Capital Report ~ May 4, 2007
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Minister of Finance, Carole Taylor joined Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace River South, at the B.C. Coalition of Motorcyclists 18th annual MLA ride, to promote motorcycle safety and awareness. May 3, 2007.

World's First Hydrogen Bus Fleet One Step Closer

The Province announced a $45 million investment this week, bringing British Columbia one step closer to deploying the world’s first fleet of hydrogen buses. This funding will go towards the production of 20 buses and development of hydrogen fuelling stations in Whistler and Victoria.

Other related funding announcements this week include:
  • $155,000 in government funding to support the development of a new undergraduate fuel cell systems design laboratory at the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems at the University of Victoria.
  • British Columbia’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Strategy will receive $50,000 for continued outreach and communications about hydrogen and fuel cell technology in action in B.C., highlighting the viability of the technology in the mainstream marketplace.

Click for more information.

B.C. Steps Up Safety for Farm Workers

The B.C. Government announced increased inspections and tighter regulations for farm transportation to better protect farm workers this week.

Among the announced enhancements are the following:

  • A regulatory change to the provincial Motor Vehicle Act requires one seatbelt for every person in a vehicle.
  • A new fine will hit employers and vehicle owners – and the driver – if they allow a vehicle to be driven with more passengers than there are proper seats.
  • Drivers, owners and employers are responsible for making sure that there are proper seats and seatbelts for every passenger.
  • Farmers must use only licensed contractors. Farm labour contractors will lose their licenses for offences.
  • Safety and employment requirements must be posted in all vehicles transporting farm workers.

Celebrating Aboriginal Artists

Provincewide artistic diversity and creativity were highlighted this week with the announcement of the six recipients of the first annual BC Creative Achievement Awards for Aboriginal Art. Premier Gordon Campbell and Keith Mitchell, chair of the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, were both on hand to applaud the talents of B.C. First Nations artists.

The recipients of the first annual BC Creative Achievement Awards for Aboriginal Art are:

  • Barbara P. Marchand, Okanagan Nation
  • Marianne Nicholson, Dzawada’enuxw
  • Chester Patrick, Gitxsan
  • Susan Point, Coast Salish (Musqueam)
  • Christian White, Haida
  • William White, Tsimshian

Click for more information.

 

    Saturday, May 5, 2007
    Lorne Mayencourt, MLA for Vancouver-Burrard will be featured on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 from 8:00-8:30am and 5:00-5:30pm.

    Joan McIntyre, MLA for West Vancouver-Garibaldi will be featured on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 from 8:30-9:00am and 5:30-6:00pm.

    Rick Thorpe, MLA for Okanagan-Westside and Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for Deregulation will be featured on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 11 from 2:00-2:30pm.

    Sunday, May 6, 2007
    John Nuraney, MLA for Burnaby-Willingdon will be featured on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 4 from 8:30-9:00am and from 5:30-6:00pm.

    Rick Thorpe, MLA for Okanagan-Westside and Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister responsible for Deregulation will be featured on Constituency Report on Shaw Cable 11 from 2:00-2:30pm.

    Quotes This Week

    “This is huge. It will be the largest fleet of hydrogen-powered fuel-cell buses in the world. What’s more important is it will be a real deployment in transit.”
    John Tak, President of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Canada, commenting on the B.C. Government's $45 million contribution to the development of the world's first fleet of hydrogen fuel cell buses. Vancouver Province, May 1, 2007.

    “Unemployment right now [is] below 4% in British Columbia, so a combination of factors; the strong economic growth in general, strong job market is translating into higher incomes in British Columbia."
    BC Business Council economist Ken Peacock explaining the largest wage jump in the province in 16 years. British Columbians are also enjoying the largest disposal income gain in 20 years. CFAX, May 1, 2007. 


    Did You Know?
  • The Province will contribute $1 million to the B.C. Education Leadership Council to provide teachers with additional classroom training and leadership skills. The government has also committed $600,000 to establish a leadership training series to help parents better support school districts, schools and students.

  • The B.C. Government has contributed $5,000 to the Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of B.C. to help send 40 athletes to compete in this year’s National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. 
    • © 2007 Government Caucus of British Columbia. All Rights Reserved.