North Coast Regional District to move forward with Recycling Centre upgrade; other notes from March meeting

North Coast Regional District moved a few projects to the active file following their March 22nd meeting, with the Kaien Road Recycling Centre now moving to the top of the list for upcoming upgrades.

The Regional District board received a report from staff at the meeting that indicated that there had been no opposition to the proposed bylaw to authorize the borrowing of 500,000 dollars to support the capital upgrades at the Recycling centre.

As we have outlined a few times so far this year, Regional District had put the borrowing bylaw proposal under the Alternative Approval Process, which required residents to make any opposition known to the District by February 28th.

Had more than ten percent of the responses indicating opposition been received, the Regional District would have had to put the proposed borrowing bylaw to a referendum vote.

With no opposition noted in this instance, the borrowing bylaw was approved at the March meeting

A Borrowing Bylaw has been approved by Regional District, with
plans now able to move forward for renovations to the Regional
Recycling Centre on Kaien Road in Prince Rupert

The Board also provided a resolution of support for the North Coast Regional District's application to the CleanBC Communities Fund to fund the installation of 57 level 2 charging stations along Highways 16 and 97.

The North Coast Regional District is taking the lead on that project, submitting the application on behalf of the six participating regional districts and the Community Energy Association will oversee the project management as it moves forward.

The timeline for the project will see capital resources being gathered through this year, with the deployment of the EV stations set to be introduced by 2020.

The total cost per station is expected to be $17,750 with local governments along the route to pick up 26% of the cost or $4,750 per charging station.

Some background on the work of the Advisory Committee towards the project can be examined here.  More notes related towards moving the project forward can be reviewed from the North Coast Regional District here.

At the March 11th Prince Rupert City Council session, Mayor Lee Brain outlined some of the background to the EV station program, you can find more on that presentation to Council here.

The North coast fishery was also a topic of note from the March Regional District session, with the Board resolving to send a correspondence to the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Coast Guard reinforcing the District's opposition to a federal government proposal.

With Regional District Board members making note of their opposition to a plan that would allow for the processing of hake and Pollock catches at sea, with the Board members to call on the Federal government make the processing of domestic catch at onshore facilities to be a priority.

The Board also addressed three issues of note for Haida Gwaii, receiving a request from the Village of Queen Charlotte for a letter of support for their Imagine Grant application with Northern Health.

Regional District members also heard an update on the Haida Gwaii Tsunami Pole project (see here) as well as provide a resolution of support for an application towards development of a Solid Waste Landfill Gas Flare project for the Islands.


You can review the notes from the March Board meeting here.

For more notes on Regional District see our archive page here.

 Cross posted from the North Coast Review

Victoria Viewpoints: Archive for April

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for the month of April 2019.

On A Break from Blogging Daily review will return, when we return

April 19-21
April 18
April 17
April 16
April 15
April 13 & 14
April 12
April 11
April 10
April 9
April 8
April 6 & 7
April 5
April 4
April 3
April 2
April 1

Ottawa Observations: Archive for April

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments
from the Federal scene for  April 2019

On A Break from Blogging Daily review will return, when we return

April 19-21
April 18
April 17
April 16
April 15
April 13 & 14
April 12
April 11
April 10
April 9
April 8
April 6 & 7
April 5
April 4
April 3
April 2
April 1

Victoria Viewpoints: Monday, April 1, 2019

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for  Monday, April 1, 2019



Globe and Mail 

Maple Ridge housing protest highlights tensions over homelessness problem
BC Legislature alters dress code, allows sleeveless clothing for female staff members
Insurance Corporation of BC challenged over inquiry payouts, disputes resolution


CBC

Cost of living rises in BC as new fiscal year begins
BC gas prices near record levels after carbon tax increase
BC conflict of Interest Commissioner Paul Fraser dies after brief illness
Big changes to car insurance kick start Monday
New money laundering reports will be released 'as soon as possible'
Victoria velodrome association floats plan for $120M multi0use complex
Bare arms now OK at BC Legislature as Speaker issues update of dress code


Vancouver Sun

New legislation to boost oversight, reduce rate hikes at BC Hydro
BC Conflict of interest commissioner Paul Fraser has died
BC legislature bids farewell to its moral compass
Civil forfeiture office seeks assets linked to alleged 30 million cryptocurrency scam
BC government offers leniency as speculation tax deadline passes



Vancouver Province

Lawyers prepare for battle over NDP's 'attack' on car-crash victims


Victoria Times Colonist

Legislature dress code updated to allow women to wear sleeveless dresses
'Generational shift' in BC auto insurance begins today


Victoria News

60 per cent of all Canadian Indigenous languages are in BC
Victoria Clipper V ferry launches new 'Vista Class'
ICBC caps can withstand lawsuit, save millions, A-G David Eby says
BC Ferries Commissioner proposes 2.3% limit on fare increases
BC carbon tax up April 1, other provinces begin to catch up


