Gabriolans say no bridge, no to Duke Point sailings

The majority of Gabriolans have said they don't want a bridge and neither do they want sailings to Duke Point, according to a survey released July 3 which was meant to assess the attitudes of Gabriolans about a number of transportation issues.

Transportation (bridge) survey report delayed

The report on a survey designed to assess Gabriolans’ thoughts about their transportation needs - including whether they want a bridge - has been delayed because some of the intended recipients said they never received the survey.

Tammy Hudgeon and Ode Hunter spend some time in the reading nook in the deep end of the pond. ~ Mural painted by Melinda Wilde, photo by Chris Bowers

School library better than new

Perhaps the leak that destroyed much of the Gabriola Elementary School (GES) library last year was a blessing in disguise, suggested provincial librarian and former Trustee Susan Yates, as she surveyed the new mural and comfortable lay out of the newly renovated and refurbished room.

THE OLD FIR TREE
“Hazard Tree Program” limbs tree at Twin Beaches

A few branches on an old fir tree at Gabriola Sands Provincial Park (Twin Beaches) were removed June 15 because they were deemed to be dangerous, according to BC Parks, Ministry of the Environment Supervisor Dave Forman.

CFO says stay-at-home seniors reason for reduced ridership

An unusually high percentage of seniors on Gabriola is probably the reason for a continuing drop in vehicular traffic on the island ferry, Rob Clarke, chief financial officer of BC Ferries (BCF), suggests.

Commuter cards to be (loosely) indexed to rate hikes

Community feedback might not impact radio tower decision

State of women’s washroom “deplorable”

GOTTA GO??
Handicapped hatches closed on the poop deck

The Quinsam may have a beautiful handicapped washroom, but the door is kept locked, and unless there happens to be a member of the crew on deck handicapped passengers have no way to contact someone to unlock the door.

SIZE MATTERS

BC Ferries still proposing to charge to transport bicycles – sort of

Second mid-life crisis scheduled for Quinsam

VANDALISM ON THE HIGH SEAS

Community plan review set to launch soon

Island Trust staff have been directed to begin the process of an Official Community Plan (OCP) review, including the collection of necessary information and the development of a detailed public consultation plan under a timeline that would see a new OCP adopted by 2011.

Eco-foresters seek feedback about intensive sustainable farm plan

Gabriola property owners Dean Gaudry and Lauren Young would like to know what the community thinks of a proposal to rezone six sloping acres on their Private Managed Forest Land for intensive agricultural purposes, including creating a one acre pond and building small residences for agricultural workers and security personnel.

Population bomb defused by Islands Trust legislation

Trustees plug accessory building toilet plans

Trustees will not revisit the issue of disallowing toilets in new accessory buildings until after an upcoming OCP review and the completion of research into the issue of affordable housing on Gabriola.

Technical report misses point on slime

A report on the Texada sludge applied to Gabriola secondary roads that suggests the material meets the requirements of the Ministry of Transportation (MoT) has missed the point, according to well-known Gabriolan amateur geologist Nick Doe.

VE VANT IT TO BE LEFT ALONE

Trust proceeds with Commons application

Tour de Gabriola raises funds for Health Care society

Be smart this summer in Regional and Community parks

Potters make bowls for PHC’s Empty Bowl Project. “Without this fine crew of people who helped to organise the empty bowl project it wouldn’t have happened”, said Graham Sheehan who hosted the potters in his pottery workshop. Bowls will be auctioned off June 18 - 24 at Artworks. ~ Photo by Chris Bowers

Dramatic jump seen in Gabriola food bank use

The number of people using the Emergency Food Depot at People for a Healthy Community increased by 41 per cent in the past year, according to Executive Director Barbara Saunders.

Cornell moved to military prison in N. Carolina

US serviceman, war resister, and former Gabriolan, Cliff Cornell, has finally been moved from county lock-up to a military prison in North Carolina to serve his sentence, according to supporter Steve Watters.

Unidentified subject removed from ferry at Nanaimo Harbour

Officials pose after the unveiling of the new park sign ~ Photo by Chris Bowers

Gabriolans combine forces to create new park

Another regional park was opened May 22 thanks to the generosity of long time resident Clyde Coats, and the hard work and persistence of Leigh Ann Millman and the Gabriola Land Conservancy.

