United Steelworkers, and people from throughout the region have been making presentations to the BC Utilities Commission against this sale to BC Hydro.

An interesting fact in all of this is that Teck Cominco contributed $664,000 to the BC Liberal Party.

Watch the video of the questions at November 19, 2009 ~ Question Period: B.C. Hydro purchase agreement for portion of Waneta dam

NEW DEMOCRATS ON FINANCE COMMITTEE STAND UP FOR BRITISH COLUMBIANS OPPOSED TO HST

2009-11-13T13:58:00.000-08:00

NDP MLAs push for report recommendations to protect education, arts

New Democrats on the legislature’s finance committee stood up for British Columbians by refusing to back the Liberals’ Harmonized Sale Tax while pushing for recommendations to protect public services in the committee’s final report released today.

“Though there were many issues we were able to find common ground on with government MLAs, at the end of the day we could not vote for the report because it contained recommendations we fundamentally disagreed with,” said New Democrat MLA Doug Donaldson, deputy chair of the committee.

“The only recommendation related to the B.C. Liberals’ HST that New Democrats would support would be to stop it entirely. As the committee heard time and time again during our travels around the province, the HST is a $1.9 billion tax burden from corporations to consumers, and will be a big blow to families and many small businesses.”

The finance committee provides direction to government on spending priorities, submitting the Budget 2010 Consultations Report after soliciting input from organizations, businesses and individuals from around the province.

Donaldson said there were 49 recommendations in all, eight of which relate to fine-tuning of the HST, which the B.C. Liberals said during the election they were not going to introduce but then announced shortly after votes were cast.

“If the Liberals wanted to bring in the HST, they should have put that choice before voters during the election, rather than trying to tinker with a broken promise after the fact,” said Donaldson.

“Fortunately, there is still time to stop this tax. The enabling legislation will not come before the provincial and federal legislatures until the spring, and New Democrats will continue to work with British Columbians of all political stripes who are mobilizing against the HST.”

Donaldson noted New Democrat MLAs on the committee voted for 37 of the 49 recommendations, and used their position to push for recommendations supporting funding for education and the arts, both of which were severely cut by the B.C. Liberals after the election.

“During the campaign, the Liberals promised to protect vital public services, including health care and education, but since the election they have broken promise after promise. We welcome the support of government MLAs in calling on their B.C. Liberal colleagues to listen to British Columbians who want to ensure our public services are protected,” said Donaldson.

New Democrats also voted against four recommendations that could weaken environmental regulations, further devastate rural health care, give a tax break to the wealthy, and reinforce the B.C. Liberal deficit lie.

In addition to Donaldson, New Democrat members of the finance committee include MLAs Bruce Ralston, Michelle Mungall, and Bill Routley.

Carole James and the New Democrats have been holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for breaking their word on the HST, and for backtracking on their election promises to protect health care, education, and other vital services.‪‪

The report can be found here www.leg.bc.ca/budgetconsultations

New Democrat MLAs Stood Up for Paramedics All Night Long

2009-11-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

All this week, New Democrat MLAs have been standing up against the BC Liberals’ attempt to impose a contract onto paramedics.

From 9 am on Nov. 5 to 8am on November 6, our teamstood up in the legislature to fight – all night long – for the integrity of our health care system and the collective bargaining rights of all British Columbians.

Bill 21 is an admission by the government of their failure to manage the health care system.

Instead of addressing the critical issues paramedics face across the province, the government decided to ram through legislation that undermines our ambulance service and damages our public health care system. We spoke out against that legislation, NDP MLA after NDP MLA. Watch my speeches at November 4, 2009 ~ Second Reading Bill 21 — Ambulance Services Collective Agreement Act ~ Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson - Creston and November 6, 2009 ~ Second Reading Bill 21 — Ambulance Services Collective Agreement Act (on the amendment).

If the government were serious about improving health care, they would respect front-line workers, including our hard-working ambulance paramedics who save lives in our communities every day. But that wasn't the choice they made.

New Democrats will continue to stand up and speak out for the benefit of all British Columbians.

Update on flu clinics for East Shore

2009-11-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

Not the answer we were looking for in Crawford Bay and Riondel... Rather than things getting better, looks like they are getting worse. Here is hte notice from the IHA about which communities will be getting dual vaccine clinics for seasonal and H1N1 flus.

We'll keep working on it.

NEWS RELEASE
Important Update on Interior Health’s H1N1 Vaccine Campaign

Public Health Mass Clinics:
The Canadian shortage of H1N1 vaccine is resulting in a reduction in the number of Public Health mass clinics that will be held for the week of November 9th.

The H1N1 vaccine shipment expected for next week will be significantly smaller than what has been received in the past two weeks. Given the reduced vaccine availability, Interior Health will only be offering combination H1N1 and seasonal immunization clinics in four communities—Lillooet, Nakusp, Sparwood, and Princeton.

The decision to offer clinics in these communities was based on available vaccine supply, their proximity away from larger clinics in their geographic area, and because they have not had a flu clinic in their community yet. These clinics will be for high-risk individuals only that meet the eligibility criteria for H1N1 vaccine and seasonal vaccine (if applicable.) The details on dates, times and locations for these clinics are still being worked out, and, when available, will be posted on our website at www.interiorhealth.ca. All previous planned seasonal clinics for this week will also be cancelled.

For the week November 9-14, people in the highest risk category, living in communities where there will not be a mass clinic, should be directed to check with their family physician or walk-in clinics to see if they have some remaining vaccine available.

If significant vaccine re-supply does recommence by mid-November, then we would once again re-establish Public Health mass immunization clinics across IH. If vaccine supply is adequate and if indicated by BC’s Provincial Health Officer, these clinics would be available for all the general public to be immunized, not simply high-risk individuals.

Pregnant Women:

A limited supply of unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine is expected to begin arriving in Interior Health the week of Nov 9th. Pregnant women are encouraged to contact their health care provider to discuss and/or receive the vaccine, as this vaccine stock is being routed to physicians providing prenatal and obstetrical care. The unadjuvanted vaccine will not be provided through public clinics at this time.

East Shore flu and H1N1 clinics

2009-10-30T17:41:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who called my office on Wednesday October 28 to let me know about the sudden last-minute cancellation of the flu clinics in both Riondel and Crawford Bay. This of course was terrible news that could have very negative impacts on the health of both communities, as well as our region.

What urban medical officers sometimes don't realize is that winter transportation in rural areas can leave communities isolated, and that's just the case for both Riondel and Crawford Bay. Going to Creston or Nelson isn't an easy fix to cancelling the flu clinics, especially for seniors and parents.

I asked Ida Chong, Minister for Healthy Living and Sport about the cancellation of flu clinics. Watch the video here: M. Mungall, MLA - Oct 29, 2009 – QP (Access to Influenza Vaccines)

My staff and I continue to work on this issue. We are clear that we want the clinics rescheduled in both East Shore communities. Stay tuned for updates on where East Shore residents can get their flu and H1N1 vaccines.

Standing up for the Arts

2009-10-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

After attending a rally in front of the Legislature on Tuesday October 20, Michelle Mungall and colleague Spencer Herbert collected letters to the Premier from ralliers. The letter writers asked that their letters be forwarded to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services as submissions into the 2010 BC Budget. As a member of that Committee, Mungall will be sure to forward the letters on to other Committee members and request that they be included as submissions.

For info on how you can participate in the 2010 BC Budget, go to http://www.leg.bc.ca/budgetconsultations/.

This week in the House

2009-10-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

Speaking to a Motion Literacy and Libraries:

Be it resolved that this House recognize the importance of public libraries and the crucial services they provide as literacy is the underpinning of all learning.

Michelle Mungall, MLA - Response to Motion 12 Role of Libraries - Oct. 05, 2009

Statement about the West Coast LEAF's No Means No program in Nelson

Michelle Mungal, MLA - West Coast Legal Education & Action Fund - Oct.05, 2009

Question on BC's poor showing in West Coast LEAF's Report Card on BC's compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women. (Report Card is found at http://www.westcoastleaf.org/index.php?newsid=93&pageID=1)

October 6, 2009 - Question Period - Michelle Mungall

Speech during the debate for Bill 9: The Wood First Act

October 7, 2009 - 2nd Reading Bill 9 - Michelle Mungall

Questions during Budget Estimates: The first is to the Minister of Transportation about rural public transit and Howser's road. The second is to the Minister of Agriculture about the Agri-Stability program and District Agriculturalist.

October 8, 2009 - Estimates of Transportation and Infrastructure - Michelle Mungall

Michelle Mungall MLA Estimates Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

Speech on the debate for Bill 11: the Labour Mobility Act

Michelle Mungall MLA Response to Bill 11

MUNGALL WORKING FOR CONSTITUENTS AND BC’S VULNERABLE

2009-09-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

Liberals back down on plans to cut funding from programs for survivors of domestic violence.

Programs that help survivors of violence were faced with the threat of having to reduce or even eliminate services. Funding for community services, to the tune of $440,000, was in the roster of recent cuts being made by the Provincial Government.

Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson Creston and Chair of the NDP Opposition Women’s Caucus along with NDP colleagues, community groups and city councillors, put the pressure on the Liberals to back down. Budgets will remain the same for the upcoming fiscal year. However, 1.2 million is still slated to be chopped for next year.

Mungall said that it is great to see that the funding will remain in place for the rest of this year, but she is worried that the Liberals approach to the budget is disorganized at best. “They’ve placed a band-aid on the cuts to services for victims of domestic violence. It is really going to hurt if they pull it off next year. That is why we must keep standing up for these important services. ”

Dina Bambrick of Kootenai Community Centre in Creston was very pleased to hear the good news. “It’s gratifying that politicians like Michelle really understand the dynamics of this work and how important it is,” she said. “They are willing to champion our cause and express how vital these services are. They spoke out and the Government heard!”

Salmo Community Services, while already delivering services on a thin budget will see no changes to the number of service hours per month that they are able to deliver. Citizens in Kaslo will not have to lose the support provided by North Kootenay Lake Community Services, but both of these centres will be facing severe limitations should next year’s budget come short again.

Lena Horswill of Nelson Community Services Centre says that it has taken years to build up their programs and they just cannot afford to backtrack and loose those services. “Cutting funding doesn’t make sense in the long run. Funding should be increased, not decreased”.

Michelle Mungall and the New Democrats will continue to hold the BC Liberals accountable for breaking their election promises to protect this province’s vital services.

Here's Michael Smyth's take in The Province on October 1.

Liberal backdowns just keep coming
Heed rushes to restore funds for battered women and kids

Sometimes it's not a bad thing for a rookie Opposition critic to get publicly upstaged by the government. Just ask Michelle Mungall.

Mungall, the first-term NDP MLA from Nelson, was just about to hammer the Liberals' cuts to domestic-violence programs this week when Solicitor-General Kash Heed stole her thunder.

Literally minutes before Mungall was to speak at a Tuesday news conference, Heed's office dropped a press release saying the government was backing away from the $440,000 cut to programs for family-violence victims -- mainly battered, abused and fearful women and children.

Heed, of course, insisted the timing of his flip-flop was coincidental.

He also said it had nothing to do with a scathing report from the province's independent watchdog for kids and families just a few days earlier that criticized the government after 70 domestic-violence-related murders in just five years.

The decision to restore the funding, Heed said, came after the government realized the cut was going to hurt front-line services to victims. He also said his own pre-politics career as a police officer gave him first-hand knowledge of how important the services are.

Which makes you wonder why the government cut them in the first place. Don't they analyze the impact of their cuts before they make them?
Cutting first and asking questions later might be part of the equation. But I suspect the more critical decision-making calculus here is how much political damage the Liberals absorb from their critics and the media.

If Mungall and children's commissioner Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond hadn't raised hell -- and if the media hadn't paid attention -- I doubt these nameless victims of violence would have seen their funding restored.

This is becoming a pattern from the Liberals. Consider these other politically-driven climb-downs:

- Hot-lunch program for poor school children: The government announced the grant for this program was being cut by $2 million. Many negative headlines later, the education ministry announced it was topping the budget up.

- Outreach van for sex-trade workers: The van patrols the streets of Metro Vancouver to assist and protect prostitutes. Cut by the Liberals in June, the agency that runs the service staged a summer-long media campaign and funding was restored in August.

- Three-year gaming grants: Cancelled after the government suggested its own letters to community groups confirming the grants were not legally binding contracts. Reversed after a question-period shellacking.

- Summer-camp subsidy for poor and disabled kids: Restored after a public outcry.

Get set for more of these as the Liberals' summer of cutbacks turns into a fall of discontent. As the weather gets colder, the government is still wearing the flip-flops.

Actions Speak Louder than Words: Liberal Government's latest lies

2009-09-22T15:27:00.001-07:00

Today the Liberal Government said that they support literacy, but are cutting several literacy programs, including adult literacy and funding to rural reading centres like that in Riondel.

They also said that they are committed to supporting the most disadvantage citizens during tough economic times. Women and children survivors of violence are among the most disadvantaged in our porvince.

Yet, Liberals are cutting $440,000 from Stop the Violence, Children Who Witness Abuse and Outreach/Multicultural Outreach front-line services known to intervene and prevent further domestic violence. That's just this year. Next year the cut is $1.2million between two different Ministries: Solicitor General and Housing and Social Development, as services have been split up between the two Minisitries.

This years cut will likely equate to a loss of 17,600 counselling hours for women and children survivors of violence, as reported by service agencies.

The NDP Opposition has been asking questions about these cuts and the raising the issue important of services that stop violence against women and children.

