Marine Ecologist from Haida Gwaii to appear at Marine Speakers Series tonight

The Vancouver Aquarium's North Coast Initiative is hosting another session in its ongoing Marine Speakers program, with Lynn Lee, a Marine ecologist from Haida Gwaii on hand to speak on the fascinating life that goes on under the sea.


The talk titled "There's No Free Lunch" will explore the world of sea otters, urchins, abalone and kelp forests that can be found in our ocean.

Ms. Lee will go over some of her research material and other observations that she has compiled on the theme, all part of the work that she is applying towards her PhD on marine studies.

This evening's presentation starts at 7 PM at Northwest Community College and while there may not be a Free Lunch under the sea, there is free admission and free snacks for the discussion on the night.

You can learn more about this evening's presentation and more on the work of the North Coast initiative from their Facebook page.

City Council has questions for NWCC over program plans

It came at the end of a mid summer City Council meeting, the Mayor offering up his surprise and disappointment to learn that Northwest Community College had recently relocated the popular Electrical program from the Prince Rupert campus, centralizing it at the main campus at Terrace.

The Mayor offers up his observations on the issue at the 37:45  mark of the July 30th streaming broadcast of the council proceedings, seeking  a motion from council to request a meeting with NWCC officials to discuss this and other education related concerns that council may have.

It took a couple of prompts from the Mayor, but in the end Councillor Garon seconded the motion, a  situation that provided for further discussion from Councillor Carlick-Pearson on the importance of NWCC in Prince Rupert.

Following those talking points around the table, city staff  was instructed  to seek information from the college as to the reasoning behind the electrical move and perhaps to determine if there are any other local programs at risk as the college continues with its budget cutting.

As has been reported through 2012, NWCC is currently trying to resolve a budget shortfall of up to two million dollars, and with requirements to make up  that shortfall now in place, there have been cutbacks made at many of the campuses across the Northwest.

Council may be a day or two late to try and reverse the electrical program decision by NWCC, but by seeking further information, they at least have the opportunity to send a shot across the bow of the college administrators that they will remain watchful for further reductions at the Prince Rupert campus.

Update:  The Northern View examined the issue on August 3rd with details as to the reason for centralizing the program from the college's perspective as well as further information on the Mayor's thoughts.

Northern View--  Electrical Apprenticeship program no longer offered at Prince Rupert NWCC campus

Layoffs loom for NWCC

Facing a budget deficit of up to two million dollars, the region's community college has begun the process of determining where to cut costs and save money, taking suggestions from college employees, students and the community, while at the same time seemingly contemplating a plan to embark on a round of layoffs that could affect all campus locations across the Northwest.

The internal discussion on how best to address the budget deficit and  achieve the provincially mandated balanced budget began in January, when word of the need to address the college finances was first released.

From there the college opened up a suggestion box of sorts online, accepting ideas on how the college could achieve its financial goals, a process which brought a wide variety of thoughts, some practical others probably a little out there.

Regardless, as those suggestions were still arriving, the college began the process of what will be layoffs across the Northwest.

While little has been heard in Prince Rupert from the media on the pending layoffs, the story has become one of the top trending ones elsewhere, with the bulk of the reporting on the looming layoffs and cost cutting projects  coming out of the Terrace area, with both the Terrace Standard and CFTK TV providing much in the way of background on the issue.

Some of their findings, as well as other items from other media outlets in the Northwest can be found below.

Terrace Standard-- MLA questions college cuts
Terrace Standard-- College plans to axe more than 30 jobs
Terrace Standard-- College determines laayoff numbers
Terrace Standard-- Union wants college layoff plans stopped
Terrace Standard-- College cuts: Layoffs happening to restore college's financial health
Terrace Standard-- Students rallying against cuts at the college
Terrace Standard-- College layoff notices coming this month
Terrace Standard-- Union, students want gov't to protect college
Terrace Standard-- College layoffs on the horizon
Terrace Standard-- College deficit could now be $2 million
Terrace Standard-- College faces budget crunch

CFTK-- Emotions Run High at NWCC Education Council Meeting
CFTK-- College Cuts Meeting (February 10) (video)
CFTK-- NWCC Says 31.5 Positions need to be Cut to Balance Budget
CFTK-- College Cuts (February 9) (video)
CFTK-- NWCC Students Rally Against tuition hikes
CFTK-- NWCC Student Rally (video)
CFTK-- College Students to Rally Today
CFTK-- NWCC President Warns of Tough Decisions Ahead
CFTK-- NWCC Layoffs (January 27) (video)
CFTK-- Union Leader Visits Terrace to Discuss NWCC Budget Crisis

The Northern View-- Prince Rupert's NWCC campus to host student rally
CBC Radio Daybreak North-- Northern Colleges struggle with budgets
Opinion 250-- More than 30 jobs on the cutting block at NWCC
Opinion 2500- Job cuts looming at NWCC