Some of my Readers may be aware that I have had my share of encounters with Organized Labour in my construction years as well as once in my time as President of a registered charity. I resisted documenting these experiences as I did not think that there would be any purpose for doing so.

In my recent discussions with my oldest daughter Nona, and my son-in-law Rick, I was encouraged to write about those and post them in my blog for my family and friends who may choose to read about them.

I will not identify names of people except the incidents from initiation to result.

The first time that I became directly involved with organized labour was when upon graduation, I accepted my first position as Project Engineer with Columbia Cellulose Co. Ltd. (CCCL), in Prince Rupert, B.C. I was aware that, because large projects and operations involved many workers and usually with large corporations that employed them; it was necessary for labour to organize itself to deal with management in order to have their voices and concerns heard. So I accepted this as fact and had no issue with the system as it was established.

Incident #1:

My first assignment at the Sulfite Pulp Mill was to survey the chip piles and measure the volume of chips in those piles. My Engineering boss wanted to keep me busy while he organized my permanent job description.

Although my training included surveying, Engineers are not legal surveyors but have a clear understanding of this function, in their general needs as a Civil Engineer.

Armed with a Theodolite, Rod and Tape, I was provided with another Junior Engineer (who had just arrived from Alberta) and off we went to the chip piles behind the Power House. All was going well until the arbitrary survey line that I had established encountered a tree. Surveying straight lines was much easier that traversing around objects as the calculations were not warranted here in our opinion.

“Let’s get a chain saw and cut that ‘runty’ tree down” was the unanimous decision by the totally inexperienced Engineers to the working climate of that operation. I walked over to the Wood Room (obviously they would have a chain saw) and found the Wood Room Superintendent. He looked surprised that an Engineer would want a chainsaw but he reached under his desk and produced same.

We made short work of the tree but failed to notice a worker sitting in his Front End Loader, studying what was going on. Shortly, he drove off and we carried on with our survey work.

On completion of the Field Work, we returned to the Engineering Office to meet our boss who called us into his office and said “it did not take you guys long to cause problems on this site” as he smiled and then explained: “Union regulations do not permit Engineers to use equipment such as chainsaws and so a Grievance has been filed against you by the Yard Department.”

“What happens now?” we both sat there concerned. “Well you now know how things operate here and it is unlikely you will handle tools from now on. You obviously are problem solvers but the most economic option may not work too well here at our mill. I handled it by explaining you guys were new at the job and were on an orientation exercise.”

Incident #2:

My previous experience in construction provided the reasoning that I was given the responsibility to represent the Company on the upgrading of the Pulp Mill which started with the construction of a major addition to the Power House including a Boiler.

The contracts were let by H.A. Simons Engineering (HASE), Consultant to CCCL. My immediate assignment was to establish a construction camp as Prince Rupert was 11 miles away and hotel accommodation was not practical.

I located a site that was out of view of the Plant but within walking distance of the work site. The camp purchase was negotiated by HASE and my responsibility was to supervise the erection and locate services.

Everything was fine for the first three weeks after set up but there was a sudden cold snap that caused the following situation:

1. I arrived at the gate one morning to witness Taxis moving, one after another through the gate and leaving the Plant. The Guards advised me that all the Workers were leaving the Camp
2. I went to my Construction Office and found three or four Workers who advised me that they needed to meet with me immediately
3. These Workers identified themselves as Representatives of the Ironworkers, Mechanical and Electrical Unions on site. They were equipped with grievances in addition to the fact that the water line froze and they were unable to use the Camp Washrooms. According to their Union Agreements, first class accommodation was necessary and that would be the Crest Motel in Prince Rupert and so they abandoned the Camp.
4. I agreed to conduct suitable repairs so that freezing did not happen (not normal for Prince Rupert) again but they produced a list of other deficiencies in the camp which included: cots 2″ short, dinging room tables 2″ narrow and 1″ short of the 30″ width per Worker requirements. I said that I would engage carpenters to make adjustments immediately and order the regulation cots
5. Following the repairs, etc., the complaint was that the meals were inadequate. I agreed to go to eat a meal of their choice to witness this. They stood by my office to ensure that I did not warn the cook and then we proceeded directly to the cook shack. The dining room had about 6 tables suited for 6 workers at each. T-Bone steaks were served on a patter that had about 10 steaks for each table.
6. I watched as one worker loaded three on his plate and carved out the fleshy part and then proceeded to throw the rest out the exit door muttering “hamburger”. This followed by heaving the coffee pot out and muttering “slop”. I just drank from that pot and I found it satisfactory. I left after dinner
7. The next morning the Representatives arrived at my door to ask me how dinner went and my response was that “I did not eat that way at my house and I want that Worker on the first plane out for total abuse of food.”
8. Then I asked to them “what is the real reason why you are complaining inordinately?”
9. They explained that it was awkward to bring liquor past the guards and this was the problem. I responded that I would immediately get a bus to leave at 6:00 and 8:00 P.M. each night and return from Prince Rupert at 7:30 and 9:30 each day. The Liquor Store closed at 9:00 every day
10. The problem was resolved and no more grievances

Incident #3

The project later, required that the men work 6 – 12 hour shifts with Sunday and Sunday 8 hours each. There were areas in the Plant that could only be accessed by personnel with available gas masks (safety wear for all employees)  and no one was to linger there any longer than absolutely necessary due to possible leaking Chlorine Gas.

I was making my periodic inspections of work (Sunday morning) when I noticed a man lying by some piping adjacent to the Elevator. I rushed over expecting the worst when I noted a heavy smell of alcohol. I tried to rouse the Worker but he was in a drunken state.

I went to the Contractor’s office to report the man to his Superintendent. We went up and confirmed that the man was sleeping off a heavy hangover from the night before on double time. The Superintendent fired the man on the spot.

The matter came back as a grievance as the method of firing was inconsistent with union regulations. The foreman of the five man crew, the general foreman for all crews and a crew member must witness the event in order to qualify the event for firing.

It seemed very inconsistent with safety as the worker could have been easily consumed with Chlorine fumes which were common in this environment. So a grievance meeting eventually provided the approval of the action taken by the Superintendent.

