Category Archives: social issues
Homelessness Must Be a Priority
Homelessness Must be a Priority Homelessness is a province wide issue. It exists in communities large and small throughout the province. It exists here in Prince Rupert. Shelter spaces are urgently needed, but they are just the barest … Continue reading
Filed under economy, op-ed, social issues
Rural Post-Secondary Students Struggle Under Campbell Says Coons
Recent numbers which show that B.C. has fallen to last place when it comes to supporting post-secondary students in financial need under the Campbell government mean that students from outside of the province’s urban core have to struggle to get … Continue reading
Filed under economy, education, press release, rural bc, social issues
Campbell Missed the Mark on B.C. Ferries
Once again Gordon Campbell has put political rhetoric ahead of real relief for ferry dependent communities, New Democrat Ferries Critic Gary Coons said today. “Slightly reduced fares and restoration of service for a mere two months is an embarrassing response … Continue reading
Filed under ferries, press release, rural bc, social issues, transportation
Arrogant Premier Ignores Concerns, Cancels Fall Session — Coons
Premier Campbell’s cancellation of the fall session shows his government is arrogant and out of touch with the concerns of ordinary British Columbians says North Coast MLA Gary Coons. Since the Spring session ended on May 29, it will be … Continue reading
Filed under economy, education, ferries, press release, rural bc, seniors, social issues, transportation
B.C. Students Face Huge Debts while Schools Struggle with Cuts
While students in B.C. carry some of the heftiest debt loads in the country, abrupt changes to post-secondary funding have forced colleges and universities throughout the province to cut staff and programs or use contingency funds to cover the resulting … Continue reading
Filed under education, press release, social issues
Roll back Massive Pay Hike for Campbell’s Top Executives
The fact that Campbell is willing to give his top advisors a massive pay hike while refusing to raise the minimum wage is proof that the premier is arrogant and out of touch with the needs of ordinary citizens, says … Continue reading
Filed under economy, press release, social issues
Campbell Government pounds coastal communities with another fare increase
NDP ferries critic Gary Coons says it is appalling that the Campbell government is imposing another whopping fare increase on B.C. ferries the same week the government’s own ferry advisory committees strongly recommended against such a move. “On Monday, the … Continue reading
Filed under ferries, press release, rural bc, social issues, transportation
A World According to the First Nations Ten Commandments
Lately, I’ve been thinking about the kind of world I’d like to see, and what it would take to make that world a reality. I think, having recently discovered the First Nations Ten Commandments (in the Elders Gathering program) that … Continue reading
Filed under First Nations, op-ed, social issues
Sacred Headwaters Gathering Shows Strong Regional Resistance to Coalbed Methane Extraction
The fact that hundreds of people from throughout the northwest traveled to the Gitanmaax Hall in Old Hazelton on a sunny Saturday afternoon proves that there is a critical groundswell of opposition to coalbed methane development in the Sacred Headwaters … Continue reading
Filed under environment, First Nations, press release, social issues
Coons Asks For Clarity on Coast Sustainability Trust Fund
The Coast Sustainability Trust fund needs to come out of limbo and be used as compensation for job loss, pension bridging, early retirement and retraining, says North Coast MLA Gary Coons. “There are people on the islands that need access … Continue reading
Filed under press release, rural bc, social issues