Watch online at :

Michelle Mungall, MLA – QP clip: Funding for Domestic Violence Programs – Sep 22, 2009

September 23, 2009 - Question Period - Dawn Black

Carole James-Domestic Violence Question Period September 24, 2009

Maurine Karagianis-Domestic Violence-Question Period September 24, 2009

Mable Elmore-Domestic Violence-Question Period September 24, 2009

Dawn Black-Domestic Violence-Question Period September 24, 2009

On the Radio

2009-09-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

For Glacier-Howser Creeks – CKNW Vancourver 3:30 PM - September 9, 2009

New Democrat MLA for Nelson says government ought to pull the plug on Glacier Howser power project

Announcer: A private power project in the Kootenays has been halted because of environmental concerns raised by the provincial government.
Reporter: The Environment Assessment Office is worried the controversial Glacier Howser development will hurt local fish habitat. Lee-Ann Unger with the West Kootenay Eco Society says the project is not dead but this decision is a victory.

Lee-Ann Unger: It’s a really significant step and it really shows AXOR, the project’s proponent, hasn’t done their homework and that there are such serious risks to the environment that the government had to stop the clock on the process.

Reporter: Unger says more than 11 hundred people recently attended a public meeting on the project in Kaslo, a town with a population of 1,029.
Announcer: Meanwhile, the New Democrat MLA for Nelson, Michelle Mungall, says rather than simply delay approving the project, the B.C. government should just kill it.

Michelle Mungall: It’s had overwhelming opposition. We clearly don’t want this private power project in our region. AXOR, the proponent, has failed to comply with the environmental assessment standards twice now.

Announcer: She says more than 90% of submissions received by the government so far have opposed the project.

On the HST, Government Deceit, and the First Two Weeks in the Ledgislature - CIDO, Creston Valley Independent Radio, September 11, 2009

Listen here: http://crestonradio.ca/archives.html

Firsts in the BC Legislature

2009-08-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

After my first week in the BC Legislature, I am exlirated and enthusiastic about representing Nelson-Creston residents. It is certainly a great honour, and am looking forward to the next four years.

I added to the debate on the Speech from the Throne (the speech that outlines the Government's agenda for this session) on Thursday with my first speech in the Legislature. You can watch it online at
August 27, 2009 ~ Michelle Mungall ~ Debate on the Speech from the Throne

Then on Monday, I rose in the House ("the House" is how we refer to the room in which all MLAs meet) to make a statement about the positive public participation West and East Kootenay residents displayed when speaking out about Glacier and Howser Creeks.

Read the transcript below or watch the statement here:
Michelle Mungall, MLA - August 31, 2009 - Positive Public Participation

Tuesday, Budget Day, was another big day where I delivered my first non-partisan 2 minute statement and asked my first question during Question Period. Question Period is the daily event where the Opposition asks the Government questions about policy, legilsation and their agenda for the province. It's one of our opportunities to hold htem accountable.

The videos are here:

Contributions of Kootenay Citizens - M Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston

QP Clip Sep 1, 2009 - M Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston

Private Member's Statement Monday August 31, 2009:
M. Mungall: This morning it's my pleasure to rise in the House today to bring attention to the importance of public participation in land use and water management activities. Presently, in the Nelson-Creston constituency, Axor corporation has a proposal to produce private power on four creeks: Glacier, Howser, Birnam and Suck creeks.

Glacier and Howser creeks. According to the West Kootenay EcoSociety's technical assessment of the area: "These two creeks represent some of the last free-flowing, low-gradient rivers feeding the Duncan reservoir and as such play a critical role in an already heavily-impacted fishery." Of particular concern in these two creeks, of course, is the blue-listed bull trout.

[1020]
This proposal by Axor also includes a transmission line reaching from the base of Howser Creek along the Duncan reservoir and moving over the Purcell Mountains, finally ending in Invermere.

The line, if implemented, will run through the habitat of a dwindling grizzly bear population, endangered mountain caribou and the threatened wolverine. Additionally, the line would impact locally protected wilderness areas, an old-growth management area, that are home to rare and endangered plant species.

I'd like to mention that when I say "locally protected," it's not just local citizens, but it's also some of the large forestry corporations that work in our rural areas and benefit our local communities.

In return for these negative environmental impacts that many people have identified, the Axor corporation says they intend to hire about 60 percent, maybe, of their temporary workforce from the local area — that is, if our local labour force has the necessary skills. After construction, however, we may be left with a big, whopping, six full-time jobs.

This summer Axor was required by the environmental assessment office to conduct the public input phase of its application. The EAO, the environmental assessment office, can assign a public comment period. Now, they can do this, and it can start from as few as 30 days to a complete 75 days, but they decided to go with 45 days, rather than the full 75. In those 45 days the public has the opportunity to review a 7,000-page document. They've got 45 days to review that 7,000-page document, then provide informed commentary about their concerns regarding the applications.

There are also meetings. They held meetings in Kaslo, Meadow Creek and Invermere, but not Nelson — regardless of the overwhelming public demand coming from local government, from citizens, from community groups to have that public meeting in Nelson because it's centrally located for the entire region.

So with 45 days to review 7,000 pages, no meeting in the central hub of the region, people felt like it was a bit of a setup to curtail any meaningful public input, as very few average citizens have the time and skill to assess the 7,000-page document to provide input in the way that the EAO wants, nor do rural residents necessarily have the ability to travel great distances along narrow mountain roads to get to these public meetings.

But luckily, residents in the East and West Kootenays got together to review the application and discuss the proposed plans, and they made their voices heard. They refused to be daunted by what they saw as a sham of a public process.

Over 1,000 people attended the Kaslo public information session, filling the local school gym to capacity. Over 200 people in Meadow Creek — again, filling the room to capacity. Invermere saw 300 participants. Of those who spoke at the meetings, not one person commented that they were satisfied with the environmental mitigation strategies or analysis provided by the proponent.

I attended two of the meetings, and if any member from the government had attended, they would have heard from one young woman, a lifetime resident in Meadow Creek. She felt insulted that Axor, a large Montreal-based corporation, was going to come into her home, destroy beautiful back country and only offer a few jobs in return — for an area that has lost hundreds of jobs in the last few years with the downturn in the forestry sector.

This back country, I may add, is also the cornerstone of our growing tourism sector, as residents from Saskatchewan, as well as Surrey-Panorama, have written to remind me.

Finally, despite the refusal to have a Nelson meeting, we had one. To ensure the public's voice was heard, I hosted a meeting where 500 people attended to comment and learn about this project.

On top of the massive public participation at these meetings, residents of the East and West Kootenays made their voices heard on paper. Over 1,000 people have written in their comments about the process, with the EAO noting that the vast majority have significant concerns about the project and are opposed to it.

[1025]
These concerns come from average, everyday citizens, the regional district of Central Kootenay, Ktunaxa Nation Council and Okanagan Nation Alliance. Many community groups have also commented, including Wildsight, the West Kootenay EcoSociety and the West Kootenay Outdoorsmen. They all note that Axor has neglected to provide appropriate mitigation strategies to protect endangered wildlife, particularly the bull trout found in both creeks. Axor, they contend, has not done due diligence.

With such overwhelming opposition to this project, with such sharp analysis of its impacts on our area, despite a short time frame to do so, the residents of the West and East Kootenays do expect to be heard on this.

J. McIntyre: I was delighted to jump ahead and volunteer to speak in response to the member's statement on positive public participation. I actually got excited for a moment and thought that the NDP had finally seen the light about the merits of triple-P projects. Through public-private partnerships, the projects that have enjoyed such great success in the province, like the Sea to Sky Highway and the Britannia remediation mine in my own constituency and, of course, megaprojects like the Canada line and the Abbotsford hospital — all the things where we've actually enjoyed P3s….

I thought I would also take the opportunity today to maybe give a little bit of a history lesson and talk about an example of negative public participation, and that would be on the Ashlu green power project in my constituency several years ago. It went through years and years of permitting, of licensing — hundreds of thousands of dollars.

They set up a community office. They had, obviously, an environmental assessment. They had a power purchase agreement with B.C. Hydro, only to be stopped dead in their tracks at the end of the process by some of those who I think could accurately be described as NIMBYists, some of those people who listened to extreme whitewater recreationalists from the U.S. — dead in their tracks. They were local politicians and the public, some of whom — the vocal minority, I will say — were willing to override the provincial interests for green, renewable power on a river that had been identified by B.C. Hydro 20 years ago as one of the top five rivers in this province that would be beneficial for power generation.

Instead, they chose to override economic opportunities for the first nations. Squamish Nation was a partner in this project. It would give them jobs. It would give them economic opportunity, and at the end of the licence — that would be water licence — at the end of the lease, the project would revert to the Squamish first nations. But no, the ideological opposition, CUPE 378, the NDP and all those people reared up because they wanted to stop this project.

Let me tell you that we changed that process, and we now have a process where public participation is at the beginning of the project. I can give you examples, again in my own constituency. Ryan River. They're in either the preapplication or application stages now. They've had open houses in Pemberton and the areas surrounding, where the public — just as you described, Member — do have an opportunity. She talked about hundreds of people out at her project in her region.

That's why we have an EA process. That's why the public is engaged. But it's at the beginning of the process, not five years down the road, when everybody has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and hours and hours looking at this. The public has to be engaged at the beginning of the project.

I'll give you another example in my constituency. Garibaldi at Squamish is a proponent proposing a very large ski hill project. There's lots of concern in the communities — very legitimate questions and concerns raised about water source and about the size and scope of the project. I've been urging my constituents to participate.

Like the member described, a similar process. During the EAO process, in this case, there were several 30-day comment periods. The proponent was on the pin, really, to produce and answer the questions that were being raised. If they didn't, the clock was stopped, and the public then had another opportunity to comment. So they've been allowed to comment as new information feeds into the process. The clock's been stopped several times.

There are examples where public participation needs to be at the beginning, and it needs to genuinely be taken into account. The public are raising very legitimate questions.

I just shake my head in disbelief when I see this member. She was quoted as praising the BCUC decision recently in her own local paper, saying: "I think it goes to show that the NDP has been on the right path since the beginning, when we called for a moratorium on private power production." This is a member who belongs to a team who is in favour of going backwards in time, a retrogressive thing, to support an aging Burrard Thermal plant. Everyone knows it's completely out of touch with the public. The public is looking at us to produce clean, green, renewable power, not to add to GHG emissions.

[1030]
So once again the NDP is taking us back in time. This government is progressive. We're moving forward, and we're moving in tune with the public for clean, green power production in this province.

Interjection.

Deputy Speaker: I would remind members that this is private members' statements. It's the opportunity for private members to discuss issues that are important to their constituencies without heckling.

M. Mungall: I find it absolutely fascinating that the member from across the way has brought up the recent BCUC decision. As we heard in the Speech from the Throne, it is very clear that this government has every intention to interfere with BCUC, an independent public body only interested in public interests.

They have every intention to interfere with it using their Astroturf green guise of getting involved to make sure that we have green power. Well, we know their version of green; it's Astroturf green. It's not real green, and we're looking for the real deal, like the leaves in my constituency.

Not only do we know that they're going to intervene in BCUC, but we know it because of their past history. Ashlu — the member across the way talked about what happened in Ashlu. Let's talk about that. Let's talk about their version of public participation. The member across the way has clearly said that she finds it negative.

How on earth can public participation ever be considered negative? When people get up and get heard, that is a positive thing every single time. Thank goodness they do, because if they don't, they're not going to show up to vote. Oh, wait. But they didn't this last election, because they got tired of being ignored, and they find no outlet to positively be heard. Well, thank goodness it's different in my constituency.

This government thinks public participation is negative. So how did they deal with that in the Ashlu? Bill 30. They decided to stop local government's input into private power development with Bill 30. That is how they address public participation. That's how this government views it. Public input into these private power projects — they stop it at every step that they can. They stop it with Bill 30 and now with their Astroturf green advisory task force to BCUC.

In fact, we're very tired of being lectured in Nelson-Creston. We're very tired of it. We know hydro development. We live it every single day. Between my house and the member for Kootenay West's house, there are nine dams. Thank goodness we have the Columbia Power Corporation and the Columbia Basin Trust so that we can realize the benefits of many of those dams, not all.

Some of them are Nelson Hydro, for instance, but they're all publicly owned, and we all get to have a say over them. The dams that are being proposed now on creeks throughout the entire province — we don't get to have a say on them. We only get to have a say on them during the application process. That's not acceptable. That's not acceptable to us. We expect the government to listen to our concerns, not to lecture us.

Sneaky Taxes and Good News from BCUC

2009-07-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

The HST is a new tax that harmonizes the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) into one 12% tax on almost everything you buy.

The Liberal Government insituted this tax without any notice to the public, without any debate, and after promising that they weren't interested in an HST.

To sign the online position opposing the HST, go to the BCNDP Official Opposition website, www.bcndpcaucus.ca/en/StoptheHST.

BCUC DECISION GOOD NEWS FOR HYDRO RATEPAYERS

VICTORIA – The B.C. Utilities Commission's decision to reject the B.C. Liberal plan for more private power is good news for British Columbians concerned about higher electricity rates and for the environment, says New Democrat energy critic John Horgan.

Horgan said today’s decision backs the NDP’s call for a moratorium on private power projects until we have a better understanding of our long-term energy needs.

“The BCUC has quite rightly rejected Premier Campbell’s arguments that these power projects will benefit British Columbians in any way,” said Horgan, the NDP MLA for Juan de Fuca.

“This decision is a victory for those who believe that the province's resources should be used for the benefit all British Columbians, not just for friends and donors of the B.C. Liberals.”

Horgan called on the Campbell government to recognize the decision as an opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion about our long-term energy needs.

“The commission also found that B.C. Hydro’s conservation measures are inadequate. This decision translates into a failing grade for the B.C. Liberal energy plan.”

Carole James and the New Democrats have been calling for a moratorium on all new private power projects to ensure that they meet environmental standards, are done in consultation with local communities and first nations, and fit with the energy needs of the province.

“Independent power projects that use B.C.’s rivers to create power for export to California for the benefit of a few corporations are not in the public interest,” said Horgan. “Especially when they will result in skyrocketing electricity rates for B.C. families.”

