Victoria Viewpoints: Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Tuesday,  July 31, 2018


Globe and Mail 

Nearly all street drugs in Vancouver contain fentanyl, study finds
Vancouver housing market cools off, but buying still out of reach for some
Fed up with traffic, contractors refuse to work in Vancouver
City gives Vancouver's Rio Theatre a lifeline with $375,000 conditional grant


CBC

Vancouver approves new tower in West End, with separate entrance for social housing
Province issues 2nd most severe drought rating for B.C. coast
Salmon Arm Rainbow crosswalk defaced twice in 2 weeks
Beer pioneer who turned struggling BC Brewery into global exporter dies aged 70


Vancouver Sun

Judge sends Trans Mountain pipeline protestors to jail for the first time
Eby troubled by lack of anti money laundering compliance in BC real estate sector

Vancouver Province

--


Victoria Times Colonist

Regional Traffic solution is right in front of us


Victoria News

BC Highway 1 widening to Alberta demanded for decades


Global BC

Crawston, Keremeos evacuation alert expanded due to Snowy Mountain wildfire
Rio Theatre meets fundraising goal with $375,000 grant from City of Vancouver
34 drownings in 2018 prompt warning from B.C. Search and Rescue volunteers
B.C. Liberals call on government to leave the veterans licence plate alone
ICBC says many vehicles exposed to sulphuric acid around Trail will need to be replaced
Online fundraiser raises over $1,100 to buy wagons for Vernon's homeless
Closure date set for controversial Kelowna homeless shelter



Georgia Straight

Chief Adam Palmer has good reasons to wonder how this Vancouver election will turn out
Tofino Chamber of Commerce rejects call to stop selling goods and services to Justin Trudeau's family
Downtown Eastside's Portland Hotel Society turns 25 this August and to celebrate is throwing a street party
First of nine activists facing prison for Trans Mountain protests is 70 year old Laurie Embree
Wade Grant appears to be another odd man out after NPA announces its slate of council candidates
No Elizabeth Ball in new NPA list of candidates for 2018 Vancouver election
No less than the city itself joins #SaveTheRio campaign to keep the theatre on Broadway
Will the NPA continue to be hobbled by millionaires and billionaires?
Vancouver park commissioner Erin Shum returns to the NPA


Vancouver Courier

Judge sentences grandmother to 7 days in jail for pipeline protest
Police watchdog investigating Vancouver police after man dies following arrest
Recreational clam and oyster harvesters face $14,000 in fines after DFO blitz


The Tyee

Can Union Brokered deal prevent vote-splitting in Vancouver Election?
Injunctions to Shut Down Tent Cities are No Solution


Miscellaneous

Ottawa Observations: Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Tuesday,  July 30, 2018


Globe and Mail 

Mexico's incoming president sees NAFTA movement
Protecting Canadian dairy isn't worth souring the chances of a NAFTA deal
Ontario PC's roll back Liberal-era social assistance changes
Phoenix pay system problems on track to cost government $2.2 billion: report
Mary Moran appointed to spearhead Calgary Winter Olympics bid
Sudden shutdown of oversight body leaves poll firms scrambling
National Airlines Council of Canada urges Ottawa on decision of privatizing airport security
Prime Minister Trudeau's national pharmacare plan will come with side effects


CBC

Senate committee 'not confident' government has learned lessons from Phoenix
Freeland to talk North Korean nukes and Rohingya crisis at Singapore summit
Air passengers still slowing down emergency evacuations by grabbing carry-ons, says TSB
Canada's polling industry association is shutting down
Veterans' access to benefits a persistent problem, ombudsman says
Lack of inheritance tax is making inequality worse, think-tank study suggests
Canadian economy expanding at 2.6% annual pace


Toronto Star

CN Rail CEO vows loyalty to grain farmers as oil shipments climb
Ford's city hall gambit not end of democracy


Toronto Sun

Andrea Howarth calling Ford a 'dictator' a farce
Reforming Ontario's broken social assistance system
Ontario welfare reforms welcome news


