OP/ED: BC budget two steps forward, one step back
By: Jordan Bateman, B.C. Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) responded to Minister Kevin Falcon’s 2012-13 British Columbia Budget today. “The net zero public sector wage mandate is the single best thing this government has done,” said CTF-B.C. Director Jordan Bateman. “Net zero has saved taxpayers $3 billion annually and is the […]
Time to zip John Baird’s loose lips
It is hard to credit the latest statements and actions by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. On both Iran and Israel Baird seems to almost deliberately seek to humiliate both himself and the country he is supposed to represent on the international stage. Taking an ultra-orthodox rabbi (whose organization opposes any Palestinian...
LETTER: Nurses' union speaks to Feb. 4 ER closure
BC Nurses’ Union members continue to be concerned about the closure of the Castlegar Emergency services on February 4. We want the community of Castlegar to know that our priority is to provide quality and safe patient care. The nurses at Castlegar Hospital will continue to advocate for improvements so that high quality care will […]
Provincial government looks to help new home builders and buyers
New housing transition measures give certainty to an important economic sector and help to keep taxes equitable throughout the transition as the province returns to the PST, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced Friday. B.C. will return to the PST on April 1, 2013, meeting the Province’s commitment to return to the PST as quickly and […]
Families forced to wait another year for family day holiday said B.C. Federation of Labour president, Jim Sinclair
B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair said Friday that working families in B.C. are disappointed they must wait yet another year for Family Day. “B.C. families are working harder and harder, but having a tougher time making ends meet,” said Sinclair in a written press release. “A holiday in February is one small gesture […]
Mungall says ‘I Will’, support helmet use on ski hills
Will Schooler died late 2011 after sustaining a head injury while skiing. Nelson/Creston MLA Michelle Mungall stood up in the B.C. Legislature Tuesday to push for helmets to be worn by snowboarders and skiers on hills in the province. Mungall honoured the life of Schooler and the growing “I Will” campaign. The ‘I WILL’ campaign […]
Health Watch decries diminished local services
Dear Editor, The list of downgraded services in our health care system steadily grows, whether it is in the emergency room, the ambulance service, community nursing, public health nursing, home support services, hospital care and so on. The tragedy is that there is a whole generation of younger people now who have no idea...
RDKB Town Hall meetings start next week
It’s budget season again and the Regional District Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) directors want public input on how to spend your tax dollars. RDKB directors are hosting Town Hall meetings in each electoral area beginning next week. During the meetings, directors will be discussing how the district operates, the 2012 budget and the 2012-2016 Five-Year Financial […]
B.C. Pharmacists respond to Health Employers Association wage rollback
Editor, The Nelson Daily On January 6, 2012, the Health Employers Association of BC suddenly announced a unilateral 9%-14% wage rollback for B.C.’s hospital pharmacists. The wage rollback is certain to aggravate an ongoing staffing shortage in BC’s hospital pharmacies, putting all British Columbians at risk. For years, hospitals across BC have been suffering critical […]
COMMENT: B.C.'s polarized political climate turning voters off
With MLAs back in their seats this week, it’s a good time to remind B.C.’s political leaders that a “trust deficit” has broken out between British Columbians and their elected officials. Last week’s Ipsos Reid poll had some startling numbers in it: not a single party leader polled better than their party on the question […]
