June 18, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsSome events
this week: Province appoints Health PEI trustee - CBCNews online articleJames Revell is a former board member
Published on Friday, June 15th, 2018
Health PEI has appointed a temporary trustee after the agency's board resigned in May. James Revell will serve in the position, the province announced Friday. On May 23, the entire Health PEI board resigned, citing concerns with the new Health Services Act. At that point, all board meetings were postponed until a trustee was appointed.
Revell is a former member of the board and retired from his position in March before the mass resignation in May. When asked he didn't seemed bothered by the controversy. "I think that going forward not a whole lot will change from the way that it operated in the last eight years," he said. "I've had those discussions with the minister and also with a couple of other people … we have a very good health authority, thought there were tremendous people on the board through that whole eight year period and I think it's really important that we go forward and things change."
Revell said his priorities going forward are simple. "This is a 24/7-365 operation with a tremendous number of employees that Islanders count on every day, every day, and so to the extent that I can ensure that that happens — those are my priorities."
'Expertise' to benefit system: Mitchell
Revell is a member of the P.E.I. Law Society and Canadian Bar Association, and a former Health PEI board member. In a statement, Health and Wellness Minister Robert Mitchell said he was "delighted" Revell agreed to take on the position. "His expertise, along with his experience, will be of great benefit to the health-care system," Mitchell said.
Seeking new board members
The trustee position is expected to be temporary until a new board can be established. Meanwhile, the province is seeking applicants with the skill, knowledge and experience necessary to serve on the Health PEI board of directors, Mitchell said. "Board members create linkages to the community and oversee the day-to-day operation of our health-care system," Mitchell said.
Mitchell said his department is getting a lot of calls about the positions, and that he hopes to have the new board in place in 60 to 90 days. ------------------------------
And Paul MacNeill, published of the Graphic newspapers, wrote this a couple of
weeks ago after the Board resigned: Mitchell moves to neuter Health PEI - The Eastern Graphic article by Paul MacNeillPublished
on Wednesday, May 30th, 2018, in The Graphic
publications Can you hear it? That unique sound of a politician trying to suck and blow at the same time. It’s Health Minister Robert Mitchell talking out of both sides of his mouth. The minister took direct aim at the former Chair of the Health PEI Board of Directors, Alex MacBeath, and 10 of his volunteer colleagues after their unprecedented decision to quit over what amounts to government meddling. The decision brought into full light the rupture between what is supposed to be an arm’s-length management of the system and a provincial government with a long record of imposing its will. Control over hiring of a CEO of Health PEI appears at the heart of the dispute. The board found a candidate it wanted. The provincial government said no. Mitchell has now tabled legislation giving his department authority to hire a CEO. In doing so government will neuter the supposed independence of Health PEI, established almost a decade ago to stop exactly the kind of political interference Mitchell is now guilty of. To be fair, Health PEI and its board of directors has never quite lived up to its billing. Most notably Health PEI has consistently failed to engage Islanders in a discussion about how best to move the system, which accounts for almost 40 per cent of government’s $1.9 billion budget, forward. Decisions are made behind closed doors that have a direct impact on the type and quality of service provided. There have been numerous occasions where the board has been tone deaf to the need of providing quality service in rural areas. Mitchell raised, without evidence, the bogeyman that the board wants to close beds and eliminate positions. This despite the reality that PEI has among the longest hospital stays in the country. On average Islanders spend three days longer than anticipated in an acute care bed, which drives costs up and adds to surgery wait times. So rather than deal with issues impacting the cost and delivery of a quality health care system, the minister has firmly come down on the side of the status quo. In a statement rich in hypocrisy, Mitchell even blamed Health PEI for going over its annual budget by $20 and $24 million, which amounts to a rounding error in a $700 million total spend and is oblivious to the Liberals spotty record of hitting their own budget targets. Health over-runs would be largely attributable to government approved contracts with health care workers. The reality of the Health PEI and Department of Health and Wellness model is neither has shown any particular interest in finding true efficiencies that allow us to scrimp where appropriate while focussing on frontline services. PEI spends five times that of other Atlantic provinces on administration of health care. We are three times the national average. But rather than partner with other provinces to deliver services more efficiently we pour tens of millions of dollars into cash sinkholes like electronic health records and ‘made in PEI’ solutions that fail to deliver a province wide solution, let alone communicate effectively with systems in other provinces where Islanders routinely receive treatment for which we pay tens of millions of dollars every year. Robert Mitchell says the Health PEI board wants to eliminate jobs, but offers no solution on how money can be better spent. He is playing politics with the health care system to ensure no hot button issues arise prior to the impending election. What PEI needs is an honest discussion about what services our citizens demand and how best to deliver them. Maybe there is merit in transferring patients from the QEH post surgery for recovery in a community hospital? Maybe there is merit in convincing our Maritime neighbours to invest in a single electronic health record system? Maybe there is merit in sharing the cost of delivering the administrative side of the system in a way that could save precious dollars for front line services. These are discussions Robert Mitchell doesn’t want to have. Instead his idea is to simply appoint a new board while centralizing more authority into his department and office. That effectively kills the Health PEI model because any future CEO cannot be accountable to two masters. And it’s almost guaranteed that when push comes to shove they will side with the person who hired them. Paul MacNeill is Publisher of Island Press Limited. He can be contacted at paul@peicanada.com June 17, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsToday:
Now that the Green Party has significant portion of popular support, some
people are asking (as in this Guardian op-ed on Saturday, June 16th) if the
Party, forming government, would still support Proportional
Representation. The Green Party of PEI's Core Values page here
says: "Enthusiastic participation in the democratic process requires an
electoral system in which every vote counts and results in a Legislature that
