Good Sunday Morning!
It was a tough August. Our by-election results were strong. Nationally, people took note of how strongly Shelley Luce did in North Vancouver-Capilano. And we had such a wonderful candidate in Bruce Livesey in Beaches-East York.
We would have done better – with at least 10-20% of the vote in North Vancouver if not for the last minute shift as all eyes were on Carney walking away from Trump’s so-called “trade talks.” I feel foolish that it did not occur to me until the wee hours of Monday September 1 that the last minute drama was pre-ordained. Ever since July 26, what I found so inexplicable was so glaringly obvious. Why were the by-elections called in August? Only twice since 1867 have any federal votes been called in August – and the last time was 1953. It is a terrible time for an election. Voters and volunteers are on vacation. Local civic organizations have no capacity to organize all candidates meetings. Voter turnout is always lower in by-elections than in general elections, and August voting drives down participation even more.
Mark Carney picked August 31 as election day at the point Trump had already threatened 50% tariffs and set his own August deadline. It was on July 20 that Trump declared August 21 his deadline. Six days later the PM dropped the writ in three by-elections for August 31. The talks received an extension to August 23. Regardless of the outcome of the trade dispute, the high wire act was a certainty to be top of mind when Canadians in three electoral districts voted August 31st. The surge in Liberal support was palpable. Lisa Van Dusen, editor of Policy magazine, has named it Carney’s “Trump Defiance Dividend.” As a banker, Carney knew he could bank on it.
We all felt it. Going door to door, voters who were enthusiastic about Shelley Luce as their future MP on Saturday, by Sunday August 30 were saying, “I love Shelley, but.. I have to vote for Mark Carney.” In that context it is remarkable we did as well as we did.
Please keep sending donations to the North Vancouver-Capilano EDA. Falling short of the 10% of the vote means they will not receive the electoral rebate we confidently expected. That small percentage point difference is a body blow. Shelley Luce is determined to keep the local team together and positive. Replenishing that bank account is critical.
Thank you to all who came and helped, whether from next door or from Saskatchewan as campaign manager Naomi Hunter did. And Marlene Wells from Nova Scotia. And Micheal Holbrook, our candidate from Simcoe North, who was one of my roommates at the apartment of great North Van volunteer Kathy Porter where we billeted. Special thanks to all the Saanich-Gulf Islands volunteers who made the trek – Bob Mackie, Tom Mitchell, Shelagh Levey, Tom Niemann, Tim Lambert, and if I keep listing people I will forget someone! And Rani and the phone canvassers. THANK YOU!! We had an amazing team. We were inspired by an amazing candidate! Shelley Luce and her family gave it their all!
And as I always say, “when Greens do well anywhere, Greens do well everywhere!” On Friday night I was back in Vancouver for an event with Pete Fry. Helping the VanGreens do well in October’s vote does matter! Pete Fry is a lead contender to replace regressive Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. Please help if you are able.
Back to the pressing threats to climate and whales, sandpipers and indigenous rights, threats are coming from multiple directions. Just ahead of the by-elections on August 28, the Carney administration listed another horrific mega project for fast-tracking under the Building Canada Act, C-5.
The Roberts Bank Expansion is now on the short list that will allow it to bypass, actually violate, other laws. So too is the promised new pipeline to take dilbit alongside the Fraser River and out to the new Roberts Bank expansion for export. On August 1, the pipeline itself was placed on the Canada Gazette, with a deadline for comments on September 18!
The “West Coast Oil Pipeline” was posted in the Canada Gazette.
The “project description,” as posted, is factually in error. It describes the project as shipping crude oil, when it is clear from the Alberta government project description that the pipeline is intended to ship diluted bitumen. It is shocking to me that the government does not think it makes a difference if they make factual errors in the Canada Gazette. Neither crude oil nor dilbit are good for our marine environment when spilled, but dilibt is far more hazardous to human health and the environment, and as far as we know from scientific reviews, dilbit is impossible to contain and clean up in an ocean spill. To run a dilbit pipeline along the Fraser River is unconscionable. But it is in the “national interest” you know. Questions cannot be tolerated.
This is the email address to send your comments.
The government plans to announce its decision by October 1.
Fortunately Dr. David Boyd has shared his brief with me. (I will share mine with you when it is finished!) Here is Dr. Boyd’s conclusion:
“Science, law, and ethics are aligned in the same direction with regard to the proposed West Coast Oil Pipeline, associated infrastructure, and the Very Large Crude Carrier vessels needed to export more diluted bitumen. The International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have made it crystal clear that existing reserves of oil, gas and coal cannot be burned if the nations of the world are to fulfill their obligations under international law.
There has never been a worse time or a worse place for such a proposal. Science, law, and ethics should compel the Government of Canada to reject the proposed designation as a project of national importance, reject the entire West Coast pipeline proposal, and redirect its energy and resources into the development of a sustainable, ethical, and diversified 21st century economy compatible with respect for human rights and our obligations under international law.”
Dr. David R. Boyd,
Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment (2018-2024)
Professor, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia
As if it was not glaringly obvious that Canada is not on track to meet our international commitments, the Canadian Climate Institute issued its most recent update on Friday.
“…recent shifts in federal policy have put Canada’s net-zero commitment further out of reach, while undermining our credibility to press other countries for the emissions reductions we need to stave off 5° C of heating.
“This report should concern every decision-maker in Canada. All orders of government should significantly accelerate both emissions reductions and adaptation, because the current level of effort is nowhere near enough to prepare us for what is coming.”
Maybe, just maybe, I can make enough noise once Parliament resumes to get any Liberal to pay attention.
For now, hope to see you today or tomorrow at the Saanich Fair!
Love and thanks for all your support,
Elizabeth