Victoria Viewpoints: Friday-Sunday, December 29-31, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene:

Globe and Mail 

B.C. court rules American Indigenous man has right to hunt in Canada
Condo unit owners can't block building sale, B.C. Supreme Court rules
BC Hydro still working to restore electricity in Fraser Valley after ice storms

CBC

Repair efforts hampered by dangerous conditions following ice storms, B.C. Hydro
Workers prepare to butt out as B.C. Ferries goes smoke free
Closure of Vancouver's neighbourhood pools would have social costs, planner says
Challenges linger for Williams Lake, months after record breaking fire season
Too early to tell if child protection services failed murdered sisters, says B.C.'s 'children's representative
B.C. now shut out of Canada's highest court: Does it matter?
B.C. Liberal party leadership race about to enter final stage

Vancouver Sun

Premier John Horgan promises BC government will be 'working hard' in 2018


Vancouver Province

It was the wildest year ever in B.C. politics



Victoria Times Colonist

2017 was a year in transition
Legislature abounds in found poems

Victoria News

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Global BC

Vancouver Park Board offers some advice for those starting the year with a chilly swim
TransLink offers free rides for New Year's revellers
B.C. politics, one wild ride
With memberships closed, B.C. Liberal leadership race enters home stretch



Georgia Straight

Queen of Burnaby's highest bid rises to $15,020
John Horgan ditched the glasses and  became premier
Premier John Horgan releases New Year's message to British Columbians
City of Vancouver opens three drop-in sites to help those escaping freezing weather
British Columbians should be concerned about their province not having a Supreme Court of Canada Justice



Vancouver Courier

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The Tyee

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Ottawa Observations: Friday/Sunday December 29-31, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Friday-Sunday, December 29-31, 2017/

Globe and Mail 

A 'big fog' to descend on Canada-U.S. trade if Trump withdraws from NAFTA
Partisan carbon-tax debate is a New Year's tradition Alberta can do without
Syrian-Canadian MP Omar Alghabra's story is one shared by millions
Ex-federal cabinet minister Julian Fantino takes aim at judge, cops, lawyers
Transit accessibility for all remains a dream unfulfilled across Canada
How one question in Census 2016 halved Canada's Jewish population
Trudeau urges Canadians to practice values of equality inclusion in 2018
Melanie Joly says Canada 150 events succeeded in creating great memories
Seamus O'Reagan says Trudeau's LGTBQ apology offers hope for combating discrimination




CBC

Candidates matter and the unexpected can happen: lessons from 2017's elections
Trudeau's Liberals approach 2018 with an eye to election day 2019
George Elliot Clarke delighted to be up there with Shakespeare'
Drunk driving to be largely decriminalized in Alberta in 2018
Party pooper: Extreme Cold cancels some NYE events on Parliament Hill
William Shatner, Jann Arden, first Indigenous NHL player among 125 appointments to Order of Canada
How the federal government is slowly becoming as diverse as Canada
Federal consumer agency delays report on Canadian banking sales practice
CBC presidents Hubert Lacroix to stay in job as search for successor continues



Toronto Star

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Toronto sun

Jets and vets
A life, well-lived
Trudeau happy to say goodbye to 2017
My fearless political predictions for 2018
Starter wish list for 2018

National Post

Sunken warships are the ultimate treasure - unless Canada can protect 'ocean graves'
Justin Trudeau's year long descent from celebrity selfie price to typical politician
As Quebec enters election year, PQ may disappear - in part because of the CAQ
Canada still on pace to fall short of Paris target, despite ambitious climate policies: UN filings



Maclean's

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Global

Nathan Cullen on leadership, reconciliation and surviving a kidnapping
Canada 150 by the numbers: 87% of Canadians participated in at least one event
2017 will go down as a year 'dominated by disruption'
Perry Bellegarde reflects on progress, controversies for First Nations in 2017
Majority of Canadians believe Trudeau is handling Trump well
New Year's Eve fireworks on Parliament Hill still on track, live music cancelled


