COLUMN: From the Hill -- Parliament Inches Forward on Death with Dignity Legislation
In Parliament we take up and debate issues from across the spectrum, from the relatively simple to the most serious of topics. Recently one of the most serious issues in a long time came before us: Physician-Assisted Dying. On February 6, 2015 the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in the Carter case, finding that Canadians who...
OPINION: Study Shows Promise for Cannabidiol Treatment of Epilepsy
Medical research on the potential benefits of treatment with cannabidiol (CBD) is beginning to show results. A presentation to the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control in June of 2015, by Nora D. Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, pointed out, "Rigorous clinical studies are still...
Local students raise funds for refugees
Students from the RSS and J.L.Crowe Interact Club met on Wednesday, Feb. 24 with Christine DeMarco, of the West Kootenay Friends of Refugees (WKFoR). Ms DeMarco, who taught several of these students as kindergarteners, described the work of the WKFoR and gave an update on the two families who have been sponsored so far....
City Crews Repair Leaking Water Pipes, Rusted Valves on Spokane Street
By: Hanne Smith Repairs to the water pipe under Spokane Street were completed on Wednesday Feb 24, one week after the initial break was discovered. On Thursday Feb 18, a break was discovered in the Spokane Street water pipe, located on the steep section of Spokane between 1st and 2nd Avenues. City workers made temporary...
Letter to the Editor: Fund Our Schools!
Dear Editor, School District #20 is facing its largest budget deficit in its history ($1,350,000) in 2016/2017 and we know who is causing the problem: Our Premier and her government. Here are a few examples of why we believe this to be a fact: BC’s Compliance Branch auditors are “clawing back" every penny of Special Education...
OPINION: GMOs -- A Balanced View
History of Gene Manipulation "Genetically Modified Organisms" is an area that abounds with skepticism, suspicion and fear. The mere mention of genetic modification is enough to give a substantial portion of the population the 'heebie jeebies". They have been a source of controversy since the biotechnology was introduced in...
The True Story of Jumbo -- Wild!
Come on Sunday March 6, at 7:00 pm to the Rossland Miners Union Hall and see Patagonia’s Jumbo Wild – a gripping, hour-long documentary film by Sweetgrass Productions that tells the true story of the decades-long (and on-going) battle over the future of British Columbia’s iconic Jumbo Valley. The Jumbo Valley, located...
COLUMN: Briefings from Victoria
I am now back in Victoria at the Legislature until the end of May. While there are many events and meeting requests that come across my desk, I am only in the constituency on Fridays and Saturdays and quite often that time is limited by weather and other unforeseen issues. I depend on my very resourceful and knowledgeable...
COLUMN: Costs of post-secondary education
As the NDP critic for post-secondary education, I’ve met with a number of groups over the past weeks and months to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing universities, colleges and technical institutions, as well as with the students who are working hard to better their futures. And the benefits to post-secondary ...
Op/Ed First Nations have right to wildlife resources
I am sending you a news release from the Wildlife Stewardship Council that is a reminder to all British Columbians that First Nations have the leverage to demand their constitutional right to harvest a fair share of the province’s wildlife resource! How many BC First Nations bands are going to ask in the immediate future the...
