Tag Archives: Gov of BC

Energy

Potentially, The biggest Solar project in North America

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The 9th annual Paddle for the Peace begins today: Saturday, July 12, 2014. This year’s trek is especially important because of the impending decision on British Columbia’s proposed Site C dam. If this project is approved, close to 9,429 acres of class 1-5 farmland will be submerged by water. The government will also be breaking treaty 8, which promised the local First Nations they would be allowed to pursue their traditional way of life in this area “for as long as the sun shines, the grass grows and the rivers flow.” In its zeal to develop Site C, British Columbia’s Provincial Government could miss the opportunity to build what is, potentially, the biggest solar project in North America,

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Environment, Indigenous Nations

CRD Requests Permit for Grace Island be Suspended

By Roy L Hales

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The Provincial Government just got a (political) black eye at Grace Islet, on Salt Spring Island. The Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resources Operations Archaeology Branch approved an alteration permit that would have allowed someone to build his vacation home over a recognized First Nation’s burial site. Capital Regional District (CRD) passed a resolution stating this is a desecration of first Nation’s Remains which came about because of the Archaeology Branch’s failure to adequately consult with First Nations. This problem should be solved through negotiation. CRD Requests Permit for Grace Island be Suspended

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Environment, Indigenous Nations

The Desecration of Grace Islet

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Originally Broadcast on Cortes Community Radio, CKTZ, 89.5 FM

Grace Islet is a recognized centuries old First Nations burial ground on Salt Spring Island BC, that is zoned residential. In an attempt to satisfy both concerns, British Columbia’s Archaeology Branch decided to allow an Alberta businessman to build his waterfront vacation home on Grace Islet providing he put it on stilts that go over the grave sites.

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Environment

TM Pipeline: Two of BC’s Five Requirements

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Editor’s note for readers outside BC, this pertains to one of the province’s two proposed pipeline projects that would bring diluted bitumen from Alberta. 

By Roy L Hales

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The Proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline has just hit another snag. On July 4 British Columbia’s attorney filed a motion with the National Energy Board requesting more detailed information on how Kinder Morgan would respond to maritime and land-based spills. There are 70 questions, which have not been adequately addressed. They pertain to two of the five requirements that must be met before BC will support any heavy oil pipeline.

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Environment, Indigenous Nations, Indigenous Nations History

Grace Islet: First Nations Burial Grounds are Sacred

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The British Columbia government has just decided that the Penelakut Tribe’s ancestral burial cairns on Grace Islet, on Salt Spring Island, can be desecrated.

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