LETTER: Reconsider leasing land agreements
Recently three prominent conservation organizations: Ducks Unlimited, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and the Nature Trust of B.C. were highly critical of the B.C. Liberal Government’s agenda of increasing grazing leases from 10 years to 20-25 years. The criticism was directed at range tenures that included the lands ...
Avalanche centre warns about high risks this season
After four avalanche fatalities in the past six days, the Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) is urging backcountry users to make cautious and conservative decisions while in avalanche terrain. “We’ve been dealt a pretty troublesome snowpack this season and our terrain choices need to reflect that fact,” explains Karl Klassen,...
COMMENT: Horsemeat -- Unsafe for Human Consumption
Horses are not raised according to the food safety protocols required of food animals. The wide array of highly toxic medications they are commonly administered convinces me that horsemeat poses an unacceptable risk to the health of those who consume it. In the hopes of legislating severe restrictions on Canada’s horse...
OP/ED: Water metres -- not that scary
I was surprised at the reaction the public has had towards water metres. Not floored, change is uncomfortable and there is almost always a backlash. What surprised me is how vehement and ongoing the reaction has been. I’ve been fortunate enough to have travelled quite a bit and lived in many parts of the world. In most places...
LETTER: Who’s Paying Attention to the WHO?
For years many people have wondered about the effects of electric and magnetic fields (EMF) on human health. More recently, these concerns have extended to radiofrequency (RF) exposure from wireless technologies like cordless phones, cell phones, cell phone towers, GPS devices, “smart” meters, and WiFi. In 2011, the WHO...
UPDATE: Perry Ridge logging protestors have change of heart
Two Perry Ridge protestors didn't spend a long time in jail after agreeing to signing undertakings not to return to the site. Marilyn James and Dennis Zarelli were arrested for failure to comply with an injunction issued the day before. The two were jailed after not agreeing to sign an undertaking that they would not return...
NTDA join colleagues across province in vote to take strike action
More than 300 teachers from the Nelson and District Teachers Association are in the process of casting ballots to vote on taking strike action. The NDTA teachers join almost 41,000 teachers eligible to cast votes as the B.C. Teachers Federation looks to put pressure on the government as the two sides bargain a new contract....
Silver Alert needed in BC
It’s time for B.C. to implement comprehensive measures to help locate and protect missing seniors with dementia, says Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville. On Tuesday, Robinson introduced the Silver Alert Act in the legislature. The bill would create a program which would alert the public of a missing person who...
LETTER: Rethink water meters
Dear Editor, Water is of utmost significance to all of us. We are vulnerable if we don't have access to clean affordable water. So, water is worth thinking and talking about. Following are some points I wish to share for consideration: Control the water, and you control the people. Water is needed for survival. And, water...
COMMENT: Income splitting
During the last federal election, Stephen Harper promised that the government would introduce an income-splitting proposal, after balancing the federal budget. Income splitting has the worthy objective of making it easier for two-parent families to choose to have one parent work, or work part time, in order to spend time...