The Green Party picks up on Councillor Thorkelson's theme

For those dedicated blog readers who review our City Council timeline to the very end, last weeks meeting of Council offered up an interesting request from Councillor Joy Thorkelson.

As part of the wrap up to the lengthy session of last week, Councillor Thorkelson urged her fellow councillors and Mayor Mussallem to lend their support towards a city letter to the provincial parties on the subject of the fishery.

The main thrust of her request, that Council urge the political forces of Victoria to lay claim to the fishery on the West coast, a process that most likely would require a fair amount of negotiation and constitutional change before it were ever to pass.

Her letter would ask Council to send a letter to the political parties:

"Seeking their development of a BC commercial fisheries program and accompanying policies. The program would promote the growth and development of the commercial fisheries and processing sectors in coastal communities, including serious consideration of the State of Alaska style of regional salmon aquaculture"

The councillor would seemingly like to see an Alaska style of fishery in place, with British Columbia setting policy, catchment allotments and all the things that the Federal government currently has domain over.

An interesting turn of events considering the late 1990's and a blockade of an Alaskan ferry, something that took place over anger about the way that the State of Alaska handled its fishery (and the impact that it had on the Canadian version).

Still, the councillor offered up the thought that the Pacific Coast fishery (and we imagine the interests of local residents involved with it) would best be served out of Victoria rather than Ottawa, though one wonders if the provincial government would provide any more money, or attention than that of the Feds.

You can review her presentation from the City's video archive, check in at the 2 hour 27 minute mark for the full proposal for Council's review.

And even before they possibly could even get the letter into the mail, it looks like someone has beaten the councillor to the punch, offering up policy for the upcoming provincial election campaign.

Provincial control of the fishery is a thought that seems to have become part of the Green Party's political focus, with a segment of their just released policy platform dedicated to a BC first fishery.

One which would redraw the current system in place with a major makeover.

Among some of the Green party's suggestions:

Negotiate a transfer of fishery jurisdiction to the provincial level. Proving for a fishery with ecosystem based principles based on maintain all stocks at stable levels in intact habitat.ing

A focus on wild salmon, working towards removing salmon feedlots from British Columbia's wild salmon migration routes.

A shift away from a Commercial fishery controlled by large companies, reforming the fish licencing system by breaking up corporate concentration to restore traditional First Nations fishing practices and promote opportunities for coastal residents and small scale fishers rather than large commercial fisheries.

We're not sure if all of the Green party recommendations fit into the vision of a provincial fishery that Councillor Thorkelson might have, but at the moment, they seem the closest to the changes that she and with their letter, City Council would seem to support.

While it's doubtful at the moment that the Greens might be on the verge of forming a government, they at least have formulated a policy and one that some on the North Coast might have some interest in.

Now if they might want to put forward a candidate to carry the message to the voters, as of today, the Greens have yet to nominate a candidate on the North Coast and for the most part seem inclined to let the NDP carry an environmental and sustainability message into the election campaign.

Whether the other parties and local candidates have an opinion on the fishery repatriation topic remains to be seen.

On the Cusp of Canpotex?

A notice of intent to dispose of waste and the rumblings of hotels preparing to set aside rooms for workers, has rekindled the hopes that we may finally be on the cusp of an announcement from Canpotex that the much discussed Potash Terminal is set to move forward.

Wednesday's Northern View featured the notice from Canpotex Terminals (pg 24 e edition)that they propose to commence with dredging operations on October 1st, with the prospect of a one year process for site preparation.

The co-ordinates from the Wednesday advertisement place the site on the east
side of Ridley Island, across from Port Edward.

In addition to the notice,  an article in the weekly paper outlining the rumblings among the hoteliers of the city, has local residents talking about the prospects ahead and firmly places the Canpotex file back on the front burner.

The project received an Environmental Assessement Decision back in November, setting in motion the process that perhaps  brings us to the verge of seeing site development commence.

Should Canpotex deliver that much anticipated announcement that construction is set to begin, will no doubt be a prospect that will bring much relief to the City Council.

Frequently in recent sessions they  seem to have been banking for the future, on some of the proposed projects for the community moving forward, a prospect that seems close with the omens seemingly positive for the Canpotex project.

To refresh everyone's memory while we wait for an official announcement from Canpotex itself. A bit of history on the Saskatchewan based company and it's presence in Prince Rupert.