Miscellaneous 

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Victoria Viewpoints: Thursday, December 28, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene:

Globe and Mail 

Nanaimo drops suit agains mayor due to high legal costs
B. C. city parks updated to reflect changing tastes
Winter storm increases avalanche risk in southern B.C. mountains
Court ruling details custody battle between parents of girls found dead in Oak Bay



CBC

'We've been waiting for this for a long time': B.C. to fund HIV prevention drug
Squamish RCMP asks local council to fund dedicated sex assault officer
Organic food in B.C. must be certified starting next year
Quesnel mayor worried Site C approval will lead to forestry downturn in 2018
Freezing rain, heavy snow make for dangerous road conditions in B.C.
Tent fire a wake-up call for residents of Maple Ridge homeless camp
Esquimalt's Gorge Creek may need multimillion dollar fix
B.C. Youth Parliament debates hot political topics of 2017
Nanaimo drops lawsuit against mayor citing costs
Court document details custody battle for sisters in double homicide
First Nations communities look to marijuana industry for economic opportunities



Vancouver Sun

B.C. offers free HIV prevention treatment to high-risk patients
Housing anxiety drives B.C. residents to seek professional help
British Columbia court grants injunction to fish farm ending protests


Vancouver Province

MSP cuts are coming to B.C. - but tax hikes, too?



Victoria Times Colonist

Concerns raised about father week before daughters killed
How could a parent kill, and how can we stop them?
Regional Police a step closer
Find better ways to assess learning

Victoria News

B.C.'s annual allowable rent increase jumps to four per cent
Court document reveals bitter custody battle over sisters killed in Oak Bay
Vancouver Island bus company plans Nanaimo-Victoria service
End is near for B.C. medical premiums

Global BC

Surrey RCMP says growing number of asylum seekers illegally crossing border
Lake Country hospital fundraising group shutting down
Chaos on the Sea to Sky, Coquihalla Highways as winter storm causes accidents, delays
'They just don't seem that interested': Repeat break-in victim unimpressed by VPD crackdown
Canada Post facility next to Vancouver airport evacuated


Georgia Straight

Mother of Oak Bay child homicide victims raised serious concerns about the father in court 
Vancouver police announce results of monthlong crackdown on thefts from automobiles
B.C.'s highest court rejects mandatory minimum sentence for marijuana grower
Mike Smyth got it right - E Comm should release audiotapes of stupid 9-1-1 calls



Vancouver Courier

More than 25 arrests made after rash of thefts in downtown Vancouver


The Tyee

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Ottawa Observations: Thursday, December 28, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Thursday, December 28, 2017/

Globe and Mail 

The Department of Meddling
Shell mulls fate of much-delayed $30 Billion LNG Canada project
Garneau prods Air Canada to reduce noise on about 100 Airbus passenger planes
Cannabis expert calls for independent research body as Canada prepares for legalization
This is what reconciliation can look like
The high cost of Canada's increasing wealth inequality
Federal government pledges to work with provinces on securities reforms
Ottawa to give 10 year grants to First Nations, with less reporting on how money is spent


CBC

Canadian citizenship applications surge after government relaxes language, residency rules
Political strategist Nick Kouvalis and an activist charged with breaking into restaurant
Iced cap: Ottawa currently coldest capital city in the world
Phoenix prevents some public servants from retiring
Federal leaders reading populist tea leaves to figure out what's brewing in 2018


Toronto Star

How Ottawa is trying to breathe new life into a 22-year-old policy for gender equality
Here are 10 who could shape the 2018 federal political agenda


National Post

Why our intellectual class made Canada 250 the worst birthday ever
Disabled Canadians are being forced to hire lawyers by a federal benefits tribunal
Ignore the fiscal forecasts. Our politicians will blow as much as they can get away with
The latest wrinkle in the $4.3 million Canada 150 rink - it's too cold to play hockey there
Justin Trudeau says NAFTA 'unpredictability' keeps him awake at night



Maclean's

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Global

Nova Scotia to launch inquiry into former soldier Lionel Desmond's triple murder-suicide
Canadians say ISIS, North Korea, homegrown terrorists among greatest security risks: Ipsos poll



Miscellaneous 

Canada needs course change to build overdue ships

Time in the pool, mark the highlights for New Prince Rupert Recreation Director's resume

He's been on the  job for close to two months now and even though the City of Prince Rupert hasn't provided for the formal introductions yet, David Geronazzo is becoming a familiar face as he travels  around the city's recreation facilities.

