I can understand the fear that Stewart has of the potential of a competing port opening on the Alaska panhandle in Wrangell, but I think the resolution they have brought forward to the 2011 UBCM is not really useful for anyone.
Ultimately the fate of Northwestern BC and the Alaska Panhandle are closely connected. There are few functional connections at the moment, but if there were more the region would have more of an economic unity and protect both sides of the border form economic problems.
This is economic nationalism and personally do not think this is the sort of policy that we should engage in. Canada benefits more from trade than the US by a long shot and BC benefits more than the rest of the country. We are an economy that has been built to connect with the world.
B164 CANADA FIRST SHIPPING AND TRANSPORTATION POLICY Stewart
WHEREAS the State of Alaska is seeking access to the North American electrical grid through a connection to the Northwest Transmission line near Bob Quinn Lake, BC with an accompanying service road to the Alaska Border to service such a connection;
AND WHEREAS such a service road would enable access to Wrangell, Alaska leading to the potential development of new bulk cargo shipping facilities in Wrangell at the expense of developing and established port communities in British Columbia, denying these BC communities the economic and social benefits of increased economic activity in the northwest corridor;
AND WHEREAS the many mining and similar projects in Northwestern BC benefit from the taxation and investment policies of British Columbia and Canada:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM support a “Canada First” policy for the shipping of bulk argo and similar goods through Canadian ports rather than through Alaska and that the Province of British Columbia be encouraged to adopt and implement such a policy;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any connection to the Northwest Transmission line from the State of Alaska does not include the development of a service road or a new transportation corridor.
ENDORSED BY THE NORTH CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: No Recommendation
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
The Resolutions Committee advises that the UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution calling on the Province to adopt a “Canada First” policy for the shipping of bulk cargo and similar goods through Canadian ports rather than through Alaska; nor have members considered a resolution opposing the development of a service road or new transportation corridor related to connecting the Northwest Transmission Line to the State of Alaska.
However, the UBCM membership has endorsed a policy position supporting extensions of power infrastructure to northern and remote communities. In the 2002 Energy Policy Digest, the membership supported low-cost service extensions to provide electrical power to all areas of the province.
As well in 2004, members endorsed B25 which requested that the Minister of Energy “commit to writing a comprehensive plan for extension of the electrical grid into the northwest region that considers long-term community and resource development needs.” Then again in 2008, B45 which “urged the continuance of the proposed environmental programs and projects, with a focus on the Northwest Transmission Line, namely the Terrace to Bob Quinn portion of the 287 kV line.”
Monday, September 5, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
UBCM Resolution seeking better infrastructure funding for small communities
Another 2011 UBCM resolution here. I like this one in general, but I think it should be limited to rural communities without neighbouring local governments. When a single community is divided into multiple local governments, I do not think it should ever be made easy for the small jurisdictions to exist.
In the Victoria area there are 13 local governments for what is at best three different communities - maybe four if you think Sooke is clearly separate. One of them, Highlands, had no business being allowed to incorporate and does nothing to improve the region. They should be not be allowed to benefit from the public purse simply by being a low population jurisdiction.
B31 INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR SMALL COMMUNITIES Lillooet
WHEREAS small communities under 2,500 population which are dependent on residential taxation are struggling to fund infrastructure improvements;
AND WHEREAS the federal and provincial governments have not committed to providing future funding for infrastructure upgrades:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM petition the federal and provincial governments to continue to fund Towns for Tomorrow, Local Motion and federal/provincial infrastructure programs.
ENDORSED BY THE SOUTHERN INTERIOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Endorse
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
The Resolutions Committee notes that the UBCM membership has consistently endorsed resolutions seeking the federal and provincial governments to fund various infrastructure programs (2000-B12, 2004-A7, 2009- B129).
In the Victoria area there are 13 local governments for what is at best three different communities - maybe four if you think Sooke is clearly separate. One of them, Highlands, had no business being allowed to incorporate and does nothing to improve the region. They should be not be allowed to benefit from the public purse simply by being a low population jurisdiction.
B31 INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR SMALL COMMUNITIES Lillooet
WHEREAS small communities under 2,500 population which are dependent on residential taxation are struggling to fund infrastructure improvements;
AND WHEREAS the federal and provincial governments have not committed to providing future funding for infrastructure upgrades:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM petition the federal and provincial governments to continue to fund Towns for Tomorrow, Local Motion and federal/provincial infrastructure programs.
ENDORSED BY THE SOUTHERN INTERIOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Endorse
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
The Resolutions Committee notes that the UBCM membership has consistently endorsed resolutions seeking the federal and provincial governments to fund various infrastructure programs (2000-B12, 2004-A7, 2009- B129).
