From the 2013 platform of the B.C. Liberal Party: “We need to do more to ensure coastal communities have access to a high quality ferry service that affordably meets the needs of the travelling public.”
Continue readingAuthor: Norm Farrell
Northern Insight: Christy Clark arrest may be imminent
Sunday, RCMP announced arrest of Qing Quentin Huang for attempting to communicate knowledge of Canadian ship construction to China. Huang is employed by an Ontario based subcontractor of Irving Shipbuilding. At a Toronto press conference, Chief Supt. Jennifer Strachan said, “Sharing of information may give a foreign enemy a tactical,
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Investment in society and in human beings?
A paper published in the journal International Political Science Review considered if the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was “Democracy’s Friend or Foe.” It noted that reforms required by the American based IMF, “may create an economically and politically marginalized population whose government is unwilling or incapable of responding to their
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Diane, it’s even worse than you claim
Diane Francis is a writer whose typical view of Canada is about 400 miles wide so its not surprising that in her New York Post expose, she ignores corrupt political acts in western Canada. For example, while the Confederation Bridge to PEI cost $1.3 B ($1.8 B in 2013 dollars)
Continue readingNorthern Insight: An example of coastal ferry fares, 5x inflation
One of my readers lives modestly on Texada Island and comes to the city occasionally for shopping and medical treatments and to visit family and friends. He retired on this northern Gulf Island after working there in the rock quarries and then as a gyppo logger. My correspondent feels the
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Without fairness for all
Successful societies are based on equitable treatment of every citizen. That is not to say that individuals must be dealt with equally, rather that fairness is always evident. Does that precept matter anymore to economic and political leaders of British Columbia and Canada? I conclude it does not. This week
Continue readingNorthern Insight: They should have paid attention two years ago
News item, November 19, 2013: “The B.C. government is disbanding its controversial Pacific Carbon Trust…” Yeah, they should have paid attention to us, the humble nincompoops blogging in underwear, or to the Auditor General, members of the Official Opposition or others who knew this was another poorly conceived and incompetently
Continue readingNorthern Insight: New exploration
I’ve been examining the financial elements of legal gambling in British Columbia. Before looking at BCLC annual reports, I assumed the agency’s revenues had grown steadily. In fact, they show a distinctly flat line and that is surprising. As I search for an accurate understanding, any relevant information from readers
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Baksheesh, bustarella, schmiergeld, kuroi kiri
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet. – William Shakespeare Organizations that aim to safeguard assets create effective operational and audit controls. They also respect codes of ethics like that of SCMA, a group of professionals working in procurement,
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Puzzled or muzzled?
Strangeness in BC coastal waters. CBC reports scientists are puzzled. Commenter asks "Puzzled or muzzled?" #cdnpoli http://t.co/DNfs7ueBts — Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 8, 2013
Continue readingNorthern Insight: The real silence is that of the alleged victims
In the preceding article, I mentioned the assistance to John Furlong provided by “compliant media friends.” Bob Mackin gave an example in his J-Source article, Furlong drops suit against Georgia Straight for story accusing him of abusing students: “The [Global] BC1 interview was recorded in the Gastown office of Furlong’s
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Has Edward Snowden already gained victory?
From Jay Rosen’s Press Think, Edward Snowden, meet Jeff Bezos: “…It’s not enough to defy the government and reveal what it wants to keep secret. When you go up against the most powerful and secretive forces on the planet, you have to try to win. It sounded kooky at first,
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Friday’s session with Ian Jessop on CFAX 1070
Today, we talked mostly about provincial revenues from natural resources. I’ll be back with Ian next week to talk about BC Ferries. You can listen at the CFAX 1070 website or here: If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Hansard, February 13, 2013
Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the Opposition, NDP): “Mr. Speaker, in the Senate, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Senator Pamela Wallin claimed more than $300,000 in travel expenses in the past three years alone. Less than 10% of these expenses were for travel in Saskatchewan,
Continue readingNorthern Insight: The Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs
submitted the following document to the provincial budget consultation: 13oct-facc-budget-2014-submission.pdf
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Talking with Ian Jessop, CFAX 1070 Friday 1pm
I’ll be with Ian Jessop on CFAX 1070 today, discussing natural resource revenues accruing to the British Columbia government. In the last seven years, provincial revenues from ferry fares and medical services premiums increased almost 40% but natural gas royalties declined by 91%. Actually, that doesn’t tell the whole story
Continue readingNorthern Insight: My opportunity to say thanks
A few educators are on the list of unforgettable characters encountered in my youth but none stand ahead of Frank Gumley, my home room teacher in grades eight and nine. This week, a number of his former students, including wife Gwen and I, gather in White Rock to celebrate Frank’s
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Of business, by business, for business
British Columbia’s revenue from natural resources totalled $4 billion in fiscal year 2001. The Bank of Canada inflation calculator shows the equivalent in current dollars is $5 billion. Natural resource revenue received by the province in fiscal 2013 was $2.5 billion, half the value, in constant dollars, returned to the
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Taking care of business (friends)
Source: 2013 June Budget Fiscal Plan, Table A9 Revenue by Source (Page 120)
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