Shootings in Ottawa: Canadian soldier dead, gunman shot and killed in Parliament

Canada's Parliament on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
©SueFrausePhoto | November 2009

Ottawa and the country of Canada are reeling from this morning's attacks on Parliament Hill. 

"In brazen shootings in Ottawa, an armed attacker shot a soldier at the National War Memorial before heading to Parliament's Centre Block, where he was shot and killed. Police later confirmed the soldier died from his injuries. The downtown remains in lockdown as police search for a possible second attacker." CBC News 

I've had the opportunity to travel to Ottawa twice. My first visit to Canada's capital city was in 2004 while on a trip in neighboring Quebec. Five years later, I spent several days in Ottawa during my 10-day cross-country trip from Halifax, NS to Vancouver, BC: Closet Canuck's Great Big Canadian Train Adventure. 

View of Canada's Parliament from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.
©SueFrausePhoto | November 2009

Watching the drama unfold on CBC, Peter Mansbridge delivered the breaking news calmly, clearly and concisely -- he was obviously moved. As the veteran broadcaster signed off from his six hours of reporting duties, Mansbridge described it as "a dramatic time in our country" and "an unprecedented day in recent Canadian history." 

Peace to all our friends in Canada. 

Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
©SueFrausePhoto | November 2009

BC Ferries loses $5.5 million in first quarter, 400 sailings to be cut

BC Ferries announced its first quarter results on Aug. 24, 2011. The numbers are nothing to smile about. With net losses at $5.5 million for the first three months ending on June 30, 2011 it's a stark contrast to the net earnings of $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2010.

According to CBC News, BC Ferries plans to cut up to 400 sailings a year and lay off staff on its major routes. Click on to watch the video.

BC Ferries reports that first quarter revenues for 2011 decreased by 1.8 percent to $186.7 million. In the first quarter, revenues decreased by 1.8 per cent to $186.7 million, with total expenses increasing 1.5 per cent to $192.2 million, compared to the first quarter of last fiscal year. BC Ferries says the increase in expenses is largely attributed to fuel, an actuarial valuation of employee benefits, as well as amortization expense.

Capital expenditures in the first three months ending June 30, 2011 totaled $25.7 million:

$10.7 million - vessel upgrades and modifications
$6.9 million - terminal marine structures
$4.1 million - terminal and building upgrades and equipment
$4.0 million - information technology

In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, BC Ferries experienced a decline of 3.3 per cent in

vehicle traffic and 2.9 per cent in passenger traffic compared to the same quarter last year. According to BC Ferries, it's the largest first quarter year-over-year decline in passenger traffic in recent years, and is a twenty-year low. Vehicle traffic is at an eleven-year low. BC Ferries doesn't anticipate a turnaround in the erosion of traffic in the foreseeable future, and says the year end loss could be significantly higher.

BC Ferries at Esquimalt Graving Dock
Photo from Kenmore Air by Sue Frause

Second Amtrak train continues: Canada waives border clearance fee

Somehow I missed the news that the second daily Amtrak Cascades train between Seattle and Vancouver, BC was given the green light. It was scheduled to end in October, but the Canadian federal government has waived the border clearance fee, which allows the second train to continue. The announcement was made in Vancouver, BC on Aug. 24, 2011. Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire issued this statement:

“The decision to waive the border clearance fee is fantastic news for both Washington state and British Columbia, as well as for those businesses that have greatly benefitted from the second Amtrak line," said Gregoire. “There’s no question the second train has helped our economic recovery – leading to a significant increase in tourism spending on both sides of the border. At the same time, we’ve been successful in removing thousands of passengers from our roads – easing congestion at our border crossings and decreasing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The benefits of this train are clear – and imposing a fee would have put those benefits at risk."

The two trains depart Seattle daily at 7:40 AM and 6:50 PM, and Vancouver BC at 6:40 AM and 5:45 PM. The trip takes about four hours, with stops along the way in Edmonds, Everett, Stanwood, Mount Vernon and Bellingham.

Amtrak Cascades arrives in Everett, WA
Photo by Sue Frause

Canada's 41st General Election set for May 2, 2011

Elections Canada, an independent body set up by Parliament, has announced that preliminary election results will be available at www.elections.ca beginning at 10 PM (EDT) on Monday, May 2. Unofficial voter turnout results will be displayed in real time throughout the night.

Across Canada, as soon as a poll closes, a deputy returning officer counts the votes and transmits results to the returning officer for that electoral district. They are immediately relayed electronically to Elections Canada in Ottawa.

Preliminary results will be posted on the Elections Canada Web site when the last polls close, and sent electronically to the Media Consortium for news outlet distribution. On Election Day, there is a ban on disseminating election results until the last pools close in all electoral districts:

Prohibition – Premature transmission of results - 329. No person shall transmit the result or purported result of the vote in an electoral district to the public in another electoral district before the close of all of the polling stations in that other electoral district.

A map of the preliminary results by electoral district will be available online on May 3; in most ridings, the validation of the preliminary results occurs on May 3 or May 4.

Voter turnout in Canada has been declining over the years. On Oct. 14, 2008 13,929,093 electors cast ballots, for a turnout of 58.8%. Decision Canada: Live from the trail is a blog on canada.com (Postmedia Network Inc., Canada's largest publisher by circulation of paid English-language daily newspapers).


Canadian flag in Victoria, BC
Photo by Sue Frause

Canada's federal election set for May 2; Rex Murphy gets my vote

For some reason, I've always thought Canadian politics were much more complicated than ours in the US. But talk to a Canadian, and they feel the same way about our politics and elections. It's complicated, no matter what side of the 49th Parallel you hail from.

