Columnists

A Chilliwack Military Education Centre tank crushing cars is scheduled to be on display at the Chilliwack Fair on all three days, Aug. 5, 6 and 7, 2022. (Chilliwack Fair Facebook)

OPINION: Chilliwack Fair’s display of tank crushing cars deemed ‘insensitive’ in light of Ukraine war

Chilliwack has a proud military history but military tanks shouldn’t be crushing civilian vehicles

A ferry arrives at Horseshoe Bay near West Vancouver, B.C. Monday, March 16, 2020. British Columbia’s health and safety agency for workers has imposed a hefty fine on BC Ferry Services Inc. over the death of one of its workers in June 2020.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

CAMERON: Can a new captain at BC Ferries set the ship straight?

Joy McPhail moves on to herculean challenge of fixing problem-plagued BC Ferries

City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Writer’s Block: On the benefits of choice in a local election

The Free Press columnist Bill Phillips on the onset of election season

  • Jul 27, 2022
City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Editor’s note: Calling all local candidates

The municipal election is looming for British Columbia

City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Premier John Horgan announced Tuesday (June 28) he will not be running in B.C.'s 2024 election. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

Writer’s Block: On a leadership shuffle

The Free Press Columnist Bill Phillips muses on the change in leadership at the BC NDP

  • Jul 5, 2022
Premier John Horgan announced Tuesday (June 28) he will not be running in B.C.'s 2024 election. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
Bruce Cameron

CAMERON: What’s in a name? The BC Liberal Party contemplates a name change

‘The name change effort may look trivial, but it is a crucial step on the road to potentially regaining power’

Bruce Cameron
(File photo)

Column: Fawning season in Sparwood

Sparwood Mayor David Wilks on staying safe around wildlife

  • Jun 21, 2022
(File photo)
Canadian actor Hayden Christensen, centre, and his mother, Alie, arrive for the charity premiere screening of Star Wars: Episode Two Attack of the Clones, in Toronto Sunday May 12, 2002. Christensen plays the role of Anakin Skywalker in the film. (CP PHOTO/Aaron Harris)

Cole’s Notes: Hayden Christensen deserves better from Canadians

Christensen hails from Vancouver, a fact too few Canadians celebrate

Canadian actor Hayden Christensen, centre, and his mother, Alie, arrive for the charity premiere screening of Star Wars: Episode Two Attack of the Clones, in Toronto Sunday May 12, 2002. Christensen plays the role of Anakin Skywalker in the film. (CP PHOTO/Aaron Harris)
A schematic from the Galloway Lands developer showing the lot design as proposed, including setbacks between the homes and Lizard Creek. Covenants would be enshrined to protect the Lizard Creek corridor. (Courtesy of Galloway Lands website)

Writer’s Block: The Battle of Galloway Lands

Free Press columnist Bill Phillips on the play so far when it comes to the Galloway development proposal

  • Jun 6, 2022
A schematic from the Galloway Lands developer showing the lot design as proposed, including setbacks between the homes and Lizard Creek. Covenants would be enshrined to protect the Lizard Creek corridor. (Courtesy of Galloway Lands website)
Jock Finlayson is a senior policy advisor with the Business Council of British Columbia.

FINLAYSON: Taming the inflation monster

‘Canadian policymakers should support the Bank of Canada’s efforts to get inflation back to 2 per cent’

  • Jun 1, 2022
Jock Finlayson is a senior policy advisor with the Business Council of British Columbia.
Bruce Cameron has been a pollster and strategist for over 35 years, working initially for Gallup Polls, Decima Research and the Angus Reid Group before founding his own consultancy, Return On Insight. (Black Press Media files)

CAMERON: Keeping the British in British Columbia?

Victoria Day marks the informal start of summer in Canada, but it’s also a celebration of our historic connection

  • May 24, 2022
Bruce Cameron has been a pollster and strategist for over 35 years, working initially for Gallup Polls, Decima Research and the Angus Reid Group before founding his own consultancy, Return On Insight. (Black Press Media files)
Premier-Designate Jason Kenney addresses the media the day his after his election victory in Edmonton on Wednesday April 17, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

BENNETT: Jason Kenney led Alberta through bulldog willpower and work ethic

Kenney resigned after just 51 per cent of party rank-and-file endorsed him in a leadership review

Premier-Designate Jason Kenney addresses the media the day his after his election victory in Edmonton on Wednesday April 17, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
A health care worker is seen outside the Emergency dept. of the Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver on March 30, 2020. he B.C. government says temporary pandemic pay that was promised to essential workers in mid-May should be coming in October. The stipend was promised to hundreds of thousands of essential workers for work done between March and July and some workers say they’re frustrated it still hasn’t arrived. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

PETERS: Nurses give far more than just medical care

On National Nurses Week, it’s time to think back to the nurses who have cared for us

A health care worker is seen outside the Emergency dept. of the Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver on March 30, 2020. he B.C. government says temporary pandemic pay that was promised to essential workers in mid-May should be coming in October. The stipend was promised to hundreds of thousands of essential workers for work done between March and July and some workers say they’re frustrated it still hasn’t arrived. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Bruce Cameron has been a pollster and strategist for over 35 years, working initially for Gallup Polls, Decima Research and the Angus Reid Group before founding his own consultancy, Return On Insight. (Black Press Media files)

CAMERON: Going green in B.C.

‘… the transition to zero-emission transportation will require more than impressive innovations’

  • May 9, 2022
Bruce Cameron has been a pollster and strategist for over 35 years, working initially for Gallup Polls, Decima Research and the Angus Reid Group before founding his own consultancy, Return On Insight. (Black Press Media files)
Across Canada, newspapers face a patchwork of provincial regulations, administrative regimes, and fees. (Pixabay.com)

OP-ED: Newspapers are not packaging

‘The dissemination of news to the public is a necessary element of a vibrant and healthy democracy’

  • May 9, 2022
Across Canada, newspapers face a patchwork of provincial regulations, administrative regimes, and fees. (Pixabay.com)
City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Writer’s Block: On seeking political kudos

The Free Press columnist Bill Phillips muses over the effectiveness of requesting positive feedback

  • May 9, 2022
City of Fernie city hall. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Statue of Lady Justice at B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. (File photo)

ZYTARUK: The way to deal with criminal recidivists is to enforce personal responsibility

We don’t need another study to know that

Statue of Lady Justice at B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. (File photo)
FILE: Four-year-old Jonah Arbez holds a protest sign at a Friday’s Strike for Climate on the steps of Nanaimo City Hall in 2019. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)

Cole’s Notes: It’s hard to be young these days

It won’t be easy to solve our problems, but our futures are worth fighting for

FILE: Four-year-old Jonah Arbez holds a protest sign at a Friday’s Strike for Climate on the steps of Nanaimo City Hall in 2019. (Cole Schisler/Black Press)
Democracy sausage is a well-respected tradition in Australia. Every few years, Australians get together for a barbecue, and maybe vote as well. (Image courtesy of iStock)

Opinion: Vote 1, democracy sausage for Canada

An Australian institution is worth appropriating for Canadian electoral life

Democracy sausage is a well-respected tradition in Australia. Every few years, Australians get together for a barbecue, and maybe vote as well. (Image courtesy of iStock)
Sparwood mayor David Wilks will seek another term at the 2022 election. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Column: On the value of running for office

The 2022 municipal elections for British Columbia are a few months away.…

  • Apr 26, 2022
Sparwood mayor David Wilks will seek another term at the 2022 election. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)