STUDENT AID FALLS VICTIM TO POST-ELECTION CAMPBELL CUTS

2009-07-23T10:39:00.001-07:00

Bursaries for students pursuing health careers among programs to get the axe.

The Campbell government quietly axed several student aid programs in the aftermath of the election, New Democrats said today.

“This is another example of how Gordon Campbell hid the truth from voters during the election,” said Vancouver West-End MLA Spencer Herbert. “He didn’t campaign on cuts to students. We are just a month away from a new school year and people are only now learning that the programs they were depending on have been cut.”

The programs that will be cut include the Permanent Disability Benefits Program, the Debt Reduction in Repayment program, the B.C. Loan Reduction for Residential Care Aide and Home Support Worker Program, Nurses Education Bursary, Health Care Bursary, Early Childhood Educator Loan Assistance Program, and the Premier's Excellence Award program.

Herbert learned of the axed programs from a concerned constituent who contacted his office after being informed that the program she applied for no longer exists.

“We’re nearly half way through the fiscal year but the Campbell government hasn’t yet come clean with students about their plans for these popular programs,” said Herbert. “This is not a good way to manage services that people depend on.”

Michelle Mungall, the New Democrat deputy critic for post-secondary education, is worried about the impact of cutting programs designed to help former students manage their debt loads at a time when many people are losing their jobs.

“It’s cold-hearted to axe programs that are aimed at former students who have become permanently disabled and other people who are absolutely unable to make their student debt payments in the middle of a recession,” said Mungall. “Cutting these programs won’t save money in the long term.”

Mungall is also concerned about the government’s decision to cut programs aimed at attracting students to fields where there are significant skills shortages.

“The government used the cloak of good economic times as an excuse to let the costs of post-secondary education soar,” said Mungall. “Now they are cutting programs aimed at retraining the workforce to alleviate the skill shortages looming in our future. It is clear that they have no plan for bettering B.C.’s economy in the long term.”

KOOTENAY REGION JOINS TOGETHER TO FIGHT GORDON CAMPBELL’S SELL-OFF OF WATERWAYS AND WILDERNESS AREAS

2009-07-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

NELSON— Hundreds of people from across the Kootenay region joined with New Democrat MLA Michelle Mungall on Wednesday night to protect Glacier, Howser, Suck and Behrman creeks from the proposed Glacier-Howser private power project.

“People came away from the meeting energized and ready to take this fight to the next level,” said Mungall. “We’re ready to protect our region from Gordon Campbell’s giveaway of our waterways and wilderness areas.”

Community members joined with New Democrat energy critic John Horgan, Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy, Save Our Rivers spokesperson Rafe Mair, the West Kootenay Eco Society’s Lee-Ann Unger and Western Canadian Wilderness Committee National Campaign Director Joe Foy to talk about protecting the watershed.

“The people of this region have deep environmental, economic and social concerns about the Glacier-Howser project,” said Mungall. “They expect the environmental assessment process to be more than a rubber stamp.”

The controversial private power project would divert water from four creeks to create up to 125 megawatts of electricity. None of the water would be returned to creeks after it is extracted to produce power.

The company plans to cut through more than 75 kilometers of old growth forest in Howser and Horsethief Valleys to connect the project to the electrical grid.

Carole James and the New Democrats are calling for a moratorium on new private power projects until the province has a plan in place that protects the environment and puts the public good above private profit.

Comments about the project can be sent to

glacier.howser@gov.bc.ca

Garry Alexander
Project Assessment Director
Environmental Assessment Office
PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9V1

Comments can also be made to the Federal Environmental Assessmen process:

sislerr@tc.gc.ca

Robert Sisler
Regional Manager
Environmental Services, Transport Canada
620-800 Burrard St.
Vancouver BC V6Z 2J8

RAFE MAIR COMING TO NELSON TO JOIN GLACIER-HOWSER FIGHT

2009-07-10T12:27:00.001-07:00

NELSON— Save Our Rivers spokesperson and former Socred Environment Minister Rafe Mair will be in Nelson on July 15 for a meeting sponsored by New Democrat MLA Michelle Mungall on the controversial Glacier-Howser private power project located north of Kaslo.

“The protection of rivers and creeks brings people from all walks of life together,” said Mungall. “The Campbell government should take notice and start listening to them. People of British Columbia will not stand idly by while Gordon Campbell parcels out our wilderness and our waterways to private interests.”

Mungall says the fact that Rafe Mair is joining with New Democrats in the fight to protect the province’s rivers and creeks shows that the B.C. Liberal government’s sell off of watersheds and wilderness areas is an issue that cuts across party lines.

“This battle cuts right to the heart of what it means to be a British Columbian,” said Mungall. “If Gordon Campbell doesn’t start listening to the people of this province he is going to have a real fight on his hands.”

The proponent, AXOR, the Environmental Assessment Office and the environment minister all refused to hold a meeting in Nelson, even though diverse stakeholders asked for a meeting to be held in the central Kootenay community. After hearing from local government officials, tourism operators, recreational hunters and fishermen Mungall decided to hold a public forum to address their concerns. More than 1000 people showed up in the tiny community of Kaslo to speak out against the project.

“I’m looking forward to joining with Rafe Mair, Joe Foy of the Western Canadian Wilderness Committee, and the people of this region at an informative meeting next Wednesday,” said Mungall. “This is our chance to send a strong message to the Campbell government. We will not be ignored.”

Carole James and the New Democrats are calling for a moratorium on new private power projects until the province has a plan in place that protects the environment, and puts the public good above private profit.

The meeting will be held in Nelson at 7 p.m. on July 15 at the Prestige Lakeside Inn.

MUNGALL TO HOLD GLACIER-HOWSER MEETING IN NELSON

2009-06-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

In light of the Campbell government’s refusal to ensure a meeting on Glacier-Howser is held in Nelson, MLA Michelle Mungall is hosting a public meeting on the private power project in the community on July 15, 7pm at the Prestige Inn, 701 Lakeside.

“The refusal to hold a meeting in Nelson has increased people’s concerns that this consultation process is nothing but a rubber stamp,” said Mungall. “I’m holding this meeting to ensure that the voices of this region are heard.”

The meeting will provide information about AXOR's proposed project on Glacier and Howser creeks, as well as details about the privatization of electric production and the environmental realities of current private power developments.

Mungall noted that a diverse group of stakeholders including hunters, environmental organizations, Nelson and Rossland city councils, regional directors, tourism operators and the Mayor of Trail have asked for a meeting in Nelson.

“By refusing to ensure a meeting is held in Nelson the Campbell government is sending the message that they have no intention of listening to the people of this region,” said Mungall.

The proposed private power project, located north of Kaslo, would divert water from four creeks into tunnels large enough to drive a dump truck through. The water would never be returned to the creeks and instead would be dumped in Duncan reservoir. The project and its power lines will impact threatened species such as bull trout, grizzly bears and wolverines.

“Gordon Campbell is more interested in making money for his friends and donors in the private power industry than in ensuring that these projects make social, fiscal, and environmental sense,” said Mungall. “He has never made the case that the need for this power outweighs its environmental impacts.”

New Democrats are calling for a moratorium on new private power projects until the province has a plan in place that protects the environment, and puts the public good above private profit.

The meeting will be held in Nelson at 7 p.m. on July 15 at the Prestige Inn, 701 Lakeside.

MLA Community Office Open

2009-06-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

You are invited!

Please join Michelle and her Constituency Assistant, Laurie, for an Open House of Michelle's MLA Community Office.

Monday June 29, 1-4pm

204-402 Baker St. Nelson (second floor of the Nelson Trading Company, above the Full Circle Cafe)

The Community Office Gallery is featuring Nelson artist, Marilyn Kolstad, until September 30.

Michelle supports the 100 Mile Diet. All food and beverages are grown and/or produced locally by people in our region.

DON’T RUBBER STAMP THE GLACIER HOWSER PROJECT, URGES MUNGALL

2009-06-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

New Democrats call on Campbell gov’t to listen to community concerns

NELSON — New Democrat MLA Michelle Mungall says the Campbell government’s refusal to ensure broader public consultation into the controversial Glacier Howser private project makes the environmental assessment process look like a rubber stamp.

“The Campbell government is ignoring the voices of countless citizens, business owners, hunters, recreational fishermen, mayors and city councilors who are concerned about the potential destructive impact of this project,” said Mungall, the MLA for Nelson-Creston.

“By excluding key communities like Nelson from the consultation, it looks like Campbell’s environmental assessment process is nothing but a rubber stamp.”

Mungall said the government and AXOR – the company proposing the project – don’t want to hear opposition to the proposal. She noted that regional project manager Neil Murphy dismissed the idea of a meeting in Nelson because “all it would be is a mass chanting rally that means nothing in the end."

Mungall, along with Columbia-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald and West Kootenay MLA Katrine Conroy wrote to environment minister Barry Penner last week, asking him to ensure a public meeting would be held in Nelson. Penner declined to play a leadership role, and left the matter with the Environmental Assessment Office.

The EAO has limited the hearings to Kaslo, Invermere and Meadow Creek. The hearings were organized on very short notice, and will be completed by June 25.

The proposed project, north of Kaslo, would redirect water from Glacier, Howser, Suck, and Birnam creeks through 16 kilometers of tunnels that will be large enough to drive a dump truck through.

While the diversion of the creeks will disturb bull trout habitat, the power lines needed for the project will cut through old growth reserves, and put threatened wolverines and grizzlies at risk.

Carole James and the New Democrats are calling for a moratorium on private power projects until the province assesses our current and future energy needs and develops a comprehensive plan that addresses the needs of local communities and the environment.

“It’s time to listen to communities, ensure environmental protection, and restore B.C. Hydro’s leadership role in developing energy policy,” said New Democrat energy critic John Horgan.

Mungall is urging people to write and email the environmental assessment office with their concerns about the Glacier Howser proposal during the public comment period from June 12, 2009 to July 27, 2009.

“Everyone who is concerned about this project needs to make their voice heard,” said Mungall.

Comments about the project can be emailed to glacier.howser@gov.bc.ca or mailed to:

Garry AlexanderProject Assessment DirectorEnvironmental Assessment OfficePO Box 9426 Stn Prov GovtVictoria BC V8W 9V1

It's Official

2009-06-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

BCNDP Members of the Legislative Assembly were sworn into Office on June 8.

Michelle's partner Zak, her mom, dad, mother-in-law and father-in-law joined the ceremonies.

You can watch the ceremonies on Hansard Video,
http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/video/archive-dougfir.asp?video=200906081330&time=13:55:09&duration=00:46:20&toc=archive&autotoc=false

Michelle walks completes her swearing-in at 33:27-34:41 in the video archive.

KOOTENAY MLAS PRESS CAMPBELL FOR FULL CONSULTATION ON GLACIER-HOWSER

2009-06-04T14:28:00.000-07:00

NELSON— The three New Democrat MLAs from the Kootenays are working together to ensure the Campbell government doesn’t ram through the controversial Glacier-Howser private power project without full public consultation.

“People are concerned that the Campbell government wants the environmental assessment to be just a rubber stamp,” said Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston. “It’s time for Gordon Campbell and his environment minister to show Kootenay communities that they respect our right to have a voice in the decisions that affect us.”

Norm Macdonald, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, and Katrine Conroy, MLA for West Kootenay, joined Mungall to write an open letter to the Minister of the Environment requesting more meaningful consultations with the region about the Glacier-Howser project. They are calling for hearings in Nelson, and for the process to allow residents and communities to have a real say about whether the project continues to move forward.

“People in the region are deeply concerned about this project and the effect it will have on the environment, their businesses and the recreational opportunities they enjoy,” said Mungall.
Nelson and Rossland city councils have joined the Mayor of Trail and several directors with the regional district to ask for a meeting in Nelson because it serves as a regional centre. Other stakeholders, including the B.C. Wildlife Federation and a coalition of Environmental groups are calling for the same. Currently public consultations are only scheduled in Kaslo, Meadow Creek and Invermere.

“There is a broad coalition of stakeholders calling for expanded consultations,” said Mungall. “If the Campbell government thinks they can ignore people in the Kootenays on this issue they are going to have a real fight on their hands.”

TEXT OF LETTER:

June 4, 2009

Dear Minister Penner:

With the announcement of the Environmental Assessment Office’s Open House schedule for Purcell Green Power Inc.’s proposed Glacier/Howser Project on the east side of the Duncan Reservoir, citizens throughout the Kootenays have indicated their disappointment with the limited number of opportunities to attend public meetings and provide comment. There is strong demand to include Nelson as a location for a public meeting, as it is the West Kootenay region's primary service area and most central point for rural transportation.

Previous experience with the Environmental Assessment process in this area has not been satisfactory, and Kootenay residents are finding it difficult to trust that this process will work well in the case of the Glacier/Howser Project, a project that will have massive impacts on this area. Residents are requesting meaningful public input into this project.

Many of our constituents, including local governments, have communicated serious concerns about the effect Glacier-Howser would have on their livelihoods and their communities. They deserve to have a voice. Nelson provides a geographical and service central point for the West Kootenay region, making it an ideal localtion to gather meaningful public input.

It is our expectation that the Environmental Assessment Office will announce the addition of a Nelson public meeting to discuss the Purcell Green Power Inc. proposed Glacier/Howser Project, a small step towards regaining the public trust in this process. With the removal of local decision-making on independent power projects, this is the only consultation opportunity left to concerned citizens. We urge that you use your authority as Minister of the Environment to ensure that the City of Nelson is inlcuded as a location for the required EAO public hearings.

We appreciate your prompt response to this matter.

