LETTER: Join Castlegar and area in opposing C-51 - and here's why it matters so much:
To the Editor: As an ex-South African who was affected by and had friends scarred and killed by “The Terrorism Act” and its spy network during the anti-Apartheid days, I’m so alarmed by the doors of abuse opened by Prime Minister Harper’s Bill C-51 that I’ve committed to co-organizing – with local childcare worker Michelle ...
Minimum wage earners in BC get a slight bump up with government announcement
The B.C. government increased the minimum wage to $10.45 per hour effect September 15 of this year said Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, and Minister Responsible for Labour, Shirley Bond Thursday. At the same time, Bond said the wage for liquor server will get bumped up from $9.00 to $9.20 per hour. “Raising ...
New finance ministry fact sheet omits a bit
When something changes from one week to the next for no apparent reason, it sparks some curiosity, as is the case with the B.C. finance ministry's “Keeping taxes low for B.C. families” fact sheet posted to its website only a week after the provincial budget. It favours spin right from the top. The first two lines, classic. ...
West Arm Provinical Park to grow by 1,219 hectares — Caribou population benefits
Environment Minister Mary Polak has announced that the West Arm Provincial Park is one of six BC parks to be expanded under Bill 8 which was introduced on March 2. The park will gain 1,219 hectares on the south eastern edge directly behind Ymir peak. The land is owned by the Crown, which acquired two parcels of land totaling...
$50,000 buys city new revenue stream/saves 'critical' service
A new agreement with the Southeast Fire Centre will see the city spending roughly $50,000 initially – but recouping the loss over the term of the agreement and creating a new revenue stream for the city while ensuring the city's continuing role as the operations base for an important regional service. City director of...
City illuminates both process and walkway
As the city budget process gets into full swing, a public question at city council’s regular meeting Monday night has the city illuminating both the decision-making process and the Millennium Walkway for residents. A question regarding repair of the Millennium Walkway lights (roughly one in every three lamps needs fixing on...
OP/ED: MP speaks to Bill C-51
There has been a great deal in the news over the past few weeks about C-51, the government’s news Anti-Terrorism Act. It is another one in a series of omnibus bills and contains 62 pages covering everything from expanding the mandate of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to allowing police to seize terrorist...
City to increase enforcement of animal bylaws in city parks
The city intends to increase its efforts to minimize dog conflicts in all city Parks. Dogs are currently required to be leashed and the city will increase its bylaw enforcement of these regulations and, in certain cases, the city will be levying fines to enforce compliance for the safety of all park users. The city’s Animal...
Luterbach says only cafe to close, alternative education program to continue
Letter re: closure of Old School Cafe: In 2010, the school district was looking for a space in Castlegar which would allow us to open an alternate learning opportunity for students not currently attending school due to anxiety challenges. An aspect of the program we wanted to provide was an opportunity for students to interact...
LETTER: Old School Cafe closure a heart-breakingly bad call
Editor: Proudly hanging on a wall of the Old School Cafe is a letter dated May 2011from Education Minister George Abbott. He congratulates the vision of those who established the Alternate School and the Cafe program saying, “I was glad to have the opportunity to visit the Old School Cafe and learn about your fantastic...
