Dogwood News This Week: last hope for democracy?

• 

Details

Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00

Written by editor

Email Template r1 Your place for news and action By now it should be obvious that corporations are taking over our democracy. Over and over we’ve seen politicians elected on bold promises to rein in corporate power – for example, halting oil and gas expansion. What happens? They are bullied, silenced, bought off or brainwashed by lobbyists … and the status quo marches on.

There are two ways to counter this. One is to work completely outside of B.C.’s colonial political and legal... system. That’s what Gitxsan house group Wilps Gwininitxw did this week with a traditional feast that removed 1,700 square kilometres of their territory from Crown control. We must all support and uphold this assertion of Indigenous sovereignty.

At the same time, as British Columbians we have a moral obligation to organize and fight like hell for public control of our democratic institutions. That includes local councils and school boards, legislatures and yes, political parties.

The Green Party has clawed out a foothold for a climate emergency agenda at all levels of government. For that I’m grateful. But Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system has artificially suppressed the power of the Greens and other grassroots political movements.

This week an opportunity opened up for workers, youth, and climate justice organizers to march straight into the highest office in the land. Anjali Appadurai’s underdog campaign for BC NDP leader needs just a few thousand voters to make her the Premier of British Columbia.

If the 32-year-old political outsider wins, could she resist the dark, undemocratic forces that have corrupted past progressive leaders? Not on her own. But with a movement behind her, I think Appadurai could shine a light on how power really works in our province – and rally the public to fight the corporate takeover of our home.

That’s why, for the first time ever, I became a member of the BC NDP – so I can vote in the party election this fall that will determine who becomes our next premier. If you’re ready to join me, start here .

• Pundits are calling Anjali Appadurai’s campaign for premier a long shot. But she clearly has grassroots momentum: Appadurai raised $40,000 to cover her entry fee in her very first meeting with supporters. As Alexandra Woodsworth reports, "a path to victory looks entirely possible". - Dogwood Blog
  
  
• Appadurai’s announcement unleashed an avalanche of media attention. Here’s how B.C.’s biggest news outlet covered this sudden twist in the BC NDP leadership race. - Global News
  
  
• The map of “British Columbia” needs an update. Last Sunday at a feast attended by fellow Gitxsan chiefs and hundreds of witnesses, Simogyet Gwininitxw, Yvonne Lattie, declared the entirety of her 170,000-hectare territory off-limits to corporate exploitation. - The Narwhal

• Trans Mountain contractors are using heavy excavators to dig a trench across the Coquihalla river, as egg-laden sockeye salmon try to swim through the muddy construction site. Citizen observers captured photos of fish that died before making it home to spawn. - Global News

• Enbridge is back in a big way, betting billions on export pipelines for fracked gas on the B.C. coast. The company has permits for two major pipelines across northern B.C., and just invested $1.5 billion in the Woodfibre LNG project near Squamish. - Squamish Chief

• Months before Russian president Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, our government officials were aggressively pitching Canadian LNG to European leaders as a ‘solution to European energy security’. Now the war has fracking companies licking their lips. - The National Observer

If you received Dogwood News from a friend and like what you see, sign up now! Sign up for Dogwood News!

Get Involved
Events

Phone bank to pick the next premier: shifts through August
We only have a few short weeks to sign up new members and help put a climate champion in the Premier’s office, so we need all hands on deck. All month long, we’re calling Dogwood supporters to let them know about this once-in-a-generation opportunity. Sign up for a training session here, then make calls anytime!

August 15, 12:00 P.M.: Wet'suwet'en Strengthening Our Sovereignty Tour, Vancouver
The Tsleil-Waututh Nation is hosting Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs as their Nation to Nation tour passes through Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh territories. Come out to stand in solidarity and hear updates from the Yintah and from the tour. More info here.

August 16, 5:30 P.M. PST: Bird dogging to end fracking, via Zoom
Help make stopping fracking and LNG a top issue for B.C.’s new premier and government. Join this training call hosted by Stand.earth and the Wilderness Committee to learn about the tactic of ‘bird-dogging’: showing up at events and asking politicians tough questions to put this issue on the map. RSVP here.

August 20, 11 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.: Healthy Climate Solutions Fair, Vancouver
CAPE BC is holding a public exhibition that explores the health impacts of climate change, and celebrates energy solutions we can use to transition to 100% clean energy. There will be exhibits explaining renewable energy like solar and wind, a kids’ art tent and chefs showcasing the benefits of induction stoves. More info here.

Thank you for reading Dogwood News This Week If climate action, democracy and social justice matter to you, please become a monthly donor. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Chip in now! Dogwood brings together everyday British Columbians to win back decision-making power over our environment, energy and democracy. STAY CONNECTED









PO Box 8701, r5