reflects the diversity of political viewpoints of all citizens." Aylward: Referendum Commissioner selection process needs to be public and transparent - Progressive Conservative of PEI website postPublished on Thursday, June 14, 2018 Opposition Leader James Aylward believes the process for selecting the Referendum Commissioner needs to be more public and transparent. "During the long debate over the government’s referendum bill it became clear one of the big issues was a question of trust about how fair the process would be. To try and address that I’m calling for the Legislative Management Committee to conduct the next step in the process in a more publicly transparent way, " said Aylward. According to the referendum bill a Referendum Commissioner will be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Legislature upon recommendation from the all-party Legislative Management Committee. Aylward is calling for the position of Referendum Commissioner position to be publicly advertised through Engage PEI and for any Legislative Management Committee meetings to select the Referendum Commissioner to be open to the public. Aylward has also written the members of the Legislative Management Committee to recommend this course of action. Legislative Management Committee meetings are typically held in camera behind closed doors. Aylward noted that the House of Commons Board of Internal Economy, which is the federal counterpart of PEI's Legislative Management Committee, has held all their meetings open to the public and webcasted since last June. Additionally, several provinces such as Newfoundland and British Columbia hold similar committee meetings publicly and broadcast the proceedings. "The debate over the Referendum was a public process for all to see. The referendum itself will be a public process. The process for selecting the Referendum Commissioner should also be done openly and transparently for Islanders to have confidence that there’s a fair process in place. That’s why we’re making this call and we hope that the other committee members from the Liberals and Greens agree and support it too," said Aylward. --------------------------------Happy Father's Day to those that fit the bill! June 16, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsFarmers'
Markets are open today in:
The Habitat for Humanity "Jail and Bail" fundraiser continues until
June 21st; the list of the good sports that are participating in being
"jailed" for donations pledged by friends is here and include singer
Irish Mythen, Gord McNeilly, and "Queen of the Fries" Caron Prins: LETTER: Practical solutions - The Guardian Letter to the Editor
Learning is important. Schools and universities play a significant role in the process. For too many years, society has been convinced that is the only way to learn, to get a better job, to solve problems and to contribute to our communities. I believe people also learn by doing. Today, when a problem develops, too many people run to their computers and adopt solutions which may not work and in fact cost our communities dearly. Water has become a problem for farmers. No deep-water wells, no irrigation, no practical solutions. On P.E.I. millions of liters of rain fall on every acre of land annually. Much goes to rivers, thus to the ocean to cause problems there. Charlottetown and other municipalities contribute to the problem. The volume of water running from the roofs of large buildings, houses, driveways, streets, and massive parking lots is enormous. Where does it go? It goes to the ocean via systems which have cost millions. Some possible answers to this waste are simple, practical and less expensive than the taxes required to pay for some grandiose suggestions to date. Farmers could build ponds using water diverted from houses, barns, warehouses, factories, and machine sheds and used for washing potatoes, watering cattle and irrigation on a timely basis. Cities and towns can devise a plan to divert water collected in the same way to high end users, car washes, parks, sports fields and community gardens. Malls with huge paved lots have opportunities to collect and become self-sustaining. Garth E. Staples, Charlottetown ----------------------------------------- LETTER: Living world disappearing - The Guardian Letter to the EditorA society of insect scientists and
citizens in Krefeld, Germany and the Netherlands has trapped and collected
flying insects from 1989 to 2016 in nature reserves. The society traps flying
insects from March to October using Malaise traps which are always positioned
in the same location and orientation. June 15, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsHelping some
good causes tomorrow: LETTER: Solutions at hand for transportation - The Guardian Letter to the EditorIncluded in the new P.E.I. climate change plan is a discussion of the need to transition the transportation sector away from fossil fuels. Unfortunately, this discussion is not followed by any significant actions. Incentives are routinely used to move behaviour in socially desired directions. Fossil fuels, for example, receive a worldwide subsidy of over $4 trillion a year. Until recently the consensus was that those incentives were vital to the growth and maintenance of our societies. Now, however, we understand that this energy source is poisoning us and our environment, and exacerbating worldwide disruptions. This can be addressed by redirecting only a small amount of the lavish annual fossil fuel windfalls. For ground transportation, we already have the solutions at hand. The only thing keeping us on our path to destruction is perceived price. Redirecting fossil fuel subsidy dollars can create a new set of incentives for nonpolluting private automobiles, school buses, city buses, commercial transportation, etc. One incentive should be a temporary tax rebate program for renewable-fueled vehicles. P.E.I. had such a program – simple and inexpensive. Re-funding that program would greatly increase the number of alternative fuel automobiles on the Island. Like the U.S. rebates, the program should have limited life, terminating when a defined number of alternative fuel automobiles are in use on the Island. Other incentives can be tailored to other subsectors. It will take dedication and a host of actions at every level of society to ameliorate this crisis. This is one. Harry Smith, Bonshaw June 14, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsToday:
Halifax-based Corridor Resources Inc. (TSX:CDH) says it has suspended
exploratory work on the Old Harry project in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for the
foreseeable future. ------------------------------ Can Liberals find focus in poll slump? - The Eastern Graphic article by Paul MacNeillPublished on Wednesday, June 13th, 2018, in The Graphic publications:
If provincial Liberals thought they could push through referendum legislation followed shortly thereafter by a snap fall election the quarterly CRA poll, which shows Liberal support in free fall and Premier Wade MacLauchlan’s personal support at historic lows, will kibosh the idea.
The cloud hanging over Team Liberal is dark, but opponents should not assume it is a guarantee the three term Liberal reign is over. Government is not required to hold a vote until the fall of 2019, so time is on its side. And while Liberal support dropped to 34 per cent, satisfaction with government remains above 50 per cent.
History shows that governments dip in polling conducted when the house is in session. It makes sense. This session has been particularly difficult for the Grits, staggered by a continuous string of self-inflicted wounds.
The spring session is abnormally long because Liberals believed they could ram through highly partisan referendum legislation. Both the Tories and Greens rightly pushed back, forcing government to back peddle.
Then there was the spectacle of two former cabinet ministers, Alan McIsaac and Allen Roach, tag teaming against a group of Montague Consolidated School students who researched and promoted making the red fox our provincial animal, an idea that even won the backing of a legislative committee.
And of course there was Richard Brown’s stubby middle finger jabbing the air in response to a cry of ‘Honour the Vote’. Pick your adjective: arrogant, disrespectful, childish, unprofessional. They all apply. Brown has yet to stand in the provincial legislature and offer a sincere apology that include the words ‘I’m sorry.’ His actions and lack of apology were all but condoned by the premier.
Waiting in the wings is the Green Party, which lacks the money and ground game of the Liberals. But it is catching up, especially on the latter. It is the only party that can boast public enthusiasm. The Greens will have no problem recruiting quality candidates, lured by leader Peter Bevan-Baker’s growing coattails. Their significant disadvantage in spending could be offset if Islanders’ frustration with old school politics translates into default votes at the ballot box.
While Conservatives jumped 11 per cent, its 28 per cent standing only equals where it stood last November with an interim leader. The jury is still out as to whether James Aylward is capable of convincing Islanders he is a leader with core beliefs or simply a pliable mishmash depending on which way the political winds blow.
The CRA poll does offer Liberals an opportunity to fine-tune a communication strategy that focuses more on ordinary Islanders and those in need than simply boasting about GDP growth and an economy on a ‘tear’.
Our economy is performing well. Lobster catches are on record pace, although the price to fishermen is lower than to be expected given expanding markets. Home construction is gangbusters. A major bond rating agency offered a glowing analysis of the state of the Island economy. But it is important to remember not everyone is feeling the love. We still have by far the lowest wages in the country. The unemployment rate is still stubbornly high despite a significant dip to 9.3 per cent in May. Government introduced major changes to social assistance payments that will offer recipients increased dignity and opportunity by allowing them to earn more and keep more. It’s good public policy.
In fact there is a lot of good news. But the MacLauchlan government must make its messaging less about analytics or the minutiae of the economy and more about people. Whether government is able to change what has been effectively been a failure to communicate, combined with too often unnecessary partisanship, may decide its electoral fortunes. Liberals have a window to convince Islanders they can change their spots and stem a growing tide of inevitability that the Island’s political environment is undergoing a sea change.
If they can’t, frustrated Islanders will ensure some form of the inevitable occurs come election day.
Paul MacNeill is Publisher of Island Press Limited. He can be contacted at paul@peicanada.com June 13, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsTonight: Vernon River
Hall. Presumably, Steven Myers is reoffering for the PCs in the redrawn
District. Elections PEI District Maps for next provincial election) After 39 days of debate, the spring 2018 sitting of the P.E.I.
legislature came to a close Tuesday night after government passed a
controversial bill paving the way for a referendum on electoral reform. On-line Guardian coverage ------------------------------- "People's participation is the essence of good governance." --Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India June 12, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsThe P.E.I.
Legislature resumes sitting today, from 2-5PM and 7-9PM. You can watch via the internet, from the link at the Legislative Assembly website, on Eastlink, or
attend in person in the Gallery. "Charged Up is about people power — people coming together in their communities to invest in a low-carbon economy. We’re inspired by
the people who are leading on renewables and making a difference in towns,
cities and rural areas. --David Suzuki June 11, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsEvent today: OPINION: Rural
revival - The Guardian Guest Opinion by Ole Hammarlund
published on
Monday, May 29th, 2018 in The Guardian Can we design villages that preserve farmland and offer some of the social and business support systems found in cities?
The past governments’ approach to rural revival has been very piecemeal and ineffective: small industrial malls or parks, the occasional seniors home, help to a community center or, lately, a roundabout. Meanwhile the rural areas are being depopulated due to farms getting bigger, people choosing to shop in malls, government closing local schools or killing a small village with a highway widening. Clearly a different and more comprehensive solution is required, a solution that centers on providing a living environment that compares favorably to living in a city. Rural living actually appeals to a lot of people judging from the many bungalows now bordering our rural highways and using valuable farmland. What if we could design a community that preserved farmland and offered the best of rural living along with some of the social and business support systems found in cities? One possible solution is found among the many co-housing communities in Denmark and now getting popular in North America. They come in many varieties such as rural and urban, but common to all of them are shared facilities: in addition to self contained living units that usually include bedrooms and kitchens, there are extensive common facilities that include a common kitchen and dining room, workshops of all kinds and recreational facilities for children and adults. Ownership models vary but usually residents own their home and the facility is governed like a co-op. For rural P.E.I., a major concern is to leave most of the land available for agriculture, so we want the buildings to be close together, like in Victoria-by-the-Sea or even closer like downtown Charlottetown. The agriculture on the open fields surrounding the community will of course have to be pesticide free so that residents can live a healthy life. Common facilities should allow for residents to have a local business, such as a furniture shop or ceramic studio and the kitchen would be licensed so residents could process locally produced crops such as berries, into jams or pies for sale. There would be a fiber-optic connection for fast internet, allowing other residents to work from home and energy could be supplied by a jointly owned windmill and/or solar collectors, maybe with a wood fired joint heating system back-up. The common rooms could serve as a local daycare, home school or special care facility offering additional local employment opportunities and a jointly owned van could ferry people to town when needed. One or more of the residents could be farmers tilling the land surrounding the “village.” The farming aspect could also be delegated to Amish or other farmers who are already committed to non-chemical farming. The land would be protected against further development and high taxes. Local production of staples like vegetables, eggs, milk and meat would find a ready market right in the community. Depending on the size of the community, which could range from 50 to 500 people, there could even be a resident nurse practitioner or other health service available to the surrounding community. The mix of people could include seniors and singles as well as people benefiting from support of a close community. Location could be an old expanded farmstead or one of the numerous communities that have been dying a quiet death during the recent decades. The point is that we need more than just economic opportunities and more housing. We need it all to work together for a sustainable. This is what we need in rural area communities. Not more bureaucracy and forced amalgamation. Ole Hammarlund is an architect who has designed many housing co-ops and seniors homes on P.E.I. He can be reached at olehammarlund@gmail.com. ------------------------------- TED Talk: Naomi Klein -- "How Shocking Events Can Spark
Positive Change" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeC4V1kExiY And I truly don't mean to trivialize Harry's death with a quote by a fictional (though esteemed) wizard, but it came to my mind with smiley tears during the lovely cerebration of his life last week, which he of course had a had in planning. "After all, to the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure." -- Albus Dumbledore (J. K. Rowling character), Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, 1997 June 10, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsNote that there