I am not sure if subsequent union agreements superseded those of the mid 1960s but I sure hope they have.

Incident #4

My general function was to inspect construction of which various parts of the upgrading project was scattered throughout the Pulp Mill and so I was asked to keep my eyes and ears open to see what else may need attention. I got to know the tug boat crews at the pond that used tugboats to direct logs up the Jack Ladder, into the Peelers and Chippers located in the Wood Room. The Jack ladder had sharpened lugs that picked up logs up to 8 feet in diameter butts, as that was the size of logs that came in by floats from logging sites North of Prince Rupert.

There were many logs in the pond but I noticed one that was obviously a drift log with the roots still intact on the 6 foot diameter log (huge root system rendered the outside area to be about 12 feet in diameter. On one of my visits with the crew I enquired as to what was to be done with the log. “We are waiting for the right time and it will come in handy”, was the response with laughter.

It was a short time later that a freak snow storm was experienced and the rumour spread that the Jack Ladder had been jammed with a log stuck into the Wood Room superstructure where the ladder exited into the building. The Jack ladder chain was broken and the Wood Room was shut down as a result.

I found my way to the pond and sure enough, the crew was busy playing poker and I commented “now I know what the log with the roots was destined for”. The guffaws and mirth was sickening to me as these workers had no sympathy for the company and the unscheduled shut down of the Mill as well as the costs associated with repairs and loss of profits.

Incidents #5 (taking place at the Pulp Mill and noted here for further personal background)

There were many more incidents at the Pulp Mill where I worked from May 1963 through to April 30, 1965 . I will note the significant ones briefly:

1. I walked into the Bleach Plant one morning to find it full of foam. On questioning, I was advised that the Operator’s function was to start a pump as soon as the vessel was full with a console light flashing that required it to be emptied. He apparently fell asleep and the vessel overflowed. The Operator’s job was to start the pump four times a shift. A follow up meeting with the Operating Union, suggested that the job was too boring and the warning light was not a suitable indicator. Action was agreed to install a probe two inches higher in the tank so that when the first warning was passed that a bell would ring. The vessel overflowed again for the same reason. Further action was to install a siren activated by a probe 2 inches higher than the bell probe. The vessel overflowed again. At this point the union agreed that the Operator was incompetent and he was let go. An automatic starter was installed by the company much to the complaint by the Union because of a loss of a job.
2. My fellow Engineer was supervising installation of a screen in the Bleach Plant. One day the Trades were noted, standing around and not working. He was told that Vise Grips were not an issue by the Tool Crib and that they could not do their job as a result. He went to the Tool Crib and was told that the Company’s position was that Vice Grips were part of a Tradesman’s normal tools. So my colleague drove to Prince Rupert and purchased four vice grips and gave them to the Tradesmen. The men would not accept them as they were not Company issue. Ridiculous! I am not sure how this was resolved.
3. One day the jumbo rolls, that were the first step of the finish line for high grade Acetate Pulp, suddenly showed black spots. The Lab Technicians tried to analyze these spots to no avail and samples were sent to a Lab in Vancouver. Meanwhile, the Jumbo Rolls were being stacked as they could not be packaged until the “black spot” problem was resolved. This essentially shut down the entire Mill. Finally it was determined, that the spots were poppy seeds, obviously sprinkled in the Bleach Plant by a Worker that planned a shut down for Christmas holidays. Does this sound ridiculous? Unfortunately it happened at the Prince Rupert Pulp Mill and perhaps may have contributed to its eventual closure as it just could not become profitable.
4. These are just some of the experiences that I witnessed, that had a profound effect on my understanding of Labour / Management relationships that needed to be revamped if investment and labour were to become compatible in my opinion.

This was the background that prepared me for the time when I would have my own employees. When I moved to Castlegar in 1965 and started a construction and Millwork Plant with my two brothers, I wanted to change things so that my employees would feel part of a solution and not contribute the problem and the challenges that companies experience. The next series of incidents are with my own companies and employees.

Incident #6

I convinced my brothers that we should have a fringe package for our employees that included: a Life Insurance policy, Dental and Medical services, two pairs of Work Boots and two sets of Uniform that included pants, shirt and jacket to be issued each year. All safety equipment to be company supplied. This was interesting as construction companies at that time who supplied part of such a packages, were unionized.

Some initial comments from my crew at that time of establishing the package:

1. “Why are you paying for a life insurance policy and not just pay additional wages? I do not want to pay for the betterment and enjoyment of a future partner for my wife………”
2. “I only wear out one pair of boots every two years, can I get the balance of the boots budget issued as wages?………”
3. “We do not wear hard hats in the millwork plant, so can we get that money directly?…….”

This of course surprised me but was understandable as my competition was not doing this and some of my crew could not quite fathom such privileges would be voluntarily provided by a company. The majority were very happy with this benefit.

Later our company established a profit sharing package which would serve as a pension at some time.

The wives of the crew were very happy and that reflected on the crew performance and continued permanent employees which was the company intent.

Incident #7

Building Construction in the 1970s followed actions by the political majority in government philosophy and supporting construction unions favoured union only construction of all government funded projects. The schools and hospitals in the Kootenays were being tendered and awarded contracts to unionized contractors. It was logical that the trades being used by those contractors were best served by unionized trade contractors. The Verigin Millwork Plant was of a capacity to accommodate this need.

I approached the Carpenter’s Union and discussed how Verigin could incorporate a company to provide union products to those union contractors and their projects. This was amicably discussed and a company was incorporated forthwith.

Shortly thereafter the Business Agent called to advise that he had changed his mind and that all Verigin companies must be unionized as no work can be separated and individually operated.

I explained that the Verigin Group had three (3) brothers and growing sons who all work on projects. The separation of employee from employer was not practical; however, those Verigins that worked on union projects would be members of the carpenter’s union. So it followed that my brother Russel joined the union as did one of our employees. A unionized carpenter was already under the employ of Verigin.

This disagreement continued and became acute when a millwork contract was being installed on a local school and the general contractor was in negotiation with the carpenter’s union as a provincial bargaining unit, causing a work stoppage to be in effect. Since Verigin was not part of that negotiation, Verigin continued to install the Millwork which had become a critical schedule event on the project.

