Community Stories
The Infill Shock Doctrine on Arbutus Road: A Photographic Essay
Government in order to sell the idea, typically euphemizes “infill” as “gentle density”, but when applied as it is without protections for the natural environment and habitat, it is nothing other than another manifestation of the ‘Shock Doctrine’ of Capitalism used…
Will You Help Put Comfortable, Affordable Homes Within Reach for More Canadians?
A House of Commons petition is calling on the government to make energy efficiency a nation-building priority. We’re asking the federal government to set double the rate at which we improve energy productivity, and to end energy poverty. The benefits of…
New Westminster Joins Sue Big Oil
In February, the New Westminster City Council became the 12th BC community to support a proposed class-action lawsuit seeking to recover a share of climate-related costs from global fossil fuel companies. Local residents and young people played a pivotal role in…
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“I’ll Have it Back When You’re Done” New Paintings
I remember early on in the pandemic, seeing online images of animals from all over the world, emerging into lockdown-abandoned public spaces. From New Delhi to Buenos Aires, deer and goats and jackals and lemurs and sheep emerged into spaces formerly occupied by us….
Petition to Withdraw the District of Saanich from Development Lobby Membership
If you are a resident of Saanich, please sign the petition to make Saanich Withdraw its membership from the UDICR Development Lobby. This is of key importance in placing the interests of residents above that of industry in determining our future.
Earth for all, not just for some
Way back in 1977, the World Health Organization declared the goal of achieving Health For All by the Year 2000. This should be understood in the way the U.S. Public Health Service defined a goal in 1980: “a timeless statement of aspiration.” learly, Health For All w…
Seeking Woodworkers for Sustainable Award Frames
The District of Saanich is seeking local people or organizations who source sustainable wood (reclaimed, FSC certified, or other) and can make high quality wood picture frames to hold certificates and awards. If this sounds like you, please contact us at…
Calling out mainstream media for their coverage of Anjali’s disqualification
The past couple days I was disheartened to see the language being used by mainstream media to talk about the BC NDP’s disqualification of Anjali Appadurai from the leadership race. For example, the CBC (reposted by local news outlets like Capital Daily) said that the…
Climate Champions Elected!
In Saturday’s local elections, out of 256 confirmed results, 148 climate champions candidates were elected. 57.5% of the candidates who were either endorsed by a local climate action group, or who self-declared as a climate champion with WE-CAN, were elected to…
Tree removal should be last alternative
Too often, municipalities seem to think mature trees are just in the way. That needs to change, because those trees benefit public health and even save lives. Like every municipality, Saanich needs bike lanes, safe sidewalks, and up-to-date utility pipes. But were any…
“It’s called outside” – We need licensed outdoor childcare
There is an apocryphal story of a mother taking her young daughter out into the backyard. The child looks up from her iPad and says: “Where are we?” Her mother replies: “It’s called outside.” The point is obvious: We have become so screen-oriented that we…
Can Using ‘Rights of Nature’ Protect B.C.’s Old Growth Forests?
“If you go down in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise.” In fact, if you do go today, you may have to go in disguise! For the de facto owners of every old growth tree that ever there was may not want you to see that they are destroying those woods.
The New Old Growth: Voice of Promise
Icel Dobell has just released The New Old Growth: Voice of Promise. Through beautiful images and storytelling, this fourth video in the Sovereignty of the Six Mountains series reveals the nature of the giving Six Mountain Forest, rare and endangered ecosystems— our…
The F-Word
Your grocery bills are skyrocketing. Your favourite restaurant put up a sign warning of increased menu prices. You’re dipping into your savings to make ends meet. This is the reality of the cost of living crisis facing Canadians. But not so for fossil fuel executives…
Voice of the Unexpected
Our municipal election could determine the future of the North Cowichan forests. Or at least for the next few hundred years while evolution sets a new course. For four years, public consultation about the future of the Six Mountain Forest has unfolded as the North…
