Bahraini ‘reformers’ in Washington, courtesy of American spinmeisters
By Justin Elliot in ProPublica. Earlier this month, a group of three young Bahrainis arrived in Washington to talk about reform in the small Persian Gulf nation, which has been rocked by Arab Spring protests for the last year. The delegation, including an NGO worker and a tech entrepreneur, both Western-educated, represented...
Two Ways the Provincial Budget Will Affect Municipalities
Last week’s provincial budget includes two items that will directly impact municipalities: the increase in Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums, and the creation of a new Auditor General for Local Government. MSP will increase local government expenses Increases to MSP premiums will amount to about $60 per year per person. This cost will be passed […]
OP/ED: Second-class status the status quo for Castlegar with IHA
I was encouraged, I really was, when Interior Health Authority (IHA) representative Linda Basran came to Castlegar to offer city council, and residents, an unqualified apology for the closure of Castlegar’s emergency ward for eight hours on Feb. 4. She acknowledged that communication around the closure was totally unacceptable,...
Cougar destroyed near Blueberry this morning
A local Conservation officer was forced to destroy a cougar this morning after a car accident left the animal injured near Blueberry, according to RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew. "At approximately 6 a.m., Castlegar RCMP responded to a motor vehicle accident in which a vehicle had struck a cougar on highway 22 in the Blueberry/Fairview...
Castlegar declines to send delegate to sister city Embetsu, Japan
In a rare split vote, city council decided 4 to 2 against sending a delegation to Castlegar’s sister city, Embetsu, Japan. Councillor Gord Turner, who serves as the chair for council’s Cultural and Civic Pride Committee, argued in favour of the expenditure at last Monday’s regular meeting, explaining that Embestu sent a large...
Canadians call for enquiry on alleged robocall election fraud
Over 20,000 Canadians have joined with online campaigning organization Leadnow.ca to call for a full and independent public inquiry into an alleged systematic voter deception phone campaign that targeted likely non-Conservative voters in key ridings during the May 2011 election. Since the campaign launched on Friday, 20,000...
IntegrityBC releases 2011 Broomstick awards
IntegrityBC has awarded seven broomsticks in the first of its annual Broomstick awards signifying the most egregious examples of ineptitude on B.C.’s political landscape from the past year. “Our choice of a broomstick is meant to symbolize that it’s time to clean up a mess,” said IntegrityBC executive director Dermod Travis. “Yet it’s easy to […]
First annual Broomstick Awards have seven new recipients
Integrity BC a non-partisan advocacy group championing accountability and integrity in BC politics, recently handed out seven broomsticks as a part of its first annual Broomstick awards. The Broomstick awards signify the most egregious examples of ineptitude on B.C.’s political landscape from the past year. “Our choice of a broomstick is meant to symbolize that […]
Fact-Finder Report Fails to Justify Imposing a Contract, BC Fed Calls on Government to Negotiate and Quit Playing Politics with our Kids’ Education
The B.C. Federation of Labour said today that Minister Abbott’s interpretation of the fact-finder’s report into the dispute between teachers and the government missed the mark. “It’s preposterous for this government to conclude that its only remedy is to illegally legislate a contract on its own terms,” said Jim Sinclair, President of the B.C. […]
Teen Dance at local bar goes off without a hitch
A teen dance at the Element Night Club Sunday had many local parents concerned after a similar dance last month saw public drunkenness and drug use, but local officials who attended are saying this event was a paragon of good, clean fun. City councillor Deb McIntosh said the event was far less-attended than its more controversial...
