I'm Laila Yuile and This Is How I See It: Politics and the press
“Democracy has become a government of bullies, tempered by editors” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson A strong statement and I think most would agree, an exact one. Particularly at this point in Canadian history. Here we are, a couple of days after yet another federal election, and there are many who still are jubilant in victory, many […]
Alliance blasts province over wolf 'management' plan
An alliance of 23 animal rights and environmental groups in BC and across Canada is furious at the BC Liberal government’s decision not to consult them regarding a new “wolf management plan” it is developing. According to a press release from the Canadian Wolf Coalition, speaking on behalf of the alliance, “The groups are greatly […]
Putting power in the hands of the people
A new amendment to the Clean Energy Act could allow families to finance energy efficiency improvements to their homes through a utility company loan. Bill No.7, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011 was introduced in the legislature Thursday by Attorney General Barry Penner. If passed it will amend: Clean Energy Act An amendment allows B.C. […]
Consultation begins on control of class sizes
After losing their battle in B.C. Supreme Court two weeks ago the B.C. government announced it will work with the B.C. Teachers’ Federation rather than continue a battle over control of class size and special needs support in public schools. The Province has appointed Paul Straszak, president and CEO, Public Sector Employers’ Council, to lead […]
Ethnic media failed the Canadian standard in Young case
Vancouver South Conservative candidate Wai Young is having a difficult campaign: she’s been criticised for attending a BC Khalsa school meeting, where she was endorsed by Air India bombing suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik; her own siblings are suing her in a family dispute over an inheritance; and, they’ve also announced they will not be voting for her. […]
Pilot dies in plane crash in mountains near Yoho National Park
One man is dead after a missing plane was found crashed in a national park near Golden. Golden RCMP say they located the plane late Wednesday in Yoho National Park. The Cessna was found in a gorge on Mount King. RCMP said a man and his dog were on the plane when it took off […]
Interim rate increase on hydro approved by BCUC
Forget hope that the BC Hydro rate increase would be overturned, the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) recently approved an interim rate increase of eight per cent, effective May 1. For the average residential BC Hydro customer, this would amount to a bill increase of about $6 per month, albeit until the final decision comes […]
Program to target West Nile Virus in Kootenays
The Province will provide $2 million to the Union of BC Municipalities for West Nile Virus (WNV) monitoring and larvaciding —insecticide that affects only developing stages of mosquitoes — for targeted areas of the Kootenays, the Okanagan and the Fraser Valley. WNV is transmitted to people and animals, such as horses, through a bite from an […]
Adrian Dix: Brilliant move or a giveaway?
There will be no excuse for anyone not to vote in the next provincial election, thanks to the NDP’s choice of Adrian Dix as its new leader. For years, how many times have we heard those who do not vote saying “They’re all the same.”? Well, not this time. Adrian Dix and Christy Clark are […]
Dix named new NDP leader in close race
It took three ballots but Adrian Dix finally won out over two other NDP leadership candidates Sunday and will become the new leader of the provincial Opposition. The Vancouver-Kingsway MLA edged Mike Farnworth, after Dana Larsen and Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan were dropped after the first and second ballots, respectively. Dix received 9,772 […]