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Letters to the Editor for the week of May 17th, 2012

Feds need to re-think
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The Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtable, comprised of a broad range of Canadians with interests in fish and fish habitat, appreciate the continuous discussions we've had with MP John Weston to date including meetings with constituents on Fisheries matters and three meetings arranged ... with the Fisheries Minister (Keith) Ashfield, Gail Shea (Minister of National Revenue) and Parliamentary Secretary Randy Kamp.

However, we are immensely concerned with the significant changes proposed in the Budget Implementation Act (BIA) that we feel will degrade protections to fish and fish habitat.

In reference to the changes specifically, but not exclusively, we are concerned with:

• the ability of the Federal Government to delegate fish habitat protection, pollution prevention and fisheries management to the provinces and territories;

• the prohibitions against the Harmful Alteration Disruption or Destruction (HADD) of habitat and the killing of fish, and that they will be narrowed by cabinet in the future to one prohibition against "serious harm to fish that are part of a commercial, recreational or Aboriginal fishery, or to fish that support such a fishery."

"Serious harm to fish" is a new concept defined as, "death of fish or any permanent alteration to, or destruction of, fish habitat." Hence, it will no longer be against the law to harmfully alter or disrupt fish habitat. This change could mean many activities under the current Fisheries Act that were scrutinized for their potential impact on fish habitat and fisheries will be ignored. For example, temporarily disrupting spawning habitat through gravel removal could inhibit the development of an entire year class of salmon but not "permanently" alter habitat; and the expansion of the government's ability to authorize harm to fish habitat as proposed in s. 35(2). Section 142(1) of the BIA proposes that harm to fish habitat caused by some works could automatically be exempted from the S. 35(1) prohibition. DFO would no longer need to be notified of these works and those carrying out such works would no longer be liable for prosecution for damage they cause to fish or fish habitat provided they follow any conditions prescribed in the regulation. In this situation, the government could remove any projects from the requirement to protect fish habitat, and could deprive any lake, river or stream of protection;

• the amendment (s. 35(2)(c)) allowing the government to delegate to industry, developers or provinces the right to authorize adverse effects on fish and fish habitat. This is akin to allowing the fox to guard the chicken coop;

• these changes being proposed before the release of the Cohen Commission final report, which may include recommendations to the government around fish habitat protection and the maintenance of healthy salmon populations for future generations.

This list by no means completes our concerns regarding the proposed changes to the Fisheries Act. We also understand significant changes that could affect fisheries are being proposed to other environmental legislation without public consultation. Significant changes are being proposed rapidly, hence, to allow more meaningful dialogue on all these issues regarding the Budget Implementation Act.

We request that the changes be separated by issue (e.g., Fisheries Act changes, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act changes, etc.) and each piece be discussed separately in due time.

We also request an immediate meeting with you to discuss our concerns.

Honorable John Fraser

Randall W Lewis, Squamish First Nation

Dave Brown, Vice-Chair Squamish to Lillooet Sportfish Advisory Committee

Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtable Group

(This letter was sent to John Weston, the Member of Parliament for West Vancouver- Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, on May 11, 2012 with regards to potential amendments regarding Fish Habitat Protection in the Fisheries Act within Bill C-38. Weston took the letter to the Federal Fisheries Minister and the letter writers are awaiting a response.)

Gondola is positive initiative

I fully support reclassification of the strip of B.C. Park land under the proposed Sea to Sky gondola. What a great opportunity the gondola will be to provide access for everyone to enjoy the spectacular setting and environment. What good are parks if they are inaccessible?

It is obvious that the benefits of this project far outweigh the minor environmental impacts, if any.

The gondola will pass over a very small part of park that is largely unused today anyways.

The proponents have engaged as many stake holders or interest groups associated with the park as can be reasonably expected of them. Even the First Nations have been consulted; they approve.

Let's allow this very positive initiative to move forward rather than acquiesce to the negative but always vocal minority.

Mark Tourigny

Squamish

Sea to Sky gondola will draw visitors

I am a 20 year resident of Whistler.

I have been following the proposed development of the Sea to Sky Gondola and would like to offer the following thoughts: The Sea to Sky Gondola represents an opportunity for ALL people (young, old, disabled) to access a part of B.C. that currently only a FEW people can enjoy. In the past few years since Whistler's Peak 2 Peak gondola has been operating it is remarkable to see the number of people who come specifically to experience the "ride." There is no question that the same will be true for the Sea to Sky Gondola.

