Alberta research foundation puts BC on the clock in its quest for LNG

An Alberta think tank has outlined that time is off the essence for the Province of British Columbia when it comes to move on it's plans for LNG development.

Otherwise global developments may reduce potential revenues and the need for the large scale of development that has been put forward so far.

The Canada West Foundation released their findings on Tuesday, with a review of current global LNG development and British Columbia's potential place in that world LNG marketplace.

The title of the report compiled by Pawel Mirski and Len Coad is: Managing Expectations: Assessing the Potential of BC's Liquid Natural Gas Industry

(see report here)

It is a twenty one page report that highlights the competitive nature of the LNG industry. Highlightin how the timing of the British Columbia projects could impact on it's projected revenue stream and the infrastructure in Northwest British Columbia that will be required to deliver the resource to world markets.

Looking at the proposed industry infrastructure for British Columbia the report observes that the province is coming late to the party and that the large number of proposed terminal projects that have been mentioned for the Northwest may not be a realistic expectation.

Their review anticipates that owing to a number of factors, a shorter list of projects than that now put forward will be constructed as the BC industry moves forward.

The main case for that reduction in proposed terminal development may come from competition in Asia, Australia and in the USA, with Russia as well making inroads in delivering their natural gas reserves to Asian markets.

Add into the mix, the fact that China is exploring its own territories for gas reserves, with some experts suggesting those may be the largest in the world.

A resource which when developed, would no doubt change the nature of the LNG industry in a very significant fashion.

A prime example of some those challenges ahead for BC comes from the listings of LNG plants that are already under construction around the world, the majority of them at the moment found in Australia and other Southeast Asian locations.

More competition can be found in the United States, as there are currently over 16 terminals proposed for American locations, though for the most part  LNG observers suggest that they are designed to service the European continent .

The full listing of the projects underway or planned can be found on Pages 16-19 of the report.

And while the report stresses that British Columbia has an unprecedented opportunity to develop its shale gas resources, construct pipelines and terminal development; time they say is of great importance.

The authors suggest that the expectations outlined by the Province just one year ago, may be tough deliver in the long term.

Particularly with the impact that global competition may have not only on supplies to markets, but from downward pressures on the price available for the resource and in the revenues to be returned to British Columbia.

As a conclusion to their report, the Foundation issued four key recommendations:

The BC Government and industry need to move fast to out maneuver their competition

The BC Government should be prepared for a more modest natural gas boom in the event that projected production and revenues build more slowly

Greater attention needs to be paid to the risks facing the industry to ensure that price competitiveness is maintained

Notwithstanding the economic boost expected from natural gas production, efforts to grow the natural gas industry should not crowd out other natural resource opportunities.

The call to move quickly will most likely have more resonance with the provincial government and industry officials, than it will with those that may have hesitations over such large scale development on a fast track timeline.

The prospect of widespread shale gas development and pipeline projects does have some opposition in the province and those that want more information, or wish to see a slower time frame in place, most likely won't be holding the Canada West Foundation's report up in the air as their template.

It will be worth watching to see how the Provincial government balances those two competing themes, while keeping an eye on the competition as they seek to move their Natural Gas program forward at an advanced timeline.

The release of the report provided for a number of media reviews yesterday, some of them can be found below.

Financial Post-- "Destructive competition" a disadvantage for B. C. LNG players: report
Globe and Mail-- Think tank tempers B.C.'s LNG dreams
Calgary Herald-- LNG race still full of unknown variables

You can review more on the proposed LNG projects for the Northwest from our archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Nathan Cullen announces dates of his "Let's Talk LNG" sessions

Following on the format of his Renewal Northwest tour of February, Nathan Cullen, the NDP MP for Skeena-BulkleyValley is making preparations for a similar style of forum for the region.

This one  to address the topic of LNG development in the Northwest.

Mr. Cullen outlined the dates so far and a bit of background on his tour of the Northwest, which will see him hold sessions in a number of locations in November.

