Victoria Viewpoints: Friday, January 31, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Friday, January 31, 2020


Coronavirus response in BC

Economic fallout from coronavirus outbreak could spread to Canada
Coronavirus fears could lead to online scams for face masks, says BC watchdog
Canada confirms 4 coronavirus cases while U.S., with 7, declares public health emergency
More than 100 people have been tested for coronavirus in BC, province says
BC tests 114 samples for coronavirus, just one case confirmed
BC coronavirus testing continues, still only one confirmed case
BC has tested 114 people for the novel coronavirus, but has only confirmed 1 case


Coastal Gas Link/Wet'suwet'en




Globe and Mail 

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum's stand against Uber was simply calculated self-interest
Chevron takes $1.6 billion writedown on Kitimat LNG
BC trucking firms of concern operating anyway
Mayors in BC's Lower Mainland, including Surrey, endorse regional ride-hailing licence

CBC

BC judge who led child-welfare inquiry and championed Vancouver community court retires
Metro Vancouver mayors including Surrey, unveil model for regional ride-hailing licence
Pattullo Bridge will be closed overnight Friday and Saturday
Elementary school on Vancouver Island marred by anti-francophone graffiti
Construction site wall caves in next to East Vancouver restaurant
Carrier Sekani Frist Nations, BC Government sign historic agreement
BC Ferries to replace aging Mayne Queen with faster, cleaner Salish Class vessel
She lives in a trailer on her father's land. But now the District has ordered her out



Vancouver Sun

Public Sector Salaries:  Where are the women? In BC, not many are near the top of the pay scale
Three former BC 'Indian hospitals' part of recently certified class-action lawsuit
TransLink hopes to mitigate effects of subsidy cut for accessible taxis
Eby has no plans to privatize ICBC and reforms do little to cut costs


Vancouver Province

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Victoria Times Colonist

Ferry contract awarded to Polish shipbuilder that built Salish-class vessels
Helps, City Manager met with federal officials in Ottawa to raise pressing issues

Victoria News

Navy officer dismissed after dismantling smoke detectors to enable smoking on HMCS Calgary
Esquimalt in talks with homeowner after $50,000 oil spill in Gorge Creek
North Saanich store declares itself media free zone to discourage paparazzi


Global BC

Lot behind Vancouver restaurant caves in during condo construction work
Lawsuits allege years of sexual, physical abuse against Indigenous girls in BC foster homes
Portland Hotel Society hired to help find housing for Oppenheimer Park homeless
Ridesharing has finally come to BC will it be a blessing or a curse?
Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum signs on to regional ridesharing licence, demands changes for taxi industry
Category 4 Atmospheric River hits BC coast: What it is and what does it mean?
Talks in bitter BC forestry strike could resume Sunday, says union
New 437 hotel gets green light next to Vancouver General Hospital


Georgia Straight

TransLink Mayors' Council backs intermunicipal licences for ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft
BC Green leadership candidate Sonia Fursteneau needs to put BC NDP government on the hot seat


Vancouver Courier

Lower Mainland mayors, including Surrey, endorse regional ride-hailing licence
Plaza of Nations redevelopment includes towers, Canucks practice rink, music venue
Conservation officers issue warning after orphaned bear cub captured in North Van
'Code-red': How the Sea to Sky Gondola team managed news of the cut cable
PHS society hired to find housing for Oppenheimer Park homeless
ICBC adjuster charged with fraud in North Vancouver
BC attorney general and West Vancouver go to court over sale of donated land


The Tyee

Upheaval at University of Northern BC: President on Leave, VP resigns
British Columbia poses big test for Trudeau 2.0
Workers' Comp Review too slow in Bringing change, says Labour Federation

Miscellaneous

Ottawa Observations: Friday, January 31, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for   Friday, January 31, 2020 


Canadians held in China / China tensions

--

The Chinese coronavirus

Fourth case of novel coronavirus confirmed in Canada
Ottawa working with China to repatriate Canadians stuck in province of coronavirus outbreak, Trudeau says
Our coronavirus requires good risk communication - leave the ghouls out of it
The line between us: For Chinese-Canadians like me, coronavirus is just the latest strain of infectious fear we've faced
Federal government 'engaged' in process to evaluate 196 Canadians from Wuhan, Trudeau says
Canada won't follow U.S. lead and declare national emergency over coronavirus: health minister
Third case of coronavirus identified in Ontario, a London woman in her 20s
Amid worry about coronavirus, masks are in short supply at Toronto retailers
Woman in 20s is country's 4th coronavirus case
China needs to stop blocking Taiwan from the WHO
Coronavirus reminds us why public health officials need to keep away from the political
Canada needs to show more caution dealing with coronavirus
Three months from now, we'll know if our world has changed. For now, we wait
Third case of coronavirus confirmed in London, Ontario bringing Canadian cases to four
Ottawa not ruling out possibility of quarantine for coronavirus evacuees: Hajdu
Economic fallout from coronavirus outbreak could spread to Canada
Coronavirus fears could lead to online scams for face masks, says BC watchdog


