BC Gun Amnesty program will be in operation until June 30.

Since the beginning of BC Gun Amnesty month, about 600 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have been turned into RCMP detachments across the province.

“While exact figures have not been determined, roughly 600 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition have already been turned into RCMP detachments across the province so far into the amnesty”, says Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, Commanding Officer of the RCMP in BC.  He adds” We are pleased with the participation we have received from BC residents and know that many more people out there are considering disposing weapons they no longer want or need”.

All police forces across BC are taking part in the BC Gun Amnesty program.  The program is designed to keep unwanted weapons from falling into the wrong hands or hurting someone in an accident.

Suzanne Anton, the BC Attorney General and Minister of Justice says “I urge British Columbians to help get firearms and ammunition off our streets and out of our homes, where they could be harmful”.  Anton also says “This is an opportunity for people to work with their local police to make our communities safer by turning in unregistered and unwanted firearms”.

So far, commonly handed in firearms include rifles, pistols and shotguns.  The RCMP reports other items such as pellet guns, starter guns and miscellaneous gun parts are also being surrendered.

The BC Gun Amnesty program ends on June 30 and is for BC residents who possess weapons that have not been used in a criminal offence and who want to turn in unwanted guns and ammunition.

Anyone wishing to turn in a firearm they no longer need or want is encouraged to contact their local police or RCMP detachment non-emergency line.  Officers will then come to them to pickup the unwanted firearms.  For security reasons, the RCMP does not want gun owners wishing to dispose of a firearm bringing their weapons to an RCMP detachment.

Under the Shiprider program, BC boaters will need to comply with US Coast Guard requests in Canada, as they would an RCMP officer.

Maritime law enforcement agencies in Canada and the United States will soon be working together to police shared waters between Canada and the US under the Shiprider program.

The Shiprider program means BC and Washington State boaters will see RCMP vessels routinely enter American waterways and US Coast Guard ships in Canadian waters.

“As we’ve seen on land, criminals commit crimes, such as buying or selling illegal drugs, in one jurisdiction and then use their boats to return to another to avoid law enforcement where the crime was committed. By placing Canadian and U.S law enforcement officers on a single patrol vessel, we are able to leverage law enforcement resources, and provide the operational flexibility required to interdict suspect vessels across jurisdictions, removing the international maritime boundary as a barrier to law enforcement”, says Superintendent Derek Simmonds, Federal Serious and Organized Crime.

The RCMP wants boaters and people using the waterways to be aware of the change and what it means to them.

“For people along BC’s coast in addition to RCMP patrol vessels they are used to seeing, they will now see Coast Guard boats, with RCMP officers onboard”, explains Supt Simmonds.

Supt. Simmonds adds “People need to be aware that if they are approached by a Coast Guard vessel they need comply with their request as they would an RCMP vessel”.

While the Coast Guard and RCMP will be working side-by-side safe guards have been established to protect the sovereignty of both countries. These include:

• Participating law enforcement officers would be required to take specialized training and would only enforce the domestic laws of the host country.  Prosecutions will be conducted in the country where the offence took place.
• On duty officers will be subject to the laws of the host jurisdiction.
• Operations will be conducted under the direction and control of law enforcement officers of the “host” country and will be assisted by the specially trained and cross-designated law enforcement officers of the “visiting” country. For example, while in Canada, operations are subject to Canadian laws, policies and procedures and all operations are undertaken under the direction and control of Canadian law enforcement officers. It is the reciprocal arrangement in the US, whereby operations are subject to American laws, policies and procedures and all operations are undertaken under the direction and control of American law enforcement officers.
• Designated officers from the US will be subject to the same public complaints mechanisms (Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP) as Members of the RCMP.

“We have always had a strong working relationship with our law enforcement partners in the United States. Shiprider is an extension of that cooperation and will allow us to effectively tackle cross-border criminal activity making both of our countries safer”, says Supt Simmonds.

Cam Reynolds, golf pro and manager at Nevada Bobs, shows golfer John Slighte a tip for proper posture on the tee box.

Top golf gifts for dad on Fathers Day 2013

With Fathers Day 2013 landing this Sunday, you might be panicking on what to get dear old dad to show your appreciation for his endless patience, wisdom and chauffeur responsibilities.

