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2 J a n u a r y 4 ' 1 8 H a n n a / C o r o n a t i o n / S t e t t l e r , A b . E C A r e v i e w R R R R R Published by Coronation Review Limited Guest Opinion Fireplace ban endangers lives during an emergency by Peter Shawn Taylor, contributor Troy Media Canadians for Affordable Energy Oh the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful. Since we’ve no place to go, Let it snow, let it snow, let it - ZAP! The power has suddenly gone out. Are you ready for such an emergency? According to the federal government’s Get Prepared website, “you need to be able to take care of your family for at least 72 hours” if the grid goes down and official help is unavailable. Could you survive at home alone without electricity, gas, cell service and water for three days? “ An exemption during a power outage is of no value if your fireplace or wood stove has already been removed or rendered inoperable, as required by law. Stockpiling water, non-perishable food, batteries, medications and a firstaid kit are all necessities, of course. But what if there’s a blizzard − how will you stay warm? Then your only option, says Ottawa, is to use a “nonelectric stove or heater, or a wood-burning fireplace.” How strange, then, that some of Canada’s biggest cities are doing everything in their power to remove this option. By planning to ban fireplaces and wood stoves, Montreal and Vancouver are denying citizens the means to keep warm during a catastrophic ice storm or similar emergency. It’s apparently more important to protect the environment than it is to allow humans the tools to save themselves in a crisis. In Montreal, beginning in October 2018, no traditional fireplace or wood stove “may be used or left to be used” by any resident, according to a new city bylaw. Only rigorously certified devices − properly registered with the authorities, of course − will be permitted. Similarly, Vancouver is in the midst of a public consultation regarding its proposed ban on fireplaces and wood stoves. If approved, Vancouver residents would be required to register all wood-burning devices by 2022 and, as in Montreal, traditional-style fireplaces and stoves would be ineligible “ 72 pt East Central Alberta EVIEW 60 pt 48 pt 36 pt V I E W P O I N T S for registration. In 2025, it would become illegal to use any unregistered wood-burning system for warmth, cooking or aesthetics. Both pending bylaws claim to make exceptions for lengthy power outages, but the broader implication of these policies is clear. They will remove from existence the vast majority of legacy fireplaces and wood stoves and, given a hefty application of red tape, strongly discourage all new installations. The Vancouver proposal actually contemplates an annual fireplace registration renewal process, like a driver’s licence. And it’s a trend that may be spreading. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment has distributed a draft bylaw that can be used by municipalities looking to ban fireplaces or wood stoves. What does all this mean? The next time a devastating winter storm hits Montreal or something similar is visited upon Vancouver, many homeowners won’t be able to heat their houses off-grid. In cases where official help is unavailable or misdirected, families will thus be deprived of this means of fending for themselves - this despite the explicit recommendation of Ottawa’s emergency preparedness program. And an exemption during a power outage is of no value if your fireplace or wood stove has already been removed or rendered inoperable, as required by law. The usefulness of fireplaces in an emergency remains real, even in big, modern cities. “My own house was without power for most of three days,” Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said in January 2014 following a dramatic ice storm in Toronto, “but we have a working fireplace and could still cook on our gas stove.” By relying on heritage technology, Wynne was able to eat and her pipes didn’t freeze. (Vancouver, by the way, is also planning to eliminate gas stoves and furnaces.) Bans on fireplaces and wood stoves are driven by concerns over global warming, and the notion that heat from wood is inefficient and dirty. While it’s true that burning wood or other biomass such as plant matter can release a range of pollutants, “biomass is generally considered carbon neutral because