Premier Eby meets with Gibsons, Bowen Island mayors over B.C. Ferries frustrations
Premier David Eby met with the mayors of Gibsons and Bowen Island after the municipalities raised the alarm about what they say is a lack of service, communication and accountability from B.C. Ferries. Gibsons Mayor Silas White says the premier reassured them the province is aware of the problem.
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CTV News
11 hours ago
- CTV News
Canada Post rejects union's request for binding arbitration to end labour dispute
Canada Post vehicles are seen parked at a delivery depot in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck) Canada Post has rejected a request from the union representing about 55,000 of its workers to send their ongoing labour dispute to binding arbitration. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers made the request in a statement issued Saturday, saying it was inviting Canada Post to a fair, final and binding arbitration process to resolve negotiations that have dragged on for months without producing a new collective agreement. But the crown corporation dismissed the proposal in a response released on Sunday, saying it wants to 'restore stability' to the postal service and arguing the union's request for binding arbitration would do the opposite. Canada Post says arbitration would be long and complicated and would likely last more than a year, adding to what it described as it's significant financial challenges. Canada Post presented what it called its 'final offers' to the union on Wednesday, with concessions including an end to compulsory overtime and a signing bonus of up to $1,000. But it stuck to a proposal for a 14 per cent cumulative wage hike over four years and part-time staff on weekend shifts, a major sticking point in the talks. Canada Post said the two sides are at loggerheads after months of conciliation and mediation and has asked Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to force a union membership vote on its latest proposals. The union has been in a legal strike position as of May 23, but so far has opted to ban members from working overtime instead. The Canadian Press With files from Christopher Reynolds in Montreal
CBC
11 hours ago
- CBC
Potential for further growth for wildfire in northeast B.C., officials say
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says that the Kiskatinaw River wildfire in the northeast, which has led to evacuation orders and alerts, has the potential to grow in the coming days. The Kiskatinaw River blaze is burning adjacent to the B.C.-Alberta border south of Dawson Creek, and it covers an area of around 30 square kilometres, down from 46 square kilometres on Friday. There has been no significant growth on the blaze in the last 48 hours, the B.C. Wildfire Service said in an update Sunday, but they added that weather conditions were dry and windy and could challenge firefighters. "There's a slight chance of light rain, but any precipitation is expected to be minimal and may not significantly impact fire behaviour," the service wrote in an update. "There is ongoing potential for increased fire activity and further growth in the coming days." The wildfire has prompted an evacuation order covering roughly 70 people in the Kelly Lake area, primarily members of the Kelly Lake Cree Nation. Emergency support services for evacuees have been extended by the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), which said in an update Sunday that it was extending support until June 8. "This decision was made out of an abundance of caution based on recommendations from [B.C.] Wildfire Service due to uncertain fire conditions," the PRRD said in a statement. The Kiskatinaw River wildfire is currently B.C.'s only "wildfire of note", which means it is particularly visible or poses a threat to public safety. Officials say that firefighters are building containment lines along the edges of the blaze, and directly attacking the fire where possible. "Helicopters are dropping water in areas where the fire is most active, to slow the spread and make it safer for crews on the ground," the BCWS says. The service added that structure protection personnel were on site in the Kelly Lake area, as well as the nearby One Island Lake area. The out-of-control Kiskatinaw River fire is burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 East, which has been partially closed as a result. Homes around Kelly Lake — about 80 kilometres south of Dawson Creek and immediately adjacent to the B.C.-Alberta border — were placed on evacuation order Thursday. The order also covers areas north of Campbell Lake — west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east of the Alberta border. As of Sunday afternoon, there were 65 active wildfires in B.C., most of which were caused by lightning.
CBC
11 hours ago
- CBC
Indigenous leader pulls out of B.C. trade mission to Asia over Bills 14, 15
Social Sharing B.C. Premier David Eby said Saturday that he is confident that recent opposition from First Nations to infrastructure fast-track legislation will not affect his ability to attract investment from Asia. Eby's remarks came a day after B.C. Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Terry Teegee pulled out of the premier's trade mission to East Asia, citing continuing criticism from Indigenous leaders on the passing of Bills 14 and 15, two pieces of legislation aimed at speeding up certain infrastructure projects. Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, is aimed at fast-tracking public sector projects like schools and hospitals, as well as private projects, such as critical mineral mines, that are deemed provincially significant. Bill 14, the Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act, will speed up clean energy projects across the province. Teegee and other First Nations leaders said the bills — which narrowly passed in legislature this week — have inflicted "profound damage" on the province's relationship with Indigenous communities. WATCH | Bill 15 faces backlash: Eby's mining announcement overshadowed by backlash to controversial Bill 15 6 days ago Duration 2:07 Premier David Eby has unveiled his plan to speed up mining development to boost B.C.'s economy. But as Katie DeRosa reports, the announcement was overshadowed by growing opposition to a controversial bill. "While the Premier seeks to strengthen B.C.'s economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region and promote investment in major natural resource projects, his government has simultaneously undermined the very rights and relationships that are foundations to sustainable economic development in First Nations territories," reads the statement from the B.C. Assembly of First Nations. In a separate statement, Teegee said the passing of the new bills is the direct reason he decided not to join the trade mission. "How can we participate in trade missions to promote resource development when this government has just rammed through legislation that tramples our rights and threatens our territories?" he said. "During uncertain times, it's imperative that First Nations actively shape economic relationships that impact our lands, peoples, and futures." But Eby said he has promised First Nations leaders that his government will ensure "strong Indigenous partnerships" and strong environmental protections despite the bills passing, as long as he is premier. The premier made his comments on the eve of his departure on a 10-day trade mission to Japan, South Korea and Malaysia. "We do have to move faster," he said, citing opening of the Blackwater gold and silver mine Friday as an example of a project that can be completed faster than expected with First Nation partnership is involved. "This is a mine that ordinarily would take four or five years to build," Eby said. "It was completed in 18 months, including a significant transmission line 160-plus kilometres through some pretty challenging terrain, all of it completed in 22 months." Eby said that international investors need to understand that they must have "strong partnerships with Indigenous people [in B.C.]" and high environmental standards in order to see their projects move quickly in the province. "So what we're seeing is nations becoming full economic partners in the projects, proponents of the projects, as well as participating in the oversight to ensure land protection." Eby said the province will work hard to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring Indigenous partnership, and Teegee's withdrawal from the trade mission is a clear sign that more work needs to be done on that front. "Words will not be sufficient," he said. The B.C. delegation to Asia comes amid a continued push to diversify the province's trading partners amid an ongoing trade war with the U.S. due to President Donald Trump's tariff threats. On Friday, Trump threatened to impose 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, posing a major threat to Ontario and Quebec's economies in particular. "The expertise that we have here, the market access and other pieces, mean that as the president ramps up his attack on core industries in Central Canada, it redoubles the importance of what we have to do here in British Columbia to support the national economy," Eby said.
