North Coast Review

Friday, August 30, 2019

MLA's to get mail, mail and more mail on themes of teacher's negotiations

MLA Jennifer Rice may be getting some mail over the weekend
as British Columbia teachers look to reinforce their
bargaining points with the NDP government's members

With still no word on the progress of talks between the BCPSEA and BCTF when it comes to the current round of contract negotiations, some members of the teachers' union are making plans to take to their keyboards to forward some messages to the their MLA's.

With the teachers and their supporters looking to urge MLA's to address a range of outstanding issues.

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice can most likely expect to find a few correspondence in the In Box in the next few days, with a number of local teachers sharing the message below through their social media feeds.

(Click to enlarge)

It's part of a continuing campaign from the teachers and their union to reinforce their position on some of the key areas surrounding the negotiations.

The focus on MLA's picks up where teachers left off as the previous school year came to an end, when Ms. Rice, along with her NDP government colleagues were recipients of a number of missives during that period of time.

The BCTF twitter feed has been the forum for a number of the Federations recent notes on how the NDP government has approached the negotiations

The BCPSEA has for the most part kept to its website with occasional updates on the issues and themes of the current round of bargaining.

The BCTF has also made use of its website to reinforce some of their key issues during the negotiations.

Rob Fleming, B. C.'s Minister of Education expressed his belief earlier this week that the start of school on September 3rd would not be impacted by the lack of a contract or the pace of negotiations.

Though his thoughts on the length of time that the contract talks have taken did bring a quick reply from the Teachers who provided the Minister with a bit of a recent history lesson.

A news blackout has so far been respected by both sides of the negotiations, though with the current mediation sessions set to come to an end, parents, students, teachers and administrators should all have a clearer picture of where the labour situation may be heading as the first day of school draws closer on Tuesday.

For more items of note related to education in the Northwest see our archive page here.

To view the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

2019 British Columbia education negotiations archive page

Notes on the teachers negotiations since mediation began, as well as other related issues can be reviewed below:

February

February 4 -- BC Teachers Federation issue job action plan as contract negotiations persist
February 4 -- BCTF launches twitter info stream on themes of labour dispute NCR
February 3 -- Teachers consider job action, remain committed to mediation - for now

January

January 30 -- BCTF still hopes for deal as it prepares for the worst
January 30 -- Dave Harper launches campaign for BCTF presidency
January 25 -- Union 'wants to be at the table hammering out a deal': BCTF president
January 24 -- With little movement in teacher's talks, BCTF membership reportedly reviewing next steps NCR
January 24 -- BC teachers union tells members strike planning has begun
January 23 -- BC teachers to vote on job action plan this month, which could lead to full-scale strike
January 23 -- Leaked BCTF memo details stages toward provincewide teachers' strike
January 22 -- BC teachers' demands for pay increase don't square with balanced budget, finance minister says
January 20 -- BC education minister optimistic 2020 a 'breakthrough year' for teacher contract talks
January 7 -- Richmond teachers still working under old contract

December 2

BCTF President talks contact during special meeting with Delta teachers

November 25

BC NDP leaders seem unperturbed by BCTF attacks

November 23

BC Teachers Federation protests outside BC NDP convention
BC Teachers' Federation runs information campaign outside BC NDP convention
BC Teachers rally outside NDP convention after rejecting contract offer
Teachers upstage NDP love-in with demonstration outside Victoria Conference Centre
Battle over BC teachers' new contract continues at NDP convention

November 22

Horgan calls for patience on some promises as BCTF gathers for protest

November 20

New BCTF ad exposes serious consequences of teacher shortage

November 17

Gloves are off: Teachers want more from their labour friendly government

November 15

Parents are caught in the middle of a broken labour bargaining system

November 14

Year one as SD52's chair: Horne on new curriculum, PRMS building, teacher's strike

November 12

Prince Rupert District Teachers' Union demand letter of support from SD52 board
Teachers reject Mediators Report as contract negotiations stall NCR
BCTF President still searching for the right deal

November 9

BC Teachers' union rejects mediator's recommendation to accept contract
BC teachers reject mediators recommendation to settle contract

November 8

BC teachers' union rejects mediator recommendations, seeks more bargaining
BC teachers reject mediator's recommendations for contract settlement with employer
Legacy of failure with BCTF isn't restricted to one political party
BCTF rejects mediator's recommendations for settlement
BC Teachers' union rejects settlement recommendation from mediator

November 6

'Disconnect' between BC teachers, employers making bargaining difficult: mediator

