The BC Jobs Fair roadmap seemingly ends at Terrace

Once again, when it comes to the provincial government offering up some of its BC Jobs Plan for residents of the Northwest, the pavement seems to end in Terrace.

We previously wondered aloud about the BC Jobs Fair itinerary back when the BC Jobs Fair first made its road trip west of Prince George in November, a trek that brought the travelling Jobs Fair to Burns Lake and Terrace.

Now we just have to wonder if the province thinks that Prince Rupert is so awash in employment opportunity, that a Jobs Fair roadshow just isn't required here.

Or maybe, they just don't have an up to date road map in Victoria, one that shows that Highway 16 is paved now, normally cleared of snow and makes it all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

The Province has announced a second wave of travelling Jobs Fairs for 2013 and Terrace will once again play host to a visit on the 22 community tour, with the caravan arriving on March 21st, just one stop in the tour of the province that will cost about 500,000 dollars in total.

It marks the second time that the Jobs Fair has called in that community in the last  months. This time Smithers will also be a featured community on the next listing of destinations, playing host to the Job Fair on March 19th.

The BC Jobs Fairs are actually quite impressive things, they match up job seekers with potential employers and/or educational institutions to better their job prospects. Those that attended the Terrace and Burns Lakes sessions in November had nothing but good things to say about the stop there.

Burns Lake Jobs Fair
Terrace Jobs Fair 1
Terrace Jobs Fair 2

However, for residents and would be information seekers of Prince Rupert and Port Edward, it would appear that it's time once again to gas up the car, hop the Greyhound, or figure out the VIA schedule and head east.

The omission of such communities as Prince Rupert (really, twice in Terrace??) could provide a cynic with cause to think, that with a provincial election in the offing for May, the Liberal government is scheduling these job fairs in riding's where they think perhaps electoral success might be found.

It's too bad the Legislature has been shuttered over the fall and winter, as it might be an interesting question to pose to the government representatives in the Leg, just why their Jobs for BC Jobs Fair program seems to keep skipping the region with one of the highest of unemployment rates.

Come to think of it, closed or open, that's a question that maybe our MLA (and his potential political heirs), not to mention Mayor and City Council may wish to ask of the provincial government.

Prince George Citizen-- Job Fair to make stop in Prince George
Opinion 250-- New Tour for Government's Job Fairs
CFTK-- More BC Jobs Fairs Planned for Northwest

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Idle No More Movement continues with protests across Northwest

The last weekend of 2013 saw flash mob protests from the Idle No More movement take place across the Northwest.

Tied into other protests in other parts of Canada, the Northwest versions centred on shopping malls in both Terrace and Prince Rupert, where drummers and marchers chanted and spoke out on their opposition to the Federal Governments Bill C-45, which has spawned many protests among First Nations residents and others, since it was introduced in the House of Commons in Ottawa.

The Northwest protests began on Friday in Terrace, where a crowd, mainly organized through social media like facebook and twitter gathered at the Skeena Mall, the protest in Terrace lasted an hour or so, as participants travelled through the mall in a large number to lend their support to the Idle No More efforts.

The Terrace Standard offered up this review of Friday's protest,  while CFTK had reports here and here on the Terrace event.

Social media also had some offerings, providing some review of events of the day. A few of the tweets on Twitter from the Terrace protest can be found here and here.

Sunday saw the protest move to Prince Rupert, where again, drummers and other participants gathered at the Royal Bank entrance to the Mall at 2 PM, before proceeding through the Mall's upper and lower entrances.

Sunday's protest march had reports of somewhere towards 200-300 participants at its peak, as protesters mixed with post holiday shoppers to the mall. Sunday's turnout was significantly larger than the last Idle No More protest held in the city back on December 21st.

The Northern View had this report on the Sunday protest, and social media, which has been used extensively in Prince Rupert as well to organize the events, once again provided a window into the Sunday protest, with tweets from some of those in attendance.

Both outgoing MLA Gary Coons and Joanna Larson, who is seeking the NDP candidacy on the North Coast took part in the protest at the Rupert Square and then offered up their submissions to social media.

The impressions of the Prince Rupert protests, from a range of views can be found here, here, here and here.

Below we have some background on the cross country Idle More Protests, offering up a variety of opinion on the protests that have taken place, covering the spectrum of discussion on the topic.


