Richmond Watch! 我們關注列治文市政與民生

Oppose the VAFFC Jet Fuel Proposal - Planes need fuel to fly, but we need a safe place to live

2012-02-15T13:55:00.000-08:00

In response to Mr. John Winter of B.C. Chamber of Commerce letter “Planes need fuel to fly”, I want to share my feelings of a 20-year resident in Richmond about the proposed jet fuel tankers in Fraser River and an 80-million litre tank farm on the river bank just 300 meters away from the apartment building and recreation complex.

I support all travelling business and YVR expansion, not because I have relatives, friends and neighbours working with the YVR directly or indirectly.

We need the airport for living, BUT I did not see the need to build the proposed jet fuel facility.

As responsive citizens we need an environmental friendly proposal to replace the submitted controversial project and addendum.

I have no objection to the YVR spending 1.7 billion dollars to expand the airport terminal, but there is no need to increase the jet fuel supply in short-term or long-term:

YVR aircrafts movement in 2011 had continuously dropped 12% in compare with 2008. Also no net increase since 1992 – no net growth in 20 years.
Aircrafts movement drop is national- and international- wide.
Less jet fuel consumption due to higher cost of jet fuel and more old aircrafts retired.
Less aircrafts at YVR due to the upgrade of new Abbotsford International Airport soon (note: no tank farms in Abbotsford, the jet fuel is supplied from a pipeline connected to the refinery in Bellingham, WA.)
Less YVR users due to more residents prefer to fly out from Bellingham and Seattle, WA due to the cheaper air tickets.
Less air passengers for family reunion and business meeting due to the Facebook and internet phone and the internet conference technique.
Less air travellers due to more cruise ships to Vancouver and improved border crossing by vehicle.

There are hundreds reasons to call off the proposal, I just list handful here:

The VAFFC mentioned in their proposal that the risk of oil spill every 6 years cannot be avoid.
The entire City Council opposed the jet fuel project.
The Richmond Fire Dept confirmed that is unable to handle an oil tankers fire.
The Environment Canada alarmed that is an unacceptable risky project for fish and wildlife in the Fraser River.
The David Suzuki Foundation and dozens of environmental societies already presented their concerns and asked for a less risky option.

Planes need fuel to fly, but people, fish and wildlife need a safe place to live.

I urge the BC Environmental Assessment Office reject the proposal, a smaller proposal was rejected by Federal in 1988, and why not make a second strike on a big one.
I urge VAFFC please withdraw your proposal for I do not see the 3-5% yearly increase of jet fuel. I do not see the need for an 80 million litre tank farm, which is 20-days storage at daily consumption rate of 4 million litres.
Please consider a new pipeline from the Bellingham refinery to eliminate the proposed oil tankers in Fraser River and the increasing oil tankers in Burrard Inlet. - This is the only win-win opportunity.

Related news:
2012/02/14 Richmond News - Letter from Daniel Leung - Planes need fuel to fly, but we need safe place to live
2012/02/15 Richmond News - Letter from Otto Langer - Pipeline process ignores safest option

Report Card on British Columbia’s Elementary Schools 2012 卑詩省小學排行榜

2012-02-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

VANCOUVER, BC—The Fraser Institute today published its annual British Columbia elementary school performance reports, showing which schools across the province have improved, or fallen behind, in terms of reading, writing, and math over the past five years.

“Our report card is the only objective, reliable tool that parents have to compare the academic performance of their child’s school over time and to that of other schools in their community,” said Peter Cowley, Fraser Institute director of school performance studies.

“The Fraser Institute’s school report card is the only source for long-term, provincewide school performance data that helps parents monitor the performance of their child’s school and help educators identify key areas for improvement in their classrooms.

”The Report Card on British Columbia’s Elementary Schools 2012 highlights school success stories in every corner of the province, from Sooke to Sparwood. For example, Burnaby’s Montecito Elementary School, where ESL students account for 38.5 per cent of total enrollment and the average parental income is less than $37,000, ranks among the top 10 per cent of elementary schools BC-wide in academic achievement. Sparwood’s Frank J. Mitchell Elementary School, where the average parental income is almost $20,000 below the average for all schools, ranks among the top 15 per cent of elementary schools in the province.

The 20 schools showing the fastest academic improvement over the past five years includes 11 public schools where parental incomes are below average. At one of these schools, ESL students account for 57.2 per cent of the total student population; at another, 11 per cent of students are special needs. The complete list follows.

“This shows that academic excellence is possible in every school, regardless of the personal and family circumstances of its student population. Without provincewide testing and the Fraser Institute report card, measuring academic improvement and identifying success stories like these would be impossible,” Cowley said.

“But the teachers’ union doesn’t want parents to be able to compare schools based on how well they’re doing academically. That’s a great disservice to parents, and most importantly, to British Columbia’s children.”

The Report Card on British Columbia’s Elementary Schools 2012 rates 860 public and independent elementary schools across the province based on 10 key indicators using data from provincewide testing, known as the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), mandated by the BC Ministry of Education.
The report card also includes key contextual information about each school, including parents’ average income, the percentage of ESL students, and the percentage of special needs students. Results of the report card are available in an interactive and searchable format or as a free PDF at www.compareschoolrankings.org

.Data contained in this year’s report card also shows that 18.4 per cent of FSA tests written in 2011 scored below provincial expectations, down from 20.1 per cent in 2010.

“While there has been some improvement over the previous year, almost one in five FSA tests written by BC elementary school students still failed to meet the provincial standard for learning. As always, the teachers’ union wants to prevent the public from hearing about that. Are they afraid that parents and taxpayers will demand better?” Cowley said.

Parents have shown great interest in the report card since its inception in 2003. Last year alone, 604,000 individual school reports and school comparisons on BC elementary schools were downloaded by parents and others from <http://www.compareschoolrankings.org/>. A 2008 COMPAS poll of more than 1,000 BC parents found overwhelming support for the BC Ministry of Education’s provincewide testing policy and for the idea that parents should be able to use the results of those tests to compare schools.

“Education is a top priority for British Columbians, and the Fraser Institute report card is the only source for impartial, provincewide data that shows whether schools have improved or declined in terms of reading, writing, and math over the past five years,” Cowley said.“

If the teachers’ union has its way, parents will be left in the dark about whether BC schools are meeting basic academic standards. Allowing the public to see whether schools are getting better or worse in terms of academics is the only way to ensure that students’ needs are being put first. We need provincewide testing to make sure that happens.”

Top 20 Fastest-Improving BC Elementary Schools
J. S. Clark (Public), Fort Nelson
Lions Gate Christian (Independent), North Vancouver
Muheim Memorial (Public), Smithers
Sk'aadgaa Naay (Public), Skidegate
G. W. Carlson (Public), Fort Nelson
Cataline (Public), Williams Lake
Iqra Islamic (Independent), Surrey
Prespatou (Public), Prespatou
Dasmesh Punjabi (Independent), Abbotsford
Walter Lee (Public), Richmond
Upper Pine (Public), Fort St. John
McLeod Road (Public), Surrey
Twain Sullivan (Public), Houston
Myrtle Philip (Public), Whistler
Halfmoon Bay (Public), Halfmoon Bay
Bench (Public), Cowichan Bay
Hillview (Public), Vernon
Vanway (Public), Prince George
Star Of The Sea (Independent), Surrey
W. L. McLeod (Public), Vanderhoof

烈治文排名前5小學
St. Paul's
Richmond Christian
St. Joseph The Worker
Jessie Wowk
Tomekichi Homma

Related news:
2012/02/07 Sing Tao - 14校滿分溫市佔6席公校進步明顯 2家晉身榜首 / 教師聯會抨排名榜毫無價值
2012/02/07 Ming Pao - 2公校滿分上榜破私校壟斷卑詩小學排名 14校並列第一 / 華裔家長更重中學排名
2012/02/07 World Journal - 小學評鑑華裔家長不在意 / 卑詩教聯：FSA不足斷定學校優劣

市議會今研預算案列市擬加稅2.98%

2012-02-06T07:26:00.000-08:00

【明報專訊】列治文市議會定於今日開會討論2012年財政預算案，提出要維持現有程度的市政服務及增加額外服務，共需增加支出481萬元，即需再加稅2.98%，以一間平均屋價為69.27萬元的住宅為例，屋主需較去年多付54.39元。
市府文件顯示，列市2012年的營運預算案(Operating Budget)中，幾大主要增支項目為：營建花園農業公園(The Gardens Agricultural Park)、消防訓練場、Hamilton日託中心、速滑館西水濱公園(Oval West Waterfront Park)以及擴建Terra Nova公園等。
市議會還將同時討論2012年資本支出預算案(Capital Budget)，總額為7,260萬元，其中36%來自列市財政儲備金，30%來自開發成本徵費(Development Cost Charges)，27%來自向屋主徵收的排污供水等雜費，還有7%是聯邦或省府撥款、捐款及其他來源。
列市今年的房屋均價為69.72萬元，以此為例，平均每戶家庭需多繳54.39元地稅。根據資料，市府今年所收每1元稅款，其中有20.1仙用於警察、15.2仙用於消防、6.7仙用於公園維護、5.5仙用於道路維護，其他用途還包括圖書館、社區中心、工程、規劃、排污等等。

烈治文市府鎖定目標嚴打非法出租房

2012-02-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

星島日報報道
溫哥華潘多拉街（Pandora St.）年多前發生非法出租房屋大火，導致三個租客葬身火場，暴露出這類房屋的安全隱患。言猶在耳，烈治文市目前卻出現非法「出租房」出租熱潮。不少獨立屋業主，為增加收入，非法劃出多個臥室，出租給新移民或留學生。烈市府也知道問題的嚴重性，並特別安排調查員，出盡法寶打擊問題房屋，現已鎖定一批目標，逐一設立資料檔案庫，以便追查。除倚賴居民投訴外，烈市府也會主動追查非法出租房，現正鎖定10宗懷疑是出租房個案。

烈治文市府社區附例經理默瑟指出，每宗個案花約2至3個月跟進調查，目前市府有近百個調查員，負責附例及各個相關領域調查，以徹查違反附例的個案，並向違例者發出最高2,000元罰單。默瑟表示，市府每年收到50至60宗與出租房相關的投訴，他們也會搜索本地租房網站及報章廣告，以及進行暗訪。如確認是非法出租房，他們將會在該戶門上貼上調查令（order on the doorway）。如屋主拒絕，市府就向法庭申請手令，必要時會聯同皇家騎警調查。

出事屋主要負刑責
烈治文市府樓宇審批高級經理吳文蛟指出，為了保障租戶安全，市府要求業主無論做任何改建工程，都須事先向樓宇審批部門申報。他說，除常見煙霧感應系統外，市府檢查人員還需確認屋主在改建間格的房間內設有窗戶，妥善連接電線，並且有通暢火警逃生門等安全措施。他指出，若未能達標，市府不會對改建發放許可證，保險公司也會拒絕對該屋投保，出事時屋主便要負擔所有風險損失。

溫哥華市府牌照及稽查部主管約翰斯頓雖未肯透露追查溫哥華出租房的具體數字，但他說，市府約有100個調查員，正積極在各個領域調查違反市府附例的個案。如發現非法出租房，他們將依據市府區域及發展附例（Zoning and Development Bylaw），懲處對房屋進行非法改建人士。根據溫市府區域及發展附例第八章懲處條中指，如違反區域及發展1條附例，視乎不同情況，每人將被罰款250元至2,000元不等。如在收到市府有關違反附例的警告及罰款後再犯，將按日追加50元罰款。

Minister confirms plans to delay retirement age to 67- details will be in budget 長者部長確認計劃推遲退休年齡至67歲

2012-02-03T08:46:00.001-08:00

OTTAWA – Feb. 3, 2012, Alice Wong Minister of State (Seniors), revealed that the government’s plans for reforming the retirement age will be revealed in the 2012 budget.

Ms. Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC GP): Mr. Speaker, we hear there will be reasonable time. I find the message from the government confusing. We are told on one hand that we are panicking needlessly about things the Prime Minister said in Davos. On the other hand, seniors are very concerned and so are people approaching retirement age.When the minister says there will be reasonable time for a phase-in of, for instance, moving the point of earliest receipt of benefits to age 67, how much time does the minister think is reasonable?

Hon. Alice Wong (Richmond, BC Conservative): Mr. Speaker, we are currently working on that and when the budget comes down, the details will be there. (note: This year's budget is expected to be released in March.)

She also said yesterday, "No senior will lose a penny.":
Madam Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Simcoe-Grey, ON (note: Kellie Leitch) I am pleased to have the opportunity to respond to this misleading motion and talk about what our government is doing for Canada's seniors. In my role as minister, I have travelled across Canada meeting many seniors. I have listened to what they consider to be important. Let me be clear. No senior who is receiving benefits today will lose a penny because of the changes we will be proposing. Any changes will be announced with a long notice period and be brought in gradually.

It is unfortunate that members of the opposition are attempting to scare seniors to score cheap political points. This motion falsely attempts to connect deficit reduction with the necessary changes to the OAS (Old Age Security pension). There will be no change to the OAS until well after the budget has been balanced.

I can assure Canada's seniors that the support our government has shown them will continue. We all know someone, a family member, friend or neighbour, who is a senior. We care about their financial future. We want to ensure that the social programs we have come to rely on are sustainable for the next generation.

As someone who was not born here, I can speak from personal experience. Canada is an example to the world when it comes to the care of seniors. We are committed to ensuring seniors have the highest possible quality of life for today and tomorrow. We must ensure the programs and services that give us this quality of life are sustainable for all citizens in the future. Striking this balance is not a choice. It is a necessity. Good choices now mean we will be able to maintain our quality of life today and in the future.

I will take a few minutes to talk about what Canada is doing to help seniors currently. Our government has consistently shown a commitment to helping the most vulnerable seniors across the country, not just with promises but with action.

This summer I was excited to see the new guaranteed income supplement top-up benefit start helping Canada's most vulnerable seniors. This top-up is the biggest increase to the GIS (note: Guaranteed Income Supplement) in 25 years. It represents a $1.5 billion investment over the next five years. This top-up works out to $600 annually for a single senior and $840 for a couple. That is just the latest improvement we have made to the GIS.

We increased the GIS in 2006 and again in 2007, for a total increase of 7% above regular adjustments for inflation. In budget 2008, we increased the GIS earnings exemption from $500 to $3,500, meaning that GIS recipients keep more of their hard-earned money. We also reduced bureaucratic red tape by introducing automatic GIS renewal for seniors who file annual income taxes. Our work does not stop there. There are a number of areas where seniors want action and we are responding.

Seniors want leadership in their communities. In budget 2011, we provided $10 million over two years to increase funding for the new horizons for seniors program. This helps seniors use their leadership, energy and skills to benefit communities across Canada. Everywhere I travel seniors tell me how much they appreciate low taxes, thanks to our government. We have provided over $2.3 billion a year in additional tax relief to seniors through measures such as income splitting and increasing the age credit.

Affordable housing is an important measure to combat senior poverty. We invested $400 million over two years under Canada's economic action plan for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors.

Now more than ever, good health is a concern of seniors. We are supporting positive and active aging through the collaborative age-friendly communities initiative, physical activity tips for older adults and falls prevention initiatives.

Having a voice in decisions is also important to seniors. This is why we created the National Seniors Council in 2007 to provide advice to the federal government on the well-being and quality of life of our seniors.

We proudly established October 1 as National Seniors Day in Canada. On this day, we recognize the significant and on-going contributions seniors make to families, communities, workplaces and society.

I think we can all agree that seniors abuse cannot be tolerated. That is why in budget 2008 we invested $13 million over three years to help seniors and others recognize signs and symptoms of elder abuse and to provide information on available support.

Outcomes matter. The sum of the efforts I have highlighted so far today are resulting in a better Canada, a safer Canada, a Canada that respects seniors and makes them a full partner in the decisions we make as a country. Statistics show we are moving in the right direction.

The low income rate for seniors has declined dramatically from 21% in 1980 to 5% in 2009. The low income rate among seniors in Canada is now one of the lowest rates among member countries of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). That is a record of which we can be proud.

To stay on the right track, we have to plan for the future. That starts with looking at facts, not just opinions, because facts give us a very good picture of what the future will look like, both in terms of opportunities and challenges.

Canada, like many other countries, is facing major demographic challenges because of an aging population. Our aging workforce will present a growing and serious economic challenge for Canada and other developed countries. In Canada the number of seniors will nearly double within two decades.

Among that growing number of seniors, the number of basic OAS pension beneficiaries is also expected to grow, from 4.7 million reported in 2010 to 9.3 million projected by 2030. Population aging involves both current and future generations.

In the future, there will be fewer workers to support higher costs of programs such as the old age security, which is funded from general tax revenues on a “pay-as-you-go basis”. OAS benefits are paid out of the tax revenues collected each year. As the ratio of workers to seniors changes, it will mean less workers have to pay for more benefits.

Currently there are approximately four workers for every retiree. By 2030, that number will have changed to two workers for every retiree. This is why it is critical that we must make changes to the OAS program. As the ratio changes, the cost to the taxpayer of these benefits becomes increasingly high.

The Canada pension plan is a different story. This program does not involve any tax dollars. It is entirely funded through the contributions of employers, employees and the self-employed. These contributions are invested over the life of a worker and grow to cover the cost of their retirement benefits.

The chief actuary recently examined the CPP (Canada Pension Plan) and said that it was sound for the next 75 years. Therefore, it is clear that we need to make changes to the OAS to ensure our retirement security system stays strong and that it is available to for our children and our grandchildren.

I can assure Canadians that we will provide the time required for younger generations to plan for their retirement. Let me reiterate that people currently receiving OAS will not lose a cent.

The NDP is attempting to confuse seniors. The changes we are proposing will happen long after the budget is balanced. This has nothing to do with deficit reduction. Whether it be through lower taxes, increased funding to fight poverty or simply to make our economy stronger, Canada's seniors are the winners.

Because the motion does not reflect the intent of the government and because it is hopelessly misguided, we simply cannot support it. That is why our government will vote against the motion. I encourage all members of the House to do the same.

Related news:
Minister of States (Senior) Letter to CARP
2012/01/31 World Journal - 「老人金」小常識
2012/02/04 Sing Tao - 哈珀：OAS改革未拍板承認擬提高申領年齡 / 黃陳小萍：倘不改革子孫或無OAS
2012/02/15 World Journal - 前央行行長：大刀闊斧改革

Ban large Chinese-only business sign in Richmond? 列治文是否應該限制華語招牌？

2012-01-24T15:41:00.000-08:00

As posted on the ImmigrantsCanada.com
Despite Richmond officials acknowledging that many residents are upset by the large Chinese-only signs being erected in the city, Kerry Starchuk has been consistently stonewalled in her campaign, which consists of letters to the editor and buttonholing politicians, according to Vancouver Sun. Forty-five per cent of the residents of Richmond are ethnic Chinese, the highest rate in the country. The city has hundreds of outdoor signs promoting restaurants, retailers and ser-vices that are either only in Chinese characters, or which dwarf an accompanying English sign and a Richmond woman has been get-ting the bureaucratic brush-off in her efforts to restrict the pre-dominance of Chinese-language signs in her hometown. But there are many reasons to sup-port Starchuk's mission to have the 200,000-resident suburb bring in bylaws that favour English-language signs over foreign-language ones.

一名住在列治文的女子在近月來在市政府抗議，表示市內有越來越多的華語店面商標，而許多新招牌上沒有包括英文。跟據Kerry Starchuk表示，市內只有華語招牌的店面越來越多，而已經引起市內其他居民日漸不滿。但儘管有一些列治文市議員同意Starchuk的立場，目前市政府對她的抱怨沒有任何反應。

以下是太陽報資深社論家，在該問題上做出的討論。
http://taiyangbao.ca/topnews/18358/?variant=zh-hant
http://taiyangbao.ca/topnews/18368/?variant=zh-hant

Related news:
2012/01/13 Vancouver Sun - We all benefit from a common language
2012/01/26 Richmond News - Letter from Dr. Joe Greenhotz - Sign language reflects business
2012/02/01 Richmond News - Letter from Ann Merdinyan - 'Us' vs. 'them' ignores good difference
2012/02/08 Richmond News - Letter from Lawrence Lim - Chinese-only signs to few to count

Oil Free Coast Event, Richmond City Council VAFD update, VAFFC open house

2012-01-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

There are three very important event/meeting next week related to the VAFFC's Fuel Delivery Project including Tankers transport of toxic and flammable jet fuel in Fraser River, a Marine Termial, a 80 million litre storage Tank Farm and 15km long Pipeline cross Richmond city centre:

1. Please visit the information table of VAPOR (Vancouver Airport Pipeline Opposition for Richmond) on :
Sunday, January 22, 2012 1:30-5:00pm
Roundhouse Community Centre,
181 Roundhouse Mews (Davis / Pacific Blvd.)
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W3, Canada

2. Attend the City of Richmond council meeting on :
Monday, January 23, 2012 7:00pm
Richmond City Hall
6911 No.3 Road, Richmond, BC, V6Y 2C1

Consent Agenda Item 7.
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project – Environmental Assessment Update(File Ref. No.) (REDMS No. 3437242) GP-13 See Page GP-13 of the General Purposes agenda for full hardcopy report

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
(1)That having reviewed the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery (VAFD) proposed Highway 99 Addendum pipeline route option, the City reiterate its position by stating that City Council continues to be opposed to the transportation of jet fuel on any arm of the Fraser River;
(2)That the City continue to participate in the EAO and Oil and Gas Commission processes; and
(3)That the City engage with the provincial Ministry of Transportation on the review of issues related to the Highway 99 route proposal.
(4)That letters be sent to Port Metro Vancouver requesting a meeting regarding the dangers related to tanker traffic on the Fraser River as well as the offloading and storage of jet fuel; and
(5)That staff be directed to enable correspondence reflecting citizen opinion, including mail and emails received, to be forwarded to the VAFFC, BCEAO, the Provincial Minister of Environment, and Port Metro Vancouver.

