Tag Archives: Video

Perry Ridge – Sinixt Seek Consultation on Logging

February 25, 2011Uncategorizedlogging, VideoDamien Gillis

UPDATE: THE JUDGE HAS RULED TO DISMISS THE SINIXT PETITION. SUNSHINE LOGGING LEGALLY CLEAR TO COMMENCE LOGGING AT PERRY RIDGE

The Sinixt Nation is before the BC Supreme Court, seeking the right to be consulted on a planned logging project in their traditional territory. Sunshine Logging wants to log a section of Perry Ridge, amid the Slocan Valley in the Kootenays. The Sinixt are supported by the local non-aboriginal community as well, represented in part by the Perry Ridge Water Users’ Association – who share the Sinixt concerns about safety risks from rock slides and various potential environmental impacts. Several weeks ago, Damien Gillis had a chance to interview the Sinixt official representative, Marilyn James and her supporters at the Vancouver courthouse. The judge’s verdict is expected this coming week. Recognizing the Sinixt standing on the issue could enable them to obtain an injunction preventing the logging activities.

Raven Coal Mine’s Port Proposal for Alberni Valley

February 23, 2011MiningMining, Raven Coal Mine, Salmon, VideoDamien Gillis

At a recent event co-sponsored by The Common Sense Canadian, Coal Free Alberni’s Stacey Gaiga discussed the proposed coal port in her community, designed to export coal mined on the other side of Vancouver Island to Asia. If proponent Compliance Energy has its way, it will build the underground Raven Coal Mine near Fanny Bay and truck 100 loads of coal every day across the Island to Port Alberni – jeopardizing communities and ecologies along the trucking route, in Port Alberni, and in the Somass River estuary (a key salmon river) and other waterways en route to Asia.

SPOIL: Feature Doc on Enbridge and threats to the GBR

February 18, 2011UncategorizedVideoDamien Gillis

Check out this great new feature documentary – produced by EP Films and the International League of Conservation Photographers – on the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline and associated supertankers that threaten BC and its coast. The film follows the recent expedition of the world’s top nature photographers to the Great Bear Rainforest – in the heart of the proposed tanker route – to document the incredible wilderness and cultural values at stake from tankers that would carry Tar Sands crude through these waters en route to Asia and the United States. SPOIL recently claimed the environmental film prize at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival.

SPOIL from EP Films on Vimeo.

2010 Fraser River Gravel Mining

February 16, 2011MiningDamien Gillis, Mining, Salmon, VideoDamien Gillis

In February 2010, filmmaker Damien Gillis captured the gravel mining operations on the Fraser River with a team of expert biologists and local conservationists. Now, at the 11th hour, this year’s planned mining projects have been unexpectedly cancelled. The rationale given by DFO is logistical complications and low market prices for gravel, only confirming critics’ position that this program is not about reducing flood risks – and all about money. Watch this video to see what these huge mining operations really look like – and why the ecologically damaging program should be scrapped altogether. Be sure to check out this new report from common sense contributor Otto Langer on the subject as well.

Jumbo Wild Rally in Nelson, BC

February 11, 2011UncategorizedVideoCommon Sense Canadian

Video of the Keep Jumbo Wild Rally in Nelson, BC on Saturday, February
5th 2011. For information about Jumbo Wild go to www.ecosociety.ca and
www.keepitwild.ca.
The business website for the proposed Jumbo Glacier Resort is www.jumboglacierresort.com.
Let
the BC Government know your opinion on Jumbo as they will soon be
making a decision on whether to let development proceed. Contact your
local elected representative or email steve.thomson.mla AT leg.bc.ca,
Minister of Natural Resource Operations.

Must-see Satirical Cartoon on Run-of-River Power

January 24, 2011WATERipp, private river power, Video, Water and EnergyDamien Gillis

Watch this hilarious and insightful 3 min cartoon produced by the Washington State-based Hydropower Reform Coalition – highly applicable to BC.

Small Hydro Power from Tom11 Films on Vimeo.