October 28

"Out of the red for B.C. ed," demands Prince Rupert teachers' union

October 18

Prince Rupert's Correspondence Course in Teacher/Government labour negotiations NCR

October 17

How do you like these NDP apples MLA Rice?
Teachers versus the province: Part II

October 15

Premier 'hopeful' negotiations between BC teachers, employer can be resolved
BCTF raises concerns about teacher shortage
BC Teachers' pay now at the heart of stalled contract negotiations

October 14

BC hundreds of teachers short, six weeks into semester

October 12

Understanding BC Teachers' Federation vs the Province of B. C. (Part 1)

October 11

An apple for teacher, as MLA Rice brings NDP talking points to Teachers' Contract Dispute NCR

October 8

"We need to compare apple to apples," MLA Rice responds to teachers' rally

October 4

Leak suggests major stumbling block between BC teachers, employer out of the way
Teachers' Federation cries foul over public statement on negotiations

September 30

Prince Rupert Teachers' Union rally outside MLA Rice's Office

September 19

Surrey Teachers' Association rallies about bargaining agreements at NDP MLA offices

September 17

No deal yet between teachers, province

September 16

Contracts, time and money: the largest issues that educators face in the world of labour

September 10

A long history of bargaining class size and composition

September 9

BCTF President visits Fort St. John to discuss on-going negotiations

September 7

Richmond teachers back in classrooms under old contract

September 4

Teachers still negotiating deal as school year begins

September 3

BC teachers head back to class amid stalled contract negotiations
Contract talks between BCTF and Public School Employers Association to resume this month

September 2

B.C. teachers returning to school without contract

September 1

School returns in BC with uncertainty surrounding contract for teachers

August 30

BC teacher contracts on hold until after school year starts
Mediation between teachers and public employers halted until late September
Bargaining between BC teachers and province paused for 3 weeks
BC education talks break off without agreement; mediator calls for pause until September 23 NCR
BC Teacher contract negotiation still without resolution
MLA's to get mail, mail and more mail on themes of teacher's negotiations NCR
BC education minister optimistic about negotiated deal with teachers, new curriculum

August 29
Here's to a great school year (and what parent's need to know about collective bargaining)

August 28

BC Teachers, government agree on program support for most vulnerable students
BC Education minister expects 'normal' start to school year amidst teacher contract dispute

August 27

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August 26

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August 24 & 25

Independent schools provide options 'a single, government-run school monopoly cannot provide'

August 23

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August 22

Mediated talks underway between BCTF and Public School Employers Association
'Plenty of time for a deal': Teachers' union expects kids back in school on September 3

August 21

Offer to BC teachers surpassed standard 2 percent raise, confidential memo says
BC teachers and government start mediated negotiations

August 20

--

August 19

BC teachers head to bargaining table with 2 weeks until start of school year
Vancouver School Board avoids funding debate while teachers and province bargain
BC Teachers' Federation in talks with government as school year nears
Mediated bargaining starts Monday for BC teachers

To view the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Ministry of Transportation issues Highway 16 'extraordinary load' advisory for early morning hours

For those that may be on the roads after midnight and through the early hours of Friday morning, the Ministry of Transportation has issued an advisory related to a large load that will be transiting Highway Sixteen between Midnight and 5AM between Kitwanga and Prince Rupert.

The advisory notes that the 'extraordinary' load will be passing through Terrace on its way to Prince Rupert on Friday, August 30th.

Few other details related to the shipment were outlined by the Ministry.

Further updates on the early morning run may be relayed through to Ministry of Transportation twitter feed.

Road Conditions and events can also be found from the Drive BC website and twitter feed.

For more items of note about Transportation in the Northwest see our archive page here.

To view the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

Amid results of some elevated lead issues; City issues reminder for public of importance of 'flushing' of private homes and commercial buildings

The City of Prince Rupert has issued a reminder for residents today, advising that if they do not know for certain that their plumbing does not contain lead, that a flushing regimen is a wise approach to ensure that we are receiving a fresh source of water from beyond the home.

The City's information statement included some notes on recent testing in the community and the findings from that review.

Included in the review, is the advisory that letters have been sent to affected residents and building owners.

Recent water quality testing conducted by the City in conjunction with Northern Health was completed in just over 60 homes throughout Prince Rupert. This testing has revealed that approximately 10 homes of those tested had elevated levels of lead due to leaching from residential home plumbing systems. Samples were taken in the morning on the ‘first flush’ from the tap, after the water was left to sit overnight, so it should be noted that these levels are not representative of the water being drawn through the tap throughout the day once stagnant water has cleared.

