Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, December 04, 2013

Up front: Duncan adds two names to its scroll of honour Sports watch: Say ‘so long, Steen’ as Caps trade local stalwart

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Eight choices for chief as Tribes heads to the polls

Platforms delivered: housing, education, health as top issues Peter W. Rusland

News Leader Pictorial

H Andrew Leong

Belle White and Hannah Morten admire the Christmas decoration window display of Wishes gift shop during the annual Downtown Duncan Christmas Light Up festivities on Friday.

Nearly 24,000 endorse petition as dog-beating heads to court Terry the terrier: Local man set to enter plea this month as dog-lovers urge maximum sentence Ashley Degraaf

News Leader Pictorial

A

bout 24,000 folks have signed a petition supporting maximum sentencing against a Duncan man facing animal cruelty charges related to an April 21

incident. On behalf of petition creator and animal cruelty advocate Charlene Myers, Crofton’s Brandon Meyer handed the signatures to Crown counsel Monday. The accused, Brandon Harrison, is due to make his plea Dec. 17 relating to the beating incident of a Boston terrier-French bulldog witnesses have named Terry. “I’m writing this letter and including the

signatures of 23,952 people from a petition to respectfully request that, in the event Brandon Harrison is found guilty of ‘causing an animal to continue to be in distress,’ Crown counsel recommend to the judge the maximum sentence for this offence,” Myers, founder of Animal Cruelty Legislation Advocates Canada, wrote in a letter to Crown. “I would like to draw your attention to the fact that, at the time the petition was drafted, this was the only animal cruelty charge Mr. Harrison was facing, but now that he has also been charged with or ‘causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal’ in accordance with the Criminal Code of Canada, I ask that, if Mr. Harrison is found guilty of that offence, you please consider the maximum penalty for that offence instead when

making your sentencing recommendation.” The petition — which went viral when it was created in September — also makes another request: if Harrison is found guilty, and in accordance with the British Columbia Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, “he be prohibited ‘from owning or having custody or control of an animal’ for the rest of his lifetime.” The April 21 incident saw witnesses Chris and Leigh Davies come across the dog while driving down Cowichan Lake Road. Terry stepped with caution onto the road at the Gerz Road turnoff. The Davies pulled over, flashing their lights to warn oncoming traffic to stop. That’s when the situation turned ugly. more page 9

ousing, health, education and Cowichan Tribes management were the top issues among eight candidates for chief during Thursday’s forum in the Si’em Lelum Gym. Former chief, Philomena Alphonse, translated into Hul’qumi’num candidates’ answers to written questions from dozens of Tribes members. Their new chief will be elected Dec 5. The eight were asked by the News Leader Pictorial to describe the most important issue facing their people, and what sets them apart from the other hopefuls. Outgoing chief Harvey Alphonse said housing shortages are what he’s asked about most. “If we could address housing, education issues would fall into line; members don’t feel they’re treated fairly when they send their kids to school.” Alphonse hoped to see members gaining job training in Alberta, and construction skills here to help build Cowichan homes. Sharon Ann Lewis said mold in Tribes homes is a prominent problem. “Mold causes debilitating illnesses with our elders, families and children. We have to come to terms with our housing problems, and roads that go to our homes.” Cowichan people also face challenges to sovereignty from corporations, and federal and provincial governments trying to grab their land, and erode their rights, she said. “We’re equal to Canada (citizens); we just have to believe we’re equal.” Lewis also wanted equal access to tobacco-tax money, as other bands have. “Across Canada (government) gives tobacco taxes back to the people: they need that to fix their cars and homes, and buy clothes.” more page 8

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