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Resource Revenue Sharing with Rural Communities
These are two motions coming forward to the 2011 UBCM Convention
B29 RURAL DIVIDEND Barriere
WHEREAS the “Rural British Columbia Project Discussion Paper Series”, under an initiative called “Reversing the Tide”, has identified a number of best practices that, if put in place, would spur economic revitalization in the rural BC economy;
AND WHEREAS reinvesting a percentage of the natural resource dollars back into the regions from which they are extracted has proven to be a positive step in rural economic revitalization in other parts of the world:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to develop a program that would provide additional financial and capacity building resources for rural BC communities, as well as create a “Rural Dividend” that would return to rural BC communities a fair share of the revenue created by rural-based resource industry activity in their respective regions.
ENDORSED BY THE SOUTHERN INTERIOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Endorse with Amendment Proposed
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to develop a program that would provide additional financial and capacity building resources to communities by returning a fair share of the revenue created by resource industry activity in their respective regions.
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
The Resolutions Committee notes that UBCM members have sought opportunities for new revenue sources(Financing Local Government Study 1998) and the Communities and Resources Committee recommended in its1998 policy paper that “a portion of the stumpage revenue must remain in the harvesting area (revenue should start flowing back to the producing communities).”
More recently, UBCM members have supported and requested that the Province share resource revenues with local governments (2009-B30, 2004 Resource Revenue Sharing Policy Paper, 2003-B30).
The Committee has offered an amendment to reflect the broader policy position of resource revenue sharing that has been adopted by the membership.
B30 REVENUE SHARING FROM MINING ROYALTIES Kitimat-Stikine RD
WHEREAS mineral industry activity involves non renewable resources and creates demand on local
government infrastructure and services such as community water systems, roads and emergency and protective services;
AND WHEREAS property taxation alone is often inaccessible and insufficient for affected communities
within a region to provide needed services and infrastructure:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call upon the provincial and federal governments to
provide revenue sharing from natural resources for local governments affected by resource extractions
in their regions.
ENDORSED BY THE NORTH CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: endorse
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
The Resolutions Committee notes that UBCM members have endorsed resolutions and policy papers that have sought a sharing of resource revenues with local governments recognizing that communities should be compensated for the natural resources that are extracted from their regions.
The Communities and Resources Committee recommended in its 1998 policy paper that “a portion of the stumpage revenue must remain in the harvesting area (revenue should start flowing back to the producing communities).”
In 2004, members endorsed the 2004 Resource Revenue Sharing Policy Paper, which specifically sought a sharing of resource revenues with local governments (forest stumpage, mining royalties) and prior to that a 2003 resolution, B30, made a similar request.
There is a huge fiscal imbalance in BC. The province collects 100% more money from rural BC than it offers in services to rural communities. The gap is about $5000 per rural resident per year. A large part of this imbalance from natural resource revenues, though not all of it.
If the majority of BC, and rural BC represents 90% of the landbase in BC, is to remain sustainable there needs to be mechanisms in place to allow rural communities to look after the myriad of issues that are currently being neglected. Rural local governments have become beggars among the primary sources of wealth in this province.
Urban BC would have to see much higher taxation if there were no resource revenues coming in. The provincial government would see $3.5 billion dollar gap in the budget, that would be a record setting deficit.
There has been some resource revenue sharing with some rural communities, specifically with the First Nations, but ultimately all rural communities should benefit. The various forestry, oil and gas, and mining agreements that have been signed in BC with the First Nations means that BC First Nations are the first ones in Canada with real own source government revenues to operate aboriginal governments. There have been some dramatic improvements in governance in rural BC First Nations over the last five years.
If these motions pass, the BC Government should take note and act on the resolutions. For Christy Clark, this would be a core way to bolster support in rural BC. The HST vote results, where rural BC voted 61.85% to scarp the HST, indicate to me there is an ongoing populist revolt in rural BC that is pissed off with government. The BC Liberals should be secure in re-election in 25-30 ridings, but those are almost all in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley. The current mood in rural BC is not good for the government.
B29 RURAL DIVIDEND Barriere
WHEREAS the “Rural British Columbia Project Discussion Paper Series”, under an initiative called “Reversing the Tide”, has identified a number of best practices that, if put in place, would spur economic revitalization in the rural BC economy;
AND WHEREAS reinvesting a percentage of the natural resource dollars back into the regions from which they are extracted has proven to be a positive step in rural economic revitalization in other parts of the world:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to develop a program that would provide additional financial and capacity building resources for rural BC communities, as well as create a “Rural Dividend” that would return to rural BC communities a fair share of the revenue created by rural-based resource industry activity in their respective regions.
ENDORSED BY THE SOUTHERN INTERIOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: Endorse with Amendment Proposed
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to develop a program that would provide additional financial and capacity building resources to communities by returning a fair share of the revenue created by resource industry activity in their respective regions.
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
The Resolutions Committee notes that UBCM members have sought opportunities for new revenue sources(Financing Local Government Study 1998) and the Communities and Resources Committee recommended in its1998 policy paper that “a portion of the stumpage revenue must remain in the harvesting area (revenue should start flowing back to the producing communities).”
