ARCHIVE - BC & NATIONAL BREAKING NEWS [Oct to Dec 2016]

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Saturday, December 31, 2016 ~ NATIONAL. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued a New Year message to Canadians.

“Happy New Year, everyone. Tonight is 150 years in the making, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ring in the New Year together. From coast to coast to coast, spectacular events are planned to usher in Canada’s 150th birthday.

Before we leave 2016 behind, I want to thank you. Over the last year, we have accomplished a great deal together to strengthen the middle class and those working hard to join it.

We cut taxes on middle-class Canadians, and put more money in the pockets of nine out of ten families through a new, more generous Canada Child Benefit; we also signed one of the most progressive free trade deals in history that will benefit Canadians across the country.

As we mark Canada 150 over the next year, we will honour the generations of Canadians who have come together to create opportunities for one another. We will celebrate the courage and vision of those who came before us, and the hard work and ambition of Canadians – like you – who have made Canada the success story that it is today.

For my part as Prime Minister, I will always stand against the politics of fear and division, and focus on what brings us together – that is my New Year’s resolution to you.

In 2017, and beyond, our government will take further steps to help the middle class and those working hard to join it. And, together, I know we will continue to build the diverse and prosperous country that we are all so proud to call home. Canada, let’s make this year our year.

On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish you a wonderful night and all the best in 2017.”

Saturday, December 31, 2016. BC Premier Christy Clark has issued a New Year’s statement, on the eve of Canada’s 150th birthday.

“New Year’s celebrations give us a chance to spend time with our families, reflect back on the year that was, and prepare for the opportunities ahead.

“In many ways, 2016 was the year the country and the world took notice of what hard-working British Columbians are achieving by sticking to our plan. Together, we have built a solid foundation with Canada’s leading economy, the best job-creation record and lowest unemployment in the country.

“This means we are able to invest more in the future, and take care of those among us who need it most. That includes the largest single-year investment in affordable housing in Canada and strong steps to keep the dream of home ownership within the reach of the middle class with our new BC HOME Partnership Program.

“More than a decade of hard work has resulted in the landmark Great Bear Rainforest Agreement, recognized this year by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

“In the year ahead, we resolve to keep working every day to put British Columbians first, and to make sure BC is in a strong position to overcome any challenges and make the most of our opportunities.

“I want to wish all British Columbians a safe New Year’s celebration and all the best for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2017.”

Friday, December 30 ~ WORLD. Time fix: At 11:59 pm & 59 seconds UT (3:59 pm PDT) December 31 the next second will be 11:59:60.

The New Year 2017 won’t start for another second. That’s to help take care of the ‘braking’ action of ocean tides, which decelerate the Earth in its orbit by two milliseconds per day per century. That’s according to the Naval Observatory.

About 50 years ago, scientists around the world agreed to stop basing time on astronomy. They instead defined the ‘second’ (the building block of time) on the cesium atom.

Since the world slows by about 2 milliseconds a day, a leap second needs to be added about every 500 days. Civil time must be adjusted so that the world’s atomic clocks do not vary from the Earth’s rotational time by more than 0.9 seconds, according to the observatory.

On the news commentary/comedy show Last week Tonight with John Oliver, this week he invited people to visit www.JohnOliversecstapes.com on New Year’s weekend where people can “waste that time with randomly selected, single-second videos” that are sure to give you a laugh.

Friday, December 30 ~ BC. For the first time, Oliver is the top name for boys born in BC according to the Vital Statistics Agency.

For the past five years (2011 to 2015), Emma and Olivia have been the top two names for girls born in BC. Rounding out the top five names for girls born in the province in 2015 were Emily, Sophia and Ava. For baby boys born in 2015, the remaining top five names include Ethan, Liam, Benjamin and Lucas.

The top names list is traditionally based on the exact spelling of names. However, when looking at different spellings of the same name, there are some new additions. For girls, the top five names are Emma, Olivia, Sophia/Sofia,
Emily/Emilee/Emilie and Amelia/Emelia/Emilia. For boys, the top five names are Jackson/Jaxon/Jaxson, Lucas/Lukas,
Oliver, Ethan and Liam. Only names whose frequency occurs five or more times are listed.

There were 44,405 babies born in BC in 2015: 22,819 boys (51.4% of births in 2015) and 21,586 girls (48.6% of births in 2015).

Preliminary statistics for this year (January 1, 2016 to December 12, 2016) show that the top name for boys is Lucas and the top name for girls is Olivia. Final statistics will be available later in 2017.

More information: www.vs.gov.bc.ca/babynames/baby2015.html | Information regarding the first birth of 2017 in BC will be shared on the government Twitter account @BCGovNews at 8 am on Sunday, January 1.

Thursday, December 29 ~ BC INTERIOR. Drivers are advised that Highway 1 north of Hope and Highway 5 (Coquihalla) are fully closed in both directions due to heavy snowfall.

The length of the closure of Highway 1 is unknown at this time, according to a news release from the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at 5 pm today.

These temporary highway closures are necessary for the safety of the travelling public. Heavy snowfall in the Southern Interior region has totaled over 30 cm in five hours. Maintenance crews are said to be doing everything possible to clear the roads with heavy snow expected until 10 pm tonight. The ministry has deployed over 25 snow plows, graders and other equipment, and will continue to work around the clock to clear the roads for drivers.

Motorists are encouraged to revise travel plans if they are heading north of Hope on Highway 1 or northeast on Highway 5.

Thursday, December 29 ~ VICTORIA. Spirit of 150 Victoria – First Night will be held at the Inner Harbour in Victoria on Saturday from 5 pm to 9:30 pm, with the main stage at Government and Belleville Streets.

The event marks the beginning of celebrations for Canada’s 150th birthday and the Victoria party will be one of 19 across the country. Sponsors and federal grants help cover the costs. About 20,000 to 30,000 people are expected to attend in Victoria.

The outdoor evening event will include signing, dancing, a harbour ferry ballet, artwork projected onto building surfaces, a concert by Vancouver band Dear Rouge, and the fireworks show that is scheduled to start at 9pm.

The Weather Network’s Victoria forecast for that evening is presently a temperature of minus-1°C with a 20% chance of rain, and winds around 45 km/h.

The other 18 fireworks and festival events on New Year’s Eve December 31, 2016 will be held in Vancouver (two fireworks displays over the Burrard Inlet – the first being at 9 pm, and the second at midnight), Whitehorse, Calgary, Edmonton, Yellowknife, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Iqaluit, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Frederiction, Moncton, Charllottetown, Halifax and St John’s.

Wednesday, December 28 ~ BC. It’s coming up to one year that the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands experienced an earthquake — it came at 11:39 pm on December 29, 2016.

The 4.7 Magnitude quake occurred 8 km ESE of Sidney (17 km NNE of Victoria). As quakes go, it was deep — between 53 and 59 km below the surface. No tsunami warning was issued.

The quake was felt as far east as the Fraser Valley in the BC interior and as far south as Washington State. Shaking in the Sooke area lasted for about 10 seconds. No damage was reported and “none would be expected” said seismic officials.

To mark the one-year anniversary of that event which was a preparedness wakeup call for many, some earthquake preparedness information and tips have been released by Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness.

Emergency Management BC (EMBC) works year-round with local governments to prepare for emergencies. For more information on how individuals and families can get prepared — including emergency kits, evacuation plans and reunification plans, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/PreparedBC as see these guides:
How to build an emergency kit | Household preparedness guide | Household emergency plan

The so-called ‘big one’ is expected to happen at some point, based on the. That would be a 9.0 Magnitude quake or higher. The predicted Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake will occur off the west coast of Vancouver Island. CSZ earthquakes have occurred, on average, every 500 years and the most recent 1-in-500 earthquake for this zone is thought to have occured in the year 1700.

drop_cover_hold_on_eng_blue_orange3 When an earthquake happens, the main thing to remember to do first is “drop, cover and hold on”. This drill is practiced annually in earthquake zones around the world.

In BC an earthquake drill is held on the third Thursday of October. See the Shakeout BC website for how to participate. in October 2016 over 800,000 people in BC participated in Shakeout BC.

When the shaking stops, you are hopefully ready to get your emergency kit(s) and be ready to do your evacuation plan.
If the quake was strong enough to knock you off your feet, you can expect a tsunami to follow. If you’re at or near the water, you would need to promptly make your way to higher ground.

crd-tsunami-modelling2013-arrivaltime Based on seismic modelling released by the Capital Regional District (CRD) in June 2013, In the Port Renfrew area a tsunami would reach shore within about 35 minutes (possibly sooner for Tofino), taking about 60 minutes to reach the Sooke Harbour and 77 minutes to reach Esquimalt Harbour [click on Table to see more details].

On Twitter you can follow Emergency Management BC at @EmergencyInfoBC and Prepared BC at @PreparedBC . On Vancouver Island, check out the Juan de Fuca Emergency Program Twitter stream at @jdfemerg for information that focuses on the west side of Vancouver Island in the CRD.

The Capital Regional District (CRD) preparedness website www.prepareyourself.ca is quite comprehensive for the south Vancouver Island area and emergency preparedness overall.

“We all have an individual responsibility to be prepared for emergencies. Do you know how much food, water, and other supplies are necessary to sustain you and your family for at least seven days?,” says the www.prepareyourself.ca website. In fact, it would be wise to prepare for an even longer period than 7 days on Vancouver Island, as transit systems and utilities may be disrupted for longer than a week after a major earthquake or natural disaster.

For other emergency preparedness and safety information: Floods | Power Outages | Landslides | Severe Weather

Tuesday, December 27 ~ BC. The BC Government said in a release today that the BC is “on track to remain one of Canada’s strongest economies in 2017 as most private sector economists, banks and economic think-tanks are forecasting the province will continue to record real GDP growth that ranks among the best in Canada”.

Statistics Canada reported that BC’s real GDP grew by 3.3% in 2015, the highest rate of economic growth in Canada and a full 2.4 percentage points above the national average.

The Province’s independent Economic Forecast Council predicted on November 25, 2016 that BC’s economy will outperform Canada; on average, they forecast real GDP growth at 3.0% in 2016 and 2.3% in 2017.

BC’s nation-leading GDP growth can be credited to its strong growth in retail sales, exports (especially to the United States) housing starts, and Canada-leading employment growth.

For 2016, projections for the province’s economic growth range between 2.9% (Scotiabank) to 3.4% (Conference Board of Canada), well above the Canadian real GDP growth rate of between 1.2% (Scotiabank) and 1.4% (TD Economics).

Next year, BC’s real GDP is anticipated to show moderate growth, increasing between 1.7% (RBC Economics) and 2.5% (BMO). While BC’s growth will be tempered compared with the past two years, most economists and banks are forecasting it will be higher than Canada as whole, which is expected to grow from a low of 1.8% (RBC Economics) to a high of 2.1% (Conference Board of Canada) in 2017.

Looking to 2017 and beyond, TD Economics states that British Columbia’s above-average GDP growth will be spurred by consumer spending and that, “federal-provincial government stimulus (that) will add to growth over the next two years – especially in BC where the government will likely redeploy surpluses in new tax cuts and spending increases.”

The Province says it remains focused on keeping BC diverse, strong and growing. Uncertainty persists in the global economy, which is why BC will continue to create an environment that is welcoming to investment and business so this economic growth continues into the New Year.

Saturday, December 24 ~ BC. BC Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement on Christmas:

“This Christmas, in communities throughout British Columbia, homes will be filled with warmth, love, and the spirit of giving.

For many of us, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God. For all of us, the holiday season is a chance to spend time with the people we love.

However you choose to celebrate the season, we can best honour the spirit of Christmas by remembering the less fortunate – our neighbours who struggle to make ends meet, or put a roof over their children’s heads. If you have the time or money to lend a helping hand, you can make a tremendous difference in someone’s life.

From my family to yours, I wish all British Columbians a Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a very happy 2017.”

Saturday, December 24 ~ NATIONAL. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today issued the following statement to mark Christmas:

“Merry Christmas, Canada! The holiday season is truly my favourite time of the year. As we come together with loved ones, let us reflect on how fortunate we are to call this beautiful country home.

Living in Canada comes with a responsibility to be there for each other – and not just during this time of year, but each and every day. After all, Canadians helping others – no matter the distance that separates them – is what this country is all about.

When tragedy struck Fort McMurray, and thousands of Canadians were forced to leave their homes, thousands more came together to make sure evacuated families had a place to stay, clothes to wear, and food to eat.

Today, as Canadians continue to welcome Syrian refugees, we open our hearts and homes to those most in need. Together, we demonstrate that better is always possible and that, in difficult times, we are at our very best.

So, during this season of hope, let us reach out to those who are hurting most. Let us give back in whatever way we can, and make sure this holiday season is a happy time for everyone. There is no holiday tradition more timeless than that.

I also ask you take a moment to remember the brave women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces – and their families – who make incredible sacrifices to protect our country.

As we look to the new year, and get ready to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, I know our best days are yet to come.

From Ella-Grace, Hadrien, Xavier, Sophie and me, to your family: Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and all the best in 2017.”

In his televised version of this address, Trudeau also asked people to remember parents who have a difficult time “putting presents under the tree” and reinforced his political message about improving the tax setup to support middle class families in Canada.

Friday, December 23 ~ BC. BC Ferries sent cheques of $1,000 each to three worthy recipients this holiday season.

The funds were raised at their annual BC Ferries employee golf tournament, held this year in September. The tournament raised $3,000 this year, with those funds divided equally between the Denman Island Community School, Hornby Island Food Bank, and the Prince Rupert Salvation Army Food Bank.

In previous years, the tournament raised funds for food banks on the Sunshine Coast, Haida Gwaii, Salt Spring, Gabriola and Quadra Islands, as well as in Powell River, Chemanius and the Cowican Valley – all of which assist communities of BC Ferries customers, said BC Ferries in a news release this week.

Friday, December 23 ~ BC. Skills training as funded by a Federal-provincial partnership was announced today, both urban and rural.

URBAN: Today, the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Shirley Bond, B. Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, announced that nearly $10 million has been allocated to 27 post-secondary institutions and service providers to deliver various skills training projects in BC urban areas with populations of more than 25,000.

The funded projects will prepare participants for a wide range of careers in the technology, health care, construction, natural resources, manufacturing, transportation and tourism sectors. The projects are delivered in partnership with different local employers and community organizations. Training dates vary and all programs will be completed by June 2017.

These training projects are part of an investment of more than $12 million for 49 training projects benefiting approximately 2,000 British Columbians, thanks to funding provided through the Canada-BC Job Fund Agreement under the Employer-Sponsored Training stream.

The skills training projects support BC’s regional labour-market demands and provide opportunities to youth, women, Aboriginal people, immigrants and other eligible participants to receive training, as well as industry-recognized certificates or credentials.

Through the Canada Job Fund, the Government of Canada provides $500 million annually to the provinces and territories for investments in skills training. Under the Canada-BC Job Fund Agreement, the Province receives a total of $65 million per year – its per capita share of the available funding.

The Canada-BC Job Fund helps ensure training programs give individuals the skills to enter and succeed in the job market. The Employer-Sponsored Training stream provides funding for project-based, time-limited, employer-driven training that leads to a job at the end of training. This includes targeted projects delivered by Aboriginal service providers, post-secondary institutions, industry associations, community groups, and private trainers that meet regional labour market needs. Employers also provide either financial or in-kind contributions to support the training.

British Columbia is expecting almost one million job openings by 2025. Two-thirds of those will be from retirements and one-third from economic growth. Almost 80% of job openings in BC will require post-secondary education, the BC Government said in a news release today. The BC government invests more than $7.8 billion each year in education and training. Through BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, $3 billion in training investments will be redirected to in-demand jobs over the next 10 years.

RURAL: As well, up to 299 British Columbians from rural communities will receive the training they need for local jobs, thanks to the federal-provincial partnership under the Canada-BC Job Fund Agreement.

Today, the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and Donna Barnett, B.C. Minister of State for Rural Economic Development, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, announced that more than $2 million has been allocated to nine post-secondary institutions and service providers to deliver various skills training programs to communities with populations of 25,000 or less.

Links: Canada Job Fund | British Columbia’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint | BC Labour Market Outlook 2025

Wednesday, December 21 ~ SOOKE. In the wake of the federal Liberal approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, the not unexpected protests to protect the waters of the west coast have begun.

Tonight using the occasion of the winter solstice (from out of the dark comes the light), the Dogwood Initiative organization pulled together a strong crowd for an outdoor protest in the cold this evening.

Gathering at the roadside were over 70 people of all ages, steadfast in their commitment to making sure there is no increase in tanker traffic off the shores of Vancouver Island.

Several commuters in their vehicles on their way home from work honked in support of the roadside protesters who positioned themselves along Highway 14 (Sooke Road) in front of Edward Milne Community School (EMCS) at dusk.

Before the roadside sign-waving, the group heard speeches of varying lengths and intensity from local activists including Diane Bernard, Mark Ziegler and Ralph Hull.

Diane Bernard, who operates a company dependent on seaweed from the ocean, said to the crowd: “I expect to have him (Prime Minister Trudeau) change his mind. The battle is not over.” She feels that Justin Trudeau “as a young west coaster” has let down the people of BC. She lauded Sooke Mayor Maja Tait for taking the protest against increased tanker traffic to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to bring province-wide attention to the issue.
Mark Ziegler, who used to work in Ottawa as an economist, said in a short speech: “I don’t think it’s fair that our coast is a bargaining chip,” saying that Trudeau has chosen Alberta over BC — oil economy over environment.
Ralph Hull, a fisherman and boat captain — who long ago was instrumental in helping generate a 30-year-moratorium on tanker traffic off the BC west coast (working with then Fisheries & Oceans Minister David Anderson) — inspired the crowd to keep on fighting.
Another speaker, one of the Dogwood organizers, said: “It’s the beginning. It’s going to be a long process. Watch this space there will be more.”

2063-girl-protest-dec2116-westshorevoice-web People held candles in the dark and a song sheet was distributed for people to sing along to inspirational songs before ‘hitting the road’ to stand in the cold along the highway.

Singing along to live guitar, some in the group sang along to “Take Back This Land” lyrics by Bill Henderson. On the flip side of the sheet, the lyrics to the perennial Beatles tune Here Comes the Sun (lyrics by George Harrison).

Other community leaders among the crowd: Jeff Bateman, Jo Phillips, John Boquist, Frederique Philip, Sinclair Philip, Heather Phillips, Rosemary Jorna, Dana LeComte, Gord Fulcher, Lis Johansen, Deb Wood, and Nicky Logins. Several youth from the local high school had made signs and took part in the event.

Signage included messages like: Climate Change, No Pipeline, No More Tankers; Think outside the oil barrel; Who will speak for us; Because our coastline supports many lives; Taking Back our Ocean; Justin: Water and life, please protect it; Keep it in the ground; we vote no.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did a live interview online with the Vancouver Sun.

December 20, 2016 ~ BC. 2:15 pm. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just wrapped up a good long chat (about 45 minutes) with the Vancouver Sun editorial board, fielding a number of questions on expected topics.

While Trudeau gave his answers on the issues of pipelines/environment, immigration, federal health care funding, marijuana legalization, the fentanyl crisis, and more, the Facebook interface allowed for ‘Likes’, ‘Loves’, ‘Wow’, and Angry/Sad emoticons to be posted in real time over the live stream.

Public comments ranged from support to rage — with some of them insulting on a personal level (ah, the agony of social media!), all of them publicly posted in real time.

