The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
RCMP in 'holding pattern' on data allegations, waiting on BC health ministry
The RCMP is waiting for more information from the British Columbia government before it can decide whether an investigation is needed into allegations that came out of the health ministry in September. Read more…
Do You Agree with BC’s Decriminalization Rollback?
- Yes
- No
- Tell us more…
Do you have a special story to share from your own backyard? Read the results of that poll here.
Shell oil sands project violates treaty rights, First Nation argues
A First Nation at the heart of Alberta's oil sands region says it has not been properly consulted by government or industry about Shell's proposed Jackpine Mine expansion. Read more…
Ottawa spends $3 million to battle First Nations child welfare case
OTTAWA -- The federal government has been billed more than $3 million for its unsuccessful attempts to keep a high-stakes battle over First Nations child welfare out of the courts. Read more…
Victoria group starts legal fund ahead of pipeline protest
A Victoria environmental group is starting a fund to help activists with legal costs they may face as a result of their actions. Read more…
New BC lieutenant governor donated to BC Liberals
British Columbia's new lieutenant governor, Judith Guichon, has twice donated to the B.C. Liberal Party. Read more…
'UN spends too much time on itself,' Baird tells General Assembly
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird delivered a scathing rebuke Monday to the United Nations, taking to the podium at the General Assembly to scold the UN for its failures and inefficiencies. Read more…
Tory crime agenda fuelling 'crisis' of aboriginal women in prison: report
The swelling ranks of aboriginal women in the federal prison system amount to "nothing short of a crisis," says a report commissioned by the Public Safety Department. Read more…
UBCM delegates vote in favour of decriminalizing marijuana
Delegates at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities voted in favour of a motion supporting the decriminalization of marijuana. Read more…
Dead Oregon inmate suspected in Highway of Tears killing: RCMP
RCMP say they believe a deceased Oregon inmate is responsible for at least one of the murders in British Columbia's so-called Highway of Tears investigation. Read more…
Try eating on $26 a week, challenges anti-poverty group
Raise the Rates, a poverty advocacy group based in Vancouver, is challenging B.C. politicians and citizens to eat on $26 per week for one week in October.
The Welfare Food Challenge is aimed at raising awareness about inadequate welfare rates in the province. Last year, NDP MLA Jagrup Brar took on a Raise the Rates challenge to live on $610 for a whole month, and reportedly lost 26 pounds in the process. This year, the group is challenging more people to do just one week on a "welfare diet." Read more…
- Rights + Justice and
- Food
Incident leads to resignation of BC Premier Clark's chief of staff
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark has replaced her chief of staff Ken Boessenkool following investigation of "an incident of concern" that happened two weeks ago. Read more…
Land, Trade and Democracy Conference in Vancouver this weekend
This weekend, a group of Colombians living in Vancouver together with supporters including local NGO CoDevelopment Canada are organizing a conference and discussion entitled Land, Trade and Democracy. There will be a keynote speech on Friday, September 21st and a day of workshops and panels on Saturday, September 22nd. Both events will take place downtown. Read more…
Researcher seeking damages after 'vague' suspension from health ministry
One of the people the British Columbia ministry of health recently suspended without pay is suing for wrongful dismissal and defamation. Read more…
On #Occupy anniversary in NYC, new tactics on both sides of police barricades
One year after Occupy Wall Street put income inequality on the global political radar, the movement is showing some organizational maturity. Read more…
Health minister MacDiarmid confirms fifth firing morning after
This morning Margaret MacDiarmid, British Columbia's health minister, said she could confirm there's been another firing in her ministry but she remains limited in what she could say about the ongoing investigation. Read more…
Health ministry fires fifth person in data, contract investigation
Another longtime government employee has been fired as part of a health ministry investigation related to contracts and data management. Read more…
Lack of drug data is blocking important research
Researchers with the Therapeutics Initiative need to have their access to data restored as soon as possible, says Jim Wright, the managing director of the University of B.C. pharmaceutical research group. Read more…
Fired health ministry employee 'mystified' by dismissal
Ron Mattson, one of the four people fired by the health ministry last week, today released a statement saying he's "mystified" by his dismissal. Read more…
BC unleashes independent police watchdog on RCMP and civilian police forces
VANCOUVER - Starting Monday, police incidents in British Columbia that end in fatalities or serious injury will be investigated by an outside agency. Read more…
Cabinet shuffle may spur changes to local elections
Changes to how local governments are elected in British Columbia may be back on the provincial government's agenda now that Bill Bennett has been reappointed as the minister for community, sport and cultural development. Read more…
