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Soyfarmers meet fish farmers in Campbell River
September 1, 2010
BC Salmon Farmers Association - Media Release
Over 60 representatives from the US Soybean Export Council are visiting the Campbell River area this week, to learn more about one of their key markets: Aquaculture.
"We're really happy that this organization has come to our home community in such strong numbers to learn more about what their product provides to coastal British Columbia," said Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association.
Click here to read the full article.
Valley product has eyes focused on power
Harnessing the power of the natural world was a natural fit for Nick Blitterswyk, who sees a future in small turbines
August 6, 2010
Cowichan Valley Citizen
Hard work and imagination is taking some of the Cowichan Valley's young people far afield.
It's taken 30-year-old Nick Blitterswyk all the way to New York City, where his company, Urban Green Energy (http://www.urbangreenenergy.com/), is running with the idea of producing vertical axis wind turbines.
Click here to read the full article.
Wood pellet plant proposed, to create jobs
August 3, 2010
Lake Cowichan Gazette
A wood pellet plant could soon be constructed in the Cowichan Lake area.
"Jobs," mayor Ross Forrest stated bluntly, when asked what the inspiration was for trying to start up a pellet plant in the area, following the July 27 Town of Lake Cowichan regular council meeting. "Wood pellets is just an idea. We're looking for some industry in the area."
A pellet plant just makes sense, Forrest said, as it would be a great way of making use of wood fibre currently going to waste in the area.
Click here to read the full article.
Gold River uses YouTube to win our garbage
July 29, 2010
Surrey North Delta Leader
The town of Gold River on Vancouver Island wants to burn Metro Vancouver's garbage.
And at an estimated host fee of $1 billion over 30 years, it's expected many more cities will be lining up to be the host city for an incinerator, according to Surrey Coun. Marvin Hunt, former chair of the regional waste committee.
Gold River has taken the unusual move of creating promotional YouTube video welcoming the waste to energy facility to the town.
Click here to read the full article.
Get funding to hire interns: CASC launches Science Interns Outreach Project
July 28, 2010
Canadian Association of Science Centres
The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) has funding available to support science and/or technology interns at your organisation. The Science Interns Outreach Project, with the support of Natural Resources Canada, will provide an opportunity to recent graduates in science or engineering to gain relevant and meaningful work experiences within their field of studies.
Based on the model of Natural Resources Canada’s Science and Technology Internship Program, the CASC’s Science Interns Outreach Project is open to any non-profit, for-profit, or non-federal government organisation. The CASC will provide up to 50% to a maximum of $1,100 per month of a qualifying interns salary. Projects must address a topic in the fields of Energy, Minerals and Metals, Forestry or Earth Sciences and provide a work experience that helps build the participants’ career in the natural sciences.
Click here for more information on project details and forms.
U.K. giant takes major stake in B.C. wind farm
July 26, 2010
Stockhouse.com
A Canadian subsidiary of United Kingdom firm International Power PLC (OTO: IPRPY, Stock Forum) is taking a majority stake in what is expected to be Vancouver Island's first operating wind power project.
Sea Breeze Power Corp. (TSX: V.SBX, Stock Forum) said it is pleased to have struck a deal with International Power Canada Inc. which will become the majority owner of the Knob Hill wind farm, which is located about 35 kilometres northeast of Port Hardy on the northern tip of Vancouver Island.
Click here to read the full article.
VIU camp raises awareness
July 23, 2010
BCLocalNews.com
Aboriginal children from around the mid-Island got a taste of university life this week.
Vancouver Island University hosted its first summer camp for Aboriginal children between six and 14 years old in partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nation, TD Bank and TD Friends of the Environment.
Faculty and students from a variety of VIU departments strived to make the camp interesting, informative and fun. About 90 kids attended the camp over four days.
Click here to read the full article.
Companies to pitch incinerator plan for Gold River
July 21, 2010
Vancouver Sun
Covanta Energy and Green Island Energy will hold an open house in Gold River on Vancouver Island tonight to pitch their plans for a "thermal electric power plant" capable of converting 750,000 tonnes of post-recycled solid municipal waste per year to clean energy.