Global BC

Vernon gets extra time to make appeal decision in case of firehall hanky-panky
Money laundering reports submitted to BC government, will be made public 'as quickly as possible'
Family of BC teen murdered by classmates still fighting for "Kimberly's Law'
BC legislature modernizes dress code following 'bare arms' controversy
BC carbon tax, BC Hydro and ICBC rate hikes kick in on April 1


Georgia Strait

Speaker of the legislature Daryl Plecas allows women to bare arms in the workplace
Spring brings fresh concerns as BC continues to deal with fallout from 2018's catastrophic wildfires
Recovering addict concerned about relapse due to alleged drug abuse at Penticton shelter


Vancouver Courier

BC conflict commissioner Paul Fraser dies
BC Ferries commissioner proposes 2.3 per cent fare cap through 2024
Speaker issues update of dress code at BC legislature; sleeveless clothing OK

The Tyee

Transport Minister blames Woes of "Northern Sea Wolf' Ferry on BC Liberals
A rigged Game: School Closures in Vancouver
With 2.6 Million Disposable Cups trashed a week, Vancouver struggles to find solutions


Miscellaneous

Ottawa Observations: Monday, April 1, 2019

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for  Monday, April 1, 2019


The SNC-Lavalin Files

Liberals debate expelling Jody Wilson-Raybould, Jane Philpott from caucus
Ottawa locked in legislative delays as Tories push for Wilson-Raybould testimony
No apologies: Wilson-Raybould says she wants to stay in Liberal caucus
Liberals condemn Wilson-Raybould's covertly taped call as they consider fate of  ex-ministers
Wislon-Raybould's and Philpott's futures could be decided at Liberal caucus meeting
Trudeau's own pride is taking him down
So many LavScam questions and so few LavScam answers
Here's what Liberals are asking you to believe about the SNC-Lavalin saga
Conservative finance critic Poilievre begins 'marathon speech' in attempt to force more SNC-Lavalin testimony
Justin Trudeau keeps naming this small Ontario town as part of SNC-Lavaline defence, baffling locals
SNC-Lavalin brand at risk of turning 'toxic' due to 'muddled messaging': PR experts
Taking "Liberal-ludicrous' to 'bat-shit crazy'


Canada grounds the Boeing Max 8 and 9




Canadians held in China / China tensions



Globe and Mail 

Report on Climate change shows Canada warming at twice the rate of rest of world
Federal, provincial conservatives launch campaign fighting federally imposed carbon tax in four provinces
Remember when the Liberal carbon tax was a conservative idea?
Canada, U.S., move to redraft border treaty to cut flow of asylum seekers
Upbeat on economy, Bank of Canada's Stephen Poloz quiets rumours of interest rate cut
Experts say there are ways to overturn Quebec's secularism bill despite the notwithstanding clause
North Caribou Lake First Nation asks Ottawa for help as sewage spill threatens water supply 
Federal parties urged to bolster privacy protections beyond what the law requires ahead of 2019 election
Alberta election could dramatically reshape province's approach to climate change
Look like Trudeau spinning more falsehoods on SNC


CBC

Canada warming at twice the global rate, leaked report finds
New privacy guidelines issued for political parties in wake of blanket text messages
Report on devastating Canadian climate change a far bigger issue than Jody Wilson-Raubould
Newfoundland to receive $2.5B over thirty eight years in renewed Atlantic Accord
What you need to know: Federal carbon tax takes effect in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick today
Canada could be 1st country to harmonize laws with UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples


Toronto Star

Canada warming faster than the rest of the world, says Environment Canada
Conservative hijacks federal budget debate to push for SNC-Lavalin hearings
U.S. eyes renegotiating border agreement with Canada
Canada's political parties should respect citizens' privacy rights, watchdog says
Proposed secularism law exposes divisions in Quebec
Thank you prime minister for showing your true colours
NDP unveils universal pharmacare plan, aims program delivery by the end of 2020


Toronto Sun

The carbon tax rebate will make yo money?! Really?
McKenna's credibility problem is Trudeau


National Post

'Effectively irreversible': Canada warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, new scientific report shows
Congratulations, you saved $4.: Why the pre-carbon tax fill-up rush was a colossal waste of time
Civil disobedience tactics seen as possible means to defeat Quebec's


Maclean's

Conservative politicians fill up their gas-guzzlers
New Zealand is not showing Canada the way on gun control


Global

Can politicians send you unsolicited text messages? Here are the rules in Canada
Federal NDP rolls out Pharmacare Plan nearly 6 months before expected federal election date


Miscellaneous

The prince, the pea and the mercury - Justin Trudeau's politics of poisoning and politeness
Climate change is warming Canada at a rate twice as fast as the global average, federal report warns

MLA Rice gets hall pass so far in Bill 10 debate on LNG

The NDP government introduced some new legislation last week to help move the LNG industry forward in the province, with Finance Minister Carole James bringing Bill 10 to the Chamber last Monday afternoon, setting in motion the process that will eventually lead to its adoption should the Opposition Liberals choose to vote with the NDP.

