The Confluence Issue 25

The Contentious Political Issue There’s an election coming soon in BC. We take a look at the candidates and the parties vying for the Legislative Assembly.

May 8th 2013

May 2013 2013 MAY

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9 CNC May Days

12 Mother’s Day

The Confluence - News

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14 15 Election Day

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4 Student Saver Deadline

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Student Scavanger Hunt 9am

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22Executive 23

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25 Convocation

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29 CFS

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Meeting 5:30pm

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The Confluence is produced biweekly at the CNCSU office on CNC’s Prince George campus by Garett Svensen and Andy Johnson.

Submissions, inqueries and requests can be made to news.cncsu.ca, in person at the CNCSU office room 1-303, or mailed to “The Confluence c/o CNCSU 3330-22nd Ave. Prince George, BC. V2N 1P8” All submissions are welcome, the authors of edited works used in the confluence receive a $20 cheque upon publication. Advertisement rates are availiable upon request.

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SATURDAY

Intersession Classes Begin Fall Registration Opens Victoria Day

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FRIDAY

City Transit “Future Bus” 11am

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CN Centre 2pm

National Convention

www.free-printable-calendar.net

Weather

Environment Canada 7-Day Weather Forecast: For Prince George, BC. 8-14 May 2013 Wednesday, May 8: 23°C, Sunny.

Thursday, May 9: 23°C, 4°C, Sunny.

Friday, May 10: 22°C, 8°C, Sunny.

Saturday, May 11: 25°C, 11°C, Sun and Cloud.

Sunday, May 12: 19°C, 8°C, Cloudy, Chance of Showers Monday, May 13: 18°C, 5°C, Showers.

Tuesday, May 14: 15°C, 5°C, Cloudy, Chance of Showers.

Andy Johnson, Editor-in-Chief

Garett Svensen, Production Editor

Taren Johnson, Web Manager

May 8th 2013 Roxanne Quock, Chairperson

This year’s elected Secretary is Arnold Yellowman. His primary responsibility is to oversee and coordinate clubs created by students attending CNC. Yellowman will ensure that the appropriate records of the Union are filed with the Registrar of Societies. He is also familiar with services and programs that are provided by the Union.

With three years of experience, Lelia Abubakar has held a number of positions on the Executive Committee. She will present a feminist viewpoint on behalf of the female student population attending CNC. Abubakar will also be sitting on the Women’s committee of the Union and keep the female student population informed.

Roxanne Quock returns to the Executive Committee this year. She will be holding the Chairperson position with the Union. Quock will regularly organize and attend Executive Committee meetings and act as a liaison between the Union, media, the college and other external groups.

The Confluence - CNCSU

Leila Abubakar, Women’s Students’ Rep.

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Arnold Yellowman, Secretary

May 8th 2013 The Confluence - CNCSU

Mick Frazier, Treasurer

Joshua Balsom, Prince George Campus Rep

Back for her second year, Patria Obasi has returned as the International Students’ Representative. She is responsible presenting an international viewpoint on behalf of all international students attending CNC. With her keen organizational skills, Obasi will keep the international student population informed on Union matters.

Mick Frazier is joining the Executive Committee as the newly elected Treasurer for the Union. He will be responsible for keeping the Executive Committee informed of all issues which pertain to the finances of the Union. Frazier will ensure careful accounting of all money received and disbursed by the Union.

Joshua Balsom is joining the Executive Committee as the newly elected Prince George Campus Representative. He will be presenting a general viewpoint on behalf of the entire student population attending CNC. Balsom will be responsible for keeping the Executive Committee informed of all issues pertaining to the Union.

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Patricia Obasi, International Students’ Rep.

May 8th 2013 The Confluence - CNCSU

Teleah Old, Services Co-ordinator

Robert Chavarie, Executive Director

Chantel Quock is joining the Executive Committee as the newly elected Aboriginal Students’ Representative. She will be taking an aboriginal viewpoint on behalf of the aboriginal student population attending CNC. Quock will also be sitting on the Aboriginal committee of the Union, as well as attending this year’s caucus meeting on behalf of the Union.

Teleah Old has been with the Union for the past two years. As the Executive Committee’s Services Coordinator, she is able to answer student questions in regards to all programs and services offered by the Union. This includes, but not limited to: the CNCSU Health and Dental plan, locker rentals and U-Pass distribution.

Bringing three years of experience as Executive Director, Robert Chavarie will be effectively running this year’s Executive Committee to best serve students attending CNC. His primary responsibility is to advocate on behalf of students attending all CNC campuses provincially, as well as nationally through various campaigns.

