nationalobserver--2020-10-23--Biden’s oil remarks at debate seen as demonstrating grasp of climate finance shift

U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s comments about the oil industry on Thursday show that he understands the unparalleled global financial realignment happening due to climate change , the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour says .
Gil McGowan said Biden 's remarks during the presidential debate , including that he would “ transition from the oil industry ... over time ” to renewable energy , indicate that the presidential hopeful ’ s attention is firmly fixed on a green recovery — a massive opportunity for jobs and economic growth for both American and Canadian workers , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if governments play their cards right .
“ I watched the debate ... and I was thrilled to hear ( former ) vice-president Biden talking about the energy transition in no uncertain terms , ” said McGowan in an interview .
Biden elaborated on his comments after the debate , saying he would not “ ban ” fossil fuels or transition away for “ a long time.
” His platform calls for ensuring the United States achieves a “ 100 per cent clean energy economy , ” as well as net-zero carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” McGowan said it is critical that prominent politicians like Biden speak openly and frankly with working people and voters about the reality of climate change and its consequences for the economy and the environment , especially to those people in jurisdictions that have traditionally relied on oil and gas revenues , such as Alberta .
U.S. presidential nominee @ JoeBiden 's comments about the oil industry on Thursday show that he understands the unparalleled global financial realignment happening due to climate change , says @ gilmcgowan , Alberta Federation of Labour president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sand is never a good economic strategy — but that ’ s exactly what ( Alberta Premier ) Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party have been doing for the past number of years , ” said McGowan .
“ The fact is , global investors have crossed the Rubicon on issues of climate change and the environment , and what this means is , big money is not going to come pouring back into fossil fuels — ever .
It ’ s time for Albertans to acknowledge that fact , and until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to struggle economically.
” Kenney has acknowledged the emerging climate finance link himself , in comments this month at his party ’ s annual general meeting .
The premier said he has been told by oil and gas companies that it is harder and harder to secure project funding without being able to show a commitment to cutting carbon pollution .
“ We have to find a way forward for our industry where we do n't stick our head in the ground and pretend that the aspirations behind the Paris ( Agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital is allocated and how market access decisions are made , ” he said .
Kavi Bal , senior press secretary for Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage , said the minister would not be commenting on the U.S. election , but noted that oil is forecasted to continue playing a dominant role for years .
“ This oil should come from Canada , led by Alberta , ” said Bal .
During the debate , U.S. President Donald Trump pounced on his opponent ’ s comments by asking voters in fossil fuel-producing states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you remember that ?
” As president , Trump has repeatedly downplayed the global scientific consensus on climate change , which is that humanity must drastically scale back the burning of fossil fuels to avoid more extreme famine , disease and destruction around the world .
Peer-reviewed federal scientific research has concluded that Canada is heating up at double the average rate of the planet , or three times as fast in the North , and it is likely that the majority of this warming was caused by human activities like burning fossil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives who studies climate change and international trade , said Biden ’ s comments reflect how he ’ s listening to people who take the climate problem seriously .
“ I do think it ’ s significant , ” said Mertins-Kirkwood .
“ This is the kind of language that would be inconceivable , even 10 years ago .
”

U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden’s comments about the oil industry on Thursday show that he understands the unparalleled global financial realignment happening due to climate change, the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour says. Gil McGowan said Biden's remarks during the presidential debate, including that he would “transition from the oil industry ... over time” to renewable energy, indicate that the presidential hopeful’s attention is firmly fixed on a green recovery — a massive opportunity for jobs and economic growth for both American and Canadian workers, in particular those in the fossil fuel industry, if governments play their cards right. “I watched the debate ... and I was thrilled to hear (former) vice-president Biden talking about the energy transition in no uncertain terms,” said McGowan in an interview. “I don’t think we’ve ever heard that kind of unequivocal stance from a politician in Canada, regardless of their political stripe. Not only is it encouraging, but I think that, if he’s elected, it will force politicians in other parts of the world to address the same realities.” In the past several years, more than a dozen financial institutions have established new rules restricting or prohibiting investments in the oilsands.
According to a report in Reuters, these include ING Group, BNP Paribas, Societe Generale SA, Axa SA, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, UBS, Norges Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Deutsche Bank, Zurich Insurance Group and Robeco. The Bank of Canada has warned that the shift to a green economy is already underway and carbon-intensive sectors like oil and gas, as well as the banks that loan money to them, are exposed to risk. Legal analysis in Canada shows directors of corporations are obligated to act on the risks posed by the climate crisis as part of the basic responsibilities of their jobs.
‘Global investors have crossed the Rubicon’ Biden elaborated on his comments after the debate, saying he would not “ban” fossil fuels or transition away for “a long time.” His platform calls for ensuring the United States achieves a “100 per cent clean energy economy,” as well as net-zero carbon pollution, “no later than 2050.” U.S. presidential nominee @JoeBiden's comments about the oil industry on Thursday show that he understands the unparalleled global financial realignment happening due to climate change, says @gilmcgowan, Alberta Federation of Labour president. McGowan said it is critical that prominent politicians like Biden speak openly and frankly with working people and voters about the reality of climate change and its consequences for the economy and the environment, especially to those people in jurisdictions that have traditionally relied on oil and gas revenues, such as Alberta. “Burying your head in the sand is never a good economic strategy — but that’s exactly what (Alberta Premier) Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party have been doing for the past number of years,” said McGowan. “The fact is, global investors have crossed the Rubicon on issues of climate change and the environment, and what this means is, big money is not going to come pouring back into fossil fuels — ever. It’s time for Albertans to acknowledge that fact, and until we do, we are going to continue to struggle economically.”
Kenney has acknowledged the emerging climate finance link himself, in comments this month at his party’s annual general meeting. The premier said he has been told by oil and gas companies that it is harder and harder to secure project funding without being able to show a commitment to cutting carbon pollution. “We have to find a way forward for our industry where we don't stick our head in the ground and pretend that the aspirations behind the Paris (Agreement) are not hugely influential in how capital is allocated and how market access decisions are made,” he said. Kavi Bal, senior press secretary for Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage, said the minister would not be commenting on the U.S. election, but noted that oil is forecasted to continue playing a dominant role for years. “This oil should come from Canada, led by Alberta,” said Bal.


nationalobserver--2020-10-23--Feds, Alberta reach caribou protection deal that gives them years to take action

EDMONTON — Canada and Alberta have signed a deal on caribou protection that gives them years to take action but could allow energy drilling to resume on some ranges .
`` I ’ m very concerned that development is in the fast lane , caribou conservation is slow , '' Carolyn Campbell of the Alberta Wilderness Association said Friday .
The deal gives the two governments up to five years to design and bring in range plans for some of Alberta ’ s most endangered herds , which rely heavily on remaining patches of undisturbed old-growth boreal forest .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoiding new disturbances .
The plan envisions self-sustaining herds on healthy habitat some time between 50 and 100 years from now .
Campbell and Shaun Fluker , a University of Calgary law professor who follows environmental litigation , agree the deal improves transparency on conservation moves and opens a channel for federal funding .
• A ‘ perfect storm ’ of pre-election uncertainty along the U.S.-Canada border • Biden says he 'd transition America away from oil industry to renewable energy 'over time' • Here ’ s where to find every wind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little to change the immediate facts on the ground for caribou , said Fluker .
`` There ’ s nothing new in the details of restoration and protection .
It ’ s the same techniques they ’ re currently doing . ''
Caribou conservation has been controversial in Alberta and almost every other province for years , because habitat conservation is seen to conflict with forestry , and oil and gas .
The ranges of five of Alberta ’ s most threatened herds are between 70 and 80 per cent disturbed .
Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum is 35 per cent .
Despite the deal ’ s promises to protect and restore habitat , it also contains loopholes that allow Alberta to develop more of it .
`` The agreement lacks interim habitat protection while range plan development is proposed to occur … making it likely that critical habitat disturbance and caribou extirpation risk will continue to increase in the short-term , '' said Campbell .
The deal gives the two governments up to five years to design and bring in range plans for some of Alberta ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily on remaining patches of undisturbed old-growth boreal forest .
Oil and gas drilling as well as mineral exploration may now resume on caribou ranges if it ’ s `` in alignment with woodland caribou conservation and recovery objectives , '' the plan says .
Alberta had stopped selling leases on those lands , Campbell noted .
She also pointed out the agreement , unlike an earlier draft , doesn ’ t rule out more timber harvesting on caribou range in the short term .
`` There ’ s definitely been concerning backsliding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The deal was welcomed in a government news release from Alberta ’ s energy and forestry industries .
`` It provides a framework to advance caribou conservation solutions in the context of Alberta ’ s complex cumulative effects landscape , '' said Elston Dzus of Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries .
Tim McMillan of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers suggested the agreement is good for everyone .
`` Indigenous communities , local governments and industry can continue to forge a path forward that will help save Alberta ’ s caribou populations and ensure a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustainable oil and natural gas development.
” Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon said in a statement that the deal prevents unilateral federal action .

