Richmond B.C. – In Perpetual Turmoil

How can things get much worse in Richmond? Nuff said see CBC latest story and our previous links. We will bet money on anybody other than the incumbents planning to run against Mayor & Council of Richmond next time will win!

Harper Gets Nothing For Canada At Three Amigos Summit

Get your passport ready if you want to cross over to the US and on softwood lumber no movement by Bush. Harper says he will now go back to Canada and try to find middle ground. These were the results of the North American summit of Canada, US & Mexico over the last two days. See Toronto Star.

Closing Time For South Carvolth Environmental Elementary

A sad day for students and families of South Carvolth Elementary School as the School Trustees voted Tuesday to close South Carvolth Environmental Elementary as reported by the Langley Times. The Times Editor says “It was not a decision that pleased parents and students at the school — but it was the right decision.” He further goes on to say “it was all but inevitable” in his editorial.
While LFP expected that the Trustees would close the school we do not agree with this decision. When a significant portion of any community gets together and makes such a tremendous effort for a cause that this community has made our elected politicians should try at minimum to provide a stay of execution to see if it can be salvaged. We disagree with the Times Editorial.

You Heard It Here First! - "Boots On The Ground" Canadian Ad in Washington

Kim Richter our contributing columnist was the first that found the Cdn. Government's Washington DC ad about our military from a Washington DC blog, DCist blog. The press is now taking off on it after we forwarded it to them. Today in the Vancouver Sun, the Calgary Sun , Toronto Star , London Free Press , vive le canada , and watch the news report on the Global TV link and select Troy Reeb reports for the actual video news report from Global. The press has not yet reported that the "Boots on the Ground " campaign extends into a boots on the ground Canadian Embassy Art Exhibit as well. The second real story here is that Blogs are now becoming news feeds for the larger media. Then of course the local media simply and unfortunately ignores local blogs!

Blogs Have, Will & Do Make A Difference! - LFP

Richter Report - March 30, 2006 - No Response From MP Warawa Re: “Boots On The Ground”

The Vancouver Sun today on page a16 followed up on the “Boots on the Ground” story I posted here last week. The Sun talks about Canada’s attempt to prove we are once again worthy military allies to the U.S.A. - so much for our "kinder, gentler society" north of the 49th Parallel! Also of interest is the expansion of the poster campaign to an art exhibit in the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC.

The Sun implies that this PR campaign is needed to bolster trade relationships with the US. The article actually quotes a military attache at the Canadian Embassy as saying: "There's often criticism down here that Canada is not pulling its weight on security. We beg to differ" and "The events that happened at Khandahar are brutal evidence of our commitment to the war on terror. We are spilling Canadian blood."

I find this absolutely chilling and I ask again: "Where are we going with this? And, why?".
In my last Richter Report, I said that I would ask Langley's MP about this issue and report back to you with his feedback. The following is my e-mail to Langley MP Mark Warawa sent 7 days ago on March 23, 2006. To date, I have received absolutely no response what-so-ever from him or his office. Is he not responding because of Harper's centralist communications clamp down? Or are the concerns of a local constituent of no importance and so not worthy of a reply?

Dear MP Warawa:

I am writing to you as a concerned resident of the federal riding you represent. I recently discovered that the federal government is advertising its military presence in the US. Please follow the attached link http://www.dcist.com/archives/2006/03/23/canada_not_just.php

I am very uncomfortable with the military direction that Canada now seems to be taking. This advertisement is adding to my concerns.

Why are we spending money on this? Do you support the change of Canada's peace-keeping role to what now seems to be an increasingly aggressive military stance? Were you aware of the spending taking place on this ad and related website: http://www.canadianally.com/ What is the "endpoint" or positioning of our military that this government has in mind?

We used to be respected internationally as peace-keepers. Is this role changing?

I would appreciate a response from you at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time.

Yours very truly,
Kim Richter.

Kim Richter is in her 3rd term as Langley Township Councillor and also is a Professor of Business at Kwantlen University College. She holds a masters degree in health administration and was a health care management consultant.....

