All posts by Guest Post

Indigenous Nations, Industry

BC at a Crossroads: Indigenous Leaders Defend Declaration Act Amid Mining Shift

By John Wirth, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(ANNews) – Indigenous leaders in British Columbia are calling on the provincial government to stand firm on the Declaration Act following a landmark court ruling and a 45% drop in new mining claims. As the province transitions to a new mineral tenure system in 2026, a debate is erupting over whether Indigenous rights are inflaming economic uncertainty – or curing it.

The tension follows a major December 2025 Court of Appeal ruling in the Gitxaała case. The court confirmed that the Declaration Act is not just a symbolic collection of goals, but a law that applies to all provincial decision-making – including the controversial Mineral Tenure Act (MTA).

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Energy, Politics

Coastal First Nations say they are open to cooperation, not pipelines

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Following a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, Coastal First Nations leaders said they are still firm in their opposition to a new oil pipeline. 

“Our interest isn’t about money in this situation, it’s about [the] responsibility of looking after our territories and again nurturing the sustainable economies that we currently have here,” said Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President of the Council of the Haida Nation and vice president of CFN, speaking at a press conference. 

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Community

‘I thought the DTES was broken. I was wrong.’

By Aryan Chambyal, Megaphone Magazine, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

“Gastown has beautiful Victorian buildings with chic eateries and souvenir stores. Don’t wander into the Downtown Eastside though. It’s dangerous and full of druggies.”

I came across this Reddit comment while looking for sightseeing spots in Vancouver. It was my introduction to the Downtown Eastside (DTES).

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Politics

Minister of Forests requests Nanaimo motion for a staff report be rescinded

By Hope Lompe,   Gabriola Sounder, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ahead of the Nanaimo City council meeting on Dec. 15, B.C. Minister of Forests, Ravi Parmar, sent a letter to council requesting a motion for a staff report be rescinded. 

The window for the motion to be rescinded would have been at the next council meeting on Dec. 1, 10 days before the minister’s dated letter to council. 

“Is it typical? No, but it’s also not typical to see the actions of a councilor and council that have significant implications on British Columbia’s forest sector and on workers and their livelihoods,” said Parmar during a phone call with the Sounder. 

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Transportation

West Coast bus service connecting Tofino and Ucluelet set to expand in January

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

West Coast, BC – The public bus service connecting Tofino and Ucluelet is expanding in the new year.

Starting Jan. 4, 2026, West Coast Transit riders will benefit from more frequent midday trips and a late-night service will also be reintroduced, with buses departing Ucluelet at 9:20 p.m. and Tofino at 10:25 p.m. 

Operated by BC Transit and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD), the West Coast Transit System has stops in Tofino, Ucluelet, Long Beach, the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ community of hitaću, and the Tla-o-qui-aht communities of Esowista and Ty-histanis.

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