Highway 16 closed to Terrace

Monday's wild weather has resulted in the closure of Highway 16 between Terrace and Prince Rupert, at 915 pm, Drive BC listed the highway as closed in both directions from Prince Rupert to Rainbow Pass due to a high avalanche risk.

The closure is in effect until at least 11 am on Tuesday, with an update expected to be provided at 10 am.

Through the day travel advisories had been posted along the highway due to heavy snowfall inland, with no travel recommended unless absolutely necessary.

The Drive BC advisories were as follows:

Highway 16 both directions

Closed in both directions from Prince Rupert to Rainbow Pass (15.8 km) because of High Avalanche Hazard. Will remain closed until 11 am Tuesday, January 27; confidence moderate. Next update Tuesday, Jan 27 at 10:00 am. Updated on Mon Jan 26 at 9:15 pm. (ID# 75489)

Jan 26, 2009 09:15 PM

Highway 16 Both Directions

Heavy Snowfall from Agate Creek Bridge to Terrace (93.6 km). Travel Advisory in effect. Travel is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. Updated Mon Jan 26 at 6:58 pm. (ID# 75449)

Jan 26, 2009 06:58 PM

Highway 16 Both Directions

Heavy Snowfall from Terrace to Big Oliver Creek Bridge (49.4 km). Travel Advisory in effect. Travel is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. Updated Mon Jan 26 at 6:50 pm. (ID# 75448)

.

UPDATE: The latest advisory from Drive BC had the highway reopened late Tuesday afternoon, however with an advisory of a High Avalanche Hazard 34 km east of Agate Creek Bridge to 55 km west of Terrace (4.6 km).

.
The Drive BC website will have updates posted in the morning regarding the status of highway conditions.

Rush Limbaugh is a....

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.

Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.

Those were well thought out and crafted words, a heartfelt expression from the 44th President of the United States upon his inauguration, as to the challenge ahead that faces his nation.

They marked the opening lines to his clarion call to America that there is much work to be done, that the task won't be easy and that some along the way won't necessarily find comfort in the plans of his government but that hard times requires hard work.

They were words that lifted the debate over the current state of America beyond partisan bickering and instead gave cause for hope of better days ahead, despite the storm clouds on their horizon.

So with that blue print less than a week old, one has to ask; Why is President Barack Obama wasting any of his valuable time discussing the thoughts of that pontifical blowhard of the right known as Rush Limbaugh?

The President apparently informed of Limbaugh's most recent commentaries (or shudder maybe he even watches Fox!) about how he hopes the President fails in his mission, decided that he should personally answer the ravings of the guardian of the right wing (or is that wind?) of the Republican party.



It would seem that the Republicans have become a party so apparently bereft of leadership, that it has fallen to a political windbag to become the official form of opposition for the moment.

While the President is probably right in his words that pointed out that the negativity of Limbaugh's message is not what America needs right now, the only thing is he shouldn't be the one providing the rebuttals.

America has far too many problems at the moment dealing with an economic meltdown not seen since the Great Depression, trying to change a culture of greed and self interest into one that sees common purpose in times of concern.

At no time should he waste one nano-second of his Presidency taking on the talking points of Limbaugh, there are many hands on board the Democratic ship that could take this one out of his in box, perhaps its a file that can be turned over to Vice President Joe Biden.

Mr. Biden loves to talk as we've seen, occasionally says the wrong thing but never shies away from a good political fight, if anyone in the Administration really feels the need to give Limbaugh five seconds of publicity the best choice would be the Vice President or perhaps the newly elected Senator from Minnesota Al Franken, who of course has created an entire sub culture of literature on the topic of Mr. Limbaugh.

The argument is not one that the President should dignify, he may be a Chicago politician at heart, a culture of politician that never runs from a good political fight, but despite the prospect of him taking on the king of the Right wing media, the job isn't his to be done, there are many more important things that he could and should be doing, keeping Limbaugh's ditto heads entertained shouldn't be one of them.

If they don't want to ignore the guy as he should be, let Mr. Biden take him on, we suspect that would be an entertaining bit of theatre all to itself and perhaps make the Vice President keep his oratorical skills finely tuned in a political way.

Port still looking ahead with confidence in 2009

While global markets continue to struggle and the worldwide economic crunch claims new victims on a daily basis, the future is still considered strong for the Port of Prince Rupert, at least as far as the Port is concerned.

Improved numbers in the cruise industry and the container business helped to counter declines in the grain terminal shipments and slight decreases at Ridley Terminals for 2008, some modest increases at Fairview have the Port feeling good about the last year and still hopeful for 2009.

With the container terminal continuing to attract attention, Port officials are anticipating that the gateway express service that they provide into mid America will continue to attract shippers despite the hard economic times on the horizon. That prospect will of course depend on how deep the current recession goes or if the world trade environment deteriorates further in light of the economic crisis at the moment.

Even less certain perhaps for the local scene will be the expectations on the local cruise industry into 2009, an industry which saw one cruise line announce its decision to take Prince Rupert off it's port call list.

It's also not known what impact that the economy in 2009 will have on the Alaska cruise industry as a whole and the volumes that it traditionally delivers.

The Daily News featured the Ports interpretation of numbers and events as the front page, headline item in Friday's papers.

PORT FEELS BUOYANT DESPITE WORLD ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

Port Authority finds reasons to celebrate in spite of difficult times within industry By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, January 23, 2009

Pages one and three

Despite a global economic downturn that has resulted in declining traffic through most other North American West Coast ports, the Port of Prince Rupert experienced a moderate increase in tonnage last year.

Led by a surge in container traffic through the Fairview Terminal, the Port of Prince Rupert handled 10,596,863 tonnes in 2008, a moderate increase over 2007.

During its first full year of operations, Fairview Container Terminal handled 181,890 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) from 78 vessels.

The terminal's throughput for the first six months was 42,555 TEUs, before jumping more than 300 per cent in the second half of 2008 with 139,335 TEUs, as a result of the addition of the second COSCO/CKYH Alliance service in July.

In the fourth quarter, the terminal operated at greater than 60 per cent of its 500,000 TEU per year capacity, with a throughput of 79,106 TEUs.

