City Public Hearing Covers Sustainable (Official) Community Plan, Zoning Bylaw Proposed Changes to Allow Garden Suites, Tiny Houses and Cluster Housing
Approximately 20 residents, a near record crowd for an event of this type, attended Monday's Grand Forks City Council meeting to express interest in proposed changes to the Zoning Bylaw, most notably, changes that could allow garden suites and tiny houses on wheels that meet certain criteria. In a media release, City Council...
Public asked for input in development of 2018 budget
The timeline is set for the development of Castlegar’s 2018 budget and five-year plan, with opportunities for the public to weigh in on priorities at the outset, and later on the proposed finish product before it is adopted as law. “For 2017, Council added a new line item into its budget. A communication budget line item was...
Public's chance to weigh in on new water/sewer rates
The City of Castlegar is now beginning a public consultation phase to bring the city closer to a user-pay water/sewer system, an initiative that has been in the works since 2005. According to a report by city deputy director of finance Lois Hunter, the move toward water meters and consumption-based rates was a necessary goal...
Column: time to talk about universal pharmacare
Universal pharmacare is a hot topic on Parliament Hill these days. The concept is simple—a single program that would ensure that all Canadians had free access to prescription drugs. Canada is the only country in the world with universal health care that doesn’t include the cost of drugs in its coverage. And that doesn’t...
City bids adieu to Malcolm, welcomes Barlow as new CAO
It’s official – our former, long-time CAO John Malcolm is now retired, and incoming CAO Chris Barlow attended his first council meeting as city manager at council’s regular meeting Monday night. Malcolm came to Castlegar as CAO in January of 2008. When asked what he’ll remember most fondly of Castlegar, Malcolm said, “There...
COLUMN: A Bill to improve the Species at Risk Act
Last Friday, I tabled my Private Members Bill, C-363, in the House of Commons. This bill would patch a large loophole in the Species at Risk Act, or SARA, that has allowed previous governments to wilfully ignore scientific advice as to which species need protection in Canada. SARA is designed to be transparent and timely. ...
BC NDP Government releases first budget update
British Columbia’s new government has released a budget update that puts people first, Finance Minister Carole James announced Monday. The balanced Budget 2017 Update forecasts a surplus of $246 million in 2017-18 and takes key first steps to improve affordability, build better services for everyone, and invest in a strong,...
Premier issues statement on hate groups organizing in Vancouver
Premier John Horgan released the following statement about a rally by hate groups taking place on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017 in Vancouver: "Hate has no place in our province. We reject all forms of racism, discrimination, intolerance and bigotry. "Recent events and images from Charlottesville, Virginia were horrifying, and hateful...
MP Richard Cannings to "Ride the Riding" again this year
Richard Cannings, MP (South Okanagan-West Kootenay) is happy to announce that he will “Ride the Riding” for the second year in a row. Last year he decided to complete a bicycle trip through the riding, which gave him a unique chance to meet the people, businesses and industries that make up the riding. The tour will use a...
B.C. sets sights on $15-an-hour minimum wage, reaffirms commitment to a fair wages commission
The provincial government is making its first move toward a $15-an-hour minimum wage for British Columbia by announcing a 50-cent increase for September and renewing its commitment to a fair wages commission. In making the announcement today, Premier John Horgan said moving over time to a $15 minimum wage is long overdue in...