The union immediately declared the Millwork “hot” and directed Verigin to stop installation. When we explained that it would be costly for us to do so, the Business Agent told us that we are now declared ‘Blacklisted” by every union automatically. There was to be a hearing at the next union meeting to discuss whether brother Russel’s action were sufficient to expel him from the union. That subsequently took place and Russel was permanently expelled from the Carpenters Union.

Sometime later, the Business Agent came to the Verigin Office to offer an opportunity for the Verigin companies to be taken off the “Black List” if both Verigin companies agreed to hire union only and have all the employees joined the union.

That was the beginning of the struggle for Verigin to survive as a business. Philosophically, we could not force our employees into a union and Verigin could not survive as a company if all the Verigins could not work on projects. Only employees, by definition of the union, could work on projects. So the offer was rejected.

By this time Verigin was well known and most clients had no opinion as unionization but we did lose two major projects: a school and a BC Housing Project sponsored by a Rotary Club. Otherwise, Verigin prospered with sufficient work.

Incident #8

In the early 1970s the government of the day in British Columbia passed a “Public Works Faire Employment Act” which officially dictated that only those Contractors who employed members of the B.C. / Yukon Trades Council could tender and successfully construct projects financed by the B.C. Government.

I met many “open shop” contractors and we felt that the legislation had literally turned the competitive pendulum in favour of unionized workers and their Employers only.

At that time there were 100,000 workers in the Province that carried a “Red Seal” Interprovincial Trades Certificate; however, only, 33,000 were members of a union. So only those Contractors who employed the 33,000 Tradesmen were permitted to tender any project financed by the Province.

This was effectively legislated by the passage of the Public Works Fair Employment Act in 1973

Something did not seem right to all my colleagues!

A Committee of five (5) Contractors from the Kootenays, requested and were granted a meeting with the Labor Minister of the day. He gave us an 1 1/2 hour audience and sympathized with our information which he admitted he was not aware to that time. He  suggested that we organize into an association to represent the “Open Shop” Construction Industry. The result was the incorporation of the Independent Contractors and Businesses of British Columbia (ICBA). I served as founding President for two years and as Director for about six (6) years after.

The initial membership of ICBA was about 300 firms which today has risen to about 2,000 firms. At present, there are about 240,000 Journeymen in the Construction Trades with about 85% employed in the Open Shop Sector and 15% in the Union Sector. There are about 28,000 Apprentices of which about 82% are indentured with the ICBA which offers these Apprentices to all the Open Shop Contractors along with a portable fringe benefit package. A very strong incentive for both employee and employer. This is what the Founders of ICBA struggled for and were successful in implementing.

How was ICBA beneficial to Verigin and other members of ICBA, I can only write what I witnessed at Verigin in the next few Incidents.

Incident #9

Verigin was developing a Design / Build Project that included a Shopping Center and Hotel at Elkford, B.C. Just as we moved on site, the Mining Company requested that we construct a thirty (30) suite Apartment to reduce the housing pressure of the their employees.

All our employees of the day were engaged and it was obvious an additional ten (10) or more Carpenters were necessary to expedite the project with the onslaught of winter.

I called Manpower in Trail and the following conversation took place:

“We do not have suitable employees for you”, I was advised.

“Are there unemployed Carpenters registered with you,” I enquired.

“Yes, but they are unionized,” was the response.

“Our company does not discriminate as we operate an Open Shop policy,” I explained.

“We are aware of that but we cannot send unionized Carpenters to your jobsite,” the Federal Government Employee countered.

“Will these Workers continue to receive unemployment benefits even though, a job is being offered that they will not accept?” I continued.

“Well then I will need to report this to the local paper and contact the Federal Minister of Labour,” I suggested. I never did!

Silence for a few minutes……….”well I do have two (2) non-union Carpenters that live up the Valley, if you would like their names”, he offered.

“Great,” I accepted the contact information.

There was a major project (the Kootenay Canal) underway near where the two contacts lived. Once I called them, I received the same information: “we are trying to get on the Canal and as soon as we do, we need to changed employer at that time.”

“I appreciate your honesty,” I then offered ‘”I am interested in some permanence as I will need about three (3) month commitment.”

I realized that the local Carpenter Business Agent had done his homework and was determined to place in a desperate position for workers after the Canada Manpower information.

My sense of humour caused me to call both non-union Workers with this suggestion: “go to the Bar in Castlegar and sit near the center table with one or two friends. Talk loudly and brag about getting a job with Verigin at Elkford so that the centre table can surely hear. I suggest that you will be approached very quickly and be offered a job on the Kootenay Canal by the Business Agent.”

I was called later by both men and they excitedly told me “that was exactly what took place. We were accepted into the union and we are now on the Project. What do we owe you?”

“You have already paid me,” I responded. “Have a wonderful time!”

I then placed an advertisement in the Lethbridge paper and within one week had fifteen (15) Carpenters respond. I was able to select ten (10) and they turned out to be excellent Workers and very compatible with my existing crew.

The projects were completed on time and on budget without any labour disputes.

Incident #10

Verigin promoted a Design / Build / Market 98 unit Townhouse Project in Trail, B.C. We were able to solicit enough Carpenters by word of mouth and the Project was being initiated.

A person came to me and suggested that there would be a picket line that would stop the Concrete Supplier. At this time the local unions had organized together to move business from the ICBA member firms and I was well aware of that.

I responded with, “well, it will be an information picket line which will advertise that I am building an “affordable housing project”. I will offer them donuts and coffee in the morning and afternoon as I already know they will not work for me, but I feel obligated to reward them for the advertising.”

The man looked at me and issued a warning, “danger could befall you and you should be made aware of that.”

“Really,” I spoke bluntly, “you mean that someone could shoot me? My concern is that not always is the marksman accurate and an innocent man like you could get hurt.”

Two years later the project was all completed and successfully marketed with no union hassle. The head of a large local union dis buy one of these townhouses and when I asked him why, his answer, “simply it was the best deal”

Incident #11

One day Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) called me and invited me to meet with a Church Group in Castlegar that was having a difficult time in initiating a Low Cost Housing Project with the grant that they had received. The short story is that I was able to establish budgets within the grant and tendering resulted in the project ready to begin.