3. Attend the VAFFC OPEN HOUSE on :
Saturday, Jan 28, 2012 10:00am to 2:00pm
East Richmond Community Hall
(Not Cambie Community Centre)
12360 Cambie Road,
Richmond, BC V6V 0A9

Related news:
2012/01/25 Richmond News - Richmond protest group plans rally outside open house

Richmond-Watch.org QR-Code

2012-01-20T14:29:00.000-08:00

Harmony House — Burnaby, British Columbia 卑詩省節能的"和諧屋"

2012-01-20T08:16:00.000-08:00

This Project Overview highlights Harmony House, one of the winning entries in the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) EQuilibriumTM Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative – a national initiative to design, build and demonstrate sustainable homes throughout Canada.1

Key Features:
1. Passive solar heating, grid-connected photovoltaic panels, solar hot water space and domestic hot water heating systems using seasonal heat storage
2. Summer cooling will be provided by a wind and stack driven cooling tower
3. Features such as highly efficient electrical appliance and lighting, and the use of smart metering and controls will allow occupants to minimize electrical energy consumption
4. The project will be built in anestablished community, withmany amenities within walking orcycling distance

Project Description:
Harmony House will be a new, two storey, 325 m2 (3500 sq. ft.) home with a basement and attached garage. Located in an established community in Burnaby, British Columbia, its flexible
design enables 3 complementary functions – that of providing two housing units (a first and second floor unit and a basement in-law suite) and the capability for an in-home office.

The designer, Habitat Design + Consulting Ltd.(HD+C), and the builder, Insightful Healthy Homes Inc., as well as other project team members have been involved in energy-efficient and sustainable building both locally and internationally for many years. For example, HD+C has recently been involved in the design of a net-zero energy housing project in Japan.

For more information on this initiative and the various EQuilibriumTM projects, visit the CMHC website (www.cmhc.ca) http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/su/eqho/. Read more: CMHC- Project Overview

Related news:
2009/08/05 DuShi.ca - 华裔设计“零耗能”房屋本拿比动土贵不贵嘛
2012/01/20 SingTao - 華裔設計卑詩首幢零能耗屋成本雖貴前景佳

RANCIDITY DETECTED IN PRESIDENT'S CHOICE ORGANICS INFANT CEREAL

2012-01-19T14:46:00.000-08:00

OTTAWA, January 18, 2012 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Limited are warning the public not to consume President's Choice Organics infant cereals described below because these products may have an unpleasant rancid odour, or taste. Loblaw Companies Limited is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.

Please click on the hyperlink to check the product names and photos. http://inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2012/20120118e.shtml#photos

Related News:
2010/01/19 CBC news - Rancid baby food from President's Choice recalled

Reject VAFFC's proposed Marine Terminal and Tankers in the Fraser River!! 反對建議的菲沙河飛機燃油海運碼頭和運油輪

2012-01-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

Environmental Assessment Office COMMENT PERIOD!!
The EAO will be accepting comments from January 11, to Feb 1, 2012 on Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC) addendum to change the pipeline route from residential neighborhoods to Hwy 99 right of way, but does nothing to address significant safety and environmental concerns posed by transportation and storage of TOXIC and FLAMMABLE jet fuel 15km upstream on the Fraser River. View the addendum here.

The comment form link can be found at Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project Comment form.

Oppose this proposal by attending VAFFC OPEN HOUSE: Jan 28, 2012 10:00am to 2:00pm
East Richmond Community Hall, 12360 Cambie Road, Richmond BC
(Not Cambie Community Centre)

It is also very important to send your comments and opinions to Local, Province and Federal representatives below are a few suggested e-mail contacts:
• BC Minister of environment - Hon. Dr. Terry Lake
• BC Premier - Hon. Christy Clark
• Richmond East MLA - Hon. Linda Reid
• Delta MLA - Hon. Vicki Huntington
• Federal Minister of the Environment - Hon. Peter Kent
• Federal Minister of the DFO - Hon. Keith Ashfield

The comment are available at

http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/pcp/comments/VAFD_Comments.html

until 15 Feb and then will be posted in the Project Information Centre.

http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epic_home.html

http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epic_project_home_346.html

Previous public pre-application comments are here:

http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epic_project_doc_list_346_p_pub.html

Public application comments are here:

http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/html/deploy/epic_project_doc_list_346_r_pub.htmlBC

省環境評估辦公室(EAO)的評議期！！
EAO將從2012年1月11日到2月1日接受市民對VAFFC最近提交增編的意見，改變了輸油管路線從民居遷往99高速公路，但並沒有解決位於菲沙河口15公里上游的有毒和易燃的飛機燃油海上運輸, 卸油和儲存的重大安全和環境問題。請點擊這裡審查增編。

意見評論表格鏈接 : 溫哥華機場的燃料輸送項目意見表。

反對這項建議請參加VAFFC的開放日：2012年1月28日(星期六)，上午10:00至下午2:00 ，東列治文社區會堂(列治文甘比路12360號，靠近5號路)

發送您的意見往市議會，省議會和聯邦國會議員也是非常重要，以下是幾個建議的電子郵件：
• BC省環境部長 - Hon. Terry Lake (萊克)
• BC省長 - Hon. Christy Clark (簡蕙芝)
• 列治文東區省議員 - Hon. Linda Reid (烈勵達)
• 三角洲省議員 - Hon. Vicki Huntington
• 聯邦環境部長 - Hon. Peter Kent
• 聯邦魚類和海洋部部長 - Hon. Keith Ashfield

Related links and news:

VAPOR Website http://www.vaporbc.com/

VAPOR And the Critique of VAFFC Jet Fuel Proposal http://youtube/yh9X55aeOaA

VAPOR Press Release http://carolday.net/?p=618

VAPOR Media Backgrounder http://carolday.net/?p=612

City of Vancouver - Special Council Meeting - Oil Tanker Safety
2009/02/23 Richmond Watch - Proposed Airport Fuel Delivery System 機場燃油輸送系統
2010/04/03 Richmond Watch - Environmental Assessment of the Proposed Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project
2011/05/31 Richmond Watch - Stop the proposed VAFFC's Marine Terminal and Pipeline! 終止溫哥華機場燃油運送進入任何菲沙河和河口範圍、建造卸油碼頭和燃油儲存設施

2012/01/05 Richmond Review - Group now prefers highway route for airport fuel pipeline
2012/01/09 SingTao - 溫機場油管計劃修訂團體質疑財團放煙幕
2012/01/10 Richmond News - Protest group vow to continue fight despite Richmond pipeline route change
2012/01/11 Richmond Reviews - City powerless in pipeline proposal, says expert
2012/01/12 Richmond Reviews - Letter from Carol Day - Encourage options other than proposed pipeline
2012/01/13 Richmond News - Protesters question objectivity of Richmond pipeline review
2012/01/13 Richmond Review - Letter from J.E.Williams - Shame on pipeline proponent
2012/01/17 Richmond Review - Gap widens between Richmond fuel pipeline opposing parties
2012/01/17 South Delta Leader - Revised pipeline plan 'unacceptable,' says Tsawwassen opponent
2012/01/17 Richmond News - Letter from Carol Day - Voice your pipeline thoughts
2012/01/18 Richmond News - City of Richmond changes course to attack jet fuel tanker traffic
2012/01/18 Richmond Review - City demands meeting with port over jet fuel proposal
2012/01/18 MetroVanWatch - Jet fuel pipeline and tank proposal for YVR airport a critical Metro Vancouver regional issue
2012/01/19 Richmond Review - Letter from John Roston - Alternatives to jet fuel tankers on the Fraser River

2012/01/20 Richmond News - Letter from John Roston - Upgrading pipeline works

2012/01/24 Richmond Review - Jet fuel opponents plan to rally at open house
2012/01/25 Optimist - Port commissions tanker risk study
2012/01/25 Richmond News - Richmond protest group plans rally outside open house
2012/01/25 Straight - Richmond residents oppose proposed jet-fuel facility on Fraser River
2012/01/26 Vancouver Sun - Richmond jet fuel protest group plans rally outside open house
2012/01/27 Richmond News - Pipeline protest planned

2012/01/27 Richmond Review - Letter from Barbara Huisman - Let your views be known on the jet fuel pipeline proposal

2012/01/28 The Province - No jet-fuel pipeline through Richmond, mayor vows amid

2012/01/28 CBC News - Opponents protest Richmond jet fuel pipeline

2012/01/29 Ming Pao - 列市建油管至機場環團抗議馬保定現身支持期重新規劃
2012/01/29 Sing Tao - 機場油管諮詢再招抗議
2012/01/29 World Journal - 機場輸油管公眾諮詢正反方互槓
2012/02/02 Delta Optimist - Public comment on jet fuel proposal closed
2012/02/03 Delta Optimist - Deadline passes as concerns persist over jet fuel project
2012/02/05 Garden City Lands Blog - VAFFC jet fuel vs Ministries of Environment

Public comment period regarding the Highway 99 Pipeline Route Addendum for the proposed Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project up to February 1, 2012

2012-01-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

New alternative pipeline route (blue line) runs along Highway 99 to YVR,
differing from the previous route (yellow lines) run through residential areas of the city.

New Fuel Develivery Options dated December 16, 2011

溫哥華機場輸油管公眾徵詢期到2012年2月1日，市民可以到省政府的網站上發表評論（請點擊這裡張貼意見）。

Original options #1 to #14 proposed in 2009

Gap widens between Richmond fuel pipeline opposing parties
By Alan Campbell, Richmond News January 16, 2012

One might hope paying for an independent study as an “act of goodwill” would pull an organization closer to the group who challenges it most.

Not so in the case of the VAFFC versus VAPOR, two bodies which are now further apart than ever before.

VAFFC — a consortium of airlines which wants to control its own fuel supply by barging jet fuel up the south arm of the Fraser River, off-loading into storage tanks at a marine terminal and then piping it through Richmond to YVR — commissioned what it calls an “independent, third party” study of its preferred plan and three other options, alternatives which it says were put forth over the years by the City of Richmond and the public.

VAPOR — a grass-roots protest group born in Richmond to campaign against the consortium’s plan for environmental reasons — rubbished the so-called independent review, mainly because the study didn’t include its favoured option of running a fuel pipe all the way from a refinery in Cherry Point, Washington State to the airport (original option #8).

The study, carried out by marine and environmental specialist engineers Golder Associates and Ausenco-Sandwell, favoured the consortium’s plan. As well as VAFFC’s marine terminal and tank farm plan at Fraser River South Arm (new option #1 = original option #6).
The other three new options studied were:
An offshore terminal to North Arm (single point mooring via Iona Jetty option #2A = original option #12, spead mooring across Wreck Beach option #2B = original option #13, new fixed offshosre terminal across Wreck Beach option #2C = original option #14);
An upgrade of the existing pipeline from Burnaby (new option 3 = original option #3);
Barge to north arm option #4.

The public can comment VAFFC's addendum for the route of the pipeline on the BCEAO’s website until Feb. 1, 2012. (Please click here for the posted comments.)

Read more on Richmond News
Read more on Richmond Watch

Funnel Cloud over Richmond yesterday 昨日列治文發現漏斗雲

2012-01-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

Read more on Richmond Review : Saturday's funnel cloud over Richmond captured on YouTube video

BC Education Plan 卑斯省教育計劃

2012-01-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

Why is education changing in B.C.?
How is education changing?
Why change now?
What can I do?

Download BC Education Plan PDF http://www.bcedplan.ca/assets/pdf/bc_edu_plan.pdf

買屋和驗屋相關的專業團隊及可能遇到的問題

2012-01-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

卑斯省民都知道，買屋首先要找專業的房屋經紀代表向屋主議價，再找銀行貸款，然後請驗屋師檢驗房屋，最後交由律師或公證人處理土地房屋契約，就等待約定的日期收樓搬家。真是這麼簡單嗎？
假如事事順𣈱，買房屋真是可以如此簡單，但是很多時候都會有意外事件發生的，若事前少做功課，必然招致不愉快和時間金錢損失。所以應該花點時間做功課，捜集資料、閱讀有關文件、組合你的專業可靠團隊，助你解決所有可能面對的困難：

一、驗證你的專業團隊是否足以信賴；除了親友的口碑，亦可上網查詢。

1、首先查閱商業信譽局 (Better Business Bureau, BBB) 的評級與投訴記錄 http://mbc.bbb.org/Find-Business-Reviews 若在過去三年都沒有投訴記錄、並取得A+評級的最為可靠。非BBB會員(not BBB Accredited)的投訴記錄是不能抹掉的，但付費會員則可以在調解後清除投訴資料。
2、realtor.ca 驗證註冊房地產經紀名單 / 經紀的紀律處分記錄 rate-my-agent.com 比較客戶評分
3、apeg.bc.ca 驗證專業工程師 / 專業工程師的紀律處分記錄
asttbc.org 驗證註冊工程技師與技術員
上述工程人員再加上相關的專業訓練，便可以檢驗商業物業。
4、bcipi.net 驗證註冊商業物業驗屋師
5、consumerprotectionbc.ca 驗證註冊住宅驗屋師的牌照 / 住宅驗屋師的紀律處分記錄
領有執照的住宅驗屋師都有一個5位數字的牌照編號，一般是4萬或5萬號，雖然這些編號不分先後，但4字頭的驗屋師是2009年3月31日之前巳經執業的，而5字頭則是2009年之後才申請牌照的新入職驗屋師。
6、rcabc.org 驗證屋頂承建商會員名單 / 屋頂檢查公司名單
7、csapsociety.bc.com 驗證環境評估顧問
env.gov.bc.ca Roster of Approved Professionals
8、www.aicanada.ca 驗證物業估價師(Appraiser)
9、abcls.ca 驗證土地測量師(Land Surveyor)
10、gov.bc.ca/env/ 驗證合資格的河畔環評顧問
RAR Qualified Environmental Professional, QEP may be a professional Biologist, Agrologist, Forester, Geoscientist, Engineer, or Technologist:
專業生物學家(Registered Professional Biologist, RPBio) professionalbiology.com
專業農業學家(Professional Agrologist, PAg) bcia.com
註冊林務人員(Registered Professional Forester, RPF) abcfp.ca
專業地質學家(Professional Geoscientist, PGeo)
專業工程師(Professional Engineer, PEng)
註冊工程技師(Applied Scient Technologist, AScT)
11、owrp.asttbc.org 驗證註冊廢水處理從業員(Registered Onsite Wastewater Practioners, ROWP)
12、lawsociety.bc.ca 驗證律師 / 律師的投訴及紀律記錄
13、notaries.bc.ca 驗證法律公證人 / 法律公證人的投訴記錄

二、你心儀的房屋若是屬於商業物業，買賣程序會大大不同。

1、買賣商業物業程序與住宅物業有很大分別的，原則上商業物業由商業物業經紀負責，但事實上有很多商業與住宅混淆的例子。
2、一般通過房地產銷售網絡 (Multiple Listing Service, MLS) 登錄在 Realtor.ca 上的是住宅，登在ICX.ca或CLSLink.ca上的是商業物業，但經常發現巳轉為商業地段的獨立屋仍然以住宅單位出售；或獨立屋己改建為超過四個住宅單位的出租公寓，要求住宅驗屋師驗屋，事實上法例規定住宅驗屋師只可以檢驗包含四個或以下住宅單位的獨立屋。
3、所有商業物業，包括出租公寓、商鋪、貨倉、辦公室、工廠、酒店等等，都需要作物業狀況評估(Property Condition Assessments, PCA) 一般稱為 Commercial Inspection，美加兩國都遵循同一ASTM-E2018標準。
4、假如你打算購買的物業被歸類為商業物業，就必須向業主索取環境評估報告(Environmental Site Assessment, ESA)。隣近油站、工廠、洗衣店、地勢低窪和有地下儲油缸的地段，都可能受到汚染。若業主未能提供環評報告，就必須自行聘請專業的環境評估顧問，因調查需時，必須儘早安排避免錯過合約時間。

三、儘早詳細閱讀賣方提供及向巿政府索取的有關文件；若有需要立刻向賣方查詢並咨詢專業意見。

1、出售物業的價格多由屋主和經紀人自定，或根據省政府的物業估價單或巿政府的地稅單作為參考資料。但準確的物業價值必須由專業的物業估價師評估，若申請銀行貸款，銀行便會交由估價師評估售價是否合理。若毋須貸款，買家亦要自行聘請估價師，以防買貴屋。
2、若購買共管式公寓和鎮屋，管理公司會發出共管規章(公契 Strata Bylaws) 、最近兩年的業主法團會議紀錄(Strata minutes)、Form B 和工程檢驗顧問報告(Engineering Report) 等文件副本，由於閱讀需時，務必儘早取得所有文件。若工程顧問報告內建議的大樓維修仍未完成，不論年份多久，亦應提供副本給買家參考。
3、到巿政府網站查看地理資訊系統資料(GIS)，包括地段內供水排水系統與通道權(Right of Way) ，附近社區服務設施、古蹟䢖築、農業保留地、環保地段、河畔管理區、機場噪音影響區、以至社區犯罪率等等。Richmond GIS / Vancouver GIS Map / Burnaby GIS Map / Delta Map /
4、向屋主取得授權書，便可親自到巿政府牌照部檢視房屋地段的有關文件檔案，包括建築設計圖，以了解建築面積、城市規劃用途、是否有非法僭建、未完成的許可證、大麻屋及冰毒工場等。並可以查詢是否有危險山坡、地下河道、擋土牆及山坡業權誰屬、可否擴建以及未來地區發展等等。
5、到皇家騎警的網站 RCMP List of Marihuana Grow Op 查看大麻屋和毒品屋資料 www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/drugs-drogues/mgi-ircm/bc-eng.htm

四、預先處理與生態環境和公衆健康有關的問題：避免日後罰款和訴訟。

1、水質檢驗 (Water Test) ：在近郊地區房屋可能欠缺自來水供應，必須使用井水或溪水，務必要求水質檢驗，以符合加拿大飲用水標準。可以委托顧問工程師處理，或自行抽取水様本，並直接交由水質化驗所試驗，化驗所會提供相關技術說明、經消毒的樣本瓶及冷藏箱、和現埸檢驗器材。
2、排汚系統：部份近郊房屋亦可能缺乏排汚系統(Onsite Wastewater System formerly known as Septic system)，只可以在後園使用化糞池或先進現代科技處理汚水。自2005年開始，戶主必須聘用專家定期1-2年檢驗汚水處理系統，每2-3 年聘請專門清潔公司清理固體沉積物。
3、若房屋地段座落於河溪十五公尺範圍內河畔管理區(Riparian Management Areas, RAR)，則必須要符合河畔管理區法例，防止汚染河道和影響魚類生態，有關條款可到巿政府網站查詢。
4、若房屋地段座落於生態保護區(Environmentally Sensitive Area, ESA) 及農地保留區(Agricultural Land Reserve, ALR) 內，則必須聘用專家顧問提供土地使用申請書。
5、由於社區發展，大溫哥華有很多河溪被填埋或隱藏於下水道，若房屋座落於這些地下河道 (Lost Streams) 上，不但建築有限制，亦容易引致地䧟和地庫滲水，可到 http://hss.library.ubc.ca/gis-services/oldstreams/ 查看地圖。

五、全新建築應該注意合約事項：包括保養與驗屋條款在內。

1、若購買全新房屋或是舊屋重建，都必須要求承建商提供2-5-10新屋保證計劃(New Home Warranty Program) www.hpo.bc.ca/home-warranty，可以到屋主保障局（Homeowner Protection Office HPO）査看新屋登記冊。http://www.hpo.bc.ca/new-homes-registry
2、任何人都可以親自動手建造自己家園，但自2007年開始，屋主親自建造房屋必須標簽為Owner-built homes，在頭一年不能出售，在頭十年內轉售時必須簽署 Owner Builder Disclosure Notice，在2007年11月19日後興建房屋的戶主，必須提供與2-5-10新屋保證計劃相同的保養，頭兩年保養工料全包、五年屋頂外牆保養和十年結構保養。由於不是持有執照的承建商建造，所以日後出售可能較為困難。詳情可到HPO網站查詢。http://www.hpo.bc.ca/homeowners#ob_homes
3、與承建商簽署合約前，必須聘請律師審閱內容。付款期、建築項目單價、過期罰款、由執照驗屋師驗收等條款都必須加入合約內。
4、若是購買由發展商出售的公寓和鎭屋，在完工後會安排買家作交樓前驗收，稱為交樓前檢驗（PreDelivery Inspection, PDI) ，發展商一般都不會反對買家聘請驗屋師陪同進行PDI，但必須在指定的一小時內完成。
5、任何業主同意的維修，都必須在付款前修復，以免在搬家之後進行維修工程。

六、搬進舊房屋前必須進行驗收、安全檢驗與裝修事項，以保障你的健康與生命安全。

1、即日驗收：完成買賣交收手續取得鎖匙後，必須立刻視察天花板及牆壁一遍，並開啟所有冷熱水喉及家電，看看有沒有漏水或損壞。如有問題，請即日通知經紀向屋主報告並要求修復。
2、屋頂年檢：每年一次由合資格屋頂技工或屋頂檢查公司檢查屋頂，若屋主去年沒有檢驗屋頂，則必須由買家立刻自行付費檢驗，以確保屋頂防水。
3、安全檢驗：必須在搬家之前由執照消防公司檢驗消防系統、由執照保安公司檢驗警鐘、電話、電視、對話系統和上網綫路等，以確保安全。
4、冷暖氣及通風系統(Heat Recovery Ventilator, HRV) 年檢：若屋主去年沒有聘請有牌照技工檢查冷暖氣及通風系統，則必須由買家立刻自行付費檢驗，及更換空氣過濾網。若氣溫低於15C，切勿啟動冷氣空調系統。
5、地庫若有抽水系統，則必須接駁至警鐘系統，並加裝儲電池操作的後備水泵。
6、購買房屋保險：所有獨立屋、鎭屋與共管公寓都要購買保險，並必須包括水險。
7、申請裝修許可證：當所有收屋手續辦妥後，新屋主都會稍微修改房屋、重新粉刷一新、或大興土木拆舊重建。無論或大或小工程都必須到巿政府牌照部申請工程許可證，若要避免新舊材料中可能散發出有毒物質影響工作人員健康，請向工作安全局查詢許可證的申請程序。
8、若考慮建新屋或拆掉舊屋重建，必須消除地下油缸，清理可能被汚染泥土和試驗所有可能含有致癌和有毒物質的建築物料。

事實上，購買房屋是一項繁瑣工程，就算做足功課、並擁有專業可靠的夢幻團隊，亦不能保證萬無一失，祝君好運。

Related news:
2011/09/13 Vancouver Sun - Gas leak contaminates Kerrisdale properties
2011/09/15 Vancouver Sun - Shell must get innovative to clean up gas station leak: ministry

Snow Geese(雪鵝) in Richmond, Dunlin(黑腹濱鷸) & Snowy Owl(雪鴞) in Boundary Bay

2012-01-02T07:27:00.000-08:00

This is the season of migratory birds! 這是候鳥遷徙的季節！

Happy New Year 2012 新年快樂

2011-12-31T09:07:00.000-08:00

Say No to BC Hydro's Wireless Smart Meters 反智能電表：要求卑詩省政府停止強迫安裝無線智能電錶

2011-12-28T23:20:00.000-08:00

LEGAL ACTION: A complaint has been filed under Section 47 of the Utilities Commission Act requesting an injunctive freeze on the wireless component of the Smart Meter Program without delay. This action is being taken to engage the Commissio...n’s administrative function as a regulator of BC Hydro in accordance with the rule of law; only by operation of the rule of law can the public interest in health, security, privacy and safety be factored into Smart Meter Program decisions.

