COMMENT: Auditor General Takes Aim
The truly horrible derailment in Lac Megantic and the XL Foods recall saga are two significant events that shook Canadians’ faith in our regulatory system in the last year. The federal agencies that oversee the regulations, Transport Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), were among the subjects covered in...
COMMENT: MLA makes connections with seniors
A new year is a great opportunity to share my enthusiasm for my commitment to work hard for British Columbia’s seniors and their families. As Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors, I look forward to continuing to connect with as many British Columbians as I can throughout the province. What better time to reconnect with B.C.’s...
Results of 2013 children's blood lead testing clinic released
The Trail Area Health & Environment Committee (THEC) presented results of the 2013 children’s blood lead testing clinic at its meeting Jan. 14. The average blood lead level for children aged six to 36 months in Trail and Rivervale is 4.9 μg/dL (micrograms per deciliter) with 93 per cent of children testing below 10 μg/dL....
COMMENT: The Pathology of Wealth
Another day, another $46,634. That is, if you’re among Canada’s top 100 CEOs, who pocketed that amount by 1:11 pm January 2, the first official day of work this New Year. This figure comes from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), which releases a report every January on the hyper-inflated difference between ...
Richard Cannings to seek NDP nomination for new riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding
Biologist and author Richard Cannings will be seeking the nomination for the NDP in the new federal riding of South Okanagan-West Kootenay. Alex Atamanenko, who has served as MP in the riding of BC Southern Interior since 2006, announced in October that he would not be seeking re-election in the 2015 federal election. “It...
Rumours of Aviation Program's death have been greatly exaggerated - and could hurt the whole region
It's perhaps dangerously premature to start sounding the death knell for Selkirk College's renowned aviation program, despite the college's decision not to take new students for the 2014 year. The program, designed to accommodate 18 students, will only see three move forward into second year, with no new applicants being...
LETTER: MLA opposes Canada Post cuts
Dear Minister Raitt: Having recently heard of Canada Post’s announcement to eliminate home delivery services and privatization of postal outlets which will result in layoffs of up to 8,000 postal workers, I feel I must speak for my constituents. While this is a federal matter my constituents will be directly affected by these...
Trail/Rossland reach sewer agreement
After successful negotiations, the Councils of Rossland and Trail are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached regarding the long standing dispute over cost apportionment for sewer services. The successful agreement will provide a fair funding formula for the participating partners; City of Trail, City of Rossland...
GF staff welcome new manager of operations
The City of Grand Forks is pleased to announce that we have hired Mr. Roger Huston, AScT, as the City’s new Manager of Operations. Huston leaves his position as the director of operations for Village of Lumby to join our exuberant management team. He brings with him, 20 years of public works experience; with 17 of those...
OP/ED: MP decries erosion of democracy in Parliament
As most of us are aware, Parliament was prorogued this fall. This means that, instead of beginning its work on Sept.16, there was a delay until Oct.16. The delay, or prorogation, was requested by the Prime Minister and approved by the Governor General. The immediate effect was that all government bills and committee work were...