The next two stories in the countdown . . . we’re getting close to the #1 story of the year . . . are clearly hot button issues. The topic of northeastern BC independence/joining Alberta and the disposal or repurposing of the Site C work camp.
Both of these have generated strong opinions throughout the region. Since the the topic of either joining Alberta or becoming our own province is one which keeps cropping up in the region, I thought it would be fun to see what the broken typewriter’s readers thought. Didn’t get many takers for the survey, but there were a lot of comments online! Check out what happened:
#3 – Should BC join the separatist movement in Alberta?
British Columbia’s premier, David Eby came unglued in the legislature when independent MLA Dallas Brodie mentioned a rise in separatist sentiment in BC. Eby also said in a press conference that the subject is a “non-starter”.
Yet last year, Eby joined Alberta premier Danielle Smith in lending support to Newfoundland’s court challenge of the equalization model. Which Eby characterized as “completely absurd.”
Now Alberta has come out with its referendum question:
“Do you agree that the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada?”
Alberta has a long list of greivances, with Ottawa’s distain for, and attempts to shut down the oil and gas industry, and the equalization program being among the top issues. The industry that the federal government wants to “transition” out of existence in favour of “clean energy”, plays a key role in buiding the strong economies of Western Canada, and makes the equalization program possible.
As far as the economy goes, Northern BC is more like Alberta than it is like Vancouver.
Many people have said that Eby doesn’t speak for all British Columbians. Does he speak for you? Do you agree with Eby that talk of western separation is a non-starter as far as BC is concerned? Or do you think that our province would be better off, out from under the thumb of Ottawa?
#2 – PRRD concerned over Site C work camp disposal: ATCO responds
The Peace River Regional District board of directors is up in arms over the revelation that BC Hydro contractors are looking into disposing of the 1,700-bed Site C work camp into the region’s landfills.
“I’ve been involved with this from day one, and never once have they ever, ever said that this would be coming to our landfill, that it would be demolished,” Area C Director Brad Sperling said during the March 20 regular board meeting.
Now, the board is demanding answers from BC Hydro.
Back when the Community Measures Agreement was negotiated between the regional district and BC Hydro, Sperling said that the number one thing they asked for was that the regional district have first right of refusal to any part of that camp, when construction was complete.
With four of the six generating units now online and producing electricity, that time has arrived.
“This is just totally wrong. To me, it goes against our CMA. It also goes against the part of the CMA that addresses solid waste. This could cost us millions and millions of dollars,” said Sperling.
The inquiry from the BC Hydro subcontractor responsible for planning the demolition of the Site C work camp about the sorting requirements and capacity at the North Peace Landfill, located on the 269 Road just outside Fort St. John, near the Site C lookout, caught all the directors off-guard.
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