pringer the whale, the governor general and Ji-Won Park
By Paul Willcocks
VICTORIA - Whales are cute, noble, clever and all that.
But doesn't all the fuss over Springer the lonely Orca, the eagerness to come up with $750,000 to drag the animal back where it came from, strike you as bizarre and faintly obscene?
I've raised money for worthy causes and know how difficult it is. And I'm confident that if I launched a campaign to raise $750,000 to change the lives of 100 children, I'd have a much harder time then the whale folks will have.
Heck, this week in Victoria a superb program that taught street kids life-changing job skills lost its federal funding, an amount less than half the whale's fund. The Youth Employment Program fed the kids up, helped them find somewhere to stay and then taught them the skills to get a janitorial job. More than 200 young people went through the program, and 137 of them still had jobs a year later. Not great jobs, maybe, but they were in the game and had a chance.
That's $7,000 a kid that can't be found, but $750,000 for one whale.
And we know the employment program worked. We're just messing around with the whale.
Shiner is hanging around Puget Sound, with a nasty rash and worms. For some reason she's left her pod off northern Vancouver Island.
So scientists have caught her, lifted her on to a barge and taken her to a lab. Now she'll be tested, cleaned up, and then either taken her back to the pod, set free somewhere else or put in an aquarium.
That all sounds a little vague, with good reason. No one knows if Shiner wants to go back with the other whales in her pod, or whether they want her around, or whether she'll introduce some disease that will kill them all.
I like whales. And while Orcas aren't endangered - there are at least 180,000 of them in the Antarctic Ocean alone - their numbers are shrinking in the northwest, and we should be concerned about the causes.
But it seems ludicrous that instead of donating to a food bank, or a children's charity, or even to that sad-looking guy on the corner, people would rush to hand over money to a fund to save one slightly mangy whale from itself.
Which brings me, by a round-about way, to Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. She spent $2.6 million last year to run Rideau Hall, her posh home base in Ottawa.
It's an historic building, built in 1836, and she hosts many public events, and I wouldn't want to see it turn into a dump.
But Clarkson has launched a drive to restore the place's Victorian splendour, meaning painters and new upholstery and replanted gardens.
And $29,000 for a dining room rug and $44,000 for a Rose Garden seem a little excessive, especially when Ottawa can't come up with any help for B.C. forest communities hurt by the softwood lumber dispute.
Clarkson's plan to restore the mansion's historic character has meant a 25-per-cent spending increase over the amount required by her modest predecessor Romeo LeBlanc. That's $500,000 - again, more than enough to keep the Youth Employment Program going.
Which leads, finally, to Ji-Won Park, whose name is less familiar than Shiner the whale.
Park is the young Korean woman beaten into a coma in Stanley Park. She was here studying English, and had $20,000 worth of medical insurance. That's used up, and her bills are mounting at $2,000 a day. A fund-raising campaign for her is inching forward, but remains at under $50,000.
People can give their money as they see fit. And any generousity is welcome.
But our willingness to come up with $750,000 for a medical check-up for one animal - and our willingness to ignore so many other needs - says something important about our odd priorities.
Paul Willcocks can be reached at willcocks@ultranet.ca
Wednesday, June 26, 2002
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
Olympics' bid looking fiercely expensive
By Paul Willcocks
VICTORIA - British Columbians should be getting mighty nervous about what the Vancouver-Whistler Olympic Games could cost us.
The 2010 Games could turn out to be a great thing for B.C., a chance to showcase the province before the world.
But the Olympic bid is steam-rolling forward without nearly enough public information or consultation on the costs and benefits.
The Olympic bid committee has already sent its proposal off to the IOC, a list of promises of all the things you will do to make these the best Games ever.
Sadly, you won't know what those promises are, the bid committee having decided they should stay secret. That seems a little odd, since Bern, Switzerland, one of B.C.'s top rivals, has posted its proposals on the web site for all to see. Bern also plans a referendum before going further, something citizens in Whistler have unsuccessfully been seeking.
There's much encouraging in B.C.'s Olympic bid. The Games are expected to be officially self-supporting, with revenue covering the operating costs and maybe leaving a little money over. And the province could well score future tourism business and some nice sports facilities.
But the self-supporting claim is misleading.
Organizers already have about $9 million from the province to help make the pitch to get the Games. Ottawa and B.C. have promised $310 million each for new facilities for sports events.
And on top of that, the federal and provincial governments are on the hook for security costs, easily $500 million if recent Games are an indication.
And there's more.
The Games bid requires an expanded convention centre, which would serve as the headquarters for some 10,000 journalists, and cost some $500 million.
There's a strong case for a new convention centre, but it's certainly not clear why those who will benefit - Vancouver hotels and restaurants - shouldn't pay the bill.
Bid chairman Jack Poole also says that without major improvements to the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, Vancouver won't win the Games. Figure $1.3 billion for that. And proponents also want a rapid transit line from the airport, another $1.4-billion megaproject.
