The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
Biologist waits on reports explaining Vancouver Island salmon farm die-off
Biologist and salmon activist Alexandra Morton is still waiting to receive reports that show what caused a Vancouver Island salmon farm die-off earlier this summer. Read more…
Do You Have a Special Story to Share from Your Own Backyard?
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Are you concerned about AI? Read the results of that poll here.
VIEW: Blink and you'll miss consultations on BC farmland changes
With changes to the Agricultural Land Commission Act, the B.C. government has grabbed the tiger by the tail and is not backing down. Whether you're a farmer or not the changes will impact you, but does the government really want to hear your concerns? Read more…
New BC gold mine exposes gap in federal oversight
Changes made two years ago to a century-old federal law mean that a giant new gold mine just approved by the province for northwestern British Columbia will get reduced federal oversight -- and risk creating an international flashpoint. Read more…
VIEW: BC the biggest loser in charity chill
British Columbians may be the biggest losers in the chill that has descended upon charities that advocate for public policy issues. Read more…
'No swimming' advisory issued in West Van… is your local beach safe?
This week, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority issued a "no swimming" advisory for three West Vancouver beaches due to high levels of E.coli, which can increase risk of gastrointestinal illness. Read more…
- Health and
- Environment
VIEW: Is PEN the latest target of Harper's selective tax audits?
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) considers the recent news that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is conducting an extensive audit of PEN Canada as further evidence that the Harper government is using the agency to attack its critics. Read more…
New NDP shadow cabinet sees Eby promoted to housing file
More than two-and-a-half months after becoming NDP leader by acclamation, John Horgan put his stamp on the Opposition caucus July 23. Read more…
- BC Politics and
- Housing
VIEW: BC enviro minister wrong on Park Amendment Act
Last weekend, people across B.C. gathered in our provincial parks to celebrate Parks Day and to send a strong message to the B.C. government -- the fight to keep these special places protected from industry is far from over. Read more…
- Energy and
- Environment
BC government chided for failing to archive huge backlog of documents
With apologies to Cool Hand Luke, what we've got here is a failure to archive.
That is the conclusion of a July 22 report by B.C.'s Information and Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, who wrote that 33,000 boxes of government documents are languishing in storage, waiting to be archived. Read more…
Favoured Vision Park Board candidate resigns after pro-masturbation video surfaces
Trish Kelly, favoured Park Board candidate for Vision Vancouver, withdrew from the municipal election race today in a Vision statement. Read more…
VIEW: Are conservative think tanks aiming their big guns at Vancouver city hall?
Are the Fraser Institute and the Manning Centre doing their bit to campaign for a conservative takeover of Vancouver City Hall? Read more…
BC debt hits new record high as Public Accounts released
British Columbia’s debt reached a new record high $60.693 billion on March 31 and contractual obligations are nearing $100 billion. Read more…
VIEW: 'Troubling' isn't the word for it, Mr. de Jong
If cabinet ministers had theme songs, Finance Minister Mike de Jong's would likely be "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen," because when there's a misstep in government it's a safe bet he'll be troubled by it. Read more…
First Nations challenge federal Enbridge decision in court
Heiltsuk and Kitasoo-Xaixais First Nations have filed a court challenge to the federal government’s decision to approve the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline. Read more…
Sayers: How Tsilhqot'in decision puts both treaty process, load on courts, at risk
Hupacasath First Nation member, lawyer and Tyee National Pool contributor Judith Sayers has posted an analysis about why the recent Tsilhqot'in decision trumps treaty negotiations in British Columbia by proving how costly yet largely unproductive they have been for First Nations over the past quarter-century. But she warns that if courts become the new avenue for title claims, they will "definitely grind to a halt." Read more…
VIEW: BC politicians must address rise in precarious temp work
Temporary employment (including contract, seasonal, casual and temp agency work) is on the rise in British Columbia, accounting for 40 per cent of post-recession job creation (2009-2013), and growing more rapidly than permanent jobs. But we should think twice about this type of job growth. Read more…
Vancouver joins growing list of districts cancelling summer school
The B.C. Labour Relations Board may have deemed remedial summer school essential, but their restrictions have made it essentially impossible to deliver for school districts like Vancouver, which announced the cancellation of its summer school program today. Read more…
Mediation ruled out for BC teacher dispute
The BC Teachers' Federation announced today that mediation to end the ongoing teacher contract dispute is out of the question, at least for now. Read more…
- Education and
- BC Politics
Supersonic FOI response from US airports, compared to glacial BC
Because it's a private entity, YVR isn't covered by access to information laws, but some of its American customers are. Their quick responses to a Canadian journalist's freedom of information requests are a welcome breath of fresh air. Read more…
BC administrators want a negotiated teacher deal, too
Principals and vice-principals voices have been conspicuously absent from public dialogue on the strike, but that doesn't mean they don't want a negotiated settlement, too. Read more…
