Municipal Politics
BC snuffs out AirCare test program
By May 25, 2012 10:21 am 12 commentsThe BC government is shifting gears on the AirCare program with a plan to phase out tailpipe testing of light cars and trucks at the end of 2014 in favour of focusing on heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Read more…
Genetically modified plants won't take root with councillors in Richmond, BC
By May 23, 2012 09:35 am 7 commentsRICHMOND, B.C. - Richmond City Council says engineered crops and plants have no place in the gardens of Metro Vancouver. Read more…
Vancouver Public Library says City will foot bill for labour lawyer
By May 9, 2012 05:35 pm 3 commentsThe statement comes as part of an ongoing dispute between VPL management and unionized library workers, who were upset by hour reductions for 19 part-time workers and the library's decision to contract prominent lawyer Kim Thorne of Roper Greyell to handle collective agreement negotiations on management's behalf. Read more…
Filed inIn protest of library staff cuts, VPL workers will leaflet writers fest
By May 4, 2012 10:39 amUnionized workers at the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) are feeling the bite of $500,000 worth of planned staff hour cuts, which union members plan to protest by leafleting the May 9 Vancouver International Writers Festival at the VPL, said Alexandra Youngberg, president of CUPE Local 391. Read more…
National forestry organization urges caution on BC land use changes
By April 30, 2012 10:07 am 3 commentsThe national organization representing foresters and other professionals is urging the British Columbia government to be cautious about making any changes to how public forests are managed. Read more…
Northern mayors warn Burns Lake timber solution may harm their communities
By April 27, 2012 05:38 pm 5 commentsMayors of five northern communities have written to Premier Christy Clark expressing concern that finding enough timber for a new mill in Burns Lake may harm the long term sustainability of the places they represent. Read more…
As feds 'sell' CETA, BC's Bell says he can't talk about trade agreement
By April 27, 2012 10:41 am 6 commentsThe British Columbia government is barred from talking publicly about a proposed free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union, Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell told The Tyee this week. Read more…
Whistler council stands up to northern pipeline project
By April 10, 2012 08:25 am 9 commentsSpeaking up for tourism, Whistler council is taking its politics to a whole new level — unanimously opposing the Northern Gateway pipeline. Read more…
Forum aims to help local politicians make 'progressive' change
By March 28, 2012 03:40 pmA two-day conference starting Friday will bring together B.C. politicians, policy-makers, educators and others who are at the cutting edge of social change -- and finding that edge close to home. The range of workshops at The Future Is Local Civic Governance Forum, to be held at Harrison Hot Springs, reflects various hot button issues local public officials face these days, said Charley Beresford, executive director of The Columbia Institute, which is putting on the event. Read more…
Cabinet minister blames Elections BC for delay on local election changes
By March 5, 2012 06:38 pmThe cabinet minister responsible for local government is blaming Elections British Columbia and the recall initiative for the failure to make changes to the running of municipal elections.
But an EBC official said the agency had no qualms about the timing and was ready to do its part. Read more…
BC spent nearly $50,000 to host mayors and councilors at UBCM party
By February 27, 2012 07:31 am 4 commentsThe British Columbia government spent nearly $10,000 on wine for people who attended a reception at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention for the province's mayors and councilors in Vancouver in September, 2011. Read more…
Filed inCouncillors in Terrace, BC, vote to oppose Northern Gateway project
By February 15, 2012 03:08 pm 8 commentsTERRACE, B.C. - One of the largest cities in northwestern British Columbia has officially joined the opposition to the Enbridge Inc., (TSX:ENB) Northern Gateway project. Read more…
MLA vows to fight BC plan to use farm land for foreign trade zone
By February 6, 2012 05:00 pm 3 commentsThe British Columbia government is likely eyeing precious agricultural land in the Lower Mainland for one of two proposed foreign trade zones, said independent Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington. Read more…
Supreme Court sides with B.C. community in tax fight with paper company
By January 20, 2012 04:33 pm 8 commentsOTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an appeal Friday by a paper-making company over the property taxes assessed by a British Columbia community against one of its mills.
