This blog will live on as an unedited digital memory of the 2009 campaign.
Thanks again to everyone who made it happen!
for the Provincial Constituency of Saanich South, Victoria, B.C.
Thanks again to everyone who made it happen!
Guy Dauncey, the award-winning author of Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change and President of BC Sustainable Energy Association today endorsed Lana Popham for Saanich South in his widely read publication EcoNews. Dauncey wrote: "Lana will be a great advocate for agriculture and organic farming in BC, and a strong environmental presence in the Legislature."
Last week was incredible! I’d like to share a few snapshots to give you a feel of the campaign so far.
Yesterday I represented the New Democrats at a Agriculture debate on the mainland in the morning and marched in the Earth Day rally on the island in the early afternoon and then door-knocked until dusk.
A few days ago the Conservation Voters of BC announced their endorsements for the election. They only supported four candidates in the whole province – and I was one of them! They wrote: “Our endorsements are designed to put stronger environmental voices in the BC legislature. Our endorsees are individuals who have shown strong leadership on climate change and other local issues. They will be an asset to the Legislature."
Last week was also very special because NDP Leader Carole James dropped by my farm to meet local farmers and hear, first hand, the issues that are important to them.
Carole and I spoke about the importance of local agriculture and it turned into quite a gathering with local and provincial media and many, many supporters. Here is a video.
It was also an amazing week in terms of fund-raising, our best week ever. It is really very humbling to see so many people contributing what they can to this campaign – it definitely redoubles my commitment to work every day to protect our quality life and to secure our children’s future. We have a lot of money still to raise – please help! Click here to make a donation to the campaign.
A few upcoming public events you may be interested in:
In honour of Earth Day on Wednesday, I handed out one hundred reusable shopping bags at local shopping centres – that was fun! Earth Day is great time to refocus on creating green options which can help people live in a sustainable way. On Earth Day I also joined Wilderness Committee’s ‘walk into the woods’ to view some of our local big trees. I pledged to work towards greater protection for the 100 largest and oldest trees in BC. We have tr
ees in this province that are over one thousand years old. They and their immediate ecosystems must be protected.
And the week began on Sunday when I joined hundreds of people celebrating Vaisakhi at
Columbians take in the tradition and culture of B.C.'s Sikh, Indo-Canadian and South Asian communities. Vaisakhi allows all of us to come together and celebrate the South Asian community's culture as part of our province's collective heritage. It helps us learn about one another and strengthen our pride in our shared customs.
And this week will be even busier!!!
Lana.
Mar 8, 2009
THE PROVINCIAL NEW DEMOCRATS ACCLAIMED LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVIST LANA POPHAM AS THEIR CANDIDATE IN THE SAANICH SOUTH RIDING FOR THE UPCOMING PROVINCIAL ELECTION.
POPHAM SAYS BECUASE SHE IS FROM SAANICH SHE HAS THE EXPERIENCE TO IDENTIFY KEY ISSUES AND TO BRING THEM TO THE FORE.
"I think that's what people want. I don't think people want an MLA who is elected thats going to be bringing messages from the government to the community. I'm the type of MLA that will be bringing messages from our community to the government."
IN THE LEAD UP TO THE MAY 12 ELECTION, POPHAM SAYS SHE IS PLANNING THE MOST DYNAMIC CAMPAIGN SOUTH SAANICH HAS SEEN. SHE FACES ROBIN ADAIR, THE LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR THE RIDING.
- LIZ MCARTHUR
On November 27th, concerned farmers and citizens of lower Vancouver Island gathered in Sidney at the Farmlands Conference to talk about how to move forward on issues facing our farmlands, farmers, and local food supply. Vineyard owners, prominent chefs, future farmers, and politicians filled up the rooms where a range of discussion sessions were adeptly hosted by moderators such as Metchosin farmer and Small Farms editor, Tom Henry, and Chef David Mincey of Camille’s. “There are a lot of movements afoot,” observed attendee Carol Herriot (of Seeds of Victoria), “and today we are connecting the dots.”