Up until now, the Commission as a regulator has been left out and, with that, any consideration of the public interest has been eliminated from BC Hydro's decision. The action taken is about preserving the regulatory oversight and democratic process we uphold under the rule of law in British Columbia. BC Hydro cannot be allowed to act with impunity, without regard to the public interest, on a matter that raises serious concerns with respect to human health, environmental integrity, individual privacy and civil liberties.

The Clean Energy Act purports to excuse BC Hydro from having to obtain a BCUC issued Certificate of "public convenience and necessity" but not with respect to the wireless and snooping components of the Smart Meter Program. The Commission is requested to issue relief on an urgent and interim basis, without hearing and without delay, so as to effectively freeze any and all activity being carried out by BC Hydro in contravention of section 45(1) of the Utilities Commission Act. Any delay in the issuance of the relief sought will allow BC Hydro to continue with unauthorized expenditures associated with the Unauthorized Extensions. This Action is taken to preserve and give weight to the public interest with regard to the deployment of the Smart Meter Program in British Columbia.

法律行動：安全科技公民協會（Citizens for Safe Technology）已通過律師入禀卑詩省公共事務委員會要求立令卑詩水電公司停止安裝無線智能電錶，直至公共事務委員會能詳細調查智能電錶對公眾之安全和私隱構成的威脅。
已經向卑詩人權審裁處（BC Human Rights Tribunal）提出投訴，要求容許對智能電錶有顧慮的省民，有權選擇不安裝。

卑詩水電公司“智能電表”的問題 : 無監管。無測試。無諮詢。無選擇。侵犯私隱。勞民傷財。電磁輻射。

你可作甚麼行動？
• 21個成市的市議會（包括域多利和蘭尼市）及卑詩城鎮聯會全已正式通過決議，要求省政府停止安裝這些無線智能電錶。
• 列治文市政府仍在考慮。請寫信給本市之市長和市議員，告訴他們你的反對。電郵是mayorandCouncillors@richmond.ca
• 敬請傳遞此消息給閣下的朋友和電郵列内人仕，印發此傳單，在Facebook發訊，或寫信給傳媒。
• 到CitizensforSafeTechnology.org 簽請願書（Petition) 並邀請朋友簽署。Citizens for Safe Technology 會將請願書遞給政府。
• 卑詩水電公司認爲如你不提出反對、就當作你同意。
• 所以，如你不想安裝無線智能電表，可發這封信：http://tinyurl.com/3brf8up 若想證明他們已收到，就將信件複印，用掛號信寄予卑詩水電公司，並保留發票。再將信複印多一份，放在電表上，旁邊加上一個"NO TRESPASS"牌。（如信用墨水印，切記放於透明膠袋内以防水）
• 如水電公司已更換你的電表，可發這封信：http://tinyurl.com/43t4gal 要求他們拆除新的無線電表並裝回舊的或有線的電表。
• 套用信函、最新消息和科研報告可於CitizensforSafeTechnology.org 和StopSmartMetersBC.ca 網站詳閱。
• 一項類似HST回召行動的倡議正在展開，停止在卑詩省強制安裝智能電錶，在幾星期內將進一步公佈。請留意！
• 在安省、加州及Maine州，因公眾強烈反對，電力公司已讓步容許客戶選擇。請努力，我們也可做到的！

Related links & news:
Facebook - 反智能電表：要求卑詩省政府停止強迫安裝無線智能電錶
2011/09/14 Richmond Review - EDITORIAL: More oversight needed on smart meters
2011/10/12 Richmond News - Anti-Smart Meter drive picks up pace
2011/10/13 World Journal - 民間發起連署拒裝智能電表
2011/10/13 Sing Tao - 有省民籲公決智能電錶涉違安全及私隱欠諮詢2011/10/13 Richmond News - City of Richmond wants to dig deeper before calling for smart meter stall
2011/10/14 Richmond Review - EDITORIAL: Smart meter saga is like vaccines and cigarettes
2011/10/14 Richmond Review - Smart meters: Are they safe?
2011/10/14 Richmond News - Does Clark have a smart meter?
2011/10/19 Ming Pao - 卑詩水電回應抗議不強制裝智能電表
2011/10/20 World Journal - 卑詩智能電表住戶有權拒裝
2011/11/08 Richmond Review - Stop smart meter program, says City of Richmond
2011/11/18 Richmond Review - Richmond passes resolution on smart meters
2011/12/20 Ming Pao - 專員14建議促智能電表護隱私
2012/01/24 County of Santa Cruz - Temporily Moratorium of Installation of Smart Meters
2012/01/27 Sing Tao - 憂損健康向人權審裁處投訴團體爭取免裝智能電錶
2012/02/10 - World Journal - 民眾鎖電表拒換新智能

Happy Birthday Jesus 耶穌生日快樂

2011-12-24T07:16:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS - Lyrics

Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday Dear Jesus
Happy Birthday To You.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm So Glad Its Christmas
All The Tinsel And Lights
And The Presents Are Nice
But The Real Gift Is You.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm So Glad Its Christmas
All The Carols and Bells
Make The Holiday Swell
And it's All About You
Happy Birthday Jesus
Jesus I Love You!

This is a day of giving 這是個施予的日子

2011-12-24T07:09:00.000-08:00

12/23/2011 at 11:37 am by KPOST

聖誕節對不少人來說，是個購物的日子，不過聖誕節其實更應該是個施予的日子。

一份由 Innovative Research Group 所做有關加拿大人慈善捐獻的調查報告顯示，原來影響著國民捐獻多少有兩個好重要的因素，這兩個因素都跟入息多少沒有什麼關係，反而是一些更深刻的層面。

第一個影響著捐獻多少的重要因素，是對人普遍的信任程度。報告指，在過去一年作出超過$500捐獻的受訪者當中，超過70%認為社會上「大部份人都是可信任的」。在完全沒有作出捐獻的受訪者當中，只有少於35%認為「大部份人都是可信任的」。從另一角度去提問，在完全沒有作出捐獻的受訪者當中，45%強烈認為慈善機構是將善款浪費在行政開支上，相對有大筆捐獻的受訪者，只有23%有同樣的看法。

其實一個慈善機構花多少在行政開支上才算合理，其實不易界定。誓如今朝早在非洲某小國發生強烈地震，某慈善機構明天一早就有資源送到災區，當中迅速的安排，由救援物資的儲存、到運送、到人手和儀器的配套，必定要有一個完善的行政運作系統，否則救援工作根本無可能即時到位。哪用在行政上的開支是浪費抑或是必需的呢？對人普遍的信任程度低的人士，大概會認為是浪費，進而對該慈善機構產生某種陰謀論，進而大條道理拒絕作出捐獻。而對人普遍的信任程度高的，大概會選擇欣賞該慈善機構的工作果效，信任機構負責人基本上會誠實地使用善款，進而更慷慨解開善囊去幫助有需要的人。慈善機構固然有責任去建立可信的形象，捐獻者亦要在對人的信任程度作出調整，讓有需要的人得到切實的幫助。

調查報告又顯示，第二個影響著捐獻多少的重要因素，是宗教信仰。報告指，作出超過$500捐獻的受訪者當中，46%指捐獻幫助他人是信仰中重要的一部份。而按全國的平均數字，亦有超過30%指宗教信仰是推動他們捐獻的一個重要部份。報告的分析員表示，雖然加拿大已不再是一個宗教氣氛濃厚的國家，但宗教信仰在慈惠工作上的重要性卻超過一般人所想像。

宗教信仰對慈惠工作的影響可以有多個層面，以我個人的領受，信仰其中一個有力的地方，是讓人的眼光從自己的身上放眼向外望，望見世界，望見他人的需要。既然聖誕節是慶祝耶穌的降生，就以耶穌為例。例如耶穌教導他的門徒「要盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力愛主 ─ 你的神，又要愛人如己。」一個忠於基督信仰的人，對神的敬畏是會反映在對他人的關愛上，兩者是緊扣在一起的。正如荷蘭前總理兼神學家的 Abraham Kuyper 所解釋，愛的源頭是神，如果你對神的愛是強烈而真誠的話，這份愛就會自然地湧流到別人的身上。主耶穌的門徒就是因為明白到神的愛和恩典，以致能夠有一份不問回報，傾力照顧有需要的人的心志。能夠造到不以自我為中心，自然就能放眼別人。

說聖誕節其實更應該是個施予的日子，是因為這個節日所記念的，是一個教導人捨己施予的主。所以在聖誕期間，鼓勵大家不要只是著眼於自己想擁有什麼，而是放眼世界上有需的人。大家都知道近年經濟不景，社會上有更多人需要援助，慈善機構更需要資源去幫助有缺乏的人。大家不妨本著聖誕的精神，在慈惠工作上有份。

Martin’s Ten Rules of Roof Design 屋頂設計規則

2011-12-21T06:19:00.000-08:00

Change slope angle is not a good roof shape

For the best performance, build a simple roof shape over a vented unconditioned attic

Lots of things can go wrong with roofs: bad flashing can cause leaks, a poorly designed valley can turn into a slow-moving glacier, and misplaced gutters can do more harm than good. Experienced roofers see a lot of stupid roofs.

Martin Holladay has strong opinions about roofs. Without apology, He hereby present his opinions.

1. Avoid valleys
2. Just say no to dormers and skylights
3. An unconditioned vented attic is better than an insulated roof
4. The best roof shape is a simple gable or hipped roof
5. Don’t reduce the slope of your roof halfway between the ridge and the eave
6. Asphalt felt makes more sense than synthetic roofing underlayment
7. Plumbing vent pipes should penetrate the roof near the ridge
8. Choose metal roofing or asphalt shingles
9. Get flashing details right
10. Anticipate ice dams
Read more: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/martin-s-ten-rules-roof-design

We Say Merry Christmas 聖誕快樂

2011-12-17T07:10:00.000-08:00

Related News:
2011/12/16 Richmond News - Where's the Christmas cheer? - letter by Oscar Hoo

Smart Meter fire in Canada 加拿大的智能電錶火警

2011-12-07T09:06:00.001-08:00

New Smart Meter fire in Nanaimo, BC

Related news:
2010/10/04 Toronto Sun - Pickering smart meter explodes

Be a Snow Angel and Good Neighbour 列市招募「雪中天使」和「好鄰居」

2011-11-28T06:22:00.000-08:00

As the winter months approach, the City of Richmond is asking volunteer organizations to become Snow Angels. Heavy winter snowfall can cause several problems for some Richmond residents – elderly citizens, and persons with illnesses and disabilities. Richmond’s Snow Angels offer voluntary assistance with tasks such as snow removal, and pickup and delivery of medication and groceries.

The Snow Angels program is activated during major snowfall events. This is defined as 48 hours of continuous snowfall and a minimum of 15 centimetres of snow.

Registering to be a Snow Angel organization is easy; simply contact the City’s Parks Programs Coordinator at 604-244-1250 or email pbrar@richmond.ca.

Residents needing assistance can access the Snow Angels registry in several ways during a major snowfall - calling Richmond City Hall at 604-276-4000, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department at 604-244-1208, or their local community centre. The registry can also be accessed online at www.richmond.ca/winter.

In addition to the Snow Angels program, the City of Richmond’s Be a Good Neighbour campaign encourages all able-bodied residents to clear the walkways in front of their homes, then help others who can’t. There’s no registry to join or dispatch to call; all one has to do is adopt the sidewalk, driveway and/or walkway of an elderly person or other neighbour who may need help this winter and keep their areas clear of snow, or ask if you can lend a hand in some other way.

For more information on winter weather preparedness for you and the City of Richmond, please visit www.richmond.ca/winter.

為協助冬天雪季受困於家中的獨居長者和殘障人士，列治文市政府即日起招募「雪中天使」義工（Snow Angel），協助需要的社區人士鏟雪、領藥及購買日用品等。

列治文第三年進行雪中天使計劃，當連續降雪超過48小時，積雪達15公分，獨居老人或是行動不便的殘障人士即可打電話到專線求助。
申請擔任雪中天使：604-244-1250。
需要雪中天使服務：604-276-4000、604-244-1208。

列治文同時推動「好鄰居」（Be a Good Neighbour）計劃，呼籲體能上有能力幫助人的市民，在清除自家門前車道和人行道上的積雪後，協助隔壁長者或行動不便的鄰居，在冬季有一個清爽而安全的車道和人行道。
Read more: 世界新聞網-北美華人社區新聞 - 列市招募「雪天使義工」

MLA Vicki Huntington takes jet fuel petition to Victoria 反對溫哥華機場輸油管請願書呈遞省議會

2011-11-23T20:02:00.000-08:00

South Delta Leader reported on Noverber 22, 2011
Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington on Monday (Nov. 21) presented to the B.C. Legislature a more than 5,000-signature petition opposing a proposed jet fuel delivery project in the Fraser River estuary.

"The petition voices significant concerns about the ecological and human impacts of future spills or disasters and includes a letter from Environment Canada with the formal advice that the project poses a risk ... to the Fraser estuary and its wildlife that is quite simply too great," Huntington told her fellow MLAs.

The 5,000-plus signatures were collected by VAPOR (Vancouver Airport Pipeline Opposition for Richmond), a residents' group opposed to the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation's (VAFFC) proposal to meet demands for fuelling current and increased air traffic through Vancouver International Airport.

The proposed project consists of barges or oil tankers loaded with jet fuel docking at an offloading facility and fuel tank farm in Richmond on the South Arm of the Fraser River. A pipeline from the facility would then channel fuel across Richmond to the airport.

Last week, VAPOR members stopped in at Huntington's Ladner constituency office to drop off three thick binders full of signed petitions and supporting documents.

VAPOR chair and Richmond resident Carol Day said the group submitted the petitions to Huntington after striking out with their hometown MLAs.

"We've had no support from (Richmond-Steveston MLA) John Yap or (Richmond Centre MLA) Rob Howard," said Day, noting both politicians told her they are awaiting the results of an environmental assessment before passing judgement on the project.

"That's just not good enough. That's not acceptable to us whatsoever, so we are just thrilled that Vicki (Huntington) was willing to move forward with this for us and keep it in the public eye."

Day said Richmond East MLA Linda Reid has been supportive of their cause but, as Deputy Speaker, declined to present the petition.

VAPOR member Otto Langer said he is pleased the signatures made it to Victoria "through the back door" after B.C. Minister of Environment Terry Lake refused to meet with the group.

"He said he wants to be unbiased and if he met with us, we might bias his thinking," Langer said.

VAPOR is not against an expanded fuel delivery system to YVR, but is hoping the VAFFC will consider alternatives—like upgrading the existing pipeline between the airport and the Chevron refinery in Burnaby, or constructing a new 70-kilometre pipeline to the Cherry Point refinery in Washington State.

"We're saying pipelines are the safest. Get the fuel out of the ocean, definitely don't allow the fuel into the estuary of the river. Put it in a pipeline and you can get rid of your trucks and you won't have to ship any more fuel into Burrard Inlet, which is really hazardous," said Langer. "Pipelines do break, but the incidence of them breaking are much, much less than railways flipping over into rivers and smashing up or ship spills."

Richmond City Council in the spring passed a motion confirming its opposition to any new jet fuel pipeline across Richmond. But Delta council has yet to take a definitive stance.

"We hope to get them to take a stronger position," Langer said.

As Huntington thumbed through the thick stacks of petitions last week, she said the situation is another indication that the government doesn't understand the value of the estuary.

"At what point do the governments begin to understand that there is a duty to protect human and wildlife values?" she asked.

VAPOR has already submitted a copy of the petitions to Fin Donnelly , MP for New Westminster-Coquitlam and Port Moody. The group is hoping for a federal environmental assessment of the project.

"This isn't just a Richmond issue, this is a global issue," said Day.

2011 Richmond Local Election Results 列治文市選結果

2011-11-20T08:34:00.000-08:00

Office of Mayor
Malcolm BRODIE 馬保定 20955 ELECTED (* 19694 in 2008, 21139 in 2005, 21847 in 2002)
Richard LEE 李溢 9054

Office of Councillor
Bill McNULTY 麥樂田 15960 ELECTED (* 12480 in 2008, 10936 in 2005, 12126 in 2002) Richmond First
Linda McPHAIL 麥菲露 15733 ELECTED (School Trustee 17266 in 2008, 13745 in 2005, 12990 in 2002) Richmond First
Derek DANG 鄧偉雄 14793 ELECTED (* 11789 in 2008, 12333 in 2005, 13168 in 2002) Richmond First
Evelina HALSEY-BRANDT 何蓮娜 14730 ELECTED (* 10252 in 2008, 12501 in 2005, 11465 in 2002)
Linda BARNES 班尼斯 14311 ELECTED (* 12734 in 2008, 12093 in 2005, 10310 in 2002) RCA
Harold STEVES 史蒂夫斯 13908 ELECTED (* 13878 in 2008, 13287 in 2005, 12456 in 2002) RCA
Chak Kwong AU 區澤光 13366 ELECTED (School Trustee 11766 in 2008, 11067 in 2005, 11316 in 2002) RITE
Ken JOHNSTON 莊士頓 12983 ELECTED (*10932 in 2008) (9220 in 2005) Richmond First
Carol DAY 戴嘉露 12681 (School Trustee 14254 in 2008) RITE
Cynthia A. CHEN 陳奕心 12040 (10078 in 2008) (9471 in 2005) (7522 in 2002)
Alexa LOO 盧仙泳 11918
Michael WOLFE 沃爾夫 11465 (8374 in 2008, 7165 in 2005 for mayor, 8475 in 2005 for trustee) RITE
Peter MITCHELL 6209
De WHALEN 迪慧倫 5619 RCA
Cliff Lifeng WEI 韋立峰 3841
Jun L. WUYAN 武岩駿 2978
Ramzan PATNI 1409

Office of School Trustee
Donna SARGENT 杜麗莎 18380 ELECTED (* 15119 in 2008, 9874 in 2005, 9219 in 2002) Richmond First
Grace TSANG 曾賴嘉麗 16580 ELECTED (* 11970 in 2008, 9519 in 2005) Richmond First
Debbie TABLOTNEY 戴寶妮 16367 ELECTED (* 13484 in 2008, 7592 in 2005, 9387 in 2002) Richmond First
Eric YUNG 翁善恆 14120 ELECTED (10546 in 2008) Richmond First
Rod BELLEZA 畢羅德 13630 ELECTED (* 12414 in 2008) RITE
Kenny CHIU 趙錦榮 12929 ELECTED RITE
Norm GOLDSTEIN 12784 ELECTED RITE
Michael STARCHUK 12263 (8686 in 2008 Ind.) RITE
Jonathan HO 何錦榮 12087 RITE
William Kang CHEN 陳康 8553 (2475 in 2008)

(* incumbent) (Results in 2008, 2005 and 2002) and parties are listed at the end
http://www.richmond.ca/electionservices/results2011.htm

Related news:
2011/11/20 World Journal - 列治文華裔大躍進 5上壘
2011/11/23 Richmond News - Voter turnout up slightly
2011/11/24 Richmond Review - Vote shows polarized politics
2011/12/01 Richmond News - Election was a victory for everyone in Richmond, claims Garden City
2011/12/01 Richmond Review - Suspended sentence for son of school trustee Debbie Tablotney

Chak Au pointed out real reason for Chinese invests real estate 區澤光指出中國人投資房地產的真正原因

2011-11-19T06:52:00.000-08:00

Please watch the answer starts at 1:30 minutes:
CBC News reported, Chak Au believes foreign investor could be directed to invest in business instead freezing up housing stock.
Chak Au said, "They are looking for opportunities to invest. However, there is not much support or guidance being provided to them. They just pick something easy, convenient and seems to be stable to them - that is real estate."
Our request for a better city economic plan, some more condo don't have to sit empty.

CBC新聞報導，區澤光認為，可以引導外國投資者直接投資商業，而不是想法子釋放空置住房。
區澤光說“他們正在尋找投資機會，但沒有人向他們提供支持或指導，他們只是選擇一些簡單，方便，似乎是穩定的房地產”
我們要求一個更美好的城市經濟計劃，以減少空置公寓。

STOP Smart Meter - sign petition online NOW!

2011-11-18T11:15:00.002-08:00

25 Cities in BC (including Richmond) plus the Union of BC Municipalities have already adopted the following resolution to oppose Smart Meters.

Deadline for No-Smart Meter Petition to BC Premier is Nov 22. Please sign, tell your friends to sign, FB or tweet it! https://cstorg.wufoo.com/forms/smart-meters-in-british-columbia/

Better that people are aware BEFORE the meters are installed.

From the Nov 14, 2011 Richmond City Council Minutes:
http://www.richmond.ca/cityhall/council/agendas/council/2011/110114_minutes.htm

7. COUNCIL REFERRAL ON BC HYDRO SMART METERS
(File Ref. No.: 01-0150-20-BCHY1) (REDMS No. 3392394, 3392205)

(1) That the staff report entitled “Council Referral on BC Hydro Smart Meters” from the Interim Director, Sustainability and District Energy, dated October 24, 2011 be received for information;

(2) WHEREAS significant and serious health, privacy and other concerns have been identified regarding the installation of wireless smart meters in British Columbia;

AND WHEREAS BC Hydro is proceeding with its program to install wireless smart meters in British Columbia although it recognizes there is active discussion and ongoing research into the possible health and environmental effects related to radio frequency signals and its is aware the World Health Organization has called for further investigation on this matter in its press release issued on May 31, 2011;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Richmond strongly request a moratorium be placed immediately on the mandatory installation of wireless smart meters until the major issues and problems identified regarding wireless smart meters are independently assessed and acceptable alternatives can be made available at no added cost to the consumer, and that homeowners, including the owners of strata units, be given the option to opt-out of the Smart Meter Program whether or not a smart meter has been installed in their home;

(3) That letters be written to the Premier, the Minister of Energy, the local MLAs, and the CEO of BC Hydro accordingly; and

(4) That a letter be sent to the Medical Health Officer requesting that he conduct an investigation as to whether smart meters pose a health hazard.

Good reason to be concerned about smart meters

2011-11-18T11:10:00.000-08:00

Richmond Review Editor:

I am writing in response to Charles P. Cohen’s letter about smart meters. He quoted BC Hydro’s claim that “it takes about one minute of transmitting time... The device doesn’t emit ‘anything’ except during that minute.” It is important to point out that these signals are pulses of microwave radiofrequency which burst in lengths of 1-2 milliseconds. The “one minute a day” is the TOTAL of 30,000+ daily bursts of signals. In other words, there is one signal, one spike of radiation and one assault to our body every few seconds, round the clock.

