Louis Hornung

How much water are we losing from leaks?

As we prepare to endure another year of water restrictions, and risk of forest fire, that we may not be able to fight without water bombers, how much of our precious resource is washing out to shore from Non-Revenue Water Loss? This is water lost through the distribution system before it reaches a paying customer.

The Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) completed a study in 1997 to estimate the investment needs in water and wastewater infrastructure over the period 1997-2012. This study indicated that there were more than 112,000 kilometres of water mains in Canada with an estimated replacement cost of $34 billion. In addition, this study estimated that $12.5 billion would have to be invested over this 15-year period to replace existing (deteriorated) water mains and to construct new mains to service the projected growth.

Back in the 90s, the BC Government was in favour of amalgamation of the unincorporated areas of the Sunshine Coast, into one or more incorporated areas. This action would’ve given our remote area more autonomy into our own affairs. An example of this is the District of Sechelt, which governs a population greater than 5,000 people.

What was then known as the Sechelt Indian Government District would always remain outside of any other amalgamated areas, so they will not be considered a part of any restructuring conversation here.

Revising the BC Building Code to Protect Against Greed

Canada has a national building code, that sets the minimum standard for anything that falls under its jurisdiction. Each province may enact components that exceed the national standard, but that are pertinent to conditions found in that province. Most likely, every province has done this to meet and protect the needs of the people that it is responsible for.

Being a coastal province, BC would naturally experience different conditions than say, Manitoba. Some similarities might be consistent with mountainous areas in Alberta, outside of soil, precipitation, and ground water differences.

BC has had its share of loss, due to inadequate policies or allowances covered in the BC Building Code. The leaky condo situation would be one; while the sink holes of Sechelt would be another, or the landfill development site of Powell River. Everyone loses when the wrong thing happens.

Why is Canadian debt wrong?

We have the Banking Act of Canada, that limits how far in debt any Canadian can go, based upon various tests against their income. If someone borrows outside of the banking system, they are on their own. Naturally, factors like developing a disability, or changes in family life are not a consideration for the opinion of this article.

If most Canadians are servicing their debt in agreement with the terms, why is it wrong that they have incurred the debt? If a family is building a future, that might include a recreational property, or recreational equipment, why has an environment been created that forces them to change a plan, because a renewal might make it unaffordable because of higher interest rates.

Raising the interest rates has done little to stop inflation, but it has forced some of the middle income group to cancel some of their plans and dreams, because they’re smart enough to not let things get out of control, other than the interest rates, that are out of their control.

Imagine if all automakers shared a removable battery!

Once battery technology gets better, and smaller, like an owner replacable case, that sits in a relatively accessible location. You would never own the battery. It would be leased from a supplier that uses the exact same case design as numerous other suppliers. When you purchase a vehicle, it comes with an initial lease that is valid for a certain period of time; after that you would pay the supplier to lease the battery.

Rather than having a bunch of high power charge stations, with lineups to charge, and lengthy delays in resuming your travel, you would pull in to what could be a self-serve or manned location. A fully charged battery would be pulled from a bank of batteries that would replace the cases necessary in your vehicle, while the one(s) you brought would be placed in the charging rack.

Since the 1990s, it was predicted that the CPP fund for senior citizens of Canada would be extinguished to the point that it couldn’t be counted on to provide anything of value for a senior about to retire, if anything at all. Who started that fear mongering, or predicted the lack of vision that we now face?

Here we are in 2023, and the Federal Government has in the vicinity of somewhere over $575 Billion dollars in a fund somewhere noted as the CPP fund, or investment, and managed by the CPP Investment Board. When it’s somewhere over, is that like $150 Million over, or $600 Million over? How is it decided that a person who has worked for 40 - 50 years, contributing to this fund, should receive $717.15 per month if they retire at 65? What sort of return is that for a lifetime of contributions? Is that how we should thank Canadian seniors for their contribution to building and sustaining our Country?

Economists seem to agree, that raising interest rates to curb inflation, may have worked in the 80s, during a time of entirely different economic influences, but real people now are suffering in ever growing numbers, due to poor decision making by our Government and the Bank of Canada.

They have decided to wipe out more of the already declining middle income segment of our country, thereby widening the gap between the haves, and the have nots. Raising interest rates doesn’t effect the poor, because they can’t borrow money; the banks won’t give it to them. The wealthy have money, so they only borrow it, if that means making more money than it costs to borrow, and more than their investments are already making. Banks love to lend them more.

These radio spots are all created from start to finish by Louis Hornung. It was a lot of fun recording things that caught people by surprise, and sometimes put a smile on thier face, or made them laugh. Definitely not your everyday Ford dealership ads!