The BC United Opposition has been making this week Crime week of sorts at the BC Legislature, with many of the MLA's rising to take on the NDP government's handling of Justice and Public Safety issues.
Among those taking the lead for the BC United Party has been Skeena MLA Ellis Ross, who used his time in the Tuesday morning Question period to raise some concerns from the Northwest, in particular the Terrace region towards the issue of repeat offenders.
"Violent repeat offenders keep causing havoc and getting released back on the street, and no amount of NDP protocol spin is going to change that.
It was over a year ago that I asked the Premier about his catch-and-release justice system and the chaos and crime and Terrace.
He dismissed the issue as mere anecdotes.
Those were his words.
Then we had this government claim the system isn't broken. Well, now British Columbians are saying that the system is broken.
My question is to the Premier: if a prolific offender in Terrace commits a violent crime while out on bail, why doesn't the government prioritize public safety by, at least, making an effort to keep them detained instead of releasing them half the time?"
The question while addressed to Premier Eby, was handled by Attorney General Niki Sharma, who observed that BC has the strictest bail policy in all of Canada, noting that Federal reforms are required to further address the issue.
Mr. Ross offered up a reply that noted of a past solution offered up by the opposition that had been rejected. The Skeena MLA then returned to the theme of some of the havoc being found in communities across the province.
"Prolific offenders in communities like Vancouver, Nanaimo and Terrace continue to be put back into community to attack people and businesses.
The George Little House in Terrace has experienced multiple break-ins, with the most recent just occurring last month. During three of these break-ins, thieves brazenly stole artwork from local artists and badly damaged this beautiful heritage building.
And this was all captured on video.
Debbie Letawski from George Little House says: "These incidents have caused considerable financial hardship and loss as well as taking an emotional and physical toll on my health and well-being."
This is what British Columbians are feeling.
Boarded-up storefronts, violence and sleepless nights are not what the residents of B.C. deserve.
My question is for the Premier.
What will it take for the Premier to abandon his catch-and-release justice system and finally deliver the public safety that he promised? "
The Attorney General observed of some progress by the province to the issues, noting of the recent plan to create 12 hubs across the provinvce, including one in Terrace to ensure that the tools are in place towards repeat offenders.
Tomorrow is the Day of National Mourning, an event marked Nationally across the country and dedicated to those who have lost their lives while at work.
Today during Question Period in the House of Commons, NDP Transport Critic and Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Taylor Bachrach once again, called on the Liberal Government to improve safety regulations for tugboats.
The MP speaking to the delay in implementation of recommendations from a Transportation Safety Board report from earlier this year following the 2021 deaths of Troy Pearson and Charlie Cragg on the tugboat Ingenika.
That report, released on March 8thmade four recommendations to protect mariner safety.
Expand its surveillance program to include regular inspections of tugs of 15 gross tonnage or less to verify that these vessels are complying with regulatory requirements.
Require authorized representatives of tugs of 15 GT or less to assess the risks present in their operations, including the suitability of their tugs for the specific towing operations they are undertaking.
The TSB also had recommendations for the Pacific Pilotage Authority:
Verify that eligibility requirements are met before issuing pilotage waivers to companies operating tugs in compulsory pilotage areas.
Implement a process to verify ongoing compliance with waiver conditions by companies operating tugs in compulsory pilotage areas.
In his time in the House today, the MP reminded the Commons of the tragedy on the Gardner Canal two years ago and the lack of movement towards implementing safety recommendations that came out the Transportation Safety Board Investigation.
“Tomorrow is the National Day of Mourning — a day when we remember those who have been killed or injured on the job.
Workers like Troy Pearson and Charlie Cragg who were killed when the tugboat Ingenika sank near Kitimat.
It’s been a month and a half since the Transportation Safety Board issued four recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
Every day, workers are boarding vessels just like the Ingenika. Their lives hang in the balance.
Will the minister stand today and finally commit to implementing all four recommendations?”
The short reply from Transport Minister Omar Alghabra didn't provide for a timeline as to when the recommendations would be delivered by way of action as recommended.
