BC MLA Peter Milobar Takes Tough Policy Stances While Positioning as Alternative to Current NDP Government

by Go Sayward News Desk | Mar 29, 2026 03:06 | Provincial

B.C. Conservative MLA Peter Milobar brought his leadership campaign to Port Coquitlam this week as part of his “Win Back B.C.” tour.

Milobar, who represents Kamloops-Centre, spoke to about 40 supporters at a meet-and-greet event at the Cat & Fiddle Pub, where he outlined his vision for the party and the province.

He argued that both the party and the province are in need of change, saying a Conservative victory would be critical to improving conditions in British Columbia.

Positioning himself as the most electable candidate, Milobar pointed to his experience as a former mayor of Kamloops and noted that he is currently the only leadership contender serving as an elected MLA in the provincial legislature.

Milobar previously ran under the B.C. United banner (formerly the B.C. Liberals) but joined the Conservative Party of B.C. ahead of the last provincial election. That race ended with the NDP forming a narrow one-seat majority, a result Milobar says shows the Conservatives are within reach of forming government.

He told supporters he is best positioned to turn that close result into a majority win in the next election.

On policy, Milobar emphasized key Conservative priorities, including a tougher approach to crime, improvements to the healthcare system, and changes to education policy — specifically repealing the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI 123) program in schools.

He also highlighted plans to strengthen property rights, including repealing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).

Milobar said his broader leadership platform will focus on addressing affordability challenges facing younger residents, clarifying how proposed policy changes would be implemented, and supporting a transparent review of claims surrounding the reported discovery of children’s remains at the former Kamloops residential school site.

Carbon Tax to Kill 50,000 Canadian Jobs by 2030

by Go Sayward News Desk | Mar 29, 2026 02:48 | National

According to estimates from the Fraser Institute, a planned increase to industrial carbon pricing — reaching $170 per tonne by 2030 — could result in an average loss of about $1,160 in annual income per Canadian and a reduction of roughly 50,000 jobs nationwide.

These projections reflect potential economic impacts such as lower wages, reduced employment, and higher production costs across key industries.

While the federal government has moved away from the consumer-facing carbon tax — the version that appeared directly on household energy bills — carbon pricing still applies at the industrial level. This means sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture continue to face rising costs tied to emissions.

Critics argue that these costs are ultimately passed down to consumers through higher prices for goods and services, including food, housing, and energy. Without a visible line item on bills, they say, it becomes more difficult for Canadians to directly link price increases to carbon pricing policies.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal government have defended carbon pricing as a key tool for reducing emissions and addressing climate change. However, opponents contend that shifting the tax “upstream” makes its economic effects less transparent.

Some also argue that when rising costs are attributed to factors like global supply chain disruptions, corporate pricing, or international trade pressures, the role of domestic policy can be overlooked.

For example, Liberal figures such as Nathalie Provost have pointed to external pressures like tariffs when discussing higher grocery prices, which critics see as downplaying the impact of carbon pricing embedded throughout the supply chain.

Supporters of the current system maintain that carbon pricing is necessary to incentivize emissions reductions and that broader economic factors also contribute to inflation. Critics, on the other hand, believe the policy places an undue burden on Canadians by increasing costs in less visible ways.

At the center of the debate is a key question: how much of the rising cost of living can be attributed to carbon pricing — and how transparent should those costs be to the public?

BC Woman Offered Assisted Suicide Before Any Treatment Options Presented Upon Arrival At Hospital

by Go Sayward News Desk | Mar 29, 2026 02:31 | Provincial

An 84-year-old woman from British Columbia says she was offered medical assistance in dying (MAID) before other treatment options after being taken to hospital with severe back pain — an experience she found shocking and inappropriate.

Miriam Lancaster was transported by ambulance to Vancouver General Hospital in April 2025 after experiencing intense lower back pain. She was later diagnosed with a fractured sacrum, a break in a bone at the base of the spine often linked to osteoporosis.

