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Articles by Brent Braaten
Horgan: B.C. Liberals to blame for legislature scandal
Premier says legislature clerk James Craig was ‘appointed arbitrarily’ in 2011 By Katie DeRosa / Times Colonist Premier John Horgan is trying to place the legislative assembly expense scandal squarely at the feet of the B.C. Liberals, dating back to 2011 when the then-Liberal government unilaterally appointed Craig James as clerk of the house.
Coastal GasLink granted injunction to pass through blockade
The B.C. Supreme Court has granted Coastal GasLink an interim injunction to pass through a blockade along the pipeline’s route south of Houston. The decision allows the company to cross the Morice River bridge to access the pipeline's right-of-way and begin pre-construction activities. “Our focus is on respectfully and safely moving forward with project activities, including gaining safe access across the Morice River bridge," Coastal GasLink said in a statement issued Friday after the decision.
Court to decide on injunction sought against pipeline blockade
A B.C. Supreme Court Justice will issue a decision Friday afternoon on whether to allow builders of a pipeline that would deliver natural gas to the LNG Canada project to pass through a blockade south of Houston. Justice Marguerite Church heard arguments from lawyers representing the plaintiff Coastal GasLink and defendants Freda Huson and Warner Naziel, leaders of the Unist'ot'en Camp, over the course of a day Thursday.
Court to decide on injunction sought against pipeline blockade
A B.C. Supreme Court Justice will issue a decision Friday afternoon on whether to allow builders of a pipeline that would deliver natural gas to the LNG Canada project to pass through a blockade south of Houston. Justice Marguerite Church heard arguments from lawyers representing the plaintiff Coastal GasLink and defendants Freda Huson and Warner Naziel, leaders of the Unist'ot'en Camp, over the course of a day Thursday.
Coastal GasLink granted injunction to pass through blockade
The B.C. Supreme Court has granted Coastal GasLink an interim injunction to pass through a blockade along the pipeline’s route south of Houston. The decision allows the company to cross the Morice River bridge to access the pipeline's right-of-way and begin pre-construction activities.
Island Voices: Proportional representation unfair to British Columbians
Dreamers who wish upon us proportional representation are in denial and minimize the rise of radical, one-issue, populist parties looking to find traction in B.C. under proportional representation. Let’s look at Europe first. Right-wing populists are in power, and in several cases they have tentacles that reach back to the Nazi party. Look at Austria, Poland and Hungry. Or at the disturbing Alternative for Germany which received 12.6 per cent of the vote and 94 seats in a parliament of 709 members.
Dan Davies: Private sector can fill Greyhound void, but wheels need to be greased
The departure of Greyhound passenger bus service has left Transportation Minister Claire Trevena in a bit of a pickle. With a great deal of fanfare last May, the NDP government patted itself on the back for launching a bare bones replacement bus service, called BC Bus North, when Greyhound initially announced it was withdrawing service from just its northern routes.
Minister showcases BC Bus North service
B.C. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena was in Prince George on Wednesday to showcase the BC Bus North service, launched last month to fill the gap Greyhound left behind when it ended passenger service in northern B.C. Accompanied by Mayor Lyn Hall and other dignitaries, Trevena took a short ride on one of the buses now plying Highways 16 and 97.
Evan Saugstad: Premier should answer electoral reform questions, not Google
The referendum on what type of election system B.C. should have wasn’t something I was initially going to write about, not just yet. I was still mulling over when was a good time to start, as the referendum proposal was only recently unveiled by government and the upcoming referendum is months away, to be held no later than November 30. The “official” campaign started July 1. But, that all changed when I read one little quote by Premier Horgan in a Vaughn Palmer article in the Vancouver Sun.
Lheidli T'enneh First Nation votes no to treaty
With 137 votes for and 185 against the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation for the second time, declined the treaty with B.C. and Canada. The Lheidli T'eneh constitution which would have taken the First Nation out of the Indian Act to create its own government under the treaty was defeated 175 to 147 votes. The approved treaty would have provided $37.1 million in a lump sum as well as resource revenue sharing, annual operational funding and $16.7 million to facilitate the treaty.
Cap and gown
UNBC celebrated its 25th Convocation Friday at the Prince George campus. The University of Northern British Columbia will grant almost 700 credentials during the 2018 Convocation ceremonies. Five Convocation events will take place this year in four Northern B.C. communities, the largest two of which will take place at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, followed by graduation events in Gitwinksihlkw, Terrace and Quesnel.
UNBC hands out degrees
UNBC celebrated its 25th Convocation Friday at the Prince George campus. The University of Northern British Columbia will grant almost 700 credentials during the 2018 Convocation ceremonies. Five Convocation events will take place this year in four Northern B.C. communities, the largest two of which will take place at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, followed by graduation events in Gitwinksihlkw, Terrace and Quesnel.
