Will Canadians Prorogue Harper?

Today the Globe and Mail had a front page Editorial criticizing Stephen Harper for proroguing Parliament for the next three months. In the Globe's words:

For the second consecutive December, Stephen Harper is putting Parliament on ice. In the act, the Prime Minister is turning prorogation, a sometimes sensible parliamentary procedure, into an underhanded manoeuvre to avoid being accountable to Parliament. In the interests of political expediency, the government will diminish the democratic rights of Canadians.

Blogger The Galloping Beaver has pretty much summed up how I feel about Stephen Harper shutting down our Parliament to avoid criticism. Or perhaps more pointedly, how many of us feel about the Opposition leaders who will be too cowardly to do anything to stop him.

First, get over the illusion that you stand a serious chance at forming a government as individual parties. Then, understand that there are times when your survival as effective parties, let alone that of the Canada you claim to represent, trumps your ideological divisions. You must unite.

You must unite, and you must meet and raise Harper's ante. He keeps calling your bluff, and you keep folding. A coalition is a good start. So is attempting to meet anyway during the prorogue (wouldn't that be tantamount to a coalition as you would, de facto, be governing?). So is occupying the House and not leaving.

Why won't this happen? Again, G.B. sums things up pretty succinctly:

There is a don't-rock-the-boat cultural trait among Canadians that seems to cognitively prevent many of us from recognising what we must do when we've just been kicked ... We don't like hitting back and will condemn, parse and equivocate but not actually ball our fist and let fly.

Is that really our fate in this country? To be too polite, or too cowardly, to stand up for what's right?

North Vancouver: Top Ten things that could make it an even better place to live in 2010.

I've decided not to make a list of suggestions like recent 'Top Ten' posts. I could suggest some ideas like; let's all think positive for awhile, more citizen interest in elections, let's boot certain wanna-be and elected politicians out on their rears, etc., etc., but, I don't want to try and fill your head with ideas. It's sort of like what you might have as a 2010 New Years resolution for North Van. So have at'er all you anon and non anon bloggers. And Happy New Year to you all!

Time To Change North Shore Policing?

This year saw statements by the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP that the force must stop investigating its own members in cases involving death.

This month RCMP Complaints Commissioner Paul Kennedy released an assessment of the events surrounding the death of Robert Dziekanski that was extremely critical of the members involved.

And finally this month polls show that to a significant degree the public has lost confidence in the RCMP - especially in BC.

I'm old enough to remember growing up in a small town where the local Mounties were respected and trusted - even by punk-ass kids who caused them the most grief.

Now I feel the need to ask: Would North Vancouver be better with their own police force, or with sharing police services with West Vancouver?

No Way Lynn Valley Densifies Further

I do have this little survey that was signed by 1000 people in Lynn Valley. It is 2 years out of date, however I will be out there again to get more signatures.

We Lynn Valley-ites DO NOT WANT highrises and I have a new team and we are going to fight!

The traffic in Lynn Valley is ridiculous. I live on Draycott Road, right behind the Garden Centre. I cannot turn left most times. I have to turn right on Lynn Valley Road and skirt my direction. The intersection at Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Highway is a total disaster. Who are the DNV Planners who supposedly figured this out??

It is most especially dangerous for pedestrians. Drivers look left for vehicular traffic when they have a red light, and they don't realize that the pedestrians have the walk sign and they sail through the red light turning right. Drivers don't look to the right for pedestrians -- who have the WALK sign.

Lynn Valley is a mess and the idea of further densification is ridiculous.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays North Vancouver

North Vancouver: 2010 Political Predictions

As we close in on the end of 2009, time for our little blog to look into the crystal ball and make some predictions relating to political life here on the North Shore. Again, we will use the main post as a starting point, and add users/members predictions as the days leading up to New Year's Day unfold.

To get things going we will make a few predictions (shooting from the hip of course) to start the list off. Please add your predictions as comments and you will see the list grow. The only caveat being that we will try to keep the predictions of a personal nature to a minimum.

