OP/ED: Ottawa lines up with Washington against rest of hemisphere
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird’s recent mission to Latin America cannot mask Canada’s unprecedented diplomatic isolation in the hemisphere. Despite shifting ‘aid’ to the region and claiming to have made Latin America a priority, Ottawa is increasingly offside with a region breaking free from centuries of Western imperialism. On July 9 the Organization of American […]
BC Chambers of Commerce join litigation to stop 'draconian' policy of US border officials
The BC Chamber of Commerce has joined litigation filed in a U.S. court to push back against border measures that pose a serious risk for B.C. businesses and tourists. Currently, British Columbians heading to the U.S. for business or tourism purposes face a border regime that empowers border guards, at their own discretion and...
LETTER: Trail city councillor speaks to lack of Gay Pride events in city
Letter to the Editor: This week is Gay Pride Week in the Kootenays. This is a celebration of love and understanding to millions of people worldwide and, in many cases, the acknowledgment of equal rights for LGBT couples. I am afraid to say that I have been remiss in my duties as a councillor as I did not bring up the topic ...
Greens have new party leader
After former leader Jane Sterk resigned, the B.C. Green Party has appointed a new interim leader. Former Central Saanich councillor Adam Olsen, a B.C. Green Party candidate in Saanich North, is taking over the role of leader. Sterk, who announced in June she would resign at the party’s annual AGM this weekend after leading the […]
Support staff strike may disrupt back-to-school season
West Kootenay public school students may be gearing up for a new year of classes, but the support staff who work within those schools are bracing themselves for a potential strike, according to Castlegar's Cherryl MacLeod. MacLeod works as an education assistant as well as serving as president of CUPE Local 1285, representing...
Feds commit more than $.75 million for Castlegar infrastructure
The West Kootenay Regional Airport is set to get more than $600,000 for runway maintenance equipment and systems, the Complex gets $100,000 for a new boiler and the Doukhobor Discovery Centre will receive more than $60,000 for renovations. The federal grant funding was announced at two separate events today, one at the airport...
Is war the father of us all?
War is the Father of us all. – Herodotus, Greek historian, 5th C. BCE Study War No More. – 1960's peace poster War is over, if you want it. – John Lennon Forgive me Lord, I do so love it. – General Patton, American Army War is the typical normal condition of humanity, not peace. – James Hillman, psychologist Letters...
COMMENT: What government work should be done behind closed doors and what should be done openly?
What are we to do with, to, or about our Senate? Was it meant to be a chamber of sober second thought or a retirement home for political hamsters? Recent revelations about senators cashing in on the strength of what may, at best, be considered sloppy financial administration, have renewed calls to reform the Senate or to...
Castlegar mayor and councillors register for energy diet - there's still time for Kootenay residents to sign on and save
Two city councillors and the Castlegar mayor signed on to Fortis’ Kootenay Energy Diet back in May, becoming personal role models for a program the city is already officially supporting. FortisBC has subsidized the initial home energy assessment, which is valued at $400, offering it for just $60 for Diet participants, but the city further […]
City council admits it's all about waste
If you are one of the growing number of people who has a smartphone or tablet, you can download a City of Castlegar App that puts garbage, recycling, special waste collection details and much more at your fingertips, anytime you want them. “The City of Castlegar is pleased to announce that we’ve just launched a mobile App...