was not a Citizens' Alliance News yesterday, as I was in transit. The Death & Birth of an Idea - Medium.com article by Larry JonesPublished on Wednesday, June 6th, 2018 It’s been an interesting process watching an Idea be demolished, placed in dumpsters and hauled away. Emotionally sickening at several levels and oddly instructive about current political affairs. The Idea was one developed by my daughter to help people, of all ages, genders and ethnicities deal with the traumas and dramas of modern relationships. The Idea incorporated animals (horses, dogs, cattle) and interaction with people. In many ways it is a very simple idea that has been utilized for thousands of years but never quite been scientifically studied. Many people recognize the benefits with dogs & cats as they are part of many households. Farmers know there is a peace that comes in working with animals that is not found in our large human communities. My daughter learned how to tap into that peacefulness and she taught others. It not only has curative power but is also preventative. The Idea also incorporated the concept espoused by Bill Strickland that Environment builds Behaviour. The farm and buildings that housed the Idea were designed to support the program and it worked. Politics; however, don’t operate at a contemplative level, nor do politicians understand the benefits of preventing illness, they would sooner treat the symptoms. Also, traditional Canadian politics are about adversarial confrontation. About besting your opponent so you and your party get elected in the next vote. Trumpian politics are even worse because helping people has become a sign of weakness and bullying is now de-rigour for leaders and governments. So, it is on
PEI, where building a highway becomes a financial bonanza because federal
funding covers half the cost, the local taxpayer the other half and the
benefits accrue to a construction company. Even though the provincial government
is in debt so deep there is no salvation, politicians spend more money to build
a highway. Criticizing is dismissed as silliness and political power is
exercised. At some point in this tragedy, common sense and imagination were
lost and highway engineers went to work and designed a roadway without regard
for the environment, the people or the long-term implications, only cost was a
factor. This gives me hope that a younger generation will rise up to counter the vitriol and self-serving hegemony being expressed by some media and politicians. It gives me hope that the Idea was not bulldozed because it is much stronger than a physical building. People who matter know this and will embrace it, others who can’t see true value are fearful of it. As an architect this has been an astounding journey and I am learning more about human character and the importance of sustainable values than I ever learned in school or university. -- Larry Jone June 8, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsToday, Friday,
June 8th:
The Senate passed the cannabis legislation. It appears a few new
Independent Senators were appointed quite recently and showed up to vote;
actions like this make the NDP's call to abolish the Senate seems worth
listening to. Even though Gerard Gallant and the Vegas Golden Knights didn't win the Stanley Cup last night, they had a fantastic inaugural year, and now the Mayor of Dauphin, Manitoba gets to come to Summerside as Mayor Bill Martin's guest. The Washington Capitols have been waiting 41 years for this, and it was nice to see the whole District of Columbia area be so excited about their hockey team.
Ontarians elected Doug Ford to a majority of seats in the Ontario legislature
with 40% of the vote. Perhaps this is a walking billboard for Proportional
Representation (PR). It appears politicians, parties and some voters
would rather have all the pie every ten years or so, as opposed to a goodly
share all the time. It may be unlikely that the Doug Ford government will rule
as if they don't have 60% of voter support., and be more collaborative. Yesterday, in the Annals of the Stewards of Democracy, James Aylward, Leader of the Opposition, proposed a motion (No. 76) which would send the Electoral System Referendum Act Bill No. 38, back to the Special Committee on Democratic Renewal, to be worked on to bring back to the full Legislature. The Motion was seconded by Peter Bevan-Baker. Though Aylward later added that he would like to see consensus government given a fuller assessment at these Special Committee hearings and added to the Referendum Question, the point was that both Opposition Parties and the Independent Member Bush Dumville all agreed that the Bill is too messed up to piece together and put into action. Souris-Elmira PC MLA Colin LaVie spoke to it, pleading from his heart for the government to be reasonable and get this bill off the floor. It's unfortunate that the MLA still feels that Mixed Member Proportional Representation is too confusing to be used. There was also some indication that while PR may be used in a lot of places, that was true of Consensus and First Past the Post. This is not completely accurate if you are looking at states/provinces/countries in most "modern" democracies. For the governing party, both Chris Palmer, always ready to jump right in, and Pat Murphy, spoke briefly, and I honestly can't recall a single thing either said. The Motion was defeated, and as the rest of the afternoon was for Motions Other Than Government, Al Roach's Plastic Bag Reduction Act was finally passed, with the immediate unanimously Motion (No. 77) moved by Georgetown-St. Peter's MLA Steven Myers to have the Standing Committee on Communities, Land and Environement work on additional measures to cut plastic use and increase recycling. Bevan-Baker reminded the House that while we should feel good about this, there is much to do to improve the environment. The last few minutes of the afternoon was a bit more from Peter Bevan-Baker on the Third Party's "Seeking Improved Governance" Motion 73, and then the House adjourned for supper. The Evening session (which I didn't see much of but heard reports) was more tedious. "Going Through the Motions" as Kevin J. Arsenault sad/humorously labled it from yesterday is found on his link, here is an excerpt below: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160419791190858&id=542615857 <<snip>> We're all familiar with the saying, “The writing's on the wall”. Well, that particular saying aptly captures the current government's dogged intention to feign as much patience needed to drag the entire legislative assembly through a month of so-called "debate" on the referendum Bill - plodding relentlessly, clause by clause - listening intently to every comment and/or amendment brought forth by the opposition MLAs like they really care; then, when they're all done going through those unfeeling, robotic motions, whipping the caucus vote and dismissing each and every one of those really good and important ideas and Motions like they never existed. Poof! In the end, they'll have successfully reached their goal: a referen-dumb Bill full of most of the same internal inconsistencies and flaws they started out with, and it'll only take a month of our short Island summer to accomplish. The “writing's on the wall” with this Bill for sure, although it's writing that will have to methodically endure amendment, after amendment, after amendment...dozens of them. But not to worry: it will be accomplished. The Liberal government has set itself to the task of literally, “going through the Motions," as it goes through the motions. And what happened today in the House established the precedent - the "genesis template" you might say - for what we can expect to see each and every additional day of this sitting until the Emperor finally gets his new cloths...uh....I mean Bill.- Kevin J. Arsenault, June 7th, 2018 <<snip>> June 7, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsToday: The P.E.I. Legislature sits from 2-5PM and 7-9PM. www.assembly.pe.ca Tonight: Bluefin, the movie by John Hopkins, is being screened in Halifax. Sunday, June 10th: Bob Bancroft at Macphail Woods, 2-3:30PM, Orwell. The noted naturalist will talk about the Acadian Forest and the pressures faced. Always an engaging speaker. Free but donations accepted. ------------------------- Yesterday, serious concerns about the air quality were raised in the Legislature by Progressive Conservative leader James Aylward, with a usual stonewall and defend strategy employed by the Transportation and Infrastructure Minister to try to move the conversation on. The rest of the afternoon was spent in a committee of the Whole House working on Bill No. 38, Electoral System Referendum Act. The Justice Minister brought copies of all the new amendments, and said they would pass them out as needed. It looks incredibly rushed and half-baked, despite the neat stacks of brown envelops and post-in notes. My main points are: The Liberals wrote a bill that was seriously flawed. They are trying to amend basically the whole thing due to public reaction (good work to all those talking about this), the unstitched mess is being pushed forward with haste and a total lack of interest by many MLAs, with notable exceptions Brad Trivers, Sidney MacEwen and Matt MacKay, Hannah Bell and Peter Bevan-Baker, who are working for our children, really, and the future of the Island. Richard Brown, Jordan Brown and the Premier, the troika of Stewards of Democracy, pledged yesterday to take an oath in a ceremony that they will Honour THIS Vote. I am impressed by the calmness and persevereness of those asking questions, in the face of the Spring Session Farce, and am appreciative. Now it may take as long to read as the Legislature talked aout Bill No. 38 yesterday ;-) but Kevin Arsenault spells out exactly what happened. This is from Kevin Arsenault later yesterday: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160415762885858&id=542615857