An information picket line was established on the street with two Picketers from revolving unions, changing every two hours. The Concrete Supplier was issued a letter from the Teamsters that the project was blacklisted and that his unionized personnel could not cross the picket line. The supplier provided a copy of the letter to me.

The ICBA was made aware by a retired Judge, that “Watching a besetting a private site along with preventing normal business to be transacted is a violation of the Criminal Code of Canada” and were provided a copy of the section of the Code.

I immediately requested assistance from an ICBA member who began arranging a cement silo and a concrete mixing truck to move onto the Castlegar site. I already had a subcontractor who had equipment onsite that could provide lifting as well as supply aggregate for an alternate concrete supply.

To test out the advice provided to ICBA, I decided to approach the Picketers (some of which were familiar to me) and along with a witness asked these questions:

1. “Who do you represent?”
2. “What is your name?”
3. “Where do you live?”
4. “What is your purpose here?”

The answer from both Picketers was the same, “we do not have to answer that!”

I would respond with, “so I have it correct, you do not know who you represent, you do not know your name nor where you live and lastly, you do not know why you are here, correct?”

I interviewed about 6 sets of Picketers and different unions each time as I knew the people with the same results.

I then went to the local RCMP in Castlegar and asked to meet the Staff Sargent (SS) to advise him that according to section ___ of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCoC), my site was being violated and showed him the letter from the Concrete Supplier where he was directed not to supply concrete, to prove same.

The SS advised me that It was a labor matter and that he could not get involved.

I then called the Regional Office of the RCMP and asked to speak with the Commanding Officer. I quoted the section of the CCoC and that the situation on my site was being violated by people unidentifiable. He shouted at me that I should never quote sections of the CCoC as that was the job of the RCMP. I responded politely “that is why I am calling you!”

“Go to the Castlegar RCMP Detachment with your issue!” he was not polite at this time.

“I just came from there,” I replied.

“I am directing you to go there right now'” he shouted and was still being impolite.

So I did go back to see the SS at the Castlegar detachment and he took me to a private office with the precaution that he had unionized staff at work. “I cannot do anything as you have a labour dispute that is outside the boundaries of the RCMP,” he confided.

“But, I must advise you, sir, that all my employees are on the other side of the information picket and as I already indicated to you, those on the picket do not identify themselves and so I am being ‘watched and beset, on my place of business and I am not able to get some supplies'”, I responded.

Nothing happened.

So that was the crux of the matter, I was able to obtain concrete, successfully construct the project, on time and on budget thanks to ICBA support.

The picket line disappeared after a few days…….

Incident #12

Expo ’86 was in the planning stages and the ICBA was asked to comment on the International Unions recommendation that construction be ‘union only’. The suggestion was that the Open Shop could not supply the required skilled labour for such a massive project. The question to ICBA was ‘could the open shop sector provide the bonding capacity for a project just under $400 million. The response was affirmative and tat up to just under twice that amount was readily available.

Although I was part of the discussion, I discounted the possibility of being involved as Verigin was satisfied with the market on the East side of the Okanagan.

It was a surprise when I had a call from another ICBA firm that there seemed to be a lack of response from Open Shop Contractors to the initial tendering call and that we needed to add strength in that area. The invitation was to join forces and tender on the Erection of the International Pavilions.

The decision had to be made immediately as the closing time for tenders was within two weeks. Verigin decided to undertake the challenge as suitable work did not seem to be forthcoming in the Kootenays.

I will skip the details of company formation, tendering and consideration for award to the second from low which was our tender, and go the organized labour reaction. Simply stated, the union firms already on site would have their workers walk off the Expo ’86 site upon entry of an Open Shop competitor.

I had several interviews with TV Stations who were poised for a union confrontation which was obvious that they were well informed.

Expo ’86 took the position to send out letter to the Union Contractors advising them that any such walk out would result in calling in the Performance Bonds and the projects being retendered.

And so it was we moved in on site in the afternoon, the unions crews walked off but were back at work the next day when their Contractors advised them of the consequences.

Again, the short story was that we have an obligation to perform and this we did completing on time and budget.

Incident #13

We were invited to tender the Overwightea Five Acre Warehouse at Langley. Everything went well until a 250 Ton Crane was required to erect the concrete wall panels constructed on site. Cranes of this size are not readily available and so a unionized contractor brought his 250 Ton crane on site. This immediately was responded by over 200 unionized workers forming a picket line preventing the Crane Operator for performing his duties.

Action taken was to order an Open Shop Crane from Edmonton to replace the Union Crane.

The picket line would be best removed and a ‘Cease and Desist’ order was issued by the Supreme Court. This order was urinated upon when delivered to the picket line which caused the Supreme Court Judge to react. Two bus loads of RCMP showed up on site and marched to the picket line and requested that the line break as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Resistance was met with repercussion as the RCMP started finger printing the nearby Picketers. The picket line broke and dispersed.

I was personally disappointed that this incident had to happen on my project; however, there seemed no reasonable other method to resolve the impasse.

The project got completed.

Incident #14

I left the active General Contracting business in 1993 and thought all this organized labour matters would also cease and I concentrated on offering my talents to not for profit charitable societies and began developing a 204 acre site at Whatshan Lake near Edgewood, B.C., to facilitate, in part, drug and alcohol treatment. Those interested may visit http://www.whatshan.com to understand more about what takes place on that site.

The idea arose that construction could continue with donations and volunteers but that we would encourage schools to offer apprenticeship as part of the final year curriculum. With a great deal of effort on the part of the J. Lloyd Crowe High School in Trail, The ICBA and the Whatshan Lake Retreat, fifteen (15) Carpentry Apprentices prefabricated one (1) cabin at the school and then came to the site to erect same and construct four (4) more. This included a Shower and Washroom building.

The Society provided two (2) retired Union Carpenters and one Open Shop Carpenter to provide on site supervision and instruction. The Apprentices were paid the required pay scale and Contractors came on site to interview and hire these Apprentices after eight (8) weeks on site.