Trudeau did not back down on his position to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline for which BC would take the most environmental risk. He said he expects public protest on the environmental front but that he supports the public process of engagement on all sides of an issue.

Trudeau fielded challenges about the cost of welcoming large numbers of immigrants to Canada, by defending the policy including a note that immigration becomes even more important as the population of Canada ages. He noted that some immigrants will bring skills that are helpful and useful to the Canadian economy.

At its peak, the live stream of this public interface reached over 3,300 viewers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau toured a tugboat in the Burrard Inlet and took a brief ride in English Bay. Photo by CTV News.

Tuesday, December 20 ~ VANCOUVER. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that the second of two emergency towing vessels promised in the Oceans Protection Plan will operate on Canada’s West Coast. He made the announcement during a short tour in a tugboat in the Burrard Inlet with a brief ride in English Bay.

The vessels will help the Canadian Coast Guard tow large commercial ships – including tankers – that are in distress and that pose a hazard to safe navigation, the marine environment, public health and local economies.

This is one of many measures included in the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan that the Government of Canada announced in November 2016 which will make Canada a world-leader in marine safety. The plan is also an important step towards the co-management of our coasts with Indigenous and coastal communities in order to keep them healthy, clean, and safe for generations to come.

“In November, the Government of Canada announced a new Oceans Protection Plan that will help make Canada a world-leader in marine safety and keep our coasts healthy, clean and safe,” said Trudeau in a news statement. “Part of that plan is to lease two new emergency towing vessels to help ensure that the Coast Guard has sufficient towing capacity to help commercial ships in distress. Both of these vessels will operate on Canada’s West Coast and help to keep large disabled vessels off BC’s pristine coasts. ”

The Oceans Protection Plan will include over $1.5 billion in funding over five years, starting in 2017-2018. Under the Oceans Protection Plan two new vessels will be leased with the ability to tow large commercial ships, including tankers. The vessels will be operated by the Canadian Coast Guard on Canada’s West Coast. In addition, towing capacity will be added to major Canadian Coast Guard vessels on the East and West coasts.

Marine trade employs approximately 250,000 Canadians and injects more than $25 billion to Canada’s economy.

The federal government says new research into the impacts of increased shipping on marine ecosystems will be funded. “The Government of Canada will work with provincial and Indigenous partners to develop a plan for the best location and most effective use of these new vessels and resources.”

Other “notable measures” the federal government has and will take include the reopening the Kitsilano Coast Guard base, the forming of new Indigenous Community Response Teams in British Columbia, strengthening the Polluter-Pays Principle, and the building of four new lifeboat stations in BC.

Tuesday, December 20 ~ BC. BC Ferries plans to ban smoking on all of its vessels and to not allow passengers to remain in vehicles on lower fully enclosed decks while vessel sailings are underway.

BC spokesperson Deborah Marshall says: “With regards to car decks, we are working to fully implement Transport Canada regulations limiting passenger access to closed car decks while ships are underway.” Closed decks are the lower vehicle decks on the larger ferries. Transport trucks and buses are parked on the lower deck; cars are also parked there when the upper deck becomes full. Customers will continue to be permitted to stay in vehicles on the upper (open) car decks.

“We will be fully implementing Transport Canada regulations to limit passenger access to closed vehicle decks while ships are underway. “Closed” decks are the main car decks. Customers will continue to be permitted to stay in vehicles on the upper (opened) car decks.”

With regards to smoking: “We are currently reviewing our policy with an aim to offer a smoke free environment in the future. The Province recently changed regulations regarding smoke free zones to from 3 to 6 metres away from a door or opening window. This proves challenging ‎on a ship.”

A formal announcement on these two new BC Ferries developments is expected in early January.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Official Welcome of the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Sept 24, 2016

Tuesday, December 20 ~ BC. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be doing a whirlwind media tour in Vancouver today. But not before touring a towing-capable vessel at 10:30 am with Canadian Coast Guard representatives.

At 1 pm (Pacific Time) Trudeau will be interviewed live by an editorial board of the Vancouver Sun, which will be streamed on Facebook live.

Then at 2:15 pm Trudeau will do a live radio interview with News Talk 980 CKNW followed by a live news interview at 3:05 pm on News 1130.

This close to Christmas, Trudeau may also be spending time with those of his extended family who live in BC.

Saturday, December 17 ~ BC. Medical Services Plan premiums for 2017 will provide sticker-shock increases for some, and decreases for others in BC.

Determining factors for premium rates primarily rest upon income level and marital status. While the government says the number of children in a family (i.e. on an MSP account) no longer impacts the premium, income thresholds may vary for families who claim child care expenses on their taxes. [Click on chart for larger image of MSP Premium rates for 2017, with a comparison to 2016]

Individuals with income under $42,000 or couples with income under $45,000 will see decreases in their MSP premiums in 2017 compared to 2016. Single parents with two children and an income of $48,000 will see a decrease as well as couples with two children with combined income up to $51,000. Individual seniors with income up to $51,000 will also see varying decreases in MSP premiums in 2017.

This week BC NDP Leader John Horgan has come out fighting for couples with a combined income of $45,000 or more, who will see increases in their MSP premiums in 2017. If $45,000 is a combined income for two people, that really sets those persons equivalently with individuals earning about $22,500 each (which is a level that is premium-exempt for single individuals. Horgan says over 500,000 BC families will be hit with an MSP increase in the new year.

Effective January 1, 2017 there are no premiums for children under the age of 19. MSP premium rates are to now be determined by the number of adults on an MSP account (i.e. the MSP account holder and, if applicable, a spouse.) See 2017 premium rates posted on the BC Government website at http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/premiums

The BC Liberal government increased the MSP premiums for several years and has only in the past year or so appeared to have bowed to public and political pressure to pay attention to the financial structure of collecting health care premiums. What isn’t often mentioned is that if people default on MSP premium payments that a collection agency will be sent after them for payment, with interest and penalties also involved. In BC it’s still a business attitude toward medical services rather than as a public service to all.

In many other provinces in Canada, there is no penalization for low income or inability to pay. In Ontario the premiums are handled through the income tax process for each person as an individual regardless of marital status; there is no billing of medical program premiums. In Manitoba and Saskatchewan all residents are automatically covered through the tax system, for persons of all incomes and with no billing involved.

Back on September 15, 2016 the BC government cancelled a previously announced 4% MSP premium rate increase. As a result, the government says that the full premium rate for one adult will not increase and will remain at the 2016 rate of $75. In addition, they say that the rates for those receiving Regular Premium Assistance are reduced by about 4% beyond what was announced with Budget 2016.

Friday, December 16 ~ VICTORIA. The BC Government says it is is “creating a budget to echo the voices of the people of BC” as announced today by Finance Minister Michael de Jong in a news release.

People in BC may participate in a conversation “to share their values and priorities for Balanced Budget 2017” using a website that presents financial strategies under three categories:

housing affordability which it says includes Incentives that support expanding supply of housing, rental and other shelter;
government priorities which it says includes increasing social assistance, reducing PST, and reducing MSP premiums;
economic growth which it says includes making post-secondary more affordable (including loans/grants), increased access to child care, and increased support for small business.

The public can submit ideas for the budget and a three-year fiscal plan. The next provincial election is in May 2017 (less than six months away). So whatever gets set in place with Budget 2017 will be carried — at least initially — by whichever party leads the next government in BC.

The Budget Consultation website allows for questions to the Finance Minister as well through telephone town halls that a participant must register for. There are open dialogue forums. The website portal opened today December 16, 2016 and remains available to 4 pm on Monday, January 30, 2017.

The telephone town halls give British Columbians a direct channel to de Jong, who will take questions directly from callers. Citizens without a landline need to sign up on the website to participate in the telephone town halls if they want to participate. The technology is able to access only publicly listed phone numbers or numbers provided through
the website.

The BC government says in their release today that they remain “committed to maintaining a balanced budget that reflects the values and priorities of the province’s population. Everyone is encouraged to take part in the conversations that help shape Balanced Budget 2017”.

“The provincial budget is a collective effort between the people of British Columbia and the government,” says Minister of Finance Michael de Jong. “I want to know what matters most to the people who live in our province and get their feedback on what kinds of investments they would like government to make with Balanced Budget 2017. BC is currently in an enviable fiscal position, and we want to make sure we maintain a responsible and balanced budget.”

Wednesday, December 14 ~ VICTORIA. The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is hosting two customary holiday events at Government House in Victoria. All holiday day events are free and family friendly. Government House is at 1401 Rockland Avenue.Friday, Dec. 16 ~ Open House and Carol Sing: 5 pm to 7 pm. Christmas carolling will begin at 5 p.m. in the Ballroom, led by Louise Rose. Following the carolling, members of the public are welcome to stroll through the main floor and view the Christmas decorations. Food contributions or donations to support local food banks are encouraged and will be accepted at the door.

Sunday, Jan. 1 ~ New Year’s Day Levée: 10 am to 12 pm. Canada 150 celebrations will begin by greeting members of the public at the annual New Year’s Day Levée. Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy refreshments and the music of the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Scottish Regiment Pipes and Drums. Her Honour will deliver her remarks at 11:30 am. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid a long lineup. Food contributions or donations to support local food banks are encouraged and will be accepted at the door upon entrance to the levée.

Earlier this week, Grade 3 students from various schools around the Greater Victoria area participated in the decorating of Christmas trees at Government House, including in Lt Gov Guichon’s office. As well, seniors from various seniors’ residences were invited to official Christmas teas being held on Dec 14 & 15.

Wednesday, December 14 ~ SURREY, BC. Members of the Coast Capital Savings credit union have voted for that financial institution to become a federal credit union and operate outside the province of British Columbia.

The voting results were announced at a Special General Meeting on December 14, 2016 following a six-week membership voting period that ran October 17 through November 28. The outcome means that Coast Capital Savings may seek regulatory approval to offer its products and services across the country.

Of the 79,726 members who voted (representing about 20% of the membership), 79.2% of members cast their ballot in favour of the Special Resolution to become a federal credit union. A two-thirds vote in favour was required for the Special Resolution to pass.

Normally only about 5% of members vote on issues pitched to them by the Board. The fact that a contest with cash prize was available to everyone who voted may well have increased the voter turnout. There are two winners, who will each receive $5,000: Mark H. of Richmond and Bruno B. of Langley.

“I’d like to thank all members who took the time to participate in this important vote, which has not only determined the future direction of Coast Capital Savings but also will provide Canadians with additional banking choices,” said Board Chair Bill Cooke. “With such a high turnout of voting members, it’s clear the vote represents the broad will of the membership.”

“Becoming a federal credit union will allow Coast Capital Savings to serve members better, enter new markets, attract new members, better manage risk through diversification, and compete more effectively in a rapidly changing marketplace,” said a Coast Capital Savings release today. “Growing outside the province will give the credit union more resources to invest in products and services, and to develop technology to serve members’ growing online and mobile banking needs. It will help the organization to support more communities and give more Canadians a co-operative option to national banks.”

President & CEO Don Coulter says this decision is the right one for Coast Capital Savings. “Our members are owners of this credit union and when our business grows, they benefit,” Coulter said in a release. “Existing members will continue to receive the friendly, helpful service we’re known for in BC and in future, they’ll also have the convenience of banking with us elsewhere in Canada. As a federal credit union, we’ll continue to improve the financial well-being of our members and retain our award-winning culture. And we’ll share the great things our members love about Coast Capital Savings with more Canadians.”

Coast Capital Savings is not a federal credit union yet. It must first seek regulatory approval from the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation, Financial Institutions Commission, Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, and Federal Minister of Finance. This process is anticipated to take a year, with continuance, if granted, coming in 2018.

In 2012, the federal government proclaimed legislation that enabled credit unions to operate outside their provincial boundaries by continuing to a federal credit union. In July 2016, UNI in New Brunswick became Canada’s first federal credit union, and other credit unions have indicated their plans to follow suit. Coast Capital Savings was the first credit union in BC to put this opportunity to a member vote.

Wednesday, December 14 ~ Greater Victoria area. The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board has today approved their Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy (RFAS) which they say identifies the top issues facing the region‘s food and agriculture sector and provides recommendations for addressing challenges.

“The Strategy aims to enhance awareness of local agricultural issues and opportunities and increase local food production. The Strategy has been developed with the intent of complementing existing local agricultural area plans and provincial legislation/policy,” says a release from CRD today.

“Local food production is very important to our food security, local economy and environment. The Regional Food and Agriculture Strategy recognizes the benefits of developing local food systems and sets out concrete steps to support individuals, businesses and First Nations in accessing and adopting local options,” says CRD Board Chair, Barbara Desjardins.

Regional districts, municipalities and electoral areas do not have a specific mandate over food and agriculture. However, the food and agriculture sector is impacted by CRD services such as water delivery, environmental protection and conservation, watershed education and drinking watershed protection and management, liquid and solid waste management (including rural septic programs), invasive species eradication / native plant restoration, and more recently, wildlife (deer, geese, beaver, bullfrog) management. The RFAS identifies how these services relate to food and agriculture and provides recommendations.

The RFAS document identifies approaches to key issues such as:

increasing access to farm land through a potential land bank or farmland trust,
increasing farmers’ awareness of tools to address wildlife damage,
working with partners to increase economic development opportunities, and
addressing storm water and drainage issues.

Implementation will start with the formation of a regional food and agriculture task force. The task force will provide input to the Planning Transportation and Protective Services Committee to help set priorities and advance the Strategy recommendations. Task force members will represent non-profits, municipalities with significant agricultural land holdings or interests in food and agriculture, First Nations and the Ministry of Agriculture. “Task force appointments are intended to reflect the geographic and sectoral diversity of the Capital Region food and agriculture economy,” says CRD.

CRD says they had strong support and input from the agricultural sector, with the intent of complementing existing local agricultural area plans and provincial legislation and policy. They add that First Nations interests were strongly represented throughout the development of the Strategy.

Wednesday, December 14 ~ BC. The BC government has distributed compensation for municipal property taxes to 56 communities around the province, totaling almost $16 million.

Grants-in-lieu of property taxes are distributed every November and reimburse municipalities for services that benefited government properties, such as municipally run sewers, roads and fire protection.

On south Vancouver Island, there were three communities in receipt of grants: Victoria $3,261,970.92; View Royal $184,724.03; Saanich $413,560.99. In the mid-island area Port Alberni received $49,292.33. In the north island area Campbell River received $75,497.34 and Courtenay received $36,051.13. The remaining funds were received by mainland municipalities.

Grants are issued in accordance with the Municipal Aid Act and are payable on land owned by the provincial government such as courthouses, provincial government office buildings and warehouses.

Schools and hospitals are exempt from paying municipal property taxes and are not part of the grants-in-lieu calculation. Other provincial assets such as highways, forests, parks or land under the control, management or administration of a Crown corporation are also excluded from compensation under the act.

Since 2002, the Government of British Columbia has distributed more than $254 million in grants-in-lieu to BC communities. A portion of the funds is paid by each community to its regional district, and both levels of local government use grants to help pay for local services.

The funds are distributed electronically on behalf of government by the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services.

Monday, December 12 ~ BC.

BC Ferries is adding over 135 extra sailings on major routes to ensure smooth sailing over the holiday season. Of those, 98 sailings have been added to the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route (the busiest route in the fleet), and 38 have been added to Horsehoe Bay and Departure Bay routes.

Based on previous years, the busiest pre-Christmas day is expected to be December 23. After Christmas, there is heavy traffic on December 26 to 28, with December 27th usually the busiest.

Starting December 22, schedules will be expanded on routes using the Horseshoe Bay terminal (Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay, Horseshoe Bay-Langdale, Horseshoe Bay-Bowen.

BC Ferries reminds reservation-holders to identify that they have a reservation, to speed up flow-through at the arrival areas.

There will be sailings on Christmas Day. See schedules and other info at www.bcferries.com

Friday, December 9 ~ BC. Police will be monitoring limousines and buses during the holiday season, says the BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure today in a news release.

Operators that allow the consumption of alcohol in their vehicles will be penalized and passengers in these vehicles also have a responsibility to adhere to the liquor laws. Operators who do not comply with liquor laws run the risk of losing their licence, and minors in possession of alcohol are subject to a $230 fine.

With the holiday season in full swing, the BC government is reminding British Columbians to celebrate safely and make good decisions when riding in limousines, including limo buses, during celebrations.

“Christmas is a time to celebrate the holidays and enjoy time with family and friends,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “Travel is often part of these celebrations, and we encourage everyone to think ahead about getting home safely by choosing a transportation option that will ensure a safe conclusion to any holiday gathering.”

Operators of limousines and buses with perimeter seating must have a Passenger Transportation licence plate and decal, or temporary operating permit, for every vehicle in their fleet. This allows government and law enforcement to better enforce the industry and motivate operators to provide a service that is safe and compliant with provincial laws.

Both operators and passengers should remember that consuming alcohol in any vehicle is illegal and unsafe. Advertising for limousine and bus services cannot allude to the consumption of alcohol in a company-operated vehicle.

Consumers, especially those booking trips for minors, are encouraged to look for companies that advertise strict policies related to drinking in vehicles.

“We all have a role to play to ensure that holiday festivities, formal or informal, are safe, including the transportation to and from these events,” said chief constable Neil Dubord, chair of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “Consuming alcohol in any private or commercial vehicle is illegal in BC, whether the vehicle is moving or not.

Police across the province will be out enforcing Motor Vehicle Act and Liquor Control and Licensing Act infractions – we can all help prevent a tragedy by always planning ahead for a safe ride home.”

Friday, December 9 ~ BC. Four BC municipalities have been approved for grants to support local governments that are experiencing challenges with urban deer.

Under the Provincial Urban Deer Cost-Share Program, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is providing up to $100,000 in cost-share funding, to a maximum of $20,000 per eligible community, for projects that focus on deer culls and research into population control methods such as relocation and immuno-
contraception.

Successful grant applicants for this round of funding are Invermere,
Grand Forks, Elkford and Cranbrook. A fifth application from Oak Bay is still under consideration and ministry staff are working with that municipality to refine the proposal.

Grand Forks will receive $16,000 to cull 80 deer in the community, Invermere has been approved for $10,200 to cull 51 deer and Elkford’s application for $10,000 to cull 50 deer has also been approved. Cranbrook will receive a $19,900 grant that will be used to study the feasibility of relocating problem deer that have taken up residence in urban environments. Cranbrook’s study will build upon research that Elkford started last year, which involved urban deer in Cranbrook, Elkford, Invermere and Kimberley.

Oak Bay’s proposal involves the use of immuno-contraceptive drugs designed to prevent deer from reproducing, however this is a complex undertaking that requires further research into the availability of drugs and careful planning to ensure the drugs are delivered in a humane and effective way.

The Provincial Urban Deer Cost-Share Program follows through on a commitment made by government at the 2015 Union of BC Municipalities annual meeting. The program offers matching funds, and support varies for each region. Interior culls are eligible for $200 deer, while on the Coast, the rate is $300 per deer. Interior deer are less expensive to cull because winters are cold in the Interior, there is less food available and deer are more willing to come to baits.

The ministry’s call for proposals was issued October 26. Grant agreements with the successful applicants are scheduled to be finalized later this month and project completion reports from the recipients are due on or before March 17, 2017.

Urban deer management in BC factsheet

Thursday, December 8, 2016 ~ OTTAWA. The image of Nova Scotia civil rights activist Viola Desmond will appear on new $10 Canadian bank notes, it was announced this morning in Ottawa.

