Editor:
There is some low-hanging fruit I would love to see Environment Minister Terry Lake pick this summer.
The environmental policy to which I refer should be one of his first priorities for many reasons, among them the fact it is relatively simple and straightforward; it would cost next to nothing to implement;
it is a policy that would positively impact the health of everyone in B.C., now and in the future; and it is a policy Lake already supports.
In 2006, while Lake was mayor of Kamloops, he stated he favoured a provincewide cosmetic-pesticide ban rather than a municipal bylaw because the former would be much more effective.
Lake is now in a position to follow through on this.
Though there are many environmental concerns of even greater urgency, this particular action could become an easy first achievement for Lake and his new ministry.
Here is an excerpt from a city staff report Lake received as mayor: “ . . . research suggests that pesticide regulation bylaws enacted throughout Canada have been difficult to enforce; however, provincial pesticide bans have been proven to be most effective . . .”
A provincewide cosmetic-pesticide ban would demonstrate a strong start in Lake’s tenure as B.C.’s minister of the environment.
Donovan Cavers
Kamloops
via Kamloops This Week – Lake can now implement pesticide ban he favours.
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Donovan Cavers
For Anglophone Communications
Hometown: Kamloops, BC
Working languages: English / French(oral)
Email Address: donovan_cavers@yahoo.com
1. Why the Green Party?
After casting my first ballot as a blank protest vote when I was 18 I discovered the Green Party and joined the GPC in 2006. I found the policies to by a near mirror of my own values and morals.
2. What is your vision for the YGC in the next year? Three years?
Next Year: support clubs YGC campus organizations across the country
Three Years: continue to support YGC clubs and influence the GPC organization through youth directed policy resolutions.
3. What is your main motivation for wanting to be elected to the YGC council?
To help further the development of the organization.
4. How have your academic, volunteer, and life experiences prepared you for the position for which you are applying?
I have participated in two French language exchanges and have traveled to France to further my culinary training…So I can bridge the language divide. I ran as a GPC candidate in 2008 and increased the local vote from 2,500 in 2006 to 4,430 in 2008. As a candidate I was emersed in the workings of the GPC
5. What do you consider the 3 most important characteristics of a leader?
1) ability to motivate the group being lead
2) charisma
3) intelligence / knowledge
6. Do you have a particular cause for which you are passionate?
Getting our GPC leader into Parliament
7. What is something you would like to learn more about?
An east Asian language
8. What are your interests/hobbies?
Cooking, reading, hiking, canoeing, biking, yoga
9. What is your favourite book?
Lots but if I must choose one (I am saying novel to make it easier)…Stanley Park by Timothy Taylor
10. What is your favourite quotation?
”Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius –and a lot of courage- to move in the opposite direction.” –E.F. Schumacher
11. If you could be any ice cream flavour, which would you be?
Tin Roof Sundae
12. What is something you are proud of?
Having come within 2 percentage points of the Liberal candidate while running in the 2008 federal election…and starting my own business “conscientious catering”