BC government increases home owner grant threshold in 2016
British Columbians are getting a bit of a reprieve a few days after the 2016 assessment notices were sent out to homeowners. The Liberal government has said in a media release homes valued up to $1.2 million may be eligible to receive a full home owner grant this year, while a partial grant may be available if the home is...
Interest payments exceed $60 billion as Canadian governments continue racking up debt
Interest payments on government debt in Canada consume substantial shares of taxpayer dollars and come at the expense of other budget priorities, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The study, The Cost of Government Debt in Canada, finds...
Australian man dies in snowmobile accident near Whistler
RCMP confirms a man from Australia died New Year's Day in a snowmobile accident that had occurred on Blackcomb Mountain near Whistler. Whistler/Pemberton RCMP Staff Sergeant Steve LeClair said in a media release police were alerted at approximately 11:30 p.m. of the accident. "A group of people were participating in a guided...
For three years running, Olivia top name for girls born in B.C
For the third consecutive year, Olivia is the top name for girls born in B.C., according to the Vital Statistics Agency. Ethan was the top name for boys in 2014, edging out last year’s number one name, Liam. Ethan has been in the number one or number two spot each year since 2002 in British Columbia. Rounding out the top five...
ICBC urges drivers to plan safe rides for NYE & shares best tales from designated drivers
On New Year's Eve, an average of two people are killed — 30 people are injured in 100 crashes in the Southern Interior — and 200 are injured in more than 600 crashes every year on B.C. roads.* In the last five years, three people have also been killed in impaired driving related crashes on New Year's Eve.** During the holidays,...
Nothing at all routine about this traffic stop near Sicamous
RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said a routine traffic stop turned into a police manhunt after the driver of a vehicle rammed marked police cruiser early Monday (December 28) morning. Dan Moskaluk said the incident began at 2:30 a.m. Monday during a traffic stop n Old Spallumcheen Road near Sicamous. "A Sicamous RCMP officer had his...
B.C.'s economy: up, down and sideways
'Tis the season of lists and stocking stuffers of economic forecasts. But instead of soothsaying over what could happen in 2016, a look back at B.C.'s economic performance over the past few years might be more illuminating. Deciphering economic forecasts is a murky task anyways, not that interpreting statistics is any less ...
Police incident concludes with Salmon Arm RCMP pulling man out of burning residence
No one was injured after RCMP rescued a man from a burning building Sunday evening at an Eagle Bay area home near Salmon Arm. RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said in a media release the barricaded man was pulled out of the building by Salmon Arm RCMP officers after he set fire the to the residence. "Salmon Arm RCMP responded to a...
Manitobans give the most in Canada as donations on the decrease
The holiday season is a time to reflect on the value of charity, yet fewer Canadians are donating to registered charities—and those who give are giving less in every province, finds a new study by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The study, Generosity in Canada and the...
No major winning tickets pulled in $60-Million jackpot Lotto Max draw
Christmas may be a very special day to someone, or, then again, it may just be a regular special day. There were no winners in Friday's Lotto Max draw meaning the next chance, on December 25, will have a boat load of prizes up for grabs. This Friday 35 MaxMillions prizes of $1-million will be up for grabs along with major...