Leading speakers like the fervent Lana Popham of Barking Dog Vineyard, visionary David Chambers of Madrona Farm, and John Buchanan of Parry Bay Farm who brings thirty years of farming experience to the table, led sessions on themes such as ‘land leasing’ and ‘taking action on farmland issues.’ In true democratic style, the attendees spoke just as much as the panelists and the sessions carried on like townhouse meetings.
“The idea is to improve the lot of the farmer,” began David Mincey, opening the floor for discussion at the session on ‘taking action on farmland issues.’ Many suggestions were offered; “We need to shatter the myth that farmland needs to be owned by the farmer,” David Chambers offered and explained his farm’s position of entering into an agreement with a land trust to secure their farmland in perpetuity as a solution to astronomical land prices in BC. Chef Ken Hueston of Smoken Bones Cookshack stressed the opportunity for chefs to act as leaders of a new food movement that honours local land by bringing in farm fresh produce from as near as possible and teaching the public its merit through deliciousness. A reoccurring theme was getting kids to care about farming and to see it as a viable and valuable lifestyle in our highly modernized world. Popham expressed her wish to see an agricultural component in the school system and Mincey (half) joked that teens should not be able to graduate high school without a month’s work on the farm. Attendee Randy Pearson (of Islands Organic Producers Association), pointed out the reason for the near-extinction of new farmers: “Until it’s viable to send your kids to university on a farm income, people aren’t going to pick up the hoe.”
Though high prices, Agricultural Land Reserve red tape, and a dwindling crop of fresh farmers are serious obstacles, the prevailing energy was one of vim and action. The small farmers, vintners, chefs who source locally, seed-savers, and supportive citizens who gathered together in Sidney carried with them an appreciation for resources (whether they be water, land, or enthusiasm), a willingness to listen, and ideas that are nothing short of visionary. As Popham said, “All of this can either shut you down or fire you up…and I’m fired up.” The resounding applause and cheers were a strong indication that her words connected with many.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2009
LANA POPHAM TO SEEK SAANICH SOUTH NEW DEMOCRAT NOMINATION
Saanich resident Lana Popham announced today that she is seeking the nomination for the BC New Democratic Party in Saanich South.
David Cubberley, the current MLA, announced this summer that he will not seek re-election.
Popham is well known in the community as an organic vineyard owner, environmental activist and small business person. She serves on Saanich’s Planning, Transportation and Economic Development Committee, the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, the Investment Agriculture Foundation , and the Islands Organic Producers Association.
Recently she successfully launched a campaign - Think Outside The Bag - to reduce the use of throwaway plastic grocery bags.
This spring Popham received a CFAX Community award for her environmental advocacy, placing as a runner-up for the annual top Community Leader prize. Popham is involved in many other issues including protection of agricultural land, urban and rural food security, sustainable transportation and affordable housing.
“The Campbell government is out of touch with the needs of our communities. How can we arrive at sustainable solutions for our province if we have no say in the discussion?” said Popham. "Saanich has had an effective voice in the legislature since 2005. I think I have the knowledge and drive to build on that record in Spring 2009.”
Popham counts Cubberley as a mentor and supporter. “I'm excited someone of Lana's caliber wants to enter provincial politics and will work hard to get her elected,” said Cubberley. "Her activism shows how much she values the quality of life in Saanich and demonstrates how our region can grow more sustainability."
Lana, 39 years old, is married to Jon, an Oak Bay firefighter and they have a 10-year-old son, Kye.
The provincial election is on May 12, 2009. No date has been set yet for the Saanich South nomination meeting.
For more info, please contact Lana at 250 507 4222.
Times Colonist |
Shifts in the political landscape have prompted vineyard owner Lana Popham to abandon the upcoming municipal election and take a shot at provincial office.
Popham said yesterday she has withdrawn from running for Saanich council to seek the New Democrat nomination in Saanich South for the B.C. election next year.
That nomination is up for grabs now that the sitting New Democrat MLA David Cubberly has announced he will be stepping down after one term. Party rules adopted in 2007 dictate Cubberly's replacement must be a woman candidate. In any riding held by the NDP, if the current MLA decides not to run, a woman must be nominated. The aim is to ensure women run where there is a real chance of winning, in a plan to push female and minority candidates into more ridings.
Popham said she decided to seek the provincial nomination because she had worked with Cubberly on issues of agriculture, food security and recycling. "I would like to carry on with that work."
The 39-year-old operator of the organic Barking Dog Vineyard said she also sees lots of room for MLAs interested in food production.
Popham pointed out the house is losing not only Cubberly, but also stepping down is Nelson MLA Corky Evans, who always paid attention to farm issues.
Next time you head to the grocery store bring a cloth bag. That's the message the Capital Regional District is packaging in an effort to reduce the number of plastic bags used around Victoria. Handing out almost 1,000 cloth CRD bags at its recent Hartland landfill open house, the district's environmental services department is following up on its campaign, asking residents to take a pledge to not use plastic shopping bags. In return, you'll receive a free CRD cloth bag in return.
"Plastic bags end up in our landfills, our waterways and our harbours," Susan Brice, CRD Environmental chair and Saanich councillor said in a news release.
A survey of more than 20 local grocery stores helped the CRD determine that about 25 million plastic bags are used every year in Victoria.
"By refusing plastic bags, we can reduce consumption, stop plastics bags from entering our waste stream and practice good environmental stewardship."
Asking residents to stop using plastic bags is a step in the right direction, said Saanich resident Lana Popham. A New Democratic Party MLA hopeful, Popham has been the driving force behind a campaign to have plastic bags banned in the region.
"I'm really glad the CRD takes this seriously," Popham said. "It just drives home the message again that the plastic bag is a wasteful product and the more we keep the issue current the closer we are to solving the problem."
To take the pledge to refuse to use plastic bags and receive a CRD cloth bag, go to: www.crd.bc.ca/takethepledge
vmoreau@saanichnews.com
Times Colonist |
Vineyard owner Lana Popham is running for Saanich council in the November municipal election.
Popham, 39, owns the organic Barking Dog Vineyard on Old West Saanich Road and has been involved with numerous community issues and events. The most recent is her pitch to ban plastic bags in the capital region by end of 2008.
She received a CFAX community award for her efforts.
Popham is involved with several agricultural groups, including the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, the Island Organic Producers Association and even the compost committee at Brentwood Elementary School.
She's also a member of Saanich's planning, transportation and economic development committee.
Saanich is at a "critical time" in its growth, and needs progressive choices about land use, transportation and sustainability, she says.
More and improved green transportation choices are needed to reduce carbon emissions, says Popham. She wants to lobby for new investment in rapid transit, more bike lanes and trails, saying people won't leave their cars at home without good transit service.
Popham is married to Jon, an Oak Bay firefighter. They have a nine-year-old son.
May 28, 2008
THE CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED THAT NO ACTION IS NEEDED TO RESTRICT THE USE OR DISPOSAL OF PLASTIC SHOPPING BAGS.
AND, THE COMMITTEE DECIDED IT WOULD NOT BE WORTH THE COST TO COLLECT PLASTIC BAGS AS PART OF THE BLUE BOX PROGRAM.
"TO DO SOMETHING SYMBOLICALLY AT A COST OF A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR ISN'T JUSTIFIABLE WHEN WE'RE DIVERTING JUST ONE PERCENT OF THE WASTE FROM THE WASTE STREAM," SAYS COMMITTEE CHAIR SUSAN BRICE.
BUT BRICE SAYS ONCE THE CURRENT CONTRACT WITH THE PICKUP COMPANY LAPSES IN 2012, MORE MATERIALS ARE LIKELY TO BE ADDED TO THE BLUE BOX LIST.
"THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE AT THIS POINT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THAT THIN PLASTIC SUBSTANCE," SAYS BRICE.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT AS WE ADVANCE INTO THE NEXT ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS THAT THERE WILL BE MORE PRODUCTS PICKED UP BY THE RECYCLING -- AND UNDOUBTEDLY PLASTIC BAGS, IF THEY'RE STILL IN EXISTENCE AT THAT POINT, WHICH I'M SURE TO SOME EXTENT THEY PROBABLY WILL BE, WILL BE INCLUDED."
