Lecture 8: British Columbia Flashcards
Why is Vancouver so expensive to live?
Large immigration
Describe BCs population growth compared to the national average
Consitently outperforming it
Where do most residents in BC reside?
Lower mainland, Vic and Kelowna
What city, with its natural, mild climate, and diverse population is the ideal place for Richard Florida’s “culture class”
Greater Vancouver
What is the 6th most livable city in the world?
Van
Describe the trend of BC influence in the affairs of state (gov)?
Increasing political clout
Is BC dry or wet?
Both
Where are the two precipitation areas in BC?
- Pacific climatic zone (heavy precipitation)
- Interior - lower preceipiation
Describe the Forrests of BC
Old growth
What is the Great Bear Rainforest?
A UNESCO biosphere reserve where limited logging can take place, core areas of ancient forest can be PRESERVED, and first nations can FIND A PLACE in traditional and western socieities
Why are BC residents worried abt the Trans Mountain Pipeline?
Oil spills - like the Exxon Valdez spull in 1989 caused by human error
Why does Alberta want the pipeline to be built?
Without it, their oil prices will continue to fall below global oil prices
What underscores the BC/Alberta dispute?
BCs perceived lack of support for its interests in favour of national interets, a perception that runs deep in BCs history
What did Pipeline opposition cause?
5 year project delay
How many conditions must be met for the pipeline, and what “important benefits” would it deliver for Canada?
157 conditions and “increased access to diverse markets for Canadian oil” + “considerable governemtn revenues from the project”
How many municipalities and first nations have opposed the pipeline?
21 municipalities (including Van) and 17 First nations (including some in USA)
What is a big natural risk for the densely populated parts of BC?
Earthquakes
What is the pacific Ring of Fire?
volcanic and earthquake activity encirceling the Pacific Basin (where Van and Vic are)
What are the chances of the “Big One” happening and when?
It could happen at any given time → seismoliogists are convinced that a megathrust earthquake WILL strike the heavily populated region
Where was Canada’s largest earthquake and when?
8.1 in 1949 off cost of Haida Gwaii and also a pretty big one in 2012 7.7
What are two examples of problems that the 49th parrallel + COVID caused?
- Golfers at Fort Fairfield, Maine couldn’t golf at Aroostook Valley Country Club because the some holes were in NB, and to get to the clubhouse, you must drive to Four Falls, NB
- Southern tip of Tsawwassen Peninsula, BC is part of Washington State w/out road access to rest of America. The 1300 residents of Point Roberts, had nowhere to go, including cottages and even high school
Briefly explain the life cycle of the salmon in BC
Spend years in Pacific Ocean before returnin to Fraser and Skeena rivers (along with others) to spawn
What is a big problem for BC fishing industry?
Overexpoloitation → particulalry the valuable salmon stocks
What are the four sources of overexploitation of fish (especially salmon) stocks?
- Canadian commerical fishers
- American commercial fishers
- Aboriginaly fishery
- Sport fishery
They all want larger catches
What is the Pacific Salmon Treaty?
Agreement between USA and Canada, renewed in 2019, setting long term goals for sustainibility of this resource
What is the Rule of Capture?
Fish are common property until they are caught → fishers try to maximize their share so no one else takes “their fish”
What is the Tragedy of Commons?
Canadian gov cant regulate “canadian” salmon stocks, those that spawn in Canadian rivers, because they migrate to american waters, where the America fishing fleet harvests them
What physiographic region is most of BC within?
Cordillera
Trading with who is important for BC economy?
US Northwest and Pacific Rim
Why is BC’s population growing fast?
Many immigrants ariving to Van CMA from Asia
What are main traders the Pacific Rim that make up 25% of the products passing through BC’s ports?
Mainly China, Japan, and South Korea
Why is trade with BC and China developing?
China’s accelerating economy
What is the Pacific Gateway and Corridor?
A heavy invested progeram by provincial government that improves infrastructure to leading BC ports
Why is BC not considered a core even though the economy is growing?
Small manufacturing base
What is causing BC to be known as an upwards transitional periphery?
Growth in knowledge-based economy
Why did BC historical feel disconnected/alienated from rest of Canada?
The Rockies