Changes coming for ICBC
The BC Government has announced changes in the works for ICBC, claiming these will remove lawyers and legal costs from the system “to reduce rates and substantially increase care benefits, making public auto insurance work for British Columbians again.” The new system is referred to as a “care-based” system. Here’s what ...
Fatal crash near Barriere claims two
Two people have died after an MVI near Barriere, according to RCMP Cpl. Mike Halskov. “On Feb. 5 at approximately 12:10 p.m., Barriere RCMP, Clearwater RCMP, and Emergency Services responded to a fatal collision in the Darfield area on Hwy 5, north of Barriere,” Halskov said in a press release. “Upon arrival it was determined...
Bats in trouble?
Bats are fascinating and often-misunderstood creatures. They’re also very useful to humans and ecosystems; in our region, by eating a lot of night-flying insects that damage crops and forests. To learn more about bats and how they’ve been unfairly targeted for abuse over the years, read the book “The Secret Lives of Bats: ...
Seniors Advocate reports on elder-care facilities, finds need for change
A Billion Reasons to Care is the first provincial review of the $1.4 billion-dollar contracted long-term care sector in British Columbia. The review examined industry contracts, annual audited financial statements and detailed reporting on revenue and expenditures for the years 2016/17 and 2017/18. The BC Seniors Advocate ...
Column: From the Hill -- The new NAFTA -- CUSMA
This week in the House of Commons we are debating the new NAFTA agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico, known by the acronym CUSMA. The original NAFTA was negotiated by Conservatives and signed by Liberals in 1994 with promises of more jobs and secure access to the largest market in the world. Supporters of ...
Grand Forks family needs community to step up
The Soobotin Family of Grand Forks have had disaster strike for the second time in just over 18 months. The family lost their home in the catastrophic flood that impacted so many lives in May, 2018 and now, the home that he and his family were renting caught fire at 3:38 a.m., January 15th. Thankfully, everyone was able to...
MISSING: RCMP request public assistance to find woman
Columbia Valley RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing Invermere resident. On Jan. 26, Columbia Valley RCMP received a missing person report for Belinda Dawn Eugene, who was last seen earlier that morning in the Radium Hot Springs area. There is nothing to indicate foul play at this time, and police...
First case of coronavirus confirmed in BC
One case of the new coronavirus has been identified in BC. Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer (PHO), have issued the following joint statement regarding a case of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV): “Late yesterday, our BC Centre for Disease Control public health lab confirmed...
Letter: The people of the world say: NO war on Iran
In support of the January 25th Global Day of Action calling for No War on Iran, approximately 80 people who gathered at Castlegar United Church urged all Federal party leaders to work to avoid a catastrophic war. They wrote: Whereas the USA may launch a war on Iran; Whereas such a war will involve Canada; Whereas such a war...
Fatality at Fernie Ski Hill prompts investigation
The RCMP and the BC Coroners Service are investigating the sudden death of a skier, discovered in medical distress late Friday afternoon outside of Fernie B.C. On January 17, 2020 just after 4:30 p.m., Elk Valley RCMP received a report of a skier discovered unresponsive in the snow amongst trees located on the Fernie Ski Hill....
