A glimpse into the NDP's LNG policy?

One advantage of having the Bill Good show arrive in Prince Rupert to focus on the topic of LNG development is that politicians seem to enjoy sharing their thoughts with the CKNW talk show host.

Today's program which was focused on Port Development and the recent rush towards LNG development offered up a number of spots for politicians to share their talking points and review the concept of that development.

We already know that the Liberal party is championing the development of LNG in the province, the main interest for the North Coast  the proposed shipment terminals for the Kitimat and Prince Rupert.

In recent weeks, the Premier in particular has been rather effusive in her pursuit of LNG development.

BC Liberal Energy Minister Rich Coleman provided the view from his party to start the show from 8:30 to 8:45 AM, providing an update on the progress of the LNG file and delivering the talking points of the last few months that the Party appears to be banking the next election campaign on.

Mr. Good played a clip from a recent interview with SFU professor Mark Jaccard, who has concerns over the Liberal government's plans on development of LNG in the province, a critique of the Liberals plans that didn't deter Mr. Coleman from finding positives in the Liberal LNG agenda.

The NDP however, has been a little more circumspect when it comes to where they stand on the prospect of LNG development and shipment through the North Coast of the province.

On the Tuesday program however, we seem to have received a bit of a glimpse into the NDP's approach to the LNG question, with a number of guests from the party appearing on the show today.

John Horgan the NDP energy critic was first up on the agenda for the day, his appearance from 8:45 to 9 AM, offered up caution as a possible buzzword for the upcoming election campaign when it comes to LNG development.

Outlining how he welcomes the opportunity to increase the value of the provinces resources, but where he differs from the Liberal approach is that he and the NDP want to have a discussion on the downside of such development.

He outlined that before the we get too far down the road on prosperity funds and eliminating sales taxes and such, that a full review of the down side of the development of the resource is required.

One he would like to see in a frank and open format, consulting with a number of participants in the process from company, to community and First Nations.

He called into question some of the assumptions of the Liberals revolving around BC Hydro requirements for the Industrial expansion and perhaps anticipated subsidies for LNG development, as well as concerns over Green House Gas Emissions that could come from the LNG development.

Stressing that the NDP would have plans to hold a public review into the practice of fracking, the controversial method of retrieving gas and a process that much of the forward planning seems to revolve around.

His take on the prospect for job expansion didn't provide for a fixed number, though he did suggest that once the spurt of pipeline construction, Terminal development and gas field development was complete, the provision for permanent jobs from LNG wasn't as high as we would be led to believe.

The current MLA for the riding Gary Coons appeared from 9 to 9:15 AM on the program, he too offered up the thought that while excited for the prospects ahead, in his opinion, Rupertites were looking at the LNG option with caution, concerned over the impact that it may have on the environment of the region.

He expressed concerns over air quality, environmental impact and worries over fracking, calling for an environmental panel to examine all the aspects of the LNG plans.

He stressed that as a province we need to look at LNG development through an environmental lens.

Mr. Coons and Mr. Good also discussed Mr. Black's proposed Oil Refinery for Kitimat, a project that the outgoing North Coast MLA described more of a pipe dream, which he doesn't believe will come to pass.

As the former BC Ferries critic, part of the discussion of the fifteen minutes involved a look at Mr. Coon's thoughts on the current state of BC Ferries and what kind of vision he sees for the coastal transportation system.

Mr. Good asked if the NDP was ready to provide it's vision for the future of BC Ferries, though Mr. Coons couldn't provide a timetable as to whether the NDP view on BC Ferries would be revealed before the May election.

The most anticipated of appearances however, no doubt belonged to Prince Rupert City Councillor Jennifer Rice, who having secured the NDP nomination in January is set for the upcoming May election campaign.  Since her nomination she hasn't had much to say on many of the issues of the riding, especially the hot topic of the moment LNG development.

In recent days however, she has been a bit more active on her twitter feed and recently updated her website portal for the upcoming campaign. Still, for the moment it offers up more of a general overview than any dedicated examination of local issues.

Her appearance from 11:45 to Noon provided for what may have been her first public talking points on the LNG topic since gaining the nomination.

Her appearance touched on the nature of her quest for political office after just one term on city council.

From there, the conversation moved on to the prospect of change and development in the region, the Councillor advising that it was some of that change that spurred her on to run in the provincial election.

