Podunk Below the Masthead March 2007

A daily look at the BIG TYPE headline of the Podunkian Daily News. We'll list that day's BIG STORY, the one the Daily puts out in the big type just below it's masthead, for all Podunkians to ponder. There will be a link to this feature on the right hand side of the blog.

On Wednesdays and Friday's you can access all the stories of the Daily News free on their website, on the remaining days you end up at a dead end, asking you to go purchase your paper, for (as Paul Harvey would say) the rest of the story.

MARCH 30--CITY DIGS OUT AFTER GETTING BURIED BY SURPRISE DELUGE--
The blast of winter in the early days of spring received some attention in the Daily News on Friday (see story here)

MARCH 29--WORKERS URGED: GET SKILLS FOR COMING JOBS BONANZA--A report released Thursday suggests that there will be a shortage of skilled workers for the jobs to come in Prince Rupert. (see story here)

MARCH 28--TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK AS OFFICIAL 'RELIEVED OF DUTIES'--The behind the scenes personnel matters at Regional District are going to cost Prince Rupert taxpayers (see story here)

MARCH 27-- PORT EYEING LAND, ‘EAGER TO GET ON WITH PAHSE TWO’--The Prince Rupert Port Authority begins its move to get Phase Two of the Fairview Container project underway (see story here)

MARCH 26--DO NOT ALLOW PORTS TO BE THE NEXT 9/11, SAY SENATORS--Canada's senators see troubles on the waterfront (see story here)

MARCH 23--BC FERRIES WANTS WORLD TO HEAR ABOUT NEW VESSEL--The Northern Adventure slips into Prince Rupert Harbour as BC Ferries prepares to introduce the vessell to the residents of the North coast. (see story here)

MARCH 22-HUGE GREEN COMPANY BUYS INTO CHARLOTTES WIND FARM--NaiKun Wind Development signs an agreement with an Alberta based power generator to work on the wind farm project off the Charlottes (see story here)

MARCH 21-MAHER TERMINALS BOUGHT BY INTERNATIONAL PLAYER--The investment arm of a major German bank purchases the terminal operator that will operate the Fairview Container Terminal upon its completion. (see story here)

MARCH 20--BOARD BEGINS PROCESS TO EXAMINE SCHOOL CLOSURES--The discussion on education in the public school system in Prince Rupert continues on, with concerns over diminishing enrollment and aging schools topping the list. (see story here)

MARCH 19--COST OF GAS IS FUELLING NEW CALL FOR ANTI-GOUGING LAWS--The rising cost of gasoline has consumers and opposition politicians wondering if perhaps some legislation isn't needed (see story here)

MARCH 16--‘CITY NO LONGER COUNTING ON PULP MILL REOPENING’ --Not to the surprise of many, the City suggests that they're not particularly optimistic regarding a re-opening any time soon, of the pulp mill at Watson Island (see story here)

MARCH 15--EXPERT GIVES 'THUMBS-UP' TO VILLAGE'S LOGGING PLANS--A consultant hired by the city of Prince Rupert shares his opinions on the pending logging of land across from Prince Rupert. (see story here)

MARCH 14--FALLING POPULATION IS NOW A THING OF THE PAST: POND-- The mayor speaks out and offers his interpretations of the recent results of the Census (see story here)

MARCH 13--LONG VOYAGE HOME ALMOST OVER FOR REPLACEMENT FERRY--BC Ferries prepares to introduce the Northern Adventure into service on the North Coast, with an open house planned for March 28th in Prince Rupert. (see story here)

MARCH 12--CONCERNS ABOUT WHALES SILENCES SEISMIC PROJECT--A controversial plan to do seismic testing in Douglas Channel is scrapped due to concerns over marine life (see story here)

MARCH 9--SUN WAVE COMPLETES SALE OF FOREST LICENCE TO GITXSAN--The owners of the idled Waston Island pulp mill complete the sell off of their forest licence to the Gitxsan nation (see details here)

MARCH 8--RUPERT SENIOR’S PLIGHT IS DISCUSSED IN LEGISLATURE--Gary Coons MLA for Prince Rupert recounts the tragic situation of a local senior, Verna Sevigny and the issue of seniors care in BC (see story here)

MARCH 7--GROUP FISHING FOR ANSWERS ABOUT STATE OF OUR SALMON--A Thursday night seminar hopes to find some answers to the state of salmon stocks in the Northwest (see story here)

MARCH 6--COUNCIL MULLS TREATMENT OF ANBT’S FOOD VENDORS--Northern Healths food inspectors and the city's bylaw enforcement officers found themselves the topic of debate at city council (see story here)

MARCH 5--BIG DAY AT MUSEUM PASSES LARGELY UNREPORTED LOCALLY--The Daily News raises the alarm over the treatment of local media at a Museum of Northern BC function (see story here)

MARCH 2 BERRY PATCH FUTURE BRIGHTER AFTER MOST CUT FUNDING RESTORED--The local child care referral agency receives some potentially good news from the Province. (see story here)

MARCH 1 WIND FARM FIRMS WELCOME NEW FOCUS ON CLEAN POWER--The Province's new dedication to clean and renewable energy has caught the attention of the wind farm developers of the North Coast (see story here)

New Liberal priority on energy good news for local wind farm plans

It’s all in the timing as they say, and with the focus on the environment all the rage at the moment and with the Provincial Liberal party seeking out a progressive energy plan for the province, it all bodes well for the proposed wind farm projects for the North Coast.

