Welcome to Fall - Now What?

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/big-chill-wet-spring-sweaty-summer-ahead-old-farmer-s-almanac-1.2576856

Fall on the doorstep

A true sign that Fall is just a day away - a misty morning.  

Early practise at at Gordon Terrace School

photo - Stewart Wilson

Butt Out Butt In Clean Up Effort

Volunteers Needed: Butt Out Butt In Clean Up Effort

September 23rd, 10am-12pm

Wildsight Kimberley/Cranbrook would like to invite you to take part in the Cranbrook City-Wide Cigarette Butt Clean Up on Wednesday September 23rd. We will be rallying at the bandstand in Rotary Park Downtown (near the Cranbrook Farmers' Market location) at 10am, dividing collection bags and rubber gloves and setting off to clean up the park.

At the end pf the day, all the bags will be combined and taken to the big tent in front of the former Target store for weighing. All the collected butts will be sent to Terracycle, a company that uses the cellulose in the butts to create park benches, flowerpots, and other useful products.

If you would like to join the effort, please contact Andrea Chapman at kimcran@wildsight.ca or 250-427-9325 x221. If you would like to take part in the effort on your own schedule, please stop by the Tamarack Centre office or Wildsight office to pick up collection bags and gloves.

Presenting 'Jumbo Wild'

Patagonia presents Jumbo Wild, a Sweetgrass Productions film. 

In two weeks, the North America-wide Jumbo Wild film tour kicks off right here in the Kootenays. Get excited and watch the film trailer here!

Kootenay Screenings
Premiere Screening: Invermere
Invermere Community Hall 
October 6, 7:30pm
This screening is free, so plan to get there early for a seat!
Facebook event details here. 
Cranbrook
Key City Theatre
October 7, 7:30pm
Facebook event details here.
Nelson
The Civic Theatre
October 13, 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Facebook event details here.
The film will also be screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Banff Mountain Film Festival. 
For full tour dates and locations, check out the full schedule.  

#KEEPJUMBOWILD

Published on Sep 21, 2015

Coming to theatres Oct 2015 - Patagonia presents Jumbo Wild – a gripping, hour-long documentary film by Sweetgrass Productions that tells the true story of the decades-long battle over the future of British Columbia’s iconic Jumbo Valley and highlights the tension between the protection of wilderness and the backcountry experience and ever-increasing development interests in wild places. Set against a backdrop of incredible backcountry ski and snowboard footage, Jumbo Wild documents all sides of a divisive issue bringing the passionate local fight to protect the Jumbo Valley to life for the first time. 

Harper's Abuses of Power continued 21-30

On August 11th we published the first part of this article from the Tyee.  

Tyee staff and contributors have compiled a list of 70 government assaults on democracy and the law.  As a list of 70 is pretty difficult for anyone to verify all at once we have been posting a few at a time.  To read the entire list at once go to this link.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/08/10/Harper-Abuses-of-Power-Final/

Harper Government Sued by Justice Department Whistleblower

Time and again the Harper government proposes bills that end up being shot down by the courts, prompting critics to say such legislation is more about making political statements than lasting policy. The wasted efforts bothered senior justice department lawyer Edgar Schmidt so much he finally sued the government for breaking the law by inadequately evaluating whether proposed bills violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He was promptly suspended without pay.

Conservatives Block Accreditation for Opposition MPs

In another example of partisanship taken to new heights, the PMO blocked opposition members from being accredited for international environment conferences and from visiting military bases.

Tactic Borrowed from North Korea's Dear Leader

Ostensibly neutral public servants were used as stooges, falsely posing as new citizens in a staged Citizenship Renewal public relations exercise by the Immigration Department. Media critics had a field day comparing the charade to practices undertaken by North Korean dictators.

Clampdown on Freedom of Speech of Diplomatic Corps

Ottawa's diplomats must get all communications approved from Conservative political operatives. Under Harper, the country's ambassadors are hardly heard from any more. In a recent speech, former United Nations ambassador Stephen Lewis said our political culture under the Conservatives has descended into "a nadir of indignity."