"The opening of the Fairview Container Terminal in 2007 was an important step toward connecting the Canadian economy to the developing economies of Asia and solidifying Canada's position as a leader in international trade in the Asia Pacific Region," said Dale MacLean, chair of the PRPA board of directors.

"The new express gateway is providing shippers with unparalleled speed and reliability, a competitive advantage in their supply chain management, while the Fairview Terminal has created a solid foundation for economic activity in Western Canada and a stimulus for new investment across the region."

PRPA President and CEO Don Krusel said the surge in traffic during the second half of 2008 is reflective of a growing confidence among shippers in the competitive advantages of moving their cargo through the new Asia-North America express gateway corridor.

"The PRPA, in conjunction with our CN, Maher Terminals and the COSCO-CKYH Alliance partners, are delivering on our commitment to providing our shipping customers with unparalleled reliability, speed and cost effectiveness," said Krusel.

"This is more crucial now than ever before because the global economic turmoil is drastically affecting their businesses. The competitive advantages of shipping through Prince Rupert are delivering value to their bottom lines," said Krusel.

Ridley Terminals Inc. (RTI) handled 4,847,031 tonnes in 2008, down slightly from 5,085,771 tonnes in 2007.

RTI experienced an increase in coking coal, petroleum coke and wood pellets, but a decrease of nearly 300,000 tonnes of coal as a result of production cutbacks among its coal-producing customers.

Also declining was throughput at Prince Rupert Grain (PRG), which decreased 26.3 per cent in the calendar year, from 5,098,402 tonnes to 3,759,517 tonnes, as a result of a 33.6 per cent drop in wheat traffic. However, PRG, which handles about 30 per cent of grains moving through Canadian West Coast ports, saw an increase in barley, canola and grain screenings in 2008.

Prince Rupert did experience its best cruise season in five years of operations, welcoming 63 ships and a record 103,635 passengers, up from 99,135 in 2007. The 2008 season also saw a 21 per cent increase in passengers participating in shore excursion tours, and passengers spent nearly $2.4 million in the city on tours and excursions in 2008, up 32.4 per cent from 2007.

The total economic impact of the cruise industry in Prince Rupert is estimated to have exceeded $10 million in 2008, but will be significantly less in 2009.

Ferry service to Charlottes resumes two weeks early

Faster than expected construction repairs to the BC Ferry docks on the Queen Charlotte Islands will bring good news to travellers as BC Ferries is set to resume sailings between Prince Rupert and the Charlottes.

.

If all has gone as planned, the first sailing was set to take place at 11:89 tonight, with a sailing out of Prince Rupert. BC Ferries will adopt a modified schedule until February 2nd, when the full regular schedule will be back in effect.

The surprise announcement was made Friday as the pace of modifications to the Charlottes dock proved to be faster than originally anticipated, originally the plan was for the ferry service to remain tied up until the first week of February, a move that has necessitated that Islanders seek out spots on an air schedule that provided for trips on a first come, first fly basis until all spots were filled on the pre arranged flights.

The resumption of sailings will be a welcome relief to Islanders needing to get to Prince Rupert for health appointments, shopping or visiting family and friends, it also will be a highly welcomed bit of news for All Native Basketball Tournament participants and fans, who were facing the prospect of a just in the nick of time resumption of service to get to Prince Rupert for the 50th anniversary of the tournament, now with the service back in place the travel plans will prove to be a little more reliable and more easily managed.

Full details on the resumption of service and the scheduled times of departure can be found on the BC Ferries website.

Queen Charlotte Islands Obsever-- Ferry service resumes Sunday

CBC-- Queen Charlottes ferry service to resume Sunday night

Terrace makes it to the final five of Hockeyville competition

The excitement will be building in Terrace, the northwest community has reached the final five in the Kraft Hockeyville competition, it joined the final five in the second intermission of Sunday night's all star game.

.
If successful, Terrace will receive 100,000 dollars for arena improvements and will host an exhibition hockey game, as well as be featured in a CBC program on the spirit of community and hockey.

And to add to the thrill of making the final five, Hockey Night in Canada will soon be featuring the community in a finalist profile, all five finalists will be featured between January 31 and February 28.

The announcement of Hockeyville will take place on March 7th.

The Hockeyville website will update the progress of the competition leading up to the big final vote in thirty three days.

Highway of Tears families receive update from RCMP

"The RCMP is fully committed to pursuing each of the identified investigations in order to bring successful conclusion to as many of the investigations as possible and closure to the families." -- RCMP Chief Superintendent Richard Bent speaking to a number of family members waiting for news on the Highway of Tears cases.

RCMP investigators provided an update to the families of those that have been murdered or have disappeared along the stretch of highway 16 known as the Highway of Tears.

The latest meeting between the families and the RCMP took place on Thursday, with RCMP officials reassuring the families that the investigations continue, though they had no breakthroughs to pass along at this time. The most recent meeting was the fifth one to take place since a Prince George symposium in 2006.

The RCMP created an investigative review team in 2004 to examine the eighteen reported cases that have raised concern along the Highway 16 corridor, the eighteen cases go as far back as 1969 with the last reported case file registered in 2006.

Thursday's meeting provided details on forensic and laboratory results as well as other details pertaining to the numerous cases still open, the budget for the ongoing investigation has been increased to 3.6 million dollars for 2008-09, prior to that the investigators had spent 2.1 million dollars since 2005 in their quest for answers and closure for the family members of those that have been murdered or gone missing.

Opinion 250-- Families of Highway of Tears Missing or Murdered Get Update

Vancouver Sun-- 'Highway of Tears' budget boosted

Stalemate continues in port talks between BCMEA and ILWU

With the latest update from the British Columbia Marine Employers Association posted on the net on January 23rd, it would appear that the two sides have reached a bit of an impasse as no new developments were announced, nor much in the way of progress was reported from the latest discussions.

.
In a very short statement posted by the BCMEA on their website, they advise that "The BCMEA provided a comprehensive response to the Union's proposals dated January 15, 2009. Notwithstanding this effort, no further progress has been made."

