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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

New Report: Dreams and Realities on the Home Front (Broadbent Institute)

A new report published by the Broadbent Institute entitled, “Dreams and Realities on the Home Front: Canadians’ Call for Government Action on Housing Affordability” found that a strong majority of surveyed residents of BC’s lower mainland and the GTHA want to see their government return to building non-market housing. The report, which was co-published with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Canada, looks at the housing challenges faced by Canadians in the country’s most expensive housing regions . . . . CLICK HERE for the full report
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Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic? (The Tyee)

A truly life-or-death, three-way struggle is going on around the world — a struggle to determine the response to the next pandemic. On one side are the minimizers: right-wing and contrarian groups that have wanted to do as little as possible about COVID-19 and the public-health response to it. On another side are the maximizers: scientists and their supporters who hope for the best but want to plan for the worst. And in the middle are the governments and health agencies trying to do the right thing, which is unlikely to be a compromise between minimizers and maximizers. Few governments and agencies have been blameless in their responses to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But they know any change in policies or planning would be attacked by one side or the other — or both . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Emergency room in Prince Rupert, B.C. closes for 8th time this month (Global)

There was more frustration for Prince Rupert residents as the city’s hospital had to once again close the doors of its emergency department overnight. The latest closure followed a 17-hour closure the previous day, from late Sunday night to Monday afternoon. The closure is due to staffing challenges. In total, it is the eighth overnight closure so far this month. The next nearest hospital is in Terrace, which is about an hour-and-a-half drive away . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Updated BC bail data leaves little to be desired: Mike Morris (My Cariboo Now)

Prince George-Mackenzie BC United MLA Mike Morris is appalled by a report from the BC Prosecution Service where the majority of accused violent offenders prosecutors have sought to keep behind bars have been granted bail. The data, which was unveiled yesterday (Tuesday), covered nearly 48-hundred bail hearings between November of 2022 and December of 2023. Morris told Vista Radio in an interview he was disappointed to see judges grant bail nearly 60 percent of overall cases and nearly 57% of cases involving violence . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Prince George Conservative MP ramps up carbon tax attack during Terrace visit (Terrace Standard)

Federal Conservatives are aligning themselves more than ever with B.C. political parties opposed to taxing carbon. Speaking in Terrace yesterday (March 26), Conservative Member of Parliament Bob Zimmer repeatedly connected BC Premier David Eby with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in criticizing a scheduled increase in the carbon tax as of April 1 . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Marc Miller says he has a plan for temporary residents coming to Canada. Can it work? (Toronto Star)

Immigration Minister Marc Miller remarked that the country has become “quite addicted” to temporary foreign workers. He wasn’t wrong. In recent years, the number of temporary residents overall who come to Canada to work and study had ballooned seemingly unchecked with no apparent overarching strategy or thought about the knock-on strains it would place on housing, health care and education. Canada's population grew by 1.3 million people to total population of 40.7 million in 2023, the highest growth rate since 1957, according to Statistics Canada. Most of that growth -- some 804,901 people --was from temporary immigration. There are 2.7 million temporary residents in Canada, up from 1.4 million just two years ago . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Comment: Still time for sober second thought by Victoria council (Times Colonist)

A commentary by a Victoria city councillor. To the residents and taxpayers of Victoria, let this be your (un)official notice of motion regarding the 25 per cent pay increase voted on by the majority of Victoria council on March 14. On that day, you didn’t get the courtesy of seeing the motion (an amendment to be precise) that took everyone by surprise . . . . CLICK HERE for the full commentary

Parksville property owners get exemption from short-term rental rules (Times Colonist)

Many Parksville property owners are breathing a sigh of relief after the BC government granted an exemption for the popular resort community just over a month before new provincial short-term rental regulations take effect. Parksville Mayor Doug O’Brien got a phone call from Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon Wednesday morning who told him the approximately 400 properties along Resort Drive — a mix of hotels, motels, multiplexes, cabins and cottages — will be exempted from the new rules . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

(100) Economists defend Liberals' carbon price as political rhetoric heats up (Times Colonist)

Dozens of Canadian economists issued an ardent defence of Canada's price on pollution Tuesday, as the government faces increased pressure from the Conservatives and provincial premiers to cancel a planned increase to the levy. The national carbon price is the cheapest way to cut the most emissions, they said, while disputing the notion that the carbon price is driving up inflation and the cost of living. They fear the debate about the policy has lost sight of what it really is and what it really does . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Always room for a ‘zinger’ in politics (Penticton Herald)

  I have always liked the word zinger. It has a real zest to it! There are varying defintions of zinger but it is usually accepted as being a critical remark, often with some humour or a comment that stands out. It can also represent a person or thing . . . . . . . . Ranting and raving without back up evidence is not funny and rarely produces zingers. CLICK HERE for the full story

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