By Ryan Ross
The provinces have an important role in Canada, a former Alberta premier said yesterday during the Symons lecture at the Confederation Centre.
Peter Lougheed, who served as premier for 14 years, made the remarks to the large crowd by video.
Lougheed said he never thinks of Canada as anything other than a confederation.
“Our history is a history of confederation.”
The annual Symons lecture marks the anniversary of the meetings of the Fathers of Confederation in 1864.
It was established in 2004 to provide a platform for Canadians to discuss the current state of the country and its future.
Lougheed wasn’t able to attend in person because he was recovering from a virus he picked up on a trip to Mexico.
The needs of the provinces should be kept in mind when discussing federalism, he said.
“More and more should be provided to the provinces.”
But after the Meech Lake accord Canadians got turned away from constitutional change, he said.
“There just isn’t the mood or appetite for that today.”
Former cabinet minister John Crosbie said it’s important to have a balance.
One of the problems is there are 10 provinces and three territories trying to get as much as they can for themselves, he said.
“The increasing strength of regionalism has to be resisted.”
Crosbie said we are lucky to have the United States as a peaceful neighbour but Canada also needs regular armed forces to avoid weakness.
“A nation can’t be truly sovereign if you turn your defence over to a neighbour.”
And even with close ties our federal system is different than the American one, he said.
“It was the provinces that created Canada, not the other way around
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Government needs checks and balances, says Crosbie
By Ryan Ross
Governments in Canada are gaining too much power, says former cabinet minister John Crosbie.
Crosbie, Fisheries and Oceans Minister under Brian Mulroney, spoke to a group of about 40 people at the Confederation Centre yesterday.
The prime minister has too much power because Canada doesn’t have the checks and balances of the American system, he said.
“That’s the trend today.”
Crosbie said Newfoundland has the same issue with Premier Danny Williams.
“Nobody dares disagree with him.”
And winning a huge majority, like Williams did, can be dangerous, he said.
“That puts you in a very tough position.”
Crosbie said former premier Joey Smallwood’s cabinet experienced it first hand.
“We would go into a cabinet meeting and Smallwood would talk for an hour and a half.”
It was a one-man show and no one had any influence, he said.
“I never should have run for him.”
Crosbie said in making the move to federal politics having a good staff was crucial to knowing what was going on.
“I couldn’t afford to be sandbagged.”
That knowledge helped in making good decisions and keeping some power, he said.
“If you don’t have any power who the hell fears you?”
Crosbie said he would never let the Prime Minister’s Office tell him what to do. That includes choosing who is on a cabinet minister’s staff, he said.
“What an insult.”
And Crosbie said he chose his cabinet post as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
His fate was tied to the fisheries, he said.
“I couldn’t have survived with another minister in fisheries and oceans.”
Crosbie said those were the two toughest years of his political career.
People were mad at him because of their situation, he said.
“They’re looking to you to save them.”
Governments in Canada are gaining too much power, says former cabinet minister John Crosbie.
Crosbie, Fisheries and Oceans Minister under Brian Mulroney, spoke to a group of about 40 people at the Confederation Centre yesterday.
The prime minister has too much power because Canada doesn’t have the checks and balances of the American system, he said.
“That’s the trend today.”
Crosbie said Newfoundland has the same issue with Premier Danny Williams.
“Nobody dares disagree with him.”
And winning a huge majority, like Williams did, can be dangerous, he said.
“That puts you in a very tough position.”
Crosbie said former premier Joey Smallwood’s cabinet experienced it first hand.
“We would go into a cabinet meeting and Smallwood would talk for an hour and a half.”
It was a one-man show and no one had any influence, he said.
“I never should have run for him.”
Crosbie said in making the move to federal politics having a good staff was crucial to knowing what was going on.
“I couldn’t afford to be sandbagged.”
That knowledge helped in making good decisions and keeping some power, he said.
“If you don’t have any power who the hell fears you?”
Crosbie said he would never let the Prime Minister’s Office tell him what to do. That includes choosing who is on a cabinet minister’s staff, he said.
“What an insult.”
And Crosbie said he chose his cabinet post as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
His fate was tied to the fisheries, he said.
“I couldn’t have survived with another minister in fisheries and oceans.”
Crosbie said those were the two toughest years of his political career.
People were mad at him because of their situation, he said.
“They’re looking to you to save them.”
Prices drop in Stratford
By Ryan Ross
Customers expect prices to go down to keep up with the changing dollar, the owner of a Stratford hobby store says.
Jim Ewing, the owner of Great Hobbies, lowered prices in response to the rising Canadian dollar.
They have made several price changes along with the loonie but there is a psychological barrier where people expect more of a change, he said.
“Once we hit par that’s when everyone’s brain switched.”
The loonie reached parity with the US dollar in September and has since hit record highs.
And Ewing said at Great Hobbies, more than 95 per cent of their stock gets priced through the U.S.
“There’s not a heck of a lot that doesn’t.”
To help make the transition the company had a sale before lowering prices, he said.
“We ate the GST.”
Ewing said they made the decision to lower prices about a month before making the change.
“We didn’t wait that long.”
But it took time to adjust the price on the almost 70,000 products they carry, he said.
“Not a simple feat to re-price all of that.”
Ewing said a lot of that product stays on the shelf for a while.
“Your average product will change every two to three months.”
That means the amount they make off each item will change with the dollar, he said.
“There are times when you’ll be on the short end of the stick.”
Most of the competition has followed their lead, which Ewing said they always do.
“We were definitely the first.”
Brittany Stephen, one of Ewing’s employees, said she has been getting positive feedback from customer.
“Definitely had a few say others have to jump on the bandwagon and lower theirs too.”
But Stephen said she wasn’t sure if they were busier because of the prices.
“Hard to say because the phone system changed at the same time.”
Ewing said even though the dollar has changed there are other factors that make doing business in Canada more expensive than in the United States.
Factors like high taxes and the cost of getting things across the border mean they have to add to prices to cover the cost of doing business, he said.
“From what I’ve heard most people are OK with that.”
Vietnam wasn’t all bad for Canadians, says Summerside man
By Ryan Ross
When people gather in November to remember Canada’s time at war, a Summerside man reflects on one of the country’s missions of peace.
Alfred Gallant was 38 when he left for Vietnam, leaving his wife and six children behind.
He landed in Saigon in 1965 as part of a Canadian peacekeeping mission where he worked as an accountant in the Forces’ finance branch in the war-torn country.
When they arrived, the Canadians were treated like kings, he said.
“My God they thought the world of Canadians.”
Gallant said one of the reasons the Vietnamese liked them was because the Americans had a lot of money and the Canadians didn’t.
“The Americans are a big bunch of show-offs.”
