On February 11, the Nelson Chapter of the Council of Canadians held a public forum on CETA, the latest trade agreement that the Canadian Government is negotiating with the European Union at Nelson United Church. Guest speakers were Peter Julian, the NDP International Trade Critic along with Alex Atamanenko, our local MP. A three part […]

Bringing more of a female and motherly presence to Parliament Hill and making new friends along the way is the mission new Liberal Candidate Shannon Lavell has set for herself. If all goes according to plan, this determined and passionate individual, mother, aspiring politician and nurse hopes to take her experience caring for others and […]

Apppointed (not elected) Premier Christy Clark promised “change”. And as part of her honeymoon period in the public eye, the media has treaded rather softly in scrutinizing her early days in office. She announced a raise in the minimum wage to be staged over time, but nevertheless welcomed by most British Columbians. Many were embarrassed by this […]

Forget spring cleaning and the Stanley Cup playoffs, Canadians are going to the polls May 2. Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Rideau Hall early Saturday to ask Gov. Gen. David Johnston to dissolve Parliament. A non-confidence motion supported by the opposition in the House of Commons Friday defeated the federal Conservative government. The campaign for Canada’s […]

So what do we do now? We’re about to have an election almost no one wants; that likely won’t change the political balance of power; and, despite the rhetoric, probably won’t actually result in substantial policy changes.  And for this non-altering experience taxpayers will shell out $300 million! Sigh… I am not a dedicated partisan. Over my life, I have voted for all […]

With an election appearing imminent after the three opposition parties all renounced the Conservative’s budget on Tuesday, the Telegraph set out to get reactions and thoughts from the three (to date) declared Southern Interior candidates. Note: At present there is no liberal candidate declared for the riding. With the NDP holding the swing vote in the […]

The drama is over and Jack Layton and the NDP clearly did the right thing, very quickly rejecting the Conservatives’ budget and pledging to vote against it “in its current form.” That held out the possibility of voting in favour of an amended budget which Finance Minister Flaherty quickly scotched with a Bush-like – you […]

There is little doubt that a Canadian federal election is in the air as all three national opposition parties condemned the 2011 / 12 budget presented today by the Conservatives. Although both the Liberal and New Democratic (NDP) parties call for more support for Canadian families, less bonuses for corporations and criticized the Conservatives for […]

Technology is ever changing at a speed we can barely keep up with.  For most of us, the idea of a stationary office no longer exists; it now travels with us in the form of a blackberry and the norm in communication has become a device you carry on your hip.  We stay connected, but […]

During the leadership race, Christy Clark committed to a smaller cabinet and to redefining and empowering the role of MLA. Appointing a smaller cabinet gave the appearance of follow through. The addition of 10 parliamentary secretaries means 56% of the Liberal caucus has appointments.   “Christy Clark is continuing the trend of using perks to […]