@islandsocialtrends
Island Social Trends is a longstanding independent regional & national news publication on south #VancouverIsland, BC (series since 2008); editor & publisher Mary P Brooke. #News analysis to support readers who think for themselves. IslandSocialTrends.ca
BC Education and Child Care Minister Beare highlights Safe School Coordinators as key to delivering #school #safety. That organizational structure (one person guiding plans, drills & security measures) may be the vulnerability in delivery of BC school safety. islandsocialtrends.ca/education-mi...
The reality for women in Canadian society is complex and loaded with enormous challenges. islandsocialtrends.ca/internationa... | #Internationalwomensday
Three federal #byelections will be held on Monday April 13 -- that could produce a #Liberal majority in the House of Commons. islandsocialtrends.ca/three-april-... | #cdnpoli
A lesson in #urbanplaning as communities change... can't give 'em away! Large #tree species (intended to boost long-term urban canopy) not suitable for smaller more compact #Langford properties (of which there are many). Yard-waste depot continues Mar 14 & 21. islandsocialtrends.ca/firesmart-ya...
Prime Minister Carney’s trade mission in #Australia this week: speeches & gains, reaching across oceans to find common strategic ground. islandsocialtrends.ca/carneys-trad... | #cdnpoli
Today BC's #tourism minister Anne Kang announced a new tourism sector action plan (within #LookWest strategy) to boost visitor economy by promoting BC as a key destination for visitors & investors. Goal to boost revenues to $48 billion by 2036. islandsocialtrends.ca/tourism-sect... | #bcpoli
BC Coroner’s inquest to review circumstances of nine #TumblerRidge deaths and produce recommendations on how similar tragedies might be avoided in future. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-coroners-...
Where millions of #birds travel north/south, 21-hectare property in #Metchosin has been permanently protected by BC #Parks Fdtn as a bird sanctuary. Support by Wilson 5 Fdtn, Metchosin Fdtn, federal Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, Dist of Metchosin, donors. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-parks-fou...
BC chooses permanent #DaylightSavingTime -- when clocks spring-forward one hour on Sun March 8 -- they will not ever go back. BC is taking political leadership for the Pacific Northwest says Premier Eby, while doing what's right for families, workers, business. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-chooses-p...
Canada-India economic and political partnerships strengthened during Carney’s #trade visit. Carney's speech today in New Delhi emphasized "One Earth, one family, one future". Canada-India joint statement feels robust, looks productive (61 points). islandsocialtrends.ca/canada-india... | #cdnpoli
Greaves says he is listening to his constituents -- says his core responsibility is to reflect the views of his constituents, and that the prime minister's Davos speech has some principles he'd like to see Canada stand by. islandsocialtrends.ca/victoria-mp-... #cdnpoli
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney hopes to see Canada sign a two-way trade agreement with #India by the end of 2026. islandsocialtrends.ca/canada-seeks... | #cdnpoli #criticalminerals #agriculture #energy
“Seize control of your destiny” said US President #Trump to the people of Iran in a video early Sat a.m., as US & Israel bomb Iran. “This is the moment for action, do not let it pass,” said Trump who has been supporting the opportunity for regime change in Iran. islandsocialtrends.ca/usa-israel-l...
It's #budget season! Public #openhouse drop-in to chat with #Langford Mayor and council on Sat Feb 28 at The Outpost Board Game Cafe in town centre, from 11 am to 2 pm. Kids activity. Underground and street parking. islandsocialtrends.ca/langford-bud... | #event
Politicians using ‘master in our own home’ to motivate a nation in crisis are impeding their own cause. Pulling an old 1960s political phrase into the 21st century is not effective and shows a surprising lack of society-wide awareness, even lazy speechwriting. islandsocialtrends.ca/politicians-...
Federal AI Minister Evan Solomon disappointed with #OpenAI, BC Premier #Eby says #TumblerRidge shooting could have been prevented, adding "clearly (OpenAI) tragically missed the mark in bringing this information forward" (regarding flagged account, 2nd account). islandsocialtrends.ca/federal-ai-m...
