Opinion

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau makes a campaign stop in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

All in the margins: The size of a Liberal victory could depend on B.C. results

Liberals may even have an outside chance of winning a razor-thin majority

  • Sep 19, 2021
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh puts on his jacket following a morning announcement in Sioux Lookout, Ont., Monday, September 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

‘Left Coast’ and balance of power: NDP’s B.C. strength could be key to minority government

The NDP won 24 seats in the 2019 federal election, and almost half (11) are in B.C.

  • Sep 17, 2021
Provincial Minister of Mental Health and Addictions announced grants for six communities and organizations on Vancouver Island to address overdose response and awareness efforts. (Black Press file)

MALCOLMSON: Transforming mental health and substance use care in B.C.

Two years ago, government launched a 10-year plan called A Pathway to Hope

  • Sep 15, 2021
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Vaccine Politics: Will COVID-19 affect the outcome of the federal election in B.C.?

Week 3 of federal election analysis by columnist Bruce Cameron focuses on the effects of COVID-19

  • Sep 9, 2021
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Interior Health nurses were administering COVID-19 vaccines to seniors and care aides in Kelowna on Tuesday, March 16. In Salmon Arm on March 11, guests, staff and support personnel at the Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Shelter at McGuire Lake were vaccinated. (Phil McLachlan/Black Press)

I work at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, here’s what people ask when getting their shot

By Ehsan Misaghi, Clinician-Scientist Trainee, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and Faculty…

Interior Health nurses were administering COVID-19 vaccines to seniors and care aides in Kelowna on Tuesday, March 16. In Salmon Arm on March 11, guests, staff and support personnel at the Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Shelter at McGuire Lake were vaccinated. (Phil McLachlan/Black Press)
Design plans for Sparwood Fire Hall #2: Submitted by District of Sparwood.

Letters to the Editor: Sparwood Fire Hall expansion

Firehall Renovation and Expansion The District of Sparwood is proposing to borrow…

  • Sep 2, 2021
Design plans for Sparwood Fire Hall #2: Submitted by District of Sparwood.
<strong>It’s not easy being Green: Erosion of overall support for Paul could impact outcome in many B.C. ridings</strong>Federal Green party leader Annamie Paul cuts the ribbon of her campaign office in Toronto Centre on Thursday, July 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston Federal Green party leader Annamie Paul cuts the ribbon of her campaign office in Toronto Centre on Thursday, July 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

It’s not easy being Green: Erosion of overall support for Paul could impact many B.C. ridings

At the federal level, the Green Party led by Elizabeth May held three of the 42 seats in B.C. not so long ago

  • Aug 30, 2021
<strong>It’s not easy being Green: Erosion of overall support for Paul could impact outcome in many B.C. ridings</strong>Federal Green party leader Annamie Paul cuts the ribbon of her campaign office in Toronto Centre on Thursday, July 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston Federal Green party leader Annamie Paul cuts the ribbon of her campaign office in Toronto Centre on Thursday, July 22, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
B.C. Premier John Horgan said on June 3 that COVID-19 restrictions won't be eased regionally, “If people want to book arrangements at their favourite place in B.C, you can certainly do that now, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get there,” Horgan said. (NEWS file photo)

FINLAYSON: Time for a ‘health check’ on the tourism industry as summer winds down

To revive the economy, this piece in the strategy is integral, writes Jock Finlayson

  • Aug 26, 2021
B.C. Premier John Horgan said on June 3 that COVID-19 restrictions won't be eased regionally, “If people want to book arrangements at their favourite place in B.C, you can certainly do that now, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get there,” Horgan said. (NEWS file photo)
Federal election campaign stops across Canada in the second week of August 2021. (Canadian Press photos)

Poised for majority or upset? Hopes and fears in 1st week of Canada’s election campaign

First week of this short five-week federal election campaign kicked off with appearances in B.C.

  • Aug 23, 2021
Federal election campaign stops across Canada in the second week of August 2021. (Canadian Press photos)
Arid Australian countryside in central Victoria state. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Column: Water, water, not quite everywhere

Growing up a drought can leave an impression

Arid Australian countryside in central Victoria state. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Gymnast Simone Biles answers a question during an interview after a training session Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Spring, Texas. (AP Photo / David J. Phillip)

Elliott: ‘We can all learn from her courage’: Simone Biles not alone in mental health struggle

It’s worth paying attention to people who best understand what Olympic gymnastic star is confronting

Gymnast Simone Biles answers a question during an interview after a training session Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in Spring, Texas. (AP Photo / David J. Phillip)
(Phil McLachlan – Western News)

We can’t predict the next wildfire disaster – but we can plan for it

Twenty years ago, there were no national statistics on wildfire evacuations

(Phil McLachlan – Western News)
A motorhome sits amid the burnt debris in the Village of Lytton, B.C. on Friday, July 9, 2021 following a massive wildfire that tore through the town destroying 90 per cent of it. (Jenna Hauck/ Black Press Media)

OPINION: The Village of Lytton turned to ashes in moments

‘We drive by piles of ash and crumbled brick. What used to be there?’ writes Jenna Hauck

A motorhome sits amid the burnt debris in the Village of Lytton, B.C. on Friday, July 9, 2021 following a massive wildfire that tore through the town destroying 90 per cent of it. (Jenna Hauck/ Black Press Media)
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Empowering and educating residents about fire safety.

Sparwood Fire Department members will soon be canvassing the community and promoting the B.C. FireSmart program

  • Jul 16, 2021
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FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2017, file photo, customers look at iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus phones at an Apple Store in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Apple’s Siri is no longer a woman by default, but is this really a win for feminism?

Users must now choose between two male and two female voices when enabling the voice assistant

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2017, file photo, customers look at iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus phones at an Apple Store in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Downtown Fernie, B.C. looking north in June 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free press)

Guest column: Vibrancy returning to Fernie with step 3

By Brad Parsell, executive director of the Fernie Chamber of Commerce

  • Jul 7, 2021
Downtown Fernie, B.C. looking north in June 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free press)
A map created by the Ministry of Forests shows the activity of the Bea Fire in Beaverdell, B.C. in 1989, including one house in particular (at bottom right) that was nearly completely surrounded by flames. (Ministry of Forests)

COLUMN: Looking back on historic fire that nearly destroyed a B.C. town

Enormous firefighting effort saved Beaverdell from destruction in 1989

A map created by the Ministry of Forests shows the activity of the Bea Fire in Beaverdell, B.C. in 1989, including one house in particular (at bottom right) that was nearly completely surrounded by flames. (Ministry of Forests)
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COVID proved that local news is a lifeline. We’re investing in its future

‘Today, local media is as valued as it’s ever been’

  • Jun 24, 2021
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Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison. Photo courtesy Conservative Party of Canada

COLUMN: Conservatives call on Liberals to withdraw internet bill

Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison writes about Bill C-10

  • Jun 10, 2021
Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison. Photo courtesy Conservative Party of Canada
(Pixabay)

Opinion: Working from home isn’t the gift it’s made out to be

Working from home is just your employer living in your house rent-free

(Pixabay)