A judge will decide whether two private health clinics in Vancouver will be allowed to keep illegally billing customers for services covered by Medicare. The Medical Services Commission has made good on its threat to seek a court-ordered injunction against Cambie Surgeries Corporation and the specialist referral clinic. On July 18th, both clinics … [Read more...]
BC’s Finance Minister warns against axing the Carbon tax
August 15, 2012 by
If BC's Finance minister has his way the Canadian Taxpayers Federation won't get its wish to have the Carbon tax scrapped. Kevin Falcon says "I think scrapping it would be a big mistake first of all because it is effective secondly because it has contributed to significant income tax reductions for British Columbians which has given us the … [Read more...]
Rally planned in Smithers against Pacific Trail pipeline
August 5, 2012 by
First Nations and environmental activists from across the country are meeting Monday near Smithers to protest a new pipeline project. The Pacific Trail Pipeline will carry natural gas from Willow Lake to Kitimat in a project many consider a stepping stone to Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline. Organizer Matt Loewen says the group … [Read more...]
Taxpayers group launches billboard campaign against MP pensions
July 25, 2012 by
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has launched a national campaign on what it calls “lavish” pensions for Members of Parliament. B.C. Director Jordan Bateman says the group has set up five billboards in cities across Canada, including here in Vancouver, that invite people to visit a website to sign petitions and email party … [Read more...]
‘Friends’ speak out against salmon farms
July 19, 2012 by
Environmental activists are calling on the Premier to delay her Government's decision on a proposed salmon farm on the west coast of Vancouver Island. A group called Friends of Clayoquot Sound has written to Christy Clark about Mainstream Canada's proposal for a 55-hectare salmon farm in the Sound. Bonny Glambeck says the Premier should wait … [Read more...]
Adrian Dix urges Premier Clark to take a stand against pipeline proposal
July 10, 2012 by
"Stop being absent without leave and represent BC. That's what people get elected to do – to represent BC." Those words today from NDP leader Adrian Dix as he applies more pressure on Premier Christy Clark to take a stand – on behalf of all British Columbians – against the Northern Gateway Pipeline proposal. Dix says … [Read more...]
BCGEU says petition against privatization of liquor distribution services getting lots of signatures
July 7, 2012 by
The BC Government and Service Employees Union petition against the Province's attempt to privatize liquor distribution services is drawing lots of signatures. "We have got close to 20,000 names on this petition so far." BCGEU Spokesperson Evan Stewart says they are gathering even more signatures... "When you tell people that the … [Read more...]
Tentative deal reached, but teachers’ union continues fight against province
June 27, 2012 by
If you think a tentative deal between the BC Teachers Federation and their employer meant the start of a new relationship between the union and the province, you’d be wrong. The battle is going back to the courtroom – a civil challenge from the union on Bill 22. Lambert says the bill infringes on teachers' charter-protected right to … [Read more...]
NDP calling for united front against Coast Guard closure
June 27, 2012 by
The NDP's public safety critic is calling for the BC Liberals to join them in presenting a united front to Ottawa opposing coast guard cuts.Kathy Corrigan says the federal government is refusing to listen to stakeholders who are telling them, to a man, closing Kits base is a bad idea.Corrigan says it is time for the opposition and the BC government … [Read more...]
More allegations have been levelled against Denny’s Restaurants
June 22, 2012 by
A 10-million-dollar class action lawsuit against the restaurant was certified in March. It was on behalf of about 70 temporary foreign workers, most from the Phillipines, who claim Denny's promised them work, but made them pay recruiting fees and airfare, and then never actually gave them the work. Now, lawyer Charles Gordon says some workers … [Read more...]
