EDITORIAL RANT: Rape Culture Sums Up Human Society, So Far
A reader recently commented privately about the recent "Rape and Consequences" article, and expressed dismay that Canada's "rape shield" legislation is not more effective at curbing defence attorneys' strategy of "whacking the victim" in court. Her comment made me think: our society's acceptance of "rape culture" is...
LETTER: Local postal workers union frustrated over flawed negotiations
Dear Editor On behalf of the women and men who process and deliver your mail and serve you at the Castlegar Post Office, I want to thank the public for your participation in the postal review and especially for your ongoing support during our difficult negotiations with Canada Post. You may remember that on July 2nd, Canada...
B.C. Human Rights Code to include explicit protection for gender identity, expression
Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton introduced legislation Monday to make B.C.'s Human Rights Code more explicit in the protections it affords transgender persons in British Columbia. Bill 27, Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2016, was passed to include "gender identity or expression" among the protected ...
OPINION: Does Family Planning Have Environmental Effects?
The following article was originally posted on the Worldwatch Institute blog. Worldwatch is an independent research organization based in Washington, D.C. that works on energy, resource, and environmental issues. Ask environmental leaders where voluntary family planning fits into their organizations’ missions and goals,...
COLUMN: Homelessness in a Neighbouring City
Nelson's Report on Homelessness This column is narrowly focussed on a social problem in Nelson, but despite that, I am sure the issues are of interest to readers anywhere in Canada. Nelson's Committee on Homelessness has released its eighth annual report card on the issue of homeless citizens. It explains some background. You...
Router Melt-Down at City Hall; New Life for Rotary Health Centre Building? Concern for Wildlife and a New Bylaw.
Rossland City Council Meeting, July 18, 2016 Present: Mayor Kathy Moore, and Councillors Aaron Cosbey, Lloyd McLellan, Andrew Zwicker, John Greene, Marten Kruysse, and Andy Morel. New Chief Financial Officer Elma Hamming made her first appearance at a public meeting. Public Input Period: A resident asked the City for...
New Bylaw, Bigger Fines for Being 'Bear Careless'
Another bear story: I heard a noise in the night, outside, at a former residence. Looking out the back door with a flashlight, I saw a disappointed-looking black bear gazing back at me over one shoulder, a bag of flour in her mouth, and a thick trail of flour leading from our neighbour's back porch to the bear. The neighbour...
OPINION: Media Failing Citizens on Corporate Rights Deals
The Trudeau government is hell-bent on ratifying two massive investment agreements -- the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- that will radically undermine Canadian democracy. Yet very few Canadians are informed about these deals because our mainstream media has been so...
June overdose death numbers show increase
Updated statistics from the BC Coroners Service show the number of illicit drug overdose deaths among B.C. residents has increased. The total number of overdose deaths for June 2016 was 56, an increase from 43 in May 2016. A total of 371 overdose deaths have been reported from January to June 2016. The most recent fentanyl-related...
Panhandling bylaw avoids adoption as status quo in city’s downtown set to continue
A rare 11th hour decision by city council has derailed the controversial proposed panhandling bylaw from becoming legislation. A concern about the intent of the proposed bylaw — and a call for more time to measure the effectiveness of a potential street outreach worker — was enough to have the passing of a proposed panhandling...
