VIPIRG Past Events - 2007

Nov 23

November 23 - Fishing for Gold in the Land of the Chilcotin People

On Friday November 23rd at 7:00 pm at UVic's David Lam Auditorium, the Friends of the Nemaiah Valley and VIPIRG are hosting a Public Information Evening on Taseko Mine's proposed gold and copper mine, a mine that proposes to drain Fish Lake in the Chilcotin.

Confirmed Speakers at this date are Amy Crook of the Centre for Science in Public Participation, Murray Browne of Woodward and Co. and legal counsel for the Tse Keh Nay First Nations with regard to the Kemess North Mine and Amazay Lake, Chief Roger William of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nations, Chief Ivor Myers of Yunesit'in First Nations and Jack Woodward of Woodward and Co.

There will be slides of the proposed mine site along with pictures of the surrounding area and its people. A question and answer period will conclude the evening.

As this is also a fund raiser for FONV, there will be a Silent Auction as well. More details will be posted here as the date approaches.

Date: Friday, November 23 rd at 7 pm

Location: Maclaurin A144 (David Lam Auditorium) at UVic

Nov 17

November 17 - "Water: Ours to Protect"

Registration: begins October 20th at the WaterWatch Coalition Website, www.greatervictoriawaterwatchcoalition.ca

Presented by the Greater Victoria WaterWatch Coalition.

Nov 13

Nov 13 - Palestine, Israel: Two Views

Public Presentation and Discussion

Speakers:

• Rabbi Harry Brechner, Jewish Congregation Emanuel
• Mordecai Briemberg, Canada Palestine Support Network.

Free Admission. Everyone Welcome

Tuesday, November 13th at 7:30 pm. At the University of Victoria, David Strong Building Room C118

Sponsored by VIPIRG and the Victoria Peace Coalition.

Nov 2 & 3

The Story of Food Not Bombs: Cooking for Peace and Justice

Food Not Bombs co-founder Kieth McHenry will give a presentation about the history of the movement and the many things it has accomplished around the world. Kieth has spent over 500 days in jail for feeding the hungry. Amnesty International declared him a "prisoner of conscience" and worked for his unconditional release. Today Food Not Bombs is a global movement sharing vegetarian food with the hungry and working for peace and social justice. Kieth has visited Food Not Bombs groups in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East and will share his experiences of cooking and feeding the hungry

Friday November 2nd, 4pm - 7 pm at UVic, in the David Strong Building room C118

Saturday November 3rd, 3 pm - 5 pm, Cool Aid Society Downtown Communiy Activity Centre at 755 Pandora Ave.

Suggested Donation: $5- $15, no one turned away

Presented by: Food Not Bombs, the Victoria Anarachist Reading Circle, VIPIRG, and the Solstice Cafe

Oct 29

GAINING OUR FOOTING: TENACIOUS FEMINIST GRANT WRITING IN AN ANTAGONISTIC ENVIRONMENT

If you have never written a proposal in your life, here is your opportunity to learn how! If you have, this workshop will be opportunity to hone your skills, network and share ideas. It will be lead bySusan Bazilli, Director of the International Women's Rights Project. Susan has 25 years experience writing successful funding proposals for feminist organizations both nationally and internationally.

October 29, 7-9 pm at the Solstice Cafe 529 Pandora St.

Sponsored by VIPIRG, the International Women's Rights Project, and the UVSS Women's Centre

Oct 28

October 28th - An Evening of Resistance with Malalai Joya

In Afghanistan, activist and Parliamentarian Malalai Joya was subjected to death threats and suspended from a Parliament after speaking out against a government run by warlords.


Date: October 28
Time: 7 pm
Place: David Lam Auditorium, University of Victoria

Sponsored by:

VIPIRG
Canada Out of Afghanistan Campaign
Greater Victoria Seniors
UVIC Students Against War
Victoria Coalition for Survivors of Torture
Victoria Peace Coalition

For more information on Malalai Joya:
http://www.malalaijoya.com

Oct 20

Derrick Jensen at UVic

Please join us in welcoming Derrick Jensen, eco-philosopher and author, on his first visit to Victoria. Jensen's award-winning books include Listening to the Land, Endgame and his new collaboration, Thought to Exist in the Wild: Awakening from the Nightmare of Zoos. He explores the problems of civilization - systemic violence, industrial capitalism, and environmental exploitation - in an acclaimed lecture series that included a sold-out engagement at Langara College in April 2007. .

