Vancouver Aquarium Expansion

Last year my daughter held her birthday party at the Vancouver Aquarium. It was just a couple of days after the arrival of two new dolphins from Japan and spirits were high among staff and visitors alike.

The highly-trained birthday guides combined a tour through the public galleries, a “behind the scenes” salmon feeding opportunity and a good old-fashioned scavenger hunt to make it a party worth remembering.

For many years, our family has held an aquarium membership. On rainy winter days it is a great way to escape the house and for the kids (and adults) to learn more about our unique coastal ecosystem.

We’ve also participated in the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up held each summer. This program aims to keep our shores free from materials hazardous to birds, fish and other wildlife- including people.

Needless to say, our family is very supportive of the aquarium’s efforts to revitalize its Stanley Park site with new habitat for the Steller sea lions, sea otters and sea birds, as well as enlarged pools for the belugas. The aquarium is also planning an expansion onto land once occupied by the Stanley Park Zoo and moving the salmon run exhibit that my daughter so enjoyed during her birthday visit.

Being Vancouver, these plans are not without controversy.

The Coalition for No Whales in Captivity is a vocal group that has long pressured the aquarium and Parks Board to develop in a direction that doesn’t include large sea mammals.

The Coalition is aghast that the Parks Board this week voted to rescind an earlier resolution that called for a public referendum before any further aquarium expansion could occur.

Instead the Parks Board has decided that a thorough public consultation process is far more effective than a one-off vote, which could be subject to high-jacking by special interest groups.

Because of the passion around the issue, one could foresee a referendum campaign dominated by shots of sad-looking dolphins behind bars – a very different reality from what one experiences at the well-run Vancouver Aquarium.

Of course, it would have been far easier for the Parks Board commissioners to pass the buck on the aquarium expansion and not take responsibility for the decision.

Instead, they are facing the public directly and will jointly manage a public consultation process which will be marked, I’m sure, with protests and a negative publicity.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Vancouver Aquarium. In those 50 years, it has evolved from a traditional zoo-like experience into a marine science centre known internationally for its commitment to research and conservation.

The expansion before the public is the logical next step on that journey.

You can learn more about the Aquarium’s activities at www.vanaqua.org.

(As seen today in 24 Hours)

But what ARE Canadian values?

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has ignited a debate that we haven’t seen waged in Canada for a generation around the question of what it means to be Canadian.

In other words: what are Canadian values?

Or to consider another perspective, are there actually uniquely Canadian values or are we just a random collection of people with different backgrounds and beliefs connected by shared geography?

Our constitution refers to “peace, order and good government”, or “POG” as it is known to the British North America Act intelligentsia.

Individual Canadians when asked, speak of compassion or public-sector health care or equality for all. Other cite our pervasive social safety net or our penchant for international peace-keeping.

Canadians who have fled dictatorship or economic slavery, celebrate the freedom they find in this country.

Until, of course, their first tax bill.

My mother is quite certain the good manners are the hallmark of a Canadian, especially abroad. But then again, my mother is quite keen on polite behaviour in general.

Looking back, what were values that built our country? And, almost more importantly, are they still relevant today?

Not that long ago, as far as nations are measured, ours was a physically demanding one, with a widely dispersed and diverse population. From the first days of settlement, we’ve had to learn to work together with folks that didn’t necessary share our religion or our culture or our ethnicity.

It has mostly worked.

When you are building a barn and it needs to be ready before the fall harvest, are you really going to refuse help from your Ukrainian neighbour, even if he speaks a different language?

There was a bias towards self-reliance. “God helps those that help themselves” wasn’t just a platitude in the early days of our country.

Work hard. Raise your family well. Help out your neighbour if she needs an extra hand. Follow the teachings in the Bible. Be brave. Don’t back down from a fight. Support your country and the King (before 1953). Mind your own business. Save for a rainy day. Build your community.

The question is, of course, are these values still relevant today or has our country shifted in a way that makes them antiquated, like buggy whips or hoop skirts or vcrs?

More importantly in my view, is if or how these historic values mesh with our current overactive government trying to solve each problem facing every Canadian.

