Data on UBC Animal Research now published online By Maria Asselin-Roy, News Editor hile public access to UBC animal research data has been limited in the past, the University of British Columbia has responded to activist demands for open information by publishing data on the research and experiments conducted on animals on its Animal Research website. “This mark[s] a significant step towards greater public transparency,” said John Hepburn, UBC Vice President Research and International. According to the UBC data, 211,764 animals were involved in scientific research at the university in 2010. The animals involved range from large numbers of rats and mice to large mammals and marine mammals. The data shows that the type and severity of research on animals at UBC varied. Many of the animals used for research involved being tagged for ‘tracking and observation— mainly for students in conservation studies. However, other research caused the tested animals stress, discomfort, and surgery; the data shows that 31 animals were tested in this way. Although UBC has taken this first step in releasing animal research information, some question the still-limited amount of information being released to the public. Animal advocacy group STOP UBC Animal Research expressed encouragement at the release of information, though STOP Director Brian Vincent stil] stressed concern that “the university continues to withhold critical details about its extensive animal research program.” STOP UBC Animal Research is demanding more information to be released in order for the public to fully evaluate the program. According to CBC News, in response to of the criticism of animal rights groups like STOP UBC Animal Research, UBC maintained that the research done at the university is “humane and represents less than six percent of all similar research conducted across the country and a huge proportion of the work is done with small animals.” Still, animal rights groups are not convinced, as the research data implies that the number of animals used for research has doubled. This newly available information is causing discussion amongst animal rights activists hoping that UBC and other universities will make more detailed information about animal research—like lab inspection reports, veterinary reports, and causes of death—open to the public in order to start dialogue so that people will better understand the research going on. While UBC has acknowledged STOP’s demands, the university states that more time, reports, and debates would be needed to submit further information to the public. Municipal elections threaten Occupy Vancouver By Dylan Hackett, Staff Writer he municipal election season has made Occupy Vancouver and its locational legitimacy a forefront issue for Vancouver mayoral frontrunners former Crown Attomey, Non-Partisan Association candidate, Suzanne Anton and incumbent mayor, Vision Vancouver candidate Gregor Robertson. Anton’s “Common Sense” campaign is resting on the proposition _ of closing Occupy Vancouver, condemning the movement outright and blaming its continuity of Robertson. “There has been such a failure of leadership in both the riot and the tent city. This complete failure to give staff the support they needed to go in and do their job,” Anton said, at CBC Studio 7, Downtown Vancouver on a televised free of tenting protesters. “They’re not allowed to remain permanently, we have made it clear to people on the site that the camp has to be taken apart,” spoke the incumbent mayor. He labelled the Supreme Court’s deadlines as “delays.” “It’s disappointing that the courts have delayed the hearing of the broader concerns we have: the breach of the city bylaw which is the tent-camps.” Lawyer Jennifer Koshan published in University of Calgary’s law blog regarding the validity of city bylaws derailing section 2(b) of the Canadian of the expression.” “Although Occupy Vancouver met the fire safety code deadlines set by the BC Supreme Court last Thursday, Robertson was clear in his desire to keep the lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery encampment free of tenting protesters.” on government, and the impact of all of this on the other 99%. This is the message, and the occupation is the form Displayed in front of many tents Photo by: Rita Vityaz $250,000 for the cops who failed us for the Canucks,” campaigned the Saxmaniac via his YouTube channel. Metro Vancouver Regional Coroner Owen Court officially announced ‘ on Sunday that Victoria resident, Ashlie Gough, 23, died while taking a speedball (dual use of cocaine and heroin) on site at Occupy Vancouver on November 5. Her death was the second drug overdose on the grounds of debate. “We should have stopped this long ago.” While Robertson has pledged acknowledgement to Occupy’s right to protest, he is against the location chosen by the movement. Although Occupy Vancouver met the fire safety code deadlines set by the BC Supreme Court last Thursday, Robertson was clear in his desire to keep the lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery encampment Charter of Rights and Freedoms (freedom of expression clause) the following statement, “Although there has been some criticism of the lack of a coherent message or demands coming from the Occupy movement in Canada and the U.S., these occupations clearly convey a message of protest against global capitalism, the unjust concentration of wealth in society and the influence of the wealthy 1% facing W. Georgia Street are Occupy Vancouver’s cardboard endorsements of the stuffed lobster-wielding protester and mayoral candidate, Darrell “Saxmaniac” Zimmerman, who is best known for disrupting the Vancouver Board of Trade sponsored debate last month at SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. “I’m running on free transit, no more riots in the streets, and no extra Occupy Vancouver, further provoking safety concerns with Robertson. “It’s very important that we see into life-safety concerns, that has to be done now,” said Robertson. Municipal election ballots open on November 19 in all BC municipalities. Visit www.municipalelections.com/ where_to_vote.htm to find your nearest ballot box location.