On Tuesday October 6th, 2017 #KitCon Greens Laurel and Bob joined the Guelph Greens to celebrate the Grand Opening of their new Office.
Deputy Leader Bonnie North (Barrie—Innisfil) joins Mike at the opening.Kitchener Conestoga’s Bob Jonkman networks with Greens from around Ontario.Elizabeth May joined the Guelph Greens for the Grand Opening celebration.Elizabeth introduces Mike SchreinerMike says a few words (video coming)
When Greens get together there’s always plenty to talk aboutDiscussing Green IssuesMike Schreiner is great to talk toBob (Kitchener—Conestoga), Pat (Halton), Elizabeth (Saanich—Gulf Islands) Ingrid and Ken (Brantford—Brant)
Mike leads!panorama: getting ready for the group photo [link to official GPO Group Photo]Photographers at WorkGreen Leadership in Ontario Mike Schreiner (Green Party of Ontario Leader) and Elizabeth May (Green Party of Canada Leader)Next time you’re in Guelph, stop by the office at 163 Suffolk and say “hi” Those of us who navigate by landmarks can look for the Mike For Guelph banner hanging above the storefront 🙂
Waterloo Region “Stand Up For Science” Rally at Carl Zehr Square (2012)
Even so, the Canadian science community breathed a collective sigh of relief when the 2015 election replaced the Harper Government’s 39% “majority” with a Justin Trudeau 39% “majority” that promised “evidence based policy.”
But it seems that Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Government— like Stephen Harper’s before it, intends to close Pearl. There was no press release or discussion, PEARL was simply ignored in the budget. No funds are forthcoming. The important program is finished without funding, if it shuts down science will no longer be done there.
Why would this ostensibly pro-science government chosen to shut down the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL)? This is a serious problem.
The Green Party of Canada released the following statement regarding the planned closure to Canada’s high Arctic research station:
The last time this vital research station on Ellesmere Island was threatened with closure was in 2012, during the infamous anti-science Harper years, which also featured the muzzling of scientists on the government payroll,” said Richard Zurawski, GPC Climate Change Critic.
“I am not surprised PEARL is on the chopping block again. The Liberals say a lot of nice things – mouthing all the proper words at the right time, projecting a pro-science and research campaign – while simultaneously choking off funding and giving vested fossil fuel interests a free hand,” Mr. Zurawksi said.
GPC Leader Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands)
Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), said: “The Arctic recorded its eighth lowest summer ice extent, along with the lowest winter extent this year, and ocean levels are rising at their fastest levels on record, which threatens low-lying coastal cities.
“Why would a government, supposedly so committed to science, climate change and international collaboration, allow this research station to be closed? I wish I had an answer. Without research, we will not discover answers. And without answers, we cannot take educated, informed action on climate change,” Ms. May said.
But it’s not too late to save PEARL … and Canadian atmospheric climate science!
Invest $1.5 million per year to make PEARL a national laboratory
Provide a well supported and stable funding environment for climate research in Canada by reinstating a funding model for climate science similar to the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS) that was cut by the Harper government.
Ms Emery shared a video of her appearance with her husband Marc Emery before the Parliamentary Committee on Facebook. Their view of the government’s proposed legislation not very good.
“There are more criminal offenses in the new Cannabis Act than there currently are in the existing legislation.”
The 1936 Propaganda film “Reefer Madness” helped usher in new Prohibition against Cannabis
American Prohibition did not work.
Wikipedia points out:
Prohibition focused on the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages; however, exceptions were made for medicinal and religious uses. Alcohol consumption was never illegal under federal law. Nationwide Prohibition did not begin in the United States until January 1920, when the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect. The 18th amendment was ratified in 1919, and was repealed in December, 1933, with the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment.[28]
Not only did it not stop otherwise law abiding people from consuming alcohol, the costs — to the economy, the justice system and society — were staggering.
Although the American Prohibition against alcohol never made drinking it illegal, the same was not true of cannabis prohibition in Canada, where users could be fined and imprisoned. As the 20th century wore on, the punishments became more severe, especially as Canada (again) followed the American lead.
The war on drugs is rooted in racist policies, and it’s failure has been as obvious as Prohibition.
During the 2015 election, the NDP talked about decriminalizing cannabis, but the Liberals said that wasn’t good enough; they would take a step further and legalize it.
Sadly voters again gave too much First Past The Post power to one of the same old parties promising “real change”. For real change, you have to vote smart– and different.
Although the Justin Trudeau Government says it will legalize cannabis, its about half way through its term and they keep arresting people.
The Green Party has better policy:
4.9 Ending the war on drugs
Elizabeth May
Between 2008 and 2011, according to the Department of Justice, Canada spent $311 million targeting illicit drugs, with a majority of that money going to law enforcement. Most of that was for the ‘war’ against cannabis (marijuana). Marijuana prohibition is also prohibitively costly in other ways, including criminalizing youth and fostering organized crime. Cannabis prohibition, which has gone on for decades, has utterly failed and has not led to reduced drug use in Canada.After analyzing the recommendation of the Canadian Senate’s 2002 Special Committee on Drugs and the examples of strategies used by some European countries, the Green Party of Canada has come to the conclusion that it is time to legalize the adult use of marijuana. Furthermore, the Greens believe that drug addictions should be treated as a health problem, not as criminal offences.
