Opinion

Premier David Eby and Premier Danielle Smith (Canadian Press photos)
Premier David Eby and Premier Danielle Smith (Canadian Press photos)
Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News and a big fan of Father Christmas.

COLUMN: The magic of Christmas isn’t so unbelievable, is it?

A deep adoration of Santa Claus and everything he represents has led to a life of loving Christmas

Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News and a big fan of Father Christmas.
Jim Hilton pens a column on forestry each week for Black Press Media.

FOREST INK: Black cottonwood has many good qualities

There are three native poplar species in this province. Trembling (Quaking) Aspen…

  • Dec 11, 2022
Jim Hilton pens a column on forestry each week for Black Press Media.
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)

RANCH MUSINGS: Financial bad news and yet there is hope

When my brain was warm enough this past week, it kept returning…

  • Dec 10, 2022
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)
(Nature Conservancy of Canada handout photo)

OPINION: Conserving forest, grassland and wetland ecosystems in B.C. has global impact

This week and next governments, scientists and conservation experts are gathering in…

  • Dec 8, 2022
(Nature Conservancy of Canada handout photo)
File photo

Barron: Remembering when gun-toting elementary schoolkids said ‘enough’ to the rats

A half-century ago, school pest-control methods were a little bit different

File photo
Barb Presseau, seen here on Oct. 21, 2022, is upset the man who killed her son Doug on July 7, 2017 downtown Chilliwack is set for statutory release on or near Nov. 19, 2022. Kirkland Russell was sentenced to eight years for the killing. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

OPINION: Mother of B.C. man stabbed to death outraged over killer’s imminent release

Barbara Presseau wants public to know that offenders only serve two-thirds of sentences behind bars

Barb Presseau, seen here on Oct. 21, 2022, is upset the man who killed her son Doug on July 7, 2017 downtown Chilliwack is set for statutory release on or near Nov. 19, 2022. Kirkland Russell was sentenced to eight years for the killing. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) evades a tackle from Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (39) during the second quarter of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

THE MOJ: Can a restored and revived Rourke lead the Lions to the promised land?

Quarterback’s surprise recovery has B.C. football fans on the edge of their seats

BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) evades a tackle from Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Charleston Hughes (39) during the second quarter of CFL football action in Regina, on Friday, July 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Referee Kendrick Nicholson picks up a Vancouver Canucks jersey that was thrown onto the ice by a fan as the team plays the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canucks getting paid to win and their coach may pay the price

As the early season results mount in Vancouver, Boudreau’s seat getting hotter — his fault or not

Referee Kendrick Nicholson picks up a Vancouver Canucks jersey that was thrown onto the ice by a fan as the team plays the Buffalo Sabres during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Sockeye salmon struggle to get upstream in historically low water levels in Weaver Creek near the Harrison River north of Chilliwack on Oct. 20, 2022. (Submitted by a Watershed Watch Salmon Society volunteer)

OPINION w/VIDEO: Salmon die and people lose their water as B.C. sleepwalks into yet another crisis

‘It’s time those responsible for protecting B.C.s environment spent a little more time out here with us’

  • Oct 25, 2022
Sockeye salmon struggle to get upstream in historically low water levels in Weaver Creek near the Harrison River north of Chilliwack on Oct. 20, 2022. (Submitted by a Watershed Watch Salmon Society volunteer)
A woman walks through an art installation in Montreal, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

THE MOJ: For the best stop on the CFL road trip circuit, you can’t beat Montreal

As for the bottom-ranked city, if you can’t say anything nice…

A woman walks through an art installation in Montreal, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Voters mark their civic election ballots at a polling station in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

CAMERON: Boosting 2022 local election turnout in B.C. unlikely

‘One reason cited for the low turnout is the peculiar nature of local elections’

Voters mark their civic election ballots at a polling station in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Jim Hilton is the author of Forest Ink.

FOREST INK: Comparing sunflowers to fir trees

In contrast to the rapid growth of the sunflower the fir seedlings grew very slowly

  • Oct 18, 2022
Jim Hilton is the author of Forest Ink.
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher (4) fails to make the reception in the end zone as Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brandon Alexander (37) defends and Desmond Lawrence (46) watches during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher (4) fails to make the reception in the end zone as Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brandon Alexander (37) defends and Desmond Lawrence (46) watches during the first half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver Canucks forward Ilya Mikheyev, of Russia, skates during the NHL hockey team’s training camp in Whistler, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Canucks adopt philosophy of making a good offence their best defence

Unable to fix the blueline, Vancouver looks to outscore the opposition

Vancouver Canucks forward Ilya Mikheyev, of Russia, skates during the NHL hockey team’s training camp in Whistler, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dalton Schoen (83) is tackled by B.C. Lions' Delvin Breaux Sr. (23) after making a reception during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

THE MOJ: Lions path to clinching 2nd place not as tough as you might think

Winnipeg will be relaxed, resting starters and less focused for two remaining tilts

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dalton Schoen (83) is tackled by B.C. Lions' Delvin Breaux Sr. (23) after making a reception during the second half of CFL football game in Vancouver, on Saturday, July 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith reacts after his 8-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

THE MOJ: Don’t be surprised if Geno Smith keeps the Seahawks soaring

Many factors allowing former journeyman to shine in starter’s role

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith reacts after his 8-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
About 17 per cent of British Columbians are currently experiencing a mental illness or substance use issue, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. (File photo)

COLUMN: Breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and PTSD

I always thought only those who were in a war had PTSD. I was wrong.

About 17 per cent of British Columbians are currently experiencing a mental illness or substance use issue, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. (File photo)
It is very important to secure garbage properly, because if a bear cannot access a food source easily it will lose interest, move on and will unlikely return a second time. (Black Press file photo)

FOREST INK: Follow good habits to keep humans and bears safe

Columnist Jim Hilton muses on bears

  • Oct 2, 2022
It is very important to secure garbage properly, because if a bear cannot access a food source easily it will lose interest, move on and will unlikely return a second time. (Black Press file photo)
(courtesy B.C. Lions)

THE MOJ: A Rourke return for the Lions? Let’s call it a long shot with a shot

Still a faint hope that B.C.’s quarterback sensation could be back in time for the playoffs

(courtesy B.C. Lions)