SAANICH ACTIVIST LANA POPHAM HAS BEEN LOUD AND CLEAR IN HER DEMAND FOR A PLASTIC BAG BAN, BUT SHE SEEMED TO BE BACKING OFF A BIT AFTER WEDNESDAY'S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING.
"THAT'S A LITTLE BIT AGGRESSIVE, MAYBE," SAYS POPHAM. "PUTTING A DEPOSIT ON THAT BAG, SO WHEN YOU DO DECIDE THAT YOU WANT TO USE A PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG, YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN PAY 25-CENTS AND GET THAT. AND IF YOU BRING IT BACK, YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR 25-CENTS -- MAYBE THAT'S A WAY TO HELP US GET THROUGH THIS DECISION-MAKING PROCESS."
IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED THE PROVINCE COULD ORDER THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR TO CHARGE A DEPOSIT ON EACH PLASTIC BAGS GIVEN OUT AT THE TILL.
POPHAM ACCUSES THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF LACKING LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.
"I STARTED AT THE MUNICIPALITY LEVEL, WENT TO THE C.R.D., GOT THROWN BACK TO THE MUNICIPALITY, BACK AT THE C.R.D., AND NOW WE HAVE TO ASK THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT," SAYS POPHAM. "WELL THAT'S FINE, BUT THE AVENUE FOR ASKING THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS ALSO ABOUT RECYCLING. I AM UNCLEAR WHERE THE REDUCTION FITS INTO THIS. SO MAYBE IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE ALL COMMUNITY INITIATIVE."
STILL, POPHAM SAYS THE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION BEING GIVEN TO THIS ISSUE IS HELPING TURN THE TIDE WITH SHOPPERS.
"I THINK IT'S YOUR OBLIGATION TO TAKE A RE-USEABLE BAG [TO THE STORE]," SHE SAYS. "IT'S YOUR CHOICE, BUT I THINK PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO MAKE THAT CHOICE. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO GET THAT IDEA."
PRESENTLY, THERE ARE MORE THAN 50 LOCATIONS AROUND THE CAPITAL REGION WHERE PLASTIC BAGS CAN BE DROPPED OFF FOR RECYCLING, FREE OF CHARGE -- MOST OF THEM GROCERY STORES.
- IRELAND
Plastic bags won't be picked up in Greater Victoria blue boxes any time in the near future.
While collecting the bags in blue boxes is possible, it is expensive and there are potential problems, assistant solid waste manager John Craveiro told the Capital Regional District environment committee yesterday.
Some of the challenges include the bags blowing around neighbourhoods prior to collection and contamination of bags with paper receipts and other contaminants, he said.
CRD staff estimate the net cost of collecting and processing 500 tonnes of bags would be $530,900 a year, while the current total annual net cost of collecting all materials is about $1.3 million.
The committee agreed that including the bags in the blue box program at this point would be too expensive. Instead it is recommending the CRD continue to lobby the province to expand its product stewardship program to include the bags and other soft plastics, increase education campaigns on alternatives to plastic bags and advertising drop-off locations.
There are 55 locations in the CRD, many of them grocery stores, that accept the bags for recycling. The committee agreed plastic bags should be considered for the blue box program when the next contract is issued in 2012.
Saltspring Island director Gary Holman said he was "stunned" by the additional costs to collect the bags.
Craveiro replied that the estimated additional costs come largely from contractors currently picking up recyclables.
"Right now they have maximized the payloads for their trucks. [Plastic bags] are not very much weight but [add] bulkiness. So you're looking about 2 1/2 trucks you'd have to add to their existing truck fleet in order to accommodate this," he said.
Plastic bags have not been considered a huge problem at the Hartland landfill. They make up less than one per cent of the waste there and Canadian litter audits show that plastic bags account for less than 0.5 per cent of household litter. As well, studies show the majority of plastic bags are reused at least once.
