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Terasen suitor's many pipelines figure in several U.S. disasters, including a very deadly one.
Kinder Morgan, the company that hopes to take over the B.C. gas utility Terasen, is “the poster child for pipeline problems,” according to Carl Weimer, executive director of the Bellingham, Washington--based Pipeline Safety Trust.
Weimer says Kinder Morgan has a poor safety record, which he attributes to the company taking over a huge network of pipelines in a short time frame. “They’ve expanded rapidly and a lot of the pipelines they took over are older pipelines. And that has undercut some of the safety,” he says.
Weimer, whose trust is funded by a court-ordered endowment created after an Olympic Pipe Line Co. pipeline in Bellingham burst and then exploded in 1999, killing three and destroying Whatcom Creek, says ongoing internal inspection is the best way to stay on top of pipeline maintenance. Weimer adds that Terasen has a good record on this front. “Hopefully the personnel won’t go through a dramatic change” during the takeover, he says, given Terasen staff’s credible record.
According to Terasen, many of their pipelines are approaching 50 years of age, and some, particularly under Vancouver, are as old as 70 years. Many of the lines Kinder Morgan took over in the U.S. are around 50 years old, says Weimer, which has resulted in several failures on its network.
Explosion killed five
The most dramatic and deadly incident had another cause, however. Five people were killed last November in Walnut Creek, California, after an excavator ruptured a high-pressure petroleum line. Gasoline filled the pipe trench and was ignited by a welding torch.
Kinder Morgan spokesman Rick Rainey told The Tyee that the incident had nothing to do with the company’s practices. “It was a backhoe operator that ruptured our pipeline, so that had nothing to do with integrity,” he says.
However, the California Department of Industrial Relations didn’t see it exactly that way. In its 20-page report on the Walnut Creek explosion, the department said the main contributing factor was that the pipeline was not properly marked: “The primary cause of the incident was that the location of the petroleum line was not known to employees working in the area.”
Negligence cited
In the end, Kinder Morgan was cited for two counts of “serious willful” and fined a total of $140,000. In the report, “willful” is defined as a situation “where evidence shows that the employer committed an intentional and knowing violation -- as distinguished from inadvertent or accidental or ordinarily negligent -- and the employer is conscious of the fact that what they are doing constitutes a violation, or is aware that a hazardous condition exists and no reasonable effort was made to eliminate the hazard.”
Right underneath that violation “serious” is defined as “cited where there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a condition which exists -- or from practices, operations or processes at the workplace.”
The fines to the three other companies involved amounted to $51,750, less than half of what Kinder Morgan was fined for its part in the accident, even though Kinder Morgan insists the accident was not really its fault.
Another blemish on Kinder Morgan’s environmental record is a 2004 70,000-gallon diesel spill into a Northern California marsh from an old, corroded pipeline. However, according to Rainey, the company had wanted to replace the very pipeline that leaked into the marsh, and would have done so, except that California’s “cumbersome permitting process” held up the company’s attempts to change the line.
“It took us three years to even get permits. Had it been done a little more timely,” says Rainey, “we wouldn’t have had the issue of the rupture.”
Still, Kinder Morgan pled guilty in the case and paid about $3 million in penalties and restitution. The company didn’t notify the California government about the spill until 18 hours after it had occurred, a failure for which it was cited. Kinder Morgan attributed the delay to the time it took them to identify the leak and be certain there was a one.
Houses sprayed with gas
Not all of the leaks have been hard to locate. In 2003 in Tuscon, Arizona, 19,000 gallons of gasoline spilled out of another Kinder Morgan pipeline, spraying a housing development and flooding nearby streets. The resulting pipeline closure caused major gas shortages in the state.
In December 2004, a Kinder Morgan pipeline burst in the Mojave Desert in California. For 12 hours, it spewed diesel more than 70 feet into the air. The fuel seeped an estimated 50 feet below the surface and the clean up involved removing 7,500 tons of dirt from the site.
