THURSDAYAUGUST 6, 2015
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
M E D I A
www.pqbnews.com
CCNA BCYCNA
General Excellence
ELECTION UNDERWAY
STILWELL SAYS SHE IS READY
Your early guide to who is running and other details
MLA excited to be competing on home soil at Parapan Am Games
A5
A43
SEAWEED
Licences to harvest Government increases both amount and quotas CANDACE WU news@pqbnews.com
The government issued five seaweed harvesting licences Tuesday — two more than last year, some with increased quotas — and allocated a stretch of the Qualicum First Nation Reserve to the harvest. According to a news release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the three existing licence-holders (Stormy Shores, Pacific Seaplants and Island Seaweeds) will now be able to harvest a maximum of 500 tonnes each from the Deep Bay/Bowser area. Last year’s quota was 300 tonnes. Meanwhile, the ministry is offering Qualicum First Nation and Island Scallops licences to harvest 250 tonnes of seaweed each for the area fronting the Qualicum First Nation Reserve. QFN chief Michael Recalma and Island Scallops CEO Rob Saunders did not return phone calls from The NEWS by press time Wednesday. In 2007, the government started a pilot project issuing licences to harvest seaweed off the coast of Deep Bay. Harvesters are after a foreign red algae known as Mazzaella japonica, rich in carrageenans and used as a thickener and stabilizer in products like ice cream and toothpaste. The market value for carrageenans is estimated at $700 million worldwide, but it’s largely an untapped industry in B.C. While some are eager to cash in on what could be a booming resource, others fear removing large amounts of seaweed from the coast could threaten the environment. The announcement comes after a study conducted by Vancouver Island University’s Deep Bay Marine Field Station on the 2014-15 seaweed harvest was made public and came out in favour of the harvesters. See CRITICS, page A9
We Stock Quality Name Brand Computer Parts And Accessories! #1-501 Stanford Ave E., Parksville (behind Tim Hortons) 250 -248-4251
agscanada.com
Monday - Friday 8:30 to 5:30
AUREN RUVINSKY PHOTO
Qualicum Beach financial officer and deputy chief administrative officer John Marsh was collecting garbage in Chartwell on Tuesday during the Qualicum Beach lockout.
TOWN OF QUALICUM BEACH LABOUR DISPUTE
Meeting, ocean swim cancelled
AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
Next week’s Qualicum Beach town council meeting has been cancelled, but the public isn’t seeing much other direct impact yet from the staff lockout. Union members of CUPE Local 401 had given strike notice as of July 26, but they only banned overtime. Then town council locked staff out as of 3 p.m. last Friday, July 31.
“A line of communication is open with the union and there are some ongoing discussions,” chief administrative officer (CAO) Daniel Sailland said Tuesday. He said there isn’t much impact on things like the relocation of the fire department to the new hall by the roundabout, with volunteer members still able to do much of that work. The Ocean Mile Swim scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled. Sailland did say there is a lot more
work for the town’s exempt (nonunion) employees, with management doing things like collecting garbage. “Yeah I’m just about done here, then I’ll go home and shower and go to the office to do the rest of my work,” said deputy CAO John Marsh around 2 p.m. Tuesday while collecting garbage in Chartwell. He said the usual garbage collection staff are good, hard workers who taught him how to operate the truck. See WAGES, page A9
Visit AGS For Reliable Service at Reasonable Hometown Prices Computer Cleaning - Only $75 • Optimized Computer Start Up • Check for Malware / Spyware • Interior Cleaning To Prevent Over Heating
Shop Local And Save
Preserve Your Summer Memories With Colour Copies!
Only 19¢ ea. (No Minimums)
For All Your Networking Needs Visit AGS First. We Have Your Solution!
COPIERS / PRINTERS / AGS COMPUTERS / SALES / LEASING / SERVICING