BC Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko is outraged at the proposed United States (US) tax crackdown recently announced by the American government.  By law, all individuals holding US citizenship are required to file annual income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In addition, the new US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) obliges […]

No, it’s not a long weekend gouge, but expect to pay more at the pumps starting on Canada Day. Effective July 1 the carbon tax on gasoline rises by 1.11 cents per litre to 5.56 cents per litre. Other fuels see a similar increase. However, the Low Income Climate Action Tax Credit also increases by […]

Rural and remote areas of the West Kootenay-Boundary and across the province are expected to benefit from a $100-million, 10-year strategic telecommunications services contract the Province signed with TELUS Wednesday. Under the contract, high-speed Internet connections will be improved for families and businesses in rural and remote B.C., and cellular coverage along highways across the […]

Public debate about taxes may be focused on the HST, but a new report suggests that the HST is only one piece of an inequitable provincial tax system, a system in which the richest 20 per cent of British Columbians pay a lower tax rate than the rest of us. The report, by the Canadian […]

As summer approaches thoughts start turning to lapping waves, crackling campfires and tranquil forests. It’s the time of year when cottage, cabin or beach house fever starts to take hold.   But the sunny dream of owning a vacation home may be dampened by the reality of property prices in many of the region’s popular vacation […]

A new state-of-the-art Cross Laminated Timber plant in Okanagan Falls, which officially opened Friday, features innovative technology that will change the way wood is used in B.C., providing another boost to B.C.’s forest industry and regional economic growth. Structurlam’s new 1,400-square-metre plant expansion was supported by $5.7 million in provincial and federal funding. The plant […]

Half of all Canadian employees are disengaged at their work. That message comes through loud and clear in a new survey, conducted over the past two quarters among nearly 30,000 workers in 17 countries, including more than 2,000 workers in Canada (not including workers from the public sector). Slightly more than one in three (36 […]

Kootenay folk will now be able to give a green boost to the environment, and receive a carbon tax credit to boot. FortisBC announced it has launched its renewable natural gas product offering for residential customers in the Kootenays. Eligible customers now have the option of designating 10 per cent of their household’s natural gas […]

The recovery is over in Canada and the country has entered a new expansion phase. Despite a relatively enviable position, Canada’s economy will have to deal with a number of challenges. These include the winding down of government stimulus plans, budget cuts, as well as a currency whose high value is still hurting exports. Interest […]

A big broadband boost to the tune of $50,000 will be going out to the communities of Shutty Bench, Fletcher Falls and Ainsworth Hot Springs as the Province is providing cash to expand Internet service. Overall, the province is providing $2.34 million to over 60 locales in rural B.C. to expand broadband Internet into B.C.’s […]