The Province of British Columbia is developing a new road safety strategy that is expected to guide road safety work through 2030. The strategy is scheduled for publication in late 2026. The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) has shared information about the engagement process, including a presentation outlining the proposed direction for the B.C. Road […]

With employment insurance funding provided by the Government of Canada under the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, people in the Kootenays will have new opportunities to train for careers in the skilled trades through the Industry-Ready Carpentry Foundation project. The program will be delivered by Kootenay Career Development Society in partnership with Selkirk College. […]

By Laura MacDiarmid and Mavis  Morton, with contributions from Noah Ramsammy Canada’s new Protecting Victims Act strengthens legal provisions for victims of crime, representing one of Canada’s most significant reforms to addressing intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet, the different needs of survivors — including healing, receiving answers from authorities, accountability and being provided the chance […]

Dear Editor, When BC needs to declare a state of emergency because the wildfires in the Okanagan are “creating their own weather system” —which includes creating lightening and flames beyond anything firefighters have ever seen— it is well overdue to declare a state of emergency on our energy system. This extreme weather is due to […]

“I know how the Greek and Romans viewed the Celtic people they absorbed into an empire, and how the English viewed the Irish, Scots, and Welsh Celts later in history,  –“civilizers” do not intend to let the weaker folks exercise cultural freedom. The subjugated do what they must to have peace. Always, the imperial folk […]

Into the Trees Music Festival has released its full lineup, inviting festivalgoers to spend three nights this Labour Day weekend under string lights in the forested grove behind the Ram's Head Hotel in Rossland. Early-bird passes are already sold out, and only a handful of weekend passes remain for the intimate festival, running Sept. 4 […]

The Autonomous Sinixt and supporters have launched a campaign to remind Kootenay communities about the tragedies still unfolding here with the toxic drug crisis. “In one single week in April 2026, in the City of Trail,  within our unceded territory, nine people died from toxic drug overdoses, with more deaths occurring over the years in […]

Premier David Eby has issued the following statement on the declaration of a state of provincial emergency in B.C.: “British Columbians are waking up today to devastating news from the South Okanagan. “Since first reported early yesterday evening, the Bald Range wildfire has grown rapidly as winds intensified, pushing into the Summerland area and affecting communities […]

Effective at noon (Pacific time) on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, the operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational purposes on Crown land is temporarily prohibited throughout Kamloops Fire Centre and Southeast Fire Centre, as well as parts of the Cariboo Fire Centre and Coastal Fire Centre. During this period of extreme and unpredictable fire activity, the […]

BC NDP MLAs Brittny Anderson and Steve Morissette hosted Minister of Water, Lands and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill on August 5th, 6th  and 7th as she met with local leaders and organizations and toured local projects. “Clean water is fundamental to healthy ecosystems, healthy communities, and our local economy. It was an honour to welcome […]