National Post

After more than two years of work on revised citizenship guide, no sign of its release by Trudeau Liberals
Canada rejected in bid to be part of high level NAFTA talks between Mexico and US: sources
Why most Canadians support Saskatchewan fight against the Trudeau carbon tax


Maclean's

Why a Federal #MeToo law won't be enforced any time soon
Justin Trudeau's sunny ways won in 2015. Can his brand survive


Global

Senators defend decision not to call execs in hearings on botched Phoenix pay system
Canadians could face prison time for making 3D printed guns: officials
Official rewrite of citizenship study guide stalled in Ottawa for 2 years
Cost of public health care for Canadian families soared by 70% over two decades: report
U.S., Mexico meeting in Washington to talk about NAFTA, but Canada is left out
Canadians with terminal illness getting new fast-track test for CPP disability benefits
Canada's richest families own as much wealth as 3 provinces combined: report


Miscellaneous 

First of nine activists facing prison for Trans Mountain protests is 70 year old Laurie Embree
Judge sentences grandmother to 7 days in jail for pipeline protest

Timeline shifts for Park Avenue Supportive Housing in Prince Rupert

Would be tenants of a planned supportive housing building on Park Avenue
will now have to wait until 2019 before they can explore their new digs

The Press Releases, twitter shout outs and Facebook posts are flying today, as the City of Prince Rupert, NDP government, MLA Jennifer Rice and BC Housing all celebrate an announcement of progress today on the proposed supportive housing complex for Prince Rupert.

Today's notes providing a bit more detail on the scope of the plans for the building, highlighting that site preparation is underway on Park Avenue.

Today's press release with background on the plan ahead for
supportive Housing in Prince Rupert 
(click to enlarge)

Some of the comments from local officials when it comes to
today's update on supportive housing in Prince Rupert(click to enlarge)

And while progress is indeed good and welcome news, today's announcement is one part a recycling of past announcements and more importantly; one that moves the timeline for completion down the road a little bit more.

With today's notes delivering the news that housing that was at one point supposed to be in place by Spring of 2018, then moved towards the fall of this year, is accommodation that won't now be available for those in need until 2019.

The scale of the original project has also been reduced slightly, with the original plan for 44 units giving way to a building with 36 units, a situation described as preferable in order to provide for the supports that are planned for residents.

That means that if tenants can move in by January of 2019, we will have marked fourteen months from the time of the Tent City protest at City Hall that gave some urgency for the region's elected officials to address the issue of the housing problems in Prince Rupert.

So far, the site preparation of the site for the most part features the felling of trees in the lot adjacent to the Transition House on Park Avenue.

And with the major work still to come, it would appear that a good portion of the construction work will have missed the summer month construction season and instead will be facing the elements of a North Coast fall and winter.

As well,  as the project is not now expected to be accepting tenants until the new year, it would appear likely that there will be the need for an extension of service for the Severe Weather Shelter that currently is in operation on Third Avenue West.

The work on the Park Avenue project will be taken on by Horizon North, with the housing units to be constructed on the lot provided by the City of Prince Rupert.

In addition to the Prince Rupert project, MLA Rice and her travelling party headed out to Port Edward to break ground on a Seniors Housing project that will provide accommodation for four residents in that community.

Some of the most recent notes related to the Park Avenue Housing proposal can be reviewed below:

2018

June 28 -- Thoughts on amenities, road safety among Council commentary on Park Avenue housing permit process
June 25 -- Council to review the Development Permit Application for Park Avenue Supportive Housing plans
May 29 -- The Path towards the Park Avenue Supportive Housing project starts with a Public Notice
April 20 -- Much anticipated supportive housing proposal will see summer time build set for property on Park Avenue
March 1 -- North Coast MLA's Budget Defence includes Prince Rupert references