With the discussions of Friday reaching a standstill, the next step will be up to mediator Jim Rooney who apparently will try to find some common ground for further sessions and contact the two parties to set up further dates.

No details on what the sticking points are in the current round of talks, or if any job action is anticipated from either the union or the management side of the table.

The union website for the ILWU provided no update or background information on the current west coast port dispute.

The uncertainty over the port situation in British Columbia has been providing for some concern among port and shipping officials over potential lost container traffic to the main container terminals in the province including the Fairview Terminal in Prince Rupert.

Civic Centre host to first annual All Native film festival

.
As part of the celebrations surrounding the 50th anniversary of the All Native Basketball Tournament, the City is hosting a film festival from February 7 to 12, with a number of feature films and documentaries set for viewing at newly created Civic Centre theatre.

The city has turned one of the old squash courts into a fifty seat viewing room, having accessed funding for the modifications the city has modified the space to feature a set of enlarged double doors, the latest in projection and sound equipment as well as a movie screen that is 16 feet wide.

Films will be running from 10 am to 9 pm on most days of the tournament. The city's website features details of the first annual film festival as well as details on the plans for the newly created viewing space and collection of films for after the tournament has concluded.

In addition the website features a link to the full program for the week's entertainment.

Justice will take the form of a circle

After ten years of study and formulating plans to make it part of the process, the Prince Rupert Aboriginal Justice Society signed on with both the federal and provincial governments, creating a protocol agreement to provide for a justice system outside of the provincial courtroom scenario.

The alternative measures will feature a traditional circle, where offenders will meet with their victims, a law enforcement representative and a Justice coordinator, the hopeful outcome being a sense of redress for the victims, while at the same time providing for a form of community service, under the program fines or imprisonment would not be considered as a form of punishment for the offence.

Should the offender not meet the terms of the agreement, their charges are immediately sent back to the Crown and possible court action.

The Daily News outlined the terms and background of the program in the Friday paper.

Agreement all about searching for justice
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, January 23, 2009
Pages one and two

After working in the community for nearly 10 years, the Prince Rupert Aboriginal Justice Society has signed a formal partnership with both provincial and federal government agencies.

Yesterday, the society signed a protocol agreement with a number of agencies, an official recognition of the alternative measures used to deal with offenders outside of provincial courtrooms. Those agencies include the Prince Rupert Detachment of the RCMP, the Attorney General of British Columbia, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Community Corrections, and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

"Until now there was no formal structure as to how we get referrals, the processes, and the roles and responsibilities clarifying relationships between us and these agencies," said Teresa Wesley, manager of the Prince Rupert Aboriginal Justice Society.

"We had always talked about it, but with the turnover at the RCMP all the time, and the Crown always getting new players, the relationships had almost deteriorated."

The PRAJS operates largely based on the notion that Aboriginal people in the area have traditionally used a collective process for legal conflict resolution, which provides a basis for the protocol.

One of the main ways the Justice Society resolves a conflict is through a traditional circle, where the offender meets with their victim(s), a law enforcement official and Justice Coordinator.

During the circle, the offenders have the opportunity to admit their guilt, explain their actions and recognize how they affected the victim and the community as a whole.

The victims also have the chance to address the offender, and recommend an appropriate agreement that will rectify the wrongdoing. The agreement can include things such as community service, but not fines or imprisonment, and if the offender doesn't meet the terms of the agreement their charges are immediately sent back to the Crown and possible court action.

"What we have found, as we have gotten on in years, is that offenders, both youth and adults, will opt to go to court because it's easier and they don't have to talk," said Wesley.
"It takes a lot of courage to say 'look I did this and I'm really sorry', We've had some really significant transformations with youth that have come through. We counted last year and there were 12 of them graduating. I had parents come to me and say that they thought if their child had gone to court there would have been a different outcome."

These traditional justice circles can also be held for offenders who have already gone through the judicial process but are awaiting sentencing. The results of the circle, or in some cases community consultation, can be included in a presentence report that is submitted to Crown counsel and the presiding judge.

The PRATS has operated since 1999 based on Section 717 of the Criminal Code, which gives Crown Counsel the discretion to deal with offenders by alternative measures outside of the judicial process, as long as the protection of the public is not an issue. However, as laid out in the new agreement, this diversion from criminal charges is not intended to be available to every offender and for every offence. Rather, it is meant for younger adults and those with no criminal record who have committed minor offences.

Dan Veniez: From the editorial pages to the briefing room

Having shared his thoughts on radio and in the editorial pages of Canada’s newspapers, Dan Veniez has now caught the ear of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Mr. Veniez, currently Chairman of Ridley Terminals, and the former head man of New Skeena forest products at Watson Island, offered up his views to the Prime Minister as part of a group of Canadian industrialists and financial observers last week, outlining the issues that he believes the government needs to concentrate on to strengthen Canada’s economy.

Over the years since New Skeena accepted its fate and shut down, Mr. Veniez has been a frequent contributor to such papers as the Globe and Mail and Vancouver Sun, appeared on the province's most listened to radio station and was profiled in detail nationally, for his work in Northwest BC during those tumultuous New Skeena days.

It’s not surprising that he would be tapped by the Prime Minister for his consultations, as this Globe and Mail profile outlines; he was a prominent participant in Conservative circles during the Brian Mulroney days of governance. And he certainly hasn’t hurt his chances of staying on with the program with his effusive praise of the job the Prime Minister has done so far.

For some that might be reassuring, for others a tad horrifying, regardless, at the moment Mr. Veniez seems to have some political capital to spend in the nation’s capital, it will be interesting to see if any of his suggestions or recommendations bear any fruit for the Northwest.

Former mill boss on PM’s think tank
BY GEORGE T. BAKER
The Daily News
January 22, 2209
Pages one and five

Some of the most important figures in Canadian finances met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week to discuss the future of Canada's economy.

Included in that group was former pulp mill boss and Rupert Terminals Inc. Chairman Dan Veniez, who said he flew the Northwest flag in terms of getting increased infrastructure and attention from Ottawa.