Sincerely,

Katrine Conroy, MLA Kootenay West
Norm Macdonald, MLA Columbia River-Revelstoke
Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston

Mungall Calls for Full Consultation on Glacier-Howser Project

2009-05-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

All impacted communities must have a say before creeks are sold off, says MLA

NELSON — Consultations on the proposed Glacier-Howser private power project need to include Nelson and other Kootenay communities says Michelle Mungall, MLA for Nelson-Creston. The controversial proposal, which would impact five creeks in the area north of Kaslo, has just moved into the final stages of an environmental assessment.

However, Mungall is concerned that many impacted communities may be shut out from the upcoming public consultations. “Many of my constituents are concerned that the environmental assessment will be just a rubber stamp for Gordon Campbell’s agenda to privatize our creeks,” said Mungall. “I’m calling on the government to ensure that residents and businesses in all of the impacted area are fully consulted.”

Mungall says that previous consultations about the terms of reference of the private power proposal only included Kaslo and Meadow Creek.

“Expanding the public consultation to include all local stakeholders is necessary,” said Mungall. “All the communities in the watershed deserve to have a say about the permanent changes this company wants to make to our waterways and wilderness areas.”

The 125 megawatt power project would affect Glacier, Howser, Suck, Behrman, and Birnam creeks along with old growth management reserves and may impact several threatened and endangered species including bull trout, mountain caribou, and wolverines.

“People in the Kootenays fish, hunt, camp, hike, kayak, and live off of the revenues that are generated by people who come here from around the world to enjoy the natural environment,” said Mungall. “It’s not reasonable to restrict the consultation process to the two nearest dots on the map. Nelson and other communities would be affected by a major project like Glacier Howser.”

Carole James and the New Democrats are calling for a moratorium on new private run-of-the-river power projects until a thorough review of B.C.’s energy needs is completed.

Michelle wins Nelson-Creston!

2009-05-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

After months of hard work and pounding the pavement and talking with constituents, Michelle Mungall wins the seat for Nelson-Creston. She is the first woman to be elected in Nelson-Creston.

With 8517 votes, Michelle takes the seat with 54.44% of the vote.

See results here:http://results.elections.bc.ca/ed/GE-2009-05-12_Nelson-Creston.html

“It’s just a testimony to the hard work of the NDP,” said Mungall. “We had hundreds of volunteers working on the campaign and that’s what made it happen.”

Nelson Star report here:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/news/44852472.html

Important events from the weekend

2009-05-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

NDP HELPS OUT CRESTON VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

CRESTON - After years of chronic underfunding, the BC NDP has announced plans to invest $1 million into renovations and the greening of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area’s buildings and facilities, it was announced today by Michelle Mungall, the NDP candidate in Nelson-Creston.

“The Creston Valley Management Area is an integral piece to our community, and not only protects a rich and diverse ecological area, it brings in over 35,000 visitors annually and employees over 11 people,” said Mungall. “The Management Area has suffered for years from lack of funding. Dikes and control structures have not been properly maintained, the wiring in the pump house is in a dangerous condition, and the on site buildings are in serious disrepair.”

“The NDP is committed to funding the renovation and greening of the buildings in the Management Area,” said Carole James, the NDP leader. “These funds will be a start towards the improvements needed for the area.”

“We have an ecologically sensitive area where elk, moose, beavers and diverse bird species live, yet the buildings are in no way environmental sustainable or safe,” said Mungall.

The funding comes from the NDP’s “Green Bonds.” The funds will be used to develop a plan and full budget in consultation with all stakeholders.

Serious concerns over the sate of the Management Area are cited in a government report released in December 2008.

VOTE NDP TO STOP GLACIER-HOWSER FOR GOOD— MUNGALL

NELSON— The resubmission of the Glacier-Howser project shows that only the NDP can stop the privatization of our rivers says Michelle Mungall, NDP candidate in Nelson Creston.“We need to stop this and other environmentally destructive private power projects,” said Mungall. “Once a corporation diverts a creek or a river, the watershed is changed forever.”

Earlier this week, prominent conservationists expressed concern about the lack of environmental assessment on private power projects. “Without a strategy or a plan we have seen something akin to a gold rush with literally hundreds of rivers being staked and that has not been good for our rivers, our environment or the energy sector for that matter.” –Rivers Institute’s Mark Angelo, May 6, 2009

The NDP has committed to a moratorium on all new private power projects in the province until a comprehensive assessment of the province’s energy needs is completed and until regulations which assess the cumulative impacts of energy projects are in place.

“The NDP will stop the give-away of our rivers and the destruction of our watersheds and ecosystems,” said Mungall. “We will restore the rights of communities and regions to be involved in decisions that affect them.”

Gordon Campbell used parts of Bill 30 to strip away the voice of communities to say no to private power projects. The NDP has committed to restoring that voice to communities and regional districts.

“Eight years is enough,” said Mungall. “Hundreds of rivers are at risk of being destroyed and we may never get them back. Only the NDP can stop Gordon Campbell from continuing the give-away resources that belong to all of us.

On the TV and YouTube

2009-05-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

Check out the TV ad with Michelle Mungall, and former MLAs Corky Evans and Ed Conroy. The add runs during Global TV news hours. The long version is on YouTube.

Carole visits Nelson with pizzaz

2009-05-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

On Friday May 1, Carole kicked off the home stretch in this election with a tour of Nelson.

Carole's bus arrived on the corner of Ward and Baker Streets, where she was greeted by several supporters of all ages, including Miss Sophie, 5 years old.

Can't come to Nelson without a trip to Oso Negro, so Carole and Michelle grabbed some java and chatted with locals in the garden.

Local farmers wanted to bend Carole and Michelle's ears about the Liberal's ban on farmgate sales. The ban is "collapsing" our local meat producer market, they said. This legislation is doing a real disservice to farmers and systematically replaces local producers with corporate ones.

Having worked on the transformation of the old City Hall to the current beautiful Museum, Michelle was proud to bring Carole to Touchstones. Last time Carole was in Nelson, Touchstones was under construction. She was pleased to see the final product, and check out the show by Kaslo's own Brent Bukowski.

Then they headed to Cicada Place's 10 year anniversay celebration. The NDP got Nelson Cicada Place, and so Michelle wanted to show Carole the best practice in supporting rural youth's housing needs.

From Cicada Place, Carole and Michelle heading back up to Ward and Baker St. for a rally with supporters. But before the rally, Carole wanted to try the legendary Ebesse Zozo hot sauce. Edmond lives up to his awards, and got Carole hooked. She couldn't leave without supporting our local businessman.

The Rally saw over 100 people cheering Carole and Michelle on to the final stretch of the Election. Cheers and applause accompanied the sunny afternoon joy for a positive change in BC.

Carole and Michelle are for the people because they spend time with the people. Gordon Campbell and Josh Smienk hid in the local Liberal office when the Premier visited Nelson, meeting a few instead of hundreds. Carol and Michelle are out there, hearing from you, working for you. After all, it's about you, not just the elite. This election, vote for people before profits.

Photos by Kaslo's Doug Pyper

2009-04-27T22:56:00.000-07:00

Live out your NHL Dreams!Sponsor our Stanley Street Hockey Playoffs.

We’re hosting a thrilling Street Hockey Game on May 2 in the alley behind the Nelson Trading Company on Stanley and Baker Streets, 4pm. Be a part of the game by sponsoring:

A hockey stick: $15
A goal post: $30
The puck: $100
The Zamboni: $250
Our referee Corky Evans: $500

Your sponsorship will get your name on the item you sponsored and a tax deductible receipt (see below for details).

Sponsor now by sending us a note at michelle@michellemungall.com, or phoning 250-352-0080 to make your pledge. You can also sponsor directly online at: https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=176&VER=2&LNG=EN&PID=1643,1788

Come on down to watch the game or grab the stick you sponsored and join in.

We’ll have hot dogs and popcorn for sale, just like at the NHL playoffs. And bring extra mullah for the intermission, where we’ll be auctioning off Shambhala Festival gear, including tickets and costumes.

Game On!

What Sponsorship (aka donating to the BCNDP) Costs You

Sponsor....... Cost
$15..............$4.75
$30.............$9.50
$100...........$25
$250...........$100
$500...........$225

Open Letter to set the record straight

2009-04-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

There’s been lots of talk lately about the BC Liberals’ gas tax and the NDP’s environmental policies, so I wanted set the record straight. I care deeply for the environment and I am committed to reducing our impact on global warming.

What the NDP is proposing is to cap emissions from large polluters. The National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy says gas taxes are the wrong way to go and the European Union and the US are moving towards cap and trade systems. The NDP believes we need to be part of a global solution to solve a global problem.

We need to look at a holistic method to tackle the issue of climate change. By simply imposing a tax we are failing to deal with the scope and complexity of the issue. A one pronged approached simply will not work. It is easy for big polluters, who make huge profits, to pay an annual carbon tax but it does nothing to actually cap the pollutants.

In addition to the Cap and Trade method we are proposing:

Green Bonds: ethical, secure investments to green BC's infrastructure
Low-interest loans to spur green retro-fits for home and business-owners plus the rebate system.
Increase in affordable and reliable public transportation
Public ownership over resources and retention of BC Hydro as a public asset..
Ban on offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling
Tenure Reform and sustainable forest practices, including a strong reforestation program that grows our carbon sinks
Stimulating local economy and supporting local agriculture.

This comprehensive plan looks to battle climate change on a series of levels and makes battling climate change accessible for people of all income levels. The carbon tax takes money out of all of our pockets but leaves the most in the hands of the polluters.

I ask that you look at climate change as it is; a complex and critical issue that can only be overcome by tackling it from all angles. A tax won’t do that, a comprehensive plan will.

Public Eye Online: Sherrod: "...many of us are shocked and appalled."

2009-04-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

April 21, 2009
Sherrod: "...many of us are shocked and appalled."
"I certainly want everyone to know - and I've been writing around, sending letters to editors and such - that not all environmentalists are on side with what Tzeporah Berman and the David Suzuki Foundation and The Pembina Institute are doing." That's what Valhalla Wilderness Watch director Anne Sherrod said when we asked her about their decision to pan the New Democrats' climate change plank while praising the Liberals' greenhouse gas reduction policies.

"Not all of us are castigating the NDP for (their opposition to) the gas tax," said Ms. Sherrod. "And I think it's probably well know it has caused a great deal of division in the environmental movement over what they've done. But the newspaper in our local area - the Nelson Daily News - ran a story saying environmentalists all across the province were denouncing the NDP. And that absolutely is not true. And there are many environmentalists - myself included - that fervently believe the Liberal government is the worst government for the environment that B.C. has ever had. And that they've been disastrous for our environment. And we are desparate to get a change of government."

"Now the NDP policies on global warming - on energy - should be stronger," she continued. "And there are legitimate differences of opinion about the gas tax versus cap-and-trade. But many of us - in fact perhaps most of us - do not let that weakness or flaw in the NDP platform eclipse what the Liberals have done over the years."

"I'm in communication with a lot of environmentalists. And many of us are shocked and appalled. They claim - those groups - that they did not mean to endorse the Liberal government. And after the fact Pembina and David Suzuki came out and made a few little criticisms of the Liberal government. But the fact is - given what they know about the election happening right now and what they know about the respective parties - that's exactly what they did. You don't have to call something a horse for it to be a horse. It's a horse if you call it that or not. So that's what they did."

http://www.publiceyeonline.com/archives/003828.html

Say Hello in Argenta

2009-04-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

If you're in Argenta this Friday, stop me on the streets to say hello.

Kick up your heels Saturday April 25 at the Earth Matters Earth Day Community Dance. 811 Stanley St. 7-11pm. ANd Join in all the fun Earth Day events. Check out ht tp://www.kootenayearthday.ca/ for details.

Powering up Saturday April 18 at the Creston Home and Garden Show. Demonstrating the energy savings by using halogen lightbulbs.

The Show was a great time for meeting with new friends and connecting with supporters. The legendary Corky Evans joined Michelle at the NDP booth all weekend. After filling up on ice cream, it was good to burn a few calories on the bike. Generating a few watts in the process was pretty good too.

Kicking it off with style

2009-04-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

Michelle Mungall kicked off her election campaign today with characteristic energy with a jog down Baker Street. “I want to show Nelson-Creston that I have what it takes to set the pace in this campaign” said Mungall.

Michelle was joined by a large crowd of supporters and onlookers as she jogged down Baker Street meeting with future constituents. “We wanted our first event of the campaign to show the constituents of Nelson-Creston that I have the stamina and the training to go the distance. The jog down Baker Street was a fun way to get this message across.”

With Election Day only 28 days away Michelle will spend her time listening to constituents about what really matters to them. “Already on this brief jog I heard from the citizens of Nelson about what really matters to them; stopping the giveaway of public services and resources, making life more affordable for our families and increasing the numbers of nurses and health care professionals in our hospitals.”

“Together we can take back BC” says Mungall. “And together we can build a BC for everyone.”

Michelle Mungall’s Nelson NDP Campaign Office kicked off to a great start today. Over 70 people came out to enjoy food, music and a rousing talk from Michelle.

“I want to thank everyone who came out tonight and showed their support. I can tell by the level of enthusiasm and excitement in the room that this is going to be an excellent campaign,” Michelle told the group.

The crowd included previous MLA’s Corky Evans, Lorne Nicolson, MP Alex Atamanenko and Nelson City Councillors Robin Cherbo and Donna Macdonald. The crowd also included volunteers and workers from the health, mental health, environmental, seniors and housing group sectors.

“I am so thankful that the NDP message is resonating with a broad spectrum of people across Nelson-Creston. It proves that people of all ilks are eager for change. We are all ready to take back BC.”

If you would like more information about helping out on Michelle’s campaign or would like a sign please do not hesitate to contact Michelle at michelle@michellemungall.com.

We're On Our Way!

2009-04-09T21:44:00.000-07:00

We opened in Creston and now we're opening in Nelson!

