MP Report

By Denise Savoie

Once again June kicks off with the annual Bike to Work Week, a week of activities dedicated to highlighting the benefits of cycling. I encourage those of you who can to choose this option for getting to work or simply to run errands. We are fortunate here in Victoria that our climate makes cycling so enjoyable. It means cleaner air for all of us, and a healthier lifestyle.

I am celebrating Bike to Work Week this year by combining two of my passions - cycling and art. I invite you to attend the opening, Saturday June 12, 3-5 p.m., of "Cycles", the inaugural exhibition of a rotating series of art shows that will take place in my community office at 970 Blanshard Street.

The show of work by local artists on the theme of cycling and bicycles will be available for viewing throughout the summer during office hours. The next show, opening in September, will be a juried show of art depicting the Inner Harbour.  This work may be the last to capture the harbour as we know it if plans for a 6.5 acre mega yacht marina succeed.  Please contact my office if you are an artist interested in submitting work.

This spring there has been a great deal of attention paid to the serious threat posed by farm fishing to British Columbia's wild salmon stocks. Renowned salmon advocate and researcher Alexandra Morton was instrumental in convincing the federal government to conduct a judicial inquiry in response to the alarming disappearance of sockeye salmon from the Fraser River. I was extremely pleased to be able to join her for the final leg of her Get Out Migration Walk from Port McNeill to Victoria which was organized to raise awareness about the impact of industrial fish farming on wild salmon.

It was a proud day May 5 when this cause was championed in the House of Commons through the introduction of legislation that was first proposed by a 16-year-old student from my riding. When I held a 'Create Your Canada' contest for Victoria high school students last year, Thea Block, in Grade 10 at Glenlyon Norfolk School, came up with the idea for a bill to require fish farms on BC's coast to make the transition to a closed-containment system. It became the winning entry.

Thea and her mother came to Ottawa to see my colleague, Fin Donnelly, the New Democrat fisheries critic and me, introduce Bill C-502 that would strengthen the Fisheries Act by moving to closed containment. Thea has worked on her dad's fishing boat and she wants future generations to be able to continue this tradition.

In closing, I would like to congratulate the community as you gather June 16 for the 10th Annual James Bay Community Picnic. This fundraising event, in support of programs at the centre, is an inspiration and such a fine example of neighbourhood building. I hope to join you there.

Have fun, and have a great summer!