Globe and Mail

Trudeau names new senators for New Brunswick, Saskatchewan
Two long-range Russian bombers buzzed Canadian airspace, NORAD says
Why Canada should end our unfair birth-tourism policies
Canada's failed sew work laws cost Marylène Lévesque her life
Ethics committee urges renewed suspension for Ontario Senator Lynn Beyak
Federal government irks provinces with spring timeline for stabilization fund changes
Canada not rushing to post-Brexit deal with Britain, as business urges calm


CBC

Senate ethics committee recommending Lynn Beyak be suspended again
Ottawa has agreed to DNA-test remains of Iran plane crash victim, family says
Tories win 2019 fundraising race despite big drop in last quarter
With two Senate appointments, Trudeau has now appointed half of the upper house
Russian bombers buzzed Canadian airspace: NORAD
'We need action': Industry responds to broadcasting panel report in Ottawa


Toronto Star

A federal holiday for Indigenous reconciliation is back on Ottawa's agenda
Catholic bishops urge Trudeau to scrap changes to assisted dying legislation
Senate ethics committee recommends renewed suspension of Beyak
British envoy to Canada personally 'sad' about Brexit, professionally excited by new era
Tories win 2019 fundraising race despite big drop in last quarter
Quebec's Joyal retires from Senate
'We are Canada project' showcases diverse Canadian stories of resilience, tenacity and tolerance


Toronto Sun

Why some don't want Peter MacKay to march!


National Post

Navy removes commanding officer and second in command of HMCS Calgary
Ezra Levant wrote a book critical of the Liberals. Now he's being investigated.
Let's stop whining about Canadian politicians need to speak French
Ex-Harper advisor becomes Conservative apostate on safe injection sites
Pick a bloody definition, Liberals, and put this 'middle class' farce out of its misery


Maclean's

--


Global

Ontario Senator Lynn Beyak should be suspended again: ethics committee
Conservatives rake in most fundraising money in 2019 despite decline
No changes to stabilization fund until at least spring, feds say
Quebec premier's Facebook page flooded by hateful messages after he supports Muslims
Trudeau says he's confident Brexit will cause minimal disruption to Canadian economy
The 'Yoga Summit' that never was: Trudeau and Modi planned to stretch it out in India


Miscellaneous
     
British Columbia poses Big Tests for Trudeau 2.0

Fate of the Northwest salmon fishery raised in the House of Commons

MP Taylor Bachrach raised the issues of the Wild Pacific Salmon in
the House of Commons this morning

The tribulations of the Northwest salmon fishery made for some of the current of discussion in the House of Commons this morning, at at Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach spoke to the crisis of the last summer during Question period.

In  his Question for the Liberal government, Bachrach reiterated the concerns of his constituents calling for a range of assistance programs for the region.

"As anyone out on the Skeena River last summer can tell you, wild salmon are in crisis and this government is failing to act. We need funding for habitat restoration, for stock monitoring and for climate adaptation and we need it now. Will this government step up before it's too late?" -- Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach speaking during Question Period Friday in the House of Commons

In reply the Terry Beech, the Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Oceans and the Coast agreed to the themes of the issue, noting how the West Coast fishery was for a priority for the Liberals, recounting some of the recent steps the Federal government has taken towards the issue.

The Parliament Secretary added how he and the Ministry are looking forward to working with the Member of Parliament on the issue.

You can review the full exchange from the House of Commons below:



The discussion comes in the same week that UFAWU-Unifor released a report that laid much of the responsibility for the salmon crisis at the doorstep of DFO, our notes on that report can be reviewed here.

One call from the northwest that didn't get addressed today was the ongoing push from North Coast towards fairness in the fishery with the East coast, as well as immediate assistance for those in in the fishing industry in the region.

You can review more of those concerns on the fishery from our archive page here.

More notes on the work of Mr. Bachrach in the House of Commons can be explored here.

