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DFO investigating critical fish habitat destruction in B.C.’s ‘Heart of the Fraser’

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The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has ordered the owners of two islands in B.C.’s Fraser River to take « corrective measures » after they allegedly destroyed fish habitat in a crucial area for the survival of salmon, steelhead, and endangered white sturgeon.

Carey Island and Herrling Island are owned by two B.C. companies that want to develop farmland and grow crops like blueberries on the islands, which are in the middle of the Fraser River between Chilliwack, B.C., and Hope, B.C.

Environmental groups have been railing against the development, saying the companies have already significantly clear cut cottonwood forests that previously covered the islands which they say are crucial to the health of dozens of species of fish that migrate, feed and spawn there.

Watch drone video of clear cuts on Carey Island:

Drone video from BCIT Rivers Institute shows areas recently logged in the ‘Heart of the Fraser.’ 0:53

DFO launched an investigation in late November, but because the case is still active officials won’t share details of the extent of the damage or what measures they are forcing the islands’ owners to take.

« Failure to comply with the corrective measures issued by DFO is a serious matter that may result in further investigation by fishery officers and possible prosecution, » Leri Davies, a spokesperson for DFO, said in a statement emailed to CBC News.

« Fisheries and Oceans Canada regards this occurrence as very serious and will take every measure possible to ensure that non-compliance incidents like this are not repeated. »

Satellite images before and after the clear cutting on the 3-square-kilometre Herrling Island, near Hope, B.C. (Mark Angelo)

‘Heart of the Fraser’

The 80 kilometre stretch of the Fraser River between Mission and Hope, B.C. has become known to conservationists as « the Heart of the Fraser. » It’s a unique ecosystem that’s home to a complex network of gravel bars and a number of large, undiked islands which are naturally flooded with water every spring, becoming a nursery for fish.

« Hundreds of millions of young salmon rear in and around these islands, but in high water the islands actually become habitat themselves, » said Mark Angelo, rivers chair of the 100,000 member Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. He lead a CBC News crew on a recent hike through Strawberry Island  another spot in the middle of the Fraser River that’s been significantly clear cut over the past two years.

The 67-year-old Angelo, one of B.C’s most celebrated conservationists, is a recipient of the Order of B.C. and Order of Canada in recognition of his work on river issues.

He calls this part of the Fraser » … the most productive stretch of river in our entire country and one of the most productive on our planet. »

Mark Angelo is the founder of World Rivers Day and a recipient of the Orders of B.C. and Canada. (Chris Corday/CBC)

As Angelo trudged in rubber boots through a muddy zone of the remaining forest on Strawberry Island, he pointed out its grassy ponds and quiet channels that become a safe refuge for fish during the spring.

Most of the banks of the lower Fraser River have been permanently diked to prevent flooding in the spring, so conservationists say these islands are particularly rare and important habitat for marine life.

Angelo worried clear cuts on the three islands have become so massive they could destabilize the land and cause sloughing into the main river. He warned any more of this kind of development could ruin the Fraser River’s immense environmental value.

« When you look at the extent of the damage being done right here… that qualifies this is the most urgent river issue in our country, » said Angelo, overlooking the vast part of Strawberry Island that’s already been logged.

Strawberry Island near Mission, B.C., was largely clear cut by its owner in 2016. (Western Watershed Design, Inc.)

Bridge proposals to islands under review

The most significant islands in this part of the Fraser River, Herrling and Carey near Chilliwack, B.C., and Strawberry Island, near Mission, B.C., have all been heavily logged and cleared over the past few years.

The islands were at one point tree plantations owned by Kruger Pulp and Paper. They were logged to produce toilet paper and other products and then replanted.

The two farm developers purchased the islands from Kruger, but since they are within B.C.’s Agricultural Land Reserve, special permission wasn’t needed to clear cut and convert them to farmland.

But it’s another kind of proposal that’s again raised the ire of people opposing the development. Two companies, Klaasen Farms Ltd. which owns Herrling Island, and Carey Island Farms Ltd. are each asking for permission to build private bridges across the Fraser so they can grow crops like blueberries and corn on the islands and have year-round permanent access to them.

Groups like the B.C. Wildlife Federation say bridge construction would further damage already-threatened fish habitats and species. They’ve been pushing the provincial government for a full environmental review.

In an email, the B.C. government told CBC News it’s still reviewing the bridge proposals, and it will consider the concerns over potential impacts on marine life.

Carey Island often floods during the spring. (BCIT Rivers Institute)

‘Do we want all our food coming from California or China?’