Rainey defends Kinder Morgan’s history and says that overall, “despite a couple of recent high-profile incidents,” the company has a clean record. “We have a very aggressive integrity management program, and that will be applied,” he says of the standards the company will promote in B.C.
Safety commitment lauded
According to Rainey, since the company was formed in 1997 it has increased its pipelines by 6.5 times yet spends 10.5 times more on safety and maintenence. He says the incidents have little to do with negligence. “It’s certainly not for lack of dedicating financial resources to make sure [pipelines] are safe,” he says.
Rainey says Kinder Morgan’s record is considered better than the industry average -- according to his company’s records. That sentiment is echoed by Terasen’s director of public affairs, Cam Avery. “In most quarters they’ve got above-industry-standard record,” says Avery, adding that B.C. standards would apply if Kinder Morgan succeeds in its takeover bid. “Terasen gas is regulated in British Columbia according to British Columbia standards.”
Rainey also stresses the company is actively trying to improve its practices. “Commitment to safety is our top priority,” he says.
However, Kinder Morgan has been cited for not complying with government safety standards, and for not performing emergency training. In December 2004, Kinder Morgan was fined $26,630 and promised to buy emergency equipment for a California town after failing to conduct the minimum 10 emergency drills at a Nevada oil-holding facility and for neglecting to conduct two oil-spill response drills. The safety drills were required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Out of Enron
Kinder Morgan was formed by Richard Kinder and Bill Morgan, both former executives of the infamous energy giant Enron Corporation. Richard Kinder was the president of Enron until 1997, when he handed the reins over to Kenneth Lay, who now faces fraud charges related to the collapse of the company.
As with Lay, Kinder and his family are strong supporters of George W. Bush. Kinder’s wife raised more than $200,000 for Bush during the 2004 election, and had pledged $100,000 to the Bush campaign in 2001. According to Mother Jones, during that 2001 campaign Kinder and his wife served as regional co-chairs for Bush’s Presidential Exploratory Committee, and Kinder has given $379,745 US to the Republican party.
Terasen stockholders will vote on the sale of Terasen to Kinder Morgan in late October. If the deal is approved, Terasen could be under Kinder Morgan control by December.
Scott Webb, a Terasen gas utility spokesperson, says there is some nervousness within Terasen about the deal. There’s “a little bit of uncertainty,” he says. “This all happened very fast.” Webb added that some Terasen employees are excited that Terasen may be acquired by a company that really wants to own it.
The B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of the Environment were approached for comment on safety and regulatory issues in B.C. but were not available by press time.
Jeremy Nuttall is a Penticton radio reporter and freelance writer. ![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
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Fiat lux
7 years ago
Comments on "Kinder Morgan Marked by Spills "
Another desperate attempt by the Campbell gang to sell BC's resources off to foreign corporations to prevent their coming under public control again under NAFTA and WTO rules.
The purpose of these so called "free trade" agreements is not to "lower costs", but to hand all resources and services over to international corporate control. In the warped minds of some people this means "democracy".
Watch for ever increasing prices with the profits removed from BC, mass firings of service personnel, outsourcing and loss of services. And, if anybody dares to complain, being slapped with defamation lawsuits. This has been the pattern of all privatizations around the world.
PPP means "Plundering the Public Purse" and here's a great example of it. Can anybody name a single privatized service where standards may have improved and costs to the public lowered ?
All we can find anywhere on Earth are secret deals, like the sale of BC Rail, loss of services and disasters caused by profit demands and the former politicians blessed with lucrative directorships. Ed Deak, Big Lake, BC.
jamez
7 years ago
If I recall didn't Enron build up its energy holding quite quickly, then purposely neglect them in order to cause accidents driving power prices up?
Grumpy
7 years ago
I wonder if Kinder Morgan contributed to the provincial Liberals, as you know, in BC, you get what you pay for.
I still think Campbell is a American agent, who is desperately trying to sell off everything that makes BC, BC, in hopes that if and when Canada splits up, the Americans will have complete control over us!
The The
7 years ago
Fiat lux: At the rate that the USA ignores NAFTA and WTO rules, why should any future Canadian government abide by them? I know what I would do with BC Rail, BC Ferries, MSP, et al, were I premier. There are some things that worked fine under public contorl.
