The agency in charge of running elections in British Columbia has asked the RCMP to take over its review of allegations involving indirect political contributions. Elections BC says the Mounties are better suited to investigate whether the B.C. Liberal party violated the Elections Act.
Category: Joe Handley
Lumber battle brewing with U.S., Emerson says
Some tactics have changed, and the opponents have upped their armament and rewritten some rules to their liking, but the war is the same. That was the assessment Wednesday from David Emerson, B.C.’s trade envoy to the U.S. on softwood lumber, after an initial tour of the battlefield.
Six stories in the news today, March 7
A report from the Mental Health Commission says more money for child and youth services would boost Canada’s economy and patient health. The commission, which bills its findings as a tool to help provincial and territorial decision-makers, says more than 7.5 million Canadians face mental health issues, with a price tag of $50 billion a year – or nearly 14 hundred dollars a person.
Human rights, cyber security to be part of Canada-China free trade consultations
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, introduces Chinese Premier Li Keqiang after speaking to a business luncheon Friday, September 23, 2016 in Montreal. The federal government wants Canadians to air their concerns about China’s human rights record as part of broad consultations on a possible free trade deal.
Company that pays for blood donations eyes Kelowna for clinic
Canadian Plasma Resources, a for-profit, Ontario-based company, pays donors between $25 and $100 per donation in the form of Visa gift cards. “We have plans to come to B.C., but we don’t have a timeline yet for this,” said Barzin Bahardoust, CEO of Canadian Plasma Resources.
Dramatic photos show asylum seekers crossing into Canada
Heartbreaking photos show asylum seekers flooding into Canada from the US across unmanned borders every day amid fears of Trump’s crackdown on immigration As of February 13, some 3,800 people had made an asylum claim in 2017, up from the same period last year Heartbreaking photos show asylum seekers flooding into Canada across unmanned borders every day from the United States amid fears of a Donald Trump presidency. The number of asylum seekers crossing into Canada at isolated and unguarded border crossings has increased in recent weeks as many believe Trump will start expelling illegal immigrants.
Donald Trump on a slippery slope over Russiagate cover-up
Washington: There hasn’t been a crash-through-or-crash presidency such as this since Richard Nixon.But while the Nixon administration took more than three years to get to Watergate, it seems that after just weeks in office, Donald Trump is already on the slippery slope. Premier Andrews to tighten MP entitlements Tightening of MP entitlements will be rushed through state cabinet on Monday after the city-based speaker and deputy speaker resigned after claiming cash for living on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Justin Trudeau has gambled on the reelection of B.C.’s liberal government: Hebert
The vote on May 9 will be the first real test of the prime minister’s policies on climate change and energy development. B.C Premier Christy Clark speaks to a crowd attending an Erase Bullying in Sport event in Burnaby, B.C., on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.
Four Americans Dead In Australian King Air Crash
The five were on a twin-engine Beechcraft Super King Air that crashed about 45 minutes before the Direct Factory Outlet mall in suburban Essendon was to open, Police Minister Lisa Neville said. “Five on the aircraft and looks like no-one has survived the crash”, said Victoria police assistant commissioner Stephen Leane, AFP reported.
B.C. unveils three-year mental health plan
The B.C. government has committed $140 million in its pre-election budget to increase mental health services for young people, to deal with an increase in cases. The three-year budget is to hire 120 mental health practitioners to work with young people, create “up to 28” specialized substance-use care beds for young people and provide an online counselling service for “youth who are struggling with mild to moderate mental health or substance abuse challenges,” according to a statement from the health and children and family development ministries.
Anna Bligh and the Bankers’ Association
On reflection, however, she does know something about politics and she does know something about the economy . More importantly, having come through the Labor side of politics, she should have good inter-personal and negotiation skills.
B.C. and Ottawa reach $1.4-billion mental health and home care deal
Federal Health Minister Jane Philipott and B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake announced a 10-year, $1.4-billion agreement for better mental health and home care. Of that, $785.7 million will go to home care infrastructure and $654.7 million will go towards mental health initiatives.