UNBC Wood Innovation Research Lab opens
The UNBC Wood Innovation Research Laboratory, a modern facility geared to building tall, large-scale wood structures, officially opened on Tuesday afternoon, with an announcement of additional funding for equipment by the provincial and federal governments. The new research lab will complement UNBC's Wood Innovation and Design Centre next door at George St. and 5th Ave., and includes a wood conditioning and processing room, a 1,070 square-metre lab and classroom space for research and teaching.
Alberta, Ottawa to team up on easing Trans Mountain risk, Notley says
OTTAWA — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says her province and the federal government have agreed on a plan to eliminate investor risk surrounding the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. As a result, Notley says, the pipeline “will be built,” although she refused to provide details. Notley’s remarks followed those of B.C. Premier John Horgan, who says the meeting with Notley and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did nothing to end his ongoing efforts to block the project.
Trudeau pledges money, new law to make Trans Mountain a reality
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has instructed his finance minister to enter negotiations with Kinder Morgan to “remove the uncertainty” hanging over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. Trudeau also says federal legislation is coming that will “reassert and reinforce” the fact that the federal government is well within its jurisdiction to approve the project and ensure it goes ahead.
Horgan: Meeting Trudeau, Notley on Trans Mountain changes nothing
OTTAWA — B.C. Premier John Horgan says his meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley did nothing to end his ongoing efforts to block plans to expand an existing diluted bitumen line between the two provinces. Horgan, Notley and Trudeau met today on Parliament Hill in hopes of finding a solution to the impasse between the two provinces, which is threatening to kill the expansion project.
MP Bob Zimmer's roundtable targets firearms bill
The federal Liberals' new firearms bill was heavily criticized during a roundtable discussion Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer hosted Monday. A major point of concern was the lack of a process for appealing the classification of a firearm. A section of Bill C-71 would take away cabinet's power to override RCMP's decisions on such matters.
Premier John Horgan talks forestry at COFI convention
Premier John Horgan was pulling for the Powell River Kings in the BCHL playoffs, being a former resident of the general area. He was in Prince George for their defeat at the hands of the Spruce Kings. What could be better, he said, than the clash of two teams who represent the essence of the core B.C. economy. Paper and lumber, head to head?
Kordyban Lodge celebrates five years of supporting cancer patients
Leo Sabulsky had no desire to be a co-operative cancer patient. The retired teacher had been diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and had made his way from his hometown of Chetwynd to the B.C. Cancer Centre for the North for treatment. His wife was unable to be with him at the time, due to the ill health of her mother. He was told his initial treatment would last two months and that he needed to find accommodation in Prince George. "I was going to do this battle alone," Sabulsky said on Friday.
B.C. premier says court is the best place for pipeline debate with Alberta
VICTORIA — The best route for the ongoing Trans Mountain expansion pipeline dispute with Alberta is through the courts, says British Columbia Premier John Horgan. B.C. will stick to its legal plan to test its jurisdiction on environmental and economic grounds, he said Tuesday. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said last week her government will not stand for further delays on a project that is vital to her province and the rest of Canada.
B.C. premier says court is the best place for pipeline debate
VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier John Horgan says the best route for the ongoing Trans Mountain expansion pipeline dispute with Alberta is through the courts. He says B.C. will stick to its legal plan to test its jurisdiction on environmental and economic grounds. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said last week her government will not stand for further delays on a project that is vital to Alberta and the rest of Canada. Notley is promising to cut oil and gas exports if B.C. delays the pipeline.
B.C. premier says court is the best place for pipeline debate with Alberta
VICTORIA — The best route for the ongoing Trans Mountain expansion pipeline dispute with Alberta is through the courts, says British Columbia Premier John Horgan. B.C. will stick to its legal plan to test its jurisdiction on environmental and economic grounds, he said Tuesday. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said last week her government will not stand for further delays on a project that is vital to her province and the rest of Canada.
Prince George first in B.C. to get foreign trade zone designation
Prince George is the first city in B.C. to receive the Foreign Trade Zone Designation in Canada, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, parliamentary secretary to the minister of international trade, announced Friday morning at the Wood Innovation and Design Centre. There are only nine locations designated as such in Canada. Being designated as a Foreign Trade Zone says Prince George is a hub for international trade, to hopefully attract investors by leveraging its North American location.
Northern Health claims moderate success in 2017 recruitment
The drought of trained health professionals may be easing, according to the head of human resources for Northern Health. David Williams, vice president of human resources for the health authority said Northern Health had significant success in filling positions for health professionals in 2017. However, he said, challenges still remain.
WestJet flight makes emergency landing in Prince George after fire detection alert
A Vancouver-bound flight from Fort St. John was forced to make an emergency landing in Prince George this morning. WestJet flight 3205 was diverted to Prince George due to a fire detection warning light, spokeswoman Lauren Stewart said. The crew declared an emergency to establish priority landing and the positioning of emergency vehicles and the flight landed normally a short while later at 8:15 a.m., Stewart said.
