Category: Uncategorized

Scott Blurton (candidate for Councillor, Ward 17 Capital) responds to survey on Animal- and Veg-Friendliness.

1. Will you commit to publishing the position statement of the Canadian Dietetic Association that acknowledges that well-planned vegan diets are healthy for all life-stages, to correct misinformation among the public. If so, how would this been done (tax or water bill insert, bus board signage, proclaiming a vegan day, other?).

No. I would work with Ottawa Public Health on improved promotion of healthy nutrition, and the many options to achieve it, through their website and through promotion campaigns targeted at children and youth. I don’t believe that publishing position papers of advocacy groups for specific dietary regimes would be appropriate.

2. Will you support a meatless Monday campaign in City of Ottawa cafeterias and catered affairs, encourage school boards & post secondary institutions to follow your example, as well as the Municipality of Gatineau, engaging staff from the department of Public Health in the outreach? Note that agriculture is a larger contributed to climate change than all forms of transportation combined.

No. I would focus our efforts on nutritional choice, the nutrients our bodies need and the options on how to get them.

3. Will you support a bylaw banning circuses and other entertainment acts that use animals for entertainment in Ottawa?

I would consider this but I would need more information about the initiative.

4. Will you support wildlife rehabilitation organizations? How so (financially and/or with other in-kind supports – please describe in detail)?

I would focus funding on my five priorities of youth unemployment, smart development, transportation choice, mental health and poverty reduction, especially the latter two.

5. Will the City of Ottawa publish its policy (and or City of Ottawa Police policy) or develop a bylaw on the treatment of dangerous wildlife within the City (coyotes, deer, moose, etc.)?

I would need more information about this subject and consult with city staff before I could answer this question in more detail. In short, I believe that we have to be a better caretaker of the natural riches that we have been blessed with.

1. Will you commit to publishing the position statement of the Canadian Dietetic Association that acknowledges that well-planned vegan diets are healthy for all life-stages, to correct misinformation among the public. If so, how would this been done (tax or water bill insert, bus board signage, proclaiming a vegan day, other?).

Marc: A well planned vegan diet I believe is a very commendable lifestyle choice. I acknowledge that it is a diet that results in a considerably lower impact on the planet/climate and I think that is a message that is well worth publicizing to encourage more people to research the issue and consider it for themselves. I think the most appropriate way for the City to do this would be proclaiming a vegan day thus encouraging the media to pick up on the story. I think we could also promote it more through the public health section of the City website.

2. Will you support a meatless Monday campaign in City of Ottawa cafeterias and catered affairs, encourage school boards & post secondary institutions to follow your example, as well as the Municipality of Gatineau, engaging staff from the department of Public Health in the outreach? Note that agriculture is a larger contributed to climate change than all forms of transportation combined.

Marc: I would support providing more vegetarian options, more frequently in City facilities as well as signage/materials in eating places that educate people on the values of vegetarian diets including its contribution to lowering the impact on the planet.

3. Will you support a bylaw banning circuses and other entertainment acts that use animals for entertainment in Ottawa?

Marc: This should be be something we are moving towards. I would be willing to discuss with others the implications of exploring this further.

4. Will you support wildlife rehabilitation organizations? How so (financially and/or with other in-kind supports – please describe in detail)?

Marc: The City of Ottawa, being such a large organization has lots of resources that could be useful to assist wildlife rehab organizations. I would be willing to facilitate discussions between these groups to explore ways in which the City could make the work of these organizations easier and more effective.

5. Will the City of Ottawa publish its policy (and or City of Ottawa Police policy) or develop a bylaw on the treatment of dangerous wildlife within the City (coyotes, deer, moose, etc.)

Marc: Yes the City should have such a policy and it should be posted publically.

Sheila Perry (candidate for Councillor, Ward 13 Rideau Rockcliffe) responds to survey on Animal- and Veg-Friendliness

1. Will you commit to publishing the position statement of the Canadian Dietetic Association that acknowledges that well-planned vegan diets are healthy for all life-stages, to correct misinformation among the public. If so, how would this been done (tax or water bill insert, bus board signage, proclaiming a vegan day, other?).