Add them up, and you'll see that those cost-free Games will really reach into taxpayers' pockets for $5.3 billion.
Of course there will be benefits, including an estimated $2 billion in tax revenue for the two levels of government. But that doesn't come close to the costs.
And that too would be fine if we had decided that the most important capital priorities for B.C. were a better highway to Whistler and rapid transit from the airport.
But we haven't made that decision. And I'm not sure that people bouncing over rutted roads in the northeast would be so keen to know that their tax dollars were being used to make it easier for people to get to their chalets in Whistler. Or that people in the North and Interior facing health care cuts would think that a better way of getting from the airport to downtown Vancouver should be a top priority.
The Olympic bid has crept up on British Columbians. Few people realize that a specific proposal has been submitted, or that in about a year B.C. could have actually won these Games.
That's partly our fault. The Games people have been out talking about their plans, but the public hasn't paid much attention.
But it's also the proponents' fault, for failing to provide enough information about exactly what this will cost and where the money will be found within the finances of a government that says it's too broke to provide a wide range of other services to citizens.
The Games may make sense. But right now, it feels like we're being asked to hand over a lot of money with no clear idea what we're getting, or why we should want it.
Paul Willcocks can be reached at willcocks@ultranet.ca
Yale land deal a step forward on treaties
By Paul Willcocks
VICTORIA - It was only a small piece of land along the Fraser River, but it represented a big step forward for the Liberal approach to resolving treaties.
Cabinet approved Attorney General Geoff Plant's proposal that about 180 hectares of land be set aside for a treaty deal with the Yale First Nation.
It's an important piece of property, in part because it's one of the few flat places along the river, which runs through a steep canyon. The property, across the river from the Yale townsite, also rather cleverly connects two existing reserves - partly by setting aside a narrow corridor.
But two things make the agreement important.
First, it reflects an apparent success in using interim measures - temporary agreements before a treaty is reached - to help move negotiations forward.
The Liberals have indicated they're prepared to enter into significant interim measures where there is hope of progress. The greater the realistic assessment of the chance for progress at the table, the farther the government will go.
That's reinforced by the term of this agreement - two years or less. Unless all three parties renew it, the land will no longer be protected for a future settlement after two years. And the province has said it won't renew the deal unless there has been progress at the table.
And second, the deal has won praise from the band, with Chief Robert Hope even attending the open cabinet meeting where it was approved. Given the government's stormy public battles with First Nations over the treaty process, that's an important win for the government.
"The BC Liberals have shown they can negotiate treaties and make deals whereas past government's have failed," the Yale First Nation said in a release. "The attitude shown at our table is one of progressive and innovative problem-solving."
The deal appears to embody successfully a carrot and stick approach to
negotiation.
The carrot is the province's willingness to set aside land or take other measures to protect a First Nation's interests or encourage economic development if negotiations are progressing.
And the stick is the refusal to negotiate such measures - or the willingness to take them away - if progress isn't being made, or there isn't a reasonable hope of an agreement in principle.
The Yale First Nation has made at least some progress in talks since 1994, but has spent the last two years working unsuccessfully towards a draft agreement.
This interim deal provides a strong positive incentive for them to keep talks moving, and to make sure the community is prepared to support any agreements that are reached. The land is reserved; the timber and mineral deposits protected. But that could change if talks stall.
The interim deal doesn't resolve the land question. But it shows a good faith commitment on the province's part. The chunk of land would roughly double the reserves currently occupied by the 130 band members and add considerably to their potential for economic development.
And the deal was reached without much damage to other interests in the area. The land has potentially valuable gravel and placer gold deposits. Their ownership will still be decided in talks, and existing claim holders won't lose their rights.
But no new claims will be issued and the timber - about 700 cubic metres per year of annual allowable cut - will be protected.
The deal has the potential to bring a little more certainty for others interested in economic development in the area. As part of the interim measure, the First Nation agreed not to obstruct "unreasonably" economic activities on other land within its traditional territories.
The treaty referendum, now being tallied, was a step backward.
But this agreement represents a step towards a pragmatic approach to moving negotiations towards a successful end.
Paul Willcocks can be reached at willcocks@ultranet.ca
By Paul Willcocks
VICTORIA - British Columbians should be getting mighty nervous about what the Vancouver-Whistler Olympic Games could cost us.
The 2010 Games could turn out to be a great thing for B.C., a chance to showcase the province before the world.
But the Olympic bid is steam-rolling forward without nearly enough public information or consultation on the costs and benefits.
The Olympic bid committee has already sent its proposal off to the IOC, a list of promises of all the things you will do to make these the best Games ever.
Sadly, you won't know what those promises are, the bid committee having decided they should stay secret. That seems a little odd, since Bern, Switzerland, one of B.C.'s top rivals, has posted its proposals on the web site for all to see. Bern also plans a referendum before going further, something citizens in Whistler have unsuccessfully been seeking.
There's much encouraging in B.C.'s Olympic bid. The Games are expected to be officially self-supporting, with revenue covering the operating costs and maybe leaving a little money over. And the province could well score future tourism business and some nice sports facilities.
But the self-supporting claim is misleading.
Organizers already have about $9 million from the province to help make the pitch to get the Games. Ottawa and B.C. have promised $310 million each for new facilities for sports events.
And on top of that, the federal and provincial governments are on the hook for security costs, easily $500 million if recent Games are an indication.
And there's more.
The Games bid requires an expanded convention centre, which would serve as the headquarters for some 10,000 journalists, and cost some $500 million.
There's a strong case for a new convention centre, but it's certainly not clear why those who will benefit - Vancouver hotels and restaurants - shouldn't pay the bill.
Bid chairman Jack Poole also says that without major improvements to the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, Vancouver won't win the Games. Figure $1.3 billion for that. And proponents also want a rapid transit line from the airport, another $1.4-billion megaproject.
Add them up, and you'll see that those cost-free Games will really reach into taxpayers' pockets for $5.3 billion.
Of course there will be benefits, including an estimated $2 billion in tax revenue for the two levels of government. But that doesn't come close to the costs.
And that too would be fine if we had decided that the most important capital priorities for B.C. were a better highway to Whistler and rapid transit from the airport.
But we haven't made that decision. And I'm not sure that people bouncing over rutted roads in the northeast would be so keen to know that their tax dollars were being used to make it easier for people to get to their chalets in Whistler. Or that people in the North and Interior facing health care cuts would think that a better way of getting from the airport to downtown Vancouver should be a top priority.
The Olympic bid has crept up on British Columbians. Few people realize that a specific proposal has been submitted, or that in about a year B.C. could have actually won these Games.
That's partly our fault. The Games people have been out talking about their plans, but the public hasn't paid much attention.
But it's also the proponents' fault, for failing to provide enough information about exactly what this will cost and where the money will be found within the finances of a government that says it's too broke to provide a wide range of other services to citizens.
The Games may make sense. But right now, it feels like we're being asked to hand over a lot of money with no clear idea what we're getting, or why we should want it.
Paul Willcocks can be reached at willcocks@ultranet.ca
Yale land deal a step forward on treaties
By Paul Willcocks
VICTORIA - It was only a small piece of land along the Fraser River, but it represented a big step forward for the Liberal approach to resolving treaties.
Cabinet approved Attorney General Geoff Plant's proposal that about 180 hectares of land be set aside for a treaty deal with the Yale First Nation.
It's an important piece of property, in part because it's one of the few flat places along the river, which runs through a steep canyon. The property, across the river from the Yale townsite, also rather cleverly connects two existing reserves - partly by setting aside a narrow corridor.
But two things make the agreement important.
First, it reflects an apparent success in using interim measures - temporary agreements before a treaty is reached - to help move negotiations forward.
The Liberals have indicated they're prepared to enter into significant interim measures where there is hope of progress. The greater the realistic assessment of the chance for progress at the table, the farther the government will go.
That's reinforced by the term of this agreement - two years or less. Unless all three parties renew it, the land will no longer be protected for a future settlement after two years. And the province has said it won't renew the deal unless there has been progress at the table.
And second, the deal has won praise from the band, with Chief Robert Hope even attending the open cabinet meeting where it was approved. Given the government's stormy public battles with First Nations over the treaty process, that's an important win for the government.
"The BC Liberals have shown they can negotiate treaties and make deals whereas past government's have failed," the Yale First Nation said in a release. "The attitude shown at our table is one of progressive and innovative problem-solving."
The deal appears to embody successfully a carrot and stick approach to
negotiation.
The carrot is the province's willingness to set aside land or take other measures to protect a First Nation's interests or encourage economic development if negotiations are progressing.
And the stick is the refusal to negotiate such measures - or the willingness to take them away - if progress isn't being made, or there isn't a reasonable hope of an agreement in principle.
The Yale First Nation has made at least some progress in talks since 1994, but has spent the last two years working unsuccessfully towards a draft agreement.
This interim deal provides a strong positive incentive for them to keep talks moving, and to make sure the community is prepared to support any agreements that are reached. The land is reserved; the timber and mineral deposits protected. But that could change if talks stall.
The interim deal doesn't resolve the land question. But it shows a good faith commitment on the province's part. The chunk of land would roughly double the reserves currently occupied by the 130 band members and add considerably to their potential for economic development.
And the deal was reached without much damage to other interests in the area. The land has potentially valuable gravel and placer gold deposits. Their ownership will still be decided in talks, and existing claim holders won't lose their rights.
But no new claims will be issued and the timber - about 700 cubic metres per year of annual allowable cut - will be protected.
The deal has the potential to bring a little more certainty for others interested in economic development in the area. As part of the interim measure, the First Nation agreed not to obstruct "unreasonably" economic activities on other land within its traditional territories.
The treaty referendum, now being tallied, was a step backward.
But this agreement represents a step towards a pragmatic approach to moving negotiations towards a successful end.
Paul Willcocks can be reached at willcocks@ultranet.ca
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
