NorthernBeat News

NorthernBeat News operates as a wholly owned division of Midnight Blue Media Inc. It serves as a platform for the weary majority. Recognizing the truth is incredibly important, and it’s the initial step towards improving our world.

National

English

Online/Digital

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#3347031

Canada

#155358

Articles

Eby amends Bill 7 following backlash; critics say it's still 'overreach'

3 weeks ago | northernbeat.ca | Rob Shaw

“Winston Churchill did not do this in Britain during World War II. That is how extreme Bill 7 is.”–Peter MilobarThe B.C. government is promising to shorten the duration of its controversial new anti-tariff legislation from two years to one, mandate immediate disclosure of all its cabinet orders and eliminate sweeping provisions that would have given Premier David Eby wartime powers to bypass the legislature, under new amendments tabled in the legislature yesterday.
Fast action needed in forestry, mining, interprovincial trade, ministers told

1 month ago | northernbeat.ca | Rob Shaw

“There’s no shortage of things that need to be done, it’s just whether the province agrees to do them.”–Merlin BlackwellTwo B.C. cabinet ministers toured the Thompson Okanagan this week, trying to reassure community and business leaders about the impact of proposed U.S. tariffs. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar and Jobs Minister Diana Gibson visited the region to talk trade diversification and provincial assistance during a time of global economic uncertainty sparked by American aggression.
Cattle ranchers urge BC govt to reconsider wind farm exemption

1 month ago | northernbeat.ca | Rob Shaw

“What do cattle know that this premier doesn’t?” –Ian PatonB.C.’s cattle ranchers and guide outfitters are urging the province to reconsider exempting new wind and solar farms from environmental assessment, joining environmentalists in warning there could be unanticipated impacts to wildlife, land and water from the new projects.
Clean BC targets, Alaskan LNG threaten BC’s neglected advantage

1 month ago | northernbeat.ca | Geoff Russ

For over a decade, British Columbians across the political spectrum strove to build up the province’s liquefied natural gas industry. Just as the first LNG project in the country is set to go into production, a major competitive threat is taking shape in Alaska – governments need to act fast or risk losing our edge.
Record deficit, lack of investment put BC in 'weak position' for tariff fight

1 month ago | northernbeat.ca | Rob Shaw

“We need to understand that we have a fiscal emergency.”–John RustadNormally, a B.C. government can dine out on a new provincial budget for at least a month, teasing out the many programs, services and pots of money to maximum political effect. This week, not 24 hours after Premier David Eby dropped his new spending plan in the legislature, the first question he faced was: So, what’s next?
Rural BC hospitals closed more than 1,407 days in two years

1 month ago | northernbeat.ca | Rob Shaw

“Respect the citizens who are living there.”–Sharon HartwellThe B.C. legislature was seized with debate this week over the first major hospital diversion in Metro Vancouver, after Delta’s emergency room was shuttered for two nights due to a doctor shortage. Urban residents were outraged, but for rural communities who’ve been battling the issue of diversions and shortages for years, major healthcare challenges continue to go quietly under the radar.
BC NDP toss safe supply under bus in second major drug policy reversal

2 months ago | northernbeat.ca | Rob Shaw

B.C.’s New Democrat government continued the slow-motion, highly-reluctant reversal of its progressive drug policies Wednesday — as a new minister and a frustrated premier rolled back the province’s safe supply program just minutes before they would have had to defend it publicly on the floor of the legislature.
MLA fireside chat: Clare Rattée

2 months ago | northernbeat.ca | Rob Shaw

Northern Beat’s Rob Shaw sat down with newly-elected Skeena MLA Claire Rattée during her first week at the B.C. legislature to discuss her new critic portfolio and thoughts on being elected to office. NB: I’m interested in what it’s like for you to land here, walk into this building and take a seat in the legislature. Rattée: It’s definitely a little bit overwhelming. I’ve been working at this for such a long time that I’m more excited than anything else. NB: Is it what you were hoping for?
Legislative session: BC NDP can't blame Trump for own inaction

2 months ago | northernbeat.ca | Rob Shaw

The BC NDP government returns to the legislature Tuesday for the first time since the provincial election, though it doesn’t appear to have grown any wiser about what the public wants in the four months since almost losing its majority. The speech from the throne is expected to be a rah-rah affair about national pride during the time of U.S. President Donald Trump, a refusal to surrender our sovereignty to the United States and a call to come together.
Trade contractors need 'prompt-payment' law to ease financial risk

2 months ago | northernbeat.ca | Rob Shaw

As B.C. fast-tracks a new wave of mining, natural gas, renewable energy and housing projects, a growing coalition of unions and business groups is urging the province to fast-track pay for workers as well. The province needs to catch up to the rest of the country and implement what’s called “prompt-payment legislation” to ensure contractors and their employees get paid, said Matt MacInnis, president of the Electrical Contractors Association of BC.