We shall look forward to hearing how this announcement might help Cranbrook's infrastructure needs.
JUNE 6, 2011
OTTAWA - The following statement was released today by Berry Vrbanovic, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), following the federal budget commitment to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan:
"We applaud the Government of Canada for committing in today's budget to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), provinces, territories, and the private sector.
Working with municipalities, the federal government has fought the global recession and started rebuilding the roads, water systems, and public transit that our businesses, workers and families depend on. Today's budget shows the government is ready to continue working with municipalities to build an economy that keeps growing and creating jobs over the long-term.
2000 municipal leaders are heading home today from FCM's annual conference in Halifax, ready to help turn today's budget commitment into a plan for better infrastructure and transportation systems right across the country. We look forward to working side by side with the new Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Denis Lebel, a former mayor who knows firsthand the fiscal challenges municipalities face and the importance of all governments making sustained investments in core infrastructure.
The federal budget also included a commitment to enshrine the permanent Gas Tax Fund in legislation, an important first step to providing greater certainty to municipalities, provinces, and territories.
The road to a stronger economy and safer streets runs straight through our cities and communities. We look forward to building on our partnership with the federal government to reverse the decline in our aging infrastructure, and also to keep police on the streets, fix cracks in our housing system, and protect core services as the federal government balances its budget deficit."
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Time for the Growth Management Study Review
In the last few months we have provided excerpts from just one section, Transportation, of the Growth Management Study. This half a million-dollar study, paid for by taxpayers was received by the city almost a year ago after a very long wait. When it was finally released to the public in the fall of last year we were told staff review would take about six months. We are wondering if council will release their review of the study in the near future. With an 8% municipal tax hike already predicted for next year, many of us are more than curious to know what the city’s assessment of the study has been and how it will compare to our reading and interpretation.
For example:
What upgrades to infrastructure are necessary now and at what cost?
What upgrades to infrastructure will need to be made if and when the city expands?
What are the recommendations with regard to DCC (Development Cost Charges) rates? When will the city be addressing this issue which is listed in the Annual Report for 2010 as a goal for 2011?
What recommendations were made as to how and where should the most efficient city expansion might take place when and if necessary?
For example:
What upgrades to infrastructure are necessary now and at what cost?
What upgrades to infrastructure will need to be made if and when the city expands?
What are the recommendations with regard to DCC (Development Cost Charges) rates? When will the city be addressing this issue which is listed in the Annual Report for 2010 as a goal for 2011?
What recommendations were made as to how and where should the most efficient city expansion might take place when and if necessary?
Monday, June 6, 2011
Bicentennial David Thompson Columbia Canoe Brigade
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| John Armstrong, the lone local(Cranbrook) paddler and modern day surveyor |
 |
| Wayne Stetski addresses the crowd |
 |
| canoes at rest |
After paying tribute to the trading post, Kootenai House, in Windermere, where David Thompson spent time, this present day group of voyageurs began their long paddle to the sea in Canal Flats at the head of the Kootenay River. On Sunday a stop was made at Bummer’s Flats in order to unveil a new historical/interpretive sign, which celebrates the Kootenay River’s history in this area and the Ktunaxa Territory through which it passes. This unveiling provided an opportunity for many people to be thanked including Joseph Cross who gave free access to one of his commemorative David Thompson paintings. Kimberley Mayor Jim Ogilvy spoke about the importance of keeping history alive. Wayne Stetski gave the history of how Bummer’s Flats came to be a conservation area and St Mary’s Band Chief Cheryl Casimer who had paddled a distance with the Brigade spoke about her territory. Other speakers included Cheryl Bradford who coordinated the new sign project and Ross MacDonald as a coordinating member of the Brigade.
 |
| Paddlers arrive at Fort Steele |
The subsequent arrival at Fort Steele saw a piper-led parade walk up from the river into Fort Steele followed by more presentations and several activities including traditional dances in which the audience participated. Informational displays were available all day. A special geocaching event and story telling by ‘Jacco’ concluded the day’s events. This first hot day of the summer and an appreciative crowd from many parts of the continent reinforced the reasons why so many people consider this area so special.