Grumpy
7 years ago
Right on!
We must take back what Cambell has given away! Like where is the passenger service that Liberals promiced? All the BC Rail line is now is a secondary line to take empties North, with a few loaded cars for 'local' service.
The Campbell Quislings. are some of the most evil politicians we ever had. Too bad that we are sheep and do nothing, as this corrupt bunch of traitors squander are precious resources.
The NDP leader is a wet noodle and her term will be one of dissapointment, a la Larry Campbell and jim Greene. God help us all!
Ron Erwin
7 years ago
The The; I am assuming that if you were Premier you would simple nationalize everything and go the way of former communist counties who self destructed. I don't think I would vote for you.
skeptikool
7 years ago
After the caviar, the filet mignon with a fine vintage red, the peche Melba.......Perhaps over the brandy and cigars. "It's a deal."
You get to feel expansive. Heck, who wouldn't?
I mean....getting to rub shoulders with such movers and shakers - even got to call the VP, "Dick".
Not a lot left to give away but, what the heck!
I know that I'm going to be set. What do those suckers know anyway - Canadian taxpayers....buncha supine slobs.
jamez
7 years ago
I'll tell you this much, Gas, hydro, medical, dental and anything else a citizen of a country needs to have a healthy life, should be nationalized. A taxpayer's health and well-being shouldn't come into the control of any corporation.
The The
7 years ago
Ron Erwin: Yep, that's me, a real commie. ;)
In fact, I am anything but a communist, but I do hold opinions on entities that the government has recently privatized or contracted to private operators.
Would you call WAC Bennett a communist, the Social Credit premier who nationalised the ferry system and gave British Columbia the infrastructure it has today? I doubt it. He wasn't much of a "free enterprise" premier like Gordon Campbell is these days, but he was anyting but left wing.
The truth is that I've experienced the other side of life. In the UK everything was privatized by Thatcher. The services are horrible and everything has gone down hill.
clubofrome
7 years ago
Corporate criminals are no different than the habitual criminals who break into your homes and cars. Getting caught is cost of doing business. The car thief will be back in another stolen car the same day he is released, and Kinder Morgan will continue to ignore safety regulations and willfully disregard the environment. Kinder and Morgan are two former Enron Execs. 2 + 2 = ?
Bush supporters too! What a shock.
Banquos ghost
7 years ago
Ron Erwin, I take it will be perfectly pleased to forward his hard won Canadian earnings for natural gas useage to a Texas company as long as it means he doesn't have to think critically about Campbell's Liberals.
No accounting for some people. Literally as well as figuratively, in Ron's case.
Bit by bit the US takeover continues. Like frogs in a slowly warming pot of water, we barely notice. And for many, it simply isn't a matter of much moment.
US owned Canadian subsidiaries of lumber companies pay large tariffs out of Canada into a US fund that will eventually be doled out, under the terms of the Byrd Amendment, to US sawmills. Then those mills can undertake the upgrades that have heretofore made them non-competitive.
It's OK with Canada. Oh there'll be a huff and a puff and a pose but we won't actually *do* anything. To actually *do* anything would be most un-shop-keeper like and mustn't have that.
A US attorney in Washington will undertake to confiscate privately owned land in BC on behalf of the US federal Dept. of Justice. Probably successfully.
We'll huff and puff some more but the bottom line at the end of the day will be that the US government will be the owner of a small patch of Canadian soil. With more to follow soon thereafter no doubt. Any pretext will do.
The BC government removes the foreign ownership limitations on Terasen Gas and, what do you know? Controlling foreign ownership shows up. Does anyone really think that Campbell and Company thought that *no* foreign ownership would appear? Of course not. They thought that foreign ownership *would* appear. That's why they removed the limitation. Now we're jumping down each each others throats to castigate or defend the Campbell government. We're losing sight of the stark fact that once we've had our spat with each other we'll still be left paying a Texas company for the privelege of heating our homes and offices with natural gas pumped from the ground of BC.