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Chantel Quock, Aboriginal Students’ Rep.

May 8th 2013

Green

Conservative

Party

Party

Party Leader:

Party Leader:

Jane Sterk

John Cummins

Local Candidates:

Local Candidates:

Karen McDowell

Nathan Giede Terry Rysz

The Confluence - Politics

Founded in 1983, the BC Green Party has a platform built on environmental concern, economic strategy and social justice. From their website: We think it is wise to take our short and long term effects on the environment into account in every action we take as communities, governments, corporations and as individuals. While independent, they are closely tied with the Global Green movement.

The Green Party has a set of “10 Core Principles” that guide their policies and actions: Sustainability Social Justice Grass Roots Democracy Non-Violence Community Based Economy Gender Equality Diversity Decentralization Personal and Global Responsibility Ecological Wisdom

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Find out more at greenparty.bc.ca

The Conservative Party was founded in 1903, but has been in decline for many years. In 2011, it was resurrected under John Cummins, a former federal Conservative MP, and is campaigning strong for the 2013 election.

Due to their somewhat unique status as a recently reformed party, their platform is currently very open, from their website: Over the weeks leading up to our province’s 40th general election, we will invite discussion, solicit ideas and add new proposals to offer British Columbians a viable, compelling alternative to the ‘status quo’ as represented by the old-guard political parties.

That being said, the party platform focuses on several key areas: Balanced Budget Repeal of the Carbon Tax Rural and Northern Issues Fiscal Accountability Find out more at bcconservative.ca

Party

Party Leader:

Party Leader:

Adrian Dix

Christy Clark

Local Candidates:

Local Candidates:

Bobby Deepak

Mike Morris

Sherry Ogasawara

Shirley Bond

Founded in 1933, the NDP is uniquely affiliated with its federal counterpart. Members of provincial NDP groups are members of the federal NDP. Their platform is based on job creation, education, improving social health, and environmental concerns.

The incumbent party, the BC Liberal Party was founded in 1903. They are not affiliated with the federal Liberal Party. They are primarily concerned with fiscal policy.

From their website: Today’s BC Liberals want to grow the economy and pay off the provincial Debt.

NDP platform seems to focus on the little person, from their website: We will help communities create thriving local economies, with a strong middle-class, successful small businesses and a thriving entrepreneurial culture.

As the incumbent party, their platform is largely based on their current policies. If re-elected, government policy will largely remain the same, the differences being in the amount of seats won or lost in the election, and the different voices they bring to the Legislative Assembly.

The NDP platform has the following areas of focus: Economy and Jobs Public Education Childcare and Early Learning Poverty and Inequality Healthcare BC’s Resource Economy Working People First Nation & Aboriginal People Environment Good Government

May 8th 2013

Party

The Confluence - Politics

New Democratic Liberal

The Liberal platform is guided by a set of 5 policies: BC Jobs Plan Modernizing education and Skills Training Building a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Affordable BC Controlling spending and balancing the budget Our Plan for a Debt Free BC Find out more at bcliberals.com

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Find out more at bcndp.ca

May 8th 2013

Alternative Options

British Columbians typically enjoy a wide range of colourful alternative parties and independent candidates, from the Marijuana Party to the Libertarian Party. Unfortunately, for the two Prince George ridings, there is only one alternative candidate: Donald Roberts for the Christian Hertitage Party for the Prince George-Valemount riding.

The Confluence - Politics

The Christian Heritage Party is loosely affiliated with its federal party, and runs on a fiscally and socially conservative platform with a strong religious element.

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Libertarian Party British Columbia Marijuana Party

British Columbia Party Christian Heritage Party of British Columbia

List of All Registered Political Parties for the 2013 General Election:

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Communist Party of British Columbia

Platinum Party of Employers Who Think and Act to Increase Awareness British Columbia Social Credit Party Unparty: The ConsensusBuilding Party

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British Columbia Excalibur B.C. Vision Party Work Less Party of British BC First Party Advocational International Columbia Democratic Party of Helping Hand Party Your Political Party of British Columbia British Columbia British Columbia