Safety concerns raised over Gabriola ditches

Two garbage trucks tipped over and had to be pulled out of the snow-filled ditch because of the depth of the ditches and how close they are to the roads, Rate Payer Randy Young told Rob Hislop of the Department of Transport at a May 26 Rate Payers meeting at the WI Hall.

Gabriola podcasting plan seeks to sidestep broadcast barriers

Bullying decreased at Gabriola Elementary

Participants of both species gather for the walk ~ Photo by Carol Martin

Gabriola Lions Dog Walk registers another success

Rated a big success! The Lions Club on Gabriola held the dog walk May 31 at Twin Beaches.

Trustees review Local Trust Committee meeting times

Trustees consider shared Board of Variance

School District writing contest won by Gabriolan

Gabriolan Tara Chang-Swanson, a Grade 11 student at ND Senior Secondary School has won the first prize for fiction in “Sixty-eight Writes”, a locally developed non-profit writing contest for high school students in School District #68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith).

Military marker found and detonated

Designated captain saves the day

RCMP investigate fishy business

Editorial
BC Ferries’ Tour de Farce

The actions of the supposedly privatised BC Ferry Corporation are becoming, as Alice said, curiouser and curiouser.

The View from Here

Affordable housing: Yes, there is a very real need for affordable housing on this island and on most of the other islands.

Kids’ Corner

Democracy Watch
Doldrums

The common wisdom is that apathy comes from powerlessness.

Waging Words
Getting there from here

We are in deep trouble on most fronts.

Dear Gord 40

Well Mr. Premier, you did it.

Standing for food freedom one ‘illegal’ Canada Day potluck at a time

It’s great to see that the Gabriolans for Local Food Choices (GLFC) is again organising a community potluck for Canada Day (see “Can we can Canola?”

The View from Here

A Busy Woman - Mary: Tremendous thanks to Mary Wohlleben for all the work she did to stage a pleasant afternoon for me to talk about living on Gabriola Island.

Waging Words
Imaginary Victories

In the last few weeks we have heard claims of partial or complete victories in the bloody, decades-old civil wars in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Editorial

The View from Here

Waging Words
On Small Farming

As a break from the increasing torrent of depressing economic news, I read “People, Land and Community”, a discussion by Wendell Berry of what could only be described as small farming theology.

The View from Here

Affordable housing: Yes, there is a very real need for affordable housing on this island and on most of the other islands.

Kids’ Corner

Dear Gabby

So now I hear that BC Ferries will start charging $2 for a bicycle on the Quinsam.

The birth of the Islands Trust
Part one

You are invited to step back in time and witness a tense and momentous drama that spans several decades in the history of British Columbia.

Democracy Watch
Doldrums

The common wisdom is that apathy comes from powerlessness.

Lorna poses during a tea break at her Gabriola Gardens apartment. ~ Photo by Chris Bowers

Community Citzens’ Award, July, 2009
Lorna Pentz

Change agent on a global scale Lorna has been a strong opponent of apartheid and all forms of racism ever since she became aware of it in South Africa when she was a child.

On the Line

Gabriola’s “Bus Bailey”, handliner rowboat, and friends pause in front of Shack Island. ~ Photo submitted by Burtt Fidler

Heritage row boats cross the strait

Two Handliner type rowing boats crossed Georgia Strait from Davis Bay on the Sunshine Coast to Pilot Bay on Gabriola Island.

Urban Garden magazine launches Commons greenhouse project

Behind the Garden Gate

Male violet-green swallow checking out his new home. ~ Photo by Sharon McInnes

Just for the Birds
Behind Closed Doors: The Secret Life of Swallows

I am not a complete luddite: I have a pretty spiffy laptop, a decent digital camera, and even an MP3 player.

Violence Prevention and Response

Chamber of Commerce News

Want to join?

Waging Words
Getting there from here

We are in deep trouble on most fronts.

MyWord

Dear Gord 40

Well Mr. Premier, you did it.

June plays the Roxy ~ Photo by Carol Martin

June in June at the Roxy

Spit and vinegar, feisty as ever, June Harrison showed her flare for life at the Gabriola Historical Museum Society event at The Roxy, Sunday afternoon, June 7.