Marked on the calendar so far, are the following dates and locations for the LNG forums.

Smithers, November 12, 7 PM, Della Herman Theatre

Terrace, November 13, 7 PM, R E M Lee Theatre

Kitimat, November 14, 7 PM, Mount Elizabeth Theatre

Prince Rupert, November 15, 7 PM, Highliner Hotel

Among some of the topics that the MP will be offering up for discussion, the kind of opportunity that LNG might bring to the local economy and workforce. What if any impact that the industry may have on the environment and whether companies involved in the industry will act upon what they hear from First Nations and communities during consultations.

The announcement for the planned sessions advises that a number of other participants will be joining the MP as he travels across the Northwest.

With contributions to be made from the environmental group Friends of Wild Salmon, as well as proponents of LNG development and local First Nations of the Northwest.

Also on the itinerary for the discussions, will be the participation of economic development groups and other partners.

The information sharing sessions are described as seeking to provide for open and educational conversation about what LNG development could mean for Northwest communities.

Also on tap for the tour,  an examination as to what kind of legacy that LNG development may leave for the region.

You can learn more about the November forums from the NDP MP's website.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Ferry Advisory Committee calls Ferry funding issue an "unnecessary crisis"

With the British Columbia Government collecting opinion and observations as part of its 2014 Budget consultation process, the advocates for coastal ferry transportation have offered up their thoughts on the current status of the ferry system.

The main takeaway of their presentation being a request, that the provincial government adjust its plans for the coastal ferry service and increase funding towards it.

Their overview of the current situation facing the coastal ferry system, comes following a review of the consultation and engagement process which was released  in the fall of 2012.

Those conversations and findings, in part were steered by the January 2012 report from the BC Ferry Commissioner.

A document which has made for much in the way of discussion, as well as a fair amount of concern for those in smaller coastal communities that are served by the ferry system.

Reflecting much of that background on the issue, the Chairs of the Ferry Advisory Committee have provided a fifteen page submission for the Budget consultation.

A review which calls the current scenario facing the ferry system as an "unnecessary crisis" and delivers a number of points towards making the Ferry Services along the British Columbia coast sustainable.

Key among those items:

Sustainability starts with affordability, highlighting the current level of fares to travel on the ferry system and how it provides for an "affordability death spiral". They also outlined how in their opinion, the user fee principle is working against higher traffic levels on the system.

The Committee offered up three scenarios to stimulate more traffic for the Ferry fleet, calling for a freeze or even a roll back on Ferry fares, which they believe will deliver more traffic and more revenues to the system.

They recommended that the province provide more capital funding for the Ferry system, particularly for those vessels that serve the minor routes of the coastal system.  Towards that funding, they suggested that the province should go over its history and learn some useful lessons on funding gaps that have been building through the decades.

They also highlighted the theme, that if the province were to treat coastal ferries like other forms of provincial transportation, then the crisis in the system would be eliminated.

Towards that theme they draw comparisons to other infrastructure in the province, such as roads, bridges, airports, transit and inland ferries all of which require government support. Asking why there is a distinction between the coastal ferries and that provincial infrastructure.

The conclusion to their presentation to the government highlights how they believe the ferry system is a deal for taxpayers and that any vision moving forward for the Ferry system should involve a vision for coastal communities.

The closing points perhaps designed to remind the government of the integral role that the Ferry system plays in many communities up and down the British Columbia coast.

The final line of the summation, providing what appears to have been the guiding principle of their presentation.

"In order to develop a long-term vision for that service, we need to hear what is the provincial government's vision for our communities and their needs, and whether our communities have a place in the government's vision for jobs and growth."

You can review their participation in the Budget consultation process from this link to their submission.

A full review of the past work and items of interest from the Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs is available on their website.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

The Senators strike back...

On most days, the tone of debate or discussion in the Senate of Canada can be described as sedate, sleepy (at times literally), or leisurely.

