The current measles outbreak in parts of our province is a powerful reminder of the importance of immunization. When immunization rates drop, whole communities can be at risk. An immunization rate of 95 per cent is needed to help protect vulnerable people in the community. If the majority of people are vaccinated for a disease,...

In Grand Forks, Laranna Androsoff is known as the Aboriginal Family Support Worker at Boundary Family and Individual Services Society (BFISS) and as Trinity’s mom. But earlier this month she got wider recognition for the latter. Androsoff was invited to speak at the 2014 Global Summit on Childhood in Vancouver. There she sat...

One of the topics that cause concern for people as they age is memory loss lack of focus and concentration.  This is especially true if there is a parent with Alzheimer’s.  Unfortunately, the latest drugs only improve performance when used and do not make any permanent change, have many side effects and decrease in effectiveness...

More than a hundred healthcare advocates rallied in the courtyard in front of Nelson City Hall Monday to protest the end of Canada’s 10-year-old, $41-billion health accord. The rally was part of the National Day of Action for a new Health Accord to protect and strengthen public health care. “Because (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper says […]

Dear Minister, My constituents are very concerned about the future of health care in our country.  They are asking the federal government to commit to a renewed Health Accord in 2014 and to work with the provinces and territories on health care innovation so Canadians can continue to receive the care they need. Health care ...

The Grand Forks kitchen scraps compost curbside collection program will soon expand to include nearby rural residents and become the first rural area in British Columbia to receive this type of waste collection service. On Feb. 27, the Board of Directors of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary gave approval to the concept...

 After four avalanche fatalities in the past six days, the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) is urging backcountry users to make cautious and conservative decisions while in avalanche terrain. “We’ve been dealt a pretty troublesome snowpack this season and our terrain choices need to reflect that fact,” explains Karl Klassen,...

Horses are not raised according to the food safety protocols required of food animals. The wide array of highly toxic medications they are commonly administered convinces me that horsemeat poses an unacceptable risk to the health of those who consume it.  In the hopes of legislating severe restrictions on Canada’s horse...

Often we experience aches and pains that don’t send us to the doctor or keep us from working, but, may take us to the pharmacy for medication or drain our vitality and strength.  Chronic achiness anywhere requires the body to dedicate time, nutrients and energy to repair whatever is creating the soreness.  Readily accessible...

Hundreds of nurses marched through downtown Vancouver today and rallied for safe staffing levels and safe patient care at the Art Gallery.   BC Nurses’ Union President Debra McPherson told the crowd “the healthcare system needs more nurses, not less. Patients need safe staffing levels. Without it, safe patient care is at...