WHY CAN'T LIBERAL LAWYERS UNDERSTAND LAW? - Facebook post by Kevin J. Arsenault
(The Liberal Art of "Crash & Burn" lawmaking in PEI)[Legislative Assembly, Wednesday, June 6, 2018] NOTE: Both the string of "clips" and my commentary are a little longer than usual today; but if you want to see how dysfunctional and flawed the current process is to enact a referendum Bill, take the time to read and watch. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Today's episode of the PEI Legislative Assembly was brought to you by the letter "eeeeeee" and the word "binding". How Ironic that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice (Jordan Brown) and the Premier who is dubbed as a constitutional law expert (Wade MacLauchlan) had to be schooled by a dentist on the statutory meaning and significant legal consequences of one key word those two so-called "legal experts" have woven throughout the fabric of their flawed Referen-dumb Bill. The law regarding parliamentary sovereignty states that a current government cannot pass legislation that “binds” a future government. That seems so straightforward and simple that it's truly mind-boggling that the Premier and Minister of Justice/Attorney General wasted half the afternoon refusing to accept this legal fact. They fought Peter Bevan-Baker tooth and nail (obviously forgetting that Peter is a dentist) with Peter steadfastly refusing to relent on his key point (I wouldn't have either); namely, that the government should abandon the pretense that the referendum is legally “binding” on a future government, and remove the words "bind" and “binding” from the draft legislation. Despite not having a legal leg to stand on, Jordan and Wade pontificated with their now familiar and patronizing slow, passively-aggressive drawlin speaking style, and elaborate (but legally-senseless) arguments that, in the end, amounted to equating the word "binding" with a spittled handshake or a "we promise" oath (with hand-over-heart) from politicians, which they claimed was the essence of democracy in PEI and something Islanders fully understand. Right. Peter's insistence that the words used in statutes should be interpreted based on the word's "meaning" was massively important, but trivialized and construed by Jordan as some kind of inappropriate hang-up with "technicalities," which he expressed as shock that Peter Bevan-Baker couldn't see that politicians honouring their promises is equivalent to a statutory legal requirement here on lil ole PEI. "Bind" and "binding" would remain in the Bill (he declared with authority at one point)...because to remove them (even though they don't have the legal force of their own "meaning") would be to, as Brown put it, "water down" the Act. What an utterly ridiculous line of reasoning! Hannah jumped in with some good reminders of what the Premier once said about a referendum not being able to "bind" a future government - which the premier seemed to acknowledge as something he did in fact say (how could he not, since she quoted him) but then muttered something about "clarity" and proceeded to fully defend the fallacious line of reasoning that was just presented by Jordan....which was so pathetic and weak, but also laughable, given the sorry track record of broken "promises" and dishonoured "words" the Premier is still dragging behind him from the last election. The Premier argued that those elected are “bound” by their "word" and the promises they make to the electorate, suggesting that it would be fundamentally anti-democratic (and pretty despicable) to rely on “parliamentary sovereignty” to frustrate or ignore the will of the electorate [cue in Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror"}, which certainly made me gasp in disbelief, given the memory of the all-party debate on education just prior to the last election when Wade was presented with a “clear” question, in a "fair process," and provided a “clear” answer: Moderator: “Do you support an elected English School Board?” Wade: “Yes!” Then Jordan Brown tried to make the case that new governments are bound to follow the “law of the land” as it exists when they come into power – until such time as they decide to change it, of course – so the law would be the outcome of the referendum. Sounds reasonable, right? Well it's not. Peter matter-of-factly explained to these two law experts that the referendum result is not a “law".... it's just a referendum outcome, and the Bill before the house specifically states that the next government (following the election and referendum) will need to introduce legislation to create a LAW to put a new electoral system into effect (if that's the outcome of the referendum). That legislation will have to be drafted, debated, possibly amended in committee, and could, in fact, ultimately be defeated; and NONE of that would be contrary to the Bill, which proves Peter and Hannah's main point of today's debate: the legislation is not “binding”. Indeed, the referendum Bill doesn't say that the legislation introduced by the next government MUST be passed. It can't. The architects of the Bill knew full-well that no statute of an existing government can “bind” a future government. Yet, despite being 100% correct on this point, Peter and Hannah were made to appear like trouble-makers by Jordan and Wade for insisting on statutory language that is accurate, clear and, more importantly, not designed to convey an idea that is false, e.g., that the use of the word “binding” actually means that the legislation is legally “binding”. But alas! No amount of common sense could steer either the Premier or Jordan from abandoning their deceptive language. The manner in which Jordan wrapped up “debate” by saying that he and his fellow MLAs were prepared to “bind” themselves while Peter was free to do whatever he wished, was just more deception....attempting to make the Greens out to be somehow “against” "honouring the vote," when it was the Liberals who collectively gave the finger to the call to “honour the vote” in the House last time around (which Richard Brown later solemnized with an explicit, public act) and routinely ignored numerous promises they made “pre-election” once they were elected in 2015. And to boot, Jordan introduced a raft of new amendments today - now totalling 27. It's what you might call the “jigsaw puzzle” method of creating legislation...dump a box of puzzle pieces in the middle of the table and start trying to piece them together - then half-way through the process, realize that someone inadvertently mixed puzzle pieces together from several different puzzles. What a mess. What a gong show! And how utterly senseless. If the Premier would just honour the fixed election date and send the Bill to the committee for emergency surgery, all would eventually be well. -- Kevin J. Arsenault ---------------------- Pauline Howard is providing *excellent* observations , too, and posting them on the Citizens' Alliance Facebook page, with huge admiration and thanks. If the inserted link doesn't work for the Citizens' Alliance Facebook group, here it is again: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1497903783808912/ June 6, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsThanks for your
patience -- and all your comments -- about how MailChimp packages
e-mails. So far I haven't figured out how to get them to be more
"responsive" and fit on mobile devices, but will play around some
more as time allows. I am also not sure why the text is coming out too
small on some computers and too large for others, and why the logo can look
weird. WADE'S MISGUIDED REFEREN-DUMB STRATEGY - Facebook post by Kevin J. Arsenault
[Legislative Assembly, Tuesday, June 5, 2018] June 5, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsThe P.E.I.