The latest hiring from the City of Prince Rupert took to the duties of Recreation and Community Services Director in November, though as has been the case for many new hires in the past, the City has yet provide for any kind of official notice to their various information portals providing a welcome to the latest addition to the roster of the City's Management Staff.

Mr. Geronazzo, takes over from Willa Thorpe, the city's previous Recreation and Community Services Director who served the community from September of 2014 and left for Port Alberni over the summer.

The newest member of the team around the Recreation Centre would appear to have some strong background with the Aquatic side of recreation, having served in a variety of capacities in a number of locations over the last decade, including the Bulkley Valley Regional Pool and as a lifeguard/instructor for a number of years in Kelowna.

Prior to his arrival in Prince Rupert, his most recent stop was a short period of time working in the Recreation Department with the Village of Burns Lake.

Earlier this year Mr. Geronazzo  had completed two and a half years of work in Yorkton, Saskatchewan as the Manager of the Gallagher Centre Water Park, a City of Yorkton facility described by Tourism Saskatchewan as the best water park in the province.

And one which does seem to offer more than a few attractions for those with an aquatic interest.

Perhaps the new Recreation Director brought a copy of the blue prints for that facility for future reference, should Prince Rupert ever wish to expand what it offers in the way of aquatic options at the Earl Mah Centre.

He also brings to Prince Rupert some past experience in Sustainable Community Development through studies at Royal Roads University,  as well as Business Administration from his time at Okanagan College.

For now while he settles into his new duties, the more immediate challenge for Geronazzo will be the annual All Native Basketball Tournament in just a few weeks,.

The February tradition on the North Coast that makes the Civic Centre the beacon of all attractions for the community for the week long tournament and should provide for quite the on the job learning experience, as he looks to keep the Civic Centre in full motion during the course of the tournament.

You can introduce yourself to the new Director whenever you might happen to be visiting any of the City's recreation facilities at the McBride Street complex.

For more items related to City employment listing see our labour archive page here, for a look at City Council Discussion topics see our archive here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Victoria Viewpoints: Saturday, December 23 to Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene:

Globe and Mail 

Vancouver residents push back against modular-housing development for homeless
B.C. Supreme Court judge grants injunction to fish-farm ending protests
B.C.'s rapidly shifting - and increasingly Chinese - population is finding refuge in karaoke
Lower-mainland designer awarded UN prize for her eco-friendly clothing company
Resurrecting an Indigenous dialect B.C. youth becomes a voice for cultural preservation



CBC

Whistler slashes bus fares, turns to public transit to beat congestion
After 7 pedestrians hit in Prince Rupert crosswalks in 2017, community group hopes to improve road safety
John Horgan says next year's electoral reform referendum likely B.C.'s last attempt
Nisga'a Christmas tradition lights up suspension bridge in memory of lost ones
Want a used ferry? Opening bids start at $5,000 for Queen of Burnaby


Vancouver Sun

Taking the path less followed
'From living to existing': Tent City doubles in size in B.C.'s other "downtown east side"


Vancouver Province

Many early Vancouver Christmas traditions live on



Victoria Times Colonist

Victoria residents tell city to save money
Saanich takes lead in exploration of regional police
Needed schools are on the way
Fundamental reforms needed to fix CRD flaws


Victoria News

New construction won't solve Victoria's housing crunch
Victoria-Swan Lake MLA defends Site C decision
Looking ahead to 2018 with West Shore Mayors
Judge orders salmon farm protestors to stay away


