Top Stories – May 16 – More Stuff

Kelowna City Council approved a funding strategy for future development of active amenities across the city. It includes the redevelopment of Parkinson Rec Centre along with developments and enhancements in Glenmore, the Mission and Rutland. Aside from Parkinson, it looks to provide new activity centres in Glenmore and the Mission, and optimization of sport fields in Rutland.

The World Travel and Tourism Council is predicting Canada’s tourism sector will make a big post-pandemic rebound this year. It says the industry could pump 162 Billion dollars into the economy, up more than 17% from last year. That would grow some 90-thousand more jobs, recovering nearly all the positions scrapped during the pandemic.

Talks are reportedly continuing, but WestJet pilots have issued 72 hour strike notice, which means they could walk out on Friday. They are seeking better job protections, benefits and wages that they say will bring them in line with their North American counterparts. The company has said its mainline pilots are among the best paid in Canada and wages shouldn’t be compared to U.S. levels.

The semi is gone, but the townhouse it was embedded in at Gordon and Cameron has not been approved for occupancy. The family that was forced out after the accident more than a month ago is afraid it will be many more months before they can move back home. No one in the house was injured and the driver was okay after he lost control of his rig.

The federal justice minister is expected to reveal the government’s plans to reform bail provisions in the Criminal Code as early as today. David Lametti has said he will make targeted reforms after the provinces and territories asked for a “reverse onus” system for some offences. That would require a person to prove why they should not stay behind bars.

There are calls for more provinces to follow Quebec’s lead in seeking to hold short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb accountable for uncertified listings. The Quebec government has tabled a bill that would require short-term rental companies to ensure their online listings are certified by the province. If passed, companies could face fines of up to $100,000 for each illegal rental listing.

On Monday May 29th at 7pm at Prospera Place, more than 500 music students from across the central Okanagan will be taking part in a national event called Music Monday. They will perform “Music is our Medicine”, by two Canadian composers, as a massed band and choir. Admission is by donation and proceeds go to supporting music education in public schools.

The CEO of housing operator the Atira Women’s Resource Society is stepping down over conflict of interest concerns. Janice Abbott is resigning after an audit raised flags over her marriage to Shayne Ramsay, who is the former head of BC Housing. The review found Ramsay repeatedly influenced decisions that benefited Atira.

How drunk was he. A driver, who was pulled over for speeding, in Springfield, Colorado, tried to switch places with his dog to avoid arrest. An officer watched him maneuvering inside the car before he got out on the passenger side. He faces a number of charges.

Sports

It will be Las Vegas and Dallas in the NHL Western Conference final on Friday after the Stars took Seattle, 2-1 last night in Texas.

The Eastern Final will begin on Thursday with the Hurricanes hosting the Panthers.

The Toronto Blue Jays began four games against the Yankees with a 7-4 loss yesterday. Game 2 has the first pitch just after 4 today.