BC

2014 LANGFORD ELECTION

VCARE has contacted the candidates and compiled their responses below. Please note VCARE is endorsing the following candidates for council:

Grant McLachlan http://grantm.ca/

Mark McInnes http://www.markmcinnes.com/

Dustin Finerty http://www.dustinfinerty.com/

 

2014 LANGFORD CANDIDATE POSITIONS LUXTON RODEO

 

COUNCIL CANDIDATE POSITION PROVIDED
Grant McLachlan I support VCARE in their struggle, and as a councillor I will happily meet with you and fight to end the Luxton Rodeo. 
Mark McInnes It’s a matter of tradition vs good sense, and while it’s a delicate issue for many people because of their ties to tradition, I err on the side of good sense. Stop the inhumane treatment of young animals. If we wouldn’t do it to dogs, we shouldn’t to calves. 
Dustin Finerty I want you to know that I believe whole heartedly that the role of government is to be the voice of the people and to act on their concerns.  If elected, i will make it a priority to voice your concerns, and look into this issue.

 

Tim Power I am in favour of the Luxton Pro Rodeo, but I am not in favor of cruelty to animals of any type, there must be a way to hold the Rodeo with non-cruelty to animals and still make it attractive to visitors to enjoy within our beauty Community. When elected give me 60 -90 days to get in and settled and then come and see me and we will work together to resolve this issue. 
Denise Blackwell * I believe animal cruelty is repugnant and I don’t attend the rodeo events myself. However, the SPCA has been tasked by the provincial gov. to monitor the issue of rodeos and animal cruelty throughout the province. When the SPCA deems such events as animal cruelty, I will support the appropriate changes to the provincial standard. 
Lillian Szpak * I abhor cruelty of any kind. The Province has tasked the SPCA to monitor this issue throughout BC. When the SPCA deems these events as cruelty, then we will be able to support the changes. 
Roger Wade * I am not an expert on animal cruelty. The prov govt has tasked the SPCA to monitor this issue throughout the province. When the SPCA deems these events as cruelty then I will support the provincial standard.

 

MAYORAL CANDIDATE POSITION
Stew Young * No Response
David Shebib Based on Mr. Shebib’s answers to our survey he disagrees with using animals for entertainment, specifically rodeo events. He agrees with using municipal powers under the Community Charter to regulate these events and if elected in 2014 he will work to end inhumane treatment at rodeo events in Langford. 

 

These council candidates did not respond to multiple request for a position:
Pauline Adams Lanny Seaton *
Jim Munro Winnie Sifert *
Matt Sahlstrom *

 

There was no email address available for these candidates:
Paul Barber and Andre Mollon

 

* Incumbents

AUTHORIZED BY MELISSA DE MEULLES, REGISTERED SPONSOR UNDER LECFA, 250-883-6562

VCARE proves Langford can address inhumane treatment of animals at Luxton Rodeo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 17 2014       

         

VCARE provides concerning legal opinion to Langford on rodeo cruelty

The City of Langford (Langford) has taken the position, purportedly based on legal advice, that there was nothing they could do about the inhumane treatment of animals at the Luxton Pro Rodeo (Luxton Rodeo). Langford has stated that if zoning was changed the former use is still permitted under the Local Government Act. Victoria Citizens Against Rodeo Events (VCARE) has investigated this claim and found very contradictory information.

In May 2014, Victoria Citizens Against Rodeo Events (VCARE) presented concerns regarding animal welfare at Luxton Rodeo to Langford. Subsequently VCARE received a response with the position that there was nothing Langford could do about the situation. VCARE has obtained a copy of Langford’s legal opinion under a Freedom of Information request as well as sought another more comprehensive legal opinion. All of which are enclosed.

It is evident there are legislative means available to Langford to address the inhumane treatment of animals at the annual Luxton Rodeo and there is compelling evidence that the rodeo is not even a current permitted use under the zoning now in place. This raises doubts about Langford’s position combined with liability concerns for the owner of the land and organizer of the rodeo, Metchosin Farmers Institute, as well as Langford and it’s taxpayers.