Date and time: Saturday Oct. 20 at 6 pm.
David Lam Auditorium, A144 McLaurin Hall, University of Victoria
Tickets: $12. 

Sponsored by VIPIRG, Victoria Anarchist Reading Circle, Camas Collective Books and Infoshop, Wild Earth Rendezvous, Dark Horse Books, and Monday Magazine

Oct 19

October 19th – New Directions in Canadian Foreign Policy

Join us for a discussion with independent journalist Anthony Fenton, who will be discussing recent changes in Canada’s foreign policy

Friday October 19th – 12 – 1 pm

Coffee and Treats!

Organised by No One is Illegal, Students Against War and Armed with Understanding

Oct 18

"Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land"

Documentary film entitled "Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land", followed by a discussion period.

This documentary, produced by the Media Education Foundation (www.mediaed.org), examines the role of the mass media in reporting on the Palestine/Israel conflict.

DATE/LOCATION: Thu., Oct.18, 2007, 7:30pm, at the University of Victoria, Harry Hickman Bldg., Room 105.

Organised by CAIA-Victoria. Sponsored by VIPIRG, Jews for a Just Peace, and the Canada-Palestine Association.

Oct 4

The Road to Peace in Palestine

Hanna Kawas, a Palestinian refugee who came to Canada 33 years ago, has devoted a good part of his life to informing the public of the facts regarding the the Palestine/Israel conflict and the 40 year Israeli occupation.

He is a founding member and the current chair of the Canada Palestine Association based in Vancouver. < http://www.cpavancouver.org > He is also co-host of the weekly one hour Vancouver Co-op Radio program, Voice of Palestine, on CFRO, 102.7 FM. < http://www.voiceofpalestine.ca > It broadcasts every Tue., 8-9pm, has been on the air continuously every week since Sep. 1987 and can be accessed anytime on streaming audio from CFRO's website. < http://www.coopradio.org >

This evening he discussed both the obstacles to and the possibilities for attaining a peace with justice for both sides.

Organised by CAIA-Victoria. Sponsored by VIPIRG, Jews for a Just Peace, and the Canada-Palestine Association.

Sep 27

"Occupation 101"

Documentary film entitled "Occupation 101", followed by a discussion period.

It took 5-6 years for the two young U.S. brothers and film-makers from Los Angeles to make this documentary. The following synopsis is from the film's website:

A thought-provoking and powerful documentary film on the current and historical root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Unlike any other film ever produced on the conflict -- 'Occupation 101' presents a comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the never ending controversy and dispels many of its long-perceived myths and misconceptions.

The film also details life under Israeli military rule, the role of the United States in the conflict, and the major obstacles that stand in the way of a lasting and viable peace. The roots of the conflict are explained through first-hand on-the-ground experiences from leading Middle East scholars, peace activists, journalists, religious leaders and humanitarian workers whose voices have too often been suppressed in American media outlets.

The film covers a wide range of topics -- which include -- the first wave of Jewish immigration from Europe in the 1880's, the 1920 tensions, the 1948 war, the 1967 war, the first Intifada of 1987, the Oslo Peace Process, Settlement expansion, the role of the United States Government, the second Intifada of 2000, the separation barrier and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as many heart wrenching testimonials from victims of this tragedy.

DATE/LOCATION: Thu., Sep.27, 2007, 7:30pm, at the University of Victoria, Human & Social Development Building., Room A240.

Organised by CAIA-Victoria. Sponsored by VIPIRG, Jews for a Just Peace, and the Canada-Palestine Association.

Sep 25

Disable Cluster Bombs, Not People

Join Mines Action Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and VIPIRG as we discuss the humanitarian crisis posed by cluster munitions as well as how YOU can get involved in a grassroots movement aiming to make a difference!

Tuesday September 25th, David Strong Room C118 at UVic. 7:00 to 9:00 pm

Sponsored by VIPIRG, Mines Action Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross.