As well, items of national and international scope that come from the House of Commons can be reviewed through our Ottawa Observations archive  where we host an archive of items of interest from the nations capital.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Final day for enquiries related to City's plans for lease of Canfisco site warehouse

The City of Prince Rupert has plans in motion to lease space in this
warehouse to the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association, the period of enquiries
related to the City's Public Notice on the lease plans comes at 4 PM today

The clock is ticking for those that may have comments or to make enquiries to make to the City of Prince Rupert when it comes to the recently disclosed plan to lease a portion of a warehouse on the east side Canfisco site to a local group.

The location in question for the leasing plans is a warehouse on the
Canfisco fish plant site on George Hills Way

In the Notice to the public printed in the local paper over the last two weeks, the City called for the interaction of the public through a short line on the Public Notice.

All enquiries concerning this proposed property disposition may be directed to Rosa Miller, Corporate Administrator, in writing via email to rosamaria.miller@princerupert.ca or via fax at 250-627-099 no later than 4 PM Friday January 31st, 2020.

City Council hasn't offered up much in the way of background to make for any kind of full overview of the leasing plans, which as we outlined last week on the blog, came as a bit of a surprise, tucked as they were into the public notices of the newspaper.

With Mayor Lee Brain away this week at a Resource convention in Prince George he was not available at the Monday Council session to expand on his vision for the site, an element of the Prince Rupert 2030 plan that he offered up as part of a recent story from the local paper.

"Council and staff saw this unexpected opportunity as a way to obtain a new strategic waterfront asset and protect the community uses that currently benefit that area ... We believe having a new indoor space next to the revitalized Rushbrook Trail, the boat launch and Cow Bay down the road will be a great addition to the waterfront and fits into our newly formed 2030 Vision" -- Mayor Lee Brain on the city's interests in a warehouse on the east side waterfront

Those council members in attendance at Monday's council session, didn't appear to think that the topic warranted any discussion; with no mention made of it during their open period for comments and questions at the public gathering this week.

Something which made for another missed opportunity for a bit of transparency on some of the work that they seem to do behind those frequent closed door meetings.

As the 4 PM hour looms on the horizon, the period for any comment from the public will close, whether we hear from Council as to whether anyone had any concerns to share will apparently be at the discretion of the Councillors to disclose at some point in the future.

As for the plans for development, the lease that is under consideration would see the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association create a new space for their range of activities, you can get a glimpse of their ambitious plans from our notes of last week.

For more items of interest related to City Council see our Council Discussion archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Northwest Infrastructure the theme for MP Bachrach's first speech to the House of Commons

Northwest infrastructure concerns were the topic for Skeena-Bulkley Valley
MP Taylor Bachrach this week in the House of Commons

The work of the nation's Parliamentarians got underway this week as the House of Commons reopened for business following the extensive holiday period break.

As part of the first week of speechifying, it was a debut for Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach who took to the issue of how the government is tracking its infrastructure programs for his first major address.

The MP opened his speech with thanks to the electors of the riding for their trust in electing him to be their representative, as well the newly elected MP paid tribute to his family for their support on his journey.

He also delivered a travelogue for the members of the House, highlighting not only geography of the region but the people who live across the Northwest. He also spoke to the spirit of the Wet'suwet'en people and their respect of the land in his home area of the Bulkley Valley.

Turning to his theme of infrastructure, he called on some of his experience as Mayor of Smithers and some of his observations on the importance of delivering on infrastructure initiatives.

"Prior to this role, I had the opportunity to serve for eight years as the Mayor of the town of Smithers which was an honour and a joy. The motion we are now debating concerns infrastructure and my time as Mayor helped me appreciate how important infrastructure is to the quality of life Canadians enjoy. 

And that is why in general I support this government's focus on infrastructure investment. When it is done properly, investing in public infrastructure creates jobs, makes life in our  communities more enjoyable and helps to combat climate change"

The motion that the MP's are discussing is one which is looking to hold the Liberal government accountable for the spending that it has earmarked for infrastructure programs, with the Parliamentary Budget Office raising some red flags on the status of some 70 billion dollars that is yet to be accounted for.

Towards that theme Mr. Bachrach called for stronger oversight and an audit on the government's funding programs.

"This motion is calling for an audit of the government's 186 billion dollar infrastructure plan however and it is difficult to argue with the motion that seeks to help Canadians gain greater clarity on what  infrastructure funds are being spent on and whether the investments are achieving the government's stated goals.   

I must admit it was alarming to read that budget 2018 only accounted for 21 billion of a total 91 billion in infrastructure funding and that the Parliamentary Budget Officer found it difficult to fully account for the delivery of promised infrastructure funding.