A starting place for any discussion of national values should begin with our proud past.

So, what are your Canadian values? And do you feel most Canadians share them with you?

As seen today in 24 Hours

Daycare or Mom: What's Best?

In the numerous emails I have received since my column last month on the Conservative government’s Child Care Allowance, none struck a nerve so much as the one from a mother frustrated that her daycare costs aren’t covered 100% by the government.

So, instead of working, she “has” to stay home with her kids while her husband works alone in the paid workforce.

Fifty years ago, this letter never would have been written. But after decades of writers, media figures and government-funded advocates like National Action Committee on the Status of Women shouting on the airwaves, some women have bought the message that bringing kids into the world is something that can be done without sacrifice.

How ridiculous.

It is impossible to combine small children and a career without one or both suffering the effects. To pretend otherwise is to set up our daughters for failure at home or at the office.

The myth of universal, nationalized and state-funded daycare touted by the left is nothing more than a sop to those who don’t value the important work of mothers at home with their babies.

This is not politically correct of me – especially as a working mother of two – but I’ll say it anyway: unless it is not an option, children deserve loving care by a family member or close acquaintance until they can at least speak for themselves.

It may mean putting off buying the first house or the winter trip somewhere warm, but it is the least that our precious children deserve.

Before the angry letters start, I understand that sometimes there isn’t a choice and that many mothers must work for food and a roof over their heads. I’ve been there and it was very difficult.

However Statistics Canada research shows the majority of mothers want to care for their own children and, if that is not possible, prefer family do it for them. Failing that option, most choose small, home-run daycares.

If there was truly the crushing demand for daycare spaces, I can guarantee that supply would be created - look at the private clinics springing up offering knee surgery in another sacred cow busting move.

Let’s not forget that the provincial government subsidizes spaces for those that need the support. Parents who earn under $30,000 a year can apply for almost a full subsidy of their daycare fees and partial subsidies are available for higher incomes.

It is the height of lunacy to suggest that the 13% of kids in institutional daycare are the tip of hidden daycare demand and that a state-run and union-staffed daycare centre is where Canadian parents want their kids spending their first precious years.


As seen today in 24 Hours

New SES Polling

Our most recent national survey of Canadians completed by SES Research Tuesday Night (May 9) has the Conservatives with a comfortable lead over the Liberals (Conservative 38%, Liberals 28%) on the national ballot. NDP support is at 19% followed by the Bloc Quebecois at 9% and the Green Party at 6%. The Conservatives have picked up support in Quebec (+11 points) and are now in a statistical tie with the BQ. Currently, Ontario is also a statistical tie between the Conservatives and the Liberals.

“Our last national poll was conducted at the time of the Emerson-Fortier cabinet announcements – at that time the Conservatives and Liberals were statistically tied. The Conservatives now have pulled ahead in the post budget period. There seems to be minimal political blow-back on the Emerson-Fortier appointments,” said Nik Nanos, President of SES Research. “The Harper-led Conservatives have also realised noticeable 90-day gains in Quebec at the expense of all the other parties. Harper’s focus on Quebec seems to be moving the Conservative numbers.”

Methodology
Polling between May 4th and May 9th, 2006 (Random Telephone Survey of Canadians, 18 years of age and older). Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding. The change in brackets is from the last SES National Survey completed February 9th, 2006.

Decided Canadian Voters (N=930, MoE ± 3.2%, 19 times out of 20)

Conservatives 38% (+5)
Liberals 28% (-6)
NDP 19% (+1)
Bloc Quebecois 9% (0)
Green 6% (-1)
Undecided 8% (+5)

The detailed tables with the regional sub-tabs and methodology are posted on our website at: http://www.sesresearch.com

Fighting for Free Speech

On days like today, I am reminded of our truly precious right to freedom of speech in Canada.

Take 24 Hours where I have a weekly column.

On Tuesdays, can you read Bill Tielemen’s columns, written from a terribly mis-guided, left-wing, unionist, and narrowly anti-capitalist perspective.

And then on Thursdays, you can read my columns, written from a terribly mis-guided, right-wing, corporatist, and narrowly capitalist perspective.

