Author: SKEENA NEWS

Terrace, B.C. The Province of British Columbia is taking significant steps to strengthen the seniors’ care sector by mandating consistent labour standards for publicly funded care homes and the workers who staff them. A new memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Ministry of Health, the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC), and the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) will transition eligible care home operators to HEABC membership. This move ensures that workers are covered by a standard, HEABC-negotiated collective agreement. Ending the Two-Tier System Minister of Health Josie Osborne emphasized that the change is designed to address a systemic inequity, stating the agreement benefits “more than…

TERRACE, B.C. – The Government of Canada today announced an investment of nearly $20 million to train over 8,000 skilled trades workers across the country, a measure designed to meet critical labour shortages and support the national goals of building major infrastructure and accelerating housing construction. The funding, announced by Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli, is being allocated to two major union organizations—the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and the Carpenters’ Regional Council—through the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP). “In order to build major infrastructure and create high-paying careers for Canadians, the Government of Canada is investing in skilled trades training,”…

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The Government of Canada has announced a major investment to bolster the country’s aerial firefighting capacity, committing $257.6 million over four years to lease firefighting aircraft, such as waterbombers, to better protect communities from increasingly severe wildfires. The investment, highlighted by Parliamentary Secretary Anthony Housefather in Winnipeg today, is sourced from Budget 2025 and will be managed through Natural Resources Canada. The funding is a direct response to the devastating wildfire seasons Canada has faced, including 2025, which officials noted was the second worst wildfire season in the country’s history. Strengthening National Resilience Aerial firefighting plays a crucial role in protecting lives and property,…

CALGARY, B.C. – Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a landmark agreement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Thursday that rolls back key federal climate rules, signaling a major national policy shift in favour of fossil fuel development. The deal immediately created tensions within the Liberal government, with former environment minister Steven Guilbeault resigning from the cabinet over concerns that Canada’s climate plan was being dismantled. Under the agreement, the federal government will scrap a planned emissions cap on the oil and gas sector and drop rules on clean electricity. In exchange, Alberta committed to strengthening industrial carbon pricing and supporting the massive Pathways Plus carbon capture-and-storage project. Prime Minister Carney…

TERRACE, B.C. – Two Northwest B.C. organizations are receiving essential funding from Rio Tinto to enhance services for individuals affected by domestic and family violence, coinciding with the launch of the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Ksan Society in Terrace and the Elizabeth Fry Society in Burns Lake will receive a share of $400,000 in national funding, distributed across 15 organizations in Canada. This marks the sixth consecutive year Rio Tinto has contributed to this initiative, which supports critical services like shelter, counselling, education, and support for women, children, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Local Services Strengthened The funding…

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – A historic turning point in North American trade has been confirmed for the first time in nearly 30 years, Mexico has officially surpassed Canada as the largest market for U.S. exports. New U.S. government data released this week highlights a seismic shift in economic dynamics between the North American partners, signaling Canada’s declining relative share amid ongoing political and tariff disputes. Between January and August 2025, American exports to Mexico reached $226.4 billion, narrowly edging out the $225.6 billion worth of goods imported by Canada over the same period. The Role of Geopolitics and Tariffs For decades, Canada was the United…

TERRACE, B.C. – The Canadian federal government has passed landmark legislation that fundamentally changes citizenship rules, resolving the decades-long issue of “Lost Canadians” while introducing a strict new requirement for Canadians living abroad. The legislation, Bill C-3: An Act to amend the Citizenship Act, received Royal Assent on November 20, 2025, following a judicial mandate to fix a policy declared unconstitutional by the Ontario Superior Court. The entire new framework must be fully in force by the court-imposed deadline of January 20, 2026. Unconditional Citizenship Granted to ‘Lost Canadians’ The first major function of Bill C-3 is to provide comprehensive, unconditional relief for historical injustices:…

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. – A monumental restructuring of Canada’s internal trade rules is set to provide a major logistical and economic advantage to businesses in Northern B.C. The Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement (CMRA), which takes effect in December 2025, establishes a national regulatory “passport” for thousands of goods. The core principle is revolutionary: if a good can be lawfully sold in B.C., it is automatically compliant for sale across the entire country, generally without additional testing or certification. B.C. officials have characterized this as the “largest set of red tape reduction in Canada’s history.” The Local Impact: Defeating Remote Friction For…

TERRACE, B.C. – KSM Mining ULC, a subsidiary of Seabridge Gold, has been honoured with the AME David Barr Award for excellence in mineral exploration health and safety. The prestigious award recognizes the company’s leadership and innovation in establishing a collaborative approach to emergency preparedness across the remote Golden Triangle region of Northwest B.C. KSM Mining earned the distinction for its pioneering efforts to foster cooperation among multiple companies and organizations operating within the challenging Critical Conservation Corridor. The goal is to enhance safety and ensure a unified response to emergencies. The Golden Triangle Coordination Model The key initiative recognized is the Golden Triangle Emergency Response Coordination…

TERRACE, B.C. – A Vancouver-based mining company has announced plans to acquire a significant copper-gold exploration project located in the busy industrial corridor between Kitimat and Terrace. Copper Quest Exploration has entered into an agreement to purchase a 100 per cent interest in the Kitimat Copper-Gold Project, a 2,954-hectare property situated approximately 10 kilometres northwest of Kitimat. The property is accessible by logging and exploration roads, giving it direct access to critical infrastructure. “This project is ideally located with exceptional infrastructure, in a proven geological belt known for hosting major copper-gold systems,” said Brian Thurston, CEO of Copper Quest, highlighting the property’s close…