NEW DEMOCRATS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO STOP GLACIER-HOWSER IN ITS TRACKS

Aug. 30, 2010

NELSON — Less than one year after the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office gave the Glacier-Howser private power project its second failing grade, the company proposing the project has now applied for a third time, and New Democrats are once again vowing to stand with the community to stop it.

“The people of the Kootenays have already spoken about this project – they simply don’t want it because it is not good for our region,” said Michelle Mungall, New Democrat MLA for Nelson-Creston.

“The B.C. Liberal government has ensured that destructive projects like the Glacier-Howser proposal can come back again and again, even when local businesses and people in the region have been outspoken about their potential to harm our communities,” said Mungall.

The controversial 100 megawatt private power project is proposed for an area in the Purcell Mountains, 120 kilometres north of Nelson. Mungall noted that opposition to the project by the vast majority of local residents is due to its potential to harm threatened and endangered species such as bull trout, grizzly bears, wolverine and mountain caribou, as well as the damage it would do to a popular recreational area and tourist attraction.

“During last year’s public consultation process, it was a struggle to get some clarity and transparency about ways for the public to meaningfully participate,” added Mungall. “Should this application go forward yet again, the public must be heard.”

Mungall has written a letter to the project assessment director at the Environmental Assessment Office requesting a number of measures to ensure the public’s voice is heard:

1. In addition to other public meetings, a formal public meeting must be held in Nelson, home to a significant number of businesses, organizations and other community stakeholders;
2. The maximum number of days (75) must be allowed for public consultation, and that the public must be provided information on how to fully participate in the process;
3. An independently written executive summary of the proposal must be provided in plain language that is understandable to the public.

“The environment minister has the authority to shut down this process now and save a lot of time and money on reviewing a proposal that the people of the Kootenays have already said loud and clear they don’t want. Barring the minister’s intervention, at the very least the Environmental Assessment Office needs to do everything it can to make sure people’s voices are heard,” said Mungall.

The Carole James New Democrats are holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for their HST doublecross while working with British Columbians from all walks of life, all corners of B.C., and all sectors of our economy to build a better British Columbia for the people of this province.

Click to view the letter: Open Letter to Kathy Eichenberger, Project Assessment Director, BC EAO

Sustainable BC

“Living sustainably in our homes and in our communities requires us to integrate social responsibility, economic security, and ecological integrity. It’s possible and we’re committed to it.”

 Michelle Mungall

MLA Nelson-Creston

Click here to view: Sustainable BC

HST petition headed for a ‘showdown’: Mungall

Nelson Star

Published: August 17, 2010

The delay in referring the anti-HST petition to the Legislature is a test of wills between the public and big business in B.C., according to Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall.

“Yet again we see a showdown,” she says. “The public will is loud and clear. The act is also very clear. It says Elections BC must send the petition to the Legislative committee. It must.”

However, the act doesn’t say when, a loophole the acting chief electoral officer is using in awaiting the outcome of a judicial review brought by business leaders.

“I do question whether [Elections BC] is acting correctly,” Mungall says.

Although the petition has hit a hurdle, Mungall says the fact it was certified as successful is “an historic moment in British Columbia. It says a lot, because it’s not an easy process.”

She also says the Liberals now face a choice: “Do they go with the public will or the will of their big donors? Their boss is the public.”

She says the goverment shouldn’t consider itself off the hook thanks to the unexpected reprieve: “Just because you put it off doesn’t mean you won’t have to deal with it. In 2013, the voters will have their say.”

Mungall Stands Up For Cody Caves Provincial Park

CHANGlobal BC News Hour

23-Jul-2010 18:23

Deb Hope: For years now Cody Caves Provincial Park has been the site of one of the most unique and facinating wilderness experiences in the province. You can find Cody Caves on the west side of Kootenay Lake near Ainsworth Hot Springs just northeast of Nelson. And up until a few weeks ago you could take a fascinating tour of a network of caves lined with ancient, natural formations. But the man who runs that tourist attraction says a change the government made to provincial park fees has killed his business.

Ron Bencze: From the parking lot it is a quick and easy hike to the entrance of one of BC’s unique natural wonders. But this season the main attraction of Cody Caves Provincial Park remains closed – locked behind a metal gate. The operator claiming he can no longer afford to keep the park running.

Kevin Stanway: We can’t get in the cave today because there is no permit for tours and so the cave has had extra locks applied so that it is extra secure for conservation reasons.

Ron Bencze: For the past 20 years thousands of tourists have been awed by the cave’s stonewalls. Tunnels of limestone carved out by water millions of years ago. The park, the first in BC established for the protection of an underground cave.

Kevin Stanway: One of the few parks or few caves anywhere that is easily accessible by the general public and so it makes for an excellent opportunity to educate people about caves and their importance in our environment.

Ron Bencze: But in 2006 the provincial government changed the fee structure for park operators. For Cody Caves their permit fee went from a flat rate of $265 a year to over $4,000. For the past three years the owner has kept the park operating by dipping into his own savings, something he says he can no longer afford.

