World Cup Madness begins anew on Friday, one month of soccer fans living and dying with their favourite teams. As Germany takes centre stage and hosts the world.
For North American’s it’s a bit of a strange fable this Word Cup Mania, the beautiful game as it’s called, hasn’t really captured the imagination of the North American sports fan quite the same way it does in the rest of the world. In a recent Canadian survey, hockey was by far Canada’s number one sport, followed closely by football but not this round ball version that holds the rest of the world in awe, instead Canadian football still holds a place in our hearts.
Yet for the next month, even old fashioned Canadians (and those transplanted from lands afar) will be closely tuned to not one but two sports networks hoping the catch the latest news of their heroes on either TSN or Rogers Sportsnet. But they won’t be watching for a Canadian team tempting the soccer Gods for a Golden goal or an unexpected upset, Canada long ago failed to qualify for the thirty two team tournament about to launch in Germany. The Canadians can only sit back and watch as Mexico and the United States represent our corner of the Soccer Empire.
Instead, Canadians who probably only know of cities like Lisbon, Milan, Barcelona, Zagreb, Quito or Yamoussoukro as mere rumours of their parent’s pasts, will suddenly don the colours of their ancient lands and cheer on the “home” side as if they’ve been following them all along.
Certain parts of any Canadian city will all of a sudden resemble any village in any country of the world, as Canadians abandon their red and white calling for the ancient siren song of a land they may never have visited. Such is the power of the World Cup.
There will be more than a few upsets over the next month of madness, some teams will have failed their land so terribly they may be afraid to go home. In tournaments past, losing squads returned home to angry mobs at airports and in some cases a much worse reception. Think of Canada’s hockey loss at the Olympics and magnify it one hundred fold, such is the pressure that thirty two teams face as they begin their battles on Friday.
It’s perhaps one of the most remarkable tournaments in Sport, the Olympics a mere fashion show compared to the high drama involved in a penalty shoot out that sends one team back home without the trophy. Thirty two teams qualified over the last three years for the right to compete, teams from each of the many federations that make up the world Football community under FIFA. They have traveled a long and torturous route to earn the right to be one of the thirty two of Germany 2006.
The World Cup is steeped in remarkable history, Golden Goals, stunning upsets and complete domination by football machines. Some countries attend time and time again always on the verge of winning it all, others get their one chance at glory and disappear, never to be seen from again.
Losses by favorites can cause hand wringing at Football Associations for years on end. You want pressure, try being Sven Goran Eriksson, the coach of England, his team yet to prove anything other than being fodder for the merciless English tabloids, every player and coach move is watched with a sharp eye, every stumble duly recorded and obsessed over for days, months and years.
We like to think of hockey as our religion and rightfully so, it’s truly an all encompassing ritual for many Canadians. But if our love of hockey is that of religion, on the world stage it’s more of a casual prayer meeting, compared to the High Mass of the World Cup.
The next month of the beautiful game will be played as though a higher being has dictated a mandatory observance, work will come to a complete stop in some nations, street festivals will succeed or fail based on the success of the home side. But one thing is certain, for probably close to 99% of the world, the World Cup is by far the biggest show on earth, it kicks off in a few short hours and until July 9th, Germany will be the centre of the World!
Now I don’t pretend to be anything of an expert on World Football, but for the fun of it here are my picks for the advancing 16 in the first round of Germany 2006.
GROUP A
GERMANY
POLAND
GROUP B
ENGLAND
SWEDEN
GROUP C
ARGENTINA
COTE DE I’VOIRE
GROUP D
PORTUGAL
MEXICO
GROUP E
ITALY
CZECH REPUBLIC
GROUP F
BRAZIL
CROATIA
GROUP G
FRANCE
KOREA
GROUP H
SPAIN
UKRAINE
The first stage comes to an end on June 23rd, we shall see how wise I am then. Until that time, I’ll be busy responding to the hate mail from overzealous fans who have taken offence at my passing over their squad for advancement.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Oh, the times they are a changing!
Used to be, a young person headed off to college and the most important thing in their lives was keg night at the student union building. But that’s old school as they say, now your average college student would apparently rather listen to their iPod than put away a few pops.
For the first time, Apple’s iPod has surpassed beer drinking as the most in thing to do at college. Almost 75% of those surveyed said they would rather listen to their iPod’s than go bar hopping, text messaging or downloading music. 73% of the survey group preferred that ubiquitous Apple produce over that offered by Budweiser et al.
It’s quite an achievement for Apple, last year in the same survey the iPod was only chosen by 59% of those surveyed as being the “in” thing, and well below any alcohol related activity.
It’s not all bad news for America’s brewers and distillers though, 71% still list bar hopping and drinking with friends as an “in” activity, tied for second place with facebook.com an online networking site.
The iPod should guard its number one status carefully; beer has only once before been toppled from the number one spot, which was back in 1997 when something called the internet, ruled the college dorms for a year. Once the kids learn how to pop open the tops on their beers as well as thumb through the iPod menus, beer could once again be number one!
For the first time, Apple’s iPod has surpassed beer drinking as the most in thing to do at college. Almost 75% of those surveyed said they would rather listen to their iPod’s than go bar hopping, text messaging or downloading music. 73% of the survey group preferred that ubiquitous Apple produce over that offered by Budweiser et al.
It’s quite an achievement for Apple, last year in the same survey the iPod was only chosen by 59% of those surveyed as being the “in” thing, and well below any alcohol related activity.
It’s not all bad news for America’s brewers and distillers though, 71% still list bar hopping and drinking with friends as an “in” activity, tied for second place with facebook.com an online networking site.
The iPod should guard its number one status carefully; beer has only once before been toppled from the number one spot, which was back in 1997 when something called the internet, ruled the college dorms for a year. Once the kids learn how to pop open the tops on their beers as well as thumb through the iPod menus, beer could once again be number one!
Mindless Blog surfing: Sometimes you just look like you're where you're from
This is not value judgment on the fine folks of the Appalachia area, but sometimes you get a mental image of what someone from a part of the country would look like, and dang if they don't fit the bill to a tee.
In this case, we find that this fellow, looks like what we think a guy from West Virginia would look like!
As a bonus, his jokes by the way are pretty funny as well.
In this case, we find that this fellow, looks like what we think a guy from West Virginia would look like!
As a bonus, his jokes by the way are pretty funny as well.
Your Cat looks just like.......
My friend Sean, who long ago gave up his daily blog seanincognito and occasionally trolls the web with his etymological entries and his contributions to hackingthemainframe, still must have the blogging bug!
He sent me an email with the following link to a blog out there in the blogosphere, that is good for a chuckle or two.
http://hitlercats.motime.com/
A finer use of the world wide web has yet to be found! It could lead to a whole new genre of internet usage, that of pet owners flooding the internet with pics of their little fluffy and the resemblance to despots everywhere.
He sent me an email with the following link to a blog out there in the blogosphere, that is good for a chuckle or two.
http://hitlercats.motime.com/
A finer use of the world wide web has yet to be found! It could lead to a whole new genre of internet usage, that of pet owners flooding the internet with pics of their little fluffy and the resemblance to despots everywhere.
More Homer than Phil
With Father’s Day only a bit over a week away, Hallmark Cards has made a rather interesting discovery, Dad’s think they’re funnier than their offspring do! D’oh!
92% of all Dads feel that they have a great sense of humour, a sentiment shared by only 6 of 10 kids surveyed, so hmmm, there’s some serious disconnect out there. And the evidence is out there that perhaps Dad’s aren’t as funny as they think!
In the Hallmark Survey, two thirds sometimes forget how a joke goes once they've started to tell it and 58% have forgotten the punch line
- Nine out of ten said they sometimes tell corny jokes and the majority of kids agree
- 84% of dads confessed their jokes have bombed, although kids tend to be less critical of dad's joke-telling abilities (74%)
Of course part of the reason that many Dad’s think they’re on top of their humour game is the role models they follow.
75 percent of the Dad’s surveyed said they got by on their on wits and sense of humour, while 10% felt that they followed in the shoes of Television guru Dr. Phil, 15% found a more relatable role model in Springfield’s own Dad of the Year, Homer Simpson. Homer’s appeal grew even larger in the 18-34 demographic where fully one quarter of all surveyed said that Homer was the man!
Gift buying should be simple for that group, a joke tellers guide to humour and a round of Duff beer for everyone when the day comes around.
92% of all Dads feel that they have a great sense of humour, a sentiment shared by only 6 of 10 kids surveyed, so hmmm, there’s some serious disconnect out there. And the evidence is out there that perhaps Dad’s aren’t as funny as they think!
In the Hallmark Survey, two thirds sometimes forget how a joke goes once they've started to tell it and 58% have forgotten the punch line
- Nine out of ten said they sometimes tell corny jokes and the majority of kids agree
- 84% of dads confessed their jokes have bombed, although kids tend to be less critical of dad's joke-telling abilities (74%)
Of course part of the reason that many Dad’s think they’re on top of their humour game is the role models they follow.
75 percent of the Dad’s surveyed said they got by on their on wits and sense of humour, while 10% felt that they followed in the shoes of Television guru Dr. Phil, 15% found a more relatable role model in Springfield’s own Dad of the Year, Homer Simpson. Homer’s appeal grew even larger in the 18-34 demographic where fully one quarter of all surveyed said that Homer was the man!
Gift buying should be simple for that group, a joke tellers guide to humour and a round of Duff beer for everyone when the day comes around.
Canes in control!
The end result was exactly what many Oiler fans had hoped to avoid, a one sided score that gives Carolina the momentum and a commanding two games to none lead on Edmonton. For Oiler fans game two was a nightmare scenario from the second period on. It gives a bit of credence to those that suggested that the Oil’s run for the Cup had run out of gas when Dwayne Roloson suffered his series ending injury. On Wednesday night, the Oil looked like anything but a contender for Lord Stanley’s Cup.
The Hurricanes took charge of the play in the second and began to roll the points over on the way to a 5-0 victory over an overwhelmed looking Oiler squad. Edmonton held their own in the first period, holding off the Hurricanes attack time and time again, power play opportunities went for naught for the Canes in the first as Edmonton locked things down for the first twenty minutes. In the first the Oilers seemed to withstand the Hurricane attack, fighting off the pace that the Canes tried to bring to the game and shutting down their explosive offence for the first part of the game.
But in that second the roof seemed to come down on top of Edmonton, they took far too many penalties which put them deep into a hole early on as Carolina took the play to the Oilers finding success again and again on Oiler goaltender Jussi Markennen. Though to be fair to the Oiler stand in, he was left on his own far too much and faced some pretty impressive scoring plays from a fired up Hurricane squad. Once the Canes got a 2-0 lead they seemed to pick up an extra gear and began to take the play deep in the Oiler end on pretty well every shift.
The loss puts the Oilers in a familiar position, down two games and facing long odds to make a comeback. While the faithful will point to the San Jose series for inspiration, they may have a tougher road ahead this time. Carolina seemed to gain confidence with each shift and each goal, the 5-0 victory on Wednesday a convincing statement that they can see the Stanley Cup on the horizon and are closing in on it fast.
Game three goes Saturday night in Edmonton, it’s a must win for the Oil who will be hoping that he Rexall Place regulars are still on the bandwagon. They’ll need much more than the noise of the crowd and high octane atmosphere of the hockey hotbed, but having the home fans onside will be a huge boost for a team that arrived in Raleigh with high expectations and now returns home to Edmonton just hoping to get back into the series.
The above post first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
The Hurricanes took charge of the play in the second and began to roll the points over on the way to a 5-0 victory over an overwhelmed looking Oiler squad. Edmonton held their own in the first period, holding off the Hurricanes attack time and time again, power play opportunities went for naught for the Canes in the first as Edmonton locked things down for the first twenty minutes. In the first the Oilers seemed to withstand the Hurricane attack, fighting off the pace that the Canes tried to bring to the game and shutting down their explosive offence for the first part of the game.
But in that second the roof seemed to come down on top of Edmonton, they took far too many penalties which put them deep into a hole early on as Carolina took the play to the Oilers finding success again and again on Oiler goaltender Jussi Markennen. Though to be fair to the Oiler stand in, he was left on his own far too much and faced some pretty impressive scoring plays from a fired up Hurricane squad. Once the Canes got a 2-0 lead they seemed to pick up an extra gear and began to take the play deep in the Oiler end on pretty well every shift.
The loss puts the Oilers in a familiar position, down two games and facing long odds to make a comeback. While the faithful will point to the San Jose series for inspiration, they may have a tougher road ahead this time. Carolina seemed to gain confidence with each shift and each goal, the 5-0 victory on Wednesday a convincing statement that they can see the Stanley Cup on the horizon and are closing in on it fast.
Game three goes Saturday night in Edmonton, it’s a must win for the Oil who will be hoping that he Rexall Place regulars are still on the bandwagon. They’ll need much more than the noise of the crowd and high octane atmosphere of the hockey hotbed, but having the home fans onside will be a huge boost for a team that arrived in Raleigh with high expectations and now returns home to Edmonton just hoping to get back into the series.
The above post first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
In War and Labour Relations the truth is the first casualty
It used to be in British Columbia that the nastiest battles between management and union were fought in the forest, pulp and fishing sectors of the province. But judging by the tone of debate coming out of the BC Ferry System these days, those old days of labour management clashes were positively harmonious.
