Sound Off
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: B.C.'s health care system moves closer to collapse
EVERY BRITISH COLUMBIAN deserves access to timely and dignified health care. This week in the B.C. legislature, I shared the heart-wrenching story of an elderly man from my community who was neglected in a hospital bed, left with his feet hanging over the rails to avoid laying in his own waste. The lack of basic care a...
Mar 14, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Health care access, reproductive health; a key priority for B.C. government
AN ACCESSIBLE, HIGH-QUALITY and sustainable healthcare system is a top priority for British Columbians, and it is for us, too. British Columbians should have a healthcare system that is there to meet their evolving needs. David Eby and our government are making record-setting investments in recruiting and training more...
Mar 13, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF: NDP's public safety crisis failing British Columbians
ONE OF THE CORE FUNCTIONS of our provincial government is the responsibility to look after British Columbians, ensuring people have access to health care, education and safe communities. But right now, people do not feel safe in their communities. Over the last few years, we've noticed rising rates of crime and street ...
Mar 08, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Taking action to ease everyday costs
A FEW WEEKS AGO, our government announced Budget 2024, outlining actions we're taking to address the cost of living for British Columbians. Despite rising global inflation, we are committed to supporting people here in B.C. by putting more money back into their pockets through new and expanded programs that help addres...
Mar 06, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: NDP budget spends more, delivers less
WHEN DAVID EBY BECAME PREMIER OVER A YEAR AGO, he promised to deliver results that people could see, feel, and touch.Last week, the NDP delivered their 8th and final budget before the 2024 election, Eby's final chance to deliver on his promises to British Columbians. Unfortunately, this budget maintains the status quo ...
Feb 29, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Government bringing more housing to B.C. in new budget
LAST WEEK, MY COLLEAGUES AND I returned to Victoria for our first week back in the legislature. Our government presented our Throne Speech and Budget 2024, which lays out our priorities for a stronger British Columbia that focuses on the things that matter most to British Columbians.My colleagues and I know that housin...
Feb 28, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Eby's budget inflating costs, preserving the status quo
EARLIER THIS WEEK DAVID EBY and the NDP made their Speech from the Throne, a sneak peek at what to expect with their upcoming budget. However, if the proposed budget is anything like their throne speech, there is little hope on the horizon for the millions of British Columbians struggling to make ends meet.In classic N...
Feb 22, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF: Your garbage, your privacy and the City of Kamloops supplemental budget
THIS TUESDAY (Feb. 20), the City of Kamloops held its 2024 budget consultation to inform the residents of how the budgeting process works and the supplemental budget items. The city staff have put on another successful event - staff, council and the mayor were all on hand. It was a great chance to catch up and learn ab...
Feb 21, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: BC Builds helps bring more housing to British Columbians
I HEAR ALL THE TIME in my office about how too many rental homes are out of reach for people, even if they make a decent, middle-class wage, and how people are feeling forced to spend more than half of their income on housing alone. Global inflation, high interest rates, rising construction costs and their effect on th...
Feb 21, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Wildfire victims continue to scramble for supports
FOR MANY, A NEW YEAR signals a fresh start that allows them to put the past year behind them. Unfortunately, for many families who have been impacted by wildfires and floods, this year is just another reminder of the delays they have dealt with and the challenges they've faced trying to rebuild their homes.More familie...
Feb 15, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Enhancing cancer care in Kamloops
ENHANCING ACCESS TO CANCER CARE services for people in British Columbia is a top health care priority of our government. This past week, I was in Kamloops to announce the business plan approval for the new BC Cancer Centre at Royal Inland Hospital. Normally, business planning takes approximately 18 months, but our incr...
Feb 14, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF: Decisions about public land must be made in the public's interest
PUBLIC LAND BELONGS TO THE PUBLIC. It's a simple concept and one that I am sure the vast majority of British Columbians agree with. We elect representatives to make land management decisions on our behalf, but in a democratic system, there is an understanding that those decisions will be made considering the public's b...
Feb 09, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Keeping kids safe, online and in school
SMARTPHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA help students keep in touch with friends and family, and access virtual learning opportunities. But there are also risks associated with kids being online. Ensuring the safety of children in British Columbia is always a top priority for our government, and that extends to online spaces. Tha...
Feb 07, 2024
Read More
One Man's Opinion
COLLINS: Honouring departed loved ones just got more expensive
IT'S NOTHING NEW but it's still uncomfortable, for me at least, to put a monetary value on your loved ones. How much is my mom and dad's memory worth? The city has been wrestling with the issue of memorial park benches and trees. Apparently, we aren't paying enough to remember, so the city is going to help us out and c...
Feb 04, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF: Shawn Buckley, hometown hero
WHEN YOU THINK OF FAMOUS Kamloops citizens, who comes to mind first? For me, hockey names like Don Hay, Mark Recchi, Scott Niedermayer tend to dominate, but I also remember Brett Tippie and Matt Hunter of mountain biking fame along with the notable pro pot libertarian activist Jodie Emery. Kamloops has also been home t...