Marine Science Libraries Decimated

The Harper government's downsizing of federal libraries included sudden closing of seven world famous Department of Fisheries and Oceans archives. A leaked memo revealed the destruction and consolidation would save less than half a million dollars. Scientist patrons of the libraries, who witnessed chaotic chucking of rare literature, called it a "book burning" with no logical purpose other than to restrict environmental information. The Harper government claimed vital works would be digitally preserved, but never provided a plan or cost for doing so, nor any proof it had happened. No scientists interviewed by The Tyee believed digitizing would or could replace what was lost.

UN Blasts Canada's Treatment of Immigrants

Changes made to the Canada's immigration and refugee system under Harper were investigated by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, whose report blasted how thousands of migrants are detained indefinitely without due process, many for over a year or more, as well as poor mental health support for those incarcerated.

Harper Government Denies Khadr Basic Rights

Defying court rulings, the Conservative government refused to accord Omar Khadr basic rights such as access to media. Editorialists of right and left persuasion described the move as unbefitting a democratic government.

Illegitimate Prorogation of Parliament, Twice

Prorogations are a legitimate procedure that can be abused depending on motivations. The Harper government provoked 60 protests across Canada and beyond its borders in 2010 after shutting the legislature's doors to escape condemnation on the Afghan detainees' file. It was the second prorogation in a year's period.

Undue Interference with Independent Agencies

Command and control system was extended to meddling in bodies like National Energy Board and CRTC whose arms-length autonomy is significantly reduced. A special target was the Parliamentary Budget Office, which was hit with condemnations and budget cuts for its critical reports.

Billions Borrowed without Parliament's Permission

The auditor general sounded alarms about the "prodigious" growth and size of federal borrowing. Those billions in "non-budgetary" spending used to get Parliament's oversight, but no more. The finance minister can borrow what he wants without Parliament's permission. Why? A loophole buried in a 2007 Harper omnibus bill. 

Out and About with Stewart

Life goes on at Idlewild 

Water Ouzel or Dipper

Will Cranbrook continue to shortchange itself politically?

Will Cranbrook continue to shortchange itself politically?

Perceptions by Gerry Warner

On Oct. 7, Cranbrook voters will get a great opportunity to engage in participatory democracy in this most critical of federal elections. But should this be the only opportunity?

I don’t think so. Here’s why.

At 7 p.m., Oct. 7, the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring what is billed as a “Federal All Candidates Forum” in the Heritage Inn and Conference Centre which seats about 250. In the past, the chamber has sponsored such forums in the Key City Theatre, which seats 602 in a town of 20,000, and is a much more appropriate size for such an event.

The forum is “open to the general public” according to the chamber’s ads, but is this forum really directed at the “general public?” Not really if you look at the format of the event.

I talked to Chamber Executive Director David Hull this week and he explained the format to me. The candidates will be given 20 questions in advance by a chamber committee and it’s a safe bet what most of the questions will be about. “The economy is the big issue in this election and our goal is to have all 20 questions answered during the night.”

During the forum, audience members will have to submit written questions in advance, and the questions will be vetted by chamber members for their “suitability and relevance,” Hull says. Asked if a forum focused mainly on one issue – the economy – and questions vetted in advance, rather than spontaneous, is  fair, Hull was adamant.

“The forum will be absolutely as fair and balanced as possible and there’s no basis for any comment like that  . . . The chamber does not support any particular party. We represent our members and we are dedicated to a strong and powerful economy.”

Now some may disagree with Hull’s comments in terms of fairness, but there can be no denying that the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce is engaged in this election, which is more than can be said for any other organization in this politically apathetic town. Yes, apathetic! If you disagree, I ask you why every time an election rolls around it’s the chamber, or the chamber’s junior partner, JCI Kootenay, that sponsors anything remotely approximating an all-candidates forum or debate in Cranbrook?

We have other service clubs and organizations in town. We have a college where they teach political science. There are many groups in town that represent all kinds of interests that are directly affected by what governments do in Ottawa, Victoria or Cranbrook for that matter.

Well, where are they???

In fact, if there’s any organization in town you’d think would jump at the chance to sponsor an all-candidates forum it would surely be the East Kootenay District Labour Council. When I was a reporter at the Townsman, I asked them more than once why they didn’t consider sponsoring an all-candidates forum and they said they’d get back to me. They never did. I did it  again when I was running for Cranbrook Council with the same result. And I can say at this point is that I find it very disconcerting that the organization which represents hundreds of workers in this town – including their economic interests – can’t get off their comfortable butts and do something beneficial for their members like sponsoring  an all-candidates forum during an election, be it federal, provincial or municipal. Prior to writing this column I called the Labour Council office, but all I got was a recorded message saying they couldn’t record messages at this time. So much for their engagement with the community.

