Thoughts on BC Politics and More

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

Many cabins in the tourism-dependent area fall under zoning categories that restrict them to being used no more than 180 days per year “All we are saying is those are not suitable for long-term rental. They are purpose-built,” said O’Brien, who likened the community’s request — endorsed at a council meeting this month — to exemptions granted to designated resort communities. CLICK HERE for the full story

  Following his ouster from NDP caucus, Parksville-Qualicum MLA Adam Walker says his primary concern is clearing his name. “I’m looking at options for that, but it sounds like arbitration is the best way to achieve those goals,” he said. Walker was removed from caucus after the conclusion of a misconduct investigation ... ... said he cannot share any details because the allegations are related to an “HR matter” and he would like to see an arbitration process begin as soon as possible. He added that often a public report will be issued as a result of an arbitration process, which he hopes will address his concerns and potentially the human resources matters as well ... CLICK HERE for the rest of the story

How does the Cambridge Dictionary describe what a Nanny State is?  It’s a government that tries to give too much advise, or make too many laws, about how people should live their lives . And it seems like our BC NDP government is back at it again in regards to this. According to a letter sent to Tourism Minister Lisa Beare, by MLA’s Michelle Stillwell, and Doug Clovechok. Silly season is here again. Quoting the letter sent by the two MLA’s to Beare;   Will this be the new look for golf carts in BC In October of 2018, WorkSafe BC proposed amendments to Part 16 of the worker safety ‘Mobile Equipment’ regulation, which falls under the Workers Compensation Act of BC, making rollover protection and seat belts mandatory on golf carts.  From our perspective, the low golf cart rollover injury claim history does not support the need for roll over protection structures (ROPS), nor is there an apparent need for specific location risk a...

Manning Park Many of my summer days have been spent in a British Columbia Park . I loved the familiar sound rolling through the trees of the “Two-Wheelers” a ramshackle gang of pre-teens on bicycles thrown together by chance for a few days under the shade of a grove of Coastal Douglas fir, cedar, maple and arbutus.  Manning Park was a family favourite, as was Kalmalka Lake near Vernon. These were the days where we were playing carefree from dawn till dusk. The third Saturday of July was Parks Day and my family just happened to be camping at Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville. This was another target destination for my family as we explored 1980’s SuperNatural British Columbia in our tent trailer. The Elder's Council I have a semi-regular meeting with a group who call themselves “The Elder’s Council”. More organized than the “Two-Wheelers”, they are retired public servants who worked in B.C. Parks throughout their careers and who want to see the ...