Former Boundary-Similkameen MLA, Bill Barlee dies
Former Grand Forks native and B.C. MLA Bill Barlee recently died. The news was released on his Facebook page. Barlee, born Neville Langrell (Bill) Barlee in 1932, was elected to the B.C. Legislature in 1988 as a member of the NDP in the ridings of Boundary-Similkameen and Okanagan-Boundary for eight years. He served as Minister […]
B.C. teachers ratify agreement, return to work in September
Teachers made it official Friday, although the results of the final vote were less than overwhelming. The province’s 40,000-plus members voted to ratify the agreement-in-committee reached on Tuesday, June 26 with the government’s bargaining agent, the BC Public School Employers’ Association. In a province-wide vote conducted Wednesday to Friday (June 27–29), a total of 21,044 […]
Tentative deal reached in the BCTF dispute
Generally in a contract dispute, both sides generally give a little to get a deal. Not so in the dispute between the B.C. Teachers Federation and the British Columbia Public School Employers’ Association said BCTF president Susan Lambert. “After a long and difficult round of negotiations, we were compelled into this process under threat of […]
LETTER: Health before lawns, says BC Cancer Society
To the Editor: The BC Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides released its report in May which contained 17 recommendations to the government. Although these recommendations did not include an outright ban on lawn and garden pesticides, it’s important to note that the BC Government has not made a decision (and the Special...
Fortis introduces tiered rate structure
Beginning in July, FortisBC’s residential electricity customers will see a new residential conservation rate on their bill. Earlier this year, FortisBC received a decision from the BC Utilities Commission to implement this type of rate. The residential conservation rate establishes a two-level rate structure that offers a...
Labour board rules teachers can withdraw from extracurricular activities, but must attend meetings
The B.C. Labour Relations Board has ruled Friday that public teachers in the province do not need to participate in extracurricular activities as part of labour dispute with the government. However, the B.C. Teachers Federation must instruct its members to participate in parent-teacher meetings and other school meetings. In a release on the Labour Relations […]
Ten years later, Vancouver aquarium celebrates release of Springer, the orphaned killer whale
Ten years ago, Springer (A73), an orphaned killer whale from Canada, brought together scientists, government officials, advocacy groups, and concerned citizens in a dramatic and moving rescue effort. Vancouver Aquarium played an integral role in Springer’s successful rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction back into the ...
Revelstoke firefighters raise money for a great cause
The Monashee Unit Crew launches their 6th annual Firefighters Hard Labour Auction in Revelstoke B.C. Funds raised from this silent auction will be donated to Live It, Love It! a non-profit organization that provides recreation opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Live It, Love It! is currently working with...
Doctors reach tentative agreement with Province
A tentative agreement has been reached between the British Columbia Medical Association (BCMA) and the B.C. government on a renewed Physician Master Agreement covering approximately 10,000 specialists and family physicians in the province. Building on the success of the previous master agreement, the proposed four-year deal...
Elections BC sides with IntegrityBC on prohibited donation to B.C. Liberals
IntegrityBC has called on the B.C. Liberal party to stop behaving as though B.C. charities are a private piggybank to help beef up party coffers, this after Elections BC told the party to return a 2011 donation from the Vancouver Art Gallery Association. It was the second time in as many months that Elections BC has had to...
