FROM THE HILL: MP Cannings and NDP leverage their power for big wins in Budget 2022
Parents, workers and advocates across healthcare and housing sectors are celebrating some key wins the NDP secured from the Liberal government in Budget 2022. “It is day worth smiling about if you’re a kid or parent. By the end of the year all children under 12 will have access to free, quality dental care. The Liberals and...
FROM THE HILL: NDP MP Richard Cannings introduces a beer bill that makes sense
As the cost of gas, groceries and housing continues to rise, NDP MP Richard Cannings wants to make it a bit easier at the end of the day to enjoy a cold beer. Cannings’ new Bill C--- is proposing to eliminate the federal excise tax on low-alcoholic beer. “An error was made and the result is that Canada doesn’t treat all...
Special OP/ED Series; Health care workers talk climate change
I am a neurologist working in Nelson. I talked to a man this summer to review his Parkinson's disease. He was not doing well. Usually he did not have any history of depression but he was lacking his usual motivation. He lived in a remote area and had lived there on a small remote property with a stream running through it for...
Open Letter to the Public from Kootenay Boundary Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners
To the citizens of Kootenay Boundary, Everyone in our region has been stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years. We have all been subjected to a barrage of information, advice, and instructions; always evolving and sometimes conflicting. We write to explain our perspectives as Family Practitioners (Family...
From The Hill — Full inquiry into Emergencies Act a must
After more than two weeks of an occupation of downtown Ottawa and serious border blockades in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act on February 14. Local police forces had seemed unable or unwilling to act and both the Ontario and Alberta governments had asked for...
FROM THE HILL: On the Emergencies Act
After more than two weeks of an occupation of downtown Ottawa and serious border blockades in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act on February 14. Local police forces had seemed unable or unwilling to act and both the Ontario and Alberta governments had asked for help. That […]
Special OP/ED Series; Health care workers talk climate change
I first moved to the Kootenays in 1985 with my partner and first child. After a leaving a few times for work we finally settled here in 1993 with two more children because we love it. Now I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else in my life and I plan to stay for the rest of my life. At least I hope I can…. Several months ...
From the Hill — Affront to democracy in Canada
I’ve been in Ottawa for the past nine days, in the centre of the protest by the “Freedom Convoy”. My offices have been flooded by emails and phone calls on both sides of this issue, so I want to make it clear where I stand and why. First, a short description of how the last week in Ottawa has gone. The organizers of the...
From The Hill: Heath-based private members bill
Parliament began sitting again this Monday, facing its first full agenda since the late summer election. Most committees will be meeting for the first time and we will see the first Private Member’s Bill debates. I’d like to highlight some of those Private Member’s Bills in my upcoming columns, since some could produce...
OP/ED: What is COP26 and why does it matter?
Starting Nov. 1, world leaders — along with scientists, policy-makers, journalists and activists — are gathering in Glasgow, Scotland for the UN international climate conference COP26. Over the next 12 days, they’ll have an opportunity to make crucial decisions about tackling the climate emergency globally. With the most...