Also, BC Hydro only reports “average” radiation level and avoids mentioning the peak levels which hurt human cells the most. It is like saying one should not get a speeding ticket for driving at 200 km/hr every other block because when “averaging” with the time the car is slow or stopped, the “average” speed is not dangerous.

Further, BC Hydro only tested on a single Smart Meter. They do not include the radiation from continual transmission between meters as they synchronize, nor do they include scenarios at condos and apartment buildings where up to 100 meters can be packed side by side on the same wall next to residents’ homes.

Cohen’s letter says, “The exposure is miniscule - far below any established standards for safe levels.” Maybe Mr. Cohen is not aware that Canadian “safety” standard on microwave exposure is the most lenient in the world, allowing 600-1000 microwatts of radiation per centimeter squared. Countries such as Switzerland, Italy and China only allow 10 microwatts. Luxembourg only allows 2.4 microwatts and Austria’s Salzburg Health Department only allows 0.0001 microwatts for indoor and 0.001 microwatts for outdoor. This is 10,000,000 times more stringent than the Canadian standard.

Both BC Centre of Disease Control and the American Electrical Power Research Institute reported radiation levels at about 22 times higher than BC Hydro’s claims, and these tests were all conducted on a single meter only. In California, real-life testing at apartment buildings with meter banks showed levels about 100 times higher than BC Hydro’s published numbers.

As in the cases of DDT, Agent Orange, asbestos, thalidomide, BPA and tobacco, “official” safety standards are slow to change, leading to irreparable harm to human life. Without the protection of government regulation and adequate testings, citizens have the right to take personal measures by saying NO to Smart Meters.

Victor Khong
Richmond

Elect Chak Kwong AU for Richmond City Councillor 請投列治文巿議員區澤光一票

2011-11-17T06:53:00.000-08:00

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2011/11/20 MingPao - 區澤光成功轉戰列市議員
2011/12/06 World Journal - 列治文 3華裔新上任

Elect Kenny CHIU for Richmond School Board Trustee 請投列治文學務委員趙錦榮一票

2011-11-16T07:25:00.000-08:00

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2011/12/06 World Journal - 列治文 3華裔新上任

Protecting drinking water, Water Report Card 水質評估報告

2011-11-16T07:16:00.000-08:00

Waterproof 3 - Canada's Drinking Water Report Card
More than a decade after deadly gaps in drinking water management killed seven people in Walkerton, Ont., Ecojustice has released Waterproof 3, our third drinking water report card, which concludes that the federal government is still failing to ensure all Canadians have reliable access to safe, clean water.

The report (Full Report, The 3 page essentials) gives the federal government another ‘F’ for lagging in almost every aspect of water protection for which it is responsible. Of greatest concern is the government’s reluctance to create rigorous national drinking water standards that protect all Canadians. Waterproof 3 evaluates water policies, programs and legislation across the country and assigns the provincial, territorial and federal governments, a grade based on how well they’re protecting drinking water.

While the federal government received an ‘F’, provinces like Ontario (A) and Nova Scotia (A-) have been identified as leaders when it comes to drinking water protection — thanks in large part to strong treatment, testing and source water protection programs. In contrast, Alberta (C-) slipped in the rankings because of static treatment standards and poor source water protection efforts.

Caution - Citizens being misled to vote for Evelina Halsey-Brandt 何蓮娜(艾芙蓮何世品)誤導選民

2011-11-16T07:05:00.000-08:00

Friends of Garden City,

We just got an urgent email from an upset Friend of Garden City. He had voted for the one person he would not want to vote for. He had been misled by Evelina Halsey-Brandt's advertising and wanted others to NOT repeat his mistake.

Evelina Halsey-Brandt is NOT a Friend of Garden City. She is "anything but."

Citizens of Richmond, if ensuring prompt action toward the best green future for the Garden City Lands is your priority, please vote for a full ballot of candidates OTHER THAN Evelina H-B and Peter Mitchell (also a non-Friend).

Please encourage everyone to do that. It will make a huge positive difference.

Please also go to the http://gardencitylands.wordpress.com blog and read two brand new articles:

1. In a brief article, a Friend of Garden City correctly states that Evelina "is the only incumbent councillor who voted for commercial development of the Garden City Lands who never showed a change of heart" (more at http://wp.me/p97QM-1yL).

2. The other new article corrects extreme accusations against me, along with extreme name-calling, that harmed everyone who has tried to save the Garden City Lands. An acting newspaper editor who printed the accusations would not print a defense, but a revealing audio recording has become available. The article includes transcript quotations. I also expect to receive audio files to add for readers soon. Without any name-calling, the facts are perhaps-shocking commentary on what Evelina Halsey-Brandt did, which does NOT befit a council member. In the context that she might be elected again on Saturday, it is important that the truth be spread right away. (See http://wp.me/p97QM-1yJ for the article.)

There are now also articles on the http://gardencitylands.wordpress.com blog that will inform you about all the many outstanding council candidates who are Friends of Garden City, including both candidates for mayor.

Jim Wright
President, Garden City Lands Coalition Society

何蓮娜(艾芙蓮何世品)在選舉宣傳單張和報章廣告上，宣稱支持花園城市地段用作社區發展，有選民報稱被誤導為保護該土地作農業耕作，而錯投她一票。

請選民擦亮眼睛，大部份社區發展都不䆟許在受保護農地內，何蓮娜是唯一競選連任巿議員不同意農業用途的。
___________________________________________________________________________

The facts disagree with Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Richmond Review Published: November 28, 2011 1:00 PM , Updated: November 30, 2011 1:46 PM

Audio version on GardenCityLands.Wordpress.com
Editor:

Evelina Halsey-Brandt denied the truth, so the truth must be told again.

First, let’s travel back in time to March 2010, soon after Richmond council voted to fund the purchase of the Garden City Lands. The Halsey-Brandt couple on council criticized the price.

In a letter in The Review, I referred to a December 2008 council meeting where “Coun. Greg Halsey-Brandt said a Richmond offer to buy the Garden City Lands should be based on the value of the Walmart property across Alderbridge Road.”

Thanks to the city clerk’s mp3 audio file, we can listen to that 2008 meeting in progress. The voice is Harold Steves’: “We have already heard the Halsey-Brandt team suggesting that we pay the highest market value for the property based on what Walmart is paying next door.” He goes on to talk about the Halsey-Brandt team suggesting “millions of dollars an acre,” and Evelina interrupts with “We’re not the Halsey-Brandt team!”

The same recording gives us Greg Halsey-Brandt: “As I understand it, there is or was an application by Walmart, right beside it, just north across the street, so in terms of evaluating the land values, I think sort of the standard is set in the community of what any negotiator would tell you what property values are worth.” (That street is Alderbridge.)

We also hear Evelina on what it would cost to acquire the lands: “It’s going to be based on how the land is properly assessed by the assessment authority, and which is with what would be adjacent uses, which is your Cambie area.” (The Walmart property is there.)

Travelling forward to March 2010 again, we read this in a letter from Evelina to The Richmond Review: “I was shocked by the false and misleading statements Jim Wright made. Wright and everyone who follows council meetings knows that at no time did I nor Coun. Greg Halsey-Brandt say that Richmond’s offer to buy the Garden City lands should be based on the value of the Walmart property across Alderbridge Road.”

In the words of The Review’s acting editor at the time, Evelina “pulled the audio tapes from that meeting to confirm her own account. She was quite clear on this.”

That told me that audio of the meeting in question might exist. I said it couldn’t possibly agree with the councillor, but I had no access to it until long afterward.

Ironically, the Evelina letter called me defamatory, malicious and libelous.

The letter was harmful to the community. As unpaid community service, I’ve spent four years helping the people of Richmond to understand a complex issue, and my credibility that was trashed is needed for that.

The damage would also affect the Garden City Lands Coalition, the citizens who stopped what Evelina advocated—dense development on a large green area in the city centre. We need our credibility for the next stage, ensuring that the park there will meet local needs in a fitting way and inspire the world.

“Is she just a complete liar then?” That’s a citizen’s comment on a recent blog story about Coun. Evelina Halsey-Brandt.

My view: The essence of “lie” is intent to deceive, and Evelina’s intent is unclear. She seems to believe that whatever she says is true, no matter what the facts show. So “complete liar” goes too far.

But it’s wise not to trust what she says.

Jim Wright
Garden City Lands Coalition
___________________________________________________________________________

Councillor won’t be bullied
Richmond Review Published: December 02, 2011 10:00 AM, Updated: December 02, 2011 10:36 AM

Editor:

Jim Wright has once again put his pen to paper, this time to accuse me of being deceitful and a liar because I refuse to be bullied into agreeing with him.

I did not and do not advocate for dense development on the Garden City lands as Jim Wright untruthfully claims in his letter and on his Garden City Lands website and blog. I find Mr. Wright’s clever use of excerpts taken out of context from a general purposes committee meeting manipulative and offensive. He distorts and misrepresents my explanation of how the assessment authority determines the value of property into something that it is not. In my opinion he loses all credibility when he does things like that.

Let me be absolutely clear what my position on the Garden City lands has been from the beginning to now.

I supported the purchase of all of the Garden City lands from the Government of Canada when the lands became surplus to the government’s needs.

The Government of Canada transferred the lands to the Canada Lands Corporation as they were required to by legislation.

Canada Lands entered into a joint venture agreement with the Musqueam and held 50 per cent of the property in trust for them.

When the city was offered the opportunity to acquire half of the lands through a purchase and sales agreement based on a memorandum of understanding with Canada Lands Corporation and the Musqueam, the owners of the property, I and seven other members of Council supported the acquisition.

I supported community uses only on the city’s portion of the property that would have been acquired under the purchase-and-sales agreement.

Our agreement with Canada Lands and the Musqueam ended in a manner that I did not support and is now the subject of a lawsuit. I am not able to discuss anything about that which leaves me at a disadvantage when misleading statements are made by those who are not aware of all the facts.

When council offered to purchase all of the property from Canada Lands and the Musqueam I supported the purchase. I did not support the price that was offered and which was accepted without a counter offer.

I would like the lands utilized for community uses. Those community uses will be decided by all the residents of Richmond after an extensive public consultation process and not just by Mr. Wright and the Garden City Lands Coalition. Their input will be considered along with everyone else’s, but they do not have the final say.

I look forward to hearing from all the residents of Richmond on what they want to see on their Garden City Lands.

Evelina Halsey-Brandt
Richmond
________________________________________________________________________________

Hopefully, the final nail in the coffin in the effort to pave the Garden City Lands

Richmond Review Published: December 22, 2011 3:23 PM

Editor:
Re: “The facts disagree with Evelina Halsey-Brandt,” Letters, Nov. 25.

Audio of the quotes and context (a primary source) now accompanies the text of the letter at GardenCityLands.wordpress.com.

I hope that’s the final nail in the coffin for the seven-year effort to pave the Garden City Lands. For all its power, money and control of information, it had a fatal flaw: no reason to destroy a priceless legacy.

In this season for reflection, I’m grateful to the thousands of citizens who spread the truth to keep the Garden City Lands in the Agricultural Land Reserve for community wellness.

I’m also grateful to the side that wanted dense development. We rebutted those “Pave Garden City” people for years, but almost none resorted to personal attack.

As we start a new era for the Garden City Lands, we have much to build on. Along with our success against all odds, our shared respect will do wonders.

Right now, the urgent need is for action. The opportunity to lead the world in urban agriculture education is slipping away. And the conservable bog is in critical condition.

Prompt action won’t preclude more planning. If it values a range of informed visions and voices, the results should be fabulous. To better express that, let me use verse.

The Harmony of the Lands
Inclusive park planning
with a clear & fitting goal
such as open-land parkland
that embodies our island story
& our hope for our city centre
& whole community,
with informed city staff & council
drawing on experts of every kind
& the best of Richmond
like the parkland at Terra Nova
& with close interaction
with city public—stakeholders—
for informed & coherent choice
to meet deep need in a blend of ways
that empower Nature to restore
our legacy from ages past
& capture the best of our hearts
in our legacy for time to come
& heed the zoning for ALR uses
for food, recreation & conservation
in the Eco-Safety Demonstrative City,
an honoured model for all the world,
enables notes from our many voices
to join in the song of a wellness park.

Jim Wright, President, Garden City Lands Coalition Society

Glass condos face short lifespan 玻璃公寓絕緣損壞外牆滲水

2011-11-15T14:37:00.000-08:00

From CBC news: Many of the glass condominium towers filling up the Toronto skyline will fail 15 to 25 years after they’re built, perhaps even earlier, and will need retrofits costing millions of dollars, say some industry experts.

Buyers drawn to glass-walled condos because of the price and spectacular views may soon find themselves grappling with major problems including:

Insulaltion failures.
Water leaks.
Skyrocketing energy and maintenance costs.
Declining resale potential.

Glass condominiums — known in the industry as window walls — have floor-to-ceiling glass, so essentially the window becomes the wall. Window walls generally span from the top of the concrete slab right to the bottom. One developer calls glass-walled condos “throw-away buildings” because of their short lifespan relative to buildings with walls made of concrete or brick.

Glass walls have been popular among developers and consumers alike because they’re cheaper than more traditional materials and make a good first impression. But they aren’t energy-efficient and come with a hidden price that could soar down the road, engineers say.

Condo owners in a tower off Front Street are suing the developer, Concord, claiming the window-wall system in the nine-year-old building near the Rogers Centre has defects and water is seeping through.
Read more : 2011/11/14 CBC News

Related news:
2011/11/15 World Journal - 玻璃外牆中看不中用

Inspect BC Home Inspectors 卑斯省驗屋師資格漫談

2011-11-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

自2009年3月31日卑斯省成為加拿大首個要求驗屋師申請執照的省份。但地產界與巿民至今仍然未能掌握執照驗屋師的專業資格與行業準則，故有必要藉此加以解說。

何謂驗屋？如何分類？
中文「驗屋」的含義似乎較為籠統、混淆不清，若先了解英文名稱便容易明白：
1、Building Inspection 是「樓房檢驗」，主要是檢查樓房的結構安全是否有違建築條例和安全標準。
2、Home Inspection 是「家居檢驗」，是檢查住宅樓房的整體結構安全、設施的維修保養、以至家庭電器的操作，是更全面的檢查。
3、Property Inspection 是「物業檢驗」，又或稱為 Commercial Inspection「商業檢驗」，是檢驗商業物業或整幢公寓大廈。根據美洲物料檢驗標準ASTM E2018 ，超過4個居住單位的家居檢驗，也算為物業檢驗。

當你找驗屋師時，就當說明是何種檢驗，否則大多是指家居檢驗(Home Inspection)，並且必須向驗屋師索取他的驗屋標準(Standard of Inspection)，查問清楚驗屋的範圍，避免誤會，因為發牌機構沒有規限驗屋標準，以致4家驗厔師學會/協會的驗厔標準有些微分別。而且少數專業驗屋師的表現遠遠高過一般協會的要求。

驗屋師的職責與範圍？
驗屋師在驗屋之先，都會將他們的工作範圍向要求驗屋的客戶作簡短解說，並將一份所屬學會和協會的驗屋標準交給客戶，聲明驗屋工作乃表面的檢查，亦不會提供保險保障。

基本上驗屋範圍幾乎包括全部可見部份：包括屋頂、閣樓、外牆，門窗、陽台、地基、結構、保温、通風、供水、排水、供電、天然氣管道、熱水爐、暖氣、空調、壁爐、空氣交換機HRV、廚房、浴室、客廳、睡房、地庫、矮地庫等等。

無論新屋舊屋，一般驗屋都不包括建築條例審查、地段地界、環境汚染歷史、地下油缸、泳池、石棉、白蟻、含鉛油漆、牆內電綫、濾水機、保安警鐘、對講機、電視、電話、消防等等。

以下是各驗屋學會和協會的驗屋標準：
BCIPI http://www.bcipi.com/documents/SOIVer09Only_002.pdf
CAHPI(BC) http://www.cahpi.bc.ca/images/cahpibc/Manuals/CAHPI_Standards_of_Practice_2011_1.pdf
CanNachi http://www.cannachi.org/standards-of-practice

如何獲取驗屋師執照？
卑斯省自2009年立法管制驗屋師後，並不監管商業物業的檢驗工作；任何曾經接受物業檢驗訓練的專業工程人員，包括ASTM E2018 檢查方法，都可以檢驗商業物業。

消費者保障局只負責家居驗屋師的執照申請，但訓練與審查則交由以下4個驗屋師學會、協會或機構執行：
1、卑斯省技師與技術員學會 (ASTTBC - Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia) 屬下的卑斯省驗屋師學會 (BCIPI - British Columbia Institute of Property Inspectors)
2、加拿大驗屋師協會卑斯省分部 (CAHPI(BC) - Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors (BC))
3、加拿大全國家居驗屋師協會 (CanNachi - Canadian National Association of Certified Home Inspectors)
4、加拿大全國家居驗屋師驗證局 (NHICC - National Home Inspector Certification Council)

只要修讀認可的驗屋課程，加入上述認可學會/協會成為實習會員，然後跟隨一兩位經驗驗屋師實習一段短時間，便可申請實地驗屋考試，當考試合格成為正式會員後，便擁有檢定驗屋師（CHI - Certified Home Inspector）或註冊驗屋師（RHI - Registered Home Inspector）的衘頭，但是仍未能執業。從實習至取得執照期間是不能充當驗屋師助手的；從事檢驗工作，電腦輸入，解答咨詢等技術性工作一概作為無牌經營論。

取得RHI和CHI資格並有意作驗屋師助手或自行執業者，必須購買100萬錯漏保險和100萬商業責任保險，然後向消費者保障局申請執照，方可執業成為家居驗屋師（Licensed Home Inspector），但此執照不能作任何商業驗屋。

如何驗證專業的驗屋師？
驗證驗屋師的牌照非常簡單，法律規定所有驗屋師名字後面都附帶牌照編號，亦要隨身帶備驗屋師證件。若有懷疑，應立刻到消費者保障局網站捜查驗屋師名單 http://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/index.php/consumers-home-inspections/confirm-an-inspectors-license，如有不實，立即檢舉。

執照驗屋師良莠不齊，必須詢問親友的口碑；更不要撿便宜，收費較高者必然是學歷與經驗都與眾不同，更需要提早預約，以免失之交臂。學歷與經驗是不容易驗證的，僅在此略擧一二，容後再作專文論述：

1、學術性與法律規管
在發牌制度以前，卑斯省有十多間驗屋師協會，當中只有卑斯驗屋師學會（BCIPI）為本省學會，在卑斯省的ASTTBC Act 規管之下，要求會員必須完成卑斯理工大學的有關課程，經過嚴謹實習訓練和多次實地考劾，成為實習會員；一年後再經過多次實地考劾，方能成為正式會員，然後參加每年多次的專業進修講座保持會籍。

在發牌制度以後，只餘下一間學會和三間協會或機構。由於卑斯驗屋師學會保持專業的實習訓練和考劾模式，經歷十多年的考驗證明有效。而另外三間協會或機構都採取比較寬鬆的一次或多次的考試制度，毋需學院學歷，因此便被發牌的消費者保障局要求改為更專業的「進修-實習-考劾-再進修」的形式了。

由於 BCIPI 十多年來都法例規管下，以嚴謹態度訓練和考劾會員，所以多次重大的驗屋師法律訴訟，受罰的驗屋師均非BCIPI會員，由此可見正統的學院訓練和法律監管的重要性。

2、正統專業資格
除上述提及的沒有法律監管的協會外，更加要注意由它們發出的所謂資格，在驗屋師名字後面的很多衘頭，都是沒有經過國際專業驗證和毫無學術價值的。
以下擧例一些常見的有學術地位的專業資格：

P Eng - Professional Engineer 專業工程師是大學工程科畢業後，在相關行業工作多年，經過實習和面試而取得的專業資格。
AScT - Applied Science Technologist 専業技師是兩年或以上大專工程科畢業，在相關行業工作兩年，經由上司及多位專業會員推薦考試入會的專業資格。在其他省份稱為 CET - Certified Engineering Technician。
C Tech - Certified Technician 檢定技術員乃完成一年的大專工科課程，在相關行業工作實習，並獲得推薦入會的專業資格。

上述專業加上適當的物業檢驗訓練，便可作為物業驗屋師。
若欠缺上述專業，仍可考取BCIPI 的 CPI - Certified Property Inspector 成為物業驗屋師。
若要作家居檢驗，必須向消費者保障局申請執照，方可執業成為家居驗屋師。

至於上文提及 BCIPI 的 CHI 和 CAHPI 的 RHI ，加上CanNachi 的 Associate / CMI - Certified Master Inspector 和 NHICC 的 NHI - National Home Inspector 都可以申請為執照家居驗屋師 (Licensed Home Inspector)。也是專業資格的一種，只是不一定具有大專畢業學歷，亦不能作任何商業驗屋。

3、工作經驗
工作經驗非常重要，所以要小心分析驗屋師廣告提供的資料，先去取當中浮誇和不能量度的形容詞，再分析所述年份是實際驗屋經驗還是有關行業經驗，海外經驗還是本地經驗，實際施工經驗還是監工檢驗經驗。

每一位領有執照的驗屋師都有一個5位數字的牌照編號，一般是4萬或5萬號，雖然這些編號不分先後，但4字頭的驗屋師是2009年3月31日之前巳經執業的，而5字頭則是2009年之後才申請牌照的新丁。

一般擁有五年以上本地驗屋經驗、檢查細心、報告專業、和能夠提供家居及商業驗屋的最為可靠。最後就是要詢問親友的口碑，更不要吝嗇驗屋費用，收費髙的必然是較為經驗豐富和口碑好的驗屋師。

如何投訴執照驗屋師？
當覺得驗屋服務不滿意時，請先查看消費者保障局網站，了解如何追討責任。

關於執照事宜，包括無牌經營、未能出示執照証、非法收受利益、公司名稱與注冊名稱不符、洩漏驗屋報告、沒有向四大學會注冊等，都可以向消費者保障局投訴。

Consumer Protection BC PO Box 9244 Victoria BC V8W 9J2,
Phone: 604.320.1667
Toll Free: 1.888.564.9963
Fax: 250.920.7181
Email: info@consumerprotectionbc.ca

關於專業守則，包括行為操守、學歷、訓練、驗屋標準等，都必須向驗屋師所屬學會/協會/機構投訴。：

1. ASTTBC-BCIPI

2. CAHPI(BC)

3. CanNachi

4. NHICC

如何追討責任？

假如與執照和專業守則無關，純粹是服務𣎴満意或損壞維修等問題，請勿單向維修公司和地產經紀咨詢，應該立刻致電驗屋師尋求專業意見，一般驗屋師都樂意回答或親自到現場了解情況，若是同意責任疏失，便可立刻取得賠償修理費用。

一般驗屋師只會提供驗屋費退欵，只有 ASTTBC-BCIPI賠欵上限提高至5萬元。如要更高賠償額則必須在驗屋前與驗屋師相討，可能要附加費用以取得提高賠欵上限的同意書。

若果未能私下了結，可以向所屬驗屋師學會/協會/機構投訴，由協會派出調查員實地視察作出報告，並由協會的檢舉委員會審查及判決。

若果還是𣎴満意協會的判決，可以咨詢律師，要求仲裁、或向小額錢債法院、或向高等法院尋求更大賠償，一切視乎律師意見。

兩年前北溫哥華巿有一案例，驗屋師沒有完全根據驗屋標準以保障客戶利益，卑斯省高等法院法官判驗屋師疏失，而被罰款接近20萬元修理費。經多年訴訟後，客戶損失亦不輕，粗略估計經三年訴訟的律師費必不在3萬元以下，加拿大法律是不可以追回律師費和要求懲罰性賠償金的，所以避免更大損失，切勿輕易訴諸法院處理。

避免驗屋後不必要的責任追究，必須在事前多做一些準備，聘請經驗豐富和口碑極佳的驗屋師方為上策。如何判別新進驗屋師非常簡單：每一位領有執照的驗屋師都有一個5位數字的牌照編號，一般是4萬或5萬號，雖然這些編號不分先後，但4字頭的驗屋師是2009年3月31日前巳經執業的，而5字頭則是2009年後才申請牌照的新丁。

Elect Jonathan HO for Richmond School Board Trustee 請投列治文學務委員何錦榮一票

2011-11-10T01:15:00.000-08:00

Personal Web
RITE Web
YouTube

2011 Richmond Election - Chinese Voters Guide 市選投票中文指南

2011-11-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

為協助英文非母語的省民了解本月19日舉行的市選相關規定，卑詩省府推出多種語系版本的市選投票指南，包括中文簡體字版在內，即日起可透過網路下載，請民眾多多利用。卑詩省社區、體育及文化發展廳表示，這本指南是政府提供給選民的多種線上投票資源之一，選民還可以到該廳網站上取得有關競選經費、選舉日期、如何支持所在地候選人及市選問答的相關資訊。

有意了解更多訊息可上網

http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/elections_home.htm

本屆市選中文版投票指南 http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/library/election2011/Voters_Guide_Chinese.pdf

列治文市選中文版投票指南 http://richmond.ca/__shared/assets/2011VotersGuide_Chinese31599.pdf

Stop smart meter program, says City of Richmond

2011-11-09T07:56:00.000-08:00

Homeowners should be given the option to opt out of B.C. Hydro's smart meter program, civic politicians said this week.
At a committee meeting Monday, city council endorsed a resolution calling on the provincial government to halt the installation of smart meters until questions around health, privacy and other concerns are answered.

