Category: Waterloo Region

March 6th 2019: 2019 Nomination Contest

As the Green Wave rises,  the reservations keep coming…

Joni Neh Rita

We’ll have musical entertainment provided by local musicians Joni NehRita and Craig McNair.

Donations will be accepted to cover the evening’s costs, pay our musicians and fund the campaigns.

To vote, you must have purchased a membership no later than February 4th, 2019, or if your membership has lapsed within the last year (+90 days), you will have the option of renewing it at the event.

New location!
Descendants Beer & Beverage Co.
319 Victoria Street North, (Map)
Kitchener, Ontario

The nomination contest will be held on Wednesday, 6 March 2019 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm

This is a free event, but please register at Eventbrite.

Meet The Nominees #KitCen

Candidate Nominee Ian Graham in conversation at the WRGreens PreNomination Social

Ian Graham has lived in Kitchener Centre since 1994 and seen many changes to the downtown core. He is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, receiving a BA in Music in 1991.

Ian was inspired to pursue a nomination for the Green Party of Canada because of his belief that we have the technology, resources, and will power to transform Canada to a better future with clean energy and make an environment that is healthy for all Canadians to be part of. Inspired by his Dad who bought a cottage and made it off grid, he realized that there are many ways to be independent and take better care of our environment. Ian also feels strongly that we can do better in our education system, giving the benefits of art, music and even financial knowledge with the foundations of core subjects. Health care has been ever more on his mind as he has seen the impact of dementia on his Mom recently.

Ian has been employed in many things from music to technology. He is one of the founding members of WREVA (Waterloo Region Electric Vehicle Association) who hosts the largest event in Canada for National Drive Electric Week. With his passion for renewable energy, Ian walks the walk, having installed multiple solar arrays and driving everything from a van on vegetable oil to multiple electric cars. He researches the economics and investments of renewable energy and feels that Canada has a huge opportunity for this trillion dollar economy.  He feels strongly that moving to a clean energy economy has the benefit of numerous jobs, independence and even more importantly, taking the strain off of our health care system.

Ian is a huge fan of the band RUSH, passionate for hockey, playing 3-4 times a week himself and cheering on the Maple Leafs, and enjoys being away at his family’s off grid cottage north of Manitoulin Island. He also has been the organist at St. Columba Church in Waterloo for over 28 years and works with many local musicians helping them record their music.

Ian looks forward to learning new skills and abilities with the Green Party in 2019.

Follow Ian on Twitter @redbartesla

The nomination contest will be held on Wednesday, 5 March 2019 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm in the KW Little Theatre at 9 Princess Street East, Waterloo, Ontario (Map). This is a free event, but please register at Eventbrite.

Meet The Nominees #KitCen

Candidate Nominee Mike Morrice in conversation at the WRGreens PreNomination Social

Mike Morrice grew up on the west island of Montreal as the middle brother of three boys. His family moved to Newmarket Ontario in 1997, and in 2003 he went on to study at Wilfrid Laurier University, completing a double degree in business and computer electronics. Mike was quickly hooked by the entrepreneurial spirit of Waterloo Region.

After reading a book called Ishmael, his eyes were opened to how recently we have begun living at odds with the rest of the living world. Mike was inspired to bring together his business training with his desire to see more decisive action on the climate crisis, and so he got to work.

Mike has spent the 10 years since working with hundreds of business to accelerate the shift to a green economy.

In 2008 while studying at Laurier, Mike founded Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR) and piloted Canada’s first Green Economy Hub. Within five years, the Hub had engaged companies employing 14% of Waterloo Region’s workforce, all committed to setting and achieving voluntary climate goals. Mike also spearheaded the creation of ClimateActionWR, a collaborative effort that secured unanimous support from Regional & City Councils for our community’s first-ever climate target (a 6% reduction by 2020, since raised to 80% by 2050), and initiated what is now evolv1, Canada’s first net-positive energy multi-tenant building.

In response to global interest in replicating Green Economy Hubs, Mike founded Green Economy Canada in 2013 and led the award-winning organization until late last year. Today there are 7 Green Economy Hubs across Ontario supporting over 250 organizations lowering their impact and increasing their profitability.

Mike was named Young Alumni of the Year by Laurier (2011), Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the KW Chamber of Commerce (2012), won a Special Citation for Social Entrepreneurship by EY Canada (2018), and has been an Ashoka Fellow since 2012.

Mike describes his journey starting Sustainable Waterloo Region in a TEDx talk on his website. You can also follow the campaign on Facebook, check out his online resume, LinkedIn profile, and Twitter profile.

Meet The Nominees #KitCen

Bob Jonkman, Candidate Nominee with his son Willem
Candidate Nominee Bob Jonkman poses with his son at the WRGreens PreNomination Social

Bob Jonkman has championed Proportional Representation since he
volunteered for Fair Vote Canada in the 2007 referendum. As an Executive
Member of the very active Fair Vote Waterloo Region Chapter, Bob came to
believe electoral reform could best be accomplished by entering
politics. He ran for office federally in 2015 and provincially in 2018
as the Green Party candidate in Kitchener—Conestoga.

Working with local social justice organizations has helped foster Bob’s
commitment to achieving the goals of equity and inclusion. His community
service includes work with the WRNonviolence Day In The Park, KWPeace,
and as an active member of the Social Development Council of Waterloo
Region. Bob has volunteered with the PTA, worked to save Victoria Glen
Park from development, fought the placement of a biogas mega plant in
downtown Elmira, and served on the Elmira BioFuel Citizens’ Committee.
In his spare time Bob enjoys participating at CKMS-FM, the local
community radio station where he is on the Board of Directors.

Bob’s digital community service includes organizing and giving
presentations at computer user group meetings. As a long time member of
the Free Software community, Bob encourages the use of software that
respects computer users’ freedom. He’s a strong advocate for transparent
government and freely available Open Data in government and business,
balanced with protection of personal privacy through cryptography and
safe online practices.

Professionally, Bob is a small business owner providing computer
consulting, technical support and training to large and small Ontario
businesses.

Born in the Netherlands and raised in Burlington, Ontario, Bob and
Laurel chose to move to Elmira to raise their son twenty years ago.

Bob’s commitment to the Green Party is rooted in shared values that have
inspired his work to enact positive change for a stronger democracy and
a sustainable future.

More about Bob

Follow Bob:

email: bob.jonkman@greenparty.ca

Mike Makes History (Again!)

Today was special.

I tabled the first ever Green legislation in Ontario history, a bill to protect the drinking water supply of nearly 200,000 people in the Guelph region.

And I did it with dozens of water defenders at my side.

It’s time we started taking seriously our sacred responsibility to leave a liveable planet for our children and grandchildren. The Paris Galt Moraine Conservation Act would protect our water from contamination, urban sprawl and reckless resource extraction.

And while the Premier has been threatening to poke holes in the Greenbelt, this legislation would grow the Greenbelt, conserving more farmland and wildlife habitat.

We face an uphill battle. Majority governments don’t pass many opposition bills. So I need your help to write to your MPP and sign my petition urging the government to #ProtectOurWater.

Go to ProtectOurWater.ca today and help us make history again!

Mike

Tell your MPP you support the Paris Galt Moraine Conservation Act!
Use the GPO’s handy letter writing tool at ProtectOurWater.ca to find your MPP and send them an email.

2019 Candidate Nominations #KitCen #Wloo

Last week’s WRGreens PreNomination Social was a fabulous success.

WRGreens will be holding 2 nomination meetings.  The first will be a combined meeting for Kitchener Centre and Waterloo.  Today—Monday February 4th, 2019—  is the last day to join the Green Party and be eligible  to vote to choose which of these nominees will be the 2019 Green Party Candidate!

This is the lineup of 2019 GPC nominees for Kitchener Centre:

an Graham, Bob Jonkman, Mike Morrice
2019 Kitchener Centre Candidate Nominees: Ian Graham, Bob Jonkman, Mike Morrice
candidates talk to WRGreens voters
Ian Graham, Bob Jonkman and Mike Morrice discuss green issues at the WRGreens PreNomination Social

And here are the GPC candidate nominees for Waterloo.

Robert Reid and Kirsten Wright
2019 Waterloo Candidate Nominees: Robert Reid and Kirsten Wright
candidate nominees talk with potential GPC voters
Robert Reid and Kirsten Wright discuss green issues at the WRGreens PreNomination Social

Over the next month, each of the nominees will be asked to tell you a little bit about themselves here. We’ll also be publishing videos for each on the WRGreens YouTube page.

The Candidate Nomination will take place on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 7:00pm – 8:30pm.

You must live in the riding and attend the nomination meeting in person to vote.

You can register on the Eventbright page here:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/green-party-nominations-for-waterloo-and-kitchener-centre-tickets-54805128615

or on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/497935980731834/

Don’t forget: today is the last day to join the Green Party of Canada to choose the 2019 Kitchener Centre and Waterloo candidates!

TONIGHT #WRGreens at Fresh Ground

This is the beginning of a big year for the Green Party in Waterloo Region! We’re gearing up to run a slate of strong candidates committed to putting sustainable policies at the forefront of the 2019 federal election.

Our first step is selecting our candidates. Join us for this social as we meet the candidate nominees for our Waterloo Region ridings. It looks like at least Waterloo and Kitchener-Centre will have contested nominations, which means members will choose which candidate represents them.

This will be a fun and social evening, including musical guests Sammy Duke and Yvonne & Rob. Donations to support the musicians and prepare for the campaigns will be welcome.

Not a Green Party member? You’re especially welcome! You can learn more about the Greens, our values and priorities. There will be an opportunity to sign up as a member in time to vote in the nominations starting March 6.

Looking forward to great conversations tonight!

Thursday, January 31st, 2019
7:00 – 9:00pm
at Fresh Ground ~ 256 King St E, Kitchener

wrawesome: TONIGHT at Fresh Ground in Kitchener! Find out whats…



wrawesome:

TONIGHT at Fresh Ground in Kitchener!

Find out whats up with the Green Party in 2019! 

Meet the people vying to be Green Party Candidates in:

You don’t have to be a Green member, or even a Green supporter… everyone welcome!  Like most Green doings, this is a family friendly event!
Register at Eventbright

WRGreens blog: Catch A Wave
Facebook event page 

Fresh Ground
256 King Street East, Kitchener, ON

Catch a Green Wave

white text over a green wave: Waterloo Region's Green Wave Starts Here: 2018 Candidate preNomination Social, Thursday, January 31st, 7:00–9:00pm at Fresh Ground 256 King St E, Kitchener, ON N2G 2L1, Canada

Excitement in the Green community is at an all time high: the Green movement is growing.  You may already be part of it without even realizing it!  Every conversation you have about our communities, economies, and environment builds the impetus toward change. We’re seeing an appetite for a green future beyond anything we’ve seen in past elections… and this one hasn’t even begun!

WTGreens are growing a people-powered movement in Waterloo Region to elect our first Green MPs!

You’re invited to our 2019 WRGreens Candidate preNomination Social
Thursday, January 31st
7:00 – 9:00pm
at Fresh Ground ~ 256 King St E, Kitchener

People from all parties and backgrounds are invited to come find out how we will make the community, economy, and environment our priority.

WRGreens believe our only credible path toward a healthy and robust future for our region and our country is decisive action: we need to start electing Green MPs.  We have all the tools and solutions. All we need do is choose to act together.  Be part of the solution by joining the first wave of this movement as we build toward the October election!

Come meet Waterloo Region’s Green Party candidate nominees

So far we have half a dozen declared candidate nominees for Kitchener Centre, and we may have contested nominations in all 5 ridings!  This is your chance to find out what our potential Waterloo Region Greens candidates are working for, and why they’ve committed to running under the Green banner in 2019!  If you are interested in throwing your hat in the ring (or know someone else who might be) for the riding of

contact WRGreens Nominations Chair Kris Braun at kris.braun@greenparty.ca

Our first combined nomination meeting will take place on March 6th, when GPC members of the Kitchener Centre and Waterloo EDAs will choose their candidates.  Then In April, we’ll host the combined meeting for Kitchener South–Hespeler, Kitchener–Conestoga, and Cambridge candidates.

