Top Stories – Dec 15 – Tories vs Grits

The federal Conservatives still have a small lead over the governing Liberals. A poll conducted by Leger over the weekend says 33 per cent of respondents would vote for the Tories while 30 per cent would vote for the Liberals if a federal election was underway. The NDP was at 21%, while the Green and Peoples Party were at 4.

Meeting times for West Kelowna Council will stay as they are. There was a proposal to move the Tuesday meeting from 1:30 to 3:30 to allow more public participation. However, the majority of council said it wouldn’t and the proposal was pulled from the agenda.

Banff has passed a bylaw banning smoking and vaping in most public places. It covers municipal parks and green spaces, on trails and pathways and at outdoor markets and events. The bylaw also covers bus stops and public sidewalks and in proximity to children.

Holiday parties are making a comeback after covid cancellations. More than 57% of companies are planning in-person holiday celebrations this year, according to a survey conducted by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a hiring firm. While that’s still notably fewer than the 75% that threw parties in 2019, it’s a big leap from the 5% in 2020.

Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has elected to be tried for sexual assault before a jury, rather than by judge alone. It stems from an incident alleged to have happened in 2016, in Kirkland Lake, Ont. Hoggard was granted bail in a separate case in October after launching an appeal of his five-year sentence for sexually assaulting an Ottawa woman.

Pope Francis called for a “humble” Christmas this year, with savings from reduced spending on gifts donated to help the ‘suffering people of Ukraine.’ He called for gestures of charity for Ukrainians this holiday season. The Vatican has organized a clothing drive this month to bring thermal wear to Ukrainians suffering the winter cold with reduced heating and electricity.

The City of Kelowna Family Holiday Skate is back this Sunday. It happens at Rutland Arena from 1-3 p.m. There’s free skating, face-painting, refreshments, card making & more. Admission is free but donations for the Food Bank are greatly appreciated.

Plans for a big commercial-tourism venture on land south of Vernon, continue to move ahead. The investment for a gondola in phase one by Kelowna-based development company, Ridge North America, is estimated at $50 million. It, and other attractions, if approved, would be on 100 hectares of land off Bailey Road west of Highway 97, and overlooking Kalamalka Lake.

Canadian Air Force pilots will be staying closer to home next year. Since 2017, CF-18s based out of Romania have been helping NATO members patrol the skies of Europe. But not in 2023. The Air Force is focused on upgrading its fighter jets to keep them flying, as well as training new and existing pilots and technicians.

Sports

In Swift Current last night Andrew Cristall had a 4 point game leading the Kelowna Rockets to a 5-2 win over the Broncos. It was the 17-year-old’s 15th multi-point game of the season. The locals head to Alberta for a tilt tomorrow in Lethbridge.

The Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames could not settle it in regulation or overtime last night so a 3-3 game went to a shootout at the Saddledome. Andrei Kuzmenko got the only goal, but it was enough to give the Canucks the 4-3 win.

The Sunday championship game for the World Cup in Qatar will be between France and Argentina. The Bronze on Saturday will feature Croatia and Morocco.

Thursday Night Football is a game between 1st and 2nd in the NFC West as the Seahawks host the leading 49ers at Lumen Field at 5:15.