We're doing a masterful job of instructing and coaching the empire below the 49th in how to manipulate us and divide us from one another.
And if it's one thing the Bush administration knows how to do it's drive wedges.
Well we're getting a doozie of a wedgie.
shuswapgord
7 years ago
Thank God for private ownership, let goverment govern and corporations make profits for us shareholders. Since I don't rely on goverment for my retirement I have to get my monthly stipend somewhere.
Te Aro Arahina
7 years ago
What kind of idiot would place their faith in the deregulation of utilities industries after Enron? Must be someone who counts on dying off in the next ten years.
jamez
7 years ago
Why are both parties so silent on this?
jamez
7 years ago
Gord man, forget profits... it's not about that. The people in Enron thought they were getting profits... instead they all lost, some their life savings. This company is a child of that company.
Fiat lux
7 years ago
What I find very amusing is that people who shout loudest against governments and interference with corporations, then lose large amounts, some of their life savings, in some fraudulent shyster deals and companies, stand in front of TV cameras and write letters to the papers, demanding government actions to save their necks. Government is OK when they're in trouble of their own making, but otherwise can go to hell ? Brilliant logic. No interference with theft and crime, as long as the proceeds and up in their own pockets .
There was a proverb in the Sumerian civilization, who must have gone through the same problems with predator enterpreneurs 10 years ago: "In a city without dogs the wolf is the master".
I've been in independent business continuously for 48 years, but never invested a penny in any other except my own, so I have little sympathy for those who play the stockmarkets and lose their shirts. Let alone relying on borderline and outright crooks for survival. Ed Deak, Big Lake.
bigEd
7 years ago
Ed Deak'
Your right on the mark
Ed.R in Nanaimo
Jeeves
7 years ago
Banquos ghost:
Thanks for that. I sense some mild sarcasm in your post.
But what can one do if his only weapon is a ballot?
Mel from Surrey
7 years ago
Currently on american television beer giant Anhauser Bucsh (makers of Budweiser) has a commercial touting themselves as the only "american owned" brewery in the U.S.,that means the profits stay in the U.S. and is good for america.
Why is it that Canada's right wing think it is so wonderful for foreigners to own Canadian assets?
Is Anhauser Busch wrong?
clubofrome
7 years ago
The stock market: Another rigged game....and the back bone of our economic invention.
chuckstraight
7 years ago
I`m hoping that Ron Erwin will explain to us how it is so wonderful to have our assets, espesially resources, owned by foreigners.Why is that better?
alaskanvet
7 years ago
I hate to say it but this is just the beginning in a mass movement of privatization. We may have started with Terasen, transit, ferries, but wait until it's our roads, healthcare, the air we breathe and the genes that make up our cells. Then, we'll actually get up and considering crashing Campbell's Victorian palace like the Bolivians fought for the right to drink water.
chuckstraight
7 years ago
When the dust settles it will be a lot easier to pay bills. Just one monthly cheque off to Pepsico.
jamez
7 years ago
I heard Wally Oppal saying our justice system needs to be more like the US today. How long before we contract that out?
Banquos ghost
7 years ago
jamez, to be perfectly fair to Oppal he was speaking about the time it can take to try complex cases, even to get them to trial.
The Pickton case is an example. The Air India case is another.
Pickton was arrested 3 years ago and we still have no solid idea of when there might be a trial.
Oppal said that it *may* be a good idea to examine some options that *could* include *some* of the procedural implementations that the US system includes, like pre-trial depositions and so on.
The public purse funds these legal proceedings. The courtroom/judge/sherrifs/jury costs/crown counsel costs/investigation costs and so on. The time spent increases the dollars enormously. So the comments were directed at that and they included the provisos that anything attempted must also include attention to the Charter.
ursus
7 years ago
hey folks ronny irwin doesn't care about losing our assets to the americans he is an american probably working for el gordo and company, have you noticed his posting times seems to be his day job to post here.
jamez
7 years ago
What gets me is the way British Columbians look at things as either NDP or Liberal. Can't we look at the in terms of good and bad?
