We continue on with our examination of the economic tumult and the reporting of such for the month of May.
The New York Times
May 31-- Deal With G.M. Bondholders Sets Stage for Bankruptcy
May 31-- Across Europe, Ripples From the Opel Deal
May 30-- Industry Fears Americans May Quit New Car Habit
May 30-- What About the Valley After the Rally?
May 29-- In Opel Talks, a High-Stakes Game of Poker
May 29-- Ireland Injects $5.6 Billion Into Bank
May 28-- The Big Inflation Scare
May 28-- Another Rescue?
May 28-- Bondholder Group Reaches Deal for Up to 25% G.M. Stake
May 28-- Tata Unveils Truck Lineup
May 27-- Chrysler Cures a Bankruptcy, but Tests Loom
May 24-- State of Paralysis
May 22-- Blue Double Cross
May 18-- U.S. to Issue Tougher Fuel Standards for Automobiles
May 18-- Ford Rejects Big Cuts in Dealer Network
May 18-- Overhaul Likely for Credit Cards
May 18-- Home Depot Girds for Continued Weakness
May 17-- The Perfect, the Good, the Planet
May 14-- Fiscal Suicide Ahead
May 12-- Ships Tread Water, Waiting for Cargo
May 12-- Trade Numbers Reflect Scope of Slump
May 12-- Insolvency for Social Security and Medicare Is Seen Closer
May 10-- Rising Credit Card Losses Are Next Challenge for Banks
May 10-- Obama Adviser Sees Unemployment Rising Until 2010
May 10-- China Emerges as a Leader in Cleaner Coal Technology
May 10-- Harry, Louise and Barack
May 7-- U.S. Says Ailing Banks Need $75 Billion
May 7-- Stressing the Positive
May 7-- GMAC, Among the Weakest, Seems in Line for a Bailout
May 7-- G.M., Leaking Cash, Faces Bigger Chance of Bankruptcy
May 7-- Markets in Asia Are Flat
May 7-- Central Banks in Europe Ease Credit Policies Again
May 5-- U.S. Says Bank of America Needs $33.9 Billion Cushion
May 5-- Asian Markets Jittery Over U.S. Bank Stress Tests
May 5-- Plan to Sell Chrysler to Fiat Clears Bar
May 5-- India, Suddenly Starved for Investment
May 5-- Bernanke Sees Hopeful Signs but No Quick Recovery
May 5-- Bright Spot in Downturn: New Hiring Is Robust
May 4-- Falling Wage Syndrome
May 3-- Tests of Banks May Bring Hope More Than Fear
May 3-- Worries Rise on the Size of U.S. Debt
May 3-- Buffett Criticizes Bank Stress Tests
May 2-- Chrysler’s Fall May Help Obama to Reshape G.M.
The National Post
May 30-- Magna seals deal for Opel
May 30-- Roger's tall challenges: New CEO takes it slow and steady
May 29-- Canada in deficit for the first time in a dozen years
May 29-- Chrysler bankruptcy forces Lee Iacocca to park his free car for life
May 29-- Suncor, Petrocan need each other's assets
May 29-- Loonie highest since October 7
May 29-- Writedown triggers loss for Royal Bank
May 29-- Tensions clog Opel talks
May 29-- 'Drag Me To Hell': Canadians buying into ailing automakers
May 29-- Canwest newspaper subsidiary defers interest payment
May 29-- Wanted: 'rusty' tool to cool Canadian dollar
May 29-- Magna to take over Opel: German officials
May 29-- Scotiabank strategy for credit losses will 'hurt': Desjardins
May 29-- Can money really buy happiness? Depends …
May 28-- Ottawa can sell the CANDU
May 28-- Bid to kill 'buy U.S.' hinges on provinces
May 28-- Flaherty won’t resign over $50B deficit: 'not a time for partisan games'
May 28-- The Conservative revolution flies under the radar
May 28-- CIBC narrows loss, TD grows adjusted profit
May 28-- GM sweetens deal for bondholders
May 28-- Economy's good. Gone fishin'
May 28-- Merkel urged to choose Magna as Opel buyer
May 27-- GM bond deadline passes, bankruptcy seen near
May 27-- What's Bank of Canada's take on the loonie?
May 27-- Canada poised to take stake in ailing GM
May 27-- Chrysler May sales tank, crucial bankruptcy ruling awaited
May 27-- Don't blame it on the economy
May 27-- U.S. faces Zimbabwe-sized inflation rate, Faber warns
May 27-- U.S. existing home sales rise 2.9% in April
May 26-- China's smart recovery
May 26-- B.C. deficit could be four times government estimates, forecasters predict
May 26-- Canfor Pulp downgraded to a 'sell'
May 26-- Canada deficits affordable, short-term: PM
May 26-- Germany presses Opel suitors, China bid emerges
May 26-- Flaherty warns deficit may top record $50-billion
May 26-- Brace for larger deficit: Flaherty
May 26-- Don’t blame deficit on the economy
May 26-- Bank of Montreal cuts 1,100 jobs as profit falls 44%
May 26-- CAW members approve GM deal
May 25-- GM's mom and pop investors gird for battle
May 22-- GM, Canadian auto workers reach pact to cut costs
May 22-- GM bondholders to reject offer, gird for bankruptcy
May 22-- Windsor eyed for electric car plant
May 22-- Magna gets early nod in race for GM's Opel
May 22-- U.S. to work with GM ahead of June 1 deadline
May 22-- GM slashes 240 dealers from Canada
May 22-- Manufacturing seen as smaller part of economy
May 22-- Canada well-placed for economic rebound: IMF
May 22-- Harper rejects call to ease job benefit rules
May 21-- Ottawa introduces new credit card regulations
May 21-- Canadians ignoring low-interest credit cards
May 21-- How your credit card bill profiles you as a consumer (or debtor)
May 20-- Day of reckoning for the U.S. dollar
May 18-- GM, Chrysler borrow from Toyota's playbook
May 18-- Oil sands output could rise to 6.3-million barrels a day: U.S. report
May 18-- American Express to cut 4,000 jobs
May 18-- World Bank: Global growth may resume late '09
May 16-- China holds sway over US$
May 15-- GM, CAW talks going in to the night
May 15-- GM to drop one in six dealers in the U.S.
May 15-- Oil sands crucial to energy mix: Imperial CEO
May 15-- Top Petro-Canada supporter against Suncor deal
May 13-- U.S. shoppers trample market's 'green shoots'
May 12-- Foreign bids for Nortel may be welcome
May 12-- Caisse ignored warning signs, committee hears
May 12-- Personal bankruptcies jump 57% in Canada
May 12-- Suzuki suspends output at Ingersoll plant
May 12-- Commodities help TSX get on an even keel
May 12-- Robert Friedland steps in as Potash One moves to raise funds
May 12-- Porter proves stiff competition for Air Canada, WestJet
May 11-- GM boss prepared to leave Detroit
May 11-- Economist sees signs strong rebound taking root
May 11-- Clement wants warning of GM Chapter 11
May 11-- Chrysler lawyers ask judge to pay them first
May 11-- Ford to sell 300 million common shares
May 11-- Nortel sells buildings, land to Calgary for $97-million
May 11-- Microsoft to raise US$3.75-billion in first bond offering
May 11-- Repair fight: Dealer purge raises service question
May 11-- Canada should stress trade with U.S. outside NAFTA: report
May 10-- Hiring people as 'upgrades to their desk'
May 10-- The best tax break you’ve never heard of
May 10-- Let's steal Florida Part IV
May 9-- The end of the road for GM; a new path for Chrysler
May 8-- ‘Esthetic of poverty’
May 8-- Canadians embracing a do-it-yourself recovery
May 8-- Debt holders battle political, judicial forces
May 7-- Potash expects supply to be tight for up to 10 years
May 7-- Here's the new boss, same as the old boss
May 7-- Ten U.S. banks need to raise a total of US$75B
May 7-- Let the curtain rise on GM, the drama
May 7-- Manulife, Sun Life hit by market losses
May 7-- Canada kicks off trade fight with U.S.