 

“It is extremely clear now that Langford has the power, under the provincial legislation governing municipalities, to address the ongoing inhumane treatment of animals at the Luxton Rodeo and any further lack of action is intentional support for these events and a disregard for the opinions of animal welfare organizations and growing concerns from the community at large.” says Melissa de Meulles an Organizer with VCARE , “The question is not are some events inhumane, but the question remains what is Langford going to do about it? The BC SPCA, Vancouver Humane Society and VCARE have attempted for over two years to work with the city and rodeo to address animal welfare and resulting citizen concerns and VCARE continues to extend the offer to work together on this issue.”

 

ATTACHMENTS

Langford to VCARE May 2014

FOI Langford Legal Opinion 2014

VCARE to Langford July 2014

2014-07-15_W&Co to VCARE_Re_Response to Langford Council

The Devil’s Playground – The Raging Kucing

The Raging Kucing has published a Blog Post and video about the 2014 Luxton Pro Rodeo, protests and their attempts to video the events. Please visit their site and check it out:

http://www.theragingkucing.com/blog/entry/3738502/luxton-rodeo-the-devils-playground

BC Green Party Opposes Rodeo Cruelty

VCARE is very pleased to annouce that the BC Green Party held it’s AGM on May 31st 2014 and voted on a resolution to protect rodeo animals. With an 80% ‘yes’ it passed! The wording of the resolution is:

WHEREAS many rodeo events (for example, but not limited to: calfroping, steerwrestling, wildhorseracing, wildcowmilking, teamroping, bullriding, barebackriding, saddlebroncriding, and broncbusting) use fear, stress, and pain to encourage animals to perform;

AND WHEREAS these events put animals at undue risk of injury:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that inhumane rodeo events that use fear, stress,
and pain to encourage animals to perform should be prohibited in British
Columbia.

Thank you BC Greens for standing up for animals in entertianment!

Media Coverage:

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/b-c-green-party-resolution-calls-for-end-to-rodeos-1.1100148

May 20th – Presentation to Langford City Council

On May 20th 2014, VCARE was provided time on the Langford City Council agenda to present regarding the animal welfare concerns at the Luxton Pro Rodeo held annually within their municipality. Our good friend Jordan with The Raging Kucing documented the presentation. It can be seen here:

 

 

May 17th Demonstration – Chek News

Chek News coverage of our May 17th demonstration.

http://www.cheknews.ca/?bckey=AQ~~,AAAA4mHNTzE~,ejlzBnGUUKY1gXVPwEwEepl35Y795rND&bclid=975107450001&bctid=3573498898001

Hey rodeo organizers, if there is nothing wrong with what you do why couldn’t the news crew film the events??

Cowboy Injured at Luxton Rodeo

Victoria Citizens Against Rodeo Events was saddened to hear that Coleman Kohorst was seriously injured at yesterday’s Steer Wrestling event at Luxton Pro Rodeo. We hope he will be ok and recover quickly.

This further confirms that these events are dangerous for both people and animals and that humans should not be wrestling steers for ‘fun’.

The news article in the Times Colonist can be seen here:

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/steer-gores-cowboy-at-luxton-rodeo-1.1065920

 

Luxton Rodeo Protest at Langford City Hall – May 5th

Tomorrow evening at 630pm we will be gathering outside the City of Langford municipal hall located at 877 Goldstream Ave. The last council meeting before the annual Luxton Pro Rodeo is at 7pm. We have previously requested the opportunity to present as a delegation to Langford council. That request was delayed and delayed and eventually they just stopped answering our emails.

In order to let the City of Langford Mayor and Council know we are serious, we are here to stay and we will work until animal welfare is a serious consideration and will be addressed by the local politicians. They have the power to end the inhumane events taking place each year within their borders, yet choose to do nothing.

The rodeo organizers and the city officials refuse to come to the table and discuss what can be done to address the concerns of citizens.

If you can join us, we would love your support. You can join our group on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/vcare2013?ref=hl#!/events/448329028631470/

Or contact us at vcare@shaw.ca with any questions.