COLUMN: The other reasons for rising ICBC rates -- what we weren't told
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia which was, only a decade ago, a financially sound crown corporation, is on the ropes today. What happened? The information ICBC offers on its “Rate Pressures” web page speaks of “significant external pressures on ICBC’s insurance rates”. From 2014 to 2016 the number of crashes...
Woman from Rossland wins scholarship
Childhood family fishing trips in the Kootenays sparked an early passion for freshwater fisheries and shaped a career path for Rossland’s Erin Fulcher, who graduated from Rossland Secondary School and still has family ties that bring her back to Rossland for visits. Fulcher was one of four students awarded a $1,500 scholarship...
Legal cannabis: help B.C. lead the way on safety, health
The BC Government is inviting British Columbians to share their views about how the Province can keep young people, neighbourhoods and roads safe after Canada legalizes non-medical cannabis next year. "We want to hear from as many people as possible about how we can best protect our kids, keep our roads safe, and lock criminals...
Campfire ban to be rescinded in southern B.C.
Effective at noon on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, campfires will once again be allowed throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre, Southeast Fire Centre and Cariboo Fire Centre. A return to more seasonal weather conditions and recent precipitation has reduced the wildfire risk in these areas. The BC Wildfire Service reminds the public ...
COLUMN: Finance committee chair Wayne Easter defends the privileged, undermines modest tax reforms
What is it about progressive politicians going to Ottawa only to end up as arrogant and nasty conservatives? My old friend Pam Wallin was one of the kindest people I knew in Regina in the 1970s when she was a member of the Waffle group in the NDP. She turned into one of the nastiest Conservative senators. And the last encounter...
B.C.'s Wild West reputation laid to rest — NOT!
The headlines should have read “B.C.'s Wild West reputation laid to rest.” Instead, British Columbians woke up to “Taxpayers would give millions to political parties in NDP plan,” all thanks to an ill-advised decision to slide two unexpected provisions into the government's campaign finance reform package: a transitional...
Site C or No Site C — Public hearing Tuesday in Nelson
British Columbians are facing a crucial test in the coming weeks – reaching an opinion on the planned Site C dam. Currently estimated to cost $8.8 billion, the hydroelectric dam on the Peace River is the single most expensive public infrastructure project ever proposed in B.C. history. Originally put forward along with a...
A Rossland business celebrates children being outdoors
Sending kids outside to play is one of the best things parents can do for them, right? Books have been written about the many benefits to children's health and development of playing outside in natural surroundings. Trees. Meadows. Creeks. Those books include "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv, "Risk and Adventure...
COLUMN: The trouble with CO2, plants and nutrition
Bigger isn’t always better. Too much of a good thing can be bad. Many anti-environmentalists throw these simple truths to the wind, along with caution. You can see it in the deceitful realm of climate change denial. It’s difficult to keep up with the constantly shifting — and debunked — denier arguments, but one common thread...
UPDATED: Environment Canada continues Special Weather Statement for Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass
Environment Canada issued a Special Weather Statement Thursday morning for Highway 3, Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass due to a cold airmass associated with an upper low has caused freezing levels to plummet this week. "Snow has been observed on the Okanagan Connector, Rogers Pass, Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass on several...