The Liberals Innovative Clean Energy Fund, is designed to be an ambitious plan to cut greenhouse gasses in the province as outlined in the throne speech. But it won't come without some cost to British Columbians who will see a surcharge on their utilities to cover the cost of the 25 million dollar plan.

The local initiatives for wind power are looking forward to the provincial government's aspirations and making plans for their projects to come on line and make a contribution. The Daily News took a look at the impact of the government decision and the impact that they may have on the local projects.

WIND FARM FIRMS WELCOME NEW FOCUS ON CLEAN POWER
Liberal’s energy plan ‘progressive’ say firms with North Coast stake
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Page one and three

Two of the province’s major wind power players with interests on the North Coast are giving B.C.’s newly announced energy plan a thumbs up.

“We applaud the direction of the plan,” said Ray Castelli, president of NaiKun Wind Development, which is developing an offshore wind farm near the Queen Charlotte Islands.

“In particular, NaiKun supports the plan’s requirement that all new electricity projects have zero net greenhouse gas emissions.

“Wind energy, which is abundant and emits no greenhouse gases, will help ensure- as the Energy Plan requires- that B. C. will continue to have at least 90 per cent of its electricity from clean or renewable resources.”

When fully operational – construction of phase one is expected to begin in 2009 –the company’s five phase 1,750 Mega Watt (MW) wind farm in the Hecate Strait will generate enough electricity to power 600,000 homes. Castelli said he is enthusiastic about the fact that the government has called on the B. C. Utilities Commission to give greater consideration to economic, environmental and social costs and benefits when examining new power projects.

“This is a more progressive approach than focusing purely on financial cost since the public is clearly demanding that other important values should also be taken into account” he said.

The new energy plan has also met with the approval of Katabatic Power Corp. which has a joint venture with Deutsche Bank AG to develop the 3,000 MW Banks Island Wind Farm, located south of Prince Rupert, and which is also developing a 25.5 MW wind farm on nearby Mount Hays, for which it has signed a 25-year electricity purchase agreement with B. C. Hydro. The Mount Hays project is scheduled to become the first commercial wind farm in the province, providing power to BC Hydro customers by the fall of 2008.

“By committing to aggressive greenhouse gas reductions, the provincial government has reinforced B. C.’ position as a leader in wind energy generation,’ said Tony Duggleby, Katabatic’s chief executive officer.

With two projects in development, the company says they are well-positioned to meet B. C.’ energy targets of obtaining 90 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, ensuring zero net greenhouse gas emissions for all new electricity production and making B. C. energy self-sufficient by 2016. Katabatic is also applauding the government’s initiative to incorporate First Nation’s into B. C.’s energy development.

“We’re in talks with the Gitxaala nation to develop the world’s largest wind farm on Banks Island, south of Prince Rupert,” said Duggleby. “By forging a relationship with the Gitxaala to develop clean power, we’re ahead of the curve.”

The plan is also being lauded by ocean energy developers who believe the new energy plan has finally recognized the unique opportunity that 4,000 MW of tidal stream, and 20,000 MW OF wave energy offers.

“We asked government to recognize that a decision to develop all of its renewable resources is similar to the 40 year old decisions to build the dams that carried B. C. into this century,” said Chris Knight, chair of the 70-member Ocean Renewable Energy Group (OREG). “They are seeing tidal, wave and other resources as a key to self sufficiency, electricity exports and a net zero emission electricity sector.”

The new $25 million Innovative Clean Energy Fund – designed to encourage the development of clean energy and energy efficient technologies in the electricity, alternative energy, transportation and oil and gas sectors – is being highlighted as key part of the announcement by the group.

“We have utilities on both of Canada’s coasts looking at the potential from wave and tidal energy. We have international and Canadian companies focused on B.C.’s amazing resources and expect several new projects to move ahead in the next couple of years,’ said Chris Campbell, OREG’s executive director.

“Predictable tidal and forecastable tidal and wave energy can become a competitive and reliable contribution to the energy needs of the province if we get to work in the next year or two.

“(But) we need the kind of partnership being offered by B.C. and the federal government. We have to get the experience in pilot production projects soon if wave and tidal are to play their potential role.”

The new B. C. Energy Plan was announced this week.

Next thing you know they’ll be paying you to keep your money in their bank

The times they must be a changing, the Bank of Montreal has seen the light and suddenly the Big Bank is going to take care of the little customer.

At a recent shareholders meeting, newly appointed CEO Tony Downie said that the bank needs to get back to treating the customers better, "The real key to growth is to provide our customers with a better experience once they walk through our doors.”

Downie came upon this revelation after spending four hours behind a one way glass listening to customers complain about service at the bank and taking note on the suggestions that the ma’s and pa’s of the banking world had to offer.

From his notebook will come some interesting changes to local banks across the nation starting with a project in Kamloops that will see a 2.6 million dollar branch open, with 50-employees featuring traditional tellers working alongside small-business bankers. Also on site will be mortgage specialists, stockbrokers and BMO private bankers who normally cater to clients with $1-million-plus portfolios.

For those in a real hurry there will be a drive-through window, and sit down for this one:

The branch's regular business hours will be extended, with doors also open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wow, a bank open when you might actually be able to get there, how novel!

He’s even gone so far as to take the advice of one particular customer, who complained about the music on the switchboard hold mechanism that was “all that awful teenage wailing about their lovers.”

The offending wailing is gone (surely not to be replaced by that hand in your pocket song) and if Mr.Downie has his way, so will be the wait times.

All part of the Banks plans to win hearts and wallets of the Canadian banking public.

Hmm, might be time to withdraw the cash from under the mattress...