The city is adding its voice to a Union of B.C. Resolution adopted by the majority of B.C. municipalities in September—demanding the province back off.

read more: http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/133466208.html

VAPOR and the Critique of VAFFC Jet Fuel Proposal 批判溫哥華機場輸油管提案

2011-11-08T21:05:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh9X55aeOaA

Report Investment Fraud 舉報投資欺詐

2011-11-06T09:17:00.000-08:00

Fraud warning signs

Know the warning signs of investment fraud.

No risk!

There's no such thing as a guaranteed investment: the higher the returns, the higher the risk.

Profit like the pros!

These scams are pitched as opportunities known only to a select few who are said to be making a lot of money. The scam artist convinces you that he or she has access to this inside information.

Offshore, tax free!

Fraudsters pitch this deal as a way to avoid paying taxes. They convince you to move your money offshore to avoid taxes, when they really want you to move it to an inaccessible offshore account. They also tell you to keep it a secret so that you don't benefit from the advice of financial advisors who might see through the scam.

Get in now!

Scam artists use this tactic to pressure you into making a quick decision. They make the offer more attractive by suggesting they have secret information about a company that the general public doesn't have.

Your friends and family can't be wrong!

This pitch relies on the trust you place in your loved ones. Scam artists target religious, ethnic, or close-knit groups by working their way into organizations and befriending members in order to defraud them.
For more, visit the fraud warning signs section at InvestRight.org

Fraud Warning Signs info sheet (8.5” x 11”)

Fraud Warning Signs poster (11” x 17”)

Report Investment Fraud

If you suspect someone has approached you, your family, or your friends with an investment scam, or you feel you may have been the victim of an investment scheme, you should report it. Without your assistance, scam artists remain free, continuing to take advantage of others.
In BC, call or email the BC Securities Commission. We offer language support for Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, and Hindi speakers.
To report anonymously, use the InvestRight Report a scam web form.

卑詩證券事務監察委員會(簡稱卑詩省證監會) (The British Columbia Securities Commission) 為防止投資者成為投資騙局的受害者專門設立網站InvestRight.org,為投資者提供研究工具,使投資者在研究投資產品以及做出投資決策時能夠提出正確的問題

提防騙局

每年，卑詩省有數千人因遇到投資欺詐而損失數以百萬計的金錢。此情況可能在任何人士身上和任何地方都會發生——不論年幼或年長，在大城市或是小鎮。
了解如何辨別及舉報投資欺詐。請瀏覽「提防騙局」運動的網站。請點擊這裡。

Jaegar Mah live@YVR 80days 80 nights

2011-11-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

Today Jaegar Mah will be allowed to leave the Sea Island, home of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), for the first time since Aug. 17, 2011, and he's none too happy about it. Like a prisoner being released from a life-sentence back into the civilization, Mah may suffer post-institution pangs this weekend.

During his 80 days, Mah has recorded many video around the airport, please view at www.liveatyvr.tumblr.com .

Realated news:

2011/11/04 Ming Pao - 機場「密探」80日任務今完成

2011/11/04 Richmond News - Live@YVR winner waves goodbye to new friends

2011/11/05 Sing Tao - 溫機場筍工結束華漢依依機師飛行前程序報道總結80天生活

Minister of State (Seniors) Details Action to Improve Seniors' Lives

2011-10-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Oct 28, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), today underscored the Government of Canada's commitment to seniors in her address to the Annual General Meeting of CARP Canada by outlining recent action and future plans.

CARP Canada is a national, non-profit organization that set its mandate as the promotion and protection of the interests, rights and quality of life for Canadians as they age. The organization promotes social change for financial security, for equitable access to health care and for freedom from discrimination.

"Canada's seniors have worked their entire lives to help build a better Canada," said Minister Wong. "An aging population comes with opportunities and challenges; I am confident that Canada is uniquely equipped for the task."

Minister Wong talked about steps the Government has taken to ensure seniors' financial security, continued contribution and participation in their communities. She also commented on steps the Government has taken to prevent elder abuse.

More specifically, the Minister addressed two seniors-related commitments that the Government made in its Speech from the Throne last spring.

The Government has already enhanced the Guaranteed Income Supplement to help Canada's most vulnerable seniors. This is the largest increase to the supplement in the past quarter century. It will help the lowest-income seniors make ends meet.

The other commitment was to introduce tougher sentences for those who abuse seniors. Minister Wong said that legislation to address this issue is forthcoming.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

BACKGROUNDER
Seniors-related Initiatives The Government of Canada is working hard to help improve the lives of seniors on many fronts. These efforts include:

-- introducing a new Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) top-up benefit to help Canada's most vulnerable seniors. This is the largest increase to the GIS for the lowest-income seniors in a quarter century. The measure will further improve the financial security and well-being of more than 680,000 seniors across Canada. It represents a $1.5 billion investment over the next five years;

-- providing $10 million over two years to increase funding for the New Horizons for Seniors Program in Budget 2011. This enhanced support will further the program's objectives by funding a greater number of projects. The program helps seniors use their leadership, energy and skills to benefit communities across Canada;

-- providing Canadians with close to $72 billion this year through Canada's public pension system;

-- providing $2.3 billion annually in additional tax relief to seniors and pensioners through measures such as pension income splitting and increasing the Age Credit;

-- providing $400 million over two years under Canada's Economic Action Plan for the construction of housing units for low-income seniors;

-- supporting positive and active aging through the collaborative Age Friendly Communities Initiative, Physical Activity Tips for Older Adults, and falls prevention initiatives;

-- establishing October 1st as National Seniors Day to recognize the significant and ongoing contributions seniors make to families, communities, workplaces and society; and

-- creating the National Seniors Council in 2007 to provide advice to the federal government on matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors.

列治文小客機起飛後折返迫降墜毀

2011-10-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

列治文27日下午發生的墜機意外

發生事故飛機為喬治王子市的北方雷鳥航空公司（Northern Thunderbird）所屬，編號204的Beechcraft King Air 100型雙渦輪螺旋小客機，載客量九人，27日下午3時40分飛往基隆那（Kelowna），但起飛15分鐘因故折返，最後迫降在Russ Baker Way與Gilbert Drive路口，距離溫哥華國際機場南跑道東端約900公尺，距離附近社區只有500公尺。飛機碎片還造成兩名路人輕傷，經過醫護人員現場治療後已無大礙。

溫哥華沿岸衛生局則表示，機上包括兩名機師及七名乘客，除機長佛亭（Luc Fortin）因傷勢過重已於當晚過世，副機長羅比克（Matt Robic）及另一名乘客情況仍然危殆，另四名乘客傷勢嚴重但無生命危險，還有兩位傷勢較輕的乘客已於28日凌晨出院。

Related News:
2011/10/28 World Journal - 小飛機迫降墜毀　11人受傷
2011/10/29 World Journal - 列市墜機意外機長不治兩人命危

2012/02/10 Sing Tao - 烈市墜機意外漏油導致

How to Vote for Richmond Civic Election 列治文市選如何投票

2011-10-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Richmond General Local and School Election will be held on November 19 (Saturday) 8am – 8pm. Here are some voting information for you: More information on City website

Who is eligible to vote?
1. Citizen, and
2. 18 years or more on Nov 19, 2011, and
3. lived in BC before May 17, 2011 and
4. lived in Richmond (or own property) before Oct 19,2011)
You will need two pieces of ID with address and signature when you go to the voting place.

Am I Registered to Vote?
You can check the registration book online. Just enter your name and address to confirm your registration.

Find the closest voting places to your home or work
You can vote at any voting places on the voting day. Just enter you postal code to get the closer poll station.

Advance Voting Days and Places
You can vote on Nov 8 (Tue), 9(Wed), 10(Thur), 12(Sat), and 15(Tue) :

Date	Building Name (Click for Details)	Address
Tuesday, November 08, 2011	Kwantlen Polytechnic University	8771 Lansdowne Road
Wednesday, November 09, 2011	Richmond City Hall	6911 No. 3 Road
Thursday, November 10, 2011	Richmond City Hall	6911 No. 3 Road
Saturday, November 12, 2011	Cambie Community Centre	12800 Cambie Road
Saturday, November 12, 2011	Library Cultural Centre	7700 Minoru Gate
Saturday, November 12, 2011	McMath Secondary School	4251 Garry Street
Saturday, November 12, 2011	McRoberts Secondary School	8980 Williams Road
Tuesday, November 15, 2011	Richmond City Hall	6911 No. 3 Road
Tuesday, November 15, 2011	Richmond Olympic Oval	6111 River Road

Mail-in Voting
If you will be out-of-town on the advance vote and the election day. Call the Election Office at 604-276-4100, fax 604-278-5139 or email your name, richmond address and out-of-town address to the Election Office at election2011@richmond.ca to make arrangements to vote using a mail-in ballot. Mail ballot packages will be available by November 1 and make sure return the ballot on/before Nov 19, 2011.

2011年列治文市議會和教育局選舉將於11月19日（星期六）上午8時 - 晚上8時舉行。下面是一些投票信息：更多投票信息在市政府的網站上。

選民資格
1。已入籍公民，和
2。2011年11月19日滿18歲或以上，和
3。2011年5月17日之前居住在不列顛哥倫比亞省，和
4。2011年10月19日之前住在列治文（或擁有財產）。

我已經登記在選民登記冊嗎？
您可以檢查在線登記冊。只要輸入您的姓名和地址，以確認您的註冊。

找尋最接近您家或工作的投票站
您可以在投票當日到任何投票地點投票。只要輸入你的郵政編碼，以獲得更接近的投票站。

提前投票的日子和地方
您可以於11月8日（星期二），9日（星期三），10日（星期四），12日（星期六），15日（星期二）提前投票。當你去投票站，您將需要兩個有地址和簽名的身份證件。

郵寄投票
如果您將會外遊而錯過提前投票和選舉日。請致電選舉事務處604-276-4100，或傳真604-278-5139或電郵您的姓名，並列治文的地址和外遊的地址到 election2011@richmond.ca ，選舉事務處將會作出安排，於11月1日郵寄選票包到您的外遊地址，請確保選票於2011年11月19日選舉之前寄達選舉事務處。

Fraud and Personal ID Thieves

2011-10-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

I received two emails of fraud and personal ID thieves in 3 days. The first one was from a friend asking for help during travelling overseas, but when I click on reply it will go to another similar address (just an "i" more). Probably my friend's mailbox was hacked.

The second one look like come from Gmail for update the personal information, but it is not. It is another personal ID thieve. If you reply, it will go to inbox.com

________________________________________________________________
First Case:
from Bin bin @gmail.com
reply-to biin @yahoo.com
to bcc watch @gmail.com
date 21 October 2011 06:20
subject Terrible Ordeal(HELP)!!Bin
mailed-bygmail.com
Signed bygmail.com hide details 21 Oct (3 days ago)

How are you doing? Honestly, I’m doing awful. I'm with family visitingAberdeen,Scotland but we are experiencing such a rough and frustratingordeal. We got robbed last night at GUN point by a gang of thugs onour way back from a concert.One of them had a gun pointing to my faceand he told me to give him all my stuff or he would shoot if Imoved,everything we had on us including all our cash, cell phone andcredit cards got stolen. I’m at the International terminal at Heathrowtrying to confirm seats with the airline. We are stretched to the hiltand need to clear bills with the hotel so that we can get our luggagereleased and be on a flight back home tonight. I'd really appreciateif you can please loan me the cash we need. I promise to refund you assoon as I arrive home tomorrow.
Thanks. Bin

_____________________________________________________________

Second case:

from: Gmail Team member.update@inbox.com

to: info.support@gmail.com

date: 23 October 2011 06:27

subject: Google Verification

We would like to bring your attention to the new account security upgrade. Recently, we have been cleaning our database system and making sure we have enough space to accommodate new users. We don't want users to lose access to their account during this upgrade so we're requesting that all users participate in the upgrade process by informing us of the requested details:

************************

* Full Name

* Email ID * :

* Password * :

* Profession * :

* Year of Birth * :

* Country * :

************************

Your detailed answers will help us ensure that only you get access to your account. In an effort to protect your privacy and keep your information secure, if we detect unusual activity on the account, we may disable it. Thank you for using our service

It Gets Better - In Memory of Jamie Hubley

2011-10-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

An Anti-bullying Message from MPs
If you know someone needs help, please call the Kids helpline 1-800-668-6868 http://www.kidshelpphone.ca

Ethnic mapping of Metro Vancouver

2011-10-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

English population map from Vancouver Sun

The Vancouver Sun maps the ethnic makeup of Metro Vancouver (interactive)

Click on the above hyper link into Vancouver Sun online. See the maps for each ethnic group. The darker the colour, the more people there from this ethnic group. The top five neighbourhoods are shown in yellow, turquoise, red or another distinctive colour.

MAPPING OUR ETHNICITY
A five-part series looking at Metro Vancouver's ethnic communities.
Friday: South Asians
Saturday: Chinese
Monday: Filipinos
Tuesday: Europeans
Wednesday: 17 other groups, English

Maps for this series were created by The Vancouver Sun's Chad Skelton. The interactive maps, which illustrate 22 different ethnic enclaves in Metro Vancouver, can be found at Online: www.vancouversun.com/ethnicity and Blog: www.vancouversun.com/thesearch
They were adapted from Statistics Canada Census Tract Boundary Files (Cat. 92-168-X) and Census Tract Profiles (Cat. 92-597-X), 2006 Census.

Stop Influenza 免費流感疫苗注射站

2011-10-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

Get a Flu Shot at a Clinic Near You:

Go to www.immunizebc.ca

or call HeallthLinkBC at 811

or go to 3rd Floor 8100 Granville Avenue, Richmond 免費流感疫苗注射站:

Oct 22, 2011 SAT 9-11:45am and 1-4:30pm Children and Adults - Call 604-233-3150 for appointment

Oct 24, 2011 MON 3:30-7:30pm Drop in - no appointment necessary

Oct 29, 2011 SAT 9-11:45am and 1-4:30pm Children and Adults - Call 604-233-3150 for appointment

Nov 2, 2011 WED 3:30-7:30pm Drop in - no appointment necessary

Nov 26, 2011 SAT 9-11:45am and 1-4:30pm Children and Adults - Call 604-233-3150 for appointment

Dec 3, 2011 SAT 9-11:45am and 1-4:30pm Children and Adults - Call 604-233-3150 for appointment

Related News:
2011/12/17 World Journal - 防H3N2 接種流感疫苗要趁早

2011 Richmond City Election Candidates 列治文市選候選人

2011-10-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

Candidates for Mayor of Richmond City Council
One (1) to be elected
Mayoral Candidates (Elector Organization)
*Malcolm BRODIE 馬保定
Richard LEE 李溢

Candidates for Councillor of Richmond City Council

Eight (8) to be elected
Councillor Candidates (Elector Organization )

#Chak Kwong AU (RITE) 區澤光
*Linda BARNES (RCA) 班尼斯
Cynthia A. CHEN   陳奕心
*Derek DANG (Richmond First) 鄧偉雄
#Carol DAY (RITE) 戴嘉露
*Evelina HALSEY-BRANDT 何蓮娜
*Ken JOHNSTON (Richmond First) 莊士頓
Alexa LOO   盧仙泳
*Bill McNULTY (Richmond First) 麥樂田
#Linda McPHAIL (Richmond First) 麥菲露
Peter MITCHELL
Ramzan PATNI
*Harold STEVES (RCA) 史蒂夫斯
Cliff Lifeng WEI   韋立峰
De WHALEN (RCA) 迪慧倫
Michael WOLFE (RITE) 沃爾夫
Jun L. WUYAN 武岩駿
(* incumbent) (#Trustee)

Candidates for School Trustee of Richmond Board of Education
Seven (7) to be elected
School Trustee Candidates (Elector Organization)
*Rod BELLEZA (RITE) 畢羅德
William Kang CHEN 陳康
Kenny CHIU (RITE) 趙錦榮
Norm GOLDSTEIN (RITE)
Jonathan HO (RITE) 何錦榮
*Donna SARGENT (Richmond First) 杜麗莎
Michael STARCHUK (RITE)
*Debbie TABLOTNEY (Richmond First) 戴寶妮
*Grace TSANG (Richmond First) 曾賴嘉麗
Eric YUNG (Richmond First) 翁善恆
(* incumbent)

RCA – Richmond Citizens Association - Web -Facebook
RFVS – Richmond First Voters Society - Web -
RITE – Richmond Independent Team of Electors - Web - Facebook

Vancouver Sun Candidates Survey

Related News:
2011/10/14 Richmond News - Dissecting the anatomy of a slate
2011/10/15 Ming Pao - 列市落實29人戰市選
2011/10/15 World Journal - 市選登記截止華裔參政踴躍
2011/10/15 Sing Tao - 卑詩市選報名周五截止. 前選手盧仙泳烈市參戰
2011/10/17 Richmond Review - Few candidates in the running for municipal election
2011/10/19 Richmond News - 29 line up for 2011 Richmond civic election race
2011/11/02 World Journal - 列市參選人接受市民提問 / 列治文優先 6人尋連任

A Rocha's Annual Harvest Festival - October 15, 2011

2011-10-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

Inspiring Change. Caring for Creation.
Hayrides, folk dancing, crafts, cider pressing, live Bluegrass band, fresh from the vine heirloom pumpkins for sale, discount native plant sale, and farm animals.

Date: Saturday, October 15, 2011

Time: 1pm - 4pm
Location: A Rocha's Brooksdale Environmental Centre 19353 16th Ave (at 192nd St), South Surrey
For more information, call 604.542.9006
If you are able, please bring a harvest dessert ready to serve and share!
This is a rain or shine event, so please dress warmly. Throughout the day, please enjoy browsing at the River Tree Store--all proceeds support conservation work. We have a variety of fairly traded and locally-produced handicrafts, fresh honey and preserves, coffees and teas, jewellery, pottery, soaps and yarn, as well as a selection of music, books, cards, games and native plants for sale.

2011 Richmond Election All-Candidates Meetings 列治文市選論壇

2011-10-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

Date:	November 1, 2011
Time:	6:00 p.m. for candidates & doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Place:	Executive Airport Plaza, 7311 Westminster Highway
Participants:	Mayoral candidates and Councillor candidates
Organizers:	Richmond Chamber of Commerce AND Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee
Inquiries:	Carol Young, Richmond Chamber of Commerce, 604-278-2822 Janice Kostiuk, Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee, 604-279-5599 ext. 201

Date:	November 8, 2011
Time:	7:00 p.m.
Place:	Minoru Place Seniors Activity Centre, 7660 Minoru Gate
Participants:	Mayoral candidates and Councillor candidates
Organizer:	Richmond Centre for Disability
Inquiries:	Richmond Centre for Disability, 604-232-2404

Date:	November 9, 2011
Time:	6:00 p.m. for candidates & doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Place:	Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate
Participants:	School Trustee candidates
Organizer:	Richmond Community Services Advisory Committee
Inquiries:	Janice Kostiuk, 604-279-5599 ext. 201

Date:	November 16, 2011
Time:	7:00 p.m.
Place:	Richmond Secondary School, Multipurpose Room, 7171 Minoru Boulevard
Participants:	School Trustee candidates
Organizers:	Richmond Teachers' Association AND Richmond Association of School Administrators AND CUPE 716 AND Richmond District Parents' Association
Inquiries:	Jerry Fast, 604-278-2539

http://richmond.ca/electionservices/voters/allcandidatesmeetings.htm

11 月6 日 (星期日) 2 - 4pm
華僑之聲舉辦 “2011 列治文市選論壇” @ 列治文太古廣場

Opt out installation of Smart Meter

2011-10-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

Citizens For Safe Technology - Online petition

https://cstorg.wufoo.com/forms/smart-meters-in-british-columbia/

About 50 residents from various communities in Richmond attended the City Council Meeting last night(Oct 11, 2011), requesting a moratorium on the installation of BC Hydro's Smart Meters, and also requesting the choice to opt out of the programme or have a wired meter instead.

