Locally, the Senior’s Activity Centre received $20,000 from the province plus other donations to gussy up the centre’s kitchen. That’s the good news.
The not so good news is that two thirds of Cariboo Lodge still sits empty.
I understand the oldest part of the building has had it, the middle is so so, and the currently occupied part is OK. A housing study suggested some ideas for the site, but nothing is happening because the city (which owns the property) has been so far unsuccessful in finding funding for a feasibility/business plan. Question. If the city had $40,000 for consultants to come up with a new “brand” nobody wanted, why can’t it find a few dollars to move forward on the lodge property?
***
The provincial government wants to have temporary foreign workers fill immediate labour needs in the natural gas industry. According to the Alaska News, Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, is in “ongoing discussions” with the federal government to ensure our immigration system matches our needs. Prince George-Peace River MP Bob Zimmer agrees. Question. What about training B.C. workers?
***
In Ottawa, the senate situation gets worse. Liberal senators won’t suddenly become independents just because Justin Trudeau says so, but obviously too many political appointees aren’t up to the job. The RCMP have charged Liberal Senator Mac Harb and former Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau with fraud and breach of trust. Harb resigned and is collecting a $67,600. a year pension. Question. When will it stop?
***
In the meanest sports story of the week, Toronto Sun writer Steve Simmons shrieked that Patrick Chan “didn’t win the silver, he lost the gold” at the Olympics and he went on to vilify Chan for the “loss.” Question. Why dump on a guy while he’s down? Silver’s not that bad.
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.
