Thursday, December 24, 2015

Tofino Council Wants Climate Change Warnings on Gas Pumps

http://www.westerlynews.ca/news/363400341.html?mobile=true
Tofino is one of the most carbon intensive towns in BC . Everything pretty much gets trucked in.Between Tourism Tofino and local tourist operations millions are spent to encourage tourists to come here.They don't walk here or bicycle or arrive in sailboats.....they arrive in carbon spewing vehicles.

   Let's hope that tourists don't take the warning labels seriously and reduce their carbon footprint by staying home.

Councilor Greg Blanchette said “They too will see these gas pump labels and they’ll think, ‘Wow, Tofino is a pretty far thinking community.’ It really fits well with the Tofino brand as being a leader in environmentalism.”
   How can Tofino be a leader in environmentalism when the bulk of our collective incomes comes from people burning fossil fuels to come here for no reason other than recreation ?
    How can Tofino be a leader in environmentalism when we still dump raw sewage directly into our harbour ?
 Perhaps Tofino Council will demand warning labels on all toilets and urinals ! "Please don't flush as use of  this toilet or urinal contributes to water pollution which puts many species of shellfish at risk of Fecal Coliform contamination and could result in closures of local beaches for recreational use"
 
  All of this might seem like some flaky joke but every time council directs staff to spend time on issues that aren't related to the running of the District of Tofino it costs the taxpayer money.We are facing a 22% tax increase in this and the next four years , do we really need bylaw officers checking gas pumps for warning labels ?

  A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all !!

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Gord Johns Victorious !

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/ndp-s-gord-johns-defeats-longtime-tory-mp-john-duncan-1.2089962

Voting Results for the electoral district ofCourtenay—Alberni
PartyCandidateVotes
Marxist-LeninistBarbara Biley137
ConservativeJohn Duncan19,631
NDP-New Democratic PartyGord Johns26,595
LiberalCarrie Powell-Davidson15,166
Green PartyGlenn Sollitt8,190
Total number of valid votes: 69,719
Polls Reporting:272 of 272 (100 %)
Voter Turnout:69,719 of 90,998 registered electors (76.62 %) -- does not include electors who registered on election day.
Population:110,391
Number of electors on list:90,998

Monday, October 12, 2015

Latest Local Polling Numbers -A Tight Race

NDP 35.7 %
CPC 34.3 %
LPC  16.7%
GPC  13 %

   Federal Countrywide Odds :

  • 50%chance that the Conservatives get the most seats
  • 0.3%chance that the NDP gets the most seats
  • 51%chance that the Liberals get the most seats
  • 17%chance that the Green party gets more than one seat
  • 2%chance that all three parties win 100 seats or more
  • 2%chance that any party gets a majority

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Friday, October 9, 2015

Latest Mainstreet Federal Po

October 9, 2015 (Toronto, ON) – A new national Mainstreet/Postmedia poll finds the Conservatives and Liberals in a close race for first as the Liberals surge in Ontario. The Mainstreet/Postmedia poll has a margin of error of 1.31%, 19 times out of 20.
Among Leaning & Decided Voters the Conservatives lead the Liberals by 1% – a statistical tie, 36% to 35% with the NDP well back at 20%.
“The Liberals have surged in Ontario while the NDP have been slipping – noticeably so in Québec where we now have them in third, behind both the Liberals and Conservatives though this is within the margin of error,” said Quito Maggi, President of Mainstreet Research.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Conservative Speaks Out On Indigenous Women

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/conservative-mp-says-lack-of-a-job-cause-of-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-1.3263597

Tofino School Gym Update

The Tofino school gym is run by the Wickaninnish Community School Society between 2:30 and 8:00 pm for four days a week.The focus is on youth and family use.
Any user groups wanting to use the gym after 8:00pm or on weekends should contact the school principal and School District 70.

   

Harper Halts Refugee Process

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/syrian-refugee-crisis-stephen-harper-pmo-audit-1.3262902

The Prime Minister’s Office directed Canadian immigration officials to stop processing one of the most vulnerable classes of Syrian refugees this spring and declared that all UN-referred refugees would require approval from the Prime Minister, a decision that halted a critical aspect of Canada’s response to a global crisis.