EDMONTON — Canada and Alberta have signed a deal on caribou protection that gives them years to take action but could allow energy drilling to resume on some ranges.
"I’m very concerned that development is in the fast lane, caribou conservation is slow," Carolyn Campbell of the Alberta Wilderness Association said Friday.
The deal gives the two governments up to five years to design and bring in range plans for some of Alberta’s most endangered herds, which rely heavily on remaining patches of undisturbed old-growth boreal forest. That same timeline applies to restoring habitat and to avoiding new disturbances.
The plan envisions self-sustaining herds on healthy habitat some time between 50 and 100 years from now.
Campbell and Shaun Fluker, a University of Calgary law professor who follows environmental litigation, agree the deal improves transparency on conservation moves and opens a channel for federal funding.


nationalobserver--2020-10-23--Pledge to end boil-water advisories on First Nations by 2021 delayed by COVID-19, Trudeau says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walked back a long-standing promise to lift all boil-water advisories in First Nations by 2021 on Friday , pointing the finger at travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trudeau made the comments when asked about the situation in Neskantaga First Nation , where an unknown contaminant in the water prompted officials to shut off the pipes earlier this week , leaving the community without running water and forcing a partial evacuation .
The First Nation in a remote part of northwestern Ontario has the longest-standing drinking water advisory in the country , in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 and the travel restrictions have come and created challenges in certain communities and certain paths forward , '' Trudeau said .
`` But we continue to be optimistic we ’ re going to be able to lift those remaining boil-water advisories soon . ''
He noted that roughly 90 long-term boil-water advisories have lifted since his government took power in 2015 , but around 60 remain .
• A ‘ perfect storm ’ of pre-election uncertainty along the U.S.-Canada border • Biden says he 'd transition America away from oil industry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s where to find every wind turbine in Canada `` This is a commitment that matters an awful lot to us as a government but matters even more to Indigenous communities across the country that have gone in many cases decades without safe drinking water , '' Trudeau said .
The NDP said that won ’ t do , and called on the Liberals to act .
`` ( Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller ) and the Liberal government need to step up and launch a full and transparent investigation into what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what it will take to bring fresh water to this community after 25 years , '' said MP Charlie Angus .
Even before this week ’ s discovery of an `` oily sheen '' in the reservoir , Chief Chris Moonias said the community had to turn off the taps overnight to build up a water supply that ’ s depleting due to leaks .
On Thursday , Moonias and his council sent a list of minimum demands to Miller that they said must be met before they ’ ll send evacuees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the comments when asked about Neskantaga First Nation , where an unknown contaminant in the water has prompted officials to shut off the pipes , leaving the community without running water and forcing a partial evacuation .
# cdnpoli They include fixes to the water distribution system so that the community has access to running water 24-7 , repairs to water-related hardware in homes and the installation of two mobile membrane water treatment units .
`` Government must commit and immediately move forward with examining the feasibility of continuing with repairing a flawed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new water distribution system that meets the highest current standards , '' the demands read .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23 , 2020

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walked back a long-standing promise to lift all boil-water advisories in First Nations by 2021 on Friday, pointing the finger at travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trudeau made the comments when asked about the situation in Neskantaga First Nation, where an unknown contaminant in the water prompted officials to shut off the pipes earlier this week, leaving the community without running water and forcing a partial evacuation.
The First Nation in a remote part of northwestern Ontario has the longest-standing drinking water advisory in the country, in place for 25 years.
"Understandably, COVID-19 and the travel restrictions have come and created challenges in certain communities and certain paths forward," Trudeau said. "But we continue to be optimistic we’re going to be able to lift those remaining boil-water advisories soon."
He noted that roughly 90 long-term boil-water advisories have lifted since his government took power in 2015, but around 60 remain.


nationalobserver--2020-10-23--Ontario hospitals, long-term care homes have little room for second-wave surge, inquiry hears

Hospitals and long-term care homes are nearly at capacity and wo n't be able to handle a surge in COVID-19 patients during the second wave of the pandemic , an independent commission has heard .
While there are plenty of physical spaces set to handle an influx in patients , which include many field hospitals ready to go , there is no one to staff them , the Ontario Hospital Association told the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission earlier this month .
That leaves hospitals across the province with only one quick solution , which they have dubbed the `` dimmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again to free up more beds and staff , the association said .
The commission , which is investigating how the novel virus spread in the long-term care system , is n't open to the public , but transcripts of testimony are posted online days later .
The hospital association testified on Oct. 5 , and the transcript was posted two weeks later .
Barbara Collins , the CEO of Humber River Hospital , testified that about 5,000 hospital patients in the province could be transferred to long-term care homes to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said , have no room , partially due to a government rule that limits use of three- and four-bedroom wards , which proved deadly during the first wave of the pandemic .
• A ‘ perfect storm ’ of pre-election uncertainty along the U.S.-Canada border • Biden says he 'd transition America away from oil industry to renewable energy 'over time' • Here ’ s where to find every wind turbine in Canada `` We survived last time , largely because we cancelled surgery , '' Collins told the commission .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dimmer switch this time . ''
That option , which led to a backlog of nearly 200,000 surgeries in Ontario , remains the best — and potentially only — option for hospitals to quickly free up space and staff to handle a rush of COVID-19 patients , she said .
In the early days of the pandemic , the province focused on creating space in hospitals , but the COVID-19 surge occurred in long-term care homes , the commission has previously heard .
In addition to cancelling surgeries , hospitals moved as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February and March , said Gillian Kernaghan , the CEO of St. Joseph 's Health Care in London , Ont .
That set the stage for the novel coronavirus to tear through the homes with deadly effects .
Ontario hospitals and long-term care homes may be unable to handle the second COVID-19 wave .
# Ontario # COVID19 `` It meant that when long-term care started to see cases with COVID , they had no places to isolate people because they were full , '' Kernaghan said .
Many long-term care homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March and April before the province finally launched its action plan to deal with the catastrophic outbreaks in nursing homes .
To date , 1,910 long-term care residents have died of the disease .
Now , with elective surgeries back on , hospitals are near capacity , said Anthony Dale , the association 's president .
And this time around , the health-care system faces another crisis : staffing .
`` The challenge is that long-term care homes , hospitals , home care , are all facing human resource shortages right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical capacity we are worried about right now , '' Kernaghan said .
She said the province 's directive to only allow staff to work with one employer has also contributed to the human resource crisis in long-term care homes .
`` We probably had 10 to 12 homes that we worked with very actively every day for whom staffing crisis was precipitated by the single-employer directive , and more commonly the person picked the hospital to work in because of lots of reasons , '' Kernaghan said .
`` And this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we then had to do when we had a staffing crisis , we went to the hospital .
They sent the same staff member back technically as a hospital staff member to solve the problem in the long-term care home . ''
Dale said he would like the province to rethink it 's single-employer edict .
`` Staffing shortages , as the members have said , remains a very significant issue , particularly in long-term care , so we do recommend a thoughtful re-evaluation of the universal application of the single-employer policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that the current setup to fight COVID-19 in Ontario , which relies heavily on hospitals and their staffs , is `` precarious . ''
`` There is a huge amount of risk uploaded into the system , and with our colleagues in long-term care facing the challenges that they are , even with the assistance of hospitals , this is quite a precarious situation , and it is why we have been so aggressive in calling for new public health measures to stop community spread , '' Dale said .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now in hospital who do not need to be there , but have nowhere else to recover , he said .
Kernaghan said there is no ability to ramp up staffing at both hospitals and long-term care homes in rural Ontario , partially because there is no child-care help .
`` In many of our rural regions , there is no staff to hire , '' Kernaghan said .
`` It is not for lack of trying , I can assure you . ''
The staffing challenge in cities is different , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay home if their child is sick with COVID-19 or have been exposed to the disease .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23 , 2020 .

Hospitals and long-term care homes are nearly at capacity and won't be able to handle a surge in COVID-19 patients during the second wave of the pandemic, an independent commission has heard. While there are plenty of physical spaces set to handle an influx in patients, which include many field hospitals ready to go, there is no one to staff them, the Ontario Hospital Association told the Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission earlier this month. That leaves hospitals across the province with only one quick solution, which they have dubbed the "dimmer switch" — shutting down elective surgeries once again to free up more beds and staff, the association said. The commission, which is investigating how the novel virus spread in the long-term care system, isn't open to the public, but transcripts of testimony are posted online days later. The hospital association testified on Oct. 5, and the transcript was posted two weeks later. Barbara Collins, the CEO of Humber River Hospital, testified that about 5,000 hospital patients in the province could be transferred to long-term care homes to continue their recovery. But those homes, she said, have no room, partially due to a government rule that limits use of three- and four-bedroom wards, which proved deadly during the first wave of the pandemic.
"We survived last time, largely because we cancelled surgery," Collins told the commission. "It is being spoken about as a dimmer switch this time." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions That option, which led to a backlog of nearly 200,000 surgeries in Ontario, remains the best — and potentially only — option for hospitals to quickly free up space and staff to handle a rush of COVID-19 patients, she said.
In the early days of the pandemic, the province focused on creating space in hospitals, but the COVID-19 surge occurred in long-term care homes, the commission has previously heard. Ontario hospitals and long-term care homes may be unable to handle the second COVID-19 wave. #Ontario #COVID19 In addition to cancelling surgeries, hospitals moved as many patients as possible to long-term care facilities in February and March, said Gillian Kernaghan, the CEO of St. Joseph's Health Care in London, Ont. That set the stage for the novel coronavirus to tear through the homes with deadly effects. "It meant that when long-term care started to see cases with COVID, they had no places to isolate people because they were full," Kernaghan said. Many long-term care homes were overrun by COVID-19, especially in March and April before the province finally launched its action plan to deal with the catastrophic outbreaks in nursing homes.
To date, 1,910 long-term care residents have died of the disease. Now, with elective surgeries back on, hospitals are near capacity, said Anthony Dale, the association's president. And this time around, the health-care system faces another crisis: staffing.


nationalobserver--2020-10-23--Film reviews: A little-known classic returns, climate activists make a mark, a Chinese legend gets a