Mr. Bachrach's Question and the reply from Transport Minister Omar Alghabra cane be viewed from the question Period video replay starting at the thirty minute mark.
The status of the current make up of the City of Prince Rupert Fire Service made somewhat of a surprise topic as part of the final Budget considerations by City Council.
The Conversation from Council provided a bit of insight from the members of the public who made use of the City's online Budget simulator. With their contribution towards the theme of Public Safety making for the focus of the council members narratives on the night.
The data that the Councillors used came out a Report from CFO Corrine Bomben and part of the Agenda for her presentation on Monday.
With 41 per cent of the respondents who participated in the Budget simulation indicating that they would decrease the Fire Service budget. Other data indicated savings should be sought from the Police Service. and Victim Service categories.
The Council members noted that the Police Budget is for the most part out of their control owing to the nature of the contract policing agreement they have with the Province.
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The data review that sparked the Council discussion is focused on the online Simulation, as well, Ms. Bomben's report features some of the commentary towards Budget themes, with public safety among the areas of note.
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While they made note of the public input on Public Safety, the councillors who spoke to the topic of the Fire Department clearly had no appetite towards any suggestion of changing things from a professional service to one of a hybrid, or volunteer based operation.
Among those speaking to the Fire Department elements included:
Councillor Wade Niesh
"There was a couple of comments about Fire Department. You know we are a compact community with houses that are very close together, businesses downtown that are very close together you now most touching.
So a Paid Fire Hall is something that I do believe in, because I feel that a quick response is something that will hopefully save some buildings, some maybe not"
Councillor Cunningham
"Well you know, A lot of the comments are ... Cut the Fire Department from a Full time to a volunteer.
Well you know, other towns of our size that did have volunteers are now going to complement of full time and volunteers and they're struggling to get volunteers. And this town here struggles to get volunteers right now.
Even if we did, it's not going to impact the budget this year or next year because Volunteer Fire Departments need to train up their volunteers.
Getting volunteers in this town that are available 24/7 is just about impossible because so many people work, as Councillor Niesh said earlier, they work shift work, so they can't be available 24/7
And also, you know maybe we can share the cost with industry. You know, that's something that's gotta be looked at, but you know that was another suggestion made.
I think you know people look at the Fire Department as a big cash cow, it isn't.
It's a very essential service especially if you want to attract industry. Industry is not going to come to a town where if they build something and something happens it's just going to disappear
And so I think we definitely have an advantage having a full time fire department, especially with the size of the port we've got and things like that.
You know are they sharing the cost, hopefully one day they will, but in the meantime we have to do it alone"
Teri Forster
"One thing about the Fire Department that I haven't heard mentioned. If we were to move to a Volunteer one that would impact our personal property insurance ... So I'm not at all in favour of that because the money will cost us more elsewhere it's not just, that's a solution, there are implications"
Mayor Herb Pond followed up on that element of the discussion with a few additional observations.
"Just to be clear it can, the underwriters won't give you that clear a direction, at least the last time around that I played this game.
They won't be that clear, that you cut your fire department to volunteer, we're down whatever. But they have their checklist of things they look at and it would be a risk for sure. I think that's fair"
Mr. Pond added a few more thoughts to the topic in his closing comments.
"As you all know, I last sat in this chair in a time when we were cutting millions out of the budget where we actually did reduce the Fire Department. And we made really tough cuts that cost me friendships quite frankly.
And If I thought that was the era we were in and I thought that's what we needed I would recommend it again"
The mayor further noting that he doesn't believe that is a situation facing the current council.
The topic of a change towards Fire Protection did not make for any of the public commentary at the two City Council engagement opportunities offered up as part of the Budget Process for 2023.
The Fire Service is one of the higher budget requirements, that mainly through the salary level of the members of the department.
While the themes covered by the Councillors shared a determination to hold to the current model, since the topic was of some note for the online participants, Council may want to have a more comprehensive study taken on to explore the benefits that they noted towards the professional service that Prince Rupert uses.
It would offer up an opportunity to compare the Prince Rupert model to those other communities of similar size and a number of those that are larger that currently use the hybrid version, or rely on a paid volunteer program.
