BC Ferries under gun

Despite service delays and broken down vessels, BC Ferries is defending its track record. “Our engineers work very hard to maintain our vessels, and on average we’ll sail about 500 sailings in a day,” said spokesperson Deborah Marshall. “While it is obviously inconvenient for our customers when we’re not able to provide the full service […]

PM wants to hear bus talk

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has asked Transport Minister Marc Garneau to find solutions following Greyhound’s withdrawal of bus service from western Canada. Trudeau says Greyhound’s move is “difficult” for people who live in the Prairies and for those who are struggling economically. “I have asked our minister of transport to work with the […]

B.C. to study piece rates

The provincial government wants to study agriculture piece rates and minimum wages for farm workers who harvest crops by hand. The province has hired UBC agricultural economist Karen Taylor to expand on the Fair Wages Commission, which didn’t cover piece rates. B.C.’s piece rate system has been in place for nearly 40 years and is […]

Music festivals targeted

OTTAWA — Health Canada is prepared to crack down on licensed medical marijuana producers who are sponsoring music festivals and other events. The federal department says it’s “concerned” about some companies that have engaged in corporate sponsorships and other promotional activities that go against the Cannabis Act. It says the government has made it “abundantly […]

BC housing market balancing

The British Columbia Real Estate Association says tighter mortgage rules and lower demand are bringing the provincial housing market into balance. The association says 7,884 units were sold within the Multiple Listing Service across the province in June, a 32.5 per cent decrease from the same month last year. The average residential price was down […]

Straw companies cash in

VANCOUVER — Phillip Jacobsen started selling compostable cutlery in 2011 and about six months later expanded Greenmunch’s product line to include paper straws. Colourfully patterned paper straws were a fad at the time, he said, and party supply stores mostly stocked his product. A few years ago, demand from restaurants, hotels, bars and others in […]