Capital Report~June 16, 2006

Children and Family Development Minister Stan Hagen and Community Living BC Chair Lois Hollstedt at the $40 million funding announcement for B.C. families of children with special needs and individuals with developmental disabilities. June 12, 2006.

Grants Support Choice, Access and Opportunity

B.C. families of children with special needs and individuals with developmental disabilities will benefit from $40 million in grants, announced Children and Family Development Minister Stan Hagen.

  • Two funds, being managed by the Vancouver Foundation, will help families buy equipment, convert vehicles and renovate homes so loved ones may remain at home and gain greater access to their communities.
  • The $30-million family Independence Fund is provided by Community Living BC, which supports a vision of full citizenship.
  • The B.C. Government has also established a $10-million Children and Youth with Special Needs Supports Fund for families of children with special needs.

Click for more information.

Service Providers to Manage New Employment Program

GT Hiring Solutions Inc, the BC Society of Training for Health and Employment (THEO BC) and WCG International have been awarded contracts worth $35 million to deliver services for employable income assistance clients as part of the new BC Employment Program.

  • The new employment program will be implemented on July 4, 2006.
  • The program will help approximately 15,000 clients annually to find and keep employment through job referral and placement services and supports.
  • The B.C. Government’s total investment in employment programs is approximately $70 million this year.

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Our Place Breaks Ground in Victoria

Construction began this week on Our Place, a new $14-million development aimed at helping Victoria’s homeless and adults in crisis.

  • The new five-storey complex will provide 45 transitional housing units, meal service for residents and homeless individuals and a drop-in centre, as well as life skills coaching, literacy and employment skills training.
  • Our Place is one of 12 housing developments being built across the province as a result of the Premier’s Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions.
  • Vancouver Island Health Authority will provide operating funding for day and residential programs as well as outreach services.  This will include a 24/7 support worker and a part-time nursing position.

Click for more information.

Family Fishing Weekend Promises Fun for All

If you’ve always liked the idea of recreational fishing but haven’t had the chance to try it, the weekend of June 16 to 18 is your chance, without the expense of having to purchase a license.

  • B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is an opportunity for families to enjoy the sport of fishing in the province’s tens of thousands of lakes and non-tidal streams.
  • British Columbia offers some of the finest fishing opportunities in the world.
  • Throughout the province, many communities will be holding events where people can learn the rules of fishing and see what’s being done to preserve, enhance and create fish habitat.

Click for more information.

Wednesday, June 21
Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon joins Harjinder Thind on 93.1 RED FM at 9:00am.

Thursday, June 22
Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman joins Vaughn Palmer on Shaw TV – Voice of BC from 8:00-9:00pm. 

Thursday, July 6
Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen joins Vaughn Palmer on Shaw TV – Voice of BC from 8:00-9:00pm.

Quotes This Week

"But average earnings for people paid by the hour in B.C. in April were $720 per week versus $668 in 2002. That sounds to me like some growth."
Jock Finlayson, executive vice-president, Business Council of BC. Bill Good Show, June 13, 2006.


"The truth is that they remain very, very strong by historical standards, certainly well above where we were a few years ago and there still seems to be a lot of strength in the fundamentals and the dollar’s softening a little bit in recent times certainly is counter balanced some of that drop in the commodities that we’ve seen in recent weeks."
Mike McPhie, president, BC Mining Association. CHNL, June 7, 2006.


Did You Know?
  • This week is Blood Donor Week and the B.C. Government is encouraging British Columbians to donate.  Currently 10-20 per cent of B.C.’s blood supply comes from other provinces.

  • Since July 2005, the average weekly earnings for British Columbians have increased at a rate of more than four per cent.

  • The Credit Union Central of B.C. forecasts provincewide retail sales growth of seven per cent per year through 2007.
© 2007 Government Caucus of British Columbia. All Rights Reserved.