BC Greens want government to change its tactics with BCTF
It's time for the Liberal government to try new ideas in attempting to solve the current strife with the B.C. Teachers Federation, and not a new idea like Bill 22, says the Green Party of B.C. Bill 22 and the current BCTF strike action represent an impossible solution to the goal of delivering the best possible public education...
Castlegar/Trail rivalry renewed over regional hospital discussion
A meeting between Castlegar representatives and BC Health Minister Mike de Jong is creating conflict between Castlegar and Trail city councillors. Castlegar councillors Kevin Chernoff and Russ Hearne, along with city manager John Malcolm, met with de Jong March 1 to discuss a variety of issues – including the possibility of a new regional hospital. […]
It's official, Bill 22 passes into law Thursday
The B.C. legislature made it official, passing back-to-work legislation that temporarily ends a contract dispute with the province’s 41,000 teachers. The new law will impose a six-month cooling-off period, ban strike action and see to the appointment of a mediator to try to work out a new contract. Although the mediator must stick to the […]
Being able to supply our region's food topic of upcoming forum
Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior, is all set to welcome constituents to a series of public forums he has organized with others throughout the riding on the topic of Food Sovereignty. “I couldn’t be more pleased that Colleen Ross, Vice President of Policy for the National Farmers Union (NFU) has offered to share […]
Atamanenko hosts Food Sovereignty forum Sunday at United Church
Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior is all set to welcome constituents to a series of public forums he has organized with others throughout the Riding on the topic of Food Sovereignty. The first forum is set for the United Church in Nelson, Sunday from 7-9 p.m. “I couldn’t be more pleased that Colleen […]
Waste of taxpayers dollars recognized at annual Teddy awards
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) held its 14th annual Teddy Waste Awards ceremony last week, giving well-deserved recognition to the worst of the worst in government waste. CTF federal director Gregory Thomas hosted for the first time as Master of Ceremonies at the black tie news conference on Parliament Hill on...
TAX TIP: Disability Tax Credit - You may be missing out
In our community, people with disabilities are still uncertain about whether they are eligible for an important tax credit with a significant refund. I remain committed to raising awareness about their legitimate entitlement under the Income Tax Act. For your information, every eligible person should be aware of his/her rights...
No controversy on Day one as SD 8 teachers take a professional approach to job action
Day one of the B.C. Teachers Federation three-day job action came and went in the Kootenay Lake School District No. 8 without much controversy on the picket lines said Kootenay Lake Superintendent of Schools/CEO Jeff Jones. “I had the opportunity to see some teachers on the (picket) lines around some of the sites in our […]
Video: Rafe Mair - One on One with BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix (Part 1)
In the first of a two-part interview, Rafe Mair grills BC NDP Leader Adrian Dix on private power, Site C Dam and BC's flawed environmental assessment process. What will the NDP do with existing and future private river power projects (a.k.a. IPPs) if they form the next government - and where do they stand on Site C Dam? Watch...
Open letter from SD20 superintendent Greg Luterbach
Dear Parents and Guardians, Today the British Columbia Teachers Federation (BCTF) announced their intention to perform a full-scale withdrawal of the services on Monday, March 5 through Wednesday, March 7. This strike action is legal, given a recent Labour Relations Board ruling allowing teachers to walk out for up to three days after giving two […]