If he’s got a garage stuffed to the brim with macaroni masterpieces, power tools or BBQ accessories, maybe it’s time to help dad work on his golf swing.

Beacon News has a list of top 3 golf gifts to make sure dad is excited about his Father’s Day 2013 gift.

Golf gift idea for Fathers Day 2013: Proper clubs

Cam Reynolds, golf pro and manager at Nevada Bobs, says the most important part of golf is having clubs that fit the golfer properly.

Reynolds says without proper-sized clubs, the game will be much more difficult for beginners.

“Clubs could be too heavy and they won’t reward good shots, clubs could be too short or too long, and it just makes an already tricky game even harder,” Reynolds says.

John Slighte has been golfing for five years.

He says getting a great driver is important for beginners to invest in.

“A lot of golfers don’t make the proper investment in equipment,” Slighte said.

“That means going and spending the time on getting fitted and learning what the best stuff is. Also, buying good quality equipment that’s going to last them more than one or two seasons.”

Clubs can be bought at Sport Chek, Nevada Bob’s Golf or Bob’s Golf Town.

Golf gift idea for Father’s Day 2013: Accessories

Reynolds recommends a good set of golf balls for dad this Father’s Day, to help dad shoot his best score.

Slighte says the right equipment, especially golf balls, will help round out the game.

Sport Chek, Nevada Bob’s Golf and Bob’s Golf Town all offer a range of golf balls.

Golf gift idea for Father’s Day 2013: Lessons

Slighte says lessons are a good place to start for dad, and added it’s always a good idea to have a pro take someone through some of the core skills around the game.

Reynolds agrees, adding “Lessons are probably the best way and most efficient way to learn the great game of golf, quicker.”

The City of Calgary offers lessons at McCall Lake, Confederation Park and Shaganappi Point golf courses. The lessons are taught by professional instructors from the National Golf Academy,

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Dene Tha’ First Nation, Alberta NDP calling for more safety measures after Apache pipeline spill

The Dene Tha’ First Nation and Alberta NDP are questioning the effectiveness of safety measures after an Apache pipeline spill leaked approximately 57,000 barrels (9.5 million litres) of “produced water” in northern Alberta.

The Dene Tha’ said they are worried that the spill may contain a number of materials, including hydrocarbons, sulphurous compounds, metals, radioactive materials and chemicals.

In a release sent on Thursday, the Dene Tha’ said the spill may have contaminated the water and killed fish, birds and wildlife.

The Dene Tha’ said the spill is located less than 15 km north of a Dene Tha’ reserve and within 1.5 km of the Zama River, on an area used by band members to hunt and trap.

“Dene Tha’ is gravely concerned that the health of its members will be compromised if they exercise their Treaty 8 rights to harvest in the area,” the First Nation said.

“Dene Tha’ members may be unable to harvest in the vicinity of the spill for many years as a result of this spill.”

Dene Tha’ said its field technician visited the Apache pipeline spill site on June 6 and noted that all plants and trees affected by the spill had died, and that the contamination had saturated the muskeg in the area.

The First Nation said given the amount of dead vegetation in the area, the spill may have been occurring for a long period of time.

“Given the increasing number of spills that have occurred in its Territory recently, Dene Tha’ hopes that the Government of Alberta will require companies to implement more effective safety measures,” the Dene Tha’ said.

Apache says wildlife has not been affected

Apache said the spill was reported on June 1 when it was first detected, but did not give details on how long the pipeline has been leaking.

“There are no visible impacts on wildlife,” Marc Douglas, spokesman for Apache, told Canadian Press on Friday.

The company said the water contained salt, oil and other minerals.

Apache said there was only a trace amount of oil in the produced water, which has been removed from the ground.

The Apache pipeline spill occurred June 1 on a produced water pipeline about 20 kilometres northeast of Zama City, Alta., which is located just south of the border with the Northwest Territories.

The spill affected an area of about 42 hectares.

“Wildlife, aquatic and vegetation studies are underway by an extensive environmental remediation team and analytics are being compiled,” Apache said in a release sent on Thursday.

“Water sampling and monitoring is conducted daily and collection of the produced water is well underway.”