Film reviews: A little-known classic returns, climate activists make a mark, a Chinese legend gets an update, plus a late add — Borat

BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM : Almost 15 years after he first punked America as Kazakhstan ’ s fourth-best journalist , Sacha Baron Cohen is at it again , and in these darker days , goes even tougher at it .
He shows that he ’ s one of our top satirists .
He doesn ’ t bother with polite discussion and goes for the extreme .
There he is walking into a Republican rally in a KKK outfit .
Or a Mike Pence speech dressed as Donald Trump while the vice-president proudly proclaims the virus is under control because “ we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cohen made the film months ago .
What has transpired since is part of the joke , a very dark one , as is the cross-section of Americans he meets : An anti-abortion pastor , Georgia socialites at a debutante ball , gun-holding Trump supporters , and more .
It ’ s hard to tell what is real and what is scripted , and it doesn ’ t matter too much anyway .
There ’ s much to laugh and cringe at .
Borat , who allegedly embarrassed his country with that first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission by his president , who is fuming that he ’ s the one strongman Trump has not become friends with .
He ’ s to take a present to Pence as an offering , but loses the gift and quickly has to find a new one .
How about a young woman ?
He gets the idea from an old photo of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein .
( See ?
He doesn ’ t hold back . )
His own daughter , a stowaway on the trip and played by Maria Bakalova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once she ’ s cleaned up and dyed blond , and Rudy Giuliani ’ s a fine recipient .
That encounter is mildly embarrassing , but not as lurid as the rumours would have it .
The strength of the film is in skewering a whole range of American attitudes — from the Melania fairy-tale video the daughter watches , to the crowd that Borat gets singing along to a virulent anti-Obama song .
Little in here is subtle .
Enjoy .
( Amazon Prime ) 3½ out of 5 MEMORIES OF MURDER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Academy Awards to get people interested in your earlier work .
Bong Joon Ho ’ s film Parasite won four Oscars last year , and that prompted the return of this one from 17 years ago .
It ’ s his second full-length feature and comes in a sparkling new restoration .
What really shines is his storytelling talent .
( He directed and co-wrote the film . )
He again shows his preference for mixing social commentary and humour into very grim storylines .
A serial killer is at work here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in South Korea in the 1980s that wasn ’ t solved until just recently ) .
A couple of regional cops are investigating .
One , played by Song Kang-ho , who was also in Parasite , is quick to jump to conclusions and is sure that a local youth who is intellectually disabled is the killer .
His partner is quick with his fists and kicks , and together , they get a confession , they think .
A sharper detective ( Kim Sang-kyung ) is sent down from Seoul and shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The real break comes from the only woman on the force ( Ko Seo-hie ) who notices a coincidence : The killings happen when a certain song is requested at a radio station .
It ’ s a break , but not a solution .
The film draws you into the mystery with stylish direction , swirling tension , comic touches about bumbling police , and , from outside , the sounds of political unrest .
It ’ s complex and captivating .
( In theatres now at International Village , Cineplex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on demand Nov .
3 . )
4 out of 5 NOW : Here ’ s a perfect companion piece to I Am Greta , which was just here .
This documentary features the climate activists who were inspired by Greta Thunberg .
It ’ s not clear how many of them were already activists before her worldwide fame , but longtime or newbie , they ’ re an impressive lot .
Several are from Germany , since that ’ s where this documentary is from .
So is the director , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked in Los Angeles .
So we get to know people like Felix Finkbeiner , whose group Plant for the Planet advocates planting a trillion trees .
Al Gore inspired him .
Marcella Hansch is fighting plastics .
American Vic Barrett of Youth v. Gov talks of “ environmental racism.
” Zion Lights ( that ’ s her name ) of Extinction Rebellion , Kelsey Juliana , who took a case to the U.S. Supreme Court , and others articulate the urgency they feel to fight climate change .
There ’ s footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine and thousands marching in city streets .
Thunberg shows up throughout , in the background at first , then speaking loudly in Poland and at the UN .
( “ How dare you ?
” ) Observers like singer Patti Smith , film director Wim Wenders , economic anthropologist Jason Hickel and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus offer analysis , praise and warnings .
“ Can the movement turn self-destructive ?
” they ask .
Most intriguing , though , is the growing feeling among the activists that the entire economic system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy .
That ’ s something to watch .
( Available digitally at https : //theimpactseries.net ) 4 out of 5 OVER THE MOON : I enjoyed it , but I wonder how Chinese movie fans will take to this one .
It ’ s an extreme update of a legendary story .
Pretty well all Chinese children are told the tale about a beautiful lady named Chang ' e who lives on the moon .
Apparently , many believe it ’ s true and look for any sign of her on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Originally a harvest festival , it ’ s now a family holiday .
This film starts rather cutesy , but then becomes loud , colourful and strident .
Young Fei Fei believes the story is true , and , after her mother dies , builds a rocketship and flies there .
She brings along her pet bunny and an annoying soon-to-be stepbrother .
( He and his mother , voiced by Sandra Oh , have joined the family . )
On the moon , she ’ s welcomed by Chang ' e , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voice of Phillipa Soo , who was big in the Broadway show Hamilton .
It ’ s far away from Chinese mythology and very Hollywood .
Margaret Cho , Ken Jeong and John Cho , or least their voices and personalities , are in it , too .
Fei Fei is voiced by a newcomer , Cathy Ang .
Co-directors Glen Keane and John Kahrs have extensive experience in animation , and both won Oscars for short films .
So the visual work , though not top-flight , is dazzling .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The colour and action we see on the screen both delights and makes you wonder about how sensitive to tradition the film is .
Kids will surely like it .
Careful , though : There are two deaths that have to be grieved and moved beyond .
( Netflix ) 3½ out of 5 OLIVER SACKS : HIS OWN LIFE : For most of us , Oliver Sacks became known when Robin Williams played him in the film Awakenings .
Readers of his books already knew him as a compelling and enthralling thinker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works , how it shapes us , how to treat it right .
He was a neurologist who charmed his readers with real stories in books like The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and offended some in his profession .
They accused him of exploiting his patients by writing about their afflictions .
He makes no apologies in this film , constructed from a series of interviews he gave shortly before his death .
Courtesy of Films We Like He comes off as a smiling and amiable man who explains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attracted to the “ order , stability and mystery.
” He was also haunted by rejection .
He was just a teen when his mother called him an abomination after he revealed he was gay .
He became a biker , got hooked on amphetamines and , after splitting with a partner , resolved never to live with anyone again .
Clumsy in his laboratory work , Sacks was demoted to seeing patients and “ neurological heaven opened ” for him .
The film details his work with catatonic patients , his focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience of victims of Parkinsonism and Tourette ’ s syndrome and his overriding philosophy : To treat the patient and not the disease .
Science , medicine and personal drama combine precisely in this fascinating documentary .
It ’ s directed by an experienced hand , Ric Burns , brother ( and sometimes associate ) of Ken .
( Vancity Theatre ) 4 out of 5 MAJOR ARCANA : They ’ re the most influential cards in a deck of Tarot cards .
They affect your life , karma and where you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sketchy guy named Dink is going through in Vermont .
He has been away for years ( can ’ t explain why ) , is back ( because his dad died and left him a house and property ) and doesn ’ t have much of an idea what he ’ ll do .
So he starts building a house in the woods , reconnects tentatively with the girlfriend he left years ago and argues briskly with his mother .
She figures she should get a share of the property and the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the house .
That ’ s the setup for an engrossing visit with a man who is floating through life with no clear purpose .
He says he wandered the West Coast and spent time up in B.C .
( He reminds me so much of guys you might have met up in the Slocan Valley or Lund or elsewhere .
Back-to-the land hippies . )
He has uneven teeth and a craggy face .
But he ’ s an artisan .
Repeatedly through the film , we see him at work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cutting mortise and tenon joints and raising beams .
His work looks authentic , because he is .
Director Josh Melrod chose Ujon Tokarski to play him when he saw him work on his house .
Lane Bradbury and Tara Summers , as mother and girlfriend , are both experienced actors with a lot of television work .
Together they create a realistic , low-key ambience around a man who has to move on — but where to ?
A quiet , thoughtful but always involving film .
( Vancity Theatre ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s become almost a trend .
Filmmakers use horror movie conventions to post a pungent criticism of society .
The U.S. , the U.K. and now Turkey have joined in .
First-time director Orcun Behram ( he also wrote it ) rants about increasing oppression in his country through the experiences of people in one apartment building .
They ’ re told that as of midnight , a new communication will start up called the Night Bulletin .
It will go to every household in the country and bring on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country will be “ closer to the ideal order.
” Almost immediately , things go wrong .
A rooftop installer falls to his death .
A tenant reports a black goo oozing into her bathtub .
It seems to be coming from the antenna .
Children hear noises in the walls .
Just pipes making sounds , they ’ re told .
A building superintendent has to ensure the installation is done smoothly and clean up the ooze ( and more ) as we wait for the system to start up and wonder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of opinion will not be tolerated ” is one message it eventually imparts .
There are more , all typical autocratic pronouncements .
And there ’ s more ooze .
The film makes its points clearly enough and builds eerie tension doing it .
I don ’ t understand the ooze , though , except perhaps as a visual representation of harmful ideas engulfing people .
It seems a forced connection .
( On demand at iTunes , Amazon , cable companies and others . )
2½ out of 5