Answer: Yes, this is important information and fits perfectly with my platform on food issues and sustainability. Since the Ottawa Health Dept. is now supporting mobile food etc. this is best published through the Health Dept./ Recreation on websites, fact sheets,promotion through workshops. Vegan Day and food nutrition month are additional ways to support and publicize.

2. Will you support a meatless Monday campaign in City of Ottawa cafeterias and catered affairs, encourage school boards & post secondary institutions to follow your example, as well as the Municipality of Gatineau, engaging staff from the department of Public Health in the outreach? Note that agriculture is a larger contributed to climate change than all forms of transportation combined.

Answer: yes, a great idea for alternatives in our diet and for promoting nutrition month.
Since I am a member of the College of Teachers, it is wise to work with cafeteria services and contracts with the school boards/colleges. Ottawa does not have authority in Gatineau. However, we can give them the challenge. I am a member of Just Food Ottawa and started 32 community gardens in Overbrook in 2013, so I am very supportive of linking workshops, training and education of food.

3. Will you support a bylaw banning circuses and other entertainment acts that use animals for entertainment in Ottawa?

Answer: As a pet owner, I am very sensitive to and opposed to animal exploitation. Pet farms and child friendly experiences are great for sensitivity training. Circuses are a big business and require close monitoring by the city and staff.

4. Will you support wildlife rehabilitation organizations? How so (financially and/or with other in-kind supports – please describe in detail)?

Answer: Wildlife rehabilitation is important to our large urban/rural Ottawa city. Support is required to organizations such as the Rideau Conservation authority and others who support help with wildlife.The city of Ottawa must establish a bylaw for dealing with wildlife…I am concerned that no leadership has been undertaken to do this and I pledge to raise this issue. Support includes convening groups to establish a protocol, bylaw. A network of organizations is needed and should be promoted locally, along with fundraising.

5. Will the City of Ottawa publish its policy (and or City of Ottawa Police policy) or develop a bylaw on the treatment of dangerous wildlife within the City (coyotes, deer, moose, etc.)?

Answer: The city of Ottawa lacks a bylaw. It is important that groups be convened, bylaw drafted, consultation and implementation take place. Many are indicating the need for a mechanism of support .

Kim Sheldrick (candidate for Councillor of Osgoode Ward 20) responds to survey on Animal- and Veg-Friendliness.

1. Will you commit to publishing the position statement of the Canadian Dietetic Association that acknowledges that well-planned vegan diets are healthy for all life-stages, to correct misinformation among the public. If so, how would this been done (tax or water bill insert, bus board signage, proclaiming a vegan day, other?).

I cannot commit to promoting a vegan lifestyle as I do not follow it myself. It is a personal choice as to what a person eats. I follow healthy eating lifestyles by following the Canadian food guide, limiting red meats and eating local foods when I can to lessen the amount of processing and preservatives. I can commit to providing a link on enewsletters and my website to let people know about the option of a vegan lifestyle, and to attending events that promote healthy lifestyles.

2. Will you support a meatless Monday campaign in City of Ottawa cafeterias and catered affairs, encourage school boards & post secondary institutions to follow your example, as well as the Municipality of Gatineau, engaging staff from the department of Public Health in the outreach? Note that agriculture is a larger contributed to climate change than all forms of transportation combined.

Again I cannot support this as I do not follow a vegan lifestyle. I feel that what a person chooses to eat is their personal decision. I do promote healthy eating and healthy lifestyle choices. I am aware of the climate change factor due to the gases released by ruminant animals.

3. Will you support a bylaw banning circuses and other entertainment acts that use animals for entertainment in Ottawa?

No I cannot support such a bylaw. Places like Little Ray’s, who take in animals which are in need, also visit places as an “entertainment act” to help fund their facility.

4. Will you support wildlife rehabilitation organizations? How so?

I support wildlife rehabilitation organizations. Unfortunately financially is usually not an option for me but I attend events and volunteer time in place of funds when I am aware of events.

