The provincial government is making what it calls a common-sense change to liquor policy to allow charities to auction off gift baskets that contain some alcoholic products. Minister responsible Rich Coleman says the current rules are out of date. "I don't think even when the law was probably written people were as much into wine and collection of … [Read more...]
Controversy surrounds government committee looking in Burnaby hospital woes
October 25, 2012 by
The NDP's Health critic says internal emails show a supposedly unbiased government appointed committee looking into problems at Burnaby hospital is anything but, "I think what this committee has done is really stunk up the process around Burnaby hospital." Mike Farnworth says looking over the emails there were a number of immediate alarm … [Read more...]
Despite what the Premier said her government is working with mayors on transit funding
October 23, 2012 by
The same day Premier Christy Clark said Translink funding is the mayors problem, the chair of the mayors council was talking with the Transportation minister. Richard Walton says he left the discussion with Mary Polak feeling hopeful a solution to long term sustainable transit funding can be found. "Absolutely I got a sense of hope and I think … [Read more...]
Children and youth representative says BC government spends less on mental health programs than it claims
October 20, 2012 by
BC's Representative for Children and Youth is disputing figures from the provincial government -- over the amount of money spent on mental health programs. The minister responsible -- Stephanie Cadieux -- claims $ 94 million are spent each year to address concerns. But Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond isn't buying that number. "I think they spend closer … [Read more...]
Once again, dealing with Government is not easy
October 17, 2012 by
The Province quietly tabled the transition rules to return to the Provincial Sales Tax when the HST is phased out at the end of March next year. The 22 page document is pitched as a general description of the transition rules to re-institute the PST. It, in essence, runs through a variety of scenarios for services which, with rare … [Read more...]
Government says it’s taking action on domestic violence
October 10, 2012 by
The BC government says it's taking action to reduce domestic violence. It's released a so-called "Action Plan" in response to a scathing report by the Child and Youth representative into the 2008 murders of three children in Merritt by their father. The plan calls for training more than 20-thousand professionals on addressing domestic violence over … [Read more...]
NDP crying foul over timing of new government ad campaign
October 6, 2012 by
The NDP caucus chair is questioning the timing of a new government ad campaign. Shane Simpson says the commercials come just weeks after the finance minister announced seemingly strict measures aimed at reducing spending. "Months before an election... the government is prepared to spend without much care for whether it's responsible spending or … [Read more...]
Court says government fixes to elections ‘gag law’ still unconstitutional
October 4, 2012 by
Free speech advocates are applauding a ruling by the BC Court of Appeal that says no to government changes to an election-campaign spending law. A court has again ruled the B.C. law on third-party advertising before an election is unconstitutional. The BC Supreme Court struck down the law in 2009, on a challenge by the teachers union. The province … [Read more...]
Dix pleased government scrapping plans for privatizing liquor distribution
September 30, 2012 by
BC NDP leader Adrian Dix says it's a positive the government has come to a tentative deal with the BC Government and Service Employees' Union. "It's always good when agreements are negotiated and I think it shows in all negotiations it takes two to negotiate and it's always a good thing when things are resolved at the bargaining table." Dix says … [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...]