Sep 24

Creating a Peaceful, Democratic State of Israel/Palestine

An evening with the distinguished author,academic, activist Dr. Joel Kovel

Dr. Kovel is Alger Hiss Professor at Bard College, New York. He is the author of many books including - History & Spirit, Red Hunting in the Promised Land and The Enemy of Nature: The End of Capitalism or The End of the World? His most recent book is Overcoming Zionism: Creating a Single Democratic State in Israel/Palestine, published in Canada by BETWEEN the LINES in 2007. Since 2003 he has been Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly journal, Capitalism Nature Socialism. As an activist, Joel Kovel has been engaged in struggles for peace and justice since the Vietnam War era. He has worked within the antiwar and antinuclear movements, the solidarity movements in Central America and the Caribbean, the movements for democratic media, and, increasingly, for ecological transformation. He has been active in the USA Green Party.

Read a review of Dr. Kovel's new book here

Sponsored by: The Barnard-Boecker Centre Foundation, Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group, University of Victoria Graduate Student Society and Victoria Women in Black

May 12

Mapping Social Relations of Struggle to Produce Effective Forms of Activism

How can we as activists produce research that is useful for activist movements? Confrontation, from a protest to a sit-in, can be a site of research. Activists can use confrontation to research and learn more about the social organization of the institutions we're fighting. This workshop uses participation and discussion to begin mapping the social relations of struggle so we can produce more effective forms of activism.

Hour one: What activist research exists already, and how is it 'hidden'? how can we extend it and make the capacity for research and analysis more extensive and critical? Instead of speculation and ideological discussions of institutions, we'll start with people's social experiences.

Hours two and three: How do participants' experiences, their work, and what participants know produce an effective research base for activism? We will map the social organization and relations of struggle.

Gary Kinsman and Caelie Frampton are editors of Sociology for Changing the World: Social Movements/Social Research (2006). Gary Kinsman brings to this workshop experience as an activist in gay liberation, AIDS, anti-poverty, anti-war, global justice and anti-capitalist organizing for the past thirty years and teaches Sociology at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. Caelie Frampton is a Vancouver based graduate student and activist who has been involved in anti-capitalist, queer, student and labour organizing.

Sponsored by VIPIRG

May 3

GOLD & GREED vs. COMMUNITY NEEDS

A community panel on Canadian Mining Companies in Central America & Turtle Island

FEATURING:

-->Mario Tema, Mayan-Sipakapense community organizer and teacher from Sipakapa, San Marcos, Guatemala;

-->Carlos Amador, educator and leader with the Siria Valley Environmental Committee in Honduras;

-->Dustin Johnson, of the Tsimshian Nation, editor of Redwire Magazine;

-->Sandra Cuffe, organizer with Rights Action in Honduras;

-->Dawn Paley, Vancouver-based independent journalist; and

-->Steven Schnoor, creator of the You Tube video on the evictions in El Estor, Izabal, Guatemala.

Thursday May 3, 2007
6:30pm doors & info fair
7:00pm presentations & discussion

at the University of Victoria, Coast Salish Territory
Harry Hickman Bldg room 105 (formerly called CIT Bldg)

Presented by: Rights Action, Victoria Central America Support Committee, Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group, the Barnard-Boecker Centre Foundation, and the Centre for Science in Public Participation.

Apr 28

COMMON VISION, COMMON ACTION
Shaping Municipal Policy in the CRD

Saturday, April 28, 2007
10am-3pm
University of Victoria
David Strong Building

Featured Speakers

Sonya Chandler, City of Victoria Councillor

Zeb King, District of Central Saanich Councillor

Jane Sterk, Township of Esquimalt Councillor

Linda Geggie, Lifecycles and CRFAIR

Todd Litman, Victoria Transport Research Institute

Dr. Sinclair Philip, Sooke Harbour House and Slow Food Canada

Jane Worton, Community-Based Researcher

Workshops & Plenary Discussions

Land Use and Transportation
Food Security and Water
Social Policy and Democratic Governance

This one-day conference looked at beginning to develop a common
vision for the Capital Regional District, as a framework for common action.
Environmental issues like climate change and social issues like homelessness can be tackled by citizens and elected officials, working together.

Organised by the Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group (VIPIRG)

Supported by CUPE Island WaterWatch, IslandTransformations.Org, the Council of Canadians, Kairos, Wise Democracy Victoria, the University of Victoria School of Social Work, and the Values-Based Business Network

Here's the program

Apr 26 & 27

Our Daily Bread

A discussion of our industrialised food system to followed this visually stunning and thought provoking film.

