Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s 100 richest CEOs made 210 times more than the average worker in 2023, a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) reveals.
Continue reading Canada’s top CEOs make 210 times more than the average workerEditor’s note: According to the Strathcona Regional District Engagement Summary Report, “In Electoral Areas A, B (Cortes), and C (primarily Quadra and the Outer Islands), about 50% used wood heat and 40% used electric with the remaining 10% using an alternative.”
By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
With the annual United Nations climate conference just around the corner, environmental groups are calling for an end to subsidies that support burning forest biomass to generate electricity.
In an open letter to Natural Resources and Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, the groups say financial support for the industry is at odds with the federal government’s pledge to phase out subsidies that harm biodiversity. The 24 signatories urge the government to “reverse course and choose true climate solutions” instead of “simply shifting from burning fossil fuels to burning forests for fuel.”
Continue reading Burning trees is not a clean energy option: climate advocatesEditor’s note: This is a local issue. 33% of the respondents to the most recent Point In Time count of Campbell River’s unhoused population said they lost their homes because of insufficient income. In the Comox Valley, this statistic rose to 56%. According to the 2021 Census, 38% of the renters in those areas are paying more than they can afford for shelter. This is also true on Quadra Island and on Cortes Island the number of tenants paying unaffordable rents was 47%.
By Sidney Coles, Capital Daily, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On Wednesday morning, representatives from the not-for-profit, private and public sectors gathered at the Living Wage Symposium at Victoria City Hall to discuss creative ways they can address the economic squeeze people are feeling in the CRD. The event was organized by the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria (CSPC) in partnership with the United Way Southern Vancouver Island, Vancity, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Living wage Families for BC.
Continue reading Living Wage Symposium brought multiple sectors together to tackle the affordability crisis
Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
British Columbia’s enormous effort to speed the partial reopening of Highway 4 on Vancouver Island — closed for upwards of two weeks due to a wildfire — is another illustration of the dramatic costs tied to climate impacts, says an economist.
“It’s a huge hit to the restaurants, hotels, and all the services that would normally be making money at this time of year and potentially jeopardizes their whole summer,” said Marc Lee, senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
“The economic disruption and costs associated with already existing climate change is something that we don’t often think about enough.”
The province’s Transportation Ministry has been pulling out the stops to get the key transportation corridor — the only paved road serving Port Alberni, numerous First Nations and the West Coast tourist hot spots of Ucluelet and Tofino — open to single-lane alternating traffic by the weekend.
Continue reading Highway wildfire closure drives home B.C.’s need to think big about climate measures
By Zak Vescera, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In 2017, the City of Vancouver committed to ensuring its employees — and workers for city contractors — were paid enough to live there.
At the time, Vancouver was the biggest employer in the country to offer a living wage based on the cost of rent, food and other necessities.
“It was the largest living wage municipality, and it did a tremendous job over the years in encouraging other businesses to sign on,” said Anastasia French, the director of Living Wage for Families BC. Then-mayor Gregor Robertson told media it was a way to guarantee workers “a basic level of opportunity” in an expensive place to live and work.
Continue reading Vancouver’s Decision to Abandon Living Wage Program Creates Shockwaves