A Chamber given to supposed thoughtful discussion on the bills and issues delivered to their desks from their compatriots of the House of Commons.

This week however, the Senate is taking on some of the trappings of Animal House, a wild fraternity with no borders, no guidelines and a fair amount of shocking revelations that may shake the entire campus on Parliament Hill.
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Tuesday, Senator Mike Duffy outlined his case to his fellow Senators, offering up a string of allegations that paint events in the Prime Minister's Office (and with the PM for that matter)  as possible plot lines that might be helpful to Netflix and their House of Cards script writing for season two.

Duffy's recollections and observations have of course sent Ottawa into somewhat of a meltdown mode, the Senate, now a nuclear reactor that would seem to be losing it's cooling water quite quickly.

Reviews of the Senator from Prince Edward Island's (well sometime resident we guess) revelations and missile strikes directed at the PMO can be found below.

A most fascinating collection of commentary and reporting that serve to highlight the sense of the moment in the second chamber.

National Post-- Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau turn up as Senate debates suspeding them
National Post-- Harper's presidential guard finally ticked off one too many loyal Tories
National Post-- Duffy and his co-accused fail to go along quietly, much to the chagrin of the PMO
National Post-- Just the three of us: Mike Duffy tells Senate that Stephen Harper told him to repay expenses
National Post-- Duffy's lawyer didn't pull his client out of the muck, but he certainly dragged the Tories into it

Globe and Mail-- Duffy's quest for revenge: A threat to the government
Globe and Mail-- Duffy says PM ordered him to repay expenses at meeting with Wright
Globe and Mail--  Duffy, Harper and the expenses: Who knew what when?

Toronto Star-- Stephen Harper could have avoided Mike Duffy woes by obeying the law
Toronto Star-- Harper should come clean on Senate spending scandal
Toronto Star-- Duffy claims cover-up by PMO

Toronto Sun-- Duffy says he is victim of extortion by PMO
Toronto Sun-- Mike Duffy a victim of political with hunt: lawyer

CBC-- Mike Duffy Senate scandal 'directly implicates' PM, Mulcair says 
CBC-- Mike Duffy claims Harper told him to repay expense money
CBC-- The Mike Duffy-Stephen Harper credibility war

The Tyee-- Mike Duffy Implicates PMO in Expense Scandal

Two things that stand out after all of this, beyond the stench and unfalterring optics of this latest controversy.

One, that the Prime Minister's Office, always thought of as a micro managing operation, clearly now suffers from the weight of all that control, and certainly it and the Prime Minister for that matter, have not been cast in the most flattering of light.

As for the Senate, a forum that hasn't resonated with Canadians in a long, long time, it  once again has been laid bare for what it is, a parking spot for political appointees, water carriers who sometimes bite back when their existence is threatened.

The latest of high dudgeon over the move to remove the three Conservative Senators at the centre of the  latest tempest, serves to remind us of one omni-present theme from Parliament Hill.  Whether it be the chambers of the Senate and Commons, or all the committees, commissions and such, after a while, all it seem tend to take on a sense of entitlement.

The focus of service to the nation seems very, very lost in all the per diems, housing allowances and the juggling of expenses, items of self reward, that seem to take up a lot of the efforts of those in Ottawa.

The Senate scandal is but a barometer of how the public believes the wind blows in the nation's capital.

The unfortunate thing for those of outside of the club, is that for all their theatrical outrage, none of those that represent us seem willing to tackle the many issues that scream out for attention.

Northwest MLA's want action on Missing Women's Commission recommendations

There may not be much happening at the Legislature these days, the fall session being a non session if you will, but for opposition MLA's the work continues, as they seek to raise issues of concern with the government.

Last week the three Northwest NDP MLA's, outlined their concern over the lack of  attention provided by the Liberal Government on the recommendations from the Missing Women's Commission.

With Jennifer Rice, Robyn Austin and Doug Donaldson all observing that the Liberals are not moving fast enough on the report, one that was delivered in November of 2012.

