Three years have passed since the BC government promised to implement the Old Growth Strategic Review, but many feel very little has been done. On September 28 concerned citizens will be protesting in front of constituency offices across the province.
The local protest will be in front of MLA Michele Babchuk’s office at 908 Island Highway, in Campbell River, from 11:30 to 12:30.
Continue reading Sept 28: Day of Action for Old Growth in Campbell RiverThere are 87 electoral district associations (EDAs) in BC, each one of which sends an MLA to the provincial Legislature.
In July Max Thaysen was elected Vice President of the Executive Committee of the North Island NDP Electoral District Association.
Continue reading Max Thaysen: first two months with the North Island NDP Electoral District Association
Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The B.C. government needs to ensure rural and Indigenous communities are not left in the dust as the province shifts gears to achieve a net-zero future and a clean transportation network, a coalition of climate and community groups say.
The province is in the process of shaping its Clean Transportation Action Plan (CTAP), but so far, B.C.’s core strategy to reduce emissions is making the switch to single-passenger electric vehicles in urban areas, says Eric Doherty, a transportation planning consultant and member of Climate Justice Victoria.
Continue reading Will B.C.’s shift to clean transportation take rural communities along for the ride? 
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Port Hardy Hospital’s emergency room is headed for life support, says the only ER doctor expected to be available as of July 1.
Of the four local doctors on the roster at the largest hospital in northern Vancouver Island, one tendered a resignation in March and two others recently announced their departure at the end of June, said Dr. Alex Nataros.
Continue reading ‘I’ve only got one set of hands’: Last remaining ER doctor in Port Hardy wants to hire physician assistant out of his own pocketNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Rural communities in B.C. will continue to suffer critical doctor shortages and the knock-on effect of repeated emergency room closures until B.C.’s primary care system is modernized, an expert says.
New physicians are shunning family practice, while established doctors are abandoning it because of the way primary health care is delivered, said Dr. Rita McCracken, a family physician and researcher with the University of British Columbia’s Department of Family Practice.
Continue reading B.C. needs to invest in primary care to stem the bleeding of family doctors from rural areas
