America is at war with itself. And anyone who watches Fox News or listens to US radio talk shows should not be surprised that another gunman has taken aim at his own government, his own elected officials or his fellow citizens.   Being in the midst of what is going on, the American people have […]

What kind of year in politics is 2011 going to be? Very likely another year (or at least ten months) of gridlock at the federal level, with no sign of any so-called game changer on the horizon.   A spring election is looking less likely as the Conservatives try to make a deal with the […]

The power goes out on a regular basis in the West Kootenay during the winter. In light of the fact today is the first official day of winter, BC Hydro has introduced a new mobile-friendly version of www.bchydro.com that makes it easier for customers to access information on their smart phones during power outages. The mobile […]

Two studies conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) point to wide-ranging economic and social benefits from hosting the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The reports, which cover the period of 2003-2009 and the first three months of 2010, show some positive impacts for both B.C. and Canada in the areas studied. The greatest cumulative impacts […]

Christy Clark’s suggestion that the next BC Liberal leader will need to get a “mandate” from BC voters through an early election shows she doesn’t understand our parliamentary system. And former attorney general and author of the fixed election date legislation Geoff Plant’s statement that the legislation did not anticipate the current situation is absurd. […]

What a year it has been in B.C.–but that’s nothing, compared to the year that lies ahead! We’ve watched a Premier win a third consecutive election and then lose it all and announce, following months of public rejection and derision, that he will step down;  we’ve seen the Official Opposition, with its best opportunity in a decade to achieve victory, turn […]

It seems like such a simple right: I’m sitting here writing my blog, or you’re sitting there reading it …neither of us fearing that the state Police will break down our doors, throw handcuffs on us, scare the hell out of our families, seize our computers and cart us away to be imprisoned … maybe even beaten. […]

Legislation requiring B.C.’s health-care facilities to report gunshot and stab wounds to police comes into effect Feb. 1, 2011. “Often in cases of gunshots and stab wounds, a timely reaction by police is critical to preventing further violence, injury or death,” said Solicitor General Rich Coleman. “Setting out the rules for reporting these incidents means […]

B.C.’s economy is expected grow moderately over the next year according to B.C.’s independent Economic Forecast Council. “B.C.’s economy has performed better than expected this year,” said Finance Minister Colin Hansen. “Given ongoing instability in U.S. and European markets, the council agrees it is essential B.C. continue to exercise prudence as we move forward in […]

Last May, the OECD put out figures comparing infant mortality rates in countries around the world. Perhaps the biggest story of all the figures were those attributed to Canada. This country has always boasted of its social stats — life expectancy, infant mortality, university graduates, and other measures of our success as a nation.   But not […]