the carbon dioxide (CO2) released from either burning or decomposing biomass approximately equals the CO2 that trees and plants take in from the atmosphere during their lives,” says the National Energy Board’s review of various energy sources. Turn to A necessary, Pg 3 LETTERS POLICY • Letters to the Editor are welcomed • Must be signed and a phone number included so the writer’s identity can be verified. • ECA Review reserves the right to edit letters for legal considerations, taste and brevity. Letters and columns submitted are not necessarily the opinion of this newspaper. MEMbER of: Office Hours Mon. - Fri. 9 am - 5 pm R 30 pt Subscriptions: 4921 - Victoria Avenue $42.00 in Canada; $74.20 in US; Tel. (403) 578-4111 R 24 pt $135.15 Overseas. (All prices include GST) Mail: Box 70, Coronation, AB Canada, T0C 1C0 Website ECAreview.com by Herman Schwenk We are at the beginning of a new year 2018. It has been customary to make New Years resolutions to correct some bad habits at this time of year. I have always felt that these resolutions were mostly a waste of time because very few people stick with them for very long. However what I have decided to do is make a wish list for 2018. It probably won’t accomplish any more than New Years resolutions but it will document some objectives that the powers that be should consider. Let’s start with Justin Trudeau. I wish he would go and see a speech therapist. I really get sick and tired of him going ah, ah, ah, ah, every time that he speaks. Instead of spending Christmas with his billon air friends that cost the government [think taxpayers] over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I wish he would spend a week with a middle class family. Maybe he would discover that all the new taxes that he has imposed on them [about $860 a year so far] is creating a real hardship. When he was elected he said he would HELP the middle class. “ Bloated bureaucracy that is the problem not the front line workers He might also understand that small business is not really using income sprinkling as a loop hole but that it is survival strategy in a business with very tight margins especially after his taxes. Another suggestion for a Christmas vacation would be for him and his family to spend a week in an indigenous community in either northern Manitoba or Ontario. He might learn that that it takes more than culture to maintain a viable and sustainable community. They need a reliable economic base. Alberta Press Council Do you have a concern or complaint about a newspaper article or ad? If after bringing your concerns to the attention of this newspaper, you are not satisfied, you may contact the Alberta Press Council at www.albertapresscouncil.ca or toll free in Alberta at 1-888-580-4104 for information. The opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of this newspaper. PRAIRieVieW Wish list for 2018 Throwing gobs of taxpayer money at these communities will not solve the problem. Last but not least I wish he would quit apologizing. Every time he apologizes for some thing that a previous government did like the Omar Kadar case or the residential schools, it costs us millions of dollars. As my wife has said many times, you cannot un-ring a bell. Those apologies will not change anything. I wish Rachel Notley would learn where to cut back expenses to balance her budget. She thinks the only place where you can cut back is to trim front line workers. It is her bloated bureaucracy that is the problem not the front line workers. Since becoming premier she has added over 40,000 jobs to the public sector work force. I wish she would study the real science on climate change. All her carbon tax will achieve is to increase the cost of everything for the residence of Alberta and it is increasing the cost of doing business for every business, big or small in the province. I wish I could believe her when she publically endorses pipelines. She says we need export pipelines and we do but almost every policy her government has implemented since she became premier has been to curtail the production of oil one way or another, the carbon tax being one. I wish that the media and the climate change environmental advocates would become honest and admit that C02 emissions do not contribute to global warming. Last week’s ECA Review had a column submitted by “The Friends of Science” that clearly stated the sun is the driver of climate