Green Party MPs will:
Legalize marijuana by removing marijuana from the drug schedule;
Create a regulatory framework for the safe production of marijuana by small, independent growers;
Develop a taxation rate for marijuana similar to that of tobacco;
Establish the sale of marijuana to adults for medicinal or personal use through licensed distribution outlets;
Educate the public about the health threats of marijuana, tobacco, and other drug use;
Launch a public consultation on the decriminalization of illicit drugs, considering the current high costs of the law enforcement effort;
Provide increased funding to safe injection sites, treatment facilities, and addict rehabilitation.
On September 8 of this year, Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, made the following comment regarding the proposed regulations for marijuana sales:
“This looks like another Liberal plan to say a lot and do very little, supporting big corporations and political insiders over local small businesses.
Mike Schreiner
Having limited retail outlets across Ontario for legal marijuana will do virtually nothing to combat the huge illegal market.
The Green Party does not support the monopolization of marijuana. The marijuana industry should be like the craft brewery industry – helping build local businesses, creating local jobs and contributing tax dollars to local communities across the province.
The GPO supports strict regulations and controls for marijuana sales. The government can license retails outlets with strict rules focused on safety and health for small businesses.
This announcement at this time is a cynical ploy by the Liberals to divert attention from their ongoing legal scandals.”
The final Open Streets Waterloo of the 2017 season will take place from noon to 5pm, Sunday, September 17th, 2017.
We’ve been inspired by the Brantford-Brant Greensto try out a WRGreens button making set up where kids of all ages can create their own buttons. Come on out and give it a try!
Once again you’ll find us in the Waterloo Square Marketplace. Look for the WRGreens cube! We hope to see you there!
Did you know all the Members of Ontario’s Provincial Parliament get the day off work to visit the International Plowing Match? The event is traditionally attended by leaders of all 4 of the top Ontario parties. It can also be an excellent opportunity to ask questions of Mike (or any of the other party leaders).
Every year the IPM is kicked off by a parade through the IPM grounds, and so the Green Party of Ontario attends and proudly shows its colours! Bob and I went out last year and had a great time, and we hope to again this year, and you’re invited too!
You’re invited to come out and march with Mike Schreiner and fellow Greens at the 2017 International Plowing Match Opening Parade in Huron County!
The parade will take place on Tuesday, September 19 in Walton, Ontario.
The parade will begin at 10:00 am sharp and Green supporters will be gathering at 9:00 am in the parade assembly area.
We would love to have you come out to show your support for the GPO, and join us in celebrating Ontario’s farmland and rural communities. Everyone is welcome!
159th Annual Paris Fair159th Annual Paris FairDon’t miss the 159th Annual Paris Fair is on all weekend:
August 31st – September 4th, 2017 at the Paris Fairgrounds.
Bob Jonkman (#KitCon) joined Ken Burns (#BrantGreens) to help out on Friday (and had a great time!).
While you’re there, be sure to stop by the Brant Greens booth in the Curling building. They have an awesome photo booth where you can have your picture taken with your favourite cartoon or movie character. And they’ve got a water cooler so you can refill your water bottles at no charge.
And my personal favourite: kids of all ages are encouraged to drop by and make their own (free) button.
Ingrid and Bob thought Mike needed his own button too!
Mike gave a couple of interviews to the local print media
And we got to meet former Brant Greens candidate Nora Clemons Fueten, pictured here with current candidate Ken Burns and GPO Leader Mike Schreiner
This is a real country fair with all the trimmings.
There are rides for all, big and small.
And its a good place to meet old friends or make new ones.
Members of the Guelph Constituency Association for the Green Party of Ontario elected Mike Schreiner to be the Guelph Green Party Candidate for the next election at the (Green) Party in the park. The rest of us were just there to have fun.
The (Green) Party in the Park was a big success.
We got to meet Adam Olsen, one of the newly minted BC Greens MLA who came out to support Mike Schreiner.
The fabulous Joni NehRita played a solo set to welcome us all to the park at the beginning of the picnic, and the awesome Andrew Craig Trio entertained us after the speeches.
The event was catered by The Schmuck Truck with cold deserts from Bluewater Creamery.
Folks from Barrie, Brantford and Kitchener and more from all over Ontario came to join the Guelph Greens in the party that accompanied Guelph’s candidate selection.
There were lots of things for kids to do but Mother Nature provides the best playground.
Mike’s got a clear vision of a Green future for the province of Ontario. Won’t you join us to help bring it about?
You’ll find these and more photos from the (Green) Party In The Park in the Flickr Album
The last time this vital research station on Ellesmere Island was threatened with closure was in 2012, during the infamous anti-science Harper years, which also featured the muzzling of scientists on the government payroll,” said Richard Zurawski, GPC Climate Change Critic.
Mike’s got a clear vision of a Green future for the province of Ontario. Won’t you join us to help bring it about?