North Vancouver 2010 Political Predictions:

1. Olympics a huge success in North Vancouver, everyone has a great time!
2. Traffic complaints from Olympic event goers peak February 28th.
3. Driving while texting accidents go unnoticed by local RCMP (B.F.)
4. Tim Hortons on Lonsdale registers most signatures in anti-HST (NoMealTax) campaign
5. NorthVancouverPolitics.com celebrates 5th anniversary at Churchill's (Feb. 18th)
6. While I would happily go to Churchill's on the 18th, it may be a bit packed with the Hotel being absolutely full from the Olympics.
7. First Nation Billboard has been accepted; flashing lights ignored; no accidents caused by the billboards; millions in revenue have accrued. (B.R.)
8. Gordon Campbell declares Olympics a success, and under budget. Taxpayers for three generations pay for the cost over-runs. (B.R.)
9. The lack of funding for local social services should become front page again early in the New Year.
10. I predict there will be a change in the blog format to celebrate it's fifth year anniversary. (J.S.)
11. The BC economy goes underground once the HST kicks in, earning Mike Holmes several seasons of work on "Holmes on Homes" and "Holmes Inspection" television series in BC and Ontario. November 2010 brings angry protests from anti-HST folk, bringing down the Campbell government. The NDP rides into power on its coat tails.
12. (Add your prediction here).

North Vancouver: Top 10 Political News Stories of 2009

It's that time of the year when we start to look back at the year that was, take stock of our accomplishments, lessons learned, and move boldly into the new year!

As is the tradition here at NorthVancouverPolitics.com we built a list of the top political news stories of the year, and then voted on which one takes the top prize. The list below was created by comments suggested by visitors to the blog, and was ranked on through irankd.com.

For the record, here is list of the top political news stories of 2009 as selected by members of NorthVancouverPolitics.com:

1. Council 'coup' alters Mussatto's Metro Vancouver board appointments

2. Naomi Yamamoto elected MLA North Vancouver-Lonsdale

3. Potential negative impact of HST on North Vancouver

4. City of North Vancouver's China Junket
5. Olympic preparations
6. Recession and program cuts/reduction in civic government spending

7. CNV Council Supports Parking Meters on Lonsdale

8. Squamish Nation Digital Billboards approved for entrances to Lions Gate and Second Narrows Bridges

9. District of North Vancouver OCP Review

10. City to study $1.5 million bike escalator

10. Seylynn Village/Fern Street development with 630+ units

10. The withdrawal of third SeaBus by TransLink

Traffic Studies before development

I read in the North Shore News recently that a massive traffic-calming measure is set to proceed on lower Lonsdale. Why is it that after the "densification" process is completed the traffic needs calming? What exactly are the so-called "traffic studies" (which always report that there will be no negative impact to traffic in the area) worth?

Ernie Crist told me that every single traffic study done by the DNV during his tenure on council reported that the area in question could handle the increase in traffic volume. He also told me that these traffic studies were averaged over a 24-hour period and that peak-time traffic was not accurately addressed.

Municipal councils should re-visit the entire idea of "traffic studies" as the taxpayers are on the hook for these "calming measures".

The developer(s) should also share or pay entirely for these "infrastructure costs."

District of North Vancouver Mayor Richard Walton Re-Elected Vice Chair Metro Vancouver Board

From the Georgia Straight:

Delta mayor Lois Jackson has been reelected as the chair of the Metro Vancouver board of directors, fending off a challenge from District of North Vancouver mayor Richard Walton.

Jackson and Walton were the only candidates for the position, which is elected by the municipal officials who comprise the Metro board.

After losing the chair’s election, Walton was reelected as vice chair, defeating Belcarra mayor Ralph Drew.

Surrey councillor Judy Villeneuve nominated Jackson for reelection, while West Vancouver mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones nominated Walton for chair.

After he was reelected vice chair, Walton, addressing Jackson, admitted that a lot of e-mails and voice mails about his candidacy had been sent over the past week.

