Thought you may be interested in this. BCREA's houseing forecast for Q1 2013.
Cheers
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Site C Enters New Phase
I have reposted this courtesy of Opinion 250.
Site C Enters New Phase
By 250 News
Monday, January 28, 2013 01:39 PM
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Image of proposed dam and reservoir, courtesy BC Hydro
Prince George, B.C.- B.C. Hydro has filed its Environmental Impact Statement and mitigation plans for the $8 billion dollar Site C dam project.
The 5 volume EIS notes there are some potential effects that cannot be mitigated “some of which may be considered significant” says BC Hydro. Those significant impacts include : “effects on some distinct groups of fish, some ecological features and rare plants, habitat for certain migratory birds and the use of culturally important places by certain First Nations for traditional purposes.”
Some of the mitigation measures proposed are:
· Creating new wildlife habitat · Supporting habitat enhancement projects in the region, including working with Aboriginal groups to identify potential sites for relocation of medicinal plants · Providing upstream fish passage through a trap and haul facility · Establishing an agricultural compensation fund to address the loss of agricultural land and enhance agriculture productivity in the region · Relocating portions of Highway 29 that would be affected by the creation of the reservoir · Upgrading roads to accommodate traffic from project construction activities · Building new boat launches and recreation sites · Funding community services where appropriate · Funding skills training initiatives to increase the skilled workforce required for the project · Building 40 new permanent housing units to be used by the project during construction, and provided to the community for affordable housing.
While noting the impacts, BC Hydro says the project should proceed because it is in the public’s interest to provide long term, sustainable, clean energy.
If approved, Site C would provide 1,100 megawatts (MW) of capacity, and produce about 5,100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year — enough energy to power the equivalent of about 450,000 homes each year in the province.
The public comment period on the EIS will start February 3rd, with written comments to be received no later than April 4th.
All comments received will be posted on the Agency's online public registry and on the EAO website.
Written comments can be sent to either of the following:
Linda Jones, Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
22nd Floor, 160 Elgin Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3SiteCReview@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Brian Murphy, Executive Project Director
B.C. Environmental Assessment Office
PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9V1
Fax: 250-356-7477On line form
A series of public information open houses has been set with one scheduled for Prince George on the 28th of February at the Ramada Hotel. Representatives of both agencies will be available to answer questions on the environmental assessment process and how the public can participate. BC Hydro, will also attend the sessions to answer technical questions about the EIS. The public will have an opportunity to submit written comments on the EIS at the sessions.
All of the public information sessions will take place from 4 pm to 8 pm at the following locations:
| Date | Community | Location |
| February 19th | Fort St. John, BC | North Peace Cultural Centre |
| February 20, 2013 | Hudson’s Hope | Hudson’s Hope Community Hall
|
| February 21 | Chetwynd | Pomeroy Inn & Suites
|
| February 26 | Peace River | Sawridge Inn and Conf. Centre
|
| February 27 | Dawson Creek | Best Western Dawson Creek
|
| February 28 | Prince George | Ramada Inn |
A home is only a home if it’s safe - A great foundation we strongly support
A home is only a home if it’s safe. That’s why Royal LePage started its own charity which helps to create safer homes and safer communities.
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention and education programs.
Many Royal LePage agents donate a portion of their commission to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation when they sell or purchase a home for you. Special events, such as gala dinners and golf tournaments, are also organized by Royal LePage offices to raise funds and awareness.
This much-needed funding is helping to provide a safe place for women and children to rebuild their lives after violence. Shelters use our support to provide job training initiatives, renovate and build new shelters, and cover the cost of crisis counselling and therapy for more than 30,000 women and children each year. The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation also supports programs focused on stopping the cycle of violence by educating young people on healthy relationships. As Royal LePage covers all the administrative costs of the Shelter Foundation, 100% of funds raised goes toward our cause.
"Helping You Is What We Do™ is not just a tagline, it is our corporate philosophy and it translates into a collective commitment to giving back to the community,” says Phil Soper, President and Chief Executive of Royal LePage.
Why we help
Royal LePage real estate agents help Canadians find their dream home. And for those who don’t have a safe and peaceful home, Royal LePage agents are also there, lending a helping hand in neighbourhoods where we live and work.
Research tells us the following:
- 51% of women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16.
- 360,000 children are exposed to domestic violence each year.
- Every six days in Canada, a woman is murdered by her current or former partner.
“The issue of violence against women and their children in Canada is significant,” says Shanan Spencer-Brown, Executive Director of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. “We are proud to work with over 200 women's shelters and local and national partners to save lives.”
To learn more about the Shelter Foundation and to make a donation to help put abuse out of commission, visit www.royallepage.ca/shelter. To read brave stories of hope by women and children survivors of family violence, visit www.shelterfoundation.ca.
"I have gained a lot from the staff at the shelter, such as self worth, and learning how to let go of a lot of the guilt I have carried for such a long time. For once in my life, I feel empowered, and I cannot ever express what that is worth to me. I felt safe here physically as well as emotionally, knowing that while I'm behind these walls, I will not be harmed."
- A resident at Discovery House, Calgary, Alberta
Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Charitable Registration No: 88253 1304 RR0001
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Prince George Transit
Its been awhile since I looked at Prince George Transit online. It is still a very good information site and one to share with visitors & new citizens of Prince George. (Not sure if it is smartphone friendly site or not).
Here is the link - http://www.transitbc.com/regions/prg/schedules/map.cfm
Cheers!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
HST/PST Calculator to help in transition.
BCREA has added a very helpful tax calculator. Here is the link:
http://www.bcrea.bc.ca/government-relations/hst-calculator
Cheers
www.DeanBirks.com
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
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