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Dear Friend,
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| Greens
including MLA Lynne Lund (foreground), Central Representative Matt
MacFarlane (far left), MLA Trish Altass (second from left behind
Lynne), and Young Greens of PEI Chair Kali Ross (third from the right)
were among those out enjoying the New Year's Levees on January
1st. |
Happy New Year! We hope you all had a delightful and refreshing
holiday and are ready to hit 2020 with renewed energy!
Do you make New Year's resolutions? How about New Decade
resolutions?
People are already calling the 2020s "the Decisive Decade", seeing
this as a make-or-break decade for some pretty serious global issues -
climate change foremost among them. It should never have come down to
hinging on one decade and the people living during this time to be
responsible for solving such enormous challenges. But just as we all
struggle to keep out own New Year's resolutions, so too have our
governments.
I first joined the Green Party over a decade ago in a resolution to
be part of the change I want to see in the world. I haven't looked
back - that resolution has brought me a rich sense of community on a
local, national and global level, and the opportunity to be part of
history in the making. And in the face of everything there is to make
one pessimistic about the fate of our world, it has helped keep me
optimistic.
Whether you resolve to get more involved in the Green Party, to get
involved in PEI's energy transition, or to do something within your
personal power to lighten your footprint and live by example, PEI and
the world needs you more than ever in the years ahead!
Jordan Bober
Executive Director
(interim)
In this newsletter:
- Our Green Caucus
- District Association updates
-
Call for Motions and Nominations
| MLA Lynne Lund (at
far right) joined fellow MLAs Sidney MacEwan (far left), Robert
Henderson (third from right) and Stephen Myers (second from right) on
a study visit to Germany and the Danish island of Samsø to learn about
how communities there are transitioning to renewable energy. |
The Art and Science of Transition
In October, MLA Lynne Lund (Summerside-Wilmot)
received an invitation to be part of a government exploration to
check out examples of energy transitions in Germany and Samsø. She
recently wrote a blog to reflect on this experience.
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about transitions. Having
followed the science on why this is necessary for years, and now
having the opportunity to contribute to that discussion, the various
elements are of great interest to me. Increasingly, we hear about why
we must move to a zero-carbon society, but too often we fail to talk
about all the benefits that come with it. A well-planned transition
can lower the cost of living, increase food security, improve health,
create good-paying jobs, make homes more affordable to live in, foster
community, address poverty, and improve countless other aspects of
life for people. Yes, we must do it, but even if that weren’t true,
the benefits of a well thought-out transition would still make it a
smart endeavor anyway. And whether it’s because we don’t tell that
part of the story very well, or because the top-down efforts we’ve
seen tend to miss the point somehow, I’ve come to believe that
successful transitions are as much art as they are science.
>>Read
the full blog and see more photos
here.
Social assistance rates increasing across the
Island
 On December 23rd, the government and Official
Opposition, represented by Hannah Bell, made a joint
announcement of significant increases to social assistance
rates. Since the spring, government has been working
collaboratively with the Official Opposition to identify opportunities
to improve supports for vulnerable Islanders.
“I was thrilled when the Premier asked me to help work on
this initiative. These new rates are about protecting and advancing
the dignity and security for Islanders who are currently being left
behind due to old rate structures,” said Opposition Critic for Social
Development and Housing Hannah Bell. “This critical first step in
improving and creating better long-term supports means many more
Islanders will have access to the necessary supports to create a
better future for them and their families.”
The increased social assistance benefits take immediate
effect starting this month.
>>Read
the full press release.
Standing with the people of Tyne Valley
 People
across PEI - especially anyone for whom the local skating rink has
ever been a fixture of winter recreational life - are feeling the pain
of the people of Tyne Valley who lost their local skating arena to
fire on December 30th.
MLA Trish Altass, who represents Tyne Valley-Sherbrooke, writes
that she stands with the community and will support, in any way
she can, the building of a new facility that will be environmentally
and economically sustainable for future generations.
"A local rink is so much more than a building and a sheet of
ice. It is a place people gather to learn new skills and connect with
others. It is a hub of year-round activity nurturing shared
experiences across generations. Nowhere is this truer than in Tyne
Valley. The rink inspires community engagement and physical activity
throughout the winter. In the summer, it hosts the world class, and
wildly successful, Tyne Valley Oyster Festival drawing visitors from
across Canada and beyond to West Prince. "
>>Read
Trish's full post on the loss of the Tyne Valley skating
arena.
The Politics of Happiness
 Before (and even after) getting into politics,
Peter Bevan-Baker was known as "the Happy Dentist", and he frequently
gave talks to fellow dentists across the country about how to lead
happy lives and practices even while practicing a demanding profession
not usually associated with gaiety. Now, Peter has been asked to speak
at the College of Sustainability at Dalhousie University as part of a
lecture series called "The Environment, Sustainability and Society
lecture Series". They specifically wanted him to talk about the
political climate here on PEI and the unique opportunities that a
collaborative minority government provides.
Peter has titled his talk, appropriately enough, "The
politics of Happiness: creating well-being in a worried
world". He will be speaking at Dalhousie University on
January 23rd - hopefully we'll be able to share a video recording of
his talk in a future newsletter!
 New Caucus website
Have you seen the new
official website of the PEI Green Official Opposition Caucus? The
website, at peigreencaucus.ca, is your go-to source for non-partisan
information about the work of our Green caucus in the Legislature,
including:
- News & Blogs by MLAs
- Videos of our MLAs at work in the Legislature (Question Period,
Member's Statements, etc)
- Information about Green bills and motions
- Events and other opportunities to engage
- Information about MLAs, and how to contact them
- & more!