According to Lancaster and her daughter, Jordan Weaver, a doctor raised MAID as an option while she was still in the emergency department.

Weaver recalled that the doctor acknowledged Lancaster’s pain and then immediately suggested MAID. Both she and her mother, who are practicing Catholics, rejected the idea outright. They say only after refusing were other treatment options, including rehabilitation, discussed.

Lancaster chose to pursue recovery. After about 10 days in hospital followed by several weeks in a rehabilitation program, she regained her strength. Within six weeks, she was well enough to walk her daughter down the aisle at her wedding. In the months that followed, she travelled internationally and even climbed Guatemala’s Pacaya volcano.

Lancaster said the suggestion of assisted death caught her completely off guard. Her focus at the time was understanding and treating her pain, not ending her life.

Her case has become part of a broader debate in Canada over whether doctors should introduce MAID to patients who have not asked about it. Some critics argue that raising the option too early — especially in non-terminal situations — risks undermining trust and shifting the focus away from care and recovery.

In a statement, Vancouver Coastal Health said it could not confirm the specific interaction due to privacy rules but noted that clinicians may use their judgment when discussing care options. However, it also said emergency department staff are generally not expected to initiate conversations about MAID.

Under Canadian law, MAID is available to patients with serious and incurable conditions who are in an advanced state of decline and experiencing intolerable suffering, as confirmed by two medical professionals.

Lancaster said she chose not to file a formal complaint, as she preferred to move on from the experience. She emphasized that aside from the MAID discussion, she received good care and successfully recovered through rest and rehabilitation.

While she respects that MAID is a legal option that may be appropriate for some, she believes the timing of when it is introduced matters. She argued that patients in emergency situations — often in pain, distress, or under medication — are not in the right state to consider such a life-ending decision.

Weaver echoed those concerns, saying her mother’s condition was treatable and not life-threatening. She described the experience as discouraging and questioned whether elderly patients might be unfairly viewed as less worth treating.

The story has sparked mixed reactions online. Some expressed concern about vulnerable patients being presented with MAID too quickly, while others argued that offering the option is not the same as pressuring someone to accept it.

Lancaster maintains that her objection is not to MAID itself, but to how and when it is introduced — particularly in moments when patients are at their most vulnerable.

Foot Care Nurses to Provide Monthly Clinics in Sayward Through Summer – April 28, May 26, June 24, July 28, August 25

by Go Sayward News Desk | Mar 29, 2026 01:57 | Events

Residents in Sayward will soon have improved access to specialized foot care services, as the Sayward Community Health Society has secured two experienced foot care nurses to provide regular monthly clinics in the community.

According to an announcement shared with residents, two highly qualified and experienced foot care nurses have agreed to travel to Sayward and provide services out of the local medical clinic on an alternating monthly schedule. The arrangement is currently confirmed through August, with hopes to extend the program further into the fall, potentially until winter road conditions make travel more difficult.

Both nurses are based in Campbell River and will operate privately, similar to most specialized foot care providers in the region. Fees are considered reasonable, and patients will receive receipts that can be submitted for extended medical benefits or income tax purposes. To help keep costs lower for residents, the Sayward Community Health Society is assisting with travel expenses for the visiting nurses.

Appointments must be booked directly with the nurses and cannot be scheduled through the Sayward clinic. Priority for the April appointment date will be given to patients receiving foot care from Greg, the Community Paramedic.

The upcoming clinic dates are scheduled as follows:

April 28 – Tanya Cullen, $70 per hour, phone 250-202-3802
May 26 – Conny Agarwal, $65 per hour, phone 416-399-8123
June 24 – Tanya Cullen
July 28 – Conny Agarwal
August 25 – Tanya Cullen

Payment will be accepted by cash, cheque, or e-transfer, as credit and debit card services will not be available.

