Issues

Digging into life

by Keith Simmonds on 08 Aug 2012
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Digging into life

Sometimes, when I stand in front of others and relate my journey, I begin with my family and the communities I've lived in, and I recount a partial history of the jobs I've held. Sometimes I relive relationships I've had. Once in a long while I'll tell the story of the time I was buried alive up in Pass Creek in '98.

COMMENT: Dead bears, nature-illiterate moderns, and the knapweed bloom

by Andrew Bennett on 02 Aug 2012
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Spotted knapweed

Our report last week on "Li'l Cinnamon"—the black bear runt who'd learned to forage in human property and so was caught and killed by conservation officers—generated a lot of interesting discussion. Les Anderson's comments struck a particularly harmonious chord for me: "Humans have no understanding of wild animals whatsoever," he wrote, "so they turn to spreading fear mongering about them."

Citizen input for Federal Budget 2013

by Alex Atamanenko on 30 Jul 2012
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Citizen input for Federal Budget 2013

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance has launched its annual pre-budget consultation process, which will result in a report to be tabled in the House of Commons prior to the December 2012 parliamentary break.

This year, the pre-budget consultation process will take a slightly different form: online submission of answers to specific questions on which the Committee is focused at this time.

OP/ED: "Blanket thinkers"

by Robin Yassin-Kassab on 23 Jul 2012
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OP/ED: "Blanket thinkers"

One of my infantile leftist ex-friends recently referred to the Free Syrian Army as a ‘sectarian gang’. The phrase may well come from Asa’ad Abu Khalil, who seems to have a depressingly large audience, but it could come from any of a large number of blanket thinkers in the ranks of the Western left.

Clark has BC behaving like a prostitute on Enbridge, only dickering over price

by Rafe Mair on 23 Jul 2012
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Clark has BC behaving like a prostitute on Enbridge, only dickering over price

I wonder how many of you have come away from making a speech – perhaps the toast to the bride, being presented an award or perhaps just an after dinner speech and said to yourself, “damn … I should have said etc., etc.? I must admit that I’ve often felt that way and, even worse, I suppose, I’ve said to myself, what an idiot I was to say that!
 

MP calls for change in Canadian international military involvement

by Alex Atamanenko MP on 19 Jul 2012
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MP calls for change in Canadian international military involvement

As Canada prepares to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014, it is time to reflect on the future role of our military in the world.

Our active involvement in Afghanistan transformed Canada into a “nation at war”. The tragic loss of 158 Canadian men and women to this war along with the enormous price tag of $18 billion is a constant reminder of Canada’s longest-ever war. The Conservatives are constantly glorifying war and the fact that they spent $30 million to celebrate the War of 1812 is another testament to this effect. 

Officials say free ride for squatters costs the environment

by Erin Perkins on 19 Jul 2012
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Squatters leave behind garbage, dispose of human waste incorrectly and potentially harm local waterways when they set up camp alongside local rivers. Photo courtesy of Kathy O'Toole.

Human waste, unattended fires and toxic litter often accompanies seasonal squatters in the Boundary.

It happens every year -- people who are down on their luck set up house along a river bank or in the bush to save themselves rent and utility costs while the weather is good.

Their activity may seem harmless enough but it is both illegal and environmentally damaging, say local law enforcement officials.

Grand Forks B & B owners held responsible for human rights violation

by Mona Mattei on 18 Jul 2012
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Grand Forks B & B owners held responsible for human rights violation

A gay couple from Vancouver was awarded over $4500 for discrimination in a  B.C. Human Rights Tribunal decision yesterday after being refused Grand Forks accommodations in 2009.

The decision, by Tribunal member Enid Marion, found that Les and Susan Molnar, operating the Riverbend Bed and Breakfast business at the time, were not complying with B.C. laws when they advised Shaun Eadie and Brian Thomas that they could not accept their reservation for a room.

Who are you: What story do you tell yourself?

by Charles Jeanes on 18 Jul 2012
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Who are you: What story do you tell yourself?

I am currently facing a challenge in my own mind, as I confront a question with my granddaughter. Why does it seem important to teach children about the reality or falsity of elves, fairies, nature elementals , and other spirit beings? What should I say when she says “Are they real?” She also tells me at times, “I don’t believe in them.” Yet she loves stories about them. So do adults. Why else are Tolkien and Rowling such popular authors?

Study sets out path to protect the Rocky Mountains’ wildest area

by Contributor on 18 Jul 2012
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Study sets out path to protect the Rocky Mountains’ wildest area

(Canmore, AB) At a time when National and Provincial Parks increasingly are under threat, a new study released today by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) sets out a path to protect one of Canada’s great success stories – B.C.’s Muskwa-Kechika Management Area.

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