Overall, whether it’s used for fabrics, bioplastics, fuels, paper products or building materials, hemp has many advantages and few disadvantages. Hemp has been promoted as a solution to a wide range of environmental issues — as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics, resource-depleting cotton, polluting fossil fuels, energy-intensive building materials, forest-destroying paper products and more. It’s […]

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”  Genesis, II, v. 7 [King James Bible, 1611] This quotation has been translated into English from ancient Hebrew with notable variations for the last word: soul; being; creature; […]

Starting May 1, almost 2 million seniors were eligible to make appointments and start accessing the new NDP Dental Care Plan. MP, Richard Cannings noted that “after 57 years fighting for dental care to be included in the Canada Health Care Act, the NDP Canada Dental Care Plan is finally here.” The local MP has […]

It was rejuvenating to spend this past week home in the South Okanagan, but also disheartening to see only a glimpse of the April showers we so desperately needed. Between community events I managed to combine some family time with some much-needed yard maintenance and could not help but be worried as I looked over […]

In British Columbia, we know all too well the severity of the toxic drug crisis. On April 14, 2016, it was deemed a public health emergency in British Columbia. Since this time, tragically, more than 14,000 British Columbians have died from accidental overdose: 7 people a day. In recognition of the magnitude of this crisis, […]

The dry facts about increasing water scarcity People can only survive a few days without water. After all, we’re mostly water — basically just liquid blobs with enough organic thickener to keep us from dribbling away. We’re part of nature’s hydrologic cycle of evaporation, condensation and precipitation that cartwheels water around the planet. Given water’s […]

Arc of the Cognizant CLXXXIII “Why don’t you all just f-f-fade away? And don’t try and dig what we all say … The things they do look awful cold. I hope I die before I get old.”  — The Who, My Generation “Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your command Your old road is […]

More ambulance services in rural and remote communities in the B.C. interior (bcehs.ca) People living in 21 communities in the B.C. interior are now benefiting from improved paramedic staffing models to enhance 911 responsiveness and provide consistent and reliable out-of-hospital care. As of April 1: Eight communities including Fruitvale and Rossland were upgraded to the […]

Carbon pricing can be confusing. Simply put, it’s designed to increase costs of burning polluting fossil fuels and encourage cleaner alternatives. It creates a financial incentive for people and businesses to pollute less. Rebates help keep household costs down. As of 2023, 73 global carbon-pricing instruments were in operation worldwide, covering around 23 per cent […]

This year, the Province is investing $11 million through the BC Air Access Program to support 26 upgrades at two dozen airports throughout British Columbia including the airports in City of Trail and City of Castlegar! Projects include: Castlegar – $1.6 million to rehabilitate the aviation apron Trail – $19,747 to cut tops off trees around the airport […]