A full review would provide residents with some factual and independent documentation towards the themes that were outlined, which could offer more back up to the Council members commentary and observations on the evening.
The ebb and flow of the Fire Department commentary can be found from the City's Video from Monday starting at the one hour thirty eight minute mark.
Alberta based AltaGas and the Dutch Global bulk fuels giant Vopak are coming a new joint venture to explore the potential for a Large Scale LPG and Bulk Liquids export Terminal on Ridley Island.
In an information release on Wednesday, the background to what would be a 50/50 joint venture was outlined.
The new initiative to be known as REEF (Ridley island Energy Export Facility) builds on the previous work of VOPAK as part of their previously submitted regulatory findings for a Prince Rupert facility.
REEF has been granted the key Federal and Provincial permits to construct storage tanks, a new dedicated jetty, and rail and other ancillary infrastructure required to operate a state-of-the-art and highly efficient facility.
REEF would be developed on a 190-acre (77 hectare) site on lands administered by the Prince Rupert Port Authority for which the joint venture has executed a long-term lease that sits adjacent to AltaGas and Vopak's existing Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET), which has been in operation since April 2019.
The facility would have the capability towards the export of LPG's, methanol and other bulk fuels.
Wednesday's information release notes that should REEF reach a positive final investment decision, it is planned to be developed and brought online in phases.
This approach will provide the most capital efficient build out of the project, match energy export supply with throughput capacity, mitigate the challenges that large development projects can have on local communities, and provide local construction and employment opportunities that would extend over longer time horizons.
AltaGas has executed a long-term commercial agreement with the joint venture for 100% of the capacity for the first phase of LPG volumes, subject to a positive FID. AltaGas will also be responsible for the construction and operational stewardship of the facility.
Future phases of the project will be developed as additional long-term commercial agreements and critical milestones are achieved to deliver the maximum value for all stakeholders.
Building on their already existing relationship the two partners note of the benefits for shippers that will come from the new facility, with a significant reduction in transit time to global markets.
With only ten shipping days to the fastest growing demand markets in Northeast Asia, REEF will be able to efficiently connect Canada's vital energy products to the world. This includes having an approximate 60 percent base time savings over the U.S. Gulf Coast, which requires a minimum 25-day shipping time to Northeast Asia, and approximately 45 percent base case time savings over the Arabian Gulf, which requires a minimum 18-day shipping time.
This geographic advantage expands when there is significant congestion in the Panama Canal or when other global shipping pinch points experience disruptions. Furthermore, the Port of Prince Rupert provides REEF year-round ice-free operations and has the deepest natural harbour in North America, leaving it able to accommodate the world's largest vessels, which ensures safe and reliable market access and allows AltaGas and Vopak to efficiently connect upstream and downstream markets.
Much of the work is already in the books when it comes to consultation and regulatory themes, the partners noting of their work with the Prince Rupert Port Authority and First Nations.
Vopak, AltaGas, and the Prince Rupert Port Authority have been working closely with First Nations rights holders and key stakeholders, including the local communities in Northwestern British Columbia and the Federal and Provincial regulators, to deliver a project that will operate with industry-leading environmental stewardship and bring the strongest benefits to all parties involved. Key determinations and permits have been received from the Federal Government and an Environmental Assessment Certificate has been received from the British Columbia Provincial Government.
Both Port officials and those from the Metlakatla First Nation noted of their enthusiasm for the proposed development
"We congratulate Royal Vopak and AltaGas on this significant milestone towards advancing development of the terminal project at the Port of Prince Rupert. Once operational, the new facility will substantially increase and diversify the Port of Prince Rupert's liquid bulk cargo capabilities and capacity, while providing a much-needed export solution for Canadian producers during a critical time in the global energy transition." -- Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority.
Metlakatla First Nation Chief Harold Leighton noted of his excitement for the project as well.
"We commend Vopak and AltaGas on their efforts to-date on building long-term relationships with our community. We are excited with the potential this joint venture project provides to our area and the Metlakatla First Nation."
