In my last column we examined the referendum and its role in a democratic local government. When talking about referendum we cannot afford to ignore the importance of the rules that govern the referendum’s application. As with elections, the rules determine the efficacy of the referendum. Efficacy for the purpose of this...

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) will provide $19.4 million in new funding in the 2013/14 fiscal year to support a broad range of social, economic and environmental initiatives throughout the region. “A key approach in how CBT delivers benefits is to support Basin communities and residents in identifying their priorities, and to provide funds and other […]

Local NDP MP Alex Atamanenko says that, with the exception of a small business tax credit, the Conservative budget falls short of delivering results for people here in rural B.C. “The government promised to focus on jobs but has not introduced any new measures to create meaningful employment. It is good that skills training is […]

Although the Surrey RCMP has been operating its own Facebook and Twitter accounts for the past few months, the detachment is pleased to announce our official venture into the world of social media. Starting in early April, the Surrey RCMP will be rolling out a series of short-run campaigns to increase our presence on social […]

A man many think will be B.C.’s next premier, NDP leader Adrian Dix, will be in Castlegar Wednesday to meet with local business leaders and heath care professionals, as well as to speak at local NDP MLA Katrine Conroy’s gala fundraiser at the Complex that evening. The 49-year-old Vancouverite said, however, that locals shouldn’t expect […]

The West Kootenay Transit Committee (WKTC) received an update from BC Transit on the West Kootenay Regional Transit project on March 13. Kevin Schubert, Regional Transit Manager, outlined the gains that have been realized by the region working together. The highlights include: • Increased regional service which will add two more trips to the Nelson […]

Premier Christy Clark released the following statement on the accession of Francis I: “In accordance with their centuries-old tradition, the College of Cardinals today elected a new Pope. “For almost 700,000 Catholics in B.C., Pope Francis is their spiritual leader, and successor to a direct line going all the way back to Saint Peter. And […]

The City of Trail may become a technological leader as early as this summer, according to city councillor Sean Mackinlay. Reporting to council from the Governance and Operations Committee (GOC), Mackinlay said the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation (CBBC) has now posted a Request for Proposal on BC Bid for the installation of the fibre optics […]

The whole issue of the housing bubble, its extent and whether there will be a soft landing as predicted by many wishful thinkers has resulted in many interesting headlines in recent weeks – including some high on the delusional scale. One suggested that house prices are a mere 20% overvalued (if you believe that, I have a...

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen received Israel’s president Shimon Peres at NATO headquarters in Brussels on March 7. The order of the day: to enhance military cooperation between Israel and the Atlantic Alliance focusing on issues of counter-terrorism. “Israel will be happy to share the knowledge it has gained and its technological abilities with […]