Letters have now been sent to affected residents and building owners, and homes with elevated levels are being contacted and provided the opportunity for secondary testing to help determine the source of lead within the home.

This higher proportion of homes with noted issues has highlighted the need for additional public messaging, with this notice being accompanied by a video available on the City’s social media platforms and YouTube channel. Due to the prevalence of lead in home plumbing solder prior to 1989 (and lead content in fixtures further reduced in 2012), combined with the age of Prince Rupert’s housing stock, it is possible that many homes throughout the community may have some level of exposure to lead through home plumbing.

A similar notice was provided and mailed to all residences in the community in August of 2018, however given these test results, we would like to reiterate the importance of flushing, filtering water, and/or replacing home/commercial plumbing containing lead to avoid possible exposure.

The statement goes on to advise that regular samples are collected from testing stations within the community and show lead results which have been noted as well below Federal and Provincial standards.

The notes from the city also highlight how the City does not have lead service lines within municipal infrastructure, and have not encountered lead service lines on private property. Recent test results support the absence of municipal lead service lines, as residences with elevated levels were broadly dispersed within the community, and not in one or two ‘problem’ areas that could be tied to underground infrastructure.

The reminder on flushing for the community also provided the City with an opportunity to once again to make mention the Funding award of earlier this week towards a water treatment facility, as well as to offer up some helpful advice for homeowners when it comes to their own plumbing within the house.

We encourage people where possible to consider replacing all plumbing components containing lead, or to continue to conduct regular flushing until such time as replacement is feasible.

The City has also included a video featuring an update from Mayor Lee Brain who speaks both to the lead issue and recent progress on water issues.

You can review the city's full statement on water from today from the city's website and Facebook page.

You can review more notes related to the city's infrastructure issues from our archive page

To view the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

With fall and winter approaching ongoing housing issues will again come to the forefront of discussion

One of the units of the Crow's Nest Lodge, at 36 units it's a good
start to the housing crisis, but the need for more
Social housing seems to grow by the day around Prince Rupert
( Photo from the Transition Society Facebook Page)

Last weeks deluge and cooler temperatures served to remind us that Fall and Winter will be arriving quicker than we may like and for those in the community seeking a safe and dry place to live the ongoing issue of housing in Prince Rupert will offer up some challenges.

For most that wander around town from time to time, evidence of homelessness is easy to spot with makeshift camps found in any number of locations. With those on the streets seeking out shelter from abandoned buildings in the area, under bridges or from the number of wooded areas around town.

The topic of the fate for the homeless has become a bit of a theme on some of Prince Rupert's social media feeds of Facebook in recent days and in some cases the nature of the discussion at times was harsh towards the homeless.

Something that was somewhat mis-directed, as the real discussion should be directed towards our elected officials who need to pick up the pace of addressing the issue.

Such was some of mis-information generated by the discussion that Grainne Barthe from the North Coast Transition Society offered some helpful clarification on the issues of homelessness in the community and what supports are currently available.

(click to enlarge)

Prince Rupert has had some success in addressing the need for more social housing, with the City working with the Province in the creation of the above noted Crow's Nest Lodge, a successful conclusion that they should be congratulated on.

Though it should be noted that the Crow's Nest did arrive later than had been anticipated and with fewer units (36) than previously planned for.

As well, the Third Avenue Shelter remains in operation, once described as a temporary measure to help with the transition to the new facility on Park; it has since become more or less a permanent fixture and is still providing shelter services for a large number of the homeless community.

The November 2017 announcement of the
Temporary Homeless shelter on Third Avenue West
(click to enlarge)

Some of the homeless however, whether through addictions or mental health concerns are not fitting into either of those options; as well there are others who are homeless that still prefer to find their own shelter somewhere in the city.

Adding to the housing misery in recent months has been the disappearance of some units which previously housed those on the margins of our society. Those units now are off the rental market, their future that of renovation and re-purposing it would seem.

That indicates that there is still a need, if not more of one now, for much more social housing.

As well, there is clearly a need for some kind of addictions and mental health services for this community, and the urgency does not lessen as the weeks and months pass us by.

Earlier this summer we noted that Terrace has been finding much success in accessing more Social housing with over 100 units opened this summer alone.

And with the planned expansion of Mills Memorial Hospital, some 20 beds at the new hospital will be set aside for the psychiatric care of adult patients, that Terrace hospital plan is anticipated to be in operation by 2024.

While Terrace is finding some progress on their social housing and other housing needs, like Prince Rupert the demand for help still seems to be overtaking the supply.

The housing concerns in Prince Rupert came to a boiling point back in the fall of 2017, with a Tent City taking root at City Hall to bring home the call for action from local and provincial politicians.

