WestCoastRunner

An update on this issue: "In what may well have been the largest gathering of lawyers in B.C. history, members of the Law Society of B.C. decisively voted Tuesday to stop Trinity Western University — a Christian school that condemns gay sex — from being able to hand out law degrees." Of the B.C. Law Society's 13,000 members, 3,210 voted in favour with 968 opposed. This is by no means the end of it. The ultimate decision still rests with the law society's 31 governing benchers. But it is a great forward step! You can read more here.

Decriminalizing prostitution is the only approach that will protect women, said Dr. Kate Shannon, the study's senior author, who works for the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. "The criminalization of the purchasing of sex in Canada really risks recreating the same harms that we've heard over the last two decades of missing and murdered women," she said. There's been at least three murders of sex-workers in B.C. over the past year, she said, and 11 homicides remain unsolved over the past ten years. Further, the country most closely resembling Canada's incoming law, Sweden, which pioneered the so-called "Nordic" model, has had a documented increase in violence against sex workers and no declining demand for the industry over 15 years, said Kerry Porth, who's also with Pivot. "It hasn't worked in other countries and it won't work here," Porth said. "Sex workers will continue to die." "It's primarily women with not much going for them choosing to sell the only thing they've got." This statements needs to be further examined before it is thrown out there like a choice that women willingly make. It is of course, nothing of that nature. Women end up on the streets mainly because of the life they have fled from. To suggest otherwise does nothing to protect vulnerable women.

Well, not really. Jaywalking is illegal. It's not illegal to receive money for prostitution. "Prostitutes themselves will not be charged “for any part they play” in the purchase, material benefit, procurement or advertising of sexual services, MacKay said.

This is why we need to postpone the decision. To further explore and perform analysis on other options.

You should probably start a men's group that advises men to stay away from getting involved with women who have children. Quite frankly, what woman would want to get involved with a man with those negative attitudes.

Good grief! The analysis was signed by 300 scientists from universities from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, along with colleagues from international institutions including Stanford, Cornell and Oxford. And what business is it of folks who do not live in BC that we exploit the waters of BC to get oil to the Asian markets?

I expected this much from you. I was not surprised. I do, however, hope the govt asks for further analysis.

Tim, the recommendation to Harper to delay the decision until more analysis could be done was signed by 300 scientists from universities from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, along with colleagues from international institutions including Stanford, Cornell and Oxford. Do you think that you have more knowledge than them? Among their findings: The panel failed to explain its rationale for finding that the benefits of the $7-billion pipeline justify the risks. A finding that marine mammals will not suffer significant adverse cumulative effects contradicts government's own management plans for several endangered and at-risk species. Let's get further analysis done before we move forward with a decision that we can't back out of.

Again, what is the harm in delaying the decision until a further analysis is done?

I mean, 'what is the harm in delaying the decision' until further analysis is done?

Again, I ask. What is the harm in delaying this report for further analysis of the impact of British Columbia?

Sure he is. Must work for an oil company.

Sure Tim. Compare 300 people on Yonge street in TO to 300 scientists. BTW, those 300 folks in TO on Yonge St, do not live in BC and you are right, their opinions are meaningless. Why don't you poll 300 people in BC.

Let's get the decision right, because once that decision is made, there is no turning back.

Well, it bothers me that Tim is so quick to dismiss concerns of British Columbia residents without even perusing the report from the 'over 300 scientists' from all over the world. What is the harm in delaying this decision.

I get that I am an easy target. I am no scientist, I am only a british columbian concerned about my province.

Tim, You didn't really address the 300 scientists from all over the world regarding this report. What are your thoughts on this? You are quick to dismiss my concerns but what about these 300 scientists?

You have no stats to support the amount of minor spills given the increase in tankers in our waterways. Catastrophic spills are quite real and very possible. But you are right, no one outside of BC would notice or care. Why do you think we need to stand up for our own province!

How do you know there will only be minor spills? British Columbians do not want to take that risk. The economic loss would be catastrophic to our tourist industry. Our reputation is as a 'natural bc'. That is our slogan and it is why we have a very healthy tourist industry. If we start allowing tankers transporting oil to the 'asian' markets, we will lose our reputation. Why should we accommodate Alberta?

Indeed he will. Unfortunately, once it's approved and BC has to provide the access to the asian markers, we are doomed. There will inevitably be an oil spill sooner or later and our tourist industry will suffer for it.

Just out today: Hundreds of scientists (from Canada and around the world) have signed a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper that says the recent report on the Northern Gateway pipeline is so flawed, it's essentially useless. Their argument is that it is based on flawed analysis of the risks and benefits to B.C.'s environment and society. What is the harm in delaying this decision so a more thorough analysis can be done. Once the province of BC signs on to this pipeline, there is no turning back. Let's get this right and postpone the decision.

I should add. I don't think for one minute that he deserved to be left behind.

I agree. Let's not forget this dude spent 5 years in captivity with terrorists. I think that he has paid his dues, especially if he decided to desert. Let's not forget, this was a very young man, caught up in the war in Afghanistan. So he got terrified, and he wanted to leave. And perhaps he got grabbed by the Taliban. I am pretty sure there are many soldiers in many war zones who have thought the same thing (about deserting). I think he paid the price for his indecisions about the war in Afghanistan.

:huh:

Do you have anything to back up this ridiculous statement.