Join us in Nelson on April 14, 4:30 to 7:30pm for some fun as we open our office for business. Head up the stairs at 402 Baker St. (the Nelson Trading Company on Stanley and Baker St.) to make a positive difference in BC.

Get a sign
Make a donation
Sign-up to volunteer a few hours

The Creston Opening was a huge success, and a wonderful time was had by all. We're now open 10am-5pm daily at the corner of 10th and Pine (accross from the Fire Hall and Post Office).

We served a great BBQ with locally grown and produced hamburgers (10 Mile Diet!). The NDP is committed to supporting local farmers and in this campaign we're going 100 mile as much as possible.

The Art of Local Economy

2009-03-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

Spencer Herbert, NDP MLA for Vancouver-Burrard and Opposition Critic for Arts and Culture, was in Nelson-Creston March 23. After volunteering with Michelle at the Salmo monthly soup kitchen, Spencer toured Nelson arts facilities, then gave a talk at Oxygen Art Gallery.

Spencer highlighted the 50% cuts the Liberal government is proposing to Arts and Culture. In both good and bad ecnomoic times, arts and culture are strong local economic drivers, and these cuts will hurt our local economies rather than stimulate them.

Photo: Michelle Mungall, Spencer Herbert and Nicola Harwood, Oxygen Art Gallery Executive Director

Letter to Nelson Daily News Editor

2009-03-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

I sent the below letter on March 11, responding to a constituent in the public format she chose to bring up these issues. It was printed March 23.

On Friday March 6, Nelson Daily News published Sheila McCormack’s open letter to the Provincial Election Candidates. As the Candidate for the NDP, I am happy to respond with my positions on the issues she raised.

1) The lack of surgeons at Kootenay Lake Hospital. Coming from the party that founded Canadian universal medicare, I cannot find the sense in KLH having no surgeons. IHA numbers show that Nelson serves a population of 25,211 with no surgeon, while Trail serves a population of 20,096 with 4 surgeons. If we look north to Quesnel, we find that their hospital serving 26,207 residents has two surgeons, and, like Nelson, is 1 hour away from its regional hospital. If two surgeons are good for Quesnel, clearly at least one would be good for Nelson.

2) Health Authorities. In 2002, the Liberal Government followed suit with the Alberta Conservatives and merged all local Health Boards into 6 Health Authorities. Community representatives to Health Authorities are appointed by the Government rather than elected by the people. Interestingly, Alberta recently returned to a community-based model. They now have 56 Community Councils under one Health Authority. In just makes sense to meaningfully include communities in guiding their health services.

3) Pay equity for paramedics. By ignoring the realities of rural and remote communities, the Liberal Government has done a disservice to paramedics. In remote places, the lack of ER doctors and nurses forces paramedics to care for patients much longer. Yet, they are not paid the higher levels for such care. We need to assess the actual work rural paramedics do and compensate them accordingly.

4) Privatizing BC Hydro is a bad deal for British Columbians present and future rate payers. How this is happening is complicated and underhanded, masked by the redesigning of BC Hydro and the rules of NAFTA. The end results (as identified in places that have sold off their public utilities) are higher prices, less accountability and environmental negligence –all of which completely contradict the Liberal’s 2001 promise of low energy prices. The NDP will not sell BC Hydro.

5) Jumbo Glacier Resort. I believe that local people should have the final say over developments in their regions. It’s our backyard after all. I agree with the NDP that a locally made decision on JGR is necessary. To date, local governments and businesses have expressed strong opposition to the resort.

6) Independent Power Projects. The scariest thing about IPPs is NAFTA. The North American Free Trade Agreement Chapter 11 and other provisions suggest that these water licences are a systematic privatization and sale of our water. For this reason, and many others, the NDP is calling for a two-year moratorium on all IPPs so that their impacts can be properly reviewed prior to pursuing this angle for energy sources.

7) Conservation Officers. We need more well-trained Conservation Officers working in the field where they can do the most good. As a proactive approach to caring for wildlife and their habitat, increased COs will prove less costly than the clean-up of things like toxic spills and damaged fisheries.

Voters, please feel free to contact me anytime with your concerns at michelle@michellemungall.com or visit my websites: http://michellemungall.bcndp.ca or my blog at www.michellemungall.com . Thanks to Ms. McCormack for asking her questions. I hope to meet you in the future and carry on this worthwhile dialogue.

Michelle Mungall
NDP Candidate
Nelson-Creston

Onward to the Provincial Election

2009-02-23T20:40:00.000-08:00

Two weeks after the Nomination Convention, and we're on our way for a fun and energizing election race.

I'm looking forward to continue meeting with people and talking about issues that matter to our region. Please email me if you would like to invite me to your event. I'd love to attend!

The Results Are In!

2009-02-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

After two hours of waiting and 3 rounds of counting the 807 ballots resulted in.

Michelle Mungall: 374
Kim Adamson: 330

Bev Lapointe and Rhonda Barter

Thanks to all who voted and participated thoughout this process. You make democracy a reality!

Now we give it all we got to win on May 12, 2009!

Interesting Fact

2009-02-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

Founding Leader of the NDP, Tommy Douglas, was first elected MP for Weyburn Saskatchewan on the eve of his 31 birthday.

Michelle Mungall just turned 31 two weeks ago and is running to be Nelson-Creston's MLA. Like Tommy Douglas, Michelle has the potential to serve our communities long and well.

The Campaign Trail

2009-01-29T12:59:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: The many dogs and cats were much loved during the making of this film. All vehicles involved in this production were fuel efficient. Actions are underway to offset the carbon footfrint involved with being a good representative of a rural area. This production is 100% made by volunteers.

Why You Should Vote for Me

2009-01-25T21:09:00.000-08:00

With two weeks away to the final vote count, things are heating up. Let me take a moment to tell you why I am your best choice for the NDP MLA candidate.

Experience
I have been active in politics for 22 years. Since childhood, I have always spoken out and organized for the benefit of my community. To ensure that the NDP had representation in each constituency, I ran for MLA in Alberta in the final year of my Political Science degree. A year later, I ran for Nelson City Council and won, placing third out of nineteen candidates. My experience of serving on Nelson City Council skyrocketed me into a deeper understanding of the issues important to the Nelson-Creston residents. Serving as an elected City Councillor also afforded me the opportunity to develop important and long-lasting relationships with organizations, government agencies and government leaders. The strong relationships I have developed will be of great assistance to our region when I serve as your MLA. For example, in my capacity as City Councillor, I have had the advantage of working with the Nelson-Creston Liberal opponent both in his capacity as RDCK Director and Chair of CBT. I understand his weaknesses and his strengths. Additionally, through this relationship and many others, I have developed a strong working understanding of the RDCK and the Columbian Basin Trust.

Energy
Like other NDP MLAs who have been elected in their thirties, I have the potential and the energy to serve our communities long and well. I have no doubt that as the MLA candidate, I will be able to maintain Nelson-Creston as an NDP constituency, and bring a strong voice to the Legislature. The road leading to a win on May 12 will not be easy, and will need many of us. I have the ability and experience to pull in a great team with the energy for what lies ahead.

Enthusiasm
My experience has shown me that one of my strongest characteristics is the enthusiasm I bring to the job of working with bureaucracies. I get the job done. I understand government and the processes for making a positive difference for our region because I have worked with many of our MLAs and served as a City Councillor.

Commitment
I am committed to our Kootenay region. This is my home. This is where I have settled and bought a house. I am committed to serving our communities. The social justice and sustainability values of the NDP are my values. I have been carrying my NDP membership card for nine years. I will bring those values to the Legislature and make sure that our communities benefit from strong representation.

Please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to chatting with you.

Listen to the Kootenay Co-op Radio Ad playing until Feb. 7

2009-01-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

Nelson All-Candiates Forum Speeches

2009-01-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

Opening Remarks

Thank you all for being here this evening, and thank you to our organizers who have graciously organized this excellent opportunity for us to all meet each other.

Over the last seven months, I have had the privilege of working with an amazing team of new and long-time New Democrats. Our former MLA Lorne Nicholson jumped on board, and so did my colleague Melanie Pieper who had never paid attention to politics before. So many people have come together to be a part of this campaign. We have different life stories and experiences, but we share the common value that everyone matters and that together we can accomplish great things. Indeed, that is what it’s all about: if we share our resources, together we will have something truly tremendous.

Seems a simple enough concept –one most of us learned in kindergarten actually, and one that we practice regularly at any Kootenay potluck. However, it seems that our neighbour Gordon Campbell was absent that day in kindergarten because he keeps rejecting the invitations to the potluck.

Instead, he hosts his own dinner where everyone brings a dish, but only a few of the selected guests get to enjoy the meal. The guests who don’t get to eat are feeling quite confused; they brought what they could and made the same effort as everyone else, but Gordon Campbell has said they have to wait until after the others are done. Then he gives the hungry guests some nice sun glasses. The hungry guests sit there in astonishment, wondering how these gifts will help. Gordon insists that they put on the sunglasses to see the world through the whole new lens. The guests put on the sunglasses and the world seems darker and more blurry, and they are of course still hungry. Meanwhile, those feasting grow larger, so much larger that they need to undue their belts and relax on the sofa where the hungry guests are seated. So out the hungry guests go, sunglasses and all, into the cold night.

As you can imagine the hungry guests are more confused then ever. Surely their meals must be coming soon, they think. After all, they too brought dishes for the dinner, and Gordon Campbell promised that all would be full from his dinner party. So they sit out in the night, with sunglasses on –and unaware of the Cory Hart song, or Reagonomics, don’t realize that they are part of a revived 80s trend. A couple of people ring the doorbell, a few others knock, one man shouts, “Hey we’re still out here,” but no one answers the door. One person says he’ll give it a try, but keeps missing the door when he goes to knock because his sunglasses are so dark he is almost blind. Refusing any help to knock on the door, he asserts “I’m sure Gordo will come to the door if we just wait.” But Gordon Campbell, nor any of his friends ever answer come to the door to see what has happened to the rest of the guests. They remain inside feasting and relaxing and enjoying the fruits of other people’s labour.

At this point in the story, what do you think the hungry guests ought to do? Should they go make their own feast and not invite Gordo and crew? Should they break down the door and jump through the windows? Should they call the police? Maybe what they should do is remove the sunglasses, open the unlocked door to the community hall, for this party is not happening in Gordon’s own house, and walk right back in, and show Gordon Campbell and company how sharing is meant to be done.

By taking the power back for the benefit of all people, the hungry guests see clearly, get warm and eat healthy, and so does everyone else. It’s a matter of that simple kindergarten lesson, sharing.

As our candidate, you can count on me to have the energy, enthusiasm and commitment to get everyone together to open the doors that will bring sharing back to this beautiful province we call home. Like you, I am NDP, and it’s what we do.

Closing Remarks

As I mentioned in my opening remarks, sharing our resources and their benefits is a simple concept with tremendous outcomes. Our land, our skills, our talents, our ideas, and our wealth when shared create a stronger more vibrant community, and if they do that for the community, they do that for the province, the country and the world. When we do this, we create a better future. These are the NDP values I hold near and dear to my heart whether as a City Councillor, leader of the Model parliament NDP Caucus, political activist, researcher, community coordinator, or neighbour. It is why one of my favourite political buttons in my collection is an old Saskatchewan NDP campaign button that reads “Let’s do it for Tommy.”

As a political party rooted in social justice and democracy, we have the potential to bring a new voice to BC, one it hasn’t seen for a while. As a proven voice for our region, I will bring a strong campaign to every corner of the constituency, meaningfully engaging our communities’ energy in the democratic process.

Together, we will show Gordon Campbell’s Liberals that he cannot rent a community hall for a dinner only to starve half the people attending, and baffle them in the process.

Together, we will show him that every one of us matters and the true act of sharing includes us all at the feast.

Together, we will build a better British Columbia.

Together, we can. So let's get started.

Thank you and good evening.

Did you know?

2009-01-09T16:45:00.001-08:00

This link takes you to a video that really gives us something to think about with the economic changes and where our labour market is headed. We can ignore it or we can prepare and be a part of change.

http://www.scc.k12.wi.us/Technology.wvx

Thanks for the Holiday!

2008-12-29T13:26:00.000-08:00

This year for our Christmas festivities, my partner Zak and I travelled to Victoria to visit with his family. At the bookends of this wonderful family time, was the long drive through snowstorms and winter road conditions. To pass the time, we downloaded Charles Dickens' epic David Copperfield on tape.

Anytime I listen to a Dickens' tale, I am reminded about similaritites and differences between the mid-1800s and the present day, especially those that receive strong critiscm from the author. One thing that is quite different, which would be to Dicken's delight, is labour laws. With that in mind, I would like to revive a Nelson Daily News column I wrote in 2004, and take a moment to thank the Labour Movement for the right to celebrate the Holidays with my family year after year since childhood.

My last weekend was awesome. I went on a West Kootenay adventure on the way to Golden for a Spearhead concert. My friend and I weren’t alone, as most of Nelson’s youth showed up too. For that weekend, I would like to thank the labour movement.

The labour movement in Canada has challenged, fought, educated, lobbied and advocated for better working conditions, rights and lives over the past two centuries. Union pressure brought stronger enforcement to end child labour in Canada. In 1872, the Nine Hour League demanded a nine-hour workday so that people could spend time with their families, pursue education and be active in their communities. But it took another 50 years to achieve our current eight-hour workday.

While the 40-hour work week seems a struggle won long ago, 25% of full-time workers still put in over 40 hours per week –most of whom are management. Here in BC, your employer is required to pay you overtime once you hit 41 hours, but in New Brunswick there's no standard work week and no limits to how long your employer requires you to work. Despite the laws here in BC, many workers experience a work week that better reflects the laws of New Brunswick.

