Letter on Federal Budget
In his media release on the recent federal budget, the Conservative candidate seems proud of his party’s “balanced” budget. This budget was only balanced by raiding the EI fund (which belongs to the workers who paid dues into it) for $1.8 billion, taking $2 billion out of the $3-billion contingency fund (good fiscal managers should […]
MP pans 2015 budget as a windfall for the rich
Alex Atamanenko, MP says he is disappointed but not surprised by the Conservative Government’s continuing tax breaks for big corporations and Canada’s wealthiest few. “This budget has nothing that will assist the middle class who are the driving force of our economy, nor does it assist those falling below the poverty line,”...
LETTER: Local resident urges opposition to Bill C-51
Dear Editor, I would like to urge all citizens of Canada and our local MP Alex Atamanenko, to speak out against Bill C-51. The government’s secret police Bill C-51 is reckless, dangerous, and ineffective: reckless for turning CSIS into a ‘secret police’ force with little oversight or accountability; dangerous for opening the...
Some Interesting Corporate Political Donations to BC Parties in 2014
Children sing that “when you wish upon a star, it makes no difference who you are.” By adulthood, most of us have given up on that idea and a few – just to hedge their bets – donate to political parties rather than testing their luck on a star. And that's what makes the annual financial reports from B.C.'s political parties...
LETTER: Couple who lost house to fire offer thanks
It is with mixed feelings of gratitude and sorrow that we extend a heart-felt thank you to the brave individuals who responded to our house fire in Paterson on the evening of Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Thank you for saving our outbuildings and the forest surrounding our home. Our horses are also grateful to you all for saving...
LETTER: Giving seniors in care information to protect themselves
Dear Editor: This letter will help seniors and their families demand a better quality of care in residential care facilities. It will empower them with the knowledge to fight against abuse and neglect. The government is not upholding their rights to protection outlined in Bill 17, the “Residents Bill of Rights”. The following information will […]
Canada’s forest products industry: an environmental leader
As celebrate United Nations International Day of Forests Saturday (March 21) Canada can feel proud that its forest products industry has become a world leader in environmental credentials. For an industry that was admittedly once an environmental offender, the past few decades have been a remarkable journey. To start, the ...
Bill C-51: Canada's Orwellian State Arrives
“In a peaceful age I might have written ornate or merely descriptive books, and might have remained almost unaware of my political loyalties. As it is I have been forced into becoming a sort of pamphleteer.”—George Orwell, Why I Write, 1946 George Orwell warned of totalitarian states in his dystopic novel ‘1984.’ (Courtesy Wikimedia Commons) […]
COMMENT: Linda Larson talks road construction, tourism, budget and sports
With spring comes road construction and I’m pleased to see the walkway on Lakehill Road in Kaleden underway. While many great people in the community have supported the project, I want to personally thank volunteer Kim Dennis for all her help and collaboration in getting this project to the top of the list for the Ministry ...
LETTER: Join Castlegar and area in opposing C-51 - and here's why it matters so much:
To the Editor: As an ex-South African who was affected by and had friends scarred and killed by “The Terrorism Act” and its spy network during the anti-Apartheid days, I’m so alarmed by the doors of abuse opened by Prime Minister Harper’s Bill C-51 that I’ve committed to co-organizing – with local childcare worker Michelle ...