In these times of high petrol prices and worries about climate change, you might think that any country would be proud to enjoy a lead in manufacturing electric cars. Not Canada, it seems. Two Canadian companies, ZENN Motor Company and Dynasty Electric Car, make small electric cars designed for city use; a third, which will use new battery technology developed by Exxon Mobil, plans to launch a model later this year.

But almost all these “low-speed vehicles” (or LSV’s) are exported to the United States because Canada refuses to allow their use on public roads. Transport Canada, the regulatory agency, questions their safety. It doubts they would stand up in a collision with a delivery truck or a sport utility vehicle. Officials say they crash-tested one which didn’t fare well, though they refuse to release the data. The agency wants LSV’s confined to “controlled areas”, such as university campuses, military bases, parks and Canada’s few gated communities. Its advice has carried weight with the provinces, which make the rules of the road.

It is true that the cars are made from lightweight metals and plastics. But the manufacturers allege political bias: Stephen Harper’s conservative government has much support in oil-rich Alberta. Backed by thousands of would-be buyers, they are campaigning to reverse the agency’s decision. “It’s a ludicrous regulatory situation. All you can point to is oil and the big guys and think there’s a conspiracy somewhere,” says Danny Epp of Dynasty.

Mr Epp reckons that his car should be allowed on urban streets with speed limits of around 50kph (30mph) or less. But Dynasty recently gave up the battle. In March it announced that it is being bought by a Pakistani firm, which will move production to Karachi and export to the United States from there.

ZENN—that stands for zero emission, no noise—promises to fight on. Ian Clifford, its boss, points out that there has not been a single death related to LSV’s in the United States, where 44 states allow them and some 45,000 such cars are in use. And gas-guzzlers imperil public safety by polluting the air, he notes. But Mr Clifford is not expecting change soon. He claims that his campaign against Transport Canada has made him enemies. “Two senior, entrenched bureaucrats have told me personally that if it is the last thing they do, they’ll keep LSV’s off the road in Canada,” he says.

From the http://www.economist.com/

Don’t miss what is sure to be one of the most colourful exhibits at the Fernie Arts Station this season-Steve Short’s new showing of spectacular landscapes from around the world, and the Best of Fernie collection featuring hundreds of never-before-seen images of people, events, and special moments in Fernie over the past decade.

Steve has mined his extensive file to assemble mosaics, individual framed enlargements, and out takes from his 11 published books including the Best of BC, In the Path of the Explorers, and Water and Our Way of Life, all widely acclaimed books. Those familiar with his work in the East Kootenay will recognize his work from the Fernie, Cranbrook and Crestbrook centennial books as well as Rumours, Routes and Rapids.

Join Steve in celebrating the world of photography and help select the shortlist of images for Picture BC, the Knowledge Network’s major project on BC. Steve will be producing the six images representing Fernie and you can give your feedback by voting for your favourite location images.

Also view a “Walk in the Cottonwoods” photo shoot material that was used for the National Geographic Crown of the Continent GeoMap.

Look for an interesting and provocative exhibit from this Fernie photographer beginning on the 19 of June and running until the 17 July at the Fernie Arts Station.

For the kind of money most skis bums would pay to rent a room for four winters, small batch US ski maker Carradan is selling its skis. The Mamba, a twin-tip expert ski, retails for US $19,000.

According the company’s website, www.carradanskis.com, here’s why: “Each Carradan ski offers a unique “one-ski” solution, designed to provide the ultimate performance and comfort no matter where your day of skiing takes you. Floating through powder? Cruising on a groomer? Carving on double blacks? Whatever the conditions, wherever you go, Carradan skis function as an extension of your own being…In addition, each Carradan ski is designed to minimize the total impact on a skier’s body. In real terms, this means that the ski absorbs much of the stress from your lower body, resulting in a skier’s ability to ski harder and longer without stopping to rest those burning leg muscles.”

The top of the line Mamba has a mid-fat waist width of 86 millimeters and a 119 to 117 width in the tip and the tail. The core is a micro-fiber laminate composed chiefly of Ash, Bamboo and Okume.

And, if you act now, your new Carradans can be delivered to you by Olympic skier Martin Bell - the most successful British skier of all time. After flying in to hand deliver your new boards, he’ll spend one day on the slopes with you, providing a private introduction to your skis for $3,000 plus travel expenses.

Wildsight Gives 100 Ways to Spend $100 Climate Action Dividend
Reducing Climate Change and Contributing to Community the Central Goals

There are a million great ways to make a positive difference with your upcoming $100 Climate Action Dividend from the government. It’s hard to decide where to start, so Wildsight is providing 100 fun and easy ways – one for each dollar.

Part of the B.C. Carbon Tax, the provincial government will be giving every B.C. citizen $100 as a Climate Action Dividend in June. Wildsight has developed a list of 100 ways to best spend this dividend to reduce energy use and make our communities better.

“This is a great opportunity for B.C. residents to put this money into action and make it work towards reducing energy use and climate change,” says Wildsight Executive Director John Bergenske. “There are lots of everyday little things we can all do to help this effort. Our list will help people find out what they are.”

For example, try out these helpful tips: 16. Renovating your bathroom? Put $100 towards a low-flush or dual-flush toilet; 19. Buy an insulating blanket for your hot water tank. Or better yet, put $100 towards an on-demand water heater; 54. Try a cooking class that teaches the best ways to use local produce; 64. Purchase a bunch of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood and build something; 70. Buy new hiking boots and go climb a hill – it doesn’t matter if it’s big or small, just get out there!

Wildsight is encouraging Kootenay citizens to visit www.wildsight.ca to see the entire list and to get some great ideas about making a positive difference.

“It’s too bad the government isn’t giving us each a million dollars, but their pledge towards addressing climate change is a good first step,” says Bergenske. “Now, the real change starts with everybody doing their part.”

Land locked surfers are celebrating spring runoff in Fernie. Ghostrider rapid, named after the shadow legend on Mt Hosmer, is a surfer’s hangout every high water period. High water can occur any time of year however consistently in the spring.

Kayaker’s have been paddling this rapid for years and recently the growth in popularity of surfing has sent land locked surfers looking at all surf options.

Here are a few images from Ghostrider rapids, courtesy of Jean-Yves Ouellette: