Canada-wide changes proposed by Canada Post that will see local mail rerouted from rural communities to sorting centres in cities have drawn the ire of local NDP Member of Parliament Alex Atamanenko (BC Southern Interior). “This completely defies all logic,” said Atamanenko. “In this riding, the result will be that some letters will travel over […]

Canada Post is standing by a decision to ship local Castlegar mail over 1,200 kilometres (round-trip) for sorting in Vancouver, even if it’s only being mailed a couple of blocks. This, despite the condemnation of union representatives and political leaders. Colleen Frick, director of communications for Canada Post, explained the move won’t impact customers or […]

Leave it to the NDP to introduce a Private Members Bill that I believe will not only be devastating to the Canadian economy but also one that is seemingly based on inconclusive science. Bill C-311 requires the Canadian federal government to set regulations to attain a midterm target to bring green house gas emissions 25  […]

To oppose Bill C-311, a climate change legislation passed in the House of Commons on May 5, you must first reject the concept of climate change… so let’s start there, shall we? Can you find scientists to debunk the current modern reality that is climate change? Sure you can! You can also find scientists who’ll […]

Issues like community risk assessment and dispute resolution took centre stage May 3 and 4, at the second meeting of the province’s Industrial Taxation Steering Committee in Victoria. Castlegar mayor Lawrence Chernoff, who serves on the committee, said the meetings are moving forward quickly as a result of tight timelines. “It’s really a broad stroke […]

A public hearing this Monday, essentially forced by new provincial legislation, is providing an opportunity for city staff and council to discuss environmental goals and initiatives with residents. The hearing, which will be held at the Community Forum at 6:30 p.m., is the result of new legislation passed at the provincial level. “The province passed […]

My colleague, Nathan Cullen MP – Skeena-Bulkley Valley recently issued the following Op-ed which I would like to share with you. Days after the Deepwater Horizon offshore oilrig blew up off the coast of Lousiana killing 11 workers, British Petroleum assured the public that they would contain the leak quickly. They were wrong. The leak […]

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) marks two milestones this year; a 15 year anniversary combined with a $15 million Delivery of Benefits budget.  “It’s hard to believe it has been 15 years since myself and other founding board members were present in the BC Legislature signing the CBT Act; the organization has done a lot of growing since that day,” said […]

The month of May brings forth memories of war for those of Dutch descent. Memories of invasion and freedom. My mother was only five-years-old when the German soldiers took control of her homeland, Holland, on May 10,1940. Five years later, on May 5, 1945, the country was officially liberated by Canadians. For many Dutch immigrants […]

When I saw B.C. was taking a hard-line stance against impaired driving, I wanted to cheer …I was delighted. Turns out, I should’ve reserved judgment until I had more of the facts. I’m all for throwing the book at recidivistic drunk drivers – in fact, I think it should’ve been done years ago. Why wait […]