Kael Walske, Contributor Sum exernatur a ipsumquamet moloreperum ex eaquis aut ma venistis molesciducit ipsapit doluptium quissimus dio. Erum aut molendu cientem quam volupissum explatuscim rero beaque nonseque excernatur, ut aliandam saernat iistibus sequatem cus et, oditasi dolumqui a digeni dis ex eveliquam quidunti cores rehent imus assunda nducipi tenimil lictatu riatur, omnis sus dolum am laboresciis eos diorporum id mi, officius dolestrum faciderunto estrum quias ende officaborae molorrum ut laboribus nos volorem porest voluptat quiberu ptatas ea quia cum acilitate sed qui nonsequi utem eost inis es explaut lis quePienisqui totatur ateniatur?Sam con pores in re estioss imetur? Qui apidendis minimi, soluptaquam venis volorpor sit fugia aut omnihic itatur autem quiamus pa num solenec aborpor sitae doluptaque laborendis magniet uteculpa dolupie nihicae pelesequae. Nus rem. Hendandus, quaecae cuptatem rem nat modit mod magnam estisque eos qui dolenti alit volupicia sum esti cus cus, simporioris pre voluptatem suntend ebistrumet dicieni menet, temquam, velentiore nestiatin nimusdae optatint ullaceaqui imi, simus, odias eture qui odigenem fugias es earibus ipsant alignis nimpor as nossenis eum quasitet omnis que volorest idemposam, aped erum que odit ea nate pellessimin nienis digende re simus quibus utem im qui dolorae offic tent rempore rovideriti doluptatem untium, in nim ius

We peasants who work for others, and who mumble the straw while our master eats the wheat, we by ourselves are millions.

May 8th 2013 The Confluence - Opinion

Sum exernatur a ipsumquamet moloreperum ex eaquis aut ma venistis molesciducit ipsapit doluptium quissimus dio. Erum aut molendu cientem quam volupissum explatuscim rero beaque nonseque excernatur, ut aliandam saernat iistibus sequatem cus et, oditasi dolumqui a digeni dis ex eveliquam quidunti cores rehent imus assunda nducipi tenimil lictatu riatur, omnis sus dolum am laboresciis eos diorporum id mi, officius dolestrum faciderunto estrum quias ende officaborae molorrum ut laboribus nos volorem porest voluptat quiberu ptatas ea quia cum acilitate sed qui nonsequi utem eost inis es explaut lis que

Don’t let anyone tell us that we—but a small band—are too weak to attain unto the magnificent end at which we aim. Count and see how many there are who suffer this injustice.

We peasants who work for others, and who mumble the straw while our master eats the wheat, we by ourselves are millions.

We workers who weave silks and velvet in order that we may be clothed in rags, we, too, are a great multitude; and when the clang of the factories permits us a moments repose, we overflow the streets and squares like the sea in a s’pring tide.

We soldiers who are driven along to the word of command, or by blows, we who receive the bullets for which our officers get crosses and pensions, we, too, poor fools who have hitherto known no better than to shoot our brothers, why we have only to make a right about face towards these plumed and decorated personages who are so good as to command us, to see a ghastly pallor overspread their faces.

Aye, all of us together, we who suffer and are insulted daily, we are a multitude whom no one can number, we are the ocean that can embrace and swallow up all else.

When we have but the will to do it, that very moment will justice be done: that very instant the tyrants of the earth shall bite the dust.

-Pyotr Kropotkin, An Appeal to the Young, 1880

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Anarchism

“Anarchism” is a word that is often met with hostility and misinformed interpretation. “Anarchy” is defined as being “political and social disorder” and its synonyms begin with “chaos, disruption, and turbulence.” Anarchism, as defined in the dictionary, is “the methods or practices of anarchists, as [to] the use of violence to undermine government” (Dictionary.com); However, both of these terms have been warped through the years to convey a negative and off-putting concept.

Who warped these terms and conveyed to the public that anarchism is a false and destructive belief? I shall leave you to make your own judgements on that matter; however, I must also, in the same stroke, point out that ‘true’ anarchism is a political belief that promotes positive and life affirming ideas.

Some of these ideas can include, and are not limited to, maximum wage, selfgovernance, and re-distribution of wealth and power.

The hostility towards the words anarchy and anarchism has created a necessity to referring to this particular ideology as ‘libertarian socialism.’

[Editor’s Note: Libertarian Socialism is a branch of Libertarianism where “In lieu of corporations and states, libertarian socialists seek to organize themselves into voluntary associations” (Princeton.edu)] Many of us may remember in the early years of the Obama administration that there was a lot of commotion about Obama’s “socialist” ideas and you may wonder what that has to do with Canada.

The fact is that for the past seven years we have all been under the Harper Regime, which has promoted, and passed, various forms of censorship in recent years. Our current government seems to be conveying striking similarities to our neighbour’s semi-recent Bush Administration and many would say that Obama’s views were radical in comparison.

We need a radical change on the federal level. For those who wish to fight for a political belief system that offers true liberty then I must appeal to you to pay close attention to the upcoming provincial election. I will admit that this year’s upcoming election will not be of any extreme importance to one who would label themselves as a libertarian socialist, but I must affirm that the NDP is the party closest to a form of state controlled socialism.

