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...]
Board of Trade says final transition rules for the return of the PST are still MIA
October 9, 2012 by
The return to the PST is just months away and the Surrey Board of Trade says businesses are still waiting for final transition rules from the province. CEO Anita Huberman says the rules need to come now, not later. "We have been waiting. We are having a PST educational transitional plan to educate our business community but these rules … [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...]
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...]
Kinks still being worked out for Compass card
October 3, 2012 by
If you pay cash to use the transit system, you could be in for a surprise when the Compass card launches. The electronic, pre-paid pass will soft-launch late this spring or early summer, but Translink still hasn't figured out how to accomodate riders who pay by coin on a bus and need to transfer to Skytrain. Right now they're given a paper ticket … [Read more...]
Votes by Licensed Practical Nurses still yet to be counted in union battle
October 1, 2012 by
With two unions battling over licensed practical nurses, the counting of ballots LPN's cast back in June, still, has yet to start. BC's Health Minister Margaret Macdiarmid was asked if she has concerns over the three months and counting in getting LPN's ballots tabulated. "You know I know that this issue is with the … [Read more...]
Family of murdered Surrey teen still looking for answers one year after her death
September 28, 2012 by
The family of a murdered Surrey teen is renewing the call for anyone with information to come forward, on this, the first anniversary of Maple Batalia's death. The murder of the popular 19-year-old stunned the community. Batalia - studying at the SFU campus in Surrey, was shot to death, in the parkade. Her family's holding a vigil Friday night at … [Read more...]
School District’s fate still unknown
September 20, 2012 by
One day after CKNW reported the New Westminster School District has a deficit of more than 2-million dollars, the Ministry of Education isn't yet indicating what consequences if any the Board may face. Minister Don McRae was unavailable for comment, but in an e-mail, the Ministry says in these situations, it works with the District to develop … [Read more...]
Metro and FVRD still at odds
September 14, 2012 by
The war continues to grow between Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Regional District. At issue, plans to build a new garbage incineration facility. To put it simply -- the FVRD doesn't want anything to do with it. Board Chair and Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz says the environmental consequences would be too severe. To make … [Read more...]
City of Vancouver Still working to get Parking Meters to Accept New Coins
September 12, 2012 by
The upgrades to the parking meters started before the new coins began circulating in April and should finally be complete this week. Up to a million dollars from the city's capital budget has been set aside to upgrade the meters but the final price tag? City spokesperson Jerry Dobrovolny's not saying: "it's not insignificant and we know it's … [Read more...]