The View from Here

A Busy Woman - Mary: Tremendous thanks to Mary Wohlleben for all the work she did to stage a pleasant afternoon for me to talk about living on Gabriola Island.

Gabriolans take part in Floating Boat and Marine trade show

Photo courtesy of Jordon Sorrenti

June Good Community Citizens’ Award
Sue DeCarteret

I would like to nominate Sue DeCarteret for the Good Community Citizen’s Award under the category of Consistently kind/helpful year in and year out.

Can we can Canola?

Allotments available at the Commons

Empty Bowl Project silent auction now underway

Affordable Housing Study needs input

Waging Words
Imaginary Victories

In the last few weeks we have heard claims of partial or complete victories in the bloody, decades-old civil wars in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

MyWord
Don’t Do This

We’ve all done some pretty dumb stuff, and I have done some real loonies.

Robin on our front lawn of tasty worms - eyeing the deck!

Just for the birds
The Robin in the Window

The first time I heard a Northern Flicker drumming on a metal pipe on our roof, I wondered what had possessed him.

The View from Here

Dear Gabby

Healthy choices reduce Alzheimer’s risk

Penny Sidor’s Singers’ Corner

Kids in the garden

On the Line

The politics of scarcity

Behind the Garden Gate

‘No Bells and Whistles’ Review
Laughter and delight

That’s the gift which the brilliant young actors brought to the Centre audience on Sunday, May 31.

A pregnant moment as warring in-laws meet again ~ Photo by Chris Bowers

Gabriola Players’ Review
No quibbles with Squabbles

The Gabriola Players offered up yet another delightful weekend of entertainment with their May 22 -24 performance of “Squabbles”.

June Harrison plays the Roxy

Concert-on-the-Green 2009

Tour de Gabriola VI

Mobile mammography service returns

World Ocean Day June 7

Friends of the library present

Annual Benefit for Kidzpositive

Gabriola Dance Spring Recital

Waging Words
On Small Farming

As a break from the increasing torrent of depressing economic news, I read “People, Land and Community”, a discussion by Wendell Berry of what could only be described as small farming theology.

MyWord
325º

The names in this article have been abbreviated to protect the embarrassed.

Relax about the horses already!

Wild horses won’t drag us away

Quoted numbers are unsupportable

New agent for community hall

Radio negotiations continue …

Not saying ‘I told you so’, but …

The Honourable James Flaherty, Minister of Finance The Honourable Ted Menzies, Parliamentary Secretary Ref; Pension Reforms Dear Sirs; Many besides me must be encouraged by your willingness to champion pension “reforms” for Canadians.

Wild salmon activist passes baton to BC voters

British Columbia It’s Over to You On June 25, 2009, the Strathcona Regional District rural directors opened the door to fish farming on the jugular of the BC coast.

Small is better!

Dear Editor, Re: toilets in secondary buildings.

Reviewing the hidden radio costs

Thanks! to medics and First Responders

Toilets in accessory buildings too likely to increase density

Government should act like Canadians

Who is driving Transportation Survey?

Seniors’ ‘care’ around the province

Kudos for Bean, non-voters - not so much

Reeves’ writing shows promise

Organ donors save lives

‘Con trails’ put health at risk, says writer

Don’t paint those trees!

Art it ain’t

CANADA: Canada’s EI benefits well below OECD average: study

Employment Insurance benefits in Canada are well below the OECD average, says a new study released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

REGIONAL: Islands Trust settles court costs in Komas Bluff case

The Islands Trust will receive $92,000 for costs in the final settlements of costs awarded in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal decisions in favour of the Islands Trust regarding Komas Bluff on Denman Island.

REGIONAL: Islands Trust Announces 2009 Community Stewardship Awards

WORLD: A Sizable Step Towards a Real Commitment to Farmers' Rights at the FAO

After four days of difficult negotiations among 121 governments at a UN Food and Agricultural Organization Treaty meeting on the use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture held in Tunisia, a Canadian effort to block progress was overturned.

