LEFT COAST EVENTS (pt ii) - Lower Mainland - October 9th, 2005 :: PEJ News :: Stories, Features, Opinion and Analysis

* From: Reid, Lynda [mailto:Lynda.Reid (at) bcgeu.ca]

Labour Councils will be organizing Rallies in support of the the Teachers for Tuesday. We would like to have good BCGEU support, we will get out fax alerts to worksites as soon as we get the information . There is also info on the Web site and a link to BCTF strike web site. Can you also contact your exec members and get them spreading the word.

The Rallys will likely be at School District Offices at 5:30 or 6:00pm At this point I can Confirm Naniamo It is at 6:00pm Tuesday 11th at School Board Office 395 Wakesiah Ave.

* From: BCFMWU - List Server (by way of Alan Rycroft )

http://www.bcfmwu.com/
There will be two major rallies in support of the teachers next Tuesday, October 11th, 2005.

One will take place at 5.30 pm at the BC Liberal Cabinet Offices,Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.

The other will take place at 5.00 pm at the Greater Victoria School District Office, 556 BoleskineRd., Victoria.

A rally is planned for the Comox Valley also on the same day at 5.00 pm at the office of Liberal MLA Stan Hagen on 5th Street in Courtenay.

* From: Phil Lyons

If you see any Telus crews , vehicles or identifiable individuals entering a business or government office in your town , contact the local TWU office. In Victoria and the Lower Island , call 250-480-1121. In other areas check for the local # with your labour council or call the hotline 1-888-986-3971. For ongoing info. on the Lockout in general , go to the website http://www.twu-canada.ca/home.shtml

* From: Gordon Flett

No Sweat is planning a few initiatives in solidarity with the
citizens of the great city of New Orleans. We hope you'll join us in the
upcoming months. For more details about our current initiatives:
http://www.nosweatapparel.com/faqs/shop-question-25-CURRENT-PROMO.html

* From: "Campaign for Labor Rights"

Demand Sweatfree Universities! Join United Students Against Sweatshops by signing the petition to demand that university goods be made in model factories!
Go to: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/newsweatfreecampaign/step1.tcl

* From: Rita

Hi All - many of you will have seen or heard this speech given at the UN by President Chavez of Venezuela but if you haven't I strongly suggest that you go to this website. It is both powerful and courageous. As Canadians we should compare the treachery of our politicians and compliant NGOs - and there are some, who are taking us down the road to "Deep Intergration" with the USA without consultation or warning. I have taken the liberty of giving you the directions that I followed:
http://www.axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/venezuela.shtml

* From: pastalean

More info for you to read on American Company wanting and takeover of BC Gas (Terasen Gas):

http://sb4.nearlyfree.org/Views/2005/08/15/TerasenDeal/
http://www.sqwalk.com/blog/000425.html#spencer_province
http://www.sqwalk.com/blog/000425.html#smyth_province
http://www.sqwalk.com/blog/2005_08.html article on environmental disasters by company
http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=12541
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/01/02/build/wyoming/35-rate-hike-challenge.inc article on rate increases by takeover company
http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2005/08/22/daily47.html article on environmental fines for the company involved in takeover

Phone and email or write to Rob Pallat--Secretary of B.C. Utilities Commission:

B.C. Utilities Commission
Box 250, 900 Howe Street
Sixth Floor
Vancouver, B.C.
V6Z 2N3
Telephone: (604) 660-4700
B.C. Toll Free: 1-800-663-1385
E-Mail: Commission.Secretary (at) bcuc.com
Web Site: http://www.bcuc.com

Phone and email or write to Richard Neufeld Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources:

PO Box 9060
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC
V8W 9E2
Telephone: 250 387-5896
E-Mail: richard.neufeld.mla (at) leg.bc.ca
Web Site: http://www.gov.bc.ca

Phone and email or write to Gordon Campbell Premier of British Columbia:

Mailing Address
The Honourable Gordon Campbell
Premier of British Columbia
Box 9041
Station PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC
Canada
V8W 9E1
E-Mail: premier (at) gov.bc.ca
Telephone: (250) 387-1715
Web Site: http://www.gov.bc.ca

Our Federal Government can have a say in the selling of control to Canada's resources so please also....

Phone and email or write to Prime Minister Paul Martin:

The Right Honourable Paul Martin
Prime Minister of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON
Canada
K1A 0A2
E-Mail: pm (at) pm.gc.ca
Telephone: (613) 992-4211
Website: http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/contact.asp

* From: BCENnews

A good tune & chuckle: I can't afford my gasoline
http://toccionline.kizash.com/films/1001/178/

* From: "working TV"

new online @ working TV
Take Back the Night 2005
http://www.workingtv.com/takebackthenight2005.html

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1. IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM WCWC - Victoria

November 24: NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION against COASTAL OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT off the B. C. Coast

The WCWC in Victoria is beginning the preliminary organizing for a day of action across Canada against the proposal to lift the federal moratorium on coastal oil and gas development off BC's Pacific Coast.

