BC & NATIONAL Breaking News – Archived from June 2018
by West Shore Voice News
Friday, June 29 ~ NATIONAL. Consumer pain: tariffs on a range of products start July 1 in Canada
As released June 29, the final list of 10% tariffs that will be imposed as a countermeasure on products coming into Canada from the USA includes a wide range of consumer products.
Matching a $16.6 billion US “unjustified” set of tariffs on Canadian steel (25%) and aluminum (10%), the Canadian counter-tariff list is political in nature to assert pressure on US lawmakers in key states where their state economies normally gain by trade with Canada. It comes into effect July 1, 2018.
Some of the US products that Canadians may quickly find to be more expensive: culinary and household paper products; and other paper and cardboard products; sewing machine accessories; printed postcards; certain types of stoves, fridges and dishwashers, washer/dryers; lawnmowers; sailboats, motorboats; beauty supply products; packaged pizza and quiche; maple syrup, candies and chocolate products; fresh orange juice, gherkin pickles, strawberry jam, soya sauce, ketchup & mayo; dishwasher detergent, glues, adhesives.
After receiving public consultation about the first list released June 1, things like peanut butter were removed from the Canadian tariff list. Full list: https://www.fin.gc.ca/access/tt-it/cacsap-cmpcaa-1-eng.asp
A good-sized crowd of Royal Roads University (RRU) staff and students gathered on the third floor of the Learning and Innovative Centre on Tuesday afternoon, June 26, to hear an announcement from the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Melanie Mark about $180,000 coming to RRU for more grad-level student scholarships.
It’s part of a $12 million investment announced last month by Premier John Horgan, providing $15,000 each for students pursuing graduate degrees in research-intensive or professional graduate-degree programs.
Mark addressed the crowd of about 80 people with motivational remarks about “pushing the envelope for change” and having “room in her canoe” for everyone who wants to paddle together toward advancements in social, economic and environmental justice. Minister Mark said she is “proud to be part of a progressive government that wants to lift people up”.
The upbeat formal announcement event was hosted by MLA Mitzi Dean (Esquimalt-Metchosin) who is also the Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity. Dean remarked about women leaders being advocates for all and how the current NDP government is helping people who’ve been left behind.
Cahoon emphasized that RRU education is “different” in that it focusses on making a difference in the community. The university is pleased to attract professionals and experts in various fields who are “brought back in terms of learning and teaching”, notably through attentive assessment to the work-world background and life experience of applicants
in addition to academic training.
After the formal presentation, Cahoon said that a three-way conversation with local school board SD62 and the City of Langford is going well, bringing together shared interests and benefits to the community. One of the goals is to offer new post-secondary opportunities to west shore high school graduates as they transition into post-secondary. This could help SD62 bump up its below-provincial-average Grade 12 graduate transfer rate and Langford can pitch in with a business innovation support network and access to their nearby recreational facilities.
The west shore campus idea was not originally part of the RRU long-term plan, Cahoon told West Shore Voice News, but says RRU is responding to the labour market needs of BC and a call-out from Langford and the west shore. “This plan is not necessarily for our business development (at the campus) but to respond to the community,” Cahoon said.
A mid-July meeting will develop things further amongst the three parties along with BC government input. Discussions will include a review of preliminary results from a survey of SD62 parents and students about their post-secondary wants and needs and what some of the barriers to transferrability might be (survey done in schools and online in May and June, including some passive outreach to the broader community). Cahoon says there will be cooperation with UVic and Camosun. All undergrad courses at RRU will be transferable to other post-secondary institutions, he said.
Supporting grad-level education is part of an education continuum, Minister Mark told West Shore Voice News, noting the increase of the grad scholarship level from $10,000 to $15,000. She also spoke excitedly about STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-the Arts-Mathematics) in which she emphasizes the ‘A’, beyond STEM. “We’re investing in students, we’re on their side.”
Saturday, June 23 ~ BC. Buy BC programming is being relaunched to boost BC’s agriculture industry and fuel public interest in shopping for made-in-BC products.
Buy BC marketing had been cancelled in the early 2000s, but will again make it easier for British Columbians to explore new and different products from around the province, said BC Agriculture Minister Lana Popham at a farmer’s market in Victoria, June 23.
Buy BC will introduce BC-produced food and drink in BC and globally, said Popham. Cost-shared funding is available to agriculture and seafood producers, processors and co-operatives, as well as relevant industry associations, plus local agricultural fairs and markets.
Logo-licencing agreements will be available for BC agriculture and seafood companies that do not require cost-shared funding, but who use the Buy BC logo on products.
Local food is sold at over 145 community farmers’ markets across the province, says the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets.
