Gary Coons

April 14 was Anti-Bullying Day in BC, which also just happens to be Pink Shirt Day. Both are efforts to reduce bullying. Pink Shirt Day, now in its third year, is a grass roots call for everyone to wear pink as a show of solidarity against bullying. The Opposition caucus joined in this call to encourage all British Columbians, those in government and in all aspects of society to “foster respect, fairness, equity and compassion’ and  show their commitment to end bullying.

A criminal trial will not answer all the questions that remain about the sinking of the B.C. ferry Queen of the North four years ago, says provincial NDP transportation critic Gary Coons. Read the rest of this entry →

There is more bad news for the Island economy in the latest ruling on B.C. Ferries fare increases. Fares on the main routes will rise by up to 2.7 per per cent on April 1. The other routes, including the northern service, will increase an average 5.7 per cent. Read the rest of this entry →

With fare rates on B.C. Ferries expected to rise on April 1, NDP ferries critic Gary Coons says the Liberal government is taking too long to react to recommendations on how to improve the service’s transparency and accountability. Read the rest of this entry →

Ferry passengers will pay more to ride on April 1 — a fare increase expected to generate $21 million for the mothership B.C. Ferries corporation.

Ferry commissioner Martin Crilly approved an increase in price caps for both major and minor B.C. Ferries routes on Friday. Read the rest of this entry →

Ferry fares will likely rise again April 1 after ferry commissioner Martin Crilly today approved price cap increases on all 25 of British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.’s regulated routes.

The commissioner approved a 2.68 percent increase on the three major routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland and a 5.68 percent jump on all other routes. Read the rest of this entry →

British Columbia Transportation Minister Shirley Bond said British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. needs to consult more with the public before she’ll approve a controversial plan to run ferries from Tsawwassen to Prince Rupert.

“There’s been no final decisions made about that,” said Bond. “What I want to make sure is that communities have adequate opportunities to be consulted about that and there’s obviously been some expression of concern in the Prince Rupert area in particular and along the northern corridor.” Read the rest of this entry →

Approximately 25 people came out to the Fishermen’s Hall in Prince Rupert on January 23 to join a national protest of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s decision to prorogue Parliament, something that rally-goers called “an obscene abuse of power”. Read the rest of this entry →

VICTORIA — An arbitrator’s ruling has found the B.C. Liberals’ failure to invest in public education has left children struggling to learn in overcrowded classrooms across the province, say New Democrats. Read the rest of this entry →

Racism cited as a reason the murders and disappearances have not received more attention

B.C. needs a public inquiry and a multi-agency police task force to examine the many cases of girls and women who have met violence on B.C. highways, say two community leaders who have been vocal about the so-called Highway of Tears case. Read the rest of this entry →