Cornelis Guliker, the director of Carey Island Farms Ltd., defends his small company’s move to develop a farm on the 472-hectare island that it owns. 

In a note to CBC, Guliker said the land is important for agriculture because it’s some of the most fertile in the region, and one of the best climates in Canada to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables.

« There is no more land being made and the good land we have is being taken up by industry, » wrote Guliker, who cited the recent construction of a large Molson Coors brewery in Chilliwack as an example.

« Local food is important. Do we want all our food coming from California or China? »

Guliker said there are already hundreds of hectares of unprotected land along the Fraser that flood during the spring freshet and are currently being farmed.

« We can protect fish habitat and farm, » he wrote. 

The owner of Klaasen Farms did not return calls from CBC. 

Klaasen Farms Ltd., a Chilliwack, B.C., company, owns Herrling Island and wants to convert it to a blueberry and corn farm. (Chris Corday/CBC)

‘There is nothing more sacred to me than this entire river’

People who rely on the river for food and work say the cost of converting these islands into farms is too high.

As fishing guide Dean Werk leads a crew of journalists up a stretch of river he’s known for 50 years, he shook his head at what he calls the degradation of habitat on this part of the Fraser.

« I’m astounded that the world is not listening or watching or Canadians are not in outrage in regards to how much destruction we’ve done in these critical spawning areas, » said Werk.

« There is nothing more sacred to me than this entire river and all its habitat. » 

Dean Werk stands in a small remaining area of forest and natural wetland on Strawberry Island that becomes prime fish habitat in the spring. (Chris Corday/CBC)

Werk, who’s also President of the Fraser Valley Salmon Society, is hopeful the public will get behind the campaign to preserve and restore the « Heart of the Fraser. »

The group leading the effort, including Mark Angelo, is planning to meet with provincial and federal ministers in January to express what they call the « urgency » of the issue.

They’re also looking into the potential of working with donors to purchase the islands back from the developers, and restore the clearcut areas to their original status.

It’s an idea the owner of Carey Island said he is still open to considering.

« If we can find a way to protect this area, that will be one of the great conservation milestones in the history of our country, » said Angelo.

« If we fail, that would be like a shot to the heart of this great river. » 

Mark Angelo with a white sturgeon in a catch and release-only fishery in the Fraser River. It’s a threatened species that Angelo says is being jeopardized by development in the ‘Heart of the Fraser.’ (Danny Catt)

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Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

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Get a taste of adventure with Starburst XXXtreme based on the legendary NetEnt Game. The nostalgic themes are sure to capture fans of the classic version as they get treated to higher intensity, better visuals, and features. The most significant element of the game is its volatility. Patience will not be an essential virtue considering the insane gameplay, and there is a lot of win potential involved. It retains the original makeup of the previous game while adding a healthy dose of adrenaline. 

Starburst Visuals and Symbols

The game is definitely more conspicuous than before. The setting happens over a 5-reel, 3-row game grid with nine fixed win lines, which function if a succession from the left to the right reel is present. Only those players that that attain the highest win per bet line are paid. From a visual standpoint, the Starburst XXXtreme slots illustrates lightning effects behind the reels, which is not surprising as it is inherited from the original version. Available themes include Classic, Jewels, and Space. The game is also available in both desktop and mobile versions, which is advantageous for players considering the global pandemic. According to Techguide, American gamers are increasingly having more engaging gaming experiences to socialize to fill the gap of in-person interaction. Starburst XXXtreme allows them to fill the social void at a time when there is so much time to be had indoors. 

Starburst XXXTreme Features

Players get to alternate on three features which are Starburst Wilds, XXXtreme Spins, and Random Wilds. The first appears on reels 2,3, or 4. When these land, they expand to cover all positions while also calculating the wins. They are also locked for a respin. If a new one hits, it also becomes locked while awarding another respin. Starburst XXXtreme offers a choice between two scenarios for a higher stake. In one scenario with a ten times stake, the Starburst Wild is set on random on reels 2,3, or 4, and a multiplier starts the respin. The second scenario, which has a 95 times stake, starts with two guaranteed starburst wilds on reels 2,3, or 4. it also plays out using respin game sequence and features. The game also increases the potential with the Random Wilds feature to add Starburst Wilds to a vacant reel at the end of a spin. Every Starburst Wild gives a random multiplier with potential wins of x2, x3, x5, x10, x25, x50, x100, or even x150.

The new feature is sure to be a big hit with the gaming market as online gambling has shown significant growth during the lockdown. AdAge indicates the current casino customer base is an estimated one in five Americans, so Starburst XXXtreme’s additional features will achieve considerable popularity. 