The Buy BC Partnership Program will provide $2 million per year, over the next three years, to help eligible applicants with marketing using the Buy BC logo on their products or promotional materials. The program will be administered and delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Friday, June 22 ~ BC. The upcoming referendum on electoral reform is the public’s opportunity to indicate how you would want to vote in future BC provincial elections. That would be either first-past-the-post (present system, where the winner by even one vote takes home the prize) or a form of proportional representation (you’ll get three options).
As announced late Friday afternoon, June 22, the referendum ballot questions have been amended by cabinet and government, based on recommendations from the chief electoral officer.
It’s going to take a bit public education by the provincial government to do a fair job of getting a valid sense of what people really want. Elections BC will administer and enforce referendum advertising rules and the activities of proponent and opponent groups during the referendum campaign period of July 1, 2018 to 4:30 pm on November 30, 2018.
The official questions for the referendum are:
- Which system should British Columbia use for provincial elections? (Vote for only one): • The current first-past-the-post voting system • A proportional representation voting system.
- If British Columbia adopts a proportional representation voting system, which of the following voting systems do you prefer? Rank in order of preference. You may choose to support one, two or all three of the systems: • Dual Member Proportional (DMP) • Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) • Rural-Urban Proportional (RUP).
Voting will be by mail-in ballot during the voting period of October 22, 2018 to 4:30 pm on November 30, 2018. This will be BC’s third referendum or plebiscite conducted by mail-in ballot. In order to vote in the referendum, eligible British Columbians must be registered to vote with Elections BC.
Electoral reform referendum regulation: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/271/2018/06/ReferendumRegulation2018.pdf
Attorney General’s report and recommendations for the 2018 referendum on electoral reform: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/271/2018/05/How-We-Vote-2018-Electoral-Reform-Referendum-Report-and-Recommendations-of-the-Attorney-General.pdf
Recent changes to the Election Act: https://news.gov.bc.ca/15423
Elections BC: www.elections.bc.ca
Friday, June 22 ~ BC. Families searching for quality, licensed child care in their communities will have hundreds more options through a new grant program. “Thousands of parents, providers and educators have told us that the availability of quality child care is the number one concern for them,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “This grant program will offer providers a new source of funding to become licensed, and it – along with other initiatives – will help to further enhance the quality of programs.”
Eligible unlicensed child care providers – who are currently limited to providing care to a maximum of two children unrelated to them, or a sibling group – can now apply for financial assistance to become licensed family or in-home multi-age (IHMA) child care providers. Becoming licensed allows child care providers to care for seven or eight children, depending on their licence.
To help providers switch over, the Province is investing $750,000 in the program per year, over the next three years.
“Families and providers have been clear: there are just not enough child care spaces out there to meet demand, which is why our Childcare BC plan puts a premium on the creation of new, quality, highly sought-after licensed spaces,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “This grant program is step one as we gear up to announce a major investment in, and overhaul of, our child care building plan in the coming weeks.”
Funds of up to $4,500 are available for providers pursuing an IHMA licence, and up to $4,000 for providers pursuing a family child care licence. Funds include a $500 up-front payment, in addition to $500 per space, which will be provided to cover the costs of becoming licensed, including but not limited to:
* training fees (i.e. Responsible Adult course, Mother Goose training, first aid);
* application fees (i.e. licensing, re-zoning);
* hiring replacement staff while taking a required course to become licensed; and
* buying equipment for a child care facility.
Under Childcare BC, the Province is investing more than $1 billion in child care over the next three years to lay the foundation for a universal child care system. Investments in licensed providers complement the Province’s Childcare BC goals of improving quality and building more licensed spaces for BC families.
- Eligibility criteria for the Start-Up Grant program: www2.gov.bc.ca/childcare/startupgrants
- Child care in BC: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare
- Childcare BC Maintenance Fund: www2.gov.bc.ca/ccmaintenancefund
- Child care improvements under Budget 2018: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/child-care/child-care-improvements
- Childcare BC Blueprint: www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/family-and-social-supports/child-care/childcare_web.pdf
- List of the child care providers who are participating in the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative: http://ow.ly/k16P30kkPoY
Friday, June 22 ~ BC. A deadline of August 14, 2018 looms fast for parents who may wish to sign up for a grant that contributes to tax-free savings within a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).
The BC Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG) is $1,200 for each child born in 2006 or later. The deadline for those born in 2007 to 2009 is August 14, 2018, or the day before the child’s ninth birthday, whichever is later.
Almost 80% of job openings in BC over the next decade will require some form of post-secondary education.
The grant may be used for full or part-time studies at vocational schools, apprenticeships, trades training, college or university. The BCTESG is seen as one way to help ease transition from high school.
Even without any other funds to presently contribute to an RESP, this grant can get that process started at a financial institution.
