News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

Editor,

It’s interesting to see how the Liberal government brought in the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in a very short time when it suited their needs. 

Now that the people of BC have rejected the HST through last fall’s referendum, the Liberal government is taking their time at reversing this tax.

Premier Christy Clark's Facebook page didn't come anywhere close in December to meeting the high expectations that the premier's office set out for the page itself, according to IntegrityBC.

Premier Clark's page is being promoted with Facebook ads that promise: “I want to hear from you on how we can keep British Columbia great” and “Have ideas for making British Columbia even better? Like Premier Christy Clark's Facebook page & join the conversation.”

Editor:

It’s bad enough that the province has to repay the $1.6 billion to the federal government for cancelling the HST.

 What makes it worse is that the federal government has been collecting the revenue from the HST and will continue to do so until it's finally gone.  

Editor:

When I heard about the judge’s ruling that the First Nations and the BC government have 90 days to complete consultation on the Prosperity, I thought it was a wise choice.

The TNG refused repeatedly to consult with Taseko and with the BC government. Taseko and the government tried and tried to consult—once they set up a meeting at the 108 and the TNG backed out with no explanation.

Editor:

I was very disappointed to see only Walt Cobb and Steve Forseth at the inaugural council meeting. Where were the rest of the unsuccessful candidates?  They should have been there to extend their best wishes and show their support to the new council.

Bryan Withage

Williams Lake

Editor:

We have just been notified by one of our 'Business Watch' partners that they received an email from Canada Post advising that they have been attempting to deliver a package to their address. 

It is a scam and you are recommended not to open the email but simply delete it from your system.  Canada Post has been contacted and they advise that it is indeed a scam.

Editor:

It is not as important that my story be told as it is that the consequences be known. I am a first-time offender for a 90 day suspension for drinking and driving.  The new breath analyzers are pass, warn and fail.  I, unfortunately, failed.  

The officer was kind enough to let me wait in his car for the cab as the tow truck took my vehicle away.  The cab driver took me home (if only I had just waited for him in the first place).  The consequences reach far past that night.

Chief and Council of Williams Lake Indian Band (WLIB) today extended their congratulations to Kerry Cook for her convincing victory in Saturday’s municipal election.

"The margin of victory suggests that Williams Lake is strongly supportive of the path that Mayor Cook has undertaken during her first term of office," states WLIB Chief, Ann Louie. "Williams Lake Indian Band has built a good relationship with Mayor Cook, and we feel that she that she is respectful of the interests and concerns of First Nations throughout the region. We look forward to working with Mayor Cook for another term and forging an even stronger connection with her and her Council. By working together productively, we can ensure that we maximize economic opportunities for the region, protect the environment and create a sensible vision for the future."

Chief and Council of Williams Lake Indian Band represent a membership of close to 600, with a reserve base of more than 1900 hectares. The traditional territory of the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw, of which WLIB is a member, spans more than 5 million hectares. In 2012 an election will be held to determine three of the five WLIB Council positions.

Kirk Dressler
WLIB Communications Coordinator