Global BC

The four big events in BC politics following the cliffhanger election
Surrey had  59 shots fired calls this year: now activist says it's time to dump the RCMP
ICBC reminds drivers to stay safe on New Year's Eve
Mental health, stigma hindering people from seeking support: UGM
Hero who thwarted racist Canada Line attack receives 'best Christmas gift ever'
B.C. firm says it has helped 100 tech clients suck U.S. travel bans and set up in Canada
Changes coming to ICBC in 2018 says Minister David Eby



Georgia Straight

The Top 10 provincial new stories of 2017
The B. C. Liberal leadership review - who should win?
Bidder offers $5,440 for Queen of Burnaby ferry
B.C. Federation of Labour invites families to a Christmas Eve feast
The B.C. Liberal leadership review - why not Dianne Watts?
New Year's resolutions for B.C.'s political class


Vancouver Courier

Pioneer of voting rights in B.C. honoured


The Tyee

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Ottawa Observations: December 23 -- 27, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Saturday December 23 to Wednesday, December 27 2017.

Globe and Mail 

Scott Reid: The populist Reformer who stood alone in supporting the pot bill
Canadians prioritize prosecution over rehabilitation for jihadi suspects: poll
Garneau makes push for voice recorders in trains after Amtrak crash
Canada to expel senior Venezuelan diplomat, bar return of ambassador in tit-for-tat move
UPC leader Jason Kenney looks to build on big wins from 2017
New Party leaders may change the dynamics of Saskatchewan politics
Ottawa makes clemency case for Canadian on death row

CBC

Marc Garneau makes push for voice, video recorders in locomotives after Amtrack crash
Federal leaders reading populist tea leaves to figure out what's brewing in 2018
Military emails reveal turmoil after Harper's team released 2015 images from battlefield
The right's resurgence and the NDP's pipeline push: The Year in Alberta politics
Bob Rae describes 'appalling' conditions and widespread trauma at Rohingya refugee camps
Canadian government retaliates by expelling Venezuelan diplomat
Queen reflects on past year's tragedies, family in Christmas message
Justin Trudeau's Christmas message to Canadians emphasizes strength in diversity
Pope's Christmas Eve mass urges 'turning the power of fear into the power of charity'
80% of travellers confident in airport security screening, internal government survey suggests
Venezuela moves to revoke Canadian diplomat's status, accuses him of meddling

Toronto Star

Parliament Hill ice rink can't handle the cold
Canada's military seeks major cyber defence upgrade
NAFTA, TPP, China - Canada's trade woes set to carry into 2018
Are Indigenous acknowledgements a step forward or an empty gesture?
Canadian on death row in U.S. has 'reformed his life,' should be granted clemency: Ottawa
Trudeau may lose some like-minded premiers in 2018
Senators should offer their 'sober second thought' on cannabis law - but quickly

National Post

Two years after Liberals were accused of trying to scuttle it, new supply ship arrives in Halifax for navy training
Arctic dilemma: Scientists came to explore Canadian-Arctic but their work could also change its future
'Battle for relevance': Despite their flashy new leader, the NDP faces a long, hard road in 2018
What a federal ethics report reveals about how Justin Trudeau sees his job as PM
Justin Trudeau's Christmas message highlights governments accomplishments
Jagmeet Singh picks up Justin Trudeau's playbook in next battle for hearts of Canada's left

Maclean's

The Aga Khan trip and a glimpse into Trudeau's bad judgement
Canadian Politics: The Year in 12 chapters
How powerful is the religious right in Canada?