I received a call from CKNW Reporter who alleged that a Business Agent accused me of not paying the Apprentices nor providing and meaningful carpentry instruction. My reaction was that I was not aware of any such complaint and that I had no comment.

The ICBA called me shortly after and took issue with the fact that their founding President was accused of such depredations notwithstanding the insult to the Union Superintendents that provided instruction ion site.

The result was that the Union was sued for damages with the result that they needed to pay me $5,000 in damages and announce publicly an apology.

Upon receipt of the $5,000, I instructed the Treasurer to deposit same in the General Account and issue a letter of thanks a charitable tax receipt to the Union.

Completed an unedited version February 05, 2020, 1500 hours by EWV

This blog is intended only for the reading pleasure of my Blog Users. Any reference to any company or individual is coincidental. In the opinion of the Writer, the above is all true and I have no detrimental feelings to any firm nor person.

This blog requires editing (EWV)

I first read this book at the residence of Peter Rezansoff about four (4) years ago. This precipitated a deep discussion with the result that Peter had been acquainted with Victor Chan, the author. Peter arranged a lunch with Victor and we discussed the possibility of inviting the Dalai Lama to Whatshan Lake Retreat.

Victor advised us that the schedule for the Dalai Lama is at least five (5) years hence but would discuss to see if the Dalai Lama could at least come and visit Whatshan.

That is where the matter rested until my daughter Tamara, purchased this book and presented it to me at Christmas 2019. I decided to read it in with greater attention to the messages therein.

These are some of my impressions and special areas of interest:

1. On the jacket:
   1. “Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations but rather on the rights of the other: irrespective of whether another person is a close friend or an enemy, as long as that person wishes for peace and happiness and wishes to overcome suffering, then on that basis we develop a genuine concern for his or her problems. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
   2. For me the message “as long as that person wishes for peace and happiness and wishes to overcome suffering” is a major obstacle. How do I determine that value and objective in that person?
   3. The Dalai Lama states that he has forgive the Chinese government for their actions on Tibet and the reason that the Dalai Lama cannot go home. That is a great deal of compassion and an objective for me for the rest of my life.
2. On page 229:
   1. “A human being is part of the whole, called by us “Universe” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest-a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison, restricting us to our personal desires and t affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
   2. These words did not come from the Dali Lama but from Einstein who wrote them in 1954. So it is that a world’s most prominent Scientist had this message for all of that the Dalai Lama felt significant to insert in this book
3. On pages 200 through 209, describes an interesting discussion at one of the conferences in Zurich in 2010 with an Indian, a social activist and educator Sanjit ‘Bunker” Roy
   1. Sanjit sacrificed his high level in life to the poor and under-privileged by organizing the “…Barefoot College in India and has trained hundreds of semiliterate and illiterate grandmothers from developing countries to be solar engineers. Through that program, they have electrified more than six hundred villages in India. Some are in very remote areas in the Himalayas and can be reached only after long treks on foot…”
   2. “…For me the best investments are grandmothers. The best. The grandmothers between forty and fifty, are the most mature, most tolerant. I have women from all over Africa. They have never been outside their village. I fly them to India for training. Through sign language, without the written word, without the spoken word, we train them to be solar engineers. They come as grandmothers, they go back as tigers……”

There is so much in this book that has inspired me and what I needed after my bout with Depression.

Posted 1230 hours. January 17, 2020 by Elmer Verigin

Today is Sunday, September 22, 2019

It has ben a fair amount of time since I actually felt like writing about how I feel which was the original intent, in part, of the fundamental reason for this blog. Today, I will try and formulate my thoughts albeit they may be wandering on various subjects.

If I admitted that I feel almost normal (if I actually know what that means), I would be close to the truth as I am having positive feelings today. The negative crap is set aside for healthy thoughts. The fact that I do not have the Suction pump (Andrea as I called it) to assist the healing of my large infection cavity, helps a lot. I now do not feel handicapped nor conspicuous with all that appendage. It suggests the natural feelings of handicapped people that those who are not, cannot understand. The experience has had a positive influence on me and I appreciate that. It makes one more sensitive to others.

There seems o be a heavy discussion on Climate Change in the World at this time. This is good when people start to realize that we affect our surroundings to the point where we endanger the lives of the future beings including our families. Waking up to that understanding is akin to opening our eyes and seeing our surroundings for the first time and reading all the “sign posts” carefully instead of blindly rushing to the finish line which most of us have not properly identified like myself.

I am looking forward to meeting all the Donors and Volunteers to the development of Whatshan Lake Retreat this October 04, 2019. It will be very satisfying to see everyone that can make it to the event. There are too many who cannot physically make it in body but will attend in spirit, I am sure!

I am trying hard to determine what it is that I wish to do now that my body has been permitted a second chance at contributing to life on this World. I remember well when Dr Robinson gave his opinion on my struggle with Bladder Cancer…”you have about one (1) year to live unless we approach the disease with radical treatment (Cystectomy) which resulted in my successful treatment (at least to this juncture since). I did not realize that the two year struggle with the disease had affected my body and body as much as it did. I can now start planning things with some continuity that I will be around a bit longer.

I am ready to make plans.

One such plan involves Climate Change and the struggle to do something about the increasing Carbon.

I am influenced after Reading Terra Preta (black earth) and the discovery of an ancient process (2,500 years or more) that converted Carbon directly into the soil with the result that it became more fertile and now, after this time, still can make a significant difference to plant growth.

So why not incorporate a major cleanup of fallen and decaying trees into the creation of Terra Preta to harness Carbon to do a positive action to reversing Climate Change and provide a fertilizing facilitator for plant growth and production of food. It has a double action, plants grow which produce Oxygen and the Carbon is reduced from the atmosphere.

The production of Terra Preta is not complicated and at this time I am researching the best methods that can be incorporated at Whatshan. Since we have 204 acres of a Research Laboratory at Whatshan, all I need to do is convince my associates and family that it is a positive way we can contribute to w World problem rather than talk about it that it is someone else’s problem.

Yes we can do it!

I am sure this is not the last time that I will write about it in my blog. I did before as a book review of a book by the name Terra Preta and can be found in my blog.

