The arrival of April Fools' Day this year may see an end to the Harmonized Sales Tax, but ferry travellers in BC can expect to pay at least four per cent more. Rates are going up, but Deborah Marshall with BC Ferries says frequent users will still be able to access discounts. "What we call the 'BC Ferries experience card' to give residents of … [Read more...]
Some businesses are prepared for PST comeback
March 29, 2013 by
Many small business owners in Vancouver say they are ready for the switch back to provincial sales tax on Monday, even if they're not happy about it. Gerry Lewarne, co-owner of Crocodile Baby on Fourth Avenue, says he has taken the necessary steps to move away from the harmonized sales tax. “Seems okay. There's no real major problem with … [Read more...]
Abbotsford Independent: Awards show a waste of taxpayer money
March 29, 2013 by
The independent candidate in Abbotsford West is demanding the Liberal government return the taxpayer money used to bring the Times of India Film awards to BC. Moe Gill says the 11 million dollars of taxpayer money used to bring the first ever Indian film awards to BC is ethnic pandering at its worst. "I think that, that is the taxpayers money and I … [Read more...]
BC SPCA to leave Island town this weekend
March 28, 2013 by
The Campbell River SPCA is leaving the city after more than 30 years. Both Lorie Chortyk with the BC SPCA and the City's Clerk Peter Whipper says it came down to money but they differ on the details. Whipper says at 218-thousand dollars the SPCA's bid for the city's animal control contract was more than twice that of the winning bid. … [Read more...]
Man pleads guilty in sex worker’s 2010 death
March 28, 2013 by
An Okanagan man has pleaded guilty in the 2010 death of a sex trade worker. The body of Teri-Lyn Williams, 41, was found in some bushes in Surrey on June 9, 2010. Dustin Lalonde, 23, was charged with second-degree murder months later. He has now pleaded guilty, before the start of his trial, in New Westminster Supreme Court. RCMP Cpl. Adam … [Read more...]
First Nations leaders want Safe Streets Act repealed
March 28, 2013 by
Don't make a bad problem worse. That's the message from First Nations leaders and health officials in BC who are calling for the repeal of the federal government's Safe Streets Act. A new report by the provincial health officer says First Nations are already over-represented in prison, and Doctor Evan Adams says the Safe Streets Act will exacerbate … [Read more...]
Letter to the editor in Nanaimo sparks outrage
March 28, 2013 by
A letter to the editor published in the Nanaimo Daily newspaper has gone viral on social media as people express shock over what is being called a racist diatribe. The title sets the tone "Educate first nations to be modern citizens." The letter, written by Don Olsen, uses point form to say among other things First Nations couldn't come up with the … [Read more...]
Yaletown man says policeman struck him
March 28, 2013 by
The man allegedly punched by a plainclothes Vancouver Police officer Tuesday night was treated for a cut lip by Vancouver Fire/Rescue Services. The man was originally detained for riding his bicycle without a helmet and running a red light. Police say the incident, at Robson and Beatty, resulted in the man being confrontational with … [Read more...]
Toothill to run for BC Conservatives
March 27, 2013 by
The BC Conservatives have announced that Ian Toothill will be their candidate in Vancouver-False Creek. Toothill is well known as an advocate for reforming speed limits on BC roads. As well, he was part of a group trying to oust leader John Cummins earlier this year. Toothill tells CKNW "that's all behind us". Toothill will be facing Liberal … [Read more...]
Guilty plea reduces prison time
March 27, 2013 by
Twelve years after the murder of a Vancouver teenager, her killer will finally be sentenced. When he entered a surprise guilty plea earlier this month, Ninderjit Singh learned he faces life in prison for killing Poonam Randhawa in January of 1999. He was caught after a cross-border undercover investigation led police to California where the … [Read more...]