We need clusters of volunteers across Canada to help in mini-rallies at Liberal MP offices, in order to hand out leaflets and gather petition signatures. Please let us know if you can help, and where you live.

Contact: Jen Mackay at jen (at) wildernesscommitteevictoria.org

From: Rita

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2. International Peace Education Conference from June 25-27 in Vancouver, Canada

The British Columbia Teachers' Federation is organizing an International Peace Education Conference from June 25-27 in Vancouver, Canada. This conference is part of the World Peace Forum which will be held in Vancouver from June 23-28, 2006.

Educators working for peace from all over the world are encouraged to submit proposals to present at this international conference. It promises to be an outstanding opportunity to discuss and share peace education organizing strategies, teaching programs,activities and methodologies and to network for further action.

A request for proposals for anyone IN THE WORLD to present at this international peace education conference can be found at www.bctf.ca
For information about the World Peace Forum go to www.worldpeaceforum.ca

Please forward this invitation to everyone you know around the world!

Marian Dodds
Assistant Director
Professional and Social Issues Division
British Columbia Teachers Federation
mdodds (at) bctf.ca
CEP local 464
Phone: 604-871-1865

From: World Peace Forum Education Conference Planning [mailto:worldpeace (at) list.bctf.ca]

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World Peace Forum 2006 - International and Canadian Advisory Boards

Mary-Wynne Ashford,
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War,
Victoria, B.C.

Maude Barlow,
National Chairperson,
Council of Canadians

Walden Bello,
Director,
Focus on the Global South,
Bangkok, Thailand

Professor Alicia Cabezudo
Universidad Nacional de Rosario
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Dr. Helen Caldicott,
Nuclear Policy Research Institute
Australia

Amelia Clarke
President of the Board
Sierra Club of Canada

Karen Dolan
Director, Cities for Progress/Cities for Peace
Washington, DC

Orlando Fundora
President World Peace Council & MOVPAS
Havana, Cuba, 10400

Prof. Ed Garcia
Senior Policy Advisor
International Alert,
Philippines

Taka Hiroshi
World Conference Against A & H Bombs
Tokyo, Japan

Pol D'Huyvetter
For Mother Earth
Belgium

Mel Hurtig,
Author
Vancouver, B.C.,

Sid Lacombe,
Executive Director,
Canadian Peace Alliance

Sen. Mobina Jaffer
Vancouver, B.C.

Councilor TJ Johnson
Olympia City Council,
Olympia, Washington

Ron McCoy,
President,
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War,
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Alfred Marder,
President,
International Peace Messenger Cities,
New Haven, Connecticut

Zia Mian
Program on Science and Global Security
Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs Princeton
University
Princeton, USA

Ursula Spring Oswald,
Secretary General,
Latin American Council for Peace Research,
Cuernevaca, Mexico

Judy Rebeck,
Author & Broadcaster,
Toronto, Ontario

Ernie Regehr, O.C.
Senior Policy Advisor - Project Ploughshares
Waterloo, Ontario

Hon. Doug Roche,
Middle Powers Initiative,
Edmonton, Alberta

Alice Slater
Abolition 2000 & GRACE
New York, NY

Steven Staples
Director of Security Programs
Polaris Institute
Ottawa, Ontario

Dr. David Suzuki,
Suzuki Foundation,
Vancouver, B.C.

Mililani B. Trask
Convener - Na Koa Ikaika o Ka Lahui Hawaii
A Native Hawaiian NGO
Hilo, Hawaii

Cora Weiss,
The Hague Appeal for Peace,
New York, NY

Alyn Ware
Vice-President, International Peace Bureau
Global Coordinator, Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament
Wellington, New Zealand

From: "Elsie Dean"

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3. Make Poverty History - Vancouver

Courtesy Brother Ross Neil, member of the Union of Environment Workers, PSAC
Ross works at Environment Canada, Vancouver and has worked very hard to help
pull all of this together.
- Submitted on the member's behalf by UEW Local 20729

Here is a list of events & activities in the Lower Mainland with descriptions for each.

Oct. 14: Making Poverty History: What Can Canadians Really Do? A Southern
Perspective

Canadian Crossroads International (a Task Force partner) is hosting a 'brown
bag lunch' forum at UBC Robson Square with three of their Southern partners
to examine market mechanisms and micro-credit as a means to address
equitable development and poverty reduction. Speakers include Gustavo Diez
de Medina Villareal from Boliva (Community Economic Development,
Microcredit), Juan Gabriel Ixcamparij, from Guatemala (Human and Indigenous
Rights) and Sjachnaz Pengel, from Suriname (HIV/AIDS, Poverty Reduction).

Oct. 17: International Day to Eradicate Poverty - Municipal Government
Declarations
The BC MPH Task Force has drawn up a proclamation in support of the MPH
goals. The declaration (see draft below) is being sent to city councils and
mayors around the province. Initial responses have been very positive. To
coincide with this important day, the Social Planning and Research Council
of BC (a Task Force partner) and the Dieticians of Canada BC Branch will be
releasing their updated report on the cost of eating in BC and the Adequacy
of welfare rates in meeting the cost of daily living in BC.

