Imagine, if you will, your favourite summer street festival or an indie parade. Add a joyous rallying cry, one amazing cause and 24 beautiful hectares of farmland in a wild corner of Vancouver. This mix of music festival and protest march made Tuesday's Great Farm Trek to UBC Farm the highlight of my year so far, on the most gorgeous spring afternoon we could possibly hope for.

When I got off the bus at UBC, finding the Student Union Building wasn't too difficult: I followed the drumming noises (percussion ensemble Sambata) and the hum of a thousand voices gathered in the square. I was pleasantly stunned to see how many people turned out.

The opening speaker began soon after I arrived. Ben recorded a video of the inspirational speech by Shane Pointe (Musqueam Nation). I recorded some of it but his view was better. The crowd exploded in cheers when he encouraged us. I fell into awe and silence during his song.

Last Monday's anti-Gateway demonstration in Surrey; I'm in there somewhere! Photo from GatewaySucks.org

Stephen Rees's blog has been bursting with exciting news lately, nearly every single post. When I say exciting, I don't necessarily mean good, but the headlines do indicate multiple turning points in a potentially positive direction in what has so far been a steadfast plot on the part of our provincial and even federal government to proceed with Gateway.* At a time when gas prices have begun to increase once more, international shipping is declining, and peak oil is on the horizon, our provincial and federal governments are teaming up to build more roads and expand the port on the premise that it will create jobs. While I agree that creating jobs in British Columbia is of utmost importance, the economic benefits of redirecting funding toward building transit would more than double the number of jobs — and they would be local. That keeps BC money in BC. In fact, a study by the Canadian Urban Transit Association found that three times as many jobs are created in public transit as highways. Public transit encourages smart growth, reduces congestion and pollution (thereby making a grand step toward the Province's 33% reduction in GHG goal), and has minimal environmental impacts.

Want to help steer the government away from highway jobs and construction to green jobs and transit, all across Canada? Here are some petitions and events happening right now:

PETITIONS
- Halt the Gateway Project
- Rail for the Valley: bring back passenger rail now

WRITE TO OUR POLITICIANS/MEDIA
- A Green Economy Makes Cents:

"On January 27, our federal government will introduce a new budget and invest billions of your tax dollars on stimulating the Canadian economy. Let's make sure that as much of the stimulus package as possible is green." Send a message to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty asking the government to invest in green jobs and green infrastructure. (David Suzuki Foundation)

Read my letter. (Americans can use the Wilderness Society's page to send a letter to Congress on the same issue.)

SURREY - Surrey City Council candidate Paul Hillsdon announced today the centrepiece of his campaign — the Transit for Tomorrow plan. The plan, designed specifically to meet the growing transport demands of the South Fraser area (Surrey, Langley, Delta, and White Rock), would vastly expand the rapid transit system, with no need for local property tax increases or fare hikes.

"The Transit for Tomorrow plan begins to fix our woefully inadequate transit with fiscal prudence during these times of economic hardship. Construction of the lines will boost the local economy and create jobs, while addressing our transport, health and environment issues all at the same time," said Hillsdon.

Via No Impact Man, thanks to my mother for the great link

Today Al Gore launched the We Can Solve It campaign, "a $300 million, 3-year campaign to educate the public about global warming and urge action from political leaders."

A follow up on yesterday's post about the damn lightbulb. Read that one first if you haven't already, or you'll spoil the fun!

I received this reply this morning...

The Monday lunch blog is back after last week's holiday with a heads up about two important local events.

Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon's antics have made for good blog fodder lately, the newest of which include a push for later SkyTrain hours and fiscally unjustifiable turnstiles for SkyTrain stations. He also continues to demonstrate his perseverance against common sense and common opinion by pushing through Bill 43 again — this time with apparent success — in the new session. This new law replaces TransLink with a board of businessmen who will essentially be controlled by the Ministry. All democracy will be removed from processes and, no doubt, "what Falcon wants, Falcon gets." See Keep Transit Public for more info and be sure to attend the rally Wednesday at 4:30 at Canada Place.

Today in Vancouver and on other dates in various municipalities is a series of meetings related to the Regional Growth Strategy Review. (Thanks for the heads up, Raul!)

In November and December 2007, we will be hosting meetings in your community to talk about regional growth challenges. How can growth be accommodated on a limited land base? How will we provide the housing that will be needed for a growing and aging population? How will we keep Metro Vancouver prosperous and competitive in the global economy? How will people and goods get around in the region?

For more information call Metro Vancouver at 604-432-6365.

Tonight's meeting is at the Vancouver Public Library from 7 to 9 pm.

A brief Monday lunch blog today highlighting some of the best arguments against Gateway so far. Via Beyond Robson.

Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan recently delivered an excellent speech to members of the public about opposition to the Province's Gateway project. It is one of the most informative and compelling arguments to date. Congratulations on a moving and inspiring speech! Watch the YouTube video.

Corrigan said to visit Burnaby's website for info.