No injuries after Teck incident last night
While some residents may have been alarmed by an incident at Teck Cominco last night, spokesperson Catherine Adair says there is no cause for concern, despite sirens and what appeared to be smoke coming from the mill. "Shortly after 9 p..m., the Lead Smelter experienced an unplanned local power outage," Adair said. "This...
Government announces Selkirk faculty ratification of new agreement
More than 500 BCGEU faculty members at Okanagan and Selkirk Colleges have ratified new agreements under the B.C. government’s 2014 Economic Stability Mandate. Following local ratification by union members and college boards, the Post-Secondary Employers’ Association board provided the final ratification for the settlements ...
Ktunaxa Nation trains youth for jobs in forest industry
It wasn't that long ago that forest was BC's number one industry. Well the industry appears to be making a comeback as employment opportunities are on the rise for trained and skilled forestry workers. But since the downturn in forestry in the Kootenays, many a youth have moved on to jobs in the oil and gas or mining industries....
Government creates program to help low-income energy customers
Premier Christy Clark has announced that government, in partnership with BC Hydro and FortisBC, is expanding energy-efficiency programs to help customers, particularly those on low-incomes, reduce their electricity and gas bills. Updates to existing low-income programs will nearly double the number of eligible customers and...
Trail issues release saying boundary extension one step closer
The City of Trail is one step closer to extending its boundaries into Columbia Gardens (Electoral Area A). As of Wednesday, July 2, the city has officially received support from the property owners in the proposed extended region. As directed by the province, a letter was sent to all residents who would be impacted by the ...
Unilever takes on Planet Bennu in fight for 'sicle' name
On planet Bennu there are no bullies. Unfortunately, here on Earth, vernacular like Kleenex, scotch tape, popsicles, Xerox and Mickey Mouse are owned by corporations that have no problem protecting the words they invented. And that’s why Starcicles owners Rain Shields and Daniel Carlson are down to their last dime. They...
Average Canadian family pays big bucks for healthcare says Fraser Institute study
The Fraser Institute A typical Canadian family with two parents and two children will pay up to $11,786 for public health care in 2014, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The study, The Price of Public Health Care Insurance, helps Canadians...
Broadband the key to economic development in the Koots
One thing everyone seemed to agree on at the Community Futures Economic Development Forum held in late May was that the economy is shifting towards broadband dependent industries. And that local communities need to adapt and keep up. Community Futures Central Kootenay hosted and organized the conference at the Prestige Lakeside...
Dutch health care system embraces private insurance, outperforms Canadian system
The Fraser Institute Despite similar costs, the Dutch health care system features shorter wait times than the Canadian system with similar to superior outcomes, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The study, part of a series of Fraser Institute...
Today is the day Canadians can begin to work for themselves
Feeling a little more relaxed today (Monday, June 9)? The Fraser Institute said Canadians should as Monday (June 9) is Tax Freedom Day for the average Canadian family, one day later than in 2013. Tax Freedom Day measures the total tax burden imposed on Canadian families by the federal, provincial and local governments. If you...