Workers organized to demand clean air in the work place, safety standards, lunch breaks, holidays, living wages, pay equity, and the list goes on. Even though about one third of Canadian workers are union members, the most difficult and ongoing struggle is the right to organize. It was only in 1967, after strong action from the postal workers, that the federal government passed legislation allowing public service employees to unionize. The provinces shortly followed suit, and the public service quickly organized. By the mid-1980s, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) was the largest union in Canada –and still is with over 500,000 members.

While public service employees have the right to organize and collectively bargain, many other workers around the world do not. In North America, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) are supporting Wal-Mart employees effort to unionize despite the world’s largest employer’s repeated refusal to bargain with any union. International unions are supporting workers in Export Processing Zones to stay alive while attempting to organize. These struggles are the beginning of other struggles for living wages, benefits, holidays, break-times, clean air, clean water, fair treatment –essentially good jobs.

Of course good jobs are not the only issues important to the labour movement. You’ll find unions at the forefront of social movements for healthcare, food security, pay equity, peace, human rights, anti-racism, Pride, and gender equality. Some of the first Canadian environmentalists were loggers and miners on the East Coast. Yet within the labour movement, each of these issues has been debated, and sometimes an enormous struggle. Just ask the many women who have fought for equality within their unions. The labour movement indeed reflects our society as much as it shapes it.

Although I am not in a union, I have certainly benefited from their actions. I have a good wage; I have holiday time and benefits; I have weekends to spend with family, friends and community; I have strong teeth because of my mother’s dental plan; I have access to medicare, education and social assistance when I need it. As a woman, I have many sisters to thank for their struggles for pay equity and gender equality. When I stand up for social justice, I know the labour movement is there too. For these reasons and many more, I support the labour movement.

2008-12-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

What a week!

2008-11-09T21:43:00.000-08:00

This past week saw the finale for the Nelson-Creston NDP membership drive. The drive increased members and voters for our Nomination Convention February 7, 2008. All four candidates, one of whom is me, have managed to boost the Nelson-Creston NDP members by a total of 800. Way to go everyone on all teams for such great work!

People can still become members of the NDP anytime, but now after November 7, they will not be eligible to vote in the Nomination because you have to be a member for 90 days counting back from the Convention on February 7. Whether you're able to vote for the NDP MLA candidate or not, being a member of the NDP is great. You're a part of a fabulous group of people who practice democracy and work for social justice whether it's popular or not. Thanks to the NDP, we have public healthcare, Employment Insurance, and affordable housing programs, to name just a few great things we came up with. Currently, the NDP is working to keep water public and make viable, strong plans to stop our impact on global warming.

Plus, NDPers know how to get creative and sing songs about what we do. Check out this video on YouTube, called Sticking with the NDP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auVGvM4_9XU

2008-10-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

Longing for a proper election

2008-10-15T01:17:00.000-07:00

After watching tonight’s election results roll in with the eagerness and enthusiasm of an uber-hockey fan, I was proud that the NDP picked up another 7 seats bringing our representation to 37 seats from sea to sea to sea (check out our cross Canada results at www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/map/2008/#). Not only were the results a testament to the NDP being a national party, but they also indicated how desperate Canada needs an electoral system suited for the way we vote. There’s just no doubt about it; we need proportional representation.

Here’s how tonight’s results differ from the popular vote for each party:

Greens got 6% of the vote, but no seats
Two independents got seats with less than 1% of the popular vote combined
The NDP garnered 37 seats with 18% of the vote, so that’s 12% of the seats.
The Bloc Quebecois won 50 seats with 10% of the vote, resulting in 16% of the seats
The Liberals won 76 seats with 26% popular vote giving them 25% of seats
Conservatives got 143 seats, or 46%, with 38% of the votes

Looking at theses results the Conservatives, the BQ and the Independents are certainly benefiting from our current first-past-the-post electoral system. Meanwhile, Green and NDP voters get shafted. The Liberals actually got the number of seats that reflect their current popularity with Canadians. This is what happens when we have several political parties but insist on retaining an electoral system meant for two political parties: representation that doesn’t reflect our collective values.

Proportional representation, on the other hand, offers several systems that have the underlying principle that representation reflect the way people actually vote. So if 18% of people vote NDP, NDP gets 18% of the seats, and the same goes for all parties.

I first learned about PR systems during Political Science 100 class at university, and was an instant fan because it just makes sense. The more I researched about the different types of PR and how they are practiced in different countries and political cultures, I came to believe that Canada, both federally and provincially, would do better with a Mixed-Member Plurality (MMP) system. Since then, I’ve advocated for MMP at various community events including NDP & Green co-sponsored forums, and when I coordinated NDP Electoral Reform expert Lorne Nystrom’s visit to Nelson in 2002.

To sum-up MMP in a few points:

A portion of the seats are allocated to regional representatives so that regions can continue to have a designated representative in the House of Commons.
Another portion of the seats are reserved for party representatives to ensure proportionality with the popular vote. There is usually a threshold of 5% of the popular vote to gain one of these seats should a party not gain any of the regional representative seats. So tonight, the greens would have won 1 of these seats with 6% of the popular vote.
MMP systems have been successful in encouraging more women and visible minorities into political office.
Because few MMP systems result in a simple majority of seats (aka 51%) for any one political party, two political parties will form a coalition and govern as a team, thus providing for stability AND diversity.

Germany and New Zealand have similar political cultures as Canada, and have long had stable governments with the MMP system. For an excellent explanation of MMP in just two pages, see http://www.gnb.ca/0100/Doc/fact7mixed-e.pdf.

For the 2009 provincial election, we will be going to referendum on another type of proportional electoral system. This is Single Transferable Vote (STV). Despite the majority of presentations to the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform were for MMP, they asked us to vote on STV in 2005. STV lost at that time, so it is back on the referendum ballot in 2009, with the addition of electoral boundaries pre-selected for our information.

Changing our electoral system is a big decision. So please get informed. Here’s a site that explains STV very well, includes an animation: http://www.stv.govt.nz/STV/index.htm. Please note that the site is explaining the use of STV in LOCAL government elections in New Zealand, as New Zealand’s national government uses MMP.

To be fair, here are some other sites that may help with your deicison-making.

Against STV:
http://www.straight.com/article/single-transferable-vote-equals-multiple-problems

Pro STV:
http://www.stv.ca

There’s lots of debate among political scientists about which PR system is the best. As a political scientist by training, my preference is that electoral systems should best fit a society’s political culture, governing needs and voter behaviour.

Give a Meow for Michelle Video

2008-10-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

Check out the Give a Meow video (1min) on YouTube too! Thanks to film student and volunteer Gary Pon for filming and producing this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lmWmeYgq6g

Big bouquet of flowers to say thanks to Meow Mix DJs Oasis, Ginger, Lion-S and Morning Glory for spinnning tunes to raise funds and support for my bid to be the Nelson-Creston NDP candidate in the provincial election. The event sold out early, and everyone danced the night away.

Flowers to Traci Taboo for being a super stellar MC, and flowers to Fun Rachel for greeting everyone who came in. Muchos Gracias to Mike for reminding people to "Vote for Michelle." Danke Shoen to all the volunteers who made the night possible. And last but not least, Merci Beaucoup to Spiritbar for being superb hosts.

The night was a huge success and we have much to celebrate. Of course, the big celebration comes at the Victory Party. To get us there, the first step is to join the NDP so that you can vote in the nomination race. Once a member you're able to help me get on the Provincial Election Ballot so that I can run to be our representative in the BC government.

Here's the lyrics to my rap:
I need you
to help me to help you
That's the reciprocity
of a democracy
If you don't like today's politicians
You can keep on bitchin'
But don't forget to vote
Especially for the chick with the most
Becuzzzzzzzzzz
I need you
to help me
to help you

Mixing art and politics is tradition. Free speech and creativity are highly political, and to keep them, vote.

2008-09-25T23:08:00.000-07:00

Turning Down the Heat

2008-09-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

As many people have heard by now, the BC NDP’s position on the carbon tax introduced by the BC Liberals is “Axe the Tax and take real action on climate change.”

Regardless of my political affiliations, when I first heard about the Liberals' particular carbon tax, I didn’t think that it was the bold, fair step we needed to combat climate change. Being an environmentalist, I saw it as a superficial, minimal and unjust method to get people “thinking” about their impact on global warming rather than really doing something. Stopping global warming requires us to take forward steps with the determination unseen since the days of Rosie the Riveter and WW2, so I wasn’t about to celebrate a tax whose claim to success is getting people to think.

Saving the planet must also include social justice along side environmentalism. Because the new tax cuts will not come close to covering the new expenses on transportation (including public transit that has steadily increased in the last two decades while the cost of car ownership has actually gone down) and heating for poor and rural families, I didn’t buy that the carbon tax was being justly dolled out.

But when most environmental groups whom I respect came out in favour of the tax, it seemed I might be missing something. Therefore, I sought to learn more about reducing our impact on global warming in an equitable way.

The highly acclaimed book Heat by British author George Monbiot soon found its way into my hands. If you care about climate change, read this book. Published in 2006, Monbiot sets out to reduce our collective carbon emissions by 90%. It’s an ambitious target, but it’s a necessary one that we all must be a part of if we want to keep a human-friendly habitat on planet Earth.

Recognizing that money is a reality of modern life, Monbiot’s analysis includes an economic angle. He finds ways in which we can achieve the 90% goal that are economically feasible. Government policy that rations allowable carbon emissions for people and business. Revising our building practices to be carbon neutral. Quality, affordable and effectively managed public transportation. Increased locally-based food security. Economic shifts to value environmental sustainability instead of its destruction and lip-service. These are Monbiot’s viable solutions to the major ecological, social and economic issue of our time. With evidence-based arguments, solid scientific analysis and creative problem-solving, Monbiot lays down a recipe that only lacks political will.

Interestingly, in all his creative feasible solutions for an environmentally sustainable world, he does not prescribe a tax on energy use in the way the BC Liberals have done. In fact, he clearly states at the beginning of Chapter 3 that suppressing climate change through such energy taxes won’t work because they are, simply put, not fair. For one of the largest collective tasks humanity has ever faced, we all must be involved in a way that, as the David Suzuki Foundation says, doesn’t unfairly punish the poor or people living in rural areas. If the majority of the world –the poor and rural residents- feel they are unfairly paying for the burden of climate change first as victims then as the solutions’ financiers, they ultimately won’t participate. When you’re hungry in Nelson or in Zambia, you care more about food and survival than the size of your ecological footprint. While the tax is theorized to trigger economic shifts and behavioural changes that better the environment, it does little to practice social justice.

Additionally, our economic reality is that way more often than not, corporations who benefit from resource and human exploitation still have greater influence on economics and politics than a theorized change in consumer demand. So let’s not forget that the budget with the carbon tax also included increased subsidies for the oil and gas industry. This two-sided action is simply not implementing the sustainable policies needed to achieve sustainability.

Monbiot didn’t just reaffirm my initial reactions to this carbon tax, he also challenged me to think bigger, broader and bolder. In the process of providing holistic, well researched and consistent solutions, he demonstrated that not all environmentalists agree. I’m glad that our society has gotten to the point where we ask how we stop it instead of should we. However, I’ll celebrate when we have more comprehensive, plausible and bold steps to maintaining our habitat than this carbon tax.

We need to do something better, and we need to do it now.

You Tube videos

Federal Leader Jack Layton speaking on the NDP's focus on cap and trade. Jack says it well and it applies here at the provincial level too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgE92MajfMg&NR=1

Corky Evans' speech before the BCNDP Convention unanimously passed Sustainable BC, a holistic policy framework that puts economy, social and environment as the combine lens from which we operate as a Political Party, movement and government.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpnomXQnBPc

Some details on Gordon Campbell's carbon tax --culture jam style
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0FAnklcwMg

A New Approach to Creston's Health Needs

2008-09-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Last weekend at the Creston Valley Fall Fair was great! I had so much fun speaking with the hundreds of people who attended the fair and passed by our booth. Crestonites are very concerned about the recent hypocritical 54% payhikes for Gordon Campbell’s top bureaucrats along with having a strong rural voice in Victoria. Several people mentioned that Creston’s difficulties in finding permanent doctors is a symptom of a larger issue. That issue is attracting and retaining young families, and particularly now with the growing unaffordability in housing.

Good political policies can address the issue of affordable costs of living, but attracting doctors is going to be about good networking and relationship development --these are big words for good ol’ fashioned “making friends.” After what I learned this weekend, making friends is no problem for Creston.

Like all Kootenay communities, Creston is a place where strangers and neighbours alike smile and say hello to each other when passing on the street. No one hesitates to help someone out. People take the time to listen, and laughter is on regular order here. But if it’s as simple as making friends, why is Creston having such trouble?

Creston has several amenities to showcase to MDs looking for a small town lifestyle, safe place to raise children, home to an abundance of delicious locally grown food, and close access to outdoor recreation. On top of this, we would need to indentify what parameters of practice are attractive to most MDs, and make sure that it is available in Creston. Highlighting the career and life satisfaction Creston has to offer is integral to the recruitment strategy.

However, let’s think outside the box for a moment. Maybe we can solve the problem by asking the IHA for health professionals who can do the job required, but are graduating from BC Universities with few job options. Specifically, UVIC is graduating Nurse Practitioners who have significant overlap in practice with General Practitioner MDs plus spend greater time with patients to better manage health through prevention and planning. However, NPs are struggling to find jobs in BC. Even though NPs have proven to be ideal family health practitioners in rural communities of the US and Northern Canada, BC is slow to apply this solution to rural health needs, preventative medicine and reducing healthcare costs.

The Ministry is starting to be open to increased positions for NPs. Trail has had two for the past two years and Castlegar will be getting theirs November 3 this year (who happens to be my partner Zak). The IHA is starting to understand the value of NPs. So with budget discussion just around the corner, it seems a worthwhile approach to advocate for an NP in Creston, thus attracting the many graduates and upcoming graduates seeking work right here in rural BC. The Interior Helath Authority is interested, so let's start talking about it.

