Capital Report~April 13, 2006

The Province is supporting Canuck Place Children's Hospice by providing $3.5 million in funding, which will help provide support and services for children with life-limiting illnesses and their families.  Premier Gordon Campbell was joined by Jaxson Creasey and his mom Jesse at the announcement. April 10, 2006.

Canuck Place Receives $3.5-Million Grant from Province

B.C. children with life-threatening conditions and their families will benefit from a $3.5-million contribution to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, announced Premier Gordon Campbell.

  • Since opening its doors in 1995, Canuck Place has helped more than 450 families.
  • With annual investments and a series of one-time grants the Provincial Government provides approximately one-third of Canuck Place’s operational funding.
  • The funding will enhance access to respite, end of life and bereavement support services to those at Canuck Place.

Click here for more information.

B.C. Government Commits $15 Million to Rick Hansen Foundation

The Provincial Government is making a $15-million contribution to the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation to help improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries, Premier Gordon Campbell announced.

  • Twenty years ago today, Hansen arrived at the Great Wall in China on his Man in Motion World Tour.
  • Since then the Foundation has raised $178 million to support people with spinal cord and related disabilities through education and skills development, assistive devices, sports, accessibility, integration programs and research.
  • The B.C. Government has previously supported spinal cord research by contributing $12.9 million to help establish the Centre for International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries.

Click here for more information.

$3 Million Provides Trades Students with Latest Equipment

The B.C. Government is investing $3 million to help schools purchase new trades-training equipment so that students can learn with the latest tools, announced Education Minister Shirley Bond.

  • Schools must have an Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE IT) program to qualify for the funding.
  • The ACE IT program is an industry training program that allows high school students to take courses that give them credit towards both high school graduation and completion of trades apprenticeship.
  • The program helps students transition from the classroom to the worksite while earning their high school diploma and learning specific trade skills.

Click here for more information.

Training to Help Prepare Coastal Residents for Jobs

The B.C. Government is providing $2.5 million to the Malaspina University College Foundation to support a coastal aqua-business training program at the Centre for Shellfish Research.

  • The Centre for Shellfish Research has led the development of the First Nations Shellfish Aquaculture (FNSAT) program and now offers 16 courses.
  • It is expected that FSNAT will train up to 500 First Nations and coast residents over the next five years.
  • Providing skills and training opportunities is a part of the B.C. Government’s commitment to close the economic and social gap that exists between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginals in B.C.

Click here for more information.

Gaming Funds Helping British Columbians

Almost $3 million in gaming grants has been awarded to non-profit groups for capital projects this year, announced Solicitor General John Les.

  • The funding is going to help a wide variety of groups in the province including: seniors at a Sikh temple in Prince George, lawn bowlers in Victoria and skateboarders in Canoe.
  • Almost 50 charities will share $2,789,589.
  • An organization can apply for funds to build a new facility, renovate or maintain an existing one.  The organization’s contribution must meet or exceed the grant funding

Click here for more information.

Saturday, April 15
Burnaby North MLA Richard Lee will appear on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland at 8:30am and 5:30pm.

Sunday, April 16
Vancouver-Burrard MLA Lorne Mayencourt will appear on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland at 8am and 5pm.

Saturday, April 22
North Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre will appear on Constituency Report on on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland at 8am and 5pm.

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Tom Christensen will appear on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 11 in Vernon at 3pm.

Sunday, April 23
North Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre will appear on Constituency Report on on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland at 5pm.

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Tom Christensen will appear on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 11 in Vernon at 3pm.


Quotes This Week

"I think that the government has come to recognize that the contribution that arts and culture make is quite astonishing and it wants to leverage that, particularly in the run-up to the Olympic Games, but beyond that as well."
Max Wyman, Mayor of Lions Bay.  Vancouver Sun, April 8, 2006.


"This investment today of $2.25 million will allow Malaspina Centre for Shellfish Research to work with B.C.’s coastal communities to create new development initiatives and will open doors to training that do not currently exist."
Rich Johnston, Malaspina President.  CH News April 10, 2006.


Did You Know?
  • 16,900 new full-time jobs were created in B.C. in March.

  • Unemployment in March was just 4.4 per cent, the lowest rate in 30 years.

  • Seven per cent of B.C. households subscribe to wireless phone services but don’t have a traditional landline.

© 2007 Government Caucus of British Columbia. All Rights Reserved.