The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
BC consulting on changes to carbon neutral plan
The British Columbia government is consulting on its policy of requiring public bodies to be carbon neutral, said Environment Minister Terry Lake. Read more…
Should There Be More Regulations on Big Tech?
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Are you watching the winter Olympics this year? Read the results of that poll here.
'Extreme challenges' for agricultural land commission, says delayed report
The British Columbia government released a year-old report today that found extreme challenges at the Agricultural Land Commission, but also announced plans and introduced legislation to fix those problems. Read more…
Mayoral homelessness debate a sham: DTES residents
As Mayor Gregor Robertson faced his main election opponent in a tense homelessness debate tonight, residents of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) in attendance called the debate a sham. Read more…
Occupy Vancouver tent dweller wins Last Candidate Standing contest
More than 30 candidates running for Vancouver council or mayor vied to be the "last candidate standing" in a raucous competition of speechifying decided by cheers from a full house crowd last night. When it was over the winner was…Occupy Vancouver. Read more…
Mayor says woman's death means Occupy Vancouver must be shut down
VANCOUVER - The mayor of Vancouver says the death of a woman at the Occupy Vancouver camp means the site has become so unsafe that it must be shut down as soon as possible. Gregor Robertson says he's instructed city officials to look at how that can be done safely and without disruption. Read more…
Province could override local pesticide rules, says committee chair
The British Columbia government could replace the pesticide bylaws municipalities have put in place with its own law, the chair of a legislature committee said. Read more…
BC submitted revised RCMP contract proposal
British Columbia has submitted a revised proposal on the province's contract with the RCMP, Solicitor General Shirley Bond said today. Read more…
Owner of 'infamous' properties running for Victoria council
A person described in the media as a "slumlord" is among the candidates running for Victoria city council. Read more…
Occupy Vancouver meeting mulls details of upcoming rally
Members of the Occupy Vancouver movement met in downtown Vancouver this evening to discuss details of the planned demonstrations beginning tomorrow morning in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Read more…
Province welcomes mayoral vote to raise taxes for Evergreen line
The provincial government has applauded a decision made by the mayors of Metro Vancouver to raise regional taxes to help fund the construction of the Evergreen transit line. Read more…
Minister wants 'more compact' RCMP proposal from BC, says Bond
Canada's public safety minister Vic Toews has asked for a shorter version of British Columbia's proposals for changes to a 20-year RCMP contract, Solicitor General Shirley Bond said today. Read more…
COPE throws support behind New City Market
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth would like to see permanent farmers' market space in Vancouver supported by public dollars. But after years of planning and a $100,000 investment, the proposed New City Market has yet to deliver a business plan to council. Read more…
Pesticide committee appointment worries environmental campaigner
The appointment of East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett to head a committee considering a cosmetic pesticide law is worrisome, says an environmental campaigner.
"I don't take it as a good sign," said Ben West, healthy communities campaigner for the Wilderness Committee. Read more…
Foe of 'eco-fascists' to chair cosmetic pesticide committee
The next chair of the British Columbia government committee considering a ban on cosmetic pesticide use is an MLA who last year took aim at "eco-fascists." Read more…
Provincial police force might be cheaper, says Premier Clark
Replacing the RCMP with a provincial police force might turn out to cost less than the proposed contract with the federal government, Premier Christy Clark said today. Read more…
Clark commits $30 million for recreation centres, encourages 'circle of love'
The province of British Columbia will create a $30 million fund for capital projects such as recreation centres that promote healthy living, Premier Christy Clark said this morning. Read more…
Local government most important level, Green leader tells UBCM
Green Party Leader Jane Sterk told delegates to the Union of British Columbia convention that she envisions a strong role for local governments. Read more…
UBCM to vote on for-profit healthcare moratorium
The BC Health Coalition hopes the third time's the charm when they introduce a resolution at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention tomorrow calling for the government to stop the growth of for-profit healthcare in the province. Read more…
Dix criticizes Clark's municipal auditor general proposal in UBCM speech
Municipal governments likely do not need their own auditor general, British Columbia NDP Leader Adrian Dix told local leaders at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver. Read more…
Municipal election issues: 'Finance, finance, finance': Walton
North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton foresees "Finance, finance, and finance" as the key issues in the coming municipal elections. Issues like dropping the RCMP, smart meters, and funding the schools don't come close, he says, to residential taxation and getting value for the money it raises. Read more…
