Ever wonder how Green Party of Ontario policy is created and adopted?
Policy resolutions – produced and shaped by members and supporters just like you – are submitted for consideration and approval by members at our Annual Policy Conference.
We hope you can join us for some great discussions at this year’s 2012 Annual General Meeting and Policy Conference at Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake from May 4-6. (Register today to take advantage of our early bird discounts!)
But don’t stop there – you can get involved shaping policy right now!
Send your policy drafts to policy@gpo.ca today! Submit your ideas even if they are not 100%, that way you’ll have a chance to receive feedback from others, to improve your resolution before the March 16th deadline.
Whether you are a member, supporter or a policy wonk – we would love your feedback! Don’t forget though, you’ll need to be a current member as of March 4, 2012 (and no later) to submit policy resolutions and vote at the convention. Renew or join online today at www.gpo.ca/renew
Note the deadline for policy and constitutional resolutions is March 16th.
Be sure to check www.gpo.ca/agm12 for more information on the conference weekend, such as nominations for our Provincial Executive (PE) representatives, our leadership contest review, and our volunteer awards.
Register early to receive great discounts; the early bird deadline is March 15th! Keep in mind that all registration fees are fully tax-deductible.
Federal Green party members in Ottawa Centre gathered in December for the 2011 Annual General Meeting. We were privileged to be joined by Elizabeth May for the first hour and those attending had an opportunity to hear about her first year as an MP and to ask questions about the future for the party and the current session of Parliament.
Elections for the 2012 Electoral District Association executive were held. All those who stepped forward were elected.
Chief Executive Officer, Rob Henri
Chief Financial Officer, Michael D’Costa
Secretary, Evan Hughes
Membership, Warren Smith
Fundraising, Jen Hunter
Communications, Kevin O’Donnell
Members at Large: Stephanie Bolt, Judy Field, Robb Barnes
Happy Holidays to all and see you in the new year!
The hotly-contested race in Saanich–Gulf Islands turned toxic this week, with newly-nominated Liberal candidate Renee Hetherington failing her first character test as a candidate — the civility test. Hetherington issued a news release on Saturday for the express purpose of trashing Green Party leader and fellow SGI candidate Elizabeth May. Hetherington referred to May as a “sad little sprout” in the title of the release, with the remainder devoted to bad Liberal spin on why Hetherington is so much awesomer than May and only Hetherington can save the day.
Hello everyone! Here’s the February calendar of events taking place in our community. Enjoy Winterlude!
Please remember that the Green Party does not officially endorse any of these events unless otherwise indicated. We believe that community organization is essential to grassroots democracy… and community events are just plain fun too!
Monday, February 7
7:30 pm to 9:15 pm
Film: Inspiring Actions towards Sustainability
Where: Ecclesiax, 2 Monk Street (near Bank and Fifth)
What: Introduction to the Transition Town model of resilient and sustainable communities. Speakers from Transition Ottawa share experiences of shifting to a more sustainable lifestyle. All are welcome.
Cost: Suggested donation of $5 or pay what you can
More info: transitionottawa.ning.com
Wednesday, February 9
7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Event: Green Party Pub Night
Where: Beaverbrook Community Centre, 2 Beaverbrook Road (Kanata)
What: Warm up with other Green Party supporters, members and local candidates for drinks and (free) snacks at Pub Italia on Preston St. Federal election talk is in the air… Take this opportunity to chat with local candidates about what you want them to campaign for in Ottawa-Centre. Need we remind you that Pub Italia has over 200 beers? Hope to see you there!
More info: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151076504947259
Wednesday, February 9
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Discussion: Reduce Your Plastic Use
Where: Beaverbrook Community Centre, 2 Beaverbrook Road (Kanata)
What: KEN (the Kanata Environmental Network) is hosting a seminar on the problem of plastic in our environment. Learn about the negative effect of plastic on our health and our environment and get lots of terrific tips for reducing your plastic consumption. Guest speaker Meg Sears will be speaking on the subject of plastic chemistry and our health and Michelle Lambert will be presenting the results of her 3 month “no-plastic” experiment.
