Seems most good news these days is found on the sports pages and even that depends on who you’re rooting for.
The list for bad/so-so news keeps getting longer but there is some good news.
For instance while Canada’s endangered species list keeps growing, the declining number of caribou is finally getting some public attention.
And, while many dread the proposed federal carbon tax, B.C. has had its own version since 2008.
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It was introduced by former Premier Gordon Campbell amid howls of anguish, but contrary to naysayers’ predictions the tax hasn’t destroyed B.C.’s economy and our greenhouse gas emissions have dropped.
On another front, if Colorado’s five-year experience with legalized marijuana is any example, we should do okay with our pot industry.
The Drug Reporter, a project of the Independent Media Institute, did an intensive study on the consequences of the Colorado legalization and found marijuana sales have generated over $6 billion for businesses, created almost 20,000 jobs, and brought in $900 million in taxes. There was no significant increase in social problems. Arrests were down by 56 per cent.
In the not-so-good news, issues between between fossil fuel corporations, citizens, and federal and B.C. governments continue to be contentious. Given the 1997 Delgamuukw decision which gave the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs a say on the land in question, the Supreme Court of Canada will likely have to settle the latest pipeline dispute.
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Williams Lake Tribune and former Tribune editor.
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