change not C02. It has been proven that we need more carbon in the atmosphere not less. More carbon will increase agriculture and food production to feed an increasing world population. Finally I wish [you will hate me for this] the weather would stay real cold for the rest of the winter. Maybe the climate change zealots will learn that global cooling is also climate change! Have a happy new year everyone. “ Joyce Webster Publisher/Editor publisher@ECAreview.com Yvonne tHulien Manager office@ECAreview.com Gayle Jaraway Marketing 403-578-4111 advertise@ECAreview.com Bonny WILLIAMs Circulation Manager Lisa MyERs-sortLAnd Graphic Artist LISA Joy Marketing/Reporter 403-307-3398 contact@ECAreview.com R 18 pt
E C A r e v i e w H A N N A / C o r o N A t i o n / S t e t t l e r , A b J A N u a r y 4 ' 1 8 3 clive news Clive Mayor seeks solutions to battle crime Lisa Joy ECA Review Violent crime has become a serious problem for rural communities and Red Deer-Lacombe Conservative MP Blaine Calkins wants citizens’ help to address the issue. MP Calkins, along with his colleagues MP Earl Dreeshen and MP Jim Eglinski, recently launched a Rural Crime Taskforce to work with communities and law enforcement. “In some parts of my riding crime is up 100 to 200 per cent,” said MP Calkins in a message to his constituents. “I’m talking property crime and violent crime. All crime is bad but the amount of rural crime happening lately is unprecedented.” MP Calkins said over the last few months he’s received a lot of emails, phone calls and visits from constituents about the rise in crime. Three public meetings, hosted by Red Deer-Lacombe MP Blaine Calkins, are set for January at Alix, Lacombe County and Bluffton. A closed door meeting for community leaders is planned for Jan. 9 in Blackfalds and Clive Mayor Luci Henry will attend. “I am hopeful that we will be able to come up with constructive solutions to address the crimes that are plaguing our communities,” said Mayor Henry. “I think we will see that there will be an increased need for mental health and social services funding among increased RCMP and police services.” Village of Clive Coun. Susan Russell hopes to use information from the meetings to form a Citizens on Patrol for Clive. “We are at a stand still right now with volunteers and finding the time to meet but there is a huge community interest,” said Coun. Russell. “Our residents have the right to feel safe and I believe this crime meeting will bring facts about the crime rate and will equip everyone with useful information on how to ensure we are safe and how to keep criminals from targeting us.” Blackfalds RCMP Detachment, which also polices Clive, is involved in the meetings. “We have been focusing on the rural crime issues and have been working very effectively with Red Deer and surrounding detachments on various projects,” said Blackfalds RCMP Detachment Commander S/Sgt. Ken Morrison. “As a detachment, we have been actively engaged with our community leaders and partner agencies in spreading the word throughout the rural areas.” S/Sgt Morrison said that Blackfalds RCMP detachment will have two new positions in 2018, which will be paid for by Red Deer County and Lacombe County. They will be plainclothes units focused on prolific crime in rural areas and will work with surrounding detachments. Citizens can help by becoming actively involved in programs such as Citizens on Patrol (COP), Rural Crime Watch and reporting all suspicious activity, said S/Sgt. Morrison. “Over the past year there have been efforts in communities to get COP operating, however, there have been few volunteers,” he said. “We need to work together as a community to combat crime. The police can not do it on their own. “Rural Crime Watch will be starting up patrols in the New Year. We are very excited about this and how it will work to be the eyes and ears out in the rural areas.” Professional Directory A necessary backup Cont’d from Pg 2 In other words, there’s no difference between burning a tree and letting it rot on the forest floor. This is why biomass can be considered an environmentallyfriendly, cost-effective and renewable energy source. Further, the emissions released by wood stoves and fireplaces stay in the atmosphere for a very short time. Whereas CO2 can linger for decades or longer, the particulates released by a burning log disappear in days or weeks. And while this is still an