My Uncle is a Conservative and a Liberal, however he is furious at this deal. Why? Because, using his brain he concluded it was a hosejob..more BC residents need to think that way, instead of just playing partisan politics.
Mel from Surrey
7 years ago
If you like medicare,
If you don't want crown corporation sold or sold to foreigners,
If you don't like deficits,
If you don't like toadying up to the americans...
Then stop voting for political parties that do!!
jamez
7 years ago
Yeah, but I don't want Unions running everything either... there's no party out there I can vote for.
Mel from Surrey
7 years ago
At least unions are trying to improve salaries and working conditions which is more than can be said of letting our new feudal lords -the corporation-decide these things.
ursus
7 years ago
good points Mel from Calgary in both posts, jamez is a perfect example of what is wrong in B.C. today, if you don't like what a party is doing pick the lesser of two evils in your mind and get off your ass and get involved instead of making comments like your last one!
Apathy only lets the el gordos win!
jamez
7 years ago
Ursus, how the hell do you know I'm not doing anything?... get a life.
jamez
7 years ago
And by the way Ursus, comments like your last one are what the problem with this province is. "Well, we only have two parties, so pick one."
Great attitude, pick the union overlords, or the business overlords... I'd rather work for something new.
And by the way, I do vote
jamez
7 years ago
Terasen Asks For Rate Increase Today...... It Begins
chuckstraight
7 years ago
It began back in 2001.
jamez
7 years ago
Very true Chuck, I stand corrected
ursus
7 years ago
ok so you vote and you are working for an alternative, what are the alternatives chances, a little better then the proverbial snowball is my guess! Good I am glad that you vote but take exception to your comment about union overlords which is really what prompted my response to you and I quote.
"Yeah, but I don't want Unions running everything either... there's no party out there I can vote for."
So I assumed you don't vote or get involved with any political party???
You are spewing the same right wing crap as irwin and the canwest talking heads, the NDP is not run by unions, if you were to do your homework you would know this. Carol James wants to distance herself from unions which is her business, I don't really support this but if this is what she has to do to get rid of perceptions like yours then so be it. Whatever it takes to get rid of that slime ball we have in there now.
The NDP does support working families, women and Natives, which I do like, have always fought for the underdog myself, not the corporate elite or rich, hoping for the crumbs to trickle down. I do not agree with the NDP on much but they will get my vote because they are in my opinion the lesser of two evils, sad but true!
Wouldn't sell my values for a buck either which is a trait sadly lacking in over 90% of politicians, it remains to be seen where James lies but you never know and we can hope for the best. Anyone who took a good look at gordo before he got elected would know what he is all about! Hell I would take Vanderzalm over him.
Name
7 years ago
If you have concerns over the proposed sale of Terasen to Kinder Morgan, you may be interested in this opportunity:
Aug, 26 2005 - 2:30 AM
VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - Those wanting to pay close attention to the proposed sale of BC's largest gas distributor are starting to sign up prior to an upcoming hearing.
The BC Utilities Commission will eventually decide whether to approve the sale of Terasen incorporated to American company Kinder Morgan.
Anyone wanting to actively take part, or follow the hearing closely, should sign up by September 6th.
Richard Gathercole of the BC Public Interest Advocacy Center is among those who have registered so far, "Basically the questions are whether the utlities will continue to operate as they have been operating under the regulation of the BCUC."
Gathercole wants to ensure there is no negative impact on ratepayers.
ursus
7 years ago
wonder whats going to sold at this meeting between el gordo klein and chaney arranged behind closed doors by the fraser institute.
http://sevenoaksmag.com/commentary/75_comm1.html
gasworks
7 years ago
Instead of forever wondering, why not sign up and see for yourself.
http://www.bcuc.com/Registration.aspx
Mel from Surrey
7 years ago
The americans consider the oilsands part of their supply. We in Canada do likewise and treat this valuable resource as something we want to sell only to americans. China and India are also short of oil so we should be looking at other customers.
