WHO IS Dr. JOHN BACHER?

For more than 30 years John Bacher has worked diligently for peace, the rule of law, social justice and the protection of the environment. From his youth, he has been vigorously involved in important issues affecting the beauty and liveability of St. Catharines, issues such as farmland and historic preservation and the protection of valley lands, streams, forests and water. In 1976, John became a founder of the Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society (PALS), which currently employs him as a researcher.

John’s passion for protecting the earth has caused him to work closely with native peoples, helping them use their treaty rights to protect the environment- notably in opposition to the destruction of Canada’s biggest urban park in Hamilton’s Red Hill Valley. He took part in investigations of organized crime in native communities which resulted in criminal convictions of gangsters involved in such rackets as alcohol, drugs and cigarette smuggling that terrorized native people.

Motivated by his concern for the beauty of the landscape and social justice John wrote a doctoral thesis in history at McMaster University. Completed in 1985, it was subsequently published as a book, “Keeping to the Marketplace”. This book champions non-profit housing, rent control, and restrictions on apartment conversions to condominiums. He served on a charitable board that helped develop new nonprofit housing. He exposed crimes such as labour racketeering by real estate developers associated with organized crime.

John Bacher’s second book “Petrotyranny” was written to expose the crimes of dictatorships funded by great oil wealth. Before the invasion of Iraq, he worked with nonviolent foes of the country’s dictatorship. He has helped to promote the nonviolent destruction of dictatorships through people power mobilizations such as strikes; before the fall of the Soviet Union, he helped such resistance movements in Moscow. John has taught courses in Peace Studies at McMaster University and the University of Toronto.

Recently completed but yet not published, is John’s third book, “Mel Swart: Champion of Ontario Democracy.” It was written to highlight the success of an individual who was an important role model for John and a co-founder of the Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society.

Born in 1954, John Bacher is a life long resident of St. Catharines. He is active in St. Barnabas Anglican church, where serves in the choir. He is married to Mary Lou Bacher. His mother, Mary and brother Fred, continue to live in the city.

LINKS OF INTEREST
 
St. Catharines Transit<TR>
 
Petrotyranny & 9-11
 
Why I wrote Petrotyranny

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