Meeting results in some action
Representatives from Catalyst Paper Corporation, mayors from the communities where it operates and union officials sat down with BC Premier Christy Clark in her office on Tuesday, May 29.
City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa had organized the meeting after Catalyst officials told him they had not been successful in obtaining a meeting with the premier.
Clark gave the group an extra 15 minutes, so the meeting lasted for three-quarters of an hour, Formosa said, instead of a half hour. “The premier said, ‘I am there to help communities, workers and pensioners. We will be here to work for them first. We are concerned about the company. We are not in business. We are not in the business of getting into business, but we hear you, we understand and we’ll see what it is we can do within the parameters of these asks and set point people to work.’”
Formosa said the government agreed to some requests. The group wanted a single-point contact on the issues. Colin Hansen, former finance minister, will be the point man for communities, workers and pensioners. Peter Milburn, deputy minister of finance, will work with the company.
Formosa said the group also asked for support for pensioners. “It looks like we’re going to get what we were asking for, which is to have the pensioners have the ability to opt out of annuities if this thing goes sideways, where they can take out their own money and invest it themselves. But they need an order in council to do that. The premier said she can get that done in a timely fashion, she believes. That was good news.”
Catalyst asked for a backstop for a $50 million loan, Formosa said. “If they come out of CCAA [Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act], they have issues with their trade accounts payable.”
The company has to pay its bills with cash or within one week, Formosa said, instead of within 30 days. “That attributes to about $60 million in tightening up their cash flow and chequing account. If they had a $50 million backstop by the government, everybody knows they’re going to get paid and it would free up that money for them. Catalyst is not asking for a handout, just a backstop on the working capital loan for a short period of time.”
The company has also asked for assistance in mitigating the cost of returning to the provincial sales tax as it applies to its BC Hydro bill. But the government has said it is reluctant to help one company and not others.
Motorcycle rules in effect
BC’s new motorcycle safety regulations take effect today, June 1.
The law bans non-regulation helmets, known as “skid lids” or “beanies.” All helmets must meet safety standards. There is also a new requirement related to seating. All motorcycle riders and passengers, including children, must have their feet on pegs or floorboards while riding.
Fines for all the new helmet-related offences are $138. Violation of seating rules can mean fines of $109 to $121 and in some cases could lead to impoundment. Police also have educational material to distribute to riders to inform them about the new laws.
The province also is moving ahead with a graduated licensing program that includes power restrictions, following additional consultation to determine the best model.
“Avid riders, road safety advocates, emergency room physicians, police and families of riders have offered very positive feedback about these changes,” said Shirley Bond, minister of justice and attorney general, in a statement. “They know the laws aren’t about taking away from the riding experience—they’re simply about saving lives.”
Police have requested improved safety standards for motorcyclists for some time, said Jamie Graham, chair of the BC Association of Chiefs and Police Traffic Safety Committee. “Terrible harm has been caused by inadequate safety equipment and bad personal choices,” he said.
Sergeant Rod Wiebe from the Powell River RCMP detachment said many people are unaware of the new regulations. “We’re going to be stopping people and pointing out some of the new rules and what might be wrong,” he said. “The helmet is going to be a big issue, because that is one of the biggest changes.”
There are quite a few beanie helmets in the area, Wiebe added. “It’s going to take a while to get everybody switched over. We’re very cognizant of that fact.”
Police officers will be using their best judgment, Wiebe explained, and deciding whether an infraction is an education issue or needs enforcement action.
However, if the driver is not properly seated, Wiebe said, the new seating legislation can be enforced. “Some of it will be enforced and people should know some of the seating laws also include a vehicle impound if you’re caught doing it.”