Despite the war, the Canadians were safe in Saigon, but if they left the city they needed an escort, he said.
“We weren’t allowed out of the city of Saigon single.”
However, Gallant said he did travel to Hanoi, in North Vietnam, three times as a courier.
As he soon as he got off the plane he was met by North Vietnamese soldiers with their bayonets fixed and pointed straight at him, he said.
“I wasn’t all that big I’ll tell you then.”
It wasn’t his only brush with danger during his time there, he said.
Gallant said one of his favourite places to eat was at a floating restaurant and he was on his way there with a friend one day when the North Vietnamese bombed it.
“We heard a big bang and smoke.”
But it was the only time he saw an attack like that, he said.
“We only saw it after it was done.”
Gallant said the hardest part of being there was adjusting to the way people lived in Vietnam.
His driver had 13 people in his family living in a one-room house with no toilets and no water, he said.
“The house was on stilts over water and they had holes in the floor that’s where they used the washroom.”
And Gallant said they ate water buffalo, which he didn’t like.
“Just like mud.”
But because he could speak French it helped him adjust a little easier than some of the other Canadians, he said.
Gallant said he spoke French almost all the time he was out and had to interpret for other soldiers who couldn’t.
“It was great.”
One of the best moments during his time in Vietnam was when a few of the soldiers starting looking after an orphanage, giving a few cents here and there to buy them candy, with each of them chipping in a little more at Christmas, he said.
“They really enjoyed that.”
Vietnam was Gallant’s first posting overseas without his family and with six kids his wife Louise said she was very busy at home.
“The weekends were very long.”
It was hard seeing cars pull into other driveways when he wasn’t there, she said.
“Suppertime was the worst.”
She said she found out he was leaving the same day he found out she was pregnant.
She didn’t cry when she found out he was leaving but did when he left, she said.
“It was some nice to have him back.”
When people gather in November to remember Canada’s time at war, a Summerside man reflects on one of the country’s missions of peace.
Alfred Gallant was 38 when he left for Vietnam, leaving his wife and six children behind.
He landed in Saigon in 1965 as part of a Canadian peacekeeping mission where he worked as an accountant in the Forces’ finance branch in the war-torn country.
When they arrived, the Canadians were treated like kings, he said.
“My God they thought the world of Canadians.”
Gallant said one of the reasons the Vietnamese liked them was because the Americans had a lot of money and the Canadians didn’t.
“The Americans are a big bunch of show-offs.”
Despite the war, the Canadians were safe in Saigon, but if they left the city they needed an escort, he said.
“We weren’t allowed out of the city of Saigon single.”
However, Gallant said he did travel to Hanoi, in North Vietnam, three times as a courier.
As he soon as he got off the plane he was met by North Vietnamese soldiers with their bayonets fixed and pointed straight at him, he said.
“I wasn’t all that big I’ll tell you then.”
It wasn’t his only brush with danger during his time there, he said.
Gallant said one of his favourite places to eat was at a floating restaurant and he was on his way there with a friend one day when the North Vietnamese bombed it.
“We heard a big bang and smoke.”
But it was the only time he saw an attack like that, he said.
“We only saw it after it was done.”
Gallant said the hardest part of being there was adjusting to the way people lived in Vietnam.
His driver had 13 people in his family living in a one-room house with no toilets and no water, he said.
“The house was on stilts over water and they had holes in the floor that’s where they used the washroom.”
And Gallant said they ate water buffalo, which he didn’t like.
“Just like mud.”
But because he could speak French it helped him adjust a little easier than some of the other Canadians, he said.
Gallant said he spoke French almost all the time he was out and had to interpret for other soldiers who couldn’t.
“It was great.”
One of the best moments during his time in Vietnam was when a few of the soldiers starting looking after an orphanage, giving a few cents here and there to buy them candy, with each of them chipping in a little more at Christmas, he said.
“They really enjoyed that.”
Vietnam was Gallant’s first posting overseas without his family and with six kids his wife Louise said she was very busy at home.
“The weekends were very long.”
It was hard seeing cars pull into other driveways when he wasn’t there, she said.
“Suppertime was the worst.”
She said she found out he was leaving the same day he found out she was pregnant.
She didn’t cry when she found out he was leaving but did when he left, she said.
“It was some nice to have him back.”
Acadia faculty end strike, accept new contract
By Ryan Ross
Acadia University faculty are happy with their new contract, says a faculty association spokesman.
Andrew Biro, an assistant professor at the university, spoke on behalf of the more than 300 full- and part-time faculty, librarians and instructors at Acadia in Wolfville, N.S.
It was a long and difficult process that created a lot of bonds and brought the faculty closer together, he said.
“We got a 92 per cent ratification vote.”
Classes resumed No. 8 after the faculty association walked off the job Oct. 15 in a contract dispute over salaries and benefits.
The new three-year agreement gives staff an average salary increase of 10.5 per cent over the length of the contract.
Salaries are based on a grid, which the new agreement compresses. Under the new system fewer steps mean higher wages as staff move up the grid and there is a larger increase on the bottom end, Biro said.
“We think because of that it will be easier to recruit new faculty.”
Scott Roberts, Acadia’s communications director, said the university’s senate met Nov. 7 and decided to extend classes until Dec. 7, pushing exams back three days to start Dec. 8.
It was the only thing on the senate’s agenda and the meeting lasted for about three hours, he said.
Exams will still end Dec. 18 as planned and the shorter schedule should have little effect on exams, he said
Roberts said visits to the meal hall and library show many students stayed during the strike.
“We had between half and two-thirds of student body remain on campus during the strike.”
And Biro said faculty will do their best to cover the material in the time they have left.
“I think everyone is very keen to get back to work.”`
Acadia University faculty are happy with their new contract, says a faculty association spokesman.
Andrew Biro, an assistant professor at the university, spoke on behalf of the more than 300 full- and part-time faculty, librarians and instructors at Acadia in Wolfville, N.S.
It was a long and difficult process that created a lot of bonds and brought the faculty closer together, he said.
“We got a 92 per cent ratification vote.”
Classes resumed No. 8 after the faculty association walked off the job Oct. 15 in a contract dispute over salaries and benefits.
The new three-year agreement gives staff an average salary increase of 10.5 per cent over the length of the contract.
Salaries are based on a grid, which the new agreement compresses. Under the new system fewer steps mean higher wages as staff move up the grid and there is a larger increase on the bottom end, Biro said.
“We think because of that it will be easier to recruit new faculty.”
Scott Roberts, Acadia’s communications director, said the university’s senate met Nov. 7 and decided to extend classes until Dec. 7, pushing exams back three days to start Dec. 8.
It was the only thing on the senate’s agenda and the meeting lasted for about three hours, he said.
