Under Construction

NDP Supports Firefighters

March 17th 2005

Over the past three years fire fighters in BC have been working to have legislation that provides them with Workers Compensation should they develop certain cancers as a result of their employment. On Monday, fire fighters won the support of Kelowna City Council.

Carole James, leader of the BC NDP, says that her party supports presumptive legislation for the fire fighters.

Says John Pugsley, NDP candidate for Kelowna-Lake Country. “It's great the city council is supportive and now it is time for Gordon Campbell to stop making excuses and support our firefighters.”

“We know fire fighters are affected by thousands of toxins, many of them cancer causing,” said NDP Okanagan-Westside candidate Joyce Procure. “Every time they enter a burning building they are at risk. The Campbell Government’s refusal to act is an affront to the people of our community and to the fire fighters that risk their lives to protect us.”

Originally posted on Castanet.net

Mayor justifies firefighter cuts


By Leanne Ritchie
The Prince Rupert Daily News

March 8, 2005

Based on research done on the structure of fire departments in other communities, the city of Prince Rupert plans on reducing its fire fighting force and augmenting it with auxiliary fire fighters, said Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond.

“That will give us the capacity to respond to fires and could actually increase the total number of people available in case of a major incident,” he said.

But how and when this will be done is the subject of discussions that will have to take place between the city and its unionized fire department during upcoming negotiations.

The city has long been in discussions about how to reduce the cost of its emergency services. Over the years as the police department has seen reductions, Pond said the city has not reduced the staff in the fire department.

It plans to cut $300,000 from the fire department budget this year, with more cuts planned right up until 2009.

City administrator Victor Kumar said that, for its size, the city is on the high end when it comes to the number of fire fighters.

“When you compare Prince Rupert to other communities, there are communities significantly larger who make good use of auxiliary fire fighters and manage to keep the cost of fire protection to a minimum,” said Pond.

“We are going to deliver the same level of fire protection ... it’s about the method,” said Kumar.

Prince Rupert has one fire chief, one deputy fire chief, four officers, 16 firefighters and no volunteers for a community of about 15,000. Their operating budget is $1.8 million.

Squamish (which has a similar population) has one chief, one officer, five professional fire fighters, 55 volunteers and an operating budget of $1 million.

Terrace has one chief, seven officers and 25 volunteers providing 24-hour coverage with a budget of $1.4 million.

Pitt Meadows, which is also a similar size, has one paid chief, six fire fighters and 28 volunteers with a budget of $500,000.

Other communities often have agreements where a neighbouring community’s department will help out in the event of a fire, explained Kumar, something that could be explored with Port Edward. Pond was clear this move has nothing to do with a lack of respect for the job performed by fire fighters in the community.

“Our firefighters are worth a great deal to us but the problem is so are all of our employees,” said Pond. “It’s not at all about whether we respect an employee’s contribution, it’s about can the community afford to keep funding this.”

As for allegations that reducing the force will cause an increase in home insurance rates, Pond described the argument as a red herring.

“Insurance companies won’t tell you what it is that modifies ... the rating but we can look at other communities,” he said. “When you look at other communities with different models of fire protection, we don’t see a huge disproportion where you have a full-time force supported by an auxiliary.”

In addition, he said that provided the basic level of fire services is being delivered, fire services don’t top the list of things businesses look at when relocating to a new community.

“And nothing about what we are doing precludes us from growing that fire force again as the community grows,” he said.

Firefighter cuts attacked


By James Vassallo
The Prince Rupert Daily News

March 4, 2005

Local citizens are fuming at an apparent lack of accountability from the city over massive budgeted cuts to Prince Rupert Fire Rescue.

A group of more than 150 locals signed a petition during a four-day period last month that never made it onto council’s agenda, despite elected representatives being handed a copy of the letter supporting firefighters.

This year, $300,000 will be cut from the fire department’s budget, which is mainly made up of personnel costs.

“I’ve lived here all my life, I know how fast [firefighters] are with First Response, they’re there before anyone else,” said Lisa Juvik, who started the petition. “I’m a homeowner, a taxpayer, the list goes on.

“Most people don’t have a clue what’s going on.”

In her letter accompanying the petition Juvik writes: “Our firefighters do more than their job description and are worth more than you apparently think they are. I can go to bed at night knowing fully trained qualified firefighters are ready if I or any citizen in Prince Rupert should need them.”

