Poll

Midway border crossing on secret closure list

A leaked government document about the future of Canada’s border crossings — including possible closure, reduced hours, sharing of facilities and remote monitoring —  lists Midway, Cascade, Nelway and Chopaka crossings.   The document, “Small Port Working Group – Initial Results and Paths Forward”, was done collectively between Canada’s Customs and Border Services Agency(CBSA) and […]

Bridesville residents say road conditions are unacceptable

Bridesville residents have had enough and they let the government and Emcon know it.   On the evening of Monday, Dec. 12, more than 60 people packed the Bridesville Community Hall to discuss what they feel is a deteriorating road service in their area.   Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater, two Emcon employees and Stephanie Gillis, […]

More than 50 scientists protest BC Hydro closures/lay-offs in Castlegar and Nelson

 A group of more than 50 scientists is publicly lobbying BC Hydro to reconsider its decision to close the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) office in Nelson, and to lay off staff in Castlegar, Nelson and Prince George.   The offices are to be closed by January 2012, and the program consolidated in Burnaby […]

MORTGAGE TRENDS: Short-term rates stay put

Canada’s key interest rate will end 2011 unchanged.   The Bank of Canada (BoC) left its policy rate at 1.00 percent this week, as anticipated.   In a statement, the Bank said European economic performance will be worse than expected, Canadian and United States growth are “slightly” better than expected, and inflation will “ease.” It […]

B.C. deficit projections up $313 million

B.C.’s deficit is now projected to rise by $313 million to $3.1 billion by the end of the fiscal year because of lower revenues, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon announced in Victoria on Monday. “While British Columbia is still expected to continue to outperform most other North American economies, we expect revenues to decline and we […]

NDP’s BC caucus pushes for government action on IRS

Members of the federal NDP B.C. Caucus are calling for stronger action by the federal government to protect Canadian citizens affected by a series of measures undertaken by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to US law, anyone who was born in the US is required to file US tax returns even though […]

B.C. economy to grow moderately in 2012

The B.C. Economic Forecast Council has lowered its growth projections for the province this year and next in light of the worsening global economy. On average, the council expects B.C.’s GDP growth to be 2.2 per cent in 2011, down from its 2.7 per cent forecast in January of this year. The council also predicts […]

New investment strengthens mills' potential

The sawmill in Grand Forks will be getting an overhaul over the next year-and-a-half as International Forest Products Ltd. (Interfor) pumps $24 million into the region.  The company’s announcement came last Wednesday, Nov. 2 when general manager Andrew Horahan unveiled their decision to invest $19 million in Grand Forks and $5 million in the Castlegar […]

Interfor to invest $24 million in Castlegar and Grand Forks mills

 At its meeting Monday, Interfor’s Board of Directors approved a $24-million capital plan to upgrade the Company’s Grand Forks and Castlegar sawmills. The plan involves the installation of a new small log line at Grand Forks to replace the existing two-line facility, along with funds to complete the installation of an automated lumber grading system. […]

BC Hydro executive bonuses questioned as deficits grow

The NDP is demanding BC Hydro stop paying lavish executive bonuses, following an auditor general’s report that revealed that the Crown corporation actually ran a $249 million deficit last year, the CBC reports. NDP leader Adrian Dix says at a time when Hydro is looking at ramping up rates for customers, the current bonus system […]