Thursday, June 21 ~ BC. The BC Government has received a report with 24 recommendations that aim to improve efficiency and outcomes in business interaction between government and BC’s liquor industry. The Business Technical Advisory Panel’s report was developed by Liquor policy advisor Mark Hicken.
The Ministry of Attorney General announced today that government will review the recommendations to analyze and consider the potential health, public safety, social, financial and labour impacts of the recommendations. Any actions will need to be compliant with British Columbia’s trade obligations.
Hicken is a long-time wine industry lawyer, who received the Liquor Policy Advisor appointment in November 2017.
Among other issues, the review found a wholesale monopoly in liquor sales in BC. As the BC Liquor Distribution Branch gets ready to add wholesale and retail marijuana sales to its network of liquor warehouses and stores, the BC government is being urged to deal with a conflict of interest in the system.
The LDB sets wholesale prices and supplies products for private liquor stores as well as government stores it operates in competition with the private stores, policy advisor Mark Hicken said in the report to government on June 20.
Hicken chaired a panel of industry representatives who met with stakeholders, read written submissions and deliberated over findings, to provide recommendations that reflect industry consensus. Health agencies and labour representatives provided input. Further engagement with these experts will be required at the analysis stage.
Panel members were from the BC Wine Institute, BC Craft Brewers Guild, Canada’s National Brewers, Craft Distillers Guild of BC, Restaurants Canada, BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, Alliance of Beverage Licensees and Rural Agency Store Advisory Society.
This report will assist government in focusing limited resources on evaluating industry priorities, and reflects government’s interest in developing policy that makes life better for all British Columbians.
“Today, the Government of Canada has made history by announcing the end of a 95-year prohibition on non-medical cannabis, and confirming the legalization date of October 17, 2018. Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, creates a new national framework that provides access to a regulated supply of cannabis, while implementing restrictions to minimize the harms associated with cannabis use.
“This federal legislation creates a corresponding need for provincial and territorial governments to establish cannabis-related laws and regulations. That’s why BC recently passed legislation to ensure we have a responsible regulatory framework in place for the safe implementation of legalized cannabis throughout our province.
“We’re now focused on developing the regulations and supporting policies for the implementation of our provincial regulatory regime. We are also working on provincial public awareness and education campaigns, to ensure British Columbians have the information they need regarding legalization and our provincial regulations when they come into force.
“It’s important to remember that the date set by the federal government for cannabis legalization will just be the beginning. The legalization of cannabis is complex, and the Province is committed to monitoring the implementation and making any adjustments necessary to meet our provincial goals. This includes continuing to engage local governments and Indigenous governments and organizations beyond legalization, to ensure specific interests and concerns are addressed.”
Wednesday, June 20 ~ BC. The Province is establishing a new, publicly accessible registry of who owns real estate in British Columbia. It will be the first registry of its kind in Canada.
The Ministry of Finance says it will improve transparency in the real estate market. It will provide tax auditors and law enforcement agencies, as well as federal and provincial regulators, with information that will assist with their investigations.
British Columbians are invited to provide feedback on the white paper proposal until August 19, 2018.
Read the white paper: www.fin.gov.bc.ca/pld/fcsp/consultLOTA.htm
To share your comments, email to the Ministry of Finance at: fcsp@gov.bc.ca
The BC Government’s 30-Point Plan for Housing Affordability is here: http://bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf
Wednesday, June 20 ~ BC. The Government of British Columbia will establish rigorous new rules and expectations for the renewal of salmon farm tenures in BC waters, it was announced today, June 20.
“The challenges facing our wild salmon have been ignored for far too long,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “That’s why we are putting in place a new approach to provide clarity and outline our expectations moving forward for a sustainable industry that protects wild salmon, embraces reconciliation, and provides good jobs.”
The new requirements provide clarity on the salmon farming tenure process, establishing key criteria for tenures past 2022.
“We need to take the necessary steps – steps that should have been taken years ago – to ensure that fish farm operations do not put wild salmon stocks in jeopardy,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “The thousands of British Columbians who rely on our clean ocean waters for jobs, culture and recreation expect no less.”
Effective June 2022, the Province will grant Land Act tenures only to fish farm operators who have satisfied Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) that their operations will not adversely impact wild salmon stocks, and who have negotiated agreements with the First Nation(s) in whose territory they propose to operate.
A key court ruling in 2009 clarified that the federal government has the exclusive jurisdiction for regulating fisheries, including fish farms.
“We will look to DFO to bring the best science to determining where and under what conditions open-pen fish farms can operate without threatening wild salmon and other species,” Popham said.
The year 2022 aligns with the current renewal date of the substantial majority of fish licences issued by DFO.
Wednesday, June 20 ~ NATIONAL. Cannabis will be legal to buy and consume in Canada by about mid-September. The Senate voted yesterday, June 19, to pass the Liberal government’s Bill C-45 to bring the previously prohibited substance into legal use.