The Bill which will provide for tax credits for development of the LNG industry is of particular interest to LNG Canada in Kitimat, which is far and away the closest to tapping into the provinces natural gas resources to be shipped out of a terminal facility on the shores of Douglas Channel.

The NDP will require and most likely receive the help of the Liberals, as the Green Party led by Dr. Andrew Weaver has been steadfast in their opposition to any LNG development.

Something that the Green Leader made perfectly clear during his opportunity for debate last week.

Mr. Weaver was followed by the two other members of the Green party in Legislature, as all three elected MLA's shared their opposition to the Bill and LNG, with MLA's Sonia Furstenau and Adam Olsen both speaking on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Weaver and his entire caucus were not the only ones to take up the debate on the NDP bill in a busy week of debate through Tuesday and Wednesday.

As we outlined late last week, both MLA Todd Stone a former cabinet minister during the Christy Clark years and Ellis Ross the current MLA for Skeena spoke on issues of LNG.

With the pair making much of the content of their presentations about the opportunities for the industry for the North Coast.

One item of note on their contributions were the observations that both made about the now abandoned Pacific Northwest LNG project, a theme which was high among their thoughts.

Though to hear Mr. Stone talk, perhaps we shouldn't put that once promising LNG opportunity away just yet ...

Ghost of Pacific Northwest LNG project floated in Legislature debate this week

Missed opportunities of the past frame the Bill 10 discussion for Ellis Ross in the Legislature this week

Other Liberal members who participated in the debate over the course of the three days of discussion were: Mike Bernier, Dan Davies, Mike Morris, Peter Milobar, Rich Coleman and Mike de Jong

A trio of NDP government members also spoke in support of the Bill that Ms. James has brought forward for the Chamber to consider.

Taking to the Legislature floor through last week to praise the legislation crafted by the Finance Minister were three members of the governing party: Michelle Mungall, George Chow, and Bruce Ralston, 

One name however, that has not appeared on the speakers list to this point has been that of North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice, who had a fairly quiet week in the Chamber last week.

Considering the passion that she brought to the LNG files since arriving on the provincial political scene in 2013, it would be interesting to hear what she may have to say in the Legislature on the rather abrupt change in direction for the NDP on LNG issues.

More importantly for the residents of her home riding in Prince Rupert, will be what she may have to say towards a future for the industry in this community, some might even like to hear her thoughts on Mr. Stone's somewhat interesting view that the Pacific Northwest Project may yet see the light of day  ... one day in the future.

To review some of the lengthy discussion on the North Coast during the days of PNW LNG see our archive page here.

How Ms. Rice and the NDP might view a rebirth for the once proposed mega project for the region  would certainly be of some interest to the Prince Rupert area, which at the moment has gone from being the front runner for any development, to now standing on the sidelines when it comes to the LNG euphoria found around the Northwest.

As the Legislature Bill tracker indicates Bill 10  is now moving to the committee stage and then will receive a third reading at some point in the future prior to it receiving Royal Assent.

Hopefully before it moves that far, North Coast residents will hear some kind of commentary in the Legislature from their MLA as to whether Prince Rupert or Port Edward fits into the NDP's new found dedication towards becoming an energy exporter from the North Coast.

A wider overview of LNG issues can be explored here.

For more items of interest related to the Legislature see our archive pages below:

North Coast

Skeena


Cross posted from the North Coast Review.

Earth Hour comes and goes and we'll never really know it's success or failure

The annual observance of Earth Hour came and went over the weekend, as we noted on Friday the project organized by the World Wildlife Federation asks for a dimming of lights for one hour as a symbol of our commitment to  protecting the habitat of many species.

Though judging by the precipitous drop in the participation rate, it would seem that over the last few years, most of British Columbia is telling the Animal world that "you're on your own gang"

Such has been the decline in participation towards the global even in British Columbia, that the province's hydro electric utility BC Hydro decided to end its data collection on how British Columbians fared on Earth Hour night.

BC Hydro says due to poor turnout, it's no longer tracking Earth Hour
Participation so low, BC Hydro isn't tracking Earth Hour anymore

In our notes of Friday, was a link to a BC Hydro report that indicated that interest in the Earth Hour project had seen a sharp decline,

One potential reason could be the Spring Break which just came to an end on Sunday evening, with School away for a two week period, the chance for classroom discussion and a home project of telling Mom, Dad or guardians to turn off the lights for an hour would seem to be lost, and as all parents know, much of the commitment towards causes such as Earth Hour come from the dinner time conversations with the youngsters.

It's not known what Earth Hour organizers may think of the BC numbers of recent years, but the BC Hydro charts do seem to show a pretty strong relation to the mass exodus of many communities that takes place during Spring Break.

Perhaps the dedication to the Hour is still there, it's just taking place in other locations far away from the province's city's and towns.


Cross posted from the North Coast Review