When Elections BC announced the turnout in this summer’s HST referendum, it’s likely a few bottles of champagne were popped. Cheap champagne, but still champagne. It seemed conventional wisdom was cutting both ways as pundits weighed-in on who would benefit the most from what was seen as a higher than expected turnout: the scrap the […]

B.C. and other Canadian exports are finding new markets for their products in China through the new China South Airlines (CSA) cargo service from Vancouver International Airport to Shanghai. CSA chose Vancouver because of the great export potential through Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and already have steady business. Since July 2011, CSA has been moving B.C. […]

The following facts provide a snapshot of British Columbia’s education system. Enrolment for the 2011-12 school year 540,696 estimated full-time public school students – a decrease of more than 57,000 students since 2000-01. 57,858 estimated English-as-Second-Language students – 21 fewer than in last year. 53,913 estimated Aboriginal students – 283 fewer than last year. 7,644 […]

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services has confirmed the Province’s AAA credit rating will continue after British Columbians voted to bring back the PST plus GST tax system, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced Sunday. Standard & Poor’s noted the Province has the solid revenue and expenditure flexibility necessary to meet its deficit targets and a moderate […]

The Province will reinstate the combined 12 per cent PST and GST tax system following the referendum decision by British Columbians to extinguish the HST in B.C. An action plan has been established to guide the transition process and help ensure an effective and orderly transition from the HST to the PST plus GST system […]

Reducing casinos’ use of cash and increasing worker training are among provincial actions underway in response to recommendations to improve anti-money-laundering measures at B.C. gaming facilities. The ministry’s review, released Wednesday, confirmed the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) employs standard and appropriate anti-money-laundering strategies and the Province’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) has the required […]

Twenty firefighters and two dozers are continuing to make good progress the fire burning in the Perry Creek area.   With forecasted wind gusts expected this week, the Southeast Fire Centre is expecting smoke to increase on the four-hectare Perry Creek fire. Discovered Monday afternoon, this person-caused fire is now 100 per cent guarded. Today […]

A two-hectare wildfire has broken out between Cranbrook and Kimberley, but is not threatening any homes. The Perry Creek fire occurred Monday and is considered active, but it is now 25 per cent guarded. Although this is not an interface fire, nor is the fire threatening any structures, smoke from this fire is visible from […]

People in the West Kootenay have one more kick at the Gaming review can, courtesy of the East Kootenay. BC’s Community Gaming Grant Review will visit Cranbrook for a community forum on Thursday, Aug. 25 at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort. Skip Triplett, appointed last month by Premier Christy Clark to lead the independent review, […]

It’s the easiest way to dismiss what we see going on: a mindless group of hooligans, drunks and thieves wreaking havoc for havoc’s sake — and for profit.And that’s what the “official”  investigations always conclude afterwards. But they’re wrong. There are several common threads that link the disturbances throughout the UK right now, France last year, […]