Capital Report~April 28, 2006

Premier Gordon Campbell speaks with a Holocaust survivor at the  special ceremony in the Legislature marking Holocaust Memorial Day.  April 25, 2006. [read more]

New Class Size Limits Help Improve Student Achievement

The B.C. Government introduced legislation establishing new class-size limits, accountability measures and requirements for consulting with parents and teachers to improve student achievement.

  • No class in grades 4-7 will have more than 30 students, except with the consent of the teacher and the approval of the principal and superintendent.
  • No class will have more than three identified special needs students, except with the approval of the principal and superintendent and prior consultation with the classroom teacher.
  • No class in grades 8-12 will have more than the current district-wide average maximum of 30 students except with the approval of the principal and superintendent and prior consultation with the classroom teacher.

Click here for more information.

New B.C. Conservation Corps Projects Launched

Post-secondary students and recent graduates are getting set to work on environmental and conservation projects as part of the B.C. Conservation Corps (BCCC), announced Environment Minister Barry Penner.

  • The B.C. Government announced 27 new projects across the province, employing approximately 150 students and recent graduates.
  • The projects last from two to nine months and include a wide variety of conservation and habitat restoration activities.
  • The BCCC was launched in February 2005, with an initial investment of $9 million over three years to run the program. 

Click here for more information.

Safe Schools Act Introduced

Vancouver-Burrard MLA Lorne Mayencourt introduced the Safe Schools Act, a Bill that would require school districts to develop codes of conduct, consistent with the BC Human Rights Code.

  • Material is available from the Ministry of Education to help schools teach students about the B.C. Human Rights Code.
  • This is the fourth Private Members Bill introduced by Mayencourt.  The Trespass Act, Safe Streets Act and Apology Act have all been adopted and passed by the Legislature.

Click here for more information.

B.C. Celebrates Volunteer Week

The Government of British Columbia provided Volunteer BC with $100,000 to help the provincial organization increase its capacity and take on a greater leadership role, announced Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Olga Ilich.

  • Volunteer BC will use the funds to create new organizational infrastructure needed to provide research and recommendations on how government can assist in the growth of B.C.’s volunteer sector.
  • Volunteer BC represents the province’s 30 volunteer centres, voluntary organizations and individuals working together to strengthen the growth and development of voluntary action in B.C.
  • This week is National Volunteer Week.

Click here for more information.

Friday, April 28
Education Minister Shirley Bond appears on Fairchild Radio from 5:13-5:30pm.

Saturday, April 29
Attorney General and Vancouver-Fraserview MLA Wally Oppal appears on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland at 8:30am and 5:30pm.

Burnaby-Willingdon MLA John Nuraney appears on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland at 8:00am and 5:00pm.

Sunday, April 30
Solicitor General and Chilliwack-Sumas MLA John Les appears on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland at 8:00am and 5:00pm.

Langley MLA Mary Polak appears on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 in the Lower Mainland at 8:30am and 5:30pm.

Thursday, May 11
Attorney General Wally Oppal and Solicitor General John Les join Vaughn Palmer on Shaw TV – Voice of BC from 8:00-9:00pm.

Thursday, May 25
Premier Gordon Campbell joins Vaughn Palmer on Shaw TV – Voice of BC from 8:00-9:00pm.


Quotes This Week

"We applaud the B.C. Government for its leadership in this important and emerging area of cancer prevention.  We believe prevention holds the most promise for reducing the burden of cancer, by preventing cancer from occurring in the first place. We expect other jurisdictions will strive to emulate this B.C. initiative."
Barbara Kaminsky, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society’s B.C. division.  Vernon Morning Star, April 26, 2006.


"We're pleased to be involved in developing this program. As a regional library, we already recognize what sharing resources means for our customers. The OneCard program is just another step in our commitment to providing the best access to information resources out there for our communities."
Patti Edwards, chair of the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board.  Courtenay Comox Valley Record, April 26, 2006.


"We think the Gateway project is a key project to the Lower Mainland and the rest of British Columbia.  Generally, we thought it was about time someone said, 'Hey, we need these initiatives.'"
Greg Moore, Port Coquitlam councilor and head of Get Moving BC.  The Vancouver Sun, April 27, 2006.


Did You Know?
  • Forty-six British Columbians were presented with the 2006 B.C. Community Achievement Awards for their efforts and achievements in their communities.

  • Health Insurance BC’s service levels continue to be the best on record.

  • Twenty-four new conservancies have been created in the Central and North Coast region, covering approximately 541,000 hectares.
© 2007 Government Caucus of British Columbia. All Rights Reserved.