Of the nature of the perception of the NDP policies on LNG development, she was cautious and parsimonious in her thoughts on the topic, offering up that she was pragmatic on the nature of development.

Adding that there was room for LNG development on the north coast, though she called into question the nature of the number of projects that seem to be in the proposal stage of late.

One of the challenges according to Councillor Rice is that there is no plan in place for development, the current discussion more of a boom or a race.

She called upon a past marine planning process called PNCIMA (see website here)  an initiative she worked on, which examined development on the North Coast, expressing disappointment that it is a report that appears to have been tossed aside in the quest for development.

The closing moments of the show offered her the chance to express what she believes will be better for the community. She answered that she would like to have a better discussion on BC Ferries and how it impacts on the North Coast, though, like Mr. Coon's before her, she couldn't offer up any strong ideas on how she would change the nature of the Ferry Service.

She did express the concerns of residents on Haida Gwaii over the cost of groceries that are extremely high owing to freight charges to the Islands, an issue she wished to work on to improve for residents there.

To wrap up her session, she discussed the nature of the division in British Columbia and the need to better inform all regions of the province as to what each region has to offer. The topic of Tourism and the need to bring back Tourism BC was discussed as well through the filter of BC Ferries.

For those looking for a Universal declaration of support for LNG development, or a more detailed review of her thoughts on the issue, her appearance will no doubt be a little disappointing.

However, her nod towards such initiatives as the PNCIMA plan, might help provide those inclined to seek out more information with a helpful introduction to where she is heading on issues of development.

The nature of her appearance on the program will at least offer up the opening for those that want more information from the NDP on the topic of LNG development on the North Coast, looking for more detail and perhaps the blue print for it moving forward.

You can review all of the NDP's points on LNG development from the CKNW Audio Vault or the CKNW Podcast portal, using the time frames above as your guide through the day's programming.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

All Quiet on the North Coast Political Front

Candidates? We don't need no stinkin' candidates!

While the rest of the province seems rather intrigued by the approaching provincial election, the North Coast seems to be embracing a collective yawn, at least from the perspective of  political organizers and would be candidates for the main parties.

With election day of Mid May nearly two months away, we have yet to hear of a BC Liberal nominee and while rumours persist that there may soon be a Green candidate to be revealed, there hasn't been much talk of late. If the BC Conservatives have any thoughts or designs on a campaign, they are apparently quite top secret.

Not that people aren't talking politics in the community.

There was some excitement on the political front last week,  for a brief bit of time, there was that trial balloon of a possible Independent campaign by Joanna Larson, a quest to bring Ms. Larson to a ballot near you now taking to the classified pages of the Northern View (page A15 e edition March 6)

That, at the moment, leaves the riding with but one candidate thus far, Prince Rupert Councillor Jennifer Rice currently the lone confirmed candidate, having wrestled the nomination from Ms. Larson in January and since then, going all but silent and invisible since claiming the nomination.

Her twitter feed but the home of tumble weeds for long stretches of time, her website not providing an update since early December, while her Facebook page rather silennt since the nomination was secured.

Not even a pair of rants from Northern View publisher Todd Hamilton have tweaked her interest to offer up a reply, or share some talking points for the community to give some thought to.

Compare that cone of silence like campaign, with the always very active social media contributions of the nominee she defeated.

Joanna Larson, mainly through her twitter feed, has raised items of interest and engaged political discussion frequently since her loss, seemingly much more engaged in the political process at the moment, even if she's not the candidate.

Meanwhile, Ms. Rice,  the actual candidate, has yet to formally introduce herself to would be voters.  It would seem that she has appeared at few political functions,  those events which would serve to increase her visibility and share her ideas or policies.

If she has been busy in the public eye, she's failed to publicize many of those appearances, nor it would appear have they had much of an impact on the local media.

In a business where you earn your seat in Victoria by meeting the voters and securing their trust, her efforts thus far haven't exactly been quick out of the gate.

All in all, a very strange way to run a campaign, even one that hasn't officially started and without any real competition at the moment.

Maybe the NDP candidate is waiting to see who may step into the political arena with her, holding her policies, platforms and talking points close to the vest.

In fact, right now, heading towards Mid March, we seemingly know more about the candidate that lost the NDP nomination, than the one who claimed victory.