And while, in their press release, the NDP may be employing a bit of  hyperbole in their claim that the Liberals are burying the Commission's report, "pulling down the Commission's website" as they put it, (the report itself and the recommendations from it, are still fairly easy to find with a simple google search see here), they are correct on the rather glacial pace of the Liberals attention to it.

When the Commission, led by Justice Wally Oppal crossed the province seeking out information and possible answers, the prospect of action seemed fairly high.

However as the months slip by, the report it seems runs the danger of finding space on a dusty shelf, like many other reports, on any number of topics before it.

That is a fate that should not arrive for the Missing Women's Commission report.

Learning where the Government stands on the recommendations and whether they agree, or disagree with the point by point recommendations that came from the findings is something that the public should hear.

Then Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Shirley Bond pledged at the time of the report's delivery to immediately begin the process of implementing his recommendations. Though it would seem that the term immediate perhaps has a different timeline in Victoria.

Reviewing the many issues that the Commission raised is something that should be addressed sooner, rather than later.

As Doug Donaldson, the NDP's critic for Aboriginal Affairs rightly points out, "What is the point of having a commission if the government isn't going to act on the recommendations in a timely manner?"

A very good question, and one that deserves an answer, quickly from the Provincial government.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Scratching Mr. Cullen off the BC NDP Leadership Depth Chart?

Time, NDP style it seems, will wait for no one.

Not even a popular NDP MP, who has recently been taking to a little toe testing into changing his political focus to the provincial scene.

The BC NDP announced on Monday, that the most likely date of a leadership convention to replace Adrian Dix will be in May 25, 2014.

A timeline that perhaps won't be much to the liking, or helpful for planning for the Skenna-Bulkley Valley MP.

As we outlined on the blog last week, Mr. Cullen had outlined that his prospects of running in a leadership campaign would be better for a long range target of 2015, as opposed to a short track campaign in 2014.

His is an opinion that has been shared by a number of other potential NDP leadership hopefuls, the consensus being that the BC branch of the NDP may wish to take the long view, not the short one when it comes to a convention date.

That however, would appear to have been a talking point that didn't get much time on the agenda for the upper ranks of the provincial party.

In a media release on Monday, NDP officials announced their preference for the timeline of replacing Mr. Dix. The recommendation of a May 2014 convention apparently coming after consultations with the legislative caucus, local constituency presidents and Mr. Dix himself.

It appears that the thinking for the provincial NDP officials is one of the sooner the better, when it comes to launching the leadership campaign.  Putting that future face of the NDP into the Legislature, as soon as possible to face Premier Christy Clark.

Political observers in Victoria believe that should the BC NDP go with the 2014 option, the current wish list of Federal MP's looking to come home, may soon find names dropping off in quick order. That as the Federal members weigh their best personal and political options.

In the case of Mr. Cullen, as he outlines for Gary Mason of the Globe and Mail, an early leadership date for the convention could be the sign off point for him, indicating his intention to step aside from a provincial competition once again.

Spring date too soon for B. C. NDP leadership convention, Cullen says

Should he decide not to seek the provincial leadership, it will mark the second time that he has given consideration to a switch to provincial politics and then decided to remain in Ottawa instead.

The final answer answer from NDP officials as to the timeline of a leadership convention is expected to be delivered by the end of the week.

The potential of a May 2014 leadership date, one which sideswipes a number of high profile potential candidates, may soon prove to be the next controversial thing for the party to deal with.

A decision which may divide the party even more between party insiders and the larger collective of NDP supporters. One which goes against their wishes for a leadership race that offers as large a pool of talent as possible, with perhaps a larger discussion on the NDP future, one with a few new ideas and plans for the party faithful to consider for the path ahead.

Some of the views on the NDP dilemma can be found below.