Maybe the film supply is getting thinner. Today’s are old or small, though more than half are very good. And three other titles new in theatres are obscure. Disney is dumping a horror movie called The Empty Man, which came to it when it bought 20th Century Fox. Lupin III is an animated film from Japan about heading off a resurrected Third Reich, and Twiceborn, also from Japan, is a true story about a businessman revered as Buddha reborn. I couldn’t preview them, but I do have these:
MEMORIES OF MURDER : Nothing like a major win at the Academy Awards to get people interested in your earlier work. Bong Joon Ho’s film Parasite won four Oscars last year, and that prompted the return of this one from 17 years ago. It’s his second full-length feature and comes in a sparkling new restoration. What really shines is his storytelling talent. (He directed and co-wrote the film.) He again shows his preference for mixing social commentary and humour into very grim storylines.
Borat, who allegedly embarrassed his country with that first film, is now sent on a mission by his president, who is fuming that he’s the one strongman Trump has not become friends with. He’s to take a present to Pence as an offering, but loses the gift and quickly has to find a new one. How about a young woman? He gets the idea from an old photo of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein. (See? He doesn’t hold back.) His own daughter, a stowaway on the trip and played by Maria Bakalova, would be a fine gift, once she’s cleaned up and dyed blond, and Rudy Giuliani’s a fine recipient. That encounter is mildly embarrassing, but not as lurid as the rumours would have it. The strength of the film is in skewering a whole range of American attitudes — from the Melania fairy-tale video the daughter watches, to the crowd that Borat gets singing along to a virulent anti-Obama song. Little in here is subtle. Enjoy. (Amazon Prime) 3½ out of 5
BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM : Almost 15 years after he first punked America as Kazakhstan’s fourth-best journalist, Sacha Baron Cohen is at it again, and in these darker days, goes even tougher at it. He shows that he’s one of our top satirists. He doesn’t bother with polite discussion and goes for the extreme. There he is walking into a Republican rally in a KKK outfit. Or a Mike Pence speech dressed as Donald Trump while the vice-president proudly proclaims the virus is under control because “we’ve only had 15 cases.” Cohen made the film months ago. What has transpired since is part of the joke, a very dark one, as is the cross-section of Americans he meets: An anti-abortion pastor, Georgia socialites at a debutante ball, gun-holding Trump supporters, and more. It’s hard to tell what is real and what is scripted, and it doesn’t matter too much anyway. There’s much to laugh and cringe at.
NOW : Here’s a perfect companion piece to I Am Greta, which was just here. This documentary features the climate activists who were inspired by Greta Thunberg. It’s not clear how many of them were already activists before her worldwide fame, but longtime or newbie, they’re an impressive lot. Several are from Germany, since that’s where this documentary is from. So is the director, Jim Rakete, although he has also worked in Los Angeles. So we get to know people like Felix Finkbeiner, whose group Plant for the Planet advocates planting a trillion trees. Al Gore inspired him. Marcella Hansch is fighting plastics. American Vic Barrett of Youth v. Gov talks of “environmental racism.” Zion Lights (that’s her name) of Extinction Rebellion, Kelsey Juliana, who took a case to the U.S. Supreme Court, and others articulate the urgency they feel to fight climate change.
A serial killer is at work here (loosely based on a real case in South Korea in the 1980s that wasn’t solved until just recently). A couple of regional cops are investigating. One, played by Song Kang-ho, who was also in Parasite, is quick to jump to conclusions and is sure that a local youth who is intellectually disabled is the killer. His partner is quick with his fists and kicks, and together, they get a confession, they think. A sharper detective (Kim Sang-kyung) is sent down from Seoul and shows them both up with his deductive powers. The real break comes from the only woman on the force (Ko Seo-hie) who notices a coincidence: The killings happen when a certain song is requested at a radio station. It’s a break, but not a solution. The film draws you into the mystery with stylish direction, swirling tension, comic touches about bumbling police, and, from outside, the sounds of political unrest. It’s complex and captivating. (In theatres now at International Village, Cineplex Coquitlam and Odeon Victoria, and digital and on demand Nov. 3.) 4 out of 5
Courtesy of Starhaus Filmproduktion
There’s footage of demonstrators swarming into an open-pit coal mine and thousands marching in city streets. Thunberg shows up throughout, in the background at first, then speaking loudly in Poland and at the UN. (“How dare you?”) Observers like singer Patti Smith, film director Wim Wenders, economic anthropologist Jason Hickel and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus offer analysis, praise and warnings. “Can the movement turn self-destructive?” they ask. Most intriguing, though, is the growing feeling among the activists that the entire economic system, not just fossil fuels, is the enemy. That’s something to watch. (Available digitally at https://theimpactseries.net) 4 out of 5
OVER THE MOON: I enjoyed it, but I wonder how Chinese movie fans will take to this one. It’s an extreme update of a legendary story. Pretty well all Chinese children are told the tale about a beautiful lady named Chang'e who lives on the moon. Apparently, many believe it’s true and look for any sign of her on the night of the annual Moon Festival. Originally a harvest festival, it’s now a family holiday. This film starts rather cutesy, but then becomes loud, colourful and strident.
Courtesy of Netflix
Young Fei Fei believes the story is true, and, after her mother dies, builds a rocketship and flies there. She brings along her pet bunny and an annoying soon-to-be stepbrother. (He and his mother, voiced by Sandra Oh, have joined the family.) On the moon, she’s welcomed by Chang'e, who sings emphatic, show-stopping songs in the voice of Phillipa Soo, who was big in the Broadway show Hamilton. It’s far away from Chinese mythology and very Hollywood. Margaret Cho, Ken Jeong and John Cho, or least their voices and personalities, are in it, too. Fei Fei is voiced by a newcomer, Cathy Ang.
Co-directors Glen Keane and John Kahrs have extensive experience in animation, and both won Oscars for short films. So the visual work, though not top-flight, is dazzling. Some of it was done in Vancouver. The colour and action we see on the screen both delights and makes you wonder about how sensitive to tradition the film is. Kids will surely like it. Careful, though: There are two deaths that have to be grieved and moved beyond. (Netflix) 3½ out of 5
OLIVER SACKS: HIS OWN LIFE: For most of us, Oliver Sacks became known when Robin Williams played him in the film Awakenings. Readers of his books already knew him as a compelling and enthralling thinker about the human brain, how it works, how it shapes us, how to treat it right. He was a neurologist who charmed his readers with real stories in books like The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and offended some in his profession. They accused him of exploiting his patients by writing about their afflictions. He makes no apologies in this film, constructed from a series of interviews he gave shortly before his death.
Courtesy of Films We Like
He comes off as a smiling and amiable man who explains his fascination with science. He was attracted to the “order, stability and mystery.” He was also haunted by rejection. He was just a teen when his mother called him an abomination after he revealed he was gay. He became a biker, got hooked on amphetamines and, after splitting with a partner, resolved never to live with anyone again.
Clumsy in his laboratory work, Sacks was demoted to seeing patients and “neurological heaven opened” for him. The film details his work with catatonic patients, his focus on “the richness” of the experience of victims of Parkinsonism and Tourette’s syndrome and his overriding philosophy: To treat the patient and not the disease. Science, medicine and personal drama combine precisely in this fascinating documentary. It’s directed by an experienced hand, Ric Burns, brother (and sometimes associate) of Ken. (Vancity Theatre) 4 out of 5
MAJOR ARCANA: They’re the most influential cards in a deck of Tarot cards. They affect your life, karma and where you’re going — or exactly what a sketchy guy named Dink is going through in Vermont. He has been away for years (can’t explain why), is back (because his dad died and left him a house and property) and doesn’t have much of an idea what he’ll do. So he starts building a house in the woods, reconnects tentatively with the girlfriend he left years ago and argues briskly with his mother. She figures she should get a share of the property and the money that may be hidden in a walls of the house.
Coutesy of VIFC
That’s the setup for an engrossing visit with a man who is floating through life with no clear purpose. He says he wandered the West Coast and spent time up in B.C. (He reminds me so much of guys you might have met up in the Slocan Valley or Lund or elsewhere. Back-to-the land hippies.) He has uneven teeth and a craggy face. But he’s an artisan. Repeatedly through the film, we see him at work: cutting down trees, shaping logs, cutting mortise and tenon joints and raising beams. His work looks authentic, because he is. Director Josh Melrod chose Ujon Tokarski to play him when he saw him work on his house. Lane Bradbury and Tara Summers, as mother and girlfriend, are both experienced actors with a lot of television work. Together they create a realistic, low-key ambience around a man who has to move on — but where to? A quiet, thoughtful but always involving film. (Vancity Theatre) 3 out of 5
THE ANTENNA: It’s become almost a trend. Filmmakers use horror movie conventions to post a pungent criticism of society. The U.S., the U.K. and now Turkey have joined in. First-time director Orcun Behram (he also wrote it) rants about increasing oppression in his country through the experiences of people in one apartment building. They’re told that as of midnight, a new communication will start up called the Night Bulletin. It will go to every household in the country and bring on “a new era,” and the country will be “closer to the ideal order.”
Courtesy of Dark Star Pictures
Almost immediately, things go wrong. A rooftop installer falls to his death. A tenant reports a black goo oozing into her bathtub. It seems to be coming from the antenna. Children hear noises in the walls. Just pipes making sounds, they’re told. A building superintendent has to ensure the installation is done smoothly and clean up the ooze (and more) as we wait for the system to start up and wonder what it will offer. “Differences of opinion will not be tolerated” is one message it eventually imparts. There are more, all typical autocratic pronouncements. And there’s more ooze. The film makes its points clearly enough and builds eerie tension doing it. I don’t understand the ooze, though, except perhaps as a visual representation of harmful ideas engulfing people. It seems a forced connection. (On demand at iTunes, Amazon, cable companies and others.) 2½ out of 5


nationalobserver--2020-10-23--Mushroom pickers find a Wild West in  backwoods of rainforest

