OP/ED: B.C.’s first ever Poverty Reduction Plan tracks strong start with comprehensive approach but gaps need to be filled moving forward
The B.C. Poverty Reduction Coalition (BCPRC) congratulates the provincial government for launching the first ever poverty reduction plan for B.C.: TogetherBC. After a decade of advocacy, B.C. is no longer the only province without a poverty reduction strategy. The BCPRC welcomes the strong start outlined in the plan tracking...
Open Letter: Support for the Immediate Passing of Bill C-262
To The Editor: Dear Senators, The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is calling on each Senator of Canada to support the passage of Bill C-262, An Act to ensure that the laws of Canada are in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without delay. The Truth and Reconciliation...
Editorial: We aren't enlightened, we're just short of workers
Will the new Builders Code help women and other minorities survive in the trades? Time will tell. Race and gender still provoke ostracism, bullying, harassment, hazing … call it what you will, it is all too common, and it creates a toxic workplace, especially for those at whom it’s directed. In some cases,...
From The Leg — Skaha Matters
The Legislature resumed on February 12 with the traditional Throne Speech. As has already been reported by various media, it was probably the shortest in history and had none of the usual vision for the future we have come to expect. It was a total of 8 pages repeating the vague promises made by this government over the last...
Hospitals failing to follow legal safeguards for mentally ill patients involuntarily detained, B.C. Ombudsperson investigation finds
The legal rights of mentally ill patients involuntarily admitted to psychiatric facilities across the province are being denied according to an investigative report issued by the BC Ombudsperson today. Ombudsperson Jay Chalke released Special Report No.42,Committed to Change: Protecting the Rights of Involuntary Patients under...
OP/ED: MP lobbies Air Canada to address air service issues in Castlegar
On Feb. 14, Air Canada gave Penticton fliers a Valentine’s Day present—they announced that this spring they would be switching out the old Dash 8 aircraft they use now for newer, larger and quieter Q400 planes. That would provide more seats in and out of Penticton on a daily basis, good news for travellers and tourism operators...
Canada obliged to protect future generations from climate change, test case on carbon tax hears
Young people ‘will live their entire lives under the mounting environmental, economic, and health stresses’ caused by growing greenhouse gas emissions, coalition argues By Larry Pynn, for The Narwhal When the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan publicly squared off in court in Regina this month over the constitutionality...
Zapped: Unravelling the NDP’s new spin around power prices and the Site C dam
B.C.'s NDP is now doing precisely what it criticizes the Liberals for doing — manufacturing a need for power while pushing forward with a project that produces energy that can’t be sold for even close to the price it will cost to produce it. By Sarah Cox, for The Narwhal Of all the years of political spin to...
Letter: Apology due to Jody Wilson-Raybould
OPEN LETTER: The discriminatory, sexist comments about Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould being spread by government officials and staff are appalling and condemnable Dear Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, We demand that you immediately and categorically publicly condemn the racist and sexist innuendo about Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould...
MP says housing top issue in riding, air service ranks top in Castlegar
I spent a week in late January travelling across the South Okanagan-West Kootenay, listening to mayors, regional officials, economic development officers and other concerned citizens. It gave me an opportunity to find out what the top priorities are for communities as we start this New Year. This week one issue dominated the...