The open house is being held the same day that Metro Vancouver's waste management committee is expected to come back with recommendations on the region's draft solid-waste management plan. The controversial plan proposes that Metro build at least one incinerator in the region to handle about 500,000 tonnes of waste that is now being trucked to the Cache Creek landfill. The Interior dump is slated to close in 2012.
Click here to read the full article.
Unions pitch for Island burner at final waste hearing
July 15, 2010
BC Local News
Fans and foes of a possible new regional garbage incinerator got one last chance Wednesday to sway Metro Vancouver directors ahead of a decision expected later this month.
The final public input session at Metro headquarters in Burnaby saw aboriginal leaders, environmental groups and recycling advocates weigh in on the best way to handle the region's surplus garbage.
Click here to read the full article.
“Clean Energy for a Green Economy” - A How-To Guide for Rural BC
Is your rural community interested in reducing greenhouse gasses AND growing the local economy AT THE SAME TIME?
RuralBC Secretariat (RBCS) and Community Energy Association (CEA) are pleased to announce that the e-guide “Clean Energy for a Green Economy” Version 1 is now available in electronic format at both the RBCS web site and the CEA web site.
This guide introduces a range of clean energy and energy conservation strategies and case studies from communities throughout BC, and how these initiatives can be levered to help launch a local green economy, bringing substantial benefits to rural communities. It is written primarily for local governments and band councils, elected officials and staff from communities outside BC’s Lower Mainland and Capital Region. It may also be useful to economic development officers and others with an interest in these topics.
Version 2 of the guide is currently being planned and will likely expand the number of clean energy and conservation strategies covered as well as provide further guidance on community economic development.
Catalyst announces permanent closure of Elk Falls mill
July 6, 2010
Campbell River Mirror
It's the end of Elk Falls.
This afternoon Catalyst Paper announced in a news release it will be permanently closing its Campbell River Elk Falls paper mill in September. The paper machines have not been operating since February 2009. The kraft and pulp mill was closed in November 2008.
Click here to read the full article.
Big power projects hit hurdles
June 17, 2010
BC Local News
B.C.'s biggest run-of-river proposal is the latest alternative electricity investment to be slowed or stopped in a shifting political environment for private power development.
The Bute Inlet project is designed to include 17 stream diversions and powerhouses in a steep fjord north of Powell River. After missing out on a BC Hydro power purchase contract and seeing the B.C. government's new Clean Energy Act that passed this spring, developer Plutonic Power Corp. wrote to the federal environmental review panel to say it is putting its plan on hold for further study.
Click here to read the full article.
The Nanaimo Airport - Survey
The Nanaimo Airport is a vital transportation link for businesses and residents alike.
On behalf of the Nanaimo Airport Commission, we are asking Chamber members to participate in a short survey, only 11 questions. This study is being conducted by the Nanaimo Airport (YCD) to help assess future air service needs. All information will be kept confidential and will not be used by third parties.
This Survey will take no more than 2 minutes.
Please click here to complete the survey
Thank you for your time and assistance.
COLLECTING PUZZLE PIECES IN THE COMOX VALLEY
VIEA Link Project visiting the Comox Valley in May
May 25, 2010
Comox Valley Echo
As part of their ongoing research into regional collaboration and leadership, the Link Project Team is meeting with local leaders in the Comox Valley during the month of May. These meetings will help the Link Team build a picture of regional collaboration on the island, a key puzzle piece in understanding the future economic health of Vancouver Island.
Mayor of Comox Paul Ives believes in collaboration. “We clearly have to work together as an island – not competing with each other all the time,” he said in an interview with the Link Project Team.
Click here to read the full article.
Closed Containment: Where BC Salmon Farmers standMay 10, 2010
BC Salmon Farmers Association - MEDIA RELEASE
The world's demand for seafood is growing and wild stocks are being stretched to their limit. That's a reality that more and more people understand - and those people see the importance of salmon farming as part of long-term food security.BC Salmon Farmers are looking for ways to provide for the global demand for healthy protein in a sustainable way - and investigating closed containment is part of that industry development. We're off to a good start.
Click here to read the full article.
LOOK OUT MARTHA, HERE COMES NONUTTIN’!
