OP/ED: CTF promotes net zero mandate to keep property taxes down
By: Jordan Bateman, B.C. Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation The stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve is usually a cause for celebration. This year, the bell tolls ominously for property taxpayers across British Columbia. At least two dozen Canadian Union of Public Employees’ (CUPE) contracts expire on Dec. 31, 2011, affecting thousands of […]
Border security deal's ugly twin carries major energy and environmental implications for Canada
The Harper government officially announced in recent weeks a new Border Security deal with the US. However, little press space was given to the ugly twin of this deal - the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) and their "Joint Action Plan". The RCC was set up to "streamline" regulations in four economic...
BC Hydro smart meter installs violating privacy: report
BC Hydro failed to notify customers who received new smart meters about how their personal information was being collected and used, the CBC is reporting. Elizabeth Denham, B.C.’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, released a report assessing the privacy and security of BC Hydro’s smart meter program, stating the Crown corporation is not fully in compliance […]
New residential care rates benefit low-income seniors
About a quarter of seniors in residential care in B.C. will now receive up to an additional $600 a year. The change is the result of the Province increasing the minimum monthly disposal income amount for residential care clients to accommodate a federal government supplement top-up of $50. Under a revised residential care rate structure, the […]
OP/ED: Occupy Vancouver blocks New Brighton Park Port
On a crisp and sunny afternoon, over one hundred Occupy protesters held a rally and march in support of the Occupy movements all across the West Coast of Turtle Island (North America) to send a strong and clear message to the 1%. “We here to support workers who are under union busting, who aren’t even […]
Xiao Zhang Case:BC courts GUILTY of contempt
If only BC courts showed the same respect for the courts and the legal system that they demand--or least hope--of us. But they don’t. BC judges and BC courts have often made a complete mockery of our laws, the justice system and the citizenry’s expectations to see justice done and be protected from the evil that dwell among...
OP/ED: Clark and Bond wrong on public, wrong on electoral finance reform
The BC Liberal government may have committed itself to transparency, new ideas and engaging with British Columbians in its October 3rd Throne speech, but according to IntegrityBC the memo doesn't seem to have quite reached every minister. The non-partisan organization was reacting to a letter it received from Attorney General...
Dix ratified as NDP provincial leader
VANCOUVER - Leader Adrian Dix told the BC NDP’s 50th Anniversary Convention that inequality is the defining issue of our time and outlined the NDP’s priorities for when it forms government in 2013.“Growing inequality has been the defining feature of a decade of Liberal rule,” said Dix. “We’ve had years of slow growth that is...
IntegrityBC releases first of four videos by Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson
As part of its mandate to foster a dialogue between British Columbians and their MLAs, IntegrityBC today released the first of four videos by Cariboo North MLA Bob Simpson (Independent).In the first video [attached], Bob Simpson discusses the impact of money on B.C. politics.“Social media is an ideal way for British Columbians...
Province changes hunting allocations
The Province has established a wildlife harvest allocation policy that creates greater consistency and transparency for B.C.’s guide outfitters and resident hunters, announced Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson. Harvest allocations are the number of animals of a species that are allowed to be harvested by resident hunters and guided hunters […]