Kevin Stanway: And the change in fee structure made it really difficult to operate. It was very much a contributing factor to make the business less and less viable.

Michelle Mungall: They are looking at a particular levy based on the gross income of park operators and tour operators and it is a very different scenario to compare what Cody Caves operations are to for instance someone who does outftting, outfit guiding in an established park where there is already park employees. We don’t have that here at Cody Caves. We need to look at these two different situations. Look at the two different business models and have an appropriate fee structure for the two of them.

Ron Bencze: Stanway says discussions with BC Parks have gone nowhere. The government says the fee structure can’t be changed to accommodate individual operators adding tenders for a new operator may need to be issued if a resolution can’t be found.

Deb Hope: And in fact the provincial government says it is putting out tenders for a new park operator starting next week.

Mungall welcomes UBC Intern to work on regional food security

July 7, 2010

Mungall welcomes UBC Intern to work on regional food security

 Nelson: Following her Community Forum on Agriculture in Creston, MLA Michelle Mungall has engaged the help of University of British Columbia Masters student Paris Marshall Smith to support initiatives that will increase Kootenay Lake communities’ food security.

 In March, Mungall heard from local farmers and food lovers that there is much to be done to support farmers and strengthen local food systems, so Mungall took on the task. UBC’s School for Community and Regional Planning offered the expertise with graduate students like Marshall who were interested in internships. Pairing Marshall Smith with the project of supporting local food in the Kootenays “was a natural fit,” says Mungall.

 “I am very pleased to have Paris join my team,” adds Mungall. “As a student in the Master in Community and Rural development program at UBC, she brings a high level of skills to work with farmers and food lovers for increased regional food security.”

 “Many people have told me that they want to make the 100 Mile Diet more than just a trend, but a normal way of life. In fact, the Creston Community Forum not only inspired this project, but also Jen Barclay who has started Frattoria, a marketing business for local food. The momentum is there, and Paris is here to capture it and work with locals for local food.”

 Familiar with the region, Marshall has been managing the large gardens and “food flow” at the East Shore’s Yasodhara Ashram for the past two years. “Food is my passion, and being able to complement my studies with an internship focused on supporting regional food systems is right up my alley,” says an enthusiastic Marshall Smith.

 Over the summer months, Marshall Smith will start by meeting with agricultural producers and distributors throughout the Kootenay Lake region to identify the infrastructure and networks needed to get locally grown food to local tables. A draft action report will come forward in the Fall for public input at a large regional meeting.

 “This is a win-win,” notes Mungall. “We get a dedicated person to work with us on an important issue with broad impact, and she gets to enhance her learning.”

 For information, please contact Mungall’s community office at 1-877-388-4498 or Michelle.Mungall.MLA@leg.bc.ca.

B.C. LIBERALS’ TAXPAYER-FUNDED HST AD CAMPAIGN ADDS INSULT TO INJURY

VICTORIA – Still outraged by the B.C. Liberals’ HST deception, British Columbians are now facing a publicly funded government propaganda campaign.

 “Residents and small business owners in every corner of the province have clearly said no to the HST,” said Ralston. “No amount of glossy pamphlets or advertisements will change that position.

“Today the B.C. Liberals launched their radio ad campaign, and they are also mailing pro-HST pamphlets to every B.C. household. This will cost taxpayers millions of dollars.”

 Ralston said British Columbians have already heard what the B.C. Liberals have to say, and that it’s the government that isn’t listening to British Columbians.

 “The B.C. Liberals are dismissing the public’s anger by claiming they know better than the hundreds of thousands of British Columbians who have spoken out against the HST,” said Ralston. “That’s the same B.C. Liberal arrogance that got us the HST in the first place.”

 Ralston said using taxpayer money to tell British Columbians the tax shift is good for them is cruel irony.

 “It’s as ironic as when the B.C. Liberals, who promised during the election they wouldn’t implement the HST, accused other British Columbians of spreading misinformation,” said Ralston.

 The Carole James New Democrats are holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for their HST doublecross while working with British Columbians from all walks of life, all corners of B.C., and all sectors of our economy to build a better British Columbia for the people of this province.

Bill 17 Clean Energy Act: Eco-Flirtatious

Please click to view the webclip: MLA Michelle Mungall Bill 17 Clean Energy Act Response June 2, 2010

B.C. Notebook

Rod Mickleburgh, GLOBE AND MAIL

Hummer? Bummer. Eco-hottie’s gas guzzler ruins date

Would she or wouldn’t she?

The date fate of a potential tryst between MLA Michelle Mungall and a good-looking, smooth-talking, self-proclaimed Mr. Green had members on both sides of the legislation transfixed this week, as Ms. Mungall spun her spicy tale during an otherwise humdrum debate on the Clean Energy Act.

This guy had all the right stuff, recalled the 32-year old NDP representative from Nelson-Creston.

He recycled, he had a compost bucket underneath his sink, he liked hiking and the outdoors, he cared for “all the critters in B.C.,” he drank tap water instead of buying the stuff in bottles. And on and on.