More recently, UBCM members have supported and requested that the Province share resource revenues with local governments (2009-B30, 2004 Resource Revenue Sharing Policy Paper, 2003-B30).
The Committee has offered an amendment to reflect the broader policy position of resource revenue sharing that has been adopted by the membership.
B30 REVENUE SHARING FROM MINING ROYALTIES Kitimat-Stikine RD
WHEREAS mineral industry activity involves non renewable resources and creates demand on local
government infrastructure and services such as community water systems, roads and emergency and protective services;
AND WHEREAS property taxation alone is often inaccessible and insufficient for affected communities
within a region to provide needed services and infrastructure:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call upon the provincial and federal governments to
provide revenue sharing from natural resources for local governments affected by resource extractions
in their regions.
ENDORSED BY THE NORTH CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: endorse
UBCM RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE COMMENTS:
The Resolutions Committee notes that UBCM members have endorsed resolutions and policy papers that have sought a sharing of resource revenues with local governments recognizing that communities should be compensated for the natural resources that are extracted from their regions.
The Communities and Resources Committee recommended in its 1998 policy paper that “a portion of the stumpage revenue must remain in the harvesting area (revenue should start flowing back to the producing communities).”
In 2004, members endorsed the 2004 Resource Revenue Sharing Policy Paper, which specifically sought a sharing of resource revenues with local governments (forest stumpage, mining royalties) and prior to that a 2003 resolution, B30, made a similar request.
There is a huge fiscal imbalance in BC. The province collects 100% more money from rural BC than it offers in services to rural communities. The gap is about $5000 per rural resident per year. A large part of this imbalance from natural resource revenues, though not all of it.
If the majority of BC, and rural BC represents 90% of the landbase in BC, is to remain sustainable there needs to be mechanisms in place to allow rural communities to look after the myriad of issues that are currently being neglected. Rural local governments have become beggars among the primary sources of wealth in this province.
Urban BC would have to see much higher taxation if there were no resource revenues coming in. The provincial government would see $3.5 billion dollar gap in the budget, that would be a record setting deficit.
There has been some resource revenue sharing with some rural communities, specifically with the First Nations, but ultimately all rural communities should benefit. The various forestry, oil and gas, and mining agreements that have been signed in BC with the First Nations means that BC First Nations are the first ones in Canada with real own source government revenues to operate aboriginal governments. There have been some dramatic improvements in governance in rural BC First Nations over the last five years.
If these motions pass, the BC Government should take note and act on the resolutions. For Christy Clark, this would be a core way to bolster support in rural BC. The HST vote results, where rural BC voted 61.85% to scarp the HST, indicate to me there is an ongoing populist revolt in rural BC that is pissed off with government. The BC Liberals should be secure in re-election in 25-30 ridings, but those are almost all in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley. The current mood in rural BC is not good for the government.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Rural BC Demographics
I am quantifying various things about rural BC in preparation for my appearance on Voice of BC next Thursday.
My definition of rural BC is all of the province that except for:
Here are some quick numbers relating to demographics specifically how they relate to aboriginal people in BC:
In the 2006 Census, 605,000 people lived in rural BC and 3,470,000 in urban BC. This means a bit less than 15% of the population of the province.
Rural BC has 82,610 aboriginal people out of a total of 196,070 - this is 42.1% of all the aboriginal people in BC. They make up 4.8% of all the people in BC but 13.5% of rural BC.
Two urban centres, Kamloops and Prince George have large aboriginal populations. They account 16,000 more aboriginal people, about 9.1% of their population. This means in the rest of urban BC less than 3% of the people are aboriginal.
The Kootenaies, Boundary and South Okanagan have very low aboriginal populations. With them factored out aboriginal people are about one in five in the rest of rural BC.
The aboriginal presence in rural BC is one that is not normally top of most people's minds in urban BC. But it is a reality that the population in Prince Rupert, Bella Colla, Lytton, Fort St James and many more locations has a large aboriginal population. The aboriginal population is also younger.
The rural aboriginal population is not only younger, but it is poorer and less likely to be able to get work.
Fundamentally, any solutions for the economic well being for rural BC has to pay a lot of attention the economic well being or First Nations.
My definition of rural BC is all of the province that except for:
- East coast of Vancouver Island from the Comox Valley south to Victoria
- The Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky, Metro Vancouver
- The Fraser Valley
- Prince George
- Kamloops
- The Okanagan from Ok Falls to Armstrong
Here are some quick numbers relating to demographics specifically how they relate to aboriginal people in BC:
In the 2006 Census, 605,000 people lived in rural BC and 3,470,000 in urban BC. This means a bit less than 15% of the population of the province.
Rural BC has 82,610 aboriginal people out of a total of 196,070 - this is 42.1% of all the aboriginal people in BC. They make up 4.8% of all the people in BC but 13.5% of rural BC.