Exams will still end Dec. 18 as planned and the shorter schedule should have little effect on exams, he said
Roberts said visits to the meal hall and library show many students stayed during the strike.
“We had between half and two-thirds of student body remain on campus during the strike.”
And Biro said faculty will do their best to cover the material in the time they have left.
“I think everyone is very keen to get back to work.”`
Island life provides inspiration for Kensington artist
By Ryan Ross
Seated at a table splattered with dried paint splotches, a Kensington artist takes a break from painting a Christmas scene on her gallery’s window. Coloured dots stain Anne Gallant’s sweatshirt’s rolled-up sleeves and she leans back in a chair, surrounded by hanging paintings.
The gallery is tucked away at the end of a string of businesses on one of the small town’s main streets. It is full of her work, the white walls covered with bright paintings and prints showing Island life in vivid colour.
Anne Gallant is a graduate of Mount Allison University but didn’t start working on her own as a full-time artist until a few years ago, she said.
“I didn’t think I could make a living.”
Gallant said before moving back to P.E.I. she spent time in Haiti where she helped teachers use artwork in the classroom.
The kids would read paragraphs then draw what they read on the chalkboard, she said.
Gallant said the time spent there is reflected in the work she does now.
“That was a huge influence on my work.”
And since she moved back to the Island, Gallant said she finds inspiration in P.E.I.’s colours and lights.
If an artist can capture them it is where they become successful, she said,
“It’s pretty special here.”
There is more of a market for Island works with people coming from away since the Confederation Bridge opened, she said.
“In the summer it’s crazy here.”
Gallant said she has probably sold about 400 paintings with about 30-35 sold in the summer.
And people want to buy originals now, she said.
“They won’t go back to that print at Wal-Mart.”
Commission work is part of her business too, she said.
Gallant said she was asked to do a mural for a couple in Nova Scotia after the woman bought a painting from her.
Once they approved her sketches, the owners gave her the keys to their house for the winter, she said.
Gallant said it took four months to finish the mural, which was painted to look like windows opened up to the bright scenery outside.
“That was an artist’s dream job.”
Gallant said she never thought she was better than anybody else and her work has improved since she moved back to the Island.
“I guess you just want to challenge yourself every time.”
Varsity Vikings get big win in Charlottetown
By Ryan Ross
The Amherst Varsity Vikings men’s basketball team advanced to the semi-finals with a 71-57 win over Sackville at the Confederation City Classic in Charlottetown on Friday.
The Vikings faced last year’s winner, the Tantramar Titans, in a game that saw big swings for both sides.
Loren Fawthrop, who scored 24 points for the Vikings, said the team did what had to be done to get back in the game once they were down.
“It’s a big win for us.”
The Vikings lost to the Titans earlier in the season at a tournament hosted by Tantramar.
With the win, Amherst’s tournament record improved to 3-0 and pushed them through to the semi-finals.
Amherst opened up the scoring in the first quarter, giving them a lead they held through most of the game.
The first quarter ended 15-14 for the Vikings.
The Vikings dominated the second quarter from the beginning when Lawson McLeod drove to the net and dropped the first point of the quarter.
At one point Amherst held a 10-point lead, including a stretch where they scored six unanswered points.
By the time the teams broke for the half, Amherst was ahead by seven.
Tantramar closed the gap in third and it took the Vikings almost four minutes to score their first point of the quarter.
The Titans stole the lead with a three-pointer later in the third but Amherst fired back with one of their own to tie it up.
Amherst saw their early lead reduced to two points as they went into the fourth quarter with a score of 49-47.
The Vikings came back in the fourth with a strong finish as they stretched their lead and finished the game 71-57.
Amherst coach Reg Caulfield said his team needed to match Tantramar’s intensity to win and that’s what they did.
“We’re not a prolific scoring team.”
But they need to execute their game plan to win and he is hard on the kids, he said.
“My expectations are high.”
Job fair opens doors for education students
By Ryan Ross
The UPEI education job fair gives students a lot of opportunities, says the fair’s education coordinator.
Basil Favaro, an education professor, is one of three coordinators from the university who helped organize the annual event.
Favaro said the 33 school boards and recruiting agencies who attended the fair gave students the opportunity to meet boards looking to hire.
“We’re into helping students.”
The fair was held at the Rodd Charlottetown Feb. 5-6 with school boards from across Canada, Korea, United Kingdom, China and Japan.
Other universities in the Maritimes have their own job fairs but UPEI’s is unique because it is open to everyone, Favaro said.
He said about 50 job-seekers came from off-Island because they didn’t have their own.
“They really appreciate that this fair was open to all education grads.”
Mamdouh Elgharib, a career development specialist at UPEI and one of the fair’s coordinators, said there were hundreds of jobs available.
Although they don’t know the total number for hirings, he estimated about 100 interviews were done over the two days.
“Contracts were signed yesterday.”
And some of those contracts were for jobs in Fort McMurray where the starting salary is $70,000, he said.
The starting salary on P.E.I. is $45,000.
“It’s a good incentive,” he said.
Elgharib said one of the recruiters for Fort McMurray was a UPEI graduate who was hired at the fair two years ago and is now the vice principal at her school.
“Here’s an example of what could happen.”
Favaro said the fair has grown since the first year when they had about 25 school boards.
Even though they could use a bigger space, the fair is always held at the Rodd Charlottetown because the boards appreciate the classiness of the hotel, instead of having it in a gym like other job fairs, he said.
Favaro said they now set a limit because one year they had over 50 boards and couldn’t fit everyone.
“The venue can accommodate so many.”
This year was the first time the fair was held during the week instead of on a weekend because some of the boards were involved in another job fair the same week, he said.
Favaro said they will try and bring it back to the weekend next year.
“Overall the boards were very pleased.”
STU contract goes to arbitration
By Ryan Ross
The way strike negotiations were going, it would take a couple of months to complete them without an arbitrator, says a representative for the St. Thomas University Faculty Association.
Dawn Morgan, an English professor at the Fredericton university, spoke on behalf of the faculty who returned to work Feb. 4.
The union negotiated a back-to-work deal and only outstanding issues will go to arbitration, she said.
“We did think it was important to end the job action to save the term.”
The faculty association’s contract expired June 30, 2007 and a lockout went into effect Dec. 27.
Both sides have since agreed to binding arbitration and classes resumed Feb. 5.
Students will only lose six days of the semester and the exam schedule has been shortened to make up for time lost to the strike.
Morgan said the university wanted to take away a limit on class sizes. The two sides agreed to keep the maximum number of students per class at 60.
“We’re happy about that.”
Wages on the lower end of the pay scale were also an important issue. Some newer professors made more money on strike than they did at work, Morgan said.