The question I and many Canadians are still left wondering is where is the 70 billion dollars that is left un-accounted for"

The Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP  also pointed towards a need for wider investments into Green initiatives to help address the many challenges that face the nation on environmental issues.

"When it comes to the climate crisis Madame Speaker, Canadians deserve more than window dressing, they deserve measurable actions that add up to deep reductions in climate pollution"

The MP also called for rural residents receive their fair share of the infrastructure funding, calling for rural communities to be included as part of the funding overview.

"As the representative of a riding where the largest municipality has a population of only 13,000 people I would like to see this audit include an analysis of whether there is an equitable balance between rural and urban infrastructure investments" 

Mr. Bachrach also outlined some themes he collected from around the Northwest, making some of the concerns that local officials had relayed to him .

"I recently met with Carol Leclerc, the Mayor of Terrace who told me about her city's pressing need to upgrade transportation infrastructure and accommodate growth from unprecedented industrial activity. 

I know that the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako is desperate to see improvements in high speed internet service for rural residents. 

Prince Rupert a city of only 12,000 residents has estimated it's infrastructure deficit at over $350 million dollars. 

Highway 16, the Highway of Tears, runs through our riding and still lacks adequate cel phone coverage along long stretches. 

On Haida Gwaii residents want to end their dependance on diesel power and  instead move rapidly toward renewable energy. 

Nearly every community in Northwest British Columbia has projects on the books to renew water and sewer lines, water treatment facilities and other core infrastructure. 

In my home community of Smithers, a recent asset management planning exercise found that 30 million dollars in water, sewer and storm sewer upgrades will be required in the next decade." 

The Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP also made note of some of the findings from the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance which outlined through a study that some 1.3 billion dollars will be required in the Northwest to replace and renew critical infrastructure.

You can review Mr. Bachrach's full address to Parliament below:



 You can follow the work of the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP from our House of Commons archive here.

As well, items of national and international scope that come from the House of Commons can be reviewed through our Ottawa Observations archive  where we host an archive of items of interest from the nations capital.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

New report from UNIFOR-UFAWU points to DFO measures as making salmon fishery crisis worse

A new report from UNIFOR-UFAWU is laying much of the troubles of the West Coast Salmon fishery on the doorstep of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, with measures and decades of regulatory mismanagement that are leaving fish harvesters facing financial ruin.

The document released on Wednesday charts a fishery of artificially low limits and dropping landed values that have served undermine the livelihoods on the entire commercial fishing fleet, as well as to have had a dire impact on communities up and down the British Columbia coast.

“The federal government created a commercial fishing economy so precarious that when the salmon collapsed this year, the industry went with it. Commercial salmon fishing may never recover.” -- Jerry Dias, Unifor National President

The introduction to the report serves to set the scene of the 2019 salmon season and highlights how the dismal returns have created hardship for those in the industry.

The 2019 salmon season has been devastating for BC’s fishermen, ancillary workers and processing companies. In 2019, the total number of salmon commercially harvested in BC was 629,000 salmon or 3,583,000 pounds, the lowest catch in 70 years. The value was 15 million dollars, the lowest landed value paid to fishermen since 1951.

From their earnings, fishermen have to first pay their pre-season expenses of DFO licence fees, insurance, moorage, gear storage, and prep for their boats and engines. Fishermen also have up-front fishing expenses (fuel, grub, inseason repairs to their boats and gear) that they must pay during the season. When expenses are deducted, there is not much left to take home to feed their families and none left to look after their boats over the winter.

Shoreworkers, and others who are dependent on salmon for work, saw little this summer. A plant can process well over 3 million pounds in a season so the 2019 harvest of 3.5 million pounds was spread thin between BC’s many processing plants – resulting in little or no work for plant workers. Most of the salmon in our local markets have been sourced from northern Alaska or Russia, which have had a banner year, unlike BC and southern Alaska.

Also making for another season of misery was the impact of climate change on the industry, something the union document describes as a crisis situation.

Climate change and its various impacts on salmon have created a crisis; salmon did not return to BC from the North Pacific where they over-winter. Who knows if this pattern of low salmon returns will continue? But until there is a climate change adaptation plan for commercial fishing people and fish processors, government needs to ante-up and give fishermen and ancillary workers financial support. 