Of the recommendations Veniez said he made, one of the most compelling was advising Harper that a major change in the Indian Act was necessary if the country was to have proper growth through much of the Canadian heartland.

"It is a blight on Canada and prevents any economic growth and development. (We) need to open up investment flow to rural Canada," said Veniez.

He mentioned that the Gitxsan's proposal to maintain land title that was defended in court and affirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Delgamuukw decision in 1997.

The Gitxsan claim that titleholders are the Gitxsan House groups and the representative titleholders continue to be the Chiefs that govern the lands and resources as they have since time immemorial.

The Supreme Court of Canada directed the Gitxsan to reconcile their pre-existence with Crown title.

But these instructions did not include forfeiting title to the Crown.

"They have made a ground-breaking proposal to federal and provincial negotiators to do precisely that.

"I strongly encouraged the Prime Minister to use his good offices to further that process," said Veniez.

Veniez was joined by Jim Pattison, former provincial minister of Finance Carole Taylor, West Fraser Timber's Hank Ketchum, Teck Cominco's Don Lindsay (Tech Cominco), BC Business Council Virginia Greene, and retail magnet

Other topics that were thrown around the table were investing in infrastructure, incentives to small business and the need for the often defensive Prime Minister to communicate with Canadians on a regular basis.

Veniez added he was happy that Harper was the man in charge during the country's turbulent ride through the economic downturn. He said he was impressed with the Prime Minister's intelligence.

"My question was what to do to prepare the country to be stronger than ever coming out of the cycle? Times call for bold action and leadership."

Mr. Hahn Begs to Differ with Mr Coons.

.
BC Ferries President and CEO David Hahn has apparently had enough of the latest commentary from NDP Ferries critic and North Coast MLA Gary Coons.

In an article in Thursday's paper, Hahn counters a number of recent observations and commentaries from Mr. Coons regarding the status of the financial health and morale at the Ferry Corporation.

Suggesting that Mr. Coons doesn't quite have a grasp on the finances of the system, Hahn said that recent staffing cuts at the Ferry corporation were more a result of the current economic environment in the world, than any indication of the need for serious concern for the Ferry Corporation.

Hahn was responding to comments made over the last few days by the NDP ferries critic which outlined a number of Mr. Coons concerns over the state of the system of which so many British Columbians depend on a daily basis. (see here and here)

He also advised that any rumours of his imminent departure at the helm of the Ferry Corporation were wrong and that he has no plans to step down or leave at this time.

Which should be good news for news reporters looking for quotes as one of BC's most intriguing of political feuds continues on.

Mr. Hahn's full rebuttal of the latest comments from his most vociferous critic appeared in interview form in Thursday's Daily News.

BC Ferries boss hits back at his harshest critic
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Pages one and three

BC Ferries President and CEO David Hahn said his organization is yet another victim of the declining global economy. But he guaranteed that he would not be cutting services around the province.

In a one-on-one interview with the Daily News, Hahn said he is no longer willing to be Gary Coons whipping boy and said while he does not intend to be involved in the politics leading up to the provincial election - and he said he is not going to allow Coons to use him as a political tool.

Hahn reacted after Coons revealed his organization was letting go of 35 managers on Tuesday.

"I think his agenda is always political. I kind of discount it all. I'm not sure he has a good grasp on how the ferry system’s finances work because he does not have a financial background," said Hahn.

He said he has made repeated offers to Coons visit the BC Ferries head office and ask questions about financial information but said Coons has refused to do it.

"He's always claiming there is no information coming out of BC Ferries but he refuses to do it because If he looked at it and if he understood the financial statements, he would see that we are not in dire straits, we have really strong cash-flow, which means we can afford all the debt that we have," said Hahn.

It is a fact that BC Ferries is carrying a substantial debt load. Hahn claimed that the debt load stood at $1 4 billion. While the enormity of that number would be daunting to most British Columbians, Hahn said that the debt load has nothing to do with BC Ferries serious managerial cuts. He said the debt load could be attributed to getting a bankrupt ferry system out of the rubble of the 90s.

And Hahn defended the cuts as a necessary cost -saving measure.In its second quarter release, BC Ferries did report a downturn in traffic across the province.

In response to the decline, BC Ferries reported that it had undertaken a number of cost-saving measures, including deferring filling staff vacancies and reducing or deferring corporate travel, consulting, advertising and other discretionary expenditures.

Lower travel numbers from US tourists to B.C. has also taken a large chunk out of BC Ferries operating.

According to Tourism BC statistics released Tuesday, visitor flow from the U.S. was down 11.2 per cent in 2008 from 2007."People have known this has been coming for a while. It's pretty ordinary anywhere else but it's pretty extraordinary at BC Ferries, right?" said Hahn.

Hahn said he does not apologize for using words like "transition" when explaining laying-off workers. According to him, four of the 35 workers who were let go were actually voluntary early retirements and he said he used the term that befits the scenario.

As reported yesterday, BC Ferries' top man Hahn used the softer term for terminating the management positions in an effort to restructure the company's finances, which he said has been seriously hurt by lower ridership levels across the system.

"I think the people (at BC Ferries) knew that the traffic had been down for some time," said Hahn. "The past few months it's taken on the approach that we all have to work together to do some cost containment to help us make sure we stay within the boundaries of what is acceptable performance. I think everyone knew we were watching it."

"People expect us to do it - to manage (BC Ferries) carefully."

That will continue, said Hahn. And so will his leadership of the ferry service.

Hahn dispelled rumours of his imminent departure from BC Ferries. There had been speculation by critics that he was about to step down from the ferry operator's top post. But Hahn said he isn't going anywhere.

Looking to the economic future in Northern BC

Prince George has been the host of a two day seminar in economics, as the Premier, assorted mayors and municipal and provincial officials and industry representatives gathered to examine the economic landscape to come for the northern reaches of the province.

Among the Prince Rupert representatives at the economic summit are Mayor Jack Mussallem and Port of Prince Rupert CEO Don Krusel.

From the electrification of the Highway 37 corridor, to expansion of the Fairview Port and the continuing troubles of the forestry, northern stakeholders have been debating it all, seeking out a blue print for economic opportunities to come in the future.

