Opinion

Last year 188 workers lost their lives on the job in B.C. That number is unacceptable.

Where would communities like the Sunshine Coast be without volunteers? It's a question I've been pondering this week, as April 23 to 29 is National Volunteer Week.

For the second time in as many weeks, Canadians are mourning the loss of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. Last weekend, four of our servicemen were killed when a roadside bomb blew up, killing the men in their military vehicle. Two weeks ago, Pvt.

The Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden Society moved a little closer this week to seeing their dream project become reality.

You always know any conversation that begins, "the kids are OK" and then slides into the dreaded "but" is going to be one you don't want to hear. Such was the case last Monday.

The morning of Robert Costall's funeral, I was sick to my stomach. I tried to play with my daughter as I watched the clock, knowing I'd have to leave soon and join the media scrum.

The annual Fraser Institute's Report Card on B.C. high schools was released and reported on in The Province this week. This is the ranking of how schools stack up against each other.

June 25, 2005 was a historic day. After years of study, government haggling and failed votes, the will of the people finally broke through and voted 67 per cent in favour on the referendum question for recreation.

So our Prime Minister Stephen Harper wants to lock them up and throw away the key. Longer prison sentences, less community re-integration and more police patrolling neighbourhoods will reduce serious crimes, he says.

I had the pleasure of being on hand for the start of what I hope will be more photo ops and fundraising announcements for the new recreation facilities.