All posts by Roy Hales

Communications

Cortes Island Is A Proposed Recipient For Improved High Speed Internet

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By Roy L Hales

The Canadian government believes the internet is an essential service. Over the next three years, the “Connect to Innovate” program will invest $500 million to bring high-speed internet to 300 Canadian rural and remote communities whose existing service does not meet the national standard (50 megabits per second (Mbps) download and 10 Mbps upload). A local ingredient is the sub-sea fibre optic cable, connecting communities between Prince Rupert and Vancouver, as well as around Vancouver Island.  Victoria Smith, the Strathcona Regional District’s Special Projects and Sustainability Manager, confirmed that Cortes Island is a proposed recipient for improved high speed Internet.

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Communications, Disaster

CKTZ Leads Northern Vancouver Island’s Emergency Communications Network

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Cortes Community radio’s new tower does not look impressive. It only rises thirty feet or so above the station, but with its installation CKTZ leads Northern Vancouver Island’s emergency communications network.


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Arts

Becoming Cortes Community Radio

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George Sirk whispered “Cortes Radio” for years before he found the right pair of ears. This led to a meeting at Manson’s Hall, to  discuss possibilities. Howie Roman attended and, six months after the station was launched, became a DJ. He still is. “My prime interest in Cortes radio is [that] I really enjoy having a show.”  Howie served on CKTZ’s board for five years, the maximum amount allowed by the society’s constitution, and now is the station’s manager. In this morning’s interview, I ask Howie about the process of becoming Cortes Community Radio, CKTZ 89.5 FM.

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Environment, Finances

BC Is Moving Forward With Site C

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By Roy L Hales

When he was the leader of the opposition, John Horgan argued that Treaty 8 Nations “ have entrenched constitutional rights to practice hunting and fishing” on the land that will be underwater if the Site C Dam is built. The BC Utilities Commission recently concluded that “increasingly viable alternative energy sources such as wind, geothermal and industrial curtailment could provide similar benefits to [BC Hydro] ratepayers as the Site C project, with an equal or lower Unit Energy Cost.” Never-the less, today Premier John Horgan announced BC is moving forward with Site C.

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Arts

The Birth Of Free Range Radio

By Roy L Hales

Doug Hamel made his first broadcast almost two months ago. His two-hour-long tribute to Gord Downey was the beginning. Doug had underwent some introductory DJ training at Cortes Radio months before, but found the time commitment intimidating. He works as a building contractor six days a week! Everything changed that first day he spoke into the microphone. That was the birth of Free Range Radio.


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