municipal politics

Premier David Eby confirmed that the province is working on province-wide legislation that would support municipalities looking into banning drug use in public parks. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Law helping B.C. municipalities control drug use in parks coming soon: Eby

Legislation expected to be tabled in the fall, says premier

 

B.C. Premier David Eby signaled that the province won’t directly help out municipalities facing high property tax hikes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Premier David Eby signals no help for municipalities pondering large property tax hikes

UBCM, province are currently reviewing municipal financing system

 

Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently sent a letter to Campbel River city council urging them to hold off on a illegal drug consumption bylaw. (Black Press file photo)

Health officer pushes back as B.C. town tries to step around drug decriminalization

Campbell River rejects plea to wait six months before forging ahead with drug use ban bylaw

 

Montreal mayor Valerie Plante delivers remarks during the opening ceremony of the COP15 UN conference on biodiversity in Montreal on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Big cities have a major role to play in protecting biodiversity, experts say

Increasing native plants and animals and decreasing contaminants, among actions cities can take

Montreal mayor Valerie Plante delivers remarks during the opening ceremony of the COP15 UN conference on biodiversity in Montreal on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
The Knights of Columbus annual nativity scene atop Terrace City Hall on Dec. 14, 2021. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)

Nativity scene banned from B.C. town’s city hall after decades-long run

Volunteer group hoping to get Terrace to change its mind after annual tradition rejected

The Knights of Columbus annual nativity scene atop Terrace City Hall on Dec. 14, 2021. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)
City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

‘I’m so excited to be out of this room’: Departing BC councillor laments experience as elected official

Morgan Pulsifer said he was disappointed by the way city staff, elected officials and service workers were treated in Fernie

City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Kyle de Medeiros put forward a petition to city council against a damp shelter at the old Elks Hall, sitting behind him are advocates for the shelter including Erica and Robert Davis, Billy Morrison, Steve Burton, Jamie Smith and Tarea Roberge. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)

City of Terrace cuts cameras, calls police amid homeless shelter debate

RCMP called to city hall amid petition against southside shelter

Kyle de Medeiros put forward a petition to city council against a damp shelter at the old Elks Hall, sitting behind him are advocates for the shelter including Erica and Robert Davis, Billy Morrison, Steve Burton, Jamie Smith and Tarea Roberge. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard)
The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tiny home villages as solution to homelessness? 3 B.C. mayors say yes

Sites up and running in Victoria and Duncan, Port Alberni on its way to do the same

The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tofino expects to break ground on a $78 million sewage treatment facility this month. (Westerly file photo)

B.C. tourism mecca finally poised to stop pumping raw sewage into the ocean

Shovels expected to hit the ground this month on Tofino’s much-delayed $78M sewage treatment facility

Tofino expects to break ground on a $78 million sewage treatment facility this month. (Westerly file photo)
Daybreak Farms general manager Kieran Christison thanked the community for their “eggstraordinary” support as the farm can now get started on upgrades. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard).

City of Terrace backs northwest B.C.’s biggest egg producer to double output

Daybreak Farms wins big with approval to expand and modernize egg production

Daybreak Farms general manager Kieran Christison thanked the community for their “eggstraordinary” support as the farm can now get started on upgrades. (Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Terrace Standard).
Hockey fans load up on beer at a bar in Edmonton on Dec. 31, 2011. The southern Alberta town of Raymond — dry since it was founded more than 100 years ago — is asking residents if they are for or against restaurants serving alcohol. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

‘We’ll see where it goes’: dry Alberta town surveys citizens on its alcohol ban

Raymond, about 240 kilometres south of Calgary, does not allow alcohol service in any establishment

Hockey fans load up on beer at a bar in Edmonton on Dec. 31, 2011. The southern Alberta town of Raymond — dry since it was founded more than 100 years ago — is asking residents if they are for or against restaurants serving alcohol. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)

Local B.C. governments seek ways to go beyond talking about reconciliation

Indigenous people need power, municipal convention told

John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, addresses the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention by video link, Sept. 14, 2021. (UBCM video)
Flowers and other adornments left at Hope Cemetery have been moved off to a back storage and maintenance area. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)

Removal of graveside items by B.C. cemetery staff deemed ‘disrespectful’

Municipal cemetery removes all adornments from gravesites with little notice

Flowers and other adornments left at Hope Cemetery have been moved off to a back storage and maintenance area. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)
North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)

B.C. municipality to take no action against councillor who posted sexist meme

Tek Manhas’s meme doesn’t violate North Cowichan council’s code of conduct, municipality concludes

North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas did not violate the municipality’s code of conduct by posting a sexist meme on Facebook, council concludes. (File photo)
North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas is under review by the municipality for a Facebook post containing a sexist meme. (File photo)

B.C. councillor facing review over sexist meme posted to Facebook

‘Less bitchen’ more kitchen’: North Cowichan’s Tek Manhas apologizes for post

North Cowichan councillor Tek Manhas is under review by the municipality for a Facebook post containing a sexist meme. (File photo)
Mayor Lorraine Michetti refusing to step down amid calls for her resignation. (Submitted)

Rural B.C. mayor urged to resign after Facebook post against Indigenous people, pipelines

The mayor is refusing to quit, saying the post was taken out of context

Mayor Lorraine Michetti refusing to step down amid calls for her resignation. (Submitted)
Vanderhoof municipal office. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)

Public, media blocked from Vanderhoof council meetings for months

Other councils in region use video conferencing, as government says cities required to follow transparency rules.

Vanderhoof municipal office. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)
Court claim accuses B.C. mayor and council of conflict of interest with developers

Court claim accuses B.C. mayor and council of conflict of interest with developers

A group of voters claim conflict of interests should see them removed from office

Court claim accuses B.C. mayor and council of conflict of interest with developers
Hells Angels parties at B.C. rec centre worry anti-gang cops

Hells Angels parties at B.C. rec centre worry anti-gang cops

Police worry about violence targeting the outlaw motorcycle group

Hells Angels parties at B.C. rec centre worry anti-gang cops
Hells Angels are said to have gathered in Langley rec facilities several times, most recently in April. (Black Press Media files)

Hells Angels, strippers partied at B.C. community centre

An internal email showed staff complained after the April event in Langley

Hells Angels are said to have gathered in Langley rec facilities several times, most recently in April. (Black Press Media files)