A beautician by profession and a business woman, Desmond stood up to racial discrimination in her community. She was also an advocate for education as one of the most important components of a successful life.

The image of Viola Desmond already appears on a Canadian postage stamp. She is also featured in a one-minute Historica Canada ‘Heritage Minute’ film about how she stood up to racial injustice. violadesmond-stamp

During the official announcement today, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said it was a tough for him to make the final choice. He said Desmond’s courage, strength and dignity are a positive influence.

Viola Desmond was chosen from among five finalists. Perhaps to the surprise of some, the five finalists did not include Nellie McClung who is a household name as the woman who made possible the vote for women in Canada.

One of Viola Desmond’s younger siblings, Wanda Robson, 90, was part of the official announcement ceremony on live TV this morning. She said she hoped her sister would be remembered for her passion about caring for people and about the importance of education.

Thursday, December 8 ~ OTTAWA. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has released a joint statement from the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States on the situation in Aleppo (Syria).

“A humanitarian disaster is taking place before our very eyes. Some 200,000 civilians, including many children, in eastern Aleppo are cut off from food and medicine supplies. Aleppo is being subjected to daily bombings and artillery attacks by the Syrian regime, supported by Russia and Iran. Hospitals and schools have not been spared. Rather, they appear to be the targets of attack in an attempt to wear people down. The images of dying children are heart breaking. We condemn the actions of the Syrian regime and its foreign backers, especially Russia, for their obstruction of humanitarian aid, and strongly condemn the Syrian regime’s attacks that have devastated civilians and medical facilities and use of barrel bombs and chemical weapons.”

“The urgent need now is for an immediate ceasefire to allow the United Nations to get humanitarian assistance to people in eastern Aleppo and to provide humanitarian relief to those who have fled eastern Aleppo. The opposition have agreed the UN’s 4-point plan for Aleppo. The regime needs to agree (to) the plan too. We call on the Syrian regime to do this urgently to alleviate the dire situation in Aleppo; and call on Russia and Iran to use their influence to help make this happen.”

“We urge all parties in Syria to adhere to international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken about war crimes being committed in Syria. There must not be impunity for those responsible. We call on the UN to investigate respective reports and gather evidence to hold the perpetrators of war crimes to account. We are ready to consider additional restrictive measures against individuals and entities that act for or on behalf of the Syrian regime.”

“At the same time, Russia is blocking the UN Security Council, which is therefore unable to do its work and put an end to the atrocities. The regime’s refusal to engage in a serious political process also highlights the unwillingness of both Russia and Iran to work for a political solution despite their assurances to the contrary. We support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy (Staffan) de Mistura to resume the political process through negotiations. Only a political settlement can bring peace for people in Syria.”

dec6-dayofremembrance-web Tuesday, December 6 ~ NATIONAL. Today marks the 27th anniversary of the murder of 14 women at their college in Montreal. On this occasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued the following statement on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

“Twenty-seven years ago today, 14 young women were murdered at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal simply because they were women. On this somber anniversary, let us reflect on what Canadians – women, men, and youth – can do to rid the country and the planet of the scourges of misogyny and gender-based violence.”

“The statistics on violence against girls and women are unacceptable. Far too many girls and women, here in Canada and around the world, suffer physical and psychological harm at the hands of others – often people they love and trust.”

“On this day – and every day – we recommit ourselves to finding solutions that help prevent future acts of violence. Men and boys are a vital part of the solution to change attitudes and behaviours that allow for this violence to exist. There must be zero tolerance for violence against women, and only with everyone’s support can we build a Canada that is safe for all.”

“That is why the Government of Canada is investing in several programs, both in Canada and around the world, to help promote gender equality by supporting education and prevention efforts, as well as helping those who have been targeted by gender-based violence. For example, we will continue to grow and maintain Canada’s network of shelters and transition houses, so no one fleeing domestic violence is left without a place to turn.”

“As we mourn today with the families and friends of those bright and talented young women who were victims of that senseless act of hatred, I encourage everyone to think about how their own personal actions matter. Start by joining the conversation online using the hashtag #ActionsMatter. Together we can change minds and stop gender-based violence before it starts.”

Wednesday, November 30 ~ OTTAWA. The MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford on Vancouver Island, Alistair MacGregor, says he is dismayed at Trudeau’s broken promise on Kinder Morgan.

“Yesterday, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals betrayed a clear commitment that they made to British Columbians during the campaign that the Kinder Morgan pipeline would not be approved under the Conservative’s broken review process,” said MacGregor in a news release today .

“I think it’s clear that Justin Trudeau has betrayed the trust of British Columbians after totally backtracking on his promises,” he said. “Many in my province of British Columbia actually voted Liberal because they were led to believe that this pipeline would not go forward under a Liberal government. That turned out to be untrue.”

MacGregor says that several Liberal MPs were elected stating that Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion could not be approved because it had not undergone a credible public review process. “The government’s hand-picked cabinet panel admitted that this project faces strong opposition from First Nations and local communities. The recent Bella Bella oil spill demonstrates that the BC coast is not prepared for a 7-fold increase in tanker traffic,” says MacGregor.

“The Prime Minister admitted that the environmental process was not credible under the Conservatives and then approved the project anyway,” said MacGregor. “They should have brought in a new review process to address environmental concerns rather than just following Stephen Harper’s lead on climate change,’’ added MacGregor.

BC Premier Christy Clark invites Prime Minister Trudeau to BC

Wednesday, November 30 ~ BC. BC Premier Christy Clark in a news conference this morning said that the federal government has come “very very close” to meeting BC’s five conditions for BC’s support of pipeline projects like Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline and Enbridge’s Line 3.

Clark says BC is not sure on all the details of the federal ocean protection plan, but that Trudeau’s government has come a long way on this.

Inviting him to share the heat up close, Premier Clark has invited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to come to BC to explain the decision.

While the expected uproar among environmentalists is certainly to emerge in the days ahead, there is a strong centre-right political majority in BC that will be supportive of the pipeline expansion that has been approved by the federal government.

Clark took credit for standing up for BC and confirmed she would support the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion project if the five conditions are met. She said that job creation needs to balanced with environmental protection and that BC has a successful track record with that.

BC’s five conditions are:

Successful completion of the environmental review process;
World-leading marine oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems for BC’s coastline and ocean to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines and shipments;
World-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response and recovery systems to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines;
Legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights are addressed, and First Nations are provided with the opportunities, information and resources necessary to participate in and benefit from a heavy-oil project; and
British Columbia receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits of a proposed heavy oil project that reflects the level, degree and nature of the risk borne by the province, the environment and taxpayers.

BC NDP Leader John Horgan

Tuesday, November 29 ~ BC. “Today is a difficult day for BC – the federal government approved the Kinder Morgan pipeline,” says BC NDP Leader John Horgan. “We didn’t have to be here today,” says Horgan. The pipeline will cross hundreds of salmon-bearing streams and lead to a seven-fold increase in tanker traffic on our coast. “This project threatens our coastline, entire communities, our salmon and wildlife.”

Horgan notes the Province’s response to the announcement (see article and BC Minister of Environment’s statement below) did not include a statement from BC Premier Christy Clark. “She handed the decision over to the federal government.”

“Here in BC, the environment is the economy,” says the NDP leader who will be up against Clark and the BC Liberals in the May 2017 provincial election. That election could come down to how each leader handles the oil pipeline issue, given the wide range of impacts including economic, environmental and political including First Nations.

Prime Minister Trudeau flanked by federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna

Tuesday, November 29 ~ BC. Today the federal government approved the Kinder Morgan Transmountain Project, while rejecting the Northern Gateway proposal.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed off on two major pipelines today. If constructed, the projects that will pump nearly a million more barrels of oil a day from Alberta’s oilsands to global markets. Ottawa approved the Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline and Enbridge’s Line 3, while rejecting the Northern Gateway project.

The prime minister said production from Alberta’s oilsands is increasing, and current pipeline infrastructure will soon be at capacity.

“The decision we took today is the one that is in the best interests of Canada,” Trudeau said in announcing his government’s support for the two major projects. “It is a major win for Canadian workers, for Canadian families and the Canadian economy, now and into the future.” He said Canada is still a “climate leader,” and pointed to Alberta’s plan to cap greenhouse gas emissions from the oil patch at 100 megatonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions a year.

If these projects aren’t built, diluted bitumen would be forced into more rail tanker cars for transport. “That is less economic, and more dangerous for communities, and is higher in terms of greenhouse gas emissions than modern pipelines would be.”

Trudeau also announced today that the federal government would ban crude oil tankers along BC’s North Coast, promising legislation in the new year to implement a moratorium.

The controversial Trans Mountain expansion project has been challenged by environmental groups for years. The project will nearly triple the capacity of an existing pipeline to 890,000 barrels a day. This $6.8-billion, 1,150-km twinned pipeline will move a mix of oil products from Edmonton to a terminal in Burnaby, BC

BC Environment Minister Mary Polak near Vancouver, where it will be exported to markets in Asia. Some of the product is also destined for Chevron’s Vancouver-area refinery.

BC Environment Minister Mary Polak

With the greatest environment impact weighing on British Columbia, BC Minister of Environment Mary Polak today issued the following statement on the federal decision regarding pipeline projects:

“In anticipation of a federal decision, our government has been consistent in fighting for British Columbia with the five conditions for any new or expanded heavy-oil pipeline. That remains the case today, and we will work to ensure each of our conditions are met. Because we have taken that clear and principled approach to stand up for our province, we have seen the proponent and the federal government take actions, including Ottawa’s recent Ocean Protection Plan to address world-leading marine spill prevention and response. I understand the BC Environmental Assessment Office anticipates that it will soon complete BC’s environmental assessment, which has been underway for seven months. I have every confidence in BC’s environmental assessment process.”

BC’s five conditions are:

Successful completion of the environmental review process;
World-leading marine oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems for BC’s coastline and ocean to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines and shipments;
World-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response and recovery systems to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines;
Legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights are addressed, and First Nations are provided with the opportunities, information and resources necessary to participate in and benefit from a heavy-oil project; and
British Columbia receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits of a proposed heavy oil project that reflects the level, degree and nature of the risk borne by the province, the environment and taxpayers.

Tuesday, November 29 ~ VICTORIA. For the first known time in BC, the highly toxic opioid carfentanil has been detected at the scene of an apparent illicit drug death.

A drug sample seized by the coroner and Vancouver Police at the scene of a death that occurred November 17, 2016 in an East Vancouver residence was sent to a federal Health Canada laboratory for testing. The sample has now been confirmed as containing carfentanil.

Testing cannot currently confirm whether carfentanil was the cause of death for this individual, a male in his 30s. However, the ability to undertake post mortem testing for carfentanil is expected to be available at the Provincial Toxicology Centre next month.

Carfentanil is an analogue of the synthetic opioid fentanyl and is known to be the most toxic opioid used commercially. Its commercial use is as a general anesthetic agent for large animals, up to the size of and including elephants, and it is never to be prescribed to humans.

Last week Vancouver police confirmed that carfentanil had been detected in a sample of drugs seized in an enforcement action that did not involve any fatalities. The BC Coroners Service reminds those using illicit drugs to use extreme caution given the current threat of contamination of any illicit substance. Those using drugs are urged never to use alone and to ensure medical assistance is immediately available. Those witnessing an apparent overdose need to call 911 immediately.

Metchosin Schoolhouse

Monday, November 28 ~ BC. The public and communities are invited to submit suggestions for new Stop of Interest signs in BC. The Stop of Interest signs were first established in 1958 to commemorate the Colony of BC’s centenary and recognize significant historical places, people and events.

In September 2016, the BC government announced its intention to create 75 new Stop of Interest signs around the province. Building on Heritage BC’s 2015 assessment project, the government is also repairing existing signs. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is refurbishing existing signs in need of repair and updating language where necessary.

In addition to the 164 Stop of Interest signs located around B.C., the Province is adding up to 75 new Stops of Interest. British Columbians are invited to submit ideas for new Stop of Interest signs and share the interesting stories that could be told to people travelling BC’s highways. Submissions will be accepted through January 31, 2017.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will install the majority of the new Stop of Interest signs in summer 2017.

A refurbished Stop of Interest sign was unveiled in Kamloops today by Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone, “This Stop of Interest sign highlights Kamloops’ vibrant role as a hub for the mining, trapping and ranching industries long before BC even formally existed,” Stone said. “Over 200 years later, our resource industries are still extremely important to the Kamloops and provincial economies.”

To provide a suggestion for a new Stop of Interest sign see: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/stopsofinterest/. Locational map of current locations of existing Stops of Interest: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/stopsofinterest/map/

Friday, November 25 ~ VICTORIA. Island Health has issued an urgent message to drug consumers: Avoid using alone.

In response to seven overdose deaths on Vancouver Island in the past week (five of those have occurred on the South Island and four of these in the last 72 hours), Island Health is issuing an urgent warning to individuals who are going to use illicit drugs.

Avoid using alone, and make sure someone is around who is willing and able to seek help if an overdose happens.

This warning applies to all methods of drug consumption – injection, inhalation, snorting, smoking or consuming with alcohol.

“While vulnerable, street-entrenched individuals are still very high risk for overdoses, we are finding that recent overdose deaths involve individuals who are in housing, whether that be a private residence or publicly-funded housing facilities, including shelters,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, Island Health’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “These individuals need to know they are at significant risk of overdose, especially if they use alone.”

Island Health is particularly concerned given the approaching weekend and this week’s issuing of social service cheques. In addition to warning regular and weekend recreational users, Island Health has issued an alert for its front-line staff as a well as community service providers. Island Health continues to work with community service providers to further increase outreach and overdose response capacity.

“The drugs on the street are more potent and dangerous than they have ever been before,” Dr. Stanwick said. “Do not use alone. Please, have someone around who is willing and able to seek help if an overdose happens.”

The following strategies can reduce the risk:
– Avoid using alone; fix with a friend
– Try a small amount of new drugs first
– Stagger use with friends so someone can respond if needed
– Avoid using more than one drug at a time (stacking drugs increases risk of overdoses and contributes to more severe overdoses)
– Carry and use naloxone and have an overdose response plan
– Be close to help

If someone overdoses:
– Call 9-1-1 immediately
– Provide rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth)
– Administer naloxone

Friday, November 25 ~ VICTORIA. The Province of BC has announced $5 million to boost paramedic response to BC’s overdose crisis.

“BC paramedics and dispatchers will be getting much-needed support from the provincial government in the face of the province’s opioid overdose crisis, with a $5-million injection of funding for BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS),” BC Health Minister Terry Lake announced today.

Over the last week, BC had the highest number of overdose-related 911 calls ever recorded. This past week saw a particularly high spike in the Lower Mainland. Between November 17 and 23, 2016 BCEHS paramedics responded to 494 suspected overdose/poisoning events in Greater Vancouver, of which 271 occurred in the Downtown Eastside and 81 in Surrey.

“Our paramedics are feeling tremendous pressure as they respond to this public health emergency on the front lines. We know they have saved thousands of lives in this crisis, and today we are making sure they are supported in this daunting task with needed resources,” said Lake. “We are working with many others including harm reduction and addictions experts, police, the coroner and the federal government to find solutions, but in the meantime, we must make sure patients get the care they need.”

BCEHS will begin implementing a number of strategies to boost ambulance resources and staffing in the coming weeks, including:

Placing stationary ‘medical support units’ in some high overdose locations including the downtown eastside of Vancouver and a high overdose area of Surrey. These special units will act as a resupply station for paramedics, as well as provide care information and triage to those using drugs. It’s anticipated this community-level work will be done in partnership with the BC Centre for Disease Control and other partners involved in the province’s Joint Task Force on Overdose Response.
More flexible modes of transportation. Paramedics will be using bicycles and ATVs in high overdose areas to respond to medical emergencies more rapidly. Bikes and ATVs are often used by teams of paramedics in areas that are difficult to navigate through in an ambulance.
More supervisory support to assist paramedics and dispatchers with triaging and more efficient patient handover at busy hospital emergencies, so ambulances can get back on the road more quickly to respond to other calls.
Expanding the Vancouver Dispatch Centre’s ability to monitor and triage complex cases to further support paramedics.

“We know this crisis has affected many families and communities and that it is also of great concern to paramedics and dispatchers,” said BCEHS executive vice president Linda Lupini. “This funding will allow BCEHS to make sure we can respond to the unprecedented number of overdose patients adequately.”

Since the health emergency was declared in B.C. this spring, BCEHS has joined efforts with the Ministry of Health, the BC Centre for Disease Control, the BC Coroners Service, police, other first responders, health authorities and non-profit organizations to find and act upon solutions to the overdose crisis.

Premier Christy Clark appointed a Joint Task Force on Overdose Response in July 2016, headed by provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall and director of police services Clayton Pecknold, to provide expert leadership and advice to the Province on additional actions to prevent and respond to overdoses in BC. As part of the response, law enforcement is working at all levels of government to interdict the supply of toxic drugs, and health officials are working to address the immediate and longer-term health needs. To that end, BC is expanding access to life-saving naloxone, supervised consumption services, and opioid addiction treatment medications and services.

Under the task force, the Province launched a broad campaign to alert people of how to prevent, identify and respond to overdoses, and is investing in research, education and training through the new BC Centre on Substance Use, to ensure addiction treatment is effective and evidence-based. Ongoing work to support and treat British Columbians
with substance use issues is also a key part of the province’s response. Government committed to meet the goal of opening 500 new substance use treatment beds in 2017. In the past two years, more than 220 new beds have been opened as part of this commitment to ensure better access to appropriate substance use supports.

Thursday, November 24 ~ OTTAWA. The federal Liberal government is proposing to repeal changes to the Elections Act that were in place but controversial leading up to the last election.

Regulations put in place by the Conservatives under Stephen Harper, are now set for reversal by the Justin Trudeau Liberals. Under the new Bill C-33 a voter will be able to use their Voter Information Card as identification, and may vouch for another elector.

The new changes would also allow any Canadian who has lived abroad for longer than five years to once again be able to vote. And Elections Canada would again be able to operate a campaign to encourage people to take part in the democratic process and vote.

A new aspect was introduced: allowing youth to register to vote before they turn 18.

“The reforms that we’ve introduced today are about removing barriers from individual voters who want to participate, but through the Fair Elections Act, were unable to,” Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef told media as she introduced Bill C-33.

Thursday, November 24 ~ VICTORIA. BC Overdose Crisis – RCMP Agreement with China

The BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris and BC Minister of Health Terry Lake have today issued the following statement on the overdose crisis:

“We are pleased to report today the RCMP and Chinese Ministry of Public Safety announced their commitment to work together to co-ordinate enforcement efforts against illegal fentanyl trafficking into Canada. China is also co-operating with our federal government to make precursors to fentanyl controlled substances under Chinese law.”

“This is a critical step that aligns with BC’s advocacy in our fight against the overdose crisis, and we welcome this swift action. Provincial and local enforcement will remain critical, but this is a step forward. We look forward to the same level of commitment from the federal government on a national strategy to ban pill presses and precursors.

“Premier Christy Clark was in Ottawa last week, calling on the federal government to assert diplomatic pressure on China to stem the production and export of fentanyl and other highly dangerous synthetic opioids. We also want to ensure RCMP has the proper supports in place to strengthen bilateral law enforcement and interdiction efforts between these countries. Federal officials assured us they are committed to act on recommendations brought forward by the Province.”