Legislature sits from 2-5PM and 7-9PM
today. You can watch it here (crossing fingers that the link works): Here is a petition to go to the House of Commons for Canadians opposed to the Kinder-Morgan pipeline buyout proposed by the Federal Liberal government. https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-1722 The rally against the pipeline and demonstration at Charlottetown MP Sean Casey's office was well-attended and sent a message to him via his Charlottetown staff. On CBC news it was reported that Sean Casey (in Ottawa) said he really has not heard much about the pipeline when he has been on doorsteps. If he has not been on your doorstep recently, you can write or call him and tell him what you think: <Sean.Casey@parl.gc.ca> (902) 566-7770 (Sean does seem to express his opinions even if they are not in lockstep with the Prime Minister's views, so he might appreciate hearing Islanders' views on this.) -------------------------------- The Celebration of Harry Baglole's life last night was a touching, tear and laughter filled time of music and story. A crowded place told the story of his many ideas and projects about "Islandness", and how many people he touched. I think Peter Bevan-Baker will pay tribute to him today or tomorrow in a Member's Statement after Greetings in the provincial Legislature, which will likely make many of us smile through our tears. -------------------------------- Thanks for bearing with a shift in e-mail technology for the time being. You may need to adjust your junk filters or add the <citizensalliancepei@gmail.com> address to your address book, if you are getting very dark banners about these messages being spam. :-) June 4, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsThanks for your patience while I test on-the-road newsletter sending
options. Here is a cartoon from Wayne Wright in The Journal-Pioneer today:  cartoon of "NO or NO" -------- And I will test a link, of the Legislative Assembly website, of the documents "tabled by leave" last week: http://www.assembly.pe.ca/tabled/ and the specific document tabled to the Assembly, of one of many Amendments to Bill No. 38, the Electoral Systems Referendum Act: This Amendment, tabled on Tuesday May 29th, 2018, is from Minister Heath MacDonald and raises the limit an individual can spend to $1000 from $500 and the Advertisers to $125,000 each side. It's kind of writing amendments on the fly -- not too confidence- building. Debate will probably resume tomorrow, Tuesday. June 4, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsToday: Monday CBC Radio Political Panel, after the 7:30AM news and sports, 96.1FM. Roy Johnstone will join the others be around the table for a special Monday convening of the this partisan and dynamic discussion. Before that (at 7:15?), it sounds like former MLA Cletus Dunn and another proponent of First Past the Post will be on CBC Radio. Someone will have to fill us in on a memory of Dunn and an electoral boundaries map. No
Kinder Morgan Pipeline, 4PM, Sean Casey's Office, 75 Fitzroy Street. In the speech from the throne delivered June
3, 2015, government included a commitment to "initiate and
support a thorough and comprehensive examination of ways in which to strengthen
our electoral system, our representation, and the role and functioning of the
Legislative Assembly." As part of this process, government issued a White Paper on Democratic Renewal. The two reports are on the webpage link (above)  from David Weale, originally published on his Facebook page on Friday, June 1st, 2018, and in today's Guardian. So Long Old Friend by David Weale My friend of almost seventy years, Harry Baglole, died this week, and it is difficult for me to get used to the idea that there will be no more visits to his ramshackle little house tucked in against the little hill in Bonshaw. No more boiled dinners with mustard pickles. No more talks about the Island. No more awkward hugs at the door upon leaving. There are many things I
could say about Harry, especially about the many ways he contributed to the
enrichment of Island society. It’s a very long list, and I’m sure many of you
will have read the fine tribute in today’s Guardian the made reference to all
the wonderful causes he championed over the years. Cornelius Howatt: Superstar!, by Harry Baglole and David Weale. June 3, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsToday: from their website and a media release: This no-charge afternoon will include informative displays and activities provided by multiple organizations which are devoted to sustainable development — doing things which accord with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the City of Charlottetown’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan, concerning environment, climate, poverty, education, decent work, clean energy, equality, innovative technology, healthy communities, social justice. “If
you care for our planet,” says Rev. John Clarke of St. Paul’s, “and want to
learn more about doing your part to help end poverty, protect the planet, and
ensure prosperity for all, this event is for you.” He says, “it’s a great event
for families, young and old. There will be give-aways, demonstrations of
technology, theme-related children’s activities, refreshments, and other fun,
family friendly activities.” The "Global
Goals" (Sustainable Development Goals) are visually represented here: "ACIC is organizing their annual symposium at the end of this month, including a Youth Day on June 21. ACIC’s 2018 symposium will tackle these questions through a focus on climate change, indigenous issues, structural inequalities associated with access to wealth and natural resources, and the necessity of exploring collaborative responses as one of ACIC’s main focus is on sustainable development. The Youth Day will focus on reconciliation with the indigenous peoples and promote different internships/programs that are available in Atlantic Canada. There are the information and registration links for both events if you would like more information." Symposium: http://www.acicsymposium.org/ Youth Day: https://form.jotform.com/81344145806960 That evening will have the Keynote Address, by Sheila Watt-Cloutier; more information from UPEI: http://www.upei.ca/communications/events/2018/05/public-lecture-sheila-watt-cloutier -------------------------------- A reminder of visitation and memorial for Harry Baglole: Today: Tomorrow, -------------------------------- Thursday afternoon in the P.E.I. Legislature, Opposition Environment Critic Brad Trivers brought back his Private Member's Bill to improve the Water Act Bill No. 115 An Act to Amend the Water Act with the appropriate names for the terms intergenerational equity, precautionary principle, etc., and adding more about conservation and greywater. It was defeated in the House. Some government members (including a Minister) appeared not to care what was in the bill - -they shouted "Nay" at every opportunity. Environment Minister Richard Brown dismissed it out of hand. That's too bad, as Trivers did his homework, researching and cobbling definitions that suit P.E.I. from scientific and other sources