report saanich south
Community Office Open Houses Stop by and join me for a chat and a cup of coffee or tea.
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June 7 8-10 am June 9 3-5 pm June 14 8-10 am June 15 7-8:30 pm (art show) See back page for address
saanich south
Two years ago this month I was elected as your representative in the BC Legislature. I am grateful for this opportunity and I’ve never worked harder in my life! I’m sending out this short newsletter so you can review my work on your behalf.
servin' it up on June 20
inside
Lana Popham and Andrew Weaver invite you to Servin’ up Sustainability.
MLA report Find out about the different areas that I serve as MLA....... 3
We’ll start with a ‘locavore’ dinner, featuring fresh, natural and local foods. Then there will be an introduction to the principles of sustainability and an engaging talk by acclaimed climate scientist Andrew Weaver. We’ll wrap up the evening with tea and dessert … and an opportunity for you to contribute your ideas about how we should respond to climate change in BC.
This newsletter is the only mail you will receive from me in my first term as your MLA. To minimize the cost to taxpayers and the environment, I report mostly on my website: www.saanichsouth.ca.
May, 2011
Wishing you a beautiful Spring.
Saanich Stars A new way of appreciating people in Saanich................... 3 Swan Lake A bridge to nature - find out how you can help................... 4 Fresh from the Garden Baby Beet & Snap Pea Salad recipe........................... 4
See page 4 for more details.
lana popham, mla
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saanich south
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www.saanichsouth.ca
to lead more productive lives. Saanich South residents have raised this issue repeatedly and I share their determination for change.
community initiatives
at work your mla
case-work
I am contacted daily by people who are in crisis or need help urgently. My community office assists in all kinds of situations. For example, we recently helped a person who was homeless find a place to live;
Lana speaks with Gurbrinder Kang at the door Often it’s a matter of pushing past closed doors and making sure the interests of people in need are fairly considered. I’m very grateful for the hard work of my community office staff, Samuel Godfrey and Erika Rolston for their hard work.
in the legislature
When lots of people approach me about an issue, it’s more than case-work. The HST is a good example. My office received more complaints about the HST than any other issue. I responded by speaking out against it in the Legislature, and by helping to mobilize thousands of cyclists and strata owners to voice their opposition to it. I signed the petition calling for a referendum and I am actively contributing to the public debate. Another example is my work to get government to take seriously the need for safety improvements at Pat Bay Highway and Sayward Road. This issue greatly concerns Cordova Bay residents, but it also affects everyone who uses the highway. I held a community
As an Opposition MLA, my role is to bring Saanich’s concerns to the Legislature, ask tough questions of government, propose new ideas, and demand change when government makes poor choices.
Samuel Godfrey, Constituency Assistant a senior get his driver’s license reissued after it was wrongly canceled; and an individual on longterm disability access benefits they desperately needed but did not realize they could get.
For example, I have repeatedly raised the government’s shortsighted decision to cut funding for early intensive therapy for children with autism. This therapy results in significant life-long improvements. It would save BC millions in longterm care costs and lead to millions of dollars in economic benefit as adults with autism are better able
meeting where over a hundred people came to discuss the issue with Ministry staff. I’ve lobbied the previous and current Ministers, and recently filed a Freedom of Information request for all the relevant plans and maps so the community can see what is being considered.
lana popham, mla
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saanich south
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opposition critic for agriculture As the Official Opposition Critic for Agriculture, my job is to connect with farmers across the province to bring forward a sustainable agriculture policy that will increase food security and contribute to a growing local farm economy. Agriculture is close to my heart. I farmed for many years before entering politics, and I believe passionately that farming is essential to our health and well-being.
an engaged citizenry is the key to a healthy democracy I’ve also worked hard on medical issues that concern many people in Saanich South. Recent successes include helping parents get better care for their children with diabetes, and getting a commitment from the BC government to improve how Lyme disease is diagnosed and treated. As you can see from the posters on this page, I’ve been active in our community organizing public events, ranging from protecting our endangered wild salmon and island honey bees, to improving public transit and property tax assessment.
