[mobglob-discuss] Against the Olympics (fwd)

[Tom_Childs at Douglas.BC.CA]

Ya gotta figure that Adriane sure has this one right!  Regards, --tc
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  ----- Forwarded message: -----Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2002 03:05:04 -0400
To: childst at Douglas.BC.CA
Subject: Against the Olympics
From: "Green Party of BC e-newsletter" <whatsnew at greenparty.bc.ca>


Green Party takes strong stand against BC's 2010 Olympic Bid


"We cannot, under the current circumstances, support BC's bid to host the 
2010 Winter Olympic Games," asserts Green Party Leader Adriane Carr. "The 
costs are way too high.  The current bid is being forwarded on the backs of 
BC residents who are being stripped of essential services including 
hospitals, retirement homes, schools and law courts. The Liberal government 
says we can't afford these essential services.  How can we possibly afford 
to spend several billion dollars on a non-essential item like the games? 
It's morally wrong," continued Carr.

The BC Green Party's Provincial Council, which met a week ago in New 
Denver, BC, passed a resolution listing a whole raft of serious concerns 
about the bid to host the games. These include cuts to medical and other 
essential services across the province, concern over economic viability, 
requirement for government subsidies, the size of the environmental 
footprint and potential for a negative social legacy. "The games are a 
costly, short-lived mega-project with very "iffy" prospects in terms of 
long-term benefits. It would take a different set of circumstances in BC 
and a bid that fully addressed the economic, social and environmental costs 
and benefits before the Green Party would give its support," explained Carr.

Carr believes that public opposition to hosting the 2010 Olympics is large 
and growing. She agrees with those who want the proposed mega-spending of 
taxpayers money put to a province-wide referendum vote at the upcoming 
municipal elections. "Unless the Liberals change their current course of 
cutting back on essential services I predict such a referendum would fail 
to find the needed support," says Carr.

This fall Carr will be stumping the province, listening to the concerns of 
citizens regarding the problems BC faces and their ideas of where we should 
head. She'll be promoting Green economics and seeking new members and 
supporters for the party.

"Many British Columbians are angry or frustrated and looking for 
alternatives. The Green Party is working on positive solutions that are 
bound to attract more and more voters. We're prepared to work with people 
to get the solutions right-especially in communities where local economies 
are particularly hard hit," concluded Carr.

For more information please contact,
Adriane Carr, Leader        cell phone 604-740-1321
---
The Green Party of B.C.
It's Time

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-- 
Tom Childs - Audio/Visual Resources
Douglas College Library
New Westminster, B.C. Canada
T: 604 527-5187 - library
T: 604 524-9316 - southshore Lulu Island
E: childst at douglas.bc.ca
U: BCGEU Local 703
W: http://www.globaljustice.ca

      "There's no way to delay, that trouble comin' everyday."
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