By Aaron Hemens, IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Indigenous leaders from the Similkameen Valley are “deeply disappointed” by a provincial decision to approve a contentious mine expansion in their territories — emphasizing that they did not give consent for the project to move forward.
Continue reading smǝlqmíx leaders emphasize ‘no consent’ as B.C. approves Copper Mountain Mine expansion
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.
Continue reading BC Halts Construction of Seven Long-Term Care Facilities
Green Party leader Elizabeth May claims it is safer to move bitumen by rail than through pipelines. She has mentioned this in the House of Commons, written about it in her blog, and told reporters.
Elizabeth May: “In a marine environment, diluted bitumen is impossible to clean up.”
Michael Lowry (Western Canada Marine Response Corporation): “The biggest spill we’ve ever cleaned up was a diluted bitumen spill.”
Elizabeth May: “It wasn’t dilbit.”
Continue reading Elizabeth May: ‘It is safer to Move Bitumen by Rail’
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.
Continue reading History-making nine-question referendum punts Alberta into unprecedented territory
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.
Continue reading Celebrating Women in Science: Laurel Bohart