Elmer September 22, 2019

I met Irene and part of her family: husband Erhard Dallmann and daughter Monalei Dallmann at Whatshan Lake Retreat when they attended yearly Music Festivals, every second weekend in July, upon an invitation from Florence (Morozoff) Markin, the wife of Irene’s relative Andrew Markin.

The family would get enthused with the music and were often seen dancing on the grass in front of the stage. This would encourage others to join in the fun.

Irene found that the founding society, Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999, that operated Whatshan Lake Retreat, was the type of philosophy that she approved and so she made financial donations to support the operation which was much appreciated.

This is an obituary notice regarding her passing May 29, 2019

“…..Irene (Filatoff) Dallmann

MAY 30, 1941 ~ MAY 29, 2019 (AGE 77)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, wife, and Grandma/Baba/Oma, Irene Dallmann, of Creston, BC. Irene was born in Coaldale, AB, raised in Carseland, AB, graduated from Carseland High School and later pursued an education at Mount Royal College, Calgary, AB where she studied child psychology and social work. On June 10, 1961, Irene married Erhard Dallmann and together they had 4 children. The family moved from Calgary to Valleyview and At High Prairie she took nursing and graduated as LPN, afterwards working at Valleyview Hospital. In 2005 Irene and Erhard moved to Creston, BC.

Irene lived life to the fullest and pursued many hobbies and volunteer activities in the community – she loved ballroom dancing, fishing, boating, did hand-colouring of black and white photographs, hat millinery and resin art. She was musically talented and played multiple instruments including lead guitar, classical piano and accordion. She generously gave her time to many service organizations in Creston, including the Lion’s club, Rotacrest senior’s society (Pancake Breakfast), Heide club dances and event décor for Octoberfest social dances.

Predeceasing Irene are her parents George and Lillian Filatoff, in-laws Herta and Albert Dallmann, and son Murray Dallmann. She is survived by her husband Erhard Dallmann, children Monalei, Jeffrey (Sandra) Dallmann, Michael (Renee) Dallmann, Granddaughters Tamara (Josh) and Tyneal Great-Grandchildren, Brother Lorne (Sylvia) Filatoff and Sister Marie (Harvey) Larsen and many other extended loving family.

A service for Irene was held Monday, June 3 at 10 am, at the G. F. Oliver Funeral Chapel, Creston, BC. A graveside service will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Creston Doukhobour Society, #306 800 Cavell St, Creston, BC V0B1G4…..”

I would have like to know Irene better but my personal involvement in volunteering at the festival did not permit me much time to visit with them and so this tribute is to honor her.

At the time of the funeral, I provided my regrets to Monalei as my medical condition was such that travel to Creston was not possible.

Let Irene rest in Peace where she will not suffer from the sickness that took her life.

Posted June 29, 2019 by Elmer Verigin.

This post to be read along with my blog  “A Tribute o Alex Ewashen”

IMG_0960.TRIM.MOV – OneDrive

Source: IMG_0960.TRIM.MOV – OneDrive

Alex Ewashen (February 21, 1032 – May 20, 2019)

My health complications made it impractical to attend Alex’s Funeral and so these notes will demonstrate the manner in which I knew Alex and his family.

Alex was a member of the Canadian Doukhobor Society, one of the three parent registered parent Doukhobor Societies operating predominately in British Columbia. In the most recent years, his brothers Robert and Larry, lived with their families in Creston, B.C.

No matter what Doukhobor event was taking place in Western Canada, I would find Alex in attendance as an active participant.

When the Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) was considering development of their Lands at Whatshan Lake, B.C., I asked JJ Verigin Jr., representing, the Union f Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC), Alex Wishlow and the Ewashen Brothers, representing the Canadian Doukhobor Society (CDS) and representatives of the Freedomite Community, Bill Makortoff and Steve Lapshinoff. in the Summer of 2005, as to the philosophy and operations terms of reference, that would be acceptable to all Doukhobors. It was unanimously agreed that the resulting construction and site would welcome people from any Doukhobor background as well as all our neighbours.

The site would not be designated religious and permit any reasonable event to take place as long as it was peaceful and in good taste.

By and large, these dedicated people participated in the resulting development with Alex Ewashen donating 125 chairs to the Retreat Center. Alex and Julie also attended almost all the Music Festivals including the last one in July 2018 where Alex asked me to dance:

See post on Word Press file ; IMG_0960.TRIM.MOV-One Drive dated Tuesday June 18, 2019. (this is the only way I was able to get it into Word Press with my limited expertise)

This video has more of an explanation of Alex than I can in words. This was only last year in July 2018. I was ‘acting up’ and Alex just walked up to me, tapped me on the shoulder with his cane and said “can I have this dance with you?”

Dance we did. What a memory of Alex and his sense of humour.

At another music Festival, it appeared that the society may have difficulty breaking even. So it was decided that we would shave Elmer Verigin’s head if enough money could be raised. And so the band offered a fiddle and a guitar and started playing as a hat was passed around. Alex contributed well over $300 as the total was about $700 and the event was able to be profitable.

Whatshan was not the only organization where I was able to share experiences and discussions with Alex and Julie.

Alex joined the ad hoc Doukhobor Choir (about 60 members) that travelled t Veregin, Saskatchewan in July 0f 2017 to celebrate the centennial of the construction of the original Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood (CCUB) offices completed when CCUB was incorporated in 1917 and registered in the Province of Saskatchewan, main office in Veregin Saskatchewan. This was a great opportunity for Doukhobors across the four Western Provinces to visit and celebrate together. Alex and Julie took the opportunity of touring the original villages built from 1900 through to 1919, on buses with the excellent narration of Jonathan Kalmakoff, local historian.

Alex read my blog religiously and offered many constructive comments

Under construction June 07, 2019 Elmer Verigin

I emended this blog at 1350 hours, Tuesday June 18, 2019. This blog needs o be read with a blog entry of this date and named IMG_0960.TRIM.MOV-One Drive.

My Cancer Journey Part V is best read after browsing through the following previous blogs:

• So Now I Know What It Feels Like To Have A Diagnosis of Cancer, followed by
• My Cancer Part II
• My Cancer Journey Part III
• My cancer Journey Part IV
• My Cancer Journey Part V

Enjoy!

