All posts by Guest Post

Health

BC Halts Construction of Seven Long-Term Care Facilities

By Michelle Gamage, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

British Columbia is pausing construction on seven long-term care facilities as it searches for a way to reduce building costs.

The pause was announced as B.C. released its annual budget on Tuesday. During question period on Wednesday, Health Minister Josie Osborne said construction was being stopped while the province searched for ways to build the beds for less than $1.8 million each, which is what it currently costs. 

Seven long-term care facilities in Abbotsford, Campbell River, Chilliwack, Delta, Fort St. John, Kelowna and Squamish have been put on hold indefinitely. Osborne said the projects are not cancelled. 

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Politics

History-making nine-question referendum punts Alberta into unprecedented territory

By George Lee, The Macleod Gazette, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Editor’s Note: Light profanity appears in a direct quotation in this story.

A nine-question referendum announced by the premier Thursday charts new territory for direct democracy, as the government looks to define and entrench an Alberta approach for dealing with immigration and Ottawa.

The United Conservative Party (UCP) initiative appears to feature the most — and most complex — federal or provincial questions ever asked on a single referendum ballot in the country’s history.

The electorate’s participation will help the government shield Albertans from an intrusive Ottawa and its potentially harmful policies, Danielle Smith said during a televised and streamed address.

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Animals

Celebrating Women in Science: Laurel Bohart

Originally published by the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, University of British Columbia

By Ildiko Szabo

On February 11th, UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum is honouring Laurel Bohart (Née Dick).

A graduate of the University of British Columbia with a BSc in Zoology (1977), Laurel went on to earn a Master’s degree in Museum Science, with a minor in Ornithology, from Texas Tech University (1980). Through her work as a taxidermist and science educator, she has played an important role in preserving scientific knowledge and making it accessible to diverse audiences.

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Politics

Area C Director’s Report: roads advocacy & SRD committee news

From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

Hello,
This report is a round-up of info on road concerns & related advocacy, SRD committee news, and a bit about kelp.

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Indigenous Nations

Cowichan decision is ‘rock solid law’, won’t affect private landowners, UBC expert says

By Alex Walls, UBC News

The recent Cowichan decision was ‘rock solid law’ and concerns about effects on private property are unfounded, according to a new UBC paper.

In this Q&A, author James Hickling, adjunct professor in the Peter A. Allard School of Law, discusses the evidence in the case and identifies ways to move forward that benefit everyone.

Continue reading Cowichan decision is ‘rock solid law’, won’t affect private landowners, UBC expert says →