The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services has released its Budget 2026 Consultation Report, reflecting the voices of British Columbians from every corner of the province. After hearing 350 presentations and reviewing 406 written submissions, the committee has put forward 86 thoughtful recommendations to help shape the next provincial budget. Between May 30 and […]

DELEGATION Not in My City Paul Brandt, Canadian country music star and founder of Not in My City, presented to Council on the organization’s work to raise awareness and prevent human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The campaign focuses on building partnerships, increasing public awareness, and providing resources to help prevent exploitation in communities across Canada. The […]

The City of Castlegar has received approval for up to $399,920 through the Province of British Columbia’s Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding (DRIF) program to advance a comprehensive Flood Plain Mapping and Climate Change Hazard Risk Assessment project. This project will strengthen the City’s ability to understand and proactively address potential flooding events and geohazards, […]

I recently had the privilege of learning about the Columbia River Field School. I was invited to attend their “Future of the River Symposium”, which was a gathering of the youth, facilitators, and local experts to debrief and share about their experience in the program. The field school is a program hosted by Wildsight, which […]

This economic story doesn’t end well. Let’s change it! The natural world is foundational to every aspect of our lives. We all need food, air and water. But nature is not our sole underpinning; stories are also foundational. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to make sense of the world or create meaning within it. […]

Plastic has only been in widespread use for about 75 years. Now it’s everywhere, from the highest mountaintops to the deepest ocean, from the Arctic to Antarctic. In swirling ocean patches, in the air and soil, in our food and drink — even in our bodies — plastic in its many forms, including tiny micro- […]

Since the April federal election, Canada has found itself in uncharted terrain. The United States–instigated trade war against long-standing allies rages on, as do its extreme deregulation and increasing attacks on digital infrastructure, data and communication systems that protect the public interest and monitor implementation and respect for the rule of law. The consequent risks […]

Since the April federal election, Canada has found itself in unchartered terrain. The United States–instigated trade war against long-standing allies rages on, as do its extreme deregulation and increasing attacks on digital infrastructure, data and communication systems that protect the public interest and monitor implementation and respect for the rule of law. The consequent risks […]

B.C. is a great place to work, play, raise a family, and be with loved ones. But like many other places in the world, we’ve been experiencing strains on our healthcare system. I know this well from hearing from my constituents who need a primary care practitioner or are waiting to have care needs addressed. […]

We are told daily we are a democracy, but we do not have democratic governments. We still have a form of colonial rule, where the power goes to whichever party benefits most from an irrational system that results in “majority” governments that are often won by less than 40% of the vote. A Proportional ballot […]