October is “Small Business” month in B.C. Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business Naomi Yamamoto released the following statement to kick off Small Business Month in British Columbia: Small businesses are the heart and soul of communities. They support families and keep local economies strong. The owners are parents, coaches and volunteers who […]

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review, announced another round of consultations with residents of the Columbia River Basin following the release of the “Public Consultation Report Working Draft.” The report provides a comprehensive summary of the input received from the public and key findings as the Columbia River […]

The Southeast Fire Centre has rescinded its open burning prohibition as of Friday (September 20) at noon. The Southeast Fire Centre said in a release that although open fires will be permitted throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, the Wildfire Management Branch is asking the public to remain vigilant with any fire use, including...

NDP leader Adrian Dix made the following announcement of his future plans on the BC BDP caucus website: “Since our defeat in the election on May 14, I have reflected both on my future as Leader of the B.C. NDP and on the future of our party. “In doing so, I have tried to put the long-term success of the B.C. NDP ahead of any...

The list of recalled items from Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm of Salmon Arm has expanded to 15 after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency added Gort's Gouda Cheese Farm brand Mild Gouda. The additional recall came after CFIA said the product may contain E. coli. Cheese at the Salmon Arm farm has been linked to the death of one elder...

As a dual citizen, Canadian and Swiss, I have the right to vote in Switzerland’s national referendums. In 2012 there were twelve referendums dealing with issues ranging from animal disease legislation to the application of the state’s gambling revenue earnings. In March of this year the Swiss voted in referendums concerned ...

People who want to have a drink on the beach or enjoy a family lunch with drinks with children can now voice their choice through a new website launched by the B.C. Government. Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Reform John Yap launched the new Liquor Policy Review website - www.gov.bc.ca/liquorpolicyreview - while touring ...

Thousands of people across the province who are concerned about genetically engineered (GE, also often called GM or genetically modified) foods and crops are rallying to support a resolution calling for a GE Free BC that will be debated at the Vancouver AGM of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).“This is a monumental...

Whales have shorter gestation periods. For the third time since the Local Government Elections Task Force tabled its report, the B.C. government has been stricken with a case of cold feet. In 2010, the task force made 31 recommendations to improve local democracy, including: setting campaign spending limits for candidates; ...

After more than five months of veterinary treatment at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, Levi, a rescued harbour porpoise, was carefully lowered into the waters of Saanich Inlet this morning, before gently pumping his tail fluke and gracefully gliding away. He is the first cetacean (i.e., porpoise, dolphin...