It happens - you press “send” and within moments there is new information that should have been included in the newsletter and it’s time sensitive. Or, you messed up and only printed part of an article.
So here we go - with some items that did not make last week’s March 2021 newsletter, or are important updates that can’t wait for April. We appreciate your indulgence in this additional email.
A CELEBRATION: CONFIRMATION THAT ELIZABETH MAY IS THE GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE FOR SAANICH-GULF ISLANDS IN THE NEXT FEDERAL ELECTION!
Join beloved author William Deverell and Green MLA Adam Olsen with Elizabeth! This is a virtual wine and cheese so bring your own or a cup of tea, join the zoom, and let’s have a fun evening!”
WHEN: Apr 9, 2021 07:00 PM Vancouver
WHERE: ZOOM
FEATURING: ELIZABETH MAY MP, WILLIAM DEVERELL, AND ADAM OLSEN MLA
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkf-uqpjgsHNVtIjxfVokS9Wm2tEZhyPXY
SGI EDA BOOK CLUB
An invitation to join Elizabeth May and James Marshall for our first Saanich Gulf Islands book club event.
Sunday, March 28th. at 7pm. on Zoom.
A copy of the book will be given to one of the first fifty registrants. Maximum registration is 100 so be sure to register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kdeiorTMsE9348JmGMlejO2h9a0tkiYf9
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information for joining the meeting.
James Marshall, the author of WHAT DOES GREEN MEAN? THE HISTORY, PEOPLE, AND IDEAS OF THE GREEN PARTY IN CANADA AND ABROAD will be joining us to discuss his book. It will be an interesting session as Elizabeth has been involved with the Global Greens Council and has personal knowledge of many of the events mentioned in the book.
There will be an opportunity to ask questions, and we suggest you read the book ahead of time. It is available as an ebook for $12.99, and $22.99 for a paperback.
BOOK REVIEW: WHAT DOES GREEN MEAN? THE HISTORY, PEOPLE, AND IDEAS OF THE GREEN PARTY IN CANADA AND ABROAD. JAMES GS MARSHALL.
I highly recommend this book by James Marshall who was born into an active Green family. At the age of three he canvassed door-to-door with his candidate father. Following in the family tradition he ran as a candidate in the 2017 British Columbia provincial election.
As the title implies, the book presents a comprehensive account of the history of Green parties around the world, and exposes their challenges and growing pains. The Green Party of Canada (GPC) is still struggling with the desire for strong decentralization based around grassroots consensus. This is in contrast to the traditional parties who function under a non-elected bureaucracy with a sometimes controlling leader. It is interesting that the early Greens didn’t want a leader but they had no choice as it is a requirement under Elections Canada. The media always prefer a central figure as they are unwilling to interview several party representatives.
Members of the Green Party of Canada (GPC) come in various shades of green. Many have migrated from the main parties, usually because of an interest in the environment, but here again there are differences between environmentalism and ecologism which is well explained by the author. In brief, some aspects of environmentalism are accepted by Liberals, Conservatives, and Socialists because it is based on the belief that the environment can be tackled with the existing political, economic and cultural order. Ecologism, on the other hand, is a branch of science that studies how people organize and relate to each other and their environment. It calls for a restructuring of our political, economic and social systems in order to protect the ecosystem and live in it sustainably.
Marshall mentions two major camps within Green parties - the fundis and the realos. He describes the fundis as fundamentalists who want radical change. The realos are realists who are happy with more incremental change instead of radical leaps. They work within the system more in line with traditional parties.
The author discusses the differences between the Green Party of Canada and the other parties, as well as the characteristics of green voters.
James Marshall provides a world tour of the history of Green parties and Green political ideas as well as the characteristics of Green voters. The reader is left with an understanding of what Green actually means, as well as the challenges and opportunities that we face.
Shelagh Levey, March, 2021.
COMING UP SOON - LOCAL EVENTS OF INTEREST:
The following two events are coming up this weekend In Victoria, and although they are not Green Party events both are for causes near and dear to our hearts! If you are interested and able to support virtually, financially or in person, please read on for details (including Covid precautions)….
ANCIENT FORESTS AND OLD GROWTH DESTRUCTION:
Sponsored by the Rainforest Flying Squad (https://laststandforforests.com/get-involved/) the Last Stand for Ancient Temperate Rainforests Mobilization Rally and March will take place Saturday March 27th @11am. at the Legislative Assembly of BC, Victoria.
https://www.facebook.com/events/137096194981783
STOP TRANS MOUNTAIN - DRAW THE RED LINE
Dogwood BC is hosting a community protest against the Trans Mountain Pipeline, and Elizabeth plans to attend. It will take place along Dallas Road in Victoria- Sunday March 28th, 1pm promptly. The outline and plan are here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/3957003087727540
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