June, 2023
B.C. must urgently change forest strategies or face more wildfire disasters: report
‘The key is there’s an urgency to this’: B.C. Forests Practices Board chair Critical strategy shifts are urgently needed to cut the risk of catastrophic wildfires in British Columbia forests that threaten to decimate ecosystems and communities, says an independent forests watchdog report. The B.C. Forests Practices Board is calling on the provincial government to undertake a “paradigm shift” in how it manages forests, saying wildfire risk mitigation currently focuses on areas near communities but leaves the wider forest landscape “severely vulnerable.” The report comes as the largest wildfire inRead more
Why some female leaders dropped support for RoseAnne Archibald as AFN national chief
Some First Nations leaders say removing national chief was tough, but necessary Cheryl Casimer said her heart was heavy when she logged in to Wednesday’s virtual special chiefs assembly held by the Assembly of First Nations in private to decide RoseAnne Archibald’s fate. Casimer, who joined the meeting as a proxy, voted in July 2021 for Archibald to become the AFN’s first female national chief and was elated when she won. But two years later, the conflict between Archibald, national chief staff and the AFN executive committee became too much for Casimer toRead more
Montreal air quality still poses ‘high risk,’ should improve Tuesday
Pools and splash pads reopen to the public Monday Smoke from fires burning in northern Quebec has coated Montreal, again, leading to poor air quality that is five to six times worse than in early June, according to a medical director at Montreal Public Health. The poor air quality prompted the city of Montreal to shut down outdoor sports facilities and cancel outdoor cultural events Sunday, but all have since been given the green light to resume activities. Pools and splash pads have also reopened to the public. Environment Canada reportedRead more
School kookum program adds extra layer of support, love for Thompson, Man., children
Mystery Lake School Division says Mino Pimatisiwin program helps kids find balance and ‘the good life’ A ringing chorus of “Hi Kookum” greets Valerie Parker every day in her classroom at a Thompson, Man., elementary school, followed by hugs from the students who come by for a visit at recess. “I have a lot of grandchildren here,” she said with a laugh on Friday. Parker is a kookum, a Cree word for grandmother, at Juniper Elementary School. She is neither a teacher nor a counsellor, but does a little bit ofRead more
Air Force identifies 2 members killed in military helicopter crash
Capt. David Domagala, 32, and Capt. Marc Larouche, 53, killed in the crash The Royal Canadian Air Force has released the names of the two members killed earlier this week in a helicopter crash in the Ottawa River near Garrison Petawawa. Capt. David Domagala, 32, and Capt. Marc Larouche, 53, were killed in the crash. The military released the names in accordance with the wishes of the family. Larouche, originally from Amos, Que., served with several squadrons and flew the CH-135 Twin Huey, CH-146 Griffon and CH-147F Chinook helicopters, according to a news release from Canada’sRead more
The push in B.C. to relocate homes rather than demolish them
Metro Vancouver says a third of all waste at landfills comes from construction, demolition sector Advocates for lifting and moving homes to a new location rather than demolishing them are encouraging governments to streamline the relocation process to help meet waste-diversion goals and provide affordable housing in underserved communities. “We just need the municipalities to connect the dots, remove the red tape, expedite … permits to allow more buildings to be saved,” said Jeremy Nickel, president and CEO of Nickel Bros., a family-founded business that has been moving homes since the mid-1950s. Given the legacy of a company likeRead more
Former MAFS star Davina Rankin breaks down as she reveals why marriage ended after one year
Controversial reality star Davina Rankin has spoken out about her marriage breakdown for the first time, just one month after announcing her shock split. Married At First Sight’s Davina Rankin has spoken about her shock split from her husband Jaxon Manuel after just one year of marriage. The reality TV star got emotional as she opened up about her heartbreak over the break-up on her podcast Who? Me. “We were just different people from the ones who tied the knot all those years ago,” she told listeners. The couple were married in AprilRead more
Popular Italian restaurant on NSW Central Coast collapses into liquidation
For 30 years the hearty Italian food had been a staple in the Aussie beach town, but behind the scenes, debt was accumulating. A beloved restaurant in NSW has collapsed after racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. On Tuesday, Hungry Wolf’s Italian Pizza Restaurant appointed Christopher Darin of insolvency firm Worrells as its liquidator. The pizza and pasta restaurant operated in Terrigal, in the Central Coast, north of Sydney. For 30 years the hearty Italian food had been a staple along Terrigal’s esplanade parallel to the beach,Read more
Donnie Creek wildfire in northeast B.C. now the largest recorded in province’s history
Blaze remains out of control, 2023 season now 3rd worst on record The Donnie Creek wildfire in northeastern British Columbia has now surpassed the 2017 Plateau fire as the largest individual fire, by area burned, ever recorded in the province’s history. It was sparked on May 12 by lightning, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), and covers an area of 5,343.88 square kilometres as of 10 a.m. PT on Sunday. It is still not responding to suppression efforts and remains out of control, according to the BCWS. Before this yearRead more
Canada’s small airlines are disappearing into WestJet. What does that mean for travellers?
Fewer airlines could mean less choice — but it could also mean better service, experts say Some people are questioning the future of air travel in Canada after WestJet confirmed this weekend that it’s planning to wind down Sunwing Airlines. The news comes on the heels of the airline’s decision to fold its budget subsidiary Swoop into its main operation. Here’s what some experts think WestJet’s moves could mean. What does WestJet’s move mean for travellers? It depends who you ask, and what you value as an airline passenger, such as value,Read more