She goes on to say that people resent paying Skeena taxes, and are tired of listening to the city crying about how poor it is.

“A rise in fire insurance premiums is not in my budget,” she writes.

The petition was taken to councillors, however was never offered up for public discussion.

“We went to the one meeting one night (Feb. 14) and they didn’t even respond to it,” said Rose Hewer, who helped collect signatures and brought the petition to councillors.

Hewer said there is no accountability whatsoever from city hall.

“[Councillor] Jack Rudolph said to us the petition more or less means nothing,” she said. “All of the signatures mean nothing, they don’t count for nothing.”

It was this sort of attitude that made the group not push the issue further with council, feeling that their concerns were going to be ignored no matter how many people pledged their support for fire services.

Coun. Rudolph could not be reached for comment.

“If they’re not going to bring it up at their meeting, what’s the point in coming?” asked Hewer. “I should have said to him, ‘why do people sign the petition if they don’t care?”

Hewer had also brought the petition personally to Coun. Kathy Bedard.

Bedard said that the petition group had visited her as well as other councillors but that there is a process to get it on the agenda. There was no intent to keep the petition from the public, she said.

“To get on the agenda they have to address it to ‘Mayor and Council’,” said Bedard.

Last year, the councillor was the only city official to stand up against cuts to emergency services, but things have changed this year, she said.

“Ability to pay,” Bedard put it simply. “The firefighters have [wage] parity with Vancouver firemen. [We’re looking at] a huge possible wage increase.

“It does come down to ability to pay.”

The city also looked at what type of fire departments other similar size cities have, and found that those places were supplemented with volunteer crews.

However, no one on city council was happy with the budget they had to pass, she said.

“Without increasing taxes, there’s no way we can pay,” said Bedard.

“Hopefully things will change.”

Juvik brought letters for the rest of the councillors to Coun. Nelson Kinney, who confirmed that he hand delivered the letters to Coun. Tony Briglio and Coun. Jack Rudolph, while placing the remaining letters inside City Hall for the rest of the councillors.

“Nobody’s heard anything about it since,” he said.

Kinney said he did not know how the petition failed to make it onto the agenda.

For those behind the petition, the cost argument doesn’t fly. They believe all of Prince Rupert will pay one way or the other, with their home insurance, their property, the lives of loved ones or the lives of the firefighters who serve the community.

“I like to help out in any way I can with what the community needs,” said David Quinn, who also helped with the petition. “I think it’s a bit ridiculous they would consider cutting back on 911. You’ve got police, ambulance, firefighters — as far as I can see those services are essential.”

The services are particularly essential to the future of Prince Rupert’s economic development, he said.

“You’re talking of hundreds of millions of dollars through the container port and talk of other businesses opening up on Ridley,” said Quinn. “If these businesses are coming in and spending all this money eventually, why would you cut back on necessities?”

“I was hearing rumours about them starting a casino here. So it’s okay to use gambling to lure the tourists here and if something catches on fire, now what?”

“We want all these things to come in — the containers, the ships, the tourists — but we won’t have anything here [to protect them],” said Juvik. “They might as well not even stop here, it’s ridiculous.”

The group also questions the city’s spending priorities, like the production of its newsletter “which nobody reads.”

“We all pay taxes and where is our money going? It’s all going down to Cow Bay (Uplands development),” said Hewer. “They said it was all going to be covered for. It’s not covered for, we’re paying it.”

Quinn suggests that the city would be much better off reducing the number of councillors, from six to four, not reducing the number of firefighters.

“Cut back that but leave the 911 alone,” he said. “Those that can’t stand their ground [shouldn’t be there]. As my aunt said we voted them in so they get paid, well let’s vote them out.”

The group also questions the skill level and expense of a volunteer fire department.

Communities without professional firefighters can pay significantly more insurance, according to firefighters. The petition group argues it would be better to pay lower house insurance and keep a professional fire department.

“The firemen are very important to the city and if they’re volunteer fireman are they going to respond as fast?” asked Hewer.

“If you’re a volunteer fireman you’re not going to be sitting home waiting for a call if you don’t get paid.

“And if [the families] only got one car, and the wife’s out getting groceries and he’s paged, what’s he going to do? Wait for a cab to come?”

Volunteer firefighters are also not likely to perform any of the “extras” the city’s current crop of personnel performs. This includes everything from helping elderly citizens install their fire alarms and school safety campaigns, to being the first responder for any emergency situation from a home flooding while it’s owners are out of town to all the volunteer work they do, said Hewer.