Tough-love boss at BMO demands retail turnaround
Wants 'better experience' for customers
ANDREW WILLIS
BANKING REPORTER

Globe and Mail

March 3, 2007

TORONTO -- Bank of Montreal has been losing retail customers to rivals for several years. Yesterday, newly appointed chief executive officer, William Downe, used his first annual meeting to make a tough-love pitch on how to stop the bleeding.

As the new boss graciously took the baton from Tony Comper, CEO for the past seven years, the 54-year-old Mr. Downe pledged that BMO branches will win a larger share of the lucrative retail market.

His call to arms, coming on the heels of 1,000 back office job cuts announced in January, is part of a broader push to build a bigger and more profitable bank.

The simple message from Mr. Downe, who recently spent four hours behind one-way glass listening to branch customers complain, is that BMO must offer better service. "The real key to growth is to provide our customers with a better experience once they walk through our doors," he said.

The front lines of the retail banking wars are in cities such as Kamloops, B.C., where BMO will open a new $2.6-million branch next Thursday that sums up its strategy to win hearts and wallets of clients.

The 50-employee branch will feature traditional tellers working shoulder-to-shoulder with small-business bankers, mortgage specialists, stockbrokers and BMO private bankers who typically cater to clients with $1-million-plus portfolios. There will be a drive-through window, and the branch's regular business hours will be extended, with doors also open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In the past year, BMO replaced most of its 1,936 ATMs, and put new signs on many of its 963 domestic branches, with the name of both the bank and its wealth management arm, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.

The bank plans to open 15 new branches this year, and renovate 30 locations. In an internal talk last month, Mr. Downe told colleagues that banking "is a lot like hockey. "You have to hit the competition before they hit you."

While BMO's Canadian retail division posted a profit of $292-million for its fiscal first quarter ended Jan. 31, up $30-million from the comparable quarter last year, the bank continued to lose market share in areas such as personal deposits, a sector targeted by rivals such as Bank of Nova Scotia.

Over all, BMO reported a profit of $585-million in the quarter, including a $135-million restructuring charge that reflects severance costs, down 4 per cent from the same period a year earlier.

"The quarter suggests that efforts to turn the fortunes of the domestic business are still ongoing.
The trends are mixed, not getting materially worse, and management is moving to address the issue," said UBS Securities Canada Inc. analyst Jason Bilodeau.

Shareholders were quick to offer their input on services that could be fixed.

One discount brokerage client, a woman of a certain age, asked the CEO if he could do something about the music when she is put on hold, as "it's all that awful teenage wailing about their lovers."
Mr. Downe promised to both change the music and cut down the wait times.

Retail expansion does not extend to the U.S. market, where BMO forecasts an economic slowdown in the second half of this year. Mr. Downe said the bank will open fewer branches than planned in the Chicago area, where it has 234 outlets, due to weakness in the real estate market that is expected to spill over into other sectors.

Mr. Comper retired yesterday from a bank he joined in the summer of 1967, when he was "a young man with an English degree and a guitar."

During his watch as CEO, annual profit doubled to $2.66-billion, and the bank also had to bounce back from a failed 1998 merger with Royal Bank of Canada.

Looking back at the 1999 restructuring of BMO, in his first year at the helm, Mr. Comper said: "I think of the post-non-merger crisis as my finest hour professionally."

Mr. Comper is leaving the bank with $78-million in shares and stock options, and a pension that the bank calculates is worth $26.8-million.

Basic banking

Bank of Montreal's strategy to win customers, while boosting profits:

BMO will open 15 new Canadian branches and renovate 30 other locations, after opening just nine last year.

Paperwork will be slashed for basic services, such as mortgage approvals and the opening of RRSPs.

Front-line staff will be deepened, with more stockbrokers and mortgage specialists working alongside tellers.

The bank is chopping 1,000 back office jobs.

Small-business bankers will have authority to lend up to $50-million to a customer, the most in the industry.

Many new branches will have drive-through access and longer hours.

Tony Blair's Clockwork Orange moment

Much is being made in the English press of a long held photo that has suddenly re-appeared, showing a rather young looking Tony Blair hanging out with classmates at Oxford in the mid-seventies.

The photo, in a way brings back visions of the crew of Kubrick's classic.

The assembled young students dressed in their finery, looking as though they've enjoyed their afternoon. More than one of the young subjects looks to be a double for the charismatic delinquent Alex DeLarge who of course was re-conditioned and came out a different man.

The photo has become a bit of a talking point over the fact, that for the first time Mr. Blair's original hand gesture has been presented in all it's, uh, glory. It seems that Mr. Blair was a bit of a cad at the time and posed in a less than scholarly pose for the class photo.

A sin, that has been airbrushed out of history until now. At the time, and as his political star began to rise, the picture would appear but with his offending hand somehow magically made proper.

Now that his days in office are dwindling the youthful Blair's misguided gesture is being sent around the Internet and to British papers. Though his behaviour is being chalked up to a youthful indiscretion, an I inhaled moment we guess.

Best explanation of the whole photo shoot goes to his former teacher, Father Nicholas who told a British television show "I suppose the BBC lawyers would be a bit worried if I was to suggest he was drunk in that photo. On the other hand, it's probably more defamatory to say he was sober."

Could that explain all that kinship with another well known world leader you think?

Googles of March 2007

Our listings of the Google Alert items that come across our mail server on a daily basis. Archived here for your viewing enjoyment.