Oct. 28-29: CoDevelopment Canada's 20th Anniversary "Make Poverty History"
conference

MPH Task Force partner CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev) is focussing its 20th
Anniversary conference on the examination of policy options for Making
Poverty History. The CoDev conference will bring together committed citizens
to generate concrete policy recommendations in the four areas of the
national MPH campaign: more and better aid, trade justice, cancel the debt,
& ending child poverty in Canada. The conference includes an evening
presentation with special guests, and a one-day action-oriented session that
will engage participants in critical analysis, thoughtful discussion and
creative strategizing around effecting meaningful policy change. The BC MPH
Task Force members are promoting the event and several are acting as
resource people for the conference. Participants will include
representatives from trade unions, local community, aboriginal,
anti-poverty, student's groups, government, and other individuals working on
social justice issues locally and globally. The PSAC BC region has requested
space for five members to attend the conference. For more information on the
conference, or to get involved, please email conference (at) codev.org.

Fall 2005: Make Poverty History High School Essay Contest
The Capilano College Global Stewardship Program, in partnership with the BC
MPH Task Force will award prizes for the best high school student essay on
the topic: How can young people help make poverty history? Details can be
found at
http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/programs/global-stewardship/bursary.html. An
exiting opportunity exists for PSAC members to help with the selection of
best essay.

Nov. 24: Anniversary of 1989 House of Commons declaration to end child
poverty in Canada
First Call and the Social Planning and Research Council of
BC (both MPH Task Force partners) will hold a press conference on the latest
report card on child poverty in BC. This coincides with the release of the
national report card on child poverty in Canada by Campaign 2000.

Dec. 2005: "Fair Trade Santa" market
In the lead-up to the gift-giving season and to coincide with the WTO
Ministerial Conference in China (December 13-18th), the BC MPH Task Force is
planning to co-host (with Fair Trade organization 10,000 Villages) an event
to raise awareness about the fair trade pillar of the MPH campaign while
giving local artisans a place to sell their crafts for the gift-giving
season.

Spring 2006: Global Stewardship Student Conference: Evaluating MPH and Next
Steps
Capilano College's Global Stewardship Program will partner with the BC MPH
Task Force to host a conference examining the previous year's global
campaign to Make Poverty History. This conference will be a student-led
event and will culminate in a summary of measurable progress and challenges
still to be overcome in the on-going campaign.

On-going: Awareness and Advocacy Campaign
Awareness and advocacy activities for the MPH campaign have continued in the
Lower Mainland of BC since the April 2005 Vancouver campaign launch. The
many events and activities taking place throughout the Fall and Winter and
are building on the momentum generated by the major September 10th Bridging
the Poverty Gap march and speaker's corner. Letters, post-cards and web-site
sign-ups to the campaign have continued to put pressure on government
leaders to fulfil the goals of the Make Poverty History campaign while
raising public awareness, inspiration, action and opportunities for
continued advocacy in BC's Lower Mainland.

Expected outcomes from the Task Force's work include greater societal
awareness and engagement in poverty-related issues at the community level,
increased capacity of decision-makers to pursue public statements,
declarations or policies aimed at addressing poverty issues, and greater
understanding among experts and the public of available policy instruments
to eliminate poverty such as market mechanisms, micro-credit, affordable
housing, child care and education.

Wider, long-term impact and successful advocacy of local politicians will be
measurable through the conclusion of public declarations, media coverage of
and attendance at events, and a focus on local poverty issues during the BC
municipal elections taking place on November 19th, 2005.

Example Mayoral Proclamation
To be issued by Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell
October 17, 2005 - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
WHEREAS more than 1 billion women, men and children are currently subjected
to the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty; and

WHEREAS we recognize the Make Poverty History campaign goals for more and
better aid, trade justice, debt cancellation, and ending child poverty in
Canada would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation; and
WHEREAS October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty;
THEREFORE, I, Larry Campbell, Mayor of the City of Vancouver, do hereby
proclaim October 17, 2005 as Make Poverty History Day in Vancouver.
(To be signed by Larry Campbell, Mayor)

From: "Humphreys, Nick"

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4. ESL Cuba Volunteer 2005/2006 program dates

We are happy to announce our new program and dates for the ESL Cuba Volunteer program.

We extend a warm invitation to retired and working educators to join us in Cuba during:

* Saturday 12 November to Saturday 3 December, 2005
* Saturday 14 January to Saturday 4 February, 2006
* Saturday 18 February to Saturday 11 March, 2006

Each group is limited to 15 participants.

For more information please see our updated website at:

http://www.CubaVolunteer.com

It includes testimonials and feedback from our March 2005 pilot project participants, as well as details on ESL opportunities in Havana.