Chanterelles , pine mushrooms , morels : British Columbia 's understory is replete with fungi sought by fancy restaurants and foodies worldwide , often for a premium price .
That demand has spurred an unregulated industry , one run largely on cash and deals made from the beds of pickup trucks deep in the B.C .
backcountry .
“ Pickers will go out and pick whatever is flushing at the time and sell it to the field buyers , ” said Joe Stone , a professional wild mushroom harvester based in coastal B.C .
“ ( The field buyers ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are doing the distributing .
( They ) basically have a monopoly and control the price.
” The provincial government doesn ’ t track how many mushrooms are harvested in the province , nor how many are exported , making it difficult to get a clear sense of the industry .
A 1997 estimate plugged the global trade in chanterelles — B.C.
’ s most important commercial mushroom , alongside morels and pine mushrooms ( matsutake ) — at roughly $ 2 billion , with production ranging between 150,000 and 200,000 tonnes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data indicated the region imported roughly $ 3.5 million worth of chanterelles annually from Canada between 1995 and 2005 .
• Here ’ s where to find every wind turbine in Canada • Biden says he 'd transition America away from oil industry to renewable energy 'over time' • A ‘ perfect storm ’ of pre-election uncertainty along the U.S.-Canada border Meanwhile , pine mushrooms , which are highly sought in Japan , netted around $ 20 million per year between 2000 and 2003 , according to Japanese government data .
“ Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Jeremy Budd , co-owner of West Coast Wild Foods , one the largest wild food companies in the province .
That market was severely disrupted this year , as the pandemic shuttered restaurants worldwide , incomes dropped and international flights got scarce .
Like many farmers and fish harvesters who relied heavily on international exports to break even , Budd has started selling more mushrooms locally .
Still , that doesn ’ t mean sales have fully tanked .
International markets have remained open , Stone explained , and the prices he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re in season now ) have more than doubled since last year , reaching $ 25 a pound .
That might be , in part , because there are far fewer pickers in the bush this year , reducing the overall supply .
“ In past years , there ’ s been a lot of international pickers , especially on fire morels , ” Stone said .
“ If you go into the right area , like the Yukon or the Kootenays , if there ’ s been a fire there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re pretty much guaranteed a good pick.
” That draws people to the B.C .
backwoods from across Canada and beyond , with many pickers coming from places like Germany , France or the Czech Republic , according to Stone .
And because the industry is almost exclusively cash-based on the ground , many don ’ t bother with work permits or formal documentation , he said .
However , without any form of regulation , it ’ s pretty much impossible to know for sure .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , the last of it , ” Joe Stone , a commercial wild mushroom picker in B.C.
, says about the province 's wild mushroom and non-timber forest products industry .
Timber is n't B.C .
's only forest resource .
Wild mushrooms and other non-timber forest products like berries or medicinal plants are also highly sought on international markets , spurring a trade worth millions that 's largely unregulated by the B.C .
government .
Photo by Joe Stone “ Pickers are people we don ’ t know .
If a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t ask that person , ‘ Hey , where ’ s your papers ?
’ We don ’ t inquire ( about their work status ) , ” Budd said .
“ The workforce are freelancers .
That ’ s how the industry works.
” Furthermore , he said his company is only responsible for buying the mushrooms from “ field buyers ” — people who travel deep into the backcountry to set up trading stations at mushroom picker camps .
They ’ re responsible for the initial purchase , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who take care of distribution and exporting .
“ We ’ re offering a service .
When we open a buying depot in a local town in British Columbia , that depot is open for everybody … Everybody is given the same price , it ’ s all fair , it ’ s exactly perfect — the way it should be , ” he said .
“ It ’ s been left to private cowboy enterprises , ” said Shelby Leslie , CEO of Forest Foods Ltd. , a non-timber forest resource @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter the industry .
Companies like Budd ’ s are technically only brokers for the mushrooms , he explained , which allows them to remain at arm ’ s length from where their products are picked and who picks them — a distance that isn ’ t always beneficial .
For instance , intense commercial huckleberry harvests — another major commercial non-timber forest product grown in B.C .
— in the Kootenays have been problematic .
“ ( There ’ d be ) 40 to 50 people in a camp in a valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would just pick it until there was nothing left .
That would be in a ( First Nation ’ s ) traditional territory , in a grizzly bear habitat , ” Leslie said .
That level of harvest infuriated First Nations in the area because the berries are an important traditional food , according to Leslie .
It also triggered concerns among provincial wildlife managers for grizzlies in the area , which depend on the berries to get through the winter .
Commercial harvesting was prohibited in the area this year to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Leslie explained , to the provincial government ’ s laissez-faire attitude towards non-timber forest products .
Grizzlies don ’ t depend on wild mushrooms nearly to the same degree as huckleberries , meaning they ’ ve been less researched and monitored , and so far , their harvest isn ’ t controlled .
Regulating non-timber forest products — everything from huckleberries to pine mushrooms — is the responsibility of the provincial Ministry of Forest , Lands , Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development .
“ They just refuse to do anything about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system that ’ s been in place forever , ” Leslie said .
The ministry was not available for comment during the writ period .
Mushroom patches are scattered in forest across the province , and pickers must spend days driving forest service roads and hiking through thick brush to find their harvest .
It ’ s hard work in a beautiful place Stone said .
Photo by Joe Stone .
Frustrated with the lack of provincial action , some First Nations , including the Tsilhqot ’ in Nation and a coalition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harvesters and field buyers to purchase permits to pick and buy in their traditional territories .
And over-harvesting isn ’ t the only concern .
With only a few companies controlling the distribution of mushrooms , pickers don ’ t always get a fair price , Stone said .
For example , he has been selling chanterelles for roughly $ 3 a pound to several companies , including West Coast Wild Foods .
A pound of chanterelles on the company ’ s website is currently $ 25 .
“ Pickers are the ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They beat up their vehicles … And the field buyers , too , are doing ( a lot ) of the work buying from the pickers , and they ’ re not making much more than the pickers .
The guys who are holding all the cards are making all the money , ” he said .
“ The prices , obviously , need to reflect my market conditions … so what you see with the price is simple supply and demand … ( We ’ re ) simply buying at a price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some kind of a ( profit ) margin , and the margin that we hope for is above our costs all in , which includes the spoilage rate , the travel , the labour , ” he said .
Mushroom pickers can always sell to someone else , he pointed out .
“ Everybody has the choice because there are no contracts where a mushroom picker has to sell their product.
” However , finding someone else to sell to isn ’ t always obvious , Stone said , especially because “ there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes on to put new buyers out.
” That ’ s changing , with some new buyers and distributors breaking into the market in recent years .
Still , Stone would like to see a bit more oversight to bring the industry into the modern era .
“ It ’ s a bit like the Wild West out there , the last of it , ” he said .

Beneath forest canopies, a multimillion-dollar wild mushroom industry lies hidden. Chanterelles, pine mushrooms, morels: British Columbia's understory is replete with fungi sought by fancy restaurants and foodies worldwide, often for a premium price. That demand has spurred an unregulated industry, one run largely on cash and deals made from the beds of pickup trucks deep in the B.C. backcountry. “Pickers will go out and pick whatever is flushing at the time and sell it to the field buyers,” said Joe Stone, a professional wild mushroom harvester based in coastal B.C. “(The field buyers) are buying for the big buyers, who are doing the distributing. (They) basically have a monopoly and control the price.” The provincial government doesn’t track how many mushrooms are harvested in the province, nor how many are exported, making it difficult to get a clear sense of the industry. A 1997 estimate plugged the global trade in chanterelles — B.C.’s most important commercial mushroom, alongside morels and pine mushrooms (matsutake) — at roughly $2 billion, with production ranging between 150,000 and 200,000 tonnes. More recently, European Union trade data indicated the region imported roughly $3.5 million worth of chanterelles annually from Canada between 1995 and 2005.
Meanwhile, pine mushrooms, which are highly sought in Japan, netted around $20 million per year between 2000 and 2003, according to Japanese government data. “Most of it goes to export,” said Jeremy Budd, co-owner of West Coast Wild Foods, one the largest wild food companies in the province. That market was severely disrupted this year, as the pandemic shuttered restaurants worldwide, incomes dropped and international flights got scarce. Like many farmers and fish harvesters who relied heavily on international exports to break even, Budd has started selling more mushrooms locally. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Still, that doesn’t mean sales have fully tanked. International markets have remained open, Stone explained, and the prices he’s getting for pine mushrooms (they’re in season now) have more than doubled since last year, reaching $25 a pound.
That might be, in part, because there are far fewer pickers in the bush this year, reducing the overall supply. “It’s a bit like the Wild West out there, the last of it,” Joe Stone, a commercial wild mushroom picker in B.C., says about the province's wild mushroom and non-timber forest products industry. “In past years, there’s been a lot of international pickers, especially on fire morels,” Stone said. “If you go into the right area, like the Yukon or the Kootenays, if there’s been a fire there and you go the next year, you’re pretty much guaranteed a good pick.” That draws people to the B.C. backwoods from across Canada and beyond, with many pickers coming from places like Germany, France or the Czech Republic, according to Stone. And because the industry is almost exclusively cash-based on the ground, many don’t bother with work permits or formal documentation, he said. However, without any form of regulation, it’s pretty much impossible to know for sure. Timber isn't B.C.'s only forest resource. Wild mushrooms and other non-timber forest products like berries or medicinal plants are also highly sought on international markets, spurring a trade worth millions that's largely unregulated by the B.C. government. Photo by Joe Stone “Pickers are people we don’t know. If a person has a Czech accent, I don’t ask that person, ‘Hey, where’s your papers?’ We don’t inquire (about their work status),” Budd said. “The workforce are freelancers. That’s how the industry works.”
Furthermore, he said his company is only responsible for buying the mushrooms from “field buyers” — people who travel deep into the backcountry to set up trading stations at mushroom picker camps. They’re responsible for the initial purchase, then they sell to larger brokers like Budd, who take care of distribution and exporting. “We’re offering a service. When we open a buying depot in a local town in British Columbia, that depot is open for everybody … Everybody is given the same price, it’s all fair, it’s exactly perfect — the way it should be,” he said. Not everyone agrees.


nationalobserver--2020-10-25--Can a federal representative ease tensions in Nova Scotia lobster dispute?