May 6-- Washington courts Bay Street to buy banks
May 6-- TSX closes above 10,000 as investors turn bullish
May 6-- Economy faces more shocks and setbacks, Carney warns
May 6-- Recession robs Canadians of sleep and productivity
May 6-- Clement 'playing hard ball' with Stelco owner
May 6-- Enbridge outlines plans for four pipeline projects
May 5-- The 'steady midnight guy' waits on Chrysler
May 5-- Bernanke sees U.S. recovery this year
May 5-- Libor falls to historic low as credit thaws
May 5-- Fed says U.S. decline slowing; no further debt buying
May 5-- Home sales uptick hints of slump easing
May 5-- Bernanke sees U.S. recovery this year
May 5-- WestJet earnings fall, but beat estimates
May 5-- Detroit adapts to the new reality
May 5-- EU votes to ban seal products
May 5-- Chrysler lenders seek secrecy in bankruptcy case
May 4-- Chrysler gets court OK on loan
May 4-- Chrysler must restructure in 60 days or die, court hears
May 3-- Conditions right for economic recovery later in year: BOC's Carney
May 3-- Technology the new engine of central Canada
May 2-- Chrysler socialism is real capitalism
May 1-- The Road Ahead: Honda, Toyota and Ford are now in the spotlight
May 1-- 'We are done with the freefall': Scotia's Jestin
The Globe and Mail
May 31-- GM set for bankruptcy protection
May 31-- Can the Volt recharge GM?
May 31-- Canada should use its Detroit foothold
May 31-- U.S. economy on the mend, Geithner says
May 31-- U.S. economic slump eases
May 31-- 'We want to build Opel cars in Canada'
May 31-- Two German states approve Opel funding
May 31-- Canada gets no respect – from Canadians
May 29-- Royal Bank loses $50-million
May 29-- Canadian dollar on a roll
May 29-- U.S. economic slump eases
May 29-- Fiat boycotts Berlin meeting on Opel
May 29-- Canada set to take large stake in GM
May 29-- Tata Motors profit plunges 51 per cent
May 29-- Air Canada 'on the ropes,' WestJet CEO says
May 29-- Oil surges above $65
May 28-- Arctic contains 13% of remaining oil
May 28-- $1.4-million for every job saved
May 28-- Canadian taxpayers to hold GM shares
May 28-- Auto bailout costs soar
May 28-- Deficit means years of restraint
May 28-- From surplus to deficit
May 28-- Liberals go for jugular
May 28-- Charges send CIBC to $51-million loss
May 28-- Pension woes grip Air Canada
May 28-- Costco sales continue to soften
May 28-- Obama says U.S. economy is “back from the brink”
May 28-- Dell profit plummets 63 per cent
May 28-- More than 70 CBC workers take retirement
May 27-- EI claims soar but pace of layoffs eases
May 27-- GM's bond swap fails; bankruptcy is next step
May 27-- GM pools Opel and Vauxhall ahead of sale
May 27-- Buying Opel: A look at the four bidders
May 27-- Deficit swells from $34-billion to $50-billion – in 4 months
May 27-- It's deep breath time
May 27-- Most U.S. economists see recession's end this year
May 27-- Stocks dip as GM gets closer to bankruptcy
May 27-- Canadian corporations feel the recession's bite
May 27-- Catalyst Paper plans to cut 100 jobs
May 26-- Goodale’s gotcha?
May 26-- S&P starts Canadian stock index defined by Islamic law
May 18-- ‘Tiny steps of progress' in GM, CAW talks
May 18-- Goldman, Morgan seek to repay TARP
May 18-- Volkswagen, Porsche tie-up looks less likely
May 18-- Model economy? Consider Italy
May 18-- Greenpeace targets Statoil's oil sands plans
May 18-- Casinos pinched by stumbling economy
May 18-- American Express to cut 4,000 jobs
May 12-- GM chiefs dump their shares, and investors follow
May 12-- ‘All is not on the mend in Canadian trade'
May 12-- Aeroplan on shopping trip
May 12-- Consumer bankruptcies soar
May 12-- Non-bank ABCP seemed solid, Caisse says
May 12-- Oil hits $60-a-barrel mark
May 12-- Desjardins raises target prices for Canadian banks
May 12-- The rich, shadowy Bilderberg group
May 12-- Bakery business sale boosts George Weston
May 11-- Canada still in 'strong slowdown:' OECD
May 11-- Ford offers 300 million new shares
May 11-- GM bankruptcy likely, CEO says
May 11-- China to surpass U.S. as main economic driver, Soros says
May 11-- China confident on economic upturn
May 11-- New home prices edge lower
May 11-- AIG sells Japan headquarters for $1.2-billion
May 11-- CanWest offered lifelines
May 11-- Bombardier confirms $1.1-billion Paris deal
May 11-- Its superstores stalling, Canadian Tire gets 'smart'
May 11-- World markets dip as rally runs out of steam
May 9-- Victoria Times Colonist to scrap Monday edition
May 9-- Vancouver scores coup with Pixar studio
May 9-- Dissident Chrysler debt holders disband
May 8-- 'Glimmers of hope' as some find work, others work for themselves
May 8-- Leak discounted in sudden rise of the loonie
May 8-- At Manulife, new rules for a new game
May 7-- Stress test results provide ‘clarity'
May 7-- BCE, Telus join forces on satellite TV
May 7-- GM bankruptcy likely, CAW says
May 7-- GM's loss hits $6-billion
May 7-- 'So lucky we didn't get it'
May 7-- Fiat head Sergio Marchionne to become Chrysler CEO
May 7-- Canadian gas stations in decline: survey
May 7-- Potash Corp. forecasts tight potash supply
May 7-- A bit more traffic, much more spending at Shoppers
May 7-- Inflation worries push gold higher
May 7-- Tim Hortons profit rises
May 6-- How a good plan went bad
May 6-- Markets maintain heady pace, but is all this optimism justified?
