The unemployment rate in the West Kootenay-Boundary still high as the figure for rose to 8.6 per cent in July. Although that number is down from nine per cent in July of 2010, there are 1,200 less people that have jobs in 2011, according to Statistics Canada. Canada’s unemployment rate dipped to 7.2 per cent […]

The decision to keep or nix B.C.’s controversial harmonized sales tax leaves the public’s hands after 4:30 p.m. PT Friday afternoon. That’s when Elections BC starts carefully verifying ballots are from registered voters and tallying up the results. Ballots can be dropped off at any of Elections BC’s five collection centres in the Lower Mainland, […]

Nelsonites traveling through B.C. wine country will find it even more enjoyable with improved passing on Highway 97 north of Osoyoos, along with the addition of a parallel hike and bike trail. Both projects were officially opened today. Passing lanes were added on Highway 97 north of Osoyoos to provide assured passing opportunities between Osoyoos […]

There are many instances I've come across in the past number of years which suggest to me the Campbell/Clark Government places no real value on the lives of its citizens - this despite Premier Clark's "families first" motto. That's a bold claim, I know - which is why I'm going to state my case here, drawing on several specific...

Rossland’s Trail Creek Trail was the lone West Kootenay recipient of $25,000 worth of cycling infrastructure as the Province invested more than $1 million toward 17 cycling infrastructure projects across BC. BikeBC Cycling Infrastructure Partnerships Program funding supports ongoing work to create bike lanes, separated bike paths and multi-use trails. Funding of up to $100,000 […]

All of the secrets of the Columbia Basin Trust have been cracked open for public viewing — financial investments, spending and program and initiative activities — as the 2010/11 Annual Report and 2011 Report to Residents are now published. The Annual Report reflects CBT’s performance for the 2010/11 year, ending March 31, and details its […]

The launch of a new online database will make it easier for British Columbians to keep track of the people, businesses and industries running afoul of B.C.’s environmental rules. The free database includes a wide variety of compliance and enforcement actions taken by ministry staff and enforcement officers. It includes orders, administrative sanctions, tickets and […]

A new study just published in Nature Geoscience indicates the depth of the fault between the two tectonic plates forming the Earth’s surface in the Pacific Northwest is seven kilometres deeper than previously proposed. Simon Fraser University earth scientist Andy Calvert, the study’s lead author, says he and his colleagues aren’t sure what to make of […]

The B.C. government website (www.gov.bc.ca) has been redesigned to focus on frequently used services, making it easier for families and businesses to find the services they are looking for. The website features DataBC, a new open data site, and Open Information, an information release site as part of government’s commitment to be more connected, open […]

The Province of British Columbia ended the fiscal year with a smaller deficit than forecast. “Better economic conditions and our prudent approach to spending mean we’ve been able to close the deficit gap considerably, ending the year with a deficit of $309 million and keeping us well on course to balance the budget in 2013-14 […]