If, as a province, we want to make a difference on the federal level, I would have to suggest that bringing the NDP into provincial power might be our chance to rid ourselves of our current “democratic” Harper dictatorship. A step in the right direction for a libertarian socialist; albeit, a very minor step on a rather large mountain teeming with snow drifts. I will leave you with an appeal:

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The Confluence - Culture May 8th 2013

Michael Brigade, Contributor

Jann Arsonwhore, Contributor

So, you’ve dodged the mudslinging, listened to the debates, caught up on the major platforms and are ready to make your mark on the ballot. Will it actually make a difference in your life?

It isn’t unusual to hear young people today state that “my vote doesn’t count, so why bother?” This sentiment appears to be reflected in George Carlin’s “Why I Don’t Vote” routine in his 1996 HBO special, Back In Town, where he states:

Short answer: probably not a lot.

Long answer: probably not a lot immediately. The platforms of all the major parties in this BC election are surprisingly similar, with minute variations on the same old tune of “balancing the budget” and “government responsibility and accountability.” The differences come a few years down the line. A vote is a four-year commitment to an ideology, and the expression of the party line isn’t going to be the first thing that happens. It’s those minor differences that will begin to creep into your life after a few years, and they should be part of what you vote for.

Campaign promises tend to disappear once the harsh realities of legislature takes their toll on the party, but hopefully, they can strive for ideals in the day-to-day politicking. Looks like any party is going to attempt to balance the budget, using their patented party strategy, everyone seems to be keen on transparency and accountability to constituents, and so on. Really, the main difference between the parties, based on their campaign platforms is the colour of their signs. Committing to four years of legislative assembly based on your favourite colour, though, is perhaps not the best method of election selection. So what are the differences in ideology? What can one expect three or four years down the road?

May 8th 2013

Why I Don’t Usually Vote

I don't vote. Two reasons. First of all it's meaningless; this country was bought and sold a long time ago. The shit they shovel around every 4 years *pfff* doesn't mean a fucking thing. Secondly, I believe if you vote, you have no right to complain. People like to twist that around – they say, 'If you don't vote, you have no right to complain', but where's the logic in that? If you vote and you elect dishonest, incompetent people into office who screw everything up, you are responsible for what they have done. You caused the problem; you voted them in; you have no right to complain. I, on the other hand, who did not vote, who in fact did not even leave the house on election day, am in no way responsible for what these people have done and have every right to complain about the mess you created that I had nothing to do with.

Personally, I usually don’t vote for three major reasons: 1) I am unsure of all the parties’ platforms. This comes mostly from not taking the time to research each parties’ platforms (which can be readily viewed by preforming a Google search) to make an informed decision on which party I would feel best reflect my views, ideals and values.

The Confluence - Opinion

Does it matter who you vote for?

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With the Liberal party, it’s easy. Just look at the past 2) I generally don’t think about how voting effects my four years. All we’ll get is controversy and unenthusiastic day-to-day life. This is most likely due to elections mea culpas whenever a handy target to blame can’t be being, generally, on a four year basis. However, this found, plus more gas and oil expansion. Greens, without seems like it would affect everyone’s day-to-day life for a track record in a power position, is difficult to say, I’d the next four years after an election is held. guess strong opposition to the heavy mining and gas development in BC, along with opposing the pipeline, 3) I tend to forget voting dates to go place my vote. beyond that, who can say? NDP, going from their past Again, this is most likely due to elections being on a record, would provide benefits for the poorer end of four year basis. I get so caught up with my day-to-day the economic spectrum at the cost of the higher, with occasional screw-ups. Conservatives? No idea. I imagine responsibilities that voting for a party which I can say represents my personal interests tends to be set aside. their neutral stance on social issues would fade quickly once in power but that’s pure speculation, lots of tax These reasons why I don’t usually vote could be similar cuts, including scrapping the carbon tax, so I imagine it to why most young people don’t vote, rather than the would be slightly easier on the paychecks, scaling with the stance that their vote does not count. If this is indeed amount you make, but with associated rising costs due to the case, then I hope this issue of The Confluence has cut programs. helped you make an informed decision on this year’s And honestly, vote your conscience. Vote for the election platforms. I can honestly say that I will be voting candidate that you think best represents you and your (and voting confidently) in this year’s election because community. Voting for the party you think would win isn’t I have done my research as to which party I feel will very helpful to the electoral process. And the worst thing best represent my political views. Hopefully this will you could do is not to vote at all. encourage you to get out and vote confidently as well.