and checking with many people who offered help, including the Coalition for the Protection of PEI Water, the Green Party PEI, and and some individuals. The time spent on it did lead to some slightly uninformed discussion around the room regarding organic soil matter (which Peter Bevan-Baker tried to correct), and on greywater from industrial or commercial purposes. At one point Minister R. Brown said he would arrange a meeting with Robert Irving so they could talk - he was misrepresenting his fellow MLAs Matt MacKay and Jamie Fox and they caught him on it and it led to some desk-pounding from MacKay.) (See below) Status of the Regulations and public consultations: This also came up with the discussion. Former Minister Robert Mitchell believes the regulations should be brought all over the Island by the Environment Minister for public input. But he knows each minister has his or her own ideas. The term that something happens "...at the Minister's Discretion" was a term that many in the Water Coalition strenuously objected to; for it works OK if you have an enlightened and bold Minister, but not so well if you don't. Current Environment Minister Richard Brown (this was the same afternoon he admitted to making a rude gesture to the person who shouted "Honour the Vote!" in 2016) said the wonderful, knowledgeable people in the water division where finishing up regulations and then they would go to the Standing Committee on Communities, Land and Environment and then be ready to implement. This is about the third completely different thing we have heard from Minister R. Brown about the regulations. By the end of the afternoon, it sounded like Brown was saying maybe the Standing Committee would like to host public meetings in a few places on the proposed regulations. Kevin
J. Arsenault compiled the video clips from the part of the Legislature and
wrote his own very accurate account of the Act to Amend the Water Act
episode, here (let me know if you cannot access it): -------------------------------- (perhaps read this with environmental and not simply political colours :-) "No water, no life. No blue, no green." --Scientist Sylvia Earle, (b. 1935), founder of Mission Blue, which works to establish Marine Protected Areas June 2, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsToday: ---------------- Yesterday the P.E.I. Legislature sat in the morning, the Opposition questioned about PNP and about apparent favoritism in road repair work, some housekeeping bills were worked on, and there was a continued big discussion on the government's Motion to replace evening sitting times by putting those hours in the daytime. It's one step that could promote more diversity in the Legislature -- but it's only one of 16 or so other recommendations from a report that's now a few years old from the PEI Coalition for Women in Government (which Darlene Compton read for the record -- and edited version might have been better to have read at this point). There seemed to be some consensus to do something now like drop one evening sitting (maybe Thursday night), leaving the Opposition Evening on Tuesdays; and renewing the Committee's focus (which didn't meet very often this winter due to the Cabinet shuffle and other government members' inaccessibility) to evaluate and act on more of these suggestions. The Legislature did not return to the electoral referendum bill. Justice Minister Jordan Brown indicated on Island Morning radio Friday morning with Peter Bevan-Baker that government might be ready to introduce the amendments which talk about a eight month period of referendum restrictions...hard to follow the latest details...but J. Brown said the Liberal Government had been nothing but "Stewards of Democracy". More on the Stewards of Democracy... The photo shoot from November 2016 were a person called out "Honour the Vote" and was responded to with raised fist and rude gesture by Richard Brown, laughs by him and Jordan Brown and stifled smiles by another was captured by Island videographer John Morris, who was filming the photo shoot for his "vlog." Yesterday,
he made a video explaining the day. Morris films many things -- some
poignant Plan B highway documentary pieces, some fun tourist destination
pieces, etc. from February 23rd, 2018, Facebook, reprinted
with permission: June 1, 2018Chris Ortenburger's CA NewsThis morning: Peter Bevan-Baker and Jordan Brown on CBC Radio (96.1FM), after the 7:30AM news, weather and sports, to "discuss electoral reform legislation and the decision last night to pull the bill for changes." The P.E.I. Legislature sits today from 10AM-1PM. You can attend in person in the Gallery or watch on-line here. Saturday, June 2nd: Plants of PEI with Kate MacQuarrie, 10AM-12noon, Macphail Woods, Orwell. edited from media release: Biologist Kate MacQuarrie will share her love of plants at Macphail Woods. Starting at the arboretum, then a walk along trails, pointing out common and uncommon species of flowering and non-flowering plants (wildflowers, ferns, club mosses, shrubs). Dress appropriately. Free but donations accepted. More info: 651-2575 or <macphailwoods.org> Spring Social With Peter (Bevan-Baker), 7-9PM, Canoe Cove School. "This is a free event for the whole family. This will be an evening of celebration with music, good times and silent auction. Beverages and light snacks provided. Bring a friend along!" https://www.facebook.com/events/618808381790093/ Monday, June 4th: Visit Sean Casey's Office regarding KinderMorgan pipeline purchase, 4PM, 75 Fitzroy Street. Rally at the Charlottetown MP's office to discuss the pipeline the Canadian government has just bought, and share your feelings. Organized by Leadnow (More information) Tuesday, June 5th: World Environment Day, theme of "Beat Plastic Pollution." Related is that Chile has become the first country in the Americas to ban plastic bags. This news was shared with MLA Al Roach, who has a Private Member's Bill (No. 114, Plastic Bag Reduction Act) that I think is still in Committee of the Whole House (but it was in the confusion of the last minutes of Tuesday night's session), and he tabled the following story in the Legislature Wednesday. Chile Bans Bags EcoWatch story Beat Plastic Pollution story Saturday, June 9th: NDP PEI Potluck/Music Socialwith Joe Byrne, 5-8PM, Bonshaw Community Centre, 25 Green Road. "Summer is almost here! Come out and say hello and let's get together and share some food, music and laughs ..Everyone is invited - so bring a friend, your favorite dish, and an instrument. NDP Leader Joe Byrne will play a song... or two." More info: info@ndppei.ca or 902-892-1930 Facebook event details ------------------------------- More from Joe: LETTER: Restrictive manipulation on Bill 38 - The Guardian Letter to the EditorPublished on Tuesday, May 29th, 2018http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/opinion/letter-to-the-editor/letter-restrictive-manipulation-on-bill-38-213746 Bill 38 — the “Electoral System Referendum Act” — looks good on the surface, doesn’t it? It’s a referendum with rules for fairness, so that Islanders can do serious thinking about how we choose our government, right?
