55% of Canadians want change to Canadian head of state instead of continuing with any member of the British royal family
Today, the new national educational foundation Your Canada, Your Constitution (YCYC) released the results of its recent national survey of 2,024 Canadians that shows a majority of Canadians (55%) want to change to a Canadian head of state, while only 34% want to continue with a member of the British royal family as Canada’s...
COMMENT: Flaherty talks another bank into higher mortgage rates
By: Rob McLister, Canada Mortgage Trends On Friday, Manulife Bank posted its lowest rate ever on a 5-year fixed mortgage, 2.89%. It lasted for four days. When our big brothers at the Department of Finance (DoF) caught wind of it, they dialed up Manulife and swayed the bank into raising its rate back to 3.09%. “We don’t want...
Car accident requires Jaws of Life and rope rescue
Specialized rescue skills were required to help a motorist near Fruitvale this morning, according to Trail RCMP Sgt. Rob Hawton. “A driver was heading east-bound in an SUV on Hwy 3B just west of the connector to Castlegar, at about 10:30 a.m.” he said. “He hit some slush that pulled his tires and pulled him over the bank,...
Protecting pooch (and other pets) now part of emergency paradigm
We've all heard the stories about the faithful pooches who smell smoke and save their families from burning to death by waking everyone in time to get out. But what happens if good ol' Rover (or Fido or Spot) ends up suffering from smoke inhalation, or has a weak heart that can't bear up under the strain of emergency? The...
FortisBC PowerSense asks residents to turn every hour into an 'Earth Hour'
For the fifth consecutive year, FortisBC is encouraging individuals and communities to pledge to reduce electricity and natural gas use during Earth Hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 23. “FortisBC PowerSense encourages customers to turn every hour into an ‘Earth Hour’ by making impactful changes that can reduce energy use and...
COMMENT: Blueberry Creek Community School is a great community service
From the outside Blueberry Creek Community School (BCCS) looks like any typical small older rural elementary school but BCCS is anything but typical. BCCS is a Ministry of Education designated Neighbourhood of Learning and a Ministry of Children and Family Development designated Community HUB. Both ministerial designations ...
The question of Job, or, why does bad happen?
Human beings should be treasured. Material is to be used. Our crises now all originate from one source – things are treasured, people are used. Very little commentary is posted after my columns. I do wonder if I am writing into a vacuum sometimes. But then, I have felt the same over a dozen years of broadcasting a program on...
Water main break off Columbia Avenue
Ed note: The following as a press release issued by the City of Trail: A water main break at the 1300 block of the alley between 2nd and Columbia Avenue occurred earlier today (Tuesday). City of Trail Public Works crew members immediately arrived on site to begin assessing what is needed for the repair. “The 1300 blocks of ...
Divers to inspect Old Trail Bridge Tuesday
Divers from Castlegar’s Northern Underwater Systems will be inspecting the bridge piers underwater at the Old Trail Bridge tomorrow (Tuesday). Several boats and divers will be on site at 8 a.m. for approximately four hours, according to city engineering technician Warren Proulx. "Even thought the bridge is closed, we're still...
Smokeater earns Player of the Week nod
The British Columbia Hockey League has given Smoke Eaters goaltender Adam Todd an honourable mention for the Gongshow Gear BCHL Player of the Week for the week ending Jan. 13. Todd, an 18-year-old native of Courtenay, posted two wins last week against Merritt and Penticton, recording a .939 save percentage and 2.31 goals-against...