PROJECT PROCEEDS | Vernon council approves $1 million for Polson Greenway on 29th Street [A5]
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Friday, Jan. 18, 2013
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4612 - 27 th St 1830 Hwy 6 VERNON peterstirecraft.ca
Committee considers auditor’s fate
WINTER CLEAN UP
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
City road crews work on the removal of snow banks piling up along the side of Alexis Park Drive Thursday morning.
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Ban demanded on modified crops “I look forward to a discussion about the issue - the pros and the cons,” said director Elected officials are being told not to drag Howie Cyr. Director Juliette Cunningham their heels on genetically modified doesn’t want a one-sided process. crops. “I want to make sure there is a balAbout 100 people crammed ance — those for and those against,” into the Regional District of North she said. Okanagan office Wednesday to ask But some board members are directors to oppose cultivation of already taking a stand. genetically modified seeds and plants “I’ve had concerns about what I’m on local farms. feeding my animals,” said director “This is really urgent. We were Rick Fairbairn, who is also a rancher. here in 2011 and still there’s no deci- Huguette Allen “If I keep feeding corn to my anision,” said Huguette Allen, with Bee mals, I don’t have the ability to not SAFE, a Lumby-based organization. “How come others (jurisdictions) have purchase GM corn.” Allen says three GM crops are already grown made a decision and we haven’t?” The RDNO board has referred Bee SAFE’s in region, with corn leading the pack. “The next one to be accepted in Canada is request to the agricultural advisory committee the GM apple,” she said. for consideration. RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
VERNON TOYOTA
Bee SAFE is concerned genetically modified plants will lead to cross-pollination of nonGM plants and jeopardize organic certification among farmers. “Many export markets have been lost due to contamination,” said Allen. Other concerns for Allen are the potential destruction of bio-diversity, increased chemical use, and possibly undermining family farms and local food security. Allen admits the request for a ban has some limitations. “The resolution is not binding and it doesn’t mean you can stop anyone. But it means you can work towards sustainable agriculture and begin discussing a transition plan with GM farmers,” she told RDNO directors. “If you don’t make a decision, you are making a decision. You are leading us towards industrial agriculture.”
Premier Christy Clark wants B.C.’s financial watchdog to stay but the local MLA involved in the matter won’t guarantee that outcome. Clark has stated she would like a legislative committee to reappoint John Doyle as auditor general for two more years. “The committee will make that decision,” said Eric Foster, VernonMonashee MLA and Eric Foster chairperson of the committee which recently decided not to renew Doyle’s contract after six years on the job. The committee has been under fire to reconsider its decision and the matter was discussed by members Wednesday. “We had a good meeting,” said Foster, who wouldn’t provide any details except that the group will gather again today. The committee consists of three Liberals and two New Democrats and it’s been alleged that one of the Liberals voted not to retain Doyle because he has been critical of the government. Reappointment must be unanimous among the committee. To avoid future controversy, Clark has proposed a change to legislation so auditor generals are appointed for eight years and there is no chance for renewal. “That’s the standard across the country,” said Foster. Foster has been criticized for chairing the committee determining Doyle’s fate when Doyle had expressed concerns about financial documents Foster filed about renovations to his constituency office. Foster has stated he wasn’t aware of a letter Doyle wrote about his renovation expenses.
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