Opinion

Sketch of 10-lane bridge to replace George Massey Tunnel, which a local MLA says would be half built by now if the original toll bridge plan hadn’t been cancelled. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation)

B.C. VIEWS: Massey crossing a bridge too far for NDP

Premier John Horgan focused on high-speed train to Seattle

Sketch of 10-lane bridge to replace George Massey Tunnel, which a local MLA says would be half built by now if the original toll bridge plan hadn’t been cancelled. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation)
Jock Finlayson is executive vice president and chief policy officer of the Business Council of BC. (Submitted)

COLUMN: And now the bad news about B.C.’s economy

Jock Finlayson is executive vice president and chief policy officer of the Business Council of BC

  • Oct 3, 2019
Jock Finlayson is executive vice president and chief policy officer of the Business Council of BC. (Submitted)
Logging trucks gather from around the B.C. Interior to head to downtown Vancouver, Sept. 27, 2019. (B.C. Logging Convoy/Facebook)

B.C. VIEWS: Rural B.C. takes another hit from the NDP

Province showing clear signs it’s heading for deficits

Logging trucks gather from around the B.C. Interior to head to downtown Vancouver, Sept. 27, 2019. (B.C. Logging Convoy/Facebook)
Sept. 14, 2017, file photo, salmon circle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

LETTER: Alaska fisheries harvest a small proportion of the Skeena River

Alaska Department of Fish and Game respond to claims that they are stealing all the salmon

  • Sep 26, 2019
Sept. 14, 2017, file photo, salmon circle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Sulphur Tufts (Elaine Nyeholt photo)

Odds N Sods: Suddenly, the mushrooms are everywhere

by Elaine Nyeholt A distinct coolness in the mornings foreshadows the Fall…

  • Sep 23, 2019
Sulphur Tufts (Elaine Nyeholt photo)
Jeff Scott chairs the Fraser River Industrial Association and is president and CEO of Fraser Surrey Docks. (Submitted)

COLUMN: Environmental stewardship essential for Fraser River productivity

Jeff Scott chairs the Fraser River Industrial Association and is president of Fraser Surrey Docks

  • Sep 23, 2019
Jeff Scott chairs the Fraser River Industrial Association and is president and CEO of Fraser Surrey Docks. (Submitted)
Protesters block traffic in downtown Victoria after student ‘climate strike’ protest, Sept. 20, 2019. (Victoria News)

B.C. VIEWS: School officials join fact-challenged ‘climate strike’

Students, public get distorted picture of greenhouse gases

Protesters block traffic in downtown Victoria after student ‘climate strike’ protest, Sept. 20, 2019. (Victoria News)
FILE - Tina Strehlke, CEO, Minerva BC (right) Launi Skinner CEO, First West Credit Union at the signing of the document promoting gender parity. (Submitted photo)

OPINION: Steps taken in right direct, still a long way to go for gender equality

A column from Minerva BC CEO Tina Strehlke

  • Sep 22, 2019
FILE - Tina Strehlke, CEO, Minerva BC (right) Launi Skinner CEO, First West Credit Union at the signing of the document promoting gender parity. (Submitted photo)
Jock Finlayson is executive vice president and chief policy officer of the Business Council of BC. (Submitted)

COLUMN: A mix of good and bad news about B.C.’s economy

Jock Finlayson is executive vice president and chief policy officer of the Business Council of BC

  • Sep 20, 2019
Jock Finlayson is executive vice president and chief policy officer of the Business Council of BC. (Submitted)
LETTER: Sources in cannabis cultivation story could be better balanced

LETTER: Sources in cannabis cultivation story could be better balanced

A reader responds to part of Black Press Media’s special series on cannabis agriculture in B.C.