Featured Speakers:

April 26th & 27th

Robin Tunnicliffe, Local Organic Farmer

Richard Bocking, Filmmaker, Author, and Agricultural Economist

April 27th only

Abra Brynne, BC Food Systems Network

Derek Masselink, Agricultural Planner & Agroecologist

April 26th and 27th, 7 pm.

Human and Social Development Bldg Room A240, Uvic

Presented by CRFAIR, VIPIRG, FoodRoots Distributors Co-operative, and Lifecycles

Mar 22

Celebrate World Water Day

We celebrated World Water Day with two events:

The Second Annual Water Walk - A walk from the Legislature Buildings to Centennial Square to show our elected officials that we know our water is our future. Included a presentation of the Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition Award to the Belfry Theatre.

Thirst - We joined MC Jo-Ann Roberts of CBC's All Points West for an evening screening of this documentary. With special guest Mike McDonald of Stockon, California, featured in the film Thirst. Discussion and question period followed.

Presented by the Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition and sponsored by VIPIRG, , the Council of Canadians, CUPE BC, and Kairos

Mar 21

Sewage treatment for Victoria:
solution or expensive band-aid?

The Capital Regional District (CRD) is reviewing how we handle sewage waste and will submit its CRD action report by June 30, 2007. Proposals at the moment call for two or more sewage treatment plants to be built in the CRD. What will those plants really do? What happens to our toxic sludge once it is collected?

Come see the National Film Board documentary “Crapshoot: The Gamble with our Wastes” which highlights some of the challenges and potential problems of sewage waste. Following the film two local speakers will discuss Victoria’s sewage options and present their suggestions for addressing sewage waste in Victoria.

Crapshoot: The Gamble with Our Wastes
National Film Board Documentary

March 21, 2007

Cornet A221
5:00 Documentary
6:00 Discussion on the future of sewage waste in Victoria.

Speakers:

• Jim McIsaac from the T. Buck Suzuki Foundation
• John Newcomb, Department of Geography

Sponsored by VIPIRG, the Geography Students Society and the UVic Sustainable Living Club

Mar 7

Global Warming, Tankers and the BC Coast:

Global warming affects all of us. On Feb. 2nd, the United Nation’s International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released their warning that “warming of the earth’s climate system is unequivocal” and “very likely” man-made. The science is clear, climate change is happening, and humans are to blame.

A Globe and Mail poll issued late last month, confirmed that the environment has risen to the top of Canadian minds as the number one issue causing them concern. However, the answers to this global problem are not clear, and the Federal Conservative’s continue to sell Canada as an Energy Super Power. Out-of-control development in the AB tar sands is Canada’s single largest contributor to green house gas emissions growth in Canada.

Plans to build pipelines from the tar sands to coastal BC will support the projected five-fold increase in tar sands production by 2030. Pipelines such as Enbridge’s Gateway project will inevitably bring tankers, almost one a day, into BC’s Inside Passage and the Queen Charlotte Basin. However, a unique opportunity exists for the residents of the Saanich and Gulf Islands constituency, as well as Victoria. Together, we have the ability to ensure that our Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn, the Saanich-Gulf Islands MP, does not lift or allow loopholes in the 35 year old moratorium on oil tanker traffic along the BC’s coast.

Oil spills are a matter of when, not if. Lifting the moratorium would not only bring 320+tankers into our pristine coastal environment every year, but would be supporting further expansion of the tar sands and Canada’s contribution to global warming.

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Sponsored by the Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group.

Presented by the Dogwood Initiative

Feb 28

Eye-Witness Report from Lebanon and Gaza: Feb 28th 2007

Canadian independent journalist Jon Elmer reports back on his observations during a just completed 12 wk. visit to Lebanon and Gaza.

With the US impending escalation of the Iraq war, US/Israel nuclear
sabre-rattling against Iran gathering momentum and massive shipments of weapons to both the fractionated Lebanese government and the Palestinian Fatah faction, vis-vis Hezbollah and Hamas, the stage may be set for a massive conflagration in the entire Middle East as further US/Israel attempts are made to divide and conquer. Canada's role as a junior partner will be highlighted.