Boots on The Ground Art Exhibit In Washington DC Cdn Embassy

Our Canadian Government not only is putting up "Boots on the Ground, security is our business" posters in Washington DC subway and shopping malls for the average American( reported in LFP) but now the American establishment can also visit the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC where they can catch our latest art exhibit titled, you guessed it "Boots on the Ground"! Our Government, it would seem to us, is desperately trying to spin and sell Canada to Americans as back on track with them militarily. Don't worry about missing it, apparently the production of Canadian War Art show will remain on display through Dec 30! P.S. admission is free!

Soldiers In Training Eager To Go To Afghanistan

"This isn't a peacekeeping mission," said Corporal Michael Taylor, a 23-year-old military policeman from North Bay, Ont. But is he looking forward to it? "Absolutely." Quoted from today's Globe & Mail. Despite Cpl. Taylor's Mother threatening to call General Hillier to get her son reassigned he as well as the other 1200 troops see it as an opportunity and are excited because as one quotes, "it is not boring". They are being presently trained at CFB Petewawa to handle suicide attacks and the like for their upcoming reassignment to Afghanistan.

Canadian Soldier Killed In Firefight - 3 Wounded

And so it starts.
CTV reports, "A Canadian soldier serving in Afghanistan was killed and three others were wounded in a firefight with Taliban insurgents in a remote area outside of Kandahar, military officials say." Killed was Pte. Robert Costall, of the 1st Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton. Pte. Costall was the first Canadian Soldier killed in actual combat. Additional report from CBC. The 22 year old Robert Costall is survived by his wife Chrissy and their one year old son.

This Week's Rick Mercer On Politics

Rick Mercer Video Report on Harper's Media clampdown.
Rick Mercer Video Report on Harper's Equalization.
Rick Mercer Video Report on Liberal & Conservative Pledges.
Bookmark Rick Mercer Report.

Queen Of The North Resting Upright in Video Released

First Video (may take a few minutes to upload) of sunken Queen of the North Ferry released by the TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD OF CANADA in 1400 feet of water on the ocean floor. The ship is resting upright. See additional report from CBC.

Vecchiato's Voice - March 26, 2006 - Large Scale Tree removal Affects Neighbour - Who's Liable?

Information follows on the Victim Offender Mediation Program, whereby disputes can be taken here instead of court. The current dilemma is another clearing in Brookswood (reported in Langley Times), whereby an absentee landlord on 202 Street purchased a property and hired Fraser Valley Tree Service to remove every tree on the lot. The number was approximately 40-60 trees. A resident on 201A and 39th had an arborist visit, who said that removal of stumps and roots on the cleared property will affect five neighboring properties. Root removal will collapse one neighbor's septic field; the trees on the other properties will have to come down, not to mention the huge potential for windthrow. We are now getting into legal channels where responsibility must be assigned. The bylaw I had submitted to Council in 2002 had prevented clearcutting, for the mere fact of windthrow; the damage clearing can do on neighboring properties is more serious than that.

So who is liable? The offending property owner? Definitely. Township, for failing enforcement? They can, at some point, be held liable for not showing due diligence in protecting nesting birds, which violates both federal and provincial laws. Consider a case in Richmond, whereby the city was found guilty of passing inspection on leaky condos and not upholding the provincial guidelines for building inspections.

The local office of Victim Offer Reconciliation Program is 20678 Eastleigh Crescent, 534-5515. Township has put all of us in a situations of bad neighbor relationships, not having enforcement, thus living residents in dangerous confrontation, and ultimately, allowing such a loose rein that behaviour severely affects neighbors. Private property is one thing; activities that affect neighbors is a bigger picture.

I ask each councilor, who, as a candidate, said he/she would support a tree by law (it was everyone save three candidates who are in office), thus leaving a majority of elected individuals who said they would support a bylaw. I will send councillors a copy of the draft tree bylaw, which should include not clearing within twelve feet of a fence line.

