NDP Leadership: Who is BEST for BC?
This weekend, the federal NDP will not only choose a new leader, but determine whether the party descends further as a parochial servant of Quebec or re-establishes itself as a true national party. NDP supporters won’t like it, but the truth is that, in the push for power, former leader Jack Layton and the NDP party sold out […]
Province, RCMP ink 20-year deal as two sides opt for labour peace
It wasn’t that long ago when the B.C. government was going to toss the RCMP out like yesterday’s laundry. Wednesday, the two sides put aside any bad feelings before inking a 20-year agreement, which is essentially identical to contracts reached in five other provinces and three territories, and comes a year after B.C. threatened to […]
The economic costs of salmon farms, oil pipelines and natural gas are just as horrific as their environmental ones
Whether or not salmon farms continue operating in BC's marine waters may depend more on economic than environmental factors. Despite withering criticism concerning the ecological safety of its open net-pen operations, the salmon farming industry has doggedly continued on its corporate course. However, two unforeseen factors...
B.C. Government decides tanning not suitable for people under the age of 18, bans tanning beds
The Province announced that it will ban commercial tanning bed use by young people under the age of 18 to reduce the chances of developing skin cancer later in life. “Unfortunately, cancer affects thousands of British Columbian families with one in three people expected to develop some form of cancer – such as skin cancer […]
It's official, Bill 22 passes into law Thursday
The B.C. legislature made it official, passing back-to-work legislation that temporarily ends a contract dispute with the province’s 41,000 teachers. The new law will impose a six-month cooling-off period, ban strike action and see to the appointment of a mediator to try to work out a new contract. Although the mediator must stick to the […]
Camping in BC Parks just got a little easier
Now that the snow is beginning to, well, melt, campers and hikers will be eager to get to the phone or computer to start making plans for summer time fun. The BC government announced starting on Thursday (March 15) the public will be able to book up to three reservations at one time for their […]
Waste of taxpayers dollars recognized at annual Teddy awards
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) held its 14th annual Teddy Waste Awards ceremony last week, giving well-deserved recognition to the worst of the worst in government waste. CTF federal director Gregory Thomas hosted for the first time as Master of Ceremonies at the black tie news conference on Parliament Hill on...
CARTOON: Harper rolling out the welcome mat for China
Check out this new cartoon from Gerry Hummel highlighting the push to open up BC and Alberta's fossil fuel resources to emerging Asian markets like China. In recent months both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Resources Minister Joe Oliver have told Canadians and leaders on the world's stage that the Enbridge Northern ...
LETTER: First Nations Summit withdrawal from Missing Women Commission of Inquiry
Your Commission appointed Robyn Gervais as Independent Legal Counsel for Aboriginal interests. We had no role or any say in this matter. She has now withdrawn as Independent Legal Counsel. We find it extremely disturbing that she has had to take this drastic step. The First Nations Summit applied for standing and was granted...
Cost of eating still high for B.C. families
The 2011 Cost of Eating in B.C. Report, released by the Dietitians of Canada – BC Region last week, showed no improvement for the average family. The Cost of Eating in B.C. has been published for over a decade to detail how much it costs for individuals and families in B.C. to access an adequate amount of food, to relate this...