The man tasked with lowering the temperature in a heated dispute over Nova Scotia lobster says he has a deeply personal relationship with the coastal area that has seen the most violence .
“ This one is right in my backyard , ” Allister Surette said in an interview Saturday , less than a day after Ottawa appointed him as mediator of a clash that has pitted Indigenous fishers against non-Indigenous commercial fishers .
“ I grew up in that community , so it touches me a little closer.
” Like many of the longtime residents of southwestern Nova Scotia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born in Yarmouth , raised in West Pubnico and has has lived along the province 's Acadian shore all his life .
He is also president and vice chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne , the province ’ s only French language university , based in Church Point , N.S .
• Biden not alone in warning of 'dark winter ' .
Canada 's top physician paints bleak picture , too .
• Here ’ s where to find every wind turbine in Canada Last weekend , a lobster pound in Middle West Pubnico that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Mi ’ kmaq fishers was burned to the ground .
The fire , which is under investigation , followed weeks of rising tensions .
At issue is the establishment of a self-regulated Indigenous lobster fishing fleet on St. Marys Bay , which started setting traps outside the federally regulated commercial season on Sept. 17 .
Members of the Sipekne ’ katik First Nation have said they have a constitutionally protected treaty right to fish when and where they want , based on a landmark Supreme Court of Canada ruling in 1999 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ means they 're allowed to fish and hunt year-round to earn a “ moderate livelihood.
” Some of the non-Indigenous commercial fishers in the area contend the addition of more traps in the bay poses a threat to the conservation of the lobster stocks .
“ The ultimate solution is to find some resolution to this issue , and the immediate challenge is to try to de-escalate the tensions , ” Surette told The Canadian Press The man tasked with lowering the temperature in a heated dispute over Nova Scotia lobster says he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coastal area that has seen the most violence .
He has mediated previous fishing disputes in Prince Edward Island , New Brunswick and Iles-de-la-Madeleine .
But he said this time , tensions are higher .
“ At the end of the day , the goal is to try and find some common ground , some shared perspective and some way forward , '' he said .
Surette was asked to work as Ottawa 's `` special representative '' by Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan , who is also a Nova Scotia MP , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government said Surette is expected to deliver recommendations to the ministers , but no deadline was set .
“ There 's obviously tension between those communities right now that , while we 're working to implement the treaty right , we also need to ... repair that relationship , '' Fisheries Department spokeswoman Jane Deeks said Saturday .
`` We ca n't have long-term tension.
” The Crown-Indigenous Relations Department said in a statement that special representatives are sometimes used to “ engage with Indigenous groups and organizations , industry , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how Canada could improve its approach to specific issues.
” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21 , 2020 .

The man tasked with lowering the temperature in a heated dispute over Nova Scotia lobster says he has a deeply personal relationship with the coastal area that has seen the most violence. “This one is right in my backyard,” Allister Surette said in an interview Saturday, less than a day after Ottawa appointed him as mediator of a clash that has pitted Indigenous fishers against non-Indigenous commercial fishers. “I grew up in that community, so it touches me a little closer.” Like many of the longtime residents of southwestern Nova Scotia, Surette is Acadian. He was born in Yarmouth, raised in West Pubnico and has has lived along the province's Acadian shore all his life. He is also president and vice chancellor of Université Sainte-Anne, the province’s only French language university, based in Church Point, N.S.
Last weekend, a lobster pound in Middle West Pubnico that was holding a store of lobster caught by Mi’kmaq fishers was burned to the ground. The fire, which is under investigation, followed weeks of rising tensions. At issue is the establishment of a self-regulated Indigenous lobster fishing fleet on St. Marys Bay, which started setting traps outside the federally regulated commercial season on Sept. 17. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Members of the Sipekne’katik First Nation have said they have a constitutionally protected treaty right to fish when and where they want, based on a landmark Supreme Court of Canada ruling in 1999.
Mi’kmaq leaders say the ruling means they're allowed to fish and hunt year-round to earn a “moderate livelihood.” The man tasked with lowering the temperature in a heated dispute over Nova Scotia lobster says he has a deeply personal relationship with the coastal area that has seen the most violence. Some of the non-Indigenous commercial fishers in the area contend the addition of more traps in the bay poses a threat to the conservation of the lobster stocks. “The ultimate solution is to find some resolution to this issue, and the immediate challenge is to try to de-escalate the tensions,” Surette told The Canadian Press He has mediated previous fishing disputes in Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Iles-de-la-Madeleine. But he said this time, tensions are higher.
“At the end of the day, the goal is to try and find some common ground, some shared perspective and some way forward," he said. Surette was asked to work as Ottawa's "special representative" by Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan, who is also a Nova Scotia MP, and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett. The federal government said Surette is expected to deliver recommendations to the ministers, but no deadline was set.


nationalobserver--2020-10-25--Biden not alone in warning of 'dark winter'. Canada's top physician paints bleak picture, too.

Canada 's top physician painted a bleak picture Saturday of the toll the COVID-19 pandemic may take on the country , expressing fears the number of pandemic-related hospitalizations and deaths could increase in the coming weeks as the second wave drives the national death toll toward 10,000 .
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the number of Canadians experiencing severe illness is already on the rise amid a spike in cases that saw two provinces report new single-day highs Saturday .
The number of active COVID-19 cases rose 16 per cent week over week , according to figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sharp uptick left an average of 1,010 patients being treated in hospital each day over the past week , about 20 per cent of whom were in intensive care , Tam said .
Average daily deaths associated with the virus reached 23 over the past seven days , up from six deaths six weeks ago .
• Here ’ s where to find every wind turbine in Canada • Biden ’ s oil remarks at debate seen as demonstrating grasp of climate finance shift However , Tam said the most critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to emerge .
`` As hospitalizations and deaths tend to lag behind increased disease activity by one to several weeks , the concern is that we have yet to see the extent of severe impacts associated with the ongoing increase in COVID-19 disease activity , '' she said in a written statement .
`` As well , influenza and respiratory infections typically increase during the fall and winter , placing increased demands on hospitals .
This is why it is so important for people of all ages to maintain public health practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The fatality numbers pushed the country closer to a grim milestone , with the death toll standing at 9,922 as of Saturday afternoon .
The national case total reached 213,958 .
Tam 's comments came the same day Ontario reported a new single-day high of 978 new coronavirus cases , along with six more deaths .
Despite the alarming tally , politicians from the province 's Halton Region published a letter Saturday pleading for an exemption from stricter public health measures .
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the rise amid a spike in cases that saw two provinces report new single-day highs Saturday , October 24 , 2020 .
The Ontario government has already moved the long-standing hot spots of Ottawa , Toronto and the neighbouring regions of York and Peel to a modified Stage 2 , which includes suspension of indoor dining at bars and restaurants .
But rising case numbers elsewhere prompted Premier Doug Ford to announce Friday that officials would review the situation in Halton , Durham Region and other areas .
Quebec , meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 26 deaths and 549 patients now in hospital , 17 per cent of whom were in intensive care .
The average daily case count there remains higher than any other province , but appears to have plateaued for the time being since a peak of 1,364 on Oct. 6 , the same week that tight new restrictions went into effect .
Still , the rising tide of cases across much of Canada appears unlikely to recede unless stricter measures are not imposed , said Dr. Andrew Morris , a professor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Toronto who studies infectious diseases .
`` This is a disease that grows exponentially ... and when things ramp up quickly they come on with gangbusters .
We ’ ve seen that everywhere else around the world right now , especially in Europe , '' Morris said .
`` As it moves to older adults , you 're going to see more people proportionally with severe disease .
I believe we 're at a point right now where these increases are largely inevitable unless there ’ s more substantial action to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down . ''
School closures should be a last resort , but tighter limits on group gatherings and indoor activities may be necessary , Morris said .
`` It is a mindset ...
When the public hears that there 's still a fair amount of freedom from the government , what that also tells them is that it really isn ’ t so bad right now . ''
Prairie numbers confirm the situation is growing more dire , with Manitoba recording 153 new cases and two additional deaths Saturday , the fifth consecutive @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Canada's top physician painted a bleak picture Saturday of the toll the COVID-19 pandemic may take on the country, expressing fears the number of pandemic-related hospitalizations and deaths could increase in the coming weeks as the second wave drives the national death toll toward 10,000. Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the number of Canadians experiencing severe illness is already on the rise amid a spike in cases that saw two provinces report new single-day highs Saturday. The number of active COVID-19 cases rose 16 per cent week over week, according to figures from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The sharp uptick left an average of 1,010 patients being treated in hospital each day over the past week, about 20 per cent of whom were in intensive care, Tam said. Average daily deaths associated with the virus reached 23 over the past seven days, up from six deaths six weeks ago.
However, Tam said the most critical health consequences associated with the spike have yet to emerge. "As hospitalizations and deaths tend to lag behind increased disease activity by one to several weeks, the concern is that we have yet to see the extent of severe impacts associated with the ongoing increase in COVID-19 disease activity," she said in a written statement. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "As well, influenza and respiratory infections typically increase during the fall and winter, placing increased demands on hospitals. This is why it is so important for people of all ages to maintain public health practices that keep respiratory infection rates low."
The fatality numbers pushed the country closer to a grim milestone, with the death toll standing at 9,922 as of Saturday afternoon. The national case total reached 213,958. Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the number of Canadians experiencing severe illness is already on the rise amid a spike in cases that saw two provinces report new single-day highs Saturday, October 24, 2020. Tam's comments came the same day Ontario reported a new single-day high of 978 new coronavirus cases, along with six more deaths. Despite the alarming tally, politicians from the province's Halton Region published a letter Saturday pleading for an exemption from stricter public health measures. The Ontario government has already moved the long-standing hot spots of Ottawa, Toronto and the neighbouring regions of York and Peel to a modified Stage 2, which includes suspension of indoor dining at bars and restaurants. But rising case numbers elsewhere prompted Premier Doug Ford to announce Friday that officials would review the situation in Halton, Durham Region and other areas. Quebec, meanwhile, reported that daily cases again topped 1,000, with 26 deaths and 549 patients now in hospital, 17 per cent of whom were in intensive care.
The average daily case count there remains higher than any other province, but appears to have plateaued for the time being since a peak of 1,364 on Oct. 6, the same week that tight new restrictions went into effect. Still, the rising tide of cases across much of Canada appears unlikely to recede unless stricter measures are not imposed, said Dr. Andrew Morris, a professor in the department of medicine at the University of Toronto who studies infectious diseases. "This is a disease that grows exponentially ... and when things ramp up quickly they come on with gangbusters. We’ve seen that everywhere else around the world right now, especially in Europe," Morris said.