April 21, 2010
DUNCAN, BC - Nothing spells success like being featured on a daytime talk show and like many small businesses owners, Alana Elliott of Duncan, BC’s Nonuttin’ Foods dreamed big. Setting her sights on appearing on a popular show might have seemed out of reach until 2 weeks ago. Elliott will now be flying to New York City next week to appear on The Martha Stewart Show.
Click here to read the press release.
Click here to read Alana Elliott’s biography.
Provincial data confirms health of B.C.'s farmed salmon
April 13, 2010
BC Salmon Farmers Association - MEDIA RELEASE
Raw data released today by the provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Lands confirms what their annual fish health reports have already reported: that B.C.'s farmed salmon are healthy.
The results of a Freedom of Information request released today show absolutely no findings of ISA (an influenza-like fish disease) or any exotic diseases. The low number of mortalities that are recorded is caused by natural, locally-occurring illnesses picked up only after salmon are introduced to sea pens.
Click here to read the full media release.
Vancouver Island Economic Alliance
Spring Report
April 2010
Click here to view the VIEA Spring Report.
Grieg Seafood Implements Harmonized Regional Management Plan
January 28, 2010
Grieg Seafood announced today that it is making in season production changes to its operations in Esperanza Inlet on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, in order to implement a Harmonized Regional Management Plan for the area. Grieg has five farm sites in Esperanza Inlet.
Esperanza Inlet was scheduled to receive most of its smolt early this spring. It currently has a small contingent of fish that will be harvested early. These in- season changes to production will ready the Inlet for stocking in the fall, allowing the company to farm a single cohort of smolt throughout the inlet.
Managing Director Peter Gibson stated that “This means coordinated stocking plans for all farms within this operating region. By doing so Grieg Seafood expects to achieve even better production, fish health, and environmental management.”
Gibson states that “this harmonized regional management plan (HRM) will optimize survival, allow us to coordinate any necessary treatments and ensure longer term success for the region. While this will shift our harvest times slightly we feel that this readjustment will significantly increase our ability to manage the region effectively. It is an approach that we have been considering for some time.”
Grieg Seafood employs 130 people in British Columbia, producing fresh high quality salmon for people in many parts of the world including Canada, Europe and the USA.
For more information please contact Peter Gibson, Managing Director 250-286-0838
BC Salmon Farmers Send Aid to Haiti
January 27, 2010
Campbell River
Recognizing the importance of aid to assist those devastated by the massive earthquake in Haiti, the BC Salmon Farmer’s Association has donated $3000 to ShelterBox, a non-profit organization with a unique approach to delivering immediate relief to victims of natural and other disasters.
The organization takes its name from the “ShelterBoxes” it delivers. Each ShelterBox is a large, rugged, green plastic container that holds a 10-person tent and a range of other equipment. In general, typical box contents include: thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets; waterproof ponchos and bin bags; a multi-fuel stove that can burn anything from diesel to old paint; cooking pans, utensils, bowls and mugs; collapsible water containers and water purification tablet; a basic tool kit – hammer, axe, saw, pliers, hoe head, trenching shovel, rope etc; and a small children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons, pens etc.
The unique ShelterBox concept was thought up and developed by ex-Royal Navy search-and-rescue diver Tom Henderson – the charity’s founder and general manager. ShelterBox is based in the United Kingdom with offices in many other countries, including a Canadian office in Victoria.
The donation from the BC Salmon Farmers will enable the purchase of three ShelterBoxes which will be delivered to Haiti.
“We thought the ShelterBox concept was fantastic as it delivers the type of aid that makes an immediate difference to those in need,” says Mary Ellen Walling, executive director, BCSFA. “We are so privileged and the need in Haiti so great. We hope others will join with us to support the Haitian people and to show the spirit of our aquaculture community.”
For more information, please visit: http://www.shelterbox.ca/
Mainstream Canada, Campbell River, B.C. obtains ISO 9001 QMS, ISO14001 EMS and OHSAS 18001
January 25, 2010
Mainstream Canada, Campbell River, B.C. is pleased to announce that in Dec 2009, they achieved full certification in the ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) and the OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Management System Standards (OHSAS).