“We couldn’t give up the principle of it.”
But Melissa Dickinson, a first-year student who stayed home during the strike, said if the faculty get what they want tuition will go up.
“I think what their striking for is a little absurd.”
Both sides were doing more arguing than negotiating and Dickinson said both sides were to blame.
“They’re using us as hostages.”
The exam schedule has been pushed back and compressed with only a two-day study break between the end of classes and exams, she said.
Dickinson is nervous about the workload under the new timeline for the semester.
“I’m a little nervous the teachers will be a little bitter.”
Morgan said the professors want a say in the conditions that lead to excellence at the university and she doesn’t think the strike will affect the respect between students and professors.
“Excellence depends on a climate of respect.”
But Dickinson said the strike gave the school a bad reputation.
“People aren’t going to come to the school.”
And as the strike dragged on, she said she considered going to a different school next year.
“If tuition goes up as much as they say it will, that’s when I’ll start looking.”
The way strike negotiations were going, it would take a couple of months to complete them without an arbitrator, says a representative for the St. Thomas University Faculty Association.
Dawn Morgan, an English professor at the Fredericton university, spoke on behalf of the faculty who returned to work Feb. 4.
The union negotiated a back-to-work deal and only outstanding issues will go to arbitration, she said.
“We did think it was important to end the job action to save the term.”
The faculty association’s contract expired June 30, 2007 and a lockout went into effect Dec. 27.
Both sides have since agreed to binding arbitration and classes resumed Feb. 5.
Students will only lose six days of the semester and the exam schedule has been shortened to make up for time lost to the strike.
Morgan said the university wanted to take away a limit on class sizes. The two sides agreed to keep the maximum number of students per class at 60.
“We’re happy about that.”
Wages on the lower end of the pay scale were also an important issue. Some newer professors made more money on strike than they did at work, Morgan said.
“We couldn’t give up the principle of it.”
But Melissa Dickinson, a first-year student who stayed home during the strike, said if the faculty get what they want tuition will go up.
“I think what their striking for is a little absurd.”
Both sides were doing more arguing than negotiating and Dickinson said both sides were to blame.
“They’re using us as hostages.”
The exam schedule has been pushed back and compressed with only a two-day study break between the end of classes and exams, she said.
Dickinson is nervous about the workload under the new timeline for the semester.
“I’m a little nervous the teachers will be a little bitter.”
Morgan said the professors want a say in the conditions that lead to excellence at the university and she doesn’t think the strike will affect the respect between students and professors.
“Excellence depends on a climate of respect.”
But Dickinson said the strike gave the school a bad reputation.
“People aren’t going to come to the school.”
And as the strike dragged on, she said she considered going to a different school next year.
“If tuition goes up as much as they say it will, that’s when I’ll start looking.”
STU students seek compensation
By Ryan Ross
The St. Thomas University student union is still considering a class action lawsuit even though the faculty strike is over, says a student union executive.
Duncan Gallant, the student union’s vice-president of education, is part of the group that will represent students in talks with the university.
Gallant said the student union’s lawyer advised them they are in a position to sue all parties involved, including the university and the faculty association, in order to get compensation.
“We do have that option available still.”
The faculty association’s contract expired June 30, 2007 and a lockout went into effect Dec. 27.
Students didn’t return to class after their Christmas break but both sides have since agreed to binding arbitration and classes resumed Feb. 5.
Students will only lose six days of the semester and the university shortened the exam schedule to make up for time lost to the strike.
The union is working on getting compensation by gathering data from students and the administration on the amount of money lost during the strike, Gallant said.
He said they can’t ask for rent money but will look to recover other expenses, such as changes to plane tickets, and want compensation for the stress caused by the strike.
Any compensation agreement would cover all of the students, but some would receive more on a case-by-case basis, he said.
Gallant said the money would come from salaries not paid to professors during the strike.
“Our meetings will set out a specific number for compensation.”
Lawyer Jason Crelinsten said a class action lawsuit with a lot of claimants has the benefit of being a much bigger deal.
“You want to threaten them with the largest suit possible as a bargaining position.”
And class action suits will often name as many defendants as possible, he said.
“It’s a pretty typical litigation tactic.”
But Crelinsten said many organizations have clauses in their contracts that say they aren’t liable in case of a force majeure, which are circumstances beyond their control, such as war or an act of God.
Although he wasn’t familiar with the specifics of STU’s agreement with students, Crelinsten said the strike might fall under force majeure.
“That’s probably how they would defend themselves.”
Gallant said he is glad the strike is over but it would have been nice if it had ended a few weeks ago.
“Better late than never.”
The St. Thomas University student union is still considering a class action lawsuit even though the faculty strike is over, says a student union executive.
Duncan Gallant, the student union’s vice-president of education, is part of the group that will represent students in talks with the university.
Gallant said the student union’s lawyer advised them they are in a position to sue all parties involved, including the university and the faculty association, in order to get compensation.
“We do have that option available still.”
The faculty association’s contract expired June 30, 2007 and a lockout went into effect Dec. 27.
Students didn’t return to class after their Christmas break but both sides have since agreed to binding arbitration and classes resumed Feb. 5.
Students will only lose six days of the semester and the university shortened the exam schedule to make up for time lost to the strike.
The union is working on getting compensation by gathering data from students and the administration on the amount of money lost during the strike, Gallant said.
He said they can’t ask for rent money but will look to recover other expenses, such as changes to plane tickets, and want compensation for the stress caused by the strike.
Any compensation agreement would cover all of the students, but some would receive more on a case-by-case basis, he said.
Gallant said the money would come from salaries not paid to professors during the strike.
“Our meetings will set out a specific number for compensation.”
Lawyer Jason Crelinsten said a class action lawsuit with a lot of claimants has the benefit of being a much bigger deal.
“You want to threaten them with the largest suit possible as a bargaining position.”
And class action suits will often name as many defendants as possible, he said.
“It’s a pretty typical litigation tactic.”
But Crelinsten said many organizations have clauses in their contracts that say they aren’t liable in case of a force majeure, which are circumstances beyond their control, such as war or an act of God.
Although he wasn’t familiar with the specifics of STU’s agreement with students, Crelinsten said the strike might fall under force majeure.
“That’s probably how they would defend themselves.”
Gallant said he is glad the strike is over but it would have been nice if it had ended a few weeks ago.
“Better late than never.”
Mother finds it hard to change diapers in the dark
By Ryan Ross
The Martin family’s power went out on the afternoon of Jan. 28 when a branch snapped off the maple tree in their yard in Kensington and knocked the power line down.
One end of the line sat next to the house while the other was wrapped around the broken branch in the middle of the yard about five metres away.