Two urban centres, Kamloops and Prince George have large aboriginal populations. They account 16,000 more aboriginal people, about 9.1% of their population. This means in the rest of urban BC less than 3% of the people are aboriginal.
The Kootenaies, Boundary and South Okanagan have very low aboriginal populations. With them factored out aboriginal people are about one in five in the rest of rural BC.
The aboriginal presence in rural BC is one that is not normally top of most people's minds in urban BC. But it is a reality that the population in Prince Rupert, Bella Colla, Lytton, Fort St James and many more locations has a large aboriginal population. The aboriginal population is also younger.
The rural aboriginal population is not only younger, but it is poorer and less likely to be able to get work.
Fundamentally, any solutions for the economic well being for rural BC has to pay a lot of attention the economic well being or First Nations.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Voice of BC segment on Rural BC
June 23rd I will be appearing with Bob Simpson on Vaughn Palmer's program Voice of BC and we will be talking about the rural urban divide in BC. Both of us will be coming from the perspective of the importance of rural BC to the whole province.
I will be raising the impact of the large fiscal transfer from rural BC to urban BC. As part of that I will be talking about the dangers to the provincial economy from the lack of sufficient resources being available to land based ministry staff in rural communities.
I will also be raising the systemic problems rural communities have and the relative lack of any government services. As an example getting a business loan in a small town is very hard, in some towns there is not a single banking institution.
I will be raising the impact of the large fiscal transfer from rural BC to urban BC. As part of that I will be talking about the dangers to the provincial economy from the lack of sufficient resources being available to land based ministry staff in rural communities.
I will also be raising the systemic problems rural communities have and the relative lack of any government services. As an example getting a business loan in a small town is very hard, in some towns there is not a single banking institution.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Good News for BC
Re: News & Articles - Friday, May 06, 2011
Title: HIGHWAY 37 POWER LINE RECEIVES FEDERAL APPROVAL
Terrace, BC - The Northwest Power Line Coalition heartily welcomes the federal approval of the Northwest Transmission Line today: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/details-eng.cfm?evaluation=51726.
Infrastructure Canada announced that the Northwest Transmission Line, a proposed $404-million, 344-kilometre transmission line project, from the existing Skeena substation south of Terrace to a new substation near Bob Quinn Lake, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. This decision complements the granting, by the BC Environmental Assessment Office on February 24, 2011, of an environmental assessment certificate for the line.
"This announcement is a critical milestone for the development of industry and green energy projects in northwestern BC," said Dave Pernarowski, Co-Chair of the Northwest Transmission Line, and mayor of the City of Terrace. "The electrification of Highway 37 from Terrace to Bob Quinn Lake and beyond is a fundamental infrastructure development that will allow us to diversify and stabilize the regional economy."
"We are very pleased that the federal government has approved extending the transmission grid into this resource-rich region of the province," stated Gordon Loverin, Co-Chair of the Northwest Transmission Line, founder and current President of the Tahltan Business Council and owner of T'senaglobe Media Inc. "The northwest transmission line will strengthen northwestern BC's economy as well as open up opportunities for Yukon and Alaska. This will also be a catalyst to create cooperation among First Nations to the benefit all peoples of the north."
"We thank the federal government for their timely approval," acknowledged Pernarowski and Loverin. "We look forward to the commencement of construction of this much anticipated power line that will open up opportunities in the Northwest of great value to all British Columbians."
About the Northwest Power Line Coalition
The coalition represents communities, the Northern Development Initiative Trust, non-profit organizations, mineral exploration and mining companies, independent power producers, joint venture First Nations companies and individuals committed to the construction of a high voltage transmission line from Terrace to Dease Lake, British Columbia, and perhaps beyond. The coalition is committed to sustainable economic development in Northwestern British Columbia and believes electrical infrastructure is the key to the future of British Columbia's Northwest.
- 30 -
Contact information:
Dave Pernarowski, Co-Chair, Northwest Powerline Coalition
Email: dr79@telus.net
Tel: 250-615-9576
Gordon Loverin, Co-Chair, Northwest Powerline Coalition
Email: overin@tsenaglobe.coml
Tel: 604-842-9809
Copyright © 2011 HIGHWAY 37 (HWY) All rights reserved. For more information visit our website at http://www.highway37.com/ or send email to cthomson@mining.bc.ca .
Message sent on Fri May 6, 2011 at 3:39:58 PM Pacific Time
Title: HIGHWAY 37 POWER LINE RECEIVES FEDERAL APPROVAL
Terrace, BC - The Northwest Power Line Coalition heartily welcomes the federal approval of the Northwest Transmission Line today: http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/details-eng.cfm?evaluation=51726.
Infrastructure Canada announced that the Northwest Transmission Line, a proposed $404-million, 344-kilometre transmission line project, from the existing Skeena substation south of Terrace to a new substation near Bob Quinn Lake, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. This decision complements the granting, by the BC Environmental Assessment Office on February 24, 2011, of an environmental assessment certificate for the line.