The Daily News featured the talks as their front page item in Thursday's paper and a number of Prince George websites have been following the progress of the talks over the last two days. The Premier discussed the talks during a session from 11 to 11:30 with CNKW's Bill Good (podcast or audio vault sessions available here) his appearance followed an hour of calls from 10 to 11, on Good's open lines, including a contribution from Opposition leader Carole James which questioned the government's handling of the economy over the last few years.

To get an idea of what has been discussed and the impact of the discussions on the north, click on the various links below for more details.

Opinion 250-- Premier Closes Summit

Opinion 250-- Mayor Says Meeting with Premier Positive Session

Opinion 250-- New North Future Tied to Asia-Pacific Gateway

Opinion 250-- New North Foundation, New Idea

Opinion 250-- Streamlining Review Process Key To Job Creation

Opinion 250-- Support For Highway 37 Electrification Noted

Opinion 250-- Budgets on the Mind of Summit Attendees

Opinion 250-- Premier Opens Summit

Opinion 250-- Economic Summit Opens Today

Prince George Citizen-- Premier confident province can weather economic storm

Prince George Citizen-- Port president urges east-west perspective

Prince George Citizen-- Recession good time for skills training says economist

Prince George Citizen-- Asia should lead the way out of global recession, experts say

Prince George Free Press-- Premier’s address talks about challenges and opportunities for region Campbell says it’s time to “shift gears”

Prince George Free Press-- Jago proposes New North Foundation at UNBC

Prince George Free Press-- Campbell to open Northern Economic Summit

NORTHERN LEADERS GATHER TO PREPARE FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Prince George summit is a chance to consider the region's potential
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Page one

Mayor Jack Mussallem is trucking his way to Prince George for the Be Liberal's Northern Economic Summit.

The summit is meant to be an open forum about all sorts of different economic concerns for the northern half of the province, an event that Mussallem expects will be of interest to a lot of municipal leaders.

"The gist of it is that most mayors across northern British Columbia would attend," said Mussallem.

The two-day event, which begins today, brings not only municipal leaders and provincial representatives to the table but also key industrial players.

Mussallem said the focus of the summit is on global economics and B.C.'s place within that context.

The Pacific Gateway and transportation are going to be front-and-centre for Mussallem, but he added that the municipality will also have an interest in planning for the mining industry and the northern energy core and transmission lines that will be constructed up highway 37, towards Galore Creek.

“All those things are within our catchments area," said Mussallem.

Infrastructure spending promises could also playa large role at the conference, which Mussallem said Prince Rupert is "always looking for help with", but the focus was looking for economic opportunities. .

"Not only do we want to sustain ourselves, but grow our economy and so if there is something the government has a lead on that we can grab hold of ... we're pursuing that," he said.

Matching grants are an important item as well. Mussallem mentioned last week that his council is looking at federal grant programs to help pay for city projects. Because the city runs a tight budget, and some grant programs the city is interested in require equal dollars from the city, Mussallem said that process would be greatly helped by provincial kick-ins to get the ball rolling. But it also means more investment in the port.

"We're aware a lot of Prince Rupert's growth is tied to the enhancement of port facilities and this summit is about product and opportunities in the north and if some of those are inclined to be shipped overseas from the province, we want to be able to take advantage of that," said Mussallem.

30 million to spend and here's how some of it was distributed

School District 52 provided a tangible lesson in Economics last week with release of their financial statement of 2007-08, a document which included a breakdown on the top salaries of the School District.

Included in the stream of statistics from payroll was the disclosure that some 55 teachers and administrators made at least 75,000 dollars, while six District employees made it to the six figure mark of over 100,000 dollars.

In addition to the salary review, the School District also outlined many of its major suppliers and their renumeration, all told some 8 million dollars was spent in the statement period, highlighting the impact on the economy that the School District has.

Also of interest to local taxpayers will be the breakdown of monies paid to local trustees and expenses claimed by them in the quest for better education for the North Coast School District.

The details and roll call of the renumerated was featured in Wednesday's Daily News.

School district's top earners unveiled in report
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Page one

Last week School District 52 released their financial statement from the 2007-08 year, detailing how the nearly $30 million total budget was spent.

The Statement of Financial Information explains SD52's fiscal year which ended on June 30, 2008. Among other expenditures is a list of all employees paid at least $75,000, which includes 55 teachers and administrators. There were six people who surpassed a $100,000 salary, including Kim Morris ($102,439), Sheila Wells ($103,519), Sandy Jones ($104,791), Pamela Wynn ($104,834), Eric Mercer ($110,605), and Bill Ford ($111,622). Along with salaries, the statement also shows the total expenses billed by those employees, 22 of whom did not bill any expenses. The amounts ranged from as little as $115 to more than $14,000, and totaled $87,191. The total expenses claimed by the remaining district employees (those paid less than $75,000) was $94,914.

The statement also showed the remuneration for trustees, which totaled $68,048. Brian Johnson, Bart Kuntz, Barry McDonald and Louisa Sanchez were each paid $9,259, while Janet Mirau earned $9,692, Vice-Chair Russell Wiens earned $9,760, and Chair Tina Last made $11,557. The total expenses claimed by trustees was $10,078, more than half of which was allocated to Sanchez.

Payments for all supplies and services purchased by SD52 is included in the statement as well, amounting to $8.58 million. Together, 54 vendors were paid anywhere from $25,000 to $2 million last year, including $231,483 to BC Hydro, $114,755 to CityWest, $36,921 to Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd., $153,173 to Farwest Bus Lines, $39,297 to Petro-Canada, and $141,935 to West Coast Launch Ltd.

The Statement of Financial Information for SD52 is a public document and is available upon request at the School District Office located at 634 Sixth Ave. East.

BC Ferries choppy waters of concern to MLA Coons

As we outlined in an earlier posting on our Podunkian portal, the recently announced layoffs by BC Ferries and continuing fears of more to come have only served to confirm for the North Coasts MLA and NDP Ferries critic that there is some troubled times ahead for the Ferry Corporation.