Pipeline battle heats up between B.C., Alberta
Premier John Horgan expressed surprise Thursday at the blowback his government is getting by proposing regulations that limit oilsands bitumen shipments through British Columbia. “We’ve not put in place anything at this time,” Horgan told reporters. “We’re going to put in place a scientific panel to look at the potential consequences of a catastrophic (bitumen) spill.
Fire razes Tabor Mountain ski lodge near Prince George
Tabor Mountain Ski Resort is closed after a fire destroyed the main lodge Wednesday night, but the resort's owner is hopeful the ski hill could re-open within two weeks. The Ferndale Tabor Volunteer Fire Department received the first call reporting the fire from a passing truck driver at around 11:40 p.m. on Jan. 31. Prince George RCMP were on the scene shortly after midnight. Once officers arrived, they found the lodge engulfed in flames.
ZIMMER: Dr. Albert Kelly left lasting legacy on northern healthcare
One of the most rewarding aspects of being your member of parliament is being able to meet residents who are making a difference for the people of our region. Sadly, Northern British Columbia recently lost one of our hardest working health care advocates with the passing of Dr. Albert Scott Kelly. A family physician, Dr. Kelly was a key figure in establishing the Northern Medical Program at UNBC and the BC Cancer Centre for the North. He was also an advocate for medical services in the region.
First Nations court ready for launch in Prince George
Prince George will soon be home to a First Nations court. An opening ceremony will be held on March 23, the B.C. Provincial Court confirmed this week, while the court is to start hearing cases in the first week of April. It marks the culmination of three years of effort by a working group in answer to the number of indigenous people caught up in the criminal justice system.
UNBC forum urges caution on resource development
A day after resource and municipal leaders crowded the stage of the B.C. Natural Resources Forum to express support for LNG projects in the north, members of first nations and conservationist researchers cast a more restrained note at a University of Northern British Columbia conference. The Cumulative Impacts Research Consortium, a research organization that examines the comprehensive long-term effects of resource development, held a well-attended forum at UNBC on Jan. 19.
B.C. premier tells truck loggers he wants to reconnect communities with forestry
VICTORIA — Premier John Horgan says the relationship between British Columbia and the forest industry has fractured over outdated government policy that hurts communities and threatens many small business contractors. He told delegates at the Truck Loggers Association's convention on Thursday that the once solid social contract between the industry, government and communities is in need of repairs.
Northern mayors rally LNG support on last day of resource forum
Proponents of the liquified natural gas industry took the stage Thursday at the final day of B.C. Natural Resources Forum to show unified support for its continued development. The four initiating leaders were Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman, Dawson Creek Mayor Dale Bumstead, Kitimat mayor Phil Germuth, and Haisla councillor Kevin Stewart.
NDIT announces two new funds
The Northern Development Initiative Trust announced a pair of new grant funds on Tuesday aimed at promoting innovation and economic sustainability. NDIT CEO Joel Mackay said when the trust was founded in 2005, part of its core funding included an account to support communities impacted by the mountain pine beetle. "Today I'm proud to announce a new trajectory for that account," MacKay said during an announcement at the #TrueNorth Business Development Forum.
Prince George gains new civil engineering programs
As part of a barrage of government funding announcements for tech-related programs throughout B.C., the University of Northern B.C. and the College of New Caledonia will collectively receive $650,000 in startup funds to bolster their engineering programs.
UNBC and CNC announce new civil engineering programs
As part of a barrage of government funding announcements for tech-related programs throughout B.C., UNBC and the College of New Caledonia will collectively receive $650,000 in start-up funds to bolster their engineering programs.
Natural Resources Forum bringing heavy hitters
The issues concerning natural resources are too important for partisanship, says the man who has hosted the province's annual conversation on those topics. Mike Morris, the BC Liberal MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie, has always created the yearly B.C. Natural Resources Forum agenda from the position of government (as did his predecessor Pat Bell who initiated it).
B.C. teacher suspended after accidentally displaying porn in class
VANCOUVER — An elementary school teacher in British Columbia was suspended after inadvertently projecting pornographic images from his work laptop in a classroom. The B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation says students were inadvertently exposed to a picture of female genitalia when Jeffrey Rohin Muthanna used his laptop while attempting to project online education materials onto a whiteboard.
Highway of Tears: Terrace-to-Hazeltons bus service starts today
An extension from Terrace to the Hazeltons of B.C. Transit's service along Highway 16 starts Monday. "This new route will provide some communities with public transportation for the first time, meaning safe and reliable transportation so people can get to appointments, access services and visit friends and family," Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena said in a media release. It is the fourth service to begin this year on Highway, also known as the Highway of Tears.
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