Top Stories – Mar 30 – Distracted

During a two-day “Distracted Driving Blitz” the Kelowna RCMP was set up at several locations around the city and distributed 45 violation tickets and charges. Most of them were for talking on the phone and texting. Additional fines were issued for unlicensed drivers and one prohibited driver, along with two inspection orders given for a defective vehicle and a loud motorcycle muffler.

Legislation is being introduced to monitor and regulate money services businesses in BC. Provincial officials say they deal in foreign exchanges, wire transfers, money orders or similar services that have been vulnerable to money laundering. Victoria says the BC Financial Services Authority will keep bad actors out and give people confidence in the services they’re accessing.

Long time Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz insisted the coffee chain hasn’t broken labour laws and is willing to bargain with unionized workers. It came during an often testy, two-hour appearance before a US Senate Committee. Schultz was firm in his stance that the Seattle-based company provides good wages and benefits and doesn’t need a union.

West Kelowna council received an update on the Boucherie Multi-use Pathway Project and safety enhancements in the Boucherie Corridor. The project includes phased construction of a new multi-use pathway located on and off Boucherie Road from Gregory to Green Bay Roads, pedestrian activated crosswalks and street lighting.

Foster parents and others who support vulnerable children and youth will see an increase to payments that help cover food, clothing and transportation costs for those in their care. Monthly payments will rise by as much as 47%, while the per-day rate for caregivers providing respite and relief care is also increasing by as much as 36%.

The Royal Canadian Legion is asking Ottawa for more details about its promise of more money to address longstanding delays and backlogs for sick and injured veterans. They have called on the government to hire more permanent staff at Veterans Affairs Canada. But the Liberals hired hundreds of temporary employees to tackle the pile of unprocessed claims, which has started to grow again over the past year.

The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior will benefit from 10 million dollars from Victoria. The ETSI includes the Central Okanagan and supports innovation in rural regions with investments in leading-edge projects that help businesses grow. The government says the trust can create new jobs and opportunities that will benefit people, businesses and communities.

Amendments introduced to the Business Corporations Act will create a public registry for beneficial owners. It’s to give British Columbians more confidence that private companies are not being used for money laundering or other criminal purposes.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is heard in a leaked cellphone call promising to intervene in the criminal case of a COVID protester. She also divulges to the accused that those in government are at odds over how the cases are being handled. The NDP Justice critic says it’s more proof that Smith is interfering in justice and a full, independent inquiry is needed.

Sports

The Major League Baseball season kicks off today with almost a full slate of games. In one of them the Toronto Blue Jays are in St Louis to take on the Cardinals just after 1pm.

The Vancouver Canucks will wear themed warm-up jerseys when they host the Flames for their annual Pride celebration game tomorrow. The jerseys are designed by a local artist, and a $20,000 donation will be made to QMUNITY, (cue-munity) which is a Vancouver non-profit that supports LGBTQ people and their allies.

Indonesia has been stripped of hosting the men’s Under-20 World Cup amid political turmoil regarding Israel’s participation. Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation and does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel.