March 28, 2024

BC’s Auditor General done in May

BC's Auditor-General will be leaving sooner rather than later. John Doyle is taking a job in Australia, but had argued his current term in BC should expire in October, six years after he began the job. But Speaker of the Legislature, Bill Barisoff,  says Doyle will be done in May. "I can inform the house that the Auditor-General of British … [Read more...]

Sharing policing costs on the North Shore not a done deal

An idea to share West Vancouver Police along all three municipalities on the North Shore seems to have hit a roadblock. Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender says at a regional symposium, the Mayor of West Vancouver poured cold water on the idea, "Well, Mayor Smith from West Vancouver said that at the moment that is not seen as a priority by his … [Read more...]

Opponent of Southlands project fears deal is done

Despite Delta Mayor Lois Jackson's assertion an upcoming vote on plans to develop part of the Southlands will be un-biased, an opponent of the controversial project remains un-convinced. Richard Kunz with the group 'Southlands the Facts' has been speaking out against any residential or commercial development on that land for the past two … [Read more...]

FVRD upset nothing is being done to deal with toxic ash

The Fraser Valley Regional District is leveling some serious accusations at Metro Vancouver and the Ministry of the Environment over hazardous fly ash.  FVRD Chair Sharon Gaetz says initial tests of the ash from a Burnaby Waste to Energy incinerator tested six times higher than acceptable for hazardous waste. She says Environment Minister … [Read more...]

Patient logjams at Royal Columbian Hospital improving, but more needs to be done

  BC's new Health Minister has Royal Columbian Hospital on her priority list.   Margaret MacDiarmid was asked if any progress is being made on reducing wait times, and patient backlogs, not to mention treatment at the New Westminster hospital.   "You know I haven't been there recently but I was speaking with the deputy … [Read more...]

Mayor says bike lane expansion not a done deal, yet

Vancouver's Mayor is defending plans to expand the city's network of bike lanes, but he insists consultations are ongoing. "No decisions yet. We want to understand what kind of costs and what kind of next steps are even possible and feasible right now." Gregor Robertson is responding to critics of a proposal to boost access for cyclists and … [Read more...]

Independent MLA says it is not a done deal to rebuild Burns Lake sawmill

The independant MLA for Cariboo North is warning people living in Burns Lake not to celebrate just yet.  Bob Simpson says it is not a done deal yet to rebuild the town's sawmill noting big challenges.    "So this is being mischaracterized there is no commitment to rebuild the Burns Lake mill the decision will be made by Hampton in … [Read more...]

Top Cop: crime dropping, but work to be done

While national crime rates have dropped significantly over the past 40 years, Vancouver's top cop says there's still lots more work to do. Chief Jim Chu says gangs and property crime rates are higher here than many other cities, but he's pleased general numbers have fallen. "Improved policing is helping drive crime rates down. There's … [Read more...]

Cadieux admits CLBC controversy has done damage

With details emerging that Community Living BC executives will still receive bonuses despite a government promise to the contrary, the minister responsible admits this latest twist doesn't make the government look all that great.Social development minister Stephanie Cadieux admits the Community Living BC salary saga has been a blow to the … [Read more...]

DUI law changes not done yet

The NDP and the Government are sparring once again, this time over changes to the DUI legislation made after the Courts ruled some portions were unconstitutional.  Attorney-General critic Leonard Krog says it remains to be seen if the changes will pass muster in Court, "The fact that they are having to introduce this legislation shows that … [Read more...]