Province: Action plan in place to return B.C. to 12 per cent PST/GST
The Province will reinstate the combined 12 per cent PST and GST tax system following the referendum decision by British Columbians to extinguish the HST in B.C. An action plan has been established to guide the transition process and help ensure an effective and orderly transition from the HST to the PST plus GST system […]
Province strengthening anti-money laundering at casinos
Reducing casinos’ use of cash and increasing worker training are among provincial actions underway in response to recommendations to improve anti-money-laundering measures at B.C. gaming facilities. The ministry’s review, released Wednesday, confirmed the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) employs standard and appropriate anti-money-laundering strategies and the Province’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) has the required […]
Human-caused Perry Creek fire 100 per cent guarded
Twenty firefighters and two dozers are continuing to make good progress the fire burning in the Perry Creek area. With forecasted wind gusts expected this week, the Southeast Fire Centre is expecting smoke to increase on the four-hectare Perry Creek fire. Discovered Monday afternoon, this person-caused fire is now 100 per cent guarded. Today […]
Two-hectare fire breaks out near Cranbrook
A two-hectare wildfire has broken out between Cranbrook and Kimberley, but is not threatening any homes. The Perry Creek fire occurred Monday and is considered active, but it is now 25 per cent guarded. Although this is not an interface fire, nor is the fire threatening any structures, smoke from this fire is visible from […]
Cranbrook to host stop on Community Gaming Grant Review tour
People in the West Kootenay have one more kick at the Gaming review can, courtesy of the East Kootenay. BC’s Community Gaming Grant Review will visit Cranbrook for a community forum on Thursday, Aug. 25 at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort. Skip Triplett, appointed last month by Premier Christy Clark to lead the independent review, […]
UK uprisings now, France last year, Vancouver in June not just thugs
It’s the easiest way to dismiss what we see going on: a mindless group of hooligans, drunks and thieves wreaking havoc for havoc’s sake — and for profit.And that’s what the “official” investigations always conclude afterwards. But they’re wrong. There are several common threads that link the disturbances throughout the UK right now, France last year, […]
Solutions sought in BC for the plight of the honeybee
Work is afoot in BC to halt the growing losses of bee colonies in the first industry-wide step to mitigate the epidemic. The Province will be giving $25 million to Genome BC in support of its ongoing research in the attempt to address bee-specific infectious diseases, as well as other issues of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, […]
Pilot project to attract more working families to B.C.
Family members of most temporary foreign workers in British Columbia will be able to work for any employer in the province, thanks to a pilot project launched today. Temporary foreign workers come to Canada to meet the needs of a specific employer who has been unable to find citizens or permanent residents for the available […]
B.C. convenience stores support Healthy Families BC
Convenience stores and gas bars across British Columbia – from Mac’s to 7-Elevens to independents – are partnering with the Province to help make the healthier choice the easy choice. The Healthy Convenience Store initiative is a collaboration between the Province and the Western Convenience Store Association (WCSA). Participating stores will post nutrition information at […]
B.C.’s exports surge 14 per cent in first half of 2011
Led by strong gains to Asia and Europe, British Columbia’s exports for the first half of 2011 are up by nearly 14 per cent compared with first six months of 2010. Figures released by Statistics Canada show that B.C.’s international merchandise exports from January to June were worth $15.9 billion, compared with $14 billion last […]