Hopefully, some progress is being made for the North Coast as we head into fall, and more announcements and celebrations of housing openings in Prince Rupert will take place in the very near future.

That wold offer those in the most need in the community somewhere to stay warm, dry and safe in our challenging environment and times and more importantly some proof that someone is listening and ready to take action to deliver.

For some background on how you can lend a hand towards the homeless situation in the city see the Transition Society Facebook Page.

The Prince Rupert Salvation Army also offers assistance for those in need, learn more about their work here.

For more items of note related to housing on the North Coast see our archive page here.

To view the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

The Superintendent prepares to welcome back students, teachers and staff at SD52

Superintendent Irene LaPierre
is welcoming all back to school
for the 2019-20 year

With one last weekend to enjoy, Tuesday will bring the start of a new school year for teachers, students, parents and staff at the schools of District 52 and this week, Superintendent Irene LaPierre has penned her Back to School welcome message.

Among some of her themes for the correspondence, a year ahead that offers a chance to strengthen and build relationships, appreciation for those who worked behind the scenes over the summer to prepare the schools for their September opening, as well as thanks to management, staff and educators as they look towards the first day of the new school year.

It is an exciting time of year again with school starting on Tuesday September 3, 2019! I’m looking forward to another year of learning along side the many wonderful educators and staff we have in our school district.

I’m looking forward to working together with you to support the pursuit of learning that our students are seeking when they enter our schools. I’m looking forward to strengthening and building relationships with family and community which is vital to our students over all well-being and success.

I want to extend my appreciation to everyone who has worked diligently behind the scenes to prepare our schools for the year – to the maintenance department for their care of our facilities and grounds; to the tech department for increasing access to technology and maintaining equipment; our finance department for accounting and payroll; and our secretaries who support all of the above and more.

I’m thankful for the amazing management team and admin staff I work with who always makes sure students are in the centre of their decisions. I extend my gratitude to staff who continue to take courses to enrich educational opportunities for our students learning.

You can review the full letter from the SD52 website.

As we noted earlier this summer, the Back to School openings were outlined in a July message from the School District, which provides the times for students to report to school on September 3rd.

The official notes on the September 3rd opening can be reviewed here.

Updates on notes related to SD52 can come from the District's twitter feed, as well as that for the Superintendent.

Back to School week does come with some uncertainty towards the future however, with the British Columbia Public School Employers Association and the British Columbia Teachers Federation currently in the final days of mediation on issues surrounding a new contract.

So far, there has been little news coming out of those meetings with both sides for the most part keeping to a news blackout on their discussions.

Rob Fleming, the Minister of Education observed earlier this week that he anticipated a normal start to the school, despite the ongoing negotiations towards a contract settlement.

Also heading back to school on Tuesday will be the staff, teachers and students of the city's Independent School, with the back to school notes for Annunciation available from their website.

There have been some changes over the summer at the School District, you can catch up to some of developments from our archive page here.

To view the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.

There will be No YOU in UBER in Prince Rupert; as ride sharing giant limits its plans to Vancouver for upcoming launch

Skeena Cabs picking up fares at Safeway, so far the threat of
Uber, Lyft and other ride sharing services remains far off from
Prince Rupert's future

The streets of Prince Rupert will remain mostly the domain of Skeena Taxi this fall, as the global Ride Sharing Service Uber makes its plans for an entry into the British Columbia market, with their plan for now to limit their operations in the Greater Vancouver area.

The company outlined their service plan on Wednesday, noting that at the moment they will be concentrating on a successful launch in the Lower Mainland, while continuing to express frustration at the regulations that the Government of British Columbia has put in place towards the introduction of the service.

As they announced their plans for Vancouver, the global ride share company noted that it remains interested in service across British Columbia, but the 'proposed' regulations are not conducive to operations in smaller municipalities"

That reference is to BC government requirement that any drivers for Uber must hold a Class Four commercial licence, with ICBC providing the details on how potential ride share drivers can ensure that they have the proper licence.

The Government call for a Class 4 licence is something that Uber notes is not a requirement in most of the markets that they currently serve.

As we outlined back in July, the province began to move towards the era or Uber, Lyft and such with Claire Trevena, the Minister of of Transportation and Infrastructure taking the provincial lead on the topic.

So far, the concept of ride sharing does not seem to have generated much in the way of discussion for the City of Prince Rupert or its residents.

As for the launch of their Vancouver service, Uber notes that they will soon be making their application to the Passenger Transportation Board, with an eye towards having their drivers on the street by the end of this year.