The applicants have been extremely open in their efforts and worked through numerous levels of governmental agencies and departments. Public support for the gondola has been strong and clearly in this case the positives far out weigh the negatives.

I look forward to knowing that in the future as I grow older there will still be an opportunity to take my child, and one day my grandchild(ren) to look out over Howe Sound and know that my voice to support and encourage this development was heard.

Christopher Pelz

Whistler

Lillooet wine a winner

John French's Epicurious article, "Pemberton and Lillooet spirit makers making headlines," (Pique, May 10) captured well some of the exciting developments in distilled spirit and wine production right in Whistler's backyard.

One bit of very recent news that did not make it in to the article was the just announced huge success of the very first 100 per cent Lillooet grown Riesling vintage: the Gold Medal and Best in Class at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition in California.

This award would be a huge accomplishment for any winery and any vineyard, of any age — anywhere.

Fort Berens nailed it the first year out. Talk about terroir! An entirely new facet is being polished onto our B.C. South Coast Range diamond.

Eckhard Zeidler

Texas Creek Ranch, Lillooet

Alta Lake Ice Raffle has a winner

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for this year's Alta Lake Ice Break raffle! Over 800 tickets were sold, each one vying for the coveted Ice Break trophy, $250 cash first prize and bragging rights for guessing closest as to when Alta Lake would melt and the 45 gallon drum would float past Cypress Point. This fun and historical raffle started back in the early '60s as a fundraiser for the Alta Lake Community Club and was resurrected 10 years ago by the Alta Lake School, now the Whistler Waldorf School.

This year, the lake cracked across the middle on Friday, April 13. The slushy ice pack on the northern half then floated toward the River of Golden Dreams on Saturday, but it wasn't until Sunday, April 15 at 2:33 pm that the southern half of the ice left the lake and the barrel floated past the Point.

First place went to Jodie Petruzzellis of Pemberton with her guess of 2:42 pm; the second place prize of three locally authored books went to Tom Streetfield-James; and the third place prize of two pounds of organic Whistler Roasting Co. coffee went to Kristina Nedelak. Randy Goodwin missed the podium by just one minute with a guess of 2:05 pm. A big thank-you to Jodie who, in true community spirit, generously donated her prize winnings back to the school's fundraising efforts.

For selling the most tickets, 12 year old Aiden O'Heany received a $100 gift certificate donated by Creekbread, and for selling the winning ticket, the Achenbach family received an Icebreaker merino wool scarf donated by Escape Route.

Proceeds from the raffle are going towards new sports and playground equipment at the Whistler Waldorf School.

Thank you everyone for helping keep this fun tradition alive!

Peggy Vogler

Whistler Waldorf School

What's needed is a plan for growth

I read Max's article last week with interest (Pique May 10, "So begins the European spring..."). I have been in Greece since mid March, witnessing the protests and listening to the late-night discussions of those gathered at one of Greece's ubiquitous Kiosks across the street from my apartment. I have family here living day in and day out with the austerity measures imposed by their government at the insistence of the EU and the IMF.

On the surface Greece still looks like the picture-perfect postcard: iconic blue sea with spectacular sunsets. Restaurants and coffee shops are brimming with locals sipping coal-black coffee and arguing about politics.

Service is excellent. Hospitality (philioxenia) and generosity is so ingrained in this culture that even with their own financial problems, Greeks still find ways to help the large number of immigrants who have ended up in Greece in the last few years.

Greece has a problem of too much shoreline (the most in the EU and almost double second-place Italy) which make it a logical target for illegal immigrants. EU policy on illegal immigration has immigrants, who find their way to countries like England, Germany and France, sent back to the country (Greece) where they initially entered Europe. I've noticed carefully sealed bags of food left hanging from the nobs of the garbage and recycle bins in my neighbourhood, waiting for one of the roaming gypsies to pick up.

Scratch the surface just a little and you see it's not the country it used to be. New buildings started with such hope sit derelict, "For Rent" signs litter many shop windows, and various road construction projects have stopped as if at a dead end. Greeks feel betrayed by their institutions, and wonder how they got here.

My theory, for what's it's worth, is when good times roll, we humans tend to become complacent and less watchful of our governments and institutions.

Aside from the empty shops and buildings, Greeks seem different too. They are more resigned, depressed and worried.

And they have a lot to worry about. Gas is double the price we pay at home. And the price of food continues to rise.

Yet salaries remain low, some of the lowest in the EU. Those who are lucky enough to have jobs have seen their salaries cut by 40 per cent while their taxes have increased.

