Federal Liberals Try to Crush Freedom of Speech

Civil rights supporters across the country are outraged after learning Thursday that the federal Liberal Party through it's lawyers tried to get a US television network to block the Conservative Party of Canada from using this footage from this US network.

                                

As you may already know, in this video Michael Ignatieff calls America his country. What you may not know is that this was filmed by a US network only 18 months prior to Ignatieff's return to Canada. Citing Freedom of Speech and the Fair Use Provision, the US network rejected the federal Liberal attempt to prevent Canadians from seeing this video. Now why did they want to crush our freedom like this? I gather it was all too dangerous for them, eh?

What Type of Rapid Transit Do You Want?

Over the past few weeks there has been much fuss in and around the Township of Langley. It was billed almost as a murder mystery, but was a very simple thing - the BC Hydro lease of the old Interurban rail line to Southern Rail of BC. The Township press release talked about a missing piece of the puzzle being discovered. Mayor Green vowed to protect and defend the passenger rights and capacity in the lease renewal. I personally feel the whole issue was blown way out of proportion and people automatically assumed that BC Hydro, the Provincial Government, the Ministry of Transportation or others would conspire to put an end to passenger rail on this corridor. As late as this week I received an e-mail from a person I know saying they had no confidence that the Provincial Government will renew this lease with the passenger rail rights reserved, despite public record comments by all concerned parties that they will protect and preserve the rights and capacity. 

I've studied the old Interurban line and the communities they link. The more I study the densification plans today and into the future, the more I see our density in the south Fraser does not line up with the routing of the old Interurban corridor. If you point to Portland, OR and all the European rail capitals as the perfect examples of rapid transit, then one must consider that these alignments were based on current and anticipated density. 

I know I will make some people mad by saying that I feel the old Interurban is a nice story, but I just don't see it as practical for us in 2009 or much more in 2030. This "missing puzzle" and subsequent renewal of passenger rights still only allows for 33% usage for passenger rail. How many trains per day would that be?

The south Fraser now requires a modern rapid transit system that serves the needs of our current and future density needs. The need is to move people between Abbotsford and Surrey. Other systems move people to Vancouver and as the TransLink trip diaries prove, 95% of the trips start and end within the south Fraser region. Building rapid transit out to Chilliwack is simply a pipe dream. This rapid transit system needs to be economically viable in time and it must continue to attract ridership and grow with the population. If not, it either won't be built or it will become a dinosaur. You can get emotional all you wish, but these are the facts. Read all the studies, look at the local density plans now and into the future and talk with all of the regional planners.  Then determine if you want a temporary tourist train or a viable modern light rail system for the south of Fraser communities. 

The bottom line is that advocates need to get real about what is needed and the government needs to get serious about providing a proper transportation solution now, before it is too late. Rapid Bus will not lure significant numbers of people out of their cars. It won't result in any significant Transit Oriented Developments. It will cause us greatly in maintenance costs when the busses are 5 years old and it will make the bus driver's union happy. If we are going to build infrastructure, let's select the mode that people will get out of their cars for and that will be financially viable for the long-term. Build light rail in the south of Fraser from Abbotsford to Surrey and build it on an alignment that serves our emerging density patterns. Use the Portland model of a Max line (for us a regional spine) and streetcars to serve each community that is connected to this spine. It's a simple solution that has worked in many places. 

Making It To The Border

The Canadian and United States joint border played big in the news this week. First Langley Township found that the Aldergrove Border Crossing which has been open to truck and vehicle traffic seven days a week from 8:00am to Midnight, may be closed to truck traffic. This was discovered when officials were having discussions about a 24 hour Aldergrove crossing. You can read more about this here.

Actually, a neighbour of mine and his wife are Canadian border officers and  he told me all about the truck challenges some 5 months ago. He said that with a lack of truck inspection facilities, this requires border officers to direct trucks for secondary inspection to the Pacific crossing where they have the screening equipment. He suggested that if the truck traffic is sent to Pacific or Peace Arch that might make a 24 hour standard vehicle crossing at Aldergrove a reality. Should we keep both types of vehicles and remain open only until midnight, or should we move truck traffic to other borders and expand Aldergrove to 24 hours service?