The initiative aims to maintain consistent access to essential foot care services for Sayward residents, particularly seniors and individuals with medical conditions that require regular treatment. Community organizers hope that strong local support and steady appointment bookings will encourage the nurses to continue traveling to Sayward beyond the summer months.

The Sayward Community Health Society expressed optimism that the program will provide much-needed continuity of care and ensure residents do not have to travel long distances for routine foot care services.

Village of Sayward Schedules Committee of the Whole Meeting for March 31 6pm

by Go Sayward News Desk | Mar 29, 2026 01:37 | Events

The Village of Sayward has announced a public Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Village of Sayward Municipal Office, located at 652 H’Kusam Way. The meeting will be open to the public and provides an opportunity for residents to observe council discussions and gain insight into issues that may shape future municipal decisions.

According to the public notice, the meeting agenda is available on the Village of Sayward website, and printed copies can be obtained at the Municipal Office during regular business hours. A video recording of the meeting will be posted online within three business days, allowing residents who cannot attend in person to stay informed about council discussions. Residents wishing to submit written questions or comments to Mayor and Council may do so up until the start of the meeting at 6:00 p.m. on March 31 by emailing village@saywardvalley.ca or delivering their submissions directly to the Municipal Office.

A Committee of the Whole meeting is a common municipal governance format used across British Columbia and Canada, where the entire council meets as a committee to review issues in detail before making formal decisions at a regular council meeting. Unlike regular council meetings, which focus on passing bylaws, approving motions, and making official decisions, Committee of the Whole meetings are designed to allow more in-depth discussion, exploration of policy options, and detailed review of reports and proposals. This structure allows council members to ask questions, debate ideas, and request additional information from staff without the formal procedural constraints that govern regular council meetings.

Committee of the Whole meetings often serve as the foundation for major municipal decisions. Budget planning, infrastructure projects, policy changes, governance issues, and community concerns are typically reviewed in this setting before moving forward to a regular council meeting for approval. By holding detailed discussions in advance, council can better understand the financial and operational implications of proposed actions and ensure that decisions are informed and transparent.

Typical Committee of the Whole agendas include staff reports on municipal finances, infrastructure maintenance and capital projects, water and sewer systems, public works operations, and grant opportunities. Draft bylaws and policy proposals are frequently presented for discussion, allowing council to consider potential changes to fees, services, or operational procedures. Community issues such as economic development initiatives, regional partnerships, emergency preparedness, and service delivery challenges may also be addressed. In some cases, presentations from community organizations, consultants, or regional partners are included to provide additional information or perspectives.

For residents, Committee of the Whole meetings provide an important window into how local government operates. These meetings often reveal early-stage discussions about property taxes, municipal services, infrastructure investments, and long-term planning. Observing these discussions can help residents understand council priorities, identify emerging issues, and stay informed about potential changes that may affect the community. Because items discussed at Committee of the Whole frequently move to regular council meetings for final approval, attending or reviewing these meetings gives residents an opportunity to raise concerns or provide feedback before decisions are finalized.

Participation is typically limited to observation and written submissions, as formal public speaking opportunities are more commonly provided during regular council meetings or scheduled public hearings. However, reviewing the agenda in advance and submitting written comments allows residents to ensure their perspectives are considered during council deliberations. This process supports transparency and accountability by encouraging public awareness and engagement in municipal decision-making.

Municipal governance in small communities like Sayward often relies heavily on Committee of the Whole meetings to work through complex financial and operational issues, particularly during budget planning periods or when major infrastructure or policy decisions are under consideration. The format allows council to collaborate more openly, explore multiple options, and build consensus before bringing forward formal resolutions.

The Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for March 31 is expected to follow this standard format, providing an opportunity for council to review current issues and provide direction to staff on future actions. Residents interested in local governance are encouraged to attend or review the meeting recording to stay informed about ongoing municipal discussions and priorities.

The public notice was issued by Andrew Young, MCIP, RPP, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Officer, and dated March 27, 2026.