May 6-- As foreigners walk, Ottawa's talk turns tough
May 6-- Bank backstops needed at least until next year: Carney
May 6-- Pass or fail, U.S. banks bow again to Washington
May 6-- Magna halts dividend as sales plunge
May 6-- Abitibi wins Quebec debtor funding
May 6-- Oil surges to 2009 high
May 5-- Recession over this year, Bernanke says
May 5-- Markets ‘just drifting around' after Monday's gains
May 5-- Chrysler may not repay government loans: Flaherty
May 5-- 'Low likelihood' Chrysler loans will be repaid
May 5-- Food inflation lifts Loblaw
May 5-- CanWest faces new debt deadline
May 5-- Life insurers face $1.6-billion in losses
May 5-- Quebec risks jobs over Abitibi clause, court told
May 3-- Fiat in talks to buy GM Europe
May 3-- How Walter's dream became a nightmare
May 3-- The auto industry's future: Virtual mergers
May 2-- Buffett praises government actions on economy
May 2-- Shaw's TV deal is all about the optics
May 1-- An auto maker ‘clearly in a different place'
May 1-- A courtship that spanned the globe
May 1-- Ex-Abitibi head joins creditor queue
May 1-- Parts shortage halts Chrysler plants
May 1-- Not cleared for takeoff
May 1-- Canfor to restart Mackenzie mill
May 1-- Canadian auto sales fall 17.8 per cent
May 1-- Consumer insolvencies to skyrocket: TD
The Toronto Star
May 31-- GM's rebirth begins now
May 31-- Opel newest gem in Frank Stronach's crown
May 31-- Real estate bidding wars make a comeback
May 30-- WestJet's commission cut dismays travel agents
May 30-- UAW agrees to cut GM's labour costs
May 30-- Royal Bank reports first loss since 1993
May 29-- GM now a penny stock
May 29-- Crisis to ease by early 2010, IMF chief says
May 29-- WestJet CEO swipes at Air Canada
May 29-- Banks told to act on card concerns
May 29-- Canadians may own 10% of new GM
May 29-- U.S. economy shrinks 5.7 per cent
May 28-- Port of Montreal container traffic down 10% in Q1
May 27-- Exxon shareholders reject climate change resolutions
May 27-- GM bankruptcy likely after plan rejected
May 27-- Global economy worse than expected, UN says
May 27-- Stocks lower as U.S. bond prices slump
May 27-- Chrysler in court for key bankruptcy hearing
May 27-- Layoffs loom as BMO profits shrivel
May 27-- Laurentian Bank profit slips to $21.2M
May 9-- Big spike in number of homes lost in GTA
May 9-- Buy Canadian, unions tell Canada Post
May 9-- Dissidents abandon Chrysler court fight
May 8-- Fannie Mae seeks $19B in additional aid
May 8-- Chinese auto sales hit record high
May 8-- Air Canada plunges on soaring loss
May 7-- Credit card promotion alarms independent grocers
May 7-- CAW fears GM bankruptcy
May 7-- Sun Life blames loss on poor market conditions
May 6-- Canada issues warning to U.S. Steel
May 6-- Canada starts free trade talks with EU
May 6-- U.S. bank stress tests released Thursday
May 3-- Ruling casts chill over ability to collect legal fees
May 3-- The boom, bust and echo of the Emerald economy
May 2-- Is history repeating itself?
May 2-- Ontario resorts brace for rocky summer
May 2-- Vehicle sales and leases fall 17.8%
May 2-- Chrysler to close five more plants by the end of 2010
Vancouver Papers
May 31-- GM trundles toward bankruptcy, but questions remain
May 28-- Province's property tax meddling yields predictable unfairness
May 28-- Vancouver tops losers in housing slump
May 27-- There's light at the end of the economic tunnel, and it's not a train
May 25-- World economy seen behaving like a teenager
May 8-- B.C. gains 17,000 new jobs as Metro Vancouver unemployment drops
May 8-- Pixar to open satellite studio in Vancouver
May 8-- Gaming with Microsoft
May 7-- B.C. exports expected to fall 23%
May 6-- NDP candidate 'convicts' forestry of stumpage abuses
May 6-- Value of Metro Vancouver building permits plunges in March
May 6-- B.C. housing prices still under pressure to fall, Scotia Economics says
May 5-- eBay to close Burnaby facility; about 700 jobs lost
May 5-- B.C. housing prices still under pressure to fall: Scotia Economics
May 5-- Vancouver stock promoter offers to buy Mackenzie pulp mill
May 5-- B.C. mining industry posts record financial results
May 3-- Brace yourself - more job numbers coming up
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Pandemic Pandemonium May
The swine flu virus, Mexican Flu or A H1N1 as its been re branded of late, continues to make some headlines into May and we update the developments here.
May 18-- Flu not dwindling as fast as hoped, experts say
May 18-- Schools Close as Spike in Swine Flu Cases Hits Japan
May 18-- Experts meet at WHO as new flu spreads in Japan
May 17-- WHO eyes swine flu transmission rates, new vaccine
May 17-- 24 new cases of swine flu reported in Quebec
May 16-- Cases of A H1N1 flu in province reach 100
May 16-- Swine flu from Alta. farm matches human virus
May 14-- H1N1 flu cases, death toll rises worldwide
May 14-- 31 new Canadian cases of swine flu confirmed
May 13-- Chinese student returns from Canada with swine flu
May 11-- H1N1 flu spreads easier than regular flu: study
May 10-- Flu tally climbs in Canada, worldwide
May 9-- Quarantined Alberta pig farm due culls 500 hogs
May 9-- Swine flu confirmed in Alberta woman who died
May 9-- Canada now has 281 cases of swine flu
May 8-- WHO’s credibility questioned as pandemic fears fade
May 8-- Hotel guests jubilant after week-long swine flu quarantine lifted
May 8-- WHO changes tune, now says pork safe to eat
May 7-- Canada ready for pandemic, CMA head says
May 7-- Mexico gets back to normal, China eases flu quarantine
May 7-- Don't eat pork from infected animals: WHO
May 4-- Swine flu hits Decker Lake school
May 4-- Three Cases of H1N1 in Decker Lake
May 4-- Swine flu confirmed in 3 northern B.C. students
May 4-- 10 new B.C. cases, Alberta girl hospitalized as Canadian swine flu caseload grows
May 4-- China isolates Que. students over swine flu fears
May 4-- Beware fake flu medications: Health Canada
May 4-- Alberta girl hospitalized with 'severe' swine flu
May 4-- Mexican player suspended for pretending to cough in opponent's face
May 4-- Pork industry in panic as pigs catch the flu
May 4-- Human-to-swine transmission escalates mutation risk
May 4-- Nations ban pork amid flu fears
May 4-- Global flu cases surge past 1,000
May 4-- CDC: Swine Flu Outbreak Signs 'Encouraging'
May 3-- Flu cases rising in Canada, Alberta pigs infected
May 3-- Flu cases jump to 101 in Canada
May 3-- Seven more in B.C. with Mexican flu
May 3-- Mexico says flu peak over, pandemic risk lingers
May 3-- Alberta pigs infected with flu, CFIA says
May 3-- Mexico says its swine flu epidemic in decline
May 3-- Swine flu epidemic in decline: Mexico
May 3-- Canada's pork industry hit with trade bans
May 2-- Flu cases rising in Canada, Alberta pigs infected
May 2-- Mexico flu fallout: Soccer played in empty stadiums
May 2-- 21st century world better prepared for pandemic: experts
May 2-- Potential pandemic or garden-variety flu? No agreement among experts
May 2-- Experts hope flu stays mild as Canadian cases rise
May 2-- No sustained spread of swine flu virus outside North America: WHO
May 2-- Lessons of 1976: flu, fear, wasted millions
May 1-- Sharper picture of swine flu virus outbreak begins to emerge
May 1-- Life under lockdown
May 1-- Hong Kong has first case confirmed in Asia
May 18-- Flu not dwindling as fast as hoped, experts say
May 18-- Schools Close as Spike in Swine Flu Cases Hits Japan
May 18-- Experts meet at WHO as new flu spreads in Japan
May 17-- WHO eyes swine flu transmission rates, new vaccine
May 17-- 24 new cases of swine flu reported in Quebec
May 16-- Cases of A H1N1 flu in province reach 100
May 16-- Swine flu from Alta. farm matches human virus
May 14-- H1N1 flu cases, death toll rises worldwide
May 14-- 31 new Canadian cases of swine flu confirmed
May 13-- Chinese student returns from Canada with swine flu
May 11-- H1N1 flu spreads easier than regular flu: study
May 10-- Flu tally climbs in Canada, worldwide
May 9-- Quarantined Alberta pig farm due culls 500 hogs
May 9-- Swine flu confirmed in Alberta woman who died
May 9-- Canada now has 281 cases of swine flu
May 8-- WHO’s credibility questioned as pandemic fears fade
May 8-- Hotel guests jubilant after week-long swine flu quarantine lifted
May 8-- WHO changes tune, now says pork safe to eat