After Parliament members voted on March 25, 2011 on the Liberals' motion of no confidence, which found the Conservative minority government in contempt of Parliament, writs of election (an order to hold a special election) were issued by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on March 26, 2011. Canada's upcoming federal election is scheduled for May 2, 2011.

I get most of my political news from CBC's The National. That means I'm a fan of veteran broadcast journalist Peter Mansbridge and political and social commentator Rex Murphy. I've always enjoyed Rex's colorful take on politics and all things Canadian. In 2009, he authored a book, Canada and Other Matters of Opinion. Here's how publisher Random House describes it:

A cornucopia of comment from Canada’s most opinionated man — a man seen, read, and listened to by millions of Canadians each week. Canada’s most distinctive commentator presents his fearless and thought-provoking views on a head-spinning range of subjects, from Dr. Johnson’s greatness to Bono’s gratingness, from doubts about Obama to utter belief in Don Cherry, from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s outstanding oeuvre to — well, Pamela Anderson.

The topics are as eclectic and wide ranging as the intelligence that put them together. The perspective is thoroughly Canadian, and so are many of the recurring topics and themes: of our domestic politics and our military involvements abroad, of our national identity, of human rights and human decency. You’ll find assessments of the reputations of Paul Martin, Conrad Black, Adrienne Clarkson, and Tim Hortons; tough but affectionate views of Newfoundland — of course — but also from Rex Murphy’s constant travels across Canada.

But all the world is here, in all its glory and folly. The hard-hitting attacks on politicians, celebrities, those who would ban smoking, and anyone who uses the expression “global warming denial” will have you cheering or tearing your hair out, depending. You will be informed, infuriated perhaps, but always fascinated.

Murphy was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundlan. He studied at England's University of Oxford where he was a Rhodes Scholar (along with former US President Bill Clinton). Over the years he's used his talents as a writer, broadcaster and teacher. And yes, dabbled in politics, According to his bio on the CBC website, Murphy worked as an executive assistant to the Liberal Party of Newfoundland's leader. He also ran for office twice in provincial elections (losing both times).

So who are the candidates for the May 2 election? Here's the slate:

Stephen Harper, Conservative, leader since 03/04. Calgary Southwest, AB.
Michael Ignatieff, Liberal, leader since 05/09. Etobicoke-Lakeshore, ON.
Gilles Duceppe, Bloc Quebecois, leader since 03/97. Laurier-Saint Marie, QC.
Jack Layton, New Democrat (NDP), leader since 01/03. Toronto-Danforth, OT.
Elizabeth May, Green, leader since 08/06 Saanich-Gulf Islands, BC.

So what's Rex Murphy's take on the election? He describes it as "unwanted, unwarranted and unwelcome." Go, Rex!

Vote Compass - In 2010, some of Canada's leading scholars in the field of electoral politics decided to design a Vote Compass for the upcoming Canadian federal election. Vote Compass Canada is a survey that focuses on issues relevant to Canadians and helps them make decisions "that best reflect their individual values and preferences." Take the survey and find out where you stand. Even Americans can fill it out; I pretended I lived in Vancouver, took the survey and came out as a Liberal.

Canada now has an official tartan; April 6 declared Tartan Day

Being a citizen and resident of US, I know our states have their own official flags, mottos, birds, flowers and sometimes even songs. But when it was announced earlier this month that Canada now has an official tartan, I knew they were in a league of their own.

James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, said in a press release that "the Maple Leaf Tartan has been worn proudly and enjoyed by Canadians for decades." He added that Canada's national symbols express the country's identity and define its history. "The Maple Leaf Tartan represents the contributions that the more than four million Canadians of Scottish heritage continue to make to our country," added Minister Moore.

The Maple Leaf Tartan was created in 1964 by David Weiser in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the Confederation in 1967. The Second Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Pipes and Drum has adopted theartan and the National Defence Headquarters has approved it for issue to Canadian Forces pipers and drummers who have no specific regimental affiliation. The tartan was also featured in costumes worn during the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Canada has declared that April 6 will formally be recognized as Tartan Day. On April 6, 2011, Canadians across the country can celebrate this day with its newest official symbol. As an official symbol, the Maple Leaf Tartan joins Canada's most significant emblems, such as the Coat of Arms and the National Flag of Canada.

In addition to the national tartan, all of Canada's provinces and territories, except for Nunavut, have regional tartans.

The tartan jacket pictured above is from the Royal BC Museum's collection and was once worn by BC Liquor Control Board employees. It's made from the official tartan of British Columbia. Photo by Sue Frause.

Postcard from British Columbia : Parliament Buildings

A view from the Royal BC Museum to the British Columbia Parliament Buildings. Photo by Sue Frause.

RCMP's lose their luster

RCMP cadets at the Training Academy in Regina, Saskatchewan. Photo by Sue Frause.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or RCMP, is the Canadian national police service and began as the North-West Mounted Police in 1873.

But with the recent taser death of a Polish man at Vancouver International Airport, the men and women in red serge have come under public scrutiny and criticism.

The Globe and Mail ran a story titled BC Mounties face growing public outrage in both today's print and online editions.

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan in the spotlight

Vancouver skyline. Photo by Sue Frause.

I've sort of followed the mayorship of Sam Sullivan of Vancouver. In fact, I saw him in person last fall during the Totems to Turquoise exhibition at the Vancouver Museum.

He's not your typical mayor. Paralyzed from a ski accident as a teenager, he now lives his life from a wheelchair. But his lack of mobility doesn't slow him down.

Here's a personality profile that ran on the front page of Sunday's Seattle Times. He's a politician to keep your eye on.