March 31-Victoria museum to display Dundas First Nations collection
March 31-New ferry sets sail for the North Coast
March 30-CN to build major transload hub, intermodal yard in Prince George
March 30-Special needs teacher faces sex charges
March 29-It's a done deal, three cities link
March 29-Storm buffets Northwestern BC
March 29-City of Edmonton helping to ship products to Asia
March 29-New ferry stars at open house
March 29-Report on ferry sinking provides factual basis for lawsuit, lawyer says
March 28-Cities partner to develop trade corridor
March 28-Crew errors caused BC Ferry sinking
March 28-Fish eye view
March 28-Memphis ready to put Prince Rupert to work
March 27-BC Ferries drops diplomatic tone
March 27-Transcript documents Mayday moment
March 27-Ferry workers refusal still puts passengers at risk
March 27-We are taking on water: ferry crew radioed
March 27-Report points to human error
March 26-No change of course on night of ferry sinking
March 26-Human error behind BC ferry sinking: report
March 25-Human factors cited in fatal Canadian ferry crash
March 26-BC Ferries launches marketing campaign
March 25-AMHS Southern Gateway Shuttle Ferry Needs to be Operating in 2008
March 24-Rupert port two thirds complete
March 24-Senators turned away from Rupert
March 23-No charges to be laid in excessive force investigation
March 21-BC Ferries completes internal report on Queen of the North sinking
March 21-Ferries trying to fix phone problems
March 20-Fatal BC Ferry sinking still night to remember
March 20-RREEF Infrastructure agrees to purchase Maher Terminals
March 20-City adopts links with Rupert and Edmonton
March 19-Pilot's wife sues chopper builder
March 19-Rupert port offers opportunities to Islanders
March 19-Ferry victims' families seek legal closure
March 19-Canso strait just like Prince Rupert
March 18-Deciphering figures
March 18-Pacific ports under the magnifying glass of the Senate committee
March 18-People of Hartley Bay thrive in idyllic isolation
March 18-Replacement ship sunken BC Ferry dedicated in Vancouver
March 17-Highway of Tears forum funding announced
March 17-Changing times putting pressure on rural Canada
March 16-Rural areas decline as BC cities boom
March 16-Construction boom in B.C. town defies StatsCan figures
March 14-Port poses possibilities
March 13-BC boomtown and busts
March 13-Towns built by timber being cut down
March 13-Northern B.C. towns lead country in population decline
March 11-Potential for B.C. flooding remains as record snowpacks begin to melt
March 11-From birth to birth; The making of a ferry.
March 9-CEO of B.C. cargo facility shares tips on developing gateway
March 8-Inland port idea won't move
March 7-Medivacced islanders still being stranded on mainland
March 6-Tom Nicoll Reflects on his art
March 5-New Ferry will arrive this month
March 3-Registration opens strong for Raid on the North
March 2- Families of missing women to meet with RCMP today
March 1- Native art collection to be on show in Prince Rupert

iPod Rotation for March 2007

The songs on the Podunkian iPod for the month of March.


March 23 Bruce Springsteen-The Rising
March 18 U2-Sunday Bloody Sunday
March 17 Van Morrison/Chieftains- Marie's Wedding
March 13 The Eagles-In the city
March 11 REM--It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)
March 6 The Pogues-Thousands are sailing
March 2 Bruce Springsteen-Highway Patrolman
March 1 Heart-Crazy on You

Podunkian Advertising Festival March 2007

We continue on with our search for the good and the bad of advertising's 30 to 60 second epics.

March 31 Giving as good as you get
March 30 Now these might get you up that hill
March 29 It clears your lane and warms your night
March 28 Go ahead, play in the snow!
March 27 What we have here is a failure to communicate
March 26 Nobody wins if you don't buy a ticket
March 25 Everybody needs a little pick me up once and a while!
March 24 The girls go crazy over a sharp dressed man or two
March 23 Sunblock, it's the one thing between you and some pain
March 22 Your first impression is your lasting impression
March 21 The Vanishing ring around the collar
March 20 Not a witness in sight
March 19 Looking for a little relief from your Internet connection
March 18 Dress for success
March 17 It's St. Patrick's Day
March 16 One ringy dingy, two ringy dingies
March 15 Now that's Total service
March 14 The bidding war
March 13 Words you don't want to hear from your doctor
March 12 Keeping up with the Commodore, cause the commodore is ...
March 11 He asked, she answered!
March 10 For whatever you do, there's a timepiece for you
March 9 There's a time and a place and this wasn't it
March 8 The Evolution of beer
March 7 Making Millionaires more often
March 6 Crime Deterrent basics
March 5 Put your money on the guy in the slicker
March 4 Guess we left it to the kids!
March 3 They did say not to turn off your TV!
March 2 Good Morning I am your bank manager
March 1 Winston Cigarettes-If it's good for Fred and Barney, it's good for Pete and Rex

Excusez moi mon Colonel, was that a left or a right at St. Gallen?

The Mighty Swiss Army has joined the ranks of the Axis of Evil, another overbearing power that over ran a neighbours border and would have sparked an international incident, if only someone had noticed.

The Swiss newspaper Blick, has reported that 170 Swiss army soldiers mistakenly crossed to border into neigbhouring Liechtenstein while on maneuvers, they encroached 1.5 kilometres into the neighbours land, before somebody noticed they had made a wrong turn and sounded the retreat.

Not that anyone would have been aware, there are only 34,000 residents of the country and they have no army. So unless the Swiss troops had stopped at corner store for a map probably their journey into unmarked territory went without observation. Not that they were much of a threat, it’s said that the Swiss carried weapons but no ammunition in the accidental foray across the line.