Why is it the business class in this country only see the U.S. in this age of globalisation.
ursus
7 years ago
how would signing up to the bcuc get me into the meeting with el gordo klein and cheney? Do you think the fraser institute realy cares about the concerns of Canadians? They have their own adjenda!
jamez
7 years ago
"You are spewing the same right wing crap as irwin and the canwest talking heads, the NDP is not run by unions"
Ursus, they may want to distance themselves from unions, but they still can't. Many of their MLA's are still union people. Respectfully, I would tell you to do your homework.
As well, I'm no spewing right wing crap, I am just as opposed to corps moving in as I am unions controlling everything.
That's the problem, we polariize ourselves... if you are left and say something against unions you are automatically branded a right winger and vise versa. This province needs to work and vote for the people, not special interests.
ursus
7 years ago
just because someone is or has been in a union doesn't mean they can't govern for everyone, that they are a special interest, I would trust a union rep before trusting any dam used car sales man like the socreds and liberals, what I find annoying is people who critisize unions then ride along on their coat tails enjoying a high standard of living fought for by unions. If all the unions go down you can be dam sure that your standard of living will drop take a look at all the right to work states and how high their standard of living is.
I don't consider some one who is critical of corporations to be right or left being left is about caring for the less fortunate in our society, things like universal healthcare, a right to affordable education. Being left is about fighting for social justice and change that benefits everyone in society not the chosen few.
Fighting for the environment so our kids and grand kids might be able to breath the air and drink the water and afford to go to a doctor.
I have done my homework!
Mel from Surrey
7 years ago
Hear! Hear! ursus.
jamez
7 years ago
Urses, the gifts given to Unions by the NDP when they were in power were great in number. During that time indpendent business people suffered as the economy went into a crud spiral.
jamez
7 years ago
Hence, people in this province have suffered due to the greed of unions.
Now we're going to suffer due to the greed of corps.
Who speaks for non-union joe? Nobody.
North of Hope
7 years ago
In th 1990's, the Bc economy was hurt by the asian meltdown and the drop in commodity prices. At the samr time, the federal government, reduced transfer payments. These events hurt the BC economy. since then, this has changed. Commodity prices have increased, construction has boomed (all across North America) and the federal gov't has changed the transfer payment rules, so BC has a surplus. This has nothing to do with the BC Liberals or gifts to the unions. jamez you say "Who speaks for non-union joe? Nobody." Therein lies the reason why you should not support the BC Liberals. They only help their friends, those who support them, ie those that give them money. Anyone else is either attacked ( like the unions) or ignored like the non-union joe. A local business leader who is involved with the PG Airport said it best when he explained why the local airport authority made a financial contribution to the BC Liberals, it is done to get the ear of the government. It looks as thoughthe BC Liberals have their own brand of patronage and paybacks.
jamez
7 years ago
"They only help their friends, those who support them, ie those that give them money." Yeah, just like when the NDP was in . That argument about commodity prices is only partly true, it's NDP rehtoric in an attempt to not make themselves look so bad economically.. The 90s were the most prosperious time in history for pretty well every place in North America, except BC. And commodity prices weren't the only reason. When the NDP was in power they just didn't do a good job of finding ways to diversify.
That being said, the economy got better because the Liberals opened up the province to business by letting business do whatever it wanted. They changed legislation, gave grants... whatever. ANd that method is just as bad.
I'm not a liberal supporter (But again this outlines the the way we stereotype each other in this province. But hey, keep doing it, the politicians love it, plays right into their hands.) and I'm not and NDP supporter. The point I'm trying to make is that we need to get rid of these partisan parties. That's why I hope those regs about Union/Corp donations are brought in.
ursus
7 years ago
great scott you have been busy jamez, I will get back to you on all your points but not right now, you do have one I wish to challenge right now! You say...
"Urses, the gifts given to Unions by the NDP when they were in power were great in number. During that time indpendent business people suffered as the economy went into a crud spiral."
