Op/Ed: Laying the groundwork for tourism to come back strongly
The tourism industry is a major economic engine and job creator for people in British Columbia. Despite the deep and sudden impacts of COVID-19 on the sector, B.C.’s tourism leaders were quick to put the greater good of our communities above anything else. To assist in the pandemic response, many hotels throughout the province swiftly […]
MP Cannings: It’s time to take a serious look at basic income in Canada.
COVID-19 has obviously changed our lives in the short term, and now there is a growing consensus that the pandemic will also bring more long-lasting changes to our society—how we value workers, how we treat our seniors, how we house the homeless, how we protect the environment, and more. One topic that is surfacing more and...
BC Declares Public Health Emergency; Bars, Clubs ordered to be closed
From the Rossland Telegraph On March 17, 2020, British Columbia’s Public Health Officer declared a public health emergency in BC to help control the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Health Minister Adrian Dix and Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry held a news conference Monday afternoon to make statement and ...
COLUMN: From the Hill -- COVID-19
I am writing this from my small Ottawa apartment. It’s Sunday and the spring sun is shining, beckoning me to walk down to the river. But I’ll obey my doctor’s orders and stay inside—although I received the good news yesterday that my COVID-19 test results came back negative, I was told to stay in self-isolation one more...
Mutual agreement reached with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and the RCMP
The importance of finding a path forward has been a priority for the RCMP. The BC RCMP are pleased to confirm that discussions with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs have led to an agreement on Wednesday, February 26th which supports their upcoming meetings with government representatives this week. Deputy Commissioner...
OP/ED: Minister’s statement on Save the Working Forest rally
Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has released the following statement in response to the B.C. Forestry Alliance Save the Working Forest rally on Feb. 18, 2020, at the Parliament Buildings: “I spoke with members of the B.C. Forestry Alliance today because I wanted to hear about their concerns. […]
Cease and Desist Letter Issued to B.C. Government for Controversial Wolf Cull for Contravention of Provincial Law
Pacific Wild has released a Cease and Desist letter to B.C.’s FLNROD Minister Doug Donaldson for the province’s ongoing wolf cull on the grounds that aerial gunning is unlawful. The B.C. government has stated it intends to continue killing wolves from helicopters in 2020. In response, Pacific Wild retained legal counsel and...
Letter: We need patient centred care, province-wide
Dear Editor, As I write this, patients are travelling long distances for consultations with specialists. Many of these journeys, for simple face to face meetings are made even though the required workup has been completed and the results forwarded. BUT - What if you could visit a GP, have the referral and information forwarded...
Column: From the Hill -- The new NAFTA -- CUSMA
This week in the House of Commons we are debating the new NAFTA agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico, known by the acronym CUSMA. The original NAFTA was negotiated by Conservatives and signed by Liberals in 1994 with promises of more jobs and secure access to the largest market in the world. Supporters of ...
Castlegar city council meeting highlights
Committee of the Whole Meeting The City-owned lands surrounding the West Kootenay Regional Airport are the largest flat, developable, serviced section of land in the West Kootenay. Our Strategic Plan includes developing the space and the City is taking action with staff asking Council to consider the following: Issuing a...