“We understand discussions to formalize joint investigations between the RCMP and China will begin next week during the ongoing Canada-China Working Group meeting between the two agencies. We believe that by collaborating with our international and federal partners, enforcement will ultimately be stronger across all our provincial and international borders.”

“The overdose crisis is a complex issue that no single tool will solve. That’s why BC established the Joint Task Force on Overdose Response, which is tackling the overdose crisis across many fronts. Law enforcement is working at all levels of government to interdict the supply of toxic drugs, and health officials are working diligently to address the immediate health needs. To that end, BC is expanding access to life-saving naloxone, supervised consumption services, and opioid addiction treatment medications and services.”

“We launched a broad campaign to alert people of how to prevent, identify and respond to overdoses. We are investing in research, education and training through the new B.C. Centre on Substance Use, to ensure addiction treatment is effective and evidence-based. And we remain firmly committed to improving the system of mental health and substance use services, including our commitment to create 500 new substance use beds, which we will reach in 2017 as promised.”

Thursday, November 24 ~ BC. Two important changes for how schools operate in BC were announced today by BC Minister of Education Mike Bernier, during a media teleconference from Vancouver Island.

NEW CURRICULUM. Rollout of the New BC Curriculum for Grades 10 to 12 has been delayed by one year. It will now start in Fall 2018 instead of Fall 2017. This change was requested by teachers who have found challenges with the short timeline for changes.

Now there is more time to test and refine the new curriculum for Grades 10 to 12 (the K-9 curriculum already began in September 2016). In particular, BC Minister of Education Mike Bernier said today in a media conference that more time is required for students to choose Grade 11 and 12 courses in a way that lines up with the new curriculum and what their post-secondary choices might be.

“Teachers, principals and trustees asked for more time to work hands-on with the redesigned curriculum – and it’s the right thing to do to make sure that we get it right for our students,” said Education Minister Mike Bernier.

“Curriculum in the high school years is more complex. It is tied in to provincial exams and evaluated strictly. So it’s critical teachers have enough time to use the draft 10-12 curriculum and help shape it with their feedback.” Many teachers started using the draft grade 10-12 curriculum this past fall, and are providing feedback on its success with students. The redesigned 10-12 curriculum will be implemented at the beginning of the 2018-19 school year, based on feedback provided by teachers and educators. “The new curriculum has been designed by teachers for teachers – and thanks to their efforts it’s been successfully brought to life in Kindergarten through Grade 9,” Bernier added.

“The world is changing and our new curriculum is making sure our kids learn the skills they need to succeed in that changing world.”

FSA TESTING. Also announced today by Education Minister Bernier there is a shift in the timing of when Foundation Skills Assessments (FSA) tests are done. Normally they’ve been done in January and February, but starting for the 2017-2018 academic year will be done in October and November. This year’s 2016-2017 FSA’s will still go ahead for January 9 to February 17, 2017. The FSA’s are taken by students in Grades 4 and 7.

The Ministry says the tests are “given to all students (in Grades 4 and 7), but the FSA tests are in fact not mandatory. For several years now, the BC Teachers Federation has lobbied parents to not have their children take the tests; that was based on the use of raw data by the Fraser Institute to rank schools. The raw data was only one piece of the picture though. Bernier said that the test results will provide “a more holistic reflection of how a system, school and student is doing” as part of “broader school reports that look at a wide range of education outcomes”.

“Making sure students are ready to succeed is also the reason behind today’s announcement of enhancements to the FSAs” which assess the reading, writing and numeracy of students in grades 4 and 7. The tests provide parents and teachers with a critical overview of how students are doing. Teachers and education experts advised the ministry to have students write the FSAs much earlier in the school year. “FSA’s are a way for teachers and parents will get a snapshot of student learning in key areas sooner – and use the results to address any challenges a student may be having,” said the BC Ministry of Education in a news release.

Bernier said there is an expectation among parents that they want to know how their child is doing, and also teachers need to know how a child is doing. The Ministry of Education will no longer release raw data from these testing results. “It’s not an accurate reflection of education at that school or district. Reporting is going to be more holistic, providing a better picture where a system, student and school is. At the end of the day we’re supposed to be helping the students,” he said. “Parents want to know how well their child and how well their child’s school is doing,” Bernier said. “We are going to make sure they get that information in a way that’s useful to them. ”

CONSULTATIONS WITH PARENTS. Bernier said that consultations with parents will continue at various locations in the province until February. The first such consultation (held in Victoria in October) was not well attended by parents. Online feedback can also be done by busy parents.

More info: BC’s new curriculum at: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/ | New FSA can be found at: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/assessment-reporting/new-foundation-skills-assessment

Thursday, November 24 ~ BC. The BC Government is getting out of the business of insuring high-end luxury cars. Government is moving forward to no longer insure the high-end luxury car rate class (cars worth $150,000 and over) so that the broader ratepayer is not subsidizing these cars. The owners of these cars will have to go to private insurance instead, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone announced November 23.

The high-end luxury car market is a growing market, with 3,000 cars insured this past year, a 30% increase compared to three years ago. Government is acting now to address the rising costs to repair these cars and to eliminate any pressures they cause on basic rates. The new rates will apply to private passenger cars only, and not commercial trucks, pick-up trucks, collector cars or limousines. The new rule also will not apply to RVs.

The top five highest repair costs (year-to-date 2016) have been: McLaren 650S $93,574, Ferrari $88,481, Maserati $78,999, Mercedes-Benz $76,796, Porsche $76,617, Rolls Royce Phantom $76,474.

The government will move ahead with the necessary legislative changes to have ICBC no longer insure these high-end luxury cars. This means that in the future, private owners of these cars will have to purchase their insurance through private insurance. Drivers will still be required to carry a certain amount of coverage to protect themselves and other
drivers, but it will not be provided through ICBC’s public insurance plan.

While this work is underway, government will immediately take steps so high-end luxury car owners will pay more than double for their basic insurance and ensure their premiums fully cover all costs of any repairs. These interim changes will be formally implemented as soon as possible.

“Right now, whether a person drives a $15,000 Honda Civic or a $300,000 Ferrari – their basic insurance premiums are similar. If owners of high-end luxury cars can afford a high-priced car, they certainly can afford to pay higher premiums to cover the real cost for their repairs,” said Stone. “This policy needs to be fair for all British Columbian ratepayers, and we want to ensure that the regular everyday driver is not paying for the additional repair costs of these cars through their insurance rate.”

The average private passenger car in BC is worth approximately $15,000, which is 10 times less than the growing number of luxury high-end cars on the road (cars worth above $150,000). When these more expensive cars get into a crash, it costs approximately six times more to fix them because they are rare, and they are built using high-end technologies and more expensive materials. However, until now, the owner has paid similar rates for their basic insurance.

Last year, for example, the average repair cost for a high-value luxury car was approximately $13,000, compared to the average repair cost of approximately $2,500 for a typical private vehicle. For example, the cost for parts to repair the fender, grille, headlight and intercooler on a 2015 Bentley Flying Spur W12 was approximately $38,000 alone.
While the cost to repair this car is substantially more than the everyday car, the basic insurance rates of about $1,000 per car are about the same.

The BC government and ICBC will start working on necessary framework and policy changes immediately.

This measure is in addition to several other measures the government and ICBC have already taken, to help address rising cost pressures, including the following:

Rate smoothing model – which restricts basic rate increases to plus/minus 1.5% of the prior rate adjustment.
Tougher enforcement for distracted drivers – with significantly higher fines, more penalty points, higher levels of enforcement and more education.
Mitigating fraudulent claims – working to combat fraud and exaggerated ICBC claims through more public education and better fraud analytics tools, which will target fraudulent claims and ultimately lower ICBC rates for all drivers.

This is one of a number of actions that government and ICBC will be rolling out over the coming weeks and months to continue to address cost pressures on rates.

Wednesday, November 23 ~ BC. WorkSafeBC has launched an awareness campaign targeted to home property owners who are considering or undertaking renovations or demolitions regarding the dangers of asbestos in homes built before 1990. The campaign runs until early 2017 across a broad spectrum of media including radio, television, print and social media.

This awareness campaign follows the results of recent research undertaken by WorkSafeBC of more than 800 adult British Columbians. The research confirms there is some public awareness of what asbestos is and where it may be located in a single-family home, condominium or townhouse built before 1990; however, the research also shows there are significant gaps in that knowledge that could put workers or others at risk of exposure to this deadly substance when undertaking a renovation or demolition.

Asbestos-related lung disease is the leading cause of workplace death in BC. Asbestos is the number-one killer of workers in British Columbia. In the 10 years from 2006 to 2015, 584 BC workers died from diseases related to asbestos exposure.

Highlights of WorkSafeBC’s research findings are:
• Only half of those surveyed (51%) believe homeowners are responsible for making sure testing for asbestos is conducted before undertaking renovations,
• Just one-third (36%) of those who have renovated a home built before 1990 in the past five years recall testing for the presence of asbestos prior to renovations,
• One-third (32%) of those surveyed did not know they should look for asbestos before doing small home renovations in a home built before 1990, and
• Only 9% of those surveyed think that asbestos-causing disease is the number one occupational killer in BC

asbestos-dasboard-occuptions “Asbestos kills,” says Al Johnson, WorkSafeBC’s vice president of Prevention Field Services. “The relatively low level of awareness by home owners regarding the dangers posed by asbestos means workers and even family members can potentially be put at risk. Renovations and demolitions of older properties continue at a very high rate and homeowners need to be informed about the dangerous nature of asbestos and how to protect workers and themselves.”

According to WorkSafeBC statistics, carpenters are most like to be affected by exposure to asbestos, followed by construction trades helpers and labourers. Also in the most common occupations for asbestos exposure are steamfitters, pipefitters, sprinkler system installers, plumbers, construction millwrights and industrial mechanics.

In homes built before 1990, asbestos can potentially be found in more than 3,000 building materials such as linoleum, wall board and filling compound, textured ceilings, vermiculite insulation, pipe insulation, in furnaces or wiring, as well as many other places. Asbestos can be released into the air when these building materials are drilled, sawed, sanded or broken up during a renovation or demolition.

In such cases, workers can breathe in asbestos fibres if they are not protected. If workers breathe in enough asbestos, their lungs can be permanently damaged or they can get lung cancer. There is a long latency period (10 to 40 years on average) between the time(s) a worker breathes in asbestos fibres and when a disease can develop.

This public campaign is a further step by WorkSafeBC to build broad awareness that asbestos-containing materials are deadly. In addition to this public campaign, WorkSafeBC will be doing increased work in 2017 with contractors and other like professions to help them more fully understand their roles in keeping workers and others healthy and safe from asbestos when doing renovations or demolitions.

WorkSafeBC has many resources about how to stay safe around asbestos on its asbestos-specific websites at ThinkAsbestos.com, HiddenKiller.ca or on its website at WorkSafeBC.com .

WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves 2.3 million workers and more than 225,000 registered employers. WorkSafeBC was born from the historic compromise between BC’s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers and fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits.

BC Health Minister Terry Lake

Wednesday, November 23 ~ VICTORIA. Transforming drug research and development in BC. Today Health Minister Terry Lake announced $13 million in funding for The Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) to help improve the lives of BC families by supporting the pathways drug research takes from the labs to the patient.

“Through our investments we’re proud to see made-in-BC drug therapies reach the world stage, attracting national and international attention,” Lake said. “This funding will help The Centre for Drug Research and Development continue its efforts in making it easier for drug breakthroughs to reach the public.”
“We benefit from the work done by The Centre for Drug Research and Development, and have seen successful drug innovations and companies already in development,” said Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services, Amrik Virk. “This type of work supports our #BCTECH Strategy, as advances in life sciences attract skilled researchers and jobs to our province.”

This funding builds on a previous investment of $29 million for The Centre for Drug Research and Development announced in 2012, and will support the centre’s goal of bringing new drug therapies to the market, benefiting patients and families.

The centre is well on its way to achieving that goal. It is the only national drug development organization providing the expertise and infrastructure to translate basic health research from academic institutions, into products that improve human health. At the moment, the centre has several drugs in process and new therapies in development. These include:

Bladder cancer therapy, with new formulations of existing drugs developed to help bladder and other cancer patients receive the full benefit of their treatment;
Multiple new antibody drug therapies to treat various cancers;
A new once-daily treatment to prevent hypoglycemia in diabetics.

“The provincial government has always been a critical partner for us, and this investment will help us further advance the work we do in translating health research into viable investment opportunities for the private sector, and ultimately into new therapies for patients,” said Gordon C. McCauley, interim president and CEO for The Centre for Drug Research and Development. “On behalf of the CDRD team, I thank the BC government for their continued and unwavering support.”

The centre has established innovation funds with some of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies – including GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer, and recruited 100 drug development and commercialization experts, while establishing more than 75 provincial, national and international partnerships that have attracted over $60 million in international pharmaceutical sector investments. The Centre for Drug Research and Development is widely recognized as a global leader in translating research.

Advances in technology lead to much more personalized and effective health care. Through the #BCTECH Strategy and support for organizations like The Centre for Drug Research and Development, Genome BC, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, the BC Cancer Foundation and BC Cancer Agency, the province continues to attract and retain talented researchers to work in BC to help improve care for patients and save lives.

Sunday, November 20 ~ OTTAWA. Today November 20 is National Child Day. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued this statement:

“Each child deserves to be raised in an environment that is free of violence, discrimination, and exploitation; to grow up with proper nutrition, health care, and a good education; and to have a voice in matters that affect them, and a real, fair chance to succeed.”

“The Government of Canada remains committed to programs that help every child get the best possible start in life and reach their full potential. Here, at home, we are giving Canadian families more money to help with the high cost of raising their kids through the new Canada Child Benefit, which stands to lift about 300,000 children out of poverty. We are also working with our international partners to create environments where all children are treated with dignity and respect, and given all the opportunities they need to succeed.”

‘While the world has made significant progress in advancing children’s rights since the introduction of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, there is still a lot of work to do. Millions of children and young people continue to be denied basic human rights – including education, primary health care, and personal security. Many more are forced into early marriages, recruited as child soldiers, or become victims of child labour.”

In British Columbia, Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux released the following statement commemorating BC’s Child and Youth Day on Sunday, November 20:

“BC is also a proud supporter of meaningful child advocacy, fostering greater understanding of our youth-serving system with the help of the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth and BC’s Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth. Young British Columbians are the future of our province – it is everyone’s duty to ensure that their rights are held sacred and that they are safe, supported and given every opportunity to build the life they choose.”

Friday, November 18 ~ VICTORIA – The BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris has issued the following statement this evening, regarding the overdose crisis in BC:

“I’d like to put a stop to the distraction from the deadly serious issue of our overdose crisis that has been taking place today, with regard to Premier Christy Clark’s comments that we had a confirmed case of marijuana laced with fentanyl.

“As we’ve all heard from the Vancouver Police Department, this was reported in error, and we’ve also heard from the RCMP that the reports out of Masset earlier this week are also not confirmed.

“With that now clear, let’s move forward in our fight against this deadly drug. We continue to warn the public that any and all drugs can be tainted with fentanyl, including marijuana. We implore everyone to take this caution seriously as we are seeing an average of two people dying a day in this crisis in our province. Let’s turn our focus back to saving lives.”

The BC Coroner’s Service said on Wednesday November 16 that 622 people have died from drug overdoses in the first 10 months of this year, an average of two per day. Of those deaths, 60% were linked to fentanyl. Back in April, BC declared a public health emergency and has set up a task force to address the problem.

premier-christy-clark-opioid-crisis Fentanyl kills in minutes. Even the most minute quantity (e.g. one grain the size of a grain of salt) can kill. For some reason the drug is being laced into other drugs such as cocaine and painkillers. Apparently slipping in the drug is done to stretch out the supply of the main illicit drug that people think they are buying, but it ends up killing a dealer’s customers. According to a recent report, most of the deaths are among young people age 19 to 25. The BC government is calling it an epidemic. Some light was brought to the subject this week in Ottawa by BC Premier Clark [see photo], asking for more federal action. [Article by CBC]

On Wednesday, November 16 the BC government said it continues to take actions on many fronts to prevent and respond to overdoses in BC. In a release from the BC Ministry of Health, it was stated that the Province continues to advocate that the federal government increase penalties under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Criminal Code for those who import and traffic fentanyl and related compounds. Police are requesting sentencing considerations if the file involves trafficking or importation of fentanyl.

The BC Centre for Disease Control continues to significantly expand the Take Home Naloxone program. More than 15,841 no-charge naloxone kits have been dispensed to date – more than 10,000 this year alone – with reports of almost 2,000 take-home kits being used to reverse opioid overdoses this year. Naloxone kits are now being dispensed at 348 locations in BC including 56 emergency departments and four corrections facilities.

With the crisis at hand, no one is really talking yet about the reasons people are turning to illicit drug use in such large numbers. BC Health Minister Terry Lake said at the UBCM conference in September that there should be no blaming of the users. And federal Health Minister Jane Philpot this week says there should be no blaming of who is or isn’t doing what to help the situation. But when there is time to address the bigger issue, that will need to focus on deterring people’s use of illicit drugs for recreation and in states of continued addiction.

Thursday, November 17 ~ VICTORIA. Extreme weather response shelters are active for winter 2016-2017. The BC government will provide about $1.6 million this winter to fund close to 1,000 extreme weather shelter spaces. The funding is “to ensure those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness have access to a safe and warm place to stay during nights of severe weather”.

These additional spaces will be available in nearly 75 communities from now until March 31, 2017 for whenever a community issues an extreme weather alert. Communities decide what weather conditions warrant an alert and how many spaces to activate on a given night, depending on the capacity of existing shelters and the estimated need.

These spaces supplement the almost 2,000 permanent, year-round shelter spaces available throughout the province. Most permanent shelter beds are available 24/7 and provide three meals a day.

The Province also funds outreach teams that work at winter shelters and on the street to help connect people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with housing and support services such as income assistance and mental health services.

“Each winter, we work with communities and non-profit groups to make sure that anyone who wants to come inside for the night has a warm, safe place to go,” says Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for Housing. “Funding for these shelter spaces is part of the more than $200 million annually we invest in the province to provide emergency shelter spaces, subsidized units and rent supplements for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

“These much needed additional beds don’t just provide comfort, they offer refuge, and they help to save lives,” says Jim Coggles, executive director, The Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light. “Added to the 206 beds we provide every night throughout the winter months, these 30 extreme weather shelter beds will be activated during episodes of severe weather in downtown Vancouver. Each guest will be welcomed by our staff, a hot meal and the opportunity to experience hope and assistance toward positive change.”

“The Extreme Weather Response Program is a well-used addition to the services that we provide the community in partnership with BC Housing. It helps in times of increased needs for those vulnerable people that have nowhere else to go and are at risk due to the weather,” says Wes Hewitt, administrator, Port Alberni Shelter Society.

Affordable housing programs and the province’s efforts to end homelessness in BC:
www.housingmattersbc.ca/factsheets.html | www.bchousing.org

Map of permanent and temporary shelters in BC:
www.bchousing.org/Options/Emergency_Housing/Map

Wednesday, November 16 ~ VICTORIA. The BC government is spending more than $60 million on artists, arts and culture organizations in 2016-17, including about $17.5 million in community gaming grants.

In 2016-17, the Government of British Columbia is providing the BC Arts Council with $24 million to help artists and cultural organizations flourish in more than 200 communities throughout the province.

Since 2001, the BC Arts Council has distributed approximately $283 million to artists, arts groups and cultural organizations across British Columbia. With 24,800 artists, BC has more artists per capita than any other province.