Thanks.
Cathleen Vecchiato 604-533-0173

See the link here as well. http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/dro/policy-design/statement.htm
For more information on the Court Mediation Program and/or the mediation process, please contact our office at:
Phone: 604-684-1300; Fax: 604-684-1306;
orE-mail: info@courtmediation.com
Outside the Lower Mainland, call toll-free: 1-877-656-1300
Mailing address:
Court Mediation Program
Suite 177-800 Hornby StreetVancouver,
B.C.V6Z 2C5

Cathleen Vecchiato has been an outspoken environmentalist for the past 5-1/2 years. She is a very well recognized champion of the environment and a community activist in Langley as well as in other adjoining communities. Cathleen formed and leads the Langley Conservation Network. Editor-LFP
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Canada’s Military in Afghanistan –Peacekeeping or Security & Combat?

Kim Richter, our contributing LFP columist has started a controversial discussion in her recent posting on March 23 in LFP. She says, “I have become increasingly uncomfortable with this government's move away from peace-keeping and into a more aggressive military presence” and cites a disconcerting Canadian Government-financed advertisement poster in a public Washington DC Metro Center Metrorail station as an example.

The March 25th front page of the Vancouver Sun says that while Prime Minister Harper’s approval rating is up by 21 points following his surprise trip to Afghanistan, the Canadian public’s support for our military mission there has dropped two percent nationally with significant drops of 8% support in both of each BC and Ontario. Nationally the drop shows only 52% in support of the mission with Quebecers 62% against the mission. Why is Councillor Richter concerned with our military mission and why the ever increasing drop of support nationally? More importantly why are Canadians clearly divided on our military role in Afghanistan?

Langley Free Press agrees with Richter’s concern and wades into this controversial argument. It seems to us that at least half of Canada also agrees with her concerns as well.

In 1957 Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson proposed an International peace force under the United Nations. That year he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his vision. Since 1957, Canada has been involved in over 50 peacekeeping missions, more than any other country. We are the only Country that has a national monument dedicated to our Peacekeeping military and even our $10 bill has an image on it honouring our Peacekeeping soldiers. Peacekeeping is a long held half century old Canadian point of pride and helps further define us as Canadians maybe even more so than our universal health care.

The Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping on their website lists 121 Canadians who gave their lives in the cause of peace in our over 50 year history of peacekeeping while serving with United Nations and other peacekeeping missions. Since commencing our military action in Afghanistan there have already been 11 Canadian deaths and 40 casualities alone. Meanwhile our political and military leaders have clearly been preparing Canadians to expect more casualties in this conflict.

The issue we have here is not just Canada’s commitment to Peacekeeping but the sudden and not so subtle marketing evolution from the image of a respected UN blue beret bearing Canadian soldier to an image on a banner of a steel helmeted, battle garbed, gun toting soldier with the accompanying headline “boots on the ground…security is our business” that Richter showcased.

Are we straying away from, or worse still, sacrificing our traditional world wide strong reputation and respected role that Canada has earned as a Peacekeeper? Is it perhaps more the role of countries like the U.S. that have historically demonstrated themselves as forced Peacemakers, not Canada? Quite frankly the American track record on forced Peacemaking has not been a stellar one either. What other Country is prepared to replace Canada’s worldwide respected peacekeeping role when really needed for Peacekeeping if we lose respect and acceptance as a Peacekeeper?

Traditional Canadian Peacekeeping took place between states or sides in a political conflict in order to monitor a peace treaty upon which all parties had agreed. When and why has it suddenly become our role now to essentially force peace and our version of democracy on a foreign country? Why has it suddenly changed to the point that we have essentially become one of the two sides in a military conflict?

It seems to us that the banner poster in a public Washington DC Metro Center Metrorail station proudly heralds this change of Canada’s military and further should alert us, while it obviously assures our American neighbours, that we are no longer peacekeepers between two warring factions but that we are now joining the Americans as forced peacemakers and that we are now one of the two warring factions?

