COMMENT: Shark Finning – An Immoral Practice
I recently had the opportunity to speak and offer support for Bill C-380, An Act to Amend the Fish Inspection Act and the Fisheries Act, which would prohibit the importation of shark fins not attached to the rest of the shark and enshrine in legislation Canada's prohibition on finning. This bill was introduced by my colleague,...
Alex Atamanenko addresses Genetically Modified Alfalfa at the House of Commons
New Democratic Party member of parliament (MP) Alex Atamanenko made the following speech in the House of Commons, Friday April 19th. Mr. Speaker, last week a National Day of Action was held across Canada to stop Forage Genetics International from releasing Monsanto's genetically modified Roundup Ready alfalfa. I would like ...
Protect yourself, protect others, get immunized
In the last 50 years, immunization has saved more lives in Canada than any other health intervention. April 20 to 27 isNational Immunization Awareness Week, and this year, Interior Health would like to remind you that we can all play an important role in stopping the spread of vaccine preventable diseases. When most people...
Creating Caring Communities announces spring conference
The Creating Caring Communities Committee is pleased to announce their second annual spring conference, scheduled for May 2nd and 3rd at Selkirk College in Castlegar, BC. The theme for this year’s conference, Keeping the Doors Open: New Beginnings for Creating Policy that Supports Marginalized Populations, features keynote...
UPDATED: Missing 16-year-old found
The following is a press release issued by police on April 19: Further to the media release sent out yesterday, Zachary Knodel was located late last night. Knodel did end up going to a family members house in the lower mainland. Police will be requesting Ministry of Children and Families follow up the child and parent. The...
Health gap in B.C. widening, says Health Council
People in the least well‐off areas of British Columbia are dying sooner than those in better‐off areas, according to new figures from the Health Officers Council of BC. Overall life expectancy in BC has improved, but in less affluent areas of the province life expectancy has remained much the same or even declined. In an...
COMMENT: Clark’s pitch ignores reality
For a while, I was wondering whether Christy Clark and her supporters realized THEY were in government, not opposition! They all spent much of the Liberals’ half-hour paid advertisement on Global TV Sunday night warning against the evils of deficits and debt: BC NEEDS a balanced budget “for our kids”; BC should NOT leave those...
Humans: half-way beings, balancing our dual lives on both sides of the Phanos
To begin, and to keep my focus sharpened, I will quote what I set out last column as my goal: “My subject for next column is, can we look to “old-fashioned” mystery-teachings to lead us forward? Can “return” to pagan or medieval astrology, kabbalah, alchemy or magick, work for us now? Does the East have spiritual truths to...
Clothesline event highlights Prevention of Violence Against Women Week
The Clothesline Event will be held once again in our beautiful downtown Spirit Square at City Hall on April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1p .m. Organizers have chosen a theme for this year being “One Small Step” and supported with the quote from Margaret Mead:Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change...
Party your way to equitable politics?
The under 45 generation are getting tired of working and studying more, to have less. With rising home prices, cost of living, and incomparable wages, young people and their families are being squeezed of time, and income, and are being forced into crushing debt. On April 15 - 17, from 7 – 10 p.m. at Birchbank Golf Club...