Several committee members objected to the wording in the report, which suggested the following the recommendation was a "status quo" option.
"It [the wording 'status quo'] has a sense of inertia and no change," said committee chairwoman Susan Brice, who added the CRD is doing everything from lobbying the province to conducting public education to help foster a reduction in the use of plastic bags.
Saanich Coun. Judy Brownoff said it's the CRD's mandate to regulate and educate.
"I definitely think the education program could be bumped up," she said, adding that more large retailers and stores in shopping centres should get involved in providing alternatives to plastic bags.
"We really do have to wrap it up. It's an environmental issue," she said.
bcleverley@tc.canwest.com
CRD: Recycling plastic bags in blue boxes too pricey
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 It would cost too much -- more than $530,000 a year -- to recycle plastic grocery bags as part of the blue box program, say Capital Regional District staff. The recommendation to the CRD's environment committee not to collect the bags in blue boxes is disappointing to Saanich resident Lana Popham who has been campaigning for months to have the bags banned. "I think it's decision-making at a snail's pace," Popham said. "I feel that I've worked really hard to increase the awareness about the negative impacts of plastic grocery bags in our environment and the key thing is we should be willing to move beyond reliance on them and not enable an ongoing dependence." Popham sees the problem as two-fold. The first is their production wastes oil and the second is that they escape into the environment, causing harm to a variety of species. But CRD staff are recommending the status quo. Instead of collecting the bags in blue boxes, the region should continue to lobby the province to expand programs to have stores collect the bags, the report says. While collecting the bags in blue boxes is doable, it is expensive and there are challenges, "such as the bags blowing around neighbourhoods prior to collection, educating residents in proper preparation, contamination of bags with paper receipts and other contaminants," the report says. Staff estimate the net cost of collecting and processing 500 tonnes of bags is $530,900 a year while the current total annual net cost of collecting all materials is about $1.3 million. The report notes 55 locations in the CRD, many of them grocery stores, accept the bags for recycling. It suggests that if the collection program isn't expanded, plastic bags should be considered for the blue box program when the next contract is issued in 2012. Popham doesn't think costs have to be as high as staff suggest. There's no need for hard tops on blue boxes to prevent plastic bags from blowing around prior to collection. "We do paper in a heavy-duty plastic bag to stop them from blowing around. I don't understand why we don't have the same approach for plastic bags," she said. Plastic bags have not been considered a huge problem at the Hartland landfill. They make up less than one per cent of the waste there and Canadian litter audits show that plastic bags account for less than 0.5 per cent of household litter. As well, the majority of plastic bags are reused at least once. bcleverley@tc.canwest.com © Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008 | |||||||
SAANICH – Lana Popham, local business owner and community activist, was nominated on March 8th in Saanich South as the New Democrat candidate for the May 12 provincial election.
“I’ve spent my whole life speaking up, speaking out and speaking for things I believe in,” Popham told over 100 supporters today.
Popham said she is looking forward to holding Gordon Campbell and the B.C. Liberals to account by running in the May election with Carole James and the New Democrats.
“Gordon Campbell is not in the business of representing communities, he’s not in the business of representing you or me – he’s in the business of mis-representing our interests,” said Popham. “I am proud to be from Saanich and have the experience and drive to take our community’s concerns to the Legislature.”
Popham owns and operates The Barking Dog Vineyard - a successful Saanich small business and the first Certified Organic Vineyard on Vancouver Island – and is currently chair of the Certification Committee for Island Organic Producers Association and past President of the Vancouver Island Grape Growers Association. She’s a member of Saanich’s Planning Transportation & Economic Development Committee and is an active parent at her son’s school.
Popham’s “Think Outside the Bag” campaign has been a very successful on the ground environmental initiative that encourages people to switch to reusable bags.
With the support of her husband Jon, a firefighter for Oak Bay, and their 10 year old son, Popham is already campaigning to win a seat in the Legislature on May 12.