It is hard to imagine that before the 1979 Soviet invasion, Afghanistan was a country where many ethnic groups and tribes lived in harmony with their neighbours. They had a subsistence economy and a central government. Unlike today there was no sign of extremist inspired suicide bombings or a heroin based economy. It took thirty […]

After all the time, resources and manpower spent in Afghanistan, it seems that the NATO forces are considering negotiation with the Taliban. Under normal circumstances this wouldn’t be a bad idea - if the Taliban was just another political party vying for control of their country. They are not. They are one of the most ruthless,...

The following is a press release issued by BC Citizens for Public Power , a grassroots, non-profit organization established in 2002, working to ensure that BC’s electricity system is publicly owned, regulated, and operated by and for the citizens of B.C., through mobilization, education, and advocac.yIt’s not easy being green,...

If Haiti wasn’t an unsuccessful nation before the earthquake, it most certainly is one now, prior to the terrible event of Jan. 12 that left Haiti in a pile of rubble, the tiny country was not much better off. Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, boasts of only having 52 per cent of its […]

Dear Editor, I read with interest the Jan.21 article in the Western Producer about my Private Members Bill C-474, NDP MP’s Bill Worries Canola Industry. The article gives voice to the industry preference to avoid the market analysis of new GM (genetically-modified) cops being proposed by this Bill and presents a rather hollow...

If it wasn’t for all the media hype damning Prime Minister Harper for proroguing Parliament, would anyone have even noticed? The federal services won’t suddenly freeze up just because ineffectual politicians are not sitting in the House of Commons. There will be no interruptions in employment insurance or old age security...

I bet the School District 20 board of education is, right now, wishing it had Stephen Harper’s discretionary power and could just prorogue the whole district until this budgetary mess goes away …or at least until the public forgets about it. Of course, they can’t … no more than I can “prorogue” this issue of […]

The other day I found myself in a rather heated debate over the new law that prohibits people from using a cell phone while driving. The individual I was discussing this issue with was adamant that it was one more stupid law and another attempt by the government to control the rights and freedoms of Canadians. I do not agree...

When the government has completed the legislative agenda they have put forward in the session following a Budget speech it is usual and perfectly fine to prorogue the House. In fact Parliament can be prorogued on one day and a new budget speech introduced the following day if the government chooses. It is not okay, […]

There has been a lot of passion and concern expressed regarding the possible cuts in our local schools. Meetings in the district have been well attended and numerous people are also expressing their thoughts in writing to the school district. Meanwhile, the school district trustees and board staff have faced the tough questions...