Giant turd protests dumping raw sewage in Canada
VICTORIA -- The dumping of raw sewage into the Pacific Ocean was an issue one man wanted to take to an all-candidates meeting in the Victoria-Beacon Hill riding Friday morning, but the costumed crusader was not allowed in.
James Skwarok arrived dressed up as "Mr. Floatie," a two-metre tall turd representing POOP, People Opposed to Outfall Pollution.
He wanted to highlight Victoria's daily dumping of 120 million litres of raw sewage, but when he was barred from the meeting he said the refusal left him "a little bummed out."
NDP Leader Carole James, who attended the meeting in the riding she hopes to win in British Columbia's May 17 election, said she grew up in the area and swam in the ocean as a child.
She said that sewage needs to be treated and that an NDP government would look at the issue as a priority.
But Liberal MLA Jeff Bray said scientists indicate there is no negative impact from the raw sewage. He acknowledged, however, that the practice damages the city's image.
Skwaork said B.C. has got to look good for the 2010 Olympics, adding the province doesn't want to get a "brown medal."
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