“We don't want Smart Meters in our homes, but BC Hydro and the Provincial Government are forcing these meters on us.” said Michelle Khong.

Another Richmond resident, Roland Hoegler told council members that he had forwarded a notice to BC Hydro about his intention for civil court action if Corix workers trespass on his property to install the wireless meter which he had officially refused. Hoegler even devised a schedule of monetary fines for BC Hydro.

The main concern from citizens was the lack of accountability, transparency and public consultation in the implementation of this project, which was exempted by BC Liberals government from oversight by the BC Utilities Commission, the public watchdog. The citizens believe that the costs, effectiveness and safety of Smart Meters require proper independent analysis. Residents are also concerned about the privacy and security of the detailed data of energy consumption which reveal daily pattern of household activities. Others are exasperated by the power outages caused by the installation and the financial implications of this billion-dollar project. Speaker of the group cited thousands of complaints on over-billing in Ontario and California, as well class-action lawsuits in California and Texas.

Lastly, they queried the data on safety provided by BC Hydro. Residents including the elderly, parents of children and those with medical conditions are particularly concerned about the cumulative exposure to radiofrequency emitted by wireless Smart Meters every few seconds, round the clock. They warned that condo and townhouse residents who live near the electrical rooms could be subject to radiation from dozens of these meters. Earlier this year, Radiofrequency Electromagnetic radiation has been classified by the World Health Organization as a Type 2B Possible Carcinogen to Humans, in the same category as Lead, DDT and HIV virus.

20 city councils in BC have passed resolutions to request for a moratorium on Smart Meters and the right to opt out at no cost to the consumer. The Union of BC Municipalities also voted in favour of a similar resolution on September 30.

Related news:
2011/10/12 Richmond News - Anti-Smart Meter drive picks up pace
2011/10/13 World Journal - 民間發起連署拒裝智能電表
2011/10/13 Richmond News - City of Richmond wants to dig deeper before calling for smart meter stall
2011/10/14 Richmond Review - Smart meters: Are they safe?
2011/10/14 Richmond News - Does Clark have a smart meter?
2011/10/19 Ming Pao - 卑詩水電回應抗議不強制裝智能電表
2011/10/20 World Journal - 卑詩智能電表住戶有權拒裝

World Food Day event - October 15, 2011 Saturday

2011-10-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

Date: Oct 15, 2011 (Saturday)
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place: Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond (Inside the library and in the Lecture Hall)
Price: This event is FREE!

World Food Day is celebrated internationally and was launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1979. For the last sevebn years, the Richmond Food Security Society has hosted the World Food Day Festival at the Richmond Cultural Centre with the support of Vancouver Coastal Health and the Richmond Public Library.

Films being shown include Food Security – It’s in Your Hands just after 11 a.m., the award-winning documentary Dirt! at 1 p.m. and The Garden at 3 p.m.

Related news:
2011/10/16 World Journal - 紀念世界糧食日列市18農團免費試吃

Provincial Scholarships and Rewriting a Provincial Exam

2011-10-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

The following info. is for parents with teens in Grade 11 & 12 who want to rewrite the provincial exam to improve their scores to be qualified for Provincial scholarship. Students should check with the school counsellor for any questions.

Provincial Scholarship
For students graduating on or after September 1, 2011, the following rules apply:
• Students must achieve at least a “B” (73% or above) final mark (provincial exam and school mark combined) in one of the Language Arts 12 (Communications 12, English 12, Francais langue premiere 12, or English 12 First Peoples).
• Students must achieve at least one “A” (86% or higher) and three “B”s (73% or higher) on four of their best provincial exams (can include the Language Arts 12 provincial exam).
• The examination rewrite rule will be relaxed for one year (September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012) to allow students to rewrite a required exam to improve their scores.
• AP and most IB scores will no longer count towards scholarship.

Rewrites

Rewriting a Provincial Examination
Students may rewrite a provincial exam once within the 12-month period following the first attempt at the examination. The 12 months are inclusive (e.g., from the June examination session, one year through to the June examination session of the next year). To rewrite a provincial examination more than once, a student must retake the course.
Students who retake a course will be allowed one rewrite opportunity, based on the second course completion.

Note: This rewrite rule will be relaxed for one year commencing September 1, 2011 to allow students to rewrite Grade 10 and 11 provincial exams to improve their exam result for the purposes of qualifying for a Provincial Examinations Scholarship under the new policy effective September 1, 2011. See Chapter 6: Scholarships
and Awards.

The following will apply:
1. If a student has had two attempts, they may rewrite a third time to improve their result.
2. If a year has lapsed since the student’s last attempt, he or she may rewrite without retaking the course.

Registering to Rewrite
Registration is not required for the October, November, April, May and August exam sessions.
For January and June, the Online Exam Register should be used in conjunction with any required data transfers.
Failure to Rewrite after Registering
If a student is registered to rewrite an exam but fails to participate, it is not considered a rewrite attempt.
Rewrites and Transcripts
Transcripts will reflect the higher exam percentage if a student has a valid rewrite attempt.

Stop Wireless Smart Meter 停止安裝無線智能電錶

2011-10-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

Please attend the Richmond City Council Meeting on October 11, Tuesday 7pm to support the citizens oppose the BC Hydro smart meter installation.

请出席 2011年10月11日(星期二) 晚上7时6911 No.3 Road 列治文市議會
支持市民要求選擇權利，停止BC水電公司蔑視人權，強迫安裝侵犯私隱、胡亂收費、破壞家電、損害健康的無線智（低？）能輻射電錶!

Problems Associated with Wireless Smart Meters

2011-10-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

Lack of Accountability, Transparency and Democracy

Unlike what BC Hydro claims, this billion-dollar project is an unnecessary financial burden to BC taxpayers. It offers negligible impact on the consumption of electricity. The cost and benefits of this project were never debated in the legislature. The public (we - the paying customers) were never consulted. The Provincial Government even "exempted" this expensive project from any review or oversight by the BC Utilities Commission (the public watchdog). Furthermore, questions have been raised regarding conflict of interests. The first $73 million installation contract of Smart Meters was awarded to Corix, a subsidiary of CAI which is owned and managed by BC Hydro's own Director Tracey McVicar. This is also the same company where BC Liberal-appointee David Emerson serves as Investor and Senior Advisor.
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/03/07/SmartMeterProfits/

http://www.caifunds.com/mcvicar.html
http://www.caifunds.com/media_coverage/dowjones_privateeo_nov2408.html
http://www.caifunds.com/portfolio2.html

Health and Safety Concern:

Contrary to BC Hydro's PR statement that "Smart meters communicate using radio frequency signals 4 to 6 times a day-for a total average of one minute per day" https://delta.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentDisplay.aspx?ID=57946 , during actual measurement of installed smart meters and Hydro's collection antennas, the electromagnetic radiation that they emit spiked every 5 seconds continuously. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNrRIFkiHKM

California nuclear expert Daniel Hirsch pointed out in his analysis that when the units of measurement are corrected, the cumulative radiation emitted by "smart meters are at least 100x more powerful than cell phone..." http://www.committeetobridgethegap.org/pdf/110212_RFrad_comments.pdf

Once these meters are installed and turned on in every home in our city, not only will our city be covered 24/7 by yet another mesh of radiofrequency and microwave by the "grid" created, our residents in condos and townhouses who live close to the electrical rooms will be subject to an alarming level of exposure with a concentration of up to dozens of these wireless meters.
http://www.stopsmartmetersbc.ca/html/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SmartMeters_NeighbourhoodHandout.pdf

On May 31, 2011, Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields "emitted by wireless communication devices" was classified by the World Health Organization's IARC (International Agency on the Research of Cancer) as Type 2B Possible Carcinogen to Humans, in the same category as lead, DDT, phthalates and car exhaust. This is the first time in history that a World Health Organization Class 2B possible human carcinogen is being forced on every family in British Columbia, and citizens are deprived of any choice to opt out.

Glaring mis-information on safety level: In the BC Hydro PR materials, they stated that the radiation level was "less than 2 μW/cm2" (2 microwatts/cm2) which is even lower than Switzerland's "precautionary limit of 4.5 μW/cm2 for highly sensitive areas" BC Hydro has been quoting the same figure in all of their publicity on smart meters. http://www.bchydro.com/energy_in_bc/projects/smart_metering_infrastructure_program/faqs/radio_frequency.html

However, according to the Smart Meters testing report by BC Centre of Disease Control, the levels measured are 0.02-0.05 mW/cm2, which means 20 to 50 μW/cm2 (NOT 2μW/cm2!) - 10 to 25 times HIGHER! http://www.bccdc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/43EF885D-8211-4BCF-8FA9-0B34076CE364/0/June92011_BCCDCReport_BCHydroSmartMeters.pdf
mW/cm2 means Milliwatts!! http://www.unitconversion.org/power/milliwatts-to-microwatts-conversion.html One Milliwatt (mW) is 1,000 Microwatts (μW). This means that the radiation from Smart Meters is not less than, but actually 4 to 5 times beyond the Swiss limit for sensitive areas which BC Hydro blatantly refers to. Please take a look at our Canadian microwave exposure limit compared to other countries: ours is 100 to 10,000 times less stringent than many other countries' national maximums.
http://tinyurl.com/5sthtd5

According to the 2010 "Canadian Parliamentary Committee Report: An Examination Of The Potential Health Impacts Of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation", Canadian scientists admitted that there were "gaps in the existing literature related to long-term low-level exposure and brain functions and reproductive outcomes", They consequently recommended that more long-term studies were necessary.
http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=4834477&Language=E&Mode=&File=45#concern

Yesterday (Oct 4, 2011) Health Canada issued a new warning ,calling for reduced exposure for children to low-level non-ionizing electromagnetic radiofrequency, due to the fact kids are more sensitive to environmental pollutants.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2011/2011_131-eng.php

In fact, numerous scientific studies have already shown that low-level non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (such as what's emitted by Smart Meters) result in biological effects which include single and double-strand DNA damage, cell mutation (leading to cancers and tumours); damage to the blood brain barrier, brain function, the heart, thyroid and reproductive ability; difficulty in concentrating and short-term memory-loss; weakening of the immune system; and deterioration in eyesight. Many of these symptoms are irreversible. Mandatory installation of 1.8 millions more wireless devices in the province including near-100,000 more units in Richmond is absolutely dangerous and irresponsible.
http://www.safeinschool.org/p/scientific-studies.html

Electrohypersensitivity (EHS): The World Health Organization defines EHS as “A phenomenon where individuals experience adverse health effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices emanating electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields (EMFs). . . EHS is a real and sometimes a debilitating problem for the affected persons”.
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/reports/EHS_Proceedings_June2006.pdf

The numbers of people struggling with EHS are increasing worldwide just as more wireless infrastructure is rolled out in our communities. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, insomnia, heart irregularities, nausea, digestion difficulties, memory and concentration problems to name a few. Electrohypersensitivity is recognized by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. No agency is protecting people from this risk, and misdiagnosis is rampant even though the Parliament Health & Safety Committee recommended that electrohypersensitivity be studied and there be a reporting system for those suffering from wireless exposure. Attaching a continuously radiating device onto people’s homes will guarantee more people becoming ill for no apparent reason, and for some people, their homes will become unlivable due to the severity of their reactions. Even the BC Green Party has stepped forward to reject this "green-washed" project by BC Hydro:
http://greenparty.ca/media-release/2011-07-27/bc-greens-say-smart-meter-health-concerns-demand-action

Invasion of Privacy:

Detailed data of household usage can be sold to or hacked by third parties. Those who have access to the data would know whether the house is vacant or not, and what kind of activities take place inside the house. While this could be valuable information to criminals, some utlity companies in the US have been found to have sold consumers' usage data to marketing companies as well.
http://www.stopsmartmetersbc.ca/html/?page_id=175

German Study shows that it is possible to use electricity usage data from smart electricity meters to determine which programmes consumers are watching on a standard TV set.
http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Smart-meters-reveal-TV-viewing-habits-1346385.html

University of California, Berkeley, School of Information explains the numerous unresolved privacy issues regarding Smart Meters: Page 67 http://www.riodelltimes.com/CityCouncilRioDellCalifornia/12.7.10Agenda/12.7.10CouncilPacketPart2.pdf
Smart meters installed by man involved in wire tap crime
http://www.kitimatdaily.ca/show4908a/SMART_METERS_INSTALLED_BY_MAN_INVOLVED_IN_WIRE_TAP_CRIME

Ineffective:

Ontario: Premier Dalton McGuinty, having launched Ontario on a billion-dollar smart meter experiment, now admits the electricity pricing scheme that's supposed to make it all work, isn't.
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2010/09/17/15392101.html

Connecticut Light & Power Co.’s plan to replace existing electric meters with advanced technology would be very expensive and would not save enough electricity for its 1.2 million customers to justify the expense, Attorney General George Jepsen said.
http://www.ct.gov/ag/lib/ag/press_releases/2011/020811clpmeters.pdf

Erratic Billing:

Higher than normal utility bills and overbilling from smart meters have lead to lawsuits, including two class-action lawsuits in Bakersfield, California, and Texas.
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/40922

The Ontario Energy Board received 1,769 complaints on over-billing from Smart Meters during the period between April and June.
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/12/21/16635621.html

Over 1,200 complaints by Californian consumers on over-billing after the installation of Smart Meters:
http://www.yarmouth.me.us/vertical/Sites/%7B13958773-A779-4444-B6CF-0925DFE46122%7D/uploads/Consolidated__Smart_Choices_About_Smart_Meters_doc1.pdf

MPP Randy Hillier makes a statement in the Legislature regarding the fact that his hydro costs at his constituency office have doubled from the same time period last year, yet the only change has been the installation of his smart meter. And the time of use has not even kicked in yet. http://www.citizensforsafetechnology.org/Smart-Meter-Tax-Machines,2,1213

Interference with Medical and Household Appliances:

Richmond: Fridge blows after smart meter installed.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/128323478.html

Richmond: Power cut after smart meter installed.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/129820743.html

Richmond: Smart meter leaves owners dumbfounded with power outage.
http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/130813303.html

Smart Meters have caused Wi-Fi, Netflix, security systems, appliances, and other equipment to malfunction and break. Interference with electronic devices (home office printers, fax machines, scanners, computers, television and cable settings, radios, cordless phones, baby monitors, and other household devices) has been reported after smart meter installation.
http://www.yarmouth.me.us/vertical/Sites/%7B13958773-A779-4444-B6CF-0925DFE46122%7D/uploads/Consolidated__Smart_Choices_About_Smart_Meters_doc1.pdf

Maine: Smart meters blamed for Wi-Fi router traffic jam
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-57328603-54/smart-meters-blamed-for-wi-fi-router-traffic-jam/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20
Fires and Explosions:

Smart meter exploded. Worse, couple may have to pay for replacement:
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/10/04/pickering-smart-meter-explodes?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=recommend-button&utm_campaign=Pickering+smart+meter+explodes

Smart Meter Blows Up At Business. Employees Question Safety.
http://www.turnto23.com/north_river_county/21601647/detail.html

Smart Meters cause fire in Houston.
http://www.click2houston.com/video/28151896/index.html

Wired Options:

Following a landmark decision at the Maine Public Utilities Commission, people can opt out of the program by keeping their existing, analog meters, or having a modified smart meter installed with its wireless transmitter turned off, the PUC decided. Customers also have the option of moving a wireless smart meter to another location on their property.
http://www.pressherald.com/news/PUC-approves-smart-meter-opt-out-options.html

In Idaho and Italy, smart meters are wired. This takes care of the radiation aspect, but not big-brother harvesting personal data part. However, the chance of data being hacked by hackers on a wired connection is lower than on wireless. http://www.idahopower.com/ServiceBilling/Residential/Billing/AMR_QualitySecurity.cfm).
The wired meters are even CHEAPER than wireless meters. Why would BC Hydro choose the more expensive and more risky, less secure and less reliable wireless model instead?

Reviews and Critiques on Smart Meters by International Scientists:

Dr. Daniel Hirsch - Nuclear Expert, UC Santa Cruz, USA.
http://www.committeetobridgethegap.org/pdf/110212_RFrad_comments.pdf

Professor Olle Johannson - Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute (Nobel Prize), Stockholm, Sweden.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/59738917/Dr-Johansson-s-letter-re-SmartGrid-Smart-Meter-dangers-to-CPUC-7-9-2011
Bio: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B-QqwTHjR6LjNTJhZjY4ZTYtOTc2ZC00NjhiLWExOGEtMzVjMTA1NDI3YmRj&hl=en_GB

Dr. David O. Carpenter - Director, Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, New York, USA. (Presenter to President Obama's Cancer Panel).
http://www.blogger.com/goog_468845967
Bio: http://tinyurl.com/3oogmzj

Dr. Karl Maret - President, Dove Health Alliance, USA.
http://sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/?p=368

Dr. Magda Havas - Associate Professor, Environmental & Resource Studies, Trent University Peterborough, ON, Canada.
http://www.magdahavas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Havas-Report-CCST-Smart-Meters.pdf

De-Kun Li, MD, PhD, MPH
Senior Research Scientist and Lecturer at Stanford University
http://www.dor.kaiser.org/external/De-Kun_Li/
http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/Dr-DeKun-Li-Letter-re-Smart-Meter-Safety,25,1298

Kenny Chiu & Jonathan Ho elect for School Trustees 趙錦榮與何錦榮首度參選列治文學務委員

2011-10-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

世界新聞網 - RITE學委參選人
石塔喬克（左起）、金史定、畢羅特、何錦榮以及趙錦榮

列治文市有超過四成居民為華裔，今年11月市選列治文獨立選民團隊(RITE)一口氣推出三位華裔候選人，全力搶攻華人票源。除了擔任學委長達12年之久的區澤光轉戰市議會外，社區活躍人士趙錦榮以及金融界出身的何錦榮也將首度參與政治選舉。

本月4日宣布參選市議員的區澤光表示，列治文華裔選民眾多，但是市議會卻沒有會說中文的議員，假若順利當選將會為市議會帶來新氣象，也可為華裔社區帶來更多貢獻。

移民加國30年從事電腦工程師的趙錦榮指出，加國面臨老年化社會，因此必須更花心思投資在未來主人翁身上，而一切的根本就從教育做起。他將會提倡教育革新，讓學校局多聽取家長心聲，使校方及學生家長的溝通更無障礙。而且在社區服務多年，發現有許多與民眾切身相關的問題未能得到妥善解決，因此決定參選。

1997自香港移民加國，從事銀行業多年的何錦榮則表示，身為兩個孩子的父親，對於教育議題十分關心，並認為目前教育體系仍有改善空間，且提倡家長應在孩童學習過程中扮演更重要的角色，同時呼籲省府可增加對教育系統的撥款，並為ESL教育爭取更多資金。

區澤光指出，RITE在今年市選學委參選人實力堅強，共有5名學務委員候選人來自不同族裔的參選人象徵文化融合，除上述趙錦榮(Kenny Chiu)科技界和何錦榮(Jonathan Ho)來自金融界，其餘3人則分別是現任學務委員畢羅德(Rod Belleza)、在航空、信息科技公司MacDonald Dettwiler工作的金史定(Norm Goldstein)，以及從事教育相關行業的石塔喬克(Michael Starchuk)。未來將會有效控管財政預算，為學習設備把關。

代表RITE參選列市市議員的共4人，包括擔任學務委員10餘年的區澤光(Chak Au)、現任市議員何紆意(蘇何世品Sue Halsey-Brandt)，曾領導列治文「反對機場新油庫行動聯盟」(VAPOR)及反對花園城市土地(Garden City Lands)開發案的戴嘉露(Carol Day)，以及曾代表綠黨競逐聯邦大選的沃爾夫(Michael Wolfe)。

從移民求學到落地生根，從鼓勵投票到投身巿政，請看趙錦榮(Kenny Chiu)四年前的一段心底話：

嘉賓: 趙錦榮先生 Mr. Kenny Chiu from OneVoice on Vimeo.

Related News:

2011/10/08 World Journal - 區澤光率RITE 搶占列市議席

2011/10/08 Ming Pao - 列市市選3華裔候選人亮相區澤光競市議員何錦榮趙錦榮爭學委

Top 10 excuses using a hand-held device while driving 十大駕車講手機藉口

2011-10-06T17:26:00.000-07:00

From ICBC website

Here are the top excuses that police heard from drivers who were caught using a hand-held device while driving which posted on ICBC website :

1. This is a bogus law. This is the attitude that needs to change. Distracted driving can have serious and often tragic consequences. In B.C., about 25 per cent of all deaths in fatal crashes are related to distracted driving. These deaths are preventable, which is why this law was brought in and why police are out there enforcing it – to help make our roads safer.

2. It was my boss on the phone – I had to answer it. In B.C., crashes are the number-one cause of traumatic work-related deaths, according to WorkSafeBC statistics. On average, approximately 30 workers in B.C. are killed each year while driving. Your boss should be relieved that you were not only obeying the law, but reducing the risk of injuring or killing yourself and others while on the job.

3. I wasn’t using it – I just like to hold it. Some even use the excuse that they were holding their garage door opener or hairbrush. The reality is that driving is a complex task that requires our full attention. Anything – whether it is a garage door opener or a hairbrush – that takes your attention from the road is a distraction and can impact your ability to react to the unexpected.

4. Sorry officer, I didn’t see you trying to pull me over because I was on my phone. If you don’t notice a police car trying to pull you over, how would you notice nearby pedestrians and cyclists? Studies show that drivers who are talking on a cellphone lose about 50 per cent of what is going on around them, visually, while driving and are four times more likely to get in a crash. No call or text message is worth putting yourself and others at risk – let your calls go to voicemail and you don’t need to respond to text messages right away, or better yet, turn the cellphone off to avoid the temptation.

5. But it was an emergency call to my wedding planner! A real emergency would be if your vehicle flipped over in a ditch because you were distracted at the wheel by your phone. While the law exempts drivers needing to call 9-1-1 to reach the police, fire department or ambulance service about an emergency, it does not apply to personal situations – it has to be a real emergency situation.

6. My Bluetooth died. If your Bluetooth dies, pull over, change your voicemail to let callers know you’re on the road and you’ll return their call when it’s safe to do so. Enjoy your drive and let voicemail to do its job. Help create a culture where people don’t expect you to pick up the phone right away and don’t call others when you know they are behind the wheel.

