March 18, 2024

Environment minister pans idea to hike carbon tax

As a number of environmental groups call for a hike in the carbon tax BC's Environment minister says the idea is interesting but the timing stinks. Terry Lake says he appreciates the case made by the group, led by Tides Canada, but to hike the carbon tax now is simply not the right time. "We need to make sure that we are, again, making those steps … [Read more...]

2013 brings hike in transit fares

Happy New Year! Transit fares are going up. Adult one and two-zone fares will be twenty five cents more,  and three zones will cost you an additional fifty cents. For a monthly pass, one-zone is up ten dollars to 91 dollars, a two-zone pass costs 124 dollars, 14 dollars extra, and those needing a three zone pass will have to shell out 170 … [Read more...]

Adrian Dix withholding judgement over BCTF drive to hike taxes for education

The leader of the NDP is withholding judgement on the BC Teachers Federation seeking a jump in taxes to pay for education improvements. Adrian Dix was asked where he sits when it comes to hiking taxes to pay for hiring teachers  "The education system today is funded with tax money everyone understands that is the case under the current … [Read more...]

Surrey was aware of RCMP pay hike

  We're now learning that the municipality with BC's largest RCMP detachment had some indication mounties would receive a pay raise. This, despite Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts claiming last week that she was "shocked" to learn Ottawa had approved wage increases. The City of Surrey now admits it received budget estimates from the RCMP in the early … [Read more...]

Not all bad news regarding RCMP wage hike

Municipalities might not be on the hook for as much as they thought when it comes to the unexpected pay hikes for the Mounties.  Kelowna Director of Financial Services, Keith Grayston, says budget projections from E-Division did provide a warning, and a buffer, "There was a 1.5% amount that was included as a salary increase; there was an … [Read more...]

BC’s Attorney General is pressuring Ottawa for clarification of RCMP wage hike costs.

BC's Attorney General is pressing the federal government for more details on raises for the RCMP that could prevent some municipalities from signing on to a new 20 year contract with the force.  Shirley Bond says she understands that some mayors are reluctant to sign the 20 year deal before the April 30th deadline after being blindsided by … [Read more...]

Large fare hike rejected for Translink

  No fare hikes for Translink commuters who use the fare saver books, but cash fares may go up. The regional transportation commission has decided to reject Translink's application for supplimentary fare increases in 2013. Transportation commissioner Martin Crilly says the decision means fare increases are limited to Translink's basic … [Read more...]

Bus drivers seek pay hike

  Contract talks for most bus drivers and transit mechanics in Metro Vancouver start Tuesday.  Don Macleod, who heads up C-A-W local 11, says the 46-hundred workers are seeking more money and improved benefits from the Coast Mountain Bus Company, a subsidiary of Translink. "......We do think it's realistic and we do think that our members … [Read more...]

Boston Pizza to hike payout to investors

VANCOUVER - Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund (TSX:BPF.UN) says it will increase its monthly cash distributions to unitholders by seven per cent.The new rate of 9.8 cents per unit, which goes into effect for the February distribution, was announced ahead of the fund's financial report on Friday.The previous rate was 9.2 cents per unit.The fund … [Read more...]

No pay hike equals no deal: B.C. teachers

VANCOUVER - British Columbia teachers say they won't accept any new contract that doesn't include a pay hike.The B.C. Teachers' Federation release its wage demands Tuesday, asking for 15 per cent in pay increases over three years, after more than five months of limited job action that has seen teachers refuse to perform a handful of tasks.The … [Read more...]