While there will be very valid arguments forwarded justifying Canada’s Peacemaking participation based on supporting democratic change especially for women’s rights and the like, it could also be validly argued that many other nations in the Mid-East, including wealthy and stable nations like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are certainly also far from democratic and at best extremely restrictive on human rights for women and the like. Why do we not impose our version of democracy on them as well as countless other similar countries? Maybe that is exactly the reason that causes armed resistance and terrorism in the Middle East, because it is perceived that the western countries are supporting what they consider to be American Imperialism.

Most fundamental Middle-East conflicts are strongly based on resistance and rebellion as a result of this perception that American and western societies’ values are being forced on them. This is especially true in countries with strong fundamental religious majorities. We in the West are perplexed as to why increasingly countless men and now women are willing to sabotage, especially by suicide missions, our attempts to influence our western ways on them.

Lengthy continued western occupations especially military ones like Afghanistan are most certainly prone to be doomed in these countries and cultures. Let’s not forget that a significant Russian military occupation of Afghanistan prior to ours was also an abysmal failure that resulted in countless young Russian soldiers’ deaths for naught. Will this continued military action in Afghanistan negatively and irreversibly reinforce Canada’s role as an occupier and fervent supporter of America and end our respected world wide role as a Peacekeeper initially implemented by Lester B. Pearson?

The reality is that Canada is not on a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan. We are there in support of the American mission of “security and combat” that the poster in Washington confirms. We are assisting in now forcing our western values and our version of democracy on a country that one has to question whether they will ever truly accept especially if imposed militarily by the West. Should Canada perhaps stick to our knitting as a true Peacekeeper? Should Canada instead work diplomatically and economically to encourage, and positively assist these countries to willingly evolve their basic human rights and democracies in the mid and long term? Can short term 3rd party western military imposed democratic reform take hold and flourish in the Middle East countries? We think not.

Perhaps the American invasion of Afghanistan was well justified initially but is it right for Canada to trade-in our world wide respected image as a blue beret UN Peacekeeper for a helmeted security and combat image proclaiming "Boots on the Ground..... Security is our Business."? Again we think not. We encourage much more Canadian public debate, and soon, before it is too late.
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CAW Urges Members To Not Support NDP

One of Canada’s largest unions, the Canadian Auto Workers, is urging members to withdraw their support from the NDP. This comes on the heals of the Ontario NDP party revoking CAW President Buzz Hargrove’s NDP membership after 41 years as a member as reported by CP.

Mercer’s Ebay Liberal Leader Kit Auction

Update on Rick Mercer’s 15-minute consultation conference call auctioned on E-Bay. View the 2 minute duration video.

Richter Report - March 23, 2006 - Where Is Our Military Heading?

Canada's military used to be known for Peace Keeping as our Business.Has something changed? When did it change to:

"Boots on the Ground. U.S.-Canada Relations: Security is our Business."?

The above Canadian Government paid poster ad in a public Washington DC Metro Center Metrorail station states just that. It is obviously spinning Canada's military support. It also has a link displayed to go to CanadianAlly.com on the same poster.

I don't know about you, but I wonder if this is the message Canadians really want to be selling. Do Canadians even know about this message?

Quoted on the Canadian Ally website: "CanadianAlly.com is an electronic newsletter maintained by the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, designed specifically for an American audience. The goal of this e-publication is to bring together pertinent defence and security information from a variety of government departments, agencies, military commands and bi-national organizations. The intent is to give American citizens a better sense of the scope of Canada's role in North American and Global Security and the War on Terror."

Sounds and smells like our Canadian Government is trying to sell a definitely more aggresive military message to the Americans - a message that Canadians may not be aware of or even in agreement with.

The photo and quotes are all from DCist blog based out of Washington DC written by Martin Andres Austermuhle who in his post on Canada's military advertisement says:

"We're not ones to question the allegiances of our neighbor to the north. But we are curious as to why they are looking to promote their security policy and close alliance to the U.S. to Metrorail passengers transferring from the Red Line to the Orange and Blue Lines. Has that ever been in doubt? We do suppose it's good to know they're there if we need them..."