The certification process started in 2008 with a full internal and external audit of all the Mainstream operations. Any operational gaps were identified, systems were developed, the operational manuals “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) and “Standard Operating Procedures” (SOPs) were updated and the resulting “Environmental Management System” (EMS) certification was obtained in the fall of 2008. ISO (International Standards Organization) is a 3rd party world renowned certification standard and these certifications make Mainstream Canada the first Aquaculture Company in Canada to be fully certified in ISO 9001 QMS, ISO14001 EMS and OHSAS 18001 for all their operations.
Mainstream Canada is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our activities during any stage of salmon production to ensure a sustainable aquaculture operation for our stakeholders - our customers, our suppliers, our employees and the communities in which we operate. We are proud to assure our customers that our products are grown and processed under the most stringent environmental, health and safety standards. Mainstream Canada is the Second largest aquaculture company in BC. Our Head Office is located in Campbell River, BC. We operate 3 hatcheries, 24 Sea sites and two processing plants (1 contracted) in the Campbell River, Tofino and Broughton areas.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Jensen, Mainstream Canada, Email: laurie.jensen@mainstreamcanada.com
Feds fund water-conservation system
Coast Reporter
January 8, 2010The federal government is funding $100,000 for Sechelt-based Target Marine Hatcheries Ltd. to adopt a new technology to conserve up to 99 per cent of water and the majority of heating in outdoor sturgeon tanks.
"It's really good for us that the federal government has recognized the potential for Canada to become a new competitor in the international caviar trade and also to help ease the pressure on endangered wild stock," said Target's general manager, Justin Henry. "So they recognize the contribution we're trying to make and I'm glad they're so supportive."Click here to view the complete article.
BC Technology Companies: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
ACETECH Press Release
December 16, 2009Click here to view the press release.
Island Stakeholders and Summit Delegates Reinforce VIEA's Mandate
Click here to view VIEA article.
Canoe Pass will pioneer power projects
Courier-Islander
November 18, 2009
The recent announcement of four task groups and a cabinet committee to advance the clean energy agenda for BC is a clear response to the campaigns to make BC dependent on imports of coal- and nuclear-powered electricity and the confusion caused by the BC Utilities Commission suggestion that reliance on Burrard Thermal was "in the public interest". Notwithstanding the vitriolic blogs of campaigners, letters to local newspapers seem to be suggest that many BC residents do have an interest in seeing the province's remarkable renewable energy resources at work in the fight against climate change.
That challenge is huge and getting bigger despite conservation efforts. Demand will go up as clean electricity will be used by industry and individuals to reduce their reliance on hydrocarbons; we just saw a move by the whole Province of New Brunswick to replace oil and gas-generated electricity with Hydro-Quebec's hydro electricity!
As a means to meet GHG reduction targets, Canada's National Roundtable on the Economy and the Environment expects a significant contribution through development of renewable electricity by 2050. British Columbia's wave, tidal and in-stream resources may have to contribute as much as 7,500MW of new generation.
"Ocean energy will be a part of Canada's future" we told a Senate energy committee in Ottawa late last month. We asked the committee whether Canada should be a supplier of renewable energy technology, or simply a buyer. If we are investing billions in an expanded clean energy system, surely we should make this the basis to grow a new clean energy industry in BC. The economic risks are real; a recent analysis of the UK investments in offshore wind show that 90 per cent of that investment are lost to a European supply chain.
We will be working with these task groups to ensure that BC grows the new economic opportunities associated with clean energy self-sufficiency. The opportunities are real; this summer, Vancouver's Clean Current Power Systems saw their first generator adopted by French energy giant Alstom in a licensing agreement which will make this BC technology a world standard for tidal generation, and a smaller system developed in Lake Suschwap by New Energy is already being sold to Alaska, Columbia and India. Larger versions of the New Energy system will be pioneered at Canoe Pass near Campbell River next year.
Chris M Campbell Ph. D
Executive Director,
Ocean Renewable Energy Group (http://www.oreg.ca/)
http://www.canada.com/Canoe+Pass+will+pioneer+power+projects/2235264/story.html