Depending, of course, on your point of view.

But regardless of your opinion of each of us, neither Bill nor I have to fear being jailed for our writings, even though we’ve both taken anti-government positions from time to time.

This is in stark contrast to political commentators in other countries.

And very unlike Egyptian political blogger, Alaa Abdel Fatah who was arrested last weekend for his anti-government political website and peaceful pro-democracy protests.

Bloggers are folks who host a website where they journal news and other views – often they are political. In some countries, they are forced to be anonymous.

Another Egypian blogger, operating under the pseudonym, “Sandmonkey”, hosts a busy website, but can never reveal his name for fear of persecution. He is pushing for Alaa’s release, even as Egyptian government officials cruise his own website looking for clues both to his identity and other writers who are pushing for a more democratic Eygpt.

Of the 48 latest arrests in the wake of recent protests in Eygpt, six of them are bloggers. Three of these bloggers are women.

In a country with only 30 active political bloggers, the arrest of 20% of them is more than coincidence; it is a deliberate action to silence peaceful protest and free speech.

Now, of course, there is no “right” to free speech in Eygpt. And, actually, there is no “right” to free speech in much of the non-democratic Middle East.

Some argue, in the wake of the refusal of most mainstream press to publish the controversial Danish “Muslim” cartoons, that Canada doesn’t have free speech, either. But the difference is clear.

I can post what I want to my blog without fear of hearing a heavy knock on my door in the middle of the night. And Bill can do the same.

But tonight, Alaa will spend another fearful night in an Egyptian prison, an unfortunate new martyr to the cause of freedom and democracy.

More information can be found at: http://freealaa/blogspot.com or www.sandmonkey.org

The address for the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt is:
454 Laurier Ave. East, Ottawa, ON K1N 6R3, Tel (613) 234-4931
www.egyptembassy.ca


(As seen today in 24 Hours)

But what about the pantyhose?

As I struggled into my nude pantyhose on the day after the Federal Budget tabled, I wondered to myself if soon I would be able to add up the packages of control top and claim them under the $1000 new Employment Tax Credit.

This credit aims to help us employed folks recoup some of the costs associated with being employed. Pantyhose has to count – I’d never buy the stuff if I didn’t need to present a polished self each and every morning at the office.

It’s like a uniform, albeit an uncomfortable, itchy one.

In a budget marked by the unsurprising (the new 6% GST) and the unique (the $150 per year transit tax credit for monthly Skytrain and bus riders), my favourite measure has to be the employment credit.

Well, that and the Fitness Tax Credit, which helps defray the soccer league fees for my rather active preschooler.

The three highest profile items won’t have a big impact on my family.

I’m sure you recall that my moans about coordinating a bus schedule with two separate school drop-offs and, fortunately, my income means most of my child care allowance for my youngest will go back to the government.

And, finally, we’re not big consumer spenders, so the GST reduction won’t make a huge difference day to day.

But that’s how this budget seems to slice. There is something for almost everyone in the form of direct tax relief.

In a stark contrast to the previous Liberal budget, this Conservative one has decided that instead of building new monumental programs for bureaucrats in Ottawa to administer, that it would be better to hand us back our hard-earned dollars.

Altogether there are 28 tax reductions and one tax increase.

While not pleasant, the tax increase raises the amount we pay on our first $38,000 of income to 15.5% from the 15% brought in last year by the election-hungry Liberals.

However, in a smart move for low income Canadians, the Conservative budget also increases the basic personal amount to $10,000 by 2009. A single parent with a child would have to pay no tax, therefore, on her first $17,000 of income, once the dependent amount is included.

Add in a provincially subsidized daycare spot, a GST cut, tax credits for sport activities and transit passes, and that $1200 a year child care allowance is suddenly making a big difference in the life of a struggling family.

Tradespeople also are getting a credit to help out with purchase of tools and equipment.

Which, after thoughtful consideration, is probably more important than my never-ending pantyhose purchases.

But on behalf of all nylon-bound women everywhere, I’m still going to file for it!

As seen today in 24 Hours