issue, a balanced assessment of all available facts suggests an outright ban is the wrong policy solution. Given the proven usefulness of wood heat in emergencies, it would be better to declare no-burn days when air pollution is a factor, as is already the case in some North American jurisdictions, and let fireplaces and Deadline for the Bundles of Joy issue is Mon. Jan. 8 Please see ad on Page 6 for info. wood stoves remain as a necessary backup in big cities. For most of Canada’s history, wood has been an important, affordable and practical source of heat and fuel. This remains true in many rural parts of the country. And in urban Canada, wood heat can still be very useful in a crisis. Canadians shouldn’t be denied the right to help themselves in an emergency. Or, for that matter, the right to a pleasant source of warmth and ambiance any time the mood might strike them. Peter Shawn Taylor is a journalist, policy research analyst and contributing writer to Canadians for Affordable Energy. Familiar Faces you have come to Know & Trust Hugh McLarty Heather Caseley Judy Lindmark 3” wide version Buildings for Sale - To Be Moved 3.75” wide version A variety of sizes and styles WANTED 12345 available DEAD OR ALIVE Please call Canadian Prairie Pickers 403-279-6395 are once again touring the area buying or visit www.mccannsbldgmovers.com call Kellie at 778-257-8647 3.75” wide version Buildings for Sale - To Be Moved Bill’s Waterwell Castor A variety Services Sheet Metal Well Drilling of sizes 12345 Ltd. Plumbing Pumps & Repairs and styles Heating & A/C Well 403-747-2120 Drilling available drillerbill@xplornet.com Pumps & Repairs Please call 403-279-6395 or visit www.mccannsbldgmovers.com 4901-50 St Castor AB Craig Caseley Central Alberta Family Funeral Services Ltd. Diane Zinger 3” wide version WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE Canadian Prairie Pickers are once again touring the area buying Silver & Gold Coins We pay top prices for all Canadian and USA coins. We purchase rolls, bags, boxes and jars of coins. The Pickers also paying cash for coin collections, Royal Canadian Mint Sets and World Coins. This year we are also purchasing old, broken or unused gold jewelry. To arrange for a free, discrete in-home visit call Kellie at 778-257-8647 Silver & Gold Coins We pay top prices for all Canadian and USA coins. We purchase rolls, bags, boxes and jars of coins. The Pickers also paying cash for coin collections, Royal Canadian Mint Sets and World Coins. This year we are also purchasing old, broken or unused gold jewelry. To arrange for a free, discrete in-home visit 403-747-2120 drillerbill@xplornet.com Bale Hauling David Unruh 403-323-6787(c) 403-742-4673(h) Wecker PLUMBING & HEATING LTD. • Plumbing • Gas Fitting • Air Conditioning • Sheet Metal • Commercial Refrigeration Serving the Big Country (403) 854-4774 Centre Street Hanna, AB 410 2nd Avenue West, Hanna, AB JEFF M.FAUPEL, B. Mgmt., C.A. MONICA N. FAUPEL, B. Mgmt., C.A. Three Hills - Tues. Coronation - Wed. Oyen -Thurs. (by Appointment) 800-267-5601 E.Roger Spady Professional Corporation Barrister & Solicitor Coronation Mall Coronation, AB 403-578-3131 Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kendra Walgenbach, CPA, CA Chris Annand, CPA, CA Naomi Roth, CPA, CGA Guy Chapman, CPA, CA, CFP Krystal Stoutenberg, CPA, CA Big Country Construction & Building Supplies Ltd. • Custom New Homes •All Farm Buildings • Renovations • Windows and Doors • Overhead Doors & Service • Retail Sales Quality Customer Care 403-854-3585 S. Barnes Trucking For Livestock Hauling Call Stan Barnes Res 403 578 3265 Cell 403 575 5264 CORONATION VISION CLINIC Dr. Ward ZoBell Tues & Thurs 10 - 4 403-578-3221 HANNA VISION CENTRE Eye Health, Glasses Contacts Dr. Dennis A. Heimdahl Dr. Ward ZoBell Tues, Wed 9-5 Thurs, Fri 9-4 403-854-3003 DENTIST Dr.McIver In Coronation MONDAYS 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call Anytime for Appointments 578-3811 Located in Coronation Mall 4702 51 Ave, Stettler, AB Phone 403-742-3438 chapmanandco.ca Business Directory 403 882 3388 24 Hour On-Call Service: 403-740-2535 Service Wise - We Specialize 403-742-5237 Stettler, AB AUTO BODY REPAIR LTD. Quality Collision Repair and Professional Service… Guaranteed! Find out more about us at: www.brennanautobody.com Phone: 403-742-3555 4109 - 48 Avenue, Stettler
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