B.C.'s plan for protecting vulnerable species
British Columbia’s five-year plan for protecting species at risk was released today by Environment Minister Mary Polak and Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson. “Our new plan provides a clear and certain path forward for B.C. to show leadership in conservation of species at risk,” said Polak....
Breaking ground for the new correctional facility in Oliver
With the help of an excavator, representatives from the Province, Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB), local community and construction partners donned hard hats and officially broke ground today to celebrate the construction of the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC). The OCC project will act as a catalyst for the local economy and...
Some BC roads will have 120 km/h limits
As a result of the provincewide Rural Highway Safety and Speed Review, changes that will help improve safety and mobility are coming to B.C.’s rural highways. This review was undertaken to assess four key aspects of road safety on rural highways, including the setting of appropriate speed limits, requirements for winter tires,...
B.C.'s new airtankers deployed to Northwest Territories
Five of British Columbia’s newest firefighting aircraft were deployed to the Northwest Territories on Sunday morning to assist with wildfire suppression in the Hay River area. The airtanker group consists of a Cessna Grand Caravan bird dog aircraft and four Air Tractor AT-802F “Fire Boss” amphibious airtankers. Given the...
Can You Imagine? Toppling the Fossil Fuel Empire
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”--Albert Einstein As the world struggles with how to deal with the slow motion apocalypse of global climate change it becomes more and more apparent that we are trapped in “the kind of thinking” that got us here. While I don’t want to ...
Tahltan Nation prepare Aboriginal title case against Arctos Anthracite coal mine
The Tahltan Central Council has today (June 26, 2014) announced its intention to prepare an Aboriginal title and rights claim against the Province of British Columbia and Fortune Minerals Ltd for the controversial Arctos Anthracite Coal project proposed for Mt. Klappan in the Klappan area of Tahltan territory. The announcement...
First Nations Summit Celebrates Supreme Court of Canada’s Declaration of Tsilhqot’in Title
The First Nations Summit (FNS) celebrates with the Tsilhqot’in people, and all other First Nations in Canada, on this historic day as the Supreme Court of Canada has finally issued the very first declaration of Aboriginal title in the unanimous SCC decision in the William case released earlier today. “We have waited a very ...
A proposal for a 210th Northern Gateway Condition
The early response by First Nations and environmental organizations to the federal government’s “subject to” approval of the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project did not come as a surprise. What does surprise me is the absence of critical commentary about the project’s economic merits which are championed by governments and...
Farmers' market liquor sales support B.C. products
Beer, wine, cider and spirits can be sampled and sold alongside fresh fruits and veggies at B.C. farmers’ markets, as a new batch of Liquor Policy Review changes take effect. “Having local liquor manufacturers at B.C. farmers’ markets will offer shoppers a convenient opportunity to taste-test and purchase local liquor products, and at the same […]
B.C. preserves local governments' tax revenues from medical marijuana growers
The Government of British Columbia is excluding federally-licensed medical marijuana production from the list of agricultural uses that qualify for farm classification for assessment and property tax purposes. The decision will ensure local governments do not lose potential property tax revenues from the Health Canada...