Leaving us to think, that perhaps that idea of an Independent campaign may not be such a bad idea after all.

If nothing else, it would provide North Coast voters with some indication that an election actually is coming up in May.

And if no one else is willing to step into the electoral forum, Ms. Larson's potential campaign may even offer North Coast voters with a little bit of choice.

Cross Posted from the North Coast Review

Fare increases on the way for BC Ferries users

With the just released BC Ferries Consultation Report still making for examination and conversation up and down the coast, the BC Ferry Corporation has added to the talking points with an announcement that effective April 1st, it will cost British Columbians more money to ride the coastal ferries of the province.

The advisory that passengers will dig a little deeper was provided in a press release from BC Ferries which outlined the scope of the planned increases on all routes.

The average increase, as approved by the BC Ferry Commissioner's Order of October will average at 4.1 per cent on all routes.

Of note for North Coast residents are the increases planned for both the Port Hardy to Prince Rupert and Prince Rupert to Skidegate runs.

The increases for each can be found below:

Port Hardy to Prince Rupert
(shoulder season)  

Passengers: $140.50 an increase from the current rate of $135.00
Passenger Vehicle: $324.75 an increase from the current rate of $312.00
Bus per foot rate: $26.00 an increase from the current rate of $25.00
Commercial per foot rate: $38.00 an increase from the current rate of $36.50

Prince Rupert to Skidegate
(Off peak season)

Passengers: No Increase
Passenger Vehicle: $126.00 an increase from the current rate of $121.00
Bus per foot rate: $12.00 an increase from the current rate of $11.50
Commercial per foot rate: $17.25 an increase from the current rate of $16.50

On Haida Gwaii, the cost of travel also is increasing for the inter Island ferry there.

Skidegate to Alliford Bay
(Fare includes return trip)

Passengers: $9.45 an increase from the current rate of $9.10
Passenger Vehicle: $22.15 an increase from the current rate of $21.30
Bus per foot rate: $2.40 and increase from the current rate of $2.30
Commercial per foot rate: $2.75 an increase from the current rate of $2.60

News items on the ferry rate increases:

Victoria Times Colonist-- B. C. Ferries raises fares for passengers and vehicles, effective April 1

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Kitimat Clean Oil Trumpets Poll Results

A poll conducted by the Mustel Group has provided some helpful news and statistics for the British Columbia newspaper owner and would be proponent of the Kitimat Clean Oil Refinery in Kitimat.

Since he first surprised the province with his proposal, David Black publisher of a number of newspapers across the province (including Prince Rupert's Northern View) has been working towards finalizing the scope of the project, Mr Black last spoke in Calgary on the topic three weeks ago, where he advised that a decision on the future of the project was anticipated to be made within 60 days.

The latest step in that project, was a public opinion survey which which was conducted from February 18 to 24th.

You can view the entire survey from the Kitimat Clean website

The results of the poll were quick to find their way onto Mr. Black's Northern View website on Wednesday morning.

The survey used a pool of 800 British Columbians (52 % female, 48 % male)

The margin of error for the sample was 95%

Among the highlights from the survey:

79 percent, or almost 8 in 10 British Columbians are aware of the proposed refinery

After being provided with information about the refinery, more than 52 percent would support the plan, while 39 percent were still against the concept.

Added to the poll inquiries, was the prospect of some environmentally sound method of transportation in place to transport Alberta bitumen to Kitimat. When convinced that such a prospect was possible, support according to the Mustel poll jumps to 66 percent, with 24  still opposing it and 10 percent hedging their bets.

Among the possible methods of transporting that Bitumen, the three options offered up for comment garnered approximately 1/3 support each.  With respondents splitting their preferences almost equally between possible rail transport, the Enbridge pipeline or some new pipeline proposal.

The other takeaway from the findings from the Mustel Group is that British Columbian's aren't particularly keen on the idea of raw resources, in this case unrefined bitumen being shipped offshore, the consensus of 86 percent of respondents being that Canada should add value to its natural resources.

According to the contributed item to the Northern View, the poll was released by the BC Chamber of Commerce.

It would appear that it was timed to coincide with a Breakfast meeting with Mr. Black in Vancouver on Wednesday, where Mr. Black provided a further update and overview on his project, the transcript of which can be found on the Kitimat Clean website.