The situation isn't going to get better soon. More austerity measures are needed in order for Greece to secure its next bailout payment. With all this pressure, my cousin's children talk about moving away, leaving their homes and families to start life elsewhere. There is no hope for a future in Greece, they say. These are educated young people who want to be doctors and chemists and artists, people Greece needs now and for its future prosperity.

In terms of industry, the picture isn't any more hopeful. A number of hotels and restaurants here simply didn't open at Easter.

This is typically the start of tourist season. The business just wasn't there to support opening. Now they wait, hope summer will bring tourists and help their businesses survive.

Maybe this will happen, maybe it won't. Don't forget Greece is not the only country suffering a recession. The economies of the U.K. (where there have been several protests and strikes as a result of their own austerity measures), the U.S. and the rest of Europe are not doing well either. So travel, a discretionary expense is unlikely. In fact, predictions in Greece show tourism (it's largest industry) down by 50 per cent this year.

On the export side, I think everyone and his or her dog is eating Greece's lunch. More feta is sold by Bulgaria for example than Greece. Yet Greek feta is considered the best in the world. I get a sense that most of this is because Greeks aren't aggressive in marketing themselves and don't have systems to be competitive.

There are so many things they do so well, but no one seems to know about it. Instead the focus is on austerity. Where are the opportunities for growth? Why is no one talking about balancing the austerity measures with a realistic plan for growth?

In case you're wondering, I understand debts have to be repaid. I'm a little suspect about this debt, however, and who ultimately benefited from putting Greece in this situation (I agree with Max's comment about loan sharks).

Still, I believe that Greek politicians must take responsibility for their actions. And I think a critical eye should also be focused on those who allowed Greece into the EU knowing its financial situation, and then freely lent the country money it absolutely knew it could never be paid back. Sounds a lot like the sub-prime mortgage fiasco in the United States doesn't it?

What bugs me is that it's the working and middle classes who pay for the incompetence and greed of governments, banks and businesses.

No wonder so many Greeks are angry. Angry enough to vote for the extreme right-wing party, Golden Dawn, a fascist group that encourages members to beat up foreigners.

Greece, the center of democracy, a country that sacrificed so much during World War II to put an end to Hitler and the Nazis has kept groups such as this on the fringes. Until now. Golden Dawn garnered 21 seats (7 per cent of the vote) in this election. Frustration, anger and helplessness coupled with unemployment and failed immigration policies are fertilizer for the extreme right not only here but in all countries.

I don't pretend to have any answers except I know austerity alone is only going to lead to another year of recession here. That's no way out of a financial crisis. Austerity must be balanced with good sound government, systems that work, and a plan for growth.

Stella Harvey

Whistler

Doggy parks, where dogs get to have fun

It's another beautiful day, so my dog and I head to Rainbow Park. Shortly after removing Fred's lead he smells people sitting on a blanket in the doggy-park with snacks so, of course, Fred heads that way.

Now Fred is big and friendly, and the woman sitting on the blanket complains. I told her, that's not fair — this is doggy-park, a very small part of the big park where dogs are allowed off lead to have some fun.

The woman said this a good place to train dogs not to bother others.

Fortunately Fred had headed off to the beach. I would not have written this letter, but too many people try to take the fun away from the dogs, and the dog-people at dog parks. That's just not fair. Woof!

Leslie Weir

Whistler

Knocking Hunger a success

I'd like to give a heartfelt thank-you to the Whistler community for making the first annual Knocking Hunger food drive such a success last week.

Whistler residents joined forces with members of the Whistler RCMP, Fire Rescue Services, Whistler Rotary Millennium, Whistler Council and Shaw Cable systems to canvas Whistler neighbourhoods raising both funds and awareness for the Whistler Food Bank as part of Hunger Awareness Week.

Thank you to our neighbourhood drop-off sites, including Hostelling International Whistler, Whistler Husky Market and Alpine Meadows Market, as well as the local grocery stores. Also a huge thank-you to Araxi, Elements, The Rim Rock and The Wild Wood for their generous contributions to the raffle. Thank-you to the Pique (especially Michel Beaudry) and The Question for your support.

Most importantly thank-you to the community for making a donation or dropping off a bag of non-perishable food items.

The Whistler Food Bank couldn't reach out to the thousands of residents they help without all of your support. To learn more about the food bank or to get involved in next year's event, visit mywcss.org/pages/food-bank.

Nicole Fitzgerald

Event Coordinator