June is Gun Amnesty Month in B.C.

British Columbia’s police departments hope to make homes across the province safer by declaring a provincewide gun amnesty for June.

• B.C.’s police departments, with the assistance of the ministries of the Solicitor General and Attorney General, will run the program from June 1 to June 30.
• The amnesty gives residents of B.C. who possess documented or undocumented firearms that have not been used in a criminal offence the opportunity to turn in guns and ammunition to their local police force without being charged.
• People who possess these firearms are being asked to phone their local police on the non-emergency line to arrange for police to go to their residence to receive the firearm.

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B.C. Developing Bioenergy Strategy to Include Beetle Wood

The B.C. Government is developing a bioenergy strategy to promote new sources of sustainable and renewable energy and to take advantage of pine beetle-attacked timber.

• Mountain pine beetle-attacked timber is a potential source of fuel for energy production.
• A feasibility study, funded by the provincial government, is examining the potential for a mountain pine beetle-fuelled power plant in the Quesnel or Nazko area.
• The B.C. Wood Bioenergy Strategy will help the province identify new renewable energy resource options, tackle the need for greenhouse gas reduction, deal with growing volumes of surplus pulp chips in the Interior and increase the use of surplus mill and harvesting wood waste.

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New Funding Strategy to Help Resort Communities

The B.C. Government will provide more funding for resort communities, announced Premier Gordon Campbell.

• The funding comes through a revenue-sharing agreement with local governments that will see a portion of the provincial hotel tax go towards local tourism development.
• The revenue sharing strategy is a direct result of the work conducted by the B.C. Resort Task Force in consulting with resort communities and operators.
• B.C.’s 700 resorts and lodges employ 26,000 people and bring in $2.1 billion annually in direct and indirect spending.

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More Seniors Helped by Expanded Housing Assistance

More seniors will be able to remain independent and in their own homes thanks to another expansion of the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program, announced Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman.

• The amendments will reduce the 10-year Canadian residency requirement for SAFER eligibility to one year.
• SAFER provides direct cash assistance to British Columbians aged 60 or older who are renters.  On average, seniors involved in the SAFER program receive $169 a month.
• Effective July 1, 2006, the heat allowance available through SAFER will increase $10 a month to a maximum of $35.

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