Hello and welcome to the August SGI Newsletter. Please enjoy reflections on the SGI summer picnic and information about upcoming events including the Saanich Fair September 2nd-4th, the Salt Spring Island Fall Fair September 9th and 10th, a provincial Greens picnic opportunity September 10th, and Global March to End Fossil Fuels/ Fridays for Future events Sept 15-17th. If you’re attending either of the fall fairs be sure to look for our Green Party booths and come say hello. Summer is not over quite yet!
Click here for a printer-ready PDF version of this newsletter.
Saanich-Gulf Islands EDA report: Summer Picnic
On August 5th, SGI held its annual summer picnic at Centennial Park in Saanichton. This is a much loved event as it is an opportunity for local members to meet with Elizabeth in a casual and fun setting.
About 50 Greens were at the picnic and they also had a chance to chat with the Deputy Leader of the GPC, Jonathan Pedneault. The Executive Director of the GPC, Kevin Dunbar, was also in attendance with his wife and children. Adam Olsen, our local BMLA for Saanich North and the Islands stopped by, in addition to Dr. Lisa Gunderson, the Deputy Leader of the BC Greens.
The potluck salads were delicious and nutritious, as always, and there were snacks and drinks provided by the EDA.
Elizabeth took the floor to inform the guests of the condition of her health, which is greatly improving after the scare that she gave us all with her mild hemorrhagic stroke. Elizabeth says that she is upbeat about going back to Parliament in the fall with Mike Morrice and continuing to press the Green agenda. Also, the fact that Johnathan Pedneault is continuing to assist her with the work of leading the GPC is a great help.
We also heard from Dr. Lisa Gunderson about her work with the BC Greens and how important it is to support them as there will be a provincial election next year. It will be worthwhile to find out who the BC Green candidate is in your provincial riding and consider volunteering or donating to help them to election success in very trying times.
Our summer celebration was also fortunate to host one of the Civic Engagement Scholarship winners from Lambrick Park High School, Ikroop Chauhan and her mother .
If you have never had the chance to join the SGI Greens at our annual summer picnic, consider yourself invited for next year and join us for a wonderful social occasion and some excellent potluck food.
BC Greens News and Events
If you live in the Southern Vancouver Island area and would like to enjoy some BBQ food, good conversation and live music join the BC Greens from Saanich North and the Islands and Saanich South at their combined late summer picnic.
When: Sunday, September 10th from 11am – 2pm.
Please CLICK HERE for more details and to RSVP so that they know approximate numbers for planning purposes.
Other upcoming BC Greens events can be found here.
Upcoming Events of Interest
The Saanich Fair
September 2-4, 2023: This year’s theme “Jammin’ at the Fair” is a celebration of preserved foods, jams, jellies, pickles and much more. For more information, view the event website here, and if visiting the fair be sure to drop by the SGI Greens and BC Greens booths to say hello.
Salt Spring Island Fall Fair
September 9-10: “Blue Jeans and Healthy Greens”. The complete catalogue can be found here and the fair is located at the SSI Farmers’ Institute, 351 Rainbow Road, Salt Spring Island. Both the SGI Greens and Saanich North and the Islands BC Greens will be present so stop by to see our displays and say hello.
Global March to End Fossil Fuels / Fridays for Future
September 15th & 17th: Marches and rallies across the globe are being organized with the intention of raising the pressure on world leaders who will be gathered at the UN Secretary General’s Climate Ambition Summit in New York City, to demand a rapid and equitable end to fossil fuels.
We encourage everyone to join an action near you as a show of solidarity for this global climate event. You can find the listed marches taking place in British Columbia by checking these resources. Check back frequently as details are being finalized.
– Climate Justice Victoria / Fridays For Future – Event Details
Pender Islands’ “The Crisp”
September 22-23: Pender Islands/ S,DÁYES “The Crisp” Festival will take place at the Pender Community Hall. The Crisp is a two day festival inspired by the SGI Community Resource Centre Society’s 2020 apple event “Let No Apple Be Wasted.” More details are here.
Orange Shirt Day
September 30th: Looking ahead toward the celebration of Orange Shirt Day on September 30, you can purchase T-shirts or hoodies at any of these Saanich Recreation Centres starting in September. Shirts often sell out before the events, so don’t delay!
Regional information: Southern Gulf Islands
The Southern Gulf Islands Community Resource Centre Society and Capital Regional District have teamed up to create a survey for both residents and visitors about the Visitor Economy (Tourism) on the Southern Gulf Islands, as follows:
Our goal is to collect 5000 surveys on Pender, Mayne, Galiano, Saturna and Salt Spring Island by August 31st, 2023. We have Survey Team Members with tablets allocated to appropriate events throughout the islands.
For more details and to complete the survey, please click here: https://www.sgicommunityresources.ca/visitor-survey/
Tourism Stakeholders will be able to utilize the information collected to improve their offerings to include new products, tailor to suit visitor needs and ensure that the local population and environment is considered as we navigate the future of tourism together!
Thank you for your contribution in helping us better understand the dynamics of the visitor economy in this remarkable region.
Of Interest
UVic Continuing Studies
UVic Continuing Studies is offering a wide variety of courses of Green interest this fall. There’s something here for everyone at reasonable fees.
- Bee Friendly! Plant Pollinators this Fall
- Borders that Break the Rules
- Gardening for Wildlife- Deer not welcome!
- How to Talk about Climate Change Without Overheating
- If You Could Only Have One – A Specimen Tree for your garden
- Introduction to Biology and Natural History
- Introduction to Mycology
- Introduction to Winter Pruning of Fruit Trees
- Landscape Design for the Pacific Northwest
- Mason Bees: An Incredible Pollinator to Host in your Garden
- More Bulbs for Your Buck
- Mushrooms of Greater Victoria
- Success with Honey Bees: Backyard Beekeeping
- Watercolours Taking Life
The Climate Pledge Collective
Have you heard of the Climate Pledge Collective? Its mission is: To change every single person on our planet, one by one, into advocates for climate solutions by talking frankly about our climate crisis and highlighting meaningful, manageable actions that individuals can take right now.
For example, their section “10 Things You Can Do About the Climate Crisis outlines some practical, achievable actions that collectively can make a difference.
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Questions? Comments? Feedback?