Ian Gartshore

As the Harper-led (dictated?) Conservatives continue on their path of wrecking the Canada we once knew by destroying both our economy and ecology, our peace-making place on the world stage, ripping up public support for the people of this land while handing the country over to corporations and China, instituting a secret police act that is reminiscent of Nazi Germany, plus far more, the hand-wringing among most informed Canadians is reaching a crescendo in this election year. A concerted effort is now underway to convince all the other political parties to cooperate in order to prevent another Conservative-controlled government. Sadly the egos of all parties but the Greens are preventing this kind of cooperation. So, it is thought, the next best option is to convince the electorate to vote for the party that stands the best chance of defeating the Conservatives. This is called “Strategic Voting.” Problem: it didn’t work the last time. In fact the Conservatives actually won more sea...

Wow. I've never been to such an exciting political event in Nanaimo. The energy was positively electric! The federal Green Party AGM and nomination meeting for Nanaimo-Ladysmith was held on January 12th. It was opened very powerfully by Geraldine Manson, elder in residence of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Then Paul Manly accepted the nomination in a speech that got better as he went along! The always amazing Elizabeth May then made promises to him (and us!) See both here .   Then Elizabeth gave a beautiful but short speech about how Paul's election, along with many other Greens (especially here on Vancouver Island) will provide the balance of power when the Conservatives are reduced to a minority government. Paul is a very strong candidate. He has been passionately involved in local, national and international events. He is the one who exposed the Quebec police acting as ill-behaved protesters at an international trade event. His films cover a wide...

As one who has run for political office I always tried to campaign as I live: with integrity. I'm certainly not perfect, but I do my best to live with honesty, respect and more. I know all too well that there are many politicians who will do what it takes to win an election, including lying, making promises they cannot (or will not) keep, and bowing to the wishes of their funders rather than the electorate. Thus I am most concerned about a well-supported accusation that one of the local councillor candidates for Nanaimo's Council, who barely gained enough votes to be reelected, has been accused of breaking Elections BC rules on voting day (November 15, 2014). There is evidence strongly suggesting that she engaged her supporters through social media -even after being told by Elections BC that day that she was breaking the rules. I have written Elections BC requesting that they investigate. They are the best body to do so. If the allegations are correct, and that she con...

As I reflect on the Nanaimo municipal election November 15th I am aware that the candidates have real skills and talent, so the choice is very difficult. I think I could work with virtually all of them (a good sign!). So how to choose? I made up a list of my values and then tried to rate the candidates based on that list. Not an easy task. There are a lot of candidates, many of whom I do not know. I sourced my information from in-person, on-line, newspaper and the opinion of others. Oh, and because incumbents usually get enough votes I have not included them on this list; although Fred Pattje earns my respect because he goes to the most community events, takes personal interest in connecting with people, is willing to take on city staff, is a team player, is an independent thinker, is willing to change his mind (e.g. Leadercast), understands how to make the city more sustainable and shows his care for people and the city. I chose based on my perception of their ability to: 1. c...

Too often citizens feel frustrated and unheard/valued by elected officials and their staff. In Nanaimo on October 4th about 100 people gathered for a community event that heard both local and international folk talk about how they are creating more vibrant communities by putting waste resources into better use. This reduces pollution, saves resources, creates jobs, and brings decision-making back into local control. The results of the day are phenomenal! Great ideas are being sent to the Regional District's solid waste management plan (who needs an incinerator!). A local Zero Waste organisation is likely to be formed, and could be the base of B.C.'s Zero Waste chapter. This is what happens when citizens are given an opportunity to learn and then be heard!

With Metro Vancouver threatening our immediate coastal communities with up to 7 garbage incinerators, the international zero waste community is coming to Nanaimo to help us defeat this plan with some sane, sustainable, solutions that create way more jobs, too! International Zero Waste Conference in Nanaimo Oct 2-4, 2014 Next week, starting Thursday the 2nd, over 30 international speakers who know how to put waste materials back into use and create jobs, will be coming to Nanaimo. First time in Canada! They normally meet in major cities. We convinced the host, Zero Waste Canada, to pick us over Toronto and Vancouver! Nanaimo welcomes them! If you care about reducing global warming, increasing local jobs and economic opportunities, and providing a future for our children then do come to one or more events! Pre-conference Monday the 29 th 6:30 p.m. The film Trashed will be shown at the Nanaimo VIU campus, Building 356, Rm. 109. This is a very informative film...

My fellow community members: Fred Pattje You may not be aware that Nanaimo’s city councillors and mayor have taken a huge pounding over their decision to disallow a leadership conference in May. While they regret their decision, and apologised for it at last evening’s special council meeting (July 3/14), they are still getting pounded. I consider that campaign to be psychological warfare. The councillor who moved the motion to prevent the event, and who yesterday bravely moved the motion to rescind that decision, is councillor Fred Pattje. He has been the one who has taken the greatest hit from these phone calls and e-mail’s. This has been a dark time for him. Quite apart from the rightness or wrongness of his original motion -it is how he has been treated, mostly by people living outside of our city, that has gone far beyond disrespectful. One writer wished him to die of AIDS. I appeal to you to do one simple, yet humane thing : write him a one or two sentence ...