No doubt there is going to be a refresher course in map reading, if not a few web links for Swiss military personnel and perhaps the Swiss government can commence with war reparation discussions. Just in case Liechtenstein has any second thoughts about the whole incident, after all a short war with a larger power worked wonders for the Duchy of Grand Fenwick.

We'll be right back after this short commercial message, March 1

In honour of the CBC's status as an official provider of tobacco dens, we look back at a famous television commercial of a bygone era. The CBC only wishes they could tap this vein of advertising again...

If it's good enough for Fred and Barney, then it's good enough for Pete and Rex

Wanna BUM a cigarette and a place to smoke it? Your best bet is the CBC in Toronto.

Global Ontario and the National Post went full secret agent this week, as they discovered the CBC partaking in a dirty habit that will stain the corporation’s clean living and politically correct image.

With more than a little obvious glee, it seems that Global and the Post exposed not one but two indoor smoking lounges at the CBC headquarters in Toronto, luxurious dens of tobacco indulgence, featuring cushy couches, numerous ashtrays and ventilation. Both rooms are designed to keep the Mother Corps addicted smokers toasty warm, all while the rest of the common folk of Ontario are forced to huddle together in outdoor pens deep into an Ontario winter.

The CBC and other federal institutions are using a loop hole in federal legislation which apparently supersedes provincial legislation and allows smokers to light up in ventilated rooms on federal property.

It’s sure to be a controversial arrangement considering the crack down on smoking in Ontario, where bars, restaurants, workplaces and such have all been forced to ban smoking on their premises.

The highlight of the story though has to be the 60 minutes like tone of the investigation complete with what we can only call a “butt cam”, hidden camera video showing CBC staffers living a life of Roman luxury as they provide for their tobacco habit, featuring grainy visual evidence of CBC staffers lighting up, inhaling and exhaling all in the comfort of a well ventilated and legal bunker.

Could this be a declaration of war on the CBC by Global? We’re quite sure as we write this that a crack commando squad of CBC investigators is working out a black ops mission on Global National’s Kevin Newman.

The Rex Murphy brigade has probably gone dark, ready to strike upon command from Commander Mansbridge. An elite unit of the CBC, they are not a group you would want to cross, Global News should be afraid, they should be very afraid.

The CBC has a dirty secret, employee smoking rooms
SEAN O'SHEA AND KELLY PATRICK
Global News and National Post
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

TORONTO - Despite Ontario's strict prohibition on smoking in the workplace, employees at the CBC's downtown Toronto headquarters are legally lighting up inside two smoking lounges outfitted with plush sofas and ashtrays, a Global News investigation has found.

Hidden cameras captured smokers puffing away and ashtrays filled with cigarette butts inside the public broadcaster's Toronto building, and the CBC says its workers can smoke in similar designated rooms at its locations in Montreal, Moncton, St. John's, Nfld., and Saint John, N.B.

Watch the Global National video

The CBC's smoking lounges are perfectly legal because of a loophole in federal law. The Non- Smokers' Health Act (NSHA), which came into effect in 1989, allows designated smoking areas in federally regulated workplaces.

That means that even in provinces like Ontario -- where such smoking rooms are banned -- airports, television broadcasters, ports and other employers that fall under Ottawa's jurisdiction can maintain a ventilated space for smoking if they choose.

"I was really both angry and disappointed that the federal government still has not dealt with the issue of allowing smoking rooms in their federal properties," said Ontario Minister of Health Promotion Jim Watson.

Mr. Watson has written letters complaining about the lounges to both federal Health Minister Tony Clement and federal Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn, whose department oversees federal workplaces.

"My next step is to write to the president of the CBC and say notwithstanding the fact that technically they have the right to under the federal law, he should be taking a leadership position and shutting these smoking lounges down," Mr. Watson said.

"Not only is it a double standard, but it's also bad for one's health and one's employees' health. So if you care about the health of your employees, you shouldn't be using a technical loophole in a federal law."

A spokesperson for the CBC told Global News the smoking rooms have existed for years, and it would be too expensive to decommission them now.

Before Ontario's ban on smoking in public places came into effect last May, Mr. Watson asked top brass at Toronto's Pearson International Airport and the Ottawa International Airport to shut down their smoking rooms, even though the airports would have been legally allowed to keep them.

Mr. Watson said both airports complied voluntarily.

Mr. Watson first wrote to Mr. Clement in July asking that the exception for federal workplaces be wiped from the books.

Mr. Clement forwarded the letter to Mr. Blackburn, who in January replied to Mr. Watson.
"While the NSHA has a provision to allow employers to designate smoking rooms and smoking areas, these facilities must meet certain standards for the protection of employees at their place of work," the letter reads.

It goes on to say a survey was recently conducted of 340 federal workplaces with 50 or more employees, which found only 13 locations had designated smoking lounges. Only one didn't meet the standards and it was shut down.

Mr. Watson, who sent Mr. Blackburn another letter on the topic last week, said he is urging Ottawa to ban all smoking lounges in federal workplaces as soon as possible.

"I thought, given the fact the federal government has always been supportive of our efforts to create a smoke-free environment and the fact that they put a lot of money into a television ad campaign right now talking [about] the dangers of second-hand smoke, that they would not allow their employees to be subjected to second-hand smoke," he said.

Change in Leadership Personnel, no change in vision

The Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce will install a new leadership group at the end of March, as current President Mike Jackson hands passes on the torch to Wendy Prsytay. But it's not expected that any major changes will be made to the structure of the organization or the path it's on to re-invigorate the business climate in the city.

The changeover is part of the annual movement of officers in and out of positions at the Chamber of Commerce.

A review of the past year and a look ahead to the new board was profiled in the Daily News on Wednesday.

