By Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Paul Finch’s union is about to become a landlord.
The BC General Employees’ Union hopes to start building a 292-unit housing development in Burnaby next year, and at least 50 per cent of the units will rent at below-market rates. The building will also include new offices for the union.
Continue reading How High-Priced Housing Became a Union Issue
By Chadd Cawson, The Columbia Valley Pioneer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
‘Tis the season that we all go a little batty – at least with Halloween décor – to either scare away or entice trick or treaters as October 31 creeps up.
While black bats may be part of Halloween decorations in windows and doorways, big brown bats are the species of winged marvels that can be found flying or hanging around the unceded territories of the Secwépemc and Ktunaxa Peoples and the land chosen as home by the Métis Peoples of B.C.
Continue reading Going batty: big brown bats
By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
The historic Sunny Brae Farm had one of its best growing seasons to date, but the local farm faced challenges with help during the harvest.
Sunny Brae Farm was founded in 1888 by Scotsman John Manson, one of the first Europeans to settle on Cortes Island. The farm has remained in the Manson family through the generations and is now owned and operated by John Manson’s grandson, Mike Manson.
Mike Manson also describes his family and Cortes Island history in: The Manson Family: One of Cortes Island’s First Settler Families and How People’s Attitudes Towards Nature Changed
Continue reading 134 year old Sunny Brae Farm had strong growing season, but struggled to find enough helpBy Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Vancouver Island union local is behind a letter that sparked an investigation into David Eby’s NDP leadership campaign and complaints from disqualified rival Anjali Appadurai of a double standard.
BC NDP chief electoral officer Elizabeth Cull said she spent weeks investigating the source of the letter, printed on United Steelworkers’ letterhead, that urged members to join the NDP to support Eby’s leadership bid.
Continue reading Why the NDP Cleared a Union Local’s Pro-Eby Effort
By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s Competition Bureau is launching a study on the grocery store sector as food prices rise at the fastest rate in 40 years.
The announcement came after the NDP’s opposition day motion to tackle high food prices received unanimous support in the House of Commons. From now until June 2023, the bureau says it will examine how governments can combat grocery price increases through greater competition.
Continue reading Canada’s Competition Bureau will study grocery chain pricing