What gifts and what did the ndp do too hurt small business? The feds were out to screw us any way they could as a province and I for one will never forgive the federa liberals for that BS. So again what did they(ndp) give to unions?
ursus
7 years ago
BTW if you look into it and actually do your homework you will find that the economy the ndp inherited was not so good and they actually created more jobs then the present regime but the media didn't want the moron factor to know this.
B.C. has always had a boom or bust economy wait and see what happens under el gordo if gas keeps going up.
ursus
7 years ago
When kirkoff construction 51% in then premier bill bennets wife was screwing their workers the carpenters unions spent a lot of their own money defending the non union workers so get a life, or do some research!
gasworks
7 years ago
Ursus, I think you need some rest.
jamez
7 years ago
"So again what did they(ndp) give to unions?"
How about 900 million dollars and free welding lessons for steelworkers to build useless ferries?
Look Ursus... this fight's gonna go on forever.. so I'm bowing out now.
jamez
7 years ago
One more...
"they actually created more jobs then the present regime"
Make work projects that drain the public purse don't count!
ursus
7 years ago
I am beginning to suspect you are a liberal trying to say you are something else, at the very least come up with a different argument then the ferries. How many spin off industries have been started by the specialized training so many received. Did your liberal accountants take all that into consideration, no as it would have taken a lot of their arguement away. Whats wrong with giving people on welfare training, many of them are still working in the industry when there is work! What you might consider a little more successful program for getting people off welfare then the present regimes scheme.
Speaking of the liberals it is my opinion gordo waisted millions of taxpayers dollars making a political point, tied up at Dease, then he sold them for peaunuts to a friend so he wouldn't be so upset when gordo sent the ferry contract to germany, thats the way it looks to me when you add it all up. Why didn't he except Allstohms offer to repower make changes to the hull eliminating most of the wake and adding a couple bucks onto the fee so users could pay! Because he was to busy spending our money to make himself look good.
If you are referring to the Island Highway and other Highway projects an economist by name of Rosalyn Khunin dissagrees with you totally, saying the NDP got a real good bargain, quality workmanship at a good price, the building trades gave up 2 bucks an hour a big chunk off their pension and reduced overtime pay if I remember correctly so once again do your homework.
Infrasture improvements were needed and done at a good price, now what are the liberals going to do that is any different, I doubt we will get a good deal outa them!!!
ursus
7 years ago
trades training should be free or where will we get skilled trades if young people are unable to afford the training?
jamez
7 years ago
"I am beginning to suspect you are a liberal trying to say you are something else"
Get over it I'm not a liberal and I'm not one of these people who's going to run around pretending the NDP is some saviour party that has never done anything wrong and never will.
The overly partisan on this board boggle my mind.
I think you're an NDP agent sent here to defend the NDP at all costs.
And if you were defending the liberal party I'd be just as hard on them.
jamez
7 years ago
"Speaking of the liberals it is my opinion gordo waisted millions of taxpayers dollars making a political point, tied up at Dease, then he sold them for peaunuts to a friend so he wouldn't be so upset when gordo sent the ferry contract to germany"
And you're correct... if you want me to basht he liberals I can do that too.
freebear
7 years ago
Once again apparent partisan battles that to me a a waste of time.
WHAT ARE YOUR SOLUTIONS to a particular problem/opportunity????????????????????
Is something good for everyone, or only a few?
if the TYEE becomes a right, centre and/or left platform with no discussion about solutions then I will likely visit this site less (not that this will influence anything).
What say you?
jamez
7 years ago
If you read my previous postings, you'll see I say I agree.
ursus
7 years ago
unfortunately the only solution I have is to suggest that people pick the political party they find least offensive and try to work from within, if the average person in B.C. represented the majority of a parties membership then James or el gordo would have to pay attention to the needs and concerns of the average person.
Most of the people I know left or right don't believe in either extreme but here we are with a extreme idealoge running the Province into the ground selling us off one chunk at a time. I don't agree with this so I support the NDP by giving them money and bashing the zealots on forums like this one Thetyee offers us. NDP insider no, supporter yes they are the lesser of two evils in my mind, I am concerned about my childrens future in this Province.