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This province could be producing far more of our food than we are. Climate change and rising oil costs make safe and reliable sources of food more important than ever. Food imports into BC this year are much more costly than last year.
Lana and beautiful BC produce Thank you for taking the time to read my report. I take my lead from the ideas and concerns of Saanich South residents. Please keep in touch. I would love to hear from you!
saanich stars This spring I am launching a website called Saanich Stars!
As Agriculture Critic, I’ve travelled across B.C. and listened carefully to everyone from organic farmers in Saanich to cattle ranchers in the Peace and egg producers in the Fraser Valley.
It is a celebration of un-sung heroes, local people in our community who, through their Cooper and Hollie Davis strength of will are quietly making big differences.
I’m calling for low-cost, common sense changes: strengthen the Agricultural Land Commission, bring back Buy BC, and have hospitals and other public institutions buy more fresh local foods.
Some of their stories are about overcoming hardship and adversity. Other stories are about innovation and creating solutions.
I continue to work hard on issues important to farmers in Saanich, such as changing our flawed provincial meat regulations and protections for our precious island honey bees. Last fall, I organized a rally of beekeepers against government regulatory changes that threaten our island bee colonies. See www.islandbees.ca for more details.
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Our first Saanich Star is Hollie Davis – she might call herself an ordinary mother but her story is extraordinary! Go to www.saanichstars.ca to read her story. I will add a new star every month. If you know an unsung hero in Saanich, please let us know!
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swan lake a garden meal needs your help A tasty way to use up those early spring greens – before they bolt!
The Swan Lake Sanctuary is a jewel of Saanich that all are welcome to enjoy. The lake is surrounded by a marshy expanse of wild grasses and cattails and is home to many birds and small animals, including muskrat, river otter and mink. The Sanctuary has launched a fundraising drive to replace its floating, wooden bridge with one that’s safer and more environmentally friendly. The floating bridge affords young and old alike a chance to get closer to the lake’s abundant wildlife. But this well-used asset is wearing out fast, and the Sanctuary Board is hard at work to raise $600,000 so our community can continue to access this naturally beautiful place.
baby beet salad with snap peas 1 bunch baby beets 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 tbsp. green onions, minced 1 cup snap peas, chopped in half 1 tbsp. chives 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp. olive oil 2 cups salad greens Optional toppings: feta cheese, nity Office th Commu u o S h ic n a roasted hazelnuts, flat leaf parsley. the Sa Jaques Painting of by artist Dennis Preheat oven to 400ºF. Mix beets with the olive oil and bake covered for 40 min or until the beets are tender. Allow the beets to cool, then peel off skin with a knife. Chop into bite size chunks. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve on a bed of salad greens.
servin' up sustainability cont'd (Cont'd from page one)
Campaign Chair David Cubberley (former Saanich South MLA and municipal councillor) is asking residents to help make a difference by giving whatever they can afford. Like many families, David’s grew up using the bridge, trail network and the nature house at Swan Lake. “Getting right out on the water to observe nature without disturbing it is a unique feature of Swan Lake made possible by this bridge.” People make over 65,000 visits a year to the Sanctuary. The new 'Bridge To Nature' will enrich our viewing experience and improve water quality in the lake. Please help out if you can! No donation is too small or too big. For more information or to make a donation, go to www.swanlake.bc.ca or call (250) 479-0211. Thank you!
Your participation is welcome! I'll bring my perspective as a farmer, activist and politician. Dr. Weaver is one of Canada's foremost climate change scientists and co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. We'll have a fun, social evening and talk about how BC can best respond to global warming.
saanich south community office hours Regular Hours: Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 5:00 pm (Reduced hours July & August)
Seating is limited. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Saanich South Community Office (see address below). Mon-Thurs, 9:30-5:00 pm or downtown at Cabin 12 (607 Pandora at Government, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, everyday). Limited complimentary tickets available for those with financial need. Free childcare for children 5-12 years old, by reservation only. Andrew Weaver & Lana
Lana Popham, Saanich-South MLA Constituency office is at 4085 Quadra Street on the corner of Nicholson 250.479.4154 | lana.popham.mla@gov.bc.ca
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