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Dr Birute Galdikas is the world's foremost researcher on Orangutans. She is also the founder of Orangutan Foundation International, a group dedicated to preserving the natural habitat of the Orangutan. More...
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| The main issues I stand for.... |
| 2010 Olympics
Although the majority of Vancouver residents voted in favour of the Olympics, I believe very few of those voters realised at the time what effects the International Olympic Committee would have on our city. Only now are people beginning realise the lack of transparency within VANOC is actually mandated by the IOC. Not even federal or provincial governments can excerpt the needed pressure to change this.
I believe the vast majority of people in British Columbia would like to see VANOC live up to its promised mandate in the original bid book in regard to the social, fiscal and environmental aspects of the games - today we have seen promises made, mandates written yet contradictory actions.
As a Paralympic athlete and author on the issue of sport, I had to stand against the 2010 Olympics as they were continually presented. The modern day Olympic games are more than just sport - they are about mega-projects at the taxpayers expense and private land developers profit. Whilst I strongly support Canada's amateur athletes, knowing that funds are being re-directed from other services leaves me extremely concerned. Please see my web site at 2010watch.com for more details.
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| Alternatives to the Gateway Plan - we need to reduce the numbers of single occupancy vehicles and increase the quality and capacity of public transit instead. $1 billion would be better spent on an affordable, accessible and safe public transit system. This would include the expansion of commuter buses in order that transit users can get within 100 meters of their destination.
Reducing the number of single occupancy vehicles with added fuel surcharges at the federal level will free up road space for more transit and freight.
I also strongly support the development of light rail transit between Surrey and Chilliwack.
The Liberals need to hold off on spending billions of dollars on a project that currently does nothing to decrease single occupancy vehicle use via an increase of public transit.
We need to continue to pressure the Liberals to create projects that increase the air quality and reduce pollution in British Columbia.
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| Health Care Reforms - smarter health care, more preventive health. We need a responsive healthcare system that can adapt to the changing needs of the population. Private healthcare providers have been in existance for over 30 years, surely we can learn from their sucesses and mistakes for a sustainable healthcare system. I support the use of private facilities that can bill directly to MSP, I oppose private facilities that cater only to private billing. |
| Electoral Reform - we must continue the reforms started at the federal level, we need a proportional voting system in order that ALL Canadians feel their votes are not wasted. The right voting system will allow better gender balance and minority representation. |
| NO to oil and gas exploration YES to alternative energy - BC has an abundance of natural energy from wind, tide and solar. We could be a world leader in these technologies, yet we waste millions searching for fossil fuels. The federal gov't must be pressured in to creating opportunities in both the private and public sectors for alternative energy development. |
| Post Secondary Access - the tuition freeze helped students but put severe restrictions on support staff, faculty and administration. With the increase in fees students are paying up to 200% more for their education; students, faculty and staff are tired of being tossed between federal and provincial policy. |
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If you have any questions please contact me:
Office: 604-320-1911; fax: 604-291-5666; email voteforian@yahoo.com
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