7. Driver: I’m using my speakerphone. Police officer: No, you’re holding your phone in one hand and steering with the other. Hands-free doesn’t equal speakerphone. If you must take a call, use a hands-free electronic device and keep the conversation brief. Remember – a hands-free electronic device must be securely fixed to the vehicle or worn properly on the body (ear piece).

8. I’m not driving; I was stopped at a red light. This misconception needs to end right now: the law applies even when you’re stopped at a light or in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

9. I wasn’t talking, I was checking my messages. Under the law, drivers can’t use hand-held electronics while driving – that includes checking voice mail, making music selections or looking up phone numbers. Let calls go to voicemail and call back later when it's safe to do so. Better yet, turn off your cellphone and put it in the trunk or back seat to avoid the temptation.

10. I was just checking the time. There are no excuses for preventable tragedies. Imagine saying this to the emergency personnel and loved ones of someone seriously injured because of your carelessness.

根據卑詩保險公司的資料，司機駕車講手機的常見藉口包括﹕
1 這不是一條真法例
2 這是上司打來電話必須要聽
3 我沒有使用，只是拿著
4 對不起，我正在用電話所以看不見你
5 這是我打給籌備婚禮策劃人的緊急電話
6 我的藍牙壞掉
7 我只使用電話的喇叭擴音
8 我沒有駕車，我停在紅燈前
9 我沒有說話，我只在查閱短訊
10 我只是看時間

Related news:
2011/10/07 SingTao - 駕車講手機藉口之首：不是真例逾3千司機上月接告票

Lawyer Richard Lee run against Mayor Malcolm Brodie 曾任本那比學委李溢爭列市市長力撼馬保定

2011-10-05T08:34:00.000-07:00

Internet photo, Richard Lee (李溢) at right

Richmond lawyer Richard Lee filed his nomination papers on Tuesday and is running for mayor.

Incumbent Mayor Malcolm Brodie will be facing some competition in Nov. 19’s civic election. (Brodie announced last month he is seeking another term. He has been mayor since 2001 and has easily won re-election every election since. )

This is Lee’s first time running for mayor. He ran for council in 2008, netting 6,082 votes and finishing 15th, more than 5,000 votes back of the eighth-place finisher. Lee is a former two-term councillor in Merritt who moved to Richmond in 2006 after setting up his general law practice here a year earlier.

“I want to be in a position to be that leader of council of the day,” Lee said Thursday. “I want to take the initiative and persuade my councillors to agree with me and act on things that over the past three years were not done.”

Lee recognizes he’s got an uphill battle of David vs. Goliath proportions. “Having been through a few elections, I am convinced that my opponent isn’t going to win because he had more signs on the lawn or paid for more ads.”

Rather, the victor will be the individual who has touched more lives to the point that they’d be willing to vote for him. And Lee’s focus will now be on reaching out to local voters, based on the groundwork he’s laid over the past seven years since moving to Richmond.

Asked Mayor Brodie about the biggest challenges the city and council face in the future, he said balancing growth with livability will be a key, “The fear is that livability will be compromised.”

曾在2005年至2008年擔任本那比學務委員的律師李溢 (Richard Lee 與李燦明省議員英文名字相同)，昨日已向列治文市選辦公室遞交文件，以獨立身分競逐列市市長。挑戰現任市長馬保定（Malcolm Brodie）。

李溢表示，他與馬保定同齡，也是卑詩大學（UBC）的同窗，大家都修讀法律，他較馬保定早一年獲得律師執照；雖然馬保定在烈市執政15年，但他有信心可以把同窗擊倒，讓新面孔領導烈治文。

李溢指出，他是以獨立候選人的身分參選，而之所以在列市參選市長，基於兩個理由，一個理由是他已在列治文居住達7年，長年關注列市建設，也熟知列市目前面臨的問題。至於第二個理由，李溢說：「看到前兩屆市選時，現任市長馬保定總是與其他競選對手有懸殊差距，而馬保定也是獨立候選人」。

李溢表示，這給予他啟發，認為即使是獨立候選人，也並不代表沒有機會，只要在未來約五十天當中，讓市民認識他，知道他在列市可以有所作為，那麼，他仍有機會當選，於是他決定放手一搏。

李溢指出，他是專業律師，對選舉並不陌生，過去曾參加8次選舉，有3次當選經驗，兩任梅里特市議員，一任本那比學務委員。

李溢競選市長的政綱有四方面，包括確定城市花園路土地的產權歸於市府，確定原住民今後求償的機會有多大、帶領市府完成與市府僱員工會的合約談判、落實市府之前已承諾的可負擔房屋政策，以及確保市府有良好的財政管理能力，且推動未來經濟發展。

Related New:
2011/10/05 Richmond review - Lawyer Richard Lee to run against Malcolm Brodie
2011/10/05 Ming Pao - 曾任本那比學委李溢爭列市市長
2011/10/05 Sing Tao - 李溢突宣布參選力撼馬保定
2011/11/06 Sing Tao - 李溢越級單挑馬保定老定
2011/11/15 World Journal - 列市長爭霸李溢單挑馬保定

Richmond Business Directory Now Online and Free 列治文市推出免費網上黃頁

2011-10-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

Interested in researching a licenced business in Richmond? Now the entire Richmond Business Directory is online, and it is easier and more environmentally friendly than ever. No more phone calls, no more purchasing 250+ page directories or downloading a large PDF – search features are at your fingertips and free.

The Richmond Business Directory is a complete publication of all licenced businesses – those located in Richmond as well as those located elsewhere and licenced to do business in Richmond. Clients can download entire directories in Excel format or search by business name or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. In the search directory, a Google Map link has been added so you can see business locations.

The directory can be accessed from the City’s website by visiting http://www.richmond.ca/ > Business & Development > Business Directory.

列市推網上黃頁可快速查詢工商名錄

【明報專訊】列治文市民不再需要翻閱厚厚的黃頁，查詢工商資料了。該市市府現在推出免費的網上工商名錄以取代舊型黃頁。市民只需要輸入欲查詢的關鍵字，就可以快速查到在列治文的所有相關工商資料。

列治文市府網站上的工商名錄，提供在該市及在其他地方登記，但在列治文提供服務的公司。該線上名錄內容包括：公司登記的名稱、電話、地址、北美產業分類系統號碼(NAICS)，以及連結了Google地圖的公司地址，民眾可以及時查看該公司位置。除了可用關鍵字的方式查詢，民眾也可以選擇下載整本工商名錄。

列市網上工商名錄及詳情可上www.richmond.ca，點選Business & Development中的Business Directory查詢。

Chak Au runs for Richmond City councillor 當學委逾10年區澤光角逐列市議員

2011-10-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

Chak Au, Michael Wolfe and Carol Day

Another Richmond school trustee enters city council race

By Alan Campbell, Postmedia News October 4, 2011

Richmond school board trustee Chak Au announced Tuesday morning that he’s running for a seat on city council at next month’s election.

Outside city hall, Au officially threw his hat into the ring, adding that he’ll be running under the RITE (Richmond Independent Team of Electors) banner alongside incumbent Sue Halsey-Brandt, school trustee Carol Day and federal election Green Party candidate Michael Wolfe.

Au, who has been a school trustee since 1999, immigrated to Canada in 1988. He is a registered family therapist and works for Vancouver Coastal Health in Richmond as a mental health promotion program leader.

He sees himself as being a "strong advocate of multiculturalism and racial harmony," in the city.

Au has served on numerous boards and committees, including Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee, Richmond Child Care Advisory Committee, Richmond Sister City Committee, Richmond Connections, Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society, and Richmond Poverty Response Task Force.

In 2002, after the death of Const. Jimmy Ng, caused by an illegal car race of several youth in Richmond, he chaired the Stop Illegal Street Racing Committee formed by community partners.

Au is the third member of the school board team to enter the race for city hall, after former school board chair Linda McPhail and Day.

The official 10-day nomination window for city council and school board candidates began Tuesday. The civic election will be held Nov. 19.

Read more: Richmond News / Richmond Review

當學委逾10年盼進一步助市民區澤光角逐列市議員

【明報專訊】列治文學務委員區澤光宣布在11月市選中代表列治文獨立選民團隊(RITE)角逐市議員。他昨日到市府登記參選時表示，希望未來能在列市議會中做華人的代表，並承諾若能當選，未來每周將有一個晚上與市民會面。

區澤光昨日表示，擔任學務委員十多年來，不時有市民找他尋求一些市政方面的幫助，但是他只能幫忙聯繫，卻無法提供實質的幫助，這是令他決定參選市議員的很大原因。

區澤光稱，列治文市議會缺乏新意，參選人及政綱數十年如一日，他希望為議會帶來正面的改變。區澤光表示，若順利當選，他將成為列治文市議會裏第一個會講中文的議員，他會每周設立一個諮詢晚上，讓市民不需要預約就可以直接來找他會談。

他說，從原本的學務委員到市議員，不是一項改變，而是擴大了服務的範圍。他表示，列治文市這幾年來最大的發展只有房地產，市府在集中發展市中心時，沒有考慮到預留學校用地。他說，若能成為市議員，他將會加強市府與學校局的聯繫，並且發揮列治文最豐富的人力資產，讓市民能真正安居樂業。區澤光表示，列治文華人比例雖高，但是華人投票率太低，接下來的這場選戰將是一個很大的挑戰。

National Seniors Day 全國長者日

2011-09-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

National Seniors Day would be celebrated every year on October 1, coinciding with the International Day of Older Persons.

Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation

2011-09-24T05:30:00.000-07:00

Protect Yourselves - Avoid spam and other electronic threats
Canada's new anti-spam law was passed in December 2010 and will enter into force following a Governor in Council order. Once the law is in force, it will allow for investigations of violations of the law. Full text of Canada's anti-spam law.

The new law will help Canadians avoid spam and other electronic threats:
Protect your computer
Protect your email
Protect yourself

The new law will affect any individual, business and organization that:
Makes use of commercial electronic messages
Is involved with the alteration of transmission data
Produces or installs computer programs

VAPOR and City of Richmond Opposed to All Jet Fuel Delivery Options in the Fraser River Estuary 列治文市議會反對在菲沙河口輸送飛機燃油

2011-09-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

VAPOR* MEDIA RELEASE -- SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

Although the BC Environmental Assessment Office has cut off public consultations on the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facility Corporation’s (VAFFC) proposal to ship jet fuel up the South Arm of the Fraser River, unload it there and store it in a large tank farm on the bank of the river, the VAFFC and other groups have continued to work with the BC EAO to advance their proposal. In response to strong opposition to their original proposal, we have learned that VAFFC has revived three previously rejected options to deliver fuel to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

This is despite the fact that the VAFFC has obtained a continuing suspension on the review process. The assessment process is very confusing to many and leaves most public groups out of the process as it unfolds. If the VAFFC is looking at other alternatives, it would be advisable for them to drop their original proposal that has seen strong opposition and start with a new environmentally low risk option that will not be strongly opposed by senior government agencies, First Nations, local government and the public.

VAFFC has stated that they will now explore three alternative options to their original application to ship fuel into the Fraser River Estuary. They include: 1). an offshore Sea Island terminal directly across from Wreck Beach and Musqueam Marsh, 2). a Fraser River North Arm barge and off loading facility at Sea Island and 3). an upgrading of the existing pipeline from Burrard Inlet.

The original South Arm option and above options 1 and 2 are again totally unacceptable to VAPOR, the City of Richmond and to the many public groups that have signed our petition. VAPOR now has over 6000 signatures on a petition opposing the original VAFFC proposal to ship fuel into the Fraser River Estuary. It appears that VAFFC simply does not understand the need and the public demand to protect our property, our safety, our fisheries, quality of life and our estuarine environment from such high risk jet fuel delivery options.

We again demand that no bulk transport of toxic and flammable jet fuel be allowed anywhere into the Fraser River Estuary. This is further supported by an August 17th, 2011 letter from Environment Canada where they clearly state to the BC EAO: “ The project would present a new and unacceptable risk to the locally, nationally and internationally-important fish and wildlife populations of the Fraser River Estuary, including migratory birds and species at risk…” and “Environment

Canada is of the opinion that there is a limited ability with currently available technologies to effectively control a potential Jet-A fuel spill in the Fraser River Estuary”.

On September 12, 2011 VAPOR made a presentation to Richmond City Council. After that presentation Council unanimously passed a motion that in part stated: Council “…is opposed to the transportation of jet fuel on any arm of the Fraser River”.

Further Council directed staff to examine the options for various pipelines, including Cherry Point as well as the feasibility of increasing the flow of the Kinder Morgan Pipeline and have letters sent to the airlines that own VAFFC under the Mayor’s signature expressing Richmond City Council’s opposition to the proposal and Richmond is to approach other groups such as the Corporation of Delta to support this position.

VAPOR applauds Richmond City Council’s proactive efforts to protect the fragile Fraser River Estuary, our property, public safety and our quality of life.

VAPOR continues to maintain its position that the only safe option to deliver fuel to the Vancouver Airport is by means of pipelines from the fuel sources in Burnaby and the ARCO Refinery in Washington State. After presentations to Delta and Richmond, VAPOR will now approach the Cities of Vancouver, Surrey and White Rock to support the positions of VAPOR and the City of Richmond.

* VAPOR is a group of concerned citizens from the Lower Fraser River area opposed to marine shipping of jet fuel into the Fraser River Estuary because of public safety and environmental risks. We also promote the safer alternative of using pipelines to deliver fuel from existing refinery sources to YVR.

RCMP list of Marihuana Grow Operations 皇家騎警公布大麻屋黑名單

2011-09-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

The RCMP is now publishing online the addresses of homes where marijuana grow-ops and other drug production operations were found. (photo from RCMP website)

The new page on the RCMP's website is part of a stepped up effort by the Mounties to target marijuana grow-ops and the organized crime gangs behind them.

The Marijuana Grow Initiative was launched Wednesday and the RCMP says it complements its National Anti-Drug Strategy. Split up by province, the website lists the addresses where search warrants were executed and lists how many marijuana plants were discovered and when. The database also covers clandestine drug labs that were found in homes. List of Marihuana Grow Operations - British Columbia

聯邦保守黨和皇家騎警表示，業主曾否蓄意或在不知情下，把物業出租供種植大麻或成為秘密的製毒工場，其鄰居和潛在買家都有權知道相關資料及真相。

皇家騎警指出，大麻場嚴重危害公眾健康和安全，包括有引發火警危險，建築物結構會受損以致發霉，所以將會在網上列出一份黑名單，列明大麻屋或製毒工場的位置，全數都曾被騎警搜查或搗破，而涉事者已被落案起訴。

這是皇家騎警推出的公眾認知新策略其中一部分，希望透過網上公布名單，讓有意置業或相關物業的鄰居有所警覺。http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/drugs-drogues/mgi-ircm/bc-eng.htm

Related news;
2011/09/21 CBC News - Marijuana grow-op sites listed by RCMP
2011/09/22 Sing Tao - 警公布大麻屋黑名單置業者可免買錯屋

Carpenter Ants, Wood Boring Beetles & Termites in house 木工蟻, 蛀木甲蟲與白蟻

2011-09-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

Most insects can be safely ignored because they pose very little threat to you or your home, in fact most are beneficial. A very few pest species, however, might require some action. Carpenter ants, wood boring beetles and termites are "bad bugs" for wood structure house. For details please see Living With Bugs website and Home & Garden Pest Management Guide for British Columbia 2009 Edition.
大多數昆蟲是無害的，因為他們對你或你家構成非常小的威脅，需要採取預防措施是極少數有害的物種。尤其是是木工蟻，蛀木甲蟲與白蟻是可能破壞房屋木結構的“害蟲”。

M6.3 earthquake occurred 50 km off the west coast of Vancouver Island 溫哥華島外海規模6.3地震

2011-09-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

According to the Earthquake Canada -
12:41pm PDT September 9:
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred about 50 km off the west coast of Vancouver Island (300 km west of Vancouver). It was felt across southwest British Columbia, including Vancouver Island, Greater Vancouver, and as far away as Kelowna. There have been no reports of damage.
The last large earthquake in this area was a M 6.6 event on November 2, 2004.

04:02am PDT September 15:
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake occurred ~50 km off the west coast of Vancouver Island. There are no reports of this earthquake being felt, and no damage is expected. This is likely an aftershock of the M 6.3 earthquake of Friday, September 9.

聯邦自然資源部地震學家指出，上周五（9日）溫哥華島西面海底規模6.3的強震之後，省內各地又發生數十起餘震，其中最大一次規模4.9。溫哥華島外海平均每十年就會發生一次這類強震，餘震也還會持續一陣子。

15日清晨同一地區發生規模4.0的餘震，震央在海底地殼下25公里處，大溫地區雖有部分民眾感受到建築劇烈搖晃，幸未引發海嘯，亦未造成任何損失和傷亡。

Related News:
2011/09/14 Canada.com - Earthquake should be seen as warning: expert
2011/09/16 World Journal - 溫島西部外海4.0餘震無傷亡

Caring About Food Safety 學習食物安全

2011-09-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

Caring About Food Safety is a short, self-guided course about the safe and healthy preparation and handling of food. The course, offered at no cost, is designed to raise awareness about protecting public health by preventing the spread of food-borne illness.

The course is designed for anybody who prepares, handles or serves food to people beyond their immediate friends and family. It will be particularly useful for people whose clients are typically more susceptible to food-borne illness, and for whom there are no mandated food-safety training requirements - such as operators of child daycares or small, residential-care facilities.

The course is comprised of six major, interactive sections, which take about 1.5 hours in total: Why Learn about Food Safety; Buying Food; Storing Food; Preparing Food; Cooking Food; Cleaning Up; and Test Your Knowledge. Test Your Knowledge is a multiple-choice quiz participants take once they have worked through the other sections.

You can access the Caring About Food Safety course materials here.

注意食物安全
照顧人是最重要的工作之一。照顧別人包括了確保他們的食物是安全的。在這個課程裏﹐您將學習食物安全﹐減低自己和您所照顧的人染上與食物有關的疾病的危險。細閱這六個章節的每一個﹐然後試做“考考您”小測驗﹐看看您學會了多少。完成整個課程應該花您大約1.5小時。學習食物安全 / Learn about food safety in Traditional Chinese

Voting Made Easier for Richmond Civic Election 烈治文市選-投票站和投票日可供選民選擇

2011-09-09T17:11:00.000-07:00

Richmond residents will elect a Mayor and eight Councillors for the City of Richmond, and seven School Trustees for the Richmond Board of Education on Saturday, November 19. To help make the process easier, this year all Richmond voters can:

•“vote anywhere” by visiting any one voting place they wish, not just a designated neighbourhood voting place. This includes new voting places planned for high traffic areas such as the Richmond Cultural Centre, Lansdowne Centre and Watermania

•“vote at your convenience” by having the option of casting your ballot on election day (November 19) or on any of five advance voting days, with an increased number of voting places available to choose from on advance voting days

•access voting information around the clock through the City’s website at www.richmond.ca/electionservices/overview or on our Richmond election Facebook page at facebook.com/richmondvotes

•check out detailed profiles of all the candidates which will be available following the nomination period in October, on the City’s website and in our comprehensive voter’s guide, which is mailed to all Richmond households

Information is also available at the City’s Election Office, now open weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding holidays) at Richmond City Hall or by calling 604-276-4100 during those hours.

Voter registration for the upcoming election is now underway. Election Office staff at City Hall can help you register or ensure that Voters List information for you is current. You can visit the office in person, call or check online by visiting www.richmond.ca/electionservices/overview.

在今年11月19日舉行的烈治文市選裏，選民將會選出市長和8位市議員，以及為教育局選出7位學務委員。市府為了鼓勵更多選民出來投票，所以在這次採取新措施，包括選民將有更多投票地點和日期供選擇，務求選民投票更方便、更容易。

選民投票不再局限於某個票站。在投票日，他們可以隨意到市內各區32個投票站其中一個投票，包括在高人流地區設立的幾個新投票站，如烈治文文化中心、Lansdowne 中心商場及六號路的Watermania游泳池，而毋須一定要到住所附定的指定投票站，達到市府希望的「投票站隨你選」（vote anywhere）的目的。

此外，市府也推出「投票日多選擇」（vote at your convenience）的措施，讓選民除了可以在市選日當天投票外，也可在5個預先投票日其中一天投票，同時預先投票日的投票站數目較以前增加。

候選人提名會在10月完成，市府網站隨後發布各候選人的詳細背景資料，請選民到市府網站查閱。屆時這些資料會編印在選民手冊內，手冊會郵寄到烈治文各住戶。

市民也可親身前往烈治文市政大樓的「市選事務處」辦理選民登記，或致電604-276-4100，諮詢有關市選的詳情，辦公時間為周一至周五（假期除外）上午8時15分至下午5時。

市民如欲知道市選資料和消息，可上網到www.richmond.ca/electionservices/overview市府網站查詢，或到列治文市選的臉書網頁facebook.com/richmondvotes查閱。

選民也可上網到www.richmond.ca/electionservices/overview 查核「選民名冊」(Voters List) 上的個人資料是否準確無誤。

Vancouver is Canada's greenest city 溫哥華稱冠加國綠色城市

2011-09-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

Vancouver is the greenest city in Canada, and ranks second only to San Francisco in North America, a newly released environmental assessment has found.

Vancouver ranks No. 1 with the fewest carbon-dioxide emissions and best air quality, but is 10th in environmental governance, according to the U.S. and Canada Green City Index, prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The index was released in the U.S. in June, and in Canada on Thursday. Read more on Vancouver Sun

美國與加拿大綠色城市指數(U.S. and Canada Green City Index)由西門子公司(Siemens)贊助﹐《經濟學人》(The Economist)雜誌資訊社(Economist Intelligence Unit)負責調查﹐其最新調查結果於周四發布。溫哥華名列加拿大綠色城市之首﹐在全北美則排名第2﹐僅次於三藩市；多倫多在全北美排名第9。

研究人員共查看北美27個城市9大項目的環保表現﹐並排出名次。這些被選中的城市﹐代表美、加兩國人口最密集的大都會地區。9個項目分別為二氧化碳、能源、土地使用、建築物、交通運輸、水、廢物、空氣和環境管理。

溫哥華在全部9個項目的排名都進入前10位﹐其中二氧化碳排放以及空氣質素項目皆名列第一。溫哥華的人均二氧化碳排放量為4.2公噸﹐遠遠低於指數平均值14.5公噸。該報告說﹐溫哥華二氧化碳排放量這麼低﹐歸功於城市促進綠色能源的政策﹐和電力網中以水力發電為主。溫哥華在空氣質素方面亦有傑出表現﹐因為被檢測的各種污染物質﹐都實現低排放量﹐包括二氧化硫和氧化氮等。

報告說﹐整個溫哥華都會地區有210萬人口﹐是加拿大人口第3大城市。但進行評估時﹐研究人員僅考查居住在城市界線內的58萬人﹐這令溫哥華實際上成為參加排名的加國城市中﹐人口最少的一個。

其他獲得排名的加拿大城市﹐多倫多排名第9﹑渥太華第12﹑卡加利第14﹑滿地可第19。多倫多在廢物處理項目排名第4。報告說﹐那是因為多倫多的廢物回收率高達44%﹐遠超平均的26%。

VAPOR vents in Delta 在三角洲市議會的說明會

2011-08-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

A Richmond-based protest group has taken its message over the Fraser River and into Delta in a bid to broaden its support. Vancouver Airport Pipeline Opposition for Richmond (VAPOR), a coalition of residents, made a presentation to Delta council Monday.

