GREEN ADVOCATE

Prince George-Peace River, Green Party of Canada newsletter 
 
1ST ISSUE     March 2006

The Prince George Peace River electoral district association, is our federal organization. The Prince George North constituency association is the Provincial organization. The Cariboo Prince George electoral district association still needs to be formed, as does Prince George Mt Robson and Prince George Omineca constituency associations. Does Cariboo North and Cariboo South and Peace River North and Peace River South have constituency associations?
 
The newsletter may have a Prince George bias since this is where most of us are centred but we welcome input from throughout the region. If other Green newsletters exist in the Peace or in the Cariboo, please let us know so that we are not duplicating a service. As many of you know, we opened a Green Party office during the election, which is situated above Books & Co. on 3rd Ave. in Prince George. We have decided to maintain this office for a 6 month trial or as long as funds last in order to continue important work on behalf of the Green Party. The office is funded by both the Provincial constituency association and the Federal EDA. We were very successful in fund-raising during the election enabling this asset but we still need to raise funds both for the office and to prepare for future elections.
 
Ken Benham is looking after the office but we need volunteers to help with this project. If you can spare an hour, one day a week or any time at all to help in the office, please let Ken know. This entails answering the phone, receiving visitors and working on any of the issues that are of interest to you. The office is open from 10am – 3pm, Monday – Friday.
 
Some of the issues that we are working on are:
Food security
Canadian sovereignty
Climate change
1st Nations water supply
Cancer prevention
Renewable energy
If anyone would like to get involved with any of these issues, please let us know.
 
Recent Events:
Election 2006; We garnered 6.4% of the vote in Prince George-Peace River and made history on election night by leading in the polls on the early results, which caused some excitement! Cariboo Prince George gained  5.5 % of the vote. Both of these results are impressive since both Ridings have been strongly Conservative and nationally the Green Party received 4.5% of the vote. We substantially increased our membership and our funds during the campaign. A highlight was the showing of the video “The Future of Food” in both Dawson Creek and Prince George, which was well received in both locations and received good Press, particularly in the Peace.
 
2 General meetings have been held since the election and we are gradually gaining focus for the future. We invite everyone who is interested, to give input to the building of our association and to contribute to forming policy.
 
Pine Beetle Forum was hosted by the Active Voice Coalition in Prince George on March 2nd. Lara Beckett, from the Green Party, was on the panel representing eco-forestry. It was an excellent forum designed to find Northern solutions to prepare for the inevitable looming economic and social crisis.
 
Hadani Dittmars, journalist, gave an excellent discourse on events in Iraq from her personal perspective of life in Iraq and the disastrous consequences of sanctions, war and occupation. This too was hosted by the Active Voice Coalition.
 
Charlie Russell gave a fascinating presentation on living with grizzly bears in a remote location in Russia. Amazing stories with superb photography. This presentation was hosted by the Prince George Backcountry Society.
 
 
Future Events:
 
Earth Day - April 22nd
REAPS have invited us to join with them at their location next to South Fort George Park. We can set up a table and should have some materials ready to share with the public. We also hope to show the DVD “Seeds of Change” in conjunction with this event, at Art Space. This film will be of particular interest to conventional farmers and to academics, as release of this documentary was originally denied by the University of Manitoba, due to corporate funding issues. Any help with this event is welcome.
 
Environment Week: June 5th-10th
We need to plan for this and again could collaborate with other interested groups to host an event, such as promotion of clean air day.
 
BC Rivers Day; September
Canoe trip. Anything else?
 
How to Prepare for Climate Change, Conference:
A committee was struck at our meeting on March 9th to address this issue and to help form Green Party policy concerning preparation for the effects of climate change. It is hoped that we can host a dynamic conference on this issue, maybe this Fall. Anyone who would like tocontribue ideas to this initiative, please let Ken know at the office.
The committee includes Hilary Crowley, Jackie Dewhurst and Lutz Ruahe.
 
Prince George North Constituency Association meeting: March 25th
This date is not confirmed yet, please contact Ken or Don Roberts for confirmation.
 
A friendly reminder about political donations for 2006:
Federal donations;
$100.00 - $75.00 rebate – actual cost to donor = $25.00
$200.00 - $50.00 rebate – actual cost to donor =$150.00
$400.00 - $300.00 rebate – actual cost to donor = $300.00
 
Provincial donations:
$25.00 - $18.75 rebate – actual cost to donor = $6.25
$100.00 - $75.00 rebate – actual cost to donor = $25.00
$200.00 - $100.00 rebate – actual cost to donor = $100.00
 
All donations should be mailed to Roy Howard, General Delivery, Dunster, BC VOJ 1E0 or can be dropped off at the office. Cheques should be made out to:
Prince George-Peace River electoral district association for federal donation or to
Prince George North constituency association for provincial donations.
 
These donations are essential for the running of our associations and for the office. Political donations provide generous tax rebates at income tax time. Donations can include annual membership dues.
 
We invite comments and feedback from this initial newsletter. Please send submissions for next issue. Please come and visit the office above Books & Co. on 3rd Ave. It is open from 10am-3pm Monday to Friday. This is your Party, your Association, help it to flourish. Next meeting of Prince George-Peace River EDA to be announced.

Green Party Office, 1685 3rd Ave. Prince George, V2L 3G5  Tel. (250) 561-2887