COLUMN: 'Collective cowardice' on climate change
Scientists worldwide accept that Earth is warming at an unusually rapid rate, that humans are primarily responsible, mainly by burning fossil fuels, and that the consequences for humanity will be disastrous if we don’t take immediate, widespread action. The U.S. Defense Department calls climate change a security risk “because...
Want to influence our federal government? Here's one way to make an attempt.
The Candian Environmental Protection Act is under review by a committee of the House of Commons. Citizens are invited to comment -- in the form of written "briefs." There are guidelines for these briefs, accessible via a link in the material pasted in below. Are you worried about foxes guarding hen-houses in terms of our...
Seven Summits Centre for Learning students improving ecosystem health near Waneta
Students from Seven Summits Centre for Learning are doing their part to increase ecosystem health in the Kootenays. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, invasive species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity, after habitat loss. Invasive species are plants, animals, and pathogens that...
$18.9-million investment in Selkirk College creates jobs, supports trades students
Selkirk College in Nelson will soon be better equipped for training of well-paying middle-class jobs of as a result of a federal and provincial investment of $16.18 million. The investment, which comes in addition to $600,000 in federal funding for the project from Western Economic Diversification Canada, started paying...
Applications for Waneta Terrestrial Compensation Program now available
The Waneta Expansion Limited Partnership (WELP), a partnership between Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust, is accepting applications for the 2017 Waneta Terrestrial Compensation Program (WTCP). This program will provide a total of up to $50,000 to projects in the Waneta area that promote conservation...
Man expected to make recovery after stabbing Monday in Kaslo
A 68-year-old local man is expected to make a full recovery after being stabbed Monday afternoon in Kaslo said RCMP Sergeant Monty Taylor in a media release. Taylor said incident happened at approximately 5:20 when Kaslo RCMP responded to a disturbance between two makes on C Avenue in the North Kootenay Village. Taylor said...
Manufacturers seek end to ban on seasonal homes
When Ross Bonner decided the old trailer on his recreational lot in Balfour was getting too small for his needs last year, he upgraded to a modern manufactured home to replace it. A few months later, he got notice that his home was illegal in the Kootenays. “I’m upset, I didn’t know if I was […]
UPDATED: Strike or Lockout after Kootenay Savings talks break down
Despite the fact a strike or lockout could seriously affect operations, Kootenay Savings Board of Directors and Senior Management Team stand firmly behind the efforts of its negotiating team to bargain a collective agreement with United Steelworkers Union Locals 9705 and 1-405. Kootenay Savings Credit Union President and CEO Brent Tremblay said in a media […]
COLUMN: From the Hill -- better funding for rural municipal infrastructure?
In my last column, I discussed some of the issues we heard about at House Finance Committee hearings. I’d like to mention a few more of the thought-provoking ideas discussed on the second day of hearings in Edmonton. Both the National Cattle Feeders Association and the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association focussed on...
Cyclocross Race at Red, October 30
Some new excitement is scheduled at Red -- the region's first cyclocross race ever! Hope for good weather on October 30, for the sake of cyclocross racers doing the "Hallocross" event. This is a fun race; for those rare individuals who don't already know all about it, here's a definition cribbed from Wikipedia:...
