Public illicit drug use will soon be banned in the province, and police will be given more power to enforce the ban.

This ban includes within hospitals, on transit, and at parks and beaches.

“Keeping people safe is our highest priority. While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe,” said Premier David Eby.

“We’re taking action to make sure police have the tools they need to ensure safe and comfortable communities for everyone as we expand treatment options so people can stay alive and get better.”

The province and federal government are collaborating to make changes to “the legality of possessing drugs in B.C.,” which will allow police to enforce against public drug use.

Officers will have the option to make someone using drugs in public leave the space, take the drugs, or arrest the person if necessary.

“Our communities are facing big challenges. People are dying from deadly street drugs and we see the issues with public use and disorder on our streets,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

“As we continue to go after the gangs and organized criminals who are making and trafficking toxic drugs, we’re taking action now to make it illegal to use drugs in public spaces, and to expand access to treatment to help people who need it most.”

The province was clear that this change is not the recriminalization of drug possession in a private residence, legal shelter, or overdose prevention site.

People who are addicted will also have expanded access to treatment, the province said they will be:

• increasing the availability and accessibility of opioid-agonist treatment (OAT), a
  medication-assisted treatment for people who have an opioid-use disorder, by
  implementing a provincewide virtual system;
• integrating addictions services with health care, housing and related services; and
• working with experts to develop methods to track prescribed alternatives with the aim of
  identifying and preventing diversion.

“People across the country are dying from poisoned drugs and B.C. is no exception,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Addiction is a health-care issue, not a criminal one, and we’re going to keep doing everything we can to save lives and connect people to treatment.”

Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing news@mygrandforksnow.com.

The post Province to ban all public drug use appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.

Be prepared to pay more for parking at the West Kootenay Regional Airport as Castlegar City Council votes to increase fees.

Airport Manager, Maciej Habrych, says the airport hasn't reviewed their fees since 2007, specifically post COVID, and with growing operational costs and inflation, changes must be made.

“The airport, as a whole, is a very high fixed cost to operate,” said Maciej Habrych.

“We understand the fees increasing is not welcome news, but the way we're looking at this is with the anticipated increase in demand, there's a significant increase in operational costs, so we are positioning the airport to remain financially viable from any taxation at the city level, to ensure that we provide the best service for the region that utilises the airport.”

Daily rates will increase from $8 to $10, weekly rates will increase from $50 to $55, and monthly rates will increase from $195 to $200, while hourly rates will remain the same, which Haybrych says matches industry standard for comparable airports.

On top of parking fees, there will also be an increase to landing and terminal access fees for carriers.

“Those fees are based off weights of aircraft, and commercial aircraft operating in and out of the airport.”

“Those are increasing over a five -year cycle for business planning purposes for airlines to project ahead.”

Council will make the final adoption of the new fee bylaw in next months council meeting.

Free Cancellation Shuttle continues

On a good note, Habrych says Air Canada will continue their flight cancellation shuttle bus service for another year, following the success of the pilot-program.

“Air Canada has extended the bus service for another year ending at the end of April 2025, with intent to carry that on now, starting immediately all the way through next winter season.” said Haybrych.

“We encourage all passengers who are looking ahead for their travel patterns, that they know that this is an option going forward specifically in the winter operations.”

And there is more good news to come, watch this space.

“I can share we are working on providing the region with an update on the airport projects and the exciting initiatives we have going on.” said Habrych.

“We're just working through those details now, but you can expect an update in the near term with exciting news at the airport.”

The post West Kootenay Regional Airport fees increase appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.

Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison says there is nothing positive to say about the 2024 federal budget.

"There is nothing good about an unbalanced budget," he said.

"How can the NDP-Liberals consistently spend more money, driving up interest rates?"

He said this year's budget is full of the same promises the Liberals have been saying for years.

"Look at the last nine years now," Morrison said.

"Every year it's the same thing about how we're going to make life more affordable, but if you just get out of the house and go shopping, you'll realize that life is not more affordable."

The budget talks about taxing the rich to increase taxation fairness for all people in Canada. Morrison said the rich may be paying more now, but everyone else is still hurting.

"Nine years later and who's paying? It's lower-income seniors, and people with disabilities, that's whose paying. The people who go to the grocery store know who's paying and it's them."

The theme of this year's budget was fairness for every generation, but Morrison believes it's just empty words.

"I think we need generational fairness for sure, but I think that starts with seniors. That's a generation we've forgotten about," he added.

"It's easy to say we have a theme that we're going to make life affordable for everyone, but that was the last eight years. They can theme all they want, but it's action with results. Give me a result that we've been successful in actually making something more affordable for the average Canadian and I don't think you are going to see any."

The complete 2024 federal budget can be found below.

MORE: Budget 2024 Fairness for Every Generation (Government of Canada)

Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing news@mygrandforksnow.com.

The post ‘Nothing good’ local MP displeased with Liberal budget appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.

