All posts by Guest Post

Politics

Staff ‘simply trying to survive this poor environment’ audit reveals

Editor’s note: While the events described in this article were outside of our broadcast area, it clearly show what the role of a CAO is and what can happen if he/she is undermined.

By Jordan Copp, Coast Reporter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The entire 145-page governance audit that identifies dysfunction within Sechelt council, was released publicly Sept. 12. 

While many of the findings and conclusions were revealed in the executive summary from George B. Cuff & Associates Ltd., which was released publicly in late June, the full report provides deeper insight into the factors that influenced the five pages of recommendations made to the mayor, council and senior staff.

Continue reading Staff ‘simply trying to survive this poor environment’ audit reveals →
Energy

TMX in the crosshairs on MPs’ first day back in Ottawa

By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canadian MPs are back in the capital and kicked off day one by digging into the climate and financial impacts of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX).

Over five committee meetings in coming weeks, federal ministers, experts and interest groups will testify about TMX’s impact on Canada’s climate targets, how the cost to taxpayers soared, and government plans to sell TMX.

Continue reading TMX in the crosshairs on MPs’ first day back in Ottawa →
Forests

Evasion of forest regulations confirmed on Quadra Island

Originally published by the Discovery Islands Forest Conservation Project.

By David Broadland

In April 2023, the Discovery Islands Forest Conservation Project filed a complaint with the Forest Practices Board. Our surveys showed that the area of old forest on Quadra had fallen below 5 percent of the Crown forested area and three logging companies continued to log old forest or degrade it. We asked the Board to find a way to stop the degradation and reverse the loss.

The Board just released its report. It found that TimberWest, the tenure holder of TFL 47, has for the past 20 years failed to develop a plan for how it will meet the minimal targets set out in the 2004 Order Establishing Provincial Non-spatial Old Growth Objectives. That order sets a target of “greater than nine percent” old forest for the 11,000 hectares of TFL 47 on Quadra.

Continue reading Evasion of forest regulations confirmed on Quadra Island →
Disaster

City of Burnaby prepares for possible Trans Mountain disasters

By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Burnaby is preparing for a series of unlikely but potentially disastrous accidents stemming from the Trans Mountain pipeline system.

An animated video, released Sept. 5, depicts three hypothetical, fiery scenarios that could arise at the Burnaby Mountain tank farm and Westridge Marine Terminal. The city plans to carry out a full emergency exercise in 2027 to prepare for these worst-case scenarios.

Continue reading City of Burnaby prepares for possible Trans Mountain disasters →
Sports

Cortes Pickleball Society establishes committee to get new courts built, hires architect

By Louis Belcourt, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

The Cortes Island Pickleball Society has recently established a Pickleball committee with the South Cortes Community Association to oversee the potential construction of Pickleball courts next to the skatepark.

Mary Jo Woolgar, long time resident to Cortes, introduced Cortes to Pickleball with her husband about two years ago and she says its often described as “a lifestyle.”

Continue reading Cortes Pickleball Society establishes committee to get new courts built, hires architect →