Fishermen lost between 30% and 100% of their income, before expenses. Fish processing companies, who have had little salmon to process and therefor no revenue are finding it impossible to make loans to assist fishermen with their vessel costs. Skilled deckhands, shoreworkers, net menders, tendermen and other ancillary workers, unable to make a living will vacate the industry, leaving no one to train future generations. Infrastructure costs, whether they be for boat, gear or processing facilities are ongoing whether there is a large fishery or no fishery at all. Infrastructure cannot be maintained when there are little to no earnings

As part of a response, the union has once again reinforced their call for federal government disaster relief for workers and their families, as well as for the government to assist the industry in developing a climate change adaptation plan.

“Help from the federal government is beyond urgent. Hundreds of fish harvesters are facing financial ruin after decades of fisheries regulation mismanagement.” -- Joy Thorkelson, president of the United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union (UFAWU)-Unifor

The look ahead for the union isn't one that is a hopeful one at the moment, with the report noting how the 2020 season looks to be set follow the lead of 2019 on the Pacific coast.

The future looks bleak. 2020 is predicted to be as bad as 2019 all across the BC coast. The Big Bar slide will further restrict any possible Fraser fishery as work to create fish passage will likely not be fully completed in 2020 and it will take years to rebuild damaged upper Fraser salmon stocks. Licensing measures prevent fishermen from easily moving into another species fishery and as ocean conditions become less and less favourable for cold water BC fish, other fisheries will also become at risk.

It is time for the Federal and Provincial governments to sit down with fishermen and ancillary workers to discuss the future of BC’s fishing industry. What can be done to keep a fishing fleet in viable condition? To attract new entrants? To pass on fishing skills? To meet First Nations aspirations? To assist and engage fishing communities in retaining economic value from our fisheries? What changes need to be made?

When it comes to hearing back from the Federal Minister of Fisheries, the office at times seems to be more a stop in the Witness relocation program, the last Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, a Vancouver area MP, managed to go an entire mandate without making a stop on the North Coast.

The latest minister to be tasked with the Fisheries file is Bernadette Jordan, the Nova Scotia MP was appointed to cabinet following the recent election of the minority Liberal govern,ent

Past invitations to the Federal Ministers of the past to come to the city have all seemingly gone un-answered, something which seems to put the North Coast at times out of sight and out of mind when it comes the struggles for those in the fishery.

And that theme of inaction is one that makes for the conclusion to the report, with the renewed call for constructive measures from the Federal government.

So far, DFO and the Minister responsible for Fisheries and, moreover, responsible for the people engaged in the fisheries, are not answering. This Updated Report provides sufficient information to show that BC fishermen and ancillary workers are not ‘crying wolf’. All the evidence points to the rapidly approaching end of the commercial salmon fishery in BC and the end of the iconic BC fisherman. It is incumbent on governments to work with the people who rely on the commercial fishery to figure a way out of this crisis.

You can access the full report from UFAWU-Unifor here.

For more notes on the fishery of the North Coast see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Victoria Viewpoints: Thursday, January 30, 3030

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Thursday, January 30, 2020


Coronavirus response in BC


What the BC CDC says you're getting wrong about the novel coronavirus
BC companies restrict business travel to China amid coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus panic, misinformation running rampant among BC's Chinese-speaking communities
WHO declares coronavirus international 'public health emergency'
"You dropped your coronavirus" white man tells Asian woman in Burnaby
10 things Vancouverites need to know about coronavirus
Could e-scooters be hitting Metro Vancouver streets this summer?
Coronavirus quiz: Do you know the answers to these 10 quesitons?
'Business as usual,' says Richmond Chamber of Commerce as coronavirus lands in BC
'I'm not leaving without my wife and son': Families trapped in Wuhan could be split during evacuations
BC tourism will take a hit because of coronavirus: economist
Greater Victoria pharmacies sell out of masks, hand sanitizer in wake of coronavirus


Coastal Gas Link/Wet'suwet'en

RCMP limits on access to Wet'suwet'en land illegal and arbitrary, groups say
RCMP to stand down as Wet'suwet'en hereiditary chiefs and province start de-escalation talks
Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs among those calling for civilian review of RCMP actions
Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs agree to talks with BC government over pipeline blockade
BC hereditary chiefs agree to discussions with province over Coastal GasLink opposition


Globe and Mail 

BC launches talks with taxi industry about fees to aid disability services
Federal Court of Appeal set to release decision in Trans Mountain challenge on Tuesday
In the middle of an affordability crisis, Vancouver hiked property taxes sky high. Why?


