First marine spill training for Clean Marine BC

Twenty representatives from eleven Clean Marine BC facilities came together in our first ever marine spill training session. False Creek Harbour Authority hosted us at Fishermen’s Wharf, and mother nature provided the sunshine! Instructor Craig Dougans from Global Strategem Consulting led us through a full day of classroom and practical training covering planning, preparedness, spill … Continue reading

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Is BC’s new spill response law really world-leading?

The provincial government’s new and long-awaited oil spill preparedness bill will soon be debated in the legislature for the first time. The bill is an important step forward, promising new provisions aimed at reducing the tremendous gaps in B.C.’s ability to respond to spills. Although this is good, and much-needed in our province, the bill … Continue reading

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A big win for stronger local spill preparedness

Today was a good day. Local government leaders from big cities, small towns and regional districts across BC voted unanimously in favour of strengthening community oil spill preparedness. In a giant meeting room at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention, hundreds of our local elected representatives raised their hands and endorsed Resolution A4, calling … Continue reading

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Momentum builds for stronger community oil spill response

Great news! This week local government leaders from across the Lower Mainland unanimously voted in favour of better local oil spill response, and a stronger voice for communities in oil spill planning. Motion R13 – which GSA worked with the City of Vancouver to put forward – was passed at the annual conference of the Lower … Continue reading

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The wake-up call we needed

“There’s been an oil spill in English Bay.” I woke up last Thursday morning to the words so many of us hoped we would never hear. My mind instantly ran to images of crews scrubbing rocks after the Exxon Valdez as I feared the worst. Then came temporary relief:  the spill had been dubbed ‘minor’, … Continue reading

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Strengthening community preparedness for oil spills

When the Exxon Valdez accident happened twenty-six years ago this week, Alaskans learned first-hand what a massive oil spill can do to a community. What if a similar tragedy happened in BC? We’ve heard the repeated warnings from federal and provincial assessments that we don’t have the resources to respond to a major oil spill, … Continue reading

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Down at the Dock: Derelict Vessels and Green Boating Solutions

Recreational boating is an incredibly attractive pastime – who wouldn’t be attracted to time spent out on the water with family and friends? Unfortunately, those who have never experienced the reality of owning a boat are more susceptible to being lured into taking a boat that’s offered for free or buying one on the cheap, … Continue reading

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It’s local election time!

On November 15th, British Columbians will go to the polls to vote for local leaders to represent their communities.   While local elections may not generate as much attention on the airwaves or around the water cooler as provincial and federal races, they are vitally important – and not only at the local level.  Newly … Continue reading

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Kinder Morgan hearings delay: a win for pipeline opponents

This week the National Energy Board (NEB) announced that it was ‘stopping the clock’ on its review of Kinder Morgan’s proposed pipeline expansion, which will delay the NEB’s final recommendation – and the ultimate federal Cabinet decision – until 2016. Tanker under Second Narrows BridgePhoto: Sarama (www.livingsalishsea.ca) The delay is due to the fact that … Continue reading

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