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- March 21 - Can BC Ferries achieve their climate goals?
March 21 - Can BC Ferries achieve their climate goals?
Plus: Lack of accessibility from local governments, Saanich senior spends days in hospital hallway
Capital Daily team
March 21, 2024
Good morning !
Today we look at the concerns climate groups have in regards to BC Ferries emissions and the challenges faced by people with disabilities when accessing information from the City of Victoria.
Have you attended a Victoria council meeting (in-person or online)? |
— Robyn
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Climate groups want BC Ferries to chart a new course around LNG
Preliminary design photo: BC Ferries
Climate groups are urging BC Ferries to abandon liquified natural gas to fuel its ships and to speed up the electrification of its fleet to reach its emissions targets.
While the ferry service plans to replace aging vessels with diesel-electric hybrid ferries that are more fuel efficient, BC Ferries hasn’t specified the type or mix of fuels that will power the vessels or any timelines for electrification.
Powering the provincial fleet with LNG, an especially potent greenhouse gas, is a key concern—BC Ferries currently operates five LNG-powered vessels.
LNG has lower carbon dioxide emissions than other fossil fuels used in shipping but it is primarily composed of methane, which creates more than 80 times as much heat in the short term as CO2 and is responsible for approximately 30% of global warming.
According to Anna Barford, shipping campaigner for Stand.earth Canada, BC Ferries has a make-or-break opportunity to lead a climate transition in Canada’s maritime transport sector, but the lack of transparency about BC Ferries’ fuel use and associated emissions makes it difficult to determine whether the company is on track to meet its climate goals.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Drug poisoning advisory for Victoria and Westshore. [Island Health]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Accessibility remains a back-burner issue for Victoria city council and CRD board
Photo: Shutterstock
Despite claims on their websites that Victoria council and the CRD are committed to accessibility, there appear to be gaps that limit how people with disabilities engage with civic issues, especially when it comes to both in-person and webcasts of municipal government proceedings. While meetings are open to the public, challenges can arise, particularly for members of the Deaf community.
Key issues include the absence of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at meetings and universal access to hearing loop technology. Visibility problems, such as unreadable nameplates and inaccessible presentation materials, further hinder public access to information and participation. Despite legislative mandates such as the Accessible British Columbia Act, which emphasizes accessibility in the workforce, these barriers persist.
Accessibility of online materials, including meeting documents and webcasts, remains limited. While some accommodations exist, such as closed captioning, they are often inaccurate. Additionally, the lack of downloadable transcripts poses challenges for those requiring the use of alternative supports, such as braille and speech-to-text software.
Sidney Coles looks at how public information from Victoria and the CRD lacks accessibility—and the solutions needed to fix that. Read the full story here.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
🎨 Art by The Silver Swans on display at Saanich Municipal Hall until April 8.
🐴 Hidden Acres farm tour: See Tally-Ho horses up close. [April 20]
🚀 Don’t be afraid to jump in! Stay current with career-focused training. Micro-credentials, diplomas and certificates. Gain a fresh perspective with Continuing Studies at UVic.*
🎤 TEDxVictoria speakers announced for May 15 TEDTalks.
🤝 Now hiring: IT Systems Specialist at The Butchart Gardens..
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Texas farmers sue CRD’s biosolids maker after animals die
Synagro Technologies, which has a 20-year lease to operate the facility that makes the region’s wastewater biosolids, is accused of producing toxic fertilizers that allegedly polluted the farmers’ lands and killed some livestock. Farmers from one farm claim their dogs, horses, cows and other animals died after they drank water containing the fertilizer. [Saanich News]
Saanich senior spent nine days in hallway of Vic General
Eric Roberts, 87, only had a room for one day of his 10-day stay to treat a series of infections and subsequent delirium. Four of those days were spent next to the garbage room. Roberts said he never had a privacy screen during that time and got little rest with 24-hour noise and lights. Vic Gen’s occupancy rate so far in 2024 is nearly 104%. [Times Colonist]
Surrey and Delta police to oversee investigation into VicPD
The investigation will look into complaints from former member Paul Schachter filed last month in light of the department’s mishandled Project Juliet. Schachter was initially told that the VicPD Chief Del Manak would assign the external investigators, which Schachter said was a conflict of interest at Tuesday’s police board meeting. It was confirmed yesterday that the mainland police departments were assigned by the board.
Cancer charity Angel having a devil of a time finding funding
Over the past 22 years, Angel Flight of British Columbia has flown hundreds of Island and Sunshine Coast patients to doctors’ appointments in Vancouver for free. Pilots donate their time and sometimes pay for plane rentals. MLA Adam Olsen says he’s looking into why the organization hasn’t received provincial funding. [CTV]
SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA
Dance Victoria presents: Ballets Jazz Montréal
Following sold-out Dance Victoria performances of Dance Me to music by Leonard Cohen, Ballets Jazz Montréal returns with a program by all-female choreographers: Ten Duets on a Theme of Rescue by Crystal Pite; We Can’t Forget What’s His Name, by Ausia Jones; and Les Chambres des Jacques by Aszure Barton.
🗓️ Things to do
🌲 The Wilds: Wonderheads present this theatrical performance using their usual masks and whimsical puppetry at McPherson Playhouse, tonight at 7:30pm. [Info]
🎼 Noah Becker: The saxophonist’s quartet performs at Hermann’s, tonight at 7pm. [Info]
🕯️ Candlelight: A Tribute to Adele: Hear a string quartet perform the star’s music by candlelight at St. Ann’s Academy, tomorrow at 9pm. [Info]
🎵 Mini Pop Kids: Bring the entire family to see these little superstars perform pop hits at Royal Theatre, tomorrow at 4pm. [Info]
🎸 Auntie Kate and the Uncles of Funk: They’ll stir up a mess of Blues, seasoned with good old R&B, delivered on a plateful of Soul and Funk. Hermann’s, tomorrow at 7pm. [Info]
🍸 Cocktails and Trivia: Step into an evening of connection at this community soiree at Gallery Merrick, tomorrow at 6pm. [Info]
💻 Satin Jackets: The Masked German DJ spins his blend of house and disco at Capital Ballroom, tomorrow at 9pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Tuesday’s headlines: Man charged in Sooke man’s shooting death; CFUV fund drives; Vic council pays public price for pay-raise decision; Police, league investigate major slash at minor league hockey game. [March 20]
Colquitz bridges to be expanded. [Capital Daily]
At 105, Greater Victoria man is great for helping kids. [CHEK]
VicPD being investigated over corruption concern. [CTV]
Fatal dog attack more reason for clarity, increased leash-law enforcement, says birdlife advocate. [Times Colonist]
That’s it!
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