I need to preface this current blog entry along with the (5) previous entries, with a precautionary statement:

“Nothing in these blogs suggest that I am speaking from a position of medical professionalism. I am sharing my experience so that anyone who may read these blogs, can be informed and be reassured that Bladder Cancer can be controlled and likely cured!

Part VI of my Cancer Recovery will cover the time from the time, July 26, 2019, to the current day, August 28, 2019

Here is the update:

1. The trip to Grimshaw was fine and we enjoyed the wedding. The Nurses at Peace River Hospital changed my bandages two (2) times until I returned to Castlegar August 06, 2019.
2. My pump was removed August 23, 2019 as the wound had healed to the surface of the skin
3. Today, August 28, 2019, was my last inspection by a Nurse
4. I had my first shower since March 20, 2019

I am now considered a healthy man?

I am most thankful to the people who prayed for me and gave me positive thoughts throughout this entire process.

Thank you all!

Posted August 28, 2019 at 1000 hours

I compile this tribute on March 31, 2019, after her funeral March 18, 2019. This is not in disrespect for Natalie, but a matter of being able to do so because of personal health challenges.

I met Natalie and her husband Bill Voykin, sometime in 1969. There was a call out to interested Doukhobor Youth, to discuss the possibility of unification of all Youth in Canada. In this endeavour, a convention was planned in 1970 at the Tarrys Hall in Tarrys, B.C. Natalie and Bill attended that convention. It was at this event the idea of forming groups in areas populated by Doukhobors to eventually convene a Canadian Doukhobor Youth organization.

In Castlegar, about eighteen (18) families started coming together at various homes, to initiation the idea of such a group. The name of this group started as a Doukhobor Discussion Group, then Doukhobor Youth and in time ended with Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) as the original youth matured.

Natalie was always an enthusiastic member of the DCA which coincidentally, was equally split with members of the parent groups, the Union of Spritual Communities of Christ (USCC), the Doukhobor Society of Canada (DSC) and members from the Freedomites.

In my dated blog entries, I have already noted the successful activities of the DCA and especially Natalie Voykin. This was only one of Natalie’s “families” as she referred to them.

Please feel free to read:

1. Miracle at Whatshan Lake, B.C. (construction of the Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999, Whatshan Lake Retreat)
2. Report to the Doukhobor Cultural Association final AGM, September 20, 2013
3. Some Reflections of the DCA (Doukhobor Cultural Association)
4. Grandview Seniors Speak from the Ledge (the fats about the Kootenay Columbia Seniors Housing Cooperative)
5. DHRS #1999 President’s Report AGM dated May 22, 2017
6. Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 Retiring President’s Report dated May 21, 2018
7. Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) Last Supper November 18, 2018
8. Update on “Grandview Seniors Speak from the Ledge” a Grandview Seniors Story

Should the Reader now be more informed, Natalie participated in all the DCA activities with all the enthusiasm that one body could assemble. Many times, Natalie would emotionally state that being part of the DCA and its activities, was the first time she felt totally included and settled in spirit. Natalie learned how to participate in orderly meetings. DCA elected new executives on a yearly basis so that all members got to serve and apply what the Selkirk College taught the DCA on Roberts Rules of Order.

She was always a friend!

May Natalie rest in Peace in this new dimension that she is enjoying

Posted by Elmer Verigin at 1300 hours, Monday, April 01, 2019

My Cancer Journey Part V is best read after browsing through the following previous blogs:

• So Now I Know What It Feels Like To Have A Diagnosis of Cancer, followed by
• My Cancer Part II
• My Cancer Journey Part III
• My cancer Journey Part IV

Enjoy!

I need to preface this current blog entry along with the (3) previous entries, with a precautionary statement:

“Nothing in these blogs suggest that I am speaking from a position of medical professionalism. I am sharing my experience so that anyone who may read these blogs, can be informed and be reassured that Bladder Cancer can be controlled and likely cured!

Part V of my Cancer Recovery will cover the time from the time, April 14, 2019, to the current day, June 03, 2019

Castlegar Community Services kept changing my dressing on my Stoma on a regular basis, every Tuesday and Friday at 0930 hours with the last one prior this incident, on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

It appeared to me that I was basically ‘listless” in general with a very limited appetite. I woke up at 0400 hours on Friday, May 24, 2019 and rummaged for Marilyn’s hamburgers of the night before when I ate one and now thought another would be just nice!

I poured a drink of Iced Tea and sat on Sofa. I felt a wetness near my stoma and assumed that my bag was leaking. I felt the are and  discovered that the bag was just fine but the wetness was just below the belly button which was strange

I stood up and suddenly a stream of liquid “shot” straight away for about three (3) feet! Of course I was shocked and realized that whatever was coming was from my abdomen and of course, an emergency!

I grabbed a towel and pressed it to my abdomen and woke Marilyn to asked if she could drive me into Emergency in Trail. Thirty (30) minutes later we were there.

The admitting people were not sure what was happening but quickly complied my records to release that I had an abcess or an erupted infection. Soft pressure was applied to the periphery o release more foul-smelling fluid.

A C-T Scan was ordered but would not be available till 0800 when the Techician would be in.

The C-T Scan reviewed a pocket of infection in an octopus shape just under the skin.

Pictures of infected area and the CT Scans were sent by cell phone to the holidaying Dr. Robinson who was away on holidays. My white cell count was over 17 (normal under 7) and Antibiotics were administrated as the staff pondered the next move.

With Dr. Robinson remote advice, the 6 mm opening was packed with absorbing materials and I was admitted to hospital.

It was a rough few days where eating was out of the question and keeping me from going into a fever was the biggest concern. On Monday May 27, 2019, Dr Robinson returned from holidays and conducted a physical exam.

The decision was to carry on with the Antibiotics and packing and repacking the wound about twice a day. I started to rebound and the decision was to release me from hospital to my home under the care of the Nurses at Castlegar Home Services.

At this time the treatment has graduated to a Suction Pump drawing liquid from my abdomen with Care Monday, Wednesday and Friday

I feel very much better and I note that there is little or no fluid flowing in the line.