"This announcement is a critical milestone for the development of industry and green energy projects in northwestern BC," said Dave Pernarowski, Co-Chair of the Northwest Transmission Line, and mayor of the City of Terrace. "The electrification of Highway 37 from Terrace to Bob Quinn Lake and beyond is a fundamental infrastructure development that will allow us to diversify and stabilize the regional economy."
"We are very pleased that the federal government has approved extending the transmission grid into this resource-rich region of the province," stated Gordon Loverin, Co-Chair of the Northwest Transmission Line, founder and current President of the Tahltan Business Council and owner of T'senaglobe Media Inc. "The northwest transmission line will strengthen northwestern BC's economy as well as open up opportunities for Yukon and Alaska. This will also be a catalyst to create cooperation among First Nations to the benefit all peoples of the north."
"We thank the federal government for their timely approval," acknowledged Pernarowski and Loverin. "We look forward to the commencement of construction of this much anticipated power line that will open up opportunities in the Northwest of great value to all British Columbians."
About the Northwest Power Line Coalition
The coalition represents communities, the Northern Development Initiative Trust, non-profit organizations, mineral exploration and mining companies, independent power producers, joint venture First Nations companies and individuals committed to the construction of a high voltage transmission line from Terrace to Dease Lake, British Columbia, and perhaps beyond. The coalition is committed to sustainable economic development in Northwestern British Columbia and believes electrical infrastructure is the key to the future of British Columbia's Northwest.
- 30 -
Contact information:
Dave Pernarowski, Co-Chair, Northwest Powerline Coalition
Email: dr79@telus.net
Tel: 250-615-9576
Gordon Loverin, Co-Chair, Northwest Powerline Coalition
Email: overin@tsenaglobe.coml
Tel: 604-842-9809
Copyright © 2011 HIGHWAY 37 (HWY) All rights reserved. For more information visit our website at http://www.highway37.com/ or send email to cthomson@mining.bc.ca .
Message sent on Fri May 6, 2011 at 3:39:58 PM Pacific Time
Saturday, April 2, 2011
2011 Federal Election in Rural BC
There are 10 ridings in BC that have significant rural areas.
Kelowna Lake Country does not make my list because it is purely an urban riding has no rural aspect to it.
West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country is the only large riding in BC that really has no major rural aspect to it. Powell River is in this riding but I think should really be connected to Vancouver Island North. The nature of West Vancouver and the Whistler corridor really dominate this riding.
There will be at least four new MPs from rural BC, though the odds of it being more than four is very, very low. The only two ridings with any potential of changing hands are Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo and Kootenay-Columbia. In both cases the NDP has a long shot chance.
I will putting pages together for each riding and following the election in rural BC.
- British Columbia Southern Interior - Alex Atamenko NDP MP since 2006
- Cariboo Prince George - Dick Harris Conservative MP since 1993
- Chilliwack Fraser Canyon - no incumbent running
- Kamloops Thompson Cariboo - Cathy McLeod Conservative MP since 2008
- Kootenay Columbia - no incumbent running
- Okanagan Coquihalla - no incumbent running
- Okanagan Shuswap - Colin Mayes Conservative MP since 2006
- Prince George Peace River - no incumbent running
- Skeena Bulkley Valley - Nathan Cullen NDP MP since 2004
- Vancouver Island North - John Duncan Conservative MP from 1993 to 2006 and since 2008
Kelowna Lake Country does not make my list because it is purely an urban riding has no rural aspect to it.
West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country is the only large riding in BC that really has no major rural aspect to it. Powell River is in this riding but I think should really be connected to Vancouver Island North. The nature of West Vancouver and the Whistler corridor really dominate this riding.
There will be at least four new MPs from rural BC, though the odds of it being more than four is very, very low. The only two ridings with any potential of changing hands are Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo and Kootenay-Columbia. In both cases the NDP has a long shot chance.
I will putting pages together for each riding and following the election in rural BC.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Hwy #37 News
First Item:
Announcing New Co-Chair for the Northwest Powerline Coalition
Terrace, BC - Gordon Loverin, founder and current President of the Tahltan Business Council and owner of T'Senaglobe Media Inc., has agreed to assume the position of Co-Chair of the Northwest Powerline Coalition alongside Mayor Dave Pernarowski of Terrace.
"My desire to act as Co-Chair is to help build northern BC by encouraging new opportunities that may arise in extending the transmission grid into this resource rich region of the province", stated Mr. Loverin. "The northwest transmission line will also open up opportunities for Yukon and Alaska; I believe these partnerships will benefit northwestern BC, strengthening the region's economy as well as helping to boost the econominy of Yukon and Alaska. There is a desire to create cooperation among First Nations to the benefit all peoples of the north and I am excited to be a part of that discussion."
Gordon Loverin has been an active member of the Coalition and recently produced the video, Energizing Northern BC's Economy. This video highlights the northwest transmission line project and can be found on the Coalition website at www.highway37.com.
