Opinion

FILE - In this Friday, Jan 1, 2021 file photo, a lorry driver's documents are scanned on a phone as he passes a checkpoint for the train through the Eurotunnel link with Europe in Folkestone, England. One month after Britain made a New Year split from the European Union's economic embrace, businesses that once traded freely are getting used to frustrating checks, delays and red tape. Meat exporters say shipments have rotted in trucks awaiting European health checks. Scottish fishermen have protested at Parliament over the catch they can no longer sell to the continent because of byzantine new paperwork. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

FINLAYSON: Government should focus on strengthening B.C.’s leading export industries

To revive the economy, this piece in the strategy is integral, writes Jock Finlayson

  • Mar 1, 2021
Tofino is considering new restrictions around beach fires. (Westerly News file photo)

POLL QUESTION: Do you support a portable beach fire pit mandate in Tofino?

Tofino is considering new restrictions around beach fires.

  • Feb 28, 2021
(Northern Vancouver Island Tourism/Steven Fines)

OP-ED: 1 year into pandemic, B.C.’s tourism sector hopes for a light at the end of the tunnel

Only about 17 per cent of businesses have been operating as usual in B.C.

  • Feb 26, 2021
Ucluelet locals Sophia Lounsbury and Charlotte Norman had a blast sliding through the snow at Tugwell Fields during Saturday’s rare winter wonderland on the West Coast. (Andrew Bailey photo)

POLL QUESTION: Did you enjoy the rare snowfall in Tofino-Ucluelet?

The West Coast transformed into a winter wonderland last weekend.

  • Feb 21, 2021
Ucluelet locals Sophia Lounsbury and Charlotte Norman had a blast sliding through the snow at Tugwell Fields during Saturday’s rare winter wonderland on the West Coast. (Andrew Bailey photo)
David Black speaks at a 2017 news conference urging B.C. to bid on the 2022 Commonwealth Games, after serving as a director for the 1994 event hosted by Victoria. (Black Press Media files)

OP-ED: B.C. tourism needs a boost from 2026 Commonwealth Games

‘Far more profitable’ than 1994 event hosted by Victoria

  • Feb 17, 2021
David Black speaks at a 2017 news conference urging B.C. to bid on the 2022 Commonwealth Games, after serving as a director for the 1994 event hosted by Victoria. (Black Press Media files)
Businesses continue to struggle under COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings. (B.C. government)

POLL QUESTION: Have you supported a locally owned restaurant in the past month?

Have you supported a locally owned restaurant in the past month? READ…

  • Feb 14, 2021
Businesses continue to struggle under COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings. (B.C. government)
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Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions in B.C. (B.C. Government photo)

MALCOLMSON: 2020 left us grappling with overdose tragedy and working for change

B.C.’s Addictions Minister reflects on visit to Overdose Prevention Society in Vancouver

  • Feb 12, 2021
Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions in B.C. (B.C. Government photo)
A few of the books available on the topic of Black history in Canada.

If you think Black history isn’t Canadian history, think again

‘In a community with a relatively small number of Black residents, it would be easy to let Black History Month pass without pausing’

  • Feb 10, 2021
A few of the books available on the topic of Black history in Canada.
Family Day is on Feb. 15. (Black Press file photo)

POLL QUESTION: Does your household plan to do something special for Family Day?

Does your household plan to do something special for Family Day on…

  • Feb 7, 2021
Family Day is on Feb. 15. (Black Press file photo)
John Hinds, CEO of News Media Canada (formerly Newspapers Canada) reads an email from PayPal at his office in Toronto on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. Hinds called it “scary” after PayPal froze his organization’s payments account over a weekly newspaper story about a Syrian refugee family in Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel

LETTER: It’s time for Canadian politicians to ‘level the digital playing field’ for news

‘Google and Facebook… control the onramp to the internet highway in Canada’

  • Feb 4, 2021
John Hinds, CEO of News Media Canada (formerly Newspapers Canada) reads an email from PayPal at his office in Toronto on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. Hinds called it “scary” after PayPal froze his organization’s payments account over a weekly newspaper story about a Syrian refugee family in Manitoba. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel
(Tom Fletcher photo)

POLL QUESTION: Would you like to see B.C. close its border to inter-provincial travel?

