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...
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 ...
CBT shifts gears with new Board Chair to guide the Trust
Columbia Basin Trust will have a Chair as of the New Year following some changes to its Board of Directors. Cranbrook resident Rick Jensen will take over after current Chair Greg Deck announced his retirement. Jensen joined the Trust Board in 2013 and served as Vice-Chair in 2015. The three-term mayor of Cranbrook is the Chair...
Fortis to ring in New Year with hike in electricity rates
Ed. note: The following is a press release issued by FortisBC. FortisBC has received regulatory approval for a 2.96 per cent increase for electricity rates to take effect January 1, 2016. “We recognize the importance of electricity to daily lives and we are dedicated to meeting customers’ expectations for safe, reliable service...
Burning cleaner — Wood Stove Exchange Program benefits communities
As winter’s cold embrace descends upon B.C., the Ministry of Environment is providing over $190,000 to 13 communities and regional districts as part of the Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program. Since 2008, the B.C. government, in partnership with the BC Lung Association, has helped British Columbians replace their older...
New rules help B.C. residents get out of debt
Getting your finances back on track should not leave you penniless. To help British Columbia residents crawl out from under those mountains of debt, the province is following through on a commitment to regulate the debt settlement industry, making sure individuals and families can pay what they owe, without being taken advantage...
Butter Chicken for Charity -- at Rekindle the Spirit of Christmas in Rossland
A Rossland resident and business owner is pairing up with the KBRH Health Foundation to serve butter chicken for charity at this year’s Rekindle the Spirit of Christmas event on December 5th. Avtar Powar, owner of Casa Alpina in Rossland, will be donating 500 servings of butter chicken to hungry festival goers in the name of...
Teck Trail to lose between 70 and 80 jobs in 2016, most via attrition
Trail will be losing between 70 and 80 jobs as Teck Cominco reduces its operating costs for 2016. In a press release issued Tuesday, Teck officials indicated a $650 million reduction in overall spending for 2016 throughout their global operations. Teck Trail spokesman Richard Deanesaid this will mean, for Trail, a reduction...
BUSINESS FEATURE: Trail entrepreneur gets creative and branches out
A Trail entrepreneur is getting creative and diversifying to ensure her company’s success and keep her little part of the city’s downtown thriving. Lorraine Johnston opened the clothing store Sonsie on Cedar Avenue on May 9of this year, selling new and consignment plus-sized clothing, as well as purses, accessories, shoes, ...