5. Will the City of Ottawa publish its policy (and or City of Ottawa Police policy) or develop a bylaw on the treatment of dangerous wildlife within the City (coyotes, deer, moose, etc.)?

I am yet to figure out what the issue in developing and implementing this policy had been. As issues arise, each level of government seems to try to pass it along instead of accepting responsibility. There is now a Wildlife Strategy in place for Ottawa and it was approved by Council in summer 2013. I have also attended meetings with the Ministry of Natural Resources in regards to this issue. What needs to be done is ensuring the strategy is properly understood by all parties that may be involved and implemented correctly.

Thanks
Kim Sheldrick
http://www.kimsheldrick4councillor.ca
Candidate for City of Ottawa Councillor in Osgoode Ward 20
Remember to vote on October 27!

Marc Vinette (candidate for Councillor of Rideau Vanier) responds to survey on Animal- and Veg-Friendliness.

1. Will you commit to publishing the position statement of the Canadian Dietetic Association that acknowledges that well-planned vegan diets are healthy for all life-stages, to correct misinformation among the public. If so, how would this been done (tax or water bill insert, bus board signage, proclaiming a vegan day, other?).

Response: Heck no. I would not spend a nickel of public funds on that. I’ll come to the fundraiser you throw to fund your awareness campaign.

2. Will you support a meatless Monday campaign in City of Ottawa cafeterias and catered affairs, encourage school boards & post secondary institutions to follow your example, as well as the Municipality of Gatineau, engaging staff from the department of Public Health in the outreach? Note that agriculture is a larger contributed to climate change than all forms of transportation combined.

Response: Absolutely not.  There should be healthy vegetarian options available in municipal cafeterias at all times, of course.

3. Will you support a bylaw banning circuses and other entertainment acts that use animals for entertainment in Ottawa?

Response: Animal cruelty is sick and disgusting. In my travels I have seen things that would turn your stomach and inflame your rage. Some animals, dogs in particular, enjoy being our “slaves”. Do elephants? I think usually not. Horses? Hmm… I know what you mean about circuses, but you are painting with a wide brush. Would a dog show fall under your definition of entertainment and thus be banned?

>4. Will you support wildlife rehabilitation organizations? How so?

Response: School/org/Business sponsorships is a great way to help fund these kinds of orgs. I have a big mouth, so the word gets out to people who have ears to hear. This is, to my present knowledge, more a matter of provincial jurisdiction. I’ll do my best to pry appropriate funding from Toronto.

5. Will the City of Ottawa publish its policy or develop a bylaw on the treatment of dangerous wildlife within the City?

Response: Frankly, I am not currently versed in the City’s policy regarding dangerous wildlife. Certainly, we should have a humane and effective policy. If elected, I’ll get back to you within a month with a detailed answer.

Big up toi meme and vote Vinette!
Marc Vinette ward 12 Rideau Vanier

George Wright (candidate for Councillor of Osgoode Ward) responds to survey on Animal- and Veg-Friendliness.

General Response:

Firstly I was a member of NCVA for several years. We farm south of Ottawa in Metcalfe. Our speciality is our raw gluten free organic rolled and steel cut oats that we sell at the Brewer Park Farmers’ Market, the only ones available in North America. As you will see, my opinions are quite different, I do not disagree with your stance, but feel it is not government’s responsibility to be the solution. Government meddling is partly how the situation go so bad in the first place. Admire your work though, george

Mayoral candidate Anwar Syed responds to survey on animal and veg-friedliness

1. Will you commit to publishing the position statement of the Canadian Dietetic Association that acknowledges that well-planned vegan diets are healthy for all life-stages, to correct misinformation among the public. If so, how would this been done (tax or water bill insert, bus board signage, proclaiming a vegan day, other?).
Response: Yes, Thru the city of Ottawa web site health page

2. Will you support a meatless Monday campaign in City of Ottawa cafeterias and catered affairs, encourage school boards & post secondary institutions to follow your example, as well as the Municipality of Gatineau, engaging staff from the department of Public Health in the outreach? Note that agriculture is a larger contributed to climate change than all forms of transportation combined.
Response: No, I do not support any such meatless day as I believe people have right to eat what they desire. Change in eating habits can only be done through education and information.

