Historic Agreement to Improve First Nations Education

A new agreement signed by the B.C. Government, the Government of Canada and the First Nations Education Steering Committee will lead to the recognition of First Nations’ jurisdiction over First Nations’ education in British Columbia, announced Premier Gordon Campbell.

• The agreement will trigger Canada and B.C. to put into place the necessary legislative measures to implement this significant agreement.
• The agreement recognizes the importance of students being able to transfer between First Nations schools and public schools and of graduates being eligible for post-secondary institutions.
• The agreement is the first of its kind in Canada and is a major step toward the B.C. Government’s goal of closing the education gap between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals in the province.

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$2 Million to Promote Active Commuting Options

Cycling infrastructure projects in a dozen communities around the province will receive $2 million in funding to create more options for commuting and recreational cycling, announced Premier Gordon Campbell.

• The B.C. Government is providing funding for 18 projects that will add more than 22 km of new bike lanes and trails this year.
• One of the B.C. Government’s Five Great Goals for a Golden Decade is for the province to lead the way in North America in health living and fitness. 
• Since the creation of the Cycling Infrastructure Partnerships Program three years ago, the government has invested nearly $5.5 million to create approximately 75 km of new bike lanes.

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High Speed Internet Connecting 32 Rural Communities

Thanks to a partnership between the B.C. Government and TELUS, another 32 rural B.C. communities will soon have access to high-speed Internet service, announced Labour and Citizens’ Services Minister Mike de Jong.

• The high-speed Internet service will come through local service providers who will be the “last-mile” service to homes and businesses once TELUS connects high-speed Internet to a central location in each community.
• Through the unique partnership, Internet Service Providers (ISP) in dozens of small B.C. communities are able to bring high speed services to customers using a TELUS network with no cost to taxpayers.
• All ISPs are reviewed jointly by the B.C. Government and TELUS.  “Last-mile” service has been extended to 63 communities thanks to this partnership.

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$90,500 Available to Prevent Bear-Human Conflicts

The provincial government is providing more than $90,000 to enable Regional Districts across the province to participate in the Bear Smart program, announced Environment Minister Barry Penner.

• The Bear Smart program encourages communities, businesses and individuals to work together to address the causes of bear-human conflicts.
• On average, 665 black bears and 45 grizzlies are destroyed each year because of conflicts with humans.
• Bear awareness is especially important in the spring when bears emerge from hibernation seeking out food to replace weight loss during the winter.

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