Local Conservation Fund proposals approved

At its March 5, 2010 meeting, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) approved over $80,000 in allocations to various Local Conservation Fund projects that were recommended by the newly formed Technical Review Committee. [Read more]

Eddie Mountain Arena closes for renovations

Invermere’s Eddie Mountain Arena is closing March 10th for a long-awaited and eagerly anticipated renovation. It has been made possible by both a grant of $215,000 from the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RINC) Program, a part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan and funding of $375,000 through the Towns For Tomorrow program. [Read more]

Fishing licences expire March 31

Spring is in the air and, once more, sport fishermen across the province are getting ready for that big catch. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC provides a stocking program and recreational fisheries support to encourage public sport fishing in British Columbia. [Read more]

BC credit card sales up 93% during Olympics

Stats for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics are mind-boggling, what with medal counts, visitor counts, etc. as people from every corner of the globe played and cheered for 17 days. But we have one more for you – and we think this one tops all the rest – by a long shot!

The figures from Visa are in and here’s what they show. [Read more]

Lower corporate taxes, reduced revenues, resulted in ‘good’ budget

It would seem that at least two people are happy with Colin Hansen’s ‘stay the course’ budget – Mr. Hansen himself and John Pankratz, FCGA, the President of the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia (CGA-BC). Mr. Pankratz believes that this budget will help the province emerge from the global economic crisis. “While there are no new major initiatives, this is a budget that is based on prudent financial management and sound economic principles that will benefit small- and medium-sized business. And that’s good for British Columbia, which is good for you and me,” he says. [Read more]

200,000 sign petition against HST ‘broken promises’

Anger about the BC Budget has exploded from the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association. CFRA Western Canada Vice President, Mark von Schellwitz has taken aim at the BC government about broken promises to the industry. Nearly 200,000 signatures have been gathered on a petition opposing the new restaurant meals tax that will result from the implementation of the HST but the government has ignored the concerns of these business owners, their employees and their customers. [Read more]

Union displeased with ’status quo’ budget

While BC Government Finance Minister is smiling about his ministry’s commitment to health care, the Health Sciences Association of BC, the union that represents 16,000 diagnostic, clinical and rehabilitation specialists, is not. Reid Johnson, President of the HSA is warning British Columbians to brace themselves for yet another round of cuts to health care services around the province. [Read more]

BC budget, without rose-colored glasses

With the last Olympic hurrah having faded into the history books and the ink barely dry on BC Finance Minister’s Budget, the province came back down to earth today with the sobering realization that our economic woes are far from over.

Colin Hansen may be happy with his budget but not everyone thinks it’s so great. B.C. Federation of Labor President, Jim Sinclair is downright mad! “The success of the Olympics cannot hide the fact BC is still in the grips of a deep economic recession”, he said. “BC is still losing jobs, 4,200 full-time jobs in January alone, yet there is nothing in this budget that will protect or create jobs. Worse still, budget cuts to public services and chronic under-funding will lead to even more job losses and delay our economic recovery.” [Read more]

Olympic trivia

Some 2010 Winter Games trivia.

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games has not only left British Columbians with a powerful and enduring legacy, it has provided one of the defining moments in our country’s history,” said Premier Campbell, “…and it has changed us forever.”

Here is some 2010 Olympic Winter Games trivia for the memory books: [Read more]

Fitness equipment for Mount Nelson Athletic Park

DOI’s Active Transportation Network Plan.

At the February 23, 2010 District of Invermere Council meeting, Council authorized the purchase of outdoor fitness equipment to be installed in Mount Nelson Athletic Park as part of the District of Invermere Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP). [Read more]