There are lots of questions remaining about the BC Rail scandal…. the biggest being ‘why did the Liberal government pick up the $6M defence lawyers’ tab for two convicted criminals?’.   This week I had a chance to keep that question–and story-alive, by appearing on broadcaster Stirling Faux on-line business show This Week in Money.  Here’s […]

 The election campaign is less than week old and Stephen Harper seems to be demonstrating that he is even more of a mad hatter than people thought. Despite his superman view of himself – the smartest man in the universe not just in the room – he has looked very shaky and is proving that […]

On February 11, the Nelson Chapter of the Council of Canadians held a public forum on CETA, the latest trade agreement that the Canadian Government is negotiating with the European Union at Nelson United Church. Guest speakers were Peter Julian, the NDP International Trade Critic along with Alex Atamanenko, our local MP. A three part […]

In a shocking turn of events, Castlegar city councillor and Green Committee chair Kevin Chernoff has taken exception to The Source’s headline indicating Castlegar will “relinquish” the Earth Hour Cup it has proudly displayed for two years now.   “Who says we’re going to relinquish it?” Chernoff said. “The Cup was designed for...

Bringing more of a female and motherly presence to Parliament Hill and making new friends along the way is the mission new Liberal Candidate Shannon Lavell has set for herself. If all goes according to plan, this determined and passionate individual, mother, aspiring politician and nurse hopes to take her experience caring for others and […]

Apppointed (not elected) Premier Christy Clark promised “change”. And as part of her honeymoon period in the public eye, the media has treaded rather softly in scrutinizing her early days in office. She announced a raise in the minimum wage to be staged over time, but nevertheless welcomed by most British Columbians. Many were embarrassed by this […]

Forget spring cleaning and the Stanley Cup playoffs, Canadians are going to the polls May 2. Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Rideau Hall early Saturday to ask Gov. Gen. David Johnston to dissolve Parliament. A non-confidence motion supported by the opposition in the House of Commons Friday defeated the federal Conservative government. The campaign for Canada’s […]

So what do we do now? We’re about to have an election almost no one wants; that likely won’t change the political balance of power; and, despite the rhetoric, probably won’t actually result in substantial policy changes.  And for this non-altering experience taxpayers will shell out $300 million! Sigh… I am not a dedicated partisan. Over my life, I have voted for all […]

With an election appearing imminent after the three opposition parties all renounced the Conservative’s budget on Tuesday, the Telegraph set out to get reactions and thoughts from the three (to date) declared Southern Interior candidates. Note: At present there is no liberal candidate declared for the riding. With the NDP holding the swing vote in the […]

The drama is over and Jack Layton and the NDP clearly did the right thing, very quickly rejecting the Conservatives’ budget and pledging to vote against it “in its current form.” That held out the possibility of voting in favour of an amended budget which Finance Minister Flaherty quickly scotched with a Bush-like – you […]