Judge Chides Harper Government's 'paternalistic, self serving, arbitrary and disrespectful' approach to First Nations
On January 17, 2014, Justice Patrick Smith of the Specific Claims Tribunal issued his decision in Aundeck Omni Kaning v. Canada, finding that Canada's unilateral, take-it-or-Ieave-it approach to the resolution of specific claims represents a blatant refusal to negotiate and undermines the Honour of the Crown in its dealings...
Stephen Harper’s Disservice to Israel
The dictionary definition of perverse says (of a person or their actions) “...showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable, often in spite of the consequences.” Well, that just about sums up Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s disturbing trip to Israel. If anyone knows why this...
Implications of City of Castlegar wrong-doing refuted
Implications that the City of Castlegar failed to exercise due diligence in its bid to expand its boundaries have proven to be unfounded. The contention first arose when the city announced its intent to expand its boundaries to include Ootischenia gravel pit lands, which are currently owned by the Ministry of Transportation...
COMMENT: Government subterfuge on local campaign spending limits
When you compare prices at the supermarket you usually look at comparable products, for instance you don't compare the price of a head of lettuce with a can of baked beans. It should be the same way with government consultations. Case in point: when you're trying to figure out how many people live in an electoral district for...
Is Canada a nation adrift?
My reading consists primarily of books on history and political philosophy, and does not include memoirs of has-been politicians. I would not have read Joe Clark’s How We Lead: Canada in a Century of Change had it not been a Christmas gift from my daughter. Had I relied on my prejudices, I would have deprived myself of an...
Controversy brewing over Castlegar bid to take over Ootischenia gravel pit land
A group of concerned Ootischenia residents is holding a public meeting Monday to discuss the City of Castlegar's interest in extending its boundaries to include a parcel of land currently owned by the Ministry of Transportation (MoT). (Click here to read the city's public notice on the matter). A press release issued this...
COMMENT: Auditor General Takes Aim
The truly horrible derailment in Lac Megantic and the XL Foods recall saga are two significant events that shook Canadians’ faith in our regulatory system in the last year. The federal agencies that oversee the regulations, Transport Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), were among the subjects covered in...
COMMENT: MLA makes connections with seniors
A new year is a great opportunity to share my enthusiasm for my commitment to work hard for British Columbia’s seniors and their families. As Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors, I look forward to continuing to connect with as many British Columbians as I can throughout the province. What better time to reconnect with B.C.’s...
Results of 2013 children's blood lead testing clinic released
The Trail Area Health & Environment Committee (THEC) presented results of the 2013 children’s blood lead testing clinic at its meeting Jan. 14. The average blood lead level for children aged six to 36 months in Trail and Rivervale is 4.9 μg/dL (micrograms per deciliter) with 93 per cent of children testing below 10 μg/dL....
Thanks City of Nelson, but no thanks says RDCK to relocation offer
The Regional District of Central Kootenay has said no thanks to a proposal by the City of Nelson to move to its 310 Ward Street location. The decision to stay in its current digs on Lakeside Drive on the Nelson waterfront was made during the monthly RDCK board meeting Thursday. “The concept of the two […]
