All posts by Roy Hales

Politics

The Liberal Challenger In North Island Riding

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By Roy L Hales

While the NDP and Liberal parties battle it out throughout most of the province, on Vancouver Island the chief contenders in this election are the Greens and NDP. Their support is not uniform. Visiting Salt Spring Island a few days ago, I was struck by the overwhelming number of Green party lawn placards. There was more of a three party mix as I drove northwards along the coastal highway. By the time I reached Courtenay/Comox, there were even Conservative signs. A very different scenario emerged in Campbell River. One party’s placcards dominated the political lawnspace. I counted 24 signs bearing the incumbant NDP MLA, Claire Trevena’s name. The remaining five advertised the Liberal challenger in North Island riding, Dallas Smith.

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Transportation

Germany’s First Fastned EV Fast Charging Stations

By Roy L Hales

Germany is building out an EV fast-charging infrastructure. Two months ago, the European Commission decided “Germany’s scheme to roll out a network of user-friendly infrastructure for charging electric vehicles across the country is in line with EU state aid rules.” The government will invest €300 million (nearly $320M US) and two-thirds of this is designated to accelerate the development of a fast charging network. The buildout started long before any announcement of Government funding. 292 units were installed last year. The first Fastned EV Fast Charging stations will soon be under construction.

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Finances, Politics

Are the BC Liberals Better Fiscal Managers Than The NDP?

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By Roy L Hales

The BC Liberals portray themselves as the party that brings economic stability and creates jobs. They claim the BC NDP and Green Party would introduce “reckless spending, higher taxes, and bigger government.” But, based on  their past performance, are the BC Liberals better fiscal managers than the NDP?

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Finances, Transportation

NDP Government Would Reduce Some Ferry Fares

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By Roy L Hales

Everyone knows that B.C. Ferries is losing money. According to their press release last November, the supposedly “publicly owned company” was $1.2 billion in debt. Yet this morning Claire Trevena, the NDP critic for transportation, announced that an NDP Government would reduce some ferry fares.

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Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

Where Have All The Salmon Gone?

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Originally published on Cortes Radio, as part of the Deep Roots Initiative, Season One.

Fishing was once a cornerstone of British Columbia’s economy, but we’ve been hearing stories of diminished runs and out of work fishermen for years. On Cortes Island, the fishing industry seems to mostly be spoken about in the past tense. So producer Roy L Hales set to to find out where have all the salmon gone?

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