NATION & WORLD
Quebec asks Ottawa for help with refugees The Quebec government announced a series of measurements to bring in more Syrian refugees. 5
NANAIMO REGION
Out for No. 1
Local business to try hand in ‘Dragons’ Den’
New Nanaimo Clippers goalie hopes to earn the starting job
Meowbox, owned by Olivia Canlas, began as a homebased company but now has international subscribers. 3
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The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Tuesday, September 8, 2015 CITY
Update coming for heritage plan City of Nanaimo’s plan to protect important historical features is up for review, starting this month SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
It’s been almost 20 years since the City of Nanaimo drafted a plan to protect some of its most important historical features, but work on an update and review begins this month. The city is hosting public information sessions starting next week and taking public feedback on what the new plan should include. The last time the city produced a heritage plan was 1998, although elements of the
city’s heritage were discussed in the city’s latest cultural plan document. The 1998 plan included proposals to establish a city-wide heritage register of buildings and sites and declare downtown Nanaimo a heritage zone, both of which were implemented. The plan also heralded the introduction of direct grants for rehabilitation and renovation for designated heritage buildings. As a result, the city has awarded more than $274,000 in heritage
facade grants alone since 2003, which the city says has leveraged $7 million in investment from the private sector.Past comments on the plan have called for tougher requirements on property owners to maintain buildings, the addition of agricultural land to the heritage register and clearer designation of heritage properties. Coun. Wendy Pratt, a city representative on the culture and heritage commission, said the accomplishments of the old plan
stand out, but said it was time for a revised set of policies. Pratt said one idea being discussed is better visual representation of the city’s changed landscape, including buildings that have been demolished. “We do have really rich (history) of historic and heritage buildings,” she said. She cited the now non-existent Haslam House, a Victorian-era house near Wallace Street and Comox Road. Pratt also said she would like to see more emphasis
on First Nations history in the area, including the development of a cultural centre “where we really celebrate their culture in a really significant way.” Pratt said such new policies will require investment from the city. A public open house on the heritage action plan is set for Sept. 15 at the Nanaimo Museum from 4-8 p.m. Spencer.Anderson @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255
LADYSMITH
CANADA VOTES!
Candidates share their views on Bill C-51
Nuisance bylaw under consideration ROSS ARMOUR DAILY NEWS
DAILY NEWS
Canada heads to the polls on Oct. 19. During the federal election campaign, the Daily News will offer a series of profiles, issue pieces and more to help readers with their voting decision. Today marks the third in a series of questions posed to local candidates. Their responses (candidates listed alphabetically) are listed below. MacDONALD
MALCOLMSON
MANLY
TESSIER
ition, the House and the leader of any party having at least 12 MPs. This means that currently Thomas Mulcair and Justin Trudeau will be part of any process to round out SIRC.” It is a nonpartisan solution. Prime Minister Harper puts it this way: “Now is not the time for political correctness, inexperienced governance or an ideological unwillingness to act. Now is the time to face those who threaten us with moral clarity, strength and resolve.” And, lest we forget: These measures have been introduced to capture criminals and terrorists – and protect the freedom and security of law abiding Canadians.
the importance of free speech and protest in protecting our environment and our democracy. Bill C-51 could have the effect of criminalizing people for standing up for the environment, their jobs, and social justice causes. While terrorism is a real threat, we do not have to choose between our security and our rights. Stephen Harper demonstrated disregard for the charter of rights and freedoms when he pushed Bill C-51 through parliament with limited debate and limited input from experts. Justin Trudeau and the Liberals supported him and voted for Bill C-51. The only recognized party in parliament to say no to Bill C-51 was the NDP, and we have committed to repealing it. I support the repeal of this Bill, because it fundamentally
Question: “What is your position on Bill C-51?” Mark MacDonald, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government has placed the safety and security of Canadians at the top of its list of priorities. One of the moves the government has made was to introduce Bill C-51 earlier this year to further protect Canadians. In an article published in the Globe & Mail by Ron Atkey, the first chairman of the Security Intelligence Review Committee (1984-1989) now an instructor of national security at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, the author wrote about the limitations on the powers of CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) granted in Bill C-51. See: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/ csis-oversight-is-alive-and-well/ article22750488/ Atkey writes that the bill expands judicial control over any wiretap warrants, requiring the prior authorization of a designated Federal Court judge. Further, Atkey notes “the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC) will continue to review and monitor every aspect of CSIS,” and include “consultation with the Leader of the Oppos-
» Use your smartphone to jump to our website for updates on these stories or the latest breaking news.
Sheila Malcolmson, NDP As an environmentalist, I know
threatens the civil liberties of Canadians and gives new powers to CSIS to disrupt legitimate protest. The bill permits information-sharing between government departments and agencies on an incredibly wide range of purposes, many of which have nothing to do with terrorism. The bill effectively cancels the core protections of the Privacy Act by allowing the kinds of information-sharing that it is intended to prevent. I favour more rigorous oversight related to information sharing, including the re-establishment of the CSIS inspector general, a position eliminated by the Conservatives in 2012; and, stronger privacy protection. Mandatory review requirements and regular reports to Parliament are needed. Canadians are overwhelmingly opposed to the provisions of Bill C-51 and deserve a government that will ensure their security while protecting their rights and freedoms. Paul Manly, Green I am unequivocally opposed to Bill C-51. It must be repealed. The broad definition of what kinds of speech and protests are threats in Bill C-51 could severely chill freedom of expression, because Canadian citizens will fear they may be targeted if they speak up. Your private conversations on the internet could be criminalized. It will not make us safer, because it has nothing in it that will help prevent radicalization, and in fact, will make it harder for Muslim leaders, teachers and parents to reach out to at-risk youth in their communities. See, BILL C-51, Page 3
Tories drop candidates after videos surface
Seahawks hope to forget end to season
Conservative MP candidates had embarassing videos surface on the Internet over the weekend, which led to the party taking them out of election contention. » Nation & World, 5
Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks open the 2015 season against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday after coming within an interception of winning the Super Bowl. » Sports, 9
The Town of Ladysmith is on the verge of implementing a new nuisance abatement bylaw to target properties and activities that cause disturbance. The bylaw would see town staff work in collaboration with other local agencies such as the RCMP and Ladysmith Fire Rescue to eliminate nuisance behaviours such as shouting, noise, trespassing or littering. Council will consider the bylaw at its next meeting on Sept. 21. The town’s corporate officer Sandy Bowden confirmed that the new bylaw would repeal the old process and would be “much more of a consultative approach.” “When we run into issues, we will now have a system which involves other agencies like the RCMP and the health authorities,” she said. “It’s not that we didn’t have one before but it was kind of hit and miss and wasn’t formalized.” Bowden says the new bylaw looks to emulate what the town sees as a similar successful system used by the City of Nanaimo. The bylaw would see the town communicate with the RCMP directly, as soon as a nuisance complaint is made – and vice versa. Once the complaint is received and deemed appropriate, the town’s bylaw officer would inspect the property and involve other agencies as necessary. Bowden says she only envisions the new bylaw having a positive impact and says the Ladysmith RCMP has already declared its support. The bylaw is not designed to save the town money. Ross.Armour @nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4230