Thick ice coated every branch of the trees surrounding the house and the yard was loud from the constant crack of shifting ice.
That night Brandi changed her baby’s diapers with a wind-up flashlight in her mouth so she could see.
“It sucks.”
A wood stove kept the house warm and Martin used it to heat water for Madison’s bottles.
Since the power went out, the baby got more bottles than she usually does, she said.
“You can’t heat up her baby food.”
A few days later their grandparents, who live a few minutes away, got their power back and the Martins took their frozen food up to them and put it in their deep freeze.
“The refrigerator stuff is sitting in the car.”
As the family waited for the electricity to come back on, they sat next to the picture window to get as much daylight as possible, chunks of ice beat against the glass.
The ice started to melt as temperatures rose and large chunks fell from overhanging branches.
Martin’s sister Heidi sat on the couch, bored as they tried to find ways to pass the time.
“I think the computer is the thing most missed.”
And her brother Jonah, a Holland College student in Summerside who had classes cancelled because of the storm, agreed.
“It’s been getting more difficult as the days go by.”
But Heidi said when they called Maritime Electric they weren’t given a timeframe for when to expect the power to come back on.
“Now that the big problems have happened, our house has probably been bumped to the last of the list.”
The Martin family’s power went out on the afternoon of Jan. 28 when a branch snapped off the maple tree in their yard in Kensington and knocked the power line down.
One end of the line sat next to the house while the other was wrapped around the broken branch in the middle of the yard about five metres away.
Thick ice coated every branch of the trees surrounding the house and the yard was loud from the constant crack of shifting ice.
That night Brandi changed her baby’s diapers with a wind-up flashlight in her mouth so she could see.
“It sucks.”
A wood stove kept the house warm and Martin used it to heat water for Madison’s bottles.
Since the power went out, the baby got more bottles than she usually does, she said.
“You can’t heat up her baby food.”
A few days later their grandparents, who live a few minutes away, got their power back and the Martins took their frozen food up to them and put it in their deep freeze.
“The refrigerator stuff is sitting in the car.”
As the family waited for the electricity to come back on, they sat next to the picture window to get as much daylight as possible, chunks of ice beat against the glass.
The ice started to melt as temperatures rose and large chunks fell from overhanging branches.
Martin’s sister Heidi sat on the couch, bored as they tried to find ways to pass the time.
“I think the computer is the thing most missed.”
And her brother Jonah, a Holland College student in Summerside who had classes cancelled because of the storm, agreed.
“It’s been getting more difficult as the days go by.”
But Heidi said when they called Maritime Electric they weren’t given a timeframe for when to expect the power to come back on.
“Now that the big problems have happened, our house has probably been bumped to the last of the list.”
UPEI cancels students’ trip to Kenya
By Ryan Ross
It’s disappointing the violence in Kenya forced UPEI to cancel teaching practicums in that country, says one UPEI student.
Alecia Barlow, in her second year of the education program, was one five students who were supposed to leave for Kenya in March to work in schools alongside Farmers Helping Farmers.
Barlow was disappointed to hear the trip was cancelled because when she decided to do the specialization in international education, Kenya was the country she thought of from the beginning, she said.
“It was really crushing.”
With the outbreak of violence after the country’s election in late December, the Government of Canada issued a travel advisory for Kenya.
The most recent advisory warns against non-essential travel to the country, which has seen renewed violence, including the killing of two members of Parliament.
Barlow said she knew there was a pending election and kept up with the news so she would know what was happening.
“I kind of was second-guessing that we might not be going.”
And although the university made the decision for the students, Teresa Mellish of Farmers Helping Farmers said their group decided not to go when they saw the first travel advisory.
Mellish said the violence is not in the area where they would have been working but that didn’t affect their decision.
“All it did was sort of muddy the waters.
Farmers Helping Farmers has worked with UPEI since 2004 and they are delighted with the co-operation from the school, she said.
“We are really disappointed that the situation in Kenya is such that we aren’t able to go this year.”
Mellish said two or three students from past years have joined Farmers Helping Farmers after their internships and the students are received very well in Kenya.
“That’s why we keep on doing it.”
Barlow is still on, but her destination has changed.
She had hoped to go to Japan or Spain instead but they fell through, too, so now she is going to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“That was basically the only one.”
Barlow said she went to all the Farmers Helping Farmers meetings, did all the research and built herself up to go to Kenya.
“I was confident I was going.”
It’s disappointing the violence in Kenya forced UPEI to cancel teaching practicums in that country, says one UPEI student.
Alecia Barlow, in her second year of the education program, was one five students who were supposed to leave for Kenya in March to work in schools alongside Farmers Helping Farmers.
Barlow was disappointed to hear the trip was cancelled because when she decided to do the specialization in international education, Kenya was the country she thought of from the beginning, she said.
“It was really crushing.”
With the outbreak of violence after the country’s election in late December, the Government of Canada issued a travel advisory for Kenya.
The most recent advisory warns against non-essential travel to the country, which has seen renewed violence, including the killing of two members of Parliament.
Barlow said she knew there was a pending election and kept up with the news so she would know what was happening.
“I kind of was second-guessing that we might not be going.”
And although the university made the decision for the students, Teresa Mellish of Farmers Helping Farmers said their group decided not to go when they saw the first travel advisory.
Mellish said the violence is not in the area where they would have been working but that didn’t affect their decision.
“All it did was sort of muddy the waters.
Farmers Helping Farmers has worked with UPEI since 2004 and they are delighted with the co-operation from the school, she said.
“We are really disappointed that the situation in Kenya is such that we aren’t able to go this year.”
Mellish said two or three students from past years have joined Farmers Helping Farmers after their internships and the students are received very well in Kenya.
“That’s why we keep on doing it.”
Barlow is still on, but her destination has changed.
She had hoped to go to Japan or Spain instead but they fell through, too, so now she is going to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“That was basically the only one.”
Barlow said she went to all the Farmers Helping Farmers meetings, did all the research and built herself up to go to Kenya.
“I was confident I was going.”
Changes coming for rapper Classified
By Ryan Ross
Sitting at a table, wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates cap and with his winter coat still on after a van ride from Halifax, Luke Boyd is at ease before a Valentine’s Day show at The Wave.
The Enfield, N.S., based rapper known as Classified looks over a laminated menu while members of his crew set up for the night’s performance.
On stage, someone brings in a pair of drums and taps out a beat while DJ IV sets up his turntables on a long banquet table.
The show doesn’t start for a few hours and Boyd just learned the room holds over 1,000 people instead of the 200 he was told when he signed the contract to perform.
He shrugs it off.
“As long as the people here are having a good time we usually have a good time.”
It’s the first time Boyd has played at The Wave. He says he has performed in Charlottetown before, although it has been a while.