Apache said they don’t know why the spill happened.

“While our priority right now is remediation and restoration, we are investigating the cause and will develop a solution to prevent a similar incident,” Apache said.

Alberta government says water is not toxic

A spokesman for the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) told Beacon News the water is not toxic.

“There have been some reports referring to it as toxic waste but that’s not really accurate when you look at the definition of those terms,” Bob Curran said.

“Produced water has a high saline content, which is of concern when it gets into contact with vegetation. In this case there are trace levels of hydrocarbons, but there is predominately a high salt content.”

Curran said he could not give anymore information until tests are completed.

NDP calling for release of pipeline safety review

Alberta Premier Alison Redford, left, met with her BC counterpart Christy Clark Friday in Kelowna, BC to discuss the two provincial economies. Photo: Alberta government.

Contentious Northern Gateway project not discussed at meeting

Premiers Alison Redford and Christy Clark met in Kelowna Friday to announce they will be working together to grow their respective provinces’ economies and create jobs.

But the two did not discuss the contentious issue of the Northern Gateway pipeline.

“I think as we move forward, there’s lots of opportunity for discussion and I think if we focus on what really does unite us, which is wanting to grow our economies, that’s our best opportunity to work through some of these issues,” Redford said at the joint news conference.

“You don’t bridge the divide, you don’t find a way to resolve differences that you have unless you talk,” Clark said.

The meeting Friday was friendlier than the previous meeting between the two last fall. At that time, Clark said the Northern Gateway pipeline would not be happening until it met British Columbia’s environmental conditions. Redford suggested the B.C. premier was after more money at the expense of Alberta.

While the conditions remain in place, Clark said she was not against responsible energy development.

“We are not opposed to economic development and we are not opposed to resource development,” Clark said. “But we just didn’t see the fact base that would support us being able to support the Enbridge proposal as it stands today.

“The [conditions] haven’t changed. But I think they are conditions that resource development projects can meet and we’re proving in British Columbia that they can be met.”

The premiers said they discussed issues of common interest including skills training, immigration policies and responsible resource development. The goal is to work together on economic growth and job creation.

“As the economic powerhouses in Canada, it’s our responsibility to grow the national economy which we’re very much focused on,” Clark said. “It’s something Canada needs us to do.”

The meeting was the first between the two since Clark’s surprise election victory last month and just ahead of the annual conference of Western Premier’s in Winnipeg early next week.

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Kinder Morgan crews were on site cleaning up the 5-12 barrel ‘leak’ Thursday. Photo: Courtesy BC CTV.

Only 5-12 barrels of oil released onto ground near Merritt, BC from Trans Mountain pipeline

Pipelines leak. Rail cars carrying crude oil derail. Tanker trucks overturn on highways. A hundred per cent guarantee against crude oil spills is impossible and British Columbians need to accept that fact.

The miracle is that the means of transporting oil don’t leak more often. When you think about the millions of barrels shipped from and around Canada each and every day, the pipeline industry’s claim of a 99.999 per cent safety record sounds pretty impressive.

Which is why it’s important for British Columbians to keep pipelines in perspective when there are leaks.

Thursday’s discovery of a small leak on Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline near Merritt is not cause for hand wringing and alarm. The pipeline did not rupture (more like a weep, according to company officials) and the leak was discovered during routine maintenance.

Only 12 barrels (some reports say as little as five) of crude leaked from the Trans Mountain pipeline. That’s a very small leak. Crews were on hand quickly to clean up the soil and repair the pipeline.  The company’s system worked as designed, with minimal damage to the environment and no harm to humans.

Also this week, a pipeline in northern Alberta near the border with the Northwest Territories ruptured and spilled almost 57,000 barrels (9.5 million litres) of produced water onto ecologically sensitive muskeg. The water is very salty and will certainly kill vegetation over the 42 hectare area where it spilled.

The Alberta spill is significant and Canadians should be concerned. What was the chemical composition of the water and how much oil did it contain? If it seeped into the muskeg, which resembles a sponge, can it be effectively cleaned up? What effect will it have on local First Nations? Why did it happen and how can it be prevented from happening again?

