This year's Shambhala a mixed bag, from a policing perspective
Shambhala Festival ended well in terms of crashes and accidents, but there were many arrests, according to West Kootenay TRaffic Services Sgt. John Ferguson. "The West Kootenay Traffic Services and Nelson IRSU are pleased to announce that during the week long Shambhala Festival no reported fatal or serious crashes occurred...
China and B.C. sign wood-frame MOU
Efforts to expand export markets for B.C. lumber took a major step forward Tuesday night with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding designed to increase the use of wood-frame construction in China. Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson and Tan Yueming, Minister of Housing and Urban Rural...
Average Canadian family spends more on taxes than necessities of life
The Fraser Institute The average Canadian family spends more on taxes than on food, shelter and clothing combined, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “If you asked people to name their household’s biggest expense, many would likely say...
Basin Youth to Benefit from Junior Achievement’s Expansion into the Region
This fall, youth in the Columbia Basin will be able to learn about entrepreneurship and the viability of self-employment as a career option when Junior Achievement of British Columbia (JABC) expands into the region. The expansion is possible through a partnership with Columbia Basin Trust (the Trust), which is contributing ...
Talks in BC teachers' strike resume with less than a month before new term begins
The on-again, off-again negotiations in the teacher's strike are, on-again, for now. The provincial government said the resumption of bargaining Friday will resume with the B.C. Teachers' Federation this week. Both sides in the dispute say not much progress is being made. The slow progress has forced the B.C. Confederation ...
City and union no closer to contract today
Despite both parties’ expressed desire to reach an agreement and contract, CUPE Local 2622 and the City of Castlegar’s dueling press releases yesterday seem to indicate an ongoing lack of consensus. (To read the City’s press release, click here, and to read the union’s, scroll to the bottom of this page). Castlegar Mayor...
Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett statement on Mt. Polley Mine accident
Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett made the following statement today in response to the mine tailing pond incident at Mt. Polley Mine: “In the early morning of August 4, 2014, the tailings pond dam at the Mt. Polley Mine site breached and released an estimated 10 million cubic metres of water and 4.5 million cubic...
Government dumps money into BCIT trades training seats
Government is delivering on its commitment in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint to increase access and reduce waitlists for critical trades training seats by adding 272 seats at the BC Institute of Technology (BCIT). Seats will be available to students as early as September 2014. “We want British Columbians first in line for...
Happy Birthday Columbia Valley agriculture association
The name has been changed several times but the commitment to promoting agriculture and rural life has remained the same. The Windermere District Farmers’ Institute and Livestock Association (WDFI) was presented with a Century Farm Award at a Centenary Celebration in Windermere Sunday. The WDFI was incorporated in 1914 under...
Alberta finances comes up short when compared to other energy-rich jurisdictions in North America
By The Fraser Institute Despite a wealth of natural resources and booming economy, the Alberta government’s finances fall short when compared to other energy-rich North American jurisdictions, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The study,...