nationalobserver--2020-10-25--Now Kenney says his inquiry into oil and gas foes will deliver report... next year

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says an inquiry into who is funding environmental opposition to the province 's oil and gas sector will be completed some time next year .
His United Conservative government contends foreign interests have been working to undermine the industry for years .
The inquiry , headed by forensic accountant Steve Allan , was initially expected to report its findings this summer and its deadline was most recently extended to Oct. 30 .
A lawsuit filed by environmental law firm Ecojustice argues the inquiry is politically motivated , biased and outside provincial jurisdiction Kenney also says his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make it illegal for foreign interests to fund political action committees .
• Biden not alone in warning of 'dark winter ' .
Canada 's top physician paints bleak picture , too .
• Here ’ s where to find every wind turbine in Canada He says the Canadian Energy Centre , a war room meant to counter what the UCP government considers misinformation about the oil and gas industry , will ramp up again after the COVID-19 pandemic put it on hiatus .
Kenney made his remarks Saturday during a livestreamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention , which was held virtually over two weekends due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Earlier in the day , federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole told party members that Alberta has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic better than the federal government .
O'Toole addressed the meeting by livestream from Ottawa .
He said Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's talk of Canada `` building back better '' from the COVID-19 pandemic is code for excluding workers in the energy , forestry , auto and steel sectors .
O'Toole said the Liberals were confused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic response , including closing the border , procuring personal protective equipment and implementing rapid testing .
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says an inquiry into who is funding environmental opposition to the province 's oil and gas sector will be completed some time next year .
He said Kenney has taken charge and not waited to make things happen , citing an early lead on testing as an example .
Alberta 's daily case count began to surge over the 400 mark this week , up sharply from about a month ago when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Quebec , Ontario and Manitoba have toughened restrictions on certain businesses and activities in recent weeks , Kenney has said his government prefers encouraging personal responsibility over imposing new shutdowns on Alberta 's frail economy .
Alberta chief medical officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw has warned the province is in the `` danger zone '' as hospitalizations and intensive care admissions rise .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24 , 2020 .

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says an inquiry into who is funding environmental opposition to the province's oil and gas sector will be completed some time next year.
His United Conservative government contends foreign interests have been working to undermine the industry for years.
The inquiry, headed by forensic accountant Steve Allan, was initially expected to report its findings this summer and its deadline was most recently extended to Oct. 30.
A lawsuit filed by environmental law firm Ecojustice argues the inquiry is politically motivated, biased and outside provincial jurisdiction
Kenney also says his government would be introducing legislation next year to make it illegal for foreign interests to fund political action committees.


nationalobserver--2020-10-25--Will American voters in Canada be the deciders in Trump v. Biden?

Soon Jenny Wiebe will drive from her Fredericton home to the Maine town where she was born , to retrieve the mail-in ballot her parents are holding for her .
The 55-year-old dual Canadian-U .
S. citizen said she has n't decided how she will exercise her franchise in the historic Nov. 3 American election .
She may vote in person at the town hall in Readfield , a focal point of the community of about 2,500 where she grew up and sang in a Methodist choir , and to which she regularly returns , despite the pandemic .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one thing : it will break the electoral deadlock in her own family : she 's expecting her 82-year-old father to continue voting Republican , and her 80-year-old mother to vote Democrat .
`` It 's a family joke , '' said Wiebe .
`` But they 're both like , 'Do n't worry , Jen .
Your ballot is safe , right on the fridge .
I 'm watching it . '
`` Wiebe said she 'll support the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket , but she 's also planning to vote for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator , because she finds her a welcome voice of reason in the chaos that has characterized U.S. politics .
• Biden not alone in warning of 'dark winter ' .
Canada 's top physician paints bleak picture , too .
• Here ’ s where to find every wind turbine in Canada Wiebe is part of the growing wave of eligible American voters in Canada who are participating in an election that has shaped up as a referendum from afar on a controversial president , the Republican Donald Trump .
Measuring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponents in Canada are buoyed by what they see as encouraging trends .
There are an estimated 620,000 eligible American voters in Canada , but in 2016 , only five per cent , or about 33,000 , actually voted .
Dianna English , the Canadian spokeswoman for Democrats Abroad , points to what her organization views as positive indicators : Canadian membership in the organization has grown by 90 per cent from 2016 to about 25,000 members .
And the non-partisan Votefromabroad.org is seeing triple the website traffic from inquisitive foreign voters compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million users .
Republicans in Canada point out that many Democrat votes will be cast in states the party won in 2016 and will likely win this time around .
The largest number of Canadian-based American voters cast their ballots in New York and California , which the Democrats usually win handily .
`` There would be no centralized area where we could find out where all these ballots went , '' said Mark Fiegenbaum , a Toronto tax lawyer and chair of Republicans Overseas Canada .
`` Any data that we get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in particular , would be surveying samples of people .
And I would probably suspect , when you survey a bunch of people , that they 'll say they 're voting Democrat ( but ) we do n't know how they actually voted . ''
Soon Jenny Wiebe will drive from her Fredericton home to the Maine town where she was born , to retrieve the mail-in ballot her parents are holding for her .
Democrats are mounting a special effort to target the swing state of Michigan , which Trump won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They believe there are more than double that many southern Ontario residents who are eligible to vote in Michigan .
Kathy Murphy lives in Windsor , but before the pandemic she travelled daily to Detroit to work as a paralegal .
`` There 's easily 10,000 of us living here , and we could have taken Michigan , '' she said .
Murphy 's daughter and stepson , both in their early 20s and living in other parts of Ontario , are voting in their first presidential election .
She had them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envelopes so she could forward them to the U.S. in one overnight courier package this past week .
`` I could n't take the chance that we would n't get them there in time , '' said Murphy .
`` It was nice to have two new voters this year . ''
Karen Hedetniemi , 56 , has called Victoria home since moving from Washington state with her family in Grade 6 .
But it was n't until this past summer that she made her first attempt to vote in the U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot .
She mailed it in late last month and has tracked it online .
`` I 'm voting for respectful and compassionate , informed and united leadership , '' she said , while declining to name the candidate she chose .
`` I feel that there could be leadership that can offer that to the people , and the country would probably be a lot healthier . ''
Fiegenbaum said Democrats clearly have a higher profile in Canada while Republicans `` tend to be more silent . ''
`` I think people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their decision , '' he said .
`` I ca n't imagine there 's undecided people at this point . ''
Wiebe 's family in Maine bears that out to a certain extent .
Wiebe said she grew up in `` an environment that was informed by both ideologies '' and saw her family take an active role in local politics .
`` I think pretty much at least three-quarters of my relatives vote Republican , ” she said , and she does n't expect that to change this time around .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's personality .
It has to do with business interests .
China .
Smaller government .
The perception that that 's a good thing.
” Jessica Sheridan , a Toronto-based Democratic supporter , said Canadians have a stake in the U.S. election and that makes it all the more important for Americans to vote from abroad .
`` Canada 's democracy can actually be undermined by a neighbour to the south that does not have those same belief systems or values , '' said Sheridan .
`` We ca n't see any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global stage .
Canada needs a really strong ally , and so , for Americans who have that ability to vote , you need to exercise it .
It 's a responsibility . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24 , 2020 .

