Category Archives: Technology

Communications

Crabbers refute blame from CityWest over Haida Gwaii internet disruptions

Editor’s note: In CityWest’s press release regarding the incident that follows they state, “see image (above) – marine vessel charts indicate an absence of fishing vessels in the vicinity. However, crabbing pots are observed directly on top of the Haida Gwaii subsea fiber line and right-of-way.”

CityWest has not responded to Cortes Currents repeated requests for an update regarding the installation of internet services on Cortes Island. One of their press releases suggests this began in November ‘with a select group of beta testers.’ Some homes in Mansons Landing and Squirrel Cove informed Cortes Currents they are currently using CityWest, other Cortes residents recently stated they are still waiting.

By Seth Forward, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

CityWest has reestablished most of its service to Haida Gwaii after a month of interruptions have plagued the archipelago since Dec. 24, the company said in a Jan. 24 statement. 

The internet and phone service provider said two sub-sea cables were damaged by crab traps in the Hecate Strait, though the Area A Crab Association firmly disputes the claims, calling them “unlikely, if not impossible.” 

Continue reading Crabbers refute blame from CityWest over Haida Gwaii internet disruptions →
Transportation

A new route from Sechelt to Lund: for humans, not cars

Editor’s note: It has been close to two years since Sue Bossley informed Cortes Currents that, as a result of the new water taxi service connecting Lund and Cortes Island, it was now possible for cyclists to pedal from Powell River to Lund, over Cortes and Quadra Islands to Campbell River, down to the Comox Ferry and back again. She called this the North Salish Cycle Route. (While Cortes Island is no longer listed as a regular destination, Access Point Marine Transportation does offer charter services. QXMC’s water taxi, Goat 1, has been sequestered to support the Klahoose Wilderness Resort from May until mid October, but is also available for charter in the off-season.) The story that follows takes this idea a step further, with a proposal to install cycling infrastructure on the route south from Lund.

Originally published on qathet Living

For the past few years, Sunshine Coast Tourism has been working on a plan to connect Sechelt to Lund with a safe, efficient route for cyclists, pedestrians, people using mobility scooters, and other folks choosing active transportation. It’s for commuters, tourists, and anyone who wants to enjoy the coast outside of a vehicle. 

In January, GJD Planning released the project’s second report. It breaks down the coast into 20 segments, and proposes infrastructure for each one. It also proposes which segments should get top priority. And, it notes that this will cost about $4 million per kilometre. 

Continue reading A new route from Sechelt to Lund: for humans, not cars →
Energy

Eyes turn to B.C. as U.S. pauses approval of LNG projects

Editor’s note: According to Natural Resources Canada, “There are eight liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects in various stages of development across Canada.” At one point there were 20 proposals in BC alone. One of them was on the old mill site in Campbell River. The most recent post Cortes Currents could find on the web was a Jan 21, 2019 article in the Campbell River Mirror which states a Calgary-based company, Rockyview Resources Inc, purchased the property in May 2016. “Rockyview is an oil and gas exploration firm that aims to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility at the site, a project dubbed Discovery LNG.”  The company’s website is no longer operational and Rockyview Resources Inc was ‘struck off the registry’ of Alberta Corporations on Nov 2, 2017. Discovery LNG is not on Canada’s list of LNG ‘Projects proposed and under construction,’ but it is listed as one of Campbell River’s top 10 municipal taxpayers for 2022 (albeit under a different owner).

By Matteo Cimellaro, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Calls from climate advocates to follow the lead of the United States and pause Canadian liquified natural gas projects face a serious challenge: a promise of economic reconciliation tied to capital and liquified natural gas (LNG) development.

Biden’s move to pause LNG approvals until after the November elections was celebrated by the climate movement in the U.S. and at home. But coastal First Nations leading LNG projects say the facilities will boost their communities’ prosperity. With industry partners, Haisla Nation is developing Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims is proposed by the Nisga’a.

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Rivers & Oceans, Transportation

Wrecked Boat on the Rocks Below My Property

Text by Myrna Kerr; Photos by Mike Manson

A boat did a PanPan (“Possible Assistance Needed”) call at 4 AM on January 26, but the contact was not clear. So the Air Sea Rescue Helicopter went out looking for it.  The Sailboat was on the rocks below my house and, of course, out of sight even if it had lights on.

Continue reading Wrecked Boat on the Rocks Below My Property →
Transportation

Neighbourhood Concerns about the ‘Cortes Airport’

Editor’s note: On Feb 1, roughly two weeks after Cortes Currents left the first message on her answering machine, Judy Kemchand posted the following update on the Tideline: “Our scope of work includes increasing the safety of the runway by grading the existing gravel surface and chipsealing the airstrip. This runway is currently used by smaller aircraft only as it is not long enough to accommodate jets or larger planes and there are no plans to lengthen or widen this surface so it will continue to only accommodate those types of aircraft that have landed here before. Jets will still not be able to land on Cortes. Additionally, all pilots will still be required to gain permission from the land owner to land on this private runway. We are also contracted to build a small wooden 56′ x 64′ storage hangar at the north end of the runway, which will be used to house a small plane or helicopter if desired. There will not be any aircraft fuel storage onsite as has been speculated.”

In June 1999, James and Diane Hansen built an air strip in the southern tip of Cortes Island. According to the deposition that John Woolley later made to the Supreme Court of British Columbia, “the majority of the neighbouring property owners, including himself, have strongly objected to the development and operation of the airstrip.” They were concerned about ‘excessive noise,’ potential accidents, ‘environmental hazards resulting from the storage of fuel and the impact of the operation of the airstrip on water quality and bird habitats.’ The most serious opposition came from the Comox-Strathcona Regional District, which stated the airstrip contravened its zoning laws. However Transport Canada approved the strip and after a long legal battle, in 2005 the courts decided that the Hansens ‘shall be entitled to maintain and operate their airport.’ 

That was 18 years ago, but a number of Cortes residents are concerned about the work currently underway on the airstrip. 

airstrip