Public illicit drug use will soon be banned in the province, and police will be given more power to enforce the ban.

This ban includes within hospitals, on transit, and at parks and beaches.

“Keeping people safe is our highest priority. While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe,” said Premier David Eby.

“We’re taking action to make sure police have the tools they need to ensure safe and comfortable communities for everyone as we expand treatment options so people can stay alive and get better.”

The province and federal government are collaborating to make changes to “the legality of possessing drugs in B.C.,” which will allow police to enforce against public drug use.

Officers will have the option to make someone using drugs in public leave the space, take the drugs, or arrest the person if necessary.

“Our communities are facing big challenges. People are dying from deadly street drugs and we see the issues with public use and disorder on our streets,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

“As we continue to go after the gangs and organized criminals who are making and trafficking toxic drugs, we’re taking action now to make it illegal to use drugs in public spaces, and to expand access to treatment to help people who need it most.”

The province was clear that this change is not the recriminalization of drug possession in a private residence, legal shelter, or overdose prevention site.

People who are addicted will also have expanded access to treatment, the province said they will be:

• increasing the availability and accessibility of opioid-agonist treatment (OAT), a
  medication-assisted treatment for people who have an opioid-use disorder, by
  implementing a provincewide virtual system;
• integrating addictions services with health care, housing and related services; and
• working with experts to develop methods to track prescribed alternatives with the aim of
  identifying and preventing diversion.

“People across the country are dying from poisoned drugs and B.C. is no exception,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Addiction is a health-care issue, not a criminal one, and we’re going to keep doing everything we can to save lives and connect people to treatment.”

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Be prepared to pay more for parking at the West Kootenay Regional Airport as Castlegar City Council votes to increase fees.

Airport Manager, Maciej Habrych, says the airport hasn't reviewed their fees since 2007, specifically post COVID, and with growing operational costs and inflation, changes must be made.

“The airport, as a whole, is a very high fixed cost to operate,” said Maciej Habrych.

“We understand the fees increasing is not welcome news, but the way we're looking at this is with the anticipated increase in demand, there's a significant increase in operational costs, so we are positioning the airport to remain financially viable from any taxation at the city level, to ensure that we provide the best service for the region that utilises the airport.”

Daily rates will increase from $8 to $10, weekly rates will increase from $50 to $55, and monthly rates will increase from $195 to $200, while hourly rates will remain the same, which Haybrych says matches industry standard for comparable airports.

On top of parking fees, there will also be an increase to landing and terminal access fees for carriers.

“Those fees are based off weights of aircraft, and commercial aircraft operating in and out of the airport.”

“Those are increasing over a five -year cycle for business planning purposes for airlines to project ahead.”

Council will make the final adoption of the new fee bylaw in next months council meeting.

Free Cancellation Shuttle continues

On a good note, Habrych says Air Canada will continue their flight cancellation shuttle bus service for another year, following the success of the pilot-program.

“Air Canada has extended the bus service for another year ending at the end of April 2025, with intent to carry that on now, starting immediately all the way through next winter season.” said Haybrych.

“We encourage all passengers who are looking ahead for their travel patterns, that they know that this is an option going forward specifically in the winter operations.”

And there is more good news to come, watch this space.

“I can share we are working on providing the region with an update on the airport projects and the exciting initiatives we have going on.” said Habrych.

“We're just working through those details now, but you can expect an update in the near term with exciting news at the airport.”

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Kootenay-Columbia MP Rob Morrison says there is nothing positive to say about the 2024 federal budget.

"There is nothing good about an unbalanced budget," he said.

"How can the NDP-Liberals consistently spend more money, driving up interest rates?"

He said this year's budget is full of the same promises the Liberals have been saying for years.

"Look at the last nine years now," Morrison said.

"Every year it's the same thing about how we're going to make life more affordable, but if you just get out of the house and go shopping, you'll realize that life is not more affordable."

The budget talks about taxing the rich to increase taxation fairness for all people in Canada. Morrison said the rich may be paying more now, but everyone else is still hurting.

