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Drug companies dominate BC health ministry stakeholders list

The invitation from deputy health minister Graham Whitmarsh to a November stakeholder session went to a long list dominated by drug companies. Read more…

 

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Thousands pledged to 'bold action' in demo against pipeline and tankers Monday in Victoria

Declaring "B.C.'s coastline is not for sale," thousands of demonstrators pledged to take what the online statement they have signed calls "bold action" are expected to gather at the legislature building in Victoria on Monday, according to organizers at Defend Our Coast. Read more…

BC to withhold BCNU contract details until other unions reach deals

The British Columbia government won't say how it is funding wage hikes for the B.C. Nurses' Union until all health labour contracts are completed, Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid said today. Read more…

BC university presidents seek funding for spaces and financial aid

The presidents of British Columbia's major universities are asking the province for money to create new post-secondary spaces and increase financial aid for students. Read more…


BC legislature clerk to leave retirement deal to library

VICTORIA – British Columbia's retired legislature clerk plans to donate the $500,000 he receives in a controversial post-retirement consulting contract to the legislature's library when he dies. Read more…

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BC Conservatives mail letters of discipline, expulsion to 15 dissidents

VANCOUVER - The board of the B.C. Conservatives says it has settled internal infighting by expelling several members from the party. Read more…

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UVic trimming departmental budgets to pay for wage increases

Money for raises at the University of Victoria will be found through an ongoing process of cutting budgets throughout the institution, spokesperson Bruce Kilpatrick said. Read more…

Enbridge targets US charities in requests to review panel

Organizations founded by an American oil baron and a Silicon Valley philanthropist are among the foreign charities being targeted by Enbridge in its battle against critics of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline. Read more…

Cummins issues ultimatum to party dissidents

B.C. Conservative Party leader John Cummins has issued an "ultimatum" to 21 dissidents, giving them two days to shape up or ship out of the party. But one prominent right-wing blogger has dismissed Cummins as "delusional." Read more…

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Enbridge ordered back to Kalamazoo River for more clean-up

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Enbridge back to the site of the largest onshore oil spill in U.S. history to clean up remaining pools of bitumen in the Kalamazoo River. Read more…

Gordon Campbell won’t comment on abuse allegations against Furlong

A federal government spokesperson told The Tyee Friday that former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell, now Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, won’t be commenting on the controversy surrounding John Furlong. Read more…

BCNU raid wins support of thousands of licensed practical nurses

The British Columbia Nurses' Union has succeeded in its bid to represent some 7,200 licensed practical nurses who have been represented by other unions. Read more…

Government put BCTF on scholarship committee without asking: Lambert

Eligibility for the newly-announced Pathway to Teacher Training Scholarship will be determined by a committee including the BC Teachers' Federation, but union president Susan Lambert says government did not ask before appointing the teachers' union to the committee. Read more…

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Foundation grateful for BC contribution to health research

The British Columbia government has given $48 million to the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, but it's unclear how long the grant will be expected to last. Read more…

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Court rules BC election gag law unconstitutional despite changes

The British Columbia Court of Appeal has struck down the latest attempt of the government to restrict advertising ahead of provincial elections. Read more…

AB engineers group wants 'dialogue about how pipeline safety is managed'

The Tyee asked the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, a professional body representing more than 60,000 engineers, specific questions about the rising incidence of pipeline incidents and complaints about industry practice. Here, in part, is the APEGA’s reply. Read more…

RCMP in 'holding pattern' on data allegations, waiting on BC health ministry

The RCMP is waiting for more information from the British Columbia government before it can decide whether an investigation is needed into allegations that came out of the health ministry in September. Read more…

Government contradicts First Nations ed underfunding claims

A background document released by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada seems to contradict First Nations advocate claims that on-reserve education is underfunded. But calculations include students funded to attend provincial and public schools, too. Read more…

Further 12 percent increase in ferry fares allowed *

Last January the British Columbia ferry commissioner recommended keeping fare increases to the rate of inflation. Today he announced approval for a 12 percent hike over the next three years. * Read more…

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Victoria group starts legal fund ahead of pipeline protest

A Victoria environmental group is starting a fund to help activists with legal costs they may face as a result of their actions. Read more…