Adrian Dix talks future of provincial NDP
Adrian Dix, leader of the BC NDP and Official Opposition to the government, has a nearly two decade-long history with the party. and won the NDP’s leadership race this past April after the resignation of former leader Carole James. Now holding onto the reins of a party that is on the rise, he stands a good chance of being our next Premier. And as we close out the year, the busiest man in BC politics spoke with The Cascade on topics ranging from student issues, economics, political attacks, and the Occupy movement.
The doctor is in: Banman elected as Abbotsford’s new mayor
In the recent civic election, Abbotsford citizens brought about significant change: although most of the city council and school trustees remain the same, there will be a new mayor in town.
Manly manliness for men: The Vancouver Men’s Show
The Vancouver Men’s Show is “the only men’s specific consumer trade show in British Columbia.”
All good things must come to an end: An interview with Public Eye founder Sean Holman
At the beginning of this month Sean Holman was forced to suspend Public Eye indefinitely due to unsustainable costs associated with its operation. After eight years of reporting, filing Freedom of Information requests and receiving leaked documents, he has posted over 6000 stories – many of which were groundbreaking. He was awarded the Jack Webster award in 2004 for best print news reporting of the year and is currently a journalism professor at the University of Victoria. Holman also has a radio show on CFAX 1070, and is developing a documentary on provincial politics. This week, he agreed to hold an interview with The Cascade.
SUS has a WTF moment
Tuition has more than doubled over the last decade, and government funding to post-secondary education has fallen by almost 10 per cent. This is where “Where’s the Funding” steps in, which is a campaign organized by the Student Labour Action Project (SLAP) and United States Student Association (USSA) that’s seeking more funding for students. The campaign got off the ground in the Lower Maintland this past September with the involvement of the UBC, UVic and SFU student union societies, and has since expanded to include student unions from Langara, Capilano, and UFV.
Abbotsford Food Bank helps fill bellies and stockings
Year round, the Abbotsford Food Bank (AFB) helps families and individuals in the community who don’t have enough to make ends meet ensure that they get the necessities for life. During the Christmas season especially, the AFB and the Christmas Bureau are hard at work to assist Abbotsford citizens in need.
Abbotsford mayoral candidates debate issues at UFV
As their campaigns draw to a close, the five mayoral candidates for the City of Abbotsford had one last chance to formally discuss and debate the hot topics of this year’s civic election. Hosted by the Political Science Student Association, the candidates debated on issues such as the proposed public-private partnership (P3) for Stave Lake, steady increases in property taxes, and public transportation. Although the largest topic in the election by far has been the impending referendum regarding the P3 project, it did not dominate the debate – only two questions posed related directly to it.
A UFV perspective on VPD riot charge recommendations
It was the largest crime spree in the history of the province, according to Vancouver police chief Jim Chu. And now after five months of taking criticism over their handling of the riots, including complaints about the slow process afterwards, the Vancouver Police Department are now ready to begin moving forward.
Abbotsford all-candidates’ debate kicks off final leg of mayoral race
The P3 water project, crime, and taxation were the foremost items on the agenda for the Abbotsford mayoral debate held at City Hall last Wednesday. The first debate between the declared candidates kicked off the final stretch before the municipal election later this month and featured incumbent George Peary squaring off with rivals Bruce Banman, Meghann Coughlan, Travis Daleman and Gerda Peachey.
Mayor George Peary runs for a second term in office
Abbotsford Mayor George Peary spoke with The Cascade this week about his reasons for running for a second term in office.
Bruce Banman campaigns for “the youth of today”
Banman agreed to speak with The Cascade this week, outlining his goals as potential mayor and weighing in on the P3 debate.
Gerda Peachey runs for mayor to give the public a voice
This week, Peachey spoke with The Cascade, explaining her motivation to begin a campaign and what she’d like to accomplish as mayor.
Controversial P3 project referendum question to be included in municipal election
The public-private partnership (P3) project proposed by the City of Abbotsford to design and build a $291,000,000 water source and treatment plant at Stave Lake has been a hot topic in this year’s municipal elections in Abbotsford as the four mayoral challengers oppose incumbent mayor George Peary on the issue.
Seventeen-year-old UFV student runs for mayor
Seventeen-year-old Travis Daleman is one of five mayoral candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring for this year’s municipal elections happening in Abbotsford on November 19. Having grown up in Abbotsford for most of his life and recently graduated from W. J. Mouat Secondary, Daleman can be found at most Abbotsford city council meetings immersing himself in local politics. Amidst campaigning for the upcoming mayoral election, Daleman also has found the time to begin his university studies at UFV this semester. Daleman spoke to The Cascade to answer some questions regarding his recent decision to run for mayor in Abbotsford.
Tony Parsons brings years of broadcast expertise to UFV
At 72-years-old, TV news anchor and recipient of an honorary doctorate degree in technology Tony Parsons shows no signs of slowing down. Proof of his popularity was the number of guests that showed up to UFV’s Chilliwack campus on Friday, October 14, where Parsons held a question and answer period for community members, faculty and students.
Champion Jack’s vintage and vinyl boutique opens doors in downtown Abbotsford
Champion Jack’s Emporium opened up last weekend, with a clothing sale and cheese samples that drew plenty of customers. The record and vintage clothing store is the first of its kind in Abbotsford. Champion Jack’s sells men’s and women’s dress wear, local artisan goods, vinyl records and tapes.
Wouldn’t it be nice: Hopeful home-owners face uncertain future in B.C.
Home ownership was once a viable option for B.C.’s working families. But over the past decade, skyrocketing property values have shut out a new generation of potential home owners. According to an August report by the RBC, the greater Vancouver area’s affordability has deteriorated significantly in recent years. The report determines affordability by calculating ownership costs as a percentage of household income. In British Columbia, the affordability index rating for a two-story home is inching closer to an all-time high of 80 per cent. The national average is only 49 per cent.
Gluten-free cooking class for a growing Celiac population
On the evening of Friday September 23, Lepp Farm Market hosted a gluten-free ethnic night that addressed the kind of restrictions Celiac’s disease puts on an individual’s diet, and how a menu be altered to accommodate such restrictions.
Gordon Campbell honoured with the Order of B.C.
September began amidst controversy in British Columbia as The Order of B.C. announced they were awarding former Premier Gordon Campbell the province’s highest honour.
HST struck down: now what?
One burning question: who’s going to be paying back the $2.2 billion? In a public statement from May 25th, Finance Minister Kevin Falcon declared that, if upheld, these funds would be recovered by a temporary increase to corporate taxes from 10 per cent to 12 per cent. Will a similar method be employed to help recover some of the deficit? Olthuis didn’t think so. “I know who it will come from,” he declared. “The taxpayers.”
It’s the end of HMV as we know it (and I don’t feel fine)
Last week it was announced that HMV Canada, the only national specialty entertainment retailer in the country, had been sold to a British restructuring firm. According to a June 27 press release, Hilco UK plans to invest $25 million in the “continued evolution of its business.”
UFV riot victim gets helping hand
A bright spot in what has internationally been regarded as a dark day for Vancouver has shone through at UFV, where many have been rallying around student Crystal Ratvyk in a bid to replace her car that was destroyed during the recent post-hockey riots.
CIVL’s Mood Swings receives national distinction
Delegates from CIVL Radio returned from the National Community and Campus Radio Association Awards in Halifax last week with even more hardware to add to their growing collection. Not only did UFV’s campus radio station bring home the trophy for Community Development but one of the station’s most popular weekly programs, Mood Swings, received honourable mention in the category of Best Music Program, beating out submissions from many of the NCRA’s 80 other member stations.
