The U.S. is eager to grab new business, which underscores the urgent need for Canada to secure access to offshore markets for our oil and gas
By Jock Finlayson and Denise Mullen Business Council of British Columni The International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2017, released in early November, provides a useful update on the shift to a lower carbon global energy system. The stepped-up deployment of clean energy technologies and moves toward electrification continue in many nations. At the same…
Migrating seniors are likely to have paid most of their lifetime taxes in one province while consuming most of their health care in another
By Ashley Stedman and Jason Clemens The Fraser Institute An imbalance in health-care funding caused by the migration of seniors is penalizing British Columbia’s taxpayers. Canada’s health-care system has lots of problems, including its comparatively high cost, long wait times and middling performance among universal health-care countries. One largely overlooked problem is how Canada’s financing…
A public inquiry will simply play into the hands of those who oppose energy production in B.C., depriving the province of significant economic benefits
Hydraulic fracturing, a well-studied and long-used method of producing oil and gas, has again come under attack in British Columbia. A coalition of environmental groups, community groups and Indigenous bands are calling for a “full public inquiry” to “investigate the risks and harms associated with fracking.” A resource analyst with the Canadian Centre for Policy…
On the Pacific coast, the fascinating fall movements of whales, salmon and sea ducks have begun
One evening recently at about 6 p.m., I heard a familiar sound from the sheltered bay just in front of our house at Skelhp. If you’ve never heard it, it can be bewildering, even frightening. It’s very loud blasts of air – sometimes two or three in succession, sometimes with about a minute’s silence before…
The federal government's plan to substantially increase new arrivals requires close co-ordination with provincial and municipal officials
With a falling birth rate, an aging workforce and a shortage of skilled workers, Canada depends on immigration. Instead of talking about building walls like our U.S. neighbours, Canadians acknowledge that immigration is essential to our prosperity. So few dare question the official immigration policy, even as it becomes increasingly apparent that strong criticism is…
Debate on Vancouver Island’s old growth forests must be based on facts, not just conjuring up feelings of nostalgia, awe and respect
By Mike Larock and Megan Hanacek Association of BC Forest Professionals Forest professionals believe that British Columbia’s old forests are important. Old forests are ecological reservoirs of genetic variation, a record of ecological history, habitat for specialized species or predators, recreation inspirations and complex buffers to change. That’s why when it comes to managing B.C.…
The Liberal's Great Supercluster Screw-up just another drain on Canadian taxpayers
Governments always want to look like they’re implementing good ideas and accomplishing important things. Take the Innovation Superclusters Initiative (ISI) for example. The federal government plans to throw almost a billion tax dollars at non-profit groups to create jobs and help Canadian companies dominate the world. As crazy as it sounds, that’s the ostensible reason…
Restaurants are struggling to find staff and keep profit margins healthy. But automation and careful management can help
If you’re going to a restaurant, don’t go hungry. Just about every coffee shop and eating establishment in and around Vancouver has a Help Wanted sign. They could be short of servers, which means it will be a while before anyone even takes your order. The kitchen could also be understaffed, so your meal isn’t…
The B.C. government has sent a troubling signal that big spending, tax increases and deficits are back as the prevailing fiscal policies
By Jason Clemens and Niels Veldhuis The Fraser Institute During the spring 2017 election campaign, John Horgan convinced many British Columbians that his NDP government would be different than the previous New Democratic regime, particularly when it came to the province’s finances. Unfortunately, the first few months of NDP reign don’t augur well for the…
The Association of BC Forest Professionals helps ensure that B.C.’s forests are well managed
The recent announcement from B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman setting the terms of reference for the government’s review of professional reliance in the natural resource sector brings some much-needed clarity to an item that was promised by both the NDP and Green Party during the election. As a professional regulator in the forest sector, the…
By Jock Finlayson and Denise Mullen Business Council of British Columni The International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2017, released in early November, provides a useful update on the shift to a lower carbon global energy system. The stepped-up deployment of clean energy technologies and moves toward electrification continue in many nations. At the same…