NDP Trails In Latest Poll

The Liberals narrowly hold the edge in the CBC Poll Tracker, with 32.9 per cent support against 32.4 per cent for the Conservatives. The New Democrats stand at 24.3 per cent, with the Greens at 4.8 per cent support and the Bloc Québécois at 19.3 per cent in Quebec.
Locally Gord Johns continues to have a slim lead with 38.2 % support.John Duncan has 33.3 % .
Liberals are at 16.4 %and Greens at 12.6 %.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

On Strategic Voting

http://m.thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/09/28/Quarmby-Wont-Step-Down/

NDP Plans Attack on Trudeau

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tom-mulcair-justin-trudeau-campaign-ndp-1.3248885

Aboriginal Debate in Alberni

http://m.thetyee.ca/News/2015/09/29/John-Duncan-Aboriginal-Poverty-Debate/

Latest Nanos Poll Sept 29

  • 32.6 per cent supported the Conservatives as their top choice
  • 31.4 per cent picked the Liberals as their top choice
  • 27.0 per cent chose the NDP
The NDP remain the top choice in Quebec, but their advantage is slipping with the Liberals second and the Bloc Quebecois and Conservatives tied for third.
Ontario is still a tight race between the Liberals and the Conservatives, with the NDP in third.
The NDP passed the Conservatives to lead the latest poll in B.C., while the Liberals saw their support dip as they stayed in third place.
The Conservatives maintained a comfortable lead in the Prairies, while the Liberals held a better than 20 per cent advantage over their rivals in Atlantic Canada.

Monday, September 28, 2015

NDP Support Fading

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-grenier-poll-tracker-sep28-1.3247187

Another One Bites The Dust ! Again !!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canada-election-2015-liberal-candidate-facebook-1.3247636

Latest Nanos Poll


  • National Ballot – The Nanos nightly tracking suggests that a two-way race may be emerging between the Conservatives and the Liberals. Support for the Conservatives stands at 33.0%, with the Liberals at 31.6%, the NDP at 26.9%, and the Greens at 3.6% nationally.
  • Battleground Ontario – Ontario is a dead heat between the Liberals who are at 38.9% and the Conservatives who are at 38.1%. Support for the NDP has slid the last two days in Ontario and stands at 19.4% while support for the Greens is at 3.6%. 

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Latest Poll From Nanos Research -Sept 27


  • National Ballot – The latest Nanos tracking has the Liberals at 32.5%, the Conservatives at 31.5%, the NDP at 27.6%, and the Greens at 3.7% nationally. This is the lowest level of support registered by the NDP since the nightly tracking started.
  • French Debate Fallout - Although still in the lead in Quebec, support for the NDP has cycled downward for the past three nights and their advantage in Quebec has diminished. Both the BQ and Conservatives have gained in Quebec in the Nanos tracking in the past three nights, while support for the Liberals was unchanged following the debate. In the Quebec support for the parties stands at 35.7% for the NDP, 27.9% for the Liberals, 18.2% for the Conservatives, 16.4% for the BQ and 1.8% for the Greens. 

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Vehicle Incident on Hwy 4

Highway 4 Both directions Vehicle Incident 22 km east of Ucluelet Junction. The road is reduced to single lane alternating traffic. Updated on Thu Sep 24 at 1:01 pm PDT. (ID# 192647)

Cons Leading In Latest Polls

http://www.threehundredeight.com/2015/09/2015-federal-election-link-round-up_21.html?m=1

With all parties offering everything but free beer in their campaign promises are people starting to stick with the evil they know ?? Perhaps tonight's french language debate will have some defining results.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Poll shows Trudeau trailing in his own riding

The NDP have taken a page from Harper's playbook by releasing a questionable poll just before the Globe and Mail debate .

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/politics/canada-election-2015-grenier-papineau-sep18-1.3233577

Friday, September 18, 2015

Wayne Gretzky Endorses Harper !

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wayne-gretzky-endorses-harper-despite-not-being-allowed-to-vote-1.3234136

Sea Shepard on Ahousat Fish Farm Fight


http://www.huffstrategy.com/MediaManager/release/Sea-Shepherd-Canada/18-9-15/Sea-Shepherd-Canada-issues-statement-of-support-for-Ahousaht-salm/3171.html

Too Much Information ?

Some reader's have suggested that the comments section is focusing on the candidate's past history and behaviour as opposed to the issues and platforms.
This may be valid criticism but I have not published a multitude of comments .
Not from fear of legal action but because I didn't think they needed to be public.
In this election we have seen an increased level of scrutiny by social media.
Rosemary Barton from CBC on this subject:
" I think you have to be accountable for your own words and actions. When you decide to put your name out there, you have to take responsibility for things you said in the past, and how they match with what you're saying now. Has it gone a little overboard? Maybe."

  For what it is worth I haven't really had any comments at all on the Green and Liberal candidates.Only the contenders get any attention .
  Be sure to vote .

John Duncan Story From CTV

http://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/politics/aboriginal-affairs-minister-john-duncan-resigns-over-tax-court-letter-1.1158681

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Harper on "old stock Canadians" during debate

From CBC : Clarifying previous comments on refugees, Harper said that he would "bring in more" than in the past, but that "we do not offer them a better health-care plan than the ordinary Canadian can receive. I think that's something that new and old stock Canadians can agree with."
The question of what, exactly, defines an "old stock Canadian" quickly turned Twitter into a debate stage of its own.
I used to drink Extra Old Stock but somehow I don't think he's referring to that.......Or First Nations ......

NDP Lead Narrows in Courtenay-Alberni

http://thetyee.ca/News/2015/09/17/BC-Riding-Polls/

The new Dogwood poll found that NDP candidate Gord Johns (30 per cent) leads Conservative incumbent John Duncan (25 per cent) in Courtenay-Alberni with Liberal candidate Carrie Powell-Davidson (10 per cent) and Green candidate Glenn Sollitt (nine per cent) far back in third and fourth place.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

A Question ?

Do you think that "strategic " voting is simply surrendering democracy to the pollsters ?

More Election Projections Sept . 3 2015

If the election happened today, there is a ...

  • 41%chance that the Conservatives get the most seats
  • 53%chance that the NDP gets the most seats
  • 8%chance that the Liberals gets the most seats
  • 25%chance that the Green party gets more than one seat
  • 96%chance that the Liberals and NDP have a majority together
  • 16%chance that the Bloc regains official party status (more than 12 seats)

Monday, August 31, 2015

Different Poll , Different Numbers

John Duncan: Conservative23%
Gord Johns: NDP33%
Carrie Powell-Davidson: Liberal11%
Glenn Sollitt: Green Party9%

This recent poll by Votetogether.ca shows a tighter race but with the NDP still holding a large lead.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

New Polling Numbers

New polling numbers for Courtenay -Alberni show Gordo Johns with a huge lead of 47.7%
This is more than the Conservatives and Liberals combined !!
Conservatives 31%
Liberals 13%
Greens 7.5 %

With these numbers there is an 82 % chance of Gordo Johns getting elected.
http://www.threehundredeight.com/p/canada.html?m=1

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Reader's Questions

I've had many questions as to any staff changes but I'll have to refer them to the District website until I have formal confirmation.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Federal Election Signs

sorry the blog has been so quiet.I have been following the Mike Duffy trial and doing summer stuff. The first signs of the federal election are being displayed by proud NDPers in Tofino.So far I've only seen Gord Johns signs up.WIll have more federal election stuff soon.
Many readers will remember Gord Johns from his time on Tofino council. You can read more about the candidate at his website : http://gordjohns.ndp.ca/

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Water Restrictions and Tank Still Leaking......

 click on photos to enlarge
These photos were both taken around 8pm July 8th.....tank has been leaking for a while....

