Some people may be understandingly frustrated by negativity in politics, especially lately with the American election cycle dominating the airways and social media. But politics can offer us feel-good stories, too – like Castlegar's newly-implemented Good Samaritan Award. Councillor Deb McIntosh, chair of city council's...

In honour of International Women's Day, we are taking a look at gender-based differences in Columbia Basin-Boundary incomes.  Pre-tax income distribution is an indicator of the earning opportunities and potential within our society.  Examining the differences in the distribution of income between males and females sheds light...

“Your Donation Boomerangs Back To You” – what does that mean? We don’t have a hospital anymore! We did before! This was overheard being said in frustration by a person as they passed the elevator in the Castlegar & District Community Health Centre. I assume that this person was on their way to get bloodwork done, or an ...

Rossland residents are invited to examine draft versions of Rossland’s Life and Environment Action plans and to provide valuable input. Second-year Selkirk College Integrated Environmental Planning Program students prepared the plans.  People can see them at an open house on Monday, March 14 at the Old Fire Hall (2115 Queen Street) in Rossland between 5 […]

The Honourable Mr. Justice Greyell of the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled today in the City’s application to have the office of Councillor Julia Butler declared vacant on the basis that she contravened sections 100 and 101 of the Community Charter. In his Reasons for Judgment, Justice Greyell held that, while Councillor...

Teck Metals Ltd. (Teck) has been assessed a penalty in relation to five charges under the Fisheries and Environmental Management Acts relating to incidents at Teck Trail Operations between November 2013 and February 2015. A portion of the penalty will be designated for local environmental conservation funds. The charges relate...

“March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD) and this year we are hopeful that justice for Indigenous Women will move forward with the government’s announcement of the long awaited inquiry on missing and murdered aboriginal women,” said Debbie Bird, President of the West Kootenay Labour Council. “Every year women and men around...

I am now back in Victoria at the Legislature until the end of May. While there are many events and meeting requests that come across my desk, I am only in the constituency on Fridays and Saturdays and quite often that time is limited by weather and other unforeseen issues. I depend on my very resourceful and knowledgeable...

As the NDP critic for post-secondary education, I’ve met with a number of groups over the past weeks and months to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing universities, colleges and technical institutions, as well as with the students who are working hard to better their futures.  And the benefits to post-secondary ...

Local leaders are divided in their reaction to the Provincial Liberals' 2016 budget. City councillor Deb McIntosh pulled no punches in a critique she posted on Facebook. “Balanced budgets are fantastic, but not when we allow a high level of child poverty and no changes to income assistance rates,” McIntosh wrote. “Fantastic...