Understanding Universal Health Care Reform Options: Private Insurance
Every high-income country with universal health care allows private medical insurance to cover some necessary health-care costs, except Canada, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. Currently, the provinces prohibit or severely restrict the ...
Op/Ed: B.C. Liberal trade critic launches tweet missiles, shoots himself in the foot
You likely missed them, but on December 30, B.C. Liberal MLA and trade critic Ben Stewart launched two tweet missiles. They were duds. Stewart's first tweet: “Just confirmed Premier Horgan is shutting down ALL BC Trade offices in Asia immediately! Is it budget pressures or anti Free Enterprise policies shutting the door on ...
Former BC Gov was warned about criminal activity in casinos
An explosive Global News investigative report today says that the RCMP warned the former BC Liberal government about serious criminal activity infecting the province’s gaming sector. Former Crown prosecutor Sandy Garossino said the RCMP report “shreds the credibility” of former Solicitor General Rich Coleman’s explanation for...
RHC Insurance acquired by Hub International
RHC, a leading independent insurance brokerage in the Kootenay region, will join Hub International Insurance Brokers. Headquartered in Nelson, BC, RHC, has nine additional offices throughout the Kootenays. Tammy Darough, CEO and CFO of RHC, will join Hub International Insurance Brokers, in an advisory role to ensure a seamless...
Fracking ban warranted to protect some of British Columbia’s biggest dams, FOI documents reveal
Fracking should be immediately banned close to BC Hydro’s two existing Peace River dams as well as the Site C dam construction project until a full public inquiry determines whether a comprehensive ban is warranted, the BC office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says. The CCPA issued the call today after reviewing...
Nelson’s SMRT1 Technologies brings vending machines into the future
Jesse Cole, The Nelson Daily They’re in our recreation centres, our high schools and our workplaces. Vending machines have become a staple of western culture, but imagine is they could do something more than just provide a can of Coke or a bag of Chips. That’s exactly the idea that Brad Pommen, the founder of SMRT1 Technologies,...
Op/Ed: What’s next on corporate crime and remediation agreements?
By Jennifer Quaid; originally published in The Conversation About a year ago, the SNC-Lavalin controversy introduced Canadians to a new way of settling criminal charges — remediation agreements. Added to Canadian law via a budget bill in June 2018, the system was put to the test almost immediately when SNC-Lavalin sought a ...
2020 Property Tax Assessments are in the mail
In the next few days, owners of more than 147,500 properties throughout the Kootenay Columbia region can expect to receive their 2020 assessment notices, which reflect market value as of July 1, 2019. "The majority of Kootenay Columbia home-owners can expect an increase when compared to last year’s assessments," says Deputy...
New Year Brings New Tax Changes
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is releasing its annual New Years Tax Changes report Friday, with the major change for B.C. coming in the form of a health tax shift. “While we finally get to drop the Medical Services Premium and fully switch over to the Employer Health Tax, taxpayers need to remember that we are all still...
Canadians donating to charity drop to 20-year low
The amount Canadians donate to charity—as a percentage of their income claimed on their taxes — has hit a 20-year low and lags far behind the amount Americans give, finds a new study by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “The holiday season is a time to...
