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The Vancouver Island Peace Society (VIP) was denied its application to the Supreme Court of Canada in June of 1995.
The VIP Society was formed in November of 1991. VIP lobbied the then 10 municipalities in the Greater Victoria area and achieved a vote in 8 out of 10 (7 were unanimous) for an environmental review of nuclear ships.
The BC Government in the spring of 1992 passed a resolution to declare BC a nuclear weapons free zone with an amendment (from Douglas Symons, M.L.A.) requesting the federal government for the review.
In June 1992, the VIP Society was in the Federal Court of Canada for four days. One year later, the judge ruled against the society. The judgement was based on Royal Prerogative, which in essence states that the federal government can choose to bypass its own environmental laws by allowing, by Cabinet Order, nuclear ships into Canadian water.
In January 1995 the VIP Society was in the Federal Court of Appeal. Three judges ruled against VIP after only two hours of court.
VIP Society then made an application to the Supreme Court of Canada which was turned down in June of 1995.
The VIP Society is still working on a campaign to stop nuclear ships but is not pursuing legal avenues at this time.
A special thank you to Robert Moore-Stewart, the always optimistic, volunteer lawyer, Sandy Cowie, the overworked secretary, and Al Rycroft, the persistent and dedicated volunteer activist.
Are you looking for a yacht club to join and want to stop military testing in the Whiskey Golf area of the Georgia Strait?
A brand new yacht club has been formed with this purpose and would love new members. You don't need a boat and the fees are $20 per year. A newsletter is published for the now 100 members. Contact Ray Hill, Director, at 380-6420.
The recent budget cuts have forced a group of like minded NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to share office space. The South Pacific Peoples Foundation (SPPF), the Victoria International Development Education Association (VIDEA), Oxfam, and Youth for Social Jusice are now located) at 1921 Fernwood, (across from the Belfry Theatre).
There is an extensive library with books, periodicals, videos, film, and slides. The topics range from nuclear testing in the South Pacific to native issues in Canada.
There is also a gift shop with products from Bridgehead (Oxfam).
Copyright © 1996, Victoria
Peace Centre Society
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