2017

November 29 -- Dismantling of City Hall Tent City, gives birth to new community based Society for the Homeless
November 24 -- Mayor indicates Tent City needs to come down by end of weekend ... Tent City supporters say not so fast!
November 17 -- Prince Rupert Emergency Shelter site set for McLean and Rudderham building
November 16 -- Province's housing announcement features Prince Rupert plans, along with news for Terrace and Vernon
November 14 -- Province to allocate 44 modular units for housing need in Prince Rupert; efforts towards winter shelter option to continue
November 10 -- North Coast MLA to provide Housing update at Tuesday's Council session
November 9 -- As tents go up, Prince Rupert finds itself off the housing radar with Victoria

The full announcement, complete with background features along with a string of quotes from all of the principles can be viewed here.

More notes related to Housing issues of the Northwest, along with solutions in motion in other communities can be found here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Port Edward highlights process for nominees for Fall election

The current Council for the District of Port Edward have until 
September 14th to declare their intent when it comes to this falls
Municipal election in October
(Photo from District of Port Edward website)

The District of Port Edward has put its electoral process into motion, providing a Notice to Residents of the upcoming Municipal election of October 20th and providing for some background information for District residents who may be considering a run for office.

The Notice which is now available on the District website, notes that nomination documents are now available at the District Office at 770 Pacific Avenue,  with the nomination period set to take place from September 4th to 14th.

Once again, District voters will select One Mayor and Four Council members as part of the fall vote.

So far there has been no indication from Port Edward Council members as to their intentions, nor have there been any rumblings to this point as to whether any challengers are ready to try and grab a spot on the District Council.


The full notice for Port Edward can be reviewed below:

As we outlined on the blog yesterday, communities across the Northwest have launched the pre-election period by making nomination packages available for potential candidates.

The current make up of Port Edward Council includes:

Mayor Dave MacDonald
Councillor Dan Franzen
Councillor James Brown
Councillor Christine McKenzie
Councillor Grant Moore

In 2014, four residents offered up a challenge in the council race, with two of those contenders unseating incumbents.

In the Mayoralty race of four years ago, Alice Kruta made what turned out to be a bid to replace Mayor MacDonald.

You can review our archive of notes on both the North Coast/Haida Gwaii campaigns, as well as those from inland areas of the Northwest below:

Prince Rupert/Port Edward/Haida Gwaii

Northwest Inland communities


More items of interest related to the District of Port Edward can be found here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Terrace introduces Fire Ban as long weekend approaches

Those heading for the Terrace area and Riverboat Days festivities may find that any backyard party experiences may be missing a campfire, as the City of Terrace issues a campfire ban for the community as the current hot weather in the Northwest continues to exacerbate the potential for wildfire conditions.

Terrace issued their notice on Monday, advising that the Fire Hazard for the region was Extreme.

As part of the notice backyard fires are banned, the fire ban notice also affects any active burning permits that have been issued by the City of Terrace.

Those camping at the Ferry Island Campground can still have a campfire for now, but those fires cannot be left unattended.

The move by Terrace follows a number of other communities in the Northwest, with officials in Kitimat, Nass Valley and Haida Gwaii also having imposed a range of restrictions.

Fire conditions have provided for dangerous levels in many areas of Northern BC with BC Fire Service personnel currently working a number of fires along the Highway 16 corridor.

The most noticeable and listed as a Wildfire of Note is the Shovel Lake Fire located 15 kilometres Northwest of Endako.

That fire has provided for an Evacuation Alert for residents in the area

Other fires are being worked and watched over near Fraser Lake, while crews continue to work a fire near Vanderhoof.

Areas of Northern BC where the BC Wildfire Service
is working or tracking fire situations 

Earlier this morning, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, who serves as the Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness directed British Columbians towards more information on the current status of the Wild Fire situation in the province.

More background on Fire Bans and restrictions can be found here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

City of Prince Rupert wants to pay you, to climb the walls ...