“It’s cool to come back.”
The show is in support of his newest CD, While You Were Sleeping, which he produced himself and released on his own label, Halflife Records.
The album has a few new songs but is mostly older material that shows what he used to do, he says.
“This is what I was working on while you weren’t paying attention.”
Although the music might be old, Boyd does have something new to celebrate. A few weeks ago, while he was on tour, he found out his wife is pregnant.
“I’m sure it’s just gonna add to the experience.”
He doesn’t expect it to affect his career, though it doesn’t take much to go down to his studio and make music.
He will still have to keep on top of what he’s doing.
“This is my job.”
A growing part of that job is producing for artists like Jordan Croucher, Chad Hatcher and his own brother, Mic Boyd.
He says the brothers have always done music together.
“When the thing got done it got done.”
Later, while they sat on the edge of the stage waiting for their food, Mic said he always toured with his brother and hasn’t done any shows on his own.
“A lot better way of getting fans than going by yourself.”
Back at the table, Luke said it’s cool to work as a producer and let other people stress about everything else.
“I don’t want to be a rapper when I’m 56 years old.”
STU strike caused problems for internships
By Ryan Ross
Some St. Thomas University students had their internships cancelled during the recent faculty strike, says the program’s field education coordinator.
Sandra DeVink, an assistant professor, arranged work placements for the 27 social work students doing their internships.
DeVink said some placements were in unionized workplaces and several supervisors considered the internships as crossing the picket line.
“I was looking at a way to work with that without pulling all the students out of placements.”
The faculty association’s contract expired June 30, 2007 and a lockout went into effect Dec. 27.
The strike led to the cancellation of seven out of 27 social work placements.
Both sides have since agreed to binding arbitration and classes resumed Feb. 5.
The issue with the social work job placements arose when one student’s placement at a hospital was suspended, DeVink said.
She said that was when a student complained.
Students were given several options to make up for the lost time, such as researching the role of unions, watching videos related to their field and walking the picket line with professors, DeVink said.
“We talked about it with the student that was suspended in the beginning.”
She said the student wanted to do her placement in that location and was willing to wait for the strike to end.
The student was also given the opportunity to sit in on a court case going on at the time and DeVink said she advocated for them to take the student back if she did research about unions.
“She was pleased about that.”
John Lane, a Holland College faculty union representative whose union is in contract talks, said he didn’t know his own union’s position with regard to internships.
“There’s no way in my heart I could ask a student to cross the picket line.”
Most students at Holland College are required to complete an internship and Lane said students have to do what is necessary to graduate.
“You sure don’t want them to have not completed at the earliest possible date.”
Some St. Thomas University students had their internships cancelled during the recent faculty strike, says the program’s field education coordinator.
Sandra DeVink, an assistant professor, arranged work placements for the 27 social work students doing their internships.
DeVink said some placements were in unionized workplaces and several supervisors considered the internships as crossing the picket line.
“I was looking at a way to work with that without pulling all the students out of placements.”
The faculty association’s contract expired June 30, 2007 and a lockout went into effect Dec. 27.
The strike led to the cancellation of seven out of 27 social work placements.
Both sides have since agreed to binding arbitration and classes resumed Feb. 5.
The issue with the social work job placements arose when one student’s placement at a hospital was suspended, DeVink said.
She said that was when a student complained.
Students were given several options to make up for the lost time, such as researching the role of unions, watching videos related to their field and walking the picket line with professors, DeVink said.
“We talked about it with the student that was suspended in the beginning.”
She said the student wanted to do her placement in that location and was willing to wait for the strike to end.
The student was also given the opportunity to sit in on a court case going on at the time and DeVink said she advocated for them to take the student back if she did research about unions.
“She was pleased about that.”
John Lane, a Holland College faculty union representative whose union is in contract talks, said he didn’t know his own union’s position with regard to internships.
“There’s no way in my heart I could ask a student to cross the picket line.”
Most students at Holland College are required to complete an internship and Lane said students have to do what is necessary to graduate.
“You sure don’t want them to have not completed at the earliest possible date.”
STU year shortened to make up for strike
By Ryan Ross
The strike-shortened school year will be tough, says one St. Thomas University student.
Katie Francis, a second-year criminology and anthropology student, spoke from Fredericton where she stayed throughout the almost month-long strike.
The school condensed what is left of the school year and the exam schedule to make up for lost time, she said.
“It’s gonna be pretty brutal.”
The faculty association’s contract expired June 30, 2007 and a lockout went into effect Dec. 27.
Both sides have since agreed to binding arbitration and classes resumed Feb. 5.
Francis said she has a lot of reading to do, but all the professors cancelled midterms.
“I still have just as many papers.”
Even with the strike-shortened schedule, students will only miss one week of school, she said.
“It’s going to be tense.”
Shannon Whidden went through a similar situation as a music student at Mt. Allison University in Sackville, N.B.
Whidden was in his last semester when professors went on strike in 1999 and left students with a shortened year.
When the strike ended, his academic classes were cut short, but professors gave the music students extra lessons for studio classes to make up for lost time as they tried to prepare for their final performances, he said.
Whidden said the students gave up about a month of preparation, even with the extra lessons, and that affected their sense of confidence.
“I felt like I really lost out, in that sense.”
But Whidden supported the faculty until they decided to go on strike.
“It’s not a factory job.”
There is more long-term damage when a strike affects people’s education, he said.
“I felt that their methods were pretty unpalatable.”
Whidden said if he had to do it again the strike-shortened year wouldn’t make him reconsider going to Mount Allison.
“It certainly soured me on some of it.”
And Francis said she won’t get the same quality of education she would have otherwise.
“We’re not going to get the regular amount of education we should have received.”
The strike-shortened school year will be tough, says one St. Thomas University student.
Katie Francis, a second-year criminology and anthropology student, spoke from Fredericton where she stayed throughout the almost month-long strike.
The school condensed what is left of the school year and the exam schedule to make up for lost time, she said.
“It’s gonna be pretty brutal.”
The faculty association’s contract expired June 30, 2007 and a lockout went into effect Dec. 27.
Both sides have since agreed to binding arbitration and classes resumed Feb. 5.
Francis said she has a lot of reading to do, but all the professors cancelled midterms.
“I still have just as many papers.”
Even with the strike-shortened schedule, students will only miss one week of school, she said.
“It’s going to be tense.”
Shannon Whidden went through a similar situation as a music student at Mt. Allison University in Sackville, N.B.
Whidden was in his last semester when professors went on strike in 1999 and left students with a shortened year.
When the strike ended, his academic classes were cut short, but professors gave the music students extra lessons for studio classes to make up for lost time as they tried to prepare for their final performances, he said.