Pharmaceuticals for #diabetes and #menopause now covered in BC (starting March 1, 2026). Made possible by underlying federal funding into #Pharmacare. Announced today by Health Minister @josieosborne.bsky.social. islandsocialtrends.ca/pharmaceutic... | #dietary #women
Langford residents can drop off their yard waste (leaves and other natural debris) free on three weekends in March. It's part of #FireSmart management in a growing #urban community that interfaces into wildland areas: islandsocialtrends.ca/langford-fir... | #gardening #property #maintenance
NDP MLA Dana Lajeunesse's Private Member's Bill M-226 (Xavier’s Law) got Second Reading today. The bill would allow police to take away a dangerous #driver's licence away immediately (for 30 days). Vote in BC Legislature at 6 pm tonight. Updates here: islandsocialtrends.ca/mla-lajeunes... | #bcpoli
Canada's Prime Minister Carney will soon depart on another trade mission (Feb26 to Mar7), promoting Canada's resources and building partnerships in trade, energy, technology, and defence. Quite the hustle, all due to Trump pressures. islandsocialtrends.ca/carneys-next... | #cdnpoli #diversification
The #NDP is rebuilding after near-collapse to 7 seats in the 2025 election. So it matters who wins the current leadership race for those who believe the NDP drives social change in the House of Commons. Candidates from 5 directions, one a sitting MP. islandsocialtrends.ca/why-it-matte... | #cdnpoli
The US Supreme Court ruling against #Trump's #tariffs is politically significant for Canada — it’s a chink in the armor of the fight to get tariffs rolled back, especially if Republicans lose seats in the upcoming November 2026 mid terms. islandsocialtrends.ca/us-supreme-c... | #cdnpoli #bcpoli
Dual credit courses available to SD62 (west shore/Sooke) students @royalroads.ca starting Sept 2026 (register in April 2026). Courses delivered at Royal Roads campus in downtown #Langford. Transition rates (#K12 to post secondary) boosted by this participation. islandsocialtrends.ca/royal-roads-...
Rent levels still go up in BC. BC #Rent Bank continues to fear 3-yr BC govt funding won't be renewed (wasn't mentioned in #Budget2026). Unlike other social supports, BC Rent Bank #loans are repaid by recipients. Govt funding would help management sustainability. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-rent-bank...
The 5 contestants for the federal #NDP leadership will take part in a #debate tonight Thurs Feb 19 at 5 pm PT. Find livestream link here, and a profile of the 5 contenders: Rob Ashton, Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson, and Tony McQuail. islandsocialtrends.ca/feb-19-debat... | #cdnpoli
How much will 2026 #propertytax go up in #Langford? Council is working with options to reduce the tax increase to 11%, 9%, 6%, or 3% (down from the staff-recommended 15.13%). More deliberations by council tonight Feb 19 at 7 pm. Public online survey to March 4. islandsocialtrends.ca/how-much-wil...
Former Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals; Carney flew to #Edmonton to greet the newest Liberal MP. This brings the Liberals back to three seats short of a majority in the House of Commons. islandsocialtrends.ca/edmonton-riv... | #cdnpoli
BC #Seniors Advocate disappointed with BC #Budget2026. Says #longterm care spaces needed asap; home care co-payment should be dropped; more housing options needed for #aging in place including housing development housing mix guide being set by Municipal Affairs. islandsocialtrends.ca/bc-budget-20...
Significant shift in BC Provincial Sales Tax: has long been only on selected products, now also (at Oct 1, 2026) on range of professional services that will add load to #smallbusiness in particular as well as #housing #development & cost of housing & #rentals). islandsocialtrends.ca/provincial-s...
Portable #classrooms arriving in #TumblerRidge as the small town in northeast BC begins recovery following last week's mass shooting in local high school. “We are working around the clock” for students, families. ~ Infrastructure Minister @bowinnma.bsky.social islandsocialtrends.ca/portable-cla...