by | February 6, 2012

NORTHERN COMMUNITIES AND STUDENTS NEED MORE SUPPORT FOR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

For Immediate Release

Feb. 6, 2012

TERRACE – Colleges that provide the education and training to support economic growth in northern communities are being left behind by the Liberals, say the New Democrats.

“The Liberals’ natural gas strategy announced at BCIT last week included no meaningful training component and came at the same time the Northwest Community College was delivering layoff notices to more than 30 members of its staff,” said New Democrat advanced education critic Michelle Mungall after touring the Northwest Community College Terrace campus.

“Not only does this mean northern British Columbians are losing their jobs, but students are worried about what kind of programming will be available to them.” Continue reading →

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by | February 6, 2012

Local people for local jobs left out of BC Liberal natural gas announcement

Feb. 6, 2012

Official opposition MLAs in the Northwest are extremely concerned a BC Liberal natural gas strategy announcement Feb. 3 had little to offer regarding training support to regional community colleges.

“Development of our natural resources such as natural gas holds great potential,” said Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson. “Yet without a training plan involving our regional community college to go along with this strategy, local people will not be in the best position for potential local job opportunities.” Continue reading →

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by | February 6, 2012

Gitga’at First Nations Voice Opposition to Enbridge in Prince Rupert

Rally in Prince Rupert Brings Hundreds of Participants

Grace Sullivan
2/6/2012
Click here to view article from original source

Hundreds of people flooded the streets of McBride for a rally hosted by the Gitga’at to say “No to Enbridge.”

The march began at Pacific Mariners Park, where participants marched along McBride Street and eventually continued the rally at Jim Ciccone Civic Centre.

The afternoon was filled with ceremonial dances and keynote speakers. Mayor Jack Mussallem welcomed participants of the rally with an opening speech. Continue reading →

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by | February 6, 2012

Huge Rally in Prince Rupert Against Northern Gateway

Organizers insist crowd exceeded 2000

John Crawford
2/6/2012

  == (UPDATED TO INCLUDE CROWD SIZE ESTIMATE FROM GITGA’AT FIRST NATION) ==

The size of the crowd depends on who’s reporting it, with some media observers estimating hundreds but the Gitga’at First Nation saying it was over 2000.   But one thing is clear — a very large crowd of people marched up McBride Street in Prince Rupert Saturday, for a rally hosted by the Gitga’at to say “No to Enbridge”.  Continue reading →

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by | January 24, 2012

FERRIES REPORT SHOWS MAJOR FLAWS IN LIBERAL MANAGEMENT

For Immediate Release

Jan. 24, 2012

Recommendations point to lack of accountability, need for affordability 

VICTORIA— A report released today by B.C. Ferry Commissioner Gord Macatee provides more evidence of the Liberal government’s failure to ensure the corporation is accountable to ferry users and exposes major flaws with the B.C. Liberals’ Coastal Ferry Act, says New Democrat ferry critic Gary Coons.

“The Liberals promised families and communities stability when they brought in the Coastal Ferry Act in 2003– yet since then, fares have increased by 80 per cent on minor routes and 47 per cent on major routes while ridership has plummeted, leaving our ferry system on the brink,” said Coons. “It’s no wonder that ferry users told the commissioner that they don’t feel the Coastal Ferries Act is working for them.” Continue reading →

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by | January 10, 2012

NEW DEMOCRATS STAND UP FOR COAST, OPPOSE ENBRIDGE PIPELINE

For Immediate Release

Jan. 10, 2012

VICTORIA— As Joint Review Panel hearings on the Enbridge tar sands pipeline begin today, New Democrat MLAs are reaffirming their opposition to the proposal due to serious environmental risks, including crude oil supertankers, and a lack of lasting benefits for people in the region.

“In the communities I represent, a clean environment is part of our way of life,” said Robin Austin, MLA for Skeena. “What I’ve heard my constituents say is that our world famous salmon runs are more important than anything Enbridge has to offer. The people I represent live here and make their lives here. It’s not just a squiggle on a map or a line item on a spreadsheet.” Continue reading →

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by | January 9, 2012

Opinion: Future of BC Ferries

By CRAIG McInnes, Vancouver Sun columnistJanuary  6, 2012
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Opinion+Future+Ferries/5959982/story.html#ixzz1iz6kfJRZ

The legend of King Canute ordering the tide not to rise is often  misrepresented as an example of unbridled arrogance. As originally chronicled,  however, the 11th-century Danish monarch set his throne by the seashore to  demonstrate the limitations of even the most powerful of men.

I was reminded of Canute in the reaction of the NDP ferry critic Gary Coons  to the fuel surcharge announced by BC Ferries last fall. Continue reading →

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by | January 5, 2012

Study for BC Ferries Urged Steep Fare Hikes at Busy Times

Report advised way to make more money yet carry fewer, FOI reveals.

By Andrew MacLeod, Today, TheTyee.ca

A 2007 study produced for British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. found the publicly owned company could maximize its revenues by raising regular fares by 75 per cent, if the province’s ferry commissioner would allow such a large hike.

The proposal included charging more at the times when people were most likely to want to travel, and dropping fares at other times. A more recent report suggests that hike could be made without seriously decreasing traffic levels, a finding disputed by critics who say ferry fares are already too high. Continue reading →

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by | December 12, 2011

Letter to Minister Lekstrom re: B.C. Ferries extraordinary price cap increase

December 12, 2011

Dear Minister Lekstrom,

I’m writing in regards to the B.C. Ferries extraordinary price cap increase (fuel surcharge) that will take effect today on several routes.

The cost of boarding B.C. Ferries has risen too much, too quickly. More and more people are deciding to stay home because the amount British Columbians have to pay at the ticket booth has been priced out of their family’s budget. Continue reading →

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by | December 7, 2011

New BC Ferries CEO takes pay cut

 The Canadian Press

Tuesday Dec. 6, 2011 4:40 PM PT

Click here to watch video news coverage

New BC Ferries boss Mike Corrigan makes almost half as much money as his predecessor — the so-called million-dollar man — but that’s still too high, says Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom.

BC Ferries announced Tuesday that Corrigan, the No. 2 man at the publicly owned, but privately operated company, will be the new president and chief executive officer, replacing David Hahn who retires at the end of the month.

Corrigan, a former professional hockey player who has been at BC Ferries since 2003, is currently the company’s executive vice president for business development and chief operating officer. Continue reading →

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