CBC-- Idle No More protests irritating to some, inspiring to others
CBC-- First Nations protest idles Highway 19, blocks railway
CBC-- Via trains moving again after rail blockade
CBC-- Idle No More protest aim to disrupt Boxing Day shoppers
CBC-- Hunger-striking chief calls for action amidst health concerns
CTV News-- Trains moving again after Idle No More blockade shuts rail line
National Post-- Canada, First Nations heading in 'dangerous direction' as Idle No More hunger strike continues: Former PM Joe Clark
National Post-- Health Minister, B. C. chief urge Theresa Spence to end hunger strike as Idle No More Protests continue
National Post-- Inevitable puffery and horse manure surrounds hunger strike while real Aboriginal problems forgotten
National Post-- How the Idle No More movement started and where it might go from here
Toronto Sun-- Flash mob puts spotlight on aboriginal issues
Toronto Sun-- Idle No More is "just the start" of First Nations action: Atleo
Toronto Sun-- Time to break First Nations' cycle of misery
Winnipeg Free Press-- Idle No More rally planned for Portage and Main
The Tyee-- "This is our future we have to fight for" : Idle No More movement launches weekend of protests
Vancouver Observer-- Harper government bills that enraged First Nations and sparked Idle No More

Cross Posted from the North Coast Review

MLA raises concerns over potential Ridley Terminals Sale

The outgoing MLA for the North Coast, Gary Coons, is raising his concerns once again over the proposed sale of Ridley Terminals Incorporated into private hands.

Coons, who has long been active on the RTI file, once suggested, back in 2005, that a co-op option be considered for the coal handling facility.

 A suggestion that it would seem is very much of the past, when it comes to the future for one of Prince Rupert's largest employers.

As we outlined on the North Coast Review earlier this month, the Conservative government surprised many by their announcement that RTI was up for sale.

The Vancouver Observer reviewed the concerns of the local MLA and provides some more background on the story and highlights some of the potential investors in any privatized RTI.

Among those potential investors, some of the companies that in the past expressed an interest back when the Liberals first proposed the privatization plan.

The Ridley Users Group, which is made up of coal producers and shippers have put together a proposal. Not their first time in a quest for the Prince Rupert terminal, back when the Liberals were shopping RTI they suggested the co-op project that Mr. Coons endorsed.  They are apparently back and hopeful that the second time is the charm.

However, they aren't alone in their interest.

According to the Observer other potential buyers include the Toronto based, Brookfield Asset Management and the US multi national Kinder Morgan.

We imagine, that as valuable an asset as RTI might be, that there will be many more on the short list before any decisions are made.

You can review the full article from the Vancouver Observer here.

Our archive of RTI related items, as always can be found here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Small "Idle No More" Protest at Court House

Prince Rupert, like many communities across Canada today played host to a gathering designed to create awareness of concerns over the Conservative government's omnibus budget legislation Bill C-45,   and in particular its inclusion of Aboriginal issues, the legislation was recently passed by the Senate and will most likely become law in the New Year.

The small gathering of local citizens took to the Provincial Courthouse lawn on Friday afternoon, braving a cold wind to listen to speeches, express their concerns over the Federal Governments legislation and wave signs proclaiming the need to defend Democracy.

By the usual standards of past protests in the city, the Friday gathering was on the small side, holding mainly close to the sidewalk on McBride through the mid afternoon period of 2 PM on until just after 3.

The Idle No More theme has been building over the last few weeks, mainly through websites and social media, with larger protests across the country planned for today, some of which were more effective than others.

Among the listing of protest activities were such things a blockades in Alberta of  a road leading to the Alberta oilsands and a march at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, as well as other gatherings in large cities across the country.

One of the events of today, a rolling protest at the Winnipeg airport probably detracted from their cause, owing to the inconvenience that they provided for travellers on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

In Saskatoon, protestors took a page from the Occupy movement, as they made their case at a city shopping centre, where over 2,000 protestors in flash mob form, held hands and danced to the beat of drums and First Nations singing, all amidst the throng of Christmas shoppers.

The theme for the day was awareness and whether in a larger gathering or a small one, the message of concern over the Conservatives legislation was heard from coast to coast to coast.

Among the concerns over that legislation is the impression that it clears the way for development of traditional land without consultation of Aboriginal residents and weakens environmental protection in Canada. First Nations groups say that they were not properly consulted regarding the legislation, adding the Bill to the growing file of concerns that they have with the Federal Government.

The Prince Rupert protest was one of a number in Northwest BC, CFTK had details of the Idle No More gatherings from Prince Rupert to Burns Lake.

Further reports and background on the cross Canada Idle No More protests of Friday, can be found below.

CBC-- Idle No More stages national day of protest
CBC-- Idle No More protest movement hits B. C.
CBC-- First Nations Chief says Idle No More fuelled by frustration
CBC-- A people's movement that is Idle No More
CBC-- Idle No More Protests hit Calgary and Southern Alberta
CBC-- Idle No More movement wants 'honest look' at treaties
CTV-- Idle No More rallies held across Canada as movement grows
APTN-- Idle No More rumbles from Cairo to Ottawa, Prince Albert to Los Angeles
APTN-- 'This is deadly serious,' says Atleo as Idle No More flexes muscles once again
APTN-- Five First Nations block tarsands highway in the name of Idle Now More...
Huffington Post--  Alberta Highway 63 Blockade Near Fort McMurray by First Nations Movement
Huffington Post-- Idle No More vs. Bill C-45
rabble.ca-- Wave of support for Idle No More grows across Canada and beyond
The Tyee-- 'This is our future we have to fight for'" Idle No More movement launches weekend of protests
Toronto Star-- Idle No More movement sets social media ablaze
National Post-- "We Believe Our future is at stake"
National Post-- "Idle No More: Hunger-striking Attawapiskat chief vows to 'die' for her people as aboriginal protests spread
Vancouver Sun-- Idle No More supporters vow resistance to federal government is just beginning
Vancouver Sun-- On eve of Idle No More protest, hunger striking First Nation Chief pushes Harper to lead change
Vancouver Sun-- Grassroots movement at heart of protests
Macleans-- Idle No More: More than protest is needed for progress
Macleans-- Where #IdleNoMore began
Guardian UK-- Canada's First Nations protest heralds a new alliance

