COMMENT: MP says safer rail means safer communities
One of the most defining issues of the Conservative’s time in government is their constant march toward self-regulation for industry. In the past, Canada relied on strong public regulation and oversight to ensure risks are managed to protect the public. The move away from the time-tested method has been incremental and...
Harper’s (Un)Fair Elections Act Could Spark Voter Surge
The Harper government seems intent on proving to its detractors that things can always get worse. They’ve one-upped themselves with the farce called the Fair Elections Act. It has been described as a direct threat to the right to vote and an assault on democracy by the very people our democracy assigns to examine these things....
Jumbo challenge by Ktunaxa dismissed by Supreme Court
The proponents of Jumbo Glacier Resort scored a victory yesterday when the B.C. Supreme Court announced it would dismiss a challenge by the Ktunaxa Nation launched in late 2013 against the resort’s master development agreement. The Ktunaxa’s judicial review focused on the controversial development’s location, high in the Purcell Mountains between Invermere and Duncan, saying […]
Get ready to pay more to mail a letter as Canada Post changes begin
Don’t look now but that $0.63 stamp used Friday by people mailing letters is now rising to $0.85 on Monday (March 31, 2014) for people who buy stamps in booklets or coils thanks to the recent changes to its operations announced by Canada Post in December 2013. People who purchase stamps individually, the cost of […]
Local politicians say Federal Fair Elections Act not fair at all
The electoral process in Canada is about to see some significant changes, as the Harper government’s Fair Elections Act has has made it to the last step toward becoming law, despite widespread opposition to the bill. BC Southern Interior MP, Alex Atamanenko and Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall say the bill poses a threat to democracy […]
COMMENT: Fight for our country but fall through our cracks
Last January, my party introduced an Opposition Day Motion urging the Conservatives to take immediate steps to increase investment in mental health services for Canadian Forces members. The three-part motion called on the federal government to: address the mental health crisis for Canadian soldiers and veterans by hiring...
Coun. Wirischagin asks for voluntary water metres this year
The topic of water metres came before council again at their regular meeting Monday night. Coun. Michael Wirischagin brought up his concerns during his councillors report early in the meeting. He started by telling council he was part of a group that is dedicated to improving communities in BC. When he met with this group, ...
When it Comes to Political Ideas, How Big is ‘Big’?
The notion of ‘big ideas’ periodically raises its head in Canadian politics and I recently criticized the NDP for taking a good idea – a national day of action – and wasting it in on, well, small ideas. Specifically I suggested that the party’s focus on excessive interest rates and other charges effectively redefined citizens...
RDCK Tackles Recycling on its Own — Asks Minister To Enforce Recycling Legislation
A plan to keep the recycling facility at the Nelson transfer station will be discussed at Thursday’s RDCK board meeting — along with a possibility of an Eco Depot located on the site. This comes after Multi Material BC (MMBC) refused to allow the RDCK to become part of the stewardship program legislated by the […]
GF talks future and politics
The City of Grand Forks, participated as one of three municipalities out of 26 in a pilot ‘Community Engagement’ project sponsored by the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) on March 12 at the Omega Restaurant. Seventy-five local citizens registered to join in a lively discussion facilitated by...