What We Think About The Game

The gambling market has continued to diversify post-pandemic, so it is one of the most opportune times to release an online casino-based game. Thankfully Starburst XXXtreme features eye-catching visuals, including the jewels and space themes. These attract audience participation and make the gameplay inviting. The game also has a nostalgic edge. The previous NetEnt iteration featured similar visuals and gameplay, so the audience has some familiarity with it. The producers have revamped this version by tweaking the features to improve the volatility and engagement. 

That is characterized by the potential win cap of 200,000 times the bet. Starburst XXXtreme does not just give betting alternatives for players that want to go big. The increase of multipliers also provides a great experience. If the respins in the previous version were great, knowing that multipliers can go hundreds of times overtakes the game to a new level. 

Players should get excited about this offering. All of the features can be triggered within a single spin. Whether one plays the standard game or takes the XXXtreme spin route, it is possible to activate all of the features. Of course, the potential 200,000 times potential is a huge carrot. However, the bet size is probably going to be restricted and vary depending on the casino. It is also worth pointing out that a malfunction during the gameplay will void all of the payouts and progress. Overall, the game itself has been designed to provide a capped win of 200,000 times the original bet. 

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Anglais

‘We’re back’: Montreal festival promoters happy to return but looking to next year

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In downtown Montreal, it’s festival season.

In the city’s entertainment district, a musical act was conducting a sound check on stage Friday evening — the second day of the French-language version of the renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival. Tickets for many of the festival’s free outdoor shows — limited by COVID-19 regulations — were sold out.

Two blocks away, more than 100 people were watching an acoustic performance by the Isaac Neto Trio — part of the last weekend of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a celebration of music from the African continent and the African diaspora.

With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit capacity, festival organizers say they’re glad to be back but looking forward to next year when they hope border restrictions and capacity limits won’t affect their plans.

Charles Décarie, Just For Laughs’ CEO and president, said this is a “transition year.”

“Even though we have major constraints from the public health group in Montreal, we’ve managed to design a festival that can navigate through those constraints,” Décarie said.

The French-language Juste pour rire festival began on July 15 and is followed by the English-language festival until July 31.

When planning began in February and March, Décarie said, organizers came up with a variety of scenarios for different crowd sizes, ranging from no spectators to 50 per cent of usual capacity.

“You’ve got to build scenarios,” he said. “You do have to plan a little bit more than usual because you have to have alternatives.”

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MELS new major movie studio to be built in Montreal

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MONTREAL — MELS Studios will build a new film studio in Montreal, filling some of the gap in supply to meet the demand of Hollywood productions.

MELS president Martin Carrier said on Friday that MELS 4 studio construction will begin « as soon as possible », either in the fall or winter of next year. The studio could host productions as early as spring 2023.

The total investment for the project is $76 million, with the Quebec government contributing a $25 million loan. The project will create 110 jobs, according to the company.

The TVA Group subsidiary’s project will enable it to stand out « even more » internationally, according to Quebecor president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. In the past, MELS Studios has hosted several major productions, including chapters of the X-Men franchise. The next Transformers movie is shooting this summer in Montreal.

Péladeau insisted that local cultural productions would also benefit from the new facility, adding that the studio ensures foreign revenues and to showcase talent and maintain an industry of Quebec producers.

STUDIO SHORTAGE

The film industry is cramped in Montreal.

According to a report published last May by the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec (BCTQ), there is a shortage of nearly 400,000 square feet of studio space.

With the addition of MELS 4, which will be 160,000 square feet, the company is filling part of the gap.

Carrier admitted that he has had to turn down contracts because of the lack of space, representing missed opportunities of « tens of millions of dollars, not only for MELS, but also for the Quebec economy. »

« Montreal’s expertise is in high demand, » said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who was present at the announcement.

She said she received great testimonials from « Netflix, Disney, HBO and company » during an economic mission to Los Angeles in 2019.

« What stands out is that they love Montreal because of its expertise, knowledge and beauty. We need more space, like MELS 4, » she said.

There is still not enough capacity in Quebec, acknowledged Minister of Finance, the Economy and Innovation Eric Girard.

« It is certain that the government is concerned about fairness and balance, so if other requests come in, we will study them with the same seriousness as we have studied this one, » he said.

Grandé Studios is the second-largest player in the industry. Last May, the company said it had expansion plans that should begin in 2022. Investissement Québec and Bell are minority shareholders in the company.

For its part, MELS will have 400,000 square feet of production space once MELS 4 is completed. The company employs 450 people in Quebec and offers a range of services including studio and equipment rentals, image and sound postproduction, visual effects and a virtual production platform.

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