It is my opinion that gordo and the suits who support him would sell us off piece by piece making themselves rich in the process. If you look up who sponsored el gordo and company you can see how he returned the favour at our expense!
By not supporting a viable alternative we are helping el gordo get re-elected, if the greens had not been in the picture who knows what would have happened in the last election. Like most who are concerned about B.C. I think the media coverage is biased to say the least, they handed gordo the electorate on a platter when he first got in, no one can deny this.
blueswag
7 years ago
As for pipelining oil or natural gas, every last atom of sulfur must be removed from these commodities before shipment. Sulfur loves Steel, resulting in corrosion on a scale which is unimaginable! This is a duty of our Government Inspectors. Sincerely, blueswag
blueswag
7 years ago
Actually; The name "el Gordo", in Spanish,is rather uncomplimentary and is more or less equal to, "Fat Slob", in English.
ursus
7 years ago
that works for me.
RickW
7 years ago
Ron Erwin:
Not nationalized -- simply declare that strategic resources may not be owned by non-citizens, and may not be purchased by non-citizens.
jamez
7 years ago
"Not nationalized -- simply declare that strategic resources may not be owned by non-citizens, and may not be purchased by non-citizens."
My god, what a concept! Only then we'd miss out on the fun of paying someone else to sell us our resrouces.
BLONDE PITBULL
7 years ago
Jamez, well said! You, too, RickW...
jackrusell
7 years ago
Some of you people posting are very informed. Not Ron Erwin though...anyone know where he comes from? He is off the wall. I know everyone is entitled to his/her opinion but he has got to be someone hired by the BC Lib's to try and turn the rest of us to the Corporate way.
BC Dude
7 years ago
Canwest, Corporations and the liberal suits did exactly what they planned during the last so called elections, divide the NDP vote. They knew they would lose to NDP so Canwest, which owns the Van. Province, Van. Sun CTV etc. by promoting the Greens = split....
jamez
7 years ago
BC dude, come on, the Green party is a legit alternative. And frankly, I'm sick of the NDP trashing them becuase it "takes votes away" can you not see the MO in that?
RickW
7 years ago
jackrussel:
Could be a "Devil's Advocate"......?
ursus
7 years ago
hey jamez I can also see the motive in the liberals and the media promoting the green to take votes away from the NDP, and it worked didn't it? We will never know how many but hey el gordo is back in fine form, thank you!
jamez
7 years ago
A legit party is a legit party...if people aren't voting NDP over green.. then the NDP should figure out why
ursus
7 years ago
have you actually looked at the greens platform, they are more conservative then the liberals in my opinion and quite willing to take money from the corporations!
My point though is this, the media and the liberals used them to take votes away from the NDP and they were quite happy with the crumbs, they should have put their egos aside and done what it takes to beat gordo, if they really are concerned about the environment!
RickW
7 years ago
ursus:
As long as they are NOT willing to give money back to the corporations, in preference over the general public, I have no problem with where the Greens get their funds from. But Canadian businesses "mark of success" for these last few decades has been how much money and preferential treatment they can suck from governments. They have little idea what competition means.
jamez
7 years ago
"have you actually looked at the greens platform, they are more conservative then the liberals in my opinion and quite willing to take money from the corporations"
I've done more than look at their platform, I've discussed it with party members including the leader. And while they are more fiscally tight than the NDP, I wouldn't call them conservative.
ursus
7 years ago
they were willing to take the crumbs offered by the media and liberal supporters so why wouldn't they be willing to return corporate favour?
jamez
7 years ago
Yeah, but you could speculate that about anyone.
Plus, what corp is going to give their bucks to the Green party? It sure as hell wouldn't be a buncha bastards like Kinder Morgan.
ursus
7 years ago
the media helped the greens, why would you throw away your vote on a party when all you are doing is helping gordo?
RickW
7 years ago
jamez:
Strategic resources shouldn't be privatized, as a favorite tactic of business is to take the enterpise into bankruptcy. There is NO legislation to protect the great number of citizens who depend on the products and services of strategic rescources.