TUESDAY February 25, 2014 Vol. 29• No. 16 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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Couple living in Facebook fear Union asking Erin Haluschak Record Staff
The Canadian Forces have made two arrests and are investigating allegations of defamation from posts on a Facebook page that the spouse of a member at CFB Comox has left her and her partner threatened and scared. Katherine Bickford, a retired Canadian Forces member whose same-sex partner works at 19 Wing Comox, explained the couple has been identified, mocked and threatened through a private military-related Facebook page called Cpl Bloggins. Bickford said not only have she, her partner, and Bickford’s mother been mocked and threatened on the page, but other military members as well, with comments left by active members of the Canadian Forces. “You put something on the Internet, and yes, it’s out there … this guy actually trolls Facebook, Twitter. … he trolls the Canadian Forces spouses and groups on Facebook and posts information,” she noted. “They’re making fun of when CFB Edmonton raised the pride flag, or making fun of a wounded warrior. “I know this has damaged the careers of people. There’s a lot of people who are suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This kind of stuff doesn’t help them. It certainly doesn’t help me.”
TWO CANADIAN ARMED Forces members have been arrested in conjunction with a Facebook page that has a same-sex couple in the Comox Valley living in fear. PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK The page, which was shut down previously, is now in its third incarnation, and Bickford believes it was created by a military member. “When it became personal, that’s when I became really angry,” she explained, and added one post included derogatory comments about her mother. “I thought something’s got to be done. Someone’s got to stand up and say no. I know this happened to me, it happened to my partner, it happened to my mom, and we’re not going to put up with it. “Call the police, call the base, call your superior, call your padre, call your friends. Do something about it.”
Despite being identified on the page, Bickford said it gave her the motivation to take action. “In my case, same-sex couple … big deal. Big deal — I don’t care. I’ve marched in pride parades, my partner marched in Toronto Pride wearing her uniform; no big deal, we’re not ashamed of it. “I think that’s how bullies classically work. You’re ashamed, you’re embarrassed and you don’t want it out there. Guess what? You put my name out there, I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.” Bickford approached the military police and the Comox Valley RCMP, who explained to her there is not much that can be
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done, until someone contacts her or her spouse repeatedly with threats or shows up at their home. She believes it will only be a matter of time until that happens. “These people are looking for where we live. One of the things they mention on that group is that they can track us down because my (partner) is an amateur radio person and she has a licence and there’s a database of who’s there. So we checked that and fortunately it only has our post office box.” She admits that both her and her partner are scared, and she’s resorted to carrying around softball gear and bear spray for protection. The couple have taken extra measures around their home, such as ensuring they park their vehicles away from their home in a secure area. “If they get our address, we’ll move. It’ll just be a matter of time until someone shows up at our door … we’re scared.” In a statement to media, the Department of National Defence said in early January 2014, the Canadian Forces Military Police commenced an investigation into allegations of defamation and inappropriate comments posted on the page. Two Canadian Armed Forces members were arrested Jan. 22. In early February, military police commenced a new investigation after receiving a new complaint.
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for answers Erin Haluschak Record Staff
The union representing workers at the Courtenay Safeway store is asking Sobeys senior management for a meeting to discuss reasons for the May store closure, as well as provide answers and an adjustment plan for employees. Andy Newfeld, communications director for UFCW 1518, explained the union hopes to get more information from the company, which recently announced its plans to close the store May 10. “They’re claiming financial viability, but we would like them to justify that position,” said Newfeld. “Our first objective is to sit down with the company and get some information. We would really like them to keep the store open or sell it to someone.” Last October, Sobeys Inc., which owns Thrifty Foods along with Safeway, IGA, Price Chopper and Foodland, reported its plan to purchase Canada Safeway. As one of the longestoperating stores in the Comox Valley, Safeway is the only Sobeys-owned store on Vancouver Island that is closing following a purchase and sale agreement between Overwaitea Food Group and Federated Co-operative Limited. In the transition, Sobeys will sell 22 of the 23 stores it is required to sell as part of its consent agree-
ment with the Competition Bureau. The Courtenay store has 50 full-time and 70 parttime employees. UFCW 1518 President Ivan Limpright wrote a letter to the company asking for further discussion for options to keep their members employed beyond the boundaries of the collective agreement. “We also look forward to receiving details of the steps taken to try to sell the store, since you have been involved in discussions to divest a number of stores,” Limpright wrote. “Undoubtedly you share our view that Safeway/Sobeys has a moral, in addition to a legal, obligation to provide the information and to have meaningful discussions to reach an agreement on a robust adjustment plan to reduce or eliminate job loss.” Despite the imminent loss of the anchor store, the owner of Your Dollar Store With More in the Cliffe Avenue plaza said she hopes her business will continue to grow. “I know it’s going to hurt, and it has a big effect on (all the businesses), but I’ve got faith things are going to turn around,” explained Diane (who asked that her last name not be used). She hopes her reputation of serving customers for more than 11 years will help in keeping her business going.
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