The Consumers Association of Canada is warning people to brace for higher prices after the federal government hiked import duties on some countries, including China. President Bruce Cran says it is a certainty people will see the price of goods go up. "That is going to cost I believe something like 300-million dollars and the thing that … [Read more...]
US Federal judge finds National Security Letters’ gag provision unconstitutional
March 15, 2013 by
Woo, boy. You know those National Security Letters that the FBI has been issuing at its own discretion -- the ones Google has been doing its best to track? Judge Susan Illston of Federal District Court in San Francisco just found 'em unconstitutional. As the story goes, NSLs arrive from the factory with a gag order on the recipient, and as Illston … [Read more...]
Dates set for Federal Court Judicial Review of HD Mining jobs
March 1, 2013 by
It's another legal loss for the operators of a new underground coal mine in northern BC. A Federal Court judge has authorized a judicial review sought by two building trades unions into the federal program letting HD Mining hire more than 200 Chinese employees for work that may have been done by Canadians. The three-day review … [Read more...]
Vancouver city councillor: land titles show Kits Base property is federal crown land
February 23, 2013 by
After the Department of Fisheries and Oceans told CKNW the land the Kits Coast Guard base sits on is owned by the province and leased to the federal government, a Vancouver city councillor says that doesn't match the information he has. Councillor Kerry Jang. "I did some looking around and I found in all documents I could find that it is actually … [Read more...]
President of Treasury Board staying mum on upcoming Federal Budget
February 23, 2013 by
The President of the Treasury Board isn't giving any hints on what could be included for British Columbians in the upcoming 2013 Federal Budget, expected to come down in March. Tony Clement heard what's important to locals from the North Vancouver Board of Trade at a roundtable held Friday. He says part of that discussion included talk about … [Read more...]
Federal Tories defend sudden Coast Guard base closure
February 22, 2013 by
The federal government continues to defend the closure of the Kitsilano Coast Guard base. At an announcement in North Vancouver, Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose insists safety will not be affected by the base closing – which happened without warning on Tuesday. Ambrose says the decision to drop $ 6-million in Newfoundland the next day was … [Read more...]
Vancouver Island North MP quits federal Conservative caucus
February 15, 2013 by
Vancouver Island North Member of Parliament John Duncan has resigned from the federal Conservative government caucus today. Duncan also gives up his job as Aboriginal Affairs minister. He released this statement today to explain why. “In June of 2011 I wrote a character reference letter to the Tax Court of Canada on behalf of an … [Read more...]
Federal anti-spam legislation worries Surrey Board of Trade and non-profits
January 26, 2013 by
Surrey's Board of Trade is urging the Federal Government to be careful with anti-spam legislation. They say Board business will be affected, along with charities and not-for-profit organizations trying to contact the public. Under the proposed legislation, they will need to get permission from recipients before sending mass emails. Minister of … [Read more...]
Unions taking Federal Minister to court
December 22, 2012 by
Unions are heading back to court over claims HD Mining is refusing to follow a judge's order to turn over documents relating to the hiring of temporary foreign workers. And unions say Federal Human Resouces Minister Diane Finley isn't even aware of what's going on in the case involving a new mine in northern BC. BC federation of labour … [Read more...]
Federal Government to stop growing medicinal marijuana
December 16, 2012 by
The Federal Government says it intends to ban individuals from growing medical marijuana in their homes. Growing the green stuff in a private home is a fire hazard -- that seems to be the main justification by Health Canada in a release following the Government's announcement that it plans to outlaw medical marijuana patients from growing their own … [Read more...]