NEW CHAMBER LEADERSHIP SET TO KEEP FORGING AHEAD
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

After two years as the president of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce, Mike Jackson will be handing over the reigns to Wendy Prystay at the end of March.

But the vision and direction of the chamber will remain consistent.

“We do succession planning like you would do for everything else,” said Jackson, manager of accounting for the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We have a series of long-term goals ... I think Wendy will do an incredible job keeping it going the way it is and watching it grow.”

Prystay, managing director of the Career Resource Centre, has been on the chamber board for a number of years, filling the role of second vice-president during 2006.

The new board members for 2007 will officially be appointed at an installation dinner March 31.
Jackson had the unusual responsibility of holding the title of president for two years. Usually, the position turns over to a vice-president after one year. However at the end of 2005, both vice-presidents were leaving the community, so Jackson agreed to stay on for another year.
“I think it has been very rewarding and challenging,” he said.

Jackson has had the opportunity to work with many different types of business, from small businesses to non-government organizations, to major industry, as well as networking on behalf of Prince Rupert businesses at the provincial level by attending B.C. Chamber of Commerce meetings.

Joining Prystay on the 2007 executive will be first vice-president, Deb Stava campus manager of Northwest Community College, second vice-president Bart Carrigan, manager with Farwest Coastal Bus Lines, and treasurer Alan Hooper, chartered accountant. Jackson will remain on the executive as past president.

The chamber also elected three new directors last week. They include Geoff Gould, executive director of the Area“A” Crab Association, Brian Munson, manager of Overwaitea, and Craig Briere, business manager of the new Chances Community Gaming Centre.

These three join directors Bill Myers, human resources coordinator for Ridley Terminals, Dan Lorette, accountant for Prince Rupert Grain, Mark Mastroianni, commercial accounts manager for Northern Savings Credit Union and Dwayne MacNeill, owner of Entire Automotive.

Jackson said the long term goals for the chamber include increasing membership and focusing on the needs of small retail businesses.

To focus on the small business sector, the chamber is bringing back the annual trade show this April as well as holding several workshops a year focused on the retail sector.

“Working for small businesses is one of our big projects,” he said.

In addition, the chamber has applied to host the 2009 B.C. Chamber of Commerce Annual General meeting. At the 2008 AGM in Whistler, the Prince Rupert Chamber will host a Prince Rupert night and make their case to the B.C. Chamber’s Board of directors.

And this fall, once the cranes have arrived for the container terminal, the chamber is also hoping to host a meeting for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and World Trade Centre. The Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce accepted membership in the Edmonton World Trade Centre last year. It provides free access to World Trade Centre facilities in Edmonton for all Prince Rupert chamber members.

“The Edmonton chamber board is very interested in what is going on in Prince Rupert,” said Jackson.

This would give Prince Rupert the opportunity to host a roundtable event and invite all the chambers from the Northwest to attend.

If a tree falls across the harbour.... second thoughts second, opinions

The debate over logging across the harbour from Prince Rupert once again became a discussion point as City Council.

A presentation at the beginning of the council meeting, resulted in city council approving spending 2,000 dollars to contract a Registered Professional Logger to examine the logging plan of the Metlakatla Development Corporation.

The logging plan has become a bit of a contentious issue of late, as local residents in Prince Rupert expressed concerns over what impact the loggin will have on the view of the inner harbour area.

The Daily News provided details on the council meeting and what is hoped to be achieved with the intervention of a Professional Logger.

CITY TO GET LOGGING SECOND OPINION
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Page one

At the request of a new association representing people with opinions about the inner harbour, city council will seek a second opinion on plans to log the area across from Prince Rupert.

On Monday, council agreed to spend up to $2,000 to hire a Registered Professional Forester to review the Metlakatla Development Corporation’s plans to log across the harbour after the newly formed Inner Harbour Society expressed concern about how the area may look in the future.

Mark Ignas, who represented the small business forestry sector in provincial land use talks for the past four years, spoke on behalf of the group.

“I fully support the development initiatives of Metlakatla. I am involved in the forest industry myself,” he said.

However, it has become clear that people have concerns about the plan, said Ignas.
“In an attempt to ensure there is no unhealthy rhetoric between Metlakatla and Prince Rupert, I thought I would, with this society, put forward a healthy alternative to what seems to be becoming an unhealthy argument.”

The group turned up to speak during question period, when speakers are limited to five minutes.

However, due to the large contingent, council members agreed to let Ignas speak for as long as he wished as a ‘delegation’. Ignas said there was some validity to concerns about where and when monitoring of the harvest will take place.

“This plan is a bit different in that the prescribed level of monitoring seems to be a lot less than in an area that has such a high visual sensitivity. Typically, you would have up to 20 to 25 monitoring view points,” Ignas said.

Right now, there are five planned monitoring view points during harvesting.

“The best way to ensure integrity to the process is to bring an independent voice to it,” he said.
Council also agreed to write a letter to Metlakatla to let them know what the city is doing, but council will not be asking the Ministry of Forests or Metlakatla to hold off on plans to begin logging in about a month’s time.

The plans include modifying no more than 1.5 per cent of trees in the harvest area.

Council did meet with the Ministry of Forests officials about the harvesting several weeks ago but Ministry officials refused to hold the meeting in public.

On Monday, council members noted part of the problem was that the Ministry was unable to say how Metlakatla planned to achieve their objective of not altering the view. Under results-based forestry, introduced four years ago, companies don’t have to specify to the province how they will meet their objectives, they just have to meet them.

“The best thing I can suggest is to practice due diligence and have as many professionals involved in this as possible,” said Ignas.