Gary Coons outlined his concerns for the Daily News in its Wednesday edition, providing the local paper with many of his favourite talking points when it comes to the fate of the Ferry fleet on the coast of BC.

Coons has long been expressing his frustrations with the current management of the Corporation and with the Liberal government for what he calls their tendencies to leave British Columbians in the dark over the issues and future for the Corporation.

His latest assessment of the situation at BC Ferries was featured as the front page headline story in the Wednesday paper.

BC FERRIES LAY-OFFS ANGER, WORRY NORTH COAST MLA
Gary Coons says he fears Prince Rupert's shore workers could be in line for the chop

By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Pages one and two

North Coast MLA Gary Coons said that the laying off of 35 BC Ferries managers shows that the provincial ferry operator is in serious financial trouble. And he wonders if Prince Rupert-based shore workers will be next in the firing line.

BC Ferries has restructured its managerial set-up while letting go staff in an attempt to right the ship. And it looks like it might set its sights on shore-based workers next.

"BC Ferries is obviously having serious financial problems, but since Campbell privatized our ferries, British Columbians are left in the dark - even though we still own the company," said Coons.

Coons has said in the past the privatization of BC Ferries has been a dubious move given that the only shareholder in the company is the BC government.

He has also criticized the fact that 100 managers have been hired during the past year and a half.

"I have previously expressed my concern about the exponential increase in management at the corporation with no accountability and no scrutiny.

"We are seeing the end result of BC Ferries out of control."

BC Ferries President and CEO David Hahn concurred with Coons that finances were unstable but blamed the worse turn of fortunes on lower ridership levels, rather than political policies.

"In the face of a significant drop in ferry ridership and the resulting adverse impact on revenues, we must act to reduce the company's management and administrative costs," stated Hahn in a press release.

However, Hahn had a different take on the nature of the layoffs, suggesting that they have been "transitioned" rather than placing people on the unemployment line.

"While no front-line or ship-based employees are directly impacted at this time by this corporate restructuring, further changes and possible lay-offs are anticipated in shore-based positions including unionized staff," said Hahn.

"BC Ferries is one of the leading ferry services in the world and we are committed to proactively aligning our costs with the marketplace during these uncertain and turbulent economic times," said Hahn.

Meanwhile, BC Ferries was busy announcing that it had finalized the $108 million loan agreement for the Northern Expedition.

The money will be used to purchase the ferry from ship-builder Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft.

"We are pleased that BC Ferries was able to complete this significant financial transaction at favourable terms despite the continuing uncertainty in global financial markets," stated BC Ferries' Chief Financial Officer Rob Clarke.

Early morning fire claims two lives in Terrace

A tragic fire early Wednesday morning has claimed the lives of two residents in Terrace, the blaze which broke out at around five a. m., consumed a home on the 4600 block of Tuck Avenue.

As with any fire related death, the fire commissioner's office has been called in to investigate alongside the RCMP and the coroner's office.

No cause for the fire has been released as of yet, nor have any names been released pending notification of next of kin.

The Terrace Standard had a report posted on its website today outlining the background on the tragic circumstances. CTV BC and the Terrace Daily online also had reports on the events in Terrace.

House fire claims two lives
The Terrace Standard
Published: January 21, 2009 9:00 AM
Updated: January 21, 2009 1:57 PM

AN INVESTIGATION will commence soon into a blaze that gutted a home in which two people were found deceased this morning.

Terrace fire chief Peter Weeber said firefighters will investigate in conjunction with the coroner's department, the BC Fire Commissioner's Office and Terrace RCMP, who are taking the lead on the investigation.

The investigation won't start until later today or tomorrow morning once a fire safety officer from the fire commissioner's office arrives from Prince George, he said.

Weeber called the fire commissioner's office to send the officer, who is called in as an expert when there's a fatality.

This morning, firefighters arrived to find the house in the 4600 block of Tuck Ave. fully engulfed in flames and when they entered the home, found two bodies inside.

Weeber would not comment on the age or gender of the deceased or speculate on the cause.
Terrace RCMP spokesperson Const. Cindy Nunes confirmed that there were two fatalities in the blaze that began around 5 a.m.

Officers were on site to contain the scene and would be investigating to help determine the cause of the fire, she said.

Perhaps not everyone has what it takes to be a police officer

It's the kind of story that probably leaves the serving members of the province's police forces angry and disappointed. Concerned for what it does to the reputation of the thousands who serve with distinction, who now may be caught inadvertently in the glow from the ugly behaviour of a few.

Vancouver's media is one full alert for a sensational story, this after details of an early morning altercation between off duty members of various Vancouver police departments and a National Post delivery driver, resulted in a night in jail and potential assault and robbery charges to be laid against the participants.

The tales from the early morning incident run from the police report type of detail, to some more sensational reporting that offers up sidebars of interest to go with the violent altercation on the streets of downtown Vancouver.

Upon arrival Vancouver police took the three into custody and the three officers spent the night and most of the day in Vancouver city cells.

While Vancouver police investigate the alleged early morning assault, which apparently only came to an end when Vancouver city workers intervened with shovels and brooms to protect the delivery driver from further attack, other agencies are waiting for further information.

Vancouver Police went out of their way to advise that the three suspects were being handled as any other suspect might be, though one might think that they might have been given their own cell considering the potential to renew acquaintances with former clients and all that.

The case while under investigation by Vancouver police, will also be forwarded to the Police Complaints commissioner and to the separate police forces that the three men are members of.

No charges have been laid yet, but one can imagine this will be one of the most closely observed police investigations in recent times in Vancouver. Already the issue of the prospect of the police investigating the police has reopened, making this particular case one which will be followed with quite a bit of interest.

Should the alleged case against them be taken and then proven in court, they are surely destined to no longer be members of law enforcement. No doubt a reassuring thing for those that look for assistance from the police and not for a smack down on the streets from their off duty compatriots.