"Nine years later and who's paying? It's lower-income seniors, and people with disabilities, that's whose paying. The people who go to the grocery store know who's paying and it's them."

The theme of this year's budget was fairness for every generation, but Morrison believes it's just empty words.

"I think we need generational fairness for sure, but I think that starts with seniors. That's a generation we've forgotten about," he added.

"It's easy to say we have a theme that we're going to make life affordable for everyone, but that was the last eight years. They can theme all they want, but it's action with results. Give me a result that we've been successful in actually making something more affordable for the average Canadian and I don't think you are going to see any."

The complete 2024 federal budget can be found below.

MORE: Budget 2024 Fairness for Every Generation (Government of Canada)

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The BC Wildfire Service has announced a 5-month ban on Category 3 fires in some parts of BC’s Interior, which includes the Kamloops, Penticton, Lillooet, Vernon, and Merritt fire zones.

Category 3 open fires will be prohibited from May 3 to Oct. 11, prohibiting people from burning three or more fires on a property at one time, and any fire burning with a burning pile of more than 2 meters in height or 3 meters in width.

As drought conditions persist across most of the province, officials fear the 2024 wildfire season could be as bad, or worse, than last year's record-setter.

The BC Wildfire Service said in a media release that anyone found to be violating the open burning prohibition could face a $1,150 fine and up to $100,000 with possible jail time for those found guilty.

The fire ban does not include Category 1 campfires, or Category 2 open fires, for now.

The Kootenay region is not included in this fire ban. More information on burning restrictions can be found here.

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The BC Government says social media giants Meta, Snap, TikTok and X have agreed to work collaboratively with the province of the development of Bill 12, its public harms legislation, and will be part of BC’s Online Safety Action Table. 

The province says it will place Bill 12 on hold while discussions take place on how to create safe, empowering experiences online

 In a news release, the province says it’s an opportunity to bring experts, parents, technology companies and government together to find new ways of helping young people stay safe online and  be better protected from online harms. 

The province also says Meta has also committed to working with BC’s emergency management organization to help amplify official information for people in emergency situations like wildfires. 

The official opposition says the NDP’s decision to retract Bill 12 only comes after significant public backlash. 

BC United says the business community and concerned citizens across the province forced the NDP to acknowledge the flaws in the legislation. 

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Creston turns 100 this year and the town has many events lined up to help the community celebrate.

The events kicked off with the 100 Years of Ice Sports Exhibit in March and will really pick up in May with the upcoming Blossom Festival.

Creston town councillor Denise Dumas says there will be many events the community can take part in.

"The Centennial Advanced Advisory Committee has been working hard for the last two years to plan and put on these events," explained Dumas.

"On the actual day of incorporation, which was May 14, 1934, when Creston was incorporated as a village, we have our council meeting that Tuesday. So, we will have a special council meeting with many surprises. And, of course, the public is welcome to attend."

That evening, there will be a drone show at the Creston and District Community Centre to celebrate the Centennial.

Dumas says May will be an activity-filled month.

"The volunteers of the Blossom Festival Committee are bringing back the Midway Carnival this year. Then, for the opening ceremony, we have a production called the 100 Years of Music which will feature the last 100 years of music with our local musicians."

A few of the musicians include the Creston Community Band, the Blossom Valley Singers, and more.

Additionally, during the Blossom Festival Weekend from May 17 to the 20, the Creston Valley Youth Network has partnered with the Creston Valley Museum to host a scavenger hunt on Saturday afternoon.

There will be a parade that morning, a concert with BCDC that evening, and tons of fun to be had at the Midway Carnival throughout the weekend.

From May 10 to the 12, birders will flock to the valley for the annual Creston Valley Bird Festival.

The Footlighters Theatre Society has written a play called 1925: IncorporationOff the Rail and will present it from June 20 to the 23.

"Now I do believe that they are still in need of actors," said Dumas.

"So anybody out there who wants to be a part of the community play, please contact Jason Smith."

Dumas adds there will also be art popping up throughout the valley.