Celebrating and Activating

2008-08-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

It has been an amazing couple of weeks. So much is going on in our corner of the world. Summer festivals celebrating community. Political activism to keep water and electric power public. Local markets where farmers share their delectable foods. Weddings.

In Kaslo, they celebrated their 115th birthday. In the early days, people travelled over mountain wagon trails to get to this beautiful community. I got there by the winding highway that links Nelson to Kaslo. Beautiful drive unless you’re in an ambulance hoping to make it to Trail Hospital in the winter. Our healthcare system ought to be based primarily on patient care and safety, and that goes for rural areas too. The Liberals’ cuts to healthcare were deep. Our universal public healthcare system is envied by a growing movement in the US –a movement that’s supported by Oprah—yet our government picks away at it then tells us privatization is the way to go. Well, just as I’d rather get to Kaslo in an hour over a paved highway, I’d rather have reliable, quality publicly funded universal healthcare than the privatized random healthcare of the wagon trail days.

Yahk celebrated its first SummerFest the same Saturday that Kaslo ate birthday cake. People like Penny Anderson saw the need for a special spot where Yahk can get together and enjoy music and fun together as a community. As is the case with small communities, people got together and built an amazing bandshell, dance floor and seating area behind the Community Hall. Tucked into the woods, here was the perfect display of what people can do together. Yahk is also a good distance from the nearest hospital in Creston or Cranbrook, and has similar considerations as Kaslo in both community fun events and healthcare.

Nelson held its last Market Fest on August 22. I am continually blown away by this wonderful way in which we can strengthen local economy while entertaining ourselves with great music. My campaign had a booth at the festival where we danced to our local Samba band, signed up several new members, and talked to countless people. Many people are concerned about climate change and food security, which is why this local market is run by West Kootenay EcoSociety; they know that local markets mean less travel which mean less carbon emissions and less impact on climate change. But also, when we celebrate together, eat good nutritious locally grown food, we are healthier in body and mind. We care about our health everyday, and when we need emergency care, we want it to be there. So it was good to also talk about the cuts to Kootenay Lake Hospital and how we as a community responded with tremendous activism.

Our activism is what holds government accountable, brings forward new ideas, and creates awareness about important issues. The RDCK meeting on August 23 was a great example of this. I joined local citizens gathered to attend the meeting in support of a regional plebiscite on Independent Power Production (IPPs). This idea came from a group organizing to educate the public and stop IPPs, Public Power Now. The plebiscite would have allowed the RDCK to educate residents about the issue, then ask them to vote in favour or against IPPs in the region at election time, thus giving the RDCK a clear mandate on their advocacy role to the Provincial government. Although the costs for this would have been minimal and were already factored into the RDCK election budget, the motion for a plebiscite failed based on the argument of money. The vote was 5 to 6 against.

Against:
Tom Mann for Area C
Verna Myers- McKenzie for Area A
Hans Cunningham for Area G
Al Dawson for Area F
Gordon Zaitsoff for Area J
Gary Kalinski(Josh Smienk's alternate) for Area E

For:
Andy Shadrack for Area D
John Kettle for Area B
Paul Peterson for Area K
Don Monroe for Area H
John Viokin for Area I

Disappointed about the plebiscite, I went to the Saturday Cottonwood Market to pick up some veggies. I stopped and chatted politics with friends and enjoyed the sunny morning in a local market. Then off to get ready for wedding. Weddings are wonderful celebrations that remind us of life, love and unity. (Congratulations to Yara and Brian for tying the knot!) Weddings can also be a form of activism for those who don’t possess the right to marry. And that brings me to next week...

Join the Campaign to Elect Michelle Mungall and the NDP at Kootneay Pride 2008. We’ll be in the Parade, and welcome you to join us for a fun day of celebrating and activating.

People before Profits

2008-08-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

Just after Shambhala, I had the chance to meet with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) to talk about a broad issue concerning them: privatization.

I had originally planned to talk with IBEW about the importance of environment, local economy and social justice. Then I watched Oprah before the meeting. Oprah hosted a dialogue between Micheal Moore, documentary filmmaker of Sicko, and a representative from the Health Insurance Corporations. It was a heated debate, but the audience concluded that public universal healthcare is less costly, morally just and imperative for the US. After Oprah, I was revved up and wanted to talk about the slow and incremental movement our provincial and federal governments are taking to privatize our healthcare and everything else. This is certainly relevant to environment, local economy and social justice, so I wasn’t far off topic.

When I arrived and was immediately asked about privatization while standing in the parking, I knew I was in for a good conversation. We talked about privatizing BC Gas, elements of BC Hydro, all future power production, highway maintenance (whether by volunteers in the adopt a highway program or by corporations), management of our health records. We discussed the dismantling of public education and healthcare, reducing and further privatizing childcare, and leaving “affordable” housing up to the private sector. And of course when you talk about privatization, how can you leave out a tribute to TILMA, NAFTA, WTO, SPP, APEC, and all the other acronyms that spell out free trade not fair trade.

These policies chip away at public control over public goods and replace it with private control and consumerism. However, we are more than consumers. We are citizens, so we care when governments start selling off our control over our interests. Often, it is our labour unions who see the loss of our public system and the negative consequences first. They lose jobs. They see safety standards, environmental standards and social responsibility go down the tubes in the name of profit.

When I stood side by side with the Steelworkers on picket lines in Alberta, or next to the BC Federation of Labour at rallies on the Legislature Lawn, or as a Radical Cheerleader at the West Kootenay District Labour Council marches throughout the Kootenays, and now as I talk with the brothers and sisters in the labour movement, I hear more and more about how privatization is leading to a future where citizens just don’t matter.

We deserve better, and we will demand it.

Sign-up to the NDP at Market Fest

2008-08-21T19:35:00.000-07:00

Reduce climate change by supporting local economy. Join me at Nelson's Market Fest this Friday August 22, 6:30pm to 10:30pm. Look for the table near the Kootenay Bakery. Sign-up to the NDP. Bring a T-Shirt and get it silk screened with the Michelle Mungall logo right there. See you there!

Voices and Votes for Water

2008-08-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the last day at Shambhala Music Festival, a multi-day festival dependent on electricity to generate the music, lights shows, vendors, and first aid. I was lounging on the beach on the other side of Salmo River from the Beach Stage, listening to our local DJ Adham Shaikh. Adham began to speak about water. Over the weekend, we had all been rained on and many of us had gone for a swim in the river. Adham noted how important water is to us, that it should be recognized as a human right, but that there are plans to privatize the water we need. We all knew Adham was right.

Here’s an excerpt from an article I wrote for the Nelson Daily days while I was on City Council in 2003.

Living in a country that holds 20% of the world’s fresh water supply, I often forget that lack of water is a major global issue. In India, some households spend 25% of their incomes on water because it is so scarce. People in the developing world make up 75% of those without enough water. And according to the United Nations, more than one billion people on earth already lack access to fresh drinking water.

Despite the lack of access, the World Resources Institute, the UN Environmental Program, the UN Development Program, and the World Bank have calculated that the global consumption of water is doubling every 20 years. That’s more than twice the rate of increase in human population. If current trends persist, our global demand is likely to be 56% more than what is available by 2025.

Some people say the best way to deal with this scarcity is privatization of water. While the federal government has had a policy opposing large-scale water exports since 1987, many transnational corporations and economists contend that free trade of privatized water will cure the thirst.

However, the practice of selling water on the open market has shown that the already thirsty stay that way, while those who can afford water start paying much more. In Blue Gold, Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke relate the story of a resident in the New Mexico high desert who stated that “water flows uphill to money” when his community's water had been diverted for use by the high-tech industry. Rather than a basic need, water becomes a profit-generator always seeking the highest bid. If your neighbour is willing to pay more for the same “commodity,” then your neighbour will get it all, and you none –no matter how dry your throat.

Since January, I’ve been learning everything I can about Independent Power Production, our water, free trade, hydro production and need, and what our provincial government is doing about it all. I’ve also organized and been a speaker at events to share what I learn with others. This is an extremely complex issue that at the end of the day is about privatizing water and deregulating power production for the gain of corporate profits. John Calvert’s book Liquid Gold traces the issue remarkably well, along with several websites located on the sidebar of this website.

Here’s the jist: Power “needs” are expected to increase. In a panic, the Provincial government says that we must find a way to meet the demand therefore making IPPs water diversion projects simple with little revenue to the province (that’s you and me) and maximum early profit return to the corporations (roughly 2 years before they see windfall profits from our resources). There is no long-term, multi-generational regulation mechanism for water use and power sales, and all opportunities for effective public input into the use of our waters have been nullified by the current government. The likely result as demonstrated in other provinces and states where there is a lack of public regulation over public utilities, the public gets gouged by the private corporations.

However, the fact is that we are already producing more than sufficient power to meet our needs –even with festivals like Shambhala. The trick in numbers comes from the fact that BC Hydro buys and sells power based on the demand and pricing in the North American Market, so it looks like we’re importing when we actually don’t need to. So, if we don’t need to import, do we need to sell to pay for other programs like healthcare, and childcare (that’s if the provincial government chose to fund this properly –more on this later)? Here’s a question I continually ask, and keep coming back to. If so, why is our provincial government doing very little to develop alternative energy sources like wind and solar power to supplement our hydro power? With diverse power sources, particular off shore wind, that produce little to no carbon emissions, we can harness multiple resources for our power needs, including sales.

Yet, the issue remains complicated and steam rolling ahead is not the wise way to deal with complicated issues. The NDP and most environmental groups are calling for a moratorium on IPP development. We need to look at this issue carefully to determine what is truly the best course of action for ourselves and our future generations. But how do we turn the call for action into action?

Adham Shaikh spoke about the need to find creative solutions. He created a song and told all those along the beach that “it was all I can do.” My mouth dropped. “No,” I gasped. “You can vote too!” So I grabbed some flyers and walked through Salmo River, up the bank, through the dancing crowd, and right up to the stage where Adham was playing and handed him the flyer as I smiled and raised my voice over the sound system “Don’t forget to vote.” The flyer reads:

We can make all kinds of beautiful art to raise awareness and increase our voices. But let’s not stop there. Think about that vote of yours and then USE IT! Talk to the politicians, like me, and watch their actions to know where they stand on the issue. Our water is a priceless resource, so let’s make sure our governments hear our voice and our vote.

E.T. Phone Home

2008-07-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to the Movie under the Stars sponsored by the Nelson and District Credit Union. Our local financial co-operative was hosting this event to raise food and funds for the Nelson Food Cupboard and East Shore Food Hamper Society. The film: E.T.

It was excellent to see so many people come out for this wonderful event that featured a great movie in an outdoor setting, all for a great cause. It’s no mystery why the Nelson Food Cupboard holds such a special place in my heart; I was the Coordinator for two years during the Cupboard’s infancy. It is with tremendous satisfaction and joy to see the Food Cupboard continue as a valued community service for those in need. Huge Thanks to the tireless and ongoing work of volunteers, Marya, the present Coordinator, and Jenny, the Supplies Manager.

I don’t know if others realized the incredible relationship between the theme of the movie and the cause for which it was being shown. Because my background is in community development for those living in poverty, I couldn’t help but see a correlation between the extra terrestrial who suddenly found himself homeless and the reality of the many people who rely on the Nelson Food Cupboard as the barrier between themselves and homelessness. Once homeless, people are extremely vulnerable and in need of support to get back home –just like ET.

Right now, we are in a crisis for affordable housing in BC. In Nelson alone, 50% of renters pay more than what is considered an affordable rate for housing. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and most other experts on the issue of affordability say that you should spend no more than 30% of your income on housing. Some people choose to spend more than 30%, but as the 2006 Census and CMHC’s research reveals, most people paying more than 30% do not have the choice to do so if they want to keep a roof over their heads. In fact, the recently released 2006 census analysis on housing shows that more Canadians are living at unaffordable housing levels, and the number of people paying over 50% of income on housing is growing. Although the census doesn’t account for people who are homeless, other enumerating projects and statistics show that the number of people who are finding themselves homeless has also increased in both rural and urban BC, and the increase is staggering: 280% in Vancouver. More people are struggling to stay housed or to stay alive without a safe place to call home. Like ET, some people almost die before they get home, while others never make it.

As I’ve been talking to community service providers in Salmo, Creston, Nelson and Kaslo, I’m learning how the lack of affordable housing in Vancouver and Calgary, trickles to Nelson and Creston, then to Salmo, Kaslo, Ymir, Crawford Bay, and our rural areas. Those with the least amount of money are most vulnerable to losing their housing, and sadly many of them are losing housing. As homelessness become more visible in Nelson, some people like to think that it’s just all transients and that no one local is actually homeless. Unfortunately, that’s just not true. While some people are transient, many are locals. The thing that makes rural homelessness so much different than urban homelessness is that people without homes in rural areas are less visible. They can go sleep in the woods in the summer and find motels, seasonal cabins, friend’s couches, or shelter beds in the winter. They may find a roof, but like it was for ET, that roof is not a permanent stable safe home.

So why does this happen? Well, ET was inadvertently left behind as his family had to hastily leave for their safety. That could also be one person’s story. For every person there is a unique tale of how they became homeless. However, despite each person’s unique story, there are common threads that relate directly to how we, as a province, help vulnerable people. A common reality of any developed country is that when a government invokes welfare reforms that make social assistance more difficult to attain and the monthly amount far from the poverty line and basic cost of living, more people end up homeless instead of employed and housed. When governments fail to keep minimum wages on par with inflation, working people end up among the ranks of the homeless. When governments reduce support for people with mental health and addictions, those vulnerable people end up on the streets or in the bush. Every time a government cuts back on social programs that create a greater level of economic equality, more people end up poor, and fewer people end up wealthy.