UPDATE at 3:15 pm – “Today, the Government of Canada has made history by announcing the end of a 95-year prohibition on non-medical cannabis, and confirming the legalization date of Oct. 17, 2018. Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, creates a new national framework that provides access to a regulated supply of cannabis, while implementing restrictions to minimize the harms associated with cannabis use,” said BC Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a statement to media.
After Royal Assent, it will take provinces and other jurisdictions about 8 to 12 weeks to be ready for regulations and law enforcement.
The Senate vote on June 19 was 52-29. Of the Senate’s nearly four dozen amendments, 27 were accepted last week by the government and others were tweaked.
But 13 amendments were not accepted, including giving provinces the right to limit home grown cultivation and the number of cannabis plants that can be grown at home. The number of allowable plants will be four in all provinces. There was some effort in the Senate to have that amendment reinstated, but senators voted 45-35 to not insist on that change.
Most of the votes in the Senate against legalization were by Conservative senators, under direction from their leader Andrew Scheer. Liberal and independent senators were open to vote as they saw fit.
One Conservative Senator (Leo Housakos) predicts those presently involved in peddling illegal cannabis are becoming large corporations that will make a lot of money at the expense of vulnerable people.
The Liberal government has said all along that it wants to take cannabis profiteering out of the hands of criminals, and to aim for better safety for youth away from the black market.
It’s still not clear how effective driving-while-impaired enforcement can be in detecting TCH-affected drivers.
Canada is the first industrialized country to legalize cannabis nationwide. Several states in the USA have in recent years forged ahead with legalization. The industry is flourishing. Business pundits are calling this a brand new consumer growth product, something that is not often seen on the scope.
The full Bill C-45 is online at http://www.parl.ca/Content/Bills/421/Government/C-45/C-45_3/C-45_3.PDF
The Liberal government has said all along that it wants to take cannabis profiteering out of the hands of criminals, and to aim for better safety for youth away from the black market.
Saturday, June 16 ~ BC. An expansion of insulin pump coverage takes effect July 3. Announced June 12, this expansion will ensure that any diabetic person in BC has access to an insulin pump under PharmaCare if needed. Previously, insulin pump coverage for youth extended only to the age of 25 (and when the program was first introduced in 2008 covered children only to age 18).
BC Minister of Health Adrian Dix explained that many people over 25 years of age “have been forced to make the difficult choice between purchasing this device for their health, or foregoing it due to cost. Going forward, they won’t be put in this position,” said Dix in a media announcement.
An insulin pump is a medical device that more closely mimics the body’s natural insulin production than insulin injections. The pump is worn on the body at all times and delivers insulin through a thin tube (cannula). It allows greater freedom and blood glucose control, thus reducing the likelihood of long-term complications.
For young patients with type 1 diabetes, insulin pump therapy is associated with lower risks of severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis and better glycemic control than insulin injection therapy, according to a study published October 2017 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The cost of one pump runs from $6,000 to $7,000 and requires replacement every five years.
The pump system allows diagnosed diabetics to better manage their condition, improving quality of life and well-being, and preventing serious secondary conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to nerve damage, said Dix.
“Insulin pumps can also help prevent eye disease, kidney disease, amputations and a number of other complications related to diabetes,” says Ramya Hosak, executive director and co-founder of Young and T1, a BC-based and volunteer-run organization for young adults living with Type 1 diabetes.
“Following through on a pledge made by Premier John Horgan, the provincial government is removing the age restriction for insulin pump coverage,” said Dix. About 485,000 people in BC live with diabetes. An estimated 830 adults will benefit from the expansion in the first year.
BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver made a statement of support for the decision. “Insulin pumps are not only an effective tool for patients to manage a very dangerous disease, they’re also a preventative and cost-effective measure for our healthcare,” said Weaver.
BC is the third province to cover the cost of insulin pumps for diabetics, regardless of age. To young Type 1 diabetics living in the province, it comes as a huge relief. “Diabetes Canada commends the provincial government for making this decision. Type 1 diabetes doesn’t stop at age 25, and we are so pleased that insulin pump coverage won’t also,” says Sheila Kern, regional director of BC and Yukon Diabetes Canada. “The burden of worrying about how to continue insulin therapy after the age of 25 can be very heavy, but this decision put through by the Horgan administration will help lessen it.”
Physicians in BC who provide continuous care to diabetic patients receive a diabetes management incentive payment. In 2017-18, more than 3,400 family doctors received that payment for over 208,300 patients.
Aging populations, increasing urbanisation, and widening social inequalities (including poverty) are contributing factors to the rapid rise in diabetes prevalence over the past 40 years, it was reported in The Lancet this week.
