Get back to nature faster at three West Kootenay parks
As summer officially begins Tuesday, backcountry enthusiasts can get into the wilderness faster with a new online system that lets them prepay for their backcountry permit in 26 provincial parks, including three West Kootenay parks. The Discover Camping Backcountry Registration System allows hikers, campers and trail riders to purchase their backcountry permit through the BC […]
Reminders when picking edible mushrooms on Crown land
It is the time of year when people head out onto Crown land to pick edible wild mushrooms, specifically fire morels, in areas previously burned by wildfire. People harvesting mushrooms need to be aware that even though the area may have already been burned once, there is still potential for another wildfire to start. Please […]
BC's poverty rate still highest in Canada: First Call
British Columbia’s child poverty rate rose to 12 per cent in 2009 in the wake of the international economic downturn, Statistics Canada reported recently — it was the highest child poverty rate of any province for the eighth year in a row. The BC rate also remained higher than the national child poverty rate of […]
Teams and tech unleashed to identify, prosecute rioters
The B.C. Criminal Justice Branch has put in place a team of professional Crown prosecutors who will work with police and lead all aspects of the prosecution related to the June 15 riot, Premier Christy Clark announced Friday. Evidence amassed in the coming weeks will determine the ultimate size and extent of the prosecutorial team […]
Preston Manning and the Vancouver riots
Yes, of course, it is a big stretch to suggest that Preston Manning, for the former head of the Reform Party had anything to do with the rioting in Vancouver after the hockey game. But in trying to determine what is at the root of this mindless violent – and the almost equally mindless spectator […]
BC's clean technology industry poised to become star of BC economy
British Columbia’s cleantech industry is one of the province’s fastest growing industries and has the potential to be a significant economic generator by creating thousands of new high paying jobs, attracting significant new investment and generating billions of dollars in exports. These are among the findings of the Cleantech Report Card for British Columbia, conducted […]
Small businesses champion energy efficiency
B.C. small businesses have innovative ideas on how to conserve energy, but many do not have the time or money to make their ideas happen. The $550,000 LiveSmart Champion Program can help small business make their energy-efficient ideas a reality. Small business can submit their energy saving ideas to the Ministry of Energy and Mines […]
Greening the Building Code – Communities adopt solar power
Thirty-six B.C. communities — including Kaslo, Cranbrook and Fernie — have agreed to adopt a new building regulation that promotes the use of alternative energy by requiring all new single family homes built in their community to be solar hot water ready. During construction, houses will be built to accommodate future installation of a renewable […]
Province targets kindergarten and pre-school students in anti-bullying program
The Canadian Press The B.C. government is expanding an anti-bullying program in schools across the province, targeting children in kindergarten and pre-school. Premier Christy Clark says the Roots of Empathy program is recognized internationally as a way to teach young kids core values like respect, kindness and empathy. “Children deserve to grow up without fear […]
Make your mark on a BC Park
If you ever wanted a bench in Kokanee Creek Provincial Park to have your name on it, now is your chance. People will have an opportunity to make their mark on one of the stunning vistas in BC Parks like Kokanee through a new program celebrating 100 years of provincial parks. From the seashore overlooking […]