The Green Caucus has been hard
at work to improve the lives of Islanders. If you haven't already, be
sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram.
And check out their new website at www.peigreencaucus.ca
for blogs, videos and more!
There's lots on the agenda at the District level as 2020 dawns!
Greater Charlottetown
In Charlottetown, the District 12 Association is preparing for an
exciting initiative that is organizing small
neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood gatherings together with MLA Karla
Bernard throughout the district. These gatherings will be
opportunities for participants to get to know their neighbours while
sharing hopes and concerns. So if you live in District 12
(Charlottetown-Victoria Park), keep your eyes peeled for an invitation
to a gathering near you!
Movement is underway in several other districts in Greater
Charlottetown to form District Associations. If you would like to help
a District Association get off the ground in your area, please contact
your local Regional Rep to let them know, and they can help
connect you with others.
Summerside area
 Green Drinks is back in Summerside!
The District 22 (Summerside-South
Drive) Electoral District Association and District 21
(Summerside-Wilmot) & District 23 (Tyne Valley-Sherbrooke)
Regional Association are hosting Green Drinks on Wednesday January
15th at Dooley’s in Summerside from 7.00 P.M. – 9 P.M. They
would love to have you join them!
Facebook
event
Website
event page
Green St Patrick's is coming back
for its third year!
If you've attended any of the last
two annual Green St Patrick's Concerts in Summerside (or missed out on
them and are suffering from serious FOMO), you'll be happy to know
that the District Associations for District 21, 22 & 23 in
Summerside are planning on bring the concert back for its third year!
More details will be coming out soon.
Carolling at Andrews Lodge and
Christmas Fun Day at Generation XX
Summerside Greens sure know how to have
fun! On December 12th, Green members together with MLAs
Lynne Lund and Trish Altass went Christmas carolling at Andrews Lodge
on Pope Road.
Days later, the District 22 EDA
(Summerside-South Drive) held its 1st Annual Christmas Family Fun Day
on December 15th,, at Generation XX in Summerside, with
great success!
Reports D22 EDA Chair Glenna Lohnes:
"This event was free to everyone of all ages and it included a variety
of fun-filled events for all family members to enjoy: cookie
decorating, face painting, skateboarding, photo booth, pool table,
foosball and lots of treats. This was a great way to reach out and get
to know many of the families in our district and the surrounding area.
We were able to gather a few (that were left at the end of the day)
for a group photo.
We will definitely host a 2nd annual next
Christmas!"
Quilt raffle
 The Regional Association for Districts 21 & 23
is currently selling raffle tickets on a beautiful queen size quilt,
made and donated by Debbie Graham. Tickets are only $5.00 and are
available from District
21 & 23 RA Members.
 Mark your calendar - the Green Party of PEI's
Spring Convention will take place on March 27th & 28th, 2020! The
location and other details will be announced soon.
This year's Convention, which will take place on a Friday evening
and a Saturday, will be a much larger affair than our more typical
evening AGMs. It will encompass all of the usual business of an Annual
General Meeting including Council elections, the constitutionally
required leadership review, and plenty of room to debate motions and
convene discussions that will help shape the future of the Party.
We're really excited for it!
This serves as the official call to members of the Green
Party of PEI for motions to be considered at the Convention, as well
as nominations for the Provincial Council and Ombuds Committee
positions that will be up for election in the lead-up to the
Convention.
Please note: You must be a member in good standing of the
Green Party of PEI to submit motions or nominate yourself for an
elected position, and you must have been a member for at least 30 days
by the date of the Convention in order to vote.
You can check your membership status by clicking here: www.greenparty.pe.ca/your_information
Motions:
There are three types of motions that may be voted on at the
Convention: policy motions, governance motions (to amend the
Constitution or Bylaws), and directives.
This year, with the work of our Policy Development Process
Committee advancing, we have adopted a formal process for policy
motions, and produced a Members' Guide to Policy
Motions to help guide the drafting of good, Green
policy motions.
The deadline for the submission of motions to be considered
at the Spring Convention is February 1st, 2020.
Please click here for more information about motions and how to submit
them.
Call for nominations to Provincial Council and the Ombuds
& Appeals Committee
This year we have a total of 10 positions up for election - eight
on Provincial Council, and two on the Ombuds & Appeals
Committee:
-
-
- Vice
President (two-year term)
- Secretary-Treasurer (two-year term)
- Membership & Volunteer Chair (two-year term)
- Charlottetown Rep (two-year term)
- Western
Rep (two-year term)
- Eastern
Rep (one-year term)
- Central
Rep (one-year term)
- Fundraising Chair (one-year term)
- Female
Ombudsperson (two-year term)
- Male
Ombudsperson (one-year term)
Provincial Council
is the elected governing body of the Green Party of PEI. The
Ombuds & Appeals Committee is an independent committee,
accountable directly to the Party membership, that helps investigate
and resolve complaints by members, and may undertake reviews of party
processes and governance issues.
With the Green Party of PEI
playing a key role in Island politics and lots to do in 2020, from
launching a full-fledged grassroots policy development process to
encouraging the formation of District Associations throughout the
Island, this is an exciting time to get more involved, and we hope
you'll put your name forward for one of
these positions!
Click
here for more information about the roles that are up for
election, and how to submit your nomination.
Get daily updates from the Green Party of PEI - follow us on
Facebook, Twitter or Instagram today!
We can't do any of this without
your support!
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