BC law
Water Act review — have your say
March 3, 2010 by ShuNews
Filed under BC law, BC news, Environment
Maude Barlow speaks on the importance of water for all living things, how it is part of our common heritage and should not be commoditized, and how resolving competition for water may hold the key to peace.
This video trailer was released January 29 on YouTube by producer Liz Marshall. It’s timely release is now followed by a BC Government review of the Water Act (see government blog posting below). The BC Government is encouraging all British Columbians to participate in the process of modernizing this statute. You can register your comments and learn more by visiting the government website Living Water Smart Blog (blog.gov.bc.ca/livingwatersmart).
Ban on cell phone use while driving takes effect
Grace period over, cellphone fines start Monday.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
Starting Monday, February 1, fully licensed drivers caught talking on a hand-held phone or electronic device will face a $167 fine, while those found texting or emailing will also net three penalty points, Solicitor General Kash Heed reminded British Columbians today.
“Police have been stopping drivers throughout January to give them warnings about talking on a cellphone, and people seem to be getting the message and changing their behaviour,” said Heed.
Public consultation, municipal elections task force
January 31, 2010 by ShuNews
Filed under BC law, Local democracy, Notices
Election task force launches consultation website.
Ministry of Community and Rural Development / Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
The task force dedicated to reviewing issues related to B.C.’s local government electoral process has a new website to provide information on the existing system and collect written comments from the public.
Co-chairs Bill Bennett, Minister of Community and Rural Development, and Harry Nyce, president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), announced the launch of the Local Government Elections Task Force website, www.localelectionstaskforce.gov.bc.ca, as a key component of its consultation process.
Eyes on the road — the war against attention-impaired driving
Final countdown to cellphone ban while driving.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
B.C. drivers have just 11 days to change their driving behaviours and comply with new cellphone rules to enhance road safety in the province, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Kash Heed said today.
“Making B.C. roads safer was an easy call,” said Heed. “Now, we’re asking the public to get on board and abide by the new rules. To help raise awareness for drivers, we are rolling out a public education campaign in conjunction with police enforcement of this law to reduce distracted driving across the province.” Heed also noted that in the new year, highway signs warning motorists not to drive using hand-held devices will also begin to appear along B.C. roads at major international border crossings and airports.
Vernon police check points
Vernon counter attack road checks for Dec 18/19.
Thirteen RCMP officers from North Okanagan Traffic Services, Integrated Road Safety Unit and Vernon Detachment set up numerous Counter Attack check points in Vernon Friday night, December 18th. The checks resulted in the following charges:
- Impaired Driving Charges – 5
- 24-hour Suspensions (Alcohol) – 9
- 24-hour Suspensions (Drugs)- 1
- Illegal Drug Seizures – 1
- Liquor Act Charges – 2
- Seat belt Charges – 4
- Stop Sign Charges – 2
- Miscellaneous Charges – 32
BC’s killer plan to reduce emissions
December 26, 2009 by ShuNews
Filed under BC law, Business, Energy, Environment, Food, Global issues, Safety, Travel, Videos
CBS News - Food riots begin worldwide - April 2008
Introduction by Mi Kai Lee.
BC, like so many other jurisdictions, continues to show its support for one of the most socially distasteful schemes of modern times — to kill off millions, perhaps billions, of people in the third world by reducing the global supply of food.
One of the most under-reported stories in the west today are widespread food riots caused by escalating food prices. Millions have died. The scale of this catastrophe completely dwarfs the Asian tsunami, and yet we have not heard a peep from the media.
Safety concerns as attention deficit hits the road
Study shows one in three U.S. teens text and drive.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
As B.C.’s distracted driving legislation gets set to kick in on Jan.1, a new study on teens and distracted driving validates B.C.’s move to curb talking and texting behind the wheel, Solicitor General Kash Heed announced today.
The report entitled ‘Teens and Distracted Driving’ – by Washington D.C.-based Pew Research Centres Internet & American Life Project – found that of those teens aged 16-17 who own a cellphone or text regularly, more than half have talked on a cellphone while driving and one in three has texted while driving.
The Driver Improvement Program
December 10, 2009 by Tim Schewe
Filed under BC law, Feature stories, Safety, Travel
Behind the Wheel –
The Driver Improvement Program sounds like something designed to increase a driver’s skills and make them a safer, more accomplished operator of a motor vehicle. That isn’t the case however, it is the Superintendent of Motor Vehicle’s way of telling you that you have too many violations and that a prohibition from driving is in your future. Other than hoping you heed the message and drive properly, that is the only “improvement” on offer.
A quick scan of the Policies and Guidelines will find that a driver in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) faces a warning letter, probation and the possibility of a 1 to 9 month prohibition if they receive between 2 and 6 penalty points in a two year period.
Christmas shopping security tips
Holiday shoppers urged to get informed.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
As the gift-buying season kicks into high gear with extended holiday hours, shoppers should make sure they are careful with their purchasing transactions to guard against fraud, Solicitor General and minister responsible for consumer protection, Kash Heed said today.
“Crowded malls at this time of year can make shopping stressful and distracting but if consumers have the right information beforehand, they can shop wisely, know their rights, and take steps to protect their money and purchases,” said Heed. “Gift card rules introduced last year also protect buyers by ensuring they get what they paid for.”
ICBC justifies age-related licensing conditions
Lives saved by stronger rules for new drivers.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
Stronger rules for the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP), which took effect in 2003, saved at least 31 lives and prevented 17,500 crashes involving new drivers in the three-year period following the changes, Solicitor General Kash Heed announced today.
“This government toughened the rules for new drivers six years ago, and it has been a public safety success,” Heed said. “The number of crashes dropped by 28 per cent, and most importantly there were 4,000 fewer crashes with injuries.”
