Waneta expansion project effects to be monitored
The effects of the massive Waneta Expansion Project on the communities of the greater Trail area are now being scrutinized by a socio-economic monitor, named to the project this week.The partners in the Waneta Expansion project — Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation, and Columbia Basin Trust — announced the hiring of Cathy...
New provincial employment centres to be created
The Province is creating new employment centres which will make it easier to help people find work and provide stability for their families. The new Employment Program of BC was developed after consultation with stakeholders across B.C. over the past three years. The proposed employment centres integrate all of the services...
Help for patients with complex chronic diseases
A $2-million provincial clinical and research study will help patients with a variety of complex chronic diseases, such as chronic Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome, with screening, diagnosis and treatment. There is a variety of debilitating complex chronic diseases where the cause is unknown, but where...
New Conservative Party leader tentavely chosen
The new provincial leader of the Conservatives could be a former federal MP. John Cummins appears set to be acclaimed as the new leader of the B.C. Conservative Party. No other candidates entered the race by the deadline Tuesday night, but he has not yet been officially declared the new leader of the party. It's expected...
Earth Hour trumps 2010 savings by two times
By turning off the lights for one hour between 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, British Columbians saved 117 megawatt hours of electricity and reduced the provincial electricity load by 1.8 per cent during Earth Hour — almost twice as much as in 2010. Power saved during Earth Hour was the equivalent of turning off about 7.8...
B.C. government to hold earlier HST vote under Referendum Act
British Columbians will have an earlier vote on the HST than previously scheduled and it will be conducted under the authority of the Referendum Act. The Referendum Act ensures a simple majority vote will determine the outcome of the referendum. Further details on the referendum will be finalized by an order-in-council, but...
BC Hydro rate increases not as high as expected: Coleman
The planned BC Hydro rate increases over the next few years won't be as high as expected, according to the province’s Energy Minister. When the increases were first announced earlier this year, BC Hydro had said rates could soar by 10 per cent in each of the next three years. The company has embarked on a $6-billion plan to...
Gaming grant money to be returned to community groups: Clark
More than 2,000 non-profit community groups across BC will see part of $15 million in new grant funding restored to them, the province’s premier announced Thursday. Christy Clark said the restoration of funding will bring over 500 organizations back up to historical funding levels, including youth arts and culture groups;...
New HIV cases drop among those who use injection drugs
New cases of HIV among people who use drugs by injection (IDU) in BC continue to decline. According to a new report released Thursday by the provincial health officer, entitled Decreasing HIV Infections Among People Who Use Drugs by Injection in BC, there are a number of factors that contributed to the decrease in new HIV...
Nothing to fear from radiation in BC
Although small levels of radiation from Japan that have made their way over to the west coast of North America, there are no health risks to British Columbians due to radiation from the Japanese nuclear power plant, says the province’s health officer. Dr. Perry Kendall said Wednesday people do not need to worry about any...
