The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) said there will three separate referendums on December 2, 2023 to gauge approval of a 20-year financing term for the purchase of three new fire engines. The RDCK said in a media release that the  referendums are for new fire engines will serve the North Shore Fire Service, […]

A bylaw amendment to prohibit controlled substance use from city parks finally passed into law, but not without some debate and opposition. On Tuesday night during a special meeting City council passed the Parks Bylaw amendment, but the lines between the mandate of the municipality and the purview of the Provincial government were crossed. Nearly […]

A steep rise in the reporting of violent incidences from regional district workers has municipal government staff ‘strongly’ pursuing legislation to protect people in the workplace. Through its last meeting (Aug. 17) the Respectful Behaviour Bylaw was brought forward by Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) staff to impose obligations upon the RDCK to act […]

People throughout the province are reminded to stay safe from the impacts of poor air quality due to wildfire smoke and check on family and friends who may be at risk. Those with pre-existing health conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart disease or diabetes, people with respiratory infections, pregnant people, infants […]

Local organizations will continue to deliver programs that improve people’s quality of life thanks to nearly $61 million in Community Gaming Grants for human and social services, says New Democrat MLA Katrine Conroy. “Organizations providing services like childcare and social supports are crucial to our community,” said Katrine...

Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison stood with his Conservative Party to vote against the federal budget implementation bill Thursday in the House of Commons. By a vote of 177 to 146, Bill C-47, the Budget Implementation Act, 2023, No. 1, passed the final stage in the House as both the sitting Liberals and NDP voted in favour....

Last August, a dozen teenagers with shovels and pickaxes dug a meter wide “non-combustible” layer around Kaslo City Hall. It was difficult, dusty physical labour in the August heat, but they were passionate about protecting such a gorgeous building from wildfires. Kaslo City Hall is an historic Kootenay gem with a stone...

West High Yield (WHY) continues its efforts to further its application for a permit to go ahead with the next phase of its proposed magnesium mine on Record Ridge.  The Ministry has accepted the WHY application for a permit, but has not approved it.  The review process has just begun. Local residents should be aware that...

Decriminalizing hard drugs is not a solution. On May 30th last year, the federal government announced it would grant the BC government’s request for an exemption from the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. What followed was less enforcement, more opioids (heroin, morphine, and fentanyl), crack, meth and cocaine on our streets...

Support for oil and gas projects is often justified on economic grounds: they fuel the economy and create jobs. But do those arguments hold up? Even leaving aside the enormous costs of climate-related disasters such as flooding, drought and increasing water scarcity, and pollution-related health impacts and premature deaths,...