LETTER: We need to take action on Castlegar homelessness
Dear Editor, I would like to open the conversation up on homelessness in our area. We have people who are needing help and understanding. In fact, many of them are people who have grown up here who have just hit a rough patch. Some have never had a run-in with the law and others who are simply poor, which is not a crime. Yes,...
Opinion: Bears and us
I’ve been amused, in past years, by signs posted here and there in Rossland that announce “WARNING: BEAR IN AREA.” I’ve suggested that the City should just post warning signs at the entrances to Rossland, announcing, “Rossland is bear country. Please do not freak out if you see a bear. Do not approach the bear. Remain ...
Letter: Looking out for the electrified biker
To The Editor: With the transitional relief of Spring lighting up our lifestyles – allowing us some space to refresh and relish our step, making room for hope, enthusiasm and a time for excitement. This year, though, I am beginning to sense a potential conflict while moving around Nelson. I’ve observed two things: firstly, a […]
Column: From the Hill -- Invasive Species Action Inadequate
Lost in the recent media frenzy over the SNC Lavalin scandal were the 2019 Spring Reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. These last reports from Julie Gelfand before her retirement focused on protection of fish and their habitat from mining effluent, subsidies to the fossil fuels industry...
LETTER: Asking why only two members of council appear to have spoken out about homophobic commentary during council's question period
To the editor, Regarding last week's council meeting, wherein the city, as represented by its council, once again laid bare its parochial colours of phobic postulation and intolerant ideation: I haven't been following too closely the fallout because, as you might surmise, it sets me off- I might almost use the word "triggering"...
LETTER: Councillor apologizes after homophobic comments allowed from the gallery
At Monday, April 1st council meeting a gentleman stood up and made some very inappropriate homophobic comments, along with comments about the homelessness in our community. When I got home, I could not sleep as it really bothered me that not one of us on council or our staff intervened to tell him to sit down and be quiet -...
Column -- From the Hill: Taxpayers and Abandoned Wells
The BC Oil and Gas Commission recently revealed some concerning figures about abandoned oil and gas wells in British Columbia. In one example, Ranch Energy recently declared bankruptcy, leaving up to 500 abandoned wells in care of the Commission. Much of the cost to clean up those sites will likely fall on the shoulders of […]
Editorial Rant: RCMP Surveillance of Social Media -- to What End?
Recent articles in The Tyee discuss the revelation that the RCMP have been engaged in monitoring social media – characterized in the article as “ongoing wide-scale monitoring of individuals’ social media use [that] could pose a threat to Canadians’ privacy and charter rights, say experts.” But ...
Column: From the Hill -- Canada needs Pharmacare
When Canadians are asked what makes them proud to be Canadians, many say that our health care system is a big part of that pride. We care about each other and want to make sure that everyone has access to health care when they are sick or injured. But our medicare system has some big gaps, and one of those is our access to...
OP/ED: B.C.’s first ever Poverty Reduction Plan tracks strong start with comprehensive approach but gaps need to be filled moving forward
The B.C. Poverty Reduction Coalition (BCPRC) congratulates the provincial government for launching the first ever poverty reduction plan for B.C.: TogetherBC. After a decade of advocacy, B.C. is no longer the only province without a poverty reduction strategy. The BCPRC welcomes the strong start outlined in the plan tracking...