VAPOR says barging toxic and flammable jet fuel up the Fraser River estuary to serve Vancouver International Airport is unprecedented, unreasonable and far too dangerous. "It's the wrong project, wrong place, wrong proposal. We're proposing a better alternative," Delta resident Jim Ronback told council.

Owned by a consortium of airlines that use YVR, the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation wants jet fuel barged up the Fraser River to a proposed tank farm on the Richmond side of the south arm of the river. An underground pipeline would then send the fuel to the airport.

Made up mostly of Richmond residents but also some from Delta, VAPOR says it's not opposed to the airport having a stable supply of fuel, however, environmental and public safety have to be taken into account.

"In this case, it is especially important because the fragile Fraser River, its estuary and surrounding marine waters in the Gulf of Georgia (Salish Sea) is needlessly being exposed to a new and totally unacceptable environmental and public safety risk," stated spokesperson Otto Langer, a former senior biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in a letter to council.

The group is worried about a myriad of issues, including potential spills, contamination, fires and explosions.

Richmond council has come out in opposition to the fuel consortium proposal, while Delta has taken a more guarded approach.

Currently, jet fuel is pumped to YVR from Burnaby through a 40-year-old pipeline, in addition to about 1,000 tanker truck trips a month between Washington state and the airport.

Read more on Richmond News

Do the right thing, VAFFC 溫哥華飛機燃油設施公司請做當做的事

2011-08-24T07:02:00.000-07:00

The Editor,

Adrian Pollard, director of the Vancouver Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC), states that the marine terminal, 80 million litre storage facility and pipeline (15 km upstream on the banks of the Fraser River) are ". undergoing a rigorous environmental assessment process that will ensure the project provides a safe and environmentally responsible solution."

B.C.'s Auditor General has just slammed the Environmental Assessment Office for being toothless. "Adequate monitoring and enforcement of certified projects is not occurring and follow-up evaluations are not being conducted," said Auditor General John Doyle. "EAO's oversight isn't sufficient to ensure compliance and enforcement, or to avoid significant adverse impacts."

In addition, this project did not initially qualify for environmental assessment, demonstrating that something is very broken in the system of checks and balances that our regulatory bodies are supposed to have. Plus, the federal government body Port Metro also has the power to approve and profit from this project, a clear conflict of interest. Richmond Fire Rescue and city hall have significant concerns about this project and I have not seen any evidence that VAFFC is addressing those concerns other than the recent no-brainer decision to look at moving the pipeline route out of residential communities to the Highway 99 right-of-way.

VAFFC has determined that any jet fuel spill will simply evaporate. In the event of a significant spill, what would be the implications of rapidly evaporating aerosol spreading through shoreline communities as the spill moves downstream? Just because it evaporates doesn't mean it disappears!

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, jet fuel also contains toxic additives that do not evaporate (antioxidants, antistatic agents, corrosion inhibitors, anti-freeze, and biocides). These chemicals can sink and contaminate sediments and jet fuel can contaminate soil for over 10 years.

Of the 14 options VAFFC very briefly outlined, the Marine Terminal is nowhere near the safest or environmentally responsible solution. However, a low cost and most likely safest to humanity and the environment option (out of the 14) is a 70 km pipeline to the Cherry Point Refinery. VAFFC identifies that pipeline length, cross-border jurisdictional problems and worries that one of the two local refineries could have a breakdown.

As a solution to local refineries and Alberta oil, they want to ship jet fuel from south-east Asia.

The pipelines option may even cost less to construct than the Marine Terminal and several cross border pipelines exist including ones that go from Alberta to the two local refineries including that at Cherry Point. I don't hear SeaTac airport complaining about its 160 km long pipeline to Cherry Point. Plus both Cherry Point and Chevron in Burnaby already have marine terminals. Cherry Point's new marine terminal has the added benefit that the tankers do not have navigate narrow waterways like the Georgia Strait, Burrard Inlet or the Fraser River.

If VAFFC is keen on importing offshore jet fuel why can they not arrange for such fuel to be brought to Cherry Point and piped to YVR? I think that would put YVR in the enviable position of the safest (to people and the environment) fuel access to two refineries and two marine terminals and it would keep fuel tankers out the Fraser River estuary and reduce tanker traffic into Burrard Inlet.

The only reason I can see for not choosing this option is profit, not wanting to pay to use a third party terminal, a small amount of profit for a large amount of risk.

VAFFC knows what the right thing to do is: just do it and stop wasting everyone's time.

Scott Carswell
Richmond

Read more: Richmond News

Black Bear spotted in Richmond 黑熊兩次出現列治文麥當勞海灘公園

2011-08-24T06:40:00.000-07:00

A black bear has been spotted twice on Sea Island this week, prompting city officials to post warning signs at McDonald Beach Park. The warning comes from the city's parks department, which confirmed the sightings Tuesday.

It's not clear how the bear arrived on Sea Island or if the bear is still in Richmond. City officials say the sighting is unusual but no cause for alarm, as the bear has not approached people or been seen around homes.

Using the bear's description, parks staff theorize the bear may be young and is looking for a place to call home. It may have wandered down the shore of the Fraser River, arriving here from Burns Bog or farther up the valley. Officials say its behaviour suggests "it has no interest in people and is just passing through."
Read more: Richmond Review

溫哥華國際機場所在的列治文海島區（Sea Island）本周連續發現黑熊出沒，市府人員在麥當勞海灘公園（McDonald Beach Park）附近張貼警示牌，呼籲民眾當心。列治文市府發言人迪克說，市府公園處本周獲報民眾兩次驚見熊蹤，最後一次出沒是23日，目前不確定黑熊如何來到海島區，也不清楚黑熊是否還在列治文逗留。

迪克指出，黑熊出現海島區極不尋常，但不至於導致公眾危險，因為黑熊沒有攻擊人類，也沒有接近附近住家。公園處人員推測這隻黑熊年紀不大，可能只是路過此處，對人類並不感興趣，但呼籲民眾行經海島區時提高警覺。
Read more: 世界新聞網 - 列治文海島區黑熊頻出沒

新移民小貼士

2011-08-19T23:47:00.000-07:00

欢迎您在加拿大展开新生活

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新移民必备的查询网站

101 Ways to Save Energy 節約能源101方法

2011-08-18T00:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.hawaiisenergyfuture.com/energy_tips/home.html

It may not seem like using a compact fluorescent light bulb or fixing a leaky faucet will do much to reduce your energy costs - or protect the environment.

But if every household practiced just a few simple conservation ideas like the 101 easy ways to save below, we could reduce energy consumption by a significant amount.

All it takes is a few minutes each month, and you'll notice a difference - and make a difference!

Getting started

1. Do a home energy audit. This survey analyzes your home's structure, appliances and insulation, as well as your family's lifestyle. Alliant Energy offers customers a free online energy audit called My Home Comfort Check Up that provides a personalized report detailing specific ways to save energy throughout your home.

Learn more about home energy audits

Heating your home

2. Change or clean your furnace filter once a month. Dust and dirt can quickly clog vital parts, making your furnace run harder and eventually break down.

3. Have your heating system inspected regularly - especially if it's natural gas. A $50-100 annual tune-up can help reduce your heating costs by up to five percent.

4. If you have a forced-air furnace, do NOT close heat registers in unused rooms. Your furnace is designed to heat a specific square footage of space and can't sense a register is closed - it will continue working at the same pace. In addition, the cold air from unheated rooms can escape into the rest of the house, reducing the effectiveness of all your insulating and weatherizing.

5. Install a programmable thermostat. If you use it to set back the temperature by 10 degrees for eight hours every night, you'll lower your heating bills by 10 percent. A $50 digital thermostat can pay for itself in energy savings in less than a year.

6. Don't set the thermostat higher than you actually want it. It won't heat your home any faster, and it will keep your furnace running longer than necessary.

7. Vacuum registers and vents regularly, and don't let furniture and draperies block the air flow. Inexpensive plastic deflectors can direct air under tables and chairs.

8. If your home has a boiler system, avoid covering radiators with screens or blocking them with furniture. It's also a good idea to add a reflecting panel behind radiators - you can purchase one at a home center or make one yourself with a plywood panel and aluminum foil.

9. If your home has electric baseboard heating, be sure to keep furniture and draperies away from the heaters, and leave at least a three-inch clearance under the heating unit.

10. Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to keep cold air out, but open them during the day to let the sun warm the room.

11. Avoid using space heaters, including electric, kerosene or propane models. Not only are they expensive to operate, they're also very dangerous.

12. If you have hardwood or tile floors, add area rugs to keep your feet warm.

13. If you'll be going on vacation, lower the thermostat to 55 degrees. This will save energy while preventing water pipes from freezing.

Learn more about heating your home

Fireplaces

14. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and inspected regularly, and burn only fully dried hardwoods to produce the most heat output.

15. Check the seal on the damper by closing it off and holding a piece of tissue paper inside the firebox. If drafts blow the tissue around, repair or replace the damper.

16. When using the fireplace, turn down the furnace to 55 degrees. If you don't, all the warm air from the furnace will go right up the chimney, wasting energy and money.

17. Add fireproof caulk where the chimney meets the wall, inside and outside.

18. When the fireplace is not in use, make sure fireplace dampers are sealed tight, and keep the glass doors closed. If you never use your fireplace, plug the chimney with fiberglass insulation and seal the doors with silicone caulk.

Learn more about using your fireplace efficiently

Insulating your home

19. Check insulation levels throughout your house. Measure attic insulation with a ruler, and check behind switch plates for sidewall insulation.

20. Install more attic insulation. Upgrading from three inches to 12 inches can cut heating costs by 20 percent, and cooling costs by 10 percent.

21. Add pieces of batt insulation to the rim joists - the area along the top of the foundation where it meets the exterior walls.

22. If your basement is unheated, install blanket insulation in between exposed floor joists.

23. Choose the new "no-itch" or poly-wrapped insulation products. They're much easier to handle and safer to work with - making them worth the extra cost.

24. Install additional attic insulation at right angles to the previous layer. You don't have to use the same type of insulation - it's fine to use batts or blankets over loose-fill, or vice versa.

25. When using loose-fill, be sure to distribute the insulation evenly. Any inconsistencies can reduce the insulating value.

26. While shopping for insulation, remember that R-value measures the amount of thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

27. Never cover attic vents or recessed light fixtures with insulation, and allow a three-inch clearance around chimneys and flue pipes to prevent overheating and avoid the risk of fire.

28. Have a leaky roof repaired and make sure your basement is waterproofed. Wet insulation is worthless.

Learn more about insulating your home

Air conditioning your home

29. Maintain your central air conditioner by cleaning the outside compressor with a garden hose (be sure to shut off power at the fuse or breaker first). Keep plantings at least one foot away for adequate airflow.

30. During late afternoon and early evening, turn off unnecessary lights and wait to use heat-producing appliances. It's also a good idea to shade south- and west- facing windows during the hottest part of the day.

31. Plant a tree. One well-placed shade tree can reduce your cooling costs by 25 percent. For maximum benefit, place leafy shade trees to the south and west, and evergreens to the north.

32. Use ceiling fans to help circulate air throughout the house, and make sure your attic is properly ventilated. A ceiling fan should run clockwise during the summer, and counter-clockwise during the winter.

33. Set the fan on your central air conditioner to "on" rather than "auto." This will circulate air continuously, keeping the temperature more even throughout the house and aiding in dehumidification.

34. Make sure your window air conditioner is the proper size. It's better to get one that's too small than too large - a larger unit will start up and turn off more frequently and won't do as good a job dehumidifying the air.

35. Don't judge the efficiency of your air conditioner by the sound of the fan shutting on and off. The blower will continue to circulate cooled air throughout your home up to 15 minutes after the compressor has stopped. (The same holds true for the furnace.)

36. Raise the thermostat to about 78 to 80 degrees whenever you go to bed or leave the house. A programmable thermostat will do this for you automatically.

37. If your home can't accommodate central air conditioning, try a whole-house attic fan. This device pushes hot air out through attic vents, lowering the temperature throughout your home about five degrees in less than ten minutes. Attic fans cost less than 25 cents per day to operate.

38. During the winter, remove window air conditioners and seal the windows with caulk and weatherstripping. You might also want to cover the central air compressor with a tarp to keep it clean.

Learn more about cooling your home

Weatherizing your home

39. Seal doors and windows with caulk, weatherstripping and plastic film. An investment of $50 in weatherizing supplies can reduce heating costs by two to three times that much. Don't forget the basement windows!

40. Add foam gaskets behind all outlet covers and switch plates, and use safety plugs in all unused outlets. These are prime places for outside air to leak into your home. Be sure to shut off power at the fuse box or circuit panel first.

41. Check the exterior of your home for air leaks, especially around openings for water spigots, air conditioner hoses, dryer vents and gas pipes. Use caulk or expanding foam to seal spaces.

42. If your home has a large, single-pane picture window, use heavy draperies during the winter to help hold back cold air.

43. Reflective window film can help reduce heat gain during the summer, and it will keep furniture and carpets from fading.

44. Check window panes to see if they need new glazing. If the glass is loose, replace the putty holding the pane in place. Most types of window glazing require painting for a proper seal.

45. If drafts sneak in under exterior doors, replace the threshold. If that's not practical, block the drafts with a rolled-up towel or blanket.

46. Seal the edges of unused doors and windows with rope caulk. Don't seal them shut permanently - you might need quick ventilation or escape during an emergency.

47. Choose the right kind of caulk for the job. Use latex or acrylic caulk inside - it's easy to clean and more forgiving if you're a beginner. Silicone caulk is great for outside use because it lasts longer and seals virtually any type of surface.

48. Don't forget to weatherize the attic access. Secure batt insulation to the back of the hatch or door, and use weatherstripping to seal the opening.

Learn more about weatherizing your home

Water Heating

49. Set the water heater temperature at 120 degrees - about halfway between low and medium. This will help save energy and prevent scalding, while keeping unhealthy bacteria from growing.

50. Install a water-saving showerhead. Don't worry - it won't reduce your water pressure. A family of four, each taking a five-minute shower a day, can save $250 a year in water heating costs by switching to a low-flow showerhead.

51. Fix leaky faucets, especially if it's a hot water faucet. One drop per second can add up to 165 gallons a month - that's more than one person uses in two weeks.

52. Use aerators on kitchen and bathroom sink faucets. If you have hard water, clean aerators and showerheads with vinegar regularly to reduce deposits and build-up.

53. Take showers, not baths. A five-minute shower will use about 7.5 gallons of hot water, while filling a bathtub can use up to 20 gallons.

54. If your water heater is more than 15 years old, install an insulating wrap to reduce "standby" heat loss. It's also a good idea to insulate hot water pipes where they're accessible.

Learn more about energy-efficient water heating

In the kitchen

55. Use smaller kitchen appliances whenever possible. Microwaves, toaster ovens and slow-cookers can use 75 percent less energy than a large electric oven.

56. Vacuum the refrigerator coils about twice a year to keep the compressor running efficiently.

57. As your mother always told you, don't leave the refrigerator door open. Every time it's opened, up to 30 percent of the cooled air can escape. The same rule holds for the oven, too.

58. Keep the refrigerator temperature about 36-38 degrees, and the freezer at 0-5 degrees.

59. Don't overload the refrigerator or freezer. The cold air needs to circulate freely to keep foods at the proper temperature.

60. Make sure the refrigerator is level, so the door automatically swings shut instead of open. If the floor isn't level, use shims to prop up the front of the refrigerator.

61. Don't worry about placing hot leftovers in the refrigerator. It won't affect energy use significantly, and cooling food to room temperature first can increase the chance of food-borne illnesses.

62. Check the seal on your refrigerator door by closing it on a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, it's time to replace the gaskets. You can purchase a replacement kit from an appliance dealer or a home center.

63. Use your oven's self-cleaning feature immediately after cooking, while the oven is still hot. This will reduce a lengthy warm-up time.

64. Use lids on pots and pans to reduce cooking times, and don't put a small pan on a large burner.

65. Keep the grease plates under range burners clean to reflect heat more efficiently.

66. Run the dishwasher only with full loads, and use the air-dry cycle. If your dishwasher has a "booster" water heater, use it; this will heat the water to the 140 degrees recommended by manufacturers, while maintaining an energy-saving 120 degrees on your primary water heater.

Learn more about energy-efficient kitchen appliances

In the laundry room

67. Wash only full loads of clothes, and be sure to set the water level appropriately.

68. Use hot water only for very dirty loads, and always use cold water for the rinse cycle.

69. Clean the lint screen on the dryer every time you use the machine. A clogged lint screen can make your dryer use up to 30 percent more energy - and it can be a fire hazard.

70. Remove clothes from the dryer while they're still damp and hang them up. This will save energy, prevent static and reduce wrinkles and shrinkage.

71. Dry one load of clothes immediately after another. This will minimize heat loss, reducing warm-up and drying times.

Learn more about energy-smart washers and dryers

Lighting your home

72. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use 75 percent less energy than typical incandescents, and they last 10 times longer.

73. Look for a compact fluorescent wattage that's about one-third of the incandescent wattage you usually use.

74. Use lighting control devices like dimmers, motion detectors, occupancy sensors, photocells and timers to provide light only when you need it.

75. Keep lamps away from thermostats; the heat produced can cause your furnace to run less than needed or your air conditioner more than needed.

76. Dust light fixtures regularly. A heavy coat of dust can block up to 50 percent of the light output.

77. Use only a single bulb in a multi-socket fixture. Be sure to check the maximum wattage the fixture allows.

78. Replace an incandescent outdoor light or high-intensity floodlight with a high-pressure sodium fixture. The bulbs will last longer, use less energy, and handle temperature extremes better.

79. Use low-voltage lighting kits to light walkways, patios and decks. The soft light will also attract fewer annoying insects.

80. Decorate with pale colors on walls, ceilings and floors. Soft tones reflect more light, so you can use lower wattage bulbs and delay turning on lights until later in the day. Using high-gloss paint can help as well.

81. Read light bulb packages carefully. Watts measure the amount of energy needed; lumens measure how much light a bulb produces. Energy-saving bulbs produce more lumens per watt of electricity used.

Learn more about lighting your home

Other energy savers

82. Get rid of spare refrigerators or freezers. An extra appliance can add more than $100 to your energy bills every year, and it's a safety hazard for small children.

83. Keep outdoor hot tubs covered when not in use. If you have a pool, use a solar cover to use the natural warmth of the sun to heat the water.

84. Keep waterbeds covered with quilts or blankets to help retain their heat. You might also want to insulate the bottom with a sheet of rigid foam insulation.

85. Keep the garage door closed, especially during the winter.

86. If you need a new lawn mower, consider an electric model. They're less expensive to operate (about three cents of electricity per use), 75 percent quieter, and they significantly reduce toxic emissions.

87. Instead of air-polluting and expensive charcoal or propane, try an electric or natural gas grill. They're more economical and more convenient - you'll never run out of fuel.

88. Unplug any electrical device that's not being used. Many appliances, especially computers, televisions and VCRs draw power even when turned off.

89. Place humidifiers and dehumidifiers away from walls and bulky furniture. These appliances work best when air circulates freely around them. Be sure to clean the unit often to prevent unhealthy mold and bacteria from developing.

90. If your home has no sidewall insulation, place heavy furniture like bookshelves, armoires and sofas along exterior walls, and use decorative quilts as wall hangings. This will help block cold air.

91. When you take a vacation, don't forget to give your appliances a rest too. Turn off and unplug everything you can, set your water heater to the lowest setting and shut off the water supply to the dishwasher and washing machine.

Buying new appliances

92. Remember that it pays to invest in energy efficiency. In some cases, the money you save in energy costs can pay back the purchase price in just a few years.

93. Always read the Energy Guide label carefully, and make sure you're comparing "apples to apples." Energy use can range significantly even within a single brand.

94. Choose the capacity that's right for your family. Whether it's a furnace or a refrigerator, it doesn't pay to purchase a unit that's too large or too small.

95. In almost every case, a natural gas appliance is more economical to use than an electric model. The $50-75 price difference can be paid back in energy savings in less than a year.

96. Replace inefficient appliances - even if they're still working. An aging water heater or refrigerator could be costing you much more than you think. If your central air conditioner is more than 10 years old, replacing it with a high-efficiency new unit will cut your summer electric bills by about one-third.

97. Shop during the off-season. Many heating and cooling manufacturers offer significant rebates during seasonal sales promotions, and dealers may charge less for installation.

98. Investigate new technology carefully. Some innovations, like convection ovens or argon-filled windows, may save energy and make life more convenient; others, such as commercial-grade kitchen appliances, might be merely expensive cosmetic enhancements.

99. Look for the "EnergyStar" logo. This designation from the Environmental Protection Agency means that the appliance exceeds minimum federal energy- use standards, usually by a significant amount.

100. Don't forget to ask about warranties, service contracts, and delivery and installation costs.

101. Be sure to choose a reputable and knowledgeable dealer. A good dealer should be able to help you calculate energy savings and the payback period, and he or she should offer you a range of brands and prices.

Learn more:
•Download the PowerHouse "101 Ways to Save" brochure [pdf]
•Download the PowerHouse "Appliance Operating Costs" worksheet [pdf]
•Try our interactive Appliance Calculator to see where your energy is going

Read more: Power House

Walk to Win - Walk, Share and Win

2011-08-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

Up to September 19, 2011, Healthy Families BC is challenging British Columbians in a six-week contest to encourage walking, mapping and sharing favourite walking routes. Families or individuals can win BC getaway trips, bikes, fitness passes, footwear gift certificates and more. Communities can also win $10,000, or the additional $50,000 grand prize to upgrade and promote walking trails. For more information visit http://www.healthyfamiliesbcwalkingchallenge.ca/.

BC’s walking challenge, where it’s fun to share your favourite walking tips, map your best routes, celebrate your community, and enter to win great prizes. We encourage you to take part in this challenge and post your walking stories on the Richmond community page