Vancouver Province-- B. C. NDP's May 2014 leadership date works against MP Nathan Cullen
Straight.com-- B. C. NDP executive disses MPs and local politicians in recommending May 2014 leadership convention
Victoria Times Colonist-- NDP win won't come from a computer
Victoria News-- May vote proposed to replace Dix
Globe and Mail-- B. C. New Democrat's date for leadership elections could rule out promising candidates


Cross posted from the North Coast Review

State of Emergency declared after OIl and Gas train derailment in western Alberta

Portions of a small town located halfway between Edmonton and Edson were evacuated on Saturday, that as fire fighters battled a blaze from the derailment of thirteen train cars carrying liquid propane gas and petroleum crude oil.

The derailment, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning near Gainford Alberta, produced a fireball which shot into the sky, closing the Yellowhead highway the main east - west route through the northern portion of Alberta and British Columbia.

The train operated by Canadian National consisted of 158 cars and was destined for Vancouver. It was travelling westbound through Gainford, when the thirteen cars jumped the tracks around 1 AM.

The most recent reports from the scene had three of the cars containing gas leaking and on fire, with concerns of a larger explosion and fire still feared.

The area was placed under a state of emergency shortly after the derailment, with an evacuation order issued for those in a two-kilomtre radius of the derailment scene.

The Transportation Safety Board has been dispatched to the scene to begin their investigation.

The Gainford incident, calls to mind the tragedy in Lac Megantic, Quebec earlier this year, that derailment and explosion claimed 47 lives and created a wide swath of destruction in the scenic Quebec community.

The issue of oil shipments by rail has become a controversial discussion point since that Lac Megantic incident, with many communities seeking better safety measures and the desire to learn more about the  increase in numbers of those shipments.

The topic of increased rail safety measures was recently raised by The Federation of Canadian Municipalaities and was mentioned as part of the Conservative Government's Speech from the Throne. The mention of rail safety can be found from the speech document on pages 15 and 16.

The subject of rail safety is one of note for Northern British Columbia, as there has been an increase in the interest in the Oil by rail prospects to the North Coast,  part of the ongoing dialogue over the

controversial Enbridge Northern Gateway proposal.

In the past, Prince Rupert has been mentioned as a possible terminus for both a liquid propane terminal and an oil terminal that would be served by oil by rail options.

This latest incident involving the shipment of both of those commodities through Gainford, should serve to reintroduce those discussions and the impact that those plans may have on communities, not only on the North Coast,  but across Northern British Columbia.

Some background on the State of Emergency in Gainford can be found below.

Edmonton Journal-- Huge fireball streaks across Yellowhead after train derailment west of Edmonton
CBC-- CN Fuel cars derail, explode west of Edmonton
CTV News-- 'Major risk' after train derailment of cars carrying liquid petroleum gas, crude oil
Globe and Mail-- Train carrying oil, propane derails west of Edmonton
National Post-- Alberta community evacuated after train carrying oil and gas derails
Edmonton Sun-- CN Train carrying crude oil derails near Edmonton

Cross Posted from the North Coast Review

MLA Rice sends out first "household mailer" of new political adventure

For many a new MLA or MP, the occasion of the first of the "household mailers" is one for the memory books.

The pamphlets delivered direct to our doors, serve as their introduction to the riding and offers a chance to update constituents as to what they have been doing on behalf of the riding they represent.

NDP MLA Jennifer Rice delivers her first of these household updates this week, as her debut pamphlet arrives in local mailboxes around the North Coast.

In it along with a bounty of photographs, she recounts her busy summer of events, a pole raising for Gwaii Haanas, and her efforts to collect books for the library at Bella Bella; destroyed by fire earlier this year.

As well she recounts some of the other items of her summer calendar such things as helping out at Tim Horton's Camp Day and at Prince Rupert's Canada Day celebration.

In the mailer, she introduces the staff of her 3rd Avenue West, North Coast Constituency office, with James and Pauline in place to answer any questions and/or concerns of the North Coast.

And of course the pamphlet offers her up one more chance to thank the voters of the North Coast, outlining some of her thoughts on the trust that they have put in her to represent them in Victoria.

