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Kinder Morgan
on Burnaby Mountain
Mina Oldfield
The City of Burnaby won its case against Kinder Morgan after a 9 month long battle. The company had plans to build a pipeline through Burnaby, even after the City of Burnaby stated that they were against any expansion of the current Kinder Morgan Trans mountain line. The NEB’s federal decision ensured that Kinder Morgan will not continue drilling in protected forest areas. That is, until the private company comes back with a more aggressive legal offensive.
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Destructive protests of Ferguson shooting
Joy Yang
A riot ensuing the Ferguson shooting broke out on November 24th upon news that the jury will not indict the officer liable for the shooting of 18 year old Michael Brown. Brown, a black teenager was shot and killed by Officer Darren Wilson on August 9th in Ferguson, Missouri after stealing cigarillos from a local convenience store with his friend. According to the officer, Mr. Brown wrestled for his gun and charged at Officer Wilson despite the warnings he was given. The scenario of a white police officer shooting an unarmed black teen led to many riots across America, protesting racial inequality.
This latest rampage is among the most destructive since Michael Brown’s death. During the chaos, countless buildings were looted and set on fire including a beauty supply store, a Little Caesars Pizza shop, and two auto parts stores.
“The only good cop is a dead cop” says one protester angry at the jury’s decision. “He (Officer Wilson) wanted the boy dead in the beginning!” cries another frustrated demonstrator. In response to speculations that the riots would continue to grow, the police force in Ferguson grew from 700 to 2,200 in preparation.
As of now, the country and the world are divided between people who believe that these riots are drawing much needed attention to the issue of racial inequality and those who abhor the reckless and damaging behavior that are characteristic of riots. Which side of this divide do you stand on?
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Should Minimum Wage Increase?
Amy Li
With a current minimum wage of $10.25 an hour and $9 an hour for liquor servers, B.C.‘s minimum wage is amongst the lowest in Canada. The BCFED (B.C. Federation of Labour) has recently launched the Fight for 15 Campaign in hopes of raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Despite having the highest cost of living in the country, B.C.’s minimum wage still sits at the bottom. As product values continue to increase and as the minimum wage stays the same, how will workers pay for necessities? Raising the minimum wage will inevitably help poverty-stricken workers to make ends meet. Not only will workers be able to afford basic needs given an increase in minimum wage, but they will also be contributing to the growing economy as consumers will increase.
There may be advantages, but also consider the fact that a higher wage will make it more expensive to employ workers. The increase in wage will also increase the number of unemployed workers, making it harder for the impoverished to find work. What do you think? Should we raise minimum wage?
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