REGIONAL: Islands Trust Celebrating Thirty-five Years

WORLD: Observations on closed containment fish farm in Norway

WORLD: Sea lice are problem in Norwegian salmon farms
BC stands to lose all if it continues to follow Norwegian practices

I have been in Norway for 10 days because 92% of fish farming in British Columbia is Norwegian owned.

WORLD: First Nations leaders confront Norway's hypocrisy
KAFN urge Cermaq to embrace the spirit and intent of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

First Nations leaders, and Alexandra Morton from the Broughton Archipelago, are in Norway this week.

REGIONAL: Islands Trust annonces 2009 nominees for community stewardship awards

WORLD: Public Relations' Role in Manufacturing Artificial Grass Roots Coalitions

When a corporation wants to oppose environmental regulations, or support an environmentally damaging development, it may do so openly and in its own name.

REGIONAL: Golden shoe hunt returns

BC: Nearly three million registered to vote at election call

REGIONAL: Election delays action on Galiano PMFL solution

The Gulf Islands Alliance (GIA) is pushing to make sure a key initiative affecting land use on Galiano Island isn’t forgotten during and after the provincial election campaign.

CANADA: Public services a bargain for Canadians:
Study

The majority of Canadian households enjoy a higher quality of life because the public services their taxes fund come at a solid bargain, according to a new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

REGIONAL: Towards a Minor Routes Strategy for Coastal Ferry Service
Discussion Paper

Executive summary The Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs are proposing that a strategy be immediately undertaken to sustain BC Ferries minor ferry routes and route three on a sound financial footing so that they can adequately serve coastal communities.

BC: Campbell's Convention Centre overruns:

CANADA: Canadian vulnerability in the face of the global economic crisis

As Prime Minister Stephen Harper heads to London for the G-20 leaders’ meeting on the global economic crisis, he will undoubtedly tell other leaders that Canada is well positioned to manage the crisis domestically and provide advice on the international effort.

REGIONAL: Islands Trust Encourages Nominations for Climate Change Work In 2009 Community Stewardship Awards

REGIONAL: A Minor Routes Strategy for Coastal Ferry Service

As Long as the Rivers Run: 1
Déjà vu All Over Again

I began this series of articles at a time when the Snuneymuxw treaty negotiations were in full swing and it had become clear that lands on Gabriola would be among those involved in the treaty settlement.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 2
One Little Two Little Three Little White Men…

We return to our intrepid Empire builders on the shores of North America somewhere around the mid 1500's.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 3
Four Thousand, Five Thousand, Six Thousand White Men…

Stage One Continued If you tuned in to the ongoing saga of First Nations relationships with European infiltrators at or after the Oka standoff, you will be surprised to discover that the French colonials were originally seen as the invaders of choice, before “Wolf the Dauntless Hero came and planted firm Britannia's flag”, etc.,

As Long as the Rivers Run: 4
Seventy Thousand, Eighty Thousand, Ninety Thousand White Men…

Stage One Goes On… We left our First Nations heroes on the cusp of getting involved, without benefit of counsel, in legal discussions with some not very nice empire builders (or is “nice empire builder" an oxymoron?).

As Long as the Rivers Run: 5
Millions of Little White Men

The End of Stage One While our First Nations protagonists are coming to terms with the reality that the white man's government cannot be trusted, let me explain how the Europeans of the 18th century made peace with themselves over their rude behaviour as guests in other peoples' lands.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 6
A Few Missed Bits

As we have arrived at the end of stage one of the European invasion of Canada, there are three loose ends that I want to weave into the fabric of our narrative.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 7
Knocking Them Down

Stage Two Shingle readers may recall that the British invasion of Canada was effected through three stages (Sucking them in, knocking them down, and sitting on them).

As Long as the Rivers Run: 8
Of Agents, Bureaucracies, Missionaries and Other Deadly Weapons

Stage Two goes on Last article we looked at how the colonial government used the Indian Act, and the Indian Commissions to “knock down” (render irrelevant) First Nations' resistance to the theft of their lands.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 9
Education, the Great Equaliser

A Stage Two AND a Stage Three Affair Education of Canada’s Aboriginal children has been a handy little device used to accomplish two goals for the price of one.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 10
Education, the Great Equaliser, Part Dos

OK. Let’s review. What is the “big deal” about education for First Nations and other Aboriginals?