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| One River Many Nations - the paddlers parade up into Fort Steele |
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| Traditional Dancing |
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| Paddlers with 'Jacco', story teller |
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| Bill McColl with the black powder to sound the arrival of the Brigade |
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Britain Puts a Price on Nature
Making a financial case for protecting nature, Britain has put a price on its parks, waterways and wildlife. By putting a market price on nature it provides an incentive for developers and governments to preserve these resources. For example inland wetlands were assigned a value of 1.2 billion pounds or bees, which help pollinate crops, were assigned a value of 430 million pounds. The National Ecosystem Assessment will be used to determine planning policy. By putting a value on these important resources it is hoped that it will encourage their protection. Is it time we did something similar here in Canada? How much do we value our natural resources? To read more about this go here http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/britain-puts-price-on-nature-2293334.html
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
David Thompson, 200 years - a Celebration of this Great Explorer and his Route to the Pacific Ocean
The paddlers will be coming through Fort Steele on Sunday June 5th. Activities from 2:00pm - 7:00pm will celebrate this event - greeting ceremony, parade, fur trade themed demonstrations, a BBQ and The Story of David Thompson at 2:00pm and 6:00pm.
Check out:
http://www.2011brigade.org/
Check out:
http://www.2011brigade.org/
Notes from the Conserving Working Landscapes Forum of May 29th
Part 3 More Thoughts on Agricultural Land and Supporting Local Farmers
Different classes of reserved agricultural land do not address the fact that land may be productive in many ways other than intensive agriculture. Much land can be used for grazing that may not be farmed for grain and hillsides carefully tended can produce food crops in many ways. BC is not unique in its' rock and mountainous terrain and is fortunate to still have large areas of potentially productive land. In many parts of the world, areas considered marginally agricultural here, may indeed be considered much more valuable partly because they have to produce food. Only 2.7% of B.C’s land base was the figure given at the Conservation Forum as land which is considered agricultural. This small percentage would include the most productive and valued land.
It is shameful that local farmers struggle to make a living on these best classes of our agricultural land when we are so fortunate to even have a local food supply. It is also questionable as to whether it is wise to remove the most productive land from the Agricultural Land Reserve for purposes other than agriculture. This very debate is happening in the Baynes Lake area as was reported in the Townsman Thursday June2nd
http://www.dailytownsman.com/article/20110602/CRANBROOK0101/306029995/-1/cranbrook01/baynes-lake-debates-future-development
It can be and is argued that large corporations which demand the lowest price for large quantities of food do not serve the future of the world’s food supply, the farmers and the consuming public, well. Reasons are many but if an economy, which depends partly on food production is to remain safe and stable and the land is to remain in food production our farmers must be paid appropriately.
With the imminent opening of our local farmer’s market, it is a great time to think about supporting our local farmers.
Different classes of reserved agricultural land do not address the fact that land may be productive in many ways other than intensive agriculture. Much land can be used for grazing that may not be farmed for grain and hillsides carefully tended can produce food crops in many ways. BC is not unique in its' rock and mountainous terrain and is fortunate to still have large areas of potentially productive land. In many parts of the world, areas considered marginally agricultural here, may indeed be considered much more valuable partly because they have to produce food. Only 2.7% of B.C’s land base was the figure given at the Conservation Forum as land which is considered agricultural. This small percentage would include the most productive and valued land.
 |
| A steep and terraced hillside producing food in Italy |
It is shameful that local farmers struggle to make a living on these best classes of our agricultural land when we are so fortunate to even have a local food supply. It is also questionable as to whether it is wise to remove the most productive land from the Agricultural Land Reserve for purposes other than agriculture. This very debate is happening in the Baynes Lake area as was reported in the Townsman Thursday June2nd
http://www.dailytownsman.com/article/20110602/CRANBROOK0101/306029995/-1/cranbrook01/baynes-lake-debates-future-development
It can be and is argued that large corporations which demand the lowest price for large quantities of food do not serve the future of the world’s food supply, the farmers and the consuming public, well. Reasons are many but if an economy, which depends partly on food production is to remain safe and stable and the land is to remain in food production our farmers must be paid appropriately.
