For your Sunday coffee break

There’s a number of stories I’m working on for next week, but for today, here are a few things to read on your Sunday coffee break.

The BC governments move into the Renminbi market last year should be news again shortly, as the one year bonds issued come to maturity: this is the story from last fall I posted on this to refresh your memory: http://lailayuile.com/2013/11/08/bc-government-dim-sum-bonds-a-success-in-hong-kong-but-give-indigestion-to-many-here-in-british-columbia/

Will the BC government issue a press release heralding this experiment as a success for the province, strengthening ties with investors from China? Or will silence reign supreme in an effort to avoid examination considering the current unrest and pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong? The actions of the Chinese government during these protests are currently being questioned by many, with allegations of the Hong Kong government working with gangs to break up the protests: https://time.com/3464206/blue-ribbon-protestors-occupy-hong-kong-china-democracy-triads/

Keep your eye on this situation, and I’ll keep you updated on the outcome.

The situation with Mount Polley and Imperial mines has largely fallen from media view now, but still very much ongoing.

Imperial mines has issued a response to the Vancouver Sun article in which it was noted a crack was noticed in the tailings pond dam as far back as 2010. This is the article in question: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Crack+Mount+Polley+mine+noted+2010+inspection+report+with+report/10236487/story.html

And this is their response: http://www.imperialmetals.com/i/pdf/10-03-14-mount-polley-responds-to-sept-26-vancouver-sun-article-oct-3.pdf

The company has been busy seeding grass over tailings sediment, raising questions by many on whether or not that poses any risk to wildlife who may be attracted to graze on the grass come spring, and whether this also indicates the likelihood it may not be cleaned up at all.

Gordon Hoekstra has consistently done excellent work on this story from day 1, and this recent story again shows his attention to details and insight. http://www.vancouversun.com/business/resources/Imperial+cleanup+plan+underway+Mount+Polley+mine/10239724/story.html

All of this has had impact on Imperial Mines operation at Red Chris mine, where they are currently advising they are seeking an injunction to have a blockade removed from the entrance to the mine, set up by a group of Tahltan families and elders known as the Klabona Keepers.

http://www.terracestandard.com/news/278163681.html

Video footage of the blockade being set up, and the elders asking for support to protect their lands.

The latest results that were released passed right over my head with back to school and an ankle injury, but here is the write up from NW: http://www.cknw.com/2014/09/24/latest-mount-polley-test-results-released/
And here is the link to all the results : http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/eemp/incidents/2014/mount-polley/#updates

Last but not least, Harvey Oberfeld has a thought provoking post up about Mulcair’s support for all Canadian taxpayers to pick up the bill for a new bridge in Quebec. I was equally outraged at this turn of events, simply because we continually get dinged out here for new projects, including the Port Mann, which is part of our national highway system.

Sigh. It’s so damn easy to spend spend spend when it’s not their own money.

Read and weep. http://harveyoberfeld.ca/blog/media-finally-picking-up-on-mulcairs-duplicity/

Enjoy your Sunday and the weather it’s brought with it – you know that months of rain can’t be far off in this part of the world! :)