As Long as the Rivers Run: 11
And Then There’s BC … Perfecting the Performance of Passing the Buck, OR The Sins of the Great-Great-Grandfathers.

BC, being the hardest part of Canada to reach from Europe, was the last province of Canada to be invaded by the Europeans.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 12
What Goes Around, Comes Around

Stage Four: the Resistance FINALLY!

As long as the Rivers Run: 13
The Resistance: the Tip of the Iceberg

Stage Four Now that we’ve dealt with the 1885 rebellion, let’s look at the more typical ways in which Canada’s indigenous peoples resisted colonization.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 14
The Resistance Continues…

As we’ve seen, First nations and Metis became separate communities towards the end of the 18th century.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 15
And Then There’s BC… Part Two

The Resistance Continues As mentioned previously, there were positive aspects about the fact that BC was the last province of Canada to be invaded by Europe.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 16
The Ice Beneath The Waters: The Heart of the Resistance

Perhaps you have noticed that except for BC, there was little or no overt resistance by the Aboriginal communities to colonisation, between the 1895 rebellion, and the resurgence of activism in the early 1920’s.

As long as the Rivers Run: 17
The Bottom Line

I have no qualms in embracing the label of “bleeding heart socialist”, and it will surprise no-one that I reject the neo-classical religio-economic belief system.

As Long as the Rivers Run: 18
Last Thoughts and Loose Ends

Once more I’ve come to the end of this discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions About First-Past-the-Post and BC-STV

Following is the first of two sets of FAQs about the Single Transferable Vote, and our current voting system.

No common ground on voting systems

The debate on BC’s proposed shift to a Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral system charged into high gear March 17 at a public forum at the Community Hall.

How the STV proposal came to be

Thanks to a strange accident of circumstances in which Gordon Campbell won popular support but lost the election in 1996, then nearly wiped out the New Democrats in 2001 with only fifty seven per cent of the popular vote, he kept a promise made in opposition (one of the few he has ever kept), and proposed to make a change to our electoral system.

Denise Savoie and Jean Crowder open the forum ~ Photo by Chris Bowers

VOTING FORUM
Power to the people? It’s not happening

The real problem with democracy is that power is increasingly coalescing in the offices of party leaders, according to Vancouver Island University (VIU) prof.

Proportional Representation:
Why the Citizens’ Assembly chose the Single Transferable Vote

Why is the single transferable vote (STV) the other choice of voting system for BC on the referendum this coming May 12, 2009?

Dear Gord 40

Well Mr. Premier, you did it.

Dear Gord 39

Mr. Premier, hopefully this is the second last missive I shall be penning to your right honourable self.

Dear Gord 38

With a provincial election just around the corner and remembering that it’s always good to look at where we’ve been to better see where we might be going, I thought it advisable to compile a list of your government’s actions, decisions and their consequences over the past few years just to remind voters and to provide some sense of where we would be heading should your government get re-elected on May 12.

Dear Gord 37

Mr. Premier, I wonder, has anyone mentioned to you that there’s an election coming up in May?

Dear Gord 36

As the May election approaches, I’ve become increasingly aware of the fact that politics, at least the way we appear to be currently practising this art in BC and in Canada, seems to be increasingly negative, partisan, divisive and unhealthy.

Dear Gord 35

Well, welcome to 2009 Mr.

Dear Gord 34

You know Mr. Premier, I’ve been a political junkie for as long as I can remember.

Dear Gord 33

Well Mr. Premier, it was interesting to see you on television a couple of weeks ago when you presented your ten point solution to address the economic tsunami and the impacts it might have on our fair province.

Dear Gord 32

Mr. Premier, in spite of establishing dates for both the spring and fall sittings of the legislature, you have once again cancelled the fall sitting.

Dear Gord 31

Gord, Gord, Gord. I continue to be amazed at the new lows to which both your government and your political associate Prime Minister Harper will sink!

Dear Gord 30

Mr. Premier, I realize you’re in Beijing at the moment, enjoying the Olympics.

Dear Gord 29

Well Mr. Premier, you’ve managed to be spoken of by almost every citizen of British Columbia on Canada Day and beyond.