Global

Some families to be exempted from fee for foreign nannies, caregivers
Extreme cold forces Parliament Hill hockey games inside
If new NAFTA raised duty-free limit, would Canadians drive to border towns?
Canadian tech could benefit if Trump ends work permits for visa holder spouses: experts
Trudeau's Liberals still ahead of Tories, but support slipping: Ipsos poll
Trudeau praises residents of Spy Hill, Saskatchewan for sheltering stranded Via Rail passengers
Environment Canada issues extreme cold warnings across country

Miscellaneous 

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Victoria Viewpoints: Friday, December 22, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene:


Immigrants providing a boost to declining church attendance in Canada
Bitumen spill would harm migrating salmon: study
A  mayor's Christmas in Vancouver of the Future
B.C. health official wants safe and common opioid distributed through vending machines
Cases of flu strain affecting kids spike in B.C., health official says
New homeless shelter opens in Sechelt, B.C.
Canada Post Door to Door service unlikely to return: union rep
Canada's immigration targets a form of housing policy' says study
B.C. shows strong leadership in ending the Grizzly bear hunt 
Woodwynn Farms participants crash MLA's office
Anti-transgender posters dropped on Fraser Valley  lawns
Interior Health expands meningococcal vaccination options
Canada's housing has never been less affordable than it is in Vancouver right now: RBC
Another Dam Christmas Carol: The Ghost of Muskrat Madness
Why Gregor won't run and Vision could be done
We need to fix distracted driving  ... or else

Ottawa Observations: Friday, December 22, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Friday, December 22, 2017.



$1,101,583,984.44
Regulators owe it to Canadians to do better on fraud
Fatigue may have played role in crash that killed Quebec Mountie during border crossings surge
Deficit on track for elimination by 2045, a decade earlier than last year's projection
Diplomats warn Canada of potential for Russian meddling
Official warns more civil servants could see 'low pay or no pay' over holidays
Liberals to settle class-action lawsuit over student loan privacy breach
New Phoenix pay issue could mean $0 paycheques for Christmas
Canada attending Nikki Haley's 'friendship' party after Jerusalem vote at the UN
Transport Canada suspends West Wind flights
Former sailor sues federal government over mould doctors say made him sick
Court jails Ukraine PM's interpreter accused of spying for Russia
Amid progress on the Indigenous file, Jane Philpott warns journalists against 'sloppy' reporting
Liberals agree to settle class action lawsuit over student loan privacy breach
39% of cannabis users admit to driving after smoking pot government survey finds
Aga Khan not subject to lobbying law, says commissioner
Talks with Britain drag on over Franklin wreck artifacts
Feds say deficit through October at $6.3 billion as monthly spending drops
How 'sunny ways' got soiled in the Ottawa swamp
American bureaucrats think our progressive agenda will derail NAFTA
Taxes up in Canada, but down in the U.S. offer grim prospects
Keep Trudeau ethics scandal alive in 2018
The tale of the handsome Prime Minister who did Nothing wrong
After Ukraine official who sat in on PMO meeting arrested for spying, diplomats warn Canada of Russian meddling
Law means thousands can get Indian status, but government hasn't provided any forms to fill out
Liberals considering building more ships to stop Irving job cuts - but that might anger Quebec
Cyclone problem: Sonar snafu a challenge for Canada's new navy helicopters
Canada gives up pretence of "Progressive Trade' with China

Competition is tough as Northern Health looks to fill positions in Prince Rupert and across Northern British Columbia

Prince Rupert Regional Hospital is just one of a number of hospitals
where Northern Health is trying to fill a growing list of vacancies
in the health care delivery system of the North

If you're considering a career in the Health care services, there's no better time to finish off your education and join the work force with the Job listings from Northern Health testifying as to the volume of jobs available and offering up an indication as to some of the difficulty that the Health authority is having in filling many of them.

With competition in the health services field growing and larger markets offering many of the social and recreational opportunities that young professionals are seeking, some of the rural areas of the Northern Health Service region are finding positions are remaining available for growing periods of time.

And that is making for staffing shortages that are being felt from Haida Gwaii in the far west, to the Peace Country of the North east along with many communities in between.

Earlier this month the Prince George Citizen highlighted some of the challenges facing Northern health.

The newspaper article cited a report which noted that there are 197 positions currently going unfilled, included in that number are 80 career positions that Northern Health has classified as difficult to fill.

