In the space of five weeks and between two people we've collected nearly a pound of plastic water balloon pieces in only one Provincial Park. Thousands and thousands more pieces need to be taken out of the environment. We've been informed by a Park official that in some Provincial Parks visitor programming still includes water balloons. Ecological integrity is a priority for Ontario Parks. The time to build a Waste Free Ontario starts now. Small deliberate actions have a direct effect on the quality of life for all.

This is shaping up to be the worst Fraser sockeye salmon run in recorded history. We need urgent action to protect wild salmon. Deadly diseases and viruses from fish farms are spreading to wild salmon, putting at risk thousands of jobs, entire First Nations cultures that rely on the wild salmon, the economy of BC and over 100 species that depend on wild salmon to survive. Safer alternatives are available. It’s possible to farm fish on land, using closed-containment farming techniques that don’t pollute the ocean or jeopardize wild salmon stocks.The companies say it is too expensive for them to deal with their own wastes, but allowing them to pollute our oceans with disease is too expensive for society. Prime Minister Trudeau gave Fisheries Minister LeBanc a mandate to use the best science to protect wild fish in Canada. Minister LeBlanc ignored this mandate by granting the industry long term licences on July 1, 2016 despite legal and scientific evidence that salmon farms are dangerous to wild salmon. Many scientists worldwide are raising alarm about open-net fish farms, but the multi-national fish farming companies have convinced government their dirty industry is safe. If enough of us sign this petition, we can make our voices louder than the multi-national fish farming companies, and win a legislated ban on open-net salmon farming. This would force the salmon farming industry to grow up and clean up and it would allow us to restore wild salmon. This benefits everyone.

Let us see the real truth in the cost of mail delivery in and to Canada. What are the bonuses paid to upper management, while the female Rural route drivers are paid upwards to 28% less than urban workers. They are doing the same job.

The current population of Canada is estimated at 33,000,000. We know that we all will likely suffer at least a single traumatic event in our life-time. We also know that approximately 8% of us in response to a traumatic event will go on to suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues. Based on these estimates, it's conservatively safe to estimate that over 2 million citizens in Canada will currently be living with symptoms of PTSD, diagnosed as such or otherwise, where these persons in the population have experienced at least a single traumatic event. The Canadian Mental Health Association states the following in regards to PTSD in Canada: While many people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives, only 8% people will experience post-traumatic stress disorder in their lifetime. There are some groups that are at higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder than others: ⦁ People in certain occupations—are at higher risk. A study out of the University of British Columbia found that emergency personnel such as doctors, nurses, paramedics and firefighters experience post-traumatic stress at twice the rate of the average population. In Canada, it is estimated that up to 10% of war zone veterans—including war service veterans and peacekeeping forces—will go on to experience post-traumatic stress disorder. ⦁ Women—are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The reasons for this are unclear. (We recognize, however, that women are often victims of higher incidence of domestic violence, physical and sexual assault, both as adults and as children, which may contribute to these higher-levels of PTSD in women in Canada).1 ⦁ Refugees—are at higher risk for post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the stressful events that forced them to flee their homeland and the difficulties involved in moving to a new country. ⦁ Aboriginal people—who attended residential schools* have reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse that took place. A small percentage of residential school survivors have reported this phenomenon now called 'residential school syndrome.' * Residential schools were Church-run, government-funded schools for native children, set up during the early 1900s. The schools were supposed to prepare aboriginal children for life in white society. Some children who attended the schools were subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The last residential school didn’t close until 1996. 1. Added by this author. Trauma survivors have an expression we've adopted, that we now call on our Governments to adopt as well: "If we can heal trauma, we can heal the world." We ask our Governments to help us ALL to heal.

Given the proximity of our citizens to water play areas (5 lakes and the ocean), it is vital that every opportunity be taken to teach swimming to all in order to prevent drowning. Given the population of Nanaimo at 90,000+ it is unreasonable to close one of the two indoor public pools. Research into recommendations on pools per population done by the Nanaimo Aquatic Development Society indicated that we should have one pool per 25,000 persons to meet public need. We are not even close to this recommendation. Given the need for warm water physical therapy for people with disabilities, this pool must remain open to allow fitness levels to be maintained. A three-month hiatus could cause serious deficits in health for many and cost our health care system. Many do not understand the importance of warm water for infants, children, elderly and fragile or injured individuals. According to research published in the Biology of Exercise, the effect of water temperature on the human body and the swimming effort, temperatures of 33 – 34 degrees Celsius are appropriate for these groups. Beban Pool is usually between 27.8°C – 29°C while NAC is 26.1°C – 27.2°C, considerably cooler. At water temperatures below 30C, hypothermia sets in. Nanaimo City has a contract with its citizens to serve the public. Pools are not here to make money but to provide a service to citizens who support it through taxes. Beban Pool has been a great service to a full life span of users from infants to seniors. It provides lessons, therapy, and fitness training. It is central for most citizens. The staff and users have a bond of appreciation. Many groups rent this pool for training including private swim clubs, synchronized swimming club (Nanaimo Diamonds), Special Olympics, physiotherapy groups, scuba clubs, and kayak clubs to name a few. The Lifeguards at Beban Pool serve as first responders for the complete Beban complex including the ice rink and community center, a vital service to all users. Beban Pool has allowed for the creation of community bonds resulting in many social connections for citizens of all ages. To ignore the benefit of this pool to all users is faulty thinking. As citizens of Nanaimo we support our council in creating the best possible environment for promoting health and fitness for all. Sign the petition HERE and let’s make sure Nanaimo City Council knows how much we need this pool open and how much we appreciate the pool and all the staff who work there. In addition, please take the time to write Nanaimo City Council at mayor&[email protected] Thank you.