Please share this information with your friends who may be interested.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

All the best,
Marcel Hatch
Program Coordinator
ESL Cuba Volunteer
2278 East 24th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5N 2V2 Canada
877-687-3817 Toll Free
604-874-9048 Tel

From: Marcel Hatch

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5. Liu Institute Events & Info

Traditional Justice in Northern Uganda

Erin Baines
Research Director, Conflict & Development Programme, Liu Institute

Date:? Wed Oct 12, 12pm - 1pm
Location:? Multipurpose Room, Liu Institute

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University Seminar on Political Violence: Fall 2005.::

Petro-imperialism and the 'New Geography of War'
Philippe Le Billon
Department of Geography & the Liu Institute

Date:? Tues Oct 11, 7pm - 9pm
Location:? Multipurpose Room, Liu Institute

All faculty members and graduate students from across the university are warmly welcomed to attend.

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The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Examining a Way of Life Under Threat

BEING CARIBOU
a special film screening and panel discussion with

Brooke Boswell - Researcher, Animal Behavior and Eco-Cultural Relationships
Don Russell - Research Manager, Circumpolar Global Change, Environment Canada
Joe Tetlichi - Chair, Porcupine Caribou Management Board

Date:? Wed Oct 12, 5:30pm - 9pm
Location:? Multipurpose Room, Liu Institute

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Ecology, Equity, and Global Green Markets

Dr. Kathleen McAfee
Fall 2005 visiting Canada Research Chair in Sustainability at Simon Fraser University

Date:? Fri Oct 14, 12pm - 1:30pm
Location:? 3rd Floor Boardroom, Liu Institute

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Centre of International Relations

Upcoming Events.::

The CIR is pleased to present:

Dr. David Malone
Assistant Deputy Minister (Global Issues), Foreign Affairs Department of Canada

The Recent UN Summit:? The Inside Story

Date:? Tues Oct 11, 11:30am - 1pm
Location:? Multipurpose Room, Liu Institute

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The Centre of International Relations Colloquium Series and the Simons Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Research are pleased to sponsor:

Dr. Wade Huntley
Director, Simons Centre

who will be presenting a paper entitled

On the Verge: Current Implications of a Nuclear North Korea

Date:? Thurs Oct 13, 12:30pm - 2pm
Location:? 3rd Floor Boardroom, Liu Institute

Dr. Huntley's presentation will first review the recent evolution and current status of the North Korean nuclear crisis. He will next focus on the impact this crisis is having, and will continue to have, on the vitality of the NPT regime, and then consider the terms, meaning and implications of the September 19 agreement. The presentation concludes that, while the recent agreement demonstrated marginal progress, a lasting resolution will require bolder action than any of the principal parties involved now seem capable of initiating.

See the link below for a copy of the paper

http://www.ligi.ubc.ca/admin/Information/562/On%20the%20Verge.doc

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Beyond the Institute.::

VANCOUVER PREMIERE

The National Film Board of Canada Presents
WAR HOSPITAL
at the 2005 Vancouver International Film Festival

Tues Oct 11 (6:00pm), Granville 5
Thurs Oct 13 (3:00pm), Pacific Cin?math?que

For ticket information, visit www.viff.org

WAR HOSPITAL chronicles the intense drama of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) medical mission in northern Kenya, where the world's largest field hospital cares for wounded from nearby Sudan - the site of one of Africa's longest-running civil wars. It is a sympathetic and revealing portrait of people who face the stark reality of survival, injury and death on a daily basis. Shot in High Definition digital video, WAR HOSPITAL is co-directed and written by David Christensen of Calgary and Damien Lewis of London (UK), produced by Bonnie Thompson for the NFB, and co-produced with NHK (Japan).
_______________________________________

6476 NW Marine Drive
Vancouver BC
PH: 604.822.1402
www.ligi.ubc.ca

Direct any questions or comments to patricia.chu (at) ubc.ca

From: "Chu, Patricia"

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6. Vancity reverses its decision re: BC Market

September 16, 2005

Dear Friends:

We are pleased to tell you that VanCity has reversed its decision regarding closing the business account of B.C. MARKET. David Mowat, their CEO, personally informed us that the decision had resulted from a misunderstanding and also offered an apology for what had happened.

Therefore, we consider the matter resolved. We would like to thank all those people who took the time to write or phone and express their concerns about this incident. We know that it was only because of the overwhelming support that we received that this issue was brought to a successful conclusion. We also know that it was because we were dealing with a credit union, that your input was able to influence the final outcome.

Once again, thanks for helping the Arab and Moslem community feel that they are not alone and that democratic grass-roots actions are worthwhile and effective.

In Solidarity

Hanna Kawas
Owner, B.C. MARKET
New Westminster, B.C., Canada

From: "Hanna Kawas"

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7. What The Fulcrum Project is up to these days - an invite to share our new initiatives

The Fulcrum Project is back, (September 2005), after a much needed rest, and is ready to embark on two new initiatives which we hope will make a difference in the lives of those living in or on the edge of poverty in BC today.

The first initiative we will be focusing our energies on, is ?The Real Reel Story?. (OR The Real Scoop?)