That status update offers up a fair amount of new information on his proposed terminal, advising that a new approach to processing heavy oil would be in place if the Kitimat Clean proposal goes ahead. Using recently developed technology from a Calgary based company Expander Energy, a process which Black suggests would reduce greenhouse gases per barrel by 50%.

He also touched further on the environmental aspect of the planned refinery, offering up the prospect of a bitumen free coastal BC, though it remains to be seen if the environmental advocates in the province will be onside when they've finished working through his proposal for refined oil in its place.

The poll results have provided for much in the way of coverage, with a variety of slants provided to the events of the day.

It's an interesting study in interpretation of poll results and headline creation, while the Northern View highlighted the headline with "Poll shows majority of British Columbians support Kitimat oil refinery plan"

The Vancouver Sun seemingly took a more conflicted approach, with two interpretations of the polling data:

 "Slim majority of British Columbians support refinery proposal on northwest coast: Poll"

"Majority in David Black poll support Kitimat oil refinery proposal"

The nature of the announcement today and what it may provide for the future should help frame newspaper articles, radio and television items for days, weeks, months and possibly years to come.

Today's polling results get that ball rolling, we'll update the reviews as they become available.

Globe and Mail-- Massive Kitimat oil project poised to sign financing, says David Black
Vancouver Sun-- David Black says he's close to signing $25 billion Kitimat Oil refinery deal

Vancouver Province-- Kitimat refinery deal imminent, says Black

The Tyee-- Media mogul David Black says funds in place for proposed Kitimat Oil refinery

Northern View-- Financing in place for Kitimat Oil Refinery as Black says oil-by-rail an option
CBC-- Media Mogul close to $25B Kitimat, B. C. refinery deal
CKNW-- Simi Sara interview with David Black (March 6 audio) (12:37-1PM)
Business in Vancouver-- $25 Billion Kitimat oil refinery has financing: investment banker
CFTK-- Black Pursues Kitimat Refinery Plan

You can review our previous items of note on the Kitimat Clean Oil Refinery project from our Archive Page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

BC Ferries consultation report released

The Province of British Columbia released its consultation report into BC Ferries on Tuesday, a wide ranging document put together by Kirk and Company Consulting and the Mustel Group, which held public sessions up and down the Pacific coast and compiled the comments for further review.

The Report titled B. C. Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement Fall 2012, was culled from public  sessions that took place from October 20 to December 21st of 2012, designed to seek feedback from the public and stakeholders about the nature of the challenges facing the coast ferry system.

In total, 2,056 people attended 41 consultation events, with 1,259 providing feedback forms for further review. In addition 703 written submissions were received and 500 people were randomly selected to participate in an online public opinion poll.

The genesis of all that consultation was two part.

The first, was to  seek feedback  on the challenge provided by the BC Government to have BC Ferries achieve 26 million dollars in savings to 2016.

The second was more of a long term vision, inviting feedback on what strategies should be pursued to achieve the long-term vision of connecting coastal communities in an affordable, efficient and sustainable manner.

The government has until June to provide notice to BC Ferries as to their cost cutting plans for the service.

Surprisingly, considering the importance that North Coast residents put into both the Port Hardy and Haida Gwaii runs and the fact that Gary Coons the now outgoing NDP MLA for the region was the NDP Ferries critic at the time, the comments section of the report featured few comments from North Coast residents.

The stop on Haida Gwaii took place from  November 6-8 and at that time, the synopsis of commentary from the Islands can be found below (click item below to enlarge).

The Prince Rupert stop was on November 9th and there were a few observations at the time on such things as fare structure, the need for seat sale like promotions and concerns over job loss, tourism, possible service reductions and the service the ferry provides in winter with dangerous road conditions.

The synopsis of the Prince Rupert session can be found below (click item below to enlarge).

The bulk of the commentary and concerns however, seems to be more southern based, with residents of the Islands of Georgia Straight, Nanaimo and Vancouver Island offering up many thoughts on the current state of the coastal ferry system.

You can review those comments and all facets of the report from the Coastal Ferries Engagement website.

With a provincial election on the way for May, it will be with interest to see the fate of the document released on Tuesday.

Should there be a change in government, as many seem to suggest, then there's every possibility that the study will be left to gather dust. As the NDP offers up its direction for BC Ferries.