Not only that, added Ms. Mungall. “He was really cute, a really good-looking guy.”

The date started to go pretty well. “I was kind of liking this guy at this point,” she tantalizingly told the House.

Ms. Mungall began to think she might want to take a closer look at that compost bucket. When her date offered a ride “home,” she jumped at the chance “to spend a little bit of extra time with this charming, good-looking guy.”

She recalled thinking: “I’ll just leave my bike locked up overnight, and I’ll take a ride.”

And then … and then … the walls came a-tumbling down. No ride. No compost bucket inspection. No nothing.

After all that sweet enviro talk, Mr. Green turned out to drive a Hummer. Gadzooks. “I didn’t even get in the car,” said the mortified Ms. Mungall.

The moral of this yarn, according to the NDP MLA for close calls: The Clean Energy Act may sound good, but deep down, it’s driving a Hummer.

Meanwhile, I’d love to hear her date’s version of the night that almost was.

Mungall Stands Up For Education- Creston Education Centre & Salmo Chidcare

On May 17,  Michelle Mungall presented the  Minister of Education questions about Neighbourhood Learning Centres and the lack of support for the Creston Education Centre. Please click the following link to view the video clip: Estimates Debate Clip – Ministry of Education – Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston – May 17, 2010

Earlier this month Mungall pressed the Minister of Education on the lack of funding to school districts to support childcare centres in schools. Both Creston Valley First Steps Infant Toddler Centre and Salmo Children’s Centre, as well as Care To Learn in Nelson, are facing huge rent increases because the school board can no longer afford to host them. To view the video of these questions, please click the following link: May 4, 2010 ~ Question Period: Costs For Child Care Facilities In Schools ~ Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston

Creston Valley Advance, May 20, 2010

 This past weekend, I was at the local Farmer’s Market on the hunt for some Creston Valley asparagus. I was hunting for both myself and my colleague Dawn Black, MLA for New Westminster. We are both huge fans of asparagus, and after swapping some recipes, I figured I owe her a sampling of the best asparagus in the world.

 I came to learn about Dawn’s love for asparagus during a radio show I host Wednesday mornings from the halls of the BC Legislature. During this particular show, I was speaking with political veterans about the Parliamentary system that defines the way in which Canadian federal and provincial governments make decisions.

 It sounds like the show could have been a real snore, but I assure you it wasn’t. I liken it to food, actually. The hot-button items, like the revolving door at the Solicitor General’s office, are like pepperoni pizza –sensationally delicious. However, you need to eat your veggies to sustain good health, and so our Parliamentary rules are the veggies that keep our democracy healthily clipping along.

 The show will be up on my website, and is available for anyone to listen to. I especially welcome teachers and students to use the podcasts, and feel free to contact my office to get copies on CD.

 Aired live every Wednesday from 10amto 11am on www.guygentner.ca, I am now doing programs called Women and Water, where I speak with women who advocate on water issues. I’ve spoken with guests about drinking water, offshore drilling and oil spills, the BC Government Water Act Modernization, and the fight for Glacier and Howser Creeks. Alexandra Morton most recently was on the show talking about sustainable fish farming. Once the podcasts are available, you can find them on my website.

 Hosting this radio show has proven a great way to learn more about topics relevant to my work in the BC Legislature, and allows me to include my constituents as I gather information.

 Some of the other issues for which I continue to seek information are the Creston Education Centre and early learning in Creston. I recently asked questions of the Minister of Education on both issues. Since School District 8 is facing serious cost pressures due to years of chronic underfunding, they have tough choices that could negatively impact our kids. The Minister needs to answer for this downloading. Please click the following link to watch video transcripts of my questions. Estimates Debate Clip – Ministry of Education – Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston – May 17, 2010 You may note that the Minister tends to be evasive, so be assured that I will continue to press her on these important issues for our area.

 This weekend, I will be reminded why it’s so important to stand up for our kids because I will be tossing out candy during the Blossom Festival parade. Every opportunity to have fun in the region makes its way into my busy schedule, and this weekend is going to be a blast! Laughing and taking it easy with all of you is the best part of being your local rep because it is a reminder that our rural life is always worth preserving.

Mungall Supporting Salmo Roller Derby

MLA Mungall Stands Up For Childcare in the Kootenays

Michelle Mungall, Nelson-Creston MLA, has  been holding the BC Liberal Minister of Education  accountable for chronic underfunding of the public education system. Strapped for revenue to match increasing costs, School District 8 recently notified three daycares in the Kootenays that their rents will be increased substantially –140% in Salmo and Nelson and $14,000 annually in Creston. This forces the childcare centres to either cut services or increase costs to parents. Such downloading illustrates the ways in which bad decisions by the BC Liberal Government negatively impact people in our region.

May 4, 2010 ~ Question Period: Costs For Child Care Facilities In Schools ~ Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston

 May 5, 2010 ~ Presenting Petition “Salmo Children’s Centre” ~ Michelle Mungall, MLA Nelson-Creston