"I'm looking forward to working with Mr. Loverin in his new role as Co-Chair of our Coalition," said Dave Pernarowski. "The electrification of Highway 37 is a critical infrastructure development that will spur industry and green energy projects, allowing us to diversify and stabilize the regional economy and bring much needed employment to our communities and I know that Mr. Loverin has a passion to help make this happen."
- 30 -
About the Highway 37 Power Line Coalition
The coalition represents communities, the Northern Development Initiative Trust, non-profit organizations, mineral exploration and mining companies, independent power producers, joint venture First Nations companies and individuals committed to the construction of a high voltage transmission line from Terrace to Dease Lake, British Columbia, and perhaps beyond. The coalition is committed to sustainable economic development in Northwestern British Columbia and believes electrical infrastructure is the key to the future of British Columbia's Northwest.
Contact information:
Dave Pernarowski
Co-Chair
Northwest Powerline Coalition
Email: dr79@telus.net
Tel: 250 615-9576
Copyright © 2011 HIGHWAY 37 (HWY) All rights reserved. For more information visit our website at http://www.highway37.com/ or send email to cthomson@mining.bc.ca .
Message sent on Mon Feb 21, 2011 at 3:29:31 PM Pacific Time
----------------------------
Item #2
George Abbott has come out in the leadership debate in favour of higher BC Hydro rates to ensure there is the money to build the needed infrastructure, which includes the NTL.
Announcing New Co-Chair for the Northwest Powerline Coalition
Terrace, BC - Gordon Loverin, founder and current President of the Tahltan Business Council and owner of T'Senaglobe Media Inc., has agreed to assume the position of Co-Chair of the Northwest Powerline Coalition alongside Mayor Dave Pernarowski of Terrace.
"My desire to act as Co-Chair is to help build northern BC by encouraging new opportunities that may arise in extending the transmission grid into this resource rich region of the province", stated Mr. Loverin. "The northwest transmission line will also open up opportunities for Yukon and Alaska; I believe these partnerships will benefit northwestern BC, strengthening the region's economy as well as helping to boost the econominy of Yukon and Alaska. There is a desire to create cooperation among First Nations to the benefit all peoples of the north and I am excited to be a part of that discussion."
Gordon Loverin has been an active member of the Coalition and recently produced the video, Energizing Northern BC's Economy. This video highlights the northwest transmission line project and can be found on the Coalition website at www.highway37.com.
"I'm looking forward to working with Mr. Loverin in his new role as Co-Chair of our Coalition," said Dave Pernarowski. "The electrification of Highway 37 is a critical infrastructure development that will spur industry and green energy projects, allowing us to diversify and stabilize the regional economy and bring much needed employment to our communities and I know that Mr. Loverin has a passion to help make this happen."
- 30 -
About the Highway 37 Power Line Coalition
The coalition represents communities, the Northern Development Initiative Trust, non-profit organizations, mineral exploration and mining companies, independent power producers, joint venture First Nations companies and individuals committed to the construction of a high voltage transmission line from Terrace to Dease Lake, British Columbia, and perhaps beyond. The coalition is committed to sustainable economic development in Northwestern British Columbia and believes electrical infrastructure is the key to the future of British Columbia's Northwest.
Contact information:
Dave Pernarowski
Co-Chair
Northwest Powerline Coalition
Email: dr79@telus.net
Tel: 250 615-9576
Copyright © 2011 HIGHWAY 37 (HWY) All rights reserved. For more information visit our website at http://www.highway37.com/ or send email to cthomson@mining.bc.ca .
Message sent on Mon Feb 21, 2011 at 3:29:31 PM Pacific Time
----------------------------
Item #2
George Abbott has come out in the leadership debate in favour of higher BC Hydro rates to ensure there is the money to build the needed infrastructure, which includes the NTL.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Northwest Powerline
The Northwest Poweline project has now passed through the BC Environmental Assessment process and is awaiting approval from the Minister. I would be very surprising to have it turned down. The next step is to get Federal approval for the project, one would hope this would happen quickly. Given that the feds have offered money for the project, one would expect them to approve, the problem is that nothing will happen if a federal election is under way.
How important is the powerline to BC? The Northwest Transmission Line is the single most important piece of infrastructure in BC but it has taken years to get to where it is now.
The transmission line will make a number of advanced mineral projects economically viable. Among these are Cooper Fox's Schaft Creek. Imperial Metals' Red Chris, NovaGold's Galore Creek, Capstone's Kutcho Creek, and Hard Creek Nickel's Turnagain project. If only a couple of these projects come into production, BC's mineral exports will be significantly boosted. Within several years of completion of the line it is reasonable for BC to expect more than $1,000,000,000 in new mineral exports, this is worth more than the BC film industry. $3,000,000,000 in new exports in ten years is a very reasonable expectation. The total new tax revenues for the government are very significant and more than pay for the cost of the construction of the line.