With the imminent opening of our local farmer’s market, it is a great time to think about supporting our local farmers.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
HST Forum at College of the Rockies
 |
| from left David Robertson,tax specialist from Vancouver, Conner Stewart, Manager, Staples, Cindy Popescule, local accountant, Dr. Nick Rubidge, moderator, Bill VanderZalm, Fight HST |
- a number of small business people including a property manager, a video photographer and a business owner from Trail spoke about how their businesses and customers had suffered since implementation of HST
- the manager of our local Staples store could not tell us prices will drop
- despite the prefacing with ‘Let me be clear”, David Robertson a tax specialist from Vancouver could not give clear (for this listener) answers to most of the questions
- Mr Robertson repeatedly told us we were voting on a 10% tax and at this time that is not true and will not be until 2014
- Cindy Popescule focussed on benefits to those with low income, but there are many more with middle incomes who will not see those benefits and this was not addressed
- many more goods and services will now be taxed
- that the bottom line for many people present was the fact that the government had not been open and honest and that there is a lot of mistrust
Government Site:
http://www.hstinbc.ca/making_your_choice/
Fight HST Site:
http://fighthst.com/
List of items to which HST applied:-
http://www.fighthst.com/wp-content/uploads/HST-List.pdf
What's Happening...
Saturday June 4th
East Kootenay Outdoor Club, Map and Compass Course
College of the Rockies, 9:30-2pm
Bring paper, a pencil, and lunch
Call Peter for more information at 250-426-3974
Cranbrook author Blair Farish will be signing his new book
The Frolicking Physio at Lotus Books between 1 - 4pm.
Sunday June 5th
David Thompson Brigade at Fort Steele
Paddlers in voyageur are traveling along David Thompson's historic route from
Invermere to Oregon to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the explorers voyage.
Meet the paddlers at Fort Steele this afternoon around 4pm.
Admission is $5 Call 20-417-6000 for more information
East Kootenay Music Teachers' Association
Presents A Sonatina Sunday
2pm at the Know Presbyterian Church on 3rd St. S. Victoria Avenue
Tickets are $10 adults, $8 children. Tickets available at Lotus Books and at the door
Tuesday, June 7
Exhibition of local artist Paula Cravens at The Menagerie
adjacent to the Artrageous Gallery at 11th Ave. S.
Opens today and continues to July 2
Singing for Fun
The Cranbrook and District Arts Council invites you to take part in their singing group
drop in Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30
For more information call 250-426-4223.
Friday, June 10
Native Grasslands Workshop
The Clear Sky Centre will host the workshop on Friday and Sat.
Go to www.clearskycenter.org/grasslands
East Kootenay Outdoor Club, Map and Compass Course
College of the Rockies, 9:30-2pm
Bring paper, a pencil, and lunch
Call Peter for more information at 250-426-3974
Cranbrook author Blair Farish will be signing his new book
The Frolicking Physio at Lotus Books between 1 - 4pm.
Sunday June 5th
David Thompson Brigade at Fort Steele
Paddlers in voyageur are traveling along David Thompson's historic route from
Invermere to Oregon to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the explorers voyage.
Meet the paddlers at Fort Steele this afternoon around 4pm.
Admission is $5 Call 20-417-6000 for more information
East Kootenay Music Teachers' Association
Presents A Sonatina Sunday
2pm at the Know Presbyterian Church on 3rd St. S. Victoria Avenue
Tickets are $10 adults, $8 children. Tickets available at Lotus Books and at the door
Tuesday, June 7
Exhibition of local artist Paula Cravens at The Menagerie
adjacent to the Artrageous Gallery at 11th Ave. S.