An Amendment to the Workers Compensation Act In British Columbia is in order to provide support and care for British Columbia's Public Safety Workers. Such Amendment creates a presumptive clause for Public Safety Workers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. In recognition of the crucial role paramedics, firefighters, police officers, emergency dispatchers, corrections officers, and others play in ensuring the health and safety of British Columbians, this amendment guarantees that they will receive timely support and treatment when they are suffering from exposure to traumatic events.

Jo believed that there is more that unites us than divides us, and she was killed for those beliefs. She believed in a love that is fierce, brave and humble. Her death has devastated a family, and attacked the ideals that we as a nation most cherish. But we will not be divided. We will rise up together to carry Jo's message forward. We will meet hate with love. On the day Jo would have been 42, we are asking everyone, everywhere to love like Jo loved. Jo's legacy is a direct challenge to everyone here, to take part, speak up and be a voice for the voiceless, to treat everyone with tolerance and genuine respect, even those with whom disagree. We cannot let the intolerance and violence of a single individual rob us of her life's potential. It is up to us all to carry forward her message and to make her mission our own.

Currently, votes cast in our federal elections do not match the seats parties gain in Parliament. Consequently, we cannot ensure fair representation. We can and should reform our electoral system to make our democracy better for all Canadians.

A huge multinational company is threatening CRAB Park Dubai Ports World, operators of the Centerm container terminal beside much-loved CRAB Park, plans to extend its terminal westward with 7 acres of infill in the ocean right in front of the Park. CRAB Park is the only green space for the vast majority of Downtown Eastside residents, almost all of whom live in SROs or small apartments. It is home to the monument in memory of Downtown Eastside missing and murdered women. Downtown Eastsiders and their allies have struggled successfully for 33 years for CRAB Park, to create it, to ensure disabled access, to stop a casino funded by big Vegas money, and most recently to prevent a massive soccer stadium/entertainment venue from planting itself beside the park Now Centerm’s expansion threatens to transform CRAB’s natural setting into a heavy industry zone with its attendant air, water and noise pollution. It will bring in more hazardous cargo to a heavily populated neighbourhood that already endured a huge chemical fire from Centerm’s terminal in March 2015. The Port of Vancouver is not accountable to any level of government. It alone has the power to stop this expansion. Let’s show the Port how important CRAB Park is to us. Sign the petition to convince them to rethink their development plan.

By compiling education and environment, financial and business, there are too many ignorant, undisciplined to understand the scope of ALL aspects of the bill. Could a politician trained in banking truly understand the importance of educational content for children. By appending major documents under one construct, not only does this repeal Constitutional documents, it clutters and buries smaller arguments under a complicated process that may thwart forward progress to assure the "greater" argument gets traction.

The BCHRC does not offer explicit protection to transgender and gender-diverse persons. The Liberal Government argues transgender persons already enjoy all the protection they need as a result of case law; the Human Rights Tribunal has ruled that gender identity and expression are covered under the category of “sex.” This interpretation of the word "sex" continues to be challenged by many. Having specific language—gender identity and gender expression—included in the BCHRC will provide clarity to all parties; it will afford increased protection, safety equality to transgender and gender-variant persons in at least three significant and compelling ways: 1) It will help educate the public 2) It will inform the way organizations and companies implement their HR policies by providing an explicit statement of protection 3) It will clarify the code and hopefully mitigate and help resolve contentious situations—including discrimination—before they escalate to expensive, lengthy, and onerous legal actions for all parties. Additionally, amending BCHRC in this way will bring it into alignment with the Human Rights Codes of 8 other Provinces and Territories, including Alberta and Ontario. The Federal Government has also introduced a similar amendment to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and it is expected to pass this year. BC, which once led provinces with progressive laws, including amending the BCHRC to include sexual orientation and legalizing same sex marriage, has fallen behind the times.

This creates high paying jobs for hundreds of thousands of Canadians and helps build the middle class back to the strength is deserves.