  • Sep 19, 2019
LETTER: Sources in cannabis cultivation story could be better balanced
Hammond Cedar employee stacks the high-value wood that remains in demand around the world. The Fraser River site has had a sawmill for more than 100 years, and it’s closing by the end of 2019. (Maple Ridge News)

B.C. VIEWS: Cutting wood waste produces some bleeding

Value-added industry slowly grows as big sawmills close

Hammond Cedar employee stacks the high-value wood that remains in demand around the world. The Fraser River site has had a sawmill for more than 100 years, and it’s closing by the end of 2019. (Maple Ridge News)
Orange-crowned warbler. (Wikimedia Commons photo)

On the Wing: Small Yellow Flying Things

by Margo Hearne Distance doesn’t seem to deter migrating birds; they travel…

  • Sep 14, 2019
Orange-crowned warbler. (Wikimedia Commons photo)
Big Daycare: Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark and B.C. Premier John Horgan announce additional early childhood educator training spaces, Langara College, Vancouver, Sept. 5, 2019. (B.C. government)

B.C. VIEWS: It’s an uphill battle to build the nanny state

Training positions added, filling them is another question

Big Daycare: Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark and B.C. Premier John Horgan announce additional early childhood educator training spaces, Langara College, Vancouver, Sept. 5, 2019. (B.C. government)
American Robin sings in the sun. (Margo Hearne photo)

On the Wing: Pocket Birding and Being Insignificant

by Margo Hearne We are letting the sunshine in. It’s been lovely…

  • Sep 7, 2019
American Robin sings in the sun. (Margo Hearne photo)
ICBC president and CEO Nicolas Jimenez. (Black Press Media file)

LETTER: ICBC boss responds to accusations of failing to adapt

ICBC CEO Nicolas Jimenez responds to column by the CFIB’s Richard Truscott

  • Sep 4, 2019
ICBC president and CEO Nicolas Jimenez. (Black Press Media file)
Labour Minister Harry Bains joins BCGEU president Stephanie Smith and supporters recycling copies of the Employment Standards Branch “self-help kit” for workers reporting pay disputes, Surrey, Aug. 28, 2019. A teachers’ union representative holds a banner behind to protest the lack of a new contract. (B.C. government)

B.C. VIEWS: More Labour Day milestones for the NDP

Gift to U.S.-based construction unions keeps on giving

Labour Minister Harry Bains joins BCGEU president Stephanie Smith and supporters recycling copies of the Employment Standards Branch “self-help kit” for workers reporting pay disputes, Surrey, Aug. 28, 2019. A teachers’ union representative holds a banner behind to protest the lack of a new contract. (B.C. government)
Elizabeth Phillips (seated) is the last remaining fluent speaker of Halq’emeylem. Phillips and Mission Indigenous educator Peggy Janicki were honoured in a blanket ceremony at Abbotsford’s UFV campus on June 12, 2019. (Darren McDonald/ UFV)

What does ‘We are all treaty people’ mean, and who speaks for Indigenous students on campus?

Universities have mostly adopted a top-down approach to Indigenization

  • Aug 31, 2019
Elizabeth Phillips (seated) is the last remaining fluent speaker of Halq’emeylem. Phillips and Mission Indigenous educator Peggy Janicki were honoured in a blanket ceremony at Abbotsford’s UFV campus on June 12, 2019. (Darren McDonald/ UFV)
Richard Truscott is the Vice-President, B.C. and Alberta, Canadian Federation of Independent Business (Submitted).

COLUMN: ICBC is not just broke, it’s broken

Richard Truscott is B.C. and Alberta vice-president at Canadian Federation of Independent Business

  • Aug 28, 2019
Richard Truscott is the Vice-President, B.C. and Alberta, Canadian Federation of Independent Business (Submitted).
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps is interrupted by protesters as she introduces Environment Minister Catherine McKenna for an announcement of a conservation project, Oak Bay, Aug. 19, 2019. (Black Press Media)

B.C. VIEWS: Pipelines set to roll as federal politicians posture

Projects to drive B.C., Canadian economy in years ahead

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps is interrupted by protesters as she introduces Environment Minister Catherine McKenna for an announcement of a conservation project, Oak Bay, Aug. 19, 2019. (Black Press Media)
B.C. legislature Speaker Darryl Plecas takes questions about the report on senior staff from former chief justice Beverley McLachlin, May 15, 2019. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

B.C. VIEWS: Log exports and my other errors so far in 2019

Plastic bags, legislature overspending turn out differently

B.C. legislature Speaker Darryl Plecas takes questions about the report on senior staff from former chief justice Beverley McLachlin, May 15, 2019. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)