"Crestoramics has stepped up and is helping us with the Community Art Project. We have gotten wooden birds cut out for a silhouette and we will be getting those birds up and painted."

Dumas says they have had a lot of help from their sponsors.

"We received a grant from the Canadian Heritage Grant and the Creston Community Foundations has provided money to support the Community Art Project Crestoramics is doing. FortisBC is supporting the drone show."

"We really appreciate those organizations that have stepped up to help us."

Dumas adds they're excited to see the community come together to celebrate the Centennial.

"We're looking forward to seeing many from the community
and having fun and celebrating this historical event this year."

A full list of events that will be continuously updated throughout the year can be found on the town's website.

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The 2024 Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) convention concluded on Sunday, giving local government officials a chance to network and learn from each other.

The event was held in Radium Hot Springs, with representation from all parts of the Kootenays.

Cranbrook Council member Lynnette Wray said it was a great learning opportunity.

“I think when you sign up for public office, it includes a commitment to be a life-long learner,” said Wray.

“There’s always new information we can pick up and new skills that can help make us stronger representatives on behalf of our residents.”

The AKBLG is a collaborative body made up of municipal governments and the Regional Districts of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB), Central Kootenay (RDCK), East Kootenay (RDEK) and the Town of Golden and the Village of Valemount.

“It’s a great mix of municipalities and regional government folks,” said Wray.

“It’s a learning opportunity, but it’s also an exercise and example of grassroots democracy.”

The convention also gives local governments an opportunity to create, discuss and vote on resolutions to bring forward to the Union of BC Municipalities.

Wray attended the conference alongside Mayor Wayne Price, council members Wesly Graham, Ron Popoff and Wayne Stetski and CAO Mark Fercho.

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A new round of climate action funding encourages local governments to attempt larger projects.

The province announced earlier this week that they will provide nearly $72 million through the Local Government Climate Action Program, a program aiming to help local communities lower emissions, turn to clean-energy sources and prepare for a changing climate.

This funding comes as part of Budget 2024.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change strategy George Heyman says many sources of emissions are local in nature.

“By providing the next three years of Local Government Climate Action Program funding upfront this year, we can build a more sustainable and climate-friendly future for British Columbians,” said Heyman.

For this funding, the province is giving the money away in a lump sum instead of disbursing it annually, with hopes it will give local governments more confidence in making these projects.

They add the projects need to be aligned with CleanBC and/or climate adaptation objectives.

To learn more about the program, click here.

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The International Kootenay Lake Board of Control, after consultation with FortisBC, has determined that the spring rise on Kootenay Lake occurred on Apr. 16.

A press release from the International Kootenay Lake Board of Control stated that they will now be monitoring the lake’s water levels until its measuring point in Nelson drops back down to 1,743 feet in elevation, marking the end of the freshet period.

At the time of the declaration, the lake’s water level measured at Queens Bay was at 1,739.29 feet, with the lake’s inflow measured at 22,800 cubic feet per second. These levels are predicted to keep rising over the next month.

The release stated that this year's declaration happened earlier than in the past seven years, and two weeks sooner than last year, thanks to the region's consistent warm temperatures at higher elevations throughout the winter months, with more warm weather anticipated in the coming weeks.

Snow in the area has been melting, and increased water flow has been observed in the Kootenay River. The International Kootenay Lake Board of Control will provide an update in the coming months once the region's freshet peak has been recorded.

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Interior Health has issued a drug advisory for the West Kootenay.

Drug checking has detected high amounts of fluorofentanyl and benzodiazepines that have been associated with higher overdose risk, amnesia, and heavy sedation.

Antione Marcheterre, Drug Checking lead for Interior Health says these drugs are more unpredictable, withe less known about them in the community.

"It also makes it once Naloxone in the case of an overdose, the person might not wake up instantly, but stay in a state of sedation."

The drugs are being sold in different shapes and colours, a warning to the public

"If you are planning to use drugs, for whatever reason, the only way to know what is in your drug is by using a drug checking service."

The alert in affect until April 25.

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