The BC Wildfire Service has announced a 5-month ban on Category 3 fires in some parts of BC’s Interior, which includes the Kamloops, Penticton, Lillooet, Vernon, and Merritt fire zones.

Category 3 open fires will be prohibited from May 3 to Oct. 11, prohibiting people from burning three or more fires on a property at one time, and any fire burning with a burning pile of more than 2 meters in height or 3 meters in width.

As drought conditions persist across most of the province, officials fear the 2024 wildfire season could be as bad, or worse, than last year's record-setter.

The BC Wildfire Service said in a media release that anyone found to be violating the open burning prohibition could face a $1,150 fine and up to $100,000 with possible jail time for those found guilty.

The fire ban does not include Category 1 campfires, or Category 2 open fires, for now.

The Kootenay region is not included in this fire ban. More information on burning restrictions can be found here.

Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing news@mygrandforksnow.com.

The post The first major ban on open fires in BC comes into effect May 3rd appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.

Power has been restored for all FortisBC customers in Midway, Greenwood and the surrounding area after a substation in Midway caught fire yesterday, leaving 340 homes and businesses without power for nearly 16 hours.

Nicole Brown, FortisBC's Chief Communication Officer says the incident is a good reminder for people on the important of being prepared.

The post Power has been restored to Midway and surrounding areas appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.

The BC Government says social media giants Meta, Snap, TikTok and X have agreed to work collaboratively with the province of the development of Bill 12, its public harms legislation, and will be part of BC’s Online Safety Action Table. 

The province says it will place Bill 12 on hold while discussions take place on how to create safe, empowering experiences online

 In a news release, the province says it’s an opportunity to bring experts, parents, technology companies and government together to find new ways of helping young people stay safe online and  be better protected from online harms. 

The province also says Meta has also committed to working with BC’s emergency management organization to help amplify official information for people in emergency situations like wildfires. 

The official opposition says the NDP’s decision to retract Bill 12 only comes after significant public backlash. 

BC United says the business community and concerned citizens across the province forced the NDP to acknowledge the flaws in the legislation. 

Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing news@mygrandforksnow.com.

The post BC Government Hits the Pause Button on Bill 12 for More Consultations appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.

The 2024 Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) convention concluded on Sunday, giving local government officials a chance to network and learn from each other.

The event was held in Radium Hot Springs, with representation from all parts of the Kootenays.

Cranbrook Council member Lynnette Wray said it was a great learning opportunity.

“I think when you sign up for public office, it includes a commitment to be a life-long learner,” said Wray.

“There’s always new information we can pick up and new skills that can help make us stronger representatives on behalf of our residents.”

The AKBLG is a collaborative body made up of municipal governments and the Regional Districts of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB), Central Kootenay (RDCK), East Kootenay (RDEK) and the Town of Golden and the Village of Valemount.

“It’s a great mix of municipalities and regional government folks,” said Wray.

“It’s a learning opportunity, but it’s also an exercise and example of grassroots democracy.”

The convention also gives local governments an opportunity to create, discuss and vote on resolutions to bring forward to the Union of BC Municipalities.

Wray attended the conference alongside Mayor Wayne Price, council members Wesly Graham, Ron Popoff and Wayne Stetski and CAO Mark Fercho.

Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing news@mygrandforksnow.com.

The post AKBLG convention wraps up in Radium Hot Springs appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.

A new round of climate action funding encourages local governments to attempt larger projects.

The province announced earlier this week that they will provide nearly $72 million through the Local Government Climate Action Program, a program aiming to help local communities lower emissions, turn to clean-energy sources and prepare for a changing climate.

This funding comes as part of Budget 2024.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change strategy George Heyman says many sources of emissions are local in nature.

“By providing the next three years of Local Government Climate Action Program funding upfront this year, we can build a more sustainable and climate-friendly future for British Columbians,” said Heyman.

For this funding, the province is giving the money away in a lump sum instead of disbursing it annually, with hopes it will give local governments more confidence in making these projects.

They add the projects need to be aligned with CleanBC and/or climate adaptation objectives.

To learn more about the program, click here.

The post Nearly $72 million invested for climate-action projects in B.C. appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.

The post Updated: Midway Electical Substation Fire triggers water restrictions appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.

Interior Health has issued a drug advisory for the West Kootenay.

Drug checking has detected high amounts of fluorofentanyl and benzodiazepines that have been associated with higher overdose risk, amnesia, and heavy sedation.

Antione Marcheterre, Drug Checking lead for Interior Health says these drugs are more unpredictable, withe less known about them in the community.

"It also makes it once Naloxone in the case of an overdose, the person might not wake up instantly, but stay in a state of sedation."

The drugs are being sold in different shapes and colours, a warning to the public

"If you are planning to use drugs, for whatever reason, the only way to know what is in your drug is by using a drug checking service."

The alert in affect until April 25.

Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing news@mygrandforksnow.com.

The post Drug advisory issued for West Kootenay appeared first on My Grand Forks Now.