From the Westerly News – Feb 9, 2011

by Julie Prinselaar

Salmon, oil tankers, rivers and democracy. These will be topics of a
two-hour presentation led by a politician-cum-political affairs writer
and a Canadian filmmaker when they make a stop in Tofino later this
month for their Take Back our BC tour.

The duo founded the new
online journal, The Common Sense Canadian, an independent media outlet
for Canadian issues. Filmmaker Damien Gillis says the tour’s stop in
Tofino, co-hosted by Friends of Clayoquot Sound, will be an opportunity
to talk about issues pertaining to coastal B.C.

“That’s part of
what we do on tours here. We present some large issues,” said Gillis,
mentioning climate change. “We also try to use these visits as an
opportunity to discuss some locals issues in those communities as well.”

Gillis will present two of his mini-documentaries: Oil in Eden, about
Enbridge’s proposed oil pipeline to B.C.’s north coast, and a mini
documentary on wild salmon in Clayoquot Sound and research into the
impacts of salmon farming.

“I’ve spent quite a lot of time in the
last couple of years documenting the research on the impacts of salmon
farms in Bedwell Sound and other places in Clayoquot Sound on wild
salmon,” said Gillis. Gillis will be joined by Rafe Mair, a former
lawyer and cabinet minister who became a broadcaster and writer on
public affairs.

“These aren’t matters of left and right, but of
right and wrong. It’s time for Common Sense Canadians to band together –
through our own community and organizing – to address our greatest
challenges: protecting our environment and democracy,” said Mair.

The
presenters will take questions from the public at the end. Gillis and
Mair speak in Tofino February 19 at the community theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 to $10.

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