Capital Report~June 13, 2008
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The Province of British Columbia is providing $10 million to dredge Burnaby Lake, re-establishing it as an international rowing venue and improving the lake’s fish and wildlife habitat. June 6, 2008.

Province Invests $10M for Burnaby Lake Rejuvenation

The Province is providing $10 million to dredge Burnaby Lake, re-establishing it as an international rowing venue and improving the lake’s fish and wildlife habitat, Premier Gordon Campbell announced this week.

  • The rejuvenation project will include removing 360,000 cubic metres of lake bed sediment to improve water quality and enhance the lake’s fish and migratory bird habitat.
  • The dredging will allow for a 2,000-metre rowing, canoe and kayak course required to accommodate competitive, international-standard events.

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Canada, B.C. Send China $8M for Recovery and Reconstruction

Premier Gordon Campbell and the Honourable Gary Lunn, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a two-phase, $8-million project to provide temporary and permanent wood-frame buildings to help survivors of the recent earthquake in China.

  • B.C. will provide $5 million and the Government of Canada will contribute $3 million.
  • Phase one of the project involves constructing temporary wood-frame housing units to help address the immediate housing needs in the areas affected by the earthquake.
  • Phase two of the project involves constructing permanent wood-frame housing and other facilities, including a school and community centre.

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B.C. Celebrates Clean Air Day, Launches Air Action Plan

The B.C. Government is celebrating Clean Air Day with the release of the BC Air Action Plan, which allocates $28.5 million over three years to improve and enhance air quality across the province and protect the health of British Columbians.

  • The BC Air Action Plan outlines a total of 28 initiatives that will reduce air pollution and improve air quality across British Columbia.
  • The plan is designed to address air pollution from all sources – from transportation and industry to everyday activities, such as woodstove operation and vehicle idling.
  • Some of the 28 actions identified in the plan have already been initiated, with all actions expected to be in place by 2009.

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Quotes This Week

“It is no exaggeration to say that our new animal cruelty laws would not have been introduced without Minister Bell’s vision, determination and leadership. Throughout a long and often challenging political process, Minister Bell’s commitment to the animals never wavered.”
Craig Daniell, CEO, B.C. SPCA, Prince George Free Press, Jun 13, 2008.

“Fortunately, the Liberal government seems well aware of the [oil and gas] industry's importance and has resisted opposition calls to terminate successful programs, such as the net profit royalty program, which recognizes that development of unconventional resources has higher operating costs and expensive technology, and infrastructure programs that ensure access to these remote regions.”
Editorial, Vancouver Sun, May 31, 2008.


Did You Know?

  • The Province is providing $4.8 million towards the building of a third SeaBus. The third SeaBus will mean more frequent trips across Burrard Inlet for travellers, every 10 minutes at peak travel times compared to the current schedule of every 15 minutes at peak times. It will be completed in the summer of 2009 and all three vessels will be sailing across Burrard Inlet by early 2010.

  • The provincial government will see a zero net increase in regulations through 2012, Minister of Small Business and Revenue, Rick Thorpe announced this week. Since British Columbia’s regulatory reform program was introduced in 2001, 42.6 per cent – or more than 163,000 regulations – have been cut, far exceeding the original goal of cutting red tape by one third over three years.



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