Williams Lake news. As it happens.

The first annual Great Places in Canada contest is now nearing the halfway mark, and as people across the country nominate and vote for their favourite locations, some interesting trends are emerging.

As of January 25, 2011, the results so far are:

In British Columbia., George Little Park Spirit Square in Terrace has attracted 1,330 votes - far more than any other location in Canada, and way ahead of the top pick in Vancouver, Van Dusen Botanical Garden, which has 189 votes.

Consumer Protection BC recommends that all travel consumers check for travel advisories prior to booking a trip to any country. 

The Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory around travel to Mexico currently.  According to the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website Canadians traveling to Mexico should exercise a high degree of caution due to a deteriorating security situation.  They also advise travel by air rather than crossing borders by land.

Mexico:  Exercise high degree of caution

Canadians travelling to Mexico should exercise a high degree of caution due to a deteriorating security situation in many parts of the country. While most major tourist areas have not been affected by the extreme levels of violence witnessed in the northern border region, it is highly advisable to travel to Mexico by air (please see our travel warning for the Mexico-United States border). High levels of criminal activity, as well as occasional demonstrations and protests, remain a concern throughout the country.

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) recently released its decision concerning the broadcast of the unedited version of the song “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits on CHOZ-FM (OZ FM, Newfoundland).  The CBSC concluded that the presence of the word “faggot” in the song contravened the Human Rights Clauses of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) Code of Ethics and Equitable Portrayal Code.

Police across the province will be out in force in September armed with the toughest laws and penalties in the country to get impaired drivers off B.C.’s roads faster and for longer periods of time, Solicitor General Michael de Jong, QC, announced yesterday. 

“Unfortunately, impaired driving is on the increase in this province and that's alarming because it means some people still aren't getting the message,” said de Jong. “The new penalties will be a wake-up call because when September comes, drinking drivers can lose their driver’s licence, have their vehicle impounded, and pay costs that range from $600 to $3,750.”