Kootenay labour market stalled in 2018
According to the CPABC Regional Check-Up, an annual economic report by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC), the Kootenay labour market contracted by 700 jobs or one percent to 71,200 jobs in 2018. The goods sector was entirely responsible for the jobs lost. A slow down in major project development...
BC minimum wage increases June 1
B.C.’s general hourly minimum wage will increase to $13.85 from $12.65, and the minimum wage rates for liquor servers, resident caretakers and live-in camp leaders will all also increase, effective June 1, 2019. Regular increases to minimum wages are one way government is helping to make life more affordable for people, while...
Stung by derailed negotiations with B.C., Blueberry River First Nations return to court
Three-quarters of the nation's territory lies within 250 metres of an industrial disturbance. A potentially precedent-setting court case on this 'death by a thousand cuts' could disrupt B.C.'s multi-billion dollar natural gas industry. By Christopher Pollon, for The Narwhal After almost a year of negotiations...
Interfor to curtail June operations at mills in Castlegar, Grand Forks and Adams Lake
Interfor mills outside of Castlegar, Grand Forks and Adams Lake are to see another production curtailment in the month of June, according to a press release issued by Interfor Tuesday. “Interfor Corporation today announced plans to temporarily reduce production across its operating platform in the BC Interior during the month...
Organizations Press for Stronger Mining Laws
More than 30 organizations from across the province joined together in Victoria on Wednesday to call for major reform to B.C.’s dated mining laws and regulations. Wildsight joined the group to call on the B.C. government to update the rules for mining in the province to ensure protection of clean water, to make sure mines pay...
One River: Ethics Matter Conference, May 30 - 31
Advancing environmental justice and stewardship in the Columbia River Basin is the focus of a conference in late-May that will bring together those interested in pushing for a brighter future on both sides of the Canada-United States border. Selkirk College and the Community Colleges of Spokane are hosting the One River:...
OP/ED: Personal income taxes now much fairer in BC
By Alex Hemingway Changes to personal BC taxes over the past year and a half — including elimination of Medical Services Plan (MSP) premiums—mean the vast majority of households are seeing their tax bills fall while the richest one per cent are paying more. This is good news for tax fairness in BC. Taxes are only part of the...
Op/Ed: Time for BC to regulate gas prices, end gouging by oil companies says CCPA economist
It’s time for BC to follow the Maritime provinces and regulate gas prices to end gouging that has caused gas prices in Metro Vancouver to skyrocket, says a senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives BC Office. “It’s not taxes that are causing the current pain at the pump, it’s industry gouging,” says ...
CRA — Eight things to remember at tax time
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has a few tips that could save you time and money. At tax time, here are eight things to remember: 1. File your tax return Most Canadian income tax and benefit returns for the 2018 tax year are due on April 30, 2019. It's important to file your tax return on time to avoid interest and penalty...
Column: From the Hill -- Invasive Species Action Inadequate
Lost in the recent media frenzy over the SNC Lavalin scandal were the 2019 Spring Reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. These last reports from Julie Gelfand before her retirement focused on protection of fish and their habitat from mining effluent, subsidies to the fossil fuels industry...
