By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Ottawa’s $412-million salmon recovery program offers a lifeline to BC’s struggling fisheries — but comes at the same time budget cuts are dismantling monitoring systems conservationists, experts and First Nations say are essential to protect them.
Continue reading Ottawa’s renewed salmon funding spawns both hope and skepticism
By Sam Laskaris, Windspeaker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A documentary about a First Nation’s request to have the name of Powell River, B.C. changed will have its world debut at Toronto’s Hot Docs Festival this month.
The film, titled təm kʷaθ nan – Namesake, features interviews with members of the Tla’amin Nation, who have spent years attempting to get the name of its neighbouring city altered. According to Tla’amin belief, as stated in the film’s trailer, names carry history, teachings and responsibilities. Powell River gets its name from Israel Wood Powell, who served as B.C.’s superintendent of Indian Affairs for 17 years from 1872 to 1889.
Powell played a key role in the establishment of Indian residential schools. He also had a role in banning the potlach and in the theft of portions of Tla’amin Nation lands.
Continue reading Hots Docs to screen film documenting endeavour to change “horrific” city nameHi, this is Aaron Gun, your member of Parliament for North Island-Powell River. I’m reaching out to personally invite you to join me on Cortes for a public town hall this Thursday, April 9th, starting at 7:00 PM at Manson’s Hall. Doors will open at 6:30.
Continue reading 7 PM April 9: Aaron Gunn Town Hall on Cortes IslandBy Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
BC’s energy regulator is weakening oversight at a time when it should be making it stronger, according to environmentalists, Indigenous leaders and public‑health experts in the province.
The BC Energy Regulator (BCER), a Crown corporation funded largely by the companies it oversees, recently lowered levies for LNG Canada, Woodfibre LNG and the Coastal GasLink pipeline. The fees are collected “to meet [BCER’s] regulatory obligations and recover expenses,” the regulator says on its website.
LNG Canada’s annual levy fell from $900,000 to $600,000, Woodfibre’s from $2.5 million to $1.4 million and Coastal GasLink’s per‑kilometre charge dropped from $1,700 to $420.
Continue reading BC comes under fire after cutting fees on LNG, pipeline projectsEditor’s note: Will any other municipalities or regions follow this example?
By Theresa McManus, Freshet News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
New Westminster tenants aren’t allowed to freeze to death in their apartments — nor should they be allowed to succumb to heat in their homes.
That’s the motivation behind bylaws that will require New Westminster landlords to maintain safe temperatures in at least one living space in rental units occupied by a tenant. City council unanimously supported three readings to business bylaws at its March 30 meeting.
“This is a very exciting piece of work that the city is taking on,” said Coun. Nadine Nakagawa. “To the best of my knowledge, we are the first municipality in Canada to take this move to protect renters against extreme heat.”
Continue reading New Westminster aims to protect tenants from extreme heat