The Fulcrum Project will track media stories in relation to poverty over the next six months (October 2005 ? March 2006). We will internally keep a journal on who is reporting on poverty issues in a fair and honouring way, one that acknowledges and perhaps even educates the readers on the systemic causes of poverty without laying blame on the individual. We will also keep track of the reporters and columnists who continue to keep the stereotypes of those living in poverty alive. Once The Fulcrum Project has compiled all of this information, we will do three things. We will acknowledge and award the reporters who are doing a terrific job. And we will work to meet with the media outlets who aren?t doing such a great job. We hope to personally speak with the writers, reporters, editors, and media outlet brass to learn what challenges they face, and work with them to provide future news that no longer incorporates poor bashing language into its reporting, nor continues to use footage that perpetuates the stereotypical images which they have helped to create and keep alive in BC today. Finally, The Fulcrum Project, will in partnership with local organizations and people, work to create a report based upon our findings ? providing an analysis of the media reporting and providing an update on our meetings with media personnel. In the end, we hope to help create media reporting across BC that provides the full story of those living in poverty, and leave behind permanently, the stereotypical images seen, heard and read in much media today.

This tracking can be done by anyone. We hope you will join us!

The Fulcrum Project hopes to work with individuals and organizations across the Province in tracking media stories in relation to poverty. The scope of how many papers, television stories, and radio broadcasts we are able to include depends upon the members of The Fulcrum Project, its partners and you: your willingness to get involved.

What we are asking for is:

The date of the story. (i.e. December 31, 2001)
The reporter?s full name covering the story. (i.e. Joy Fai)
The name of the media outlet, (i.e. Vancouver Sun)
The article itself where possible. (i.e. Article on homelessness, which did not provide all the facts and sensationalized whatever?)

We also welcome information on stories worth telling, worth covering, that get little or no coverage, as this too, is a way of keeping those living in poverty silenced.

We would welcome hearing from you, what in particular YOU feel is inappropriate about the reporting within the items you send us.

This includes ALL types of media communication: radio, television, newspapers, and websites.

Taping a program, (either audio for radio programs or video/DVD for televised programs) and sending the information to us would help us create a rounded, clear and incredibly moving portrayal of poverty as reported on by those living and working in BC.

If you are able to pick your local community paper and do this on a regular basis, that would be wonderful. Even if you are not able to do this on a regular basis, if you come across a news item, which just drives irritates you with the assumptions, misguided facts or unfairness, it presents in relation to poverty ? please send that information to us. And, if you come across an article that informs you, and leaves you with a new awareness ? we want that information too!!

If you want to get involved, but you are just not sure what it is that you are looking for, we intend to offer a workshop in Vancouver where we will be able to guide you through the process. Jean Swanson, author of ?Poor Bashing The Politics of Exclusion?, will be leading this workshop. It will be offered free of charge. Please contact us at info (at) thefulcrumproject.org, call us at 604-986-9208 or fax us at 604-986-3409 to let us know you are interested in attending a workshop. We will not hold a workshop until we have 10 people confirmed to attend. We may also be able to bring the workshop to your community. Again, interest will determine our ability to make it happen.

Important tips in understanding the language of ?poor bashing?

- Does the story use the social policy newspeak words?...i.e. words or phrases like dependent, incentive, disincentive, and others that blame the poor
- Does it investigate what laws cause poverty instead of focusing on individual characteristics of poor people?
- Does it deal with the morality of poverty in the midst of great wealth?

- What is left out of the story?

- Who is speaking?

- Is the story based on false assumptions?

- Does the story use facts, or gossip and insinuation?
- Does the story assume charity is the only way to deal with poverty?
The tips above were found on page 191 and 192 of Jean Swanson?s book, ?Poor Bashing The Politics of Exclusion?, and in discussion with her. Please check out our website for more details on this, or visit your local bookstore or library to track down this book ? which provides readers with insight, history and clear linkages between the language of poor bashing and the poverty that continues to exist today.

You do not have to provide us with any of your own personal information and you are welcome to send this information to us anonymously, if that is your preference.

Please send what you have collected by April 30 2006 to:

- email at info (at) thefulcrumproject.org
- mail to Box 16152, Stn. Lynn Valley, North Vancouver, BC V7J 2P0

We welcome receiving your information daily, weekly or at the very latest, in a big batch by April 30th. The sooner we receive your information though, the easier it will be to update our journals and create a media data bank of who we will be contacting in the Spring.

And the bigger question ? what do we mean by poverty?

Poverty encompasses a great multitude of issues. Choose one that is dear to your heart and keep an eye out for stories in relation to it, and then send them to us. Issues which may be included are: housing and homelessness, food banks, seniors, women and children, violence, working on the streets, legal aid, single parents, working parents, new immigrants, mental illness, sudden and intense illness, and any legislation which will contribute to an increase in poverty in BC. There are likely many other issues, which we have not included here, but are encompassed by poverty. Send them to us. We welcome all of it.