Since the 1970s, the gap between rich and poor has been widening in Canada, and has widened rapidly in BC since 2001. Why? Because the Liberals have been increasing individual’s costs for healthcare, education and public services, while cutting back on those same services like childcare, social housing, mental health, addictions, community living, women’s centres, etc. The Liberals have legislated poverty with the current welfare rates (http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/mhr/ia.htm). The Social Planning and Research Council of BC did two studies ( Left Behind and Still Left Behind), each finding that BC social assistance is between 45% and 72%, depending on family size, of what’s needed for a meagre lifestyle that includes seeking work. Research shows that this legislated poverty is a major contributor to increased homelessness.

Increasing homelessness is not acceptable in beautiful British Columbia.

There are solutions to ending homelessness. Again considerable research is being done in this area, including my own Master’s research. One emerging best practice to end homelessness is the concept, “Housing First Plus Supports.” When looking at the most effective ways to end individuals’ chronic or occasional homelessness, getting people housed in a safe, stable home has proven to be the best first step. Along with that first step is getting people the supports they need to keep that home, whether the supports are life skills, stable sufficient income, healthcare, education, and/or counselling. Give people a home and accompanying supports, you give them life. Here is one place where the social and economic meet: ending poverty.

Of course, to make this happen we need a provincial government willing to help vulnerable people get home instead of a government experimenting with the most vulnerable. We must demand that governments stop the social experiments --based on theoretical ideology instead of proven facts-- that assume inaccessible welfare will mean less poverty. So at this point, if British Columbians were the stars of E.T., we’d jump on our bikes and pedal as fast as we could, and as we supported our friend, we’d also let him fly to achieve what he or she needs to get home.

At the beginning of something awesome

2008-07-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

As the word spreads that I’m running for the NDP nomination of MLA candidate in the MAY-09 provincial election, some people ask, “Why the NDP, Michelle?” Others ask, “What are the important issues these days?” Sometimes the answers to these questions are followed with the reply, “Count me in, I’ll be a member of the NDP!” At other times people reply with, “Yeah, but why should I join the NDP?”

The current NDP slogan is “Because Everyone Matters.” At the root of all that the NDP does is this idea that everyone is of equal value in our society, and that we must govern with respect for the humanity in every single person. This type of thinking resulted in our universal public healthcare system, unemployment insurance, the Canadian Pension Plan, affordable housing plans, and publicly owned utilities. Many of the social programs we hold dear as British Columbians and as Canadians, come from the NDP. Through members’ debates and conversations, ideas and action, the NDP’s policies have come from the grassroots. I’ve been among those grassroots for eight years, and continue to be because the NDP has proven itself to be the only major political party acting on the foundation where everyone matters.

On YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC1GtIhwpSk (7:43 mins), you can find Keifer Sutherland saying that the issues present at the time of his grandfather Tommy Douglas are still relevant today. Those issues are rooted in the concepts of social justice and democracy. Through the work of the NDP over the last 47 years, we have made amazing strides in developing democracy within our society. As we lessened the gap between rich and poor, reduced prejudice based on gender, race, culture, ability and sexuality, and ensured equal access to human rights and social goods, we were developing a truly democratic society based on social justice rather than a periodic election of “cats” as told in Tommy Douglas’s Mouseland story. Unfortunately, we are now in a time where many politicians in power say one thing and do another. We are losing our social goods and the gap between rich and poor is growing at alarming rates. Tommy Douglas would say that the mice –you and me—have voted in the cats again.

Let’s take a moment and think about what’s happening in BC. We are facing the privatization of our water through the Independent Power Production schemes, and the privatization of healthcare through the purposeful mismanagement of the public system. We’re being nickel-and-dimed to pay for government services while the Liberals pretend that we are getting meaningful tax cuts --increased MSP premiums and the “carbon tax” are two noteworthy examples. Our future generations are suffering not only from the lack of any substantial environmental policies (the current carbon tax is unlikely to have any real affect on BC’s carbon footprint, but the Campbell’s campaign for offshore oil drilling sure will), but also from the disintegration of the public education system, childcare programs, and child protection services. It is embarrassing to live in the province with the highest child-poverty rate in Canada, five years running. These same children need food to live –just like you and I, but here again BC can boast the worst rate of all Canadian provinces for its abysmal support of farmers. In this critical time of worldwide food shortages and food insecurity, we need to support local agriculture more than ever, so why aren’t we? Another area of shame for our beautiful province is something that I currently work on: homelessness. Homelessness has been on the rise for the last twenty years, but has absolutely skyrocketed in the last seven. Remember when Nelson didn’t have a locally grown homeless problem? Not anymore. The increased homelessness is a clear indication that the gap between rich and poor is bigger than ever. When we brag about our province as the best place on Earth, shouldn’t we strive to make that true for everyone?

So who benefits in this world? As governments reduce their social responsibilities, they say the corporations will pick up the slack. Multi-national corporations will offer us health insurance, food and utilities. Care for children and education can be done better as a private business, they say, rather than programs owned and operated by the public. The Corporations will also be good environmental citizens without any regulation or public input other than our consumerism. In any of these cases, the corporations make profits on our daily social needs. And of course, under our expanding free trade system, they can sue us if we hinder their ability to make profits on these needs. Despite the host of evidence that clearly demonstrates the corporate model’s negative social and economic results, BC is taking this path.

We are at a fork in the road. We can head towards a world run by and for corporations (the metaphorical cats), or one run by and for the people –also known as democracy. The choice is up to us. We can choose to be at the beginning of something devastating or at the beginning of something awesome.

Joining the NDP gives you a stronger voice if you want a world where everyone matters. It’s a chance to be a part of social movements that work everyday to make the world a better place. It’s an opportunity to see how grassroots ideas become provincial programs that benefit you and your neighbours. Being a part of the NDP is one of the many ways you can change the world. It might sound a bit far-fetched, but each action we take has an impact on our complicity or our resistance to a world where a few profit and the rest suffer. Joining the NDP to participate in the Nomination Race is one way you can say “Everyone matters, and that means me too. Count me in!”

You can watch and be inspired by Tommy Douglas –Founding leader of the NDP, Premier of Saskatchewan 1944-1961, founder of Canadian Medicare, Greatest Canadian.

Mouseland Tale as told in the CBC movie about Tommy Douglas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_wDL8XcRwU&feature=related (2:37mins)

Tommy Douglas speaking about keeping Medicare public
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xd0lyZvakU&feature=related (2:00mins)

Also check out the documentary, The Corporation, available at local libraries, video stores and in segments on YouTube.

Politics is important to me because I’m short

2008-07-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

At the kick-off meeting the other day I was asked what is “my platform.” Then the next day I was asked to include a platform of some kind in the minutes I send out. However, it’s hard to answer this question at this stage because a platform, in my mind, is usually a set of issues and ideas that are put through the elections communication mill. The end product churned out by the mill are those fabulous buzzword bullet points you find in campaign literature. Since we don’t have a communications mill yet, I don’t have the bullet points. All I have right now are the ideas and issues that are important to me. That said, I thought I’d like to share them with you to get the conversation ball rolling. And that ball needs to roll, because at the end of the day, “my platform” is not just about me and my ideas, it’s about all of us coming together to say “these issues are important to us, and this is what we want to do about them.” When we do politics this way, we put the demos (Greek meaning people) back into democracy.

So here’s what I’m passionate about.

The community economic development movement has emphasized the importance of a three legged stool made of the environment, the social and the economic. Together, they form a holistic approach to local and sustainable economic development. Indeed, over the years in my social sector work to reduce poverty, homelessness and food insecurity, I have come to see exactly how all those great political theories I learned in University are correct when they say that the economic and social are actually one-in-the-same. You cannot separate the two in practice.

For example, the housing market in BC has jumped since 2003, tripling the market value of property. Now, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) projects the average BC selling price for 2008 at $479,500. Local realtors say our average selling price was $319,000 in 2007. Rentals have increased as well, corresponding to the desirability of the region as well as the inability for property owners to afford subsidizing renters by keeping their rent below market. Yet wages have not tripled for most people, other living costs have increased, such as food, and more people are paying unaffordable levels (more than 30% of household net income) for housing according to the latest 2006 data. Homelessness is also on the rise in Canada, with an estimated 258% in Vancouver, and here in the Kootanays, we have ever increasing wait lists for shelters and social housing. Even without the stats, we can look to our own lives and community to know that we are at crisis levels in terms of affordability. Our rural area which was once a relatively affordable place to live is becoming less so, and when rural areas are expensive where do we go? Here we have an economic issue, the real estate market, experiencing shifts because of social inputs (amenity migrants, baby-boomer retirements, etc.) and causing further social shifts in terms of greater poverty and homelessness. The growing gap between rich and poor is both social and economic.

What about that other leg, the environment? Well, we all live here, in our environment that is presently conducive for human life. Our ecosystem allows us to be here, not the other way around. Western civilisation and its imperialistic attitude has forgotten the imperative need for us to live respectfully and in harmony with the natural world. Such forgetfulness has lead us to this point in time where climate change/global warming is threatening our very existence. Will we survive Mother Nature’s hot flashes as she changes her cycles because of us? I think the answer to that is a big huge NO, IF we don’t get our act together and start looking at how we live with our ecosystems, then make serious changes. It is up to our generation to take the lead on environmental sustainability because we have the most to lose. And as rural people, we see the environmental shifts (like pine beetle) up close and personal. There are piles of old and new solutions to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, to stop the destruction of ecosystems, protect and conserve our water, and ensure healthy agricultural practices. How these solutions integrate with the economic and the social are imperative considerations if we’re to have a sustainable society.

Like any good environmentalist, I have to ask, what is this stool made with. Is this stool made locally with non-GMO, non-cloned wood harvested from our local Harrop-Procter Community Forest Cooperative? In other words, is this social, economic and environmental three legged stool that holds up political policies made from good solid democracy?

Democracy is a simple concept found in the roots of the word: people power. Yet this simple concept has birthed a tremendous amount of political theory and practices. Renowned thinkers like Marx, Mill, Rousseau, Hobbes, Thomas Jefferson, Paulo Friere, Aung San Sui Kyi, Simone de Beauvoir, and the suffragettes have contributed to the masses on democratic theory that guides its practice. Other thinkers more inclined to discuss social control, such as Machiavelli, have also had a hand in defining political structures for democratic appearance as opposed to practice. Exploring these theories and practices has been a life-long journey for me. Whether as an anti-globalization activist, International Election Observer, Radical Cheerleader, student, politician, humanitarian worker in Africa, or community activist here, I am constantly studying concepts and ways to attain a democracy in practice as well as in name.

This has led me to see a critical point in our world where those we elect to uphold democracy and represent the public interests are doing so less and less. Passing bills in the BC Legislature without any debate is abhorrent, but it was done May 29, 2008 when the Liberals invoked an archaic convention called “closure” to make sure all their bills passed despite public debate and thus public knowledge about their program for the province. Legislation (Bill 42) that prevents homeless people from voting is disgraceful, and needed to be debated this past spring, but wasn’t. Free trade agreements like the national level NAFTA and Security Prosperity Partnership (SPP) and the provincial level Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) are striping public control over natural and human resources, and denying access to human rights, and economic equality. In turn these agreements place such social goods in the control of private, corporate purely economic interests. Practice tells us that the corporate interests are not democratic, and they often ignore the other two legs of the stool; profit is prioritized above people in a world of free trade. We only have to look to places like Bolivia with the fight against privatization of water (now arriving in BC under the banner of Independent Power Production –IPPs), in Canada with the Softwood Lumber Dispute, in India with the fight against privatization of seeds and Monsanto, and in Africa with the decimation of social programs that benefited local population’s health and sanitation. As our governments hide away in meeting rooms, signing over our rights to govern ourselves and have final say over our land and resources, most of us are at home watching Canadian Idol. We vote for our rock stars, but we have stopped voting for ourselves.

There are structures that would greatly enhance our democracy. For example, we ought to reform our electoral system to a proportional representative system that works with Canada’s political culture (that would be a mixed-member plurality system in my opinion, but that’s another paper). We ought to include more avenues for meaningful public participation, or participatory democracy, where the public shapes and defines specific policies that have broad and long-lasting impacts. These examples are my opinions. What’s more important, however, is sharing our opinions in debates, in collaboration, and in consensus.

To do this we have to look at what enables people to participate. There’s the need for good, objective media. And as I mentioned, structures that provide avenues for meaningful public participation. But we have to go beyond just inviting everyone to the meeting and hoping they have the means to show up. We need to ask how are people going to get to the meeting, and what are the reasons they may not be able to get there. Maybe they can’t afford transportation. Maybe there is no method of transportation. Maybe they need childcare, or a ramp to get in the door. Maybe we need a translator; maybe someone is sick and needs care before they can come. The list goes on, but the point here is that democracy is about human equity and equality. Fundamentally, a democracy requires that each person has equal access to their basic human rights (e.g. rights to live without persecution, right to safety), to their political rights (e.g. voting, freedom of assembly), and to their social rights (e.g. food, shelter, water, health, learning).

Democracy requires social justice, and through democracy we can achieve social justice. This is why we have to ask what is our three-legged stool made from. If made from democracy it perpetuates itself and allows society to flourish and constantly shape all that we stack on the stool –like policies for universal healthcare, primary and secondary education, universal childcare, sustainable forest management, farmer support, affordable housing, pay equity, etc.

These policies are the tools by which to maintain the three legged stool in good condition because they stack evenly on the seat, instead of leaning over to one side. If we chose policies that sat too much on any one leg, the stool and everything on it would eventually all fall over. That said, as a politician and activist, I look for policies that stack squarely in the middle of our democratic three-legged stool. The policies build on good solid democratic practice (also known as people power), they look at the three components for a sustainable society, and they create a solid structure upon which anyone can stand.

And for someone as short as me, standing on good stools is important.