My stoma separation in the meantime, has just about healed

I am told that I can expect the suction pump for a month or so. I have an appointment with Dr Robinson on June 11, 2019 at 0800 hours

Updated at 1000 hours, Sunday, June 03, 2019

 

Photo is of Ericka Rankin – Friesen and Myles Verigin who excitedly shared their good news of achieving an Interprovincial Red Seal in the Electrical Trade.

The grandson of my deceased brother Russel Verigin, Myles Verigin, excitedly shared his experience of being able to program his mind to withstand burning coals and walk over a strip of burning coals ten (10) feet in length.

“It all came about as I continued my personal search into the potential of my body to achieve greater heights of endurance, ” Myles explained to me.

“I was always interested in ‘feats of endurance’ that I kept hearing about and so I read a book written by Tony Robbins, ‘ Unleash the Power Within’ that took me to New York, USA to participate in a seminar held by Tony Robbins,” Myles continued.

“There were about 14,000 people at this Seminar that took four (4) hours,” Myles then brought out the following portions of the seminar not necessarily in the order that they took place:

1. Tony Robbins was the main motivational Speaker with a large staff
2. Groups were set up with a ‘Life Coach” who stimulated all with parts of a hypnotic speech to clear the mind, focus on the end, learn how to set up a “trigger” for the mind to concentrate and focus.
3. There was athletic dancing, jumping and other actions to achieve deep concentration
4. Wood fires were burning with the end objective was to create twenty-five (25 lanes of coals, about ten (10) feet long
5. When the beds of coals were ready, the participants lined up and were questioned by their coach as to their readiness to walk the coals. The coaches had the expertise to recognize whether the person was “ready”.
6. Those who in the opinion of coach, were not ready, were recommended to prepare themselves better and removed from the line
7. The walk itself was about four (4) steps and took about 2 to 3 seconds
8. Following the walk everyone walked through a pool of water
9. Myles did not experience any discomfort

It was the experience that Myles will not forget.

The following excerpt from the internet provides some scientific explanation to “firewalking””

“……..Tolly Burkan is the founder of the Firewalking Institute of Research and Education in Twain Harte, California. He promotes himself as the creator of the U.S. fire-walking movement, which he says dates to 1977.

“I was the first person to come along and make it available to John Q. Public by offering fire-walking classes that anybody could attend,” he said.

Burkan dismisses the idea that the low conductivity of coals is a reason that fire walking is possible. As evidence, he points to an incident in which members of his institute successfully walked repeatedly on a heated metal grill without getting burned.

According to Burkan, the basic physical principle behind fire walking is the same that allows an egg to boil in a paper cup when placed atop red-hot coals. The boiling water keeps the cup at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius)—hundreds of degrees cooler than paper’s burning point.

Burkan says that circulating blood likewise keeps the flesh on a fire walker’s feet from reaching its burning point—as long as the walker is relaxed enough to allow strong blood flow and as long as the walker keeps walking.

“What controls [the ability to fire walk] is more than physics, it’s your state of mind,” Burkan said.

Willey, the Pittsburgh physicist, said such mind over matter theories have nothing to do with why fire walking is physically possible. He allows, though, that self-confidence is required to take that first step.

“You’ve got to believe you’re going to be OK, otherwise you wouldn’t do it,” he said. “But what your mind-set is has got absolutely nothing to do with whether you’re going to burn or not.”

Danforth, the Bates College anthropologist, said that scientific explanations do not “debunk or diminish or invalidate the value of the ritual.”

“[Fire walking] can have the power to affirm one’s life. It can change lives, give confidence, all kinds of things,” he said………”

This excerpt from the internet suggests that there are risks as outlined here:

“…………….Walking across hot coals is a regular feature of motivational speaker Tony Robbins’s seminars. The act is meant to symbolize overcoming fear.

But at his “Unleash the Power Within” event in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday, more than 30 people were treated for burns due to the walk. Five were taken to the hospital that night, while the rest were treated on site for burns, said Jason Evans, a public information officer with Dallas Fire-Rescue, in a statement.

Dallas Fire-Rescue was dispatched to the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center on Thursday night just after 11pm, according to Evans.

Paul Gold, who sustained second-degree burns on his feet, told the Associated Press that he thought event staff didn’t wait long enough before adding more coals to the fire, resulting in the injuries.

Gold said he had participated in the walk at a previous Robbins event in Florida earlier this year and was unharmed.

Another attendee, Jacqueline Luxemberg, said the injuries occurred because people were taking selfies rather than concentrating on the walk.

“It has nothing to do with the training. It has absolutely nothing to do with Tony Robbins,” she said.

This isn’t the first time injuries occurred at a Robbins event. Nearly two dozen were burnt walking across hot coals in San Jose, California, in 2012.

Ron King, the director of the convention center, told the Dallas Morning News that Robbins had previously led events there with no incidents that he was aware of.

The organizers had the necessary permits “to conduct the operation which led to the multiple burn injuries overnight,” Evans said.

Minor blisters sometimes occur after the walk, but not serious burns, said Tad Schinke, who has worked at numerous Robbins events, to the Morning News. Participants received instructions before the walk.

Representatives for Robbins said in a statement to the Associated Press that about 7,000 people walked across the coals that night. Of those injured, five “requested any examination beyond what was readily available on site”.

“Someone not familiar with the fire walk observed the event and called 911 erroneously reporting hundreds of people requiring medical attention for severe burns,” the statement said.

Tickets to Robbins’s next “Unleash the Power Within” event in San Jose this November range in price from $650 to $2,995 a ticket, according to his website. The seminar aims to “help you unlock and unleash the forces inside that can help you break through any limit and create the quality of life you desire…………………..”

The negative reports do not daunt the positive experience that Myles had and continues to search for the powers from within.

My Readers need to understand that there are risks in many worthwhile endeavours.

Posted by Elmer Verigin 1730 hours, February 18, 2019

From: Myles Verigin [mailto:mylesrverigin@gmail.com]
Sent: February 18, 2019 2:32 PM
To: Elmer Verigin
Subject: Re:

Yes the article was very well written! It captures the event very well. I’m excited to see it up on your blog

Myles