May 7-- Canada ready for pandemic, CMA head says
May 7-- Mexico gets back to normal, China eases flu quarantine
May 7-- Don't eat pork from infected animals: WHO
May 4-- Swine flu hits Decker Lake school
May 4-- Three Cases of H1N1 in Decker Lake
May 4-- Swine flu confirmed in 3 northern B.C. students
May 4-- 10 new B.C. cases, Alberta girl hospitalized as Canadian swine flu caseload grows
May 4-- China isolates Que. students over swine flu fears
May 4-- Beware fake flu medications: Health Canada
May 4-- Alberta girl hospitalized with 'severe' swine flu
May 4-- Mexican player suspended for pretending to cough in opponent's face
May 4-- Pork industry in panic as pigs catch the flu
May 4-- Human-to-swine transmission escalates mutation risk
May 4-- Nations ban pork amid flu fears
May 4-- Global flu cases surge past 1,000
May 4-- CDC: Swine Flu Outbreak Signs 'Encouraging'
May 3-- Flu cases rising in Canada, Alberta pigs infected
May 3-- Flu cases jump to 101 in Canada
May 3-- Seven more in B.C. with Mexican flu
May 3-- Mexico says flu peak over, pandemic risk lingers
May 3-- Alberta pigs infected with flu, CFIA says
May 3-- Mexico says its swine flu epidemic in decline
May 3-- Swine flu epidemic in decline: Mexico
May 3-- Canada's pork industry hit with trade bans
May 2-- Flu cases rising in Canada, Alberta pigs infected
May 2-- Mexico flu fallout: Soccer played in empty stadiums
May 2-- 21st century world better prepared for pandemic: experts
May 2-- Potential pandemic or garden-variety flu? No agreement among experts
May 2-- Experts hope flu stays mild as Canadian cases rise
May 2-- No sustained spread of swine flu virus outside North America: WHO
May 2-- Lessons of 1976: flu, fear, wasted millions
May 1-- Sharper picture of swine flu virus outbreak begins to emerge
May 1-- Life under lockdown
May 1-- Hong Kong has first case confirmed in Asia
Pandemic Pandemonium Archives
Our archive of the ebb and flow of flu updates stemming from an outbreak of the H1N1 virus in Mexico in late April..
Links to Information sites:
World Health Organization
US Centre for Disease Control
Health Canada
BC Centre for Disease Control
Northern Health
Items from the news services:
May
April
Links to Information sites:
World Health Organization
US Centre for Disease Control
Health Canada
BC Centre for Disease Control
Northern Health
Items from the news services:
May
April
Friday, May 01, 2009
Northwest communities don’t fare too well on the Moneysense index
Moneysense magazine has once again tabulated its findings on the communities considered to be the best ones to live in across Canada, and with the release of the fourth annual instalment of the magazine’s survey, we find that such Northwest communities as Prince Rupert and Terrace are still in the lower ranges of the rankings from last year.
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Compiled by Phil Froats and Rob Gerlsbeck, comparisons were made of 154 communities across the nation and when the number crunching was done, Prince Rupert was ranked at 148 while Terrace was rated slightly higher at 132.
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For Prince Rupert it was a move upwards by one, while Terrace saw a larger jump moving from its ranking of 150 last year to this year's jump of 18 spots.
Rupert was ranked on the bottom of the index in such categories as climate, unemployment, new vehicles on the road, in lifestyle issues including crime and the availability of health professionals. On the plus side we tend not to kill each other ranking us in a good placing when it comes to the homicide rate and our air quality is good as is our willingness to walk to work it seems.
Rupert was ranked on the bottom of the index in such categories as climate, unemployment, new vehicles on the road, in lifestyle issues including crime and the availability of health professionals. On the plus side we tend not to kill each other ranking us in a good placing when it comes to the homicide rate and our air quality is good as is our willingness to walk to work it seems.
The neighbours to the east in Terrace fared particularly well in such categories as discretionary income, new cars on the road and in medical services available, however like Rupert, weather, unemployment and population growth were the negatives that contributed to bringing down the scores.
The Full breakdown of our rankings from 1-154 can be found on the Moneysense website with a downloadable chart which tracks all of the 24 factors used in the survey’s final numbers.
If you have friends and relatives that have moved to Victoria it may be best not to share the links to the Moneysense findings, the British Columbia capital is at the opposite end of the scale compared to the Northwest, rated as the number one city in Canada in which to live.
The Full breakdown of our rankings from 1-154 can be found on the Moneysense website with a downloadable chart which tracks all of the 24 factors used in the survey’s final numbers.
If you have friends and relatives that have moved to Victoria it may be best not to share the links to the Moneysense findings, the British Columbia capital is at the opposite end of the scale compared to the Northwest, rated as the number one city in Canada in which to live.
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If you hadn’t already had enough of the insufferable crowing that comes from those that have relocated to the Island, this survey certainly won’t be helpful to your stress levels as the comparisons reveal themselves between north and south.
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Other BC communities that scored well and made it into the top 50 included Vancouver at number 5, Vernon 29, Salmon Arm 32, Dawson Creek 34, Richmond 37, Fort St. John 38, Courtenay 45. Prince George the largest community in Northern BC was ranked at137.
For Rupert and Terrace, the good news is that at least the two communities won't be known for holding down the very last spots, those unfortunate claims to fame will fall to Williams Lake at 152, Quesnel at 153 and New Glasgow Nova Scotia, which ranked dead last at 154.
For Rupert and Terrace, the good news is that at least the two communities won't be known for holding down the very last spots, those unfortunate claims to fame will fall to Williams Lake at 152, Quesnel at 153 and New Glasgow Nova Scotia, which ranked dead last at 154.
We imagine that civic bonfires in those communities will be featuring copies of Moneysense as starter fuel this summer.
Moneysense Introduction to the survey
Moneysense Articles on the survey findings
Moneysense The list
Moneysense Slide show
Moneysense The buzz slide show
Moneysense The methodology of the rankings
Mayor Mussallem, MIA?
An interesting statistic has popped up on the attendance sheet of Prince Rupert city council this last session, with the city's main gavel holder, Mayor Jack Mussallem suddenly leading the council in missed meetings, a trend that could be problematic for him if it goes on into one more session.
Council has met for nine meetings so far in this current council year, with five of six councillors getting gold stars for perfect attendance, as councillors Ashley, Bedard, Garon, Kinney and Gordon Payne all making it to City Hall's chambers for their twice a month sessions. Councillor Thorkelson is deducted a point for a missed meeting earlier in the year.
But for those scanning the council chambers for empty seats, that of the Mayor's chair has become an empty location for three meetings running now.
Mayor Mussallem's spot at council deliberations has been taken over by acting Mayors at every meeting since the March 9th session, an absence that hasn't been detailed in council chambers or at least made public through the council minutes or website.
There may be a good reason for the absence of the Mayor for the last six weeks and if so it would be a beneficial thing to share with the residents, there would be no need to go into personal details if of a sensitive nature, but for a city considering tax increases and changes to civic programs and such, the image of the councillors carrying the ball for most of the process, without the guidance of the Mayor in council chambers leaves a bit of a void in that process.
