Markham began his journalism career writing columns in the mid-1980s for Western People Magazine, then reported for a small Saskatchewan daily. He has spent most of his career in media and communications, likes to dabble in politics, was actively involved in economic development for many years, thinks that what goes on in the community is just as important as what happens provincially and nationally, and has a soft spot for small business (big business, not so much). Markham is a bit of a contrarian and usually has a unique take on the events of the day.
BC Conservatives says their proposal will lower prices, increase choice The BC Conservatives made the announcement Tuesday. Leader John Cummins says a BC Conservative government would give British Columbians more choice to buy beer and wine and “take the special interests out of liquor sales.” “We believe in getting BC back to basics, and that means [...]
CBC TV is a mess and no longer fulfills original mandate The CBC popped back on Canadians’ radar last week. A Harper Government bill to give it more control over crown corporations has upset defenders of public broadcasting. Infographics exhorting me to join the fight to “save” the CBC are flooding my social media networks. [...]
Canadians prefer Prince William to Charles if Canada keeps British monarchy A new poll reveals that Canadians are lukewarm to the British monarchy as head of state, but if the country must have a king or queen they prefer Prince William. In a new Angus Reid online survey of a representative national sample of 1,008 [...]
Skills training for BC mining a key plank in Liberal, NDP platforms The BC mining industry enjoyed a stellar 2012, according to a new survey, and campaigning politicians have been pledging new policies and programs to help the sector expand in the future. International consultancy PriceWaterhouseCooper (PwC) says profits for British Columbian mining companies were [...]
Training exercises in Canada are routine for NORAD fighter jets If you live in BC and Alberta and spot NORAD fighter jets over your community today, don’t worry, Canada’s not being invaded. The North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct exercise flights today as they practice intercept and identification procedures. The exercise will take place [...]
NDP projected to take 65 seats if BC Election 2013 was held today After two weeks of BC Election 2013 campaigning, the BC NDP remain comfortably ahead of the Liberals and appear headed for a resounding victory on May 14. An Angus Reid poll released Friday shows the Christy Clark and the Liberals gained three [...]
Justin Trudeau still defining himself on the public stage By James Anderson To a great many voters, Justin Trudeau evokes memories of his famous father, a man who ruled Canada for almost 16 tumultuous years, a period during which Canada saw rates of inflation so high that the government felt it necessary to impose wage [...]
Alison Redford says construction company donations had no effect on awarding of contracts New documents that reveal large political donations to the Alison Redford Progressive Conservative party from a coalition of construction companies should be investigated as possible bribes, says a national democracy watchdog group. The correspondence, obtained by the Alberta Federation of Labour under [...]
BC PST penalizes manufacturing and value-added operations By Laura Jones My husband and I just finished powering through the first season of House of Cards on Netflix. Watching the power-hungry Machiavellian main character, Congressman Frank Underwood, wheel and deal as he seeks to get ahead is entertaining. While his antics are extreme and utterly [...]
Former Alberta treasurer endorses Christy Clark and BC Liberals By Stockwell Day Balancing a budget and controlling spending takes discipline, determination, and real leadership. I know about this from first-hand experience. I did that in the Alberta government, as Treasurer. It was also the task I faced in the federal government as President of [...]
Only BC Liberals oppose proposal to ban corporate and union donations By Dermod Travis It’s a bit rich for the BC Liberals to be giving lessons to the BC NDP on political fundraising, as they tried to do over the weekend after the NDP sent a fundraising appeal to corporate Liberal party donors. The BC [...]
BC NDP opposition to Kinder Morgan pipeline sends message to investors An abortive tweet from Nanaimo NDP candidate Leonard Krog yesterday raises a troubling question about the BC NDP attitude toward investment in the natural resources sector. “Adrian Dix declares opposition to Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion. BC NDP want review of existing pipeline,” is what Krog [...]
Secret video of Calgary homebuilders discussing Council members not released in full An edited video that alleges bribes were paid to some city councillors by Calgary homebuilders groups to support their developments and money spent on defeating others has many at city hall calling for the full release of the video. The video, obtained by [...]
BC Liberals say BC NDP can’t be trusted on resource development Adrian Dix and the BC NDP have rejected the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, saying the Port of Vancouver should not be turned into an oil export facility. Energy Minister Rich Coleman fired back, saying the NDP will also kill LNG projects in the [...]
Financial management top issue of BC Election 2013 BC Election 2013 is shaping up as a battle over spending promises, as a taxpayers watchdog releases its first round up of party spending commitments. Management of provincial finances is the number one issue of the election according to an ongoing Beacon News survey of BC voters. [...]
Sharkwater director Rob Stewart launches latest film ‘Revolution’
‘Revolution’ documentary is anticipated follow-up to Rob Stewart’s ‘Sharkwater’ Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart was in Calgary yesterday promoting a follow-up film to his award-winning documentary Sharkwater. Stewart spoke to The Beacon News about his latest film Revolution. Stewart’s mission is simple, if a little ambitious – save humanity. The Canadian conservationist has expanded the scope of his [...]
The Arts must innovate to survive in today’s world
Giving value to the arts and culture By Shawna Stirrett Traditional arts groups such as orchestras, ballets, operas and theatres that neglect to think about how they fit into the broader social context and respond accordingly will fail. This might not happen today or the next day, but the writing is on the wall. While [...]
Historic Barkerville exhibit to tour British Columbia and China
Barkerville exhibit captures Chinese experience during Cariboo Gold Rush An exhibit depicting the lives of Chinese immigrants during the Cariboo Gold Rush will travel to China next year thanks to a $20,000 grant from the B.C. government. The Barkerville exhibit is put together from archives kept in the historic gold rush town, which capture the [...]