The Trans Mountain pipeline spill is not significant. It is the cost of business in a hydrocarbon economy. And until solar power and wind energy are ready for prime time, British Columbians must accept the risk of small spills as the price they pay for driving cars, heating their houses, and in some cases, cashing a paycheque.

Not surprisingly, the eco-warriors were in full cry yesterday. ”They are proving that they can’t eliminate the threat posed by their pipeline,” Gabriel George of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation told he Surrey Leader.

Jordan Wilson of the Pipe Up Network said, ”By a stroke of luck, the spill did not enter any waterways, saturate a farmer’s field, or worse yet, a school yard.”

Luck had nothing to do with it. Kinder Morgan was “pigging” the pipeline and the tool found an irregularity. Crews were dispatched, found the leak and a short time later the line was shut down and repairs were underway.

The system worked exactly as designed.

As an aside, I examined the Trans Mountain pipeline leak records from 1961 to present for a story last year and was surprised to discover that most spills were small and happened at tank farms and pumping stations, where there are containment systems in place.

Hugh Harden, Kinder Morgan’s VP of operations and environment, health and safety, told me in an interview that the Trans Mountain pipeline is in better shape now than when the company purchased it in 2005 because of regular maintenance and upgrades.

As long as we have an economy that runs on oil – and last I looked, British Columbians burned as much gasoline in their SUVs and minivans as other Canadians – that oil will be moved from one place to another by pipelines.

West Coasters must accept small spills and not get in a swivet over five barrels here and 10 barrels there. Especially when the spill in question occurs on industrial property and is contained and quickly cleaned up.

Significant spills, like the Zama pipeline, rightly deserve their concern. And they should be demanding answers of the industry and assurances that such spills won’t happen in BC.

But crying “Wolf!” over every incident involving a pipeline will only guarantee citizens eventually tune out the issue, which would be counterproductive because public pressure is what keeps government, regulators and industry on their toes.

Tell us what you think of the Canadian oil sands by filling out this brief survey. $2 will be donated to breast cancer research for every completed survey. 

Energy and Mines Minister MLA Bill Bennett has been appointed to lead a review of BC provincial government services, and is being advised by the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union to “do it right.”

BC Government and Service Employees’ Union President Darryl Walker is emphasizing the need for proper review of provincial government services to make improvements.

The statement follows BC Premier Christy Clark’s appointment of Bill Bennet, Energy and Mines Minister, to head a core review of provincial government services.

In a story by the Canadian Press published by the Globe and Mail, Bennett said that his task could lead to much-needed savings for the BC provincial government.

Bennet will lead a thorough review of all existing ministries and Crown companies to uncover any lapses in public funds spending, and to ensure proper allocation of taxpayer dollars, said the Globe and Mail.

Walker argued however that the provincial government is already operating under one of the smallest per capita budgets in Canada, and further cuts would only compromise any long-term sustainability of current services.

“Any core review must include the men and women who provide front-line public services. BCGEU members bring a wealth of experience in the delivery of specific public services,” said Walker.

“Their input can be invaluable and should not be excluded. We have contacted Minister Bennett and offered to work with him on his review of government services.”

Walker cited the case of the Integrated Case Management (ICM) computer system which failed, costing the people of Canada $200 million.

If front-line staff were allowed to give input on ICM, it wouldn’t have failed, believes Walker.

Provincial government services needs to find other sources of income

The BCGEU recommends expanding the province’s system for distributing and retailing liquor.

Longer working hours, weekend operations and additional stores may contribute additional millions to the nearly billion dollar annual revenues currently being generated.

Another recommendation is to expand the responsibilities of deputy sherrifs to include traffic duties in tandem with the RCMP.

A working example can be found in Alberta, which earned $111 million in new revenue in 2010 thanks to improved road safety, lower costs in healthcare and expedited court hearings through a more efficient and focused RCMP.

BCGEU believes such an expansion can bring down ICBC premiums for drivers in the province.

“The BCGEU is committed to working with government to find ways to increase provincial revenues and cut wasteful spending without making cuts to public services,” said Walker.

“Let’s review provincial government services. But, let’s do it right.”

B.C. residents, tell us what you think of the Canadian oil sands by filling out this brief survey. $2 will be donated to breast cancer research for every completed survey.

