The Paralympic Games have thus far been treated with disrespect by everyone except the Vancouver public, who have embraced them with open arms.
We are on the verge of hosting the second largest multi-sport festival on earth and about to bare witness to strength, determination and courage the likes of which our region has rarely experienced. Yet it is a number of high-profile snubs rather than the celebrations that have left an indelible mark on me as an observer.
“it’s not possible to say ‘go ahead and run a deficit’” as it could affect the province’s credit rating.” – BC Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid in explaining why school boards have no fiscal flexibility when it comes to protecting kids
Having attended the first rehearsal of the West Coast Symphony for the coming season last night, I could hear the fear and anger coming from my fellow musicians regarding the cuts to the arts (even the orchestra, which is a volunteer organization filled with professional and amateur players, isn’t receiving it’s usual bingo funds, representing a huge shortfall for such an entity).
British Columbians are facing increased medical service premiums, and health authorities have been told by the Health Minister to cut their budgets, ensuring that surgeries, seniors’ programs and services for the mentally ill are being scaled back to facilitate the government’s wishes.
But out of all the cuts that are being made by the BC government as part of the province’s largest ever deficit, those to school boards across the province are absolutely shameful.
A gutless provincial government cuts and cripples school boards across the province, obscuring responsibility by making school board trustees do their dirty work
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“Perhaps it was my silk dress or the new perfume I’ve been wearing lately. When I asked Suzanne Anton what her New Year’s resolution was, she replied, “To kiss a pretty girl!” and pecked me on the cheek.” – Writer Emily Barca describing her encounter with the lone NPA City Councillor on New Year’s Eve.
