$100 Million Enables First Nations to Build Capacity

Government has passed legislation to enact the $100-million New Relationship Trust that will help fund long-term capacity-building for First Nations.

• The Act enables a corporation to be created to manage the fund.  A seven-member board of directors will also be established.
• Government worked with the First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Assembly of First Nations to establish this historic trust.
• Announced in the September 2005 Budget Update, the fund is designed to support capacity-building for First Nations so they can effectively participate in land and resource management and social programs for their communities.

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Measures Introduced to Improve Student Health

As part of its ActNow BC program, the Province is introducing a series of measures worth $3.8 million to improve the health of B.C. students, announced Education Minister Shirley Bond.

• $1.5 million for Action Schools! BC to develop a new healthy eating component, to provide physical activity bin supplies and to enhance teacher support and training.
• $1.3 million in direct funding to public schools to purchase physical activity equipment.
• $950,000 to develop a provincial network of healthy schools.
• $50,000 to BC School Sports to support volunteer communities responsible for hosting zone and provincial championships.

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$30 Million to Promote Healthy Living in B.C.

The Province is investing $30 million in health promotion through partnerships with the BC Healthy Living Alliance and 2010 Legacies Now.

• BC Healthy Living Alliance is receiving a one-time grant of $25.2 million to pursue recommendations outlined in their report, “The Winning Legacy – A plan for improving the health of British Columbians by 2010.”
• The plan includes promoting wellness, supporting chronic disease prevention, enhancing collaboration among local government, non-government and private sector organizations and increasing the capacity of communities to create and sustain health-promoting policies, environments, programs and services.
• 2010 Legacies Now is receiving a grant of $4.8 million to support physical activity and healthy lifestyles and to collaborate with local governments and partner organizations to increase the physical activity of British Columbians.

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New Interior Log Grades to be Introduced

New log grades for the Interior to better reflect the quality of timber affected by the mountain pine beetle will be implemented on April 1, 2006.

• The new grades will be based on the log’s size and quality at the time it is assessed.
• Under the current grades, a log is assessed according to whether the tree it came from was alive or dead at the time of harvest.
• Stumpage rates are adjusted quarterly and are based on size, quality, species and market value.

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B.C. Invests in Athletic Excellence

The Government is helping athletes reach the medal podium in 2010 and beyond with $6.2 million in funding through 2010 Legacies Now’s Game Plan – Building Champions program, announced Premier Gordon Campbell.

• $3.2 million has been invested to date with an additional $1.5 committed for each of the next two years.
• The program currently invests in 19 Winter Olympic and Paralympic sports in B.C.  Many of these sports were previously unable to secure full-time coaches and necessary support for athletes.
• The Premier also honoured 82 of B.C.’s top athletes from 43 sports disciplines at the 2005 Premier’s Athletic Awards this week.

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