Friday June 15 ~ BC. Today June 15, 2018, changes to Rules under the Real Estate Services Act that dictate how REALTORS® work with consumers have come into effect. The Rules, mandated by the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (OSRE) and finalized on April 27, 2018, have been amended to ensure that REALTORS® make adequate disclosures, so that consumers can make informed decisions. For many Realtors, the changes mean diminished financial returns in their overall sales income.
“BCREA, together with the Real Estate Council of British Columbia (RECBC), has been hard at work to update the Applied Practice Courses for new licensees. BCREA has also been updating its continuing education courses and nearly two dozen standard legal forms that have been impacted by the changes,” said British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) CEO Darlene Hyde. “The new rules governing real estate practices mark a significant shift in how REALTORS® in BC work with their clients. It’s important that consumers know what to expect when the changes come into effect.
”REALTORS®, consumers and conflicts of interest: One of the changes is a ban on dual agency. Dual agency occurs when a REALTOR® represents more than one party in a real estate transaction. That can be a buyer and a seller, two or more buyers, or a landlord and a tenant. The ban was recommended by RECBC’s Independent Advisory Group in 2016. Exemptions will be possible in limited circumstances. Under the prohibition on dual agency a real estate agent cannot represent two clients with competing interests at the same time.
REALTORS®, consumers and compensation: From June 15, REALTORS® are required to make more disclosures on the commissions they receive on transactions. Once the amendment comes into effect, a REALTOR® must give the seller a copy of the disclosure form before presenting each offer or counter-offer from potential buyers. This form explains how the commission will be shared with other brokerages involved in the transaction (the buyer’s brokerage) and any other payments the REALTOR® expects to receive as a result of the transaction.
BCREA has worked with its 11 member boards “to make these changes as seamless and as transparent as possible,” says BCREA. Despite that, the BC Green Party issued a statement one day ago (June 14) in response to “ongoing concerns expressed…by realtors across BC”. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver “is once more calling on the Minister of Finance and the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate to extend the timeline for the introduction of the real estate rule changes”. The changes had already been delayed once — they were to first come into effect March 15, 2018.
BCREA says they are actively working to educate REALTORS® on the implications of these changes so they can continue to serve consumers with integrity and professionalism when the Rule changes come into effect.
“These changes will profoundly alter for the foreseeable future the way consumers initially interact with their REALTOR® and the ban on limited dual agency will have a negative impact on consumer choice with respect to their selection of REALTOR® in some circumstances,” said Hyde. “BCREA has done its utmost to facilitate the transition to the new Rules and we stand behind a strong regulatory regime, informed and knowledgeable customers and professional REALTORS®.”
For more information on the Rule changes: https://knowledge.recbc.ca/
Wednesday, June 13 ~ BC. Today Premier John Horgan announced an extension of the The Recovery Transition Program for periods of 30 days, up to 90 days. This is in partnership with the Red Cross, which will provide support and financial assistance to people who cannot return to their homes.
Speaking in a teleconference out of Grand Forks today June 13, Horgan said the funds are for living expenses and for people to get back into homes.
The Recovery Transition Program will provide support and financial assistance to people who cannot return to their homes. The BC government will match donations made to the Canadian Red Cross, dollar for dollar. Donations can be made at https://donate.redcross.ca
“Throughout last year’s wildfires and floods, and during this year’s spring floods, the Canadian Red Cross stepped up to support our government and British Columbians in times of need,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness. “In a catastrophic emergency, the Red Cross’s experience, systems and technology will support our local government-managed emergency social services, to reach people as quickly as possible.”
Horgan said that the province has the responsibility to see that every citizen is safe and well cared for, with local government being responsible for ESS and decisions about rebuilding. One infrastructure direction might be the construction of dikes, which is being discussed in Grand Forks this evening.
Horgan added: “I do not regret the decision we made for support for the bid, based on a lack of a final number from FIFA.” He reiterated that BC is “not prepared to write a blank cheque”, itemizing that at the time there were no definitive answers on the numbers of games that would be played in Vancouver, or about the costs of closing of BC Place, nor a final dollar figure (which would have included a hefty security expense).
Keeping the provincial budget in mind, and soon now having to fund flood restoration in Grand Forks and the efforts required in the summer fire season, Horgan said “most taxpayers will be grateful for that decision”.
On the matter of Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog deciding to run for Mayor of Nanaimo this fall, Horgan told media: “Leonard Krog has thought long and hard about it” and that people have been urging Krog to bring stability to Nanaimo council with the longstanding local belief that Krog can bring stability to that municipal government. Horgan said Krog will stay on until the Fall 2018 municipal election period, and “I wish him well”. Krog would stay on in the BC legislature if he does not win the Nanaimo mayoralty seat.
Today June 13 it was announced at the FIFA tournament in Moscow that Canada will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, along with the USA and Mexico. The United bid beat out Morocco which has bid on the World Cup opportunity five times.
Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal are Canadian candidate host cities for the men’s soccer showcase, expanded to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament. The current blueprint calls for Canada and Mexico to stage 10 games each, with the USA hosting 60.
Mexico has twice hosted the World Cup, in 1970 and 1986. The US hosted in 1994.
Building up teams toward 2026 will be a big boost to soccer in Canada. On the west shore of Vancouver Island, there is a BC team for new pro soccer Canadian Premier League, central to Victoria; the inaugural league season starts April 2019 with games at Westhills Stadium in Langford (as announced June 1). In Langford there is a soccer academy at local highschools in the SD62 school district, giving an opportunity for youth to learn the sport.
Vancouver will not be hosting any of the FIFA games, as the BC government was wary of what were seen as open-ended cost commitments expected by FIFA. “The FIFA bid agreement contained clauses, which government felt left taxpayers at unacceptable risk of additional costs,” said BC Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lisa Beare today in a statement. “We tried very hard to get assurances that addressed our concerns. Unfortunately, those assurances were not forthcoming,” Beare added: “I am happy for Canadian soccer fans that some of the World Cup matches are coming to Canadian host cities.”
Today June 13 it was announced at the FIFA tournament in Moscow that Canada will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, along with the USA and Mexico. The United bid beat out Morocco which has bid on the World Cup opportunity five times.
Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal are Canadian candidate host cities for the men’s soccer showcase, expanded to 48 teams for the 2026 tournament. The current blueprint calls for Canada and Mexico to stage 10 games each, with the U.S. hosting 60.
Mexico has twice hosted the World Cup, in 1970 and 1986. The US hosted in 1994.
Building up teams toward 2026 will be a big boost to soccer in Canada. On the west shore of Vancouver Island, there is a BC team for new pro soccer Canadian Premier League, central to Victoria; the inaugural league season starts April 2019 with games at Westhills Stadium in Langford (as announced June 1). In Langford there is a soccer academy at local highschools in the SD62 school district, giving an opportunity for youth to learn the sport.
Vancouver will not be hosting any of the FIFA games, as the BC government was wary of what were seen as open-ended cost commitments expected by FIFA. “The FIFA bid agreement contained clauses, which government felt left taxpayers at unacceptable risk of additional costs,” said BC Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lisa Beare today in a statement. “We tried very hard to get assurances that addressed our concerns. Unfortunately, those assurances were not forthcoming,” Beare added: “I am happy for Canadian soccer fans that some of the World Cup matches are coming to Canadian host cities.”
Today June 12 a lineup of politicians (past and present) and a spectrum of development-industry leaders not only agreed about that, but about the solution: increase supply. This was addressed to about 400 people over lunch at the Roundhouse at Bayview Place in Esquimalt. It was a diverse audience of political and business leaders, joined by a wide range of the business community, public, and media.
The event conveyed a clear message that the BC Speculation Tax would be harmful to the BC economy overall and the housing market specifically (especially renters), tagged with a further message that getting creative with growing the economy is more successful for all sectors than is additional and situation-specific taxation.
Former BC NDP Premier Mike Harcourt clarified at the outset: “It’s not a housing crisis, it’s a permanent condition in BC.” He expanded on that, saying that sustainability and housing affordability is a problem all over the world. Saying that the 21st century is “a century of cities”, Harcourt and other speakers really turned to local governments as part of the problem and much of the solution.
Cities have the power to change zoning, and handle the processes for development permits more promptly and efficiently. “City halls are causing a huge amount of the increase in the cost of housing,” Harcourt said. When developers hold onto property for lengthy periods, the cost of interest to wait for the development green light ultimately gets passed onto homebuyers.
On the matter of what type of housing needs to be built in BC, Fassbender said that single family homes as the mainstay of the housing market is not going to change, it already has changed. He has listened, and hears that young people are “into living a different lifestyle” that would be served by higher density housing and more efficient transit systems for the target communities. That in turn allows for young talent to live in larger centres where the high-tech jobs of the future are located. People who are displaced from the city areas “have no place to go”, Fassbender said.
“To deal with affordability, you build the economy, then let the entrepreneurial spirit loose and let people build the economy,” said Fassbender.
Former Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall took a moment to ask everyone in the room – indeed, all Canadians – to show their support for the current federal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in their current battle of words and tariffs with the US President and White House team. Negative comments hurled at Trudeau by top White House officials following last weekend’s G-7 Summit have shocked many, including citizens across the United States and Canada. Tweets, letters, emails… it all helps. “Trudeau deserves the support of every single Canadian,” said Wall, urging people in the room to keep this support “top of mind, front of mind”.
