Promises made, promises waived
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…
Norm Farrell
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs
submitted the following document to the provincial budget consultation: 13oct-facc-budget-2014-submission.pdf
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…
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.…
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…
Taking care of business (friends)
Source: 2013 June Budget Fiscal Plan, Table A9 Revenue by Source (Page 120)