To the rafters they go, the City is
looking for an attendant for
the Climbing Wall at the Civic Centre
(Photo from City of PR Rec Guide)

A unique Jobs posting is currently available with the City of Prince Rupert, as the Recreation Department puts out the call for someone to help shepherd Prince Rupert's would be rock climbers up the city's Climbing Wall at the Civic Centre.

The position which was just posted to the City's Job Opportunities listings is seeking the services of a Climbing wall attendant, with responsibilities for the safety and enjoyment of the wall by those who take to the lofty heights of the Russell Gamble Gymnasium at the Recreation Centre.

The city's Job Posting notes that they are looking for someone with confidence and passion for indoor climbing.

Levels of proficiency in climbing are required, as well as possession of a Standard First Aid Certificate or equivalent.

The deadline for applications for the job is September 15th.

Some further information for those looking to make use of the Climbing Wall at the Recreation Centre can be found here.

For those looking for more information on the job opportunity, the city's employment posting can be reviewed below:

More notes on labour themes and past employment opportunities with the City of Prince Rupert can be found from our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

BC North Bus proving to be popular option for Northwest

Two months in Passenger numbers are on the rise
for the BC Bus North pilot project

The introduction in June of the new BC North Bus which serves communities from Prince Rupert through to Prince George and on into the Peace has proven to be a popular concept, with the ridership statistics showing strong gains in the eight weeks that it has been running.

The Highliner Inn still serves as the Bus hub for Prince Rupert
with the BC Bus North service using the bus bay for its travels

The highway coach run which was put into service on June 4th, features a schedule which sees Departures from Prince Rupert eastbound twice a week on Friday's and Sundays.

Arrivals from Points east of Prince Rupert pull into the Highliner Inn bus bay on Thursdays and Saturdays.

One Zone fares cost travellers thirty five dollars (Prince Rupert to Smithers).

Those travelling two zones (Prince George to Prince Rupert) pay a fare of 45 dollars.

Claire Trevena,  the Transportation Minister was in the Prince George area last week to check in on the service, which uses 44 seat bus coaches operated on a contract basis by Pacific Western Transportation for BC Transit, Pacific Western also operates local transit in many of the communities across the Northwest Highway 16 corridor.

 Two months into the highway service, the reports out of Prince George suggest that the Prince Rupert to Prince George run is being used by up to twenty passengers per ride along segments of the 446 mile journey.

Transportation Ministry promotes BC Bus North
Minister showcases BC Bus North Service
CFFS applauds BC Bus North
BC Bus North is growing in ridership after one month on the roads
BC Bus North ridership steadily rising through first month of service: Pinkerton

While the current schedule has proven to be successful, BC Transit will be seeking further feedback from transit users before they make any further plans towards increasing service.

The province is considering all of its options when it comes to the future for transportation across the Highway 16 corridor and to other areas of the province facing transportation issues.

Greyhound Canada ended its service to the North and Northwest at the end of May, with further plans to end all of their service to Western Canada as of October 31st.

Last week, Greyhound officials directed some of the blame related to their decision at the feet of the Provincial government, noting that subsidies and no bid contracts contributed to the Greyhound decision to exit service in the province.

Earlier this month we noted how the BC North Bus blueprint could be a helpful project for the province as it looks to address the end of service for many of the rural communities in British Columbia that will see the end of Greyhound service in October.

You can find out more about the BC North Bus here.

More notes on transportation across the Northwest can be found from our Highway 16 archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Northwest, Haida Gwaii put on Level Three Drought condition

Considering our reputation as a rather damp place, the idea that the North Coast is facing a drought condition is one of those believe it or not things ...

But as of yesterday that was the status for all of the Northwest and Haida Gwaii as the Province of British Columbia added this corner of BC to the growing list of coastal areas suffering the situation this summer.

The information bulletin which you can review here, outlines the background to how the Province determines the need for the rating as well as notes that when in a Level Three Drought condition there is a call for voluntary water use reductions from all surface water and ground water users, including municipal, industrial and agriculture.

The notice also makes note of how local bylaws may differ from provincial water conservation targets.