So what are we left with? Another election in which the only all-candidates forum in town will be sponsored by an organization that claims to be “non-partisan,” but at the same time describes itself as the “Voice of Business,” which is its perfect right, but at the same time is ignoring other important issues like health care, the environment, climate change and many others. However, as long as nobody is prepared to mount a challenge, the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce will  continue to be the political arbiters in this town for better or worse.

Ever wonder why so many people are cynical about politics?

                                                            

Voter Challenge

After the First Frost

When the frost begins to thaw and drain off the plants, the colours and textures of many plants are enhanced and made even more beautiful.  All these plants are hardy to our zone 3/4 and even more attractive after the frost.

Flame grass, Miscanthus sinensis 'Purpurescans'

Cushion Spurge , Euphorbia polychroma

 Rosa rugosa hips

What keeps Wilks from attending All Candidate Debates?

What keeps David Wilks from attending All Candidate debates?

NELSON September 17th – More is being revealed about Kootenay Columbia incumbent MP David Wilks’ debate strategy, says NDP candidate Wayne Stetski.

“First, David Wilks claimed that he didn’t need to attend all the debates, because he won the last election without attending all the debates,” said Stetski. “He had a winning strategy in 2011, and he was going to repeat that strategy and win again in 2015.

“When asked to participate in a process that made it easier for community organizers to ensure that all the candidates could attend, David Wilks said he was too busy making funding announcements to think about a debate schedule.”

The reaction to these statements by the public was scathing, both in traditional and social media, with constituents and other candidates saying that this attitude was absolutely unacceptable.

“Second, David Wilks admitted that maybe he did need to commit to attending debates, so he made an edict that he would only attend debates that were hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, and all questions had to be submitted to the organizers in advance.

“Every other candidate wanted to take questions from the floor. We wanted to have answers and rebuttals. And we were open to having debates organized by a range of community organizations. But David Wilks said no.”

A number of other debates were also organized that didn’t meet David Wilks’ strict requirements for participation, organized around important issues and by non-partisan groups. Because an election is about discussing all issues with all people, all three other candidates agreed to attend the MIR Centre Forum on Peace, Security and Climate Change in Nelson, a debate on First Nation Issues in Cranbrook, and a Youth Focussed Debate hosted by the Junior Chamber in Cranbrook.

“In a CBC Daybreak interview, David Wilks claimed that he was attending all the debates,” continued Stetski. “He said that last election he was new to the process and needed to pace himself – that’s why he didn’t attend all the debates.

“But this election, he says he’s ready to attend them all. Unfortunately, that statement isn’t true. He’s only attending the debates he thinks he can control.”

What do the MIR Centre Forum, the First Nations debate and the Junior Chamber debate have in common? It is simple. These debates involve answering questions that cannot be controlled. The formats for these debates include either unscripted questions from attendees, or questions submitted by other candidates.

“Mr. Wilks’ excuses are simply an insult to voters,” declared Stetski. “He began by saying he didn’t have to attend to win. Then he said he’s too busy to commit. Followed by a demand for strict rules in order for him to agree to attend. Followed by bizarre statements about how he was not ready to attend all debates when he first ran.

“And now to be making completely false, and immediately disproven, statements on the radio the morning after he has skipped a debate, is just too much. I cannot imagine that even the most committed Conservative would think that David Wilks’ behavior is defensible in this case.”

Editor's comment:
At this time Mr Wilks has now confirmed his attendance at this first all candidates debate

The First All Candidates Debate

on

Aboriginal Issues

Ktunaxa Nation Gymnasium

September 23, 2015

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Moderator:  Joe Pierre Jr.

Confirmed:

David Wilks, Conservative Party

Bill Green, Green Party

Don Johnston, Liberal Party

Wayne Stetski, New Democratic Party

All Are Welcome

For information contact

Rosemary Phillips 250 919 4618 or roszi1@hotmail.com

Joyce Green  joycegreen@shaw.ca