Building Future of Salmon Farming… in 90 Sec

January 20, 2011Uncategorizedclosed containment, Damien Gillis, farmed salmon, fish farm, Salmon, VideoDamien Gillis

On January 14, 2011, Agrimarine Holdings Inc. completed primary construction and installation of the world’s first marine closed-containment salmon farm (it has several freshwater-based tanks already in operation in China) at Middle Bay, near Campbell River. The event was the culmination of years of research to develop a more sustainable form of salmon aquaculture that – unlike the open net pen farms that dot BC’s coast – doesn’t dump its waste into the marine environment, and will minimize the transfer of parasites and pathogens between farmed and wild fish. Damien Gillis has been documenting the construction for Agrimarine and here condenses a two-week process into this 90 second time-lapse video.

The tank’s fibreglass and steel base is first mounted on a barge – which is then temporarily sunk in order to float the base. The buoyant base is pulled to the dock by tug boat, where the construction team begins bolting 24 fibreglass wall sections atop it. The completed tank is then tugged into place off the dock and attached by eight heavy-duty ropes to an underwater grid anchored to metal piles. Once secured, a 12-inch plug is removed from the bottom of the tank. Over the next two hours, water fills the tank as it sinks until mostly submerged. The top of the tank is suspended above the surface by foam-filled flotation cubes, attached beneath the top ring of the tank.

The company is now set to fill the tank with a first batch of Chinook salmon, and will soon be adding three more tanks to its Middle Bay operation.

80-Story Towers in Vancouver?

January 19, 2011Urban & TransportTransportation and Urban Planning, Vancouver, VideoDamien Gillis

Twin zoning by-law changes proposed by the City of Vancouver would open the door to much taller buildings in the downtown peninsula.

Staff reports supporting the “Vancouver Views & Opportunities for Higher Buildings” proposal, which would allow for 80-90 story buildings in the Downtown Core, and the “Historic Area Review” plan, which would permit higher buildings and densities in Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside, will be discussed at a council meeting at 2 PM on January 20 at Vancouver City Hall.

Critics are concerned about the proposed policy changes for a number of reasons – citing the potential impacts of increased gentrification in the Downtown Eastside, loss of defining city viewscapes, and the surprisingly high eco-footprint of tall condo buildings, which rank a distant last in energy efficiency to all other dwelling options (some 10 times less efficient than many houses, town homes, and small apartment buildings). They are also concerned there hasn’t been enough community consultation on the big picture of these proposed dramatic changes.

Last week, community groups Village Vancouver and City Hall Watch hosted a townhall meeting to share more information with the public and hear their concerns. Common Sense Canadian contributing videographer Jamie MacQuarrie was on hand to capture the lively discussion. Watch this 5 min highlight video.

Toronto Star Video: G20 Police Brutality Victim

January 12, 2011Canada, Politicsdemocracy, Politics, VideoDamien Gillis

From the Toronto Star – TheStar.com – Jan 12, 2011

The
close-up above shows the face of one of the police officers
photographed at the scene of Dorian Barton’s takedown, left. The SIU
investigated the case but said there wasn’t enough evidence to lay
charges, in part because Barton couldn’t identify any of the officers
involved in his arrest. The police watchdog has said it will review new
evidence associated with the case.

Watch video

Enter the Great Bear Rainforest

December 14, 2010Energy and Resources, Tar Sands, WATERAlberta Tar Sands, Enbridge, Great Bear Rainforest, Video, Water and EnergyDamien Gillis

Starring grizzlies, eagles, humpback whales, and the legendary spirit
bear. This
magical place is threatened by Enbridge’s proposal to bring an oil
pipeline from the Alberta Tar Sands and supertankers to BC’s North and
Central coast – Gillis was filming for his recently released short
documentary, “Oil in Eden.” This 4 min film captures the highlights of
that experience – featuring breathtaking, never-before-seen footage of
the Great Bear Rainforest!

We highly recommend you try watching this video in 720p or 1080p HD in full screen mode (both buttons located in the bottom right corner of the youtube video player window).