CBC

Housing alone can't solve complex mental health and addiction cases, advocate says
Amid forestry industry crisis, tree-planting contractors look to banner year
'A living hell': Kelowna family  mourns their loss at killer's sentencing hearing
Vancouver taxi companies stop subsidizing drivers of accessible vehicles, cite ride-hailing competition
Four from BC charged with human trafficking in Saskatchewan
Indigenous woman reaches settlement with Kelowna RCMP over sex assault interrogation
Nanaimo conference looks at link between brain injuries and domestic violence
Whistler hotel banquet workers to be repaid $85K in tips
Taxi drivers now able to get ICBC insurance equivalent to ride-hailing services
Metro Vancouver could have regional ride-hailing licence model in place by Friday


Vancouver Sun

BC public sector salaries database: 10th edition
Cornerstone of northern BC economy being re-shaped by time, technology, resources forum hears
BC provincial court Judge Thomas Gove retires with impressive legacy
Investors buy SRO buildings as City of Vancouver calls on Province to discourage speculation
Insurance structure tweaked for BC Taxi drivers to help level field with ride-hailing
Regional ride-hailing business licence framework expected Friday
Four Vancouver Islanders charged with trafficking two young BC girls


Vancouver Province

--

Victoria Times Colonist

20 storey hotel plan for Blanshard Street pitched as downtown landmark
Councillor defends Victoria's pipeline motion
It doesn't make sense to build Fire Hall at new Esquimalt town hall


Victoria News

Dallas Road is not an RV Park: Residents fed up with overnight parking
Blanshard Block developer aims to complete heritage, tower project without displacing current tenants
Council seeks Oak Bay residents' priorities in budget questionnaire
BC boosts disaster fund for farmers suffering crop losses


Global BC

International students 'ripe for plucking' by gang recruiters; Fraser Valley police warn
BC offers taxis new insurance option, accessibility funds to achieve fairness with ride hailing
Business case approved for Surrey-Langley Sky Train, but questions remain about funding
Victoria City Council sends new version of plastic bag ban to province for approval
Human Trafficking-related charges laid after convoy pulled over: Saskatchewan RCMP
BC Senior terrified after kind gesture leads to squatters invading backyard
10 Metro Vancouver schools see U Pass extended to 2025, fares to rise annually
Details of Metro Vancouver regional ride-hailing licence expected Friday


Georgia Straight

Canadian doctors link fracked gas to cancer and birth defects
BCTF still hopes for deal as it prepares for the worst
Dave Harper launches campaign for BCTF presidency


Vancouver Courier

Vancouver Council greenlights Lululemon's plans for new head office
U-pass program extended for Richmond, Metro Vancouver students
BC could benefit economically from Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocating to West Coast
Could e-scooters be hitting Metro Vancouver streets this summer?
How global climate change could affect our local real estate markets
BC launches talks with taxi industry about fees to aid disability services
Federal Court of Appeal to release decision in Trans Mountain challenge


The Tyee

Miscellaneous

Ottawa Observations: Thursday, January 30, 2020

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Thursday, January 30, 2020 


Canadians held in China / China tensions

--

The Chinese coronavirus

World Health Organization declares a global emergency over new coronavirus
Coronavirus scare aboard Italian cruise ship subsides as Chinese passengers test negative
Canada negotiates details of airlift as WHO declares global health emergency over coronavirus
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer condemns racist acts linked to coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus declared a global emergency as more Canadians seek help to get out of China
Canadian-based UN agency under fire after Twitter spat about coronavirus
Number of Canadians wanting help getting out of China climbs to 196
Can Ontario prevent a pandemic?
U.S. confirms its first person-to-person coronavirus transmission
WHO declares emergency, Canada remains under control
Canada needs to proceed cautiously bringing people home from Wuhan
No need to change Canada's plans after WHO declares global emergency: Hajdu
Coronavirus risk to Canadians remains low despite WHO declaring global emergency: top health official
Coronavirus. What does being infected look like?
Canadians stuck at coronavirus epicentre promised government help - but details not worked out
Chinese Canadians facing hate, racism for coronavirus outbreak much like the SARS outbreak in 2003
Fight the virus and racism at once
Watch China build two enormous Wuhan hospitals at a breakneck pace
What the BC CDC says you're getting wrong about the novel coronavirus
Some 'vulnerable' Canadian diplomatic staff, dependants evacuated from China
Journalist Peter Akman no longer works for CTV after infamous coronavirus tweet
Centers for Disease Control confirms first person-to-person spread of coronavirus in US
World Health Organization declares coronavirus outbreak to be a global emergency
What does the WHO coronavirus outbreak global emergency declaration mean?
BC companies restrict business travel to China amid coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus panic, misinformation running rampant among BC's Chinese-speaking communities
WHO declares coronavirus international 'public health emergency'
Canadians told to avoid all non-essential travel to China


