4TheRcrd Mag.

Fact #1 At this moment, up to 70% of all processed foods in Canada contain genetically modified ingredients (GMi’s), and this number is rising annually. These numbers have fueled a growing public concern both nationally and abroad. As a result 35 countries, containing over half the worlds population, already have laws requiring labeling, especially in Europe at large. But, guess what, NOT CANADA!

Fact #2 In 2001 the Canadian legislature defeated a bill for mandatory labeling and adopted a volunteer labeling system. Similar campaigns have found growing support since this decision. These campaigns have been started because first (1) no product in a Canadian store has ever carried a label, and secondly (2) because some grocery store chains have actually banned products with “GM-Free” Labels. People have cried-out about such positions, saying: “If GE foods were as safe and nutritious as biotechnology companies try to pretend, then why do companies and governments hide them with no labels?” asks Josh Brandon, GE Campaigner with Greenpeace.

Fact #3 Currently, 79% of British Columbians supported the Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Modified (GM) ingredients in foods, according to a poll conducted in Vancouver last year. Heather Deal, a Vision Vancouver City Councilor (and spectacularly busy person around the city deserving an applause from all of us!) has responded by presenting a motion to Vancouver City Council on Tuesday May 15th, just last week. If this is passed, the Council will call on the province to invoke labeling, as recommended by the BC Provincial Health Officer in 2006, this is good news.

This motion runs parallel to a joint campaign by GE Free BC a Vancouver based organization, and Greenpeace. These organizations began a campaign in March of this year, to lobby the province for mandatory labeling - evidently they’ve seen some success.

What to do? But success can often take two steps backwards, unless people really get involved. The Motion went to council this month, so don’t let it go unheard.

There are also three ways to let the Council know your opinion:

1) Speak to council

Speaking will take place on Thursday probably at the 2pm meeting but possibly in the morning. To request to speak email cc@vancouver.ca Just say you want to speak to Heather Deal’s motion on GMO labeling.

2) Write the Councilors
To lobby via email email the entire council at: mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca

3) Write a letter to the editor
To write the Vancouver Sun:
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html

to write the Province

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html

To write the Westender:
editor@westender.com

To write the Vancouver Courier:
mmaloney@vancourier.com

PHOTO CREDIT: Naturopathy-uk.com