Soon Jenny Wiebe will drive from her Fredericton home to the Maine town where she was born, to retrieve the mail-in ballot her parents are holding for her. The 55-year-old dual Canadian-U. S. citizen said she hasn't decided how she will exercise her franchise in the historic Nov. 3 American election. She may vote in person at the town hall in Readfield, a focal point of the community of about 2,500 where she grew up and sang in a Methodist choir, and to which she regularly returns, despite the pandemic. If nothing else, her vote will accomplish one thing: it will break the electoral deadlock in her own family: she's expecting her 82-year-old father to continue voting Republican, and her 80-year-old mother to vote Democrat. "It's a family joke," said Wiebe. "But they're both like, 'Don't worry, Jen. Your ballot is safe, right on the fridge. I'm watching it.' " Wiebe said she'll support the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket, but she's also planning to vote for Susan Collins, Maine's incumbent Republican senator, because she finds her a welcome voice of reason in the chaos that has characterized U.S. politics.
Wiebe is part of the growing wave of eligible American voters in Canada who are participating in an election that has shaped up as a referendum from afar on a controversial president, the Republican Donald Trump. Measuring that participation definitively is difficult but Trump's opponents in Canada are buoyed by what they see as encouraging trends. There are an estimated 620,000 eligible American voters in Canada, but in 2016, only five per cent, or about 33,000, actually voted. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Dianna English, the Canadian spokeswoman for Democrats Abroad, points to what her organization views as positive indicators: Canadian membership in the organization has grown by 90 per cent from 2016 to about 25,000 members. And the non-partisan Votefromabroad.org is seeing triple the website traffic from inquisitive foreign voters compared with 2016, up to about one million users.
Republicans in Canada point out that many Democrat votes will be cast in states the party won in 2016 and will likely win this time around. The largest number of Canadian-based American voters cast their ballots in New York and California, which the Democrats usually win handily. Soon Jenny Wiebe will drive from her Fredericton home to the Maine town where she was born, to retrieve the mail-in ballot her parents are holding for her. "There would be no centralized area where we could find out where all these ballots went," said Mark Fiegenbaum, a Toronto tax lawyer and chair of Republicans Overseas Canada. "Any data that we get on how people are voting from Canada, in particular, would be surveying samples of people. And I would probably suspect, when you survey a bunch of people, that they'll say they're voting Democrat (but) we don't know how they actually voted." Democrats are mounting a special effort to target the swing state of Michigan, which Trump won by a slender 11,000 votes in 2016. They believe there are more than double that many southern Ontario residents who are eligible to vote in Michigan. Kathy Murphy lives in Windsor, but before the pandemic she travelled daily to Detroit to work as a paralegal.
"There's easily 10,000 of us living here, and we could have taken Michigan," she said. Murphy's daughter and stepson, both in their early 20s and living in other parts of Ontario, are voting in their first presidential election. She had them mail their ballots to her in sealed envelopes so she could forward them to the U.S. in one overnight courier package this past week. (That's a practice that isn't allowed in every state but is where the Murphys are voting.)


nationalobserver--2020-10-25--Here's where risk paid off for the NDP

Here's where risk paid off for the NDP

The New Democrats won a majority government in the British Columbia election on Saturday as voters rewarded John Horgan with a second term after he took a gamble on calling an election during the COVID-19 pandemic .
With more than 80 per cent of the polls reporting results , the NDP had won enough seats to form a majority government .
The final count wo n't be available for three weeks due to the record number of ballots cast by mail , which have not been counted .
The New Democrats won 53 seats , the Liberals 27 seats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too close to call .
Despite the gap , Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson did not concede defeat Saturday night .
`` As the results stand tonight , the NDP are clearly ahead and appear to have the opportunity to form government , '' he said .
`` But with almost half a million ballots still to be counted , we don ’ t know what the final seat count will be .
And we owe it to every vote — every voter — no matter how they expressed their intention , to await @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won a majority government in the British Columbia election on Saturday , October 24 , 2020 , as voters rewarded John Horgan with a second term after he took a gamble on calling an election during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The snap election was historic on several counts .
It was coloured by the pandemic , ended with Horgan becoming the first two-term NDP premier in B.C .
history , and saw the Greens expand to the Lower Mainland for the first time .
The Liberals lost in key battleground districts in Metro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Green Leader Sonia Furstenau said her party 's expanded caucus will make itself heard in the legislature .
`` We will do everything we can to hold them accountable , '' she said .
`` The NDP have shown while they will say the right thing they wo n't act on it unless they are forced . ''
Several cabinet ministers are returning to the legislature , including Health Minister Adrian Dix , Attorney General David Eby , Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark , Environment Minister George Heyman and Housing Minister Selina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cullen despite the criticism he drew for mocking the nickname of an Indigenous candidate in a neighbouring riding .
Former New Democrat MPs Fin Donnelly and Murray Rankin also won their seats for the NDP .
Liberal incumbents Mike de Jong , Ian Paton , Shirley Bond and Todd Stone were among those re-elected .
However , voters dealt blows to several prominent Liberals including Jas Johal and Mary Polak .
Jane Thornthwaite , who came under fire for making sexist comments about an NDP member of the legislature , also lost her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-elected and Jeremy Valeriote picked up the party 's first seat outside Vancouver Island in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky , a riding previously held by the Liberals .
The seat of incumbent Laurie Throness in Chilliwack-Kent still hangs in the balance , as he jockeyed for the lead with his NDP challenger .
Throness was officially listed as a Liberal on the ballot but he resigned from the party midway through the campaign to become an Independent after coming under fire for likening free birth control to eugenics .
Horgan dissolved his minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixed voting date and his decision to call a snap election emerged as a key issue in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Mail-in-ballot requests surged during the pandemic , with the latest figures from Elections BC showing more than 720,000 were sent out and nearly 498,000 returned .
Elections BC says it hopes to deliver the final results by Nov. 16 , but the date is n't firm as it 's unclear how much time will be needed to count the mail-in ballots .
Horgan was branded a political opportunist by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic when they said people needed stability .
But Horgan said he called the election to give the province a chance at the certainty of a majority government in uncertain times .
At dissolution , the NDP and Liberals were tied with 41 seats in the legislature , while the Greens held two seats , there were two Independents and one seat was vacant .
The campaign featured promises for more affordable daycare and improvements to long-term care , as well as different ideas on ways to spur the economy after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election was mostly fought online .
Gone were rallies , replaced by virtual town halls .
Handshakes turned into elbow bumps .
The NDP platform was largely built on the party 's record and promises to continue what it started , including expanding $ 10-a-day child care and implementing a rent freeze until the end of next year .
There was also a promise to provide a $ 1,000 recovery benefit for families with annual household incomes under $ 125,000 .
The Liberals wanted to cancel the provincial sales tax for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion and eliminate the small business income tax to help with the economic recovery from COVID-19 .
Furstenau argued for another minority government , telling voters not to give all the power to one party .
She campaigned on the influence the Greens have had on policy , particularly on the government 's transition to renewable energy in its Clean BC plan .
Horgan acknowledged that the campaign was unlike any other on Saturday .
“ This has been an extraordinarily difficult election for many , many reasons , but it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Horgan .
“ I ’ m grateful for all British Columbians that we have put the election behind us and we can get back to focusing on the things that matter most to you.
” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24 , 2020 .

The New Democrats won a majority government in the British Columbia election on Saturday as voters rewarded John Horgan with a second term after he took a gamble on calling an election during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more than 80 per cent of the polls reporting results, the NDP had won enough seats to form a majority government. The final count won't be available for three weeks due to the record number of ballots cast by mail, which have not been counted. The New Democrats won 53 seats, the Liberals 27 seats and the Greens three. Four ridings were too close to call. It has been an honour and a privilege for the past three and a half years to serve British Columbians, to make sure we can make life better for everyone. (1/7) #bcpoli #BCelxn2020 #BCElection2020 pic.twitter.com/Ili6DU9XFb — John Horgan (@jjhorgan) October 25, 2020 Horgan said the NDP would continue to steer the province through the pandemic while waiting for the final results from Elections BC.
“B.C. has voted and a majority has been called but there are many, many hundreds of thousands of votes yet to be counted," Horgan said. "And while we wait for that final count to happen I want to assure people that I’m going to keep the focus right where it belongs – on helping people get through this pandemic, making sure that they have the services that they need.” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The NDP also had a firm grip on the popular vote throughout Saturday night, holding about 45 per cent to the Liberals 36 per cent and the Greens at 15.
Despite the gap, Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson did not concede defeat Saturday night. The New Democrats won a majority government in the British Columbia election on Saturday, October 24, 2020, as voters rewarded John Horgan with a second term after he took a gamble on calling an election during the COVID-19 pandemic. "As the results stand tonight, the NDP are clearly ahead and appear to have the opportunity to form government," he said. "But with almost half a million ballots still to be counted, we don’t know what the final seat count will be. And we owe it to every vote — every voter — no matter how they expressed their intention, to await the final results.” The snap election was historic on several counts. It was coloured by the pandemic, ended with Horgan becoming the first two-term NDP premier in B.C. history, and saw the Greens expand to the Lower Mainland for the first time. The Liberals lost in key battleground districts in Metro Vancouver and some of their own strongholds.
Green Leader Sonia Furstenau said her party's expanded caucus will make itself heard in the legislature. "We will do everything we can to hold them accountable," she said. "The NDP have shown while they will say the right thing they won't act on it unless they are forced." Several cabinet ministers are returning to the legislature, including Health Minister Adrian Dix, Attorney General David Eby, Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark, Environment Minister George Heyman and Housing Minister Selina Robinson.