I support peace-keeping and I respect and support our Canadian forces in their peace-keeping roles wherever they are. But, I have become increasingly uncomfortable with this government's move away from peace-keeping and into a more aggressive military presence. In fact, as a mother of three teenage children, I find this less than subtle shift very disturbing and I wonder where it's heading.

We used to be respected internationally as peace-keepers. Is this role changing and why?

If you are at all bothered by this poster in Washington or have questions, call your MP and ask for an explanation. See if they are comfortable with this or even aware of it. I will be asking our MP in Langley for his opinion on this advertising and I'll let you know what he has to say.

Kim Richter is in her 3rd term as Langley Township Councillor and also is a Professor of Business at Kwantlen University College. She holds a masters degree in health administration and was a health care management consultant.

Harper's Closed Shop

Read an excellent editorial by James Travers, national affairs columnist for the Toronto Star. His key quoted comments are,
“Twenty years of serial bad behaviour by both mainstream parties, culminating in an ethics meltdown that justifiably drove Liberals out of office, makes meaningful reform essential.”
“As inconvenient as it will be for prime ministers, this failing system needs fresh air and daylight to regain its strength. More control, more ruthless decisions, won't bring credibility, or voters, back to federal politics.”
We have yet to see Harper’s “fresh air & daylight”.

David Asper Editorial A Scathing Rebuttal To Liberal Bill Graham

David Asper personally responded to Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham’s threat to take down the Harper Conservative government over the child care bill. David Asper in today’s National Post editorial scathingly sides with Harper’s Conservatives daring the Liberals to try to bring the Conservatives down so that we can hopefully then get a Conservative majority.

Langley Casino Killing Fraser Downs Casino

The Surrey Leader reports that the Fraser Downs Casino smaller than anticipated revenues in Cloverdale has contributed to losing money for it’s owner, the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation. They have also issued a warning about the degree of the company debt. Councillor Marvin Hunt, chair of Surrey City’s finance committee, “blamed the drop on the opening of a new casino in Langley City in May of last year, just 15 minutes from the Cloverdale facility.”

City Of Richmond, Laughs & Giggles

And we think Langley Township has problems! Our $3-4-5 Million dollar Grandstand fiasco and our latest 5-5 & 5 % three year tax grab seem somewhat milder compared to the problems the City of Richmond Council are going to be labeled with . First the Richmond Mayor & Council win the Canadian Taxpayers Federation piggy waste award for spending $575,000 taxpayer's dollars on worldwide junkets for City politicians and administration. Secondly they are spending $178 million taxpayer dollars on anOlympic Speed skating oval that may not be able to be used. The latest problem is that all the female firefighters in Richmond, B.C., have taken leave complaining of systemic sexual harassment as reported by the Globe & Mail. Bad things always come in threes! Wouldn't you like to run for re-election in Richmond Council?....

Political Spin of The Day

When you read something consider what you think you read. Case in point. Today's Langley Times reported that Councillor Kim Richter moved to go ahead with leasing the abandoned old Fort Langley Fire Hall to a non-profit society who want to use it as a museumto showcase seven vintage fire trucks and other 1920 artifacts. Sounds great dosn't it since we get money and a museum at the same time. So Richter's motion was a good idea right? Now go to Councillor Bateman's website and see his take on it. He, on the 6th paragraph down, presents it like Councillor Richter is the only one opposed to the museum. What really happened is the rest of council is deep sixing the free Museum, including Bateman, while Richter is saying its a great idea go for it and negotiate. Bateman's article gives this writer the difinite impression Richter is against it until I read today's Times! He is technically correct that she voted against deep sixing or delaying the project. He failed to add that. Sometimes its not what you say but what you don't say that gives false impressions. Political spin of the day! (PS; Albert's Council is planning a big taxpayer funded Museum in Fort Langley.) ....

Rick Mercer Reminds Us Its Tax Time!