The gloves appear to have come off between BC Ferries management and the BC Marine Workers Union, as each side trades accusations regarding the sinking in March of the Queen of the North. Wednesday brought a collection of nasty press conferences, where each side blasted the other over safety and labour issues. The day featured BC Ferries President David Hahn taking a hard line over the lack of participation by the union in the BC Ferries investigation, while the union asked the disturbing question ‘are the ships safe’?
Hahn has been busy taking to the airwaves on CKNW with Bill Good explaining the Ferries side of the issue, late Wednesday morning, Marine Workers president Jackie Miller took part in a segment on the same show with Good. You can check it all out by listening in to the audio vault from 8:30-9 and then from 11-11:30 am for an overview of both sides.
Things came to head today as the Transportation Safety Board issued a letter suggesting that on watch personnel did not feel fully trained on vital bridge equipment. It was a charge that the Ferry Corporation is taking with a bit of indignation. For his part Hahn stated that there was a fourteen minute black hole that needs to be accounted for by those on watch that night.
The tone of debate on Wednesday doesn’t bode well for a smooth relationship in the short term and offers up concerns about discovering the final word on just what happened prior to the Queen of the North hitting Gil Island. With the Transportation Safety Board report not expected until next year and an RCMP investigation ongoing as well there will no doubt be many travelers on the Ferry system looking for answers and reassurance that sailing on the provinces ferry system offers up the safest possible standard. In the current toxic relationships between these two sides, it seems hard to believe we’ll get anywhere while all the rhetoric is blasting from both sides.
The province needs to step up and take a lead on this matter immediately, letting the two sides engage in a nasty battle of he said, she said is doing no one any good and doesn’t offer up much in the way of closure for the two lost souls on the Queen of the North that night. So far in this mess, the government has been far too quiet and dis-engaged from the issue. While normally one would shy away from that over-used Canadian tradition of a judicial inquiry or Royal Commission, in this instance perhaps that is exactly what is required. The power to investigate, seek out the truth and lay out guidelines to ensure safety, should be a key ingredient of the province’s involvement, the people of British Columbia need to know what happened that night, as well as be reassured that their ferry system is still among the safest in the world.
Otherwise we will find ourselves reading many more stories like the front page story of Wednesday’s Daily News reprinted below, a story that leaves one to wonder about the safety of the ferry fleet and the state of relations between the union and the Ferry system today.
FERRY UNION ASKING: ‘ARE SHIPS SAFE?’
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Page One
The B. C. Ferry and Marine Worker’s Union is calling for a full safety audit of the province’s ferries as preliminary details on the cause of the Queen of the North’s sinking are being released.
“Perhaps there should be a safety audit of B. C. Ferries … to see if it’s safe to travel on B. C. Ferries,” said Jackie Miller, union president, from Victoria this morning. “That should include everything from the safety management system to worker health and safety… I think we need to ask the company if their ships are safe.”
At a press conference this morning, the union boss was joined by a ferry captain to detail a litany of safety concerns that the union contends it has brought up over the years that the corporation has ignored.
Among them were crew from the Queen of Burnaby that were working aboard the Queen of Tsawwassen, which has different safety equipment. The union contends – and will be including the information as part of a submission to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) – that the company changed documents to say the crew was familiar with the equipment.
The ferries union also expressed concerns about the Queen of Prince Rupert, which is currently pulling double duty on the North Coast and making trips to both Port Hardy and the Queen Charlotte Islands. Miller said she sailed aboard the ship in April after there were issues with equipment familiarity, or a lack of adequate training by the company, is being cited as an issue in initial reports on the sinking of the Queen of the North by TSB.
Miller said her members have answered all the questions posed by the Transportation Safety Board, the RCMP and the corporation’s lawyers about the March 22 tragedy. But she says lawyers acting for crew have advised their clients not to participate in an internal B. C. Ferries inquiry.
Meanwhile, B. C. Ferries Corporation president David Hahn is saying that crew members on board the ship should have raised any safety concerns before the vessel sank last March.
“Some of the bridge team members are saying they weren’t familiar,” said Hahn. “I would argue very strongly they should have stood up and said, “I can’t sail this ship.’
“Would you take a 25 foot power boat out in the middle of Howe Sound, if you didn’t know how to operate a power boat?” To me there’s a common sense that comes into play here.”
However, Miller said every time workers bring up safety concerns they are punished by the company.
The TSB wrote a letter to B. C. Ferries last month saying “information gathered so far has revealed that some bridge team members were not familiar with the use of all the bridge equipment and controls.”
The letter notes that members of the bridge team had different understandings of how the new steering-mode selector switch worked and weren’t aware of how to adjust the electronic chart system display. The letter says that while the chart system was left on the night of the sinking, the monitor was turned off to reduce glare. As a result, the ship’s course was not displayed.
“If people weren’t getting familiarization, there was new equipment on the bridge and people weren’t getting familiarization, then that’s a breakdown in the system, absolutely,” said Bob Beadell, a former BC. Ferries safety development officer that developed a safety system for the Queen of the North that outlined crew training for new equipment.
Beadell resigned from B. C. Ferries in 2000 largely as a result of his concerns about whan the said was the vulnerability of the Queen of the North.
The gloves appear to have come off between BC Ferries management and the BC Marine Workers Union, as each side trades accusations regarding the sinking in March of the Queen of the North. Wednesday brought a collection of nasty press conferences, where each side blasted the other over safety and labour issues. The day featured BC Ferries President David Hahn taking a hard line over the lack of participation by the union in the BC Ferries investigation, while the union asked the disturbing question ‘are the ships safe’?
Hahn has been busy taking to the airwaves on CKNW with Bill Good explaining the Ferries side of the issue, late Wednesday morning, Marine Workers president Jackie Miller took part in a segment on the same show with Good. You can check it all out by listening in to the audio vault from 8:30-9 and then from 11-11:30 am for an overview of both sides.
Things came to head today as the Transportation Safety Board issued a letter suggesting that on watch personnel did not feel fully trained on vital bridge equipment. It was a charge that the Ferry Corporation is taking with a bit of indignation. For his part Hahn stated that there was a fourteen minute black hole that needs to be accounted for by those on watch that night.
The tone of debate on Wednesday doesn’t bode well for a smooth relationship in the short term and offers up concerns about discovering the final word on just what happened prior to the Queen of the North hitting Gil Island. With the Transportation Safety Board report not expected until next year and an RCMP investigation ongoing as well there will no doubt be many travelers on the Ferry system looking for answers and reassurance that sailing on the provinces ferry system offers up the safest possible standard. In the current toxic relationships between these two sides, it seems hard to believe we’ll get anywhere while all the rhetoric is blasting from both sides.
The province needs to step up and take a lead on this matter immediately, letting the two sides engage in a nasty battle of he said, she said is doing no one any good and doesn’t offer up much in the way of closure for the two lost souls on the Queen of the North that night. So far in this mess, the government has been far too quiet and dis-engaged from the issue. While normally one would shy away from that over-used Canadian tradition of a judicial inquiry or Royal Commission, in this instance perhaps that is exactly what is required. The power to investigate, seek out the truth and lay out guidelines to ensure safety, should be a key ingredient of the province’s involvement, the people of British Columbia need to know what happened that night, as well as be reassured that their ferry system is still among the safest in the world.
Otherwise we will find ourselves reading many more stories like the front page story of Wednesday’s Daily News reprinted below, a story that leaves one to wonder about the safety of the ferry fleet and the state of relations between the union and the Ferry system today.
FERRY UNION ASKING: ‘ARE SHIPS SAFE?’
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Page One
The B. C. Ferry and Marine Worker’s Union is calling for a full safety audit of the province’s ferries as preliminary details on the cause of the Queen of the North’s sinking are being released.
“Perhaps there should be a safety audit of B. C. Ferries … to see if it’s safe to travel on B. C. Ferries,” said Jackie Miller, union president, from Victoria this morning. “That should include everything from the safety management system to worker health and safety… I think we need to ask the company if their ships are safe.”
At a press conference this morning, the union boss was joined by a ferry captain to detail a litany of safety concerns that the union contends it has brought up over the years that the corporation has ignored.
Among them were crew from the Queen of Burnaby that were working aboard the Queen of Tsawwassen, which has different safety equipment. The union contends – and will be including the information as part of a submission to the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) – that the company changed documents to say the crew was familiar with the equipment.
The ferries union also expressed concerns about the Queen of Prince Rupert, which is currently pulling double duty on the North Coast and making trips to both Port Hardy and the Queen Charlotte Islands. Miller said she sailed aboard the ship in April after there were issues with equipment familiarity, or a lack of adequate training by the company, is being cited as an issue in initial reports on the sinking of the Queen of the North by TSB.
Miller said her members have answered all the questions posed by the Transportation Safety Board, the RCMP and the corporation’s lawyers about the March 22 tragedy. But she says lawyers acting for crew have advised their clients not to participate in an internal B. C. Ferries inquiry.
Meanwhile, B. C. Ferries Corporation president David Hahn is saying that crew members on board the ship should have raised any safety concerns before the vessel sank last March.
“Some of the bridge team members are saying they weren’t familiar,” said Hahn. “I would argue very strongly they should have stood up and said, “I can’t sail this ship.’
“Would you take a 25 foot power boat out in the middle of Howe Sound, if you didn’t know how to operate a power boat?” To me there’s a common sense that comes into play here.”
However, Miller said every time workers bring up safety concerns they are punished by the company.
The TSB wrote a letter to B. C. Ferries last month saying “information gathered so far has revealed that some bridge team members were not familiar with the use of all the bridge equipment and controls.”
The letter notes that members of the bridge team had different understandings of how the new steering-mode selector switch worked and weren’t aware of how to adjust the electronic chart system display. The letter says that while the chart system was left on the night of the sinking, the monitor was turned off to reduce glare. As a result, the ship’s course was not displayed.
“If people weren’t getting familiarization, there was new equipment on the bridge and people weren’t getting familiarization, then that’s a breakdown in the system, absolutely,” said Bob Beadell, a former BC. Ferries safety development officer that developed a safety system for the Queen of the North that outlined crew training for new equipment.
Beadell resigned from B. C. Ferries in 2000 largely as a result of his concerns about whan the said was the vulnerability of the Queen of the North.
Podunk’s planner plans his move
They’ll be holding another going away party at City Hall shortly, as another senior executive with the City moves on to new challenges. According to a Vancouver Island website, Prince Rupert’s City Planner (among other jobs) Tom Ireland is re-locating to a 100,000 dollar a year job with the City of Duncan.
Ireland who has been working at Prince Rupert City Hall for over18 years, takes up his new duties as Chief administrator for Duncan on July10th. Ireland received the job offer over 21 other applicants for the recently vacated position in Duncan, a position that became available after the current administrator announced his retirement after thirty years of service.
His experiences in Rupert in working with First Nations and senior levels of government apparently counted heavily in his favor when it came time to make a final decision.
It will be of interest to see how many applicants the Mayor receives for the now vacant position here! The story from the Cowichan News Leader is reprinted below.
Duncan goes to Ireland to replace long-time exec
By Peter Rusland
The Cowichan News Leader
Wednesday, June 7, 2006.
Goodbye, Paul. Hello, Tom.
The City of Duncan's long-serving administrator Paul Douville will be replaced July 10 by Tom Ireland.
Douville is retiring locally after 30 years of city hall service while Ireland moves to Cowichan from Prince Rupert. Ireland juggled duty as the City of Prince Rupert's corporate administrator and city planner, and head of the development services department for about 18 years.
He was picked for Duncan's $100,000 post from 21 applicants. Six were interviewed by city councillors and consultant Jim Craven, city hall said yesterday. Ireland impressed Mayor Phil Kent as a stand-up guy.
"He's very energetic, quite up-front and you know what he's feeling. He also conducts himself with a good deal of humour."
Ireland holds a Bachelors degree in environmental studies, a diploma in public sector management from the University of Victoria, a B.C. Board of Examiners certificate in local government statutory administration, and a senior certificate in local government administration.
Experience working with First Nations; federal, provincial and local governments; plus private groups in making various projects reality also makes Ireland a good fit to replace Douville, Kent signals.
The family man in his early 50s enjoys, fishing, gardening, and cooking.
The city is very lucky to land Ireland, Kent says.
"Many other communities haven't had luck getting applications. Duncan's a desirable place to come," the mayor said, noting Ireland's glowing references.
"He'll be a good fit as a team member with our staff and he's shown a very good ability to work with senior levels of government."
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Oh, Oh, Oilers? or Oh! Oh! Oilers!
The result of game one in the Stanley Cup playoff was but an afterthought by late Monday night, as word quickly spread that the Oilers rock in the playoffs Dwayne Roloson was done for the playoffs.
Forgotten was the fact the Oilers had a three goal lead and surely should have won this game one, forgotten was the fact that with a 5 on 3 advantage they couldn’t score a power play goal, forgotten was a pee wee like mix-up behind the net that resulted in Carolina’s winning goal with but 31 seconds to go in the game. It was a remarkable come back by Carolina who looked sluggish and lost in the first period and then completely in control by the third, taking victory 5-4 with scant seconds left in the game, but instead of even that amazing feat that would not be the main topic of conversation on Tuesday.
Instead all talk is about Roloson, the key ingredient in this Oiler run in 2006, now relegated to a fan, his knee no longer of physical use to him nor his hockey team. The Oiler goaltender was injured in the third period in a scramble in his crease, the Hurricanes Andrew Ladd pushed through the crease by the Oilers Marc Andre Bergeron and tumbling on top of the Oiler goalkeeper’s knee, blowing it out for the playoffs. What remains now to be seen, is if the Oilers playoff hopes have popped along with Rolosons third MCL.