Word first started to circulate in 2008, that the Saskatchewan company had its eye on Ridley Island and the Gateway to Asia that it provided

In September 2009 Canpotex arrived in town, hosting an open house and seemingly setting in motion the plans for development of a potash terminal on Ridley Island.
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As 2009, moved into 2010 and 2011, the project seemed to be put on the back burner, the mercurial nature of the potash market, and a potential takeover bid from a rival corporation at the time, perhaps giving Canpotex cause for reflection.

However, as we moved into latter half of 2012, the wheels of industrial development seemingly once again began to move, as the Canpotex plans edged forward.

The North Coast Review has featured a couple of items on rumblings of the prospect of development over the last six months or so.

November 8-- Canpotex Development takes another step forward
September 13-- Mention of Canpotex stirs ambitions anew

While our Archives have further items on the Canpotex file.

With the current work on the rail, utility and road corridor now in full swing, the infrastructure will be more than ready for Canpotex should they confirm their plans and begin the long awaited development.

Those eager to hear further word from Canpotex can check in frequently to their website to await word on the project and the timeline that may soon be ahead for it.

Auditor General Calls for better monitoring of British Columbia's Air Ambulance service

“Air ambulance services have a direct impact on peoples’ lives.” said Doyle. “We expected to find that the BC Ambulance Service was defining, monitoring and improving standards for its air ambulance service, but that was not the case.” -- A portion of a news release from Auditor General John Doyle delivered with the release of his report into the province's Air Ambulance Service.

They are a familiar sight in the sky over Prince Rupert, the BC Air Ambulance Service and its aircraft providing for a lifeline for many in the province.

And while many don't think twice about importance of the service that they provide, at least one person is a little concerned over the oversight that they receive from head office.

In a report released on Thursday, the Air Ambulance Service  found itself under the microscope of the soon to be departing Auditor General John Doyle.

And his findings that the service could be doing its job better, might  very well make for another election issue in the campaign to come.

Prince Rupert in particular relies on the Air Ambulance service more than many other communities, mainly to transport patients from outlying areas to our Regional Hospital and for transport from Prince Rupert to major health centres in Vancouver.

So local residents may have more interest in his report than other communities that aren't as dependant on the Air Ambulance service.

In his report delivered on Thursday, Doyle found a number of items of concern regarding the administration of the service, including:

A lack of goals for the Air Ambulance Service

Dispatch decisions that are often inadequately reviewed to determine if paramedics are situated in the best locations to meet patient needs

A lack of consistent procedures for reporting and addressing safety issues

Issues regarding Staffing shortages 

It is unable to demonstrate whether it is providing timely, quality and safe patient care

Did not adequately Track or monitor clinical activity

Has not accurately measured transport timeliness

To that end the Auditor General's office provided three key recommendations for the Air Ambulance Service to make progress on.

1. Actively manage the performance of its air ambulance services to achieve desired service standards for the quality, timeliness and safety of patient care.

2. Periodically review whether the distribution of staff and aircraft across the province is optimal for responding to demand for air ambulance services

3. Regularly identify and review a sample of air ambulance dispatch decisions to ensure resources are allocated with due consideration for patient needs and available resources.

A seven minute video summary of the report can be found below as posted on the website for the Office of the Auditor General.
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The Office of the Auditor General website also provides a link to the full report which is available for download

The Auditor General did observe, that the BC Air Ambulance service had accepted the recommendations.

The Air Ambulance service said Thursday, that it is taking steps to implement the recommendations, with an eye on the audit to further enhance its operations.

Some of the media reviews of the Thursday report can be found below.

CTV-- Air Ambulance Service lacks goals, monitoring: B. C. Auditor General
Globe and Mail--  Air Ambulance service needs better monitoring, says B. C. auditor general

RCMP outline more information from discovery of body on waterfront

The Prince Rupert RCMP released the name of the man whose body was found on the Prince Rupert waterfront on Monday morning, confirming that 21 year old Justin Brooks was found in the water of Prince Rupert harbour near the Prince Rupert Rotary Waterfront Park.

The discovery of Mr. Brooks body was first reported at 7:51 on Monday morning, resulting in a number of police officers attending to the scene, securing the area with yellow police tape and launching an investigation which continues on.

Matt Ericson, the Constable acting as spokesperson for the RCMP outlined that the investigators are hopeful that a cause of death will be determined later this week, but that local residents should not be worried as a result of the death.

That carefully chosen phrasing, would it appears serve to reduce the flow of rumours that started percolating in the community since the discovery on Monday.

Local social media outlets seemed to jump to any number of conclusions in the short period of time since the announcement of Monday. Much of their commentary insensitive to the family of the deceased, with little of the speculation it seems based on anything resembling fact.