More importantly there are Community charter issues at stake should the Mayor not be in his regular spot at the next session on May 11th. Division seven of the charter, under the category of circumstances in which a person is disqualified from office on council.. section 110 (b) calls for the potential disqualification of office for an elected official who is: absent from council meetings for a period of 60 consecutive days or 4 consecutive regularly scheduled council meetings, whichever is the longer time period, unless the absence is because of illness or injury or is with the leave of the council.
Most likely we will shortly learn that the Mayor has been on city business or some other explanation will be offered in a public form, whether it be the minutes of past meetings prior to that May 11th meeting or as one of the orders of business of the upcoming May 11th session. Rupertites being rather understanding of their political officals, would most likely weigh any explanation with a good deal of thought and interpretation.
But if there are residents that may be concerned about the flow of municipal business, the recent string of missed meetings could make for a handy target for those seeking more accountability, openess and attendance from the participants in councils deliberations.
Council has met for nine meetings so far in this current council year, with five of six councillors getting gold stars for perfect attendance, as councillors Ashley, Bedard, Garon, Kinney and Gordon Payne all making it to City Hall's chambers for their twice a month sessions. Councillor Thorkelson is deducted a point for a missed meeting earlier in the year.
But for those scanning the council chambers for empty seats, that of the Mayor's chair has become an empty location for three meetings running now.
Mayor Mussallem's spot at council deliberations has been taken over by acting Mayors at every meeting since the March 9th session, an absence that hasn't been detailed in council chambers or at least made public through the council minutes or website.
There may be a good reason for the absence of the Mayor for the last six weeks and if so it would be a beneficial thing to share with the residents, there would be no need to go into personal details if of a sensitive nature, but for a city considering tax increases and changes to civic programs and such, the image of the councillors carrying the ball for most of the process, without the guidance of the Mayor in council chambers leaves a bit of a void in that process.
More importantly there are Community charter issues at stake should the Mayor not be in his regular spot at the next session on May 11th. Division seven of the charter, under the category of circumstances in which a person is disqualified from office on council.. section 110 (b) calls for the potential disqualification of office for an elected official who is: absent from council meetings for a period of 60 consecutive days or 4 consecutive regularly scheduled council meetings, whichever is the longer time period, unless the absence is because of illness or injury or is with the leave of the council.
Most likely we will shortly learn that the Mayor has been on city business or some other explanation will be offered in a public form, whether it be the minutes of past meetings prior to that May 11th meeting or as one of the orders of business of the upcoming May 11th session. Rupertites being rather understanding of their political officals, would most likely weigh any explanation with a good deal of thought and interpretation.
But if there are residents that may be concerned about the flow of municipal business, the recent string of missed meetings could make for a handy target for those seeking more accountability, openess and attendance from the participants in councils deliberations.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Candidates face the voters at Prince Rupert debate
The three candidates running locally in this springs BC election met on Wednesday night at the Lester Centre for the Arts, eager to outline their platforms and accept questions from the public.
It was a lively crowd which assembled at the Centre, digesting the various ideas being offered and offering up their commentaries both in the accepted question format and with occasional outbursts directed to the stage.
In the end, it would seem that not many in attendance would be swayed away from their first choice of election day, the bulk of the audience appears to have been made up of supporters dedicated towards one party or the other.
The NDP candidate Gary Coons continued on the theme of concern over the current governance of the province by the Liberal party, relying on many of the issues that he has made public over his four years in opposition in Victoria.
Lisa Girbav representing the Green Party, stuck mainly to the talking points of her party, providing short outlines of the Green philosophy but not quite as much personal input into the issues as many might have hoped to have heard.
Herb Pond was the more polished of the three candidates, his many years in the public eye coming in handing in delivering his message, though he seemed to rely on much of his time as Mayor as the main thrust of his candidacy. Defending Liberal policies to date didn't seem to factor in as much in his participation, though he did pay some attention to such Liberal platform items as the Pacific Gateway and run of river power production to name a few.
Two of the three candidates weighed in on the potential of a raise to the minimum wage, a popular topic for those in the audience that may be working at low wage jobs at the moment, but an issue that probably scares the heck out of the small business owners that were also in attendance, they were more likely to find comfort in the thoughts of Mr. Pond who relayed the Liberal thoughts on that issue.
Interestingly enough, the Chances gaming centre seemed to become a centre piece of the debate on Wednesday, with the Green Party candidate suggesting a moratorium on further gaming centre development, the NDP candidate seeking to address poverty issues that might go hand in hand with the centres and the Liberal candidate reminding the audience that 95 local residents were employed by the centre, though he did say that there was a need for more access to treatment for people affected by social problems. It could be an Achilles heel for the former Mayor, for it was a constant topic of the last council the need for an addictions program in the Prince Rupert area, but one which never seemed to develop as was discussed.
The night ended on a rather bizarre note, as a local resident demanded to be heard after the night's debate had come to an end, the clearly agitated audience member took to the stage to address Gary Coons at one point about a number of issues that seemed out of hearing range and seemed rather confusing to a large portion of the audience in attendance.
The night, organized by the local Chamber of Commerce, was one of the few opportunities for Rupertites to learn more about their candidates, though there wasn't really much in the way of revelations about what they may offer the voting public on May 12th.
The Northern View provided a short synopsis of the evenings deliberations posted to their website shortly after Wednesday nights debate came to an end, a handy showcase of their ability to bring the important news of the community quickly to a public forum for our study.
The Daily News missed its Thursday window of opportunity for details on the debate of Wednesday night, as there was no mention of the political discussion in the Thursday edition.
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We imagine they have plans to provide a report in the Friday paper, helpful but certainly not timely considering the access to information on the debate available from such portals as the Northern View website and hackingthemainframe's message boards, which provided a feedback forum for those that attended Wednesday's debate.
.
Though it seems to be a rather partisan bit of back and forth going on there at the moment.
It was a lively crowd which assembled at the Centre, digesting the various ideas being offered and offering up their commentaries both in the accepted question format and with occasional outbursts directed to the stage.
In the end, it would seem that not many in attendance would be swayed away from their first choice of election day, the bulk of the audience appears to have been made up of supporters dedicated towards one party or the other.
The NDP candidate Gary Coons continued on the theme of concern over the current governance of the province by the Liberal party, relying on many of the issues that he has made public over his four years in opposition in Victoria.
Lisa Girbav representing the Green Party, stuck mainly to the talking points of her party, providing short outlines of the Green philosophy but not quite as much personal input into the issues as many might have hoped to have heard.
Herb Pond was the more polished of the three candidates, his many years in the public eye coming in handing in delivering his message, though he seemed to rely on much of his time as Mayor as the main thrust of his candidacy. Defending Liberal policies to date didn't seem to factor in as much in his participation, though he did pay some attention to such Liberal platform items as the Pacific Gateway and run of river power production to name a few.
Two of the three candidates weighed in on the potential of a raise to the minimum wage, a popular topic for those in the audience that may be working at low wage jobs at the moment, but an issue that probably scares the heck out of the small business owners that were also in attendance, they were more likely to find comfort in the thoughts of Mr. Pond who relayed the Liberal thoughts on that issue.
Interestingly enough, the Chances gaming centre seemed to become a centre piece of the debate on Wednesday, with the Green Party candidate suggesting a moratorium on further gaming centre development, the NDP candidate seeking to address poverty issues that might go hand in hand with the centres and the Liberal candidate reminding the audience that 95 local residents were employed by the centre, though he did say that there was a need for more access to treatment for people affected by social problems. It could be an Achilles heel for the former Mayor, for it was a constant topic of the last council the need for an addictions program in the Prince Rupert area, but one which never seemed to develop as was discussed.