A section of the 42 hectares flooded by 59,627 barrels of produced water. Photo: Dene Tha.

Apache pipeline spill near Zama City worries First Nation

An Apache pipeline spill has leaked 59, 627 barrels (9.5 million litres) of “produced water” in northern Alberta.

The incident occurred on a water pipeline about 20 kilometres northeast of Zama City, Alta., which is located just south of the border with the Northwest Territories.

Apache Canada released a statement Wednesday that said the spill affected an area of about 42 hectares.

The company said the leak has been plugged and crews are working to contain and clean up the spill.

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development spokeswoman Nikki Booth said there is no indication that impacts to the Zama River have been experienced.

Booth said the line was shut off June 1.

When asked if she knew how long was the water was spilling into the environment, Booth said it is under the investigation of the Energy Resources Conservation Board.

“Once that investigation is complete we will release the results,” Booth said.

Spill first reported on June 1

The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) said the spill was first reported by Apache on June 1.

Apache did not release estimates of the spill’s size until Wednesday.

Greenpeace spokesperson Mike Hudema said the pipeline spill came to light only after someone reported it to a TV station last week.

Apache said waste water that is extracted during oil and gas operations contains oil, gas, non-potable water, salt and other minerals.

The company said the water released involved produced water that had been treated to remove hydrocarbons.

However, the Dene Tha First Nation suggest the produced water contains hydrocarbons, high levels of salt, sulphurous compounds, metals and naturally occurring radioactive materials, along with chemical solvents and additives used by the oil industry.

“It’s very troubling that Apache doesn’t know what chemicals are flowing through its pipes,” said Hudema.

Ex-Surrey MLA Dave Hayer is seeking constituent support following his announcement to run for MP of the proposed Cloverdale – West Langley federal riding. Photo: davehayer.ca

Former MLA for Surrey Dave Hayer is planning to run for election for the  Progressive Conservative party in the proposed Cloverdale-West Langley federal riding in 2015.

“Today I am announcing my intention to contest the proposed federal riding of Cloverdale-West Langley for the Conservative Party of Canada in 2015,” said Hayer, who served Tynehead for 12 years until last month.

“Over the past few years I have been approached many times, by many people, to seek a seat as a Member of Parliament.

Dave Hayer said he has discussed his plans with his family and community members following an announcement on July 2012 not to run for re-election in Surrey.

Dave Hayer recently won the support of Langley city mayor Peter Fassbender, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood, who has recently been appointed as BC’s Minister of Education.

“Throughout my career on Langley City Council, and as a member of many boards in Metro Vancouver, I have worked with Dave Hayer. He is hardworking, dedicated and tireless as an advocate for his constituents,” said Fassbender.

“As a Member of Parliament, Dave Hayer will be an outstanding representative for Langley and Surrey.”

Hayer said, “I am humbly asking for your help. If you, your family or friends are residents of the proposed Cloverdale-West Langley electoral district, please join the Conservative Party of Canada and support me as your candidate for nomination.”

B.C. residents, tell us what you think of the Canadian oil sands by filling out this brief survey. $2 will be donated to breast cancer research for every completed survey.

Despite announcing budget cuts for political staff, Liberal Party staff raises are unjustifiable, says IntegrityBC.

IntegrityBC is calling to attention the Liberal Party staff raises approved for top executives of the BC government.

They say the increases should be reversed and be put under review by an independent committee.

“In only one week, the BC Liberal party managed to mug senior citizens confined to wheelchairs at public extended care facilities while giving payoffs to their pals,” said Dermod Travis, executive director of IntegrityBC.

BC’s outgoing administration approved the pay increases, bringing into public scrutiny its failure to restrain excessive spending.

IntegrityBC points out that some Liberal Party staff will earn a higher salary than some MLAs.

Michele Cadario, Liberal party deputy campaign director and deputy chief of staff to the premier, for instance, will get a $50,000 increase in her salary, raising it to $195,158, a 36 per cent increase.

Cadario’s salary will be higher than that of US President Barack Obama’s chief of staff in 2012, and $25,000 higher than her colleagues in the Ontario government.

B.C. residents, tell us what you think of the Canadian oil sands by filling out this brief survey. $2 will be donated to breast cancer research for every completed survey.