Feb 03, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF: Why a humanitarian crisis is everyone's business
TWICE IN AS MANY WEEKS, Kamloops city council has heard pleas to support our community members and their families subject to brutal losses and immense risk in Gaza, and to condemn rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. Twice, the mayor and council asked no questions, made no comments, and expressed no sympathy. Emails, ...
Jan 31, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Detecting lung cancer earlier
NEARLY EVERYONE has been touched by cancer in some way. It's a word that can bring fear, uncertainty, and sadness, but with interventions like early detection, there can be hope after a cancer diagnosis.I have seen firsthand the devastating impacts of late detection of cancer and loss of loved ones, both in my personal...
Jan 31, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF: Rothenburger's extreme Trump, truckers rhetoric divisive, dismissive
MEL ROTHENBURGER'S JANUARY 17 COLUMN states that if Donald Trump gets elected in 2024, it will be the worst of all our worries for the future. This sort of nonsense is becoming typical of sensationalistic journalism, where every global event is shocking, catastrophic, extreme, and a crisis. And since both sides of the ...
Jan 26, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: NDP deliver deadliest overdose results in B.C.'s history
THIS WEEK THE BC CORONER SERVICE reported that in 2023, British Columbia witnessed the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a calendar year.Every life lost to an overdose is a tragedy, and my heart goes out to all who lost a loved one this year and those who have been impacted by the crisis.This report ca...
Jan 25, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Supporting local governments to deliver more housing
HOUSING IS ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES affecting British Columbians today, and it's been a key focus since we formed government in 2017. When we launched our comprehensive Homes for People plan, we wanted to make sure we could get more people into homes faster, and that's why we passed multiple pieces of legislation this fal...
Jan 24, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Let's return prosperity to B.C.'s resource sector
B.C. HAS ALWAYS BEEN A RESOURCE-RICH PROVINCE. We are blessed with an abundance of natural resources, in the form of timber, minerals, agricultural land, and so much more. Government has a responsibility to steward these resources well, ensuring that our resource-dependent communities are thriving, and unlocking B.C.'s...
Jan 18, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF: Expanding at-home screening for cervical cancer
BRITISH COLUMBIA HAS BEEN A LEADER around the world in cervical cancer prevention for nearly 70 years, and working towards eliminating cervical cancer is a part of our government's 10-year cancer plan. For many years, the standard way to detect cervical cancer has been through a pap test. One thing that most people who...
Jan 17, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Celebrating Black History in Kamloops
AROUND THE WORLD, the month of February is widely recognized as a time for celebrating Black history. Communities all across the globe pay tribute to Black and African culture through a multitude of ways. This includes events showcasing Black talent, educational opportunities that shine light on historical inequities o...
Jan 16, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: Cellphone ban needed in classrooms
AS STUDENTS ACROSS THE PROVINCE settle back into the school routine following the winter break, parents want to ensure their kids are walking into the best learning environment possible. Unfortunately, that is not always the case in B.C. right now. Classrooms remain overcrowded, leaving many students forced to wear win...
Jan 11, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF: Emergency Support Services survey open
HAVING TO EVACUATE YOUR HOME during an emergency is a heart-wrenching situation, and navigating things like accommodation, supports and other considerations can be daunting. Our government wants to make sure we are prepared to assist people during these difficult and stressful situations.That's why we're revamping our ...
Jan 10, 2024
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: British Columbians deserve a government that will fix pressing challenges
A NEW YEAR always brings with it the opportunity to pause and reflect, both on the year that has passed, as well as everything you hope to achieve in the coming year. Whether you embrace the tradition of new years resolutions or not, there is something to be said for setting goals and working hard to achieve them. Sett...
Jan 05, 2024
Read More
Sound Off
SOUND OFF: Working toward a better 2024
AS 2023 COMES TO A CLOSE, I hope you all had the opportunity to spend time with friends and loved ones and take part in the festivities. However, I also want to recognize those for whom this season is a difficult time. Whether you're dealing with the loss of a loved one or working through other challenges, please know ...
Dec 28, 2023
Read More
SOUND OFF
SOUND OFF: People still waiting for affordability in 2024
PEOPLE STILL WAITING FOR AFFORDABILITY IN 2024AS WE ENTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON and the end of the year approaches, it's natural to begin reflecting on the year that has passed. While 2023 was full of both exciting moments and serious challenges, the one issue that continually dominated discussion was affordability and th...
Dec 21, 2023
Read More
Our Community
EPISODE 2
WATCH: 1000 Ways to Heal with Ryan Deneault
7m ago
Rapid Cool Mechanical
Rapid Cool Mechanical - Highest Service and Quality
One Man's Opinion
COLLINS: It's almost too late to prepare for wildfire season
Mar 17, 2024
Week in Review
Week in Review: Week of March 11
Mar 16, 2024
South Thompson RV
South Thompson RV - Kamloops' Preferred RV Dealer
Two and Out
PETERS: Kamloops beach cleanup day encourages pride of ownership in our community
Mar 15, 2024
One Man's Opinion
COLLINS: Government often has the power at election time
Mar 15, 2024