Hello everyone! Here’s the November calendar of events taking place in our community. Get ready for the snow to fly!

Please remember that the Green Party does not officially endorse any of these events unless otherwise indicated.  We believe that community organization is essential to grassroots democracy and community events are just plain fun too!

Cheers,
Judy Field, Ottawa Centre Greens

Events listing compiled by Judy Field for the Ottawa Centre Greens

Tuesday, November 2
7:00 pm
Film: Powerful: Energy for Everyone
Where: The Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street
What: Official premiere screening to be hosted by David Chernushenko and special guests. Green economy educator David Chernushenko explores where our energy comes from, who controls and profits from it, and what it will take to ensure a safe, reliable energy future – and to his surprise discovers that we really do have the “power” to make a difference.
Cost: Mayfair Theatre members $6.00; Non-members $10.00; Seniors $7.00; Children $5.00
NOTE: Also showing on Wednesday, November 3 at 7:00 pm at the Mayfair Theatre.
More info: http://www.livinglightly.ca/films and http://www.powerfulthemovie.com/

Wednesday, November 3
7:00 pm
Film: Bananas!*
Where: Mackenzie (ME) 3380 – Carleton University
What: The film Dole Food Co. doesn’t want you to see! Juan “Accidentes” Dominguez is on his biggest case ever. On behalf of 12 Nicaraguan banana workers he is tackling Dole Food in a ground-breaking legal battle for their use of a banned pesticide that was known by the company to cause sterility. Can he beat the giant, or will the corporation get away with it? In the suspenseful documentary BANANAS!*, filmmaker Fredrik Gertten sheds new light on the global  politics of food.
Cost: By donation (all screenings are pay-what-you-can)
More info: carleton@cinemapolitica.org or http://www.cinemapolitica.org/node/1922

Monday, November 8
7:00 pm
Green Party of Ontario Platform Roundtable.
Where: Conservation Coop, 140 Mann Ave.
What: When is the last time a leader of a political party asked you your opinion on their election Platform? Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario is doing just that. Please join Mike Schreiner and let him know what YOU think about the proposed Green Party Platform.
More info or RSVP: Kevin O’Donnell, kevin@kodonnell.ca, 613-454-5306

November 12 – 14
Film Festival: First Annual Free Thinking Film Festival 2010
Where: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St.
What: Three days of films, speakers and panel discussions including Free Thinking Alley where attendees can purchase books, DVDs and enjoy food.
Cost: Full festival pass $68; Gala tickets incl private reception $22.60; Film tickets $17.
More info: www.freethinkingfilmfest.ca

Saturday, November 13
4:00 pm
Debate: Elizabeth May to debate Ezra Levant (part of the First Annual Free Thinking Film Festival 2010)
Where: Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St.
What: Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, will be debating Ezra Levant, author of “Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada’s Oil Sands.”
More info: www.freethinkingfilmfest.ca Note: Seating precedence will be given to Festival Pass Holders.

Sunday, November 14
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Sustainabili-TEA with the Natural Step
Where: St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, 151 Laurier Avenue East
What: Join Kevin O’Donnell for tea and refreshments at The Natural Step’s first ever Sustainabili-TEA event. This one-hour event aims to raise awareness of the charitable work The Natural Step does and to generate support for their programs. Hear from sustainability expert Bob Willard–the author of The Sustainability Champions Guidebook and other best-selling sustainability books–as well as other inspiring speakers.
Cost: Free
More info: Kevin O’Donnell, kevin@kodonnell.ca, 613-454-5306, http://bit.ly/sustainabili-TEA-nov14

Thursday, November 18
8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Seminar: Rideau Innovative Greenbuild
Where: Alfred Taylor Rec. Centre, 2300 Community Way, North Gower
What: A full day seminar covering holistic design, building with ICF blocks, Green ready roof design, solar hot water systems, solar air space heating, Energy Star windows, and a tour of the Minto Net Zero home in Manotick, Ontario.
Cost: $20.00 per person in advance–all persons attending receive a Home Hardware gift certificate for $25.00– and lunch is provided at the hall.
More info: jim@rideaulumber.com or 613-223-6565

Monday, November 22
6:30 pm to 8:00
Seminar: Ecological Home Renovations
Where: Carbon Computing, 1065 Wellington St. W.
What: This seminar explains how to renovate your home to reduce your energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.  It covers how to get the best return from your renovations and how to access grants available from the Ontario Home Energy Savings Program
Cost: Free
More info: www.SLOWest.ca

By Mike Schreiner, GPO Leader:

Over the coming decades, the success of Ontario’s health-care strategy will depend on providing cost effective and dignified care for our seniors. In my consultations with citizens and frontline health care providers, it is clear that professional home care services are an important part of enriching the quality of life and the health and well-being of our seniors.

Yet, funding for home care services is not keeping up with demand for service. According to the Ontario Home Care Association in a recent report, Home Care in 2010 – Essential for an Aging Population, “Over the past five years the number of individuals receiving home care has increased at 1.5 times the rate of funding.”

Since funding is not keeping up with the number of people in need of home care, the time available for personal support and professional visits evaporates. This has serious cost implications for the health care system since home care visits reduce the number of expensive, non-emergency visits to our already busy ERs . Home care also has quality of life implications because seniors are left without an important service, which also affects family members struggling to balance competing demands. In short our seniors in need of home care are losing their independence and not receiving the quality care they deserve.

The Green Party of Ontario supports increased investment in home care services, which includes seeking models that compliment the EI program for family members caring for seniors.

Currently, fourteen Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) are responsible for administering local home care services. CCACs receive their funding from Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). What this means is that the dollars for home care compete against many other demands on our system – hospitals, doctors, etc. These are tough decisions that truly have an impact on the type of care we can receive in our communities!

A review of the LHINs (as promised by the McGuinty government when the legislation creating them was introduced) is long past due. It’s time for funding models that provide our seniors with more choices for receiving appropriate care, at the appropriate time and place.

It’s time to invest in frontline care, not high priced consultants. Last week’s Auditor General’s report reveals that the McGuinty Liberal’s use of high priced health consultants is taking money out of front line care. The Green Party of Ontario will prioritize investments in health promotion and preventing illness, which are financially responsible and improve quality of life. Quality home care is an important part of this strategy.

It’s time to honour our seniors. It’s time to invest in home care now.

Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner’s Question Period Blog for October 20, 2010