Water Restrictions Go To Stage 2

https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/45946

Social Media Cartoon

click on image to enlarge and please visit andysinger.com for more great cartoons

Monday, June 29, 2015

Friday, June 26, 2015

Tofino Gets Funding to Upgrade the Barr's Mountain Reservoir

Project approved under Canada's Small Communities Fund
June 26, 2015 – Tofino, British Columbia – Infrastructure Canada
Residents of Tofino will benefit from upgrades to the Barr's Mountain Reservoir thanks to joint funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Small Communities Fund.
Tofino will replace the existing Barr's Mountain treated water reservoir with a larger reservoir to better meet the fire protection and emergency water storage needs of the community. The community ran out of water in the summer of 2006. The larger and more earthquake resistant reservoir will help ensure that area businesses and residents have access to adequate water supplies to meet their current and future needs.
The project announced today is among those recently approved in British Columbia that will collectively receive more than $42 million in joint federal-provincial funding under the Small Communities Fund. These projects represent important investments in municipal infrastructure that maintain safe, healthy communities. Once complete, the work will significantly improve key municipal services for residents and help boost regional development.
Through the Small Communities Fund, the governments of Canada and British Columbia are working in partnership to provide funding for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs in communities across the province that have fewer than 100,000 residents. These investments support job creation and economic growth, thus sustaining a high quality of life in small communities across British Columbia for years to come.

Quick facts

  • The Government of Canada will provide up to $388,430 through the Small Communities Fund for the Barr's Mountain Reservoir project.
  • The Province of British Columbia will contribute $388,430 to this project.
  • Tofino will be responsible for all remaining costs of the project.
  • The total estimated cost for this project is $1,165,291.
  • Of the 21 projects approved for funding in British Columbia so far, 11 are drinking water projects, nine are wastewater projects, and one is a brownfield remediation project. Additional projects are under review and could also soon be approved.

Quotes

"We are proud to invest in projects like upgrading the Barr's Mountain Reservoir in Tofino that will benefit our community by improving much needed local infrastructure. Our Government's commitment to municipalities, big and small, has never been stronger. Through the New Building Canada Plan's Small Communities Fund, we are investing in priority infrastructure projects that have a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life of British Columbia's residents while helping create jobs and economic growth."
- The Honourable John Duncan Minister of State, Chief Government Whip and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North
"The expansion of the Barr's Mountain Reservoir will help mitigate the water shortages that Tofino has sometimes experienced in the past. Providing an adequate supply of good clean water now and into the future to both serve and protect Tofino's growing population is exactly the sort of project that this Small Communities Fund is designed to support. Of course, this project will not only support Tofino's residents but also Tofino's thriving tourism industry."
- The Honourable Coralee Oakes Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
"Increasing Tofino's water storage capacity at Barr's Mountain is a critical step in building infrastructure that protects our growing community's firefighting needs and drinking water supply. This project is an excellent example of a working relationship between three levels of government to meet the infrastructure needs of residents, businesses and industry in Tofino."
- Josie Osborne Mayor, District of Tofino

Associated links

Contacts

Vincent Rabault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
Communications
250-953-3677
Bob MacPherson, CAO
District of Tofino
250-725-3229
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Email: media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Website: Infrastructure Canada

June Water Consumption

 
BAY STREET
AKHMAHKSIS
01-June 
310,599167,705
02- June 
271,435 
03- June 
314,23017,420
04- June 
311,63461,457
05- June 
276,41361,296
06- June 
254,929 
07- June 
254,929 
08- June 
317,980214,206
09- June 
281,450117,765
10- June 
225,570158,254
11-June
297,4979,114
12-June
370,423204,627
13-June
247,999198,699
14-June
210,12099,803
15-June
292,509150,091
16-June
264,098113,894
17-June
291,25578,720
18-June
221,14187,744
19-June
255,617146,249
20-June
198,79972,162
21-June
249,457148,041
22-June
297,499124,593
23-June
260,760152,995
24-June
173,147171,648
25-June
  
26-June
  
27-June
  
28-June
  
29-June
  
30-June
  

Thursday, June 25, 2015

I Hope This Is Good News !