With the investigation in progress, the RCMP is asking anyone that may have information on the incident to contact the Prince Rupert Detachment at 250-627-700 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

RCMP Media Release

Local media outlets had a number of reports filed on the incident.

Northern View-- Prince Rupert RCMP release the identity of deceased man recovered from the waterfront
CFNR-- Prince Rupert RCMP Release Identity of Dead Male found in Harbour
CFTK-- Name of Deceased Man Released
CFTK-- Prince Rupert Body Found

Rainmaker Provincial Basketball Tournament Results Archive 2013

Our Daily Archive of results and information for the Charles Hays Rainmaker Basketball teams.

The Junior Girls, Junior Boys and Senior Boys Rainmakers are all  currently taking part in the Provincial Tournaments in Langley, Vancouver and Kamloops.

You can find daily results and on line streaming information from the links below.

Saturday, March 9, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Preview Page

Don't pay the Ferryman, until he gets you to the other Side

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So you must pay me now," 
"Don't do it!"
"You must pay me now," 
"Don't do it!"
And still that voice came from beyond,
"Whatever you do, Don't pay the ferryman,
Don't even fix a price, Don't pay the ferryman,
Until he gets you to the other side;
 Don't pay - the ferryman!"

-- Chris De Burgh, Don't Pay the Ferryman (From The Getaway) (1982)

Prince Rupert's Digby Island Airport Ferry, the transportation conduit between city and airport has through the years become a story all to itself.

Legendary among travel sites:

Trip Advisor
West Coast Ferries forum
Frommer's British Columbia

Bloggers and Website contributors:

Day trip to Prince Rupert Airport
My First moments in Prince Rupert
Travelling Boy.com
Airport Ferries

And even one or two YouTube vignettes.
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And now, as Prince Rupert City Council prepares to consider its Budgetary items for 2013, it shall once again be the subject of discussion at Monday's Special Session of City Council.

The Airport Ferry, or to be precise the cost of putting a private automobile on it for the crossing,  will be one of the topics as Council sits down to its Special Council Meeting, a session arranged mainly for the examination of budgetary items and such.

Added to the Agenda for Monday, Under the topic of Unfinished Business, the Prince Rupert Airport Authority has provided a letter  for Council to look over prior to the discussion ahead.

Among their concerns, the high cost of 45 dollars for private vehicle passage, recommending that it be reduced to a more user friendly 15 dollars.

In its correspondence the Authority also outlines some of the negatives of the current system, including the dilapidated bus services and an outdated ferry for transportation, offering up the cautionary warming that potential air travellers may begin to consider other airports like Terrace for the travel plans

You can review the letter from the City Council Agenda for Monday, (page two)

As we reviewed back in November, the nature of the city's first impressions on the travelling public, perhaps was best presented by a piece from the British Consul General for the UK, who provided a fascinating review for a Canadian based newspaper for British Expatriates. Highlighting some of the unique features of travel from Digby Island to the city's downtown core.

On the theme of transportation and first observations, the Consul General would seem to be on the same page as the Prince Rupert Airport Authority, suggesting that the current situation perhaps isn't quite providing the best of impressions to visitors, a theme shared by those bloggers above.

As for the request of the Airport Authority in its bid to have the rates reduced, as things exist at the moment, we're not sure that the idea of dropping the rates on the Ferry to tempt travellers to make the trip by car will be a workable solution, or would be helpful to the City's current balance sheet.

Even if the City dropped the rates to an amount that might generate traffic, we're not particularly inclined to think that the Airport Ferry would be able to handle any extra traffic generated, nor the City able to absorb the increased cost to transit a large volume of private vehicles back and forth.

Beyond what would surely mean an increase in the cost of fuel for the City that might come from even more frequent crossings (crossings at a reduced rate should the Airport Authority be successful), there would seem to be the need for would be travellers to have to closely mark their schedules, so as not miss the flight they would wish to catch.

We imagine that could raise some serious concerns for those left behind, as a full ferry departed leaving them to wait out the cycle before making their trek to the airport, nervously glancing at their watches and the possible danger of missing a flight.

Clearly for many, the current transportation system may not be the best that travellers might wish for, but short of a fixed link of some form to the airport, or a new dynamic in water based transportation, we suspect that the Digby Island Ferry and it's bus option will be the mode of travel for the foreseeable future.

Improving that transportation option as it is at the moment and enhancing the services at the airport itself and on the Prince Rupert side, may be of more benefit to the travelling public, than any surge in private automobiles and parking fees may provide back to the airport.

That cause, perhaps more than anything else may be a more realistic expectation and for the moment could best be listed under the topic of unfinished business.