According to the Northern Health website the Northwest Help Wanted listings are as follows:

Terrace  -- 32 positions available
Kitimat -- 17 positions available
Hazelton -- 20 postions available
Smithers -- 18 positions available
Houston -- 10 positions available
Haida Gwaii (all locations) -- 24 positions available 

In Prince George, which is the heart of the Northern Health system, the job listings offer 70 career opportunities at the moment.

As for Prince Rupert, there are currently 28 positions listed as available with Northern Health in the region, offering a range of positions with local facilities (click list below to expand or use the NH search engine here).

The hiring call an open ended one with the positions available until they are filled.

For more items of note from Northern Health see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

SD52 publishes framework for enhancing student learning

One of the key expectations from the provincial School Act is that each Board of Education in the province is required to prepare a District Planning Document, something that is known as The Framework for Enhancing Student Learning.

It's a project School District 52 has been working on over the last year, and a process that they began with a survey of students, parents, staff and members of the community in February of 2017.

The Framework document serves to address SD52's mission: "To ensure each student successfully completes their educational program with a sense of hope, purpose and control"

The Focus points from the Framework provides a glimpse into the range of areas that SD52 was looking to approach as they created their vision for three year period.

From the February consultation the Board of Education has developed two Guiding Principles and six goals for the period from 2017-2020.

Guiding Principle Number One -- By increasing authentic, life-long and experiential learning opportunities will we see more engagement and therefore greater student achievement?

Towards that there are three goals associated with the principle:

1. To develop an appreciation of Reading

2. To enhance student Application of Numeracy

3. To Explore the Big Ideas

a) Through Aboriginal Perspectives and other local issues 

and

b) a love of learning through problem and project based opportunities

Guiding Principle Number Two -- How can we strengthen relationships and a sense of belonging at all levels?

The three goals associated with that principle include:

4. Our schools are places where students, families and staff all feel a sense of belonging.

5. To ensure every student can identify multiple, positive relationships they have with peers and staff within the school community.

6. Purposefully teach pro social skills and provide opportunities to practice

The completion of the Framework meets the three requirements of the Ministry of Education which include:

"A system-wide focus on intellectual, human and social and career development. These goals broaden the focus of the previous framework to better reflect the whole learner and be developed with careful consideration of the local context"

"Meaningful and effective planning for continuous improvement, Under the Framework, school districts and schools will be expected to continue to develop district and school plans, but in a manner that is more relevant to local contexts and needs."

"Plans will be expected to reflect local efforts to support each student and specific groups of students, including Aboriginal students, children in care, and students with special needs"

"The plans will be public reports to and for their local community"

The Two Guiding Principles and Six goals receive a comprehensive overview as part of the document, with each theme expanded on with additional background as to what is hoped to be achieved and the expectations that have been considered as part of the Framework.

The full document, which is now available on the SD52 website can be accessed here.

You can find more background on items of interest from the School District through our archive page here.

A look at other School Districts around the Northwest is also available through our archives here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Victoria Viewpoints: Thursday, December 21, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene:



On John Horgan's  softwood trip, worries about absence during B.C. wildfires
I used opioids - and I know that B.C.'s pilot program is a literal life safer
New Site C contract moves forward as opponents call for auditor general review
B.C. city at centre of 2017 wildfires hosts world café so residents can share their experiences
B.C.'s top slot machine players rake in millions in jackpots, review shows
Birmingham beats out Victoria to host Commonwealth Games in 2022
'Soup to nuts' ferry review
Site C dam will come home to roost
Weaver Looking for action from NDP in Budget
Gordon Campbell: The Forgotten Man
City of Vancouver offers assurances that it's preparing for freezing weather and snow flurries
Social Justice lawyer Katrina Pacey prepares to say goodbye to Pivot Legal Society
B.C. Hydro chooses preferred proponent on second-largest Site C dam contract
The B.C. Liberal leadership review - who should quit?
Go with the flow?
Okanagan College's child care facility sets a first in sustainability
Metro Vancouver housing prices to rise in 2018
Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future pay mayor a visit

Ottawa Observations: Thursday, December 21, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Thursday, December 21, 2017.