National Post--Off-duty police officers arrested after Post delivery man assaulted
Vancouver Sun--Three off-duty cops probed in alleged beating, robbery of delivery man
Van Province--Good cop, bad cop gets a whole new meaning
CBC-- 3 off-duty police officers arrested for alleged robbery and assault
Globe and Mail-- Three B.C. officers' night out sparks two investigations
Global BC-- Do you trust the Police?
CTV BC-- Three off-duty cops arrested for assault, robbery

Can Kitimat escape cutbacks at Rio Tinto Alcan?

Rio Tinto, one of the world's largest producers of aluminum has announced a number of high profile closures, shutdowns and cutbacks worldwide this week, a reflection of the troubled times across the globe in the resource based industries particularly in the world of minerals. Rio Tinto Alcan is not alone in its troubles, as Alcoa recently announced huge layoffs to its operations as the situation worsened in the resource sector.

This week the axe fell in Quebec, where the company closed a smelter and reduced output of another processing operation while at the same time letting go a number of employees employed in that province, those closures have sent some shock waves through other Quebec communities that host Alcan operations in the province, with many if not all wondering if they might be next .

As the bad news rolled across the time zones from the South Pacific to Brazil , through Quebec and on to BC, residents of Kitimat wondered if they too would be sharing in the Alcan pain through further cuts from the Rio Tinto head offices.

By Tuesday, it appeared that they were in the clear for now, but today Opinion 250 out of Prince George is reporting of rumours in the aluminum city that suggest that job cuts and reorganization may also be part of the future for Kitimat.

No hard numbers were outlined, but suggestions of more corporate financial setbacks and further workforce cutbacks, will loom large on the economy of the Northwest and Kitimat in particular.

The fall out from the continuing downward slide of the aluminum industry could also very well have a huge impact on the fate of the Kitimat modernization program, as Rio Tinto continues to struggle with its world wide operations.

.

Kitimat will no doubt be keeping an eye on the business channels and keeping the business section of the newspapers handy, just to stay in the loop.

They'll go for a retreat and then we'll all meet

The looming issues for education in School District 52 will receive a comprehensive look over during the next few weeks as local trustees get to work on the many challenges that face them over the remainder of the current school year.

With long range planning decisions to be made as far as elementary and secondary education in the district, the Board trustees will meet in retreat for three days starting on January 30th as they review the many options that have been provided for their consideration.

Among the more anticipated of decisions to come will be the status of Prince Rupert Secondary School, the possibility of introducing a middle school while closing a high school and a solution for the long running debate over the future of the Port Edward School.

Ahead on their agenda will be at least two town hall meetings to discuss with the community the future of education in the district, all designed to chart a path of action as they head towards the deadline of May 15 and the need to deliver a capital plan.

Tuesday's Daily News featured some of the background on the numerous issues that will soon reappear as points for debate at School District 52 meetings.

Trustees waste no time in learning the issues
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Page one

With the school year already half way through, the School District 52 Board of Education has set a tight agenda for the next four months.

Last week, the board adopted a long-range facilities plan timeline, which kicks into full gear at the end of this month when trustees will receive a final report from Matrix Planning. In addition to the observations and recommendations made in Matrix's preliminary report, the final report is expected to include the costs associated with undertaking anyone of the six scenarios William Wood outlined last month related to potential school closures.

The report will be delivered Jan. 30, along with the Final Phase 2 Feasibility Study of Prince Rupert Senior Secondary, both of which should give trustees a lot of discuss during their three-day Board Orientation and Retreat beginning that day.

Following the retreat, in the first week of February there will be a town, hall meeting to discuss the past, present and future of Port Edward Elementary School. The District of Port ""Edward administration and council will be invited to participate, along with school staff and members of the community. the meeting, stakeholders review the school closure presentation from last year, give an update of where each group stands today, and possibly project into the future by agreeing on a working plan to keep the school in the community of Port Edward.

Early February will also see a visit from Ministry of Education Capital Department representatives, news that Superintendent Eric Mercer said should be taken as optimistic since it may very well mean that the ministry has realized Prince Rupert's dire need for a new school structure. The board will also meet for the regular monthly open meeting on Feb. 10, where it will provide feedback on the final Matrix report, revisit the long-range facilities timeline and possibly discuss what discussions took place with the Ministry Capital Department

Last week, trustees also committed to seeking invitations to and attending as many school staff meetings as possible in the next two months to receive input and notify staff of upcoming public meetings, as well as meeting with SD52 maintenance staff to receive input regarding facilities.

Also ratified was a commitment to hold a public townhall meeting before March 10 to discuss the past, present and future of the school district with the community, the concept of adding a middle school to the district and to consult the public on the facility scenarios presented in the Matrix report.

Another public townhall meeting will then be scheduled for early April, where, similar to the school closure meetings last year, senior management will provide their recommendations for the new capital plan.

With a May 15 deadline for delivering the 2009-10 capital plan, trustees and senior management have a great deal of work to do in the coming months but given the resolve demonstrated by all at the regular January board meeting last week, it's clear that finding an agreeable and logical solution for Prince Rupert's schools is a priority for the district this year.

Let us get you Minister Bond's phone number..

School District 52 Trustees have taken the path of transference (as in let us transfer your call) when it comes to concerns expressed by the city's religious leaders over a new diversity program, one that is apparently soon to be introduced across the province as a teaching guide for promoting diversity.

With the local religious community compiling a few concerns over the purported tone of the program known as Making Space, Giving Voice, they have taken to written letter to express their worries over what they believe is the judgmental nature of the still to be completed program, as far as it impacts on the traditional values of the various religions represented by the authors of the letter.

Weighing their options, the local School District trustees suggested that the group address their concerns and observations to the Minister of Education Shirley Bond, pointing out that they have little control over the content of provincially mandated programs.

The program which is available in draft form on the Internet, describes itself as
Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice Throughout the K-12 Curriculum.

The Daily News featured the key elements of the debate over making Space, Giving Voice with a review of the concerns in Monday's paper.

Trustees urged to throw out guide for diversity
BY KRIS SCHUMACHER
The Daily News
Monday, January 19, 2009
Pages one and three

A new teaching guide that promotes diversity in the classrooms may soon be introduced to schools throughout the province, but not without opposition from some in the religious community.

Making Space, Giving Voice is currently in draft form, and will be the Ministry of Education's newest addition to the curriculum once completed.

