When the House of Commons passed the Canada Disability Act almost a year ago, my colleagues and I were initially buoyed at this long-overdue action to lift people living with a disability out of poverty once and for all. Like many government announcements, details were slim, and we knew we’d have to fight hard alongside […]

New Democrat MLA and B.C. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy announced today that she will not be seeking re-election in the upcoming provincial election. “It has been a true honour to serve my community and this province for nearly 20 years,” said Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West. “We have accomplished so much, from expanding affordable childcare […]

Work has begun in B.C.’s southern Interior to upgrade 482 kilometres of highways and side roads, renewing driving surfaces for local residents, travellers and the movement of goods. Approximately 33 kilometres of Highway 97 will be repaved this summer from Tuc el Nuit Road, north of Oliver, northward through the community of Okanagan Falls to […]

Starting May 1, almost 2 million seniors were eligible to make appointments and start accessing the new NDP Dental Care Plan. MP, Richard Cannings noted that “after 57 years fighting for dental care to be included in the Canada Health Care Act, the NDP Canada Dental Care Plan is finally here.” The local MP has […]

B.C. is taking action to make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit and in parks. It’s part of several new measures introduced by the Province, focused on providing police with more tools to address public safety while offering support and access to treatment for people living with addictions. […]

The City of Castlegar recently received notice the B.C. Ministry of Housing unilaterally decided to discontinue funding temporary winter shelters as of April 30, 2024 which will result in the closure of the Out of the Cold temporary shelter and impact support services located at 1660 Columbia Ave. In 2023, the City worked closely with Castlegar […]

More ambulance services in rural and remote communities in the B.C. interior (bcehs.ca) People living in 21 communities in the B.C. interior are now benefiting from improved paramedic staffing models to enhance 911 responsiveness and provide consistent and reliable out-of-hospital care. As of April 1: Eight communities including Fruitvale and Rossland were upgraded to the […]

The Board of Directors adopted the 2024-2028 Financial Plan Bylaw, an annual requirement which must be completed by end of March each year. This year’s budget will see a 5.8% average increase in property taxes for RDCK residents, although this is highly variable depending on the Electoral Area or Municipality the resident lives in. The […]

This year, the Province is investing $11 million through the BC Air Access Program to support 26 upgrades at two dozen airports throughout British Columbia including the airports in City of Trail and City of Castlegar! Projects include: Castlegar – $1.6 million to rehabilitate the aviation apron Trail – $19,747 to cut tops off trees around the airport […]

Fighting for you – Its an expression that has made its way into some of my columns and not one I particularly like given that one of my key motivations for entering politics was to bring people together; to work together across party lines to make real changes to make lives better. Still, the sentiment […]