“These people risk their lives, that’s how they live,” said Quinn. “It’s easy if you’re a volunteer to say you’ll [risk your life] but when it comes time to do it, will you?”

Juvik also has concerns about the future of Rupert’s fire services because older members are near retirement age. It’s the younger fire fighters who are likely to be cut, she said.

“The young men that we’re training now, they’re applying for jobs somewhere else. They’d like to stay in Rupert where they’re born or raised, but they’ve got to look elsewhere.”

The bottom line for the group is that they wanted an acknowledgment of the fact that the some people didn’t agree with what the city was doing. Now, they say, the issue will be taken up at election time.

“What they’re doing is the same as shutting down the hospital and putting a clinic here,” said Juvik. “Let’s vote then out.”

Firefighters warn cuts will have high cost


By Leanne Ritchie
The Prince Rupert Daily News

March 3, 2005

As the city prepared to hammer the final nail into its 2005-2009 budget plan Monday night, Calvin Thompson, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 559, asked city council to put the budget to referendum to allow the public to decide where cuts should be made.

Council declined.

The city, as part of its budget plan, is moving to cut $300,000 from the fire department budget. This will result in the loss of firefighters, as the majority of the department’s budget is personnel. There has been no indication as to how many members of the 20-member department will be lost but Thompson made it clear the union believes it will have an impact on the department’s ability to keep the public safe, but won’t end up saving residents a dime in the long run.

“This reduction in money can only be accomplished by the removal of fire fighters,” said Thompson. “This will drastically impact the safety and the ability of fire fighters to provide services to the citizens of Prince Rupert in realistic and expected time frames.” Thompson explained under WBC regulations, fire fighters cannot enter a burning building until four members are present. If the city proceeds with its cuts, there will be delays.

“Having just a fire department full of shiny equipment does not save lives by itself.”

In addition, he said the economic argument to cut the department does not make sense.

“There will be no cost savings, the short-term line-item savings will only cost taxpayers more in the long run,” he said. “The delayed response that will undoubtedly occur will put the safety issue of our residents and our workers in a precarious position. Damage to property and the likelihood of injuries will also increase. Then there is the inevitable increase in fire insurance cost home owners will bear.

“This increase along with reduced services will more than wipe out any cost savings projected by council to the taxpayers.”

Thompson also pointed out that, unlike other departments, the city’s financial plan includes cuts that continue until 2009.

“We believe council and administration need to take another serious look at the way our services are provided. We are not simply a private company. Our mandate is not profit, it is service. A service that is functionally unable to operate because of monetary reduction is surely a serious problem for a municipality committed to service and equality for all residents.”

He pointed out by reducing fire services, the city is creating a disincentive to bring new people, new business and new financial opportunities to the region.

Thompson also questioned council on openness and accountability.

“Council told taxpayers they would not spend money they did not have, while promising to operate an open, accountable government. This appears to date not to be so,” he said, pointing to mounting Skeena debt, unknown legal fees, undisclosed city travel costs, along with other council-driven expenditures that have ballooned without review or control.

He then encouraged council to do a line by line review so the public could see exactly how the city spends taxpayers’ money and asked them to hold a referendum to see where citizens stood on the issue of keeping their fire services.

He said he believes they would agree to pay more to keep their fire services.

In the city’s 2005-2009 financial plan, it discusses the creation of a volunteer department to supplement a reduced professional department.

At the end of the meeting, Coun Tony Briglio said he took exception to Thompson’s comments about openness and accountability, saying council underwent a number of public hearings on the budget.

Complete text of IAFF President Calvin Thompson's presentation to City Council

Students throw support behind Women’s Day


By James Vassallo
The Prince Rupert Daily News

Thursday, March 03, 2005

Local students are playing a key role in promoting and supporting this year’s International Women’s Day in Prince Rupert.

Among the contributors are 10-year-old Grant Thompson who designed this year’s poster, presently being put up around town, promoting the event.

“When I drew it I just thought of what my mom thought was heaven,” said the Grade 5 student from Westview Elementary school. “I was shocked that out of everybody that did way, way better than me, I was the one that was picked.”

The poster depicts a group of women holding hands on top of the world. Among the figures are women from a variety of cultures and an angel. Thompson received two gift certificates for his work, including one for the movie theatre and another from La Cucina.

