news // no. 4 A dozen fast-charging theotherpress.ca stations to be installed in BC » The number likely to rise to 40 by 2020 Tania Arora Staff Reporter n Monday, June 24, Natural Resources Canada and FortisBC together in partnership with the province and the federal government announced its plan to build 12 new electric vehicle fast-charging stations in British Columbia. The charging stations are a part of Natural Resources Canada’s electric vehicle initiative. The program aims to reduce fuel consumption by promoting electric vehicles and further establishing chargers across the national highway system. This would lessen the travel anxiety many owners of electric vehicles face and help them plan their trip ahead of time. Charging cars would be as easy and quick as stopping to catcha view or some air while on a trip. The fast chargers are efficient enough to level up the car battery within 20 to 30 minutes. Two of these stations have been installed at the Kelowna International Airport, where the Monday announcement was held. “We're laying [charge stations] out across the southern Interior and they’re really designed for those long trips, so you can pop in and charge your car quickly on a long trip and carry on again,” said FortisBC Vice President Doug Stout to the CBC. “It takes away that range anxiety people More such stations are planned to be installed in Beaverdale, Osoyoos, Cawston, Nelson, Kaslo, Rossland, New Denver, and Nakusp. G G It is great to know that the government is planning to install more charging stations as I might not have to worry about long road trips.” —Lakshay Anand, Douglas College student Calls for electric vehicle options have been increasing in the wake of ongoing climate change concerns. The province of BC in partnership with New Car Dealership Association of BC runs a pioneering sales incentive plan, CEVforBC, to make Clean Energy Vehicles (CEV) more affordable and accessible for residents of the province. “The transportation sector is at and new car dealers in British Columbia are spearheading it,” said President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC Blair Qualey in a statement. CEVforBC will run until March 31, 2020 or until the funds are exhausted, whichever situation arises first. The program is managed by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. The step to fund the initiative led the government to slash the current EV consumer rebate to $3,000 from $5,000. Until now, the province used to offer $5,000 in incentives to encourage consumers to purchase electric cars. In addition, earlier this year the federal government rolled out its $5,000 rebate incentive for certain electric vehicles. By offering such benefits, the government has seen a drastic rise in the purchase of electric vehicles. Lakshay Anand, a student at Douglas College, in an interview with the Other Press said, “I think that [a Tesla] might be the next car I buy, and due to the increasing gas prices, electric vehicles will be more affordable and convenient for me. It is great to know that the government is planning to install more charging stations as | might not have to worry about long road trips.” FortisBC plans to increase the amount of charging stations to 17 in 2019 and 40 by the end of 2020. talk about.” the forefront of the green revolution Photo by Billy Bui Ben Douglas College cancels anti-SOGI talk » College says event was registered through an external booking Bex Peterson Editor-in-Chief ast month, anti-SOGI activist Jenn Smith was set to host a talk at Douglas College’s New Westminster campus. The talk, titled “The Erosion of Freedom,” was meant to describe how “transgender politics in school and society is undermining our freedoms and harming women and children,” according to the event description. The College cancelled the event on June 6, two days before it was slated to occur. “Douglas College became aware of this event earlier this morning,” said Associate Director of Communications Regan Lal in a June 6 statement. “The description of the event for the booking was not forthcoming about the specific topic. As soon as we became aware of the nature of the booking, the booking was cancelled.” Jenn Smith identifies as transgender, expressing himself with feminine gender signifiers but using he/him pronouns. Smith's talks centre on denouncing what he considers “transgender ideology,” with his recent events criticizing the implementation of 2SLGBTQ+-inclusive learning materials in school curriculums through the SOGI 123 program. Douglas College was one of several schools where Smith planned to host his talks. Trinity Western University likewise cancelled the event once the nature of Smith’s message became clear. UBC, however, hosted Smith at the end of the month, sparking protests among students, faculty, and members of the community. “His appearance on campus, I can’t experience it as anything other than a betrayal, particularly Photo of Jenn Smith via the 'Georgia Straight' given the university’s stated emphasis on and valuing of principles of diversity and inclusion,” said UBC research and writing lecturer Mary Ann Saunders, in a statement to Star Vancouver. “It doesn’t seem as though the university actually values the most vulnerable students and faculty and staff” Ina blog statement on the matter, Smith expressed his disappointment in Douglas College's decision, referring to himself as a former student of the school and calling the College’s move a “complete collapse of freedom of speech.” Local activist and a founding member of BC Families for Inclusivity, Brad Dirks, has been outspoken against Smith's talks throughout last month. According to the New Westminster Record, Dirks reached out to Douglas College directly as soon as he heard Smith had registered to host an event on campus to voice his concerns. Dirks also helped to organize a rally at UBC during Smith’s talks to express support for 2SLGBTQ+ people. “Trans rights are not up for debate,” said Dirks in an interview with Star Vancouver during the rally. “The university should stand up for trans people, rather than allow this stuff to take place.”