Cross-border deal's grave threats to Canadian food security
The following is the third installment of a three part investigation by Nelle Maxey into the wide-ranging environmental and socio-political implications for Canada of the recently signed US-Canada cross border security deal and ancillary agreements related to the Regulatory Cooperation Commission. Read part 1 and part 2 here....
Tax assessments don't reflect any major changes in Castlegar property values
More than 8,000 property owners in the Castlegar area can expect to receive their 2012 assessment notices in the next few days. “Most homes in Castlegar and its surrounding rural area have changed only marginally from last year‟s assessment roll,” said Dennis Hickson, deputy assessor. “For example, a typical single...
Province increases homeowner grants threshold
British Columbians who own homes worth up to $1.285 million may be eligible to receive the entire homeowners’ grant this year, after the Province raised the threshold to accommodate rising property values. BC Assessment estimates the value of all homes based on their market value on July 1 each year. The Province then reviews...
No decision yet by government for Midway border crossing
A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) official says no decisions or action timelines have been made for any of the Midway, Boundary and other B.C. area border crossings listed in a document accidentally released in early December. “Our government is focused on ensuring our shared border is secure while easing the flow of legitimate […]
Midway border crossing on secret closure list
A leaked government document about the future of Canada’s border crossings — including possible closure, reduced hours, sharing of facilities and remote monitoring — lists Midway, Cascade, Nelway and Chopaka crossings. The document, “Small Port Working Group – Initial Results and Paths Forward”, was done collectively between Canada’s Customs and Border Services Agency(CBSA) and […]
OP/ED: Nestle Waters takes issue with Atamanenko's bottled-water stance
I read with interest the article that appeared in the December 9, 2011, edition of The Castlegar Source entitled, “MP wants bottled water banned.” In the piece, BC South Interior MP Alex Atamanenko based his recent statement about bottled water in the House of Commons on information that has long been confirmed as false — […]
Border security deal's ugly twin carries major energy and environmental implications for Canada
The Harper government officially announced in recent weeks a new Border Security deal with the US. However, little press space was given to the ugly twin of this deal - the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) and their "Joint Action Plan". The RCC was set up to "streamline" regulations in four economic...
Bridesville residents say road conditions are unacceptable
Bridesville residents have had enough and they let the government and Emcon know it. On the evening of Monday, Dec. 12, more than 60 people packed the Bridesville Community Hall to discuss what they feel is a deteriorating road service in their area. Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater, two Emcon employees and Stephanie Gillis, […]
Teen dance sees five kids arrested; two likely to face charges
A teen dance at the Element Sunday night has caused upset in the community after five kids between 15 and 17 years of age were arrested for drug and alcohol offences. This, during a teen dance that drew as many as 400 kids, according to Element owner Florio Vassilakakis. Castlegar RCMP Sgt. Laurel Matthew said […]
OP/ED: Occupy Vancouver blocks New Brighton Park Port
On a crisp and sunny afternoon, over one hundred Occupy protesters held a rally and march in support of the Occupy movements all across the West Coast of Turtle Island (North America) to send a strong and clear message to the 1%. “We here to support workers who are under union busting, who aren’t even […]
