National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The federal agency that holds RCMP to account has received a total of 73 public complaints associated with enforcement measures at the Fairy Creek old-growth logging blockades in British Columbia, says the legal team representing the activist group.
Continue reading 73 complaints against the RCMP at Fairy CreekCKTZ News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Earlier this month, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) initiated a staffing model designed to ensure that small rural communities like Cortes Island have four scheduled on-call (SOC) paramedics.
“The SOC model means shifts can be fully scheduled without waiting for availability of on-call paramedics. SOC shifts are, in general, 8 hours at work, and 16 hours on-call for 3 day rotations,” Sarah Morris, BCEHS media relations, said in an email to CKTZ News. “These additional positions were posted the week of Aug 6, and BCEHS is following the recruitment process as per the collective agreement with the paramedics’ union.”
Local on-call staff will be recruited as required to provide relief coverage for leaves and vacations.
Continue reading Cortes Island and rural coastal communities to receive more paramedicsNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
First Nations should boycott BC’s current consultation process around modernizing the province’s forestry policy, an Indigenous forestry advisory organization recommends.
The short timeline and the nature of the consultation process offered by the province is disingenuous, said Chief Bill Williams, president of the BC First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC).
Continue reading First Nations urged to boycott BC’s ‘DISINGENUOUS’ forestry planBy Jeremy Appel, Alberta Native News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The British Columbia government says it won’t appeal a June 29 court ruling that unchecked industrial development in northeastern B.C. violates the treaty rights of the Blueberry River First Nation, the CBC reports.
Continue reading BC gov’t won’t appeal landmark ruling on treaty rightsBC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) is trying to ensure that there are sufficient paramedics in rural communities throughout the province.
In a leaked memo from Chief Ambulance Officer Leanne Heppell and Troy Clifford, Provincial President of the Ambulance Paramedics of BC, dated August 6th, BCEHS notified its employees and Local 873 members of two changes of great importance to Cortes Island, Sayward, Tahsis and Zeballos.
Continue reading Better pay for paramedics in rural communities