Non confidence in affairs at Regional District breaks out into open

The ongoing troubles at Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District, long documented on various websites and local newspapers, have broken out into open dispute.

With one-third of the regional district’s board making it clear at last Friday night’s meeting that they no longer have confidence in the chair Barry Pages, another element of intrigue has begun to swirl around the embattled organization.

The latest developments add yet another fascinating chapter in one of the more tempestuous of local government operations.

Background details of the controversy were provided the Wednesday edition of The Daily News.

REGIONAL DISTRICT ROWS OVER RECORD OF MEETINTG
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Page one

One-third of the regional district’s board made it clear at Friday night’s meeting that they no longer have confidence in chair Barry Pages.

Ian Hetman (Rural Graham Island), Karl Bergman (Oona River), and Des Nobels (Dodge Cove/Port Simpson), all voted in favour of a non-confidence motion in Pages, mayor of Masset, following allegations that Pages had changed the official record of the last board meeting to alter who controls the taxpayers’ money as well as the alleged suspension of the regional district’s administrator last month.

“In light of the way things are in the present and in the light of some of the things that have happened at this board, I would like to bring forward a motion of non-confidence in the chair,” said Nobels.

The public meeting, which took place behind locked front doors, included the presence of the regional district’s lawyer.

It started when Nobels pointed to “alterations and significant discrepancies” in the minutes of the January meeting, particularly a motion that when monies need to be spent “the Administrator seek signatures of the Chair and Vice-Chair prior to other signing authorities.”
Despite the fact that the minutes of this meeting were taken by administrator Janet Beil, they were typed up by Pages.

Nobels noted that while the issue of who could act as a signatory was discussed at the meeting, it was never adopted as a motion.

“This [the minutes] shows it as a motion,” said Nobels.

Previously, four directors including the chair, vice-chair Tony Briglio, two directors Christine MacKenzie and Des Nobels as well as the administrator could all act as signatories for financial transactions.

This motion means the four directors and administrator will no longer be equal but require the signatures of chair and vice chair if they are available.

However, Pages argued the motion included in the minutes was requested at the last meeting and he got the support of the other six board members to approve those minutes.

“It was moved and seconded that it be included in the minutes,” said Pages.

The approval of the minutes prompted Nobels to bring forward his motion of non-confidence.

“The way things have gone on around here in this last little bit it has been very awkward trying to decide what are and what are not the discussions that took place,” he said.

Much anticipated collection to make debut in Prince Rupert Friday

The Dundas Collection, a treasure trove of North Coast First Nations artifacts will be on display starting Friday at the Museum of Northern BC. The exhibition will run through until April 14th.

The Daily News provided full details on the collection and the history behind it in the Wednesday edition of the paper.

TREASURED ARTIFACTS RETURN FOR NORTH COAST EXHIBITION
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Page one

Considered by many to be the finest collection of First Nation’s art in existence, the multi-million dollar Dundas Collection will be unveiled at the Museum of Northern B.C. this week.

“We went up and met with (Hereditary Chiefs and Elders) in Lax Kw’alaams in the fall and we were impressed with their messaging that the first place the exhibit should open should be at the Museum of Northern B.C. and on the traditional territory of the Tsimshian,” said Grant Hughes, director, Curatorial Services Branch, Royal B.C. Museum. “It’s going to be marvelous for everybody up North to take a look at.”

The collection — much of which was given up as part of Metlakatla’s conversion to Christianity by Anglican missionary William Duncan — had been part of a longstanding dispute between First Nations, who argue the cultural artifacts were expropriated, and the family of the Rev. Robert James Dundas who had obtained the artifacts from Duncan after visiting the missionary in October 1863. The artifacts, most of which had belonged to Tsimshian Grand Chief Paul Legaic, were auctioned off at Sotheby’s in October 2006 by Dundas’ great-grandson.

“This collection has got tremendous significance because of what we call the providence or the known age of the collection, (because) of where it was collected in 1863 and the fact that it has been brought back in more or less a completed constituent group to the people of Canada and B.C to take a look at,” said Hughes. “The most significant pieces of that entire collection are grouped together in this exhibition.”

The Royal B.C. Museum is helping to facilitate the tour of the collection which begins with an event on Thursday by invitation only due to limited exhibit space. However, the public will have access to the collection beginning on Friday and it will then stay at the museum until April 14.

“The first thing that we would do obviously is check with the local First Nations to look at what the appropriate protocols would be,” said Hughes on preparations for the exhibit. “The artifacts have been condition reported — sort of checked over from a conservation point of view — and transported up to Prince Rupert for the opening and blessing on Thursday afternoon.”

We'll be right back after this short commercial message, February 28

When was the last time your gas station cashier sang for you?
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There's a smile at every mile when you see the Esso sign.

Province provides seed money in quest for homeless shelter

The province is providing funds for a local homelessness initiative which may see 15 new transitional housing units for people who are at risk of homelessness.

The North Coast Transition Society is receiving $30,210 from the province to explore the possible options further. The money is being provided through the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, a program designed to create housing units across the province for those at risk of the cycle of homelessness.

Of course one option that might have been workable locally could have been the upgrading of one of the recently demolished BC Housing units deemed as not required anymore. The recent leveling of units in the McKay and Kootenay Street area has puzzled a number of local observers in recent months.

If even one of the buildings had remained up and been upgraded to standards, then the issue of a homeless shelter for Prince Rupert might now be in the homestretch, as opposed to the starting phase.

Regardless, the funding will be welcome for the North Coast Transition Society which probably has the best handle on the homeless situation in Prince Rupert and what is required to try and provide for those in need.