RSVP: email info@kanataenvironmentalnetwork.com
More info: www.kanataenvironmentalnetwork.com
Saturday, February 12
7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Discussion: Lanark Eco-Village
Where: 166B Drummond St (Old Ottawa East)
What: Lanark Eco-Village aspires to create ecologically-founded communities in Eastern Ontario. Topics for discussion: Visions of what an Eco-Village might be. What might you offer to make it happen? Steps we can take now in that direction. How close are we to making such life choices? Possible loans to secure the property.
Cost: Free
RSVP: k.shackleton@ncf.ca
More info: 613-233-8650 or www.superaje.com/~sustain5/index.html
Monday, February 28
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Workshop: Organic Gardening
Where: Mountain Equipment Co-op, 366 Richmond Road
What: A workshop presented by SLOWest on how to grow your own organic food in your backyard. The choices we make about food can have a significant impact on the planet. This session discusses some of the ways our food production system impacts the environment and how local eating and organic agriculture can mitigate these impacts.
Cost: Free
More info: www.slowest.ca or www.maisontuckerhouse.ca
Monday, February 28
7:30 pm to 9:15 pm
Discussion: Building Sustainable Community
Where: Ecclesiax, 2 Monk Street (near Bank and Fifth)
What: Rebecca Aird of SLOEast and Bill of SLOWest present projects initiated on the East and West sides of Ottawa. Find out how these citizen grassroots community groups have made a significant difference in their neighbourhoods. Participate in envisioning Centertown as a sustainable neighbourhood.
Cost: Suggested donation of $5 or pay what you can
More info: transitionottawa.ning.com
Save The Date!
There are some great Green Party events coming up in the near future.
Last year over 400 people attended and we’re expecting an ever bigger crowd this time. We’ve got 500 candles to give out: first come, first served!
Earth Hour is symbolic event where people around the world are encouraged to turn off their lights for one hour to show support for action on climate change. Millions of people around the globe turning off our lights together demonstrates that individual efforts, when taken together, add up make a big difference and can be as easy as a flick of a switch.
Join the Green Party on Parliament Hill so we can combine all of our individual efforts and transform them into a strong statement that Canadians want all levels of Government to take action on climate change.
Want to volunteer & help during the event? Email kevin@kevino.ca!
At the end of this month Katie and I will be taking part in the Put Food in the Budget Challenge. For the last week of January we will be eating what two people who rely on the food bank would receive. Here’s a list of what’s on the menu.
On Monday I will be joining Ottawa's Put Food in the Budget Challenge Team to raise awareness of the need to improve the food options available to people who are on social assistance. The challenge is to walk for a week in someone else's shoes. Starting Monday I will be eating only what the Partage Vanier foodbank has determined is a typical diet for someone on social assistance.
The event's organizers have given us the option of participating for three or five days. My plan is to go all five days of course - but I'm left wondering: why have we been given the option? Is it because the amount of food is really so terribly insufficient that they predict some of us will have to end early? I suppose I'll know by Wednesday.
The next update will be on Sunday when I visit my grocery store to buy the equivalent of a food bank hamper. Check out the @putfoodinbudget tweet stream for updates about the entire campaign and for information on how to participate.
Last year 65,100 Ontarians were diagnosed with cancer. Of those, 27,900 have since passed away. Sadly, these tragic statistics are expected to worsen over the next decade.
Cancer is agonizing for families and it takes a huge toll on our health care system and economy. We spend over 2 billion dollars per year providing care to those fighting cancer and the indirect costs have soared to 5 billion annually.
The good news is that approximately half of all cancers are preventable. The bad news is that illness prevention comprises only 0.35% of the budget, placing us behind other provinces.
Last year 65,100 Ontarians were diagnosed with cancer. Of those, 27,900 have since passed away. Sadly, these tragic statistics are expected to worsen over the next decade.
Cancer is agonizing for families and it takes a huge toll on our health care system and economy. We spend over 2 billion dollars per year providing care to those fighting cancer and the indirect costs have soared to 5 billion annually.
The good news is that approximately half of all cancers are preventable. The bad news is that illness prevention comprises only 0.35% of the budget, placing us behind other provinces.
On Monday I will be joining Ottawa's Put Food in the Budget Challenge Team to raise awareness of the need to improve the food options available to people who are on social assistance. The challenge is to walk for a week in someone else's shoes. Starting Monday I will be eating only what the Partage Vanier foodbank has determined is a typical diet for someone on social assistance.