For the most part though, the bulk of the publication provides for a review from the MLA as to her main concerns during the recent, all be it short, session of the Legislature.

Highlighting her role as Rural and Northern Health Critic, Ms. Rice offers up the checklist of some of the items she raised in the Legislature this spring. Questions about the Budget, First Nations Health Care, Addictions and Mental Health services to name a few.

One key issue that receives a bit more attention than the rest in the mailer, is the ongoing quest for a shuttle bus service to serve all of the communities along Highway16, dubbed by some as the Highway of Tears.

That would seem to be a cause she intends to continue to raise in the Legislature in the future (whenever the Legislature may meet next Madam Premier).

Seeking to ensure that the Government follows through on past recommendations to provide safer access to transportation to those that may have in the past relied on hitch hiking, or continue to use that as a mode of transportation in the region.

You can review some of the main discussion points  from the images below (click to enlarge):

If the full mailer somehow doesn't make it to your door, perhaps a trip down to the constituency office might secure you one.  Providing you with a keepsake version, complete with the photo array and keeping you up to date on the discussion points from the MLA for the fall season.

The Mailer isn't the first introduction to the North Coast MLA however, the BC NDP Caucus has been fairly active in promoting the North Coast's representative on it's You Tube portal, some of those profiles can be found below:

July 10 2013-- Meet Jennifer Rice, the New NDP MLA for North Coast
July 23 2013-- Jennifer Rice speaks about northern resource development
July 22 2013-- Jennifer Rice talks about the challenges of cancer care in the north
July 22 2013-- Jennifer Rice acknowledges memorials at Shearwater
July 17 2013-- Jennifer Rice speaks about the Fire in Bella Bella
July 12 2013-- Jennifer Rice supports a shuttle for Highway of Tears
July 10 2013-- Meet Jennifer Rice, the New NDP MLA for North Coast
July 4 2013-- Jennifer Rice makes her first speech in the legislature

As for developments and news from the Legislature,  you can access more from our Legislature Archive page.

Cross Posted from the North Coast Review

For Nathan Cullen, the quest for the BC NDP Leadership may all come down to timing

The list remains fairly open so far in the race to replace BC NDP leader Adrian Dix, but for one high profile NDPer, the longer the race will go, could be key as to whether he does or doesn't take the political plunge.

Nathan Cullen, the NDP MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley has been going over the possibilities in the last few months, trying to reach a decision on what is best not only personally, but politically for both he and the region he currently represents.

However, it seems he's at least finding some parameters to work with, when it comes to a timeline for his decision.

In an item for the Huffington Post, the NDP MP stressed that in his case, the prospect of a leadership campaign in 2015 would be better than one in 2014 and that may very well make the difference in his decision.

In the Huffington Post article, he offers up a fairly in depth review of his thoughts and some key points for the party, many of them on the nature of the BC NDP race and what the party needs to examine as they move forward.

Recently he outlined for the Northern View that he's turning to his constituents for counsel on his decision and for the Prince George Citizen he outlined how he's ticking off some boxes when it comes to the decision.

But in the end, after all that consultation and soul searching, it may turn out to be what day on the calendar the leadership race begins,  that may sway his decision one way or another.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

BC Conservative Leadership Hopeful making swing through Northwest BC

With the BC Conservative Party looking to make a change at the top, one of the would be leaders of the provincial party is planning a quick trek through the Northwest this week.

And while the BC Conservatives' leadership race isn't quite as news generating as the one now underway to replace the NDP's Adrian Dix, for those Conservative supporters on the provincial scene, these are key months to keep the focus on their agenda for British Columbia.

Dan Brooks, one of the leadership candidates for the position recently vacated in July with the resignation of John Cummins, is currently touring the region looking to introduce himself and secure support for his leadership bid.

His stop in Prince Rupert on Tuesday night (a little advertised stop over) part of a tour of the region that also takes him to Smithers, Terrace, Kitimat and Burns Lake.