It cast a pall over Edmonton Monday night as Oiler fans tried to comprehend the end to a wild an wooly playoff match that offered up a tease for a stunning series to follow, now the talk is can the Oil hang on to try and scrape out a Stanley Cup against all odds.
The Oilers to a man suggest that the injury is just another bridge to cross on their way to hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup, suggesting that they have fought against adversity all year long and this was just one more bit to add to the pile. Oiler captain Ryan Smyth adding that”this isn’t over yet”.
Head coach Craig MacTavish has one of the most important decisions an Oiler coach has had to make, that of which goaltender to go with on Wednesday in game number two, Ty Conklin or Jussi Markkanen. Regardless of which player he chooses, MacTavish can probably be assured of a complete team effort by his Oilers, as they once again strive to circle the wagons and take on all comers.
While most of the hockey establishment kindly nod their heads, give the Oilers a nice pat on the back and suggest that the series is over, the Oilers will go down fighting. They have if nothing else this playoff year, shown that there is no quit in a team wearing copper and blue. If they are the team of destiny this year that some have pegged them, they’ve just made that script even more interesting.
The above posting first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
Forgotten was the fact the Oilers had a three goal lead and surely should have won this game one, forgotten was the fact that with a 5 on 3 advantage they couldn’t score a power play goal, forgotten was a pee wee like mix-up behind the net that resulted in Carolina’s winning goal with but 31 seconds to go in the game. It was a remarkable come back by Carolina who looked sluggish and lost in the first period and then completely in control by the third, taking victory 5-4 with scant seconds left in the game, but instead of even that amazing feat that would not be the main topic of conversation on Tuesday.
Instead all talk is about Roloson, the key ingredient in this Oiler run in 2006, now relegated to a fan, his knee no longer of physical use to him nor his hockey team. The Oiler goaltender was injured in the third period in a scramble in his crease, the Hurricanes Andrew Ladd pushed through the crease by the Oilers Marc Andre Bergeron and tumbling on top of the Oiler goalkeeper’s knee, blowing it out for the playoffs. What remains now to be seen, is if the Oilers playoff hopes have popped along with Rolosons third MCL.
It cast a pall over Edmonton Monday night as Oiler fans tried to comprehend the end to a wild an wooly playoff match that offered up a tease for a stunning series to follow, now the talk is can the Oil hang on to try and scrape out a Stanley Cup against all odds.
The Oilers to a man suggest that the injury is just another bridge to cross on their way to hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup, suggesting that they have fought against adversity all year long and this was just one more bit to add to the pile. Oiler captain Ryan Smyth adding that”this isn’t over yet”.
Head coach Craig MacTavish has one of the most important decisions an Oiler coach has had to make, that of which goaltender to go with on Wednesday in game number two, Ty Conklin or Jussi Markkanen. Regardless of which player he chooses, MacTavish can probably be assured of a complete team effort by his Oilers, as they once again strive to circle the wagons and take on all comers.
While most of the hockey establishment kindly nod their heads, give the Oilers a nice pat on the back and suggest that the series is over, the Oilers will go down fighting. They have if nothing else this playoff year, shown that there is no quit in a team wearing copper and blue. If they are the team of destiny this year that some have pegged them, they’ve just made that script even more interesting.
The above posting first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
Hmm, Podunk's not that cold!
Prince Rupert has probably been called many things in it's history, but frigid isn't an image that springs to mind. However, there it is in type, as part of a story in the Christian Science Monitor on the future of shipping and the ports that service them.
The reference to our little Podunk is brief, a mere paragraph in the extensive review, stating that our "frigid frontier town" is trying to turn itself into a transportation hub.
As they say, any press is good press, as long as they spell your name right, eh!
You can check the entire article out here.
The reference to our little Podunk is brief, a mere paragraph in the extensive review, stating that our "frigid frontier town" is trying to turn itself into a transportation hub.
As they say, any press is good press, as long as they spell your name right, eh!
You can check the entire article out here.
Lest we Forget!
62 years ago today, freedoms battalions landed on the shores of the beaches of Normandy.
From Utah, Gold, Omaha, Sword and Juno they poured ashore, many to be cut down on the sand; others to push inland eventually pushing Nazi Germany to the end of a long, bloody and brutal war to end all wars.
We tend to take our freedoms for granted these days, giving nary a thought to the sacrifices of those that went before us. But 62 years ago, June 6, 1944, brothers in arms made their declaration that enough was enough for the evil that Nazism had brought to this world.
The D-Day invasion was one of the great moments of not only military but world history, nations united as one took horrible risks to begin the process of pushing the Nazi machine out of Europe and liberating millions of people who had been forced to live under it's yoke.
On that day, 340 Canadians died, 574 were wounded and 74 were taken prisoner. Within six days 1,017 would be dead and by the time the Normandy campaign had come to an end 5,020 Canadians had died in the heat of battle.
They were a valiant and proud group, who selflessly gave of themselves so others could live free. We should take a moment to remember their sacrifices, our freedoms were guaranteed with their blood.
From Utah, Gold, Omaha, Sword and Juno they poured ashore, many to be cut down on the sand; others to push inland eventually pushing Nazi Germany to the end of a long, bloody and brutal war to end all wars.
We tend to take our freedoms for granted these days, giving nary a thought to the sacrifices of those that went before us. But 62 years ago, June 6, 1944, brothers in arms made their declaration that enough was enough for the evil that Nazism had brought to this world.
The D-Day invasion was one of the great moments of not only military but world history, nations united as one took horrible risks to begin the process of pushing the Nazi machine out of Europe and liberating millions of people who had been forced to live under it's yoke.
On that day, 340 Canadians died, 574 were wounded and 74 were taken prisoner. Within six days 1,017 would be dead and by the time the Normandy campaign had come to an end 5,020 Canadians had died in the heat of battle.
They were a valiant and proud group, who selflessly gave of themselves so others could live free. We should take a moment to remember their sacrifices, our freedoms were guaranteed with their blood.
Of Beheaders, Bomb makers and Bozos
Well one can only assume this wasn’t the A team that was assembled to wreak jihad on an unsuspecting nation. Watching the events of the day from Toronto and the nice bit of spin that the lawyers put on it all (I smell an insanity plea coming down the line soon), leaves one with only one real summation, these guys were and probably still are class A idiots. They were quite possibly dangerous idiots; but idiots none the less.
I mean a beheading, Cripes that sounds like something out of a Monty Python skit. The idea of this crew getting close enough to the Prime Minister to actually swing a sword seems folly, just ask the Parliamentary press gallery about access and see how hard things would be and they have hall passes!
The fact that they conducted the bulk of their correspondences in chat rooms and via e mail it makes you shake your head and be thankful that our homegrown terrorist types are actually so dumb. Lets face it, pretty well anyone who uses a computer chat room or sends out e mail probably figures that somewhere along the line, filters are picking out key words for examination, just a hunch on my part but bombs and beheadings are probably near the top of the search list, though the beheading thing probably was good for a nervous laugh or two at the CSIS cafeteria.
The usual targets for your terrorist class were suggested, the CN tower, the Parliament Buildings, the CSIS headquarters in Toronto (though one has to wonder how secret a secret spy agency is, that has it’s headquarters located beside the tallest structure in the world, but we digress), but by far the strangest target was the CBC building in Downtown Toronto.
Now I’m not one to help out those folks that don’t like us that much, but if ever there was a media outlet in the country that might show a favourable bent towards our multicultural mosaic of a nation, it’s the CBC. The idea of blowing it up or taking hostage any of the talking heads from there seems kind of counter productive to any good public relations cause. Now going after Global or CTV we could see, they’re perceived as the bastion of the rich corporate class, with a slight to major right wing bias at times, but the Mother Corp? Good God, that thing bends over backwards to keep every possible angle represented, there’s nary a cause that hasn’t seen a major documentary feature from the Passionate Eye or the National’s last half hour. Fox News it ain’t
At any rate, the jurisprudence show has just begun and judging by the media mayhem in Toronto today it’s going to be quite the production. Hopefully, the authorities have all of their i’s dotted and their t’s crossed as far as due process, evidence gathering and such is concerned. It would be a tragedy if this all were to fall apart because somebody didn’t do their homework on the group implicated. Even worse would be the cries of bias due to the media frenzy as seen today, so one hopes that the media tries to act responsibly (well we can hope can’t we!). Regardless, I’m rather sure our judicial system with its checks and balances will provide for a fair and speedy trial of those that have been accused; I just hope that should the evidence provided show their guilt beyond a doubt, that we take full measure for the verdict and sentencing, sending out the message that such hateful schemes will not be tolerated by this most tolerant of nations.
It’s not surprising that we eventually would become a target for the nut bars of the world, our sense of fairness and openness over the years runs counter to those who dislike us and their themes of alienation and hatred. For the most part our little peaceable kingdom is a place that works fairly well, there’s a rather nice co-existence between the different races, creeds and ethnic groups that call this place home, most of whom all tend to get along without too much in the way of hostility. This of course is something that won’t fly in the world of ethnic hatred and isolationism that seems to be fermenting around the world, and has now become apparent in our very own cities as well.
While the fact that we were allegedly targeted by those that also call this land home is a worrisome thing, we can’t allow it to change the way we live our lives, nor to cast suspicions upon those that have chosen this country to live in. To begin a witch hunt would only play into the hands of those that wish us ill will, making them a more powerful force than they really are. One would like to believe that for every one of these misguided nutcases that thought up such fanciful plans, there are millions of others just wishing to have a better life for themselves and their families. The time for those communities to step up and root out those that wish to cause such pain is at hand however, those that have chosen this country to live in should realize that with citizenship come responsibilities, the main one to ensure the safety of all Canadians.
In the end, we must realize that for the most part, people have chosen this country over the years for its spirit of accommodation and the opportunity that it offers to all regardless of their origins. That’s a priceless ethic for a nation; one that can’t be tarnished nor trashed by a bunch of would be fanatics who bring much disrepute to their own people.
While it seems a bit comical these ideas of beheadings and bombings, a plan put together by those watching too much television and spending too much time on their computers in chat rooms, there obviously was something serious about this particular group. Something triggered the largest security plan since 9-11, thankfully, this time they were caught and stopped before any of their wild plans ever came to fruition.
Hopefully, we continue to stay vigilant for other like minded travelers of the terrorist roads, it seems like a new world we live in now. It is how we handle the different parameters offered up by it, which will tell a lot about us as a nation. We live by a charter of rights and freedoms, something that can't be diminished by the work of those who wish us ill.
Live in peaceful co-existence with your neighbours and this is a welcoming land, but try to undo what we have created with violence and you will feel the full weight of our laws, it’s a simple credo but should suffice quite nicely.
I mean a beheading, Cripes that sounds like something out of a Monty Python skit. The idea of this crew getting close enough to the Prime Minister to actually swing a sword seems folly, just ask the Parliamentary press gallery about access and see how hard things would be and they have hall passes!
The fact that they conducted the bulk of their correspondences in chat rooms and via e mail it makes you shake your head and be thankful that our homegrown terrorist types are actually so dumb. Lets face it, pretty well anyone who uses a computer chat room or sends out e mail probably figures that somewhere along the line, filters are picking out key words for examination, just a hunch on my part but bombs and beheadings are probably near the top of the search list, though the beheading thing probably was good for a nervous laugh or two at the CSIS cafeteria.
The usual targets for your terrorist class were suggested, the CN tower, the Parliament Buildings, the CSIS headquarters in Toronto (though one has to wonder how secret a secret spy agency is, that has it’s headquarters located beside the tallest structure in the world, but we digress), but by far the strangest target was the CBC building in Downtown Toronto.
Now I’m not one to help out those folks that don’t like us that much, but if ever there was a media outlet in the country that might show a favourable bent towards our multicultural mosaic of a nation, it’s the CBC. The idea of blowing it up or taking hostage any of the talking heads from there seems kind of counter productive to any good public relations cause. Now going after Global or CTV we could see, they’re perceived as the bastion of the rich corporate class, with a slight to major right wing bias at times, but the Mother Corp? Good God, that thing bends over backwards to keep every possible angle represented, there’s nary a cause that hasn’t seen a major documentary feature from the Passionate Eye or the National’s last half hour. Fox News it ain’t
At any rate, the jurisprudence show has just begun and judging by the media mayhem in Toronto today it’s going to be quite the production. Hopefully, the authorities have all of their i’s dotted and their t’s crossed as far as due process, evidence gathering and such is concerned. It would be a tragedy if this all were to fall apart because somebody didn’t do their homework on the group implicated. Even worse would be the cries of bias due to the media frenzy as seen today, so one hopes that the media tries to act responsibly (well we can hope can’t we!). Regardless, I’m rather sure our judicial system with its checks and balances will provide for a fair and speedy trial of those that have been accused; I just hope that should the evidence provided show their guilt beyond a doubt, that we take full measure for the verdict and sentencing, sending out the message that such hateful schemes will not be tolerated by this most tolerant of nations.
It’s not surprising that we eventually would become a target for the nut bars of the world, our sense of fairness and openness over the years runs counter to those who dislike us and their themes of alienation and hatred. For the most part our little peaceable kingdom is a place that works fairly well, there’s a rather nice co-existence between the different races, creeds and ethnic groups that call this place home, most of whom all tend to get along without too much in the way of hostility. This of course is something that won’t fly in the world of ethnic hatred and isolationism that seems to be fermenting around the world, and has now become apparent in our very own cities as well.