The BC Arts Council board has 15 members. Most of the board members are based out of Vancouver; none are based out of Vancouver Island. Two of the 15 are recent new members of BC’s arts and culture community: Susan Jackson and Yosef Wosk.

In February 2016, the Province launched a three-year Creative Economy Strategy to help grow the creative sector, focussng on four key areas:

* Leveraging talent and creative clusters;
* Accessing new markets;
* Maximizing investment;
* Enriching communities.

The United Nations has identified the creative economy as one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors for income generation, job creation and export earnings.

Wednesday, November 16 ~ VICTORIA. “Alcohol may be on the menu for more businesses in BC,” it was pitched at the top of a news release today from the Ministry of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch. Followed by “Fancy a shave and scotch? How about a mani-pedi-champagne?”

While some new policy changes from the Province of BC — coming into effect January 23, 2017 — will allow all types of BC businesses to apply for a liquor licence, it also exposes children and youth to the normalized use of alcohol as part of everyday living.

The government says that “opening up possibilities for new revenue streams and diversified business services” is the goal of the new policy. While BC is certainly open for business, are they also open to further integrating the use of alcohol into everyday living? More coverage on this coming in the November 18 issue of West Shore Voice News, including input from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the SD62 school board.

Specifically, effective Jan. 23, 2017, businesses like barber shops, salons, spas, cooking schools, art galleries and book stores will be able to apply for a liquor licence to diversify their business model and serve liquor to customers. All types of businesses will be able to apply for a liquor primary licence, so long as they do not operate from a motor
vehicle or target minors.

“This change will provide flexibility for businesses to expand and offer new services to their patrons, while creating new opportunities for manufacturers such as craft breweries and wineries to sell their product, and increase consumer choice for British Columbians,” says the government release.

According to the Liquor Distribution Branch, to ensure that public health and safety remains a top priority, businesses will have to go through the same licensing processes as other establishments, including a requirement that all staff serving liquor are ‘Serving-It-Right’ certified. “These businesses will also be subject to the same regulatory compliance measures as all licensees.” The requirement that businesses applying for a liquor primary licence must also abide by their local government’s or First Nations’ liquor licensing criteria will remain unchanged.

Serving It Right is training certification that all servers of alcohol must attain in BC. However, the pressure for youth in particular to participate in the turning-19 ‘rite of passage’ to take their first drink on their 19th birthday, is apparently not managed equally among liquor establishments. Our November 18 article will look into that too.

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch says: “One of government’s goals is to ensure that doing business in BC is easy and exciting. Creating new liquor licence and permit options for businesses is part of our ongoing effort to remove operating obstacles for businesses, create ease of access for consumers, and still maintain BC’s health and safety standards.”

John Yap, Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Policy Reform, who last year with Premier Christy Clark rolled out the sale of liquor in grocery stores and relaxed laws so that children can be present in liquor-licenced establishments, said in today’s release:

“Since 2013, we have been working to modernize antiquated liquor laws. We want the rules to complement businesses, not hinder them. We want to bolster creativity and innovation, not create barriers and red tape. Allowing all types of businesses to apply for a liquor licence creates other business possibilities for BC businesses.”

For more information about the Liquor Policy Review:
http://engage.gov.bc.ca/govtogetherbc/impact/bc-liquor-policy-review-results/

Tuesday, November 15 ~ BC. A new chair has been appointed at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to advocate for rural health care in BC, it was announced today by Health Minister Terry Lake.

Dr David Snadden, Chair, UBC Rural Health

Dr David Snadden, UBC Chair in Rural Health

Dr Dave Snadden has been appointed as the founding rural doctors’ UBC chair in Rural Health. Dr Snadden was also the first leader of UBC’s Northern Medical Program in Prince George. Based out of Prince George, Dr Snadden will provide academic leadership in rural affairs, establish relevant research, and address rural physician recruitment and retention.

Minister Lake also announced a $5-million endowment to establish the new chair at UBC to help enhance the delivery of rural health care services throughout the province. The endowment is funded through the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues, a partnership between the Ministry of Health and Doctors of BC that advises the Province on matters related to rural medical practice.

As well, operational funding of $350,000 per year will be provided over the next five years to support the development of a distributed provincial network of rural health researchers and the establishment of a Dean’s Advisory Committee on Rural and Remote Health. These components will form an integrated and innovative world-leading strategy to improve health outcomes for rural citizens.

The chair was created following a proposal by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC, which works on behalf of the Joint Standing Committee, and seeks to improve rural health education and advocates for rural health in BC.

While the position falls under the UBC department of family practice, it is intended to be a resource to the university’s faculty of medicine as a whole, including specialty departments and other professional education schools.

Prior to his role as founding chair, Dr Snadden was the executive associate dean of education with the UBC faculty of medicine. Before that, he spent eight years overseeing the expansion of UBC’s medical education and training programs to northern BC, including the Northern Medical Program, a partnership between UBC and the University of
Northern British Columbia. He trained and worked in Scotland as a rural practitioner for a number of years before furthering his training at the University of Western Ontario. Upon his return to Scotland, Dr Snadden developed a collaborative master’s program in primary care and helped create the first integrated undergraduate and postgraduate
department of general practice in the United Kingdom. He is a fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. His three-year term is effective Nov. 1, 2016.

The rural doctors’ UBC chair in rural health is one of many solutions to address health-care access challenges in rural communities. The ministry is committed to improving rural health care in BC by: understanding population and patient health; developing quality and sustainable care models; recruiting and retaining engaged, skilled health-care providers; and providing strong tools and processes that allow flexibility in responding to the diversity of geographies in British Columbia.

Dr Alan Ruddiman, president of Doctors of BC says: “Rural doctors know that our medical schools are the best place to give our educators and our doctors-in-training a realistic and informed appreciation of the complex rural framework. The announcement of our new rural chair – a doctor himself who can also provide academic leadership and a credible footprint in BC’s rural communities – means enhanced supports for rural doctors, and ultimately improved long-term health services and supports for the patients they serve. This new legacy once again confirms that British Columbia has the most comprehensive suite of programs to support rural physicians and the communities and patients that they serve.”

Dr Dermot Kelleher, Dean, UBC faculty of medicine, says: “For more than a decade, UBC has been working to improve rural health care by educating and training students and medical residents in all parts of the province. With the creation of this chair, we are expanding that commitment to include research, which will help inform and guide our collective efforts to close the delivery gap for health care between our small, more isolated communities and BC’s more populated centres.”

Friday, November 11 ~ VICTORIA. BC Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement on Remembrance Day:

“Every year, Canadians from every region and from all walks of life come together to pay tribute to the men and women who served our country.

The 11th day of the 11th month was chosen because 98 years ago, it was hoped that moment marked the end to all wars.

Since that first Remembrance Day, tens of thousands of Canadian soldiers have answered the call – and fallen – in another World War, as well as conflicts in Korea, Afghanistan, Syria and peacekeeping assignments in places like Cyprus, Croatia, and Bosnia. Many of them paid the ultimate price so that we can sleep safely each night and so our children will grow up safe and free.

We honour their memory by preserving what they fought for: peace, freedom and a Canada where differences are settled not with violence, but with discussion and democracy. If we live up to the ideals they fought for, their sacrifice will not have been in vain. We owe them nothing less.

To all those who serve, and have served this country, and to the families that support them: thank you. We will never forget.”

Friday, November 11 ~ OTTAWA. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today issued the following statement on Remembrance Day:

“Today, we pause to remember and honour the Canadian men and women who have served our country and fought for freedom around the world.

Time may fade, but our memories cannot. We all have a duty to hold the torch high, and to keep its flame alight. Liberty’s cause beats deeply within our hearts, and every generation of Canadians has answered the call to serve.

We must remember that, during the First and Second World Wars, Canada and Newfoundland fought side by side. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel, when a generation of Newfoundlanders laid down their lives in defence of the freedom, democracy, and diversity that we enjoy today.

From Ypres to Vimy Ridge, Dieppe to Juno Beach – we will not forget. From Korea to the Suez, Cyprus to Kandahar – we will not forget. We remember yesterday’s youth, far from home, who fought for reason and progress. They stood up to tyranny and stood for liberty, and sacrificed their future for the future of so many.

We honour Canada’s bravest, who stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies around the world. Every day, they face down the threat of terrorism, and protect the values we cherish most.

At 11:00 am, I encourage all Canadians – no matter where you are – to observe the two minutes of silence. When we remember, we must remember war as it was and as it is. Freedom’s terrible price is known but to the few who have fought for it.

That is why today we stand sombre and silent, with poppies close to our hearts, and take the time to remember.
‘Lest we forget’.”

Thursday, November 10 ~ SOOKE. Last night an energetic and attentive crowd articulated their concerns about Site C and other election issues, in a one-hour Q&A with BC NDP Leader John Horgan (MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca).

“Articulate your policies and we’ll get behind you,” said one enthusiastic NDP supporter, with reference to the upcoming May 2017 BC provincial election.

Horgan was clear that the economy is important to everyone, including of course providing jobs. He says an NDP government would be responsible with taxpayer finances and inclusive to everyone when it comes to education, health and economic growth in BC.

1573-johnhorgan-nov0916-sooke-westshorevoice-nov0916-web-mid The event held at Edward Milne Community School in Sooke was organized by Awareness Film Night. They screened ‘Peace Out’, a somewhat dated by impactful film about the environmental and community consequences in northern BC if BC Hydro’s Site C hydroelectric project is to proceed.

Horgan explained that electricity usage in BC is not increasing, due to many people doing their best at energy conservation. It might now be over 20 years until the output at Site C (or equivalent) would be required in this province. Wind and solar are two other ‘green’ electricity-producing options that BC Hydro could be investing its money in.

Horgan says that if elected as government in 2017, the BC NDP would focus on green technology as a way to help protect the environment, and which would also create a lot of jobs.

Wednesday, November 9 ~ BC. An investigation by the BC Integrated Child Exploitation (BC ICE) Unit has resulted in charges of Possession of Child Pornography and Make Available Child Pornography.

Following an arrest on October 8, Allan Kirkwood, 62, of Barriere BC was formally charged with the two offences on November 4. The investigation began in August 2016, after BC ICE received several concerning reports from the United States National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Canadian National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC).

On October 04, 2016 BC ICE, along with the assistance of numerous other RCMP units and jurisdictions (Barriere RCMP, Clearwater RCMP, Kamloops RCMP, North Okanagan RCMP General Investigations Section, Southeast District RCMP General Investigations Section and the Integrated Sexual Predator Observation Team), executed search warrants at four (4) Barriere/Clearwater area locations.

Following the execution of the search warrants, Kirkwood was arrested and released on a promise to appear with conditions limiting his access to children and to the Internet. Kirkwood’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 08, 2016 in Kamloops, BC. BC ICE reports that there is currently no evidence suggesting that any local children were directly victimized by the accused.

“This investigation illustrates how effectively different units and jurisdictions within the RCMP work together and with other national and international partners to combat the ever growing issue of online child exploitation” says Inspector Tyler Svendson, Officer in Charge of the RCMP Behavioural Sciences Group. “Keeping children safe is the primary goal of the BC ICE unit and dedicated ICE investigators routinely travel throughout the province to ensure that suspected offenders are identified and brought to justice”.

The BC RCMP ask that if you are aware of any incidents of online child exploitation, that you report it to your local police or through www.Cybertip.ca .

BC NDP Leader John Horgan

Wednesday, November 9 ~ VICTORIA. Today BC New Democrat leader John Horgan released a statement regarding the outcome of Republican candidate Donald Trump winning the American election last night, and how Trump had generated support during his campaign. Horgan is leading the BC NDP in a campaign now toward the May 2017 BC provincial election.

Here is Horgan’s statement as released today:

“Elections are about choices. And this election, Americans chose change. We heard Americans talk about feeling left behind, left out, ignored and belittled. They were asking themselves ‘does government work for me?’ And now we know their answer. People in our province and around the world are thinking about what this means for their lives.

“I believe that many people in British Columbia want change – for things to be better than they are – but change that also reflects our values: fairness, equality, caring for each other and preparing for the future of our province and our people.”

“We live in an abundant place, yet we risk becoming a province where only the rich can thrive. Just like in America, people in B.C. can see that our economy is not working for everyone.”

“With such abundance in our province, is it any wonder that people question why we are falling so far behind in public education, seniors care, mental health care, child care and affordable housing?”

“I hope that no one in British Columbia wants to embrace the angry, sexist, prejudiced and divisive politics that carried Donald Trump to the White House. I hope we can work together for change of a different kind. Change we can be proud of, that makes people’s lives better.”

BC Premier Christy Clark

Wednesday, November 9 ~ VICTORIA. Premier Christy Clark has issued the following statement following yesterday’s elections in the United States of America:

“On behalf of British Columbia, I would like to congratulate President-elect Donald J. Trump, as well as Governor Jay Inslee in Washington State, Senator Lisa Murkowski in Alaska, and everyone else who pursued elected office.”

“The United States is a close friend and partner of British Columbia. Alongside the Government of Canada, we will work diligently and with determination to ensure we protect and grow the relationship that is crucial to working families in our province on issues like free trade and a new softwood lumber agreement.”

“As well, we should recognize Secretary Hillary Clinton’s historic run. For the first time, a woman has contested the presidency for one of the two major political parties – a significant and important signal to the millions of women and girls around the globe who saw it happen, in real time.”

Wednesday, November 9 ~ NEW YORK [posted at 12:15 am PST Nov 9; updated 11:45 am Nov 9]. The voters of the United States of America have elected Republican candidate Donald Trump as their next president, for 2016-2020. He will be the 45th president of the United States.

After a long evening following the close of polls on November 8, results were finally revealed around 2:45 am EST November 9.

Trump had achieved 290 electoral college votes compared to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s 218. The required number of votes to win was 270.

Final numbers might differ in the hours and days ahead, as final counts roll in from three remaining states that haven’t been fully reported yet. Final results are still awaited from Michigan for 16 votes, New Hampshire for 3 votes (with a possible recount because the numbers are so close), and Minnesota for 10 votes. [UPDATE around 3am PST November 9: Final results declared, with Trump achieving 306 and Clinton achieving 232]

At a late (early morning on Wednesday) hour, Trump made a short acceptance speech after having received a concession phone call from Hillary Clinton. About 30 minutes ahead of that, Clinton had sent her campaign manager to the gathering of Democrat supporters to suggest they go home and get some sleep.

Both the Senate and the House hold a Republican majority after the November 8 election results. This theoretically gives Trump a clear path to likely achieve many things without much resistance in Washington.

Hillary Clinton made a short concession speech around 7:30 am PST (10:30 am EST) on this ‘morning after’, November 9, including many thanks to everyone who had supported her. The indication in some remarks is that she is handing the torch to the next generation of women in politics.

US President Barack Obama said from the lawn of the White House that the transition from his administration to the new Trump administration would be executed as professionally and seamlessly as possible.

Sunday, November 6 ~ NATIONAL. Privacy invasion of journalists.

In the coming days and weeks, Canadians can expect to see more activity in Ottawa over the news last week that some journalists’ phone communications were being tracked, and also that CSIS has for 10 years been retaining metadata (3rd-party data such as phone numbers and emails) of ordinary Canadians.

Summary article (of this news to date) and editorial, in the November 4, 2016 issue of West Shore Voice News. Pages 1 and 2.

Friday, November 4 ~ VICTORIA. WorkBC’s ‘Find Your Fit’ will showcase BC’s in-demand jobs at Teen Fest Victoria tomorrow Saturday, November 5 at Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd (open to the public 11 am to 4:30 pm). Young people of Victoria will have an opportunity to learn the skills they will need for tomorrow’s in-demand occupations.

Find Your Fit is an interactive event where individuals of all ages can learn about BC’s in-demand careers and test out some of the skills they would need for those occupations. Participants will also get to know career planning tools – such as Blueprint Builder and Career Trek videos – and the job resources and labour market information WorkBC.ca offers. Parents, teachers and career counsellors may benefit, too – by discovering ways to educate and support youth in their career exploration.

Find Your Fit is part of BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint commitment to re-engineer education and deliver the skilled workforce needed in BC’s growing economy. The tour has had over 180,000 participants so far. The tour was most recently in Burns Lake. It’s next stop on Vancouver Island will be in Duncan on December 1. Other communities can also request a tour stop.

“Through BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, we are committed to preparing the skilled workforce that our growing economy needs. The Find Your Fit tour ensures that our youth have the tools and resources necessary to consider the full range of in-demand occupations available to them,” says Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.

Thursday, November 3 ~ The RCMP have issued a photo of Gabriel Klein, age 21. Klein is already in custody and has been charged with both second degree murder and aggravated assault following his stabbing attack on two female students at Abbotsford Senior Secondary on November 1 (see news item below, posted November 2).

One girl died and the other is in stable condition in hospital but will likely require long-term recovery both physical and emotional, said RCMP.

The photo was apparently captured through closed circuit TV just hours before the Abbotsford Senior Secondary attack. From the look of the photo background, the image was likely captured at a bank or major retail store.

The RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team continues to ask for anyone that knows Klein, or has information about him, to contact the RCMP at 1-877-551-4448. Klein has no previous criminal record and has no fixed address in BC, presently leaving the RCMP without much to go on.

Thursday, November 3 ~ WEST SIDE of VANCOUVER ISLAND. Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke MP Randall Garrison is on his way back to his constituency today, to spend a week on this west side of the island and attend the Remembrance Day ceremony in Esquimalt.

He is in full support of NDP Leader Tom Mulcair’s statement in the House of Commons today that the Liberal government should hold an inquiry into RCMP/CSIS surveillance of journalists. He adds that while instances of media surveillance have surfaced in Quebec, it’s a bigger problem than that.

“If journalists are under surveillance, then people won’t talk to them. Free press is a fundamental part of our democracy for people’s right to know what’s going on,” said Randall Garrison, MP, today in a phone interview.

Thursday, November 3 ~ VICTORIA. There will be additional BC Ferries sailings on the Remembrance Day weekend, with 24 extra sailings on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route Thurs November 10 through Sunday November 13. An additional round trip has also been added to the Horsehoe Bay – Departure Bay route on the evening of Thursday, Nov 10.

On Friday November 11, BC senior citizens will be able to travel half-price (passenger fares only) on BC Ferries. Throughout the year, discounted travel is offered to BC seniors from Monday to Thursdays (except holidays).

All Canadian flags on BC Ferries vessels will fly at half mast on Remembrance Day in respect of veterans active military personnel. A moment of silence will occur at 11 am on the vessels.

Wednesday, November 2 ~ ABBOTSFORD. Abbotsford Senior Secondary School, east of Vancouver, was closed today, following a stabbing incident on November 1. So far the attack is being seen as a random act of violence. A man had attacked two female students before being intercepted by school staff.

One of the students — 13-year-old Letisha Reimer (photo) — died later in hospital as a result of several stab wounds. Students have been visiting the school all day today, bringing flowers and other items in memorial of Letisha.

The other injured girl is 14 years old but has not been identified. Witnesses say she ran into a classroom saying she had been stabbed. She was assisted by the teacher and some students in the classroom who applied pressure and padding/clothing to the wounds, and was later airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital where she remains in stable condition.