Should the Liberals return to office, then perhaps, we will see some further examination of the findings from the consultation period and as indicated the need for some kind of action on the current state of BC Ferries.

Regardless in the short term, North Coast residents as well as those travellers in southern locales can be sure of one thing, until after the election there won't be any ferry increases or service reductions put in place.

Update: So much for our misguided speculation on no rate increases during an election campaign, BC Ferries announces fare increases for April 1st

Some of the media coverage of Tuesday's document release can be found below.

CFTK-- Ferries Consultation (video)
Victoria Times Colonist-- Ferry cuts likely- but not until after B. C. election
Vancouver Province-- Cuts coming to BC Ferry service after election
Vancouver Sun-- BC Ferries service cuts likely coming, says minister
The Tyee-- Tough BC Ferries decisions delayed until after election

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

The Veniez Bump?

The NDP have found a little support from perhaps an unexpected quarter, that of the word processor of Dan Veniez, a name quite familiar to North Coast residents and one that always seems to provide for mixed appreciation.

The one time head of both the New Skeena Pulp Mill and Ridley Terminals, has remade himself recently, leaving for the moment the world of Industrial stewardship and alternating between quests for Political office and the world of journalism, both print and online.

The latest reincarnation seems to be that of political pundit, with Mr. Veniez frequently weighing in on topics of political note in the province and the nation.

His efforts have been found mainly through a blog he once had, then on to his work on Twitter, the Vancouver Observer and most recently through submissions to the Huffington Post and  The Georgia Straight.

It's from that latter publication where Mr. Veniez's writing can  now apparently be found, his most recent article an advisory for his readers that a potential reign of NDP Leader Adrian Dix should not be feared by those in the Liberal camp and other congregations.

Daniel Veniez: NDP Leader Adrian Dix bears no resemblance to B. C. Liberals' caricature

It was a most affirmative review, complete with a chummy picture of Mr. Dix and Mr. Veniez having perhaps just wrapped up a lively conversation no doubt. An article that seems to have the NDP smitten with their new found friend from the centre/centre left or centre/right, depending on your particular placement of Mr. Veniez's political leanings.

The departing North Coast MLA Gary Coons was quick to post a link to Mr. Veniez's talking points on his twitter feed, complete with links for the #bcndp and #bcpoli threads to make note of.

Of course, it wasn't too long ago that NDP members (and any number of others) of the North Coast  would perhaps see their blood pressure rise at just the mention of Mr. Veniez's name.

His thoughts, back in the day, on the Industrial Revolution Prince Rupert style, left more than a few members of the Prince Rupert Local of the PPWC less than enthralled with his wisdom.

While his efforts a few years back to bring Ridley Terminals to privatization also seemed to galvanize the local union movement and NDP supporters, many with less than glowing reviews for his plans at that time.

Few offered up much in the way of a farewell, when he was moved out of the position by the Conservatives back in 2009.

Of course, Mr. Veniez, who of late has embraced the political stylings of the Federal Liberal party,  seems to have reversed himself on the privatization plan for Ridley Terminals,  especially those now proposed by the Conservatives.

Providing a history lesson from his time with Ridley Terminals and now suggesting that it seems folly to privatize the coal terminal when it is on the cusp of great  financial success.

A theme that Prince Rupert City Council ,  the outgoing MLA as well  as a number of others in the region, whether  NDP supporter or not have adopted as their own on the topic.

So, perhaps it's not as strange as it might have once been, that the NDP will find comfort and cheer in the words of Dan Veniez v. 3.

Still, for those of the past battles, it probably is something to shake a head about this strange ebb and flow of alliances and support and who may be your new, best friend on the political spectrum.

As for the NDP and any possible Veniez Bump from the helpful article. We're not so sure we'd be including it prominently on the endorsement pages, as there's still a fair amount of baggage to be found locally, attached to the past and Mr. Veniez.

Considering the evolving political situation in Victoria, which would seem to indicate that barring some kind of electoral campaign disaster of epic proportions for the NDP, Mr. Dix will form a government and be our next Premier,  a more selective use of the article from Mr. Veniez might be best.

For a party looking to the future, the best approach for his kind words may be to just file the article and endorsement of sorts from Mr. Veniez into the back of the file folder. Making the item, more like a scrapbook memento of notes from the campaign, rather than something to be of any particular use on the campaign trail itself.

Cross Posted from The North Coast Review