March/April 2016

March-April 2016 Focus.pdf

4 Leslie Campbell | MOVING FROM THEM TO US
A tent city on provincial land has pushed the Province a little closer toward a solution to homelessness in Victoria.

12 Brian Burchill | GIVE US RESPONSIBLE, RATIONAL SEWAGE STEWARDSHIP
Is it time to head to Ottawa to discuss Victoria’s mistaken and expensive risk classification for sewage treatment?

14 David Broadland | CRAP AND CORRUPTION
The sewage and bridge projects are wasting millions in public money, including the cost of hiding those costs.

16 David Broadland | DEVIL’S MOUNTAIN FAULT: FRIGHTENING IMPLICATIONS
Scientists recently confirmed an active seismic fault that could generate a large earthquake lies within 5 kilometres of downtown Victoria.

22 Judith Lavoie | THE HOLY GRAIL OF LNG
The quest of Christy Clark’s government for a BC LNG industry has taken on an increasingly mythical quality.

24 Leslie Campbell | FEAR AND FUNDING IN Las VICTORIA
Mayor Helps’ forceful push to a billion-dollar sewage facility at Rock Bay takes some twists and turns—and ain’t done yet.

28 Lisa Cordasco | BANKRUPT IN BC
New laws meant to protect BC consumers who are drowning in debt may not go far enough.

32 Aaren Madden | IN HIS ELEMENT
Wildlife artist and environmentalist Mark Hobson’s arrival at his beloved, secluded floating studio has been a lifelong journey.

44 Mollie Kaye | PAYING HOMAGE TO THOSE WHO SHAPED JAZZ
Last call for this season’s Sunday afternoon “tribute” concerts at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

52 Monica Prendergast | MATTERS OF CLASS
Some upcoming plays are designed to shake us down to our middle class roots.

54 Amy Reiswig | TOWARDS A LIFE OF INTEGRITY
Set in a US community in conflict over civil rights and the Viet Nam war, Tricia Dower’s novel explores the essential fight for self-expression.

56 Gene Miller | PRACTICING HOPE AND BUYING TIME
A meditation while picking litter in the perfected landscape of Beacon Hill Park.

58 Maleea Acker | THE MISKELLYS’ PASSION
Nurturing native species, young farmers and the land.

60 Briony Penn | UNLIKELY ALLIES IN A COMPLEX ECOSYSTEM
Reflections on the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement cannot leave out Chief Qwatsinas.

62 Trudy Duivenvoorden Mitic | THE JOYS OF SOUP
When the world seems crazy, chopping and stewing conserve sanity and the Earth.