Many struggling Canadians hoped that today’s budget would offer meaningful supports and steps towards recovery. But more than that, they hoped that it would be the ultra-wealthy who have profited from the pandemic who would be paying for these supports, not the workers who have been hit so hard.  According to local MP, Richard...

As a country and as individuals, we have done a lot to try to stop the spread of COVID-19. However, there is one obvious step for which we have made only timid efforts—paid sick leave. Going to work sick was once a badge of honour.  Taking one for the team.  Not letting your side down.  It was never a good idea, but in the ...

Question period in the BC legislature involves a lot of theatre--which frankly I rather enjoy.  Within the theatre, there is an opportunity for hyper-partisanship to shine.  This, I don’t care for, but I understand and respect it.  When this spills into hypocrisy, I lose my interest and enthusiasm.  And, in turn, when the...

Last year, Gord Portman saved two people in a house fire in Penticton.  When he saw his picture in the local newspaper, he said to himself ‘Oh boy I need help.” Gord was addicted to drugs. So he turned to Discovery House, a local organization that helps men battle their addictions, and he now thanks Discovery House for saving...

Dear Editor: Monday, February 1 marked the four year anniversary of Trudeau's broken promise on electoral reform.  “We are committed to ensuring that the 2015 election will be the last federal election using FPtP” It was a key campaign promise which Trudeau repeated over 1800 times. An all party parliamentary committee, ERRE,...

In late November, the federal government introduced a new climate action accountability act, then followed that on the last day of the fall session with a climate action plan.  These are long-awaited initiatives. In the decades since climate change was identified as the number one issue facing the globe, through pacts at...

Dear Editor. We fought global wars, and millions of people died to defend and protect our human rights, including our right to have democratic governments. Last week’s invasion of the Capital Hill in DC was nothing but a stunning attack on democracy, perpetrated by none other than the President of the United States. It was ...

Earlier today Bruno Tassone tendered his resignation from his role as Mayor of the City of Castlegar. Council and staff are processing this news and are committed to ensuring the services residents expect from the City are not disrupted and restoring the City’s full Council complement. With the Mayor’s resignation, Council ...

2020 Board Highlights NOVEMBER 2020 A general overview of discussion items & major decisions from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) Board of Directors meetings in November and December 2020. The next board meeting is January 13, 2021 at 1 p.m. on Zoom. DECEMBER 9 West Boundary Recreation Grant to Red Earth...

In the middle of the pandemic’s second wave and with the holidays fast approaching, many Canadians are still struggling to figure out how they’ll get through these tough times. Last week we saw two examples of how the government’s priorities are hurting many low-income, self-employed Canadians while letting large corporations...