Whidden said the students gave up about a month of preparation, even with the extra lessons, and that affected their sense of confidence.
“I felt like I really lost out, in that sense.”
But Whidden supported the faculty until they decided to go on strike.
“It’s not a factory job.”
There is more long-term damage when a strike affects people’s education, he said.
“I felt that their methods were pretty unpalatable.”
Whidden said if he had to do it again the strike-shortened year wouldn’t make him reconsider going to Mount Allison.
“It certainly soured me on some of it.”
And Francis said she won’t get the same quality of education she would have otherwise.
“We’re not going to get the regular amount of education we should have received.”
Island religious communities have different needs
By Ryan Ross
The Island’s growing Muslim community needs its own gathering place, says the president of the Muslim Society of P.E.I.
Najam Chishti, the current president, moved to P.E.I. form Pakistan in 1979.
Chishti said the community needs a place where they can meet to discuss issues within the Muslim community.
“The main objective is to get a place of our own to meet regularly.”
Charlottetown does have a mosque in a renovated basement, but it is owned by one person, not the entire Muslim community, he said.
Chishti said P.E.I. is the only province without a permanent mosque and that’s one of the criteria for Muslim immigrants.
“It does affect, to a certain extent because it affects prayers.”
The Island’s Muslim community has grown to over 100 families since he moved to P.E.I., due mostly to immigration, and there is a need for new facilities, such as a Muslim cemetery, he said.
“As the community is growing the need is getting greater.”
Chishti said they need at least $500,000 to build an Islamic centre and cemetery and the community wants to pursue it.
“It is long overdue.”
But John Zarwan, a spokesman for the P.E.I. Jewish Community, said even though the number of Jewish families on the Island is also growing there aren’t enough people to support a formal gathering place.
There are about 80-90 families but there are not enough people or the financial support for a synagogue, similar to other Island churches, he said.
“There are lots of empty churches.”
Zarwan said there are members of the Jewish community who go to synagogues in other cities off-Island.
“There are members who are fairly observant.”
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of interest in a part-time rabbi but there is a traveling rabbi who fills in when there is a death within the community, he said.
“We certainly couldn’t support a full-time rabbi.”
Zarwan, who is not originally from P.E.I., said since he moved here seven years ago, changes to the P.E.I. Jewish Community’s board members and philosophy have increased attendance at community events.
The number of Jewish residents has also increased, he said.
“Mostly through in-migration.”
Zarwan said there is always an interest within the Jewish community to have a formal structure.
“There are some people who would like to have it.”
No clear solution for farmers after public forum
By Ryan Ross
Hog farmer Gordon Lank stood in the crowded hallway at the Kensington legion as he waited for the CBC public forum on the beef and pork industries.
People lined the walls, three deep in places, as about 400 people crammed into the main hall to voice their concerns about the state of P.E.I.’s farmers.
The crowd spilled out into the hallway where Lank discussed the turnout with the farmers around him.
“If nobody came it wouldn’t be a good indication.”
Lank was a life-long farmer who raised both beef and pork.
“Lucky aren’t I.”
He still has pigs going through the hog plant but expects them to be gone around the middle of the summer.
“We’re going out of the hogs.”
In the main hall, CBC anchor Bruce Rainnie moderated the discussion as farmers and other stakeholders in the industry pressed through the crowd.
They made their way to one of the microphones set up for questions directed to a panel that included Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan and Agriculture Minister Neil LeClair.
Sheridan listened to farmers’ concerns about meat imports from other countries and government aid to countries like Argentina where they are having problems with hoof and mouth disease.
“It’s despicable,” Sheridan said.
The discussion moved from one topic to the next as farmers blamed retailers, free trade, subsidies in other countries and a lack of government funding for some of the problems facing the industry.
Lank pushed his way through the crowd to voice his concerns about the lack of exports since the industry was crippled by the mad cow scare almost five years ago,
“We’re not competitive any more.”
While the panel agreed exports are a problem, they also addressed concerns about the ability to buy local products in the big retail chains owned by companies like Sobeys or Loblaws.
For Sheridan, it’s a consumer’s choice and they need to tell the stores they don’t want outside products.
“Bring in what we want to buy.”
The issue of buying local was raised again by Malpeque MP Wayne Easter when he referred to recent stories in the news about massive recalls in Japan and the United States.
“Where do Canadians want their food to come from?”
When the meeting was over, Lank moved through the thinning crowd, shaking hands with some of the farmers sticking around to speak with Sheridan.
Lank didn’t expect the meeting to have much of an effect.
“You never know what affects anything.”
Hog farmer Gordon Lank stood in the crowded hallway at the Kensington legion as he waited for the CBC public forum on the beef and pork industries.
People lined the walls, three deep in places, as about 400 people crammed into the main hall to voice their concerns about the state of P.E.I.’s farmers.
The crowd spilled out into the hallway where Lank discussed the turnout with the farmers around him.
“If nobody came it wouldn’t be a good indication.”
Lank was a life-long farmer who raised both beef and pork.
“Lucky aren’t I.”
He still has pigs going through the hog plant but expects them to be gone around the middle of the summer.
“We’re going out of the hogs.”
In the main hall, CBC anchor Bruce Rainnie moderated the discussion as farmers and other stakeholders in the industry pressed through the crowd.
They made their way to one of the microphones set up for questions directed to a panel that included Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan and Agriculture Minister Neil LeClair.
Sheridan listened to farmers’ concerns about meat imports from other countries and government aid to countries like Argentina where they are having problems with hoof and mouth disease.
“It’s despicable,” Sheridan said.
The discussion moved from one topic to the next as farmers blamed retailers, free trade, subsidies in other countries and a lack of government funding for some of the problems facing the industry.
Lank pushed his way through the crowd to voice his concerns about the lack of exports since the industry was crippled by the mad cow scare almost five years ago,
“We’re not competitive any more.”
While the panel agreed exports are a problem, they also addressed concerns about the ability to buy local products in the big retail chains owned by companies like Sobeys or Loblaws.
For Sheridan, it’s a consumer’s choice and they need to tell the stores they don’t want outside products.
“Bring in what we want to buy.”
The issue of buying local was raised again by Malpeque MP Wayne Easter when he referred to recent stories in the news about massive recalls in Japan and the United States.
“Where do Canadians want their food to come from?”
When the meeting was over, Lank moved through the thinning crowd, shaking hands with some of the farmers sticking around to speak with Sheridan.
Lank didn’t expect the meeting to have much of an effect.
“You never know what affects anything.”
Maritime schools face recruiting challenges
By Ryan Ross
Increasing interest in the trades has helped keep enrolment numbers up at Holland College, says a representative for the school.