The night ended on a rather bizarre note, as a local resident demanded to be heard after the night's debate had come to an end, the clearly agitated audience member took to the stage to address Gary Coons at one point about a number of issues that seemed out of hearing range and seemed rather confusing to a large portion of the audience in attendance.
The night, organized by the local Chamber of Commerce, was one of the few opportunities for Rupertites to learn more about their candidates, though there wasn't really much in the way of revelations about what they may offer the voting public on May 12th.
The Northern View provided a short synopsis of the evenings deliberations posted to their website shortly after Wednesday nights debate came to an end, a handy showcase of their ability to bring the important news of the community quickly to a public forum for our study.
The Daily News missed its Thursday window of opportunity for details on the debate of Wednesday night, as there was no mention of the political discussion in the Thursday edition.
.
We imagine they have plans to provide a report in the Friday paper, helpful but certainly not timely considering the access to information on the debate available from such portals as the Northern View website and hackingthemainframe's message boards, which provided a feedback forum for those that attended Wednesday's debate.
.
Though it seems to be a rather partisan bit of back and forth going on there at the moment.
Daily News Pressing Questions April 29, 2009
As part of their Election Coverage, the Daily News is asking questions of the candidates and printing their replies in the Wednesday and Friday editions of the paper.
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The following was the "Pressing Question" for Wednesday, April 29, 2009
What kind of investment is necessary for the North Coast?
Gary Coons -- New Democratic Party
I believe that we must invest in our greatest resource ... the people of Be. I believe that a fair and just society is determined by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.
We need to restore Campbell's cuts to health care, education and to our social safety net.
We must realize that small businesses are the core to any community and that post -secondary opportunities must be accessible and affordable.
It's nice to bring in mega-projects but investing directly in our communities, sharing the wealth of our region and focusing on the services, resources and opportunities will reap benefits for all.
Lisa Girbav – Green Party
The most important investment we could make is pushing forward the construction of the sewage treatment plant in Prince Rupert.
Currently we dump our sewage straight into the harbour.
This contaminates the sea life in the harbour along with the beach and is simply an embarrassment.
Constructing the plant would provide local jobs as well as cleanup up our "pristine" coastline.
Herb Pond—Liberal Party of British Columbia
Prince Rupert is the transportation hub for the region. Investment in port and transportation infrastructure is vital. Investing in community forestry and seafood and connecting them to the hub will expand the benefits.
On the north coast land development costs are extremely high and hold us back. Policies that recognize this fact would assist in attracting private sector development in retail and industrial services.
Invest in an effective road and ferry system between Metlakatla, Lax Kw' alaams, the airport and Prince Rupert.
We must invest in our people. Today an educated trained workforce is crucial for success.
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The following was the "Pressing Question" for Wednesday, April 29, 2009
What kind of investment is necessary for the North Coast?
Gary Coons -- New Democratic Party
I believe that we must invest in our greatest resource ... the people of Be. I believe that a fair and just society is determined by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.
We need to restore Campbell's cuts to health care, education and to our social safety net.
We must realize that small businesses are the core to any community and that post -secondary opportunities must be accessible and affordable.
It's nice to bring in mega-projects but investing directly in our communities, sharing the wealth of our region and focusing on the services, resources and opportunities will reap benefits for all.
Lisa Girbav – Green Party
The most important investment we could make is pushing forward the construction of the sewage treatment plant in Prince Rupert.
Currently we dump our sewage straight into the harbour.
This contaminates the sea life in the harbour along with the beach and is simply an embarrassment.
Constructing the plant would provide local jobs as well as cleanup up our "pristine" coastline.
Herb Pond—Liberal Party of British Columbia
Prince Rupert is the transportation hub for the region. Investment in port and transportation infrastructure is vital. Investing in community forestry and seafood and connecting them to the hub will expand the benefits.
On the north coast land development costs are extremely high and hold us back. Policies that recognize this fact would assist in attracting private sector development in retail and industrial services.
Invest in an effective road and ferry system between Metlakatla, Lax Kw' alaams, the airport and Prince Rupert.
We must invest in our people. Today an educated trained workforce is crucial for success.
Podunk Below the Masthead Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Kindergarten rules the front page, Gordon Campbell's emissary offers up some kind words about the port but no cash and another week of civic governance is scored. All part of the Wednesday edition of the Daily News.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE LITTLE PEOPLE-- It's a sure fire way to sell some papers, a front page picture of some kindergarten aged students and the story of their success in raising money for the local Wildlife Rehab shelter.
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Wednesday's tale of the efforts of Mae Jung Bowles class was the featured story in the paper, outlining how she enjoys taking her students out into the local environment and how their interest has translated into a welcome donation to the Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehab shelter.
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Though the article was a bit confusing in identifying which school's class was responsible for the 1800 dollars plus destined for the shelter. The article starts out by mentioning Westview and then thanks Conrad school's parents, staff and teachers for their help. We'll go with the picture and caption saluting Conrad as the school which offered up the donation.
It being an election period, the usual arrival of the political class has begun, as the BC Liberal cabinet minister for Aboriginal Relations and reconciliation dropped in town, offering up his interpretation of the developments between First Nations of the region and the provincial government. All part of the reconciliation process that the government has instituted to try and develop a different form of government to government relationships.
The Daily News also provided their regular Prince Rupert City Council feature which highlights some of the key questions of the recent council session and reports on how councillors voted on the issues.
And their election coverage continued with their Pressing Questions, this time around asking the three local candidates for the Legislature "What kind of investment is necessary for the North Coast?". We outline their answers later on this blog.
The Sports edition for Wednesday featured a look at the weekend in high school soccer from Terrace as the two Rupert schools took part in a Saturday of action.
Total pages in the Wednesday edition (16)
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE LITTLE PEOPLE-- It's a sure fire way to sell some papers, a front page picture of some kindergarten aged students and the story of their success in raising money for the local Wildlife Rehab shelter.
.
Wednesday's tale of the efforts of Mae Jung Bowles class was the featured story in the paper, outlining how she enjoys taking her students out into the local environment and how their interest has translated into a welcome donation to the Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehab shelter.
.
Though the article was a bit confusing in identifying which school's class was responsible for the 1800 dollars plus destined for the shelter. The article starts out by mentioning Westview and then thanks Conrad school's parents, staff and teachers for their help. We'll go with the picture and caption saluting Conrad as the school which offered up the donation.
It being an election period, the usual arrival of the political class has begun, as the BC Liberal cabinet minister for Aboriginal Relations and reconciliation dropped in town, offering up his interpretation of the developments between First Nations of the region and the provincial government. All part of the reconciliation process that the government has instituted to try and develop a different form of government to government relationships.
The Daily News also provided their regular Prince Rupert City Council feature which highlights some of the key questions of the recent council session and reports on how councillors voted on the issues.
And their election coverage continued with their Pressing Questions, this time around asking the three local candidates for the Legislature "What kind of investment is necessary for the North Coast?". We outline their answers later on this blog.
The Sports edition for Wednesday featured a look at the weekend in high school soccer from Terrace as the two Rupert schools took part in a Saturday of action.
Total pages in the Wednesday edition (16)
More details trickle out on the Mercer departure
While the recent departure of Superintendent Eric Mercer hasn't really resonated much on the radar of the local media, the Vancouver Sun has been tenacious in its bid to learn more about why a school district would remove its Superintendent in the middle of the school year.
