Op/Ed: The marvel of electric lighting is now a global blight to health
By Richard G. Stevens; republished from Aeon magazine Light pollution is often characterized as a soft issue in environmentalism. This perception needs to change. Light at night constitutes a massive assault on the ecology of the planet, including us. It also has indirect impacts because, while 20 per cent of electricity is...
Op/Ed: Buy BC First, says BC Premier
By John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia This B.C. Day long weekend, let's take time to enjoy food, friends and family. Let's also celebrate the farmers, producers, and local businesses who provide quality food and drink grown right here in B.C. B.C. farmers grow fresh, local food delivered to us at farmers’ markets, grocery...
The trouble with Bitcoin -- Blockchain and life on earth
We’ve all read about Bitcoin. Blockchain transactions such as those used by Bitcoin are touted for their security – the term “Blockchain” refers to a chain of “blocks” of data designed to be tamper-proof, partly because each block is identified by a “hash” which is like a digital fingerprint; it’s unique, and if anything...
Fatal motorcycle crash near Needles Ferry
An Alberta woman has died after a motorcycle accident near Needles Monday, according to BC RCMP Traffic Services spokesman Const. Michael Halskov. He said Central Kootenay RCMP were called to the scene in the 12000 block of Hwy 6 west of Needles at around 3:30 p.m., at which time they requested the attendance of the North...
Editorial: Who opposes proportional representation, and why?
There’s an old saying: follow the money. In the case of the upcoming referendum on whether or not BC should change our voting system from First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) to a form of Proportional Representation (ProRep), those most vocally opposed to a change seem to have one thing in common: they are people who think they would...
Seniors Advocate Report: Better Patient Outcomes, Savings Possible
The Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie, has issued a report on some of the different patient outcomes between private-contractor care facilities for seniors, and facilities operated by a Health Authority. The findings are compelling. The report explains that there are 293 publicly subsidized care facilities in BC, and that...
Heat Warning continues for Boundary
Temperatures in the Boundary are expected to continue into Wednesday before cooling a few degrees Environment Canada said. The 36 C heat has forced Environment Canada to continue a Heat Warning for the Boundary Region, at least into Wednesday. “A prolonged stretch of well above normal temperatures is continuing across the...
Opinion: Reconciling Energy and Indigenous Rights
In 2007, Canada was one of four countries to vote against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (with New Zealand, the United States and Australia). With its single-minded focus on making Canada an “energy superpower,” albeit only with fossil fuels, the Harper government feared the declaration’s concept of ...
COLUMN: values past and present, and the news
A mind in movement across space and time: Part III Traveller Chaos, Column Coherence This month’s column is about travel, time, and identity. I have just returned from a four-week trip by car across the nation to Ontario and back. It is not the first such trip of my life; I have logged tens of thousands of miles since my...
CBT commits nearly $965,000 to 17 projects designed to address social issues
Seventeen projects that aim to improve the lives of Columbia Basin residents by addressing social issues will soon be making a positive difference with nearly $965,000 in Social Grants from Columbia Basin Trust. “Through projects like these, the Trust is supporting the efforts of community organizations to help Basin residents...