The 21-year-old suspect is Gabriel Klein was not a student at the school. He was taken into police custody from the scene of the incident, and as of this afternoon has been charged with second degree murder and aggravated assault. According to BC RCMP he has no criminal record and is of no fixed address but apparently moved to BC from Alberta about seven or eight months ago. He reportedly entered the school barefoot yesterday around 2 pm.

abbotsfordsupt-nov0216 Counselling is available to students, parents and staff. Abbotsford School Superintendent Kevin Godden has asked that a video taken of the incident and then posted online by one of the students be taken off social media. Godden spoke highly of the staff who intervened in the incident and how quickly the school went into lockdown.

Premier Christy Clark expressed shock in a televised interview about the Abbotsford school stabbing incident, remarking how it is every parent’s greatest fear that something terrible can possibly happen to their child.

Premier Clark issued a statement today: “Yesterday, I was shocked to hear about the tragic attack at Abbotsford Senior Secondary school. School are supposed to be – and must be – places where parents know their kids are safe. We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that. I hope the investigation concludes swiftly, so we can take whatever action is required to make sure a tragedy like this never happens in British Columbia again. Until we have those answers, I want to commend the heroism of the staff and fellow students who came to the victims’ aid and subdued the suspect. Your bravery is an example for us all. I cannot imagine the heartbreak of everyone involved. My thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, and everyone at Abbotsford Senior Secondary.”

Tuesday, November 1 ~ OTTAWA. “When the middle class does well, everyone does well,” is a continued slogan of the federal Liberal government.

“That is why the Government of Canada is committed to making smart and necessary investments that will revitalize the Canadian economy, spur long-term growth and strengthen the middle class,” it was stated in a news release today as the Ministry of Finance rolled out its Fall Economic Statement, being essentially a revision to the spring 2016 budget.

“Now, more than ever, it is important for Canada to create opportunities that better position our country in the global economy of tomorrow. To succeed, we need to ensure that the benefits of growth are shared by the middle class and by all Canadians. Now is the time to invest in people, in innovation and in infrastructure, so that we can build long-term growth for middle class families, their children and grandchildren, and put Canada on the road to long-term prosperity,” said Finance Minister Bill Morneau in a statement to media.

“As the pace of change accelerates, and the global economy transforms, Canada must turn its sights on the future and provide families with the confidence, the tools and the opportunities to succeed. The government has both the capacity and the willingness to act to make the future better for our children and our grandchildren. International financial organizations such as the International Monetary Fund have praised Canada’s expanded use of fiscal policy to bolster growth in light of the weak and challenging global economic environment.”

Morneau said the Plan for Middle Class Progress is designed to provide jobs and opportunities for middle class Canadians well into the future. “Moreover, it is built on a solid foundation of economic security and stability, and follows a path that is responsible and sustainable, against a backdrop of global economic change.”

In today’s Fall Economic Statement, new measures “to ensure middle class progress, and build on the momentum of Budget 2016, and on investments over the past year” include:

 Investing an additional $81 billion in public transit, green and social infrastructure, transportation infrastructure that supports trade, as well as in rural and northern communities to bring Canadians good jobs, a cleaner environment and thriving communities for years to come;
 Creating a Global Skills Strategy, supported by improvements to Canada’s immigration system, to help Canadian and international companies access the talent and skills they need to grow and succeed in Canada;
 Creating the Invest in Canada Hub, staffed with a dedicated high-impact sales force to promote Canada, and to work with global companies to increase investment that will benefit Canadians; and
 Strengthening the independence of Statistics Canada and the Parliamentary Budget Officer to provide fair and unbiased evidence and analysis, and make government more open and transparent.

The government says it is committed to investing in inclusive and sustainable growth in a fiscally responsible manner that maintains Canada’s low debt advantage. Looking ahead to Budget 2017, the government says it will continue to focus on its plan to strengthen the middle class and improve growth— “a plan that is about taking bold action that will allow Canada’s economy to prosper over the long term”. This plan will continue to be informed by recommendations of the Advisory Council on Economic Growth “which brings together 14 of the best minds with a truly global perspective”.

A report released October 20 by the Advisory Council on Economic Growth calls Canada “a small open economy”. The report says that Canada’s future and opportunities will be shaped by a rapidly changing world around us, characterized by “slowing global growth rates, unprecedented technology disruption, and increasing connectivity in trade, capital, people and information”.

Monday, October 31 ~ MONTREAL. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AT RISK IN CANADA.

As reported by CBC today (and many other outlets across the country and elsewhere in the world), a columnist for Montreal’s La Presse newspaper was spied upon by the police for months. The targeted journalist — La Presse columnist Patrick Lagacé (top photo) — was apparently told that the action was part of an attempt to intimidate members of the police force who want to share information with journalists. Lagacé got caught in the cross-hairs of that, just for doing his job.

It was not a one-off thing. Police had obtained 24 warrants this year to track Lagacé’s whereabouts using the GPS chip in his iPhone, and to obtain the identities of everyone he has spoken and messaged with, it was reported by La Presse. “I lived in this fiction that this could not happen in this country,” said Lagacé. He said police told him he was being used as a “tool” in an investigation into one of its own officers.

Criminal lawyer Jeffrey Boro told CBC that the decision by the police to spy on a journalist threatens the roles journalists and defence lawyers play in society. “If journalists are not allowed to work without having these worries, not being able to get informants to tell them what’s going on, it weakens our whole system,” he said.

edwardsnowden Well-known NSA ‘whistleblower’ Edward Snowden (middle photo), upon hearing the news, Tweeted this commentary today: “Are you a journalist? The police spying on you specifically to ID your sources isn’t a hypothetical. This is today.” In less than 24 hours, that Tweet has (as of 8:45 pm PDT) been retweeted over 5,800 times.

ralphgoodale A ripple of great concern for the rights of all journalists was seen across the Internet and national media today.

Canadian Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale (bottom photo) in a quick TV news report expressed serious concern at the infringement of Montreal police upon freedom of the press.

Monday, October 31 ~ KELOWNA. The BC government has announced a new online adoption website portal for use by adoptive-hopeful families and the children who may be adopted. The website at www.gov.bc.ca/adoptbckids offers information to all prospective parents and families “to begin their journey”, it was stated in a Ministry of Children and Family Development news release today. The launch is part of BC’s Adoption Awareness Month (Nov 1 to 30).

This year $30.7 million is allocated for adoption promotion, up $3 million from last year

At its deeper levels, the new website includes personal information about both the families and the prospective adoptees. That level of the website is available once prospective parents are approved by direct interaction with social workers of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

“We’re moving adoption in into the 21st century,” said Cadieux. “We heard from adoptive parents that the old paper-driven, ministry office-based system was cumbersome and just too slow. Adopt BC Kids allows people to manage their application online and helps streamline matching functions for adoption workers, helping us find the right family match for waiting children, quicker.”

Adopt BC Kids is the first website of its kind in Canada – no other jurisdiction offers a personalized and user-friendly system that captures all the foster children available for adoption and the prospective families in one accessible database. Parents can track which of the required documents have been received by the ministry, where they are in the process and better understand next steps. The journey starts with obtaining an identification code from Service BC.

“Adopt BC Kids supports our belief that online and mobile technologies only improve adoption information, support and education,” said Karen Madeiros, executive director of the Adoptive Families Association of BC. “It provides improved access to all waiting parents, and allows applicants to check their application any time, in any location. Helping more adults through the adoption process helps the children waiting for families, and Adopt BC Kids is a big help.”

Families no longer need to go into a local office and book an appointment with a social worker as they can get all the information they need online. Photos and biographies are posted in a secure area of the website. Families can attend an information session (a Waiting Child Session) online and no longer have to wait for in-person sessions, which run
every month or two.

Prospective parents can narrow their search by different criteria, like the age range of kids they are interested in adopting, whether or not they can adopt a sibling group, and if they are willing to consider providing a permanent home to a child with special needs. Once approved, applicants are given extra clearance to access pictures, video and audio of suitable adoptees. The site also allows families to post pictures and write about their interests and lifestyle, in their own words.

Cadieux explained during a media conference out of Kelowna that the adoption system and foster care system “work very much in parallel”. She says there are about 1,000 at any given time who are available for adoption and about 7,200 kids in foster care. “Those (in foster care) are kids not available for adoption but we hope may end up back with their families and so have not become a permanent ward of the state.”

Of the 1,000 of the children in the adoption system about 20 are newborns or very young infants. Oftentimes, newborns are adopted right away by relatives outside of the foster care system.

“We need foster parents,” Minister Cadieux said. Every October we do a special drive to encourage people to open their heart and home to a child in need. Interestingly enough, about 40% of kids are adopted by their foster family,” Cadieux told media. The minister said: “Foster care is quite often a route that ends up in adoption, whether that be the original goal of foster family or they just can’t part with the child once they’re in their home. We are always in need of new foster families as well. I anticipate we will always have a need for foster families but that very much works in concert with adoption program.”

Adopt BC Kids is strengthened by the addition of new adoption service hub staff who will work with families to ensure all supporting documents, like criminal record and reference checks, are completed and included in the application package prior to it going to an adoption worker for review. This enables adoption workers to focus on in-person parent interviews and home studies.

Adopt BC Kids is a secure site, and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner was included in all stages of its design. Only users who have completed a full criminal record check, home study and have been approved to adopt can access the site and browse adoptive children’s profiles.

Those with interest in becoming an adoptive parent to one of BC’s waiting children or youth may call 1 877 ADOPT-07 or visit www.gov.bc.ca/adoptbckids

In 2015-16, the Ministry of Children and Family Development exceeded its adoption placement target of 600 adoptions, achieving 644 adoptions in that year. That’s the highest annual adoption count since the Adoptions Act came into effect in 1997. The goal for 2016-2017 is again at least 600.

Adoptive parents come from diverse backgrounds and have a range of life experiences. Any BC resident 19 years of age and over who is interested in providing a loving, nurturing home, may be eligible to adopt.

Many of the children and youth still waiting for adoption are school-aged. They may be siblings who need to stay together. Some may have special placement needs due to difficult early childhood experiences, prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs, learning delays or other developmental challenges.

For a list of Adoption Awareness Month events taking place in communities throughout BC see www.bcadoption.com/all-events and information on the adoption process in BC see www.1000familiesBC.com. The Adoptive Families Association of BC website is at www.bcadoption.com

Friday, October 28 ~ VICTORIA. Keep your Halloween spooky but safe! BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Morris has issued the following statement ahead of Halloween:

“Halloween is, above all, about kids having fun. Like many grandparents, I look forward to hearing from my grandkids about their costumes and their night of fun (and, no doubt, their candy collection). But as a former police officer and now the minister responsible for public safety, I also look forward to knowing they’re safe come Tuesday morning.

“That leads me to a warning for some so-called adults out there: don’t think that police will view every trick as treat-worthy. If you engage in acts of vandalism or mischief – particularly while ‘clowning’ or otherwise disguised – you risk the possibility of arrest and potentially even a criminal record. Recently, some ‘crazy clowns’ across North America have been learning this the hard way. If whatever you’re planning could be considered irrational or illegal on any other night of the year, don’t assume Halloween is your get-out-of-jail-free card.

“Beyond that, I want to repeat the basic Halloween safety message that will be familiar to most parents and guardians: please make sure your young trick-or-treaters are visible while they’re going door to door. It’s getting darker earlier, which makes pedestrians harder to see generally – and young children who are caught up in the excitement of Halloween may not be focused on traffic and what’s going on around them. These circumstances make it even more important for drivers to be sober, focused on the road and free of distractions on Halloween.”

Thursday, October 27 ~ VICTORIA. The BC Liberals are shoring up a political presence on Vancouver Island, where the BC NDP has built and maintained a political stronghold for decades.

Today Premier Christy Clark announced there will be a Vancouver Island-specific platform for the 2017 provincial election, with development to be led by MLA Don McRae who is retiring at the end of his current term.

The BC Liberal Party says it’s the first time they have developed a region-specific election platform for Vancouver Island.

Clark made the announcement in advance of her keynote speech to community and business leaders at the 10th annual State of the Island Economic Summit in Nanaimo.

“Vancouver Island is growing, vibrant, and unique – with its own opportunities and challenges that deserve government’s full attention,” said Clark. “That’s why I’ve asked MLA Don McRae to lead the effort to produce a specific set of commitments from our party to the people of Vancouver Island for the next election.”

“I’m excited to work with our Vancouver Island party members to identify what their families, communities, and businesses need in order to succeed,” said Comox Valley MLA Don McRae.

“We’ve had passionate discussions as part of the Party’s biggest-ever policy consultation, and we’re ready for a platform built for Islanders, by Islanders.” McRae’s sole Vancouver Island caucus colleague, Minister of Social Development and Innovation Michelle Stilwell agrees. “As a two-person caucus, Don and I have worked hard to deliver results for our communities and Vancouver Island as a whole. We want to achieve even more, which will be possible with additional regional representation in government.

“Today’s announcement of a standalone Vancouver Island platform is a welcome step in that direction,” she added.

Stilwell is the only government caucus member seeking re-election on Vancouver Island with her nomination in Parksville-Qualicum set for October 30. “Stilwell is joined by a strong, growing team of new BC Liberal candidates locally including Jim Benninger (Courtenay-Comox), Alana deLong (Nanaimo-North Cowichan), Paris Gaudet (Nanaimo), Steve Housser (Cowichan Valley), and Stephen P Roberts (Saanich North and the Islands). Dallas Smith (North Island) and Mathew Wilson (Powell River-Sunshine Coast) will be officially nominated on October 29 and November 12 respectively,” it was stated in a BC Liberal news release today.

“Candidates for Esquimalt-Metchosin, Langford-Juan de Fuca, Mid Island-Pacific Rim, Oak Bay-Gordon Head, Saanich South, Victoria-Beacon Hill, and Victoria-Swan Lake are expected to selected well in advance of the May 9th election,” it was stated in today’s release.

The news release says that the decision to craft a platform specific to Vancouver Island – a region broadly recognized as underrepresented in government – came out of a year-long consultation exercise with BC Liberal members throughout BC led by Minister of Education Mike Bernier and Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto. The process involved 20 local roundtables with 800 participants, generating over 1,000 policy ideas.

Last year, 12,000 jobs were created on Vancouver Island with an unemployment rate lower than the national average. Continued support for the forestry industry is needed while encouraging diversity and new economic development in areas with higher unemployment. New sectors like technology, artisan agriculture, tourism, and craft beer, liquor, and wine sectors have experienced tremendous growth.

BC NDP Leader John Horgan presently holds the riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca (won in 2013 as the Juan de Fuca riding). He has worked the Vancouver Island political scene for decades. Vancouver Island is considered to be an NDP stronghold in the BC political landscape.

Thursday, October 27 ~ OTTAWA. The appointment of nine new independent Senators will be recommended to the Governor General by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, it was announced today. The new Senators will fill vacancies in the Senate for British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

“In doing so, the Government is today taking further concrete steps to follow through on its commitment to improve the appointments process, and to restore public trust in a reformed Senate,” it was stated in a news release from the Prime Ministers’s office.

The individuals being recommended were chosen using the Government of Canada’s new merit-based process. The new process is designed to help ensure that the Senate is independent, reflective of Canada’s diversity, and best able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.

Under the new process, the following people are being recommended for appointment to the Senate:

Announcements about further appointments to the Senate will be made in the near future. Additional information on the first cycle of the permanent process will be made public when the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments completes its report to the Prime Minister later this year.

After two more installments of new senators, about 44% of the senate will be composed of new senators based on merit, rather than on political persuasion. Until now, the Senate has been a source of political influence to ensure the steady hand and/or re-election of Liberals or Conservatives. The NDP have never favoured the Senate.

Tuesday, October 25 ~ VANCOUVER. This is the last week for the person holding a $1 million winning Lotto Max ticket from the October 30, 2015 draw to claim their prize. A ticket sold in Burnaby for the October 30, 2015 draw matched 7/7 numbers for a $1 million Maxmillions prize.

“Lottery players should check their pockets, drawers and secret hiding places to see if they hold the $1 million ticket,” says the BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC). The person holding the ticket has until 4:30pm Friday, October 28 to claim the prize at a BCLC corporate office in Kamloops or Vancouver.

Only four major prizes have gone unclaimed in BC since 2006, totaling $534,572.70. All four prizes matched 5/6+ numbers, not the grand prize. The unclaimed prizes were $99,318.50 in 2006, $104,534.60 in 2008, $113,807 in 2009 and $219,912.60 in 2016. No top lottery prize in BC has ever gone unclaimed.

BCLC says it offers socially responsible gambling entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians, with more info at www.GameSense.ca. “Remember, play for fun, not to make money,” says the corporation that helps fund municipal coffers with annual grants and also is a major source of funding for the general BC budget (with the health care budget often noted as a benefactor).

Tuesday, October 25 ~ VICTORIA. The Victoria Regional Transit Commission has been expanded by creating an additional seat, it was announced this morning by BC Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. The Victoria Regional Transit Commission was formed in 1982, and its mandate is to provide oversight and represent the transit needs of Greater Victoria. The board of directors, through the chair, reports to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, who is the Minister responsible for BC Transit.

“Over the years, the population and demographic makeup of the region has changed with the western communities growing at a much faster rate than the rest of Greater Victoria, largely due to the relatively affordable housing, especially for young families. “It’s important that the western communities’ voice and needs are fairly represented on the Commission,” it was stated in the release.

1305-mayotait-closeup-oct1716 “In response to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission’s request to expand the number of its members from seven to eight to reflect the growing population in the region, the Province is pleased to announce the appointment of District of Sooke Mayor Maja Tait to the Commission,” said Minister Stone in a news release.

Sooke Mayor Maja Tait has had some interaction with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure over the past few years, largely to pitch for attention to Highway 14 (Sooke Road) as it impacts the 12,000-resident population of Sooke which lies about 35 km west of Victoria. Since the demise of its resource-based economy last decade, Sooke holds onto its rural appeal for many long-time residents. But in the past 10 years Sooke has rapidly become a bedroom community for commuters to Victoria and other parts of south Vancouver Island in recent years. Tait had served as a District of Sooke councillor for two terms, before winning as Mayor in November 2014 with 68% of the vote.

City of Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton also represents the interests of the residents of the western communities on the commission. Hamilton is serving in her second term as Mayor of Colwood, that she won with a strong return mandate of 84% from the Colwood electorate in 2014. She seems to be crafting Colwood as a bedroom community of choice, with a strong office/retail component to the municipality but less of the big-box stores and industrial enterprises than are seen in neighbouring Langford.

Under the act, the following representatives must be appointed to the commission: Victoria’s mayor, a Victoria councillor, the mayor of Esquimalt or Oak Bay, the mayor of Saanich, a Saanich councillor and one of the mayors of Sidney, North Saanich or Central Saanich, as well as two representatives of the western communities – the Mayors of Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal, Langford, Highlands, Sooke or the director of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area. With Hamilton and Tait being the western communities representation (the only two women who are mayors in the western communities), that leaves the other mayors to focus on other specific needs of their areas.

“Today’s decision will help us continue to build on the transit investments and improvements we’re making in Sooke and the western communities,” said Minister Stone. “Over the last few years, BC Transit and the commission have added double-decker buses to increase capacity, installed additional bus shelters along Highway 14, has adjusted bus routes to improve service to and from SEAPARC Leisure Complex, introduced a Saturday night trip to and from Victoria, and built a new Park and Ride on Highway 14.”

Mayor Tait finally brought a traffic roundabout to Sooke town centre on Highway 14 last summer — which was not mentioned in the ministry release. Since final completion in fall 2015, the roundabout has improved traffic flow in and through Sooke. In Sooke, Tait has overseen some town centre parking improvements, but cramped the style of parking at the Sooke public boat launch and never worked to resolve the issues of seriously impeding access to some businesses and residents with the restriction of turns at the Townsend/Sooke Road intersection, despite a public call to address it.

