Op/Ed: Ten Years into the Toxic Drug Crisis
There are moments when the toxic drug crisis becomes painfully real. A phone call in the middle of the night. A memorial growing on along the side of the Columbia River. A name spoken quietly among colleagues because another person didn’t make it. For many people in British Columbia, these moments are no longer rare. […]
Column: Who owns the natural resources in Canada?
Canada is among the world’s most resource-rich countries. Forty per cent of its land is covered in forests. It holds 20 per cent of the world’s freshwater reserves. It’s the fourth-largest crude oil exporter. It produces more than 60 minerals and metals and ranks in the top five for 14 of them — critical to […]
IHA and Kootenay Boundary among the highest death rates as B.C. sees another 150 lives lost to toxic drugs in January 2026
As the province approaches 10 years of the public health emergency regarding toxic drugs, nearly five British Columbians continue to lose their lives each day, according to preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service. While the 150 deaths reported in January represents a decrease of 10% from the total number investigated in January 2025 […]
Column: Trade without accountability, pollution without borders
A new international order is emerging, according to representatives at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and at the Munich Security Conference — one of fragmented states acting in their own self-interest, sovereign fortresses sliding toward economic nationalism. A Munich conference statement places much of the blame on Canada’s neighbour: “The international order […]
B.C. wildland firefighters press federal government for action during Parliament Hill lobby day
B.C. wildland firefighters, members of the B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU), were on Parliament Hill yesterday to meet with federal decision-makers and call for urgent action on key issues impacting wildland firefighter safety, health, and recognition. The Federal Lobby Day brought together wildland firefighters from British Columbia and Members of Parliament to discuss long-standing concerns, […]
Op/Ed: Emergency shelter or ‘care facility’? It can be the difference between life and death
This year, the RDKB has defined an emergency warming centre as a ‘care facility.’ That means the available spaces cannot be used, despite rising community need. An emergency warming centre where people in need could safely spend a night out of the cold is not open in Trail this winter due to the Regional District […]
Op/Ed: All that obvious lying and why they do it
By Jennifer Saul, University of Waterloo, and Tim Kenyon, Brock University By now, many of us have probably seen the video of a Minneapolis woman whose last words were a calm “It’s fine, dude; I’m not mad at you,” before she was shot three times in the head as she turned her car to drive […]
Human Rights Commissioner reacts with concern to recent emphasis on involuntary care, based on findings of new report
B.C.’s independent Human Rights Commissioner is expressing serious concerns about recently released General Guidance for Physicians on Treatment of Children and Youth with Substance Use Disorders Under the Mental Health Act(opens in a new window). Commissioner Kasari Govender is concerned the guidance runs contrary to the government’s human rights obligations by ignoring important evidence on the ineffectiveness of involuntary […]
BCGEU Reaches Tentative Agreement with Provincial Government After Eight Weeks of Job Action
The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) has reached a tentative agreement with the provincial government, bringing an end to a historic strike that involved more than 25,000 public service workers and eight weeks of job action across British Columbia. The next step is ratification: all 34,000 members of the public service will now have the […]
MLA Steve Morissette Newsletter: Trail airport, Record Ridge mine permit and more
Monday, October 20 Statement – I rise today to shine a light on a remarkable organization serving the Cherryville community, the Cherryville Community Food and Resource Society. This small but mighty centre is proof that when people care deeply about one another, they can build something truly special. Cherryville is a tiny, unincorporated rural community with […]