“Teachers really liked how [Grant] showed women from different cultures,” said Reagan Sawka, Prince Rupert District Teacher’s Union (PRDTU) social justice chair.

“That was very exciting to see.”

The Westview student also autographed some of his posters, including one that will be framed.

The event is also being supported by students from Prince Rupert Secondary School who have produced artwork to be auctioned off during the event.

“Ms. [Tasha] Parker told us about international Women’s Day and we were asked to make a vase or a painting from a famous woman artist,” said Daniel Fish, Grade 11.

The project is part of their senior art classes mark derived from “community work” which also includes a forthcoming mural for the community.

The International Women’s Day event takes place Tues., March 8, at Nisga’a Hall between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Free coffee, tea and dessert will be served as well a number of door prizes will be handed out. Entertainment includes Celtic Rain, the Nisga’a dancers, Spectrum City Dance and a number of other performers. There will also be a silent auction for the artwork.

Among the speakers will be former Rupertite Susan Lambert, now the second vice-president of the B.C. Teacher’s Federation.

The event will also serve to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the Hope Haven Transition House.

During the day, the North Coast Transition Society will be handing out carnations to women at the schools, Acropolis Manor and a variety of social service type jobs.

International Women’s Day began in 1908 when the U.S. Socialist Party appointed a Women’s National Committee to Campaign for Suffrage. The committee suggested one day a year where everyone would campaign for women’s voting rights. In 1910 at the national Congress of the Socialist Party it was recommended the last Sunday in February be recognized. Later that year, at the Conference for Socialist Women, it was decided that American Women’s Day would become an international holiday, however an actual day was not named.

On March 8, 1917, the International Women’s Day protest in Russia altered the world forever. Tens of thousands of women left their homes and factories and took to the streets protesting food shortages, high costs and corruption. The protest sent the Russian Revolution over the top as the general strike spread and Czar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate the throne. The holiday was made official in 1921 and has enjoyed a resurgence since the 1960s.

March 1st 2005

Prince Rupert's 2005-2009 Budget Adopted

Council passed its' final reading of the city's 5 year 2005 - 2009 financial plan Monday night. Based from the recommendations of administrator kumar and the city's financial committee.

Questionably the most important budget in 30 years. The ramifications appear huge. It was the last opportunity that individuals or groups had to speak before council prior to them passing final reading.

Council stands by their decision, suggesting it's in the best interests of Rupert's citizens. In question period, Council heard from the Fire Fighter's IAFF Local 559 President Calvin Thompson who stated that unanswered questions from the city needed clarity. He said Local 559 believes taxpayers would look at a possible tax increase to support city services. IAFF Local 559 also recommended council have a referendum in the fall of 2005 to deal with this issue. (more)

Council offered no comment before passing their budget plan. The cause and cost of the city's problems were not discussed. Undoubtedly a line by line budget reading would have given taxpayers the facts. There by allowing the public to hear councilors explain their decisions to their budget choices.

The Fire Fighters last night let Councilors know they wanted things done a better way, one that does not harm city services.

Council successfully got their plan passed. Time will only tell, if this plan provides the necessary cure.

Additional council reflections provided at PrinceRupert.com

Prince Rupert's 2005-2009 Budget Presentation delivers more questions than answers

By C. Thompson

City Administrator Victor Kumar’s PowerPoint presentation had those in council’s gallery flipping aimlessly through lengthy documents, while they listened to what gave little clarity to many of our City’s pressing issues. Considering this opportunity was to be a comprehensive and informative public session, it failed taxpayers and residents alike.

James Vassallo’s recent Daily News article certainly gave a more honest depiction of what could/should have been done rather than the effort offered up by the administration and its’ committee. They simply brought out their bad pill recommendation for Council to adopt. This provided little; let alone some clear understanding of our City’s future, or any clear explanation of recent economic woes.

I concur that as a community we could've gone through line items one by one on the expenditure side of the city’s operations and came up with a better way of doing our business. Instead we get a non clarified package of personnel and community services cuts that offer more negative than good.

With likely only two council meetings to go and having provided less than adequate answers to questions, our Rupert Council remains fixated in providing less service, adding more cost, and less accountability than ever.

Surely, Council and staff should be able to articulate our financial circumstances much better so citizens have certainty from their answers. How else can someone believe the direction they might wish to take?

Our city also proclaims it has tentative agreements with the Port of Prince Rupert for a 25 year financial relationship and another agreement with the LNG supplier for a 30-year tentative agreement. Ironically, at the same time, this Council and administration cannot tell the good, paying taxpayers whether Prince Rupert will have employees and services to offer for their tax dollars in the next 15 months going forward.

