Province Signs Parks Agreement with ‘Namgis Nation

The Government and the 'Namgis First Nation signed the Collaborative Agreement for the Management of Parks in the ‘Namgis’ traditional territory in Northern Vancouver Island, announced Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Tom Christensen.

• The agreement focuses on park planning, capacity building and creating a forum for both parties to discuss issues of common interest, supporting the New Relationship with First Nations in British Columbia.
• The 'Namgis have an active program of tourism development. Their traditional territory includes six provincial and marine parks and four ecological reserves.
• The agreement ensures provincial parks are available for the enjoyment of all British Columbians, while preserving their link to First Nations' heritage and culture.

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B.C. Honours Families with Over $2 Million in Grants

The Province is providing the BC Council for Families with a series of grants totalling over $2 million to resource and strengthen B.C. families, announced Minister of Children and Family Development Stan Hagen and Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid.

• The grants were awarded in conjunction with the Province's recognition of the United Nations International Day of Families and B.C. Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, on May 15.
• The grants will help the BC Council for Families to strengthen and support families through training and prevention programs and services.
• Some of the initiatives being funded include 40 Young Parent Programs, translation of parent resource materials for children and youth with special needs and an Early Childhood Development training website.

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Progress for British Columbia

Click the following link to view: One Year Later… Real Results for British Columbians.  This report provides a thematic breakdown of what the government has done since the 2005 provincial election, including funding announcements, policy changes and how British Columbians have benefited from changes made over the past year.

Click the following link to view: Building B.C.'s Future.  This report provides a summary of the legislation passed during the spring sitting of the 2nd Session of the 38th Parliament.

B.C. Ranks Second for Learning Conditions in the Country

Learning conditions in B.C. have been designated second in Canada - just behind Alberta and four points above the Canadian average - by the Canadian Council on Learning, announced Education Minister Shirley Bond.

• The rankings of this independent, national organization represent the condition of lifelong learning in Canada.
• British Columbia ranked first in the country in technical and hands on skills which are related to occupational success.
• This index, as a national benchmark, will provide the opportunity to track progress and trends over time.

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PharmaNet Expansion Improves Patient Care

More than 500 physicians across British Columbia have embraced the new opportunity to use the Province's world-class PharmaNet system in their medical practices, announced Health Minister George Abbott.

Benefits of the expansion of the PharmaNet program include: enabling doctors to make more informed drug treatment decisions, helping doctors detect potential problems when prescribing medications and providing better protection of patients’ privacy.

• The province is leading the country in electronic health initiatives which benefit all British Columbians. The expansion of the PharmaNet program will make patient medication histories available to authorized physicians. This initiative is supported by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.
• The expansion is a preliminary step in a comprehensive approach to eHealth in the province. Further advancements will include increasing PharmaNet’s capabilities in supporting pharmacists, physicians in community settings as well as hospitals and eventually enabling citizens to access their own health records.

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Government Creates New Opportunity for Beachcombers

The Ministry of Forests and Range has issued a licence for a new log receiving station, creating another option for beachcombers wishing to sell logs on the Fraser River, announced Minister Rich Coleman.

• The Western Log Sort and Salvage Co-operative plans to establish a log salvage receiving station with a main facility on the Fraser River and a satellite station in Howe Sound.
• The co-op will receive marine logs from permitted salvors, return marked logs to their owners and sell unmarked logs through open auction.
• In order to remove timber in the Vancouver Log Salvage District, beachcombers must be permitted by the Province.

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Boosting Child Vehicle Safety

On May 15, 2006, Port Moody-Westwood MLA Iain Black tabled a Motion at the Legislative Assembly setting the ball rolling on changes to legislation and regulations concerning the use of child booster seats.

• After consulting with parents and stakeholders, MLA Black plans to introduce a Private Members Bill requiring children to be at least eight years old and weigh more than 36 Kilograms before being allowed to travel in a passenger vehicle without being seated in a child safety or booster seat.
• Under the current Motor Vehicle Act Legislation and Regulations, convertible or combination harness/booster seats are only required for children who weigh between 9 and 18 Kilograms.

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