The Daily News featured details of the grant in the Tuesday paper.

HOMELESS SHELTER EFFORTS GET BOOST THANKS TO GRANT
Province provides more than $30,000 to start developing a shelter plan
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Pages one and three

The province is providing funds for a local homelessness initiative spearheaded by the North Coast Transition Society.

“We listened to what communities told us they needed to fight homelessness,” said Rich Coleman, minister responsible for housing. “Initiatives like the North Coast Transition Society’s housing facility will help build healthy communities where everyone has access to safe, affordable housing.”

The North Coast Transition Society is receiving #30,210 from the province in development-phase funding for people who are at risk of homelessness.

The development phase funding will cover expenses such as a project manager and architect and survey fees to help the society develop detailed plans for the new units.

Among other non-profit societies receiving grants to support housing spaces are Terrace’s Ksan House Society which has been funded for 18 units.

In total, the province is committing $196 million to create 758 supportive housing units across British Columbia, providing those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with greater access to safe and secure housing.

Last October, the province released its comprehensive housing strategy, Housing Matters B. C., and released a proposal call for 450 new supportive housing units.

Communities and non-profit organizations offered additional funding as part of their proposals, and as a result, the number of new units was increased to 758.

“The proposal call resulted in some excellent and innovative ideas that have enabled us to increase the number of units by more than 60 per cent,” said Coleman. “We received a lot of thoughtful ideas from people who care about our communities.”

To fund these new units, the province will provide $5.6 million annually for 35 years, for a total of $196 million. Local partnership contributions for the 758 units total $24.6 million in one time funding.

“Together with local governments and non-profit organizations, we can help break the cycle of homelessness,” Coleman said. “These units will assist less fortunate British Columbians gain independence and make our communities stronger.”

The province has now committed to creating 1,291 new housing units under the Provincial Homelessness Initiative.

The Initiative aims to break the cycle of homelessness by integrating support services with housing so people may move beyond temporary shelter to more secure housing, gain greater self reliance, and achieve appropriate employment. The federal government is contributing $42 million to the initiative through the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement.

Rising cost of gasoline attracting attention

The provincial NDP is starting to make some noise on the frequently fluctuating price of fuel. Their attention comes in a week which has seen the price of gas rise from 89.9 to 1.02.9 at one point at one local gas station, eventually settling around 96.9 at all stations by Wednesday.

The North Coast MLA has joined the chorus of other provincial NDP MLA’s to regulate the price of gas in British Columbia. A notion that will most likely find favour with Podunkians making the rounds of the city’s gas stations looking for a reasonable price for a litre of gas.

You can keep track of the ebb and flow of gas prices in Rupert by clicking on the gasbuddy site, there are a few eagle eyed locals that post the latest prices on a regular basis.

Tuesday’s Daily News provided details on the plans of the NDP to address the always contentious issue of gas pricing in BC.

PUT THE BRAKE ON COST OF GAS SAYS COONS
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Page one

North Coast MLA Gary Coons is joining other New Democrats in a call to regulate gas prices in B. C.

“I continually hear of the price gouging and ripping off of consumers, especially on the North and Central Coast and the Queen Charlotte Islands,” said Coons\

“When we see large oil companies making record profits, while working British Columbians are struggling to make ends meet, we must regulate gasoline prices as we do other forms of energy.

“We have previously challenged this government to take action, but their silence has been deafening.”

New Democrat energy critic John Horgan announced yesterday that he will introduce a Private Member’s Bill in the B. C. Legislature to regulate gasoline prices in B. C., where motorists are forced to pay prices higher than many other Canadians.

Horgan, the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca, said the NDP is also calling for a full public inquiry into the matter of why gasoline prices are significantly higher in British Columbia than in other provinces, such as Ontario and Alberta.

“We have been hearing the message loud and clear from our constituents that they are tired of being robbed a the gas pump with prices that are significantly higher than in other parts of Canada,” said Horgan.

“It’s time for the B. C. government to step up to the plate, set in motion an inquiry and explain to British Columbians why they are being gouged for gasoline,” Horgan said.

Coon’s points out that gasoline prices are not regulated in B. C., but are regulated in some other provinces.

“It doesn’t make sense for British Columbians to pay such high gasoline prices, particularly when world prices are falling,” Horgan said.

“I call on the B. C. Liberals to put the people of B. C. ahead of their corporate backers and support my Private Member’s Bill to regulate gas prices.”

According to BC.gasprices.com, which collects data from across the country, gas prices in B. C. currently range from 88.9 cents per litre to $1.05.

B. C. had the third highest gas prices across the country yesterday, averaging 98.53 cents per litre.

The only provinces with more expensive gasoline prices were Newfoundland at 100.4 and Nova Scotia at 103.8.

The lowest prices seen across the country were in Alberta where motorists were paying 87.6.

Gas prices hit an all-time high on the North Coast back in September 2005, reaching $1.22.

Back in September, analysts blamed the high prices in the United States, and the impact form the numerous refineries in the U.S. south that were shut down because of the effects of hurricane Katrina, at the time when supply was already tight.

At the time, the Liberal federal government promised to step in and set up a federal body to monitor the gasoline industry to look for price gouging.

UPDATE: 9 am Thursday--Both Petro Can and Esso have priced their gasoline at 102.9, Chevron, Husky and Race Trac have held the pricing at 96.9 for the time being.

12 noon--Chevron and Race Trac join the 102 club, leaving only Husky to fight the good fight at 96.9, though they suspect they shall be going up shortly.