So I just arrived in Toronto yesterday. I’ve already seen the first heavy rainstorm; and proof that folks from onterrible have better umbrella etiquette than folks from the west coast. This to me was a significant shock. I also had to separate a cabbie and another motorist from beginning a fist fight. After looking to another pedestrian who was also standing in shock next the unraveling scene I said.

“I’ve only be in Toronto for 15minutes.”

He replay, “Welcome to the city…”

that said Ten minutes before this I’d made friends and been invited to a show by a complete stranger on the subway.

I feel like a country boy just come to the big city. Am I going to get robbed when I show up for dinner? So Far the city is hot and stinky. Garbage collection is a little different out these parts. But the streets are full of people; people of every variety, and for the most part they all seem very friendly. It likely helps that I’ve arrived in the summer when people are happy and outside, and generally have a bit more time off. I’ve also had the chance to meet a few of the folks from EWB. I’m staying in a flop house from out of towners along with most of the chapter presidents. I think it’s a bit cult-y. All these people recruiting… and they’re all so eager. In truth that’s a selling point and a significant reason as to why I’m here. To work with folks that really care about what they do and whom make choices to work in a field that they feel makes an impact on their world for the better.

I’ve got a few audio recordings to add to the site soon. I think there will be a lot of stuff for me to talk about/sort through in the next few weeks but I’m hoping to get a microphone for better audio recording. Of course photos and such will come as well though I’m not particularly good at getting those things uploaded when there’s so much to do in the world. I’ve always prioritized life over recording life, but I want to share with people so I’ll hold myself to the effort.

Love you all

Talk soon.

Devon

Waining interest aside, there continues to be some traffic. I’m guessing mainly people who search random google returns or those last few students needing distraction from an otherwise hectic exam period. We’ll see if I can come up with anything worthy of a little attention/distraction.

Lumberjackskin

The Seditious Times

Cheers Devon

The statement below is provided to us by the Yukon Northwest Territories delegation.

“Yukon and Northwest Territories Commend Federal Government on Aboriginal Health

VANCOUVER – The Yukon and Northwest Territories at the First Ministers’ Conference in Vancouver would like to express their support for the “game plan” brought forward by the Federal government. The “game plan” proposed by the Federal government addresses specifically the needs of the aboriginal people in regards to healthcare.

“We are very proud and honoured that the Federal government took action on the issue of Aboriginal health by introducing the ‘game plan.’ The ‘game plan’ provides for viable solutions to the problems facing the Aboriginal and rural communities,” Timothy Chu, the Premier of the Yukon Territory said.

The Yukon and Northwest Territories are looking forward to the Federal government’s implementation of the “game plan.”"

“Our GAME Plan which stands for Grants for Aboriginal Medical Education, will provide funding to aboriginal health care professional students. The purpose of the GAME Plan is to promote the progression of heath care professionals in the Aboriginal community.  We intend for this to help improve aboriginal health overall as we expect that these new health care professionals will be able to help members in their own community.”

These were the views held by the federal government right up until it was pressed by delegations such as PEI, who has an aboriginal community of only 1,000. The feds then changed their G.A.M.E. Plan to include people living in rural areas. Is there a specific population they have in mind that sets the standard? This is their “made-in-Canada” approach. Thanks for the effort, but please try again. Several delegations, including Nova Scotia, have pressed the federal government to seamlessly integrate foreign trained medical professionals into the Canadian medical system. “We will get better bang out of our buck,” stated the Nova Scotia delegate, by employing these trained immigrants. They feel there must be a standardized test to move these health care professionals quickly into our system, which would be more efficient than the feds’ G.A.M.E. Plan.  

It appears that most provinces are speaking in unison in regards to this issue. New Brunswick made a clear and blunt response to the Federal Government’s G.A.M.E Plan. In relations to transfer payments, which was discussed earlier today, the Federal Government failed to come to an agreement with the provinces. New Brunswick pointed out that while the Federal Government is reluctant to guarantee minimum transfer payments, they are willing to inject money into this plan. Provinces are arguing that this plan is not well thought out and not inclusive.  

Dana Windover and Joyce Chan, The Seditious Times

Nick Banerd, The Seditious Times

This comment was a show of force that the federal government would not soften on there stance of “no guarantees” regarding federal transfers.

Also Over heard in the back room negotiations currently taking place in between the Minister of P.E.I. and the federal government was the suggestion of a “Vague” agreement to “commit to discuss a Cap and Trade system” which would ear support through its weak wording.

It’s dissappointing to see that federal policy is to support weak leg less agreements that do not bind them to forward action. A poor example by the federal government following the abandonment of the Kelowna accords from the 2005 first ministers meeting.

Q: How do you feel the round of talks went on climate change?