The language used in the guide stresses the importance of concepts such as social justice and tolerance, especially among those students and staff who have different beliefs, opinions or lifestyles to the mainstream.

However, it isn't the premise of the guide that Prince Rupert’s pastors have a problem with, it’s what they call “discriminatory language used against our religious beliefs.”

“We, as religious organizations, and more specifically as Christian churches, object to the way in which this document vilifies Our beliefs and violates the Charter rights of our members and their children," wrote six representatives of local churches in a letter to the School District 52 Board of Trustees.

"Our belief in the traditional definition of marriage is labeled 'heterosexism' and equivocated to 'homophobia' and even 'racism.'

"This is a gross and prejudiced misrepresentation of our beliefs. Students and teachers are thus prohibited in the guide from expressing support for the traditional definition of marriage because the guide has defined this view with such a biased distortion."

The clergy leaders, who included Pastor Keith Gaetz of the Prince Rupert Pentecostal Church, Pastor Alex Hogendoorn of the Prince Rupert Fellowship Baptist Church, Father Chris Lynch of Annunciation Catholic Church, Captain Gary Sheils of the Salvation Army, Rev. Lloyd Thomas of the Bethel First Baptist Church and Rev. Jim Whaley of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, claim that while the ministry's mandate is to provide education free or religious creed, it does not have the right to denounce or condemn religious views.

"While the Supreme Court has ruled that certain minority groups must receive a higher profile in public education, this cannot be at the expense of religious rights and freedoms," the pastors stated.

"We conclude that Making Space, Giving Voice should not be used in classrooms in our district or province as long as it contains such a prejudiced caricature of those with religious convictions on marriage."

Responding to the letter, trustees agreed that they have little to do with literature drafted and implemented by the ministry, particularly when it encompasses the entire province.

In response to the letter, the trustees passed a motion to reply to the pastors, encouraging them to address the letter to Minister of Education Shirley Bond.

Cost cutting measures put employees on the dock waving goodbye at BC Ferries

Declining revenues and troubled economic times have combined providing for a storm of fiscal concern, one which BC Ferries has answered with job cuts and early retirements to its management levels.

Monday was a rather busy day in the human resources world as the Ferry Corporation reduced the number of directors on their board, and reduced the numbers working in the management and administration departments by 35, engaging in a process that BC Ferries describes as a process which is “aligning our costs with the marketplace during these uncertain and turbulent times.”

While the positions eliminated on Monday were all staff posts, there are concerns that future reductions may reach into the unionized work force, most of which it is suspected would have to be shore based workers, as Transport Canada has strict staffing requirements in place for ship board personnel on vessels along coastal waters.

The NDP critic for Ferries, North Coast MLA Gary Coons has long been concerned about the developments at BC Ferries, pointing out that hiring has been a frequent topic of interest over the last few years since the company went from being under government contro,l to a quasi private state, all be it one dependant on public funding.

Coons points to a number of recent jobs created or shuffled over the last few years by the Ferry Corporation, which have been exempt from any form of public scrutiny or oversight by the province.

Under its private status, hiring decisions have evolved as an internal process, seemingly with little accountability (or interest it seems) required to the provincial government, even though one would think that they should have an interest in the state of the provinces fleet of coastal transportation vessels.

For Coons and the NDP that apparent lack of accountability is putting the entire coastal system at risk, setting the stage for more layoffs in the future and even schedule reductions as the financial clamp tightens around the Ferry Corporation.

.

BC Ferry President David Hahn, takes exception to the recent and past statements of Mr. Coons, claiming that the Corporation is hardly secretive and that their books are open, that tone of debate continues on with what is becoming a regular exchange between the two over issues regarding the current status of the Ferries as a quasi private operation.

It has long been a desire of the NDP to see the Corporation returned to the domain of the provincial government, the suggestion being that the transportation network is far too important to the people of the province, to be allowed to remain in the rather secretive world of private enterprise.

Critics of that thought point out that the Ferry Corporation has always been a handful for whomever is in charge, be it as a government agency or in its current configuration.

The current fiscal trouble, when combined with challenging employee/employer relations and recent maritime incidents, only seem to add to the belief that it is a corporation that needs a full review. An overall assessment and audit, of where things stand at the moment and where they may be going in the near and far term. What seems to be needed rather quickly is an item by item examination of what is working, what isn’t working and what is truly best for the Corporation, its customers and province’s taxpayers.

.

For now though it must be getting a little uneasy for those that work for the Ferry Corporation, a memo obtained by the Vancouver Province provided the kind of statement that won't do much to soothe the workforce, as management advises that "over the next few weeks, further adjustments in roles and responsibilities may be required as we implement these changes."

While the employees begin looking over their shoulders over their job security and wonder if they'll be one of the "changes", the process of fleet replacement continues on.

.

At the same time that they were handing out their layoff notices on Monday, the Ferry Corporation was also announcing the finalization of its loan for the soon to be in service Northern Expedition.

A 108 million dollar loan agreement was just completed with a German bank, providing for a twelve year loan with an interest rate of 2.95 per cent, with the I’s dotted and the T’s crossed on the loan, the Northern Expedition will now soon set sail for North America, with an anticipated departure date from its German birthplace set for January 29.

What remains to be seen, is how many will be left on the employment rolls at BC Ferries to welcome the new vessel to the fleet.

Victoria Times Colonist--Ferries CEO confirms staff layoffs, plus company signs $108 million loan for new ship

Vancouver Province-- B.C. Ferries confirms layoffs, warns of more to come

Vancouver Province-- B.C. Ferries lays off managers over tough economic times

Vancouver Province-- Some questions about the BC Ferries cutbacks

Vancouver Province-- BC Ferries' statement on the cuts

Vancouver Province-- Management heads roll at BC Ferries: The memos

Vancouver Province-- And some good news for ferry riders

Vancouver Province-- More loan payments for BC Ferries

Vancouver Sun-- BC Ferries cuts up to 36 jobs

The Tyee-- Hahn: drop in riders, revenue force BC Ferries job cuts

CHEK News-- Ferry Layoffs