Wall questioned the likelihood of the BC Speculation Tax as being able to “address the goal of the tax”. If more rental vacancy is the goal, does this tax which starts at 0.5% this year (going up to 1% in 2019 for affected residents in BC and 2.0% for non-Canadians) serve to truly increase rental supply? Brad Wall suggests “this tax will affect mostly people of means”. Indeed, some political opponents of the tax have called it an ‘envy tax’.
Langford’s success with zoning efficiencies was mentioned. Afterward Langford Mayor Stew Young said that zoning approvals are frequently achieved within three months, and that building permits can often be issued in about 48 hours. This helps developers get on with the job of building homes.
Stew Young agrees with the idea of the capital gains tax being increased from 7% to 10%, an idea that was floated during the formal presentations. The increase could be directed toward development of affordable housing. He added that additional taxation “steals assets from hard working families”.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps addressed the crowd at the start of the lunch. She summarized that Victoria’s economy has been prosperous “but it’s not going to stay that way until we crack the housing nut”. She pitched for the BC Government to find something “in place of the speculation tax”.
The crowd was served coffee, an appetizer, lunch and dessert during the 2-hour session of speeches, panel presentations, and questions from the audience. The day was hosted as the 6th Annual Kenneth W. and Patricia Mariash Global Issues Dialogue. Ken Mariash spoke highly of the zoning and permit efficiencies in Langford, and that a speculation tax only works when there is no supply issue.
Increasing housing supply was the main overall going-forward message of the day. The BC Government’s 30-point plan does outline various programs and funding initiatives to increase housing supply – the promised 114,000 units over 10 years, but much of that is targeted to specific socioeconomic groups and not a direct support to the development industry that produces the housing units that are needed in BC. Recent research by the BC Non-profit Housing Association shows that 34,167 more housing units will be needed in the Greater Victoria area by 2038.
Tuesday, June 12 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. What this will do for the fragile state of the BC NDP/Green balance of power in the BC Legislature is what grabs public attention over the expected announcement that long time NDP MLA Leonard Krog will run for mayor of Nanaimo in the October 20 municipal election. His announcement is expected at 5 pm tomorrow June 13 in Nanaimo.
The 41 NDP seats under John Horgan are propped up by three Green seats for a functioning minority government considered ‘progressive’, with the BC Liberals holding 42 seats. If Krog relinquishes his MLA seat, a by-election would need to be called within six months.
Krog was first elected to the BC Legislature in 1991 in the riding of Parksville-Qualicum. He lost in 1996, but regained a seat in 2005 in the Nanaimo constituency. In 2003 he ran for the leadership of the NDP but lost to Carole James who is now the province’s finance minister and who enjoys a degree of immunity from Horgan.
Krog won the Nanaimo riding again in 2017 but was not invited into the Horgan cabinet last year after the NDP formed government. But he is Government Caucus Chair. He previously served as the Official Opposition spokesperson for Justice (Attorney General).
Friday, June 8 ~ NATIONAL. The largest-ever Lotto Max jackpot at $60 million was won by a ticket holder in Quebec this evening. The June 8 draw numbers were 12 25 27 29 34 44 45 with bonus number 07.
There were 52 Maxmillion opportunities. On Vancouver Island, there are two winners of half a Maxmillion, i.e. $500,000 each. One of those winners purchased their ticket in Victoria, and the other in Ladysmith.
In Vancouver there is also a winner of $500,000 as a shared prize. In Burnaby there is a $1 Maxmillion winner.
Meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. The leaders discussed G7 cooperation on pressing global issues, including gender equality and preparing economies for jobs of the future. Prime Minister and Chancellor exchanged views on international peace and security issues, including those presented by Russia and North Korea. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor highlighted the importance of open, rules-based international trade to create economic growth that benefits everyone. The leaders also emphasized the importance of collective G7 action on oceans, including to reduce plastic waste, as well as the importance of contributing to education for girls and women, especially in fragile states and crisis settings.
Meeting with Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The prime ministers discussed G7 priorities, including economic growth and job creation, as well as global peace and security, including with regard to North Korea and Ukraine. They also exchanged views on promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, including through increasing financing for girls’ and women’s education, particularly in fragile states and conflict settings. Trudeau emphasized the importance of collective G7 action on oceans, including to reduce plastic waste. The prime ministers also discussed the benefits of open, rules-based trade, acknowledging the challenges of protectionism and barriers to trade.
Meeting with President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The leaders discussed the diplomatic efforts to address the security threat posed by North Korea. This included the coordination of international efforts, as discussed at the Vancouver Conference, and the President’s upcoming summit with North Korea. They also discussed the close security and economic partnership between Canada and the United States. They exchanged views on energy exports from Canada. Furthermore, they agreed on the importance of bringing negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement to a successful and timely conclusion. Trudeau pressed the President to reconsider the U.S. tariffs imposed on Canadian steel and aluminum, and encouraged him to work with Canada to address unfair trade. The Prime Minister reiterated that it is unacceptable to include Canada in 232 national security tariffs.