If you’re not a member yet, before you can vote for the next Green Party Candidate in your riding, you’ll need to join the party.  You can purchase your $10 membership online before the preNomination Social, or you can wait and do it at the event.

Whether you’re a GPC member or a friend, this will be a great opportunity to grab a coffee, listen to music, and get to know each other.  Families are welcome.

Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/382995449117240/

RSVPs are appreciated so we can be sure to accommodate everyone who wishes to attend.  Sign up for this free event on the
Eventbright Page: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/waterloo-region-greens-pre-nomination-kickoff-tickets-54805419485

coming soon:

Joint Nomination Meeting for the Kitchener Centre and Waterloo Electoral District Associations

  • What: WRGreens Regular Meeting and Joint Nomination Meeting
  • When:  Wednesday, March 6th, 2019
  • Where: To Be Determined
    • Cutoff for new memberships would be Monday, February 4th,  2019

Joint Nomination Meeting for Kitchener South–Hespeler, Kitchener–Conestoga, and Cambridge Electoral District Associations

  • What: WRGreens Regular Meeting and Joint Nomination Meeting
  • When:  First week of April
  • Where: To Be Determined
    • Cutoff for new memberships will be in the March, 30 days before the nomination contest.

WR Greens all logos

Drawdown

“Drawdown is that point in time when the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere begins to decline on a year-to-year basis.”

— Drawdown

Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed To Reverse Global Warming _ Edited by Paul Hawken Book cover art and Video title card: COST 29 trillion US$ over 30 years - SAVINGS 74 trillion US$ over 30 years

Climate Change is an enormous problem.  Even if we manage zero emissions, the problem is we have already exceeded our carbon budget, we’re living on borrowed time.  We don’t just need to stop emissions, we need to start putting carbon back where it belongs.   But there is no single magic solution.   The reality is that there are many ways the Climate Crisis can be addressed.  The book “Drawdown” looks at 100 of the solutions.

“We would want to implement these solutions whether or not Global Warming was even a problem because they have cascading benefits to human and planetary well being.

• Renewable electricity results in access to abundant clean energy for all

• Plant rich diet, reduced food waste, results in a healthy global population with enough food and sustenance.

• Family planning and educating girls? This is about human rights, about gender equality. This is about economic improvements and the freedom of choice. It’s about justice.

• Regenerative agriculture, managed grazing, agriforestry, silvopasture — restores soil health, benefits farmers and brings carbon back to the land.

• Protecting our ecosystems also protects biodiversity and safeguards planetary health and the oxygen that we breathe. It’s tangible benefits to all species is incalculable.”

— 100 solutions to reverse global warming | Chad Frischmann

“How much is this going to cost?

COST
“We estimate that to implement all 80 solutions would cost about $29 trillion US$ over 30 years. That’s just about a trillion a year. Now I know that sounds like a lot, but we have to remember that global GDP is over $80 trillion every year.”

SAVINGS
“And the estimated savings from implementing these solutions is $74 trillion US$ dollars– over double the cost. That’s a net savings of 44 trillion dollars.

“So Drawdown is possible. We can do it if we want to. Its not going to cost that much and the return on the investment is huge.

“Here’s the welcome surprise: when we implement these solutions, we shift the way we do business from a system that is inherently exploitative and extractive to a new normal that is by nature restorative and regenerative. We need to rethinhk our global goals to move beyond sustainability towards regeneration. And along the way, reverse global warming.”

— 100 solutions to reverse global warming | Chad Frischmann

I recommend getting a copy of the book Drawdown for yourself.  The book isn’t mired in jargon, it’s written to be understandable to ordinary people.  And not only will it make a great gift for those interested, and it would perhaps make a good educational tool to share with our public libraries and schools, but elected representatives as well.

Note:

If you missed the sold out event featuring Dianne Saxe, the Environment Commissioner of Ontario last night (January 11th, 2019),
or if you were there and want to see it again, you can watch it on the Facebook Livestream capture here:
https://www.facebook.com/divestwr/videos/356227264929627/