B.C.’s financial bookkeeping is ‘unacceptable,’ says auditor general
The government’s financial statements were ripped apart by a recent report by the Auditor General, the Victoria Times Colonist reports. The province is keeping books in an “unacceptable” way, the report claimed, with too few details, nor does it explain billions in spending. John Doyle produced the report on the government’s financial statements Thursday, underlining […]
BC energy policies help wealthier homeowners, hurt low-income households
A new study calls for a more fair and effective approach to residential energy efficiency in BC as part of an aggressive climate action framework. The study recommends protecting low-income households from rising electricity costs and investing in retrofits for multi-unit buildings and rental housing. “To reduce residential greenhouse gas emissions in BC we must […]
Provincial police force an option, says former B.C. solicitor general
The stoppage in negotiations between the province and the RCMP is the perfect time to begin looking at a provincial police force, says B.C. former solicitor general, the Vancouver Province reports. Kash Heed said the province should step back and look at what effective, efficient and accountable police service looks like for the province. The […]
IHA admits problems with sleep testing at Kelowna Hospital
Patients who took sleep tests in Kelowna between 2007 and 2011 may need to be re-tested or re-diagnosed, says Interior Health Authority (IHA) review released this week. Interior Health contacted 13 patients who underwent polysomnography testing at the Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) Sleep Lab and will be reviewing a further 980 cases given potential concern […]
Feds threaten to march Mounties out of B.C.
A threat to pull the nation’s police force out of B.C. was delivered Tuesday as the province and the federal government continue to argue over the cost of the RCMP, the Vancouver Province’s Ian Austin reported. However, currently the negotiations have stalled and Solicitor General Shirley Bond told the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual convention […]
B.C. rolls out program to help smokers quit
Nicotine replacement therapies will now be available at no cost and smoking cessation prescription drugs will be covered under PharmaCare. By calling HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 and registering for the smoking cessation program, B.C. smokers who are covered by MSP and who wish to quit will be able to receive free nicotine gum or patches […]
Protests greet Cheney talk at Vancouver Club
On a cloudy Monday night, hundreds of Vancouver residents gathered at the ‘Vancouver Club’ to protest the visit of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. This was Cheney's first trip outside of the United States on his book tour.The protestors came from a plethora of different backgrounds including anti-war, 9/11 conspiracy,...
BC government’s job plan on right path
I like the provincial government’s new job plan--not because they promised thousands of new jobs almost immediately, but because they didn’t.We all experiecned the hype before, provincially and federally, from every political party that has held office or wanted to: with the hype and promises skyrocketing in job numbers in ...
Whistler announces carbon neutrality two years ahead of goal
Two years ahead of its goal, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has achieved carbon neutrality. Offsetters, leading carbon management solutions provider, has partnered with RMOW to offset their 2010 corporate footprint. As one of the first British Columbia municipalities to adopt a Carbon Neutral Operations plan (September 2009), the RMOW has measured emissions associated […]
B.C. targets innovation, job creation and training
As part of Canada Starts Here: The B.C. Jobs Plan, the province plans to support small business innovation and entrepreneurship by expanding access to venture capital tax credits, extending tax credits available to apprentices and employers, and working with business leaders to cut red tape and streamline administration of provincial taxes. B.C. intends to provide […]