Category Archives: Technology

Transportation

Think ferry meetings are scary? Ha. Try City Council.

Editor’s Note: On February 3, 2024, BC Ferries held community drop-in meetings on Cortes and Quadra Islands. There were 25 and 34 participants, respectively. A big concern on Cortes is ‘assured loading.’ BC Ferries stated they need to monitor the effect of using two ferries between Campbell River and Quadra first, but will reevaluate loading procedures after the summer. The first steps towards full electrification of the Campbell River run (design and BC Hydro upgrades) have begun. The design work is expected to take a year. Some sailings on the Campbell River – Quadra route were cancelled because of a lack of crew members and BC Ferries is in the midst of the biggest recruitment campaign in its history.

Originally published on qathet Living

For the past several weeks, Kim Barton-Bridges has tried to figure out when – or whether – BC Ferries executives planned to come to Powell River for the regularly-scheduled spring Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee meeting, which she chairs. 

The last one was September 21, at the Town Centre Hotel. That one was a little raucous, because some locals were angry about a summer of waiting for hours in hot parking lots, a reservation system that had failed, the cost of traveling, and sailing cancellations due to staffing problems and occasionally technical problems. Although ultimately, Kim noted, everyone at the meeting was relatively respectful. 

Continue reading Think ferry meetings are scary? Ha. Try City Council. →
Energy, Water

Plans for new coal mine show the need for water pollution probe

Editor’s note:  In terms of emissions, coal is believed to be the dirtiest form of energy on our planet. In addition a recent study in Science found that about 460,000 of the deaths in the United States, between 1999 and 2020, can be attributed to the particulate matter in coal. This is separate from emissions, but global usage of coal is increasing. According to the International Energy Agency, global coal demand reached a record high in 2022. That was passed the following year: 

“Worldwide electricity generation from coal hit record highs in 2023, while thermal coal exports surpassed 1 billion metric tons for the first time as coal’s use in power systems continues to grow despite widespread efforts to cut back on fossil fuels.” – Reuters 

Coal was an economic driver on Vancouver Island during the late 1800s. There were mines in Nanaimo, Cumberland, Union Bay and Ladysmith. Premier Christy Clark promised to open 8 new coal mines by 2015, and failed. Coal is still a major industry in British Columbia, but the last coal mine on Vancouver Island has not been operational since 2017. That was the Quinsam mine, approximately 24 km southwest of Campbell River,

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

A new coal mine proposed in B.C.’s Elk River Valley highlights the need for a long-overdue cross-border investigation into water quality and an end to coal mining in the region, some environmental groups argue.

Continue reading Plans for new coal mine show the need for water pollution probe →
Transportation

Two new active transportation paths planned to connect the Comox Valley

Editor’s note: While bike lanes and paths have long been proposed on both Cortes and Quadra Islands, the only community with a dedicated cycling infrastructure in our area is Campbell River. There are approximately 85 km of planned or extant bike routes in the city. The longest existing route is an ocean view bike lane, which swings west into Campbellton and then out to the city limits on Island Highwat #19. There are hundreds of kilometres of mountain bike trails on Quadra, but cyclists have to use undedicated roadways to get around the island. Despite the lack of bike lanes or paths, 14.13% of the respondents to Cortes Island’s Active Transportation Survey stated bicycles are their usual mode of transportation. (Only 63.04% drive alone or carpool, 2.17% hitchhike and 20.63% walk.) These numbers may reflect the number of Cortes residents who shop locally and primarily use their vehicles off-island.* 58% of the respondents described the lack of a dedicated bike infrastructure as the island’s principle transportation challenge. The second biggest challenge (41.3%) was a lack of walking paths.  

The North Salish Cycle Route (which would, for example, allow Cortes residents to pedal across to Campbell River, down to the Comox Ferry, over to Powell River and then home to Cortes) is primarily along roads with no bike lanes. Cyclists would also need to cross from Lund to Cortes Island on a water taxi. 

There are plans to build ‘a safe, efficient route for cyclists, pedestrians, people using mobility scooters’ from Lund to Sechelt.

By Madeline Dunnett, The Discourse,  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is planning on building two new active transportation paths to connect communities in the Comox Valley. 

The Cumberland to Courtenay Connector will link the Village of Cumberland to the City of Courtenay/ The Royston Road path will run up from the waterfront Seaside Trail and then turn on Livingston Road towards the elementary school. 

Continue reading Two new active transportation paths planned to connect the Comox Valley →
Communications

Desolation Sound: CIA on Folk U Radio

What really matters most in the world? How will we help inspire the next generation of truth-seekers and truth-tellers? At the Cortes Island Academy we believe in the passion and skills of the people and wild places of this place and are proud of our youth who learned along side our community and shared their growing skills through journalistic podcasts, Elder Documentaries, Field Guides and unsung hero posters (the one here is by artist Zella Aufochs).

This week on Folk U Radio CKTZ 89.5 FM (1 p.m. Fridays, repeats on folku.ca/cortescurents.ca/cortesradio.ca) youth journalists interview neighbours and regional experts on the issues of the day in our communities in their Audio Series called Desolation Sounds.

Continue reading Desolation Sound: CIA on Folk U Radio →
Energy

The door to B.C.’s liquefied natural gas export sector is about to open. Here’s what you need to know

Editor’s note: In February 2013, the Christy Clark government proclaimed “LNG development is poised to trigger approximately $1 trillion in cumulative GDP within British Columbia over the next 30 years.” Eleven years later, the list of ‘proposed or under construction projects’ has shrunk from 20 to 7. The only local proposal, Discovery LNG in Campbell River, is no longer on the list. 

According to Natural Resources Canada, “LNG Canada, in Kitimat, BC, will be Canada’s first large-scale LNG export facility once complete, aiming for first exports by 2025. The majority of the other projects target beginning operations between 2027 and 2030.”

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

As Teresa Waddington proudly proclaimed LNG Canada is on track to wrap up construction in Kitimat, B.C., this year, the room full of hundreds of attendees at the BC Natural Resources Forum erupted in cheers.

“We are 90 per cent complete, bringing Canada’s first LNG export facility to life,” she said in mid-January, at the annual gathering of industry bigwigs and hopefuls, First Nations leaders, provincial and federal politicians and civil servants who had travelled from around the province to Prince George for the event.

Continue reading The door to B.C.’s liquefied natural gas export sector is about to open. Here’s what you need to know →