The court sided with the district of North Cowichan on Vancouver Island in a tax dispute with Catalyst Paper Corp. (TSX:CTL) which had argued its taxes were too high because they bore no relationship to the municipal services it actually used. Read more…
Filed inAddict turned expert says mainstream view of addiction needs rethink
By January 19, 2012 12:05 pmThe way that North Americans think about drug addiction is "mistaken, nasty, and stupid," says Dr. Peter Ferentzy, a Toronto-based addiction specialist and a recovering "crackhead." This Sunday, Ferentzy will be touting his book and speaking about Canadian drug policy at a lecture in Downtown Vancouver. Read more…
DTES tenants being squeezed by gentrification, says new report
By December 14, 2011 02:39 pm 1 commentsLow-income residents of the Downtown Eastside are being squeezed out of affordable housing by "rapacious" real-estate development, warns a Vancouver anti-poverty group in a report released today. Read more…
Occupy Vancouver leaves art gallery, moves to courthouse
By November 21, 2011 07:23 pm 3 commentsOrdered by the B.C. Supreme Court to shut down the tent city, Occupy Vancouver protesters packed up their belongings and left the grounds of the art gallery today -- only to resettle at the provincial courthouse on the other side of the block. Read more…
Abbotsford P3 water project rejected by voters
By November 20, 2011 12:19 pm 3 commentsA controversial public-private partnership deal for an Abbotsford water works project was rejected in a city referendum this Saturday. Read more…
Filed inCity election app struggles to interest voting Vancouverites
By November 18, 2011 10:21 amThe Vancouver Votes app was released on Oct. 27 to encourage more people to vote. By Nov. 14, it had only been downloaded 1,000 times, though the city has 400,000 registered voters. Read more…
Filed inBC consulting on changes to carbon neutral plan
By November 17, 2011 10:00 pm 3 commentsThe British Columbia government is consulting on its policy of requiring public bodies to be carbon neutral, said Environment Minister Terry Lake. Read more…
The next page contains:
'Extreme challenges' for agricultural land commission, says delayed report
Mayoral homelessness debate a sham: DTES residents
Occupy Vancouver tent dweller wins Last Candidate Standing contest
Mayor says woman's death means Occupy Vancouver must be shut down
Province could override local pesticide rules, says committee chair
BC submitted revised RCMP contract proposal
Owner of 'infamous' properties running for Victoria council
Occupy Vancouver meeting mulls details of upcoming rally
Province welcomes mayoral vote to raise taxes for Evergreen line
Minister wants 'more compact' RCMP proposal from BC, says Bond
COPE throws support behind New City Market
Pesticide committee appointment worries environmental campaigner
Foe of 'eco-fascists' to chair cosmetic pesticide committee
Provincial police force might be cheaper, says Premier Clark
Clark commits $30 million for recreation centres, encourages 'circle of love'
Local government most important level, Green leader tells UBCM
UBCM to vote on for-profit healthcare moratorium
Dix criticizes Clark's municipal auditor general proposal in UBCM speech
Municipal election issues: 'Finance, finance, finance': Walton
Provinces can decide on RCMP contract offer, say feds
The page after that contains:
Feds have threatened to withdraw RCMP from BC, says Bond
Municipal auditor general law coming this fall, despite UBCM concerns: Chong
Routine HIV testing to be introduced at Vancouver hospitals
Vancouver's new sex-trade strategy praised by advocacy group
A peek inside city hall's 'Stanley Cup Citizen Feedback' file
‘You wonder why the public is upset?’ Riot revisited at City Hall
Vancouver Canucks riot update: 3 reports, no charges
Broader arts initiatives may have mitigated risk of riot, says group
Another Liberal MLA fired up by Metro Vancouver plan to incinerate trash
'Time out' for Cumberland's big culture fest
City approves sweeping homelessness and housing strategy
Boost in B.C.'s red light cameras to reduce rising traffic fatalities: province
VANOC's Furlong to co-chair riot review
$38 million supportive housing project breaks ground in Vancouver
Video shows riot 'kissing couple' mowed down by police
Mayor, top cop finger-pointing wrong, says anarchist
Cleaning up the mess: you're invited
Health care lacking for homeless BC youths
Vancouver restaurants, bars rake in the cash, cities shovel it out
Former MLA to make Saanich council announcement
On The Hook
I will be your Hook editor for this week. But although my particular focus at The Tyee is education, youth issues, and a little bit of poverty and homelessness, we will still be bringing you the latest news from across British Columbia and the country. Count on updates about the student strikes in Quebec, the latest news about oil and gas developments that directly affect this province, local, provincial, and national politics, and more. Stay tuned.
-- Katie Hyslop
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The Hook Most Recent
BC snuffs out AirCare test program
AFN national chief Shawn Atleo to launch re-election bid
Citizens group releases video to fight undead Bill C-30
Conservative MP says he might vote against budget, then 'clarifies' his position
Genetically modified plants won't take root with councillors in Richmond, BC
The Tyee Most Recent
New Price Tag on Adult Ed Success
Province to charge for courses immigrants, other late graduates, say are key to getting ahead.
Exel's Long March to Control BC's Liquor Distribution
Eying huge stakes, 2009 internal strategy memo cited firm's 'strong relationship' with Minister Coleman.
What the Lucky Owe the Rest
Are we a society that cares for one another? Taxes are a key measure.
Jumbo-friendly Bill Creates Municipality without Residents
Kootenay area politicians angrily scratching their heads.
From Financial Advisor to Occupier
Suresh Fernando left his high-rolling finance job to join the revolution. As told to Colleen Kimmett.