Mayor Rick Green spoke of this border issue at the last council meeting, and indicated that he agrees with the Chamber of Commerce and other groups that are fighting for a continuation of truck and vehicle traffic at the Aldergrove crossing. I guess it could all be resolved if the Canadian federal government expanding the size of this border station, and provided them with the costly scanning. But, it appears having trucks and passenger cars at Aldergrove will preclude a 24 hour service here according to my neighbour. There are only so many people resources to go around.

Next, the US Customs border guards seized 134,838 ecstasy pills from a Vancouver women at the Peace Arch border crossing. This mother load is valued at approximately $2M. I guess that amount of money causes some people to become fools, if she is in fact guilty. I guess we should say it is alleged, wink, wink.

I can recall a time prior 9-11 when the US and Canada talked about the possibility of an unmanned border between the two countries and more of a North American defense zone. That would have been great for both countries and a boom to both economies. But at what cost? It's tragic that drug traffic must spoil our nations and cause walls to go up. I'm hopeful that through technology, vetting and clearances of low-risk travelers and  related solutions,  we can turn the border into an asset for Canada and the USA. Looks like this lady will get a great taste of the US prison system if convicted. Not too smart madam!

Arbour Day At The Arboretum

If you want to enjoy a lazy Sunday tomorrow, join Gloria Doubleday and others for Arbour Day at the Derick Doubleday Arboretum from 2:00pm - 4:00pm. It is a great family event on what is shaping up to be a great family day!

Derick Doubleday was a long-time Township Administrator and his wife Gloria has dedicated this land to the Township of Langley for a public park that includes trails and plenty of space for birds and nature. 

Remembering Yesterday. Sustaining for the Future.

The 7th Annual Arbour Day Celebration is a free family and community event for all ages highlighting the importance of trees and the urban forest in our community. 

Join us for the day and learn about trees through educational displays. There will also be entertainment, face painting, and food available.

Date:            Sun April 26, 2009
Time:           2:00pm – 4:00pm
Location:     Derek Doubleday Arboretum, trailhead at 21200 block 56 Avenue

History
The first Arbour Day was celebrated in the State of Nebraska in 1872. This was in response to a State proclamation urging settlers and homesteaders to plant trees which would provide shade, shelter, fruit, fuel, and beauty for residents of the largely treeless plains. Today, Arbour Day celebrations are held in communities all over North America. The day recognizes the importance of trees in our community through the protection, preservation, and revitalization of urban community forests.

The NDP On The Port Mann Bridge - What A Joke!

Carole James on the Port Mann: “A Bridge Over Muddled Waters”

Today Carole James told CKNW listeners during the Leader’s Debate that the NDP supports the Port Mann Bridge and that the NDP was responsible for transit being part of the project.

After hearing this incredible and simply unbelievable comment, we think it is important that we take a quick look back at the muddled history of Carole James and her party on this topic – right down to the minute:

January 31, 2006 – Premier Campbell announces Port Mann Bridge project which will include, “public transit across the Port Mann Bridge for the first time since 1986” 


September 27, 2007 – Carole James clearly states her opposition to the bridge “I’ve said it’s the wrong bridge and the wrong plan” – CTV 6:00 p.m. News


October 5, 2007 – Premier Campbell announces that Rapid Bus service will be established across the new Port Mann as the result of extensive public consultation over a number of months.


October 11, 2007 – Carole James again expressed opposition to the bridge “It’s the wrong bridge, because it’s based only on a bridge, which isn’t going to solve the congestion.” (Voice of BC)


April 28, 2008 – Carole James and NDP vote unanimously against Bill 14, the “Port Mann Twinning” Act -- again publicly expressing their opposition to the Port Mann Bridge. 

