Op/Ed: Wayne’s World – Ottawa
As we approach the sixth month anniversary of the October 19 federal election I want to provide you with a brief summary of life in Ottawa as your Member of Parliament. Let’s start with legislation. Three of the more significant bills have been the legislation to cut income taxes for the middle class, which for the Liberals...
Andrew Weaver's 'Bye Bye Jumbo Resort' Bill?
BC's lone Green Party MLA, Andrew Weaver, has been busy lately. He has proposed Bill M214 — Local Government Amendment Act, 2016, which would amend the Local Government Act by repealing parts of Section 8. Those parts were passed by the BC Legislature in 2012, apparently for the sole purpose of creating more favourable...
City takes action to address unsightly nuisance property on main drag
The City of Castlegar is taking steps to address an unsightly and potentially dangerous property on Columbia Avenue, after a report offered at council's regular meeting Monday night by Director of Planning and Development Phil Markiin. “The 1067 Columbia Avenue property consists as one business constructed in 1950 and formerly...
City budget presentation offers highlights of 2016 budget and five-year financial plan
In a public open house Tuesday night at the Community Forum, the city unveiled its 2016 budget and five-year financial plan. City Director of Finance Andre Buss offered a presentation describing the city's three strategic priorities: Infrastructure Management and the maintenance of municipal infrastructure; the development ...
Rossland Wins Community Voters' Challenge
Before the 2015 federal election, local communities entered into an agreement to try to improve voter participation, and called it the "Community Voters' Challenge." Whichever community most improved its percentage of eligible voters who actually voted in the election would be declared the winner. Rossland won the challenge...
Average tax hit nudges above $4,000 as the bill comes due for Nelsonites
The taxation toll will be deep for Nelsonites when the bill comes due this spring. In addition to the property taxes the corporation of the City of Nelson levees, there are several other taxes that will impact Nelson households as the cost of residing within city limits will be rising. The total bill will rise to just over ...
Mayor urges residents to attend city budget/financial plan unveiling
The City of Castlegar is announcing a public meeting to unveil the 2016 budget and the 2016-2020 five-year financial plan - and the mayor is strongly urging residents to attend. The city’s financial plan includes decisions about general operations, water utility, sewer utility, airport operations and a new proposal to create...
Second phase of Hall Street project gets loaded in the barrel
The second phase of the multi-million dollar Hall Street project might still be in the development stage, but it won’t be staying there for long, says the city’s mayor. Mayor Deb Kozak said the Hall Street “Stores to Shores Revitalization Project” — which began last year with phase one — is not considered complete until phase...
'Is your life is better off than it was prior to this budget' — MP Wayne Stetski
Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government stood true to election promises after the Liberal Finance Minister Bill Morneau tabled a budget that forecasts big deficits over the next five years. However, the $10 Billion promise ballooned to $29 Billion Tuesday when Morneau itemized the budget for Canadians, which concerns Kootenay/Columbia...
Trail's new bridge to be named 'Columbia River Skywalk'
Columbia River Skywalk is the name that has been selected for the Pipeline/Pedestrian Bridge that is currently being constructed and will span the Columbia River from Rotary Park (west) to McQuarrie Street (east) in Trail. The name, submitted by Trail resident Glenn Schneider, was among the 80+ suggestions that were submitted...
