BC's Environment minister says the province is taking a wait and see approach to the Kinder Morgan trans-mountain pipeline expansion. Terry Lake says at the moment all they can do is wait because there really aren't many concrete details. "Well the Kinder Morgan proposal is at this stage not really a proposal in that it hasn't gone in … [Read more...]
Costs to province and municipalities for new RCMP HQ still a mystery
October 11, 2012 by
As mounties get set to move into their new $ 1.2 billion headquarters in Surrey both provincial and local governments remain in the dark about how much of the bill they will foot. Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender says the cost sharing between Ottawa, the province, and municipalities was supposed to be settled in negotiations. But with four … [Read more...]
Fire danger still high in parts of the province
October 6, 2012 by
There may be frost in the forecast for the Lower Mainland, but dry weather has BC’s Wildfire Management Branch warning conditions are still prime for wildfires. Fire Danger Ratings for parts of the province, including the Lower Mainland, are still high to extreme. In Whistler, fire danger is so high the municipality is continuing the ban on … [Read more...]
Province works on plan to clean up tsunami debris
September 25, 2012 by
The province has laid out the next phase of its plan to deal with incoming debris from the Japanese tsunami. Environment Minister Terry Lake says staff are now working with coastal communities and First Nations to determine exactly how they're going to monitor and clean up what washes ashore from last year's disaster. Lake says about one and a half … [Read more...]
BREAKING: Province announces reduced tolls on Port Mann Bridge
September 12, 2012 by
The province has announced tolls on the new Port Mann Bridge will be slashed to one dollar and fifty cents for the first three months, starting in December. They'll go up to three dollars in the new year. However, should you register your vehicle by the end of February, that discount will stay in place through December, 2013. Jordan Bateman … [Read more...]
Province wants ICBC to reduce costs
August 16, 2012 by
The provincial government has completed its review of ICBC, making 24 recommendations to help reduce costs. Among them, cutting the number of managers and reducing managerial compensation to levels seen in 2008. Between 2007 and last year, ICBC saw a 41-percent increase in the number of senior managers and a 29-percent increase in managers, while … [Read more...]
BC’s Finance Minister says province on track for a surplus budget
August 7, 2012 by
While the next budget is months away BC's Finance minister sees a glimmer of hope in the direction the provincial economy is taking. When asked if the economy is improving enough to see some flexibility come next springs budget Kevin Falcon said. "Well I think the good news coming out of public accounts that I reported out in July … [Read more...]
Province moves to cut compensation at Crown corporations
July 25, 2012 by
The province has unveiled new rules aimed at curbing lavish compensation for Crown corporation executives. Effective immediately, compensation for current executives will be frozen, and moving forward, the province will go to a pay-holdback model instead of a bonus system. That means up to 20 percent of their salary will be held back and paid out … [Read more...]
BCMA members agree to new deal with province
July 24, 2012 by
Members of the BC Medical Association have voted 92 percent in favour of a new four year master agreement with the provincial government. More than three thousand members took part in the vote. Health Minister Mike de Jong says the deal will improve patient access to family doctors and provide funding for recruitment. "It allows us to collectively … [Read more...]
Province spells out conditions for pipeline approval
July 23, 2012 by
The provincial government has outlined its requirements for approval of any heavy oil pipeline, such as the Northern Gateway project proposed by Enbridge. They include the completion of the environmental review process and implementation of world-leading marine and land oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems. BC's first nations … [Read more...]