3. Will you support a bylaw banning circuses and other entertainment acts that use animals for entertainment in Ottawa?
Response: No, I believe that organizations such as SPCA play an important role in checking that Animals are treated properly and kept healthy. I am for humane treatment of Animals. Circuses & Zoos provide education to young persons about animals on planets and banning them would be counterproductive

4. Will you support wildlife rehabilitation organizations? How so?
Response: The best way to rehabilitate wildlife is to ensure that City does not keep expanding Urban Boundaries. I don’t have any idea that Wildlife organizations need rehabilitation and not wildlife itself. I will have to look in to your question deeply when the City’s people decide to elect me as the Mayor. At the moment, I do not have any answer to your question.

5. Will the City of Ottawa publish its policy or develop a bylaw on the treatment of dangerous wildlife within the City?
Response: Yes, and I stand for better treatment of any wildlife that comes in to urban areas. In past, I have noticed some wildlife was shot in Ottawa on the basis of protecting car traffic and accidents. I believe we should have develop a better by-law for such situation.

Best Regards
Anwar Syed
Candidate for Mayor of Ottawa

Français – désolé, limité!

As you probably know, Ottawa’s municipal election is on Monday, October 27.

An NCVA member and volunteer had the brilliant idea of contacting candidates in the Ottawa municipal election to see where they stand on a variety of animal issues. We’ll be posting their responses over the next few days.

Apologies that this series of posts will be in English only – we won’t have time to translate all of the candidates’ responses.

Here are the questions – we’ll post responses as they come in:

1. Will you commit to publishing the position statement of the Canadian Dietetic Association that acknowledges that well-planned vegan diets are healthy for all life-stages, to correct misinformation among the public. If so, how would this be done?

2. Will you support a meatless Monday campaign in City of Ottawa cafeterias and catered affairs, encourage school boards & post secondary institutions to follow your example, as well as the Municipality of Gatineau, engaging staff from the department of Public Health in the outreach? Note that agriculture is a larger contributed to climate change than all forms of transportation combined.

3. Will you support a bylaw banning circuses and other entertainment acts that use animals for entertainment in Ottawa?

4. Will you support wildlife rehabilitation organizations? How so?

5. Will the City of Ottawa publish its policy or develop a bylaw on the treatment of dangerous wildlife within the City?

Français

COME! SIT! SAVOUR!

Follow these commands and follow your nose all the way to our vegan cooking class being held on Sunday, November 9 at 3 PM at Beaver Barracks, 464 Metcalfe Street in Ottawa. Hosted by the National Capital Vegetarian Association (NCVA), the course, aptly themed “Vegan Cooking Made Easy” will not only show animal lovers how to prepare marvellous meals without using any animal products, but the ticket sales will benefit Sit With Me Rescue.

Could anything be more fitting than that? Just bring your curiosity and your appetite. Then lean back, listen and learn, and later lap up appetizers, soup and an entree, a dessert and a snack. Although the instructors may make it look as easy as, well, pie, it’s easier than you may think, particularly when you can bring home a booklet of the recipes that they prepared and you sampled. The tickets cost $30 per person or $50 per couple, and may be ordered at http://ncva.ca/2014/08/15/vegan-cooking-class/

Français

A few additions to the Veg Business Directory this month. These will be particularly exciting to vegans who love their comfort food!

House of TARG is now selling vegan “cheddar and bacon” flavour perogies. Conveniently located if you’re craving a snack after catching a movie at the Mayfair. (Where the popcorn flavouring is vegan, by the way — we checked.)

Zanadu, newly opened in Westboro, offers vegan grilled cheese sandwiches, protein smoothies made with Vega, and vegan bakery items.

And on the topic of cheese, the veg business directory now includes where to find Mad Faux Cheese and Zengarry Vegetarian Cuisine, whose gourmet nut cheeses are much beloved by Ottawa vegans.