Walton said he was sure that Jackson agrees this is a healthy part of democracy.

In their nomination speeches, both Jackson and Walton talked about the important role that Metro Vancouver plays in the environment and other regional issues.

However, Walton said that the leadership of Metro could be “more responsive” to the issues facing the region.

City of North Vancouver Limits Salary Increases to 2%

City of North Vancouver Council Meeting Minutes, December 7, 2009

WHEREAS the current economic downturn has negatively impacted the financial circumstances of the City of North Vancouver and made budgeting especially challenging in 2010;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT all exempt staff be limited to a 2% salary/stipend increase for 2010.

A recorded vote was taken on the motion.

Voting in favour:

Councillor Heywood
Councillor Bookham
Councillor Clark
Councillor Fearnley

Voting against:

Councillor Trentadue
Councillor Keating
Mayor Mussatto

The motion was CARRIED by a vote of four to three.

Squamish Nation Politics

Since North Vancouver does include/surround a large chunk of Squamish land, perhaps we should be following the politics there as well. The official Squamish web site can be found here. No word yet on election results.

One blogger who follows, and is critical of Band politics, is Dustin Rivers. Lots of food for thought on his site Liberated Yet? Of interest are the salaries for Band Councillors - $40-100,000.

Dustin of course was just written up in the Outlook after being visited/harassed by the RCMP for the crime of being critical of the Olympics.

(Great Mountie quote: “We were justified in asking them questions in order to confirm whether or not these individuals would pose a threat for safety to the Games . . . we will continue to do so.”)

And here's a short pre-election report from the Whistler Pique.

Sustainability - Strata Taxpayers Screwed at the Expence of Sustainability

I write today regarding the so-called forward thinking of DNV Council. I thank staff and Council members for paying attention to my email about the Lynn Valley Library motion-sensored doors always being open. They are now closed when nobody is there.

My next comment is about the fact that strata owners are not given the same services as DNV single detached home services.

What am I supposed to do with my spent hanging baskets? This might seem inane to you bloggers, however when I lived in a single detached home yard waste was picked up. Now that I live in a condo complex the pickup of organic waste is non existent. I have spoken to many people supposedly in the know at the DNV and at the Waste Management people and they have NO answers.

I pay my DNV taxes just like anyone else. What am I supposed to do with my pumpkins and spent hanging baskets? It is ridiculous to think that everyone who has a hanging basket to get rid of in the fall will drive to the transfer station. How sustainable is this?

Food for thought DNV Council and staff.

Squamish First Nation Billboards Installed at North End of Lions Gate Bridge

The Squamish First Nation digital billboard at the north end of the Lions Gate Bridges has been installed and appears to be days away from being lit up.

North Vancouver land, waste, and environment in the news

There have been a number of potentially hot issue stories about the North Shore in the news recently. I thought I would combine them into one post for (polite, thoughtful) discussion purposes.

1) The Canexus propane plant in the District will be temporarily closing soon for upgrades, perhaps during the Olympics, but some are saying it's because of the risk of a terrorist threat.

2) North Vancouver has been listed by Metro Vancouver as a possible site for a $440m waste-to-energy garbage incinerator, since "heavily developed areas of Surrey, Burnaby, New Westminster, the Tri Cities or North Vancouver are considered the likeliest sites because they'd be the best fit for district heating." North Vancouver City Mayor Mussatto says

"I still have an open mind," said North Vancouver City Mayor Darrell Mussatto, adding there are pros and cons to both options.

If a waste-to-energy plant is built, he said he'd love to use the waste heat in the city's existing Lower Lonsdale district heating network.

The problem, he said, is there's no logical site nearby and it may make more sense to locate the incinerator somewhere more central, closer to other transfer stations and the bulk of the region's population, rather than trucking waste to the North Shore.

3) Industrial land continues to sell at a premium on the North Shore, because there has always been "a lack of it" and because some has recently been rezoned to commercial or residential use.