Local municipal water conservation bylaws may differ from provincial water conservation targets, due to local water supply and demand, and the availability of storage (lakes and reservoirs) or groundwater. Residential, agricultural and industrial water users who are located within municipalities and regional districts are encouraged to observe local water conservation bylaws where they exist.

So far the situation in the Northwest and Haida Gwaii has not evolved into the need for any mandatory requirements from officials across the region.

With that, to this point there is no advisory or notice posted to the information portals from the City of Prince Rupert related to Monday's statement from the province.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Victoria Viewpoints: Monday, July 30, 2018

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Monday,  July 30, 2018


Globe and Mail 

Vancouver council's 'reasonable trade offs' on tower proposal marks flashpoint in housing debate
'Cheque week' in BC brings a one-day spike in overdose calls
Vancouver moves to expropriate two derelict Sahota-owned hotels
Rapidly drying conditions prompt campfire ban as BC's wildfire danger climbs


CBC

BC Liberal Party claims potential for $100M cost overruns on Patullo Bridge replacement
Health authorities urge caution as smoke spreads
Arrest made in 2009 BC gangland slaying
Pharmacies expected to run out of EpiPens in coming weeks: Health Canada
Former cabinet minister Peter Fassbender to run for Mayor of Langley
Vancouver moves to expropriate notorious slum hotels
Vancouver Island town mourns councillor killed in Surrey crash
John Horgan pledges pension support for Catalyis Paper workers as U.S. tariffs loom


Vancouver Sun

Premier Horgan defends cost of union-only construction rules
Vancouver seeks to expropriate decrepit Sahota owned slum hotels
Private Surrey MRI clinic joins injunction against BC government
Flag at half mast in Metchosin after councillor dies in Surrey collision
Independent panel to study Metro Vancouver' boards pay and benefits
Former MLA Peter Fassbender will run again for mayor in City of Langley


Vancouver Province

--


Victoria Times Colonist

Drought warning issued for Island, flow of rivers is low
Weighing the value of family physicians


Victoria News

BCGEU health care members ratify three year deal
Canada could run out of EpiPens by end of August
Pulp mill struggles long-term, Premier John Horgan says


Global BC

Veterans threaten to give back special licence plates if RCMP are eligible for same plates
Former minister Peter Fassbender running for Langley Mayor job
Province not considering changing social assistance cheque distribution for now
Vancouver House twisty tower not leaning or sinking despite rumours


Georgia Straight

16 BC pipeline protestors can appeal their convictions but they still have to pay their fines
Protest planned to keep pressure on Vancouver to deliver 100 percent welfare-rate housing at 58 West Hastings
Vancouver health authorities urge 2018 Pride partiers to test their drugs for fentanyl
Insite co-founder takes fight for royal commission on overdose deaths to Canada's governor general
How our highest court stopped TWU's Christian law school
New poll shows BC NDP and BC Liberals in dead heat less than a week after another poll showed five point gap
Vancouver files papers to take ownership of the dilapidated Balmoral and Regent hotels
BC's Aldergrove-Lynden border crossing to the US to go from two lanes to five


Vancouver Courier

Construction of three new lanes at Aldergrove border crossing begins
City seeks to expropriate Balmoral and Regent hotels
Woodfibre appeals tariffs on modules needed by LNG industry


The Tyee

--


Miscellaneous

Vancouver moves to seize crumbling Regent and Balmoral hotels
Site C dam opponents rally as injunction hearings continue

Ottawa Observations: Monday, July 30, 2018

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Monday,  July 30, 2018


Globe and Mail 

United States, Mexico enter 'rapid track' in NAFTA talks
As Toronto says goodbye to shooting victim Reese Fallon, Trudeau says Ottawa will study handgun ban
Would a ban on guns save lives? Look at places where it did
Justin Trudeau's gamble on immigrant voters
Doug Ford is right about Toronto
Canada pledges $50 million for vulnerable Palestinians
Feds won't decriminalize any drugs besides cannabis, despite calls from cities
Ottawa sees Chinese owned Huawei as major security threat, senior officials says


CBC

Conservatives out fundraise Liberals, post best 2nd quarter result outside of election year
Trudeau says he's looking abroad for ideas on curbing gun violence
Parliamentary security force seeks harassment investigators after case backlog

Federal scientists to be protected against muzzling, political interference
Federal government won't decriminalize other drugs besides cannabis
Government could compensate all public servants for Phoenix
Federal scientists to be protected against muzzling, political interference


Toronto Star

Bombardier gets $303 million (US) order for commuter trains to serve Greater Paris
Ottawa won't start constitutional fight over Toronto Council cuts
Quebec police investigating after Premier Phillippe Couillard's fishing boat sinks


Toronto Sun

McKenna's carbon tax no pot of gold
Some ideas about poverty to think about
Danforth attack inspired by ISIS social media rhetoric
Canada/US trade dispute getting hard to beer


National Post

Fist fly, and so does a megaphone, as refugee crisis inflames local politics in Toronto area
Canada rejected in bid to be part of high-level NAFTA talks between Mexico and U.S.: sources
On climate change, Conservatives and Liberals encourage the narcissism of small differences
Federal government set to approve first device for testing drivers' saliva for cannabis
New Brunswick Speaker Chris Collins is sorry, for what he can't say


Maclean's

Watching Doug Ford drive the bus


Global

Parliament's security force seeks outside help to deal with harassment cases backlogs in the future
Will Canada become the next country to offer mobile passports? Feds studying idea despite privacy fears
Canada to join Mexico, EU and other major auto-producing countries to plot strategy against tariffs


Miscellaneous 

EpiPens could run in August: Health Canada
US Homeland Security given information on foreigners in Canada on work, student, or permanent visas

For the Federal NDP there are few safer seats than Skeena - Bulkley Valley

Nathan Cullen in the House of Commons earlier this year,
a recent study indicates that Mr. Cullen is among those in
the NDP with one of the safest seats in Parliament

When it comes to Federal politics some seats are hotly contested, edge of your seat affairs on election night, while others are all but decided shortly after we drop our ballot in the ballot box.

With a Federal election year coming up in 2019, Canada's political parties are checking their lists to see where they believe that they will have the most success, as well as to where a lot more effort will be required to secure a place in the House of Commons on election night.

For the Federal NDP, there are many seats in play this time around, with political pundits suggesting that the party will see a slide in support and reduced number of seats in the House of Commons for 2019.

However, there appear to be a few pockets of solid support, with Skeena-Bulkley Valley included on a recent list of the safest of NDP ridings, holding down the sixth spot in a list of ten that are NDP inclined.

As it stands today, Nathan Cullen's grasp on the Northwest remains strong, with Mr. Cullen's seat listed as leaning close to 30 percent in favour of the NDP, making it among the most partisan of ridings in the country.

The findings were part of a CBC News review of where Canada's voters are leaning towards in the run up to the 2019 election campaigns.

The success of the NDP in their ten most loyal ridings is attributed to the high profile of the MP's that represent the party in the region.

And indeed, Mr. Cullen's profile with the party and from his time in Ottawa has helped to deliver the vote for the party.

In the 2015 election campaign, Mr. Cullen received over 51 percent of the vote, with 22,531 voters selecting him as their choice for MP in Ottawa, the next nearest challenger was Tyler Nesbitt of the Conservatives who received close to 25 percent of the vote.

Mr. Cullen's past results look as follows

2011

2008

2006

2004

Skeena-Bulkley Valley has at times shifted allegiances from NDP Orange to hues of Blue from Conservative Alliances and ancient success of the Liberals in the past, but that interruption of NDP dominance has been rare.

For any candidate looking for a sign that the NDP can be beaten, there is always the campaign from Andy Burton who represented the Conservative Alliance in 2000 and that of Mike Scott who represented the Reform party for two terms starting in 1993.