Globe and Mail

Ottawa spent more than $180,000 on defamation case involving Seamus O'Regan
Broadcasting report constitutes a stunning unjustified power grab
The Conservative Party will stand up for LGBTQ Canadians - now that it's easy and convenient
Conservatives lodge complaint over RCMP's refusal to investigate Trudeau's vacations on Aga Khan's island
Bureaucratic hurdles hampered federal flood-prevention program, report says
Liberals' changes to summer-jobs program caused confusion, documents show
To win a UN Security Council seat, Canada needs to compete hard


CBC

Liberals face difficult decision on fate of controversial Challenger jets
Federal Court of Appeal to release decision Tuesday in Trans Mountain challenge
Prime Minister's office being urged to appoint Kirsten Hillman as Canada's first female ambassador to US
Single-use plastic ban coming in 2021 after report concludes there is evidence of harm
Bill to reform broadcast and telecom rules coming soon: Guilbeault
Liberals' changes to summer-jobs program caused confusion, documents show
Social media users voice fears about election manipulation during 2019 campaign says Elections Canada
Groups demand Ottawa take action over CSIS discrimination claims
How the Harper model worked, and why it's now broken



Toronto Star

Social Conservatives present a thorny problem for the next Conservative leader
Canada aims to ban single-use plastics by the end of the year and that will 'likely' include plastic bags, forks and straws
Conservatives lodge complaint over RCMP's refusal to probe Trudeau's island stays



Toronto Sun

--

National Post

Pipeline dispute raises important question - who speaks for First Nations?
The latest Liberal method of writing a cheque to the middle class
How the Conservatives leadership contestant questionnaire could derail Richard Décarie


Maclean's

What the Conservative race needs now is ... John Baird?
Solving the climate crisis isn't on consumers. It's on the people in power


Global

Federal flood prevention program bogged down by bureaucracy, audit finds
Federal Court of Appeal to release decision in Trans Mountain challenge
Ontario faces calls to investigate money laundering at provincial casinos
Conservatives want review of RCMP refusal to investigate Trudeau-Aga Khan trip



Miscellaneous
     

Mayor Brain in Prince George for Resource forum and conversation with provincial officials

Mayor Lee Brain is on the road this week, attending the annual BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George, the three day event which got underway on Tuesday and will wrap up with its final sessions through the day today.

In addition to taking in some of the workshops, keynote addresses and other forum activities the Mayor and his partners in the Northwest BC Resource Benefits Alliance managed to get a few minutes with Premier John Horgan and Energy Minister Bruce Ralston.

Conversations where as the Mayor notes they discussed plans towards a long term revenue sharing agreement with Province of British Columbia.

Through his Facebook portal, Mayor Brain made note of the session with Mr. Horgan on Wednesday night, relaying some themes of the work of the Alliance and some of the challenges that they hope to work towards should they receive additional funding from the province.

In his comments, Mr. Brain didn't have much to share when it came to the most recent discussions with the Premier, but he did observe how there will be more on the RBA plans to come later this year.

The work of the collective has been a long running mission, first brought to the attention of the public back in January of 2015. 

That is when Mayor Brain, following up on the ground work in place from former Mayor Jack Mussallem,  brought Prince Rupert into the membership.

Since then there have been many discussions on their plans, along with with the province providing for some additional funding towards their work. 

Though so far, when it comes to the implementation of an expansive revenue sharing plan for the region, the delivery on their goal has to this point proven to be a bit elusive for the Northwest representatives.

You can track some of their past work from our archive page here. 

As for the BC Natural Resources Forum, Mr. Brain was not the only Prince Rupert representative to be found around the convention hall, with the Port of Prince Rupert's Maynard Angus part of a discussion panel that explored themes of prosperity through partnerships.

You can review more background on the three day event in Prince George from the BC Natural Resources Forum website.

Owing to his travels, the Mayor was not in attendance for the Monday Council session at Prince Rupert City Hall.

For more notes related to Mayor Brain and City Council see our Council Discussion page here.


Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

The "Cloud Berry Trail' to be the next big project for the Kaien Island Trail Enhancement and Recreation Society

Frances Riley and Steven Milum presented an update for Council Monday
on the plans from Kaien Trails for future trail development in the community

Prince Rupert City Councillors had a chance to get a glimpse of the next evolution for Prince Rupert's Trail network, as a pair of members from the Kaien Island Trail Enhancement and Recreation Society delivered an update at Monday's Council session.