But consider the big picture: why do we
pass a law to construct a bunch of rules to specify just who can advocate for
what they believe to be a good political system? What this really is — it’s an
infringement on basic freedom of expression of opinion.
Our elitist governing party feels the
need to stack the vote towards the status quo. It is an error to think that
people who don’t vote do not care; reasonable and rational people may simply
not choose either yes or no.
We should also include young people. We
recognized anyone over 16 as capable to vote in the plebiscite (which was not
honored), and that same group should have the right to vote in the referendum.
There is no need to discount the stake of youth in the future electoral system.
Why are advocates crassly called
“advertisers” rather than people who want to share information and analysis? If
the government was truly interested in discussion, dialogue and debate, it
would not impose such restrictions. Rather it would encourage Islanders to
engage and allow us to present the best case for or against reform.
And if the province is to provide funding
then it should be adequate. The approximate 50 cents per person seems woefully
inadequate to engage our population in a full debate on electoral reform.
This is a piece of legislation that is
more about restrictive manipulation than about democracy. I, and all the
Islanders who believe in fairness, call for consultation and significant
amendment of Bill 38.
Joe Byrne, P.E.I. NDP Leader, Charlottetown
-------------------------------- More tomorrow about Brad Trivers' attempt to Amend the Water Act in the Legislature Thursday afternoon. ------------------------ As reported in the news, the Electoral System Referendum Act was taken off the floor of the Legislature Thursday evening, as Justice Minister Jordan Brown and Committee of the Whole House chair Kathleen Casey tried to work the Bill through even thought they didn't have amendments which Brown said hadn't been prepared yet, reasoning that they already had the "stranger" (expert person, usually from the department the Bill is under) there. Peter Bevan-Baker had an amendment on the floor at the time, and Steven Myers pointed out that being in Committee for this Bill was a waste of time with Government so unprepared. So they moved on to some other Legislation. No sense going on without getting these amendments out there. Very amateurish for a Government that has has a lot of time to get things clear and level. And from Paul MacNeill, a story tying together an unprofessional expression by MLA Richard Brown and the whole referendum preparation: http://www.peicanada.com/article_63d49240-6479-11e8-894b-f38369191ebd.html printed in The Graphic on-line on Wednesday, May 30th, 2018 Richard Brown flips ‘Honour the Vote’ the bird - PEI Canada online article by Paul MacNeill, PublisherThe Liberal caucus were dressed in their finest, assembled on a crisp fall day in front of the provincial Legislature for their 2016 Christmas card photoshoot.
It was not, however, the pretty picture
government hoped it would be.
As the caucus stood in neat rows an
unknown bystander shouts ‘Honour the vote’, a reference to the Liberal government’s
decision to ignore results of the 2016 electoral reform plebiscite. Instantly,
Richard Brown raises his arm and flashes his middle finger. Behind him Jordan
Brown smiles and slaps his colleague on the shoulder. Robert Mitchell appears
to stifle a laugh.
No other Liberal MLA reacts, including
Premier Wade MacLauchlan who was standing front and centre with Speaker Buck
Watts to his right. Watts and MacLauchlan stood to Richard Brown’s left.
Video of the incident exists. I’ve seen
it.
Wednesday evening I contacted both
Richard Brown and Jordan Brown, as well as the Premier’s office. “That would be something I do not
recall,” Jordan Brown, who was not in cabinet at the time, said in a facebook
response. “Bit of a strange question - why do you ask?”
The answer is simple. It’s newsworthy.
And in the environment PEI currently
finds itself, where the provincial government is putting obstacles in front of
those who support electoral reform and suggest government can impose
regulations on how media will cover the upcoming referendum, it is even more
relevant if a government MLA flipped the middle finger at an Islander who
simply said ‘Honour the vote.’
The Liberal government has brought
forward Bill 38, the Electoral System Referendum Act, which limits groups and
individuals from spending more than $500 on advertising unless they are
registered with the province. Those that do register, on either side of the
debate, will be entitled to a share of $75,000 earmarked for each side.
Justice Minister Jordan Brown is quoted
as saying the bill is ‘tailored to ensure that freedom of expression is not
limited more than is reasonably necessary in order to give effect to the stated
purposes of the proposed legislation.’
As part of its attempt to be fair to both
sides, the minister said a newspaper could potentially be in violation of the
act if it published a special section on the referendum.
The PEI Coalition for Proportional
Representation finds the proposed legislation so restricting that it has
disbanded. The group consisted of a wide range of members including, among
others, the Status of Women, PEI Council of People With Disabilities, Green
Party, NDP and ordinary Islanders. Wednesday in the provincial legislature
Richard Brown strongly defended the legislation. "There are limits on
everything. We do not allow people, in freedom of speech, to promote hatred,
racism,” he said. “have allowed some limits."
Neither Richard Brown nor the Premier’s
office responded to a request for comment. --------------------------- (Brown admitted Thursday during Question Period that it was he, and said he regretted it. I happened to be in the area that day and saw him not honouring the voter....) From this newsletter, November 13th, 2016: An aside: Richard Brown, District 12 (Charlottetown-Victoria Park), who defended First-Past-the-Post most robustly, saw his district go overwhelming for PR options.... |