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Mr. Speaker!! The Civility watch

On Parliament Hill, they seem more Sopranos, than Socrates!

(Parental Warning scene below contains much in the way of foul language)



.
With a growing number of our elected MP's seemingly seeking status on Santa's "Naughty" list, perhaps it's time to start cataloguing the more mercurial of outbursts within the hallowed, seemingly profane at times House of Commons.

The latest example of the growing lack of civility from those who hold a seat in the Commons coming from Pat Martin, NDP MP for Winnipeg-Centre (who seems determined to win the award of potty mouth in perpetuity) and a rather nasty twitter outburst, highlighted by the term "rat faced whores".

As a public service to civility, perhaps leader Tom Mulcair could take away Pat's electronic devices.

We'll begin the research  seeking out some of the Greatest of the less than great moments of Parliamentary decorum of recent times and moving forward, keep a running tally on the potty mouthed Parliamentarians.

Sadly, we suspect this may prove to be a most voluminous project.

2012

December 20-- Pat Martin vs Vic Toews
December 6-- Peter Van Loan vs Nathan Cullen
June 19-- Jason Kenny vs Alberta's Tom Lukaszuk
March 17-- Pat Martin vs Economist Stephen Gordon

2011

December 11-- Bob Rae and his fellow Liberals
Dec 15, 2011 -- Justin Trudeau vs Peter Kent
November 17 -- Pat Martin vs the Conservatives

Nathan Cullen in the middle of the "Commotion in the Commons"

Conservative House Leader Peter Van Loan seemingly was channeling Jean Claude Van Damme on Wednesday, as tempers got a tad out of hand in the House of Commons with Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP and NDP House Leader Nathan Cullen one of the principles in a most acrimonious exchange.

Cuss words were a flying and fingers a wavin' around the House of Commons, as Mr. Van Loan crossed the floor to address Mr. Cullen, upset about some procedural wrangling that he apparently did not find much favour with.

As the nasty exchanges continued, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair interceded with his own strong language, while other MP's including Defense Minister Peter McKay gathered around to lead Mr. Van Loan back to his own side of the House.  Or a neutral corner if you will as we keep to the theme of pugilistic pugnaciousness.

.

.

The incident flared up after a lengthy night on Tuesday, with apparently sleep deprived MP's working late into the night to debate and discuss Bill C-46, Wednesday when the NDP House Leader raised a point of order, Van Loan seemingly lost it a bit.

The NDP House Leader (perhaps doing the math on mass and physics and such) for the most part seemed to hold his temper in check, though he did later express concern to the CBC over the perception of ongoing bullying in the House of Commons, a topic that the outburst seems to have highlighted.

As things evolved, cooler heads eventually prevailed and the Commons returned to its normal level of debate, such as things are in Ottawa these days.

The outburst was clearly not the House of Common's best moment, Canadians no doubt hoping that our elected officials can somehow find their way out of the playground style scrapping that seems to be of yesterday's display.

If this kind of thing keeps up, Clearly what the House of Commons will need is a Playground Monitor, one willing to send the more belligerent of our MP's off to the corner for a time out...

The reviews of the near rumble in the Commons can be found below...

December 6-- Cullen in Middle of Heated Exchange in the Commons
December 6-- Van Loan apologizes after dropping 'F bomb' in verbal dustup with NDP but may still face formal complaint
December 6-- Near-brawl erupts in Commons between Tory Peter Van Loan and NDP's Nathan Cullen
December 6-- Heated exchange between Van Loan, Mulcair in House
December 6-- Tory House Leader Van Loan apologizes for swearing during Commons skirmish
December 6-- Van Loan and Cullen should turn to coffee to bury proverbial hatchet
December 6-- Tory House Leader apologizes for 'inappropriate word'
December 6-- Verbal brawl erupts on the floor of the House of Commons
December 6-- Tory House leader apologizes for inappropriate word
December 6-- Cullen on Commons confrontation (video)
December 5-- Tempers flare in Commons over omnibus budget
December 5-- 'Don't threaten my House Leader': Mulcair, MPs nearly come to blows over budget

Cross Posted from the North Coast Review