In the Spring, we will celebrate the reporters and media outlets that are providing credible and clear information on poverty in BC, such as Andrew McLeod at Monday Magazine in Victoria. We will also contact the individual reporters who didn?t do such a great job; to meet with them to discuss what barriers they face in bringing the complete story to the public in a humanistic way. Is it the ?two second sound bite?? Does it happen in the editing room? Is it a real lack of awareness about the impact their language has in continuing to perpetuate the stereotypes about who is living in poverty?

In the summer or early Fall, we will release a report looking at what was found within the media and what we did about it. It will provide a clear analysis of the media, written in terms everyone is able to understand. In the end, we will discover what you and I can continue to do to ensure media reporting on those living in poverty is changed permanently.

Our goal in the end is to ensure media has the tools needed, to provide intelligent reporting about people living in poverty, which reflects what is happening in real life, and begin to undo the ?typical? media images that flood our television screens, radio stations and newspaper articles today. This initiative is true to the mission of The Fulcrum Project, and where we hope to focus our energies on for the next year.

The second initiative is our ?Enough for All ? Accountability Contract?. Or ?Enough for All ? A New Beginning?.

We intend to hold our Provincially elected politicians accountable for ending legislation, which puts people into poverty, and for creating new legislation that helps relieve it. In April 2005, we sent to everyone running within the Green, NDP and Liberal parties our document entitled, "Enough for All", identifying many of the crucial pieces of provincial legislation which need attention. We will look at what is being done now that these candidates are our elected representatives. We will make sure that YOU, the public, are aware of potential new legislation, which could continue legislating people into poverty, as well as celebrating legislation that is struck down or newly enacted that ends legislated poverty in BC. We will keep our website updated with information on legislation which contributes to poverty in BC. We will be in touch with the legislators throughout their term, and we hope to collaborate with an organization to create an annual report card on where and how legislation moves with regards to legislated poverty in BC.

These are two huge commitments the members of The Fulcrum Project have made ? to themselves, to the Project, and to BC as a whole.

If you would like to help us compile the media information on what is being said around the Province, please contact either joy or Alan at info @thefulcrumproject.org or call us at 604-986-9208.

We believe people can and do make a difference. Your help is needed.

From: "David and joy Fai"

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8. 17th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm

Welcome to another email update from the organizers of the 17th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm in Vancouver, Canada, April 30 - May 4, 2006. Our theme "Hear + Now: The PEER Conference" emphasizes the desire of this conference to gather peers from across the harm reduction spectrum to listen to one another's perspective and plan actions that will improve, prolong and save lives. Please read on to hear about upcoming deadlines and program announcements.

1. Approaching Deadline: October 3

The October 3, 2005 deadline is fast approaching. That's the last day to submit -

- abstracts and
- scholarship applications.

Submit your abstract on-line at http://www.harmreduction2006.ca/abstract/C3_2_submit.htm. You have until 5 pm Pacific Standard Time. Scholarship instructions and application forms can be found at http://www.harmreduction2006.ca/registration/B1_4_scholarship_info.htm.

2. Proposed Sessions

We are very excited to report on our seven confirmed plenary sessions -

Plenaries

- Indigenous Populations
- Alcohol
- Youth
- Cannabis
- US Drug Policy
- Policing the Cities
- HIV/HCV Barriers to Treatment

We are also excited to give you a sneak peak at proposed major sessions, many of which were suggested at the Belfast conference. Here are just a few:

- Drug users working with government;
- Sex work (as well as a satellite symposium) and
- A "users choice" session
- Methamphetamines
- Drug treatment

There are also a number of satellite symposia that are now taking shape both prior to and immediately following our conference. We will send another email closer to the conference dates or you can watch our website for updates.

3. Confirmed Plenary Speakers

We are now working on securing our plenary speakers. We have confirmed several including -

- Martin Schechter, Canada, Principal Investigator

North American Opiate Maintenance Initiative (NAOMI Trial)

- Serey Phal, Cambodia, Executive Director, Cambodian Women's Development Association

- Pedro Chequer, Brazil, Director, Brazilian National STD/AIDS Program, Ministry of Health

4. Help Spread the Word

Please get your registrations and abstract submissions in well before the October 3rd deadline. And, if you belong to a related list-serve group or have an email database of people who may be interested in this conference, please consider spreading the word about this important conference by forwarding this email on.

5. Web Site: http://www.harmreduction2006.ca

Check our website regularly for program updates, including registration and abstract information, scholarship forms and instructions, travel information, and a new "FAQs" which answers some of the most frequently asked questions.

Sincerely,

Sue Currie & Patty Spittal
Conference Co-Chairs
http://www.harmreduction2006.ca

From: "Harm Reduction 2006"

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9. World Urban Forum III June 19 - 23, 2006
Vancouver, B.C.

There are not a lot of details available on the website yet, but you can
apply to organize a Networking Event. Registration for the WUF begins in
October.
http://www.unhabitat.org/wuf/2006/default.asp

The World Urban Forum was established by the United Nations to examine one
of the most pressing issues facing the world today: rapid urbanisation and
its impact on communities, cities, economies and policies. It is projected
that in the next fifty years, two-thirds of humanity will be living in towns
and cities. A major challenge is to minimize burgeoning poverty in cities,
improve the urban poor's access to basic facilities such as shelter, clean
water and sanitation and achieve environment-friendly, sustainable urban
growth and development.

