Ian Gartshore

  Source: http://paulmanly.greenparty.ca/content/conservatives-are-about-be-pummelled-bc-voters-greens-surge-vancouver-island As a former political candidate I, of course, monitor what is going on politically. Not only does this personally interest me, I am also aware that just one change in policy by some government can wipe out all that I have done to improve our environment, the quality of life, the economy, and our collective future. I have been aware for some time that here on Vancouver Island (and spreading across Canada to some extent) there is a sea-shift going on. Both the provincial and federal Green Party's are being taken far more seriously. They are capturing the imaginations of many who have not voted for some time (if ever). Elizabeth May and Andrew Weaver have proven this because there the voter turnouts were extremely high. What’s more, many who have voted for other parties are now seriously considering voting Green. I have heard so many peopl...

Now that it appears Thomas Mulcair is pulling out of the consortium's televised debates (thus following Stephen Harper's lead) the net result may be that Canadians do not get a chance to hear Elizabeth May in the debates. I wrote to the Globe and Mail last month, encouraging them to include her. Here is my response to theirs (their response can be read by clicking on this link ): Quoting one paragraph from their response: David Walmsley, The Globe’s editor-in-chief says, “We’ve set up the debate this way because we believe that by limiting the format to Canada’s three main party leaders, we will create a truly focused, successful discussion about the state of the Canadian economy.”  I responded: "As all three party leaders are fundamentally all neo-liberal in their world view (Mr. Mulcair was a cabinet minister in Quebec’s right-wing Liberal government) the debate may indeed be 'focused,' but sadly lacking any real diversity. With Mr. Mulcair no...

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!