More Progress on Labour Negotiations
A total of 136 agreements, in place until 2010, have been reached covering 261,798 public sector employees as of the afternoon of June 30.
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Support staff in all 69 school districts have reached agreements.
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Labour market adjustments are in place in these agreements for difficult-to-fill classifications such as skilled trades.
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The B.C. Government also reached a tentative agreement with all 191 hospitalists in the province earlier this week.
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Government Boosts Disability Fund to $25 Million
An additional $5 million has been invested in the Disability Supports for Employment Fund, announced Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond.
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More people with disabilities will have access to the supports they need to participate in the workplace thanks to the funding.
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The fund was established in 2003 with an initial investment of $20 million.
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The fund is managed by the Vancouver Foundation, who disburses grants to non-profit, registered charitable community organizations and post-secondary institutions to provide employment supports for people with disabilities in the workplace.
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Prevent Forest Fires Around the Campfire and the Home
Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman is encouraging British Columbians to be fire safe, both around the campfire and around the home.
The most effective way to reduce the risk around your home is to remove flammables like branches, needles and brush.
Keep campfires small and make sure they're out completely before you leave them.
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Market Pricing System Launched in Interior
A new market-based timber pricing system that reflects local timber values will be in use in the Interior effective July 1, announced Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman.
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The new system will help respond to changing market values in British Columbia.
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With market-based pricing a fixture on the Coast and the Interior, the province can demonstrate that market prices are charged for Crown timber.
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About 20 per cent of Crown timber is sold at auction each year with the results used to determine stumpage rates for the 80 per cent of Crown timber harvested by other tenure holders.
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Change to Gaming Regulations Protects B.C. Kids
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An amendment to gaming regulations will allow the government to take action against businesses that teach kids to gamble, said Solicitor General John Les. The amendment defines any commercial effort to train minors to gamble as a “gaming service.”
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It requires the provider to register under the Gaming Control Act. The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch has the option to refuse to register any gaming service provider.
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Recently, a Vancouver-based company advertised a kids’ poker tour in Vancouver, targeting children as young as 10 years old.
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