While the fact that we were allegedly targeted by those that also call this land home is a worrisome thing, we can’t allow it to change the way we live our lives, nor to cast suspicions upon those that have chosen this country to live in. To begin a witch hunt would only play into the hands of those that wish us ill will, making them a more powerful force than they really are. One would like to believe that for every one of these misguided nutcases that thought up such fanciful plans, there are millions of others just wishing to have a better life for themselves and their families. The time for those communities to step up and root out those that wish to cause such pain is at hand however, those that have chosen this country to live in should realize that with citizenship come responsibilities, the main one to ensure the safety of all Canadians.
In the end, we must realize that for the most part, people have chosen this country over the years for its spirit of accommodation and the opportunity that it offers to all regardless of their origins. That’s a priceless ethic for a nation; one that can’t be tarnished nor trashed by a bunch of would be fanatics who bring much disrepute to their own people.
While it seems a bit comical these ideas of beheadings and bombings, a plan put together by those watching too much television and spending too much time on their computers in chat rooms, there obviously was something serious about this particular group. Something triggered the largest security plan since 9-11, thankfully, this time they were caught and stopped before any of their wild plans ever came to fruition.
Hopefully, we continue to stay vigilant for other like minded travelers of the terrorist roads, it seems like a new world we live in now. It is how we handle the different parameters offered up by it, which will tell a lot about us as a nation. We live by a charter of rights and freedoms, something that can't be diminished by the work of those who wish us ill.
Live in peaceful co-existence with your neighbours and this is a welcoming land, but try to undo what we have created with violence and you will feel the full weight of our laws, it’s a simple credo but should suffice quite nicely.
Pictures of Podunk: Port Edward Community Park
A look at the Community Park of Port Edward, lots of green space and a terrific view of the Port Ed harbour.Lack of Training key to disaster?
The Transporation Safety Board issued a letter to B. C. Ferries today, citing human error to the sinking of the Queen of the North on March 22nd.
The letter which is the first commentary from the Safety Board since it began its investigation, said some crew members on the Queen of the North may not have received proper training on the ship's new steering and navigational equipment.
The President of B. C. Ferries, David Hahn commented that the Ferry Corporation takes the findings seriously and was taking further measures regarding training, though he expressed a bit of bewilderment at the idea of those on the bridge not being comfortable with their equipment, "These are master mariners, so again I'm having a little trouble that they would want to be in control of a ship and not be familiar with their equipment," said Hahn.
Reports have it that the crew was so unfamiliar with the system's night monitoring that they turned it off during the sailing.
The preliminary findings and letter to B. C. Ferries, will increase the tension between the corporation and the ferries workers union, who have been rather terse with each other the last couple of days.
Bill Good on CKNW investigated the issue on his talk show at 8:35 this morning, included in his program was an interview with Hahn who discussed the latest developments. You can listen in to the program by going to the CKNW audio vault from 8-9:00 am.
The letter which is the first commentary from the Safety Board since it began its investigation, said some crew members on the Queen of the North may not have received proper training on the ship's new steering and navigational equipment.
The President of B. C. Ferries, David Hahn commented that the Ferry Corporation takes the findings seriously and was taking further measures regarding training, though he expressed a bit of bewilderment at the idea of those on the bridge not being comfortable with their equipment, "These are master mariners, so again I'm having a little trouble that they would want to be in control of a ship and not be familiar with their equipment," said Hahn.
Reports have it that the crew was so unfamiliar with the system's night monitoring that they turned it off during the sailing.
The preliminary findings and letter to B. C. Ferries, will increase the tension between the corporation and the ferries workers union, who have been rather terse with each other the last couple of days.
Bill Good on CKNW investigated the issue on his talk show at 8:35 this morning, included in his program was an interview with Hahn who discussed the latest developments. You can listen in to the program by going to the CKNW audio vault from 8-9:00 am.
BC Ferries and the Marine Workers back to loggerheads.
For a short period of time after the sinking of the Queen of the North it seemed as though BC Ferries and its union had begun to come a bit closer together, putting aside their ancient grievances with the goal of working together to solve some of the key issues of the fleet, not to mention making things safer for both employees and customers on the Marine system.
However, it would seem that the shelf life of that good will has come to a very sudden end. With the Marine Worker’s seeking out legal counsel for their members and advising those involved not to speak with the B. C. Ferries investigation, things once again are heating up in the world of labour relations at B. C. Ferries.
B. C. Ferries president David Hahn stepped in and suggested that those that don’t co-operate may be dismissed, that comment has heated up the rhetoric and attracted the interest of the North Coast’s MLA, Gary Coons.
The Daily News has details of the dispute and the comments by Coons.
FERRY BOSS’S COMMENTS INTIMIDATING, SAYS COONS.
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Monday, June 5, 2006
Page One
B. C. Ferries is threatening a range of punishments to employees who worked aboard the Queen of the North if they do not cooperate with an internal investigation.
“There is no waiting, it has to be dealt with soon,” said David Hahn, B. C. Ferries president.
“Employees who will not cooperate will be suspended without pay and it may lead to dismissal.”
Referring to Hahn’s comments as “intimidation”, North Coat MLA and NDP ferries critic Gary Coons said this is probably why the Transportation Safety Board is the best organization to investigate the incident, and not the ferries corporation.
“I think the relationship between B. C. Ferries and workers is stressed but it has been stressed ever since it went to this quasi-private entity – there’s no accountability to coastal communities, passengers or ferry workers,” he said.
“The B. C. Marine Ferry Workers follow-up report to the Queen of Surrey incident also found management used intimidation with workers over concerns with the Safety Management System.”
“But (ferries workers) have made it clear they’ll continue to speak out.”
According to Hahn, less than four crew members have refused to answer questions as part of the ferries’ corporation investigation. He has said the union has an obligation to help everyone in the province get to the bottom of the issue.
However, B. C. Ferry Marine Workers Union president Jackie Miller said 10 to 12 crew members who were on the Queen of the North on March 22 when the boat sank have been assigned legal counsel and been advised not to speak to B. C. Ferries.
“We expect that the divisional inquiry will have some negative results for some of our members because of their adherence to legal counsel’s advice not to speak about some of the events,” Miller said, adding that if B. C. Ferries disciplines crew members up to and including termination, the union will take some form of action.
“I can tell you right now, we don’t like threats and these people have been through enough.”
The North Coast MLA said he sees a connection between the threats and an announcement by the ferries union that they may ask for the Workers’ Compensation Board to look into the long term health and emotional impacts that the Queen of the North sinking had on workers. The union has also suggested that WCB needs to look at whether proper work and communication practices were in place and whether B. C. Ferries properly insured against all risks before the ferry sailed.
B. C. Ferries has been sent an Advisory Letter from the Transportation Safety Board telling them to make sure things on the bridge are (lined-up) with past training practices.” Coons said. “In reality, it sounds like they’ve strayed away from their past practices and the TSB wants them to go back to it.”
The public also needs to know more about directives from TSB if there are safety concerns that could impact passengers, he said.
The Transportation Safety Board, Transport Canada, B. C. Ferries and the RCMP are currently investigating the sinking. The Transportation Safety Board has interviewed all of the crew members and has recently re-interviewed some of them. That information is confidential and shared neither with the RCMP nor the corporation.
The board will release a full report, making safety recommendations, which will take at least 18 months. If the board’s investigation turns up anything critical to public safety, that information will be released immediately in a separate advisory.
However, it would seem that the shelf life of that good will has come to a very sudden end. With the Marine Worker’s seeking out legal counsel for their members and advising those involved not to speak with the B. C. Ferries investigation, things once again are heating up in the world of labour relations at B. C. Ferries.
B. C. Ferries president David Hahn stepped in and suggested that those that don’t co-operate may be dismissed, that comment has heated up the rhetoric and attracted the interest of the North Coast’s MLA, Gary Coons.
The Daily News has details of the dispute and the comments by Coons.
FERRY BOSS’S COMMENTS INTIMIDATING, SAYS COONS.
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Monday, June 5, 2006
Page One
B. C. Ferries is threatening a range of punishments to employees who worked aboard the Queen of the North if they do not cooperate with an internal investigation.
“There is no waiting, it has to be dealt with soon,” said David Hahn, B. C. Ferries president.
“Employees who will not cooperate will be suspended without pay and it may lead to dismissal.”
Referring to Hahn’s comments as “intimidation”, North Coat MLA and NDP ferries critic Gary Coons said this is probably why the Transportation Safety Board is the best organization to investigate the incident, and not the ferries corporation.
“I think the relationship between B. C. Ferries and workers is stressed but it has been stressed ever since it went to this quasi-private entity – there’s no accountability to coastal communities, passengers or ferry workers,” he said.
“The B. C. Marine Ferry Workers follow-up report to the Queen of Surrey incident also found management used intimidation with workers over concerns with the Safety Management System.”
“But (ferries workers) have made it clear they’ll continue to speak out.”
According to Hahn, less than four crew members have refused to answer questions as part of the ferries’ corporation investigation. He has said the union has an obligation to help everyone in the province get to the bottom of the issue.
However, B. C. Ferry Marine Workers Union president Jackie Miller said 10 to 12 crew members who were on the Queen of the North on March 22 when the boat sank have been assigned legal counsel and been advised not to speak to B. C. Ferries.
“We expect that the divisional inquiry will have some negative results for some of our members because of their adherence to legal counsel’s advice not to speak about some of the events,” Miller said, adding that if B. C. Ferries disciplines crew members up to and including termination, the union will take some form of action.
“I can tell you right now, we don’t like threats and these people have been through enough.”
The North Coast MLA said he sees a connection between the threats and an announcement by the ferries union that they may ask for the Workers’ Compensation Board to look into the long term health and emotional impacts that the Queen of the North sinking had on workers. The union has also suggested that WCB needs to look at whether proper work and communication practices were in place and whether B. C. Ferries properly insured against all risks before the ferry sailed.
B. C. Ferries has been sent an Advisory Letter from the Transportation Safety Board telling them to make sure things on the bridge are (lined-up) with past training practices.” Coons said. “In reality, it sounds like they’ve strayed away from their past practices and the TSB wants them to go back to it.”
The public also needs to know more about directives from TSB if there are safety concerns that could impact passengers, he said.
The Transportation Safety Board, Transport Canada, B. C. Ferries and the RCMP are currently investigating the sinking. The Transportation Safety Board has interviewed all of the crew members and has recently re-interviewed some of them. That information is confidential and shared neither with the RCMP nor the corporation.
The board will release a full report, making safety recommendations, which will take at least 18 months. If the board’s investigation turns up anything critical to public safety, that information will be released immediately in a separate advisory.
Day One of the Northern Daily; Where’s the local news??
Well the folks at the Daily News can relax for a bit, the debut of the Northern Daily was a rather uneventful and less than news worthy event. The free paper offered up to the Northwest on a Daily basis, resembled something like a Google news page printed out.The front page featured a story about a possible backlash against Muslims in Canada over the recent terror arrests in Toronto, inside there were some snippets of news from Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran and elsewhere, a story on how Dark Soya sauce is better than red wine and how yoga can benefit cancer patients. And on an on things went for twenty pages, not one of which featured any news from anywhere in the Northwest let alone Prince Rupert.
Now perhaps they need a bit of time to get up to speed on the “local” aspect of news, though one would have thought they would have wanted to launch with a bit of a splash, by showing how relevant they could be to the local area. Instead, issue number one was your basic bit of wire copy, filling in the spaces between the ads and public service mentions.
Mind you they didn’t have any problem with the “local” aspect of advertising as Full page ads for City Furniture and Sullivan Motors were prominent on pages 2 and 20 as well as smaller efforts for mainly Smithers and Terrace businesses. If you want to find a good restaurant in Smithers, this might be your best resource, but don’t expect to find out the issues of the day from there, if the debut is any indication.
The actual design is fairly good, it’s a bright looking, neo tabloid kind of look, the articles such as they are (wire copy for day one) is easy to read and is set up quite nicely. But in an age where the internet rules the habits of many a news seeker and consumer now, the placing of basically generic stories one after another over twenty pages seems kind of pointless. There was nothing in the first edition of the daily that anyone couldn’t find simply by clicking on their favourite news site on the net like Canoe, The Globe and Mail, Google News or Canada.com.
The key for success for this effort is going to be a much more intense local presence, it was a bit of a disappointment to pick up the paper and breeze through it in record time, finding nothing of local interest to keep me hanging around between pages one and twenty.
Perhaps they need some time to find their purpose, but if they actually plan on taking on the Daily News locally, they had best get to work on the content and work on it quickly. Until there is some serious local and regional news in place, this is just another one of the endless advertorial things that dot the landscape of the northwest, one that is on its way to the recycling centre or the bottom of a bird cage at a pretty fast pace!
More Jobs for Podunk!
Tuesday morning brought some more good news for the hard pressed economy of Podunk, though we'll have to wait a bit before we reap the benefits from a press release from WestPac energy of Calgary.
If we don't go kaboom, by 2011 there will be thirty more permanent jobs available in Prince Rupert, West Pac LNG has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Prince Rupert for a thirty year lease on land at Ridley Island for a 350 Million dollar liquefied Natural Gas receipt and transshipment terminal.