Mainlanders react to another increase in highway tolls

Tongue-in-Cheek Press People living on the mainland of British Columbia and in the interior are once again complaining about the newest increase to highway tolls recently announced by the BC Highways Corporation.

Dear Gord 28

Well Mr. Premier, you and your band of merry Ministers must be pleased with yourselves having finished off this session of the Legislative Assembly with your signature blend of arrogance, partisan pomposity, and your obvious distain for accepted parliamentary procedure.

Dear Gord 27

Well Mr. Premier, it’s been an interesting month!

Dear Gord 26

Mr. Premier, I appreciate that you’re busy but, I’m surprised, nay astonished, that you haven’t had one personal comment or reaction about the increase in BC Ferries fares over the past five years.

Dear Gord 25

Mr. Premier! It would appear that certain of your Ministers and minions have a remarkable tendency to develop recurring cases of hoof and mouth disease!

Dear Gord 24

Mr. Premier, there are a number of things that have caught my attention in the last little while.

Dear Gord 24

Mr. Premier, there are a number of things that have caught my attention in the last little while.

Dear Gord 23

Well Happy New Year Mr.

Dear Gord 22

Well Mr. Premier, it’s getting close to the end of the year, and I figured this would be a great time to take a look at the overall performance of you and your government over the past twelve months.

Dear gord 21

Ah Mr. Premier, although you’ve provided me with enough material to write a daily column lately, what with the extra few bucks that the new Vancouver Convention Centre will cost us (over 400 additional million, wasn’t it?)

Dear Gord 20

Well Mr. Premier, you do keep me on my toes – metaphorically speaking.

Dear Gord 19

Well Mr. Premier, it feels like summer’s over and I’m looking forward to the excitement that comes with the fall session of the Provincial Legislature.

Dear Gord 17

Hope you’re enjoying your summer Mr.

Dear Gord 16

Mr. Premier, I just wanted to take this opportunity to review the events of the past few weeks for your government, tie up a few loose ends and get ready for summer.

Dear Gord 15

Mr. Premier, every time I even remotely consider terminating this one-sided dialogue with your honourable self, you serve me up a platter of new and deeply disconcerting decisions that pull me back into the process and leave me aghast with your apparent capacity to be out of touch with the world the rest of us appear to inhabit!

Dear Gord 14

Well congratulations on finally getting to meet the Governator!

Dear Gord 13

Gord! I thought I was going to be able to leave you for a while, hoping that the antics of your superegos, Stephen and George, would attract my attention.

Dear gord 12

Well Mr. Premier, as much as I’ve enjoyed our admittedly one way conversations over the past year, I’ve come to the conclusion that I must admit that it doesn’t seem to be having the impact I had hoped for when we began this monologue.

Dear Gord 11

So welcome to 2007 Mr.

Dear Gord 10

As it’s getting close to Christmas and Chanukah, I thought I’d send out my wish list for BC for this time of year.First

Dear Gord 9

So when I got back from vacation, I heard that you cancelled the regular fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly because it was reported you stated that debating issues in the Legislature was nothing but 'busy work'.

Dear Gord 8

As much as I value our in-depth conversations, my focus this time is on your philosophical colleague, Stephen (Steve) Harper.

Dear Gord 7

Well it’s summer and in the fine tradition of your government, you’ve managed to slide some hefty pay increases to the senior political staff and top bureaucrats, arguing that “we have to make sure that we have compensation that's fair and reasonable.”

Dear Gord 6

Let’s talk about BC Ferries this time and let’s cut through the bureaucratic mumble-jumble and the pretension that BC Ferries is a private corporation.

Dear Gord 4

You know Gord, as much as I enjoy our ongoing (admittedly one-sided ) conversation, at the moment my attention has been ripped from your exploits and riveted on those of the newly minted, minority Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his hordes of Republican wannabes.

Dear Gord 3

Well it’s been while since I’ve taken pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard.)

Dear Gord 2

When I first contemplated penning a regular missive to your right honourable self, I thought perhaps it might be both cathartic (for me) and an incentive to at least consider looking at the decisions you and your government are making in a different light.

Dear Gord 1

It would appear that your plan to completely privatize BC Ferries and to ensure that only the wealthy will be able to afford to live on the Gulf Islands is close to success.