Friday, June 8 ~ NATIONAL. Today Ontario is waking up to having a Progressive Conservative government. PC Leader Doug Ford handily defeated the Liberal party that had been in power for over 15 years. Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne resigned as leader but retains a seat; her party did not achieve the minimum of eight seats required to maintain official party status.
There are 124 seats in the new Ontario Legislature (up from 107 at dissolution). The PC popular vote was 40.49%, winning them 76 seats (up from 27 seats ahead of the election). The NDP captured 33.57% of the popular vote, winning 40 seats (up from 18 before the election). The Liberals carried only 19.59% of the popular vote, with seven seats (a dramatic drop from 55 seats at dissolution). The Green Party elected its first-ever MPP, with 4.6% of the vote. Voter turnout was 58% (5,735,324 votes cast), that being the strongest voter turnout since 1999.
The main thrust of the PC campaign was fiscal responsibility, but without providing a fully-costed program as the NDP did. NDP leader Andrea Horwath did well in the campaign (her third campaign), substantially increasing the number of NDP seats around the province and carrying a stronghold in core areas of Toronto. The NDP will now be the Official Opposition in the Ontario legislature.
Ontario is considered the ‘economic engine’ of Canada, given its strong base in mining, manufacturing, innovation and commerce.
Thursday, June 7 ~ BC. Lotto Max offers another record-breaking opportunity to win big this week. There is an estimated $112 million in top prizes.
Last week, seven Lotto Max top prizes were won in BC including five Maxmillion prizes from the June 1, 2018 draw. Winning tickets were sold in Delta, Kitimat, Surrey, Richmond, Pitt Meadows and the Shuswap region.
Lotto Max fans across Canada have the chance to win this week’s estimated $60 million record-breaking main jackpot and an additional estimated 52 Maxmillion prizes of $1 million each.
Lotto Max draws are held every Friday night. A $5 ticket features three chances to win. To win the jackpot, players must match 7/7 numbers.
The BC Lottery Corporation says that the odds of winning a Lotto Max jackpot or Maxmillion prize are one in 28,633,528 per play. Odds of winning any prize are one in 6.6 per play. Maxmillions continue to grow after the jackpot reaches $50 million. Players must match 7/7 numbers to win the corresponding Maxmillion prize.
Lotto Max customers in BC have until 7:30 pm (PDT) on Friday evenings to purchase a ticket for that night’s draw. Visit PlayNow.com or lottery retailers.
For the chance to win up to $500,000, say ‘Yes’ to the Extra. Extra is available with Daily Grand, Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, and BC/49 at any BCLC lottery retailer or at PlayNow.com. Players can now check their lottery tickets anytime, anywhere on iOS or Android devices. Learn more about the BCLC Lotto! App here.
Thursday, June 7 ~ BC. Shaw TV customers across much of Canada — from Ontario to BC — are without service this morning, Thursday, June 7. [Update 12 noon: 11:41 AM PT/2:21 PM ET: All channels now fully restored.]
Shaw reports that a coax cable to all TVs was cut. That’s a main line, and they’re calling it a national outage that is producing “black screens”.
An “accidental” outage, Shaw says the interruption of service occurred around 6 am Pacific Time (9 am Eastern Time) and was possibly caused by construction activity such as digging in a location before checking on the location of underground services.
TV news is not getting out to Shaw customers. Today there is a provincial election in Ontario; the polls there opened at 9 am. There are also preparations for the G7 summit in Quebec City; world leaders and hundreds of international delegates are beginning to arrive in Quebec for the summit, which opens on Friday in La Malbaie (about 140 km outside Quebec City), but with protests expected to happen in the streets of the provincial capital.
Shaw says on their website at www.shaw.ca/updates that customers may be able to access some channels online directly through the broadcaster’s website by logging in with a Shaw ID, including for TSN, Global, CTV and CBC.
There is presently no estimated restoration time.
The vessel is the first of two to be converted to operate on natural gas, which is much cleaner for the environment than marine diesel. The Spirit of Vancouver will undergo a mid-life upgrade from Fall 2018 to Spring 2019.
Other upgrades in the Spirit of British Columbia include the renewal of navigation equipment, propulsion equipment components including gearboxes, rudders, steering system, bow thrusters, propeller blades, LED lighting, more efficient air conditioning equipment to reduce energy consumption and four marine evacuation systems.
The vessel’s passenger areas have been upgraded with new carpeting, furniture upholstery, new table tops, refurbishment of all public washrooms, as well as additional washrooms on Deck 5. A new coffee bar has been added on Deck 6 and the size of the gift shop has been doubled.
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