A greener business and better market access are just two of the benefits B.C. fruit growers will have through the $5-million Tree Fruit Market and Infrastructure Innovation Initiative, announced today by B.C. Agriculture.The B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association is now accepting proposals from all tree fruit associations, companies...

Two companies have been signed to launch the province’s Smart Metering Program across B.C. later this year — with a regional office announced for Cranbrook.B.C.-based Corix Utilities will install the 1.8 million meters to homes and businesses across the province. International company Capgemini will provide project implementation...

The revival of mining in British Columbia was underlined Monday with the release of exploration spending figures for 2010 that were more than double the amount for 2009.Speaking at Mineral Roundup 2011, Minister of State for Mining Randy Hawes revealed $322-million was spent on mineral exploration last year. This represents...

The Provincial government is reporting that over 100 actions have been completed or are underway in response to the March 2009 Working Roundtable on Forestry.  Examples of progress in response to roundtable recommendations include: • Twenty-seven local governments have adopted Wood First resolutions, bylaws or policies requiring...

BC Hydro is now maintaining water releases from Revelstoke Dam at or above 142 cubic metres per second, the first time a minimum flow has been maintained at the dam. Although the level was recommended by the 2007 Columbia River Water Use Plan, four years of data collection on the mid-Columbia river productivity are now being...

Camping fans can now start their warm weather vacation planning in the cold of winter with more reservable sites to choose from and a new, earlier opening date for the BC Parks Discover Camping reservation service. The virtual doors are now open to book reservations – available for the first time online – for all group campsites...

A pilot program will look at the viability of establishing weekend meat slaughter inspection in the North Okanagan.Okanagan Poultry Producers is a mobile processing facility that works with up to 60 smaller-scale farmers from all across the North and Central Okanagan, and the Columbia Shuswap and Grand Forks region to slaughter...

National historic site Fort Steele is getting a $160,000 boost from the sale of a Scottish locomotive that is returning to the United Kingdom. Proceeds from the sale, supported by the Friends of Fort Steele Society, will be invested back into Fort Steele Heritage Town, located 16 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook, strengthening...

So the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan drama is about to come to a head Wednesday with the Harper government’s decision on whether or not to approve the takeover bid by Australia’s mega corporation BHP Billiton.  Most are predicting that Harper will cave under the pressure from Brad Wall, Saskatchewan Party premier and...

It’s quite a come down. From in-your-face arrogance to a total retreat in a matter of a few months, the big money behind Quebecor’s determination to set up a Fox news North is now looking pretty humble.There’s no doubt that part of this is overreach on the part of Pierre Karl Peladeau and his junkyard-dog front man Kory...