Welcome to Your Kamloops!

Business Case Released for New Kamloops Performing Arts Centre Proposal....

 

Kamloops has an amazing community of arts supporters! And today the Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society released the business case (pdf file) for the new performing arts centre proposal.

I am hoping this building can be as energy efficient as possible and that the public subsidy is kept as low as possible.

Can this building actually have no net operating subsidy? A very ambitious goal for a public facility.

The forecast now is that there would be no net tax increase to fund the public share of constructing the building. The "mortgage" we have been paying for the Tournament Capital facilities is coming off and can be rolled over into a performing arts centre project.

That leaves operating costs. Right now, the business case calls for $703 000 taxpayer contribution in year one, decreasing to $383 000 taxpayer contribution in year five. 

There is a lot of amazing plans for this proposed venue.

The Kamloops Centre of the Arts Society's website is full of great information. The key aspect, it seems to me, is whether there is general support for the capital and operating contributions (which are listed as maximums in the business case) among Kamloops citizens. 

Kamloops Councillors Talk Civility - Episode 3

We made another one! Kathy Sinclair and I spent about 11 minutes talking about:

• civility / incivility in the federal election
• partisan politics, why we would not run for MLA or MP
• Obama as a guest?

The white arrow in the orange button below will play this podcast...

 

Kamloops Councillors Talk Civility - Episode 2

It took me some time to post this. At the end of May, Kathy Sinclair and I were joined by Dale Bass and Mike O'Reilly to on the second episode of our podcast "Kamloops Councillors talk about Civility". This one runs 20 minutes. Here is a rough outline of the conversation:

• social media incivility and civility
• how to really engage with people who are upset or who have very strong views
• alternatives to getting arrested for making a death threat against an elected official.

https://soundcloud.com/arjun-singh-25/kamloops-councillors-talk-civility-episode-2

 

Raw note from Green Party Leader Elizabeth May's speech at FCM 2019

(not comprehensive)

a passionate call to action on climate action

- in 2015, green party platform adhered most to FCM goals
- long term stable infrastructure funding
- not just money, seat at a table
- council of Canadian governments, 4 orders of governments
- must not let politicians divide us
- one country, one family
- all hands on deck
- shoutout to climate caucus
- climate issue is emergency, a security issue
- holding global average temp rise is 1.5 can't be missed. Can't negotiate with planet
- Greta Thunberg the real leader , mobilizing millions of young children
- there are hard choices ahead
- BC now has a smoke season
- extreme weather
- non partisan issue
- may 1940, wwII, Winston Churchill. Only parallel time

Raw notes from NDP leader Jagmeet Singh's speech at FCM 2019

 

 

 

 

(Not comprehensive)

- live in an incredible country

- municipal leaders are fabric of country 

- deserve a federal partner who will work with you on big challlenges 

- 2 challenges : climate change and growing inequality

- outdated funding system for municipalities

- need true federal partner who will stand up with you and give you tools you need 

- good jobs, secure futures while moving to sustainability. More opportunity not less

- respecting indigenous rights 

- a Canada where all family's can live well now and into future generations

- kids worried desperately about future 

- lots of incredibly negative impacts of climate change

- green innovation

- municipalities influence half the emissions in Canada. 

- ndp environmental plan released, also to reduce inequality and create good jobs. Public transit a big part. 

- permanent allocation based funding for transit in all communities across Canada. Took the idea from FCM advocacy 

- zero emission buses and low carbon trains 

- expand bus services between rural communities

- low cost retrofit financing for public buildings

- massive concerns around inequality. People working hard but still falling behind. Growing insecurity. Leads to intolerance and fear. 

- ppl need healthcare, good job, housing, clean air and water 

- Ford govt slashing money to local governments. Most vulnerable citizens are the ones hurt 

- believe passionately in public service

- pharmacare for all

- build half a million new affordable homes in 10 years 

- access to post secondary

- infrastructure, stable funding

- affordable internet and wireless all over Canada 

Raw notes from Canada's leader of the opposition Andrew Scheer at FCM 2919

(Not necessarily comprehensive)

.- helping Cdns get ahead, not just get by 

- FCM very important

- less than 13% of infrastructure funds have gone out under Liberals

- infrastructure program not well managed

- unplanned and unmanaged deficits . Conservatives will get this fixed 

- will work with provinces AND municipalities

- invest in programs that actually are infrastructure

- will release soon the most comprehensive climate action / environment plan ever by an opposition party 

- conservatives will scrap carbon tax, which does not work, is autocratic and unjust, and costs more 

- stress test impacting affordability of housing 

- need more homes at lower prices

- reduce regulations on builders 

- opoid crisis must be addressed in two manifestations, health and public safety

- Canada must stop fentanyl imports from China

- crack down on gangs, gun laws that don't target law abiding people. Will also focus on those with mental health issues.

- won't put more laws on those who follow the laws 

- municipal lens will be taken into account into decisions

- decentralized decision making, not Ottawa knows best 

- will secure rural broadband .

- pm engaging in fear campaign 

- govt living within its means 

- runaway deficits not good for future decision-making

- many conservative candidates come from local govt

- local govt are vital partners to achieve Federal objectives

 

Raw notes from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's speech at FCM 2019

- middle class 

- family 

- retirement secure 

- communities are strength and force of our country

- Federal government as partner to local govt

- we've seen promises broken by some provinces 

- infrastructure funding priority for this mandate , moved quickly early 

- clean water a right 

- homelessness and affordability changes

- national housing strategy 

- Hamilton housing homeless successes

- true partner 

- climate action - 1 billion to FCM green municipal fund 

- extreme weather 

- 5000 projects approved versus 793 in last conservative mandate 

- dig at Premier Ford 

- double gas tax this year 

- conservative cuts, warning. Cautionary tale 

- don't go back to austerity

A New Podcast - Kamloops Councillors Talk about Civility....

Fun to co-host this podcast with Councillor Kathy Sinclair!