Ukrainian interpreter who attended Trudeau meeting arrested on suspicion of being Russian spy
Accused Russian spy was in the room for Trudeau talks with Ukrainian PM
Canada abstains from vote as UN countries condemn Trump's Jerusalem decision
Accounts of violence against Rohingya Muslims must be documented: Bob Rae
Trudeau should reimburse cost of his Bahamas trip to taxpayers, opposition says
Canada's Iraq role being reassessed after victory over Islamic State: Sajjan
A tough lesson for Trudeau: Governing is not a fame of friends
Dawson's ruling on Trudeau's vacation fails in the court of common sense
Canada abstains as UN General Assembly backs resolution to nullify U.S. mover on Jerusalem
Right-wing extremism 'growing concern' in Canada, federal report says
Trudeau should repay taxpayers for vacation to Aga Khan's private island, opposition says
'Like saying cancer is not a disease': Ottawa considers declaring deadly oil patch gas non-toxic
Bringing back lifetime pensions for injured vets is welcome, but why the delay?
When it comes to the Middle East, Ottawa sits on its hands to keep Trump happy
Canadian border officials looking at GPS tracking as alternative to jailing migrants
Laureen Harper shows an edge Canadian politics sorely lacks
Trudeau's unforgivable audience with Joshua Boyle
Heads should roll over Trudeau ethics breach
Another province calling Trudeau's carbon tax bluff
Trudeau guilty, just before Hell Froze over
On easy test of Canadian values, Canada takes a pass
UN overwhelmingly rejects Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital after Canada abstains
Canadians may not know him from Adam, but Scheer ends the year quietly confident
Japanese chorus of confusion grows over Trudeau's TPP position
Vehicles, knives becoming terrorists weapons of choice: Canadian terror threat report
Liberals' bill C-23 on pre-clearance yields too much power to U.S. border guards

City of Prince Rupert joins regional partners as part of workforce attraction project

Prince Rupert, Terrace, Kitimat and the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
are working together on a workforce attraction plan for the New Year

The search is on for a consultant to work on a research based marketing plan to attract residents and workforce participants to the communities of the Northwest,

As part of the project, The City of Prince Rupert has joined Terrace, Kitimat and the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine in funding of the workforce attraction plan, with the quartet of communities seeking out the consultant through the BC Bid process.

The estimated cost of the project is stated as 10,000 dollars and the four communities are looking at six key elements to be included as part of the finished document, they include:

An overview of current economic and demographic status in Northwest BC communities and rationale for action

Strategic Analysis of Northwest BC communities

Identified Target Markets and marketing Goals and Objectives

Specific, Actionable Marketing Strategies to Attract Target Markets

Costing for the Strategies, Tools and Tactics, with a range of options to be provided

And Suggested Next Steps for the communities to consider 


The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine is the contact office for those with an interest in submitting to the request for quotation.

Documentation should be directed to Deklan Corstanje, Regional District of Kitimat Stikine, 300-4545 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace BC V8G 4E1

The Deadline for submissions is January 2nd at 4:30 PM.

Should they find a proposal that they like, indications are that they will make for a quick launch to the project with an anticipated Start date of January 9, 2018 with the plan to be delivered by February 28th.

You can review the full background to the proposal from the BC Bid Site, it's RFQ 2017-ED listed under the Regional District of Kitimat Stikine.

Prince Rupert Council first explored the concept of a regional plan for the workforce attraction initiative during their May 8th Council session, you can review some of their themes on the proposed project as part of our Council Timeline for that period listed at the 1 hour mark.

For the most part, Council members were supportive of the concept, but some had concerns about what the plan was designed to do and expressed the belief that the City should also be exploring and approaching other agencies to bring more training opportunities to the area for people who already live in the community.

We explored some of their opinions on the topic with our blog item of May 15th.