Would you like to see B.C. close its border to inter-provincial travel?…

  • Jan 31, 2021
(Tom Fletcher photo)
Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone questions the NDP government in the B.C. legislature, Feb. 25, 2020. (Hansard TV)

Todd Stone: More action needed to save B.C. businesses

‘This pandemic recovery effort is about people’

  • Jan 27, 2021
Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone questions the NDP government in the B.C. legislature, Feb. 25, 2020. (Hansard TV)
A Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation guardian took this photo of dozens of vehicles parked along a forest service road in the Kennedy watershed. (Submitted photo)

POLL QUESTION: Would you like to see stricter enforcement towards illegal camping?

Would you like to see stricter enforcement towards illegal camping? READ MORE:…

  • Jan 24, 2021
A Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation guardian took this photo of dozens of vehicles parked along a forest service road in the Kennedy watershed. (Submitted photo)
(B.C. government)

POLL QUESTION: Would you report a neighbour in breach of COVID-19 regulations?

Would you report a neighbour in breach of COVID-19 regulations? READ MORE:…

  • Jan 15, 2021
(B.C. government)
Citizen science on a small Vancouver island Coho stream. (Public Fishery Alliance)

LETTER: Public Fishery Alliance clarifies stance on ways to restore B.C.’s salmon population

‘Fishing is enjoyable, but that’s not why the public fishery supports adipose fin clipping all chinook production’

  • Jan 14, 2021
Citizen science on a small Vancouver island Coho stream. (Public Fishery Alliance)
Sisters Lily and Bryna Frost with mom Kelsey glide around Tofino’s new, outdoor synthetic ice rink. The District of Tofino is offering free public skates and lessons for the community until the end of January, 2021. To learn more about programs and COVID-19 safety procedures visit: <a href="http://tofino.ca/skatelot" target="_blank">tofino.ca/skatelot</a>. (Nora O’Malley photo)

POLL QUESTION: Have you skated on Tofino’s temporary synthetic rink?

Have you skated on Tofino’s temporary synthetic rink? READ MORE: Tofino aims…

  • Jan 8, 2021
Sisters Lily and Bryna Frost with mom Kelsey glide around Tofino’s new, outdoor synthetic ice rink. The District of Tofino is offering free public skates and lessons for the community until the end of January, 2021. To learn more about programs and COVID-19 safety procedures visit: <a href="http://tofino.ca/skatelot" target="_blank">tofino.ca/skatelot</a>. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Pattullo Bridge replacement is one of a group of major construction projects due to begin in B.C. with union-only labour. (Black Press Media)

LETTER: Compulsory trades training for B.C. apprentices makes sense

B.C. Building Trades women’s group endorses NDP’s move

  • Jan 7, 2021
Pattullo Bridge replacement is one of a group of major construction projects due to begin in B.C. with union-only labour. (Black Press Media)
New Year’s Fireworks for 2020 as seen from the Penticton Lakeside Resort. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

POLL QUESTION: Do you make New Year’s resolutions?

What are you hoping to achieve in 2021?

  • Jan 3, 2021
New Year’s Fireworks for 2020 as seen from the Penticton Lakeside Resort. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)

ISLAND HEALTH COLUMN: New year focus on vaccinations, opioid crisis, racism in healthcare

Island Health says while there is much work ahead, there is hope

  • Jan 2, 2021
Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)
Motor coach companies in B.C., and across Canada, have been left struggling as they near 10 months of operating at a 95 per cent reduction in revenues. (Courtesy Wilson’s Group)

COLUMN: Bus companies at risk as revenue drops 95 per cent, no help in sight

John Wilson is president and CEO, The Wilson’s Group of Companies

  • Dec 30, 2020
Motor coach companies in B.C., and across Canada, have been left struggling as they near 10 months of operating at a 95 per cent reduction in revenues. (Courtesy Wilson’s Group)