Merry Christmas faithful readers, subscribers and followers – I hope you’re all staying warm as you shovel the enormous dump of snow we’ve had over the past couple of weeks!
It’s that time of year again, when as we count down the days to the New Year, the broken typewriter also counts down the Top Stories of 2025, determined by how many times you all read them! There will be a post every day except Christmas Day, counting down the most-read stories of 2025.
I hope you enjoy this look back at what happened in the Peace Region in 2025.
Now, without further ado, we bring you #15 & 14:
#15 – Northeast Accessibility aims to ensure equal access
Since the 1990s, various people in the community have been working to make Fort St. John more accessible for people with a wide range of disabilities.
Back then, sidewalks which were installed in the early 1970s were deteriorating to a point that they were dangerous for wheelchair-bound people to navigate. Many businesses and even City Hall were not accessible for these same people, without ramps or doors that could be opened and remain open with the push of a button to allow anyone with mobility challenges to gain access.
With the passage of the Accessible BC Act in 2021, communities throughout northeastern British Columbia, from Pouce Coupe and Tumbler Ridge, to the Northern Rockies Regional District came together to form the Northeast British Columbia Collaborative Accessibility Committee.
Known as Northeast Accessibility, the committee builds upon the efforts started in the 1990s by people such as Lori Slater, dedicated to addressing accessibility issues, barriers and finding solutions for residents and visitors with a wide variety of disabilities. Disabilities which can make accessing buildings, recreational opportunities or even walking down the sidewalk difficult, depending on what challenges one faces.
Local governments have worked together to develop a Collaborative Accessibility Plan, designed to support collaborative efforts to improve accessibility in northeastern BC. The plan envisions “a Northeastern British Columbia that offers accessibility for all people with disabilities living, working and exploring Northeastern BC.”
Edwina Nearhood, who is blind and a member of Northeast Accessibility, told council on May 26 that she thinks “for the most part, the city does fairly good, and I think Lori Slater does a great job of advocating for those areas with wheelchair access and mobility access, but there are other areas of accessibility that can be considered.”
#14 – Given the chance, BC could have it all
It feels like Canada has been on an out-of-control rollercoaster these past few months.
Culminating on Monday, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to prorogue parliament while the Liberals sort themselves out and choose a new leader. All while leaving Canada without an active parliament, able to hold the government to account.
With the in-coming president Donald Trump’s threatened 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian goods exported to the United States looming, and the subsequent recession should he follow through hanging over us like the Sword of Damocles, we need a strong, legitimate government to take action.
By action, I mean talk with Trump and his team, not threaten to cut off our energy exports. Nothing he’s asked is unreasonable. Our border is a sieve. The number of illegals crossing the border particularly at Roxham Road, and the amount of illegal weapons and drugs seized routinely is proof of that. Why it takes Donald Trump to point that out to Justin Trudeau and the Liberals, and why he needs to resort to threats to deal with an issue that’s in the best interests of both countries is beyond me.
It seems to be part and parcel of how the Trudeau government has treated Canada over the past nine years.
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