View Rick's latest video spoof ad as an alternative to "hands in my pocket" here.
Maybe Langley Township should have one too in appreciation of their 5-5 & 5% tax hikes over three years!

Northen BC Ferry Sinks at 1 AM

The Queen of the North BC Ferry hit a rock shortly before 1 a.m. local time this morning, about 135 kilometers south of Prince Rupert. Fortunately all 59 passengers and 42 crew are safe. The single hull boat sunk within an hour of apparently hitting a rock. Some of the passengers were asleep at the time and were rescued in their pajamas in the rainy dark weather. Apparently the nearby community of Hartley Bay helped in the rescue efforts. The Queen of the North was sailing south to Port Hardy from Prince Rupert, a 450-kilometre trip along B.C.'s Inside Passage. See the CBC report for full details as well as the Globe & Mail and the BC Ferries press release and CP. Ironically Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon is scheduled today to meet with the finance ministry to discuss funding for replacement ships. This is the first time ever a BC Ferry has sunk.....

Liberal Leader Graham Warns PM Harper To Tread Softly

"I did point out (that) his is a minority that is even less strong than ours and on many of these issues he knows that not only (does) he represent a minority of members of the House, but also in terms of the electorate," said Graham who met briefly with PM Harper, as reported in CP. In other words tread softly early on!

H5N1 Bird Flu Has Split Into Two Distinct Strains

CBC reports that we now have twice the risk, twice the vaccines required and twice the chance of developing into a human strain.

Private Copeman Medical Clinic To Be Investigated

The Vancouver Sun reports on Health Minister George Abbott who will be doing a full investigation of the Privatly owned Copeman Medical Clinic where the public can pay $300 a month and get "the longest, most pain-free-life possible." The big question is is this the leading edge of a two tier health care system for those who can afford it versus those who can’t. This clinic could be in contravention of the Canada Health Care Act.

And Then There Were Two - Liberal Leadership

63 year old Liberal MP John Godfrey is now the second declared candidate running for the Federal Liberal Leadership as reported by CP. Godfrey was editor of the Financial Post between 1987 and 1991. See his website here, wikipedia here and Liberal Bio here. To see his latest quotes and how he voted as an MP see here.
Martha Hall Findlay was the first declared candidate reported here on LFP.

Trinity Western University Announces New President

TWU in Langley released this press release announcing Jonathan S. Raymond, PhD, as the new and only third president of Trinity Western University, the Christian liberal arts university in Langley. "This was a lengthy, rigorous and prayerful process," commented Reg Petersen, Selection Committee Chair.

There were previous concerns on campus regarding University Governance from some Langley Trinity University students, as previously reported by us as well as the Vancouver Sun. These issues arose from procedures for dealing with harassment out of a recently reported and apparently resolved harassment complaint and some subsequent student's concerns of representation on the board.

Ethics Czar, Shapiro, Clears Harper & Emerson

In the end, though, Harper gave Shapiro both an interview and a written response, says CBC in its report. Ethics Commissioner Shapiro despite initial refusals from PM Harper to cooperate and his open search to replace him, in the end says that both Harper and Emerson broke no rules when Emerson was persuaded by Harper to cross the floor to the Conservatives from the Liberals. He does suggest however that the House of Commons should debate the now often crossing of the floor because of the public uproar on the matter. The actual commissioner report can be read on his website. Now that wasn't so bad or dangerous after all, was it Stephen?

B.C. government and public service union reach tentative contract deal

Well, looks like Minister Carole Taylor did it. She was able to reach a tentative contract agreement with the BCGEU as reported by CP. Details arn't out yet. But apparently signing bonuses were instrumental in clinching a deal as further reported.

Parliament Will Be Back to Normal Fisticuffs April 3rd

The Hill Times reports that the new sitting of Parliament will be raucous with quotes like this from Liberal Mr. Goodale saying about PM Harper. "Is he saying, 'I don't like this guy (Ethics Commisioner) or issue so I'm going to tell him to go to hell?' Politics back to normal!