More than 50 scientists protest BC Hydro closures/lay-offs in Castlegar and Nelson
A group of more than 50 scientists is publicly lobbying BC Hydro to reconsider its decision to close the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) office in Nelson, and to lay off staff in Castlegar, Nelson and Prince George. The offices are to be closed by January 2012, and the program consolidated in Burnaby […]
Castlegar debt-free after paying out loan 2.5 years early
It's a black day for the City of Castlegar - black ink, that is, according to a report offered at Monday’s regular city council meeting. In the report, city director of finance Andre Buss told council that the city’s only remaining long-term loan (issue 58, which the city undertook to build the RCMP detachment as well as...
Want change? So you can whine ... or wine
Making the switch to online media two-and-a-half years ago was like a crack in the dam – the changes in my life have been coming fast and furious ever since. <?xml:namespace prefix = o /> This is a good thing, and largely something I’ve chosen – Gandhi wasn’t blowing smoke when he said, “Be the change you want to see...
MORTGAGE TRENDS: Short-term rates stay put
Canada’s key interest rate will end 2011 unchanged. The Bank of Canada (BoC) left its policy rate at 1.00 percent this week, as anticipated. In a statement, the Bank said European economic performance will be worse than expected, Canadian and United States growth are “slightly” better than expected, and inflation will “ease.” It […]
B.C. deficit projections up $313 million
B.C.’s deficit is now projected to rise by $313 million to $3.1 billion by the end of the fiscal year because of lower revenues, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced in Victoria on Monday. “While British Columbia is still expected to continue to outperform most other North American economies, we expect revenues to decline and we […]
NDP’s BC caucus pushes for government action on IRS
Members of the federal NDP B.C. Caucus are calling for stronger action by the federal government to protect Canadian citizens affected by a series of measures undertaken by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to US law, anyone who was born in the US is required to file US tax returns even though […]
B.C. economy to grow moderately in 2012
The B.C. Economic Forecast Council has lowered its growth projections for the province this year and next in light of the worsening global economy. On average, the council expects B.C.’s GDP growth to be 2.2 per cent in 2011, down from its 2.7 per cent forecast in January of this year. The council also predicts […]
New investment strengthens mills' potential
The sawmill in Grand Forks will be getting an overhaul over the next year-and-a-half as International Forest Products Ltd. (Interfor) pumps $24 million into the region. The company’s announcement came last Wednesday, Nov. 2 when general manager Andrew Horahan unveiled their decision to invest $19 million in Grand Forks and $5 million in the Castlegar […]
Interfor to invest $24 million in Castlegar and Grand Forks mills
At its meeting Monday, Interfor’s Board of Directors approved a $24-million capital plan to upgrade the Company’s Grand Forks and Castlegar sawmills. The plan involves the installation of a new small log line at Grand Forks to replace the existing two-line facility, along with funds to complete the installation of an automated lumber grading system. […]
BC Hydro executive bonuses questioned as deficits grow
The NDP is demanding BC Hydro stop paying lavish executive bonuses, following an auditor general’s report that revealed that the Crown corporation actually ran a $249 million deficit last year, the CBC reports. NDP leader Adrian Dix says at a time when Hydro is looking at ramping up rates for customers, the current bonus system […]