The project will feature two to four on shore storage tanks, a new marine berth and piping for moving the product from ship to shore. It will also have a re-gasification facility and infra-structure for re-shipment by barge, rail or truck
In the construction phase it will provide over 300 jobs and upon completion in 2011 will provide for 30 permanent full time jobs on site.
Full details can be found in the news release the link can be found here.
Update: The Daily News had a complete story on the project in it's Tuesday afternoon edition, the details of which are reprinted below.
HUGE $350 MILLION PROJECT BONANZA FOR RUPERT
(Hundreds of construction jobs and 30 long term positions
expected as city reaps benefit)
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Tuesday June 6, 2006
Pages One and Three
WestPac LNG has taken the first steps toward a $350 million dollar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility at Ridley Island.
“This morning, we (filed) the project description with the Port of Prince Rupert which will commence the environmental assessment process under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act in support of a Liquefied Natural Gas transshipment and receipt terminal,” said Mark Butler, president of the Calgary-based company. “We are looking to be invited in your community. We want to build buildings here, we want to employ some of your citizens, we want to understand what’s important to your community.”
The environmental permit process is expected to take 12-14 months. If approved, it will be followed by a year long engineering and design process. Construction will then take another three years with operations expected to commence in 2011.
“We’re going to teach you, we’re going to talk about LNG and show you this is a safe industry,” he said. “We’re going to show you that we can be good neighbours.”
During the process, there will be consultations with First Nations, municipal and regional stakeholders and the public, as well as a number of studies commissioned on potential impacts/.If approved, the construction phase will employ more than 300 people, while 30 people will be employed at the facility once it is running.
“What you’ll see are very big ships coming in – about the dimension of a cruise ship – but they’ll only get bigger, and they will berth at Ridley Island and they will pump off Liquefied Natural Gas into .. two quite large tanks,” said Butler, adding that these ‘super ships’ would arrive around once a month. “Those tanks will be roughly the same height as the existing grain terminal.”
While in its liquefied form, that gas will be available locally for energy purposes as it is regasified as well as for shipment – by truck, rail and boat – to everything from mines to communities without stable sources of energy like Masset.
“To be successful you have to be in the right place at the right time,” said Don Krusel, Prince Rupert Port Authority president”.”(WestPac) has developed a business plan that shows they’re at the right time and anybody who knows anything about location knows that this is the right location.
“This particular project plays in Prince Rupert’s strengths .. the fact that we are one of the deepest and safest harbours in the world is a clear advantage for this project. The fact that the port is the closest to the international sources for natural gas is clearly important and strategic for this project.”
Krusel said that the project also provides a number of spin-off opportunities, including a cogeneration plant that could bring large amounts of electricity to the region. “We’re talking about something much more than just another shipping facility in Prince Rupert. We’re talking about something that could possibly be the catalyst of other industries, other developments in Prince Rupert,” Krusel said. “With the reliable and abundant supply of natural gas and possibly the reliable and abundant supply of electricity, we can attract a whole lot more other diversified industries.”
WestPac has retained Jacques Whitford – a national consulting firm that has successfully completed several LNG-related environmental assessments on both coasts of Canada and it Qatar, in the Middle East – to perform the assessment.
WestPac earlier entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Prince Rupert for a 30 year lease, with a provision for three 10 year extensions, with the Port for 100 hectares on Ridley Island adjacent to existing grain and coal shipping terminals. The project will include a new marine berthing facility with transfer piping to onshore LNG storage tanks; two to four onshore LNG storage tanks, with a total capacity to transship the natural gas equivalent of up to one billion cubic feet per day; a natural gas liquids extraction facility, with storage; infrastructure for barge, rail car and truck. LNG and natural gas liquids loading; and LNG re-gasification facilities with a capacity of up to 130 million cubic feet per day of natural gas and related infrastructure for interconnection to existing pipelines at the project site.
Liquefied natural gas is created by cooling natural gas into a liquid state at a temperature of minus 162C. This reduces the space natural gas occupies by 600 times making it practical for transport and storage.
If we don't go kaboom, by 2011 there will be thirty more permanent jobs available in Prince Rupert, West Pac LNG has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Prince Rupert for a thirty year lease on land at Ridley Island for a 350 Million dollar liquefied Natural Gas receipt and transshipment terminal.
The project will feature two to four on shore storage tanks, a new marine berth and piping for moving the product from ship to shore. It will also have a re-gasification facility and infra-structure for re-shipment by barge, rail or truck
In the construction phase it will provide over 300 jobs and upon completion in 2011 will provide for 30 permanent full time jobs on site.
Full details can be found in the news release the link can be found here.
Update: The Daily News had a complete story on the project in it's Tuesday afternoon edition, the details of which are reprinted below.
HUGE $350 MILLION PROJECT BONANZA FOR RUPERT
(Hundreds of construction jobs and 30 long term positions
expected as city reaps benefit)
By James Vassallo
The Daily News
Tuesday June 6, 2006
Pages One and Three
WestPac LNG has taken the first steps toward a $350 million dollar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility at Ridley Island.
“This morning, we (filed) the project description with the Port of Prince Rupert which will commence the environmental assessment process under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act in support of a Liquefied Natural Gas transshipment and receipt terminal,” said Mark Butler, president of the Calgary-based company. “We are looking to be invited in your community. We want to build buildings here, we want to employ some of your citizens, we want to understand what’s important to your community.”
The environmental permit process is expected to take 12-14 months. If approved, it will be followed by a year long engineering and design process. Construction will then take another three years with operations expected to commence in 2011.
“We’re going to teach you, we’re going to talk about LNG and show you this is a safe industry,” he said. “We’re going to show you that we can be good neighbours.”
During the process, there will be consultations with First Nations, municipal and regional stakeholders and the public, as well as a number of studies commissioned on potential impacts/.If approved, the construction phase will employ more than 300 people, while 30 people will be employed at the facility once it is running.
“What you’ll see are very big ships coming in – about the dimension of a cruise ship – but they’ll only get bigger, and they will berth at Ridley Island and they will pump off Liquefied Natural Gas into .. two quite large tanks,” said Butler, adding that these ‘super ships’ would arrive around once a month. “Those tanks will be roughly the same height as the existing grain terminal.”
While in its liquefied form, that gas will be available locally for energy purposes as it is regasified as well as for shipment – by truck, rail and boat – to everything from mines to communities without stable sources of energy like Masset.
“To be successful you have to be in the right place at the right time,” said Don Krusel, Prince Rupert Port Authority president”.”(WestPac) has developed a business plan that shows they’re at the right time and anybody who knows anything about location knows that this is the right location.
“This particular project plays in Prince Rupert’s strengths .. the fact that we are one of the deepest and safest harbours in the world is a clear advantage for this project. The fact that the port is the closest to the international sources for natural gas is clearly important and strategic for this project.”
Krusel said that the project also provides a number of spin-off opportunities, including a cogeneration plant that could bring large amounts of electricity to the region. “We’re talking about something much more than just another shipping facility in Prince Rupert. We’re talking about something that could possibly be the catalyst of other industries, other developments in Prince Rupert,” Krusel said. “With the reliable and abundant supply of natural gas and possibly the reliable and abundant supply of electricity, we can attract a whole lot more other diversified industries.”
WestPac has retained Jacques Whitford – a national consulting firm that has successfully completed several LNG-related environmental assessments on both coasts of Canada and it Qatar, in the Middle East – to perform the assessment.
WestPac earlier entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Prince Rupert for a 30 year lease, with a provision for three 10 year extensions, with the Port for 100 hectares on Ridley Island adjacent to existing grain and coal shipping terminals. The project will include a new marine berthing facility with transfer piping to onshore LNG storage tanks; two to four onshore LNG storage tanks, with a total capacity to transship the natural gas equivalent of up to one billion cubic feet per day; a natural gas liquids extraction facility, with storage; infrastructure for barge, rail car and truck. LNG and natural gas liquids loading; and LNG re-gasification facilities with a capacity of up to 130 million cubic feet per day of natural gas and related infrastructure for interconnection to existing pipelines at the project site.
Liquefied natural gas is created by cooling natural gas into a liquid state at a temperature of minus 162C. This reduces the space natural gas occupies by 600 times making it practical for transport and storage.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
For Oiler fans, this result bytes!
Those wishing to take advantage of the sunnier spring weather and forgo the traditional viewing of the Stanley Cup playoffs, can head for the sun knowing that it won't be the Oilers year.
2KSports the California based computer game maker of NHL2K6 has run a simulation series between the Hurricanes and the Oilers, and while it will be a nail biter of a series going the full seven games, in the end the Oil apparently will come up on the short end of the scoreboard.
In simulation games run at the California headquarters, the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in a game seven showdown, edging the Oilers 3-2 with Hurricane Eric Staal slaying the Oilers with two goals in the deciding game.
The series will be quite close if it follows the NHL 2K6 script, as five of the seven games will be decided by one goal. So that's that, the remarkable run for the Oilers will have come to an end at the press of gamepad button. One flick of the wrist and it could have been all different as the processor computed the options and gave the Hurricanes the win and the cup.
Now, does 2KSports have a simulation for the Edmonton Police who will have to deal with a disappointed mob not quite as easily dealt with as a computer simulation?
The above posting first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
2KSports the California based computer game maker of NHL2K6 has run a simulation series between the Hurricanes and the Oilers, and while it will be a nail biter of a series going the full seven games, in the end the Oil apparently will come up on the short end of the scoreboard.
In simulation games run at the California headquarters, the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in a game seven showdown, edging the Oilers 3-2 with Hurricane Eric Staal slaying the Oilers with two goals in the deciding game.
The series will be quite close if it follows the NHL 2K6 script, as five of the seven games will be decided by one goal. So that's that, the remarkable run for the Oilers will have come to an end at the press of gamepad button. One flick of the wrist and it could have been all different as the processor computed the options and gave the Hurricanes the win and the cup.
Now, does 2KSports have a simulation for the Edmonton Police who will have to deal with a disappointed mob not quite as easily dealt with as a computer simulation?
The above posting first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about hockey check it out!
iPod roation for June
Songs on my iPod playing through the month of June.
June 24-The Tragically Hip-Blow at High Dough
June 18-The Dixie Chicks-Not Ready to Make Nice
June 13 Kansas- Dust in the Wind
June 8 Donnie Iris- Ah Leah!
June 6 Bryan Adams-Remembrance Day
June 4 U2-Where the Streets have no name
June 3 Dwight Yoakum-A Thousand miles from nowhere
June 24-The Tragically Hip-Blow at High Dough
June 18-The Dixie Chicks-Not Ready to Make Nice
June 13 Kansas- Dust in the Wind
June 8 Donnie Iris- Ah Leah!
June 6 Bryan Adams-Remembrance Day
June 4 U2-Where the Streets have no name
June 3 Dwight Yoakum-A Thousand miles from nowhere
Ricky must walk before he runs!
As far as explosive debuts on the CFL stage go, the opening night of the Ricky Williams show was a rather pedestrian affair. Pedestrian, as in a light walk as opposed to a full gallop. The newest Argonaut and refugee from the NFL drug laws had a rather humble introduction to his new employment, as Williams appeared in Argo blues for the first time and put up some rather low key first numbers.
Williams carried the ball all of four times, reaching a grand total of 7 yards, as the Ti Cat defensive corps keyed in on the double blue uniform with a number of 27. His appearance was a brief one; he took to the field with five seconds to go in the first quarter, played the bulk of the second quarter and had the rest of the night to himself on the sidelines, as the Argos try to ease their newest and most reported acquisition into the scheme of things.
It’s not surprising that his first night in the CFL would find his output rather low, once he took to the field it was expected that every Ti Cat defender would be thinking of making the big hit that would guarantee them the highlight reel moment. The problem with being hailed as the go to guy is, everyone will be going to you as well. Williams one must also remember has only been in the Argo camp for less than a week, to expect much more from him this early on seems a bit folly.
While his on field work was rather underwhelming on night number one, the fact he had a night number one is still causing some ripples across the CFL and beyond. There are many that don’t think the Argos should have signed the Dolphin’s star, while he serves out his NFL suspension. The most oafish of the week was Joe Theisman, who took histrionics to a new level with his declaration of shame over having ever been an Argo. Few people tend to take much of what Theisman says these days overly seriously, he tends to be a tad indulgent self promotion and even a bit hypocritical with his last batch of hyperbole.
But beyond Joe’s over the top proclamations, there are those that point out some serious flaws in the Argonaut approach to community service and football recruiting. A suspension is a suspension is the line; one league should respect another’s suspension list, lest all sorts of anarchy break out over a year.
Added to that is the secretive way that he has ended up on an Argo roster, is there a secret agreement that will see him clear waivers next year? Many CFL contracts are for a year and then an option year; the understanding is that the option phase is not in place for Williams who will return to the Fish of Miami at the end of the season.
It all once again calls into question the way that CFL teams abide (or most often than not) by the rules in place. Over the years funny accounting, secret stashes of players and a rather discarded salary structure has all made the CFL an interesting bit of sporting theatre. It’s the nudge, nudge, wink, wink league at times, not always for the benefit of the game as a whole.
Even the CFL's Commisioner suggested that it's wrong for a player on suspension in the NFL to find a home in the CFL, but as with many things about the CFL what the Commisioner says and what actually happen sometimes are on different pages.
But for this season, any questions of Williams place in the league will be put aside it seems. He’s in double blue for the duration (barring injury we guess) and should provide a spark to each game he plays. The big names have come and gone through the years in the CFL, many were quick to fade from sight, others provided many great moments for the Canadian game.
