Jen Hunter

Why or Why Not?

Monday, 11 January 2010 05:26

As we being 2010, an auspicious year for Canada where we will have a beautiful opportunity once again to welcome the world's finest winter athletes into our country and showcase the many splendors our nation provides both in natural beauty and as hosts of an international event, I am struck by how perplexing it is that so many of us aren't aware of the AMAZING things that are taking place around creating more sustainable ways to do business and live lightly on this lovely planet.

In the spirit of asking WHY NOT - here are two of my favourite finds from www.ted.com from 2009 - I hope you will be as inspired as I was by all three of these tales of what IS POSSIBLE:

A new way to experience Foie Gras: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/dan_barber_s_surprising_foie_gras_parable.html

If you haven't heard about Cradle to Cradle - you must - you simply must - it boggles my mind that we as a country aren't taking advantage of this significant new way of thinking about how we deign products. It's time to focus on Eco-effectiveness, really, it IS time! http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/william_mcdonough_on_cradle_to_cradle_design.html

And, of course, 2009's talk by Ray Anderson, who is courageous and heroic enough to acknowledge his role as a plunderer and step into a new way of leading business: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ray_anderson_on_the_business_logic_of_sustainability.html

If we don't start to consider, if even only for selfish reasons, the HUGELY significant contribution nature makes to our global economy (some of the numbers I have seen recently posit around 30 trillion), really... it is pretty easy to see a global tragedy of the commons happening, isn't it? And, there is no reason for this to continue. When I spoke at the Community and Corporate Social Responsibility Conference this fall I wasn't kidding when I said I believe human ingenuity is the largest, most underutilized resource on the planet - and I don;t know about you - but I feel this is changing - and it gives me immense hope! We can ALL be the change we wish to see, really, it IS possible! Happy 2010 everyone! :D

PLEASE NOTE: As many of you know, on November 27 & 28, 2009, Leadership Ottawa hosted it's first annual 3i Summit. It was magical! To have such enlivening conversations taking place in the heart of the capital (at the Great Canadian Theatre Company) was fantastic! To be a part of this extraordinary contribution to our community was truly a significant moment. Stay tuned for video clips from Rogers' for the 3i summit... it really was as great as TED - and right here in our city - yahoo!

With Your Help

Saturday, 19 December 2009 19:47

Dear Fellow Green Advocate,

Wow! What a fall! Less than a year after the last federal election, it seemed like we may be heading back to the polls this fall - so many of us burned the midnight oil getting ready for this potential reality. As it turned out - sanity prevailed and the wisdom of Canadians was listened to... no fall election. However, the current political climate remains uncertain and we continue to prepare and ensure we have a strong team ready to run whenever we need to, the resources to fund a powerful and professional campaign and the will to elect one on Canada's first Green MPs.

Here is where you come in - we could use your help! As we proceed into 2010 with an ever-present threat of a federal election.

Regardless of when the election is called, the Green Party must remain visible and develop an election capacity that builds on our undeniable success:

Almost one million Canadians voted Green in the last election, making us the only party to increase its vote
After an amazing grassroots campaign to get Elizabeth May into the televised leaders' debates, 73% of voters support our continued participation in the debates
one in ten voters in Ottawa Centre voted for Jen Hunter in her first campaign and people continue to voice their support to see Jen elected to parliament as one of our first Green MPs

We have the momentum to break through and win seats. We must ensure that there is significant funding to run a strong and effective campaign, and an effective between campaign outreach strategy to build on the growing base of support in our community. We must maintain our presence, our credibility and our distinctive voice throughout the coming months.

We will make historic gains in this next election with your help!

I ask that you give generously to Ottawa Centre's Green Party of Canada today to help make our vision of a strong voice for fiscal, environmental and social sustainability a reality for all Canadians.

The time to give is now, as we approach the end of the tax year. That means that you have a final opportunity to donate or add to a previous donation and still get a tax credit for the 2009 tax year.

As you may know, the tax credit is amazing. You get 75% back on the first $400 you donate and either 50% or 33% on the balance.Click here to see details of the refund you can expect and act today to help the Green Party of Canada make your voice heard now and in the coming federal election campaign.

I want to lead an even stronger campaign than last time! I want to show Canadians our vision of the kind of country we can be and what we need to do to get there from here. To do that, I need your help. Together, we can make history. Please give to the Green Party of Canada today.

Jen Hunter
Candidate - Ottawa Centre, Green Party of Canada

P.S. Every dollar you give will ensure the Green Party provides a distinct, clear and credible voice in Ottawa Centre. Donate now!

Central Park Fall Cleanup

Saturday, 03 October 2009 19:41

From ottawagreens.ca:

Many thanks to everyone who came out to help clean up Central Park! I have to admit it is a very clean park to start with - but nonetheless - we still picked up about 7 bags of litter. Strangely enough, most of the litter was concentrated around the garbage cans (!). Aside from cigarette butts, the most common litter found was snack bar foils - not the whole slip mind you - just the little corner you rip off first before eating the rest of it.

For the record, from left to right, here are Steven, Paul, Jen, Sarah and Jon.

An Election? The Natural Step, an eco-wedding and the The Well's Third Anniversary

Monday, 14 September 2009 17:17

As the talk of a fall election abounds - so too does life in Ottawa Centre. Currently a few things that I thought people would enjoy hearing about include: getting the 100 signatures of residents in Ottawa Centre to get on the ballot (for more information on running for office - www.electionscanada.ca) - thanks to all of the people I’ve met and received signatures from already; getting our “No Junk Mail” stickers out to residents, installation is included :D; preparation for a fall election. We will be having another planning session this Wednesday at The Clocktower Brewpub on Bank just south of the 417. Join us at 7pm.

In addition to getting ready to run a campaign that will give voice to the many significant elements of a more sustainable Canada - economically, socially and environmentally, I have also been preparing to teach Green Business Practices at Algonquin College. The program has grown since our first year and I will be sharing some of the gems I discover as I teach this year. One of the gems people may not be aware of is The Natural Step which has some excellent tools to support the quest for sustainability in our homes and our organizations - you can visit their website to find out more.

Rob and I also participated in the wedding of our dear friends Jenn and Dave this weekend at MacSkimming Outdoor Eduction Centre - which is BEAUTIFUL! Another amazing reminder of the incredible natural splendor we enjoy in the National Capital Region. The wedding was an elegant expression of the values of the bride and the groom - focused on connecting with nature, lively lightly and building a deep connection among their growing community. It was lovely and supported with mindful choices about the location, food, environment and every aspect of the joining of their loves. A real inspiration!

And on Sunday, September 13th we celebrated the stunning success of the Wellington GastroPub http://www.thewellingtongastropub.com at their THIRD anniversary! It was another wonderful evening of delicious food in a warm and welcoming space. It is such fun to see the families of the whole team including the proprietors Chris Deraiche and Shane Waldron. If you ahven’t had a chance to enjoy the local daily menu and yummy craft brews of the Well - it’s worth heading over to raise a glass to a success story of a business creating a home for itself in Ottawa!

Why or Why Not?

With Your Help

Central Park Fall Cleanup

An Election? The Natural Step, an eco-wedding and the The Well's Third Anniversary

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