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RESOURCES
Steelhead adds to LNG plans Floating plant off southeast of Vancouver Island would compliment proposed facility in Sarita Bay MARTIN WISSMATH ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
A new Liquefied Natural Gas project north of Victoria will help the proposed facility south of Port Alberni, says the CEO of Steelhead LNG.. Steelhead LNG announced a new agreement Thursday with the Malahat First Nation for a floating liquefied natural gas facility on the shoreline of the Malahat Nation’s recently acquired Bamberton property south of Miller Bay, about 40 kilometres north of Victoria. The proposed facility would ship up to six million tonnes per year of LNG to markets in Asia with a floating facility moored to the shoreline supported by min-
KUZEMKO
or land-based infrastructure. The 30-year-project would create 200 “high-paying long-term positions once the facility is operational,” according to a press release. “As a BC-based LNG develop-
ment company, we are committed to early engagement with First Nations and getting things right,” stated Nigel Kuzemko, CEO of Steelhead LNG. “We look forward to working with the Malahat as we consider the wide range of cultural, environmental, technical, financial and social matters of importance to the Nation, neighbouring First Nations and communities, and BC residents as a whole.” Steelhead LNG announced last year a $30-billion proposal for a major land-based LNG facility at Sarita Bay, 75 kilometres southwest of Port Alberni, in partnership with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. That facility would be much larger than the Malahat
project, with an expected capacity to ship 24 million tonnes per year. It would create 400 permanent jobs over 25 years of operation, according to the company. In July 2014 Steelhead applied for a licence from the National Energy Board to ship 30 million tonnes of LNG. Kuzemko said the smaller, floating LNG facility could be built first to support the costs of a pipeline crossing the Georgia Strait, which would continue from the Malahat shoreline across Vancouver Island to service the proposed facility at Sarita Bay. Kuzemko hopes the Malahat project can get started before the end of the decade. “The two projects in effect
share the cost of the pipepline and therefore increase the chance of success,” Kuzemko said. When the two LNG projects are operational, about one quarter of the natural gas product piped across to the Island would be liquefied for shipment from the Malahat facility, and the majority would be transported to Sarita Bay, he explained. Steelhead LNG have kept discussions with the Malahat Nation confidential for the past 13 months, Kuzemko said. The company has been working with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations for about 18 months, he added. See LNG, Page 3
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Special Needs: Facility opens this fall for ‘challenges’ not being addressed by schools KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Canal Beach water still unsafe for swimming An alert remains in place for the waterfront site due to high levels of bacteria by the pier. » Alberni Region, 3
Last chance for children’s programs Teh Rollin Art Centre continues it’s summer programs with a watercolour exhibit and painting classes for beginners. » Community, 10
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Six years ago Janis Joseph recognized a need in the community for a place where children and youth with behavioural challenges could learn reality-based life skills. After years of hard work and research, Joseph, a 15-year behaviour consultant, is seeing her vision become a reality. In early September, Joseph will open the doors to Fresh Steps Ability House, a comfortable centre aimed at empowering youth to gain skills and confidence in society as they enter adulthood. Joseph also wants to help parents maintain a healthy home life for families. Joseph’s mandate is to use community resources as educational tools. For example, if a child has anxiety about ordering a meal at a restaurant, she will guide him or her through the process. “In the end, I want them to be able to engage with customer service, instead of just in a basement with building blocks pretending it is a drivethrough,” Joseph said. She has also worked with children who excel in gardening and baking and believes their confidence and self-esteem can be raised to the point that they can give back to the community. “There is no reason these kids cannot be trained as a landscaper or a baker to sell their products and services,” Joseph said. “Every child has a gift and it might not be academic. There is a world of opportunities
Janis Joseph, left, and Melissa Turner await the opening of their new venture, Fresh Steps Ability House on Gertrude Street. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]
“Kids are not at school as long and go home without any tools to work on behaviour skills.” Janis Joseph, child behaviour consultant
open to them.” They will have hands-on experience with as much time needed right in the house, Joseph said. Joseph’s concern is that some of these youth are not receiv-
ing the attention and opportunities they need in the school system and hopes to include her programs in their reduced school day. “I noticed with the gradual entry program that behaviour challenges are bigger than the aids can handle,” Joseph said. “Kids are not at school as long and go home without any tools to work on behaviour skills. So, my vision is for this house to be a part of the school day for kids.” Ability House will be open to both girls and boys aged zero to 18 with behavioural challenges
or special needs. Some of those challenges in today’s world include anxiety, nutrition and healthy eating, impulse control, anger and fears. Expectant parents who know they will be having a special needs child will also have the opportunity to learn parenting skills and find support. Saturdays will be open for the “Unplugged Club”, aimed at the screen kids who wake up to electronics. They will learn alternate ways of spending quality free time. See SPECIAL NEEDS, Page 3
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