He’s off to a slow start, but one gets the feeling once he gets back into the groove Ricky Williams will make his one season of exile in the CFL an interesting six month period.
The above post first appeared in my twelve men on the field blog, an occasional foray into the world of the Canadian Football league.
Williams carried the ball all of four times, reaching a grand total of 7 yards, as the Ti Cat defensive corps keyed in on the double blue uniform with a number of 27. His appearance was a brief one; he took to the field with five seconds to go in the first quarter, played the bulk of the second quarter and had the rest of the night to himself on the sidelines, as the Argos try to ease their newest and most reported acquisition into the scheme of things.
It’s not surprising that his first night in the CFL would find his output rather low, once he took to the field it was expected that every Ti Cat defender would be thinking of making the big hit that would guarantee them the highlight reel moment. The problem with being hailed as the go to guy is, everyone will be going to you as well. Williams one must also remember has only been in the Argo camp for less than a week, to expect much more from him this early on seems a bit folly.
While his on field work was rather underwhelming on night number one, the fact he had a night number one is still causing some ripples across the CFL and beyond. There are many that don’t think the Argos should have signed the Dolphin’s star, while he serves out his NFL suspension. The most oafish of the week was Joe Theisman, who took histrionics to a new level with his declaration of shame over having ever been an Argo. Few people tend to take much of what Theisman says these days overly seriously, he tends to be a tad indulgent self promotion and even a bit hypocritical with his last batch of hyperbole.
But beyond Joe’s over the top proclamations, there are those that point out some serious flaws in the Argonaut approach to community service and football recruiting. A suspension is a suspension is the line; one league should respect another’s suspension list, lest all sorts of anarchy break out over a year.
Added to that is the secretive way that he has ended up on an Argo roster, is there a secret agreement that will see him clear waivers next year? Many CFL contracts are for a year and then an option year; the understanding is that the option phase is not in place for Williams who will return to the Fish of Miami at the end of the season.
It all once again calls into question the way that CFL teams abide (or most often than not) by the rules in place. Over the years funny accounting, secret stashes of players and a rather discarded salary structure has all made the CFL an interesting bit of sporting theatre. It’s the nudge, nudge, wink, wink league at times, not always for the benefit of the game as a whole.
Even the CFL's Commisioner suggested that it's wrong for a player on suspension in the NFL to find a home in the CFL, but as with many things about the CFL what the Commisioner says and what actually happen sometimes are on different pages.
But for this season, any questions of Williams place in the league will be put aside it seems. He’s in double blue for the duration (barring injury we guess) and should provide a spark to each game he plays. The big names have come and gone through the years in the CFL, many were quick to fade from sight, others provided many great moments for the Canadian game.
He’s off to a slow start, but one gets the feeling once he gets back into the groove Ricky Williams will make his one season of exile in the CFL an interesting six month period.
The above post first appeared in my twelve men on the field blog, an occasional foray into the world of the Canadian Football league.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
We get mail
From time to time the podunkian mail box fills up with little bytes of humour, which we like to share with our audience here on the world wide web.
Think of it as getting spam without having to seek it out.
For those needing a chuckle whilst surfing the net we present for your entertainment,
THE HENPECKED ATTORNEY
An attorney got home late one evening after a very taxing day trying to get a
stay of execution for a client, named Wright, who was due to be hanged for
murder at midnight. His last-minute plea to the Governor for clemency
had failed and he was feeling worn out and depressed.
As soon as he got through the door at home, his wife started in on him: "What time of night do you call this? Where have you been?" And on and on. .......
Too shattered to play his usual role in this familiar ritual, he went and poured himself a shot of whisky and headed off for a long hot soak in the bathtub, pursued by the predictable sarcastic remarks.
While he was in the bath, the phone rang. The wife answered and was told that her husband's client had been granted his stay of execution after all.
Finally realizing what a tough day he must have had, she decided to go upstairs to give him the good news. As she opened the bathroom door, she was greeted by the sight of her husband's rear end as he was bent over naked drying his legs and feet.
"They're not hanging Wright tonight," she said.
He whirled around and screamed,
”FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, WOMAN, DON'T YOU
EVER STOP?!?!?!?!"
Think of it as getting spam without having to seek it out.
For those needing a chuckle whilst surfing the net we present for your entertainment,
THE HENPECKED ATTORNEY
An attorney got home late one evening after a very taxing day trying to get a
stay of execution for a client, named Wright, who was due to be hanged for
murder at midnight. His last-minute plea to the Governor for clemency
had failed and he was feeling worn out and depressed.
As soon as he got through the door at home, his wife started in on him: "What time of night do you call this? Where have you been?" And on and on. .......
Too shattered to play his usual role in this familiar ritual, he went and poured himself a shot of whisky and headed off for a long hot soak in the bathtub, pursued by the predictable sarcastic remarks.
While he was in the bath, the phone rang. The wife answered and was told that her husband's client had been granted his stay of execution after all.
Finally realizing what a tough day he must have had, she decided to go upstairs to give him the good news. As she opened the bathroom door, she was greeted by the sight of her husband's rear end as he was bent over naked drying his legs and feet.
"They're not hanging Wright tonight," she said.
He whirled around and screamed,
”FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, WOMAN, DON'T YOU
EVER STOP?!?!?!?!"
Like a real life episode of 24
Real life resembled the thing of television fiction on the streets of Toronto Friday night, as a number of Police agencies conducted raids throughout the city arresting a number of people in a counter terrorism operation.
At least eight people were arrested on Friday, with more arrests expected to come over the weekend as police conducted the largest public operation since the days of 9-11.
Toronto Police worked in conjunction with other departments in Peel and Durham Regions as well as with the RCMP and CSIS in conducting raids across Greater Toronto. The object of their attention apparently a cell of a group described as "terrorists, the one's who hate the west."
Explosives were found a number of locations and authorities surmise that there was a plan in place to use them somewhere in Ontario in the near future.
Earlier this week suspicions were cast upon a number of people who had taken to riding the Toronto subway and taking pictures of the system, their intense interest in the TTC created a bit of a buzz in the Toronto media who wondered why the authorities had not taken steps to find out what was going on. Perhaps with Friday's combined effort an answer was provided.
The suspects were thought to have been held at a police station in Pickering which by Friday night resembled a heavily guarded fortress. The Integrated National Enforcement Team, will hold a press conference on Saturday morning outlining the scope of the operation and what may happen next.
At least eight people were arrested on Friday, with more arrests expected to come over the weekend as police conducted the largest public operation since the days of 9-11.
Toronto Police worked in conjunction with other departments in Peel and Durham Regions as well as with the RCMP and CSIS in conducting raids across Greater Toronto. The object of their attention apparently a cell of a group described as "terrorists, the one's who hate the west."
Explosives were found a number of locations and authorities surmise that there was a plan in place to use them somewhere in Ontario in the near future.
Earlier this week suspicions were cast upon a number of people who had taken to riding the Toronto subway and taking pictures of the system, their intense interest in the TTC created a bit of a buzz in the Toronto media who wondered why the authorities had not taken steps to find out what was going on. Perhaps with Friday's combined effort an answer was provided.
The suspects were thought to have been held at a police station in Pickering which by Friday night resembled a heavily guarded fortress. The Integrated National Enforcement Team, will hold a press conference on Saturday morning outlining the scope of the operation and what may happen next.
When the mocking doesn't stop
It's going to be a bad weekend for Liberal candidate Joe Volpe, his kiddie cash faux pas continues to resonate across the cybersphere.
The latest a mock site that highlights just how easy it can be for the under 12 set to send off their cash to help the Liberals return to the sandbox on Parliament Hill.
They say any press is good press, but sometimes you have to wonder!
The latest a mock site that highlights just how easy it can be for the under 12 set to send off their cash to help the Liberals return to the sandbox on Parliament Hill.
They say any press is good press, but sometimes you have to wonder!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
What they think about us June 1
A little mindless surfing on a Thursday night discovered this little blog entry from some visitors to our little Podunk.
http://ocdatsea.blogspot.com/
From our grocery stores to the coffee shops to a restaurant, here's what this visitor though of Podunk on an overcast Thursday afternoon.
http://ocdatsea.blogspot.com/
From our grocery stores to the coffee shops to a restaurant, here's what this visitor though of Podunk on an overcast Thursday afternoon.
From Piggy Banks to 24 Sussex Drive
For a party that found itself forced to the outside to watch for a while, the Liberals sure do have a hard time learning the concept of optics.
With sponsor gate still resonating among Canadians, the Liberal leadership campaign has been hit by a rather unseemly bit of financial fundraising, which includes over 27,000 dollars in money collected from children, some under the age of 14.
Liberal leadership hopeful Joe Volpe finds himself at the centre of a bit of a head shaker, what with his return of the money collected from the young, suggesting that when it comes to fundraising the Liberals just can’t seem to help themselves.
While Volpe did the right thing by sending the kids allowance monies back to where they belong, other questions are starting to arise about the nature of those donations and their ties to two rather high profile Canadian families. Volpe’s campaign received over 54,000 dollars from the relations of the president and former president of Apotex Inc. a generic drug making company. From wives to children, the Volpe campaign benefited from the largesse of those with the urge to give. While companies are not allowed to donate to political parties, there’s no apparent limit on individual members of a family to give til they don’t want to give anymore.
Some Parliamentarians are asking the question if the donations were just a way around the Elections Canada Finances Act, some on the Hill are worried that the donations were tendered as a form of collusion to get around the Act. It will be with interest that observers follow Mr. Volpe around for the next few days. Watching as he tries to stickhandle his way around what has if nothing else, been a rather poor bit of public relations for a candidate hoping to lead the Liberals back to power and out of the cloak of scandal that has enveloped them the last few years.
We can already see the editorial cartoonists having a field day with the vision of piggy banks, troughs and Liberal politicians!
With sponsor gate still resonating among Canadians, the Liberal leadership campaign has been hit by a rather unseemly bit of financial fundraising, which includes over 27,000 dollars in money collected from children, some under the age of 14.
Liberal leadership hopeful Joe Volpe finds himself at the centre of a bit of a head shaker, what with his return of the money collected from the young, suggesting that when it comes to fundraising the Liberals just can’t seem to help themselves.
While Volpe did the right thing by sending the kids allowance monies back to where they belong, other questions are starting to arise about the nature of those donations and their ties to two rather high profile Canadian families. Volpe’s campaign received over 54,000 dollars from the relations of the president and former president of Apotex Inc. a generic drug making company. From wives to children, the Volpe campaign benefited from the largesse of those with the urge to give. While companies are not allowed to donate to political parties, there’s no apparent limit on individual members of a family to give til they don’t want to give anymore.
Some Parliamentarians are asking the question if the donations were just a way around the Elections Canada Finances Act, some on the Hill are worried that the donations were tendered as a form of collusion to get around the Act. It will be with interest that observers follow Mr. Volpe around for the next few days. Watching as he tries to stickhandle his way around what has if nothing else, been a rather poor bit of public relations for a candidate hoping to lead the Liberals back to power and out of the cloak of scandal that has enveloped them the last few years.
We can already see the editorial cartoonists having a field day with the vision of piggy banks, troughs and Liberal politicians!
Podunk below the Masthead for June
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. Unfortunately there will be no link to the stories, as . Now you just end up at a dead end, asking you to go purchase your paper for (as Paul Harvey would say) the rest of the story.
JUNE 30 PAC TO BE NAMED AFTER PETER AND MARY LESTER--The former mayor and his wife are to be honoured for their contributions to Prince Rupert with a renaming of the Performing Arts Centre as the Lester Centre of the Arts. (see story here)
JUNE 29 FEDERAL COURT DATE SET FOR FAIRVIEW DISPUTE--The ongoing dispute between the First Nations of the area and the Federal Government over the development of the Container Port will go to court in late August.(see story here).
JUNE 28 NH SCOURING WORLD FOR NURSES--Serious staffing concerns continue to dog Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, the Daily News had all the deatils. (see story here)
JUNE 27 NEW MOM FORCED TO GO TO TERRACE TO DELIVER--More horror stories from the files of Northern Health, as a local mother tells her tale of having to go to Terrace to have her baby.(see story here)
JUNE 26 FORMER NDP PREMIER LOOKS TO LEAD LIBERALS-- A piece on the visit of Bob Rae to the Northwest, as he visited Prince Rupert to try and drum up support for his Liberal leadership campaign.
JUNE 23 NEW CONSULTANT HELPS MOVE PULP MILL FORWARD-- Bill Belsey gets hired on by Sun Wave after working on the file as a consultant. (see full details)
JUNE 22 ACTION URGED ALONG HIGHWAY OF TEARS-- A review of the findings of the Prince George Symposium and what the report generated from it recommends. (see full details)
JUNE 21 RUSSIAN CITY LIKE RUPERT'S LONG-LOST TWIN--The Daily brings us the saga of Vanino, a city similar in size and circumstances to Prince Rupert. (see story here)
JUNE 2O SKEENA DECLARED A 'NO FISH FARM AREA'-- Fish farms once again become a controversial topic on the North Coast, the Daily News has the story of protests about fish farms in northern waters. (see story here)
JUNE 19 CREDIT UNION MAKING INROADS INTO TERRACE--Members of the Terrace and District Credit Union voted Yes to a merger with Northern Savings Credit Union. The Daily has the full details. (see story here)
JUNE 16 NEW ERA FOR SKEENA MILL SITE STARTS TODAY--Further information on the sale of the land that the Skeena Pulp Mill sits on to Sun Wave Forest Products a Chinese company (see story here)
JUNE 15 CHINESE COMPLETE DEAL TO BUY SKEENA-- The long and winding saga of the Watson Island pulp mill took another twist today, with the announcement that Sun Wave Forest Products had purchased the land which the pulp mill calls home. The Daily had a complete report on today's developments and a bit of a primer on the saga in Thursday's edition. (see story here)
JUNE 14 'GIVE US AN INQUIRY' OPPOSITION DEMANDS--The NDP wants a full public inquiry into the sinking of the Queen of the North, the Daily has a complete report. (see story here)
JUNE 13 BC FERRIES' PAYOUT ATTACKED BY CRITICS--With the BC Ferry Corporation receiving monies from insurance and fuel surcharges as well as reimbursement for runs not made, a few people are asking questions. The Daily has the full details. (see story here)
JUNE 12 PORT LOOKING FORWARD TO CONSTANT CONSTRUCTION-- The stories seem to write themselves at the Daily, as they recount yet another good news day from the Container Port. (see story here)
JUNE 9 JOBS, SPIN-OFFS FLOW FROM NEW PORT WORK-- The Prince Rupert Port Corporation paints a happy story for the local population with their tales of local involvement in the container port project. (see story here)
JUNE 8 WIND FAIRM AIRS ITS VISION FOR MOUNT HAYS-- Katabatic Power revealed some more of the interest in setting up a wind farm on Mount Hays. (see story here)
JUNE 7 FERRY UNION ASKING 'ARE SHIPS SAFE?' -- The growing acrimony between the BC Ferry Corporation and its union bubbled over on Wednesday, as the union raised up the spectre of unsafe ships at seas (see story here)
JUNE 6 HUGE $350 MILLION PROJECT BONANZA FOR RUPERT--Details come out about the latest major project to make news in Prince Rupert, an LNG terminal for Ridley Island expected to be completed by 2011. (see story here)
JUNE 5 FERRY BOSS'S COMMENTS INTIMIDATING, SAYS COONS-- The threat by BC Ferries management to punish those that don't co-operate with an internal investigation doesn't sit well with the North Coast's MLA. (see story here)
JUNE 2 EXPERTS SEEK ANSWERS TO ANCIENT QUESTIONS--A group of American and Canadian scientists are hoping to study the Coast Mountains to determine how continents are formed.
JUNE 1 GREEN PARTY LEADER ATTACKS 'SILENT' NDP-- The war on the left breaks out in B. C., as the leader of the Green Party; Adriane Carr visits Prince Rupert and suggests that the provincial NDP are far too silent, on far too many issue.
JUNE 30 PAC TO BE NAMED AFTER PETER AND MARY LESTER--The former mayor and his wife are to be honoured for their contributions to Prince Rupert with a renaming of the Performing Arts Centre as the Lester Centre of the Arts. (see story here)
JUNE 29 FEDERAL COURT DATE SET FOR FAIRVIEW DISPUTE--The ongoing dispute between the First Nations of the area and the Federal Government over the development of the Container Port will go to court in late August.(see story here).
JUNE 28 NH SCOURING WORLD FOR NURSES--Serious staffing concerns continue to dog Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, the Daily News had all the deatils. (see story here)
JUNE 27 NEW MOM FORCED TO GO TO TERRACE TO DELIVER--More horror stories from the files of Northern Health, as a local mother tells her tale of having to go to Terrace to have her baby.(see story here)
JUNE 26 FORMER NDP PREMIER LOOKS TO LEAD LIBERALS-- A piece on the visit of Bob Rae to the Northwest, as he visited Prince Rupert to try and drum up support for his Liberal leadership campaign.
JUNE 23 NEW CONSULTANT HELPS MOVE PULP MILL FORWARD-- Bill Belsey gets hired on by Sun Wave after working on the file as a consultant. (see full details)
JUNE 22 ACTION URGED ALONG HIGHWAY OF TEARS-- A review of the findings of the Prince George Symposium and what the report generated from it recommends. (see full details)
JUNE 21 RUSSIAN CITY LIKE RUPERT'S LONG-LOST TWIN--The Daily brings us the saga of Vanino, a city similar in size and circumstances to Prince Rupert. (see story here)
JUNE 2O SKEENA DECLARED A 'NO FISH FARM AREA'-- Fish farms once again become a controversial topic on the North Coast, the Daily News has the story of protests about fish farms in northern waters. (see story here)
JUNE 19 CREDIT UNION MAKING INROADS INTO TERRACE--Members of the Terrace and District Credit Union voted Yes to a merger with Northern Savings Credit Union. The Daily has the full details. (see story here)
JUNE 16 NEW ERA FOR SKEENA MILL SITE STARTS TODAY--Further information on the sale of the land that the Skeena Pulp Mill sits on to Sun Wave Forest Products a Chinese company (see story here)
JUNE 15 CHINESE COMPLETE DEAL TO BUY SKEENA-- The long and winding saga of the Watson Island pulp mill took another twist today, with the announcement that Sun Wave Forest Products had purchased the land which the pulp mill calls home. The Daily had a complete report on today's developments and a bit of a primer on the saga in Thursday's edition. (see story here)
JUNE 14 'GIVE US AN INQUIRY' OPPOSITION DEMANDS--The NDP wants a full public inquiry into the sinking of the Queen of the North, the Daily has a complete report. (see story here)
JUNE 13 BC FERRIES' PAYOUT ATTACKED BY CRITICS--With the BC Ferry Corporation receiving monies from insurance and fuel surcharges as well as reimbursement for runs not made, a few people are asking questions. The Daily has the full details. (see story here)
JUNE 12 PORT LOOKING FORWARD TO CONSTANT CONSTRUCTION-- The stories seem to write themselves at the Daily, as they recount yet another good news day from the Container Port. (see story here)
JUNE 9 JOBS, SPIN-OFFS FLOW FROM NEW PORT WORK-- The Prince Rupert Port Corporation paints a happy story for the local population with their tales of local involvement in the container port project. (see story here)
JUNE 8 WIND FAIRM AIRS ITS VISION FOR MOUNT HAYS-- Katabatic Power revealed some more of the interest in setting up a wind farm on Mount Hays. (see story here)
JUNE 7 FERRY UNION ASKING 'ARE SHIPS SAFE?' -- The growing acrimony between the BC Ferry Corporation and its union bubbled over on Wednesday, as the union raised up the spectre of unsafe ships at seas (see story here)
JUNE 6 HUGE $350 MILLION PROJECT BONANZA FOR RUPERT--Details come out about the latest major project to make news in Prince Rupert, an LNG terminal for Ridley Island expected to be completed by 2011. (see story here)
JUNE 5 FERRY BOSS'S COMMENTS INTIMIDATING, SAYS COONS-- The threat by BC Ferries management to punish those that don't co-operate with an internal investigation doesn't sit well with the North Coast's MLA. (see story here)
JUNE 2 EXPERTS SEEK ANSWERS TO ANCIENT QUESTIONS--A group of American and Canadian scientists are hoping to study the Coast Mountains to determine how continents are formed.
JUNE 1 GREEN PARTY LEADER ATTACKS 'SILENT' NDP-- The war on the left breaks out in B. C., as the leader of the Green Party; Adriane Carr visits Prince Rupert and suggests that the provincial NDP are far too silent, on far too many issue.
Over Paid and under worked, but in this case you can't blame the city work!
City Employees across North America are busy buying up copies of the National Post, if only to stick up one article on the municipal bulletin board.
In Thursday’s copy of the Post on page A12 is a private contractor’s worst nightmare. It features a tale of sloth and incompetence, which will only result in suspicious glances every time that a contract is tendered for.
Taking the news from newspapers in England, the Post recounts the work ethic of a team of contract workers for the Surrey County Council in England. The team of road workers hired to do a bit of road work in the County combined to clock up less than one hour of work over the course of their eight hour shift.
57 minutes was all the effort that they could provide over the course of the work day, the rest of the 423 minutes of the workday was spent drinking tea, reading the newspaper (obviously not the Post) going to the bank and making a couple of trips to a nearby bakery.
The firm contracted to provide the road repairs for Surrey Council says it will soon introduce something called “new management techniques.”
Oh lets say something like supervising for instance.
In Thursday’s copy of the Post on page A12 is a private contractor’s worst nightmare. It features a tale of sloth and incompetence, which will only result in suspicious glances every time that a contract is tendered for.
Taking the news from newspapers in England, the Post recounts the work ethic of a team of contract workers for the Surrey County Council in England. The team of road workers hired to do a bit of road work in the County combined to clock up less than one hour of work over the course of their eight hour shift.
57 minutes was all the effort that they could provide over the course of the work day, the rest of the 423 minutes of the workday was spent drinking tea, reading the newspaper (obviously not the Post) going to the bank and making a couple of trips to a nearby bakery.
The firm contracted to provide the road repairs for Surrey Council says it will soon introduce something called “new management techniques.”
Oh lets say something like supervising for instance.
Pictures of Podunk: Cruise Ship from Waterfront Park
From the Waterfront Park, the Cruise Ships loom quite large as they sit at the Cruise Ship dock.Podunkian googles of June
We continue our mission to update the list of newsworthy items coming across our google pipeline. The list below the googles of June.
June 30 Fish farms could revive economies
June 29 What about the killers?
June 28 Naikun looks for additional financial capacity
June 26 Western Canadian Coal secures supply
June 25 Queen Charlotte woman dies in crash
June 23 Fish Farms not popular says MLA
June 23 Check in early says BC Ferries
June 23 Author says education is the key
June 21 Highway of Tears symposium report released
June 21 Highway of Tears targets hitchhiking
June 20 Tourism drop a ripple effect: one man's opinion
June 20 Ferry surcharge salt in the wound
June 20 Asian ports put pressure on BC's to expand
June 19 Real Estate numbers Un-Real
June 19 Natives pledge to fight fish farms
June 17 Queen of the North navigation system found
June 15 CN to see revenue increases of 300-500 million from Rupert port
June 14 CN to acquire 50 high power engines to work Prince Rupert Port run
June 13 New safety allegations over Canadian ferry sinking
June 13 BC's worst school just may be its best
June 12 BC Ferries receives insurance money from sinking
June 12 The Oriole sails north for Prince Rupert
June 9 BC Ferries may have replacement ship for North Coast by Sept.
June 8 PI has theories on highway 16 disappearnaces and deaths
June 7 BC Ferries boss says sinking comes down to 14 minute black hole
June 7 Tom Ireland moves on to Duncan
June 7 33 recommendations in highway of tears report
June 7 B. C. Ferry boss unhappy over safety concerns raised
June 6 Turning a frigid frontier town into a Northwest hub
June 6 Aboriginal youth incarceration report alarming
June 6 LNG Plant planned for Prince Rupert
June 5 Lack of training cited in BC Ferry sinking
June 5 Missing person reward pulled
June 5 Ferry's crew unsure about steering
June 4 B C Ferries threatens suspensions.....
June 3 Report on missing and slain women ready June 21
June 2 South option gets green light
June 1 The China-Kansas express
June 1 The Interior News launches daily paper
June 30 Fish farms could revive economies
June 29 What about the killers?
June 28 Naikun looks for additional financial capacity
June 26 Western Canadian Coal secures supply
June 25 Queen Charlotte woman dies in crash
June 23 Fish Farms not popular says MLA
June 23 Check in early says BC Ferries
June 23 Author says education is the key
June 21 Highway of Tears symposium report released
June 21 Highway of Tears targets hitchhiking
June 20 Tourism drop a ripple effect: one man's opinion
June 20 Ferry surcharge salt in the wound
June 20 Asian ports put pressure on BC's to expand
June 19 Real Estate numbers Un-Real
June 19 Natives pledge to fight fish farms
June 17 Queen of the North navigation system found
June 15 CN to see revenue increases of 300-500 million from Rupert port
June 14 CN to acquire 50 high power engines to work Prince Rupert Port run
June 13 New safety allegations over Canadian ferry sinking
June 13 BC's worst school just may be its best
June 12 BC Ferries receives insurance money from sinking
June 12 The Oriole sails north for Prince Rupert
June 9 BC Ferries may have replacement ship for North Coast by Sept.
June 8 PI has theories on highway 16 disappearnaces and deaths
June 7 BC Ferries boss says sinking comes down to 14 minute black hole
June 7 Tom Ireland moves on to Duncan
June 7 33 recommendations in highway of tears report
June 7 B. C. Ferry boss unhappy over safety concerns raised
June 6 Turning a frigid frontier town into a Northwest hub
June 6 Aboriginal youth incarceration report alarming
June 6 LNG Plant planned for Prince Rupert
June 5 Lack of training cited in BC Ferry sinking
June 5 Missing person reward pulled
June 5 Ferry's crew unsure about steering
June 4 B C Ferries threatens suspensions.....
June 3 Report on missing and slain women ready June 21
June 2 South option gets green light
June 1 The China-Kansas express
June 1 The Interior News launches daily paper
All quiet on the waterfront?
There hasn’t been much heard lately about the ongoing dispute over the lands in question regarding the current container port project. The issue which caused quite a buzz around town six to eight weeks ago seems to have been put on the back burner of late as the project begins its initial construction phase.
Last that we heard, court documents were being prepared and consultations were continuing. There was a bit of excitement added to the mix later on, when some rumors of a protest action by First Nations involving the cruise ship season debut made the rounds around Prince Rumor, rumors which eventually played out as a non event.
