All posts by Guest Post

Housing, Indigenous Nations

Gentrification of downtown Campbell River displaces services for the homeless

By Nora O’Malley, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Campbell River, BC – Campbell  River’s Berwick by the Sea retirement community is lit up with holiday  flair, while across the street a mural portraying the word L-O-V-E fades  on the side of boarded up building that was once a lifeline for the  homeless.

Six months ago, at the end of June 2025, Kwesa Place and Hem’?aelas  Community Kitchen were forced to close after the City of Campbell River  bought the properties for redevelopment. 

Continue reading Gentrification of downtown Campbell River displaces services for the homeless →
Indigenous Nations

‘Extremely offensive’: B.C. premier’s plans to change Indigenous Rights law met with frustration

By Shannon Waters & Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporters

In 2019, B.C. unanimously passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. It was celebrated as a major step toward working with First Nations in a better, more equal way.

But a court ruling earlier this month seems to be contributing to a change of heart for Premier David Eby. On Dec. 5, the British Columbia Court of Appeal ruled the government’s obligations under the Declaration Act are legally enforceable. Eby is now arguing judges shouldn’t be setting the province’s reconciliation agenda. And he says he is willing to change the law to make sure they can’t.

Continue reading ‘Extremely offensive’: B.C. premier’s plans to change Indigenous Rights law met with frustration →
Politics

Area C Director’s Report: OCP & budget processes + gratitude & holiday wishes

Hello,
This holiday season I wish you warmth, brightness, and new memories with those you love. This report touches on our OCP process and shares news on ‘budget season’, plus community gratitude.

Continue reading Area C Director’s Report: OCP & budget processes + gratitude & holiday wishes →
Indigenous Nations

Court decision recognizes UNDRIP as law, but leads province to look at revising legislation

By Nora O’Malley, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

First Nations in B.C. may be entitled to raise their UNDRIP rights if they are not adequately consulted on natural resource projects within their territory, following a precedent-setting B.C. Court of Appeal decision released on Dec. 5.

Ehattesaht Chief Counsellor Simon John says the court decision “provides important legal recognition of UNDRIP as a tool to help ensure that First Nations’ interests are respected and their role in decision making is realized.” 

Continue reading Court decision recognizes UNDRIP as law, but leads province to look at revising legislation →
Energy

Will nuclear power plants help meet a potential explosion in Alberta’s electrical demand?

Editor’s note: The two questions that come to mind reading this are (1) is nuclear power safe, especially when the infrastructure starts to age? And (2) will most of the subsequent inspections and reporting be left to what industry chooses to disclose?

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

Nuclear reactors in your backyard — or down the road beside a humming new AI data centre — hold promise for rural Alberta, the legislature heard in advance of a Wednesday webinar on the subject.

The long-proven but advancing technology of unlocking the energy within atoms offers a safe and reliable option for Alberta’s power needs, a UCP member said last week.

“This is about building energy security, advancing innovation and life-saving treatments, and bolstering the industrial development that has made Alberta tick for the last seven decades,” said Chantelle de Jonge, MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore. “If we want to keep Alberta strong, growing and competitive, we must seriously consider the opportunity that nuclear energy presents to us today.”

Continue reading Will nuclear power plants help meet a potential explosion in Alberta’s electrical demand? →