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Provincial scene for Tuesday-Wednesday, April 25-26, 2023
Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for Tuesday-Wednesday, April 25-26, 2023
The next big dig for Prince Rupert's waterlines is underway, with City Council members receiving a report from Director of Operations Richard Pucci and approving of the contract award for what will be a major water infrastructure project.
We outlined the scope of the Contract request on Monday, which will see the work take place as part of a Master Contract Agreement with Coast Tsimshian Northern Contractors Alliance, which has partnered with an International Construction company IDL projects. Mr. Pucci noting in his report that combined they have the 'full circle equipment and workforce to put towards the project.
The report also noted of the priority repairs that will take place as part of the work ahead, flagging those areas where there is high risk of railer or a high likelihood of failure of infrastructure for the first phase.
Council members only had a few questions to ask related to the contract award, Councillor Wade Niesh making enquiries related to some of the increased cost for the work.
With Mr. Pucci outlining that materials, the use of larger pipe and distance covered for the work was part of that increase.
"So, what we've done is, we've expanded this Phase One there's two parts of this obviously.
There is the Shawatlans Road portion, we gave them the first award to start looking at materials and purchasing materials, this is now for the construction and installation.
We are going from where Fern Passage Submarine line connects up with this Shawatlans Road pipe all the way to the reservoir ... this is a large diameter HDP Pipe, very expensive pipe, it will be the most expensive pipe that we likely purchase ...
The price is what it is because of the size of pipe, type of pipe and the installation technique" -- Operations Director Richard Pucci
Coming out of that 20 millions dollars of work will come a new and improved road along Shawatlans Road, which will be at a standard width for a dual lane road upon completion.
Councillor Cunningham had questions on what expectations the city could have of the ability of the company to take on the work required.
"This company has all of the work force and the equipment required to complete the project, so we wanted to make sure that they have the ability to scale up and scale down as required for several work fronts.
This program when it gets into full swing will have several work fronts going so we need to make sure that this company along with other companies that we hire will have the ability to do the work"
As well Mr. Cunningham asked as to who would provide for some oversight on the work towards local workers and equipment whoever possible.
"We don't get that granular with their equipment and their personnel, they have stats that we've provided that show all of their local work force, the number of workers that are in the community, the Number of First Nation workers, the number of training workers and their equipment so that information has been provided" -- Operations Director Richard Pucci
Earlier in the evening, as part of City Council's approval of the 2023 City Budget, Council members heard of one additional item to the list of projects ahead, with Chief Financial Officer Corrine Bomben noting of one new capital request towards the sewer utility, related to the waste works that needs to be conducted.
"For efficiency while the water works are in progress it makes sense to replace the wastewater infrastructure which is of the same vintage. The city is currently working on getting grants for this, however presently it is anticipated that the City will need to fund this work through borrowing" -- CFO Corinne Bomben
Mayor Pond would later follow up on that late addition, asking for some additional background on the process ahead towards how the cit would approach any borrowing required for the work.
The CFO provided somewhat of a tutorial on the path ahead for council.
"Much like with a homeowner, your income basically determines how much you can goo ahead and borrow, so we're no different.
We have a significant capital plan that we need to address over the next ten years and our borrowing ability is very diminished, based on our revenues and also because of inflation at the moment and the interest rate costs.
So we are having to be very careful about what we select to borrow for, again, it's coming down as to what's mandated and what's needed for health and safety.
But there is a process, if Council goes ahead and approves this capital budget with the whole five year financial plan then staff will be coming forward with a Loan Authorization bylaw, much like we did with the RCMP and we did with the water dam loan and the land fill loan.
Council can go ahead direct whether we are going to go through the Alternative Approval process or if we go to a referendum and then the public will have a say on whether or not they are OK with us borrowing the funds that we need in order to conduct the work, and that generally takes six months -- CFO Corinne Bomben
You can review those themes from the City's Video archive of the Monday session, Ms. Bomben's late addition to the Budget list is introduced at the 32 minute mark of her presentation.
Mr. Pucci's overview of the water project about to get underway can be found at the 2 hour 20 minute mark.
