Opinion

The fat cats just keep getting fatter. Last week B.C. Ferries' board members gave themselves a significant pay increase on the same day the corporation was raising its fares.

The fact that dangerous offender Blane MacDougal was able to walk away from the minimum security Ferndale Institution in Mission on Monday punches home the point that violence against women still isn't being taken seriously enough by the courts or th

This has been a most interesting spring. If I could sing I'd be doing a rousing chorus of Johnny Cash's "I Been Everywhere." Over a two-week course, this reluctant flyer has spent a total of 16 hours in the air winging my way across North America.

Lord, how we Canadians love to puff out our chests whenever another report comes out about what a wonderful country this is to live in. To hear us talk, you'd think we were the most broadminded, compassionate people on Earth. And some of us are.

The overall health and well-being of B.C. students is improving, thanks to efforts such as Healthy Schools and ActNow BC, but schools still need more help in making sure students are active, healthy members of society.

Three weeks ago, I wrote about the problem posed by the lack of limits on campaign spending by candidates in local elections. I've had some feedback from local politicians and from School District No.

Walking into the new Gibsons and Area Community Centre, you can't help but smile. It's a wonderful and inviting place. I was on hand last Saturday for the official opening and was thrilled by the response from the community.

Did you do it? Did you turn off all your lights and appliances Saturday night? Did you curl up on the couch with a good book and read by candlelight? If you didn't take part in Earth Hour last Saturday night, you were in the minority.

No, that's not my baby picture, but it is my reminder of why I tend to gravitate towards stories on health and social issues and the reason why I do a lot of the things I do - my granddaughter Ila, my daughter Jessika and my son-in-law Chris.

The health care system in this province - across this country - needs a serious shock to the system. Word comes this week that the Coast's only hospital, St. Mary's, may have problems this spring and summer with emergency room (ER) doctor shortages.