MP supports today`s march against Monsanto in Castlegar
Alex Atamanenko, MP (BC Southern Interior) is hoping there will be a massive turnout for the May 25th march against Monsanto, the leading seller of genetically engineered (GE) seeds, at events scheduled around the world, including Castlegar. “This is a wonderful opportunity for citizens everywhere to speak with one voice...
Resident group garnering signatures to oppose pesticide use in city parks/play spaces
A group of local residents is using three Facebook pages, an online petition, and several hard copy petitions to try to pressure the City of Castlegar to ban pesticide use in city parks and play areas. Elise Bourgeois, a mother of three who lives right next to Millennium Park, said she opposes any kind of […]
UPDATE: CFIA responds to reasons for changing the meaning of 'local'
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency responded to a story in The Nelson Daily Tuesday regarding changes made to the meaning of “local food” in labeling in grocery stores. Elena Koutsavakis Media Relations for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency apologized for not confirming The Nelson Daily received an email from the federal agency Tuesday afternoon. Concerns […]
IHA offers tips that can reduce the risk of rabies
Summer is just around the corner and for most families that means plenty of time spent outdoors. So it’s important to know that activities like these can result in contact with bats, the primary carrier of the rabies virus in B.C. According to Interior Health Authority (IHA) rabies is a very serious disease that affects the...
RCMP urge parents to drop off prescriptions
The BC RCMP is asking parents and grandparents to be aware of a growing problem of prescription drug abuse among youth. According to a 2009 study, one fifth of students in grades 7-12 have used at least one prescription drug without a doctor’s prescription. Oftentimes these medications were stolen from a medicine cabinet or a […]
RDCK issues 'boil water advisory' for Fauquier
Recent tests showing poor water quality has forced the Regional District Central Kootenay (RDCK) to issue a Boil Water Notice for users on the Fauquier Water System. Recent testing shows that current water quality is now poor due to increased seasonal turbidity (cloudiness). “The RDCK and Interior Health recommend that all customers drink boiled water […]
Three of four provincial parties break silence on health
The BC Heart and Stroke Foundation announced results from a survey of the four provincials parties on the eve of the Tuesday, May 14 vote. In March 2013, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, BC & Yukon sent a survey to British Columbia’s major political parties and incumbent Independent MLAs on 10 key policy priorities and […]
Nanaimo cuts place patients at risk says BCNU
Nurses on Vancouver Island are demanding an immediate halt to a plan to cut nurses at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital because it puts patients’ safety at risk. The Vancouver Island Health Authority scheme would eliminate a total of 26 nurses – both Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses – from teams providing bedside care […]
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...
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...