The latest installment of the Mercer Chronicles, has Vancouver Sun Education reporter Janet Steffenhagen receiving the details of her recent Freedom of Information request, providing some idea of the cost of replacing the superintendent in February after the mutually agreed departure between Mr. Mercer and School District 52.
The FOI details outlined further the severance package for Mr. Mercer, who in addition to the payment of $144,802 described as a "retiring allowance", was allowed to keep a Blackberry and a lap top computer kind of a parting gift we guess. And with the departure in place should anyone ask, the terms of the departure were that "anyone seeking a reference in future will be given only the media release that says his departure was a result of a mutual agreement."
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It makes for a serious bit of bureaucratic speak, that doesn't really offer up much in the way of explanation as to what transpired to result in the replacement of the Superintendent in the middle of the year.
The cost of a temporary replacement, wasn't quite as expensive, but still Dave Stigant who is filling in for the remainder of the school year will be compensated more than adequately. The FOI revelations outlined that his contract for services calls for $52,083 for his five months salary as acting superintendent , he will receive a $5,000 living allowance, a $1,500 moving allowance, $350 per month car allowance, seven days of sick leave and 15 days paid vacation. His contract started on March 1 and runs until July 31, 2009.
Also in the Freedom of Information request, but an item which didn't furnish quite as much detail was an inquiry as to the status of Gary Doi in the process of Mr. Mercer's departure and the subsequent hirings of Mr. Stigant and that of the full time superintendent, Lynn Hauptman set to start work with the new school year in September.
The School District provided little in the way of background detail for Ms. Steffenhagen's request on Mr. Doi's input on the situation, leaving the reporter to wonder aloud if Mr. Doi was compensated in any form for his efforts, or whether he provided his services under contract or on an informal basis.
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Her interest and subsequent questions on that item arose after a quote by School Board chair Tina Last, which suggested that the Board turned to Mr. Doi in a consultative role to help assist the board in the events of the last few months.
The sense you get from the latest of articles posted to the Sun's Education blog Report Card, is that there are still many questions that need to be answered and it would seem that at least with the Vancouver Sun, those issues still warrant further study and clarification.
It will be interesting to see if the local media pick up on the latest details and perhaps seek out some of the answers to the questions that have been offered up on the Sun's education blog. With over 200 thousand dollars spent thus far on salaries and with little in the way of explanation why, they are questions that local residents may also wish to seek out details on.
You can read the full article from the Sun's blog here, with links to the past Sun articles on the topic found here.
The swine flu arrives in Northern British Columbia
“The severity of the illness will depend on the person’s level of health, how old you are, how fit you are, some will show nothing, and others will have symptoms.”-- Northern Health doctor William Osei, Medical Health officer for the Interior offering up a synopsis of the potential impact of flu in the Northern health region.
Northern Health has its first confirmed case of swine flu, or the H1N1 virus as its officially known.
A male resident of Prince George, recently returned from Mexico reported in at the Prince George Regional Hospital last Saturday, suffering symptoms of the virus. He had been vacationing in the Cancun region of Mexico and upon his return began to feel ill, it's suspected that his wife may also have become susceptible to the virus.
He is one of eleven reported cases in the province so far of the virus, including one case which has closed a school in Vernon for the next week after a student at Bearisto elementary came down with the virus.
Health officials are expecting more cases of the virus to be reported over the next few weeks as the infection rate rises with more contact with the provinces residents.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
City Council Scoresheet for April 27, 2009
The Wednesday, April 29 edition of the Daily News featured their regular scorecard on city council issues, this one featuring the deliberations and votes from selected items of the April 27 session.
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This weeks feature appeared on page three of the Wednesday edition.
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Question One: That council introduce and give first, second and third reading to the 2009 Property Tax Bylaw No. 3281, proposing a 3.8 percent tax increase.
How council voted:
Mayor Jack Mussallem-- Absent
Councillor Anna Ashley-- Yes
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne-- No
Councillor Nelson Kinney-- Yes
Councillor Kathy Bedard-- Yes
Councillor Gina Garon-- Yes
Councillor Joy Thorkelson-- Yes
Question Two: That council receive the application from the Museum of Northern BC to convert the existing commercial building to two strata units.
How council voted:
Mayor Jack Mussallem-- Absent
Councillor Anna Ashley-- Yes
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne-- Yes
Councillor Nelson Kinney-- Yes
Councillor Kathy Bedard-- Yes
Councillor Gina Garon-- Excused for conflict of interest
Councillor Joy Thorkelson-- Yes
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Question Three: That the property located at 1307 Overlook be declared a nuisance under the Community Charter and the owner be required to clean up the property within 30 days.
How council voted:
Mayor Jack Mussallem-- Absent
Councillor Anna Ashley-- Yes
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne-- Yes
Councillor Nelson Kinney-- Yes
Councillor Kathy Bedard-- Yes
Councillor Gina Garon-- Yes
Councillor Joy Thorkelson-- Yes
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Question Four: That council support the Lester Centre of the Arts In its application to Canadian Heritage for a grant to help the community celebrate its centennial in 2010, by writing a letter of support to accompany the application.
How council voted:
Mayor Jack Mussallem-- Absent
Councillor Anna Ashley-- Yes
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne-- Yes
Councillor Nelson Kinney-- Yes
Councillor Kathy Bedard-- Yes
Councillor Gina Garon-- Yes
Councillor Joy Thorkelson-- Yes
.
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This weeks feature appeared on page three of the Wednesday edition.
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Question One: That council introduce and give first, second and third reading to the 2009 Property Tax Bylaw No. 3281, proposing a 3.8 percent tax increase.
How council voted:
Mayor Jack Mussallem-- Absent
Councillor Anna Ashley-- Yes
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne-- No
Councillor Nelson Kinney-- Yes
Councillor Kathy Bedard-- Yes
Councillor Gina Garon-- Yes
Councillor Joy Thorkelson-- Yes
Question Two: That council receive the application from the Museum of Northern BC to convert the existing commercial building to two strata units.
How council voted:
Mayor Jack Mussallem-- Absent
Councillor Anna Ashley-- Yes
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne-- Yes
Councillor Nelson Kinney-- Yes
Councillor Kathy Bedard-- Yes
Councillor Gina Garon-- Excused for conflict of interest
Councillor Joy Thorkelson-- Yes
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Question Three: That the property located at 1307 Overlook be declared a nuisance under the Community Charter and the owner be required to clean up the property within 30 days.
How council voted:
Mayor Jack Mussallem-- Absent
Councillor Anna Ashley-- Yes
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne-- Yes
Councillor Nelson Kinney-- Yes
Councillor Kathy Bedard-- Yes
Councillor Gina Garon-- Yes
Councillor Joy Thorkelson-- Yes
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Question Four: That council support the Lester Centre of the Arts In its application to Canadian Heritage for a grant to help the community celebrate its centennial in 2010, by writing a letter of support to accompany the application.
How council voted:
Mayor Jack Mussallem-- Absent
Councillor Anna Ashley-- Yes
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne-- Yes
Councillor Nelson Kinney-- Yes
Councillor Kathy Bedard-- Yes
Councillor Gina Garon-- Yes
Councillor Joy Thorkelson-- Yes
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City Hall Tracker April 27, 2009
They weren't singing where in the world is Mayor Jack Mussallem, but little information was provided to the gallery and television audience at home, regarding another absence of the city's top politician from council's deliberations.