7 to 9 pm, Wed., Feb 28. UVic Elliott Bldg. Rm.167

By donation. Organized by the Victoria Peace Coalition (www.vicpeace.ca) and co-sponsored by VIPIRG, CUPE Local 50, CASC and Students Against War. 382.3375

Feb 23-24

Ethical Purchasing Forum

Co-operating for Locally-Based Regional Alternatives

Feb 13

AIPAC North: The Canadian Israel Lobby : Feb 13th, 2007

Dan Freeman-Maloy of York U., author of "AIPAC North", speaks on the influence of the Canadian Israel Lobby both domestically and on Canadian foreign policy. There are hidden loves, forbidden fruits, and suppressed discussions. It's now time to talk openly about the Canadian Israel Lobby.

7 to 9 pm, Tue., Feb 13. UVic Elliott Bldg. Rm. 167.

Organized by the Victoria Peace Coalition (www.vicpeace.ca) and co-sponsored by VIPIRG, CUPE Local 50, CASC and Students Against War.

Feb 4

Rethinking the Benefits of Cruise Tourism

Sunday, February 4th, 7 pm at the James Bay Community Centre (140 Oswego St.), Café Room

Presenter: Ross A. Klein, PhD

Facilitator: Deborah Curran
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The image of cruise tourism is mixed with views of grandeur and affluence, and to most ports is dominated by a belief in cruise ships as cash cows.

Thought is scarcely given to the environmental risks associated with cruise tourism and claims of economic benefit are often over-played. This presentation will look at the context of cruise tourism in the 2000's, at problems with the region's current cruise strategy, and at lost opportunities for Victoria and for British Columbia.

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Ross A. Klein is Professor of Social Work at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's. He has written widely about the cruise industry, including books (most recently, Cruise Ship Squeeze: The New Pirates of the Seven Seas), articles, and several reports for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He is on-line at:

www.cruisejunkie.com

Deborah Curran is principal of Deborah Curran and Company, a law firm that is dedicated to developing legal strategies for sustainability and smart growth. A James Bay resident, Deborah advises local governments and community groups across B.C., and teaches Municipal Law at the University of Victoria.

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Organised by the Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group (VIPIRG) and cosponsored by the James Bay Neighbourhood Environment Association (JBNEA) www.jbnea.org

Feb 1

1 State + 1 Occupied Territory = Unending Conflict

Two Democracy Now! 25 min. videos, the first a debate about whether or not Israel is an apartheid state similar to the former South Africa, between Prof. Gil Troy of McGill University and Prof. Norman Finkelstein of De Paul University; the second an interview with Rashid Khalidi, holder of the Edward Said Chair at Columbia University, and Ali Abunimah, co-founder of Electronic Intifada and author of the new book "One Country". In the latter, Abunimah sets forth a new paradigm for the creation of one multiethnic democratic and secular state where all its citizens, Israelis and Palestinians, have equal rights and live amicably.

Discussion and Q & A to follow. 7 to 9 pm, Thursday, February 1. UVic David Strong Bldg. Rm. C103. By donation. Organized by the Victoria Peace Coalition (www.vicpeace.ca) and co-sponsored by VIPIRG, CUPE BC Local 50, CASC and Students Against War.

Jan 18

Apartheid in Israel: Fact or Fiction?

Public Screening and Discussion

Thursday, January 18 at 7:30 pm at UVic - David Strong Bldg. Room C103

A first showing in Victoria of the Palestinian  documentary  "The Iron Wall" depicting the reality of Israel's cantonization of the West Bank. Followed by a report on CUPE Ontario's Resolution 50, the call for International Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions (BDS) against Israel and a Q & A period.

Sponsored by Victoria Peace Coalition, VIPIRG and CASC.

Jan 11

An Hour in the Shoes of...

Thursday, January 11th, 6:00 pm.

Location: Vertigo, Student Union Building, UVic

This evening is designed to give people an understanding of what it is like to lack the status that we as Canadians largely take for granted. Marianne Van Der Meij from the Victoria Coalition for Survivors of Torture (VCST), and formerly from the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS), is facilitating a workshop called “An Hours in the Shoes of…” This is a powerful participatory workshop where audience volunteers are placed into a real life refugee narrative and proceed to act out the situation as those volunteers see fit. A debriefing and discussion session that will follow discusses the narratives actual ending. Presented by No One is Illegal.