It's seemingly a rather low profile tour of the Northwest for the leadership hopeful. With an itinerary that offered up little more than place names on the map. No times or locations for the get togethers with the public were advertised, near as we can tell.

So, if there were any potential new Conservative supporters to court, we're not sure how they would have be courted. This under the radar approach, would seem to be a rather strange concept for a political party that still has a pretty low profile in the region.

For the most part, the tour seems to be more designed to touch base with those that are already in the Conservative fold.

Mr. Brooks has however, made time to show the flag with the media . Making time for a few stops with a number of media outlets in the region, perhaps leaving the more public events to a later date, should he find success in his quest to lead the party.

CFTK-- BC Tory hopeful Tours Northwest
CFTK-- Brooks Campaign Smithers (video)
HQBulkley Valley-- Conservative leadership candidate to meet with local party members in Smithers today

The Northwest tour is part of his lead up to the party's next Annual General Meeting in Vernon on October 18th, where the first of the real political moves are expected to take place in the quest for the party leadership.

It's at that gathering where further details are expected to be outlined regarding the leadership convention, scheduled for April of 2014.

Brooks , who has been a long time resident of the Vanderhoof area (though he recently moved to the Kamloops area to commence his campaign for the leadership) , will be looking to learn more about the Northwest and perhaps seek out support from dis-satisfied voters, who may find the BC Conservative message to their liking.

It was a message however that in the most recent provincial election, that didn't seem to capture much in the way of traction with the province's voters.

Instead, with the polls suggesting an NDP government may have been in the offing, many potential Conservative followers chose to remain firmly in the BC Liberal camp, part of the rather decisive  return to government for Premier Christy Clark.

An accomplishment that shocked many pollsters and political observers in the province.

Brooks, was a candidate in that provincial election coming in third in the Nechako Lakes riding, gaining 12.6 per cent of the popular vote in the riding which returned John Rustad to office as part of the Premier's cabinet.

Mr. Rustad recorded 54.5 percent of the vote in that campaign, with the NDP candidate, Sussane Skidmore-Hewlett second at 27 percent.

As part of bid to claim the BC Conservative party's leadership, Brooks has developed a website portal to outline his platform, concerns and core beliefs as part of his run for the leadership.

He also has a twitter feed which updates potential BC Conservative followers as to the latest developments with his campaign and the party.

Brooks is one of two declared candidates thus far to throw their hat in the ring for the party leadership, with Vancouver businessman Rick Peterson launching his campaign in late September.

Some background on Mr. Brook's political past and where he would like to see his future can be found below.

Globe and Mail-- Former Candidate leaps into B. C. Conservative Leadership race
Kamloops Daily News-- Riding President backs Brooks for B. C. Conservatives leader
Kamloops Daily News-- B. C. Conservatives must rebuild now, candidate says
CFTK-- Former Nechako-Lakes Candidate Dan Brooks to Seek Leadership of B. C. Conservatives
CKPG-- Dan Brooks wants to run as a BC Conservative
Vancouver Province-- Northern candidate set to run for B. C. Conservative leadership
The Tyee-- First Candidate for BC Conservative Leadership steps up

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Happy Thanksgiving

Don't give up hope on this portal, we're hoping to be more productive in the weeks and months to come, maybe tweak a few ideas so as to generate much more content than the previous months have allowed for

At the moment however, there is Turkey to eat...

To our faithful readers (and those that are just passers by) A Very Happy Thanksgiving.

We hope you have had an enjoyable weekend thus far, surrounded by family and friends, football (today) and food,  lets not forget, the food.

As the final day of this three (maybe four) day Canadian festival comes to a close, a helpful reminder from Citizenship Canada about this fine tradition...


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It's a somewhat wonderfully Canadian thing, to have a holiday that comes with a disclaimer (see opening moments again (5-6 second mark) in case you missed it)

Enjoy the day, pass the Turkey, and be sure to leave room for the Pumpkin Pie!

Cross posted from our efforts on the North Coast Review