Both of the candidates on the right hand side of the political spectrum found success following the departure of long time NDP Jim Fulton, who retired from politics before the 1993 campaign.

Mr. Fulton who was among one of the most popular of politicians to serve in the region passed away at the age of 58 in 2008.  He had served in Ottawa for fourteen years, having defeated Liberal cabinet Minister Iona Campagnola in the 1979 Federal election.

The shift to the right of the late nineties and early this century reversed itself in 2004, when Mr. Cullen began his dominance in the Northwest, with the now high profile MP having won successive election campaigns, serving the riding for fourteen years and counting.

For more items of interest about Federal politics in the Northwest see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Nomination forms available across Northwest for Municipal elections 2018

Across much of Northwest British Columbia, those with an inclination to serve in public office are mulling over their options and making plans to file their papers, with Friday, July 27th having served as the official opening date for those looking to pick up a nomination form for the 2018 Municipal election in October.

A quick scan of the municipal websites for Terrace, Kitimat and Smithers all find Nomination information posted to those portals that notes that the nomination forms are now available and provide for some background information, as well as to offer an outline of the process involved to submit a name for the nomination period which gets underway in September.

The Nomination period is set from September 4 to 14, with the 14th the final day to ensure that a name is included as part of the 2018 electoral process.

Full Information for those communities can be found below:

Terrace
Kitimat 
Smithers

The election campaigns in the Northwest seem to already be in motion, with incumbents in Smithers and Kitimat declaring their intention to once again seek the positive endorsement of the public at the ballot box.

July 7 -- Bulkley Valley civic candidate update
July 4 -- Phil Germuth to run again for Mayor of Kitimat
July 4 -- Germuth Running for re-election this fall
June 20 -- Smithers Mayor runs again
June 18 -- Taylor Bachrach announces plans for upcoming Municipal election

As well, some would be newcomers have started to indicate their interest in the upcoming election, with the Terrace Mayoralty race gaining a bit of attention last week, as a local comedian was among those who threw his name into the "mix" for the 2018 campaign.

July 28 -- Kool-Aid man to run for Terrace Mayor
July 13 -- Candidate emerges for Terrace Council election
July 13 -- Local Business owner to run For Terrace Council

Elections BC outlined the path ahead in mid July, with this update on the rules and regulations that will take us up to the General Voting Day of October 20th.

So far there are few
notes to be found related
to the October 20th civic
election process through
the range of city
information options

So far the City of Prince Rupert has yet to provide any updates for the public that may be wishing to seek out a seat in Prince Rupert on the Council of Six, or take the challenge of a Mayoralty race to the incumbent Lee Brain.

(Likewise, the District of Port Edward has little information available on its website related to the 2018 election process)

In June of this year, Prince Rupert City council finalized the details for the election process for Prince Rupert, naming Corinne Bomben to the post of Chief Elections Officer, with Anthony Vera to serve as her Deputy.

As of this morning, there was still no indication on the City Website, Municipal App, or City of Prince Rupert Facebook page of nomination for the 2018 Municipal election, or any related information towards the process.

As well, to this point, none of the current members of Prince Rupert City Council have formally announced their plans to run for office in the fall campaign.

If one reads between lines of council related events, there have been some indications over the last six months that many of those currently in office intend to seek re-election when October comes around.

So far however, none of the political Facebook pages for those candidates on Social Media seem to  offer up any notes on any official announcements for the 2018 campaign.

Mayor Lee Brain
Councillor Barry Cunningham
Councillor Blair Mirau

As for any other contenders for office, so far those that may be considering their options for entry for either the Mayoralty race, or to seek a seat on Council seem to be keeping their plans fairly low key.

With the election campaign cycle expected to pick up through the rest of the summer heading to the post Labour Day period, we will track all of the latest developments from the archive pages below.

Decision 2018: Prince Rupert, Port Edward and Haida Gwaii
Decision 2018: North Coast Inland communities

For more notes related to Prince Rupert City Council see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review