To listen in to the range of opinions from May, you can view the City Council Video Archive for that session below, with Corinne Bomben, the City's Financial Officer providing a report to open the discussion for the Council members at the one hour point.




For more items related to City Council discussion topics see our Council archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

North Coast's Glass Sponge Reefs on Canada's short list for inclusion as World Heritage Site

The Federal Government has selected eight new locations to be placed on Canada's Tentative list for World Heritage Sites and one of them isn't too far off the coast from Prince Rupert harbour.

The Glass Sponge Reefs of Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound were announced Wednesday as one of the eight by Catherine McKenna the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, marking the first addition to the Tentative list from Canada since 2004.

Parks Canada identified the three areas that best support the Glass Sponge Reefs inclusion as a World Heritage site, among their notes are:

The reefs provide a unique window into marine life in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods

The reefs play a formative role in the evolution and development of marine ecosystems

The glass sponge reefs create an oasis of life on an otherwise featureless seabed, in the depths of the Pacific. Their intricate structure provides shelter to numerous species.

You can review more of the Parks Canada outline for the Glass Sponge submission here.

The other locations added to the list can be examined here.

42 applications were received as part of the process for consideration for Canada's tentative list, they were reviewed by an independent Ministerial Advisory Committee which made their recommendations to Ms. McKenna, noting that the eight listed had the strongest potential for successful inscription as World Heritage sites.

The eight sites highlighted on Wednesday will join six sites from when the tentative list was updated in 2004, among those sites included is Gwaii Haanas, which was noted as meeting five of the World Heritage Site criteria at that time.

At the moment there are 18 World Heritage sites located in Canada, with the most recent addition to that list noted in July of 2016 when Mistaken Point, Newfoundland and Labrador was included in the listings.

You can learn more about the Government's selection list here.

The Global UNESCO World Heritage list can be reviewed here.

The Glass Sponge reefs of Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound were the subject of one of this years North Coast Marine Speaker Series events, review some of our notes about that November event here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Victoria Viewpoints: Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene:


BC ex-Mountie found not guilty of sexual assault
B.C. Liberals had 'pretty good' record on housing, Rich Coleman says
B.C. Assessment warns 67,000 homeowners of big increases
Risk of viral transfer from B.C. Fish farms to wild sockeye is low: study
Province announces review of fish processing plants
Vancouver has no plans to plow ice and snow from residential side streets this winter
B.C. high school tackles bullying after seeing it increase
Small town considering buying shares in Rio Tinto Alcan to force them to emit less sulphur dioxide
Kamloops amends business licence and zoning bylaws ahead of marijuana legalization
Petition calling for more representation of Indigenous people in citizenship guide headed to House of Commons
B.C. Assessment warns homeowners of outsized assessment increases
DFO report: Risk of viral transfer to wild sockeye from B.C. fish farms is low
Vision Vancouver nickel and dimeing taxpayers
Decision to approve Site C undermines reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and long-term action on climate change
Horgan can't claim moral high ground if he floods the Peace Valley
B.C. to review fish farm regulations on processing plants pesticides
2017 is the year of the B.C. Green party
Foreign buyers 'not the problem' in Canada, says CEO of Chinese overseas real estate portal
For over 10,000 snowy sidewalk warnings, Vancouver might only issue about 500 fines
Broadway subway, Surrey LRT will be pricier than planned. But how much?
NDP minister apologizes over tweet accusing BC Liberals of 'ignoring the overdose crisis'
BC Centre for Disease Control proposes vending machines for 'safe drugs'
NDP's Site C decision energizes BC Greens
Free naloxone kits now available at 200 pharmacies throughout B.C.
Vancouver's housing plan lifted from the Tyee headlines
Pundit fancies a Gregor Robertson versus Sam Sullivan fight for Vancouver mayor in 2018
Site C dam opponents will hold organizing meeting tonight to continue the fight
Green politico Pete Fry sounds alarm about loophole in campaign finance law
Former RCMP spokesperson Tim Shields acquitted on sexual-assault charge