March 2, 2009 – NDP Transportation critic Maurine Karagianis calls the Port Mann project “a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money.” (Hansard).


April 14, 2009 – NDP candidate Charlie Wyse confirms that the NDP have no plan to build the Port Mann bridge, stating at his nomination meeting that “the $3.1 billion expenditure for the Port Mann Bridge should not be a provincial commitment.” (Williams Lake Tribune)

April 23, 2009 (9:01 a.m.) – After years of speaking and voting against the project, when asked on CKNW whether she supported the new Port Mann bridge Carole James stated “Yes, it's important we have a crossing there. It's important that we look at the congestion that people are facing right now.” (CKNW Radio Debate)


April 23, 2009 (12:00 p.m.) – Just three hours after Carole James had expressed support for the bridge, the Surrey Leader reported that NDP Candidate Pat Zannon undercut James and again revealed the NDP opposition to the project calling for a “time out” to re-examine the Port Mann crossing. 


April 23, 2009 (1:00 p.m.) – Four hours after Carole said ‘yes’ to the Port Mann Bridge, the Abbottsford News reported that NDP candidate Lynn Perrin said “No” when asked whether she supported the Port Mann bridge project.

It’s clear that no matter what Carole James tries to tell us today, the NDP have never supported the Port Mann Bridge expansion and continue to oppose it today. Which makes one wonder: when it comes to defining clear and principled policies, who in the NDP is driving the bus?

First-timers are proving to be the key to our rebounding market.

Spring flowers have begun to blossom and so is our local Real Estate market. Paul Penner, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, confirms real estate activity has picked up. “REALTORS® are seeing the return of first-time home buyers who have been waiting in the wings for the last few months, and homeowners responding to the opportunity to buy-up by moving Homes with a lower price-point are attracting more attention. With current interest rates and price reductions, buyers are looking at monthly costs that are 20 per cent less than they were a year ago. In Fraser Valley, that’s a $780 per month savings on a mortgage for an average detached home.”  

 Residential benchmark prices, the value of a ‘typical’ Fraser Valley detached home as determined by the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI), decreased 10.6 per cent compared to March 2008, however, increased slightly, 0.7 per cent, for the second consecutive month. The benchmark price was $459,841 in March 2009 compared to $514,616 last year. As well, detached homes sold on average, 10 days faster in March than they did in February.

 

 The Globe and Mail had a Story on March 13 titled “ First-timers drive a rebounding market” They say this about the numbers out from the Vancouver board:

“According to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, residential housing sales were up 94 per cent last month compared with January. That translates into 1,480 sales for the month of February alone. January, on the other hand, was a record-setting sluggish month - the slowest for housing sales in 25 years.

The growth defies the sky-is-falling pronouncements that have made headlines since September last year. But there is a growing perception that it's a buyer's market. A recent RBC/Ipsos Reid poll revealed that 26 per cent of B.C. residents surveyed believed they would purchase a home in the next two years, despite the view that house prices will continue to fall over 2009.”

 

So maybe now is the time for you to get out there and dive into the market, it seems the water is warming!!! 

The Townie - Your Townie

Welcome to the Langley Townie where urban Langley comes alive. Our blog's target audience are residents of urban Langley. From the young families to those successful empty nesters that are enjoying life, this is your blog. We respect and appreciate our rural Langley and we are not shutting those folks out. But there are many blogs and websites focused on the 80% rural Langley that includes farms, hobby farms, and our horse community. The Townie will focus on the urban 20% where much of the Township of Langley's population lives. 

Our team of authors represent a cross-section of our blog's demographics and we hope to provide fresh insight into our community and the people or personalities in it. We welcome guest authors with something to say and we look forward to maintaining your loyal readership. 

We may not always agree on the issues, but the Langley Townie will always accept tasteful opinions posted.  Our goal is also to keep you connected to what is happening around us in the social and political realms. If there is something happening that we are unaware of, please e-mail us the details. We also welcome your photographs of all things Langley for publication. This is "people journalism" at its best.