A: I think they were fairly productive. All provinces and territories recognize that climate change is a serious issue that must be addressed. This cannot be a unilateral approach; it can’t just be a national issue. 

Q: What do you feel is the best way to combat climate change. A hard national target?

A: Any cap that we set as Canadians will be inefficient if they are inconsistent with our neighbour to the south, the United States. In British Columbia, we have set a 33% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from our 2007 level for 2020 by creating legislation that will come into effect at the end of this calendar year. We have set standards tougher than Kyoto. We believe there must be regional autonomy in fighting climate change. Provinces and territories should be able to set targets and reach them at their own pace without having to sacrifice their economies. British Columbia has demonstrated this through our revenue neutral carbon tax.

Q: Would you then be in favour of a North American target for climate change?

A: Yes, but the provinces and territories must maintain flexibility in setting and the pace in which they reach those targets.

Q: You’ve stated BC’s commitment to Hydrogen Fuel Cells as an alternative energy resource. As I’m sure you are aware, hydrogen is extremely difficult to isolate, which is vital in hydrogen fuel cell energy. One method is to burn fossil fuels, which will defeat the purpose of alternative energy. Another method is from water by means of electrolysis, photochemical splitting, or photobacterial reactions. However, this is extremely inefficient. How do you plan to isolate hydrogen to use as an alternative energy source?

A: There are many different methods in doing this. You can extract it from natural gas or by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. We are continually consulting with our scientists to develop the most efficient way. Hydrogen fuel cell technology is currently not commercially viable at this time. Having said that, there is currently a fleet of buses in Whistler that runs on hydrogen fuel cell technology. Within 3 to 5 years, hydrogen fuel cell energy will become commercially viable. Cars will be available to the average British Columbian at competitive prices. There is currently a 5 year, $9 million joint initiative between Hydrogen And Fuel Cells Canada, Ford Motor Company, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia.  We must be flexible in understanding that there are multiple alternative energy sources. For example, hydroelectricity has been very beneficial in reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. We’re not advocating anything drastic. Steps must be taken now so that by 2020, we’re more dependent on these alternatives. It’s not something that can be changed over night.

Dana Windover, The Seditious Times

As one of the leadings speakers in regards to transfer payments to provinces, The Seditious Times was able to pull Spencer Rasmussen aside for an interview after Agenda Item 1. 

Q: How did you feel the first agenda item went?

A: “The Government of Quebec pushed hard but Ottawa pushed the other way.. Canadians depend on its social services and that needs to be recognized by the federal government”

Q: Do you think the Federal Government could still run adequately in a deficit?

“This is not about deficit and surplus; this is about economic stability. The Government of Quebec certainly doesn’t intend to go into deficit. This is an issue of cutting Canada’s social services and [Canadians should not be deprived of this]“

Q: So, is the Federal Government’s lack of commitment reasonable?

A: “We’re negotiating with the federal government and they have been callous towards families that has lost their jobs. The Government of Quebec has pushed hard for the citizens of Quebec and presented all the issues to the Federal Government. It is up to the Federal Government now to live up to its rhetoric”

Joyce Chan, The Seditious Times

Robert Higgins

A new leader in the “Go Green” movement is arising in the west, and it’s not who you might think. Alberta has recently dedicated $2 billion to reducing green house gas emissions through new carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. Once the projects are fully implemented, the expected results are 5 million tones in annual reductions by 2015. These results are similar to what would happen if one third of all registered vehicles in Alberta were taken off the road.

CCS is a process that captures CO² by separating it from other emissions produced at a refinery, then dehydrating and compressing it, before sending it by pipeline to geological formation deep within the earth.

Critics of CCS argue that it is not a viable solution to the reduction of greenhouse gases because companies will not be willing to accept the extra costs associated with implementing and powering CCS in their refineries. It is this argument that the government of Alberta’s $2 billion dollar plan will dispel. Research projects such as the Long Lake CO² Capture Project, will show how these costs can be offset by the gains achieved by increased production. The average drill site only produces 40-50 per cent of it’s total potential because due to the fact that conventional methods simply can not produce enough pressure in the well to drive the oil out. That captured carbon could be the key to accessing the rest of these untapped resources. Conservative estimates predict a 20 per cent increase in production. This would mean that oil companies would be making a profit off of protecting the environment.

From an environmental perspective, CCS means reducing emissions from big emitters by as much as 90 per cent! This technology has the potential to make a huge impact in Alberta, and with government support, this new green mentality could even serve to attract business into the Albertan oil market. What this reporter finds even more surprising than the fact that Alberta is becoming a green leader, is that all of this is being done on Alberta’s own dime!

Now, what about the provinces who are already there? British Columbia for instance has 80% of its power provided by hydroelectric sources.  Can they just kick back until the sixth ten year plan? Convenient. 

Walker Smith 

Seditious Times