Dalhousie Gazette & Power Shift

This past issue of the Dalhousie Gazette, the student run newspaper, contained an article that many Power Shift delegates found to misrepresent what actually occurred in Ottawa that weekend. Not only were there factual inaccuracies, but there was an overwhelmingly negative tone that, had the author included statements from the majority of delegates, would have provided a very different picture.

Read the Gazette article here.

Several members of the Halifax delegation wrote letters to the editor regarding the feature. Not all of them made it to print this week, so for your reading pleasure…

 

To whom it may concern,

Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the Gazette on what I think have been the best
issues I have seen since I began attending Dalhousie in 2007. I look forward to
picking up a copy (or reading it online) every week. I was particularly looking
forward to the coverage of Power Shift 2009, which I was fortunate to attend.
When I heard a Gazette writer was joining us on the trip to Ottawa and would be
writing an article I was excited about the coverage that climate issues would be
receiving.

I was not impressed, to put it mildly. There are several elements of the feature
that are either misleading, or outright false. I’d like to address them.

Mr. Tichinoff states that ‘hundred of youth protesters gathered on Parliament
Hill on Oct. 26…’ The actual number is estimated to be as much as 3,000
people and consisted of individuals from every generation and background. I saw
parents with young children, the elderly, as well as a large youth population
participating in the most organized and well-attended rally I have ever had the
pleasure of taking part in. He states that ‘The time-worn words and catch
phrases speakers spewed from the stage were met with a tepid response from the
crowd.’ I can assure you the response was anything but tepid. I was in the
front portion of this rally for the entire duration, and I have never felt more
energized and ready to make a difference than I did in those moments on
Parliament Hill. To see the mass of Canadians taking a stance on such a cold,
miserable day was inspiring. Additionally, Mr. Tichinoff should check his facts
as the international day for action on climate change was October 24th, not the
26th as he stated.

I would like to bring attention to the fact that the ONLY student quote in the
entire article is from a misinformed McGill delegate and serves no purpose
other than to diminish the incredible work the speakers at the opening
ceremonies have done over the course of their lives. Perhaps he should have
taken the time to read the Power Shift website? Who was he expecting – Al Gore?
Leonardo Dicaprio? “Eco-celebrities”? I can’t even express how angry I am that
this statement was included and how insulting it is to the people who spoke and
have dedicated their lives to environmentalism.

Mr. Tichinoff states that ‘Disinterested reporters and photographers milled
around the stage. However the rally saw little coverage in the mainstream
media.’ I assume he would count himself among the disinterested reporters, as
is evident from the tone of the article. Additionally, he is factually
incorrect with the second statement. The rally received national media
attention from CTV, CBC, and Global. If the author would like references I am
more than willing to provide.

‘Power Shifters wandered the concrete and glass campus, clutching their
schedules, looking about in bewilderment. Not everyone received a map of the
campus.’ I would like to point Mr. Tichinoff to page 12 of the Power Shift
program guide that every registered delegate received when checking in. On this
page is a detailed map of the University of Ottawa campus. Perhaps he misplaced
his guide? Of course delegates in a new university will be confused by their
new environment, just as a tourist in an unknown city would be. Mr. Tichinoff
is correct to state that the workshops were highly informative, but I question
how he would know the depth of them considering he left our mandatory lobbying
strategy session early the night before we were to meet with our MPs and
senators. When it came time to hand back Parliamentary security clearance forms
with the names of delegates who would be meeting with representatives we were
left to say ‘Where is Joel?’

‘The disturbance made national headlines. It was the only significant media
attention the conference received. Many Dalhousie delegates were uncomfortable
with the coverage.’ I find it troubling that Mr. Tichinoff would choose to make
such a bold statement without any student quotes. But then again, he did not
talk to us much. I was one of the many youth removed from question period
during the protest. While I did not actively participate in the protest (I was
simply in the same gallery from which everyone was removed), I was far from
‘uncomfortable with the coverage.’ I am not ashamed of what happened in
Parliament. It only shows how frustrated the climate movement is with our
government. Protests such as the one that occurred during question period need
to happen to bring issues to the forefront, which is more than I can say for
this skewed article. Apart from three sentences near the end of the issue, the
reason why we were there in the first place is largely ignored.

To sum this all up, I am extremely disappointed with the Gazette for publishing
this shotty piece of journalism. I have a vested interest in protection of the
environment, as does every other individual on our planet. Climate change is
happening and it’s happening NOW. If our government fails to act, our children
and grandchildren will be suffering the repercussions. The only way to get our
government on board is through advocacy, education, and the power of our VOTE.
To see this article is disheartening. Instead of focusing on the issues and
scientific facts of climate change, the author chose to dwell on negativity and
cherry pick statements. I can assure you that this conference was an
overwhelming success and that the delegates I had the pleasure of meeting from
all across Canada – from the Yukon, to Alberta, to Newfoundland & Labrador -
left wanting to make a difference. Perhaps Mr. Tichinoff should have sought out
our opinions in addition to that of the McGill delegate at opening ceremonies
and the Montreal delegation at Fill the Hill. It would have provided a much
more balanced and accurate story.

Shame on Mr. Tichinoff for writing an article so fatalistic and skewed that it
insults the environmental movement and those of us who care enough to be part
of it.

Sincerely,

Maggie Lovett

Biology – 3rd year
SustainDal Executive
Powershift Recruitment Committee