Tofino, British Columbia, June 25, 2015 –Members of the media are invited to attend an important infrastructure funding announcement. Participating government representatives include the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Josie Osborne, Mayor of Tofino.
Date:
Friday June 26, 2015
Time:
3:00 p.m. PDT
Location:
Tofino Fire Hall
Second and Campbell Streets, 
Tofino, British Columbia

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Water Meeting Report and Fire Flow Meter Servicing

While there was a fairly small turnout for the water meeting there was some spirited discussion. The real fireworks began when a representative of Ocean Park (Vinyl Village) questioned the fairness of a $700 quarterly charge for their fire flow meter given that they have switched over to individual water meters for each household.
 It was explained that there are costs associated with the maintenance and servicing of a fire flow meter and that those costs should be recovered by the District of Tofino. The representative directly questioned Bob Schantz, the Superintendent of Public Works as to the maintenance of the fire flow meter. Bob Schantz stated that the meters have "not been serviced as they should have been ".( There are other fire flow meters in stratas in Tofino)
  When further pressed about the issue ,the Superintendent of Public Works admitted that the fire flow meters have not been serviced as long as he has been employed as the Superintendent of Public Works. Records show that Bob Schantz was appointed to Superintendent of Public Works in 2010.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Water Supply Update

http://tofino.ca/news/public-notice-drinking-water-supply-update

While this isn't good news I'm glad to see the District making an announcement about the situation.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Tofino Council Grant Survey



SPARC BC and the District of Tofino are undertaking a review of the 2015 Participatory Budgeting process used to determine Council Grants. We are interested in hearing feedback from:
  • organizations that participated in the 2015 Council Grant process (more than one individual from an organization may respond)
  • organizations that did not participate in the process (more than one individual from an organization may respond)
  • individuals who attended the Voting Expo Day (whether or not you were there as a voting community member or assisting an organization that was presenting)
  • anyone else! 
Your feedback will be used by District of Tofino staff and Council to improve the program for 2016. We appreciate your candid feedback - all responses are anonymous and information is being collected by SPARC BC on behalf of the District of Tofino. 

Please complete the survey by Monday June 15.  The survey can be accessed by clicking on this link: https://www.research.net/s/Tofino_Participatory_Budgeting_Evaluation_Survey_2015

Thank you,

Nyla Attiana CPA, CGA  |  Director of Finance  |  District of Tofino  | 121 3rd Street  Box 9 Tofino BC V0R 2Z0 |
T 250.725.3229 ext 24  |  F 250.725.3775 | E nattiana@tofino.ca  |  W www.tofino.ca

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
This e-mail is confidential and is intended for the above-named recipient(s) only.  Any unauthorized use or disclosure of this e-mail is prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately and securely destroy the communication.  The District of Tofino is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Community Water Meeting

click to enlarge

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Water Restrictions and Water Tank Leak


click on images to enlarge

On one hand the district is telling us to conserve water but on the other hand this tank behind Industrial Way has been leaking for a year.Must be waiting for a consultant's report.



Monday, June 1, 2015

Tax Increase -The Simple Explanation

From the mail out with tax notices. Click on image to enlarge

Monday, May 25, 2015

Water Meeting with Consultants !!

Good afternoon,

This is a notice of the upcoming special Committee of the Whole meeting on June 1, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers.

For more information please refer to the website: http://tofino.ca/event/special-committee-whole

Regards,

You are receiving this message because you have subscribed to the District of Tofino’s email notifications. If you would like to unsubscribe, please contact me at the information below.

I can't believe it !! More consultants !! This time for water rates !! This has gone beyond a joke !!

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Bylaw Attacks Small Businesses !!

The District is cracking down on bylaw infractions.Are they going after illegal vacation rentals or illegal hippie campsites known for thefts and fires ?? No ! They are attacking small businesses !!
I like the little stores that have sandwich boards.They give the town some diversity.
The only advice I can give is to make all signs in the shape of a resort water meter and then they won't be read by the District of Tofino ..........

click on image to enlarge