MP speaks to BC/Alberta angst
Pipeline politics have been in the news a lot over the past couple of weeks, as British Columbia and Alberta square off over Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain expansion project. Both provincial governments are doing exactly what they promised to do when elected, so their positions are not surprising. But where is the federal ...
COLUMN: We can't afford to ignore climate change
Contrary to a common perception, ignoring climate change won’t make it disappear. Global research going back to 1824 in fields ranging through physics, oceanography, biology and geology have confirmed human activity — mainly burning fossil fuels, raising livestock and destroying carbon sinks like forests and wetlands — is...
City sells $1.35-mill of property for two new developments
The City of Castlegar will soon be $1.35 million richer, according to a press release issued today. “The City of Castlegar has sold two city-owned properties to private sector interests (pending public notification period),” said the release. “The former City Centre Motel site at 1101 – 2nd Street ($145,000) has been purchased by a developer […]
RDCK votes to hold referendum on over-$32-mill upgrades to Complex
At its meeting yesterday, the Board of Directors of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) considered two bylaws pertaining to the proposed “Option B” enhancements to the Castlegar and District Community Complex. The bylaws were prepared to establish a new recreation service to replace the two existing services and...
Dog problems, a new way to reduce wildfire risk, more short-term rentals and less public smoking; a hostel at Red, and what to do about fireworks? And more!
Rossland City Council Meeting, Tuesday, February 13, 2018 The evening began with a Public Hearing, to accept public input on three Zoning Amendment Bylaws to allow short-term rentals (Guest Suites), and on the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw # 2648. The public gallery was packed and overflowing into the...
Survey sees majority approving almost $32.5 mill upgrade to Complex
The majority of survey respondents in Castlegar and area have voted for Complex upgrades estimated to cost $32,370,000 (Option B. For more information about facility options, visit https://myactivityhub.ca/the-project/facility-options/ ). In a press release issued today, the RDCK indicated that almost 1,200 households completed...
Column: A strange way to pick a leader
When a political party sets rules for a leadership race and tries to be all things to all members, the result can end up looking more like the proverbial camel designed by a committee than a true and fair method for members to choose a new leader. As they did in 2011, the B.C. Liberal party opted to continue with its practice...
Editorial: On how we vote in BC -- will it change, or not?
Come the next BC election, will we have Proportional Representation (of some kind) or business-as-usual with First-Past-the-Post? A lot of ink and pixels have been swirling around the news and opinion media on the topic. It still bears more examination, given the disparate views expressed. Let’s do some examining, and...
How a US company is suing Canada for rejecting quarry in endangered whale nursery
By Judith Lavoie, DeSmog Canada When a Canadian federal-provincial environmental review panel ruled in 2007 that a proposed quarry would go against community core values and would threaten right whales and other marine life in the Bay of Fundy, groups that had fought against the project believed that was the end of the story....
Column: 'From the Hill' -- BC's natural resources
In mid-January I attended the British Columbia Natural Resources Forum in Prince George. This is one of the biggest gatherings of resource companies, government leaders and nongovernment organizations in Canada, and is always a good place to hear the latest news from that sector. I was happy to see federal Natural Resources...