That however doesn’t mean that things aren’t going on behind the scenes, Rudy Kelly making a return to the local news business in the Look Inside paper, sheds some light on the current status of the debate and where the situation sits at this time.
COAST TSIMSHIAN SAY PORT TALKS HAVE HALTED
By Rudy Kelly
Look Inside Publications
May 31, 2006
Page 4
PRINCE RUPERT- The Coast Tsmishian are calling the federal government’s response on the Prince Rupert port project issue insulting, saying they have been offered next to nothing.
Representatives of the two First Nations, Lax Kw’Alaams and Metlakatla, informed their membership of developments at a recent meeting in Rupert. They distributed a document that outlined their efforts to reach an accommodation package with the government on the container port project, noting two offers presented.
The government has offered $3 million for business development and $4 million for training to all First Nations, but said it will only consult on the infringement of one acre of land. In their information document, the Coast Tsmishian call both offers “ridiculous.”
“We haven’t had any talks in four to six weeks, said Metlakatla Chief Councilor Harold Leighton.
“We would like to sit down and negotiate and get some issues resolved, but they seem to feel they have already consulted and accommodated enough.”
The government deems its monetary offer, totaling $7 million, “over-generous,” said Leighton, but he said it wasn’t so much the dollar amount that was insulting as it was that the offer was being made to all First Nations.
Why, the First Nations wonder is the government speaking of all First Nations when the claim is specific to the Coast Tsmishian, who claim aboriginal title to the territory? The Coast Tsmishian also scoffed at the suggestion that only one acre of land be included in negotiations, as they feel they hold rights and title to the whole harbour area.
The First Nations say they had three meetings with Western Economic Diversification, which is funding part of the port project, but Transport Canada stepped in and halted the talks. There was also talk of bringing in a mediator but nothing came of it.
“Unfortunately, the Haida case (2004 Supreme Court ruling) didn’t really define ‘accommodation.” “It’s still a bit of a grey area,” said Leighton.
The First Nations added that they have repeatedly asked for a meeting with one of the Ministers responsible for the project, David Emerson, but he has refused to meet with them.
There had been rumors circulating that the First Nations would be blockading cruise ships in Prince Rupert harbour to get the government’s attention, but the first one arrived May 17 without incident. The Tsmishian have held meetings to discuss other options, but no alternate plans have been finalized.
Phone calls to Emerson, the Minister for International Trade and the Pacific Gateway, and Carol Skelton, the Minister of Western Economic Diversification, were not returned by press time.
Last that we heard, court documents were being prepared and consultations were continuing. There was a bit of excitement added to the mix later on, when some rumors of a protest action by First Nations involving the cruise ship season debut made the rounds around Prince Rumor, rumors which eventually played out as a non event.
That however doesn’t mean that things aren’t going on behind the scenes, Rudy Kelly making a return to the local news business in the Look Inside paper, sheds some light on the current status of the debate and where the situation sits at this time.
COAST TSIMSHIAN SAY PORT TALKS HAVE HALTED
By Rudy Kelly
Look Inside Publications
May 31, 2006
Page 4
PRINCE RUPERT- The Coast Tsmishian are calling the federal government’s response on the Prince Rupert port project issue insulting, saying they have been offered next to nothing.
Representatives of the two First Nations, Lax Kw’Alaams and Metlakatla, informed their membership of developments at a recent meeting in Rupert. They distributed a document that outlined their efforts to reach an accommodation package with the government on the container port project, noting two offers presented.
The government has offered $3 million for business development and $4 million for training to all First Nations, but said it will only consult on the infringement of one acre of land. In their information document, the Coast Tsmishian call both offers “ridiculous.”
“We haven’t had any talks in four to six weeks, said Metlakatla Chief Councilor Harold Leighton.
“We would like to sit down and negotiate and get some issues resolved, but they seem to feel they have already consulted and accommodated enough.”
The government deems its monetary offer, totaling $7 million, “over-generous,” said Leighton, but he said it wasn’t so much the dollar amount that was insulting as it was that the offer was being made to all First Nations.
Why, the First Nations wonder is the government speaking of all First Nations when the claim is specific to the Coast Tsmishian, who claim aboriginal title to the territory? The Coast Tsmishian also scoffed at the suggestion that only one acre of land be included in negotiations, as they feel they hold rights and title to the whole harbour area.
The First Nations say they had three meetings with Western Economic Diversification, which is funding part of the port project, but Transport Canada stepped in and halted the talks. There was also talk of bringing in a mediator but nothing came of it.
“Unfortunately, the Haida case (2004 Supreme Court ruling) didn’t really define ‘accommodation.” “It’s still a bit of a grey area,” said Leighton.
The First Nations added that they have repeatedly asked for a meeting with one of the Ministers responsible for the project, David Emerson, but he has refused to meet with them.
There had been rumors circulating that the First Nations would be blockading cruise ships in Prince Rupert harbour to get the government’s attention, but the first one arrived May 17 without incident. The Tsmishian have held meetings to discuss other options, but no alternate plans have been finalized.
Phone calls to Emerson, the Minister for International Trade and the Pacific Gateway, and Carol Skelton, the Minister of Western Economic Diversification, were not returned by press time.
No new vessel to sail the seas, but dollars, dollars for you and me!
The Province has all but given up hope of having a replacement vessel for the Queen of the North in place for this tourism season. So while BC Ferries tries to work the Queen of Prince Rupert schedule to its last possible minute, the province will pony up some big dollars to make those visitors who still want to come up here feel very, very wanted.
The Daily has all the details.
PROVINCE AIMS $1M AT DRIVING UP TOURISM
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Page One
The province is hoping that close to a million dollars will turn what has been described as a “devastating” tourism season into the “Best Summer Ever.”
Olga Ilich, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, announced $900,000 yesterday to be used for marketing a “Best Summer Ever” campaign to draw visitors to those areas impacted by the B. C. Ferries service reduction following the sinking of the Queen of the North.
“The sinking of the ferry is not good news for tourism up there,” said Ilich. “We wanted to be able to put extra money in their hands and to do some marketing and try and draw some extra people.”
Funding will be split equally between three regional destination marketing organizations – the Northern B. C. Tourism Association, representing the North Coast/Prince George; Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, representing the Central Coast; and the Tourism Association of Vancouver Island representing the South Coast. These organizations have been tasked to work with local destination marketing organizations to come up with community-based plans.
It’s money on top of funding committed by the industry to encourage domestic tourism within the province.
“We are not going to be able to find another ferry but we can try and get people to drive up there,” said Ilich.
She explained that a recent survey conducted by Tourism B. C. revealed that communities and operators already offer visitors unique experiences with events such as Prince Rupert’s Seafest in June, July’s Edge of the Work Music Festival in Haida Gwaii, and even the Coho run from July to September.
The funds can be used to draw on “the domestic market,” attracting people from other parts of the province and Western Canada.
Communities will work with local and regional tourism organizations to identify potential incentives to be offered in the campaign. Some of the ideas under consideration include a sweepstakes promotion, gas coupons, discounts for major events and festivals; “passports” for local museums and attractions; and contests through Visitor Centres.
Shawn Robbins, communications director for the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, described it as a “comprehensive one time response to the disaster.”
“(The funds) are aimed a summer visitors and getting out timely information, “said Robbins.
The Queen of the North, the vessel that serviced the Inside Passage between Prince Rupert and Bear Cove in Port Hardy during the summer months, sank off Gil Island March 22. The replacement vessel Queen of Prince Rupert is smaller and will result in a sixty per cent capacity loss.
It’s just one more problem during a season with many challenges, including high gas prices, a high Canadian dollar keeping US tourists at home, and confusion over changes to border crossing regulations through the U. S.’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
“We recognize it’s difficult right now and not a great time for people in the tourism industry,” said Ilich.
“What we can do is work with regional tourism organizations to try and come up with ideas.”
The province has also provided the Council of Tourism Associations with funding the study the long-term potential along the Port Hardy, to Prince Rupert and on to Prince George.
It’s an opportunity, she said, to look at ways to fulfill the province’s commitment to double the current tourism numbers.
“One of my jobs as a tourism minister is to ensure tourism is alive in the whole province …not just in Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler,” she said.
“Some of this may be short term pain but it will allow us to focus long term on the North Coast.”
For information on how the money will be used and reaction from the opposition, see tomorrow’s Daily News.
The Daily has all the details.
PROVINCE AIMS $1M AT DRIVING UP TOURISM
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Page One
The province is hoping that close to a million dollars will turn what has been described as a “devastating” tourism season into the “Best Summer Ever.”
Olga Ilich, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, announced $900,000 yesterday to be used for marketing a “Best Summer Ever” campaign to draw visitors to those areas impacted by the B. C. Ferries service reduction following the sinking of the Queen of the North.
“The sinking of the ferry is not good news for tourism up there,” said Ilich. “We wanted to be able to put extra money in their hands and to do some marketing and try and draw some extra people.”
Funding will be split equally between three regional destination marketing organizations – the Northern B. C. Tourism Association, representing the North Coast/Prince George; Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, representing the Central Coast; and the Tourism Association of Vancouver Island representing the South Coast. These organizations have been tasked to work with local destination marketing organizations to come up with community-based plans.
It’s money on top of funding committed by the industry to encourage domestic tourism within the province.
“We are not going to be able to find another ferry but we can try and get people to drive up there,” said Ilich.
She explained that a recent survey conducted by Tourism B. C. revealed that communities and operators already offer visitors unique experiences with events such as Prince Rupert’s Seafest in June, July’s Edge of the Work Music Festival in Haida Gwaii, and even the Coho run from July to September.
The funds can be used to draw on “the domestic market,” attracting people from other parts of the province and Western Canada.
Communities will work with local and regional tourism organizations to identify potential incentives to be offered in the campaign. Some of the ideas under consideration include a sweepstakes promotion, gas coupons, discounts for major events and festivals; “passports” for local museums and attractions; and contests through Visitor Centres.
Shawn Robbins, communications director for the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, described it as a “comprehensive one time response to the disaster.”
“(The funds) are aimed a summer visitors and getting out timely information, “said Robbins.
The Queen of the North, the vessel that serviced the Inside Passage between Prince Rupert and Bear Cove in Port Hardy during the summer months, sank off Gil Island March 22. The replacement vessel Queen of Prince Rupert is smaller and will result in a sixty per cent capacity loss.
It’s just one more problem during a season with many challenges, including high gas prices, a high Canadian dollar keeping US tourists at home, and confusion over changes to border crossing regulations through the U. S.’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
“We recognize it’s difficult right now and not a great time for people in the tourism industry,” said Ilich.
“What we can do is work with regional tourism organizations to try and come up with ideas.”
The province has also provided the Council of Tourism Associations with funding the study the long-term potential along the Port Hardy, to Prince Rupert and on to Prince George.
It’s an opportunity, she said, to look at ways to fulfill the province’s commitment to double the current tourism numbers.
“One of my jobs as a tourism minister is to ensure tourism is alive in the whole province …not just in Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler,” she said.
“Some of this may be short term pain but it will allow us to focus long term on the North Coast.”
For information on how the money will be used and reaction from the opposition, see tomorrow’s Daily News.
Hello Hockey fans in the Hazeltons and everyone in Vanderhoof; Not so fast though you folks in Rupert.
It's going to be hockey night in the northwest, everywhere but Podunk in 2006-07!
The Central Interior Hockey League is about to expand to nine teams for the 2006-07 season and once again the buses will stop and turn around at Terrace, as far west as they’ll have to venture for another year.
The CIHL welcomes teams from the Hazeltons and Vanderhoof this year as they join the Senior Men’s AA circuit, the population boom in the league now means that they will divide up into two divisions East and West for the upcoming season.
Prince Rupert locals had expressed interest in joining the likes of Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers and Houston who play in the CIHL, but last year suggested that the economy of the city would have to improve before they would tackle such a venture. With teams as far flung as Mackenzie, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House travel would be a costly thing for any Rupert entry.
However, with the Hazeltons and Vanderhoof joining up this year, there are now more teams on this side of Prince George than on the other. The league is also attempting to balance their schedule to cut down on travel costs and match up teams that are closer to each other more often during the regular season.
The CIHL says that the Prince Rupert contingent is considering an application for a team in time for the 2007-08 season. So we'll have to wait another year before the Jim Ciccone is rockin and sockin' with CIHL Hockey!
The Central Interior Hockey League is about to expand to nine teams for the 2006-07 season and once again the buses will stop and turn around at Terrace, as far west as they’ll have to venture for another year.
The CIHL welcomes teams from the Hazeltons and Vanderhoof this year as they join the Senior Men’s AA circuit, the population boom in the league now means that they will divide up into two divisions East and West for the upcoming season.
Prince Rupert locals had expressed interest in joining the likes of Terrace, Kitimat, Smithers and Houston who play in the CIHL, but last year suggested that the economy of the city would have to improve before they would tackle such a venture. With teams as far flung as Mackenzie, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House travel would be a costly thing for any Rupert entry.
However, with the Hazeltons and Vanderhoof joining up this year, there are now more teams on this side of Prince George than on the other. The league is also attempting to balance their schedule to cut down on travel costs and match up teams that are closer to each other more often during the regular season.
The CIHL says that the Prince Rupert contingent is considering an application for a team in time for the 2007-08 season. So we'll have to wait another year before the Jim Ciccone is rockin and sockin' with CIHL Hockey!
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