Island Marine Construction Hearts and Memories
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Every Second Strait of Georgia Thursday & Online ‘24/7’ at islandtides.com A Legend of the Coast Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement Nº 40020421 Volume 20 Number 15 August 7—August 20, 2008 $1 at Selected Retailers Tide tables 2 Saturna 2 Galiano legal 3 Letters 4 What’s on? 5 Round the islands 6 Summer food 7 Basi-Virk 8 Bulletin board 11 Need to be quick for referendum funding Attorney General Wally Oppal announced on August 1 that a public consultation is underway on the proposed distribution of funding for Photo: Athena George registered groups who support or The ultimate westcoast experience. ‘J’ & ‘K’ orca pods passed Saturna Island’s East Point during Parks Day Picnic. oppose the single transferable vote (STV) electoral system. However consultation will close again on TILMA’s effect on Without strategic change ferry service will September 5. The provincial government has collapse, says advisory committee ~ Patrick Brown committed $1 million for groups who local government far support or oppose the STV system. The ‘A strategic approach is urgently required both increases over the next four years will be at least Province will make $500,000 available from clear to immediately mitigate the impact of excessive 7.2%, with the possibility of further fuel to each side of the STV debate to provide fare-shock and to develop a transportation surcharges as well. Traffic, particularly of information and educational material In late July, BC’s Minister of Economic Development service that will be resilient to anticipated visitors to the Gulf Islands, is showing a marked about their positions. Government will Colin Hansen announced that local government changing conditions. The absence of such an decline; but Island residents and businesses consultations about the BC/Alberta Trade, have little alternative to paying the fares. also fund a neutral referendum approach will likely lead to a collapse of BC Investment, and Labour Mobility Agreement The new fuel surcharge is also applied to information office, as it did in 2005. Ferries’ business plan for the routes in question (TILMA) were completed and, stating the obvious, traffic on the main Vancouver Island-Mainland British Columbians will vote on and to irreversible damage to the vulnerable said that if a land use bylaw does not discriminate routes at 10.3%, and Route 3 to the Sunshine whether to adopt the STV or keep the coastal communities they serve’—Ferry against Albertans it will comply with TILMA. Coast at 9.2%. current, first-past-the-post system Advisory Committee Chairs’ (FACC) were (However a reading of TILMA shows it is not that Without any government intervention this during a referendum to be held in responding to massive fuel surcharges simple, see below.) will have a substantial impact on 750,000 BC conjunction with the May 12, 2009 implemented on August 1. The sweeping agreement, signed by the provinces At 17.6% on minor routes, these are the residents. Truckers, in particular, will general election. of BC and Alberta in April, 2006, will come into effect ‘experience the difference’. As the last vote was so close, this is largest fare increases ever seen on BC Ferries, for municipalities, regional governments, hospital and come on top of accumulated increases and Capital Costs to Come the second time British Columbians will boards, school districts, academic institutions, and have the opportunity to vote on the STV surcharges of 49.9% from April 2003 to April The FACC also commented on the high cost of other local government bodies, commencing in April 2008, with some prepaid fares rising more than system. The threshold for success will be fleet and infrastructure renewal for the minor 2009. 80%. The FACC expects that annual fare the same as it was in 2005—with at least Under public pressure, both provinces had FERRY SERVICE, please turn to page 2 60% of the province-wide popular vote undertaken to consult with local governments prior needed, along with majority support in to that date regarding the exact application of the at least 60% of the province’s electoral trade agreement, since it covers purchasing BC unions challenge election gag law districts. procedures, licensing requirements, and bylaws for Bill 42 violates freedoms of association and that Bill 42 violates an individual’s The consultation paper is available at: local government bodies. expression, say lawyers representing seven BC constitutionally-protected right to vote by www.ag.gov.bc.ca/public/spl/Referend Apparently marking the conclusion of these unions. Lawyers filed documents and launched preventing individuals from effectively bringing um_Group_Consultation_Paper.pdf. consultations, the two provinces have issued a press a legal challenge against Bill 42 on July 24. their concerns and views to the attention of Consultation is aimed at individuals and release containing assurance that ‘special provisions Bill 42, lawyers say, originally attempted to organizations on both sides of the include an exemption for non-discriminatory land- MLA’s during the pre-campaign period. restrict third party election advertising for five debate who may be interested in use bylaws.’ ‘Democratic governments should protect full months before the next provincial election. Not only has discussion of the effects of TILMA on and defend the rights of citizens not trample applying for funding. Documents Following widespread criticism, Bill 42 was local government not been made public, the exact them when it’s politically expedient,’ says BC includes information on the proposed amended but still goes far beyond any similar application and registration process, revisions to the wording of TILMA have not been Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair. published. In BC Minister Hansen’s words: ‘If a town laws in the country and essentially shuts off all ‘Bill 42 is Gordon Campbell’s attempt to silence duties and responsibilities of groups and third party election advertising for three or city’s bylaws do not treat BC or Alberta businesses critics and control the airwaves for months their financial agents and permitted uses months before the next election. or investors more or less favourably than those of the before the next election.’ of funds. The Statement of Claim filed on July 24 other province, there is no discrimination and Representing the unions in the Supreme But hurry! Groups and individuals alleges that Bill 42 violates constitutionally- therefore no complaint under TILMA. The vast Court of British Columbia will be lawyers have a very short time frame to give their protected rights to freedom of expression by feedback on distribution of the funds. majority of municipal actions are non-discriminatory Joseph Arvay, QC and Leo McGrady, QC. The and have no restrictive effects on trade, investment restricting reasoned political discourse and by Funding is scheduled to be distributed in legal challenge is being prepared on behalf of: or labour mobility and are thereby not affected by preventing groups from effectively January 2009. Canadian Union of Public Employees (BC TILMA.’ communicating their positions on election Island Tides has a number of article Division), BC Teachers’ Federation, Canadian TILMA Not That Simple issues before and during an election campaign. in its archive from the last STV Lawyers will also argue that Bill 42 infringes Office and Professional Employees Union 378, campaign. The main page address is: However, TILMA has wide application (presumably on an individual’s freedom of association by BC Nurses’ Union, BC Government and Service http://www.islandtides.com/html/bcpo not amended) to all ‘measures of the parties (the preventing individuals from collectively Employees’ Union, Federation of Post litics.htm. Scroll back to 2005 to find provinces) and their government entities that relate exercising their freedom of expression in the Secondary Educators, and the Hospital relevant articles. ✐ TILMA, please turn to page 8 pursuit of common goals. The claim also alleges Employees’ Union. ✐ is now available at these SERIOUS COFFEE locations — look for the Island Tides yellow boxes! Mill Bay: 2490 Trans-Canada Highway Campbell River: 2253 South Island Highway Nanaimo—Beaufort Centre: 1588 Boundary Crescent good reading, great coffee — it’s time to get SERIOUS! Duncan-South: 5462 Trans-Canada H’wy More locations to follow—ask at your local Serious Coffee shop Page 2, ISLAND TIDES, August 7, 2008 Saturna Notes ~ Priscilla Ewbank The end of July’s days of cool rain and cloud has been a good contrast to the long run of warmth and light from dawn to dusk. AT FULFORD HARBOUR I have so easily forgotten about my patterns in my rainy winter life! AUGUST The deer are thirsty and covet any juicy new garden growth they can get their little muzzles around—anything you water they Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. Day Time Ht./ft. Ht./m. love to eat! Shut the gate, mend the fences. 0156 5.9 1.8 0825 2.3 0.7 Some of the garden plants look decidedly tatty, all of the 5 0710 8.2 2.5 13 1710 10.2 3.1 spring and early summer growth needs pruning and trimming TU 1258 4.6 1.4 WE 2205 9.2 2.8 2001 10.8 3.3 back. It’s hard to think that this is the time to plant for winter while most of the summer vegetables are being harvested. 0244 4.9 1.5 0051 9.5 2.9 6 0836 7.9 2.4 14 0906 2.3 0.7 The chickens are moulting, their feathers look as messy and WE 1335 5.9 1.8 TH 1733 10.2 3.1 tatty as parts of the garden. Early mornings are so quiet, no more 2021 10.5 3.2 2225 9.2 2.8 choruses as the wildbirds are lying low and growing their flight Crystal (Chris) WADE – 1920-2008 0331 4.3 1.3 0150 9.5 2.9 feathers.