Al Hitzroth resigns as Celgar boss
After a five-and-a-half-year tenure at the helm of the city’s largest commercial venture, Al Hitzroth will be bidding Zellstoff Celgar adieu. Hitzroth, Celgar’s 55-year-old managing director, Operations & Technical, told The Source today that his final day will be February 24, as he relinquishes Celgar’s top spot to current director of strategic initiatives Kevin Anderson. […]
COMMENT: Open government isn't about selling access at BC Liberal “power lunches”
IntegrityBC chastised the BC Liberals today for leaving the impression that they're selling access to Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Labour Citizens' Services and Open Government, through her presence at a $50 a plate Liberal fundraising lunch tomorrow in Surrey. “There's something incredibly oxymoronic about the minister...
New meat inspection program planned for B.C. by 2014
The Province has completed a comprehensive review of options for provincially operated meat inspection services at Class A and B licensed abattoirs. This ensures that B.C. continues to provide the most effective, safe meat inspection system possible when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) steps back from this role. ...
2012 budget to include property tax increases for all but major industry
The City of Castlegar unveiled its $19-million 2012 budget to less-than thunderous applause Wednesday, as only seven people (not including city staff and council) showed up for the public meeting. The turnout was disappointing, but not surprising, according to city councillor and finance committee chair Russ Hearne. “It’s similar to the turn out we’ve had […]
US reduces claim against alleged B.C. Softwood timber violations
Madison's Lumber Reporter has learned that the United States' claim against Canada, for alleged subsidies on British Columbia's timber stumpage rates, has been reduced from US$499 to US$303.6 million. In the American rebuttal of Canada's defense, which was filed on Dec. 23, 2011 but only made public this week, the U.S. Trade...
United States: How the stimulus revived the electric car
By Michael Grabell in ProPublica. A common criticism of President Obama's $800 billion stimulus package has been that it failed to produce anything – that while the New Deal built bridges and dams, all the stimulus did was fill some potholes and create temporary jobs. Don't tell that to Annette Herrera. She was 50 when the ...
Healthy forests dialogue publishes results
In 2009 and through 2010 a growing concern was voiced among professional foresters and biologists, conservationists, academics, community leaders, forest industry support companies and First Nations that British Columbia (BC) forests are in need of greater attention to meet societal expectations over the long-term. This concern generated the Healthy Forests-Healthy Communities: A conversation on BC […]
Harper government terminates popular ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program early
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver closed the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program to any new registrants on Sunday, January 29. The sudden closing of the program comes two months before its official end date on March 31, 2012. The government has limited participation to 250,000 registered homeowners. Industry estimates...
Celgar launches $250-million NAFTA claim against Canada over alleged discrimination by BC Hydro
Mercer International, the parent company of Castlegar’s pulp mill, Zellstoff Celgar, is filing a $250-million claim indicating discrimination on the part of BC Hydro is costing the company about $19 million of incremental energy sales every year. The claim, according to a Mercer press release issued Jan. 26, is against the government of Canada for […]
Lions campground gazebo left roofless as major contractor skips town
A handshake deal went sour for the Rossland Lions Club last summer when major roofing contractor Flynn Canada Ltd.—which was in town to rebuild the arena roof in 2010 and City Hall's roof in 2011—reneged on an agreement and forced the club to scramble after local contractors and funds instead. Bill Profili of the Lions described...