Donna Sutton, the school’s director of student services, said there has been a push for trades programs from industry and that has helped build interest.
“That’s a relatively new phenomenon for us.”
Sutton said there is an aging workforce with no young people coming behind to fill the gaps once people retire.
The school has benefited from industry involvement in advertising the need for tradespeople, she said.
“It’s almost like they were advertising for Holland College.”
Sutton said Holland College has also seen a huge increase in students with a post-secondary background.
The number now stands at 35 per cent, she said.
“Twenty years ago that was virtually unheard of.”
Shawna Garrett, Acadia University’s executive director of enrolment services, said the school has seen a drop in enrolment in recent years, for many different reasons.
A lot of high school students go straight to college, the birth rate in the Maritimes is on the decline and there is an exodus out west, she said.
“So they can be immediately employed.”
Garrett said the government in Nova Scotia, where the school is located, doesn’t fund universities to the same extent as other provinces.
“Nova Scotia universities still have the highest tuitions in the country.”
A change to the school’s Acadia Advantage program has seen a drop in tuition from $8,062 a year to $6,652, she said.
Under the old program students were required to lease a laptop from the university.
Garrett said students prefer a choice and will now own the laptop outright.
“Ideally that will make Acadia more attractive.”
The school has been active in recruiting internationally to try and boost enrolment and has seen an increase in international students over the past few years, she said.
But Garrett said international students also enrich the classroom and aren’t just enrolment numbers.
“To us it’s much more than that.”
With enrolment numbers down at many Maritime universities, she said there is a need to develop Maritime cooperation.
“I think we’re going to have to work together.”
Sutton said Holland College is sending recruiters out west to recruit and will host information sessions there.
“Let’s bring our Islanders home.”
Increasing interest in the trades has helped keep enrolment numbers up at Holland College, says a representative for the school.
Donna Sutton, the school’s director of student services, said there has been a push for trades programs from industry and that has helped build interest.
“That’s a relatively new phenomenon for us.”
Sutton said there is an aging workforce with no young people coming behind to fill the gaps once people retire.
The school has benefited from industry involvement in advertising the need for tradespeople, she said.
“It’s almost like they were advertising for Holland College.”
Sutton said Holland College has also seen a huge increase in students with a post-secondary background.
The number now stands at 35 per cent, she said.
“Twenty years ago that was virtually unheard of.”
Shawna Garrett, Acadia University’s executive director of enrolment services, said the school has seen a drop in enrolment in recent years, for many different reasons.
A lot of high school students go straight to college, the birth rate in the Maritimes is on the decline and there is an exodus out west, she said.
“So they can be immediately employed.”
Garrett said the government in Nova Scotia, where the school is located, doesn’t fund universities to the same extent as other provinces.
“Nova Scotia universities still have the highest tuitions in the country.”
A change to the school’s Acadia Advantage program has seen a drop in tuition from $8,062 a year to $6,652, she said.
Under the old program students were required to lease a laptop from the university.
Garrett said students prefer a choice and will now own the laptop outright.
“Ideally that will make Acadia more attractive.”
The school has been active in recruiting internationally to try and boost enrolment and has seen an increase in international students over the past few years, she said.
But Garrett said international students also enrich the classroom and aren’t just enrolment numbers.
“To us it’s much more than that.”
With enrolment numbers down at many Maritime universities, she said there is a need to develop Maritime cooperation.
“I think we’re going to have to work together.”
Sutton said Holland College is sending recruiters out west to recruit and will host information sessions there.
“Let’s bring our Islanders home.”
UPEI veterinarians wait for peace in Kenya
By Ryan Ross
Easing tensions in Kenya means UPEI veterinary students might be able to continue their cancelled trip this summer, says a university professor involved in work with Farmers Helping Farmers.
John VanLeeuwen, the coordinator for the students’ work with the Island charity, has traveled to Kenya with students four times.
The students have to go during Kenya’s dry season and the next one isn’t until the summer, he said.
“We’re hoping to get it in some time this year.”
In past years the students would already be working in Kenya but the trip was cancelled when violence erupted after a disputed election in December.
With the outbreak of violence, the Government of Canada issued a travel advisory that warned against travel to the African country.
VanLeeuwen said travel insurance covered the cost of the trip because there was a change in the travel advisory.
“It wasn’t a cost to us.”
The group’s work did get results in past years with some farms doubling in size, he said.
“Most of these farms are quite small.”
CBC radio host Karen Mair went to Kenya with the group four years ago and said there were sometimes 100-200 people, each with a cow, lined up to see the students.
“They were like gods.”
Mair said people wonder if money makes a difference but she saw how much it helped.
“They were changing the future of generations of those families.”
VanLeeuwen said many of the farmers changed from growing coffee to raising cows and don’t have the proper knowledge on how to care for them.
“We try to recommend proper management.”
One issue they did encounter was women doing a lot of work on the farm plus all the traditional work at home, such as raising the children, he said.
“When we put on these seminars it’s traditionally men that show up.”
VanLeeuwen said Farmers Helping Farmers is considering spreading out to work in other countries in the area but they haven’t made any decisions yet.
“It does mean we’re restricted in doing things if there are any problems in one country.”
Easing tensions in Kenya means UPEI veterinary students might be able to continue their cancelled trip this summer, says a university professor involved in work with Farmers Helping Farmers.
John VanLeeuwen, the coordinator for the students’ work with the Island charity, has traveled to Kenya with students four times.
The students have to go during Kenya’s dry season and the next one isn’t until the summer, he said.
“We’re hoping to get it in some time this year.”
In past years the students would already be working in Kenya but the trip was cancelled when violence erupted after a disputed election in December.
With the outbreak of violence, the Government of Canada issued a travel advisory that warned against travel to the African country.
VanLeeuwen said travel insurance covered the cost of the trip because there was a change in the travel advisory.
“It wasn’t a cost to us.”
The group’s work did get results in past years with some farms doubling in size, he said.
“Most of these farms are quite small.”
CBC radio host Karen Mair went to Kenya with the group four years ago and said there were sometimes 100-200 people, each with a cow, lined up to see the students.
“They were like gods.”
Mair said people wonder if money makes a difference but she saw how much it helped.
“They were changing the future of generations of those families.”
VanLeeuwen said many of the farmers changed from growing coffee to raising cows and don’t have the proper knowledge on how to care for them.
“We try to recommend proper management.”
One issue they did encounter was women doing a lot of work on the farm plus all the traditional work at home, such as raising the children, he said.
“When we put on these seminars it’s traditionally men that show up.”
VanLeeuwen said Farmers Helping Farmers is considering spreading out to work in other countries in the area but they haven’t made any decisions yet.
“It does mean we’re restricted in doing things if there are any problems in one country.”
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