Opens today and continues to July 2
Singing for Fun
The Cranbrook and District Arts Council invites you to take part in their singing group
drop in Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30
For more information call 250-426-4223.
Friday, June 10
Native Grasslands Workshop
The Clear Sky Centre will host the workshop on Friday and Sat.
Go to www.clearskycenter.org/grasslands
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Notes from the Conserving Working Landscapes Forum of May 29th
Part 2
What does preserving Agricultural Land have to do with Cranbrook?
Applications to remove land from the Agricultural Land Reserve pass through our regional district and municipal input is often sought. Prime agricultural land that is removed from the agricultural reserve for development purposes cannot then contribute to a local food supply and thus food security. Food production is part of the balance in a local economy and in all likelihood will become even more important in the future as has been pointed out several times recently in national news items.
Preservation of agricultural land according to Mr Bullock has apparently not always been a priority at the community level and we were told very few community plans recognise agriculture. Most people would agree when they see the alluvial soils covered with residential or industrial buildings. Mr Bullock commented that frequently the land use authorities have been pushed into making land use decisions that should not have been made. Considering this might be the case, it is a poor state of affairs if granting authorities cannot or do not take the time for proper review of decisions, which will substantially affect future generations and their food production.
As making a living from agricultural land is sometimes difficult, the forum discussion concerning a landowner’s right and freedom to use his/her agricultural land for purposes other than agriculture in order to make that living was lively. Several farmers talked about how frequently the only way in today’s markets for them to survive is to subdivide. This sad state of affairs highlights a cause that is becoming more and more obvious to those who learn and care about their food sources. Supporting local farmers and the food they supply is essential to our economy and health. The loss of farm gate sales due to legislation is just one reason that has contributed to the despair felt by farmers and was a move that MLA Bill Bennett admitted had been regressive.
Local food security has been identified many times recently as an issue, which concerns a great number of people. With rising cost of food transportation, food shortages in parts of the world and an ever-increasing world population, local food supply will become more important. MLA Norm MacDonald recognised this in his address and gave the forward looking example of Invermere’s school greenhouse, which not only teaches students about horticulture but puts it into practise as well as supplying food to the school cafeteria.
Solutions anyone?
What does preserving Agricultural Land have to do with Cranbrook?
Applications to remove land from the Agricultural Land Reserve pass through our regional district and municipal input is often sought. Prime agricultural land that is removed from the agricultural reserve for development purposes cannot then contribute to a local food supply and thus food security. Food production is part of the balance in a local economy and in all likelihood will become even more important in the future as has been pointed out several times recently in national news items.
Preservation of agricultural land according to Mr Bullock has apparently not always been a priority at the community level and we were told very few community plans recognise agriculture. Most people would agree when they see the alluvial soils covered with residential or industrial buildings. Mr Bullock commented that frequently the land use authorities have been pushed into making land use decisions that should not have been made. Considering this might be the case, it is a poor state of affairs if granting authorities cannot or do not take the time for proper review of decisions, which will substantially affect future generations and their food production.
As making a living from agricultural land is sometimes difficult, the forum discussion concerning a landowner’s right and freedom to use his/her agricultural land for purposes other than agriculture in order to make that living was lively. Several farmers talked about how frequently the only way in today’s markets for them to survive is to subdivide. This sad state of affairs highlights a cause that is becoming more and more obvious to those who learn and care about their food sources. Supporting local farmers and the food they supply is essential to our economy and health. The loss of farm gate sales due to legislation is just one reason that has contributed to the despair felt by farmers and was a move that MLA Bill Bennett admitted had been regressive.
Local food security has been identified many times recently as an issue, which concerns a great number of people. With rising cost of food transportation, food shortages in parts of the world and an ever-increasing world population, local food supply will become more important. MLA Norm MacDonald recognised this in his address and gave the forward looking example of Invermere’s school greenhouse, which not only teaches students about horticulture but puts it into practise as well as supplying food to the school cafeteria.
Solutions anyone?
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