Shiv Chopra & Friends TPP Tour

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Friday, April 8th, 2016
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The TransPacific Partnership (TPP) is a massive international agreement that includes thirteen countries compromising 40% of the worlds economy. Our Canadian government needs to act on its promise to consult and we need to take control back from corporations...this information will empower us to do that.

In order to raise public awareness, the Mid-Island chapter of the Council of Canadians presents an informative evening to examine the problems with this agreement featuring keynote speaker, Shiv Chopra along with presentations by Paul Manly and Brenda Sayers.

The evening will be moderated by Dirk Becker and will include a question and answer session. About the Speakers

* Dr. Shiv Chopra is a world renowned scientist whose credentials include a Ph.D. in microbiology. He is the recipient of numerous academic awards, including a Fellowship of the World Health Organization.

Over the years, Dr. Chopra’s name has become synonymous with global food security. Employed as a senior scientific advisor at the Canadian ministry of health (1969-2004), he refused to approve various harmful drugs for food-producing animals. He endured disciplinary actions, spoke out publicly, testified at Senate committees, and won many federal court cases against the Government of Canada.

* Paul Manly is a Nanaimo based filmmaker, researcher and community organizer who has been studying the effects of investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions in trade agreements for the past ten years. ISDS provisions allow foreign corporations to sue governments in secretive tribunals for laws and policies that limit their profits, including health, safety, labour and environmental regulations and standards.

* Brenda Sayers is a Hupacasath First Nation member who led the fight against the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act. Brenda earned a national reputation in the two-and-a-half year court battle to force Ottawa to overturn the contentious treaty. It would allow China to sue Canada for any financial losses resulting from any environmental regulations enacted after FIPPA goes into law.

* Dirk Becker is a mid-island farmer, socio-political-environmental activist and local food advocate. He has run for civic and provincial government, is involved in many organizations including as a director of the Farmland Defense League of British Columbia. He is a founder of several organizations including the highly successful Bowen Road Farmers' Market, Island Roots, and the Lantzville Farmers' Market.

He and his partner, Nicole Shaw, yearly grow over 16,000 pounds of food on one acre, no-till, by hand, organically. They are also known for their 3.5 year legal battle in Lantzville in their efforts to decriminalize Urban Farming. They now reside in Errington, on 15 acres where they recently planted over 70 fruit and nut trees and have fun herding their 150 ducks, chickens and geese.

Dirk is committed to life long learning and continues to shift his energy towards teaching young people how to grow food and self-sufficiency.