Why Canada needs to be global leader in protecting freshwater
It’s a luxury to not think about water. Most Canadians watch it flow from the faucet and go down the drain without considering its source or destination. When we do think about water, it’s only about where the nearest tap is. Many people in the world don’t have taps. Over 1.2 billion people experience critical water shortages....
Letter: Preventing catastrophe in BC's freshwater
To The Editor: Dear Minister Heyman: It was a pleasure to meet with your Assistant Deputy Ministers, Jennifer McGuire and Jim Standen, on August 22, 2018, regarding the imminent threat that zebra and quagga mussels pose to British Columbia's freshwater ecology, native fish species, infrastructure, economy, tourism, beach...
From the Hill - MP speaks to wildfires
It’s now official — 2018 has just become British Columbia’s second worst forest fire season in history, second only to last year. Residents have endured weeks of heavy smoke, some have been evacuated from their communities, and some have unfortunately lost their homes. Businesses have suffered as tourists leave or stay away,...
Op/Ed: Keeping people safe, and protecting our communities through the wildfires
By John Horgan For the second year in a row, our province is in a state of emergency. People, business and communities in every part of B.C. have been affected, and many remain under evacuation alerts and orders as over 550 wildfires continue to burn. Our government is doing everything we can to support firefighters and...
Letter: Time to start rolling electricity prices back
To The Editor: Recently FortisBC made a public statement that they would not be increasing the price of electricity in 2018, because they cared about their customers. Let's judge that statement on its merits. Why, we must ask, is the Company currently before the BC Utilities Commission asking for an increase in the Basic...
Op/Ed: Wildsight comments on Columbia River Treaty negotiations
By Wildsight Representatives of the Canadian and American federal governments met on August 15th and 16th for the second round of negotiations to update the 54-year old Columbia River Treaty. The meetings were held, not in Ottawa or Washington, but in Nelson, in the Canadian Columbia River Basin. The treaty between the two ...
Letter: Lowering the Bar on CO2 Emissions
To The Editor: I don’t know if lowering the bar on carbon emissions is a Canadian thing; like being polite – we don’t want to hurt feelings or loose our competitive edge. If we look at the sad case of Sweden, who in 1991 introduced a carbon tax of $44 (Can.) per tonne and is now over $200(Can.) per tonne, we can see the...
Ten invasive species spread through outdoor recreational activity in Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) hopes people are enjoying the outdoors and connecting with nature this summer, but at the same time is encouraging them to help control the spread of invasive species. The not-for-profit, private land conservation group is highlighting 10 invasive species that can be spread as a result...
Op/Ed: Buy BC First, says BC Premier
By John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia This B.C. Day long weekend, let's take time to enjoy food, friends and family. Let's also celebrate the farmers, producers, and local businesses who provide quality food and drink grown right here in B.C. B.C. farmers grow fresh, local food delivered to us at farmers’ markets, grocery...
OP/ED: National lobby group calls for Victoria to give BC Interior a tax break
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the provincial government to give interior residents a break by cutting fuel taxes, fixing ICBC and axing the Employer Health Tax (EHT). With many interior businesses depending on long haul trucking, tourism and shipping, the high cost of fuel and fuel taxes are punishing...