BC and the federal government have recently announced nearly $160 million in funding to further improve transit services throughout the province. This includes a $10-million extension to the Douglas Street northbound bus lane, from Tolmie Avenue to the McKenzie interchange that will reduce congestion on one of Victoria’s major transit routes servicing West Shore communities.”

“We will continue to work together toward improving and evolving public transit to meet the needs for everyone in Greater Victoria,” said Stone. Victoria is of course the capital city of BC, with the legislature and government providing a lot of activity and employment for the south island region.

Transit service in Greater Victoria is governed by the Victoria Regional Transit Commission. It will now consist of eight members (six locally elected mayors and two councillors) who are appointed according to the BC Transit Act. Under the act, the following representatives must be appointed to the commission: Victoria’s mayor, a Victoria councillor, the mayor of Esquimalt or Oak Bay, the mayor of Saanich, a Saanich councillor and one of the mayors of Sidney, North Saanich or Central Saanich and two representatives of the western communities – the Mayors of Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal, Langford, Highlands, Sooke or the director of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.

The commission sets routes, service levels, fares and local taxes for transit purposes. It reviews and is responsible for raising the local share of the annual cost of transit in the region. The commission’s members are now:

Chair – Councillor Susan Brice – District of Saanich
Mayor Richard Atwell – District of Saanich
Mayor Lisa Helps – City of Victoria
Mayor Alice Finall – District of North Saanich
Mayor Barb Desjardins- Township of Esquimalt
Mayor Carol Hamilton – City of Colwood
Mayor Maja Tait – District of Sooke
Councillor Marianne Alto – City of Victoria

Tuesday, October 25 ~ ‘Spring forward, fall back’. The change back to Standard Time is coming up on Sunday, November 6. At 2 am that morning, daylight savings time ends for this year.

Most people re-set their clocks back one hour (other than the ones on computers and most other electronics that reset themselves) on Saturday night before bed. So this year, that will be on Saturday night, November 5. It will produce an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning. The broader impact of returning to Standard Time in the winter is that mornings will be a little brighter for the morning work commute, but nightfall comes sooner.

Each year, Daylight Savings Time ends the first Sunday of November and starts the second Sunday in March. Daylight Saving Time returns on Sunday, March 12, 2017. More daylight hours in spring and summer is thought to be supportive to modern economies, particularly outdoor sport and recreation.

In the past year in BC, there has been a movement to end the practice of Daylight Savings Time. The request has been made based on evidence that disruption of people’s sleep patterns can lead to some disorientation that in turn may lead to inattention or even accidents. There’s been an online petition, and some attention paid to the matter by some BC MLAs.

In general, the modern busy Canadian lifestyle leads to sleep deprivation for many people. In busy lives, schedules are jam-packed with commitments, obligations, places to be and people to see. Insufficient sleep is often compounded by use of caffeine to stay awake, or use of sleep aid medications to fall asleep.

Monday, October 24 ~ VICTORIA. Remembrance Day season 2016 has begun.

On Tuesday, October 25 at 10 am at Government House in Victoria, the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, will be presented with the first poppy of the Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Command’s 2016 Poppy Campaign.

Funds raised in the annual Poppy Campaign by Legions and veterans across Canada support veterans, their families and dependents, seniors, education and Remembrance programs.

Saturday, October 22 ~ OTTAWA. Today a statement was issued by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the two-year anniversary of the October 22, 2014 attack at the Cenotaph and Parliament Hill:

“Two years ago, Canadians were shocked by the brutal attack that took place in and around Parliament that claimed the life of Corporal Nathan Cirillo [photo] and injured others. This vicious attack, at the very heart of our democracy, sought to frighten and divide Canadians. Instead it had the exact opposite effect, drawing us closer together and making us stronger. In the wake of this deadly assault, parliamentarians and Canadians united in condemning terrorism and further embracing our diversity.

The whole country honoured first responders – Senate and House of Commons Protective Services, the RCMP, former House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, medical personnel and others – for their bravery and their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way for Canadians of all backgrounds and faiths.

It showed the world that Canada will not be intimidated by hatred and violence, but will meet these acts with strength and conviction. This also showed me yet again that our diversity and collective love of democracy are what make our country strong and our nation great.

I join all Canadians today in mourning the loss of Corporal Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent – who was killed two days earlier in an attack in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. These two members of the Canadian Armed Forces made the ultimate sacrifice for the country they loved. The most fitting tribute that we can pay them is defending the values that they so personified.”

The attack on Parliament Hill on October 22, 2014 was ultimately considered to be a terrorist-inspired attack by lone operator Michael Zihaf-Bibeau whose life was later determined to have spiraled from privilege to petty crime and drugs to, eventually, deadly extremism.

Sgt at Arms Kevin Vickers who shot the attacker near the library inside the Parliament buildings, was later given a Canadian diplomatic post in Ireland.

Justin Trudeau personally experienced the event on Parliament Hill that day (then Leader of the Liberals in the House), as did then Prime Minister Stephen Harper and then Leader of the Official Opposition Tom Mulcair. All the leaders and their caucuses happened to be in caucus meetings that Wednesday morning, and all were secured inside their caucus rooms while gun shots ensued.

The event impacted all Canadians for its bizarre aspects of how things unfolded, the sadness of it all for Cpl Nathan Cirillo and the families involved, and that it happened at all in a country where we generally feel safe and secure.

Friday, October 21 ~ Vancouver Island. Island Health says it is on track to deliver 93 substance use beds as part of the provincial plan to open 500 substance use spaces throughout British Columbia.

Island Health’s 93 beds are based on population proportion and will support and enhance existing substance use services, it was stated in a news release from Island Health today. Since the initiative began in 2014, Island Health has already opened 55 beds across its service area. Plans are underway to open the remaining 38 beds by early 2017.

“We understand the harms and incredible risks of substance use, and that’s why more beds are needed to help people get back on track,” says BC Health Minister Terry Lake. “Everyone deserves a chance. Adding beds on Vancouver Island shows that we value our strong communities, and can help individuals struggling with substance use with support recovery beds and services.”

The 55 beds which have already opened are located throughout the area served by Island Health:
• Victoria: 14 tertiary supportive recovery beds, 10 supportive recovery beds and five stabilization beds for adults and six supportive recovery beds for youth
• Nanaimo: Four crisis stabilization beds for Aboriginal youth with concurrent mental health and substance use challenges
• Courtenay: Six supportive recovery beds for women
• Port Alberni: Five stabilization and supportive recovery beds
• North Island: Five withdrawal management/community detox beds on the North Island located in Port Hardy

“I’m looking forward to the positive impact these beds will have on the community, and proud to support the number of beds that have already opened, helping countless adults and youth,” said Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley.

The remaining 38 beds will be located in communities throughout the Island Health region. In addition, when Island Health residents need to attend residential treatment facilities on the Lower Mainland, Island Health teams coordinate referrals and provide funding assistance. These services are part of a continuum of mental health and substance use programming.

“Ensuring that both adults and youth have better access and improved outcomes for mental health and substance use is a top priority for Island Health,” said Don Hubbard, Island Health Board Chair. “This additional treatment capacity will be a significant improvement and will help ensure appropriate levels of supports and services are available to people who need them.”

Cheryl Damstetter, Island Health’s Chief of Population and Community Health said: “For people who are living with substance use issues, these beds – and the supportive recovery services that surround them – will help support individuals through their personal journey toward recovery and will benefit not only them but also their children, families and communities.”

On July 27, 2016, BC Premier Christy Clark announced a new Joint Task Force on Overdose Prevention and Response. The actions being taken under the task force support the ongoing work to support and treat British Columbians with substance use issues, a key priority of government.

The province has committed to meet the goal of opening 500 new substance use treatment beds in 2017, and today’s announcement of more beds and the treatment and intervention services that surround them will work to meet that goal. In the past two years, the Province has opened more than 220 new beds as part of this commitment to ensure better access to appropriate substance use treatment and supports.

Island Health provides health care and support services to more than 765,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and the mainland communities north of Powell River. www.viha.ca

Friday, October 21 ~ ELECTION BC 2017 campaign trail. Why vote NDP? That question was posed by West Shore Voice News to John Horgan in an interview today, as the BC NDP Leader was enroute from Richmond to Bella Bella. Here’s what he says when BC voters ask him that question:

“The BC Liberals have been in power for 16 years, but is your life better today than 16 years ago?. Do the BC Liberals have your interest at heart or are they just holding onto government? When clinging to power, a government is not focussed on the best interest of the public. It’s time for a change,” Horgan stated with conviction.

Earlier this week Horgan announced the BC NDP’s commitment to $10/day child care if the BC NDP form government after the May 2017 election. [Livestream Photo: in Vancouver with NDP MLAs Jodie Wickens and Melanie Mark]. While the BC Liberals issued in a statement that the cost of delivering $10/day child care is not possible, Horgan explains that an NDP government would achieve such a program with the likelihood of negotiating some federal partnership funding, something that Horgan feels wasn’t possible under the Harper government. Ultimately, the difference in approach between the two parties is about the political will to enable affordable child care as one component of an improved economy and society. When parents are confident about child care services, they are more productive employees, employers and contributors to the economy.

In his home riding of Langford-Juan de Fuca, where Horgan has been the MLA since first being elected in 2005, the boundaries have changed (as well as the name of the riding over the years). But that’s because more people are moving to the area for relative housing affordability, so the boundaries over time have become smaller. Electoral area boundaries are reviewed and often revised every couple of years to ensure that the population count is similar among ridings.

“Langford-Juan de Fuca represents the cross-section of challenges that have developed under the BC Liberals,” says Horgan. “The challenges in Langford are the same as everywhere in BC: affordability, how to make family life easier, how well are schools funded, and good transportation options,” says the NDP Leader who saw two new NDP candidates nominated last weekend, with two more nominations coming up this weekend.

bellabella-oilspill-oct1416 John Horgan is heading to the small coastal community of Bella Bella today to see for himself the damage to the pristine waters in the Great Bear Rainforest area due to an oil spill last Friday. Seafood harvesting areas that are critical to the Heiltsuk economy are being contaminated as a result of the spill from a tugboat.

Last month, the Duke of Cambridge delivered a speech in Bella Bella during the Royal Tour, stating his pleasure at protecting the Great Bear Rainforest as part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy which was created by Queen Elizabeth to help preserve natural wilderness ecosystems around the world.

Friday, October 21 ~ VICTORIA. BC Premier Christy Clark has announced her intention for Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett to be sworn in as Minister of State for Rural Economic Development by Her Honour, Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon.

“Every community in British Columbia benefits when our rural communities are strong,” said Premier Clark.

“Donna Barnett is a proven champion for rural development who will strengthen our cabinet team as BC leads the country in economic growth and jobs, and as we work together to put British Columbians first.”

Premier Clark has also made the following change to parliamentary secretaries: Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission, is now Parliamentary Secretary for Métis Relations for Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad.

Thursday, October 20 ~ COASTAL BC. BC Ferries announced today that a major fleet-wide pricing promotion of 50% savings on vehicle fares will be in effect starting mid-November.

Similar to a promotion last year in the autumn season, customers travelling on select sailings will receive the discount off the standard vehicle fare.

This year there will be over 3,100 promotional sailings, including select Sunday morning sailings.

For North Coast routes servicing Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, Alliford Bay and Skidegate, as well as the Discovery Coast Connector, the half-price discount will apply on all sailings from November 14 – December 18.
On all of the other routes, the promotion will be in effect on select sailings Monday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from November 14 – December 18.

The half-price fare discount will apply to cars, motorcycles, trucks, SUVs, vans or recreational vehicles (discount applies to the first 20 feet of vehicle length only).

“BC Ferries is pleased to once again offer this vehicle promotion for customers to enjoy some savings this fall,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. “We understand fare affordability remains a key concern for customers and hope they take advantage of this promotion when planning their fall travel. It was very popular last year and encouraged many passengers to travel on off-peak sailings, which helps shift traffic across our system.”

The promotions help reduce congestion at terminals by encouraging both foot and vehicle passengers to travel on off-peak sailings. BC Ferries is planning another pricing promotion for next spring.

Space on the selected sailings is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are recommended to ensure a spot on the sailing of choice. www.bcferries.com

Wednesday, October 19 ~ NATIONAL. Today the Bank of Canada announced that it is holding its overnight rate at 0.5%. They are seeing slower growth than expected, to mid-2018.

In its Monetary Policy Report released today October 19, the Bank of Canada is now looking to 3rd quarter growth in 2016 as being 3.2% (previously 3.5%), with 4th quarter growth now expected to be 1.5% (down from 2.8%). The overall economy is now predicted to grow by 2.0% in 2017 rather than 2.2%.

The revisions put the Bank of Canada’s forecasts closer to the market consensus, according to RBC Economics Research.

Interesting, that the cover image on the Monetary Policy Report shows a tilting ship – not exactly the image of stability.

Exports in 2017 are expected to sag a bit. It also appears that the Bank of Canada expects investment in housing to act as a small drag on growth next year following the government’s recent policy actions requiring a ‘stress test’ for affordability of a 5-year fixed rate.

“The tweaks to the growth forecast mean that economic slack will persist until the middle of 2018 and will exert downward pressure on core prices through 2017,” says RBC Economics Research today in a published report.

The Bank of Canada report refers to an environment of “heightened uncertainty” especially with respect to the export outlook.

The Bank of Canada’s next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is December 7, 2016. The next full update of the Bank’s outlook for the economy and inflation, including risks to the projection, will be published on January 18, 2017.

Wednesday, October 19 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. A rare avian patient has landed at the BC Wild ARC facility. “She’s a female adult Short-eared owl – a rare patient at Wild ARC – it’s been many years since we last admitted one,” says Heather Schmitt, assistant manager at Wild ARC. “Her injuries needed immediate surgical repair, as the bones needed to be pinned and stabilized in order for her to be able to fly again.”

Staff at the BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) on Vancouver Island are hoping the public can help a short-eared owl fly again, after she was found by the side of the road with two severely broken bones in her left wing. “She’s a beautiful bird! We just want her to be able to fly again, and hunt for her meals the way owls are supposed to,” Schmitt says.

The feathered patient is expected to be in Wild ARC’s care for about eight weeks as she recovers, needing medication for pain, to prevent infection and to promote healing, specialized staff care including hand-feeding and therapies to help rehabilitate the wing, and flight testing before release. If all goes well, the owl will be returned to the wild when she is fully recovered.

The estimated medical costs associated with the owl’s treatment and recovery is expected to be over$4,000. As a non-profit organization, the BC SPCA relies primarily on public donations to carry out their work helping vulnerable companion, farm and wild animals. Donations are accepted by Wild ARC at their facility at 1020 Malloch Rd (off Rocky Point Road in the Metchosin area), or online at www.spca.bc.ca/medicalemergency . Info: 250-478-9453.

Tuesday, October 18 ~ VICTORIA. An investment of$5.2 million in Camosun College for skills training in high-priority trades seats was announced today by the BC Government.

Greg Kyllo, parliamentary secretary for the BC Jobs Plan, announced the funding today on behalf of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, during a tour of Camosun College’s Centre for Trades Education and Innovation. The investment, through the Industry Training Authority (ITA), will fund 2,047 seats through to March 31, 2017, in various trades, including: Electrician, Welder, Carpenter, Cook, and Automotive service technician.

The funding is part of the ITA’s allocation to BC post-secondary institutions and training providers to run various training programs through out the province. In response to the objectives outlined in BC’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and the McDonald Report, the BC government has worked in partnership with the ITA to begin building a demand-driven trades-training system with funding aligned to specific in-demand trades.

The provincial government invests more than $94 million annually in industry training through the ITA. The ITA leads and co-ordinates British Columbia’s skilled trades system by working with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers and government to issue credentials, manage apprenticeships, set program standards and increase opportunities in the trades.

ITA provides more than 100 apprenticeship training programs in BC., including almost 50 Red Seal trades. There are currently more than 39,000 registered apprentices in the industry training system (including youth) – more than double the 14,676 apprentices registered when ITA was created in 2004. BC is expecting up to one million job openings by 2025 due to retirements and economic growth. Eight of every 10 of these job openings will require post-secondary education or trades training.

Sunday, October 16 ~ OTTAWA. Small Business Week in Canada is October 16 to 22, 2016.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today issued the following statement marking Small Business Week:

“Small business owners work incredibly hard to provide Canadians with quality goods and services while also creating job opportunities that strengthen communities across the country and grow the middle class.

“In Canada there are over 1.16 million small and medium sized businesses. These businesses account for 99% of all firms, and employ over 90% of the labour force in the private sector. They are anything but ‘small’ in terms of their contribution to Canada’s economic growth, job creation, and innovation.

“Small Business Week is important for many reasons. It allows Canadians to thank small business owners and entrepreneurs for their enormous contributions to our country’s prosperity. It is also a chance for current and future small business owners to participate in events across the country to learn, network, and share ideas about making their businesses as innovative, export-ready, and successful as possible.

“Our government recognizes the importance of small businesses and the entrepreneurs that make them thrive. That is why we are investing in several programs that support innovation and skills training, including for women, Indigenous, and young entrepreneurs.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I invite all Canadians to celebrate our small business owners and entrepreneurs. We hope you will be able to take part in the events organized across Canada, learn, share ideas and do some networking, while recognizing the hard work, talent, ambition, and determination of small business owners and entrepreneurs.”

Saturday, October 15 ~ Vancouver Island. [posted at 8:15 pm]. Remnants of a typhoon are forecasted to affect Vancouver Island and the BC lower mainland this evening.

All regions BC Hydro crews are pre-positioned in key locations on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to move quickly into affected areas as strong winds are moving through parts of the province as expected. “Crews will be working through the evening to restore power as quickly and safely as possible for our customers. The safety of our crews and the public remains our top priority,” says a bulletin on the BC Hydro website this evening.

Vancouver Island South is presently experiencing 18 outages, affecting 4,779 BC hydro customers. Vancouver Island North has 15 outages as of 8:15 pm, with 9.703 customers affected. On the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast area, 12,152 customers are without power within 34 areas of power outage.

On the west side of Vancouver Island, about 1,295 customers are affected in the extended Sooke area including West Coast Road west of Grant Road (ETO 11 pm), north of Phillips Rd (no ETO), and various other areas around West Coast Road. Only 16 customers are presently without power in Victoria (Topaz Avenue area).

Saturday, October 15 ~ BC. A new program to help inspire students throughout the province to do their part to prepare British Columbia families and communities for emergencies is now available in BC classrooms.

Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness Naomi Yamamoto has announced the launch of the Master of Disaster program, a three-module learning resource, available in both English and French. It’s designed to help Grade 6 students learn about emergency preparedness from a proactive and interactive all-hazards perspective.

To become a Master of Disaster, students gain the knowledge necessary to prepare for the worst should disaster strike, as well as the skills to create more resilient and connected households and families that understand the importance of working together before, during and after an emergency.

The Master of Disaster program was first introduced by PreparedBC as a pilot in five schools in April 2016. Feedback received from teachers and students who participated in the pilot has been incorporated to enhance the program in preparation for today’s province-wide launch.

The program was developed in collaboration with public, independent and First Nations school teachers from around BC, emergency program coordinators, parent advisory council members, school administrators and the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

The learning materials are available to all schools in BC including public, independent, francophone and First Nations schools, as well as home study.