Appearing as part of the Committee of the Whole process on Monday, Steve Milum and Frances Riley delivered the update on some of the recent work from the Kaien Trails Society, reviewing some of the past projects that the group has taken on and offering a preview of their next initiatives. 

Among the highlights on the night was Ms. Riley's outline for the development a trail to be known as the Cloud Berry Trail, which will travel along Highway 16 leading from the Civic Centre towards the Butze Trail area, Tall Trees Trail and Oliver Lake.

That project would be a multi use trail, running along the mountain side of the highway and would offer a strong opportunity towards accessing funding towards development.

The timeline towards development of that new trail would see the group submitting a permit application to the Province in the Spring, with preliminary concept and cost estimate set for the summer of this year.

They then will launch their corporate engagement in the fall with grant applications to be put forward over towards the winter of 2021.

Among their other notes was an update on the status of the plans for the McClymont Trail, a project that they had brought to CityCouncil back in January of 2019.  

As they explained it on Monday, Progress on that project has been put to a shelf for now, with the Kaien Trails group noting that as it is a City of Prince Rupert utility corridor, they have had difficulties accessing funding opportunities towards that proposed project. 

Though they did note for the council members that there are federal and provincial grants available to the city towards further development of that trail if the city wishes to follow up on them. 

Ms. Riley and Mr. Milum also outlined some notes on another trail that they have some enthusiasm for. 

That of the proposal for the Seal Cove area known as the Rail Trail,  noting how it will need further consultation with the City and other regional stakeholders before they can look to move forward into development of it as part of the Master plan trail.

Mr. Milum also spoke to the theme of funding, outlining the range of grant opportunities that are available for the community to access.

He also advocated for the City to develop a Transportation Strategy, noting that if the City does so, it would be easier to access a wider selection of grant funding.

He highlighted some of the benefits of such a plan and how it would work nicely as part of the City's plans to update their Official Community Plan in 2020.

"There's just one barrier that we're facing, the City has to have an active Transportation Strategy and without it we're not able to apply. So, what is an active Transportation Strategy?  It's a BC Strategy for a Cleaner more active transportation, this program rolled out last year "

Mr. Milum also made note of the interest in the Active Transportation Strategy found in other Northwest communities and how Prince Rupert risked losing out on the large pool of money available if the city doesn't develop one for this community.

He also outlined how if the City has such a plan in place, it would open doors for Kaien Trails to then gain access to a range of funding opportunities for further development of the trail network in the region.

Mr. Milum also observed how he realized that Council could not move on their request on the night, leading to Councillor Niesh to note that Council could ask staff as to how they could move forward on it in upcoming sessions.

When it came for comments and questions, Council members had much praise for the work of the Society as well as few inquires on some of their themes.

Councillor Adey commented how the Kaien Trails proposals were part of the recent discussions on Redesign Rupert process and how he found much enthusiasm for their plans.

He also made note of one item that will need to be addressed and that was on the theme of maintenance of the trails and what provisions might be in place towards those elements.

Towards that concern, the Kaien Trails representatives offered up a thumbnail guide as to how they would address long term maintenance, noting how the Cloud Berry trail is on provincial land and how the province would most likely take on the maintenance concerns.

As for other trail initiatives, it would be a mixed approach relying on volunteers.

Coucillor Adey also made note of the urgency related to the February deadline and how he supported whatever Council needs to do to move it forward.

Councillor Mirau echoed a number of Mr. Adey's themes and made note of the timing of development for an Active Transportation Plan and how it would work with the city's review of the Official Community Plan.

"An Active Transportation plan would be really valuable information, as you guys know, we're moving forward with a new Official Community Plan. And that will be valuable feeder information in that process as well, so I think it's all consistent, it's all linked, so I think your timing is fantastic." 

Councillor Cunningham inquired as to the volunteer numbers that the Society has at the moment, he also expressed his admiration for their work and spoke to the success of the Rushbrook Trail.

Councillor Skelton-Morven also offered his congratulations on their work and their initiatives ahead.

You can review the full presentation to Council from the City's Video Archive starting at the very beginning of Monday evening's proceedings.




For more notes on Monday's Council Session see our Council Timeline here.

A wider overview of Council Discussion themes can be reviewed from our Council Discussion Archive.

For more notes on Kaien Trails Enhancement Society, including a link to their master Trail plan for the region, see our archive page here.


Cross posted from the North Coast Review.