Greetings!
Welcome to our August newsletter. This summer has been busy for SGI as we reconnect with our members and prepare for the always fabulous Saanich Fall Fair. And extra busy times are ahead for the GPC as there is a leadership contest right around the corner. Stay tuned for more info!
Upcoming Events
Join us at the Saanich Fair
Come and visit us at the Saanich Fair on September 3rd, 4th, and 5th at the Saanich Fairgrounds – we will be in our usual spot in the Marketplace area and we will have popcorn! We will also have lots of buttons & bumper stickers and some t-shirts for sale at a modest price.
The fair is a lot of fun and a chance to reconnect with other people in an outdoor setting. This year’s theme is “Plant Your Roots at the Fair” and the feature is Vegetables. Please stop by and say hello!
Come to the Salt Spring Island Fall Fair!
The Salt Spring Island Fall Fair is taking place this year on September 10th and 11th, and the local SGI Greens will have a table. Please come and say hello if you are at the fair. If you live / will be visiting SSI and would like to help please contact Tom.
Green Party of Canada Leadership Contest
The GPC Leadership Contest has officially begun and nominations are now closed. The process began in late June, and all of the approved contestants will be announced on August 31st.
Members in good standing will be eligible to vote in this contest. Please note the following deadlines for voting eligibility:
September 14, 2022: Deadline to Become a Member and Vote in Campaign Round One
October 19, 2022, 11:59 PM Pacific Time: Deadline to Become a Member and Vote in Campaign Round Two.
Further details about the leadership contest, dates and voting are available here.
You can check your membership status by logging in or creating a new login here. You can also send an inquiry via email. We strongly encourage you to confirm your membership status well in advance of the deadlines above. Please note: Donating to the GPC or your EDA does not automatically confer membership in the party – membership is a separate step requiring your authorization. The membership application is here.
Donations to the GPC during a leadership contest
A leadership campaign is an excellent occasion to consider optimizing donations, since a maximum donation of $1,675 is allowed to one or more leadership candidates (e.g. the total donations to all leadership candidates cannot exceed $1,675) in addition to one’s regular donation to the federal party and $1,675 directly to one or more EDAs. Should you be in a position to consider enhancing your donations, they will be received with gratitude – and a tax receipt! The donation rules are listed on the Elections Canada website.
How to donate to contestants: Once the contestants are confirmed on August 31st, a page on the GPC website will be available for members to contribute to contestants’ campaigns.
Fun in the Sun!
SGI Summer Picnic
Sunday, August 7 turned out to be the perfect day for the much-missed SGI Summer Picnic. It was a bit of a scorcher elsewhere, but a beautiful breeze wafted through the shaded picnic area at Centennial Park in East Saanich where over forty supporters brought their best lunch dishes to share. It was wonderful to be able to gather together in a beautiful setting to share food and ideas together. Sorry for the missing names. The turnout was good and there were some new faces.
Garth, Dan, Bob, Dave, Lil and Amanda?
Emily deKorte, David Bravo, Yves Mayrand, Michael, ?, Jenica Weyman
Jim, Merridy, Richard, ?, Martine, Julie and Karen
You can view more photos of the event here.
BC Greens News and Events
Saanich South End of Season BBQ
The Saanich South Riding Association is holding their end-of-summer barbeque on August 28th at Elk / Beaver Lake Park. Further details are available here. Do you live in or near the provincial riding of Saanich South? This map will help you find out. Come and meet your fellow provincial greens and have some fun!
Not sure which riding you are located in provincially? You can check that out here.
There are lots of upcoming events for the BC Greens, please check their events calendar as it’s updated regularly.
BC Greens: Convention 2022
Did you know that the BC Greens will have their 2022 Convention in person, in Vancouver on Saturday, September 24th? They will also hold an online Convention on October 1st – check them out!
Green/Vert Toastmasters
Now more than ever, it’s important to talk, listen, and lead effectively regarding climate justice and the urgency of adaptation, and our multiple livability challenges. This Green subdivision of the famous Toastmasters organization meets online, usually on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at 8 AM Pacific Time. They offer peer-supported, experiential learning and growth opportunities in the areas of public speaking, active listening, constructive feedback, and leadership, leveraging the Pathways educational curriculum of Toastmasters International. Join this welcoming, fun and supportive online community focused on the Green values of Diversity, Participatory Democracy, Nonviolence, Sustainability, Ecological Wisdom, and Social Justice here.
Regional information:
Sidney
Town of Sidney Climate Action Plan Update
The two engagement periods for the Climate Action Plan update have concluded and feedback has been incorporated into the plan, but you are still welcome to share comments and questions at any time via email at climateaction@sidney.ca or by phone at 250-655-5442. You can also stop by Town Hall in person during business hours to chat with the Climate Action Coordinator about the plan. You can view the full report here.
Saanich
Fred Hayes, Mayor of Saanich, has joined a national campaign to recognize this, the 230th Year of the Black Loyalist Exodus on 15 ships to Sierra Leone. The Proclamation was created by Nova Scotia’s #1792 Project which sheds light on another horrific chapter in Canadian history. Only by facing the racism of our past can we hope to move on together toward a more harmonious, egalitarian future.
The District of Saanich invites residents to participate in a survey to provide early input to the strategic update of the Official Community Plan. Topics include:
- New housing forms in Neighbourhoods (through residential infill)
- Land uses along major roads/corridors
- Building complete, walkable communities
Please take this opportunity to guide the District toward sustainable solutions. The Press Release can be found here and the survey itself is here.
Also from the District of Saanich is this interactive mapping tool that you can use to tell the District about the trees and biodiversity in Saanich that matter to you. There are, in fact, three maps, one called Engage with our Community so you can tell Saanich about which trees and biodiversity matter to you, Renewing Saanich’s Urban Forest Strategy to see how Saanich is updating our Urban Forest Strategy and how you can be involved, and a map outlining Saanich’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and how you can contribute.
Salt Spring Island
If you wish to relieve yourself of some ecological grief, visit Salt Spring during the month-long On the Rise Arts Festival in September this year to celebrate the environment and like-minded organizations of the Gulf Islands. It is a wonderful opportunity to honour those people and groups that do so much to benefit and sustain a dynamic and healthy environment.
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