The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
BC creates Jumbo resort municipality despite strong opposition
British Columbia's cabinet has approved the incorporation of a mountain resort municipality in the Jumbo Valley in the East Kootenays, despite much opposition from local First Nations and other residents. Read more…
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Judge rebuffs feds, urges deal with unions on temp worker dispute
What was supposed to be a conference to determine if two British Columbia unions have standing to seek an injunction against a mining company turned into a request by a judge to have the two sides see if they can come to an agreement to avoid further court proceedings on Friday. Read more…
BC trial lawyers withdraw services to draw attention to 'dire' legal aid funding
Starting today, hundreds of defence lawyers across B.C. will refuse to accept out-of-custody criminal harassment (or "stalking") cases referred through legal aid, in an ongoing effort to compel the provincial government to increase legal aid funding and expand legal services for people in need. Read more…
Police use of licence plate scans breaks privacy law: commissioner
British Columbia's information and privacy commissioner has condemned how the Victoria police department uses the information scanned from licence plates on people's vehicles. Read more…
BC conflict commissioner won't hear Clark complaint
Acknowledging there could be a perception he's biased, British Columbia's conflict of interest commissioner has removed himself from hearing a complaint about Premier Christy Clark. Read more…
Independent MLA lacks confidence in conflict commissioner to investigate Clark
Independent MLA John van Dongen today said he lacks confidence in Conflict of Interest Commissioner Paul Fraser's ability to investigate a complaint he made about Premier Christy Clark without the appearance of bias. Read more…
Ottawa courts private-sector funding for new approach to social policy
OTTAWA - The federal government wants to tap into a "gold mine" of private-sector funding to finance its social programs. Read more…
Lobbyists registry lacks record for BC Liberal Party vice president
The Nov. 7 Globe and Mail quotes the vice-president of the British Columbia Liberal Party, former MLA Bill Belsey, saying he is a lobbyist registered with the province, but that claim appears to be untrue. Read more…
BCGEU alleges province bargained in bad faith
The ratification of the tentative agreement for the 25,000-member British Columbia Government and Service Employees' Union's has broken down with the union alleging the government bargained in bad faith. Read more…
Plan now for effective disaster relief: advocates for BC residents with disabilities
With earthquakes shaking B.C.'s north coast and news from the east coast storm catastrophe pouring in this week, an advocacy group for B.C. residents living with disabilities is calling for improved planning for people with mobility issues or disabilities in the case of natural disasters. Read more…
Food bank use in Canada remains well above 2008 recession levels: report
OTTAWA - The number of Canadians depending on charity for food continues to grow, a new study being released today has found. Read more…
Health ministry keeps drug contracts secret
The B.C. Ministry of Health is refusing to release a list of drug research contracts awarded since Jan. 1, 2011, for fear disclosure would harm law enforcement. Read more…
Memorial plaques in Vancouver unveiled to honour missing and murdered women
Family members of missing and murdered women lauded the first of 62 bronze memorial plaques for their loved ones installed yesterday on Vancouver's streets. Read more…
BC health ministry fires sixth person in data investigation
A sixth person has been fired in the ministry of health's investigation that minister Margaret MacDiarmid has said is related to potential conflicts of interest, contracting and responsible data management. Read more…
Council to reform BC justice system, but no promises of new funding or judges
VANCOUVER -- Changes are coming to British Columbia's justice system with a new council to oversee reform and end a backlog at the courts, but it may not mean new funding for judges. Read more…
Thousands pledged to 'bold action' in demo against pipeline and tankers Monday in Victoria
Declaring "B.C.'s coastline is not for sale," thousands of demonstrators pledged to take what the online statement they have signed calls "bold action" are expected to gather at the legislature building in Victoria on Monday, according to organizers at Defend Our Coast. Read more…
Federal cuts to non-Christian prison chaplains 'not just': United Church leader
The federal government's decision to not renew part-time contracts for non-Christian prison chaplains is "not just" and "not right," United Church of Canada leader Gary Paterson wrote in a letter to Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews earlier this week. Read more…
Full text of Canada-China FIPA and Explanatory Memorandum
An analysis by Andrew Nikiforuk of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent dealings with China has drawn intense interest, garnering within several days nearly 7,000 Facebook recommends and tweeted over 400 times. Read more…
Gordon Campbell won’t comment on abuse allegations against Furlong
A federal government spokesperson told The Tyee Friday that former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell, now Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, won’t be commenting on the controversy surrounding John Furlong. Read more…
Court rules BC election gag law unconstitutional despite changes
The British Columbia Court of Appeal has struck down the latest attempt of the government to restrict advertising ahead of provincial elections. Read more…
