Province, feds fund HVAC

Valerie Leung

VLEUNG@RICHMOND-NEWS COM

Dozens of Richmond hotel workers held a rally last Thursday evening to mark the two-year anniversary of being on strike

The employees of the now former Pacific Gateway Hotel, on Cessna Drive, made their feelings known once more with signs and songs and were joined by fellow members from across the region

During the pandemic, the hotel, which has now rebranded as the Radisson Blu, terminated 143 long-term staff.

However, it’s understood the hotel raked in millions of dollars from the federal government during that time as it was being used as a federal quarantine

According to the workers’ union, UNITE Here Local 40, the hotel owner, an affiliate PHI Hotel Group, refused to recall staff as business recovered, as other local hotels have done

The federal government removed the hotel from its suite of quarantine hotels in 2022 after pressure from the union, while workers have been on the picket line daily since May 2021

The BC Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress have issued a boycott of the hotel until the owner agrees to rehire workers and settles a fair contract

The City of Richmond also resolved not to support events or promote business with the hotel until a resolution is reached with the workers.

The provincial and federal governments have earmarked $2 4 million to improve ventilation in eight schools and one social housing complex in Richmond

Ventilation upgrades will take place at both elementary and secondary schools, for example, to replace fume hoods in labs

The HVAC components that pull fresh air into buildings and other systems will also be improved with an aim to reduce energy consumption Richmond Board of Education chair Debbie Tablotney was joined by Parm Bains, MP for Steveston-Richmond East, and school board staff at R A

McMath secondary last Thursday afternoon to announce the funding

“Improving the air quality in our schools is a priority for the Richmond School District, and we welcome this investment by the federal and provincial governments to support this important work,” said Tablotney, adding this has been “urgently requested” by parents.

“It will also allow us to improve energy efficiency and create a safer and healthier learning environment for our students and staff. ”

Rosewood Towers, a social housing building in Richmond, will also receive part of the funding to upgrade its makeup air unit systems, dampers, bathroom fans and ventilation system throughout both of its towers

Bainshighlightedtheneedfor ventilation upgrades in schools and public buildings

“The funding announced today will help safeguard the health of students, staff and public housing residents in Richmond and protect the overall well-being of the community,” he said

The B.C. government is providing its portion of the funding through the Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy

The strategy aims to respond to and prepare communities for climate impacts including extreme heat

Last year, the Richmond School District announced it would spend $12 million from its capital budget to improve ventilation in 17 elementary schools.

Temporary Commercial Use Permit

An application for a Seasonal Patio, in effect between April 1 and October 31, has been received by the City of Richmond from ARC Iberico Imports Ltd, at 1020 - 12471 Horseshoe Way, Richmond, B C , which requires a Temporary Commercial Use Permit Those persons who consider themselves affected by the proposed Seasonal Patio Application are invited to make a written submission to the General Manager, Community Safety at 6911 No. 3 Rd, Richmond B by email to buslic@richmond ca. All written submissions received prior to the proposed approval date of June 24, 2023, will be forwarded to the General Manager, Community Safety for consideration. For more information on the proposed Temporary Commercial Use Permit for a Seasonal Patio please call Supervisor, Business Licences, Victor Duarte at 604-276-4389 or email: buslic@richmond ca