The World Urban Forum is a biennial gathering that is attended by a wide
range of partners, from non-governmental organisations, community-based
organisations, urban professionals, academics, to governments, local
authorities and national and international associations of local
governments. It gives all these actors a common platform to discuss urban
issues in formal and informal ways and come up with action-oriented
proposals to create sustainable cities.

The third session of the World Urban Forum (WUFIII) will be hosted by the
Government of Canada. It will take place in Vancouver, Canada, from 19 to 23
June 2006 and have as its main theme, Our Future: Sustainable Cities *
Turning Ideas into Action.

The number of people attending the World Urban Forum has risen sharply from
1,200 at the first World Urban Forum in Nairobi in 2002, to 4,400 at the
second World Urban Forum in Barcelona in 2004. The Forum is successful
because it differs from UN governing bodies. Since it is not legislative and
does not follow the formal rules of procedure that usually govern official
UN meetings, the working arrangements of the Forum are kept deliberately
simple and relatively informal to generate a healthy and inclusive debate on
urban issues. Participation is extremely open to allow effective dialogue
between all actors working on urban issues.

From: eparks (at) saltspring.com

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10. BC Non-Profit Housing Association Conference

November 14-16, 2005 in Vancouver. BC Non-Profit Housing Association
Conference. The conference will provide an opportunity for participants to
build networks, broaden knowledge and deepen their understanding of issues.
The conference is aimed at front-line staff, managers, administrators and
board members in the field. Additional information is available at:
http://www.bcnpha.bc.ca/pages/conference.php

Register Now!!
2005 Community Futures Development Corporation Conference, held this
September 18-21 2005 in Penticton, B.C.!
For more information and to register go to: www.cfdcokanagan.com or call
Jennifer at 250-493-2566 or toll free at 1-877-493-5566.

Jennifer Parton
Training, Consulting and Events
Community Futures Development Corporation Okanagan Similkameen
Phone: 250-493-2566 ext. 234
Toll Free: 1-877-493-5566

jennifer (at) cfdcokanagan.com
http://www.cfdcokanagan.com

From: eparks (at) saltspring.com

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11. EAGLE Educational Forum: Building on the TFL 39 Experience

November 17 and 18 2005 Squamish Nation Recreation Centre

Panels representing leaders in the Aboriginal and Leagal Community discussing a range of Topics including:

Recognition, Self-determination and the right to choose
The Role of Oral History and Aboriginal Laws in Consultation
Strategies for Outlining Claims and Infringement
Practical Role of Licensees and Third Parties in Consultation
Re-Invigorating the Treaty Process post-Haida and Taku

Don't miss this Educational Forum on the first anniversary of the Haida and Taku Supreme Court of Canada Decisions.

Register today at:
http://www.eaglelaw.org

For more information contact:
Linda Taylor
eagle (at) eaglelaw.org
(604) 536-6261

The UBCIC is a NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

This page and all other News Releases can be found here .

From: "UBCIC Current Events"

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12. AUTHOR GIVES AWAY BOOKS TO CELEBRATE WEB-SITE LAUNCH

Can't bear to send them to recycling.

To mark the launch of her new website www.elizabethrhettwoods.ca, writer Elizabeth Rhett Woods is giving away her self-published books If Only Things Were Different (I): A Model for a Sustainable Society, a non-fiction work, and Betsy's Dream, a children's book.

Woods is the author of four books of poetry (most recently The Absinthe of Desire, Ekstasis Editions, 2004), and two novels, including The Yellow Volkswagen, Simon and Schuster, Canada, 1971, as well as poetry and plays broadcast on CBC Radio, including "Life and Death along The Gorge", OutFront, 2000.

"I've made every traditional mistake in self-publishing, and then some," says Woods, "and I've got a considerable overstock. I can't bear to send them to recycling, so I'm using the launch of my website as an opportunity to let people know they're available.

"But there's a catch-you have to take at least 50 copies, and you must either pick them up [Woods lives in Victoria], or pay the postage-up to $25 in Canada for 50 books."

Quantities under 50 are available at $10 each, plus postage and handling.

The new website features excerpts from Woods' books-in print, and forth-coming-a brief biography, a list of publications, an opportunity for reader feed-back, and contact and ordering information.

Contact: Elizabeth Woods
Phone: (250) 479-7836
e-mail: Elizabeth (at) elizabethrhettwoods.ca

From: "Elizabeth"

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13. Vancity million dollar award finalists - 2005

In 2005, we received 89 letters of intent for the Vancity Award. The selection committee, made up of representatives from staff, our board of directors and members at large, invited 11 organizations submit formal proposals. Four organizations were selected to be on the ballot.
This year's finalists include:

Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC for the expansion of its groundbreaking www.youthinbc.com program that will provide 24/7 one-on-one online chat support to 600,000 youth and adults in crisis across BC.
www.crisiscentre.bc.ca

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver for the creation of a centre for children of offenders with the goal to breaking the cycle of crime through peer, mentor and school programs.
http://www.childrenofoffenders.com/about.htm

Our Place for the construction of a new centre that will provide food, health services, life skills training and transitional housing for Victoria's disadvantaged.
www.upperroomweb.org

PLEA Community Services Society for their KidStart Mentoring Program. KidStart is a proven early response for children age 6+ who are vulnerable to crime, addiction and exploitation. Volunteer mentors provide gifts of time and friendship helping to protect these kids, build resiliency and grow up safely.
www.plea.ca

The winner is chosen by Vancity's members, who will cast their votes online, by phone and in-branch from September 6 to October 14. The winner will be announced in November.

https://www.vancity.com/MyCommunity/CommunityFunding/VancityAward/Finalists/

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14. Water For Life, Not Profit

Below is an announcement of the Campaign ?Water For Life, Not Profit? launched in Ottawa on Wednesday Oct 5th by Kairos, the justice and peace organization of eleven Canadian church agencies. CUPE?s Island Water Watch Campaign has been working with Kairos in various communities across Vancouver Island, and participated in the local Parksville/Qualicum Beach Kairos campaign launch.

Cheers,
Leslie Dickout
Co-ordinator
Canadian Union of Public Employees, BC Division
Island Water Watch Campaign
250-616-2156

Water: Life before Profit campaign launched

Campaign begins in communities across Canada!

Today leaders from many KAIROS member churches gathered at the water-side in Ottawa to launch the ecumenical campaign Water: Life Before Profit! The launch, like the water campaign itself, was shared with the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace.

The leaders participated in a special ceremony with a number of partner groups; they also released a pastoral letter?we invite all KAIROS and CCODP supporters to read and make available this brief Pastoral Letter for Ecumenical Water Campaign Launch in your local church or community. (This is a PDF file.)

For more information on the launch see our news release, Public Access To Safe Water At Risk: Churches Demand Action

The national launch had good company. At lakes and rivers in many communities across the country, KAIROS and CCODP groups today held launches of their own, often accompanied by local groups who share a concern for water. The KAIROS Atlantic region held their launch at the Anglican cathedral in Halifax on Tuesday; Sioux Lookout began the events on Thursday with a multi-faith sunrise ceremony, and the Brandon, MB group closed off the day with an evening public event. Our thanks to the many people who held these events, and began the water campaign in such a spirit of cooperation and creativity.

Many other KAIROS and water-related events will be added to our national events listing throughout the year at http://www.kairoscanada.org/e/events/listing.asp Be sure to check it regularly and to keep us informed of your events.

For more information about the campaign, contact Sara Stratton, Network and Campaign Coordinator, at 1 877 403 8933 x241 or sstratton (at) kairoscanada.org

Whether you?re focusing on the local or the global; whether you?re looking at water from the perspective of ecology, Aboriginal rights, sustainable development, human rights, economic justice, theology, and more, we want to hear from you. And we have resources to help your work. Educational materials are now available?see our web order form and catalogue for more information: http://www.kairoscanada.org/e/resources/orders.asp

Once again: How you can join in

As we suggested above, there are many ways you can participate in the water campaign. Every community will have its own creative ideas, and will bring its own context to the work. That?s the reality of water: it?s always local and it?s always global.

Our campaign suggestions reflect this reality!

-- Promote (and sign) the action postcard?it says YES to conservation and clean water for all and NO to forced privatization of water services.

-- Look at water issues in your community, including concerns about who makes decisions about water, and how we can protect our ecosystems so that water remains (or becomes) clean. Learn more about the global context of water use, abuse, and governance.

-- Question our society?s use of bottled water. Learn about the ?exclusivity contracts? that are putting bottled water and pop machines into our public buildings and schools.

We look forward to supporting your efforts! For more information on resources, or to make suggestions for additional materials, contact Julie Graham, Education Programs Coordinator at 1 877 403 8933 x2333 or jgraham (at) kairoscanada.org

From: Leslie Dickout
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It is impossible to simultaneously protect, and print on, ancient forests.
Victoria Street Newz - http://streetnewz.communitypipe.org

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"It is difficult to get a man [sic] to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it."

Upton Sinclair

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The Left Coast newsletter is distributed weekly (when possible). I do not attach files, and I won't sell or share my addressbook. Unless you advise otherwise, I'll include your email along with your published event information.

If you wish to contribute financially or intellectually, any amount will be graciously received and distributed in a socially responsible manner. I will forward a receipt if you request it.

Please feel free to forward the newsletter to your friends and colleagues, or anyone at all, but please acknowledge the source.

Janine Bandcroft, B.A., B.Ed.
c/o Victoria Street Newz
1027 Pandora St.
Victoria, B.C. V8V 3P6
Coast Salish Territory
http://pej.org
http://cfuv.uvic.ca
http://streetnewz.communitypipe.org/

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