This is unconscionable and requires immediate scrutiny. It certainly appears residents of our community have not been listened to, and that other interests have garnered stronger influence by their input.

A referendum on citizen services vs. debt repayment would clear this matter up and determine whether taxpayers are willing to pay more taxes to maintain city services.

At least then, Rupert residents would have received fair representation and know their real thoughts count.

Jan. 20th 2005

Port Of Vancouver Attempts To Control Prince Rupert's Future Once Again

By C. Thompson

Surprise, surprise, the Vancouver Port Authority's president is urging Ottawa to steer clear of subsidizing a proposed Prince Rupert container terminal in northern British Columbia, saying his bustling port is well positioned to handle Asian trade.

Brent Jang in the Globe and Mail offers this overview.

Not unlike those against our grain terminal, Ports Vancouver Authority's president Gordon Houston (also the former Rupert Port President) continues to make excuses for their operations by undermining efforts of others to improve economic conditions here on the North Coast.

Local residents remain in disbelief by recent comments suggesting hooking up with our big port brother to the south and becoming one identity is our region's only economic answer. Many residents ask where is the support from our local politicians and MLA on this issue? Their voices have been far too silent.

Current Prince Rupert Port Authority President Don Krusel finds himself placed in the role of David while our bigger port brother to the south once again plays Goliath.

This battle though, will need all hands on deck including our elected political representatives.

Thank You

To all the individuals, service clubs, local businesses and other emergency services that acknowledged our efforts with your acts of kindness and support during the events of the recent fire at the Elizabeth Apartments.

Our members say thank you one and all for supporting your local Fire Dept.

IAFF Local 559
Prince Rupert Fire Fighters

Landmark lost to flames

A massive fire engulfed the Elizabeth apartments today leaving as many as a hundred residents homeless. The Second World War landmark — a former administration building for the U.S. military before it was converted to housing — caught fire around 11:30 a.m., a small black trickle spiraling up from the roof on the west side.

Originally posted in The Daily News Nov.10th 2004

Rupert coming to terms with loss of landmark

Firefighters were still wetting down the remains of the Elizabeth Apartments today after the blaze left 44 families, and more than 100 people, without a home. RCMP and the fire department are currently investigating the cause of the blaze — rumoured to be a lit cigarette — but say any speculation on the cause would be premature.

Photo by M. Peacock

New Skeena's Dan Veniez no longer vows to start mill by winter

By C. Thompson

Northwest residents for some time have debated if miracles can really happen? NWBC President Dan Veniez had for many months vowed he would start the New Skeena mill by winter. Just how often have the hopeful, the struggling, and the nay saying people of the northwest heard this line you may ask? (more)

Feb.17th 2004

Missing the Heart in “The Heartland”

It's a very eerie feeling, one that cannot easily be explained. Are we so far away that Cupid avoided us again here in the Heartland or have the B.C. Liberals now eliminated Valentine's Day? With just over a year to go till the next B.C. election, our community has yet to recover from the Liberal landslide of May 2001. >more

December 24, 2003 -

Firefighters want cancer protection

There is a long tragic history of firefighters dying of cancer. And last night, the local firefighters union asked Prince Rupert council to lobby the province to recognize it. "Everyone knows fire fighting is dangerous, but most people think of the fire . . ." said Calvin Thompson, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 559. However, it's the toxic combustibles that cause multiple types of cancers that is one of the leading causes of death among firefighters, he said.

NDP Supports Firefighters

Mayor justifies firefighter cuts

Firefighter cuts attacked

Firefighters warn cuts will have high cost

Students throw support behind Women’s Day

Prince Rupert's 2005-2009 Budget Adopted

Prince Rupert's 2005-2009 Budget Presentation delivers more questions than answers

Port Of Vancouver Attempts To Control Prince Rupert's Future Once Again

By C. Thompson

New Skeena's Dan Veniez no longer vows to start mill by winter

"Local Fire Fighters to assess contents of recent arbitrators decision."

Calvin Thompson

IAFF President Local 559

"We must also be on guard against efforts by management to use the economic crisis as an excuse to get rid of local union leaders or break IAFF local unions."

Harold A. Schaitberger

IAFF General President

FIREFIGHTERS’ INCREASED CANCER RISK RECOGNIZED