Tag Archives: Seamus O'Regan

Unions to Get More Power with Replacement Worker Ban

Editors note: The 300 or so employees of Rogers Communications Inc currently on strike in Campbell River, belong to  United Steel Workers, Local 1944.

According to statistics Canada, 29.7% of British Columbia’s workforce was unionized in 2022. While the word ‘union’ does not appear to be used often in our area, teachers working at the Cortes and Quadra Island schools are members of the Campbell River District Teacher’s Association. School District 72’s other employees belong to CUPE 723. CUPE 401 represents Vancouver Island Public Library employees on Cortes, Quadra and throughout Vancouver Island, as well as staff working for the city of Campbell River. United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 represents forestry workers and the 82 unionized workers at Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex. There are undoubtedly more examples of unions in our remote corner of the globe.

In addition to the union aspect, this story is of local interest because it is about the struggle to obtain a liveable wage while prices continue to rise.    

By  Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Raine Wright yells into his megaphone as men in neon yellow jackets circle around a chain-link gate outside an East Vancouver industrial yard.

They’re members of United Steelworkers Local 1944, some of the roughly 300 technicians who have been locked out by telecom giant Rogers after contract talks broke down and the union announced it would launch rotating strikes.

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Canada in top 10 for Hydropower, but doesn’t rate for other renewables

By Carl Meyer, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada has made the top 10 list of countries for the number of jobs in hydropower, but didn’t rank in three other key renewable energy technologies, according to new international figures.

Continue reading Canada in top 10 for Hydropower, but doesn’t rate for other renewables

Report calls Long Term Viability of LNG Into Question

By Carl Meyer, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A new report is raising questions about the long-term viability of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) export industry around the world as the Trudeau government continues to signal support for one such project in British Columbia.

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‘We See You And We Hear You’ – Says The Minister

By Carl Meyer, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan used the same phrase on Thursday to offer an olive branch to opponents of a government-owned oil pipeline that he did five months ago: “We see you and we hear you.”

Continue reading ‘We See You And We Hear You’ – Says The Minister

Sumas First Nation Calls For Independent Investigation Of Oil Spill

By Carl Meyer, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The chief of Sumas First Nation is calling for an independent investigation into the Trans Mountain pipeline, following an oil spill this past weekend near a significant burial ground for the community.

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