B.C. environmental assessment overhaul marred by deficiencies, scientists say
Nearly 180 scientists say impending legislation leaves the task of collecting evidence for major project reviews to proponents — without adequate independence, transparency or scientific rigour. By Sarah Cox for The Narwhal Simon Fraser University scientist Michael Price was in his office on Saturday, putting the finishing ...
MLA Katrine Conroy urges everyone to get those ballots mailed in
Local MLA Katrine Conroy is reminding everyone in the West Kootenays that the deadline to register and vote in the referendum on electoral reform is fast approaching. “People in the West Kootenays are excited for a new way of voting that works for all of us,” said Conroy. “With the end of this referendum period […]
Op/Ed: 100% Renewable Energy for BC
By Marc Lee, for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, from Policy Note It is well established that we need targets and timelines for reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are causing climate change. BC’s latest targets include a 40% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, 60% by 2040 and 80% by 2050. And...
Letter: What we can do
Don’t worry! The Group of Twenty (G20), composed of nineteen countries (including Canada) and the European Union, will meet in Buenos Aires (Argentina) November 30th and December 1st. By then, newspapers and media analysts will most likely tell us again that they won’t all get along on some major issues during this summit. ...
Editorial: Our Mistaken Society
Can an entire society be mistaken in its values and habits? Can the economic basis of a society lead to the destruction of our way of life and all that supports it? Judging by what our global society is undergoing right now, the answer is yes. Can we change our erroneous ways, and if we can change them, can we change them...
Column: We need to heal a great divide
Canadian climate change opinion is polarized, and research shows the divide is widening.The greatest predictor of people’s outlook is political affiliation. This means people’s climate change perceptions are being increasingly driven by divisive political agendas rather than science and concern for our collective welfare....
Opinion: The problem with exempting major projects from environmental assessment
By Ben Parfitt, from The Narwhal When a public regulator repeatedly makes major decisions that favour corporate interests — quietly and behind closed doors — we have a problem. British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office bills itself as a “neutral” provincial agency. But there is...
Editorial: Is anyone still undecided about the referendum? UPDATED
As pointed out by Dermod Travis of Integrity BC, there’s been lot written recently, both for and against proportional representation. For those having trouble deciding how to vote, try the link provided at the bottom of this piece. Some of what we've all seen has been outright false. Claims that rural ...
Column: Orcas
News about orca mother Tahlequah carrying her dead newborn for 17 days through the Salish Sea this summer was heartbreaking, and rightfully captured the world’s attention. It highlighted the plight of one of Canada’s most endangered marine mammals. The southern resident killer whale (orca) population has dropped by 25 per...
An insult to elected officials, courtesy of the office of the Chief Judge of BC's Provincial Court
Traditionally, the solemn swearing-in ceremony for Rossland’s municipal council members has taken place at the historic Rossland courthouse, with a robed judge officiating. But not this year. On July 18, City of Rossland Executive Assistant Alison Worsfold sent the usual letter requesting to have the ceremony at...