LETTERS: Tracking our political leadership
Hooray! Another big step taken toward the rail-relocation goal. Thanks to Todd Stone, B.C.’s transportation and infrastructure minister, for his letter of support to Marc Garneau, federal minister of transportation, for the next step of moving the railway line off our beautiful beaches on this peninsula.
’60s Scoop survivor skeptical of gov’t move
Not everyone’s cheering last week’s announcement that the federal government plans to negotiate a countrywide settlement with those affected by the ’60s Scoop. While he remains open to the possibility that it might end up leading to positive things, Stewart Garnett remains skeptical.
Imam says speech re-tweeted by J.K. Rowling came from his heart
Police officers stand guard next to a building housing a mosque Tuesday, January 31, 2017 in Quebec City. Six people were killed and another 19 were injured when a gunman attacked the Centre Cultural Islamique de Quebec.
Shock, security, concern: Winnipeggers react to Quebec City mosque shooting
Philippe Simon was watching a movie at home with his children when he looked on his phone and saw friends posting on social media about a shooting at a mosque located just down the road. The former Winnipegger lives in Quebec City’s Sainte-Foy neighbourhood where six people were killed and eight wounded after shots were fired inside the Islamic cultural centre of Quebec on Sunday evening.
Ontario Tourism’s new boss looks ahead with lessons learned
Lisa LaVecchia, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation’s chief marketing officer, is taking over leadership of the government agency as its president and CEO on Jan. 30. She brings a considerable amount of marketing experience to the role, joining OTMPC in 2013 after serving as director of retail marketing for Indigo. Prior to that, she was director of new media and marketing for the Office of the Premier in Ontario.
Ontario Tourism’s new boss looks ahead with lessons learned
Lisa LaVecchia, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation’s chief marketing officer, is taking over leadership of the government agency as its president and CEO on Jan. 30. She brings a considerable amount of marketing experience to the role, joining OTMPC in 2013 after serving as director of retail marketing for Indigo. Prior to that, she was director of new media and marketing for the Office of the Premier in Ontario.
VIDEO: 65 proud new Canadians
A bunch of proud new Canadians are waving their red and white flags after taking the Oath of Citizenship this week in Kelowna. A total of 65 local residents became official Canadian citizens on Wednesday at a joy-filled ceremony held at the Rotary Centre of the Arts.
Le Pen’ risk at centre stage in Europe
Investors in Europe wait anxiously for the results of a series of elections in leading countries as populist parties grow in popularity This is the question on the lips of many investment strategists and market commentators as election fever grips Europe’s vulnerable single currency area, with crucial presidential and parliamentary ballots in at least three of the five largest economies in the euro zone. The unexpected decision by Britain to vote to leave the European Union and the upset victory of Donald Trump in the United States presidential election have emboldened populist and nationalist parties across Europe, doing wonders for their transformation from extremist groups to mainstream parties.
Bravo, you saved $4: Why your New Year’s Eve fill-up to avoid…
While the rest of Canada was quietly stocking up on champagne and sparklers for the New Year’s countdown, in Alberta and Ontario there were long lineups as drivers queued for one last fill-up before 2017. The reason? New climate change legislation that, once in force on January 1, would jack up fuel prices by about five cents per litre.
Foxground bypass open to traffic in early 2017a | Video, photos
Major progress: The new Princes Highway through Foxground under construction looking north toward Gerringong. The current highway is on the left.
Trudeau promises two emergency towing vessels for West Coast
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says two emergency towing vessels that were promised as part of a federal plan to protect Canada’s oceans will operate on the West Coast. The vessels will help the coast guard tow large commercial ships that are in distress and pose a hazard to navigation and the marine environment.
What’s with the road toll love-in?
There is no doubt Canadians are going to pay more for infrastructure over the next decade, but tolls are the wrong way to do it. It’s easy to see the allure of road tolls.