the broken typewriter

Wow, the news lately just keeps coming! Provincially and federally, it seems those in power are seeking more of the same . . . but more about that later.

Locally, things were normal – although I have to apologize for somewhat less output this week, between a lovely migraine and some outside work I was finishing up, my time management skills went out the window.

Anyhow, the top story at The Broken Typewriter this week was the news that the Peace River Regional District has taken its first step toward employing doctors. The city of Colwood started a pilot project in December, which Tumbler Ridge director and mayor Darryl Krakowka feels is worth looking into. So much so, that he brought forward a Notice of Motion on the subject.

This came on the heels of a long-awaited presentation from Northern Health CEO Ciro Panessa on the state of healthcare in the health authority. While the northeast is doing better than the rest of Northern Health in terms of nurse vacancy rates in ERs – 29 percent compared to 42 percent overall – directors feel that more boots on the ground are needed, rather than simply shifting to digitizing health services.

In his Smart Money column this week, Brad Brain discussed types of insurance – personal and creditor insurance, for instance – and how you can make sure you have insurance that meets your needs, now and in the future.

The Peace River Regional District made the news in The Broken Typewriter twice this week, when, at its March 6 board meeting, it endorsed four draft resolutions submitted to the PRRD and member municipalities by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

PRRD will be submitting these resolutions to North Central Local Government Association and requesting letters of support from member municipalities.

Not to be outdone by drama in the BC Conservative Party, the federal Liberal leadership campaign or Donald Trump, BC Premier David Eby put forth a proposed piece of legislation on Thursday – Bill 7, the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act – to “protect” BC from Trump’s tariffs. Included in Bill 7 is a proposal to place tolls on commercial traffic going through the province to Alaska.

Whether this will turn the Alaska Highway – the only overland route to Alaska – into a toll road, or cause Trump to react as he has over the Panama Canal remains to be seen.

Coming up this week:

The Peace River Regional District has their regular Committee of the Whole and Regular Board Meetings scheduled for Thursday, March 20 starting at 10 a.m., in Dawson Creek. The agendas are posted on the PRRD website for your information.

Also, this week, The Broken Typewriter is celebrating its Second Anniversary as a news publication! In recognition, we’ll take a look back at some of the hottest stories of the past two years and give away some paid subscriptions to New Subscribers. Stay tuned for details!