The New Democrat MP for Surrey-North is blasting the Federal Conservatives over planned cuts to the public service. It's a move that would see more than 40 front-line RCMP staff lose their jobs in BC. Jasbir Sandhu says it goes against the Tories, Tough on Crime agenda, "These are front-line workers that provide support to the RCMP officers to do … [Read more...]
BREAKING: BC deficit up; government plans spending cuts
September 13, 2012 by
BC'S finance minister has released the government's fiscal update for the first quarter. The deficit for the current fiscal year is projected to be higher than expected. Falling natural gas revenues are blowing a hole in the provincial budget. The deficit for this year now pegged at 1.14 billion dollars. That's 173 million dollars more than … [Read more...]
Mayors to weigh in on coast guard cuts
September 11, 2012 by
The Union of BC Municipalities' 2012 convention will be getting underway in a couple of weeks, and the province's mayors will all be weighing in on cuts to the coast guard. A resolution set to go before the convention calls on mayors to petition the federal government to maintain the current levels of staff on watch year-round at five marine … [Read more...]
BC Ferries cuts back
August 22, 2012 by
BC Ferries is cutting more weekend sailings on the Tsawwassen-Duke Point route. The cuts take effect when the fall schedule resumes in October. The first sailing on Saturdays will be 7:45am from either side, with the last boat leaving at 3:15pm. BC Ferries' Deborah Marshall claims it's in response to customer feedback. "We certainly hear from … [Read more...]
RCMP cuts ties with psychologist Mike Webster
August 10, 2012 by
He's been an outspoken critic for years -- now the RCMP appears to be cutting all ties with police psychologist Mike Webster. Dr. Webster says the national police force has advised his patients the RCMP will no longer cover any bills associated to his services. Their argument? That Webster's public views of the force have weakened his ability to … [Read more...]
BC’s Environment Minister asks Ottawa to rethink Coast Guard cuts
July 2, 2012 by
BC's Environment Minister has told the federal government the recently announced Coast Guard cuts should get a rethink. Terry Lake is concerned about the Coast Guard response to an environmental emergency on the water, should one unfold. "We have been calling on them to take another look at the reductions that we have seen … [Read more...]
MP expresses concerns about coast guard cuts
June 19, 2012 by
He may have voted for the Tories' massive budget bill, but one Conservative MP says he still has concerns over cuts to the coast guard.In a statement released yesterday, Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney repeats his earlier concerns over the downsizing of marine communication centres along the coast, as well as the closure of the Kitsilano … [Read more...]
Canada-wide protests planned over cuts to refugee health care
June 17, 2012 by
Several groups representing healthcare workers are set to protest looming cuts to refugee medical care tomorrow, as part of a national day of action. Ottawa is set to slash refugee healthcare service as part of changes made to its interim federal health program. Nurse practitioner Sonja Rietkirk is one of many healthcare workers planning to … [Read more...]
Boating safety offices next in the line for federal government cuts
June 14, 2012 by
The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees says the federal government is closing boating safety offices in BC. Pacific Region director Dave Clark says the offices supply safety courses, licences, and safe operation advice. "Boating safety is actually going off to Ottawa I guess this is one more of their bringing boating … [Read more...]
Coast Guard cuts hang over launch of Vancouver salmon fishing season
June 2, 2012 by
Vancouver salmon fishermen are returning to the water for another season. A departing fleet was blessed as they left from Vancouver’s fishermen's wharf – in the shadow of impending cuts to the Kitsilano Coast Guard station. Irvin Figg with the fishermen's union was quick to blast the move. "It seems like it doesn't matter who's running … [Read more...]