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With Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne holding the gavel as acting Mayor, another in our twice a month sessions was underway.
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Among their talking points for Monday were an extension for the Inlander Hotel demolition schedule, the inclusion of Sun Wave taxes in the budget process and five year plan and discussion on a land use strategy for Prince Rupert and School District 52, patterned after similar efforts in Burnaby.
April 28, 2009
Regular council meeting Agenda for April 27, 2009
Committee of the Whole Meeting for April 27, 2009
Notice of closed meeting for April 27, 2009
City council session for April 27, 2009
In attendance:
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Councillor Anna Ashley
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne
Councillor Nelson Kinney
Councillor Kathy Bedard
Councillor Gina Garon
Councillor Joy Thorkelson
Absent from council:
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Mayor Jack Mussallem
Regular City council minutes for April 28, 2009
(none posted yet)
Daily News voting summary
Summary from April 29 edition of the Daily News
Attendance at City Hall to date archives
Upcoming events-- City council meeting May 11, 2009
.
With Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne holding the gavel as acting Mayor, another in our twice a month sessions was underway.
.
Among their talking points for Monday were an extension for the Inlander Hotel demolition schedule, the inclusion of Sun Wave taxes in the budget process and five year plan and discussion on a land use strategy for Prince Rupert and School District 52, patterned after similar efforts in Burnaby.
April 28, 2009
Regular council meeting Agenda for April 27, 2009
Committee of the Whole Meeting for April 27, 2009
Notice of closed meeting for April 27, 2009
City council session for April 27, 2009
In attendance:
.
Councillor Anna Ashley
Councillor Sheila Gordon-Payne
Councillor Nelson Kinney
Councillor Kathy Bedard
Councillor Gina Garon
Councillor Joy Thorkelson
Absent from council:
.
Mayor Jack Mussallem
Regular City council minutes for April 28, 2009
(none posted yet)
Daily News voting summary
Summary from April 29 edition of the Daily News
Attendance at City Hall to date archives
Upcoming events-- City council meeting May 11, 2009
Podunk Below the Masthead Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Previewing Wednesday night's debate, Nathan Cullen sends a scare through vacation planners across the Northwest and hey the Port has a new name on the Board of Directors list (wherever did the Daily learn that), all part of the Tuesday edition of the Daily News...
A TRIO OF CANDIDATES WILL BE DEBATING ISSUES OF THE DAY-- The Daily News provides a preview of Wednesday night's candidates debate at the Lester Centre for the Arts. Outlining the possible approaches of the three candidates as they take to the only local forum planned so far in this election campaign. The preview was featured as the front page, headline item in the Tuesday paper.
Elsewhere in the Tuesday edition, NDP MP Nathan Cullen is already protesting, even though the subject of his protest hasn't come to pass yet. Cullen put a scare into vacation planners across the Northwest with his speculation that Air Canada may soon cut Jazz adrift, leaving the regional airline in a tenuous situation and air travel in the Northwest in a rather confused situation if the speculation proves correct.
The problems for Jazz could come about as Air Canada prepares to realign its financial picture, which some suggest would be better served without the various regional Jazz operations across the country. Where that would leave air travel in the Northwest remains to be seen, but just in case Air Canada has any thoughts of change, Cullen is putting them on notice of sorts.
The Port Corporation announces a new member of the board, former Rupertite Ray Castelli, most recently of the NaiKun Wind corporation. Regular readers of the blog first heard word of the announcement in the early, early hours of Monday morning with our item posted to the Podunk blog shortly after midnight on Sunday.
The Sports section provided some background on a former PRSS Rainmaker making good on the College scene down south as well as providing an update on the Skeena 97 peewee rep team at a Vancouver tournament.
Total pages in Tuesday's paper (12)
A TRIO OF CANDIDATES WILL BE DEBATING ISSUES OF THE DAY-- The Daily News provides a preview of Wednesday night's candidates debate at the Lester Centre for the Arts. Outlining the possible approaches of the three candidates as they take to the only local forum planned so far in this election campaign. The preview was featured as the front page, headline item in the Tuesday paper.
Elsewhere in the Tuesday edition, NDP MP Nathan Cullen is already protesting, even though the subject of his protest hasn't come to pass yet. Cullen put a scare into vacation planners across the Northwest with his speculation that Air Canada may soon cut Jazz adrift, leaving the regional airline in a tenuous situation and air travel in the Northwest in a rather confused situation if the speculation proves correct.
The problems for Jazz could come about as Air Canada prepares to realign its financial picture, which some suggest would be better served without the various regional Jazz operations across the country. Where that would leave air travel in the Northwest remains to be seen, but just in case Air Canada has any thoughts of change, Cullen is putting them on notice of sorts.
The Port Corporation announces a new member of the board, former Rupertite Ray Castelli, most recently of the NaiKun Wind corporation. Regular readers of the blog first heard word of the announcement in the early, early hours of Monday morning with our item posted to the Podunk blog shortly after midnight on Sunday.
The Sports section provided some background on a former PRSS Rainmaker making good on the College scene down south as well as providing an update on the Skeena 97 peewee rep team at a Vancouver tournament.
Total pages in Tuesday's paper (12)
Follow the flu to the Canadian border....
The sudden occurrence of swine flu in Mexico and now moving to other nations has given the World Health Organization cause to raise the level of threat to that of five, which is but one level short of the pandemic stage.
So while we all try to make sense of what that means, we find that Google has decided to be a helpful partner in the goal of information with what they are calling the Google Flu trends tracker, which outlines the state of the flu in the American states of the union.
It's of interest to note, that while they offer up interpretations of data for both Mexico and the United States, their tracking stops at the Canadian border.
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So we gather this means either we are still relatively flu free and our battles are but mild doses, or perhaps the horses of the apocalypse are preparing to gallop.
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Or maybe they're just waiting until we have more cases to report to make colouring such a large map as ours worthwhile...
So while we all try to make sense of what that means, we find that Google has decided to be a helpful partner in the goal of information with what they are calling the Google Flu trends tracker, which outlines the state of the flu in the American states of the union.
It's of interest to note, that while they offer up interpretations of data for both Mexico and the United States, their tracking stops at the Canadian border.
.
So we gather this means either we are still relatively flu free and our battles are but mild doses, or perhaps the horses of the apocalypse are preparing to gallop.
.
Or maybe they're just waiting until we have more cases to report to make colouring such a large map as ours worthwhile...
Northwest First Nation reaches compensation settlement with Federal Government after half a century
Fifty years ago the government changed the flow of the Bulkley River and with it the economic and cultural purpose for the village of Hagwilget. From a thriving fishery based economy in the late 1950's the village in the late 1950's, fell on hard times after the plentiful salmon stocks of the area suddenly no longer were within the grasp of local fishers.Now with just days to go before the case was to go to trial, a settlement for compensation has been agreed to by the Federal Government which will see 21.5 million dollars transferred to the small village located between Terrace and Smithers.
The court case which was originally started back in 1985 was delayed through the years as treaty negotiations took place, but with no settlement in place through the treaty process it was back to the court room, a trip now avoided as the Federal Government draws up the transfer details.
Mark Hume of the Globe and Mail outlines the story, tracing back to those early days of 1959 when the "Government people" arrived to move boulders out of the Bulkley and changed the future of an entire community.
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Interior News-- Suit settled for $21.5M
Interior News-- Suit settled for $21.5M
CFTK TV-- Hagwilget Compensated for Fishery Loss
CTVBC News-- Aboriginals win $21 million fishery settlement
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