BC Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness, Naomi Yamamoto, says: “This Master of Disaster program is a fun and interactive way to develop a foundation to guide and help protect our students’ families and communities for a lifetime. By teaching children about emergency preparedness when they are young, students can help ingrain these
lessons in our culture and better protect B.C. families for generations to come. The resiliency of our province depends on us all taking action, and doing everything we can to prepare for emergencies. I am so proud of the work of our ministry and our partners in making this vision a reality.”

BC Minister of Education Mike Bernier says: “Schools need to be safe places for our children. That’s why we
continue to invest in our globally recognized seismic mitigation program that’s seen 155 schools upgraded or replaced. The Master of Disaster program will help students be prepared for and ready to react to any disaster whether they are at school or at home.”

The Master of Disaster is currently targeted at Grade 6 students, based on recommendation by the Ministry of Education. However the government says the program is flexible and adaptable and can be used for a variety of school-age children. Students will receive a Master of Disaster certificate for completing the program.

Each Master of Disaster module is aligned with the new provincial curriculum and supported by worksheets, learning plans, a multi-media library and a role-playing game featuring a colourful cast of community characters. To ensure ease of adoption, the learning resources align with the principles of the new curriculum standards rolled out by the Ministry of Education.

Master of Disaster fits with Yamamoto’s mandate toward making emergency preparedness a priority in BC (through public education), a direct recommendation of the Office of the Auditor General and Henry Renteria reports.

The rollout of this program lines up with this year’s Great BC ShakeOut earthquake drill exercise. The annual drill is this year on Thursday, October 20 at 10:20 am. Hundreds of thousands of British Columbians will take part. They will be joined by millions around the globe in a “Drop, Cover and Hold On” drill to help make sure British Columbians are prepared well before the ground begins to shake. Last year over 770,000 people in BC took part in the Great BC ShakeOut. This year’s registration tally has reached over 720,000.

Friday, October 14 ~ VICTORIA. Extreme weather response shelters have opened early, as the winter storm season has arrived earlier than usual this year, says the BC Ministry of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for Housing. As a result, the BC Government is providing early funding to any Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelter in BC that is prepared to open early.

While the EWR season officially runs from November 1 to March 31, almost 30 EWR shelters across Metro Vancouver and around BC were able to begin operations Wednesday evening, October 12. These additional spaces will increase capacity so that homeless people can access a safe and warm place to sleep during the rainy days ahead.

Last winter, more than 1,700 additional shelter spaces in over 80 communities were made available during extreme weather events. These spaces are in addition to more than 1,900 permanent, year-round shelter beds throughout the province. Most permanent shelters are open 24/7 and provide three meals per day.

BC also funds outreach teams to help connect people who are homeless, or at risk, with housing and support services such as income assistance and mental-health and addictions services.

BC Housing will be updating the BC Shelter Map at www.bchousing.org/Options/Emergency_Housing/Map on a daily basis to indicate which shelters are open and will be tweeting all EWR shelter openings at @BC_Housing

A complete list of EWR shelters will be made available in November.

Since 2001, the BC government has invested $4.9 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.

More than 104,000 BC households benefit from a diverse range of provincial housing programs and services.
Last year, the Province provided approximately $204 million to support more than 14,000 emergency shelter spaces, subsidized units and rent supplements for those who were homeless throughout BC
Close to 2,000 permanent, year-round shelter beds;Nearly 8,800 subsidized housing units for individuals who are homeless or homeless at risk.
More than 3,200 homeless rent supplements, including over 1,500 monthly rent supplements allocated to providers in the province through the new Homeless Prevention Program.

Thursday, October 13 ~ VANCOUVER. Coast Capital Savings recently held a contest to draw one winner for a prize of $1,000, from among their customers who participated in with feedback during web banking.

“Feedback from our members is extremely important to us – it lets us know what we’re doing well and what we could be doing better,” it was stated in a Coast Capital Savings message to customers, without itemizing what had been learned from feedback participants.

They announced that Annemarie M. from Bowen Island was selected as the winner of the $1,000 prize.

The BC-based credit union says that next week they will be making an announcement about the future of Coast Capital Savings, saying it is an opportunity to “serve our members better than ever before”.

Thursday, October 13 ~ VANCOUVER. A LOTTO MAX ticket worth $1 million remains unclaimed, says BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC).

“This is a treat and no trick for someone holding a $1 million winning Lotto Max ticket that expires on October 30, 2016. A ticket sold in Burnaby for the October 30, 2015 draw matched 7/7 numbers for a $1 million Maxmillions prize,” it was stated in a BCLC release today.

“Lottery players should check their pockets, drawers and secret hiding places to see if they hold the $1 million ticket. Winners have one year from the draw date printed on the ticket to claim their prize.”

BCLC says they offer “socially responsible gambling entertainment while generating income to benefit all British Columbians”. Gaming funds are regularly paid out to municipalities and help to support the costs of health and education.

Tuesday, October 11 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND. Weather forecasters are predicting a series of three storms that will impact Vancouver Island starting tomorrow night, October 12, lasting for several days into Sunday. They are saying there could be potential for tree damage, power outages, flooding and landslides.

A series of intense storms will deliver prolonged heavy rain and strong winds to the South Coast beginning Wednesday evening:

• The first storm will reach the South Coast late Wednesday evening spreading the first round of heavy rain and strong south-east winds. Winds will likely exceed warning criteria (>80km/h) for the west side of Vancouver Island and perhaps Greater Victoria.
• A second round of strong winds and heavy rain is expected to begin late Thursday/early Friday with the arrival of storm #2.
• The third and potentially most vigorous storm is expected on Saturday when the remnants Typhoon Songda approach the South Coast. This third storm will be slow moving and produce heavy rain into Sunday.
• Currently, forecast models are suggesting the possibility for Saturday’s storm to intensify into a major storm. If the forecast holds, widespread damage from extreme winds is likely.
• Daily rainfall amounts will be in the 50-80 mm range. Total rainfall amounts from the three storms could be in excess of 200 mm along coastal sections and even higher over the North Shore mountains.

Environment Canada says that the forecast models are in good agreement regarding overall intensity of the storm cycle. Given that Saturday’s storm is still 4 days out, there is still plenty of time for the forecast to change. As always, forecast certainty will increase with time as the storms approach.

Environment Canada recommends that people prepare for potential power outages. They also suggest that people ensure that culverts and storm drains are free of debris.

Sunday, October 9. BC Premier Christy Clark has issued the following statement on Thanksgiving:

“Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family to celebrate and appreciate life’s many blessings.

In British Columbia and Canada, we have a lot to be thankful for. We live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, in a tolerant, diverse, and prosperous society.

Our growing economy means more people can take care of loved ones – but we should never forget those who are less fortunate. To all those who donate their time, food and service at community shelters and food banks this long weekend – thank you.

I wish all British Columbians a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving.”

Saturday, October 8. Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! Many people already started their extended weekend over the last few days.

This is one of the busiest travel weekends for BC Ferries (70 additional sailings, most of those on the Vancouver-Victoria route).

Monday October 10 is a statutory holiday.

Wednesday, October 5 ~ OTTAWA. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has today issued the following statement on World Teachers’ Day:

“World Teachers’ Day is a special day to honour the teachers who have played an essential role in our lives.

The theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day – Valuing teachers, improving their status – is an important one. Teachers have the awesome responsibility and the humbling opportunity of building the society of tomorrow through the students they teach every day in their classrooms.

Enriching and educating the next generation of Canadians is no small task. It requires a lot of generosity, compassion, and hard work. Day in and day out, teachers seek new ways of engaging with students and explaining tough concepts, taking the time to understand students’ needs while empowering them to satisfy their own curiosity.

The Government of Canada is committed to providing teachers with the tools necessary to help students succeed. That is why we are undertaking a broad range of initiatives in this area, including: helping teachers and early childhood educators recover some out-of-pocket expenses for classroom supplies through a new school supply tax credit; investing in schools on First Nations reserves and in infrastructure projects at Canadian universities and colleges; providing learning opportunities for displaced children in the Middle East; and promoting cooperation in education with countries such as Mexico through Canada’s International Education Strategy.

I am exceptionally proud of having been a teacher. Regardless of whatever other job titles I hold over the course of my life, I will first and foremost be a teacher. That is why I was particularly delighted to present this year’s Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

In fact, today is also the beginning of the nomination period for the Prime Minister’s Awards. Between now and January 9, 2017, I encourage all Canadians to recognize our tremendous educators and their contributions to the future of Canada by nominating them for the #PMAwards.”

Wednesday, October 5 ~ VICTORIA. Public input is being sought on new BC’s news biosolids and composting rules.

British Columbians are invited to review and provide feedback on a policy intentions paper for the organic matter recycling regulation (OMRR), including new requirements for the management and use of biosolids.

The current OMRR has been in effect since 2002. Updates are needed to reflect the best available science and to ensure the highest levels of protection for the environment and human health are in place.

New and updated proposed policies highlighted in the intentions paper include:

Improving public transparency through online posting of biosolids land applications and posting of plans and reports for non-permitted compost facilities;
Requiring notification be given to First Nations for new compost facilities and land application of biosolids;
Improving facilitation for organics recycling, which will decrease materials that are landfilled;
Harmonizing with national guidelines, other BC regulations and other requirements and standards; and
Introducing new standards for protection of human health and the environment, including enhanced planning and reporting requirements, new technical standards and improved compost storage requirements.

composting-foodscraps A 60-day window for public comments ends Dec. 2, 2016. In addition to the public engagement, focused discussions will also take place with First Nations, agricultural producers and local governments.

> The intentions paper can be viewed at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/recycling/organics/omrr_ip_sept_22.pdf
> Findings from the Province’s scientific review, including a soil sampling report and literature review, were used in the development of the intentions paper. These reports are available at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/waste-management/recycling/organics/regulations-guidelines

Amendments to the OMRR, based on all engagement and information received, are anticipated to take place in 2017.

“This intentions paper is the next step in our comprehensive review of the organic matter recycling regulation and the policies we are proposing will ensure the rules we have in place to protect human health and the environment are based on the latest and best science available,” says Mary Polak, BC Environment Minister.

“We also intend to reduce pressure on our landfills, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from organic waste, as recommended in the Climate Leadership Plan. We welcome all feedback on these proposed changes so we can ensure organic matter, including biosolids, is dealt with in the safest and most transparent way possible.”

Tuesday, October 4 ~ VICTORIA. The first conference in BC dedicated to the health, well-being and soft skill development for Health Care Assistants (HCAs) kicks off in Esquimalt on Thursday, October 6. Health Care Assistants are the front line caregivers in homes, residential care facilities and hospitals who provide personal care to clients and patients with increasingly complex care needs.

According to WorkSafeBC statistics, Health Care Assistants experience the highest number of injuries of any occupation in BC. WorkSafeBC accepted more than 15,000 time-loss claims in the last five years in this occupation mainly caused by overexertion; violence; slips, trips and falls; infectious disease and motor vehicle incidents.

The sold out one-day conference will focus on workplace safety education from a psychological/social perspective; topics will range from proactive dementia care strategies to how to avoid compassion fatigue, survivors’ guilt and burn out . More than 160 Health Care Assistants and employers have registered.

Conference speakers:
Kath Murray RN, educator and author, Strength Training for HCAs
Elizabeth Causton MSW, Baggage and Boundaries: Foundations for Compassionate Care
MC Brenda Robinson, trainer and speaker, Energy for the Day
Representatives from Beacon Community Services, Camosun College and Home Instead Senior Care will present on The Dementia Experience.

Tuesday, October 4 ~ VICTORIA. Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux issued the following statement today in response to the release of the representative for children and youth’s report that investigates sexualized violence against children and youth in care:

“I’d like to thank the Representative’s Office for their work on this important report. It helps shed further light on a very dark issue in our society – an issue we’ve explored extensively in other reviews, including most recently in our file review of children and youth in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

“The factors behind the sexual abuse of children are both disturbing and complex, and the report does a thorough job of detailing those factors as well as identifying those populations that are most vulnerable.

“In an effort to prevent the victimization of youth who come into our care the ministry has rigorous standards in place for assessing caregivers. Those standards require, for example, criminal record checks for all adults residing in the home, home studies and caregiver training.

“We are also implementing a number of measures to strengthen the system of care including: revised standards for social workers who assess, train, support and monitor foster parents; an expanded audit program to include the work of these social workers; and revised protocols for responding to allegations of harm or poor quality of care for children in foster homes.

“This ministry is built on the principle of protecting children from harm. We know that many of the young people who come into our care have suffered from varying forms of abuse in their lives – and too often at the hands of those they’ve loved or trusted. We need to ensure we are doing all we can to make our system of care a safe haven for these children and youth.

“This report offers some interesting recommendations in support of that goal and we will be discussing those with our partner ministries and agencies in the coming weeks.”

“In many cases these children have been targeted by sexual predators because they are already experiencing multiple challenges including developmental disabilities, substance abuse problems and mental health issue,”says Opposition Spokesperson for Children and Families, Melanie Mark. “Christy Clark is failing and her government is denying vulnerable children the protection and support that they need,” said Mark.

Three quarters of children under 12 who experienced sexualized violence while in care experienced it in their ministry placement, the report shows. Aboriginal girls are 4 times more likely to be the victims of sexualized violence in care before the age of 12 than other children. Of the children in care who experienced sexualized violence, 64 per cent were Aboriginal girls. Mark noted this is a staggering statistic that calls into question whether the BC Government is truly committed to the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, or if she believes reconciliation can wait – leaving more youth to be subject to more sexualized violence.

“Sexual assault and abuse is the single most reported critical injury of children in care,” said Mark. “What’s even more disturbing is knowing that many more children in care aren’t reporting the sexualized violence they are suffering because they can’t trust the system to protect them and provide them with the resources they need to heal,” says Mark.

In the report, one frustrated social worker noted that high caseloads have left them without the time to monitor the children in their care and build relationships: “All we do is enter data.”

Monday, October 3. As for Thanksgiving over the last several years, BC Ferries is adding extra sailings for the upcoming Thanksgiving long weekend. Seventy additional trips are scheduled to service holiday weekend travellers.

On the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route, which is the busiest route in the fleet (Vancouver-Victoria), there will be 56 extra sailings from Thursday, October 6 through Tuesday, October 11. For the Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay route at peak times, 12 more sailings have been added. An extra round trip will be provided between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale on the evening of the holiday Monday.

The most popular travel times are expected to be Thursday and Friday afternoons (October 6 and 7) as well as Saturday morning (October 8) with traffic moving from the Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

The busiest day of the long weekend will be Monday October 10, and multiple vehicle overloads are expected at the Departure Bay, Swartz Bay and Langdale terminals. Duke Point terminal tends to be less congested than Departure Bay, so customers returning to Metro Vancouver from the Nanaimo area may consider Duke Point terminal as an alternative.

“The holiday Monday of the Thanksgiving long weekend is traditionally the busiest day of the year for foot passengers and is one of the few times of the year where we experience foot passenger overloads,” said Corrine Storey, BC Ferries Vice President of Customer Services. “Customers travelling as foot passengers are advised to arrive at the terminals well in advance of their desired sailing and consider travelling before noon on the holiday Monday.”

Southern Gulf Island customers (Salt Spring, Pender, Mayne, Galiano and Saturna Islands) are reminded the holiday Monday schedule will be in effect on Monday, October 10. Passengers travelling from Tsawwassen to the Southern Gulf Islands also have the option of sailing via Swartz Bay terminal.

BC Ferries recommends that travellers check the website for current conditions before heading to the terminals on the Thanksgiving long weekend and suggests reservations for travellers with a specific sailing time in mind. Foot passenger reservations are also available for customers travelling from Tsawwassen to the Southern Gulf Islands. Schedules and reservations: www.bcferries.com

dukeduchess-atcridgecentre-oct0116-web Saturday, October 1 ~ VICTORIA [2pm]. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent this morning and early afternoon in Victoria, BC learning about organizations that provide youth support and mental health services.

They visited the Cridge Centre in Victoria this morning [Photo: The Duke is greeted by BC Lt Gov Judith Guichon], then chatted with representatives of the Kelty Mental Resources Centre at the Breakwater Cafe and Bistro at the Dallas Road oceanfront.

Cridge Centre board president Val Fuller said the Cridge Centre offers programs for people with brain injuries, victims of domestic violence, infant, family and seniors care. She welcomed William and Kate to the Cridge, saying their visit to the centre touches “the common thread of the courage to overcome.”

The royal couple then went for a sail on the Pacific Grace tall ship [see photo] then is used by the Sail and Life Training Society (SALTS). The ship sailed past the breakwater and return to the Victoria Inner Harbour.

Walkabouts to meet with members of the public occurred at several points on today’s Royal Tour itinerary.

At 2 pm the Duke of Cambridge released a statement to Canadians:

“Catherine and I are incredibly grateful to the people of Canada for the warmth and hospitality they have extended to our family over the last week. We have loved our time in British Columbia and Yukon and will never forget the beautiful places we have seen and the many people who have been kind enough to come to welcome us in person.

“We feel very lucky to have been able to introduce George and Charlotte to Canada. This country will play a big part in the lives of our children and we have created such happy memories for our family during this visit.

“Canada is a country of optimism, generosity and unrivaled natural beauty. I hope we have helped all Canadians celebrate what makes this country great. We will see you again soon.”

The eight-day Royal Tour (September 24 to October 1) wraps up this afternoon with an official departure ceremony at the Victoria Inner Harbour at 3:30 pm Pacific Time. The departure will be attended by They are scheduled to depart the Inner Harbour at 3:50 pm for the Victoria Airport Water Aerodrome aboard a seaplane.

William and Catherine and their young children George and Charlotte will be officially greeted at the outdoor Official Farewell by Governor General David Johnston, and he will be the last to bid them farewell as they board the seaplane. in a 20-minute ceremony, also bidding the family farewell will be: Songhees First Nation Chief Ron Sam, Esquimalt First Nation Chief Andy Thomas, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Carole James, Victoria MP Murray Rankin, and BC Premier Christy Clark.

Saturday, October 1 ~ OTTAWA. Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau today announced the Government of Canada’s official gift to mark the Royal Tour of Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The official gift is a donation of $100,000, which will be divided equally between two worthy initiatives.

The first $50,000 contribution will go to Prince’s Charities Canada (PCC), and will be used to promote education in Canada’s Indigenous communities and help more young people reach their full potential. It will also be used to help preserve Indigenous languages in Canada.
The second contribution of $50,000 will be given to the Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia to help assist newcomers with housing, employment, and language skills.

A news release from the Prime Minister’s office says: “Canada looks forward to more visits from Their Royal Highnesses, especially during the upcoming celebrations to mark our 150th anniversary of Confederation.”

Says Trudeau: “In keeping with tradition, I am honoured to mark the visit by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with a gift that will help both Indigenous youth as well as newcomers to Canada realize their dreams. Canadians have a real affection for the Royal family which was once again very much on display during this tour.”

This is the second official Canadian tour for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Their first Royal Tour was in 2011.

The work of Prince’s Charities Canada (PCC) focuses on The Prince of Wales’s main interests which include helping disadvantaged youth, education, responsible business, environmental sustainability and support for the Canadian Armed Forces, among others. PCC works with existing Canadian charities and provides opportunities for charitable organizations in Canada and the UK to work together.

The Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia has been providing support services for immigrants and refugees since 1972. It provides targeted programs for refugees, women, children and youth and is the largest agency of its kind in Western Canada.

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