There is also one coal mine under consideration in the area, Fortunes Minerals Mount Klappan Anthracite Coal project. Anthracite coal is the highest value coal available. The mine would have annual revenues of around half a billion.
The Northwest Transmission Line also opens up a large area of BC for the production of green power. There are about 25 potential run-of-river projects that would be economically feasible if the NTL is built. These projects would provide about 1,200 GWh per year, a quarter of what Site C would provide. This new power would also provide another $100 million in new revenues in BC. It is not only run of the river that is possible, there is also some very significant potential for geothermal power and wind power as well in the region.
In Wrangell Alaska there is a strong interest in the NTL because it makes it possible for them to be connected to the Western Interconnection. There is a local group there advocating for the line, the Alaska-Canada Energy Coalition. They should be able to offer some power into the grid should there be a connection built to them.
The NTL will also make it possible for sawmills to be developed along Highway #37. There is an annual allowable cut in the Cassiar and Nass timber supply areas of more than 1.2 million cubic metres of timber but this timber can not be processed locally. In the Cassiar TSA, the lack of milling facilities dramatically reduces the area of forest that is economically harvestable. A single sawmill somewhere around Iskut would make it possible to have a higher annual allowable cut.
You would think that with all these strong economic, job and tax benefits to the province, this transmission line would have been the number one infrastructure project in BC years ago. Unfortunately the Northwest Transmission Line has long suffered from its location.
Governments in BC are driven by the voters and the majority of the voters are located in the Lower Mainland. Spending several billion dollars on infrastructure in the south west of BC is an easy political sell, convincing government to spend money on new infrastructure in the Northwest is just not very easy at all. Even though the NTL will clearly have a significant impact on the GDP of BC and provide the provincial government with significant tax revenues, there has never been a strong and vocal support of the project in Victoria.
As it stands, the scope and scale of the NTL is much smaller than is needed. If half the mines open the line will be beyond capacity. Realistically the government should be looking at a minimum 500kV line and should be looking at extending all the way to Yukon connecting with the grid in the territory at Watson Lake which then makes the case for a transmission line from there to Teslin, another 272 kilometers. Connecting Yukon then makes connecting Alaska a reasonable expansion.
The government is willing to fund the Gateway project and transit expansion, but it seems unwilling to put much effort into infrastructure needed for the resource industries. There is a fairly quick return on investment for government from infrastructure for the resource industries.
How important is the powerline to BC? The Northwest Transmission Line is the single most important piece of infrastructure in BC but it has taken years to get to where it is now.
The transmission line will make a number of advanced mineral projects economically viable. Among these are Cooper Fox's Schaft Creek. Imperial Metals' Red Chris, NovaGold's Galore Creek, Capstone's Kutcho Creek, and Hard Creek Nickel's Turnagain project. If only a couple of these projects come into production, BC's mineral exports will be significantly boosted. Within several years of completion of the line it is reasonable for BC to expect more than $1,000,000,000 in new mineral exports, this is worth more than the BC film industry. $3,000,000,000 in new exports in ten years is a very reasonable expectation. The total new tax revenues for the government are very significant and more than pay for the cost of the construction of the line.
There is also one coal mine under consideration in the area, Fortunes Minerals Mount Klappan Anthracite Coal project. Anthracite coal is the highest value coal available. The mine would have annual revenues of around half a billion.
The Northwest Transmission Line also opens up a large area of BC for the production of green power. There are about 25 potential run-of-river projects that would be economically feasible if the NTL is built. These projects would provide about 1,200 GWh per year, a quarter of what Site C would provide. This new power would also provide another $100 million in new revenues in BC. It is not only run of the river that is possible, there is also some very significant potential for geothermal power and wind power as well in the region.
In Wrangell Alaska there is a strong interest in the NTL because it makes it possible for them to be connected to the Western Interconnection. There is a local group there advocating for the line, the Alaska-Canada Energy Coalition. They should be able to offer some power into the grid should there be a connection built to them.
The NTL will also make it possible for sawmills to be developed along Highway #37. There is an annual allowable cut in the Cassiar and Nass timber supply areas of more than 1.2 million cubic metres of timber but this timber can not be processed locally. In the Cassiar TSA, the lack of milling facilities dramatically reduces the area of forest that is economically harvestable. A single sawmill somewhere around Iskut would make it possible to have a higher annual allowable cut.
You would think that with all these strong economic, job and tax benefits to the province, this transmission line would have been the number one infrastructure project in BC years ago. Unfortunately the Northwest Transmission Line has long suffered from its location.
Governments in BC are driven by the voters and the majority of the voters are located in the Lower Mainland. Spending several billion dollars on infrastructure in the south west of BC is an easy political sell, convincing government to spend money on new infrastructure in the Northwest is just not very easy at all. Even though the NTL will clearly have a significant impact on the GDP of BC and provide the provincial government with significant tax revenues, there has never been a strong and vocal support of the project in Victoria.
As it stands, the scope and scale of the NTL is much smaller than is needed. If half the mines open the line will be beyond capacity. Realistically the government should be looking at a minimum 500kV line and should be looking at extending all the way to Yukon connecting with the grid in the territory at Watson Lake which then makes the case for a transmission line from there to Teslin, another 272 kilometers. Connecting Yukon then makes connecting Alaska a reasonable expansion.
The government is willing to fund the Gateway project and transit expansion, but it seems unwilling to put much effort into infrastructure needed for the resource industries. There is a fairly quick return on investment for government from infrastructure for the resource industries.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Observations on the 2011 Exploration Roundup
I was over in Vancouver yesterday at the 2011 AME Exploration Roundup, I was asked to provide some postings for the Core Blog. Here is what I offered them:
I attended Roundup each year from 2001 to 2007 and then I took a four year break before coming back this year. Normally from year to year there are only incremental changes. Having taken a break has allowed me to see there are some significant changes to the Roundup.
First Nations are much more in evidence now than even five years ago and much more than 10 years ago. For way too many years the mining industry viewed the First Nations as an opposition group and not as partners. Dan Jepsen, who was at AME BC from 2002 to 2008, spent a lot of time and energy building a new attitude towards First Nations and it is very much in evidence at Roundup this year.
It is crucial in BC that companies have a good social contract with the nearby First Nations. For far too long many mining juniors did not take this seriously which has lead to problems down the road for many a promising project. The fact we are seeing leaders from First Nation communities at the Roundup means the sort of two way positive relationship needed to allow projects to move forward here in BC are happening. I am also happy to see that more and more aboriginal people are seeing mining as an important future for their communities.
Another change I saw this year compared to the past is a shift among who the exhibitors are. There has been a shift away from mining juniors to many more companies supplying services to industry. The Cambridge House Investment Show down the way at the Trade and Convention Centre seems to be where a lot more of the mining junior promotion is going on than at the Roundup. I only had a day to be in Vancouver and heavy schedule of people to see, so I did not get a chance to check out the Cambridge show.
With the exhibitors being much more about the suppliers than the mining juniors, from what I could see there were a lot more company executives and geologists were talking with each other. It seemed to me in the past that often many of the mining juniors at the Roundup were doing a lot of investment relations and not spending the time informally talking as members of the industry.
I have to admit that this shift makes it harder for me to track down people from specific companies and talk with them about what I do and how I might help them but that is my problem. Next year I will have to spend several days there so that I can spend some time at the evening receptions.
The one final observation I have is about the ability of Roundup to cope with the size of the event. Has it become too big to continue at the Westin Bayshore or is it time to move to a larger venue?
Monday, January 24, 2011
2010 Mineral Exploration Numbers are Out
In 2010 companies spent $322,000,000 on exploration in BC, this is more than a doubling from 2009 when it was only $157,000,000. This is still below the figures for 2008 ($367,000,000) and 2007 (abt $430,000,000).
What needs to kept in mind that that a lot of this exploration expenditure was at existing mine locations or advanced projects close to production. As an example, Mount Milligan had $33 million spent on it in 2010.
In the last six years $1.8 billion dollars as been spent on exploration in BC. What is important in this spending is that a lot of the money is going on the work needed to move mines into production or keep them in operation.
In the last few years large scale mines have been bogging down in trying to get through all the regulatory hoops. What has been working not badly has been the small mine program. The Shasta gold mine in the Toodoggone by Sable Resources that pulled out 700 ounces gold equivalent - $960,000. Eagle Plains Resources has done much the same with the Yellow Jacket Project in the Atlin area.
In general there are about six of seven major mines that could very well be operating within the next couple of years. New Afton, Cooper Mountain, Mount Milligan, Kitsault, Dome Mountain, and Kemess North (now as an underground project) are all clearly moving towards production. This represents the biggest expansion in new mines in ages in this province.
It will be interesting to see what the mood is like at the AME Exploration Roundup when I go there tomorrow.
What needs to kept in mind that that a lot of this exploration expenditure was at existing mine locations or advanced projects close to production. As an example, Mount Milligan had $33 million spent on it in 2010.
In the last six years $1.8 billion dollars as been spent on exploration in BC. What is important in this spending is that a lot of the money is going on the work needed to move mines into production or keep them in operation.
In the last few years large scale mines have been bogging down in trying to get through all the regulatory hoops. What has been working not badly has been the small mine program. The Shasta gold mine in the Toodoggone by Sable Resources that pulled out 700 ounces gold equivalent - $960,000. Eagle Plains Resources has done much the same with the Yellow Jacket Project in the Atlin area.
In general there are about six of seven major mines that could very well be operating within the next couple of years. New Afton, Cooper Mountain, Mount Milligan, Kitsault, Dome Mountain, and Kemess North (now as an underground project) are all clearly moving towards production. This represents the biggest expansion in new mines in ages in this province.
It will be interesting to see what the mood is like at the AME Exploration Roundup when I go there tomorrow.
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